bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The global, regional, and national patterns of change in the burden of nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases from 1990 to 2019 and the forecast for the next decade
Authors: Bai Zihao , Wang Hao , Shen Chong , An Jia , Yang Zhaocong , Mo Xuming
Published: July 2024

Background:

Nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases, including peptic ulcer disease (PUD), gastritis and duodenitis (GD), and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), significantly challenge global healthcare. These conditions not only impact patient health but also highlight socioeconomic development issues and healthcare system accessibility and efficiency. Utilizing the Global Burden of Disease database, this study aims to comprehensively assess the global burden of PUD, GD, and GERD, examining their association with the sociodemographic index (SDI).

Methods:

Employing data from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 database, this study analyzed the disability-adjusted life years for PUD, GD, and GERD. We integrated the SDI with the inequality slope index and concentration index for an international health inequality analysis, assessing disparities in the burden of these nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases. Decomposition analysis was conducted to determine the effects of population growth, aging, and epidemiological change on disease burden. Frontier analysis was performed to identify potential improvement areas and disparities among countries by development status. Disease time trends were depicted using a Joinpoint regression model, and the Bayesian age-period-cohort model projected the disease burden up to 2030.

Results:

Between 1990 and 2019, the age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates for nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases declined. However, global geographic heterogeneity remained evident and closely linked to the SDI. Notably, low-SDI countries experienced higher disease burdens. Population growth and aging emerged as principal contributors to the increasing disease burden. Despite development levels, many countries have considerable potential for reducing the burden of these diseases. Furthermore, significant variations in the time trends of nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases were observed among countries and regions with different SDI levels, a pattern expected to continue through 2030.

Conclusion:

Nonmalignant upper gastrointestinal diseases demonstrate notable heterogeneity across age, sex, and geography, with the disparities most marked in underdeveloped regions or countries. Consequently, it is imperative to focus research on policy development and to enact prevention and treatment strategies tailored to high-risk groups. This targeted approach is essential for effectively mitigating the disease burden.
High-sensitivity C-reactive protein predicts microalbuminuria progression in essential hypertensive patients: a 3-year follow-up study
Authors: Yang Yan , Tang Xiao-Feng , Wang Yan , Xu Jian-Zhong , Gao Ping-jin , Li Yan
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To determine the independent effect of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and the combined effects of hs-CRP and other traditional risk factors on microalbuminuria in hypertensive patients during the 3-year follow-up period.

Methods and results

Baseline hs-CRP levels and other risk factors were measured in 280 adults in 2007. In the third year of examination, 199 patients (mean age 62.5 ± 9.5, men 59.3%) were approached for the measurement of microalbuminuria. The subjects were classified into two groups by the median of baseline hs-CRP. Compared to the patients with baseline hs-CRP below the median group (n = 99, 50%), the group with baseline hs-CRP above the median (n = 100, 50%) had higher urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR) (P = 0.007) at the end of follow-up period. ACR at the end of follow-up period was significantly correlated with baseline diabetes (β = 0.342; P < 0.001), baseline SBP (β = 0.148; P = 0.02), and baseline log-transformed hs-CRP (β = 0.169; P = 0.01), while adversely correlated with baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) (β = −0.163; P = 0.02) in multivariate stepwise linear analysis. In addition, ACR change during follow-up period was significantly correlated with baseline diabetes (β = 0.359; P < 0.001) and baseline log-transformed hs-CRP (β = 0.190; P = 0.004) in multivariate stepwise linear analysis. The combined effects of baseline hs-CRP and conventional risk factors, such as male sex, diabetes, smoking status, hyperlipidemia, hyperuricemia, and mildly reduced eGFR had a greater risk for microalbuminuria progression. There was no difference in eGFR changes during the follow-up period between two groups.

Conclusion

Our findings offer a new piece of evidence on the predictive value of baseline hs-CRP for microalbuminuria progression in essential hypertensive patients, and highlight those who combined with traditional cardiovascular risk factors had a greater risk for developing microalbuminuria.
Human Papilloma Virus–Independent/p53abnormal Keratinizing Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Uterine Cervix Associated With Uterine Prolapse
Authors: Horn Lars-Christian , Brambs Christine E. , Aktas Bahriye , Dannenmann Astrid , Einenkel Jens , Höckel Michael , Krücken Irene , Taubenheim Sabine , Teichmann Gero , Obeck Ulrike , Stiller Mathias , Höhn Anne Kathrin
Published: July 2024

Knowledge about the morphologic and molecular characteristics of cervical squamous cell carcinomas (CSCCs) associated with uterine prolapse is very limited. Detailed histopathological and immunohistochemical (p16, p53, and cytokeratin 17), as well as molecular evaluation for human papillomavirus (HPV)-DNA and p53-mutational analyses in 4 consecutive CSCCs associated with uterine prolapse with definition of a hitherto not well-described HPV-independent/p53abnormal precursor lesion (HPV-independent cervical intraepithelial neoplasia [CIN; differentiated CIN]) and molecular tumorigenetic pathway. Cases diagnosed within 7 years with a mean age of 75 (range: 69–83) years and a mean tumor size of 7.3 cm (range: 5.2–9.4 cm). All patients presented with locally advanced disease, and 1 woman died of the disease within 4, and another within 14 months of follow-up. All CSCCs and their adjacent precursor lesions were negative for p16, with aberrant p53-expression and diffuse and strong staining for cytokeratin 17. Both the CSCCs and their precursors were negative for HPV-DNA but harbored a TP53 mutation. The precursor lesions were characterized by epithelial thickening with superficial keratinization, and the presence of basal and parabasal keratinocytes with mitotic figures beyond the basal layer, thus showing features similar to those seen in differentiated types of vulvar intraepithelial lesions (vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia [VIN] syn. HPV-independent/p53abn VIN), suggesting the terminology of differentiated CIN or HPV-independent/p53abn CIN. An HPV-independent pathogenetic pathway with a p53-alteration was identified for these cases. CSCC associated with uterine prolapse represents HPV-independent tumors harboring a TP53 mutation. For the first time, a precursor lesion of HPV-independent CSCC of the uterine cervix is described with a differentiated VIN–like morphology, and a separate tumorigenic pathway defined.
Comparison of a novel expanded social network recruitment intervention with risk network recruitment to HIV testing: locating undiagnosed cases in South Africa
Authors: Williams Leslie D. , van Heerden Alastair , Friedman Samuel R. , Chibi Buyisile , Memela Phumlani , Rodriguez Wendy Avila , Joseph Phillip
Published: July 2024

Objective:

To ascertain whether a novel expanded social network recruitment to HIV testing (E-SNRHT) intervention recruits men and individuals with previously undiagnosed HIV at higher rates than risk network recruitment.

Design:

Initial “seed” participants were prospectively randomly assigned to the E-SNRHT intervention or to risk network recruitment. Their network members were included in the study arm of their recruiter.

Setting:

Three Department of Health clinics and two drug treatment centers (DTCs) in the Msunduzi municipality of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.

Participants:

Clinics and DTCs referred 110 newly HIV-diagnosed adult “seeds” to the study from June 2022 to February 2023. E-SNRHT seeds were asked to recruit network members as described below; risk network recruitment arm seeds were asked to recruit recent sex and/or injection partners. Presenting a recruitment coupon (from clinic/DTC staff or another participant) was required for eligibility.

Intervention:

E-SNRHT seeds were shown educational material about HIV transmission risks and then asked to recruit anyone they know (e.g., friends, family) whom they thought could benefit from HIV testing.

Main outcome measure(s):

Rates of recruiting men to HIV testing and locating individuals with previously undiagnosed HIV.

Results:

E-SNRHT recruited significantly higher proportions of men to HIV testing (70.3 vs. 40.4%; χ

2
 = 16.33; P < 0.0005) and located significantly more previously undiagnosed cases of HIV per seed than risk network recruitment (rate ratio = 9.40; P < 0.0001). E-SNRHT also recruited significantly higher proportions of women with previously undiagnosed HIV (29.0 vs. 10.7%; χ

2
 = 3.87; P = 0.049).

Conclusion:

E-SNRHT is an important strategy to expand the reach of HIV testing among men and undiagnosed cases of HIV in KwaZulu-Natal.
Obstetric Anal Sphincter Injury: Interpregnancy Interval and Route of Subsequent Delivery
Authors: Nutaitis Alexandra C. , Yao Meng , Hickman Lisa C. , Kollikonda Swapna , Propst Katie A.
Published: July 2024

Importance

Knowledge on the interpregnancy interval (IPI) among women with an obstetric anal sphincter injury (OASI) is both limited and not well understood.

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to describe the IPI among women with OASI and to compare women with OASI based on the route of subsequent obstetric delivery and OASI recurrence.

Study Design

This was a retrospective single-cohort study of women who had an OASI between 2013 and 2015 at a tertiary academic medical center. Demographics, obstetric delivery data, postpartum sequelae, and subsequent pregnancy delivery data from 2013 to 2021 were collected. The IPI was defined as the time from date of first vaginal delivery to date of conception of the subsequent pregnancy. Women without a subsequent pregnancy were censored at the date of last contact. The IPI was evaluated using a survival analysis (Kaplan-Meier estimator).

Results

A total of 287 women experienced an OASI, and subsequent pregnancy occurred for 178 (62.0%) women. The median IPI was 26.4 months (95% confidence interval: 23.7–29.9) for women with a prior OASI. Of the 97 women who did not have a subsequent pregnancy documented during the study, the median follow-up was 64.0 months (interquartile range: 5.7–80.0). Subsequent delivery route data were available for 171 women; of those, 127 (74.3%) experienced a subsequent vaginal delivery and 44 (25.7%) experienced a cesarean delivery. Of the 127 women who experienced a subsequent vaginal delivery, 3 (2.4%) experienced a recurrent OASI.

Conclusion

The IPI among women with OASI is similar to the IPI for all women in Ohio and in the United States.
Action principles for dissipative, non-holonomic Newtonian mechanics
Authors: Acharya Amit , Sengupta Ambar N.
Published: July 2024

A methodology for deriving dual variational principles for the classical Newtonian mechanics of mass points in the presence of applied forces, interaction forces and constraints, all with a general dependence on particle velocities and positions, is presented. Methods for incorporating constraints are critically assessed. General theory, as well as explicitly worked out variational principles for a dissipative system (due to Lorenz) and a system with anholonomic constraints (due to Pars) are demonstrated. Conditions under which a (family of) dual Hamiltonian flow(s), as well as a constant(s) of motion, may be associated with a conservative or dissipative, and possibly constrained, primal system naturally emerge in this work.
The oncofetal protein IMP1 regulates the transcriptomic landscape to drive early events in pancreatic cancer progression and growth
Authors: Haçariz Orçun , Messina-Pacheco Julia , Goodfellow Elliot , Leibovitch Matthew , Lowy Andrew M. , Perrino Stephanie , Jean-Claude Bertrand , Gao Zu-Hua , Gregorieff Alex , Brodt Pnina
Published: July 2024

Background & Aims

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has a dismal 5-year survival rate of 12% - the lowest of all malignancies. This is partially due to late diagnosis, as early stages of the disease, including the process of acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM) are not presently detectable. Insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein (IMP)1 is an oncofetal protein implicated in cancer progression. Here, we aimed to determine its role in the early stages of PDAC development and in the maintenance of the malignant phenotype.

Methods

IMP1 expression was analyzed in surgical PDAC specimens and in pancreatic tissue derived from KPC mice. Murine ductal organoids expressing the KrasG12Dmutant were treated with the IMP1 inhibitor BTYNB and RNAseq performed. The function of IMP1 targets was analyzed in an ADM model and the effect of IMP1 silencing on the growth of PDAC cells was evaluatedin vivo.

Results

We found high expression of IMP1 in precancerous lesions of human and murine PDAC, but not in the normal pancreas. Blockade of IMP1 function impeded murine ADM and ductal organoid growth and profoundly altered the transcriptional landscape of the organoids, reducing the expression of cytokine-cytokine receptor interactors, cell adhesion and cell invasion mediators such asCard11, Gkn3,Il13ra2,Mmp9, andVcam1. Gastrokine-3 and IL-13 in turn, enhanced the ADM process. Finally, IMP1 silencing in PDAC cells inhibited their metastatic outgrowth in mice.

Conclusions

IMP1 is a master regulator of early events in PDAC progression and a potential biomarker and target for this disease.
MitoStructSeg: A Comprehensive Platform for Mitochondrial Structure Segmentation and Analysis
Authors: Wang Xinsheng , Cai Buqing , Jia Zhuo , Chen Yuanbo , Guo Shuai , Liu Zheng , Wan Xiaohua , Zhang Fa , Hu Bin
Published: July 2024

Mitochondria are crucial organelles within cells, playing key roles in various biological processes, particularly in energy conversion, cell death, and signal transduction. Mitochondria consist of an outer membrane and inner cristae, the latter being essential for energy conversion. Consequently, quantitative analysis of the inner cristae not only reveals the functional state of mitochondria but also highlights its role in cellular metabolism and pathological conditions. However, there is currently a shortage of effective tools. This paper introduces MitoStructSeg, a deep learning-based platform for the segmentation and quantitative analysis of mitochondrial structures. Among these, the AMM-Seg model is proposed for mitochondrial structure segmentation, surpassing current state-of-the-art (SOTA) methods. Quantitative analysis of segmentation results elucidates the relationship between mitochondrial health and cristae structure. In addition, a user-friendly open source tool is available.
Allometric scaling of somatic mutation and epimutation rates in trees
Authors: Johannes Frank
Published: July 2024

How long-lived trees escape “mutational meltdown” despite centuries of continuous growth remains puzzling. Here we integrate recent studies to show that the yearly rate of somatic mutations and epimutations (μY) scales inversely with generation time (G), and follows the same allometric power law found in mammals (μY∝G-1). Deeper insights into the scaling function will permit predictions of somatic (epi)mutation rates from life-history traits without the need for genomic data.
The fully activated open state of KCNQ1 controls the cardiac “fight-or-flight” response
Authors: Hou Panpan , Zhao Lu , Zhong Ling , Shi Jingyi , Wang Hong Zhan , Gao Junyuan , Liu Huilin , Zuckerman Joan , Cohen Ira S. , Cui Jianmin
Published: July 2024

The cardiac KCNQ1+KCNE1 (IKs) channel regulates heart rhythm in both normal and stress conditions. Under stress, the β-adrenergic stimulation elevates the intracellular cAMP level, leading to KCNQ1 phosphorylation by protein kinase A and increased IKs, which shortens action potentials to adapt to accelerated heart rate. An impaired response to the β-adrenergic stimulation due to KCNQ1 mutations is associated with the occurrence of a lethal congenital long QT syndrome (type 1, also known as LQT1). However, the underlying mechanism of β-adrenergic stimulation of IKsremains unclear, impeding the development of new therapeutics. Here we find that the unique properties of KCNQ1 channel gating with two distinct open states are key to this mechanism. KCNQ1’s fully activated open (AO) state is more sensitive to cAMP than its’ intermediate open (IO) state. By enhancing the AO state occupancy, the small molecules ML277 and C28 are found to effectively enhance the cAMP sensitivity of the KCNQ1 channel, independent of KCNE1 association. This finding of enhancing AO state occupancy leads to a potential novel strategy to rescue the response of IKsto β-adrenergic stimulation in LQT1 mutants. The success of this approach is demonstrated in cardiac myocytes and also in a high-risk LQT1 mutation. In conclusion the present study not only uncovers the key role of the AO state in IKschannel phosphorylation, but also provides a new target for anti-arrhythmic strategy.

Significance statement

The increase of IKspotassium currents with adrenalin stimulation is important for “fight-or-flight” responses. Mutations of the IKs channel reducing adrenalin responses are associated with more lethal form of the type-1 long-QT syndrome (LQT). The alpha subunit of the IKs channel, KCNQ1 opens in two distinct open states, the intermediate-open (IO) and activated-open (AO) states, following a two-step voltage sensing domain (VSD) activation process. We found that the AO state, but not the IO state, is responsible for the adrenalin response. Modulators that specifically enhance the AO state occupancy can enhance adrenalin responses of the WT and LQT-associated mutant channels. These results reveal a mechanism of state dependent modulation of ion channels and provide an anti-arrhythmic strategy.
Flexible EMG arrays with integrated electronics for scalable electrode density
Authors: Anschutz Philip M. , Zia Muneeb , Lu Jiaao , Williams Matthew J. , Jacob Amanda L. , Sober Samuel J. , Bakir Muhannad S.
Published: July 2024

Recent developments in electrode technology have demonstrated the power of flexible microelectrode arrays (FMEAs) for measuring muscle activity at high resolution. We recently introduced the Myomatrix array, a FMEA optimized for measuring the activity of individual motor units (the collection of muscle fibers innervated by a single motor neuron) [1] in freely behaving animals. Although FMEAs are fundamentally changing the way EMG is acquired, the number of recording channels is limited by the size of the plug that interfaces with the digital amplifier hardware and the density of electrode connections on the array. Increasing EMG channel count and supporting electrophysiological studies in smaller animals depends on two seemingly incompatible goals: reducing device size while increasing the number of recording channels. The solution to this is to increase channel density, which is currently limited by requiring that separate headstage and FMEA components be used simultaneously. In our prior devices [1], each FMEA had a dedicated wire output for every electrode input, creating a channel density is 1 : 1. To improve this channel density, we have developed a novel device integrating a digital amplifier (bare-die RHD2216 chip, Intan, Inc. [6]) directly onto an FMEA. This new design reduces the device’s backend footprint by 74% and relocates the intan bare die from the headstage to the FMEA itself, creating a channel density of 1 : 3.2. Our methodology combines standard FMEA microfabrication with wire-bonding and surface-mounted components, enabling direct integration into a Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI) connection into the device itself, without any separate headstage. With this initial device we see a 1 : 3.2 channel density, but our method allows for using other bare die amplifiers (Intan, Inc., USA) for a channel density of 1 : 12.8. Our findings present a robust technique for chip embedding in custom FMEAs, applicable to in-vivo electrophysiology
Hamiltonian quantum generative adversarial networks
Authors: Kim Leeseok , Lloyd Seth , Marvian Milad
Published: July 2024

We propose Hamiltonian quantum generative adversarial networks (HQuGANs) to learn to generate unknown input quantum states using two competing quantum optimal controls. The game-theoretic framework of the algorithm is inspired by the success of classical generative adversarial networks in learning high-dimensional distributions. The quantum optimal control approach not only makes the algorithm naturally adaptable to the experimental constraints of near-term hardware, but also offers a more natural characterization of overparameterization compared to the circuit model. We numerically demonstrate the capabilities of the proposed framework to learn various highly entangled many-body quantum states, using simple two-body Hamiltonians and under experimentally relevant constraints such as low-bandwidth controls. We analyze the computational cost of implementing HQuGANs on quantum computers and show how the framework can be extended to learn quantum dynamics. Furthermore, we introduce a cost function that circumvents the problem of mode collapse that prevents convergence of HQuGANs and demonstrate how to accelerate the convergence of them when generating a pure state.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Kerr nonlinearity induced nonreciprocity in dissipatively coupled resonators
Authors: Miao Qingtian , Agarwal G. S.
Published: July 2024

Nonlinearity-induced nonreciprocity is studied in a system comprising two resonators coupled to a one-dimensional waveguide when the linear system does not exhibit nonreciprocity. The analysis is based on the Hamiltonian of the coupled system and includes the dissipative coupling between the waveguide and resonators, along with the input-output relations. We consider a large number of scenarios which can lead to nonreciprocity. We pay special attention to the case when the linear system does not exhibit nonreciprocal behavior. In this case, we show how very significant nonreciprocal behavior can result from Kerr nonlinearities. We find that the bistability of the nonlinear system can aid in achieving large nonreciprocity. Additionally, we bring out nonreciprocity in the excitation of each resonator, which can be monitored independently. Our results highlight the profound influence of nonlinearity on nonreciprocal behavior, offering an avenue for controlling light propagation in integrated photonic circuits. Nonlinearity-induced nonreciprocity would lead to significant nonreciprocity in quantum fluctuations when our system is treated quantum mechanically.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing magnetic and triplet correlations in spin-split superconductors with magnetic impurities
Authors: Huang C.-H. , Skurativska A. , Bergeret F. S. , Cazalilla M. A.
Published: July 2024

A superconductor (SC) in proximity to a ferromagnetic insulator (FMI) is predicted to exhibit mixed singlet and triplet correlations. The magnetic proximity effect of FMI spin splits the energy of Bogoliubov excitations and leads to a spin polarization at the surface for superconducting films that are thinner than the superconducting coherence length. In this work, we study manifestations of these phenomena in the properties of a magnetic impurity coupled via Kondo coupling to this FMI/SC system. Using the numerical renormalization group (NRG) method, we compute the properties of the ground state and low-lying excited states of a model that incorporates the Kondo interaction and a Ruderman-Kittel-Kasuya-Yosida (RKKY)-like interaction with the surface spin polarization. Our main finding is an energy splitting of the lowest even fermion-parity states caused by the proximity to the FMI. As the Kondo coupling increases, the splitting grows and saturates to a universal value equal to twice the exchange field of the FMI. We introduce a two-site model that can be solved analytically and provides a qualitative understanding of this and other NRG results. In addition, using perturbation theory, we demonstrate that the mechanism behind the splitting involves the RKKY field and the triplet correlations of the spin-split superconductor. A scaling analysis combined with NRG shows that the splitting can be written as a single-parameter scaling function of the ratio of the Kondo temperature and the superconducting gap, which is also numerically obtained.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Hidden quantum criticality and entanglement in quench dynamics
Authors: Paul Sanku , Titum Paraj , Maghrebi Mohammad
Published: July 2024

Entanglement exhibits universal behavior near the ground-state critical point where correlations are long ranged and the thermodynamic entropy is vanishing. On the other hand, a quantum quench imparts extensive energy and results in a build up of entropy, hence no critical behavior is expected at long times. In this work, we present a new paradigm in the quench dynamics of integrable spin chains which exhibit a ground-state order-disorder phase transition at a critical line. Specifically, we consider a quench along the critical line which displays a volume-law behavior of the entropy and exponentially decaying correlations; however, we show that quantum criticality is hidden in higher-order correlations and becomes manifest via measures such as the mutual information and logarithmic negativity. Furthermore, we showcase the scale invariance of the Rényi mutual information between disjoint regions as further evidence for genuine critical behavior. We attribute the emergent quantum criticality to the soft mode not getting excited in spite of the quench. Moreover, the results presented here are universal to models whose low-energy or long-wavelength dynamics are well described by a free-fermionic field theory. Our results are amenable to an experimental realization on different quantum simulator platforms, particularly the Rydberg simulators.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
What theories can be used to study hospitality and tourism consumers in the post-pandemic era?
Authors: Xu Jing Bill , Yan Libo
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to highlight unconventional or underused theories that can be considered for the study of hospitality and tourism consumers. The authors discuss how these theories can be applied.

Design/methodology/approach

This research paper is conceptual and descriptive in nature. The authors address the proposed theories by applying the Delphi method.

Findings

Theories such as dramaturgical theory, persuasion theory, script theory, customer inspiration theory and segmented assimilation theory are underused but can be applied to studies of hospitality and tourism consumers’ behavior. They can be helpful for understanding various aspects of consumer behavior, such as their decision-making, motivations, attitudes and perceptions, in hospitality and tourism.

Originality/value

Consumer behavior is more diverse and complex in the post-pandemic era. The authors draw attention to theories that are underused but have explanatory power with regards to hospitality and tourism consumers’ behaviors. These non-conventional theories can provide new theoretical perspectives and offer new insights.
Settlement and stress analysis in stabilized slab- and pile-supported embankment based on double-equal settlement plane
Authors: Wang Ying , Wang Chaojie , Hu Zhenhua , Chen Yonghui , Min Bo
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The soft stabilized slab and pile-supported (SSPS) embankment is an improvement technique to increase the efficiency of resources in road construction. To capture the effects of stabilized slabs on the stress transfer mechanism, the differential settlements and the lateral displacement of the embankment completely. A theoretical model of SSPS is proposed by considering the effect of soil arching and the interaction between the embankment fill, stabilized soil, pile, foundation soil and bearing stratum.

Design/methodology/approach

In the theoretical model, the stress and strain coordination relationship of the system was analyzed in view of the minimum potential energy theory and equal settlement plane theory. Subsequently, the theoretical method was applied to field tests for comparison. Finally, the influence of the elastic modulus and the thickness of the stabilized slab on the stress concentration ratio and foundation settlement were examined.

Findings

In addition to the experimental findings, the method has been revealed to be reasonable and feasible, considering its ability to effectively exploit the stabilized slab effect and improve the bearing capacity of soil and piles. An economical and reasonable arrangement scheme for the thickness and strength of stabilized slabs was obtained. The results reveal that the optimum elastic modulus was chosen as 28 MPa–60 MPa, and the optimum thickness of the stabilized slab was selected as 1.5 m–2.1 m using the parameters of field tests, which can provide guidance to engineering design.

Originality/value

An optimization calculation method is established to analyze the load transfer mechanics of the SSPS embankment based on a double-equal settlement plane. The model’s rationality was analyzed by comparing the settlement and stress concentration ratios in the field tests. Subsequently, the influence of the elastic modulus and the thickness of the stabilized slab on the stress concentration ratio and settlement were examined. An economical and reasonable arrangement scheme for the thickness and elastic modulus of stabilized slabs was obtained, which can provide a novel approach for engineering design.
Assessing internship learning performance and its predictors: moderation of learning climate
Authors: Lin Chieh-Peng
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This research aims to elucidate the complex relationships among internship learning performance, problem-solving efficacy, and their determinants by simultaneously examining a key variable that may moderate these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

This study carried out its empirical examination by surveying graduate students at a prestigious university in Taiwan. The investigation selected two programs from the College of Management and another two from the College of Engineering within the university through a random sampling approach. The selection of research participants from the domains of management and engineering is well-suited to this study’s objectives, given the pronounced prevalence of internships in these fields. Of the 280 questionnaires, 234 usable questionnaires were finally collected for a response rate of 83.57%.

Findings

The findings of this study show that learning goal orientation and communication skill learning both represent critical motivations that directly dominate the growth of problem-solving efficacy to ultimately boost learning performance. At the same time, the positive moderation of learning climate suggests the learning climate as an accelerator for learning autonomy that boosts interns’ problem-solving efficacy more strongly.

Originality/value

This study presents an expansion of the social learning theory’s conventional focus on general self-efficacy beliefs by delving into the realm of internships as a unique research context to explore problem-solving efficacy as a distinct facet of self-efficacy. Within this context, the study integrates the mediating role of problem-solving efficacy into the learning dynamics of internships, where interns engage in both learning goal orientation and communication skill learning. By concentrating on the internship setting within the workplace, this study effectively bridges the domains of management education and vocational psychology, extending insights beyond the classroom to comprehensively grasp the impact of learning goal orientation and communication skill learning.
Developing new healthcare practice learning environments through a third-space reflective practice approach: a case study
Authors: Griffiths Marc , Monaghan Kaz , Monaghan Mke , Tompkins Verna
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The creation of new practice learning environments for healthcare students promotes the development of professional judgement skills and decision-making. Through the modelling of established practices across other subject disciplines, Healthcare Technicians designed and created the Clinical Skills Lounge to support student learning outside of scheduled classes.

Design/methodology/approach

The design and development of a new learning and simulation space for healthcare students was created following feedback from students. Using a model of learning support for students across the creative subject disciplines, the creation of the Clinical Skills Lounge provided an opportunity to create a space where practical techniques could be practiced and support provided by Technicians.

Findings

Student feedback highlights the importance and flexibility of the Clinical Skills Lounge design and opportunities to learn and practice key skills outside of timetabled sessions. Greater confidence and opportunities to further develop decision-making skills were reported by students who use this space.

Originality/value

This particular type of learning environment promotes greater reflection, provides the opportunity for students to learn alongside their peers and encourages inter-professional learning. The opportunities for greater decision-making, confidence building and preparation for clinical placements.
Trends and challenges in research into the human aspects of ransomware: a systematic mapping study
Authors: Murray Garret , Falkeling Malin , Gao Shang
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to provide an overview of the trends and challenges relating to research into the human aspects of ransomware.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic mapping study was carried out to investigate the trends in studies into the human aspects of ransomware, identify challenges encountered by researchers and propose directions for future research. For each of the identified papers from this study, the authors mapped the year of publication, the type of paper, research strategy and data generation method, types of participants included, theories incorporated and lastly, the authors mapped the challenges encountered by the researchers.

Findings

Fifty-nine papers published between 2006 and 2022 are included in the study. The findings indicate that literature on the human aspects of ransomware was scarce prior to 2016. The most-used participant groups in this area are students and cybersecurity professionals, and most studies rely on a survey strategy using the questionnaire to collect data. In addition, many papers did not use theories for their research, but from those that did, game theory was used most often. Furthermore, the most reported challenge is that being hit with ransomware is a sensitive topic, which results in individuals and organisations being reluctant to share their experiences.

Research limitations/implications

This mapping study reveals that the body of literature in the area of human aspects of ransomware has increased over the past couple of years. The findings highlight that being transparent about ransomware attacks, when possible, can help others. Moreover, senior management plays an important role in shaping the information security culture of an organisation, whether to have a culture of transparency or of secrecy.

Originality/value

This study is the first of its kind of systematic mapping studies contributing to the body of knowledge on the human aspects of ransomware.
Residential transformations and real estate market trends associated with tourism activity in urban popular sectors: Ciudad Bolívar in Bogotá
Authors: Camargo Sierra Angélica
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify the transformations of the residential landscape and trends in the popular real estate market associated with tourist activity in a low-income neighborhood in Bogotá.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology was mainly qualitative, although the author analyzed some quantitative data. The author conducted three guided tourist tours in the area and systematically compared photographs taken in 2022 with satellite images in 2019 before starting the tourist activity. To analyze the real estate market, the author uses data on housing offers for sale and rent. Finally, the author conducted semi-structured interviews with tour guides, residents and other key actors in the sector.

Findings

This study identified some dynamics of change in the real estate market, particularly associated with an increase in housing sales and rental prices, as well as a possible effect on the increase of new informal growth processes. The author found a growing transformation of the urban and residential landscape associated with the painting of facades by the local administration and mural painting processes by community organizations. There are evident housing investment processes, some associated with verticalization and other use changes for tourism activities. It is necessary to reflect on these processes’ effects on the city’s sociospatial dynamics.

Originality/value

This study makes an empirical contribution to the relationship between residential real estate markets in low-income sectors and tourism activity. Although analyses of community-based tourism in popular areas have been conducted, less is known about the effects on the real estate market and the associated sociospatial transformations.
People-centric variables in the fourth industrial revolution: an application of SWARA methodology
Authors: Ojha Ravindra , Agarwal Alpana
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The accelerating business transformation through Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is expected to create significant value in the manufacturing industry by delivering considerably high productivity, superior quality, better efficiency and effectiveness. However, its evolutionary processes have far-reaching challenging for humanity. This has triggered a need to analyze the impact of I4.0 on various people-centric variables (PCVs).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper attempts to analyze the interrelationship dynamics between the PCVs in the current digital-industry ecosystem using a focus-group approach and causal loop diagrams. Application of the SWARA (stepwise weight assessment ratio analysis) methodology has provided its prioritized ranking in terms of importance.

Findings

The study has highlighted that I4.0 has a significant influence on five of the 13 PCVs – human quality of life, digital dexterity, high-skilled talent, low-skilled employment and creativity which contribute to 80% of the total impact.

Originality/value

The prioritized weights of the human factors from the SWARA approach have facilitated the assessment of the Human Resource Development Index (HRDI). The study is also contributing in enriching the literature on the human impact of the growing I4.0 and triggered the researchers to study further its adverse impact on critical human factors.

Key points

The paper pertains to debates on a very critical issue of impact of integration of the current intelligent digital technologies in manufacturing and services to transform businesses to be more flexible and agile.

This paper features I4.0 as a technology that allows integration of new products in the existing production lines, one-off manufacturing runs and high mix manufacturing.

The paper also highlights major adjustments in operational activities, processes, supply chain, and organizational redesign due to I4.0 adoption.

The current research study has significantly enriched the literature on the I4.0 impact on people-centric variables (PCVs) using the SWARA method. The use of the Causal Loop Diagram has very aptly brought out the type of causality (polarity) between the different PCVs in the growth of I4.0.
An investigation of the masculinity of entrepreneurial orientation in family business
Authors: Forster-Holt Nancy , Davis James H.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Miller (2011) revisited his influential 1983 work on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) and remarked that its underlying drivers are fully open to debate, fresh scholarship and connection with new theories. Indeed, the genealogy of the EO construct is rarely questioned. We take a “making masculinity visible” approach, engaging with a lens of masculinity, precarious manhood theory (PMT) and double standards of competency, to define and test the masculine elements of EO in the setting of family business CEOs.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the 2019 Successful Transgenerational Entrepreneurship Project (STEP) dataset, a comprehensive database of family business chief executive officers (CEOs), we examined the construct of EO, in whole and in its masculine elements. Stepwise multiple regression method was used to test the hypotheses of this study. Control variables entered the equation first, followed by the variable of interest for this study.

Findings

We find differences by gender when EO is tested as a whole construct. Further in testing its masculine dimensions, we find that being male is significant to the elements of autonomy and competitive aggressiveness and that gender is not significant to risk-taking.

Originality/value

Although research on the widespread and influential EO continues to proliferate (Covin and Wales, 2019), there is not an understanding of its applicability across genders (Fellnhofer et al., 2016). It is possible that EO may not explain how women do business. Our study contributes to the understanding of between-gender differences in EO, and our findings suggest that the masculine elements of EO vary by gender.
Abusive supervision and helping behavior among nursing staff: a moderated mediation model
Authors: Asim Muhammad , Zhiying Liu , Ghani Usman , Nadeem Muhammad Athar , Yi Xu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the adverse impacts of abusive supervision on helping behaviors among employees, as mediating by intention to leave and moderating by Islamic work ethics (IWE).

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was employed, and the sample consisted of 283 nurses working in various public sector hospitals in Pakistan. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS and AMOS with the PROCESS macro.

Findings

The results suggest that abusive supervision diminishes helping behavior among nurses. Additionally, the study reveals that intention to leave mediates the relationship of abusive supervision and nurses' helping behavior. Moreover, the introduction of IWE as a boundary condition reveals that the mediated link is weaker when IWE is higher, and vice versa.

Practical implications

This study provides valuable insights for hospital authorities to develop intervention strategies and policies aimed at reducing abusive supervision in hospitals. Hospital management should also be aware of the detrimental effects of abusive supervision on nurses' helping behaviors, which can be mitigated by promoting ethical values aligned with IWE.

Originality/value

This study makes a valuable contribution to the limited research on the link between abusive supervision and helping behaviors in hospital settings. It offers new perspectives by incorporating the Conservation of Resources theory, particularly within the healthcare sector. Furthermore, this research expands the current knowledge by investigating the mediating influence of intention to leave and the moderating effect of IWE in mitigating the adverse impact of abusive supervision on nurses' helping behavior in Pakistan's public sector hospitals.
What motivates customers’ participation in mobile instant messaging-based online restaurant community: an extended technology acceptance model
Authors: Xu Jie , Liu Min , Li Shuhao
Published: July 2024

Purpose

An increasing number of restaurants are building mobile instant messaging-based online restaurant communities to enhance connections with customers, but the mechanisms of customers’ behavioral intentions toward these communities remain unclear. To address this gap, this study aims to investigate the factors affecting customers’ acceptance of mobile instant messaging-based online restaurant communities from the perspectives of social support theory and technology acceptance model.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze data collected from 360 customers.

Findings

The results indicate that informational support and social presence influence perceived ease of use and usefulness. By contrast, emotional support significantly affects only perceived usefulness. Additionally, perceived ease of use and usefulness can positively predict customer attitudes and foster behavioral intentions.

Originality/value

This research broadens existing research on online restaurant communities by constructing an integrated model that considers social support-related and technology use-related factors to understand consumers’ participation in a new type of restaurant community, namely, the mobile instant messaging-based online restaurant community. The findings also offer guidance on how restaurants can encourage customers to embrace mobile instant messaging-based online restaurant communities.
A tie strength framework for improving the poor asnaf students’ normative commitment and behaviour
Authors: Binti Tamby Omar Aishah , Arshad Rasidah , Mat Isa Rosmah
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between tie strength and poor asnaf student’s normative commitment and its impact on behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 129 poor asnaf students participated in this study. SMART-PLS 3.2.8 was used to analyse the data.

Findings

The findings show that the tie strength dimension (trust, emotional intensity, mutual confiding and relational exchange) positively relates to poor asnaf student’s normative commitment. Also, the result shows that poor asnaf students’ normative commitment is positively related to recipient behaviour.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on poor asnaf students receiving zakat financial education aid.

Practical implications

The findings provide valuable information on the factors that encourage poor asnaf students’ normative commitment. Related parties, such as the zakat institution, could use these findings to plan further action to enhance the poor asnaf student’s normative commitment and behaviour.

Originality/value

The study showed that the social tie strength framework could be used to determine the variables affecting poor asnaf student’s normative commitment and behaviour.