bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Culture, language, and accounting reform: a new perspective on IPSAS implementation
Authors: Abdulkarim Mustafa Elkasih , Umlai Mohamed Ismail , Al-Saudi Layth Faris
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role that culture and language play in the implementation of International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSAS).

Design/methodology/approach

The Hofstede–Gray and Huerta et al. (2013) models were used to collect data on language and accounting culture. Paired-sample t-test, regression and factor analyses were conducted on data from a sample of 101 respondents. This study also used ordinary least squares to test hypotheses.

Findings

The cultural dimensions of professionalism, secrecy and uniformity significantly influence the implementation of IPSAS. Furthermore, this study finds a significant link between culture, language and IPSAS implementation, which underlines the need for careful consideration of International Public Sector Accounting Standards Board policies in the promotion of IPSAS internationally.

Research limitations/implications

While this study is limited to its research method, using secondary data would have been challenging given the setting and accessibility issues. This study overcomes this problem by using a self-administered questionnaire. Prior studies confirm the reliability of the constructs. Despite providing justifications for why the authors use judgemental sampling, the authors acknowledge the limitation of the technique in survey distribution. Furthermore, the findings cannot be read without caution, as the authors focused on one country. However, interactions between accounting practices and culture in one country may be transferred to other countries that share a common language and culture with Qatar. The authors believe future research in this area will complement the understanding of the determinants of IPSAS implementation should the study be replicated.

Social implications

Policymakers, standard setters and regulators should promote and enforce an integrated approach that reflects the need for accountants and auditors to be conscious of the effects of culture and language, given the likelihood of widespread IPSAS adoption.

Originality/value

This study offers insight into the significance of culture and language in reforming public-sector accounting systems in developing nations and emerging economies.
Parent, carer and professional views of specialist child and adolescent mental health care during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Archard Philip John , Giles Emma , Moore Isobel , Awhangansi Sewanu , Fitzpatrick Siobhan , Kulik Leanne , O’Reilly Michelle
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to report findings from a service evaluation undertaken within a single specialist child and adolescent mental health service (CAMHS) team. The team works closely with local authority children’s services to serve specific populations recognised as experiencing higher levels of mental health need, including children living in alternative care and with adoptive families. The evaluation sought to better understand the experience of this provision during the COVID-19 pandemic and concomitant increase in remote and digitally mediated care delivery.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of the accounts of 38 parents, carers and professionals involved with the team gathered via telephone interviews and email and postal questionnaires.

Findings

Similar views were expressed from participants involved with the team before and following the onset of the pandemic. Overall, satisfaction was high; however, changes in care appeared more challenging for those already involved with the team before the pandemic. Differences in experience between groups were also evident. Whereas foster carers’ accounts were generally appreciative of the involvement of clinicians, particularly regarding clinician–patient relationships, amongst adoptive parents and members of children’s birth families there were more mixed and negative impressions.

Originality/value

Locally based service evaluations can help inform care pathway planning in specialist CAMHS provision as part of wider quality improvement initiatives. This is especially relevant considering the repercussions of the COVID-19 pandemic and as the longer-term acceptability of remote working practices is appraised.
COVID-19, clean energy stock market, interest rate, oil prices, volatility index, geopolitical risk nexus: evidence from quantile regression
Authors: Ghosh Sudeshna
Published: August 2022

Purpose

The outbreak and the spreading of the COVID-19 pandemic have impacted the global financial sector, including the alternative clean and renewable energy sector. This paper aims to assess the impact of the pandemic, COVID-19 on the stock market indices of the clean energy sector using quantile regression methods.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized daily data sets on the four major categories of stocks: (1) Morgan Stanley Capital International Global Alternative Energy Index, (2) WilderHill Clean Energy Index, (3) Renewable Energy Industrial Index (RENIXX) and (4) the S&P 500 Global Clean Index. The study adopts a multifactor capital asset pricing model.

Findings

Clean and alternative energy stocks are powerful instruments for diversification. However, the impact of the volatility index induced by infectious disease is negative and significant across quantiles.

Practical implications

For investors and policymakers, considering how the uncertainty caused by COVID-19 and the geopolitical index influences renewable energy markets is of great practical importance. For investors, it throws insights into portfolio diversification. For policy makers, it helps to devise strategies to reboot the economy along the lines of the deployment of renewables. This study sheds light on a global green-energy transition and has practical implications for renewable energy resilience in post-pandemic times.

Originality/value

This paper can be considered as a pioneer that explores the nexus between oil prices, interest rates, volatility index, and geopolitical risk upon the stock indices of clean and alternative sources of (renewable) energy in the COVID-19 pandemic situation. The results have important insights into the area of energy and policy decision-making. Additionally, the paper's novelty lies in using the explanatory variables associated with the Covid 19 pandemic.
Does companies' financial flexibility drive their leverage dynamics? New evidence
Authors: Hegde Apoorva Arunachal , Panda Ajaya Kumar , Masuna Venkateshwarlu
Published: August 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study the leverage adjustment behavior of firms distinguished based on financial flexibility. Financial flexibility is one of the key strengths of the companies to borrow funds for long-term capital investment. The lack of extensive studies in this domain motivates the authors to delve into the significance of financial flexibility in making corporate capital structure decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

The data comprise a combination of firm-specific and macroeconomic variables for firms in eight manufacturing sectors from 2009 to 2020. The authors employ an advance estimator, dynamic panel fraction, on the partial adjustment model to investigate the diverse impact on capital structure's speed of adjustment (SoA) between the financially flexible and financially inflexible firms. Furthermore, the authors utilize the generalized method of moments and panel-corrected standard errors to establish the robustness.

Findings

The empirical analysis reveals that the SoA of financially flexible firms lies between 19.75% and 35.38% and the SoA of financially inflexible firms lies between 11.66% and 25.81%. Due to their conserved debt capabilities, financially flexible firms can rely on leverage to stay near the target whenever they move away from it. Furthermore, financially inflexible firms exhibit a low adjustment speed due to their incompetence to borrow funds to benefit from new growth opportunities. The existence of a target ratio among the studied firms is identified from the positive coefficient of lagged dependent variable, and the relevance of trade-off theory is proved by the quick adjustment speeds in most sectors.

Originality/value

The sectoral distinction in the backdrop of the financial flexibility component adds to the research novelty and managerial implications.
Seasonal variation in impact of non‐native species on tropical seed dispersal networks
Authors: Costa Alba , Heleno Ruben , Dufrene Yanick , Huckle Eleanor , Gabriel Ronny , Harrison Xavier , Schabo Dana G. , Farwig Nina , Kaiser‐Bunbury Christopher N.
Published: August 2022

Invasive non‐native species can alter animal‐mediated seed dispersal interactions and ultimately affect the stability of recipient communities. The degree of such disturbances, however, is highly variable and depends on several factors, two of which have received little attention: the relative timing of native and non‐native fruiting phenologies, and the associated variation in relative resource availability across the fruiting period. Both are likely to alter plant–seed disperser interactions threatened by biological invasions.

Here we investigated the impact of plant invasions on the seasonal dynamics of frugivory and seed dispersal networks across a large‐scale experimental setup and a plant invasion gradient on a tropical island. We recorded fruit and frugivore abundances, and plant–frugivore interactions across eight inselbergs (i.e. rocky outcrops) with different levels of plant invasion during 10 months on the island of Mahé, Seychelles. By combining four sampling methods of plant–frugivore interactions we constructed quantitative seed dispersal networks at all sites across two 5‐month seasons: the on‐peak and off‐peak fruiting season.

Our findings showed that, by fruiting mostly synchronously with natives, non‐native plants compete with natives for dispersal services, predominantly carried out by native frugivores. Variation in native seed dispersal was driven by plant invasion and seasonality. Specifically, native seed dispersal declined with the degree of invasion; dispersal frequency increased with fruit abundance more strongly during the off‐peak fruiting season; and networks became increasingly specialised during off‐peak. These results indicated that during the main fruiting peak seed dispersal services were saturated, which likely intensified the competition between native and non‐native fruits. When resources were scarce during off‐peak fruiting season, native and non‐native frugivores were more selective in their fruit choice at sites dominated by non‐native plants.

We showed that native plant and frugivore populations and native seed dispersal interactions were more vulnerable in invaded plant communities, where non‐native plants compete with natives for dispersal services potentially reducing native recruitment. As invasive non‐native plants dominate many ecosystems world‐wide, particularly on islands, our findings showed that controlling plant invasions in vulnerable native communities can be critical to maintain native ecosystem functions and biodiversity.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
The Rise of the Middle Ground in Northern Ireland: What does it Mean?
Authors: Murphy Mary C.
Published: August 2022

Among the many consequences of Brexit for Northern Ireland has been how it has contributed to and coincided with some alteration of the electoral landscape. This includes the rise of the centre ground and, in particular, the Alliance Party of Northern Ireland (APNI). This article focusses specifically on how the Alliance Party, as the largest of Northern Ireland's middle ground parties, has navigated the Brexit period and with what effect. The analysis explores the implications of the growing size and strength of the Alliance Party for Northern Ireland politics, institutions, policies, north‐south relations and the constitutional future. It concludes that although the nationalist versus unionist binary remains valid and consequential in Northern Ireland, it is being challenged and tested by the rise of the middle ground in ways which offer both opportunities and challenges for Northern Ireland's future.
Demystifying the link between higher education and liberal values: A within‐sibship analysis of British individuals’ attitudes from 1994–2020
Authors: Simon Elizabeth
Published: August 2022

The link between university graduation and liberal values is well‐established and often taken as evidence that higher education participation causes attitudinal change. Identification of education’s causal influence in shaping individual preferences is notoriously difficult as it necessitates isolating education’s effect from self‐selection mechanisms. This study exploits the household structure of the Harmonized British Household Panel Study and Understanding Society data to tighten the bounds of causal inference in this area and ultimately, to provide a more robust estimate of the independent effect of university graduation on political attitudes. Results demonstrate that leveraging sibling fixed‐effects to control for family‐invariant pre‐adult experiences reduces the size of higher education’s effect on cultural attitudes by at least 70%, compared to conventional methods. Significantly, within‐sibship models show that obtaining higher education qualifications only has a small direct causal effect on British individuals’ adult attitudes, and that this effect is not always liberalizing. This has important implications for our understanding of the relationship between higher education and political values. Contrary to popular assumptions about education’s liberalizing role, this study demonstrates that the education‐political values linkage is largely spurious. It materializes predominately because those experiencing pre‐adult environments conducive to the formation of particular values disproportionately enroll at universities.
Is simply washing hands before dialysis procedures sufficient for reducing peritoneal dialysis peritonitis?—A single center study from 2015 to 2020 in Yiwu, China
Authors: Ye Yuan‐Jun , Lou Jia‐Jia , Zhang Ya‐Nan , Lou Xiao‐Ying , Chen Qin
Published: August 2022

Introduction

The study aimed to improve the qualified rate of hand hygiene and reduce the incidence of peritonitis in peritoneal dialysis (PD) patients.

Methods

A hand hygiene questionnaire was distributed to patients during home visits and outpatient visits in 2015 and 2020. Hand‐washing practices were evaluated by collecting cultures from the hands of patients after hand washing, evaluating their household environment, and recording the antimicrobial resistance of pathogenic bacteria.

Results

Compared to patients in 2015, patients in 2020 had fewer errors in hand washing (p < 0.05), but the rate of qualification after hand washing was lower (p < 0.01). Furthermore, patients who used hand disinfectants after washing had a higher qualified rate. Coagulase‐negative staphylococcus (CNS) was the most common isolated bacteria. From 2015 to 2020, the annual incidence of CNS PD peritonitis did not decrease, while the proportion of methicillin‐resistant CNS decreased.

Conclusion

The use of hand disinfectants after standard hand washing may help reduce the incidence of peritonitis in PD patients.
Comparison of CDHSG model and PCO2 in predicting mortality risk in patients with congenital diaphragmatic hernia
Authors: Öztaş Tülin , Dursun Ahmet
Published: August 2022

Congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) is one of the illnesses with high mortality and morbidity rates. The study aims to compare the Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Study Group (CDHSG) model and PCO2 in determining the mortality risk of CDH in the early postnatal period in neonates. The data of 35 patients who were treated CDH were analyzed retrospectively. The sex, gestational age, birth weight, delivery method, presence of chromosomal anomaly, congenital cardiac and other anomalies, pulmonary hypertension, the 5‐min Apgar score, PCO2 values of blood gas in the first 24 h, mode of ventilation were recorded. According to the CDHSG model, the mortality risk of CDH was divided into three categories: as low, moderate, high risk. Based on the blood gases in the first 24 h after delivery, the CDH mortality risk was considered in two categories as low and high. Based on the CDHSG model, the risk of CDH mortality was low in 11.4%, moderate in 20%, and high in 68.6%. Mortality rates were 0%, 42.8%, and 83.3%, respectively. Based on the PaCO2, the risk of CDH mortality was low in 37.1% of patients and high in 62.8%. The mortality rate was 86.3% in high‐severity patients and 30.7% in low‐risk patients. No significant difference was found between the area under the curve values of the CDHSG model and PCO2. Especially in developing countries, in cases where opportunities are limited, the severity of the disease, the need for more aggressive treatment, and the need for higher‐level intensive care can be determined with the easily accessible and low‐cost blood gas PCO2 at the bedside.
A method to improve the performance of wide dye concentration measurement based on the multi‐pathlength spectrophotometry
Authors: Jianxin Zhang , Kangping Zhang , Xuejiao Huang
Published: August 2022

Accurate measurement of dye concentration in a dyebath is a basic step for dyeing process control and dyebath reuse. The dyebath usually covers a wide concentration range. In this article, a method based on multi‐pathlength spectroscopy was proposed to improve the test performance for wide dye concentration. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) models were constructed on the combined pathlength spectra and evaluation metrics coefficient of determination () and root mean square error (RMSE) were adopted for performance comparison. Results of the single‐component experiment at different pathlengths (10, 5, 3, 2 and 1 mm) showed that for CI Acid Violet 54 and CI Acid Blue 113 the introduction of spectra at the 5 mm pathlength yielded greater performance. Further additions of lower pathlengths spectra were not as favourable as that of the 5 mm pathlength spectra for the models based on 10 mm spectra. While the upper concentration limits for three dyestuffs were raised to 0.50 g/L and 5 and 10 mm pathlengths were selected for further analysis, results demonstrated that the introduction of spectra at the 5 mm pathlength generally promoted the test performance for all three dyestuffs. Based on the results of single‐component experiment, 10 and 5 mm pathlengths were eventually decided as the detection pathlengths for three‐component solutions, and the concentration ranges of CI Acid Yellow 117, CI Acid Violet 54 and CI Acid Blue 113 were 0.03–0.48, 0.03–0.48 and 0.02–0.40 g/L, respectively. Results of three‐component experiments suggested that evaluation metrics for the three dyestuffs were raised from 0.409, 0.409 and 0.980 to 0.957, 0.992 and 0.998, respectively, by the multi‐pathlength spectroscopy technique.
Factors associated with failure of using high flow nasal cannula in children
Authors: Sunkonkit Kanokkarn , Kungsuwan Supakanya , Seetaboot Sukanlaya , Reungrongrat Sanit
Published: August 2022

Introduction

High flow nasal cannula (HFNC) has significantly success in treating acute respiratory distress while HFNC failure dramatically increases mortality and morbidity.

Objective

To describe factors associated with failure of HFNC use in children.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study using demographic and laboratory findings. We compared clinical and laboratory variables in both successful and failed HFNC groups. The correlations between factors and HFNC failure were constructed by binary logistic regression analysis.

Results

Between August 2016 and May 2018, 250 children receiving HFNC (median age 16 months; range 1–228 months, male 50.8%) were enrolled. Pneumonia was the most common cause of respiratory distress, and the median length of stay (LOS) in hospital was 11 days. HFNC failure was found 16.4% while HFNC complication was 4.8% including epistaxis, pressure sore, and gastric distension. Based on multivariable logistic regression analysis, factors associated with HFNC failure were children with congenital heart disease comorbidity (p = 0.005), HFNC use with maximum FiO2 > 0.6 (p = 0.021), lobar infiltration on chest X‐ray (p = 0.012), the reduction of heart rate, and respiratory rate <20% after 1 h of HFNC use (p = 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

HFNC is feasible to use for children with respiratory distress; however, patients with congenital heart disease, using HFNC with FiO2 > 0.6, lobar infiltration on chest X‐ray should be closely monitored. Heart rate and respiratory rate are important parameters in addition to clinical assessment for evaluating HFNC failure in children.
Policy and performance in Uganda's seed sector: Opportunities and challenges
Authors: Bagamba Fredrick , Ntakyo Proscovia R. , Otim Geoffrey , Spielman David J. , Van Campenhout Bjorn
Published: August 2022

Motivation

Efforts to increase smallholder access to improved varieties and quality seed is often central to agricultural development, economic growth, and poverty reduction in low‐income countries. Yet many governments and development partners grow impatient with slow progress in their seed sectors. Uganda stands out for its recent policy innovations, regulatory reforms, and market experiments for seed, and for the extensive analysis of its experience.

Purpose

This article reviews the changing landscape of Uganda's seed system and assesses recent policy, regulatory, and institutional changes.

Methods and approach

We draw on a wide range of documents, studies, and statistics.

Findings

The low uptake of improved varieties and quality seed in Uganda has encouraged innovation to overcome failures in the country's seed market. These innovations include regulatory changes to allow the production of quality declared seed (QDS) by smallholder seed producers; labelling to allow text message verification of seed; and crowd‐sourcing information on seed quality by farmers. All have promise, but it remains to be seen just how effective they will be. In the meantime, vested interests may resist moves to a more innovative seed sector, instead preferring to maintain the incumbent approach designed to use seed to secure political support from smallholders. This is at variance with the spirit of the 2018 legislation and subsequent regulatory reforms.

Policy implications

Uganda has a policy framework that could make a real difference to farmer access to better varieties and seed. Market innovations can help the vision to become reality. But the seed sector needs sufficient public investment to generate new varieties and foundation seed, and capacity to manage the seed market to the benefit of producers, dealers and farmers.

Having come so far, it would be counter‐productive for political economy factors to displace the efforts of private provision which is far more sustainable in the medium and long run.
Drones: Designed for Product Delivery, Revisited
Authors: Bamburry Dane
Published: August 2022

By 2030, the drone delivery market is expected to grow $5.5 billion, which is an increase from the $238 million expected by the end of this year.5

Are drones up to the challenge of alleviating the supply chain issues world economies are facing? What, if any, progress has been made in the past seven years?
Circum‐Arctic distribution of chemical anti‐herbivore compounds suggests biome‐wide trade‐off in defence strategies in Arctic shrubs
Authors: Lindén Elin , te Beest Mariska , Abreu Ilka N. , Moritz Thomas , Sundqvist Maja K. , Barrio Isabel C. , Boike Julia , Bryant John P. , Bråthen Kari Anne , Buchwal Agata , Bueno C. Guillermo , Cuerrier Alain , Egelkraut Dagmar D. , Forbes Bruce C. , Hallinger Martin , Heijmans Monique , Hermanutz Luise , Hik David S. , Hofgaard Annika , Holmgren Milena , Huebner Diane C. , Høye Toke T. , Jónsdóttir Ingibjörg S. , Kaarlejärvi Elina , Kissler Emilie , Kumpula Timo , Limpens Juul , Myers‐Smith Isla H. , Normand Signe , Post Eric , Rocha Adrian V. , Schmidt Niels Martin , Skarin Anna , Soininen Eeva M. , Sokolov Aleksandr , Sokolova Natalia , Speed James D. M. , Street Lorna , Tananaev Nikita , Tremblay Jean‐Pierre , Urbanowicz Christine , Watts David A. , Zimmermann Heike , Olofsson Johan
Published: August 2022

Spatial variation in plant chemical defence towards herbivores can help us understand variation in herbivore top–down control of shrubs in the Arctic and possibly also shrub responses to global warming. Less defended, non‐resinous shrubs could be more influenced by herbivores than more defended, resinous shrubs. However, sparse field measurements limit our current understanding of how much of the circum‐Arctic variation in defence compounds is explained by taxa or defence functional groups (resinous/non‐resinous). We measured circum‐Arctic chemical defence and leaf digestibility in resinous (Betula glandulosa, B. nana ssp. exilis) and non‐resinous (B. nana ssp. nana, B. pumila) shrub birches to see how they vary among and within taxa and functional groups. Using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC–MS) metabolomic analyses and in vitro leaf digestibility via incubation in cattle rumen fluid, we analysed defence composition and leaf digestibility in 128 samples from 44 tundra locations.

We found biogeographical patterns in anti‐herbivore defence where mean leaf triterpene concentrations and twig resin gland density were greater in resinous taxa and mean concentrations of condensing tannins were greater in non‐resinous taxa. This indicates a biome‐wide trade‐off between triterpene‐ or tannin‐dominated defences. However, we also found variations in chemical defence composition and resin gland density both within and among functional groups (resinous/non‐resinous) and taxa, suggesting these categorisations only partly predict chemical herbivore defence. Complex tannins were the only defence compounds negatively related to in vitro digestibility, identifying this previously neglected tannin group as having a potential key role in birch anti‐herbivore defence.

We conclude that circum‐Arctic variation in birch anti‐herbivore defence can be partly derived from biogeographical distributions of birch taxa, although our detailed mapping of plant defence provides more information on this variation and can be used for better predictions of herbivore effects on Arctic vegetation.
Behind the curtain: How did women's work history vary across Central and Eastern Europe?
Authors: Pérez‐Izquierdo Telmo , Pronkina Elizaveta
Published: August 2022

This paper investigates the differences in female work experience across Central and Eastern European countries (CEECs). We use retrospective SHARELIFE data to analyse women's work history from 1950 to 1990. We provide descriptive evidence that women's work experience varied across CEECs. Furthermore, we argue that comparing the former provinces of the Russian Empire in Lithuania and Poland provides a natural experiment, allowing us to disentangle the effect of the differential implementation of the Soviet regime from the pre‐existing differences. We find that during communism, Lithuanian women worked 2 years more by age 50 relative to their Polish counterparts. This effect is one‐third of that found in the East–West Germany comparison. We propose several potential mechanisms behind this finding: the degree of land collectivization, the Church's influence and the sectoral composition. Accordingly, this study's findings highlight the importance of country differences in CEECs.
COVID‐19: Vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia
Authors: Danish Fazal‐i‐Akbar , Rabani Ahmad Ehsan , Subhani Fazal‐e‐Rabi , Yasmin Saeeda , Koul Salman Shafi
Published: August 2022

In late February 2021, a prothrombotic syndrome was encountered for the first time in some of the recipients of ChAdOx1 CoV‐19 vaccine (AstraZeneca, University of Oxford, and Serum Institute of India). Since the hallmark of this syndrome is the development of thrombocytopenia and/or thrombosis between 4 and 42 days after receiving a COVID‐19 vaccine, it was named vaccine‐induced immune thrombotic thrombocytopenia (VITT). Other names include “vaccine‐induced prothrombotic immune thrombocytopenia” and “thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome” by the Centers for Disease Control and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). VITT appears similar to heparin‐induced thrombocytopenia in that “platelet activating” autoantibodies are produced in both these conditions due to prior exposure of COVID‐19 vaccine and heparin respectively, in turn causing thrombotic complications and consumptive thrombocytopenia. In this article, recent advances in the understanding of pathobiology, clinical features, investigative work‐up, and management of VITT are reviewed.
A comparison of four leukapheresis methods to harvest an optimal dose of CD34+ cells: A single center experience
Authors: Lin Yuankai , Park Youngmin , Khanal Amit , Campbell‐Lee Sally , Liu Li , Chen Zhengjia , Patel Pritesh , Vidanovic Vladimir , Sweiss Karen , Irene Grace , Peace David , Rondelli Damiano , Mahmud Nadim
Published: August 2022

Background

Chemokine receptor CXCR4 antagonist plerixafor (Px) as well as high volume (HV) leukapheresis have been shown to reduce hematopoietic stem progenitor cell (HSPC) mobilization failure rates. However, no direct comparisons of such methods currently exists.

Methods and Materials

We compared the HSPC collection yield based on basal peripheral blood CD34+ cell numbers in patients diagnosed with multiple myeloma or non‐Hodgkin's lymphoma undergoing autologous stem cell transplantation in a retrospective chart review. The leukapheresis methods used included HV versus regular volume (RV) with or without Px. There were 116 patients in the study group while the historical control group had 34 patients.

Results and Conclusions

Control group underwent RV leukapheresis without Px. Addition of Px or HV in the study group failed to display significant improvement in CD34+ cell collection yield; however, when basal CD34+ cell numbers were taken into account, both Px + RV and HV without Px increased CD34+ cell collection yield. The collection failure rates of HV without Px group were comparable to Px + RV when the basal CD34+ cell numbers were over 20/μl. Of interest, multivariate linear regression analysis did not detect any significant difference between HV versus Px + RV or other leukapheresis methods in CD34 yields or collection failure rates from a single collection after controlling for other factors (sex, age, or underlying disease). In multivariate analysis, pre apheresis CD34+ cell number was significantly and positively associated with the CD34+ cell yields from a single apheresis. In our studies, the majority of patients can be rescued without Px by HV alone as a potential cost saving approach. In summary, trend in our studies reflects that both Px and HV are capable of reducing the mobilization failure rates except the poorest mobilizers, which will need to be validated in larger studies.
Multiaxial fatigue evaluation of type 316L stainless steel based on critical plane and energy dissipation
Authors: Feng Ensheng , Wang Xiaogang , Jiang Chao
Published: August 2022

This paper focuses on a comparative study of the critical plane approach (CPA) and the dissipated energy approach (DEA) for multiaxial fatigue evaluation on an AISI 316L steel. It is a follow‐up to our previous study on the development of a DEA model for multiaxial fatigue life prediction. The results demonstrate that the developed DEA model can provide overall better performance compared with some classic CPA models both in terms of prediction accuracy and versatility to multiaxial loading paths. An in‐depth crack mechanism investigation reveals that the multiaxial fatigue life is mostly spent in the formation of micro‐cracks, which exhibits distinct characteristics under the different loading paths examined. This effect can be better considered by using DEA model compared with the CPA models adopted.
Is restricting catch to young sharks only more sustainable? Exploring a controversial management strategy for bull, tiger, blue and bonnethead sharks
Authors: de Barros Matheus Souza Ferreira , de Oliveira Cícero Diogo Lins , da Silva Batista Vandick
Published: August 2022

Proper management of shark populations is an immediate concern due to their high vulnerability. In this study, we applied stochastic demographic models for four shark species (bull shark Carcharhinus leucas, tiger shark Galeocerdo cuvier, blue shark Prionace glauca and bonnethead Sphyrna tiburo) to test how population growth behaved under different exploitation scenarios, such as the exclusion of older sharks from fisheries. Populations grew at considerably slow rates when unfished, except for P. glauca. When fisheries targeted all individuals, populations started to decline at generally very low fishing mortality and harvest rates. Conversely, when adult individuals were excluded from fisheries, population resiliency increased despite higher fishing pressures, with no negative growth rates even if harvest levels were doubled. This study indicates that conservation of these species may benefit from protecting adult stocks.
Spatio‐temporal changes in the speed of canopy development and senescence in temperate China
Authors: Piao Shilong , Wang Jiawei , Li Xiangyi , Xu Hao , Zhang Yichen
Published: August 2022

China has been suggested to be the country with the largest vegetation greenness over the last four decades. In this study, we investigated the change in the speed of canopy development and senescence as well as its linkage with climate at monthly scale across temperate China, using satellite‐derived Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) data from 1982 to 2015. A significant increase in mean monthly NDVI occurred across all growing‐season months except June and November, but this greening trend was mainly contributed by the faster speed of canopy development in April and the slower speed of canopy senescence in October. The average of VNDVI (the difference in NDVI between 2 consecutive months) over temperate China is significantly increased only in April (7.75 × 10−4 year−1, p < .05) and October (4.98 × 10−4 year−1, p < .05). In contrast, VNDVI in November is significantly decreased, indicating an increasing trend in the magnitude of leaf fall in the last month of the growing season due to both increase in season maximum greenness and slower canopy senescence in October. We also found clear seasonal differences in the correlations between VNDVI and climatic factors, especially temperature. In April and October, the correlations between VNDVI and temperature were generally positive, while they were negative in June. VNDVI in spring (early growing season) and summer (middle growing season) was also positively correlated with precipitation in semiarid regions. Such seasonally distinct climatic controls on VNDVI should be considered in modelling vegetation responses to climate change. Overall, our findings can help quantify the contribution of different climatic drivers on the shifts in canopy development and senescence and better elucidate the change in vegetation greenness under future climate change.
Explaining the working mechanism of laser‐activated irrigation and its action on microbial biofilms: A high‐speed imaging study
Authors: Swimberghe Rosalie C. D. , Tzourmanas Rizos , De Moor Roeland J. G. , Braeckmans Kevin , Coenye Tom , Meire Maarten A.
Published: August 2022

Aim

Laser‐activated irrigation (LAI) using pulsed erbium lasers has been studied with regard to canal cleaning, but its working mechanism remains poorly understood. This study sought to unravel the method of action of LAI and to assess its effect on bacterial biofilms in a root canal model, by means of high‐speed imaging.

Methodology

A root canal model consisting of dentine and glass walls was used. Visualization of the canal space during activation was achieved with a high‐speed camera, capturing 20‐s activation series at 50 000 frames per second. Recordings were made of canal models filled with water, models filled with water containing glass microspheres, and models with a biofilm (an undefined biofilm originating from oral samples, a 1‐week‐old Enterococcus faecalis biofilm or a 11‐day‐old multispecies biofilm) grown on the dentine walls. LAI parameters were 2940 nm, 15 Hz, 50 μs, 20 mJ and 400 μm conical tip held at orifice level. Quantitative (measurement of size, life time and timing of cavitation bubbles; velocity and amplitude of root canal content movement) and qualitative (descriptive) analysis of the intracanal events was performed using imaging software.

Results

During the implosion of the primary bubble, smaller cavitation bubbles emerged throughout the entire canal. This process began in the coronal canal part and continued in the apical direction. Expansion of these bubbles was followed by an implosion, and this volumetric change over a time span of a few 100 μs resulted in a very rapid vertical movement of the canal content with a mean amplitude of 900 μm. The succession of these movements with every pulse, resulted in biofilm detachment from the root canal walls and the gradual displacement of fragments coronally, until their complete removal. The pattern of the biofilm removal was the same for all groups. LAI was able to remove biofilm from the root canal models.

Conclusions

The hydrodynamic effect of LAI is based on the generation of small cavitation bubbles throughout the entire canal, far from the primary bubble. Their volumetric oscillation results in a small yet very fast vertical movement of the root canal content and local liquid streaming on each pulse, resulting in biofilm detachment and coronal displacement.
Effect of laser parameters and atmosphere in the structuring of aluminum nitride
Authors: Shao Jing , Dong Hao , Zhang Ruolan , Wang Yingming , Han Suli
Published: August 2022

The characteristics and formation mechanism of V‐shaped groove formed by laser‐activated metallization of aluminum nitride (AlN) ceramic under different shielding gas environments of air, nitrogen, and argon are investigated, using a novel analysis way which is based on the intensity distribution of the focused laser beam. It is found that the width of the V‐shaped groove is slightly different under different gas environments, and the depth of the V‐shaped groove is nearly the same, which means that the energy thresholds required for laser decomposition of AlN ceramic are different in various gas environments: air > nitrogen > argon, and the energy required for laser etching AlN ceramic is the same. It is also found that the nonlinearity in the curves of depth and width versus different machining parameters, which are explained in detail.
High‐entropy La(Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cr0.2Mn0.2)O3 ceramic exhibiting high emissivity and low thermal conductivity
Authors: Wang Qu , Zhang Qi , Wang Gang , Zhang Yifan , Xia Miao
Published: August 2022

A novel, high‐entropy, perovskite‐structured, solid solution La(Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cr0.2Mn0.2)O3 ceramic was successfully synthesized via high‐temperature solid‐state reaction. The crystal structure, microstructure, infrared emissivity, and thermophysical properties were investigated. The experimental results indicated that La(Fe0.2Co0.2Ni0.2Cr0.2Mn0.2)O3 exhibited an infrared emissivity as high as .92 in the near‐infrared region of .76–2.50 μm. The thermal conductivity was 1.38–1.72 W m−1 K−1 in the temperature range of 25–1200°C.
Conductivity enhancement within garnet‐rich polymer composite electrolytes via the addition of succinonitrile
Authors: Vanita Vanita , Waidha Aamir Iqbal , Yadav Sandeep , Schneider Jörg J. , Clemens Oliver
Published: August 2022

All‐solid‐state lithium‐ion batteries (ASSLIBs) are promising alternatives to conventional organic electrolyte‐based batteries due to their higher safety and higher energy densities. Despite advantages, ASSLIBs suffer from issues like high charge transfer resistances due to the brittleness of the inorganic solid electrolyte and chemical instabilities at the lithium/electrolyte interface. Within this work, we investigate composite electrolytes (CEs) based on garnet‐type Li6.4La3Zr1.4Ta0.6O12 (LLZTO), polyethylene oxide, and lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, prepared via a solvent‐free cryo‐milling approach in contrast to conventional solvent‐mediated synthesis. Compositions ranging from polymer‐rich to garnet‐rich systems are investigated via X‐ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in order to determine the compatibility of the cryo‐milling process toward membrane fabrication along with the possible chemical interactions between the composite membrane components. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy is used to study the role of ceramic to polymer weight fraction on ionic conductivity. It is shown that the addition of succinonitrile (SCN) to the garnet‐rich CEs can significantly improve the ionic conductivity compared to the SCN‐free CEs.
Sol–gel synthesis and characterization of lithium aluminate (L–A–H) and lithium aluminosilicate (L–A–S–H) gels
Authors: Simon Sebastian , Bertmer Marko , Gluth Gregor J. G.
Published: August 2022

Hydrous lithium aluminosilicate (L–A–S–H) and lithium aluminate (L–A–H) gels are candidate precursors for glass‐ceramics and ceramics with potential advantages over conventional processing routes. However, their structure before calcination remained largely unknown, despite the importance of precursor structure on the properties of the resulting materials. In the present study, it is demonstrated that L–A–S–H and L–A–H gels with Li/Al ≤ 1 can be produced via an organic steric entrapment route, while higher Li/Al ratios lead to crystallization of gibbsite or nordstrandite. The composition and the structure of the gels was studied by thermogravimetric analysis, X‐ray diffraction, 27Al and 29Si magic‐angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance, and Raman spectroscopy. Aluminium was found to be almost exclusively in six‐fold coordination in both the L–A–H and the L–A–S–H gels. Silicon in the L–A–S–H gels was mainly in Q4 sites and to a lesser extent in Q3 sites (four‐fold coordination with no Si–O–Al bonds). The results thus indicate that silica‐rich and aluminium‐rich domains formed in these gels.
Effect of Ce3+doping on phase and microwave dielectric properties of 0.94MgTiO3−0.06(Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3ceramics
Authors: Shi Tong , Zhang Fan , Sun Wuyou , Li Jinrui , Bai Yu , Wang Chao , Liu Shiying , Wang Xin , Yang Yunhong , Wang Zhan jie
Published: August 2022

In this study, 0.94Mg(1‐3x/2)CexTiO3−0.06(Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3(MCexT−CST, 0≤x≤0.01) composite ceramics were prepared at a low temperature of 1175°C by using the 50‐nm‐sized powders. The effects of Ce3+doping on crystalline phase, microstructure, and microwave dielectric properties of MCexT−CST were studied. A main ilmenite (Mg,Ce)TiO3phase and a minor perovskite (Ca0.8Sr0.2)TiO3phase coexist well with the appearance of impurity MgTi2O5phase in MCexT−CST. The dielectric properties of MCexT−CST are affected by the molecular polarizability, the impurity phase, and the Ce3+doping. The replacement of Mg2+by high valence Ce3+could effectively inhibit the formation of oxygen vacancy, resulting in the enhancement ofQ×f. Whenx = 0.005, MCexT−CST exhibits microwave dielectric properties with a moderateεrof 21.5, a highQ×fof 67 000 GHz, and a near‐zeroτfof −0.74 ppm/°C. The results reveal that the Ce3+substitution is a prospective approach to optimize the microwave dielectric properties of MgTiO3‐based ceramics.
eWOM processing from receiver perspective: Conceptualising the relationships
Authors: Le Tri D. , Robinson Linda J. , Dobele Angela R.
Published: August 2022

Electronic word‐of‐mouth (eWOM) communication is considered an important source of information for consumers. In existing frameworks and empirical studies, factors that lead to eWOM influence have been categorised into three essential elements equivalent to the three elements of communication processing: source, receiver and message. eWOM requires a more elaborate form of information processing, given the many‐to‐many nature of such communications and that the types of information processing differ between novice and experienced consumers. However, there is no conceptualisation that demonstrates the relationships among the factors of eWOM from this critical information processing perspective. Further, there is limited discourse on the situation and communication channel, although the situation and platform characteristics shape the nature of communication in the digital age. This paper reports insights obtained from an extensive literature review and presents a broader categorisation encompassing the factors of source, receiver, message, situation, task involvement and channel. Research propositions and recommendations for further research into eWOM processing are offered.
Clinical triad with multi‐biopsy histopathology as a reliable diagnostic marker of mycetomas: a retrospective review from a tertiary care center
Authors: Ansari Farzana , Singh Saurabh , Bhardwaj Abhishek , Budania Anil , Bains Anupama , Nalwa Aasma , Khera Sudeep , Elhence Poonam , Patel Ankur , Yadav Taruna , Khera Pushpinder
Published: August 2022

Background

Mycetoma is a neglected tropical infectious disease which runs a prolonged and protracted course. Microbiological confirmation is diagnostic yet unreliable due to poor sensitivity and variable availability of culture facilities in resource poor settings.

Methods

A retrospective review was performed on electronic records (histopathology, microbiology, and radiology) of all patients who underwent skin biopsies with mycetoma as one of the clinical differential diagnoses from year 2016 to 2020.

Results

Out of 73 patients biopsied with a differential of mycetoma, 42 fit the clinical triad of swelling‐sinuses‐granules. After clinical, microbiological, pathological, and radiological correlation, 31 cases were of eumycetoma and seven were of actinomycetoma. Mean patient age was 37.58 ± 13.8 years with a male to female ratio 2.45 : 1 and mean disease duration of 11.31 ± 10.9 years. Histopathological findings revealed fungal hyphae in 18 cases and gram‐positive bacteria in six cases. Fungal culture was positive in 13 cases with the three commonest organisms being Madurella mycetomatis in five cases, Fusarium and Aspergillus nidulans in two cases each. X‐ray changes of soft tissue, bones, and joints were seen in 25 cases, and “dot‐in‐circle” sign was seen in eight of nine MRIs.

Conclusion

Eumycetoma was more common than actinomycetoma in our setup, ratio being 4.43 : 1. A clinical triad of swelling, multiple sinuses and grainy discharge with any one diagnostic support (histopathology/radiology) is sufficient to make a definitive diagnosis of mycetoma in the absence of microbiological identification.
Changes of platelet levels in routine blood tests may predict the possible remission and relapse of autoimmune bullous disease
Authors: Zhou Zhijun , Li Na , Li Huicheng , Shi Luhuai , Gao Yangmin , Liu Weijun , Wang Xiaobing , Qian Hua , Li Xiaoguang
Published: August 2022

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