bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Work in the platform economy: a systematic literature review
Authors: Masta Raavi , Kaushiva Pavni
Published: July 2024

Purpose

With the increasing global popularity of the gig economy encompassing freelancers, online platform workers, self-employed, on-call workers and other temporary contractual workers, this study aims to review research focusing on the gig economy to explore the nuances of working in various alternative work arrangements. We aim to enhance the understanding of existing literature and highlight underexplored areas for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review of 258 studies based on gig economy and gig work was conducted. It follows systematic search criteria and SPAR-4-SLR protocols. The analysis uses different gig worker profiles given by Watson et al. (2021) to categorize studies, followed by thematic analysis to identify patterns in the literature.

Findings

Our analysis of studies on gig economy shows that the majority of existing literature is based on gig service providers. Within this literature subset, major areas of study are work conditions, financial conditions, emergence and role of collectives, the impact of algorithmic management and the impact of rise of the gig economy on entrepreneurship. There is little research focusing on gig goods providers, gig data providers, agency gig workers and traditional gig worker profiles. More focus is also needed on emerging markets and markets transitioning to the gig economy.

Originality/value

Differing from reviews that have attempted to define gig work and workers, we focus on literature on the lived experiences of gig workers. By reviewing studies on different gig worker profiles, we are able to highlight future research directions for pointed sample sets and comparative underexplored areas.
How washing behaviors influence GHG emissions in textile use phase: a PLS-SEM analysis of household washing behaviors in Shanghai
Authors: Qiu Xiaoxiao , Liang Shuaitong , Wang Shujia , Qian Shen , Zhang Hongjuan , Ding Xue Mei , Wang Jiping
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper explores what factors influence household textile washing behaviour and how these factors relate to greenhouse gas emissions during the textile use stage.

Design/methodology/approach

A questionnaire survey related to textile summer washing and care behavior was conducted among households in 16 administrative districts of Shanghai. This study used the modified Consumer Lifestyle Approach framework of the washing and care ecosystem. The research hypotheses were established by selecting related factors from four aspects: household demographic characteristics, economy and consumption characteristics, washing machines and detergents characteristics.

Findings

First, we have demonstrated how some course factors do not significantly affect greenhouse emissions. None of the demographics, detergent-related activities, economy and consumption constructs significantly affect greenhouse emissions. Second, we have identified that washing machine and related activities has a direct positive effect on GHG emissions. The washing machine is not only the de facto carrier of all washing activities but also the core of washing activities. Washing machine is crucial in reducing greenhouse emissions and adjusting consumer behaviors.

Originality/value

This paper conducts a study related to the washing and care behavior of households in Shanghai. The paper examines the factors influencing household washing behavior and the relationship between these factors and greenhouse gas emissions during the textile use phase.
Trade, gender equality and institutional quality: Evidence from the gravitational approach
Authors: Le Duc Nha , Pham Nam Khanh
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The contributions of gender equality to trade and the moderating impact of institutional quality on the trade-gender link have been understudied in contemporary literature. Therefore, this paper aims to use the augmented gravity model to investigate the impacts of gender equality and institutional quality on trade, and the moderating impact of institutional quality on the trade-gender link.

Design/methodology/approach

The panel data is comprised of bilateral trade flows of Vietnam and 40 major trading partners in the 2002–2021 period. Estimation methods include combined fixed effect, random effect, system generalized method of moments two-step (SGMM-II) and Poisson-pseudo maximum likelihood (PPML) which allow the treatment of heterogeneity, endogeneity and heteroskedasticity in the research models.

Findings

The exporting country’s gender equality has an inconclusive impact on trade in SGMM-II and PPML estimations. However, female labor force participation in the exporting country increases trade. Importing country’s gender equality and female labor force participation increase trade. The direct impact of institutional quality on trade is inconclusive, which is dependent on estimation methods. Most noticeably, the institutional quality of exporting and importing countries facilitates the hampering effects of gender equality and female labor force participation on trade.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should apply the framework of this paper to sectoral trade, which allows more sector-specific policy implications to be delivered. Moreover, gender development, gender inequality and institutional quality should be included in the SGMM estimations as endogenous variables for robustness checking purposes in future research.

Practical implications

The paper has justified the integration of gender-specific issues in trade policies, which aligns trade with sustainable development agenda. The explored moderating impact of institutional quality of the exporting country has implied the trade-off relationship between gender equality and export growth in the effort to improve institutional quality. Reversely, in the case of importing countries with higher institutional quality, improved gender equality may mitigate the trade deficit by hampering import growth.

Originality/value

Investigating the impact of gender equality on trade is the prominent contribution of this paper. Gender equality is considered by three component indicators which include gender development, gender inequality and female labor force participation. New measurement approach to the institutional quality level is also introduced. Furthermore, the explored moderating impacts of institutional quality on the trade-gender link are novel in the literature on sustainable development.
Organisational anthropomorphism and its antecedents: a literature review and proposed framework
Authors: Chinmulgund Avanti , Tapas Poornima
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to understand the phenomenon of organisational anthropomorphism, a psychological process in which employees attribute personality characteristics to organisations. Anthropomorphism, a psychological concept, after making its mark in consumer behavioural studies, is emerging into the domain of organisational behaviour. This less deliberated concept is explored through the lens of psychological cues and motives leading to the identification of its managerial antecedents of organisational citizenship behaviour (OCB) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) and their confluence into organisational culture. Further, the relationship between organisational culture and organisational anthropomorphism is established through literature review with a number of propositions and a framework.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the available literature on organisational anthropomorphism and the constructs of organisational culture by employing literature review methodology. On the basis of selected research studies sourced from high ranked journals from Web of Science, Scopus and journal homepages, domain-based and theory-based reviews were performed to comprehend the concept of organisational anthropomorphism.

Findings

This study identifies OCB and CSR as the antecedents of organisational anthropomorphism through the psychological cues and motives, comes out with a number of propositions and recommends a framework based on the same.

Practical implications

This paper helps managers study employee behaviours and observe the organisation’s connections with society. Moreover, this study benefits organisations to brand themselves better amongst employees and external stakeholders.

Originality/value

This paper helps managers study employees’ citizenship behaviours through anthropomorphic cues exhibited by employees and improve organisation-employee association. It also suggests organisations to brand themselves using anthropomorphic social traits to stage itself as a socially responsible entity among external stakeholders. The empirical validation of proposed framework through quantitative and qualitative methods is proposed to be the future scope of the study.
Supply chain transparency: a roadmap for future research
Authors: Jia Fu , Li Kexin , Chen Lujie , Nazrul Asif , Yan Fangxu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to systematically review the current academic literature on supply chain transparency (SCT) to explore the impact of SCT on firm performance and identify factors that influencing SCT-related practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This review follows the six steps and 14 decisions of conducting a systematic literature review (SLR) to comprehensively review 91 identified papers published between 2007 and 2024.

Findings

Based on the content analysis of the selected papers, this study summarizes the antecedents, practices, outcomes as well as potential barriers of SCT. We develop a conceptual framework from the descriptive and thematic findings to enrich the relevant aspects of SCT and propose some critical gaps and directions for future research.

Originality/value

This study links SCT with several outcomes of firm performance, with a particular focus on how SCT affects sustainability in terms of its economic, social, and environmental dimensions as well as supply chain resilience. It proposes potential avenues for enriching SCT in future research.
Capital structure and earnings management: evidence from Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsaadi Abdullah
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how capital structure influences earnings management for firms in the Saudi market, which is influenced by an Islamic environment that discourages excessive borrowing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a data set that covers the period from 2013 to 2020 for firms listed on the Saudi Stock Exchange (Tadawul) and uses panel data regression models to test the impact of capital structure on earnings management.

Findings

The empirical results reveal that earnings manipulation is less common among firms that have less debt, which implies that firms in the Saudi market face high scrutiny to maintain lower leverage to meet the investment requirements of stakeholders based on religious status, which in turn reduces information asymmetry and constrains opportunistic behaviour in managing earnings.

Practical implications

This study provides insights for regulators, investors, and managers on the role of religion in shaping capital structure and monitoring financial reporting practices. This study recognises that firms’ decision-making can be explained by non-economic motives, such as religion, which can serve as a less costly external mechanism to alleviate agency costs compared to other economic motives.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by exploring how capital structure and earnings management relate to a distinctive and unique Islamic context that remains largely unexamined. This context allows us to investigate this issue by examining how the Islamic environment, which is not driven by economic or legal reasons, affects managers’ choices of capital structure and earnings management. This study reveals how a strong religious setting can shape firms’ choices regarding capital structure and financial reporting practices.
Technology empowerment in disability employment: a bibliometric and systematic review
Authors: Shahbudin Nor Shahniza , Jamil Rossilah
Published: July 2024

Purpose

We examined the role of technology in employment and work for people with disabilities (PWD). We intended to identify publication trends, key terms, research areas and potential gaps in the topic.

Design/methodology/approach

We scrutinized relevant articles from two major databases through bibliometric and systematic review analyses. The bibliometric data involved 256 articles analysed through the VOSviewer software to produce publication trends and network maps. We then scanned article abstracts and selected 114 articles for thematic analysis using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline.

Findings

The findings revealed a dominance of authors from Western and European countries, particularly the United States of America. Three themes emerged as the crucial factors shaping technology utilization for PWD employment and workplace inclusion. These were identified as individual, environmental and societal, which shed light on the multifaceted influences surrounding PWD’s technology empowerment.

Originality/value

The hybrid review approach enables a thorough examination of the published work. Our study proposes a conceptual model for PWD employment and workplace inclusion. Founded on the theories of Work Adjustment, Human–Computer Interaction and the Social Model of Disability. The model provides a clear visualization to guide further research and relevant initiatives in this area.
Shariah governance and Islamic banks: a systematic literature review
Authors: Wasim Mustanir Hussain , Zafar Muhammad Bilal
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide a systematic literature review on Shariah governance and Islamic banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The literature was searched from Scopus and Web of Science using various queries related to Shariah governance and Islamic banks. Through a screening process, 93 articles were considered fit for the systematic literature review.

Findings

The paper provides a systematic review based on different themes, including measurement of Shariah governance in Islamic banks, disclosure of Shariah governance and its determinants, the impact of Shariah governance on performance, risk management and other outcomes of Islamic banks. Finally, issues and challenges of Shariah governance in Islamic banks are discussed, followed by conclusions and recommendations related to future research.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind, to the authors’ knowledge, to provide a comprehensive systematic literature on Shariah governance and Islamic banks by exploring different themes and highlighting multiple future avenues of research.
Exploring the mediating role of psychological factors in the relationship between supervisor support and job performance
Authors: Zeb Ali , Bin Othayman Majed , Goh Gerald Guan Gan , Shah Syed Asad Ali
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Social exchange and social learning theories are widely used in many disciplines, but there is little research on the relationships between supervisor support and job performance in a developing context. Therefore this study aims to examine the links between supervisor support and job performance with the mediating role of psychological factors; empowerment and self-confidence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data for this study were collected from 364 employees working at Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited. Partial least square structural equation modeling was used for the analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that supervisor support stimulates job performance. Empowerment and self-confidence both partially mediate the relationships between supervisor support and job performance.

Practical implications

This study adds to the current body of literature by providing insight into the influence of perceived supervisor support on job performance through the mediating role of psychological factors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is one of the very few studies exploring the relationships between supervisor support and job performance in developing contexts, particularly focusing on the mediating mechanisms of empowerment and self-confidence.
Towards a unified ontology of cybernetics: bridging mechanology and CAS for cooperative societies through thematic synthesis
Authors: Osejo-Bucheli Camilo
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to conceptually unite an ontology of cybernetics, bridging living and technical systems, to facilitate future epistemological and theoretical advancements applicable to highly technical societies by crafting a set of definitions that elucidate the nature of the world in which these systems operate.

Design/methodology/approach

The research uses a thematic synthesis of two systems/cybernetic traditions: complex adaptive systems and mechanology. The primary sources for this research were the main theses and correlated papers published in the Simondon case for mechanology, and the seminal literature preselected by the Santa Fe Institute for complex adaptive systems.

Findings

The study proposes the following concepts: Individuation: the emergence of new properties in an individual composed of synergistically related parts; Technical evolution: the notion that technical objects evolve into living beings; circular causality: the notion that feedback and feedforward processes shape the organisation and structure of systems and their relationship with the environment; The milieu refers to the part of the environment that has a relationship of co-production, co-dependency, and co-evolution with systems. Metastability is a state that transcends stability and instability and motivates changes in the system. Transduction is the cumulative process of individuation in which systems change structure and organization to maintain operational coherence with their surroundings.

Originality/value

The concepts the paper identifies can serve as a starting point for an extended study on the ontology of cybernetics or as the basis for an evolutionary epistemology both in humans and machines.
The psychological impact of mobile phone loss and compromised personal information on depression and information access anxiety
Authors: Durodolu Oluwole Olumide
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper argues that the psychological impact of mobile phone loss and compromised personal information necessitates a comprehensive approach to mental health and data security. It advocates for the development of robust coping strategies, including digital detox practices and enhanced security measures, to mitigate the adverse effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This position paper explores the psychological implications of mobile phone loss, particularly focusing on depression and information access anxiety resulting from compromised personal information. The paper synthesizes existing literature and theoretical frameworks to examine the multifaceted impact of mobile phone loss on mental health and proposes strategies to mitigate these effects. This paper uses a qualitative approach, analyzing data from various studies that have investigated mobile phone addiction, data breaches and the psychological effects of mobile phone loss. The analysis focuses on identifying common themes and patterns related to emotional distress, anxiety and coping mechanisms. The psychological impact is contextualized within the broader framework of digital dependency and mental health.

Findings

The phenomenon of information access anxiety, especially in the context of mobile phone loss, represents a major concern in the digital age. Information access anxiety describes the psychological distress and anxiety experienced by individuals when they are unable to access indispensable information or digital communication tools, typically due to the loss or theft of a mobile device.

Research limitations/implications

This study acknowledges several limitations that should be considered when interpreting its findings. First, the analysis is based predominantly on secondary data sources and literature reviews, which may not fully capture the nuanced experiences of individuals suffering from the psychological impacts of mobile phone loss. Future research could benefit from primary data collection, such as surveys or interviews, to provide a more comprehensive understanding of these phenomena.

Originality/value

This position paper contributes to the burgeoning discourse surrounding the psychological ramifications of mobile phone loss, with a particular emphasis on the manifestation of depression and information access anxiety stemming from compromised personal information.
3D printing of continuous metal fiber-reinforced recycled ABS with varying fiber loading
Authors: Mishra Vishal , Kumar Jitendra , Negi Sushant , Kar Simanchal
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The current study aims to develop a 3D-printed continuous metal fiber-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composite using an in-nozzle impregnation technique.

Design/methodology/approach

Recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (RABS) plastic was blended with virgin ABS (VABS) plastic in a ratio of 60:40 weight proportion to develop a 3D printing filament that was used as a matrix material, while post-used continuous brass wire (CBW) was used as a reinforcement. 3D printing was done by using a self-customized print head to fabricate the flexural, compression and interlaminar shear stress (ILSS) test samples to evaluate the bending, compressive and ILSS properties of the build samples and compared with VABS and RABS-B samples. Moreover, the physical properties of the samples were also analyzed.

Findings

Upon three-point bend, compression and ILSS testing, it was found that RABS-B/CBW composite 3D printed with 0.7 mm layer width exhibited a notable improvement in maximum flexural load (Lmax), flexural stress at maximum load (sfmax), flex modulus (Ef) and work of fracture (WOF), compression modulus (Ec) and ILSS properties by 30.5%, 49.6%, 88.4% 13.8, 21.6% and 30.3% respectively.

Originality/value

Limited research has been conducted on the in-nozzle impregnation technique for 3D printing metal fiber-reinforced recycled thermoplastic composites. Adopting this method holds the potential to create durable and high-strength sustainable composites suitable for engineering applications, thereby diminishing dependence on virgin materials.
Re‐visible blind block network: An unsupervised seismic data random noise attenuation method
Authors: Wang Jing , Wu Bangyu , Yang Hui , Li Bo
Published: July 2024

Noise is inevitable when acquiring seismic data, and effective random noise attenuation is crucial for seismic data processing and interpretation. Training and inferencing two‐stage deep learning‐based denoising methods typically require massive noisy–clean or noisy–noisy pairs to train the network. In this paper, we propose an unsupervised seismic data denoising framework called a re‐visible blind block network. It is a training‐as‐inferencing one‐stage method and utilizes only single noisy data for denoising, thereby eliminating the effort to prepare training data pairs. First, we introduce a global masker and a corresponding mask mapper to obtain the denoised result containing all blind block information, enabling simultaneous optimization of all blind blocks via the loss function. The global masker consists of two complementary block‐wise masks. It is utilized to mask noisy data to obtain two corrupted data, which are then input into the denoising network for noise attenuation. The mask mapper samples the value of blind blocks in the denoised data and projects it onto the same channel to gather the denoised results of all blind blocks together. Second, the original noisy data are incorporated into the network training process to prevent information loss, and a hybrid loss function is employed for updating the network parameters. Synthetic and field seismic data experiments demonstrate that our proposed method can protect seismic signals while suppressing random noise compared with traditional methods and several state‐of‐the‐art unsupervised deep learning denoising techniques.
Agricultural commodity market response to Russia's withdrawal from the grain deal
Authors: Steinbach Sandro , Yildirim Yasin
Published: July 2024

This paper assesses the response of agricultural commodity markets to Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative (BSGI). Employing daily commodity‐level data and event study methods, we analyse the impact on seven agricultural commodities and four key market metrics, including futures prices, historical and implied volatility, and speculative pressure. Our findings show a statistically insignificant increase of 1.1% in agricultural futures prices within the first seven trading days following the BSGI termination. In the following days, futures prices began to decline, eventually returning to levels below those observed before the withdrawal, a pattern further underscored by our implied volatility analysis. While there is no evidence of heightened speculation, we find some evidence for treatment differences across agricultural commodities. These findings suggest that traders did not believe in the likelihood of a blockade of Black Sea grain shipments.
Housing sales and construction responses to COVID‐19: Evidence from shelter‐in‐place and eviction moratoria in the United States
Authors: Sayantani S.
Published: July 2024

The goal of this article is to analyze the county‐level impact of public policies related to COVID‐19 on the housing market in the United States. Aimed at reducing the spread of the virus, different states throughout the United States enacted nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) such as shelter‐in‐place (SIP) and eviction moratoria, in different months and for varied stretches throughout 2020 and 2021. SIP orders could potentially limit the ability of home‐buyers and sellers to interact as well as they could pre‐COVID, introducing frictions in the process of selling houses. Prolonged and overlapping eviction moratoria could dampen the construction of multifamily units and encourage the landlords to sell rented‐out apartments. This article attempts to investigate if and how these interventions causally impacted the county‐level housing sales and building permits approval in the United States. The article estimates the average treatment effect of these orders using a traditional generalized difference‐in‐difference estimator and a recent variation of the estimator that is more suited to multiple treatment groups with staggered treatment introductions and withdrawals. The results show that SIP is associated with significantly smaller year‐on‐year changes in sales of single‐family houses, condominiums and the collection of all residences. Selective moratoria on eviction hearings and judgments are also found to be associated with smaller year‐on‐year changes in multifamily building permit approvals.
Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy versus conventional fractionated radiotherapy for clinical early‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer: a population‐based study
Authors: Chen Hung‐Jen , Cheng Wen‐Chien , Tu Chih‐Yen , Hsia Te‐Chun , Lin Yu‐Sen , Fang Hsin‐Yuan , Li Chia‐Chin , Chien Chun‐Ru
Published: July 2024

Introduction

The use of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) over conventional fractionated radiotherapy (CFRT) for early‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has been advocated, but is also debated in the literature.

Methods

In this retrospective cohort study, we adopted a target trial emulation framework to identify eligible patients diagnosed between 2011 and 2021 using the Taiwan Cancer Registry. In the primary analysis, the overall survival (OS) was the primary endpoint, whereas incidences of lung cancer mortality and radiation pulmonary toxicity were the secondary endpoints. Extensive supplementary analyses were also conducted.

Results

We included 351 patients in the primary analysis and found that the OS was not significantly different between the SABR (n = 290) and CFRT (n = 61) groups. The propensity score weighting adjusted hazard ratio of death was 0.75 (95% confidence interval 0.53–1.07, p = 0.118). The secondary endpoints and supplementary analyses showed no significant differences.

Conclusions

The OS of patients with early‐stage NSCLC treated with SABR was not significantly different from that of patients treated with CFRT alone. The results of the relevant ongoing clinical trials are eagerly awaited.
Low‐dose ketamine as an adjunct to morphine: A randomized controlled trial among patients with and without current opioid use
Authors: Galili Stine Fjendbo , Bech Bodil Hammer , Kirkegaard Hans , Ahrensberg Jette , Nikolajsen Lone
Published: July 2024

Background

Pain is a common complaint among patients presenting to the emergency department (ED), yet pain treatment is frequently suboptimal. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of low‐dose ketamine (LDK) as an adjunct to morphine versus morphine alone for treatment of acute pain among ED patients with and without current opioid use.

Methods

Adult patients presenting with acute pain of ≥5 on a numeric rating scale (0–10) who were deemed by their treating ED physician to require intravenous opioids were randomized to receive either 0.1 mg/kg ketamine (treatment group) or isotonic saline (placebo) as an adjunct to morphine. Patients with and without current opioid use were randomized separately. Pain was measured at baseline (T0) and 10, 20, 30, 45, 60, and 120 min after randomization. The primary outcome was pain reduction from T0 to T10. Secondary outcomes included pain intensity over 120 min, need of rescue opioids, side effects, and patient and provider satisfaction.

Results

A total of 116 patients were included from May 2022 to August 2023. Median (IQR) age was 51 (36.5–67) years; 58% were male and 36% had current opioid use. Pain reduction from T0 to T10 was greater in the LDK group (4 [IQR 3–6]) compared to the placebo group (1 [IQR 0–2]; p = 0.001). Pain intensity was lower in the LDK group at T10, T20, and T30, compared to the placebo group. There was a higher risk of nausea, vomiting, and dissociation in the LDK group during the first 10 min.

Conclusions

LDK may be effective as an adjunct analgesic to morphine for short‐term pain relief in treatment of acute pain in the ED for both patients with and without current opioid use.
Species composition of dung beetles (Scarabaeiade: Scarabaeinae) from different habitat types in a protected area in eastern Africa
Authors: Bruda Evaristo A. , Soka Geofrey , Masenga Emmanuel , Daniel Gimo M. , Mjingo Eblate
Published: July 2024

Understanding the composition and distribution of dung beetle species across various habitat types is crucial for elucidating their ecosystem functions. Dung beetles play pivotal roles in ecological processes such as nutrient cycling, seed dispersal and parasite suppression. Despite numerous studies on the influence of habitat types on dung beetle communities, knowledge gaps persist, particularly on how these beetles respond to different vegetation types in protected areas. In this study, we surveyed dung beetle species in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania, using baited pitfall traps across four habitat types: closed miombo woodland, open miombo woodland, marshland and riverine. We identified a total of 5534 individuals representing 63 species, 29 genera and nine tribes. Significant variations in species diversity were observed among the habitats, with the closed miombo woodland exhibiting the highest diversity and the open miombo woodland the lowest. Notably, certain species, such as Euoniticellus intermedius, Euonthophagus carbonarius, Gymnopleurus ignites, Onitis alexis, Onthophagus, Onthophagus vinctus, Onthophagus plebejus and Sisyphus goryi displayed a generalist distribution across all habitat types. Our findings underscore the critical importance of maintaining and conserving the quality of diverse habitat types to ensure the long‐term preservation of dung beetle biodiversity and the ecosystem services they provide. This study contributes valuable insights into dung beetle ecology and offers practical implications for ecosystem management and conservation strategies.
Conceptualizing transgender experiences in psychology: Do we have a ‘true’ gender?
Authors: Jackson Emma F. , Bussey Kay
Published: July 2024

Psychological research has acknowledged that the commonly accepted definitions of ‘transgender’, ‘sex’ and ‘gender’ within psychological research have resulted in limitations in accounting for the lived realities of transgender individuals. Such limitations include, but are not limited to, the continued pathologization of transgender experiences through idealizing sex and gender congruence and incapacity to account for non‐normative and non‐binary transition pathways. This paper provides a review of these limitations to first demonstrate how the incongruence definition of ‘transgender’ is reliant on the idea of a ‘true’ gender, and next suggest that problematising the idea of a ‘true’ gender allows new conceptions of transgender experiences to be advanced. To undertake this problematization, the work of Judith Butler and Sara Ahmed is used to consider how gender could be conceptualized otherwise in psychology and then applied to transgender experiences. In all, this paper theorizes transgender experiences without a reliance on the assertion of a true gender, to suggest instead a focus on contextualized transgender experiences. Last, the limitations and implications of this definition of transgender are briefly discussed. Overall, transgender experiences are conceptualized as those experiences that run counter to the dominant (re)production of binary sexed gender.
Fiscal autonomy and public expenditure performance: Some panel‐data evidence from Indian states
Authors: Mohanty Avipsa , Sethi Dinabandhu , Mohanty Asit Ranjan
Published: July 2024

This study examines the impact of fiscal autonomy (FAP) on public expenditure performance across 18 Indian states from 2010–11 to 2019–20. We develop a measure of public expenditure performance using social indicators. We also measure FAP using revenue‐expenditure ratio. Based on system generalized method of moments, the empirical result confirms that a higher FAP given to Indian states is associated with greater fiscal performance. Further, the robustness check reveals that central transfer insignificantly affects the expenditure performance of Indian states.
Sex differences in the effects of N‐ethylpentylone in young CD1 mice: Insights on behaviour, thermoregulation and early gene expression
Authors: Espinosa‐Velasco María , Castro‐Zavala Adriana , Reguilón Marina D. , Gallego‐Landin Inés , Bellot Marina , Rublinetska Olga , Valverde Olga , Rodríguez‐Arias Marta , Nadal‐Gratacós Núria , Berzosa Xavier , Gómez‐Canela Cristian , Carbó Marcel·lí , Camarasa Jorge , Escubedo Elena , López‐Arnau Raúl , Pubill David
Published: July 2024

Background and Purpose

New psychoactive substances such as N‐ethylpentylone (NEP) are continuously emerging in the illicit drug market, and knowledge of their effects and risks, which may vary between sexes, is scarce. Our present study compares some key effects of NEP in male and female mice.

Experimental Approach

Psychostimulant, rewarding and reinforcing effects were investigated by tracking locomotor activity, conditioned place preference (CPP) paradigm and through a self‐administration (SA) procedure, respectively, in CD1 mice. Moreover, the expression of early genes (C‐fos, Arc, Csnk1e, Pdyn, Pp1r1b and Bdnf in addiction‐related brain areas) was assessed by qPCR. Finally, serum and brain levels of NEP were determined by UHPLC‐MS/MS.

Key Results

NEP‐treated males experimented locomotor sensitisation and showed higher and longer increases in locomotion as well as higher hyperthermia after repeated administration than females. Moreover, while preference score in the CPP was similar in both sexes, extinction occurred later, and reinstatement was more easily established for males. Female mice self‐administered more NEP than males at a higher dose. Differences in early gene expression (Arc, Bdnf, Csnk1e and Ppp1r1b) were found, but the serum and brain NEP levels did not differ between sexes.

Conclusion and Implications

Our results suggest that male mice are more sensitive to NEP psychostimulant and rewarding effects. These differences may be attributed to different early gene expression but not to pharmacokinetic factors. Moreover, males appear to be more vulnerable to the hyperthermic effects of NEP, while females might be more prone to NEP abuse.
Ropivacaine synergizes with sorafenib to induce apoptosis of hepatocellular carcinoma cells via the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway
Authors: Wang Wenting , Lin Hongyun , Liu Desheng , Wang Tao , Zhu Zicheng , Yu Peng , Zhang Jing
Published: July 2024

The development of resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells limits the effectiveness of sorafenib, but combination therapy with other drugs may have a positive effect. However, the effect of ropivacaine combined with sorafenib on the treatment of HCC cells and its potential regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. The proliferation and apoptosis of HCC cells treated with ropivacaine, sorafenib, and ropivacaine plus sorafenib were analyzed by cell‐counting kit 8 and flow cytometry. The protein levels were measured by Western blot. The antitumor effect of ropivacaine, sorafenib, and their combination was verified by a tumor xenograft model. Ropivacaine and sorafenib markedly impeded the viability of HCC cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. Compared with ropivacaine or sorafenib treatment alone, ropivacaine and sorafenib combination treatment impeded HCC cell proliferation, facilitated apoptosis, enhanced cleaved caspase‐3, cleaved caspase‐9, and cyclin D1 protein expression, while it reduced IL‐6 and p‐STAT3 expression and inhibited tumor growth in vivo. Importantly, the activation of the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway could reverse the repressive or stimulative effects of ropivacaine and sorafenib on the proliferation and apoptosis in HCC cells. In summary, ropivacaine synergistically induces sorafenib‐stimulated apoptosis of HCC cells via the IL‐6/STAT3 pathway. Ropivacaine is a potential drug for the treatment of HCC when combined with sorafenib.
Exploring functional and structural connectivity disruptions in spinocerebellar ataxia type 3: Insights from gradient analysis
Authors: Wang Xingang , Chen Hui , Wen Ru , Ou Peiling , Huang Yonghua , Deng Lihua , Shi Linfeng , Chen Wei , Chen Huafu , Wang Jian , He Changchun , Liu Chen
Published: July 2024

Aims

Spinocerebellar Ataxia Type 3 (SCA3) is a rare genetic ataxia that impacts the entire brain and is characterized as a neurodegenerative disorder affecting the neural network. This study explores how alterations in the functional hierarchy, connectivity, and structural changes within specific brain regions significantly contribute to the heterogeneity of symptom manifestations in patients with SCA3.

Methods

We prospectively recruited 51 patients with SCA3 and 59 age‐and sex‐matched healthy controls. All participants underwent comprehensive multimodal neuroimaging and clinical assessments. In SCA3 patients, an innovative approach utilizing gradients in resting‐state functional connectivity (FC) was employed to examine atypical patterns of hierarchical processing topology from sensorimotor to supramodal regions in the cerebellum and cerebrum. Coupling analyses of abnormal FC and structural connectivity among regions of interest (ROIs) in the brain were also performed to characterize connectivity alterations. Additionally, relationships between quantitative ROI values and clinical variables were explored.

Results

Patients with SCA3 exhibited either compression or expansion within the primary sensorimotor‐to‐supramodal gradient through four distinct calculation methods, along with disruptions in FC and structural connectivity coupling. A comprehensive correlation was identified between the altered gradients and the clinical manifestations observed in patients. Notably, altered fractional anisotropy values were not significantly correlated with clinical variables.

Conclusion

Abnormal gradients and connectivity in the cerebellar and cerebral cortices in SCA3 patients may contribute to disrupted motor‐to‐supramodal functions. Moreover, these findings support the potential utility of FCG analysis as a biomarker for diagnosing SCA3 and assessing treatment efficacy.
Novel diagnostic and prognostic approach for rapidly progressive dementias: Indicators based on amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (ATN) framework
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Chen Shu‐Fen , Zhang Ya‐Ru , Guo Yu , Wu Kai‐Min , Huang Yu‐Yuan , Aerqin Qiaolifan , Kuo Kevin , Li Hong‐Qi , Chen Shi‐Dong , Liu Wei‐Shi , Dong Qiang , Yu Jin‐Tai
Published: July 2024

Aims

Apply established cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum biomarkers and novel combined indicators based on the amyloid/tau/neurodegeneration (ATN) framework to improve diagnostic and prognostic power in patients with rapidly progressive dementias (RPDs).

Methods

CSF and serum biomarkers of Alzheimer's disease (AD) common neuropathology including Aβ42, Aβ40, p‐Tau, and t‐Tau were measured in cognitively normal (CN) controls (n = 33) and three RPD groups with rapidly progressive AD (rpAD, n = 23), autoimmune encephalitis (AE, n = 25), and Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease (CJD, n = 28). Logistic regression and multiple linear regression were used for producing combined indicators and prognostic assessment, respectively, including A&T, A&N, T&N, A&T&N, etc.

Results

Combined diagnostic indicator with A&T&N had the potential for differentiating AE from other types of RPDs, identifying 62.51% and 75% of AE subjects based on CSF and serum samples, respectively, compared to 39.13% and 37.5% when using autoantibodies. CSF t‐Tau was associated with survival in the CJD group (adjusted R‐Square = 0.16, p = 0.02), and its prognosis value improved when using combined predictors based on the ATN framework (adjusted R‐Square = 0.273, p = 0.014).

Conclusion

Combined indicators based on the ATN framework provide a novel perspective for establishing biomarkers for early recognition of RPDs due to treatment‐responsive causes.
Pharmacokinetics and safety of mavacamten in healthy Chinese participants with different CYP2C19 phenotypes
Authors: Wu Xiaojie , Chen Nanye , Hsu Peiwen , Sun Jing , Li Wenting , Wang Qi , Samira Merali , Wei Qiong , Yu Jicheng , Cao Guoying , Yang Haijing , Wang Lili , Wang Jingjing , Jin Yi , Liu Wei , Wu Jufang , He Jinjie , Lyu Cheng , Zhang Jing
Published: July 2024

Obstructive hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (oHCM) is a subtype of HCM characterized by left ventricular outflow tract obstruction resulting from cardiac muscle hypertrophy and anatomic alterations in the mitral valve and apparatus. Mavacamten, a cardiac myosin inhibitor metabolized primarily by CYP2C19 in the liver, is the first and only targeted medication approved for the treatment of symptomatic New York Heart Association (NYHA) class II–III oHCM. Previous pharmacokinetic (PK) results of mavacamten in healthy Caucasian, Japanese, and Asian participants demonstrated that mavacamten exposure was affected by CYP2C19 metabolism status. This open‐label, parallel‐group, phase I trial aimed to determine the PK and safety of mavacamten in healthy Chinese participants with different CYP2C19 genotypes. The primary outcome was to define the PK of mavacamten in healthy Chinese participants; the secondary outcome was to examine safety and tolerability. After a single oral dose of 15 or 25 mg mavacamten in fasted healthy adult Chinese individuals, Cmax was reached within a median Tmax of 0.6–1.5 h, indicating rapid absorption. Inter‐individual variability was moderate, and individuals carrying non‐functional CYP2C19 alleles (*2/*2, *3/*3, or *2/*3) exhibited longer half‐life and increased total exposure. After stratification of CYP2C19 genotypes, total mavacamten exposures were similar among different ethnic groups when compared with prior PK studies. No significant adverse events were observed in this study. Single oral administration of mavacamten at 15 mg was well tolerated across all CYP2C19 genotypes, and 25 mg dose was well tolerated in healthy participants with CYP2C19 genotypes UM/RM/NM. The PK profile of mavacamten in the healthy Chinese population was consistent with that in other healthy populations.
1090. Iris nusairiensis Mouterde: Iridaceae
Authors: Daiyoub Angham , Freeth Thomas , Langhorne Joanna , Nilson Johan , Hall Tony , Mas Sandra Saura
Published: July 2024

The Syrian endemic Iris nusairiensis Mouterde is considered on the verge of extinction, but little available information exists for researchers, conservationists, and horticulturists. This diminutive and beautiful pale blue iris is illustrated and discussed in detail, with notes on taxonomy, biology and cultivation. The effects of armed conflict on its continued survival are described, and future actions are suggested.
Association of type III collagen turnover with cardiovascular outcomes and impact with canagliflozin in the CANVAS Program: A post hoc analysis
Authors: Rasmussen Daniel G. K. , Hansen Michael K. , Frederiksen Peder , Luo Yunyun , Pehrsson Martin , Neal Bruce , Karsdal Morten A. , Genovese Federica
Published: July 2024

Aim

To investigate type III collagen (COL III) turnover in participants from the CANVAS Program biomarker substudy.

Methods

Biomarkers of COL III formation (PRO‐C3) and COL III degradation fragments (C3M and CTX‐III) were assessed in baseline and year 3 plasma from patients enrolled in CANVAS, investigating the effect of canagliflozin in participants with type 2 diabetes. The clinical outcomes investigated in this study were hospitalization for heart failure, cardiovascular death and all‐cause mortality.

Results

Higher levels of PRO‐C3 and C3M at baseline were associated with an increased incidence of all investigated outcomes, whereas levels of CTX‐III at baseline were not associated with any of the investigated outcomes. Levels of PRO‐C3 decreased and levels of CTX‐III increased following canagliflozin treatment. An increase from baseline to year 3 in PRO‐C3 in the placebo arm was associated with an increased incidence of cardiovascular outcomes, and in all participants was associated with an increased risk of all‐cause mortality.

Conclusions

The changes in PRO‐C3 and CTX‐III reflect a shift in the dynamics of COL3 turnover following treatment with canagliflozin. These biomarkers are promising pharmacodynamic tools that can be used to monitor the impact of canagliflozin treatment and possibly other sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors on tissue remodelling in future interventional trials.
Culturally‐Responsive Wayfinding for the O.B. Lulu Briggs Health Center
Authors: Stewart Ashley A.
Published: July 2024

When individuals from different cultural backgrounds seek medical care, they have varying expectations, preferences, and understandings of how to navigate the healthcare environment.

Navigating a healthcare facility can be challenging in and of itself. A hospital in Nigeria embarks on a mission to create effective wayfinding signage to serve its multicultural clients.
Choose a Team, not a Firm
Authors: Lerman Scott
Published: July 2024

The final choice of partner should be centered on evaluating how well they understand what you need to accomplish, the approach they recommend to achieve your goals, and a true sense of what will it be like to work with them.”

— CEO, global brand consultancy

As companies seek consultancies to help them create and evolve their brands, how do they choose the right partner? An industry insider shares his expertise about the process.