bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robot-assisted versus open hepatectomy for liver tumors: Systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Xuea Qian , Wua Jianping , Leia Zehua , Wanga Qing , Fua Jinqiang , Gaoa Fengwei
Published: January 2023

Background:

This meta-analysis was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of robot-assisted hepatectomy (RAH) versus open hepatectomy (OH) for liver tumors (LT).

Methods:

A computer-based literature search was conducted to identify all randomized or nonrandomized controlled trials of RAH and OH in the treatment of LT from January 2000 to July 2022. Study-specific effect sizes and their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were combined to calculate the pooled values, using a fixed-effects or random-effects model.

Results:

Eight studies were included, with a combined total of 1079 patients. Compared with the OH group, the RAH group was found to involve less blood loss (standardized mean difference [SMD] = −152.52 mL; 95% confidence interval [CI] = −266.85 to 38.18; p = 0.009), shorter hospital stay (SMD = −2.79; 95% CI = −4.19 to −1.40; p < 0.001), a lower rate of postoperative complications (odds ratio [OR] =0.67; 95% CI = 0.47–0.95; p = 0.02), and a lower recurrence rate (OR = 0.42; 95% CI = 0.23–0.77; p = 0.005). However, operative time was longer in the RAH group than in the OH group (SMD = 70.55; 95% CI = 37.58–103.53; p < 0.001).

Conclusion:

This systematic review shows that RAH is safe and feasible in the treatment of LT.
Mass Spectrometry Proteomic Analysis of Four p53 Patterns in Differentiated Vulvar Intraepithelial Neoplasia
Authors: Jamaluddin M. Fairuz B. , Day Tania , Tanwar Pradeep S. , Marzol Alexandra , Scurry James
Published: January 2023

Objective

The histopathologic diagnostic criteria of differentiated vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia (dVIN), the precursor of human papillomavirus-independent squamous cell carcinoma, are basal atypia, a negative or non–block-positive p16, and a supportive p53 immunohistochemistry (IHC). Several different patterns of supportive p53 IHC have been described. This study aims to determine the relationship between p53 IHC patterns and mass spectrometry analysis of cellular proteins in dVIN.

Methods

Four patterns of p53 IHC were studied: overexpression, cytoplasmic, wild type, and intermediate expression between wild type and overexpression. For each pattern, tissue samples of 4 examples were subjected to mass spectrometry.

Results

The protein profile within each p53 IHC pattern shared common features. Each of the 4 p53 patterns had a distinguishable protein profile when compared with the other 3 patterns.

Conclusions

The distinguishable protein profiles in different p53 IHC patterns suggest diverse mechanisms of TP53 dysfunction. Subtyping dVIN by p53 IHC is worthy of further study because varied protein expression profiles may translate into different clinical behavior.
End-of-Life Communication Skills Training for Undergraduate Nursing Students to Address Cultural Obstacles in China
Authors: Li Hui , Gu Huaiting , Chi Cheng , Jiang Hong , Zhou Yuanyuan , Jia Wenxiao , Liu Qiushi
Published: January 2023

Nurses face many difficulties and challenges related to how patients and their families deal with communication about end-of-life (EOL) care in China because of the strong influence of traditional Chinese culture. Moreover, education and training opportunities in EOL communication skills for nursing students are rare in mainland China. This study designed a progressive case involving a common EOL communication dilemma related to traditional Chinese culture and trained 50 undergraduate nursing students in EOL communication skills. A quasi-experimental design was used to compare the training outcomes of nursing students who were divided into a standardized patient simulation group and a role-playing group. The role-playing group (23 participants) was trained via group case discussion and role-playing among classmates, while the standardized patient simulation group (27 participants) completed EOL communication training by interacting with standardized patients and their families in a high-fidelity simulation. Attitudes toward death, self-confidence in EOL communication, and communication learning were evaluated in both groups during preintervention and postintervention. The results showed that all 3 variables improved after the intervention. This study shows that EOL communication skills training has a positive effect on nursing students to a certain extent.
Pediatric Goals of Care Communication
Authors: Grier Kimberlee , Koch Amie , Docherty Sharron
Published: January 2023

The purpose of this article is to explore factors that influence pediatric patients and their parents during provider-led goals-of-care conversations. Our framework can help providers enhance holistic communication by approaching difficult topics (ie, quality of life, end of life) with an understanding of the multilayered external influences that affect patient/parent decision making. A 5-layer model is presented that describes facilitators to conversations about quality goals of care and advance directives. Each year, complex health conditions (a) affect approximately 500 000 children in the United States, 8600 of whom meet current palliative care criteria, and (b) account for over 7 million child deaths globally. Nurses can use knowledge of the unique values and culture of families with children who have complex health conditions to support them by providing high quality, ongoing goals-of-care conversations, especially if their access to pediatric palliative care is limited.
Consciousness, Memory, and the Human Self: Commentary on “Consciousness as a Memory System” by Budson et al (2022)
Authors: Dafni-Merom Amnon , Arzy Shahar
Published: January 2023

Philosophical theories have attempted to shed light on the intricate relationships between consciousness and memory since long before this became a major theme in psychology and neuroscience. In the December 2022 issue of Cognitive and Behavioral Neurology, Budson, Richman, and Kensinger (2022) introduced a comprehensive theoretical framework pertaining to the origins of consciousness in relation to the memory system, its implications on our real-time perception of the world, and the neuroanatomical correlates underlying these phenomena. Throughout their paper, Budson et al (2022) focus on their theory’s explanatory value regarding several clinical syndromes and experimental findings. In this commentary, we first summarize the theory presented by Budson and colleagues (2022). Then, we suggest a complementary approach of studying the relationships between consciousness and memory through the concept of the human self and its protracted representation through time (so-called mental time travel). Finally, we elaborate on Budson and colleagues’ (2022) neuroanatomical explanation to their theory and suggest that adding the concepts of brain networks and cortical gradients may contribute to their theory’s interpretability.
Analysis of variola virus molecular evolution suggests an old origin of the virus consistent with historical records
Authors: Forni Diego , Molteni Cristian , Cagliani Rachele , Clerici Mario , Sironi Manuela
Published: January 2023

Archaeovirology efforts provided a rich portrait of the evolutionary history of variola virus (VARV, the cause of smallpox), which was characterized by lineage extinctions and a relatively recent origin of the virus as a human pathogen (~1700 years ago, ya). This contrasts with historical records suggesting the presence of smallpox as early as 3500 ya. By performing an analysis of ancestry components in modern, historic, and ancient genomes, we unveil the progressive drifting of VARV lineages from a common ancestral population and we show that a small proportion of Viking Age ancestry persisted until the 18th century. After the split of the P-I and P-II lineages, the former experienced a severe bottleneck. With respect to the emergence of VARV as a human pathogen, we revise time estimates by accounting for the time-dependent rate phenomenon. We thus estimate that VARV emerged earlier than 3800 ya, supporting its presence in ancient societies, as pockmarked Egyptian mummies suggest.
Improved beta-binomial estimation for reliability of healthcare quality measures
Authors: Zhou Guohai , Lin Zhenqiu
Published: January 2023

Background

The popular beta-binomial approach to estimate the reliability of healthcare quality measures (Adams et al. 2010New England Journal of Medicine) may yield grossly over-estimated reliabilities for providers with event rates equal to 0% or 100%.

Objective

Improve the beta-binomial approach to yield more reasonable reliability estimates for providers with event rates equal to 0% or 100%.

Method

We revise the beta-binomial approach by substituting Bayesian estimates with various priors for the crude event rates. We evaluate the new reliability estimates using Monte Carlo studies and two real-world measure examples.

Results and conclusion

The revised beta-binomial approach based on Jeffreys non-informative prior yields more reasonable reliability estimates for providers with event rates equal to 0% or 100% and statistically outperforms the original beta-binomial approach regarding bias and standard errors.
Household antibiotic use in Malawi: a cross-sectional survey from urban and peri-urban Blantyre
Authors: MacPherson Eleanor E , Mankhomwa John , Dixon Justin , Pongolani Raymond , Phiri Mackwellings , Feasey Nicholas , O’Byrne Thomasena , Tolhurst Rachel , MacPherson Peter
Published: January 2023

Background

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to public health. Use of antibiotics, particularly in contexts where weaker regulatory frameworks make informal access easier, has been identified as an important driver of AMR. However, knowledge is limited about the ways antibiotics are used in communities in sub-Saharan Africa.

Methods

Between April and July 2021, we undertook a cross-sectional survey of community antibiotic use practices in Blantyre, Malawi. We selected two densely-populated neighbourhoods (Chilomoni and Ndirande) and one peri-urban neighbourhood (Chileka) and undertook detailed interviews to assess current and recent antibiotic use, supported by the innovative “drug bag” methodology. Regression modelling investigated associations with patterns of antibiotic recognition.

Results

We interviewed 217 households with a total of 1051 household members. The number of antibiotics recognised was significantly lower among people with poorer formal health care access (people with unknown HIV status vs. HIV-negative, adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.76, 95% CI: 0.77-.099) and amongst men (aOR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.69-0.99), who are less likely to support healthcare-seeking for family members. Reported antibiotic use was mostly limited to a small number of antibiotics (amoxicillin, erythromycin and cotrimoxazole), with current antibiotic use reported by 67/1051 (6.4%) and recent use (last 6 months) by 440/1051 (41.9%).

Conclusions

Our findings support the need for improved access to quality healthcare in urban and periurban African settings to promote appropriate antibiotic use and limit the development and spread of AMR.
UCHL1-dependent control of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor Transcriptional Activity in Liver Disease
Authors: Collins Amy , Scott Rebecca , Wilson Caroline L , Abbate Giuseppe , Ecclestone Gabrielle , Biddles Demi , Oakley Fiona , Mann Jelena , Mann Derek A , Kenneth Niall S.
Published: January 2023

Liver fibrosis is the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix proteins that occurs in most types of chronic liver diseases. Fibrosis is associated with the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) which transdifferentiate into a myofibroblast like phenotype that is contractile, proliferative and profibrogenic. Hypoxia-inducible factor 1 (HIF1), an oxygen-sensitive transcription factor, is elevated during HSC activation and promotes the expression of profibrotic mediator HIF target genes. HIF activation during HSC activation can by either due to localised decreases in oxygen levels, or through oxygen-independent mechanisms that are not completely understood. Here we describe a role for the deubiquitinase UCHL1 in regulating HIF levels and activity during HSC activation and liver fibrosis. Increased HIF1α expression correlated with induction of UCHL1 mRNA and protein with HSC activation. Genetic deletion or chemical inhibition of UCHL1 impaired HIF activity through reduction of HIF1α levels. UCHL1 specifically cleaves the degradative ubiquitin chains from HIF1α leading to increased HIF1α levels, even in sufficiently oxygenated cells. Furthermore, our mechanistic studies have shown that UCHL1 elevates HIF activity through specific cleavage of degradative ubiquitin chains, elevates levels of pro-fibrotic gene expression and increases proliferation rates. These results demonstrate how small molecule inhibitors of DUBs can modulate the activity of HIF transcription factors in liver disease. Furthermore, inhibition of HIF activity via modulation of the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation pathway may represent a therapeutic opportunity with other HIF-related pathologies.

Abstract Figure
Unlockingde novoantibody design with generative artificial intelligence
Authors: Shanehsazzadeh Amir , McPartlon Matt , Kasun George , Steiger Andrea K. , Sutton John M. , Yassine Edriss , McCloskey Cailen , Haile Robel , Shuai Richard , Alverio Julian , Rakocevic Goran , Levine Simon , Cejovic Jovan , Gutierrez Jahir M. , Morehead Alex , Dubrovskyi Oleksii , Chung Chelsea , Luton Breanna K. , Diaz Nicolas , Kohnert Christa , Consbruck Rebecca , Carter Hayley , LaCombe Chase , Bist Itti , Vilaychack Phetsamay , Anderson Zahra , Xiu Lichen , Bringas Paul , Alarcon Kimberly , Knight Bailey , Radach Macey , Bateman Katherine , Kopec-Belliveau Gaelin , Chapman Dalton , Bennett Joshua , Ventura Abigail B. , Canales Gustavo M. , Gowda Muttappa , Jackson Kerianne A. , Caguiat Rodante , Brown Amber , Ganini da Silva Douglas , Guo Zheyuan , Abdulhaqq Shaheed , Klug Lillian R. , Gander Miles , Yapici Engin , Meier Joshua , Bachas Sharrol
Published: January 2023

Generative AI has the potential to redefine the process of therapeutic antibody discovery. In this report, we describe and validate deep generative models for thede novo designof antibodies against human epidermal growth factor receptor (HER2) without additional optimization. The models enabled an efficient workflow that combinedin silicodesign methods with high-throughput experimental techniques to rapidly identify binders from a library of ∼106heavy chain complementarity-determining region (HCDR) variants. We demonstrated that the workflow achieves binding rates of 10.6% for HCDR3 and 1.8% for HCDR123 designs and is statistically superior to baselines. We further characterized 421 diverse binders using surface plasmon resonance (SPR), finding 71 with low nanomolar affinity similar to the therapeutic anti-HER2 antibody trastuzumab. A selected subset of 11 diverse high-affinity binders were functionally equivalent or superior to trastuzumab, with most demonstrating suitable developability features. We designed one binder with ∼3x higher cell-based potency compared to trastuzumab and another with improved cross-species reactivity1. Our generative AI approach unlocks an accelerated path to designing therapeutic antibodies against diverse targets.
What influences stakeholders' decision in adopting blockchain-based quality tracking systems in prefabricated construction
Authors: Xu Sheng , Zhou Linfeng , Zou Patrick X.W.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The quality liability of prefabricated components (PCs) is a major issue among key stakeholders. The blockchain-based quality tracking systems are supposed to support a more transparent and trusting quality control process. However, many factors affect the stakeholders' willingness toward the adoption of such quality tracking systems. The purpose of this research is to investigate the key factors that influence the stakeholders' adoption decisions toward the application of the quality tracking system in PCs and develop coping strategies.

Design/methodology/approach

An evolutionary game model is established that includes the manufacturer, constructor and developer. Four scenarios of equilibriums and the game's evolutionary stable strategies are analyzed, and the corresponding stability conditions are then obtained. Based on the tripartite game model, two representative projects are used as case studies to simulate how different factors affect the stakeholders' decisions.

Findings

First, trade-offs between cost and benefits were the most prominent factor in the adoption decision-making. Second, the advancement of technologies would compensate for their immaturity. Third, subsidy and penalty provision of the developer and high-level trust both incentivize the stakeholders to adopt the quality tracking systems.

Originality/value

This research investigates the influence of technology, environment and participant related factors on the adoption decisions of the quality tracking system for PCs and discovered that technology maturity and advancement played an essential role. It is expected that the research findings would be of value to policy makers and project management personnel for better quality control of prefabricated construction.
Challenges of industrial revolution 4.0: quantity surveying students' perspectives
Authors: Lim Melissa Li Wen , Wong Shi Yee , Ding Chu Sheng
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The industrial revolution 4.0 (IR4.0) signifies technological advancements and digitalization. The fragmented and labour-intensive nature of the construction industry inherently possesses difficulties for IR4.0 adoption compared to other industries. This paper aims to investigate the perspectives of quantity surveying students on the challenges of IR4.0 implementation in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey were distributed to a population of 191 quantity surveying students, with 96 valid responses returned. Descriptive statistics and factor analysis were employed to analyse the collected data.

Findings

Factor analysis revealed eight components as the key challenges for IR4.0 implementation, which revolved around resistance to change, data security issues, etc.

Practical implications

The findings could provide a guideline to higher education institutions on certain IR4.0-related areas to be incorporated into the syllabus, in ensuring that the students are equipped with such skills and knowledge, in meeting market demands. The construction stakeholders' could look into the identified challenges for strategizing the organizations in moving towards IR4.0 adoption.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate quantity surveying students' perspectives on the challenges of IR4.0 implementation in the construction industry by employing factor analysis method. The findings contribute to the body of knowledge in relation to the opinions of a younger generation who has more exposure towards technology on the hindrance of IR4.0 adoption.
Measuring sensitivity to change orders in construction projects using eigenvector centrality and radius of gyration
Authors: Zarghami Seyed Ashkan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper offers a measure of sensitivity to change orders in the later stage of the construction phase to characterize the distribution of project activities around the time when the project is scheduled to finish.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs eigenvector centrality to identify the sensitivity of an activity to change orders based on the sensitivity of its neighboring activities. Next, a distance-based measure, called the radius of gyration, is adopted to describe the distribution of project activities around the time when the project is scheduled to finish. Finally, a sensitivity measure, which quantifies the dispersion of project activities from the project finish date, is developed.

Findings

Two real-life construction projects are used to measure the sensitivity to late changes. The results conform to the intuition of sensitivity to late changes and confirm that the negative effects of change orders are amplified when project activities are scheduled to start closer to the finish date.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the literature on change orders in construction projects by developing the first method for quantifying the sensitivity of projects to the issuance of late changes. The proposed method can provide valuable information to project owners and construction managers as they negotiate the pricing of change orders based on their time of occurrence.
Workplace bullying and diffident silence: a moderated mediation model of shame and core self-evaluation
Authors: Krishna Arathi , Soumyaja Devi , Sowmya C.S.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

Workplace bullying generates various emotions, including shame in the target; these emotions can induce employee silence. However, the role of shame in the relationship between workplace bullying and employee silence, and the individual differences in how victims experience shame and silence, has not yet been explored. The present study aims to fill this gap in the literature, using the effect of shame as a mediator and core self-evaluation (CSE) as a moderator.

Design/methodology/approach

Two thousand faculty members working in different colleges in India were invited to participate in the online survey. The participants were invited to fill in the questionnaire only if they had experienced shame by bullying during the preceding two weeks. Three hundred and twenty faculty members responded to the survey.

Findings

The results showed that shame mediates the relationship between workplace bullying and diffident silence. In addition, CSE moderates the relationship between shame and diffident silence but not the relationship between workplace bullying and shame. That is, diffident silence induced by shame was noted to be weaker for employees with high CSE. Importantly, the study could not find any individual difference in experiencing shame by bullying.

Practical implications

Improved CSE can effectively influence diffident silence through shame, helping the management to recognize workplace bullying.

Originality/value

It is a unique attempt to address diffident silence among Indian academicians, and study the role of targets’ shame and CSE while adopting silence on workplace bullying.
Financial opening, financial development and industrial restructuring: a mediating effect analysis
Authors: Shevchenko Dmitry , Zhao Weili , Guo Qiyang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to probe into the influence mechanism of financial opening onto industrial restructuring from the prism of financial development and examine the role of the credit market, capital market and currency market in transmitting the impact of financial opening onto industrial restructuring in both developed countries and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

In the theoretical model, the indicator of financial opening was introduced in Cobb–Douglas production function formula. Using constant elasticity of substitution utility function, based on Engel’s law, the optimal industrial structure in the economy was concluded. For the empirical analysis, data was collected from 36 developed countries and 34 developing countries during the period 2000 to 2019. Multiple mediator models with bootstrap techniques were used to identify the linkage between financial opening, financial development and industrial restructuring.

Findings

First, there is a U-shaped relationship between financial opening and industrial restructuring. Second, financial development plays a mediating role in transmitting the effects of financial opening onto industrial restructuring mainly through the credit market at the global level. Third, developed countries are in a trend of “reindustrialization,” while developing countries show a trend of “premature deindustrialization.” Moreover, for developed countries, the capital market leads to reindustrialization, while the credit market and currency market contribute to deindustrialization. For developing countries, the capital market and credit market lead to deindustrialization, while the currency market contributes to industrialization.

Originality/value

Unlike most previous researches, this paper focuses on examining three-variable relationship between financial opening, financial development and domestic industrial restructuring. Against the backdrop of the pandemic, monetary policy shifts of developed economies have led to an increase in cross-border capital flows, which will lead to the increasing risks for international financial markets and the reallocation of the global value chain. It is of great significance to clarify the linkage between these three variables in the face of a volatile international financial environment.
Feminist perspectives on gender and technology entrepreneurship in incubator settings
Authors: Reyes Constanza , Neergaard Helle
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The objective of this article is to map and assess current evidence in women's technology entrepreneurship in business incubators with the aim of producing a conceptual framework that will allow us to understand how gender shapes the life of women technology entrepreneurs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a systematic literature review. The data set comprises 49 publications, including peer-reviewed articles and prominent book chapters. These are first categorized according to their feminist approach and second analysed using an inductive thematic approach to map dominant concepts and research methods.

Findings

The authors develop a framework with four dimensions: (1) antecedents, (2) challenges, (3) outcomes and (4) solutions. The authors show that current literature mainly focuses on the challenges faced by women technology entrepreneurs in incubator settings. Although liberal feminist research is present, social feminist perspectives dominate, with poststructuralist research as a close second. Interestingly, current research has not focused much on individual characteristics; in other words, the baggage that women bring with them in terms of prior experiences is hardly investigated, even though there is general agreement that socialization shapes women's experiences of and responses to gender challenges.

Originality/value

The authors contribute to the literature in the following ways: The developed framework assists in understanding how gender is an overarching factor that shapes every facet of the life of a women technology entrepreneur, and how incubator environments intensify gender issues. Indeed, being in an incubator environment adds an extra layer of gendered conditions, thus intensifying the challenges that women meet, creating a “triple masculinity trap”. The review highlights that little is known about how early conditioning shapes women technology entrepreneurs' reactions to the gendered conditions they meet and that there is a lack of research on how women “do entrepreneurship”.
Effect of adhesive de-bond and crack in adherent plate on single lap joint with bi-adhesive
Authors: Chikmath Lokamanya , Ramanath M.N. , Imtiaz Syed , Murthy H.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to study the benefits of use of bi-adhesive (combination of two different adhesives) over conventional single adhesive in bonded lap joints. Characterise damage severity due to cohesive and adherent failure as feedback for operating load levels that assist in developing damage tolerance design of the adhesively bonded joints.

Design/methodology/approach

Single lap joint where the adherent plate is made up of aluminium alloy joined together with bi-adhesives is analysed. The nature of adhesives ranges from brittle, elastic-plastic, moderately ductile to largely ductile. Numerical analysis is performed considering the material and geometric non-linear behaviour of the joint. The optimum bond ratio of bi-adhesives and the effect of the location of adhesive on the stress distribution are studied. The cohesive zone modelling (CZM) is adopted to account for the cohesive failure of the joint. The adherent plate failure is also addressed by modelling and studying the behaviour of the crack at different locations in the plate using modified virtual crack closure integral (MVCCI).

Findings

The results obtained from the stress analysis show some important characteristic behaviour of the bi-adhesive joint. Although bi-adhesive is expected to result in improved joint strength, the purpose gets defeated if a brittle adhesive is used at the corners and ductile adhesive at the middle. The joint strength based on CZM, evaluated for a single adhesive, is in good comparison with the experimental results from the literature. Also, the location of the crack in the adherent plate plays a significant role in the failure of the joint.

Originality/value

Estimating joint strength for the bi-adhesive model using CZM and evaluating damage severity in the presence of de-bond and crack in the bi-adhesive lap joint model assists in developing robust damage tolerance design models of such joints.
The fundamental economics of the blood service industry in the United States: summarizing the structural design and market dynamics
Authors: Edwards Judson C. , Morrison Rodger , He Ping
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide the foundational economics, both in theory and practice, to describe the current competitive and operational market dynamics of the blood service industry in the United States of America.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper applies the dominant firm-competitive fringe model to describe how pricing is determined within the blood service industry, with particular focus on the nonprofit business model. The research also describes the role of government as one of the major determinants of pricing through regulatory demands.

Findings

The longstanding, free-market based economic foundations of the blood service industry have proven to be adequate in meeting the blood needs of the United States (US). Though there are clear market inefficiencies associated with the dominant firm model, none of the proposed solutions target the contractual and resulting pricing inefficiencies that persist because of the market structure.

Originality/value

In order to add value to the blood industry professionals, it is imperative to provide the foundational economics driving the current macro-level blood industry of the US.
Corporate social responsibility and financial reporting quality: evidence from US firms
Authors: Chulkov Dmitriy , Wang Xiaoqiong
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and measures of financial reporting quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors explore the link between CSR and several indicators of firms’ financial reporting quality. Estimation with firm and year fixed effects is based on a sample of US publicly traded firms covering the period from 1991 to 2018.

Findings

Empirical results demonstrate that firms with higher CSR scores are associated with higher accuracy of financial forecasts, fewer earnings surprises and greater coverage by financial analysts. This positive relationship is more profound for firms that face low agency concerns, firms that have a higher level of customer awareness, firms that have more long-term institutional ownership or firms that do not face financial constraints.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the ongoing debate on the value of CSR. The results support the stakeholder value maximization view of CSR and identify the impact of several factors on its relationship with the quality of financial reporting.
Resampling alpine herbarium records reveals changes in plant traits over space and time
Authors: Jaroszynska Francesca , Rixen Christian , Woodin Sarah , Lenoir Jonathan , Wipf Sonja
Published: January 2023

Climate warming causes upward shifts in plant species distributions, resulting in an influx of species from lower elevations into alpine plant communities. Plant functional trait changes along elevation gradients and over time may reflect these changing conditions. Intraspecific trait variation measured from herbarium records offers a way to observe such changes in trait values over time.

We selected four species: Poa alpina and Polygonum viviparum found in alpine grasslands, and Cardamine resedifolia and Ranunculus glacialis found in high‐alpine to subnival scree habitats. We measured several functional traits from (i) herbarium records collected between 1880 and 1950 and from (ii) individuals resampled in 2014 along an elevation gradient covering >1500 m within the same study region in the Swiss Alps. By comparing (i) against (ii) for each species separately, we analysed temporal changes in the distribution of traits along the studied elevation gradient.

After a century of climate warming, the change in the relationship linking plant functional traits with elevation was species dependent. Size‐related and reproductive functional trait values for P. viviparum increased over time, increasing at lower, but not higher elevations. Poa alpina's size‐related traits increased consistently with time along the elevation gradient. Most of C. resedifolia's size‐related and flowering traits decreased over time at lower elevations and converged at higher elevations. Finally, R. glacialis traits did not respond to time alone—reproductive traits decreased over time at lower, and increased at higher elevations, reversing their historical trait distributions. The negative trend for vegetative trait values with elevation did not change over time, however. In 2014, at lower elevations, all species mainly occurred on their typical microhabitat types, but occurrence on other microhabitats increased with elevation for all species.

Synthesis: Contrasting temporal changes in the distribution of growth and reproductive trait values between alpine grassland and alpine‐subnival scree species, especially at lower elevations, suggest that climate warming effects vary among species. Additionally, species' physiological constraints and availability of suitable microhabitats may further impact species' distribution changes. Further warming may confine the distribution of high‐alpine plant species to even higher elevations, or microclimates currently difficult to colonise by lower‐alpine species.
Why and when family‐supportive supervisor behaviours influence newcomer organizational socialisation
Authors: Jiang Wan , Wang Linlin , Ma Xifang
Published: January 2023

This study examines why and when family‐supportive supervisor behaviour (FSSB) influences newcomer organizational socialisation. Specifically, we draw from the social information processing perspective to suggest that FSSB promotes newcomer proactive behaviours and organizational socialisation. We argue that newcomer gender and family motivation moderate the positive effect of FSSB on newcomer proactive behaviours and propose a moderated mediation model and hypothesise that the indirect effect of FSSB on newcomer organizational socialisation via newcomer proactive behaviours is contingent on newcomer gender and family motivation. A time‐lagged study of 202 newcomer–supervisor dyads supports all our hypotheses. We also discuss the theoretical and practical implications of our results.
Who's your daddy? An ethical argument for disclosure to donor conceived children
Authors: Campo‐Engelstein Lisa , Paz Adonai
Published: January 2023

To our knowledge, there have been few discussions in the andrology literature regarding the ethics of disclosure to donor conceived children. Our goal in this paper is to summarize the main reasons in favor of disclosure to engender more conversations about the ethics of donor conception in andrology circles. Specifically, we argue (1) transparency regarding gamete donation upholds the ethical principle of beneficence by improving the psychological health of donor conceived children; and (2) based on the ethical principle of autonomy, donor conceived children should have the right to know their donor status.
Mitochondria‐derived damage‐associated molecular patterns and inflammation in the ischemic‐reperfused heart
Authors: Torp May‐Kristin , Vaage Jarle , Stensløkken Kåre‐Olav
Published: January 2023

Cardiac cell death after myocardial infarction release endogenous structures termed damage‐associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) that trigger the innate immune system and initiate a sterile inflammation in the myocardium. Cardiomyocytes are energy demanding cells and 30% of their volume are mitochondria. Mitochondria are evolutionary endosymbionts originating from bacteria containing molecular patterns similar to bacteria, termed mitochondrial DAMPs (mDAMPs). Consequently, mitochondrial debris may be particularly immunogenic and damaging. However, the role of mDAMPs in myocardial infarction is not clarified. Identifying the most harmful mDAMPs and inhibiting their early inflammatory signaling may reduce infarct size and the risk of developing post‐infarct heart failure. The focus of this review is the role of mDAMPs in the immediate pro‐inflammatory phase after myocardial infarction before arrival of immune cells in the myocardium. We discuss different mDAMPs, their role in physiology and present knowledge regarding their role in the inflammatory response of acute myocardial infarction.
Neonatal lupus erythematosus presenting as a non‐bullous histiocytoid neutrophilic dermatosis
Authors: Kozera Emily K. , Langan Rinky , Singh‐Grewal Davinder , Sun Helen Y. , Sebaratnam Deshan F. , Henderson Christopher J. A.
Published: January 2023

Histopathologic findings in neonatal lupus erythematosus (NLE) are usually congruent with those of subacute cutaneous lupus erythematosus. However, neutrophilic dermatosis‐type histopathologic features are being increasingly recognized in the literature including rare cases with variant histiocytoid morphology. We report the case of a 7‐week‐old male presenting with figurate erythema. His mother was found to have elevated anti‐nuclear antibodies and was positive for anti‐SSA/Ro, anti‐SSB/La antibodies and Ro52 autoantibodies. The infant had a similar serological profile. Skin biopsy showed a histiocytoid interstitial infiltrate with mild lichenoid features, sparse neutrophils and mild leukocytoclasis. The histiocytoid infiltrate showed prominent CD68, CD163, and myeloperoxidase expression. Isolated clusters of CD123+ histiocytes were also present. This case highlights the rare finding of non‐bullous neutrophilic dermatosis with histiocytoid change in neonatal lupus. In neonates presenting with figurate erythemas with morphological histiocytic change on biopsy, NLE should be considered as a differential diagnosis and investigated for accordingly.
Evaluation of the bonding effectiveness of a universal adhesive to the plasma‐activated dentin surface
Authors: Temel Ugur Burak , Kam Hepdeniz Ozge , Gulec Ali
Published: January 2023

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of non‐thermal atmospheric pressure plasma on the bond strength of a universal adhesive used in etch‐and‐rinse mode. Dentin surfaces were etched with phosphoric acid and samples were divided into groups exposed to either dry bonding, plasma‐dried bonding, plasma‐dried and rewetted bonding, or wet bonding (n  =  10). Dentin surfaces of the plasma‐dried specimens were treated with a plasma jet before the adhesive procedure. After application, composite blocks were built, and specimens were subjected to micro‐tensile bond strength testing after 24 h and after 10,000 thermal cycles. The hybrid layer formation was evaluated by micro‐Raman spectral analysis; the resin–dentin interface was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy. One‐way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc multiple comparison tests were used to statistically analyze the data. The bond strength values of the plasma‐dried bonding groups were statistically higher than the non‐plasma‐treated groups both before and after aging. After the thermal cycles, bond strength values decreased significantly only in the wet bonding group. Micro‐Raman spectral analysis revealed that plasma‐drying increased adhesive penetration, especially hydrophobic monomer infiltration. This may increase the mechanical properties and durability of the resin–dentin interface, provide long‐term stability, and improve the polymerization rate of the adhesive layer.
Insights into familial adult myoclonus epilepsy pathogenesis: How the same repeat expansion in six unrelated genes may lead to cortical excitability
Authors: Depienne Christel , van den Maagdenberg Arn M. J. M. , Kühnel Theresa , Ishiura Hiroyuki , Corbett Mark A. , Tsuji Shoji
Published: January 2023

Familial adult myoclonus epilepsy (FAME) results from the same pathogenic TTTTA/TTTCA pentanucleotide repeat expansion in six distinct genes encoding proteins with different subcellular localizations and very different functions, which poses the issue of what causes the neurobiological disturbances that lead to the clinical phenotype. Postmortem and electrophysiological studies have pointed to cortical hyperexcitability as well as dysfunction and neurodegeneration of both the cortex and cerebellum of FAME subjects. FAME expansions, contrary to the same expansion in DAB1 causing spinocerebellar ataxia type 37, seem to have no or limited impact on their recipient gene expression, which suggests a pathophysiological mechanism independent of the gene and its function. Current hypotheses include toxicity of the RNA molecules carrying UUUCA repeats, or toxicity of polypeptides encoded by the repeats, a mechanism known as repeat‐associated non‐AUG translation. The analysis of postmortem brains of FAME1 expansion (in SAMD12) carriers has revealed the presence of RNA foci that could be formed by the aggregation of RNA molecules with abnormal UUUCA repeats, but evidence is still lacking for other FAME subtypes. Even when the expansion is located in a gene ubiquitously expressed, expression of repeats remains undetectable in peripheral tissues (blood, skin). Therefore, the development of appropriate cellular models (induced pluripotent stem cell‐derived neurons) or the study of affected tissues in patients is required to elucidate how FAME repeat expansions located in unrelated genes lead to disease.
Antinociceptive effects of nortriptyline and desipramine hydrochloride in Speke's hinge‐back tortoise (Kinixys Spekii)
Authors: Makau Christopher M. , Towett Philemon K. , Kanui Titus I. , Abelson Klas S. P.
Published: January 2023

Some of the most commonly used analgesic drugs in animals are of questionable efficacy or present adverse side effects among the various species of reptiles. Tricyclic antidepressants have been demonstrated to have antinociceptive effects in several animal models of pain and could be a good alternative for use in reptiles. The aim of the study was to investigate the antinociceptive effects of nortriptyline and desipramine hydrochloride in Speke's hinge‐back tortoise. A total of 24 animals weighing 600–1000 g were used for nociceptive tests, i.e., formalin, capsaicin, and hot plate tests. Drugs were administered intracoelomically 30 min before starting the tests. The time spent in nocifensive behavior and the associated observable effects during the tests were recorded. Only the highest dose of 40 mg/kg of nortriptyline hydrochloride caused statistically significant decrease in nocifensive behavior in both the formalin and the capsaicin test. Desipramine hydrochloride at doses of 20 and 40 mg/kg caused statistically significant decrease in nocifensive behavior in the formalin test. Also, desipramine hydrochloride at doses of 15, 20, and 60 mg/kg caused statistically significant decrease in nocifensive behavior in the capsaicin test. None of the doses used for both drugs had any statistically significant effect on nocifensive behavior in the hot plate test. The results show that nortriptyline and desipramine hydrochloride have significant antinociceptive effects in the chemical but not thermal inflammatory pain‐related behavior in the Speke's hinge‐back tortoise. The most common associated side effect following administration of the higher doses of either of the drugs is excessive salivation.
Tau liquid–liquid phase separation is modulated by the Ca2+‐switched chaperone activity of the S100B protein
Authors: Moreira Guilherme G. , Gomes Cláudio M.
Published: January 2023

Aggregation of the microtubule‐associated protein tau is implicated in several neurodegenerative tauopathies including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Recent studies evidenced tau liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) into droplets as an early event in tau pathogenesis with the potential to enhance aggregation. Tauopathies like AD are accompanied by sustained neuroinflammation and the release of alarmins at early stages of inflammatory responses encompass protective functions. The Ca2+‐binding S100B protein is an alarmin augmented in AD that was recently implicated as a proteostasis regulator acting as a chaperone‐type protein, inhibiting aggregation and toxicity through interactions of amyloidogenic clients with a regulatory surface exposed upon Ca2+‐binding. Here we expand the regulatory functions of S100B over protein condensation phenomena by reporting its Ca2+‐dependent activity as a modulator of tau LLPS induced by crowding agents (PEG) and metal ions (Zn2+). We observe that apo S100B has a negligible effect on PEG‐induced tau demixing but that Ca2+‐bound S100B prevents demixing, resulting in a shift of the phase diagram boundary to higher crowding concentrations. Also, while incubation with apo S100B does not compromise tau LLPS, addition of Ca2+ results in a sharp decrease in turbidity, indicating that interactions with S100B‐Ca2+ promote transition of tau to the mixed phase. Further, electrophoretic analysis and FLIM‐FRET studies revealed that S100B incorporates into tau liquid droplets, suggesting an important stabilizing and chaperoning role contributing to minimize toxic tau aggregates. Resorting to Alexa488‐labeled tau we observed that S100B‐Ca2+ reduces the formation of tau fluorescent droplets, without compromising liquid‐like behavior and droplet fusion events. The Zn2+‐binding properties of S100B also contribute to regulate Zn2+‐promoted tau LLPS as droplets are decreased by Zn2+ buffering by S100B, in addition to the Ca2+‐triggered interactions with tau. Altogether this work uncovers the versatility of S100B as a proteostasis regulator acting on protein condensation phenomena of relevance across the neurodegeneration continuum.

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Evolution tumour models paving the way for understanding oral carcinogenesis
Authors: Martins‐Chaves Roberta Rayra , Silva Rubens Signoretti Oliveira , Pereira Thaís dos Santos Fontes , Fonseca Felipe Paiva , Gomez Ricardo Santiago
Published: January 2023

Throughout the centuries, the world's outstanding scientists and research groups have gathered their efforts to characterise the initiation and progression of malignant neoplasms. The temporal dissection of tumourigenesis provided by phylogenetic studies is one of the milestones in understanding cancer; however, some black boxes are still unsolved. Currently, there is no consensus regarding the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), the leading cancer of the head and neck region. Oral epithelial dysplasia (OED) may precede oral cancer and, occasionally, be clinically evident as white, red or mixed mucosal lesions, called oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). In a stepwise view of oral carcinogenesis, OED and OPMD have been considered harbingers of oral cancer. Nevertheless, the malignant transformation of OPMD is a rare event. Most of these disorders remain benign and can even regress, making it challenging to formulate evolutionary hypotheses for OSCC initiation. Deciphering OED evolution is vital to highlight the potential drivers of oral carcinogenesis and molecular targets for OSCC preventative and therapeutic strategies. This narrative review synthesises the main concepts of evolutionary theories and discusses which of them better explains OED development and malignant transformation.