bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The University as seen from outside
Authors: Aston Nigel
Published: October 2023

Chapter 10, the first of three under the heading of ‘Cultural Constructions, Connections, and Tensions’ looks at the University as seen from the outside. It first treats the depiction of Oxford in literature and art. Then it examines the perspective of Protestant Dissenters, particularly vocal in expressing their disdain for Oxford; next the varying attitudes of graduates of other universities with a view to distinguishing the genuinely critical from good-hearted academic one-upmanship. The fourth category for notice is that of insiders who were technically non-matriculated outsiders, notably college servants, as well as graduates such as Edward Gibbon, who wanted to position themselves at a remove and had the capacity to damage the standing of the University. The presence of women across Oxford receives extended emphasis. The city could function as a relatively open cultural space, especially on some academic occasions when women had an active consumerist and spectatorial role.
Barley to Barrel
Authors: Bamforth Charles W.
Published: October 2023

The production of beer is a highly complex process, but this chapter offers a description of the conversion of barley into beer that is readily intelligible to the layperson. The grain from the barley is hard and unpleasant in flavor. Malting converts the grain into a softer, tastier form that can be efficiently extracted in the brewhouse. The successive stages are as follows: milling of malt into extractable particles; mashing, in which milled malt is mixed with hot water, primarily to allow the enzymic breakdown of starch into fermentable sugars; lautering, in which the extracted sugars are separated from spent grains; boiling with hops to extract bitterness; clarification and cooling prior to fermentation, in which yeast converts the sugars into alcohol, carbon dioxide, and certain flavor compounds; followed by clarification and packaging.
Beer and the Body
Authors: Bamforth Charles W.
Published: October 2023

Brewers strive to ensure that their products do not contain damaging components, but increasingly realize that beer is not without nutritional value and has been associated with beneficial impacts on the body. However, it is not permissible to market beer on a platform of health, and responsible brewers preach moderate consumption. Beneficial components of beer include silicate, soluble fiber, antioxidants, most B vitamins, and prebiotics. Beer in moderation has been associated with decreased instances of coronary heart disease, strokes, gallstones, kidney stones, late-onset diabetes, and with improved cognitive function. The “beer belly” is a myth, though like any other alcoholic beverage, the main source of calories in beer is alcohol. Most beers contain some level of the protein material that people who are gluten-intolerant will react to, but there are diverse approaches to making beers that these people can enjoy. Brewers recognize that there continue to be anti-alcohol lobbies.
Environmental Matters
Authors: Bamforth Charles W.
Published: October 2023

The production of beer is a highly demanding operation in terms of resources and potential impacts on the environment. Brewers strive to be as efficient as possible in terms of water and energy needs and the generation of waste products. Many initiatives have been bought in, including less energy-demanding boiling systems, carbon dioxide capture, use of solar and other non-fossil fuel sources of energy, and aerobic and anaerobic water treatment with energy recovery. Brewing is associated with a range of eco-products, primarily the spent grains which have traditionally gone to animal feed, and surplus yeast, one of the uses for which is the production of spreads such as Marmite and Vegemite.
Reverence for Beer
Authors: Bamforth Charles W.
Published: October 2023

Everyone has an opinion on beer and seems to be adamant about what is and what is not a good beer. The author insists that a good beer is defined by the drinker: What do they want in a beer, and how consistently do they get it? A craft brewer, like any other craftsperson, is someone fully trained and adept at making products of excellence, irrespective of the size of the operation and the style and nature of the beer. Beer should be respected at least as highly as other alcoholic drinks and should be recognized for its merits, not least as an accompaniment to a wider range of foods than, say, wine. Beer deserves proper presentation in the appropriate glasses and should be consumed as an adjunct to a wholesome and convivial lifestyle. It should not be the focus of games such as beer pong!
To the Future
Authors: Bamforth Charles W.
Published: October 2023

The fundamental nature of the brewing process has not changed in millennia, and neither would it be expected to in the future. Through the application of science, it has become more consistent and reliable. There will continue to be a focus on efficiency and minimizing the environmental footprint. And there will continue to be interest in exploring a diversity of beverage opportunities, such as flavored alcoholic beverages. Driving forces will include those based on tax opportunities. There is a gradual emergence of interest in what opportunities may be afforded by the genetic modification of yeast and perhaps cereals, but brewers will always insist upon the wholesomeness of their raw materials, processes, and products.
DnaK2 Mediates a Negative Feedback Regulation of the Heat Shock Responsive Hik2-Rre1 Two-Component System in the Cyanobacterium Synechococcus Elongatus PCC 7942
Authors: Hasegawa Hazuki , Kobayashi Ikki , Bairagi Nachiketa , Watanabe Satoru , Tanaka Kan
Published: October 2023

The two-component system (TCS) is a conserved signal transduction module in bacteria. The Hik2-Rre1 system is responsible for transcriptional activation upon high-temperature shift as well as plastoquinone-related redox stress in the cyanobacterium Synechococcus elongatus PCC 7942. As heat-induced de novo protein synthesis was previously shown to be required to quench the heat-activated response, we investigated the underlying mechanism in this study. We found that the heat-inducible transcription activation was alleviated by the overexpression of dnaK2, which is an essential homolog of the highly conserved HSP70 chaperone and whose expression is induced under the control of the Hik2-Rre1 TCS. Phosphorylation of Rre1 correlated with transcription of the regulatory target hspA. The redox stress response was found to be similarly repressed by dnaK2 overexpression. Considered together with the previous information, we propose a negative feedback mechanism of the Hik2-Rre1-dependent stress response that maintains the cellular homeostasis mediated by DnaK2.
A systematic review of diversity, equity, and inclusion and antiracism training studies: Findings and future directions
Authors: Wang Monica L , Gomes Alexis , Rosa Marielis , Copeland Phillipe , Santana Victor Jose
Published: October 2023

A growing number of organizations are prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and antiracism in the workplace, including investing resources in DEI or antiracism training. However, such trainings vary widely in curriculum, objectives, delivery, and evaluation, with little known about the efficacy of existing trainings. The aim of this systematic review is to evaluate training characteristics, measures, and results of peer-reviewed studies (published between 2000 and 2022) testing DEI or antiracism trainings. Studies were identified using Google Scholar, JSTOR, and a university library database. Key search terms included “diversity, equity, and inclusion training”; “antiracism training”; and “effect,” “impact,” “outcome,” or “evaluation.” The search yielded N = 15 DEI training studies and N = 8 antiracism training studies. The majority of studies (75% of antiracism training; 66.6% of DEI training) utilized a one-time training session. Content, objectives, measures, and impact varied widely across studies. Randomized designs were uncommon (13%), and over 70% of studies had majority female participants. Findings highlight several strategies to advance the field of DEI and antiracism training, such as shifting curriculum from targeting individual knowledge to supporting behavioral and organizational change, providing longitudinal training, standardizing outcomes of interest, and implementing rigorous evaluation methods.
Buprenorphine Extended-Release Treatment for Opioid Use Disorder in the Postpartum Period
Authors: Galati Bridget M. , Wenzinger Michael , Rogers Cynthia E. , Cooke Emily , Kelly Jeannie C.
Published: October 2023

Buprenorphine extended-release (XR) is an extended-release monthly injection to treat opioid use disorder (OUD). This retrospective case series includes 15 postpartum patients who were treated with buprenorphine-XR at a single center and reports on their outcomes. The average total daily sublingual buprenorphine dose before initiation of buprenorphine-XR was 16.25 mg (SD±7.76, range 2–32 mg). Overall, 137 total doses of buprenorphine-XR were administered between May 17, 2021, and April 11, 2023. Urine toxicology test results were negative for opioids other than buprenorphine in the majority (80.0%) of patients once appropriate maintenance doses were achieved. Euphoria and intoxication were not reported. A minority of patients (20.0%) discontinued buprenorphine-XR. Although more extensive research is needed before widespread use, buprenorphine-XR may be a favorable treatment for OUD in this high-risk population.
Intraoperative Surgeon Assessment of Bone
Authors: Bernatz James T , Goh Brian C , Skjaerlund Jonathan D , Mikula Anthony L , Johnson Sarah E , Bydon Mohamad , Fogelson Jeremy , Elder Benjamin , Huddleston Paul , Karim Mohammed , Nassr Ahmad , Sebastian Arjun , Freedman Brett
Published: October 2023

Study design.

Retrospective observational study of consecutive patients

Objective.

The purpose of the study is to determine if a surgeon’s qualitative assessment of bone intraoperatively correlates with radiologic parameters of bone strength.

Summary of Background Data.

Preoperative radiologic assessment of bone can include modalities such as CT Hounsfield Units (HUs), dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry bone mineral density (DXA BMD) with trabecular bone score (TBS) and MRI vertebral bone quality (VBQ). Quantitative analysis of bone with screw insertional torque and pull-out strength measurement has been performed in cadaveric models and has been correlated to these radiologic parameters. However, these quantitative measurements are not routinely available for use in surgery. Surgeons anecdotally judge bone strength, but the fidelity of the intraoperative judgement has not been investigated.

Methods.

All adult patients undergoing instrumented posterior thoracolumbar spine fusion by one of seven surgeons at a single center over a 3-month period were included. Surgeons evaluated the strength of bone based on intraoperative feedback and graded each patient’s bone on a 5-point Likert scale. Two independent reviewers measured preoperative CT HUs and MRI VBQ. BMD, lowest T-score and TBS were extracted from DXA within 2 years of surgery.

Results.

Eighty-nine patients were enrolled and 16, 28, 31, 13 and 1 patients had Likert grade 1 (strongest bone), 2, 3, 4, and 5 (weakest bone), respectively. The surgeon assessment of bone correlated with VBQ (τ=0.15, P=0.07), CT HU (τ=−0.31, P<0.01), lowest DXA T-score (τ=−0.47, P<0.01), and TBS (τ=−0.23, P=0.06).

Conclusion.

Spine surgeons’ qualitative intraoperative assessment of bone correlates with preoperative radiologic parameters, particularly in posterior thoracolumbar surgeries. This information is valuable to surgeons as this supports the idea that decisions based on feel in surgery have statistical foundation.
Identifying Patterns of Medical Intervention in Acute Respiratory Failure: A Retrospective Observational Study
Authors: Kruser Jacqueline M. , Sharma Kartikey , Holl Jane L. , Nohadani Omid
Published: October 2023

IMPORTANCE:

Characterizing medical interventions delivered to ICU patients over time and their relationship to outcomes can help set expectations and inform decisions made by patients, clinicians, and health systems.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine whether distinct and clinically relevant pathways of medical intervention can be identified among adult ICU patients with acute respiratory failure.

DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS:

Retrospective observational study using all-payer administrative claims data from 2012 to 2014. Patients were identified from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases from Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, and Washington.

MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES:

Patterns of cumulative medical intervention delivery, over time, using temporal k-means clustering of interventions delivered up to hospital days 0, 5, 10, 20, and up to discharge.

RESULTS:

A total of 12,175 admissions were identified and divided into training (75%; n = 9,130) and validation sets (25%; n = 3,045). Without applying a priori classification and using only medical interventions to cluster, we identified three distinct pathways of intervention accounting for 93.5% of training set admissions. We found 45.9% of admissions followed a “cardiac” intervention pathway (e.g., cardiac catheterization, cardioversion); 36.7% followed a “general” pathway (e.g., diagnostic interventions); and 17.4% followed a “prolonged” pathway (e.g., tracheostomy, gastrostomy). Prolonged pathway admissions had longer median hospital length of stay (13 d; interquartile range [IQR], 7.5–18.5 d) compared with cardiac (5; IQR, 2.5–7.5) and general (5; IQR, 3–7). In-hospital death occurred in 24.6% of prolonged pathway admissions compared with 17.9% of cardiac and 6.9% of general. Findings were confirmed in the validation set.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE:

Most ICU admissions for acute respiratory failure follow one of three clinically relevant pathways of medical intervention which are associated with hospitalization outcomes. This study helps define the longitudinal nature of critical care delivery, which can inform efforts to predict patient outcomes, communicate with patients and their families, and organize critical care resources.
Diagnostic Accuracy of Procalcitonin in Bacterial Infections of the CNS: An Updated Systematic Review, Meta-Analysis, and Meta-Regression*
Authors: Biasucci Daniele Guerino , Sergi Paola Giuseppina , Bilotta Federico , Dauri Mario
Published: October 2023

OBJECTIVES:

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy of serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) procalcitonin for diagnosing CNS bacterial infections.

DATA SOURCES:

We searched MEDLINE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and International Web of Science databases from January 1, 2016, to September 30, 2022.

STUDY SELECTION:

Randomized controlled trials and observational studies, either prospective or retrospective, focusing on procalcitonin as a biomarker for CNS infections.

DATA EXTRACTION:

We screened and extracted studies independently and in duplicate. We assessed risk of bias using the revised Quality Assessment for Studies of Diagnostic Accuracy tool. Data for diagnostic sensitivity and specificity were pooled using the bivariate or hierarchical model, as appropriate.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Of 5,347 citations identified, 23 studies were included. Overall, CSF procalcitonin showed slightly higher pooled sensitivity, specificity, and positive likelihood ratio compared with serum procalcitonin. In adults, pooled sensitivity of CSF procalcitonin was 0.89 (95% CI, 0.71–0.96), specificity 0.81 (95% CI, 0.66–0.91); pooled sensitivity of serum procalcitonin was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.58–0.94), specificity 0.77 (95% CI, 0.60–0.89). In children, pooled sensitivity of CSF procalcitonin was 0.96 (95% CI, 0.88–0.99), specificity 0.91 (95% CI, 0.72–0.97); pooled sensitivity of serum procalcitonin was 0.90 (95% CI, 0.75–0.97), specificity 0.83 (95% CI, 0.67–0.92). In post-neurosurgical patients, pooled sensitivity of CSF procalcitonin was 0.82 (95% CI, 0.53–0.95), specificity 0.81 (95% CI, 0.63–0.91); pooled sensitivity of serum procalcitonin was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.33–0.88), specificity 0.61 (95% CI, 0.41–0.78). Logistic regression revealed between-study heterogeneity higher for serum than CSF procalcitonin. For the latter, threshold variability was found as source of heterogeneity.

CONCLUSIONS:

In children and critical post-neurosurgical patients, CSF procalcitonin gains superior sensitivity and specificity compared with serum procalcitonin. Overall, CSF procalcitonin appears to have a higher pooled positive likelihood ratio compared with serum procalcitonin.
The Utility of the Paramedian Forehead Flap in Lower Eyelid Reconstruction
Authors: Shope Chelsea , Gonzalez-Parrilla Leonardo , Atherton Kelly , Eiseman Andrew , Patel Krishna
Published: October 2023

Background

Malignant cutaneous eyelid tumors account for approximately 10% of all cutaneous cancers. Like other cancerous skin lesions, treatment commonly involves excision with wide margins, requiring tissue reconstruction. The use of the paramedian forehead flap (PMFF) has been described for reconstruction of the medial and upper eyelid, but literature is lacking for its use in lower eyelid anterior lamella reconstruction. We present a case series of patients who underwent reconstruction of lower eyelid defects using the PMFF.

Case presentations

We present 2 patients who underwent reconstruction of lower eyelid defects using the PMFF surgical technique. The patients had previous history of lower lid repair with other reconstructive methods because of cancerous eyelid lesions. In addition, both received adjuvant radiation therapy, which led to development of ectropion. Postoperative signs, symptoms, and photographs were collected to monitor outcomes.

Management and Outcomes

Reconstructions were performed by the collaborative efforts of a facial plastic reconstructive surgeon and oculoplastic surgeon using a staged PMFF approach. Postoperatively, both patients had significant improvement in ophthalmologic symptoms, particularly ectropion and lagophthalmos. At their most recent follow-up visit, they were satisfied with their functional and aesthetic outcomes.

Conclusion

The PMFF may be safely used to reconstruct defects of the lower eyelid anterior lamella. In this study, the PMFF has proven to be an excellent option for patients with complications after previous lower eyelid reconstructions or history of radiation therapy. Overall, the PMFF should be considered as part of the surgeon's reconstructive ladder when addressing lower eyelid defects.
Costs of Care for Operative and Non-Operative Management of Emergency General Surgery Conditions
Authors: Kaufman Elinore J. , Wirtalla Christopher J. , Keele Luke J. , Neuman Mark D. , Rosen Claire B. , Syvyk Solomiya , Hatchimonji Justin , Ginzberg Sara , Friedman Ari , Roberts Sanford E. , Kelz Rachel R.
Published: October 2023

Objective:

Many emergency general surgery (EGS) conditions can be managed operatively or non-operatively, with outcomes that vary by diagnosis. We hypothesized that operative management would lead to higher in-hospital costs but to cost savings over time.

Summary Background Data:

Emergency general surgery conditions account for $28 billion in healthcare costs in the US annually. Compared to scheduled surgery, patients who undergo emergency surgery are at increased risk of complications, readmissions, and death, with accompanying costs of care that are up to 50% higher than elective surgery. Our prior work demonstrated that operative management had variable impacts on clinical outcomes depending on EGS condition.

Methods:

This was a nationwide, retrospective study using fee-for-service Medicare claims data. We included patients ≥ 65.5 years of age with a principal diagnosis for an EGS condition, 7/1/2015-6/30/2018. EGS conditions were categorized as: colorectal, general abdominal, hepatopancreaticobiliary, intestinal obstruction, and upper gastrointestinal. We used near-far matching with a preference-based instrumental variable to adjust for confounding and selection bias. Outcomes included Medicare payments for the index hospitalization and at 30, 90, and 180 days.

Results:

Of 507,677 patients, 30.6% received an operation. For hepatopancreaticobiliary conditions, costs for operative management were initially higher but became equivalent at 90 and 180 days. For all others, operative management was associated with higher inpatient costs which persisted, though narrowed, over time. Out-of-pocket costs were nearly equivalent for operative and non-operative management.

Conclusions:

Compared to non-operative management, costs were higher or equivalent for operative management of EGS conditions through 180 days, which could impact decision-making for clinicians, patients, and health systems in situations where clinical outcomes are similar.
Bacteraemia and obstructive pyelonephritis caused by Bifidobacterium breve in an elderly woman: a case report and literature review
Authors: Nishio Mitsuru , Morioka Hiroshi , Takai Shun , Osada Yukari , Seki Yoshie , Osugi Takato , Oba Airi , Miyaki Yuki
Published: October 2023

Bifidobacterium

spp. are non-spore-forming Gram-positive anaerobes that are indigenous to the human gastrointestinal tract and vagina. They are believed to be non-pathogenic organisms for humans and thus are widely used as probiotics. An 83-year-old woman taking cephalexin for 4 days was diagnosed with obstructive pyelonephritis. Y-branched Gram-positive rods were found in both anaerobic and aerobic blood culture bottles, and in an anaerobic urine culture.

Bifidobacterium breve

was finally identified. Ceftriaxone and metronidazole were administered to the patient, and she was discharged after intermittent catheterization for dysuria. Urinary tract infection caused by

Bifidobacterium

spp. is believed to be rare, but it can develop in patients with underlying urological conditions. Recognition of the characteristic morphology and conducting anaerobic urine culture may help in identifying more cases of

Bifidobacterium

urinary tract infections.
Monitoring the battleground: Exploring Antimicrobial Resistance and Virulence Factors in Wound Bacterial Isolates
Authors: Awuor Silas Onyango , Omwenga Eric O. , Mariita Richard M. , Musila Jonathan , Musyoki Stanslaus
Published: October 2023

There is an alarming increase in antibiotic resistance especially on common bacterial infections that could be attributed to extensive unregulated use of antibiotics.   Continuous strategic monitoring of antibiotic use and AMR trends becomes imperative. This serves as a motivation to a thorough evaluation of wound isolates for relevant bacteria and assessing their drug susceptibility patterns, which we report herein. This cross-sectional study aimed to decipher antibacterial resistance by examining samples collected from patients with chronic wounds seeking medication at Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH). Standard microbiological methods were employed to identify and characterize the bacterial pathogens. Analysis of the wound isolates revealed a significant presence of microbial growth, with a higher prevalence of59% isolates in male patients. Staphylococcus aureus 20.7%emerged as the most predominant pathogen, followed by Klebsiella spp.14.8%, P. aeruginosa spp. 14.8%, and E. coli 4.4% in the wound samples. Notably, Cotrimoxazole exhibited the highest antibacterial resistance 48.1%, followed by Clindamycin 25.9% and Erythromycin 25.9%, affecting both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Furthermore, among the isolates, 75% were capable of producing haemolysin and protease, while 50% produced lipase and phospholipase, factors that enhance virulence and survival. These findings provide crucial insights into antimicrobial resistance in chronic wounds, emphasizing the importance of responsible antibacterial use in wound management. Additionally, they shed light on the need for developing more potent antibiotics for effectively treating chronic wounds.
Precise immunofluorescence canceling for highly multiplexed imaging capturing specific cell state
Authors: Tomimatsu Kosuke , Fujii Takeru , Bise Ryoma , Hosoda Kazufumi , Taniguchi Yosuke , Ochiai Hiroshi , Ohishi Hiroaki , Ando Kanta , Minami Ryoma , Tanaka Kaori , Tachibana Taro , Mori Seiichi , Harada Akihito , Maehara Kazumitsu , Nagasaki Masao , Uchida Seiichi , Kimura Hiroshi , Narita Masashi , Ohkawa Yasuyuki
Published: October 2023

Cell states are regulated by the response of signaling pathways to receptor ligand-binding and inter-cellular interactions. High-resolution imaging has been attempted to explore the dynamics of these processes and, recently, multiplexed imaging has profiled cell states by achieving a comprehensive acquisition of spatial protein information from cells. However, the specificity of antibodies is still compromised when visualizing activated signals. Here, we developed Precise Emission Canceling Antibodies (PECAbs) that have cleavable fluorescent labeling. PECAbs enable high-specificity sequential imaging using hundreds of antibodies, allowing for reconstruction of the spatiotemporal dynamics of signaling pathways. Additionally, combining this approach with seq-smFISH can effectively classify cells and identify their signal activation states in human tissue. Overall, the PECAb system can serve as a comprehensive platform for analyzing complex cell processes.
Membrane Lipids Augment Cell Envelope Stress Signaling and Resistance to Antibiotics and Antimicrobial Peptides inEnterococcus faecalis
Authors: Miller William R , Nguyen April , Singh Kavindra V , Rizvi Samie , Khan Ayesha , Erickson Sam G , Egge Stephanie L , Cruz Melissa , Dinh An Q , Diaz Lorena , Zhang Rutan , Xu Libin , Garsin Danielle A , Shamoo Yousif , Arias Cesar A
Published: October 2023

Enterococci have evolved resistance mechanisms to protect their cell envelopes against bacteriocins and host cationic antimicrobial peptides (CAMPs) produced in the gastrointestinal environment. Activation of the membrane stress response has also been tied to resistance to the lipopeptide antibiotic daptomycin. However, the actual effectors mediating resistance have not been elucidated. Here, we show that the MadRS (formerly YxdJK) membrane antimicrobial peptide defense system controls a network of genes, including a previously uncharacterized three gene operon (madEFG) that protects theE. faecaliscell envelope from antimicrobial peptides. Constitutive activation of the system confers protection against CAMPs and daptomycin in the absence of a functional LiaFSR system and leads to persistence of cardiac microlesionsin vivo. Moreover, changes in the lipid cell membrane environment alter CAMP susceptibility and expression of the MadRS system. Thus, we provide a framework supporting a multilayered envelope defense mechanism for resistance and survival coupled to virulence.
Real-world data: A systematic literature review on the barriers, challenges, and opportunities associated with their inclusion in the health technology assessment process
Authors: Zisis Konstantinos , Pavi Elpida , Geitona Mary , Athanasakis Kostas
Published: October 2023

Objective

This systematic review aimed to assess the current use and acceptance of real-world data (RWD) and real-world evidence (RWE) in health technology assessment (HTA) process. It additionally aimed to discern stakeholders’ viewpoints concerning RWD and RWE in HTA and illuminate the obstacles, difficulties, prospects, and consequences associated with the incorporation of RWD and RWE into the realm of HTA.

Methods

A comprehensive PRISMA-based systematic review was performed in July 2022 in PubMed/Medline, Scopus, IDEAS-RePEc, International HTA database, and Centre for Reviews and Dissemination with ad-hoc supplementary search in Google Scholar and international organization websites. The review included pre-determined inclusion criteria while the selection of eligible studies, the data extraction process and quality assessment were carried out using standardized and transparent methods.

Results

Twenty-nine (n=29) studies were included in the review out of 2.115 studies identified by the search strategy. In various global contexts, disparities in RWD utilization were evident, with randomized controlled trials (RCTs) serving as the primary evidence source. RWD and RWE played pivotal roles, surpassing relative effectiveness assessments (REAs) and significantly influencing decision-making and cost-effectiveness analyses. Identified challenges impeding RWD integration into HTA encompassed limited local data access, complexities in non-randomized trial design, data quality, privacy, and fragmentation. Addressing these is imperative for optimal RWD utilization. Incorporating RWD/RWE in HTA yields multifaceted advantages, enhancing understanding of treatment efficacy, resource utilization, and cost analysis, particularly via patient registries. RWE complements assessments of advanced therapy medicinal products (ATMPs) and rare diseases. Local data utilization strengthens HTA, bridging gaps when RCT data is lacking. RWD aids medical device decision-making, cancer drug reassessment, and indirect treatment comparisons. Challenges include data availability, stakeholder acceptance, expertise, and privacy. However, standardization, training, collaboration, and guidance can surmount these barriers, fostering enhanced RWD utilization in HTA.

Conclusions

RWD and RWE are recognized as valuable when RCTs are lacking. Acceptance and use of RWD/RWE vary, with challenges including limited availability, methodological issues, expertise gaps, fragmentation, and data quality concerns. Addressing these barriers is crucial for effective utilization in HTA.
Non-redundant roles for the human mRNA decapping cofactor paralogs DCP1a and DCP1b
Authors: Vukovic Ivana , Baranda Samantha , Ruffin Jonathan W. , Karlin Jon , McMahon Steven B.
Published: October 2023

Eukaryotic gene expression is regulated at both the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels, with disruption of regulation contributing significantly to human diseases. In particular, the 5’ m7G mRNA cap is the central node in post-transcriptional regulation, participating in both mRNA stabilization and translation efficiency. DCP1a and DCP1b are paralogous cofactor proteins of the major mRNA cap hydrolase DCP2. As lower eukaryotes have a single DCP1 cofactor, the functional advantages gained by this evolutionary divergence remain unclear. Here we report the first functional dissection of DCP1a and DCP1b, demonstrating that DCP1a and DCP1b are distinct, non-redundant cofactors of the decapping enzyme DCP2, with unique roles in decapping complex integrity and specificity. Specifically, DCP1a is essential for decapping complex assembly and for interactions between the decapping complex and mRNA cap binding proteins. In contrast, DCP1b is essential for decapping complex interactions with the translational machinery. Additionally, DCP1a and DCP1b impact the turnover of distinct mRNAs. The observation that different ontological groups of mRNA molecules are regulated by DCP1a and DCP1b, along with their non-redundant roles in decapping complex integrity, provides the first evidence that these highly similar paralogs have qualitatively distinct functions. Furthermore, these observations implicate both DCP1a and DCP1b in transcript buffering.
Listing on environmental, social and governance index and financial distress: does the difference-in-differences matter?
Authors: Singh Kuldeep
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues have become the cornerstone of investment decisions in firms today. With that, publicly traded ESG indices (like the BSE ESG 100 index in India) have come into existence. The existing literature signifies that ESG generates financial implications and induces stability. The current study aims to test whether the firms listed on the ESG index (ESG-sensitive firms) face less financial distress than those not listed on such an index.

Design/methodology/approach

The study applies panel data difference-in-differences (DID) regression by considering ESG as an unstaggered treatment to 74 non-financial firms listed on India's Bombay Stock Exchanges (BSE) 100 index. In total, 42 firms are ESG treated as they got listed on the BSE ESG 100 index, formed in 2017. The remaining 32 firms form the control group. The confidence intervals and standard errors are estimated using clustered robust errors and the Donald and Lang method.

Findings

Listing on the ESG index matters for financial stability; differences in financial distress are significant on financial distress. ESG-sensitive firms face less financial distress than non-ESG firms (or firms not perceived as ESG-sensitive). The results are consistent across two financial distress measures, Altman z-scores for emerged and emerging markets. Thus, the DID in distress status between ESG-sensitive and non-ESG firms matter.

Practical implications

The study creates vibrant implications for practitioners using ESG to reduce financial distress.

Originality/value

The study is one of its kind to test the treatment effects of ESG on firm value and quantify treatment effects on financial distress.
Political power and politics: selecting, creating, and preserving liberation movement archives in South Africa
Authors: Netshakhuma Nkholedzeni Sidney
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to assess the role of political power and politics in selecting, creating and preserving Liberation Movement archives in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of literature focusing on liberations archives was carried out.

Findings

Politics and the associated power play an essential role in the selection, creation and preservation of liberation movement archives. The study found out that the African National Congress (ANC) selected the University of Fort Hare as the center to preserve liberation movements repatriated from all over the world to South Africa. The National Archives of South Africa did not play a role in the preservation of liberation movement archives. The study also noted that there existed an ineffective collaboration between the ANC and the National Archives of South Africa regarding the preservation of liberation movements archives.

Research limitations/implications

The study focused on the liberation movement archives created by the ANC of South Africa only.

Social implications

The establishment of liberation archives may promote social cohesion.

Originality/value

The liberation movement archives are a part of the history of South Africa and present perspectives on the history of the liberation of South Africa. This study, which builds on the post-colonial scholarship on liberation movement archives, discussed the significance of liberation archives.
Magnetogasdynamic shock waves in a nonideal self-gravitating gas using Lie group theoretic method
Authors: Nath Gorakh , Maurya Abhay
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the present article is to obtain the similarity solution for the shock wave generated by a piston propagating in a self-gravitating nonideal gas under the impact of azimuthal magnetic field for adiabatic and isothermal flows.

Design/methodology/approach

The Lie group theoretic method given by Sophus Lie is used to obtain the similarity solution in the present article.

Findings

Similarity solution with exponential law shock path is obtained for both ideal and nonideal gas cases. The effects on the flow variables, density ratio at the shock front and shock strength by the variation of the shock Cowling number, adiabatic index of the gas, gravitational parameter and nonidealness parameter are investigated. The shock strength decreases with an increase in the shock Cowling number, nonidealness parameter and adiabatic index, whereas the strength of the shock wave increases with an increase in gravitational parameter.

Originality/value

Propagation of shock wave with spherical geometry in a self-gravitating nonideal gas under the impact of azimuthal magnetic field for adiabatic and isothermal flows has not been studied by any author using the Lie group theoretic method.
Modeling of porous-hardened concrete by rheological-dynamical analogy
Authors: Milašinović Dragan D.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to describe various aspects of the visco-elastoplastic (VEP) behavior of porous-hardened concrete samples in relation to standard tests.

Design/methodology/approach

The problem is formulated on the basis of the rheological-dynamic analogy (RDA). In this study, changes in creep coefficient, Poisson's ratio, damage variables, modulus of elasticity, strength and angle of internal friction as a function of porosity are defined by P and S wave velocities. The RDA model provides a description of the degradation process of material properties from their peak state to their ultimate values using void volume fraction (VVF).

Findings

Compared to numerous versions of acoustic emission tracking developed to analyze the behavior of total wave propagation in inhomogeneous media with density variations, the proposed model is comprehensive in interpretation and consistent with physical understanding. The comparison of the damage variables with the theoretical variables under the assumption of spherical voids in the spherical representative volume element (RVE) shows a satisfactory agreement of the results for all analyzed samples if the maximum porosities are used for comparison.

Originality/value

The paper presents a new mathematical-physical method for examining the effect of porosity on the characteristics of hardened concrete. Porosity is essentially related to density variations. Therefore, it was logical to define the limit values of porosity using the strain energy density.
Impact of relocation in response to climate change on farmers’ livelihood capital in minority areas: a case study of Yunnan Province
Authors: Wu Jiaxin , Zhang Jigang , Yang Hongjuan
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to construct an evaluation system for farmers’ livelihood capital in minority areas and evaluate the impact of relocation in response to climate change on farmers’ livelihood capital.

Design/methodology/approach

According to the characteristics of Yunnan minority areas, the livelihood capital of farmers in minority areas is divided into natural, physical, financial, social, human and cultural capital. The improved livelihood capital evaluation system measures farmers’ livelihood capital from 2015 to 2021. The net impact of relocation on farmers’ livelihood capital was separated using propensity score matching and the difference-in-difference (PSM-DID) method.

Findings

The shortage of livelihood capital makes it difficult for farmers to resist climate change, and the negative impacts of climate change further aggravate their livelihood vulnerability and reduce their livelihood capital. Relocation has dramatically increased the livelihood capital of farmers living in areas with poor natural conditions by 15.67% and has enhanced their ability to cope with climate change and realise sustainable livelihoods.

Originality/value

An improved livelihood capital evaluation system is constructed to realise the future localisation and development of livelihood capital research. The PSM-DID method was used to overcome endogeneity problems and sample selection bias of the policy evaluation methods. This study provides new ideas for academic research and policy formulation by integrating climate change, poverty governance and sustainable livelihoods.
Place-based community events and resistance to territorial stigmatisation
Authors: McGillivray David , Walters Trudie , Guillard Séverin
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Place-based community events fulfil important functions, internally and externally. They provide opportunities for people from diverse communities and cultures to encounter each other, to participate in pleasurable activities in convivial settings and to develop mutual understanding. The purpose of this paper is to investigate the value of such events as a means of resisting or challenging the deleterious effects of territorial stigmatisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore two place-based community events in areas that have been subject to territorial stigmatisation: Govanhill in Glasgow, Scotland, and South Dunedin, New Zealand. They draw on in-depth case study methods including observation and interviews with key local actors and employ inductive analysis to identify themes across the datasets.

Findings

The demonstrate how neighbourhood events in both Glasgow and Dunedin actively seek to address some of the deleterious outcomes of territorial stigmatisation by emphasising strength and asset-based discourses about the areas they reflect and represent. In their planning and organisation, both events play an important mediating role in building and empowering community, fostering intercultural encounters with difference and strengthening mutuality within their defined places. They make use of public and semi-public spaces to attract diverse groups while also increasing the visibility of marginalised populations through larger showcase events.

Research limitations/implications

The empirical element focuses only on two events, one in Glasgow, Scotland (UK), and the other in South Dunedin (New Zealand). Data generated were wholly qualitative and do not provide quantitative evidence of “change” to material circumstances in either case study community.

Practical implications

Helps organisers think about how they need to better understand their communities if they are to attract diverse participation, including how they programme public and semi-public spaces.

Social implications

Place-based community events have significant value to neighbourhoods, and they need to be resourced effectively if they are to sustain the benefits they produce. These events provide an opportunity for diverse communities to encounter each other and celebrate what they share rather than what divides them.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to examine how place-based community events help resist narratives of territorial stigmatisation, which produce negative representations about people and their environments. The paper draws on ethnographic insights generated over time rather than a one-off snapshot which undermines some events research.
Adaptive neuromuscular control of a simplified muscle tendon-driven musculoskeletal system
Authors: Fan Yerui , Wu Yaxiong , Yuan Jianbo
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to improve the muscle model control performance of a tendon-driven musculoskeletal system (TDMS) to overcome disadvantages such as multisegmentation and strong coupling. An adaptive network controller (ANC) with a disturbance observer is established to reduce the modeling error of the musculoskeletal model and improve its antidisturbance ability.

Design/methodology/approach

In contrast to other control technologies adopted for musculoskeletal humanoids, which use geometric relationships and antagonist inhibition control, this study develops a method comprising of three parts. (1) First, a simplified musculoskeletal model is constructed based on the Taylor expansion, mean value theorem and Lagrange–d’Alembert principle to complete the decoupling of the muscle model. (2) Next, for this simplified musculoskeletal model, an adaptive neuromuscular controller is designed to acquire the muscle-activation signal and realize stable tracking of the endpoint of the muscle-driven robot relative to the desired trajectory in the TDMS. For the ANC, an adaptive neural network controller with a disturbance observer is used to approximate dynamical uncertainties. (3) Using the Lyapunov method, uniform boundedness of the signals in the closed-loop system is proved. In addition, a tracking experiment is performed to validate the effectiveness of the adaptive neuromuscular controller.

Findings

The experimental results reveal that compared with other control technologies, the proposed design techniques can effectively improve control accuracy. Moreover, the proposed controller does not require extensive considerations of the geometric and antagonistic inhibition relationships, and it demonstrates anti-interference ability.

Originality/value

Musculoskeletal robots with humanoid structures have attracted considerable attention from numerous researchers owing to their potential to avoid danger for humans and the environment. The controller based on bio-muscle models has shown great performance in coordinating the redundant internal forces of TDMS. Therefore, adaptive controllers with disturbance observers are designed to improve the immunity of the system and thus directly regulate the internal forces between the bio-muscle models.
Export performance and international resources and capabilities: a quantitative study on born globals
Authors: Coudounaris Dafnis N. , Björk Peter
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the internal factors of resources and capabilities of five born globals (BGs) from Estonia. It explores quantitatively the internal factors between a medium BG and four small BGs.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a survey questionnaire in collecting information from the CEOs of BGs. The questionnaire consisted of 105 questions relevant to export sales related to differences in internal factors.

Findings

The firms’ size and industrial sector play a role in export sales due to differences in internal factors. Small BGs expect financially based rewards, non-financial rewards, the job satisfaction of sales representatives with the export manager, and with work in general, and the representatives’ job satisfaction is higher in the small BGs than in the medium BG. The sales representatives’ job performance, their work performance, sales presentations, technical knowledge, adaptiveness, teamwork, planning, support, the organisational capabilities for business identification, relationship-building and innovation are all higher in medium BGs than in small BGs. Eleven sub-constructs of the model were shown to be important for small BGs.

Originality/value

The current study is focused on BGs from Estonia, i.e. small BGs and medium BGs. The study contributes to the internal factors of resources and capabilities of BGs as well as to the literature review on BGs. It also provides a logical conceptual model, indicating that the export manager’s job satisfaction is the central construct influenced by antecedent factors and is related directly to the export sales performance of the BG.