bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Biomechanical characteristics of transfemoral bone-anchored prostheses during gait: A review of literature
Authors: Ravari Reihaneh , Rehani Mayank , Hebert Jacqueline S.
Published: August 2023

Background:

Osseointegration (OI) is an emerging technique that allows a direct connection between the bone and a titanium metal implant, allowing the direct attachment of bone-anchored prostheses (BAP) to address the problems associated with socket prostheses. This review article aims to compare the biomechanical features of gait when using a transfemoral BAP in comparison to healthy gait, and in comparison to the gait of traditional transfemoral socket prosthesis users.

Methods:

A computer-based literature search of electronic databases since inception (ranging from 1967 to 2004 depending on the database) to June 14, 2022, identified peer-reviewed articles focusing on the temporal-spatial, kinematic, kinetic, and electromyography data related to transfemoral BAP gait. Eight articles were included that focused on these biomechanical features of gait in adults with BAP and were compared with socket prosthesis users or healthy gait.

Results:

Compared with healthy participants, prosthesis users after OI surgery have slower speed and cadence, lower symmetry, longer duration of swing phase, increased pelvic and trunk motion, more hip extension, larger moments on the intact limb, and lower forces on the prosthetic side. Compared with transfemoral socket prosthesis gait, BAP gait shows faster cadence and longer duration of support phase. There are limited and inconsistent data on changes in trunk, pelvic, and hip motion with OI.

Conclusion:

Based on this review, transfemoral BAP improve spatial-temporal parameters closer to normal gait when compared to socket gait, but there are persisting deficits compared with healthy gait. Additional studies are needed to confirm the changes in kinematics and kinetics when walking with a BAP.
Long-Term Aesthetic Cicatrization Analysis of Lower Eyelid Incision for Orbital Floor Fracture Approach
Authors: Beneduce Nicola , Cassoni Andrea , Di Giorgio Danilo , Priore Paolo , Della Monaca Marco , Battisti Andrea , Valentini Valentino
Published: August 2023

Orbital fractures are among the most frequent facial injuries. Of the 3 most widely described approaches in the literature, the lower eyelid approach is the authors’ preference. This study retrospectively analyzed the patients treated at the Trauma Center of the Umberto I Hospital, Sapienza University of Rome from January 2010 to December 2020.

Inclusion criteria were as follows: diagnosis of pure/impure orbital bone fracture, complete clinical and radiological documentation, and a minimum of 12 months follow-up. Sex, age, etiology, treatment, and associated complications were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics. Two internationally validated scales were used for the functional and esthetic long-term evaluation: the Patient and Observer Scar Assessment Scale (POSAS) and the Vancouver one. The scales were compiled by the patient himself and by 3 independent expert observers. Of the 543 patients who underwent surgery in the specified period, 208 fully met the inclusion criteria. One hundred forty-two (68.2%) were males and 66 (31.8%) were females, with a mean age of 40.68 years. The main cause was represented by assaults (33.1%). One hundred seventy-nine patients had a pure orbital fracture (83.8%) and 29 an impure one (16.2%). The most frequent symptoms at the time of diagnosis were diplopia (31.2%), followed by anesthesia of the second trigeminal branch (24.3%). Open reduction with internal fixation was the preferred treatment and proved to be effective in reducing the main signs and symptoms of the fracture in a statistically significant way (P < 0.05). Long-term esthetic results of the lower eyelid, using the Vancouver and POSASs, were respectively as follows: Vancouver Scar Scale mean total score was 2.41 (range: 0–8), observer POSAS mean total score was 1.83 (range: 1.2–3.9), observer general opinion mean score was 1.66, patient POSAS mean total score was 2.23 (range: 1.33–3.7), and patient general opinion mean score was 2.87.

The lower eyelid approach has proven to be reproducible, with a fast-learning curve and a low complication rate. The analysis conducted highlighted an excellent long-term esthetic-functional result. Further studies will be needed to statistically compare the results obtained with other orbital floor surgical approaches.
Sequencing of Physically Interacting Cells in Human Kidney Allograft Rejection to Infer Contact-dependent Immune Cell Transcription
Authors: Leckie-Harre Aidan , Silverman Isabel , Wu Haojia , Humphreys Benjamin D. , Malone Andrew F.
Published: August 2023

Background.

Rejection requires cell–cell contact involving immune cells. Inferring the transcriptional programs of cell–cell interactions from single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) data is challenging as spatial information is lost.

Methods.

We combined a CD45pos enrichment strategy with Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by sequencing based quantification of leukocyte surface proteins to analyze cell–cell interactions in 11 human kidney transplant biopsies encompassing a spectrum of rejection diagnoses. scRNA-seq was performed using the 10X Genomics platform. We applied the sequencing physically interacting cells computational method to deconvolute the transcriptional profiles of heterotypic physically interacting cells.

Results.

The 11 human allograft biopsies generated 31 203 high-quality single-cell libraries. Clustering was further refined by combining Cellular Indexing of Transcriptomes and Epitopes by sequencing data from 6 different leukocyte-specific surface proteins. Three of 6 doublet clusters were identified as physically interacting cell complexes; macrophages or dendritic cells bound to B cells or plasma cells; natural killer (NK) or T cells bound to macrophages or dendritic cells and NK or T cells bound to endothelial cells. Myeloid-lymphocyte physically interacting cell complexes expressed activated and proinflammatory genes. Lymphocytes physically interacting with endothelial cells were enriched for NK and CD4 T cells. NK cell–endothelial cell contact caused increased expression of endothelial proinflammatory genes CXCL9 and CXCL10 and NK cell proinflammatory genes CCL3, CCL4, and GNLY.

Conclusions.

The transcriptional profiles of physically interacting cells from human kidney transplant biopsies can be inferred from scRNA-seq data using the sequencing physically interacting cells method. This approach complements previous methods that estimate cell–cell physical contact from scRNA-seq data.
Baseline and Serial BNP Measurements Predict Long-Term Mortality in Adults with Congenital Heart Disease: A study including 3,392 patients
Authors: Yumita Yusuke , Xu Zhuoyuan , Diller Gerhard-Paul , Kempny Aleksander , Rafiq Isma , Montanaro Claudia , Li Wei , Niwa Koichiro , Gu Hong , Dimopoulos Konstantinos , Gatzoulis Michael A , Brida Margarita
Published: August 2023

Background

Although there is an ever growing number of adult patients with congenital heart disease (ACHD), many are still afflicted by premature death. Previous reports suggested that natriuretic peptides may identify ACHD patients with adverse outcome. We investigated the prognostic power of brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) across the spectrum of ACHD in a large contemporary cohort.

Methods

We retrospectively studied 3,392 consecutive and well-characterised ACHD patients under long-term follow-up at a tertiary ACHD centre between 2006-2019. The primary study endpoint was all-cause mortality.

Results

A total of 11,974 BNP measurements were analysed. The median BNP at baseline was 47 [24-107] ng/L. During a median follow-up of 8.6 years (29,115 patient-years), 615 (18.1%) patients died. On univariate and multivariate analysis both baseline BNP and temporal changes in BNP levels were predictive of mortality (p<0.001 for both) independent of congenital heart disease diagnosis, complexity, anatomic/haemodynamic features, and/or systolic systemic ventricular function. Patients within the highest quartile of baseline BNP (>107 ng/L) and those within the highest quartile of temporal BNP change (>35 ng/L) had 5.8 and 3.6-fold increased risk of death, respectively.

Conclusion

Baseline BNP and temporal BNP changes are both significantly associated with all-cause mortality in ACHD independent of congenital heart disease diagnosis, complexity, anatomic/haemodynamic features, and/or systolic systemic ventricular function. BNP levels represent an easy to obtain and inexpensive marker conveying prognostic information and should be used for the routine surveillance of patients with ACHD.
Comorbidity Profiles of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Across the Medical Phenome
Authors: Hicks Emily M. , Niarchou Maria , Goleva Slavina , Kabir Dia , Ciarcia Julia ,   PTSD & Trauma EHR Working Group, Smoller Jordan W. , Davis Lea K. , Nievergelt Caroline M. , Koenen Karestan C. , Huckins Laura M. , Choi Karmel W.
Published: August 2023

Background

Prior epidemiological research has linked PTSD with specific physical health problems, but the comprehensive landscape of medical conditions associated with PTSD remains uncharacterized. Electronic health records (EHR) provide an opportunity to overcome prior clinical knowledge gaps and uncover associations with biological relevance that potentially vary by sex.

Methods

PTSD was defined among biobank participants (total N=123,365) in a major healthcare system using two ICD code-based definitions: broad (1+ PTSD or acute stress codes versus 0; NCase=14,899) and narrow (2+ PTSD codes versus 0; NCase=3,026). Using a phenome-wide association (PheWAS) design, we tested associations between each PTSD definition and all prevalent disease umbrella categories, i.e., phecodes. We also conducted sex-stratified PheWAS analyses including a sex-by-diagnosis interaction term in each logistic regression.

Results

A substantial number of phecodes were significantly associated with PTSDNarrow(61%) and PTSDBroad(83%). While top associations were shared between the two definitions, PTSDBroadcaptured 334 additional phecodes not significantly associated with PTSDNarrowand exhibited a wider range of significantly associated phecodes across various categories, including respiratory, genitourinary, and circulatory conditions. Sex differences were observed, in that PTSDBroadwas more strongly associated with osteoporosis, respiratory failure, hemorrhage, and pulmonary heart disease among male patients, and with urinary tract infection, acute pharyngitis, respiratory infections, and overweight among female patients.

Conclusions

This study provides valuable insights into a diverse range of comorbidities associated with PTSD, including both known and novel associations, while highlighting the influence of sex differences and the impact of defining PTSD using EHR.
Sex differences in the pleiotropy of hearing difficulty with imaging-derived phenotypes: a brain-wide investigation
Authors: He Jun , Cabrera-Mendoza Brenda , Angelis Flavio De , Pathak Gita A. , Koller Dora , Curhan Sharon G. , Curhan Gary C. , Mecca Adam P. , van Dyck Christopher H. , Polimanti Renato
Published: August 2023

Background

Hearing difficulty (HD) is one of the major health burdens in older adults. While aging-related changes in the peripheral auditory system play an important role, genetic variation associated with brain structure and function could also be involved in HD predisposition.

Methods

We analyzed a large-scale HD genome-wide association study (GWAS; Ntotal= 501,825, 56% females) and GWAS data related to 3,935 brain imaging-derived phenotypes (IDPs) assessed in up to 33,224 individuals (52% females) using multiple magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) modalities. To investigate HD pleiotropy with brain structure and function, we conducted genetic correlation, latent causal variable (LCV), Mendelian randomization (MR), and multivariable generalized linear regression analyses. Additionally, we performed local genetic correlation and multi-trait colocalization analyses to identify genomic regions and loci implicated in the pleiotropic mechanisms shared between HD and brain IDPs.

Results

We observed a widespread genetic correlation of HD with 120 IDPs in females, 89 IDPs in males, and 171 IDPs in the sex-combined analysis. The LCV analyses showed that some of these genetic correlations could be due to cause-effect relationships. For seven correlations, the causal effects were also confirmed by the MR approach: vessel volume→HD in the sex-combined analysis; hippocampus volume→HD, cerebellum grey matter volume→HD, primary visual cortex volume→HD, and HD→rfMRI-ICA100 node 46 in females; global mean thickness→HD and HD→mean orientation dispersion index in superior corona radiata in males. The local genetic correlation analyses identified 13 pleiotropic regions between HD and these seven IDPs. We also observed a colocalization signal for the rs13026575 variant between HD, primary visual cortex volume, andSPTBN1transcriptomic regulation in females.

Conclusion

Brain structure and function may have a role in the sex differences in HD predisposition via possible cause-effect relationships and shared regulatory mechanisms.
Glioblastoma-infiltrating CD8+T cells are predominantly a clonally expandedGZMK+effector population
Authors: Wang Anthony Z. , Mashimo Bryce L. , Schaettler Maximilian O. , Sherpa Ngima D. , Leavitt Lydia A. , Livingstone Alexandra J. , Khan Saad M. , Li Mao , Anzaldua-Campos Markus , Bradley Joseph D. , Leuthardt Eric C. , Kim Albert H. , Dowling Joshua L. , Chicoine Michael R. , Jones Pamela S. , Choi Bryan D. , Cahill Daniel P. , Carter Bob S. , Petti Allegra A. , Johanns Tanner M. , Dunn Gavin P.
Published: August 2023

Recent clinical trials have highlighted the limited efficacy of T cell-based immunotherapy in patients with glioblastoma (GBM). To better understand the characteristics of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) in GBM, we performed cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing (CITE-seq) and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) with paired V(D)J sequencing, respectively, on TIL from two cohorts of patients totaling 15 patients with high grade glioma, including GBM or astrocytoma, IDH mutant, grade 4 (G4A). Analysis of the CD8+TIL landscape reveals an enrichment of clonally expandedGZMK+effector T cells in the tumor compared to matched blood, which was validated at the protein level. Furthermore, integration with other cancer types highlights the lack of a canonically exhausted CD8+T cell population in GBM TIL. These data suggest thatGZMK+effector T cells represent an important T cell subset within the GBM microenvironment and which may harbor potential therapeutic implications.

Significance

In order to understand the limited efficacy of immune checkpoint blockade in GBM, we endeavor to understand the TIL landscape through a multi-omics approach. In this study, by highlighting the enrichment ofGZMK+effector T cells and lack of exhausted T cells, we provide a new potential mechanism of resistance to immunotherapy in GBM.
Combined topological data analysis and geometric deep learning reveal niches by the quantification of protein binding pockets
Authors: Jiang Peiran , Lugo-Martinez Jose
Published: August 2023

Protein pockets are essential for many proteins to carry out their functions. Locating and measuring protein pockets as well as studying the anatomy of pockets helps us further understand protein function. Most research studies focus on learning either local or global information from protein structures. However, there is a lack of studies that leverage the power of integrating both local and global representations of these structures. In this work, we combine topological data analysis (TDA) and geometric deep learning (GDL) to analyze the putative protein pockets of enzymes. TDA captures blueprints of the global topological invariant of protein pockets, whereas GDL decomposes the fingerprints to building blocks of these pockets. This integration of local and global views provides a comprehensive and complementary understanding of the protein structural motifs (nichesfor short) within protein pockets. We also analyze the distribution of the building blocks making up the pocket and profile the predictive power of coupling local and global representations for the task of discriminating between enzymes and non-enzymes. We demonstrate that our representation learning framework for macromolecules is particularly useful when the structure is known, and the scenarios heavily rely on local and global information.
HER2 overexpression initiates breast tumorigenesis non-cell-autonomously by inducing oxidative stress in the tissue microenvironment
Authors: Gurler Sevim B. , Wagstaff Oliver , Dimitrova Lili , Chen Fuhui , Pedley Robert , Weston William , Donaldson Ian J. , Telfer Brian A. , Novo David , Pavlou Kyriaki , Taylor George , Ou Yaqing , Williams Kaye J. , Gilmore Andrew , Brennan Keith , Ucar Ahmet
Published: August 2023

HER2 is considered as a driver oncogene responsible for the HER2+ subtype of breast cancer. However, it is still unclear how HER2 induces the oncogenic transformation of breast cancer stem cells (BCSCs) and initiates tumorigenesis during premalignant stage breast cancer. Here, we used clinical samples and mouse models of HER2+ breast cancer to demonstrate that neither BCSCs nor their cell-of-origin express HER2/Neu in early-stage breast tumors. Instead, our results demonstrate that Neu overexpression results in the transformation of BCSCs in a non-cell-autonomous manner via triggering DNA damage and somatic mutagenesis in their Neu-negative cell-of-origin. This is caused by the increased oxidative stress in the tissue microenvironment generated by altered energy metabolism and increased reactive oxygen species levels in Neu-overexpressing mammary ducts. Therefore, our findings illustrate a previously unrecognized mechanism of HER2-induced breast tumor initiationin vivowith potential impacts on future preventive treatments for HER2+ premalignant breast cancer.
Neural correlates of aggression outcome expectation and their association with aggression: A voxel-based morphometry study
Authors: Gong Xinyu , Hu Bohua , Wang Liang , He Qinghua , Xia Ling-Xiang
Published: August 2023

Background

The aggression outcome expectation is believed to be an important cognitively influencing factor of aggression. Discovering the neural mechanism of aggression outcome expectation is conductive to develop aggression research. However, the neural correlates underlying aggression outcome expectation and its deleterious effect remain elusive.

Methods

In this study, we utilized voxel-based morphometry (VBM) to unravel the neural architecture of aggression outcome expectation measured by the Social Emotional Information Processing Assessment for Adults and and its relationship with aggression measured by the Buss Perry Aggression Questionnaire in a sample of 185 university students (114 female; mean age = 19.94 ± 1.62 years; age range: 17-32 years).

Results

The results showed a significantly positive correlation between aggression outcome expectation and the regional gray matter volume (GMV) in the right middle temporal gyrus (MTG) (x = 55.5, y = -58.5, z = 1.5; t =3.35; cluster sizes =352,p< 0.05, GRF corrected). Moreover, aggression outcome expectation acted as a mediator underlying the association between the right MTG volume and aggression.

Conclusions

These results found the neural correlates of aggression outcome expectation and its effect on aggression for the first time, which may contribute to our understanding of the cognitive neural mechanism of aggression and tentatively provide an effective method to identify potential neurobiological markers for aggression.
Prevalence of somatosensory modulation of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint in subjects with tinnitus: a systematic review
Authors: Segreto Marco , Giusti Andrea , Bizzarri Paolo
Published: August 2023

Background

Tinnitus is defined as the perception of a sound without a corresponding external acoustic stimulus and is considered a symptom rather than a disease. In some individuals, it can be evoked or modulated by input from the somatosensory, somatomotor, and visual-motor systems. This has led to the introduction of the term: ‘‘somatosensory modulation of tinnitus’’. In these cases, the psychoacoustic attributes of tinnitus (loudness and pitch) can change as a result of external stimuli such as strong contractions of the muscles of the head, neck, limbs, orofacial movements, and eye movements. The temporomandibular joint and cervical spine, along with the head, appear to be the musculoskeletal anatomical regions most commonly underlying somatic tinnitus. This review aims to evaluate the prevalence of somatosensory modulation of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint in subjects with tinnitus.

Methods

The databases investigated for the review were: Embase, Pubmed, Scopus, and Web of Science. Observational studies investigating the prevalence of somatosensory modulation of the cervical spine and temporomandibular joint in subjects with tinnitus were included. No time limit was entered into the search and no age or language restrictions were applied.

Results

14 studies met the eligibility criteria on which the review was based. In 5 studies, the prevalence of tinnitus modulation was reported with one or more maneuvers involving TMJ, in 3 studies with one or more maneuvers involving the cervical spine and 7 studies reported the prevalence of modulation following maneuvers for both somatic regions.

Conclusion

The present study confirmed that tinnitus perception and intensity can be somatically modulated in a subpopulation of individuals. The cervical spine and the ATM play a key role in the modulation of tinnitus and, based on the data collected on individual districts, the ATM appears to be the most frequently involved somatic region.
The Impact of Laterality on the Incidence and Prognosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yang , Huang Yucong , Kang Jihui , Yao Shuzhong , Gu Langyu , Yang Guofen
Published: August 2023

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is the most common type of ovarian cancer, and its mortality rate is the highest among gynecological malignancies. Despite numerous factors being linked to the prognosis of EOC, the impact of ovarian laterality has received limited attention. In this study, we comprehensively examined the effects of laterality (left-right and bilateral-unilateral) on the incidence and prognosis of EOC, with a particular focus on different subtypes. By utilizing a large clinical database, we found that laterality differences primarily existed between unilateral and bilateral cases in terms of both incidence and prognosis. Specifically, unilateral tumour development was predominantly observed in patients with clear cell, endometrioid, and mucinous ovarian cancer subtypes, while bilateral involvement was more common in serous ovarian cancer. Laterality differences, reflecting disparities between the left and right sides, were primarily observed in various stages of the overall population and within specific EOC subtypes. Specifically, significant differences in EOC incidence between the left and right sides at different stages were observed in the overall population, as well as in clear cell, endometrioid, and serous ovarian cancer subtypes. Although no significant differences in the incidence rate between the left and right sides were noted for mucinous ovarian cancer, the prognosis was substantially better on the right side compared to the left side. These findings underscore the importance of considering ovarian laterality, both in terms of left-right and bilateral-unilateral aspects, as a critical factor associated with the incidence and prognosis of EOC. Therefore, it should be taken into account in clinical practice, particularly in the context of different tumour stages and subtypes of EOC.
A Proof-of-Concept Preparation of Lipid-Plasmid DNA Particles Using Novel Extrusion Based 3D Printing Technology, SMART
Authors: Chakka Jaidev , Maniruzzaman Mohammed
Published: August 2023

Gene therapy is a promising approach with delivery of messenger RNA, small interference RNA, and plasmid DNA to elicit a therapeutic actionin vitrousing cationic or ionizable lipid nanoparticles. In the present study, a novel extrusion based Sprayed Multi-Adsorbed droplet Reposing Technology (SMART) developed in-house was employed for preparation, characterization, and transfection abilities of the green fluorescence protein (GFP) plasmid DNA in cancer cellsin vitro. The lipid composition (ionizable) and plasmid DNA (pDNA, GFP) were mixed in a 1:1 ratio using SMART technology at 1, 5, 8 & 10 N/P ratios. The particles were characterized to determine particle size (DLS), zeta potential and morphology using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The particle size yielded for all N/P ratios is in the range of 100 nm to 200 nm. Thein vitrotransfection was carried out in MG63 cells showed optimal formulation N/P 8 with expression of GFP protein. The toxicity study through MTT assay showed N/P 8 with toxicity lower than other groups. The results showed that the processes developed using SMART technology are consistent and can be utilized for commercial applications.
Construction of superhydrophobic film on the titanium alloy welded joint and its corrosion resistance study
Authors: Zhang Dalei , Zhang Xinwei , Wei Enze , Dou Xiaohui , He Zonghao
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study aims to improve the corrosion resistance of TA2-welded joints by superhydrophobic surface modification using micro-arc oxidation technology and low surface energy substance modification.

Design/methodology/approach

The microstructure and chemical state of the superhydrophobic film layer were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, three-dimensional morphology, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared absorption spectroscopy. The influence of the superhydrophobic film layer on the corrosion resistance of TA2-welded joints was investigated using classical electrochemical testing methods.

Findings

The characterization results showed that the super hydrophobic TiO2 ceramic membrane was successfully constructed on the surface of the TA2-welded joint, and the construction of the super hydrophobic film greatly improved the corrosion resistance of the TA2-welded joint.

Originality/value

The superhydrophobic TiO2 ceramic membrane has excellent corrosion resistance. The micro nanostructure in the superhydrophobic film can intercept air to form an air layer to prevent the corrosion medium from contacting the surface, thus, improving the corrosion resistance of the sample.
The audit committee and dividend policy: an empirical study of the post-SOX era
Authors: Buertey Samuel , Nguyen Ha Thanh , Thompson Ephraim Kwashie
Published: August 2023

Purpose

Post-Sarbanes Oxley Act (SOX), the audit committee has been empowered greatly to play a central role in the corporate governance of firms. Embedded in agency theory, this study aims to examine the effect of the audit committee on the likelihood by firms to pay dividends.

Design/methodology/approach

The study population is US firms in the Institutional Shareholder Services (ISS) database from 2007 to 2018. The authors apply the multivariate logit fixed-effect regression for the analyses after conducting the appropriate statistical tests.

Findings

From the results of the research model, the authors find that there is a positive relationship between the size and gender diversity of the audit committee and the propensity to pay dividends suggesting that a larger audit committee with substantial women representation improve the information environment in firms leading to higher dividend distribution. The extent of busyness of the audit committee impacts negatively on the propensity to pay dividends. The results are driven by high-performing firms and not driven by specific levels of firm size.

Research limitations/implications

The findings of the study give impetus to the audit committee as an important component of the corporate governance mechanism that advances the interest of stakeholders. Thus, efforts that seeks to promote the audit committee’s resourcefulness must be embraced by all stakeholders.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to focus on audit committee and dividend payout policy of US firms post-SOX. The study demonstrates how the audit committee characteristics including its size, gender diversity and busyness affect dividend policy by mitigating information asymmetry problems.
Tramadol control measures and supply for health-care services: findings from Ghana and other West African countries
Authors: Ane Maria-Goretti
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of tramadol in pain management and the impact of regulatory measures on supply and medical access in Ghana and other African countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted an exploratory design and qualitative methods to explore the perspectives of different actors, including officials of regulatory agencies, law enforcement agents, health-care providers and non-medical tramadol users. Data were collected through individual and group interviews, and transcripts were subjected to thematic analysis.

Findings

Findings show that tramadol fills a critical gap in treating pain across Ghana in areas with an acute shortage of opioid analgesics due to scheduling-related barriers. This was partly due to porous borders allowing for an influx of tramadol into the countries. The study further found that most tramadol purchases in Ghana and other West African countries were made from market traders rather than from health-care settings and were mainly generic medicines categorised as “substandard/spurious/falsely-labelled/falsified/counterfeit medical products” within the World Health Organization standards.

Research limitations/implications

Although the findings are instructive, there were some limitations worth noting. The study encountered several limitations, especially with the non-medical users, because the environment is highly criminalised, People who use drugs were unwilling to avail themselves for fear of law enforcement officers’ harassment. Obtaining ethical clearance had its own bureaucracy – challenges that delayed the study time frame.

Practical implications

Placing tramadol under the list of internationally controlled substances would create barriers to access to effective pain medications, particularly by the poor, and encourage victimisation of users by law enforcement authorities.

Originality/value

The study is based on empirical research on tramadol use and regulation in African countries, contributing to knowledge in an under-researched subject area on the continent. The comparative approach further adds value to the research.
Intellectual capital development; a pre-requisite for leaders’ heuristics in times of uncertainties
Authors: Hevi Stewart Selase , Agbenorxevi Clemence Dupey , Malcalm Ebenezer
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper investigates the relationship between intellectual capital development, managerial heuristics and innovation capability among SMEs in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A purposive sampling technique was used in the selection of 33 SMEs (Hospitality and Retail Industries) in the Greater Accra Region-Ghana. The study employed a mixed-method approach to investigate the study objectives.

Findings

The findings show that intellectual capital development positively predicts innovation capability among SMEs. Further, it was revealed that managerial heuristics are predominant among retailing firms than firms within the hospitality industry.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to explore intellectual capital development from the viewpoint of managerial heuristics in decision making in times of uncertainties within the context of emerging economies.
Diversity and inclusion in employer branding: an explorative analysis of European companies' digital communication
Authors: Confetto Maria Giovanna , Ključnikov Aleksandr , Covucci Claudia , Normando Mara
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the usage of diversity and inclusion (D&I) signals in communications for employer branding through digital channels made by European companies.

Design/methodology/approach

A quali-quantitative content analysis approach was employed to detect the usage of D&I signals of the top 43 European companies ranked in the 2021 Refinitiv Diversity and Inclusion index. These signals were organized according to Plummer's Big 8 diversity's dimensions. A correlation analysis was conducted to verify a relationship between D&I initiatives and digital communication for employer branding on corporate websites and LinkedIn. Descriptive statistics were used to analyze the D&I dimensions' pervasiveness in digital communications and relevance on LinkedIn.

Findings

The results show that the correlation exists only between D&I initiatives and communication on the corporate website, while LinkedIn is still underused in this field. The most pervasive and relevant D&I dimensions for European companies are “Gender” and “Sexual Orientation”.

Originality/value

This paper enriches employer branding research by providing original insights into the use of D&I dimensions in digital communications.
How teachers perceive innovations in education
Authors: Karolčík Štefan , Marková Michaela
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This research study explores the perceptions of the importance and meaning of innovation in education by qualified teachers. The authors deliberately selected geography teachers for the research because the extraordinary dynamics of changes and innovations the teacher has to deal with are significantly reflected, particularly in geography teaching.

Design/methodology/approach

The main aim of the research was to determine geography teachers' views on the importance, role and meaning of innovation in teaching. The research group consisted of 12 qualified teachers, and a semistructured interview was chosen as the research method. The research was conducted over six months, from October 2020 to March 2021.

Findings

This research confirmed the interest in introducing innovations into teaching by the teachers interviewed. Teachers mainly think of innovation as new ways of teaching that aim to revive and make teaching more attractive, to increase the motivation of all actors in the learning process. While teachers with more ample teaching experience connect innovations mainly with presentations, education games, and excursions, teachers-beginners and teachers with shorter teaching experience understand innovations mainly as the application of new trends in education, such as research projects and working with GIS and digital technologies. The research confirmed that lectures supported by presentations are the most frequently used teaching method for explaining the geography curriculum in primary and secondary schools. Presentations in which teachers focus on linking relationships and explaining connections more deeply replace existing textbooks and teaching texts for most teachers interviewed.

Research limitations/implications

The number and qualifications of the teachers involved in the research.

Practical implications

Teachers see the quality of the school environment and the education system as the significant barriers to providing better geography education. They often come to innovations through their own study and activities and feel a significant lack of available materials for the practical application of innovations in teaching. They also perceive the support for creation by state authorities and educational institutions as insufficient. Most teachers interviewed would welcome regular training courses and vocational education on the appropriate introduction and use of innovations in the classrooms in the form of practical examples and developed methodologies.

Originality/value

The selection of teachers for the research was deliberate and included active teachers of both genders working in primary and secondary schools. The selected teachers had varying teaching experiences and studied different combinations of teaching subjects with geography.
Understanding long-term thinking as a management strategy to support sustainable quality development: perspectives from education
Authors: Mårtensson Anna , Snyder Kristen , Ingelsson Pernilla , Bäckström Ingela
Published: August 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to explore the concept of long-term thinking in a non-business context to gain deeper insights into bridging the gap between the theory of long-term thinking and its application as a management strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the concept of long-thinking further in a non-business setting, a grounded theory study was conducted with preschool leaders in a municipality in Sweden to examine how the leaders describe, define and apply the concept of long-term thinking in their schools. Interviews with school leaders, both written and oral, were used for data collection.

Findings

This study illustrates that the concept of long-term thinking can be twofold. First, the description can be as an anchor that reflects a mission. Second, the description can be a steering mechanism that guides decision-making. The findings also reinforce the importance of organisations developing an organisational culture that connect their vision and goals with the values and needs of their customers.

Research limitations/implications

This study was carried out in a single organisation and shows a snapshot of the organisation's status at the time the data were collected. Therefore, the findings are not generalisable to all organisational settings; rather the findings may be transferable to other settings.

Practical implications

The results can be used to help identify areas where preschools in a municipal context can engage with sustainable quality development in order to build systems that support work with quality in a more structured way.

Originality/value

Long-term thinking is seen, within both theory and organisations, as necessary to achieve success in terms of sustainable development and quality, and this study contributes with knowledge about the current gap between theories of long-term thinking and practice in organisations.
Review article: Detaining patients against their will: Can duty of care be used to justify detention and restraint in emergency departments?
Authors: Kelly Anne‐Maree , Eburn Michael , Cockburn Tina , Senthi Anand
Published: August 2023

Every day in EDs, clinicians are faced with situations where they need to decide whether to detain a patient for assessment and treatment. For patients who meet the relevant criteria, provisions of mental health legislation can be used. For other patients, clinicians often rely on so‐called ‘duty of care’. This article briefly explores this complex area of law, including the relevant legislation, common law principles and grey areas. It also proposes an approach to decision‐making in this area.
Targeting Haemaphysalis longicornis serpin to prevent tick feeding and pathogen transmission
Authors: Feng Tingting , Tong Hao , Zhang Qianqian , Ming Zhihao , Song Zhenyu , Zhou Xia , Dai Jianfeng
Published: August 2023

Serine proteinase inhibitors (serpins), identified from the hard tick Haemaphysalis longicornis of China, play significant roles in various animal physiological processes. In this study, we showed that H. longicornis serpins (Hlserpin‐a and Hlserpin‐b) were induced during blood‐feeding in nymph ticks and exhibited anticoagulation activity in vitro. Silencing Hlserpins through RNA interference (RNAi) significantly impaired tick feeding. Immunization of mice with recombinant Hlserpins or passive transfer of Hlserpin antiserum significantly curtails the efficacy of tick feeding. Concurrently, the transmission of the Langat virus (LGTV) from ticks to mice witnessed a substantial decrease when Hlserpins were silenced. Our findings suggest that inhibiting Hlserpins can hamper tick engorgement and pathogen transmission, indicating the potential of Hlserpins as a vaccine to counter tick‐borne diseases.
Expanding the genetic programmability of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum
Authors: Blanch‐Asensio Marc , Dey Sourik , Tadimarri Varun Sai , Sankaran Shrikrishnan
Published: August 2023

Lactobacilli are ubiquitous in nature and symbiotically provide health benefits for countless organisms including humans, animals and plants. They are vital for the fermented food industry and are being extensively explored for healthcare applications. For all these reasons, there is considerable interest in enhancing and controlling their capabilities through the engineering of genetic modules and circuits. One of the most robust and reliable microbial chassis for these synthetic biology applications is the widely used Lactiplantibacillus plantarum species. However, the genetic toolkit needed to advance its applicability remains poorly equipped. This mini‐review highlights the genetic parts that have been discovered to achieve food‐grade recombinant protein production and speculates on lessons learned from these studies for L. plantarum engineering. Furthermore, strategies to identify, create and optimize genetic parts for real‐time regulation of gene expression and enhancement of biosafety are also suggested.
Practice Makes Better: Using Immersive Cases to Improve Student Performance on Day 1 of the Common Final Examination*
Authors: Lapointe‐Antunes Pascale , Sainty Barbara
Published: August 2023

In the context of an accredited CPA program, we investigate whether an immersive case delivered over several weeks in a team‐based environment in the Performance Management elective module improves student performance on Day 1 examinations and whether all students benefit equally from the immersive case. Results show that using an immersive case prior to Capstone 1 significantly improves student performance on practice Day 1 examinations and Day 1 of the Common Final Examination (CFE). Although high‐ability students and non‐English‐as‐a‐second‐language (ESL) students with co‐op experience perform better regardless of whether an immersive case is used, ESL students benefit from using an immersive case when evaluating performance on Day 1 of the CFE. In addition, spending six to eight weeks preparing extensively for the CFE after graduate classes end in July seems to contribute to closing performance gaps between students. This study benefits the education process by identifying a tool that educators can use to improve performance on the CFE. It provides insights that may prove useful to CPA Canada and accredited post‐secondary institutions as they revamp their programs to align with Competency Map 2.0.
A semiochemical view of the ecology of the seed beetle Acanthoscelides obtectus Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae, Bruchinae)
Authors: Vuts József , Powers Stephen J. , Venter Eudri , Szentesi Árpád
Published: August 2023

The dried bean beetle, Acanthoscelides obtectus, is an economically important pest of stored legumes worldwide. Tracking the human‐aided dispersion of its primary hosts, the Phaseolus vulgaris beans, it is now widespread in most bean‐growing areas of the tropics and subtropics. In temperate regions where it can only occasionally overwinter in the field, A. obtectus proliferates in granaries, having multiple generations a year. Despite its negative impact on food production, no sensitive detection or monitoring tools exist, and the reduction of local populations still relies primarily on inorganic insecticides as fumigating agents. However, in the quest to produce more nutritious food more sustainably and healthily, the development of environmentally benign crop protection methods is vital against A. obtectus. For this, knowledge of the biology and chemistry of both the host plant and its herbivore will underpin the development of, among others, chemical ecology‐based approaches to form an essential part of the toolkit of integrated bruchid management. We review the semiochemistry of the mate‐ and host‐finding behaviour of A. obtectus and provide new information about the effect of seed chemistry on the sensory and behavioural ecology of host acceptance and larval development.
Benzoic acid promotes Fusarium wilt incidence by enhancing susceptibility and reducing photosynthesis of faba bean
Authors: Yang Wenhao , Guo Yuting , Li Yu , Lv Jiaxing , Dong Yan
Published: August 2023

Continuous faba bean (Vicia faba L.) cropping causes adverse effects, including increased secretion of autotoxic substances (benzoic acid) and incidence of diseases (Fusarium wilt). Fusarium commune infects faba bean seedlings and is treated with different benzoic acid concentrations. Therefore, this investigation analysed the association of benzoic acid with faba bean wilt incidence and the mechanisms involved. Furthermore, seedling growth, tissue structure, Fusarium wilt incidence, cell wall degrading enzymes (CWDEs) activity, lignin levels, and leaf photosynthetic parameters were assessed. The results indicated that fungal infection markedly reduced biomass and photosynthesis in the faba bean. Microscopic analysis showed slightly thickened stems' xylem vessels. Benzoic acid treatment with F. commune infection substantially increased F. commune‐mediated CWDEs activity in the faba bean stem and lignin level but reduced photosynthesis and biomass, elevating Fusarium wilt incidence. Furthermore, broken tissues, xylem thickening, and stem cavities were observed. The investigation indicated that benzoic acid treatment and F. commune infection‐induced stem lignin might be a resistance response; however, increased pathogenicity and reduced photosynthesis enhanced susceptibility and aggravated Fusarium wilt.
Group budget‐based bonus scheme and group cooperation: The role of social value orientation, goal alignment, and group identity
Authors: Braga Aguiar Andson , Dieng Mamadou , Guerreiro Reinaldo
Published: August 2023

In a workgroup setting, we use a quasi‐experiment to examine whether and why proself rather than prosocial employees benefit more from high group identity to foster group cooperation. We validate the goal‐transformation hypothesis that proself rather than prosocial employees benefit more from high group identity. Consistent with the goal‐expectation hypothesis, we show that goal alignment explains why proself rather than prosocial employees benefit more from high group identity. The main implication of our results is that, when group identity is high, proself employees reinforce their strategic behaviour to cooperate with the group to obtain higher individual payoffs through greater goal alignment.