bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
To stay silent or to blow the whistle? Bystander’s intervening acts when witnessing intimate partner violence (IPV)
Authors: Griffin Abby , Worthington Rachel
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Social psychology has focused on an individual’s reaction to emergencies and witnessing a crime, which has developed theories of bystander intervention and bystander apathy. The purpose of this study is to explore why people choose to intervene when they are a bystander to intimate partner violence (IPV) and the psychological processes that underpin this. Decision-making was explored drawing on literature from the whistleblowing field.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a mixed methods epistemology, this study explored factors that explained intervening behaviour concerning IPV. In total, 212 participants who had known someone who was a victim of IPV were recruited from the general population.

Findings

A logistic regression model indicated that conscientiousness and fairness were found to predict intervening behaviour. Being a child witness was found to predict non-intervening behaviour. Qualitative analysis revealed three types of bystander apathy: those who lacked capability as they were children; those who were indifferent and did not see it as their place to intervene; and those who wanted to intervene but did not as they were frightened of exacerbating the situation.

Practical implications

IPV has significant physical and psychological effects on victims. However, the choice to intervene is complex, and bystander intervention in this study was also associated in some cases with not only a continuation of the IPV behaviour towards the victim but also aggression and physical violence towards the bystander (whistleblower retaliation). Based on the findings of this study, recommendations are made for how to support bystanders and victims of IPV.

Originality/value

This study involved participants with real-life experience of being a bystander to IPV. The mixed methodology provided an insight into the psychological processes, which underpin bystander experiences of IPV and maps onto the literature in relation to whistleblowing.
The antecedents of COVID-19 contagion on quality of audit evidence in Egypt
Authors: Farghaly Marwa , Basuony Mohamed A.K. , Noureldin Neveen , Hegazy Karim
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study assesses the perception of academics and practitioners of ramifications that may have impacted audit evidence quality during COVID-19 in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire was collected and designed regarding the factors affecting the quality of audit evidence during the COVID-19 pandemic using a five-point Likert scale, and detailed descriptive statistics and regression analyses were conducted.

Findings

The study finds that there is no significant association between social distancing (SD), changing in the economic environment (CEE), time constraint (TC) and stress on audit personnel (SAP) as repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic with the quality of audit evidence (QAE). The disruption in operational results (DOR), changes in the internal control (CIC) and the stress on client personnel (SCP) significantly affect the quality of audit evidence. Moreover, there is a significant difference between Big and non-Big Four audit firms in terms of changes in economic conditions, internal controls, disruption of operational results and time-constraint variables. The latter has significantly affected the audit evidence quality for both academics and professionals.

Practical implications

Due to the implementation of SD and work-from-home policies, audit firms are highly recommended to invest more in digital programs and to be more adaptable to work-from-home, which policy and enhances the effectiveness and flexibility of communication between auditors and their clients.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the foremost papers that provides empirical evidence for the antecedents or variables that may affect audit quality evidence due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Differential effects of physical and financial threats in weight loss advertising: a case of uncertainty
Authors: Thornton Corliss , Davis Lenita , Weinberg Bruce
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Advertisements often use fear appeals to encourage prevention focused behaviors. This approach has been somewhat successful in changing attitudes and behaviors, often encouraging consumers to secede from behaviors such as smoking or to adopt preventative behaviors such as engaging in health screenings. However, health-care marketers have been less successful in efforts to reduce obesity. The obesity crisis has led to an abundance of marketing communications designed to influence weight loss. Many of these focus on fear of physical health risks associated with being overweight which have a certain degree of uncertainty surrounding them. This study aims to examine financial threats that have lower perceptions of uncertainty, and the differential impact this type of threat has on elements of the Extended Parallel Process Model (EPPM).

Design/methodology/approach

A 2 × 2 experimental design is used to examine the differential impact of messages communicating threat of financial and physical risk on evoked fear, perceived uncertainty, perceived susceptibility, efficacy and intention to lose weight.

Findings

Overall results indicate that response to weight loss advertising varies given the type of threat presented. Results indicate that there is a greater level of uncertainty associated with physical health threats than that with financial threats. Moreover, even though individuals were more fearful of and felt more susceptible to physical threats, when they believed that the recommended behavior was feasible, financial threat was more influential.

Originality/value

To encourage weight loss and intentions to lose weight advertising in practice and advertising research primarily focus on the physical health risks associated with being overweight as a motivating factor. Current research explores the impact of financial threats on attitudes and behavioral intention and finds that financial threats are perceived as more certain than physical threats, and the communication of financial threats is more salient in its effect on weight loss intentions. An opportunity for future research is to further explore the impact of uncertainty in relation to components of EPPM and how threats varying in degrees of uncertainty may impact weight loss intentions.
Place branding in the eyes of the place stakeholders – paradoxes in the perceptions of the meaning and scope of place branding
Authors: Källström Lisa , Siljeklint Per
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Although the place stakeholders play a key role in participatory place branding, surprisingly little interest has been shown in the people involved in participatory place branding initiatives. The purpose of this study is to explore place stakeholders’ perceptions of the meaning and scope of place branding.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on two cases of participatory place branding, and the research design is inspired by participatory action research. The empirical material comprises observations, qualitative questionnaires and interviews.

Findings

This study identifies and describes four paradoxes in place stakeholders’ perceptions of the meaning and scope of place branding, embracing the target group (internal vs external), the objective (explore vs exploit), the stakeholders’ role (active vs passive) and the main value of place branding initiatives (process vs outcome). Furthermore, in this study, the place stakeholders’ paradoxical perceptions of place branding meant that, during the participatory processes, the authors encountered and needed to manage various opinions and behaviours, for example, “critics”, “innovators” and “relators”.

Originality/value

This paper contributes with a new perspective on participatory place branding. By capturing place stakeholders’ perceptions and understanding of place branding, this paper develops our knowledge and understanding of the starting point of participatory processes.
Exploring barriers that prevent employees from experiencing flow in the software industry
Authors: Ritonummi Saima , Siitonen Valtteri , Salo Markus , Pirkkalainen Henri
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the barriers that prevent workers in the software industry from experiencing flow in their work.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted by using a qualitative critical incident technique-inspired questionnaire.

Findings

The findings suggest that workers in the software industry perceive that the most obvious obstacles to experiencing flow are related to work not presenting enough cognitive challenges and situational barriers related to the characteristics of the job (e.g. workdays having too many interruptions and distractions, timetables often being considered too tight for creative exploration and problem solving and having negative user experiences with development tools).

Originality/value

The findings provide insights into flow barriers, specifically barriers that prevent workers in the software industry from experiencing flow.
Attempting to grasp the architectural formation of the facades overlooking the courtyard: Al-Jadida neighborhood housing in Aleppo during the late Ottoman period (since the 18th century)
Authors: Noaime Emad , Alnaim. Mohammed M.
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The study examines the residential facades of the Al-Jadida neighborhood, focusing on the use of geometry and proportion in Aleppo's architectural history during the late Ottoman era. The analysis sheds light on the city's past and provides insights into the way residents utilized space and interacted with their surroundings.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves collecting primary and secondary sources, including historical documents, photographs, and drawings. Visual analysis is employed to examine the facades overlooking the courtyard, with a focus on windows, doors, balconies, and other distinctive features that contribute to the overall courtyard design.

Findings

The findings reveal that traditional Aleppine architecture is centered around the courtyard and incorporates decorative openings and windows reflecting Islamic principles. Stone decorations are used with unique designs based on geometry and composition, contributing to Aleppo's cultural identity.

Research limitations/implications

Including more samples for studying facades allows for the identification of changes in architectural styles and the influence of different cultural influences on the city's architecture over time. Moreover, conducting further studies is crucial for preserving this important part of Aleppo's history for future generations.

Originality/value

This research analyzes architectural facades in late Ottoman Aleppo, offering insights for future studies and understanding architectural design development. It also informs preservation efforts for historic buildings, enhancing understanding of architectural features and characteristics.
Employing face reading technology to study the effects of the fake news' message sidedness on consumers' emotional valence and arousal
Authors: Toder Alon Anat , Tahar Hila
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how message sidedness affects the impact of fake news posted on social media on consumers' emotional responses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves a face-tracking experiment in which 198 participants were exposed to different fake news messages concerning the COVID-19 vaccine. Specifically, participants were exposed to fake news using (1) a one-sided negative fake news message in which the message was entirely unfavorable and (2) a two-sided fake news message in which the negative message was mixed with favorable information. Noldus FaceReader 7, an automatic facial expression recognition system, was used to recognize participants' emotions as they read fake news. The authors sampled 17,450 observations of participants' emotional responses.

Findings

The results provide evidence of the significant influence of message sidedness on consumers' emotional valence and arousal. Specifically, two-sided fake news positively influences emotional valence, while one-sided fake news positively influences emotional arousal.

Originality/value

The current study demonstrates that research on fake news posted on social media may particularly benefit from insights regarding the potential but often overlooked importance of strategic design choices in fake news messages and their impact on consumers' emotional responses.
Audit quality, firm performance and risk: evidence from Greece
Authors: Rompotis Gerasimos , Balios Dimitrios
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to accentuate whether audit quality or other variables matter for the performance of companies in Greece.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the effect of audit quality on firm performance using data of 75 companies listed in the Athens Exchange in Greece and covering the period 2018–2021. Panel data analysis is applied. The independent variables are audit quality, the size of firms, their age, leverage, liquidity and efficiency ratios. Seven alternative measures of performance are used, including, among others, return on assets and return on equity. Stock returns and risks are used too.

Findings

The results provide evidence of a positive relationship between financial performance and audit quality. The opposite is the case for stock returns and risk. On the other explanatory variables, age has a clearly negative relationship with financial performance. The opposite is the case for liquidity and efficiency. The size factor also has some sort of a positive correlation with financial performance, whereas the opposite correlation concerns the leverage ratio.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between audit quality and firm performance with data from Greece.
A state-of-the-art digital factory integrating digital twin for laser additive and subtractive manufacturing processes
Authors: Tariq Usman , Joy Ranjit , Wu Sung-Heng , Mahmood Muhammad Arif , Malik Asad Waqar , Liou Frank
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to discuss the state-of-the-art digital factory (DF) development combining digital twins (DTs), sensing devices, laser additive manufacturing (LAM) and subtractive manufacturing (SM) processes. The current shortcomings and outlook of the DF also have been highlighted. A DF is a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility that uses innovative technologies, including automation, artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things, additive manufacturing (AM), SM, hybrid manufacturing (HM), sensors for real-time feedback and control, and a DT, to streamline and improve manufacturing operations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study presents a novel perspective on DF development using laser-based AM, SM, sensors and DTs. Recent developments in laser-based AM, SM, sensors and DTs have been compiled. This study has been developed using systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines, discussing literature on the DTs for laser-based AM, particularly laser powder bed fusion and direct energy deposition, in-situ monitoring and control equipment, SM and HM. The principal goal of this study is to highlight the aspects of DF and its development using existing techniques.

Findings

A comprehensive literature review finds a substantial lack of complete techniques that incorporate cyber-physical systems, advanced data analytics, AI, standardized interoperability, human–machine cooperation and scalable adaptability. The suggested DF effectively fills this void by integrating cyber-physical system components, including DT, AM, SM and sensors into the manufacturing process. Using sophisticated data analytics and AI algorithms, the DF facilitates real-time data analysis, predictive maintenance, quality control and optimal resource allocation. In addition, the suggested DF ensures interoperability between diverse devices and systems by emphasizing standardized communication protocols and interfaces. The modular and adaptable architecture of the DF enables scalability and adaptation, allowing for rapid reaction to market conditions.

Originality/value

Based on the need of DF, this review presents a comprehensive approach to DF development using DTs, sensing devices, LAM and SM processes and provides current progress in this domain.
A study of selective laser melting process for pure zinc and Zn10mg alloy on process parameters and mechanical properties
Authors: Waqas Muhammad , He Dingyong , Tan Zhen , Yang Peng , Gao Mu , Guo Xingye
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The selective laser melting (SLM) technique, as a typical additive manufacturing process, is widely used for the fabrication of metallic biomedical components. In terms of biodegradability, zinc and its alloys represent an emerging generation of metallic materials for biomedical implants. The purpose of this paper is to obtain the Zn and Zn10Mg alloys with high mechanical properties using the SLM technology. The relationship between the processing parameters and the porosity of pure Zn and Zn10Mg alloy samples was investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

The samples were fabricated using SLM technology working in an inert gas closed chamber. Preliminary experiments were conducted to analyze the laser power and gas flow on evaporation, single track form and porosity. To evaluate the influence of factors on relative density, the response surface methodology was applied.

Findings

The satisfactory results of the proposed method were achieved, in which the relative density of the components reached up to 99.63%, and compression strength reached 214 ± 13 MPa under optimal processing conditions.

Originality/value

Zinc is categorized by its low melting and boiling point, which leads to the high porosity of the components. It is difficult to prepare the Zn alloy samples with high relative density using SLM technology. This work successfully achieved dense Zn and Zn10Mg samples and investigated their microstructure, mechanical properties and corrosion behavior.
Direct and indirect effects of a fishing ban on lacustrine fish community do not result in a full recovery
Authors: Feng Kai , Deng Wenbo , Li Haoxuan , Guo Qianqian , Tao Kun , Yuan Jing , Liu Jiashou , Li Zhongjie , Lek Sovan , Hugueny Bernard , Wang Qidong
Published: August 2023

Protected areas are increasingly being promoted as an important means of protecting freshwater biological diversity and ecological processes. A robust assessment of ecological changes in protected areas is fundamental to optimize conservation policies and adaptive management. China's efforts to establish aquatic reserves have attracted worldwide attention, especially the “10‐year fishing ban” implemented in the Yangtze River basin.

We focused on Liangzi Lake, a freshwater protected area in the Yangtze River basin, to understand the effect of a fishing ban occurring after a short period of overfishing. In this aim, the time series of fish community taxonomic and functional structure encompassing the overfishing period and a post‐ban period have been analysed. Fish community metrics with direct, indirect and no responses to fishing bans were identified.

The results indicate that in the early period of the fishing ban, the trophic level and body size structure of the fish community were in the way of recovery. However, species that prefer benthic habitats did not recover after fishing‐induced habitat degradation. Functional traits were more sensitive than taxonomic indices and revealed subtle community changes, such as the recovery of some ecological functions, despite a non‐recovering species richness.

Synthesis and applications. This study provides a rare case of a freshwater protected area in which the effects of conservation measures are studied with a temporal survey. The effectiveness of the functional trait approach in the application of protected area assessment was demonstrated by revealing the recovery of trophic level and body size structure of fish communities after the implementation of fishing ban, and the inadequacy of habitat restoration efforts. We suggest that in freshwater protected areas, insistence on fishing ban is necessary but not sufficient for full biodiversity recovery, and other measures are needed, such as habitat restoration and species‐focused stocking.
Jungian Analysis of the Chinese Mythological Image of Sun Wukong
Authors: Liang Jingyu , Zhang Yancui , Zhang Jingwen , Shen Heyong
Published: August 2023

This paper examines the symbolism of the cultural image Sun Wukong (the Monkey King), a Chinese legendary hero, and how it influenced an eight‐year‐old boy’s psychic development. Through an analysis of Sun Wukong’s life from his birth to attaining Buddhahood, a three‐phase healing process is identified in Sun Wukong’s tale and the psychotherapeutic process: “naming and initiating,” “nurturing and taming,” and “transforming and transcending,” proposed by Dr. Heyong Shen. Sandplay visually highlighted these key clinical changes in conscious awareness and developmental behaviour influencing the boy’s individuation process. Images found either in cultural traditions or spontaneously emerging from the unconscious in individuals are of significance in human life, offering pathways to psychic healing and development. Further, myths and cultural resources used in clinical work demonstrate that having cultural competency is invaluable in Jungian analysis. Pathogenic and health‐maintenance factors of culture can be explored in future clinical practice and research.
Agricultural mechanisation and gendered labour activities across sectors: Micro‐evidence from multi‐country farm household data
Authors: Takeshima Hiroyuki
Published: August 2023

The gender difference in employment across sectors is a critical element of gender inequality in rural livelihoods and welfare in developing countries. The role of production technologies, including agricultural mechanisation, in addressing gender inequality is increasingly explored. Knowledge gaps remain, however, including how agricultural mechanisation differentially affects labour engagements across sectors. This study aims to partly fill these knowledge gaps through micro‐evidence from seven countries (Ethiopia, Ghana, Nigeria, Tanzania, India, Nepal and Vietnam), using several nationally representative panel data and supplementary data and applying correlated random effects double‐hurdle models with instrumental variables. We find that the use of tractors and/or combine harvesters by the household induces a greater shift from farm activities to non‐farm activities by female members than by male members. While statistical significance varies, these patterns generally hold consistently across all seven countries studied. These patterns also hold across different farm sizes. While these are short‐term relations, agricultural mechanisation proxied by tractors and/or combine harvesters is one of the crucial contributors to gendered rural livelihood. Future studies should more closely investigate these patterns' underlying mechanisms and implications.
Larval development and voracity of Eupeodes americanus (Diptera: Syrphidae): comparison of the focal prey Aphis gossypii (Hemiptera: Aphididae) and the banker prey Rhopalosiphum padi (Hemiptera: Aphididae)
Authors: Fauteux Arlette , Soares Antonio Onofre , Lucas Eric
Published: August 2023

Unlike European species, the potential of Nearctic syrphids as biological control agents is still poorly studied. However, the American hoverfly, Eupeodes americanus (Wiedemann), has recently demonstrated promising traits as a biocontrol agent, notably against the foxglove aphid, Aulacorthum solani Kaltenbach, on pepper. The present study aims to extend our knowledge of the American hoverfly by evaluating its potential as a biocontrol agent in a banker plant system against the melon aphid, Aphis gossypii Glover, in a greenhouse cucumber crop. The preimaginal development and voracity of E. americanus were compared when preying upon the focal prey/pest (A. gossypii) or the banker prey (bird cherry‐oat aphid, Rhopalosiphum padi L.) by daily observations of larvae from egg to adult. Preimaginal development time, survival rate, and occurrence of deformation were similar on both prey species. The weight of third instar and pupae, however, was higher for larvae that fed on the banker prey. The ad libitum voracity of the syrphid larvae was generally very high and did not significantly differ between prey species, except for the third‐instar larvae which consumed more focal prey. Results suggest that a banker plant system involving the bird cherry‐oat aphid may be a promising tactic for utilizing E. americanus for melon aphid biocontrol.
Can counter‐advertising dilute marketing effects of alcohol sponsorship of elite sport: A field experiment
Authors: Dixon Helen , Scully Maree , Niederdeppe Jeff , Brennan Emily , O'Brien Kerry , Vandenberg Brian , Pettigrew Simone , Wakefield Melanie
Published: August 2023

Aims

To test whether showing spectators counter‐advertisements exposing alcohol harms alone, or exposing alcohol harms and alcohol sponsorship, before watching an alcohol‐sponsored sporting event promotes less favourable post‐event attitudes and intentions towards alcohol sponsor brands and alcohol in general.

Design

On‐line between‐subjects experiment.

Setting

Australia.

Participants

A sample of Australian adults aged 18–49 years who planned to watch an alcohol‐sponsored National Rugby League (NRL) State of Origin series game was recruited through an online panel.

Interventions

Participants were randomly assigned to one of three counter‐advertising conditions: control (neutral advertisement); counter‐advertisement exposing alcohol harms; and counter‐advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms, to view at least four times during the week before watching the alcohol‐sponsored sporting event.

Measurements

Participants (n = 1932) completed a pre‐test questionnaire a week before the sporting event. Within 4 days of watching the sporting event, participants completed post‐test measures assessing sponsor brand awareness, attitudes and preferences towards the brand, as well as knowledge, attitudes and intentions for alcohol in general (n = 1075).

Findings

Compared with the control advertisement, the counter‐advertisement exposing alcohol sponsorship and harms promoted higher (6–13%) awareness of sponsor brands, less favourable attitudes towards sponsor brands and drinking beer, lower purchase intentions for sponsor brands (Cohen's d = 0.15, 0.31, 0.27, respectively) and perceived less image‐based similarity and fit between the sporting event and sponsor brands (Cohen's d = 0.20 and 0.56). Both counter‐advertisements promoted lower perceptions of the appropriateness of consuming alcohol while watching sport (Cohen's d = 0.22 and 0.34), higher awareness of alcohol harms (6–34%) and higher intentions (8–13%) to reduce alcohol consumption than the control advertisement.

Conclusions

At alcohol‐sponsored sporting events, counter‐advertisements addressing alcohol harms may promote knowledge of harms and intentions to drink less. Counter‐advertisements that additionally expose and critique alcohol sponsorship may detract from perceptions of sponsor brand image and intentions to purchase the sponsor's products.
Research on the impact of digital infrastructure on the allocation efficiency of green resources in the service industry
Authors: Pan Yaru , Yang Mu‐Yang
Published: August 2023

Digital infrastructure considers the advantages of traditional infrastructure and high‐tech information technology and can optimize the allocation of green resources in the service industry to a large extent. Based on the calculation of the level of digital infrastructure in 30 provinces and cities in China from 2011 to 2020, this study analyzes the impact of digital infrastructure on the resource allocation efficiency of the service industry from a theoretical and empirical perspective. The study found that digital infrastructure can improve the efficiency of green resource allocation in the service industry; however, at the subdivision level, only its operation dimension has a significant and positive impact on the efficiency of green resource allocation in the service industry, and the improvement effect of the construction dimension is insignificant. Analyzing the mechanism of action shows that digital infrastructure can indirectly optimize the allocation of green resources in the service industry by deepening the degree of informatization and improving the level of innovation. Further analysis shows that the impact of digital infrastructure on the efficiency of green resource allocation in the service industry presents a complex nonlinear trend and regional heterogeneity. The research conclusions provide a policy reference for optimizing the allocation of green resources in the service industry and promoting high‐quality economic growth under the background of digital infrastructure.
The vasoactive effects of bradykinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide, calcitonin gene‐related peptide and neuropeptide Y depend on the perivascular tissue in porcine retinal arterioles in vitro
Authors: Lykke Lise , Ernst Charlotte , Bek Toke
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The retina contains a number of vasoactive neuropeptides and corresponding receptors, but the role of these neuropeptides for tone regulation of retinal arterioles has not been studied in detail.

Methods

Porcine arterioles with preserved perivascular retinal tissue were mounted in a wire myograph, and the tone was measured after the addition of increasing concentrations of bradykinin, vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), substance P (SP), calcitonin gene‐related peptide (CGRP) and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). The experiments were performed during inhibition of the synthesis of nitric oxide (NO), prostaglandins and dopamine and were repeated after removal of the perivascular retinal tissue.

Results

Bradykinin, VIP and CGRP induced significant concentration‐dependent dilatation and NPY significant concentration‐dependent contraction of the arterioles in the presence of perivascular retinal tissue (p < 0.03 for all comparisons) but not on isolated arterioles. BNP and SP had no effect on vascular tone. The NOS inhibitor L‐NAME reduced bradykinin‐ and VIP‐induced relaxation (p < 0.001 for both comparisons), whereas none of the other inhibitors influenced the vasoactive effects of the studied neuropeptides.

Conclusion

The effects of neuropeptides on the tone of retinal arterioles depend on the perivascular retinal tissue and may involve effects other than those mediated by nitric oxide, prostaglandins and adrenergic compounds. Investigation of the mechanisms underlying the vasoactive effect of neuropeptides may be important for understanding and treating retinal diseases where disturbances in retinal flow regulation are involved in the disease pathogenesis.
A Second Evidence Factor for a Second Control Group
Authors: Rosenbaum Paul R.
Published: August 2023

In an observational study of the effects caused by a treatment, a second control group is used in an effort to detect bias from unmeasured covariates, and the investigator is content if no evidence of bias is found. This strategy is not entirely satisfactory: two control groups may differ significantly, yet the difference may be too small to invalidate inferences about the treatment, or the control groups may not differ yet nonetheless fail to provide a tangible strengthening of the evidence of a treatment effect. Is a firmer conclusion possible? Is there a way to analyze a second control group such that the data might report measurably strengthened evidence of cause and effect, that is, insensitivity to larger unmeasured biases? Evidence factor analyses are not commonly used with a second control group: most analyses compare the treated group to each control group, but analyses of that kind are partially redundant; so, they do not constitute evidence factors. An alternative analysis is proposed here, one that does yield two evidence factors, and with a carefully designed test statistic, is capable of extracting strong evidence from the second factor. The new technical work here concerns the development of a test statistic with high design sensitivity and high Bahadur efficiency in a sensitivity analysis for the second factor. A study of binge drinking as a cause of high blood pressure is used as an illustration.
Carotenoid ornaments and the spandrels of physiology: a critique of theory to explain condition dependency
Authors: Hill Geoffrey E. , Weaver Ryan J. , Powers Matthew J.
Published: August 2023

Even as numerous studies have documented that the red and yellow coloration resulting from the deposition of carotenoids serves as an honest signal of condition, the evolution of condition dependency is contentious. The resource trade‐off hypothesis proposes that condition‐dependent honest signalling relies on a trade‐off of resources between ornamental display and body maintenance. By this model, condition dependency can evolve through selection for a re‐allocation of resources to promote ornament expression. By contrast, the index hypothesis proposes that selection focuses mate choice on carotenoid coloration that is inherently condition dependent because production of such coloration is inexorably tied to vital cellular processes. These hypotheses for the origins of condition dependency make strongly contrasting and testable predictions about ornamental traits. To assess these two models, we review the mechanisms of production of carotenoids, patterns of condition dependency involving different classes of carotenoids, and patterns of behavioural responses to carotenoid coloration. We review evidence that traits can be condition dependent without the influence of sexual selection and that novel traits can show condition‐dependent expression as soon as they appear in a population, without the possibility of sexual selection. We conclude by highlighting new opportunities for studying condition‐dependent signalling made possible by genetic manipulation and expression of ornamental traits in synthetic biological systems.
Design and synthesis of isatin derivatives as effective SARS‐CoV‐2 3CL protease inhibitors
Authors: Bao Hong‐Lei , Tu Gao , Yue Qiu , Liu Pei , Zheng Hui‐Li , Yao Xiao‐Jun
Published: August 2023

SARS‐CoV‐2 chymotrypsin‐like cysteine protease (3CLpro) is one of the most widely developed drug targets for COVID‐19. This study aimed to design and synthesize isatin derivatives to target SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro in a covalent binding manner. Through the process, a potent 3CLpro inhibitor (5g) was discovered with an IC50 value of 0.43 ± 0.17 μM. To understand the binding affinity and specificity of 5g as a candidate inhibitor of SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro, several assays were conducted, including FRET enzyme activity assays, thermodynamic‐based and kinetic‐based validation of inhibitor‐target interactions, and cell‐based FlipGFP assays. The interaction mechanism between 3CLpro‐5g was characterized by docking. Overall, these findings suggest that 5g is a new potent SARS‐CoV‐2 3CLpro inhibitor for the treatment of COVID‐19.
Role of corn silk for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease: A mechanism research based on network pharmacology combined with molecular docking and experimental validation
Authors: Tao Tian‐ze , Wang Lu , Liu Jie
Published: August 2023

This study aimed to research the possible mechanism and effect of active ingredients of corn silk on Alzheimer's disease (AD) by the method of network pharmacology, molecular docking, and animal experiments. The active ingredients of Corn silk were obtained by searching the TCMSP database and the targets corresponding to the active ingredients of Corn silk were obtained through the TCMSP and SwissTargetPrediction platforms, and the AD targets were obtained in the GeneCards, OMIM, and DisgeNET databases. Cytoscape was employed for creating the “active ingredient‐target” relationship network; STRING and Cytoscape for creating the protein–protein interaction (PPI) network. Besides, Meta scape was used for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis of the intersecting targets; AutoDockTools and Pymol for molecular docking and visualization of core ingredients and core targets; and animal experiments for verifying the anti‐AD effect of luteolin. A total of 12 active ingredients of corn silk were screened, including 465 targets and 209 intersected targets. Moreover, GO functional analysis results showed that the anti‐AD effect of corn silk was mainly reflected in phosphotransferase activity, response to hormone, membrane raft, etc.; KEGG results indicated the main pathways involving cancer, Alzheimer disease, etc.; and the molecular docking results revealed excellent binding of the core ingredients (α‐tocopheryl quinone, luteolin, etc.) to the core targets. Besides, the outcomes of animal experiments exhibited that luteolin not only reduced the expression of inflammatory factors TNF‐α and IL‐1β in mice but also attenuated inflammation. With the help of network pharmacology and experimental validation, the material basis and mechanism of the anti‐AD of corn silk have been explored in this study. Briefly speaking, luteolin from corn silk plays an anti‐AD role by inhibiting inflammation.
Deep Deformation Detail Synthesis for Thin Shell Models
Authors: Chen Lan , Gao Lin , Yang Jie , Xu Shibiao , Ye Juntao , Zhang Xiaopeng , Lai Yu‐Kun
Published: August 2023

In physics‐based cloth animation, rich folds and detailed wrinkles are achieved at the cost of expensive computational resources and huge labor tuning. Data‐driven techniques make efforts to reduce the computation significantly by utilizing a preprocessed database. One type of methods relies on human poses to synthesize fitted garments, but these methods cannot be applied to general cloth animations. Another type of methods adds details to the coarse meshes obtained through simulation, which does not have such restrictions. However, existing works usually utilize coordinate‐based representations which cannot cope with large‐scale deformation, and requires dense vertex correspondences between coarse and fine meshes. Moreover, as such methods only add details, they require coarse meshes to be sufficiently close to fine meshes, which can be either impossible, or require unrealistic constraints to be applied when generating fine meshes. To address these challenges, we develop a temporally and spatially as‐consistent‐as‐possible deformation representation (named TS‐ACAP) and design a DeformTransformer network to learn the mapping from low‐resolution meshes to ones with fine details. This TS‐ACAP representation is designed to ensure both spatial and temporal consistency for sequential large‐scale deformations from cloth animations. With this TS‐ACAP representation, our DeformTransformer network first utilizes two mesh‐based encoders to extract the coarse and fine features using shared convolutional kernels, respectively. To transduct the coarse features to the fine ones, we leverage the spatial and temporal Transformer network that consists of vertex‐level and frame‐level attention mechanisms to ensure detail enhancement and temporal coherence of the prediction. Experimental results show that our method is able to produce reliable and realistic animations in various datasets at high frame rates with superior detail synthesis abilities compared to existing methods.
Maximum Likelihood Coordinates
Authors: Chang Q. , Deng C. , Hormann K.
Published: August 2023

Any point inside a d‐dimensional simplex can be expressed in a unique way as a convex combination of the simplex's vertices, and the coefficients of this combination are called the barycentric coordinates of the point. The idea of barycentric coordinates extends to general polytopes with n vertices, but they are no longer unique if n > d+1. Several constructions of such generalized barycentric coordinates have been proposed, in particular for polygons and polyhedra, but most approaches cannot guarantee the non‐negativity of the coordinates, which is important for applications like image warping and mesh deformation. We present a novel construction of non‐negative and smooth generalized barycentric coordinates for arbitrary simple polygons, which extends to higher dimensions and can include isolated interior points. Our approach is inspired by maximum entropy coordinates, as it also uses a statistical model to define coordinates for convex polygons, but our generalization to non‐convex shapes is different and based instead on the project‐and‐smooth idea of iterative coordinates. We show that our coordinates and their gradients can be evaluated efficiently and provide several examples that illustrate their advantages over previous constructions.
Two or four implants for maxillary overdentures in edentulous patients: 1‐year results of a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Onclin Pieter , Speksnijder Caroline M. , Vissink Arjan , Meijer Henny J. A. , Raghoebar Gerry M.
Published: August 2023

Introduction

Maxillary implant overdenture therapy is a good treatment option for treating patients experiencing problems with their conventional maxillary denture. Retaining the overdenture with four implants and a bar attachment system serves as the current gold standard. However, there is a demand for less costly and less invasive treatment options. The aim of this randomized controlled trial was to compare marginal bone level change (MBLC), implant and overdenture survival, clinical, masticatory, and patient‐related outcomes (PROMs) of maxillary implant overdentures with either two or four implants and a bar attachment system.

Materials and Methods

Forty edentulous participants were randomly allocated to two groups (n = 20), to receive either two or four implants in the maxilla. After healing, all the participants received an implant overdenture retained by a bar attachment system. All the participants were evaluated 1 and 12 months after overdenture placement. The primary outcome was MBLC. Secondary outcomes were implant and overdenture survival, clinical, masticatory, and PROMs. The outcomes were analyzed using parametric and non‐parametric tests.

Results

MBLC was −0.03 mm in the 2‐implant group and −0.16 mm in the 4‐implant group (p = 0.21). Implant survival was 83.3% in the 2‐implant group and 94.4% in the 4‐implant group (p = 0.03). The median pocket depth change and clinical outcomes were low, and masticatory performance along with PROMs improved in both groups and did not differ significantly between them.

Conclusion

Maxillary 4‐implant overdentures perform better than maxillary 2‐implant overdentures with a bar attachment system in terms of implant and overdenture survival and therefore remains the gold standard. However, both overdentures perform similarly in terms of MBLC, clinical, masticatory, and PROMs.
Combined behavioral and EEG evidence for the 70 Hz frequency selection of short‐term spinal cord stimulation in disorders of consciousness
Authors: Zhuang Yutong , Ge Qianqian , Li Qinghua , Xu Long , Geng Xiaoli , Wang Ruoqing , He Jianghong
Published: August 2023

Objectives

This study investigated the prognostic effect of electroencephalography (EEG) instant effects of single spinal cord stimulation (SCS) on clinical outcome in disorders of consciousness (DOC) and the time‐dependent brain response during the recovery of consciousness prompted by SCS.

Methods

Twenty three patients with DOC underwent short‐term SCS (stSCS) implantation operation. Then, all patients received the postoperative EEG test including EEG record before (T1) and after (T2) single SCS session. Subsequently, 2 weeks stSCS treatment was performed and revised coma recovery scale (CRS‐R) and EEG data were collected. Finally, they were classified into effective and ineffective groups at 3‐month follow‐up (T6).

Results

The parietal‐occipital (PO) connectivity and clustering coefficients (CC) in the beta band of the effective group at the 1 week after the treatment (T5) were found to be higher than preoperative assessment (T0). Correlation analysis showed that the change in beta CC at T1/T2 was correlated with the change in CRS‐R at T0/T6. In addition, the change in PO connectivity and CC in the beta at T0/T5 were also correlated with the change in CRS‐R at T0/T5.

Conclusion

SCS may facilitate the recovery of consciousness by enhancing local information interaction in posterior brain regions. And the recovery can be predicted by beta CC in the EEG test.
ErbB2pY‐1248 as a predictive biomarker for Parkinson's disease based on research with RPPA technology and in vivo verification
Authors: Jin Meng , Shi Ruidie , Gao Daili , Wang Baokun , Li Ning , Li Xia , Sik Attila , Liu Kechun , Zhang Xiujun
Published: August 2023

Aims

This study aims to reveal a promising biomarker for Parkinson's disease (PD) based on research with reverse phase protein array (RPPA) technology for the first time and in vivo verification, which gains time for early intervention in PD, thus increasing the effectiveness of treatment and reducing disease morbidity.

Methods and Results

We employed RPPA technology which can assess both total and post‐translationally modified proteins to identify biomarker candidates of PD in a cellular PD model. As a result, the phosphorylation (pY‐1248) of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) ErbB2 is a promising biomarker candidate for PD. In addition, lapatinib, an ErbB2 tyrosine kinase inhibitor, was used to verify this PD biomarker candidate in vivo. We found that lapatinib‐attenuated dopaminergic neuron loss and PD‐like behavior in the zebrafish PD model. Accordingly, the expression of ErbB2pY‐1248 significantly increased in the MPTP‐induced mouse PD model. Our results suggest that ErbB2pY‐1248 is a predictive biomarker for PD.

Conclusions

In this study, we found that ErbB2pY‐1248 is a predictive biomarker of PD by using RPPA technology and in vivo verification. It offers a new perspective on PD diagnosing and treatment, which will be essential in identifying individuals at risk of PD. In addition, this study provides new ideas for digging into biomarkers of other neurodegenerative diseases.