bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expectations of manufacturing companies towards suppliers in terms of implementing improvement activities
Authors: Urbaniak Maciej , Zimon Dominik , Madzik Peter
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This article aims to map the expectations of manufacturing companies towards suppliers in terms of implementing improvement activities. The article poses two research questions: RQ1: What kind of improvement of activities do the surveyed producers expect from their suppliers? RQ2: Do factors such as size, capital or implemented systems influence different assessments of the analyzed requirements toward suppliers?

Design/methodology/approach

The Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) technique was used to collect data. The sample consists of 150 producers (employing over 50 people) who were suppliers for enterprises from the automotive, electromechanical and chemical sectors operating in the Polish business-to-business (B2B) market. We analyzed 11 improvement activities, while their correlation structure was examined by exploratory factor analysis.

Findings

We have identified three latent factors – risk reduction, product innovation and increasing efficiency – which summarize the main expectations of manufacturing companies towards suppliers. Expectations for these factors are independent of the implemented management system, although the analysis showed higher expectations for product innovation in organizations with the implementation of Kaizen.

Originality/value

The article fills the research gap in the literature. The research results presented in the literature so far have focused on the expectations of enterprises towards suppliers in terms of meeting the criteria for their initial and periodic assessment. The research gap in the article is the result of empirical research presenting the expectations of manufacturers towards suppliers in terms of improving their processes. Based on the findings of the presented study, development trends and implications for managers responsible for purchasing processes and relationships with suppliers can be determined.
Requesting mental illness workplace accommodations: the roles of perceived need and stigma
Authors: Follmer Kayla B. , Miller Mackenzie J. , Beatty Joy E.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Research related to workplace accommodation requests for employees with mental illness is scarce, though evidence suggests that these individuals often fail to request accommodations even when needed. The authors' research study aimed to address these shortcomings by (1) assessing employees' knowledge of Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) laws and how this knowledge influences employees' perceived need for and requests of accommodations; (2) examining the relationship between employees' perceived need for accommodations and employees' workplace outcomes and (3) examining the relationship between perceived need for accommodations and employees' actual accommodation requests, as well as how stigma influences this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used two survey studies to investigate their research questions. Study 1 participants were recruited through Amazon's MTurk, and Study 2 participants were recruited through support groups for individuals diagnosed with mood disorders (i.e. depression and bipolar disorder).

Findings

The authors found significant gaps in both subjective and objective ADA-related knowledge among participants in their sample. The authors' Study 1 results also revealed an interaction between the perceived need for accommodations and accommodation requests in predicting job satisfaction and turnover intentions. When employees needed accommodations but did not request them, it resulted in worsened workplace outcomes. In Study 2, the authors aimed to identify barriers to requesting accommodations. The authors found that the relationship between perceived need for accommodations and actual accommodation requests was moderated by both public and self-stigma, thereby showing that stigma can impede individuals from requesting needed accommodations at work.

Originality/value

The authors' study sheds light on a population that has been relatively understudied in the workplace accommodations literature, namely those with mental illness. The authors first identify the perceived need for accommodations as an important factor in making accommodations requests at work, as prior work has failed to differentiate how the need for accommodations can vary across individuals. Next, the authors show how workplace outcomes (i.e. job satisfaction and turnover intentions) are negatively affected when employees need accommodations but do not request them. Finally, the authors demonstrate how both public stigma and self-stigma can reduce the likelihood that individuals request accommodations at work, even when needed.
A quantitative approach to investigate factors contributing to social housing occupants’ challenges in the semi-arid climate of Nigeria
Authors: Modu Mala Ali , Sapri Maimunah , Ab Muin Zafirah
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Social housing offers occupants comfort, safety and protection against extreme weather conditions. However, social housing occupants in various regions of Nigeria face various challenges. This paper aims to use a quantitative approach to examine the factors that contribute to the challenges faced by occupants in social housing within a semi-arid climate of Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

An exploratory cross-sectional survey was used to administer 1,032 copies of structured questionnaires to occupants of social housing in Maiduguri, one of the largest urban centers of the semi-arid climate in Nigeria. A total of 955 responses were retrieved, giving a response rate of 92.5%. The statistical model used in analyzing data was relative importance indices and factor analysis.

Findings

The results show that poor quality of FM services provided, poor maintenance of building components, damage to materials and valuables in the Harmattan period and housekeeping problems due to dust deposition in doors, while the poor response to occupants’ complaints/reports is the least among the occupants’ challenges in order of importance. Moreover, the results of the factor analysis further established that inadequate FM services and poor environmental conditions are the two factors contributing to the occupants’ challenges in social housing within the semi-arid climate of Nigeria.

Originality/value

This paper seeks to examine the factors contributing to social housing occupants’ challenges in the semi-arid climate of Nigeria. The paper should inform policymakers, academics and professionals.
Effects of surface morphology on the performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings
Authors: Cheng Jun , Gu Chunxing
Published: February 2024

Purpose

As the crucial support component of the propeller power system, the reliability of the operation of submersible pumps is influenced by the lubrication performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings. When the water-lubricated thrust bearings are under start-stop or heavy load conditions, the effect of surface morphology is crucial as the mixed lubrication regime is encountered. This paper aims to develop one mixed lubrication model for the water-lubricated thrust bearings to predict the effects of surface skewness, kurtosis and roughness orientation on the loading carrying capacity and tribological behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper developed one improved mixed lubrication model specifically for the water-lubricated thrust bearing system. In this model, the hydrodynamic model was improved by using the height of the rough surface and its probability density function, combined with the average flow model. The asperity contact model was improved by using the equation for the Pearson system of frequency curves to characterize the non-Gaussian aspect of surface roughness distribution.

Findings

According to the results, negative skewness, large kurtosis and lateral surface pattern can improve the tribological performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings. Optimizing the surface morphology is a reasonable design method that can improve the performance of water-lubricated thrust bearings.

Originality/value

In this paper, one mixed lubrication model specifically for the water-lubricated thrust bearing with the effect of surface roughness into consideration was developed. Based on the developed model, the effect of surface morphology on tribological behavior can be evaluated.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-08-2023-0247/
Word on the street: apparel-related critical incidents leading to eWOM and channel behaviour among millennial and Gen Z consumers
Authors: Dorie Amy , Loranger David
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate characteristics of apparel-related critical incidents that motivate both Generation Z and Y consumers to share electronic word-of-mouth (eWOM) via specific online channels.

Design/methodology/approach

The current research used an exploratory mixed-methods approach.

Findings

Qualitative findings of critical incidents revealed that the main situations that led to the spread of eWOM involved new purchases (49%), product quality (21%), pricing and promotions (19%), complaints (9%) and brand content (48%). Participants were motivated to spread information about the critical incidents by a desire to connect with friends and family (83%), help others (37%), influence others (48%) and express brand loyalty (32%). Quantitative results indicated significant relationships between critical incidents, motivations and eWOM channel choice.

Research limitations/implications

This study has theoretical implications for apparel researchers attempting to gain insight into critical incidents that motivate consumers to engage in eWOM on specific channels in a positive or negative manner.

Practical implications

These findings are important for marketers as it appears that brand content does an efficient job at driving engagement on SM; marketers need to increase efforts to engage with consumers via feedback on websites, as this is an opportunity to counteract negative experiences and retain consumers’ loyalty.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the current research is the first to extend theories of communication and motivation to connect critical incidents with situational intrinsic and extrinsic motivations for spreading eWOM via online channels for Millennial and Generation Z consumers.
Responsible leadership and triple bottom line performance: imperatives for corporate sustainability
Authors: Abraham K. Thomas
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to elucidate responsible leadership as a construct with strong moral and ethical underpinnings, as well as a focus on multiple stakeholders and the triple bottom line. This paper also highlights the interdependence of the economic, social and environmental dimensions of a business to achieve corporate sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual paper is the outcome of analysing and synthesizing the findings of the literature review on three main constructs: responsible leadership, triple bottom line and corporate sustainability. This review enabled the development of logical associations among these constructs.

Findings

The literature revealed logical associations between responsible leadership, the triple bottom line and corporate sustainability. All three constructs embody the three dimensions of economic, social and environmental sustainability, which form the basis of the associations.

Practical implications

Responsible leadership, grounded in stakeholder theory, goes beyond the traditional dyadic leader–follower relationship to influence multiple stakeholders within and outside the organization and achieve positive outcomes for both the organization and society. Multiple levels of outcomes and higher levels of organizational performance for businesses are the hallmarks of responsible leadership.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of responsible leadership and triple bottom-line performance for corporate sustainability. Responsible leadership has the potential to create significant impact on business and society, to achieve long-term corporate sustainability. A conceptual model of responsible leadership is also proposed to show the association between responsible leadership, the triple bottom line and corporate sustainability.
Analysis of mobile clinic deployments in conflict zones
Authors: Santa González Rosemarie , Cherkesly Marilène , Crainic Teodor Gabriel , Rancourt Marie-Eve
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to deepen the understanding of the challenges and implications entailed by deploying mobile clinics in conflict zones to reach populations affected by violence and cut off from health-care services.

Design/methodology/approach

This research combines an integrated literature review and an instrumental case study. The literature review comprises two targeted reviews to provide insights: one on conflict zones and one on mobile clinics. The case study describes the process and challenges faced throughout a mobile clinic deployment during and after the Iraq War. The data was gathered using mixed methods over a two-year period (2017–2018).

Findings

Armed conflicts directly impact the populations’ health and access to health care. Mobile clinic deployments are often used and recommended to provide health-care access to vulnerable populations cut off from health-care services. However, there is a dearth of peer-reviewed literature documenting decision support tools for mobile clinic deployments.

Originality/value

This study highlights the gaps in the literature and provides direction for future research to support the development of valuable insights and decision support tools for practitioners.
Subtractive processing and surface integrity of additive manufacturing materials
Authors: Liu Guanchen , Xu Dongdong , Shen Zifu , Xu Hongjie , Ding Liang
Published: February 2024

Purpose

As an advanced manufacturing method, additive manufacturing (AM) technology provides new possibilities for efficient production and design of parts. However, with the continuous expansion of the application of AM materials, subtractive processing has become one of the necessary steps to improve the accuracy and performance of parts. In this paper, the processing process of AM materials is discussed in depth, and the surface integrity problem caused by it is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, we listed and analyzed the characterization parameters of metal surface integrity and its influence on the performance of parts and then introduced the application of integrated processing of metal adding and subtracting materials and the influence of different processing forms on the surface integrity of parts. The surface of the trial-cut material is detected and analyzed, and the surface of the integrated processing of adding and subtracting materials is compared with that of the pure processing of reducing materials, so that the corresponding conclusions are obtained.

Findings

In this process, we also found some surface integrity problems, such as knife marks, residual stress and thermal effects. These problems may have a potential negative impact on the performance of the final parts. In processing, we can try to use other integrated processing technologies of adding and subtracting materials, try to combine various integrated processing technologies of adding and subtracting materials, or consider exploring more efficient AM technology to improve processing efficiency. We can also consider adopting production process optimization measures to reduce the processing cost of adding and subtracting materials.

Originality/value

With the gradual improvement of the requirements for the surface quality of parts in the production process and the in-depth implementation of sustainable manufacturing, the demand for integrated processing of metal addition and subtraction materials is likely to continue to grow in the future. By deeply understanding and studying the problems of material reduction and surface integrity of AM materials, we can better meet the challenges in the manufacturing process and improve the quality and performance of parts. This research is very important for promoting the development of manufacturing technology and achieving success in practical application.
Understanding the consolidation mechanism of selective laser sintering/powder bed selective laser process of ceramics: Hydroxyapatite case
Authors: Ur Rehman Asif , Navarrete-Segado Pedro , Salamci Metin U. , Frances Christine , Tourbin Mallorie , Grossin David
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The consolidation process and morphology evolution in ceramics-based additive manufacturing (AM) are still not well-understood. As a way to better understand the ceramic selective laser sintering (SLS), a dynamic three-dimensional computational model was developed to forecast thermal behavior of hydroxyapatite (HA) bioceramic.

Design/methodology/approach

AM has revolutionized automotive, biomedical and aerospace industries, among many others. AM provides design and geometric freedom, rapid product customization and manufacturing flexibility through its layer-by-layer technique. However, a very limited number of materials are printable because of rapid melting and solidification hysteresis. Melting-solidification dynamics in powder bed fusion are usually correlated with welding, often ignoring the intrinsic properties of the laser irradiation; unsurprisingly, the printable materials are mostly the well-known weldable materials.

Findings

The consolidation mechanism of HA was identified during its processing in a ceramic SLS device, then the effect of the laser energy density was studied to see how it affects the processing window. Premature sintering and sintering regimes were revealed and elaborated in detail. The full consolidation beyond sintering was also revealed along with its interaction to baseplate.

Originality/value

These findings provide important insight into the consolidation mechanism of HA ceramics, which will be the cornerstone for extending the range of materials in laser powder bed fusion of ceramics.
Asymmetric role of environmental policy stringency, fiscal, and monetary policy on environmental sustainability: Evidence from BRICS‐T countries
Authors: Arjun  , Mishra Bibhuti Ranjan
Published: February 2024

Climate change is often discussed and serves as an essential topic among policymakers and researchers. This study aims to examine the impact of macroeconomic policy and “environmental policy stringency” (EPS) on “ecological footprint” (EF) and “load capacity factor” (LCF) for the BRICS‐T (Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Turkey) countries using annual data from 1990 to 2022. It also explores other environmental sustainability factors, such as economic growth and disintegrated energy. This investigation utilizes second‐generation approaches such as Westerlund cointegration, “method of moments quantile regression” (MMQR), and panel causality test. Furthermore, a robustness check is done using long‐run estimators, such as dynamic ordinary least square (DOLS), fully modified ordinary least square (FMOLS), and fixed effect ordinary least square (FE‐OLS). Overall, findings from the method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) test concerning EF suggest that economic growth and fiscal policy contribute to environmental quality. Meanwhile, monetary policy, renewable energy consumption, and environmental policy stringency mitigate the pollution level in all quantiles. Moreover, results from the LCF model indicate that monetary policy, environmental policy stringency, and renewable energy consumption improve the environmental condition. However, fiscal policy has damaged environmental pollution in each quantile. In addition, the study findings confirm the validity of the inverted U‐shaped Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis and U‐shaped LCC hypothesis. The long‐run estimators support the outcomes from the MMQR method. The empirical findings of the DH panel heterogeneous causality test confirm the presence of bidirectional and unidirectional causality between the model parameters, underscoring that policy interventions such as government expenditure, money supply, and EPS significantly impact environmental quality and vice versa. Thus, the study recommends allocating more funds for eco‐friendly technology, initiating a green lending program, and enforcing stringent environmental laws and regulations to attain Sustainable Development Goals.
Targeted enrichment of whole‐genome SNPs from highly burned skeletal remains
Authors: Emery Matthew V. , Bolhofner Katelyn , Spake Laure , Ghafoor Suhail , Versoza Cyril J. , Rawls Erin M. , Winingear Stevie , Buikstra Jane E. , Loreille Odile , Fulginiti Laura C. , Stone Anne C.
Published: February 2024

Genetic assessment of highly incinerated and/or degraded human skeletal material is a persistent challenge in forensic DNA analysis, including identifying victims of mass disasters. Few studies have investigated the impact of thermal degradation on whole‐genome single‐nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) quality and quantity using next‐generation sequencing (NGS). We present whole‐genome SNP data obtained from the bones and teeth of 27 fire victims using two DNA extraction techniques. Extracts were converted to double‐stranded DNA libraries then enriched for whole‐genome SNPs using unpublished biotinylated RNA baits and sequenced on an Illumina NextSeq 550 platform. Raw reads were processed using the EAGER (Efficient Ancient Genome Reconstruction) pipeline, and the SNPs filtered and called using FreeBayes and GATK (v. 3.8). Mixed‐effects modeling of the data suggest that SNP variability and preservation is predominantly determined by skeletal element and burn category, and not by extraction type. Whole‐genome SNP data suggest that selecting long bones, hand and foot bones, and teeth subjected to temperatures <350°C are the most likely sources for higher genomic DNA yields. Furthermore, we observed an inverse correlation between the number of captured SNPs and the extent to which samples were burned, as well as a significant decrease in the total number of SNPs measured for samples subjected to temperatures >350°C. Our data complement previous analyses of burned human remains that compare extraction methods for downstream forensic applications and support the idea of adopting a modified Dabney extraction technique when traditional forensic methods fail to produce DNA yields sufficient for genetic identification.
Problematic pornography use across countries, genders, and sexual orientations: Insights from the International Sex Survey and comparison of different assessment tools
Authors: Bőthe Beáta , Nagy Léna , Koós Mónika , Demetrovics Zsolt , Potenza Marc N. ,   International Sex Survey Consortium, Kraus Shane W.
Published: February 2024

Background and aims

Problematic pornography use (PPU) is a common manifestation of the newly introduced Compulsive Sexual Behavior Disorder diagnosis in the 11th edition of the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems. Although cultural, gender‐ and sexual orientation‐related differences in sexual behaviors are well documented, there is a relative absence of data on PPU outside Western countries and among women as well as gender‐ and sexually‐diverse individuals. We addressed these gaps by (a) validating the long and short versions of the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS and PPCS‐6, respectively) and the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS) and (b) measuring PPU risk across diverse populations.

Methods

Using data from the pre‐registered International Sex Survey [n = 82 243; mean age (Mage) = 32.4 years, standard deviation = 12.5], a study across 42 countries from five continents, we evaluated the psychometric properties (i.e. factor structure, measurement invariance, and reliability) of the PPCS, PPCS‐6, and BPS and examined their associations with relevant correlates (e.g. treatment‐seeking). We also compared PPU risk among diverse groups (e.g. three genders).

Results

The PPCS, PPCS‐6, and BPS demonstrated excellent psychometric properties [for example, comparative fit index = 0.985, Tucker–Lewis Index = 0.981, root mean square error of approximation = 0.060 (90% confidence interval = 0.059–0.060)] in the confirmatory factor analysis, with all PPCS’ inter‐factor correlations positive and strong (rs = 0.72–0.96). A total of 3.2% of participants were at risk of experiencing PPU (PPU+) based on the PPCS, with significant country‐ and gender‐based differences (e.g. men reported the highest levels of PPU). No sexual orientation‐based differences were observed. Only 4–10% of individuals in the PPU+ group had ever sought treatment for PPU, while an additional 21–37% wanted to, but did not do so for specific reasons (e.g. unaffordability).

Conclusions

This study validated three measures to assess the severity of problematic pornography use across languages, countries, genders, and sexual orientations in 26 languages: the Problematic Pornography Consumption Scale (PPCS, and PPCS‐6, respectively), and the Brief Pornography Screen (BPS). The problematic pornography use risk is estimated to be 3.2–16.6% of the population of 42 countries, and varies among different groups (e.g. genders) and based on the measure used.
Chinese‐Australian carers' perceived needs and preferences in planning to embed an iSupport for Dementia program in aged care services
Authors: Yu Ying , Xiao Lily , Cheng Ada , Wang Ivan , Chiu Kam , Chan Eliza , Xie Candy , Zhou Yunrui , Zhuang Zoey , Wang Jing
Published: February 2024

Objective

To assess Chinese‐Australian carers' needs and preferences through co‐design strategies with stakeholders to embed an evidence‐based iSupport for Dementia program into routine community aged care services in Chinese ethno‐specific aged care organisations.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted from July to August 2022 in three Chinese ethno‐specific aged care organisations in Australia. We applied a univariate analysis to test variables associated with carers' needs and preferences when embedding the iSupport for Dementia program into routine practice among community aged care services.

Results

A total of 101 carers completed the survey. Most carers in our study preferred the iSupport program to be provided in their first language, have a program facilitator to lead the program and would like to interact with peers in the program. Most carers indicated that they are willing to pay for the iSupport program using the budget allocated to their home care package. Younger carers (younger than 65 years), and adult children's carers are more likely to use the web‐based iSupport manual and invite their family members to the program compared to those older than 65 years. Other demographic characteristics had no significant association with their needs and preferences.

Conclusions

Chinese‐Australian carers' perceived needs and preferences in this study will inform the implementation of a culturally tailored iSupport program to be embedded in community aged care services provided by Chinese ethno‐specific aged care organisations. Findings will also inform culturally and linguistically congruent iSupport programs for carers from other culturally and linguistically diverse communities in Australia.
Face and content validity of a mobile delirium screening tool adapted for use in the medical setting (eDIS‐MED): Welcome to the machine
Authors: Eeles Eamonn , Tronstad Oystein , Teodorczuk Andrew , Flaws Dylan , Fraser John F , Dissanayaka Nadeeka
Published: February 2024

Objectives

Following a user‐centred redesign and refinement process of an electronic delirium screening tool (eDIS‐MED), further accuracy assessment was performed prior to anticipated testing in the clinical setting.

Methods

Content validity of each of the existing questions was evaluated by an expert group in the domains of clarity, relevance and importance. Questions with a Content Validity Index (CVI) <0.80 were reviewed by the development group for potential revision. Items with CVI <0.70 were discarded. Next, face validity of the entirety of the tests was conducted and readability measured.

Results

A panel of five clinical experts evaluated the test battery comprising eDIS‐MED. The content validity process endorsed 61 items. The overall scale CVI was 0.92. Eighty‐eight per cent of the responses with regard to question relevancy, usefulness and appropriateness were positive. The questions were deemed fifth grade level and very easy to read.

Conclusions

A revised electronic screening tool was shown to be accurate according to an expert group. A clinical validation study is planned.
A survey of cost, access and outcomes for cannabinoid‐based medicinal product use by Australians with endometriosis
Authors: Proudfoot Andrew , Duffy Sarah , Sinclair Justin , Abbott Jason , Armour Mike
Published: February 2024

People with endometriosis use cannabis to manage their symptoms. This study aimed to identify costs, modes of administration, product composition, and self‐reported effectiveness for those accessing medicinal cannabis in Australia. There were 192 survey responses analysed. Most (63.5%) used a ‘cannabis clinic’ doctor, incurring an initial consultation cost of $100–$200+ (10.2% Medicare bulk‐billed) and median cannabinoid medicine costs of $300AUD per month. Cost was a major barrier to access, necessitating reducing dosage (76.1%) and/or consuming illicit cannabis (42.9%), despite a prescription. Most (77%) medical consumers used two or more cannabis products, with delta‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol predominant oil and flower products most frequently prescribed.
Perinatal outcomes following fetoscopic laser surgery for early twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome: Systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Mustafa Hiba J. , Aghajani Faezeh , Patrick Elise , Baerz Maryam M. , Arias‐Sánchez Pedro , Khalil Asma
Published: February 2024

Introduction

Our objective was to investigate outcomes in twin‐to‐twin transfusion syndrome (TTTS) treated with fetoscopic laser surgery (FLS) at <18 weeks vs ≥18 weeks, and to conduct subgroup analysis of TTTS with FLS at <16 weeks vs 16–18 weeks.

Material and methods

PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science were searched systematically from inception until May 2023. Primary outcome was survival, and secondary outcomes included preterm premature rupture of membranes (PPROM), preterm birth and gestational age (GA) at delivery.

Results

Nine studies encompassing 1691 TTTS pregnancies were included. TTTS stage III was significantly more common in TTTS pregnancies treated with FLS at <18 weeks (odds ratio [OR] 2.84, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.24–6.54), and procedure duration was shorter at <18 weeks (MD −5.27 minutes, 95% CI −9.19 to −1.34). GA at delivery was significantly earlier in TTTS pregnancies treated with FLS at <18 weeks (MD −3.12 weeks, 95% CI −6.11 to −0.13). There were no significant differences in outcomes, including PPROM, PPROM at <7 days post‐FLS, preterm birth at <28 and <32 weeks, delivery at <7 days post‐FLS, and survival outcomes, including fetal demise, live birth and neonatal survival. Similarly, TTTS stage III was more common in TTTS with FLS at <16 weeks than at 16–18 weeks (OR 2.95, 95% CI 1.62–5.35), with no significant differences in the aforementioned outcomes.

Conclusions

In early TTTS treated with FLS, outcomes were comparable between those treated at <18 weeks compared with ≥18 weeks except for GA at delivery, which was 3 weeks earlier. In the subset treated at <16 weeks vs 16–18 weeks, the procedure was feasible without an increased risk of very early preterm birth or perinatal mortality.
A higher proportion of children aged 4 years were referred to speech and language therapists after the introduction of a new language screening tool
Authors: Dahlberg Anton , Levin Anna , Fäldt Anna
Published: February 2024

Aim

Language difficulties in children can have enduring impacts on their academic and emotional well‐being. Consequently, early identification and intervention are critical. This study aimed to investigate the impact of introducing Språkfyran, a language screening tool, on the identification and referral rates for speech and language assessment compared to the previous method.

Methods

An observational study was conducted in Gotland, Sweden, using the medical records of 3537 children (53% boys) who were 3–4 years of age. The study period lasted between 5 January 2016 and 29 April 2022, encompassing data collection both before and after the introduction of Språkfyran.

Results

Following the introduction of Språkfyran, 15% failed the screening, compared to 20% with the previous speech test. However, referrals for assessment increased significantly with Språkfyran, rising to 7% compared to 3% with the speech test.

Conclusion

The proportion of children who failed the Språkfyran screening was consistent with findings from previous studies. Children who failed the screening were more likely to be referred for speech and language assessment after the introduction of Språkfyran. This indicates that Språkfyran is a clinically relevant tool that promotes children's language development through increased referral rates.
Impact of institutional volume on short‐ and long‐term outcomes after laparoscopic colectomy
Authors: Takamura Yuma , Tominaga Tetsuro , Nonaka Takashi , Oishi Kaido , Noda Keisuke , Hashimoto Shintaro , Shiraishi Toshio , Ono Rika , Hisanaga Makoto , Takeshita Hiroaki , Ishii Mitsutoshi , Fukuoka Hidetoshi , To Kazuo , Tanaka Kenji , Sawai Terumitsu , Nagayasu Takeshi
Published: February 2024

Introduction

The impact of institutional volume on postoperative outcomes after laparoscopic colectomy is still being debated. This study aimed to investigate whether differences in postoperative outcomes of laparoscopic colon resection exist between high‐ and low‐volume centers.

Methods

Data were reviewed for 1360 patients who underwent laparoscopic colectomy for colon cancer between 2016 and 2022. Patients were divided according to whether they were treated at a high‐volume center (≥100 colorectal surgeries annually; n = 947) or a low‐volume center (<100 colorectal surgeries annually; n = 413). Propensity score matching was applied to balance covariates and minimize selection biases that could affect outcomes. Finally, 406 patients from each group were matched.

Results

After matching, patients from high‐volume centers showed a higher number of retrieved lymph nodes (19 vs. 17, p < .001) and more frequent involvement of expert surgeons (98.3% vs. 88.4%, p < .001). Postoperative complication rates were similar between groups (p = .488). No significant differences between high‐ and low‐volume centers were seen in relapse‐free survival (88.8% each, p = .716) or overall survival (85.7% vs. 82.8%, p = .480).

Conclusion

The present study suggests that in appropriately educated organizations, relatively safe procedures and good prognosis may be obtained for laparoscopic colectomy cases, regardless of institutional volume.
Picture book reading improves children's learning understanding
Authors: Wang Zhenlin , Shao Yihan
Published: February 2024

Mental state reasoning is an integral part of children's teaching and learning understanding. This study investigated whether a picture book reading approach focusing on mental state discourse and contrasting perspectives in a preschool classroom setting would improve children's teaching and learning understanding and school readiness. In total, 104 children from four classrooms aged between 46 and 64 months (53 girls, M = 54.03 months, SD = 3.68) participated in the study. Half of the classrooms were randomly assigned to an experimental group where teachers read picture books rich in mental state discourse and engaged in intensive discussions with children for eight weeks. Children's false belief understanding and teaching and learning understanding were measured before and after the eight‐week period. The result revealed that picture book reading improved children's learning understanding with a medium effect size, controlling for demographic variables, children's verbal ability, inhibition, and initial false belief understanding. The experimental group children further demonstrated more advanced school readiness 18 months after the intervention ended in a follow‐up study using a teacher questionnaire.
Small RNA‐seq and clinical evaluation of tRNA‐derived fragments in multiple myeloma: Loss of mitochondrial i‐tRFHisGTG results in patients' poor treatment outcome
Authors: Soureas Konstantinos , Papadimitriou Maria‐Alexandra , Malandrakis Panagiotis , Papanota Aristea‐Maria , Adamopoulos Panagiotis G. , Ntanasis‐Stathopoulos Ioannis , Liacos Christine‐Ivy , Gavriatopoulou Maria , Sideris Diamantis C. , Kastritis Efstathios , Dimopoulos Meletios‐Athanasios , Scorilas Andreas , Terpos Evangelos , Avgeris Margaritis
Published: February 2024

Despite the substantial progress in multiple myeloma (MM) therapy nowadays, treatment resistance and disease relapse remain major clinical hindrances. Herein, we have investigated tRNA‐derived fragment (tRF) profiles in MM and precursor stages (smoldering MM/sMM; monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance/MGUS), aiming to unveil potential MM‐related tRFs in ameliorating MM prognosis and risk stratification. Small RNA‐seq was performed to profile tRFs in bone marrow CD138+ plasma cells, revealing the significant deregulation of the mitochondrial internal tRFHisGTG (mt‐i‐tRFHisGTG) in MM versus sMM/MGUS. The screening cohort of the study consisted of 147 MM patients, and mt‐i‐tRFHisGTG levels were quantified by RT‐qPCR. Disease progression was assessed as clinical end‐point for survival analysis, while internal validation was performed by bootstrap and decision curve analyses. Screening cohort analysis highlighted the potent association of reduced mt‐i‐tRFHisGTG levels with patients' bone disease (p = 0.010), osteolysis (p = 0.023) and with significantly higher risk for short‐term disease progression following first‐line chemotherapy, independently of patients' clinical data (HR = 1.954; p = 0.036). Additionally, mt‐i‐tRFHisGTG‐fitted multivariate models led to superior risk stratification of MM patients' treatment outcome and prognosis compared to disease‐established markers. Notably, our study highlighted mt‐i‐tRFHisGTG loss as a powerful independent indicator of post‐treatment progression of MM patients, leading to superior risk stratification of patients' treatment outcome.
Cell cycle heterogeneity and plasticity of colorectal cancer stem cells
Authors: Higa Tsunaki , Nakayama Keiichi I.
Published: February 2024

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a long‐lived and self‐renewing cancer cell population that drives tumor propagation and maintains cancer heterogeneity. They are also implicated in the therapeutic resistance of various types of cancer. Recent studies of CSCs in colorectal cancer (CRC) have uncovered fundamental paradigms that have increased understanding of CSC systems in solid tumors. Colorectal CSCs share multiple biological properties with normal intestinal stem cells (ISCs), including expression of the stem cell marker Lgr5. New evidence suggests that colorectal CSCs manifest substantial heterogeneity, as exemplified by the existence of both actively cycling Lgr5+ CSCs as well as quiescent Lgr5+ CSCs that are resistant to conventional anticancer therapies. The classical view of a rigid cell hierarchy and irreversible cell differentiation trajectory in normal and neoplastic tissues is now challenged by the finding that differentiated cells have the capacity to revert to stem cells through dynamic physiological reprogramming events. Such plasticity of CSC systems likely underlies both carcinogenesis and therapeutic resistance in CRC. Further characterization of the mechanisms underpinning the heterogeneity and plasticity of CSCs should inform future development of eradicative therapeutic strategies for CRC.
CEO personal experiences and innovation conservatism: Evidence from China
Authors: Dong Bin , Wang Dengli , Wang William Senyu , Feng Min
Published: February 2024

Research question/issue

This paper studies the relationship between chief executive officers' (CEOs) personal experiences and corporate innovation in China.

Research findings/insights

We find that CEOs' famine and military experiences adversely impact firm innovation outcomes. In particular, our channel tests show that CEOs with famine experience adversely affect firm innovation by reducing both R&D expenditures and innovation efficiency, whereas CEOs with military experience hinder innovation mainly by reducing research staff.

Theoretical/academic implications

Our results imply that innovation conservatism in some firms may be partly explained by individual CEO's early‐life personal experiences. Our study thus has broader implications for the differences in management style across corporate executives who go through different experiences.

Practitioner/policy implications

Our findings provide important insights for policy makers, suggesting that they should consider CEOs' early‐life exposure to different experiences as important “soft information” when evaluating firms' innovation potential for government subsidies.
Mother of all bonds: Influences on spatial association across the lifespan in capuchins
Authors: Godoy Irene , Korsten Peter , Perry Susan E.
Published: February 2024

In humans, being more socially integrated is associated with better physical and mental health and/or with lower mortality. This link between sociality and health may have ancient roots: sociality also predicts survival or reproduction in other mammals, such as rats, dolphins, and non‐human primates. A key question, therefore, is which factors influence the degree of sociality over the life course. Longitudinal data can provide valuable insight into how environmental variability drives individual differences in sociality and associated outcomes. The first year of life—when long‐lived mammals are the most reliant on others for nourishment and protection—is likely to play an important role in how individuals learn to integrate into groups. Using behavioral, demographic, and pedigree information on 376 wild capuchin monkeys (Cebus imitator) across 20 years, we address how changes in group composition influence spatial association. We further try to determine the extent to which early maternal social environments have downstream effects on sociality across the juvenile and (sub)adult stages. We find a positive effect of early maternal spatial association, where female infants whose mothers spent more time around others also later spent more time around others as juveniles and subadults. Our results also highlight the importance of kin availability and other aspects of group composition (e.g., group size) in dynamically influencing spatial association across developmental stages. We bring attention to the importance of—and difficulty in—determining the social versus genetic influences that parents have on offspring phenotypes.

Research Highlights

Having more maternal kin (mother and siblings) is associated with spending more time near others across developmental stages in both male and female capuchins.

Having more offspring as a subadult or adult female is additionally associated with spending more time near others.

A mother's average sociality (time near others) is predictive of how social her daughters (but not sons) become as juveniles and subadults (a between‐mother effect).

Additional variation within sibling sets in this same maternal phenotype is not predictive of how social they become later relative to each other (no within‐mother effect).
When all speak, should we listen? A cross‐country analysis of disagreement in policymaking and its implications
Authors: Banerjee Spandan , Paramanik Rajendra N. , Sil Rounak , Kurup Unninarayanan
Published: February 2024

This study proposes an ‘implicit measure’ of disagreement to investigate presence of any latent discord in the policy briefings of central banks across nations. We analyse Monetary policy statements of the Bank of Japan (Japan), Banco Central do Brasil (Brazil) and Central Bank of the Republic of Turkey (Türkiye) on both specific as well as overall economic outlook by using novel text mining tools. Subsequently, we explore the relationship of the proposed measure of implicit disagreement with the accuracy of growth and inflation forecasts. Our findings confirm that disagreement/discord among policymakers over varied economic aspects provides signals to forecasters and helps in aligning their forecasts better. The results of this study indicate that disagreement too can be considered as a plausible criterion that can explain the forecaster's belief thereby playing a positive role in ‘forecaster learning’.
Art in times of crisis
Authors: David Géraldine , Li Yuexin , Oosterlinck Kim , Renneboog Luc
Published: February 2024

We trace the long‐term performance of the UK art market across a broad set of crises: world wars, economic recessions, financial crises, inflationary periods, and changes in monetary policy. By means of digitalized historical auction archives, we construct art price indices from the early twentieth century onwards and disclose that annual art auction value grew, in real terms, more than seven‐fold over this period. The arithmetic annual real return and risk amount to 3.6 per cent and 20.1 per cent, respectively. Art returns plummeted at the onset of wars, but turned positive in the second half of wars when they outperformed stocks, suggesting that art was seen as a safe haven in times of political turmoil. During wars, smaller – and thus more transportable – paintings obtained higher returns. Art returns are sensitive to economic and financial crises, with the largest slumps occurring during the Great Depression, oil crisis, recessions of the early 1980s and early 1990s, and the Great Recession. We also document changes in art preferences for paintings’ sizes, schools, liquid art, and artists’ nationalities across crises. Art enters a broad optimal asset portfolio both in non‐crisis periods and during war times.
Courts as an arena for socioenvironmental change: Lessons from the Argentine courts
Authors: Khadim Asmaa
Published: February 2024

Trends in the Argentine courts indicate a judicial preference towards flexibility in light of possibly serious environmental consequences, particularly in relation to mining. Through a liberal interpretation of constitutional provisions where collective environmental rights are threatened, the courts have expanded access to justice, leading some to view the Argentine judiciary as “interventionist” or “political”. However, judicial decisions emphasise compliance with constitutional mandates without necessarily encroaching on policy‐making realms. The constitutionalisation of environmental rights has had a strong influence on the judiciary's approach, but in combination with other factors, particularly civic mobilisation, institutional changes and an evolving public ethos on environmental protection. Proactive judicial engagement with the full extent of its powers to ensure that policy‐makers meet their constitutionally mandated obligations can compel policy‐makers to address sustainability issues and rethink strategies. This positioning of the judiciary as a catalyst for more effective environmental governance offers useful insights for European courts.