bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital transformation and entrepreneurship: a comprehensive perspective on the Nordic countries
Authors: Silva Pedro Mendonça , Moutinho Victor Ferreira , Oliveira Xavier Almeida
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the intricate relationship between digitalization, entrepreneurship and financial/digital literacy in the Nordic countries from 2010 to 2022. By integrating both demand (social impact) and supply (business response) perspectives, the research aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how digital transformation influences entrepreneurial activities. It addresses gaps in the existing literature, particularly the need for long-term analysis and the exploration of entrepreneurial actions within specific systemic contexts.

Design/methodology/approach

Several indicators were used to measure digitalization, entrepreneurship and financial/digital literacy from secondary sources. The methodology employed in this study involved the estimation of dynamic linear models to investigate the evolving relationship between digitalization and entrepreneurial activity. First, a bias-corrected test for the Granger noncausality test was used. After this preliminary analysis, the estimation autoregressive model with bias correction and time effects was applied, followed by an alternative model entitled the autoregressive distributed lag model (ARDL), selecting the pooled mean group and dynamic fixed effect estimators.

Findings

Key findings highlight the pivotal role of digitalization drivers such as e-commerce, CRM integration and investments in R&D in shaping innovative business models. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the entrepreneurial potential unleashed by widespread Internet adoption, particularly among diverse countries. The results also reveal the significance of R&D in periods of disruption and the intertwined relationship between digital and financial literacy and entrepreneurship. Notably, the study underscores the importance of a holistic understanding as e-commerce and e-banking intertwine to enhance financial and digital literacy.

Practical implications

Practical implications suggest policymakers support entrepreneurs through training programs, while businesses are encouraged to adapt strategies and prioritize innovation in digital environments. The study advocates for a strategic and long-term perspective to address the implications of digitalization on entrepreneurship, highlighting the critical role of research and development in fostering innovation during disruptive phases.

Originality/value

The novel contribution of this research lies in its thorough examination of the intricate relationship between digitalization, entrepreneurship and financial/digital literacy, particularly within the Nordic countries. By bridging gaps in existing literature and focusing on entrepreneurial behaviours within specific systemic contexts, the study offers valuable insights into the nuanced dynamics at play.
How do Kuwaiti teachers and headteachers practice their voice behavior? Influential factors in a centralized school structure
Authors: Alsaleh Amal Abdulwahab
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The study investigates the voice behavior of teachers and headteachers in Kuwaiti schools, along with organizational factors associated with teachers’ voice behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a convergent mixed-method approach. Questionnaires were administered to a sample of 815 teachers and headteachers, with 28 of them participating in open-ended interviews.

Findings

In quantitative findings, high levels of prosocial voices were observed, while interviews revealed significant occurrences of defensive and acquiescent voice behaviors. Teachers practice prosocial voice behavior to protect students' interests, but various factors, such as individual characteristics, school leadership, hierarchy and governmental decisions at the district levels, influence their voices.

Originality/value

The findings enhance our understanding of voice behavior among teachers and headteachers, shedding light on the factors influencing voice behavior in Kuwait and centralized systems worldwide.
Leveraging community-engaged teaching and learning in higher education institutions for advancing sustainable development: a literature review
Authors: Singh Wafa , Bhagwan Raisuyah , Singh Manju
Published: December 2024

Purpose

With increasing demands placed on Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to engage with the Sustainable Development (SD) needs of its local communities, Community-Engaged Teaching and Learning (CETL) has emerged as a valuable tool to help HEIs cater to such demands. This study aims to explore and examine CETL practices at HEIs across the globe, particularly in relation to its role in furthering the SD agenda.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts an extensive review of academic literature as an investigative tool to probe different CETL approaches being practiced by HEIs, especially the ones aligned with sustainability.

Findings

The study revealed discernible findings on four aspects: (i) curricular strategies and pedagogical interventions adopted under the ambit of CETL for advancing the SD agenda, (ii) engagement and sustainability linked competencies and learning outcomes derived in the process, (iii) challenges constraining CETL practices at HEIs, and (iv) strategies for strengthening the same and ensuring its impactful implementation.

Originality/value

This study accrues value in illuminating the practice, role, impact and implications of SD oriented CETL practices, given that there are limited studies on the subject. It also contributes to the global call for HEIs to catalyze sustainable social development by making their teaching and learning functions more community-engaged and socially relevant.
Connected wine packaging in retail: quantifying customer interaction and preferences for wine information
Authors: Dupuis Day Irma Francoise Jacqueline , Carlson Jamie , Taylor Alexander , Toohey Lisa , Delgado Fotini , Bucher Tamara
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This research explores wine customer interaction with connected packaging in retail, offering insights for wine producers to enhance customer behavioural engagement strategies. The study aims to understand patterns of customer visual attention and information preferences in the context of connected packaging.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopts an empirics-first (EF) approach, including a two-study mixed-method research design. EF is particularly suited to exploring emerging customer behaviours in innovative technological contexts. Study One uses Google Analytics and Tag Manager to measure connected packaging users’ visual attention and behavioural engagement. Study Two uses maximum difference scaling to assess user preferences for wine attributes in retail.

Findings

Study One reveals distinct patterns of user behavioural engagement. Highly engaged users exhibit deeper interaction with product, brand and sustainability information, often revisiting content. First-time users focus on top-of-page content before disengaging. Study Two results corroborate the importance of product information (grape variety, wine style and region of origin), with highly involved wine consumers showing greater interest in connected packaging.

Originality/value

This research advances the understanding of connected packaging user interaction and information preferences, an area previously underexplored. It demonstrates the potential of connected packaging for enhancing ongoing customer behavioural engagement and providing additional product information. The study’s innovative EF approach, combining real-world behavioural data with preference analysis, supports and extends existing research on wine attribute preferences while demonstrating the potential of connected packaging as an ongoing value co-creation tool.
A path analysis study of relationships between long work hours, stress, burnout, job satisfaction and turnover intention among mine workers
Authors: Smith Todd D. , Mullins-Jaime Charmaine , Balogun Abdulrazak O.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Increased work hours can result in stress and burnout among mine workers. Research within stone, sand and gravel mining operations is limited and has not explored whether health impairment, in this context, influences job satisfaction and turnover intention among these workers.

Design/methodology/approach

A path analysis was completed using Mplus to assess a theoretical model and hypotheses associated with model variables to include work hours, stress, burnout, job satisfaction and turnover intention. Cross-sectional survey data from 419 stone, sand and gravel mine workers were used in the path analysis.

Findings

Model fit was good. Work hours were positively associated with stress, stress was positively associated with burnout, stress and burnout were negatively associated with job satisfaction, stress and burnout were positively associated with turnover intention and job satisfaction was negatively associated with turnover intention. Burnout partially mediated the relationship between stress and both job satisfaction and turnover intention. Job satisfaction partially mediated the relationship between stress and turnover intention and burnout and turnover intention. An alternate model determined there was no direct relationship between work hours and burnout and that this relationship was fully mediated by stress.

Originality/value

Findings illustrate the importance of managing work hours among mine workers to reduce health impairment and to bolster job satisfaction and reduce turnover intention.
Rating of crop price insurance in China with evidence from corn
Authors: Ye Minghua , Chen Kang , Wang Tongjiang , Zhu Junsheng
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Crop price insurance can reduce losses from price volatility for crop producers, but pricing is one paramount important issue. The objective of this research is to provide a tentative method for pricing of crop price insurance with data from the futures market.

Design/methodology/approach

With weekly settlement price of January corn futures from the second week of January 2009 to the fourth week of April 2020 in China, we assume that corn futures price follows fractional Brownian motion, and apply an improved Black model.

Findings

Our results reveal that the proposed model can be used to yield a fair premium and crop price insurance with varying insured prices and gradient coverage ratios can be used to meet the divergent needs of farmers at an affordable cost for price risk management purposes.

Research limitations/implications

Results can be fine-tuned by extending research to crops such as wheat and rice, and by modeling price volatility with data from options market.

Originality/value

This study offers one plausible way to rate crop price insurance using data from the futures market, and thus adds to this thread of literature by incorporating fractional Brownian motion into an improved Black model.
Role of corporate innovation and uncertainty in determining corporate investment of the firm: does financial constraint, executive risk preference and firm risk-taking ability play any role
Authors: Rana Anamika , Debata Byomakesh
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relationship between corporate innovation and the firm’s corporate investment. Further, the authors begin with the assertion that the relationship between corporate innovation and corporate investment is impacted by significantly a) uncertain periods, b) financial constraint, c) executives’ risk preference and d) firm risk-taking ability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has considered non-financial listed companies (774 firms) for the period spanning from 2010–2022. The authors use a fixed effect regression model within a panel data framework to examine the relationship between corporate innovation and investment. For robustness, the authors use system generalised methods of moments to investigate the relationship between corporate investment and corporate innovation across all the samples.

Findings

This study finds a positive relationship between corporate innovation and corporate investment, which means when the firm tries to make some innovation, it will increase its expenditure on fixed assets. However, the positive relationship between corporate innovation and corporate investment reduces with uncertainty. Additionally, financial constraint plays a significant role in determining this relationship. Executives and firms with high risk-taking ability tend to be more inclined to make investments.

Originality/value

The study is unique because it determines the impact of corporate innovation on corporate investment. The current literature is focused on corporate innovation and uncertainties. However, no light has been shed on the relationship between corporate innovation and investment. At the same time, the authors have introduced three more variables which play a significant role in determining the corporate innovation-investment relationship.
Why should I trust you? Influence of explanation design on consumer behavior in AI-based services
Authors: Nizette Florence , Hammedi Wafa , van Riel Allard C.R. , Steils Nadia
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study explores how the format of explanations used in artificial intelligence (AI)-based services affects consumer behavior, specifically the effects of explanation detail (low vs high) and consumer control (automatic vs on demand) on trust and acceptance. The aim is to provide service providers with insights into how to optimize the format of explanations to enhance consumer evaluations of AI-based services.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the literature on explainable AI (XAI) and information overload theory, a conceptual model is developed. To empirically test the conceptual model, two between-subjects experiments were conducted wherein the level of detail and level of control were manipulated, taking AI-based recommendations as a use case. The data were analyzed via partial least squares (PLS) regressions.

Findings

The results reveal significant positive correlations between level of detail and perceived understanding and between level of detail and perceived assurance. The level of control negatively moderates the relationship between the level of detail and perceived understanding. Further analyses revealed that the perceived competence and perceived integrity of AI systems positively and significantly influence the acceptance and purchase intentions of AI-based services.

Practical implications

This research offers service providers key insights into how tailored explanations and maintaining a balance between detail and control build consumer trust and enhance AI-based service outcomes.

Originality/value

This article elucidates the nuanced interplay between the level of detail and control over explanations for non-expert consumers in high-credence service sectors. The findings offer insights into the design of more consumer-centric explanations to increase the acceptance of AI-based services.
What should tourism observatories be doing? Identifying key success drivers
Authors: García-Altmann Sara , Hernández-Martín Raúl , Padrón-Ávila Hugo
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to carry out an analysis of the key factors that influence the performance of tourism observatories, understanding performance as the degree of fulfilment of its objectives.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative research approach, this study conducted in-depth interviews with 16 international experts from diverse backgrounds and different countries. This was complemented by a thorough literature review to validate experts’ insights.

Findings

Interviews identify 15 success factors supported by literature on evidence-based decision-making from both tourism and other related fields. Results underscore the significance of effective knowledge communication, adopting a user-oriented approach, and proactive stakeholder engagement as the three main factors improving observatory performance.

Research limitations/implications

While the findings offer insights, they are based on expert opinions and may not fully capture the complex, context-specific dynamics of tourism observatories across different destinations. Further research could involve case studies to explore these dynamics contextualised in tourism destinations.

Practical implications

This study offers guidance for both existing and emerging tourism observatories to enhance operational efficiency. Focusing on improving these critical factors could prevent failure, and, conversely, increase the observatorys’ effectiveness and usefulness for destination stakeholders.

Originality/value

The analysis of tourism observatories has not received enough attention in previous tourism literature. This research fills a significant gap in understanding how observatories can better serve as instrumental tools for sustainable tourism management and stakeholders decision-making.
Innovation in small and micro family firms: disadvantages and opportunities
Authors: Choi Yoonhee , Klein Kenji , Yan Jun
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the innovation in small and micro family firms, in comparison to that of small and micro nonfamily firms, and the organizational characteristics that could enhance innovation in these firms.

Design/methodology/approach

We collected survey data from 215 small and micro business owner-managers in the United States and tested our hypotheses using ordinary least squares regressions.

Findings

We find that small family firms are less innovative than small nonfamily firms. However, our results suggest that small family firms can still enhance their innovation by cultivating a more collaborative organizational culture where bottom-level and non-family employees can participate in business decisions. Further, we find that while having an organic organizational design helps small firms be more innovative, the positive effect of organic design on small family firms’ innovation is not as strong as its effect on small nonfamily firms’ innovation.

Originality/value

This paper offers a unique and nuanced examination of innovation in family firms by narrowing down the scope to small and micro firms. Moreover, the paper investigated the drivers of innovation in small businesses and how these drivers enhance/decrease innovation in small family firms. Our findings suggest that the paths for more innovation are different for small family and nonfamily firms.
“The community supporting the community … that’s where its strength is”: exploring the contemporary position of Neighbourhood Watch in the United Kingdom
Authors: Pepper Melissa , Bullock Karen
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Neighbourhood Watch is a voluntary movement which brings people together with the aim of creating safer, stronger and more active communities. This paper aims to explore the contemporary position of Neighbourhood Watch in the UK through three key themes: the focus of Neighbourhood Watch schemes and how this extends beyond crime; Neighbourhood Watch membership and efforts to expand this beyond traditional residential boundaries; and the operation of Neighbourhood Watch, with a particular focus on technology-enabled methods.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper draws on data generated through interviews with key stakeholders working in the field of Neighbourhood Watch (n = 7) and interviews (n = 7) and two focus groups with Watch volunteers (n = 5) in the United Kingdom (UK).

Findings

Findings highlight aspects of Neighbourhood Watch that have remained the same – most notably the initial “roots” of schemes which have always looked beyond crime to tackle issues of health and well-being. In addition, issues of scale and diversity continue to present challenges within membership. However, there have also been changes, in particular the use of technology and moves to a model which offers more flexibility in terms of Neighbourhood Watch membership.

Originality/value

Findings position contemporary Neighbourhood Watch as a responsive and adaptable model; however, they also highlight how this must operate alongside traditional face-to-face, in-person methods to achieve meaningful community engagement.
Ultrasonic Differentiation Between Two Species of Chinese Pygmy Dormice (Genus Typhlomys) With Support for the Size‐Signal Allometry Hypothesis
Authors: Qian Qian , Li Juncheng , Fu Mengqing , Zou Mingjiang , Tian Tian , Yan Yimei , Newman Chris , Zou Dahu , Zhou Youbing
Published: December 2024

The genus Typhlomys comprises six species that all exhibit exceptional climbing agility in arboreal habitats, of which five have been established to use ultrasonic echolocation in the 80–120‐kHz frequency range to navigate among tree branches. Here, we investigated the ultrasonic vocalizations of the remaining and recently recognized species, T. fengjiensis, and compared its ultrasonic and morphological traits with its sibling species T. daloushanensis. Both species produced frequency‐modulated (FM) ultrasonic calls that lacked harmonic structure, consistent with echolocating calls established for other members of this genus Typhlomys. This FM echolocation call structure is well‐adapted to navigating along branches in dense foliage conditions in the forest understory. Importantly, however, the specific call structures of T. fengjiensis and T. daloushanensis exhibited significantly different ultrasonic characteristics, with different numbers of pulse groups, in support of phonic speciation. T. fengjiensis was on average larger than T. daloushanensis and vocalized at a lower frequency and for a longer duration, in support of the signal‐size allometry hypothesis. Furthermore, T. fengjiensis has the lowest ultrasonic call frequency among Typhlomys spp., corresponding with it being the largest member of this genus. Bergmann's law does not provide a compelling explanation of the body mass differences between T. fengjiensis and T. daloushanensis, due to the likely overlap in their elevational distribution. Further research is needed to establish if differences in habitat selection and diet, or differences in social and reproductive behavior, might best explain this local species divergence based on phonic traits.
Decreased blood pressure with acute administration of quercetin in L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats
Authors: Mkhize Siluleko A. , Nthlane Refentshe A. , Xhakaza Sanelisiwe P. , Verhaert Peter D. , Baijnath Sooraj , Millen Aletta M. E. , Michel Frederic S.
Published: December 2024

Quercetin is known to reduce blood pressure (BP); however, its acute effects are unclear. We investigated the acute effects of quercetin on BP, aortic mechanical properties and vascular reactivity in female Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Hypertension was induced using L‐NAME (40 mg/kg/day). Quercetin (4.5 mg/kg) was administered intravenously. Mechanical properties of the aortae were measured by echo‐tracking in normotensive and hypertensive rats. L‐NAME and quercetin quantities in the aorta were determined using AP‐MALDI‐MSI. Vascular reactivity was performed in mesenteric and renal arteries. L‐NAME increased BP and PWVβ while decreasing strain. Quercetin decreased BP and ameliorated PWVβ in L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats. Ex vivo, the acetylcholine (ACh)‐induced increase in tension at 100 μM was reduced in renal arteries when exposed to quercetin while phenylephrine (Phe)‐induced contractile response was augmented. In quiescent rings of renal arteries incubated with L‐NAME (10 μM) and TRAM‐34 (1 μM), the ACh‐induced vasoconstrictions were inhibited by quercetin. Quercetin resulted in concentration‐dependent vasodilation in mesenteric arteries and increased its sensitivity to ACh‐induced relaxations. Quercetin lowered BP in L‐NAME‐induced hypertensive rats, likely due to changes in aortic mechanical properties and relaxation of resistance arteries. Further research is warranted to clarify the acute effects of quercetin on renal arteries in this hypertensive model.
What participants are told about receiving trial results when they consent to participate in a trial
Authors: Dal‐Ré Rafael , Caplan Arthur L. , Holm Søren , Sofat Reecha , Stephens Richard
Published: December 2024

In a 2022 consultation, the UK public highlighted the need to disseminate trial results to participants. We assess whether the information provided to trial participants in publicly available participant information sheets (PISs) of trials conducted in the UK is helpful for future trials. This cross‐sectional study is based on a search conducted on 18 August 2023 on ClinicalTrials.gov looking for UK completed or terminated phase 2–4 medicine trials. The posted PIS (or the protocol, if the PIS was unavailable) were reviewed checking the text used to inform participants on how results will be disseminated to participants. Of the 48 records retrieved, 32 were included: 23 and 9 had the PIS or the protocol posted, respectively. Seven (22%) did not mention dissemination of results to participants. Thirteen (41%) used the same short “common, standard text” of four sentences to inform participants. This text mentioned ClinicalTrials.gov as the source for further information and US Law as the reason for it. Twelve (38%) used different texts with different scopes and lengths. These results showed that publicly available PISs of medicinal product trials conducted in the UK are very limited and of scarce utility for investigators aiming to start a new trial.
Trade Unions and Life Satisfaction in Germany
Authors: Becker Björn , Goerke Laszlo , Huang Yue
Published: December 2024

The effects of trade union membership on wages and job satisfaction have been studied extensively. Arguably, life satisfaction serves as a more comprehensive measure of the benefits of union membership and warrants closer examination. Using all relevant waves from the German Socio‐Economic Panel between 1985 and 2019, we find a negative correlation between trade union membership and life satisfaction in OLS and FE specifications. The association may arise because union members are more concerned about their job and the economic situation and less satisfied with their work. Social capital and wages also perform as channels between membership and life satisfaction. The negative correlation is more pronounced in settings in which trade unions are relatively weak.
Narrative Matters: Is obedience good? the classics may surprise us
Authors: Nicholson Mervyn
Published: December 2024

We are conditioned not to see some of the most potent facts; one of these repressed facts is the common assumption that goodness is the same as obedience – you are good if you ‘do what you're told’ – and bad if you are disobedient. To illustrate how this invisibility of social conditioning works, some very famous stories are helpful, both for how this conditioning works and for how it is resisted, because, simply put, obedience is not the same as being good.
Mollugin Derivatives as Anti‐Inflammatory Agents: Design, Synthesis, and NF‐κB Inhibition
Authors: Gao Yuan‐Liang , Li Ming‐Yue , Wang Da‐Yuan , Jin Shi‐Ang , Ma Xin‐Yu , Jin Xue‐Jun , Piao Hu‐Ri
Published: December 2024

Nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB) is a key inducible transcription factor that controls a large number of genes involved in inflammatory and immune processes. The entire inflammation‐mediated process uses NF‐κB as a hub, and inflammatory gene transcription and expression can be decreased by blocking the NF‐κB signaling pathway, thereby reducing inflammatory damage. Therefore, the inhibition of this pathway is an important therapeutic target for the treatment of various types of inflammation. Here, we designed and synthesized 27 mollugin derivatives and evaluated the anti‐inflammatory activity against NF‐κB transcription. Most of the compounds exhibited potent anti‐inflammatory activity, and compound 5k was the most potent with 81.77% inhibition after intraperitoneal administration, which was significantly more potent than mollugin (49.72%), ibuprofen (47.51%), and mesalazine (47.24%). Investigation of the mechanism of action indicated that 5k down‐regulated NF‐κB expression, possibly by suppressing LPS‐induced expression of the p65 protein. ADMET prediction analysis indicated that compounds 5h and 5k showed good pharmacokinetic properties. The relationship between the structures of the synthesized compounds and the NF‐κB inhibitory activity was rationalized using molecular docking simulation experiments. Overall, these results provide an initial basis for the development of 5h and 5k as potential anti‐inflammatory agents.
Preschool Vision Screening and Policy: Availability, Awareness and Perceptions of Stakeholders in Selected Locations in Harare and Mashonaland East Provinces
Authors: Koomson Vanessa Ama Asifuaba , Mtuwa Claudio Ngoni , Kyei Samuel , Kwarteng Michael Agyemang
Published: December 2024

Background

This study aimed to determine the availability, awareness and perceptions of preschool vision screening (PSVS) and policies among stakeholders in Zimbabwe.

Methods

A descriptive cross‐sectional survey was carried out, and a multi‐stage sampling was used to select the schools from private and public schools. The study involved stakeholders (parents/guardians, teachers, principals, proprietors/owners and administrators) and data was collected using a validated questionnaire.

Results

The mean age of the respondents was 36.68 ± 7.84 years. Out of the 213 stakeholders, 83.1% had not heard of PSVS. Among the 36 (16.9%) who had heard of PSVS, 20 (55.6%) were female. Some (1.9%) of the participants had a policy written in their facilities for PSVS. Awareness of PSVS was significantly associated with the respondents' designation and experience with children (p < 0.05). Support for PSVS was high, with 83.1% in favour, although 13.6% were undecided about implementing it. Support for PSVS was high, with 83.1% in favour, although 13.6% were undecided about implementing it in all schools. Overall, 55.9% of the respondents were prepared to consider PSVS as a mandatory part of the admission process.

Conclusion

Few stakeholders are aware of PSVS while majority had a positive perception in Harare and Mashonaland East provinces, and the schools had no written policies on PSVS. The findings of this study should provide a blueprint for stakeholders regarding PSVS.
Longitudinal Associations Between Movement Behaviours and Development Among Infants Using Compositional Data Analysis
Authors: Carson Valerie , Zhang Zhiguang , Boyd Madison , Pritchard Lesley , Hesketh Kylie D.
Published: December 2024

Background

The study examined the longitudinal associations of sleep time, restrained time, back time and tummy time with development in a sample of infants using compositional data analysis.

Methods

Participants were a subsample of 93 parent–infant dyads from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Parents completed a 3‐day time‐use diary at 2, 4 and 6 months of age. Time spent in four mutually exclusive movement behaviours were calculated representing sleep (i.e., sleep time), sedentary behaviour (i.e., restrained time and back time) and physical activity (i.e., tummy time). Communication, fine motor, gross motor, personal‐social, problem solving and total development were measured at 2, 4 and 6 months of age with the Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ‐3). Gross motor development was also measured by a physiotherapist using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 6 months. The age six major gross motor milestones (i.e., independent sitting, crawling, assisted standing, assisted walking, independent standing, independent walking) were achieved according to World Health Organization criteria, in the first 18 months of life, were calculated.

Results

The composition of movement behaviours across time points was significantly associated with: ASQ‐3 gross motor, problem solving and total development scores over time, total and percentile AIMS scores at 6 months and independent standing and walking milestones (ilr model p‐value: < 0.001–0.045; model R2: 0.02–0.15). More sleep time or tummy time relative to other movement behaviours was associated with more advanced development and earlier achievement of some milestones. The opposite was observed for back time. Associations with restrained time were mixed. The optimal movement behaviour durations (minutes/day) for AIMS and WHO milestone outcomes, were 38–43 of tummy time, 51–54 of back time, 43–96 of restrained time and 845–900 of sleep time.

Conclusions

Targeting healthy movement behaviour patterns in infants may be a promising health promotion strategy.
How Does Thyroid Hormone Profile Differ on and Off Replacement Treatment?
Authors: Heald Adrian H. , Premawardhana Lakdasa D. , Taylor Peter N. , Baker Adam , Chaudhury Nadia , Fryer Anthony A. , Okosieme Onyebuchi E. , Dayan Colin M. , Stedman Mike
Published: December 2024

Introduction

There continues to be much discussion around optimisation of thyroid hormone status in hypothyroid individuals. We here looked the way that free T4(FT4) and thyroid‐stimulating hormone (TSH) related to each other in a large laboratory sample of people who underwent a thyroid function test (TFT), split between those on levothyroxine replacement (monitoring test) and those who underwent a test to check for thyroid hormone imbalance (diagnostic test; not on levothyroxine).

Methods

TFT test (FT4/TSH) results were extracted from the Salford Royal Hospital Laboratory Information Management System during 2009–2012. This was a single site study. Requests includes a tick box for ‘on levothyroxine’ (yes or no). To minimise comorbidity effects, only samples taken in General Practices were used. For untreated patients only those who had single tests results were used; for treated patients, the median value across all their results was used. Cluster analysis considered an ellipse with centre on median values for log (TSH) and FT4 and the vertex based on 5% and 95% percentile values of both. The percentage of patients falling outside the ellipse boundary was considered for both treated and untreated populations.

Results

The total data set included 290,000 tests on 130,000 individuals. After filtering, FT4/TSH results were used from 12,006 (F 9231/M 2775; age < 60 5850/age ≥ 60 6567) treated patients with 43,846 test results. These were compared to the single results for 43,394 untreated patients (F 24,386/M19,008; age < 60 32,537/age ≥ 60 10,857). Cluster analysis showed for untreated patients, median values for TSH and FT4 were 1.8 mU/L and 15.5 pmol/L, respectively, with 24% of patient results falling outside the untreated 5%/95% percentiles. For treated patients, the median TSH was 2.3 mU/L (+30% vs. untreated) and FT4 was 18.9 pmol/L (+22% vs. untreated), with 22% of treated patients falling outside the treated 5%/95% percentiles. When considered against the untreated limits, 68% of treated results fell outside (split male 63%, female 70% and age < 60 67%, Age ≥ 60 64%).

Conclusion

The current treatment regimens of either low or high dose levothyroxine are not delivering the expected laboratory TFT profiles, with significant numbers of treated patients being well outside the expected values: both TSH and FT4 being significantly higher. This effect appears to be more prevalent in women than men.
Who Peeked? Children Infer the Likely Cause of Improbable Success
Authors: Chung Amy M. , Kim Terryn , Friedman Ori , Denison Stephanie
Published: December 2024

Some outcomes are brought about by intentional agents with access to information and others are not. Children use a variety of cues to infer the causes of outcomes, such as statistical reasoning (e.g., the probability of the outcome) and theory of mind (e.g., a person's perceptual access, preferences, or knowledge). Here we show that children use these cues to infer cheating, a finding which informs our understanding of the flexibility of children's theory of mind. In four experiments (N = 444), 4‐ to 7‐year‐olds saw vignettes about blindfolded agents retrieving 10 gumballs from a distribution of yummy and yucky gumballs. Children were then asked if agents were really blindfolded or had peeked. We manipulated the probability of the outcome (i.e., the correspondence between the distribution sampled from and the outcome produced) and the ordering of the outcome was patterned (e.g., five yummy then five yucky) or haphazard. From age 5, children began to use both cues to infer cheating, and also showed signs of flexibly integrating these cues. Together, these findings show that young children can detect cheaters, and that their theory of mind reasoning is flexible and not based on simple and rigid rules (e.g., equating not‐seeing with failure). The findings also suggest that children use probabilistic reasoning to infer knowledge.
The Saudi Savior—Justifying Operation Decisive Storm
Authors: Walsh Tom
Published: December 2024

This paper argues that despite the success of Saudi Arabia's use of discourse to legitimize Operation Decisive Storm, their initial bombing and blockade of Yemen, to the United States, ultimately these discourses were problematic. Via analyzing speeches from Saudi Minister of Foreign Affairs, Adel Al‐Jubeir, and articles from Saudi news website Arab News, this paper traces Saudi propaganda, showing the way in which it was used to justify the extraordinary bombing of Yemen and blockade of Yemeni ports. The paper meaningfully assesses the resonance of their narratives with US audiences through informed analysis. US discourse created a nexus of reciprocal positionality, in which Washington's discourse began to merge with Riyadh's, justifying it yet further. The US had its own reasons for lending support to KSA's war efforts, which encouraged them to adopt core Saudi narratives. This served to justify the two actors' involvement in the Saudi‐led intervention. These propagandized narratives had profound humanitarian consequences for the people of Yemen.
Microembolic signal detection in acute ischemic stroke: Clinical relevance and impact on treatment individualization—A narrative review
Authors: Bakola Eleni , Palaiodimou Lina , Kargiotis Odysseas , Safouris Apostolos , Psychogios Klearchos , Karapanayiotides Theodoros , Moschovos Christos , Sharma Vijay K. , Rubin Mark N. , Freitas João Sargento , Baracchini Claudio , Krogias Christos , Alexandrov Andrei V. , Georgios Tsivgoulis
Published: December 2024

Background

Microembolic signals (MES) can be detected using transcranial Doppler (TCD) ultrasound in several clinical scenarios, including acute ischemic stroke (AIS). This narrative review aims to provide insights into their role in AIS patient management and outcomes.

Methods

The present narrative review consolidates current observational and randomized evidence on the prevalence and clinical relevance of MES in different AIS subtypes and settings.

Results

MES prevalence is higher in AIS patients with large artery atherosclerosis, indicating unstable or vulnerable plaques, and lower in those with small vessel disease. Detecting MES can significantly aid in managing AIS patients, particularly when the cause is unclear, as MES detected in different cerebral arteries can indicate conditions like covert cardioembolism, aortic arch atherosclerosis, or coagulation disorders, including cancer‐related stroke. MES are associated with higher risk of stroke recurrence, independently of the underlying stroke mechanism. The detection of MES during and after acute systemic or endovascular reperfusion procedures in large‐vessel occlusion patients appears to be predictive of adverse clinical outcomes and recurrent stroke. Finally, a reduction in MES detection may serve as surrogate marker and intermediate endpoint evaluating secondary stroke prevention treatments in the settings of randomized‐controlled clinical trials.

Conclusion

MES detection on TCD in AIS remains a useful diagnostic tool as it helps the clinicians to approach the stroke underlying mechanism by detecting and quantifying ongoing cerebral embolization and localizing an embolic source in real time. In addition, it allows monitoring and treatment individualization in stroke patients, while further determining recurrent stroke risk.
Conversion of pyridoxal to pyridoxamine with NH3 and H2 on nickel generates a protometabolic nitrogen shuttle under serpentinizing conditions
Authors: Schlikker Manon Laura , Brabender Max , Schwander Loraine , Garcia Garcia Carolina , Burmeister Maximillian , Metzger Sabine , Moran Joseph , Martin William F.
Published: December 2024

Serpentinizing hydrothermal vents are likely sites for the origin of metabolism because they produce H2 as a source of electrons for CO2 reduction while depositing zero‐valent iron, cobalt, and nickel as catalysts for organic reactions. Recent work has shown that solid‐state nickel can catalyze the H2‐dependent reduction of CO2 to various organic acids and their reductive amination with H2 and NH3 to biological amino acids under the conditions of H2‐producing hydrothermal vents and that amino acid synthesis from NH3, H2, and 2‐oxoacids is facile in the presence of Ni0. Such reactions suggest a metallic origin of metabolism during early biochemical evolution because single metals replace the function of over 130 enzymatic reactions at the core of metabolism in microbes that use the acetyl‐CoA pathway of CO2 fixation. Yet solid‐state catalysts tether primordial amino synthesis to a mineral surface. Many studies have shown that pyridoxal catalyzes transamination reactions without enzymes. Here we show that pyridoxamine, the NH2‐transferring intermediate in pyridoxal‐dependent transamination reactions, is generated from pyridoxal by reaction with NH3 (as little as 5 mm) and H2 (5 bar) on Ni0 as catalyst at pH 11 and 80 °C within hours. These conditions correspond to those in hydrothermal vents undergoing active serpentinization. The results indicate that at the origin of metabolism, pyridoxamine provided a soluble, organic amino donor for aqueous amino acid synthesis, mediating an evolutionary transition from NH3‐dependent amino acid synthesis on inorganic surfaces to pyridoxamine‐dependent organic reactions in the aqueous phase.
DO WORKERS BENEFIT FROM WAGE TRANSPARENCY RULES?
Authors: Gürtler Oliver , Struth Lennart
Published: December 2024

Wage transparency rules arguably enable workers better to assess their contribution to firm value, allowing them to make wage demands that more accurately reflect their value for the employing firm. This article contains a formal analysis of transparency rules and their effects on wages and the payoffs of the targeted workers. We find that these rules induce firms to behave strategically with the aim of manipulating the information workers receive. We identify a large class of rules that yield an identical equilibrium outcome. For productivity distributions with decreasing (increasing) hazard rate, transparency rules increase (potentially decrease) workers' payoffs.
Sodium butyrate mediates the MAPK signaling pathway and apoptosis and modulates intestinal flora to alleviate glycinin‐induced intestinal injury in Cyprinus carpio
Authors: Li Deng‐Lai , Zhu Rui , Yang Zhi‐Yong , Wu Li‐Fang
Published: December 2024

The study investigated the potential alleviating effect of sodium butyrate (SB) on intestinal injuries caused by glycinin in the diet of common carp. Fish were divided into six groups: a control group (without glycinin and SB), a Gly group (with glycinin), and four groups supplemented with different doses of SB (0.75, 1.50, 2.25, and 3.00 g/kg) based on the Gly group. All diets were isonitrogenous and isoenergetic, and the fish were fed these diets for 8 weeks. The results indicated that glycinin activated the mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, leading to upregulating ERK, JNK, and p38 gene expression in the intestine. However, SB2 and SB3 groups were able to inhibit this pathway. Furthermore, glycinin upregulated the expression of proapoptotic genes (Bax, Caspase‐3, Caspase‐8, and Caspase‐9) while downregulating the antiapoptotic gene Bcl2. The SB2 and SB3 groups were found to alleviate glycinin‐induced apoptosis. Additionally, dietary glycinin significantly decreased the expression of tight junction genes (ZO‐1, Claudin3, Claudin7, and Occludin1) in the intestine, whereas the SB2 and SB3 groups improved intestinal barrier function. Glycinin also elevated serum levels of d‐lactate, diamine oxidase, serotonin, and endothelin, resulting in intestinal damage and increased permeability. In contrast, the SB2 and SB3 groups reduced these serum levels, thereby regulating intestinal permeability. Moreover, glycinin disrupted the intestinal morphology, which was mitigated by the SB2 and SB3 groups by increasing the height and width of intestinal villi folds. Lastly, dietary glycinin altered the intestinal microecological balance by increasing Proteobacteria abundance and decreasing Clostridium and Bacteroidetes abundance. The SB2 and SB3 groups modulated the composition of dominant taxa by increasing Firmicutes and Acidobacteria abundance. Overall, SB was found to mediate the MAPK signaling pathway, apoptosis, upregulation of tight junction genes, maintenance of the intestinal physical barrier, and regulation of intestinal flora, thereby alleviating glycinin‐induced intestinal damage.
Co‐Designing Recipe Resources to Support Healthy Eating in African‐Caribbeans in the United Kingdom: An Academic and Community Partnership Approach
Authors: Apekey Tanefa A. , Moore Sally G. , Maynard Maria J.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The wealth of free food‐based resources available to UK consumers on healthy eating and nutrition provides very limited illustrations of ethnic foods including African‐Caribbean cuisines. This inequality in available resources limits the ability of African‐Caribbean communities to effectively manage their health and reduces the cultural competence of health professionals.

Objective

The aim was to co‐design healthier versions of several traditional African‐Caribbean recipe resources by working in partnership with academics, a community‐based Third Sector organisation, and their service‐users.

Methods

Nutritional analysis software was used to theoretically modify the nutritional composition of popular traditional African‐Caribbean recipes using recently produced analytical food composition data. Twelve recipes were theoretically modified to reduce the content of key nutrients and ingredients of concern (i.e., salt/sodium, free sugars), or increase those nutrients known to be at risk of lower than adequate intakes (i.e., iron, folate) within the UK African‐Caribbean communities. Recipes were then prepared by community service‐users (n = 12) of African‐Caribbean ethnicity living in Leeds (UK) in the community service setting. The feasibility and acceptability of the recipes were evaluated by obtaining verbal feedback from service‐users, following which recipes were further refined as appropriate.

Results

Modification resulted in a reduction in the overall energy (in the range of 23–188 kcal), fat (in the range of 0.1–13.7 g), saturated fatty acid (in the range of 0.1–2.9 g) and sugar (in the range of 0.2–8.3 g), provided by 100 g of the standard recipes. Similarly, modification resulted in the reduction in salt from about 63 to 0.01 g per 100 g edible portion of the standard recipe.

Conclusion

It is feasible to modify African‐Caribbean recipes to be healthier and acceptable to consumers. Combined with improving access to food environments that make available healthy foods, the recipes are intended to support healthier eating with African‐Caribbean foods.