bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can digital transformation improve transparency and accountability of public governance in Nigeria?
Authors: Shenkoya Temitayo 
Published: November 2022

Purpose
Corruption within the Nigerian Government – at all levels – is endemic and a major problem. While there is ample evidence to buttress this fact, its effects are having a negative impact on the ability of the government to meet its agreed UN sustainable development targets, as well as the credibility of the government (nationally and internationally), and its ability to deliver on quality governance. Hence, this study aims to identify the power of digital transformation in curbing corruption and improving governance for sustainable development.

Design/methodology/approach
A mixed method that encompasses the use of a systematic literature review and a bibliometric analysis was used to examine extant literatures – to derive lessons for the Nigerian Government and governments in other developing countries (most especially those in Sub-Saharan Africa).

Findings
The results obtained within this study show that digital transformation – brought by the fourth industrial revolution – is a verified solution to improving transparency and accountability in governance. However, the current technological infrastructure in Nigeria is too weak to support this innovation. Key infrastructures like high-speed internet, a harmonized data storage system, and communications among government organizations rarely exist.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the approach used in this research is unique as it is one of the earliest studies to provide a viable solution to the issue of corruption in public governance in Nigeria, while examining the effects of the digital transformation of governance globally.
Rural tourism activities in mass tourism destinations: residents vs non-residents perspectives
Authors: Fichter Tim , Román Concepción 
Published: November 2022

Purpose
This paper aims to examine rural tourism preferences as an alternative niche market to mass tourism destinations. The analysis discusses the differences in perceptions and willingness to pay (WTP) for various packages of rural tourism activities in Gran Canaria Island among residents and non-residents.

Design/methodology/approach
The analysis is based on a convenience sample of potential young customers who are familiar with outdoor recreational activities in nature. This study considers a discrete choice experiment that includes the type of accommodation as well as four types of rural tourism activities: active, passive, cultural and aquatic. The degree of preference for the considered attributes is obtained from the estimation of different discrete choice models.

Findings
Results reveal that the inclusion of the investigated attributes in holiday packages increases tourists’ utility, which motivates the promotion of rural tourism for young residents and non-residents. The most significant differences in perceptions of attributes between residents and non-residents were found in the activities of diving/snorkelling and stargazing, as well as the type of accommodation and package price.

Practical implications
This study will contribute to a better understanding of an alternative tourism market which will help key stakeholders in the tourism sector to better serve this important segment of the industry and to encourage more sustainable tourism in the future.

Originality/value
To the best of the authors' knowledge, this is the first study evaluating the WTP for rural tourism packages as a more sustainable alternative in mass tourism destinations and taking into account resident vs non-resident perceptions.
Analysing the Macrostructure of Spoken Strategic Communication: An Application of Argumentation Analysis on High‐Technology Newly Public Firms’ Earnings Conference Calls
Authors: Papadopoulou Tina , Theoharakis Vasilis , Jones Marian V. , Bhaumik Sumon K. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractA firm's ability to fulfil their strategic goals largely depends on how they communicate their strategies with stakeholders. Argumentation plays a prominent role in the process of communicating with stakeholders, with the intention of persuading them and achieving goals of strategic significance. In this respect, analysing argument structure is of particular importance, since determining the components that comprise an argument is a prerequisite for evaluating its acceptability and, consequently, its ability to persuade. Therefore, employing a framework that is specifically developed for the analysis of argument structure can help address questions that are not otherwise tractable. The relatively few available empirical studies in strategic communication employ frameworks that are not optimized for spoken communication. As such, there is scope to adapt/refine existing frameworks to facilitate meaningful analysis of spoken strategic communication. In this paper, therefore, we draw on existing frameworks and posit an adaptation that enables us to analyse the macrostructure of spoken arguments. We demonstrate the application of this adapted framework by analysing earnings conference calls involving three high‐technology firms and financial analysts. By doing so, our study contributes to management practice and the literatures on strategic communication, as well as financial communications and investor relations.
Steroid hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone disturbs fat body lipid metabolism and negatively regulates gluconeogenesis in Hyphantria cunea larvae
Authors: Zhang Sheng‐Yu , Gao Han , Askar Ankarjan , Li Xing‐Peng , Zhang Guo‐Cai , Jing Tian‐Zhong , Zou Hang , Guan Hao , Zhao Yun‐He , Zou Chuan‐Shan 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe steroid hormone 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E) has been described to regulate fat body lipid metabolism in insects, but its accurate regulatory mechanism, especially the crosstalk between 20E‐induced lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis remains largely unclear. Here, we specially investigated the effect of 20E on lipid metabolism and gluconeogenesis in the fat body of Hyphantria cunea larvae, a notorious pest in forestry. Lipidomics analysis showed that a total of 1 907 lipid species were identified in the fat body of H. cunea larvae assigned to 6 groups and 48 lipid classes. The differentially abundant lipids analysis showed a significant difference between 20E‐treated and control samples, indicating that 20E caused a remarkable alteration of lipidomics profiles in the fat body of H. cunea larvae. Further studies demonstrated that 20E accelerated fatty acid β‐oxidation, inhibited lipid synthesis, and promoted lipolysis. Meanwhile, the activities of pyruvate carboxylase, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, fructose‐1,6‐bisphosphatase, and glucose‐6‐phosphatase were dramatically suppressed by 20E in the fat body of H. cunea larvae. As well, the transcriptions of genes encoding these 4 rate‐limiting gluconeogenic enzymes were significantly downregulated in the fat body of H. cunea larvae after treatment with 20E. Taken together, our results revealed that 20E disturbed fat body lipid homeostasis, accelerated fatty acid β‐oxidation and promoted lipolysis, but negatively regulated gluconeogenesis in H. cunea larvae. The findings might provide a new insight into hormonal regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism in insect fat body.
Festschrift initiative: Celebrating Distinguished Professor Jamie Kirkpatrick AM
Authors: Turton Stephen M. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThis Festschrift celebrates the distinguished 52‐year academic career of Jamie Kirkpatrick. All thirteen publications by Kirkpatrick in Geographical Research are curated as a virtual issue. Following a consultation process, six papers are highlighted in more detail. These were published from volume 13 to the latest volume. Kirkpatrick's research activities over the past five decades can be broadly sequenced into nine subject areas: (1) eucalypt genecology; (2) bush remnants in cities; (3) biogeography; (4) plant community survey and conservation planning; (5) fire ecology and management; (6) rare species ecology and management; (7) the politics of environment; (8) the socioecology of conservation in rural areas and gardens; and (9) biogeomorphology. His many publications and wide participation in public processes have, according to his own assessment, been a mixture of effective in changing the world, prescient, and wrong.
Epigenetic insight into effects of prenatal alcohol exposure on stress axis development: Systematic review with meta‐analytic approaches
Authors: Das Ujjal , Gangisetty Omkaram , Chaudhary Shaista , Tarale Prashant , Rousseau Bénédicte , Price Julianne , Frazier Ian , Sarkar Dipak K. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractWe conducted a systematic review with meta‐analytic elements using publicly available Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets to determine the role of epigenetic mechanisms in prenatal alcohol exposure (PAE)‐induced hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis dysfunctions in offspring. Several studies have demonstrated that PAE has long‐term consequences on HPA axis functions in offspring. Some studies determined that alcohol‐induced epigenetic alterations during fetal development persist in adulthood. However, additional research is needed to understand the major epigenetic events leading to alcohol‐induced teratogenesis of the HPA axis. Our network analysis of GEO datasets identified key pathways relevant to alcohol‐mediated histone modifications, DNA methylation, and miRNA involvement associated with PAE‐induced alterations of the HPA axis. Our analysis indicated that PAE perturbated the epigenetic machinery to activate corticotrophin‐releasing hormone, while it suppressed opioid, glucocorticoid receptor, and circadian clock genes. These results help to further our understanding of the epigenetic basis of alcohol's effects on HPA axis development.
Firm culture and internal control system
Authors: Abernethy Margaret A. , Li Wei , Zhang Yunyan , Shi Hanzhong 
Published: November 2022

AbstractThe corporate culture within firms is a significant concern for regulators, shareholders and other stakeholders. Drawing on a large sample of US firms, we use the political preferences of the top management team (TMT) to proxy for a firm's culture and examine whether it influences the decision to implement an effective internal control system (ICS) and whether the ICS plays a mediating role between the culture created by the TMT and financial reporting quality. We find that a Republican‐leaning TMT with a more conservative ideology is associated with a more effective internal control system. In addition, the TMT's political preferences affect financial reporting quality, both directly and indirectly, via the internal control system. A range of robustness tests reinforces our main findings.
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin induces platelet mitophagy and promotes thrombosis in Kawasaki disease
Authors: Fu Lanyan , MacKeigan Daniel Thomas , Gong Qing , Che Di , Xu Yufen , Pi Lei , Sun Chaonan , Yu Hongyan , Chen Kaining , Zhou Huazhong , Jiang Zhiyong , Wang Zhouping , Zhang Li , Cerenzia Eric G. , Ni Heyu , Gu Xiaoqiong 
Published: November 2022

SummaryKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute systemic vasculitis primarily affecting infants and children. Activated platelets predispose patients to coronary artery structural lesions that may lead to thrombotic cardiovascular events. To discover potential proteins underlying platelet activation in KD, we conducted a protein chip assay of 34 cytokines and discovered thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) was aberrantly expressed, which remained elevated after intravenous immunoglobulin G (IVIG) treatment and during convalescence in KD patients in comparison to healthy controls. Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) corroborated the upregulation of TSLP in KD patients, which was exacerbated in convalescent patients complicated with thrombosis. TSLP receptors on platelets were also significantly upregulated in KD patients complicated with thrombosis. Platelet activation, apoptosis, and mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) were increased in convalescence KD patients complicated with thrombosis. In vitro, TSLP induced platelet activation and platelet mitophagy in healthy blood donors, as observed in KD patients. TSLP, similar to mitophagy agonist carbonyl cyanide 3‐chlorophenyl hydrazone (CCCP), promoted thrombosis, which was attenuated by the mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi‐1. Co‐immunoprecipitation in TSLP‐treated platelets revealed TSLP receptor (TSLPR) bound to mitophagy regulators, Parkin and Voltage Dependent Anion Channel Protein 1 (VDAC1).Thus, our results demonstrated that TSLP induced platelet mitophagy via a novel TSLPR/Parkin/VDAC1 pathway that promoted thrombosis in KD. These results suggest TSLP as a novel therapeutic target against KD‐associated thrombosis.
Efficacy of cooling therapy and α‐lipoic acid derivative against chemotherapy‐induced alopecia in an animal model
Authors: Aiba Takayuki , Kono Yohei , Etoh Tsuyoshi , Kawano Yoko , Oshima Yusuke , Inomata Masafumi 
Published: November 2022

AbstractChemotherapy‐induced alopecia is frequently induced by various regimens of chemotherapy and has a significant impact on mental health and quality of life. However, the effect of available current treatment for chemotherapy‐induced alopecia is not sufficient. This study aimed to clarify the therapeutic effects and mechanism of skin cooling and the antioxidant α‐lipoic acid derivative on chemotherapy‐induced alopecia. We developed a chemotherapy‐induced alopecia model of cyclophosphamide (120 μg/g) using Institute of Cancer Research mice. We used cooling therapy and α‐lipoic acid derivative application as the treatments. We compared the alopecia score, hair bulb diameter, insulin‐like growth factor‐1 level, vascular permeability, and apoptosis between the control and treatment groups. The alopecia score significantly improved in each treatment group compared with that in the cyclophosphamide group. Hair bulb diameter significantly improved in the cyclophosphamide + cooling group compared with that in the cyclophosphamide group. The insulin‐like growth factor‐1 level and vascular permeability level was significantly retained and suppressed, respectively, in each treatment group compared with that in the cyclophosphamide group. The number of apoptotic cells in the vascular endothelium significantly decreased in the cyclophosphamide + α‐lipoic acid derivative group compared with that in the cyclophosphamide group. In conclusion, cooling therapy and α‐lipoic acid derivative facilitated recovery from chemotherapy‐induced alopecia caused by cyclophosphamide through decreasing vascular permeability.
Functional inhibition of MEF2 by C/EBP is a possible mechanism of leukemia development by CEBP‐IGH fusion gene
Authors: Odaira Koya , Yasuda Takahiko , Okada Kentaro , Shimooka Takuya , Kojima Yukino , Noura Mina , Tamura Shogo , Kurahashi Shingo , Iwamoto Eisuke , Sanada Masashi , Matsumura Itaru , Miyazaki Yasushi , Kojima Tetsuhito , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Tsuzuki Shinobu , Hayakawa Fumihiko 
Published: November 2022

AbstractCEBPA‐IGH, a fusion gene of the immunoglobulin heavy‐chain locus (IGH) and the CCAAT enhancer‐binding protein α (C/EBPα) gene, is recurrently found in B‐ALL cases and causes aberrant expression of C/EBPα, a master regulator of granulocyte differentiation, in B cells. Forced expression of C/EBPα in B cells was reported to cause loss of B‐cell identity due to the inhibition of Pax5, a master regulator of B‐cell differentiation; however, it is not known whether the same mechanism is applicable for B‐ALL development by CEBPA‐IGH. It is known that a full‐length isoform of C/EBPα, p42, promotes myeloid differentiation, whereas its N‐terminal truncated isoform, p30, inhibits myeloid differentiation through the inhibition of p42; however, the differential role between p42 and p30 in ALL development has not been clarified. In the present study, we examined the effect of the expression of p42 and p30 in B cells by performing RNA‐seq of mRNA from LCL stably transfected with p42 or p30. Unexpectedly, suppression of PAX5 target genes was barely observed. Instead, both isoforms suppressed the target genes of MEF2 family members (MEF2s), other regulators of B‐cell differentiation. Similarly, MEF2s target genes rather than PAX5 target genes were suppressed in CEBP‐IGH‐positive ALL (n = 8) compared with other B‐ALL (n = 315). Furthermore, binding of both isoforms to MEF2s target genes and the reduction of surrounding histone acetylation were observed in ChIP‐qPCR. Our data suggest that the inhibition of MEF2s by C/EBPα plays a role in the development of CEBPA‐IGH‐positive ALL and that both isoforms work co‐operatively to achieve it.
Clinical outcomes of second‐generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors versus imatinib in older patients with CML
Authors: Ono Takaaki , Takahashi Naoto , Kizaki Masahiro , Kawaguchi Tatsuya , Suzuki Ritsuro , Yamamoto Kazuhito , Ohnishi Kazunori , Naoe Tomoki , Matsumura Itaru 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAge and comorbidities are important factors to be considered in the selection of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) for first‐line treatment in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia in chronic phase (CML‐CP). However, it is yet unclear whether TKI selection, particularly, imatinib versus second‐generation TKIs (2GTKIs), impacts treatment outcomes in the clinical practice. To address this, we compared the clinical outcomes of prospectively registered 452 patients with CML‐CP treated with imatinib and 2GTKIs, taking into consideration their age and/or comorbidities. A total of 136 patients (30.1%) were classified into an older cohort (≥65 years) and 316 (69.9%) into a younger cohort (18‐64 years). The TKI selection did not vary based on age (70.6% received 2GTKIs in the younger cohort and 66.2% in the older cohort). The median follow‐up period was 5.4 years. Treatment responses including the cumulative incidence of deep molecular response (BCR‐ABL1 international scale ≤0.0032%) at any time were similar between the two age cohorts regardless of the type of TKI. The 5‐year overall survival (OS) in the older cohort was lower than that in the younger cohort (95.9% vs 83.8%; p < 0.0001), whereas the 5‐year OS in patients treated with 2GTKIs was not influenced by age factors and comorbidities. Therefore, our results suggest that the selection of 2GTKIs as first‐line treatment is an effective option for both younger and older CML‐CP patients with or without comorbidities. This trial was registered at UMIN‐CTR as 00003581.
RETRACTED: Pentoxifylline as an adjunctive in treatment of negative symptoms in chronic schizophrenia: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Abdallah Mahmoud S. , Mosalam Esraa M. , Hassan Ahmed , Ramadan Ahmed N. , Omara‐Reda Hend , Zidan Abdel‐Aziz A. , Samman Waad A. , El‐berri Eman I. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness and safety of pentoxifylline as an adjuvant to risperidone in mitigating the negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia.MethodsIn this randomized, placebo‐controlled study, eighty outpatients with chronic schizophrenia were given risperidone for 8 weeks along with either pentoxifylline or a placebo. The positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS) was used to assess patients at the start of the trial, as well as at 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks. Pre‐ and posttreatment serum levels of cAMP, TNF‐α‐, and IL‐6 were measured.ResultsThe pentoxifylline group revealed a significant effect for time‐treatment interaction on PANSS‐negative subscale scores (p < 0.001), PANSS general psychopathology subscale scores (p < 0.001), and PANSS total scores (p < 0.001), but not on PANSS‐positive subscale scores (p = 0.169). Additionally, when compared to the placebo group, the pentoxifylline group demonstrated a statistically significant increase in cAMP serum level and a statistically significant decrease in TNF‐α and IL‐6 serum levels.ConclusionPentoxifylline adjunctive therapy with risperidone for 8 weeks was found to be promising in mitigating the negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia. Trial registration number: NCT04094207.
Postpartum uptake of diabetes screening tests in women with gestational diabetes: The PANDORA study
Authors: Wood Anna J. , Lee I‐Lynn , Barr Elizabeth L. M. , Barzi Federica , Boyle Jacqueline A. , Connors Christine , Moore Elizabeth , Oats Jeremy J. N. , McIntyre Harold D. , Titmuss Angela , Simmonds Alison , Zimmet Paul Z. , Brown Alex D. H. , Corpus Sumaria , Shaw Jonathan E. , Maple‐Brown Louise J. ,   PANDORA Study team
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimsTo determine rates and predictors of postpartum diabetes screening among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and non‐Indigenous women with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM).MethodsPANDORA is a prospective longitudinal cohort of women recruited in pregnancy. Postpartum diabetes screening rates at 12 weeks (75‐g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT)) and 6, 12 and 18 months (OGTT, glycated haemoglobin [HbA1C] or fasting plasma glucose) were assessed for women with GDM (n = 712). Associations between antenatal factors and screening with any test (OGTT, HbA1C, fasting plasma glucose) by 6 months postpartum were examined using Cox proportional hazards regression.ResultsPostpartum screening rates with an OGTT by 12 weeks and 6 months postpartum were lower among Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women than non‐Indigenous women (18% vs. 30% at 12 weeks, and 23% vs. 37% at 6 months, p < 0.001). Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women were more likely to have completed a 6‐month HbA1C compared to non‐Indigenous women (16% vs. 2%, p < 0.001). Screening by 6 months postpartum with any test was 41% for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander women and 45% for non‐Indigenous women (p = 0.304). Characteristics associated with higher screening rates with any test by 6 months postpartum included, insulin use in pregnancy, first pregnancy, not smoking and lower BMI.ConclusionsGiven very high rates of type 2 diabetes among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, early postpartum screening with the most feasible test should be prioritised to detect prediabetes and diabetes for intervention.
Reproducibility of plasma glucose responses to moderate‐intensity exercise in individuals with type 1 diabetes
Authors: Soon Wayne H. K. , Fournier Paul A. , Abraham Mary B. , Smith Grant J. , Paramalingam Nirubasini , Shetty Vinutha B. , Guelfi Kym J. , Jones Timothy W. , Davis Elizabeth A. 
Published: November 2022

AbstractAimTo examine the within‐person variability in plasma glucose responses to moderate‐intensity morning exercise in young individuals with type 1 diabetes after overnight fasting and under basal insulin conditions.MethodsIn this pilot study, eight participants completed 40 min of moderate‐intensity exercise at 60% V̇O2 peak on three separate days. The within‐person standard deviation (SDw) in plasma glucose response was analysed both during and 1 h after exercise using the two visits per participant most closely matched by pre‐exercise plasma glucose level.ResultsWhen the two closest matched visits per individual were included for analysis, mean (±SD) change in plasma glucose level was −1.8 ± 1.1 mmoL/L during exercise and −0.6 ± 1.0 mmoL/L during recovery, with the SDw of these changes being 0.5 mmol (95% CI 0.2, 0.8) during exercise and 0.8 mmoL/L (95% CI 0.4, 1.3) during recovery. The median intra‐individual difference in plasma glucose level change was 0.3 mmoL/L [IQR 0.1, 0.7] during exercise and 0.8 mmoL/L [IQR 0.4, 1.0] during recovery.ConclusionWithin‐person plasma glucose responses to moderate‐intensity exercise may be reproducible under fasting and basal insulin conditions and similar pre‐exercise plasma glucose levels. This finding may assist the design of future studies investigating both the reproducibility of glycaemic responses to exercise and blood glucose management for individuals with type 1 diabetes.