bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Shaping triumph from within: an investigation into employee-based brand co-creation, motivation drivers and enhanced job-related organisational performance
Authors: Yuan Ruizhi , Chen Ruolan , Huang Bo , Du Anna Min
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Drawing on the co-creation literature and self-determination theory, this study takes a broader organisational perspective linking employees’ motivational antecedents (corporate brand socialization, employee brand identification and impression management) and employee-based brand co-creation (EBBC), with three employee-level outcomes: sales performance, employee resilience and adaptive selling. We therefore bridge the complex nexus between employees and organisational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data of 313 employees across industries and different-sized business-to-business (B2B) companies in China were collected. We used AMOS 21 to carry out structural equation modelling (SEM) for testing the main hypotheses.

Findings

The results reveal that EBBC is driven by external, internal and self-related motivations and leads to an increase in the three employee performance-related outcomes. The results further indicate that employees’ social media usage exerts contrasting moderating effects for each of the three motivational antecedents: While it strengthens the effect of employee identification on EBBC, it weakens the effect of corporate brand socialization on EBBC and exerts no effect on the relationship between impression management and EBBC.

Practical implications

This study confirms the effectiveness of EBBC in improving performance outcomes for B2B employees, particularly sales performance, resilience and job satisfaction, all of which are crucial for employee success. On the basis of our findings, in terms of employee satisfaction and performance, and in addition to conventional strategies and incentives, B2B organisations should encourage employee co-creation activities as outlined above, since such activities tend to impact these outcomes positively.

Originality/value

This study features and substantiates the self-related goal initiatives in EBBC, such as developing a sense of self-promotion desires and uncovers a moderator of the relationships between motivational antecedents and EBBC. These findings highlight the managerial relevance of specific motivational and psychological pathways in building employee brand co-creation behaviours, employee outcomes and organisational performance via employee sales.
Lean facility layout selection in a post service to enhance operational performance: a graph theory model
Authors: Vadivel Senghazhani Murugesan , Kumar Vimal , Verma Pratima
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study attempts to analyze the overall effectiveness of Lean System (LS)-based India post facility layout design (FLD) selection.

Design/methodology/approach

We have grouped all Lean Six Sigma elements into three different categories: Lean Technical Practices, Lean Workplace Environment Practices, and Lean Ergonomics Practices based on literature support and field surveys in the Indian postal service. Further, it employs a mathematical model known as the graph theory (GT) method. From the GT approach, interactions were identified through LS tools represented through the digraph, matrix model approach. This study was directed at the National Sorting Hub in Mysuru, Karnataka, in the southern part of India. A number of insights were given in the GT area where FLD is possible to evaluate.

Findings

The results showed that Layout five has the highest value, followed by Layout one from the GT approach. The relative relevance and effect values are given as inputs to the permanent function in the digraph technique, and an evaluation index is obtained as an output.

Research limitations/implications

When solving any optimization issue with a high number of attributes, the digraph and matrix technique is successful. The layouts that have been identified have yielded valuable insights into how to enhance critical decision-making processes, which are necessary to accomplish company strategic objectives like growing postal business services.

Originality/value

The process operations carried out in India post service as well as its heterogeneity of articles and the intangible measures of production are the significant challenges to keenly analyze the layout design through lean service principles.
Asparagine prevents intestinal stem cell aging via the autophagy‐lysosomal pathway
Authors: Luo Ting , Zhao Liusha , Feng Chenxi , Yan Jinhua , Yuan Yu , Chen Haiyang
Published: November 2024

The age‐associated decline in intestinal stem cell (ISC) function is a key factor in intestinal aging in organisms, resulting in impaired intestinal function and increased susceptibility to age‐related diseases. Consequently, it is imperative to develop effective therapeutic strategies to prevent ISC aging and functional decline. In this study, we utilized an aging Drosophila model screening of amino acids and found that asparagine (Asn), a nonessential amino acid in vivo, exhibits its profound anti‐aging properties on ISCs. Asn inhibits the hyperproliferation of aging ISCs in Drosophila, maintains intestinal homeostasis, and extends the lifespan of aging flies. Complementarily, Asn promotes the growth and branching of elderly murine intestinal organoids, indicating its anti‐aging capacity to enhance ISC function. Mechanistic analyses have revealed that Asn exerts its effects via the activation of the autophagic signaling pathway. In summary, this study has preliminarily explored the potential supportive role of Asn in ameliorating intestinal aging, providing a foundation for further research into therapeutic interventions targeting age‐related intestinal dysfunction.
Effects of metformin on binge‐like ethanol drinking and adenosine monophosphate kinase signaling in inbred high drinking in the dark line 1 mice
Authors: Grigsby Kolter , Palacios Jonathan , Chan Amy E. , Spencer Sade M. , Ozburn Angela R.
Published: November 2024

Background

Adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling plays a vital role in regulating cellular metabolism and energy throughout the body. Ethanol and cocaine both reduce AMPK activity in addiction‐related brain regions. Though AMPK activation has been found to reduce cocaine seeking, its role in harmful drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD) progression remains unclear. We asked whether metformin, a first‐line type 2 diabetes medication that targets AMPK, can reduce binge‐like ethanol intake in inbred High Drinking in the Dark Line‐1 (iHDID‐1) mice, a genetic risk model for drinking to intoxication. We then determined whether metformin altered ethanol clearance in iHDID‐1 mice. Next, we tested whether metformin and/or ethanol altered AMPK signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region critically important for harmful drinking.

Methods

We measured the effects of metformin [0 or 250 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)] on binge‐like ethanol intake in separate acute (Experiment 1) and chronic (Experiment 3A) drinking studies (n = 6–8 iHDID‐1 mice/sex/treatment/experiment). The effect of metformin (0 or 250 mg/kg) on ethanol (2.0 g/kg, i.p.) clearance was tested in iHDID‐1 mice (Experiment 2; n = 7–9/sex/treatment). Lastly, we measured NAc AMPK and phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK) levels in response to chronic ethanol (or water) drinking (n = 6 iHDID‐1 mice/sex/treatment/fluid type; Experiment 3B) and an intoxicating dose of ethanol (2.0 g/kg; i.p.; Experiment 4).

Results

Metformin reduced binge‐like ethanol drinking intake in acute and chronic studies in both male and female iHDID‐1 mice (p's < 0.05). We found no significant changes in ethanol clearance in response to metformin. Moreover, no differences in AMPK or pAMPK levels in the NAc were observed with either ethanol or metformin.

Conclusions

These findings provide early support for the repurposing of metformin, an affordable and safe diabetes medication, to reduce harmful ethanol intake and lay a foundation for testing its efficacy to treat individuals with AUD.
The institutional foundations of the power to persuade
Authors: Prato Carlo , Turner Ian R.
Published: November 2024

Formal presidential authority does not always translate into real influence over policy outcomes: The bureaucratic actors that are responsible for policy implementation have considerable discretion. Presidents, however, have tools to influence their behavior. In this paper, we focus on presidential control of intra‐executive information flows. We show how the President's power to persuade depends on inter‐branch relations and intra‐branch institutions. We develop a theory in which the President can shape information available to bureaucratic subordinates via both overt, legitimate channels as well as covert, illegitimate interventions. We find that the President's ability to persuade bureaucrats to pursue her preferred goals can be reinforced by higher bureaucratic independence or more aggressive external oversight. We also show how bureaucratic independence mediates how overseer motivations translate into oversight intensity. Our theory predicts that Congress' investigative resources should target more independent agencies under divided government and less independent agencies under unified government.
Constraining to deter
Authors: Di Lonardo Livio , Tyson Scott A.
Published: November 2024

Governments use a variety of tools to discourage, impede, or limit the ability of foreign adversaries to purse their ambitions. Some of these measures seek to constrain an opponent's capacity, while others seek to deter an opponent to take (or not) a particular action. We develop a theory to study how constraining and coercive threats interact strategically. Building on canonical models of deterrence, we first identify how coercive measures, in isolation, curb an aggressor's transgressions. We then identify when constraining measures and the threat of coercion (deterrence) are substitutes and when they are complements. In some cases, constraining measures make deterrence effective when it would otherwise fail (constraining to deter). Our results offer insights about measuring the effectiveness of various diplomatic tools. We highlight a series of novel empirical challenges stemming from the interaction of selection effects and ecological features of a sample of country dyads, and discuss potential solutions.
Does investor sentiment enhance the impact of ESG ratings on firms' financial performance? Evidence from China
Authors: Hu Qingyu , Wang Qi
Published: November 2024

Prior studies have explored the link between ESG ratings and firms' financial performance, but few have focused on its interplay with investor sentiment. This study examines how investor sentiment moderates the relationship between ESG ratings and financial performance. We use a fixed‐effect regression model applied to panel data from Chinese listed firms from 2011 to 2020. We find strong evidence that investor sentiment can reinforce the impact of ESG ratings on financial performance. We further investigate how investor sentiment moderates the relationships between the dimensions of ESG—environmental (E), social (S), and governance (G)—performance, and financial performance, respectively. Evidence shows that investor sentiment can enhance the negative impact of E on financial performance, while it enhances the positive impacts of S and G on financial performance. Our results are robust across various econometric techniques, including generalised‐least‐squares regression, first‐difference regression, and system‐generalised method of moments estimation. We provide insights for firm managers on leveraging investor sentiment to enhance ESG strategies to improve financial performance and offer implications for policymakers in crafting effective regulations that account for investor sentiment dynamics.
Safety pharmacology of acute mescaline administration in healthy participants
Authors: Klaiber Aaron , Humbert‐Droz Mélusine , Ley Laura , Schmid Yasmin , Liechti Matthias E.
Published: November 2024

Aims

Psychedelics, including mescaline, may serve as novel treatments for depression and anxiety. However, data is scarce on the safety of mescaline.

Methods

The present pooled analysis included two double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled studies with a total of 48 participants and 96 mescaline administrations. Single oral‐dose administrations (n = 16/dose) of mescaline at doses of 100–800 mg were used. Acute subjective and autonomic effects and acute and subacute adverse effects were recorded. Liver and kidney function, blood cell counts, and “flashbacks” were documented at the end of the studies.

Results

Positive subjective effects dose‐dependently increased and were higher than negative subjective effects for all mescaline doses. Autonomic effects increased moderately. Systolic blood pressure remained < 180 mmHg in all participants. Of all mescaline administrations, diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg was measured in 6%, heart rate > 100 beats/min was measured in 3% and body temperature > 38 °C was measured in 5%. The total number of acute adverse effects was 51, 12, 179, 143, 165 and 180 at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 800 mg doses of mescaline, respectively. Nausea was dose‐limiting. Kidney and liver function and blood cell counts remained normal. “Flashbacks” were reported after 2% of all mescaline administrations.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that the administration of single mescaline doses up to 800 mg are safe in a controlled clinical setting with regard to acute psychological and physical harm in healthy participants.
Tumor Size as a Predictive Indicator for Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Inverted L‐Shaped Curve Analysis Based on the SEER Database
Authors: Chen Jia‐Hua , Zhang Mi , He Yang‐Yang , Hong Yong
Published: November 2024

Background

Papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) frequently metastasises to lymph nodes, with lymph node metastasis (LNM) occurring with high frequency in small, early‐stage tumors. The present study examines the inverse l‐shaped relationship between tumor size and the likelihood of LNM in patients diagnosed with PTC.

Methods

We performed a detailed retrospective cohort analysis of 48,021 cases of papillary thyroid cancer using data from the Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1992 to 2019. Our study used various analytical methods, including logistic regression, spline curve fitting, and variable interaction assessment, to clarify the association between tumor size and LNM rates. We rigorously controlled for potential confounders such as patient age, sex, ethnicity, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), histopathological characteristics and distant metastases. In addition, we thoroughly investigated and quantitatively assessed the relationship between adjusted tumor size measurements and the likelihood of LNM development.

Results

The median tumor size among the 48,021 patients diagnosed with PTC was 1.3 cm. Among these patients, 12,365 (25.75%) had LNM, with a median tumor size of 1.9 cm in this group. A comparative analysis shows a significant difference in tumor sizes between PTC patients who were LNM‐positive and those who were LNM‐negative. The relationship between tumor size and the likelihood of LNM exhibits a distinct nonlinear pattern. Specifically, below a diameter threshold of 1.978 cm, the probability of LNM significantly increases with larger tumor sizes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.363, 95% confidence Interval [CI]: 2.214–2.523). Once this threshold is surpassed, the effect of tumor size on LNM incidence levels off (OR = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.003–1.061).

Conclusion

The results of this study confirm that tumor size significantly determines the likelihood of LNM in patients with PTC. We found an inverse l‐shaped relationship between tumor size and the probability of LNM. As the tumor size increased below 1.978 cm, the likelihood of LNM increased, but not with tumor size above that threshold. These findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between tumor size and LNM in PTC.
Aqueous humour concentration of topically applied 2.0% ganciclovir eye drops in eyes with cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis and endotheliitis
Authors: Waduthantri Samanthila , Zhou Lei , Chee Soon Phaik
Published: November 2024

Background

To investigate the level of ganciclovir in the aqueous humour (AH) following topical application of 2.0% ganciclovir eye drop in eyes with cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior segment infection.

Methods

This is a prospective, non‐randomised, interventional clinical study. We enrolled patients with active CMV anterior segment infection. Patients were treated with 2.0% ganciclovir eye drop, which was administered one drop every 3 h for 6 weeks. At the end of week 6, the CMV viral load in the AH was measured using real time polymerase chain reaction and the ganciclovir concentration in the AH was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The clinical activity and central corneal thickness (CCT) were recorded at baseline and post‐treatment.

Results

Of the 25 eyes of 25 patients studied, 21 had anterior uveitis and 4 had endotheliitis. After 6 weeks of treatment, 22 eyes did not have any inflammation in the anterior chamber (AC) and CMV was undetectable on real time PCR. Three eyes of non‐compliant patients responded partially with reduced AC inflammation and decreased CMV viral load in the AH. The mean ganciclovir concentration in the AH was 1252.88 ± 2408.82 ng/mL. There was no significant correlation between the ganciclovir concentration in the AH and the CCT (Spearmen's r = +0.19, p = 0.36).

Conclusions

Three‐hourly application of 2.0% ganciclovir eye drops resulted in effective intra‐cameral penetration with drug concentrations in the AH exceeding the 50% inhibitory dose for CMV replication. The ocular penetration of the ganciclovir eye drop was not dependent on corneal thickness.
Community perceptions of invasive species and environmental management in a US island territory
Authors: Gawel Ann Marie , Wald Dara M. , Rogers Haldre S.
Published: November 2024

Environmental managers struggle with communicating accurate and relevant information and with gaining trust from the communities they serve, problems that are especially pronounced in minority and colonized communities. An important step in developing successful management strategies is partnering directly with the communities involved, but community perceptions are rarely surveyed thoroughly when developing these strategies. We held discussions with 73 people across 22 small groups about their perceptions of environmental issues, with a focus on invasive species, on the island of Guåhan (Guam), a US island territory with a long and continued history of colonization by Western countries. We conducted these small group discussions with long‐time residents to learn about their environmental concerns and perceptions of invasive species and management efforts. Using grounded theory, we identified themes concerning apathy, proenvironmental behaviors, frustrations with efficacy, and disconnectedness from environmental decision‐making among residents of Guåhan. Residents expressed feeling disconnected from management decisions, which they critiqued as ineffective, but largely felt helpless to affect. Still, residents related to us their proenvironmental behaviors (e.g., picking up litter and controlling invasive species) and expressed a desire to learn more about management efforts. Our results highlight a clear need for improvement and expansion of engagement with Guåhan residents about environmental management, as well as opportunities to engage with a concerned and potentially proactive community.
Using positionality and reflexivity to support equity in partnership‐driven research
Authors: Cadman Rachael , Syliboy Alanna , Saunders Michelle , Denny Shelley , Denniston Mary , Barry Eleanor , Bishop Breanna , Landovskis Shannon , Bailey Megan
Published: November 2024

Social and economic position and power shape everyone, including scientists and researchers. The way researchers do conservation science and the voices centered in the process are a result of researcher upbringing, experiences, access to resources, and values and are a manifestation of positionality. Positionality is a concept that can help one think about one's position and power in one's work. Creating a successful research partnership requires careful thinking about how equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility are accounted for in the research environment. We drew on our own experiences as early career, mid‐career, and Indigenous researchers to explore researcher positionality and how understanding one's positionality can bring to the fore power dynamics in conservation science and research. We focused on the use of reflexive practice to recognize diverse roles and responsibilities, build strong project governance, and enrich relationships. We considered 2 large research partnerships, Apoqnmatulti'k (Mi'kmaw for we help each other) and the SakKijânginnaniattut Nunatsiavut Sivunitsangit (Inuttitut for Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures) project, to examine moments of tension and interrogation of power and the ways in which this interrogation led to stronger relationships and better research. We advise that large transdisciplinary and cross‐cultural research teams use positionality and reflexivity to explicitly make choices about power dynamics in the context of executing partnership‐driven work. This can be accomplished through personal and collective interrogation of the power dynamics at play in project administration, research questions, and interpersonal relationships.
Shifting paradigms and creating space for Indigenous leadership in biosecurity management and decision‐making
Authors: Godfery Tracey , Kean John , Hikuroa Daniel , Robinson Andrew , Williams Nari
Published: November 2024

In New Zealand, awareness regarding protection, enhancement, and regeneration of landscapes and biodiversity is growing as the relationship between functioning and diverse ecosystems and society's health is acknowledged. This relationship is especially important for Indigenous people, who hold strong genealogical and familial ties with nature. Significant biodiversity loss from anthropogenic factors is exacerbated by climate change, ecosystem degradation, and invasive species. Invasive species and other biological threats, such as native pathogens, are concerning for Māori communities, who hold cultural responsibilities to care for nature. Despite acknowledgment of the value of Indigenous perspectives in environmental management in New Zealand and globally, Indigenous participation still largely occurs within Western non‐Indigenous paradigms. We highlight the value of Indigenous participation in biosecurity management and propose a shift from Western‐based paradigms to paradigms that reflect Indigenous worldviews and relationships with place. Recognizing and including the value of Indigenous participation elevates Indigenous voices to the level of decision‐making and leadership in the management of Indigenous lands. Given the genealogical relationships that Māori hold with the natural world and the intertwining of their health and well‐being with that of place (land) and nature, biosecurity threats to native species and ecosystems also pose serious risks to community well‐being. A holistic biosecurity approach is needed that encompasses cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors at multiple scales. We examined the New Zealand biosecurity context relative to biological threats to native plants and ecosystems and proposed a paradigm shift toward Indigenous place‐based biosecurity management. Biosecurity science and science‐based tools remain an important component, underscoring the complementary aspects of science and (Indigenous) culture.
Stakeholder perceptions of mangrove ecosystem services across scales of conservation focus
Authors: Drew Joshua , Sakai Sevanaia , Caginitoba Akanisi , Warr Lauren C. , Espinosa Jessica I. , Dunning Kelly H.
Published: November 2024

Conservation faces a chronic shortage of resources, including time, funding, mental capacity, and human capital. Efforts to make the expenditure of these resources more efficient should, therefore, support more equitable and effective conservation prioritization. To achieve this, it is necessary to ensure the integration of the knowledge and perceptions of local stakeholders into larger scale conservation decisions. We used fuzzy cognitive mental modeling to assess the perceptions of mangroves and the prioritization of ecosystem services across 3 groups of stakeholders: representatives from 3 coastal Fijian villages, the national office of an international nongovernmental organization (NGO), and the US office of that same NGO. We found different topologies and valuations among the resultant mental models, with the US NGO office having the most terms. However, when comparing models from local villages with the US NGO office, scale‐dependent perceptions shifted, including the relative devaluation of locally important cultural valuations of mangroves. Despite these variations in perceptions, however, 3 key components of the mental models—women's livelihoods, men's livelihoods, and fisheries supplementation—all appeared as consistently important in multiple models, suggesting areas around which potential collaboration among stakeholders could be forged. By focusing on system‐wide, rather than stakeholder‐specific, optimal solutions within the system, new opportunities for collaboration may emerge. In doing so, these system‐wide solutions may increase efficiency and collaboration. Moreover, we found that boundary‐spanning organizations, such as the national‐level conservation organizations, played a role in facilitating information transfer and mediating conservation goals in a culturally appropriate fashion. Finally, although the specific example used here is mangrove conservation, our methodologies and findings are broadly applicable across a variety of conservation scenarios.
Can Language Models Trained on Written Monologue Learn to Predict Spoken Dialogue?
Authors: Umair Muhammad , Mertens Julia B. , Warnke Lena , de Ruiter Jan P.
Published: November 2024

Transformer‐based Large Language Models (LLMs) have recently increased in popularity, in part due to their impressive performance on a number of language tasks. While LLMs can produce human‐like writing, the extent to which these models can learn to predict spoken language in natural interaction remains unclear. This is a nontrivial question, as spoken and written language differ in syntax, pragmatics, and norms that interlocutors follow. Previous work suggests that while LLMs may develop an understanding of linguistic rules based on statistical regularities, they fail to acquire the knowledge required for language use. This implies that LLMs may not learn the normative structure underlying interactive spoken language, but may instead only model superficial regularities in speech. In this paper, we aim to evaluate LLMs as models of spoken dialogue. Specifically, we investigate whether LLMs can learn that the identity of a speaker in spoken dialogue influences what is likely to be said. To answer this question, we first fine‐tuned two variants of a specific LLM (GPT‐2) on transcripts of natural spoken dialogue in English. Then, we used these models to compute surprisal values for two‐turn sequences with the same first‐turn but different second‐turn speakers and compared the output to human behavioral data. While the predictability of words in all fine‐tuned models was influenced by speaker identity information, the models did not replicate humans' use of this information. Our findings suggest that although LLMs may learn to generate text conforming to normative linguistic structure, they do not (yet) faithfully replicate human behavior in natural conversation.
Dissociable Contributions of Goal‐Relevant Evidence and Goal‐Irrelevant Familiarity to Individual and Developmental Differences in Conflict Recognition
Authors: Weigard Alexander , Suzuki Takakuni , Skalaban Lena J. , Conley May , Cohen Alexandra O. , Garavan Hugh , Heitzeg Mary M. , Casey B. J. , Sripada Chandra , Heathcote Andrew
Published: November 2024

Recent studies using the diffusion decision model find that performance across many cognitive control tasks can be largely attributed to a task‐general efficiency of evidence accumulation (EEA) factor that reflects individuals’ ability to selectively gather evidence relevant to task goals. However, estimates of EEA from an n‐back “conflict recognition” paradigm in the Adolescent Brain Cognitive DevelopmentSM (ABCD) Study, a large, diverse sample of youth, appear to contradict these findings. EEA estimates from “lure” trials—which present stimuli that are familiar (i.e., presented previously) but do not meet formal criteria for being a target—show inconsistent relations with EEA estimates from other trials and display atypical v‐shaped bivariate distributions, suggesting many individuals are responding based largely on stimulus familiarity rather than goal‐relevant stimulus features. We present a new formal model of evidence integration in conflict recognition tasks that distinguishes individuals’ EEA for goal‐relevant evidence from their use of goal‐irrelevant familiarity. We then investigate developmental, cognitive, and clinical correlates of these novel parameters. Parameters for EEA and goal‐irrelevant familiarity‐based processing showed strong correlations across levels of n‐back load, suggesting they are task‐general dimensions that influence individuals’ performance regardless of working memory demands. Only EEA showed large, robust developmental differences in the ABCD sample and an independent age‐diverse sample. EEA also exhibited higher test‐retest reliability and uniquely meaningful associations with clinically relevant dimensions. These findings establish a principled modeling framework for characterizing conflict recognition mechanisms and have several broader implications for research on individual and developmental differences in cognitive control.
The plasticisation model of dye diffusion: Part 3
Authors: Burkinshaw Stephen M.
Published: November 2024

Previously published kinetic‐derived data reported for the temperature‐dependent diffusional behaviour of two direct dyes and a reactive dye within both cellophane and cotton substrates, in the presence of both a constant amount and varying amounts of added inorganic electrolyte, and over a diverse range of dyeing temperatures, were re‐evaluated using the Williams–Landel–Ferry equation. The experimentally observed diffusivity of the various anionic dyes within both types of cellulosic material and the structural relaxation times of the respective, water‐plasticised, cellulose I and cellulose II macromolecules, were shown to be intrinsically related, thermally regulated phenomena. The plasticisation model of dye diffusion seems to offer a plausible explanation of the temperature‐dependent diffusional behaviour of direct dyes and reactive dyes within cellulosic fibre/polymers in the presence of added inorganic electrolyte.
Designing a regional clinical service for people with early‐onset type 2 diabetes in England
Authors: Goldney Jonathan , Alabraba Victoria , Sarkar Priscilla , Morgan Harriet , Hamza Malak , Skarlatos Michael , Slater Tommy , Sargeant Jack A. , O'Callaghan Rhys , Hadjiconstantinou Michelle , Burdon Julia , Farooqi Azhar , Seidu Samuel , Meek Claire , Davies Melanie J.
Published: November 2024

Aims

To design a regional clinical service for people with early‐onset type 2 diabetes (EOT2D) in Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland (England).

Methods

A literature search was undertaken to identify important considerations. A working group of key stakeholders was formed to design a triage system and service pathway. Electronic medical records (EMRs) were searched (15th November 2023) to assess feasibility of the pathway and adapt accordingly.

Results

A literature search identified important considerations: High risk of complications; large proportion from minority ethnic and socioeconomically deprived backgrounds; significant psychological burden; stigma and other social challenges; and misclassification and miscoding. Novel clinical risk criteria were developed, implementable in EMRs, to match intervention‐intensity to clinical need. Specialist clinics were planned, one for people at the highest‐clinical risk, another for women with adverse perinatal risk factors. A healthcare professional training package was developed to increase awareness of the unmet clinical needs of people with EOT2D and to upskill in provision of holistic care. Subsequent EMR searches supported the need for our service. Due to the large numbers with HbA1c ≥86mmol/mol (10.0%; n=299; 10.8% of total), these people were prioritised for clinic access. We opted for specialist nurse/educator support to practices with clustering of patients and to financially incentivise referrals from primary care into services.

Conclusions

We showcase a service specifically for people with EOT2D based on the literature, a broad range of stakeholder involvement and utilising a locally‐sourced data‐driven approach. We further discuss areas for development and recommendations based on the challenges we encountered.
Complementary effects of two plant defence traits on behaviour and performance of monarch butterfly caterpillars
Authors: Craig Emma J. , Agrawal Anurag A.
Published: November 2024

Plants have evolved multiple defensive traits in response to herbivory; in turn, herbivore specialists evolved adaptive behaviours to avoid or tolerate such defences. Here, we employ milkweeds (Asclepias spp.) to test two defences, latex and trichomes, for their independent and interactive effects on behaviour and performance of monarch caterpillars (Danaus plexippus).

Latex exuded upon damage and the density of leaf trichomes positively correlate across milkweed species, suggesting they may have evolved together as synergistic defences. Nonetheless, the complementary roles of these two traits have been little‐studied. We focus on two behaviours: shaving, or the removal of trichomes, and chewing, which encompasses both deactivation of latex and leaf consumption.

In an experiment with seven milkweed species, with and without manipulated latex flow, we found latex to be the primary determinant of reducing chewing, while both defences positively predicted shaving behaviour in the first instar. Next, we conducted a factorial experiment throughout the first three instars, manipulating latex and trichomes on a high‐latex, high‐trichome species, the woolly milkweed Asclepias vestita. On plants with latex and trichomes intact, caterpillars spent the most time shaving and least time chewing of all treatment groups, suggesting a possible synergism. These defence‐driven behavioural effects decreased later in larval development.

Latex and trichomes both impacted monarch performance, additively increasing mortality and reducing growth of survivors. Thus, latex and trichomes represent two important plant defences with effects on specialist herbivore behaviour and implications for insect fitness.
Between Prosperity and Preservation: An Empirical Analysis of the Interaction Between Economic Development and Environmental Awareness
Authors: Duan Keyi , Cao Mingyao , Malim Nurhafiza Abdul Kader , Song Yan
Published: November 2024

The present study employs fixed‐effect models to examine the complex and dynamic relationship between economic growth and environmental awareness. The empirical analysis reveals a discernible negative correlation between economic growth and environmental awareness, indicating a potential trade‐off between economic development and environmental sustainability. This finding aligns with the theoretical underpinnings of the environmental Kuznets curve. Moreover, consistent patterns in the impact of economic growth on environmental awareness are identified across different platforms. Additionally, regional heterogeneity is observed in the influence of economic growth on environmental awareness. These findings underscore the necessity for nuanced policymaking tailored to the specific regional contexts and stages of economic development. This study advocates for strategies that strike a balance between fostering economic growth and promoting environmental awareness, thereby contributing to the scholarly discourse on sustainable economic development.
Stigma‐associated attitudes and practices among Romanian clinical providers
Authors: Barbosu Cabiria M. , Avirvarei Cezar , Manciuc Carmen , Dye Timothy
Published: November 2024

Objectives

People living with HIV/AIDS today expect a typical lifespan, although many continue to encounter psychological and societal challenges, including stigma and discrimination. In healthcare settings, this may manifest as refusal of care or treatment, non‐consensual testing, confidentiality breaches, and unfavourable attitudes, among other issues. We sought to better understand stigma‐related beliefs and practices within the Romanian clinician community.

Methods

We designed an analytical cross‐sectional study to measure potentially stigmatizing clinical practices and to identify training gaps that could help alleviate stigma. We conducted a 17‐question survey that was distributed online to healthcare providers in Moldova, the North‐Eastern Romanian region, via the WhatsApp platform, between 1 August and 30 September 2023.

Results

A total of 139 healthcare providers participated in the survey: 71.9% physicians, 23.7% nurses, and 4.3% other providers (e.g., psychologists, pharmacists) working in the fields of infectious disease (36.0%), primary care (13.7%), internal medicine (22.3%), and other specialties such as obstetrics‐gynaecology or paediatrics (18.0%). Most participants indicated that they were not worried about providing care to someone living with HIV/AIDS, most were hesitant to perform HIV testing because they feared the patient's response, and most indicated that co‐workers were hesitant to work alongside a colleague with HIV. In total, 31.7% of participants reported no stigmatizing attitudes or practices, 18.7% reported one stigmatizing attitude or practice, 32.4% reported two, and 17.3% reported three or more. After controlling for confounders, not having an HIV discrimination policy in place and not having been trained on HIV‐related confidentiality were significantly predictive of holding one or more stigmatizing attitudes or practices.

Conclusions

The policy context—particularly anti‐discrimination workplace policies and provider training on HIV‐related confidentiality—is an important determinant of HIV‐related stigmatizing practices and attitudes in Romania.
Curiosity in Consumer Behavior: A Systematic Literature Review and Research Agenda
Authors: Strzelecki Artur , Jaciow Magdalena , Wolny Robert
Published: November 2024

The aim of this study is to conduct a systematic review of the literature on consumer curiosity and its impact on consumer behavior. The “Scientific Procedures and Rationales for Systematic Literature Reviews” (SPAR‐4‐SLR) methodology and the “Theory, Context, Characteristics, and Methodology” (TCCM) framework were employed to analyze 122 papers published between 1992 and 2024. Articles were selected from the Web of Science database using key terms related to consumer curiosity. Consumer curiosity is a complex phenomenon that influences various aspects of consumer behavior, including purchase decisions, consumer engagement, and adaptation to new technologies. Curiosity serves as a significant moderator and mediator in consumer interactions with the market, especially in the context of new technologies such as AI and VR. The findings of this review indicate a growing interest in studying consumer curiosity in recent years, as reflected by the increasing number of publications. The practical implications of the analysis are significant for various stakeholders. Businesses can leverage these findings to develop more effective marketing strategies that engage consumers by stimulating their curiosity. Understanding how curiosity influences decision‐making can also aid in the development of innovative products and services that better meet consumers' unmet needs. Additionally, academic researchers can build on the theoretical frameworks related to consumer curiosity and design future research based on identified gaps. Finally, managers and marketing professionals can apply these insights to personalize shopping experiences and enhance consumer engagement, which can lead to increased brand loyalty and competitive advantage. This review emphasizes the need for further research on the role of curiosity in consumer behavior and its impact on product innovation and marketing strategies and provides recommendations for future research directions that could contribute to a deeper understanding of how curiosity shapes consumer interactions with brands and products.
Understanding the liminal situation of lone‐parent and blended families—A review and agenda for work–family research
Authors: Schaefer Anneke , Gatrell Caroline , Radcliffe Laura
Published: November 2024

This review takes a transdisciplinary approach to work–family (WF) research, offering new perspectives on different family forms in the context of employment. It focuses on lone‐parents and blended families, highlighting how management research on the WF interface has been constrained by traditional definitions of ‘family’, assuming intact couple relationships. The review shows that the WF experiences of lone‐parents and blended families differ significantly from those of traditional or nuclear families. Our findings demonstrate that blended and lone‐parent families struggle with conventional WF policies based on traditional family forms. These families face four main challenges: (1) complex residential arrangements and relationships with co‐parents; (2) managing (limited) resources; (3) navigating stigma; and (4) narrow cultural scripts defining family roles. Utilizing cross‐domain identity transition theory, we question the traditional ideas at the core of current WF theory. We demonstrate that non‐traditional families occupy a ‘liminal’ WF space due to their more fluid parental, occupational and household identities compared to traditional families. We urge employers and policy makers to recognize and address the distinct WF challenges faced by lone‐parents and blended families. Employers should develop flexible working policies that accommodate complex residential arrangements and provide resources to support lone and blended family structures. Policy makers should consider revising family leave policies to be more inclusive of diverse family forms. Future research should further explore the diverse experiences of employed parents, including those from LGBTQIA+ communities, using our framework, which encourages researchers to think differently regarding existing WF theories through the consideration of our four themes.
A review and recommendations on the management of psoriatic arthritis in Australia 2024
Authors: Nash Peter , Sumpton Daniel , Tellus Michelle , Feletar Marie , Bird Paul , Hall Stephen
Published: November 2024

Psoriatic arthritis (PsA) is a progressive, systemic inflammatory disease. It can lead to serious joint damage and disability, increased cardiovascular risk and reduced quality of life. Six experts met to develop the recommendations for the management of PsA in Australia. The final recommendations are approved by all panel members. Management and treatment recommendations have been made under six subheadings: Recommendations for non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and glucocorticoids; Disease‐modifying treatment; Screening and monitoring; Family planning; Symptom treatment and extra‐articular manifestations; Comorbidities and lifestyle considerations. Our recommendations for the management of PsA in Australia draw heavily on the established global guidelines. These recommendations aim to assist clinicians to make informed, patient‐centric choices when delivering treatment to people with PsA.
Assessment of Internet and Social Media Addiction Levels in Adolescents Aged 12−18 Years by Nurses: A Multicenter Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Avcı Aydın , Ünal Ayşe Sevim
Published: November 2024

Objective

This was a cross‐sectional and descriptive study to determine the social media and Internet addiction levels of adolescents.

Design and Methods

The data were collected between September and December 2023. A sociodemographic data collection form, The Social Media Addiction Scale for Adolescents, and The Internet Addiction Scale for Adolescents were used to collect data. An independent sample t‐test was used to compare the mean differences between the two groups. A one‐way ANOVA test was used to compare mean differences between multiple groups, and Pearson's correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between quantitative variables and scale scores.

Results

No significant relationship was found between adolescents' gender and age and addiction levels (p > 0.05). On the other hand, addiction levels differed significantly by school type and district (p < 0.05). Students in selective schools and secondary schools had lower addiction levels, and those in open‐admission high schools had higher addiction levels (p < 0.05). The highest level of addiction was found in Çankaya district and the lowest in Altındağ district. Daily online time and social media time increased addiction (p < 0.05). Safe Internet use and receiving support from nurses affected addiction levels (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

The results show that adolescents aged 12−18 years are at significant risk of social media and Internet addiction. Therefore, it is recommended that nurses support these young people, assess their risks, and identify specific tasks.
Hungary's Populist Government and the Contestation of EU Foreign Policy Co‐Operation at the United Nations: Dogs That Bark Do Not Bite?
Authors: Monteleone Carla , Müller Patrick , Coutto Tatiana
Published: November 2024

This article provides an analysis of Hungary's role in EU foreign policy co‐operation at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in the period from its accession to the EU in 2004 till 2021, which involved the shift from mainstream parties to successive governments led by the populist radical right (PRR) Fidesz party. Shifting attention to norm contestation in EU foreign policy co‐operation, it examines the extent to which Hungary's PRR government has contested or adapted to the EU's culture of co‐operation in its UNGA voting behaviour. Our empirical analysis compares Hungary's voting record at the UNGA under the PRR government that gained power in 2010 to both previous mainstream governments in Hungary and mainstream governments in other EU member states. The article shows that populist contestation dynamics at the level of foreign policy behaviour are more limited than often assumed, whilst also pointing to the robustness of key procedural Common Foreign and Security Policy norms.