bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can firm R&D benefit from digital technologies? Evidence from Chinese high-speed rail industry
Authors: Jiang Zihao , Shi Jiarong 
Published: July 2023

PurposeAs an emerging socio-technical paradigm, high-speed railways profoundly change individuals' lifestyle and allow for the shift toward a green transportation. Digital technologies open an opportunity window for the development of enterprises. This study aims to clarify the impact of firm digitalization on the innovation efficiency of the Chinese high-speed rail industry. In addition, human capital is the important non-physical capital of enterprises. The authors also elucidate the moderating role of human capital on the above relationship.Design/methodology/approachBased on the data of Chinese high-speed railway listed companies from 2015 to 2021, this study explores the impact of digital transformation on the innovation efficiency, and further clarifies the boundary role of human capital with two-way fixed effect regression models.FindingsThe empirical results indicate that digital transformation has a positive impact on the innovation efficiency of the Chinese high-speed railway enterprises. Furthermore, human capital significantly enhances the above relationship. In addition, digital transformation fosters the innovation efficiency of small- and medium-sized enterprises and private-owned enterprises, but the correlation coefficients between digital transformation and the innovation efficiency of large enterprises and state-owned enterprises are not significant.Originality/valueThis is one of the earliest studies to explore how digital technologies shape R&D activities. From the perspective of relative efficiency, this study evaluates the effectiveness of digital transformation and provides empirical evidence for the formulation and implementation of corporate digital strategies. Moreover, this study links human capital with digital transformation and identifies condition factors that affect the effectiveness of digital transformation, thereby supplementing existing knowledge.
Examining theories, mediators and moderators in financial well-being literature: a systematic review and future research agenda
Authors: Bashir Ifra , Qureshi Ishtiaq Hussain 
Published: July 2023

PurposeThe United Nation's 2030 mission provides scholars, practitioners and governments with a valuable framework to direct their research in a way that tackles societal issues. Towards this aim, some key Sustainable Development Goals focus on improving the well-being of humans and societies; however, the literature dealing with individual financial well-being is still underdeveloped and fragmented. To address this significant research gap, this paper reviews the literature on financial well-being. It provides an in-depth analysis of different theories, mediators and moderators employed in financial well-being studies to deepen the theoretical framework and widen the scope of financial well-being research.Design/methodology/approachUsing the Web of Science Core Collection database (WoS), the literature on financial well-being was reviewed (n = 32) following a systematic review approach.FindingsFindings revealed that (a) there is a limited application of theories in financial well-being studies (n = 19) with the majority of studies (n = 15) employing only one theory; (b) twenty-one different theories were used with the maximum number of theories employed by any study was four; (c) the theory of planned behavior was the most commonly used (n = 4); (d) While a reasonable number of studies examine mediators and moderators in antecedents-financial well-being relationships, studies examining mediators and moderators relationships in financial well-being-outcomes relationships are limited. Based on these findings, this review identified a need for future theory-based financial well-being research and examining the role of underlying and intervening mechanisms in antecedents-financial well-being-outcomes relationships.Originality/valueThe study concludes by suggesting some relevant theories and prospective variables that can explain potential financial well-being relationships. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first review on the use of theories, mediators and moderators in financial well-being studies.
The Financially Material Effects of Mandatory Nonfinancial Disclosure
Authors: GIBBONS BRIAN 
Published: July 2023

ABSTRACTComplaints from institutional investors suggest that principles‐based disclosure regimes that rely on financial materiality standards produce inadequate nonfinancial environmental and social (E&S) information. Using the staggered introduction of 40 country‐level regulations that mandate disclosure, I document that reporting E&S information relates to increased investment from institutional owners and has material effects on firms’ investment and financing decisions. Firms mandated to disclose E&S information allocate more investment toward long‐term, innovative projects and raise more equity capital. Evidence indicates that disclosure attracts long‐term–oriented institutional clientele with E&S preferences, which then feeds back on firm decision making. Although the effects of nonfinancial disclosure are similar to those of improved financial disclosure, this clientele mechanism is unique. Taken together, these results suggest that jurisdictions that rely solely on financial materiality disclosure standards create nonfinancial information frictions with material effects on investors and firm decision making.
The effect of violent conflict on calorie consumption and dietary quality in Iraq
Authors: Parigi Marta 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBy combining 2012 Living Standard Measurement Survey cross‐sectional survey responses and georeferenced conflict data, this study quantifies the effect of violent conflict on food security and dietary quality in Iraq. Specifically, it estimates the effect of physical insecurity on different food security dimensions, including caloric consumption and household dietary diversity. Because disrespecting war‐related foreign national cemeteries is a war crime that discourages nearby fighting, instrumenting conflict intensity by the exogenous variation in distance between these sites and household place of residence addresses potential sources of bias. The instrumental variable analysis confirms the positive (negative) effect of conflict—deriving from state, non‐state and one‐sided violence (e.g., attacks by the Islamic State)—on per capita caloric consumption (household dietary diversity), which although counterintuitive is unsurprising given Iraq's relatively high‐income levels and changes in dietary pattern. Given that the primary driver of conflict's positive effect on calories is increased consumption of carbohydrates and, to a lesser extent, saturated fat, these results suggest that in countries transitioning to Western‐style diets, violent conflict may drive the population toward an unhealthier diet, contributing heavily to a growing national prevalence of nutrition‐related non‐communicable diseases.
Effect of short neuropeptide F signaling on larval feeding in Mythimna separata
Authors: Li Mei‐Mei , Yang Qi , Chen Li‐Hui , Li Yan‐Ying , Wu Jun‐Xiang , Xu Xiang‐Li 
Published: July 2023

AbstractMythimna separata is a notorious phytophagous pest which poses serious threats to cereal crops owing to the gluttony of the larvae. Because short neuropeptide F (sNPF) and its receptor sNPFR are involved in a diversity of physiological functions, especially in functions related to feeding in insects, it is a molecular target for pest control. Herein, an sNPF and 2 sNPFRs were identified and cloned from M. separata. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the sNPF and its receptors had a highly conserved RLRFamide C‐terminus and 7 transmembrane domains, respectively. The sNPF and its receptor genes were distributed across larval periods and tissues, but 2 receptors had distinct expression patterns. The starvation‐induced assay elucidated that sNPF and sNPFR expression levels were downregulated under food deprivation and recovered with subsequent re‐feeding. RNA interference knockdown of sNPF, sNPFR1, and sNPFR2 by injection of double‐stranded RNA into larvae not only suppressed food consumption and increased body size and weight, but also led to decrease of glycogen and total lipid contents, and increase of trehalose compared with double‐stranded green fluorescent protein injection. Furthermore, molecular docking was performed on the interaction mode between sNPFR protein and its ligand sNPF based on the 3‐dimensional models constructed by AlphaFold; the results indicated that both receptors were presumably activated by the mature peptide sNPF‐2. These results revealed that sNPF signaling played a considerably vital role in the feeding regulation of M. separata and represents a potential control target for this pest.
Learning curve of lung dose optimization in intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer
Authors: Igari Mitsunobu , Abe Takanori , Iino Misaki , Saito Satoshi , Aoshika Tomomi , Ryuno Yasuhiro , Ohta Tomohiro , Hirai Ryuta , Kumazaki Yu , Noda Shin‐ei , Kato Shingo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundIntensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has been increasingly used for patients with locally advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (LA‐NSCLC). However, there are some barriers to implementing IMRT for LA‐NSCLC, including the complexity of treatment plan optimization. This study aimed to evaluate the learning curve of lung dose optimization in IMRT for LA‐NSCLC and identify the factors that affect the degree of achievement of lung dose optimization.MethodsWe retrospectively evaluated 40 consecutive patients with LA‐NSCLC who received concurrent chemoradiotherapy at our institution. These 40 patients were divided into two groups: 20 initially treated patients (earlier group) and 20 subsequently treated patients (later group). Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between the two groups. The dose‐volume parameter ratio between the actually delivered IMRT plan and the simulated three‐dimensional conformal radiotherapy plan was also compared between the two groups to determine the learning curve of lung dose optimization.ResultsThe dose‐volume parameter ratio for lung volume to receive more than 5 Gy (lung V5) and mean lung dose (MLD) significantly decreased in later groups. The spread of the beam path and insufficient optimization of dose coverage of planning target volume (PTV) might cause poor control of lung V5, MLD.ConclusionsA learning curve for lung dose optimization was observed with the accumulation of experience. Appropriate techniques, such as restricting the beam path and ensuring dose coverage of PTV during the optimization process, are essential to control lung dose in IMRT for LA‐NSCLC.
Decomposing the effect of trade on the gender wage gap
Authors: Benguria Felipe , Ederington Josh 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis paper uses variation in exposure to increased Chinese imports in Brazil to investigate the impact of trade on gender wage inequality. First, using Brazilian census data, we find that rising imports reduced the gender wage gap in Brazilian local labour markets. Next, using Oaxaca–Blinder decompositions, we show that this reduction in the wage gap was largely explained by trade increasing the share of female workers in higher‐paying occupations. Finally, we use a matched employer–employee data set to investigate how individual workers adjust to the trade shock. Similar to the local labour market analysis, we find that male workers exposed to increased import competition saw a larger decline in both wages and cumulative earnings relative to female workers. In addition, we uncover an interesting asymmetry in that, while male workers exhibited much higher degrees of industry mobility in response to the trade shock, female workers exhibited an equal if not higher degree of occupational mobility.
Totality of evidence of the effectiveness of repurposed therapies for COVID‐19: Can we use real‐world studies alongside randomized controlled trials?
Authors: Mandema Jaap , Montgomery Hugh , Dron Louis , Fu Shuai , Russek‐Cohen Estelle , Bromley Christina , Mouksassi Samer , Lalonde Amy , Springford Aaron , Tsai Larry , Ambery Phil , McNair Doug , Qizilbash Nawab , Pocock Stuart , Zariffa Névine 
Published: July 2023

AbstractRapid and robust strategies to evaluate the efficacy and effectiveness of novel and existing pharmacotherapeutic interventions (repurposed treatments) in future pandemics are required. Observational “real‐world studies” (RWS) can report more quickly than randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and would have value were they to yield reliable results. Both RCTs and RWS were deployed during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Comparing results between them offers a unique opportunity to determine the potential value and contribution of each. A learning review of these parallel evidence channels in COVID‐19, based on quantitative modeling, can help improve speed and reliability in the evaluation of repurposed therapeutics in a future pandemic. Analysis of all‐cause mortality data from 249 observational RWS and RCTs across eight treatment regimens for COVID‐19 showed that RWS yield more heterogeneous results, and generally overestimate the effect size subsequently seen in RCTs. This is explained in part by a few study factors: the presence of RWS that are imbalanced for age, gender, and disease severity, and those reporting mortality at 2 weeks or less. Smaller studies of either type contributed negligibly. Analysis of evidence generated sequentially during the pandemic indicated that larger RCTs drive our ability to make conclusive decisions regarding clinical benefit of each treatment, with limited inference drawn from RWS. These results suggest that when evaluating therapies in future pandemics, (1) large RCTs, especially platform studies, be deployed early; (2) any RWS should be large and should have adequate matching of known confounders and long follow‐up; (3) reporting standards and data standards for primary endpoints, explanatory factors, and key subgroups should be improved; in addition, (4) appropriate incentives should be in place to enable access to patient‐level data; and (5) an overall aggregate view of all available results should be available at any given time.
Low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol in adolescents and young adults with type 1 diabetes: Data from the Australasian Diabetes Data Network registry
Authors: James S. , Donaghue K. C. , Perry L. , Lowe J. , Colman P. G. , Craig M. E. ,   the Australasian Diabetes Data Network (ADDN) Study Group
Published: July 2023

AbstractAimTo determine low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) screening frequency and levels, and factors associated with elevated LDL‐C, in Australasian youth with type 1 diabetes (T1D).MethodsData were extracted from the Australasian Diabetes Data Network (ADDN), a prospective clinical quality registry, on all T1D healthcare visits attended by young people aged 16–25 years (with T1D duration of >1 year) between January 2011 and December 2020. The primary outcomes were elevated LDL‐C > 2.6 mmol/L (100 mg/dL) and threshold for treatment: >3.4 mmol/L (130 mg/dL), according to consensus guidelines. Multivariable Generalised Estimated Equations (GEE) were used to examine factors associated with elevated LDL‐C across all visits.ResultsA cohort of 6338 young people (52.6% men) were identified, of whom 1603 (25.3%) had ≥1 LDL‐C measurement documented. At last measurement, mean age, age at T1D diagnosis and T1D duration were 18.3 ± 2.4, 8.8 ± 4.5 and 8.9 ± 4.8 years, respectively. LDL‐C was elevated in 737 (46.0%) and at the treatment threshold in 250 (15.6%). In multivariable GEE elevated LDL‐C continuously was associated with older age (OR = 0.07; 0.01–0.13, p = 0.02), female sex (OR = 0.31; 0.18–0.43; p < 0.001), higher HbA1c (OR = 0.04; 0.01–0.08; p = 0.01) and having an elevated BMI (OR = 0.17, 0.06–0.39, p < 0.001).ConclusionsLDL‐C screening and levels are suboptimal in this cohort, increasing future cardiovascular complication risk. There is an urgent need to understand how healthcare services can support improved screening and management of dyslipidaemia in this population.
Are brief febrile seizures benign? A systematic review and narrative synthesis
Authors: Gould Laura , Delavale Victoria , Plovnick Caitlin , Wisniewski Thomas , Devinsky Orrin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractFebrile seizures affect 2%–5% of U.S. children and are considered benign although associated with an increased risk of epilepsy and, rarely, with sudden unexplained death. We compared rates of mortality, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neuropathology in young children with simple and complex febrile seizures to healthy controls. We systematically reviewed studies of 3‐ to 72‐month‐old children with simple or complex febrile seizures ≤30 min. We searched studies with outcome measures on mortality, neurodevelopment, or neuropathology through July 18, 2022. Bias risk was assessed per study design. Each outcome measure was stratified by study design. PROSPERO registration is CRD42022361645. Twenty‐six studies met criteria reporting mortality (11), neurodevelopment (11), and neuropathology (13), including 2665 children with febrile seizures and 1206 seizure‐free controls. Study designs varied: 15 cohort, 2 cross‐sectional, 3 case–control, 5 series, and 1 case report. Mortality outcomes showed stark contrasts. Six cohort studies following children after febrile seizure (n = 1348) reported no deaths, whereas four child death series and 1 case report identified 24.1% (108/449) deaths associated with simple (n = 104) and complex (n = 3) febrile seizures ≤30 min. Minor hippocampal histopathological anomalies were common in sudden deaths with or without febrile seizure history. Most electroencephalography (EEG) studies were normal. Neuroimaging studies suggested increased right hippocampal volumes. When present, neurodevelopmental problems usually preexisted febrile‐seizure onset. Risk bias was medium or high in 95% (18/19) of cohort and case–control studies vs medium to low across remaining study designs. Research on outcomes after simple or brief complex febrile seizures is limited. Cohort studies suffered from inadequate sample size, bias risk, and limited follow‐up durations to make valid conclusions on mortality, neurodevelopment, and neuropathology. Sudden death registries, focused on a very small percentage of all cases, strongly suggest that simple febrile seizures are associated with increased mortality. Although most children with febrile seizures have favorable outcomes, longer‐term prospective studies are needed.
Social cynicism, greenwashing, and trust in green clothing brands
Authors: Policarpo Manoela Costa , Apaolaza Vanessa , Hartmann Patrick , Paredes Mario R. , D'Souza Clare 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis research develops a theoretical model of the effect of social cynicism as a personality trait on trust in green clothing brands. We conducted an online survey of a representative Australian sample to test the hypothesized relationships. Our findings confirmed that social cynicism affected green brand trust negatively and that this effect can be explained by an increase in perceived greenwashing. Conspicuous consumption moderates this indirect influence. This mediated influence decreased when conspicuous consumption was more salient. Findings provide important practical insights for brand managers intending to avoid a decrease in brand trust regarding garments marketed with sustainability claims.
Who benefits from computerized learning progress assessment in reading education? Evidence from a two‐cohort pre–post design
Authors: Schmitterer A. M. Alexandra , Tetzlaff Leonard. D. , Hasselhorn Marcus , Brod Garvin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundLearning Progress Assessments (LPA) have been developed to help teachers individualize their curriculum. The use of LPA is facilitated by an increasing number of computerized LPA tools. However, little is known about student factors that influence the effectiveness of computerized LPA.ObjectivesIn this study, we explored whether a computerized LPA that focused on reading comprehension was differentially effective depending on students' initial reading comprehension abilities. Moreover, effects of the LPA implementation on underlying or related form‐based literacy skills (i.e., decoding, spelling) were explored.MethodsThe development of reading and spelling skills of 668 third graders was assessed in 41 LPA and 36 control classes in a pretest–posttest design. We used multi‐level modelling to analyse effects of the LPA on reading comprehension, decoding, and spelling skills, and tested whether these effects were qualified by students' initial achievement level.ResultsThe LPA treatment proved beneficial for improving reading comprehension but not for improving decoding or spelling. Children with low levels of reading comprehension at the beginning of the school year benefitted particularly from LPA.TakeawaysTeachers seem to make use of the data offered by the computerized LPA to identify children with reading comprehension difficulties. For these children, an accelerated increase in reading comprehension ability was observed. Results also suggest that this effect is specific to the literacy skill measured by the LPA and does not generalize to underlying or related literacy skills (i.e., decoding, spelling).
A risk‐scoring model for the differential diagnosis of lentigo maligna and other atypical pigmented facial lesions of the face: The facial iDScore
Authors: Tognetti Linda , Cartocci Alessandra , Żychowska Magdalena , Savarese Imma , Cinotti Elisa , Pizzichetta Maria Antonietta , Moscarella Elvira , Longo Caterina , Farnetani Francesca , Guida Stefania , Paoli John , Lallas Aimilios , Tiodorovic Danica , Stanganelli Ignazio , Magi Serena , Dika Emi , Zalaudek Iris , Suppa Mariano , Argenziano Giuseppe , Pellacani Giovanni , Perrot Jean Luc , Miracapillo Chiara , Rubegni Giovanni , Cevenini Gabriele , Rubegni Pietro 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundDue to progressive ageing of the population, the incidence of facial lentigo maligna (LM) of the face is increasing. Many benign simulators of LM and LMM, known as atypical pigmented facial lesions (aPFLs—pigmented actinic keratosis, solar lentigo, seborrheic keratosis, seborrheic‐lichenoid keratosis, atypical nevus) may be found on photodamaged skin. This generates many diagnostic issues and increases the number of biopsies, with a subsequent impact on aesthetic outcome and health insurance costs.ObjectivesOur aim was to develop a risk‐scoring classifier‐based algorithm to estimate the probability of an aPFL being malignant. A second aim was to compare its diagnostic accuracy with that of dermoscopists so as to define the advantages of using the model in patient management.Materials and MethodsA total of 154 dermatologists analysed 1111 aPFLs and their management in a teledermatology setting: They performed pattern analysis, gave an intuitive clinical diagnosis and proposed lesion management options (follow‐up/reflectance confocal microscopy/biopsy). Each case was composed of a dermoscopic and/or clinical picture plus metadata (histology, age, sex, location, diameter). The risk‐scoring classifier was developed and tested on this dataset and then validated on 86 additional aPFLs.ResultsThe facial Integrated Dermoscopic Score (iDScore) model consisted of seven dermoscopic variables and three objective parameters (diameter ≥ 8 mm, age ≥ 70 years, male sex); the score ranged from 0 to 16. In the testing set, the facial iDScore‐aided diagnosis was more accurate (AUC = 0.79 [IC 95% 0.757–0.843]) than the intuitive diagnosis proposed by dermatologists (average of 43.5%). In the management study, the score model reduced the number of benign lesions sent for biopsies by 41.5% and increased the number of LM/LMM cases sent for reflectance confocal microscopy or biopsy instead of follow‐up by 66%.ConclusionsThe facial iDScore can be proposed as a feasible tool for managing patients with aPFLs.