bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Empowering indigenous enterprise through supplier diversity – The case for Puna Awarau in Aotearoa (New Zealand)
Authors: Malcolm Kahurangi , Cairns Frae , Pouwhare Tania
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate the role of supplier diversity in empowering indigenous entrepreneurship and the potential socio-economic benefits derived from Puna Awarau (supplier diversity) in Aotearoa (New Zealand).

Design/methodology/approach

Supplier diversity is an emerging field in Aotearoa (New Zealand). The insights and learnings shared in this article are based on the authors' own professional experiences and insights as supplier diversity practitioners that have shaped, grown and worked in this field.

Findings

Supplier diversity is a global practice that is quickly gaining traction in Aotearoa. This is a highly practical tool to create equity for Maori, delivering benefits directly to whanau (families) and bolstering the conditions for entrepreneurship to flourish. Maori fare worst in multiple measures of social and economic well-being in Aotearoa (New Zealand). Super charging the country's fledgling supplier diversity movement is one of the tools in growing Maori entrepreneurship and socio-economic equity at the same time.

Social implications

There is significant economic and social disparity between Maori and non-Maori. The median net worth of Maori is just a fraction of that of New Zealand (NZ) Europeans. What is clear is that the systems aren't serving Maori people and a “business as usual” approach simply doesn't work. Supplier diversity is a highly practical tool that can create equity for Maori, delivering benefits directly to whanau (families) and bolstering the conditions for entrepreneurship to flourish.

Originality/value

This paper is the one the first academic contributions to the supplier diversity practice in Aotearoa. This article demonstrates the case for supplier diversity, the supplier diversity journey to date and early learnings and insights from practitioners working at the coal face of this emerging practice in Aotearoa.
Numerical study on thermal performance of cold plates with leaf type channels for lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Li Shian , Wang Chongyang , Shen Qiuwan , Cheng Yuanzhe , Peng Chengdong , Yang Guogang , Sunden Bengt Ake
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to design a new type of cold plate to improve the thermal performance of liquid-cooled thermal management system of lithium-ion batteries.

Design/methodology/approach

A cold plate with leaf type channels is proposed to enhance the cooling performance. Effects of the leaf type channel parameters (i.e. channel angle 20°, 40°, 60°, 80°; coolant mass flow rate 0.25 × 10–3, 0.50 × 10–3, 0.75 × 10–3, 1.00 × 10–3, 1.25 × 10–3 kg·s−1; channel number 1, 3, 5, 7) on the performance are numerically investigated by using a 3D mathematical model.

Findings

Compared to the traditional I type channels, the leaf type channels have better cooling performance. It is found that the battery temperature variation and channel pressure drop are decreased with decreasing channel angle and increasing channel number. In addition, the cooling performance can be improved by increasing the coolant mass flow rate.

Practical implications

This study can provide guidance for the development of novel effective cold plates.

Originality/value

The design of cold plates with leaf type channels can be used in liquid-cooled thermal management system to reduce the battery temperature difference.
Unlocking the potential of non-managerial employees in corporate entrepreneurship: a systematic review and research agenda
Authors: Soltanifar Mariusz , Hughes Mathew , O’Connor Gina , Covin Jeffrey G. , Roijakkers Nadine
Published: July 2023

Purpose

While extant literature has advanced our understanding of senior and middle managers in corporate entrepreneurship, studies have only recently attended to the role of non-managerial employees (NMEs). These organizational members bring ideas, resources and energy to the pursuit of innovative opportunities, yet the determinants of their entrepreneurial behavior are poorly understood.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors performed a systematical literature review on the subject of NMEs in corporate entrepreneurship to identify gaps and recommend an agenda for future research.

Findings

The review revealed gaps regarding (1) the distance of NMEs from decisions on corporate strategic intent, (2) agentic choices made by NMEs to use their subject matter expertise for their employers' benefit, and the influences of (3) job characteristics and (4) organizational infrastructural support of entrepreneurial behavior.

Originality/value

The authors present a theoretical framework and directions for future research.
“Is COVID-19 a hoax?”: auditing the quality of COVID-19 conspiracy-related information and misinformation in Google search results in four languages
Authors: Dabran-Zivan Shakked , Baram-Tsabari Ayelet , Shapira Roni , Yitshaki Miri , Dvorzhitskaia Daria , Grinberg Nir
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Accurate information is the basis for well-informed decision-making, which is particularly challenging in the dynamic reality of a pandemic. Search engines are a major gateway for obtaining information, yet little is known about the quality and scientific accuracy of information answering conspiracy-related queries about COVID-19, especially outside of English-speaking countries and languages.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an algorithmic audit of Google Search, emulating search queries about COVID-19 conspiracy theories in 10 different locations and four languages (English, Arabic, Russian, and Hebrew) and used content analysis by native language speakers to examine the quality of the available information.

Findings

Searching the same conspiracies in different languages led to fundamentally different results. English had the largest share of 52% high-quality scientific information. The average quality score of the English-language results was significantly higher than in Russian and Arabic. Non-English languages had a considerably higher percentage of conspiracy-supporting content. In Russian, nearly 40% of the results supported conspiracies compared to 18% in English.

Originality/value

This study’s findings highlight structural differences that significantly limit access to high-quality, balanced, and accurate information about the pandemic, despite its existence on the Internet in another language. Addressing these gaps has the potential to improve individual decision-making collective outcomes for non-English societies.
The heritage of historic villages: an asset for the development of cultural tourism (case of the Oued Labiod valley in the Aures, Algeria)
Authors: Mechiat Sonia , Dekoumi Djamel
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This article aims to clarify the link between heritage and development, focussing on how this wealth can be a resource for the promotion of tourism in the villages of the Oued Labiod valley in the Aures and reduce their backwardness.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper opted for a qualitative empirical study, through interviews and direct observations. The data were supplemented by literature searches. The collected data were then analysed to obtain results.

Findings

The results show that the problem of the heritage of historic villages can no longer be reduced to the contemporary phenomenon of decay and physical mutations of traditional buildings. It is a more complex issue that encompasses major concerns requiring curious, comprehensive and constitutive solutions.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the particularity of the architecture and the specificity of the topography and climate of the study area, the results of the research may not be generalisable and are limited to the chosen example.

Practical implications

The document offers advice to local actors to ensure that heritage properties are taken into consideration in all development policies and determines that the success of these projects depends on the involvement of the local population and the improvement of the legal framework.

Originality/value

As the first study on the issue of sustainable tourism development of the cultural heritage of the Oued Labiod valley, the document proposes new ways of development that respect the historical values and authenticity of the heritage and involve the inhabitants.
Exploring stakeholder perceptions of tax reform failures and their proposed solutions: a developing country perspective
Authors: Hasan Arshad , Sheikh Naeem , Farooq Muhammad Bilal
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine why tax reforms fail and explores how tax collection can be improved within a developing country context.

Design/methodology/approach

Data comprise 28 semi-structured interviews with taxpayers, tax experts and tax authority personnel based in Pakistan. The results are analysed using a combined lens of taxpayer trust and tax agencies’ capabilities.

Findings

Tax reforms failed to build taxpayers’ trust and tax agencies’ capabilities. Building trust is challenging and demands extensive ongoing engagement with taxpayers while yielding gradual permanent results. This requires enhancing confidence in government; educating taxpayers; removing complexities; introducing transparency and accountability in tax agencies’ operations and the tax system; promoting procedural and distributive justice; and reversing perceptions of corruption through reconciliation and stakeholder inclusivity. Developing tax agencies’ capabilities requires upgrading outdated technologies, systems and processes; implementing governance and organisational reforms; introducing an oversight board; and recruiting and training skilled professionals.

Practical implications

The findings can assist policymakers and tax collection authorities in understanding why tax reforms fail and identifying potential solutions.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the emerging literature by exploring tax administration failures in developing countries. It contributes to the literature by engaging stakeholders to understand why reforms fail and potential solutions to stimulate tax revenues.
Analysis of appropriate duration of colchicine prophylaxis to maximize the persistence of xanthine oxidase inhibitors as the first‐line urate‐lowering therapy in patients with gout using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service database
Authors: So Min Wook , Kim A‐Ran , Lee Seung‐Geun
Published: July 2023

Introduction

We investigated the appropriate duration of colchicine prophylaxis to maximize the persistence of xanthine oxidase inhibitors (XOIs) as first‐line urate‐lowering therapy (ULT) in patients with gout. This was a nationwide population‐based retrospective cohort study using the Korean Health Insurance Review and Assessment database.

Methods

Patients with gout aged ≥20 years who were newly initiated on XOIs, such as allopurinol or febuxostat, from July 2015 to June 2017 and received these medications for ≥6 months were analyzed and followed up until June 2019. Persistence of XOIs was compared according to the 6‐month duration of colchicine prophylaxis. For additional subgroup analysis, we also compared the persistence of XOIs according to the 3‐month duration of colchicine prophylaxis.

Results

This study included 43 926 patients. The frequencies of patients with gout receiving colchicine prophylaxis for ≥6 months and ≥3 months were 6.3% and 7.6%, respectively. Allopurinol (65.2%) was prescribed more frequently than febuxostat (34.8%). During the study period, 23 475 patients (53.4%) stopped using XOIs. Colchicine prophylaxis for ≥6 months did not significantly reduce the risk of XOI discontinuation in multivariable Cox regression models. Colchicine prophylaxis for ≥3 months was significantly associated with a lower risk of non‐persistence to XOIs after adjusting for confounding factors (hazard ratio = 0.95, p = .041).

Conclusion

Our data suggest that at least 3 months of colchicine prophylaxis may be more appropriate than at least 6 months in terms of maximizing the persistence of XOIs in patients with gout.
Pretreatment changes in drinking: Theoretical and methodological implications for alcohol use disorder treatment outcome research
Authors: Davis Jared A. , Gius Becky K. , Crane Cory A. , Maisto Stephen A. , Schlauch Robert C.
Published: July 2023

Background

There is a growing recognition of the importance of changes in drinking prior to the first treatment session (i.e., pretreatment change). A major limitation of past studies of pretreatment change is the reliance on retrospective reporting on drinking rates between the baseline assessment and the first treatment session collected at the end of treatment. The present study sought to extend previous findings by examining 12‐month treatment outcomes and correlates of pretreatment changes in drinking measured weekly during treatment.

Methods

Data from a randomized behavioral clinical trial examining the effect of therapeutic alliance feedback on drinking outcomes were analyzed (n = 165). All participants received cognitive behavioral therapy for alcohol dependence, completed pre and posttreatment assessments, and provided weekly measures of drinking during treatment.

Results

Results indicated that approximately half of the sample reduced their heavy drinking days by 70% or more and number of drinking days by 50% or more prior to beginning treatment. Further, individuals who reported greater consideration of how their problematic drinking affected their social environment displayed greater changes in drinking days prior to treatment. Changes in heavy drinking days were also related to relationship status, such that individuals who were single/never married were less likely to change prior to treatment than those who were married/cohabitating or separated/divorced.

Conclusion

These confirm the importance of pretreatment change in the study of treatment outcomes, and suggest that interpersonal processes, including the appraisal of drinking behavior in a social context, may play an important role in pretreatment changes in drinking.
A especialização individual é maior em populações generalistas de posições tróficas intermediárias a altas em peixes tropicais de água doce
Authors: Brazil‐Sousa Clarissa , Soares Bruno Eleres , Svanbäck Richard , Albrecht Míriam Pilz
Published: July 2023

A especialização individual (EI) refere‐se à variação intrapopulacional no uso de recursos não relacionada à ontogenia, ao dimorfismo sexual ou à existência de morfotipos definidos. Um nicho amplo aumenta a especialização individual porque os indivíduos podem se segregar no espaço do nicho. Se a posição trófica influenciar a amplitude do nicho, ela restringirá indiretamente o grau de especialização individual. Os níveis tróficos intermediários, geralmente associados à onivoria, podem apresentar menos restrições em seu nicho trófico, o que levaria a altos níveis de especialização individual. Investigamos o grau de especialização individual e sua relação com a posição trófica em 121 populações de peixes pertencentes a 32 espécies do alto rio Tocantins, no Brasil Central. Calculamos a EI usando o índice V com base nos conteúdos estomacais dos indivíduos, sendo que valores próximos a 1 indicam forte EI. A EI oscilou de 0 a 0,87 e variou muito entre as espécies. Mostramos que a amplitude do nicho afeta positivamente a especialização individual de uma população, independentemente de sua posição trófica. As populações que ocupam posições tróficas intermediárias e altas apresentaram os graus mais altos de especialização individual. A onivoria não tem efeito significativo sobre os valores de especialização individual. Nós acreditamos que a intrincada relação entre a especialização individual, a posição trófica e a amplitude do nicho está relacionada à grande oportunidade ecológica e à plasticidade trófica dos peixes tropicais.
Hyperemesis gravidarum: Associations with personal and family history of nausea
Authors: Lindström Venla S. , Laitinen Linda M. , Nurmi J. Miina A. , Koivisto Mari A. , Polo‐Kantola Päivi
Published: July 2023

Introduction

The pathogenesis and risk factors for hyperemesis gravidarum, excessive nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, are not adequately recognized. In our previous study, we found that women with a personal history of nausea in different situations and a family history of nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (NVP) were more likely to have severe NVP. The present study focuses on these themes in association with hyperemesis gravidarum in a hospital setting.

Material and methods

Women with hyperemesis gravidarum (n = 102) were recruited from among patients hospitalized due to hyperemesis gravidarum in Turku University Hospital, Finland. Our control group (Non‐NVP group, n = 138) consisted of pregnant women with no NVP. Personal history of nausea in different situations was inquired about in relation to “motion sickness”, “seasickness”, “migraine”, “other kind of headache”, “after anesthesia”, “during the use of contraception”, and “other kinds of nausea”. Relatives with NVP were divided into first‐degree (mother and sisters) and second‐degree (more distant) relatives.

Results

In univariate analysis, a personal history of motion sickness, seasickness, nausea related to migraine, nausea with other headache and nausea in other situations were associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. After adjusting for age, parity, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, marital status, and smoking, motion sickness (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 5.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.67–10.31, p < 0.0001), seasickness (aOR 4.82, 95% CI 2.32–10.03, p < 0.0001), nausea related to migraine (aOR 3.00, 95% CI 1.58–5.70, p < 0.001), and nausea in other situations (aOR 2.65, 95% CI 1.13–6.20, p = 0.025) remained significant. In multivariable analysis with all history of nausea variables, motion sickness (OR 2.76, 95% CI 1.29–5.89, p = 0.009) and nausea related to migraine (OR 3.10, 95% CI 1.40–6.86, p = 0.005) were associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. Having any affected relative (OR 3.51, 95%CI 1.84–6.73, p = 0.0002), especially a first‐degree relative (OR 3.06, 95% CI 1.62–5.79, p = 0.0006), was also associated with hyperemesis gravidarum. Adjustment did not change the results.

Conclusions

Women with a personal history of nausea or a family history of NVP are more likely to suffer from hyperemesis gravidarum. These results are beneficial to better identify and help women at risk for hyperemesis gravidarum.
Effects of a low‐protein diet supplemented with essential amino acids on egg production performance and environmental gas emissions from layer‐manure composting in laying hens in the later laying period
Authors: Iio Wataru , Shimada Risa , Nonaka Itoko , Ogino Akifumi
Published: July 2023

We fed 330–545 day‐old laying hens (later laying period) a low‐protein diet supplemented with essential amino acids (LPS) and composted their manure. We then investigated the laying performance of the hens, the nitrogen balance and emission of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4), and ammonia (NH3) from the composting, and several characteristics of the finished compost. There were no significant differences in the egg‐laying rate, egg mass, egg weight, proximate compositions in egg yolk and egg white, or feed intake between the laying hens fed a Control diet (Cont) and those fed the LPS diet. However, the LPS‐fed hens had lower excreta levels and nitrogen excretion. In addition, the environmental gas emissions per layer from composting of the manure from the LPS‐fed laying hens were decreased by 9.7% for N2O, 40.9% for CH4, and 24.8% for NH3 compared to the Cont‐fed laying hens. The concentrations of total nitrogen in the finished compost were similar between the LPS‐fed and Cont‐fed laying hens. In a vegetable‐growth test, the weights of komatsuna plants grown with compost from LPS‐fed and Cont‐fed hens were also not significantly different. Feeding an LPS diet to 330–545 day‐old laying hens was suggested to reduce environmental gas emissions from manure composting without affecting the egg production performance.
The new big is small: Leveraging knowledge from small trials for rare disease drug development: Blarcamesine for Rett syndrome
Authors: Ette Ene I. , Fadiran Emmanuel O. , Missling Christopher , Hammond Edward
Published: July 2023

Big data in drug development may not satisfactorily address the demands of precision medicine in a rare disease population, making the use of smaller clinical trials necessary. Consequently, the use of innovative design and analysis of these clinical trials using model‐informed approaches have become indispensable. This requires informative exposure–outcome analysis, together with formal statistical analysis, which should include the strength of evidence for a study outcome. We demonstrate how knowledge can be gained, with supporting strength of evidence, from a small (data) clinical trial with a low dose of blarcamesine in the treatment of Rett syndrome. Based on a small data paradigm, pharmacometrics item response theory modelling and Bayes factor analysis were used to demonstrate the efficacy of blarcamesine in Rett syndrome.
Machine learning as a tool to identify inpatients who are not at risk of adverse drug events in a large dataset of a tertiary care hospital in the USA
Authors: Langenberger Benedikt
Published: July 2023

Aims

Adverse drug events (ADEs) are a major threat to inpatients in the United States of America (USA). It is unknown how well machine learning (ML) is able to predict whether or not a patient will suffer from an ADE during hospital stay based on data available at hospital admission for emergency department patients of all ages (binary classification task). It is further unknown whether ML is able to outperform logistic regression (LR) in doing so, and which variables are the most important predictors.

Methods

In this study, 5 ML models— namely a random forest, gradient boosting machine (GBM), ridge regression, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, and elastic net regression—as well as a LR were trained and tested for the prediction of inpatient ADEs identified using ICD‐10‐CM codes based on comprehensive previous work in a diverse population. In total, 210 181 observations from patients who were admitted to a large tertiary care hospital after emergency department stay between 2011 and 2019 were included. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) and AUC–precision‐recall (AUC‐PR) were used as primary performance indicators.

Results

Tree‐based models performed best with respect to AUC and AUC‐PR. The gradient boosting machine (GBM) reached an AUC of 0.747 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.735 to 0.759) and an AUC‐PR of 0.134 (95% CI: 0.131 to 0.137) on unforeseen test data, while the random forest reached an AUC of 0.743 (95% CI: 0.731 to 0.755) and an AUC‐PR of 0.139 (95% CI: 0.135 to 0.142), respectively. ML statistically significantly outperformed LR both on AUC and AUC‐PR. Nonetheless, overall, models did not differ much with respect to their performance. Most important predictors were admission type, temperature and chief complaint for the best performing model (GBM).

Conclusions

The study demonstrated a first application of ML to predict inpatient ADEs based on ICD‐10‐CM codes, and a comparison with LR. Future research should address concerns arising from low precision and related problems.
Ideals, governance and competencies: The complexity of implementing digitalisation in disability organisations
Authors: Eriksson Camilla , Ineland Jens
Published: July 2023

Background

Living in the digital era, young adults with intellectual disabilities use diverse digital products, the Internet, and social media in their daily lives. However, they may need support in digital undertakings as in other aspects of life. In a disability service context, staff are primary support providers but are restricted and guided by organisational goals and strategies. Previous research has shown that staff have dual roles as support providers and executors of organisational ambitions. This study analyses the motivations and prerequisites, as well as the obstacles to the implementation of digitalisation at a strategic level of disability services.

Method

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with public officials and municipal politicians responsible for providing disability services. A thematic analysis was performed using a constructionist perspective.

Findings

Three themes were identified: Intertwined ideals of digital infrastructures in disability contexts, culture of vertical governance, and developing competencies. These themes can be seen as pillars of the digitalisation of digital services at the organisation's strategic level. In addition to shedding light on specific issues, these themes reveal underlying issues relating to conceptions of support practices and organisational culture.

Conclusion

Digitalisation is motivated by a desire to preserve the organisation's legitimacy and be a relevant service provider. Digital infrastructure is required for digitalisation but is lacking because of intertwined legal and moral issues. Digitalisation also appears to be hindered by organisational structures and organisational culture, whose impact greatly outweighs that of digital issues.
Enhancing measurement validity in diverse populations: Modern approaches to evaluating differential item functioning
Authors: Bauer Daniel J.
Published: July 2023

When developing and evaluating psychometric measures, a key concern is to ensure that they accurately capture individual differences on the intended construct across the entire population of interest. Inaccurate assessments of individual differences can occur when responses to some items reflect not only the intended construct but also construct‐irrelevant characteristics, like a person's race or sex. Unaccounted for, this item bias can lead to apparent differences on the scores that do not reflect true differences, invalidating comparisons between people with different backgrounds. Accordingly, empirically identifying which items manifest bias through the evaluation of differential item functioning (DIF) has been a longstanding focus of much psychometric research. The majority of this work has focused on evaluating DIF across two (or a few) groups. Modern conceptualizations of identity, however, emphasize its multi‐determined and intersectional nature, with some aspects better represented as dimensional than categorical. Fortunately, many model‐based approaches to modelling DIF now exist that allow for simultaneous evaluation of multiple background variables, including both continuous and categorical variables, and potential interactions among background variables. This paper provides a comparative, integrative review of these new approaches to modelling DIF and clarifies both the opportunities and challenges associated with their application in psychometric research.
The role of sleep in prospective associations between parent reported youth screen media activity and behavioral health
Authors: Rojo‐Wissar Darlynn M. , Acosta Juliana , DiMarzio Karissa , Hare Megan , Dale Chelsea F. , Sanders Wesley , Parent Justin M.
Published: July 2023

Background

Screen media activity (SMA) can negatively affect youth behavioral health. Sleep may mediate this association but has not been previously explored. We examined whether sleep mediated the association between SMA and youth behavioral health among a community sample.

Method

Parents completed questions about their child (N = 564) ages 3–17 at Wave 1, Wave 2 (4–8 months later), and Wave 3 (12 months later). Path analyses were conducted to examine links between Wave 1 SMA and Wave 3 behavioral health problems (i.e., internalizing, externalizing, attention, peer problems) through Wave 2 sleep disturbance and duration.

Results

SMA was significantly associated with greater sleep disturbance, β = .11, 95% CI [.01, .21] and shorter sleep duration, β = −.16 [−.25, −.06], and greater sleep disturbance was associated with worse youth behavioral health across internalizing, β = .14 [.04, .24], externalizing, B = .23 [.12, .33], attention, β = .24 [.15, .34], and peer problems, β = .25 [.15, .35]. Longer sleep duration was associated with more externalizing, β = .13 [.04, .21], and attention problems, β = .12 [.02, .22], and fewer peer problems, β = −.09 [−.17, −.01], but not with internalizing problems. Lastly, there was a direct effect of SMA on peer problems, β = −.15 [−.23, −.06] such that higher SMA that does not impact sleep may have a positive impact on reducing peer problems.

Conclusions

Sleep (i.e., disturbances and shorter duration) may partially account for the small associations observed between SMA and worse behavioral health in youth. To continue expanding our understanding, future research should utilize more diverse representative samples, use objective measures of SMA and sleep, and examine other relevant aspects of SMA, including content, device type, and timing of use.
Novel strategy of liver cancer treatment with modified antisense oligonucleotides targeting human vasohibin‐2
Authors: Horie Sachiko , Suzuki Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Obika Satoshi , Mohri Kohta , Kiyota Chizuru , Ren Qin , Warashina Shota , Wada Yasuhiro , Watanabe Yasuyoshi , Mukai Hidefumi , Sato Yasufumi
Published: July 2023

Vasohihibin‐2 (VASH2) is a homolog of vasohibin‐1 (VASH1) and is overexpressed in various cancers. Vasohihibin‐2 acts on both cancer cells and cancer microenvironmental cells. Previous analyses have shown that VASH2 promotes cancer progression and abrogation of VASH2 results in significant anticancer effects. We therefore propose VASH2 to be a practical molecular target for cancer treatment. Modifications of antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) such as bridged nucleic acids (BNA)‐based modification increases the specificity and stability of ASO, and are now applied to the development of a number of oligonucleotide‐based drugs. Here we designed human VASH2‐ASOs, selected an optimal one, and developed 2′,4′‐BNA‐based VASH2‐ASO. When systemically administered, naked 2′,4′‐BNA‐based VASH2‐ASO accumulated in the liver and showed its gene‐silencing activity. We then examined the effect of 2′,4′‐BNA‐based VASH2‐ASO in liver cancers. Intraperitoneal injection of naked 2′,4′‐BNA‐based VASH2‐ASO exerted a potent antitumor effect on orthotopically inoculated human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. The same manipulation also showed potent antitumor activity on the splenic inoculation of human colon cancer cells for liver metastasis. These results provide a novel strategy for the treatment of primary as well as metastatic liver cancers by using modified ASOs targeting VASH2.
DST variants are responsible for neurogenic arthrogryposis multiplex congenita enlarging the spectrum of type VI hereditary sensory autonomic neuropathy
Authors: Capri Yline , Bourmance Lucas , Dupont Céline , Saint‐Frison Marie‐Hélène , Guimiot Fabien , Grotto Sarah , Chitrit Yvon , Laquerrière Annie , Melki Judith
Published: July 2023

Arthrogryposis multiplex congenita (AMC) is a developmental condition characterized by multiple joint contractures resulting from reduced or absent fetal movements. Through whole‐exome sequencing combined with arrayCGH from DNA of a fetus presenting with early onset AMC, we identified biallelic loss of function variants in Dystonin (DST): a stop gain variant (NM_001144769.5:c.12208G > T:p.(Glu4070Ter)) on the neuronal isoform and a 175 kb microdeletion including exons 25–96 of this isoform on the other allele [NC_000006.11:g.(56212278_56323554)_(56499398_56507586)del]. Transmission electron microscopy of the sciatic nerve revealed abnormal morphology of the peripheral nerve with severe hypomyelination associated with dramatic reduction of fiber density which highlights the critical role of DST in peripheral nerve axonogenesis during development in human. Variants in the neuronal isoforms of DST cause hereditary sensory and autonomic neuropathy which has been reported in several unrelated families with highly variable age of onset from fetal to adult onset. Our data enlarge the disease mechanisms of neurogenic AMC.
Mutation profile of Bardet‐Biedl syndrome patients from India: Implicative role of multiallelic rare variants and oligogenic inheritance pattern
Authors: Gnanasekaran Harshavardhini , Chandrasekhar Sathya Priya , Kandeeban Suganya , Periyasamy Porkodi , Bhende Muna , Khetan Vikas , Gupta Neerja , Kabra Madhulika , Namboothri Sheela , Sen Parveen , Sripriya Sarangapani
Published: July 2023

Bardet‐Biedl syndrome (BBS), a rare primary form of ciliopathy, with heterogeneous clinical and genetic presentation is characterized by rod cone dystrophy, obesity, polydactyly, urogenital abnormalities, and cognitive impairment. Here, we delineate the genetic profile in a cohort of 108 BBS patients from India by targeted gene sequencing‐based approach for a panel of ciliopathy (including BBS) and other inherited retinal disease genes. We report here a higher frequency of BBS10 and BBS1 gene variations. A different spectrum of variations including a putatively novel gene TSPOAP1, for BBS was identified. Increased percentage frequency of digenic variants (36%) in the disease cohort, role of modifiers in familial cases are some of the salient observations in this work. This study appends the knowledge of BBS genetics pertaining to patients from India. We observed a different molecular epidemiology of BBS patients in this study cohort compared to other reports, which emphasizes the need for molecular testing in affected patients.
Nek6 knockdown polarized macrophages into a pro‐inflammatory phenotype via inhibiting STAT3 expression
Authors: Wu Xiaoyan , Deng Ke‐Qiong , Cai Huan‐Huan , Zeng Ziyue , Cao Jian‐Lei , Zhang Lin , Lu Zhibing , Cheng Wen‐Lin
Published: July 2023

Recently macrophage polarization has emerged as playing an essential role in the oathogenesis of atherosclerosis, which is the most important underlying process in many types of cardiovascular diseases. Although Nek6 has been reported to be involved in various cellular processes, the effect of Nek6 on macrophage polarization remains unknown. Macrophages exposed to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) or IL‐4 were used to establish an in vitro model for the study of regulation of classically (M1) or alternatively (M2) activated macrophage. Bone marrow‐derived macrophages (BMDMs) transfected with short hairpin RNA‐targeting Nek6 were then in functional studies. We observed that Nek6 expression was decreased in both peritoneal macrophages (PMs) and BMDMs stimulated by LPS. This effect was seen at both mRNA and protein level. The opposite results were obtained after administration of IL‐4. Macrophage‐specific Nek6 knockdown significantly exacerbated pro‐inflammatory M1 polarized macrophage gene expression in response to LPS challenge, but the anti‐inflammatory response gene expression that is related to M2 macrophages was attenuated by Nek6 silencing followed by treatment with IL‐4. Mechanistic studies exhibited that Nek6 knockdown inhibited the phosphorylated STAT3 expression that mediated the effect on macrophage polarization regulated by AdshNek6. Moreover, decreased Nek6 expression was also observed in atherosclerotic plaques. Collectively, these evidences suggested that Nek6 acts as a crucial site in macrophage polarization, and that this operates in a STAT3‐dependent manner.
Sintering behavior and physical properties of ZnO‐modified BaZrO3 ceramics
Authors: Qiao Zhe , Li Shujing , Li Yuanbing , Wu Qinye , Wei Zhipeng
Published: July 2023

Barium zirconate (BaZrO3) ceramics possesses poor sintering properties, in order to improve its densification behavior and reduce the sintering temperature, zinc oxide (ZnO) was selected as a sintering aid in this study. The effects of ZnO content on the sintering kinetic parameters and physical properties of BaZrO3 ceramic samples heated at 1300–1600°C were investigated. As the addition of ZnO increased from 0 to 5 wt.%, the calculated sintering activation energy decreased from 117.3 to 19.22 kJ/mol. The change of activation energy leads to the decrease of the optimum adding amount of ZnO with the increase of heat treatment temperature, showing 1300°C (5 wt.%), 1400°C (3 wt.%), 1500°C (2 wt.%), 1600°C (1 wt.%). The 1500°C sintered sample with 2 wt.% ZnO achieved a relative density of 96.00% and a maximum cold modulus of rupture (CMOR) of 94.5 MPa.
Fairness and formation rules of coalitions
Authors: Donnini Chiara , Pesce Marialaura
Published: July 2023

In this paper, we study the problem of a fair redistribution of resources among agents of an exchange economy and how certain limitations imposed on coalition formation may impact the set of allocations judged fair. The study is conducted in atomless economies as well as in the so‐called mixed markets.
Effects of high‐pressure processing on techno‐functional properties of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) kernel powder
Authors: Sricheevachart Kan , Piyachomkawn Kuakoon , Sompongse Warangkana
Published: July 2023

Tamarind kernel powder (TKP) was modified using high‐pressure processing (HPP) at different levels of pressure (200, 400, and 600 MPa) and pressurisation time (10, 20, and 30 min). The properties including solubility, water‐holding capacity, oil‐holding capacity, and emulsion stability of HPP‐treated TKP were investigated and compared with untreated TKP. The results found that the properties of TKP markedly improved with HPP treatment, with increasing pressure levels and pressurisation time. The optimal condition was achieved at a pressure of 600 MPa for 10 min. The mechanism behind the improvement of these properties was further supported by the data collected on extraction yield, size‐exclusion chromatography, and FT‐IR spectra. Additionally, the total phenolic content and antioxidant properties in terms of DPPH radical‐scavenging activity and Ferric reducing antioxidant power of HPP‐treated TKP were higher than the untreated TKP. The information from this study indicated that HPP is a promising technique for modifying the techno‐functional properties of TKP.
Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell‐derived exosomes combined with gelatin methacryloyl hydrogel to promote fractional laser injury wound healing
Authors: Zhang Xinling , Ding Pengbing , Chen Yujie , Lin Zhiyu , Zhao Xun , Xie Hongbin
Published: July 2023

To investigate whether human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell‐derived exosomes combined with gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) hydrogel are beneficial in promoting healing of laser‐injured skin wounds in mice. Supernatants of cultured human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (HUC‐MSCs) were collected to obtain human umbilical cord MSC‐derived exosomes (HUC‐MSCs‐Exos), which were combined with GelMA hydrogel complex to treat a mouse fractional laser injury model. The study was divided into PBS group, EX (HUC‐MSCs‐Exos) group, GEL (GelMA hydrogel) group and EX+GEL (HUC‐MSCs‐Exos combined with GelMA hydrogel) group. The healing of laser‐injured skin in each group was observed by gross view and dermatoscopy, and changes in skin structure, angiogenesis and proliferation‐related indexes were observed during the healing process of laser‐injured skin in each group. The results of the animal experiments showed that the EX and GEL groups alone and the EL+EX group exhibited less inflammatory response compared to the PBS group. The EX and GEL groups showed marked tissue proliferation and favourable angiogenesis, which promoted the wound healing well. The GEL+EX group had the most significant promotion of wound healing compared to the PBS group. qPCR results showed that the expression levels of proliferation‐related factors, including KI67 and VEGF and angiogenesis‐related factor CD31, were significantly higher in the GEL+EX group than in the other groups, with a time‐dependent effect. The combination of HUC‐MSCs‐Exos and GelMA hydrogel is beneficial in reducing the early inflammatory response of laser‐injured skin in mice and promoting its proliferation and angiogenesis, which in turn promotes wound healing.
Staff's experiences of a culturally specific DEmentia Competence Education for Nursing home Taskforce (DECENT) programme: A qualitative process evaluation
Authors: Zhao Yayi , Liu Li , Ding Yaping , Song Yulei , Chan Helen Y. L.
Published: July 2023

Aim

To understand participants' experiences with a culturally specific DEmentia Competence Education for Nursing home Taskforce programme within the contexts which was delivered.

Design

An exploratory descriptive qualitative approach.

Methods

Semi‐structured individual interviews were conducted within one week with the participants upon their completion of the programme from July 2020 to January 2021. A purposive sample of participants with different demographic characteristics in five nursing homes was recruited to maximize the sample variation. Interviews were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for qualitative content analysis. Participation was on voluntary and anonymous basis.

Results

Four major themes were identified, including perceived benefits of the programme (i.e., enhanced sensitivity to the needs of residents with dementia, increased communication with families of residents with dementia, facilitated guidance on care for residents with dementia), facilitators (i.e., comprehensive content, active learning, qualified trainer, intrinsic motivation and organizational support), barriers (i.e., busy working schedules, discrimination against care assistants' learning capability) and suggestions for improvement.

Conclusion

The results suggested the acceptability of the programme. The participants positively appraised the programme in enhancing their dementia‐care competence. The facilitators, barriers and suggestions identified provide insights on improving programme implementation.

Impact

The qualitative findings from the process evaluation are pertinent to support the sustainability of dementia competence programme in nursing home setting. Future studies could address the modifiable barriers to enhance its effectiveness.

Reporting Method

This study was reported in adherence to the Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitatve studies (COREQ) checklist.

Patient and Public Contribution

Nursing‐home staff was involved in intervention development and delivery.

Implications for Practice/Policy

The educational programme could be integrated into the routine practice in nursing homes to improve staff's dementia‐care competence. More attention should be paid on the educational needs of the taskforce when implementing the educational programme in nursing homes. Organizational support is the precondition for the educational programme and cultivates a culture for practice change.
Effects of different types of interference on nurses' working memory: An ERP study
Authors: Hu Huiling , Zhang Mingming , Wu Bilin , Wu Xue
Published: July 2023

Aim

To explore the effects of different types of interference on nurses' working memory, and the role of attention control.

Design

A repeated measures design.

Methods

A single‐factor, four‐level within‐subjects design was adopted. Thirty‐one nurses completed a delay‐recognition task with four blocks in September 2020: Interrupting Stimulus (stimuli requiring attention), Distracting Stimulus (stimuli to‐be‐ignored), No Interference and Passively View. Behavioural responses of the participants and EEG data were recorded. MATLAB 21b and EEGLAB 21b were used for electroencephalogram data preprocessing and data extraction.

Results

Firstly, when nursing information system was used as task material, the accuracy rate and false alarm rate of primary tasks under interruption condition was statistically significantly different with that of distraction and no interference condition. There is a statistically significant difference in electroencephalogram measurement between correct and wrong response under interruption. Secondly, the role of attention control was different under interruption and distraction. There was a statistically significant positive correlation between the average amplitude distraction attention control index and task accuracy, and statistically significant negative correlation between the latency interruption attention control index and the accuracy of working memory task.

Conclusions

There were different effects of interruptions and distractions on nurses' working memory and the role of attention control were also different. Measures can be designed according to these results to reduce the negative impact of interference on nurses, so as to improve work efficiency and reduce patient risk.

Impact

This study has implications for clinical nursing during human‐computer interaction. Resumption of the speed of the target information after an interruption affected task performance. Therefore, interventions should be designed to reduce the time needed for nurses to extract task information after an interruption, such as providing key clues in the information system interface.

Patient or Public Contribution

Registered nurses participated in the study as subjects.
Audit committee oversight and bank financial reporting quality
Authors: Chronopoulos Dimitris K. , Rempoutsika Lemonia M. , Wilson John O. S.
Published: July 2023

This study investigates the impact of audit committee oversight on the financial reporting quality of US bank holding companies. To overcome identification concerns, we use Section 165 h of the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, which requires publicly traded bank holding companies with assets exceeding $10 billion to have separate audit and risk committees. We utilise a difference‐in‐differences framework where our treatment group comprises bank holding companies that were required to separate audit and risk oversight functions following the introduction of Section 165 h and our control group comprises counterparts that already had separate audit and risk committees prior to the passage of Section 165 h. We estimate the difference in the behavior of treated bank holding companies between the pre‐ and post‐implementation period of Section 165 h with the same difference in the behavior of control group counterparts and find that the separation of audit and risk committees leads to an improvement in financial reporting quality. We attribute the observed improvements in financial reporting quality to the increased focus of audit committees arising from a reduction in the volume and complexity of tasks undertaken following the implementation of Section 165 h.