bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Individual differences reveal similarities in serial dependencies across perceptual tasks, but no relation to serial dependencies for oculomotor behavior
Authors: Guan Shuchen , Goettker Alexander
Published: February 2024

Serial dependence effects from one trial to the next have been observed across a wide range of perceptual tasks, as well as for oculomotor behavior. This opens up the question of whether the effects observed across all of these studies share underlying mechanisms. Here we measured the same group of observers across four different tasks, two perceptual (color judgments and orientation judgments) and two oculomotor (tracking of moving targets and the pupil light reflex). On the group level, we observed significant attractive serial dependence effects for all tasks, except the pupil response. The rare absence of a serial dependence effect for the reflex like pupil light response suggests that sequential effects require cortical processing or even higher-level cognition. In the following step, we leveraged reliable individual differences between observers in the other tasks to test whether there is a trait-like behavior of some observers showing stronger serial dependence effects across all of these tasks. We observed a significant relationship in the strength of serial dependence for the two perceptual experiments, but no relation between the perceptual tasks and oculomotor behavior. This indicates, differences in processing between perception and oculomotor control and the absence of a general trait-like behavior that affects all tasks similarly. However, the shared variance in the strength of serial dependence effects across different perceptual tasks indicates the importance of a similar positive decision bias present, that is reliably different between observers and consistent across different serial dependence tasks.
Duplication of the anteroposterior body axis in postembryos of theEratigena atricaspider
Authors: Napiórkowska Teresa , Templin Julita , Napiórkowski Paweł
Published: February 2024

Many factors, including temperature, can affect the embryonic development of spiders, leading to a variety of deformities in their body structure. Early studies on teratological changes in spiders were aimed mainly at describing the morphology of affected individuals. Now, with new tools and molecular techniques used to carry out a functional analysis of genes involved in body segmentation and leg formation, the explanation of these defects is finally possible. In our new experiment on spiders collected in 2022/2023 breeding season, we obtained 87 postembryos with various body defects by applying alternating temperatures (140C and 320C) for the first 10 days of embryonic development. The most common anomaly, i.e. oligomely, occurred in 70 individuals, while other defects (schistomely, symely, polymely, heterosymely) were noted sporadically. Partial prosoma duplication affected only six embryos. In the context of recent advances in molecular spider embryology we conclude that recorded anomalies may be connected with the suppression or erroneous expression of certain genes of body segmentation and appendage formation, and by disturbances in the formation and migration of the cumulus, which leads to an axis duplication phenotype.

Summary statement

This article presents a rare anomaly - bicephaly, which appeared in spider postembryos as a result of thermal shocks applied during embryogenesis.
UNC-30/PITX coordinates neurotransmitter identity with postsynaptic GABA receptor clustering
Authors: Correa Edgar , Mialon Morgane , Cizeron Mélissa , Bessereau Jean-Louis , Pinan-Lucarre Berangere , Kratsios Paschalis
Published: February 2024

Terminal selectors are transcription factors that control neuronal identity by regulating the expression of key effector molecules, such as neurotransmitter (NT) biosynthesis proteins, ion channels and neuropeptides. Whether and how terminal selectors control neuronal connectivity is poorly understood. Here, we report that UNC-30 (PITX2/3), the terminal selector of GABA motor neuron identity inC. elegans, is required for NT receptor clustering, a hallmark of postsynaptic differentiation. Animals lackingunc-30ormadd-4B,the short isoform of the MN-secreted synapse organizermadd-4(Punctin/ADAMTSL), display severe GABA receptor type A (GABAAR) clustering defects in postsynaptic muscle cells. Mechanistically, UNC-30 acts directly to induce and maintain transcription ofmadd-4Band GABA biosynthesis genes (e.g.,unc-25/GAD,unc-47/VGAT). Hence, UNC-30 controls GABAAR clustering on postsynaptic muscle cells and GABA biosynthesis in presynaptic cells, transcriptionally coordinating two critical processes for GABA neurotransmission. Further, we uncover multiple target genes and a dual role for UNC-30 both as an activator and repressor of gene transcription. Our findings on UNC-30 function may contribute to our molecular understanding of human conditions, such as Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome, caused by PITX2 and PITX3 gene mutations.
Understanding the relevance and impact of the cost of quality in the construction industry: a systematic literature review using PRISMA
Authors: Sharma Nandini , Laishram Boeing
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Construction industry faces challenges in making objective decisions due to monetary value attached to quality. Among various quality management techniques available, cost of quality (COQ) is one such method used to address the concern. However, the absence of measurable COQ factors to monitor quality costs hampers the implementation of COQ framework in the construction industry. Therefore, this study aims to identify COQ factors focused on visible factors (VF) and hidden factors (HF) and the current requirements to achieve it.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses protocol guidelines. The present study identified 57 articles published between 1992 and 2023 in peer-reviewed journals.

Findings

The findings reveal 22 factors, which are grouped into four categories based on COQ. Through systematic review, the authors observed limited methodological and theoretical diversity. In fact, there are no quantitative frameworks to calculate COQ. The study, therefore, developed a framework comprising four major routes/paths of COQ factors within the framework.

Practical implications

The COQ routes developed through this study will enable the practitioners to meticulously categorise VF and HF, facilitating quantifying of quality throughout the lifecycle of project, which is currently absent from the existing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) approach. In addition, these COQ routes stand as essential construction strategies, significantly enhancing outcomes related to time, cost, quality, sustainability and fostering closer relationships within project frameworks.

Originality/value

The current study contributes significantly to the existing body of knowledge by developing various COQ routes and proposing future research directions to address gaps in the literature.
Loneliness at the top: outstanding success, peace lasting one match
Authors: Ünsal Efe
Published: February 2024

Learning outcomes

Firstly, leaders are assessed according to a wide variety of criteria. To be an effective leader, one should be aware of these criteria and perform accordingly. Secondly, there is an ongoing debate between scholars on whether leaders are lonely at the top or not. Leaders might feel lonely because of the great responsibility and exhaustion related to the role. Social support from the leader’s network helps to cope with the loneliness. Thirdly, work motivation and job satisfaction have an impact on employee performance. A leader should pay attention to these concepts for higher organizational performance.

Case overview/synopsis

In the early 2020s, the world of Turkish football met a new leader: Hakan Karaahmet, the club president who led Giresunspor’s rise to the Turkish Super League. In the summer of 2020, Karaahmet was elected as the president of Giresunspor, which is the most popular football club in Giresun, a small city in Turkey on the Black Sea coast. The club was founded in 1925 and re-formed in 1967 as three other small clubs merged. It played in Turkish Super League (Turkish first league) between 1971 and 1977 and was back in the top flight after a 44-year absence, with the leadership of Karaahmet in the 2020–2021 football season. Even though it was quite a difficult task, the president ensured that the club was not relegated from the super league in the 2021–2022 season. Although Giresunspor made a promising start to the 2022–2023 football season with two wins out of three matches, the team fell behind its rivals regarding squad depth because of financial difficulties. As of 1 February, the consecutive crushing losses pushed the team into the relegation zone. The team, fans and the president were devastated. Karaahmet was faced with the dilemma of resigning from the club or not.

Complexity academic level

This case study can be taught to undergraduate students.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 6: Human resource management.
The impact of GHRM practices on employee workplace outcomes and organizational pride: a conservation of resource theory perspective
Authors: Niazi Aiman , Qureshi Muhammad Imran , Iftikhar Mehwish , Obaid Asifa
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In light of the widely acknowledged significance of GHRM practices, this study improves comprehension pertaining to GHRM practices and employee workplace outcome relationships. Drawing on the conservation of resource (COR) theory, the association between GHRM practices and employee workplace outcomes, namely green commitment and thriving at work, was explored, with a specific focus on the mediating role of organizational pride.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design was adopted, and data was collected through a multistage sampling technique, yielding a sample of 255 employees working in six textile manufacturing organizations in Pakistan, all of which held the ISO 14001 certification. The model was tested using Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings of this study reveal a significant link between GHRM practices and organizational pride. Moreover, organizational pride was found to mediate the relationship between GHRM practices and thriving at work while partially mediating the relationship between GHRM practices and green commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The outcomes of this study have implications for organizations seeking to enhance sustainability and employee well-being by adopting GHRM practices. Specifically, fostering a sense of organizational pride can further enhance thriving at work and green commitment among employees.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to the existing literature by highlighting the positive impact of GHRM practices on employee workplace outcomes and the importance of organizational pride as a mediating mechanism.
Enterprise social media and knowledge creation capability: a comparison between pre- and post-COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Dai Jing , Xu Dong , Shao Jinan , Lim Jia Jia , Shangguan Wuyue
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Drawing upon the theory of communication visibility, this research intends to investigate the direct effect of enterprise social media (ESM) usage on team members’ knowledge creation capability (KCC) and the mediating effects of psychological safety and team identification. In addition, it aims to untangle how the efficacy of ESM usage varies between pre- and post-COVID-19 periods.

Design/methodology/approach

Using two-wave survey data from 240 members nested within 60 teams, this study utilizes a multilevel approach to test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

We discover that ESM usage enhances team members’ KCC. More importantly, the results show that psychological safety and team identification mediate the ESM–KCC linkage. Interestingly, we further find that the impacts of ESM usage on team members’ KCC, psychological safety, and team identification are stronger in the pre-COVID-19 period than those in the post-COVID-19 period.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on the ESM literature by unraveling the mechanisms of psychological safety and team identification underlying the linkage between ESM usage and team members’ KCC. Moreover, it advances our understanding of the differential efficacy of ESM usage in pre- and post-COVID-19 periods.
Investigating the effects of gamification affordances on users’ green intrinsic motivation: a cognitive evaluation perspective
Authors: Cheng Sihan , Cao Cong
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Based on cognitive evaluation theory and gamification affordances, this study aims to understand how gamification affordances influence users’ intention to engage in sustainable behaviour and how new trends in Ant Forest influence its impact on green intrinsic motivation to support sustainable behaviours.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors developed a research model to explore the mechanisms underlying gamification affordances, psychological needs and green intrinsic motivation. Partial least squares structural equation modelling was used to assess the survey data (n = 393) and test the research model.

Findings

The results show that different gamification affordances can satisfy users’ needs for autonomy, competence and relatedness, which positively influences their green intrinsic motivation and engagement in sustainable behaviours. However, some affordances, such as competition, might negatively impact these psychological needs.

Originality/value

This research updates information system research on environmental sustainability and the Ant Forest context. The authors provide a new framework that links gamification affordances, psychological needs and sustainable behaviour. The study also examines changing trends in Ant Forest and their implications.
An intelligent tutoring system for programming education based on informative tutoring feedback: system development, algorithm design, and empirical study
Authors: Zhong Xuanyan , Zhan Zehui
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop an intelligent tutoring system (ITS) for programming learning based on information tutoring feedback (ITF) to provide real-time guidance and feedback to self-directed learners during programming problem-solving and to improve learners’ computational thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

By analyzing the mechanism of action of ITF on the development of computational thinking, an ITF strategy and corresponding ITS acting on the whole process of programming problem-solving were developed to realize the evaluation of programming problem-solving ideas based on program logic. On the one hand, a lexical and syntactic analysis of the programming problem solutions input by the learners is performed and presented with a tree-like structure. On the other hand, by comparing multiple algorithms, it is implemented to compare the programming problem solutions entered by the learners with the answers and analyze the gaps to give them back to the learners to promote the improvement of their computational thinking.

Findings

This study clarifies the mechanism of the role of ITF-based ITS in the computational thinking development process. Results indicated that the ITS designed in this study is effective in promoting students’ computational thinking, especially for low-level learners. It also helped to improve students’ learning motivation, and reducing cognitive load, while there’s no significant difference among learners of different levels.

Originality/value

This study developed an ITS based on ITF to address the problem of learners’ difficulty in obtaining real-time guidance in the current programming problem-solving-based computational thinking development, providing a good aid for college students’ independent programming learning.
Bard, ChatGPT and 3DGPT: a scientometric analysis of generative AI tools and assessment of implications for mechanical engineering education
Authors: Mustapha Khameel B. , Yap Eng Hwa , Abakr Yousif Abdalla
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Following the recent rise in generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools, fundamental questions about their wider impacts have started to reverberate around various disciplines. This study aims to track the unfolding landscape of general issues surrounding GenAI tools and to elucidate the specific opportunities and limitations of these tools as part of the technology-assisted enhancement of mechanical engineering education and professional practices.

Design/methodology/approach

As part of the investigation, the authors conduct and present a brief scientometric analysis of recently published studies to unravel the emerging trend on the subject matter. Furthermore, experimentation was done with selected GenAI tools (Bard, ChatGPT, DALL.E and 3DGPT) for mechanical engineering-related tasks.

Findings

The study identified several pedagogical and professional opportunities and guidelines for deploying GenAI tools in mechanical engineering. Besides, the study highlights some pitfalls of GenAI tools for analytical reasoning tasks (e.g., subtle errors in computation involving unit conversions) and sketching/image generation tasks (e.g., poor demonstration of symmetry).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study presents the first thorough assessment of the potential of GenAI from the lens of the mechanical engineering field. Combining scientometric analysis, experimentation and pedagogical insights, the study provides a unique focus on the implications of GenAI tools for material selection/discovery in product design, manufacturing troubleshooting, technical documentation and product positioning, among others.
Millennial generation awareness of halal supply chain knowledge toward purchase intention for halal meat products: empirical evidence in Indonesia
Authors: Hanifasari Dina , Masudin Ilyas , Zulfikarijah Fien , Rumijati Aniek , Restuputri Dian Palupi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the impact of halal awareness on the relationship between halal supply chain knowledge and purchase intention for halal meat products in the millennial generation.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative approach with the respondents of 177 millennial generations in Indonesia is selected to understand the relationships between variables. Structural equation model-partial least square is used to analyze the relationship between variables.

Findings

The findings of this study found that the purchase intention of halal products in the millennial generation is influenced by several factors such as halal supply chain knowledge, halal certification and logo and religious beliefs. However, the results of this study also show that concern for halal products failed to moderate the relationship between these three main variables on the purchase intention of halal products.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into the concern that strengthens the relationship between the main variables on the intention to purchase halal meat products for the millennial generation.
Do what is possible with enthusiasm: the impact of ambidextrous leadership on employees’ innovation behaviour
Authors: Cheng Chun
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the direct influence of ambidextrous leadership on employees’ innovation behaviour, the mediating role of innovative self-efficacy and harmonious work passion, and the moderating role of Zhong-Yong thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a series of questionnaire surveys to collect data in three time periods and from multiple sources; 332 supervisor–subordinate matched samples were obtained. The hypothesised relationships were tested using structural equation modelling and ProClin.

Findings

Ambidextrous leadership is positively associated with employees’ innovation behaviour, while innovative self-efficacy and harmonious work passion play mediating roles. The analysis further confirms that innovative self-efficacy and harmonious work passion play a chained double-mediating role between ambidextrous leadership and employees’ innovation behaviour, while Zhong-Yong thinking plays moderating roles between ambidextrous leadership and innovative self-efficacy and between ambidextrous leadership and harmonious work passion.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the influence of ambidextrous leadership on employees’ innovation behaviour, specifically the role of ambidextrous leadership, and extends the relationship’s theoretical foundation. It is also expected to provide inspiration and serve as a reference for local Chinese management.
Mitigating consumer guilt through resale
Authors: Chu Hsunchi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This research draws on drive reduction theory and mental accounting theory to understand how the prospect of reselling used items can influence consumer feelings of consumption guilt and impact their willingness to purchase new products.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted two studies with between-subjects designs to explore this relationship. In Study 1, we examined the correlation between consumers' perceived guilt and their willingness to buy a new product, considering their awareness of the product’s resale potential. Study 2 delved into the aspect of reselling a similar old product already owned by the consumer.

Findings

The findings suggest three key insights. First, consumers' awareness of resale potential significantly affects their guilt perception and purchasing decisions. Second, the resale reference price (RRP) can decrease guilt perception but increase the intention to buy a new product. Lastly, when consumers are aware of the resale value of a previously owned product that is similar to the desired new product, the effect of the RRP on their purchasing intent is mediated by consumer guilt.

Originality/value

This research fills a theoretical gap by empirically exploring the emotional motivations behind consumer resale behavior. It presents a novel perspective on how resale activities can shape feelings of guilt and impact purchasing decisions. This offers important implications for understanding the dynamics of consumer behavior in the second-hand market.
Coupling state‐of‐the‐art modelling tools for better informed Red List assessments of marine fishes
Authors: Grüss Arnaud , Winker Henning , Thorson James T. , Walker Nicola D. , Maureaud Aurore , Pacoureau Nathan
Published: February 2024

In the face of biodiversity loss worldwide, it is paramount to quantify species' extinction risk to guide conservation efforts. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)'s Red List is considered the global standard for evaluating extinction risks. IUCN criteria also inform national extinction risk assessments. Bayesian models, including the state‐of‐the‐art JARA (‘Just Another Red List Assessment’) tool, deliver probabilistic statements about species falling into extinction risk categories, thereby enabling characterisation and communication of uncertainty in extinction risk assessments.

We coupled the state‐of‐the‐art VAST (‘Vector Autoregressive Spatio‐Temporal’) modelling tool and JARA, for better informed Red List assessments of marine fishes. In this framework, VAST is fitted to scientific survey catch rate data to provide indices to JARA whose uncertainty is propagated to JARA outcomes suggesting extinction risk categories (under the population reduction criterion). In addition, VAST delivers a valuable habitat assessment to better understand what may be driving extinction risk in the study region. Here, we demonstrate the coupled VAST‐JARA modelling framework by applying it to five contrasting North Sea species, with or without a quantitative stock assessment and with different conservation statuses according to the latest global Red List assessments.

The North Sea application coupled with previous assessments and studies suggest that, among the three elasmobranchs, starry ray is in most need of urgent research (and conservation actions where appropriate), followed by spurdog, while lesser‐spotted dogfish is increasing in biomass. Moreover, both the VAST‐JARA modelling framework and previous research indicate that, while European plaice is not of conservation concern, cod has likely met the IUCN criteria for being listed as Endangered recently.

Synthesis and applications. The predictions of the VAST‐JARA modelling framework for North Sea species, including JARA output and VAST habitat assessment, constitute valuable supporting information to make interpretations based on Red List guidelines, which will help decision‐makers in their next North Sea Red List assessment. We foresee applications of the modelling framework to assist Red List assessments of numerous marine fishes worldwide. Our modelling framework has many potential advantageous uses, including informing resource management about climate change impacts on species' extinction risks.
Aiming at the ‘proper’ body: How exoskeletons foster ‘risky’ bodies and conflicting knowledge regimes
Authors: Butnaru Denisa
Published: February 2024

Exoskeletal devices are new technologies that have been developed in the medical field to provide assistance and rehabilitation for persons with motor impairments. Among these impairments, spinal cord injury and stroke are the most common. Drawing on materials collected during multi‐sited ethnography conducted in France, Germany and Switzerland from 2014 to 2019, I suggest that exoskeletons contribute to a more general process that I identify as ‘aiming at the “proper” body’. As they materially craft motor impaired bodies but also are responsible for datafication and dataveillance, exoskeletons allow to categorise new aspects of ‘risky’ bodies. Simultaneously, they foster conflicts between experts’ perspectives about rehabilitation practice and the users’ phenomenological experiences that exoskeletons aim to transform. After describing how exoskeletons expand the realm of contemporary medical technologies in their purpose of ‘aiming at “proper” bodies’ while being ‘miraculous’, I identify two conceptions of ‘risky’ bodies: a first one related to materiality, a second one to processes of digitalisation to which exoskeletons actively participate. Finally, I investigate some conflicting levels between the regimes of expert knowledge and the phenomenological experiences of the users and reassess the latter’s role in rehabilitation practice with exoskeletons.
The impact of natural resource rent, global value chain participation, and financial development on environmental footprints: A global analysis with fresh evidence
Authors: Guan Xuemei , Wang Qian , Mansoor Hira , Nadeem Muhammad
Published: February 2024

The motivation for conducting this research is the growing awareness of  the increasing number of environmental issues on a global scale. As the world is facing the necessity of tackling environmental degradation, this study intends to uncover the fundamental links between global value chain participation, financial development, and their aggregate influence on environmental footprints in the context of the global economies (selected 60 countries) from 1996 to 2018. This study utilized a modern and novel technique known as the “Quantile Autoregressive Distributed Lagged Model.” The research results revealed that, in the selected economies, more natural resource rent, better financial development, and greater participation in the global value chain all positively contributed to environmental degradation across different quantiles. This implies an increasing environmental burden because of higher financial development, enhanced global value chain participation, and rising rents for natural resources. The study's findings have important policy implications, stressing the need for authorities or policymakers to incorporate environmental concerns into economic and financial policies. The authors also recommended that governments should think about enacting laws that support environmentally conscious behavior, such as rewarding investments in eco‐friendly technology and penalizing actions that harm the environment.
Economic and environmental impact of green infrastructures on developing economies: Pakistan a case in point
Authors: Babar Abdul Haseeb Khan , Ali Yousaf , Gohar Ali
Published: February 2024

Environmental concerns are pressing nations worldwide to embrace greener and sustainable practices in every field. However, the existence of old unplanned cities devoid of greenery and rapid rates of urbanization are becoming a major source of pollution and a constant thorn in the sight of a sustainable future. To deal with these problems, different types of green infrastructures (GI) are introduced in developed nations. Nevertheless, these infrastructures require proper planning and economic investments for implementation, which is a huge hindrance to their adoption in developing countries. Therefore, this study aims to plan and analyze the impact of GI on the environment and the economy if it is introduced in a developing country like Pakistan. Geographic information system is used to analyze the current level of greenery and plan the installation of a new GI in one of the major cities of Pakistan. Furthermore, the reduction in carbon emissions, the environmental and economic benefits of different types of GI are measured and compared with the cost of implementation using techno‐economic analysis. Finally, the payback period and internal rate of return are calculated to check the return of the initial investment. The results show that the economic and environmental benefits of GI surpass the cost of installation by a great margin. Therefore, GI can be a feasible option for sustainable development in other developing countries. The economic and environmental analysis on the practical case study of a developing country like Pakistan are the prime novelties of this study.
Strategies to detect trace methamphetamine contamination on hard surfaces: Assessing realistic performance of commercially available presumptive tests and a laboratory‐based LC–MS/MS method
Authors: Naviaux William , Hedman Curtis , Barkholtz Heather
Published: February 2024

Recreational methamphetamine production and heavy use can result in dwelling contamination that is difficult to detect. First responders and public health officials may use commercially available trace methamphetamine detection (presumptive) test kits to understand apparent and hidden dangers in impacted dwellings. Here, we assessed the limit of detection (LOD) of several commercially available presumptive test kits using simulated contaminated hard surfaces. Pyrex petri dishes were spiked with aliquots of methanolic methamphetamine solutions to reach desired simulated contamination levels. Commercially available presumptive tests were conducted according to manufacturer instructions and using included sample preparation materials, when available. Additionally, a laboratory‐based liquid chromatography‐triple quadrupole mass spectrometer (LC–MS/MS) trace methamphetamine quantification method was developed and validated using the EZSTATSG2 tool. For the LC–MS/MS method, samples were collected using 2‐ply alcohol prep pads and methamphetamine was extracted using a 1:1 (v:v) methanol: water solution. Most presumptive tests considered were able to detect trace levels of methamphetamine extracted from hard surfaces, with LOD ranging from 0.10–15.00 μg/sample. Comparatively, the laboratory‐based LC–MS/MS LOD was 0.05 μg/sample and limit of quantitation was 0.10 μg/sample. The LC–MS/MS method may be useful when the presence of dust or other contaminants interferes with presumptive test interpretation or reliability. Costs of presumptive tests varied from several dollars to tens of dollars, which is included alongside LOD results to aid stakeholders in identifying which test(s) are the best fit for purpose. Therefore, first responders, public health officials, and other stakeholders have several options for assessing trace methamphetamine contamination.
Comparative analysis of immunotherapy responses in small cell lung cancer patients with dermatomyositis
Authors: Kim So‐yun , Kim Duk Ki , Choi Song‐Yi , Chung Chaeuk
Published: February 2024

Cancer‐associated dermatomyositis (CAD), a paraneoplastic syndrome characterized by dermatomyositis (DM), frequently presents in association with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Although the advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized cancer treatment, their efficacy and safety in patients with concurrent autoimmune diseases (AD) and malignancies remains uncertain. Several studies have suggested the safe administration of ICIs in patients with AD, indicating that successful cancer therapy can alleviate CAD symptoms. Conversely, other studies have raised concerns about the potential for ICIs to exacerbate AD flares or immune‐related adverse events (irAEs). A comparative analysis of two cases from our institution emphasizes the variability in ICI responses among SCLC patients with CAD. One patient, previously reported as a case study, exhibited significant clinical improvement in DM symptoms after ICI administration, whereas the other developed severe exfoliative skin changes and experienced an unfavorable prognosis. This variability emphasizes the need for careful patient selection and close monitoring during ICI treatment. We hypothesized that overweight or obese individuals and those with severe initial skin lesions and elevated lactate dehydrogenase levels are more susceptible to developing irAEs following ICI therapy. Therefore, caution is advised when considering immunotherapy in these patients.
N‐Isopropylbenzylamine‐induced conditioned place preference, sensitization behaviour and self‐administration in rodents
Authors: Lai Miaojun , Fu Dan , Li Xiangyu , Zhuang Dingding , Wang Majie , Xu Zeming , Liu Huifen , Shen Haowei , Xu Peng , Zhou Wenhua
Published: February 2024

N‐Isopropylbenzylamine (N‐ipb), a chain isomer of methamphetamine (METH) with similar physical properties, has been used as a substitute for METH in seized drug samples. However, the abuse potential of N‐ipb remains unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the abuse potential of N‐ipb in comparison to METH, by using conditioned place preference (CPP), locomotor sensitization and intravenous self‐administration tests. The results showed that N‐ipb at a dose of 3 mg·kg−1 significantly induced CPP in mice, which was comparable to the effect of METH at 1 mg·kg−1. Either acute or repeated N‐ipb injections (1 or 3 mg·kg−1) failed to raise the locomotor activity. However, acute treatment with 10 mg·kg−1 N‐ipb elevated the locomotor activity compared with saline, while chronic injection of 10 mg·kg−1 N‐ipb induced a delayed and attenuated sensitization compared with 1 mg·kg−1 METH. Rats could acquire N‐ipb self‐administration at a dose of 1 mg·kg−1·infusion−1, and a typical inverted U‐shaped dose–response curve was obtained for N‐ipb. The mean dose of N‐ipb that maintained the maximum response was greater than that of METH, indicating that N‐ipb is less potent for reinforcement than METH. In the economic behavioural analysis, comparison of essential values derived from the demand elasticity revealed that N‐ipb is less efficacy as a reinforcer than METH. The present data demonstrate that N‐ipb functions as a reinforcer and has a potential for abuse. However, the potency of psychomotor stimulation and the reinforcing effectiveness of N‐ipb are lower than those of METH.
Can revenue index insurance outperform yield index insurance?
Authors: Gallenstein Richard A. , Dougherty John P.
Published: February 2024

Index insurance programs in developing countries have focused almost entirely on agricultural production risk (i.e., yield) while largely avoiding output marketing risk (i.e., price). This omission may miss an important constraint on smallholder investment and may partially explain underwhelming demand for yield‐based insurance policies. Here, we explore the viability of an area‐revenue index insurance policy and how its performance may compare to that of an area‐yield index insurance policy. Using data from Ghana, we estimate reduced‐form regression analysis and calibrate a simulation model, generating several important results. We show that there is a negative correlation between farm investment and covariate price risk. Moreover, our simulation predicts that in many market contexts, area‐revenue index insurance suffers from less basis risk, exhibits higher demand, and is more effective at crowding in advanced input adoption compared to area‐yield index insurance. Our results also demonstrate important contexts in which area‐yield index insurance outperforms area‐revenue index insurance. We therefore find that revenue insurance may be a valuable and impactful product in Ghana but would not outperform area‐yield index insurance in all contexts.
Expedience and experimentation: John Maynard Keynes and the politics of time
Authors: Eich Stefan
Published: February 2024

John Maynard Keynes is often seen as the quintessential thinker of the short run, calling on us to focus our intellectual and material resources on the present. This poses an intriguing puzzle in light of Keynes's own influential speculations about the future. I use this seeming tension as an opening into Keynes's politics of time, both as a crucial dimension of his political thought and a contribution to debates about political temporality and intertemporal choice. Keynes's insistence on radical uncertainty translated into a skepticism toward intertemporal calculus as not only morally objectionable but also at risk of undermining actual future possibilities. Instead of either myopic presentism or calculated futurity, Keynes advocated bold experimentation in the present to open up new possibilities for an uncertain future. This points to the need to grapple with how to align multiple overlapping time horizons while appreciating the performativity of competing conceptions of the future.
Urged to feel certain again: The role of emotion‐related impulsivity on the relationships between intolerance of uncertainty and OCD symptom severity
Authors: Xu Junjia , Ironside Manon L. , Broos Hannah C. , Johnson Sheri L. , Timpano Kiara R.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Obsessive–compulsive disorder (OCD) is a debilitating mental disorder characterized by persistent and intrusive thoughts accompanied by repetitive mental or physical acts. While both intolerance of uncertainty and emotion‐related impulsivity have been consistently evidenced as cognitive risk factors of OCD, no studies have considered their joint effects. The current study examined the interaction between intolerance of uncertainty and two forms of emotion‐related impulsivity—including both a behavioural and cognitive form—in predicting OCD symptoms.

Design

Cross‐sectional data were collected online from community‐based adult participants.

Methods

Participants (N = 673) completed a battery of self‐report measures of OCD symptom severity, intolerance of uncertainty, and emotion‐related impulsivity.

Results

The behavioural form of emotion‐related impulsivity positively moderated the relationship between intolerance of uncertainty and OCD symptoms. Elevated levels of both factors predicted the most severe symptoms, particularly checking, washing, and obsessing. This interaction effect was not found for the cognitive form of emotion‐related impulsivity, which still emerged as a unique predictor of OCD symptom severity, specifically obsessing symptoms.

Conclusions

Current findings furthered the understanding of the link between intolerance of uncertainty and OCD symptoms by highlighting the role of emotion‐related impulsivity. When uncertainty triggers distress in individuals with high intolerance of uncertainty, the urge to behaviourally alleviate this distress could promote the use of maladaptive obsessions and compulsions, leading to greater OCD symptoms. Results also indicated the potentially differential effects from the behavioural versus cognitive forms of emotion‐related impulsivity on different symptom domains, and the mechanistic link here is worthy of further investigation.
Thromboembolic events, major bleeding and mortality in essential thrombocythaemia and polycythaemia vera—A matched nationwide population‐based study
Authors: Enblom‐Larsson Anneli , Renlund Henrik , Andréasson Björn , Holmberg Henrik , Liljeholm Maria , Själander Anders
Published: February 2024

Thromboembolic events and bleeding are known complications in essential thrombocythaemia (ET) and polycythaemia vera (PV). Using multiple Swedish health care registers, we assessed the rate of arterial and venous events, major bleeding, all‐cause stroke and all‐cause mortality in ET and PV compared to matched controls. For each patient with ET (n = 3141) and PV (n = 2604), five matched controls were randomly selected. In total, 327 and 405 arterial or venous events were seen in the group of ET and PV patients respectively. Compared to corresponding controls, the rate of venous thromboembolism, major bleeding and all‐cause mortality per 100 treatment years was significantly increased among both ET (0.63, 0.79 and 3.70) and PV patients (0.94, 1.20 and 4.80). The PV patients also displayed a significantly higher rate of arterial events and all‐cause stroke compared to controls. When dividing the cohort into age groups, we found a significantly higher rate of arterial and venous events in all age groups of PV patients, and the rate of all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in both ET and PV patients in all ages above the age of 50. This study confirms that PV and ET are diseases truly marked by thromboembolic complications and bleeding.
Novel phenotype associated with homozygous likely pathogenic variant in the POP1 gene
Authors: Michelson Marina , Yosovich Keren , Bahar Sarit , Yogev Yuval , Birk Ohad S. , Ginzberg Mira , Lev Dorit
Published: February 2024

The biallelic variants of the POP1 gene are associated with the anauxetic dysplasia (AAD OMIM 607095), a rare skeletal dysplasia, characterized by prenatal rhizomelic shortening of limbs and generalized joint hypermobility. Affected individuals usually have normal neurodevelopmental milestones. Here we present three cases from the same family with likely pathogenic homozygous POP1 variant and a completely novel phenotype: a girl with global developmental delay and autism, microcephaly, peculiar dysmorphic features and multiple congenital anomalies. Two subsequent pregnancies were terminated due to multiple congenital malformations. Fetal DNA samples revealed the same homozygous variant in the POP1 gene. Expression of the RMRP was reduced in the proband compared with control and slightly reduced in both heterozygous parents, carriers for this variant. To our knowledge, this is the first report of this new phenotype, associated with a novel likely pathogenic variant in POP1. Our findings expand the phenotypic spectrum of POP1‐related disorders.
2‐Hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) sensitization, a global epidemic at its peak in Spain?
Authors: Gatica‐Ortega Maria Elena , Pastor‐Nieto Maria Antonia , Giménez‐Arnau Ana María , Mercader‐García Pedro , Sanz‐Sánchez Tatiana , Carrascosa‐Carrillo José Manuel , Córdoba‐Guijarro Susana , Sánchez‐Pérez Javier , Silvestre Juan Francisco , Frutos Francisco Javier Ortiz‐de , Tous‐Romero Fátima , Fernández‐Redondo Virginia , Serra‐Baldrich Esther , Ruíz‐González Inmaculada , González Pérez Ricardo , Miquel‐Miquel Javier , Guillén Paloma Sánchez‐Pedreño , Hervella‐García Marcos , Heras‐Mendaza Felipe , Gómez‐de‐la‐Fuente Enrique , Zaragoza‐Ninet Violeta , Gilo Araceli Sánchez , Rodríguez‐Serna Mercedes , Melé‐Ninot Gemma , Descalzo Miguel Ángel , de‐Vega Marina , García‐Doval Ignacio , Borrego Leopoldo
Published: February 2024

Background

A global epidemic of allergic contact dermatitis to (meth)acrylates has been described in relation to the widespread use of manicure products.

Objectives

To evaluate the frequency of sensitization to 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate (2‐HEMA) among consecutively patch tested patients with eczema in Spain; the percentage of current relevance; the MOAHLFA index; and, the potential sources of exposure to (meth)acrylates.

Methods

From January 2019 to December 2022, 2‐HEMA 2% pet. was prospectively patch tested in 24 REIDAC (Spanish Allergic Contact Dermatitis Registry) centres.

Results

Six thousand one hundred thirty‐four patients were consecutively patch tested with 2‐HEMA 2% pet. 265/6134 (4.3%) were positive. Positive reactions of current relevance were identified to involve 184/265 (69%). The efficiency (number of patch tests needed to detect relevant positive patch test reactions) was 34 (6134/184). The variable ‘occupational’ was found to be significantly associated with a higher risk for relevant positive reactions to 2‐HEMA (OR: 10.9; 95% CI: 8.1–14.9).

Conclusion

(Meth)acrylate sensitization is a prevalent health issue in Spain. 2‐HEMA 2% pet. has been identified to be a highly effective (meth)acrylate allergy marker in the GEIDAC baseline series. The responsible authorities should implement policies guaranteeing accurate labelling of industrial, medical, and consumer materials while ensuring the enforcement of said labelling through appropriate legal means.
To risk or not: The impact of socioeconomic status on preschoolers’ risky decision‐making for gains and losses
Authors: Hoid Delhii , Guo Ziyan , He Zhibin , Wu Junhui , Wu Zhen
Published: February 2024

Disparities in socioeconomic status (SES) may affect individuals’ risk preferences, which have important developmental consequences across the lifespan. Yet, previous research has shown inconsistent associations between SES and risky decision‐making, and little is known about how this link develops from a young age. The current research is among the first to examine how SES influences preschoolers’ risky decisions in both gain and loss frames. Across two studies, children aged 5 to 6 years (total N = 309, 154 boys) were asked to choose between certain and risky options. The risky option was more advantageous, equal to, or less advantageous than the certain option. Study 1 revealed that in the loss frame, high‐SES children (n = 84, 44 boys) chose more risky options and were more sensitive to the expected value compared to low‐SES children (n = 78, 42 boys), especially when the risk was more advantageous. However, this SES difference was not significant in the gain frame. Supporting the potential causal link between SES and risky decision‐making, Study 2 further found that experimentally increasing low‐SES children's (n = 68, 30 boys) status by providing additional resources increased their risk‐seeking behavior in the loss frame. Overall, our findings suggest an interaction between environmental cues (gain vs. loss) and early life circumstances (SES) in shaping children's risk preferences.

Research Highlights

This research is among the first to examine how school backgrounds and experimentally manipulated SES influence preschoolers’ risk preferences in gain and loss frames.

Children were more risk‐seeking for losses than for gains; this framing effect was stronger in higher‐SES than lower‐SES children.

Lower‐SES children exhibited fewer risk‐seeking behaviors and decreased sensitivity to the expected value of options for losses, but not for gains.

A temporary boost in SES increased children's risk‐seeking behavior, but not sensitivity to expected values.