bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modelling the domino effect of advance payment system on project cash flow and organisational performance
Authors: Omopariola Emmanuel Dele , Windapo Abimbola Olukemi , Edwards David John , Aigbavboa Clinton Ohis , Yakubu Sunday Ukwe-Nya , Obari Onimisi 
Published: October 2023

PurposePrevious studies have postulated that an advance payment system (APS) positively impacts the contractor's working capital and is paramount to ensuring an efficient and effective project cash flow process. However, scant research has been undertaken to empirically establish the cash flow performance and domino effect of APS on project and organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachThe epistemological design adopted a positivist philosophical stance augmented by deductive reasoning to explore the phenomena under investigation. Primary quantitative data were collected from 504 Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) registered contractors (within the grade bandings 1–9) in South Africa. A five-point Likert scale was utilised, and subsequent data accrued were analysed using structural equation modelling (SEM).FindingsEmergent findings reveal that the mandatory use of an APS does not guarantee a positive project cash flow, an improvement in organisational performance or an improvement in project performance.Practical implicationsThe ensuing discussion reveals the contributory influence of APS on positive cash flow and organisational performance, although APS implementation alone will not achieve these objectives. Practically, the research accentuates the need for various measures to be concurrently adopted (including APS) towards ensuring a positive project cash flow and improved organisational and project performance.Originality/valueThere is limited empirical research on cash flow performance and the domino effect of APS on project and organisational performance in South Africa, nor indeed, the wider geographical location of Africa as a continent. This study addresses this gap in the prevailing body of knowledge.
Research on fuzzy impedance control of upper-limb rehabilitation robot based on membership functions online optimization learning strategy
Authors: Wang Peng , Dong Renquan 
Published: October 2023

Purpose
To improve the position tracking efficiency of the upper-limb rehabilitation robot for stroke hemiplegia patients, the optimization Learning rate of the membership function based on the fuzzy impedance controller of the rehabilitation robot is propose.

Design/methodology/approach
First, the impaired limb’s damping and stiffness parameters for evaluating its physical recovery condition are online estimated by using weighted least squares method based on recursive algorithm. Second, the fuzzy impedance control with the rule has been designed with the optimal impedance parameters. Finally, the membership function learning rate online optimization strategy based on Takagi-Sugeno (TS) fuzzy impedance model was proposed to improve the position tracking speed of fuzzy impedance control.

Findings
This method provides a solution for improving the membership function learning rate of the fuzzy impedance controller of the upper limb rehabilitation robot. Compared with traditional TS fuzzy impedance controller in position control, the improved TS fuzzy impedance controller has reduced the overshoot stability time by 0.025 s, and the position error caused by simulating the thrust interference of the impaired limb has been reduced by 8.4%. This fact is verified by simulation and test.

Originality/value
The TS fuzzy impedance controller based on membership function online optimization learning strategy can effectively optimize control parameters and improve the position tracking speed of upper limb rehabilitation robots. This controller improves the auxiliary rehabilitation efficiency of the upper limb rehabilitation robot and ensures the stability of auxiliary rehabilitation training.
Make it easy: the effect of prospectus readability on IPO performance
Authors: Mariani Massimo , Cardi Mavie , D'Ercole Francesco , Raimo Nicola , Vitolla Filippo 
Published: October 2023

PurposeUnderstanding the determinants of a corporate initial public offering (IPO) success is essential for reducing investors' valuation uncertainty when participating in share offerings. In this sense, this study contributes to the existing debate by examining IPO prospectus readability. The authors specifically investigate how clear and more informative insights into pure corporate key financial numbers can lead to a higher valuation for the company after the listing process.Design/methodology/approachThrough a sample of European IPOs, the authors employ a cross-sectional regression to test the relationship between prospectus readability through the Flesch reading ease (FRE) score and companies' market-to-book ratio at the period end date after the listing process.FindingsThe study findings show a positive impact of higher readability on the post-IPO market-to-book ratio. Thus, clear and more informative communication results in stocks being traded at a premium to their book value. This study presents a concrete call for firms to increase corporate documents’ readability to mitigate the risk of withdrawing or spoiling corporate market access. Specifically, enhanced clarity and transparency increase investors' confidence, facilitating a better understanding of companies' intrinsic value and the overall IPO process. The authors conducted several tests to validate the results.Originality/valueTo the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first works to explore the relationship between the readability of corporate prospectus and the sustained IPO success in the European context.
Shifts in wood anatomical traits after a major hurricane
Authors: Ziemińska Kasia , Bibbo Silvia , Farrar Samuel , Thompson Jill , Uriarte María , Ziaco Emanuele , Zimmerman Jess K. , Muscarella Robert 
Published: October 2023

Abstract

Trait variation across individuals and species influences the resistance and resilience of ecosystems to disturbance, and the ability of individuals to capitalize on postdisturbance conditions. In trees, the anatomical structure of xylem directly affects plant function and, consequently, it is a valuable lens through which to understand resistance and resilience to disturbance.

To determine how hurricanes affect wood anatomy of tropical trees, we characterized a set of anatomical traits in wood produced before and after a major hurricane for 65 individuals of 10 Puerto Rican tree species. We quantified variation at different scales (among and within species, and within individuals) and determined trait shifts between the pre‐ and posthurricane periods. We also assessed correlations between traits and growth rates.

While the majority of anatomical trait variation occurred among species, we also observed substantial variation within species and individuals. Within individuals, we found significant shifts for some traits that generally reflected increased hydraulic conductivity in the posthurricane period. We found weak evidence for an association between individual xylem anatomical traits and diameter growth rates.

Ultimately, within‐individual variation of xylem anatomical traits observed in our study could be related to posthurricane recovery and overall growth (e.g. canopy filling). Other factors, however, likely decouple a relationship between xylem anatomy and diameter growth. While adjustments of wood anatomy may enable individual trees to capitalize on favourable postdisturbance conditions, these may also influence their future responses or vulnerability to subsequent disturbances.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Modelled microgravity impacts Vibrio fischeri population structure in a mutualistic association with an animal host
Authors: Bongrand Clotilde , Foster Jamie S. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractPerturbations to host–microbe interactions, such as environmental stress, can alter and disrupt homeostasis. In this study, we examined the effects of a stressor, simulated microgravity, on beneficial bacteria behaviours when colonising their host. We studied the bacterium Vibrio fischeri, which establishes a mutualistic association in a symbiosis‐specific organ within the bobtail squid, Euprymna scolopes. To elucidate how animal–microbe interactions are affected by the stress of microgravity, squid were inoculated with different bacterial strains exhibiting either a dominant‐ or sharing‐colonisation behaviour in High Aspect Ratio Vessels, which simulate the low‐shear environment of microgravity. The colonisation behaviours of the sharing and dominant strains under modelled microgravity conditions were determined by counting light‐organ homogenate of squids as well as confocal microscopy to assess the partitioning of different strains within the light organ. The results indicated that although the colonisation behaviours of the strains did not change, the population levels of the sharing strains were at lower relative abundance in single‐colonised animals exposed to modelled microgravity compared to unit gravity; in addition, there were shifts in the relative abundance of strains in co‐colonised squids. Together these results suggest that the initiation of beneficial interactions between microbes and animals can be altered by environmental stress, such as simulated microgravity.
To go with or against the grain? Politics as practice in the Budget Strengthening Initiative, Uganda
Authors: Pinnington Rose 
Published: October 2023

AbstractResponding to the failures of the good governance agenda in the post‐Cold War period, development scholars and policy researchers have placed increasing emphasis on approaches that can enable practitioners to support local change processes in politically savvy ways. Sometimes referred to as the ‘second orthodoxy’ in donor practice, these models aim to take the politics of aid‐receiving contexts seriously and work ‘with the grain’ of the institutional landscapes in which they are applied. This paper examines how these principles were put into practice within the ODI's Budget Strengthening Initiative (BSI) in Uganda. The paper shows how an ‘embedded’ form of technical assistance enabled the BSI to act micro‐politically, brokering the adoption of fiscal decentralisation reforms within the Uganda government. However, in the face of a broader political landscape of regime survival, the BSI's position within Uganda's financial technocracy also constrained its capacity to support these reforms. In this context of declining autonomy and shifting political constraints, the BSI worked ‘with the grain’ to reshape the reforms to align with pre‐existing political logics that hindered pro‐poor outcomes. Going forward, the paper suggests that further attention might be applied to understanding and addressing the fundamental tensions and trade‐offs involved in working ‘with the grain’ of challenging political contexts like Uganda.
Letter: Association between aspirin use and risk of hepatocellular carcinoma in patients with chronic hepatitis B
Authors: Huang Rui , Zhang Zhiyi , Wang Jian , Zhang Shaoqiu , Wu Chao 
Published: October 2023

LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Lee et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17643 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17711
Editorial: Unravelling the fibres—low dietary fibre may lower risk of developing IBD. Authors' reply
Authors: Dan Lintao , Wang Xiaoyan , Chen Jie 
Published: October 2023

LINKED CONTENTThis article is linked to Deng et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17649 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17663
Trends in day‐case bladder outflow obstruction surgery: a study using Hospital Episode Statistics
Authors: John Joseph B. , Gray William K. , O'Flynn Kieran , Briggs Tim W.R. , McGrath John S. 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesTo describe the contemporary evolution of day‐case bladder outflow obstruction (BOO) surgery in England and to profile day‐case BOO surgery practices across England in terms of the types of operation performed and their safety profiles.Materials and MethodsThis was a retrospective observational analysis of Hospital Episode Statistics and UK Office for National Statistics data. All 111 043 recorded operations across 117 hospital trusts over 66 months, from 1 January 2017 to 30 June 2022, were obtained. Operations were identified as one of: transurethral resection of prostate (TURP); laser ablation or enucleation; vapour therapy; prostatic urethral lift (PUL); or bladder neck incision. Monthly day‐case rate trends were plotted across the study period. Descriptive data, day‐case rates and 30‐day hospital readmissions were analysed for each operation type. Multilevel regression modelling with mixed effects was performed to determine whether day‐case surgery was associated with higher 30‐day hospital readmissions.ResultsDay‐case patients were younger, with fewer comorbidities. Time series analysis showed a linear day‐case rate increase from 8.3% (January 2017) to 21.0% (June 2022). Day‐case rates improved for 92/117 trusts in 2021/2022 compared with 2017. Three of the six trusts with the highest day‐case rates performed predominantly day‐case TURP, and the other three laser surgery. Nationally, PUL and vapour surgery had the highest day‐case rates (80.9% and 38.1%). Most inpatient operations were TURP. Multilevel regression modelling found reduced odds of 30‐day readmission after day‐case BOO surgery (all operations pooled), no difference for day‐case vs inpatient TURP, and reduced odds following day‐case LASER operations.ConclusionsThe day‐case rates for BOO surgery have linearly increased. Minimally invasive surgical technologies are commonly performed as day cases, whereas high day‐case rates for TURP and for laser ablation operations are seen in a minority of hospitals. Day‐case pathways to treat BOO can be safely developed irrespective of operative modality.
The efficacy of a transdermal hydrogel patch containing betamethasone dipropionate for treatment of chronic hand eczema: A single‐blind, randomized and controlled trial
Authors: Thaitirarot Sirinan , Shuwisitkul Duangratana , Udompataikul Montree , Kamanamool Nanticha , Kanokrungsee Silada 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundTopical corticosteroids under occlusion have been used to enhance the treatment of eczema. However, no study has investigated the efficacy of a steroid‐containing transdermal patch for the treatment of chronic hand eczema.MethodsWe conducted a randomized, controlled, assessor‐blinded trial to determine the efficacy of a transdermal patch containing betamethasone dipropionate compared to topical betamethasone dipropionate ointment in the treatment of mild to moderate chronic hand eczema. The patients were included and assigned to receive either the transdermal patch once daily at night or the ointment twice daily for a period of 8 weeks. The outcomes were assessed using the Hand Eczema Severity Index (HECSI), Physical Global Assessment (PGA) score, self‐reported compliance, level of patient satisfaction, quality of life, and side effects.ResultsFifty‐six patients completed this study. At 8 weeks, there was a significant reduction in the HECSI scores in both the transdermal patch and topical ointment groups compared to those measured at baseline (14.61 to 1.86, p < 0.001; 18.46 to 3.43, p < 0.001, respectively) without a statistically significant difference between the two groups. Similarly, the two groups did not show any significant difference in the PGA scores, quality of life and side effects. However, the transdermal patch group reported better compliance and a higher level of patient satisfaction than the topical ointment group.ConclusionThe transdermal corticosteroid patch has proven to be a safe and effective treatment, comparable to topical corticosteroids, after 8 weeks of use. Its sustained‐release properties, along with once‐daily use, can improve patient satisfaction and promote greater adherence to the treatment.Trial RegistrationThis study was registered with the Thai Clinical Trials Registry (www.clinicaltrials.in.th) under registration number TCTR20220413003.
Potential for biochar carbon sequestration from crop residues: A global spatially explicit assessment
Authors: Karan Shivesh Kishore , Woolf Dominic , Azzi Elias Sebastian , Sundberg Cecilia , Wood Stephen A. 
Published: October 2023

AbstractGlobal warming necessitates urgent action to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions and remove CO2 from the atmosphere. Biochar, a type of carbonized biomass which can be produced from crop residues (CRs), offers a promising solution for carbon dioxide removal (CDR) when it is used to sequester photosynthetically fixed carbon that would otherwise have been returned to atmospheric CO2 through respiration or combustion. However, high‐resolution spatially explicit maps of CR resources and their capacity for climate change mitigation through biochar production are currently lacking, with previous global studies relying on coarse (mostly country scale) aggregated statistics. By developing a comprehensive high spatial resolution global dataset of CR production, we show that, globally, CRs generate around 2.4 Pg C annually. If 100% of these residues were utilized, the maximum theoretical technical potential for biochar production from CRs amounts to 1.0 Pg C year−1 (3.7 Pg CO2e year−1). The permanence of biochar differs across regions, with the fraction of initial carbon that remains after 100 years ranging from 60% in warm climates to nearly 100% in cryosols. Assuming that biochar is sequestered in soils close to point of production, approximately 0.72 Pg C year−1 (2.6 Pg CO2e year−1) of the technical potential would remain sequestered after 100 years. However, when considering limitations on sustainable residue harvesting and competing livestock usage, the global biochar production potential decreases to 0.51 Pg C year−1 (1.9 Pg CO2e year−1), with 0.36 Pg C year−1 (1.3 Pg CO2e year−1) remaining sequestered after a century. Twelve countries have the technical potential to sequester over one fifth of their current emissions as biochar from CRs, with Bhutan (68%) and India (53%) having the largest ratios. The high‐resolution maps of CR production and biochar sequestration potential provided here will provide valuable insights and support decision‐making related to biochar production and investment in biochar production capacity.
Prevalence and clinical manifestations of cutaneous findings in patients with adult‐onset immunodeficiency due to anti‐interferon gamma autoantibodies: an eight‐year retrospective study
Authors: Pattanaprichakul Penvadee , Leeyaphan Charussri , Angkasekwinai Nasikarn , Bunyaratavej Sumanas , Senawong Sansnee , Sereeaphinan Chudapa , Munprom Kanyalak 
Published: October 2023

AbstractBackgroundCutaneous findings in adult‐onset immunodeficiency due to anti‐interferon gamma autoantibodies (anti‐IFN‐γ autoAbs) are common. Currently, data on this topic are scarce.MethodsWe retrospectively reviewed medical records of 202 skin episodes from 77 patients diagnosed with adult‐onset immunodeficiency due to anti‐IFN‐γ autoAbs. The exclusion of drug eruptions left 180 episodes from 74 patients for further analysis.ResultsReactive dermatosis was diagnosed in 66.1%, followed by disseminated skin infection (18.3%) and local skin infection (15.6%). Neutrophilic dermatosis (ND) tended to appear on the upper part of bodies, while leg lesions were common in the non‐ND. Disseminated infection occurred more frequently with ND. Mycobacterium abscessus was the most common pathogen of concomitant infection. Remission was achieved in 21.6% and was significantly associated with females.ConclusionReactive dermatosis was the most common skin manifestation. ND was found in the upper part of bodies and associated with disseminated infection. Drug‐free remission was scarcely achieved.
Incidence, risk factors, and significance of 20% decrease from new baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate after radical and partial nephrectomy within 2 years
Authors: Fan Bo , Yokoyama Minato , Kobayashi Masaki , Nakamura Yuki , Fujiwara Motohiro , Ishikawa Yudai , Fukuda Shohei , Waseda Yuma , Tanaka Hajime , Yoshida Soichiro , Fujii Yasuhisa 
Published: October 2023

ObjectivesTo evaluate the incidence and risk factors of a 20% decrease from new baseline (NB)‐estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) within 2 years after radical nephrectomy (RN) and partial nephrectomy (PN) and to examine the difference in the incidence of end‐stage renal disease (ESRD) with or without the 20% decrease.MethodsThis retrospective study included 238 patients undergoing RN and 369 undergoing PN for cT1a‐cT3a renal cancer. The incidence of a 20% decrease from NB‐eGFR within 2 years after RN/PN was examined and its potential risk factors including surgery type were assessed by multivariate logistic regression analysis. The development of ESRD was analyzed as an endpoint and its incidence was compared according to the presence or absence of the 20% decrease from NB‐eGFR within 2 years.ResultsOverall, the 20% decrease from NB‐eGFR within 2 years was observed in 37 patients (6.1%), including 10 (4.2%) and 27 (7.3%) after RN and PN, respectively (p = 0.117). Diabetes mellitus, proteinuria, and perioperative complications were shown to be independent risk factors for the 20% decrease from NB‐eGFR, while surgery type was not. During the median follow‐up of 65 months, the ESRD‐free survival rate at 6 years was 75.5% and 99.6% in patients with and without the 20% decrease from NB‐eGFR, respectively (p < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed between patients undergoing RN and PN (98.1% and 98.7%, p = 0.561).ConclusionsBecause the incidence of ESRD after the 20% decrease from NB‐eGFR within 2 years was as high as 24.5% at 6 years, these patients should be followed with utmost care.
Income statement mismatching has not reduced the informativeness of earnings over time
Authors: Oh Hyung Il , Penman Stephen 
Published: October 2023

AbstractResearch has concluded that there has been a decline in the informativeness of earnings over recent years. The reported decline has been attributed to an increasing mismatch of expenses to revenues due to the increasing expensing of investments in so‐called intangible assets to the income statement. That suggests a remedy is required and, with accounting standards boards now considering intangible asset accounting, the issue is particularly pertinent. However, his paper challenges the conclusions from the research by documenting that the mismatching adds information for pricing. It does so by distinguishing higher risk investment from that booked to the balance sheet, and the market prices it as such. Further, in a seeming contradiction, the mismatching enhances matching, and empirical tests confirm. Once mismatched expenses and matched earnings are separated, there is little indication of a decline in the information content of accounting over time.