bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Heterogeneity of diabetic dyslipidemia, data from the NHANES (2011–2016)
Authors: Li Yanshuang , Liu Jie , Huang Nana , Cui Hongyinlong , Li Jiyu
Published: February 2024

Epidemiologic studies have demonstrated that diabetes amplifies the effects of dyslipidemia as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). A better understanding of lipid profiles is important for lipid-lowering treatment and reducing cardiovascular risk in populations with diabetes. To describe the dyslipidemia patterns in patient with and without diabetes in the adult US population. Data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2011 to 2016 was analyzed. Surprisingly, 49.9% of the people with diabetes have both normal triglycerides (TGs) and normal high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). 33.4% of the people with diabetes have elevated TGs and 36.1% of them have low HDL-C. Only 19.3% of them have both elevated TGs and low HDL-C. Among people without diabetes, 67.5% have normal TGs and normal HDL-C, 28.0% have elevated TGs, 23.9% have low HDL-C and 8.8% have both elevated TGs and low HDL-C. The differences in the proportions of individuals with both elevated TGs and low HDL-C between the diabetic group and the nondiabetic group were more obvious in females: 7.7% in women without diabetes and 22.7% in women with diabetes. The proportion of individuals in the TG↑HDL-C↓group in the population with diabetes exhibited a decreasing trend in age groups > 30 years old, and the 30 to 40 years group of individuals with diabetes had the highest proportion of atherogenic dyslipidemia. The low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) to apoB ratio is generally lower in people with diabetes, with the lowest level in the TG↑HDL-C↓group. Dyslipidemia patterns in diabetes patients are highly heterogeneous. Deep phenotyping sub-groups of dyslipidemia is warranted to identify higher-risk patients for evaluation of non-LDL-C therapies. This explained at least partially of the difficult search for novel therapies in the post-LDL-C era.
Obstetric service demand is the main health need of the Vietnamese population in Guangxi, China: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Lan Zhini , Wu Xiaoqiu , Huang Jiefang , Pan Cuizhu , Lai Jingzhen , Liang Xia
Published: February 2024

China has become an emerging destination for international migration, especially in some Association of South East Asian Nations countries, but the situation of migrants seeking medical care in China remains unclear. A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted in a hospital in Chongzuo, which provides medical services for foreigners, to investigate the situation of Vietnamese people seeking health care in Guangxi, China. Vietnamese patients who visited the hospital between 2018 and 2020 were included in the study. Demographic characteristics, clinical characteristics, characteristics of payment for medical costs, and characteristics of hospitalization were compared between outpatients and inpatients. In total, 778 Vietnamese outpatients and 173 inpatients were included in this study. The percentages of female outpatients and inpatients were 93.44% and 88.44% (χ2
= 5.133, P = .023), respectively. Approximately 30% of outpatients and 47% of inpatients visited the hospital due to obstetric needs. The proportions of outpatients with basic medical insurance for urban residents, basic medical insurance for urban employees, and new cooperative medical schemes were 28.02%, 3.21%, and 2.31%, respectively. In comparison, the proportion of inpatients with the above 3 types of medical insurance was 16.76%, 1.73%, and 2.31%, respectively. The proportion of different payments for medical costs between outpatients and inpatients were significantly different (χ2
= 24.404, P < .01). Middle-aged Vietnamese females in Guangxi, China, may have much greater healthcare needs. Their main medical demand is for obstetric services. Measurements should be taken to improve the health services targeting Vietnamese female, but the legitimacy of Vietnamese in Guangxi is a major prerequisite for them to access more and better healthcare services.
New guidelines and therapeutic updates for the management of lupus nephritis
Authors: Desai Sheetal B. , Ahdoot Rebecca , Malik Fatima , Obert Michele , Hanna Ramy
Published: February 2024

Purpose of review

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) can be a devastating condition, striking young patients often in their prime reproductive years. Lupus nephritis is a common and serious complication occurring in roughly 50% of SLE cases, indicating a high likelihood of disease progression, morbidity, and mortality. As the early trials of steroid therapy, and later cyclophosphamide (CYC), therapeutic changes had been stagnant. Then came the introduction of mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) in the 2000s. After the Aspreva Lupus Management Study, there had been a dearth of trials showing positive therapy results. Since 2020, new studies have emerged for lupus nephritis involving the use of anti-BLYS agents, novel calcineurin inhibitors, CD20 blockade, and antiinterferon agents. Nephrology and rheumatology society guidelines in the United States and across the world are still catching up.

Recent findings

Although therapeutic guidelines are being developed, updates that have come through have focused on improved diagnostic and monitoring guidelines. One theme is the recommendation of increasingly tight proteinuria control and firmer guidelines for the rapid induction of remission. The reality of multitarget therapy and the expectation of rapid induction for a more complete remission are being widely recognized.

The need for more complete and more rapid induction and control of lupus nephritis is undisputed according to the evidence and guidelines, and the medications to achieve this are growing at a rate not seen over the prior two decades. What remains is a stepwise approach to recognize how to best optimize therapy. Based on available evidence, an algorithm for induction and maintenance treatment of lupus nephritis used by the University of California Irvine Lupus Nephritis clinic, is recommended.
Polyethylene Glycol–Mediated Axonal Fusion Promotes Early Sensory Recovery after Digital Nerve Injury: A Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Nemani Sriya , Chaker Sara , Ismail Helen , Yao Julia , Chang Monal , Kang Hakmook , Desai Mihir , Weikert Douglas , Bhandari Panambur L. , Drolet Brian , Sandvall Brinkley , Hill John B. , Thayer Wesley
Published: February 2024

Background:

Peripheral nerve repair is limited by Wallerian degeneration coupled with the slow and inconsistent rates of nerve regrowth. In more proximal injuries, delayed nerve regeneration can cause debilitating muscle atrophy. Topical application of polyethylene glycol (PEG) during neurorrhaphy facilitates the fusion of severed axonal membranes, immediately restoring action potentials across the coaptation site. In preclinical animal models, PEG fusion resulted in remarkable early functional recovery.

Methods:

This is the first randomized clinical trial comparing functional outcomes between PEG fusion and standard neurorrhaphy. Participants with digital nerve transections were followed up at 2 weeks, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. The primary outcome was assessed using the Medical Research Council Classification (MRCC) rating for sensory recovery at each time point. Semmes-Weinstein monofilaments and static 2-point discrimination determined MRCC ratings. Postoperative quality of life was measured using the Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire.

Results:

Forty-eight transected digital nerves (25 control and 23 PEG) across 22 patients were analyzed. PEG-fused nerves demonstrated significantly higher MRCC scores at 2 weeks (OR, 16.95; 95% CI, 1.79 to 160.38; P = 0.008) and 1 month (OR, 13.40; 95% CI, 1.64 to 109.77; P = 0.009). Participants in the PEG cohort also had significantly higher average Michigan Hand Outcomes Questionnaire scores at 2 weeks (Hodge g, 1.28; 95% CI, 0.23 to 2.30; P = 0.0163) and 1 month (Hodge g, 1.02; 95% CI, 0.04 to 1.99; P = 0.049). No participants had adverse events related to the study drug.

Conclusion:

PEG fusion promotes early sensory recovery and improved patient well-being following peripheral nerve repair of digital nerves.

CLINICAL QUESTION/LEVEL OF EVIDENCE:

Therapeutic, II.
Anchors Aweigh! The History of Women Surgeons at Sea
Authors: Hernandez Amy A , Sobocinski André B , Tadlock Matthew D
Published: February 2024

Throughout history, the maritime nations of the world have employed surgeons in sea-going service. The history of women in surgery and the military is well described, but no previous report exists describing the gender breakdown of past and current sea-going US Navy general surgeons. Using literature review, primary sources, personal interviews, and correspondence with Navy Medicine administrative leaders, this historical review describes the evolution of women providing surgical care at sea. During the 1800s and early 1900s, some of the earliest women surgeons in England, America, and Russia began their surgical careers in military service or providing combat casualty care. Women at sea served unpaid nursing roles in the 1700s and provided informal medical care in the 1800s. In 1913 and 1941, 2 different women held medical leadership roles aboard sea-going vessels. Four years after Congress allowed women to serve aboard combatant vessels, Dr Beth Jaklic became the first woman to serve as Ship’s Surgeon aboard a US Navy warship in 1997. From 1997 to 2020, 19% of surgeons serving on aircraft carriers were women and one-half of the 20 general surgeons assigned to maritime surgical billets were women in 2022. War and the military environment historically have offered opportunities for women to break boundaries in the world of surgery. Navy Medicine’s experience with women surgeons at sea serves as a positive example to the broader surgical community, especially “austere” practices and subspecialties with limited female representation.
First-order ultrasensitivity in phosphorylation cycles
Authors: Kochen Michael A. , Hellerstein Joseph L. , Sauro Herbert M.
Published: February 2024

Cellular signal transduction takes place through a network of phosphorylation cycles. These pathways take the form of a multi-layered cascade of cycles. This work focuses on the sensitivity of single, double and
n
length cycles. Cycles that operate in the zero-order regime can become sensitive to changes in signal, resulting in zero-order ultrasensitivity (ZOU). Using frequency analysis, we confirm previous efforts that cascades can act as noise filters by computing the bandwidth. We show that
n
length cycles display what we term first-order ultrasensitivity which occurs even when the cycles are not operating in the zero-order regime. The magnitude of the sensitivity, however, has an upper bound equal to the number of cycles. It is known that ZOU can be significantly reduced in the presence of retroactivity. We show that the first-order ultrasensitivity is immune to retroactivity and that the ZOU and first-order ultrasensitivity can be blended to create systems with constant sensitivity over a wider range of signal. We show that the ZOU in a double cycle is only modestly higher compared with a single cycle. We therefore speculate that the double cycle has evolved to enable amplification even in the face of retroactivity.
Investigating the rise of Omicron variant through genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 infections in a highly vaccinated university population
Authors: Ciubotariu Ilinca I. , Wilkes Rebecca P. , Kattoor Jobin J. , Christian Erin N. , Carpi Giovanna , Kitchen Andrew
Published: February 2024

Novel variants of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) continue to emerge as the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic extends into its fourth year. Understanding SARS-CoV-2 circulation in university populations is vital for effective interventions in higher education settings and will inform public health policy during pandemics. In this study, we generated 793 whole-genome sequences collected over an entire academic year in a university population in Indiana, USA. We clearly captured the rapidity with which Delta variant was wholly replaced by Omicron variant across the West Lafayette campus over the length of two academic semesters in a community with high vaccination rates. This mirrored the emergence of Omicron throughout the state of Indiana and the USA. Further, phylogenetic analyses demonstrated that there was a more diverse set of potential geographic origins for Omicron viruses introduction into campus when compared to Delta. Lastly, statistics indicated that there was a more significant role for international and out-of-state migration in the establishment of Omicron variants at Purdue. This surveillance workflow, coupled with viral genomic sequencing and phylogeographic analyses, provided critical insights into SARS-CoV-2 transmission dynamics and variant arrival.
American Crow responses to habitat desaturation by West Nile virus
Authors: Caffrey Carolee
Published: February 2024

In late Summer 2002, West Nile virus spread to a population of individually-marked, cooperatively-breeding American Crows (Corvus brachyrhynchos brachyrhynchos) in Stillwater, OK. Within six weeks, approximately 42% of adults were dead, leaving widows, widowers, and vacant territories. I looked to see if surviving unpaired adult crows left groups to occupy vacant territories, as predicted by theory (Habitat Saturation/Ecological Constraints Hypothesis; Emlen 1982, 1984). Survivors did not behave as predicted, had previous decisions to delay breeding and live in others’ groups been made in response to a saturated habitat. Their aberrant behavior and physical attitudes suggested their losses and grief affected them in ways not included in simplistic models of avian behavior.
Adapting to loss: A normative account of grief
Authors: Dulberg Zack , Dubey Rachit , Cohen Jonathan D.
Published: February 2024

Grief is a reaction to loss that is observed across human cultures and even in other species. While the particular expressions of grief vary significantly, universal aspects include experiences of emotional pain and frequent remembering of what was lost. Despite its prevalence, and its obvious nature, considering grief from a normative perspective is puzzling:Whydo we grieve? Why is itpainful? And why is it sometimes prolonged enough to be clinically impairing? Using the framework of reinforcement learning with memory replay, we offer answers to these questions and suggest, counter-intuitively, that grief may have normative value with respect to reward maximization.
The nanoscale organization of the Nipah virus fusion protein informs new membrane fusion mechanisms
Authors: Wang Qian , Liu Jinxin , Luo Yuhang , Kliemke Vicky , Matta Giuliana Leonarda , Wang Jingjing , Liu Qian
Published: February 2024

Paramyxovirus membrane fusion requires an attachment protein for receptor binding and a fusion protein for membrane fusion triggering. Nipah virus (NiV) attachment protein (G) binds to ephrinB2 or -B3 receptors, and fusion protein (F) mediates membrane fusion. NiV-F is a class I fusion protein and is activated by endosomal cleavage. The crystal structure of a soluble GCN4-decorated NiV-F shows a hexamer-of-trimer assembly. Here, we used single-molecule localization microscopy to quantify the NiV-F distribution and organization on cell and virus-like-particle membranes at a nanometer precision. We found that NiV-F on biological membranes forms distinctive clusters that are independent of endosomal cleavage or expression levels. The sequestration of NiV-F into dense clusters favors membrane fusion triggering. The nano-distribution and organization of NiV-F are susceptible to mutations at the hexamer-of-trimer interface, and the putative oligomerization motif on the transmembrane domain. We also show that NiV-F nanoclusters are maintained by NiV-F-AP-2 interactions and the clathrin coat assembly. We propose that the organization of NiV-F into nanoclusters facilitates membrane fusion triggering by a mixed population of NiV-F molecules with varied degrees of cleavage and opportunities for interacting with the NiV-G/receptor complex. These observations provide insights into the in-situ organization and activation mechanisms of the NiV fusion machinery.
Natural orbitals and their occupation numbers for free anyons in the magnetic gauge
Authors: Cioslowski Jerzy , Brown Oliver M. , Maciazek Tomasz
Published: February 2024

We investigate the properties of natural orbitals and their occupation numbers of the ground state of two noninteracting anyons characterized by the fractional statistics parameter α and confined in a harmonic trap. We work in the boson magnetic gauge where the anyons are modeled as composite bosons with magnetic flux quanta attached to their positions. We derive an asymptotic form of the weakly occupied natural orbitals, and show that their corresponding (ordered descendingly) occupation numbers decay according to the power law n−(4+2α), where n is the index of the natural orbital. We find remarkable numerical agreement of the theory with the natural orbitals and their occupation numbers computed from the spectral decomposition of the system's wave function. We explain that the same results apply to the fermion magnetic gauge.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Floquet Weyl states at one-photon resonance: An origin of nonperturbative optical responses in three-dimensional materials
Authors: Hirai Yoshua , Okumura Shun , Yoshikawa Naotaka , Oka Takashi , Shimano Ryo
Published: February 2024

Electrons driven coherently by laser light can exhibit nonperturbative geometric effects. Drastic deformation and gap openings of the electrons' Floquet bands occur at one-photon resonances since the electron and hole bands hybridize through their replicas at the lowest-order photon exchange. We study the evolution of Floquet bands in three-dimensional (3D) materials driven by circularly polarized light (CPL) using the Dirac model. We find that the light-induced gap closes at a select few points in the momentum space where Floquet Weyl points are formed. The Weyl points are protected by their monopole charge and can merge, separate, or pair annihilate depending on the anisotropy of electrons and the ellipticity of the incident light. In isotropic 3D Dirac electrons driven by CPL, the Weyl points merge to form Floquet double-Weyl points with topological charge ±2. Our results reveal a universal aspect of light-matter interactions in 3D quantum materials and open a route towards controllable versatile electromagnetic responses associated with light-induced Floquet Weyl states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Higher-Order Process Matrix Tomography of a Passively-Stable Quantum Switch
Authors: Antesberger Michael , Quintino Marco Túlio , Walther Philip , Rozema Lee A.
Published: February 2024

The field of indefinite causal order (ICO) has seen a recent surge in interest. Much of this research has focused on the quantum switch, wherein multiple parties act in a superposition of different orders in a manner transcending the quantum circuit model. This results in a new resource for quantum protocols, and is exciting for its relation to issues in foundational physics. The quantum switch is also an example of a higher-order quantum operation, in that it transforms not only quantum states but also other quantum operations. To date, no quantum process without a definite causal order has been completely experimentally characterized. Indeed, past work on the quantum switch has confirmed its ICO by measuring causal witnesses or demonstrating resource advantages, but the complete process matrix has been described only theoretically. Here we report our performing higher-order quantum process tomography. However, doing so requires exponentially many measurements with a scaling worse than that of standard process tomography. We overcome this challenge by creating a new fiber-based quantum switch using active optical elements to deterministically generate and manipulate time-bin encoded qubits. Moreover, our new architecture for the quantum switch can be readily scaled to multiple parties. By reconstructing the process matrix, we estimate its fidelity and tailor different causal witnesses directly for our experiment. To achieve this, we measure a set of tomographically complete settings, which also spans the input operation space. Our tomography protocol allows the characterization and debugging of higher-order quantum operations with and without an ICO, while our experimental time-bin techniques could enable the creation of a new realm of higher-order quantum operations with an ICO.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Organized complexity of CSA communication strategy
Authors: Choi Minhee , Song Baobao
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Based on Lasswell’s communication model, this study investigates how four categories of factors (i.e. the source, content, medium and receiver) conjointly affect the relational, financial and social outcomes (i.e. what effect) of CSA communication.

Design/methodology/approach

With a survey (N = 366), this study found configurations of core CSA communication factors leading to three different CSA communication outcomes.

Findings

While this study found multiways to yield three different CSA outcomes, combinational logic indicated the combined effects from source, content, medium and receiver. With content and medium, individuals’ connectedness (receiver) to a CSA issue is a core factor leading to a high level of purchase intention and issue advocacy. This study also found that message strategies (i.e. informativeness, factual tone, no promotional tone) are core factors leading to a high level of trust and issue advocacy.

Practical implications

With the theoretical guidance, this research contributes to strategic communication practice for various entities involved in advocacy communication by enabling an improved understanding of advocacy communication factors and triggering different communication outcomes.

Originality/value

As CSA communication involves multiple strategies, conventional research agenda focusing on correlational and path analysis approaches provide limited understanding of communication practice. To fill this void, this study adopts a configurational approach to understand current CSA communication practices holistically.
Alleviating urban poverty in India: the role of capabilities and entrepreneurship development
Authors: Singh Jaskirat , Singh Manjit
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigates how enhancing slum dwellers' capabilities influences their entrepreneurship development and contributes to urban poverty reduction, providing insights for social policy design.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative research design is adopted applying structural equation modeling to survey data from 585 beneficiaries of social welfare schemes across Indian slums.

Findings

Educational, economic and sociocultural capabilities positively impact quantitative and qualitative dimensions of slum entrepreneurship development, which reduces urban poverty, supporting the hypothesized relationships grounded in the Capability Approach.

Research limitations/implications

The cross-sectional data limits causal inference. Wider sampling can improve generalizability. Capability antecedents of entrepreneurship merit further investigation across contexts.

Practical implications

Integrated policy initiatives focused on education, skill building, access to finance and markets can leverage entrepreneurship for sustainable urban poverty alleviation.

Social implications

Enhancing slum dweller capabilities fosters entrepreneurship and empowerment, enabling people to shape their own destinies and reduce deprivations.

Originality/value

The research provides timely empirical validation of the Capability Approach and evidence-based insights to inform social policy aiming to alleviate urban poverty via entrepreneurship in developing countries.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/IJSE-07-2023-0514.
Contribution of cultural heritage resources to the 2030 agenda SDGS
Authors: Rosique Rodríguez María Victoria , de-Prado Ruiz-Santaella Carmen , Jordano Barbudo María Ángeles
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The 2030 Agenda and the sustainable development goals (SDGs) constitute a new global roadmap for all institutions and sectors of society. Therefore, thanks to the initiative of Club of Córdoba for the Unesco (CUCO), a nonprofit association, in collaboration with the University of Cordoba, the need to create a tool for heritage management has been identified to guide personnel responsible for cultural heritage resources in the implementation of SDGs. The goal of this universal guide is to raise awareness of the importance of cultural heritage resources being aligned with the 2030 Agenda and provide the keys to apply the SDGs in the day-to-day activities of the different institutions. This publication is part of the proyect of the Junta de Andalucía “The Guide to Action on a Heritage Resource on the SDGs” (GARPODS).

Design/methodology/approach

SDG Compass is a powerful tool for the application of the SDGs in the business field and therefore has been considered appropriate to create a guide for cultural heritage resources based on it. To this end, we have held meetings with experts in the heritage field (directors and managers of different heritage resources in the province of Córdoba) both individually and collectively. Surveys have also been carried out on different interest groups (managers, employees, suppliers, visitors) which in turn have made it possible to provide an interdisciplinary nature to the sample and the results.

Findings

With the completion of this work, it has been proven that cultural heritage resource managers lack the necessary knowledge and resources to implement the SDGs in their management. Therefore, the proposed guide will be a practical tool that will allow all heritage resources to incorporate the SDGs into their management.

Originality/value

The tool proposed in this work, although it based on the SDG Compass methodology, aims to go beyond the business sphere and adapt to heritage resources so that they can apply the SDGs in their management. This work is ongoing and the full guide will be presented in February 2024.
Exchange complexity: a multi-method analysis of firm configurations
Authors: Oksoy Aydin S. , Farrell Matthew R. , Li Shaomin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate if a firm's exchange complexity profile (that is, the linkages between the firm and its environment) influences investor behavior at the negotiation table where a firm valuation is derived.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilize Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA). Specifically, the authors utilize fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), a QCA variant that allows the researcher to assign graduated membership in sets.

Findings

When the authors dichotomize their positions as either higher stakes that favor the seller (high capital, low equity, high valuation) or lower stakes that favor the buyer (low capital, high equity, low valuation), and when the authors focus primarily on the equity outcome, the authors find that investors adopt a reductionist stance that adheres to a transaction cost economics logic under conditions of lower stakes and higher complexity as well as higher stakes and lower complexity conditions. The authors interpret this to mean that equity serves as a counter-balancing lever for a firm's exchange complexity configuration.

Originality/value

On a theoretical level, the authors showcase the exchange complexity framework and differentiate its position within the extant frameworks that address a firm's competitive advantage. More generally, the authors note that this framework brings the discipline of micro-economics and the field of strategic management closer together, providing scholars with a new tool enabling research across industries for the portfolio level of analysis.
Can stakeholders’ attention to innovation promote corporate innovation?
Authors: Yang Haixia , Pan Hongbo
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Given the significance of innovation in enabling firms to maintain a long-term competitive edge and secure excess profits, this paper aims to investigate whether and how stakeholders’ attention to innovation (SATI) influences corporate innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces a novel variable, SATI, which is achieved by segmenting stakeholders’ attention into two categories: attention to innovation and attention to other facets, using textual analysis methods. Subsequently, this paper empirically examines the influence of SATI on corporate innovation.

Findings

This paper finds that SATI positively affects corporate innovation input, and the result remains true after addressing possible endogeneity issues using instrumental variable regression. Furthermore, the positive effect of SATI on corporate innovation is stronger in firms facing greater financing constraints, thus verifying the financing constraints hypothesis. The positive effect is also stronger in firms with lower risk-taking levels, thus confirming the innovation failure tolerance hypothesis. Further analysis suggests that SATI increases both corporate innovation output and efficiency, thus ruling out the catering hypothesis.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the importance of SATI in driving corporate innovation. It enriches the literature on the repercussions of stakeholders’ attention and determinants of corporate innovation. In addition, it provides practical suggestions for further implementing China’s national innovation-driven development strategy.
Social networks and travel intention: the impact of travel content to consumption, social comparison and envy
Authors: Guan Xinhua , Nie Zhenxing , Khoo Catheryn , Zhou Wentao , Li Yaoqi
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the connection between travel content consumption in social networks and social comparison, envy as well as travel intention. It analyzes whether tourists’ travel intention is affected by travel content consumption in social networks, and more importantly, whether social comparison and envy play a mediating role in this process.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through intercept in four popular tourist spots in Guangzhou and Zhuhai in South China. A self-administered questionnaire was used. A total of 400 participants were recruited, and 291 valid questionnaires were obtained. Bias-corrected nonparametric percentile bootstrap mediation variable test method was used to test hypotheses.

Findings

The study yielded three results. First, travel content consumption in the social networks positively influences travel intention. Second, travel content consumption in social networks indirectly affects travel intention through social comparison and envy. Third, the control variables, such as gender, age, education and income, mainly affect envy.

Originality/value

This study constructs a theoretical framework of stimulus–cognitive appraisal–emotion–behavioral responses. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first study to reveal that the internal psychological mechanism of travel content consumption affects travel intention. It also discloses that envy of seemingly negative emotions can encourage positive behaviors in certain situations.
Land sparing outperforms land sharing for Amazonian bird communities regardless of surrounding landscape context
Authors: Birch Benjamin D. J. , Mills Simon C. , Socolar Jacob B. , Martínez‐Revelo Diego E. , Haugaasen Torbjørn , Edwards David P.
Published: February 2024

Two strategies are central to the debate regarding agricultural development: one integrates farming and conservation (land sharing), and the other separates farming and conservation, intensifying production to allow the offset of natural habitat (land sparing). The role of wildlife‐friendly habitat in the wider surrounding landscape (landscape wildlife friendliness (WF)) in promoting farmland diversity is potentially an unexplored benefit of land sharing.

We sampled birds across primary forests and cattle pastures in the western Amazon, where terrestrial biodiversity peaks. We tested the hypothesis that increased landscape WF will lead to increased species richness (SR) on farmland, even at low levels of ‘on‐farm’ wildlife‐friendly habitat (farm WF).

We show that while there is a minor increase in SR linked to increased levels of landscape WF, a large component of the avian community is functionally absent. Most forest‐dependent species are missing from pasture, even at high levels of farm WF. For these species, the preservation of blocks of contiguous forest under land sparing is vastly superior.

We modelled both strategies under different levels of production. Land sparing always retained significantly higher SR than land sharing, regardless of the level of landscape WF.

Synthesis and applications. Landscape wildlife friendliness (WF) provided through land sharing is of limited benefit to many tropical forest‐dependent species that are unable to move across or utilise pasture, even at high levels of farm and landscape WF. To ensure the persistence of these species, policymakers should urgently implement sustainable intensification mechanisms to increase farmland productivity while enabling the protection of large blocks of spared natural habitat.
Forward‐Looking Responsibility and Political Corporate Social Responsibility
Authors: Ferguson John
Published: February 2024

This paper contributes to the literature on political corporate social responsibility (PCSR) by considering the forward‐looking, political responsibilities of corporations in relation to structural injustice, based on a critical engagement with Iris Marion Young's Social Connection Model (SCM) of responsibility. Although Young's SCM serves as a key reference point in the PCSR literature, engagement with her work tends to be superficial and lacks critical engagement. By offering a more developed engagement with Young's SCM, this paper addresses several themes that have been highlighted as being insufficiently developed in the PCSR literature. In particular, this paper considers (i) the grounds for corporate political responsibility in relation to structural injustice rather than globalization; (ii) the scope of corporate political responsibilities vis‐à‐vis other actors; and (iii) the role of power in relation to deliberative processes and in relation to scope.
The impact of kidney stone disease on quality of life in high‐risk stone formers
Authors: Assad Anis , Raizenne Brendan L. , El Yamani Mohammed El Mehdi , Saud Almousa , Bechis Seth K. , Sur Roger L. , Nakada Stephen Y. , Streeper Necole M. , Sivalingam Sri , Pais Vernon M. , Chew Ben H. , Bird Vincent G. , Andonian Sero , Penniston Kristina L. , Bhojani Naeem
Published: February 2024

Objective

To assess the impact of kidney stone disease (KSD) and its treatment on the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) of high‐risk stone formers with hyperparathyroidism, renal tubular acidosis, malabsorptive disease, and medullary sponge kidney.

Patients and Methods

The Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life questionnaire was used to evaluate HRQOL in 3301 patients with a history of KSD from 16 institutions in North America between 2014 and 2020. Baseline characteristics and medical history were collected from patients, while active KSD was confirmed through radiological imaging. The high‐risk group was compared to the remaining patients (control group) using the Wilcoxon rank‐sum test.

Results

Of 1499 patients with active KSD included in the study, the high‐risk group included 120 patients. The high‐risk group had significantly lower HRQOL scores compared to the control group (P < 0.01). In the multivariable analyses, medullary sponge kidney disease and renal tubular acidosis were independent predictors of poorer HRQOL, while alkali therapy was an independent predictor of better HRQOL (all P < 0.01).

Conclusions

Among patients with active KSD, high‐risk stone formers had impaired HRQOL with medullary sponge kidney disease and renal tubular acidosis being independent predictors of poorer HRQOL. Clinicians should seek to identify these patients earlier as they would benefit from prompt treatment and prevention.
How a price‐support policy can hurt the environment: Empirical evidence from Northeast China
Authors: Chen Jian , Tian Xiaohui , Yu Jialing
Published: February 2024

During the corn stockpiling system reform in Northeast China between 2008 and 2015, corn production expanded dramatically, and corn residue, which was mostly burned in‐situ, caused severe air pollution issues. Using a difference‐in‐differences approach, we assessed the effects of the corn stockpiling system reform in China and its associated environmental outcomes with a provincial‐level dataset. Our results suggest that the implementation of this policy significantly increased annual corn production in Northeast China by 15.1%. We also observed a substitution pattern between corn and soybean cultivation in the treatment area, with a percentage point increase in the net soybean‐to‐corn profit ratio leading to a decrease in corn production by 0.023 percentage points. Overall, based on changes in crop patterns during the system reform, increased straw resulted in increased burning and the resulting consequence to the environment is a net pollution increase equivalent to 16.03%, 0.33%, and 3.64% of the smoke and dust, SO2, and NOX, respectively, from the industrial sector in the treatment provinces.
The development of visual cognition: The emergence of spatial congruency bias
Authors: Gao Mengcun , Starks Maurryce D. , Golomb Julie D. , Sloutsky Vladimir M.
Published: February 2024

In adults, spatial location plays a special role in visual object processing. People are more likely to judge two sequentially presented objects as being identical when they appear in the same location compared to in different locations (a phenomenon referred to as Spatial Congruency Bias [SCB]). However, no comparable Identity Congruency Bias (ICB) is found, suggesting an asymmetric location‐identity relationship in object binding. What gives rise to this asymmetric congruency bias? This paper considered two possible hypotheses. Hypothesis 1 suggests that the asymmetric congruency bias results from an inherently special role of location in the visual system. In contrast, Hypothesis 2 suggests that the asymmetric congruency bias is a product of development, reflecting people's experience with the world. To distinguish the two hypotheses, we tested both adults’ and 5‐year‐old children's SCB and ICB by Identity Judgment Experiments and Spatial Judgment Experiments, respectively. The study found that adults only exhibited a SCB, but no ICB. However, young children exhibited both SCB and ICB, suggesting a symmetric congruency bias and reciprocal influences between location and identity in early development. The results indicate that the asymmetric location‐identity relationship develops as object identity's influence on location gets pruned away, while location's influence on identity is preserved, possibly due to people's gained experiences with regularities of the world.

Research Highlights

Adults exhibit Spatial Congruency Bias—an asymmetric location‐identity relationship with location biasing their judgment of object identities, but not vice versa.

Asymmetric congruency bias may result from an inherently special role of location in visual system (Hypothesis 1) or accumulated experiences with the world (Hypothesis 2).

To distinguish the two hypotheses, the study investigated the Spatial Congruency Bias and Identity Congruency Bias in both adults and 5‐year‐old children.

Unlike adults who exhibited only Spatial Congruency Bias, 5‐year‐old children exhibited both Spatial Congruency Bias and Identity Congruency Bias.
A phylogenomic perspective on interspecific competition
Authors: Louw Nicolas L. , Wolfe Benjamin E. , Uricchio Lawrence H.
Published: February 2024

Evolutionary processes may have substantial impacts on community assembly, but evidence for phylogenetic relatedness as a determinant of interspecific interaction strength remains mixed. In this perspective, we consider a possible role for discordance between gene trees and species trees in the interpretation of phylogenetic signal in studies of community ecology. Modern genomic data show that the evolutionary histories of many taxa are better described by a patchwork of histories that vary along the genome rather than a single species tree. If a subset of genomic loci harbour trait‐related genetic variation, then the phylogeny at these loci may be more informative of interspecific trait differences than the genome background. We develop a simple method to detect loci harbouring phylogenetic signal and demonstrate its application through a proof‐of‐principle analysis of Penicillium genomes and pairwise interaction strength. Our results show that phylogenetic signal that may be masked genome‐wide could be detectable using phylogenomic techniques and may provide a window into the genetic basis for interspecific interactions.
Mass extinctions and their causes
Authors: Bailey Robin
Published: February 2024

By the end of the nineteenth century, biostratigraphy had come to be thought of as a matter of induced extinctions, of varying severity, subsequent to which some surviving species would go on to generate forms adapted to the changed Earth environment. John Phillips', proposal from 1841, that the systems comprising the biostratigraphical record could be packaged into three eras—Palaeozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic—recognized that the end Permian and end Cretaceous were defined by extinctions that globally eliminated a large proportion of the previously abundant and long‐lived terrestrial and marine taxa. These two key horizons are now seen as defining two of a series of at least five Phanerozoic global mass extinctions, each of which suggested a short‐lived major disruption of the entire biosphere.
Connecting the dots: Using social network analysis to disentangle the factors driving international migration
Authors: McMillan Cassie
Published: February 2024

Migration scholars and policymakers continue to question why international migration corridors develop. In the current project, I argue that there is value in applying a social network approach to disentangle the processes that drive international migration. Using data on migration between 173 countries from 2010 to 2015, I construct a migration network where nodes are countries and edges are flows weighted by the number of people making an international move. Then, I apply valued exponential random graph models to determine whether multiple factors govern the global movement of people. I find that the international migration network is defined by an overrepresentation of transitive triads and unreciprocated dyads, even when multiple economic, migrant network, macro‐level and environmental factors are also considered. Results suggest that after accounting for the volume of migration flows and various, theoretically‐informed drivers of international migration, the network continues to resemble a stratified ranking of destinations.
Ginkgetin effectively mitigates collagen and AA‐induced platelet activation via PLCγ2 but not cyclic nucleotide‐dependent pathway in human
Authors: Hsia Chih‐Wei , Shu Lan‐Hsin , Lee Ai‐Wei , Tran Oanh‐Thi , Yang Chih‐Hao , Yen Ting‐Lin , Huang Wei‐Chieh , Hsia Chih‐Hsuan , Jayakumar Thanasekaran , Chiou Kuan‐Rau , Sheu Joen‐Rong
Published: February 2024

Platelets assume a pivotal role in the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Thus, targeting platelet activation is imperative for mitigating CVDs. Ginkgetin (GK), from Ginkgo biloba L, renowned for its anticancer and neuroprotective properties, remains unexplored concerning its impact on platelet activation, particularly in humans. In this investigation, we delved into the intricate mechanisms through which GK influences human platelets. At low concentrations (0.5–1 μM), GK exhibited robust inhibition of collagen and arachidonic acid (AA)‐induced platelet aggregation. Intriguingly, thrombin and U46619 remained impervious to GK's influence. GK's modulatory effect extended to ATP release, P‐selectin expression, intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) levels and thromboxane A2 formation. It significantly curtailed the activation of various signaling cascades, encompassing phospholipase Cγ2 (PLCγ2)/protein kinase C (PKC), phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/Akt/glycogen synthase kinase‐3β and mitogen‐activated protein kinases. GK's antiplatelet effect was not reversed by SQ22536 (an adenylate cyclase inhibitor) or ODQ (a guanylate cyclase inhibitor), and GK had no effect on the phosphorylation of vasodilator‐stimulated phosphoproteinSer157 or Ser239. Moreover, neither cyclic AMP nor cyclic GMP levels were significantly increased after GK treatment. In mouse studies, GK notably extended occlusion time in mesenteric vessels, while sparing bleeding time. In conclusion, GK's profound impact on platelet activation, achieved through inhibiting PLCγ2–PKC cascade, culminates in the suppression of downstream signaling and, ultimately, the inhibition of platelet aggregation. These findings underscore the promising therapeutic potential of GK in the CVDs.
Psychometric validation of the Psoriasis Symptom Scale, Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue and pain‐Visual Analogue Scale in patients with generalized pustular psoriasis
Authors: Burden A. David , Bissonnette Robert , Anatchkova Milena , Budhiarso Ismail , Skalicky Anne M. , Liberato Ana C. S. , Hu Na , Thoma Christian , Gloede Tristan , Kohlmann Thomas , Lebwohl Mark G.
Published: February 2024

Background

Generalized pustular psoriasis (GPP) is a rare, chronic, inflammatory skin disease associated with considerable patient burden. The Psoriasis Symptom Scale (PSS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy–Fatigue (FACIT‐Fatigue) and pain‐Visual Analogue Scale (pain‐VAS) are patient‐reported outcomes (PROs) that have not yet been validated in patients with GPP.

Objectives

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the PSS, FACIT‐Fatigue and pain‐VAS using data from Effisayil 1, a randomised trial of spesolimab in patients with moderate‐to‐severe GPP.

Methods

Inter‐item correlations and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed using Week 1 data. Internal consistency was assessed with Cronbach's α coefficient using baseline and Week 1 data. Test–retest reliability was assessed using intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs); change data for the GPP Physician Global Assessment total score and pustulation subscore were used to define a stable population. Convergent validity was assessed at baseline and Week 1 using Spearman's rank‐order correlations. Known‐groups validity was measured by analysis of variance using Week 1 data. Ability to detect change from baseline to Week 1 was evaluated by analysis of covariance.

Results

Inter‐item and item‐to‐total correlations were moderate or strong for most PSS and FACIT‐Fatigue items. CFA demonstrated the unidimensionality of the PSS and FACIT‐Fatigue, with high factor loadings for most items (PSS range, 0.75–0.94; FACIT‐Fatigue range, 0.11–0.93) and acceptable fit statistics. Both scores demonstrated internal consistency (Cronbach's α, 0.71 and 0.95, respectively). The PSS, FACIT‐Fatigue and pain‐VAS demonstrated test–retest reliability (ICCs ≥0.70) and good evidence of convergent validity. Furthermore, the PROs could differentiate between known groups of varying symptom severity (range, p < 0.0001–0.0225) and detect changes in symptom severity from baseline to Week 1 (range, p < 0.0001–0.0002).

Conclusions

Overall, these results support the reliability, validity and ability to detect change of the PSS, FACIT‐Fatigue and pain‐VAS as PROs in patients with GPP.