bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Striving for truth, justice and racial diversity: a critical race content analysis of DC Graphic Novel for Young Adults
Authors: Rodríguez-Astacio René M. , Hines Christian M. , Miller Henry “Cody"
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The purpose of the study is to analyze how the popular comic book series DC Graphic Novel for Young Adults depicts superhero, civilian and villains of color in the titles and address how the collection engages in or avoids discussions of racism.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a critical race content analysis to analyze how characters of color are represented in the DC Graphic Novel for Young Adults collection.

Findings

The findings demonstrate the series’ uneven attempts at writing about race and racism. The DC Graphic Novels for Young Adults illustrates more radical politics in some titles but reifies dominant beliefs in others. The analysis also shows how many titles approach discussions of oppression from a single axis approach rather than an intersectional one. The series strives for racial diversity and justice; sometimes achieving the goal, but not always.

Research limitations/implications

The study demonstrates how the DC Graphic Novel for Young Adults constructs hegemonic ideas of “appropriateness” about race, racism and readership in some titles while offering explicit discussions about race and racism in others.

Practical implications

The authors outline potential ways English teachers can position titles in the DC Graphic Novel for Young Adults in English classrooms to develop students’ racial literacies.

Originality/value

This paper provides an analysis of superhero comics produced specifically for adolescent readers and written by an intentional racially diverse cohort of authors. The methodology can inform future studies of graphic novels for adolescent readers.
Progressing gender equity in senior leadership: a systematic literature review
Authors: Gander Michelle , Sharafizad Fleur
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aim to review and compile the latest research in women’s leadership internationally and across multiple sectors and industries to understand how to fast-track gender equality. As an outcome of this review, this paper presents an actionable universal framework for organisations to use to bolster their gender equity efforts.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review methodology resulted in 36 articles dedicated to research on women in senior leadership interventions across countries and organisational types. Thematic analysis identified a series of enablers and barriers that influence women’s progression into senior roles.

Findings

Research since 2020 has shown a significant shift from an individualised approach to improving women’s advancement to senior leadership roles, to a systematic one, acknowledging that there are entrenched behaviours resulting in a lack of equity.

Research limitations/implications

Systematic literature reviews, although reducing bias, must still be acknowledged to have inherent bias due to the inclusion and exclusion criteria used. There is a need for future research to provide more theoretical underpinnings to advance knowledge and for implementation and review of the proposed EQUAL framework developed from this study.

Originality/value

The authors highlight the continuing issues at play in organisations that act as barriers to women’s progress into senior leadership. This paper suggest that organisations may need to consider ways to move past a “business case” approach towards gender equity becoming embedded at all levels. Their proposed EQUAL framework provides a practical set of evidence-based activities to enhance this approach.
Revitalizing staycation trends: insights from a secondary-stakeholder CSR perspective
Authors: Zhang Jingwei , Islam Md Shamirul , Karatepe Osman M. , Jambulingam Manimekalai
Published: February 2025

Purpose

To provide a holistic assessment of tourists’ staycation intentions, this study aims to investigate the role of secondary-stakeholder corporate social responsibility (CSR) on local engagement. Based on construal-level theory and stimulus-organism-response model, this study unpacks how and when secondary-stakeholder CSR influences staycation intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered from 312 Chinese tourists with prior staycation experiences. Data were subsequently analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

This study illuminates that secondary-stakeholder CSR positively influences staycation intention directly and indirectly through psychological belonging and safety. Noteworthily, immersive experience strengthens the influence of psychological belonging on staycation intention while its effect on the relationship between psychological safety and staycation intention is negligible.

Research limitations/implications

All variables in this study were collected via self-report measures provided by hotel customers with staycation experiences. Although both statistical and procedural remedies are used, it would be more useful if future studies could gather time-lagged and/or multiple sources of data.

Originality/value

This study augments the domain of staycation research by examining CSR marketing through a stakeholder perspective. This nuanced analysis elucidates the intertwined dynamics among secondary-stakeholder CSR, psychological sense of belonging and safety, and immersive experiences that delineate the landscape of staycation markets, casting light on their epoch-defining implications for hotels’ developmental trajectories.
Examining the impact of hospital pharmacy service quality on patient loyalty in Thailand: the moderating role of illness condition
Authors: Darawong Chonlatis
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study seeks to investigate the impact of service quality on patient loyalty in the context of hospital pharmacy services, taking into consideration the moderating effect of illness condition. The findings shed light on the significance of various dimensions of service quality in fostering patient loyalty.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for this study were obtained through a questionnaire survey administered to patients who had used services provided by a hospital pharmacy in Thailand. To ensure a qualified sample, the participants were purposively chosen and approached to inquire about their willingness to participate in the research.

Findings

The results demonstrate that all service quality dimensions including technical quality, non-prescription service, physical quality, relationship quality and health and medicine advice had significantly positive effects on patient loyalty. Additionally, the findings reveal a significant difference in the level of relationship quality between patients in the acute group and those in the chronic group.

Practical implications

The research results offer recommendations for hospital administrators to enhance the quality of service in hospital pharmacies, leading to increased patient loyalty. Moreover, it provides guidance for hospital pharmacists to tailor their approach according to the illness conditions of the patients.

Originality/value

This study extends the existing knowledge on the service quality dimension by examining how various dimensions influence patient loyalty. Furthermore, it explores how these impacts are moderated by illness condition.
Information and communication technology hassles and job performance: a moderated mediation model of well-being and psychosocial safety climate
Authors: Montreuil Véra-Line , Dextras-Gauthier Julie , Gilbert Marie-Hélène , Dima Justine , Boulet Maude , Biron Caroline
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper examines the effect of information and communication technology (ICT) hassles on employee job performance and investigates the mediating effect of well-being and the moderating effect of psychosocial safety climate (PSC).

Design/methodology/approach

This study was conducted on a sample of 294 employees working remotely during the COVID-19 pandemic. Bootstrap regression and moderated mediation analyses were carried out using the macro PROCESS version 4.2.

Findings

The results suggest that ICT hassles negatively affect well-being, which, in turn, impacts job performance. This study also finds that this indirect relationship worsens when employees are in a weak psychosocial safety climate.

Practical implications

As organizations plan to pursue telecommuting on a massive scale in a post-pandemic world, these findings are crucial in informing organizations of the need to create a healthy work environment and to provide optimal virtual working conditions.

Originality/value

As one of the first studies to examine the relationship between ICT hassles and job performance in an unprecedented telecommuting environment, it emphasizes the importance of rebalancing the demands arising from the use of technologies and the resources available to employees.
Effective strategies in short video advertising: leveraging influencer endorsements and discounts
Authors: Yuan Lin , Shi Yan , Xia Hao , Ye Qiang
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to examine how the number of short videos posted and the number of influencers employed, two important strategies in short video marketing, affect consumer behavior and how price discounts moderate the effects of influencer endorsement on consumer browsing and purchasing behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the literature on influencer endorsement, this study used an ordinary least square model to empirically examine the two effects of endorsement strategies in increasing product traffic and sales for consumers at a short video app, Douyin (TikTok).

Findings

The results show that the number of short video ads produces the classic inverted U-shape for traffic and sales, and both effects were strengthened under a high discount condition. Whereas the number of influencers has a positive effect on traffic but produces an inverted U-shape for sales, both effects were undermined under a high discount condition.

Originality/value

This study is the first to explore the two distinct effects (repetition effect and diffusion effect) of influencer endorsement on browsing and purchasing behavior and theorize about the moderate effects of discounts on these effects.
Unlocking potential: how enterprise social media features shape employee agility performance
Authors: Pitafi Abdul Hameed , Masood Fazeelat , Pitafi Sheena
Published: February 2025

Purpose

The present research aims to explore the influence of enterprise social media (ESM) features on employee agility through knowledge sharing and hiding. ESM strain was taken as a moderator in the association among knowledge sharing, knowledge hiding and employee agility. Communication visibility theory is used to underpin the hypothesized research model.

Design/methodology/approach

Data is collected from 374 Chinese employees working in different companies. A structural equation modeling (SEM) is applied using AMOS software 21.0.

Findings

Findings illustrate that ESM features namely analysis, tracking and communication are significantly connected to knowledge sharing and negatively to knowledge hiding. Knowledge sharing is significantly related to employee agility while knowledge hiding is negatively linked to employee agility. Further, ESM strain strengthens the negative connection between knowledge hiding and employee agility. However, ESM strain has an insignificant moderating effect in the connection between knowledge sharing and employee agility.

Practical implications

The current research has practical implications for ESM users and ESM-enabled organizations. For individuals who use ESM to promote knowledge within an organization, this study highlights the important functioning of ESM features that include analysis, tracking and communication. For managers, this study suggests the use of ESM features to promote knowledge sharing and inhibit knowledge hiding.

Originality/value

The current research investigates how ESM features are associated with employee agility in the workplace. This study proposes that knowledge sharing and knowledge hiding are the mediators of the effect path between ESM features and employee agility. Moreover, the present study extends to ESM literature by highlighting the moderating role of ESM strain using communication visibility theory as a theoretical lens. Lastly, this study quantifies the benefits of ESM features to help organizations train agile employees.
Exploring customer loyalty in Islamic banking: a model for the Iraqi market
Authors: Hatem Falih Oday , Abedin Bahareh , Yahyazadehfar Mahmood , Safari Mohammad , Kassim Erne Suzila
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to explore the key factors influencing customer loyalty in Islamic banking within the Iraqi market, as well as the consequences of loyalty. Despite the increasing global significance of Islamic finance, there is a notable lack of empirical research addressing how both causal and contextual factors shape customer loyalty in Iraq. This research seeks to fill this gap by examining the dynamics of customer loyalty and its perceived value to customers, thereby contributing to a deeper understanding of customer relationships in Islamic banking.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is conducted using a grounded theory approach, allowing for an exploration of the objective through in-depth qualitative analysis. In-depth interviews are conducted with various stakeholders, including customers, managers and bank employees. The inclusion of heterogeneous groups offers a richer and deeper understanding, increasing the validity and transferability of the findings.

Findings

A model of customer loyalty in Islamic banking in Iraq is developed, highlighting social, individual and banking characteristics as indicators of causal factors. Macroeconomic trends, government policy and media and advertising are identified as contextual factors, while competitor actions, life events and demographic profiles are recognized as intervening factors. The findings also suggest that loyalty brings positive values not only to the customers, such as positive experiences, lifetime value and better financial stability, but also to the banking institutions, including word-of-mouth referrals, competitive advantage and increased customer advocacy.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the advanced development of a theoretical framework on customer loyalty. In addition, the findings offer valuable insights into the relationship between Sharia compliance and customer loyalty, calling for banking institutions to prioritize adherence to Sharia principles.

Originality/value

This study explores areas of research within the context of Iraqi Islamic banking, allowing for the discovery of new and original insights into causal, contextual and intervening conditions of customer loyalty, which signify the Iraqi social phenomena. While the scope focuses on customers, the grounded theory approach opens up to emergent patterns and relationships.
Examining synergies between UAE corporate social responsibility laws and corporate governance frameworks
Authors: AlTawil Tareq Nael , Rahhal Alaeddin
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper has investigated the synergies between the UAE corporate social responsibility (CSR) laws and corporate governance (CG) frameworks. The purpose of this paper is to examine the collective impact of CSR laws and CG frameworks on fraud prevention and detection within the UAE business landscape.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher used a secondary analytical method to examine the synergies between UAE CSR laws and CG frameworks, focusing on corporate fraud detection and prevention. This method involved a comprehensive analysis of secondary sources of information from various sources such as government reports, legislation, academics and other sources such as the organization’s CSR and other industry reports. The main secondary sources included the official documents of the UAE related to CG and legal requirements on CSR, the reports of the financial institutions of UAE and designated nonfinancial businesses and professions and international guidelines such as those from the financial action task force.

Findings

The UAE has various federal and emirate-level laws governing CSR and CG, emphasizing directors’ duties, disclosure and reporting. Therefore, CG and CSR have bidirectional relationship within the context of the UAE legislative framework. However, the existence of different legislation at the federal and emirate levels is undermining the effectiveness of existing laws and regulations. The UAE must now work toward harmonization of existing laws and regulations to enhance their effectiveness and enforceability across emirates. The UAE government should consider expanding CSR provisions under the CCL or amend the CSR law to include provisions on mandatory reporting for unethical practices across corporations. The evolving global regulatory landscape, including the European Union Artificial Intelligence Act (EU AI Act), highlights the UAE’s need for adaptive legal frameworks to integrate technological advancements into CG and CSR practices, ensuring ethical and transparent business conduct.

Originality/value

The researcher examined the collective impact of CSR laws and CG frameworks on fraud prevention and detection within the UAE business landscape. This examination also considers the broader implications for enhancing transparency and accountability in combating money laundering and other financial crimes. The research ultimately aims to provide insights into how UAE CSR laws and CG frameworks align to foster more robust and ethical corporate practices, contributing to a broader understanding of fraud prevention and governance best practices.
Personal leadership and ethical procurement: the mediating influence of organization climate
Authors: Beth Muthoni Gloria
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to address the mediating influence of organization climate on the link between personal leadership and ethical procurement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study draws on the cross-sectional research design and uses paper-based self-administered questionnaires to gather data from 172 employees drawn from county referral hospitals in Kenya. The study uses census method targeting all the procurement staff within 12 county referral hospitals in Kenya.

Findings

Findings indicate that there is a “riddle of repressed personal leadership” in county referral hospitals. Whereas there is a positive relationship between personal leadership and ethical procurement, the relationship was not statically significant. However, organization climate fully mediates the relationship between personal leadership and ethical procurement.

Research limitations/implications

Some institutions and respondents had inhibitions and unwillingness to give information regarding their ethical status in procurement docket. Second, by relying wholly on questionnaires administered to procurement employees only, the study fails to account for the views of other staff who may exhibit other unique insights into the study variable. Third, the current study uses data from only Level 5 county referral hospitals in Kenya. Finally, this study focused on personal leadership, which is a composite of the three levels of leadership model. This limited the study from exploring other leadership models as they would affect ethical procurement.

Practical implications

County referral hospitals can bolster initiatives to awaken personal leadership level for every employee. An organization climate that fosters positive staff morale, motivation and reward is vital in shaping ethical procurement. Wedding out interferences to the procurement process both internally and externally is also vital. Procurement regulatory bodies, procurement professional bodies and county governments should establish measures to curb procurement process interferences. Procurement employees mentioned budgetary constraints to be adversely affecting procurement docket processes within in county referral hospitals. County governments ought to prioritize healthcare.

Social implications

The professionals ascertain that they find no meaning in their work, reason being that the incentives in county referral hospitals are not motivating. Further, there is a glaring interference with the procurement process both internally and externally. To further limit personal leadership, the findings indicate that employees are afraid of losing their jobs hence that cannot make authentic expressions to augment organizations ethical procurement.

Originality/value

The study makes a novel attempt to show the mediating influence of organization climate in the context of personal leadership and ethical procurement in county referral hospitals in Kenya. The study makes a significant contribution by using this leadership development model in an African context setting.
Ethical leadership, green innovation and environmental performance in the restaurant industry
Authors: Yasir Muhammad , Alam Kainat
Published: February 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine how employees’ perception of the ethical conduct of their leaders affects their level of green innovation and environmental performance. Therefore, this study investigated green innovation as a mediator between ethical leadership and environmental performance, specifically within the context of Pakistani restaurants.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from the frontline employees using a convenience sampling method having a sample size of 213 respondents. The hypothesized model was analyzed through structural equation modeling using SmartPLS v3 software.

Findings

This study shows a (i) positive relationship between ethical leadership and environmental performance, (ii) positive association between ethical leadership and green innovation, (iii) positive relationship between green innovation and environmental performance and (iv) green innovation mediates between ethical leadership and environmental performance.

Research limitations/implications

This research suggests that top management of the restaurants needs to focus on exhibiting ethical leadership behavior, thereby fostering green innovation practices that will improve the environmental performance of Pakistani restaurants.

Originality/value

The current study is novel as it investigates the association between ethical leadership, green innovation and environmental performance, specifically within the context of Pakistani restaurants.
Environmental Variability Shapes Life History of the World's Birds
Authors: Youngflesh Casey , Kapsar Kelly , Uscanga Adriana , Williams Peter J. , Doser Jeffrey W. , Kounta Lala , Zarnetske Phoebe L.
Published: February 2025

Theory suggests life history plays a key role in the ability of organisms to persist under fluctuating environmental conditions. However, the notion that environmental variability has shaped the distribution of life history traits across large spatial and taxonomic scales has gone largely untested using empirical data. Synthesising a collection of data resources on global climate, species traits, and species ranges, we quantified the role that environmental variability over time has played in shaping pace of life across the world's non‐migratory, non‐marine bird species (N = 7477). In support of existing theory, we found that species that experience high inter‐annual temperature variability tended to have a slower pace of life, while the opposite was true for high intra‐annual temperature variability. The effect of precipitation variability was less pronounced and more uncertain. These observed patterns were apparent despite the vastly different ecologies of our study species and evidence of strong phylogenetic constraint. Additionally, we highlight the importance of contextualising rates of environmental change in terms of the historical variability of environmental systems and species' pace of life. Species experiencing higher rates of relative environmental change, in terms of standard deviations per generation, may be most susceptible to climate change.
Exploring the ductile‐regime machining on cemented carbide: A perspective review
Authors: Wang Shuo , Liu Hanzhong , Wu Bing , Zong Wenjun
Published: February 2025

Strict requirements on the surface qualities of cemented carbide have been raised in the manufacturing of functional components and glass molding. However, the high hardness increases the difficulty in improving surface qualities. The application of ductile‐regime machining theory to improve the surface quality of cemented carbide is unsatisfactory because of the severe tool wear, varying factors and microstructure defects induced by stress. To illustrate the complex mechanism in the removal of cemented carbide, firstly, the theory of ductile‐regime machining for the cemented carbide are introduced. Secondly, methods for evaluating the mechanical properties of cemented carbide are discussed in terms of the microstructures. Thirdly, the conflicts between the traditional ductile‐regime machining theory and microstructure defects are analyzed, leading to proposed limitations and solutions for applying ductile‐regime machining to composite materials. In addition, the developments of ultra‐hard tools and energy field‐assisted machining techniques applied to the cemented carbide are summarized and discussed. Finally, the technical challenges and future solutions in this field are further pointed out.
Examining sound levels across different time scales measured from body-worn dosimeters
Authors: Jorgensen Erik , Tufts Jennifer B. , Skoe Erika
Published: February 2025

Studies are increasingly investigating listeners' acoustic environments using real-world data collection methods to personalize interventions for hearing loss and understand individual differences in intervention outcomes. A pressing methods question is the extent to which the time scale of the sample and number of sampling periods need to be considered. The purpose of this study was to characterize the extent to which the sound levels in a listener's vicinity, one common measure of acoustic environments, change across different time scales. Listeners wore a personal noise dosimeter continuously for one-week sampling periods at three time points. The effects of season, week, day of the week, and time of day on acoustic environment demand (proportion of samples ≥ 40 dB LAeq and mean sound levels for samples ≥ 40 dB LAeq) and diversity (the distribution of LAeq values, quantified by entropy) were characterized. Acoustic environment demand and diversity were relatively similar across seasons and weeks but varied more between days and across the day. Results suggest that a single one-week sampling period, collected at any time of year but balanced across days of the week and time of day, may capture sufficient information about a listener's acoustic environments to inform decisions about interventions.
The InAbled Cities Project: Development of a Physical Activity Enhancement Program for Older Adults and People With Disabilities in Spain and Italy—A Feasibility Study
Authors: Lemmers Gijs P.G. , García Juez Susana , García Aitor Carpio , Le Roch Eléonore , Bettocchi Marzia , Papini Paola , Bellavista Paolo , Gauthier Clara , Mota de Sousa João , Martín San Gil Guiomar , Cruijsberg Juliëtte , García Batanero Sergio , Atucha Gutiérrez Covadonga , Rodriguez Andonaegui Irene , van der Wees Philip J.
Published: February 2025

As life expectancies increase, people are tending toward more inactive lifestyles. Older adults and people with disabilities might benefit from accessible physical activities in nearby social networks. The purpose of this European InAbled Cities study is to develop and test the feasibility of a program aimed at enhancing physical activity for older adults and people with disabilities within their social networks. Participatory action research was conducted in two municipalities in urban (Bologna, Italy) and rural (Sevilla La Nueva, Spain) settings with older adults and people with disabilities, healthcare professionals, and communication managers. Data collection comprised a survey, interviews, and focus group interviews for developing a physical activity enhancement program, a mobile device application, and a citizen engagement strategy. Evaluation of the program’s usability focused on feasibility, appropriateness, acceptability, and quality of life. The enhancement of physical activity in the two community-based settings revealed similarities and differences in the needs of citizens in the two participating municipalities. Similarities were related to behavioral change for enhancing physical activity. Differences in infrastructure were the main factors driving the need for contextual adaptations. Overall, participants were positive about the appropriateness, feasibility, and acceptability of the program. Participants deemed the physical activity enhancement programs in both communities feasible, thus indicating potential for the further implementation of the program. This research provides new insight into ways of enhancing physical activity in older adults and people with disabilities. Such insight could be used to customize such programs to specific needs.
Hydrogenation of CO
2
for sustainable fuel and chemical production
Authors: Ye Jingyun , Dimitratos Nikolaos , Rossi Liane M. , Thonemann Nils , Beale Andrew M. , Wojcieszak Robert
Published: February 2025

Catalytic carbon dioxide (CO
2
) hydrogenation is a potential route for producing sustainable fuels and chemicals, but existing catalysts need improvement. In particular, identifying active sites and understanding the interaction between components and the dynamic behavior of the participant species remain unclear. This fundamental knowledge is essential for the design of more efficient and stable catalysts. Because the nature of the active site (metal, oxide, carbide) is the main factor that determines the catalytic activity of the catalysts, this Review focuses on various types of heterogeneous catalysts that have been recently reported in the literature as efficient for CO
2
conversion to C1 [carbon monoxide (CO), methanol (CH
3
OH), methane (CH
4
)], and higher hydrocarbons. We focus on establishing key connections between active-site structures and selectivity, regardless of catalyst composition.
Distinct roles for precession, obliquity, and eccentricity in Pleistocene 100-kyr glacial cycles
Authors: Barker Stephen , Lisiecki Lorraine E. , Knorr Gregor , Nuber Sophie , Tzedakis Polychronis C.
Published: February 2025

Identifying the specific roles of precession, obliquity, and eccentricity in glacial-interglacial transitions is hindered by imprecise age control. We circumvent this problem by focusing on the morphology of deglaciation and inception, which we show depends strongly on the relative phasing of precession versus obliquity. We demonstrate that although both parameters are important, precession has more influence on deglacial onset, whereas obliquity is more important for the attainment of peak interglacial conditions and glacial inception. We find that the set of precession peaks (minima) responsible for terminations since 0.9 million years ago is a subset of those peaks that begin (i.e., the precession parameter starts decreasing) while obliquity is increasing. Specifically, termination occurs with the first of these candidate peaks to occur after each eccentricity minimum. Thus, the gross morphology of 100-thousand-year (100-kyr) glacial cycles appears largely deterministic.
A genome-based phylogeny for Mollusca is concordant with fossils and morphology
Authors: Chen Zeyuan , Baeza J. Antonio , Chen Chong , Gonzalez Maria Teresa , González Vanessa Liz , Greve Carola , Kocot Kevin M. , Arbizu Pedro Martinez , Moles Juan , Schell Tilman , Schwabe Enrico , Sun Jin , Wong Nur Leena W. S. , Yap-Chiongco Meghan , Sigwart Julia D.
Published: February 2025

Extreme morphological disparity within Mollusca has long confounded efforts to reconstruct a stable backbone phylogeny for the phylum. Familiar molluscan groups—gastropods, bivalves, and cephalopods—each represent a diverse radiation with myriad morphological, ecological, and behavioral adaptations. The phylum further encompasses many more unfamiliar experiments in animal body-plan evolution. In this work, we reconstructed the phylogeny for living Mollusca on the basis of metazoan BUSCO (Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs) genes extracted from 77 (13 new) genomes, including multiple members of all eight classes with two high-quality genome assemblies for monoplacophorans. Our analyses confirm a phylogeny proposed from morphology and show widespread genomic variation. The flexibility of the molluscan genome likely explains both historic challenges with their genomes and their evolutionary success.
A widespread plant defense compound disarms bacterial type III injectisome assembly
Authors: Miao Pei , Wang Haijun , Wang Wei , Wang Zhengdong , Ke Han , Cheng Hangyuan , Ni Jinjing , Liang Jingnan , Yao Yu-Feng , Wang Jizong , Zhou Jian-Min , Lei Xiaoguang
Published: February 2025

Numerous gram-negative bacterial pathogens employ the type III secretion system (T3SS), a multiprotein injectisome, to deliver virulence proteins into host cells and cause diseases. We uncover erucamide as a previously unknown phytoalexin of both dicots and monocots that blocks the T3SS function of multiple bacterial pathogens. Genetically impairing erucamide accumulation or exogenous application in
Arabidopsis
highlighted erucamide’s role in antibacterial immunity. Erucamide binds Hypersensitive response and conserved C (HrcC), a key T3SS component, to block injectisome assembly. Analyses of erucamide analogs and HrcC mutants indicated that the erucamide-HrcC binding is required for inhibiting T3SS in vitro and antibacterial resistance in plants, suggesting an essential role of erucamide-HrcC binding in disease resistance. This work reveals a plant chemical defense that targets major virulence machinery in bacterial pathogens.
In Science Journals
Authors: Hodges Kip , Simonti Corinne , Smith Jesse , Szuromi Phil , Yeston Jake S. , Isles Hannah , Vignieri Sacha , Ferrarelli Leslie K. , Walia Ankit , Maroso Mattia , Nusinovich Yevgeniya , Seale Madeleine , Lopez Bianca , Lavine Marc S. , Dorsett Dale , Malo Courtney
Published: February 2025

Highlights from the
Science
family of journals
U.S. early-career scientists struggle amid chaos
Authors: Langin Katie
Published: February 2025

Uncertain funding, government firings, and university distress hit the most vulnerable
Supplemental Material: Evolution of the North Qinling Mountains since the Eocene: Evidence from provenance analysis of Cenozoic sediments of the Weihe Basin, central China
Authors: Zhang Hanzhi , al. et
Published: February 2025

Please find plots of the buried deep structure and cross-section across the Weihe Basin, distribution and elevation versus thermochronologic age of the Qinling Mountains, a synthesis of existing zircon U-Pb ages from the regions surrounding the Weihe Basin, detailed detrital zircon U-Pb ages of all new samples from this study, and a compilation of previously published low-temperature thermochronologic data in the Supplemental Material.
Massive synovial chondromatosis of the knee managed with open excision with excellent postoperative functional outcome
Authors: Shetty N Shreyas , Shetty Sanath Kumar , Shetty Vikram , Kamath Navneeth
Published: February 2025

A male patient in his 50s presented with complaints of pain, swelling and restriction of movement in his right knee for 7 years. Examination revealed a 10 degree flexion deformity with diffuse swelling and tenderness, as well as a range of motion (ROM) of 10–30 degrees. X-ray showed a ‘ring and arc’ appearance. MRI showed circumferential disease extending into the subcutaneous plane and encasement of posterior compartment vessels by 270 degrees, extending through the knee joint. The patient underwent open synovectomy and excision of the mass, which measured 15×7×4 cm. At 2 years postoperative follow-up, the patient has had no recurrence of disease and achieved a Musculoskeletal Tumor Society score of 28/30 on clinical examination. The patient reported no flexion deformity and demonstrated knee ROM of 0–90 degrees.
Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist use is associated with a lower risk of major adverse liver-related outcomes: a meta-analysis of observational cohort studies
Authors: Celsa Ciro , Pennisi Grazia , Tulone Adele , Ciancimino Giacinta , Vaccaro Marco , Infantino Giuseppe , Di Maria Gabriele , Pinato David J , Cabibbo Giuseppe , Enea Marco , Mantovani Alessandro , Tilg Herbert , Targher Giovanni , Cammà Calogero , Petta Salvatore
Published: February 2025

Background

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have shown promising effects on liver histology in phase 2 trials enrolling patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. However, the impact of GLP-1RAs on the long-term risk of major adverse liver-related outcomes (MALOs) remains uncertain.

Objective

We performed a meta-analysis of observational cohort studies to quantify the magnitude and direction of the association between GLP-1RA use and MALOs in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Design

We systematically searched eligible cohort studies comparing GLP-1RA new users versus users of other glucose-lowering medications. The primary outcome was the cumulative incidence rates of MALOs. Secondary outcomes included hepatic decompensation events, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and liver-related mortality. Random-effects models were used to calculate incidence rate ratios (IRRs).

Results

11 retrospective cohort studies with aggregate data on 1 467 220 patients with T2D (647 903 GLP-1RA new users, 819 317 non-users) were included. GLP-1RA use was significantly associated with a lower risk of MALOs (IRR 0.71, 95% CI 0.57 to 0.88) and hepatic decompensation (IRR 0.70, 95% CI 0.52 to 0.94). Association with reduced risk of HCC was also observed (IRR 0.82, 95% CI 0.61 to 1.11). Compared with other antidiabetic medications, GLP-1RAs showed superior effectiveness versus SGLT2 inhibitors in preventing MALOs (IRR 0.93, 95% CI 0.87 to 0.99), versus DPP-4 inhibitors in preventing hepatic decompensation (IRR 0.74, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.83) and versus insulin therapy in preventing HCC (IRR 0.32, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.80).

Conclusions

GLP-1RA use is associated with a lower risk of liver-related complications and hepatic decompensation in people with T2D. These findings suggest a role of GLP-1RAs in preventing liver-related complications beyond their beneficial cardiometabolic effects.
Balancing the risk of major bleeding against vascular disease risk in people without atherosclerotic disease
Authors: Hammami Imen , Mafham Marion , Emberson Jonathan , Offer Alison , Hopewell Jemma C , Armitage Jane , Baigent Colin , Parish Sarah
Published: February 2025

Background and aims

In the primary prevention setting, low-dose aspirin reduces major vascular events (MVEs) by approximately 11% but increases major bleeding (MB) by 40–50%, implying that net benefit will be most evident when the MVE-to-MB ratio is >4. This study aimed to derive cross-validated risk scores for MB and MVE and use the MVE-to-MB ratio to identify groups who may derive differing net benefits from treatment.

Methods

431 167 UK Biobank participants without known atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease at baseline were followed through record linkage for incident MVEs (myocardial infarction, non-haemorrhagic stroke, transient ischaemic attack, arterial revascularisation or vascular death) and MB (gastrointestinal and intracranial bleeds with hospital admission for ≥2 days). Risk scores were derived for MVE and MB using Cox proportional hazards models with cross-validation. Ratios of observed MVE-to-MB rates were calculated across risk categories.

Results

During a median follow-up of 12 years, 18 310 participants suffered an MVE and 5352 an MB. MB risk was highest among participants with frailty, prior bleeds, cancer, liver disease or renal dysfunction, with a 4.3-fold difference in risk between the highest and lowest fifths of MB risk (HR 4.3, 95% CI 3.87 to 4.77). The MVE-to-MB ratio was ≤2.6 in the highest MB risk groups and ≥4 in lower MB risk categories.

Conclusions

The derived models using routinely available disease history and laboratory measurements improved distinction of the MVE-to-MB ratio compared with using conventional models for MB risk including vascular risk factors. Such models can help identify those with moderate MVE risk but low MB risk who may benefit from low-dose aspirin.
Differential use of antidiabetic medication related to income, cohabitation and area of residence: a Swedish nationwide cohort study
Authors: Jonéus Paulina , Pasternak Björn , Odsbu Ingvild , Cesta Carolyn E , Bellocco Rino , Trolle Lagerros Ylva , Pazzagli Laura
Published: February 2025

Background

Poor adherence to antidiabetic medication in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D) may lead to increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Socioeconomic and demographic factors associated with non-adherence have been mainly identified via cross-sectional studies. To investigate the association between antidiabetic medication adherence and income, cohabitation and area of residence.

Methods

Register-based cohort study of individuals with T2D living in Sweden and initiating antidiabetic treatment between 2006 and 2022. Confounding adjustment and competing events were accounted for via inverse probability of treatment and censoring weighting. Exposures were disposable income, social income support, cohabitation status and area of residence. Outcomes were antidiabetic medication adherence during the first year from treatment initiation and treatment interruption at 12 and 60 months.

Results

This study included 594 918 individuals with T2D. Low disposable income (adjusted OR: 1.18, 95% CI: (1.14 to 1.21)), social income support (1.09, (1.05 to 1.14)), living in large cities (1.28, (1.24 to 1.31)) and cohabitation (1.09, (1.06 to 1.11)) were associated with non-adherence (proportion of days covered ≤0.2), as compared with high adherence (proportion of days covered >0.8). Consistently, treatment interruption was associated with social income support (relative risk ratio at 12 months: 1.10, (1.06 to 1.14) and at 60 months 1.02 (1.00 to 1.05)), living in large cities (1.13, (1.12 to 1.14); 1.08, (1.07 to 1.08)) and low income (1.05, (1.03 to 1.07); 1.01, (1.00 to 1.02)).

Conclusions

Low income levels, cohabitation and living in large cities were associated with non-adherence to antidiabetic medication and risk of treatment interruption. The results highlight the need for targeted interventions aiming at improving adherence to treatments both at patient and healthcare system levels.
Infrapatellar branch of saphenous nerve: from anatomy, sonoanatomy to its clinical implications
Authors: Peng Michael SJ , Clendenen Steven R , Shi Glenn G , Tsui Ban C H
Published: February 2025

The infrapatellar branch of the saphenous nerve (IPBSN) is implicated in nerve injury from different knee surgeries because of its intimate course relative to the knee joint capsule. Pain physicians encounter patients in their practice for the management of neuralgia of this nerve or in the context of advanced management of knee osteoarthritis. This article aims to provide a comprehensive review of the anatomy, sonoanatomy, and the intervention of the IPBSN in pain management of infrapatellar neuralgia and chronic knee pain.
Ecological performance of native and invasive benthic freshwater fishes under elevated temperature
Authors: Hutchings Megan , Hill Jaclyn , Windle Matthew J.S. , Ricciardi Anthony
Published: February 2025

Climate warming of freshwater ecosystems is altering the performance and trophic interactions of native and non-native species. We compared the feeding efficiency and thermal tolerance of the invasive round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) and a trophically analogous native fish, logperch (Percina caprodes), under current and projected mean summer surface temperatures for the nearshore lower Great Lakes (18°C and 25°C, respectively). Feeding efficiency at both temperatures was quantified using the functional response ratio (FRR)—the ratio of attack rate and prey handling time. Juvenile logperch had a higher FRR than juvenile gobies at 18°C; however, adult gobies had a higher FRR than juvenile logperch at both 18°C and 25°C, indicating a greater potential for trophic impacts. At 18°C, CTmax of juvenile logperch were lower than adult gobies but did not differ from juvenile gobies; whereas at 25°C, logperch CTmax was higher than juvenile round gobies. Following acclimation to either 18°C or 25°C, juvenile logperch exhibited a greater thermal acclimation capacity than the round goby. These results underscore the need for risk assessment to account for native and non-native species responses to shifting thermal contexts.
Enhanced forest inventories in Canada: implementation, status, and research needs
Authors: White Joanne C. , Tompalski Piotr , Bater Christopher W. , Wulder Michael A. , Fortin Maxime , Hennigar Chris , Robere-McGugan Geordie , Sinclair Ian , White Robert
Published: February 2025

Forest inventory practices in Canada have evolved over time with changes in forest management priorities, advances in technology, fluctuations in the marketplace, societal expectations, and generational shifts in the workforce. Provincial and territorial governments in Canada are vested with forest management responsibilities and each jurisdiction has adopted forest inventory approaches that reflect jurisdictional information needs and contexts. Typically, these inventories are strategic in nature and spatially explicit, providing stand-level forest attribute information derived from a two-phase approach involving manual air photo interpretation and stratified ground plot sampling. Airborne laser scanning (ALS; also known as light detection and ranging or lidar) has emerged as a transformative data source for forest inventories and is now considered operational, with the resulting outputs commonly referred to as enhanced forest inventories (EFI). Herein we review and synthesize how EFIs are influencing forest inventory practice in Canada. We characterize the spatial coverage and characteristics of ALS data acquired for forest inventory purposes, summarize the current status of EFI implementation within Canada’s provinces and territories, identify emerging trends associated with these EFIs, and consider these EFIs in the broader global context. We also highlight common research gaps towards the development of a nationally and globally relevant research agenda to support the greater integration of remotely sensed data into forest inventory programs in Canada and beyond.