bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crowdfunding small businesses and startups: a systematic review, an appraisal of theoretical insights and future research directions
Authors: Camilleri Mark Anthony , Bresciani Stefano 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis contribution aims to evaluate key theoretical bases that were used in previous research, to investigate the use of crowdfunding platforms by small businesses and startups. It presents the findings from a systematic review to better explain the pros and cons of utilizing these disruptive technologies for crowdsourcing and/or crowd-investing purposes.Design/methodology/approachThe researchers adopt the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) methodical protocol to search, screen, extract and scrutinize seventy-two (72) articles that were indexed in both Scopus and Web of Science. They examine their research questions, describe their methodologies. Afterwards, they synthesize the findings from previous literature, outline implications and discuss about future research avenues.FindingsA thorough review of the relevant literature suggests that there are opportunities as well as challenges for project initiators as well as for crowd-investors, if they are considering equity crowdfunding, peer-to-peer (P2P) lending and rewards-based crowdfunding platforms, among others, to raise awareness about their projects and to access finance from crowd-investors.Research limitations/implicationsFurther research is required on this timely topic. There are a number of theories relating to technology adoption and/or innovation management, strategic management, accounting and financial reporting, and normative/business ethics, among other research areas, that can be utilized as theoretical bases, to explore this topic.Practical implicationsCrowd-investors are striving in their endeavors to find a trade-off between risks and rewards associated with crowd-financing.Originality/valueCurrently, there are few systematic reviews and conceptual articles focused on the crowdfunding of small businesses and startups. Hence this contribution closes this gap in the academic literature. Moreover, it links the extant theory to practice. It clarifies that the resource-based view theory of the firm, the theory of planned behavior, the diffusion of innovations theory as well as the signaling theory, among other conceptual frameworks, can be used to investigate different facets of crowdsourcing and crowd-investing.
Impact of social affinity on altruism: Experimental evidence from the Ultimatum Game
Authors: Suneja Vivek , Das Debashree 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThe objective of the study is to evaluate the impact of social affinity on the strategic choices made by economic agents using the framework of Ultimatum Game. Conventional theory underpinning the Ultimatum Game predicts the complete absence of altruistic behaviour wherein the agents are expected to maximise individual monetary payoffs of the agents. The authors' experimental findings disprove this assumption of purely self-interested behaviour of the agents as proposed by orthodox neo-classical utility maximisation model.Design/methodology/approachThe final outcome of the Ultimatum Game is mutually dependent on the agent's strategic choices, i.e. the proposer's altruistic concern towards the responder and their expectation of altruistic concern by the responder. In this study, the authors evaluate the participant's strategic choice under three levels of partner selection arrangements – (1) stranger, (2) face-to-face interface with a peer and (3) friend.FindingsFrom the experimental results, the authors found that the proposers reflected greater degree of altruism towards proposers' partners and also expected greater degree of altruism to be reciprocated by proposers' partners. The proposers were voluntarily willing to offer fair share to proposers' socially close partners and also increasingly expected that the proposers would be willing to accept unfair offers.Research limitations/implicationsThe study stresses that the ignorance of the human capacity for altruism runs the serious risk of legitimising narrow-minded selfishness and failure in recognising the capacity for public spiritedness which can distort the range and choice of optimum policy prescriptions. This requires policy makers to adopt a more holistic and less-pessimistic view of human nature.Originality/valueThe authors study offers a novel experimental framework that provides insights on how increase in social affinity can influence both altruistic behaviour and altruistic expectations of the participants, highlighting the inadequacy of the neo-classical maximisation hypothesis predicated on all agents.Peer reviewThe peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2022-0481.
The dynamic relationship between economic crisis, macroeconomic variables and stock prices in Sri Lanka
Authors: Madurapperuma Wasanthi 
Published: October 2022

PurposeThis study aims to examine the short- and long-term equilibrium relationship between All share price index (ASPI), macroeconomic variables and the economic crisis in Sri Lanka.Design/methodology/approachMonthly time series data for inflation (CPI), industrial production (IP), an exchange rate (EX), an interest rate (TB), short-term interest rate (CD) and economic crisis were used from 2010 to 2021. The ADF test, the bound testing approach, the CUSUM test and the CUSUMQ test were used in this study.FindingsThe findings show a long-run stable relationship between stock price, macroeconomic variables and political crisis (i.e., CPI, IP, ER, TB, CD and economic crisis). The results of the Johansen cointegration test suggest that there is at least one cointegrating equation, indicating that there is a long-run equilibrium relationship between macroeconomic variables and stock prices in Sri Lanka.Research limitations/implicationsThe vector error correction estimates show that the coefficient of the error correction term is significant with a negative sign, indicating that a long-run dynamic relationship exists between macroeconomic variables and stock prices. In the short term, economic crisis has had a big effect on stock prices suggesting that Sri Lanka’s domestic financial markets are linked to the stability of the country.Originality/valueThis research establishes the links between stock returns, macroeconomic variables and economic crisis. So far, research has been unable to establish the empirical nature of such links. The authors believe that this paper fills that gap.
Does benevolent leadership consistently lead to employees' voluntary behaviors?
Authors: Huang Jui-Chieh 
Published: October 2022

PurposeBenevolent leadership is a leadership style in which leaders show consideration for their employees' work and life. Empirical studies have shown inconsistent relationships between benevolent leadership and employees' voluntary behaviors. Therefore, this study examined benevolent leadership's mediating (gratitude) and moderating (trust) mechanisms.Design/methodology/approachOverall, 792 questionnaires were collected from Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) and continuing education students at a public university in Taiwan. The research model was tested using confirmatory factor analysis and the PROCESS module.FindingsBenevolent leadership influenced three voluntary behaviors of employees directly and indirectly through enhanced gratitude. Emotional trust moderated the relationship between work care and employee gratitude such that the positive relationship was stronger for employees with higher emotional trust levels.Practical implicationsBenevolent leadership is an effective leadership style that cares about employees' work and lives, enhancing their gratitude and engagement in voluntary behaviors.Originality/valueThe mediating effect of gratitude and the moderating effect of trust provide a possible explanation for the inconsistent relationships between benevolent leadership and voluntary behaviors.
Indirect control of decomposition by an invertebrate predator
Authors: Walker Alice E. L. , Robertson Mark P. , Eggleton Paul , Bunney Katherine , Lamb Candice , Fisher Adam M. , Parr Catherine L. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractUnderstanding the factors that control decomposition is critical for predicting how the carbon cycle will alter with global change. Until recently, the accepted paradigm was that climate primarily drives decomposition rates, and interactions among decomposers only control variation at finer scales. Although it is now understood that biotic agents can play an important role, we know less about the importance of species interactions with a lack of field experiments at a large scale. Predation is a key ecological interaction that could influence decomposition by directly or indirectly regulating the abundances of decomposer organisms, but a comprehensive understanding of the cascading effects that predation can have on decomposition, particularly at large scales, is missing.Here we report on an experiment where we suppressed the abundance of ants, which are major predators of termites, at a hectare scale in a natural African savanna and examined how this affected the decomposition of three common substrates (wood, grass and dung).Our study revealed that ants exert considerable top‐down control on decomposition via their predation of termites: decomposition of wood, grass and dung increased by 98%, 74% and 84% with ant suppression, respectively. Suppression of ants increased termite activity and consequently resulted in increased termite‐mediated decomposition. Remarkably, for all substrates, the suppression of ants nearly doubled decomposition by termites. Additionally, for grass and dung substrates, the dominant agent of decomposition switched from microbes to termites with ant suppression.Our study highlights the critical importance of considering species interactions in decomposition studies, particularly given declines in predatory species in the Anthropocene.Read the freePlain Language Summaryfor this article on the Journal blog.
Effective hawkmoth pollination in the primarily bee‐pollinated Salvia daiguii—an example of adaptive generalization
Authors: Xiao Han‐Wen , Liu Qing‐Shan , Huang Yan‐Bo , Ma Yong‐Peng , Claßen‐Bockhoff Regine , Tian Ru‐Nan , Wei Yu‐Kun 
Published: October 2022

AbstractMany plants exhibit floral traits that are directed to specific pollinator groups. Nevertheless, they can also attract less‐adapted pollinators and gain benefits under certain conditions, resulting in adapted generalization. This may be the case in Salvia daiguii (Lamiaceae), an endangered, bee‐pollinated species native to the Tianmenshan National Forest Park, China. The flower appears phenotypically specialized to bees but is also visited by Macroglossum bombylans. In the present study, we test whether the moth is an effective pollinator of S. daiguii. We quantified and compared the frequency of flower visits by bees and moths and the number of pollen grains deposited on the stigma after a single visit. We also recorded the movements of pistils and stamens of S. daiguii and the behavior of the hawkmoth at the flowers. We found that Apis cerana was the predominant pollinator, depositing an average of 4.74 pollen grains on the stigma after a single visit. However, as the style bends downward during anthesis and reaches the same level as the anthers, Macroglossum individuals hovering around the flowers were also able to effectively transfer pollen to the stigma. On average, 1.38 pollen grains were deposited on the stigma during a single visit. We demonstrate for the first time that the hawkmoth is an effective secondary pollinator in the primarily bee‐pollinated S. daiguii. Style bending allows a nectar thief to become a secondary pollinator. The extent of pollinator generalization is thus increased without affecting the fundamental phenotype adapted to bees as the main pollinators.
Influence of COVID‐19 pandemic on molar pregnancy and postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia: An observational study
Authors: Campos Vanessa , Paiva Gabriela , Padron Lilian , Freitas Fernanda , Pedrotti Luana Giongo , Sun Sue Yazaki , Viggiano Maurício , Oliveira Larissa , Rohr Lucia , Madi José Mauro , Arrym Tiago Pedromônico , Oliveira Priscila , dos Santos Esteves Ana Paula Vieira , Junior Joffre Amim , Filho Jorge Rezende , Elias Kevin M. , Horowitz Neil S. , Braga Antônio , Berkowitz Ross S. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo assess whether the incidence and aggressiveness of molar pregnancy (MP) and postmolar gestational trophoblastic neoplasia (GTN) changed during the COVID‐19 pandemic.DesignObservational study with two separate designs: retrospective multicentre cohort of patients with MP/postmolar GTN and a cross‐sectional analysis, with application of a questionnaire.SettingSix Brazilian Reference Centres on gestational trophoblastic disease.Population2662 patients with MP/postmolar GTN treated from March–December/2015–2020 were retrospectively evaluated and 528 of these patients answered a questionnaire.MethodsLongitudinal retrospective multicentre study of patients diagnosed with MP/ postmolar GTN at presentation and a cross‐sectional analysis, with application of a questionnaire, exclusive to patients treated during the period of study, to assess living and health conditions during the COVID‐19 pandemic compared with previous years.Main outcome measuresThe incidence of MP/postmolar GTN.ResultsCompared with the last 5 pre‐pandemic years, MP/postmolar GTN incidence remained stable during 2020 (COVID‐19 pandemic). Multivariable logistic regression, adjusted for the patient age, showed that during 2020, presentation with MP was more likely to be >10 weeks of gestation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 2.50, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.90–3.29, P < 0.001), have a pre‐evacuation hCG level ≥100 000 iu/l (aOR 1.77, 95% CI 1.38–2.28, P < 0.001) and time to the initiation of chemotherapy ≥7 months (aOR 1.86, 95% CI 1.01–3.43, P = 0.047) when compared with 2015–2019.ConclusionsAlthough the incidence of MP/postmolar GTN remained stable during the COVID‐19 pandemic in Brazil, the pandemic was associated with greater gestational age at MP diagnosis and more protracted delays in initiation of chemotherapy for postmolar GTN.
Expert consensus on novel medicines to prevent preterm birth and manage preterm labour: Target product profiles
Authors: McDougall Annie R. A. , Tuttle Andrew , Goldstein Maya , Ammerdorffer Anne , Aboud Lily , Gülmezoglu Ahmet M. , Vogel Joshua P. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractObjectiveTo develop target product profiles (TPPs) for new medicines for preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management that address the real‐world need of women and healthcare providers, informed by views and agreement amongst globally diverse stakeholders.DesignMixed methods.SettingGlobal (with a focus on low‐ and middle‐income countries, LMICs).SampleGlobal stakeholders with diverse expertise in preterm labour/birth and drug development.MethodsFollowing an initial literature review, diverse stakeholders were invited to participate in an online international survey and in‐depth interviews. The level of stakeholder agreement with TPPs was assessed, and findings from interviews were synthesised to inform the final TPPs.Main outcomes measuresLevel of stakeholder agreement on the minimum and preferred requirements for preterm labour/birth medicines.ResultsWe performed 21 interviews. Interview participants demonstrated strong agreement on room temperature stability, no additional drug‐specific clinical monitoring, and affordability in LMICs being the minimal acceptable requirements. Points of discussion were raised around the target population. Survey respondents included clinicians, researchers, funding agency staff, international public organisation staff, programme implementers, policymakers, representatives of consumer advocacy organisations and other relevant stakeholders from maternal health systems. Survey results indicated strong agreement amongst stakeholders, with only one variable in each TPP not reaching consensus (i.e. 25% disagree or strongly disagree).ConclusionsThere is strong consensus within the preterm labour/birth community on the characteristics that new medicines for preterm birth prevention and preterm labour management must achieve. These TPPs provide necessary guidance to evaluate new candidates and their potential for implementation in a range of settings.
The effect of antenatal corticosteroid use on offspring cardiovascular function: A systematic review
Authors: Sacco Adalina , Cornish Emily F. , Marlow Neil , David Anna L. , Giussani Dino A. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundAntenatal corticosteroids (ACS) are recommended in threatened preterm labour to improve short‐term neonatal outcome. Preclinical animal studies suggest detrimental effects of ACS exposure on offspring cardiac development; their effects in humans are unknown.ObjectivesTo systematically review the human clinical literature to determine the effects of ACS on offspring cardiovascular function.Search strategyA systematic review was performed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses) guidelines in MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane databases.Selection criteriaOffspring who had been exposed to ACS during fetal life, in comparison with those not receiving steroids, those receiving a placebo or population data, were included. Studies not performed in humans or that did not assess cardiovascular function were excluded.Data collection and analysisTwo authors independently screened the studies, extracted the data and assessed the quality of the studies. Results were combined descriptively and analysed using a standardised Excel form.Main resultsTwenty‐six studies including 1921 patients were included, most of which were cohort studies of mixed quality. The type of ACS exposure, gestational age at exposure, dose and number of administrations varied widely. Offspring cardiovascular outcomes were assessed from 1 day to 36 years postnatally. The most commonly assessed parameter was arterial blood pressure (18 studies), followed by echocardiography (eight studies), heart rate (five studies), electrocardiogram (ECG, three studies) and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (MRI, one study). There were no clinically significant effects of ACS exposure on offspring blood pressure. However, there were insufficient studies assessing cardiac structure and function using echocardiography or cardiac MRI to be able to determine an effect.ConclusionsThe administration of ACS is not associated with long‐term effects on blood pressure in exposed human offspring. The effects on cardiac structure and other measures of cardiac function were unclear because of the small number, heterogeneity and mixed quality of the studies. Given the preclinical and human evidence of potential harm following ACS exposure, there is a need for further research to assess central cardiac function in human offspring exposed to ACS.
Tomato chlorosis virus, a promiscuous virus with multiple host plants and whitefly vectors
Authors: Fiallo‐Olivé Elvira , Navas‐Castillo Jesús 
Published: October 2022

AbstractTomato chlorosis virus (ToCV, genus Crinivirus, family Closteroviridae) is an emerging plant virus first identified in the mid‐1990s affecting tomato in Florida. Today, the virus is present in at least 39 countries and territories around the world, and this number has not stopped growing. ToCV prevalence in tomato has been reported to frequently reach 100%, with a consequent loss in production. Although ToCV infects mainly tomato, it has been reported to infect a wide range of plants, both cultivated and wild, including many economically important crops, such as pepper and potato. To date, 119 species of host plants belonging to 28 families have been recorded. ToCV is transmitted in nature by whiteflies belonging to two genera, namely members of the Bemisia tabaci complex and Trialeurodes vaporariorum and Trialeurodes abutiloneus. This review summarises what is known about ToCV, an example of an emerging plant pathogen, and is the basis of the Association of Applied Biologists' Description of Plant Viruses for ToCV.
Advancing ASMS with LC‐MS/MS for the discovery of novel PDCL2 ligands from DNA‐encoded chemical library selections
Authors: Ye Qiuji , Belabed Hassane , Wang Yong , Yu Zhifeng , Palaniappan Murugesan , Li Jian‐Yuan , Kalovidouris Stacey A. , MacKenzie Kevin R. , Teng Mingxing , Young Damian W. , Fujihara Yoshitaka , Matzuk Martin M. 
Published: October 2022

AbstractBackgroundA safe, effective, and reversible nonhormonal male contraceptive drug is greatly needed for male contraception as well as for circumventing the side effects of female hormonal contraceptives. Phosducin‐like 2 (PDCL2) is a testis‐specific phosphoprotein in mice and humans. We recently found that male PDCL2 knockout mice are sterile due to globozoospermia caused by impaired sperm head formation, indicating that PDCL2 is a potential target for male contraception. Herein, our study for the first time developed a biophysical assay for PDCL2 allowing us to screen a series of small molecules, to study structure‐activity relationships, and to discover two PDCL2 binders with novel chemical structure.ObjectiveTo identify a PDCL2 ligand for therapeutic male contraception, we performed DNA‐encoded chemical library (DECL) screening and off‐DNA hit validation using a unique affinity selection mass spectrometry (ASMS) biophysical profiling strategy.Materials and methodsWe employed the screening process of DECL, which contains billions of chemically unique DNA‐barcoded compounds generated through individual sequences of reactions and different combinations of functionalized building blocks. The structures of the PDCL2 binders are proposed based on the sequencing analysis of the DNA barcode attached to each individual DECL compound. The proposed structure is synthesized through multistep reactions. To confirm and determine binding affinity between the DECL identified molecules and PDCL2, we developed an ASMS assay that incorporates liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS).ResultsAfter a screening process of PDCL2 with DECLs containing >440 billion compounds, we identified a series of hits. The selected compounds were synthesized as off‐DNA small molecules, characterized by spectroscopy data, and subjected to our ASMS/LC‐MS/MS binding assay. By this assay, we discovered two novel compounds, which showed good binding affinity for PDCL2 in comparison to other molecules generated in our laboratory and which were further confirmed by a thermal shift assay.Discussion and conclusion and relevanceWith the ASMS/LC‐MS/MS assay developed in this paper, we successfully discovered a PDCL2 ligand that warrants further development as a male contraceptive.