bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Diversified boards and the achievement of environmental, social, and governance goals
Authors: Alawadi Asma , Kakabadse Nada , Morley Michael , Khan Nadeem 
Published: September 2023

AbstractWe explore the impact of board resources arising from diverse board members on the achievement of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. Employing resource dependence theory as our frame and drawing on qualitative data from 41 interviews with board directors of publicly traded and privately held companies in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), we identify three key mechanisms underpinning the achievement of ESG goals, namely, the leveraging of particular connections, the deployment of different resources, and the harnessing of a range of diversity types. We find that the use of social resources is often related to environmental concerns and occasionally social goals, but rarely governance issues. We also find that financial motivations often drive environmental issues, while many of the social resources that added value occurred in the public sector. Importantly, the combining of both skill and social resources, rather than relying on each alone, was seen to increase the likelihood of achieving ESG goals. Our findings also point to the importance of board diversity in accomplishing the board's ESG goals, most especially functional diversity. We propose that such functional diversity, along with resources in the form of social resources and skills, needs to feature more prominently in order to improve ESG performance and outcomes. We highlight the implications of our work, especially regarding the establishment of board diversity policies beyond gender alone.
SAM: Self-Adapting Mixture Prior to Dynamically Borrow Information from Historical Data in Clinical Trials
Authors: Yang Peng , Zhao Yuansong , Nie Lei , Vallejo Jonathon , Yuan Ying 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Mixture priors provide an intuitive way to incorporate historical data while accounting for potential prior-data conflict by combining an informative prior with a noninformative prior. However, prespecifying the mixing weight for each component remains a crucial challenge. Ideally, the mixing weight should reflect the degree of prior-data conflict, which is often unknown beforehand, posing a significant obstacle to the application and acceptance of mixture priors. To address this challenge, we introduce self-adapting mixture (SAM) priors that determine the mixing weight using likelihood ratio test statistics or Bayes factors. SAM priors are data-driven and self-adapting, favoring the informative (noninformative) prior component when there is little (substantial) evidence of prior-data conflict. Consequently, SAM priors achieve dynamic information borrowing. We demonstrate that SAM priors exhibit desirable properties in both finite and large samples and achieve information-borrowing consistency. Moreover, SAM priors are easy to compute, data-driven, and calibration-free, mitigating the risk of data dredging. Numerical studies show that SAM priors outperform existing methods in adopting prior-data conflicts effectively. We developed R package “SAMprior” and web application that are freely available at CRAN and www.trialdesign.org to facilitate the use of SAM priors.
Regulation of nociception threshold by norepinephrine through adrenergic α2 receptor in rat models of Parkinson's disease
Authors: Gao Qing , Zhang Yingying , Wang Xiaoying , Wang Rui , Zhang Limei 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe mechanism of pain symptoms in Parkinson's disease (PD) is unclear. Norepinephrine (NE) regulates neuropathic pain through ascending and descending pathways. However, the loss of NE neurons in the brain of patients with PD is obvious, it is speculated that NE is involved in the occurrence of PD pain symptoms.AimsTo investigate the effect of NE on the activation of brain cells through adrenergic α2 receptor, so as to regulate the nociception threshold in a 6‐OHDA‐induced animal model of PD.MethodsPD rat model was established by 6‐OHDA injection (6‐OHDA group). DSP‐4 (or anti‐DBH‐saporin) was used to reduce the NE level of the PD rat brain. The heat sensitivity threshold (HST) and pressure withdrawal threshold (PWT) were measured. Tyrosine hydroxylase and NE in rat brains were detected by Elisa. The percentage of GFAP‐positive cells in the prefrontal cortex, cingulate gyrus and striatum of rats was detected by immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. GFAP protein was semiquantified by method of western blot. Then yohimbine and guanfacine were used to increase the NE level in PD rats, and the above experimental changes were observed after drug application.ResultsThe contents of NE in the brain of 6‐OHDA‐induced PD rats were lower than that of control group. After DSP‐4 (or anti‐DBH‐saporin) injection, PD rats showed the lowest NE level (compared with 6‐OHDA group, p ≤ 0.05), and after yohimbine and guanfacine were applied to 6‐OHDA group, the contents of NE increased in the prefrontal cortex of rats. The HST and PWT of 6‐OHDA group were significantly lower than those of control group, and after DSP‐4 (or anti‐DBH‐saporin) injection, the HST and PWT of rats were lower than those of 6‐OHDA group, and after the administration of yohimbine and guanfacine, both HST and PWT were significantly increased. GFAP‐positive cells increased in prefrontal cortex and anterior cingulate gyrus of 6‐OHDA group rats, and more significantly increased after DSP‐4 (or anti‐DBH‐saporin) injection, and significantly reduced after yohimbine and guanfacine were used.ConclusionsThe change of norepinephrine content can affect the activation of prefrontal and cingulate gyrus glial cells and participate in the regulation of nociception threshold in PD rats. Adrenergic α2 receptor agonist and central presynaptic membrane α2 receptor blocker both affect cell activation and improve hyperalgesia.
Ligustilide‐loaded liposome ameliorates mitochondrial impairments and improves cognitive function via the PKA/AKAP1 signaling pathway in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhang Qi , Zhang Xiangxiang , Yang Bing , Li Yan , Sun Xue‐Heng , Li Xiang , Sui Ping , Wang Yi‐Bin , Tian Shu‐Yu , Wang Chun‐Yan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackgroundOxidative stress is an early event in the development of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and maybe a pivotal point of interaction governing AD pathogenesis; oxidative stress contributes to metabolism imbalance, protein misfolding, neuroinflammation and apoptosis. Excess reactive oxygen species (ROS) are a major contributor to oxidative stress. As vital sources of ROS, mitochondria are also the primary targets of ROS attack. Seeking effective avenues to reduce oxidative stress has attracted increasing attention for AD intervention.MethodsWe developed liposome‐packaged Ligustilide (LIG) and investigated its effects on mitochondrial function and AD‐like pathology in the APPswe/PS1dE9 (APP/PS1) mouse model of AD, and analyzed possible mechanisms.ResultsWe observed that LIG‐loaded liposome (LIG‐LPs) treatment reduced oxidative stress and β‐amyloid (Aβ) deposition and mitigated cognitive impairment in APP/PS1 mice. LIG management alleviated the destruction of the inner structure in the hippocampal mitochondria and ameliorated the imbalance between mitochondrial fission and fusion in the APP/PS1 mouse brain. We showed that the decline in cAMP‐dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and A‐kinase anchor protein 1 for PKA (AKAP1) was associated with oxidative stress and AD‐like pathology. We confirmed that LIG‐mediated antioxidant properties and neuroprotection were involved in upregulating the PKA/AKAP1 signaling in APPswe cells in vitro.ConclusionLiposome packaging for LIG is relatively biosafe and can overcome the instability of LIG. LIG alleviates mitochondrial dysfunctions and cognitive impairment via the PKA/AKAP1 signaling pathway. Our results provide experimental evidence that LIG‐LPs may be a promising agent for AD therapy.
Melatonin attenuates chronic sleep deprivation‐induced cognitive deficits and HDAC3‐Bmal1/clock interruption
Authors: Hu Yujie , Lv Yefan , Long Xiaoyan , Yang Guoshuai , Zhou Jinxia 
Published: September 2023

AbstractBackground and AimsSleep is predicted as a key modulator of cognition, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the effects of melatonin on chronic rapid eye movement sleep deprivation (CRSD)‐induced cognitive impairment and circadian dysfunction in rat models.MethodsThirty‐six Sprague‐Dawley male rats were divided into three groups: CRSD with saline treatment, CRSD with chronic melatonin injection (20 mg/kg/day), and non‐sleep‐deprived control. The cognitive behavioral tests as well as the expression of clocks and HDAC3 were evaluated in all groups.ResultsCRSD significantly reduced recognition index in novel object location, increased escape latency and distance traveling in Morris water maze while melatonin treatment attenuated CRSD‐induced hippocampal‐dependent spatial learning and memory deficits. Furthermore, the mRNAs of brain and muscle aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator‐like 1(Bmal1) and circadian locomotor output cycles kaput (Clock) were globally down‐regulated by CRSD with constant intrinsic oscillation in both hippocampus and peripheral blood. The protein levels of hippocampal Bmal1, Clock, and HDAC3 were also remarkably down‐regulated following CRSD. Melatonin treatment reversed CRSD‐induced alterations of Bmal1/Clock and HDAC3 on both mRNA levels and protein levels.ConclusionsOur data indicate that melatonin treatment attenuates CRSD‐induced cognitive impairment via regulating HDAC3‐Bmal1/Clock interaction. These findings explore a broader understanding of the relationship between sleep and cognition and provide a potential new therapeutic target for cognitive impairment.
Stock Market's Response to Real Output Shocks in China: A VARwAL Estimation
Authors: Ülkü Numan , Wu Kexing 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper studies the connection between the stock market and real output in China and compares it with benchmark countries, employing a novel vector autoregression with asymmetric leads (VARwAL) model. It makes two contributions. First, it finds that the time profile of the Chinese stock market's response to real output shocks suggests no evidence of a distorted relationship due to manipulation of Chinese real output data or domination of the Chinese stock market by individual investors. Rather, the Chinese stock market is relatively more responsive to real output, in line with the larger share of manufacturing in the Chinese economy. Electricity output and industrial profits, two different, less‐manipulable time series, yield similar results. Second, it presents the first use of VARwAL impulse responses to detect stock market bubbles: VARwAL captures the 2015 bubble in China successfully. Over the full sample period, China's stock market appears to have been less prone to bubbles than the US stock market.
E‐commerce and Consumption Inequality in China
Authors: Jiang Zhou , Zeng Maoxia , Shi Mingming 
Published: September 2023

AbstractConsumption inequality may impede economic development and hinder the achievement of common prosperity. Using three waves of the China Family Panel Studies from 2014 to 2018, this paper investigated the impact of e‐commerce on consumption inequality, as measured by the Kakwani index. The results indicate that e‐commerce can reduce household consumption inequality. A mechanism analysis shows that e‐commerce can narrow household income inequality, increase the purchasing power of low‐income households, and promote the consumption of households with limited access to offline markets, thereby reducing the consumption gap. A heterogeneity analysis suggests that the positive role of e‐commerce in reducing consumption inequality can be more significant among vulnerable households, such as households with elderly members and less‐educated households. E‐commerce can have varying impacts on consumption inequality across different subcategories of household expenditure, with the greatest impact seen in entertainment and education expenditure. These findings provide new evidence for the role of e‐commerce in reducing consumption inequality in the digital economy, and the implications of this are discussed.
Human Capital Development and Its Influence on FDI Withdrawal: An Empirical Analysis
Authors: Li Chuanchuan , Li Lei , Tang Haodan , Zheng Yanyan , Gong Fangming 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper examines the causal effect of human capital expansion on the exit of foreign‐owned firms using the difference‐in‐differences method together with a quasi‐natural experiment involving the expansion of higher education in China in 1999. The expansion of human capital reduces the probability of the exit of foreign‐owned firms significantly. This conclusion remains robust under a series of tests, including changing the sample range, adjusting the identification method, and considering the trade liberalization. Analysis of the mechanism indicates that human capital expansion reduces the exit probability of foreign‐owned firms by stimulating innovation, improving production efficiency, and optimizing the quality of input and output goods. Industries with higher asset specificity are also more likely to restrain the exit of foreign‐owned firms through human capital expansion. Overall, the findings of this study provide a good insight into the exit behavior of FDI in China from the perspective of human capital.
Can the Super‐deduction of R&D Expenses Boost R&D Investment?
Authors: Qian Tao , Zhan Yutao , Pan Shiyuan 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThe super‐deduction of research and development (R&D) expenses is at the core of the policy to stimulate enterprise innovation in China. This paper identifies whether firms are supported by the super‐deduction policies for R&D expenses and uses the difference‐in‐differences method to investigate the impact of the policies on R&D investment. The results show that changes in policy in 2013 significantly increased the R&D investment of firms engaging in key state‐supported technologies. Policy changes in 2016 significantly increased the R&D investment of firms engaging in non‐key‐state‐supported technologies. Enterprises not only invested all their tax incentives in R&D activities but also increased their investment in self‐raised funds. The super‐deduction policy had different impacts on different industries, firms with different boards, and firms with different ownership. The policy significantly affected the manufacturing and construction industries, the Small and Medium Enterprise Board, and non‐state‐owned enterprises. Through a mechanism analysis, we found that the policy significantly reduced the user cost of R&D and increased the net cash flow of enterprises, which could raise a firm's R&D investment. It is necessary to increase policy support, expand the scope of super‐deductible expenses, and increase the super‐deduction rate based on industry classification according to the sensitivity of different industries to the policy.
Investigating the methods and characteristics of the trafficking of performance and image enhancing drugs in Australia
Authors: Dunn Matthew , Bright David , Fletcher Paige 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntroductionUsing case law, the aims of this study were to document the methods for trafficking of performance and image‐enhancing drugs (PIED) into Australia, and the characteristics of individuals and groups involved.MethodsData was collected from judges' sentencing comments. Searches were conducted using the Australasian Legal Information Institute database across all states in Australia, for the period of January 2010 to December 2021. After removing duplicates and cases which did not meet the inclusion criteria, 31 cases were included in the analysis.ResultsAcross the 31 cases, 37 individuals were named as being involved in the supply and/or trafficking of PIEDs, with three cases involving an unknown number of individuals. One case named four actors involved in the supply and/or trafficking of PIEDs, three cases involved three actors, four cases involved two actors and 17 cases involved one actor. In 20 of the 31 cases, individuals operated alone. Over half (19 of the 37) of the individuals were health professionals. The majority (n = 17) of cases involved prescription as the method of acquisition, while seven cases involved the importation of PIEDs.Discussion and ConclusionThe small number of cases identified, with the majority involving only a single actor, and half of the cases involving those in the medical profession. The findings suggest that discrete occurrences of trafficking involves individuals or small groups that do not appear to be linked to large‐scale networks or networks involving the supply and trafficking of other illicit substances.
Intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring and hypoglycaemia awareness in drivers with diabetes: Insights from the Association of British Clinical Diabetologists Nationwide audit
Authors: Mark‐Wagstaff Charlotte , Deshmukh Harshal , Wilmot Emma G. , Walker Neil , Barnes Dennis , Parfitt Vernon , Saunders Simon , Gregory Rob , Choudhary Pratik , Patmore Jane , Walton Chris , Ryder Robert E. J. , Sathyapalan Thozhukat 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAimFrequent hypoglycaemia results in disruption to usual hypoglycaemic autonomic responses leading to impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia, which is associated with an increased risk of severe hypoglycaemia requiring third‐party assistance (SH). The UK Driving and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) does not permit car driving if they have either a complete loss of hypoglycaemia awareness or more than one SH event a year.MethodsThe FreeStyle Libre (FSL) Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) Nationwide Audit consists of data collected by clinicians during routine clinical work, submitted into a secure web‐based tool held within the National Health Service (NHS) N3 network. Analysis of paired baseline and follow‐up data for people with type 1 diabetes who also held a driving licence was undertaken.ResultsThe study consisted of 6304 people who had data recorded about driving status from 102 UK specialist diabetes centres, of which 4218 held a driving licence: 4178 a group 1, standard licence, 33 a group 2, large lorries and buses, seven a taxi licence; 1819 did not drive. Paired baseline and follow‐up data were available for a sub‐cohort of 1606/4218. At a mean follow‐up of 6.9 months [95% CI (6.8, 7.1)], the Gold score had improved (2.3 ± 1.5 vs. 2.0 ± 1.3 p < .001), and the number of people who experienced an SH episode was also significantly lower (12.1% vs. 2.7%, p < .001).ConclusionThis study suggests that intermittently scanned continuous glucose monitoring may improve impaired awareness of hypoglycaemia and reduce the number of people with type 1 diabetes with a driving licence experiencing a severe hypoglycaemic episode.
Between us: Facilitated decision‐making in the relational experience of profound intellectual disability
Authors: Jackson Aaron J. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis article situates an analysis of facilitated decision‐making in the lived relational experience of caring for someone with a profound intellectual disability. Drawing from the experiences of a father and daughter residing in Boston, Massachusetts, I highlight the emotional dynamics and expressions of ableism that reverberate through social institutions and intersubjective relationships in shaping actions and practices around decision‐making support. These ubiquitous encounters, rooted in shared relational histories, bring into focus the affective grounds and embodied motivations that inform the practice of facilitated decision‐making within public spaces and systems. In the context of this article, these decisions are geared toward carving out a place of belonging, a goal beset with uncertainty. By demonstrating that disability is a relational experience and that decision‐making is an embodied evaluative process, deeply entwined with social and communicative practices, I aim to show what this practice looks like in the thick of everyday moral life.
Bridging the gap: Survey highlights challenges and solutions in outreach and identification of people with inherited bleeding disorders
Authors: Hagembe Juliana , Baumann Alain , Santaella Maria E. , Sannie Thomas , Lambert Catherine , Cruickshank Anne Louise , Gaitan‐Fitch Carlos , Suwantaroj Ekawat , Garrido Cesar , Mekhuzla Salome 
Published: September 2023

AbstractIntroductionInherited bleeding disorders (IBD) are genetic conditions that affect blood clotting, leading to complications such as prolonged or spontaneous bleeding into muscles or joints. Early identification and treatment are crucial to prevent complications and improve outcomes. However, effective patient outreach and identification programs for IBD face significant challenges globally.AimThis study aimed to identify successful patient outreach initiatives for IBD, barriers encountered during implementation, and approaches used to overcome them.MethodsThe World Federation of Haemophilia (WFH) conducted a survey of its national member organizations and other patient associations, totalling 153 organizations, to identify common strategies, barriers to their implementation, and solutions for outreach and the identification of people with IBD. The survey consisted of both closed‐ended and open‐ended questions, and the data were analysed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.ResultsCommon challenges included resource and sustainability‐related aspects such as financial constraints, limited lab equipment for diagnosis, and inadequate government commitment. Significant barriers also encompassed physical/geographical challenges like difficulty accessing remote areas, and inadequate logistical support and transportation. Seven themes emerged to enhance patient outreach: resource mobilization; awareness‐raising and advocacy; knowledge and capacity building; collaboration and partnership; decentralization of services; improved logistical support and infrastructure; utilization of technology and innovation; and financial aid and incentives.ConclusionMultistakeholder collaboration, coupled with secured government commitment, is crucial for improving global outreach, diagnosis rates, and access to care for individuals with IBD. Customized outreach programs should consider regional contexts, financial constraints, and prioritize innovation.