bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Seal the deal: unleashing the magnitude of online reviews, website quality and trust for seamless hotel reservations
Authors: Saha Peu , Biswas Abhijeet
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The world today is heavily controlled by the content available on the internet, where a one-star rating gain may work wonders for a company and a one-star rating decline can cause huge damage. Online booking platforms provide more freedom, privacy and contact with experienced travelers than physical hotel booking. The study identifies the factors shaping travelers' online hotel booking intention (OHBI).

Design/methodology/approach

We utilized structural equation modeling (SEM) to expand the horizons of the technology acceptance model (TAM) and stimulus-organism-response (SOR) framework in the hospitality sector. The results are based on the data collected from 705 travelers who made online hotel reservations.

Findings

The findings demonstrate that online reviews, hotel website quality and hotel website convenience quotient favorably shape prospective tourists' perceived trust, magnifying their inclination to book a hotel online. Website convenience quotient and trust partially mediate the association between the constructs. In addition, the linkage between perceived trust and OHBI is strengthened by promotional offers but weakened by perceived risk.

Research limitations/implications

Our findings provide several important implications for hotel managers, prospective travelers, hotel owners, website developers, policymakers, hotel employees, the local community and competitors to expedite the growth of the Indian hotel industry.

Originality/value

The literature reveals that website convenience quotient, perceived trust and promotional offers have not received enough attention in the hospitality industry and warrant attention. Our study strives to broaden the scope of the TAM and SOR models to better understand these constructs in the backdrop of the Indian hospitality sector. The study also examines how promotional offers and perceived risk influence the linkages between the underlying constructs.
A pilot study of “AKBAY” self-help intervention for university students with moderate symptoms of depression and anxiety
Authors: Bangalan Sherna , Agnes Maria Claudette
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Depression and anxiety are common mental health issues among young adults, particularly exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Research indicates a notable increase in global prevalence rates, especially in this demographic. Despite their prevalence, factors like stigma, cost and limited accessibility often prevent individuals from seeking professional help. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative and accessible interventions to address these challenges. help. Therefore, there is a pressing need for innovative and accessible interventions to address these challenges. This study aims to assess the feasibility and acceptability of newly developed “AKBAY” self-help intervention workbook among university students in managing the symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a pilot study with a single-group design. A total of 33 university students voluntarily participated in the study. The primary outcomes, depressive symptoms and anxiety were measured using the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, respectively, at both pre-intervention and post-intervention (eight weeks following the preintervention assessment).

Findings

Results from Wilcoxon signed rank revealed significant reductions in both depression and anxiety symptoms following the intervention. Qualitative feedback from participants highlighted the perceived benefits of the intervention, including increased self-awareness, improved coping strategies and personal growth. All participants expressed intent to recommend the intervention to others.

Research limitations/implications

However, further research using larger sample sizes, randomized controlled trials and long-term follow-up assessments is warranted to validate these findings and enhance intervention effectiveness.

Practical implications

These findings highlight the potential feasibility and acceptability of self-help interventions in reducing and preventing the worsening of symptoms of depression and anxiety among Filipino young adults.

Originality/value

The “AKBAY” intervention presents a feasible and accessible approach to reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety of Filipino young adults as well as the program’s potential usefulness. The findings of this study can serve as a foundation for a randomized controlled trial of the AKBAY self-help intervention.
The biological and chemical water quality of retail bottled water brands: a case of Dodoma, Tanzania
Authors: Kwikima Muhajir Mussa
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Ensuring high water quality is crucial for safeguarding public health, as contaminated water can pose significant risks to consumers’ well-being. This study aims to evaluate the microbiological and chemical quality of bottled water brands commonly consumed in Dodoma, Tanzania.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 36 samples from 12 brands were collected between January and March 2023 and analyzed for microbiological and general water quality parameters.

Findings

Microbial analysis found that 42% of brands tested positive for coliform bacteria, while opportunistic pathogens Aeromonas hydrophila and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were detected in 25% and 17% of samples, respectively. For chemical composition, 42% of brands exceeded the World Health Organization guideline value of 1.5 mg/L for fluoride. However, no other parameters exceeded national drinking water standards. Statistical analysis revealed significantly higher measured fluoride levels compared to values declared on product labels (paired t-test, p = 0.003). A moderate positive correlation between fluoride and conductivity (r = 0.52, p = 0.045) indicated possible geological influences on water chemistry.

Research limitations/implications

To enhance the study’s comprehensiveness, exploring temporal and spatial variations among water brands, including samples from typically clean environments such as supermarkets, could have been beneficial in identifying underlying factors. Additionally, investigating the entire manufacturing process, from production to end-user, could have provided insights into unforeseen deviations in quality. Furthermore, the use of pour plating techniques at 37°C for microbial analysis, while suitable for resource-limited settings, may not have fully captured coliform diversity compared to membrane filtration and differential temperature incubation as per standard methods. This could partly explain the detection of heterotrophs without higher coliform counts in some samples.

Practical implications

This study provides baseline data on the bacteriological and inorganic chemical quality of bottled water in Dodoma. Detectable microbial contaminants and significant exceedances of fluoride guidelines in some products raise public health concerns.

Originality/value

While existing studies focus on bottled water quality at production facilities, this research highlights the overlooked risks at retail points, where consumers are directly affected.
A cross-country comparative ethnographic analysis of immigrant enclave entrepreneurship
Authors: Yasin Naveed , Hafeez Khalid , Salamzadeh Aidin
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper responds to several calls for a cross-national comparative study of immigrant entrepreneurship throughout the longstanding discourse of this phenomenon. This study aims to comparatively analyze the nature of immigrant enclave entrepreneurship among one immigrant community across three different jurisdictional contexts (UK, Denmark and Norway) based on comparative ethnographic methods of inquiry.

Design/methodology/approach

The data was collected in person from April 2022 to June 2023 by the researchers to identify the similarities and differences of migrant entrepreneurial activities in three immigrant enclaves (Manchester, Oslo and Copenhagen). Comparative ethnographic narrative analysis methods and template analysis approaches were combined to analyze interviews, observations and secondary published data.

Findings

This study examines spatiality, sectoral occupation and market orientation for comparative analysis. Through detailed analysis, it uncovers the spatiality and nuances in market demands and sectoral similarities across diverse regulatory environments. Notably, it identifies traditional migrant sectoral occupations shared across regions and its relevance to immigrant enclaves.

Originality/value

This scholarly contribution explores immigrant entrepreneurship in various national contexts, emphasising their engagement in neglected and low-value sectors within immigrant enclaves. The study addresses the influence of the host economy’s conditions on immigrant entrepreneurs, impacting their strategic orientation and the extent of their “embeddedness”. It responds to the theoretical gap in immigrant entrepreneurship literature by conducting a cross-national investigation across countries, extending the comparative dimension to Norway and Denmark. The research employs a unique design focusing on a specific immigrant group and emphasizes spatial contexts, sectoral proliferation and market orientation within immigrant enclaves, offering insights into the mixed embeddedness perspective and the broader environmental forces shaping migrant entrepreneurial activities in the UK and Scandinavia.
What determines data analytics systems performance in financial engineering? A user perspective
Authors: Al-Okaily Aws , Al-Okaily Manaf , Teoh Ai Ping
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Even though the end-user satisfaction construct has gained prominence as a surrogate measure of information systems performance assessment, it has received scant formal treatment and empirical examination in the data analytics systems field. In this respect, this study aims to examine the vital role of user satisfaction as a proxy measure of data analytics system performance in the financial engineering context.

Design/methodology/approach

This study empirically validated the proposed model using primary quantitative data obtained from financial managers, engineers and analysts who are working at Jordanian financial institutions. The quantitative data were tested using partial least squares-based structural equation modeling.

Findings

The quantitative data analysis results identified that technology quality, information quality, knowledge quality and decision quality are key factors that enhance user satisfaction in a data analytics environment with an explained variance of around 69%.

Originality/value

This empirical research has contributed to the discourse regarding the pivotal role of user satisfaction in data analytics performance in the financial engineering context of developing countries such as Jordan, which lays a firm foundation for future research.
Childhood maltreatment and outcomes following electroconvulsive therapy in adults with depression
Authors: Jelovac Ana , Mohan Christopher , Whooley Emma , Igoe Anna , McCaffrey Cathal , McLoughlin Declan M.
Published: September 2024

Objective

Childhood maltreatment is associated with less favourable treatment outcomes with pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy for depression. It is unknown whether this increased risk of treatment resistance in maltreated individuals extends to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT).

Methods

This retrospective cohort study included 501 consecutive adult referrals for an acute course of twice‐weekly ECT for unipolar or bipolar depression at an academic inpatient centre in Ireland between 2016 and 2024. Retrospectively reported physical and sexual childhood maltreatment were assessed on hospital admission. Response was defined as a score of 1 or 2 and remission was defined as a score of 1 on the Clinical Global Impression – Improvement scale 1–3 days after final ECT session. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between childhood maltreatment and ECT nonresponse and nonremission, adjusting for covariates. Mediation analyses were conducted to explore the role of psychiatric comorbidities, persistent depressive symptoms lasting 2 years or more in the current episode, and baseline depression severity.

Results

Compared to the group with no childhood maltreatment, the childhood maltreatment group had similar odds of ECT nonresponse (adjusted odds ratio = 1.47, 95% CI = 0.85–2.53) but significantly elevated odds of ECT nonremission (adjusted odds ratio = 3.75, 95% CI = 1.80–7.81). In a mediation analysis, presence of persistent depressive symptoms mediated 7.4% of the total effect of childhood maltreatment on ECT nonremission.

Conclusion

Individuals with exposure to childhood maltreatment may be less likely to achieve full remission following a course of ECT.
Maternal body mass index, gestational weight gain, and early childhood growth: A register‐based cohort study
Authors: Österroos Anna , Lindström Linda , Wikman Per , Forslund Anders , Wikström Anna‐Karin , Sundström Poromaa Inger , Ahlsson Fredrik
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Childhood obesity is associated with maternal obesity, but the link to gestational weight gain (GWG) is not fully elucidated. We examined the relationship between early pregnancy maternal body mass index (BMI) and GWG on early childhood growth.

Material and Methods

Data from 30 197 mother–child pairs from Uppsala County Mother and Child Cohort were divided into 15 groups according to maternal BMI and GWG, based on World Health Organization classification and Institute of Medicine guidelines, respectively. Postnatal growth patterns were analyzed with linear mixed regression models within maternal BMI groups. Odds ratios of overweight and obesity at 4 years of age were assessed with logistic regression analyses. We treated children of mothers with normal weight and adequate GWG as the reference group, and all analyses were adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

GWG was associated with infant BMI z‐score at birth, independent of potential confounding factors. Independent of GWG, we observed an overall decrease in BMI z‐score from 18 months to 5 years in children of mothers who were underweight, while an increase in BMI z‐score was seen in children of mothers who were overweight or obese. In children of normal‐ and overweight mothers, the risk of childhood overweight and obesity was associated with excessive compared to adequate GWG (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 1.17, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01–1.36 for normal‐weight mothers, and aOR 1.25, 95% CI 1.04–1.51 for overweight mothers, respectively). Children of mothers with obesity and excessive GWG had the highest risk of being overweight or obese at 4 years (aOR 2.88, 95% CI 2.40–3.44, and 4.38, 95% CI 3.37–5.67, respectively). Associations did not differ between children of mothers with obesity class 1 and 2–3 when comparing excessive and adequate GWG (aOR 1.33, 95% CI 0.96–1.85, and 1.12, 95% CI 0.74–1.70, respectively).

Conclusions

Maternal GWG affects infant birth size and growth until 18 months, although maternal BMI is more crucial for childhood growth beyond 18 months. Further, children of mothers who are normal‐ or overweight and experience excessive GWG have an increased risk of obesity at 4 years.
Predictive factors and survival outcome of conversion therapy for unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma patients receiving atezolizumab and bevacizumab: Comparative analysis of conversion, partial response and complete response patients
Authors: Hatanaka Takeshi , Kakizaki Satoru , Hiraoka Atsushi , Tada Toshifumi , Hirooka Masashi , Kariyama Kazuya , Tani Joji , Atsukawa Masanori , Takaguchi Koichi , Itobayashi Ei , Fukunishi Shinya , Tsuji Kunihiko , Ishikawa Toru , Tajiri Kazuto , Toyoda Hidenori , Ogawa Chikara , Nishikawa Hiroki , Nishimura Takashi , Kawata Kazuhito , Kosaka Hisashi , Naganuma Atsushi , Yata Yutaka , Ohama Hideko , Kuroda Hidekatsu , Matono Tomomitsu , Aoki Tomoko , Kanayama Yuki , Tanaka Kazunari , Tada Fujimasa , Nouso Kazuhiro , Morishita Asahiro , Tsutsui Akemi , Nagano Takuya , Itokawa Norio , Okubo Tomomi , Arai Taeang , Imai Michitaka , Nakamura Shinichiro , Enomoto Hirayuki , Kaibori Masaki , Hiasa Yoichi , Kudo Masatoshi , Kumada Takashi ,   the Real‐life Practice Experts for, HCC (RELPEC) Study Group, and, HCC 48 Group (Hepatocellular Carcinoma Experts from 48 Clinics in Japan)
Published: September 2024

Aim

This study aims to investigate the predictive factors for conversion therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (uHCC) and to evaluate the prognosis of conversion cases by comparing them with partial response (PR) and complete response (CR) cases.

Methods

In this retrospective multicentre study, we included a total of 946 uHCC patients treated with atezolizumab and bevacizumab (Atez/Bev) from September 2020 to September 2023.

Results

Out of the patients, 43 (4.5%) received conversion therapy following Atez/Bev treatment. The overall response rate was 65.1% and 23.7% in the conversion and non‐conversion group, respectively, with a statistical significance (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses identified that BCLC stage B or an earlier stage (p = 0.045), absence of macrovascular invasion and extrahepatic spread (p = 0.045), and a low value of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (p = 0.04) were significantly favourable predictive factors associated with conversion therapy. The conversion group showed significantly better survival compared to the non‐conversion group (p < 0.001). In the landmark analysis at 6, 12 and 18 months, the conversion group exhibited better survival compared to PR patients in the non‐conversion group (p = 0.04, 0.01 and 0.03, respectively) and there were no significant differences in the overall survival (OS) between the conversion group and patients who achieved a CR (p = 0.7, 1.0 and 0.3, respectively).

Conclusions

Patients with low tumour burden and low value of NLR were more likely to undergo conversion therapy. The OS of patients undergoing conversion therapy showed better survival compared to those achieving PR and was comparable to those with CR patients. Conversion therapy could be considered if feasible.
Opening the notebook: How and why human geographers take fieldnotes
Authors: Hitchings Russell , Latham Alan , Thieme Tatiana
Published: September 2024

This short paper introduces a special section exploring how human geographers use research notebooks. It outlines why a fuller exchange about how exactly we do ethnographic note‐taking in human geography is worthwhile, and describes a series of conference sessions in which a group of human geographers took the relatively bold step of showing each other examples of what could be found inside their notebooks. It also provides an overview of how the papers in the special section might help us all to consider the variety of options available to us when we choose to work in this way.
A 6‐month, prospective, randomized controlled trial of customized adherence enhancement versus a bipolar‐specific educational control in poorly adherent adolescents and young adults living with bipolar disorder
Authors: Levin Jennifer B. , DelBello Melissa , Modi Avani C. , Briggs Farren , Forthun Larry F. , McVoy Molly , Yala Joy , Cooley Raechel , Black Jessica , Conroy Carla , Sajatovic Martha
Published: September 2024

Objective

Few studies have addressed medication adherence in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) with bipolar disorder (BD). This 6‐month prospective randomized‐controlled trial (RCT) tested customized adherence enhancement for adolescents and young adults (CAE‐AYA), a behavioral intervention for AYAs versus enhanced treatment as usual (ETAU).

Methods

Inclusion criteria were AYAs age 13–21 with BD type I or II with suboptimal adherence defined as missing ≥20% of medications. Assessments were conducted at Screening, Baseline, and weeks 8, 12 and 24. Primary outcome was past 7 day self‐reported Tablets Routine Questionnaire (TRQ) validated by electronic pillbox monitoring (SimpleMed). Symptom measures included the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM‐D) and Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS).

Results

The mean sample age (N = 36) was 19.1 years (SD = 2.0); 66.7% (N = 24) female, BD Type I (81%). The mean missed medication on TRQ for the total sample was 35.4% (SD = 28.8) at screening and 30.4% (SD = 30.5) at baseline. Both CAE‐AYA and ETAU improved on TRQ from screening to baseline. Baseline mean missed medication using SimpleMed was 51.6% (SD = 38.5). Baseline HAM‐D and YMRS means were 7.1 (SD = 4.7) and 6.0 (SD = 7.3), respectively. Attrition rate at week 24 was 36%. Baseline to 24‐week change on TRQ, adjusting for age, gender, educational level, living situation, family history, race, and ethnicity, showed improvement favoring CAE‐AYA versus ETAU of 15%. SimpleMed interpretation was limited due to substantial missing data. There was a significant reduction in depression favoring CAE‐AYA.

Conclusions

CAE‐AYA may improve adherence in AYAs with BD, although conclusions need to be made cautiously given study limitations.

Clinical Trials Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04348604.
Deficiency of 5‐HT2B receptors alleviates atherosclerosis by regulating macrophage phenotype through inhibiting interferon signalling
Authors: Liu Yahan , Wang Zhipeng , Fang Li , Xu Yaohua , Zhao Beilei , Kang Xuya , Zhao Yanqing , Han Jintao , Zhang Yan , Dong Erdan , Wang Nanping
Published: September 2024

Background and Purpose

Elevated levels of 5‐HT have been correlated with coronary artery disease and cardiac events, suggesting 5‐HT is a potential novel factor in the development of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. However, the underlying pathological mechanisms of the 5‐HT system in atherosclerosis remain unclear. The 5‐HT2B receptor (5‐HT2BR), which establishes a positive feedback loop with 5‐HT, has been identified as a contributor to pathophysiological processes in various vascular disorders. In this study, we investigated the immunological impact of 5‐HT2BR in atherosclerosis‐prone apolipoprotein E‐deficient (ApoE−/−) mice.

Experimental Approach

Plasma levels of 5‐HT were measured in mice using an ELISA kit. Atherosclerotic plaque formation, macrophage infiltration and inflammatory signalling were assessed in ApoE−/− mice by employing both pharmacological inhibition and genetic deficiency of 5‐HT2BR. Inflammasome activation was elucidated using peritoneal macrophages isolated from 5‐HT2BR‐deficient mice.

Key Results

An upregulation of 5‐HT2BR expression was observed in the aortas of ApoE−/− mice, exhibiting a strong correlation with the presence of macrophages in plaques. Atherosclerosis was attenuated in mice through pharmacological inhibition and genetic deficiency of 5‐HT2BR. Additionally, a significant reduction in atherosclerotic plaque size was achieved through bone marrow reconstitution with 5‐HT2BR‐deficient cells. 5‐HT2BR‐deficient macrophages showed attenuated interferon (IFN) signalling, NLRP3 inflammasome activation, and interleukin‐1β release. Moreover, macrophages primed with 5‐HT2BR deficiency displayed an anti‐inflammatory phenotype.

Conclusion and Implications

These findings support the hypothesis that 5‐HT2BR in macrophages plays a causal role in the development of atherosclerosis, revealing a novel perspective for potential therapeutic strategies in atherosclerosis‐related diseases.
Impact of late to moderate preterm birth on minimal pair word‐learning
Authors: François Clément , Rodriguez‐Fornells Antoni , Cerda‐Company Xim , Agut Thaïs , Bosch Laura
Published: September 2024

Little is known about language development after late‐to‐moderate premature birth, the most significant part of prematurity worldwide. We examined minimal‐pair word‐learning skills in 18 eighteen‐month‐old healthy full‐term (mean gestational age [GA] at birth = 39.6 weeks; 7 males; 100% Caucasian) and 18 healthy late‐to‐moderate preterm infants (mean GA at birth 33.7 weeks; 11 males; 100% Caucasian). Data were collected in the local urban area of Barcelona city from May 2015 to August 2016. Toddlers first associated two pseudo‐words, forming a minimal pair based on a voice onset time distinction of the initial consonant, with two unfamiliar objects during a habituation phase. A visual choice test assessed their recognition of the two novel word‐object associations and some familiar word‐object pairs. While full‐terms successfully mapped the similar sounding pair of novel words (d = 1.57), preterms could not (d = 0.17). These results suggest that late to moderate preterm birth can hinder basic associative learning mechanisms relying on fine temporal speech features.
Mix‐Max: A Content‐Aware Operator for Real‐Time Texture Transitions
Authors: Fournier Romain , Sauvage Basile
Published: September 2024

Mixing textures is a basic and ubiquitous operation in data‐driven algorithms for real‐time texture generation and rendering. It is usually performed either by linear blending, or by cutting. We propose a new mixing operator which encompasses and extends both, creating more complex transitions that adapt to the texture's contents. Our mixing operator takes as input two or more textures along with two or more priority maps, which encode how the texture patterns should interact. The resulting mixed texture is defined pixel‐wise by selecting the maximum of both priorities. We show that it integrates smoothly into two widespread applications: transition between two different textures, and texture synthesis that mixes pieces of the same texture. We provide constant‐time and parallel evaluation of the resulting mix over square footprints of MIP‐maps, making our operator suitable for real‐time rendering. We also develop a micro‐priority model, inspired by micro‐geometry models in rendering, which represents sub‐pixel priorities by a statistical distribution, and which allows for tuning between sharp cuts and smooth blend.
Investigation of the application angle and mode parameters on colour fading obtained in laser process
Authors: Atav Rıza , Gündüz Öner , Yaz Sercan , Çakan Gizem
Published: September 2024

In this study, the effect of four factors affecting colour fading in the laser process (resolution in the X direction, resolution in the Y direction, pixel time and application direction/angle [56°, horizontal, vertical]) were statistically examined. Then, the effect of application direction/angle (56°, horizontal, vertical) and application mode (Normal, HDR Soft, HDR Medium) were investigated in more detail. It is believed that this study will contribute to the literature and is original since there is no study on the effect of application angle and/or mode during laser treatment. It was found that beyond the resolution and pixel time, application direction/angle and mode (HDR Medium > HDR Soft > Normal) are important in terms of colour fading for 11.25 ounce trousers made of 95.3% cotton/3.4% polyester (T400)/1.3% elastane used in this study.
Changes in the cuticular profile but not aggression of termites along a tropical elevation gradient
Authors: Camarota Flávio , Viana‐Junior Arleu B. , Vidal Diogo M. , Zarbin Paulo H. G. , Neves Frederico S.
Published: September 2024

Communication is critical for social insects and largely mediated by cuticular hydrocarbon compounds (CHCs). The CHCs are diverse and involved in different functions, including nestmate recognition, and protection against desiccation. Their production is costly and context‐dependent, and organisms must prioritise those necessary for survival and fitness in a given habitat. While environmental and abiotic factors are key determinants of the CHCs' profile, we still know little about the effects of elevation in CHC composition in tropical mountain social insects.

We investigated the role of elevation on the abundance and composition of CHCs in the termite species Nasutitermes coxipoensis, a widespread termite species in Brazil. We studied the populations of N. coxipoensis in the largest Brazilian mountain range.

Besides assessing the differences in CHC composition, we conducted behavioural assays to test the recognition ability of different colonies within the elevational gradient.

We found an effect of elevation in the chemical profile of CHCs in N. coxipoensis, with an increased abundance of n‐alkanes and dimethyl‐alkanes with increasing elevation. When evaluating the effect of elevation on the dissimilarity of CHC compounds, we observed that n‐alkanes and dimethyl alkanes were affected differently, but in general, compounds increased their dissimilarity with elevational distance.

Finally, changes in CHC profiles did not affect aggression between neighbouring colonies along the elevation gradient.

Our results indicate that environmental factors play a limited role in shaping termite chemical profiles along a tropical elevation gradient, with no influence on aggression between neighbouring colonies from distinct elevations.
Ecology of fear: ontogeny‐mediated non‐consumptive effects in a parasite–host system
Authors: MacLeod Lisa R. , Luong Lien T.
Published: September 2024

Non‐consumptive effects (NCEs) arise in the presence of parasites even when infection does not occur and can include changes to host behaviour, physiology or morphology. Using the Drosophila nigrospiracula—Macrocheles subbadius fly‐mite system, we investigated the impact of parasite exposure (sans infection) during the pupal and adult pre‐reproductive stages.

First, we exposed fly pupae to mites—either indirectly (caged mites) or directly (free‐roaming mites) to test the effects of parasite exposure on pupation success. Second, we tested how exposing adult female flies to mites prior to reproduction affects fecundity during the post‐exposure reproductive period.

We found that direct exposure to mites significantly decreased the rate of successful eclosion (development from pupa to adult) compared with unexposed pupae; however, the duration of pupation was not significantly affected. The indirect exposure did not have a significant effect on either successful eclosion or duration of pupation. We also found that indirectly exposed (caged mites) females had a significant decrease in the number of offspring produced, but only for the first few days post eclosion, suggesting the effect was reversible after mite removal.

NCEs arise after mite exposure during the pupal and pre‐reproductive life stage of Drosophila, in the form of decreased eclosion success and fecundity. Investigating the NCEs associated with parasite exposure at various life stages of the host is important in understanding the ecology of fear and its total impact on hosts throughout their entire lifespan, with consequences for host ontogeny and population growth.
A new method based on generative adversarial networks for multivariate time series prediction
Authors: Qin Xiwen , Shi Hongyu , Dong Xiaogang , Zhang Siqi
Published: September 2024

Multivariate time series have more complex and high‐dimensional characteristics, which makes it difficult to analyze and predict the data accurately. In this paper, a new multivariate time series prediction method is proposed. This method is a generative adversarial networks (GAN) method based on Fourier transform and bi‐directional gated recurrent unit (Bi‐GRU). First, the Fourier transform is utilized to extend the data features, which helps the GAN to better learn the distributional features of the original data. Second, in order to guide the model to fully learn the distribution of the original time series data, Bi‐GRU is introduced as the generator of GAN. To solve the problems of mode collapse and gradient vanishing that exist in GAN, Wasserstein distance is used as the loss function of GAN. Finally, the proposed method is used for the prediction of air quality, stock price and RMB exchange rate. The experimental results show that the model can effectively predict the trend of the time series compared with the other nine baseline models. It significantly improves the accuracy and flexibility of multivariate time series forecasting and provides new ideas and methods for accurate time series forecasting in industrial, financial and environmental fields.
ACRES: A framework for (semi)automatic generation of rule‐based expert systems with uncertainty from datasets
Authors: Kovas Konstantinos , Hatzilygeroudis Ioannis
Published: September 2024

Traditionally, the design of an expert system involves acquiring knowledge, in the form of symbolic rules, directly from the expert(s), which is a complex and time‐consuming task. Although expert systems approach is quite old, it is still present, especially where explicit knowledge representation and reasoning, which assure interpretability and explainability, are necessary. Therefore, machine learning methods have been devised to extract rules from data, to facilitate that task. However, those methods are quite inflexible in adapting to the application domain and provide no help in designing the expert system. In this work, we present a framework and corresponding tool, namely ACRES, for semi‐automatically generating expert systems from datasets. ACRES allows for data preprocessing, which helps in structuring knowledge in the form of a tree, called rule hierarchy, which represents (possible) dependencies among data variables and is used for rule formation. This improves interpretability and explainability of the produced systems. We have also designed and evaluated alternative methods for rule extraction from data and for calculation and use of certainty factors, to represent uncertainty; CFs can be dynamically updated. Experimental results on seven well‐known datasets show that the proposed rule extraction methods are comparable to other popular machine learning approaches like decision trees, CART, JRip, PART, Random Forest, and so on, for the classification task. Finally, we give insights on two applications of ACRES.
Therapeutic failure reported with HIV long‐acting injectables: An analysis of the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System from 2021 to 2024
Authors: McCall Kenneth L. , Cabral Danielle L. , Coghlan Jamie F. , Concepcion Ashante M. , Denimarck Kristine E. , Shalumov Shawn S.
Published: September 2024

Objectives

We examined adverse event (AE) reports relating to cabotegravir/rilpivirine (CAB/RPV) in the US FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS), focusing on therapeutic failure (TF) and non‐therapeutic failure (NTF) outcomes.

Methods

FAERS is a database of AE and medication error reports from post‐marketing surveillance. The study was granted exempt approval by the Binghamton University Institutional Review Board. We queried reports for CAB/RPV in the FAERS system from 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2024. TFs were defined as involving any of the following terms: viral load increased, virological failure, pathogen resistance, blood HIV RNA increased, treatment failure, drug ineffective, viral mutation identified, viraemia, and therapy non‐responder. The top 20 most common AEs were also identified. Means, standard deviations, and percentages were used to characterize the sample.

Results

The study cohort consisted of 2605 reports. The reported sex of the study cohort was 50% male (n = 1295), 19% female (n = 505), and 31% unspecified (n = 805), with a mean ± standard deviation (SD) age of 46.9 ± 12.4 years (n = 378). The top three most reported AEs were TFs, product dose omissions, and injection site pain, with 377 (14.5%), 354 (13.6%), and 331 (12.7%) cases, respectively. The mean ± SD weight of people with a report of TF versus NTF was 101.8 ± 33.4 kg and 87.7 ± 26.7 kg, respectively (p = 0.0175).

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that healthcare professionals should have a heightened awareness of potential challenges with CAB/RPV administration, including TFs and dose omissions in real‐world settings.
Influential sociocultural factors on teacher agency in times of educational change: Reflection from a Southeast Asian context
Authors: Tran Hao , Li Minglin
Published: September 2024

In the wake of globalisation and the widespread dominance of English, Southeast Asian countries have experienced significant shifts in their foreign language policies, prioritising English instruction over other languages. While numerous studies have explored teacher agency in response to educational change, understanding the motivations behind their actions warrants further attention. Amidst this evolving educational landscape in culturally nuanced contexts like Southeast Asia, unpacking the influence of Asian sociocultural values on how teachers exert agency during this transition could provide in‐depth insights into teacher agency and their decision making. Employing a sociocultural approach and drawing on Bourdieu's theory of practice, this paper examines the sociocultural factors shaping the agency of 20 teachers in a Vietnamese university as they respond to a profound educational change—the transition from teaching modern foreign languages (e.g., French, Chinese, and Russian) to teaching English. Through teacher interviews with 20 transitioned teachers, supplemented by insights from interviews with two faculty and university leaders, the findings reveal the embodiment of Bourdieu's concepts of Habitus and Capital in Vietnamese adaptability, flexibility, family roles, responsibilities, and teachers’ sense of collectivity as influential factors on teacher agency. Additionally, the hierarchical nature of change implementation, as reflected in leaders’ orientations, organisational constraints, and administrative styles, viewed through the lens of Field and social networks, contributes to the intricate dynamics of the transition process. Understanding these findings is crucial for comprehending the factors that constrain and facilitate teachers’ responses to change within the complex interplay of individual dispositions, societal structures, and power distribution within the educational sphere.
How Decent Work Influences Internal Whistleblowing Intentions in Nurses: The Parallel Mediating Roles of Felt Obligation and Organisational Identification—A Cross‐Sectional Survey
Authors: El‐Gazar Heba Emad , Zoromba Mohamed Ali
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Fostering nurses' intentions to blow the whistle internally is a salient issue in healthcare. However, there are debates on the antecedents of these intentions, and the explanation of how these antecedents influence such intentions is missing in the nursing literature.

Aim

Based on the social exchange theory and the social identity theory, this study aimed to unveil how decent work influences nurses' internal whistleblowing intentions, specifically through the parallel mediating roles of felt obligation and organisational identification.

Methods

A cross‐sectional survey was conducted with a convenience sample of 268 clinical nurses from three tertiary public hospitals in Mansoura, Egypt. Data were collected between June and November 2023 using the Decent Work Scale, the Felt Obligation Scale, the Organisational Identification Scale and the Internal Whistleblowing Intentions Scale. Study hypotheses were tested using structural equation modelling.

Results

Decent work significantly influenced nurses' internal whistleblowing intentions. Felt obligation and organisational identification partially mediated the positive relationship between decent work and internal whistleblowing intentions.

Conclusion

Decent work is a significant predictor in nurturing felt obligation and organisational identification, leading to an increased willingness among nurses to engage in internal whistleblowing.

Impact

This study offers valuable insights into how hospital administrators can leverage internal whistleblowing intentions among nurses. It showed that securing decent work conditions, fostering felt obligation and organisational identification contribute to an increased willingness to blow the whistle.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
The cost of potentially inappropriate medications for older adults in Canada: A comparative cross‐sectional study
Authors: Huon Jean‐François , Sanyal Chiranjeev , Gagnon Camille L. , Turner Justin P. , Khuong Ninh B. , Bortolussi‐Courval Émilie , Lee Todd C. , Silvius James L. , Morgan Steven G. , McDonald Emily G.
Published: September 2024

Background

Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) are medications whereby the harms may outweigh the benefits for a given individual. Although overprescribed to older adults, their direct costs on the healthcare system are poorly described.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study of the cost of PIMs for Canadians aged 65 and older, using adapted criteria from the American Geriatrics Society. We examined prescription claims information from the National Prescription Drug Utilization Information System in 2021 and compared these with 2013. The overall levels of inflation‐adjusted total annual expenditure on PIMs, average cost per quarterly exposure, and average quarterly exposures to PIMs were calculated in CAD$.

Results

Exposure to most categories of PIMs decreased, aside from gabapentinoids, proton pump inhibitors, and antipsychotics, all of which increased. Canadians spent $1 billion on PIMs in 2021, a 33.6% reduction compared with 2013 ($1.5 billion). In 2021, the largest annual expenditures were on proton pump inhibitors ($211 million) and gabapentinoids ($126 million). The quarterly amount spent on PIMs per person exposed decreased from $95 to $57. In terms of mean cost per person, opioids and antipsychotics were highest ($138 and $118 per exposure). Some cost savings may have occurred secondary to an observed decline of 16.4% in the quarterly rate of exposure to PIMs (from 7301 per 10,000 in 2013 to 6106 per 10,000 in 2021).

Conclusions

While expenditures on PIMs have declined in Canada, the overall cost remains high. Prescribing of some seriously harmful classes of PIMs has increased and so directed, scalable interventions are needed.
Relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) expressing cells in the zona incerta/lateral hypothalamus augment behavioural arousal
Authors: Richards Brandon K. , Ch'ng Sarah S. , Simon Ariel B. , Pang Terence Y. , Kim Jee Hyun , Lawrence Andrew J. , Perry Christina J.
Published: September 2024

Fear‐related psychopathologies, such as post‐traumatic stress disorder, are linked to dysfunction in neural circuits that govern fear memory and arousal. The lateral hypothalamus (LH) and zona incerta (ZI) regulate fear, but our understanding of the precise neural circuits and cell types involved remains limited. Here, we examined the role of relaxin family peptide receptor 3 (RXFP3) expressing cells in the LH/ZI in conditioned fear expression and general arousal in male RXFP3‐Cre mice. We found that LH/ZI RXFP3+ (LH/ZIRXFP3) cells projected strongly to fear learning, stress, and arousal centres, notably, the periaqueductal grey, lateral habenula, and nucleus reuniens. These cells do not express hypocretin/orexin or melanin‐concentrating hormone but display putative efferent connectivity with LH hypocretin/orexin+ neurons and dopaminergic A13 cells. Following Pavlovian fear conditioning, chemogenetically activating LH/ZIRXFP3 cells reduced fear expression (freezing) overall but also induced jumping behaviour and increased locomotor activity. Therefore, the decreased freezing was more likely to reflect enhanced arousal rather than reduced fear. Indeed, stimulating these cells produced distinct patterns of coactivation between several motor, stress, and arousal regions, as measured by Fos expression. These results suggest that activating LH/ZIRXFP3 cells generates brain‐wide activation patterns that augment behavioural arousal.

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In Vivo Cross‐Linking Sheds Light on the Salmonella Divisome in Which PBP3 and PBP3SAL Compete for Occupancy
Authors: Castanheira Sónia , López‐Escarpa David , Paradela Alberto , García‐del Portillo Francisco
Published: September 2024

Bacterial cell division is orchestrated by proteins that assemble in dynamic complexes collectively known as the divisome. Essential monofunctional enzymes with glycosyltransferase or transpeptidase (TPase) activities, FtsW and FtsI respectively, engage in the synthesis of septal peptidoglycan (sPG). Enigmatically, Salmonella has two TPases that can promote cell division independently: FtsI (PBP3) and the pathogen‐specific paralogue PBP3SAL. How Salmonella regulates the assembly of the sPG synthase complex with these two TPases, is unknown. Here, we characterized Salmonella division complexes in wild‐type cells and isogenic mutants lacking PBP3 or PBP3SAL. The complexes were cross‐linked in vivo and pulled down with antibodies recognizing each enzyme. Proteomics of the immunoprecipitates showed that PBP3 and PBP3SAL do not extensively cross‐link in wild type cells, supporting the presence of independent complexes. More than 40 proteins cross‐link in complexes in which these two TPases are present. Those identified with high scores include FtsA, FtsK, FtsQLB, FtsW, PBP1B, SPOR domain‐containing proteins (FtsN, DedD, RlpA, DamX), amidase activators (FtsX, EnvC, NlpD) and Tol‐Pal proteins. Other cross‐linked proteins are the protease Prc, the elongasome TPase PBP2 and, D,D‐endo‐ and D,D‐carboxypeptidases. PBP3 and PBP3SAL localize at midcell and compete for occupying the division complex in response to environmental cues. Thus, a catalytic‐dead PBP3SAL‐S300A variant impairs cell division in a high osmolarity and acidic condition in which it is produced at levels exceeding those of PBP3. Salmonella may therefore exploit an ‘adjustable’ divisome to exchange TPases for ensuring cell division in distinct environments and, in this manner, expand its colonization capacities.
Observations on Deraniyagala's beaked whale (Mesoplodon hotaula) in the South China Sea based on the first confirmed live sightings
Authors: Liu Mingming , Lin Wenzhi , Liu Binshuai , Chen Shenglan , Lin Mingli , Dong Lijun , Kang Hui , Ouyang Mingyue , Yang Zixin , Huang Xiaoyu , Rosso Massimiliano , Pusser L. Todd , Wang John Y. , Pitman Robert L. , Li Songhai
Published: September 2024

Deraniyagala's beaked whale, Mesoplodon hotaula, was previously known from eight published strandings and no confirmed live sightings, making it one of the least‐known cetaceans. We conducted six cetacean survey cruises in the South China Sea between 2019 and 2023, and during 120 sea‐days we recorded 12 sightings of unidentified Mesoplodon. From biopsy samples and acoustic recordings, five sightings were subsequently confirmed as M. hotaula. Using photographs, we provide the first field descriptions and observations of this species. The calf/juvenile has a distinctive facial coloration and dorsal striping pattern that appear to be diagnostic among Indo‐Pacific Mesoplodon; among adult males, the dark rostrum of M. hotaula and the distinctively white‐tipped beak of ginkgo‐toothed beaked whale, M. ginkgodens, distinguish these similar‐looking, partially sympatric species. Mean group size was small (3.0, n = 5), with a preference for deep (2,156 m, n = 5), warm (30.3°C, n = 3) water. We update the known distribution of this species, present evidence of fishery interactions, and document the first reported mixed‐species Mesoplodon group: a juvenile Blainville's beaked whale M. densirostris associated with four M. hotaula. These sightings identify the South China Sea as a potentially important area for this almost completely unknown species.