bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Long‐term outcomes of paediatric Guillain–Barré syndrome
Authors: Estublier Bastien , Colineaux Hélène , Arnaud Catherine , Cintas Pascal , Baudou Eloise , Chaix Yves , Rivier François , Biotteau Maelle , Meyer Pierre , Cheuret Emmanuel
Published: July 2023

Aim

To study long‐term sequelae in children with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS).

Method

This was a prospective observational study with children from two French tertiary centres. Data were from clinical and several standardized scales or questionnaires.

Results

Fifty‐one patients were included with a median follow‐up of 6 years 4 months (range 3–20 years) after the acute phase. The sequelae rate was 67% (95% confidence interval [CI] 53–78) and did not vary with time. Most children had minor sequelae (Guillain–Barré Syndrome Disability Score [GBSDS] = 1); only one was unable to run (GBSDS = 2). The most frequent complaints were paraesthesia (43%), pain (35%), and fatigue (31%). The neurological examination was abnormal in 18% of children, autonomy was compromised in 14%, and symptoms of depression occurred in 34%. The factors associated with late‐onset sequelae were correlated with severity during the initial phase (i.e. initial GBSDS >4, odds ratio 6.6, 95% CI 1.8–33; p = 0.009). The predictive factors of more severe late‐onset conditions were initial severity (p = 0.002) and sex (female patients; p = 0.01).

Interpretation

Two‐thirds of children with GBS had late‐onset sequelae following an episode, often minor, but sometimes with continuing effects on their everyday lives. Particularly affected were those who had severe GBS during the acute phase and who lost the ability to walk.

What this paper adds

Two‐thirds of children with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) had persistent sequelae.

Sequelae were often minor, but daily repercussions of them were sometimes serious.

Sequelae were significantly associated with severe GBS during the acute phase.
Despite warnings, co‐medication with proton pump inhibitors and dasatinib is common in chronic myeloid leukemia, but XS004, a novel oral dasatinib formulation, provides reduced pH‐dependence, minimizing undesirable drug–drug interactions
Authors: Larfors Gunnar , Andersson Per , Jesson Gérald , Liljebris Charlotta , Brisander Magnus , Lennernäs Hans , Stenke Leif
Published: July 2023

Background

Dasatinib and other tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) have revolutionized the treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). However, as a lipophilic weak base, crystalline monohydrate, dasatinib (Sprycel®) is poorly soluble, rendering a pH‐dependent absorption and a highly variable bioavailability. Thus, co‐medication with proton pump inhibitors (PPI) profoundly impairs dasatinib uptake and is clearly recommended against.

XS004 is a novel oral immediate release and amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) formulation of dasatinib and is bioequivalent to the original crystalline dasatinib at 30% lower dosages. XS004 is designed to mitigate gastric pH dependency, thus optimizing absorption and bioavailability.

Methods

We investigated the prevalence of dasatinib and PPI co‐medication among chronic‐phase CML patients in a real‐world setting and assessed the plasma pharmacokinetics (PK) of XS004 with and without PPI co‐medication (omeprazole) in healthy volunteers.

Results

Using the Swedish CML and Prescribed Drug Registers, we identified 676 TKI‐treated CML patients; 320 (47%) had been prescribed PPI at some point after CML diagnosis. Among dasatinib‐treated patients, the 2‐year cumulative PPI co‐medication was 24%. Interestingly, the 5‐year overall survival was significantly lower for TKI‐treated CML patients with versus without PPI co‐medication (79% vs. 94%; hazard ratio 3.5; 95% confidence interval, 2.1–5.3; p < .0001).

When assessing PK of XS004, neither Cmax nor area under the plasma concentration curve levels in plasma were significantly altered by the PPI co‐medication.

Conclusion

In conclusion, despite warnings, PPI co‐medication is common among dasatinib‐treated CML patients in a real‐world setting. The new XS004 ASD formulation of dasatinib provided, in contrast to original crystalline dasatinib, superior pH independence with stable bioavailability, thereby minimizing drug–drug interactions. This may improve the long‐term efficacy and tolerability of dasatinib in CML.
Idelalisib (PI3Kδ inhibitor) therapy for patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia: A Swedish nation‐wide real‐world report on consecutively identified patients
Authors: Mattsson Agnes , Sylvan Sandra Eketorp , Axelsson Per , Ellin Fredrik , Kjellander Christian , Larsson Karin , Lauri Birgitta , Lewerin Catharina , Scharenberg Christian , Tätting Love , Johansson Hemming , Österborg Anders , Hansson Lotta
Published: July 2023

Objectives

We examined the efficacy and toxicity of the PI3Kδ inhibitor idelalisib in combination with rituximab salvage therapy in consecutively identified Swedish patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

Methods and Results

Thirty‐seven patients with relapsed/refractory disease were included. The median number of prior lines of therapy was 3 (range 1–11); the median age was 69 years (range 50–89); 22% had Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS) >6 and 51% had del(17p)/TP53 mutation. The overall response rate was 65% (all but one was partial response [PR]). The median duration of therapy was 9.8 months (range 0.9–44.8). The median progression‐free survival was 16.4 months (95% CI: 10.4–26.3) and median overall survival had not been reached (75% remained alive at 24 months of follow‐up). The most common reason for cessation of therapy was colitis (n = 8, of which seven patients experienced grade ≥3 colitis). The most common serious adverse event was grade ≥3 infection, which occurred in 24 patients (65%).

Conclusions

Our real‐world results suggest that idelalisib is an effective and relatively safe treatment for patients with advanced‐stage CLL when no other therapies exist. Alternative dosing regimens and new PI3K inhibitors should be explored, particularly in patients who are double‐refractory to inhibitors of BTK and Bcl‐2.
White matter hyperintensities in cognitive impairment with Lewy body disease: a multicentre study
Authors: Gan Jinghuan , Shi Zhihong , Liu Shuai , Li Xudong , Liu Yiming , Zhu Hongcan , Shen Lu , Zhang Guili , Lu Hao , Gang Baozhi , Chen Zhichao , Ji Yong
Published: July 2023

Background and purpose

White matter hyperintensities (WMHs) are associated with cognitive deficits and worse clinical outcomes in dementia, but rare studies have been carried out of cognitive impairment in Lewy body disease (CI‐LB) patients. The objective was to investigate the associations between WMHs and clinical manifestations in patients with CI‐LB.

Methods

In this retrospective multicentre cohort study, 929 patients (486 with dementia with Lewy bodies [DLB], 262 with Parkinson's disease dementia [PDD], 74 with mild cognitive impairment [MCI] with Lewy bodies [MCI‐LB] and 107 with Parkinson's disease with MCI [PD‐MCI]) were analysed from 22 memory clinics between January 2018 and June 2022. Demographic and clinical data were collected by reviewing medical records. WMHs were semi‐quantified according to the Fazekas method. Associations between WMHs and clinical manifestations were investigated by multivariate linear or logistic regression models.

Results

Dementia with Lewy bodies patients had the highest Fazekas scores compared with PDD, MCI‐LB and PD‐MCI. Multivariable regressions showed the Fazekas score was positively associated with the scores of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (p = 0.001), Hoehn−Yahn stage (p = 0.004) and total Neuropsychiatric Inventory (p = 0.001) in MCI‐LB and PD‐MCI patients. In patients with DLB and PDD, Fazekas scores were associated with the absence of rapid eye movement sleep behaviour disorder (p = 0.041) and scores of Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale Part III (p < 0.001), Hoehn−Yahn stage (p < 0.001) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (p = 0.014).

Conclusion

White matter hyperintensity burden of DLB was higher than for PDD, MCI‐LB and PD‐MCI. The greater WMH burden was significantly associated with poorer cognitive performance, worse motor function and more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms in CI‐LB.
Functional neurological disorder: A common reason for a neurology inpatient referral
Authors: Ramsay Neil , Stone Jon , Fadiloglu Kubra , Baxter Mariella , Hutchison Caroline , Bennett Karina , Moullaali Tom , Mathur Jai , Bridson James , Hoeritzauer Ingrid
Published: July 2023

Background and purpose

In 2021, the European Academy of Neurology's training requirements were updated to include functional neurological disorder (FND) as a core topic for the first time. To reinforce these changes, we aimed to understand the proportion of inpatients (in non‐neurology settings) who are diagnosed with FND.

Methods

We prospectively collected data on diagnoses made after inpatient ward reviews from neurology trainees at three tertiary neurology centres in Scotland from April to September 2021. We assessed healthcare utilization data for patients with a diagnosis of FND, epilepsy and epileptic seizures, or a neuroinflammatory disorder over the preceding 12 months.

Results

There were 437 inpatient reviews for 424 patients by 13 trainees. The largest single diagnosis was FND (n = 80, 18%), followed by epilepsy (n = 64, 14%), primary headache disorder (n = 40, 9%) and neuroinflammatory disorders (n = 28, 6%). There was an uncertain diagnosis for 48 reviews (11%). Compared to patients with epilepsy or neuroinflammatory disorders, patients with FND had a similar number of admissions (2 vs. 2 vs. 1) and brain/spine imaging studies (2 vs. 1 vs. 2).

Conclusions

In Scotland, FND was the most common diagnosis made after a request for an inpatient review by a neurologist from another department in the hospital. Patients with FND have similar health resource needs to those with other common neurological disorders when they present to hospitals with tertiary neurology centres. This data supports the inclusion of FND as a core curriculum topic in neurology training.
ESG disclosure, CEO power and incentives and corporate risk‐taking
Authors: Menla Ali Faek , Wu Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiaoxiang
Published: July 2023

This paper investigates the impact of environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure on corporate risk‐taking and how this impact is further affected by chief executive officer (CEO) power and incentives within US companies. We find that ESG disclosure decreases corporate risk‐taking based on both accounting‐based and market‐based returns. Further, we find that ESG disclosure is more effective in mitigating market‐based risk‐taking than accounting‐based risk‐taking in a firm with a powerful CEO. In contrast, CEO's ESG‐incentivized engagement bonuses weaken ESG disclosure impacts in reducing both types of risk‐taking. Our analysis helps understanding of different trade‐offs of ESG disclosure in aligning all stakeholders' benefits under different managerial‐related factors.
Measuring J‐R curve under dynamic loading conditions using digital image correlation
Authors: Chen Cheng , Qian Xudong
Published: July 2023

This article describes a convenient method to quantify the dynamic J‐R curve through digital image correlation (DIC). The DIC approach, verified through numerical and experimental results for single edge notched bend (SE(B)) specimens, quantifies the dynamic J‐R curve during the drop‐weight tearing test (DWTT). The proposed method enables consistent measurement of the J‐integral and the amount of crack extension solely from the DIC measured displacement on the specimen surface, which facilitates direct comparison of fracture toughness under different strain rates. The results demonstrate enhanced Mode‐I fracture resistance of metallic materials under increased strain rates.
The Central Series of the Rum Igneous Complex, NW Scotland: the rises and falls of magma in a large mafic‐ultramafic volcano
Authors: Upton Brian G.J. , Troll Valentin R. , Emeleus C. Henry , Donaldson Colin H.
Published: July 2023

The Central Series of the Paleocene mafic to ultramafic Rum complex is the youngest of the three main cumulate series that make up the layered igneous complex of this famed Scottish island. The Central Series lies along the Long Loch Fault and provides insights into the feeder system to the Rum intrusion at an erosion level of about two kilometres below the former land surface. Much of the Central Series consists of a mélange of steep sided bodies of magmatic breccias that stretch along the Long Loch Fault (LLF) in a relatively narrow zone and is composed of blocks and clasts of all sizes derived largely from break‐up of the former conduit walls. Repeated movements of the LLF are thought to have been responsible for opening and closing of the magma conduit, resulting in repeated replenishment events, each of which gave rise to new cumulate formation within the Central Series and the bordering Eastern and Western Layered Series, which crystallized under relatively tranquil conditions. The Central Series probably acted as the feeder zone supplying the neighbouring layered series. The more complete of these is the Eastern Layered Series in which 16 conformable units can be distinguished. Others are presumed either to lie unseen at depth or to have been stripped by erosion. The Central Series, although often neglected because of its relative inaccessibility and complexity, formed from successive magma replenishments alternating with large‐volume side‐wall collapses of previously deposited cumulate material. It could thus be thought of as representing the ‘pulsing heart’ to the Rum volcano and deserves to be regarded as a site of major volcanological and petrological importance. Here we present a summary of some 60 years of investigation into the cumulate rocks of the Central Series.
‘High proliferative cribriform prostate cancer’ defines a patient subgroup with an inferior prognosis
Authors: Bogaard Mari , Skotheim Rolf I , Maltau Aase V , Kidd Susanne G , Lothe Ragnhild A , Axcrona Karol , Axcrona Ulrika
Published: July 2023

Aims

A cribriform pattern, reactive stroma (RS), PTEN, Ki67 and ERG are promising prognostic biomarkers in primary prostate cancer (PCa). We aim to determine the relative contribution of these factors and the Cancer of the Prostate Risk Assessment Postsurgical (CAPRA‐S) score in predicting PCa prognosis.

Methods and results

We included 475 patients who underwent radical prostatectomy (2010–12, median follow‐up = 8.7 years). Cribriform pattern was identified in 57% of patients, PTEN loss in 55%, ERG expression in 51%, RS in 39% and high Ki67 in 9%. In patients with multiple samples from the same malignant focus and either PTEN loss or high Ki67, intrafocal heterogeneity for PTEN and Ki67 expression was detected in 55% and 89%, respectively. In patients with samples from two or more foci, interfocal heterogeneity was detected in 46% for PTEN and 6% for Ki67. A cribriform pattern and Ki67 were independent predictors of biochemical recurrence (BCR) and clinical recurrence (CR), whereas ERG expression was an independent predictor of CR. Besides CAPRA‐S, a cribriform pattern provided the highest relative proportion of explained variation for predicting BCR (11%), and Ki67 provided the highest relative proportion of explained variation for CR (21%). In patients with a cribriform pattern, high Ki67 was associated with a higher risk of BCR [hazard ratio (HR) = 2.83, P < 0.001] and CR (HR = 4.35, P < 0.001).

Conclusions

High Ki67 in patients with a cribriform pattern identifies a patient subgroup with particularly poor prognosis, which we termed ‘high proliferative cribriform prostate cancer’. These results support reporting a cribriform pattern in pathology reports, and advocate implementing Ki67.
Histological findings of thyroid cancer after lenvatinib therapy
Authors: Okubo Yoichiro , Toda Soji , Sato Shinya , Yoshioka Emi , Ono Kyoko , Hasegawa Chie , Washimi Kota , Yokose Tomoyuki , Miyagi Yohei , Iwasaki Hiroyuki , Hayashi Hiroyuki
Published: July 2023

Aims

Lenvatinib is a multikinase inhibitor used for treating unresectable or metastatic cancers, including thyroid cancer. As total thyroidectomy followed by radioactive iodine therapy is a commonly recommended initial treatment for thyroid cancer, histological findings of the thyroid after lenvatinib therapy remain unclear. Therefore, the aim of this study was to analyse in‐vivo changes in patients who underwent thyroidectomy after lenvatinib therapy.

Methods and results

We screened 167 patients with thyroid cancer [papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), n = 102; follicular thyroid cancer (FTC), n = 26; anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC), n = 39] who underwent lenvatinib therapy. Among these patients, six underwent thyroidectomy (lenvatinib‐treated group: PTC, n = 3; FTC, n = 1; ATC, n = 2), and the specimens were examined. Five patients with PTC who did not receive lenvatinib therapy were included for comparison (untreated group). Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated in both groups. The PTC and FTC specimens showed relatively more ischaemic changes than ATC specimens. Coagulative necrosis and ischaemic changes in cancer cells were frequently observed. ATC specimens showed fibrosis and mild cell damage. As hypothyroidism is a common side effect of lenvatinib therapy, non‐cancerous thyroid tissues were also examined. Histological findings included mild lymphocytic infiltration, lymphoid follicular formation, histiocytic reaction and follicular epithelial destruction. The MVD in lenvatinib‐treated tissues was significantly lower than that in untreated tissues.

Conclusions

Lenvatinib therapy probably induces relatively specific ischaemic changes in thyroid cancer cells. Moreover, inflammatory cell infiltration and decreased MVD occur to varying degrees in non‐cancerous thyroid tissue and may be related to hypothyroidism, a side effect of lenvatinib.
Investigating connectivity and seasonal differences in wind assistance in the migration of Common Sandpipers
Authors: Mondain‐Monval Thomas O. , du Feu Richard , Summers Ron W. , Sharp Stuart P.
Published: July 2023

Many migratory bird species have undergone recent population declines, but there is considerable variation in trends between species and between populations employing different migratory routes. Understanding species‐specific migratory behaviours is therefore of critical importance for their conservation. The Common Sandpiper Actitis hypoleucos is an Afro‐Palaearctic migratory bird species whose European populations are in decline. We fitted geolocators to individuals breeding in England or wintering in Senegal to determine their migration routes and breeding or non‐breeding locations. We used these geolocator data in combination with previously published data from Scottish breeding birds to determine the distributions and migratory connectivity of breeding (English and Scottish) and wintering (Senegalese) populations of the Common Sandpiper, and used simulated random migrations to investigate wind assistance during autumn and spring migration. We revealed that the Common Sandpipers tagged in England spent the winter in West Africa, and that at least some birds wintering in Senegal bred in Scandinavia; this provides insights into the links between European breeding populations and their wintering grounds. Furthermore, birds tagged in England, Scotland and Senegal overlapped considerably in their migration routes and wintering locations, meaning that local breeding populations could be buffered against habitat change, but susceptible to large‐scale environmental changes. These findings also suggest that contrasting population trends in England and Scotland are unlikely to be the result of population‐specific migration routes and wintering regions. Finally, we found that birds used wind to facilitate their migration in autumn, but less so in spring, when the wind costs associated with their migrations were higher than expected at random. This was despite the wind costs of simulated migrations being significantly lower in spring than in autumn. Indeed, theory suggests that individuals are under greater time pressures in spring than in autumn because of the time constraints associated with reproduction.
Possible impact of HLA class I and class II on malignancies driven by a single germ‐line BRCA1 mutation
Authors: Ivanova Milena , Ormandjieva Anastasia , Dodova Rumyana , Kaneva Radka , Shivarov Velizar
Published: July 2023

This study provides the first immunogenetic preliminary evidence that specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class I and class II alleles and haplotypes may be relevant for BRCA1 c.5263_5264insC driven oncogenesis. Observed HLA associations might have practical implications for establishment of predictive markers for the response to immunotherapies in malignancies driven by this germ‐line mutation.
Effects of collaborative filtering‐based peer recommendation mechanism on in‐service teachers’ learning performance, knowledge construction, and social network during online training
Authors: Ma Ning , Gong Kaixin , Zeng Min
Published: July 2023

Background

Collaborative learning has become a crucial approach to promoting online in‐service teacher training. Appropriate peer recommendation for group composition is the basis to ensure productive learning outcomes of collaborative learning. However, there is a lack of understanding of the impact of peer recommendation on in‐service teachers' online training.

Objectives

Therefore, based on the collaborative filtering approach, a peer recommendation mechanism for in‐service teachers was constructed in this study. We investigated the effects of the constructed mechanism on in‐service teachers' online learning performance, interactive knowledge construction behavioural patterns and social networks.

Methods

In this study, 82 in‐service teachers were recruited to participate in the study. Participants under the experimental condition (n = 41) were invited to apply collaborative filtering‐based peer recommendation mechanism for grouping, while participants under the control condition (n = 41) were invited to use random grouping method. Participants' interaction data were collected from online collaborative discussion activities in a 5‐week asynchronous online course. The pre‐post knowledge test, content analysis, lag sequential analysis and social network analysis were used to analyse the differences between groups.

Results and Conclusions

The following findings were revealed: (1) the experimental group performed better than the control group in terms of online learning performance; (2) interactive knowledge construction behavioural patterns generated in collaborative activities showed that the experimental group achieved deeper level of knowledge construction in collaboration than the control group; (3) social networks generated in collaborative activities showed that the experimental group had tighter interaction relationships than the control group. Therefore, the peer recommendation mechanism could be useful to improve peer recommendation for group composition and had positive effects on in‐service teachers' online training.

Implications

This study can shed light on the construction of peer recommendation mechanism in recommending appropriate peers for in‐service teachers and different learners in online collaborative learning.
The role of the courts in conflict resolution in UK flood risk management
Authors: Khalil Khizar , Penning‐Rowsell Edmund C.
Published: July 2023

Conflicting interests in flood risk management (FRM) frequently arise, resulting in disputes which are often resolved through mutual agreement. Nevertheless, a small number of cases require legal intervention when negotiation or mediation fails. This can publicly reveal the conflict often hidden in these mutual agreements. The two areas that intersect to create this conflict are spatial planning and flood risk reduction strategies that may impact property rights. This research explores the nature of such conflict in FRM and its possible resolution. Through an analysis of 25 all‐UK legal Court transcripts, we investigate the underlying flood‐related disputation, dispute types, and how they were resolved. Our findings reveal that certain disputes remain unresolved prior to Court proceedings due to misunderstandings about spatial planning in at‐risk areas. In addition, the depiction and the accuracy of flood risk assessments can be a contentious issue. Some FRM disputes remain irresolvable due to the differences in collective and individual aspirations about the use of land by various interests: developers, local authorities, residents, landowners, and farmers. Understanding these FRM disputes and their judicial resolution is valuable in unambiguously revealing who are the ultimate ‘winners’ and ‘losers’ in these fiercely contested struggles.
Circular economy: A new research field?
Authors: Kirchherr Julian , Urbinati Andrea , Hartley Kris
Published: July 2023

Action to pursue the circular economy (CE) transition is burgeoning in the government and the private sector. Does this action signal that CE is a distinct field of research with a unique disciplinary identity? This article argues that CE has reached field status, through its own epistemic communities characterized by increasingly shared methodological perspectives and normative ideals, and through institutionalized knowledge development through research journals and authority structures. The recent growth of CE research points toward more contextualized and nuanced operationalizations of the concept, evidence that the field is approaching a threshold state of maturity. Drawing on observations from academic literature and discussions with researchers and experts, we trace the process by which CE has arrived at the status of a field. The article concludes with reflections on research directions.
Drivers of urban metabolism: Toward a framework for urban transformations
Authors: Papangelou Anastasia , Bahers Jean‐Baptiste , Aissani Lynda
Published: July 2023

The environmental and social crises in cities call for radical future visions that can incite transformative change. Yet, urban metabolism research typically adopts an explanatory, retrospective approach to the drivers of urban flows and stocks, resulting in conservative, business‐as‐usual future outlooks. In this study, we present the results of a narrative literature review on drivers and futures of urban metabolism, and consequently use these results to propose and apply a framework that can be used by researchers (i) to systematically identify the drivers of urban metabolism, and (ii) to critically engage with these drivers for the development of transformative future visions. The framework comprises seven thematic categories of drivers (demographic, economic, cultural, political, technological, environmental, and infrastructural) and an eighth category (power) to be used as the lens through which the interactions between drivers, activities, and flows in the city are critically examined. Applying the framework to the case study of biowaste management in Rennes, France, we found it useful for the systematic identification of often overseen drivers. The proposed framework, allowing for a combined analysis of flows and drivers, can become a useful tool toward a solution‐oriented urban metabolism research.
From creating to confronting racial hierarchies: The evolving role of the US state in land policy
Authors: Pahnke Anthony , Treakle Jordan
Published: July 2023

From systemically dispossessing Indigenous people of their territory for Euro‐American settlement to routinely denying African American farmers operating loans in the 20th century, the US government's complicity in creating racial hierarchies in terms of land access is well documented. Less understood is how land policies oriented towards racial equity, namely, the Justice for Black Farmers Act (JBFA), and other initiatives that deal with land access as well as addressing racism more broadly, emerged during recent decades. In this article, we argue that such initiatives resulted from Black‐led organizations and other farmer advocacy allies responding to neoliberal policy reforms. Concretely, even as these reforms destabilized farm economies, they also led to a decentralization of agricultural policy administration, which, in turn, created opportunities for community‐based organizations to influence land governance. We make this argument after presenting a three‐part periodization of the evolution of US land policy, starting with the emergence of racial hierarchies, then the period of partial reforms that began during the New Deal and, finally, the era of neoliberal reform.
Connecting Cross‐Border Market Participants: The Intermediary Role of International Analysts in Global Capital Markets
Authors: Jeong Young‐Chul , Yu Jisun , Ryu Wonsang
Published: July 2023

Although the analyst profession has rapidly expanded internationally, very few studies have examined the distinct role of international analysts in the global economy. Motivated to address this need, we examine the role of international analysts as key intermediaries connecting local firms with foreign investors. Specifically, we investigate whether and under what circumstances the international analyst community in a host country influences foreign equity investment in the country. Our analyses of foreign portfolio investment inflows in 57 countries from 1987 to 2007 demonstrate that the international analyst community plays an essential role in facilitating cross‐border equity investment by mitigating foreign investors' information challenges. We also find that the extent of such influence is further affected by the heterogeneity of the host country's information environment and by that of the international analyst community. These findings extend the extant knowledge of analysts, information intermediaries, cross‐border capital investment, and global professions.
Worker commitment and establishment performance in Europe
Authors: Addison John T. , Teixeira Paulino
Published: July 2023

Using a cross section of matched data from the employee and management questionnaires of the European Company Survey for 28 nations, this paper investigates the determinants of worker commitment and the potential contribution of commitment to establishment performance. An index of worker commitment is constructed from employer perceptions of the motivation of workers and their retention and absenteeism propensities, while the determinants of commitment are fashioned from observations taken from the worker representation side, ordered along dimensions such as perceived organizational trust and involvement. The commitment index is then linked to establishment performance outcomes. Key findings from the commitment equation are the positive role of trust in management, the quality of information exchanged, and the degree of worker representation influence in respect of major decisions taken by management. In turn, commitment emerges as a key correlate of establishment financial performance and labor productivity growth. Our supplemental sensitivity analysis is supportive of the interpretation of commitment as a driver of performance.
ebony underpins Batesian mimicry in melanic stoneflies
Authors: Foster Brodie J. , McCulloch Graham A. , Foster Yasmin , Kroos Gracie C. , King Tania M. , Waters Jonathan M.
Published: July 2023

The evolution of Batesian mimicry – whereby harmless species avoid predation through their resemblance to harmful species – has long intrigued biologists. In rare cases, Batesian mimicry is linked to intraspecific colour variation, in which only some individuals within a population resemble a noxious ‘model’. Here, we assess intraspecific colour variation within a widespread New Zealand stonefly, wherein highly melanized individuals of Zelandoperla closely resemble a chemically defended aposematic stonefly, Austroperla cyrene. We assess convergence in the colour pattern of these two species, compare their relative palatability to predators, and use genome‐wide association mapping to assess the genetic basis of this resemblance. Our analysis reveals that melanized Zelandoperla overlap significantly with Austroperla in colour space but are significantly more palatable to predators, implying that they are indeed Batesian mimics. Analysis of 194,773 genome‐wide SNPs reveals an outlier locus (ebony) strongly differentiating melanic versus non‐melanic Zelandoperla. Genotyping of 338 specimens from a single Zelandoperla population indicates that ebony explains nearly 70% of the observed variance in melanism. As ebony has a well‐documented role in insect melanin biosynthesis, our findings indicate this locus has a conserved function across deeply divergent hexapod lineages. Distributional records suggest a link between the occurrence of melanic Zelandoperla and the forested ecosystems where the model Austroperla is abundant, suggesting the potential for adaptive shifts in this system underpinned by environmental change.
Developing skilled communication: The power of self‐monitoring
Authors: Verheijden Michelle , Giroldi Esther , Timmerman Angelique
Published: July 2023

Because communication is an ongoing process, to become skilled, the author argues it is essential to empower trainees through tailored feedback, activation of self‐monitoring, and awareness of constantly changing context.
A Listening Church on the Synodal Pathway: Discernment and Decision-Making in Communion
Authors: McCaughey Mary
Published: July 2023

Pope Francis's has described his vision for a synodal Church, not simply as a once off programme of renewal, but as God's desire for the Church of the third millennium. As such, it aims to concretise the ecclesiology of the Second Vatican Council, making the Church today more manifestly one of communion, participation, and mission. It differs from previous synods and Councils in history in that it more directly invites and involves all the baptised in a direct process of listening and discernment to the voice of the Holy Spirit. This paper aims to understand from a theological perspective how listening will work in a synodal Church, by exploring firstly what we mean by the ecclesiology of communion from the Council. Such an ecclesiology, manifesting the equal dignity of the faithful in Christ, will ground listening at the level of participation in God as well as acknowledging the gift of infallibility given to the whole Church. It means calling on the Holy Spirit to help discern how and where, the apostolic deposit of faith has been received by members of the body. It also explores what we mean by listening to the sensus fidei of the whole body and how the authority of laity and hierarchy operate both in united but distinct ways within a synodal process grounded in communion ecclesiology. Overall, such listening is to be done carefully for the sake of the Church's mission as the sacrament of salvation to the world.
Linking people and riparian forests: a sociocultural and ecological approach to plan integrative restoration in farmlands
Authors: Lucero Tania , Ibarra José Tomás , Rojas Isabel M.
Published: July 2023

Global initiatives to restore habitats aim to improve ecosystem health; however, restoration programs are challenged with balancing human needs with ecological restoration objectives. To advise programs that aim to restore forest in farmlands and complement other analyses on ecologically‐based reference sites, we (1) identified species with sociocultural importance, termed as “priority species”; (2) developed an integrative index to find habitats where priority species coincide with healthy ecological conditions (i.e. relatively high diversity, specific plant composition, etc.); and (3) evaluated whether sociodemographic profiles of landowners influenced their plant knowledge and ecological condition of habitats. Our approach was applied to riparian forests in farmlands of the Toltén watershed in southern Chile. We conducted structured interviews to gather information on traditional uses and management of trees in riparian habitats from 45 landowners. We developed an integrative index by combining sociocultural information from interviews with existing vegetation data. From the list of 65 trees provided by landowners, we selected five priority species based on their high saliency, multiple uses, and known management. Only 6 out of 98 sites had high integrative index scores, with the majority showing low values for sociocultural and ecological conditions. Except for a difference in ecological criteria and gender, the evaluation of landowners' knowledge level with sociodemographic profiles did not show significant relationships. These findings suggest that our integrative index can guide the design of restoration objectives, emphasizing on species that are important to local communities by providing information on the ecological conditions in which these plants co‐occur.
Numerical and experimental investigation of the residual stress distribution of internal thread cold extrusion and tap wear
Authors: Wan Nian , He Qiang , Jing Xuwen , Jiang Yonggang , Zhou Honggen
Published: July 2023

In order to improve the thread‐forming quality of diesel engine piston connecting rod, the internal thread cold extrusion process was adopted for the through‐hole structure of 42CrMo4 high‐strength steel. The influence of different structural parameters of the tap on the residual stress distribution of the cold extrusion internal threads and self‐wear were discussed with the help of three‐dimensional elastic–plastic finite element model. The wear of tap was observed by an electron microscope, coordinated with the residual stress distribution of thread was measured by X‐ray diffraction to explore the relationship between residual stress distribution of the cold extrusion internal thread, tool wear and tap structure. The optimal combination of tap structure parameters of residual stress and tool wear was obtained through grey relation method. The residual compressive stress and the depth of stress layer near the thread surface increased and the wear condition of the extrusion tap was improved when the tap with optimised structural parameters was used for processing, while maintaining the original thread connection strength. The results show that the internal thread with better‐forming quality can be obtained by using the optimised extrusion tap, while the service life of the tap was prolonged.
Dermoscopic features of benign sebaceous proliferations in dogs: Description, assessment and inter‐observer agreement
Authors: Scarampella Fabia , Colombo Silvia , Dehesa Alexandra , Godizzi Francesco , Cavicchini Stefano , Fabbri Elisabetta , Roccabianca Paola
Published: July 2023

Background

Dermoscopy is a useful, noninvasive technique also used to assess sebaceous lesions in humans. Sebaceous hyperplasia, sebaceous adenoma and sebaceous epithelioma are common cutaneous lesions in dogs; however, their dermoscopic features have not been investigated.

Hypothesis/Objectives

The objectives of this study are to describe the dermoscopic features of canine sebaceous lesions and to assess the interobserver agreement on dermoscopic parameters.

Animals

Thirty‐four lesions excised from 17 client‐owned dogs, histologically confirmed as sebaceous proliferations, were included in this study.

Materials and Methods

Sebaceous lesions were evaluated in vivo at ×10 magnification with a handheld dermoscope. Each dermoscopic image was assessed independently by two ECVD board‐certified veterinary referral clinicians and an ECVD resident.

Results

Thirty sebaceous hyperplasias, two sebaceous adenomas and two sebaceous epitheliomas were included. Dermoscopically, most lesions (91%) had single or multiple, well‐defined, white‐yellowish structures composed of grouped ovoid areas (clods). Irregular linear and, less commonly, arborising vessels were detected at the periphery of the yellow lobular‐like structures in 93% of sebaceous hyperplasias and in 50% of neoplastic lesions. Erosions were seen in 6% of sebaceous hyperplasias and 50% of neoplastic lesions. Good interobserver agreement was found for white/yellowish clods (k = 0.75), yellow scales (k = 0.83), brown/grey dots (k = 0.80), erosions (k = 0.82) and red/brownish scales/crusts (k = 0.75). There was moderate agreement for fissures (k = 0.48) and vascular pattern (k = 0.51–0.53).

Conclusions and Clinical Relevance

Dermoscopy represents a useful technique to assess sebaceous gland proliferations in dogs, as it is in humans.
Gaussian upper bounds for the heat kernel on evolving manifolds
Authors: Buzano Reto , Yudowitz Louis
Published: July 2023

In this article, we prove a general and rather flexible upper bound for the heat kernel of a weighted heat operator on a closed manifold evolving by an intrinsic geometric flow. The proof is based on logarithmic Sobolev inequalities and ultracontractivity estimates for the weighted operator along the flow, a method that was previously used by Davies (Amer. J. Math. 109 (1987) 319–334) in the case of a non‐evolving manifold. This result directly implies Gaussian‐type upper bounds for the heat kernel under certain bounds on the evolving distance function; in particular we find new proofs of Gaussian heat kernel bounds on manifolds evolving by Ricci flow with bounded curvature or positive Ricci curvature. We also obtain similar heat kernel bounds for a class of other geometric flows.
Irreducibility of periodic curves in cubic polynomial moduli space
Authors: Arfeux Matthieu , Kiwi Jan
Published: July 2023

In the moduli space of complex cubic polynomials with a marked critical point, given any , we prove that the loci formed by polynomials with the marked critical point periodic of period is an irreducible curve. Thus, answering a question posed by Milnor in the 1990s.
On the strict Picard spectrum of commutative ring spectra
Authors: Carmeli Shachar
Published: July 2023

We compute the connective spectra of maps from $\mathbb {Z}$ to the Picard spectra of the spherical Witt vectors associated with perfect rings of characteristic $p$. As an application, we determine the connective spectrum of maps from $\mathbb {Z}$ to the Picard spectrum of the sphere spectrum.
Prediction of anemia with a particle swarm optimization-based approach
Authors: Ahmad Arshed A. , Saffer Khalid M. , Sari Murat , Uslu Hande
Published: July 2023

Healthcare enables the maintenance of health through some physical and mental care for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Diagnosis of anemia, one of the most common health problems of the age, is also very ambitious. Whereas, pathological individuals could be predicted through various biomedical variables using some appropriate methods. In order to estimate these individuals just by taking into account biological data, particle swarm optimization (PSO) and support vector machine (SVM) clustering techniques have been merged (PSO-SVM). In this respect, the dataset provided has been divided into five clusters based on anemia types consisting of 539 subjects in total, and the anemia values of each subject have been recorded according to corresponding biomedical variables taken as independent parameters. The findings of the PSO-SVM method have been compared to the results of the SVM algorithm. The hybrid PSO-SVM method has proven to be quite effective, particularly in terms of the high predictability of clustered disease types. it is possible to lead the successful creation of appropriate treatment programs for diagnosed patients without overlooking or wasting time during treatment.
Review of the genus Paraseiulus Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) of Russia
Authors: Khaustov Vladimir A. , Döker İsmail , Joharchi Omid , Khaustov Alexander A.
Published: July 2023

Russian species of the genus Paraseiulus Muma (Acari: Phytoseiidae) were reviewed based on the material collected in this study as well as previous literature reports. As a result, a new species, P. pseudoincognitus sp. nov., collected from leaves of Ulmus sp. (Ulmaceae) in Omsk Region, Russia, was described and illustrated from adults of both sexes. Moreover, supplementary descriptions and new illustrations of four species, P. incognitus Wainstein & Arutunjan, P. soleiger (Ribaga), P. triporus (Chant & Yoshida-Shaul) and P. xiningensis (Chen & Chu) were provided, based on the newly collected specimens to facilitate species delimitation. In addition, P. intermixtus Kolodochka was proposed as a new junior synonym of P. soleiger, and both P. trimediosetus (Xin, Liang & Ke) and P. inobservatus Kolodochka were synonymized with P. xiningensis. Identification key for the Russian species of the genus was provided.
The Nord2000 prediction method for road traffic noise–outline and validation, and application in environmental noise mapping
Authors: Kragh Jørgen , Thysell Erik , Finne Per , Pedersen Frank , Michelsen Lene , Fryd Jakob
Published: July 2023

In 2006, the Nord2000 method for predicting traffic noise exposure of road neighbors was published. Subsequently, in 2007, the Danish Environmental Protection Agency made it the official method to be applied in cases involving decision making by environmental authorities. Since then, the method has been amended and computation software has been thoroughly debugged. Scientists have applied traffic noise levels calculated by means of Nord2000 when investigating health and annoyance effects of traffic noise. In 2019, a series of long-term field measurements was carried out as a supplement to the validation efforts made when developing the method, partly as an effort to build public confidence in calculated levels of traffic noise exposure. These measurements were made to investigate the relation between the varying noise levels as measured over time and the predicted yearly average noise levels Lden. Such knowledge can support and nuance explanations of how people are–or will be–affected by noise levels predicted as Lden. The present article outlines basic features of Nord2000 with an emphasis on the validation of the method and, particularly, on the outcome of the recent long-term measurement series.