bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
FDI and productivity: facts versus fiction of high growth
Authors: Sokhanvar Amin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to study the role of foreign direct investment (FDI) channels in improving local firms' productivity. Two transmission channels of knowledge spillovers are empirically investigated. The study focuses on the role of high-growth firms (HGFs) that are assumed to have a higher absorptive capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

A threshold regression model that considers country and sector fixed effects is applied to investigate 8525 firms across 50 sectors in 12 developing countries in the East Asia and Pacific (EAP) region.

Findings

The author's findings indicate that first, larger firms with external market linkages are more productive. Second, high-growth enterprises are powerful engines of job creation; however, the firms do not outperform other firms in terms of capacity in absorbing FDI spillovers and do not have higher productivity.

Research limitations/implications

The findings highlight the necessity of rethinking public policy priorities to support firm growth. Policies to maximize the gains from FDI spillovers are discussed.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate the strength of FDI spillover channels across different sectors, and the channels' impact on the productivity of local enterprises in the EAP region. This study also explores the potential role of high-growth firms (HGFs) in this interaction via job creation and improving output growth rate.
Exploring fire for financial independence retire early (FIRE): a netnography approach
Authors: Khan Abdul Wahid , Pandey Jatin
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Consumers’ lifestyle and financial decision-making affects their overall well-being. This paper aims to explore the factors that motivate consumers to pursue the goal of financial independence and retiring early (FIRE).

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative netnography was used to analyze FIRE-related discussions by FIRE-specific online communities. The findings were triangulated using inputs from in-depth interviews with 13 financial advisors.

Findings

Using conservation of resources as a theoretical lens, two factors were found to be the primary motivators driving FIRE attitude and subsequent adoption of FIRE behavior – “escapism & freedom from the current workplace & life space” and “concern for physical & mental well-being.” Four factors were found to influence the adoption of FIRE attitude and behavior: “individual characteristics” [do-it-yourself (DIY) and proactive attitude, the capability of frugal living and ability to plan, track, and review], “well-paying job,” “support from spouse” and “resistance from social groups.”

Research limitations/implications

Due to the nature of netnography, demographic details of the sample cannot be completely ascertained.

Practical implications

The findings suggest marketing strategies primarily to wealth managers for: shifting to need-based segmentation of FIRE participants, modifying offerings to involve co-creation and low-touch products, innovating pricing models, increasing distribution reach through digitization and increasing sales and lead generation through engagement.

Originality/value

This is one of the first studies to explore the factors driving the adoption of FIRE by general FIRE consumers and presents a conceptual model.
Financial inclusion and financial development: implications for monetary policy effectiveness and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Takyi Paul Owusu , Sakyi Daniel , Yusif Hadrat , Asante Grace Nkansa , Osei-Fosu Anthony Kofi , Mensah Gideon
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper explores the implications of financial inclusion and financial development for the conduct of monetary policy in achieving price stability and economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs the system-generalized methods of moment (GMM) estimation technique using panel data spanning 2004 to 2019 and sourced from Databases of (International Monetary Fund's) IMF's Financial Access Survey (FAS), IMF's International Financial Statistics (IFS), World Bank's Global Financial Development Database (GFDD) and World Bank's World Development Indicators (WDI).

Findings

The authors find that financial inclusion has a double-edge effect in SSA. That is, it increases economic growth and lowers inflation in SSA. Furthermore, the results show that a simultaneous increase in financial inclusion and financial development have restrictive effects on economic growth. On the evidence provided, the authors conclude that financial inclusion is an important predictor of economic growth and the conduct of monetary policy in the sub-region.

Originality/value

This paper expands and contributes to the frontier of knowledge how financial inclusion is important for the conduct of monetary policy by monetary authorities in achieving its intended objectives in SSA. The paper highlights the need for ongoing enhancement of financial inclusion of many governments in the sub-region to achieving high economic growth and price stability. Thus, there is the need for policy makers to ensure that a more stringent, effective and appropriate policies and measures are put in place to enhance financial inclusion while taking into consideration the extent of financial development in SSA.
Exploring knowledge management enablers for blockchain-enabled food supply chain implementations
Authors: Pham Chi Minh , Lokuge Sachithra , Nguyen Thanh-Thuy , Adamopoulos Arthur
Published: May 2023

Purpose

With the advent of new technologies, the integration of blockchain-enabled food supply chain (FSC) implementations is on the rise. Considering the multilateral, comprehensive and complex nature of the whole blockchain-enabled FSC implementation process, understanding knowledge management (KM) practices will add value. Prior literature shows that only a few studies have focused on this topic. As such, this study aims to identify and establish key KM enablers for blockchain-enabled FSC implementations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a qualitative research approach. By conducting 22 in-depth interviews with experienced blockchain implementation experts in FSC contexts, this study provides interesting insights for academics and practitioners.

Findings

The results of the analysis highlighted eight critical KM enablers that directly influence blockchain-enabled FSC implementations. They include external enablers (i.e. regulation and market competition) as well as internal enablers (i.e. people – organizational learning, strategy and leadership, culture, information technology, organizational infrastructure, processes and activities).

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies that identify KM enablers for blockchain-enabled FSC implementations. Considering the novelty of decentralized blockchain implementations in FSC and its importance in transforming silo-based knowledge exchange to a decentralized operational structure, this study attempts to identify factors that increase the efficiency of blockchain implementations in FSC contexts.
A taxonomy of competition-based approaches as innovation policy measures to foster external knowledge search
Authors: Landoni Paolo , Franzò Simone , Viglialoro Davide , Laspia Alessandro , Verganti Roberto
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to provide a comprehensive view of the different competition-based approaches that policymakers can exploit to foster external knowledge search and their positioning among innovation policy measures. A growing number of companies have implemented initiatives to access external knowledge to increase their innovativeness, consistently with the open innovation paradigm. Competition-based approaches have received increasing attention by the private sector as a way to access external knowledge. However, despite their potential role as innovation policy measures, a limited attention has been devoted so far to investigate them from the policymakers’ perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

To this aim, a two-stage empirical analysis has been carried out to develop a taxonomy of competition-based approaches. The first stage leveraged a multiple case study methodology including a sample of 20 competition-based approaches, while the second one leveraged interviews with Italian and European key informants.

Findings

This paper proposes a novel taxonomy including eight competition-based approaches, which differ among each other in terms of policy strategy, scope breadth and output required. Moreover, this paper enriches a well-established taxonomy of innovation policy instruments with the identified competition-based approaches.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current debate on innovation policy by providing a taxonomy that includes eight competition-based approaches that can be exploited by policymakers to foster external knowledge search as well as their positioning among the innovation policy instruments. The taxonomy will hopefully support policymakers in identifying of the most suitable instruments in the light of their policy strategy and objectives.
Seasonal shifts in Fe‐acquisition strategies in Southern Ocean microbial communities revealed by metagenomics and autonomous sampling
Authors: Zhang Rui , Debeljak Pavla , Blain Stephane , Obernosterer Ingrid
Published: May 2023

Iron (Fe) governs the cycling of organic carbon in large parts of the Southern Ocean. The strategies of diverse microbes to acquire the different chemical forms of Fe under seasonally changing organic carbon regimes remain, however, poorly understood. Here, we report high‐resolution seasonal metagenomic observations from the region off Kerguelen Island (Indian Sector of the Southern Ocean) where natural Fe‐fertilization induces consecutive spring and summer phytoplankton blooms. Our data illustrate pronounced, but distinct seasonal patterns in the abundance of genes implicated in the transport of different forms of Fe and organic substrates, of siderophore biosynthesis and carbohydrate‐active enzymes. The seasonal dynamics suggest a temporal decoupling in the prokaryotic requirements of Fe and organic carbon during the spring phytoplankton bloom and a concerted access to these resources after the summer bloom. Taxonomic assignments revealed differences in the prokaryotic groups harbouring genes of a given Fe‐related category and pronounced seasonal successions were observed. Using MAGs we could decipher the respective Fe‐ and organic substrate‐related genes of individual taxa assigned to abundant groups. The ecological strategies related to Fe‐acquisition provide insights on how this element could shape microbial community composition with potential implications on organic matter transformations in the Southern Ocean.
Perinatal outcomes of socially disadvantaged women: Definite room for improvement
Authors: Ellwood David
Published: May 2023

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Faulks et al., pp.1380–1393 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17501.
Monochorionic twins without TTTS are not at increased risk of adverse neurodevelopment at 5 years of age
Authors: Brown Richard N.
Published: May 2023

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Hoarau et al., pp.1047–1058 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17460.
Identification of complement factor H variants that predispose to pre‐eclampsia: A genetic and functional study
Authors: Lokki A. Inkeri , Ren Zhen , Triebwasser Michael , Daly Emma ,   FINNPEC, Perola Markus , Auro Kirsi , Burwick Richard , Salmon Jane E. , Daly Mark , Laivuori Hannele , Atkinson John P. , Java Anuja , Meri Seppo
Published: May 2023

Objective

The objective of the study was to investigate the role of genetic variants in complement proteins in pre‐eclampsia.

Design

In a case–control study involving 609 cases and 2092 controls, five rare variants in complement factor H (CFH) were identified in women with severe and complicated pre‐eclampsia. No variants were identified in controls.

Setting

Pre‐eclampsia is a leading cause of maternal and fetal morbidity and mortality. Immune maladaptation, in particular, complement activation that disrupts maternal‐fetal tolerance leading to placental dysfunction and endothelial injury, has been proposed as a pathogenetic mechanism, but this remains unproven.

Population

We genotyped 609 pre‐eclampsia cases and 2092 controls from FINNPEC and the national FINRISK cohorts.

Methods

Complement‐based functional and structural assays were conducted in vitro to define the significance of these five missense variants and each compared with wild type.

Main outcome measures

Secretion, expression and ability to regulate complement activation were assessed for factor H proteins harbouring the mutations.

Results

We identified five heterozygous rare variants in complement factor H (L3V, R127H, R166Q, C1077S and N1176K) in seven women with severe pre‐eclampsia. These variants were not identified in controls. Variants C1077S and N1176K were novel. Antigenic, functional and structural analyses established that four (R127H, R166Q, C1077S and N1176K) were deleterious. Variants R127H and C1077S were synthesised, but not secreted. Variants R166Q and N1176K were secreted normally but showed reduced binding to C3b and consequently defective complement regulatory activity. No defect was identified for L3V.

Conclusions

These results suggest that complement dysregulation due to mutations in complement factor H is among the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying severe pre‐eclampsia.
Drug and alcohol intoxication in major trauma: Associations, trends and outcomes over a decade
Authors: Woliansky Jonathan , Gumm Kellie , Clark Nico , Knott Jonathan , Read David J
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Drug and alcohol intoxication is common among injured patients altering trauma presentation and characteristics. However, uncertainty exists regarding the effect of intoxication on injury severity, as well as outcomes. The present study aims to provide an update on substance‐use patterns and their association with traumatic presentation and outcome within a contemporary Australian context.

Methods

All major trauma patients captured in our centre's Trauma Registry between July 2010 and June 2020 were included. Demographic, injury characteristic, outcome and substance‐use data were collected. Differences in injury severity and characteristics were explored using χ2 tests, while outcomes were modelled using adjusted binomial logistic regression.

Results

Among 9700 patients, 9% were drug‐intoxicated prior to injury, while 9.4% were alcohol‐intoxicated. Drug use almost tripled between 2010 (4.8%) and 2020 (13.3%), while alcohol intoxication fell, from 11.7% to 7.3%, over the same period. Although there were significant differences in trauma mechanism among intoxicated patients, group comparison found no difference in Injury Severity Score for any group. Regarding outcomes, all intoxication resulted in significantly greater odds (odds ratio 1.62–2.41) of ICU admission. No difference in mortality was found among individual substance‐use groups; however, polysubstance‐intoxicated patients had 3.52 times greater odds of dying (95% confidence interval 1.21–10.23) compared to non‐intoxicated patients.

Conclusion

Within this contemporary Australian population, we demonstrate escalating rates of drug intoxication and declining rates of alcohol intoxication prior to trauma. Intoxication was associated with more frequent violent and non‐accidental injury, and despite no difference in severity, it was associated with worse outcomes.
Enterprise system implementation and cash flow volatility
Authors: Liu Alfred Z. , Pincus Morton , Xu Sean Xin
Published: May 2023

This study investigates the financial and operational implications of enterprise systems (ESs) in corporate risk management. Using matched difference‐in‐differences analyses based on ES implementation events, we document a significant reduction in the volatility of operating cash flows following ES implementations. We further show that ES implementers have better post‐implementation operational efficiency than matched non‐ES firms and better manage sales, costs of sales, working capital, and operating expenses to reduce operating cash flow volatility. Consistent with the benefits of lower cash flow volatility documented in prior literature, we find ES implementers demonstrate higher investment efficiency, lower reliance on external financing, and higher debt capacity post‐ES‐implementation than the matched non‐ES firms. Our study sheds light on the economic benefits of utilizing ESs in corporate risk management and in so doing responds to the paucity of empirical research in this area.
Uncorrected soil water isotopes through cryogenic vacuum distillation may lead to a false estimation on plant water sources
Authors: Yang Bin , Dossa Gbadamassi G. O. , Hu Yue‐Hua , Liu Lu‐Lu , Meng Xian‐Jing , Du Yi‐Yuan , Li Jia‐Yuan , Zhu Xi‐Ai , Zhang Yong‐Jiang , Singh Ashutosh K. , Yuan Xia , Wu Jun‐En , Zakari Sissou , Liu Wen‐Jie , Song Liang
Published: May 2023

Successful use of stable isotopes (δ2H and δ18O) in ecohydrological studies relies on the accurate extraction of unfractionated water from different types of soil samples. Cryogenic vacuum distillation (CVD) is a common laboratory‐based technique used for soil water extraction; however, the reliability of this technique in reflecting soil water δ2H and δ18O is still of concern.

This study examines the reliability of a newly developed automatic cryogenic vacuum distillation (ACVD) system. We further assessed the impacts of extraction parameters (i.e. extraction time, temperature and vacuum) and soil properties on the recovery of soil water δ2H and δ18O for the ACVD and traditional cryogenic vacuum distillation (TCVD) systems. Finally, we investigated the potential influence of CVD (ACVD and TCVD) technique on the prediction of plant water uptake through a sensitivity analysis.

Both ACVD and TCVD similarly extracted water from the rewetted soils, but none of the CVD systems successfully recovered the isotopic signatures of doped water from soil materials. Mean δ2H offsets of extracted soil water were −2.6 ± 1.3‰ and −2.4 ± 1.7‰ for ACVD and TCVD, respectively, while mean δ18O offsets were −0.16 ± 0.14‰ and −0.39 ± 0.37‰. The isotopic offsets of CVD systems were positively correlated with soil clay content, and negatively correlated with soil water content. Using corrected soil data (with CVD offsets) could improve the prediction of plant water uptake based on its high correlation with the environmental factors.

This study identifies the isotopic offsets of CVD systems (i.e. ACVD and TCVD) and provides possible solutions for better predicting plant water sources. Even though, the wide use of CVD techniques probably induce noticeable uncertainties in the prediction of plants water uptake depths. The dataset of soil water extraction in this study will have implications for the technological development of CVD techniques.
How does a family history of psychosis influence the risk of methamphetamine‐related psychotic symptoms: Evidence from longitudinal panel data
Authors: McKetin Rebecca , Clare Philip J. , Castle David , Turner Alyna , Kelly Peter J. , Lubman Dan I. , Arunogiri Shalini , Manning Victoria , Berk Michael
Published: May 2023

Aims

To determine whether the risk of psychotic symptoms during weeks of methamphetamine use was dependent on, increased by, or independent of having a family history of psychosis.

Design

Secondary analysis of 13 contiguous 1‐week periods of data (1370 weeks). A risk modification framework was used to test each scenario.

Setting

Geelong, Wollongong and Melbourne, Australia.

Participants

Participants in a randomized controlled trial of treatment for methamphetamine dependence (n = 148) who did not have a primary psychotic disorder on enrolment.

Measurements

Psychotic symptoms in the previous week were defined as a score of 3+ on any of the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale items of hallucinations, unusual thought content or suspiciousness. Any (vs no) methamphetamine use in the previous week was assessed using the Timeline Followback method. Self‐reported family history of psychosis was assessed using the Diagnostic Interview for Psychosis.

Findings

The risk of psychotic symptoms in the past week was independently associated with methamphetamine use in that week (relative risk [RR] = 2.3, 95% CI = 1.3–4.3) and with having a family history of psychosis (RR = 2.4, 95% CI = 0.9–7.0); the joint risk among participants with a family history of psychosis during weeks when they were using methamphetamine was large (RR = 4.0, 95% CI = 2.0–7.9). There was no significant interaction between a family history of psychosis and methamphetamine use in predicting psychotic symptoms (interaction RR = 0.7 95% CI = 0.3–1.8), but there was a small non‐significant excess risk due to the interaction (0.20 95% CI = −1.63 to 2.03).

Conclusions

Among people dependent on methamphetamine, the relative risk of psychotic symptoms during weeks of methamphetamine use does not appear to be dependent on, or increased by, having a family history of psychosis. However, a family history of psychosis does appear to be an independent risk factor that contributes to the absolute risk of psychotic symptoms in this population.
Myeloid‐derived suppressor cells: Are they involved in gestational diabetes mellitus?
Authors: Hua Siyu , Wang Shanshan , Cai Jinyang , Wu Lamei , Cao Yan
Published: May 2023

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is currently the most common metabolic complication during pregnancy, with an increasing prevalence worldwide. Maternal immune dysregulation might be partly responsible for the pathophysiology of GDM. Myeloid derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) are a heterogeneous population of cells, emerging as a new immune regulator with potent immunosuppressive capacity. Although the fate and function of these cells were primarily described in pathological conditions such as cancer and infection, accumulating evidences have spotlighted their beneficial roles in homeostasis and physiological conditions. Recently, several studies have explored the roles of MDSCs in the diabetic microenvironment. However, the fate and function of these cells in GDM are still unknown. The current review summarized the existing knowledges about MDSCs and their potential roles in diabetes during pregnancy in an attempt to highlight our current understanding of GDM‐related immune dysregulation and identify areas where further study is required.
Ivabradine in the treatment of non‐paroxysmal junctional tachycardia with interference atrioventricular dissociation: A case report
Authors: Ying Shuo , Zhang Jing , Fu Nai‐kuan , Zhang Peng
Published: May 2023

Ivabradine reduces the heart rate by selectively inhibiting the If current of the sinoatrial node, mainly for the treatment of chronic heart failure with decreased left ventricular systolic function and inappropriate sinus tachycardia, but the inhibitory effect on the atrioventricular node is rarely reported. The patient was admitted to hospital mainly because of intermittent chest pain for 7 years, which worsened for 10 days. Admission electrocardiogram (ECG) considered sinus tachycardia, with QS wave and T wave inversion in II, III, aVF, V3R‐V5R, V4–V9 leads, and non‐paroxysmal junctional tachycardia (NPJT) with interference atrioventricular dissociation. After treatment with ivabradine the ECG returned to normal conduction sequence. NPJT with interference atrioventricular dissociation is a fairly rare electrocardiographic phenomenon. This case reports for the first time that ivabradine is used in the treatment of NPJT with interference atrioventricular dissociation. It is speculated that ivabradine has a potential inhibitory effect on the atrioventricular node.
Enduring Colonial Grammars of Self: Infrastructure, Coloniality, Ethnicity
Authors: Lesutis Gediminas
Published: May 2023

Building on critical geographical scholarship on racialism and coloniality reiterated through infrastructure systems, this article explores how inherently colonial constructs of ethnicity‐as‐identity—as sub‐genres of humanity and further biopolitical differentiation of Blackness—are reworked through contemporary mega‐infrastructures. Focusing on the development of Lamu Port in Kenya, it analyses how infrastructures entrench pre‐existing symbolic and material divisions between ostensibly different ethnic groups and how they perceive themselves within Kenya's body politic. Doing this, the article demonstrates how mega‐infrastructures actively reproduce the sub‐genres of humanity that were set in motion during the colonial period as categories inscribing the racialised, constitutive otherness to Whiteness. The coloniality of power, therefore, endures, reverberating through infrastructures into materialities of the present and the everyday of peoples who continue to rely on colonial grammars of sub‐humanisation to maintain a sense of self in the world of not their own making.
Accounting For Digital Assets
Authors: Jackson Andrew B. , Luu Steven
Published: May 2023

Recent years have seen developments in distributed ledger technologies, such as blockchain, that have led to significant growth in the number and type of digital assets available. In this article we review the current practice of the small number of firms globally reporting digital assets on their financial statements. We then assess potential treatments under current GAAP, namely as intangibles, inventory or financial instruments. Finally, we provide policy advice to standard setters, with a call to either develop a new stand‐alone standard or to amend the definition of financial instruments to include cryptocurrencies, to allow greater comparability and understandability in firms’ reporting.

Recent years have seen significant growth in the number and type of digital assets available. We review the current practices of firms reporting digital assets. We then assess potential treatments under current GAAP. Finally, we provide policy advice to standard setters, with a call to either develop a new stand‐alone standard or to amend the definition of financial instruments.
Outcomes of allogeneic or autologous stem cell transplantation followed by maintenance chemotherapy in adult patient with B‐ALL in CR1 with no detectable minimal residual disease
Authors: Lv Mengnan , Liu Liangyi , He Yi , Yang Donglin , Ma Qiaoling , Pang Aiming , Zhai Weihua , Wei Jialin , Huang Yong , Chen Xin , Zhang Guixin , Feng Sizhou , Han Mingzhe , Jiang Erlie , Zhang Rongli
Published: May 2023

Autologous haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto‐HSCT) as a treatment for B‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (B‐ALL) has been rigorously debated in recent years. We retrospectively analysed the outcomes of 355 adult patients with B‐ALL in first complete remission who had received auto‐HSCT or allogeneic HSCT (allo‐HSCT) in our centre. The treatment efficacy was evaluated from a model stratified on the risk classification and minimal residue disease (MRD) status after three chemotherapy cycles. Auto‐HSCT demonstrated comparable 3‐year overall survival (OS) (72.7% vs. 68.5%, p = 0.441) and leukaemia‐free survival rates (62.8% vs. 56.1%, p = 0.383) compared to allo‐HSCT for patients with negative MRD, while the advantage of lower non‐relapse mortality (1.5% vs. 25.1%, p < 0.001) was offset by a higher cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) rates (35.7% vs. 18.9%, p = 0.018), especially in high‐risk patients. For patients at high risk and with positive MRD, there was a lower trend of 3‐year OS (50.0% vs. 66.0%, p = 0.078) and significantly higher CIR rates (71.4% vs. 39.1%, p = 0.018) in auto‐HSCT. However, no significant interaction was observed in the tests. In conclusion, auto‐HSCT appears to be an attractive treatment for patients with negative MRD after three chemotherapy cycles. For MRD‐positive patients, allo‐HSCT may be a more effective treatment.
The prognostic impact of IKZF1 deletions and UKALL genetic classifiers in paediatric B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia treated according to NOPHO 2008 protocols
Authors: Öfverholm Ingegerd , Rezayee Fatemah , Heyman Mats , Harila Arja , Arvidsson Linda , Schmiegelow Kjeld , Norén‐Nyström Ulrika , Barbany Gisela
Published: May 2023

We investigated 390 paediatric B‐cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (BCP‐ALL) patients treated according to NOPHO ALL 2008, regarding copy number alterations (CNA) of eight loci associated with adverse prognosis, including IKZF1. The impact on outcome was investigated for each locus individually, combined as CNA profiles and together with cytogenetic information. The presence of IKZF1 deletion or a poor‐risk CNA profile was associated with poor outcome in the whole cohort. In the standard‐risk group, IKZF1‐deleted cases had an inferior probability of relapse‐free survival (pRFS) (p ≤ 0.001) and overall survival (pOS) (p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, among B‐other patients, IKZF1 deletion correlated with poor pRFS (60% vs. 90%) and pOS (65% vs. 89%). Both IKZF1 deletion and a poor‐risk CNA profile were independent factors for relapse and death in multivariable analyses adjusting for known risk factors including measurable residual disease. Our data indicate that BCP‐ALL patients with high‐risk CNA or IKZF1 deletion have worse prognosis despite otherwise low‐risk features. Conversely, patients with both a good CNA and cytogenetic profile had a superior relapse‐free (p ≤ 0.001) and overall survival (p ≤ 0.001) in the cohort, across all risk groups. Taken together, our findings highlight the potential of CNA assessment to refine stratification in ALL.
Reuniting philosophy and science to advance cancer research
Authors: Pradeu Thomas , Daignan‐Fornier Bertrand , Ewald Andrew , Germain Pierre‐Luc , Okasha Samir , Plutynski Anya , Benzekry Sébastien , Bertolaso Marta , Bissell Mina , Brown Joel S. , Chin‐Yee Benjamin , Chin‐Yee Ian , Clevers Hans , Cognet Laurent , Darrason Marie , Farge Emmanuel , Feunteun Jean , Galon Jérôme , Giroux Elodie , Green Sara , Gross Fridolin , Jaulin Fanny , Knight Rob , Laconi Ezio , Larmonier Nicolas , Maley Carlo , Mantovani Alberto , Moreau Violaine , Nassoy Pierre , Rondeau Elena , Santamaria David , Sawai Catherine M. , Seluanov Andrei , Sepich‐Poore Gregory D. , Sisirak Vanja , Solary Eric , Yvonnet Sarah , Laplane Lucie
Published: May 2023

Cancers rely on multiple, heterogeneous processes at different scales, pertaining to many biomedical fields. Therefore, understanding cancer is necessarily an interdisciplinary task that requires placing specialised experimental and clinical research into a broader conceptual, theoretical, and methodological framework. Without such a framework, oncology will collect piecemeal results, with scant dialogue between the different scientific communities studying cancer. We argue that one important way forward in service of a more successful dialogue is through greater integration of applied sciences (experimental and clinical) with conceptual and theoretical approaches, informed by philosophical methods. By way of illustration, we explore six central themes: (i) the role of mutations in cancer; (ii) the clonal evolution of cancer cells; (iii) the relationship between cancer and multicellularity; (iv) the tumour microenvironment; (v) the immune system; and (vi) stem cells. In each case, we examine open questions in the scientific literature through a philosophical methodology and show the benefit of such a synergy for the scientific and medical understanding of cancer.
Digital technology use and preoccupation with digital technology as predictors of life satisfaction in children
Authors: Topić Marina Kotrla , Brkljačić Tihana , Brajša‐Žganec Andreja
Published: May 2023

Objective

This research aims to investigate metric characteristics of the digital technology preoccupation scale and the possibility of predicting life satisfaction in children from 8 to 13 years, based on time spent using digital technology and preoccupation with digital technology.

Method

Participants are 1072 children aged 8 to 13 years and their parents who agreed to participate in the study. Using pen and paper questionnaires, children provided data on their life satisfaction and preoccupation with digital technology (DT), and their parents assessed the average time children used DT during a typical day in a week or during the weekend.

Results

Digital technology preoccupation scale showed good metric characteristics with all five items loading on one factor and good reliability. Boys and older children show more preoccupation with digital technology and lower life satisfaction. Also, boys use DT during the weekend longer than girls. After controlling for the effect of age and gender, and duration of DT use, preoccupation with digital technology explained 3% of the variance of life satisfaction. The total model explained 9% of variance.

Conclusion

Findings from this study show that preoccupation with digital technology is an important factor to be considered concerning children's life satisfaction, beyond the contribution of time spent using DT.
Novel LSS variants in alopecia and intellectual disability syndrome: New case report and clinical spectrum of LSS‐related rare disease traits
Authors: Elbendary Hasnaa M. , Marafi Dana , Saad Ahmed K. , Elhossini Rasha , Duan Ruizhi , Rafat Karima , Jhangiani Shalini N. , Gibbs Richard A. , Pehlivan Davut , Calame Daniel G. , Posey Jennifer E. , Lupski James R. , Zaki Maha S.
Published: May 2023

Pathogenic biallelic variants in LSS are associated with three Mendelian rare disease traits including congenital cataract type 44, autosomal recessive hypotrichosis type 14, and alopecia‐intellectual disability syndrome type 4 (APMR4). We performed trio research exome sequencing on a family with a four‐year‐old male with global developmental delay, epilepsy and striking alopecia, and identified novel compound heterozygous LSS splice site (c.14+2T>C) and missense (c.1357 G>A; p.V453L) variant alleles. Rare features associated with APMR4 such as cryptorchidism, micropenis, mild cortical brain atrophy and thin corpus callosum were detected. Previously unreported APMR4 findings including cerebellar involvement in the form of unsteady ataxic gait, small vermis with prominent folia, were noted. A review of all reported variants to date in 29 families with LSS‐related phenotypes showed an emerging genotype–phenotype correlation. Our report potentially expands LSS‐related phenotypic spectrum and highlights the importance of performing brain imaging in LSS‐related conditions.
Correlation between scalp high‐frequency oscillations and prognosis in patients with benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes
Authors: Ji Yichen , Zhang Jun , Lu Hongjuan , Yang Haoran , Zhang Xuan , Liu Huixin , Liu Wenjian , Zhou Wei , Zhang Xiaoling , Sun Wei
Published: May 2023

Aims

The study aimed to explore whether high‐frequency oscillations (HFOs) can predict seizure risk and atypical manifestations of benign epilepsy of childhood with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).

Methods

We recruited 60 patients and divided them into three groups: (1) seizure‐free BECTS, (2) active typical BECTS, and (3) active atypical forms of BECTS. Electroencephalogram was used to record the number, location, average amplitude, and duration of spikes, and spike ripples were analyzed using time‐frequency technology. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate independent predictive factors for prognosis.

Results

The number of sleep spike ripples, rather than spikes, was an independent risk factor for the active period of the disease (odds ratio [OR] = 4.714,p = 0.003) and atypical forms of BECTS (OR = 1.455,p = 0.049); the optimal thresholds for the spike ripple rate were >0 (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.885, sensitivity = 96.15%, specificity = 73.33%) and >0.6/min (AUC = 0.936, sensitivity = 84.21%, specificity = 96.15%), respectively. Furthermore, in typical BECTS, the spike ripple rate showed significant negative correlations with time since the last seizure (ρ = −0.409,p = 0.009) and age (ρ = −0.379,p = 0.016), while the spike rate did not.

Conclusion

Spike ripple was a marker for distinguishing typical and atypical forms of BECTS and reflected the risk of seizure recurrence better than the spike alone. The present findings might assist clinicians in BECTS treatment.
A novel classification‐based shilling attack detection approach for multi‐criteria recommender systems
Authors: Kaya Tugba Turkoglu , Yalcin Emre , Kaleli Cihan
Published: May 2023

Recommender systems are emerging techniques guiding individuals with provided referrals by considering their past rating behaviors. By collecting multi‐criteria preferences concentrating on distinguishing perspectives of the items, a new extension of traditional recommenders, multi‐criteria recommender systems reveal how much a user likes an item and why user likes it; thus, they can improve predictive accuracy. However, these systems might be more vulnerable to malicious attacks than traditional ones, as they expose multiple dimensions of user opinions on items. Attackers might try to inject fake profiles into these systems to skew the recommendation results in favor of some particular items or to bring the system into discredit. Although several methods exist to defend systems against such attacks for traditional recommenders, achieving robust systems by capturing shill profiles remains elusive for multi‐criteria rating‐based ones. Therefore, in this study, we first consider a prominent and novel attack type, that is, the power‐item attack model, and introduce its four distinct variants adapted for multi‐criteria data collections. Then, we propose a classification method detecting shill profiles based on various generic and model‐based user attributes, most of which are new features usually related to item popularity and distribution of rating values. The experiments conducted on three benchmark datasets conclude that the proposed method successfully detects attack profiles from genuine users even with a small selected size and attack size. The empirical outcomes also demonstrate that item popularity and user characteristics based on their rating profiles are highly beneficial features in capturing shilling attack profiles.
Could “Lehman Sisters” reduce bank risk‐taking? International evidence
Authors: Hoang Anh , Wu Qiongbing
Published: May 2023

Research question/issue

Since the global financial crisis triggered by the collapse of Lehman Brothers, board gender diversity has attracted growing attention among academia and policy makers. The “Lehman Sisters” hypothesis argues for more female representation on bank director boards based on the stereotyped gender gap in risk preference, which has been widely supported by empirical studies on nonfinancial firms. However, due to the constraint of data unavailability, empirical research on board gender diversity and bank risk‐taking is relatively scarce and mostly confined to individual developed markets with inconclusive findings. In this paper, we examine the impact of board gender diversity on bank risk‐taking using a large hand‐collected dataset covering 480 commercial banks across 18 developed and 21 developing countries over the period 2007–2016.

Research findings/insights

We find that lower bank risk‐taking is associated with greater board gender diversity, supporting the “Lehman Sisters” hypothesis in the international context; however, this effect is significantly weakened in countries with more hostile perception toward working women. We also confirm the critical threshold of three female directors to play a significant role in reducing bank risk‐taking, providing novel international evidence in support of the critical mass theory from the banking sector.

Theoretical/academic implications

Our findings help to reconcile existing contradictory empirical evidence from different countries by highlighting the importance of cultural effects.

Practitioner/policy implications

We provide the first international empirical evidence in support of the policies aimed to promote representation of women on director boards, particularly in the banking sector. We confirm that a critical mass number of female directors on a bank board is important to avoid the tokenism problem. In countries with less support toward working women, policy makers also need to work on improving the overall working environment for women in order to achieve the expected outcome.
mTORsignalling pathway in stem cell bioactivities and angiogenesis potential
Authors: Lotfimehr Hamid , Mardi Narges , Narimani Samaneh , Nasrabadi Hamid Tayefi , Karimipour Mohammad , Sokullu Emel , Rahbarghazi Reza
Published: May 2023

The mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is a protein kinase that responds to different stimuli such as stresses, starvation and hypoxic conditions. The modulation of this effector can lead to the alteration of cell dynamic growth, proliferation, basal metabolism and other bioactivities. Considering this fact, the mTOR pathway is believed to regulate the diverse functions in several cell lineages. Due to the pleiotropic effects of the mTOR, we here, hypothesize that this effector can also regulate the bioactivity of stem cells in response to external stimuli pathways under physiological and pathological conditions. As a correlation, we aimed to highlight the close relationship between the mTOR signalling axis and the regenerative potential of stem cells in a different milieu. The relevant publications were included in this study using electronic searches of the PubMed database from inception to February 2023. We noted that the mTOR signalling cascade can affect different stem cell bioactivities, especially angiogenesis under physiological and pathological conditions. Modulation of mTOR signalling pathways is thought of as an effective strategy to modulate the angiogenic properties of stem cells.
Direct observation of the evolution of cell‐type‐specific microRNA expression signatures supports the hematopoietic origin model of endothelial cells
Authors: Jenike Ana E. , Jenike Katharine M. , Peterson Kevin J. , Fromm Bastian , Halushka Marc K.
Published: May 2023

The evolution of specialized cell‐types is a long‐standing interest of biologists, but given the deep time‐scales very difficult to reconstruct or observe. microRNAs have been linked to the evolution of cellular complexity and may inform on specialization. The endothelium is a vertebrate‐specific specialization of the circulatory system that enabled a critical new level of vasoregulation. The evolutionary origin of these endothelial cells is unclear. We hypothesized that Mir‐126, an endothelial cell‐specific microRNA may be informative. We here reconstruct the evolutionary history of Mir‐126. Mir‐126 likely appeared in the last common ancestor of vertebrates and tunicates, which was a species without an endothelium, within an intron of the evolutionary much older EGF Like Domain Multiple (Egfl) locus. Mir‐126 has a complex evolutionary history due to duplications and losses of both the host gene and the microRNA. Taking advantage of the strong evolutionary conservation of the microRNA among Olfactores, and using RNA in situ hybridization, we localized Mir‐126 in the tunicate Ciona robusta. We found exclusive expression of the mature Mir‐126 in granular amebocytes, supporting a long‐proposed scenario that endothelial cells arose from hemoblasts, a type of proto‐endothelial amoebocyte found throughout invertebrates. This observed change of expression of Mir‐126 from proto‐endothelial amoebocytes in the tunicate to endothelial cells in vertebrates is the first direct observation of the evolution of a cell‐type in relation to microRNA expression indicating that microRNAs can be a prerequisite of cell‐type evolution.
PD‐L1 expression predicts efficacy in the phase II SPiReL trial with MVP‐S, pembrolizumab, and low‐dose CPA in R/R DLBCL
Authors: Amitai Irina , Roos Kim , Rashedi Iran , Jiang Yidi , Mangoff Kathryn , Klein Gail , Forward Nicholas , Stewart Douglas , Laneuville Pierre , Bence‐Bruckler Isabelle , Mangel Joy , Tomlinson George , Berinstein Neil L.
Published: May 2023

Background

Patients with relapsed/refractory diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (R/R DLBCL) have limited treatment options.

Methods

R/R DLBCL patients, who were mostly ineligible for ASCT due to age or comorbidities, were treated with maveropepimut‐S (MVP‐S, previously DPX‐Survivac) a survivin directed T cell educating therapy, pembrolizumab, and intermittent low‐dose cyclophosphamide.

Findings

We identified, using univariate analysis, a subset of patients with enhanced ORR, PFS and DOR. Patients with baseline CD20+/PD‐L1 expression had an ORR of 46% (6/13) and the disease control rate was 10/13 (77%). The PFS and OS of the positive CD20+/PD‐L1 patients were 7.1 months and 17.4 months, whereas in the intent‐to‐treat (ITT) population of 25 enrolled patients, the ORR was 28% (7/25), median PFS and OS were 4.2 months and 10.1 months respectively. A total of 6/7 clinical responders occurred in CD20+/PD‐L1 patients. The regimen was well‐tolerated, requiring only minor dose modifications and one discontinuation. Grade 1 or 2 injection site reactions occurred in 14/25, (56%). Statistically significant associations were also seen between PFS and; injection site reactions; and ELISpot response to survivin peptides, both identifying the mechanistic importance of specific immune responses to survivin.

Interpretation

This immunotherapy combination was found to be active and safe in this clinically challenging patient population.
Emerging niche clustering results from both competition and predation
Authors: Haraldsson Matilda , Thébault Elisa
Published: May 2023

Understanding species coexistence has been a central question in ecology for decades, and the notion that competing species need to differ in their ecological niche for stable coexistence has dominated. Recent theoretical and empirical work suggests differently. Species can also escape competitive exclusion by being similar, leading to clusters of species with similar traits. This theory has so far only been explored under competition. By combining mathematical and numerical analyses, we reveal that competition and predation are equally capable to promote clusters of similar species in prey–predator communities, their relative importance being modulated by resource availability. We further show that predation has a stabilizing effect on clustering patterns, making the clusters more diverse. Our results merge different ecological theories and bring new light to the emergent neutrality theory by adding the perspective of trophic interactions. These results open new perspectives to the study of trait distributions in ecological interaction networks.
Community theory: Testing environmental stress models
Authors: Menge Bruce A.
Published: May 2023

Intensifying climate change and an increasing need for understanding its impacts on ecological communities places new emphasis on testing environmental stress models (ESMs). Using a prior literature search plus references from a more recent search, I evaluated empirical support for ESMs, focusing on whether consumer pressure on prey decreased (consumer stress model; CSM) or increased (prey stress model; PSM) with increasing environmental stress. Applying the criterion that testing ESMs requires conducting research at multiple sites along environmental stress gradients, the analysis found that CSMs were most frequent, with ‘No Effect’ and PSMs occurring at low but similar frequencies. This result contrasts to a prior survey in which ‘No Effect’ studies were most frequent, thus suggesting that consumers are generally more suppressed by stress than prey. Thus, increased climate change‐induced environmental stress seems likely to reduce, not increase impacts of consumers on prey more often than the reverse