bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pedicle Screw Placement in Pediatric and Adolescent Spinal Deformity Surgery: Does Tapping of the Pedicle Screw Tract Increase Safety?
Authors: Tate Asha , Brouillet Kirsten , Braithwaite IV Hilton C. , Luhmann Scott J.
Published: January 2025

Introduction:

Since the development of pedicle screw fixation in the spine, safe placement has remained a crucial component in maximizing patient outcomes and mitigating pedicle screw-related complications. The purpose of this study is to investigate the utility of pedicle tapping in identifying pedicle breaches.

Methods:

A pediatric spine surgery database was queried to identify a consecutive series of patients who underwent spinal deformity surgery utilizing pedicle screw fixation between May 2019 and October 2022. A “breached pedicle” was defined as a pedicle with intact walls after initial manual cannulation but found to have a breach upon probing after tapping 1 mm smaller than the planned screw diameter. The number of screws placed and breached was prospectively recorded, along with patient demographics and procedural data.

Results:

There were 288 patients (68% female) with a mean age of 14.3 years (range: 3.7 to 23.3). Diagnoses included idiopathic (129), neuromuscular (76), syndromic (38), congenital (23), kyphosis (9), spondylopathy (12), and trauma (1). The mean upper and lower instrumented vertebrae were T3 and L3, respectively, with an average of 1.4 posterior column osteotomies (PCOs) (range: 0 to 8). Posterior spinal fusion and segmental instrumentation (PSFSI) was the most common procedure (254 cases, 88%). Of 4796 attempted screw placements, 20 (0.4%) pedicles were breached: medial (17), lateral (1), inferior (1), and inferolateral (1). Fourteen screws were abandoned, 3 redirected, and 3 replaced by hooks. T1 (14.3%) and T6 (1.2%) had the highest breach rates. No associations were found between breached pedicles and age (P=0.099), sex (P=0.795), or PCOs (P>0.05). Congenital scoliosis had the highest breach rate at 1.6%.

Conclusion:

A total of 4796 pedicle screws were placed, with 1 of every 250 (0.4%) of pedicle screw insertions (n=20) having “breached pedicles” identified only after tapping. The technical step of pedicle screw tapping potentially mitigated the chance of a misplaced pedicle screw. Surgeons need to assess the value of this information in their surgical workflow and risk assessment.

Level of Evidence:

Level III.
Right Ventricular Myocardial Infarction: Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Therapeutic Approaches
Authors: Patel Manav , Maheta Darshilkumar , Agrawal Siddharth , Bhatia Hitesh , Frishman William H. , Aronow Wilbert S.
Published: January 2025

Right ventricular myocardial infarction (RVMI) is a significant and distinct form of acute myocardial infarction associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. It occurs most commonly due to proximal right coronary artery obstruction, often in conjunction with inferior myocardial infarction. RVMI poses unique diagnostic and therapeutic challenges due to the anatomical and functional differences between the right and left ventricles. Key clinical manifestations include symptoms of right-sided heart failure, such as hypotension, jugular venous distention, and peripheral edema. The pathophysiology of RVMI involves impaired right ventricular (RV) function, decreased cardiac output, and poor hemodynamic stability, often leading to cardiogenic shock. Diagnostic tools, including 12-lead electrocardiography, echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and coronary angiography, play crucial roles in detecting RVMI and determining its severity. Treatment strategies focus on early revascularization through primary percutaneous coronary intervention or thrombolysis, maintaining adequate RV preload, and managing arrhythmias and hemodynamic instability. In severe cases, mechanical circulatory support, such as intra-aortic balloon pumps and extracorporeal membrane oxygenation, may be required. Despite advancements in imaging and therapeutic approaches, RVMI remains a complex condition that demands timely and specialized management to improve patient outcomes. Further research is needed to refine diagnostic and treatment strategies and to reduce the high mortality rates associated with this condition.
Review of Endosaccular Flow Disrupters for Wide-Neck Aneurysm Treatment
Authors: DeMessie Bluyé , Vaishnav Dhrumil , Karandish Alireza , Essibayi Muhammed Amir , Farkas Nathan , Altschul David J.
Published: January 2025

Endosaccular flow disruption has emerged as a transformative approach for treating wide-neck intracranial aneurysms, which are characterized by neck diameters exceeding 4 millimeters or dome-to-neck ratios below 2. This review examines the technical specifications and clinical outcomes of major endosaccular devices, including the Woven EndoBridge (WEB) device, the Artisse embolization device, the Medina embolization device, the neck bridging device for bifurcation aneurysms, the polycarbonate urethane membrane-assisted device, the Galaxy saccular endovascular aneurysm lattice, and the Contour Neurovascular System. Analysis of pivotal trials reveals varying degrees of efficacy and safety across platforms. The WEB device demonstrated complete occlusion rates of 51.7% to 56.1% at 1 year, with adequate occlusion reaching 84.6% in the WEB Intrasaccular Therapy Study trial and sustained improvement in 76.8% of cases at 5 years. The Artisse system showed initial promise but concerning declines in adequate occlusion from 66.7% at 6 months to 57.1% at 36 months. More recent innovations such as the Galaxy SEAL device achieved complete occlusion in 76.9% of cases in preliminary studies in 1 year. Thromboembolic complications occurred in 12.9% to 17.7% of cases across devices though procedure-related mortality remained below 2%. While the WEB device has established a robust safety and efficacy profile through long-term follow-up data, newer technologies demonstrate promising early results but require extended surveillance. Current challenges focus on optimizing device sizing, improving delivery systems, and enhancing material properties to maximize occlusion rates while minimizing complications. The evolution of these technologies continues to expand treatment options for complex aneurysms previously challenging to address through conventional endovascular or surgical approaches.
Ventral Rectopexy: An International Expert Panel Consensus and Review of Contemporary Literature
Authors: Perry William R. G. , Christensen Peter , Collinson Rowan J. , Cornish Julie A , D’Hoore Andre , Gurland Brooke , Mellgren Anders , Ratto Carlo , Ris Frederic , Stevenson Andrew R. L , Bordeianou Liliana ,   The Ventral Rectopexy Working Group
Published: January 2025

BACKGROUND:

Ventral rectopexy has become increasingly utilized in the surgical management of rectal prolapse. There is a need for a contemporary evaluation of the role of the procedure and description of its use in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE:

To create an international consensus on ventral rectopexy.

DESIGN:

An expert panel undertook a scoping review of the literature to identify subject domains of interest. Literature reviews were completed for each domain with subsequent development of evidence-based and practice-based statements. These were compiled and reviewed by the group over a total of nine meetings. Once statements were confirmed, supportive text was finalized, and an anonymous vote was completed using REDCap to record consensus.

SETTING:

An international expert panel comprising colorectal surgeons who perform ventral rectopexy in a high-volume center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:

Statements and associated expert consensus.

RESULTS:

Eleven experts identified ten domains for review: indications, contraindications, assessment and planning, consent, operative details, prostheses, complications, follow-up, recurrence and reoperative surgery and specific considerations. After round-table review, there were 17 resultant statements for consideration. Experts agreed unanimously with the thirteen of the statements and their accompanying text, with different experts disagreeing each with four statements (91% consensus each).

LIMITATIONS:

Paucity of high-quality data.

CONCLUSION:

This international group developed 17 statements with high consensus. These statements provide an up-to-date summary of the literature, identify key areas for research development and a reference point for colon and rectal surgeons who undertake ventral rectopexy as part of their practice. See Video Abstract.
ORUS: Ultrasonic Ostemodeling for Body Contouring
Authors: Avilez Jesua Emmanuel , Noriega Daniel Rodolfo , Martínez Cesar Edwin , Quisilema Jonathan Mauricio
Published: January 2025

Background:

An attractive waist–hip ratio leads to a favorable aesthetic appearance in women and can be achieved through the osteo remodelación ultrasónica simplificada (ORUS) technique, which consists of the controlled fracture of the floating ribs through a small incision in the back based on an umbrella’s functioning (open-semiclosed).

Methods:

The ORUS technique was performed on 120 patients between 18 and 50 years of age. Patients were grouped according to the surgical procedure performed: ORUS (11 patients), ORUS + liposuction (n = 87), and ORUS + abdominoplasty (n = 22). Demographic and clinical preoperative and postoperative data were recorded in all patients included. Measurements of waist–hip index and body mass index were done in centimeters, and at 90 days, a computed tomography with 3-dimensional reconstruction was indicated.

Results:

The surgery time depended on the procedure and varied from 30 minutes in the ORUS procedure to 180 minutes when it was combined with an abdominoplasty. A waist reduction was achieved with median preoperative measurements ranging from 89.0–110.0 to 65.0–69.0 cm depending on the procedure. The size of the incision did not exceed 1.2 cm, and only 2 patients had symptomatic atelectasis. The median total Body-QoL score ranged between 97 and 99 points from a maximum of 100 points.

Conclusions:

The proposed ORUS technique achieved a waist and waist–hip index reduction with minor complications, a minimum scar, and a high satisfaction level.
Ultra-Low-Field Portable Brain Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Patients With Cardiac Devices: Current Evidence and Future Directions
Authors: Khanduja Shivalika , Kang Jin K. , Chinedozi Ifeanyi D. , Darby Zachary , Kim Jiah , Whitman Glenn , Cho Sung-Min
Published: January 2025

The use of cardiac devices, including mechanical circulatory support (MCS), cardiac implantable electronic devices (CIEDs), and pacing wires, has increased and significantly improved survival in patients with severe cardiac failure. However, these devices are frequently associated with acute brain injuries (ABIs) including ischemic strokes, intracranial hemorrhages, seizures, and hypoxic-ischemic brain injury which contribute substantially to morbidity and mortality. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), the standard imaging modalities for ABI diagnosis, can pose significant challenges in this patient population due to the risks associated with patient transportation and the incompatibility of ferromagnetic components of certain cardiac devices with high magnetic field of the MRI. This review discusses the application of Ultralow-field portable MRI (ULF-pMRI), which operates at much lower magnetic field (0.064 T), with the potential to allow safe bedside imaging of critically ill patients. In this review, we detail the clinical studies and research findings defining the safety, feasibility, and diagnostic utility of ULF-pMRI in detecting ABI in the critically ill. We further discuss the potential broader applications of ULF-pMRI, as a standard diagnostic tool for neurocritical care in patients with cardiac devices. The integration of such technology into current practice promises to enhance diagnostic accuracy, improve patient outcomes, and optimize healthcare resources.
Palliative Care for Patients With End-Stage Renal Disease
Authors: Darawad Muhammad W. , Reinke Lynn F. , Khalil Amani , Melhem Ghaith Bani , Alnajar Malek
Published: January 2025

Patients with end-stage renal disease face numerous physical, emotional, and financial burdens, necessitating palliative care (PC) interventions. This cross-sectional study assessed the problems and unmet needs of 129 patients under renal dialysis from 6 hospitals. Findings revealed that 64.7% of participants experienced significant challenges, primarily financial difficulties (78.5%), autonomy concerns (68.8%), and a need for information (68.0%). More than half (51.9%) reported needing PC, particularly for managing fatigue (78.3%), pain (79.8%), and depression (72.9%). Unmet needs were common (47.6%), with the most notable gaps in financial support (52.5%) and information provision (50%). Correlation analysis demonstrated strong positive associations between reported problems, care needs, and unmet needs (r > 0.90, P < .001). Significant differences were observed by dialysis access type (F = 5.71, P = .001), with arteriovenous fistula patients reporting higher problems and unmet needs. Increased dialysis frequency was linked to more problems and unmet needs (F = 7.24, P < .001). In addition, patients with comorbidities experienced significantly higher problems, care needs, and unmet needs (all Ps < .001). These findings underscored the urgent need for tailored PC interventions for end-stage renal disease patients, particularly in addressing symptom management, psychosocial and spiritual support, financial support, and information deficits, to enhance their quality of life.
Integration of Rapid Cycle Deliberate Practice Into Prelicensure Nursing Curricula
Authors: Castro Helen , Stephens Katie , Ortiz Myralyn , Vanderzwan Kathryn
Published: January 2025

Background:

Nursing students are not consistently trained on how to care for patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. In rapid cycle deliberate practice (RCDP), learners perform a simulation with micro-debriefs interjected by the instructor.

Problem:

RCDP has been used to train health care students on how to respond during a sudden cardiac arrest, but its application to prelicensure nursing students is underreported.

Approach:

A curricular innovation was implemented based on RCDP and Vygotsky’s Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD) to educate prelicensure nursing students on how to care for patients experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. The outcome of the curricular innovation was evaluated via assessment of students’ perceptions following participation in the curriculum innovation.

Outcomes:

Eighty-four prelicensure nursing students completed the curricular innovation survey, with most student perceptions favorable.

Conclusion:

Evaluation supports the integration of this curricular innovation into nursing curricula for sudden cardiac arrest training.
Rate of Postpartum Readmission for Hypertension After Prescribing Nifedipine Upon Hospital Discharge Compared With Labetalol
Authors: Wang Courtney Y. , Bastian Ingmar N. , Turrentine Mark A.
Published: January 2025

OBJECTIVE:

To systematically review the literature to evaluate the rate of postpartum readmission for hypertension in individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy discharged on nifedipine compared with those discharged on labetalol.

DATA SOURCES:

We explored EMBASE, MEDLINE, Web of Science, CINAHL, ClinicalTrials.gov, and CENTRAL for studies that compared the rate of postpartum readmission for hypertension in individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy who were treated with nifedipine, compared with labetalol.

METHODS OF STUDY SELECTION:

Two reviewers separately identified studies, obtained data, and gauged study quality. The rate of postpartum readmission for hypertension was compared, and 95% CIs were estimated.

TABULATION, INTEGRATION, AND RESULTS:

Three retrospective cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials were identified, with 30,950 individuals with postpartum hypertension that required treatment with nifedipine, compared with labetalol. In these studies, 39.6% (12,212/30,950) were treated with nifedipine and 60.5% (18,738/30,950) were treated with labetalol. Studies evaluated individuals with readmission for postpartum hypertension who delivered from January 2006 to December 2022. Four studies were conducted in the United States, and one was conducted in Pakistan. The weighted portion in individuals with readmission for postpartum hypertension was 2.4% (95% CI, 1.5–3.5%) in the nifedipine group, compared with 6.5% (95% CI, 4.1–9.3%) in the labetalol group. Based on these five comparative studies, postpartum readmission for hypertension occurred less in individuals treated with nifedipine than in individuals treated with labetalol.

CONCLUSION:

Treatment with nifedipine in individuals with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy is associated with lower rates of postpartum readmission for hypertension, compared with labetalol.

SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION:

PROSPERO: CRD42024526931.
Reconstruction of the Severe Cervical Scar Contracture Using a Combination of the Pre-expanded Bipedicled Forehead Flap and Lower Trapezius Musculocutaneous Flap
Authors: Dai Xinyue , Zhang Zixuan , Zang Mengqing , Zhu Shan , Li Shanshan , Chen Zixiang , Jin Shengyang , Liu Yuanbo
Published: January 2025

Reconstructing severe cervical scar contractures (SCSC) remains a considerable challenge. This study presents a novel approach to SCSC reconstruction using a combination of pre-expanded bipedicled forehead and lower trapezius musculocutaneous flaps. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 25 patients who underwent this procedure between April 2004 and July 2020. Sixteen patients received a forehead flap combined with a unilateral lower trapezius musculocutaneous flap; in contrast, 9 patients underwent reconstruction using bilateral lower trapezius musculocutaneous flaps. The surgery was performed in 4 stages. First, tissue expanders were inserted into the forehead and back. After sufficient expansion, the lower trapezius musculocutaneous flap(s) were transferred to repair cervicothoracic contractures in the second stage. In the third stage, the pre-expanded bipedicled forehead flaps were elevated to reconstruct lower facial and submental defects. Finally, the forehead flap pedicle was divided after 3 weeks. Patient demographics and surgical outcomes were collected and analyzed. All flaps survived without perfusion-related complications. Postoperatively, improvements were observed in neck range of motion, inferior mandibular border definition, and subhyoid depression. The cervicomental angle reduced considerably from 177.08±1.28 degrees to 106.6±1.18 degrees. In addition, the color and texture of the reconstructed flaps matched the adjacent skin. No scar contracture recurrence was reported during follow-up, which ranged from 4 months to 8 years. The technique, combining pre-expanded bipedicled forehead and lower trapezius musculocutaneous flaps, provides excellent functional and aesthetic outcomes for SCSC reconstruction. It effectively restores the cervicomental angle, inferior mandibular borders, and subhyoid depressions.
Integral equation methods for acoustic scattering by fractals
Authors: Caetano António M , Chandler-Wilde Simon N , Claeys Xavier , Gibbs Andrew , Hewett David P , Moiola Andrea
Published: January 2025

We study sound-soft time-harmonic acoustic scattering by general scatterers, including fractal scatterers, in 2D and 3D space. For an arbitrary compact scatterer

Γ

we reformulate the Dirichlet boundary value problem for the Helmholtz equation as a first kind integral equation (IE) on

Γ

involving the Newton potential. The IE is well-posed, except possibly at a countable set of frequencies, and reduces to existing single-layer boundary IEs when

Γ

is the boundary of a bounded Lipschitz open set, a screen, or a multi-screen. When

Γ

is uniformly of

d

-dimensional Hausdorff dimension in a sense we make precise (a

d

-set), the operator in our equation is an integral operator on

Γ

with respect to

d

-dimensional Hausdorff measure, with kernel the Helmholtz fundamental solution, and we propose a piecewise-constant Galerkin discretization of the IE, which converges in the limit of vanishing mesh width. When

Γ

is the fractal attractor of an iterated function system of contracting similarities we prove convergence rates under assumptions on

Γ

and the IE solution, and describe a fully discrete implementation using recently proposed quadrature rules for singular integrals on fractals. We present numerical results for a range of examples and make our software available as a Julia code.
Mapping and probing Froggatt-Nielsen solutions to the quark flavor puzzle
Authors: Cornella Claudia , Curtin David , Neil Ethan T. , Thompson Jedidiah O.
Published: January 2025

The Froggatt-Nielsen (FN) mechanism is an elegant solution to the flavor problem. In its minimal application to the quark sector, the different quark types and generations have different charges under a U(1)X flavor symmetry. The SM Yukawa couplings are generated below the flavor breaking scale with hierarchies dictated by the quark charge assignments. Only a handful of charge assignments are generally considered in the literature. We analyze the complete space of possible charge assignments with |Xqi|≤4 and perform both a set of Bayesian-inspired numerical scans and an analytical spurion analysis to identify those charge assignments that reliably generate SM-like quark mass and mixing hierarchies. The resulting set of top-20 flavor charge assignments significantly enlarges the viable space of FN models but is still compact enough to enable focused phenomenological study. We then apply our numerical methodology to demonstrate that these distinct charge assignments result in the generation of correlated flavor-violating four-quark operators characterized by significantly varied strengths, potentially differing substantially from the possibilities previously explored in the literature. Future precision measurement of ΔF=2 observables, along with increasingly accurate SM predictions, may therefore enable us to distinguish among otherwise equally plausible FN charges, thus shedding light on the UV structure of the flavor sector.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Balancing uniqueness and patronage: the dual impact of brand name complexity on consumer behavior
Authors: Chen Chen , Luo Jia , Hu Jiajing
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Marketers of new brands increasingly utilize complex names to draw consumers’ attention. Although complexity can make a brand stand out, whether it encourages or discourages consumers’ patronage intention remains unclear. To address this issue, the research explores the double-edged sword of brand name complexity on consumers’ patronage intention, mediated by uniqueness perception and psychological distance. It also examines the moderating effect of brand self-introduction.

Design/methodology/approach

Three between-subjects experimental studies were conducted across different scenarios and brands. In Study 1 (N = 151), a single-factor (simple name vs complex name) between-subject design examined the mediating effect of uniqueness perception between brand name complexity and consumers’ patronage intention. Study 2 (N = 112) replicated this design to test the mediating effect of psychological distance. Study 3 (N = 231) conducted a 2 (simple vs complex name) × 2 (no introduction vs self-introduction) between-subject design to test the moderating effect.

Findings

The results indicate that a complex brand name (vs simple) can make the brand appear more unique, thereby increasing patronage intention. However, complexity also creates a sense of psychological distance, which can reduce patronage intention. Further, our results reveal that brand self-introduction can attenuate the association between brand name complexity and psychological distance.

Originality/value

This research extends brand name strategy literature by addressing the dual impact of brand name complexity on patronage intention, particularly emphasizing the impact of brand name complexity on psychological distance for a new brand. Additionally, the findings offer practical insights for marketers, highlighting that brand self-introduction is a key strategy to reduce psychological distance. This underscores the importance of balancing complexity with clear and effective communication.
How and when does workaholism predict lower work performance and life satisfaction?
Authors: Gillet Nicolas , Grangeiro Rebeca , Noble Victor , Souesme Guillaume , Aubouin-Bonnaventure Julia
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine the indirect effects of workaholism on life satisfaction (Samples 1 and 2) and work performance (Sample 2) as mediated by presenteeism. This study also examined whether these indirect effects differed at various levels of work−home segmentation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data from two samples of employees with jobs in administration (Sample 1) and engineering (Sample 2).

Findings

The results showed that workaholism was associated with higher levels of presenteeism, whereas work−home segmentation was negatively related to presenteeism. Presenteeism was also negatively related to life satisfaction (Samples 1 and 2) and work performance (Sample 2). Furthermore, the positive effects of workaholism on presenteeism were stronger at low levels of work−home segmentation. Finally, the indirect effects of workaholism on life satisfaction (Samples 1 and 2) and work performance (Sample 1) were significantly mediated by presenteeism at low levels of work−home segmentation, but not at high levels of work−home segmentation.

Originality/value

This research demonstrates that work−home segmentation buffers the detrimental effects of workaholism.
Durability of NSM-CFRP strengthened concrete beams under severe sulfate attack
Authors: Aljabali Hebah Mohammad , Haddad Rami H. , Gharaibeh Laith H.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The durability of concrete beams (150 × 250 × 1,600 mm3) strengthened using creative profiles with near-surface mounted (NSM) CFRP ropes under severe sulfate cyclic conditions was experimentally investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

Parabolic and straight profiles of NSM-CFRP ropes were implemented without and with internal vertical and lateral dowelings using the CFRP ropes. Another group of concrete beams was repaired using similar schemes after being exposed to sulfate damage. The mechanical response of virgin (control), and sulfate damaged beams as well as of those retrofitted before and after exposure to sulfates, was evaluated under a four-point loading setup.

Findings

Mechanical evaluation of concrete indicated an increase in concrete’s brittleness and a decrease in its compressive strength by 21%. The beams strengthened using proposed configurations before being exposed to severe sulfate attack showed reductions in load capacity, displacement ductility and toughness of up to 24, 22 and 53%, respectively, yet an increase in stiffness of up to 16% compared to counterpart virgin-strengthened beams. The implantation of vertical and lateral dowels helped maintain the load capacity and improve the stiffness and displacement ductility for former beams by as much as 35 and 16%, respectively. In contrast, beams exposed to the same stage of sulfate treatment and then repaired with a parabolic profile (with and without vertical dowels) attained or surpassed the mechanical performance of relevantly strengthened and then sulfate-treated ones. The adopted retrofitting configurations did not alter the ductile flexural failure mode observed for virgin and sulfate-damaged beams.

Research limitations/implications

Concrete beams were strengthened and then subjected to sulfate attack in the absence of actual loading, which is not the case in the field.

Practical implications

Encouraging the use of the proposed repair configuration with CFRP ropes for concrete elements subjected to severe sulfate attack.

Social implications

The repair proposed may help maintain the integrity of marine structures for a long time to save on municipal spending on repair issues.

Originality/value

Limited work (if none) on the evaluation of repair durability of concrete flexural elements under sulfate severe condition was reported.
Robotic task success evaluation under multi-modal non-parametric object pose uncertainty
Authors: Naik Lakshadeep , Iversen Thorbjørn Mosekjær , Kramberger Aljaz , Krüger Norbert
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Accurate 6D object pose estimation is essential for various robotic tasks. Uncertain pose estimates can lead to task failures; however, a certain degree of error in the pose estimates is often acceptable. This paper aims to enable the robots to make informed decisions by quantifying errors in the object pose estimate and acceptable errors for task success.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors introduce a framework for evaluating robotic task success under object pose uncertainty, representing both the estimated error space of the object pose and the acceptable error space for task success using multi-modal non-parametric probability distributions. The proposed framework pre-computes the acceptable error space for task success using dynamic simulations and subsequently integrates the pre-computed acceptable error space over the estimated error space of the object pose to predict the likelihood of the task succes.

Findings

The authors evaluated the proposed framework on two mobile manipulation tasks. Their results show that by representing the estimated and the acceptable error space using multi-modal non-parametric distributions, the authors achieve higher task success rates and fewer failures.

Research limitations/implications

Their proposed framework is generic and can be applied to a wide range of robotic tasks requiring object pose estimation. Hence, given the recent advancements in object pose uncertainty estimation and dynamic simulations, the proposed framework, in conjunction with these advancements, has the potential to enable robots to make reliable and informed decisions under pose uncertainty.

Originality/value

Unlike related works that model both acceptable error space and estimated error space using parametric uni-modal distributions, the authors model them as multi-modal distributions which is often the case in the real world.
Too hard to die: an empirical overview of the post-pandemic resilience and financial performance of the Italian fashion industry
Authors: Zatini Giacomo , della Porta Armando
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Researchers have paid limited attention to how the fashion sector has evolved in the years following the pandemic. This study aims to address this gap by providing an overview of the Italian fashion sector and its financial performance related to the concept of resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The model is based on a segmentation analysis of 5,129 firms in the Italian fashion sector, utilizing financial variables such as return on equity and return on sales. Moreover, it employs significance tests with the aid of Levene’s test and ANOVA.

Findings

It was discovered that the debt ratio, operating cash flow and aggregate growth ratio (AGR) over a five-year period exhibit significant differences across clusters. Additionally, it was determined that the debt ratio and operating cash flow are key financial indicators of firm resilience. These data have confirmed the resilience of the Italian fashion sector.

Originality/value

This study is among the first to focus on the financial performance of the Italian fashion sector, its resilience and post-pandemic recovery, as well as employing a reverse engineering system to identify the most suitable financial indicators for defining a sector’s resilience.
Anticipating customer substitution: a data-driven, distance-based approach for out-of-stock product configurations
Authors: Fabian Maik , Fischer Kathrin , Rüpke John Micha
Published: January 2025

Purpose

When facing capacity bottlenecks, manufacturers of configurable, multi-variant products may adjust the product mix to uphold the scheduled output. However, maintaining market attractiveness by choosing the right product configurations as substitutes is a non-trivial task as it involves anticipating the substitution behaviour of customers. Substitution behaviour models currently used in quantitative production planning models for configurable products are either based on domain knowledge of experts, which makes them bias-prone, or they require extensive market research. The purpose of this study is to present a data-driven approach.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on data science concepts, distance measures are applied to derive distances between different product configurations from historical order data. Different design options for such a distance measure are discussed regarding configurable products and tested with automotive industry data. Furthermore, the study shows ways to validate the distance results.

Findings

The experiments show that the presented distance measure represents the expected customer substitution behaviour quite well. A context-sensitive distance measure including rank information of ordinal product features is most suitable for the automotive data sets.

Originality/value

This study presents a new approach to model the substitution behaviour of customers. The attractiveness of a potential substitute is represented by a distance from the customer’s first-choice configuration. The presented distance measure provides an inexpensive tool using existing data instead of expensive market research. Thus, it supports the integration of substitution into quantitative production planning models that deal with a large variety of configurable products.
Showing the value of leadership development is a must in today’s climate
Authors: Phillips Patti P. , Phillips Jack J.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Great leaders are critical now, and leadership development is a necessary investment. The purpose of this article is to emphasize the need for great leaders and the importance of investing in leadership development.

Design/methodology/approach

Few would argue about the importance of having great leaders and the need to invest in leadership development to help those leaders perform at their best. But the key question is, “Is leadership development delivering the value that is needed?”

Findings

Leadership development providers provide leadership development training – to make sure that they guide people through the process and ensure that they see and deliver value in what is offered. From the perception of executives, the leadership development must deliver impact, which is their number one desired measure.

Originality/value

The authors know this is a critical topic, and much progress has been made. It is the number one topic selected by individuals participating in the ROI Certification process offered by ROI Institute. This program, attracting over 19,000 people to date, requires participants to select a program or project to evaluate to the ROI Level to achieve the designation of Certified ROI Professional. Leadership development is the number one topic selected because it is important to the organization; it needs to be evaluated because there is a group of sponsors and supporters who are eagerly awaiting the results.
The impact of knowledge sharing on well-being at work − Is organizational learning capability a mediating link?
Authors: Trivedi Karishma , Singh Shailendra
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Well-being at work is a prime concern for learning organizations where work is knowledge-intensive and the need for updated learning exerts high work pressure. This study aims to examine the mediating influence of organizational learning capability in facilitating routine and novel knowledge sharing to foster employees’ well-being at work in Indian information technology (IT) organizations. This research explores whether the sharing of routine knowledge and novel knowledge contributes to employees’ well-being at work by enhancing organizational learning capability.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative approach, the authors collected data from 209 employees in IT organizations in India via a questionnaire survey. After verifying the reliability and validity of the data, the authors analysed the data using co-variance-based structural equation modelling using AMOS 26.

Findings

The results show that the indirect effect of routine and novel knowledge sharing on well-being at work was influenced by the mediating role of organizational learning capability. Routine knowledge sharing has a significant positive impact on organizational learning capability and well-being at work. While novel knowledge sharing positively predicted organizational learning capability, it did not have a direct impact on well-being at work. Moreover, organizational learning capability has a direct positive effect on employees’ well-being at work.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional design of the study makes the cause-and-effect relationship difficult to conclude. Moreover, the use of self-report measures poses methodological biases. Thus, longitudinal studies with objective measurements are recommended. Future studies can examine the role of individual characteristics such as learning orientation and personality in the studied framework.

Practical implications

Employee well-being and organizational learning can be enhanced through knowledge sharing practices, promoted by human resource policies and leaders. This promotes on-the-job learning, reducing working hours for training and learning purposes. By fostering a culture of openness, mutual trust and networking, organizations can enhance their employees’ work−life balance and overall performance.

Originality/value

This paper addresses a paucity in the literature concerning the outcomes of knowledge sharing and factors that lead to well-being at work. Drawing on the learning-based well-being perspective and job-demand resource theory, this research pioneers the examination of the mediating effect of organizational learning capability in the link between routine and novel knowledge sharing and employees’ well-being in IT learning organizations in India. Findings of this study may help managers of IT firms boost organizational learning and improve knowledge workers’ well-being, thus helping to maximize their performance and enhance employee retention and welfare.
Plant diversity loss has limited effects on below‐ground biomass and traits but alters community short‐term root production in a species‐rich grassland
Authors: Gracia Clara , Lisner Aleš , Applová Markéta , Chondol Thinles , Dolejšek Vojtěch , Janíková Eva , Karpate Yogita , Konečná Marie , Papatheodoulou Athina , Pedrós Leyre , Švancárová Tereza , Lepš Jan , Segrestin Jules
Published: January 2025

Many biodiversity–ecosystem functioning (BEF) experiments have shown enhanced productivity with biodiversity, often explained by niche differentiation and complementarity effects. Yet, most of these results are based on artificial plant assemblages, with a major focus on above‐ground productivity. Consequently, our comprehension of the BEF relationship in natural ecosystem and for below‐ground functions remains largely unknown.

In this study, we simulated a long‐term non‐random species loss in a naturally diverse temperate meadow. We created a richness gradient spanning from 1 to more than 20 species per plot, removing the rare and sub‐ordinate species from the vegetation. After 3 and 6 years of experimental manipulation, soil cores were collected to investigate the effects of species removal on below‐ground biomass, vertical distribution of roots and root traits. We also used ingrowth cores to quantify the short‐term root production of plant communities. We investigated the consistency of below‐ and above‐ground responses to species removal.

Consistent with above‐ground responses, species removal had little effect on root biomass and community root traits, except for a decrease in biomass in the uppermost soil layer (0–5 cm) found only after 6 years. Similarly, the vertical distribution of root biomass and traits was largely unaffected by diversity loss, suggesting little evidence for vertical niche differentiation. Nevertheless, species loss decreased the root production in spring (3 months), albeit this lower short‐term root production was diluted after a year, when monocultures of dominants almost matched the annual root production of controls.

Synthesis. Our results from a non‐random species removal experiment revealed minimal impact of a realistic diversity loss on root biomass and traits, but a decrease in short‐term fine root production. These results challenge traditional BEF theory and the niche differentiation hypothesis, suggesting that dominant species primarily determine below‐ground biomass structure and characteristics. High diversity may only temporarily increase short‐term root production.
Fairness Evaluations of Higher Education Graduates’ Earnings: The Role of Female Preference for Equality and Self‐Interest
Authors: Zamberlan Anna , Galos Diana Roxana , Strauß Susanne , Hinz Thomas
Published: January 2025

Educational and occupational horizontal segregation contribute significantly to economic inequalities, especially in contexts with a strong correspondence between fields of study and occupational outputs, such as in Germany. However, the extent to which individuals perceive disparities in economic returns across different fields of study as fair and the factors influencing these fairness evaluations remain largely unexplored. This study aims to understand fairness evaluations by assessing two theoretical explanations and their interrelation: (1) female preference for equality, where women generally favour smaller earnings disparities, and (2) biases leading to higher reward expectations for individuals in the same field of study as the evaluator. Our empirical research draws on a novel survey experiment from the German Student Survey (2021), in which higher education students evaluated the fairness of realistic earnings for graduates from various fields of study. These earnings relate to the entry phase of an individual's career, reflecting differences in economic returns exclusively tied to fields of study, independent of occupational or life trajectories. Our findings support the female preference for equality and self‐interest theoretical perspectives, revealing that women and respondents in fields associated with lower‐earning jobs tend to perceive greater unfairness. We further find evidence of an interaction between the two mechanisms, with women being particularly likely to perceive greater unfairness when it aligns with their self‐interest.
Comparison of plasma concentration and sedative effect of sublingual and intranasal dexmedetomidine in children: A double‐blind randomised controlled study
Authors: Khan Armanullah , Sinha Renu , Kumar Kanil Ranjith , Velpandian Trimurty , Maitra Souvik , Ray Bikash Ranjan
Published: January 2025

Background

Pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of sublingual dexmedetomidine have not been established in children. The primary aim was to compare peak plasma concentration, time to reach peak plasma concentration and area under the curve with 2 μg/kg sublingual and intranasal dexmedetomidine. The secondary aims were to compare the depth of sedation, parental separation anxiety, mask acceptance, heart rate changes, analgesic requirements and recovery time with 2 μg/kg sublingual and intranasal dexmedetomidine in children.

Method

Thirty children between 2 and 12 years, weighing 10–30 kg, scheduled for surgeries were divided into two groups. Thirty minutes before the induction of anaesthesia, children were premedicated with 2 μg/kg dexmedetomidine either by intranasal drops (Group N) or sublingual wafer (Group S). Five venous blood samples were collected to measure dexmedetomidine plasma concentrations at 15, 30, 45, 60 and 120 min from dexmedetomidine administration. Sedation, parental separation anxiety, mask acceptance and heart rate were recorded. Recovery, pain and fentanyl requirements were assessed.

Results

Demographic data was comparable. Median interquartile range (IQR) dexmedetomidine peak plasma concentration in Group N (0.764 [0.650–0.820]) ng/mL was significantly higher than in Group S (0.593 [0.364–0.754]) ng/mL (p = .014). Plasma concentration was significantly higher at 30 and 45 min in Group N as compared to Group S (p < .05). The median (IQR) time to reach peak plasma concentration was shorter in Group N (45 [45–120]) minutes than in Group S (60 [45–60]) minutes, (p = .814). The median (IQR) area under the concentration–time curve was significantly higher in Group N (1.062 [0.848–1.20]) ng/mL.h in comparison to Group S (0.866 [0.520–1.05]) ng/mL.h (p = .031). Comparable sedation was achieved at 25 min in both groups. No child required treatment for decreased heart rate. Parental separation anxiety, mask acceptance, recovery and analgesic requirements were comparable.

Conclusions

Intranasal 2 μg/kg dexmedetomidine resulted in significantly higher peak plasma concentration and time to reach peak plasma concentration than sublingual wafers. Sublingual and intranasal dexmedetomidine resulted in comparable sedation, parental separation and mask acceptance.

Editorial Comment

This study compared the pharmacokinetics and sedative effects of sublingual versus intranasal dexmedetomidine in children, finding that intranasal administration resulted in significantly higher peak plasma concentration and faster time to peak concentration. Both routes achieved comparable sedation, parental separation anxiety scores and mask acceptance, with no significant adverse effects observed.
Trends in tricyclic antidepressant prescribing and poisoning in England and Wales 2016–2020
Authors: Gray Laurence , Beddard Michael , Jones Stephen , Begum Asiyah , Azhar Noraini B. , Deslandes Paul , Coulson James , Bradberry Sally , Sandilands Euan A. , Thanacoody Ruben H. , Ivory Matthew O.
Published: January 2025

Aims

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) are commonly prescribed despite no longer being a NICE‐recommended first‐line treatment for depression and their recognized toxicity in overdose. This study examined prescribing, mortality, hospital admissions and clinical TCA data to quantify the use and impact of TCAs in England and Wales.

Methods

Primary care prescription data for the eight TCAs currently licensed in England and Wales were analysed alongside hospital admission and mortality data relating to TCAs over the study period (January 2016–December 2020 inclusive). Monthly Toxbase™ accesses regarding TCAs during the study period for each TCA were quantified. National Poisons Information Service (NPIS) enquiry data involving TCA exposure were obtained and patient demographics, circumstance, dose ingested and poisoning severity were analysed.

Results

English and Welsh mean monthly TCA prescriptions per 100 000 people significantly increased during the study period, both driven by amitriptyline 10 mg tablets (95% confidence interval [CI] 3.49–4.59 and 6.36–7.92, respectively). Deaths from poisoning where a TCA was mentioned on the death certificate fell. Toxbase™ accesses increased for amitriptyline and nortriptyline but decreased for all other TCAs. NPIS telephone enquiries relating to TCAs decreased. Hospital admission data did not demonstrate an increase in admissions related to TCAs.

Conclusions

Reduced TCA poisoning mortality in England and Wales was seen despite increased dispensing of TCAs in both nations. The prescribing of low‐dose amitriptyline formulations was associated with increased consultation with Toxbase™ but not increased hospital admissions or NPIS enquiries, suggesting a fall in TCA poisoning severity resulting from their changing pattern of usage.