bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of board composition on the level of ESG disclosures in GCC countries
Authors: Arayssi Mahmoud , Jizi Mohammad , Tabaja Hala Hussein 
Published: October 2019

PurposeThis paper aims to investigate the impact of board composition on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting in the Gulf countries. Despite the vast literature on the significance of ESG disclosure on firms’ performance, trust and reputation, there are relatively few studies on the influence of board structure on ESG disclosure in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. Gulf countries are witnessing a fast growing capital markets and having serious efforts to attract foreign investments to divert their economies from the oil and gas reliance. This could be facilitated by illustrating firms’ good citizenship and communicating the fulfillment of their social obligation.Design/methodology/approachThe study examines publically listed companies between 2008 and 2017. Thomson Reuter’s database is used to collect the ESG disclosure scores and governance information. The authors apply multiple panel data regressions and sensitivity testing to ensure the robustness of the results.FindingsExamining publically listed companies for a 10-year period shows that higher board independence and female board participation facilitate the transmission of a firm’s positive image by improving social responsibility. Independent boards of directors and participation among women serve as catalysts to strike an effective balance between firms’ financial targets and social responsibilities. In contrast, boards chaired by chief executive officers are less supportive in executing a social agenda and consequently reporting their ESG activities.Practical implicationsThe results suggest that firms that appoint a sustainability and/or governance committee tend to engage in more impactful social and environmental activities and communicate their societal engagements more effectively.Social implicationsThe paper recommends that policymakers, executives and shareholders in the GCC countries support board participation among women, independent directors and formation of sustainability committees to facilitate engaging in effectual social activities.Originality/valueEmpirical evidence regarding the relationship between board composition and ESG disclosure in the Gulf countries is limited. Prior literature mainly provides results on developed countries in which the governance system is mature and well structured. This study provides useful evidence regarding the Gulf countries that lack privatization and where corporate boards tend to be dominated by families and governments.
Smart ways of hospital wastewater management, regulatory standards and conventional treatment techniques
Authors: Khan Nadeem Ahmad , Ullah Khan Saif , Ahmed Sirajuddin , Farooqi Izharul Haq , Hussain Arshad , Vambol Sergij , Vambol Viola 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to cover some aspects about the disposal and regulatory standard around the world toward hospital effluent discharge, its managements and treatment technologies that are adopted and best suitable nowadays.

Design/methodology/approach
Due to large and variety of antibiotics available in the market nowadays it is difficult to control its use, thereby risking the whole ecosystem and its components. The regulation pattern is variable depending upon the various factors in different countries. The permissible limit of these emerging pollutants found in sewage as compared to in hospital effluent streams having active pharmaceutical ingredients is very narrow and is a debatable issue.

Findings
The disparity in the available legislation for hospital waste management in different countries makes it difficult to compare pro’s and con’s of methods adopted. Strict laws need to be framed for hospital wastewater management and its treatment, as it contains harmful compounds in higher concentrations resulting in development of resistant genes. The guideline applicable nowadays makes it clear that, specific management guidelines with respect to HWW, but also indicate certain characteristics that can be represented to specify their nature and indicator.

Research limitations/implications
Determination of effluent characteristic for each specialized treatment need to be analyzed for meeting the framed regulatory standards. Up-gradation of existing treatment facilities, adopting new technologies and improving operation, maintained is a viable option. As there are no specific treatment schemes available hence combination and optimization of treatment methods may solve the problem to certain extent.

Practical implications
There is some flexibility also there so that law framework can be modified accordingly. For any health facilities direct discharges into natural water bodies it effluent need to follow national discharge standards. These are quite strict as compared to indirect standards and generally not meet by such facilities. This is quite logical because they are not being monitored or treated by municipal systems.

Social implications
The law indicates that hospital needed to collect and treat effluent according to the treatment standards. But on other hand the law was made making it consideration about the HWW collection in water bodies.

Originality/value
The best way of management as described, is to treat HWW onsite-dividing into primary, secondary and tertiary. The document also provides details about sludge disposal, possible reuse, including the application of new and innovative treatment technologies for HWW. It also provides guidance for minimum approach for HWW management because developing countries patients do not have proper sanitation facilities.
Evidence for the coexistence of direct and riboflavin‐mediated interspecies electron transfer in Geobacter co‐culture
Authors: Huang Lingyan , Liu Xing , Ye Yin , Chen Man , Zhou Shungui 
Published: October 2019

SummaryGeobacter species can secrete free redox‐active flavins, but the role of these flavins in the interspecies electron transfer (IET) of Geobacter direct interspecies electron transfer (DIET) co‐culture is unknown. Here, we report the presence of a new riboflavin‐mediated interspecies electron transfer (RMIET) process in a traditional Geobacter DIET co‐culture; in this process, riboflavin contributes to IET by acting as a free‐form electron shuttle between free Geobacter species and serving as a bound cofactor of some cytochromes in Geobacter co‐culture aggregates. Multiple lines of evidence indicate that RMIET facilitates the primary initiation of syntrophic growth between Geobacter species before establishing the DIET co‐culture and provides additional ways alongside the DIET to transfer electrons to achieve electric syntrophy between Geobacter species. Redox kinetic analysis of riboflavin on either Geobacter species demonstrated that the Gmet_2896 cytochrome acts as the key riboflavin reduction site, while riboflavin oxidation by Geobacter sulfurreducens is the rate‐limiting step in RMIET, and the RMIET makes only a minor contribution to IET in Geobacter DIET co‐culture. The discovery of a new RMIET process in Geobacter DIET co‐culture suggests the complexity of IET in syntrophic bacterial communities and provides suggestions for the careful examination of the IET of other syntrophic co‐cultures.
Restraint minimisation in mental health care: legitimate or illegitimate force? An ethnographic study
Authors: McKeown Mick , Thomson Gill , Scholes Amy , Jones Fiona , Downe Soo , Price Owen , Baker John , Greenwood Paul , Whittington Richard , Duxbury Joy 
Published: October 2019

AbstractCoercive practices, such as physical restraint, are used globally to respond to violent, aggressive and other behaviours displayed by mental health service users.1 A number of approaches have been designed to aid staff working within services to minimise the use of restraint and other restrictive practices. One such approach, the ‘REsTRAIN Yourself’ (RYS) initiative, has been evaluated in the UK. Rapid ethnography was used to explore the aspects of organisational culture and staff behaviour exhibited by teams of staff working within 14 acute admission mental health wards in the North West region of the English NHS. Findings comprise four core themes of space and place; legitimation; meaningful activity; and, therapeutic engagement that represent characteristics of daily life on the wards before and after implementation of the RYS intervention. Tensions between staff commitments to therapeutic relations and constraining factors were revealed in demarcations of ward space and limitations on availability of meaningful activities. The physical, relational and discursive means by which ward spaces are segregated prompts attention to the observed materialities of routine care. Legitimation was identified as a crucial discursive practice in the context of staff reliance upon coercion. Trauma‐informed care represents a potentially alternative legitimacy.
Drivers of the great housing boom‐bust: Credit conditions, beliefs, or both?
Authors: Cox Josue , Ludvigson Sydney C. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractTwo potential driving forces of house price fluctuations are commonly cited: credit conditions and beliefs. We posit some simple empirical calculations using direct measures of credit conditions and beliefs to consider their potentially distinct roles in house price fluctuations at the aggregate level. Changes in credit conditions are positively related to the fraction of riskier nonconforming debt in total mortgage lending, while measures of beliefs are unrelated to this ratio. Credit conditions explain quantitatively large magnitudes of the variation in quarterly house price growth and also predict future house price growth. Beliefs bear some relation to contemporaneous house price growth but have little predictive power. A structural vector autoregression analysis implies that exogenous changes in credit conditions have quantitatively important dynamic causal effects on house price changes.
Evaluating Bioinformatic Pipeline Performance for Forensic Microbiome Analysis*,†,‡
Authors: Kaszubinski Sierra F. , Pechal Jennifer L. , Schmidt Carl J. , Jordan Heather R. , Benbow Mark E. , Meek Mariah H. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractMicrobial communities have potential evidential utility for forensic applications. However, bioinformatic analysis of high‐throughput sequencing data varies widely among laboratories. These differences can potentially affect microbial community composition and downstream analyses. To illustrate the importance of standardizing methodology, we compared analyses of postmortem microbiome samples using several bioinformatic pipelines, varying minimum library size or minimum number of sequences per sample, and sample size. Using the same input sequence data, we found that three open‐source bioinformatic pipelines, MG‐RAST, mothur, and QIIME2, had significant differences in relative abundance, alpha‐diversity, and beta‐diversity, despite the same input data. Increasing minimum library size and sample size increased the number of low‐abundant and infrequent taxa detected. Our results show that bioinformatic pipeline and parameter choice affect results in important ways. Given the growing potential application of forensic microbiology to the criminal justice system, continued research on standardizing computational methodology will be important for downstream applications.
Why diversity and expectations matter
Authors: McCluskey Jill J. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThis article was delivered in a session entitled Insights from a behavioral lens: why perceptions and diversity matter. In the article, I ask whether a diverse academic workforce is an asset to a University, and more generally to society, and conclude that it is. Although this conclusion is based on empirical data from US universities, the message is universal. Even when correcting for years of experience, rank, and nature of appointment and women's work‐life situation, there is still a negative expectation bias, whereby women and minority candidates are not expected to be as good as male researchers (a bias that also exists in the case of the appointment of female Chief Executive Officers). On the other hand, more women and minority appointments increase the productivity of women students.
The Impact of Appraisal Quality on the Voluntary Disclosure of Asset Revaluation
Authors: Song Younghyo , Pae Jinhan 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIn the wake of the global financial crisis, we compare Korean firms that voluntarily disclosed their revaluation in a timely manner with those that did not. We find that firms are more likely to disclose revaluation when they hire a large, reputable appraisal firm and when they have a large number of revaluation increments. We observe a significantly positive market reaction to the voluntary disclosure of the revaluation results. A positive market reaction is mainly observed for firms that hired a large, reputable appraisal firm, had a large number of revaluation increments, and were under greater financial distress before revaluation.
Pharmacokinetic basis for dosing high‐dose methotrexate in infants and young children with malignant brain tumours
Authors: Panetta John C. , Roberts Jessica K. , Huang Jie , Lin Tong , Daryani Vinay M. , Harstead K. Elaine , Patel Yogesh T. , Onar‐Thomas Arzu , Campagne Olivia , Ward Deborah A. , Broniscer Alberto , Robinson Giles , Gajjar Amar , Stewart Clinton F. 
Published: October 2019

AimsNo population pharmacokinetic studies of high‐dose methotrexate (HDMTX) have been conducted in infants with brain tumours, which are a vulnerable population. The aim of this study was to evaluate HDMTX disposition in these children to provide a rational basis for MTX dosing.MethodsPatients received 4 monthly courses of HDMTX (5 g/m2 or 2.5 g/m2 for infants aged ≤31 days) as a 24‐h infusion. Serial samples were analysed for MTX by an enzyme immunoassay method. Pharmacokinetic parameters were estimated using nonlinear mixed effects population modelling. Demographics, concomitant medications and genetic polymorphisms were considered as pharmacokinetic covariates while MTX exposure and patient age were considered as covariates for Grade 3 and 4 toxicities.ResultsThe population pharmacokinetics of HDMTX were estimated in 178 patients (age range 0.02–4.7 years) in 648 courses. The population clearance and volume were 90 mL/min/m2 and 14.4 L/m2, respectively. Significant covariates on body surface area adjusted MTX clearance included estimated glomerular filtration rate and co‐treatment with dexamethasone or vancomycin. No significant association was observed between MTX toxicity and MTX exposure, patient age, leucovorin dosage or duration. MTX clearance in infants ≤31 days at enrolment was 44% lower than in older infants, but their incidence of toxicity was not higher since they also received a lower MTX dosage.ConclusionsBy aggressively following institutional clinical guidelines, HDMTX‐related toxicities were low, and using covariates from the population pharmacokinetic model enabled the calculation of a rational dosage for this patient population for future clinical trials.
Neurotrophic interactions between neurons and astrocytes following AAV1‐Rheb(S16H) transduction in the hippocampus in vivo
Authors: Jeon Min‐Tae , Moon Gyeong Joon , Kim Sehwan , Choi Minji , Oh Yong‐Seok , Kim Dong Woon , Kim Hyung‐Jun , Lee Kea Joo , Choe Youngshik , Ha Chang Man , Jang Il‐Sung , Nakamura Michiko , McLean Catriona , Chung Won‐Suk , Shin Won‐Ho , Lee Seok‐Geun , Kim Sang Ryong 
Published: October 2019

Background and PurposeWe recently reported that AAV1‐Rheb(S16H) transduction could protect hippocampal neurons through the induction of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the rat hippocampus in vivo. It is still unclear how neuronal BDNF produced by AAV1‐Rheb(S16H) transduction induces neuroprotective effects in the hippocampus and whether its up‐regulation contributes to the enhance of a neuroprotective system in the adult brain.Experimental ApproachTo determine the presence of a neuroprotective system in the hippocampus of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD), we examined the levels of glial fibrillary acidic protein, BDNF and ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) and their receptors, tropomyocin receptor kinase B (TrkB) and CNTF receptor α(CNTFRα), in the hippocampus of AD patients. We also determined whether AAV1‐Rheb(S16H) transduction stimulates astroglial activation and whether reactive astrocytes contribute to neuroprotection in models of hippocampal neurotoxicity in vivo and in vitro.Key ResultsAD patients may have a potential neuroprotective system, demonstrated by increased levels of full‐length TrkB and CNTFRα in the hippocampus. Further AAV1‐Rheb(S16H) transduction induced sustained increases in the levels of full‐length TrkB and CNTFRα in reactive astrocytes and hippocampal neurons. Moreover, neuronal BDNF produced by Rheb(S16H) transduction of hippocampal neurons induced reactive astrocytes, resulting in CNTF production through the activation of astrocytic TrkB and the up‐regulation of neuronal BDNF and astrocytic CNTF which had synergistic effects on the survival of hippocampal neurons in vivo.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe results demonstrated that Rheb(S16H) transduction of hippocampal neurons could strengthen the neuroprotective system and this intensified system may have a therapeutic value against neurodegeneration in the adult brain.
Oral and dental health and health care for Māori with type 2 diabetes: A qualitative study
Authors: Reid Jennifer , Koopu Pauline , Burkhardt Natalie , Stewart Tereki , Anderson Anneka , Harwood Matire 
Published: October 2019

AbstractObjectivesType 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and periodontal disease are two highly prevalent, directly and independently associated long‐term conditions that disproportionately impact Indigenous Māori in New Zealand (NZ). Although poorly understood, a number of social and biological mechanisms connect these conditions. This qualitative study explored experiences of T2DM and oral and dental (hereafter oral/dental) health; access to oral/dental health care; whether participants’ experiences supported or challenged existing evidence; and sought suggestions for improving oral/dental health in a high‐deprivation rural area of Northland, NZ.MethodsParticipants (n = 33) meeting the study criteria: self‐identified Māori ethnicity, aged ≥ 18‐years with glycated haemoglobin (HBA1c) >65 mmol/L were recruited via the local primary care clinic in September‐December 2015; two left the study prior to data collection. During face‐to‐face semi‐structured interviews, participants (n = 31) were asked How does diabetes affect your teeth? and When did you last access dental care? Kaupapa Māori (KM) theory and methodology provided an important decolonizing lens to critically analyse the fundamental causes of Indigenous health inequities.ResultsIndependent analysis of qualitative data by three KM researchers identified four themes: access barriers to quality care; pathways to edentulism; the ‘cost’ of edentulism; and, unmet need. Results contributed towards informing Mana Tū—an evidence‐based KM programme for diabetes in primary care—to be introduced in this and other communities from 2018.ConclusionsOral health is integral to diabetes management, and vice versa. Subsidized specialist referrals for oral‐dental health care for Māori with T2DM could improve glycaemic control and diabetes outcomes and reduce diabetes‐related complications among this population.
Mechanisms of glucocorticoid resistance in hypereosinophilic syndromes
Authors: Stokes Kindra , Yoon Pryscilla , Makiya Michelle , Gebreegziabher Meheret , Holland‐Thomas Nicole , Ware JeanAnne , Wetzler Lauren , Khoury Paneez , Klion Amy D. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundGlucocorticoids (GC) are considered first‐line therapy for most patients with hypereosinophilic syndrome (HES). Although response rates are generally high, many patients require moderate to high doses for control of eosinophilia and symptoms, and up to 15% of patients do not respond at all. Despite this, little is known about the mechanisms of GC resistance in patients with HES.ObjectiveTo explore the aetiology of GC resistance in HES.MethodsClinical data and samples from 26 patients with HES enrolled on a prospective study of GC responsiveness and 23 patients with HES enrolled on a natural history study of eosinophilia for whom response to GC was known were analysed retrospectively. Expression of GC receptor isoforms was assessed by quantitative RT‐PCR in purified eosinophils. Serum cytokine levels were quantified by suspension array assay in multiplex.ResultsDespite an impaired eosinophil response to GC after 7 days of treatment, the expected rise in absolute neutrophil count was seen in 7/7 GC‐resistant patients, suggesting that GC resistance in HES is not a global phenomenon. Eosinophil mRNA expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) isoforms (α, β, and P) was similar between GC‐sensitive (n = 20) and GC‐resistant (n = 9) patients with HES. Whereas geometric mean serum levels were also comparable between GC‐r (n = 11) and GC‐s (n = 19) for all cytokines tested, serum IL‐5 levels were >100 pg/mL only in GC‐r patients.Conclusions and Clinical RelevanceThese data suggest that the mechanism of GC resistance in HES is not due to a global phenomenon affecting all lineages, but may be due, at least in some patients, to impairment of eosinophil apoptosis by increased levels of IL‐5.
Contact dermatitis caused by glucose sensors in diabetic children
Authors: Herman Anne , Darrigade Anne‐Sophie , de Montjoye Laurence , Baeck Marie 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundAllergic contact dermatitis caused by glucose sensors has been recently described in diabetics, mostly in adult patients. Isobornyl acrylate and N‐N dimethylacrylamide are the potent causative agents.ObjectivesTo describe a child population with contact dermatitis caused by glucose sensors, determine the causative allergen, and assess the prevalence of isobornyl acrylate (IBOA) sensitization.Patients and MethodsOverall, 12 children with a reaction to medical devices, either glucose sensors or insulin sets, were patch tested with the European baseline series, glues and rubber, (meth) acrylates series, and with piece of the adhesive part of the glucose sensor FreeStyle Libre. Isobornyl acrylate 0.1% pet. was patch tested in 11 patients, and N‐N dimethylacrylamide in two. Some patients were tested with adhesive parts of the infusion set.ResultsOverall, 10 children reacted to the adhesive part of the sensor FreeStyle Libre, and 10 children were sensitized to IBOA. One patient turned out to be negative in all patch tests.ConclusionAllergic contact dermatitis caused by glucose sensors is common in the pediatric diabetic patient population. Like in the adult patient population, IBOA was the culprit allergen, with 83.3% sensitization prevalence in children exhibiting adverse cutaneous reactions caused by FreeStyle Libre.