bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Design phase collaborative risk management factors: a case study of a green rating system in South Africa
Authors: Ojiako Udechukwu , Maseko Lungie , Root David , Venkatachalam Senthilkumar , Marshall Alasdair , Jasim Hussain AlRaeesi Eman , Chipulu Maxwell
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We explore the design risk factors and associated managerial practices driving collaborative risk management for design efficacy in green building projects. By illuminating project design risk as an important project risk category in its own right, the study contributes to our understanding of optimising design efficacies for collaborative project risk management.

Design/methodology/approach

The study comprises exploratory interviews conducted with 27 industry project practitioners involved in the design and delivery/implementation of Green Star-certified building projects in South Africa.

Findings

The findings discursively highlight seven sources of design risk. We also identify seven specific collaborative risk management practices for design efficacy emerging from a consideration of how risk environments vary in the Green Star-certified projects, each with its own project design risk implications.

Originality/value

The study advances our understanding of how collaborations emerging from particular relational yet context-specific practices can be optimised to strengthen project risk management.
Macroeconomic news and price jumps: evidence from ETFs and LOFs in China
Authors: Su Dongwei , Hu Tianhui
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We examine the relationship between macroeconomic news and fund price jumps, using high-frequency 5-min intraday data for Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs) and Listed Open-end Funds (LOFs) from 2019 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

We utilize the non-parametric jump test known as the LM method to detect fund price jumps. In addition, we perform Logistic regression to analyze the relationship between macroeconomic news and fund price jumps. Moreover, we use multiple linear regression to explore the relationship between fund price jumps and subsequent returns.

Findings

The probability of price jumps increases by 22.56% when macroeconomic news is released. Moreover, the returns associated with news-driven price jumps display a reversal pattern, and there is an asymmetric relationship in subsequent returns following macroeconomic shocks. Specifically, funds tend to exhibit lower returns after news-driven price jumps compared to those that are not influenced by news events.

Research limitations/implications

In today's digital age, investors have unprecedented access to a wealth of information through the Internet and various communication platforms. News and market data can be instantly accessed and disseminated, allowing for swift dissemination of information to investors worldwide. However, despite this enhanced accessibility, investors continue to exhibit overreactions or underreactions to new information.

Practical implications

Macroeconomic news release provide crucial insights into the overall health and performance of the economy. By monitoring and analyzing these indicators, investors can gain valuable information that can guide their investment decisions. Furthermore, by fostering a transparent and reliable information disclosure systems, governments can play a critical role in ensuring the stability and transparency of the funds market.

Originality/value

The paper utilizes 5-min high-frequency data from funds and incorporates a comprehensive macroeconomic news information database. These methodological choices enhance the precision and reliability of the analysis, allowing for a more nuanced understanding of the relationship between macroeconomic news releases and fund price jumps.
Effects of differently shaped textures on the tribological properties of static and dynamic pressure thrust bearings and multiobjective optimization
Authors: Yu Xiaodong , Shi Guangqiang , Gao Weicheng , Yang Xinyi
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate three types of textures designed to enhance the tribological performance of static and dynamic pressure thrust bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the effects of different types of textures on tribological performance, the Reynolds equation is modified using lubrication theory and computational fluid dynamics methods while considering the influence of cavitation and turbulence on the physical field. In addition, the tribological performance is optimized through an improved selection algorithm based on Pareto envelope (PESA).

Findings

The results indicate that textured thrust bearings exhibit superior tribological performance compared to untextured ones. The circular texture outperforms other textures in terms of load-bearing and friction performance, with improvements of approximately 28.8% and 18.9%, respectively. In addition, the triangular texture exhibits the most significant temperature improvement, with a reduction of approximately 1.93%.

Originality/value

The study proposes three types of textures and evaluates the friction performance of thrust bearings by modifying the Reynolds equation. In addition, the optimal texture design is determined using an improved selection algorithm based on PESA.
Developing Islamic-sustainable and responsible investment (i-SRI) criteria based on the environmental, social and governance (ESG) concept
Authors: Wahab Muhammad Zarunnaim Bin Haji , Mohamed Naim Asmadi , Abu Hassan Mohamad Hanif
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The practices of sustainable and responsible investment (SRI) among Islamic financial institutions (IFIs) nowadays still rely on the existing environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria. However, based on observation, some of the existing criteria listed by the reports of certain authorities and organizations do not seem to be aligned with Shariah principles. Therefore, this study aims to investigate those criteria to help develop Islamic-SRI (i-SRI) criteria based on the ESG concept.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted the qualitative method via content analysis of documents and interviews with experts.

Findings

Based on the analysis, a set of i-SRI criteria is developed based on the ESG concept, of which 33 elements are environmental, 50 elements are social and 26 elements are governance issues. Overall, this study finds that there is no obvious contradiction with the Islamic philosophy in the existing ESG criteria, with the exception of four criteria, i.e. promoting human rights, freedom of expression, freedom of censorship and freedom of association under social criteria. These four existing criteria are not aligned with Islamic teaching and not appropriate with Islamic ESG criteria.

Practical implications

The creation of Islamic ESG criteria can assist relevant authorities to improve the current ESG criteria and to embed an Islamic perspective within it.

Originality/value

This study developed a set of i-SRI criteria, which may be suitable as a source of reference to relevant parties.
The rise of hybrids: plastic knowledge in human–AI interaction
Authors: La Sala Antonio , Fuller Ryan , Riolli Laura , Temperini Valerio
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The aim of this research is twofold: first, to get more insights on digital maturity to face the emerging 4.0 augmented scenario by identifying artificial intelligence (AI) competencies for becoming hybrid employees and leaders; and second, to investigate digital maturity, training and development support and HR satisfaction with the organization as valuable predictors of AI competency enhancement.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey was conducted on 123 participants coming from different industries and involved in functions dealing with the ramifications of Industry 4.0 technologies. The sample has included predominately small-to-medium organizations. A quantitative analysis based on both exploratory factor analysis and multiple linear regression was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

Three main competency clusters emerge as facilitators of AI–human interaction, i.e. leadership, technical and cognitive. The interplay among these clusters gives rise to plastic knowledge, a kind of moldable knowledge possessed by a particular human agent, here called hybrid. Moreover, organizational digital maturity, training and development support and satisfaction with the organization were significant predictors of AI competency enhancement.

Research limitations/implications

The size of the sample, the convenience sampling method and the geographical context of analysis (i.e. California) required prudence in generalizing results.

Originality/value

Hybrids’ plastic knowledge conceptualized and operationalized in the overall quantitative analysis allows them to fill in the knowledge gaps that an AI agent-human interplay may imply, generating alternative solutions and foreseeing possible outcomes.
Sustainable HRM strategies, enhancing organizational resilience and advancing sustainability goals
Authors: Mushtaq Sonia , Akhtar Shazia
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to fill a gap in the literature by investigating the relationship between sustainable HRM, organizational resilience, and social, economic, and environmental sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a quantitative approach to examine the relationship between sustainable HRM, organizational resilience, and sustainability within the hotel industry. The research was conducted through a simple random survey of 153 hotels and restaurants, using online and face-to-face data collection methods. The data is analyzed through AMOS.

Findings

The study highlights that sustainable HRM practices enhance organizational resilience and contribute to social, economic, and environmental sustainability. This research makes theoretical contributions to the literature on HRM and sustainability while offering practical insights for the hotel industry in implementing sustainable HRM to tackle the grand challenge of sustainability. Our findings indicate a positive influence of sustainable HRM on sustainability through organizational resilience.

Originality/value

Previous research needs to adequately explore how sustainable HRM contributes to all three dimensions of sustainability. This study aims to address this gap and provide implications for academics and managers by presenting evidence that sustainable HRM makes organizations resilient, leading to social, economic, and environmental sustainability.
Evaluating the impact of LIS continuing professional development programmes: a survey of university libraries in Northern India
Authors: Rehman Ikhlaq ur , Ganaie Shabir Ahmad
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study examined the comprehensive assessment of the efficacy of Library and Information Science (LIS) CPD programmes in the particular setting of Indian academic libraries in Northern India. The study systematically assessed the programmes' impact on four levels: behaviour, reaction, learning, and results, using Donald Kirkpatrick’s widely recognised evaluation model.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employed a census sampling method and a questionnaire to gather information from 177 respondents employed in university libraries.

Findings

The findings demonstrated that professionals were satisfied with the CPD programmes, eager to learn more and apply their newly acquired knowledge and skills at their workplaces, and interested in applying learning to get results. Moreover, the significant factors that hindered the implementation of learning in the workplace were a lack of management support and poor IT infrastructure.

Originality/value

The paper’s uniqueness and significance come from carefully examining the effects of CPD programmes in LIS within the particular setting of university libraries in Northern India.
Ownership share in cross-border acquisitions: does high-tech status of the target matter?
Authors: Faifman Leon , Ro Sangbum , Ellis Kimberly M. , Golden Peggy
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of the target firm’s high-tech status on the share of ownership decision in cross-border acquisitions (CBAs), which is an under-explored topic in cross-border M&A literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used Tobit regression and tested the hypotheses using a sample of 7,011 CBA transactions between 1999 and 2014. Inverse Mills ratio was used to address selection bias, and various robustness tests were performed.

Findings

The authors found that acquirers seek greater ownership share when acquiring high-tech firms, and that this relationship is moderated by various firm and national level factors. Specifically, the positive relationship between the high-tech status of a target firm and ownership share acquired is stronger when the firms’ primary operations are highly related or there is high formal institutional distance between the firms’ home countries, but it is weaker when acquirers have more prior M&A experience or there is high cultural and geographic distance between the firms’ home countries.

Originality/value

While the topic of ownership strategy in CBAs is advancing, it is still limited, especially when examining acquisitions of high-tech target firms. The authors contribute to the research on CBAs and ownership strategy by focusing on the high-tech status of the target firm, and using a sample of both private and public target firms from 116 countries.
The role of gained trust: effects on intrinsic motivation, person-job fit and turnover intentions among real estate brokers
Authors: Ahlenius Martin , Berggren Björn , Kågström Jonas , Åge Lars-Johan
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze if gained trust is intrinsically motivating and whether it is correlated to subjective person-job fit and occupational turnover intentions among Swedish real estate brokers.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical data was gathered via a survey targeting all real estate brokers in Sweden and analyzed using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results indicated that brokers are motivated by gained trust from their sellers and that gained trust is a vital part of person-job fit among brokers. In addition, the results show that higher levels of person-job fit reduce the occupational turnover intentions among brokers.

Research limitations/implications

Being a real estate broker in Sweden might differ from being a broker in many other otherwise comparable countries. Another limitation is the lack of measurements of job satisfaction and/or intrinsic motivation connected to other job characteristics besides customer relations and gained trust. The high mean values of person-job fit, and intrinsic motivation connected to gained trust from customers are contributing to a more nuanced description of brokerage.

Practical implications

This study gives insights about intrinsic motivation and its connection to person-job fit. Awareness of what drives brokes can be used by both workers and managers to reduce occupational turnover.

Originality/value

This study is interesting from a person-job fit theory advancement perspective since the focus is given to the connection between specific situational work characteristics and person-job fit.
Commentary on “The effects of changing the classroom play environment on the peer interactions of autistic children with an intellectual disability”
Authors: Phillips Jisan
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the challenges and themes discussed in the associated article “The Effects of Changing the Classroom Play Environment on the Peer Interactions of Autistic Children with an Intellectual Disability.” It expands on the research's context, foundation and potential impact, critically analysing the evidence on this topic.

Design/methodology/approach

This commentary evaluates the perceptions and effectiveness of different classroom play environments for autistic children with intellectual disabilities, using a multiple treatment reversal design (ABACADA) to investigate how various play conditions impact prosocial behaviours.

Findings

The inclusion of toys related to preferred interests, such as anthropomorphic toys and small animals, promotes engagement and social interactions. The commentary highlights common barriers, but the study’s results are encouraging. Further investigation could benefit clinicians and educators in optimising classroom setups for applied practice. Potential solutions to barriers are considered.

Originality/value

The value and design of classroom play environments for autistic children with intellectual disabilities remain debated. This commentary provides a balanced, evidence-based perspective on how specific stimuli can enhance prosocial behaviours, contributing to ongoing discussions on inclusive and supportive educational practices.
Exploring visitors' motivations and perspectives on festival tourism in Northern Cyprus: economic, cultural and social dimensions in a post-pandemic era
Authors: Altun Ozlem , Kiraz Sıla , Saydam Mehmet Bahri
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This research aims to investigate the motivations and perspectives of festival tourism in Northern Cyprus, emphasizing its economic, cultural, and social impacts in the post-pandemic era.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was used to find out themes from semi-structured face-to-face interviews with twenty visitors who attended various festivals in North Cyprus.

Findings

The results of this research uncover that festivals considerably contribute to the local economy by attracting tourists, which boosts sales for local businesses and promotes traditional Cypriot cuisine. Additionally, festivals play a crucial role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage through traditional music, dance, and crafts, fostering community engagement and cultural exchange. The study also identifies key challenges and opportunities, such as the need for improved marketing strategies, enhanced infrastructure, and sustainable practices to mitigate environmental impacts.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of festival tourism in Northern Cyprus, offering novel insights into its economic, cultural, and social impacts while proposing innovative strategies to enhance its post-pandemic recovery and sustainability.
Using net anthropogenic nutrient inputs at fine spatial scales benefits decision‐making in watersheds to protect water quality
Authors: Shousha Stéphanie , Maranger Roxane
Published: July 2024

Excessive nutrient loadings from various human activities on land to inland and coastal waters result in water quality degradation through cultural eutrophication. Accurately identifying and quantifying the main nitrogen and phosphorus sources on land is essential to implement proper intervention strategies to reduce loadings in order to preserve water quality for the long term.

The Net Anthropogenic Nitrogen/Phosphorus Inputs (NANI/NAPI) mass balance approach has successfully been used to quantify nutrients added on land to sustain human activities and predict the fraction exported to water. However, the rich detail of information used to generate the mass balance is typically merged and upscaled to whole watersheds, averaging out highly heterogeneous patterns on land, which would be key to identify regions that disproportionately load nutrients to receiving waters.

Here we present NANI and NAPI at increasingly finer scales (watershed, county, and municipal) in eight catchments of the Saint‐Lawrence Basin in Québec, Canada, and compare input changes between two different decades (1981 and 2021).

In 2021, NANI ranged from 828 to 6602 kg km−2 at the watershed scale whereas the range at the municipal one was much greater from near 0 to 27,413 kg km−2, highlighting the importance of using the municipal scale to pinpoint specific regions of high inputs. We then show how partitioning individual NANI components (the same could be done for NAPI) could reveal the dominant input type among urbanisation, crop‐intensive, or livestock‐intensive agriculture, which can help decision makers choose the most effective intervention strategy based on dominant input type. Finally, we discuss how information derived over time can further be used to enhance understanding around mitigation strategies.

Policy implications. The use of the detailed components of NANI and NAPI at the finest scale possible provides relevant quantitative information and acts as an effective communication tool between scientists and decision makers. We suggest that the use of this approach can better enable targeted nutrient reduction strategies based on scientific evidence to protect water quality.
Dynamic testing of learning potential of children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities: A Delphi study
Authors: Eding M. L. , Meeter M. , Schuengel C.
Published: July 2024

Education of children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities requires adequate assessment of their educational needs and potential to learn. Dynamic testing using analogical reasoning tasks may be a promising way to perform such an assessment. However, it remains unclear how dynamic testing with these children may be done in practice. Therefore, we sought expert opinions on operationalizing learning potential and dynamic testing. We performed a three‐round online Delphi study (N = 37) with experts in psychological educational assessment of children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities in special schools and specialized day‐care centres in the Netherlands. Consensus was found on a conceptual and an operational definition of learning potential, describing step‐by‐step how learning potential could be measured in daily practice. This included a pre‐test, training, post‐test design with the inclusion of a graduated prompts protocol for mediation and an observation checklist focussing on response to mediation. Based on examples from the Analogical Reasoning Learning Test, we assessed consensus on adapted design requirements for dynamic testing using analogical reasoning. Experts agreed that dynamic testing using analogical reasoning tasks might be suitable for children with moderate intellectual disabilities. A key concern was whether performance on analogical reasoning task was within reach of children with severe intellectual disabilities. The panel recommended research into the type of mediation needed to support the learning of analogical reasoning tasks. Further development and evaluation of dynamic testing for children with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities may build on the recommendations of this panel of experts.
Medical training program size and clinical staff productivity and turnover
Authors: Tenso Kertu , Li Yufei , Legler Aaron , Sadej Izabela , Kabdiyeva Aigerim , Garrido Melissa M. , Pizer Steven D.
Published: July 2024

Objective

The objective of this analysis was to evaluate the effect of resident program training size on clinician productivity and turnover in the Veterans Health Administration (VHA), the largest education and training platform for medical professionals in the United States.

Data Sources

We retrieved administrative data on training programs and training facilities from the VA Office of Academic Affiliations and the VHA Corporate Data Warehouse. Data on primary care physician shortage areas were retrieved from the Health Resources and Services Administration.

Study Design

We used a quasi‐experimental instrumental variables 2SLS design and constructed an exogenous predicted training allocation treatment variable as a function of the total national training program allocation. The outcome was clinical staff productivity and turnover. Secondary analyses stratified results using Health Professional Shortage Areas data (HPSA).

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Data were obtained for a national dataset of 141 VHA medical facilities and 26 specialties that hosted training programs across 11 years from 2011 to 2021 (N = 132,177).

Principal Findings

Instrumental variables results showed that on average, an increase of one training slot in a specialty leads to a decrease of 0.039 visits per standardized clinic day (p < 0.001) and a 0.02 percentage point increase in turnover (p < 0.001). The direction of this association varied by specialty: while psychiatry and psychology specialties saw a decline in productivity, fields such as primary care and cardiology experienced an increase in productivity. HPSA stratified results indicate that negative effects on productivity and turnover are driven by areas with little to no primary care physician shortage, whereas shortage areas experienced a small increase in productivity and no effect on turnover.

Conclusions

This quasi‐experimental evaluation indicates that resident training program size is associated with reduced productivity and increased turnover in specialties such as psychiatry and in facilities with high baseline productivity. However, in specialties like primary care and cardiology, as well as areas with shortages of primary care, larger training programs are associated with increased productivity.
Chinese consensus on the management of liver cirrhosis
Authors:   Chinese Society of Gastroenterology, Chinese Medical Association
Published: July 2024

Liver cirrhosis, characterized by diffuse necrosis, insufficient regeneration of hepatocytes, angiogenesis, severe fibrosis, and the formation of pseudolobules, is a progressive, chronic liver disease induced by a variety of causes. It is clinically characterized by liver function damage and portal hypertension, and many complications may occur in its late stage. Based on the updated practice guidelines, expert consensuses, and research advances on the diagnosis and treatment of cirrhosis, the Chinese Society of Gastroenterology of Chinese Medical Association established the current consensus to standardize the clinical diagnosis and management of liver cirrhosis and guide clinical practice. This consensus contains 43 statements on the etiology, pathology and pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, major complications, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, and chronic disease control of liver cirrhosis. Since several practice guidelines and expert consensuses on the complications of liver cirrhosis have been published, this consensus emphasizes the research progress of liver cirrhosis itself.
FSH induces apoptosis in follicular granulosa cells of Tianzhu white yak and regulates the expression of Fas/FasL mRNA
Authors: Zhang Jian , Li Guyue , Yu Sijiu , Pan Yangyang , Fan Jiangfeng , Cui Yan
Published: July 2024

The Tianzhu white yak, a globally rare species, holds immense value as a source for yak materials. While the Fas/FasL pathway is pivotal in granulosa cells apoptosis, its precise molecular workings remain enigmatic. This study endeavours to decipher the role of follicle‐stimulating hormone (FSH) in suppressing ovarian granulosa cells (GC) apoptosis in the Tianzhu white yak. Utilizing advanced cell culture techniques, we employed the MTT method, flow cytometry, fluorescence labelling and RT‐PCR to investigate the apoptotic effects of FSH on yak GCs. Our results reveal that FSH's inhibitory effect on GC apoptosis follows a normal distribution pattern, peaking at an FSH concentration of 100 ng/mL with an apoptosis inhibition rate of 89.31%. When serum was withdrawn, an FSH concentration of 2 × 106 ng/mL reduced apoptosis by 72.84%. Annexin V‐FITC staining revealed membrane invaginations, bubble and protrusion formation on the cell surface, and alterations in membrane structure and cell morphology. Flow cytometry analysis further demonstrated that FSH administration prior to early granulosa cell apoptosis had a more profound effect than during gradual apoptosis, both showing a suppressive effect on early follicular granulosa cell apoptosis. A transcription‐level analysis conducted 3 h prior to serum withdrawal, with the addition of 100 ng/mL FSH, revealed intricate regulations in the expression of Fas/FasL. Notably, we observed a gradual increase in FasL expression over time, yet the presence of FSH effectively down‐regulated FasL expression to baseline levels, without notable changes in Fas expression. Immunocytochemical analysis further confirmed the presence of both Fas and FasL on the cell membrane, nucleus and cytoplasm, with varying intensities depending on the duration of FSH treatment. Our findings suggest that FSH may suppress the apoptotic pathway in follicular primarily by down‐regulating FasL expression, indicating that Fas‐regulated mitochondrial pathways play a more prominent role compared to death receptor pathways. This study offers a fresh perspective on the mechanism underlying follicular atresia in Tianzhu white yaks and lays a solid theoretical foundation for the expansion of this endangered species' population.
Sperm‐borne miR‐34c‐5p and miR‐191‐3p as markers for sperm motility and embryo developmental competence
Authors: Pinto Soraia , Pereira Sara C. , Rocha António , Barros Alberto , Alves Marco G. , Oliveira Pedro F.
Published: July 2024

Background

Sperm‐borne microRNAs play a pivotal role in influencing essential cellular processes during fertilization, impacting the quality of embryo development. Dysregulated microRNA profiles have been associated with compromised embryonic development and increased incidences of pregnancy loss.

Objective

This study aimed to investigate the potential associations between the abundance of miR‐34c‐5p and miR‐191‐3p in human spermatozoa with sperm quality, as well as with embryo quality and metabolic performance during in vitro development.

Materials and methods

Thirteen couples who underwent a total of 13 cycles participated in this study. The sperm quality was assessed using conventional methods following World Health Organization guidelines. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to measure microRNA abundance in spermatozoa. Embryos were categorized as good, lagging, or bad based on morphokinetic evaluation. Evaluation of embryo metabolic performance involved tracking changes in specific metabolites within the cultured media using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Statistical analysis was conducted to explore the correlation between microRNA abundance in human spermatozoa and all other collected data.

Results

Our findings revealed a negative correlation between the abundance of miR‐34c‐5p (but not miR‐191‐3p) and total sperm motility, potentially mediated by the modulation of key signaling pathways. Additionally, higher levels of miR‐34c‐5p in spermatozoa were strongly associated with the consumption or release of key metabolites by developing embryos, particularly those linked with lipid and glucose metabolism, suggesting enhanced metabolic performance, while miR‐191‐3p was mostly associated with glucose consumption. Concurrently, only miR‐34c‐5p content in spermatozoa correlated with higher embryo quality.

Discussion and conclusion

This study provides evidence suggesting that the abundance of miR‐34c‐5p in spermatozoa is correlated not only with total sperm motility but also with markers of embryo developmental competence, highlighting the potential significance of this sperm microRNA content as a biomarker in assisted reproduction.
Associations between fetal position at delivery and duration of active phase of labor: A historical cohort study
Authors: Eide Birgitte , Sande Ragnar Kvie , Von Brandis Phillip , Kessler Jørg , Tappert Christian , Eggebø Torbjørn Moe
Published: July 2024

Introduction

In clinical experience, occiput posterior (OP) position is associated with longer labor duration than occiput anterior (OA) position, but few studies have investigated the association between labor duration and fetal position. We aimed to compare duration of the active phase of labor in OP deliveries with OA deliveries in a contemporary population using survival methods. Secondary aims were to compare the frequencies of operative interventions, obstetric anal sphincter injuries (OASIS), postpartum hemorrhage, and newborn outcomes in OP with OA deliveries.

Material and Methods

We did a historical cohort study in three university hospitals in Norway from 2012 to 2022. Women with a single fetus in cephalic presentation, no previous cesarean section and gestational age ≥37 weeks were eligible and stratified into the first four groups of the Robson ten‐group classification system (TGCS). We estimated the mean duration and calculated the hazard ratio (HR) for delivery using survival analyses. Cesarean sections and instrumental vaginal deliveries were censored.

Results

The study population comprised 112 019 women, 105 571 (94.2%) were delivered in OA and 6448 (5.8%) in OP position. The estimated mean duration of the active phase of labor was longer in women with the fetus in OP position in all four TGCS groups. The estimated duration was longer in the OP groups in analyses stratified with respect to epidural analgesia and oxytocin augmentation. The graphical abstract illustrates the probability of delivery in OP compared with OA position in merged TGCS groups 1 and 2a, as a function of time. The unadjusted HR was 0.33 (95% CI 0.31–0.36) for fetuses delivered in OP position compared with OA position in TGCS group 1, 0.25 (95% CI 0.21–0.27) in group 2a, 0.70 (95% CI 0.67–0.73) in group 3, and 0.61 (95% CI 0.55–0.67) in group 4a, respectively. Neither maternal age, gestational age, BMI nor birthweight had confounding effect. Operative delivery rates and OASIS rates were higher in OP position in all four groups.

Conclusions

We found longer duration of the active phase of labor in women with the fetus delivered in OP position in all four TGCS groups.
How to study psychological mechanisms of mania? A systematic review on the methodology of experimental studies on manic mood dysregulation of leading theories on bipolar disorder
Authors: Glas V. F. J. , Koenders M. A. , Kupka R. W. , Regeer E. J.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Although there are several psychological theories on bipolar disorders (BD), the empirical evidence on these theories through experimental studies is still limited. The current study systematically reviews experimental methods used in studies on the main theories of BD: Reward Hypersensitivity Theory (RST) or Behavioral Activation System (BAS), Integrative Cognitive Model (ICM), Positive Emotion Persistence (PEP), Manic Defense theory (MD), and Mental Imagery (MI). The primary aim is to provide an overview of the used methods and to identify limitations and suggest areas of improvement.

Methods

A systematic search of six databases until October 2023 was conducted. Study selection involved two independent reviewers extracting data on experimental study design and methodology.

Results

A total of 84 experimental studies were reviewed. BAS and RST were the most frequently studied theories. The majority of these experimental studies focus on mechanisms of reward sensitivity. Other important elements of the reviewed theories, such as goal setting and—attainment, situation selection (avoidance or approach), activation, affective/emotional reactivity, and regulatory strategies, are understudied. Self‐report and neuropsychological tasks are most often used, while mood induction and physiological measures are rarely used.

Conclusion

There is a need for more consensus on the operationalization of psychological theories of mania. Standardization of test batteries could improve comparability among studies and foster a more systematic approach to experimental research. Research on affective (activated) states is still underrepresented in comparison with studies on trait vulnerabilities.
Fungal infection frequency in newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukaemia patients treated with venetoclax plus azacitidine with or without antifungal prophylaxis
Authors: Weinbergerová Barbora , Mayer Jiří , Kabut Tomáš , Sperr Wolfgang R. , Števková Jana , Jonášová Anna , Čerňan Martin , Herndlhofer Susanne , Oravcová Iveta , Šrámek Jiří , Novák Jan , Štěpánová Radka , Szotkowski Tomáš , Drgoňa Luboš , Žák Pavel , Valent Peter
Published: July 2024

Our observational study analysed fungal infection frequency within cohorts with versus without antifungal prophylaxis (AFP) among newly diagnosed first‐line venetoclax and azacitidine (VEN + AZA)‐treated acute myeloid leukaemias in Czech, Austrian and Slovak haematology centres. Among 186 patients, 85 (46%) received antifungal prophylaxis, while 101 (54%) received no prophylaxis. Fungal infections occurred in 1/85 patients with prophylaxis (1%) and 5/101 patients without prophylaxis (5%) (p = 0.222). No significant difference was recorded between cohorts with and without AFP in terms of death rate (p = 0.296) and overall survival (p = 0.844). In conclusion, most infections were not severe, developing during the first treatment‐cycle and did not affect patients' overall outcome.
Non‐Orthogonal Reduction for Rendering Fluorescent Materials in Non‐Spectral Engines
Authors: Fichet A. , Belcour L. , Barla P.
Published: July 2024

We propose a method to accurately handle fluorescence in a non‐spectral (e.g., tristimulus) rendering engine, showcasing color‐shifting and increased luminance effects. Core to our method is a principled reduction technique that encodes the reradiation into a low‐dimensional matrix working in the space of the renderer's Color Matching Functions (CMFs). Our process is independent of a specific CMF set and allows for the addition of a non‐visible ultraviolet band during light transport. Our representation visually matches full spectral light transport for measured fluorescent materials even for challenging illuminants.
Residual path integrals for re‐rendering
Authors: Xu Bing , Li Tzu‐Mao , Georgiev Iliyan , Hedstrom Trevor , Ramamoorthi Ravi
Published: July 2024

Conventional rendering techniques are primarily designed and optimized for single‐frame rendering. In practical applications, such as scene editing and animation rendering, users frequently encounter scenes where only a small portion is modified between consecutive frames. In this paper, we develop a novel approach to incremental re‐rendering of scenes with dynamic objects, where only a small part of a scene moves from one frame to the next. We formulate the difference (or residual) in the image between two frames as a (correlated) light‐transport integral which we call the residual path integral. Efficient numerical solution of this integral then involves (1) devising importance sampling strategies to focus on paths with non‐zero residual‐transport contributions and (2) choosing appropriate mappings between the native path spaces of the two frames. We introduce a set of path importance sampling strategies that trace from the moving object(s) which are the sources of residual energy. We explore path mapping strategies that generalize those from gradient‐domain path tracing to our importance sampling techniques specially for dynamic scenes. Additionally, our formulation can be applied to material editing as a simpler special case. We demonstrate speed‐ups over previous correlated sampling of path differences and over rendering the new frame independently. Our formulation brings new insights into the re‐rendering problem and paves the way for devising new types of sampling techniques and path mappings with different trade‐offs.
Scaling Painting Style Transfer
Authors: Galerne Bruno , Raad Lara , Lezama José , Morel Jean‐Michel
Published: July 2024

Neural style transfer (NST) is a deep learning technique that produces an unprecedentedly rich style transfer from a style image to a content image. It is particularly impressive when it comes to transferring style from a painting to an image. NST was originally achieved by solving an optimization problem to match the global statistics of the style image while preserving the local geometric features of the content image. The two main drawbacks of this original approach is that it is computationally expensive and that the resolution of the output images is limited by high GPU memory requirements. Many solutions have been proposed to both accelerate NST and produce images with larger size. However, our investigation shows that these accelerated methods all compromise the quality of the produced images in the context of painting style transfer. Indeed, transferring the style of a painting is a complex task involving features at different scales, from the color palette and compositional style to the fine brushstrokes and texture of the canvas. This paper provides a solution to solve the original global optimization for ultra‐high resolution (UHR) images, enabling multiscale NST at unprecedented image sizes. This is achieved by spatially localizing the computation of each forward and backward passes through the VGG network. Extensive qualitative and quantitative comparisons, as well as a perceptual study, show that our method produces style transfer of unmatched quality for such high‐resolution painting styles. By a careful comparison, we show that state‐of‐the‐art fast methods are still prone to artifacts, thus suggesting that fast painting style transfer remains an open problem.
Neural Appearance Model for Cloth Rendering
Authors: Soh G. Y. , Montazeri Z.
Published: July 2024

The realistic rendering of woven and knitted fabrics has posed significant challenges throughout many years. Previously, fiber‐based micro‐appearance models have achieved considerable success in attaining high levels of realism. However, rendering such models remains complex due to the intricate internal scatterings of hundreds of fibers within a yarn, requiring vast amounts of memory and time to render. In this paper, we introduce a new framework to capture aggregated appearance by tracing many light paths through the underlying fiber geometry. We then employ lightweight neural networks to accurately model the aggregated BSDF, which allows for the precise modeling of a diverse array of materials while offering substantial improvements in speed and reductions in memory. Furthermore, we introduce a novel importance sampling scheme to further speed up the rate of convergence. We validate the efficacy and versatility of our framework through comparisons with preceding fiber‐based shading models as well as the most recent yarn‐based model.
Changes in wild meat hunting and use by rural communities during the COVID‐19 socio‐economic shock
Authors: Emogor Charles A. , Coad Lauren , Balmford Ben , Ingram Daniel J. , Detoeuf Diane , Fletcher Robert J. , Imong Inaoyom , Dunn Andrew , Balmford Andrew
Published: July 2024

There is limited quantitative evidence of the effects of socio‐economic shocks on biological resource use. Focusing on wild meat hunting, a substantial livelihood and food source in tropical regions, we evaluated the impacts of the shock from Nigeria's coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) lockdown on species exploitation around a global biodiversity hotspot. Using a 3‐year quantitative dataset collected during and after the lockdown (covering 1008 hunter‐months) and matching by time of year, we found that successful hunting trip rates were more frequent during the lockdown, with a corresponding increase in the monthly number, mass, and value of animals caught. Moreover, hunters consumed a larger proportion of wild meat and sold less during lockdown, compared to non‐lockdown periods. These results suggest that local communities relied on wild meat to supplement reduced food and income during the lockdown, buffering the COVID‐19's socio‐economic shock. Our findings also indicate that wild species may be especially vulnerable to increased hunting pressure during socio‐economic shocks.
A multilevel perspective to understanding enablers and barriers to success in threatened species recovery planning
Authors: Guerrero Angela M. , Sporne Ilva , Wilson Kerrie A.
Published: July 2024

Recovery planning is considered an important policy instrument for the management of threatened species. While recovery planning has led to improvements in the conservation status of some species, the degree of success can vary substantially across different contexts and is dependent on multiple factors. Institutional and organizational factors such as insufficient funding, weak policies, underspecified goals, and lack of knowledge impact the success of recovery planning. But recovery planning can be fall short in achieving desired outcomes even in the absence of these constraints. Recovery planning is also highly reliant on collaboration efforts between local agencies, community organizations, and research institutions—yet studies examining the diversity of factors influencing the success of recovery planning are rare. To address this gap, we take a multilevel perspective that situates recovery planning inside nested layers of institutional, organizational, team, and action‐level processes. We apply this framework and utilize in‐depth interviews and thematic analysis to analyze barriers and enablers in the recovery of two threatened Australian species. Our analysis reveals how team‐level processes interact with their organizational and institutional contexts to influence outcomes. Key findings emphasize the indispensable role of committed individuals, collaboration, and strategic utilization of specialist knowledge in fostering effective teamwork. Furthermore, our findings also emphasize the critical importance of a shared purpose within the team and the need for equilibrium between personal agendas and team objectives. We highlight the need for more studies to deliver a nuanced understanding of how team‐level processes drive successful recovery planning, even when institutional factors, such as appropriate funding and knowledge, are present.
Projecting the long‐term effects of large‐scale human influence on the spatial and functional persistence of extant longleaf pine ecosystems in the Florida Flatwoods Pyrome
Authors: Hutchens Lilian , Kupfer John A. , Gao Peng , Sanchez Georgina M. , Meentemeyer Ross K. , Terando Adam J. , Kevin Hiers J.
Published: July 2024

Decades of human activities and fire suppression have adversely affected longleaf pine (Pinus palustris) ecosystems, which are home to high levels of diversity and endemism. These iconic ecosystems also now face challenges from urbanization and climate change, which will alter conservation outcomes over the remainder of the 21st century. To explore how long‐term, large‐scale human influences could affect the spatial and functional persistence of extant longleaf pine ecosystems in the Florida Flatwoods Pyrome, we extracted a set of 2400 longleaf pine patches ≥40 ha in size from the Florida Longleaf Pine Ecosystem Geodatabase. Projections from the FUTURES urban growth model and the Florida 2070 project indicate that development will lead to losses of existing longleaf pine habitat, reductions in longleaf pine patch size, and patches that are predominantly located in close proximity to developed areas. Finer‐scale patterns of longleaf pine loss in three focal landscapes highlighted differences in land protection, ecological setting, and development pressure and the value of using of multiple urbanization iterations. The occurrence of suitable conditions to conduct prescribed fires, a crucial tool for maintaining, improving, and restoring longleaf pine ecosystems, is projected to decrease seasonally throughout the study area. As a result, the functional persistence of ecosystems is at risk due to climate changes that increase barriers to the safe and reliable application of intentional fire. The long‐term viability of this critical ecosystem will warrant the evaluation of adaptive strategies that explicitly account for the individual and compounding effects of urban development and changing fire management conditions when considering options for ecosystem protection, management, and restoration.