bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital leadership: a systematic literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Lin Qin
Published: April 2024

Purpose

In view of the increasing exploration and scattered literature on digital leadership, this study aims to clarify the concept, characteristics and structure of digital leadership, identify its focus research themes and further determine future research directions in this field.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review is adopted in this study using 53 academic documents published in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, which comprehensively combs and analyzes the research achievements.

Findings

The key characteristics of digital leadership are vision motivation, digital empowerment, innovation and entrepreneurship, cross-boundary collaboration and dynamic adaptation. Digital strategic thinking, digital insight, digital change and digital talent development are the core dimensions of digital leadership. Besides, there are three main research topics: the application of digital leadership in certain contexts including school education, government governance and business management; the development of digital leadership scale within diverse contexts; and the effectiveness of digital leadership at the organizational, team and individual levels. Digital leadership has a positive role in organizational change and innovation, team effectiveness, and employee creativity and innovation behavior.

Originality/value

This study helps to clarify the connotation of digital leadership and its research progress, status and gaps, which contributes to the thorough knowledge system in the digital leadership area and the promising avenues for future research.
Human resource records management culture and privacy control in Ghana: the roles of employee experience and top management commitment
Authors: Dei Mensah Rebecca , Tetteh Stephen , Annan Jacinta Martina , Andoh Raphael Papa Kweku , Amoako Elijah Osafo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to investigate the roles of employee experience and top management commitment in the relationship between human resource (HR) records management culture and HR records privacy control in organisations in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling was used in analysing the data. Following the specification of the model, three main types of analyses were carried out. They were reflective measurement model analyses to test reliability and validity; formative measurement model analyses to test redundancy, collinearity, significance and relevance of the lower-order constructs; and structural model analyses to ascertain the explanatory and predictive powers of the model, significance of the hypotheses and their effect sizes.

Findings

The study confirmed that communication, privacy awareness and training and risk assessment are dimensions of HR records management culture. Concerning the hypotheses, it was established that HR records management culture is related to HR records privacy control. Also, the study showed that employee experience positively moderated the relationship HR records management culture has with HR records privacy control. However, top management commitment negatively moderated the relationship HR records management culture has with HR records privacy control.

Practical implications

Organisations committed to the privacy control of HR records need to ensure the retention of their employees, as the longer they stay with the organisation, the more they embody the HR records management culture which improves the privacy control of HR records. For top management commitment, it should be restricted to providing strategic direction for HR records privacy control, as the day-to-day influence of top management commitment on the HR records management culture does not improve the privacy control of HR records.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that communication, privacy awareness and training and risk assessment are dimensions of HR record management culture. Also, the extent of employee experience and top management commitment required in the relationship between HR records management culture and HR records privacy control is revealed.
Rosbercon Girls' Grammar School: the adoption of innovative educational practices in early 20th century Australia
Authors: Rolfe Brett
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the context within which experimental, pedagogically progressive schools were established in Australia during the first decades of the 20th century.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a case study of the establishment of Rosbercon Girls’ Grammar School. It draws on educator accounts, archival documents and contemporary literature to provide a brief narrative of the events leading to the opening of the school; to sketch the family of educators who were pivotal in making it a reality; and to identify key aspects of the social and legislative context that made such an initiative possible.

Findings

Rosbercon was established at a time when a modest school could be established relatively easily by a small group of educators with a shared vision. The early 20th century was a moment of national optimism in Australia, where an appetite for new educational ideas created a climate in which innovative educators found fertile soil for their pedagogical experiments and adaptation of emerging ideas from around the world. Their efforts were facilitated by an emerging global network of personal interactions, professional learning, professional associations and educational literature.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the relative lack of scholarly examination of the origins of Rosbercon Girls’ Grammar School, an institution that previous authors have identified as Australia’s oldest experimental school. The case study also contributes to a broader appreciation of the trajectory of progressive education during the early 20th century.
The impact of digital transformation on firm's financial performance: evidence from China
Authors: Chen Yuxue , Zhang Yuqian
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of digital transformation on the overall financial performance of firms, with a specific focus on Chinese-listed companies from 2010 to 2021. It seeks to understand the impacts on various accounting and financial indicators in emerging economies such as China.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs a text-mining approach to construct a digital transformation index based on the data sample of 11,814 firm-year observations from China’s A-share listed companies. This index serves as a proxy to measure the extent of digital transformation and its impact on financial performance and health.

Findings

The findings indicate that digital transformation significantly enhances overall financial performance and health, as evidenced by increased profitability, reduced operational costs, and lowered financial risks. The study reveals a time-lagged effect, where the benefits of digital transformation become more apparent after about one year. Further analysis shows that the value of digital transformation is more evident in a firm’s asset items. This raises the possibility of recognising the by-product, such as data resources, in the digital transformation process.

Originality/value

This research offers a unique contribution by linking digital transformation to financial performance using a large dataset from China's A-share listed firms. Doing so enhances our understanding of the tangible effects of digital transformation on corporate performance. Furthermore, this research provides valuable insights for the advancement of future accounting practices and the development of standards.
Location choice of foreign direct investment in technical KIBS in China: impact of human capital and intellectual property rights protection
Authors: Li Shijie
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study considers the “technology creation” characteristic of technical knowledge-intensive business services (T-KIBS) and examines how human capital and intellectual property rights (IPR) protection affect the location choice of foreign direct investment (FDI) in China for two types of T-KIBS: (1) information transmission, software and information technology (ICT) services and (2) scientific research and technology (SCI) services.

Design/methodology/approach

Our empirical analysis is based on panel data on 22 Chinese provinces from 2009 to 2017. We use the generalized method of moments estimation for the regression analysis.

Findings

FDI in ICT services prefers regions with high human capital, while FDI in SCI services favors regions with good IPR protection.

Research limitations/implications

Future research could use more comprehensive data and qualitative interviews to enhance the findings.

Practical implications

These findings provide a foundation for China’s future policy on attracting FDI into T-KIBS, especially in areas related to human capital and IPR protection.

Originality/value

This study bridges the research gap on the FDI location choice of T-KIBS in China by clarifying the influences of human capital and IPR protection and providing theoretical support for the location choice of T-KIBS FDI.
The purchase intention of Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract in Malaysia: perception of Muslim consumers
Authors: Azman Ong Mohd Hanafi , Mohd Yasin Norazlina , Ibrahim Nur Syafikah
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate a distinct set of characteristics that influence Muslim customers’ intentions to purchase Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study studied the impact of perceived value, perceived quality, perceived financial advantages, religious commitment and product knowledge on the purchase intention Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract using a quantitative research approach. A Google Form-based online survey was created and distributed through Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, among others. The survey data were analysed using structural equation modelling with a partial-least-square estimation property (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The study results suggested that Muslim customers in Malaysia had a greater propensity to buy Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract. Analysis of the data revealed that perceived value, perceived quality, perceived financial benefits and religious commitment had direct effects on the desire to buy Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract in Malaysia. In addition, the results reveal that religious commitment, perceived quality and perceived financial benefit are the top three important factors in explaining Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract buying intentions in this country.

Practical implications

Muslim customers may use Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract as a short-term credit alternative to enhance their financial standing. Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract generates a substantial quantity of credit demand and supply, which not only allows Muslim customers to adhere to Islamic standards but also contributes to the expansion of the economy. The result would aid and advise Ar-Rahnu finance resources and legislators in measuring the efficacy of the program in Malaysia, especially among Muslim customers.

Originality/value

Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract as a financing alternative has been explored extensively, but this study takes a whole new approach to the subject by looking at dimensions of perceived value, perceived quality and perceived financial benefit along with individual product knowledge and religious commitment. Consequently, this study will contribute to the understanding of how Muslim customers will respond to the Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract and will assist financial institutions in increasing the possibility that Muslim consumers would acquire Ar-Rahnu Islamic financing contract.
How well do the companies responsible for facilitating the digital transition perform? An analysis on Romanian ICT sector
Authors: Tudose Mihaela Brindusa , Clipa Flavian , Clipa Raluca Irina
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study proposes an analysis of the performance of companies that have assumed the responsibility of facilitating the digitalization of economic activities. Because of their potential to accelerate digitization, these companies have been financially supported. The monitoring of the performances recorded by these companies, including the evaluation of the impact of different determining factors, meets both the needs of the financiers (concerned with the evaluation of the efficiency of the use of nonreimbursable financing) and the needs of continuous improvement of the activities of the companies in the field.

Design/methodology/approach

The study assesses performance dynamics and the impact of its determinants. The model allows achieving a simplified vision of performance and its determinants, supporting decision-makers in the management process. The construction of an estimation model based on the multiple regression method was considered. Robustness tests were performed on the results, using parametric and nonparametric tests.

Findings

The results of the analysis at the level of the extended sample indicated that, during the analyzed period, the economic and commercial performances decreased, and significant influences in this respect include the financing structure, sales dynamics and volume of receivables. The analysis at the level of the restricted sample confirmed these interdependencies and provided additional evidence of the impact of other determinants.

Research limitations/implications

The study contributes both to performance research and to the assessment of the prospects for accelerating digitalization in support of economic activities. Since the empirical research was carried out on a sample of Romanian companies that provide services in information technology, which accessed nonreimbursable financing, the representativeness of the results is limited to this sector. For the analyzed sample, the study provides support for improving performance.

Practical implications

The results of the study prove to be useful from a microeconomic and macroeconomic perspective as well, as they provide evidence on the performance of companies that have implemented information and communication technology (ICT) projects and on the efficiency of the use of non-reimbursable funding dedicated to business support.

Originality/value

The study fills the literature gap regarding the performance of companies that have developed ICT projects and received grant funding for the implementation of these projects. The literature review indicated that there are few studies conducted on these companies, which did not include Romanian companies.
Brokerage and social segregation: a case study of cluster housing environment in Gading Serpong, Indonesia
Authors: Kresna Aryaning Arya , Wiloso Pamerdi Giri , Therik Wilson , Toisuta Willi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The paper aims is to see why social conflict caused by class segregation did not occur in Gading Serpong? What factors prevent conflict from occurring? This research seeks to find the causes of the nonoccurrence of social conflict due to class segregation in the Gading Serpong cluster area and explore the factors that restrain conflict there.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is qualitative research with data collection techniques through in-depth interviews with several parties identified as brokerages in the research object area. In this context, one of the media and analytical tools is to recognize agents or brokers who connect two groups of people. Brokerage occurs in sectors, patterns or forms of informal, personal relationships; to understand it, one must pay close attention to micro-level relationships and social psychological processes. However, brokerage can have a significant impact on macro-level social relations, as it is generally associated with social integration processes.

Findings

The lack of involvement of developers in overcoming social conflicts that occur between Gading Serpong natives and migrants in Gading Serpong housing has given rise to new actors. These new actors are what we can call brokers, where they have a role as brokers who are able to connect between migrants and natives in the Gading Serpong area. The broker phenomenon is actually familiar in academia, where in practice the broker acts as someone who is able to find solutions to problems. The broker is the reason even social segregation is created between migrant citizens and native citizens in Gading Serpong but never becomes a conflict between them.

Research limitations/implications

Even if the brokerage phenomenon is the reason why there is no conflict over social segregation brokerage is not the only factor in this nonconflict segregation. Therefore, to cover the larger area of these suburban segregation problems, there must be further research on this topic.

Practical implications

The practical implication of this research is to encourage the housing developers that create urban housing, such as clusters or other gated communities, to evaluate the social factors, such as potential segregation and conflict management. Also to encourage the developers to get involved and create some social engineering systems, like brokerage, market and other social agents, to create some nonconflict segregation or even more inclusive communities.

Originality/value

This research is uncovering the main reason why social segregation between migrant and native people in Gading Serpong, which could potentially lead to conflict, is never a conflict. The main reason is social actors like brokerage.
Travel insurance behaviors of digital nomads
Authors: Genceli Demet , Yüksek Gökçe , Uca Selda
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to reveal the travel insurance behavior of digital nomads systematically. For this purpose, the habits and preferences of digital nomads for travel and health insurance were investigated based on the problems they experience during their travels.

Design/methodology/approach

Within the scope of multimethod qualitative research, the insurance behaviors of digital nomads were investigated in depth by using both interview and content analysis techniques for social media comments. In the first stage of the study, the interview technique was used to describe the main factors underlying the insurance behaviors of digital nomads. In the second stage, the comments of digital nomads on social media platforms were evaluated by content analysis and themes regarding the insurance behaviors of digital nomads were reached.

Findings

The inadequacies of the current global system and national order determine the travel insurance behavior of digital nomads, who are generally opposed to the existing order and tend to escape from authority and routine. It was found that digital nomads care about the speed at which insurance companies meet their demands, the coverage of insurance policies (medical and travel-related components of insurance) and the cost of insurance behavior.

Research limitations/implications

This study aims to provide a new perspective to the literature by conducting multimethod qualitative research within the scope of the risks experienced by digital nomads and their travel insurance behavior. The study shows that digital nomads cannot escape from national regulations. They have to take out insurance in countries with low cost of living due to problems with the health system and security, and in some countries, it is due to country regulations. In practice, the study provides conclusions and recommendations for current and potential digital nomads, insurance companies and governments regarding the insurance behavior of digital nomads. In particular, the study concludes with recommendations for insurance companies in terms of insurance product development and the use of social policy tools for governments.

Originality/value

This study offers a perspective on the key factors underlying the travel insurance behavior of digital nomads.
Systemic therapy for psoriasis and the risk of cutaneous infections
Authors: Higashi Yuko , Imafuku Shinichi , Tsuruta Noriko , Murotani Kenta ,   Western Japan Inflammatory Skin Disease Research Group
Published: April 2024

Systemic treatments are important for patients with moderate‐to‐severe psoriasis; however, they may occasionally cause adverse infectious events. Although the risk of severe infections with psoriatic treatments is well established, little is known about cutaneous infections. Therefore, we studied the frequency of cutaneous infections in patients with psoriasis who underwent biologic treatment. A total of 878 patients (237 females and 641 males) were analyzed in this follow‐up survey conducted in 2020 and based on the Western Japan Psoriasis Registry. The observed skin phenotypes were psoriasis vulgaris (83.3%), pustular psoriasis (7.5%), and psoriatic arthritis (28.9%). The most frequently prescribed systemic drug was apremilast (11.3%), followed by ixekizumab (11.0%), risankizumab (10.9%), and secukinumab (10.4%). The incidence of cutaneous bacterial infections was 12 (1.37% of the total patients), with cellulitis being the most common (8/12, 67%). The incidence of viral infections was 11 (1.25%) including the most common, herpes zoster (9/11, 82%); and that of fungal infections was 45 (5.13%) including 33 (73%) and seven (16%) patients with trichophytosis and oral candidiasis, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that cutaneous bacterial infections were frequently observed in patients receiving tumor necrosis factor‐α (odds raio [OR] 9.917, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.069–47.572, p = 0.004) and interleukin (IL)‐17 (OR 10.798, 95% CI 2.35–49.616, p = 0.002) inhibitor treatments. A history of otitis media and treatment with oral medications (OR 4.50, 95% CI 1.281–15.804, p = 0.019 and OR 3.80, 95% CI 1.141–12.679, p = 0.03 respectively) were associated with a higher ORs for cutaneous viral infections. Furthermore, age and use of IL‐17 inhibitors were associated with elevated ORs for fungal infections. In conclusion, our study reveals that systemic therapies may increase the risk of cutaneous viral infections. Therefore, dermatologists should exercise caution in this regard.
Association between epigenetic age and type 2 diabetes mellitus or glycemic traits: A longitudinal twin study
Authors: Miao Ke , Hong Xuanming , Cao Weihua , Lv Jun , Yu Canqing , Huang Tao , Sun Dianjianyi , Liao Chunxiao , Pang Yuanjie , Hu Runhua , Pang Zengchang , Yu Min , Wang Hua , Wu Xianping , Liu Yu , Gao Wenjing , Li Liming
Published: April 2024

Epigenetic clocks based on DNA methylation have been known as biomarkers of aging, including principal component (PC) clocks representing the degree of aging and DunedinPACE representing the pace of aging. Prior studies have shown the associations between epigenetic aging and T2DM, but the results vary by epigenetic age metrics and people. This study explored the associations between epigenetic age metrics and T2DM or glycemic traits, based on 1070 twins (535 twin pairs) from the Chinese National Twin Registry. It also explored the temporal relationships of epigenetic age metrics and glycemic traits in 314 twins (157 twin pairs) who participated in baseline and follow‐up visits after a mean of 4.6 years. DNA methylation data were used to calculate epigenetic age metrics, including PCGrimAge acceleration (PCGrimAA), PCPhenoAge acceleration (PCPhenoAA), DunedinPACE, and the longitudinal change rate of PCGrimAge/PCPhenoAge. Mixed‐effects and cross‐lagged modelling assessed the cross‐sectional and temporal relationships between epigenetic age metrics and T2DM or glycemic traits, respectively. In the cross‐sectional analysis, positive associations were identified between DunedinPACE and glycemic traits, as well as between PCPhenoAA and fasting plasma glucose, which may be not confounded by shared genetic factors. Cross‐lagged models revealed that glycemic traits (fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, and TyG index) preceded DunedinPACE increases, and TyG index preceded PCGrimAA increases. Glycemic traits are positively associated with epigenetic age metrics, especially DunedinPACE. Glycemic traits preceded the increases in DunedinPACE and PCGrimAA. Lowering the levels of glycemic traits may reduce DunedinPACE and PCGrimAA, thereby mitigating age‐related comorbidities.
Emergency department documentation of legal intervention injuries at a Washington, DC, hospital
Authors: Durgun Kevin Xerxes , Sikka Neal , Davey Kevin , Hood Colton , Khokhar Omair , Sadur Alana , Labine Monica , Zaslavsky Justin
Published: April 2024

Background

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines legal intervention injuries as injuries caused by law enforcement agents in the course of official duties. Public health databases utilize International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD‐10), coding to collect these data through the “Y35” family ICD‐10 code. Prior studies report deficiencies in public health recording of fatal legal intervention injuries. Few studies have characterized nonfatal injuries. This study investigates emergency department (ED) capture of legal intervention injury diagnostic coding.

Methods

A retrospective chart review was performed on ED encounter data from January 1, 2017, to June 30, 2019, at an academic hospital in Washington, DC. Charts were identified using a keyword search program for “police.” Chart abstracters reviewed the flagged charts and abstracted those that met injury definition. Primary outcomes included injury severity, patient demographics, and documented ICD‐10 codes. One sample proportion testing was performed comparing sample census ED data.

Results

A total of 340 encounters had sufficient descriptions of legal intervention injuries. A total of 259 had descriptions consistent with the patient specifier of “suspect.” Hospital coders recorded 74 charts (28.6%) with the Y35 family legal intervention injury code. A total of 212 involved a Black patient. A total of 122 patients had Medicaid and 94 were uninsured. Black patients made up a higher proportion of individuals in the “suspect identified legal intervention injury” group than the total population (0.819 vs. 0.609, p < 0.01, 95% CI 0.772–0.866). Patients with Medicaid or who were uninsured made up substantial proportions as well (0.471 vs. 0.175, p < 0.01, 95% CI 0.410–0.532 for Medicaid patients and 0.363 vs. 0.155, p < 0.01, 95% CI 0.304–0.424 for the uninsured patients).

Conclusion

A large proportion of nonfatal legal intervention injuries remain unreported. Black and low‐income patients are disproportionately affected. More research is needed but benefits from interprofessional data sharing, injury pattern awareness, and diagnostic coding guidance may improve reporting.
Finders' eaters: Increasing bush encroachment may shift carcass detection from diurnal avian to nocturnal mammalian scavengers
Authors: Malan Gerard , Walker Kyle S. , Monadjem Ara
Published: April 2024

Bush encroachment is increasingly becoming a problem for biodiversity conservation in African savannas. While this invasion by woody vegetation may hamper avian scavengers such as vultures, which primarily search by sight, it may benefit mammalian scavengers that search by smell. This study aimed to examine the ability of nocturnal mammalian and diurnal avian scavengers to locate carcasses at increasing vegetation densities. We successively placed 27 impala (Aepyceros melampus) carcasses five days apart in a 2000 ha fenced game camp that offered an extensive range of woody plant densities. Scavenger arrivals and first feedings were recorded with camera traps. The avian scavengers, mainly white‐backed Vultures (Gyps africanus), fed exclusively on carcasses during the day, and mammalian scavengers, predominantly brown hyenas (Parahyena brunnea), fed solely at night. The two guilds thus competed exploitatively without direct interaction between them. For vultures, the time taken to locate a carcass increased with woody plant density. The mean density of woody plants that avian scavengers located carcasses at was 2188 plants/ha, whereas mammalian scavengers located carcasses at appreciably higher densities of 5156 plants/ha. Resource managers need to understand the synergy between maintaining woody vegetation to benefit nocturnal mammalian scavengers and maintaining open savannas to benefit diurnal avian scavengers.
Validation of mitochondrial biomarkers and immune dynamics in polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Shen Hui‐Hui , Zhang Yang‐Yang , Wang Xuan‐Yu , Li Meng‐Ying , Liu Zhen‐Xing , Wang Ying , Ye Jiang‐Feng , Wu Hui‐Hua , Li Ming‐Qing
Published: April 2024

Problem

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a prevalent endocrine‐metabolic disorder, presents considerable therapeutic challenges due to its complex and elusive pathophysiology.

Method of study

We employed three machine learning algorithms to identify potential biomarkers within a training dataset, comprising GSE138518, GSE155489, and GSE193123. The diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers was rigorously evaluated using a validation dataset using area under the curve (AUC) metrics. Further validation in clinical samples was conducted using PCR and immunofluorescence techniques. Additionally, we investigate the complex interplay among immune cells in PCOS using CIBERSORT to uncover the relationships between the identified biomarkers and various immune cell types.

Results

Our analysis identified ACSS2, LPIN1, and NR4A1 as key mitochondria‐related biomarkers associated with PCOS. A notable difference was observed in the immune microenvironment between PCOS patients and healthy controls. In particular, LPIN1 exhibited a positive correlation with resting mast cells, whereas NR4A1 demonstrated a negative correlation with monocytes in PCOS patients.

Conclusion

ACSS2, LPIN1, and NR4A1 emerge as PCOS‐related diagnostic biomarkers and potential intervention targets, opening new avenues for the diagnosis and management of PCOS.
Mental illness comorbidity significantly impacts surgical outcomes for emergency surgical patients
Authors: McBride Kate E. , Torzillo Judith , Davis Rebecca , Steffens Daniel , Wand Tim , Sanders Robert D. , Glozier Nick , Solomon Michael J.
Published: April 2024

Background

Whilst both mental illness comorbidity and the delivery of emergency surgery are commonplace in Australia, there is little evidence investigating any link between them. As such, this study examines the emergency surgical outcomes for patients with mental illness compared to other surgical patients within the Australian public surgical system.

Methods

Retrospective cohort study involving adult emergency and elective surgical patients treated at three public hospitals in Sydney, Australia between 2018 and 2019. Patients were identified using ICD‐10 diagnosis codes, and grouped by those with decompensated mental illness, chronic depression, or those without mental illness. Outcome measures included those within the emergency department (ED), along with in‐hospital mortality and surgical outcomes.

Results

Of 48 338 total patients, 31 890 (66.0%) had elective and 16 448 (34.0%) had emergency surgery. For patients with decompensated mental illness, only 228 (0.7%) had elective whilst 425 (2.6%) had emergency surgery. Their outcomes for this surgery type included being triaged significantly higher (Cat 1 or 2, 34% vs. 15%) and longer ED stays (8.3 vs. 6.6 h). They also had significantly more post‐operative complications (26% vs. 8%) and total days in hospital (33.8 vs. 8.5 days). There was no significant difference for in‐hospital mortality.

Conclusion

Patients with mental illness are significantly more likely to have emergency surgery including presenting to the ED with more acute physical illness and to experience worse surgical outcomes compared to other surgical patients for every measure analyzed except mortality. There is considerable opportunity to further investigate how these differences might be improved.
A role for vessel‐associated extracellular matrix proteins in multiple sclerosis pathology
Authors: Pisa Marco , Watson Joseph L. , Spencer Jonathan I. , Niblett Guy , Mahjoub Yasamin , Lockhart Andrew , Yates Richard L. , Yee Sydney A. , Hadley Gina , Ruiz Jennifer , Esiri Margaret M. , Kessler Benedict , Fischer Roman , DeLuca Gabriele C.
Published: April 2024

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is unsurpassed for its clinical and pathological hetherogeneity, but the biological determinants of this variability are unknown. HLA‐DRB1*15, the main genetic risk factor for MS, influences the severity and distribution of MS pathology. This study set out to unravel the molecular determinants of the heterogeneity of MS pathology in relation to HLA‐DRB1*15 status. Shotgun proteomics from a discovery cohort of MS spinal cord samples segregated by HLA‐DRB*15 status revealed overexpression of the extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins, biglycan, decorin, and prolargin in HLA‐DRB*15‐positive cases, adding to established literature on a role of ECM proteins in MS pathology that has heretofore lacked systematic pathological validation. These findings informed a neuropathological characterisation of these proteins in a large autopsy cohort of 41 MS cases (18 HLA‐DRB1*15‐positive and 23 HLA‐DRB1*15‐negative), and seven non‐neurological controls on motor cortical, cervical and lumbar spinal cord tissue. Biglycan and decorin demonstrate a striking perivascular expression pattern in controls that is reduced in MS (−36.5%, p = 0.036 and − 24.7%, p = 0.039; respectively) in lesional and non‐lesional areas. A concomitant increase in diffuse parenchymal accumulation of biglycan and decorin is seen in MS (p = 0.015 and p = 0.001, respectively), particularly in HLA‐DRB1*15‐positive cases (p = 0.007 and p = 0.046, respectively). Prolargin shows a faint parenchymal pattern in controls that is markedly increased in MS cases where a perivascular deposition pattern is observed (motor cortex +97.5%, p = 0.001; cervical cord +49.1%, p = 0.016). Our findings point to ECM proteins and the vascular interface playing a central role in MS pathology within and outside the plaque area. As ECM proteins are known potent pro‐inflammatory molecules, their parenchymal accumulation may contribute to disease severity. This study brings to light novel factors that may contribute to the heterogeneity of the topographical variation of MS pathology.
Action Selection in Everyday Activities: The Opportunistic Planning Model
Authors: Wenzl Petra , Schultheis Holger
Published: April 2024

While action selection strategies in well‐defined domains have received considerable attention, little is yet known about how people choose what to do next in ill‐defined tasks. In this contribution, we shed light on this issue by considering everyday tasks, which in many cases have a multitude of possible solutions (e.g., it does not matter in which order the items are brought to the table when setting a table) and are thus categorized as ill‐defined problems. Even if there are no hard constraints on the ordering of subtasks in everyday activities, our research shows that people exhibit specific preferences. We propose that these preferences arise from bounded rationality, that is, people only have limited knowledge and processing power available, which results in a preference to minimize the overall physical and cognitive effort. In the context of everyday activities, this can be achieved by (a) taking properties of the spatial environment into account to use them to one's advantage, and (b) employing a stepwise‐optimal action selection strategy. We present the Opportunistic Planning Model as an explanatory cognitive model, which instantiates these assumptions, and show that the model is able to generalize to new everyday tasks, outperforming machine learning models such as neural networks during generalization.
Bayes Optimal Integration of Social and Endogenous Uncertainty in Numerosity Estimation
Authors: Öztel Tutku , Balcı Fuat
Published: April 2024

One of the most prominent social influences on human decision making is conformity, which is even more prominent when the perceptual information is ambiguous. The Bayes optimal solution to this problem entails weighting the relative reliability of cognitive information and perceptual signals in constructing the percept from self‐sourced/endogenous and social sources, respectively. The current study investigated whether humans integrate the statistics (i.e., mean and variance) of endogenous perceptual and social information in a Bayes optimal way while estimating numerosities. Our results demonstrated adjustment of initial estimations toward group means only when group estimations were more reliable (or “certain”), compared to participants’ endogenous metric uncertainty. Our results support Bayes optimal social conformity while also pointing to an implicit form of metacognition.
Ex vivo therapeutic screening of metastatic cSCC: A review of methodological considerations for clinical implementation
Authors: Conley Jessica , Perry Jay R. , Ashford Bruce , Ranson Marie
Published: April 2024

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common malignancy worldwide, with most deaths caused by locally advanced and metastatic disease. Treatment of resectable metastases is typically limited to invasive surgery with adjuvant radiotherapy; however, many patients fail to respond and there is minimal data to predict response or propose effective alternatives. Precision medicine could improve this, though genomic biomarkers remain elusive in the high mutational background and genomic complexity of cSCC. A phenotypic approach to precision medicine using patient‐derived ex vivo tumour models is gaining favour for its capacity to directly assess biological responses to therapeutics as a functional, predictive biomarker. However, the use of ex vivo models for guiding therapeutic selection has yet to be employed for metastatic cSCC. This review will therefore evaluate the existing experimental models of metastatic cSCC and discuss how ex vivo methods could overcome the shortcomings of these existing models. Disease‐specific considerations for a prospective methodological pipeline will also be discussed in the context of precision medicine.
Integrated conjugal plasmid pLS20 in the Bacillus subtilis genome produced 850‐kbp circular subgenomes transmissible to another B. subtilis
Authors: Itaya Mitsuhiro , Kataoka Masakazu
Published: April 2024

Bacillus subtilis was engineered to produce circular subgenomes that are directly transmittable to another B. subtilis. The conjugational plasmid pLS20 integrated into the B. subtilis genome supported not only subgenome replication but also transmission to another B. subtilis species. The subgenome system developed in this study completes a streamlined platform from the synthesis to the transmission of giant DNA by B. subtilis.
Transborder habitus transformation: In‐country mobility of Hong Kong students in the Chinese Mainland universities
Authors: Te Alice Y. C. , Qin Yunyun
Published: April 2024

Under the context of the in‐country mobility of Hong Kong students studying at Chinese Mainland universities, this paper proposes the notion of ‘transborder habitus’ to understand Hong Kong students' experiences and perceptions. Through qualitative research with in‐depth interviews with 51 Hong Kong students studying in major cities, namely Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Xiamen, how these students move across the socio‐cultural and academic fields at specific times is dissected. The process of how they perceive and adapt to their new life and identities on the mainland campuses is scrutinised. Students exhibited three types of adjustment styles: the Adjusters with pre‐adapted habitus, the Strangers with cleft habitus and the Outsiders with mis‐matched habitus. Their coping strategies are discussed and the salient factors shaping the students' transborder habitus are analysed.
A retrospective review of the short Synacthen test in Queensland hospitals
Authors: Wootton Elizabeth , Truong Quynh , Pretorius Carel J. , Balcerek Matthew , Lazarus Syndia
Published: April 2024

Background

The short Synacthen test (SST) is widely used to investigate adrenal insufficiency, but it can be time‐consuming, costly and labour‐intensive to perform and is not without risk of adverse events.

Aim

To review SST requesting patterns and practices across public hospitals in Queensland.

Methods

The electronic medical records of patients who underwent a SST with Pathology Queensland between January 2020 and December 2020 were reviewed to collect data regarding the indication for the test, the requesting speciality, SST results and any adverse events.

Results

Six hundred and fifty‐two SSTs were identified, of which 363 individual patients were included in the analysis. The majority of the tests (n = 198, 54.5%) were performed in the inpatient setting. Endocrinology most commonly ordered SSTs (n = 188, 51.8%). The suspected aetiology of adrenal insufficiency was unclear in a large proportion of requests (n = 167, 46.0%). Static testing of morning cortisol prior to SST was performed in only 249 (68.6%) patients. Of 140 inpatients data, 17.9% (n = 25) showed a robust static cortisol of ≥400 nmol/L and were treated as having normal adrenal function, suggesting SST was unnecessary in these patients. Twenty‐two (6.1%) patients had a documented adverse event occurring during or after the SST.

Conclusions

There was wide variability in requesting patterns and practices for SSTs across Queensland. More than one in six SSTs could have been avoided if a static morning cortisol had been performed prior. Clinician education and the adoption of a structured referral form may improve testing practices.
Development and organization of omental milky spots
Authors: Okabe Yasutaka
Published: April 2024

The milky spots in omentum are atypical lymphoid tissues that play a pivotal role in regulating immune responses in the peritoneal cavity. The milky spots act as central hubs for collecting antigens and particles from the peritoneal cavity, regulating lymphocyte trafficking, promoting the differentiation and self‐renewal of immune cells, and supporting the local germinal centre response. In addition, the milky spots exhibit unique developmental characteristics that combine the features of secondary and tertiary lymphoid tissues. These structures are innately programmed to form during foetal development; however, they can also be formed postnatally in response to peritoneal irritation such as inflammation, infection, obesity, or tumour metastasis. In this review, I discuss emerging perspectives on homeostatic development and organization of the milky spots.
Detecting early‐warning biomarkers associated with heart‐exosome genetic‐signature for acute myocardial infarction: A source‐tracking study of exosome
Authors: Jin Xiaojun , Xu Weifeng , Wu Qiaoping , Huang Chen , Song Yongfei , Lian Jiangfang
Published: April 2024

The genetic information of plasma total‐exosomes originating from tissues have already proven useful to assess the severity of coronary artery diseases (CAD). However, plasma total‐exosomes include multiple sub‐populations secreted by various tissues. Only analysing the genetic information of plasma total‐exosomes is perturbed by exosomes derived from other organs except the heart. We aim to detect early‐warning biomarkers associated with heart‐exosome genetic‐signatures for acute myocardial infarction (AMI) by a source‐tracking analysis of plasma exosome. The source‐tracking of AMI plasma total‐exosomes was implemented by deconvolution algorithm. The final early‐warning biomarkers associated with heart‐exosome genetic‐signatures for AMI was identified by integration with single‐cell sequencing, weighted gene correction network and machine learning analyses. The correlation between biomarkers and clinical indicators was validated in impatient cohort. A nomogram was generated using early‐warning biomarkers for predicting the CAD progression. The molecular subtypes landscape of AMI was detected by consensus clustering. A higher fraction of exosomes derived from spleen and blood cells was revealed in plasma exosomes, while a lower fraction of heart‐exosomes was detected. The gene ontology revealed that heart‐exosomes genetic‐signatures was associated with the heart development, cardiac function and cardiac response to stress. We ultimately identified three genes associated with heart‐exosomes defining early‐warning biomarkers for AMI. The early‐warning biomarkers mediated molecular clusters presented heterogeneous metabolism preference in AMI. Our study introduced three early‐warning biomarkers associated with heart‐exosome genetic‐signatures, which reflected the genetic information of heart‐exosomes carrying AMI signals and provided new insights for exosomes research in CAD progression and prevention.
Long‐range projections of oxytocin neurons in the marmoset brain
Authors: Lefevre Arthur , Meza Jazlynn , Miller Cory T.
Published: April 2024

The neurohormone oxytocin (OT) has become a major target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat psychiatric disorders such as autism spectrum disorder because of its integral role in governing many facets of mammalian social behavior. Whereas extensive work in rodents has produced much of our knowledge of OT, we lack basic information about its neurobiology in primates making it difficult to interpret the limited effects that OT manipulations have had in human patients. In fact, previous studies have revealed only limited OT fibers in primate brains. Here, we investigated the OT connectome in marmoset using immunohistochemistry, and mapped OT fibers throughout the brains of adult male and female marmoset monkeys. We found extensive OT projections reaching limbic and cortical areas that are involved in the regulation of social behaviors, such as the amygdala, the medial prefrontal cortex, and the basal ganglia. The pattern of OT fibers observed in marmosets is notably similar to the OT connectomes described in rodents. Our findings here contrast with previous results by demonstrating a broad distribution of OT throughout the marmoset brain. Given the prevalence of this neurohormone in the primate brain, methods developed in rodents to manipulate endogenous OT are likely to be applicable in marmosets.