bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does CEO openness matter when explaining firm internationalization decisions: evidence from China
Authors: Chen Weihong , Zhong Xi , Lan Hailin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The impact of executive characteristics on firm internationalization has already been extensively explored. However, relatively few studies have examined the critical role of chief executive officer (CEO) personality attributes, and especially CEO openness, in firm internationalization. This research aims to deepen the understanding of firm internationalization, by exploring whether and when CEO openness influences firm internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of private high-tech listed firms in China is used, with data from 2004 to 2020.

Findings

Based on upper echelons theory, this study theorizes and finds that CEO openness will positively influence firm internationalization. Further, based on the behavioral theory of the firm, this study finds that the performance aspiration gap weakens the positive effect of CEO openness on firm internationalization, but also finds that the potential slack strengthens this effect.

Originality/value

First, the study reinterprets firm internationalization strategies from the perspective of CEO openness, a personality attribute; CEO openness is an important but so far rarely discussed topic in the field of international business. Second, for the first time, problemistic search and slack search into a research framework are introduced to explore the relationship between CEO characteristics and firm internationalization. This approach can further define the boundary conditions under which CEOs can project their values, preferences and personalities into the process of formulating and implementing a firm's internationalization strategy.
Does financial inclusion reduce income inequality? Empirical evidence from Asian economies
Authors: Verma Anushka , Giri Arun Kumar
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The present study examines the significance of financial inclusion in reducing income inequality in the Asian context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses panel estimation techniques such as the Pedroni cointegration test, Kao residual-based test, FMOLS, ARDL and Granger causality, a dataset consisting of the Gini coefficient index, three dimensions of financial inclusion measures and one added variable on financial depth, spanning from 2005 to 2019.

Findings

The study finds that in the long-run, income inequality disparity is highly influenced by financial inclusion indicators, such as the number of bank branches, deposit accounts, outstanding loans and domestic credit to the private sector. Whereas in the short run, disparities in income are unaffected by all the indicators of financial inclusion. Further, unidirectional causality from financial inclusion indicators to income inequality necessitates the need for policymakers to design policies and programs that would enhance access to financial services as an essential mechanism to reduce income disparity.

Originality/value

Studies based on a panel of Asian countries that have undergone impressive growth of financial inclusion initiatives since the past decade—but are still facing widening income inequality—are conspicuously rare in the literature. The empirical analysis fills this void by showing the significant role financial inclusion indicators play in steering the Asian economies toward income equality throughout the study period.
Detection and measurement of beam deflection in the Madeira Airport runway extension using digital image correlation
Authors: Barros Francisco , Aguiar Susana , Sousa Pedro J. , Cachaço António , Ramos Nuno V. , Tavares Paulo , Moreira P.M.G. , Oliveira Santos Luís , Xu Min , Franco Elsa
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Part of the runway at Madeira Airport is a platform above the sea at a 60 m height, supported by a series of frames. When aircraft land on this section, a load is exerted on the structure, resulting in bending of the beams which constitute the frames. A vision-based monitoring system was devised and implemented to measure the deflection of the runway's beams when a landing occurs.

Design/methodology/approach

An area on the midspan of two beams, located on the area where aircraft are most likely to land, was prepared with a speckle pattern, and a camera was assembled above a column on each of the adjacent frames, enabling the computation of displacements using digital image correlation (DIC). The camera continuously acquires images of the monitored area and compares them to a reference using DIC. If a displacement is detected, a number of frames before and after this event are saved for further DIC processing.

Findings

The installed systems successfully detected several events corresponding to landings and, for each of those events, measured the deflection of the beams over time and computed displacement fields for critical images, with strain values obtained up to this point being too small to measure using the current system.

Originality/value

This work provides novel insights into the behaviour of a unique structure and constitutes the first use of a vision system in its structural monitoring operations. It is also a valuable development in the implementation of automated DIC monitoring systems in locations of difficult access.
Monitoring corporate credit risk with multiple data sources
Authors: Ni Du , Lim Ming K. , Li Xingzhi , Qu Yingchi , Yang Mei
Published: November 2022

Purpose

Monitoring corporate credit risk (CCR) has traditionally relied on such indicators as income, debt and inventory at a company level. These data are usually released on a quarterly or annual basis by the target company and include, exclusively, the financial data of the target company. As a result of this exclusiveness, the models for monitoring credit risk usually fail to account for some significant information from different sources or channels, like the data of its supply chain partner companies and other closely relevant data yet available from public networks, and it is these seldom used data that can help unveil the immediate CCR changes and how the risk is being propagated along the supply chain. This study aims to discuss the a forementioned issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Going beyond the existing CCR prediction data, this study intends to address the impact of supply chain data and network activity data on CCR prediction, by integrating machine learning technology into the prediction to verify whether adding new data can improve the predictability.

Findings

The results show that the predictive errors of the datasets after adding supply chain data and network activity data to them are made the ever least. Moreover, intelligent algorithms like support vector machine (SVM), compared to traditionally used methods, are better at processing nonlinear datasets and mining complex relationships between multi-variable indicators for CCR evaluation.

Originality/value

This study indicates that bringing in more information of multiple data sources combined with intelligent algorithms can help companies prevent risk spillovers in the supply chain from causing harm to the company, and, as well, help customers evaluate the creditworthiness of the entity to lessen the risk of their investment.
Analysing the effect of AMO framework on the employee's voice behaviour
Authors: Doshi Parinda , Nigam Priti
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The paper is built upon the conceptual framework of ability, motivation and opportunity (AMO) to identify the effect of the high performance work system (HPWS) on the voice behaviour of the organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The human resource department of the steel plants was approached to facilitate the data collection. A standardised questionnaire was used to collect responses from 169 full-time employees working at different levels and departments in the steel plant in India. Partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to validate and examine the model identifying the relationship of AMO enhancing practices with the voice behaviour in the organisation.

Findings

AMO was found to affect voice behaviour in the organisation. The positive and significant effect of ability enhancement practices was examined on the acquiescent voice and the opportunity enhancing practices on the acquiescent and defensive voice in the organisation.

Practical implications

Even though the organisation has tried to improve the employee's ability through proper training and development efforts, the organisation still fails to develop confidence in the employee for giving the suggestion or opinions without hesitation. The research papers try to provide valuable suggestions to the human resource management (HRM) and other managers for improving the voice behaviour of the employees based on the current study that identifies the effect of AMO practices on the voice behaviour of the employees.

Originality/value

Factors affecting voice behaviour are not yet extensively studied in the Indian context. The researcher examined the effect of HPWS, considering the AMO framework on the organisation's acquiescent voice, defensive voice, and prosocial voice behaviour.
COVID-19 fake news among the general population: motives, sociodemographic, attitude/behavior and impacts – a systematic review
Authors: Balakrishnan Vimala , Abdul Rahman Luqman Hakim , Tan Jia Kai , Lee Yee Sin
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This systematic review aims to synthesize the literature reporting the motives, sociodemographic, attitude/behavior and impacts of fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic, targeting the general population worldwide.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic review approach was adopted based on PRISMA, targeting articles published in five databases from January 2020 to November 2021. The screening resulted in 46 eligible papers.

Findings

Results indicate low level of awareness, knowledge, media/health literacy, low trust in science/scientists and entertainment/socialization to be the main motivating drivers for fake news dissemination, whereas the phenomenon is more prominent among those with low socio-economic status, and males. Negative impacts were reported due to fake news dissemination, especially violation to precautionary measures, negative affections, and low trust in government/news, with many believing that others are more susceptible to fake news than themselves.

Social implications

Considering the pandemic is still on-going and the deleterious consequences of fake news, there is a need for cohort-based interventions from the concerned authorities.

Originality/value

The systematic review covers a wide timeline of 23 months (i.e. up to end of 2022) targeting five well-known databases, hence articles examined are deemed extensive and comprehensive. The review specifically focused on the general population with results revealing interesting motives, sociodemographic profiles, attitude and impact of this phenomenon during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/OIR-02-2022-0082.
Gender, Pobladoras and Ollas Comunes in Chile: Re‐Activating Memory and History in Order to Survive the Coronacrisis
Authors: Hiner Hillary , Peña Saavedra Anita , Castillo Delgado Alondra
Published: November 2022

During the COVID‐19 global pandemic, pobladora women in Valparaiso were crucial in the organisation of their communities and the ollas comunes (common pots). Many observers linked these new ollas comunes to the ones that existed during the Pinochet dictatorship, in this manner citing a politics of gendered memory and local feminist history that allowed them to re‐organise in record time. The article explores this comparison, using women's narratives on ollas comunes in the past and the present in order to critically assess their similarities and differences. Additionally, it analyses how, and why, pobladora popular feminist memory regarding food insecurity resistance strategies and ollas comunes is transferred between generations. This article uses interviews done with popular‐sector and feminist women in the Chilean port city of Valparaiso during 2020 and 2021, as part of the project, ‘Women's Solidarity Networks Take on COVID‐19: the case of Valparaíso, Chile’.
Conflicts of interest and agent heterogeneity in buyer brokerage
Authors: Kryzanowski Lawrence , Wu Yanting , Zhou Tingyu
Published: November 2022

This article investigates the incentives of agents working with buyers (buying agents) under the fixed percentage commission system and the implications on housing market outcomes. Our model shows that the absence of a binding contract creates a risk of losing clients for buying agents, which helps mitigate the conflict of interest between buying agents and their clients. Both the buying agent's prediction accuracy regarding their client's reservation prices and the level of tolerance given by the buyer to the buying agent affect the binding force. Results from simulations and empirical analyses using house transactions in Canada support our model predictions.
Evaluation of the (hu)MANid program for sex and ancestry estimation in a diverse, contemporary CT scan‐based sample
Authors: Farhi Matan , Tomas Natalie , Marion Ian , Avenetti David , Atsawasuwan Phimon , da Fonseca Marcio , Al Atabbe Mustafa , Nicholas Christina L.
Published: November 2022

Human remains from forensic and bioarcheological contexts are often fragmentary, requiring methods for estimating a forensic profile that are based upon limited skeletal features. In 2017, Berg and Keryhercz created an online application, (hu)MANid, that provides sex and ancestry estimation from mandibular morphoscopic traits and linear measurements. In this study, we examine the utility of the (hu)MANid application in a diverse, urban US adult sample (aged 20–45; n = 143) derived from computed tomography (CT) scans. We secondarily conduct a preliminary analysis of the program's utility in a sample of adolescents (aged 15–17; n = 40). Six morphoscopic, and eleven morphometric traits were recorded as directed by the literature associated with the (hu)MANid program. Percent correct classification and posterior predictive values were calculated for the sex and ancestry estimations output by the program; chi‐squared tests were employed to compare self‐reported and predicted ancestry. In the adult sample, sex was accurately predicted for 75.52% of the sample. Ancestry prediction, however, was less favorable ranging from 19.3% to 50% correct. For the adolescent sample, correct sex estimation (45%) did not surpass what could occur by chance alone, though ancestry prediction fared better than in the larger adult sample (percent correct prediction overall average: 47.5%, range 35.71%–71.43%). The (hu)MANid application shows utility for use with CT scan‐derived adult samples for sex estimation, but caution is warranted for ancestry estimation and use with samples that may not have reached full adult maturity.
Metabolites and chemometric study of Perilla (Perilla frutescens) from different varieties and geographical origins
Authors: Li Yuan , Zhang Yue , Wang Youyou , Li Xiang , Zhou Li , Yang Jian , Guo Lanping
Published: November 2022

Perilla (Perilla frutescens, PF) is an annual labiaceae herb that can be used as vegetable, seasoner, and herb, which mainly includes red PF (P. frutescens var. crispa) and green PF (P. frutescens var. frutescens). Red and green Perilla is mainly used for medicine and food, respectively. In order to explore the differences between these two Perilla cultivars and the effects of origin on them, we studied the components of 130 Perilla samples from different origins by ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography quadrupole‐time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry combined with partial least squares discriminant analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis. In this study, 57 potential compounds were analyzed, mainly including organic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and anthocyanins. In different varieties of Perilla, anthocyanins were found only in red PF. In addition, the content of four flavonoids, two organic acids, and one coumarin in red PF is much higher than that in green PF. Among the same variety of Perilla, the contents of three metabolites were higher in the north of China for red Perilla, while five metabolites were higher in the south of China for green Perilla. Overall, this research provided a basis for distinguishing different varieties and sources of Perilla through the differential metabolites of Perilla.
Promoting lipid oxidation and release of volatiles of pork fat pulp by lipase, blue light with riboflavin in liquor immersion
Authors: Liang Shiya , Zhang Fengjiao , He Songgui , Li Weigang , Wu Zhenqiang
Published: November 2022

The deeply oxidized pork fat (PF) is the key in the production of Chi‐aroma Baijiu, a Chinese distilled spirit. Previous studies have not proposed an integrated method to promote lipid oxidation of PF, and the formation of volatiles has not been studied. In this work, an efficient method was established to promote lipid oxidation and release of volatiles of pork fat pulp (PFP) in an integrated treatment for the production of Chi‐aroma Baijiu. The results showed that the acid value of PFP by lipase pretreatment (T1) was significantly elevated (p < 0.05), compared to the control (T0). Lipase‐blue light‐riboflavin‐25°C (T2), lipase‐open vial‐dark‐25°C (T3), and lipase‐dark‐40°C (T4) further promoted lipid oxidation and reached the oxidation level of PFP by F0, while T2 show the best results. The peroxide value of PFP by T2, T3, and T4 was 41.96‐, 16.70‐ and 14.20‐fold higher, and the para‐anisidine value was 27.13‐, 6.94‐ and 6.70 fold higher than that in T1. The flavor and volatile analyses showed that PFP by T2 had higher response values than T0 at six electronic nose sensors. T2–T4 promoted the release of volatiles and T2 showed the best result. T2 potentially facilitated lipid oxidation, esterification, and substance exchange of PFP, resulting in a higher type (78.57%) and content (114.50%) of volatiles than T0. The integrated treatment with lipase hydrolysis, blue light with riboflavin could promote lipid oxidation and volatiles release to improve production efficiency of deeply oxidized PF. The results would be viably applied to the production of Chi‐aroma Baijiu.

Practical Application

Deeply oxidized pork fat was the key to the production of Chi‐aroma Baijiu, while it took a long time (at least 4 months) to prepare. The integrated treatment with lipase hydrolysis, blue light with riboflavin could promote lipid oxidation and volatiles release to improve the production efficiency of deeply oxidized pork fat. The results would be viably applied to the production of Chi‐aroma Baijiu.
Attractiveness of dung beetles (Coleoptera: Scarabaeinae) to faeces from native mammals in different trophic guilds
Authors: Gigliotti Marcela Soares , Togni Pedro Henrique Brum , Frizzas Marina Regina
Published: November 2022

Dung beetles are predominantly coprophagous and use mammalian faeces as their main food resource and for offspring rearing. However, these resources are generally ephemeral and scarce. The objective of this study was to verify the attractiveness to dung beetles of the faeces of nine native mammal species of the Cerrado biome in different trophic guilds. This study was conducted during the rainy season (October 2016 to March 2017) in two sensu stricto areas of the Cerrado in the Brasília National Park (PNB), Federal District, Brazil. Pitfalls containing faeces of nine mammals native to the region were used as bait (from three herbivores, three carnivores and three omnivores) for the collection of dung beetles. We collected 203 individuals and 19 species, and the most abundant species were Uroxys aff. thoracalis, Oxysternon palemo, Coprophanaeus spitzi and Diabroctis mirabilis. The most attractive faecal bait was from the omnivorous Chrysocyon brachyurus (32.67% of the individuals and 13 species). This study reveals variation in the attraction of dung beetles to native mammal dung of the Cerrado, with more abundance in the faeces of omnivores and carnivores and less in the faeces of herbivores. The species composition in the carnivore baits did not differ from that of the omnivore baits. These data indicate that changes in Scarabaeinae assemblages result from changes in mammal species such as those that have occurred in the Cerrado biome with the conversion to cattle production, which in recent years has caused intense fragmentation of habitats, expansion of agricultural and livestock activities and the introduction of exotic species. The mammal C. brachyurus, vulnerable to extinction in Brazil, should be a focus for future research, since its faeces support a great diversity of dung beetles in the Cerrado.
Rural versus metropolitan comparison of processes of care in the community‐based management of TIA and minor stroke in Australia (an analysis from the INSIST study)
Authors: Gangadharan Shyam , Tomari Shinya , Levi Christopher R. , Weaver Natasha , Holliday Elizabeth , Bajorek Beata , Lasserson Daniel , Valderas Jose M. , Dewey Helen M. , Barber Peter Alan , Spratt Neil J. , Cadilhac Dominique A. , Feigin Valery L. , Rothwell Peter M. , Zareie Hossein , Garcia‐Esperon Carlos , Davey Andrew , Najib Nashwa , Sales Milton , Magin Parker
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To compare processes of care and clinical outcomes of community‐based management of TIAs and minor strokes (TIAMS) between rural and metropolitan Australia.

Design

Inception cohort study between 2012 and 2016 with 12‐month follow‐up after index event (sub‐study of INSIST).

Setting

Hunter and Manning valley regions of New South Wales, within the referral territory of the John Hunter Hospital Acute Neurovascular Clinic (JHHANC).

Participants

Consecutive patients of 16 participating general practices, presenting with possible TIAMS to either primary or secondary care.

Main Outcome Measures

Processes of care (referrals, key management processes, time‐based metrics) and clinical outcomes.

Results

Of 613 participants with possible TIAMS who completed the baseline interview, 298 were adjudicated as having TIAMS (119 from rural, 179 from metropolitan). Mean age was 72.3 years (SD, 10.7) and 127 (43%) were women. Rural participants were more likely to be managed solely by a general practitioner (GP) than metropolitan participants (34% v 20%) and less likely to be referred to a JHHANC specialist (13% v 38%) or have brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) [24% v 51%]. Those rural participants who were referred, also waited longer (both p < 0.001). Recurrent stroke, myocardial infarction and death at 12 months were not significantly different between rural and metropolitan participants.

Conclusions

Although TIAMS prognosis in rural settings where solely GP care is common is very good, the processes of care in such areas are inferior to metropolitan. This suggests there is further scope to support rural GPs to optimise care of TIAMS patients.
Antibody response to a third SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine dose in recipients of an allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation
Authors: Bankova Andriyana K. , Pasin Chloé , Huang Alice , Cicin‐Sain Caroline , Epp Selina , Audige Annette , Mueller Nicolas J. , Nilsson Jakob , Vilinovszki Oliver , Nair Gayathri , Wolfensberger Nathan , Hockl Philipp , Schanz Urs , Trkola Alexandra , Kouyos Roger , Hasse Barbara , Zinkernagel Annelies S. , Manz Markus G. , Abela Irene A. , Müller Antonia M. S.
Published: November 2022

Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (allo‐HCT) recipients show impaired antibody (Ab) response to a standard two‐dose vaccination against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 and currently a third dose is recommended as part of the primary vaccination regimen. By assessing Ab titres 1 month after a third mRNA vaccine dose in 74 allo‐HCT recipients we show sufficient neutralisation activity in 77% of the patients. Discontinuation of immunosuppression before the third vaccine led to serological responses in 50% of low responders to two vaccinations. Identifying factors that might contribute to better vaccine responses in allo‐HCT recipients is critical to optimise current vaccination strategies.
Nestin expression in osteocytes following myeloablation and during bone marrow metastasis
Authors: Koerber Ruth‐Miriam , Schneider Rebekka K. , Pritchard Jessica Ellen , Teichmann Lino L. , Schumacher Udo , Brossart Peter , Gütgemann Ines
Published: November 2022

Nestin is an intermediate filament protein, which was originally detected in neuroepithelial stem cells. Besides its use as a phenotypic marker of mesenchymal stem cells in the hematopoeitic stem cell niche, the functional interpretation of nestin+ cells remains elusive. We investigated the cellular expression of nestin in bone marrow trephine biopsies of MPN patients, following myeloablation at a stage of hypocellularity during early regeneration. Here, nestin is highly expressed in mature osteocytes, arteriolar endothelial and perivascular cells and small capillaries within the bone marrow space, but not in sinusoid lining cells. This is in stark contrast to nestin expression pattern in myeloproliferative neoplasms that show hypercellularity due to oncogenic driver mutations. Here, nestin is expressed exclusively in endothelial cells of arterioles, but not in osteocytes or small capillaries. Thus, the pattern of nestin expression following myeloablation inversely correlates with cellularity in the bone marrow. This nestin expression pattern is mimicking early postnatal transcriptional programming during bone marrow development. We show that nestin expression in osteocytes occurs across different species following transplant and also in bone marrow metastasis.
Stealth democracy and the school board trustee
Authors: Piscitelli Anthony , Perrella Andrea
Published: November 2022

The value of elected school board trustees has been a topic of debate. Several provinces in Canada have already eliminated them, with Manitoba currently considering abolishing them as well. Whether this is supported—or opposed—by the public is somewhat unknown. This research note reports the results of a survey of Ontario residents. We find that while two‐thirds of respondents support retaining trustees, there are factors that pull people more towards favouring their elimination. Support for trustees is significantly lower for males, younger respondents, and those on the political right.
Methyltransferase‐like 3 promotes cervical cancer metastasis by enhancing cathepsin L mRNA stability in an N6‐methyladenosine‐dependent manner
Authors: Liu Pingping , Ju Mingxiu , Zheng Xiaojing , Jiang Yinan , Yu Xingjuan , Pan Baoyue , Luo Rongzhen , Jia Weihua , Zheng Min
Published: November 2022

N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is a highly abundant RNA modification in eukaryotic cells. Methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3), a major protein in the m6A methyltransferase complex, plays important roles in many malignancies, but its role in cervical cancer metastasis remains uncertain. Here, we found that METTL3 was significantly upregulated in cervical cancer tissue, and its upregulation was associated with a poor prognosis in cervical cancer patients. Knockdown of METTL3 significantly reduced cervical cancer cell migration and invasion. Conversely, METTL3 overexpression markedly promoted cervical cancer cell metastasis in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, METTL3 mediated the m6A modification of cathepsin L (CTSL) mRNA at the 5′‐UTR, and the m6A reader protein insulin‐like growth factor 2 mRNA‐binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) bound to the m6A sites and enhanced CTSL mRNA stability. Our results indicated that METTL3 enhanced CTSL mRNA stability through an m6A‐IGF2BP2‐dependent mechanism, thereby promoting cervical cancer cell metastasis. These findings provide insights into a novel m6A modification pattern involved in cervical cancer development.
Improved Evaluation and Generation Of Grid Layouts Using Distance Preservation Quality and Linear Assignment Sorting
Authors: Barthel K. U. , Hezel N. , Jung K. , Schall K.
Published: November 2022

Images sorted by similarity enables more images to be viewed simultaneously, and can be very useful for stock photo agencies or e‐commerce applications. Visually sorted grid layouts attempt to arrange images so that their proximity on the grid corresponds as closely as possible to their similarity. Various metrics exist for evaluating such arrangements, but there is low experimental evidence on correlation between human perceived quality and metric value. We propose distance preservation quality (DPQ) as a new metric to evaluate the quality of an arrangement. Extensive user testing revealed stronger correlation of DPQ with user‐perceived quality and performance in image retrieval tasks compared to other metrics. In addition, we introduce Fast linear assignment sorting (FLAS) as a new algorithm for creating visually sorted grid layouts. FLAS achieves very good sorting qualities while improving run time and computational resources.
Characteristics and difference of respiratory diseases in Korean adults aged ≥40 years: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Won Yoon Jae , Lee Sook‐Hyun , Lim Yu‐Cheol , Lee Yoon Jae , Van den Noort Maurits , Lee Beom‐Joon , Ha In‐Hyuk
Published: November 2022

Purpose

National big data pertaining to the status of common respiratory diseases is essential to devising appropriate policies to promote proper treatment and prevention of respiratory diseases amid the prolonged coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. The aim of this study is to investigate the prevalence of common respiratory diseases and their association with sociodemographic characteristics, comorbidities, and medical history using 11 years (2008–2018) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data, ultimately to present foundational data for policy decision making and disease prevention measures.

Methods

Among the participants of the KNHANES survey (2008–2018), 93 028 adults aged ≥40 years who underwent a lung function test were included in this cross‐sectional study. The participants were divided into four groups: Asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), asthma + COPD, and no respiratory disease. Their data were analyzed for demographic factors, health behavior, and disease‐related factors. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) adjusted for sex, age, household income, educational level, occupation, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, alcohol consumption, physical activity, and comorbidities.

Results

Of all participants, 1.83%, 12.63%, and 1.27% had only asthma, only COPD, and asthma + COPD, respectively. With respect to the patients with asthma who also had asthma + COPD, the OR of asthma + COPD was 5.272 in underweight patients and 6.479 in patients aged ≥70 years. Meanwhile, a high association between COPD and asthma + COPD was found in female patients, whereas asthma was more highly associated with asthma + COPD in male patients.

Conclusion

The study confirmed that old age, sex, smoking status, BMI, previous history of atopic dermatitis, and lung cancer were independent risk factors for asthma, COPD, and asthma + COPD. The present study demonstrated the need for a multidisciplinary integrative approach to respiratory diseases, and the findings could be used for developing policies for the treatment of COVID‐19 and respiratory diseases and the prevention of infectious diseases.
Perioperative mortality in liver transplantation before and after the implementation of the organ allocation policy Share 35
Authors: Holm Zacharias D. , Kolodzie Kerstin , Galli Alessandro M. , Meyhoff Christian S. , Niemann Claus U. , Adelmann Dieter
Published: November 2022

Introduction

In 2013, a new liver transplant allocation policy (Share 35) aimed to reduce waitlist‐mortality was introduced in the United States. Regional organ sharing for recipients with a MELD score of ≥35 was prioritized over local allocation to those with lower MELD scores. Our aim was to assess the changes in perioperative mortality following the introduction of Share 35 as well as changes in patients’ short‐term 7‐day survival, patients discharged alive and 1‐year survival. Analyses were also carried out for the subgroups of patients with MELD scores ≥ and < 35.

Methods

We used data from the Scientific Registry of Transplant Recipients and included liver transplants between March 2002 and December 2018 in this retrospective cohort study. Perioperative mortality was defined as death during and within two days of liver transplant. We used robust interrupted time series analyses to evaluate the impact of Share 35 on mortality.

Results

We included 90 002 liver transplants in our analysis and observed a decreasing trend in perioperative mortality over time (−.061 deaths per 1000 cases per month, 95% CI −.084 to −.037, p < .001). Share 35 was not associated with a change in perioperative mortality (p = .33), short‐term 7‐day survival (p = .48), survival to discharge (p = .56), or 1‐year survival (p = .27).

Conclusions

Prioritizing sicker recipients with a MELD score ≥35 for liver transplantation was not associated with a change in postoperative mortality.
Test–retest reliability of a finger‐tapping fMRI task in a healthy population
Authors: Wüthrich Florian , Lefebvre Stephanie , Nadesalingam Niluja , Bernard Jessica A. , Mittal Vijay A. , Shankman Stewart A. , Walther Sebastian
Published: November 2022

Measuring brain activity during functional MRI (fMRI) tasks is one of the main tools to identify brain biomarkers of disease or neural substrates associated with specific symptoms. However, identifying correct biomarkers relies on reliable measures. Recently, poor reliability was reported for task‐based fMRI measures. The present study aimed to demonstrate the reliability of a finger‐tapping fMRI task across two sessions in healthy participants. Thirty‐one right‐handed healthy participants aged 18–60 years took part in two MRI sessions 3 weeks apart during which we acquired finger‐tapping task‐fMRI. We examined the overlap of activations between sessions using Dice similarity coefficients, assessing their location and extent. Then, we compared amplitudes calculating intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) in three sets of regions of interest (ROIs) in the motor network: literature‐based ROIs (10‐mm‐radius spheres centred on peaks of an activation likelihood estimation), anatomical ROIs (regions as defined in an atlas) and ROIs based on conjunction analyses (superthreshold voxels in both sessions). Finger tapping consistently activated expected regions, for example, left primary sensorimotor cortices, premotor area and right cerebellum. We found good‐to‐excellent overlap of activations for most contrasts (Dice coefficients: .54–.82). Across time, ICCs showed large variability in all ROI sets (.04–.91). However, ICCs in most ROIs indicated fair‐to‐good reliability (mean = .52). The least specific contrast consistently yielded the best reliability. Overall, the finger‐tapping task showed good spatial overlap and fair reliability of amplitudes on group level. Although caution is warranted in interpreting correlations of activations with other variables, identification of activated regions in response to a task and their between‐group comparisons are still valid and important modes of analysis in neuroimaging to find population tendencies and differences.
Actin related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1 up‐regulation in the hypothalamus prevents high‐fat diet induced obesity
Authors: Ni Weimin , Zhang Jie , Wang Bing , Liang Feng , Bao Long , Li Pengfei , Fang Yan
Published: November 2022

Obesity is a major health crisis in the modern society. Studies have shown that the consumption of a high‐fat diet (HFD) induces hypothalamic inflammation and leptin resistance, which consequently favours body mass gain. Actin related protein 2/3 complex subunit 1 (ARPC1B), an actin‐binding protein, is highly expressed in immune cells. Recent studies have shown that ARPC1B has a certain anti‐inflammatory effect. While ARPC1B expression is decreased in the hypothalamus of mice fed a HFD, the role of ARPC1B in HFD‐induced obesity remains unclear. Thus, we investigated whether ARPC1B up‐regulation in the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) could inhibit the development of obesity. Herein, ARPC1B overexpression lentiviral particles were stereotaxically injected into the ARC of male C57BL/6J mice (7 weeks old) fed with HFD. Overexpression of ARPC1B in the hypothalamic ARC attenuated HFD‐induced ARC inflammation, reduced body‐weight gain and feed efficiency. Furthermore, up‐regulation of ARC ARPC1B improved the glucose tolerance and reduced subcutaneous/epididymal fat mass accumulation, which decreased the serum total cholesterol, serum triglyceride and leptin levels. In addition, upon ARPC1B overexpression in the hypothalamic ARC, intraperitoneal injection of leptin increased the phosphorylation level of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), an important transcription factor for leptin's action, in the ARC of obese mice. Accordingly, we suggest that up‐regulation of ARPC1B in the hypothalamic ARC may improve the HFD‐induced hypothalamic inflammation and leptin resistance. Our findings demonstrate that ARPC1B is a promising target for the treatment of diet‐induced obesity.
Adoptive cell transfer therapy for melanoma
Authors: Inozume Takashi
Published: November 2022

Adoptive cell transfer (ACT) of tumor‐infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) for melanoma is an example of the most successful cancer immune therapy. It achieves a durable complete response about ~20% of patients, and they might be cured. However, the ratio of patients with durable benefits is not high, and its complicated procedure prevents its diffusion. Therefore, many efforts to enhance the effect and simplify the protocol of TIL therapy have been made so far, resulting in the establishment of a simple and effective current TIL therapy that has been propagated to other institutes and countries. Moreover, TIL therapy and translational research using clinical samples derived from durable responders elucidate the important element for developing more effective cancer immune therapies in the future. This review introduced the brief history, attempts for the improvement and important findings elucidated by translational research of ACT for melanoma.
Balance between autophagy and cell death is maintained by Polycomb‐mediated regulation during stem cell differentiation
Authors: Puri Deepika , Kelkar Aparna , Gaurishankar Bhaskar , Subramanyam Deepa
Published: November 2022

Autophagy is a conserved cytoprotective process, aberrations in which lead to numerous degenerative disorders. While the cytoplasmic components of autophagy have been extensively studied, the epigenetic regulation of autophagy genes, especially in stem cells, is less understood. Deciphering the epigenetic regulation of autophagy genes becomes increasingly relevant given the therapeutic benefits of small‐molecule epigenetic inhibitors in novel treatment modalities. We observe that, during retinoic acid‐mediated differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs), autophagy is induced, and identify the Polycomb group histone methyl transferase EZH2 as a regulator of this process. In mESCs, EZH2 represses several autophagy genes, including the autophagy regulator DNA damage‐regulated autophagy modulator protein 1 (Dram1). EZH2 facilitates the formation of a bivalent chromatin domain at the Dram1 promoter, allowing gene expression and autophagy induction during differentiation while retaining the repressive H3K27me3 mark. EZH2 inhibition leads to loss of the bivalent domain, with consequent ‘hyper‐expression’ of Dram1, accompanied by extensive cell death. This study shows that Polycomb group proteins help maintain a balance between autophagy and cell death during stem cell differentiation, in part, by regulating the expression of the Dram1 gene.
The impact of exchange listing on corporate governance: Evidence from direct listings
Authors: French Dan W. , Morillon Thibaut G. , Yore Adam S. , Kern Andrew E.
Published: November 2022

We use prior direct listings by public nonlisted REITs (PNLRs) to explore the impact of exchange membership on corporate governance. We study companies with public, but nonlisted shares in a unique setting where the influence of listing is distinct from the confounding effect of capital raising. Evidence suggests younger, more profitable companies with stronger governance and professional management are more likely to directly list. Institutional ownership increases after listing and these changes are not due to future capital raising. Moreover, internal corporate governance improves beyond the exchange's requirements, especially for those companies with greater stock liquidity and more institutional ownership.
One patient, two malpositioned hemodialysis catheters, (hepatic vein and ascending lumbar vein), no fluoroscopy
Authors: Çelik Ersin , Çora Ahmet Rıfkı
Published: November 2022

Cuffed‐tunneled hemodialysis catheter (CTHC) application via the femoral vein is a safe and effective alternative when peripheral vascular routes are exhausted for hemodialysis in patients with end‐stage renal disease. Also, imaging methods have become more important for the diagnosis or prevention of the possible complications that may develop during or after catheter placements. Here, we present a case of hemodialysis catheter dysfunction due to the insertion of a CTHC tip into the hepatic vein, and into the left ascending lumbar vein at the next attempt. We think that the use of fluoroscopy, whether in the first catheter intervention or catheter change, is extremely important in preventing possible complications that may develop, or detecting them as soon as possible.
Spectral and temporal call flexibility of House Finches (Haemorhous mexicanus) from urban areas during experimental noise exposure
Authors: Bermúdez‐Cuamatzin Eira , Slabbekoorn Hans , Macías Garcia Constantino
Published: November 2022

Human activities can be noisy, especially in urban areas, and affect animals detrimentally. Traffic noise may interfere with acoustic communication through masking and may yield noise‐dependent modification of acoustic signals. Such vocal flexibility in birds has been investigated most often for songs, but rarely for calls, even though calls are typically used more frequently. Here we exposed male House Finches Haemorhous mexicanus from urban areas in Mexico City to low and high levels of anthropogenic noise. We investigated: variation in call type repertoire use among birds caught at localities with different noise levels, call type use in response to experimental noise exposure, and whether there were immediate noise‐dependent spectral or temporal adjustments. We found no locality‐dependent call repertoires, as males from all sites shared most of their call types. Males in quiet areas called with higher frequency and longer duration than did birds from noisier areas. However, this case study lacked replication of sites, limiting the generality of conclusions that can be drawn. Under experimental noise exposure, we also found no shift in call repertoire use. However, in line with expectations, one of two dominant call types of relatively low frequency showed an increase in peak frequency under experimentally elevated noise conditions, and the birds also produced shorter versions of the two dominant call types in the noisier treatment. In summary, we found no evidence for noise‐dependent call repertoire use in our case study but we confirmed experimentally that House Finches are capable of immediate spectral and temporal call adjustments in response to noise level fluctuations.
Quality of life measurement tools for people with dementia and intellectual disabilities: A systematic review
Authors: Tsang Winnie , Oliver David , Triantafyllopoulou Paraskevi
Published: November 2022

Background

Adults with intellectual disabilities are an at‐risk group of developing dementia. In the absence of a cure for dementia, emphasis on treatment is the promotion of Quality of life (QoL). The aim of this review is to identify and describe QoL tools for people with intellectual disabilities and dementia.

Method

A systematic review was carried out using 10 databases and papers from up to March year 2021.

Results

Two instruments were identified and examined. The QoL in late‐stage dementia, which showed evidence of good levels of internal consistency, intra‐rater reliability, test–retest reliability, and convergent validity. The Dementia Quality of Life – proxy was also used; however, its psychometric properties have yet to be studied within the intellectual disabilities population.

Conclusion

It is recommended instruments should be developed and psychometrically tested specifically for adults with intellectual disabilities and dementia to help inform policy makers, measure outcomes of interventions and personal outcomes.
Impact of COVID‐19 restrictions on the postpartum experience of women living in Eastern Canada during the early pandemic period: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Dol Justine , Hughes Brianna , Aston Megan , McMillan Douglas , Tomblin Murphy Gail , Campbell‐Yeo Marsha
Published: November 2022

Objectives

To (1) compare changes in parenting self‐efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and postpartum depression in Canadian women before and during the early COVID‐19 pandemic; (2) explore how women with a newborn felt during the pandemic; (3) explore ways that women coped with challenges faced.

Methods

A cross‐sectional design was used. Prior to the pandemic, an online survey was conducted with women who an infant 6 months old or less in one of the three Eastern Canadian Maritime provinces. A similar survey was conducted during the pandemic in mid‐2020.

Results

Pre‐COVID, 561 women completed the survey, and 331 women during the pandemic. There were no significant differences in parenting self‐efficacy, social support, postpartum anxiety, and depression between the cohorts. Difficulties that women reported because of COVID‐19 restrictions included lack of support from family and friends, fear of COVID‐19 exposure, feeling isolated and uncertain, negative impact on perinatal care experience, and hospital restrictions. Having support from partners and families, in‐person/virtual support, as well as engaging in self‐care and the low prevalence of COVID‐19 during the summer of 2020 helped women cope.

Clinical relevance

Women identified challenges and negative impacts due to the COVID‐19 pandemic, although no differences in psychosocial outcomes were found. Consideration of public health policy during the postpartum period for the ongoing COVID‐19 pandemic is needed.

Conclusion

While there were no significant differences in psychosocial outcomes, there were still challenges and negative impacts that women identified.
Generalizing Knowledge of Second Language Collocations: The Roles of Within‐ and Cross‐Language Similarity on Acceptability and Event‐Related Potentials
Authors: Pulido Manuel F.
Published: November 2022

Recent research has shown that knowledge of second language (L2) collocations is important to learners for improving their language processing and production but also that acquiring L2‐specific collocations is a very burdensome task for learners. Thus, bootstrapping knowledge of L2 collocations through generalization is highly desirable, but this area has received surprisingly limited attention. This study examined L2 learners’ ability to generalize knowledge of recently learned verb–noun collocations during processing and whether this type of learning occurred via intralexical associations in the L2 (similarity) or was facilitated by known collocations in learners’ first language (L1). Mixed‐effects regression targeting measures of learners’ brain event‐related potentials revealed cross‐language influence during real‐time processing that preceded learners’ acceptability judgments. Both within‐ and cross‐language similarity influenced learners’ behavioral judgments. These findings revealed cross‐language integration in L1–L2 incongruent collocations from the earliest moments of processing.