bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The personal initiative paradox: why benevolent political will decreases career growth prospects in a political environment?
Authors: Modem Roopa , Lakshmi Narayanan Sethumadhavan , Pattusamy Murugan , Prabhu Nandan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study addresses a central research question: Does employees' personal initiative, with a benevolent political will, lead to career growth prospects in a work environment replete with perceived organizational politics? Drawing upon self-determination, signalling, and social cognitive theories, the authors examine how perceptions of organizational politics operate to limit the influence of benevolent political will – induced personal initiative on career growth prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

This research adopts a quantitative research design. This multi-wave, multi-sample and multi-source investigation includes 730 subordinate-supervisor dyads from India's information technology, education and manufacturing companies. The sample comprises 236 full-time faculty members from higher educational institutions and 496 mid-level managers from technical and service departments of information technology and manufacturing companies.

Findings

The results indicate that benevolent political will is significantly related to career growth prospects. In addition, perceptions of organizational politics shows a crossover interaction effect. The findings reveal that the indirect relationship between benevolent political will and career growth prospects changed significantly from those with a low perception of organizational politics to significantly negative among those perceiving organizational politics as high.

Practical implications

This study provides several implications for practice regarding personal initiative, benevolent political will and perceptions of organizational politics.

Originality/value

The significant contributions of this study are to provide new insights into the relationship between benevolent political will and career growth prospects and to unravel the paradoxical nature of the personal initiative phenomenon.
Influence of augmented reality and virtual reality on real estate investment decisions: understand consumer perspective in Indian AEC industry
Authors: Deep Shumank , Vishnoi Sushant , Malhotra Radhika , Mathur Smriti , Yawale Hrishikesh , Kumar Amit , Singla Anju
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) technologies possess the potential to transform the scenario of making real estate investment decisions through the immersive experience they offer. From the literature it was observed that the research in this domain is still emergent and there is a need to identify the latent variables that influence real estate investment decisions. Therefore, by examining the effects of these technologies on investment decision-making, the purpose of the study is to provide valuable insights into how AR and VR could be applied to enhance customers' property buying experiences and assist in their decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

From an extensive review of the literature four latent variables and their measure were identified, and based on these a survey instrument was developed. The survey was distributed online and received 300 responses from the respondents including home buyers, developers, AEC professionals and real estate agents. To validate the latent variables exploratory factor analysis was used whereas to establish their criticality second-order confirmatory factor analysis was used.

Findings

From the results, the four latent constructs were identified based on standard factor loadings (SFL) that is Confident Value Perception (CVP, SFL = 0.70), Innovative Investment Appeal (IIA, SFL = 0.60), Trusted Property Transactions (TPT, SFL = 0.58) and Effortless Property Engagement (EPE, SFL = 0.54), that significantly influence investor decision-making and property purchase experience.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on real estate investment decisions by providing empirical evidence on the role of AR and VR technologies. The identified key variables provided practical guidelines for developers, investors and policymakers in understanding and leveraging the potential of AR and VR technologies in the real estate industry.
Girls in the combined cadet force: a qualitative exploration of the impact of their experiences on their graduate employability skills
Authors: Grant Lisa , Yates Julia
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Every year several thousand female cadets participate in the Combined Cadet Force (CCF) in the UK, but little is known about the impact that this experience has on the subsequent employability of the female cadets. This study aimed to understand the perceptions of academic teenage girls from one all-female unit of their participation in CCF and the personal benefit or otherwise in relation to their ultimate employability.

Design/methodology/approach

This qualitative study used semi-structured interviews to explore the experiences of 10 young women who had participated in CCF for at least three years. Data were analysed using a thematic analysis.

Findings

Participants were effusive about the transformative effects of CCF in relation to personal confidence, recognising transferable skills and raising personal aspiration, all key elements to employability, particularly for women. They also considered they had gained future workplace advantage having had opportunity to trial leadership strategies in mixed gender teams, an experience unavailable elsewhere to them. Loyalty to the contingent pervaded every discussion and the importance of team goals, although this level of selfless commitment may be detrimental to employability, subsuming their personal interests to the greater good.

Originality/value

Research into the benefit or otherwise of teenage girls' extra-curricular activities is scarce, and this is the first study, to the authors' knowledge, that explores the perceptions of the impact their time in CCF had on their graduate employability skills.
Performance measurement systems in the health and care sector: Are targets and monitoring additional demands or resources for employees?
Authors: de Menezes Lilian M. , Escrig-Tena Ana B.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to improve our understanding of performance measurement systems in the health and care sector, by focussing on employee reactions to core performance measurement practices. Targets and monitoring are hypothesised to be associated with employee perceptions of job control, supportive management and job demands, which in turn, are expected to be linked to employee-wellbeing and organisational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

Matched employee workplace data are extracted from a nationally representative and publicly available survey. Structural equation models are estimated.

Findings

Performance measurement systems are neither perceived as resources nor additional demands. Setting many targets and a focus on productivity can lead to negative employee outcomes, since these positively correlate with perceptions of job demands, which negatively correlate with employee wellbeing. However, monitoring financial performance and monitoring employee performance may be helpful to managers, as these are positively associated with employee perceptions of job control and supportive management, which positively correlate with job satisfaction and organisational commitment and, negatively, with anxiety. Overall, common criticisms of performance measurement systems in healthcare are questioned.

Originality/value

Given the lack of consensus on how performance measurement systems can influence employee experiences and outcomes, this study combines theories that argue for performance measurement systems in managing operations with models developed by psychologists to describe how perceptions of the work conditions can affect employee attitude and wellbeing. A conceptual model is therefore developed and tested, and potential direct and indirect effects of performance measurement systems in the health sector are inferred.
Factors affecting psychological ownership in playful consumption experience
Authors: Shahzad Muhammad Faisal , Salo Jari
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study undertakes a comprehensive exploration of the relationships between psychological ownership (PO) in playful consumption and its substantial impact on consumer happiness (CH). Specifically, this study aims to investigate the moderating effects of personality and game performance on the association between PO and CH.

Design/methodology/approach

Subsequently, this study proceeds to evaluate consumer happiness in the context of playful consumption experiences through two distinct studies, one quantitative and the other experimental. For Study 1, a randomized sample of 453 respondents from Pakistan is utilized, and data is analyzed using SEM (Structural Equation Modeling) techniques. In Study 2, this study employed an EEG emotive insight device, offering valuable insights into the factors associated with psychological ownership. This experimental approach allows exploring the neuro-marketing perspective of players engaging in playful consumption activities.

Findings

The research findings demonstrated multiple positive associations with psychological ownership (PO). Perceived control, competitive resistance, emotions, customer participation, personality and performance all exhibited significant positive correlations with PO. Furthermore, the study highlighted that game performance has the capacity to enhance feelings of happiness among participants.

Practical implications

This study offers innovative insights into the mechanisms that underpin consumer happiness and serves as a reliable guide for policymakers, applied psychologists, consumers and marketers who play a role in shaping the future in the domain of happiness and well-being through playful consumption experiences.

Originality/value

This study offers new insights into the processes that drive consumer happiness and provides a vigorous guide for policymakers, applied psychologists, consumers and marketers who shape the futures in the field of happiness and well-being through playful consumption experience.
Understanding small and medium enterprises’ behavioral intention to adopt social commerce: a perceived value perspective
Authors: Gupta Parul , Zhang Fangfang , Chauhan Sumedha , Goyal Sandeep , Bhardwaj Amit Kumar , Gajpal Yuvraj
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the factors (Stimuli) enhancing perceived utilitarian, social and conditional values (Organisms) of social commerce (s-commerce) platforms and their impact on small and medium enterprises’ (SMEs’) behavioral intention (Response) to adopt s-commerce.

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data were gathered from 304 Indian SMEs using s-commerce platforms. Data were analyzed using SmartPLS 3 software.

Findings

The results indicated that perceived values significantly impact SMEs’ behavioral intention to adopt s-commerce. Among conditional, utilitarian and social values, the conditional value of s-commerce sites was found to be the strongest motivator for SMEs to adopt s-commerce.

Research limitations/implications

This research contributes to the growing literature on s-commerce, explaining how perceived value influences the decision of SMEs to adopt s-commerce platforms.

Practical implications

Among the significant influencers, perceived usefulness and perceived reputation were found to be the most effective triggers that stimulate perceived values of s-commerce sites. The findings draw due attention from policymakers toward environmental cues such as the legal and regulatory environment, which are instrumental in creating the most important perceived value for SMEs, i.e. conditional value.

Originality/value

By employing the inputs from the theory of consumption values and the Stimulus-Organism-Response framework, this original study looked beyond the technology factors and examined the role of perceived values of s-commerce platforms in shaping SMEs’ behavioral intention to adopt.
The role of forensic accounting skills in fraud detection and the moderating effect of CAATTs application: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Al Natour Abdul Rahman , Al-Mawali Hamzah , Zaidan Hala , Said Yasmeen Hany Zaky
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of forensic accounting skills in enhancing auditor’s self-efficacy towards fraud detection in Egypt. Additionally, it explores the moderating effect of computer-assisted audit techniques and tools (CAATTs) application on the relationship between accounting and auditing skills and auditor’s self-efficacy, as well as its role in enhancing fraud detection.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey was developed and distributed to 117 external auditors working in Egypt. Partial least square structural equation modelling is used to examine the study hypotheses.

Findings

The results show a significant direct relationship between effective communication skills, psycho-social skills, accounting and auditing skills and an auditor’s self-efficacy. Additionally, the results show a significant direct relationship between auditor’s self-efficacy and fraud detection. It is revealed that CAATTs application moderate the relationship between auditor’s self-efficacy and fraud detection. In contrast, the results do not show a significant relationship between technical and analytical skills and auditor’s self-efficacy.

Originality/value

The originality of this research paper lies in its exploration of the role of forensic accounting skills in enhancing auditor’s self-efficacy towards fraud detection in Egypt. It sheds light on the role of improved auditor’s self-efficacy in detecting fraud. Additionally, this study further enhances the understanding of the potential benefits of using technological advancements in the audit process. It provides insights for accounting professionals and regulatory bodies in Egypt, highlighting the importance of leveraging forensic accounting skills and using CAATTs to enhance fraud detection efforts.
The factors affecting employee retention in construction-related small-medium enterprises situating in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon
Authors: Sang-rit Norawit , Gilitwala Bhumiphat
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to determine the factors influencing employee retention working in construction-related small-medium enterprises (SMEs) in Krung Thep Maha Nakhon. The study contributes to the construction site manager getting insight into employees' desired goals in the workplace. Furthermore, the study provided information about the diversity of generations (age groups), income levels and educational levels of employees working in the construction industry in the Krung Thep area.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher decided to investigate a sample size of 386 respondents based on the target population. A purposive sampling method was selected by giving out questionnaires to the respondents employed in construction-related SMEs in Krung Thep. The questions comprised two major parts, which are demographic questions and measuring variables relevant to the independent variables.

Findings

The study's aim of findings is to investigate the factors that retain the employees who are pursuing their careers in construction-related SMEs. The findings of this research are to unveil that task interdependence significantly contributes to agile working. Lastly, employee retention is significantly affected by agile working among employees in an organisation.

Research limitations/implications

This research only studies factors influencing employee retention among those of all ranges of ages, incomes and educational levels working in construction-related SMEs. The researcher collected data on the income level, age group and educational level of employees to use for further study.

Originality/value

The study is about determining the factor that affects agile working and employee retention among those working in construction-related SMEs.
The general method of the tanker car mouth pose measurement
Authors: Zhou Yang , Wang Long , Lai Yongbin , Wang Xiaolong
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The coupling process between the loading mechanism and the tank car mouth is a crucial step in the tank car loading process. The purpose of this paper is to design a method to accurately measure the pose of the tanker car.

Design/methodology/approach

The collected image is first subjected to a gray enhancement operation, and the black parts of the image are extracted using Otsu’s threshold segmentation and morphological processing. The edge pixels are then filtered to remove outliers and noise, and the remaining effective points are used to fit the contour information of the tank car mouth. Using the successfully extracted contour information, the pose information of the tank car mouth in the camera coordinate system is obtained by establishing a binocular projection elliptical cone model, and the pixel position of the real circle center is obtained through the projection section. Finally, the binocular triangulation method is used to determine the position information of the tank car mouth in space.

Findings

Experimental results have shown that this method for measuring the position and orientation of the tank car mouth is highly accurate and can meet the requirements for industrial loading accuracy.

Originality/value

A method for extracting the contours of various types of complex tanker mouth is proposed. This method can accurately extract the contour of the tanker mouth when the contour is occluded or disturbed. Based on the binocular elliptic conical model and perspective projection theory, an innovative method for measuring the pose of the tanker mouth is proposed, and according to the space characteristics of the tanker mouth itself, the ambiguity of understanding is removed. This provides a new idea for the automatic loading of ash tank cars.
What constitutes citizens' recycling behavior: insights from handling municipal solid waste in the UAE
Authors: Alremeithi Alya Ateeq , Riaz Zainab , Khan Mehmood
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate recycling behavior (RB) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to identify factors in the lack of citizen participation in recycling and to form strategies to raise awareness of and encourage positive recycling practices.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on stakeholder theory, a panel of 15 experts and 15 families was interviewed to develop a model of seven constructs and their 29 indicators. Based on the responses generated, a questionnaire was developed and tested. The survey was distributed to 106 waste management professionals. Their responses regarding the influence of regulatory promotion tactics, awareness raising, situational facilitators, motivators and synergistic habits on citizens' RB were analyzed using the structural equation modeling technique.

Findings

Several factors govern the citizens' behavior regarding recycling municipal solid waste in the UAE. The most significant governing determinants of RB observed were laws and regulations, willingness to sort and recycle and benefits of recycling. Seven constructs and their 29 indicators were studied, and the findings indicated that strategies such as creating awareness, introducing operative waste control facilities and implementing fines and regulations could improve RB in the UAE. The structural model showcased a relationship between the primary constructs and RB; hence, these constructs can directly affect waste management.

Originality/value

To support these findings, validation of the results from other countries and contrasting employees' RB is needed. The present study draws empirical insights into RB from a stakeholder perspective, which could be compared to RB across other cultures and countries.
Flow behavior during solder/Cu column friction plunge micro-welding
Authors: Zhao Zhili , Zhang Mingqiang , Meng Xi , Li Zhenkun , Li Jiazhe , Qiu Luying , Ren Zeyu
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The author proposed a friction plunge micro-welding (FPMW) method and applied it to column grid array packaging to realize the connection of copper columns without precision molds assisted positioning. The purpose of this paper is to study the flow behavior of the solder undergoing frictional thermo-mechanical action during the FPMW and to determine the source of the solders in the micro-zones with different microstructure characteristics near the solder/Cu column friction interface.

Design/methodology/approach

Three kinds of Sn58Bi/SAC305 and SAC305/Pb90Sn composite solder samples were designed to study the flow behavior of the solder during FPMW using Bi and Pb as tracer elements.

Findings

The results show that most of the solders in the position occupied by the copper column was softened and plasticized during the welding process and was extruded to side of the copper column, flowing axially, circumferentially and radially along a trajectory similar to a conical spiral line. Under the drive of the tangential friction force and the radial hold-tight force, the extruded out visco-plastic solders fully mixed with the visco-plastic solders on the sides of the copper column, and bonded with the solders that deformed plastically on the periphery, so that a stir zone and a dynamic recrystallization zone finally evolved. The outside plastically deformed solders evolved into a thermo-mechanical affected zone.

Originality/value

The flow behavior of the solder during the FPMW was determined, as well as the source of the solders in micro-zones with different microstructure characteristics.
Early wetting and interfacial behavior of Sn-based solder on copper substrates with different roughness
Authors: Han Yuzhu , Chen Jieshi , Zhang Shuye , Yu Zhishui
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of solder composition and roughness on early wetting behavior and interfacial reaction under atmospheric conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

High-speed photography is used to observe the early wetting and spreading process of the solder on the substrate in real time. The morphology of intermetallic compounds (IMCs) was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the composition of IMCs micro bumps was determined by energy dispersive spectroscopy.

Findings

With a roughness range of 0.320–0.539 µm, the solder is distributed in an elliptical trilinear pattern along the grinding direction. With a roughness range of 0.029–0.031 µm, the solder spreads in the direction of grinding and perpendicular, forming a perfect circle (except in the case of Sn63Pb37 solder). The effect of three types of solder on early wettability is Sn63Pb37 > Sn96.5Ag3Cu0.5 > Sn. The wetting behavior is consistent with the Rn∼t model. The rapid spreading stage (Stage I) is controlled by the interfacial reaction with n1 values between 2.4 and 4. The slow spreading stage (stage II) is controlled by diffusion with n2 values between 4 and 6.7. The size of Cu6Sn5 formed on a rough substrate is greater than that produced on a smooth substrate.

Originality/value

Investigating the effect of solder composition and roughness on early wettability. This will provide a powerful guide in the field of soft brazing.
Predicting sub‐continental fuel hazard under future climate and rising atmospheric CO2 concentration
Authors: Yang Jinyan , Teckentrup Lina , Inbar Assaf , Knauer Jürgen , Jiang Mingkai , Medlyn Belinda , Price Owen , Bradstock Ross , Boer Matthias M.
Published: September 2023

Bushfire fuel hazard is determined by the type, amount, density and three‐dimensional distribution of plant biomass and litter. The fuel hazard represents a biological control on fire danger and may change in the future with plant growth patterns. Rising atmospheric CO2 concentration (Ca) stimulates plant productivity (‘fertilisation effect’) but also alters climate, leading to a ‘climatic effect’. Both effects have impacts on future vegetation and thus fuel hazard. Quantifying these effects is an important component of predicting future fire regimes and evaluating fire management options.

Here, we combined a machine learning algorithm that incorporates the power of large fine spatial resolution (i.e. 90 m) datasets with a novel optimality model that accounts for the climatic and fertilisation effects on vegetation cover. We demonstrated the usefulness and practicality of this framework by predicting fuel hazard across the state of Victoria in Australia. We fitted and evaluated the models with long‐term (i.e. 20 years), ground‐based fuel observations.

The models achieved strong agreement with observations across the fuel hazard range (accuracy >65%). We found fuel hazard increased more in dry environments due to future climate and Ca. The contribution of the ‘fertilisation effect’ to future fuel hazard varied spatially by up to 12%.

The predictions of future fuel hazard are directly useful to inform fire mitigation policies and as a reference for climate model projections to account for fire impacts.

Synthesis and applications: Climate change and rising Ca have profound impacts on vegetation and thus fuel load. Operational fire management and future fire risk forecasts will benefit from our realistic fuel load prediction framework that incorporates plant responses and fine soil and terrain attributes.
Mechanistic partitioning of species richness in diverse tropical forest tree communities with immigration and temporal environmental stochasticity
Authors: Fung Tak , Takashina Nao , Chisholm Ryan A.
Published: September 2023

Hyperdiverse tropical forest tree communities illustrate a fundamental problem in ecology: How can many species coexist given relatively few limiting resources? Neutral theory provides a solution by positing that species have equal fitness and hence drift to extinction slowly. However, neutral theory seriously under‐predicts temporal changes in species abundances. This can be remedied by breaking neutrality and adding temporal environmental stochasticity (TES), but the mechanisms mediating the effects of TES on species richness remain unclear. Here, we make progress by analysing a local community model with species competing for a common resource under TES, to derive formulae partitioning species richness according to different mechanisms.

By applying our formulae to generic parameter sets for tropical forest tree communities, we found that when the autocorrelation time of TES was short, the dominant mechanism driving species richness was non‐linear averaging of the interspecific competition term over time, which reduced the typical strength of interspecific competition and boosted richness relative to the neutral case. However, greater immigration to the community resulted in more species and hence weaker non‐linear averaging due to the law of large numbers. In contrast, when the autocorrelation time of TES was long, the dominant mechanism driving species richness was strong selection between changes in environmental conditions, which increased the typical strength of interspecific competition and reduced richness relative to the neutral case.

By applying our formulae to a specific parameter set for a tropical forest tree community in Panama, we found that TES had minor effects on species richness because (i) the immigration rate was sufficiently large for non‐linear averaging of the interspecific competition term to be weak and (ii) the autocorrelation time was sufficiently short to suppress the effects of selection.

Synthesis. We provide a novel mechanistic explanation of how TES affects tree species richness in tropical forests, in particular how TES often has minor effects on richness despite having substantial effects on temporal changes in species abundances. This provides a deeper insight into why a neutral model with added TES can accurately capture static and dynamic aspects of tree community diversity in the tropics.
High‐quality genome of a pioneer mangrove Laguncularia racemosa explains its advantages for intertidal zone reforestation
Authors: Zhu Ranran , Shao Shao , Xie Wei , Guo Zixiao , He Ziwen , Li Yulong , Wang Wenqing , Zhong Cairong , Shi Suhua , Xu Shaohua
Published: September 2023

Ecological restoration of mangrove ecosystems that became susceptible to recent habitat perturbations is crucial for tropical coast conservation. The white mangrove Laguncularia racemosa, a pioneer species inhabiting intertidal environments of the Atlantic East Pacific (AEP) region, has been used for reforestation in China for decades. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its fast growth and high adaptive potential remain unknown. Using PacBio single‐molecule real‐time sequencing, we completed a high‐quality L. racemosa genome assembly covering 1105 Mb with scaffold N50 of 3.46 Mb. Genomic phylogeny shows that L. racemosa invaded intertidal zones during a period of global warming. Multi‐level genomic convergence analyses between L. racemosa and three native dominant mangrove clades show that they experienced convergent changes in genes involved in nutrient absorption and high salinity tolerance. This may explain successful L. racemosa adaptation to stressful intertidal environments after introduction. Without recent whole‐genome duplications or activated transposable elements, L. racemosa has retained many tandem gene duplications. Some of them are involved in auxin biosynthesis, intense light stress and cold stress response pathways, associated with L. racemosa's ability to grow fast under high light or cold conditions when used for reforestation. In summary, our study identifies shared mechanisms of intertidal environmental adaptation and unique genetic changes underlying fast growth in mangrove‐unfavourable conditions and sheds light on the molecular mechanisms of the white mangrove utility in ecological restoration.
Core taxa drive microeukaryotic community stability of a deep subtropical reservoir after complete mixing
Authors: Xue Yuanyuan , Chen Huihuang , Xiao Peng , Jin Lei , Logares Ramiro , Yang Jun
Published: September 2023

Microeukaryotes are key for predicting the change of ecosystem processes in the face of a disturbance. However, their vertical responses to multiple interconnected factors caused by water mixing remain unknown. Here, we conducted a 12‐month high‐frequency study to compare the impacts of mixing disturbances on microeukaryotic community structure and stability over different depths in a stratified reservoir. We demonstrate that core and satellite microeukaryotic compositions and interactions in surface waters were not resistant to water mixing, but significantly recovered. This was because the water temperature rebounded to the pre‐mixing level. Core microeukaryotes maintained community stability in surface waters with high recovery capacity after water mixing. In contrast, the changes in water temperature, chlorophyll‐a, and nutrients resulted in steep and prolonged variations in the bottom core and satellite microeukaryotic compositions and interactions. Under low environmental fluctuation, the recovery of microbial communities did not affect nutrient cycling in surface waters. Under high environmental fluctuation, core and satellite microeukaryotic compositions in bottom waters were significantly correlated with the multi‐nutrient cycling index. Our findings shed light on different mechanisms of plankton community resilience in reservoir ecosystems to a major disturbance over depths, highlighting the role of bottom microeukaryotes in nutrient cycling.
Acoustic communities in an environmental gradient from native to urban areas in Central Brazil
Authors: Araujo Angela Dutra , Machado Ricardo Bomfim
Published: September 2023

As urban areas expand due to increasing human populations, natural habitats are diminishing in quantity and quality. We conducted a study to examine the response of diurnal acoustic communities along a gradient of environments, ranging from native to dense urban areas. We hypothesized that acoustic indices would decline with urbanization, transitioning from natural and rural areas to urban environments. We conducted the research in and around Brasília, Central Brazil. We deployed 24 digital recorders in native, rural, low‐density and high‐density urban areas. We employed five commonly used acoustic indices (ADI, ACI, NDSI, H and BI) to characterize the acoustic communities and represent the existing biodiversity numerically. We initially compared the index values across different land use types using a non‐parametric rank sum test. Subsequently, we selected eight landscape metrics and performed a principal component analysis to summarize the surrounding matrix at each sampling point. We then employed generalized linear models to determine if the acoustic indices exhibited the anticipated variations. The results indicated significant variations in all indices among the different land use types, indicating their responsiveness to distinct acoustic communities and environmental characteristics. ADI, H and NDSI exhibited declining values from native to urban areas, while ACI and BI displayed the opposite trend. These findings underscore the influence of landscape structure on acoustic indices. Consequently, we concluded that adopting appropriate landscape planning, mainly through integrating natural and urban areas, could help preserve biodiversity in tropical urban regions.
Association between acetaminophen use and vitiligo in US women and men
Authors: Sachar M. , Lin B. M. , Wong V. , Li W. , Huang V. , Harris J. , Ezzedine K. , Cho E. , Qureshi A. A.
Published: September 2023

Background/Objectives

Exposure to chemical phenols, which can act as tyrosine analogues and result in anti‐melanocyte autoimmunity, has been associated with vitiligo. Acetaminophen (N‐acetyl‐p‐aminophenol) is an over‐the‐counter analgesic of phenolic origin. The risk of vitiligo with systemic exposure to acetaminophen has not yet been evaluated.

Methods

We examined the risk of vitiligo with regular use acetaminophen in women, the Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and in men, the Health Professionals Follow‐up Study (HPFS). Regular acetaminophen use was asked biennially from 1990 in NHS and from 1986 in HPFS, and the year of clinician‐diagnosed vitiligo was asked retrospectively in 2012 in the cohorts.

Results

In NHS, a total of 161 vitiligo cases were identified during a follow‐up of 571,724 person‐years; in HPFS, a total of 183 vitiligo cases were identified during a follow‐up of 680,313 person‐years. Regular use of acetaminophen was associated with an increased vitiligo risk in NHS but not HPFS. The multivariable relative risk (RR) was 1.52 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03–2.25) in NHS and 1.09 (95% CI 0.76–1.55) in HPFS. The higher risk of vitiligo was similar by duration of acetaminophen use in women; the multivariable RRs were 1.47 (95% CI 0.98–2.21) for acetaminophen use under 5 years, and 1.78 (95% CI 1.11–2.84) for acetaminophen use over 5 years.

Conclusions

Acetaminophen may be associated with a higher risk of vitiligo in women.
Colorectal adenomatous and serrated polyps in rural South Australia: who, why, what and where?
Authors: Watson Matthew M. ,   South Australian Rural Surgical Research Group, Watson Dianne C. , Maddern Guy J. , Wichmann Matthias W.
Published: September 2023

Backgrounds

The adenoma‐carcinoma and serrated pathways offer a window of opportunity for the removal of pre‐malignant polyps and prevention of colorectal cancer (CRC) through the use of colonoscopy. The aim of this study was to investigate variation in polyp incidence in different age groups, gender and indications for undertaking colonoscopy. We also address histological types of polyps found and where in the bowel they are located.

Methods

This study is based on the colonoscopy data collected prospectively over a one‐year period in multiple South Australian rural centres, 24 general surgeons contributed to this study. All histopathology results were subsequently entered into the dataset.

Results

A total of 3497 colonoscopies were performed, with a total of 2221 adenomatous and serrated polyps removed. Both serrated and adenomatous polyps were more common in the distal colon. Patients of male gender, aged 70 years and over and with an indication of polyp surveillance had higher adenoma and serrated polyp detection rates (ADR and SPDR). Patients aged 40–49 years old who underwent colonoscopy for positive faecal occult blood had an ADR and SPDR of 25.0% and 6.3%, respectively.

Conclusions

This study has shown variation in ADR and SPDR depending on age, gender and indication for colonoscopy. This variation will help further develop key performance indicators in colonoscopy. The high ADR and SPDR in patients aged 40–49 years old whom underwent colonoscopy for positive faecal occult blood may support lowering the age of commencement of CRC screening in Australia.
Adenomyoma of the small intestine in children: a 12‐year experience in a tertiary referral center
Authors: Li Yunpeng , Wang Dayong , Liu Tingting , Li Xianling , Li Shuanling , Wang Li , Chen Long , Liang Yiyuan , Xu Liyuan , Shen Qiulong
Published: September 2023

Background

Adenomyoma of the small intestine is rare in children and the clinical characteristics is not clear. The study was to document the clinical characteristics and treatment of children with adenomyoma of the small intestine.

Methods

A retrospective study was conducted in children with intestinal adenomyoma from 2010 to 2022. We recorded age, gender, symptoms, location, tumour size and treatment options.

Results

Thirteen patients with adenomyoma of the small bowel were included. The median age was 20 months with a male‐to‐female ratio of 10:3 and more than half of the patients were younger than 2 years old. The mean tumour size was 2.0 cm. The lesion was found accidentally in one patient, and the others presented with symptoms of intussusception. A pathological lead point was found on ultrasound in seven patients. All tumours were located in the ileum, ranging from 24 to 260 cm proximal to the ileocecal valve. The tumour was found in an antimesenteric site in eight patients. Three patients suffered intestinal necrosis, and segmental resection of the ileum was performed. Three patients without intestinal necrosis underwent tumour rection, while intestinal resection and anastomosis were performed in the remaining seven. All patients recovered well except one, who developed intussusception 7 days after surgery; that patient underwent surgery and recovered uneventfully.

Conclusions

Adenomyoma of the small intestine has a male predominance in children and intussusception is a common presentation. The ultrasound feature is a mass of mixed echogenicity containing several small cystic areas. Surgery is the primary treatment option and the procedure should be chosen based on intraoperative findings.
Analysis of postoperative exodrift according to surgical methods for intermittent exotropia
Authors: Joo Hye Jun , Choi Dong Gyu
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to compare the periods for exodrift stabilization and the long‐term surgical outcomes among different surgical methods in intermittent exotropia.

Methods

The medical records of 350 patients who had undergone intermittent exotropia correcting surgery [unilateral lateral rectus recession–medial rectus resection (R&R, n = 221), bilateral lateral rectus recession (BLR, n = 51) and unilateral lateral rectus recession (ULR, n = 78)] with a postoperative follow‐up period of 1.5 years or more were retrospectively reviewed. The deviation angles every 6 months after surgery, periods of exodrift stabilization and surgical outcomes were analysed. The period of postoperative exodrift stabilization was defined as when exodrift was no longer significantly different from that at the next visit (p > 0.05). An alignment of 5 PD (prism diopters) esotropia to 10 PD exotropia at a distance and near fixation was considered surgical success.

Results

The mean angle of exodeviation was significantly different among surgical procedures at postoperative 1 month (BLR > ULR > R&R, p < 0.001); however, there were no differences among the procedures at 6 months (p = 0.088). The periods of exodrift stabilization were 6 months after ULR, 1 year after BLR and 4.5 years after R&R. The surgical success and reoperation rates did not show significant differences among procedures at the final follow‐up.

Conclusion

Patients undergoing R&R showed smaller exodeviation shortly after surgery but required a longer period to stabilize the exodrift. Following ULR, exodeviation was larger in the early postoperative period, but the exodrift was stabilized earlier. Therefore, the long‐term surgical outcomes were similar among ULR, BLR and R&R.
Comparative study showed that children faced a 78% higher risk of new‐onset conditions after they had COVID‐19
Authors: Di Chiara Costanza , Barbieri Elisa , Chen Yu Xi , Visonà Elisa , Cavagnis Sara , Sturniolo Giulia , Parca Agnese , Liberati Cecilia , Cantarutti Luigi , Lupattelli Angela , Le Prevost Marthe , Corrao Giovanni , Giaquinto Carlo , Donà Daniele , Cantarutti Anna
Published: September 2023

Aim

Children have largely been unaffected by severe COVID‐19 compared to adults, but data suggest that they may have experienced new conditions after developing the disease. We compared outcomes in children who had experienced COVID‐19 and healthy controls.

Methods

A retrospective nested cohort study assessed the incidence rate of new‐onset conditions after COVID‐19 in children aged 0–14 years. Data were retrieved from an Italian paediatric primary care database linked to Veneto Region registries. Exposed children with a positive nasopharyngeal swab were matched 1:1 with unexposed children who had tested negative. Conditional Cox regression was fitted to estimate the adjusted hazard ratios (aHR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the exposure and outcome associations after adjusting for covariates.

Results

We compared 1656 exposed and 1656 unexposed children from 1 February 2020 to 30 November 2021. The overall excess risk for new‐onset conditions after COVID‐19 was 78% higher in the exposed than unexposed children. We found significantly higher risks for some new conditions in exposed children, including mental health issues (aHR 1.8, 95% CI 1.1–3.0) and neurological problems (aHR 2.4, 95% CI 1.4–4.1).

Conclusion

Exposed children had a 78% higher risk of developing new conditions of interest after COVID‐19 than unexposed children.
Cirrhotic cardiomyopathy influences clinical outcomes and enhances performance of conventional risk prediction models in acute‐on‐chronic liver failure with severe sepsis
Authors: Kajal Kamal , Premkumar Madhumita , Izzy Manhal , Kulkarni Anand V. , Duseja Ajay Kumar , Divyaveer Smita , Loganathan Sekar , Sihag Bhupendra , Gupta Ankur , Bahl Ajay , Rathi Sahaj , Taneja Sunil , De Arka , Verma Nipun , Sharma Navneet , Kaur Harpreet , Zohmangaihi Deepy , Kumar Vishesh , Bhujade Harish , Chaluvashetty Sreedhara B. , Kalra Naveen
Published: September 2023

Background

Point‐of‐care echocardiography (POC‐Echo) is an essential intensive care hemodynamic monitoring tool.

Aims

To assess POC‐Echo parameters [i.e., cardiac index (CI), systemic vascular resistance index (SVRI) and cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM) markers] and serum biomarkers in predicting circulatory failure (need for vasopressors) and mortality in patients with acute‐on‐chronic liver failure (ACLF) having sepsis‐induced hypotension.

Methods

We performed serial POC‐Echo within 6 hours (h) of presentation and subsequently at 24, 48 and 72 h in patients with ACLF and sepsis‐induced hypotension admitted to our liver intensive care unit. Clinical data, POC‐Echo data and serum biomarkers were collected prospectively.

Results

We enrolled 120 patients [59% men, aged 49 ± 12 years, 56% alcohol‐related disease and median MELDNa of 30 (27–32)], of whom 68 (56.6%) had circulatory failure, with overall mortality of 60%. CCM was present in 52.5%. The predictors of circulatory failure were CI (aHR −1.5; p = 0.021), N‐terminal brain natriuretic peptide (aHR −1.1; p = 0.007) and CCM markers; e′ septal mitral velocity (aHR −0.5; p = 0.039) and E/e′ ratio (aHR −1.2; p = 0.045). Reduction in CI by 20% and SVRI by 15% at 72 h predicted mortality with a sensitivity of 84% and 72%, and specificity 76% and 65%, respectively (p < 0.001). The MELD‐CCM model and CLIF‐CCM model were computed as MELDNa + 1.815 × E/e′ (septal) + 0.402 × e′ (septal) and CLIF‐C ACLF + 1.815 × E/e′ (septal) + 0.402 × e′ (septal), respectively, based on multivariable logistic regression. Both scores outperformed MELDNa (z‐score = −2.073, p = 0.038) and CLIF‐C ACLF score (z score = −2.683, p‐value = 0.007), respectively, in predicting 90‐day mortality.

Conclusion

POC‐Echo measurements such as CCM markers (E/e' and e' velocity) and change in CI reliably predict circulatory failure and mortality in ACLF with severe sepsis. CCM markers significantly enhanced the CLIF‐C ACLF and MELDNa predictive performance.
Human papillomavirus vaccine impact on invasive cervical cancer in Japan: Preliminary results from cancer statistics and the MINT study
Authors: Onuki Mamiko , Takahashi Fumiaki , Iwata Takashi , Nakazawa Hiroshi , Yahata Hideaki , Kanao Hiroyuki , Horie Koji , Konnai Katsuyuki , Nio Ai , Takehara Kazuhiro , Kamiura Shoji , Tsuda Naotake , Takei Yuji , Shigeta Shogo , Matsumura Noriomi , Yoshida Hiroyuki , Motohara Takeshi , Yamazaki Hiroyuki , Nakamura Keiichiro , Hamanishi Junzo , Tasaka Nobutaka , Ishikawa Mitsuya , Hirashima Yasuyuki , Kudaka Wataru , Mori‐Uchino Mayuyo , Kukimoto Iwao , Fujii Takuma , Watanabe Yoh , Noda Kiichiro , Yoshikawa Hiroyuki , Yaegashi Nobuo , Matsumoto Koji ,   for the MINT Study Group
Published: September 2023

The first prophylactic vaccine against human papillomavirus (HPV) 16 and HPV18 was licensed in Japan in 2009. HPV vaccine effectiveness against high‐grade cervical lesions has been demonstrated among young Japanese women, but evidence of its effects on invasive cervical cancer (ICC) is lacking. Using data from two different cancer registries, we compared recent trends of new ICC cases by age group using Poisson regression analysis. We also analyzed time trends in HPV16/18 prevalence among 1414 Japanese women aged <40 years newly diagnosed with ICC in the past decade. Based on the population‐based cancer registry, the incidence of ICC among young women aged 20–29 years showed a significant decline from 3.6 to 2.8 per 100 000 women‐years during 2016–2019, but no similar decline was observed for older age groups (p < 0.01). Similarly, using data from the gynecological cancer registry of the Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology, the annual number of ICCs among women aged 20–29 years also decreased from 256 cases to 135 cases during 2011–2020 (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, a declining trend in HPV16/18 prevalence in ICC was observed only among women aged 20–29 years during 2017–2022 (90.5%–64.7%, p = 0.05; Cochran–Armitage trend test). This is the first report to suggest population‐level effects of HPV vaccination on ICC in Japan. Although the declining trend in HPV16/18 prevalence among young women with ICC supports a causal linkage between vaccination and results from cancer registries, further studies are warranted to confirm that our findings are attributable to vaccination.