bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agri-small and medium enterprises: the mediating effect of entrepreneurial knowledge
Authors: Nanyanzi Marion , Tibaingana Anthony , Katumba Proscovia Mayanja
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to establish the mediating effect of entrepreneurial knowledge in the relationship between learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Uganda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is cross-sectional and correlational in nature and used a quantitative approach. A self-administered questionnaire was used to gather data from 380 women-owned agri-SMEs in Central Uganda. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS.25) and Medgraph (Excel Version) were used to support data analysis.

Findings

Study findings revealed that learning methods and entrepreneurial knowledge are significant predictors of entrepreneurial effectiveness. In addition, entrepreneurial knowledge significantly mediates the association between learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agricultural SMEs in Uganda.

Originality/value

The study confirmed that entrepreneurial knowledge significantly mediates the relationship between learning methods and entrepreneurial effectiveness of women-owned agricultural SMEs, unlike previous studies that focused on the direct relationship between the study variables in predicting the study phenomenon.
Relationship among group learning, individuals’ and groups’ internalization of evidence-based practice, and nurses’ sustainment of the practice: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Ishii Keiko , Takemura Yukie , Kida Ryohei
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study, by applying the feedback process of the organizational learning model, examined the relationships among group learning, individuals’ and groups’ internalization of institutionalized evidence-based practice (I-EBP), and nurses’ sustainment of I-EBP.

Design/methodology/approach

Twelve hospitals were included in this cross-sectional study, with 1,741 nurses from 59 wards. Anonymous questionnaires were administered from October to December 2021. Participants self-reported their wards’ group learning, internalization of I-EBP, sustainment of I-EBP, EBP beliefs, intra-hospital transfers, and nursing research experiences. The number of nurses and I-EBP introduction length and type of I-EBP were assessed. Internalization of I-EBP of nurses and groups was considered the mediating variable, while group learning and nurses’ sustainment of I-EBP were the independent and dependent variables, respectively. Significant variables in bivariate analyses were used as control variables. Multi-level Mediation Analysis and a significance test of indirect effect using the bootstrap method were conducted.

Findings

Responses from 360 nurses in 48 wards from 12 hospitals were analyzed. Groups’ internalization of I-EBP significantly mediated the relationship between group learning and nurses’ sustainment of I-EBP. In contrast, no significant mediating effect of nurses’ internalization of I-EBP was observed.

Originality/value

In the feedback process of organizational learning, group learning and its subsequent effects on individuals and groups have not been previously examined. Regardless of the nurses’ degree of internalization of I-EBP, those who belong to the ward with a high degree of internalization of I-EBP are more likely to sustain it. Conducting group learning may prevent superficial practice, resulting in its sustainability.
Commissioning for integration: exploring the dynamics of the “subsidy tables” approach in Dutch social care delivery
Authors: Kist Floor , de Bruijn Hans , Jonker Catholijn
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The objective of this paper is to develop a redesigned commissioning process for social care services that fosters integrated care, encourages collaboration and balances professional expertise with client engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a two-pronged approach: a case study of a municipality’s use of subsidy tables and a literature scoping review on integrated care research.

Findings

The paper introduces a new framework for the study of the new “subsidy tables.” A well-defined and extensive consultation process involving both social care providers (suppliers), the Service Triad, and client representation adds to the existing research on supplier consultation, and on how to define the outcomes for clients via client engagement.

Research limitations/implications

While aspects are clearly relevant to the Netherlands, the design of the commissioning process of social care has international relevance as well: finding definitions, formulating outcomes and incentives, designing a more collaborative instead of competitive process, stakeholder engagement and consultation.

Practical implications

Several Dutch municipalities started using the “subsidy tables” method for commissioning integrated social care. This paper offers clear improvements that benefit the commissioners, the social care providers and their clients.

Social implications

Improving the commissioning process of integrated social care will lead to better fitting care for people who need social care.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first to do a thorough analysis of the “subsidy tables” method for commissioning integrated social care.
A curvilinear assessment of innovation in Six Sigma project teams: the influence of psychological safety and intrinsic motivation
Authors: Arumugam V. , Kumar Maneesh , Kumar Manisha , Rich Nicholas
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To investigate the factors affecting innovation in Six Sigma improvement teams. Based on Activation Theory, this study explores the possibility of an inverted U-shaped association between psychological safety and innovation and examines how intrinsic motivation moderates this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Moderated regression analysis is carried out to test the curvilinear relationship, using data collected from 324 members of 102 Six Sigma improvement teams from two European manufacturing firms.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that the beneficial effect of psychological safety reaches an inflection point, after which its relations with innovation cease to be linear and positive; this gives the relationship a curvilinear pattern (inverted U-shaped). Further, intrinsic motivation has a supportive effect in enhancing the beneficial impact of psychological safety on innovation, and in shifting the inflection points to a higher level; this demonstrates their synergetic influence on innovation.

Originality/value

The impact of psychological safety on innovation is examined from the new perspective of a curvilinear relationship. This is one of the first studies to investigate the combined effects of individual (intrinsic motivation) and team-level antecedents (psychological safety) on innovation in Six Sigma teams. The study provides insights into how Six Sigma enhances innovation and offers some valid inputs to the current academic debate on this topic.
Environmental, social and governance performance: dynamic capabilities through digital transformation
Authors: Wei Jiashen , Zheng Qinqin
Published: July 2024

Purpose

While prior studies predominantly focus on the overall impact of digital transformation on environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance, this study employs dynamic capability theory to examine two different dimensions of digital transformation, namely digital transformation quantity and digital transformation structure, and how they influence the ESG performance of enterprises. The mediating roles of social attention and green innovation are investigated to further explore the underlying mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply fixed effects models and empirically test the hypotheses using samples of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2020. In addition, difference-in-differences and instrumental variable methods are used in the robustness test.

Findings

When digital transformation is categorized into quantity and structure, the impact mechanisms are found to be distinct. Externally, digital transformation quantity attracts social attention, aiding enterprises in evolutionary adaptability and acquiring resources to support ESG practices. Internally, digital transformation structure fosters green innovation, enabling enterprises to overcome technical obstacles and harness technology’s potential to enhance their ESG performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the current knowledge by differentiating digital transformation into quantity and structure, which helps to further explore the mechanism of digital transformation on ESG and address the research gap. Meanwhile, the concept of adaptability in the dynamic capability theory is employed to construct the model, offering a deeper perspective and expanding the theory. This nuanced investigation of the mediating effects of social attention and green innovation elucidates how different dimensions of digital transformation contribute to the development and utilization of dynamic capabilities, thereby enhancing enterprises’ ESG performance.
Anthropomorphism of service-oriented AI and customers’ propensity for value co-creation
Authors: Tian Ming , Yan Jiarui , Li Xiaotong
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Artificial intelligence (AI) used in service has sparked fundamental changes in how enterprises engage their customers. AI specifically designed for customer service is denoted as service-oriented AI. Through the lens of social information processing theory and the pleasure-arousal-dominance (PAD) emotional state model, this study aims to examine the underlying mechanisms for service-oriented AI anthropomorphism to influence customers' propensity for value co-creation.

Design/methodology/approach

Our data were collected from hotel customers who had experienced interactions with service-oriented AI. Through purposive sampling, 350 survey responses were collected. We analyzed the survey data using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM).

Findings

This study has two key findings. Firstly, customers' propensity for value co-creation is favorably facilitated by the anthropomorphism of service-oriented AI. Secondly, the anthropomorphism of service-oriented AI can strengthen customers' perceptions of cuteness and service capacity, elicit a sense of novelty, and enhance customers' propensity to collaborate with service-oriented AI to create value. These findings address the research gaps by focusing on customer engagement through service-oriented AI and provide a theoretical basis for subsequent practical endeavors in the field.

Originality/value

Integrating the PAD emotional state model with the social information processing theory, this study explores the effects of service-oriented AI's anthropomorphism on customers' propensity for value co-creation.
Board gender diversity and accounting conservatism: the role of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Muhammad Hussain , Paolone Francesco , Migliori Stefania
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to provide deeper insights into the relationship between board gender diversity (BGD) and accounting conservatism by exploring the mediating role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) underlying this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors sample 10,252 firm-year observations from 932 publicly listed firms in 15 European countries over the 2010–2020 period. The authors conduct several models for panel data, applying mediation mechanisms, the Heckman two-stage model and the generalized method of moments and instrumental variable regressions to test the research hypotheses and account for endogeneity problems as well as unobservable heterogeneity.

Findings

Based on an integrated theoretical framework that draws insights from agency, resource dependence and stakeholder theories, the authors establish a positive and significant relationship between BGD and accounting conservatism, which is significantly mediated by CSR. The authors provide empirical evidence for the prior inconsistent results on the gender diversity-conservative accounting link and suggest that BGD promotes effective corporate governance and enhances CSR performance, which in turn, leads to higher conservatism in financial reporting.

Practical implications

The findings have important implications for regulators, policymakers and managers in understanding the drivers to ensure and control the quality of financial reporting. The results alert firms to the need to focus not only on the importance of BGD but also on CSR activities to ensure higher earnings reporting quality.

Social implications

The results are significant in encouraging a higher presence of women on corporate boards, enhancing CSR performance and drawing social attention to mitigating earnings management practices through higher conservatism in financial reporting.

Originality/value

This paper recognized a gap in the literature not yet examined and contributed to the body of knowledge through the mediating role of CSR in the relationship between gender diversity and accounting conservatism.
Corporate social responsibility and tax avoidance: the moderating role of economic freedom
Authors: Acosta Garcia Catherine , Verleyen Isabelle , Roggeman Annelies
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Previous studies on the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and tax avoidance (TA) have found inconclusive results. Academics have suggested deepening our understanding of this relationship. Although a few studies have responded to this call, research toward moderating variables is still nascent. The purpose of this study is to analyze the moderating role of economic freedom (EF) and its interaction with power distance (PD) on the relationship between CSR and TA.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of 3,866 publicly listed firms from 44 countries over the period 2010–2018, the authors use multivariate regressions techniques to investigate whether and how EF moderates the relationship between CRS and TA and how PD influences this effect.

Findings

Findings indicate that the potentially positive relationship between CSR and TA is weaker for firms in institutional environments with higher EF. Moreover, we find that this moderating effect is stronger when PD is lower.

Practical implications

This study has important implications. It offers insights for managers to reflect on their CSR and taxation practices, and for policymakers to consider the institutional conditions that facilitate corporations’ social and tax-responsible behavior. These findings indicate the necessity of integrating cultural, regulatory and collaborative elements to observe corporations engaged in social and tax-responsible behavior.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to investigate the moderating effect of EF on the relationship between CSR and TA, and its interaction with PD. Moreover, our sample includes firms based in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Oceania, facilitating the study of EF and PD’s broad diversity.
Ethics of tourism: a Horizon 2050 paper
Authors: Tolkach Denis
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper is part of Horizon 2050 series of papers. This paper aims to highlight the importance of stronger engagement with ethical philosophy in tourism. A number of potential research streams are identified.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper first introduces several theories of ethics. It then reviews the history of tourism’s engagement with ethics, especially within academia. Subsequently, several themes for the future of research on tourism ethics are discussed according to four scales: the tourist, tourism business, tourism destination and the tourism system.

Findings

At the individual tourist level, future research should focus on better understanding tourist (un)ethical behaviour by considering the hedonic and cross-cultural nature of tourism. At business level, motivations to be ethical, ethical corporate models should be studied. Endurance of tourist products that are deemed unethical needs further analysis. At destination level, further understanding of stakeholder relations, stakeholder values and dissemination of those values is required. Fair and just options to sustainably manage visitation merit further discussion. At tourism system level, a stronger engagement with political philosophies and more creative alternatives for the current global tourism system require exploration.

Originality/value

While several reviews of ethics of tourism research exist, this paper is oriented towards opportunities for future research. The paper does not intend to cover all current ethical debates; however, it provides a number of topics within the tourism ethics field that merit further exploration in hope to inspire new research.
LVI analysis on the beams with nonuniform cross-sectional area using exponential shear–strain function
Authors: Mohammed Ali Al-Araji Ali , Jasim Manar Hamid , Al-Kasob Bashar Dheyaa Hussein
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study aims to investigate the low-velocity impact (LVI) on the surface of a beam with a changeable cross-sectional area. In the study “LVI on a beam with a changeable cross-sectional area and clamped-free boundary conditions”, the effect of changes in the cross-section are on the contact force, the beam displacement, the impactor displacement and the impactor velocity are investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

To obtain the motion equations, first, a field of displacements of the beam is written using third-order shear deformation of beams, including the exponential shear–strain function, and then the energy method is used. By combining Hamilton’s approaches and Ritz’s method, finally, the equations of motion are extracted. Using ABAQUS finite element code, validation of the theoretical approach is carried out. In this study, the beam with changeable cross-sectional area is considered in such a way that the height of the beam is constant, but the width of the beam changes linearly.

Findings

The results show that assuming the width of the beam in the clamped support is constant, an increase in the width of the beam in the free support leads to an increase in the peak contact force and the residual velocity of the impactor, also, the peak displacement of the beam and the impactor are decreased.

Originality/value

It can be shown from the analysis of LVI on beams with nonuniform cross-sectional area that the important influence on the contact force, impactor residual velocity, beam displacement and impactor displacement is achieved.
Grassland woody plant management rapidly changes woody vegetation persistence and abiotic habitat conditions but not herbaceous community composition
Authors: Charton Katherine T. , Damschen Ellen I.
Published: July 2024

Grasslands are among the most imperilled ecosystems worldwide, and many have experienced degradation due to the loss of historical disturbance regimes and subsequent woody encroachment. Management practitioners often use physical and chemical management interventions in combination with fire to counter encroachment, altering aboveground structure and belowground function, respectively. This may disrupt the feedbacks that perpetuate encroachment and restore the herbaceous community.

We use a large‐scale field experiment to assess the initial effects of different management interventions on woody vegetation persistence, abiotic habitat conditions, and herbaceous community composition. We evaluate these effects across seven sites spanning a natural soil moisture gradient to capture one aspect of environmental heterogeneity with which managers regularly contend.

We found that chemical intervention, both with and without the addition of physical intervention, was most effective at reducing woody plant cover and abundance, and a second application reduced woody plant abundance by more than one application alone. We also found that any management intervention increased light availability and air temperature and decreased soil moisture, with the combination of physical and chemical interventions having the greatest effects. Finally, none of the management interventions affected herbaceous richness and functional group cover within the study period, indicating delayed or nonexistent effects on herbaceous community composition.

Synthesis and application. Our findings suggest that management should focus on chemical intervention for the greatest effects on woody plant persistence and abiotic habitat conditions. Changes to herbaceous community composition may occur in the long term and seem likely since short‐term effects of management were successful in altering processes related to encroachment feedbacks.
Climate regulates the effect of land‐use change on the diversity of soil microbial functional groups and soil multifunctionality
Authors: Zhou Xuan , Cai Jinshan , Xu Jingwen , Liu Shengen , Wang Bing , Zhang Huiling , Yue Linyan , Wu Liji , Wu Ying , Chen Dima
Published: July 2024

Although studies have explored how soil microbial diversity and soil multifunctionality respond to land‐use change at local scales, they have rarely been explored at larger scales and across different climatic and soil environmental conditions.

By sampling 40 paired sites of land‐use change from natural forests to agricultural lands (including croplands and orchards) along the middle and lower Yangtze River, combined with a global meta‐analysis, we investigated the effects of land‐use change and climate on the alpha and beta diversity of soil bacterial and fungal functional groups (FGs) and their associated soil multifunctionality at a regional scale.

Our results showed that land‐use change strongly changed the diversity of soil bacterial and fungal FGs and decreased multifunctionality, which was supported by our meta‐analysis at a global scale. Direct effects of land‐use change and climate and their interaction, together with changes in soil environmental variables, were the main determinants of the land‐use change‐induced changes in the diversity of soil bacterial or fungal FGs. The land‐use change‐induced decrease in multifunctionality was mainly associated with the direct effect of forest conversion, soil fertility and diversity of fungal FGs. Furthermore, climate also regulated the effects of land‐use change on multifunctionality by affecting soil fertility and fungal FGs diversity along the Yangtze River.

Synthesis and applications. Taken together, our findings highlight the important effects of land‐use change, climate and their interactions on microbial diversity and multifunctionality and suggest that effective land‐use management and climate change mitigation strategies should be adopted to protect biodiversity and ecosystem function in the Yangtze River Basin.
Volcanic ash in soil is a source of strontium in stream water in chert‐bedrock forests in Mount Amamaki, Japan
Authors: Koshikawa Masami Kanao , Watanabe Mirai , Sase Hiroyuki , Morohashi Masayuki , Takahashi Masaaki , Tanikawa Toko , Takahashi Masamichi , Takahashi Akiko , Murata Tomoyoshi , Takamatsu Takejiro , Miura Shingo , Shin Ki‐Cheol , Nakano Takanori
Published: July 2024

Acid deposition is widespread in Japan, but acidification of stream water is rare in forest ecosystems. Bedrock‐derived cations, including those released into the soil by weathering of bedrock minerals, generally act to neutralize acid deposition and flow out into streams. Volcanic ash, which is widespread in Japan, may also release cations and neutralize acids, but the contribution of volcanic‐ash‐derived cations is currently poorly explored. To assess the importance of volcanic ash as a source of base cations, we examined strontium in two catchments underlain by chert bedrock at Mount Amamaki, Japan. Additionally, we obtained comparative data from two sandstone‐bedrock catchments in the same area. We measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios in samples of stream water, bulk precipitation, riverbed rock, and soil from the catchments. We used the 87Sr/86Sr data to analyze the relative contributions of atmospheric deposition, bedrock, and volcanic ash in soil as sources of Sr in the stream waters. We estimated volcanic ash in soil to contribute between 46% and 78% of stream‐water Sr for one chert‐bedrock catchment, and between 0% and 52% for the other. We conclude that volcanic ash in soil is an important source of Sr in stream water. Thus, volcanic ash can act as a source of base cations and hence contribute to the acid‐neutralizing capacity of soil in forest ecosystems in Japan.
Power with Purpose? Further Reflections on Strengthening the Centre of Government
Authors: Flinders Matthew , Ayres Sarah , Boswell John , Cairney Paul , Durose Catherine , Elliott Ian C. , Martin Steve , Richardson Liz
Published: July 2024

On 10 March 2024 the Commission on the Centre of Government published its final report: Power with Purpose. The aim of the commission had been to explore why Number Ten, the Cabinet Office and HM Treasury do not always work as well as they should and to explore what could be done to improve the centre of government radically. Perennial concerns about the existence of a ‘hollow crown’ at the centre of British government were, the final report recommended, to be resolved through the implementation of a ‘radical’ reform agenda. This article interrogates the commission's proposals from a critical perspective and builds upon existing concerns as to the viability of further centralising power in Whitehall. It achieves this by reflecting on an understanding of why history, criticality, governance, evidence and relationships matter when seeking to cope with complexity or when designing genuinely ‘radical’ new governance capabilities. It is argued that a full appreciation of these factors is essential to any project to strengthen the core executive and offers a more balanced, relational and systemic approach to nurturing strategic capacity in government.
State‐Level Education Quality and Trajectories of Cognitive Function by Race and Educational Attainment
Authors: WALSEMANN KATRINA M. , JACKSON HEIDE , ABBRUZZI EMILY , AILSHIRE JENNIFER A.
Published: July 2024

Policy Points

Education‐cognition research overlooks the role of education quality in shaping cognitive function at midlife and older ages, even though quality may be more responsive to federal and state investment in public schooling than attainment.

For older US adults who attended school during the early to mid‐20th century, the quality of US education improved considerably as federal and state investment increased.

Ensuring access to high‐quality primary and secondary education may protect against poor cognitive function at midlife and older ages, particularly among Black Americans and persons who complete less education. It may also play an important role in reducing health inequities.

Context

Although educational attainment is consistently associated with better cognitive function among older adults, we know little about how education quality is related to cognitive function. This is a key gap in the literature given that the quality of US education improved considerably during the early to mid‐20th century as state and federal investment increased. We posit that growing up in states with higher‐quality education systems may protect against poor cognitive function, particularly among Black adults and adults who completed fewer years of school.

Methods

We used prospective data on cognitive function from the Health and Retirement Study linked to historical data on state investment in public schools, restricting our sample to non‐Hispanic White and Black adults born between 1914 and 1959 (19,096 White adults and 4,625 Black adults). Using race‐stratified linear mixed models, we considered if state‐level education quality was associated with level and decline in cognitive function and if these patterns differed by years of schooling and race.

Findings

Residing in states with higher‐resourced education systems during childhood was associated with better cognitive function, particularly among those who completed less than 12 years of schooling, regardless of race. For White adults, higher‐resourced state education systems were associated with higher scores of total cognitive function and episodic memory, but there were diminishing returns as resources increased to very high levels. For Black adults, the relationship between state education resources and cognitive function varied by age with positive associations in midlife and generally null or negative associations at the oldest ages.

Conclusions

Federal and state investment in public schools may provide students with opportunities to develop important cognitive resources during schooling that translate into better cognitive function in later life, especially among marginalized populations.
A study comparing the cost‐effectiveness of conventional and drug‐eluting transarterial chemoembolisation (cTACE and DEB‐TACE) for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma in an Australian public hospital
Authors: Clements Warren , Chenoweth Abigail , Phipps Benjamin , Mozo Lowella , Bolger Mark , Morphett Laura , Phan Tuan , Koukounaras Jim , Lukies Matthew W
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer‐related mortality and transarterial chemoembolisation (TACE) is an established technique to treat patients with intermediate‐stage HCC. The aim of this study was to generate accurate costing data on cTACE and DEB‐TACE in an Australian setting and assess whether one of the procedures offers favourable cost‐effectiveness.

Methods

Costing study using data from all TACE procedures performed at a single centre between January 2018 and December 2022. Data were included from all direct and indirect costs including operative costs, wages, overheads, ward costs, transfusion, pathology, pharmacy and ward support. Cost‐effectiveness was assessed by dividing local costs by existing high‐quality data on quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs).

Results

64 TACE treatments were performed on 44 patients. Mean age was 66.5 years and 91% were male. Overall median total cost per patient for the entire TACE treatment regime was AUD$7380 (range AUD$3719–$20,258). However, 39% of patients received more than one treatment, and the median cost per individual treatment was AUD$5270 (range AUD$3533–$15,818). The difference in median cost between cTACE (AUD$4978) and DEB‐TACE (AUD$9202) was significant, P < 0.001. In calculating cost‐effectiveness, each cTACE treatment cost AUD$2489 per QALY gained, while each DEB‐TACE cost AUD$3834 per QALY gained. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio (ICER) for DEB‐TACE over cTACE was AUD$10,560 per QALY gained.

Conclusion

Both cTACE and DEB‐TACE are low‐cost treatments in Australia. However, DEB‐TACE offers a solution with an ICER of AUD$10,560 per QALY gained which is below the Australian government willingness to pay threshold and thus is a more cost‐effective treatment.
Harnessing cGAS–STING axis for therapeutic benefits in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Chang Liu
Published: July 2024

The cyclic GMP–AMP synthase (cGAS), a prominent intracellular DNA sensor in mammalian cells, controls the innate immune response and the stimulator of interferon genes (STING)‐mediated synthesis of pro‐inflammatory cytokines, such as type‐I interferon (IFN‐I). For decades, IFN‐I has been hypothesized to be essential in the development of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a chronic multisystem autoimmunity characterized by immune complex (IC) deposition in small vessels. Recent findings revealed that the activation of the cGAS–STING pathway by self‐DNA would propagate the autoimmune responses via upregulating IFN‐I production in SLE. In this review, we aimed to provide a comprehensive outlook of the role of the cGAS–STING pathway in SLE pathobiology, as well as, a better understanding of current therapeutic opportunities targeting this axis.
Microbiome heterogeneity in tissues of the coral, Fimbriaphyllia (Euphyllia) ancora
Authors: Chuang Po‐Shun , Wang Tzu‐Haw , Lu Chih‐Ying , Tandon Kshitij , Shikina Shinya , Tang Sen‐Lin
Published: July 2024

Coral microbiomes differ in the mucus, soft tissue and skeleton of a coral colony, but whether variations exist in different tissues of a single polyp is unknown. In the stony coral, Fimbriaphyllia ancora, we identified 8,994 amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs) in functionally differentiated polyp tissues, i.e., tentacles, body wall, mouth and pharynx, mesenterial filaments, and gonads (testes and ovaries), with a large proportion of ASVs specific to individual tissues. However, shared ASVs comprised the majority of microbiomes from all tissues in terms of relative abundance. No tissue‐specific ASVs were found, except in testes, for which there were only two samples. At the generic level, Endozoicomonas was significantly less abundant in the body wall, where calicoblastic cells reside. On the other hand, several bacterial taxa presented significantly higher abundances in the mouth. Interestingly, although without statistical confirmation, gonadal tissues showed lower ASV richness and relatively high abundances of Endozoicomonas (in ovaries) and Pseudomonas (in testes). These findings provide evidence for microbiome heterogeneity between tissues within coral polyps, suggesting a promising field for future studies of functional interactions between corals and their bacterial symbionts.
A case of relieving thymoma after conservative management of anti‐gamma‐aminobutyric acid receptor type A encephalitis
Authors: Li Yanmei , Xie Ning
Published: July 2024

Anti‐gamma‐aminobutyric acid receptor type A (GABAA) encephalitis is a relatively rare autoimmune encephalitis, and often associated with thymoma. Here, a 44‐year‐old female was diagnosed as having a thymoma with autoimmune encephalitis. At 4‐month follow‐up she was without recurrence of symptoms after treatment with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and immunotherapy. This case report provides a reference for the identification of this type of paraneoplastic encephalitis and for a therapeutic schedule. It also highlights that conservative treatment may be effective for patients with a tumor and GABAA encephalitis.
Mitigating the deceptive effects of smooth surfaces: subtle surface modifications can eliminate maladaptive drinking attempts by bats
Authors: Abdul Rahman Nor Amira , Firtha Gergely , Szabadi Kriszta Lilla , Jones Gareth , Zsebők Sándor
Published: July 2024

The amount of artificial smooth surfaces in the environment increases continuously with urbanization on a global scale. There is growing evidence that smooth surfaces such as windows, solar panels and other objects can serve as sensory traps for many animal species. Artificial smooth surfaces can function as acoustic mirrors, disrupting echolocation of bats and consequently causing maladaptive behaviours such as drinking from and colliding with these surfaces. Therefore, investigating opportunities to mitigate the effects of artificial smooth surfaces is important from a conservation viewpoint. Here, we conducted a field experiment with bats, an ensonification experiment in the laboratory, and a computer simulation, in order to study the effect of mechanical surface modification on the acoustic characteristics of smooth surfaces. In the field experiment, we presented a horizontal smooth plate alone or with strings (diameters between 0.25–2.5 mm) and the behaviour of bats around the plate was video recorded. Bats significantly decreased the frequency of drinking events with increasing diameter of the strings. We also found an indication that a crossed pattern of the strings on the plate may be more effective than a parallel arrangement. The results of the ensonification experiment and the mathematical modelling revealed that a subtle modification of the smooth surfaces with long, linear thin objects can effectively modify the acoustic characteristics of smooth surfaces in general and thereby potentially change the behaviour of bats. Further investigations from sensory, behavioural and ecological viewpoints are proposed to better understand the impact of smooth surfaces on bats and the mitigation solutions that are needed. This research underscores the significance of exploring innovative approaches to minimize the negative impacts of urbanization on wildlife, highlighting the potential of practical interventions to promote coexistence between anthropogenic environments and threatened species.
Alpha and beta‐diversity and community structure of dung beetle assemblages in an East African protected savannah
Authors: Lado Thomas Francis , Stephen Abusala Albano , Jibi Wani Felix , Moilinga Pasquale T.
Published: July 2024

Few studies have examined how dung beetle species composition changes across several mammalian dung types. Species composition and abundance of dung beetles were studied in dung samples of seven African mammals along animal trails and using 14 baited‐pitfall traps in both the park and the buffer zone resulting in a combined data set of 113 samples. Both the number of species (18) and the number of individual dung beetles (600) encountered were low for an area close to the Equator. Few species (2) and herbivores (13) tunnellers (9) dominated the dung beetles community, feeding and guild structure respectively. Alpha diversity was moderate 2.06 (1 < H′ ≤ 3). Beta diversity ranged from low 0.8 (high similarity) to high (zero, no similarity). Dung beetle species composition varied with dung type with the degree of pairwise similarity between two dung types in 19 of the total (21) dung beetle communities comparisons showing low similarity (0.4) to no similarity (zero). The observed discrepancies may be attributed to dung size, composition and consistency as well as to the low number of dung of the different animal species sampled. Furthermore, further research is needed as rarefaction curves suggest that sampling was incomplete.
Prevalence of neurocognitive disorders 5 years after elective orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Atkins Kelly J. , Silbert Brendan , Scott David A. , Evered Lis A.
Published: July 2024

Background

Peri‐operative neurocognitive disorders are one of the most common complications affecting older adults after anaesthesia and surgery. It is not clear how exposure to surgery and anaesthesia contributes to the prevalence of long‐term neurocognitive disorders. This study aimed to report the prevalence of neurocognitive disorders, and explore pre‐operative factors associated with neurocognitive disorders 5 years after elective orthopaedic surgery.

Methods

A prospective, 5‐year longitudinal, cohort study was performed recruiting patients (aged ≥ 60 y) undergoing elective orthopaedic surgery and a contemporaneous non‐surgical control group. Neurocognitive disorder was evaluated and classified at baseline and 5‐year review incorporating: self‐ and informant‐reported cognition; functional participation; and performance on neuropsychological tests.

Results

Recruitment at 5‐year follow‐up included 195 patients and 21 control participants. In the patient cohort the prevalence of neurocognitive disorder was 38.1% (n = 75), with 61 (30.1%) meeting the criteria for mild neurocognitive disorder and 14 (7.1%) for major neurocognitive disorder. At 5‐year follow‐up, 121 (61.4%) patients were classified with a neurocognitive disorder, with 88 (44.7%) characterised with mild neurocognitive disorder and 33 (16.8%) with major neurocognitive disorder. Age (odds ratio (95%CI) 1.07 (1.02–1.13); p = 0.01) and baseline cognitive impairment (odds ratio (95%CI) 2.1 (1.06–4.15); p = 0.03) were significant predictors of neurocognitive disorder 5 years after surgery.

Conclusion

More than half of older adult patients had some form of neurocognitive disorder 5 years after elective orthopaedic surgery. Surgery and anaesthesia may be associated with the trajectory of cognitive decline in at‐risk older adults, including those with pre‐operative cognitive impairment. Cognitive screening should be factored into pre‐operative assessments of older adults to inform subsequent care.
Resilient Commoning: The Reproduction of the Basque Commons in the Longue Durée
Authors: Olsen Jonah
Published: July 2024

In this article, I offer an innovative approach to examining the reproduction of commoning in the longue durée. I adopt a broad, but fundamentally spatial, understanding of commoning and enclosure that recognises not only the material but also the political, socio‐cultural, and labour commons. This allows for the identification of both the diversity of commoning practices and institutions and how enclosure has shaped these new commons. Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork, I integrate the concepts of “threshold spatiality” and the “commons circuit” to describe how commoning practices have been adapted to new spatialities following enclosure. The reproduction of commoning in various forms in the Basque Country illustrates what I call “resilient commoning” practices over centuries of political‐economic change. In doing so, I offer a narrative that moves beyond the debate over the Basque Country being historically egalitarian or stratified, instead focusing on the dialectical processes of commoning and enclosure.
Cardiovascular toxicities by calcineurin inhibitors: Cellular mechanisms behind clinical manifestations
Authors: Attachaipanich Tanawat , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon
Published: July 2024

Calcineurin inhibitors (CNI), including cyclosporine A (CsA) and tacrolimus (TAC), are cornerstones of immunosuppressive therapy in solid organ transplant recipients. While extensively recognized for their capacity to induce nephrotoxicity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, emerging reports suggest potential direct cardiovascular toxicities associated with CNI. Evidence from both in vitro and in vivo studies has demonstrated direct cardiotoxic impact of CNI, manifesting itself as induction of cardiomyocyte apoptosis, enhanced oxidative stress, inflammatory cell infiltration, and cardiac fibrosis. CNI enhances cellular apoptosis through CaSR via activation of the p38 MAPK pathway and deactivation of the ERK pathway, and enhancement of miR‐377 axis. Although CNI could attenuate cardiac hypertrophy in certain animal models, CNI concurrently impaired systolic function, enhanced cardiac fibrosis, and increased the risk of heart failure. Evidence from in vivo studies demonstrated that CNI prolong the duration of action potentials through a decrease in potassium current. CNI also exerted direct effects on endothelial cell injury, inducing apoptosis and enhancing oxidative stress. CNI may induce vascular inflammation through TLR4 via MyD88 and TRIF pathways. In addition, CNI affects vascular function by impairing endothelial‐dependent vasodilation and promoting vasoconstriction. Clinical studies in transplant patients also revealed an increased incidence of cardiac remodeling. However, the evidence is constrained by the limited number of participants and potential confounding factors. Several studies indicate differing cardiovascular toxicity profiles between CsA and TAC, and these could be potentially due to their different interactions with calcineurin subunits and calcineurin‐independent effects. Further studies are needed to clarify these mechanisms to improve cardiovascular outcomes for transplant patients with CNI.
Economic evaluations of therapeutic drug monitoring interventions in acute hospital‐based settings: A systematic review
Authors: Carland Jane E. , Carland David J. , Brett Jonathan , Stocker Sophie L. , Roberts Darren M. , Day Richard O. , Laba Tracey‐Lea
Published: July 2024

Aims

Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) aims to optimize drug therapy. As demand on health resources increases, and the technology underpinning TDM becomes more sophisticated, the economic benefits of TDM in hospitals is unclear. The aim of this systematic review was to summarize the economic evidence that could be used to support investment in TDM in hospital settings. In so doing, we sought to provide guidance for future economic evaluations.

Methods

Medline, Embase, CENTRAL, Econlit and NHS Economic Evaluation databases were searched (inception to December 2022) for economic evaluations of hospital‐based TDM. Two authors reviewed the studies and extracted data. Overall quality of economic analysis reporting was assessed using the Consolidated Health Economic Evaluation Reporting Standards (CHEERS) checklist.

Results

Ten prospective studies (including six randomized studies) and nine retrospective studies were eligible. Overall study reporting was poor, publications meeting a median (range) of 61% (46–82%) of CHEERS checklist criteria. An antimicrobial TDM intervention for adult patients was the focus of most studies (n = 18). Variable clinical outcomes were reported, and length of stay was the primary economic outcome for most studies (n = 13). The majority of studies determined that TDM was economically and clinically favourable (n = 14), four studies reporting a cost‐reduction in patient sub‐populations.

Conclusions

Significant improvements in both economic and clinical outcomes may be realized with TDM interventions, particularly when targeted to complex patient populations. Attainment of therapeutic target could serve as a feasible surrogate measure of benefit for hospital‐based TDM interventions. However, systematic reporting of economic outcomes is needed to inform investment decisions.
Antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing in patients with type 2 diabetes in Scotland: A time‐trend analysis from 2004 to 2021
Authors: Greene Charlotte R. L. , Blackbourn Luke A. K. , McGurnaghan Stuart J. , Mercer Stewart W. , Smith Daniel J. , Wild Sarah H. , Wu Honghan , Jackson Caroline A. ,   the Scottish Diabetes Research Network epidemiology group
Published: July 2024

Aims

Prescribing of antidepressant and antipsychotic drugs in general populations has increased in the United Kingdom, but prescribing trends in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D) have not previously been investigated. The aim of this study was to describe time trends in annual prevalence of antidepressant and antipsychotic drug prescribing in adult patients with T2D.

Methods

We conducted repeated annual cross‐sectional analysesof a population‐based diabetes registry with 99% coverage, derived from primary and secondary care data in Scotland, from 2004 to 2021. For each cross‐sectional calendar year time period, we calculated the prevalence of antidepressant and antipsychotic drug prescribing, overall and by sociodemographic characteristics and drug subtype.

Results

The number of patients with a T2D diagnosis in Scotland increased from 161 915 in 2004 to 309 288 in 2021. Prevalence of antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing in patients with T2D increased markedly between 2004 and 2021 (from 20.0 per 100 person‐years to 33.3 per 100 person‐years and from 2.8 per 100 person‐years to 4.7 per 100 person‐years, respectively). We observed this pattern for all drug subtypes except for first‐generation antipsychotics, prescribing of which remained largely stable. The degree of increase, as well as the overall prevalence of prescribing, differed by age, sex, socioeconomic status and subtype of drug class.

Conclusions

There has been a marked increase in the prevalence of antidepressant and antipsychotic prescribing in patients with T2D in Scotland. Further research should identify the reasons for this increase, including indication for use and the extent to which this reflects increases in incident prescribing rather than increased duration.