bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Causal effects of lipid‐lowering drugs on inflammatory skin diseases: Evidence from drug target Mendelian randomisation
Authors: Zang Chenyang , Li Jiaxin , Zhang Ying , Deng Wenyu , Mao Manyun , Zhu Wu , Chen Wangqing 
Published: September 2024

AbstractClinical research has revealed that inflammatory skin diseases are associated with dyslipidaemia. Modulating lipids is also a rising potential treatment option. However, there is heterogeneity in the existing evidence and a lack of large‐scale clinical trials. Observational research is prone to bias, making it difficult to determine causality. This study aimed to evaluate the causal association between lipid‐lowering drugs and inflammatory skin diseases. A drug target Mendelian randomisation (MR) analysis was conducted. Genetic targets of lipid‐lowering drugs, including proprotein convertase subtilis kexin 9 (PCSK9) and 3‐hydroxy‐3‐methylglutaryl‐assisted enzyme A reductase (HMGCR) inhibitor, were screened. Common inflammatory skin diseases, including psoriasis, allergic urticaria, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, systemic sclerosis and seborrhoeic dermatitis, were considered as outcomes. Gene‐predicted inhibition of PCSK9 was causally associated with a decreased risk of psoriasis (ORIVW [95%CI] = 0.600 [0.474–0.761], p = 2.48 × 10−5) and atopic dermatitis (ORIVW [95%CI] = 0.781 [0.633–0.964], p = 2.17 × 10−2). Gene‐predicted inhibition of HMGCR decreased the risk of seborrhoeic dermatitis (ORIVW [95%CI] = 0.407 [0.168–0.984], p = 4.61 × 10−2) but increased the risk of allergic urticaria (ORIVW [95%CI] = 3.421 [1.374–8.520], p = 8.24 × 10−3) and rosacea (ORIVW [95%CI] = 3.132 [1.260–7.786], p = 1.40 × 10−2). Among all causal associations, only PCSK9 inhibition demonstrated a robust causal effect on psoriasis after a more rigorous Bonferroni test (p < 4.17 × 10−3, which is 0.05/12). Modulating lipids via PCSK9 inhibition may offer potential therapeutic targets for psoriasis and atopic dermatitis. Given the potential cutaneous side effects associated with HMGCR inhibitors, PCSK9 inhibitors could be considered viable alternatives in lipid‐lowering medication.
Revisiting and measuring foreign language confidence from a World Englishes perspective: Scale development and validation
Authors: Liu Guangxiang Leon 
Published: September 2024

AbstractBuilding on a World Englishes perspective, this article revisits foreign language confidence (FLC) and elaborates on the development and validation of a three‐factor Foreign Language Confidence Scale (FLCS) including Foreign Language Competence, Sense of Linguistic Security, and Sense of Linguistic Ownership. It first critically examines the existing understanding and measurement of FLC. Then it offers a theoretical and empirical justification for the three‐factor proposition in the FLCS. To examine the psychometric quality of the FLCS, two datasets (Sample 1: N = 673, Sample 2: N = 380) were collected from 1053 undergraduate English‐as‐a‐foreign‐language (EFL) learners at a top‐tier university in China. Results of exploratory factor analysis using Sample 1 demonstrated a stable three‐factor structure in the FLCS with sufficient factorial eigenvalues and strong item loadings. The confirmatory factor analysis based on Sample 2 cross‐validated the FLCS's underlying factor structure and substantiated the reliability and validity (e.g., convergent and discriminant validity) of the three‐factor 16‐item FLCS. This article also discusses the psychometric properties of the FLCS and points out its potential use for future teaching and research purposes against the backdrop of decolonizing English language education.
Circular Economy and Sustainability in Luxury Fashion Consumer Behavior: A Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Gasulla Tortajada Elena , Moreira António Carrizo , Duarte Paulo , Silva Susana C. 
Published: September 2024

ABSTRACTOver the last decade, luxury consumers have become more aware of the adverse environmental impacts associated with their lifestyles and are transitioning toward more responsible consumption patterns. Circular economy and sustainability business strategies have become crucial for this and have attracted the attention of scholars and brands. This paper aims to assess the current state of research concerning the circular economy and sustainability within luxury fashion consumer behavior. It focuses on relevant studies published in leading peer‐reviewed English‐language journals in business, management, and economics, using keywords such as luxury, consumer, circular economy, and sustainability. This review emphasizes the substantial impact of the 9Rs of the circular economy on luxury fashion consumers while also noticing the lack of consumer‐focused research in the areas of the circular economy and sustainability. It presents a critical and thorough assessment, categorization, and analysis of the emerging literature in this field. The authors propose a deeper and more specific research agenda exploring the relationship between the circular economy, sustainability, and luxury fashion. The paper suggests potential directions for future research, emphasizing the need for theoretical, educational, and communication‐oriented studies to address the distinctive circular economy and sustainability issues within luxury fashion consumption.
Improved food habits and anthropometry among primary school children following a novel healthy eating programme
Authors: Seneviratne Sumudu N. , Sachchithananthan Sanathanee , Angulugaha Gamage Pavithra S. , Peiris Renuka , Wickramasinghe Vithanage P. , Somasundaram Noel 
Published: September 2024

SummaryObjectiveAssess longer‐term changes in food habits and anthropometry among Grades 1–2 primary school students from four public schools in Colombo, Sri Lanka, following a 3‐week programme including a classroom‐based motivational storybook discussion and self‐monitoring food diary (FD).MethodsThis follow‐up study assessed changes from baseline (pre‐intervention) BMI z‐scores and food habits (increased healthy food‐item consumption/decreased unhealthy food‐item consumption reflected by an increase in FD score) and parental perceptions (anonymous questionnaires) among 863 students (aged 6–8 years), between 9 and 12 months after completing the programme (November 2019–February 2020).ResultsFood habits showed sustained improvement from baseline mean FD score (baseline vs. follow‐up: 51 ± 23% vs. 67 ± 22%, p < 0.001), with children from all BMI subgroups (underweight [UW], normal weight [NW], overweight [OW] and obesity [OB]) showing a significant increase in FD scores (ranging from 14.1% to 17.2%, p < 0.001). BMI z‐scores increased in children living with UW (−2.85 to −2.21, p < 0.00) and NW (−0.70 to −0.57, p < 0.001), but did not change in children with OW (+1.5 to +1.49, p = 0.83) and OB (+2.85 to +2.21, p = 0.19). Most parents (n = 497, 97.8%) reported satisfaction with programme outcomes.ConclusionThis programme led to sustained improvement in food habits among young primary school children from all BMI categories, increase in BMI towards the median among children living with UW and NW, and stabilization of BMI in children with OW and OB, suggesting it as a useful tool for improving nutritional status of young children in low‐ and middle‐income countries (LMIC) facing the double burden of under‐ and overnutrition.
Power approximation for pricing American options
Authors: Hassan Noura El , Maddah Bacel 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAmerican options are one of the most traded instruments in the financial markets. However, pricing them is challenging because of the early exercise possibility. We propose a robust pricing method based on nonlinear regression over a representative set of “exact” pricing instances obtained via a binomial lattice. Our “power approximation” approach is inspired from the literature on the well‐known periodic review inventory system. Our objective is to develop a closed‐form approximation for pricing American options that performs well on accuracy, computational efficiency (speed), and simplicity. Our results include developing a large set of “exact” American option premiums and critical stock price (indicating when to exercise the option) over a carefully designed grid with parameter values, which are common in practice. In addition, we compile the literature for existing American option pricing approximations and identify suitable ones. These approximations serve two purposes: (i) providing a starting point for our approximations and (ii) developing a benchmark for our work. We develop two closed‐form approximations for the critical stock price, and premium of an American put option, which perform very well with a median error below 0.45% for both.
The risk of ultraviolet exposure for melanoma in Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV: A 20‐year systematic review with meta‐analysis for sunburns
Authors: Kwa Michael , Ravi Manisha , Elhage Kareem , Schultz Lonni , Lim Henry W. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractWithin the last two decades, no studies have comprehensively reviewed the risk of varying types of ultraviolet (UV) exposure on melanoma in fairer skinned individuals. Our research objective was to determine whether or not there was a change in the risk of UV exposure with development of melanoma in Fitzpatrick skin types I–IV based on more recent data over the past 20 years. We performed a systematic review from January 2002 to December 2021 analysing UV exposure and melanoma risk in Fitzpatrick type I–IV individuals. Out of 19,852 studies, 26 met inclusion criteria. Data spanned subjects from national and multinational cohorts (USA, Europe, Australia, Asia and South America). Twenty studies (77%, 20/26) identified a significant association between UV exposure and melanoma incidence. Sunburn was the most commonly assessed risk factor. Sunburn studies encompassed 3417 melanoma and found positive significant odds ratios (OR [95% CI]) in 11 out of 13 studies, ranging from 1.23 [1.01–1.49] to 8.48 [4.35–16.54]. Pooled analysis of the risk of melanoma with sunburn history found an unadjusted odds ratio of 1.66 [1.40–1.97] and adjusted odds ratio of 1.23 [1.04–1.46]. Cumulative sun exposure, measured as number of hours of sun exposure or calculated UV flux, was the second most common risk factor, encompassing 913 melanomas with positive significant ORs ranging from 1.1 [1.0–1.2] to 5.2 [2.1–12.5]. For other forms of UV exposure, a majority of studies showed an association with UV index (6/9), outdoor leisure activity (3/3) and left‐sided laterality (1/1). Overall, UV exposure should continue to be considered a modifiable risk factor for melanoma in individuals of fairer skin.
Sink or swim? Managerial ability and trade credit
Authors: Hasan Md Mahmudul , Sarkar Sayan , Spieler Andrew C. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractIn this article, we examine the relation between managerial ability and the use of supplier‐provided trade credit. The literature documents the positive effects of high‐ability managers, including more accurate earnings forecasts, improved earnings quality, and overall improvement in corporate disclosure policies. We argue that customers (those seeking trade credit) with high‐ability managers are better able to negotiate with suppliers, provide more transparent disclosure, and maintain strong relationships. Likewise, suppliers are willing to provide more trade credit to customers with high‐ability managers because of reduced information asymmetry, creating an environment of trust and transparency. Our empirical results show that suppliers extend more trade credit to customers with high‐ability managers and that this relation is more pronounced for financially constrained firms.
When ethnic minorities hit the headlines: The longitudinal associations between news features and adolescents' ethnic prejudice
Authors: Bobba Beatrice , Miniati Adele , Crocetti Elisabetta 
Published: September 2024

AbstractEthnic prejudice poses great challenges to adolescents' adjustment to multicultural societies. However, little is known about the role of the media in influencing attitudes in adolescence. Combining information environment and ecological development theories, the current study examined the longitudinal associations between the quantity, valence (i.e., neutral, positive, and negative), and target (i.e., migrant, refugee, and foreigner) of the news about ethnic minority groups and youth's affective and cognitive prejudice. In total, 962 adolescents (Mage = 15.67, 48.13% females) completed questionnaires at two time points, and news data were gathered from a national newspaper. While news quantity did not matter, positive and negative news were respectively associated with reduced and increased levels of cognitive, but not affective, prejudice. Nuanced associations emerged when accounting for the news target. Results were replicated regardless of adolescents' direct consumption of newspapers. These findings highlight the role of the information environment and suggest the need to account for it in planning interventions.
Legislative capacity limits interest group influence: Evidence from California's Proposition 140
Authors: Garlick Alex , Kroeger Mary , Pellaton Paige 
Published: September 2024

AbstractReformers assert that lobbyists take advantage of legislators who lack adequate staffing and research to win policy outcomes for their interest group clients. However, in the United States, legislators usually determine their own levels of staff. This paper exploits the 1990 passage of California's Proposition 140 to test a situation when the legislature's capacity dropped. Proposition 140 immediately lowered legislative expenditures for the 1991–1992 session by 38%, which decimated the policy staff, particularly in the state's Assembly. Using bill analyses that identify which outside groups served as the source of legislation, we shows that group sponsored bills became more likely to pass than non‐group bills in the wake of Proposition 140. This effect is concentrated in bills introduced in the Assembly. We account for other factors that could explain this relationship, particularly direct and indirect effects of the term limits wrought by Proposition 140, but find they did not alter legislator relationships with outside groups.
Exploring the relationship between child temperament, maternal psychiatric symptoms, family environment and infant feeding
Authors: McCorkle Ginger , Andres Aline , Sims Clark R. , Casey Patrick H. , Sorensen Seth T. , Durey Trevor , Bellando Jayne 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectivesInfant temperament is assumed to be primarily innate. However, newer research suggests that maternal affection impacts ratings of temperament and environmental factors, including feeding method, can also influence infant temperament. This study investigates child temperament and its relationships with maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental variables and feeding method longitudinally in a cohort of children followed from 6 to 72 months. Differences in temperament by feeding group are also investigated. We hypothesized that maternal psychiatric symptoms, environmental stressors, and impaired family dynamics would have negative impact on child temperament, whereas breastfeeding would have a positive impact on child temperament.MethodMothers' ratings of child's temperament, own psychiatric symptomatology, environmental stresses and family cohesion were obtained in 504 mother‐infant dyads via rating scales completed by mothers. Infants were breastfeed (BF), fed soy‐based infant formula (SF) or dairy‐based infant formula (MF). Linear mixed effect models investigated the relationship of variables on child's temperament while controlling for significant covariates and repeated measurements.ResultsMothers in this study did not endorse clinical‐level psychiatric symptomatology; however, when adjusted for significant covariates, higher psychiatric symptomatology significantly correlated with environmental stressors, impaired family dynamics and elevations in temperament ratings of infants' adaptability and mood. There were no lasting differences for temperament between feeding groups. However, some significant transient increases in rhythmicity and adaptability were found between SF and BF children.ConclusionPositive relationships between family environment stressors and maternal psychiatric ratings were found. Transient differences were found in child temperament based upon feeding method.
Left–right political orientations are not systematically related to conspiracism
Authors: Enders Adam , Klofstad Casey , Littrell Shane , Miller Joanne , Theocharis Yannis , Uscinski Joseph , Zilinsky Jan 
Published: September 2024

AbstractResearchers have long sought to make generalizable conclusions about the relationship between conspiracism and political identities. However, this literature remains deeply conflicted. The “extremity hypothesis” argues that, due to the psychology of extremism, individuals who identify as extremely left or right wing should display higher levels of conspiracism than centrists. But the “asymmetry hypothesis” argues that, due to the psychology of conservatism, individuals who self‐identify as right wing should display higher levels of conspiracism than those identifying as centrists or left wing. Here, we attempt to reconcile these competing hypotheses and the empirical findings supporting them. First, we demonstrate that the inconsistent findings stem from research designs that cannot support generalizable conclusions about the relationship between conspiracism and political identities. Second, we reexamine the most prominent studies supporting the extremity and asymmetry hypotheses. We find that they suffer from inappropriate measurement and modeling strategies, rendering their conclusions suspect. We then test the extremity and asymmetry hypotheses by reexamining 18 U.S. surveys (2012–21; n = 32,056) and examining new surveys from 18 countries (2022; n = 18,033). In total, our 77 samples spanning a decade and 27 countries (n = 161,492) provide only weak support for either hypothesis. The wide variability in our findings suggests that differences in the relationship between conspiracism and political identities across political and temporal contexts do not stem from sampling variability, but rather from systematic forces that impact ideology, conspiracism, or both. We conclude that there is no single functional form that universally characterizes the relationship between conspiracism and political orientations across countries, or even over time within countries.
“I trust you, but I'm scared!” Attitudinal and emotional drivers of support for restrictive interventions during crises
Authors: Casiraghi Matteo C. M. , Curini Luigi , Nai Alessandro 
Published: September 2024

AbstractUnder what conditions do citizens support restrictive and punitive measures to curb global crises? This article investigates the role of political trust in supporting different interventions across three types of crises—pandemics, climate change, and terrorism—both directly and in conjunction with issue‐related anxiety. We test the hypothesis that political trust positively affects the likelihood of accepting restrictive measures during crisis, focusing on Italy as a relevant case study due to its comparatively low levels of political trust. According to affective intelligence theory, we also expect that individual anxiety moderates such a relationship: Political trust should have an effect primarily when people are not anxious. To examine this, we conducted a conjoint experiment administered to a nationally representative sample of 1000 Italian citizens. Respondents were presented with a “crisis vignette” where the nature of the crisis, its severity, and the state measures implemented to curb the threat were randomly allocated as attributes. They were then asked to rate their support for the proposed measure. Results confirm that political trust matters. Citizens with high levels of trust are generally more willing to accept restrictions. However, as predicted, political trust only influences non‐anxious voters.
Integrative metabolome and transcriptome analysis characterized methyl jasmonate‐elicited flavonoid metabolites of Blumea balsamifera
Authors: Guan Lingliang , Yang Lixin , Yu Fulai , Zeng Houyuan , Yuan Chao , Xie Xiaoli , Bai Lin , Chen Zhenxia , Chen Xiaolu , Wang Kai , Huang Mei , Hu Xuan , Liu Lei 
Published: September 2024

AbstractAs a commonly used medicinal plant, the flavonoid metabolites of Blumea balsamifera and their association with genes are still elusive. In this study, the total flavonoid content (TFC), flavonoid metabolites and biosynthetic gene expression patterns of B. balsamifera after application of exogenous methyl jasmonate (MeJA) were scrutinized. The different concentrations of exogenous MeJA increased the TFC of B. balsamifera leaves after 48 h of exposure, and there was a positive correlation between TFC and the elicitor concentration. A total of 48 flavonoid metabolites, falling into 10 structural classes, were identified, among which flavones and flavanones were predominant. After screening candidate genes by transcriptome mining, the comprehensive analysis of gene expression level and TFC suggested that FLS and MYB may be key genes that regulate the TFC in B. balsamifera leaves under exogenous MeJA treatment. This study lays a foundation for elucidating flavonoids of B. balsamifera, and navigates the breeding of flavonoid‐rich B. balsamifera varieties.
Ophthalmic findings and reference values for selected ocular parameters in whooping cranes (Grus americana) and Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla)
Authors: Gafen Hannah B. , Garces‐Torres Rodrigo S. , Liu Chin‐Chi , Lewin Andrew C. , Camacho‐Luna Pilar , MacLean Robert A. , Carter Renee T. 
Published: September 2024

AbstractObjectiveTo establish baseline ophthalmic parameters for an endangered, semi‐wild population of healthy whooping cranes (Grus americana) (WHCR) and Mississippi sandhill cranes (Grus canadensis pulla) (SACR).Animals StudiedEighteen WHCR and 16 SACR.ProceduresOphthalmic examination was performed by a single observer, followed by conjunctival swab collection for aerobic bacterial culture and measurement of tear production (phenol red thread test, PRTT) and corneal diameter (CD) as tolerated. Measurement of the axial globe (AG) length, anterior chamber (AC) depth, lens thickness, vitreous chamber (VC) depth, and pecten length was performed via ocular ultrasound (OUS) as tolerated.ResultsEyelid cicatrization (n = 1 WHCR), keratitis (n = 2 WHCR), incipient cataracts (n = 1 WHCR, n = 4 SACR), and uveal cysts (n = 1 SACR) were identified. Twenty‐one bacterial species were cultured from SACR, while 18 bacterial species were cultured from WHCR. SACR under 6 months old had increased PRTT values compared to older SACR (p = .0432). AG length and VC depth of male WHCR were greater than in female WHCR (p = .0045 and p = .0008, respectively). WHCR less than 6 months old had greater AC depth and lens thickness than WHCR over 6 months (p < .001 and p = .0013, respectively). SACR less than 6 months old had greater AC depth and lens thickness than WHCR over 6 months (p < .0001 and p < .0001, respectively).ConclusionsWHCR and SACR are amenable to complete ophthalmic examination. Age‐related differences in PRTT in SACR, sexual dimorphism in WHCR, and age‐related differences in AC depth and lens thickness in WHCR and SACR were identified.