bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Bridging diversity management and intellectual capital: insights and impacts in healthcare organizations
Authors: Brescia Valerio , Oppioli Michele , Degregori Ginevra , Santoro Gabriele
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The study examines the relationship between diversity management (DM) and intellectual capital (IC) in healthcare organizations. It aims to understand how embracing diversity across various domains – including cultural, gender and physical ability – enhances strategic value and competitive edge among healthcare institutions. This study is among the first papers to link DM and IC in the healthcare setting.

Design/methodology/approach

The two-phased methodological framework began with a bibliometric analysis of previous literature to distil significant variables commonly associated with DM in healthcare. Subsequently, based on the identified variables, the policy and planning documents of 17 Italian healthcare organizations were mapped to assess how well European Commission policies promoting the integration of DM into IC have been adopted, identifying any key oversights.

Findings

A significant link exists between effective DM and enhanced IC, particularly in fostering an inclusive organizational culture that values diverse employee backgrounds. This enhancement is evident in the increased recognition of varied cultural perspectives, improved gender diversity in leadership positions and the implementation of comprehensive anti-discrimination policies. Despite these benefits being recognized theoretically, the extent of practical application in healthcare settings varies. Some organizations show robust integration of these principles, while others exhibit significant gaps, especially in the Italian sample analysed.

Originality/value

This research underscores DM’s critical role in strengthening IC, particularly within the healthcare sector, which demands a high level of interpersonal interaction and cultural competence. The study’s insights encourage healthcare organizations to adopt more strategic approaches to DM, ultimately contributing to a more equitable healthcare system.
Knowledge-based dynamic capabilities for managing paradoxical tensions in circular business model innovation: an empirical exploration of an incumbent firm
Authors: Pascucci Federica , Pizzichini Lucia , Sabatini Andrea , Temperini Valerio , Mueller Jens
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to gain insights into the paradoxical tensions emerging from circular business model innovation (CBMI) and how to overcome them by developing a theoretical framework drawing on two theoretical streams: firstly, the paradox theory for shedding light on the often “invisible” contradictions generated by the implementation of circular economy (CE) principles in business model transformation; and secondly, the dynamic capability theory that can contribute to the investigation of how to manage these contradictions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a longitudinal case study approach to gain an in-depth understanding of the transformation and challenges faced by an incumbent firm in adopting a circular business model. Qualitative research methods are used to explore the paradoxical tensions and dynamic capabilities involved in the process.

Findings

The study finds that incumbent firms face numerous challenges and paradoxical tensions in the CBMI process. These tensions arise from difficulties in implementing organizational changes, balancing competing priorities and managing conflicting goals. Dynamic capabilities are crucial in managing these tensions and facilitating the transition to a circular business model.

Research limitations/implications

This paper contributes to the theoretical development of paradox theory by applying it to the new field of CBMI which is currently slightly investigated and responds to the call for studies looking at more fine-grained types of sustainable business models. The study adds to previous literature that how the firm handles paradoxes and tensions influences the pace and results of the process. If the firm becomes discouraged during the early stages of identifying new opportunities, the pace slows down, and the firm becomes hesitant to collaborate more with partners. Furthermore, the ability to capitalize on these opportunities is affected by these tensions and contradictions.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature by empirically investigating the process of CBMI in incumbent firms. It fills the gap in existing research by examining the existence of paradoxical tensions in a real-life setting and exploring the role of dynamic capabilities in managing these tensions. The findings provide practical insights for firms seeking a transition towards a CE and highlight that the ability to sense the external context should be developed as the new business model entails a central role of external actors.
Navigating the digital landscape: social media’s influence on luxury brand equity and purchase intention
Authors: Goi Chai Lee , Ngu Ik Ying , Chieng Fayrene Yew Leh
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how social media affects luxury brand equity and purchase intention in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaires were distributed across shopping malls in the Klang Valley, including Kuala Lumpur and surrounding areas, targeting Malaysian citizens aged 18 and above with a history of luxury purchases. Using random sampling, the study collected and analysed 300 valid responses.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that social media has a positive effect on luxury brand equity and that brand equity significantly influences purchase intention. However, the study reveals a negative impact of social media on purchase intention.

Originality/value

This study explores the profound impact of social media on luxury brand equity in Malaysia, revealing its role in shaping brand awareness, associations, uniqueness, loyalty and perceived quality.
So problematic and so tied to the media: analyzing the misinformation concern in six European countries
Authors: Rodríguez-Pérez Carlos , Murcia Verdú Francisco José , Ufarte Ruiz María José
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper addresses the social issue of misinformation in six European countries by investigating how intangible factors associated with the collective evaluation of political-institutional behaviors and judgments regarding media practices and uses of online communication channels are related to citizens’ concerns about misinformation.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a quantitative approach (data analysis), the study relies on data from the Eurobarometer 98.2 (2023), the official public opinion survey of European institutions. The analysis encompasses six European countries representing the pluralist-polarized (Spain, Italy and Greece) and democratic-corporatist models (Germany, Denmark and Sweden). With a multiple linear regression model, the research explores how independent variables help explain citizens' concerns regarding misinformation in each country.

Findings

The paper emphasizes three main findings: (1) for citizens in five out of six countries, the main factor associated with an increased misinformation concern is the distrust of political information on social network sites. (2) for citizens, how they evaluate the performance of traditional media relates to misinformation concerns and (3) this holds for countries categorized in pluralist-polarized and democratic-corporatist media system models.

Practical implications

Media managers and policymakers can leverage the insights from this research to address the social concern of misinformation.

Originality/value

This article adds value to existing misinformation studies by underscoring the significance of understanding how citizens’ assessments of political-institutional behaviors, journalism practices and the political use of online communication channels interconnect with the misinformation concern in both pluralist-polarized and democratic-corporatist models.
Increasing temperature threatens post‐fire auto‐successional dynamics of a Mediterranean obligate seeder
Authors: Paneghel Mara , Torné Gil , Morin Xavier , Alday Josu G. , Coll Lluís
Published: October 2024

Reproductive traits influence plant auto‐successional dynamics in post‐fire regeneration. Obligate seeding species rely on their seedbank and on the climatic conditions following the fire to ensure a successful recovery, defining the window of opportunity for seedling emergence. In the Mediterranean basin, emergence opportunities generally begin with autumnal rains. However, climate change‐induced increases in temperature and drought could jeopardise the regeneration capacity of seeding species by causing temporal shifts in emergence opportunities or by modifying wildfire seasonality.

This study aimed to explore the impact of experimentally induced climate change on regeneration dynamics of Aleppo pine (Pinus halepensis), a serotinous Mediterranean obligate seeder.

In March 2021, we set up an 18‐month climate change simulation experiment with 15 open‐top chambers (OTC), each paired with a control subplot (CON) on top of Aleppo pines that were naturally regenerating after a stand‐replacing wildfire in SW Catalonia (June 2019). We tagged 178 young Aleppo pine recruits in OTC and CON subplots (98 and 81 respectively), classified according to their initial size, to periodically measure height growth and survival throughout the experiment duration. Furthermore, Aleppo pine seeds were seasonally sown (7900 total seeds) in 10 subplot pairs between May 2021 and April 2022, to monthly monitor temporal patterns of seedling emergence and survival.

We found that OTCs reduced overall emergence rates and caused the loss of the autumnal window of opportunity for the emergence of Aleppo pine seedlings. Furthermore, seedlings which emerged within OTCs faced higher mortality rates in all seasons, with only 1% of seedlings surviving compared with 21.1% of seedlings in control plots. The OTC‐induced conditions were also detrimental to the survival of recruited seedlings, especially those with a smaller initial size, although no significant effects of temperature increase were found on growth.

Synthesis. Climate change is likely to interfere with the post‐fire regeneration dynamics of obligate seeders by shortening the temporal window of opportunities for emergence and by enhancing the bottleneck effects throughout the recruitment process in the early phases of pine demographic recovery. Altogether, it could threaten post‐fire regeneration by increasing the hazard of a demographic collapse of Aleppo pine.
Will Fun and Care Prevent Gig Workers' Withdrawal? A Moderated Mediation Model
Authors: Huang Xin‐Jie , Sun Zhao‐Yu , Li Jia‐Min , Li Jia‐Hua
Published: October 2024

This study investigates how gig work challenges influence job withdrawal, mediated by stressors and perceived job insecurity, while considering the moderating effects of playful work design and a caring organizational ethical climate. Drawing on Cognitive–Emotional Systems Theory and the job demands–resources model, data were gathered from 516 Chinese gig workers. Results show that gig work challenges positively impact job withdrawal by triggering stressors and job insecurity. Notably, playful work design moderates this relationship, mitigating the impact of gig work challenges as hedonic job crafting levels increase. However, the caring ethical climate does not significantly influence the relationship between stressors and perceived job insecurity in the gig work context. The findings suggest that promoting playful work design can be an effective strategy to alleviate the negative effects of gig work challenges, thereby enhancing job satisfaction and retention in the gig economy. This study also provides a new perspective on understanding the mechanisms behind gig workers' workplace withdrawal behaviors, deepening the application of the Cognitive–Emotional Systems Theory and the Job Demands–Resources Model in the gig economy.
Low‐carbohydrate diet proved effective and safe for youths with type 1 diabetes: A randomised trial
Authors: Levran Neriya , Levek Noah , Gruber Noah , Afek Arnon , Monsonego‐Ornan Efrat , Pinhas‐Hamiel Orit
Published: October 2024

Aim

Low‐carbohydrate (LC) diets have gained popularity. We compared glycaemic and metabolic parameters following an LC versus a Mediterranean (MED) diet in adolescents and youths with type 1 diabetes.

Methods

In a six‐month, open‐label, randomised trial, 40 individuals were assigned to either diet. Glycaemic outcomes, based on continuous glucose monitoring, included per cent time of blood glucose in the range [3.9–10.0 mmol/L (70–180 mg/dL)] and haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c).

Results

Twenty‐eight (70%) were females. The median age was 18 years. After 6 months, the median time in range increased from 47% to 58% in the LC and from 52% to 64% in the MED diet group (p = 0.98). The delta values for the time in range were 16% and 7% for the respective groups (p = 0.09). The percentage of time >13.9 mmol/L (>250 mg/dL) improved more in the LC diet than in the MED diet group: −10% vs. −2% (p = 0.005). The percentage of time <3.0 mmol/L (<54 mg/dL) was comparable. The delta HbA1c improved in both groups: −0.7% vs. −0.1% (p = 0.02). Changes in BMI Z‐score and lipid levels were similar.

Conclusion

Both diets improved glycaemic outcomes in adolescents and youths with type 1 diabetes, without increasing hypoglycaemia or cardiovascular risk factors, indicating comparable safety and efficacy.
Soft tissue response to titanium healing abutments treated by Er: YAG laser or plasma spray: A randomized controlled feasibility clinical study with SEM and histological analysis
Authors: Yossri Dalia , Din Nevine H. Kheir El , Afifi Nermeen Sami , Adel‐Khattab Doaa
Published: October 2024

Objective

Soft tissue seal around implants ensures stable osseointegration and a long‐term survival of dental implants. Different surface modification and decontamination for implant abutments were endorsed in order to improve peri‐implant soft tissue healing, such as laser, plasma spray, acid etching, and steaming. The aim of this study was to evaluate the response of peri‐implant soft tissue to titanium abutments treated with Erbium‐doped: Yttrium‐Aluminum‐Garnet (Er:YAG) laser versus plasma spray.

Methods

Twenty‐four patients who required implant placement in the maxillary arch participated in this study. Patients were divided into three groups, abutments treated with Er:YAG laser versus cold plasma spray and untreated abutments. Fourteen days following the implant abutment insertion, soft tissue peri‐implant biopsies were taken for histological, histochemical, and immunohistochemical evaluation. Scanning electron microscopy was done for the abutments; plaque index (PI) and gingival index (GI) were assessed 14 days and 3 months following final restoration.

Results

Regarding the histological results, the least mean inflammatory cell count was in the plasma group (174.09 ± 40.67), followed by the laser group (654.27 ± 85.95) and the control group (852.00 ± 117.98), with statistically significant differences between them. The mean area fraction of collagen fibers showed the highest value in the plasma group (9.73 ± 1.91), followed by the laser group (3.25 ± 0.49), while the lowest value was found in the control group (1.17 ± 0.51). The immunohistochemical expression of E‐cadherin was significantly higher and uniformly distributed in the plasma group (42.4 ± 11.2%) followed by the laser group (15.4 ± 4.07%) and the control group (6.8 ± 1.7%). SEM analysis of healing abutments showed fibroblast‐like cells, which were more developed with dense fibers in the plasma group; laser group fibers showed fewer and more delicate fibers than the plasma group, while no fibers were detected in the control group.

Conclusion

Within the limitations of this feasibility study, the present data concluded that plasma spray and Erbium: YAG laser can be used for abutment surface treatment to achieve better peri‐implant soft tissue healing. Clinically and histologically, plasma spray showed a better effect on the peri‐implant soft tissues by reducing the inflammatory reaction, promoting collagen fiber formation, higher fibroblast‐like cell attachment, and upregulating E‐cadherin expression than Erbium: YAG laser and control groups.
Hunger in global war economies: understanding the decline and return of famines
Authors: de Waal Alex
Published: October 2024

The resurgence of famines is a topic of concern. This paper explains the recent trajectory using the framework of contending ‘global war economies’. It characterises the unipolar neoliberal world order era (1986–2015) as the ‘Pax Americana’ war economy, focusing on the United States dollar's roles. These were the decades of the liberal imperium, the corporate food regime, and counterinsurgent coalitions, which generated structural vulnerability to food crises and reduced the actual incidence and lethality of famine. The paper characterises the subsequent period (2016 onwards) as the challenge of the BRICS club, focusing on its efforts to rewrite the global political economy's rules, proactively hedging among diversifying currency regimes. This entails a scramble to secure strategic commodities and infrastructure in subaltern countries, which is intensifying conflict and food insecurity, and revising international norms in favour of reasserting sovereign rights. The global political–economic contestation and, especially, the associated normative regression are permissive of political and military triggers of famine.
Improving the estimation of the Boyce index using statistical smoothing methods for evaluating species distribution models with presence‐only data
Authors: Liu Canran , Newell Graeme , White Matt , Machunter Josephine
Published: October 2024

Species distribution models (SDMs) underpin a wide range of decisions concerning biodiversity. Although SDMs can be built using presence‐only data, rigorous evaluation of these models remains challenging. One evaluation method is the Boyce index (BI), which uses the relative frequencies between presence sites and background sites within a series of bins or moving windows spanning the entire range of predicted values from the SDM. Obtaining accurate estimates of the BI using these methods relies upon having a large number of presences, which is often not feasible, particularly for rare or restricted species that are often the focus of modelling. Wider application of the BI requires a method that can accurately and reliably estimate the BI using small numbers of presence records. In this study, we investigated the effectiveness of five statistical smoothing methods (i.e. thin plate regression splines, cubic regression splines, B‐splines, P‐splines and adaptive smoothers) and the mean of these five methods (denoted as ‘mean') to estimate the BI. We simulated 600 species with varying prevalence and built distribution models using random forest and Maxent methods. For training data, we used two levels for the number of presences (NPtrain: 20 and 500), along with 2 × NPtrain and 10000 random points (i.e. random background sites) for each modelling method. We used the number of presences at four levels (NPbi: 1000, 200, 50 and 10) to investigate its effect, together with 5000 random points to calculate the BI. Our results indicate that the BI estimates from the binning and moving window methods are severely affected by the decrease of NPbi, but all the estimates of the BI from smoothing‐based methods were almost always unbiased for realistic situations. Hence, we recommend these methods for estimating the BI for evaluating SDMs when verified absence data are unavailable.
The political economy of minimum wage setting: The Factories and Shops Act of Victoria (Australia), 1896–1913
Authors: Seltzer Andrew J.
Published: October 2024

The Victorian Factories and Shops Act of 1896, the second minimum wage law in the world, empowered administrative agencies (‘Special Boards’) to set trade‐specific minimum rates on the basis of age, sex, and occupation. Some Victorian supporters of minimum wages looked to end sweating and protect women and children, while others sought to use the law to protect adult men. Opponents argued that they would disrupt labour markets, increasing employers’ costs and creating unintended consequences for workers. Evidence from actual minimum wages suggests that boards were loosely constrained by market factors, but also that they had some discretion. Some Special Boards essentially followed the market for their trades while others set rates that were binding for some workers. To the extent that minimum rates were binding, they tended to reduce inequality among adult male workers, particularly after a 1907 federal law established a living wage covering employers with operations in multiple states. However, they also increased inequality across groups, increasing wages of adult men relative to those of women and youths. The act formally institutionalized gender‐based pay differences, a practice that continued in Australian minimum wage setting for more than 70 years.
Concentration‐ and time‐dependent behavioural effects of ethanol on Lumbriculus variegatus
Authors: Seeley Aidan , Mahmood Romessa , Bellamy Caitlin , Roome Elis G. , Williams Benjamin S. , Davies Nia A. , Wallace Melisa J.
Published: October 2024

Ethanol is one of the most widely used drugs in the world. Ethanol induces profound physiological and behavioural responses in invertebrate model organisms, such as Caenorhabditis elegans and Drosophila melanogaster. Lumbriculus variegatus (Annelida, Oligochaete) is an aquatic worm which shows behavioural responses to common drugs and thus is potentially useful in pharmacological research. The effects of ethanol are unknown in this organism. In this study, we examine the effects of acute exposure to ethanol (0–500 mM) on the stereotypical movements and locomotor activity of L. variegatus and examine the concentration‐ (0–500 mM) and time‐dependent (0–210 min) effects of ethanol in L. variegatus. We show that ≥250 mM ethanol reversibly reduced the ability of tactile stimulation to elicit stereotypical movements, namely body reversal and helical swimming and locomotor activity (p < 0.05, N = 8). We also found that 2 min of exposure to ≥250 mM ethanol rapidly induces steady‐state hypokinesis (p < 0.05, N = 11) and confirm ethanol absorption into L. variegatus tissues. Additionally, we also observed acute ethanol tolerance after 150 min of exposure to 500 mM ethanol (p < 0.05, N = 24). This study is the first to report the behavioural effects of ethanol in L. variegatus. Our results show that this is a model organism for use in ethanol studies, providing further evidence for its utility in pharmacological research.
Therapeutic burden in hidradenitis suppurativa: a cross‐sectional study of 557 patients
Authors: Haselgruber Sofía , Muñoz‐Barba Daniel , Leon‐Pérez Francisco Javier , Cuenca‐Barrales Carlos , Arias‐Santiago Salvador , Molina‐Leyva Alejandro
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Therapeutic burden (TB) has been identified as a potential predictor of response to biologic therapy in hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). We aim to analyze the determinants of TB in real‐world clinical settings among HS patients to explain this concept and its utility as an additional tool for guiding therapeutic decision‐making.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional study including all consecutive HS patients attending a specialized HS clinic between 2017 and 2024. The primary variable was TB, defined as the cumulative sum of prior systemic treatment cycles and surgical interventions for HS. We analyzed whether sociodemographic or clinical factors were associated with a higher TB.

Results

We included 557 HS patients. Of these, 50.81% were women, and the mean age was 41.87 (14.19) years. Most patients (62.30%) were referred from general dermatology consultations. The mean disease duration was 17.52 (11.51) years. Regarding disease severity, 46.50% presented with Hurley II, and 42.19% had an IHS‐4 score between 4 and 10. Before their baseline visit, 9.70% of patients had received biological therapy, mostly adalimumab (88.89%). The mean TB was 2.42 (2.25) systemic medical and/or surgical interventions. Referral from general dermatology or other hospital departments, older age, longer disease duration, greater HS severity, presence of pilonidal sinus, and prior biological therapy were significantly associated with higher TB.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that TB comprehensively captures HS severity and progression factors. This metric could prove valuable in aiding decision‐making for HS patients by indicating when a change in therapy might be necessary.
A review of near‐net shape forming by hot isostatic pressure technology
Authors: Lv Zhoujin , Lu Min , Xiao Guoqiang , Ma Yuan , Weng Ding , Wang Bao , Shang Zeyang , Qi Wen , Chen Lei , Chang Jinlin , Wang Jiadao
Published: October 2024

Near‐net shaping hot isostatic pressing (NNS‐HIP) forming process has the advantage of high material utilization ratio and good uniformity of billet microstructure. It is widely used to produce critical parts for harsh service environments in special fields such as aerospace and energy and chemical industry. This paper introduces the process characteristics and production flow of hot isostatic near‐net forming, the representative materials of hot isostatic near‐net forming, the development and application at home and abroad, and the micro‐ and macromodels of numerical simulation powder densification by HIP near‐net forming. Finally, the challenges and development trends of this technology are prospected, and corresponding countermeasures are put forward.
Seagrass Biodiversity Under the Latest‐Generation Scenarios of Projected Climate Change
Authors: Gouvêa Lidiane , Fragkopoulou Eliza , B. Araújo Miguel , Serrão Ester A. , Assis Jorge
Published: October 2024

Aim

The potentially cascading consequences of climate changes on redistribution of habitat‐forming species, like seagrasses, remain a major research gap. Empirical demonstrations of local population changes are increasingly reported without a globally integrated predictive framework as a leading testable hypothesis. Therefore, here, we aimed to estimate changes in species richness, community composition, and areas of climatic refugia under future climate scenarios.

Location

Global scale.

Time Period

Present‐day conditions (from 2010 to 2020) and for three Shared Socioeconomic Pathway (SSP) scenarios of future climate change (from 2090 to 2100).

Major Taxa Studies

Seagrasses (plantae).

Methods

We coupled seagrass occurrences with environmental predictors (temperature, salinity, nitrate, wave energy, and ice) in stacked species distribution modelling.

Results

Models estimated a present global extent of 917,169 km2 with high species richness in Temperate Australasia, Indo‐Pacific, and Temperate North Pacific. Future projections predicted widespread spatial redistribution, with Arctic expansions, losses in lower latitudes, and deeper vertical ranges, while globally maintaining the area extent occupied worldwide by seagrass species (only 5% of change). Species richness increased poleward under more drastic scenarios (SSP3‐7.0 and SSP5‐8.5), with losses in tropical zones (30oN to 30oS). Local climatic refugia are retained in all scenarios but decrease under higher emissions. Additionally, even where seagrass species remain, widespread community composition changes were predicted.

Main Conclusions

Our findings serve as baselines to inform, anticipate, and mitigate cascading consequences of shifts in seagrass ecosystems that provide essential services for humanity.
First description of leucism in the deep‐sea angular rough shark (Oxynotus centrina) and the first documented pigment disorder in family Oxynotidae Gill, 1912
Authors: Gajić Andrej A. , de Loose Emilie , Martin Andrea G. , Neuman Elias , Karalić Emina
Published: October 2024

The capture of a rare, critically endangered adult angular rough shark, Oxynotus centrina (Linnaeus, 1758), with abnormal coloration is reported in this paper. The shark exhibited a partial reduction in pigmentation, resulting in an overall pale appearance with white‐greyish patches. Since the retinal pigmentation appeared normal, the shark was considered leucistic. This represents the first documented case of leucism in this species and the first colour disorder reported in the family Oxynotidae Gill, 1912. Despite the atypical appearance, the physical health of the shark seemed unaffected, supporting the notion that pigment disorders in deep‐sea sharks do not inherently impair survival and growth. Full morphometric characteristics are presented and compared with those of a normal individual of the same sex caught in the same area, showing no differences.
Integrating material flow analysis and supply chain resilience analysis to study silicon carbide
Authors: Böcher Catrin , Sprecher Benjamin , Fishman Tomer
Published: October 2024

Silicon carbide (SiC) is a niche nonmetallic material that is essential in many industrial processes. Here, we integrate material flow analysis and supply chain resilience analysis to understand global SiC stocks and flows and to assess its supply chain. We use industry interviews to fill data gaps and collect information on the SiC system to overcome data scarcity. We find that globally around 1000 kt of SiC is produced each year. The biggest use of SiC is the abrasives industry (40%), followed by metallurgy (28%), refractories (20%), technical ceramics (0.7%), other uses (0.7%), and semiconductors (0.01%). As an energy‐intensive material, the SiC supply chain is under pressure, increasing the relevance of resilience considerations. Besides typical supply chain risks such as low diversity of supply and geopolitical trade restrictions, SiC particularly faces risks due to its energy‐intensive production process and associated emissions. In the SiC semiconductor supply chain, losses of nearly 75% are a particular issue. Due to high demand in the SiC market, stockpiles are negligible, and substitution is difficult in most sectors. We find that in the case of SiC, sustainability measures such as use reduction, recycling, or decreasing energy use or emissions would also positively contribute to supply chain resilience. This article met the requirements for a gold‐gold JIE data openness badge described at http://jie.click/badges.
In‐use dissipation of technology‐critical elements from vehicles and renewable energy technologies in Vienna, Austria: A public health matter?
Authors: Baumgart André , Haluza Daniela , Prohaska Thomas , Trimmel Simone , Pitha Ulrike , Irrgeher Johanna , Wiedenhofer Dominik
Published: October 2024

The rollout of electric vehicles and photovoltaic panels is essential to mitigate climate change. However, they depend on technology‐critical elements (TCEs), which can be harmful to human health and whose use is rapidly expanding, while recycling is lacking. While mining has received substantial attention, in‐use dissipation in urban areas has so far not been assessed, for example, corrosion and abrasion of vehicle components and weather‐related effects affecting thin‐film photovoltaic panels. Therefore, the question arises to which extent TCEs dissipate during use and which potential non‐occupational human health impacts could occur. We assessed the available information on urban in‐use dissipation and human health concerns and conducted exploratory modeling of in‐use technology stocks, in‐ and outflows, and in‐use dissipation of neodymium, dysprosium, lanthanum, praseodymium, cerium, gallium, germanium, and tellurium contained in 21 vehicle and renewable energy technologies, for Vienna, Austria. In prospective scenarios, TCE dynamics in a trend‐continuation vis à vis official city policy plans and a more ambitious transition scenario were then assessed. We find that electrifying the vehicle fleet without demand‐reduction is the main driver of TCE consumption, effectively doubling cumulative end‐of‐life outflows to 3,073 [2,452–3,966] t and cumulative in‐use dissipation to 9.3 [5.2–15.7] t by the year 2060. Sufficiency‐based measures could reduce demand and in‐use dissipation well below levels with continued trends, thus highlighting the need to combine decarbonization with demand‐reducing measures. These results help assess potential future in‐use dissipation dynamics and inform discussions about potential public health hazards associated with exposure to TCEs accumulating in the urban environment.
Framework for Nursing Quality Assessment in Tracheotomy Dysphagia Following Craniocerebral Trauma Using the Structure‐Process‐Outcome Model
Authors: An Delian , Li Yanfeng , Zhang Yingjie , Jiang Youli , Fan Ping , Ruan Hengfang , Hou Xingyue , Chen Miaoxia , Li Huijuan
Published: October 2024

Aim

This study aimed to establish a comprehensive set of nursing‐sensitive quality indicators (NSQIs) for patients with dysphagia following tracheotomy due to acquired brain injury (ABI), based on the ‘structure‐process‐outcome’ model.

Design

A Delphi survey.

Methods

The research utilised a mixed‐methods approach, including systematic literature reviews, qualitative interviews and two rounds of Delphi expert consultations. A diverse team comprising specialists in dysphagia rehabilitation and nursing management conducted the research, which involved defining and refining NSQIs through extensive evaluations and consensus among recruited experts.

Results

The finalised NSQI includes 4 structural indicators, 13 process indicators and 4 outcome indicators, covering key aspects such as resource allocation, patient assessment and clinical outcomes. The expert consensus provides verification. Kendall's harmony coefficients are 0.304 and 0.138 (p < 0.001), respectively, and the mean importance assignments of indicators at all levels are 3.90–5.00. The final care of patients with tracheotomy and dysphagia after brain injury was constructed. The evaluation indicators include a total of 4 first‐level indicators, 23 second‐level indicators and 52 third‐level indicators.

Conclusion

The established NSQIs offer a systematic framework to enhance the quality of nursing care for ABI patients with posttracheotomy dysphagia. This model facilitates precise monitoring and proactive management of nursing practices, promising better patient outcomes and streamlined care processes.

Implication for the Profession and Patient Care

This study develops targeted NSQIs to improve dysphagia management in ABI patients’ posttracheotomy, fostering better patient outcomes and advancing nursing education through essential specialised training.

Patient or Public Contribution

Expert‐driven insights from experienced clinicians informed the NSQIs, ensuring their relevance and effectiveness in enhancing patient‐centred care.
Objective and Subjective Sleep Characteristics of Japanese University Students: Analysis Using Questionnaires and Wearable Trackers
Authors: Uchida Tomohiro , Kurosawa Tai
Published: October 2024

The transition from high school to university is characterized by changes in students' social and learning environments, potentially impacting sleep and learning behaviors. To examine the sleep characteristics of university students, this study aimed to (a) measure sleep in a living environment using a wearable tracker; (b) use a self‐administered questionnaire to examine the relationship between objective and subjective sleep; and (c) examine how psychological aspects are related to objective and subjective sleep. Fifty undergraduate and graduate students participated, with 310 sleep records obtained. The objective means total sleep time showed a moderately positive correlation with sleep quantity in the 3‐Dimensional Sleep Scale. Furthermore, we found that mental health, trait anxiety, and quality of life do not correlate with objective total sleep time but are significantly moderately correlated with subjective sleep quantity. The combination of wearable trackers and subjective reports may provide a more precise understanding of university students' actual sleep patterns and how different aspects of sleep behavior are associated with health outcomes.
When words fail us: An integrative review of innovative elicitation techniques for qualitative interviews
Authors: Kahlke Renate , Maggio Lauren A. , Lee Mark C. , Cristancho Sayra , LaDonna Kori , Abdallah Zahra , Khehra Aakashdeep , Kshatri Kushal , Horsley Tanya , Varpio Lara
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Interviews are central to many qualitative studies in health professions education (HPE). However, researchers often struggle to elicit rich data and engage diverse participants who may find this strategy exclusionary. Elicitation techniques are strategies tailored to address these challenges, enhancing oral conversations through other forms of interaction—for example, participant photography and neighbourhood walks. These strategies are tailored to elicit the rich data needed to address complex problems and meaningfully engage participants. Unfortunately, guidance on these techniques is scattered across literatures from diverse fields. In this synthesis, we offer an overview of the elicitation techniques available and advice about how to choose between them.

Methods

We conducted an integrative review, drawing on methodological literature from across the health and social sciences. Our interdisciplinary searches yielded 3056 citations. We included 293 citations that were methodologically focused and discussed elicitation techniques used in interviews with adults. We then extracted specific elicitation techniques, summarising each technique to capture key features, as well as strengths and weaknesses. From this, we developed a framework to help researchers identify challenges in their interview‐based research and to select elicitation techniques that address their challenges.

Results

To enrich data, researchers might seek to shift conversations away from participants' entrenched narratives, to externalise conversations on sensitive topics, or to elicit affect, tacit knowledge or contextual details. When empowering participants, researchers might seek to increase equity between the researcher and participant or foster interview accessibility across diverse participant populations.

Discussion

When chosen with study goals in mind, elicitation techniques can enrich interview data. To harness this potential, we need to re‐conceptualise interviews as co‐production of knowledge by researcher(s) and participant(s). To make interviews more equitable and accessible, we need to consider flexibility so that each participant can engage in ways that best suit their needs and preferences.
Protein P5 of pear chlorotic leaf spot‐associated virus is a pathogenic factor that suppresses RNA silencing and enhances virus movement
Authors: Ren Qiuting , Zhang Zhe , Zhang Yongle , Zhang Yue , Gao Yujie , Zhang Hongyi , Wang Xianhong , Wang Guoping , Hong Ni
Published: October 2024

Pear chlorotic leaf spot‐associated virus (PCLSaV) is a newly described emaravirus that infects pear trees. The virus genome consists of at least five single‐stranded, negative‐sense RNAs. The P5 encoded by RNA5 is unique to PCLSaV. In this study, the RNA silencing suppression (RSS) activity of P5 and its subcellular localization were determined in Nicotiana benthamiana plants by Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated expression assays and green fluorescent protein RNA silencing induction. Protein P5 partially suppressed local RNA silencing, strongly suppressed systemic RNA silencing and triggered reactive oxygen species accumulation. The P5 self‐interacted and showed subcellular locations in plasmodesmata, endoplasmic reticulum and nucleus. Furthermore, P5 rescued the cell‐to‐cell movement of a movement defective mutant PVXΔP25 of potato virus X (PVX) and enhanced the pathogenicity of PVX. The N‐terminal 1–89 amino acids of the P5 were responsible for the self‐interaction ability and RSS activity, for which the signal peptide at positions 1–19 was indispensable. This study demonstrated the function of an emaravirus protein as a pathogenic factor suppressing plant RNA silencing to enhance virus infection and as an enhancer of virus movement.
Trait‐based ecology, trait‐free ecology, and in between
Authors: Westoby Mark
Published: October 2024

Trait‐based ecology has become a popular phrase. But all species have traits, and their contributions to ecological processes are governed by those traits. So then, is not all ecology trait‐based? Actually, there do exist areas of ecology that are consciously trait‐free, such as neutral theory and species abundance distributions. But much of ecology could be considered actually or potentially trait‐based. A spectrum is described, from trait‐free through trait‐implicit and trait‐explicit to trait‐centric. Trait‐centric ecology includes positioning ecological strategies along trait dimensions, with a view to inferring commonalities and to generalizing from species studied in more detail. Trait‐explicit includes physiological and functional ecology, and areas of community ecology and ecosystem function that invoke traits. Trait‐implicit topics are those where it is important that species are different, but formulations did not initially characterize the differences via traits. Subsequently, strands within these trait‐implicit topics have often moved towards making use of species traits, so the boundary with trait‐explicit is permeable. Trait‐based ecology is productive because of the dialogue between understanding processes in detail, via traits that relate most closely, and generalizing across many species, via traits that can be compared widely. An enduring key question for trait‐based ecology is which traits for which processes.
Metabolic rate and foraging behaviour: a mechanistic link across body size and temperature gradients
Authors: Shokri Milad , Cozzoli Francesco , Basset Alberto
Published: October 2024

The mechanistic link between metabolic rate and foraging behaviour is a crucial aspect of several energy‐based ecological theories. Despite its importance to ecology however, it remains unclear whether and how energy requirements and behavioural patterns are mechanistically connected. Here we aimed to assess how modes of behaviour, including cumulative space use, patch selection and time spent in an experimental resource‐patchy environment, are related to a forager's standard metabolic rate (SMR) and its main determinants, i.e. body mass and temperature. We tested the individual behavioural patterns and metabolic rates of a model organism, the amphipod Gammarus insensibilis, across a range of body masses and temperatures. We demonstrated quantitatively that body mass and temperature exert a major influence on foraging decisions and space use behaviour via their effects on metabolic rates and the marginal value of energy. Individual cumulative space use was found to scale allometrically with body mass and exponentially with temperature, with patch giving‐up time falling as body mass and temperature increased. In response to warmer temperatures, the specimens adaptively intensified their foraging effort and explored larger spaces to offset the elevated SMR. Our results showed that SMR explained more variation than body mass and temperature combined, and had greater predictive power for behavioural patterns. Furthermore, foraging decisions regarding patch choice and partitioning were strongly related to mass‐and‐temperature‐adjusted SMR (residual), which is a component of metabolic phenotype. Individuals with higher M–T adjusted SMR initially preferred the most profitable patch and, as time progressed, abandoned the patch earlier and explored more space than the others. These results demonstrate that foraging decisions are intimately associated with variations in standard metabolic rate, whether phenotypic or due to size and temperature combined. This, in turn, sheds light on higher‐order energy‐based ecological processes.
The Impact of Federal Fiscal Rules on Debt: Insights from the European Union Countries
Authors: Park Sungho , Kim Sewon
Published: October 2024

This study analyzes the impact of federal fiscal rules on government debt in European Union countries. We describe the growth and institutional reforms of fiscal rules in European Union countries and conduct an empirical analysis to examine their impact on central government debt to draw comparative implications for federal fiscal rules in the United States. Our empirical results suggest that more stringent expenditure rules can reduce central or federal government debt relative to GDP, while other types of fiscal rules are found to be insignificant. We also find that certain design and structural features of fiscal rules are more important than others. Our findings offer timely and pertinent policy implications for the mounting federal budget and debt challenges of the United States.
Natural variation in the chickpea metabolome under drought stress
Authors: Chaturvedi Palak , Pierides Iro , López‐Hidalgo Cristina , Garg Vanika , Zhang Shuang , Barmukh Rutwik , Bellaire Anke , Li Jiahang , Bachmann Gert , Valledor Luis , Varshney Rajeev K. , Ghatak Arindam , Weckwerth Wolfram
Published: October 2024

Chickpea is the world's fourth largest grown legume crop, which significantly contributes to food security by providing calories and dietary protein globally. However, the increased frequency of drought stress has significantly reduced chickpea production in recent years. Here, we have performed a field experiment with 36 diverse chickpea genotypes to evaluate grain yield, photosynthetic activities and molecular traits related to drought stress. For metabolomics analysis, leaf tissue was collected at three time points representing different pod‐filling stages. We identified L‐threonic acid, fructose and sugar alcohols involved in chickpea adaptive drought response within the mid‐pod‐filling stage. A stress susceptibility index for each genotype was calculated to identify tolerance capacity under drought, distributing the 36 genotypes into four categories from best to worst performance. To understand how biochemical mechanisms control different traits for genetic improvement, we performed a differential Jacobian analysis, which unveiled the interplay between various metabolic pathways across three time points, including higher flux towards inositol interconversions, glycolysis for high‐performing genotypes, fumarate to malate conversion, and carbon and nitrogen metabolism perturbations. Metabolic GWAS (mGWAS) analysis uncovered gene candidates involved in glycolysis and MEP pathway corroborating with the differential biochemical Jacobian results. Accordingly, this proposed data analysis strategy bridges the gap from pure statistical association to causal biochemical relations by exploiting natural variation. Our study offers new perspectives on the genetic and metabolic understanding of drought tolerance‐associated diversity in the chickpea metabolome and led to the identification of metabolic control points that can be also tested in other legume crops.
A Modest Conception of Moral Right & Wrong
Authors: Dannenberg Jorah
Published: October 2024

Taking inspiration from Hume, I advance a conception of the part of morality concerned with right and wrong, rooted in the actual moral rules established and followed within our society. Elsewhere, I have argued this approach provides a way of thinking about how we are genuinely “bound in a moral way” to keep our moral obligations that it is both ethically attractive and psychologically realistic. Here, I focus on some implications for our evaluation and criticism of actions, which some may initially find peculiar. Sometimes we should judge of an action that it was (unqualifiedly) right, and the result of flawless reasoning by the agent; and yet, we may also have cause to regard that same action as, in other respects, deeply morally deficient. Using Nomy Arpaly's conception of “responsiveness to right‐making moral reasons” as a foil, I argue that this unorthodox implication leads to more subtle and helpful evaluations of actions—especially actions undertaken in the context of wicked social institutions. The conception also encourages us to take a more conflicted, less confident, attitude toward many of our own righteous and rational actions—and perhaps even toward our capacity for living together by moral rules itself.