bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial stability at risk: evidence from market overreaction and herding behaviour in developed and emerging markets
Authors: Loang Ooi Kok
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study examines the relationships between herding behaviour, market overreaction and financial stability in developed and Brazil, Russia, India and China (BRICS) markets from 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2023. It identifies the significant differences in these phenomena across different market types and their implications for financial stability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs panel data regression, quantile regression, Granger causality tests and the Baron and Kenny mediation model to analyse the data. These methods are used to explore the extent to which herding behaviour exacerbates market overreaction and affects financial stability.

Findings

The results reveal that herding behaviour exacerbates short-term market overreaction, leading to increased financial instability, particularly in BRICS markets. In contrast, herding behaviour does not significantly impact intermediate-term overreactions in developed markets. The study also finds that market overreaction significantly mediates the relationship between herding behaviour and financial stability.

Practical implications

These findings have practical implications for policymakers. Understanding how herding behaviour and market overreaction impact financial stability can help formulate strategies to enhance market stability and mitigate systemic risks, particularly in more volatile BRICS markets.

Social implications

Enhanced financial stability has broad social implications, including improved investor confidence and economic growth. Policymakers can use these insights to create more stable financial environments, which can lead to more robust economic development and reduced vulnerability to financial crises.

Originality/value

This study provides new insights into the differential impact of herding behaviour and market overreaction on financial stability in developed and BRICS markets. By confirming the mediating role of market overreaction, this study enhances our understanding of financial market anomalies and contributes to the literature on financial stability.
Exploring peer-to-peer lending: key influences of firm uncertainty, loan features and venture quality
Authors: Del Sarto Nicola
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to identify the determinants of success in peer-to-peer (P2P) lending campaigns, especially amid global financial disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. Addressing a notable gap in current research, we explore how factors such as firm uncertainty, loan characteristics (interest rates and maturity) and venture quality (human, social and intellectual capital) influence P2P lending effectiveness. Using multiple regression analysis on data from 523 projects on the October platform, our study aims to enhance the understanding and operational efficiency of P2P platforms, contributing to a more resilient financial ecosystem.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a quantitative research design using multiple regression analysis to examine the impact of specific variables on the success of P2P lending campaigns. Data were collected from 523 concluded P2P lending projects on the October platform, spanning from 2015 to 2021. Variables of interest include the level of uncertainty of the firm, loan characteristics such as interest rate and maturity and the quality of the venture assessed through human, social and intellectual capital. This method allows for a robust analysis of the factors contributing to the success of P2P lending within a dynamic financial context.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that the success of P2P lending campaigns is significantly influenced by the level of uncertainty of the firm, the interest rate of the loan and the quality of the venture. Specifically, higher uncertainty in firms correlates negatively with campaign success, while competitive interest rates positively impact funding outcomes. Furthermore, ventures that demonstrate robust human capital, particularly those with management teams that possess diverse skills and high qualifications, tend to attract more funding. These results underscore the critical role of strategic financial and human resource planning in enhancing the effectiveness of P2P lending platforms.

Originality/value

This study contributes uniquely to the literature by integrating multiple variables – firm uncertainty, loan characteristics and venture quality – into a comprehensive analysis of success factors in P2P lending. It addresses the scarcity of research examining the combined effects of these factors, particularly in the context of global financial disruptions like the COVID-19 pandemic. By focusing on a specific European platform during a dynamic period, this research provides new insights into how P2P lending can adapt to and thrive amid financial crises. The findings offer valuable guidance for both practitioners and policymakers aiming to optimize P2P lending practices in uncertain economic landscapes.
Creating a content validation process to advance a campus-wide leadership framework
Authors: Kaufman Ariel L. , Kueppers Mark R.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

A content validation process of an institutional leadership framework is described for leadership educators in higher education. We created this process to further integrate our leadership framework across campus, maintain alignment with advancements in leadership research and ensure it is broadly inclusive and culturally responsive.

Design/methodology/approach

Our approach included seven essential design elements and was informed by a review of leadership frameworks in practice and the literature, validation studies and a comprehensive document review.

Findings

Our approach yielded a validated leadership framework with modifications to its principles, values, competencies and outcomes. Modifications addressed pre-determined criteria and were deemed relevant to leadership research and our institutional context.

Originality/value

The external content validation process of our leadership framework is novel and serves as a valuable guide for those considering opportunities to strengthen their own institutional approaches to leadership education.
Dynamic fine‐tuning of anti‐predator behaviour in snowshoe hares illustrates the context dependence of risk effects
Authors: Wirsing Aaron
Published: November 2024

Research Highlight: Shiratsuru, S., & Pauli, J. N. (2024). Food‐safety trade‐offs drive dynamic behavioural antipredator responses among snowshoe hares. Journal of Animal Ecology, DOI: 10.1111/1365‐2656.14183. Predation‐risk effects are known to be context dependent, with impacts of perceived predation threat on individual antipredator responses, prey population demography, species interactions and community organization hinging on traits of the prey, the predator(s) and setting of the interaction. Yet, few empirical studies to date have simultaneously explored how these three drivers shape contingency in antipredator behaviour, the key first step in the process by which predation‐risk effects play out, especially in free‐living vertebrates. In a new study, Shiratsuru & Pauli (2024) address this knowledge deficit by showing that snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) trade foraging for anti‐predator vigilance dynamically as a function of winter food availability (a proxy for individual energetic state), the timing and intensity of predator activity, and environmental properties associated with elevated vulnerability to predator‐induced mortality, notably including coat colour mismatch caused by variation in snow cover. These results offer new insight into the complexity of predation‐risk effects and should serve as a guide for research aiming to better understand the expression of these effects under varying circumstances.
Fertiloscopy and its place in the gynaecologist's armamentarium
Authors: McNamara Stewart , Davis Kimberley J. , Reyftmann Lionel
Published: November 2024

Background

Infertility is a prevalent issue worldwide. Current investigation of female pelvic infertility uses transabdominal laparoscopy, exposing patients to its associated risks. An alternative method is fertiloscopy, comprising hysteroscopy, tubal dye studies, and transvaginal hydrolaparoscopy (TVHL), falling under the broader category of VNOTES. This study reviews fertiloscopy cases in Australia to assess its role in managing infertility.

Materials and Methods

Retrospective analysis of 76 cases was performed with review of imaging results, fertiloscopy findings and interventions, and fertility outcomes. Statistical analysis was conducted via R Studio v4.1 with means and averages used for descriptive data and a Kruskal–Wallis analysis of variance test used to evaluate differences in continuous variables. Kaplan–Meier curves were constructed to describe cumulative pregnancy incidence, with differences evaluated using log‐rank tests. Statistical tests were two‐tailed, and a P‐value < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

Of 76 cases, 70 underwent fertiloscopy and 35 an intra‐operative intervention. Of the cohort, 53 conceived, 18 spontaneously. The highest chance of spontaneous conception was 44% by day 283. The failure rate of fertiloscopy was 5.3%, and complications occurred in 1.3% of cases.

Discussion

The highest chance of spontaneous conception post‐fertiloscopy was 44% by day 283, possibly indicating the time between the procedure and referral to reproductive therapies. This study identified a low associated failure and complication rate, supporting fertiloscopy as a low‐risk procedure.

Conclusion

Despite limitations, this study highlights spontaneous pregnancy outcomes and associated low complication and failure rates, emphasising fertiloscopy's role in managing infertility in Australia as a lower risk surgical alternative to standard laparoscopy.
Cartographies of Emergence of Latin American Communities and British Latinx Imaginaries in London
Authors: McIlwaine Cathy
Published: November 2024

This paper explores Latin American communities in London through the conceptual lens of cartographies of emergence in translocational perspective suggesting that it provides a less binary approach than the more commonly used perspective of ‘(in)visibility’. This is informed by the empirical analysis of Latin American community‐building through their negotiation of precarity and collective resistance. It also reflects on the contested nomenclatures used to denote the ‘community’ such as Latin American and British Latinx as well as plural interpretations of British Latinidades and British Latinx imaginaries, the latter to capture the mutable and dynamic identities and belonging.
Prevalence and Correlates of Meeting Physical Activity and Screen Time Guidelines Among Children of English‐ and Non‐English‐Speaking Backgrounds in Australia
Authors: Paudel Susan , Veitch Jenny , Mishra Gita D. , Tooth Leigh R. , Hesketh Kylie D.
Published: November 2024

Background

Limited evidence suggests inequality in the prevalence of physical activity and screen time for children of non‐English‐speaking backgrounds (NESB). However, factors associated with these behaviours are understudied. This study identified the prevalence and correlates of meeting guidelines (physical activity, screen time and combined) among children of English‐speaking backgrounds (ESB) and NESB.

Methods

Participants were from the Mothers and their Children's Health Study, a sub‐study of the Australian Longitudinal Study on Women's Health (1973–1978 cohort). Mothers provided information on physical activity and screen time behaviours of up to three children (aged 2–12 years). Age‐specific Australian guidelines were used to classify children as meeting or not meeting physical activity and screen time guidelines. Those born in a non‐English‐speaking country or primarily speaking a non‐English language at home were classified as ‘NESB’. Multivariable‐adjusted logistic regression analyses accounting for family‐level clustering were used for analysis.

Results

Data were from 4143 children (mean age 7.3 ± 2.9 years, 6.7% NESB). Around 17% children of NESB met physical activity guidelines (vs. 25% ESB, p = 0.002), 63% met screen time guidelines (vs. 58% ESB, p = 0.150), and 9% met combined physical activity and screen time guidelines (vs. 15% ESB, p = 0.011). Increasing age was inversely associated with meeting physical activity guidelines among children of both backgrounds (OR [95%CI]: NESB 0.81 [0.69–0.95], ESB 0.85 [0.82–0.87]). Family‐level correlates (maternal education and physical activity level) were associated with meeting physical activity, screen time or combined guidelines among children of ESB only. A screen device in the child's bedroom was inversely associated with all outcomes among children of ESB. Children of NESB with a large yard at home had higher odds of meeting physical activity (4.14 [1.72–10.00]) and combined guidelines (4.48 [1.61–12.41]).

Conclusions

Children of NESB were less likely to meet physical activity and combined guidelines. Interventions may need to be tailored based on ESB background, with children of NESB (particularly older children and those with limited outdoor space at home) being a higher priority for intervention. Future large‐scale studies examining a broader range of potential correlates, including cultural factors, are warranted.
Hospital Dental Admissions and Caries Experience Among Children With Neurodevelopmental Disabilities: A Population‐Based Record Linkage Cohort Study
Authors: Schluter Philip J. , Bowden Nicholas , Dacombe Joanne , McLay Laurie , Lee Martin
Published: November 2024

Background

Within Aotearoa | New Zealand, rates of largely preventable severe caries and dental hospitalisations among children are increasing and inequalities exist. However, little population‐based empirical evidence exists describing this oral health burden among children with neurodevelopmental disabilities (NDDs). This study aimed to estimate and compare the rates of dental hospital admissions in a near‐national population of children aged ≤ 14 years with attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder, autism, intellectual disability or any NDD after accounting for key confounding variables. Caries status for these children was derived from an oral health screening at 4 years and also examined.

Methods

The cohort were children who had their B4 School Check (B4SC) national health screening assessment undertaken between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2018 and followed until 1 January 2020 (the study end date). Linked administrative databases, which include NDD indication and dental hospital records, were utilised. Dental hospital admissions were assessed using unadjusted and adjusted Cox proportional hazard regression models treating NDD as a discrete time‐varying covariate. Caries status at 4 years of age was investigated cross‐sectionally and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve used to assess predictive accuracy.

Results

The eligible sample included 433 569 children (48.6% female) with a mean age of 9.3 years at the study end date. Overall, 16 359 (3.8%) children had at least one NDD indication and 38 574 (8.9%) had at least one dental hospitalisation. In adjusted analyses, the hazard ratio of dental hospitalisation admissions was 3.40 (95% CI: 3.22–3.60) for children indicated with any NDD compared to their non‐NDD counterparts. At 4 years of age B4SC screening, 465 (17.6%) children out of 2640 indicated with any NDD had visible caries compared to 61 026 (14.3%) from 427 254 children without NDD indication (prevalence ratio = 1.24 [95% CI: 1.14–1.35]). However, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for this association was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.51–0.52), suggesting negligible predictive capacity.

Conclusion

Children with NDDs in Aotearoa, New Zealand suffer from substantial oral health inequities. Targeted preventive strategies and adaptation to primary oral health services are needed to meet the needs of neurodiverse children and redress this substantial inequity. However, targeting children with NDDs at the B4SC is unlikely to mitigate these oral health inequities.
Evaluation of drug–drug interactions of a novel potent FLT3 inhibitor SKLB1028 in healthy subjects
Authors: Chen Jingcheng , Wu Jingxuan , Guo Nini , Song Yuqin , Li Lijun , Wang Bingyan , Li Jiangshuo , Hou Mengyu , Yin Hang , Zhang Meijuan , Kong Yanhong , Wu Xiaofang , Li Ran , Wu Le , Gao Qiannan , Dong Ruihua
Published: November 2024

SKLB1028 is a novel multi‐target protein kinase inhibitor under investigation for the treatment of FLT3‐ITD mutated acute myeloid leukemia. Based on the preclinical characterization of SKLB1028 metabolism, three drug–drug interaction clinical studies were performed to investigate the effects of itraconazole, rifampin (CYP3A4 inhibitor and inducer, respectively), and gemfibrozil (CYP2C8 inhibitor) on the metabolism of SKLB1028. Fourteen healthy Chinese male subjects were enrolled in each study. In Study 1, subjects were administered a single dose of SKLB1028 (100 mg on days 1 and 11) and multiple doses of itraconazole (200 mg twice daily on day 8 and 200 mg once daily from days 9 to 18). Itraconazole was given with a loading dose on Day 8 and the total administration of itraconazole was 11 days. In Study 2, subjects were administered a single dose of SKLB1028 (100 mg on days 1 and 12) and multiple doses of gemfibrozil (600 mg twice daily from days 8 to 19). In Study 3, subjects were administered a single dose of SKLB1028 (150 mg on days 1 and 15) and multiple doses of rifampin (600 mg once daily from day 8 to 22). Itraconazole increased the AUC and Cmax of SKLB1028 by approximately 28% and 41%, respectively. Compared to the single drug, co‐administration with gemfibrozil increased the AUC of SKLB1028 by ~26% and the Cmax by ~21%. Co‐administration with rifampin reduced the AUC of SKLB1028 by ~30%, while the Cmax did not change significantly. All treatments were well tolerated in all three studies.
Concentration‐QTcF analysis of quizartinib in patients with newly diagnosed FLT3‐internal‐tandem‐duplication‐positive acute myeloid leukemia
Authors: Vaddady Pavan , Smania Giovanni , Nakayama Shintaro , Inoue Hiroyuki , Kurumaddali Abhinav , Abutarif Malaz , Zheng Ming
Published: November 2024

Quizartinib prolongs QT interval through inhibition of the slow delayed rectifier potassium current (IKs). We used non‐linear mixed‐effects modeling to explore the relationship between quizartinib and its pharmacologically active metabolite AC886 and the Fridericia‐corrected QT interval (QTcF) in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients. We evaluated linear and non‐linear drug effect models, using triplicate QTcF measurements with available time‐matched pharmacokinetic samples from the Phase 3 QuANTUM‐First trial. The effect of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on model parameters was tested using stepwise covariate model building. Simulations were conducted to predict the change from baseline in QTcF (ΔQTcF) at the maximum concentration at steady‐state (Cmax,ss) for quizartinib maintenance daily doses of 30 and 60 mg. The concentration‐QTcF (C‐QTcF) relationship was best described by a sigmoidal maximum effect model. After accounting for the effect of quizartinib, including AC886 concentrations did not further explain changes in QTcF. Circadian variations in QTcF were described using an empirical change from baseline based on clock times. Age and hypokalaemia were identified as statistically significant covariates on baseline QTcF; no covariates were found to impact the C‐QTcF relationship. The median model‐predicted ΔQTcF at Cmax,ss was 18.4 ms (90% confidence interval (CI): 16.3–20.5) at 30 mg and 24.1 ms (90% CI: 21.4–26.6) at 60 mg. In conclusion, in newly diagnosed AML patients, ΔQTcF increased non‐linearly with increasing quizartinib concentrations. The predicted ΔQTcF increase at Cmax,ss supports the proposed dose adaptation based on observed QTcF and the dose reduction in case of strong cytochrome P450 3A (CYP3A) inhibitors coadministration.
Grading Melanocytic Dysplasia: Updated Histopathologic Criteria
Authors: Shea Christopher R. , Prieto Victor G. , Shachaf Catherine M. , Florell Scott R.
Published: November 2024

Dr. Martin C. Mihm, Jr.'s innovative work on the dysplastic nevus achieved a milestone in his chapter in the World Health Organisation Classification of Skin Tumours (WHO‐C). WHO‐C presents a dichotomous classification (high‐grade versus low‐grade dysplastic nevi) and a quantitative metric to assess melanocytic nuclear enlargement. The Duke classification is a related approach that provides mostly quantitative histopathologic criteria for dysplastic nevi and gives due weight to architectural features as well as cytology. This paper proposes and illustrates updated criteria for scoring and grading melanocytic dysplasia, incorporating some of the definitions and categories of WHO‐C, while refining the quantitative and architectural elements of the Duke grading system to facilitate more detailed and precise assessment of dysplastic nevi.
The far side of capitalism: Institutions and trade financing in Manila during the long eighteenth century
Authors: Rivas Moreno Juan José
Published: November 2024

Sustained long‐distance trade in the early modern era necessitated institutional mechanisms capable of solving three interrelated challenges: the need to mobilize an unprecedented volume of capital and to lock it in for long periods of time, ways of mitigating the principal–agent problem across continents, and methods to internalize and distribute the high risks associated with intercontinental sailing. The case of Manila represents an alternative institutional approach to achieving market impersonality and solving the three fundamental challenges without the need for joint‐stock corporations, and extending beyond private and cultural networks. By adapting urban religious institutions such as brotherhoods and using legacy funds to facilitate pooling savings, Manileños managed to establish a capital market capable of mobilizing large resources towards trade finance during the long eighteenth century.
Young woodland restoration plantings can be resilient to uncontrolled bushfires
Authors: Atkinson Joe , Freudenberger David
Published: November 2024

Tree planting projects are widely conducted in agricultural areas across Australia, but relatively little is known about the vulnerability of these still young plantings to bushfires. As a result of climate change, more frequent and intense bushfires are predicted to occur across the continent. Therefore, it is important to know what happens to restoration plantings when young woody plants are burnt. To this end, we present 8 years of monitoring data from the Scottsdale Reserve in Bredbo, where we followed individual tubestock from 2013 to 2022 with an uncontrolled bushfire occurring in early February 2020. We found that Eucalypt (Eucalyptus spp.), Wattle (Acacia spp.), and Prickly Box (Bursaria spinosa) seedlings planted by volunteers had high survival rates from year to year, even after fire. Non‐resprouting species including Hop Bush (Dodonaea viscosa) and Shiny Cassinia (Cassinia longifolia) had not recovered by early 2022, though these represented a much lower proportion of the planting. Our results suggest that some components of restoration plantings are resilient to burning but others are not able to produce viable seed banks, or regrow from them in this setting. Some replanting after fire may be required to maintain desired plant diversity and structure.
A new ex vivo human skin model for the topographic and biological analysis of cosmetic formulas
Authors: Peno‐Mazzarino Laurent , Jeanneton Olivier , Scalvino Stéphanie Almeida , Percoco Giuseppe , Beauchef Gallic , Nizard Carine , Pays Karl
Published: November 2024

Objective

Existing methods to evaluate skin care products suffer limitations. This is the case for ex vivo skin explants, a first‐choice 3D model. While essential to analyse mid‐ to long‐term biological effects, this classical model hinders assessing microrelief variations. To circumvent these limitations, we developed an ex vivo PERFused EXplant setup (Perfex) that maintains the outer skin surface in the open air, closely mirroring physiological conditions.

Methods

A custom‐designed reservoir enables perfusing the dermal side of explants with buffered, temperature‐controlled medium, while the epidermis is subjected to “normal” conditions. Skin tension and characteristics of the stratum corneum, microrelief, histology and immunohistology (collagen types I and III, elastin and fibrillin‐1) were analysed and compared to those of explants maintained under conventional conditions or in vivo skin. The effects of skin care formulas intended to induce short‐ and/or mid‐ to long‐term effects were also assessed.

Results

Skin explants maintained with the Perfex setup exhibit characteristics (firmness, elasticity, hydration and barrier function) closer to those of in vivo skin than with conventional conditions. Moreover, Perfex‐maintained explants present no alteration in histology after 7 days and slight variation in the expression of key protein markers. Microrelief characteristics also remain mostly stable over 7 days. Formula applications corroborate that skin tensor‐containing products primarily induce short‐term changes in the microrelief, while those with biologically active ingredients mainly lead to mid‐ to long‐term effects on the histology and expression of molecular markers. Furthermore, maintaining skin explants with a physiologically relevant skin surface enabled analysing the relationship between microrelief and key markers, showing that fibrillin‐1 is the protein most correlated with microrelief characteristics.

Conclusions

The Perfex setup allows for similar preservation of skin explant histology and key protein expression as the conventional system, yet it maintains a skin surface close to that of in vivo skin. Therefore, it is valuable to analyse both the short‐ and mid‐ to long‐term impacts of skin care formulas and better comprehend their effects. The Perfex system also offers a new tool for investigating fundamental questions, such as the link that can exist between dermal proteins and skin surface properties.
Integrated machine learning developed a prognosis‐related gene signature to predict prognosis in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Tang Peng , Li Baihui , Zhou Zijing , Wang Haitong , Ma Mingquan , Gong Lei , Qiao Yufeng , Ren Peng , Zhang Hongdian
Published: November 2024

The mortality rate of oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains high, and conventional TNM systems cannot accurately predict its prognosis, thus necessitating a predictive model. In this study, a 17‐gene prognosis‐related gene signature (PRS) predictive model was constructed using the random survival forest algorithm as the optimal algorithm among 99 machine‐learning algorithm combinations based on data from 260 patients obtained from TCGA and GEO. The PRS model consistently outperformed other clinicopathological features and previously published signatures with superior prognostic accuracy, as evidenced by the receiver operating characteristic curve, C‐index and decision curve analysis in both training and validation cohorts. In the Cox regression analysis, PRS score was an independent adverse prognostic factor. The 17 genes of PRS were predominantly expressed in malignant cells by single‐cell RNA‐seq analysis via the TISCH2 database. They were involved in immunological and metabolic pathways according to GSEA and GSVA. The high‐risk group exhibited increased immune cell infiltration based on seven immunological algorithms, accompanied by a complex immune function status and elevated immune factor expression. Overall, the PRS model can serve as an excellent tool for overall survival prediction in ESCC and may facilitate individualized treatment strategies and predction of immunotherapy for patients with ESCC.
Esculetin rebalances M1/M2 macrophage polarization to treat sepsis‐induced acute lung injury through regulating metabolic reprogramming
Authors: Chen Feng , Wang Ning , Liao Jiabao , Jin Mengxue , Qu Fei , Wang Chengxin , Lin Min , Cui Huantian , Wen Weibo , Chen Fengjuan
Published: November 2024

Sepsis‐induced acute lung injury (SALI) is characterized by a high incidence and mortality rate, which has caused a serious medical burden. The pharmacological effects of esculetin (ELT), such as antibacterial and anti‐inflammatory actions, have been widely confirmed. However, the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of ELT on SALI still need to be further clarified. In this study, we first evaluated the therapeutic potential of ELT on a caecal ligation and puncture (CLP) induced septic rat model, particularly in the treatment of acute lung injury. Afterwards, we explored the effect of ELT on macrophage polarization in vivo and in vitro. Then, we investigated the anti‐inflammatory mechanism of ELT based on modulating the metabolic reprogramming of macrophage (the effect on glycolysis in M1, and the effect on fatty acid β‐oxidation in M2). In addition, macrophage metabolic inhibitors (glycolysis inhibitor: 2‐DG, and fatty acid β‐oxidation inhibitor: etomoxir) were used to verify the regulatory effect of ELT on macrophage metabolic reprogramming. Our results proved that ELT intervention could effectively improve the survival rate of SALI rats and ameliorate pathological injury. Next, we found that ELT intervention inhibited M1 polarization and promoted M2 polarization of macrophages in vivo and in vitro, including the downregulation of M1‐related markers (CD86, iNOS), the decrease of pro‐inflammatory factors (nitric oxide, IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α), the upregulation of M2‐related markers (CD206, ARG‐1), the increase of immunomodulatory factors (IL‐4 and IL‐10). Subsequently, seahorse analysis showed that ELT intervention inhibited the glycolytic capacity in M1, and promoted the ability of fatty acid β‐oxidation in M2. Besides, ELT intervention inhibited the level of glycolysis product (lactic acid), and the expression of glycolysis‐related genes (Glut1, Hk2, Pfkfb1, Pkm and Ldha) and promoted the expression of fatty acid β‐oxidation related genes (Cpt1a, Cpt2, Acox1). In addition, we found that the inhibitory effect of ELT on M1 polarization was comparable to that of 2‐DG, while intervention with etomoxir abolished the promoting effect of ELT on M2 polarization. ELT inhibited the inflammatory response in SALI by correcting macrophage polarization (inhibiting M1 and promoting M2). The mechanism of ELT on macrophage polarization was associated with regulating metabolic reprogramming (inhibiting glycolysis in M1 and promoting fatty acid β‐oxidation in M2).
Biopolymers for a Sustainable Food System: Sources, Applications, and Environmental Impacts
Authors: Irshad Muhammad Asim , Khan Alamgeer , Zafar Zonara , Najib Muhammad Suleman , Ahmad Tauqeer
Published: November 2024

The use of synthetic polymers in the food industry poses significant risk of contamination, global plastic waste, and pollution. In contrast, biopolymers offer a potential solution for a sustainable future. Derived from natural resources, biopolymers are biodegradable and compostable and do not leach hazardous chemicals into food, which make them ideal for various applications in the food industry, owing to the non‐leaching of hazardous chemicals into the food. Here, an overview of the potential of biopolymers to replace synthetic plastic in food is discussed. The degradation of biopolymers and their environmental impact, the formation of biopolymer films, the utilization of different biopolymers for sustainable solutions to synthetic polymers, and their advantages are thoroughly presented. This review is expected to guide food industry stakeholders in seeking biopolymers as sustainable and eco‐friendly alternatives to synthetic polymers.
Messing up Visual Management Studies: A Problematizing Review
Authors: Shao Kaiyu , Janssens Maddy , Greenwood Michelle
Published: November 2024

Management studies are increasingly turning to visual materials to generate rich insights on the complexities in organizational life, thereby developing visual management studies (VMS). In this paper, we conduct a problematizing review to re‐imagine VMS so that it is better equipped to deal with the complexities or, from our perspective, the messiness in organizational life. Informed by theoretical readings in visual studies and reflexivity we analyse this research domain with three questions: (1) How is the visual conceptualized? (2) How is visual meaning decided? and, (3) how is the visual researcher depicted? Our findings show how the studies in our review tend to converge on an orderly form of knowledge production, missing out on the domain's messy potential. Our proposal is to mess up VMS through rediscovering visual, social and philosophical perspectives that theorize the visual, cultivating the polysemy of the visual and working with the ‘inter‐situality’ of visual meaning, thereby ensuring that, as visual researchers, we take responsibility for the visual in our research decisions.
Effects of Non‐Pharmacological Interventions on the Swallowing Function of Patients With Post‐Stroke Dysphagia: A Systematic Review and Network Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Zhang Bohan , Wong Ka Po , Guo Cai , Chen Shu‐Cheng , Fu Shuojin , Kang Ruifu , Xiao Qian , Qin Jing
Published: November 2024

Background

Post‐stroke dysphagia can lead to serious complications and appropriate rehabilitation can significantly improve swallowing function. However, the best rehabilitation method for post‐stroke dysphagia patients is not clear at the present stage, so it is necessary to conduct a comprehensive network meta‐analysis and systematic review of different interventions for dysphagia.

Objective

To compare the effectiveness and ranking of different interventions for improving swallowing function, and feeding and daily function in patients with post‐stroke dysphagia.

Methods

Seven databases were searched from the date of inception to September 1, 2022. Two investigators independently conducted literature searches, selected randomized controlled trials on dysphagia interventions, and assessed study quality. Network meta‐analysis was conducted by using Stata software.

Results

A total of 33 studies involving 1,341 patients were included. According to the ranking probabilities, acupuncture was rated as the most effective of all interventions to enhance patients' swallowing function (surface under cumulative ranking curve values [SUCRCV]: 99.0%, standardized mean difference [SMD]: −2.40, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −3.38 to −1.43), followed by the chin tuck against resistance exercise (CTAR, SUCRA: 89.9%, SMD: −1.83, 95% CI: −2.69 to −0.97). Among all the interventions, acupuncture was the most effective for feeding and daily function (SUCRCV: 88.4%, SMD: −1.62, 95% CI: −2.94 to −0.30).

Conclusions

The results showed that acupuncture was the most effective in the rehabilitation of patients with post‐stroke dysphagia, followed by CTAR. Considering that CTAR is a low‐cost and highly feasible intervention, we suggest that CTAR should be selected as a rehabilitation measure for patients with post‐stroke dysphagia to improve their swallowing function.
Isolation and Identification of Pathogenic Microorganisms Causing Post‐Harvest Disease of Garlic (Allium sativum L.) in Ninh Thuan Province, Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Thi Nha , Nguyen Thi Thu Nha , Ho Thi Cam Nguyen , Trinh Minh Hop , Phan Thanh Kiem , Vo Thi Tu Binh , Nguyen Thanh Diem , Vo Thi Ngoc Nhi , Do Anh Duy
Published: November 2024

Garlic plays a crucial role in Vietnam's agricultural economy. However, the presence of post‐harvest diseases presents considerable obstacles as it reduces the quality and market value of the crop. The objective of this study was to identify the microbial strains responsible for these diseases through isolation and identification. A comprehensive analysis was conducted to identify six pathogenic species that have a significant impact on the quality of post‐harvest garlic in Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan province, Vietnam. This analysis involved morphological observations, microscopic assessments, pathogenicity testing and molecular sequencing. Fusarium solani, F. oxysporum and Lasiodiplodia theobromae were identified as the main causes of dry rot, while Macrophomina phaseolina was associated with charcoal rot. Moreover, Aspergillus niger has been associated with black mould, while Pantoea sp. has been identified as the causative agent of soft rot. Re‐infection tests following Koch's postulates conducted on garlic bulbs provided confirmation of the isolates' pathogenicity. These findings have significant implications for enhancing our understanding of garlic diseases after harvest, which can contribute to the development of effective control measures in the future.
Top management team attributes and corporate entrepreneurship: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Saeed Saadat , Alasadi Mohammad , Yousafzai Shumaila Y. , Zahra Shaker A.
Published: November 2024

How do the attributes of a firm's top management team (TMT) influence corporate entrepreneurship across organizational and national contexts? Drawing on upper echelons theory and the managerial discretion perspective, this meta‐analytic study examines the dynamic relationship between TMTs' attributes and corporate entrepreneurship, focusing on the moderating role of managerial discretion arising from organizational and national‐level factors. To provide insights into the micro‐foundations of firm behavior, we explore how key TMT attributes—diversity, size, transformational leadership, tenure, general human capital, and entrepreneurial human capital—affect corporate entrepreneurship. A comprehensive meta‐analysis of 57 primary studies reveals that the effect of a TMT's attributes is context‐dependent and is significantly influenced by the approach to managerial discretion taken by the country in which the firm operates. By showing that transformational leadership and the TMT's entrepreneurial human capital and size affect corporate entrepreneurship, while attributes like tenure, diversity, and general human capital have limited or no impact, our findings challenge the prevailing view that a standardized approach to the TMT's composition drives corporate entrepreneurship. The study also underscores the role of the national‐level managerial discretion and finds that firms in institutional environments that feature low managerial discretion must align their TMT strategies with local institutional contexts to maximize their corporate entrepreneurship. These findings advance upper echelons theory by demonstrating that managerial discretion acts as a boundary condition in shaping how the TMT's attributes influence corporate entrepreneurship based on the national context. This research contributes to the fields of strategic and innovation management and offers practical insights for leaders who seek to harness the full potential of their TMTs.
Sleep schedules and MSLT‐based diagnosis of narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia: Exploring potential associations in a large clinical sample
Authors: Matsui Kentaro , Usui Akira , Takei Yoichiro , Kuriyama Kenichi , Inoue Yuichi
Published: November 2024

Differential diagnosis of narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia relies on the frequency of sleep‐onset rapid eye movement periods observed on the Multiple Sleep Latency Test. This study investigated whether variations in sleep schedules, particularly delayed sleep–wake patterns, contribute to the diagnostic distinction between narcolepsy type 2 and idiopathic hypersomnia. The study included 871 patients aged 18–39 years (316 with narcolepsy type 2, 555 with idiopathic hypersomnia). These patients were diagnosed based on MSLT results following polysomnography from November 2013 to November 2017. Patients' sleep habits, including bedtime and wake‐up times on weekdays and weekends during the 2 weeks preceding the polysomnography/Multiple Sleep Latency Test, were assessed using self‐reported sleep logs. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with narcolepsy type 2 diagnosis. The analysis revealed that being male (p < 0.001), younger age (p < 0.001), shorter weekday sleep duration (p < 0.05), and a delayed weekday sleep midpoint time (p < 0.01) were significantly associated with a diagnosis of narcolepsy type 2. The study suggests that the conventionally fixed schedule of polysomnography and Multiple Sleep Latency Test administration may have contributed to the increased occurrence of sleep‐onset rapid eye movement periods particularly in individuals with a delayed sleep–wake schedule.
Mean square consistency and improved rate of convergence of generalized subsampling estimator for non‐stationary time series
Authors: Bertail Patrice , Dudek Anna E. , Lenart Łukasz
Published: November 2024

In this article, we show the mean square consistency for a generalized subsampling estimator based on the aggregation of the mean, median, and trimmed mean of some subsampling estimators for general non‐stationary time series. Consistency requires standard assumptions, including the existence of moments and ‐mixing conditions. We apply our results to the Fourier coefficients of the autocovariance function of periodically correlated time series. Furthermore, as in the i.i.d. case, we show that the generalized subsampling estimator satisfies Bernstein inequality and concentrates at an improved rate (under the condition of no or small bias) compared with the original estimator. Finally, we illustrate our results with some simulation data examples.
Recompensation of Liver Cirrhosis by TIPS Reduces Epithelial Cell Death Markers, Translating Into Improved Clinical Outcome
Authors: Piecha Felix , Jahn Beatrice‐Victoria , Köntopf Johannes , Koop Anja , Ozga Ann‐Kathrin , Al‐Jawazneh Amirah , Harberts Aenne , Riedel Christoph , Buggisch Peter , Benten Daniel , Hübener Peter , Adam Gerhard , Huber Samuel , Lohse Ansgar W. , Bannas Peter , Kluwe Johannes
Published: November 2024

Background and Aims

Portal hypertension is the main pathophysiological driver of decompensation in patients with liver cirrhosis. Epithelial cell death markers, m30 and m65, correlate with hepatic injury and predict outcomes across various stages of liver disease. We aim (i) to evaluate whether portal hypertension itself contributes to liver outcome‐relevant epithelial injury, and (ii) to analyse the capacity of m30/m65 to predict outcome in patients receiving a transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) for refractory ascites.

Methods

Sixty‐six patients undergoing TIPS placement for refractory ascites and 20 patients with compensated cirrhosis as controls were prospectively enrolled in this monocentric cohort study. Epithelial cell death markers were analysed pre‐TIPS, as well as 1–3 and 6–9 months post‐TIPS. The capacity of baseline levels of m30/m65 in predicting six‐month transplant‐free survival rates was analysed by multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Levels of m30 and m65 were higher in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (pre‐TIPS) compared with compensated cirrhosis (controls). Following correction of portal hypertension by TIPS and recompensation, both markers decreased over time, reaching levels comparable to patients with compensated cirrhosis. On multivariable analysis, pre‐TIPS baseline levels of m30 and m65 were not predictive for six‐month survival.

Conclusion

Correction of portal hypertension via TIPS reduces levels of epithelial cell death markers, indicating that portal hypertension is a driver of outcome‐relevant, hepatic cell death in patients with decompensated cirrhosis. Baseline m30/m65 values do not affect six‐month survival rates, which suggests that TIPS placement overcomes the unfavourable spontaneous prognosis otherwise indicated by elevated baseline m30/65 levels.
Genome‐Wide Population Structure in a Marine Keystone Species, the European Flat Oyster (Ostrea edulis)
Authors: Alves Monteiro Homère J. , Bekkevold Dorte , Pacheco George , Mortensen Stein , Lou Runyang Nicolas , Therkildsen Nina O. , Tanguy Arnaud , Robert Chloé , De Wit Pierre , Meldrup Dorte , Laugen Ane T. , zu Ermgassen Philine S. E. , Strand Åsa , Saurel Camille , Hemmer‐Hansen Jakob
Published: November 2024

Ostrea edulis, the European flat oyster, was once a widespread economically and ecologically important marine species, but has suffered dramatic declines over the past two centuries. Consequently, there has been a surge in European restoration efforts, many of which focus on restocking as a conservation measure. In this study, we used whole‐genome sequencing (WGS) data to investigate the population structure, demographic history, and patterns of local adaptation of O. edulis across its natural distribution with increased sampling densities at Scandinavian localities. Results revealed seven distinct genetic clusters, including previously undescribed complex population structure in Norway, and evidence for introgression between genetic clusters in Scandinavia. We detected large structural variants (SVs) on three pseudo‐chromosomes. These megabase long regions were characterised by strong linkage disequilibrium and clear geographical differentiation, suggestive of chromosomal inversions potentially associated with local adaptation. The results indicated that genomic traces of past translocations of non‐native O. edulis were still present in some individuals, but overall, we found limited evidence of major impacts of translocations on the scale of contemporary population structure. Our findings highlight the importance of considering population structure and signatures of selection in the design of effective conservation strategies to preserve and restore wild native European flat oyster populations, and we provide direct knowledge safeguarding sustainable mitigation actions in this important species.
Climate change and plant pathogens: Understanding dynamics, risks and mitigation strategies
Authors: Kumar Deepak , Mukhopadhyay Ria
Published: November 2024

Climate change is reshaping the interactions between plants and pathogens, exerting profound effects on global agricultural systems. Elevated tropospheric ozone levels due to climate change hinder plant photosynthesis and increase vulnerability to biotic invasion. The prevailing atmospheric conditions, including temperature and humidity, profoundly influence fungal pathogenesis, as each stage of a pathogen's life cycle is intricately linked to temperature variations. Likewise, climate change alters bacterial behaviour, fostering increased production of extracellular polysaccharides by plant‐pathogenic bacteria in warmer temperatures. Heat‐adapted bacteria, such as Burkholderia glumea and Ralstonia solanacearum, are emerging as significant global threats as temperature rise. Viruses, too, respond dynamically to climate shifts, with certain species favouring warmer climates for replication, resulting in expanded geographical ranges and modified transmission patterns. Nematodes, formidable constraints in crop production, exhibit temperature‐dependent life cycles and would have potentially accelerated proliferation and distribution as global warming progresses. Molecular‐level changes in pathogenesis, induced by temperature fluctuations, influence various pathogens, thereby impacting their virulence and interactions with host plants. Modelling studies predict changes in disease risks and distributions under future climate scenarios, highlighting the necessity of integrating climate data into crop disease models for accurate forecasts. Mechanistic and observational models illustrate pathogen behaviours amidst changing environmental conditions, providing crucial insights into future disease dynamics. In addition, controlled experiments study disease responses under simulated climate scenarios, underscoring the urgency for comprehensive research to devise effective resistance strategies against severe plant diseases.