bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Are universities engaging in social washing? Rethinking the presentation of university sustainability reports
Authors: Lee Yi-Chih
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The social dimension of sustainable development has garnered increasing attention. As universities embrace their social responsibility and consider the interests of various stakeholders, the potential issue of social washing has emerged as a critical topic. This study aims to investigate the presence of social washing in university sustainability reports.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines three key stakeholder elements: full-time faculty salaries, weekly teaching hours for full-time faculty and hourly wages for part-time faculty. A content analysis was conducted on the 2022 sustainability reports published by all private universities registered in Taiwan.

Findings

Results indicate that only 30% of private universities published independent sustainability reports for 2022, and of those, only 62.5% adhered to global reporting initiative guidelines. The study raises concerns about selective disclosure and the concealment of negative information, suggesting the possibility of social washing. This investigation offers an overview of social washing in the sustainability reports of higher education institutions, thereby contributing to the academic discourse on comprehensive and transparent communication with stakeholders.

Social implications

Universities should take into account the interests of stakeholders and embrace greater social responsibility in their sustainability initiatives. This study analyzes the content of university sustainability reports and encourages higher education institutions to foster balanced communication with their stakeholders.

Originality/value

Social washing is difficult to detect. This study uses objective indicators to assist higher education institutions in identifying potential social washing behaviors and provides guidance for universities to avoid misleading communication in their sustainability reports.
Learning for sustainability in higher education institutions: a theoretical evaluation of a construction framework
Authors: de Campos Junges Vanessa , Alves Pacheco de Campos Simone , Gallon Shalimar , Goi Becker Rúbia
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to propose a framework for constructing a sustainable higher education institution (HEI) from the perspective of transformative learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This literature review focused on the construction framework, using themes of transformative learning approach and learning cycles and transitions approach.

Findings

This study reviews the articulation between the levels of transformative learning (instrumental, conventional, green and sustainable HEIs) and learning cycles (single-loop, double-loop and deutero-learning). The study explores how the maturity of HEI, process until it achieves higher levels of sustainability. However, positioning a HEI on a macroscale level is utopian as it represents an ideal type, using Max Weber’s terminology, which can only be overcome through deep institutional changes driven by sustainable concerns.

Research limitations/implications

The limitations of the framework, links to the limited number of studies that applied the I3E model – acronym for inform, engage, empower and embed – (Cebrián, 2016) and the lack of deepening of the four elements proposed to understand the process of sustainable management. The article expands on the literature by proposing ways for HEIs to engage toward a paradigm shift and a critical-based sustainable transformation.

Practical implications

This article provides an integrated approach for incorporating sustainable practice concerns into education, management, research and university–society relations. In addition, the results provide policymakers in HEIs with an understanding that transformative learning guides protocols to address challenging sustainability issues, in addition to new perspectives, approaches and understandings that bring the maturity levels of HEIs closer to an ideal sustainability model.

Originality/value

The study opens space for new research to be conducted, investigating how progress occurs in the face of sustainability and how it can be improved, in addition to serving for HEIs as a guide to actually becoming spaces where there is greater awareness, social justice, ethics and critical thinking. By using the transition to sustainability approach, it is possible to view how HEIs move toward a transition, understanding how it is managed and can be improved.
Exploration of global Halal food SMEs research through state approach: bibliometric analysis
Authors: Bahara Rizal , Nur Aidi Muhammad , Syamsu Khaswar , Sunarti Euis , Jayanegara Anuraga , Tieman Marco
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the country’s contribution to research on halal food small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) taken from the Scopus database for 10 years from 2013 to 2022 so that it can provide an overview of the effort that needs to be made by the government to improve research in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

The method used in this study was bibliometric analysis. The data comes from the Scopus database over the past 10 years (2013–2022). To create data visualization and network analysis using VOSviewer, Scimago Graphica, Bibliometrix and MS Excel.

Findings

Research on halal food SMEs has grown by almost 25%, with Malaysia leading with 447 publications. The UK is the leading country in publishing research articles with 44 journals. Malaysia has the most institutions (40 institutions for 25% globally). Malaysia has most research funding agencies (22 for 14% globally). Malaysia has the highest number of citations in halal food SMEs, with 3547 citations, followed by China and Indonesia. Malaysia has also the highest number of collaborating researchers and the most invitations. Future research focuses on sustainability, social issues, Internet of Things technologies, innovative technologies and strategies to increase productivity and competitiveness.

Originality/value

This research is a reference and overview of future research in halal food SMEs with the perspective of a country contribution angle. It provides input to the government on what needs to be done to develop research in the halal field in line with the goal of a country becoming the center of the global halal industry.
The impact of innovation and entrepreneurship competition participation and its team roles on undergraduate students’ leadership
Authors: Yue Ying , Chen Shuzhen , Wang Qirui
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Innovation and entrepreneurship competitions are employed as an important policy tool by the Chinese government and universities to promote entrepreneurship education and training. However, its effect has seldom been verified by empirical studies, especially in students’ leadership development, one of the core objectives of innovative talent cultivation. This study aims to test how undergraduate students’ participation and different team roles in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions can impact their leadership development.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a questionnaire survey of 1,431 undergraduate students, this study used independent sample t-tests to verify the effect of whether to participate or not in innovation and entrepreneurship competitions on their self-reported leadership competence, and furthermore, to verify the effect of different team roles in the competitions on leadership improvement. Then, the propensity score matching method was used to verify whether team role was the most critical factor contributing to differences in leadership improvement.

Findings

The study found that undergraduate students who participated in the innovation and entrepreneurship competitions had significantly higher leadership value-added than non-participants. Among the students who participated in the competition, those who took the role of team leader were significantly better than team members in seven leadership dimensions, including sense of adventure, planning, information processing, problem solving and teamwork. They also differed in some individual educational experiences, family backgrounds and personal traits (especially vigor). The study verified that being a leader was a key factor in the difference of leadership improvement among undergraduate students.

Originality/value

On the one hand, the introduction of the vigor factor into the field of undergraduate student development expands the application space of the theory while verifying the role of vigor traits in students’ leadership behavior. On the other hand, it confirms the nurturing effect of innovation and entrepreneurship competitions in leadership and points out the direction of optimizing the quality of innovation and entrepreneurship education.
Exploring the impact of build direction on overhang design constraints for multiaxis material extrusion
Authors: Beaumont Kieran D. , Kubalak Joseph R. , Williams Christopher B.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Material extrusion (MEX) additive manufacturing often requires support structures to enable manufacture of steep overhanging features. Multi-axis deposition (often enabled by a robotic arm) offers novel toolpath planning methods that can significantly reduce or eliminate supports. However, there is currently a lack of established design guidelines for the process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study investigates the relationship between achievable, support-free overhangs and the multi-axis build direction. Although altering build directions mid-print can increase the layer-to-layer overlap of an overhanging feature, the deposition paths on the overhanging surface may be less supported with respect to gravity. To interrogate these effects, a 6-degree-of-freedom robotic arm MEX platform printed test pieces with overhang angles (relative to the build direction) increasing from 0° to 75° at build directions varying from 0° (i.e., XY-planar) to 60° with respect to the global Z-axis.

Findings

Characterization of printed surface quality revealed no statistically significant difference in the fidelity of the overhanging surface as the build direction was changed. These results suggest that the overhang threshold observed in traditional XY-planar printing (typically 45°) remain consistent regardless of build direction (e.g. a build direction of 60° successfully printed a relative overhang of 45°), indicating that deposition quality was not negatively impacted by gravitational forces.

Originality/value

This study provides insight into how tool orientation can be optimized to maximize part accuracy and minimize support material requirements; after quickly screening for the XY-planar overhang threshold, designers can freely select multi-axis build directions throughout part geometries, provided the overhanging surfaces are below that relative threshold.
Aligning cooperative principles with platform cooperatives: challenges and insights from South Korea’s domestic service sector
Authors: Kim Seon Mi , Jeong Bok Gyo , Eum Hyungsik
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the alignment between platform cooperatives (co-ops) and cooperative principles, with a focus on worker co-op activists’ perceptions and the challenges faced by domestic service co-ops in South Korea.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case study approach was used to examine two major worker co-ops in South Korea’s domestic service sector: the National House Managers’ Association (NHMA) and Life Magic Care Co-op (LMCC).

Findings

This study reveals contrasting perspectives between NHMA and LMCC on integrating platform co-ops with cooperative principles. While NHMA raises concerns about deteriorating working conditions and a diminished sense of community, LMCC’s experience suggests that a well-designed, worker-owned platform can address these issues. However, NHMA’s concerns about the loss of a sense of community and funding challenges remain valid in LMCC’s experience, raising fundamental questions about the cohesion of platform co-ops in maintaining cooperative values. Establishing a sustainable funding mechanism, especially for platform maintenance and marketing, is crucial. Co-op communities must recognize the challenges platform co-ops face in balancing scalability with active member participation and community cohesion and develop strategies to address these issues before launching platform co-ops.

Originality/value

This study highlights the unique challenges of implementing platform technology in domestic worker co-ops and emphasizes the need for innovative strategies to ensure alignment with cooperative values. The research provides key insights for co-ops considering platform adoption, especially in sectors where trust and personal relationships are vital.
ESG practices and investment decisions in private equity funds: recovering debates on business sustainability
Authors: Reis Gustavo Tenorio , Fontes-Filho Joaquim Rubens , Bandeira Mariana Lima
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to show how configurations of the institutional environment, client expectations and fiduciary duty influence private equity (PE) managers in integrating environmental, social and governance (ESG) aspects into the investment decision-making process.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design combined bibliographic and documentary analysis (including the regulatory framework and secondary sector data) with a phenomenological approach, supported by interviews with managers of PE firms and content analysis.

Findings

The findings revealed the impact of the sociocultural environment on the adoption of ESG practices in investment decisions, the perception of international pressures to embrace ESG principles that differ from national needs, and the diversification of strategies implemented due to excessive regulation.

Originality/value

The study’s uniqueness lies in both the phenomenological approach used to comprehend how concerns about ESG practices influence PE fund investment decisions and the identification of factors not typically emphasized in the literature as moderators of this decision-making process.
Hiking tourism: motivation, involvement, satisfaction and loyalty
Authors: Ng Sai-Leung
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the structural relationship between motivation, involvement, satisfaction and loyalty in the context of hiking tourism in Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

This study develops a comprehensive conceptual framework that integrates motivations, satisfaction, loyalty and involvement. A convenience survey of hikers (n = 859) was conducted in Tai Mo Shan Country Park in Hong Kong, from December 2020 to May 2021. The data were analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicated that stimulus–avoidance motive and involvement had direct effects on satisfaction. Stimulus–avoidance, social and competence–mastery motives were correlated with involvement which indirectly affected satisfaction. Loyalty was directly affected by satisfaction and involvement.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by filling the research gap in hiking tourism. It not only provides a novel understanding of tourist behavior but also offers valuable implications for improving hiking experiences and meeting the needs of hikers effectively.
Age over 90 years is an unfavorable prognostic factor for resectable cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Saito‐Sasaki Natsuko , Aoki Megumi , Fujii Kazuyasu , Yamamura Kentaro , Hitaka Taiyo , Hirano Yui , Nishihara Katsuhiko , Fujino Yoshihisa , Matsushita Shigeto
Published: December 2024

The rapid aging of the population has led to an increase in the number of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) cases among the older population. However, the characteristics of these cases remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify the problem by analyzing the clinical characteristics of patients with cSCC aged 90 years and over. In this retrospective study, we analyzed the characteristics of patients aged >90 years with regard to gender, risk factors for cSCC, and disease course, using data from 316 patients with cSCC who underwent surgery at the Kagoshima Medical Centre between October 2014 and September 2022. Patients were separated into two groups based on age: those aged ≥90 years (104 patients) and those aged <90 years (212 patients). Regarding the National Comprehensive Cancer Network risk classification, there was no difference between groups. Univariate, multivariate, and Cox analyses of relapse‐free survival of patients in both groups indicated that the recurrence risk was significantly high among those aged ≥90 years. Patients aged ≥90 years were at higher risk for recurrence, suggesting a need for closer follow‐up than that for patients aged <90 years.
Native cover crops enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services in hazelnut orchards
Authors: Brambila Alejandro , Haring Steven , Brown Ari , Lane‐Massee Marissa , Hallett Lauren M.
Published: December 2024

Agroecological restoration aims to restore biodiversity and ecosystem function in agricultural landscapes while sustaining crop production. Adopting native plants as cover crops may restore ecological value to cropping systems such as nut orchards.

We focused on Oregon hazelnut orchards and compared how four seed mixes (native annuals, native perennials, conventional cover crops and unseeded controls) performed under three levels of orchard floor disturbance (flailing, flailing and scraping, and unmanaged/none) across three different orchard ages with corresponding differences in canopy shade over a 2‐year period.

We evaluated cover crop performance by three criteria: the survival criteria (response to disturbance and shading), the production criteria (effects on weeds, erosion potential and soil moisture) and the ecological functioning criteria (abundance and diversity of native plants and pollinator visitations). We found that native species generally outperformed conventional cover crops and bare ground across these criteria.

Plant survival was not affected by disturbance but shading reduced survival of most species. Native annuals had high cover in the first year, and native perennials had high cover across both years. Native perennial species provided the best weed reduction and erosion control while not reducing soil moisture, and hosted the highest pollinator abundances and diversity.

Synthesis and applications. Our results suggest that agroecological restoration of orchards through native cover cropping is a viable strategy for improving ecological outcomes without compromising production needs.
Teachers' perspectives on including children with disabilities in virtual motor play activities during online learning
Authors: Cheung W. Catherine , Chen Panpan , Ostrosky Michaelene M.
Published: December 2024

Structured motor play is crucial to the motor and social development of children with disabilities. However, many teachers report that including children with disabilities in motor play is challenging, especially during virtual learning. The purpose of this interview study was to explore 26 preschool teachers' perspectives on engaging children with disabilities in motor play in virtual environments and the strategies they used to involve students. Teachers believed that including children with disabilities in virtual motor play activities is important for their physical development, sense of belonging, and exploration of potential. Teachers also indicated that understanding the motor abilities and interests of children with disabilities and making adaptations to support each child during virtual motor play is important. Additionally, seeing therapists as resources for motor play ideas and sharing resources with parents were strategies suggested by participants to facilitate the engagement of children with disabilities in motor play during virtual learning. Findings suggest that an interdisciplinary approach to teaching motor play is crucial for children with disabilities regardless of the service delivery model.
Training Investments and Innovation Gains in Knowledge Intensive Businesses: The Role of Level Firm Human Capital and Knowledge Sharing Climate
Authors: Sheehan Maura , Garavan Thomas , Morley Michael
Published: December 2024

Training investments are important in securing innovation gains. However, research on this relationship in knowledge intensive businesses is nascent. In particular, questions remain concerning what value different types of training hold for different types of innovation, and what mechanisms underpin these relationships. Drawing on human capital resources theory and collective learning theory, we develop and test a model explicating how specific and general training investments, through firm level human capital, lead to incremental and radical innovation. Additionally, we propose and investigate the supposition that the predicted positive relationships between training investments, firm level human capital, and innovation will be stronger when knowledge sharing climate is high. We test our model with two‐wave, multi‐respondent panel data gathered from 816 knowledge intensive businesses in France, Finland, Sweden, and the UK. We find that specific training is positively related to incremental innovation but not radical innovation, whereas general training is positively related to both types of innovation. With respect to firm level human capital, we find that it mediates these relationships and they are stronger when knowledge sharing climate is high. Furthermore, our analysis reveals that knowledge sharing climate moderates both the relationship between the two types of training investments examined and firm level human capital, and the indirect relationship via firm level human capital to incremental and radical innovation. We discuss the implications for theory, research, and practice.
Can We Use Genomic Data to Predict Maladaptation to Environmental Change?
Authors: Rellstab Christian , Keller Stephen R.
Published: December 2024

Climate change is happening fast, maybe too fast for some species and populations to adapt in time. Therefore, practice and science are highly interested in predicting how populations may react to future changes. Such information could be used to identify populations at risk or sources for assisted gene flow. Ideally, such predictions account for intraspecific genetic variation and adaptation. A promising approach is genomic offset, which aims at predicting the disruption to adaptation arising from environmental change. In this issue of Molecular Ecology Resources, Lind and Lotterhos (2024) perform an enormous simulation effort to test the performance of genomic offset under various evolutionary and ecological settings. They show that genomic offset is a valuable approach for predicting fitness under changed environments, but that performance can be reduced under certain conditions, especially under highly novel environments.
Comparing eDNA and Transect Methods for Aquatic Biodiversity Assessment in Lakes and Ponds
Authors: Schwesig Katharina , Zizka Vera , Scherber Christoph , Hölzel Norbert
Published: December 2024

Biodiversity monitoring increasingly relies on molecular methods such as eDNA metabarcoding. However, sound applications have so far been only established for a limited number of taxonomic groups. More information on the strengths and weaknesses of eDNA methods, especially for poorly covered groups, is essential for practical applications to achieve the highest possible reliability. We compared amphibian and Odonata data from eDNA metabarcoding and traditional transect walks on N = 56 plots in 38 water bodies distributed over six extraction sites for building materials in Northwest Germany. The traditional amphibian assessment included visual encounters, dip netting and acoustic detection, while Odonata were assessed through exuviae. In total, both methods detected 8 out of 11 amphibian species, while the remaining three species were detected by eDNA only. We did not find differences in amphibian species numbers per plot, but mean detection probabilities were higher with metabarcoding. In contrast, both methods detected 10 out of 29 Odonata species, while the remaining 19 species were detected by exuviae only. Species numbers per plot were higher for exuviae and only 30% of species were detected with metabarcoding. The species identified by eDNA were those with high abundance, and their detection probabilities were similar to transect walks. The results for amphibians show equal suitability and high complementarity of the compared methods. Metabarcoding detected species more efficiently and therefore offers a suitable protocol for biodiversity monitoring. For Odonata, eDNA metabarcoding showed considerable gaps, implying the need for protocol evaluation and improvement in assessment of ecological communities based on eDNA.
Impact of DLL3 Expression as Prognostic Factor in Extensive Stage of Small Cell Lung Cancer Treated With First‐Line Chemotherapy
Authors: Nam Hohyung , Jung Soon‐Hee , Lee Jii Bum , Kong Jee Hyun , Lim Seungtaek
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is known for its high proliferative rate and poor prognosis. Although Delta‐like ligand 3 (DLL3) is specifically expressed on the surface of SCLC, the association of DLL3 with prognosis in SCLC remains uncertain. Hence, we aimed to evaluate prognostic role of DLL3 in extensive stage of SCLC treated with first‐line chemotherapy.

Materials and Methods

A total of 54 patients with extensive stage of SCLC (ES‐SCLC) who were treated with first‐line chemotherapy were included for our analysis. In addition, tissue specimen should be available for immuno‐histochemical staining for DLL3, and their clinico‐pathologic data, including progression‐free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), were obtained. DLL3 expression and the percentage of tumor cells with DLL3 positive among total cancer cells were analyzed microscopically and DLL3 high and DLL3 low were defined as the percentage of DLL3 positive tumor cells versus total cancer cells ≧ 75% and < 75%, respectively.

Results

DLL3 expression was not associated with any of the clinico‐pathological characteristics such as age at diagnosis, sex, response to first‐line chemotherapy, second‐line chemotherapy (Yes or No), and number of metastatic sites. However, response to first‐line chemotherapy and number of metastatic sites were correlated to PFS, while DLL3 expression and number of metastatic sites were correlated to OS.

Conclusion

DLL3 was highly expressed in SCLC, and not associated with any clinico‐pathological characteristics. In survival outcome, DLL3 was correlated with worse OS, which suggests the prognostic role of DLL3 in ES‐SCLC.
EGFR, TP53, and CUL3 Triple Mutation in Non‐Small Cell Lung Cancer and its Potentially Poor Prognosis: A Case Report and Database Analysis
Authors: Hatano Hiroto , Yoshida Tatsuya , Higashiyama Ryoko , Torasawa Masahiro , Uehara Yuji , Ohe Yuichiro
Published: December 2024

Concurrent mutations in tumor protein p53 (TP53) or Kelch‐like ECH‐associated protein 1‐nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2‐pathway components are linked to poor outcomes in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but the impact of triple mutations remains unclear. We report a case of EGFR‐, TP53‐, and Cullin 3 (CUL3)‐mutant NSCLC in a 43‐year‐old woman with widespread metastases at diagnosis, including those in the contralateral lung, distant lymph nodes, pericardium, liver, bones, left adrenal gland, and brain. She received osimertinib as first‐line therapy, but pericardial effusion and liver metastases progressed rapidly over 3 months, and she was switched to carboplatin and pemetrexed. By the eighth cycle of pemetrexed, the bone metastases had progressed, resulting in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) due to bone marrow carcinomatosis. The patient received third‐line therapy with albumin‐bound paclitaxel and fourth‐line therapy with docetaxel, but further treatment was suspended owing to DIC progression. She passed away 23 months after the initiation of osimertinib. Public database analysis revealed that the EGFR/TP53/CUL3 triple mutation accounts for 0.4% of EGFR‐mutant NSCLC cases, yielding significantly shorter survival than EGFR mutations alone and likely shorter than EGFR/TP53 double mutations. Gaining a deeper understanding of the clinical significance of coexisting genetic mutations in patients with EGFR‐mutant NSCLC will be crucial to develop future therapies.
Control of precision grip in children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure
Authors: Simmons Roger W. , Thomas Jennifer D. , Nguyen Tanya T. , Mattson Sarah N. , Riley Edward P.
Published: December 2024

Background

Fine motor skill deficits have been reported for children with histories of prenatal alcohol exposure, but little is known whether impaired motor skill extends to the regulation of precision grip control.

Methods

Children with (n = 15) and without (n = 17) histories of heavy prenatal alcohol exposure used their dominant hand to grasp, lift, and hold in space a small‐instrumented object with a mass of 19 g. Object mass was also experimentally increased by separately adding two aluminum cubes with mass of 200 and 400 g. Participants completed a block of eight trials for each object mass with the last six trials in each trial block being statistically analyzed. Selected temporal and kinetic parameters of grip force (GF) and load force (LF) were examined to quantitatively index precision grip performance of the two groups.

Results

Compared to typically developing peers, children with prenatal alcohol exposure used excessive and more variable LF and greater GF to lift each object mass, with more finger GF than thumb GF being applied to the apparatus. The GF/LF ratio for the clinical group was greater when lifting the smallest mass load. When holding the object in space, children with prenatal alcohol exposure produced greater GF for the smallest mass load, again with more GF being applied via the finger compared to the thumb.

Conclusions

Children with heavy prenatal alcohol exposure demonstrate force deficits when using precision grip to manipulate an object with three different masses. Chronic irregular precision grip could manifest as a fine motor skill developmental delay that may negatively impact completion of functional activities of daily living requiring grasping an object with the index finger and thumb.
Assessing initial/early aversion‐resistant drinking across male and female alcohol‐preferring and non‐preferring rats
Authors: Haines Kari M. , Smith Nicholle E. , Czachowski Cristine L.
Published: December 2024

Background

One trait of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is continuing to drink despite negative consequences. The current study investigated initial/early aversion‐resistant drinking (ARD) across selectively bred alcohol‐preferring lines to assess aversion resistance with minimal ethanol history and subsequent ethanol‐seeking and drinking profiles. Additionally, ARD was assessed in alcohol‐preferring and non‐preferring rats using a sucrose reinforcer to determine if ARD may be a genetic risk factor for AUD.

Methods

Male and female alcohol‐preferring rats were given four concentrations of quinine (0.03, 0.10, 0.30, and 1.00 g/L—in random order) in an ethanol solution in the homecage for 30 min daily across 12 days. Seeking and drinking were then assessed in the operant chambers. Additional groups of alcohol‐preferring and non‐preferring rats were given access to the same concentrations of quinine‐adulterated sucrose using the same daily, random‐order presentation.

Results

In ethanol, all preferring lines performed similarly, showing resistance to quinine at the lowest concentration. In the homecage, high‐alcohol‐drinking (HAD)1 rats drank high levels of ethanol similar to alcohol‐preferring (P) rats, whereas in an operant task were more similar to the HAD2 rats. In sucrose, P and HAD2 rats were shown to be aversion resistant at low concentrations of quinine compared to baseline. Overall, the non‐preferring lines all demonstrated sensitivity to quinine‐adulterated sucrose.

Conclusions

This study demonstrates alcohol‐preferring lines show similar ARD when ethanol is the reinforcer. Regarding motivated responding, P rats show high‐seeking and drinking behaviors as previously observed. In the homecage, HAD1 rats drink similarly to P rats indicating that different conditions (i.e., free vs. operant access) influence drinking behaviors between these lines. Importantly, in a sucrose reinforcer, alcohol‐preferring rats are more aversion‐resistant than non‐preferring lines, while non‐preferring lines show high sensitivity to aversion, suggesting an overall tendency to demonstrate a low level of compulsive behavior.
Dermoscopy of Scabies: Utility of Polarised and Ultraviolet‐Induced Fluorescence Examination in Fair and Dark Skin
Authors: Errichetti Enzo , Plozner Noemi , Enechukwu Nkechi A. , Bhat Yasmeen J. , Pietkiewicz Paweł , Salwowska Natalia , Zalaudek Iris , Stinco Giuseppe
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Ultraviolet‐based dermoscopy may support the recognition of scabies, yet neither accuracy analyses nor data on skin of colour are available. The aim of this multicentric observational retrospective was to investigate the diagnostic accuracy of polarised and ultraviolet‐induced fluorescence (UVF) dermoscopic examination in both fair and dark skin, also assessing possible differences according to the skin tone.

Methods

Consecutive patients with a diagnosis of scabies were eligible. All the images were randomly evaluated by two independent experienced investigators to identify scabietic findings reported in the literature. Interobserver agreement was evaluated for both polarised and UVF dermoscopic pictures through Cohen's kappa coefficient, while Fisher's exact test with p‐value set at 0.05 was used for comparative analyses between the two settings.

Results

A total of 97 lesions from 43 patients (21 with fair skin and 22 with dark skin) were included. The comparative analysis highlighted a superiority of UVF dermoscopy to detect the burrow (p = 0.003) and scabietic eggs (p = 0.012) in skin of colour, while polarised dermoscopy was more accurate to show the mite in fair skin (p = 0.042). Additionally, a general higher accuracy of both settings in light phototypes was also found, with a higher prevalence (p < 0.05) of typical scabietic findings (i.e., serpiginous white tract, ‘triangle’ sign and grey‐brown outlines of the burrow for polarised dermoscopy and green dot for UVF dermoscopy) compared to dark skin. Kappa values were 0.87 and 0.83 for polarised and UVF‐dermoscopy, respectively.

Conclusions

UVF dermoscopy improves the recognition of scabies, though it should be considered complimentary to polarised light dermoscopic examination to increase diagnostic performance.
Recommendations on supporting neonatology healthcare givers from the French National Society
Authors: Zores Claire , Touzet Marie , Girard Laurence , Caeymaex Laurence , Kuhn Pierre , Berne‐Audeoud Frederique , Zana‐Taïeb Elodie ,   the GREEN study group of the French Neonatal Society
Published: December 2024

Aim

Healthcare givers are exposed to stress and therefore are at risk of the development of pathologies. We aimed to provide recommendations regarding psychosocial risks such as stress, moral distress, burnout syndrome or secondary stress syndrome in neonatal care units to best support neonatal healthcare givers.

Methods

We searched PubMed for articles published from 1 January 2017 to 1 December 2023 by using the keywords burnout OR (moral and distress) AND neonatal unit. Recommendations were developed after internal and external review by a multidisciplinary group including 15 professionals and parent representatives.

Results

We identified 207 studies and developed 15 recommendations based on 118 eligible studies. Recommendations to support neonatology healthcare givers were developed for the individual level, the collective or department level to organise the environment, the training of the team with communication sessions and team cohesion; and the institutional level to respect and organise working time.

Conclusion

Psychosocial risks have consequences for the neonatal healthcare givers themselves and possibly those being cared for. To date, prevention, screening and treatment have been insufficiently developed and explored. In this context, an overall institutional review of the chosen care model is needed.
Non‐visible aspects of ceramics: Archaeological science approaches in Andean pottery studies
Authors: Martínez‐Carrasco Andrea , Gajardo‐Araos Javiera
Published: December 2024

This article examines the history of the application of archaeological science in studies of pre‐Hispanic pottery from the Andes, South America, through academic publications from the 1960s to the present. It details the questions addressed by, analytical tools used for and theoretical underpinnings of investigations into provenance and technology. Two case studies from this literature review illustrate how taking an archaeological science approach to provenance and technology contributes to our understanding of broader socio‐cultural issues. The results underscore the importance of adopting a multidisciplinary approach and highlight significant regional differences in research focus and methodology. The results also emphasize the need for transdisciplinary work and a critical assessment of archaeometric techniques.
Protective Effects of Baicalein and Bergenin Against Gentamicin‐Induced Hepatic and Renal Injuries in Rats: An Immunohistochemical and Biochemical Study
Authors: Ekinci Akdemir Fazile Nur , Yildirim Serkan , Kandemir Fatih Mehmet , Küçükler Sefa , Eraslan Ersen , Güler Mustafa Can
Published: December 2024

Background

Drug‐induced organ toxicity is a significant health concern, with gentamicin known for its effective antibacterial properties but also severe side effects, particularly cytotoxicity in liver and kidney tissues. This current study observed the preventive role of baicalein and bergenin against hepatic and renal injuries caused by gentamicin in rats.

Methods

Thirty‐two male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups, namely, control, gentamicin (gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day), baicalein (gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day + baicalein 100 mg/kg/day) and bergenin (gentamicin 80 mg/kg/day + bergenin 100 mg/kg/day). Hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity were induced by giving gentamicin (80 mg/kg/day). We evaluated the biochemical markers, including alkaline phosphatase (ALP), urea, alanine transaminase (ALT), creatinine and aspartate transaminase (AST) levels, antioxidant enzymes, oxidative stress parameters and histopathological and immunohistochemical changes.

Results

Gentamicin increased oxidative stress parameters and decreased antioxidant activity. The treatment with baicalein and bergenin significantly restored these markers.

Conclusions

Baicalein and bergenin significantly mitigated gentamicin‐induced hepatic and renal toxicity by restoring biochemical markers, reducing oxidative stress and enhancing antioxidant enzyme activity. Histopathological and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed the protective effects of both compounds against organ damage. No statistically significant differences were observed between the two drugs for these parameters. These results suggest their potential as therapeutic agents to prevent gentamicin‐induced organ toxicity.
Moving Ottawa's Department and Agency Reporting Forward: Encouraging Accountability and Sustaining Reform
Authors: Lindquist Evert A.
Published: December 2024

Governments produce a steady stream of data, reports, and other information to ministers, legislators, and the public, and generate enormous flows of administrative data. In the digital era the flows of information generated by departments and agencies have expanded by orders of magnitude. The paradox, though, is that much of this information is never used, but many decision makers believe there is insufficient information to meet their specific needs at any time. This note focuses on two streams of reporting by departments and agencies in the Government of Canada informed by “open government” principles—the streams of information supplied via the Canada InfoBase and other reporting, and the Management Accountability Framework—and considers if they are accessible and useful. After setting out options for making them both more useful, this note argues it will inform the work of spending reviews, Parliamentary committees, and engagement with experts and citizens.
Design, Synthesis, and Evaluation of Novel (−)‐cis‐N‐Normetazocine Derivatives: In Vitro and Molecular Modeling Insights
Authors: Costanzo Giuliana , Coco Alessandro , Cosentino Giuseppe , Patamia Vincenzo , Parenti Carmela , Amata Emanuele , Marrazzo Agostino , Rescifina Antonio , Pasquinucci Lorella
Published: December 2024

Suitable structural modifications of the functional groups at N‐substituent of (−)‐cis‐N‐normetazocine nucleus modulate the affinity and activity profile of related ligands toward opioid receptors. Our research group has developed several compounds and the most interesting ligands, LP1 and LP2, exhibited a dual‐target profile for mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) and delta‐opioid receptor (DOR). Recent structure–affinity relationship studies led to the discovery of novel LP2 analogs (compounds 1 and 2), which demonstrated high MOR affinity in the nanomolar range. Here, we reported the synthesis of the new (−)‐cis‐N‐normetazocine derivatives (3–8) characterized by the absence of the phenyl ring in the N‐substituent compared to all previous reported ligands. Compounds 3 and 4, featuring a methyl ester functional group in the N‐substituent, retained significant MOR affinity and exhibited similar affinity for the kappa‐opioid receptor (KOR). In contrast, compounds 7 and 8, which contain a hydroxamic acid functionality, maintained affinity exclusively toward MOR. Neither of compounds (3–8) showed DOR affinity. Molecular modeling studies confirmed a similar docking pose in the MOR binding pocket for these compounds. Additionally, the in silico ADME profile of the most interesting ligands (3, 4, 7, and 8) was investigated revealing a favorable profile for compound 7 regarding the blood–brain barrier permeability, suggesting its potential as a peripherally restricted opioid ligand.
Predicting the exposure of mycophenolic acid in children with autoimmune diseases using a limited sampling strategy: A retrospective study
Authors: Zheng Ping , Pan Ting , Gao Ya , Chen Juan , Li Liren , Chen Yan , Fang Dandan , Li Xuechun , Gao Fei , Li Yilei
Published: December 2024

Mycophenolic acid (MPA) is commonly used to treat autoimmune diseases in children, and therapeutic drug monitoring is recommended to ensure adequate drug exposure. However, multiple blood sampling is required to calculate the area under the plasma concentration‐time curve (AUC), causing patient discomfort and waste of human and financial resources. This study aims to use machine learning and deep learning algorithms to develop a prediction model of MPA exposure for pediatric autoimmune diseases with optimizing sampling frequency. Pediatric autoimmune patients' data were collected at Nanfang Hospital between June 2018 and June 2023. Univariate analysis was applied for feature selection. Ten algorithms, including Random Forest, XGBoost, LightGBM, Gradient Boosting Decision Tree, CatBoost, Artificial Neural Network, Grandient Boosting Machine, Transformer, Wide&Deep, and TabNet, were employed for modeling based on two, three, or four concentrations of MPA. A total of 614 MPA AUC0‐12h samples from 209 patients were enrolled. Among the 10 models evaluated, the Wide&Deep model exhibited the best predictive performance. The predictive performance of the Wide&Deep model using four and three blood concentration points was similar (R
2 ≈ 1 for four points; R
2 = 0.95 for three points). No significant difference in accuracy within ±30% was observed between models utilizing three and four blood concentration points (p = 0.06). This study demonstrates that in the Wide&Deep model, MPA exposure can be accurately estimated with three sampling points in children with autoimmune diseases. This model could help reduce discomfort in pediatric patients without reducing the accuracy of MPA exposure estimates in clinical practice.
Exploring the Psychometric Properties and Measurement Invariance of the Resilience Scale for Iranian Teachers: A Network Analysis Perspective
Authors: Latifi Mohammad Mehdi , Aghbelaghi Dariush Tahmasebi , Pordanjani Sajad Khani
Published: December 2024

The present study sought to assess the psychometric properties of the Iranian adaptation of the Vietnam Teacher Resilience Scale for Asia (VITRS), referred to as the Iranian Teachers' Resilience Scale (ITRS) and to examine its measurement invariance across middle and high school teachers in Iran. In total, 700 participants completed the questionnaires, with the sample randomly split into two groups of 350. The first group was used for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and the second for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA). The teachers responded to the ITRS and the study evaluated CFA, EFA, exploratory graph analysis (EGA), as well as different types of validity (face, content, construct and convergent) and reliability. The sample was split into two subgroups for EFA and CFA. EFA revealed a four‐factor structure explaining 72.05% of the variance and CFA confirmed a good fit for both first‐order and second‐order models (CFI = 0.966, RMSEA = 0.063). Convergent validity was supported with AVE and CR values above 0.5 and 0.7, respectively. Reliability was acceptable, with internal consistency above 0.7. Measurement invariance indicated consistency across middle and high school teachers. Finally, EGA supported the four‐factor structure, with a three‐dimensional solution emerging as the most stable. The ITRS demonstrated solid psychometric properties, including strong reliability and validity, making it a useful tool for assessing resilience among teachers. Its measurement invariance across different educational levels ensures its practical applicability in diverse teaching contexts.