bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-speed mobile networks and police repression during the COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Nigeria
Authors: Kim Hye-Sung , Marier Christopher J. 
Published: July 2023

PurposeGovernment repression against civilians while enforcing COVID-19 related lockdowns was widely reported in Africa. At the same time, many have claimed that high-speed (4G) mobile network proliferation provide an accountability mechanism that may constrain police abuses. This study focused on Nigeria to examine (1) the effect of COVID-19 lockdowns on police repression and (2) whether widespread high-speed mobile data networks constrain police repression.Design/methodology/approachUsing data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Database (ACLED) and the Mobile Coverage Database, this study used difference-in-differences (DID) and triple difference (DDD) estimation on a sample of 423,925 observations (local government area-days) between January 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020 to estimate the causal effects of COVID-19 lockdowns and high-speed (4G) mobile data on police repression.FindingsLockdowns increased certain forms of police repression in areas with substantial high-speed (4G) mobile networks. Separate from the lockdowns, widespread 4G network increased police repression even without lockdowns.Research limitations/implicationsProliferation of high-speed mobile networks in Nigeria appears to facilitate, rather than constrain, police repression. It is possible that high-speed mobile data networks allow police to detect and repress citizen behaviors, rather than permitting citizens to correct repressive police behaviors.Originality/valueAlthough many studies have explored the COVID-19 pandemic and police behavior in Western countries, only a few have examined its effects in states with even more troubled policing institutions, including those in sub-Saharan Africa, using DID and DDD estimation.
How local tournament incentives influence ESG disclosure: CEO’s genuinely altruistic or self-serving?
Authors: Zhu Yilu , Zhang Ruopiao 
Published: July 2023

Purpose
This study aims to examine the effects of local tournament incentives on environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure and the quality of such disclosures among Chinese A-share listed companies. Furthermore, it seeks to investigate the moderating roles of CEO duality, institutional investors’ shareholding and product market competition in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach
This study uses a quantitative approach, and data from A-share listed companies in China spanning from 2012 to 2021. To test the proposed hypotheses, the authors conduct hierarchical regression analysis along with a series of robustness tests to ensure the validity of our findings.

Findings
The findings of this study indicate that local tournament incentives have a positive impact on companies’ propensity to disclose ESG information, yet they negatively influence the quality of these disclosures. Additionally, the presence of CEO duality and product market competition attenuate this relationship, whereas the shareholding of institutional investors serves to strengthen it.

Practical implications
This study’s findings can aid policymakers and regulators in China and other emerging economies in policies that promote high-quality ESG information disclosure, taking into account local tournament incentives. Furthermore, the study underscores the importance of maintaining robust corporate governance structures within firms to ensure that CEOs’ self-serving motivations do not undermine ESG disclosure.

Originality/value
This study adds to the ongoing discourse on the significance of ESG disclosure in emerging economies by analyzing the influence of executive promotion incentives on ESG disclosure from an external labor market standpoint. By exploring the potential self-serving motivations of CEOs in promoting ESG values and practices within organizations, this paper addresses a gap in the existing literature.
Analysis of multidrug‐resistant determinants of clinically isolated Acinetobacter baumannii CYZ via whole genome sequencing
Authors: Chuai Xia , Zhou Yaya , Feng Junhua , Yu Menghan , Wu Yan , Han Lujuan , Zhao Yan , Qiao Hongxiu , Gao Zhiyun , Li Jian , Xie Lixin , Zhao Wenting , Wang Changle 
Published: July 2023

AbstractAcinetobacter baumannii is a multidrug‐resistant coccobacillus responsible for severe nosocomial infectious diseases. This study mainly focuses on investigating the antimicrobial resistance features of a clinically isolated strain (A. baumannii CYZ) using the PacBio Sequel II sequencing platform. The chromosomal size of A. baumannii CYZ is 3,960,760 bp, which contains a total of 3803 genes with a G + C content of 39.06%. Functional analysis performed using the Clusters of Orthologous Groups of Proteins (COGs), Gene Ontology (GO), Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases, as well as the Comprehensive Antibiotic Resistance Database (CARD) revealed a complicated set of antimicrobial resistance determinants in the genome of A. baumannii CYZ, which were mainly classified into multidrug efflux pumps and transport systems, β‐lactamase relative and penicillin‐binding proteins, aminoglycoside modification enzymes, alternation of antibiotic target sites, lipopolysaccharide relative, and other mechanisms. A total of 35 antibiotics were tested for the antimicrobial susceptibility of A. baumannii CYZ, and the organism exhibited a stronger antimicrobial resistance ability. The phylogenetic relationship indicated that A. baumannii CYZ has high homology with A. baumannii ATCC 17978; however, the former also exhibited its specific genome characteristics. Our research results give insight into the genetic antimicrobial‐resistant features of A. baumannii CYZ as well as provide a genetic basis for the further study of the phenotype.
The consequences of heatwaves for animal reproduction are timing‐dependent
Authors: Pilakouta Natalie , Sellers Lorelei , Barratt Rebecca , Ligonniere Alice 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

In light of the increased frequency of heatwaves due to climate change, it is crucial to better understand their potential effects on animal reproduction. Heat stress can affect all aspects of reproduction, including gamete development, fertilisation success, parental care and offspring survival. We may, therefore, expect these effects to be highly sensitive to the timing of a heatwave event relative to an organism's reproductive cycle.

Here, we use an insect study system (Nicrophorus vespilloides) to test whether variation in the timing of a heatwave within a short timeframe has differential effects on reproductive success and offspring fitness.

We found that heatwaves had little to no effect when they occurred a few days before or after mating, but they were highly detrimental for fitness if they occurred during mating. Individuals that experienced a heatwave during mating were significantly less likely to have a successful breeding bout, had a longer breeding bout, and their offspring were smaller and suffered a lower survival rate.

Our study shows that variation in the timing of a heatwave event over very short timescales (on the order of days) can have drastically different consequences for animal reproduction. This work provides novel insights into the vulnerability of organisms at different stages of their reproductive cycle and can improve our ability to make informed predictions about the ecological consequences of heatwaves under climate change.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Matter of trust: How to include digital volunteers in crisis management
Authors: Ruohonen Heini , Backholm Klas 
Published: July 2023

AbstractDigital volunteers are becoming more visible actors in crises. By collecting data, correcting misinformation, and organizing help, they are often a much‐needed resource in crisis management. Despite this, authorities generally see spontaneous volunteers as a risk and a burden, thereby creating a paradox identified by Harris and colleagues. To extend the paradox to digital volunteers, this study aims to understand how Finnish emergency response organizations perceive spontaneous digital volunteers and how these could become a resource in crisis management. Eight informants representing six authorities/non‐governmental organizations were interviewed in March 2019. The results show that authorities see potential in digital volunteers but only for strictly limited tasks as problems with trust and volunteers' lack of knowledge and training stand in the way of cooperation, thus confirming the paradox. The main contribution of this study is to show how the involvement/exclusion paradox exists in the relationship and may create barriers between authorities and digital volunteers.
Testing for viral DNA integration among HPV‐positive women to detect cervical precancer: An observational cohort study
Authors: Hu Ting , Li Kexin , He Liang , Huang Fanwei , Yang Fan , Chen Shimin , Wang Hui , Ma Ding , Huang Xiaoyuan , Wu Peng 
Published: July 2023

AbstractObjectiveHuman papillomavirus (HPV) integration is a crucial genetic step in cervical carcinogenesis. This study aimed to evaluate the performance of an HPV integration test for the triage of HPV‐positive women.DesignAn observational cohort study.SettingA cervical cancer screening programme in China.Population1393 HPV‐positive women aged 25–65 years undergoing routine cervical cancer screening and HPV integration testing with 1‐year follow‐up.MethodsThe sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value between HPV integration and cytology were compared.Main outcome measuresCervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 or more severe (CIN3+).ResultsAmong 1393 HPV‐positive patients, 138 (9.9% [8.3–11.5%]) were HPV integration test positive compared with 537 who had abnormal cervical cytology (38.5% [36.0–41.1%]). Compared with cytology, HPV integration exhibited higher specificity (94.5% [93.3–95.8%] versus 63.8% [61.2–66.4%]) and equivalent sensitivity (70.5% [61.4–79.7%] versus 70.5% [61.4–79.7%]) for detection of CIN3+. HPV integration‐negative women accounted for 90.1% (1255/1393) of the total population and had a low immediate CIN3+ risk (2.2%). At 1‐year follow‐up, the progression rate in the HPV integration‐positive women was higher than in the HPV integration‐negative women (12.0% versus 2.1%, odds ratio 5.6, 95% CI, 2.6–11.9). In 10 conservatively managed integration‐negative CIN2 patients, all showed spontaneous regression and seven showed HPV clearance after 1‐year follow‐up.ConclusionThe HPV integration test may be a precise risk stratification tool for HPV‐positive women and could avoid excessive use of invasive biopsies.
Comparison of early and late intervention for necrotizing pancreatitis: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Niu Chen Gu , Zhang Jing , Zhu Kai Wen , Liu Hong Li , Ashraf Muhammad Farhan , Okolo Patrick I. 
Published: July 2023

ObjectivesPostponed open necrosectomy or minimally invasive intervention has become the treatment option for necrotizing pancreatitis. Nevertheless, several studies point to the safety and efficacy of early intervention for necrotizing pancreatitis. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta‐analysis to compare clinical outcomes of acute necrotizing pancreatitis between early and late intervention.MethodsLiterature search was performed in multiple databases for articles that compared the safety and clinical outcomes of early (<4 weeks from the onset of pancreatitis) versus late intervention (≥4 weeks from the onset of pancreatitis) for necrotizing pancreatitis published up to August 31, 2022. The meta‐analysis was performed to determine pooled odds ratio (OR) of mortality rate and procedure‐related complications.ResultsFourteen studies were included in the final analysis. For open necrosectomy intervention, the overall pooled OR of mortality rate with the late intervention compared with early intervention was 7.09 (95% confidence interval [CI] 2.33–21.60; I2 = 54%; P = 0.0006). For minimally invasive intervention, the overall pooled OR of mortality rate with the late intervention compared with early intervention was 1.56 (95% CI 1.11–2.20; I2 = 0%; P = 0.01). The overall pooled OR of pancreatic fistula with the late minimally invasive intervention compared with early intervention was 2.49 (95% CI 1.75–3.52; I2 = 0%; P < 0.00001).ConclusionThese results showed the benefit of late interventions in patients with necrotizing pancreatitis in both minimally invasive procedures and open necrosectomy. Late intervention is preferred in the management of necrotizing pancreatitis.
Postoperative pulmonary complications in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infected patients who underwent emergency surgery
Authors: Lee Moon Ok , Shim Sung Bo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies suggest that severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infection increases the incidence of postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) and mortality. Consequently, patients with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection undergoing emergency surgery are more vulnerable to PPCs, yet few studies have evaluated PPCs in these patients.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted between January 2022 and February 2023 on the medical records of patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 who underwent emergency surgery. The study evaluated the incidence of PPCs and 30‐day postoperative mortality in all enrolled patients.ResultsA total of 41 patients were enrolled, among whom PPCs occurred in seven patients (17%). The incidence of PPCs was statistically significant in patients with underlying diabetes compared to those without (p = 0.01) and in patients with an American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) class 3 or higher compared to those with less than 3 (p = 0.005) (ASA classification uses a grading system of I (one) through V (five)). The 30‐day mortality rate was 4.9%.ConclusionsOur study demonstrates that the incidence of PPCs and 30‐day mortality rates after emergency surgery in patients infected with SARS‐CoV‐2 are higher compared to prepandemic baseline rates. Given the significant interest and concern worldwide regarding severe infectious respiratory diseases, such as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), clinicians should focus on conducting research to identify ways to reduce the incidence of PPCs and mortality in patients with severe acute respiratory infections.
WIF1 promoter hypermethylation induce endometrial carcinogenesis through the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Baohua , Ji Jing , Hu Mingzhu , Zhou Xiaoli , Nie Qiqin , Xu Hong , Jiang Chunlu , Fu Yu , Li Lan 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThis study explores the mechanism underlying WIF1 promoter methylation and its relationship with the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinoma. WIF1 promoter methylation was detected using methylation‐specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP). WIF1 expression was examined through qRT‐PCR and western blotting. Furthermore, 5‐aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine (5‐Aza) was used to demethylate the WIF1 promoter. The roles of WIF1 were investigated using in vitro loss‐ and gain‐of‐function assays. Xenograft models were used to analyze WIF1 expression and downstream genes, and results were confirmed using immunofluorescence and western blotting. WIF1 promoter methylation in endometrial cancer cells was significantly higher than that in normal cells, but the WIF1 mRNA and protein levels were reduced. The expression of WIF1 increased significantly after 5‐Aza treatment (p < .05). Thus, 5‐Aza treatment can inhibit the proliferation of endometrial cancer cells and induce apoptosis, while knockdown of WIF1 significantly inhibits the effects of 5‐Aza. 5‐Aza treatment can also inhibit Wnt pathway genes, including phosphorylation of β‐catenin protein, c‐Myc, and CyclinD1, inhibit downstream functional genes, and activate the tumor suppressor gene APC, which can be blocked by WIF1 knockdown in endometrial carcinoma cells. Finally, 5‐Aza inhibited the proliferation of subcutaneous tumor‐bearing nude mice with endometrial cancer cells, but the effect was weaker than that of WIF1 overexpression. Our research shows that WIF1 promoter hypermethylation may promote the progression of endometrial cancer by downregulating WIF1 expression, activating the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway, and promoting proliferation and inhibiting apoptosis. WIF1 may be a potential biological target for gene therapy and drug development for the treatment of endometrial cancer.
Affect variability and physical health: The moderating role of mean affect
Authors: Jenkins Brooke N. , Ong Lydia Q. , Lee Hee Youn (Helen) , Ong Anthony D. , Boehm Julia K. 
Published: July 2023

AbstractResearch has only begun to explore how affect variability relates to physical health and has typically not assessed long‐term associations nor considered the moderating role of mean affect. Therefore, we used data from the Midlife in the United States Study waves 2 (N = 1512) and 3 (N = 1499) to test how affect variability predicted concurrent and long‐term physical health while also testing the moderating role of mean affect. Results indicated that greater negative affect variability was associated concurrently with a greater number of chronic conditions (p = .03) and longitudinally with worse self‐rated physical health (p < .01). Greater positive affect variability was associated concurrently with more chronic conditions (p < .01) and medications (p < .01) and longitudinally with worse self‐rated physical health (p = .04). Further, mean negative affect played a moderating role such that at lower levels of mean negative affect, as affect variability increased, so did the number of concurrent chronic conditions (p < .01) and medications (p = .03) and the likelihood of reporting worse long‐term self‐rated physical health (p < .01). Thus, the role of mean affect should be considered when testing short‐ and long‐term associations between affect variability and physical health.
Mucomucosal anastomotic non‐transecting augmentation (MANTA) urethroplasty: a ventral modification for obliterative strictures
Authors: Marks Phillip , Dahlem Roland , Janisch Florian , Klemm Jakob , Kühnke Lennart , König Frederik , Ding Liucheng , Riechardt Silke , Fisch Margit , Vetterlein Malte W. 
Published: July 2023

ObjectivesTo present a surgical modification for the repair of bulbar urethral strictures containing short, highly obliterative segments and report on long‐term objective and patient‐reported outcomes.Patients and methodsWe considered patients undergoing bulbar buccal mucosal graft urethroplasty (BMGU) between July 2016 and December 2019. Eligibility criteria for mucomucosal anastomotic non‐transecting augmentation (MANTA) urethroplasty were strictures of ≥2 cm with an obliterative segment of ≤1.5 cm. The stricture is approached ventrally to avoid extensive dissection and mobilisation. Dorsally, the scar is superficially excised and the spongiosum is left intact. Dorsal mucomucosal anastomosis is complemented by ventral onlay graft. Perioperative characteristics were prospectively collected including uroflowmetry data and validated patient‐reported outcome measures on voiding, erectile, and continence function. We evaluated functional follow‐up, incorporating patient‐reported (lower urinary tract symptoms [LUTS] score) and functional success. Recurrence was defined as need of re‐treatment.ResultsOf 641 men treated with anterior BMGU, 54 (8.4%) underwent MANTA urethroplasty. Overall, 26 (48%) and 45 (83%) had a history of dilatation and urethrotomy, respectively, and 14 (26%) were redo cases. Location was bulbar in 38 (70%) and penobulbar in 16 patients (30%), and the mean (SD) graft length was 4.5 (1.4) cm. At a median (interquartile range) follow‐up of 41 (27–53) months, the functional success rate was 93%. Whereas the median LUTS score significantly improved from baseline to postoperatively (13 vs 3.5; P < 0.001), there was no change in erectile function (median International Index of Erectile Function – erectile function domain score 27 vs 24) or urinary continence (median International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire – Urinary Incontinence Short Form sum score 0 vs 0; all P ≥ 0.4). All patients were ‘satisfied’ (27%) or ‘very satisfied’ (73%) with the outcome of their operation.ConclusionWith excellent long‐term objective and patient‐reported outcomes, MANTA urethroplasty adds to the armamentarium for long bulbar strictures with a short obliterative segment.
Care coordination of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and medical complexity during the COVID‐19 pandemic: Caregiver experiences
Authors: Currie Genevieve , Materula Dercia , Gall Nadine , Lachuk Gina , Richard Catherine , Yohemas Meridith , Dewan Tammie , Gibbard William Ben , Zwicker Jennifer 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic and subsequent public health restrictions created significant challenges for children with neurodevelopmental disabilities with medical complexity and their caregivers including restrictions in care coordination for children and their families. Care coordination enhances families' skills in accessing and coordinating medical, education and disability care across sectors and systems.ObjectiveThis study examined the implications of pandemic restrictions on care coordination from caregiver perspectives. These experiences can inform emergency preparedness planning and recovery strategies.MethodA qualitative descriptive design was utilized to explore and describe the experience of caregivers of children with neurodevelopmental disabilities and medical complexity. Nineteen caregivers were interviewed about their experience with care coordination during the pandemic.FindingsCaregiver experiences of care coordination during the pandemic highlighted the importance of care coordination during a public health emergency. Two themes emerged: (1) disruptions to care coordination from initial COVID‐19 restrictions leading to lack of access to supports and services, increasing level of need, and impacts of disruption for caregivers and children; and (2) adaptation and responsiveness to COVID‐19 restrictions by advocating for families and managing uncertainties.RecommendationsRecommendations include recognition of care coordination as a protective factor, designation as an essential service and sustained or increased funding for care coordination during emergencies. Families should be engaged in identifying care needs during care coordination, including during public health emergencies.