bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effect of sleeve gastrectomy on sperm quality and fertility on non-obese diabetes diet model rat
Authors: Tumentemur Gamze , Titiz Mustafa , Bobus Ors Alev 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundIn people with diabetes, the effect of sleeve gastrectomy on impaired sperm parameters, hormonal profile and testis tissue remains controversial to some extent.The context and purpose of the studyEffects of sleeve gastrectomy on hormonal profile, sperm parameters, and testis tissue in infertile men with type II diabetes mellitus (TIIDM). This study included thirty two TIIDM that were scheduled with and without sleeve gastrectomy. All rats were taken a sperm analysis, a testis tissue and a serum hormone profile before, 8 weeks after surgery.ResultsThere was a significant correlation between weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy and decreased in glucose profile (p < 0.05). As regards the hormonal profile, testosterone improved significantly after 8 weeks following sleeve gastrectomy. There was a significant increase in sperm count (p < 0.05), and improved sperm morphology during the follow-up after sleeve gastrectomy, also showed that significant changes as improved in testis tissue after surgery.ConclusionSleeve gastrectomy significantly improves testosterone deficiency, testis tissue and sperm count in TIIDM rats. More prospective clinical studies are needed to show how bariatric surgery affects infertility affected by TIIDM patients.
Genetic analysis reveals a robust and hierarchical recruitment of the LolA chaperone to the LolCDE lipoprotein transporter
Authors: Lehman Kelly M. , May Kerrie L. , Marotta Julianna , Grabowicz Marcin 
Published: November 2023

ABSTRACTThe outer membrane (OM) is an essential organelle of Gram-negative bacteria. Lipoproteins are key to building the OM, performing essential functions in several OM assembly machines. Lipoproteins mature in the inner membrane (IM) and are then trafficked to the OM. InEscherichia coli, the LolCDE transporter is needed to extract lipoproteins from the IM to begin trafficking. Lipoproteins are then transferred from LolCDE to the periplasmic chaperone LolA which ferries them to the OM for insertion by LolB. LolA recruitment by LolC is an essential trafficking step. Structural and biochemical studies suggested that two regions (termed Hook and Pad) within a periplasmic loop of LolC worked in tandem to recruit LolA, leading to a bipartite model for recruitment. Here, we genetically examine the LolC periplasmic loopin vivousingE. coli. Our findings challenge the bipartite interaction model. We show that while the Hook is essential for lipoprotein traffickingin vivo, lipoproteins are still efficiently trafficked when the Pad residues are inactivated. We show with AlphaFold2 multimer modeling that Hook:LolA interactions are likely universal among diverse Gram-negative bacteria. Conversely, Pad:LolA interactions vary across phyla. Ourin vivodata redefine LolC:LolA recruitment into a hierarchical interaction model. We propose that the Hook is the major player in LolA recruitment, while the Pad plays an ancillary role that is important for efficiency but is ultimately dispensable. Our findings expand the understanding of a fundamental step in essential lipoprotein trafficking and have implications for efforts to develop new antibacterials that target LolCDE.IMPORTANCEResistance to current antibiotics is increasingly common. New antibiotics that target essential processes are needed to expand clinical options. For Gram-negative bacteria, their cell surface— the outer membrane (OM)—is an essential organelle and antibiotic barrier that is an attractive target for new antibacterials. Lipoproteins are key to building the OM. The LolCDE transporter is needed to supply the OM with lipoproteins and has been a focus of recent antibiotic discovery.In vitroevidence recently proposed a two-part interaction of LolC with LolA lipoprotein chaperone (which traffics lipoproteins to the OM) via “Hook” and “Pad” regions. We show that this model does not reflect lipoprotein traffickingin vivo. Only the Hook is essential for lipoprotein trafficking and is remarkably robust to mutational changes. The Pad is non-essential for lipoprotein trafficking but plays an ancillary role, contributing to trafficking efficiency. These insights inform ongoing efforts to drug LolCDE.
C3 and CD47 dependent mechanisms in the refinement of sensory-motor circuits during spinal cord development
Authors: Florez-Paz D , Mentis G.Z. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractOverground movement in mammals require the timely and appropriate assembly of spinal sensory-motor circuits. Within spinal cord, sensory neurons, spinal interneurons and motor neurons are key players forming intricate neuronal circuits to ensure proper motor control. The formation of neuronal circuits starts at embryonic period and continues into postnatal development. During this process supernumerary synapses are pruned and refinement of immature circuits occurs, making way for emergence of mature circuits. A major aspect of the sensory-motor circuits’ refinement involves the elimination of inappropriate synapses, the molecular mechanisms of which are relatively unknown. We have investigated the molecular mechanisms involved in the elimination of inappropriate proprioceptive synapses from motor neurons by focusing on the classical complement proteins C3 and C1q, as well as the integrin associated protein CD47. Using mouse genetics, viral-mediated neuronal map strategies together with physiological, morphological and molecular biology assays, we found that inappropriate synaptic elimination occurs during early development utilizing both C3 and C1q proteins, but importantly and totally unexpectedly, the CD47 protein. Taken together, our study demonstrates that refinement of immature sensory-motor circuits in the spinal cord is mediated by classical complement dependent mechanisms as well as CD47-dependent mechanisms, uncovering a new role for CD47 as a major player in synapse elimination.
Aetiology of vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, and genital ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa: systematic review and meta-regression
Authors: Michalow Julia , Walters Magdalene K , Edun Olanrewaju , Wybrant Max , Davies Bethan , Kufa Tendesayi , Mathega Thabitha , Chabata Sungai T , Cowan Frances M , Cori Anne , Boily Marie-Claude , Imai-Eaton Jeffrey W 
Published: November 2023

AbstractIntroductionSyndromic management is widely used to treat symptomatic sexually transmitted infections in settings lacking aetiologic diagnostics. However, heterogeneity in underlying aetiologies and consequent treatment suitability are uncertain without regular assessment. This systematic review characterised aetiologies for vaginal discharge, urethral discharge, and genital ulcer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).MethodsWe searched Embase, MEDLINE, Global Health, and Web of Science until July 25, 2022, and grey literature until August 31, 2022, for studies reporting aetiologic diagnoses among symptomatic populations in SSA. We adjusted observations for diagnostic test performance and used generalised linear mixed-effects meta-regressions to estimate aetiologic distributions, trends, and determinants.ResultsOf 4136 identified records, 198 reports were included from 183 studies in 32 countries between 1969 and 2022. In 2015, primary aetiologies for vaginal discharge were candidiasis (69.4% [95% CI:44.1-86.6%], n=50), bacterial vaginosis (50.0% [32.3-67.8%], n=39), chlamydia (16.5% [8.7-29.0%], n=49), and trichomoniasis (12.9% [7.7-20.7%], n=78); for urethral discharge were gonorrhoea (78.8% [70.9-85.1%], n=67) and chlamydia (22.2% [16.0-30.1%], n=48); and for genital ulcer were HSV-2 (56.1% [39.2-71.6%], n=46) and syphilis (7.8% [5.3-11.4%], n=115). Regional variation was marginal. Temporal variation was substantial, particularly for genital ulcer. For each symptom, HIV-status and age were significantly associated with infection diagnoses, although aetiologic hierarchies were largely the same by strata.ConclusionSyndrome aetiologies in SSA align with WHO guidelines without strong evidence of contextual or demographic variation, supporting broad guideline applicability. Temporal changes underscore the need for aetiologic re-assessment. STI surveillance using syndrome-based assessments is noncomprehensive and requires studies among symptomatic and asymptomatic populations.PROSPERO numberCRD42022348045
Renovation in environmental, social and governance (ESG) research: the application of machine learning
Authors: Zhang Abby Yaqing , Zhang Joseph H. 
Published: November 2023

PurposeEnvironmental, social and governance (ESG) factors have become increasingly important in investment decisions, leading to a surge in ESG investing and the rise of sustainable investment assets. Nevertheless, challenges in ESG disclosure, such as quantifying unstructured data, lack of guidelines and comparability, rampantly exist. ESG rating agencies play a crucial role in assessing corporate ESG performance, but concerns over their credibility and reliability persist. To address these issues, researchers are increasingly utilizing machine learning (ML) tools to enhance ESG reporting and evaluation. By leveraging ML, accounting practitioners and researchers gain deeper insights into the relationship between ESG practices and financial performance, offering a more data-driven understanding of ESG impacts on business communities.Design/methodology/approachThe authors review the current research on ESG disclosure and ESG performance disagreement, followed by the review of current ESG research with ML tools in three areas: connecting ML with ESG disclosures, integrating ML with ESG rating disagreement and employing ML with ESG in other settings. By comparing different research's ML applications in ESG research, the authors conclude the positive and negative sides of those research studies.FindingsThe practice of ESG reporting and assurance is on the rise, but still in its technical infancy. ML methods offer advantages over traditional approaches in accounting, efficiently handling large, unstructured data and capturing complex patterns, contributing to their superiority. ML methods excel in prediction accuracy, making them ideal for tasks like fraud detection and financial forecasting. Their adaptability and feature interaction capabilities make them well-suited for addressing diverse and evolving accounting problems, surpassing traditional methods in accuracy and insight.Originality/valueThe authors broadly review the accounting research with the ML method in ESG-related issues. By emphasizing the advantages of ML compared to traditional methods, the authors offer suggestions for future research in ML applications in ESG-related fields.
Leaving no one behind: unveiling gaps in inclusive architecture at the UIA World Congress of architects 2023
Authors: Mohareb Nabil 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThis article aims to provide an insightful analysis of the UIA World Congress of Architects held in Copenhagen in 2023. The Congress adopted the aspirational motto “Leave no one behind,” prompting debates on how to realize this vision. Six major congress tracks centered on architecture's function in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each track focused on a particular design challenge: climate adaptation, circular design strategies, community resilience, public health, inclusive built environments and challenging power structures. There were 250 scholarly papers and pre-and-post-events for further debate on the tracks.Design/methodology/approachThis paper provides an insightful overview of the major panels, analyzes the events' content and analyzes the efficiency of the final ten principles underlining the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, community participation and new design approaches in achieving the SDGs.FindingsOrganizing an inclusive global event is a multifaceted challenge, demanding a careful representation of diverse participants. The selection of an appropriate venue, effective exhibition curation and thoughtful scientific representation play pivotal roles. The exhibition successfully engaged a broad spectrum of attendees. While the structure of six distinct tracks focusing on climate adaptation, resource reevaluation, resilient communities, public health, inclusivity and partnership for change was commendable, an excess of parallel sessions impeded the potential for robust discussions. A more cohesive approach with integrated sessions and flexible timeframes could foster meaningful exchanges, aligning with the essence of the motto “Leave no one behind.” It is suggested to prioritize in-depth engagement over breadth, enabling profound dialogues among stakeholders in shaping the agenda for future congresses.Originality/valueThis paper offers originality through its analysis of the UIA 2023 Congress's major events spotlighting architecture's significance within the UN SDGs. Enriched by the author's active engagement and reflective insights from the event, this paper adds value to the academic dialogue surrounding architecture and sustainable development. Additionally, the insights garnered from this analysis can inform the planning of future congresses and the refinement of guiding principles.
Corporate board, audit committee and earnings manipulation: does the corporate regulation matter? An emerging economy perspective
Authors: Khan Sattar , Kamal Yasir 
Published: November 2023

Purpose
This paper aims to investigate the impact of the revised Code of Corporate Governance 2017 (CCG-2017) clauses pertaining to board independence, mandatory inclusion of female directors, audit committee (AC) chair independence and directors’ expertise on earnings manipulation.

Design/methodology/approach
Using an unbalanced panel of 323 listed companies from 2015 to 2019, this study uses panel data regression models with a robust methodology called difference-in-differences to tackle the potential endogeneity.

Findings
This study’s findings show that, as compared to the pre-CCG-2017 period, board- and AC-related variables increased significantly in the post-CCG-2017 period. Furthermore, financial experts on the board and board independence have a negative effect on discretionary accruals (DAs), whereas female directors and DAs are positively related, as is real activity manipulation. The AC-related variables, such as AC independence, expertise in AC, and AC chair independence, are significantly different from the preperiod to the postperiod, whereas their relationship is not according to the hypotheses of the study. Moreover, these results are robust to additional analysis of the alternative proxies for female directorship and the endogeneity problem.

Practical implications
The findings of this study have implications for regulators and practitioners who are concerned with the functions of the board of directors (BOD). The findings of this research study show that earnings management (EM) may be reduced by independent and expert directors. However, board gender diversity is not reducing the EM. Therefore, the decision to appoint female directors to the board should be based on their business and professional attributes rather than simply filling quotas or blindly adhering to regulations. Moreover, the findings of this research may assist the regulator in encouraging listed firms to enhance board governance via independence, diversity and competency, which are useful for effective monitoring.

Originality/value
This study fills a gap in the literature by providing the first evidence of country-specific regulation (CCG-2017), concerning the BOD and AC-related clauses on EM in Pakistan, which is missing in the relevant literature general and in Pakistan in particular.
The role of collective learning in building professional learning communities in schools in the Zambezi region of Namibia
Authors: Nkengbeza David , Maemeko Eugene L. , Mashebe Percy 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to assess teachers' and principals' perception towards the role of collective learning (CL) and application in building professional learning communities (PLCs) in schools in one selected circuit in the Zambezi Region.Design/methodology/approachQuantitative research method was used, and the data were collected using PLCs’ questionnaires revised for circuit and region in Namibia. A total of 340 teachers and principals in primary, combined and secondary schools were involved in this research. Based on teachers and principals' assessment, high- and low-performing factors of CL are presented and explained.FindingsThe major findings are that the majority of participants either strongly agreed or agreed with almost all the statements. It was only in the statement that “teachers and the broader community role players come together to discuss better ways to solve problems” that a majority of participants disagreed. This research challenges all those involved in building up PLCs to think more about CL when they are in the process of structuring their schools as PLCs.Originality/valueThis article is the original work of these authors and has not been submitted to other journals for publication.
Live streaming shopping as a new retail format: insights from a qualitative study of consumers and retailers
Authors: Picot-Coupey Karine , Bouragba Younes , Collin Lachaud Isabelle , Gallarza Martina G. , Ouazzani Yacine 
Published: November 2023

PurposeConsidering the emergence of Live Streaming Shopping (LSS) in Europe and the scant academic coverage it has attracted in terms of characterization, this study's aim is twofold: (1) explore how both consumers and retailers assess the distinctive attributes of LSS in order to identify its characteristics as a new form of commerce, or even retail format, and (2) analyze the motivations of both consumers and retailers for choosing it.Design/methodology/approachA hybrid literature review – bibliometric and structured – summarizes the body of research available on LSS. Considering the research gap and the authors' two research questions, a qualitative methodology was adopted. This incorporates three primary data sets, collected in France from LSS experts, retail managers and consumers over 18 months.FindingsLSS is a new online retail format, to be added to the range of existing options as it exhibits a typical retailing mix that is substantially different from other formats. From the retailer's perspective, three main motivations are identified while for the consumer, a total of seven motivations to participate in LSS sessions emerged. This new online format appears to be part of the continuum reflecting omnichannel integration.Research limitations/implicationsOnce the LSS literature has been further developed, the bibliometric review could be repeated to better map the field within contemporary research.Practical implicationsToday's retailers cannot ignore LSS: it is a multifaceted hybrid format and touchpoint that is part of an omnichannel strategy and through which both quantitative and qualitative objectives can be achieved.Originality/valueThis paper (1) structures the emerging literature on LSS by developing the first hybrid literature review on the topic; (2) substantiates what characterizes LSS as a retail format from the consumer and retailer perspectives and a retail touchpoint in the consumer's omnichannel journey; and (3) proposes a definition of LSS and a research agenda.
What factor is essential in successful crowdfunding: a MULTIMOORA-EDAS approach to explore factors that influence the success of crowdfunding campaigns
Authors: Djimesah Isaac Edem , Zhao Hongjiang , Okine Agnes Naa Dedei , Duah Elijah , Kissi Mireku Kingsford , Adjei Budu Kenneth Wilson 
Published: November 2023

PurposeDue to the high rate of failure of most crowdfunding projects, knowing the most essential factor to obtain funding success on the crowdfunding platform is of great importance for fund seekers on the crowdfunding platform. The purpose of this study is to explore crowdfunding success factors to know the most essential success factor for stakeholders of the crowdfunding platform to make the best decision when seeking funds on the crowdfunding platform. This study identified and ranked crowdfunding success factors for stakeholders of crowdfunding platforms. Sixteen factors were identified and categorized under five broad headings. These were; project ideas, target capital, track records, geographical proximity and equity.Design/methodology/approachTo rank the identified crowdfunding success factors and subfactors, this study used the Multi-Objective Optimization Based on Ratio Analysis (MULTIMOORA) integrated with the Evaluation based on Distance from Average Solutions (EDAS).FindingsTarget capital ranked first among the five categories—while duration involved in raising funds ranked first among the sixteen subfactors. An approach for analyzing how each success factor enhances a crowdfunding campaign was developed in this study. This study provides valuable insight to fund seekers on the crowdfunding platform on how funding success can be achieved by knowing which factor to consider essential when seeking funds on the crowdfunding platform.Originality/valueThis is the first study to explore crowdfunding success factors using the MULTIMOORA-EDAS method. The use of this method will help fund seekers on the crowdfunding platform to know which crowdfunding success factor is essential, thereby aiding fund seekers to make the best decision when seeking funds on the crowdfunding platform. Also, this study is particularly helpful for business owners, platform operators and policymakers when deciding how to allocate resources, plan campaigns and implement regulations.
The surprising role of audit committee financial experts and the need for more of them to combat financial corruption
Authors: Gorshunov Mikhail 
Published: November 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this research is to examine the impact of audit committee financial experts on the risk of financial corruption in public companies.Design/methodology/approachA time-lagged, matched-pairs sample of 352 corporations was utilized to test the study's hypotheses (176 financially corrupt firms plus 176 compliant firms). To uncover financially corrupt firms, 2,895 Accounting and Auditing Enforcement Releases from the Securities and Exchange Commission were thoroughly evaluated.FindingsThe results show that financial experts on audit committees generally increased financial corruption. However, the impact was reversed when audit committees had three or more financial experts, showing that having at least three financial experts reduced financial corruption.Originality/valueThe study's findings call into question the long-held practice of appointing at least one financial expert to audit committees. This study offers a novel approach to improve corporate oversight and reduce financial corruption by having at least three financial experts on audit committees.