bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work engagement and perceived job performance: does information communication technology orientation matter?
Authors: Bhat Shabir Ahmad , Bashir Makhmoor , Jan Hafsah
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to develop and test an integrated model to examine the relationship between work engagement and three facets of perceived job performance (PJP). The authors argue that work engagement might not optimally improve PJP unless it is channelized through information and communication technology orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for the present research were collected from higher educational institutes in the northern region of India by using a convenient sampling technique. Results of structural equation modeling (SEM) through AMOS 20 revealed that work engagement facilitates all three facets i.e. task performance, contextual performance and adaptive performance of teaching professionals. Furthermore, SEM results established the partial mediating effect of information and communication technology orientation between work engagement, task performance, contextual performance and adaptive performance.

Findings

Findings from present research contribute theoretically as well as practically to job performance and work engagement literature by giving insights to administrators and practitioners on how to improve the overall job performance of teaching professionals by enhancing their engagement and addressing their need for digital know-how.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first to study the impact of work engagement and information and communication technology on the three facets of PJP using a diverse sample of 1030 teachers from universities in North India.
Mapping the research field on product quality: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Mikul Mikul , Mittal Ishwar
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This research intends to undertake a rigorous bibliometric analysis of product quality research trends and patterns, map the intellectual and social structure of the field, identify the predominant themes and propose a transition plan for future work in this discipline.

Design/methodology/approach

The procedure was carried out in a step-by-step manner. Following a specified search string, Scopus retrieved 1454 journal articles from the previous 39 years (1984–2022). To comprehend the field’s base, various techniques of performance analysis and science mapping were employed using RStudio and VOSviewer.

Findings

In light of the results, both the volume and influence of product quality studies have surged over the past four decades, with most works appearing in prestigious academic journals. A number of cross-country product quality collaborations took place in nations with little geographic, historical, or cultural proximity. Using co-citation analysis, five distinct subfields were identified within the literature on product quality. Finally, the use of co-word analysis helps understand the field’s underlying themes and concludes with a set of potential research avenues built on a content analysis of the articles from each of the five subfields.

Originality/value

To the authors' understanding, this study represents a pioneering effort to examine the research field on product quality using bibliometric analysis. Notwithstanding being rooted in scientometrics, this research’s outcomes are instructive for practitioners, academics and aspiring researchers in the field.
Real-world experiments as a teaching and learning approach for sustainable consumption education
Authors: Hirscher Anja Lisa , Iran Samira , Schrader Ulf , Müller Martin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to propose and evaluate an innovative approach to education for sustainable consumption (ESC) which empowers teenagers and young adults to improve sustainable consumption competences. This approach combines pedagogical learning approaches such as real-world learning (e.g. experiential learning and research-based learning) with transformative and transdisciplinary research approaches (i.e. real-world laboratory research).

Design/methodology/approach

Through a transdisciplinary research design, the authors explore if real-world experiments (RWEs) offer a suitable approach for sustainable consumption education at schools. RWEs are a research approach for knowledge production, aiming to go beyond temporary interventions, to establish semi-permanent spaces for sustainability transformation and reflexive learning. To evaluate this proposal, the authors study already existing active teaching and learning approaches developed within and for ESC and put these in perspective, to define and understand the RWEs.

Findings

Insights from a transdisciplinary research project which applied RWEs as a teaching and learning approach in German schools complement conceptual considerations. As a result, advantages, such as the development of core competencies among learners, but also challenges experienced, are illustrated. Though, the challenges found are not unique to the RWE, rather they point out important potentials for ESC through suggesting systematic changes in educational institutions and teaching approaches.

Originality/value

This paper explores RWEs as an active and participatory teaching and learning approach for sustainable consumption education at schools and delivers practical insights and a definition of RWEs as an innovative teaching and learning approach.
TN-MR: topic-aware neural network-based mobile application recommendation
Authors: Chen Junyi , Cao Buqing , Peng Zhenlian , Xie Ziming , Liu Shanpeng , Peng Qian
Published: February 2024

Purpose

With the increasing number of mobile applications, efficiently recommending mobile applications to users has become a challenging problem. Although existing mobile application recommendation approaches based on user attributes and behaviors have achieved notable effectiveness, they overlook the diffusion patterns and interdependencies of topic-specific mobile applications among user groups. mobile applications among user groups. This paper aims to capture the diffusion patterns and interdependencies of mobile applications among user groups. To achieve this, a topic-aware neural network-based mobile application recommendation method, referred to as TN-MR, is proposed.

Design/methodology/approach

In this method, first, the user representations are enhanced by introducing a topic-aware attention layer, which captures both the topic context and the diffusion history context. Second, it exploits a time-decay mechanism to simulate changes in user interest. Multitopic user representations are aggregated by the time decay module to output the user representations of cascading representations under multiple topics. Finally, user scores that are likely to download the mobile application are predicted and ranked.

Findings

Experimental comparisons and analyses were conducted on the actual 360App data set, and the results demonstrate that the effectiveness of mobile application recommendations can be significantly improved by using TN-MR.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors propose a mobile application recommendation method based on topic-aware attention networks. By capturing the diffusion patterns and dependencies of mobile applications, it effectively assists users in selecting their applications of interest from thousands of options, significantly improving the accuracy of mobile application recommendations.
Towards an obstacle detection system for robot obstacle negotiation
Authors: Wang Han , Zhang Quan , Fan Zhenquan , Wang Gongcheng , Ding Pengchao , Wang Weidong
Published: February 2024

Purpose

To solve the obstacle detection problem in robot autonomous obstacle negotiation, this paper aims to propose an obstacle detection system based on elevation maps for three types of obstacles: positive obstacles, negative obstacles and trench obstacles.

Design/methodology/approach

The system framework includes mapping, ground segmentation, obstacle clustering and obstacle recognition. The positive obstacle detection is realized by calculating its minimum rectangle bounding boxes, which includes convex hull calculation, minimum area rectangle calculation and bounding box generation. The detection of negative obstacles and trench obstacles is implemented on the basis of information absence in the map, including obstacles discovery method and type confirmation method.

Findings

The obstacle detection system has been thoroughly tested in various environments. In the outdoor experiment, with an average speed of 22.2 ms, the system successfully detected obstacles with a 95% success rate, indicating the effectiveness of the detection algorithm. Moreover, the system’s error range for obstacle detection falls between 4% and 6.6%, meeting the necessary requirements for obstacle negotiation in the next stage.

Originality/value

This paper studies how to solve the obstacle detection problem when the robot obstacle negotiation.
Consumer-brand heuristics in luxury hotel reviews
Authors: Petrescu Maria , Gironda John , O'Leary Kathleen Bay
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to evaluate and structure the basic heuristics consumers use in evaluating word-of-mouth (WOM) about luxury hotel brands while analyzing the impact of deception in online consumer reviews.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used a two-study mixed-methods approach, using interpersonal deception theory and social proof theory as lenses to conduct our analysis. For the first study, a qualitative conceptual mapping analysis was conducted, examining online consumer reviews to identify key concepts and their relationships in the context of luxury hotel brands. In the second study, the themes were further examined using a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to analyze their causal complexity and association between variables to determine how they influence the perceived helpfulness of online reviews for luxury hotel brands.

Findings

The results underline the importance of functional, objective variables, such as the number of reviews and stars, as social proof heuristics and other factors, including clout, authenticity and analytic tone, as interpersonal communication heuristics. Therefore, consumers use a combination of social and interpersonal communication heuristics to extract information from reviews and manage deception risk.

Research limitations/implications

The paper contributes to the consumer–brand relationship literature by assessing the heuristics consumers use in evaluating online reviews and provides additional information for research in online reputation management.

Practical implications

This study’s results can help marketing practitioners and brand managers manage their online reputations better. It can also aid managers in improving their messaging on hotel websites to entice consumers to complete bookings. Heuristics play an essential role in such messaging and understanding them can help marketers appeal directly to their target market.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature on consumer–brand relationships by providing a framework of heuristics that consumers use when evaluating luxury service brands and contributes to WOM and online reputation research by highlighting factors that may make online reviews more helpful.
Sustainable luxury brands: the moderating effects of salient identity-based goals
Authors: Li Jiarui , Kang Jiyun
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Luxury brands struggle to communicate their sustainability commitments to consumers due to the perceived incongruence between “luxury” and “sustainability”. This study aims to provide luxury brands with insights on how to engage consumers with different social value orientations (SVOs) to make sustainable luxury purchases in a compatible manner. It investigates the relationships between personal values (symbolism/universalism), SVOs (pro-self/prosocial orientation) and behavioral intentions toward sustainable luxury brands. It further explores whether these relationships may differ when consumers view themselves as individuals (salient personal identity is activated) versus group members (salient social identity is activated).

Design/methodology/approach

Study 1 (N = 419) used an online experiment in which participants were randomly assigned to either salient personal or social identity conditions to test the proposed model. Study 2 (N = 438) used a fictional brand to further validate the findings. Hypotheses were tested using covariance-based structural equation modeling (CB-SEM) and multi-group SEM.

Findings

Results indicate that prosocial orientation significantly increases consumers’ behavioral intentions toward sustainable luxury brands. Interestingly, pro-self-orientation can also drive intentions to support sustainable luxury brands when consumers’ personal identity is salient. Salient social identity can further strengthen the relationship between prosocial orientation and sustainable luxury behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This study presents a novel, inclusive definition of sustainable luxury brands and adds theoretical rigor to the SVO framework by revealing the moderating role of salient identities, contributing to the body of knowledge in luxury brand research.
An examination of spiritual capital and innovation: insights from high-growth aspiration entrepreneurs in a developing economy
Authors: Games Donard , Siwi Agustina Tri , Lupiyoadi Rambat , Kartika Rayna
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the relationship between spiritual capital and small business innovation in a developing market economy and the highly religious society of Minangkabau.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative method was used by analyzing the data with partial least squares (PLS), comprising 278 entrepreneurial and high-growth aspiration small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) owners in a developing economy such as Indonesia.

Findings

The results showed that spiritual capital was a source of acquiring knowledge from innovation failure situations, serving as a catalyst for the occurrence of novelty and differentiation-related innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The perspective of spiritual capital was provided within a religious community, showing that future reports should produce comparative analyses from varying contexts. Since understanding entrepreneurs' perspectives and spiritual capital situation remained ambiguous, the performance of qualitative analysis was crucial.

Practical implications

Entrepreneurs were expected to obtain considerable benefits from spiritual capital as a source of inspiration for differentiation and higher levels of novelty-related innovation. Similarly, policymakers should implement the capital and learn from failure to evaluate entrepreneurial SMEs concerning their capabilities.

Originality/value

Previous studies were unable to acknowledge an alternative source of innovation in a specific context, such as entrepreneurial SMEs with high-growth aspirations and spiritual capital. This is because capital contributes to innovation, helps in the assimilation of innovative knowledge and causes novelty-related innovation.
Accounting in and by the extractive industries: development of a conceptual framework and avenues for future research
Authors: Samkin Grant , Mihret Dessalegn Getie , Lemma Tesfaye
Published: February 2024

Purpose

We develop a conceptual framework as a basis for thinking about the impact of extractive industries and emancipatory potential of alternative accounts. We then review selected alternative accounts literature on some contemporary issues surrounding the extractive industries and identify opportunities for accounting, auditing, and accountability research. We also provide an overview of the other contributions in this special issue.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on alternative accounts from the popular and social media as well as the alternative accounting literature, this primarily discursive paper provides a contemporary literature review of identified issues within the extractive industries highlighting potential areas for future research. The eight papers that make up the special issue are located within a conceptual framework is employed to illustrate each paper’s contribution to the field.

Findings

While accounting has a rich literature covering some of the issues detailed in this paper, this has not necessarily translated to the extractive industries. Few studies in accounting have got “down and dirty” so to speak and engaged directly with those impacted by companies operating in the extractive industries. Those that have, have focused on specific areas such as the Niger Delta. Although prior studies in the social governance literature have tended to focus on disclosure issues, it is questionable whether this work, while informative, has resulted in any meaningful environmental, social or governance (ESG) changes on the part of the extractive industries.

Research limitations/implications

The extensive extractive industries literature both from within and outside the accounting discipline makes a comprehensive review impractical. Drawing on both the accounting literature and other disciplines, this paper identifies areas that warrant further investigation through alternative accounts.

Originality/value

This paper and other contributions to this special issue provide a basis and an agenda for accounting scholars seeking to undertake interdisciplinary research into the extractive industries.
An investigation on perceptions of street remarks by Bruneian men and women
Authors: Haji Marzuki Aminuddin , Alkaff Sharifah Nurul Huda
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The current study investigates perceptions of street harassment from a linguistic perspective. With regard to the theory of speech acts, some may deem street remarks as compliments instead of catcalls. There is a lack of linguistic research regarding the issue conducted with a Bruneian demographic. This study recognises the difference in the use of language by men and women and aims to find whether there is a difference in their perceptions of street remarks.

Design/methodology/approach

A method of triangulation between questionnaire surveys and focus group interviews was carried out to actualise these aims. Thirty-two female and thirty-two male respondents from the survey were used to conclude quantitative findings, whereas three male and three female participants were recruited for the focus group interview. Data were analysed through a t-test and discourse analysis consecutively.

Findings

Quantitative data (p = 0.398) reveal that both men and women perceive street remarks almost equally as a form of street harassment. However, qualitative data reveal that male language and behaviour portray a more positive and tolerant attitude.

Practical implications

This study provides evidence of the difference in perceptions between men and women towards street harassment.

Originality/value

This study explores a relatively unexplored area, that is investigating street remarks in a non-Western context, where the demographic could have different perceptions towards street remarks.
The impact of cloud adoption on talent management: an exploratory study from the “learning organization” perspective
Authors: Khalil Sabine , Samhan Bahae
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Cloud computing, a dominant technology, significantly impacts organizations, necessitating talent management strategies for sustained growth. This study aims to explore the impact of cloud adoption on large French organizations through a “learning organization” perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Interviews were conducted with business and IT stakeholders from 35 multinational organizations in France.

Findings

Cloud services have a high impact on large organizations, leading to a demand for cloud-related skills, a power shift from IT to business departments and increased shadow IT activities. Effective utilization requires organizational learning and a change management project, transforming organizations into productive and innovative learning organizations.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to cloud computing, organizational learning and talent management literature, offering managers a novel approach to handling cloud services.
Organizational learning starting points and presuppositions: a case study from a hospital’s surgical department
Authors: Jaakkola Marianne , Lemmetty Soila , Collin Kaija , Ylönen Minna , Antikainen Teuvo
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to increase the understanding of the starting points and presuppositions of organizational learning (OL) processes in a hospital’s surgical department based on the existing theory of OL and to make visible the practical possibilities of the theory in this context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study was conducted as a case study. The data were collected from personnel of the hospital’s surgical department and consisted of 26 thematic interviews. The data were analyzed using qualitative theory-driven content analysis.

Findings

This study found different starting points for both employee-oriented and organization-oriented learning processes that could potentially progress to different levels of the organization: from individuals to a wider group or from a large group to an individual. The starting point of employee-oriented learning processes was depicted as everyday life problems or situations or was based on the person’s interest. The starting points of organization-oriented learning processes were described as achieving or maintaining the organization’s expected skill levels, pursuing continuous development or pursuing the organization’s specific development needs. Different kinds of presuppositions were also located within the OL processes.

Originality/value

This study produced new practice-based knowledge about the starting points of OL processes and their presuppositions. In health-care organizations, learning is especially important due to intensive and complex changes, and this study provides empirical evidence on how to enhance learning.
Addressing the Kaizen business operations: the role of triple helix actors during COVID-19 outbreak
Authors: Kumar Vimal , Verma Priyanka , Mittal Ankesh , Gupta Pradeep , Raj Rohit , Kaswan Mahender Singh
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate and clarify how the triple helix actors can effectively implement the concepts of Kaizen to navigate and overcome the complex obstacles brought on by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

Through broad literature reviews, nine common parameters under triple helix actor have been recognized. A regression analysis has been done to study how the triple helix actors’ common parameters impact Kaizen implementation in business operations.

Findings

The results of this study revealed insightful patterns in the relationships between the common parameters of triple helix actor and the dependent variables. Notably, the results also showed that leadership commitment (LC) emerges as a very significant component, having a big impact on employee engagement as well as organizational performance.

Research limitations/implications

In addition to offering valuable insights, this study has limitations including the potential for response bias in survey data and the focus on a specific set of common parameters, which may not encompass the entirety of factors influencing Kaizen implementation within the triple helix framework during the pandemic.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its comprehensive exploration of the interplay between triple helix actors and Kaizen principles in addressing COVID-19 challenges. By identifying and analyzing nine specific common parameters, the study provides a novel framework for understanding how triple helix actors collaboratively enhance organizational performance and employee engagement during challenging times.
Halal and Islamic tourism: science mapping of present and future trends
Authors: Fauzi Muhammad Ashraf , Battour Mohamed
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive and systematic review of halal tourism structure using bibliometric analysis. Halal tourism interest has increased due to the high demand for tourism products adhering to Shariah law. Furthermore, the vast Muslim population has increased the demand for halal tourism products and destination factors in this niche tourism segment.

Design/methodology/approach

A network visualization through bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis, this review presents a science mapping analysis to reveal the knowledge structure of emerging and future trends in halal tourism.

Findings

The current and emerging trends demonstrate three themes: the fundamentals of halal tourism, communication via word of mouth in halal tourism and Muslim tourist satisfaction and loyalty. At the same time, the co-word analysis presents the four themes primarily associated with halal tourism challenges: tourist satisfaction, service quality and Muslim travellers’ attraction.

Research limitations/implications

The findings serve as crucial implications, contributing to halal and general tourism theory and application.

Originality/value

This review serves as crucial fundamental knowledge for future studies in halal tourism and its relevant themes for further development in tourism management. The most significant emerging theme in halal tourism is the intervention needed to increase Muslim tourist satisfaction and loyalty through halal-friendly service, customer-service quality, foods and beverages, facilities and privacy. The co-word analysis suggests increasing tourists’ engagement in halal tourism by invigorating the religiosity domain among tourists, improving service quality and perceived value and discovering new Muslim-friendly attractions. The most crucial finding from this study is to ensure that halal and Muslim-friendly tourism are at the same level, to the extent of better service according to Islamic practice. This approach would elevate the value and status of halal tourism as a trending product in Muslim and non-Muslim markets.
Destination authenticity influence on tourists' behavioral intentions, involvement and nostalgic sentiments
Authors: Yeh Shih-Shuo , Leong Aliana Man Wai , Hung Chien-Wen , Huan Tzung-Cheng
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This tourism study delves into the universal impact of authenticity on tourists' preferences. This study aims to enhance understanding and present a model delineating authenticity's intricate relationship with behavioral intention, involvement and nostalgia.

Design/methodology/approach

The research entails administering a sample survey to travelers located in the departure lounge of Macau International Airport. Ultimately, 499 fully completed questionnaires are obtained through convenience sampling. The analysis of the collected data incorporates an innovative method, using a quadratic model.

Findings

Results undeniably validate that a destination's perceived authenticity significantly influences tourists' intentions, engagement and nostalgic sentiments. Findings strongly support the assertion that this authenticity demonstrates a nonlinear pattern in its association with behavioral intention, involvement and nostalgia.

Originality/value

Through quantitative analysis and interpretation, this study has advanced the comprehension of the interplay between authenticity and tourism. It introduces a novel perspective that adds depth to the broader understanding in this domain. This foundational research is crucial for acknowledging the unique contributions made by this study to the fields of tourism and authenticity.
Why we cannot always expect life history strategies to directly inform on sensitivity to environmental change
Authors: Rademaker Mark , van Leeuwen Anieke , Smallegange Isabel M.
Published: February 2024

Variation in life history traits in animals and plants can often be structured along major axes of life history strategies. The position of a species along these axes can inform on their sensitivity to environmental change. For example, species with slow life histories are found to be less sensitive in their long‐term population responses to environmental change than species with fast life histories.

This provides a tantalizing link between sets of traits and population responses to change, contained in a highly generalizable theoretical framework.

Life history strategies are assumed to reflect the outcome of life history tradeoffs that, by their very nature, act at the individual level. Examples include the tradeoff between current and future reproductive success, and allocating energy into growth versus reproduction. But the importance of such tradeoffs in structuring population‐level responses to environmental change remains understudied.

We aim to increase our understanding of the link between individual‐level life history tradeoffs and the structuring of life history strategies across species, as well as the underlying links to population responses to environmental change.

We find that the classical association between lifehistory strategies and population responses to environmental change breaks down when accounting for individual‐level tradeoffs and energy allocation.

Therefore, projecting population responses to environmental change should not be inferred based only on a limited set of species traits.

We summarize our perspective and a way forward in a conceptual framework.
The SATB1‐MIR22‐GBA axis mediates glucocerebroside accumulation inducing a cellular senescence‐like phenotype in dopaminergic neurons
Authors: Russo Taylor , Kolisnyk Benjamin , B. S. Aswathy , Plessis‐Belair Jonathan , Kim Tae Wan , Martin Jacqueline , Ni Jason , Pearson Jordan A. , Park Emily J. , Sher Roger B. , Studer Lorenz , Riessland Markus
Published: February 2024

Idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) is characterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta, which is associated with neuroinflammation and reactive gliosis. The underlying cause of PD and the concurrent neuroinflammation are not well understood. In this study, we utilize human and murine neuronal lines, stem cell‐derived dopaminergic neurons, and mice to demonstrate that three previously identified genetic risk factors for PD, namely SATB1, MIR22HG, and GBA, are components of a single gene regulatory pathway. Our findings indicate that dysregulation of this pathway leads to the upregulation of glucocerebrosides (GluCer), which triggers a cellular senescence‐like phenotype in dopaminergic neurons. Specifically, we discovered that downregulation of the transcriptional repressor SATB1 results in the derepression of the microRNA miR‐22‐3p, leading to decreased GBA expression and subsequent accumulation of GluCer. Furthermore, our results demonstrate that an increase in GluCer alone is sufficient to impair lysosomal and mitochondrial function, thereby inducing cellular senescence. Dysregulation of the SATB1‐MIR22‐GBA pathway, observed in both PD patients and normal aging, leads to lysosomal and mitochondrial dysfunction due to the GluCer accumulation, ultimately resulting in a cellular senescence‐like phenotype in dopaminergic neurons. Therefore, our study highlights a novel pathway involving three genetic risk factors for PD and provides a potential mechanism for the senescence‐induced neuroinflammation and reactive gliosis observed in both PD and normal aging.
Estimating early contact‐era populations for lutruwita (Tasmania)
Authors: Byard Roger , Maxwell‐Stewart Hamish
Published: February 2024

While there have been many attempts to calculate pre‐contact Aboriginal population sizes for Tasmania, estimates have varied from as little as 800 to as many as 20,000. We adapt a technique employed by Noel Butlin to model Australian continental populations in 1788 to the peculiar circumstances of Tasmania. We conclude that higher, rather than lower, pre‐contact populations are likely. While the direct and indirect consequences of conflict were a serious contributor to the collapse in population, introduced disease played a significant role. This included sexually transmitted disease (a cause of declining fertility), as well as pulmonary disorders and crusted scabies.
Impact of postoperative cardiovascular complications on 30‐day mortality after major abdominal surgery: an international prospective cohort study
Authors:   STARSurg Collaborative,   the EuroSurg Collaborative
Published: February 2024

Cardiovascular complications after major surgery are associated with increases in morbidity and mortality. There is confusion over definitions of cardiac injury or complications, and variability in the assessment and management of patients. This international prospective cohort study aimed to define the incidence and timing of these complications and to investigate their impact on 30‐day all‐cause mortality. We performed a prospective, international cohort study between January 2022 and May 2022. Data were collected on consecutive patients undergoing major abdominal surgery in 446 hospitals from 28 countries across Europe. The primary outcome measure was cardiovascular complications as defined by the Standardised Endpoints for Perioperative Medicine‐Core Outcome Measures for Perioperative and Anaesthetic Care initiative up to 30 days after surgery. The secondary outcome was 30‐day postoperative mortality. This study included 24,203 patients, of whom 611 (2.5%) developed cardiovascular complications. In total, 458 (1.9%) patients died within 30 days of surgery, of which 123 (26.9%) deaths were judged to be cardiac‐related. Mortality rates were higher in patients who developed postoperative cardiovascular complications than in those who did not (19.8% vs. 1.4%), which persisted after risk adjustment (hazard ratio (95%CI) 4.15 (3.14–5.48)). We estimated an absolute risk reduction (95%CI) of 0.4 (0.3–0.5) in mortality in the absence of all cardiovascular complications. This would confer a relative risk reduction in mortality of 21.1% if all cardiovascular complications were prevented. Postoperative cardiovascular complications are relatively common and occur early after major abdominal surgery. However, over 1 in 5 postoperative deaths were attributable to these complications, highlighting an important area for future randomised trials.
Concentration‐number (C‐N) fractal models reveal the distribution pattern of the elements in ancient nephrite measured by portable X‐ray fluorescence: Based on nephrite objects excavated from different sites in Nanyang, Henan Province
Authors: Chen Dian , Qiao Baotong , Luo Wugan
Published: February 2024

Changes in the composition of various chemical elements in ancient nephrite artifacts due to prolonged burial are critical factors that should not be underestimated. However, the increasingly stringent heritage management has made many techniques impractical. Consequently, portable X‐ray fluorescence (pXRF) has become an indispensable nondestructive field analysis method. This paper aims to make use of the pXRF dataset to distinguish which elements tested are endogenous or exogenous, as well as to gauge which elements have been affected by stronger burial effects. More specifically, we carry out this work on the example of 103 pieces of nephrite excavated from different cemeteries in the Nanyang area. In addition to traditional statistical techniques, a new tool, the concentration‐number (C‐N) fractal method can shed new light on the analysis of the distribution patterns of different elements in excavated nephrite. The anomalous boundaries generated by the method have clear geochemical significance and can be delineated between background zone and disturbed regions. The degree of resistance of different elements to fluctuations in external factors was assessed, which has a direct relationship with the content of the buried soil. Considering the richness of the model, it has the potential to be used in archaeometrics.
Psychosocial outcomes from one cohort participating in the STan Australian Randomised controlled Trial (START)
Authors: Benton Madeleine , Salter Amy , Wilkinson Chris , Simpson Bronni , Turnbull Deborah
Published: February 2024

Background

In an Australian randomized controlled trial (RCT), two techniques for intrapartum fetal surveillance were compared: ST analysis (STan) as an adjunct to cardiotocography (CTG), compared with CTG alone. The aim was to determine whether CTG + STan could reduce emergency cesarean birth rates while maintaining or improving neonatal outcomes. Secondary aims were to compare clinical, economic, and psychosocial outcomes. The purpose of this paper was to present psychosocial outcomes from one cohort enrolled in the trial.

Methods

The study was conducted at one tertiary referral hospital. Participants who had taken part in the trial from the outset were invited to complete a questionnaire between March 2018 and January 2020, approximately 8 weeks after giving birth. Outcomes included depression, psychological distress, health‐related quality of life, and infant feeding practices. Analysis was by intention to treat.

Results

N = 207/527 participants completed the questionnaire (n = 113, STan; n = 94, CTG alone). Overall, no statistically significant or clinically meaningful differences were found in the two groups for symptoms of depression, psychological distress, quality of life, or infant feeding. A statistically significant difference was observed for the subscale of pain‐discomfort, where scores were higher on average in the CTG alone arm relative to that in the CTG + STan arm.

Conclusions

Although STan as an adjunct to CTG constitutes a different clinical technology from CTG alone, both monitoring types appeared to produce similar results in terms of postnatal psychosocial outcomes for women. Findings from this study provide service users and staff with a comprehensive assessment of STan that can be used to make evidence‐informed decisions about monitoring options should STan become more widely available.
Occurrence and risk factors for second‐degree perineal tears: A prospective cohort study using a detailed classification system
Authors: Macedo Marthe D. , Risløkken Jeanette , Halle Tuva , Ellström Engh Marie , Siafarikas Franziska
Published: February 2024

Background

The amount of tissue trauma within second‐degree perineal tears varies widely. Therefore, subcategorization of second‐degree tears and a better understanding of their occurrence and risk factors are needed. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of perineal tears when second‐degree tears were subcategorized. Furthermore, we aimed to assess the association between variables related to perineal anatomy and other potential risk factors, with second‐degree tear subcategories.

Methods

This prospective cohort study included 880 primiparous and multiparous women giving birth to one child vaginally. Perineal tears were categorized using the classification system recommended by the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. In addition, second‐degree tears were subcategorized as 2A, 2B, or 2C according to the percentage of damage to the perineal body. Selected variables related to perineal anatomy were as follows: length of genital hiatus; perineal body length; and previous perineal trauma. Risk factors for second‐degree tear subcategories were analyzed using a multinominal regression model.

Results

Perineal tears occurred as follows: first‐degree: 35.6% (n = 313), 2A: 16.3% (n = 143), 2B: 9.1% (n = 80), 2C: 6.6% (n = 58), and third‐ or fourth‐degree: 1.6% (n = 14). In total, 169/880 participants underwent an episiotomy. When episiotomies were excluded, the risk for 2B, or 2C tears increased with smaller genital hiatus, larger perineal body, previous perineal trauma, primiparity, higher gestational age, instrumental vaginal delivery and fetal presentation other than occiput anterior.

Conclusion

The occurrence of second‐degree tear subcategories was 16.3% for 2A tears, 9.1% for 2B tears, and 6.6% for 2C tears. Factors related to perineal anatomy increased the odds for experiencing a second‐degree tear in a more severe subcategory.
Ecological Emergency in El Salto and Cosmopolitical Aesthetics in Eugenio Polgovsky's Resurrección (2016)
Authors: Martin Deborah
Published: February 2024

This article examines the documentary Resurrección (Eugenio Polgovksy, 2016), which deals with the catastrophic contamination of Jalisco's River Santiago by industrial waste. It discusses the slow violence of environmental poisoning in this region as a form of necropolitics and of wastelanding, and the campaign of collective Un Salto de Vida, who feature prominently in the film, for a clean river. It goes on to explore the heterogenous worlds and uncanny, sensorial aesthetics that characterise the film, arguing that through them, it makes a significant contribution to the search for visual forms through which to represent eco‐catastrophe, and the reconfigured relationship between human and non‐human required to address it.
‘Surgery is my only hope’: A qualitative study exploring perceptions of living with obesity and the prospect of having bariatric surgery
Authors: Keyte Rebecca , Mantzios Michail , Hussain Misba , Tahrani Abd A. , Abbott Sally , Strachan Rachel , Singhal Rishi , Egan Helen
Published: February 2024

The health benefits of bariatric surgery are well documented; however, the occurrence of weight‐regain after surgery, along with the development of mental health difficulties poses a question of how contemporary psychology could assist to prepare people living with obesity prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. This research explored individuals' (in the immediate pre‐operative and post‐operative population) attitudes, beliefs and experiences towards obesity and their journey to bariatric surgery. Seventeen adult participants (males n = 4; age range: 26–64 years) were recruited and participated in a semi‐structured interview. Twelve individuals participated prior to undergoing bariatric surgery. Five individuals participated in the early post‐operative period (<3 months post‐surgery). People living with obesity displayed high optimism for positive outcomes, with participants hoping that bariatric surgery would be different to previous attempts at weight regulation, with there being a clear shift in the locus of control for weight management from self to healthcare professionals. Whilst this is adaptive, there was the presence of seemingly unrealistic optimism, with many pre‐surgery participants not relaying the realistic possibility of post‐surgery weight‐regain. Despite the optimism individuals feel about bariatric surgery, participants felt that the psychological factors influencing eating behaviours are not being addressed by healthcare. These findings suggest that mindfulness, mindful eating, and self‐compassion approaches should be incorporated into clinical practice to support weight regulation and adaption to physiological changes after bariatric surgery.
Inequalities in the recovery of colorectal cancer services during the COVID‐19 pandemic: a national population‐based study
Authors: Boyle Jemma M. , Kuryba Angela , Blake Helen A. , van der Meulen Jan , Fearnhead Nicola S. , Braun Michael S. , Walker Kate
Published: February 2024

Aim

Evidence is lacking on whether there were inequalities in the recovery of colorectal cancer (CRC) services within the English National Health Service (NHS) following the COVID‐19 pandemic. The aim of this study was to evaluate recovery according to patient age and socioeconomic status.

Method

Using routinely collected data, CRC patients diagnosed and treated in the English NHS were identified for two timeframes: the ‘initial pandemic period’ (April–June 2020) and the ‘pandemic period’ (April 2020–March 2022). Poisson models evaluated changes in numbers of diagnoses, major resections, adjuvant chemotherapy and neoadjuvant radiotherapy use for each timeframe, relative to the equivalent pre‐pandemic timeframe (April–June 2019 and April 2018–March 2020, respectively), stratified by age and socioeconomic status. Tumour stage at presentation was evaluated over time.

Results

Substantial deficits in diagnoses, major resections and adjuvant chemotherapy were identified in the initial pandemic period, whilst the use of neoadjuvant radiotherapy increased. Overall, these deficits recovered. Patients outside screening age, and in the most deprived group, had greater deficits in diagnoses and major resections. There was no evidence of stage migration by June 2021.

Conclusions

CRC services showed recovery to baseline during the pandemic. However, evident inequalities must be addressed in ongoing recovery efforts. Long‐term outcomes will fully establish the impact of the pandemic on CRC patients.
National trends and outcomes of total proctocolectomy and completion proctectomy ileal pouch−anal anastomosis procedures for ulcerative colitis
Authors: Chen Sophia Y. , Radomski Shannon N. , Stem Miloslawa , Done Joy Z. , Caturegli Giorgio , Atallah Chady , Efron Jonathan E. , Safar Bashar
Published: February 2024

Aim

The purpose of this study is to assess US operative trends and outcomes of ulcerative colitis (UC) patients undergoing total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch−anal anastomosis (TPC‐IPAA) or completion proctectomy with IPAA (CP‐IPAA).

Methods

Adult UC patients who underwent TPC‐IPAA or CP‐IPAA were analysed retrospectively using the 2016–2020 American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program database. Factors associated with 30‐day overall and serious morbidity were identified using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

A total of 1696 patients were identified, with 958 patients (56.5%) undergoing TPC‐IPAA and 738 (43.5%) undergoing CP‐IPAA. A greater proportion of TPC‐IPAAs were performed each year (except in 2019) compared to CP‐IPAAs over the study period (P trend <0.001). Unadjusted analysis showed comparable rates of overall (20.8% vs. 24.4%, P = 0.076) and serious morbidity (14.3% vs. 12.7%, P = 0.352) between TPC‐IPAA and CP‐IPAA patients. Robotic TPC‐IPAA had no differences in complications compared to laparoscopic and open approaches. Robotic CP‐IPAA had higher anastomotic leak rates and longer hospital length of stay compared to laparoscopic and open approaches. Obesity was associated with increased odds of overall and serious morbidity for patients who underwent TPC‐IPAA. Steroid/immunosuppressive therapy was associated with increased odds of overall and serious morbidity for patients who underwent CP‐IPAA.

Conclusions

Obese patients should be informed of their increased morbidity risk and offered counselling on weight loss prior to surgery when feasible. Patients on steroid/immunosuppressive therapy within 30 days preoperatively should not undergo CP‐IPAA or should delay surgery until they can be safely off those medications.