bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Parosmia Is Positively Associated With Problematic Drinking, as Is Phantosmia With Depressive Symptoms
Authors: Agarwal Khushbu , Luk Jeremy W. , Stangl Bethany L. , Schwandt Melanie L. , Momenan Reza , Goldman David , Diazgranados Nancy , Kareken David A. , Leggio Lorenzo , Ramchandani Vijay A. , Joseph Paule V.
Published: May 2024

Objectives

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a global health problem with significant negative consequences, including preventable deaths. Although olfactory dysfunction is associated with chronic alcohol drinking, the relationship among specific types of olfactory deficits, depressive symptoms, and problematic drinking remains to be explored. Here, we examined the prevalence of olfactory distortion (parosmia) and hallucination (phantosmia) and assessed their associations with problematic drinking and depressive symptoms.

Methods

In April–June 2022, 250 participants across the spectrum of AUD were recruited for assessment in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism COVID-19 Pandemic Impact on Alcohol study. Surveys covered self-reported olfactory function, depressive symptoms, and problematic drinking, with key measures assessed, including the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Patient Health Questionnaire. Predictors in the analysis included parosmia and phantosmia, with covariates comprising age, sex, socioeconomic status, race, ethnicity, COVID-19 infection status, and smoking status.

Results

Among 250 individuals, 5.2% experienced parosmia and 4.4% reported phantosmia. Parosmia was associated with higher Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores (β = 7.14; 95% confidence interval = 3.31, 10.96;P< 0.001), whereas phantosmia was linked to higher Patient Health Questionnaire scores (β = 3.32; 95% confidence interval = 0.22, 6.42;P= 0.03). These associations persisted in both the full sample and the subset of participants without COVID-19.

Conclusions

Our study highlights strong existing links among olfactory deficits, problem drinking, and depressive symptoms, underscoring the need to assess smell impairments in clinical settings. Future research should explore these connections further to develop new treatments for individuals with AUD and depression.
A Synthetic Circuit Empowering Reprogrammed B Cells for Therapeutic Proteins Expression Regulated by Tumor Detection
Authors: Page Audrey , Delles Marie , Nègre Didier , Costa Caroline , Fusil Floriane , Cosset François-Loïc
Published: May 2024

Cancer remains a leading cause of death worldwide, but immunotherapies hold promises to cure it by awaking the patient’s immune system to provide long-term protection. Cell therapies, involving the infusion of immune cells, either directly or genetically modified, are being developed to recognize and destroy cancer cells. Here, we explored the potential of a new synthetic circuit to reprogram B cells to cure cancers. This circuit consists in a sensor (a membrane-anchored IgG1), a transducer (a fragment of the NR4A1 promoter) and an effector molecule. Upon recognition of its target, this sensor triggers signaling pathways leading to the activation of the transducer and to effector expression (here, a reporter molecule). We showed that this circuit could discriminate tumors expressing the target antigen from those that did not, in a dose dependent manner in vitro. Going further, we replaced the original membrane-anchored sensor by an immunoglobulin expression cassette that can not only be membrane-anchored but also be secreted depending on B-cell maturation status. This allowed concomitant activation of the circuit and secretion of transgenic antibodies directed against the targeted antigen. Of note, these antibodies could correctly bind their target and were recognized by FcR expressed at the surface of immune cells, which should synergically amplify the action of the effector. The potential of reprogrammed B cells remains to be assessed in vivo by implementing a therapeutic effector. In the future, B-cell reprogramming platforms should allow personalized cancer treatment by adapting both the sensor and the therapeutic effectors to patients.
Anorexia nervosa and systemic lupus erythematosus: a coincidence?
Authors: Kudsi Maysoun , Tarcha Raghad , Khalayli Naram , Haidar Ghina , Btrush Sana
Published: May 2024

Introduction and importance:

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a post-acute syndrome that can persist for an extended period. The correlation between anorexia nervosa (AN) and some autoimmune diseases has been reported. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease, presented with different clinical ions and periods, affecting all ages, especially females. The coexistence of SLE and AN has been reported in rare cases. The authors present the case of a 22-year-old male with severe AN coexisting with SLE.

Case presentation:

We present a case of a 22-year-old male diagnosed with SLE. He also completely refused to eat and drink and presented with behavioral disorders and suicidal thoughts. He was on 200 mg/day of oral hydroxychloroquine, 400 units/day of vitamin D, and 1000 mg/day of oral calcium. There was no positive other history, trauma, drug addiction, or family history. AN was diagnosed according to ICD-10 and DSM-V. Physical examination revealed decreased subcutaneous tissue and muscle atrophy. The weight of the patient was 35.3 kg. Verbal contact was maintained, and psychotic symptoms were not observed. Tenderness in all joints was noticed, while swelling in both knees and right ankle joints was found. Laboratory tests revealed elevated inflammatory markers. Treatment includes a high-calorie diet administered by a feeding tube. The patient began to gain weight after 3 months. He is on 200 mg/day hydroxychloroquine, with remission till now January 2024.

Clinical discussion:

The novelty of our case is that it is a case of a young adult man presented with AN during mild lupus, who responded well to treatment with steroids and a high-calorie diet.

Conclusions:

Previous research has suggested the existence of a close link between food and eating disturbance and autoimmunity, and herein we provide further evidence to support this relationship by presenting a case report of an adult male with SLE and AN.
Hyaluronic Acid-based Fillers for Facial Rehabilitation in Inherited Neuropath
Authors: Bravo Bruna Souza Felix , Elias Mariana Calomeni , Bravo Leonardo Gonçalves , Jaeger Thomas Novoa Gomes , Almeida Thamires Silva Cavalcante de
Published: May 2024

Charcot–Marie–Tooth (CMT) disease is the most prevalent inherited neuromuscular disorder. It commonly leads to various musculoskeletal deformities, profoundly impacting the quality of life. The present case report explores the often under-recognized body image dissatisfaction in CMT, highlighting the potential benefits of a multidisciplinary approach to enhance aesthetic satisfaction. We present a case of a 54-year-old woman with CMT, who experienced chronic facial asymmetry, significantly impairing her quality of life. Seeking cosmetic enhancement, she underwent two sessions of facial treatment using hyaluronic acid-based fillers. The first session focused on correcting right mandibular hypoplasia and other facial asymmetries, whereas the second session focused on enhancing perioral aesthetics. The treatment resulted in significant aesthetic improvements, as demonstrated by high ratings in both the Physician Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale and the Subject Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale. Besides, there was a marked reduction in lip corner asymmetry, the patient’s primary concern. The role of hyaluronic acid fillers in facial aesthetic enhancement is well established, and their application in the context of CMT is a promising under-investigated field, to our knowledge. This case study highlights the importance of considering body image in CMT patients and suggests that minimally invasive aesthetic procedures can be a valuable addition to the multidisciplinary care of patients with inherited neurological disorders. Despite being a single-case study, the significant improvement in the patient’s aesthetic satisfaction requires further research in this field.
Gender Affirmation Surgery–related Hashtag Utilization on Instagram: Implications for Education and Patient Care
Authors: Gupta Nisha , Alnaseri Tahera , Slack Ginger , DeLong Michael
Published: May 2024

Background:

Gender-affirmation surgery (GAS) allows for transgender and nonconforming patients to achieve a more congruent physical appearance and alleviate dysphoria. Social media, such as Instagram, has adopted an increasingly important role in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and understanding trends and usage related to GAS can have significant implications for patient education and outreach. As such, this cross-sectional study aims to address the following questions related to GAS-related content available on Instagram: (1) Who is posting this content? (2) What specific hashtags are they using? and (3) What are the implications behind these posts?

Methods:

This study analyzed 22 GAS-related hashtags on Instagram. Content analysis was then used to evaluate the “top” 15 posts (n = 330) associated with each hashtag.

Results:

A total of 425,607 posts were associated with the 22 hashtags queried. #topsurgery had the highest number of associated posts (n = 279,480), followed by #ftmtopsurgery (n = 41,769) and #vaginoplasty (n = 39,737). Of the “top” 330 posts, 299 were not duplicates. Plastic surgeons eligible for membership in the American Society of Plastic Surgeons accounted for only 1.7% of “top” posts (n = 5); noneligible physicians accounted for 6.0% of posts (n = 18). Patients accounted for the majority of the “top” posts sampled (n = 236; 79.9%).

Conclusions:

When used appropriately, social media can be a powerful tool for spreading awareness on procedures and educating patients. Although there is a paucity of plastic surgeons posting GAS-related content on Instagram, patients are playing an important role in disseminating information.
Lessons for tomorrow: The role of relationships and mindfulness in sustaining services during a crisis
Authors: Hajjar Lauren , Sullivan Erin , Maurer Marsha , Yang Julius
Published: May 2024

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic placed unprecedented demands on hospitals around the globe, making timely crisis response critical for organizational success. One mechanism that has played an effective role in health care service management during large-scale crises is the Hospital Incident Command System.

Purpose

The aim of this article was to understand the role of HICS in the management of a large academic medical center and its impact on relationships and communication among providers in the delivery of services during a crisis.

Methodology

This mixed methods study was based on meeting observations, document reviews, semistructured interviews, and two measures of team performance within an academic medical center in the Northeast during the COVID-19 pandemic. Descriptive and bivariate analyses were applied, and qualitative data were coded and analyzed for themes.

Results

HICS provided a systematic information-sharing and decision-making process that increased communication and coordination among team members. Analyses indicate a correlation between dimensions of relational coordination and organizational mindfulness. Qualitative data revealed the importance of shared meetings and huddles and the evolution of HICS across multiple waves of the crisis.

Conclusion

HICS facilitated organizational improvements during the crisis response and generated opportunities to maintain specific coordination practices beyond the crisis. The prolonged implementation of HICS during the COVID-19 pandemic created challenges, including the disruption of the routine leadership structure.

Practical Implications

Applying relational coordination and organizational mindfulness frameworks may allow hospitals to leverage communications and relationships within a high-stakes environment to improve service delivery.
Nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and trust: A systematic review
Authors: Porter Tracy H. , Peck Jessica A. , Thoebes Gina
Published: May 2024

Background

The use of physician extenders (e.g., nurse practitioners [NPs] and physician assistants [PAs]) has risen in recent years in the U.S. health care domain, yet some scholars have questioned if physician extenders are being fully utilized in the health care field.

Purposes

The purpose of this research was to conduct a systematic review to determine if trust in the NP/PA might be influential in the ways these professionals are utilized. We view trust through the lens of Mayer et al. and their model of organizational trust, and we seek to examine how patients, physicians, and NPs/PAs themselves view one another.

Methods

This systematic review spanned from 1996 to 2022 and applied the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses strategy. The final sample consisted of 29 articles.

Results

The findings point to how the antecedents of trust according to Mayer et al.; i.e., trustee's ability, benevolence, and integrity) influence the trusting relationships between patients and NPs/PAs and between physicians and NPs/PAs. Consequences and outcomes of trust are also discussed. Importantly, a trustor's propensity to trust and repeat interactions over time (e.g., feedback loop) is influential to trusting relationships.

Practice Implications

These findings offer health care organizations insight into the mechanisms for building trust as physician extenders become more prominent in the health care field.
Service mix and financial performance in rural hospitals: A contingency theory perspective
Authors: Cendoma Phil , Hearld Kristine Ria , Upadhye Devdutt , Landry Robert J. , Landry Amy
Published: May 2024

Background

Rural hospitals are increasingly at risk of closure. Closure reduces the availability of hospital care in rural areas, resulting in a disparity in health between rural and urban citizens, and it has broader economic impacts on rural communities as rural hospitals are often large employers and are vital to recruiting new businesses to a community. To combat the risk of closure, rural hospitals have sought partnerships to bolster financial performance, which often results in a closure of services valuable to the community, such as obstetrics and certain diagnostic services, which are viewed as unprofitable. This can lead to poor health outcomes as community members are unable to access care in these areas.

Purpose

In this article, we explore rural hospital service offerings and financial performance, with an aim to illuminate if specific service offerings are associated with positive financial performance in a rural setting.

Methods

Our study used hospital organization data, as well as county-level demographics with periods of analysis from 2015 and 2019. We employed a pooled cross-sectional regression analysis with robust standard errors examining the association between total margin and service lines among rural hospitals in the United States.

Results

The findings suggest that some services deemed unprofitable in urban and suburban hospital settings—such as obstetrics and drug/alcohol rehabilitation—are associated with higher margins in rural hospitals. Other unprofitable service lines—such as psychiatry and long-term care—are associated with lower margins in rural hospitals.

Conclusion

Our results suggest the need of rural hospitals to choose services that align with environmental circumstances to maximize financial performance.

Practice Implication

Hospital administrators in rural settings need to take a nuanced look at their environmental and organizational specifics when deciding upon the service mix. Generalizations regarding profitability should be avoided to maximize financial performance.
New insights about community benefit evaluation
Authors: Burns Ashlyn , Yeager Valerie A. , Vest Joshua R. , Harle Christopher A. , Madsen Emilie R. , Cronin Cory E. , Singh Simone , Franz Berkeley
Published: May 2024

Background

Nonprofit hospitals are required to conduct community health needs assessments (CHNA) every 3 years and develop corresponding implementation plans. Implemented strategies must address the identified community needs and be evaluated for impact.

Purpose

Using the Community Health Implementation Evaluation Framework (CHIEF), we assessed whether and how nonprofit hospitals are evaluating the impact of their CHNA-informed community benefit initiatives.

Methodology

We conducted a content analysis of 83 hospital CHNAs that reported evaluation outcomes drawn from a previously identified 20% random sample (n = 613) of nonprofit hospitals in the United States. Through qualitative review guided by the CHIEF, we identified and categorized the most common evaluation outcomes reported.

Results

A total of 485 strategies were identified from the 83 hospitals’ CHNAs. Evaluated strategies most frequently targeted behavioral health (n = 124, 26%), access (n = 83, 17%), and obesity/nutrition/inactivity (n = 68, 14%). The most common type of evaluation outcomes reported by CHIEF category included system utilization (n = 342, 71%), system implementation (n = 170, 35%), project management (n = 164, 34%), and social outcomes (n = 163, 34%).

Practice Implications

CHNA evaluation strategies focus on utilization (the number of individuals served), with few focusing on social or health outcomes. This represents a missed opportunity to (a) assess the social and health impacts across individual strategies and (b) provide insight that can be used to inform the allocation of limited resources to maximize the impact of community benefit strategies.
Primary Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Thyroid Has a Molecular Genetic Profile Distinct From That of Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma
Authors: Ye Meihua , Guo Zhenying , Xu Jingjing , Jin Yanling , He Xianglei , Ge Minghua
Published: May 2024

Background:

Primary squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the thyroid and anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) show significant clinical and histologic overlap. Their biological behaviors are so similar that the fifth WHO updates SCC as a morphologic pattern of ATC rather than a separate entity. However, molecular genomic evidence that determines them as the same histologic type is limited. We aimed to explore whether they belong to the same classification from a molecular-typing perspective.

Methods:

A cohort enrolled 15 SCCs and 15 ATCs was collected. Whole exome sequencing (WES) and RNA-sequencing were performed to analyze molecular genetic and gene-expression profiles.

Results:

Significantly differential-mutant genes were BRAF, DPCR1, PCYOX1L, BRSK2, NRG1, PRR14L, TET1, VAMP4 suggesting differences in mutation level, as well as differences in high-frequency mutated genes, and SCC had a much lower tumor mutation burden than ATC. Mutational co-occurrence and mutual exclusion were less frequent in SCC than in ATC. 2047 differential-express genes were screened, indicating differences in gene expression were extremely strong. In principal component analysis, ATC and SCC could be notably clustered together, respectively, meanwhile they could be explicitly distinguished. Unsupervised clustering analysis validated they can indeed be clearly separated from each other which demonstrated that they may be two distinctive entities.

Conclusions:

It is controversial yet SCC is classified as a morphologic pattern of ATC. We revealed that SCC exhibited molecular genetic characteristics distinct from ATC. Although the fifth WHO categorizes them together, this study may provide strong molecular genetic evidence for the next edition of WHO classification that may allow for the separation of thyroid SCC from ATC.
Genetic diversity in vector populations influences the transmission efficiency of an important plant virus
Authors: Leybourne Daniel J. , Whitehead Mark A. , Will Torsten
Published: May 2024

The transmission efficiency of aphid-vectored plant viruses can differ between aphid populations. Intra-species diversity (genetic variation, endosymbionts) is a key determinant of aphid phenotype; however, the extent to which intra-species diversity contributes towards variation in virus transmission efficiency is unclear. Here, we use multiple populations of two key aphid species that vector barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV) strain PAV (BYDV-PAV), the grain aphid (
Sitobion avenae
) and the bird cherry-oat aphid (
Rhopalosiphum padi
), and examine how diversity in vector populations influences virus transmission efficiency. We use Illumina sequencing to characterize genetic and endosymbiont variation in multiple
Si. avenae
and
Rh. padi
populations and conduct BYDV-PAV transmission experiments to identify links between intra-species diversity in the vector and virus transmission efficiency. We observe limited variation in the transmission efficiency of
Si. avenae,
with transmission efficiency consistently low for this species. However, for
Rh. padi,
we observe a range of transmission efficiencies and show that BYDV transmission efficiency is influenced by genetic diversity within the vector, identifying 542 single nucleotide polymorphisms that potentially contribute towards variable transmission efficiency in
Rh. padi
. Our results represent an important advancement in our understanding of the relationship between genetic diversity, vector–virus interactions, and virus transmission efficiency.
Estimating network dimension when the spectrum struggles
Authors: Grindrod Peter , Higham Desmond J. , de Kergorlay Henry-Louis
Published: May 2024

What is the dimension of a network? Here, we view it as the smallest dimension of Euclidean space into which nodes can be embedded so that pairwise distances accurately reflect the connectivity structure. We show that a recently proposed and extremely efficient algorithm for data clouds, based on computing first- and second-nearest neighbour distances, can be used as the basis of an approach for estimating the dimension of a network with weighted edges. We also show how the algorithm can be extended to unweighted networks when combined with spectral embedding. We illustrate the advantages of this technique over the widely used approach of characterizing dimension by visually searching for a suitable gap in the spectrum of the Laplacian.
Role of N-linked glycosylation in porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) infection
Authors: Rowland Raymond R.R. , Brandariz-Nuñez Alberto
Published: May 2024

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRSV) is an enveloped single-stranded positive-sense RNA virus and one of the main pathogens that causes the most significant economical losses in the swine-producing countries. PRRSV is currently divided into two distinct species, PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2. The PRRSV virion envelope is composed of four glycosylated membrane proteins and three non-glycosylated envelope proteins. Previous work has suggested that PRRSV-linked glycans are critical structural components for virus assembly. In addition, it has been proposed that PRRSV glycans are implicated in the interaction with host cells and critical for virus infection. In contrast, recent findings showed that removal of N-glycans from PRRSV does not influence virus infection of permissive cells. Thus, there are not sufficient evidences to indicate compellingly that N-glycans present in the PRRSV envelope play a direct function in viral infection. To gain insights into the role of N-glycosylation in PRRSV infection, we analysed the specific contribution of the envelope protein-linked N-glycans to infection of permissive cells. For this purpose, we used a novel strategy to modify envelope protein-linked N-glycans that consists of production of monoglycosylated PRRSV and viral glycoproteins with different glycan states. Our results showed that removal or alteration of N-glycans from PRRSV affected virus infection. Specifically, we found that complex N-glycans are required for an efficient infection in cell cultures. Furthermore, we found that presence of high mannose type glycans on PRRSV surface is the minimal requirement for a productive viral infection. Our findings also show that PRRSV-1 and PRRSV-2 have different requirements of N-glycan structure for an optimal infection. In addition, we demonstrated that removal of N-glycans from PRRSV does not affect viral attachment, suggesting that these carbohydrates played a major role in regulating viral entry. In agreement with these findings, by performing immunoprecipitation assays and colocalization experiments, we found that N-glycans present in the viral envelope glycoproteins are not required to bind to the essential viral receptor CD163. Finally, we found that the presence of N-glycans in CD163 is not required for PRRSV infection.
Light quarkonium hybrid mesons
Authors: Barsbay B. , Azizi K. , Sundu H.
Published: May 2024

We investigate the light quarkonium hybrid mesons of various spin parities in QCD. Considering different interpolating currents made of the valence light quarks and single gluon, we calculate the mass and current coupling of the strange and nonstrange members of light hybrid mesons by including into computations the nonperturbative quark and gluon condensates up to ten dimensions in order to increase the accuracy of the results. The obtained results may be useful for future experimental searches of these hypothetical states. They can also be used in the calculations of different parameters related to the decays/interactions of light hybrid mesons to/with other states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon from
Nf=2+1
lattice QCD
Authors: Djukanovic Dalibor , von Hippel Georg , Meyer Harvey B. , Ottnad Konstantin , Salg Miguel , Wittig Hartmut
Published: May 2024

There is a long-standing discrepancy between different measurements of the electric and magnetic radii of the proton. Lattice QCD calculations are a well-suited tool for theoretical investigations of the structure of the nucleon from first principles. However, all previous lattice studies of the proton’s electromagnetic radii have either neglected quark-disconnected contributions or were not extrapolated to the continuum and infinite-volume limit. Here, we present results for the electromagnetic form factors of the proton and neutron computed on the (2+1)-flavor coordinated lattice simulations (CLS) ensembles including both quark-connected and -disconnected contributions. From simultaneous fits to the Q2-, pion-mass, lattice-spacing, and finite-volume dependence of the form factors, we determine the electric and magnetic radii and the magnetic moments of the proton and neutron. For the proton, we obtain as our final values ⟨rE2⟩p=(0.672±0.014(stat)±0.018(syst))  fm2,

⟨

r

M

2

⟩

p

=

(

0.658

±

0.012

(

stat

)

±

0.008

(

syst

)

)

 

 

fm

2

, and μMp=(2.739±0.063(stat)±0.018(syst). The magnetic moment is in good agreement with the experimental value, as is the one of the neutron. On the one hand, our result for the electric (charge) radius of the proton clearly points towards a small value, as favored by muonic hydrogen spectroscopy and the recent ep-scattering experiment by PRad. Our estimate for the magnetic radius, on the other hand, is well compatible with that inferred from the A1 ep-scattering experiment.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
White dwarfs as a probe of exceptionally light QCD axions
Authors: Balkin Reuven , Serra Javi , Springmann Konstantin , Stelzl Stefan , Weiler Andreas
Published: May 2024

We study the effects of exceptionally light QCD axions on the stellar configuration of white dwarfs. At finite baryon density, the nonderivative coupling of the axion to nucleons displaces the axion from its in-vacuum minimum, which implies a reduction of the nucleon mass. This dramatically alters the composition of stellar remnants. In particular, the modifications of the mass-radius relationship of white dwarfs allow us to probe large regions of unexplored parameter space without requiring that axions are dark matter.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exotic
Qqq¯q¯
states in the chiral quark model
Authors: Wu Yuheng , Yan Ye , Tan Yue , Huang Hongxia , Ping Jialun , Zhu Xinmei
Published: May 2024

In the framework of the chiral quark model, we investigate the Qqq¯q¯ (Q=c, b and q=u, d) tetraquark system with two structures: Qq¯−qq¯ and Qq−q¯q¯. The bound-state calculation shows that for the single channel, there is no evidence for any bound state below the minimum threshold in both cqq¯q¯ and bqq¯q¯ systems. However, after coupling all channels of two structures, we obtain a bound state below the minimum threshold in the cqq¯q¯ system with the energy of 1998 MeV, and the quantum number is IJP=120+. Meanwhile, in the bqq¯q¯ system, two bound states with energies of 5414 MeV and 5456 MeV are obtained, and the quantum numbers are IJP=120+ and IJP=121+, respectively. Besides, we also employ the real-scaling method to search for resonance states in the cqq¯q¯ and bqq¯q¯ systems. Unfortunately, no genuine resonance states were obtained in both systems. We suggest future experiments to search for these three possible bound states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Precision Calculation of the Electromagnetic Radii of the Proton and Neutron from Lattice QCD
Authors: Djukanovic Dalibor , von Hippel Georg , Meyer Harvey B. , Ottnad Konstantin , Salg Miguel , Wittig Hartmut
Published: May 2024

We present lattice-QCD results for the electromagnetic form factors of the proton and neutron including both quark-connected and -disconnected contributions. The parametrization of the Q2 dependence of the form factors is combined with the extrapolation to the physical point. In this way, we determine the electric and magnetic radii and the magnetic moments of the proton and neutron. For the proton, we obtain at the physical pion mass and in the continuum and infinite-volume limit ⟨rE2⟩p=0.820(14)  fm, ⟨rM2⟩p=0.8111(89)  fm, and μMp=2.739(66), where the errors include all systematics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exploring determinants of residents’ participation intention towards smart community construction by extending the TPB: a case study of Shenzhen city
Authors: Gu Tiantian , Hao Enyang , Zhang Lei
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Smart community construction (SCC) and efficiency require resident participation. This paper aims to explore the determinants of residents’ participation intention (RPI) in the SCC.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study proposed an extended conceptual model to deeply analyze the RPI in the SCC. The relationship between all constructs was verified by processing and analyzing online survey data using confirmatory factor analysis (CFA), structural equation model (SEM), and bootstrapping method.

Findings

Participation attitude, perceived behavioral control, subjective norm, and perceived usefulness significantly and positively affected the RPI. Furthermore, intermediary effects in the extended conceptual model had been confirmed.

Originality/value

To fill the critical gap in the research on the determinants of the RPI in the SCC context, this study developed a novel conceptual model by extending the TPB to analyze the effects of self-driven and externally-driven factors on the RPI from the perspectives of residents’ psychology and external environment. The findings not only clarify the complex process of forming the RPI in the SCC but also provide a theoretical foundation for studying the RPI in similar community construction projects. Additionally, several strategies have been proposed to encourage residents’ participation in the SCC and promote the development of smart communities, such as clarifying residents’ participation obligations, improving the convenience services of smart communities, and diversifying residents’ participation approaches.
Tax compliance behaviour among Islamic educators in Malaysia
Authors: Rahman Farah Nabihah , Yussof Salwa Hana , Isa Khadijah
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how Islamic educators’ perceptions on the imposition of personal income tax influences tax compliance behaviour in Malaysia.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was adopted, using semi-structured interviews through online platforms. Participants were Islamic educators from higher educational institutions, who have been taxpayers for at least 10 years. They are assumed to hold high religious values, to possess knowledge about Islamic principles and to have adequate taxpayer experience.

Findings

The findings revealed that while all participants agreed that income tax imposition is permissible in Islam, they had different views on taxing side income. Side income from part-time jobs was viewed as taxable income, but side income from Islamic religious preaching was viewed as not subject to tax. Hence, participants’ tax compliance was influenced by their understanding. Wrong understanding leads to unintentional tax non-compliance. This study also found that religiosity promotes tax compliance behaviour.

Practical implications

The present study’s results may help the tax authority develop a mechanism from which to educate taxpayers and increase their awareness about properly reporting income from side jobs.

Originality/value

Prior studies examining the influence of religious beliefs on tax compliance have been conducted across religions. The present study was conducted with Muslim participants in Malaysia, and it used a qualitative approach to explore the issue more in-depth.
Preserving evidence integrity: the key to efficient anti-corruption investigations
Authors: Lawan Aliyu Abubakar , Henttonen Pekka
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the connection between the integrity of records and the effectiveness of anti-corruption investigations. The objective is to determine how the quality of records affects the efficiency of anti-corruption investigations.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a qualitative, exploratory case study approach, with data collected through interviews with 15 anti-corruption investigators in 2020 in Nigeria. The data were analysed using thematic analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that the efficiency of anti-corruption investigations depends on the quality of the evidence. Proper recordkeeping, which maintains the integrity of records, is crucial for efficient anti-corruption investigations. Inadequate recordkeeping practices that do not adhere to the lifecycle concept are often driven by corruption and can significantly hinder the efficiency of anti-corruption investigations by causing delays in obtaining crucial evidence.

Originality/value

From a records management perspective, this study highlights the impact of unreliable evidence on every corruption investigation effort and the motives behind rendering the process unproductive. Accountability forums must enforce adherence to proper recordkeeping procedures to ensure the desired investigative outcomes with minimal resources, time and effort to combat corruption.
Life cycle thinking and carbon accounting in sustainable supply chains: a structured literature review and research agenda
Authors: Truant Elisa , Crocco Edoardo , Corazza Laura , Borlatto Edoardo
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to holistically explore the intersection of sustainable supply chain management, carbon accounting and life cycle assessment (LCA). The purpose of this study is to derive state-of-the-art knowledge of this landscape and use it to build a structured research agenda that can help to further develop this field.

Design/methodology/approach

Seventy-eight distinct contributions, identified through a rigorous, transparent and replicable search protocol, are analyzed through a systematic literature review. Additionally, bibliometric information on the studies is extracted from the Scopus database and visualized through the use of VOSViewer and RStudio.

Findings

This study outlines the current state-of-the-art knowledge across three spheres of supply chain management, synthesizing the extant literature into several nascent themes – namely, the significance of Scope 3 emissions; how LCA can be integrated into carbon accounting and sustainability disclosures, the differences between countries and industries in terms of carbon emissions and policies for a concerted effort toward carbon reduction.

Practical implications

Several practical implications can be drawn from the research for both practitioners and policymakers. The research provides a comprehensive, bird’s eye view on the discrepancies between different industries and countries in terms of carbon emissions, along with how carbon accounting should move toward strategic and predictive adoption.

Social implications

The results show that adopting life cycle thinking can contribute to more transparent monitoring of carbon emissions in supply chains; however, its use in sustainability reporting needs to become more widespread, encompassing not only the carbon footprints of products and services but also the organization as a whole.

Originality/value

Using bibliographic and critical qualitative analyses, this study reviews the literature on LCA in sustainable supply chain management and carbon accounting. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this review is the first attempt to synthesize this relevant and rapidly growing nexus between the three literature streams mentioned above.
Uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation: the missing link
Authors: Osmanovic Senad , Barth Henrik , Ulvenblad Pia
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this systematic literature review is to understand what the phenomenon of uncaptured value is, identify where it is operationalized and explore how it can be transformed into value opportunities. Uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation can lead to new value creation which, in turn, can promote practices of innovation, sustainability and inclusiveness.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted using eight databases to identify 47 articles using the phrase sustainable business model innovation along with the terms value uncaptured, value surplus, value absence, value missed and value destroyed.

Findings

The findings have identified that uncaptured value is reoccurring in sustainable business model innovation but is left as the missing link. This paper outlines the novelties of uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation into a framework that can be used for future research, which is also discussed, concluded and suggested.

Originality/value

A framework for the continued research on uncaptured value in sustainable business model innovation with an emphasis on influences, operationalization and practices has been created to further the research frontier and capture the missing link.
Board Gender Diversity and CSR Performance: Do Societal Harmony/Mastery Orientation and Cultural Tightness‐Looseness Matter?
Authors: Mustafa Ghulam , Khatri Ishwar
Published: May 2024

The purpose of this study is two‐fold: (1) to investigate the moderating effect of the cultural value orientation of harmony/mastery on the relationship between board gender diversity (BGD) and corporate social responsibility (CSR) performance; and (2) to examine further whether cultural tightness amplifies the moderating effect of harmony/mastery orientation. Using a sample of 5135 firms across 25 countries during the period 2002–2021, our interaction model run with panel regression showed that the association between BGD and CSR performance is positively (negatively) moderated by harmony (mastery) orientation. Moreover, our test of a three‐way interaction among BGD, harmony (mastery), and cultural tightness–looseness on CSR performance revealed that the moderating effect of harmony (mastery) orientation is amplified when cultural tightness increases. The findings suggest that harmony/mastery orientation matters more for the effects of BGD on firm CSR performance under tight cultural conditions. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications of the study.
A greater modulation of the visual and fronto‐parietal networks for children in a post‐media versus pre‐media exposure group
Authors: Farah Rola , Shchupak George , Holland Scott , Hutton John , Dudley Jonathan , DiFrancesco Mark , Altaye Mekibib , Horowitz‐Kraus Tzipi
Published: May 2024

Aim

Media use in children has exploded in the past several decades, most recently fuelled by portable electronic devices. This study aims to explore differences in functional brain connectivity in children during a story‐listening functional MRI (fMRI) task using data collected before (1998) and after (2013) the widespread adoption of media.

Methods

Cross‐sectional data were collected from English‐speaking 5‐ to 7‐year‐old children at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, USA, of a functional MRI narrative comprehension task completed in 1998 (n = 22) or 2013 (n = 25). Imaging data were processed using a graph theory approach, focusing on executive functions, language and visual processing networks supporting reading.

Results

Group differences suggest more efficient processing in the fronto‐parietal network in the pre‐media group while listening to stories. A modulation of the visual and fronto‐parietal networks for the post‐media exposure group was found.

Conclusion

Further studies are needed to assess effects over time in the more exposed group to discern a causal effect of portable devices on cognitive networks.
Laparoscopic repair of concurrent direct and indirect inguinal, femoral, and obturator hernias on the same side: A case report
Authors: Fujita Masahiro , Nakauchi Masaya , Iida Masamoto , Koide Keisuke , Inoue Seiji , Goto Ai , Suzuki Kazumitsu , Umeki Yusuke , Serizawa Akiko , Akimoto Shingo , Watanabe Yusuke , Tanaka Tsuyoshi , Shibasaki Susumu , Inaba Kazuki , Uyama Ichiro , Suda Koichi
Published: May 2024

Concurrent direct and indirect inguinal, femoral, and obturator hernias are rare. This case report describes a rare case treated using the laparoscopic approach. A 68‐year‐old female patient presented with a moving left inguinal lump and pain. Physical examination and abdominal computed tomography scan revealed the coexistence of a left inguinal hernia or Nuck canal hydrocele and a left femoral hernia. The patient underwent laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal repair, and all four orifices were covered with one mesh. The patient was discharged on the second postoperative day without any complications. The concurrent presence of four hernias on the same side is rare and has not been previously reported. The laparoscopic approach is useful in such cases because it allows visualization of multiple hernia orifices from the intra‐abdominal cavity.
Exosomes as a therapeutic tool to promote neurorestoration and cognitive function in neurological conditions: Achieve two ends with a single effort
Authors: Fallahi Solmaz , Zangbar Hamid Soltani , Farajdokht Fereshteh , Rahbarghazi Reza , Mohaddes Gisou , Ghiasi Fariba
Published: May 2024

Exosomes possess a significant role in intercellular communications. In the nervous system, various neural cells release exosomes that not only own a role in intercellular communications but also eliminate the waste of cells, maintain the myelin sheath, facilitate neurogenesis, and specifically assist in normal cognitive function. In neurological conditions including Parkinson's disease (PD), Alzheimer's disease (AD), traumatic brain injury (TBI), and stroke, exosomal cargo like miRNAs take part in the sequela of conditions and serve as a diagnostic tool of neurological disorders, too. Exosomes are not only a diagnostic tool but also their inhibition or administration from various sources like mesenchymal stem cells and serum, which have shown a worthy potential to treat multiple neurological disorders. In addition to neurodegenerative manifestations, cognitive deficiencies are an integral part of neurological diseases, and applying exosomes in improving both aspects of these diseases has been promising. This review discusses the status of exosome therapy in improving neurorestorative and cognitive function following neurological disease.
Do They Know It's Christmash? Lexical Knowledge Directly Impacts Speech Perception
Authors: Luthra Sahil , Crinnion Anne Marie , Saltzman David , Magnuson James S.
Published: May 2024

We recently reported strong, replicable (i.e., replicated) evidence for lexically mediated compensation for coarticulation (LCfC; Luthra et al., 2021), whereby lexical knowledge influences a prelexical process. Critically, evidence for LCfC provides robust support for interactive models of cognition that include top‐down feedback and is inconsistent with autonomous models that allow only feedforward processing. McQueen, Jesse, and Mitterer (2023) offer five counter‐arguments against our interpretation; we respond to each of those arguments here and conclude that top‐down feedback provides the most parsimonious explanation of extant data.
Psychedelic therapy in depression and substance use disorders
Authors: Korkmaz Nur Damla , Cikrikcili Ugur , Akan Merve , Yucesan Emrah
Published: May 2024

Psychoactive substances obtained from botanicals have been applied for a wide variety of purposes in the rituals of different cultures for thousands of years. Classical psychedelics from N,N′‐dimethyltryptamine, psilocybin, mescaline and various lysergamides cause specific alterations in perception, emotion and cognition by acting through serotonin 5‐HT2A receptor activation. Lysergic acid diethylamide, the first famous breakthrough in the field, was discovered by chance by Albert Hoffman in the Zurich Sandoz laboratory in 1943, and studies on its psychoactive effects began to take place in the literature. Studies in this area were blocked after the legislation controlling the use and research of psychedelic drugs came into force in 1967, but since the 1990s, it has started to be a matter of scientific curiosity again by various research groups. In particular, with the crucial reports of psychotherapy‐assisted psilocybin applications for life‐threatening cancer‐related anxiety and depression, a new avenues have been opened in the treatment of psychiatric diseases such as treatment‐resistant depression and substance addictions. An increasing number of studies show that psychedelics have a very promising potential in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases where the desired efficiency cannot be achieved with conventional treatment methods. In this context, we discuss psychedelic therapy, encompassing its historical development, therapeutic applications and potential treatment effects—especially in depression, trauma disorders and substance use disorders—within the framework of ethical considerations.