bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The moderating impact of the audit committee on the relationship between audit quality and market reactions in South Africa
Authors: Bagonza Amon , Yan Chen , Rech Frederik
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine whether the audit committee moderates the relationship between audit quality and market reactions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using fixed effects and the GMM model for robustness, the study used 472 publicly listed firms on South Africa’s Johannesburg stock exchange spanning a period of six years from 2014 to 2019.

Findings

Results obtained show that audit quality impacts market reactions through share price and adjusted market returns. And, that the audit committee moderates the relationship between audit quality and market reactions in South Africa’s publicly listed firms. An effective audit committee is expected to play a crucial role in overseeing the audit process, ensuring the independence of auditors and promoting transparency and accountability which in turn impacts asset prices.

Research limitations/implications

The study implies that governments and regulatory bodies in other developing economies could strengthen regulations about companies’ Acts, how firms regulate themselves and more so audit committees. Firms can also strive to make sure that audit committees are staffed with experts to promote higher audit quality and investor attention to get access to the much-alluded capital.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study adds value by being the first to explore the subject matter of the importance of audit committees in defining audit quality and market reactions in publicly listed firms. The research adds to the body of knowledge on corporate governance and audit quality. It provides a case study specific to the South African context, contributing to the global literature on these topics.
Attitude and behavioral intention for using metaverse in education: learner’s perspective
Authors: Chanda Ruby S. , Pabalkar Vanishree , Sharma Sarika
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to understand and analyze the aspects influencing students’ attitudes and behavior toward the use of metaverse in education. The metaverse is currently viewed as technology with immense prospects. However, the practice of the metaverse for educational motives is rarely deliberated.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess the effect of the metaverse on students' knowledge and use of resources, general interests and attitudes toward the metaverse in education, a survey was conducted. The collected data were analyzed using a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) in the first phase to address the various validity parameters. In the second phase, path analysis of the model was performed using structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The study investigated how students intended to behave while using the metaverse for learning. The attitude toward adopting metaverse as technology is influenced by perceived utility and simplicity of use. This leads to behavioral intention as well. Studies reveal that the aspect of perceived usefulness is considered to be more significant in assessing the intention of use.

Research limitations/implications

This quantitative study contributes to the literature on metaverse, which is in the growing stage. In the educational sector, the existing studies are scarce; hence, the addition to the literature on metaverse is quite significant in the education domain.

Practical implications

The study benefits the students and the academicians because metaverse is largely considered an integral part of technology platforms, which has to be included in the learning systems eventually. There are few courses where the use of metaverse is already initiated at an introductory level, thus opening a broad spectrum of opportunities at all levels. It can provide scholars access to a massive array of resources, including multimedia presentations, interactive objects that support the delivery of lessons, videos, images and audio recordings.

Originality/value

This study adds to the existing literature by examining the impact of metaverse in education. The research focused on the students pursuing higher education who were mostly aware of metaverse and were open to the idea of learning and understanding through technology inclusion.
Critical thinking in higher education: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Nuryana Ita , Sugeng Bambang , Soesilowati Etty , Andayani Endang Sri
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Critical thinking (CT) in higher education institutions (HEIs) is rarely examined using bibliometric methods to provide a better reference path for future research. This study aims to provide a broad survey of the bibliometric literature on CT in HEIs.

Design/methodology/approach

Compiled from the Scopus database, there were 670 articles published from 2018 to 2022 analyzed in the study. VOSviewer software was also used to analyze co-authorship, co-occurrence and citation.

Findings

The results showed that the CT research literature was mainly published in the US However, the highest number of citations was from Australian authors. The most frequent keywords were CT, skills and higher education.

Research limitations/implications

Due to the high variability of assessment strategies for each study, the current study suggests that further research focuses on the global assessment model of CT in HEIs.

Originality/value

To the best of the research’s knowledge, the study on CT in higher education with bibliometric analysis is rarely explored.
Modeling the influence of management control system and ambidextrous behavior on B2B customer relationships: a job demand-resource perspective
Authors: Irfan Muhammad , Ahmad Bilal
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Service–sales ambidexterity (SSA) offers sales managers crucial information about dealing with customer service failures through an effective management control system. This study aims to scrutinize the relationships among SSA, salesforce control system, salesperson’s role stressors and service recovery performance (SRP) in the business-to-business (B2B) context.

Design/methodology/approach

An analysis is conducted based on survey data collected from 586 B2B sales employees participating in an extensive survey. Structural equation modeling is used to analyze the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Empirical findings suggest that behavior-based control harms SSA. On the other hand, outcome-based control has a positive impact on SSA. The research outcomes further disclose that SSA positively impacts salesperson role conflict and emotional fatigue, whereas emotional fatigue negatively impacts SRP. Salesperson resilience notably moderates the association between SSA and emotional fatigue.

Originality/value

The study addresses there is a dearth of research on SSA applying the sales management control system. When studying about ambidexterity in sales context, many supervisory styles have been explored; however, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic attempt to understand how sales management control systems play a role in SSA.
Delving into the behaviour of sharing economy consumers: a literature review
Authors: Grieco Cecilia , Palagonia Chiara
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The impact of the sharing economy on traditional businesses has largely been analysed from both company and consumer perspectives. In the case of the latter, scholars have produced a rich field of research into different aspects of consumer behaviour and the way it is reshaped in these alternative consumption patterns. This study aims to provide a systematization of these studies and to develop a model for consumer behaviour in the sharing economy.

Design/methodology/approach

Following a three-step approach, a systematic literature review has been performed to analyse and classify 108 scientific papers about consumer behaviour in the sharing economy.

Findings

Four main research topics came up from the analysis: sharing approach, consumption pattern, post-purchase behaviour and sustainability. Basing on these clusters, the double-loop model of consumer behaviour in the sharing economy is presented and discussed.

Originality/value

The research allows to provide scholars and practitioners with the state of the art on consumer behaviour in sharing economy and to draft future research avenues to orient research and practice in the field.
Transforming into formal entrepreneurs: the path of Ukrainian immigrants in Poland
Authors: Gaweł Aleksandra , Marcinkowski Bartosz
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Immigrant integration through entrepreneurship is hindered by the prevalent informality of their ventures. This study aims to examine the factors influencing the formalisation of immigrant entrepreneurship, with special focus on those who are under the impact of the host country.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on a series of focus groups conducted among a total of 59 Ukrainian immigrants in Poland. Based on coding into first-order categories, second-order themes and aggregate dimensions, the authors created a model of immigrant entrepreneurship formalisation.

Findings

The results of the research included in the model show the groups of factors influencing the formalisation of immigrant entrepreneurship. Immigrants bring both their personal attitudes and embeddedness in their country of origin during immigration. Then, factors of the host country’s institutions, interactions between local authorities and local communities and the need for a new place of belonging interact in the formalisation process. Formal entrepreneurs, as a new identity for immigrants, are the result of the formalisation process.

Originality/value

The results not only focus on social capital or the institutional failures of formal and informal institutions in transforming immigrants into formal entrepreneurs, but we also recognise the individual aspect of the new identity as formal entrepreneurs and a new place of belonging. In addition, the authors distinguish the importance and interactions between local communities and local authorities in this process. The paper contributes to the theory of entrepreneurship, migrant study and institutional theory.
The African philosophy of Ubuntu and family businesses: a perspective article
Authors: Kupangwa Welcome
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This perspective article underscores the importance of conducting studies that examine the African philosophy of Ubuntu among indigenous African family businesses. The article summarises the understanding of the role of Ubuntu in indigenous African family businesses and explores potential pathways for further investigations to understand existing cultural and economic differences that could contribute to family business heterogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach

The article adopts an analytical and interpretative approach to existing literature in family businesses and Ubuntu philosophy. The approach helps to evaluate the role of Ubuntu philosophy in indigenous African family businesses. Ubuntu was chosen for examination in this article because it is a fundamental African value commonly acceptable in Africa.

Findings

The article emphasises the need to deepen the current understanding of the African philosophy of Ubuntu, highlighting the role this philosophy could play in shaping and positioning indigenous African family businesses for long-term success. This perspective article calls for integrating indigenous African philosophies into other knowledge systems to advocate for a better understanding of the institutional structures in indigenous African family businesses. Additionally, as businesses increasingly operate in a global context and more indigenous family businesses enter the formal global economic environments, non-indigenous business stakeholders and practitioners must gain an understanding of a diverse cultural perspective, such as Ubuntu.

Originality/value

This article highlights the importance of African philosophies in understanding business organisations by highlighting the need for family business scholars to investigate the role of Ubuntu in indigenous African family businesses. The perspective article proposes sample research questions and areas for exploring Ubuntu in indigenous African family businesses, which could offer new avenues to understand the cultural and economic differences embedded in indigenous African family business context.
Electricity access and poverty reduction dynamics in Botswana: an ARDL approach
Authors: Musakwa Mercy T.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

In this study, the impact of access to electricity on poverty reduction for Botswana is examined using the annual data from 1990 to 2021. The study was motivated by the need to establish if access to electricity could be a panacea on poverty reduction in Botswana. Given that the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals deadline is fast approaching, and Botswana being one of the signatories, is expected to end poverty in all its forms – Goal 1. Establishing the role that electrification plays in poverty alleviation, helps in refocusing Botswana’s poverty alleviation strategies on factors that have high impact on poverty. The main objective of this study, therefore, is to investigate the relationship between poverty alleviation and access to electricity in Botswana.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the autoregressive distributed lag (ARDL) approach to investigate the nature of the relations. Two poverty proxies were used in this study namely, household consumption expenditure and life expectancy.

Findings

The study found access to electricity to reduce poverty in the long run and in the short run, regardless of the poverty measure used. Thus, access to electricity plays an important role in poverty alleviation and Botswana is recommended to continue with the rural and urban electrification initiatives.

Originality/value

The study explores the impact of access to electricity on poverty reduction in Botswana, a departure from the current studies that examined the same relationship using energy consumption in general. This is on the back of increasing dependence of economic activities on electricity as a major source of energy.
Ride-hailing services and vehicle ownership: evidence from Indian metropolitan cities
Authors: Krishna B. Ajay
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the differential impact of ride-hailing services (RHS) on private and commercial vehicle ownership from five metropolitan cities in India.

Design/methodology/approach

Using vehicle ownership data from five metropolitan cities over period 1991 to 2020, a panel corrected standard errors model was estimated to model the association between RHS and vehicle ownership.

Findings

The results indicate that advent of RHS has led to a significant reduction in private vehicle ownership rates and a corresponding increase in addition of intermediate public transport. The net effects of RHS on road congestion and pollution levels need to be studied in detail.

Practical implications

The findings of this study can potentially assist policymakers and mobility planners in efforts to decarbonise and decongest urban transport.

Originality/value

This study sets precedence in analysing the impact of RHS on private and commercial vehicle independently. Further, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first study to examine this association for the city of Delhi and Kolkata.
Efficiency and adaptability: a study on variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning systems in Sri Lanka
Authors: Senarathna D.S.N. , Waidyasekara K.G.A.S. , Vidana S.S.C.G.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant energy consumer in built environments, and the building energy consumption could be minimised by optimising HVAC controls. Hence, this paper aims to investigate the applicability of Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) air conditioning systems for optimising the indoor comfort of buildings in Sri Lanka.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the research aim, the quantitative approach following the survey research strategy was deployed. Data collected through questionnaires were analysed using descriptive statistical tools, including Mean Rating (MR), Relative Important Index (RII) and Standard Deviation (SD).

Findings

The findings revealed that VRF systems are popularly used in Sri Lankan apartment buildings. Furthermore, energy efficiency and comfort were recognised as the most significant top-ranked benefits, while ventilation issues and initial cost were recognised as significant challenges. Moreover, the allocation of trained technicians and provision of proper ventilation through a Dedicated Outdoor Air System (DOAS) were highlighted as applicable mitigation strategies for the identified challenges in VRFs.

Practical implications

The study recommends VRF systems as a suitable technology to ensure energy efficiency, reduce GHG emissions and achieve climate performance within the built environment. The opportunities for adopting VRF systems for developing countries could be explored based on the research findings. The identified challenges would assist the design engineers and facilities professionals to devise suitable strategies to mitigate issues of VRF systems in developing countries.

Originality/value

This research provides empirical proof of the energy efficiency and comfort aspects of VRFs. The study has explored and recommended VRF technology as a beneficial application to overcome the persistent energy crisis in developing countries.
A decentralized prototype framework for peer-to-peer based electric car sharing services towards sustainable road transportation
Authors: Anthony Jnr Bokolo
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Presently, existing electric car sharing platforms are based on a centralized architecture which are faced with inadequate trust and pricing issues as these platforms requires an intermediary to maintain users’ data and handle transactions between participants. Therefore, this article aims to develop a decentralized peer-to-peer electric car sharing prototype framework that offers trustable and cost transparency.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a systematic review and data were collected from the literature and existing technical report documents after which content analysis is carried out to identify current problems and state-of-the-art electric car sharing. A use case scenario was then presented to preliminarily validate and show how the developed prototype framework addresses the trust-lessness in electric car sharing via distributed ledger technologies (DLTs).

Findings

Findings from this study present a use case scenario that depicts how businesses can design and implement a distributed peer-to-peer electric car sharing platforms based on IOTA technology, smart contracts and IOTA eWallet. Main findings from this study unlock the tremendous potential of DLT to foster sustainable road transportation. By employing a token-based approach this study enables electric car sharing that promotes sustainable road transportation.

Practical implications

Practically the developed decentralized prototype framework provides improved cost transparency and fairness guarantees as it is not based on a centralized price management system. The DLT based decentralized prototype framework aids to orchestrate the incentivize monetization and rewarding mechanisms among participants that share their electric cars enabling them to collaborate towards lessening CO2 emissions.

Social implications

The findings advocate that electric vehicle sharing has become an essential component of sustainable road transportation by increasing electric car utilization and decreasing the number of vehicles on the road.

Originality/value

The key novelty of the article is introducing a decentralized prototype framework to be employed to develop an electric car sharing solution without a central control or governance, which improves cost transparency. As compared to prior centralized platforms, the prototype framework employs IOTA technology smart contracts and IOTA eWallet to improve mobility related services.
Sustainable behaviours of physical activity and sport practitioners – scale validation
Authors: Gregori-Faus Cristian , Parra-Camacho David , Calabuig Ferran
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyse a new model to assess the sustainable behaviours, sustainable attitudes and sustainable knowledge on sport practitioners.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs a scale of 44 items divided into three different dimensions to analyse the knowledge, attitudes and behaviours towards sustainable development on 227 sport participants.

Findings

Through this study the authors have been able to obtain a reliable scale that allows us to analyse and the knowledge, attitudes and sustainable behaviours of physical and sports education practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

Both psychometric properties of the initial scale and the differences between studies contexts may affect the results of the present analysis. Therefore, new studies are needed in order to analyse how sport physical activities influence sustainable behaviours among physical activity and sport practitioners.

Practical implications

In this work the authors present a valid and reliable tool for the study of the environmental knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of physical activity and sport practitioners.

Originality/value

Regarding the importance of sport in relation to sustainable development, this work is the first to adapt a scale to the context of practitioners of physical activity and sport in order to improve the understanding of how physical activity and sport affect sustainable behaviours, serving as a starting point for future research in sustainable development sports field.
Microbiology of Big Soda Lake, a multi‐extreme meromictic volcanic crater lake in the Nevada desert
Authors: Soufi Hengameh H. , Tran Daniel , Louca Stilianos
Published: February 2024

Big Soda Lake, Nevada, is a multi‐extreme meromictic lake, whose hypersaline hyperalkaline bottom waters feature permanent anoxia and high concentrations of arsenic, sulphide and ammonia. These properties make Big Soda Lake—and the adjacent Little Soda Lake—a fascinating system for exploring life's boundaries, discovering novel microbial taxa and identifying biotechnologically useful strains. To date, the taxonomic diversity and metabolic capabilities of microorganisms in this system remain largely unknown. Here, we fill this gap using microbiome surveys across the Big and Little Soda Lake water columns, including 16S rRNA sequencing, fungal ITS2 sequencing and gene‐ and genome‐resolved metagenomics. We accompany these surveys with measurements of salinity, pH, temperature, oxygen, ammonium and ammonia concentrations. Our analyses reveal rich bacterial communities, taxonomically and functionally differentiated along Big Soda Lake's oxycline and, to lesser extent, between lakes. Fungal communities were dominated by a small number of families, while nearly no archaea were detected. Pathways related to perchlorate reduction, anoxygenic phototrophy, fermentation, dissimilatory metabolism of arsenite/arsenate, sulphur compounds, nitrogen compounds and hydrogen, were particularly prevalent. A total of 129 high‐quality bacterial and archaeal metagenome‐assembled genomes (completeness ≥ 80%, contamination ≤ 5%) were recovered, yielding insight into the taxonomic distribution of microbial metabolic pathways.
Russian aggression and Europeans’ attitudes toward the EU – Evidence from the 2014 annexation of Crimea
Authors: KIRATLI OSMAN SABRI
Published: February 2024

This research note investigates whether external military crises, short of war, in the neighbourhood of the European Union (EU) affects attitudes toward the EU. Specifically, I explore whether the Russian aggression against Ukraine in 2014 fostered higher levels of trust in the EU and support for deeper integration among European citizens. Methodologically, I exploit the coincidental timing of the Russian annexation of Crimea on 18 March, 2014 with the fieldwork of the Eurobarometer survey (81.2) conducted in the spring of that year. The quasi‐experimental evidence establishes that European citizens who were surveyed after the Russian annexation became more trusting of the EU and presented a greater willingness for further European integration, particularly so among EU‐15 members. Moreover, the treatment effects were strongly moderated by individuals’ education levels, with the intervention exerting its greatest effect among the higher educated.
When is more (not) better? On the relationships between the number of information ties and newcomer assimilation and learning
Authors: Zou Hao‐Yun , Wang Hai‐Jiang , Sheng Zitong , Liu Wenxing , Jiang Feng
Published: February 2024

Social capital plays a critical role in newcomer adjustment. However, research is lacking regarding the effective mobilization of social capital, in terms of how different information network characteristics jointly influence newcomer adjustment. Drawing on the literature on social networks and newcomer adjustment, we distinguish two crucial processes of newcomer adjustment, namely assimilation and learning, and propose that the extent to which newcomers' number of information ties influences the assimilation and learning processes depends on the frequency of social interactions (i.e., tie strength) and the status of network contacts (i.e., network status). To test our hypotheses, four waves of data were collected from a sample of 178 organizational newcomers. The results suggest that when network status is low, mobilizing a large information network reduces newcomers' organizational identification (an assimilation indicator), which in turn reduces their job satisfaction. Conversely, mobilizing a large information network with weak ties enhances newcomers' role clarity (a learning indicator) and in turn boosts their task performance. Overall, this study highlights the importance of considering tie strength and network status together with the number of information ties in efforts to facilitate newcomer adjustment.
Indicator accountability or policy shrinking? Multistakeholder partnerships in reviews of the sustainable development goals
Authors: Bexell Magdalena
Published: February 2024

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with their 169 targets and 231 indicators epitomise the trend of global governance by numbers. This article suggests the notion of a global “indicator reporting trajectory” that is shaped by three main elements: the politics of indicators, a reporting infrastructure and indicator advocacy. I propose that indicator reporting trajectories may result either in policy shrinking or in indicator accountability. The idea of an indicatory reporting trajectory is empirically illustrated with the case of indicators on multistakeholder partnerships of SDG 17. High expectations are put on such partnerships to accelerate SDG realization, but they face several accountability challenges. The analysis shows how indicators that capture globally agreed (but contested) goals can silently disappear due to a lack of data and measurability during long follow‐up processes. I argue that there is a great risk for policy shrinking with regard to multistakeholder partnerships under SDG 17 and that this has implications for accountability and, in the end, for the realization of the 2030 Agenda.
Do combined sustainable agricultural intensification practices improve smallholder farmers welfare? Evidence from eastern and western Kenya
Authors: Nyarindo Wilckyster Nyateko , Mugera Amin , Hailu Atakelty , Obare Gideon Aiko
Published: February 2024

Smallholder farmers often bundle different sustainable agricultural intensification (SAI) practices to boost crop yield and address soil fertility challenges. However, there is a dearth of empirical studies that investigate farmers’ adoption of SAI bundles and their subsequent impacts. Using data from a three‐wave panel survey of smallholder maize‐legume producers in Kenya, we examine the adoption and payoffs from 10 SAI practices clustered into five dominant groups. We use a random effects multinomial logit model to determine the choice of SAI cluster at the plot level while controlling for unobserved individual heterogeneity. The results show that the number of extension contacts, farm labor availability, household wealth, and education of household heads positively and significantly affect the adoption of SAI clusters while renting plots and poor soil quality have negative effects. The multinomial endogenous treatment effects model results reveal significant variability in crop yield, total variable cost, revenue, and net income across the five SAI clusters. The benefits vary by crop system, region, and cropping year, indicating that a one‐size‐fits‐all extension design is unsuitable for farmers. The study suggests the promotion of participatory extension policies that would allow locally adaptable and highly profitable bundles of SAI practices to be identified, refined, and disseminated.
Serum brain‐derived neurotrophic factor in relation to craving and duration of abstinence in patients with heroin dependence—A case‐control study
Authors: Arafa Mohamed , Enaba Dalia Ahmed , Baz Heba , Gomaa Maged A. , Ragab Sara Abdelnaser , Tarek Mennat‐Allah
Published: February 2024

Background and Objectives

Addiction is a chronic disorder that comes with emotional and financial burdens. Several neurobiological factors were correlated to opiate‐use disorder which is brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). BDNF has been found to be involved in long‐term potentiation of synaptic strength, a mechanism that is thought to motivate both natural adaption mechanisms as well as the development of addictive behavior. In this study, we aimed to address the relation between BDNF serum level and heroin craving and the effect of duration of abstinence on them.

Methods

A case study was conducted on 80 subjects from Kasr Al‐Ainy Psychiatry and Addiction Treatment Hospital with a history of heroin dependence and were divided into two groups: Group A had 40 active heroin‐dependent subjects while in Group B, 40 subjects with 1‐year heroin abstinence. Severity of addiction was assessed by the addiction severity index, heroin craving was measured by Brief Substance Craving Scale and serum BDNF level was investigated using an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.

Results

The findings show that active heroin users had significantly higher serum BDNF which is associated with high heroin craving in comparison to the abstinent group.

Conclusions and Scientific Significance

This study revealed a significant positive correlation between serum BDNF levels and craving in active heroin users versus 1‐year abstinent subjects. It is the first study to address the relationship between craving and serum BDNF level in a 1‐year abstinent participants. These findings help to determine the brain alterations associated with illness and recovery in heroin dependence.
Searching priorities for a species at the brink of extinction: Threats analysis on the critically endangered Nubian Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans)
Authors: Luiselli Luca , Demaya Gift Simon , Benansio John Sebit , Ajong Stephanie N. , Behangana Mathias , Marsili Letizia , Giovacchini Pietro , Dendi Daniele , Fa Julia E. , Walde Andrew D. , Battisti Corrado
Published: February 2024

The Critically Endangered Nubian Flapshell Turtle (Cyclanorbis elegans) is found in the White Nile River system in South Sudan and northern Uganda. Over the past few decades, its populations have sharply declined, primarily due to human‐induced threats, leading to its near‐extinction across almost its entire range. In this paper, we present the results of a comprehensive threat analysis undertaken to pinpoint the challenges confronting the species within its natural habitat, specifically in the only known sites where it currently exists. We aimed to develop a conceptual framework to understand causal relationships among driving forces, threats and the target species. This framework allows the visualisation and analysis of the web of intricate interactions that contribute to the species' decline and vulnerability. We convened a panel of experts who identified three primary direct threats to the Nubian Flapshell Turtle: (1) Sand mining (IUCN code 3.2); (2) Overfishing by native fishers and refugees (code 5.4) and (3) Habitat loss at nesting sites (code 7.3). Among these threats, overfishing had the largest geographical extension, the highest intensity and duration, while habitat loss occurred at the highest frequency. These threats varied significantly in intensity and frequency. Additionally, when assessing the overall magnitude of these threats, habitat loss and overfishing had the highest impact, with significantly higher scores compared to sand mining. Our experts also identified the underlying driving forces behind these threats: (1) Economic interests driving sand mining activities along the Nile; (2) The influence of civil conflict and refugee populations, which contribute to the demand for bushmeat; (3) the Chinese expatriates, that lead to overfishing; (4) The removal of bank vegetation serves as a catalyst for habitat loss at nesting sites. The resulting conceptual framework serves as a valuable tool for defining targeted conservation measures for each distinct threat.
Health‐related quality of life in two birth cohorts of extremely preterm born adults
Authors: Benestad Merete Røineland , Drageset Jorunn , Vollsæter Maria , Hufthammer Karl Ove , Halvorsen Thomas , Vederhus Bente Johanne
Published: February 2024

Aim

Investigate potential long‐term cohort influences on health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) in adults born extremely preterm (EP) during the 1980–90s, in view of advancements in neonatal care within that timeframe.

Methods

Two cohorts of EP‐born adults (82–85 cohort and 91–92 cohort) enrolling matched term controls, were compared. Participants were assessed at 18 years and again in their mid‐twenties using the Child Health Questionnaire Children Form‐87 (CHQ‐CF87) and the Short Form Health Survey (SF‐36).

Results

At 18 years, 77 (90%) EP‐born and 75 (93%) term controls had data, followed by 67 (78%) EP‐born and 66 (82%) term controls in their mid‐twenties. At 18 years, there were no differences across the birth decades, and EP‐born and term‐born reported relatively similar HRQoL scores. In the mid‐twenties, birth decade did also not significantly impact HRQoL scores, although the EP‐born 82–85 cohort scored numerically poorer than the 91–92 cohort in three domains. Term controls scored similarly across birth decade in all domains. Regarding influence from neonatal factors, postnatal corticosteroids had a negative impact in some domains.

Conclusion

No significant differences in HRQoL were observed between EP‐born adults from the 82–85 cohort versus the 91–92 cohort, although the EP‐born 82–85 cohort tended to score poorer in their mid‐twenties.
Chronic phalaris toxicity in macropods is widespread and peaks in July in Victoria, Australia
Authors: Chen T , Hufschmid J , Whiteley P , El‐Hage C , Davis N , Skerratt LF
Published: February 2024

Phalaris aquatica is pasture species introduced into Australia during early European settlement. Consumption of the plant can cause the neurological condition chronic phalaris toxicity (CPT) in sheep and cattle. In recent years, there has been an increase in reports of CPT in macropods, which has raised concerns regarding its impacts on their welfare. Currently, little is known about the distribution or seasonal patterns of this disease in wildlife, information pivotal in assessing its potential risks. Between 2021 and 2022, we conducted a survey targeting government bodies, veterinary businesses and wildlife organisations to investigate the locations and time of occurrence of CPT in macropods in the state of Victoria, Australia. We received 13 survey responses, 12 verbal reports, a full record of investigated cases from a university veterinary school and cases from a wildlife rescue organisation. Over the period of 11 years, Victoria had 918 cases of CPT recorded in macropods from 36 local government areas, with cases concentrated centrally just north of the state capital of Melbourne and July (midwinter) being the month with the highest case count (n = 220). There was a significant positive correlation between case count and both the abundance of kangaroos (Macropus giganteus and Macropus fuliginosus) (P < 0.01) and the abundance of P. aquatica (P = 0.009), and a significant negative correlation between annual case count and average rainfall of March (P = 0.016) and April (P = 0.02). Understanding these relationships will assist land and wildlife managers in predicting the risk and magnitude of disease outbreaks of CPT each in Victoria.
Development of reference intervals for serum biochemistry and haematology of juvenile green sea turtles (Chelonia mydas) in a Thai rehabilitation centre
Authors: Hayakijkosol O , Gerber K , Miller DJ , Chomchat P
Published: February 2024

No reference intervals for serum biochemistry and haematology of sea turtles in Thailand exists to assist veterinarians who are responsible for sea turtle health management and treatment. This study determined serum biochemistry and basic haematology of healthy juvenile green sea turtles (n = 92) in captivity in Thailand following the American Society for Veterinary Clinical Pathology (ASVCP), Quality Assurance and Laboratory Standards Committee (QALS) guidelines for the determination of reference intervals in veterinary species. Biochemistry tests, including blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, uric acid, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase were analysed using an IDEXX VetTest Chemistry Analyzer. Haematology parameters were measured manually using a microhaematocrit for packed cell volume (PCV), Neubauer counting chamber for red blood cell count and cyanmethemoglobin method for haemoglobin concentration. mean corpuscular volume and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were calculated using the PCV, red blood cell count and haemoglobin. Turtles in this study were found to have higher mean values for PCV (28.70%), haemoglobin (92.13 g/L), mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (327.03 g/L), uric acid (247.15 μmol/L), alanine aminotransferase (16.53 IU/L), aspartate aminotransferase (209.44 IU/L), and alkaline phosphatase (245.08 IU/L) compared to sea turtles in Brazil. The reference intervals established using high numbers of healthy turtles in this study will assist veterinarians with diagnostic and treatment decisions when evaluating laboratory results for juvenile green sea turtles.
Bleeding in patients on concurrent treatment with a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) and low‐dose acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) compared with SSRI or low‐dose ASA alone—A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Axelsson Magnus A. B. , Tukukino Carina , Parodi López Naldy , Wallerstedt Susanna M.
Published: February 2024

Aims

The aim of this study was to systematically review whether concurrent treatment with an SSRI and low‐dose ASA increases the risk of bleeding compared with treatment with an SSRI alone or ASA alone.

Methods

Medline, Embase, the Cochrane Library, PsycINFO and Web of Science (from database inception to January 2023) were searched according to PICO: P = patients on treatment with an SSRI and/or low‐dose ASA; I = intervention: SSRI + ASA; C = comparison: ASA or SSRI alone; O = outcomes: bleeding/major bleeding. The included articles were assessed using checklists. Studies without major risk of bias formed the basis for the conclusions. Extracted data were pooled using random‐effects meta‐analyses. Certainty of evidence was assessed according to GRADE.

Results

Twenty‐four studies met the PICO and were included. One randomized and six nonrandomized studies were assessed not to have major risk of bias. Regarding SSRI + ASA vs. ASA only, the pooled hazard ratio of three nonrandomized studies (n = 38 467) was 1.37 (95% confidence interval: 1.10; 1.70; I2 = 0%), and the pooled odds ratio of two nonrandomized studies (n = 28 296) was 0.95 (0.77; 1.19; I2 = 0%). Regarding SSRI + ASA vs. SSRI only, the randomized controlled trial (n = 1048) reported a hazard ratio of 1.82 (0.66; 5.02), the hazard ratio being 1.60 (1.24; 2.06) for ASA vs. placebo in patients without SSRI treatment; and one nonrandomized controlled study (n = 18 920) reported an incidence rate ratio of 1.03 (0.96; 1.12).

Conclusions

The compiled evidence was too uncertain to support an interaction when an SSRI is added to low‐dose ASA. Low‐dose ASA added to an SSRI may imply an increased risk of bleeding primarily attributable to the initiation of ASA.
Enabling Dominic's voice and participation through the cocreation of an ‘I am’ Digital Story for supporting his post‐19 transition from special school to adult social care
Authors: Barron Cleo , Parsons Sarah , Kovshoff Hanna
Published: February 2024

Background

Transitions into adult services for young people with complex communication needs are often experienced as challenging and rarely include the voices of young people.

Methods

We piloted a person‐centred method to enable one young person's (Dominic) voice to be included in his transition to adult services. An ‘I am’ Digital Story is a short video (c.6 min) that provides a strengths‐based representation of a young person that is designed to be shared with and between settings. The process and outcomes of story cocreation were evaluated through semi‐structured interviews with key stakeholders.

Findings

The process of story creation was evaluated very positively by key stakeholders. The information about Dominic's strengths and preferences helped the new setting to prepare for Dominic's arrival.

Conclusions

The ‘I am’ Digital Story method provides a powerful and accessible method for including the voices of young people with complex communication needs in their transitions.
Oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of adults: Findings from a National Oral Health Survey in Singapore
Authors: Wong Mun Loke , Lee Yun Hui , Sim Yu Fan , Wong Tzu‐Jung , Soh Shean Han , Goh Bee Tin , Poon Choy Yoke , Allen Patrick Finbarr , Chia Kee Seng , Sim Christina P. C.
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Prevention complements the curative management of oral diseases. Effective preventive interventions involve the adoption of oral health promoting behaviours. Little is known about the awareness of oral disease and its prevention among Singaporean adults as well as their prevailing oral health attitudes and behaviours. The aim of the study was to describe the oral health knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of adults in Singapore.

Methods

A random sample of adults (≥21 years old) in Singapore was selected to complete an interviewer‐administered questionnaire. The questionnaire gathered information about their knowledge of the aetiology, signs and symptoms as well as prevention of dental caries and periodontal disease; attitudes about the value of teeth, locus of control in maintaining oral health and oral health behaviours including toothbrushing, flossing and dental attendance.

Results

A total of 1196 adults of weighted mean age 48 years old with almost equal proportions of males and females responded to the questionnaire. Participants were more unaware about the causes of periodontal disease (25.7%) than dental caries (4%). While more than 90% of participants felt that healthy teeth were important and could affect their overall health, many (67.0%) felt it was natural to lose their teeth with old age. Among the participants, 83.5% brushed their teeth twice a day; 41.9% flossed their teeth and 53.9% visited the dentist at least once a year.

Conclusions

The study findings showed good knowledge around dental caries but some gaps around periodontal disease. It also found that participants perceived having limited control over preventing tooth loss. Irregular dental attendance and poor denture wearing habits were also noted. The findings shed light on key areas to focus on through oral health promotion to improve overall oral health.
Overexpression of EphB2 in the basolateral amygdala is crucial for inducing visceral pain sensitization in rats subjected to water avoidance stress
Authors: Duan Guang‐Bing , Wang Jun‐Wen , Sun Hui‐Hui , Dong Zhi‐Yu , Zhang Yan , Wang Zhen‐Xiang , Chen Ye , Chen Ying , Huang Ying , Xu Shu‐Chang
Published: February 2024

Aims

Basolateral amygdala (BLA), as a center for stress responses and emotional regulation, is involved in visceral hypersensitivity of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) induced by stress. In the present study, we aimed to investigate the role of EphB2 receptor (EphB2) in BLA and explore the underlying mechanisms in this process.

Methods

Visceral hypersensitivity was induced by water avoidance stress (WAS). Elevated plus maze test, forced swimming test, and sucrose preference test were applied to assess anxiety‐ and depression‐like behaviors. Ibotenic acid or lentivirus was used to inactivate BLA in either the induction or maintenance stage of visceral hypersensitivity. The expression of protein was determined by quantitative PCR, immunofluorescence, and western blot.

Results

EphB2 expression was increased in BLA in WAS rats. Inactivation of BLA or downregulation of EphB2 in BLA failed to induce visceral hypersensitivity as well as anxiety‐like behaviors. However, during the maintenance stage of visceral pain, visceral hypersensitivity was only partially relieved but anxiety‐like behaviors were abolished by inactivation of BLA or downregulation of EphB2 in BLA. Chronic WAS increased the expression of EphB2, N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptors (NMDARs), and postsynaptic density protein (PSD95) in BLA. Downregulation of EphB2 in BLA reduced NMDARs and PSD95 expression in WAS rats. However, activation of NMDARs after the knockdown of EphB2 expression still triggered visceral hypersensitivity and anxiety‐like behaviors.

Conclusions

Taken together, the results suggest that EphB2 in BLA plays an essential role in inducing visceral hypersensitivity. In the maintenance stage, the involvement of EphB2 is crucial but not sufficient. The increase in EphB2 induced by WAS may enhance synaptic plasticity in BLA through upregulating NMDARs, which results in IBS‐like symptoms. These findings may give insight into the treatment of IBS and related psychological distress.
Energy optimization with authentication and cost effective storage in the wireless sensor IoTs using blockchain
Authors: Alghamdi Turki Ali , Javaid Nadeem
Published: February 2024

In this paper, a hybrid blockchain‐based authentication scheme is proposed that provides the mechanism to authenticate the randomly distributed sensor IoTs. These nodes are divided into three types: ordinary nodes, cluster heads and sink nodes. For authentication of these nodes in a Wireless Sensor IoTs (WSIoTs), a hybrid blockchain model is introduced. It consists of both private and public blockchains, which are used to authenticate ordinary nodes and cluster heads, respectively. Moreover, to handle the issue of cluster head failure due to inefficient energy consumption, Improved Heterogeneous Gateway‐based Energy‐Aware Multi‐hop Routing (I‐HMGEAR) protocol is proposed in combination with blockchain. It provides a mechanism to efficiently use the overall energy of the network. Besides, the processed data of subnetworks is stored on blockchain that causes the issue of increased monetary cost. To solve this issue, an external platform known as InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is used, which distributively stores the data on different devices. The simulation results show that our proposed model outperforms existing clustering scheme in terms of network lifetime and data storage cost of the WSIoTs. Our proposed scheme increases the lifetime of the network as compared to existing trust management model, intrusion prevention and multi WSN authentication schemes by 17.5%, 24.2% and 19.6%, respectively.