bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating Cell-Free RNA in Blood as a Host Response Biomarker for the Detection of Tuberculosis
Authors: Chang Adrienne , Loy Conor J. , Lenz Joan S. , Steadman Amy , Andama Alfred , Nhung Nguyen Viet , Yu Charles , Worodria William , Denkinger Claudia M. , Nahid Payam , Cattamanchi Adithya , De Vlaminck Iwijn 
Published: January 2023

AbstractTuberculosis (TB) remains a leading cause of death from an infectious disease worldwide. This is partly due to a lack of tools to effectively screen and triage individuals with potential TB. Whole blood RNA signatures have been extensively studied as potential biomarkers for TB, but they have failed to meet the World Health Organization’s (WHOs) target product profiles (TPPs) for a non-sputum triage or diagnostic test. In this study, we investigated the utility of plasma cell-free RNA (cfRNA) as a host response biomarker for TB. We used RNA profiling by sequencing to analyze plasma samples from 182 individuals with a cough lasting at least two weeks, who were seen at outpatient clinics in Uganda, Vietnam, and the Philippines. Of these individuals, 100 were diagnosed with microbiologically-confirmed TB. Our analysis of the plasma cfRNA transcriptome revealed 541 differentially abundant genes, the top 150 of which were used to train 15 machine learning models. The highest performing model led to a 9-gene signature that had a diagnostic accuracy of 89.1% (95% CI: 83.6-93.4%) and an area under the curve of 0.934 (95% CI: 0.8674-1) for microbiologically-confirmed TB. This 9-gene signature exceeds the optimal WHO TPPs for a TB triage test (sensitivity: 96.2% [95% CI: 80.9-100%], specificity: 89.7% [95% CI: 72.4-100%]) and was robust to differences in sample collection, geographic location, and HIV status. Overall, our results demonstrate the utility of plasma cfRNA for the detection of TB and suggest the potential for a point-of-care, gene expression-based assay to aid in early detection of TB.One Sentence SummaryThis study is the first to investigate the utility of circulating RNA in plasma as a new class of host response signature for tuberculosis and provides evidence that plasma RNA signatures are highly specific for TB and robust against differences in patient cohorts and sample processing.
Maternal exposure to environmental levels of carbamazepine induces mild growth retardation in mouse embryos
Authors: Orit Douek-Maba , Rotem Kalev-Altman , Vered Mordehay , Hilla Hayby-Averbuch , Neta Shlezinger , Benny Chefetz , Dalit Sela-Donenfeld 
Published: January 2023

ABSTRACTAs chemical pollution is constantly increasing, the impact on the environment and public health must be investigated. This study focuses on the anticonvulsant drug carbamazepine (CBZ), which is ubiquitously present in the environment. Due to its physicochemical properties and stability during wastewater treatment, CBZ is detected in reclaimed wastewater, surface water and groundwater. In water-scarce regions heavily relying on treated wastewater for crop irrigation, CBZ is detected in arable land, produce and even in humans consuming crops irrigated with recealimed wastewater. Aalthough environmental levels of CBZ are very low, risks associated with unintentional exposure to CBZ are essential to be revealed.In perinatal medicine, CBZ is a teratogen; its prescription to pregnant women increases the risk for fetal malformations. This raises the concern of whether environmental exposure to CBZ may also impact embryogenesis. Studies in zebrafish and chick embryos or in cell culture have indicated negative outcomes upon exposure to low CBZ levels. Yet, these systems do not recapitulate the manner by which human fetuses are exposed to pharmaceuticals via maternal uptake.Here, we employed the mouse model to determine whether maternal exposure to environmental-relevant doses of CBZ will impact embryonic development. No effects on fertility, number of gestation sacs, gross embryonic malformations or fetal survival were detected. Yet, embryos were growth-delayed compared to controls (p=0.0011), as manifested in lower embryonic stage and somite number, earlier morphological features and reduction in mitotically-active cells.This study provides the first evidence for the effect of environmental concentration of CBZ on the developmental kinetics of maternally-exposed mammalian embryos. While the developmental delay was relatively modest, its consistency in high number of biological replicates, together with the known implication of developmental delay on post-natal health, calls for further in-depth risk analyses to reveal the effects of pharmaceuticals released to the environment on public health.
Governance in financial institutions: key elements and preventing the failures
Authors: Srivastava Ashish 
Published: January 2023

PurposeThe need for robust governance standards in financial institutions requires no overemphasis. However, instances of governance failures have been a recurring global phenomenon. This paper examines the key elements of governance in financial institutions, evaluates reasons for failures and suggests ways to strengthen governance and prevent such failures.Design/methodology/approachThe author follows a descriptive design and a behavioural approach to understand the governance issues in financial institutions.FindingsThe author identifies key elements of governance, and the potential reasons for failures and highlights that the structure of boards, thrust on the adoption of best practices and regulatory guidelines are necessary but not sufficient to ensure failsafe governance standards. The author emphasises the need for recognition of behavioural factors and a focus on continuous monitoring and red flagging of the conduct of key stakeholders by the third and fourth lines of defence. An effective whistle-blower policy, a clear focus on organisational culture and the subjugation of individuals to the systems can improve the robustness of the governance standards in financial institutions.Originality/valueTo the best of the author's knowledge and belief, the observations and suggestions made in the paper are original. The paper contributes by offering a nuanced perspective for strengthening governance in financial institutions.
Assessing business process orientation using multi-criteria decision-making
Authors: Viegas Renan Alves , Costa Ana Paula Cabral Seixas 
Published: January 2023

PurposeOver the years, several business process management maturity models (BPM-MMs) have been proposed. Despite great advances, some issues concerning the effectiveness of their practical functionality still need to be addressed. These are related to three important aspects of BPM maturity assessment and improvement: their mechanisms for evaluating maturity (clarity, availability and accuracy), their flexibility (compliance) and their structure (path to maturity). The main goal with this article is to address such issues by introducing a new concept to evaluate and improve BPM maturity.Design/methodology/approachThe authors proceed in accordance with a design science research (DSR) integrating multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) with intuitionistic fuzzy sets (IFSs).FindingsThe authors’ proposal provides a practical BPM maturity framework and its assessment procedure to support organizations to determine and improve their initiatives appropriately, which means that it fully or partially addresses all the issues raised. To demonstrate the applicability of this framework, a real application was conducted, and a parallel between existing BPM-MMs is presented to emphasize its advances.Originality/valueIt is the first time that the MCDM approach has been used to support BPM maturity assessment. This approach not only takes into account the uncertainties and subjectivities inherent to this type of decision problem but also allows it to be treated quantitatively, thus making it possible to obtain more accurate results even with less experienced teams.
The moderating effect of women directors on the relationship between corporate social responsibility and corporate tax avoidance? Evidence from Malaysia
Authors: Rakia Riguen , Kachouri Maali , Jarboui Anis 
Published: January 2023

PurposeThis study aims to provide a valuable contribution by exploring the moderating effect of women directors on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and corporate tax avoidance of Malaysian listed companies.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a sample consisting of 78 Malaysian firms over the 2010–2017 period. A moderation model that specifies the interaction between CSR, women directors and corporate tax avoidance motivates this study.FindingsThe results show that a high level of CSR is negatively associated with corporate tax avoidance in firms with a higher percentage of women on the board.Practical implicationsThe findings may be of interest to the academic researchers, investors and regulators. For academic researchers, it is interested in discovering the dynamic relation between CSR, woman on the board and tax avoidance. For investors, the results show that the existence of female directors on the board reduces the corporate tax avoidance. For regulators, the results advise the worldwide policy maker to give the importance of female roles to improve the engagement firms in CSR reporting.Originality/valueThis paper extends the existing literature by examining the moderating effect of women directors on the relationship between CSR and corporate tax avoidance in the Malaysian context.
Shariah review of Brownian motion of Islamic stock market elements: establishing the benchmarks of Islamic econophysics
Authors: Shah Syed Alamdar Ali , Fianto Bayu Arie , Imtiaz Batool , Sukmana Raditya , Mohd Ruslan Rafiatul Adlin Hj 
Published: January 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to perform Shariah review of Brownian motion that is used for prediction of Islamic stock prices and their volatility.

Design/methodology/approach
It uses the Shariah compliant development model guidelines to review the Brownian motion and its applications.

Findings
The model of Brownian motion does not involve any variable that renders it non-Shariah compliant; neither all applications of Brownian motion are Shariah compliant. Because the model is based on stochastic properties that involve randomness, therefore the issue of gharar takes the utmost important to handle in the applications of the model. The results need to be analyzed strictly in accordance with the Shariah whether they create any element of gharar or uncertainty in case of expected price and volatility estimates.

Research limitations/implications
The research suffers from the limitation that it analyses only one model of physics, i.e. Brownian motion model from Shariah perspective.

Practical implications
The research opens an area for Shariah analysis of results generated from the application of advanced models of physics on matters related to Islamic financial markets.

Originality/value
The originality of this study stems from the fact that to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study that extends Shariah guidelines into Financial physics for making the foundations of Islamic econophysics.
High plant diversity and characteristic plant community structure in broad‐leaved evergreen forests on Amami‐Oshima and Tokunoshima Islands, Japan's newest natural World Heritage Site
Authors: Toyama Hironori , Tagane Shuichiro , Aiba Shin‐ichiro , Ugawa Shin , Suzuki Eizi , Yamazaki Kaito , Fuse Kengo , Takashima Atsushi , Kadoya Taku , Takeuchi Yayoi 
Published: January 2023

AbstractAmami‐Oshima and Tokunoshima Islands (the Amami Islands) are part of an important area for biogeography in Japan. Although the uniqueness of the islands' flora is well recognized, their plant diversity, including non‐tree life forms, has yet to be compared with that of other regions. Here, we characterize the plant community structure of the Amami Islands, and analyze the α and β diversity patterns with respect to environmental factors as well as the frequency of threatened and endemic species compared with that in regions at higher and lower latitudes. We used 5 × 100 m plots at seven sites on the Amami Islands, three sites further north, and one site further south to record the abundance of all vascular plant species and tree sizes. We also used tree census data from five plots from the Monitoring Sites 1000 Project. Three principal components from five environmental variables were used as factors affecting diversity. We found that the broad‐leaved evergreen forests on the Amami Islands have higher α diversity resulting from species richness anomalies in shared families among regions. Additionally, generalized linear mixed models indicated that temperature and altitude affect α diversity positively. Furthermore, multiple regression models on distance matrices showed that temperature and regional differences in weather conditions affect β diversity. Tree species were found to affect species diversity and rareness, but herbaceous plants also affect these parameters substantially. These results indicate that the two studied islands are biodiversity hotspots and that evaluating herbaceous species is important for determining forest biodiversity.
Affordable Care Act state Medicaid expansion and human papillomavirus vaccination among adolescent and young adult US women: A national study
Authors: Agénor Madina , Unger Emily S. , McConnell Margaret A. , Brown Courtney , Rosenthal Meredith B. , Haneuse Sebastien , Bowen Deborah J. , Austin S. Bryn 
Published: January 2023

AbstractObjectiveTo ascertain the impact of Affordable Care Act (ACA) state Medicaid expansion on human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination among both adolescent and young adult US women.Data SourcesWe used state‐level data on ACA Medicaid expansion and individual‐level data on US women aged 15–25 years living at or below 138% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) from the 2011–2017 waves of the National Survey of Family Growth (N = 2408).Study DesignWe conducted a quasi‐experimental study examining the association between ACA state Medicaid expansion and HPV vaccination initiation among eligible adolescent and young adult US women.MethodsWe used linear probability modeling within a difference‐in‐differences approach, adjusting for individual‐ and state‐level covariates.Principal FindingsAdjusting for individual‐ and state‐level covariates, we found a negative association between Medicaid expansion and HPV vaccination among US women aged 15–25 years living in low‐income households in the first year post‐expansion (coefficient: −15.9 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −30.1, −1.6 points). In contrast, we observed a positive association in the third year post‐expansion (coefficient: 20.5 percentage points; 95% confidence interval [CI]: −1.8, 42.9 points).ConclusionsMedicaid expansion may have increased HPV vaccination among adolescent and young adult US women over time. Additional research is needed to identify the mechanisms and differential effects of Medicaid expansion on HPV vaccination among diverse subgroups of US women.
Overflow metabolism at the thermodynamic limit of life: How carboxydotrophic acetogens mitigate carbon monoxide toxicity
Authors: Allaart Maximilienne T. , Diender Martijn , Sousa Diana Z. , Kleerebezem Robbert 
Published: January 2023

AbstractCarboxydotrophic metabolism is gaining interest due to its applications in gas fermentation technology, enabling the conversion of carbon monoxide to fuels and commodities. Acetogenic carboxydotrophs play a central role in current gas fermentation processes. In contrast to other energy‐rich microbial substrates, CO is highly toxic, which makes it a challenging substrate to utilize. Instantaneous scavenging of CO upon entering the cell is required to mitigate its toxicity. Experiments conducted with Clostridium autoethanogenum at different biomass‐specific growth rates show that elevated ethanol production occurs at increasing growth rates. The increased allocation of electrons towards ethanol at higher growth rates strongly suggests that C. autoethanogenum employs a form of overflow metabolism to cope with high dissolved CO concentrations. We argue that this overflow branch enables acetogens to efficiently use CO at highly variable substrate influxes by increasing the conversion rate almost instantaneously when required to remove toxic substrate and promote growth. In this perspective, we will address the case study of C. autoethanogenum grown solely on CO and syngas mixtures to assess how it employs acetate reduction to ethanol as a form of overflow metabolism.
Risk assessment of Hass avocado and Mexican Lauraceae for attack by redbay ambrosia beetle (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae)
Authors: Kendra Paul E. , Guillén Larissa , Tabanca Nurhayat , Montgomery Wayne S. , Schnell Elena Q. , Deyrup Mark A. , Cloonan Kevin R. 
Published: January 2023

AbstractThe redbay ambrosia beetle,Xyleborus glabratusEichhoff (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae), vectors the mycopathogen that causes laurel wilt, a lethal vascular disease of trees in the Lauraceae. Since being detected in Georgia, USA in 2002, this invasive pest has become established in 11 additional states.With continued spread,X. glabratuswill likely enter Mexico. In advance of this event, this study was initiated to assess the risk posed to eight native laurels and Hass avocados, the predominant cultivar grown in Mexico.Wood bolts from each species were used in (a) field tests to determine the relative attraction of femaleX. glabratus, (b) laboratory bioassays to evaluate boring preferences, and (c) GC–MS analyses to identify host kairomones. For comparison, tests included control bolt treatments consisting of silkbay (an attractive U.S. laurel) and Simmonds avocado (a Florida cultivar susceptible to laurel wilt).Hass avocado and two native laurels (Persea schiedeanaandOcotea heribertoivel aff.) were highly attractive to females and elicited strong boring responses. These species were high in sesquiterpene hydrocarbons, including α‐copaene and α‐cubebene.Results of this study suggest thatX. glabratuscould become a serious agricultural and forest pest upon incursion into Mexico, with severe economic and ecological impacts.
Management of traumatic brain injury in the non‐neurosurgical intensive care unit: a narrative review of current evidence
Authors: Wiles M. D. , Braganza M. , Edwards H. , Krause E. , Jackson J. , Tait F. 
Published: January 2023

SummaryEach year, approximately 70 million people suffer traumatic brain injury, which has a significant physical, psychosocial and economic impact for patients and their families. It is recommended in the UK that all patients with traumatic brain injury and a Glasgow coma scale ≤ 8 should be transferred to a neurosurgical centre. However, many patients, especially those in whom neurosurgery is not required, are not treated in, nor transferred to, a neurosurgical centre. This review aims to provide clinicians who work in non‐neurosurgical centres with a summary of contemporary studies relevant to the critical care management of patients with traumatic brain injury. A targeted literature review was undertaken that included guidelines, systematic reviews, meta‐analyses, clinical trials and randomised controlled trials (published in English between 1 January 2017 and 1 July 2022). Studies involving key clinical management strategies published before this time, but which have not been updated or repeated, were also eligible for inclusion. Analysis of the topics identified during the review was then summarised. These included: fundamental critical care management approaches (including ventilation strategies, fluid management, seizure control and osmotherapy); use of processed electroencephalogram monitoring; non‐invasive assessment of intracranial pressure; prognostication; and rehabilitation techniques. Through this process, we have formulated practical recommendations to guide clinical practice in non‐specialist centres.
Renal medicine in the intensive care unit: a narrative review
Authors: Boyer N. , Horne K. , Selby N. M. , Forni L. G. 
Published: January 2023

SummaryKidney disease, both acute and chronic, is commonly encountered on the intensive care unit. Due to the role the kidneys play in whole body homeostasis, it follows that their dysfunction has wide‐ranging implications and can affect prescribing and therapeutic management. This narrative review discusses the pathophysiology of acute kidney injury and chronic kidney disease, and how this relates to critically unwell patients. We cover several aspects of the management of renal dysfunction on the critical care unit, exploring some of the recurrent themes within the literature, including type and timing of kidney replacement therapy, management of acute kidney injury, as well as discussing how novel biomarkers for acute kidney injury may help to identify patients suffering from acute kidney injury as well as risk stratifying these patients. We discuss how early involvement of specialist nephrology services can improve outcomes in patients with kidney disease as well as offer valuable diagnostic and specialist management advice, particularly for patients with established end stage kidney disease and patients who are already known to nephrology services. We also explore some of the ongoing research questions that need to be answered within this arena.
Initial safety outcomes for the Rigicon Infla10® inflatable penile prosthesis
Authors: Wilson Steven K. , Wen Lexiaochuan , Rossello Mariano , Maria Pedro , Carrion Rafael , Perito Paul , Ralph David , Antonini Gabriele , Carvajal Alejandro , Ozturk Metin I. , Chung Eric 
Published: January 2023

ObjectiveTo analyse data from patient information forms (PIFs) submitted to the manufacturer of a new three‐piece inflatable penile prosthesis (IPP), the Rigicon Infla10®, to summarize early outcomes.MethodsA retrospective review of PIFs from 319 patients implanted with the IPP between 6 January 2019 and 31 December 2021 was performed to assess device durability and rates of reoperation for infection, mechanical failure or medical reasons.ResultsThe mean ± sd (range) follow‐up was 21.2 ± 11 (5–36) months and the mean ± sd patient age was 58.5 ± 8.7 years. Of the total, 4.4% of devices required removal or revision. Complications included mechanical failure (2.5%) and component migration (0.7%). No infections were observed in this series. One patient (0.4%) required revision for inadequate straightening of Peyronie's disease. Three patients (0.9%) requested device removal because of dissatisfaction. A total of 95.6% of the Rigicon Infla10 devices were free from explant or revision 21 months after the original implant date. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed the rates of cumulative survival of the device at 12, 24, 36 months were 95.6%, 94.7% and 93.7%, respectively.ConclusionsThe vast majority of the early Rigicon Infla10 IPPs implanted prior to January 2022 were included in this retrospective analysis of volunteered PIFs. These early results demonstrate initial durability from reoperation equivalent to that of other contemporary devices.