bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Identifying the determinants and consequences of post-recovery satisfaction in B2B customers: a multidimensional justice theory perspective
Authors: Ahmad Bilal , Yuan Jingbo , Akhtar Naeem , Ashfaq Muhammad
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Drawing on justice theory, this study aims to investigate the determinants and consequences of post-recovery satisfaction in a business-to-business (B2B) sales environment. In addition, customer demandingness is used as a moderator in this study to assess the relationship between distributive justice (DJ), procedural justice (PJ) and interactional justice (IJ) and post-recovery satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A conceptual framework was developed by testing five hypotheses based on data collected from 337 salesperson–customer dyads.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that DJ, PJ and IJ are positively linked with post-recovery satisfaction. In addition, post-recovery satisfaction negatively impacts customer distrust. On the contrary, customer distrust positively influences value co-creation behavior and has a negative impact on trusting intention. Finally, the customer’s level of demandingness significantly and positively moderates the linkage between the dimensions of justice perception and post-recovery satisfaction.

Originality/value

Despite extensive literature on distrust, a research model that examines customers’ distrust attitudes toward service failure and B2B recovery satisfaction needs to be developed and validated. In this regard, the authors developed a framework to measure post-recovery satisfaction and its association with customers’ distrust in B2B a context.
Shirking and capital accumulation under oligopolistic competition
Authors: Zhou Haiwen , Zhou Ruhai
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to study how technology choice is affected by capital accumulation when there is unemployment and firms engage in oligopolistic competition.

Design/methodology/approach

In this infinite horizon model, unemployment results from the existence of efficiency wages. Consumers choose saving optimally, and there is capital accumulation. Firms producing intermediate goods engage in oligopolistic competition and choose technologies to maximize profits. A more advanced technology has a higher fixed cost but a lower marginal cost of production.

Findings

In the steady state, it is shown that an increase in population size or a decrease in the discount rate leads intermediate good producers to choose more advanced technologies and the wage rate increases. Interestingly, the equilibrium unemployment rate decreases with the size of the population.

Originality/value

In this model, unemployment results from the existence of efficiency wages and firms engage in oligopolistic competition. One difficulty with efficiency wage models is that saving is not allowed. However, in this model, consumers choose saving optimally, and capital accumulation is allowed. With oligopolistic competition, the authors show that an increase in population size or a decrease in the discount rate leads intermediate good producers to choose more advanced technologies and the wage rate increases. The equilibrium unemployment rate decreases with the size of the population.
Do media coverage and audit quality of US companies affect their Environmental, Social and Governance transparency?
Authors: Moalla Mouna , Dammak Saida
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper was to study the direct impact of audit quality on environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency. It aimed also to investigate the moderating effect of media coverage on the relationship between audit quality and ESG transparency in the USA.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consisted of US companies listed in the Standard and Poor’s 500 Stock Index between 2010 and 2019. The Thomson Reuters database was used to collect ESG disclosure scores and governance information. The authors applied multiple panel data regressions.

Findings

The results showed that audit quality has a direct positive effect on ESG transparency. The findings also showed that the high exposure to public media by firms, the more they commit to high audit quality leading to disclose more transparent ESG information.

Research limitations/implications

The results illustrated the significance of an external audit on an organization’s ESG report. Second, improving data quality has significant consequences not only for rating agencies but also for investors, businesses and researchers. These steps are required to increase the information content of ESG ratings.

Originality/value

The findings demonstrated that third-party external verification improves the dependability of nonfinancial reporting, hence bridging the confidence gap between corporations and the market regarding sustainability reporting.
Factors influencing the perception and the willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine among the working population in Ghana
Authors: Sackey Frank Gyimah , Asravor Richard , Lamptey Christopher
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The onset of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has led to loss of lives and jobs and other adverse effects on persons, families and businesses. With its frightening tendencies, it was a sigh of relief with the discovery of vaccines to mitigate its disastrous effects. However, participation in the vaccination exercise in Ghana has been slow and unencoraging. This paper sought to identify the factors that influence the perception and willingness of individuals to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Design/methodology/approach

For this study, structured questionnaires were administered to 1,350 respondents selected at random by way of purposive sampling from specific regions that were also randomly selected. Out of this sample, a total of 1,296 were found to be in useable form. The probit model estimation with marginal effects was used to determine both perception and willingness to take the COVID-19 vaccine.

Findings

The authors observed that increases in age and manufacturing sector workers were positively associated with vaccine perception, while both males and females residing in the Bono and Central regions had negative perceptions toward the vaccine. Among male workers, education and living in Accra had a negative relationship with vaccine perception, while for female workers, education had a positive influence on vaccine perception. Additionally, workers in the transport sector and those residing in urban areas were more inclined to receive the COVID-19 vaccine in Ghana, regardless of gender. Again, the authors observed that larger household size, people with no formal education and females with primary education were more willing. Also, increase in age for males reduced willingness, while residents in the greater Accra region were less willing to take the vaccine.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' belief and knowledge, the observations and recommendations made are consistent with theory and empirical studies and contribute immensely to the discussions about the most effective ways of combating the COVID-19 pandemic. It also offers a nuanced perspective on how policy-makers can enact policies that ensure efficient and effective ways of dealing with future epidemics.
A broader perspective on cryptocurrency trading: consumer-driven value, online communities and heuristics are drivers for consumer behaviour
Authors: McGivern Paul
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This review aims to provide an overview of research from different academic disciplines to chart some of the key developments in retail cryptocurrency trading against the backdrop of the wider trading landscape, and how it has evolved in recent years. The purpose of this review is to provide researchers with a broad perspective to highlight the complex range of factors that drive cryptocurrency trading among retail investors.

Design/methodology/approach

Peer-reviewed literature from the social sciences, economics, marketing and branding disciplines is synthesised to explicate influential factors among retail cryptocurrency investors.

Findings

Online retail trading communities can create narratives that ascribe value to cryptocurrencies leading to consumer herding behaviours. The principles that underpin emotional branding and Fear of Missing Out can promote trading behaviour driven by heuristic processing and cognitive biases. Concurrently, the tenets of controversial marketing and the anti-establishment nature of Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies serve to bolster in-group out-group categorisations fostering continued investment and market volatility. Consequently, Bitcoin and cryptocurrency trading more broadly offer a powerful combination of excitement from risk-taking akin to gambling buffered by the sanctity of social inclusion.

Originality/value

A broader, unique perspective on retail cryptocurrency trading which assists in better understanding the complexities that underpin its appeal to retail investors.
Effects of carbon emissions on audit fees
Authors: Tan Jianhua , Chan Kam C. , Chang Samuel , Wang Bin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the effect of carbon emissions on audit fees. The authors hypothesize that firms in cities with higher carbon emission levels have lower reporting transparency, higher return volatility or are subject to higher reputation risk, causing them to be charged higher audit fees for auditing services.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use panel data of 25,960 firm-year observations from a sample of Chinese firms. The carbon emission data for each Chinese city are obtained from the China Emission Accounts and Datasets for Emerging Economies. This paper adopts a multiple regression model to study the impact of carbon emissions on audit fees.

Findings

The authors find that firms located in cities with higher carbon emission levels and firms with more carbon emissions are charged, on average, a higher audit fee. This audit fee effect of carbon risk is transmitted by lessened information transparency and elevated financial risk within these firms. This paper shows that auditors consider carbon risk in their audit fee decisions and other factors that could influence audit risk and effort.

Originality/value

This study draws a connection between carbon emissions and audit fees. It is especially relevant due to the increasing importance of environmental factors in the audit risk assessment. In addition, the findings suggest that a firm implementing a proactive environmental strategy benefits the economy and decreases the costs to the firm for services such as auditing.
Thresholds of external flows in financial development for environmental sustainability in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Asongu Simplice , Mensah Barbara , Ngoungou Judith C.M.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The study aims to complement extant literature by assessing linkages between financial development, external flows and CO2 emissions in 27 sub-Saharan African countries for the period 2002 to 2018.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical evidence is based on interactive quantile regressions and external flows consist of remittances, foreign aid, trade openness and foreign investment.

Findings

The findings show minimum levels of external flows that should be reached in order for the interaction between external flows and financial development to promote environmental sustainability in terms of reducing CO2 emissions. The minimum thresholds are critical levels of external flows that should be reached before financial development promotes environmental sustainability.

Research limitations/implications

Policy implications – The disclosed external flow (i.e. FDI, foreign aid, trade and remittances) thresholds are actionable policy thresholds that the government can act upon in order to influence environmental sustainability by means of financial development. Theoretical implications – The findings below the external flow thresholds are consistent with the dependency theory in that external flows are harmful to socio-economic progress and environmental sustainability. When external flows are consolidated to the established critical masses or thresholds in the long run, the corresponding findings are in line with the extant neoclassical and endogenous growth theories, not least, because in the long run, external flows are associated with technological progress and adoption of stronger environmental legislation at the domestic level which are worthwhile in promoting environmental performance.

Practical implications

To reach the minimum trade and FDI levels that are worthwhile for the promotion of environmental sustainability, corporations should set targets on exports and imports as well as foreign investment levels that they have to attain in contributing to the national target of external flows needed to reduce CO2 emissions. Such trade and FDI targets should be set in industries of various economic sectors.

Originality/value

The study complements the extant literature by assessing how external flows interact with financial development to influence CO2 emissions.
An autoethnography of alienation
Authors: Voyce Andrew
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to discuss alienation from a viewpoint of autoethnography. Literature since the 19th century has described the economic determinants of social relations. The proposition is that human beings are strangers in a world they have created. The author revisits this paradigm and aims to show the relevance of alienation in the 20th and 21st centuries.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the qualitative methodology of autoethnography with data from lived experience. The author relates the author’s personal experience to the meta-narrative of alienation.

Findings

Autoethnography is an excellent tool for interpretation of the author’s experiences. The author’s work life correlates to models of alienation put forward by Marxist and Critical Theory thought. The author gave the surplus value of the author’s labour to others, and as such, the author’s autoethnography is an authentic statement. The author’s experiences of poor mental health are in the context of pathology residing in alienation.

Originality/value

Findings reveal that alienation in work and in mental health is a plausible explanation for the way that social situations worked for the author. The author’s experiences support a model of alienation in 20th and 21st century economies. The author shows that the author’s experiences are shared by other vulnerable people.
Adopting knowledge-sharing-driven blockchain technology in healthcare: a developing country’s perspective
Authors: Dbesan Abdulkareem H. , Abdulmuhsin Amir A. , Alkhwaldi Abeer F.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the key factors that influence the behavioural intention of doctors to adopt the knowledge sharing driven blockchain technology in government hospitals. The study is based on the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2, with the addition of trust as an independent variable and knowledge sharing as a mediating variable between trust and behavioural intention.

Design/methodology/approach

The data for the study was collected through a correlation and cross-sectional study using a survey, with a sample of 322 responses being used for the final analysis. The initial analysis of the data was conducted using SPSS v.26, followed by a partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) analysis using SmartPLS v.3.9 to test the validity and reliability of the measures and to examine the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results supported the proposed framework. The results of PLS-SEM indicate that all proposed pathways support the model. In particular, the results of the study reveal that performance expectation, effort expectation, social influence, facilitation conditions and trust are drivers of blockchain adoption and have a significant impact on the behavioural intention of clinicians in hospitals. Furthermore, the study found that knowledge sharing mediated the relationship between trust and behavioural intention.

Practical implications

The present study sheds light on the challenges facing blockchain technology, such as privacy and trust concerns and proposes a more sustainable approach based on knowledge management to enhance the effectiveness of blockchain technology and overcome these challenges.

Originality/value

The significance of this paper lies in the limited literature examining the relationships between blockchain technology and knowledge management processes. Furthermore, a hypothetical framework that includes the knowledge sharing process as a mediating variable between trust and behavioural intention to adopt blockchain technology has not been presented or developed in any previous studies, particularly in the context of Iraq. Thus, this work is novel and unique in its approach.
How does facilitation influence the outcome of species interactions?
Authors: Hart Simon P.
Published: September 2023

Research on facilitation has not had the advantage of being explicitly underpinned by mathematical population dynamic theory. This has limited understanding of the role of facilitation on ecological dynamics and the integration of facilitation into general theory.

I show that facilitative interactions can be classified into four categories likely to be dynamically similar to interaction types for which population‐dynamic theory does exist. This classification provides a useful population‐dynamic foundation for facilitation studies and reveals several fundamental questions unanswered by existing empirical work.

While facilitation has typically been excluded from studies of ‘competitive’ coexistence, I also describe how coexistence theory does not always default to the assumption that species only compete; recent developments in coexistence theory fully accommodate the potentially important influence of facilitation.

Simple models of multispecies population dynamics emphasize the importance of reciprocal interspecific interactions, intraspecific interactions, and density dependence for understanding the outcome of facilitative interactions. I point to approaches for aligning future empirical studies of facilitation with these features.

Synthesis: Closely aligning at least some future empirical work on facilitation with existing mathematical population dynamic theory will further improve understanding of the effects of facilitation on ecological dynamics.
‘First do no harm’ revisited in ovarian cancer cytoreduction
Authors: Fotopoulou Christina
Published: September 2023

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Marchetti et al., pp.1579–1588 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17558.
Renewable energy, economic growth and sustainable development: A model development in the light of empirical insights
Authors: Parab Narayan , Naik Ramashanti , Reddy Y. V.
Published: September 2023

We construct a sustainable development model by examining the short‐run relationship, long‐run relationship and causality between renewable energy consumption and economic growth. We consider a sample of 142 countries for 1991–2019 and employ time series analysis. The study noticed the long‐run and short‐run relationship between economic growth and renewable energy consumption in the case of all Countries Groups and regions such as Europe and Central Asia, Middle East and North Africa, Sub‐Saharan Africa and low‐income economies. Overall, we conclude that renewable energy consumption positively influences economic growth, which can motivate countries to achieve sustainable development goals. A nation cannot only focus on economic development when growing environmental and climatic concerns exist. What is essential is the prioritisation of sustainable development goals. The constructed model will help the countries plan, modify and implement national and international sustainable development policies. The results will also be helpful to intergovernmental organisations for channelling countries' efforts towards sustainable development.
Evaluation of canine training aids containment for homemade explosive and components by headspace analysis and canine testing
Authors: Katilie Christopher J. , DeGreeff Lauryn E. , Sharpes Caitlin E. , Best Eric M. , Buckley Patricia E. , Gadberry Jenna D. , Maughan Michele N.
Published: September 2023

While canines are most commonly trained to detect traditional explosives, such as nitroaromatics and smokeless powders, homemade explosives (HMEs), such as fuel–oxidizer mixtures, are arguably a greater threat. As such, it is imperative that canines are sufficiently trained in the detection of such HMEs. The training aid delivery device (TADD) is a primary containment device that has been used to house HMEs and HME components for canine detection training purposes. This research assesses the odor release from HME components, ammonium nitrate (AN), urea nitrate (UN), and potassium chlorate (PC), housed in TADDs. Canine odor recognition tests (ORTs) were used with analytical data to determine the detectability of TADDs containing AN, UN, or PC. Headspace analysis by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) with solid‐phase microextraction (SPME) or online cryotrapping were used to measure ammonia or chlorine, as well as other unwanted odorants, emanating from bulk AN, UN, and PC in TADDs over 28 weeks. The analytical data showed variation in the amount of ammonia and chlorine over time, with ammonia from AN and UN decreasing slowly over time and the abundance of chlorine from PC TADDs dependent on the frequency of exposure to ambient air. Even with these variations in odor abundance, canines previously trained to detect bulk explosive HME components were able to detect all three targets in glass and plastic TADDs for at least 18 months after loading. Detection proficiency ranged from 64% to 100% and was not found to be dependent on either age of material.
The quality of nursing diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes in Romanian nursing documentation measured with the Q‐DIO: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gligor Laura Elena , Rusu Horațiu , Domnariu Carmen Daniela , Müller‐Staub Maria
Published: September 2023

Purpose

To assess the quality of the nursing process in Romania by evaluating nursing documentations with the quality of diagnoses, interventions and outcomes (Q‐DIO) measurement instrument.

Methods

A quantitative cross‐sectional research design was employed using probabilistic sampling to select nursing documentations from a Romanian university hospital. The data were analyzed using the Q‐DIO measurement instrument.

Findings

Low quality levels of nursing process documentation were found. The Q‐DIO subscale “Nursing diagnoses as process” (assessment) revealed a mean = 1.36 (SD 0.52) of maximum 2. Nurses collected lots of data but did not use these to state nursing diagnoses. “Nursing diagnoses as product” showed inaccurate diagnoses; mean = 1.24 (SD 0.48) of maximum 4. Nursing interventions were planned and documented, but their impact on the etiology of nursing diagnoses was low; mean = 0.76 (SD 0.18). The quality of nursing outcomes mean was 0.57 (SD 0.29).

Nurses failed making connections between nursing assessment, diagnoses, interventions, and outcomes, and standardized nursing languages (SNLs) were not used. Statistically significant differences were found among all Q‐DIO sub‐concepts except for “Nursing diagnoses as process.”

Conclusions

The documentation was structured but did not support the nursing process and its documentation, and SNLs were not implemented. There was an underutilization of data to state nursing diagnoses, and nursing interventions were mostly ineffective, leading to low nursing outcomes.

Implications for nursing practice

This study provides new insights on the nursing process and its documentation in Romania and a baseline for future research. Policymakers, administrators, and educators should consider educating nurses to use standardized nursing languages and apply the Advanced Nursing Process.
The Regulatory Approach of James R. Doty: PCAOB Chair 2011–2018
Authors: Keyser John D.
Published: September 2023

James R. Doty was the chair of the US Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB) from February 2011 to January 2018. Extant research investigates the outcomes of the PCAOB's regulatory approach without examining what that approach is. This article examines two approaches to regulation: merit and disclosure. For example, the PCAOB inspection process, which focuses on remediation of deficiencies, is a form of merit regulation. A disclosure approach to regulation would focus instead on more timely disclosure of inspection findings to audit committees, investors, and other users of financial statements. The article explores the impact of Doty's regulatory approach on the direction of the PCAOB during his tenure. Under Doty, the PCAOB's approach shifted towards a more disclosure based regulatory approach and away from a merit based regulatory approach. The article is based on extensive documentary evidence as well as interviews with James Doty.
PTEN inhibitor and kit ligand increase in vitro activation and survival of primordial follicles in alpaca
Authors: Rojas‐Guerra Gonzalo , Dipaz‐Berrocal Deysi , Mellisho Edwin
Published: September 2023

In mammals, activation of primordial follicles to primary follicle is a progressive and highly regulated process. There is evidence in mice that phosphatase and tensin homologue deleted on Chromosome 10 (PTEN) silencing is an important negative regulator of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K), which initiates activation of dormant follicles. The objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of PTEN inhibitor (bpV(HOpic)) (10 μM) and/or Kit Ligand (KL) (100 ng/mL) on the in vitro activation and survival of alpaca primordial follicles. Ovarian cortical fragments from 11 adult alpacas were cultured for 24 h in tissue culture medium (α‐MEM+) supplemented with KL and bpV or the association of both. Subsequently, each sample was processed by classical histology and follicular counting and classification were performed. The results obtained show a reduction (p < 0.05) of primordial follicles in more than 50% in follicular tissue cultured in vitro in α‐MEM+ or supplemented with bpV and/or KL versus the control (not cultured). Further, >25% increase in primary follicles in follicular tissue cultured in vitro in α‐MEM+ or supplemented with KL and/or bpV versus control. However, the follicular survival rate showed a decrease of 20% in the cultured tissues, except for the α‐MEM+ supplemented with KL and bpV. In conclusion, supplementation of bpV (HOpic) (10 μM) and KL (100 ng/mL) increased the activation in vitro of primordial follicles and survival after in vitro culture of alpaca ovarian tissue.
Models of clinical supervision of relevance to remote area nursing & primary health care: A scoping review
Authors: Hildebrand Fiona , Gray Michelle , McCullough Kylie
Published: September 2023

Introduction

Nurses in remote primary health care settings work in difficult conditions, in isolated and disadvantaged communities, and often must work beyond their scope to provide advanced assessments and treatments to support the community. Therefore, remote area nurses require support to develop their skills and knowledge to work safely within their full scope of practice. Clinical supervision is widely used in health professions for this purpose; however, models of supervision for nursing have not been implemented or evaluated within remote primary health care settings.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to search the literature to source suitable clinical supervision models that could pertain to the remote area nursing context.

Design

An initial search of the literature found no clinical supervision models developed for remote or isolated practice nurses so a scoping review was conducted searching for publications related to advanced practice generalist health practitioners in primary health care, including practice nurses, nurse practitioners and general practitioners. This was seen as a suitable substitute because the phenomena of interest were the model of supervision rather than the specific skills or knowledge being developed.

Findings

The scoping review search yielded 251 articles from 5 journal databases of which 11 articles met the inclusion criteria. Each clinical supervision model was described and synthesised using qualitative description. The 11 models of clinical supervision had differing formats including; individual and group clinical supervision, in‐person, telephone, medical records review and video case study.

Discussion

Whilst several models were described in the literature, none were directly transferrable to the remote area context. The absence of supervision for cultural safety was significant. There was a variety of modes including face‐to‐face, virtual, individual and group proposed. Cultural considerations were lacking in all of the models.

Conclusion

Our study recommends a hybrid clinical supervision model suitable for consultation and validation through pilot testing with remote area nurses. There is potential for this model to be used globally in isolated contexts due to the option of virtual participation.
Pain, gastrointestinal function and fertility outcomes of modified nerve‐vessel sparing segmental and full thickness discoid resection for deep colorectal endometriosis – A prospective cohort study
Authors: Hudelist Gernot , Pashkunova Daria , Darici Ezgi , Rath Anna , Mitrowitz Johanna , Dauser Bernhard , Senft Birgit , Bokor Attila
Published: September 2023

Introduction

There is an ongoing debate on surgical techniques for colorectal deep endometriosis (DE) and their effects on gastrointestinal (GI) function. The aim of this study was to prospectively investigate the differences in pre‐ and postsurgical GI function, health profiles and pain symptoms in women undergoing colorectal surgery for symptomatic DE either with a modified segmental resection technique, so‐called nerve‐vessel sparing segmental resection (NVSSR), or full thickness discoid resection (FTDR). Complication rates and fertility outcomes were also evaluated.

Material and methods

A total of 162 consecutive patients, 125 (77.2%) of whom underwent NVSSR and 37 (22.8%) FTDR, were evaluated regarding complication rates. Furthermore a lower anterior resection syndrome (LARS) scores, gastrointestinal function‐related quality of life index (GIQLI), pain symptoms, endometriosis health profile (EHP‐30) parameters were analyzed pre‐ and post‐surgery in a final cohort of 121 patients.

Results

There was no difference between postsurgical prevalence of LARS in either surgery group (14/98, 14.1% NVSSR; 2/23, 8.6% FTDR), with significantly decreased LARS scores and increased GIQLI values before vs after surgery in both groups (P < 0.001). The overall grade III complication rate was 7/162 (4.3%) with no significant differences between NVSSR and FTDR groups. Overall, EHP‐30 and pain scores significantly decreased after a median follow‐up of 41 (± 17.6) months (EHP‐30 51.1, SD 21.5 vs 12.7, SD 19.3, P < 0.001; dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, dyschezia all P < 0.001 both cohorts, respectively). The overall life birth rate and postsurgical pregnancy in infertile patients undergoing NVSSR and FTDR was respectively 58.1% in 25/43 patients; 55.6% in 5/9 patients; 56.0% in 14/25 patients and 100% in 5/5 patients.

Conclusions

NVSSR and FTDR for symptomatic colorectal DE confer a significant amelioration of GI function reflected by decreased LARS symptoms and increased GIQLI scores with no differences in postsurgical function in between the two techniques. Both techniques confer similar complication rates and effects on pain reduction and health profiles.
Myopia outcome study of atropine in children: Two‐year result of daily 0.01% atropine in a European population
Authors: Loughman James , Kobia‐Acquah Emmanuel , Lingham Gareth , Butler John , Loskutova Ekaterina , Mackey David A. , Lee Samantha S. Y. , Flitcroft Daniel I.
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The Myopia Outcome Study of Atropine in Children (MOSAIC) is an investigator‐led, double‐masked, randomized controlled trial investigating the efficacy and safety of 0.01% atropine eye drops for managing myopia progression in a predominantly White, European population.

Methods

Children aged 6–16 years with myopia were randomly allocated 2:1 to nightly 0.01% atropine or placebo eye drops in both eyes for 2 years. The primary outcome was cycloplegic spherical equivalent (SE) progression at 24 months. Secondary outcomes included axial length (AL) change, safety and acceptability. Linear mixed models with random intercepts were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Of 250 participants enrolled, 204 (81.6%) completed the 24‐month visit (136 (81.4%) treatment, 68 (81.9%) placebo). Baseline characteristics, drop‐out and adverse event rates were similar between treatment and control groups. At 24 months, SE change was not significantly different between 0.01% atropine and placebo groups (effect = 0.10 D, p = 0.07), but AL growth was lower in the 0.01% atropine group, compared to the placebo group (−0.07 mm, p = 0.007). Significant treatment effects on SE (0.14 D, p = 0.049) and AL (−0.11 mm, p = 0.002) were observed in children of White, but not non‐White (SE = 0.05 D, p = 0.89; AL = 0.008 mm, p = 0.93), ethnicity at 24 months. A larger treatment effect was observed in subjects least affected by COVID‐19 restrictions (SE difference = 0.37 D, p = 0.005; AL difference = −0.17 mm, p = 0.001).

Conclusions

Atropine 0.01% was safe, well‐tolerated and effective in slowing axial elongation in this European population. Treatment efficacy varied by ethnicity and eye colour, and potentially by degree of COVID‐19 public health restriction exposure during trial participation.
Cytidine deaminase status as a marker of response to azacytidine treatment in MDS and AML patients
Authors: Donnette Melanie , Hamimed Mourad , Ciccolini Joseph , Sicard Guillaume , Correard Florian , Farnault Laure , Ouafik L'Houcine , Venton Geoffroy , Fanciullino Raphaëlle
Published: September 2023

Azacitidine (Aza) is a mainstay of treatment for patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML) ineligible for induction chemotherapy and other high‐risk myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). Only half of patients respond, and almost all will eventually relapse. There are no predictive markers of response to Aza. Aza is detoxified in the liver by cytidine deaminase (CDA). Here, we investigated the association between CDA phenotype, toxicity and efficacy of Aza in real‐world adult patients. Median overall survival (OS) was 15 months and 13 months in AML and high‐risk MDS patients respectively. In addition, our data suggest that delaying Aza treatment was not associated with lack of efficacy and should not be considered a signal to switch to an alternative treatment. Half of the patients had deficient CDA activity (i.e. <2 UA/mg), with a lower proportion of deficient patients in MDS patients (34%) compared to AML patients (67%). In MDS patients, CDA deficiency correlated with longer landmark OS (14 vs. 8 months; p = 0.03), but not in AML patients. Taken together, our data suggest that CDA is an independent covariate and may therefore be a marker for predicting clinical outcome in MDS patients treated with Aza.
The role of group memberships and school identification on student well‐being
Authors: Dunstone Emma K. , Reynolds Katherine J. , Cárdenas Diana
Published: September 2023

There are widespread concerns about a decline in young people's mental health. One promising direction to address this issue involves group memberships and social identity processes. Despite progress, there are several issues in current theory and research including (1) whether the number of groups to which an individual belongs is related to more positive well‐being, (2) better understanding the relationship between group memberships and social identification processes and (3) the need for more comprehensive longitudinal methods. The goal of this study was to address these issues using a three‐wave longitudinal design (n = 1331) conducted with high‐school students. Both the number and importance (an indicator of social identification) of student extracurricular activities (ECA) were assessed as predictors of six well‐being outcomes. Importantly, we also assessed whether identification with the school as the context in which the ECAs were situated mediated this association. Results show that, generally, the number of group memberships had no direct effect on well‐being, however, there was a consistent mediation via school identification. When considering number and importance of one model (comprising a subsample) importance emerged as the key predictor. Such findings advance understanding of the social identity and well‐being relationship and have practical implications.
Predicting Age of Acquisition for Children's Early Vocabulary in Five Languages Using Language Model Surprisal
Authors: Portelance Eva , Duan Yuguang , Frank Michael C. , Lupyan Gary
Published: September 2023

What makes a word easy to learn? Early‐learned words are frequent and tend to name concrete referents. But words typically do not occur in isolation. Some words are predictable from their contexts; others are less so. Here, we investigate whether predictability relates to when children start producing different words (age of acquisition; AoA). We operationalized predictability in terms of a word's surprisal in child‐directed speech, computed using n‐gram and long‐short‐term‐memory (LSTM) language models. Predictability derived from LSTMs was generally a better predictor than predictability derived from n‐gram models. Across five languages, average surprisal was positively correlated with the AoA of predicates and function words but not nouns. Controlling for concreteness and word frequency, more predictable predicates and function words were learned earlier. Differences in predictability between languages were associated with cross‐linguistic differences in AoA: the same word (when it was a predicate) was produced earlier in languages where the word was more predictable.
Distribution of functionally distinct native and non‐indigenous species within marine urban habitats
Authors: Leclerc Jean‐Charles , Figueroa Naily Nashira , Viard Frédérique , Brante Antonio
Published: September 2023

Aim

Trait‐based approaches are powerful to examine the processes associated with biological invasions. Functional comparison among native and non‐indigenous species (NIS) can notably infer whether novel assemblages result from neutral or niche‐based assembly rules. Applying such a framework to biofouling communities, our study aimed to elucidate their distributions within two marine urban habitats (namely floating vs. nonfloating habitats).

Location

Southeast Pacific—Central Chilean coastline.

Methods

Here, we examined the distribution of 12 functional traits in fouling communities established on settlement plates, after 3 and 13 months of deployment in the two habitats and across ports in Central Chile. Based upon previously described differences of assemblages and NIS contribution across habitats, we hypothesized that nonindigenous, cryptogenic and native taxon pools would be functionally distinct (and trait biased), and that functional diversity and structure would vary across habitats and successional stages.

Results

Our results show, as anticipated, that nonindigenous (13 taxa), cryptogenic (12) and native (18) taxon pools are functionally distinct, though overlapping in the trait space. Non‐indigenous species are rather related to colonizing traits, while native species are more related to competitive traits. Only one widespread NIS was functionally similar to the late successional and most competitive native species, including taxa elsewhere invasives. Despite differences in taxonomic composition between habitats, we did not observe functional differences between them. In contrast, temporal variations across colonization stages were detected along with an increased contribution in large and long‐lived taxa, together with site‐specific trajectories.

Main Conclusions

We conclude that the functional distinctness among nonindigenous, cryptogenic and native taxa occupying artificial habitats in ports reflects niche‐based processes. Site‐specific trajectories indicate that scale‐dependent assembly processes, such as dispersal and species interactions, are at play.
Association between weight loss and health care resource utilization in adults living with obesity: Evidence from a UK primary care database
Authors: Bojke Chris , Capucci Silvia , Haase Christiane Lundegaard , Hartvig Niels Væver , Sommer Matthiessen Kasper , Morgen Camilla S. , Rendon Adriana , Pearson‐Stuttard Jonathan
Published: September 2023

Aims

We investigated the impact of intentional weight loss on health care resource utilization (HCRU) and costs among people with obesity.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective, observational cohort study used data from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) GOLD database. Adults >18 years at index date [first recorded body mass index (BMI) of 30‐50 kg/m2 between 2006 and 2015 with a further BMI record 4 years later] were assigned to an intentional weight loss cohort (−25% to −10% BMI change) or a stable weight cohort (−3% to +3%), based on their BMI change during a 4‐year baseline period from index date. Evidence of intention to lose weight during the baseline period was required. Linked Hospital Episode Statistics datasets captured HCRU and costs over an 8‐year follow‐up period. Mixed effects models adjusted for demographics, total costs during baseline and baseline comorbidities were used.

Results

Baseline characteristics were similar between cohorts with weight loss (n = 8676) and stable weight (n = 44 519). Over follow‐up, the weight loss cohort experienced a significantly lower mean annual increase in total costs [2.1% (95% confidence interval: 1.3‐2.8)] than the stable weight cohort [4.3% (95% confidence interval: 4.0‐4.6); p < .0001]. Weight loss was associated with a lower mean annual increase in multiple HCRU and cost components compared with maintaining a stable high weight.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that intentional weight loss of 10‐25% is associated with lower HCRU and costs in the long term among individuals living with obesity, relative to stable weight.
Metformin restores prohormone processing enzymes and normalizes aberrations in secretion of proinsulin and insulin in palmitate‐exposed human islets
Authors: Wen Quan , Chowdhury Azazul Islam , Aydin Banu , Shekha Mudhir , Stenlid Rasmus , Forslund Anders , Bergsten Peter
Published: September 2023

Aim

To elucidate how proinsulin synthesis and insulin was affected by metformin under conditions of nutrient overstimulation.

Materials and Methods

Isolated human pancreatic islets from seven donors were cultured at 5.5 mmol/L glucose and 0.5 mmol/L palmitate for 12, 24 or 72 h. Metformin (25 μmol/L) was introduced after initial 12 h with palmitate. Proinsulin and insulin were measured. Expression of prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3) and carboxypeptidase E (CPE), was determined by western blot. Adolescents with obesity, treated with metformin and with normal glucose tolerance (n = 5), prediabetes (n = 14), or type 2 diabetes (T2DM; n = 7) were included. Fasting proinsulin, insulin, glucose, 2‐h glucose and glycated haemoglobin were measured. Proinsulin/insulin ratio (PI/I) was calculated.

Results

In human islets, palmitate treatment for 12 and 24 h increased proinsulin and insulin proportionally. After 72 h, proinsulin but not insulin continued to increase which was coupled with reduced expression of PC1/3 and CPE. Metformin normalized expression of PC1/3 and CPE, and proinsulin and insulin secretion. In adolescents with obesity, before treatment, fasting proinsulin and insulin concentrations were higher in subjects with T2DM than with normal glucose tolerance. PI/I was reduced after metformin treatment in subjects with T2DM as well as in subjects with prediabetes, coupled with reduced 2‐h glucose and glycated haemoglobin.

Conclusions

Metformin normalized proinsulin and insulin secretion after prolonged nutrient‐overstimulation, coupled with normalization of the converting enzymes, in isolated islets. In adolescents with obesity, metformin treatment was associated with improved PI/I, which was coupled with improved glycaemic control.
The ‘Behavioral Balance Model’: A new perspective on the aetiology and therapy of obesity
Authors: Schultes Bernd , Ernst Barbara , Hallschmid Manfred , Bueter Marco , Meyhöfer Sebastian M.
Published: September 2023

Obesity is a debilitating disease of global proportions that necessitates refined, concept‐driven therapeutic approaches. Policy makers, the public and even health care professionals, but also individuals with obesity harbour many misconceptions regarding this disease, which leads to prejudice, negative attitudes, stigmatization, discrimination, self‐blame, and failure to provide and finance adequate medical care. Decades of intensive, successful scientific research on obesity have only had a very limited effect on this predicament. We propose a science‐based, easy‐to‐understand conceptual model that synthesizes the complex pathogenesis of obesity including biological, psychological, social, economic and environmental aspects with the aim to explain and communicate better the nature of obesity and currently available therapeutic modalities. According to our integrative ‘Behavioral Balance Model’, ‘top‐down cognitive control’ strategies are implemented (often with limited success) to counterbalance the increased ‘bottom‐up drive’ to gain weight, which is triggered by biological, psycho‐social and environmental mechanisms in people with obesity. Besides offering a deeper understanding of obesity, the model also highlights why there is a strong need for multimodal therapeutic approaches that may not only increase top‐down control but also reduce a pathologically increased bottom‐up drive.
Environmental variables drive spatial patterns of trophic diversity in mammals
Authors: Adkins Jaron , Hammill Edd , Abdulwahab Umarfarooq A. , Draper John P. , Wolf J. Marshall , McClure Catherine M. , González Ortiz Adrián A. , Chavez Emily A. , Atwood Trisha B.
Published: September 2023

Understanding environmental drivers of species diversity has become increasingly important under climate change. Different trophic groups (predators, omnivores and herbivores) interact with their environments in fundamentally different ways and may therefore be influenced by different environmental drivers. Using random forest models, we identified drivers of terrestrial mammals' total and proportional species richness within trophic groups at a global scale. Precipitation seasonality was the most important predictor of richness for all trophic groups. Richness peaked at intermediate precipitation seasonality, indicating that moderate levels of environmental heterogeneity promote mammal richness. Gross primary production (GPP) was the most important correlate of the relative contribution of each trophic group to total species richness. The strong relationship with GPP demonstrates that basal‐level resource availability influences how diversity is structured among trophic groups. Our findings suggest that environmental characteristics that influence resource temporal variability and abundance are important predictors of terrestrial mammal richness at a global scale.