bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Measuring the impact of lean implementation on BIM and project success: case of construction firms
Authors: Polat Furkan , Demirkesen Sevilay
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to reveal the degree of association between lean, building information modeling (BIM) and construction project success. The study further intends to provide strategies for high and low associations of the factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Lean construction and BIM are two important applications that have recently gained popularity in terms of enhancing project success. Considering this impact, this study investigates the synergy between lean construction and BIM and determines to what extent these two contribute to the success of the projects. As a first step, lean, BIM and project success were examined based on an in-depth literature review. In the second stage, a structural equation model (SEM) was established to reflect the relationship among these three through hypotheses. Then, a questionnaire was designed and administered to the construction professionals experienced in both lean and BIM implementation. The SEM was tested using Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS), an SPSS tool.

Findings

The results indicated that lean implementation has a significant and positive impact on BIM implementation and project success. On the other hand, BIM implementation had a lower significant impact on project success than lean implementation construct.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study can be used by both policymakers and industry practitioners in terms of developing strategies for effectively using both lean and BIM. The researchers can further develop other implementation models to investigate whether these concepts are more effective in increasing project success when used integratively.

Originality/value

This study considers both the impact of lean and BIM on project success through input from construction practitioners working on large projects. This way, the study fosters the use of lean, BIM or lean–BIM together in construction projects to enhance project success.
Innovating the management of supply chains for social sustainability: from the state of the art to an integrated framework
Authors: Zangara Gabriele , Filice Luigino
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper focuses on managerial practices in the context of supply chain. It focuses on the innovation of monitoring and control practices and proposes a holistic approach to managing social sustainability in the supply chain, extending the point of view beyond the traditional boundaries of individual factories or their immediate suppliers.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis is based on a systematic review of scientific literature on managerial practices in supply chains, with a specific focus on social sustainability. The primary goal is to identify essential measurement strategies and key indicator factors within this domain.

Findings

Our findings highlight that most of scientific literature focuses on qualitative approaches, though quantitative approaches are also used. Despite the extensive research, an under-investigated area is the use of hybrid models for measuring social sustainability in the supply chain.

Social implications

This framework is designed to identify the main categories of measurement and relative indicators for assessing social sustainability in supply chains.

Originality/value

This research proposes an innovative and integrated framework, leveraging a hybrid approach that addresses the limitations observed in existing management practices. Additionally, it provides directions for future research.
Education for sustainability as a way-out to nurture citizens: a reframing in policy practices of Chinese higher education
Authors: Xiao Chong , Du Xiaoxin
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study examines education for sustainability (EfS) within the Chinese context, to specifically enrich the understanding on how EfS is structured and implemented to nurture citizenship in the policy practices of universities in Mainland China and Hong Kong.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-case analysis is recruited to examine the commonalities and differences between two universities and identify patterns in cultivating sustainability citizenship within higher education institutions (HEIs) in China. Data were collected through reviewing documents, including two universities’ strategic plans, action plans, department meeting memos, program introductions, course outlines and publicity coverage. Observation was also adopted to enrich the data for analysis, covering meetings, speeches by senior management, university events and informal conversations about university operations.

Findings

Citizenship and sustainability in university strategic planning, curriculum and instruction, carriers of EfS institutionalization, and resources and impacts of EfS beyond the institutes were analyzed in a comparative manner, offering valuable insights into how EfS can be institutionalized in different universities based on their unique appeals, existing curriculum and management systems.

Originality/value

By exploring these intra-national distinctions in EfS, the study sheds light on the variation within China's citizenship education, which is traditionally seen as highly unified with limited room for differences. The detailed exploration of university strategies and program/course content enriches the literature of sustainability as an educational phenomenon on an international scale and modernized citizenship education in China.
Fostering AI literacy: overcoming concerns and nurturing confidence among preservice teachers
Authors: Hur Jung Won
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how preservice teachers’ stages of concern, beliefs, confidence and interest in AI literacy education evolve as they deepen their understanding of AI concepts and AI literacy education.

Design/methodology/approach

AI literacy lessons were integrated into a technology integration course for preservice teachers, and the impacts of the lessons were evaluated through a mixed-methods study. The Concerns-Based Adoption Model was employed as the analytical framework to explore participants’ specific concerns related to AI.

Findings

Findings revealed that participants initially lacked AI knowledge and awareness. However, targeted AI literacy education enhanced preservice teachers’ awareness and confidence in teaching AI. While acknowledging AI’s educational benefits, participants expressed ongoing concerns after AI literacy lessons, such as fears of teacher displacement and the potential adverse effects of incorporating generative AI on students’ critical learning skills development.

Originality/value

Despite the importance of providing preservice teachers with AI literacy skills and knowledge, research in this domain remains scarce. This study fills this gap by enhancing the AI-related knowledge and skills of future educators, while also identifying their specific concerns regarding the integration of AI into their future classrooms. The findings of this study offer valuable insights and guidelines for teacher educators to incorporate AI literacy education into teacher training programs.
Beyond profit in family businesses: ESG-driven business model innovation and the critical role of digital capabilities
Authors: Marnoto Sandra , Silva Carla , Veiga Pedro Mota
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the interaction between environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices and digital capabilities in promoting business model innovation (BMI) in family firms. Specifically, it researches how ESG practices influence BMI in family firms, breaking down this influence into its ESG components.

Design/methodology/approach

We used microdata from the Flash Eurobarometer 486 survey, conducted by the European Commission in 2020, which provides detailed data on the challenges and obstacles faced by European businesses. The survey included telephone interviews with key managers from 2,483 family-owned businesses across 27 EU countries.

Findings

The analysis found that the environmental, social and governance dimensions of ESG significantly enhance business model innovation in family firms. Additionally, the interaction between environmental practices and digital capabilities significantly enhances business model innovation in family firms, while the interactions between social or governance practices and digital capabilities do not show significant effects.

Research limitations/implications

The study supports the theoretical framework that integrates ESG practices into business model innovation, providing empirical evidence for the concept of sustainable business models. It emphasizes the importance of environmental sustainability, social engagement and robust governance in driving innovation.

Practical implications

Family business managers can use the findings to guide their innovation strategies by integrating ESG practices with digital capabilities. Policymakers can also benefit from understanding the importance of supporting ESG practices and digitalization in family businesses, fostering a regulatory environment that encourages sustainable innovation.

Originality/value

This research expands the theoretical understanding of how ESG practices and digital capabilities interact to foster BMI, particularly in family firms. By breaking down ESG practices into environmental, social and governance components, the study offers a detailed view of their interaction with digital capabilities.
The “mythologies” of women at work, interrupted: feminist origins antenarratives from Harvard Business Review and Western University’s The Quarterly, Part I
Authors: Ruel Stefanie
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The author aims to walk beside the singular privileged class of White women’s suffrage feminist origin story to (re)construct plausible feminist fragmented threads as antenarratives in the context of business management education. To accomplish this (re)assembling of threads, the author examined two North American business trade publications created and used within two business schools, Harvard University’s Harvard Business Review (HBR), established in 1922, and Western University’s The Quarterly Review of Commerce (The Quarterly), established in 1933.

Design/methodology/approach

The author carefully reviewed almost 4,000 articles from HBR and The Quarterly, focusing on 308 articles that addressed the experiences of complex women. With this subset of collected articles, the author highlighted overlooked details, accidents and errors, generating interest and curiosity about the emergence of these fragmented and paradoxical origins that align with Foucault's histories of errors. By grouping these narrative fragments into themes and conducting a critical discourse analysis that incorporated influences from the external environment, the author reconstructed plural feminist origins antenarratives.

Findings

The themes discovered, including women as consumers, explicit working women concerns, women as authors/coauthors, diversity and social justice initiatives, and women in higher education/training, are not merely descriptive observations. They are the building blocks for identifying and analyzing the power relations circulating among feminist origins antenarratives within management education circles. These antenarratives include shedding light on women working in capitalist contexts, the educational needs of business women, and men and naming (but not breaking) the “mythologies” of women at work. These findings are transformative to the understanding of plural feminist origins.

Originality/value

The uniqueness of this work lies in its threefold contributions: moving away from the notion of a singular feminist origin story and instead embracing the complexity of multiple, paradoxical and incomplete origins; shedding light on the spectrum of power relations – ranging from productive to oppressive – that shaped the experiences of women in two management educational circles during the first half of the 20th century; and introducing the concept of inflection points, which underscores the fluidity of knowledge.
Reverse logistics and financial performance in a developing country context: the moderating role of analytics capability
Authors: Appiah Listowel Owusu , Owusu-Bio Matilda Kokui
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the financial outcome of reverse logistics among firms in a developing country. The authors draw on the organizational information processing theory to propose that analytics capability moderates the relationship between reverse logistics and financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected firm-level survey data from 200 manufacturing firms in Ghana, a developing country in sub-Saharan Africa. Partial least squares structural equations modeling is used to examine the proposed relationships, and the moderating effects are further probed using Hayes PROCESS.

Findings

The empirical results show that reverse logistics is negatively related to financial performance. However, analytics capability attenuates this negative relationship, such that firms with high analytics capability obtain a positive relationship between reverse logistics and financial performance.

Practical implications

Firms in developing countries should combine their reverse logistics strategies with developing analytics capabilities that help minimize uncertainties and increase the efficient collection and use of information to reduce the cost of reverse logistics.

Originality/value

This paper examines how reverse logistics relates to financial performance in low-resource contexts. Beyond the novelty of the context, it explores the information processing needs of reverse logistics systems and provides empirical data to support analytics capability. This has yet to be considered in prior studies.
Strategising for the circular economy through servitisation
Authors: Johnstone Leanne
Published: July 2024

Purpose

From a firm-centric perspective, this study aims to elaborate on the types of servitisation strategies that can support a firm’s circular ambitions by asking: What is the role of servitisation in narrowing, slowing and/or closing resource loops? And, how are resources and capabilities arranged to provide such strategic circular service offerings?

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the experiences of an international manufacturing company from a dynamic capabilities perspective, the study offers an analytical framework that goes inside the firm’s operationalisation of its service offerings to support circularity in terms of the strategic decisions made. This framework is later used to frame the findings.

Findings

The study highlights the case-specific feedback loops and capabilities needed to support circular transitions. Various resource and innovation strategies for circularity are combined along customer interfaces and in partnership with upstream actors. Yet, open innovation strategies are conditioned by physical distance to provide circular services in remote areas.

Research limitations/implications

The main contributions are empirical, analytical, conceptual and practical. The servitisation framework for circularity connects prior servitisation-circularity research and provides an analytical tool for framing future studies. The study also expands the definition of open innovation in that closed innovations for circularity can be achieved through “open” information exchange in knowledge networks, as well as provides advice for similar large manufacturing companies.

Originality/value

This study focuses on the strategic choices made by industrial firms for circular service provision and emphasises the environmental benefits from such choices, in addition to the economic and customer benefits covered in extant servitisation research.
Leadership styles, team innovative behavior, and new green product development performance
Authors: Li Cai , Murad Majid , Ashraf Sheikh Farhan , Jiatong Wang
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Employee’s innovative behavior as a team allows the organization to achieve its goals; however, team green creativity requires transformational and entrepreneurial leader support. Therefore, the study explores the impact of green transformational and entrepreneurial leadership on team innovative behavior and green new product development with the mediating role of team green creativity.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted to collect data from 455 employees working in the hospitality industry via a self-administered questionnaire, and hypotheses were analyzed using the partial least squares structural equation modeling PLS-SEM technique using Smart-PLS 4.0.

Findings

The results indicate that green transformational and entrepreneurial leadership styles positively and significantly affect team innovative behavior and new green product development performance. Furthermore, findings show that team green creativity partially mediates the relationship between green transformational and entrepreneurial leadership on team innovative behavior, and new green product development performance.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study provide insights to hospitality professionals pursuing the improvement of team innovative behavior and new green product development performance through team green creativity and leadership styles.

Practical implications

This study is useful for organizations that target new green product development performance and establish higher green innovative behavior cohesively among its team members through these robust leadership styles.

Originality/value

This study is the first attempt to provide a valuable contribution to the growing field of green leadership styles on team innovative behavior and new green product development performance through team green creativity.
Governance of corporate social responsibility: a platform ecosystem perspective
Authors: Lin Wenfang , Wang Yifeng , Samara Georges , Lu Jintao
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The sustainable development of the platform economy has been hindered by the absence and alienation of platform corporate social responsibility. Previous studies have mainly focused on the contents and governance models for platform corporate social responsibility. This study seeks to explore which strategy participants choose in the governance of platform corporate social responsibility and their influencing factors.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a platform ecosystem approach, a quadrilateral evolutionary game model was developed, and the stabilities of subjects’ behavioral strategies and their combinations in various scenarios were analyzed. Additionally, the effects of key parameters on the system’s evolutionary path were simulated.

Findings

The ideal steady state system is achieved when platform enterprises, complementors and consumers adopt positive strategies while the government adopts lax regulation. Moreover, the evolutionary strategies of the subjects are influenced by several factors, including the participation costs of governance, the rewards and punishments imposed by platform enterprises, as well as the reputational losses of platform enterprises and complementors due to media coverage.

Practical implications

This study offers insights into improving the governance effectiveness of platform corporate social responsibility for managers and practitioners.

Originality/value

This study contributes to existing literature by considering the rational orientation of platform ecosystem members and revealing the interaction mechanisms among members. Furthermore, this study combines collective action theory and reputation theory to clarify the influencing factors on members’ behaviors.
Digital applications potential to support the mental well-being of nurses: an integrative review
Authors: Hindman James , Zugai Joel , Raeburn Toby
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Nurses work in a wide range of roles and settings, each with inherent stressors that can impact mental well-being. High levels of stress, burnout and clinical errors have been linked to the levels of support nurses have in their workplaces. Both consumers and health organisations benefit when nurses can engage in their work with support. Digital applications offer a promising option for supporting the mental well-being of nurses. This paper aims to provide analysis and synthesis of studies from the emerging field of research investigating the potential of digital applications to support the mental well-being of nurses.

Design/methodology/approach

An integrative literature review was conducted focused on studies published within the last ten years that employed digital applications specifically included to support nurses’ mental well-being. As part of the review inductive thematic analysis was then undertaken identifying four main themes diversity of digital applications; wide applicability across nursing; differing dimensions of well-being; and challenges to integration.

Findings

The study of digital applications used among nurses is a modern emerging field of research. Digital applications have considerable design variability and are being rolled out across multiple nursing specialities. They target differing aspects of mental well-being, offering promise despite the challenges to integration.

Originality/value

Digital applications are an emergent and promising option for supporting nurses' mental well-being. They have the potential to be personalised, cost-efficient and engaging platforms. The fast-paced technological advancement of digital applications will lead to the adoption of novel means of supporting nurses.
Police mental health in small and rural areas of Pennsylvania
Authors: Gibbs Jennifer C. , Schally Jennifer L. , Mullen Ally , Akdemir Melahat , Cutler Nicholas , Brearly Timothy W.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The nature of policework is uniquely challenging to officers’ mental health, producing detrimental outcomes such as higher rates of suicide, substance abuse and divorce compared to other occupations. This is especially true in small and rural police departments, where officers often have broader responsibilities and cover a larger geographic area than their counterparts who work in large urban departments. Given the limited resources available to small and rural police, the purpose of this study is to explore the mental health services available to officers in small and rural police departments.

Design/methodology/approach

We used a mixed methods approach. First, we surveyed 349 small and rural Pennsylvania police chiefs about the mental health services in their department. Of these chiefs, 53 participated in subsequent in-depth qualitative interviews about officer awareness of the mental health services available to them, what resources they thought would be helpful to officers and what barriers exist to prevent officers from seeking help.

Findings

Quantitative results indicated that 22% of small and rural police departments had no mental health programs available to officers; Critical Incident Stress Management and Employee Assistance Programs were most commonly available. Budget size and the presence of a union influenced whether a department had mental health programs available to officers. Qualitative interviews found that although most departments provided some mental health services, officers were unlikely to use them. Chiefs expressed a need for improved services that officers might be more likely to use.

Practical implications

Given the lack of resources available in small and rural police departments and the lack of adoption of some resources, we recommend peer assistance, general wellness programs and telehealth as feasible options for officer mental health.

Originality/value

Small and rural police comprise the bulk of policing in the USA, yet remain understudied. This study focuses on small and rural police.
Examining approaches to investigating the United Kingdom’s existing building fabric in the pursuit of net zero targets
Authors: Okonta Ebere Donatus , Rahimian Farzad
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the potential of existing buildings in the UK to contribute to the net-zero emissions target. Specifically, it aims to address the significant emissions from building fabrics which pose a threat to achieving these targets if not properly addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study, based on a literature review and ten (10) case studies, explored five investigative approaches for evaluating building fabric: thermal imaging, in situ U-value testing, airtightness testing, energy assessment and condensation risk analysis. Cross-case analysis was used to evaluate both case studies using each approach. These methodologies were pivotal in assessing buildings’ existing condition and energy consumption and contributing to the UK’s net-zero ambitions.

Findings

Findings reveal that incorporating the earlier approaches into the building fabric showed great benefits. Significant temperature regulation issues were identified, energy consumption decreased by 15% after improvements, poor insulation and artistry quality affected the U-values of buildings. Implementing retrofits such as solar panels, air vents, insulation, heat recovery and air-sourced heat pumps significantly improved thermal performance while reducing energy consumption. Pulse technology proved effective in measuring airtightness, even in extremely airtight houses, and high airflow and moisture management were essential in preserving historic building fabric.

Originality/value

The research stresses the need to understand investigative approaches’ strengths, limitations and synergies for cost-effective energy performance strategies. It emphasizes the urgency of eliminating carbon dioxide (CO2) and greenhouse gas emissions to combat global warming and meet the 1.5° C threshold.
How do nondisaster missioned organizations extend their roles to respond to disasters?: The formation conditions, evolution processes, and limitations of the extending organization
Authors: Han Seungheon , Joo Pilju
Published: July 2024

This study aimed to explore how non‐disaster missioned organizations extend their roles to respond to disasters, which is referred to as ‘extending organization’ or Type III in the Disaster Research Center Typology. To achieve this, the current study investigated the formation conditions and evolution processes of extending organizations of a cooperative consumer organization, Gyeongju iCOOP (GiCOOP), which extended its roles by self‐organizing a disaster‐response team after the 5.8‐magnitude earthquake that struck Gyeongju City, South Korea, 2016. Through a case study comprising in‐depth interviews with GiCOOP members and public officials of central and local governments, this study found that the extending organization was successfully formed under several conditions, with the earthquake as a trigger and trustworthy relationships among the members, and evolved through diverse activities to strengthen community resilience capacity. Although the GiCOOP had sufficient financial resources and utilized external experts, its lack of workforce, expertise in disasters, and collaboration with local governments were critical hindrances in expanding its future activities. Based on these findings, several suggestions were made on the sustainability of extending organizations in the future.
Selective postmortem arterial angiography of head and neck using digital x‐ray or computed tomography: A practical and rapid method to identify vascular injuries
Authors: Ali Zabiullah , Mourtzinos Nikki
Published: July 2024

Identification of vascular injuries is crucial for complete postmortem evaluation and understanding of trauma deaths by the Medical Examiner. Some vascular injuries are difficult to evaluate due to challenging anatomic locations, especially in the head and neck. Documenting injuries of the facial and vertebral arteries is challenging and necessitates time‐consuming dissections that can create artifacts and disfigurement. In busy medical examiner offices with a significant number of traumatic injuries, finding a creative solution to employ reliable postmortem angiography is desirable. At the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland (OCME), we created and effectively implemented a selective angiography procedure using traditional indwelling Foley catheters and water‐soluble barium swallow contrast to evaluate arterial injuries using either digital radiography or computed tomography imaging modalities. This technique and imaging interpretation can be performed by a medical examiner or forensic pathology fellow after basic technical training and basic radiology training. This study outlines the technique, methods, and utilization of the procedure and describes the findings of six deaths due to vascular lesions from different injury mechanisms and disease processes and describes the ease of implementation on a broader scale in busy Medical Examiner's offices.
Larval occurrence prediction of Dendrolimus punctatus based on fuzzy integrated evaluation method
Authors: Wang Guo‐Qing , Xu Yue , Wu Xiao‐Meng , Qian Guang‐Jing , Cheng Xian , Zou Yun‐Ding , Zhang Guo‐Qing , Fang Guo‐Fei , Zhou Xia‐Zhi , Bi Shou‐Dong
Published: July 2024

To improve the prediction accuracy of Dendrolimus punctatus larvae of overwintering, first and second generation and to provide a scientific basis for effective prevention and control of D. punctatus, six mathematical models of fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method were used to predict accumulative amount with the data of 1989–2014. The cumulative amount for the overwintering and the first generation was predicted in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018. The forecasted results of six models were all level 1, which was consistent with the actual results. Five forecasted results of six models and the actual results were level 1. The actual accumulative amount of D. punctatus for the second generation was level 1 in 2015, 2016, and 2017, which were consistent with the six models' forecasted results.
Research on interpersonal electronic surveillance in romantic relationships: Applying the theory of motivated information management
Authors: Bai Yiting , Fu Donghan , van Swol Lyn M.
Published: July 2024

Through a questionnaire survey of 326 respondents in romantic relationships, we apply the theory of motivated information management (TMIM) in explaining the process of managing uncertainty through interpersonal electronic surveillance (IES) in romantic relationships. Our results indicate that: (1) In the interpretation phase of TMIM, the uncertainty discrepancy of romantic relationship is positively related to people's anxiety. (2) In the evaluation phase, the anxiety can significantly decrease the individual's efficacy, while increase (positive) outcome expectancy (OE) of IES and OE would positively influence people's efficacy. (3) In the decision phase, the positive effect of outcome expectation is significant enough, showing a direct and positive impact on IES, which causes efficacy not to significantly influence IES. Theoretical implications related to revised TMIM and practical implications related to IES as a means of managing uncertainty in romantic relationships are discussed.
Retrospective study in 1020 cases on the rate of surgical site infections after lacrimal surgery without prophylactic systemic antibiotics
Authors: de Keizer R. O. B. , Suwandi J. S. , van Limpt J. C. , Kluis C. , Hötte G. , Nagtegaal A. P. , Paridaens D.
Published: July 2024

Background/Aims

Data regarding the effectiveness of prophylactic systemic antibiotics (PSA) in lacrimal surgery is scarce. Therefore, we determined the postoperative surgical site infection (SSI) rate in lacrimal surgery without PSA.

Methods

We retrospectively analysed files of patients who underwent external (extDCR) or endoscopic endonasal dacryocystorhinostomy (endoDCR). We excluded patients with incomplete data (n = 68), acute a priori infection with the need for antibiotics (n = 15) and PSA post‐operatively for other reasons (n = 28). Indications for surgery were canalicular stenosis (n = 51, 18.6% endoDCR vs n = 131, 19.5% extDCR), nasolacrimal duct obstruction (n = 118, 43.2% endoDCR vs n = 480, 64.3% extDCR) and mucocele/chronic dacryocystitis (n = 52, 19.0% endoDCR vs n = 187, 25.0% extDCR).

Results

In this study, 1020 DCR surgeries were performed in 899 patients. Postoperative SSI was diagnosed in eight patients (0.8%); exclusively after extDCR (1.1% of all extDCR). No SSIs were found in endoDCR cases. The prevalence between SSI in extDCR versus endoDCR did not prove significant (n = 8/747 0.8% vs n = 0/273 0%, p = 0.13). All patients diagnosed with SSI were successfully treated with systemic oral antibiotics.

Conclusion

The prevalence of SSI after DCR is low and was effectively treated with oral antibiotics. In our study, SSI occurred rarely after extDCR and was not observed after endoDCR. We conclude that lacrimal surgery is safe without the routine administration of PSA.
Recovery from parenteral nutrition‐associated cholestasis takes approximately two months in very low birth weight infants
Authors: Oh Keun Hyun , Oh Yoonkyo , Lim Gina , Oh Ki Won
Published: July 2024

Aim

To investigate the clinical characteristics and course of parenteral nutrition‐associated cholestasis (PNAC) in very low birth weight (VLBW) infants.

Methods

The charts of VLBW infants were retrospectively reviewed. The clinical characteristics of infants with and without PNAC were compared, trends in liver enzymes were investigated, and the characteristics of infants with PNAC were analysed based on age of onset.

Results

PNAC was observed in 53 (13.2%) of 403 infants who survived and completed follow‐up and was associated with significantly lower gestational age, birth weight, and adverse neonatal outcomes. PNAC started at a median 32 (interquartile range 23–47) days, PN was applied for 53 (34.5–64.5) days, the maximum direct bilirubin (DB) was observed at 63 (50–76) postnatal days, and PNAC resolved at 94 (79–122) postnatal days postnatal age. PNAC lasted 61 (38–89.5) days. AST and ALT normalised at 111 (100.3–142.0) and 109.5 (97–161.3) postnatal days. Infants with early‐onset PNAC had significantly longer PN duration, higher maximum DB, and higher maximum AST than those with late‐onset PNAC.

Conclusion

Elevated DB, AST, and ALT persist for a long period after discontinuing PN. We suggest a cautious approach that involves waiting and reducing the frequency of additional repetitive examinations.
Robotic gastrectomy using hinotori™ Surgical Robot System: Initial case series
Authors: Kitadani Junya , Ojima Toshiyasu , Hayata Keiji , Goda Taro , Takeuchi Akihiro , Tominaga Shinta , Fukuda Naoki , Nakai Tomoki , Nagano Shotaro , Kawai Manabu
Published: July 2024

Background

This study aims to prove the feasibility and safety of robotic gastrectomy using the hinotori™ Surgical Robot System (Medicaroid Corporation, Kobe, Japan).

Methods

We retrospectively enrolled the 16 patients who underwent gastrectomy by the hinotori™ Surgical Robot System for gastric cancer at our hospital between June 2023 and January 2024. Console surgeons performed almost all lymphadenectomies, including the clipping of vessels. Assistant surgeons supported the lymphadenectomy using vessel sealing devices and during reconstruction.

Results

Thirteen patients were cStage I, one patient was cStage II, and two patients were cStage III. Distal gastrectomy, proximal gastrectomy, and total gastrectomy were performed in 11, 1, and 4 patients, respectively. D1+ and D2 lymphadenectomies were performed in 11 and 5 patients, respectively. Billroth‐I, Billroth‐II, Roux‐en‐Y, and esophagogastrostomy were performed in three, six, six, and one patients, respectively. The median operation time was 282 (245–338) min, and the median console time was 226 (185–266) min. The median blood loss was 28 (12–50) mL, and the median amylase levels in drainage fluid were 280 (148–377) U/L on postoperative day 1 and 74 (42–148) U/L on postoperative day 3. There was anastomotic leakage (Clavien–Dindo [CD] IIIa) in one patient who underwent proximal gastrectomy. The median postoperative hospital stay was 12.5 (12–14) days.

Conclusion

In this initial case series, the hinotori™ Surgical Robot System was found to be safe and feasible for patients with gastric cancer and is suggested to be appropriate for gastrectomy, including distal gastrectomy and total gastrectomy.
Effects on cerebral blood flow after single doses of the β2agonist, clenbuterol, in healthy volunteers and patients with mild cognitive impairment or Parkinson's disease
Authors: Lodeweyckx Thomas , de Hoon Jan , Van Laere Koen , Bautista Edgar , Rizzo Gaia , Bishop Courtney , Rabiner Eugenii , Martin Renee S. , Ford Anthony , Vargas Gabriel
Published: July 2024

Aims

Cerebral hypometabolism occurs years prior to a diagnosis of neurodegenerative diseases and coincides with reduced cerebral perfusion and declining noradrenergic transmission from the locus coeruleus. In pre‐clinical models, β‐adrenoceptor (β‐AR) agonists increase cerebrocortical glucose metabolism, and may have therapeutic potential for neurodegenerative diseases. This study investigated the safety and effects on regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) of the oral, brain‐penetrant β2‐AR agonist, clenbuterol, in healthy volunteers (HV) and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Parkinson's disease (PD).

Methods

This study evaluated the safety and effects on cerebral activity of the oral, brain‐penetrant, β2‐AR agonist clenbuterol (20–160 μg) in healthy volunteers and patients with MCI or PD. Regional CBF, which is tightly coupled to glucose metabolism, was measured by arterial spin labelling MRI in 32 subjects (25 HV and 8 MCI or PD) across five cohorts. In some cohorts, low doses of nadolol (1–5 mg), a β‐AR antagonist with minimal brain penetration, were administered with clenbuterol to control peripheral β2‐AR responses.

Results

Significant, dose‐dependent increases in rCBF were seen in multiple brain regions, including hippocampus, amygdala and thalamus, following the administration of clenbuterol to HVs (mean changes from baseline in hippocampal rCBF of −1.7%, 7.3%, 22.9%, 28.4% 3 h after 20, 40, 80 and 160 μg clenbuterol, respectively). In patients with MCI or PD, increases in rCBF following 80 μg clenbuterol were observed both without and with 5 mg nadolol (in hippocampus, 18.6%/13.7% without/with nadolol). Clenbuterol was safe and well‐tolerated in all subjects; known side effects of β2‐agonists, including increased heart rate and tremor, were mild in intensity and were blocked by low‐dose nadolol.

Conclusions

The effects of clenbuterol on rCBF were evident both in the absence and presence of low‐dose nadolol, suggesting central nervous system (CNS) involvement. Concomitant inhibition of the peripheral effects of clenbuterol by nadolol confirms that meaningful β2‐AR antagonism in the periphery was achieved without interrupting the central effects of clenbuterol on rCBF.
The Lake Paravani archive – a contribution to the late Quaternary landscape evolution of the Lesser Caucasus (Georgia)
Authors: Gademann Daniel , Ustiashvili Nino , Adikashvili Luka , Navrozashvili Levan , Erb‐Satullo Nathaniel , van der Meij W. Marijn , Kirkitadze Giorgi , Koff Tiiu , Elashvili Mikheil , Brückner Helmut , Laermanns Hannes
Published: July 2024

Lake Paravani, located on the volcanic Javakheti Plateau in the central part of the Lesser Caucasus at 2073 m a.s.l., forms a unique geo‐bio‐archive for palaeoenvironmental reconstructions in this remote region. Based on sediment cores from the southwestern part of the lake we expand the existing palynological and sedimentological records beyond the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). For the first time, it is possible to reconstruct the palaeoenvironment in this part of the Lesser Caucasus back to c. 28 cal. ka BP. Our study shows that until 16 cal. ka BP glacial conditions dominated (Phase I) in the region; there is, however, proof that the lake already existed during the LGM. In the following transitional Phase II from 16 until 6 cal. ka BP, cold and arid conditions with sparse steppe vegetation and a lowered lake level prevailed. Around 10 cal. ka BP, tree pollen started to expand while herbaceous pollen, especially Chenopodiaceae, declined. In Phase III, since 6 cal. ka BP, mixed forest probably represented the Holocene climatic optimum. Fluctuating lake levels indicate shifting climatic conditions. The minor changes of arboreal pollen hin the uppermost part of Phase II may be an indication of human activity. The more humid, vegetation‐rich environment and mild climate around 4.5–2 cal. ka BP correlate with the expansion of the Late Bronze Age settlements in this area (from ~3.5 cal. ka BP/~1.5 ka BC). The proliferation of sites on the plateau, along with even higher‐altitude sites possibly dating to the same period, may indicate that this climate amelioration played an important role in enabling more sustained human occupation. The results extend the record on Lake Paravani by several millennia beyond the LGM and complement the palaeo‐lake reconstructions of the wider region, e.g. at Lake Van (Türkiye) or Lake Sevan (Armenia).
Validating the Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioural Scales‐Brief Version (OCHS‐EBS‐B) in children with chronic physical illness
Authors: Ferro Mark A. , Arimoro Olayinka I. , Ayilara Olawale F. , Dhuga Gurkiran K. , Duncan Laura , Sajobi Tolulope T.
Published: July 2024

Background

A substantial proportion of children have a physical illness; these children commonly experience physical–mental comorbidity. To assess child mental health, brief scales that can be used in clinical and research settings are needed. This study assessed the validity and reliability of parent‐reported Ontario Child Health Study Emotional Behavioural Scale‐Brief Version (OCHS‐EBS‐B) scores.

Methods

Data come from a longitudinal study of children aged 2–16 years with a physical illness recruited from outpatient clinics at a pediatric hospital. Confirmatory factor analysis and McDonald's coefficient assessed the factor structure and internal consistency reliability of the OCHS‐EBS‐B, respectively. Point biserial correlations assessed agreement between the OCHS‐EBS‐B and Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview for Children and Adolescents (MINI‐KID), a structured diagnostic interview. The Wilcoxon rank sum test compared OCHS‐EBS‐B scores between children with versus without physical–mental comorbidity (known‐group validity).

Results

The three‐factor structure of the OCHS‐EBS‐B was replicated in this sample of children with physical illness (χ2 = 196.23(272), p < 0.001; CFI = 0.98; TLI = 0.98; SRMR = 0.06; RMSEA [90% CI] = 0.034 [0.027, 0.044]). It had excellent internal consistency reliability (ω = 0.86–0.92) and was moderately correlated with the MINI‐KID (baseline: rpb = 0.43–0.51; 6 months: rpb = 0.55–0.65). OCHS‐EBS‐B scores were significantly higher among children with versus without physical–mental comorbidity.

Conclusions

Findings confirm psychometric evidence that the OCHS‐EBS‐B is a valid and reliable measure of mental health in children with chronic physical illness. Its brevity and robust psychometric properties make the OCHS‐EBS‐B a strong candidate for routine use in integrated pediatric physical and mental health services.
Who is being targeted by alcohol social media marketing? A study of Chinese young adults in Hong Kong
Authors: Chan Rufina H. W. , Dong Dong , Yu Jiazhou , Kim Jean H.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Due to the widespread use of social media by young adults, the alcohol industry has been increasingly using social media marketing (SMM) to target potential customers. This study examines the prevalence and factors associated with past‐month exposure to alcohol SMM among young Chinese adults, a group with rapidly increasing uptake of alcohol consumption.

Methods

An anonymous, random telephone survey was conducted between June and August 2021 on Hong Kong Chinese residents between 18 and 34 years old (n = 675).

Results

Of respondents, 52.3% reported past‐month exposure to alcohol SMM (68.6% of past‐month drinkers and 48.0% of non‐past‐month drinkers, p < 0.05) while 71.6% reported exposure to non‐SMM alcohol marketing. Direct alcohol SMM exposure was reported by 40.9% (e.g., business‐to‐consumer postings, alcohol banner ads) while 27.4% of respondents reported exposure to indirect alcohol SMM marketing (e.g., shared/‘liked’ alcohol brand posts). Of those exposed to alcohol SMM, 13.7–15.5% reported that the various forms indirect alcohol SMM influenced them to drink more (vs. 6.2–8.9% for direct alcohol SMM). Being male, lower‐income, university educated and spirits/cocktail drinker were independently associated with exposure to direct alcohol SMM (ORmv 1.71–3.14). Past‐month exposure to indirect alcohol SMM was independently associated with lower income, not working full‐time and drinking any type of alcohol (ORmv 1.59–4.44).

Discussion and Conclusion

The comparative effectiveness of indirect SMM on influencing young adults drinking intentions may be a form of peer endorsement of drinking. The pervasiveness of alcohol SMM and lack of alcohol SMM policies may indicate the need for greater alcohol marketing regulation in this region.
Remnant salmon life history diversity rediscovered in a highly compressed habitat
Authors: Hugentobler Sara A. , Sturrock Anna M. , Willmes Malte , Thompson Tasha Q. , Johnson Rachel C. , Cordoleani Flora , Stauffer‐Olsen Natalie J. , Whitman George , Meek Mariah H.
Published: July 2024

Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) display remarkable life history diversity, underpinning their ability to adapt to environmental change. Maintaining life history diversity is vital to the resilience and stability of Chinook salmon metapopulations, particularly under changing climates. However, the conditions that promote life history diversity are rapidly disappearing, as anthropogenic forces promote homogenization of habitats and genetic lineages. In this study, we use the highly modified Yuba River in California to understand if distinct genetic lineages and life histories still exist, despite reductions in spawning habitat and hatchery practices that have promoted introgression. There is currently a concerted effort to protect federally listed Central Valley spring‐run Chinook salmon populations, given that few wild populations still exist. Despite this, we lack a comprehensive understanding of the genetic and life history diversity of Chinook salmon present in the Yuba River. To understand this diversity, we collected migration timing data and GREB1L genotypes from hook‐and‐line, acoustic tagging, and carcass surveys of Chinook salmon in the Yuba River between 2009 and 2011. Variation in the GREB1L region of the genome is tightly linked with run timing in Chinook salmon throughout their range, but the relationship between this variation and entry on spawning grounds is little explored in California's Central Valley. We found that the date Chinook salmon crossed the lowest barrier to Yuba River spawning habitat (Daguerre Point Dam) was tightly correlated with their GREB1L genotype. Importantly, our study confirms that ESA‐listed spring‐run Chinook salmon are spawning in the Yuba River, promoting a portfolio of life history and genetic diversity, despite the highly compressed habitat. This work highlights the need to identify and protect this life history diversity, especially in heavily impacted systems, to maintain healthy Chinook salmon metapopulations. Without protection, we run the risk of losing the last vestiges of important genetic variation.