bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Surgical Treatment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Multicenter Competing-risk Analysis of Tumor-related Death Following Liver Resection and Transplantation Under an Intention-to-treat Perspective
Authors: Di Sandro Stefano , Sposito Carlo , Ravaioli Matteo , Lauterio Andrea , Magistri Paolo , Bongini Marco , Odaldi Federica , De Carlis Riccardo , Botta Francesca , Centonze Leonardo , Maroni Lorenzo , Citterio Davide , Guidetti Cristiano , Bagnardi Vincenzo , De Carlis Luciano , Cescon Matteo , Mazzaferro Vincenzo , Di Benedetto Fabrizio ,   HV-HCC-MRT-group
Published: April 2023

Background.
Early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma could benefit from upfront liver resection (LR) or liver transplantation (LT), but the optimal strategy in terms of tumor-related outcomes is still debated. We compared the oncological outcomes of LR and LT for hepatocellular carcinoma, stratifying the study population into a low-, intermediate-, and high-risk class according to the risk of death at 5-y predicted by a previously developed prognostic model. The impact of tumor pathology on oncological outcomes of low- and intermediate-risk patients undergoing LR was investigated as a secondary outcome.

Methods.
We performed a retrospective multicentric cohort study involving 2640 patients consecutively treated by LR or LT from 4 tertiary hepatobiliary and transplant centers between 2005 and 2015, focusing on patients amenable to both treatments upfront. Tumor-related survival and overall survival were compared under an intention-to-treat perspective.

Results.
We identified 468 LR and 579 LT candidates: 512 LT candidates underwent LT, whereas 68 (11.7%) dropped-out for tumor progression. Ninety-nine high-risk patients were selected from each treatment cohort after propensity score matching. Three and 5-y cumulative incidence of tumor-related death were 29.7% and 39.5% versus 17.2% and 18.3% for LR and LT group (P = 0.039), respectively. Low-risk and intermediate-risk patients treated by LR and presenting satellite nodules and microvascular invasion had a significantly higher 5-y incidence of tumor-related death (29.2% versus 12.5%; P < 0.001).

Conclusions.
High-risk patients showed significantly better intention-to-treat tumor-related survival after upfront LT rather than LR. Cancer-specific survival of low- and intermediate-risk LR patients was significantly impaired by unfavorable pathology, suggesting the application of ab-initio salvage LT in such scenarios.
Sphingobium nicotianae sp. nov., isolated from tobacco soil
Authors: Fan Rongrong , Luo Xiong , Hong Mengjuan , Yang Ruijia , Dong Xinyi , Shi Heli , Li Mingshun 
Published: April 2023

Bacterial strain H33T was isolated from tobacco plant soil and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomy approach. Strain H33T was a Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and strictly aerobic bacterium. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences and coding sequences of the up-to-date bacterial core gene set (92 protein clusters) indicated that H33T belongs to the genus

Sphingobium

. Strain H33T showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to

Sphingobium xanthum

NL9T (97.2%) and showed 72.3–80.6 % average nucleotide identity and 19.7–29.2 % digital DNA–DNA hybridization identity with the strains of other species of the genus

Sphingobium

. Strain H33T grew optimally at 30°C, pH 7 and could tolerate 0.5 % (w/v) NaCl. The isoprenoid quinones were ubiquinone-9 (64.1%) and ubiquinone-10 (35.9%). Spermidine was the major polyamine. The major fatty acids of H33T were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
ω7c and/or C18 : 1
ω6c). The polar lipid profile consisted of a mixture of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylmethylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, two unidentified lipids, two unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified aminoglycolipids and an unidentified phospholipid. The genomic DNA G+C content of H33T was 64.9 mol%. Based on the phylogenetic and phenotypic data, H33T was considered a representative of a novel species in the genus

Sphingobium

. We propose the name Sphingobium nicotianae sp. nov., with H33T (=CCTCC AB 2022073T=LMG 32569T) as the type strain.
A practical method to improve the efficiency of pollination in maize breeding and genetics research
Authors: Schoemaker Dylan L. , McFarland Frank , Martinell Brian , Michel Kathryn J. , Mathews Lucas , O’Brien Dan , Leon Natalia de , Kaeppler Heidi F. , Kaeppler Shawn M. 
Published: April 2023

ABSTRACTSeed increase through manual pollination is a critical part of maize breeding and genetics research to advance generations in breeding programs, to create desired research crosses, and produce hybrid seed for trials. Pollination in the field and in controlled environments relies on the availability of high-quality pollen at the time that recipient silks are receptive. Generally, pollinations are made by capturing pollen from the tassel in a paper pollinating bag placed on the tassels one day prior to pollination and newly released pollen is then transferred to silks on the target plant. In the field, maize pollen is only viable for one to four hours following dehiscence and the rate of desiccation is influenced by environmental conditions. We have developed a method which increases the lifespan of pollen and allows pollen from a single tassel to be used to pollinate many ears by mixing fresh pollen with a dilutant that can be stored for multiple days. We identified characteristics of the size of suitable substrates and selected a PEEK based substrate for regular utilization. We evaluated pollen viability and empirically demonstrated the capability to store pollen up to nine days when pollen is mixed with a PEEK substrate and stored at 6°C. The pollen storage method was used to make successful pollinations across 24 maize inbred lines tested and was generally equivalent to the standard manual pollination process. This method has the potential to increase the efficiency of breeding operations and may be useful in an array of genetic studies.Core Ideas• Manual pollinations in breeding and genetics research requires pollen available when recipient silks are viable.• The method collects and stores maize pollen for at least five days and facilitates efficient pollination.• Pollen is mixed with polyetheretherketone and uses field-collected pollen and simple storage conditions.• The method can increase the number of pollinations per tassel and generates a reasonable number of viable seeds.
3D architecture and a bi-cellular mechanism of touch detection in mechanosensory corpuscle
Authors: Nikolaev Yury A. , Ziolkowski Luke H. , Pang Song , Li Wei-Ping , Feketa Viktor V. , Xu C. Shan , Gracheva Elena O. , Bagriantsev Sviatoslav N. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractMechanosensory corpuscles detect transient touch and vibratory signals in the skin of vertebrates, enabling navigation, foraging, and precise manipulation of objects1. The corpuscle core comprises a terminal neurite of a mechanoreceptor afferent, the only known touch-sensing element within corpuscles, surrounded by terminal Schwann cells called lamellar cells (LCs)2–4. However, the precise corpuscular ultrastructure, and the role of LCs in touch detection are unknown. Here we used enhanced focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy and electron tomography to reveal the three-dimensional architecture of avian Meissner (Grandry) corpuscle5. We show that corpuscles contain a stack of LCs innervated by two afferents, which form large-area contacts with LCs. LCs form tether-like connections with the afferent membrane and contain dense core vesicles which release their content onto the afferent. Furthermore, by performing simultaneous electrophysiological recordings from both cell types, we show that mechanosensitive LCs use calcium influx to trigger action potential firing in the afferent and thus serve as physiological touch sensors in the skin. Our findings suggest a bi-cellular mechanism of touch detection, which comprises the afferent and LCs, likely enables corpuscles to encode the nuances of tactile stimuli.
Substrate specificity and functional conservation of SWEET10 transporter in pineapple
Authors: Fakher Beenish , Ashraf M. Arif , Wang Lulu , Wang Xiaomei , Zheng Ping , Aslam Mohammad , Qin Yuan 
Published: April 2023

SummarySWEET transporters are a unique class of sugar transporters that play vital roles in various developmental and physiological processes in plants.While the functions of SWEETs have been well established in model plants such asArabidopsis, their functions in economically important fruit crops like pineapple have not been well studied.This study investigated the substrate specificity of pineapple SWEETs by comparing the protein sequences of known glucose and sucrose transporters inArabidopsisto those in pineapple.Genome-wide approach and 3D structure comparison showed that theArabidopsisSWEET8 homolog in pineapple, AcSWEET10, shares similar sequences and protein properties responsible for glucose transport. To determine the functional conservation of AcSWEET10, its ability to complement glucose transport mutants in yeast, its expression in stamens, and its impact on the microspore phenotype and seed set in transgenicArabidopsiswere analyzed.AcSWEET10 was found to be functionally equivalent to AtSWEET8 and plays a critical role in regulating microspore formation through the regulation of CalS5.Manipulating SWEET transporter activity could have important implications for improving fruit crop yield and quality.
Effect of vessel compression on blood flow in microvascular networks: implications for tumour tissue hypoxia
Authors: Enjalbert Romain , Krüger Timm , Bernabeu Miguel O. 
Published: April 2023

AbstractThe tumour microenvironment is abnormal and one of its consequences is that blood vessels are compressed. Vessel compression correlates with reduced survival rates, while decompression of vessels improves tissue oxygenation as well as increases survival rates. Vessel compression contributes, at a single vascular bifurcation, to the increase of heterogeneity of red blood cell (RBC) transport. However, the effect that vessel compression has at a network level is unknown. This work numerically investigates the effect of vessel compression on RBC transport in microvascular networks. The key findings are that vessel compression both reduces the average haematocrit, and increases haematocrit heterogeneity, in vessels in the network. The mechanisms for these changes in haematocrit distribution are unravelled, and a parameter sweep shows that networks with lower inlet haematocrits are more susceptible to haemodilution from vessel compression over a wide range of compressed fraction of a network. These findings provide a theoretical underpinning for the link between vessel compression and tumour tissue hypoxia.
Universal verification methodology-based airborne electronic hardware certification approach for ARINC-429
Authors: Ayaz Ibrahim , Sakarya Ufuk , Hokelek Ibrahim 
Published: April 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present a verification methodology for custom micro coded components designed for Avionics projects. Every electronic hardware which will be developed for an aircraft must be designed with the compliance of DO-254 processes. Requirements are the key elements of the aviation. All the requirements must be covered by the design to be considered as completed. Therefore, verification of the custom micro coded components against requirements should be comprehensively addressed. The verification using the manual testing approach is less preferable, as humans can possibly make mistakes. Therefore, the most used verification method today is the automated simulation.

Design/methodology/approach
The industry has developed a common methodology for generating automated testbenches by following the standardized guideline. This methodology is named as the universal verification methodology (UVM). In this paper, the verification study of ARINC-429 data bus digital design is presented to describe the DO-254 verification process using the UVM.

Findings
The results are supported with functional coverage and code coverage in addition to the assertions. It is observed that the design worked correctly.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study comprehensively describing the DO-254 verification process and demonstrating it by the UVM application of ARINC-429 on programmable logic devices.
How does the financial performance of sugar-using firms compare to other agribusinesses? An accounting and economic profit rates analysis
Authors: Trejo-Pech Carlos J.O. , DeLong Karen L. , Johansson Robert 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThe United States (US) sugar program protects domestic sugar farmers from unrestricted imports of heavily-subsidized global sugar. Sugar-using firms (SUFs) criticize that program for causing US sugar prices to be higher than world sugar prices. This study examines the financial performance of publicly traded SUFs to determine if they are performing at an economic disadvantage in terms of accounting profitability, risk and economic profitability compared to other industries.Design/methodology/approachFirm-level financial accounting and market data from 2010 to 2019 were utilized to construct financial metrics for publicly traded SUFs, agribusinesses and general US firms. These financial metrics were analyzed to determine how SUFs compare to their agribusiness peer group and general US companies. The comprehensive financial analysis in this study covers: (1) accounting profit rates, (2) drivers of profitability, (3) economic profit rates, (4) trend analysis and (5) peer comparisons. Quantile regression analysis and Wilcoxon–Mann–Whitney statistics are employed for statistical comparisons.FindingsRegarding various profitability and risk measures, SUFs outperform their agribusiness peers and the general benchmark of all US firms in terms of accounting profit rates, risk levels and economic profit rates. Furthermore, compared to other US industries using the 17 French and Fama classifications, SUFs have the highest return on investment and economic profit rate―measured by the Economic Value Added® margin―and the second-lowest opportunity cost of capital, measured by the weighted average cost of capital.Originality/valueThis study finds nothing to suggest that the US sugar program hinders the financial success of SUFs, contrary to recent claims by sugar-using firms. Notably in this analysis is the evaluation of economic profit rates and a series of robustness techniques.
Boards and CSR: an emerging market perspective
Authors: Rivas Jose Luis , Rubio Job 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to understand the influence of family ownership and governance mechanisms on corporate social responsibility (CSR) scores through the lens of the principal–principal (PP) perspective.Design/methodology/approachUsing a random-effects model the authors sample 21 hundred board members across a 101 listed Mexican companies from 2008 to 2020.FindingsThe paper finds that board independence and board committees are positively related to CSR scores.Practical implicationsResults of this paper suggest that stronger governance can enhance CSR: board independence and committees can be a counterbalancing mechanism serving stakeholders aiming to improve CSR scores.Originality/valueMost CSR research has focused on determinants and outcomes of CSR. The authors analyze an unexplored aspect of the corporate governance (CG) and CSR relationship: the potential influence of family ownership and governance mechanisms on CSR.
Benchmarking meta-analytical conceptualizations of B2B seller skills against empirical evidence in services firms
Authors: Høgevold Nils M. , Rodríguez Rocio , Otero-Neira Carmen , Svensson Göran 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to benchmark meta-analytical conceptualizations of business-to-business (B2B) seller skills against empirical evidence in services firms.Design/methodology/approachThe study is based on a deductive approach and questionnaire survey focusing on a range of services firms from different industries and corporate sizes. A total of 389 questionnaires out of 732 were returned, generating a response rate of 53.1%.FindingsThe study aims to provide empirical evidence and structures relating to B2B sellers' capabilities in a seven-dimensional conceptualization, all of which can be used in services firms to improve their seller efficiency. Each seller skill dimension performs a different function in the sales services process.Research limitations/implicationsThe authors conclude that the verified meta-analytical conceptualizations of B2B seller skills seem valid and reliable in services firms. Nevertheless, further research needs to be carried out, based on other company characteristics as well as industries.Practical implicationsIt reduces the risk perceived by customers in B2B services settings through cultivating the sellers' capabilities, based on the seven-dimensional evidence of seller skills to enhance sales performance.Originality/valueThe study contributes to existing theory and previous studies by offering a foundation on which to structure sales performance indicators in services firms. Specifically, it contributes to structuring B2B seller skills across a selection of principal dimensions in B2B services settings.
Getting organizational adaptability in the context of digital transformation
Authors: Sun Xinbo , He Zhiwei , Qian Yu 
Published: April 2023

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore what organizational adaptability means in the digitized context and to discuss how manufacturing companies achieve organizational adaptability during the digital transformation process.

Design/methodology/approach
By conducting semi-structured interviews and acquiring archive data from a typical Chinese manufacturing company, this paper gathers extensive data. Based on this, a single-case study methodology is used to investigate organizational adaptability in digital transformation.

Findings
This study identifies the process by which companies achieve organizational adaptability during digital transformation and deconstructs organizational adaptability into three dimensions: structural adaptability, operational adaptability and governance adaptability. This study also explores how organizational adaptability is affected by digital capabilities.

Originality/value
This study proposes a process model to demonstrate how organizational adaptability may be attained during digital transformation and redefines organizational adaptability in the context of digitization.
The dynamics of cross-sector collaboration in disasters
Authors: Lee Khiam Jin , Malinen Sanna K. , Nilakant Venkataraman 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThis study examines challenges to cross-sector collaboration in disasters. The authors use Malaysian flooding as the context for the study and offer a framework to understand different types of collaborators in disaster settings.Design/methodology/approachData were collected with semi-structured interviews, complemented with secondary data from government documents and news reports. The authors interviewed a total of 30 participants including six disaster aid recipients and 24 strategic and operational participants from 12 disaster management organizations. Thematic analysis was conducted including two cycles of coding, memoing and constant comparisons.FindingsThe authors present two key theoretical contributions: key barriers to cross-sector collaboration and a typology of collaboration in disasters. Key barriers include leadership approach and central vs local decision-making, differing levels of motivation to collaborate and the organizations' ability to collaborate in disasters. Despite these barriers, collaboration does occur in disaster settings. The authors suggest that the forms of collaboration may be driven primarily by differing motivations to collaborate and differing perceptions of others’ ability to collaborate, resulting in four types of collaboration: (1) enthusiastic, (2) mandate-driven, (3) reluctant and (4) non-collaboration.Originality/valueThe authors show that although the command-and-control model was dominant, organizations also attempted to improve disaster management efficacy through collaborative approaches. Central institutional agencies and their wider external partners are capable of using cross-sector collaboration as a strategy to tackle the complex problems post-disaster. However, pre-disaster relationship building will likely help organizations to collaborate more effectively when a disaster occurs.
On the use of AI-based tools like ChatGPT to support management research
Authors: Burger Bastian , Kanbach Dominik K. , Kraus Sascha , Breier Matthias , Corvello Vincenzo 
Published: April 2023

PurposeThe article discusses the current relevance of artificial intelligence (AI) in research and how AI improves various research methods. This article focuses on the practical case study of systematic literature reviews (SLRs) to provide a guideline for employing AI in the process.Design/methodology/approachResearchers no longer require technical skills to use AI in their research. The recent discussion about using Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer (GPT), a chatbot by OpenAI, has reached the academic world and fueled heated debates about the future of academic research. Nevertheless, as the saying goes, AI will not replace our job; a human being using AI will. This editorial aims to provide an overview of the current state of using AI in research, highlighting recent trends and developments in the field.FindingsThe main result is guidelines for the use of AI in the scientific research process. The guidelines were developed for the literature review case but the authors believe the instructions provided can be adjusted to many fields of research, including but not limited to quantitative research, data qualification, research on unstructured data, qualitative data and even on many support functions and repetitive tasks.Originality/valueAI already has the potential to make researchers’ work faster, more reliable and more convenient. The authors highlight the advantages and limitations of AI in the current time, which should be present in any research utilizing AI. Advantages include objectivity and repeatability in research processes that currently are subject to human error. The most substantial disadvantages lie in the architecture of current general-purpose models, which understanding is essential for using them in research. The authors will describe the most critical shortcomings without going into technical detail and suggest how to work with the shortcomings daily.