bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Robust Hamiltonian Engineering for Interacting Qudit Systems
Authors: Zhou Hengyun , Gao Haoyang , Leitao Nathaniel T. , Makarova Oksana , Cong Iris , Douglas Alexander M. , Martin Leigh S. , Lukin Mikhail D.
Published: July 2024

Dynamical decoupling and Hamiltonian engineering are well-established techniques that have been used to control qubit systems. However, designing the corresponding methods for qudit systems has been challenging due to the lack of a Bloch sphere representation, more complex interactions, and additional control constraints. By identifying several general structures associated with such problems, we develop a formalism for the robust dynamical decoupling and Hamiltonian engineering of strongly interacting qudit systems. Our formalism significantly simplifies qudit pulse-sequence design while naturally incorporating robustness conditions necessary for experimental practicality. We experimentally demonstrate these techniques in a strongly interacting, disordered ensemble of spin-1 nitrogen-vacancy centers, achieving more than an order-of-magnitude improvement in coherence time over existing pulse sequences. We further describe how our techniques enable the engineering of exotic many-body phenomena such as quantum many-body scars, and open up new opportunities for quantum metrology with enhanced sensitivities. These results enable wide-reaching new applications for dynamical decoupling and Hamiltonian engineering in many-body physics and quantum metrology.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Multijunction Electroluminescent Cooling
Authors: Park Yubin , Fan Shanhui
Published: July 2024

We propose a multijunction configuration for an electroluminescent cooling system, incorporating multiple semiconductor layers with different band gaps. Through theoretical analysis focusing on cooling power density and coefficient of performance, we show that increasing the number of semiconductor layers results in an enhanced performance of electroluminescent cooling. We highlight the reduction of operating voltage as a pivotal factor contributing to this improvement. Furthermore, we show that the enhancement can persist in the presence of nonradiative recombination. Our work indicates the potential of multijunction configurations in advancing the capabilities of electroluminescent cooling.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Revealing the digital transformation, uncovering hidden process dimensions of education
Authors: Tsupari Kaisa , Lagstedt Altti , Kauppinen Raine
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study explores the consequences of digitalization in the field of education, particularly in relation to teachers’ course processes in higher education institutions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding how information systems (IS) support not only individual tasks but also processes as a whole. The results reveal that process practices have not been considered comprehensively and even core processes may be unseen.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted to explore the extent to which teachers’ processes are discussed in the literature. A qualitative case study was then conducted at a Finnish higher education institution to identify course processes and their relationships to IS.

Findings

Teachers’ processes have scarcely been discussed in the literature, and the process support provided by ISs is remarkably limited. It seems that course processes, which are core to education, are a blind spot in education digitalization. To support evaluating the level of support by IS, novel course process indicators were introduced.

Practical implications

Developing core processes, teachers’ course processes and thesis processes in education field, supports improving service quality. In all industries, organizations should consider whether processes are properly recognized and whether IS support not only individual tasks but also processes as a whole. We recommend recognizing and applying business process management practices to better support teachers’ work and to improve overall efficiency in education.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first education sector study that attends to teacher’s work as a comprehensive process.
Career variety and turnover intention: mediating role of job crafting and moderating role of HR innovators and integrators
Authors: Yue Meiqi , Zhu Xiji , Zhu Fei
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Previous studies have indicated that career variety offers numerous benefits in the work environment; however, knowledge regarding the mechanisms that retain employees with diverse career experiences is scant. Drawing on person–environment (P–E) fit theory and the job crafting perspective, this study aims to explore the relationship between career variety and turnover intention, and the roles of job crafting and HR innovators and integrators in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study examines the nonlinear effect of career variety on turnover intention using survey data collected from 509 employees (Study 1) and 346 employees and their supervisors (Study 2) in China.

Findings

Career variety and turnover intention exhibited an inverted U-shaped relationship – mediated by job crafting. Additionally, the HR innovator and integrator moderated the relationship between career variety and job crafting. When the HR innovator and integrator were strong, employees engaged in more job crafting at intermediate levels of career variety.

Originality/value

The findings not only deepen our understanding of the inherent capabilities and preference traits of employees with diverse career backgrounds but also enrich the body of research on career variety, reconcile inconsistencies across previous studies and offer new insights into strategic organisational interventions for retaining a workforce with varied career experiences.
How foodstagramming posts influence restaurant visit intention: the mediating role of goal relevance and mimicking desire
Authors: Chen Yun Victoria , Jin Xin , Gardiner Sarah , Wong IpKin Anthony
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role of social media visual posts (known as foodstagramming) on restaurant visit intention. Drawing on the heuristic–systematic model and normative focus theory, this research introduces a framework that assesses the effects of key foodstagramming attributes – vicarious expression, aesthetic appeal and post popularity – and the mediating roles of goal relevance and mimicking desire, in the process.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modelling was performed to test the proposed model using a sample of tourists (n = 377) and residents (n = 341). Multi-group analysis was performed to compare the differences between these groups.

Findings

Results reveal that mimicking desire and goal relevance influence restaurant visit intention; however, mimicking desire has a stronger influence than goal relevance. Little difference was found between the tourist and the resident groups in the proposed relationships, except that vicarious expression positively influences mimicking desire in the tourist group but not in the resident group.

Practical implications

This study guides restauranteurs and social media influencers (foodstagrammers). It shows that consumers value the textual content and aesthetic appeal of photos over the popularity of a post. It also indicates that vicarious expression is more important for tourists than for residents.

Originality/value

This research advances social media marketing literature by proposing a new information processing framework. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of the first studies to explore the impact of visual post attributes on individual decision-making behaviours through socially acceptable norms.
Agile transformation in the energy sector: empowering autonomous teams
Authors: Standahl Johannessen Seline , Karlsen Jan Terje
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore how to structure an energy organization to be more agile in the context of digitalization and find the common success factors and challenges the organizations face to transform.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative multiple-case study of an energy company and an online market company, both from the Nordic countries, was conducted in 2023. Data were collected through in-depth individual interviews with 16 participants.

Findings

This research provides valuable insights into the challenges and critical success factors crucial for a successful digital transformation. The study illuminates the interplay between technological advancements and organizational shifts, the adoption of agile methodologies, the importance of inclusive leadership and the integration of autonomous teams in realizing digital transformation goals. The research emphasizes the profound impact of these factors on the transformational journey within organizations. In particular, the adoption of agile methodologies takes on heightened significance in the swiftly evolving business landscape of today, calling for a transition from project-centric approaches to more adaptive and sustainable product-centric models.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the practice and enhanced understanding of organizing business and technology teams in energy companies to achieve fast flow. The analysis and discussion of various empirical findings shed light on the success factors and challenges of digital transformation – issues that many organizations are currently or will likely soon be grappling with. The impact of different organizational structures on agility in an organization has yet to be thoroughly studied.
Healthy, healthier, hybrid work: the burnout-reducing potential of remote work and the mediating effect of work autonomy
Authors: Höcker Martin Christian , Bachtal Yassien , Voll Kyra , Pfnür Andreas
Published: July 2024

Purpose

With the continuing transition to hybrid working models, companies are confronted with new challenges. Location- and time-flexible working offers employees considerable advantages regarding work success and, in particular, personal well-being and health. The separate effects of remote work and work autonomy on the degree of perceived burnout have already been sufficiently investigated. The influence of hybrid work, the combination of remote and in-office work together with work autonomy, on perceived burnout has yet to be investigated. Against this background, the present study examines the impact of hybrid work on perceived burnout.

Design/methodology/approach

The empirical study uses data from N = 779 German office employees. Drawing on the conservation of resources theory, the data is evaluated using regression and mediation analysis.

Findings

The results indicate a negative impact of remote work and work autonomy on perceived burnout. In addition, the effect of remote work on perceived burnout is partially mediated by work autonomy. This shows that hybrid work overall has a burnout-reducing effect.

Practical implications

Considering the workforce’s health, the results suggest that organisations should focus on hybrid working. Thus, employees should continuously be allowed to work remotely. In addition, workflows and processes should be designed to provide employees work autonomy. If organisational constraints require office presence, then the results underline the need for stress-reducing adaptation of offices.

Originality/value

The study offers first empirical results on the combined impact of remote work and work autonomy on perceived burnout. Furthermore, it provides implications for designing hybrid working environments and orientation in the ongoing return to office debate.
Performance management systems and digital technologies: an exploratory analysis of practitioners and academics’ perspectives
Authors: Culasso Francesca , Broccardo Laura , Giordino Daniele , Crocco Edoardo
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Performance management systems (PMSs) must remain dynamic and maintain the ability to withstand the high degrees of complexity brought about by digital technologies (DTs). Academics and practitioners have explored DTs and PMSs separately. This study aims to bridge the academic and practitioner discourse surrounding PMSs and DTs to promote knowledge diffusion and collaboration.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a mixed method approach, combining quantitative and qualitative content analysis, which were validated through semi-structured interviews with academics and practitioners. The authors first conducted a content analysis of the academic literature contained in the Scopus database and the practitioners' literature featured in the Nexis Uni database.

Findings

The combined academic-practitioners’ body of knowledge underscores the risk and environmental dimension, as well as the theoretical frameworks employed to explore digitally empowered PMSs. These findings were corroborated by 17 confirmatory interviews conducted with scholars and practitioners.

Research limitations/implications

Due to its scope, the research is limited to publications listed on Scopus and Nexis Uni. Additionally, its qualitative and interpretative nature presents some generalizability issues.

Originality/value

This study connects the intentions of scholars and practitioners concerning PMSs and DTs to promote collaborative efforts and knowledge diffusion. Moreover, considering the broader spectrum of insights, this manuscript postulates new avenues of research that address the key issues and concerns of both academics and practitioners. Finally, this article showcases PMs- and DT-appropriate theoretical frameworks that can inform practitioners’ discourse and work.
Research on motion planning system for wall-climbing mobile manipulator for large steel structures welding operation
Authors: Xu Yan , Liu Yaqiu , Liu Xun , Wang Baoyu , Zhang Lin , Nie Zhengwen
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the welding demands within large steel structures by presenting a global spatial motion planning algorithm for a mobile manipulator. This algorithm is based on an independently developed wall-climbing robot, which comprises a four-wheeled climbing mobile platform and a six-degree-of-freedom robotic manipulator, ensuring high mobility and operational flexibility.

Design/methodology/approach

A convex hull feasible domain constraint is developed for motion planning in the mobile manipulator. For extensive spatial movements, connected sequences of convex polyhedra are established between the composite robot’s initial and target states. The composite robot’s path and obstacle avoidance optimization problem are solved by constraining the control points on B-spline curves. A dynamic spatial constraint rapidlye-xploring random trees-connect (RRTC) motion planning algorithm is proposed for the manipulator, which quickly generates reference paths using spherical spatial constraints at the manipulator’s end, eliminating the need for complex nonconvex constraint modeling.

Findings

Experimental results show that the proposed motion planning algorithm achieves optimal paths that meet task constraints, significantly reducing computation times in task conditions and shortening operation times in non-task conditions.

Originality/value

The algorithm proposed in this paper holds certain application value for the realization of automated welding operations within large steel structures using mobile manipulator.
Dyadic capabilities in implementing performance-based public procurement
Authors: Loijas Kati , Jääskeläinen Aki , Karttunen Elina
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide new understanding on operational and dynamic capabilities supportive to the implementation of performance-based public procurement by focusing on dyadic capabilities of a supplier and a buyer.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on the qualitative analysis of 20 interviews with informants representing Finnish public organizations and their private sector suppliers. The analysis is aligned with a theoretical framework connecting the phases of procurement and the capability types studied.

Findings

The findings of the study present the role of operational and dynamic capabilities of a buyer and a supplier in the implementation of performance-based procurement at public procurement phases. Preprocurement phase is found to greatly benefit from all three dynamic capabilities, while operational capabilities suffice in the contracting phase.

Social implications

Increased understanding on capabilities needed in performance-based procurement can increase the chances of success in reaching better value for money of public services and developing supplier markets.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on performance-based public procurement and value-based selling by taking a dyadic approach to the operational and dynamic capabilities needed in business with an emphasis on performance. As the focus in public procurement shifts increasingly from resources to performance, involving a joint effort between buyer and supplier, the study provides insights into role of dyadic capabilities and explains how dynamic and operational capabilities together support the phases of performance-based procurement implementation in the public sector.
“That looks like something I would do”: understanding humanities researchers’ digital hoarding behaviors in digital scholarship
Authors: Jia Mingxia , Zhao Yuxiang Chris , Zhang Xiaoyu , Wu Dawei
Published: July 2024

Purpose

In the era of digital intelligence, individuals are increasingly interacting with digital information in their daily lives and work, and a growing phenomenon known as digital hoarding is becoming more prevalent. Prior research suggests that humanities researchers have unique and longstanding information interaction and management practices in the digital scholarship context. This study therefore aims to understand how digital hoarding manifests in humanities researchers’ behavior, identify the influencing factors associated with it, and explore how they perceive and respond to digital hoarding behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Qualitative research methods enable us to acquire a rich insight and nuanced understanding of digital hoarding practices. In this study, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 humanities researchers who were pre-screened for a high propensity for digital hoarding. Thematic analyses were then used to analyze the interview data.

Findings

Three main characteristics of digital hoarding were identified. Further, the research paradigm, digital affordance, and personality traits and habits, collectively influencing the emergence and development of digital hoarding behaviors, were examined. The subtle influence of traditional Chinese culture was encountered. Interestingly, this study found that humanists perceive digital hoarding as a positive expectation (associated with inspiration, aesthetic pursuit, and uncertainty avoidance). Meanwhile, humanists' problematic perception of this behavior is more widely observed — they experience what we conceptualize as an “expectation-perception” gap. Three specific information behaviors related to avoidance were identified as aggravating factors for digital hoarding.

Originality/value

The findings deepen the understanding of digital hoarding behaviors and personal information management among humanities researchers within the LIS field, and implications for humanities researchers, digital scholarship service providers, and digital tool developers are discussed.
Treat me fairly now or I will commit misconduct later: integrating general strain and procedural (in)justice in graduate education
Authors: Geoghan Stephanie , Holtfreter Kristy
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to integrate general strain theory and procedural justice in the context of research misconduct in university settings.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on media accounts and past research, the authors present data on the financial costs of research misconduct to universities and identify graduate school processes as a possible source of strain may lead to misconduct. Relevant research on procedural justice in organizational settings is also examined.

Findings

The available literature suggests that the use of procedurally just practices will help reduce strain, and in doing so, potentially prevent research misconduct in university settings. The authors present an integrated theoretical model that can be tested in future empirical studies of research misconduct and other forms of white-collar crime in universities. Directions for future theoretically informed research are discussed, along with recommendations for graduate program administrators.

Originality/value

Research misconduct causes significant financial and reputational costs to universities. While past research focuses on mentoring and training for preventing misconduct by graduate students, this study argues that the use of fair evaluations and other procedurally just processes is also important.
A blockchain-based solution for transparent intellectual property rights management: smart contracts as enablers
Authors: Alqarni Amani
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address the limitations of traditional methods for managing intellectual property rights (IPRs) by proposing a blockchain-based solution. By leveraging blockchain technology and smart contracts, the aim is to create a comprehensive ecosystem that offers advantages such as reduced transaction costs, improved transparency, enhanced security and increased liquidity levels for IP assets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper proposes using blockchain technology to manage intellectual property rights (IPRs) through a smart contract-based ecosystem. It outlines the use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain to represent IPRs, with smart contracts automating interactions and encoding rules for various processes such as applications, licensing, transfers and royalty distribution. Governance mechanisms, such as decentralized autonomous organizations (DAOs), are employed to allow stakeholders to propose and vote on contract changes, ensuring adaptability. This approach aims to streamline IPR workflows, reduce transaction costs, improve transparency and enhance security.

Findings

The findings of this study suggest that implementing a blockchain-based ecosystem for managing intellectual property rights (IPRs) can lead to various benefits. These include reduced transaction costs, improved transparency, enhanced security, increased liquidity levels for IP assets and streamlined automated processes. The use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain allows for detailed management, valuation and trading of IPRs. Furthermore, simulation results demonstrate the robustness and efficiency of our proposed ecosystem, outperforming traditional IP management systems in terms of transaction speed and cost-effectiveness. These simulations highlight the practical viability of integrating blockchain technology into IP management workflows.

Practical implications

The practical implications of adopting this blockchain-based ecosystem for managing intellectual property rights (IPRs) are significant. By streamlining processes, reducing transaction costs and improving transparency and security, organizations can expedite the protection and commercialization of their IP assets. Additionally, the increased liquidity levels and accessibility of IP assets to investors and financiers can spur innovation and economic growth.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the field by proposing a novel approach to managing intellectual property rights (IPRs) using blockchain technology and smart contracts. By leveraging non-fungible tokens (NFTs) on the blockchain, the proposed ecosystem offers a more efficient and transparent way of managing IPRs, reducing reliance on costly and opaque traditional methods. The potential benefits include improved efficiency, transparency, security and collaboration in the management and commercialization of IPRs.
How accounting can shape a better world: framework, analysis and research agenda
Authors: Carnegie Garry D. , Gomes Delfina , Parker Lee D. , McBride Karen , Tsahuridu Eva
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This article centres on the pertinence of redefining accounting for tomorrow, particularly for facilitating the attainment of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and, thereby, for shaping a better world. In aspiring for accounting to reach its full potential as a multidimensional technical, social and moral practice, this paper aims to focus on ideas, initiatives and proposals for realising accounting’s future potential and responsibilities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study deploys a further developed “strategic implementation framework”, initially proposed by Carnegie et al. (2023), with an emphasis on accounting serving “the public interest” so as “to enable the flourishing of organisations, people and nature” (Carnegie et al., 2021a, p. 69; 2021b). It depicts strategies towards the future of accounting and the world.

Findings

Significant opportunities are identified for accounting and accountants, working closely with a diversity of stakeholders, to become alert to and cognisant of the nature, roles, uses and impacts of accounting. The evidence presented notes a predominant inattention of accounting and accountants to the SDGs despite the deteriorating state of our social and natural environment.

Research limitations/implications

Whilst this article examines other articles in this special issue (SI), there is no substitute for carefully reading, reflecting on and deliberating upon these articles individually.

Originality/value

The time for accounting to focus on creating a better world can no longer be extended. Accounting’s full potential will not be realised by remaining in a narrow and complacent, technicist state.
Transforming higher education in Tanzania: unleashing the true potential of AI as a transformative learning tool
Authors: Mambile Cesilia , Mwogosi Augustino
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore AI’s potential impact on the broader landscape of higher education in Tanzania. This study contributes to the ongoing discussion of AI’s potential to transform higher education and highlights the ethical considerations and challenges that must be addressed to ensure its successful implementation. This study informs future research and policy decisions in education and technology by providing a detailed understanding of AI’s perceived benefits and challenges in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach was used, which involves collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data to understand the research problem comprehensively. This approach allowed data triangulation and led to a more robust and detailed understanding of this study.

Findings

In this study, it was discovered that enhanced assessment, time-saving, personalized learning, improved accessibility and detecting cheating are the perceived benefits of AI as a tool for enhancing learning in higher education, while cost and infrastructure, academic misconduct, data privacy and security, bias and ethical concerns and lack of human interaction are the perceived challenges of AI as a tool for enhancing learning in higher education. Further, it was revealed that students are more accepting of using AI tools in the classroom because they think they are more effective and engaging. On the other hand, faculty were more cautious and skeptical about employing AI tools in the classroom because they worried about how it would affect their teaching methods and job security.

Research limitations/implications

The data collection was not conducted face-to-face. To fully capture respondents’ emotional responses, feelings, facial expressions, reactions, or body language was challenging. However, a sufficient number of individuals who participated were very cooperative, and their knowledge was very beneficial in understanding the topic.

Originality/value

A unique view of this study is a clear understanding of the perceived benefits and challenges of using AI as a tool for enhancing learning in higher education, as well as the variations in these perceptions among students and faculty. By examining the perspectives of both groups, this study provides a comprehensive understanding of the complex role of AI in higher education. Understanding the broader implications of AI in higher education can inform policy decisions and ensure that AI is used responsibly and ethically.
Multifaceted density dependence: Social structure and seasonality effects on Serengeti lion demography
Authors: Conquet Eva , Paniw Maria , Borrego Natalia , Nater Chloé R. , Packer Craig , Ozgul Arpat
Published: July 2024

Interactions between density and environmental conditions have important effects on vital rates and consequently on population dynamics and can take complex pathways in species whose demography is strongly influenced by social context, such as the African lion, Panthera leo. In populations of such species, the response of vital rates to density can vary depending on the social structure (e.g. effects of group size or composition).

However, studies assessing density dependence in populations of lions and other social species have seldom considered the effects of multiple socially explicit measures of density, and—more particularly for lions—of nomadic males. Additionally, vital‐rate responses to interactions between the environment and various measures of density remain largely uninvestigated.

To fill these knowledge gaps, we aimed to understand how a socially and spatially explicit consideration of density (i.e. at the local scale) and its interaction with environmental seasonality affect vital rates of lions in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. We used a Bayesian multistate capture–recapture model and Bayesian generalized linear mixed models to estimate lion stage‐specific survival and between‐stage transition rates, as well as reproduction probability and recruitment, while testing for season‐specific effects of density measures at the group and home‐range levels.

We found evidence for several such effects. For example, resident‐male survival increased more strongly with coalition size in the dry season compared with the wet season, and adult‐female abundance affected subadult survival negatively in the wet season, but positively in the dry season. Additionally, while our models showed no effect of nomadic males on adult‐female survival, they revealed strong effects of nomads on key processes such as reproduction and takeover dynamics.

Therefore, our results highlight the importance of accounting for seasonality and social context when assessing the effects of density on vital rates of Serengeti lions and of social species more generally.
Intuitive tracking: Blending competing approaches to exercise and eating
Authors: Hockin‐Boyers Hester , Jamie Kimberly , Pope Stacey
Published: July 2024

Under the conditions of neo‐liberal individual responsibilisation, self‐tracking has become the predominant model of health management. More recently, though, intuition‐based approaches to exercise and eating are also gaining traction. These two approaches are often located in opposition. While self‐tracking uses datafication and calculability to structure health decisions, intuitive approaches encourage abandonment of rules and restrictions around exercise and food in favour of corporeal self‐awareness and attunement to sensation. Although navigating these competing approaches is a common experience for all populations, the tensions between them are felt particularly acutely by people with complex health histories, such as eating disorders (EDs). In this article, we draw on mixed‐methods longitudinal data, analysed using phenomenological analysis, to propose a novel framework ‐ ‘intuitive tracking’—which moves beyond understandings of self‐tracking as the antithesis of intuitive engagement with exercise and health. Drawing on longitudinal interviews and photo elicitation with 19 women who are in recovery from EDs and using weightlifting as a tool to support their recovery, we demonstrate how attentiveness to bodily and emotional cues is successfully combined with an emphasis on monitoring health behaviours to support wellbeing. We conclude that theoretical understandings of self‐tracking can and should make space for intuition‐led decision‐making.
AA, Bill Wilson, Carl Jung and LSD
Authors: McDonnell Robert , Moriarty John , Cabe Ian Mc , Higgins Emily
Published: July 2024

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is an established resource for people suffering from alcohol use disorder (AUD). However, Bill Wilson, the co‐founder of AA, in his second letter to Jung referred to its low success rate. One evidence‐based alternative, dating back to the 1950s, is the clinical use of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) for treating AUD. Bill Wilson was a strong advocate of using LSD as a preparation for alcoholics who had difficulty grasping the spiritual aspect of the 12‐step programme. Bill Wilson wrote a “secret” four‐page letter to Carl Jung detailing his own use of LSD and the success two psychiatrists in Canada had in treating alcoholics and asked for his advice on using LSD to help alcoholics. Aniela Jaffé, a Jungian analyst and co‐worker of Jung, replied to Wilson on May 29, 1961, “… as soon as Dr. Jung feels better and has enough strength to begin again his mail, I will show it to him.” Jung died a week later. This article quotes Jung's previous hostile opinions on psychedelics and asks: Just as Jung overcame his negative views on groups when giving “complete instructions” on extending the 12‐step programme of AA to “general neurotics”, might he similarly have changed his mind when he saw the documented success of using LSD with recalcitrant alcoholics?
The impact of communication: A practical guide for teachers in fostering positive self‐concept in children with learning disability
Authors: Rotschild Tamas
Published: July 2024

Self‐concept is a precursor to a spectrum of mental, emotional and behavioural challenges, exerting a profound influence on how children perceive themselves, interact with their peers, navigate the educational landscape, and respond to life events. A learning disability is likely to negatively impact self‐concept development, rendering children with learning disability particularly vulnerable to its detrimental effects. Addressing negative self‐concept in school settings and providing appropriate support to students, especially those with learning disabilities, is a potentially effective way to mitigate the long‐term risks of mental health, emotion regulation and behavioural problems. One powerful tool at teachers' disposal is verbal communication that is free from threat or judgement, characterized by empathetic and appreciative tones that convey goodwill and acceptance. This paper offers practical guidance to teachers on using language endowed with distinct semantic nuances and pragmatic choices, with the potential to significantly enhance children's self‐concept and promote their overall healthy development.
Agreement between the Maslach Burnout Inventory and the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory among emergency physicians and trainees
Authors: Li Henry , Dance Erica , Poonja Zafrina , Aguilar Leandro Solis , Colmers‐Gray Isabelle
Published: July 2024

Background

Emergency physicians have the highest rates of burnout among all specialties. Existing burnout tools include the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI) and single‐item measures from the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI). While both were designed to measure burnout, how they conceptualize this phenomenon differs and their agreement is unclear. Given the close conceptual relationship between emotional regulation strategies such as distancing and distraction with the MBI subscale of depersonalization, we examined agreement between the two inventories and association with emotional regulation strategies as a lens to explore the conceptualization of burnout.

Methods

We conducted a cross‐sectional survey of adult and pediatric emergency physicians and trainees in Canada. Survey questions were pretested using written feedback and cognitive interviews. “Frequent use” of an emotional regulation strategy was “most” or “all” shifts (≥4 on 5‐point Likert scale). Burnout was defined as mean ≥50/100 on the CBI and scoring ≥5 (out of 7) on at least one of the single‐item measures from the MBI. Associations with burnout were examined using multivariable logistic regression.

Results

Of 147 respondents, 44.2% were positive for burnout on the CBI and 44.9% on the single‐item measures from the MBI. Disagreement was 21.1% overall, ranging from 12.5% for older (≥55 years) physicians to 30.2% for younger (<35 years) physicians. Use of distraction and use of distancing were strongly associated with burnout on the single‐item measures (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 14.4, 95% confidence interval [CI] 3.4–60.8]) and CBI (aOR 10.1, 95% CI 2.5–39.8, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite near‐equal rates of burnout, agreement between the CBI and single‐item measures from the MBI varies and was lower for younger emergency physicians/trainees. While emotional regulation strategies were felt to be important in supporting a career in emergency medicine, they were strongly associated with burnout. Future research is needed to better understand this phenomenon and which tools to use to measure burnout.
An analysis on efficacy of applying β‐elemene intervention on chemically ‐induced tongue lesions using SAM algorithm
Authors: Liu Feng , Zhang Qinlong , Zhang Weijie , Cheng Deqiang , Zhang Feng , Deng Yating , Yu Guanzhen
Published: July 2024

An artificial intelligence (AI) model was designed to assist pathologists in diagnosing and quantifying structural changes in tongue lesions induced by chemical carcinogens. Using a tongue cancer model induced by 4‐nitroquinoline‐N‐oxide and treated with β‐elemene, a total of 183 digital pathology slides were processed. The Segment Anything Model (SAM) was employed for initial segmentation, followed by conventional algorithms for more detailed segmentation. The epithelial contour area was computed using OpenCV's findcontour method, and the skeletonize method was used to calculate the distance map and skeletonized representation. The AI model demonstrated high accuracy in measuring tongue epithelial thickness and the number of papilla‐like protrusions. Results indicated that the model group had significantly higher epithelial thickness and fewer papillae compared with the blank group. Furthermore, the treatment group exhibited reduced epithelial thickness and fewer papilla‐like protrusions compared with the model group, though these differences were less pronounced. Overall, the SAM framework algorithm proved effective in quantifying tongue epithelial thickness and the number of papilla‐like protrusions, thereby assisting healthcare professionals in understanding pathological changes and assessing treatment outcomes.
Endometriosis and Sjögren's syndrome: Bidirectional associations in population‐based 15‐year retrospective cohorts
Authors: Ma Kevin Sheng‐Kai , Wang Li‐Tzu , Sasamoto Naoko , Wang Yu‐Hsun , Wei James Cheng‐Chung , Einarsson Jon Ivar , Laufer Marc R.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting salivary and lacrimal glands, while endometriosis involves uterine‐like tissue growth outside the uterus, causing pelvic pain and infertility. Investigating their intricate relationship using real‐world data is crucial due to limited research on their connection.

Material and Methods

This population‐based cohort study included patients with endometriosis and controls without endometriosis. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline differences in demographic and clinic characteristics between the two groups. Cox proportional hazards model were used to estimate the effect of endometriosis on the risk of new‐onset pSS over time. A symmetrical cohort study, including patients with pSS and propensity score‐matched controls without pSS, was conducted to investigate the effect of pSS on the risk of endometriosis over time. To elaborate on the mechanisms linking endometriosis and pSS, Ingenuity Pathway Analysis was performed to identify activated pathways in eutopic endometrium from patients with endometriosis and parotid tissues from patients with pSS.

Results

A total of 15 947 patients with endometriosis and 15 947 propensity score‐matched controls without endometriosis were included. Patients with endometriosis presented a significantly greater risk of pSS compared to non‐endometriosis controls (adjusted hazard ratio, aHR = 1.57, 95% CI = 1.29–1.91, p < 0.001). In the symmetrical cohort study, which included 4906 pSS patients and 4,906 propensity score‐matched controls without pSS, patients with pSS were found to be at a significantly higher risk of endometriosis compared to non‐pSS controls (aHR = 1.51, 95% CI = 1.12–2.04, p = 0.012). Ingenuity Pathway Analysis showed that the underlying cellular mechanisms involved autoimmune‐related pathways, including activation of dendritic cell maturation, and chronic inflammatory pathways, including the fibrosis signaling pathway.

Conclusions

These findings support a bidirectional association between endometriosis and pSS, which may be driven by dendritic cell maturation and fibrosis signaling pathways.
Mental health and humanitarian crisis: Moral stress in trauma therapy
Authors: Regel Eva
Published: July 2024

This article offers a narrative analysis of the contributing factors of moral distress (MD) and moral injury (MI) among mental health clinicians working amidst humanitarian crises. It discusses the impact of moral stress on therapeutic relationships in mental health trauma. The article originated from the author's experience developing a peer‐to‐peer support program at a nongovernmental organization (NGO) and conducting peer‐to‐peer support for mental health clinicians and healthcare providers in Ukraine and Turkey. A significant amount of literature has documented the detrimental effects of MD and MI on mental health, job sustainability, and resilience of healthcare providers and first responders. The negative effects of MD and MI are particularly relevant in trauma counseling, where clinicians must draw upon the use of self to develop therapeutic relationships with their clients. This process demands a high level of moral reasoning and self‐awareness, which can be severely tested under the morally challenging conditions of a humanitarian crisis. There is an imperative need to deepen our understanding and to swiftly address the factors that precipitate MD and MI in mental health clinicians working in crisis zones. By doing so, we aim to bolster their resilience and the enduring nature of their commitment to help and save others. This, in turn, will not only contribute to saving more lives but also enable those who are affected by trauma to flourish in the aftermath of their experiences.
Enhancing students' learning outcomes in self‐regulated virtual reality learning environment with learning aid mechanisms
Authors: Wang Wei‐Sheng , Lee Hsin‐Yu , Lin Chia‐Ju , Li Pin‐Hui , Huang Yueh‐Min , Wu Ting‐Ting
Published: July 2024

Virtual Reality (VR) has demonstrated significant advantages in various educational fields as it allows learners to actively learn in high interactivity and realism under their learning pace. However, for low‐achieving students, VR learning environments may introduce some challenges, which are problems encountered during their learning process, which lead to difficulties in self‐regulating their learning progress and becoming disoriented in the lack of guidance. This study aims to explore the improvement of self‐regulated VR learning environment based on the Cognitive Theory of Multimedia Learning and enhance the performance of low‐achieving students. We designed a VR course on electronic circuit hardware and programming, providing participants with a series of learning aids in the VR learning environment, including feedback, hints and guidance. Feedback aids provide correct or incorrect feedback after each task or test, guidance aids display progress following each task or test and hint aids offer guidance when inactivity is detected. A quasi‐experiment was conducted by using questionnaires and practical tasks to assess the participants' cognitive levels, practical hands‐on skills, self‐regulated learning abilities and learning engagement after VR learning. The results demonstrated significant improvements in all learning indicators for low‐achieving students.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Virtual Reality (VR) presents itself as a promising tool for self‐regulated learning (SRL).

SRL abilities are of paramount importance within the learning environment of VR.

In the context of the self‐regulated Virtual Reality (SRVR) learning environment, low‐achieving students have received little attention.

What this paper adds

It examines the effectiveness of learning aid mechanisms within the SRVR learning environment.

These mechanisms support cognitive levels and increase engagement in SRVR learning.

Low‐achieving learners benefit from the presence of learning aid mechanisms in the SRVR learning environment.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Providing learning aid mechanisms within the SRVR learning environment can potentially augment learning.

Learning aids mechanism have the potential to provide comprehensive support within the SRVR setting.
Automated red blood cell exchange with a post‐procedure haematocrit targeted at 34% in the chronic management of sickle cell disease
Authors: M. Ross Jules , Forté Stéphanie , Mercure‐Corriveau Nicolas , Lemay Anne‐Sophie , Rioux‐Massé Benjamin , Potter Brian J. , Soulières Denis
Published: July 2024

Optimal targets for red blood cell exchange (RCE) are not well defined in the chronic management of sickle cell disease. We analysed transfusion requirements and iron‐related outcomes in 101 patients on chronic RCE with a post‐procedure haematocrit (Ht) targeted at 34%, which is higher than typically used. A majority were of HbSS/HbSβ0 genotype (n = 72) and enrolled for neurological complications (n = 53). Fifty patients had a positive Ht balance with RCE (>2% mean increase from pre‐procedure level), while 43 patients maintained a neutral balance. The first group required fewer red blood cell units/year (65 vs. 80, p < 0.001), but a significant proportion were iron overloaded based on R2* with liver MRI (32% vs. none performed) and prescription of iron chelation (52% vs. 0%, p < 0.001, after a median of 19 months). The second group was more likely to receive iron supplementation (6% vs. 56%, p < 0.001). Chronic automated RCE with a post‐procedure Ht targeted at 34% is not iron‐neutral, and personalized Ht goals may be more appropriate in certain settings. This higher target should be compared with a lower Ht strategy in individuals with similar baseline red cell volumes to assess iron homeostasis and blood product requirements.