bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of Sertraline and Vortioxetine on Stress-Induced Brain Injury in Rats: Biochemical and Histopathological Evaluations
Authors: Akyuz Cim Emine Fusun , Suleyman Zeynep , Suleyman Halis , Yazici Gulce Naz , Coban Taha Abdulkadir
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Our aim was to evaluate the comparative effects of sertraline and vortioxetine against stress-induced brain injury in rats.

Methods

The rats were assigned to a nonstress group (NSG), stress-treated control (StC), sertraline + stress (SSt), and vortioxetine + stress (VSt) groups. Sertraline and vortioxetine (10 mg/kg) were given orally by gavage to the SSt and VSt groups. One hour later, all animals (except NSG) underwent forced immobilization to establish a stress model (2 hours). The drugs were given once a day for 30 days. The animals were killed with ketamine 150 mg/kg, and tissues were removed from the cerebral cortex. One-way analysis of variance and Fisher post hoc least significant difference were conducted for the analysis.

Results

The malondialdehyde (nmol/mL) level was 2.58 ± 0.48 in the NSG, 8.09 ± 0.57 in the StC, 3.84 ± 0.53 in the SSt, and 2.84 ± 0.20 in the VSt group (P < 0.0002). The total glutathione (mmol/g) was 7.15 ± 0.59 in the NSG, 2.41 ± 0.43 in the StC, 4.58 ± 0.26 in the SSt, and 5.98 ± 0.13 in the VSt (P < 0.0002). The total oxidant status (mmol H2O2Eq/L) level was 3.56 ± 0.20 in the NSG, 9.99 ± 0.74 in the StC, 4.97 ± 0.39 in the SSt, and 3.81 ± 0.31 in the VSt (P < 0.0002). The total antioxidant status (mmolTroloxEq/L) level was 8.65 ± 0.37 in the NSG, 3.04 ± 0.22 in the StC, 6.29 ± 0.34 in the SSt, and 7.61 ± 0.40 in the VSt (P < 0.0002). Sertraline reduced pericellular edema in astrocytes and oligodendrocytes and decreased perivascular edema, dilatation, and congestion of blood vessels, whereas these were not seen with vortioxetine.

Conclusions

Compared with sertraline, vortioxetine is a neuroprotective antidepressant with higher antioxidant activity and can more effectively prevent stress-induced brain tissue injury.
Clinical and Structural Parameters in Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study Using Optical Coherence Tomography
Authors: Camós-Carreras Anna , Figueras-Roca Marc , Albà-Arbalat Salut , Alcubierre Rafel , Saint-Gerons Marta , Sánchez-Dalmau Bernardo
Published: November 2024

Background:

Autosomal Dominant Optic Atrophy (ADOA) is a hereditary optic neuropathy characterized by retinal ganglion cell degeneration and optic nerve fiber loss. This study examined the correlation between clinical and structural parameters in patients with ADOA using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and explored potential clinical biomarkers.

Methods:

A cross-sectional, case–control observational study included 27 patients with ADOA and 27 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Clinical examinations, OCT imaging, and OCT angiography (OCTA) were performed. Statistical analyses were conducted to establish correlations between clinical and OCT parameters.

Results:

Patients with ADOA exhibited gradual bilateral vision loss, central scotomas, and optic disc pallor. Structural OCT analysis revealed significant reductions in central macular thickness, macular volume, ganglion cell complex (GCC), and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer compared with controls. Correlation analysis demonstrated associations between worsening clinical parameters (best corrected visual acuity, Sloan Letters Low Contrast Chart 25%, Pseudoisochromatic Test) and increased OCT damage (structural and OCTA). GCC emerged, at least at exploratory terms, as the most important clinical biomarker in patients with ADOA given its multiple positive functional associations, while OCTA parameters correlated with visual field defects.

Conclusions:

Our study revealed significant correlations between clinical and structural parameters in patients with ADOA, highlighting the importance of OCT in assessing disease severity. GCC measurement shows promise as a clinical biomarker, aiding in disease monitoring. OCTA parameters offer potential early biomarkers for vascular changes. These findings contribute to understanding ADOA pathophysiology and may improve patient diagnosis and management. Further research is warranted to validate these findings and explore potential therapeutic interventions.
Vibrio choleraelineage and pangenome diversity varies geographically across Bangladesh over one year
Authors: Qin Chuhan , Lypaczewski Patrick , Sayeed Md. Abu , Cuénod Aline C. , Brinkley Lindsey , Creasy-Marrazzo Ashton , Cato Emilee T. , Islam Kamrul , Ul Khabir Md. Imam , Bhuiyan Md. Taufiqur R. , Begum Yasmin , Qadri Firdausi , Khan Ashraful I. , Nelson Eric J. , Shapiro B. Jesse
Published: November 2024

Cholera is a diarrhoeal disease caused byVibrio cholerae. It remains a major public health challenge in the endemic region around the Bay of Bengal. Over decadal time scales, one lineage typically dominates the others and spreads in global pandemic waves. However, it remains unclear to what extent diverse lineages co-circulate during a single outbreak season. Defining the pool of diversity during finer time scales is important because the selective pressures that impactV. cholerae– namely antibiotics and phages – are dynamic on these time scales. To study the nationwide diversity ofV. cholerae, we long-read sequenced 273V. choleraegenomes from seven hospitals over one year (2018) in Bangladesh. Four majorV. choleraelineages were identified: known lineages BD-1, BD-2a, and BD-2b, and a novel lineage that we call BD-3. In 2022, BD-1 caused a large cholera outbreak in Dhaka, apparently outcompeting BD-2 lineages. We show that, in 2018, BD-1 was already dominant in the five northern regions, including Dhaka, consistent with an origin from India in the north. By contrast, we observed a higher diversity of lineages in the two southern regions near the coast. The four lineages differed in pangenome content, including integrative and conjugative elements (ICEs) and genes involved in resistance to bacteriophages and antibiotics. Notably, BD-2a lacked an ICE and is predicted to be more sensitive to phages and antibiotics, but nevertheless persisted throughout the year-long sampling period. Genes associated with antibiotic resistance inV. choleraefrom Bangladesh in 2006 were entirely absent from all lineages in 2018-19, suggesting shifting costs and benefits of encoding these genes. Together, our results highlight the dynamic nature of theV. choleraepangenome and the geographic structure of its lineage diversity.
Sparse matrix factorization robust to sample sharing across GWAS reveals interpretable genetic components
Authors: Omdahl Ashton R. , Weinstock Joshua S. , Keener Rebecca , Chhetri Surya B. , Arvanitis Marios , Battle Alexis
Published: November 2024

Complex trait-associated genetic variation is highly pleiotropic. This extensive pleiotropy implies that multi-phenotype analyses are informative for characterizing genetic associations, as they facilitate the discovery of trait-shared and trait-specific variants and pathways (“genetic factors”). Previous efforts have estimated genetic factors using matrix factorization (MF) applied to numerous GWAS. However, existing methods are susceptible to spurious factors arising from residual confounding due to sample-sharing in biobank GWAS. Furthermore, MF approaches have historically estimated dense factors, loaded on most traits and variants, that are challenging to map onto interpretable biological pathways. To address these shortcomings, we introduce “GWAS latent embeddings accounting for noise and regularization” (GLEANR), a MF method for detection of sparse genetic factors from summary statistics. GLEANR accounts for sample sharing between studies and uses regularization to estimate a data-driven number of interpretable factors. GLEANR is robust to confounding induced by shared samples and improves the replication of genetic factors derived from distinct biobanks. We used GLEANR to evaluate 137 diverse GWAS from the UK Biobank, identifying 58 factors that decompose the genetic architecture of input traits and have distinct signatures of negative selection and degrees of polygenicity. These sparse factors can be interpreted with respect to disease, cell-type, and pathway enrichment. We highlight three such factors capturing platelet measure phenotypes and enriched for disease-relevant markers corresponding to distinct stages of platelet differentiation. Overall, GLEANR is a powerful tool for discovering both trait-specific and trait-shared pathways underlying complex traits from GWAS summary statistics.
Monovalent mRNA XBB.1.5 vaccine effectiveness against COVID-19 hospitalization in Quebec, Canada: impact of variant replacement and waning protection during 10-month follow-up
Authors: Carazo Sara , Skowronski Danuta M , Brousseau Nicholas M , Guay Charles-Antoine , Sauvageau Chantal , Racine Étienne , Talbot Denis , Ionescu Iulia G , Fafard Judith , Gilca Rodica , Phimmasone Jonathan , De Wals Philippe , De Serres Gaston
Published: November 2024

Background.We evaluated mRNA COVID–19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) for the XBB.1.5 formulation against COVID–19 hospitalizations among adults aged ≥60 years during a ten–month follow–up period.Methods.We conducted a test–negative case–control study using Quebec population–based administrative data. Specimens collected from individuals aged ≥60 years tested at an acute–care hospital from October 2023 to August 2024 were considered test–positive cases if hospitalized for COVID–19, or controls if test–negative for SARS–CoV–2. Vaccination was defined by receipt of at least one mRNA XBB–vaccine (autumn or spring) dose. Multivariate logistic regression analyses estimated VE relative to several comparator groups, primarily those last–vaccinated in 2022, by subvariant predominant period (XBB, JN and KP), by time since XBB–vaccination and by number of XBB–vaccine doses (KP period).Results.Participants overall and by XBB, JN and KP periods included: 5532 (4.9%) test–positive cases (1321, 1838 and 1372, respectively) and 108473 (95.1%) test–negative controls (12881, 53414 and 28595, respectively); 14584 specimens were collected during periods of subvariant cocirculation. By subvariant period, 3322 (25.8%), 27041 (50.6%) and 15401 (53.9%) controls, respectively, were considered XBB–vaccinated. Overall VE was 30% (95%CI:24–35) and by XBB, JN or KP period: 54% (95%CI:46–62), 23% (95%CI:13–32) and 0% (95%CI:-18–15), respectively. During each subvariant period, the hospitalization risk was reduced only during the first four months post–vaccination.Conclusions.Among individuals aged ≥60 years, mRNA XBB–vaccination provided meaningful, albeit limited and short–term, protection against COVID–19 hospitalization due to XBB, JN and KP subvariants in. Better vaccines are needed to effectively reduce COVID–19 disease burden.
Acute myeloid leukemia risk stratification in younger and older patients through transcriptomic machine learning models
Authors: Silva Raíssa , Riedel Cédric , Amico Maïlis , Reboul Jerome , Guibert Benoit , Sennaoui Camelia , Ruffle Florence , Gilbert Nicolas , Boureux Anthony , Commes Thérèse
Published: November 2024

Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) is a heterogeneous disease that may occur at any age. Although it has been shown that the incidence of AML increases with age and that different genetic alterations are present in younger versus older patients, the current AML classifications do not include age as a factor in classifying patients. In this work, we analyzed 404 RNA-seq samples with AML initial diagnosis to highlight the differences between younger and older patients in favorable and adverse risk using a k-mer-based approach for transcriptomic machine learning models. We predicted the risk of patients with more than 90% accuracy. We also provided lists of genes of interest for AML that were able to distinguish favorable from adverse ELN risks. From these lists, we selected prognostic biomarkers that have an impact on survival. Furthermore, we analyzed the biological context involved in the transcriptome complexity of younger and older patients. We observed differences in tumor profiles as well as in the presence of immune and stromal cell populations with specific features in older patients.
Prevalence and Risk Factors of Diarrhea Among Children Under Five Years in Northern Kenya’s Drylands: A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Mwangi Bonventure , Flax Valerie L. , Thuita Faith , Miller Joshua D. , Lutter Chessa , Amugsi Dickson , Sidze Estelle , Adair Linda , Anono Esther , Odhiambo Hazel , Ekiru Stephen , Chepkwony Gillian , Ng’ang’a Monica , Webale Albert , Kimani-Murage Elizabeth , Wilunda Calistus
Published: November 2024

Diarrhea is the third leading cause of malnutrition and mortality in children under five globally. However, a few studies have examined predictors of child diarrheal disease in arid or semi-arid regions of sub-Saharan Africa. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and risk factors of diarrhea among children under five in the drylands of Northern Kenya.

Data are from a longitudinal, population-based study of children younger than 36 months at recruitment (N = 1,211) and their caregivers in Turkana County, Kenya. Households were followed from May 2021 to September 2023, with survey data collected every four months across six waves. Caregivers reported on household conditions and observed episodes of diarrhea among index children in the two weeks before the survey. Trends in the prevalence of diarrhea were stratified by administrative zone, livelihood zone, and child sex. Risk factors of child diarrhea across survey waves were identified using multivariable generalized estimating equations.

Diarrhea prevalence decreased from 32.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 28.3%-36.1%] at Wave 1 to 8.7% (95% CI: 6.3%-11.7%) at Wave 6. Risk factors for diarrhea included caregivers alcohol consumption [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 1.30; 95% CI: 1.04-1.62], households experiencing three (AOR = 1.78; 95% CI: 1.29-2.45) or four (AOR = 2.58; 95% CI: 1.86-3.58) climatic, biological, economic or conflict shocks in the prior 4 months compared to those experiencing less than 2 shocks, households with moderate (AOR = 1.25; 95% CI: 1.04-1.50) or high (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI: 1.22-1.85) water insecurity in the prior 4 weeks compared to those with no-to-marginal water insecurity, and child wasting (AOR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.05–1.41).

These findings suggest that multisectoral interventions that reduce alcohol consumption among women, improve access to safe water services, manage malnutrition, and mitigate household shocks could reduce the burden of diarrhea among child under five in this region.
Characteristics of early career health researchers and experiences of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic in Canada
Authors: Hewko Sarah , Kowalec Kaarina , Anderson Laura , Mulvihill Erin E. , Aristizabal Maria J. , Ciernia Annie V. , Dhillon Santokh , Dufour Antoine , Lim Gareth E. , Rousseaux Maxime , Saleem Ayesha , Daraz Lubna , Lam Grace ,   the Association of Canadian Early Career Health Researchers (ACECHR)
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted research globally. How it impacted Canadian early-career health researchers (ECHRs) remains unclear. We administered a survey to understand the composition of ECHRs in Canada, their job experiences, and experiences of burnout during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods

A cross-sectional survey was conducted in May 2023 of Canadian ECHRs defined as within 7 years of their first independent research position. Quantitative analyses included a description of respondents by research pillar, socio-demographic and workplace characteristics, and the prevalence of burnout, disengagement or exhaustion. Sample characteristics were compared to national data on ECHRs from a Canadian funding agency. Thematic analysis of free-text responses was also conducted.

Results

A total of 225 respondents met the eligibility criteria. Most respondents were assistant professors and characteristics of our sample were like the national data. The COVID-19 pandemic posed many challenges to student recruitment, and emotional support of students, with over half of the respondents reporting a moderate to significant decline in mental health compared to pre-pandemic. A significant proportion of respondents were experiencing high burnout (62%, 95%CI:56-67%), exhaustion (64%, 95%CI: 57-70%) or disengagement (91%, 95%CI: 87-95%). Thematic analysis identified three themes: ongoing benefits/problems preceding the pandemic, unintended outcomes of strategies to manage/prevent/contain COVID-19, and reasons to stay in their current position.

Conclusions

Our survey revealed that Canadian ECHRs reported many diverse challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic and high burnout, putting the sustainability of this workforce at risk. Improved systems are needed to understand the long-term impacts and support the future of the Canadian health research ecosystem.
Evidence of convergent evolution in the nuclear and mitochondrial OXPHOS subunits across the deep lineages of Squamata
Authors: Wallnoefer Oscar , Formaggioni Alessandro , Plazzi Federico , Passamonti Marco
Published: November 2024

The OXidative PHosphorylation System (OXPHOS) is composed of subunits encoded by both the nuclear and mitochondrial genomes, which are subject to distinct evolutionary pressures. Nevertheless, the cooperation between OXPHOS subunits is essential for proper OXPHOS function, as incompatibilities between subunits can be highly deleterious. The order Squamata is a good candidate for studying unusual patterns of mitochondrial evolution. The lineages leading to the snake and agamid clades likely experienced convergent evolution in mitochondrial OXPHOS genes, potentially linked to their distinctive feeding strategies. This deep signal of convergence can also be inferred from mitochondrial markers, which provide strong support for the monophyly of these two groups. In the present study, we annotated the mitochondrial and nuclear OXPHOS genes of 56 Squamata species. The nuclear OXPHOS subunits that physically interact with mitochondrial proteins also support the clade clustering snakes and agamids. Additionally, we found a significant number of convergent amino acid changes between agamids and snakes, not only in mitochondrial OXPHOS genes but also in nuclear ones, with a higher rate of convergence in the nuclear OXPHOS subunits that play central roles in the OXPHOS complexes. Overall, the common selective pressures in two distinct lineages can lead two sets of genes, encoded by two different genomes, to exhibit similar patterns of convergent evolution, affecting the phylogenetic signal of these genes. Thus, we highlight how the phylogenetic signal of OXPHOS genes, through the coevolution of subunits and their adaptation to specific evolutionary pressures, can be influenced and may diverge from the signal supported by most other genes.
Haplotype-resolved genome and population genomics of the threatened garden dormouse in Europe
Authors: Byerly Paige A. , von Thaden Alina , Leushkin Evgeny , Hilgers Leon , Liu Shenglin , Winter Sven , Schell Tilman , Gerheim Charlotte , Ben Hamadou Alexander , Greve Carola , Betz Christian , Bolz Hanno J. , Büchner Sven , Lang Johannes , Meinig Holger , Famira-Parcsetich Evax Marie , Stubbe Sarah P. , Mouton Alice , Bertolino Sandro , Verbeylen Goedele , Briner Thomas , Freixas Lídia , Vinciguerra Lorenzo , Mueller Sarah A. , Nowak Carsten , Hiller Michael
Published: November 2024

Genomic resources are important for evaluating genetic diversity and supporting conservation efforts. The garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) is a small rodent that has experienced one of the most severe modern population declines in Europe. We present a high-quality haplotype-resolved reference genome for the garden dormouse, and combine comprehensive short and long-read transcriptomics data sets with homology-based methods to generate a highly complete gene annotation. Demographic history analysis of the genome reveal a sharp population decline since the last interglacial, indicating an association between colder climates and population declines before anthropogenic influence. Using our genome and genetic data from 100 individuals, largely sampled in a citizen-science project across the contemporary range, we conduct the first population genomic analysis for this species. We find clear evidence for population structure across the species’ core Central European range. Notably, our data show that the Alpine population, characterized by strong differentiation and reduced genetic diversity, is reproductively isolated from other regions and likely represents a differentiated evolutionary significant unit (ESU). The predominantly declining Eastern European populations also show signs of recent isolation, a pattern consistent with a range expansion from Western to Eastern Europe during the Holocene, leaving relict populations now facing local extinction. Overall, our findings suggest that garden dormouse conservation may be enhanced in Europe through the designation of ESUs.
Exact Quantum Electrodynamics of Radiative Photonic Environments
Authors: Yuen Ben , Demetriadou Angela
Published: November 2024

We present a comprehensive second quantization scheme for radiative photonic devices. We canonically quantize the continuum of photonic eigenmodes by transforming them into a discrete set of pseudomodes that provide a complete and exact description of quantum emitters interacting with electromagnetic environments. This method avoids all reservoir approximations and offers new insights into quantum correlations, accurately capturing all non-Markovian dynamics. This method overcomes challenges in quantizing non-Hermitian systems and is applicable to diverse nanophotonic geometries.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Four-point method in evaluating the corrosion rate of secondary circuit structural materials in nuclear power plant
Authors: Ji Yuefei , Hao Long , Wang Jianqiu , Han En-Hou , Ke Wei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to optimize a suitable electrochemical method in evaluating the corrosion rate of structural materials of 20# carbon steel, P280GH carbon steel, 17-4PH stainless steel, 304 stainless steel and Alloy 690TT in high-temperature and high-pressure (HTHP) water of pressurized water reactor secondary circuit system.

Design/methodology/approach

Weight-loss method has been used to obtain the corrosion rate value of each structural material in simulated HTHP water. Besides, linear polarization method and weak polarization curve-based three-point method and four-point method have been compared in obtaining a sound corrosion rate value from the potentiodynamic polarization curve. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscope have been used to characterize the microstructure and corrosion morphology of each structural material.

Findings

Although there is deviation in gaining the corrosion rate value compared to weight-loss test, the weak polarization curve-based four-point method has been found to be a suitable electrochemical method in gaining corrosion rate value of structural materials in HTHP waters.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a suitable and reliable electrochemical method in gaining the corrosion rate value of structural materials in HTHP waters. The proposed weak polarization curve-based four-point method provides a timesaving and high-efficient way in corrosion rate evaluation of secondary circuit structural materials and thus has a potential application in nuclear power plants.
A systematic review of green creativity to develop future research agenda: a bibliographic and TCCM analysis
Authors: Mahajan Yogesh , Bindra Sunali , Mann Shikha , Hiremath Rahul
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To be green creative is to come up with fresh, original and practical ideas for green products, green services, green processes or green activities. The purpose of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of green creativity (GC) research by tracing the development of important theories, contexts, characteristics and methodologies (TCCM), and to illustrate how they relate to one another based on the systematic review and analysis of the existing literature relevant to GC from 2013 to 2023.

Design/methodology/approach

The research takes a methodical, structured approach to its literature evaluation, identifying prior contributions and offering frameworks for future study.

Findings

This research aims to highlight the challenges associated with planning, developing and implementing GC to realize the firm’s strategic and operational goals. Comprehensive networks, important countries, notable authors, key TCCM are provided by a TCCM and bibliographic analysis of the current GC literature.

Research limitations/implications

The research addresses the concerns of managers across all types of entities and fills in the gaps, such as the skewed focus on GC’s applicability in large businesses and developing countries, as well as the limitations of a single-level analysis.

Originality/value

The research as a whole provides the taxonomy, utilization and mapping of logical concepts that strengthen GC. The study also highlights areas where more research is needed and where gaps and unresolved tensions remain. By delving into the nature of knowledge, the authors can better understand the factors that will ultimately shape the scope of future studies.
Reigning in “little kingdoms”? The implementation of marketing within the advertising function of the Philips company (1959–1977)
Authors: Höfer Matthias
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the introduction of marketing within the advertising function of the Philips company between the late 1950s and the mid-1970s. This company function, along with the organizational changes and integrative efforts it enacted and that it was subjected to, serve as a case study on how marketing as an organizational concept could be implemented within parts of a multinational company in a time of changing market conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is a qualitative historical study of primary sources from the Philips company archive, mainly pertaining to the highest corporate level of Philips’ advertising function. Based on these sources, this research traces the implementation of marketing within that company function. It also investigates the functions’ organizational structure, as well as the measures taken to further integration between the subparts of the companies’ advertising function. Insofar as possible, the impact of marketing on the advertising functions’ relation with other company parts is explored as well. In doing so, this research is situated at the junction of marketing history and historical research on advertising.

Findings

Introducing marketing to Philips’ advertising function was a multistep process involving not only the advertisers of the company but also several other departments implicated in marketing. A large focus within the advertising function was put on furthering the integration between the three major components of the function, as well as the integration between different functions (albeit to a lesser extent). While certain measures aiming toward institutionalizing collaborative processes and facilitating integration were successful, the advertisers working in national branches of Philips nonetheless retained a certain degree of independence.

Originality/value

Previously unused sources were examined to contribute to the understanding of how marketing – and more specifically, marketing management – was introduced within a multinational European company. Through its focus on the practical implementation of marketing within a company, this research not only adds to our knowledge about integrative processes specific to Philips, but it also improves our understanding of the historical structures of the advertising function within multinational companies and the organizational changes taking place on a practical level after the introduction of marketing.
Distributed leadership mirrors teacher professionalism via collaborative learning and relational trust: evidence from China
Authors: Ma Lichao , Yao Hao , Sun Manyuan
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The study seeks to unpack the effect of distributed leadership on teacher professionalism, and the mediating roles of collaborative learning and relational trust in the Chinese cultural context.

Design/methodology/approach

The proposed framework was examined based on the questionnaire data from 522 primary and secondary school teachers in China using structural equation modeling.

Findings

It was found that distributed leadership had a direct positive impact on collaborative learning and relational trust, which also exerted the direct positive impact on teacher professionalism. However, distributed leadership cannot directly affect teacher professionalism in China. Only through the full mediation of collaborative learning and relational trust, could distributed leadership facilitate teacher professionalism in an indirect way. The proportion of sequence mediating effect was the highest, followed by the single mediating role played by relational trust.

Originality/value

We have demonstrated to international scholars the indirect value of distributed leadership in enhancing teacher professionalism in China. The results not only enrich the existing influencing mechanism framework of professionalism, but also provide valuable implications that school leadership does not have a completely positive effect on teacher professionalism. Only when the empowering leadership style is truly perceived by teachers and strengthens their collaborative learning and mutual trust, can a team of capable educators be formed to promote teacher professionalism. It also indicates that teacher professionalism becomes a systematic and structural process requiring support from multiple parties, such as schools, leaders, colleagues and self.
Unlocking high-growth potential: does intellectual capital efficiency drive European entrepreneurial ventures?
Authors: Cattafi Giulia , Pistolesi Francesco , Teti Emanuele
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper investigates the influence of intellectual capital (IC) efficiency and its components – human capital efficiency (HCE), structural capital efficiency (SCE) and capital employed efficiency (CEE) – on the growth paths of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and their likelihood of becoming high-growth firms (HGFs).

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on the resource-based view (RBV), our study reveals a positive relationship between IC efficiency and the likelihood of becoming HGFs. Using a longitudinal dataset of 554,076 firm-year observations corresponding to approximately 79,158 European SMEs from 2012–2019, our study employs probit regression to examine the impact of IC efficiency on the probability of becoming an HGF. To investigate the impact of IC efficiency across the growth rate distribution, we conduct further analyses via generalized least squares.

Findings

The results show that IC efficiency positively influences the growth paths of small entrepreneurial ventures and their likelihood of experiencing high-growth episodes.

Practical implications

For practitioners, the findings underscore the importance of investing in IC to enhance the growth process of entrepreneurial firms and increase their likelihood of achieving HGF status. Investments in IC can maximize growth potential and competitiveness, informing strategic decision-making.

Social implications

Policymakers should consider the critical role of IC in promoting SME growth and formulate policies that encourage the development of IC among entrepreneurial firms. Such initiatives can stimulate economic growth, innovation and job creation across European economies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by focusing on entrepreneurial firms and examining how IC efficiency drives their transition to HGF status. This study provides empirical evidence across several European contexts over an extended period, emphasizing the role of IC efficiency in shaping the growth paths of entrepreneurial firms.
Improving the articulation of skills towards proving “value for money”
Authors: Gerhardt Trevor , Montgomery Joel
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Ensuring value for money is becoming more of a priority for UK university degrees. The aim of the action research project was to add value by improving skill acquisition and articulation amongst Chartered Management Degree Apprentices through a problem-based learning module called Self-Managed Learning.

Design/methodology/approach

Intentional weekly interventions to develop skill acquisition, development and articulation were implemented over 10 weeks. A focus group at the end of the 10 weeks to reflect upon the interventions would then reveal through a thematic analysis whether there was indeed added value.

Findings

The action research intervention to improve and enhance how apprentices construe and construct what they experience and then learn to articulate that accurately was well received. Key outcomes included increased awareness of and enhanced use of reflection, merging work and university and increased self-efficacy and skill development awareness.

Practical implications

This research underscores the significant impact of enhanced stakeholder engagement on educational delivery and skill development. The study illustrates how the involvement of all parties, from apprentices to educators and employers, within the learning process can aid the development of intentional skill and professional development when work-based learning is effectively integrated within the educational curriculum.

Originality/value

The action learning intervention was an educational improvement enhancing personal development, social mobility and an opportunity for individuals to pursue knowledge for their own sake.
The impact of risk aversion on remanufacturing supply chain decisions under quality uncertainty
Authors: Ding Junfei , Wang Yifan , Tuerxun Tuerkezhati
Published: November 2024

Purpose

As the risk of uncertain quality of used products potentially hinders remanufacturing, this study aims to examine the impact of risk aversion under quality uncertainty of used products in a remanufacturing supply chain (RSC) consisting of a manufacturer and an independent remanufacturer.

Design/methodology/approach

We develop an RSC model where the manufacturer produces new products, outsources remanufacturing to the independent remanufacturer and sells both new and remanufactured products to end consumers. Using a manufacturer-led Stackelberg game framework, we derive the equilibrium solutions under risk-neutral and risk-averse scenarios. Additionally, we design a two-part tariff contract to achieve coordination.

Findings

We show that while risk aversion leads the manufacturer to raise the outsourcing fee, which in turn reduces both the remanufactured quantity and the collection rate of used products. Consequently, consumer surplus and social welfare decline, while environmental impacts rise. The proposed two-part tariff contract can improve the collection rate and social welfare. We also explore two extensions: an authorization remanufacturing scenario and a two-period scenario. We find that risk aversion has no impact on the selection of remanufacturing mode and the equilibria in the first period. Our findings provide timely managerial insights for RSC management.

Originality/value

One of the main risks deterring remanufacturing is the quality uncertainty of used products. However, the risk aversion arising from this uncertainty and its effects have rarely been studied within a game-theoretic framework. This paper fills this gap by analyzing the remanufacturer’s risk aversion under quality uncertainty and investigating its impacts.
Who decides what works? Ethical considerations arising from the Australian Government's use of behavioural insights and Robodebt
Authors: Ball Sarah
Published: November 2024

Behavioural insights and the use of nudge have attracted a lot of interest among governments across the globe since the introduction of the UK's Behavioural Insights Unit in 2010. One of the key challenges since these early days has been the concern that behavioural policy design, in particular the use of nudges, could be misused to manipulate citizens. When the Robodebt Royal Commission released its report in 2023, these concerns were renewed in Australia. It revealed that the Department of Human Services had used behavioural insights to inform the design of letters informing citizens of a debt in such a way as to minimise the impact on call centres while shifting that impact onto citizens. Did this use finally reveal what many had feared? Could government not be trusted with behavioural insights? This article will first explore the ethical concerns that have surrounded the implementation of nudges and behavioural policy. Following this, the paper will go beyond the debate over the ethics of implementing behavioural policies and argue instead that a focus on the theoretical opportunities and risks of nudge and behavioural policy fails to capture the significant risks inherent in implementation. When all proposed protections—the use of ethical frameworks, publication and testing, and in‐depth research—remain optional in practice, a commitment to ‘ideology‐free’ evidence can obscure more than it enlightens. The paper concludes by pointing to critical steps the Australian public sector can take to ensure future accountability and transparency for policy design, for nudges but also beyond.

Points for practitioners

Nudging is neither ethically neutral nor inherently problematic. The context in which policy is designed is critical.

Robodebt highlighted several flaws in the context in which policy is designed in Australian federal policymaking, including a public service which appeared more comfortable with debates over technical delivery concerns than the content of policy.

Robodebt revealed that parts of the public sector had become overly focused on ‘what works’, rather than providing advice on social desirability, acceptability, human rights, and equity.

This experience should therefore lead to greater apprehension about the use of nudging, as there is a risk that ethical issues will go uninterrogated.
The ultimate responsibility? The analysis of the position of special education teachers when the child is left without support in early childhood education
Authors: Heiskanen Noora , Saha Mari , Pesonen Henri , Viljamaa Elina , Poikola Mirva , Nevala Piia , Karna Eija
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we investigate the discursive positionings of early childhood special education teachers (ECSETs) in situations where they describe challenges in organizing the support for a child in interprofessional collaboration. Relaying on research on occupational well‐being of teachers, we state that such situations where professionals experience insurmountable challenges in organizing proper support for a child are potentially burdensome to ECSETs. However, because of ECSETs unique and ambivalent role as part of inclusive early childhood education and care (ECEC) system in Finland, they are in a particular risk to get burdened by the increasing demands of coordinating and organizing support. In the study, we utilized the writings of 55 ECSETs, collected using empathy‐based method and analysed them with position analysis methodology to investigate how ECSETs position themselves in such challenging situations. As a result, we show how ECSETs positions include (1) reflective controller of coping, (2) burdened support organizer, and (3) self‐blaming survivor. As a conclusion, we illustrate that while ECSETs hold no official or managerial positions in ECEC community, they strongly position themselves as the ones ultimately responsible for supporting the child but also other ECEC professionals, as well as maintaining their own wellbeing and coping in difficult situations.
Subcellular mass spectrometric detection unveils hyperglycemic memory in the diabetic heart
Authors: Zhan Jiabing , Zhou Yufei , Chen Yifan , Jin Kunying , Chen Zhaoyang , Chen Chen , Li Huaping , Wang Dao Wen
Published: November 2024

Background

Intensive glycemic control is insufficient to reduce the risk of heart failure in patients with diabetes mellitus. While the hyperglycemic memory in the diabetic cardiomyopathy has been well documented, its underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. The present study tried to investigate whether the dysregulated proteins/biological pathways, which persistently altered in diabetic hearts during normoglycemia, participate in the hyperglycemic memory.

Methods

Hearts of streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice, with or without intensive glycemic control using slow‐release insulin implants, were collected. Proteins from total heart samples and subcellular fractions were assessed by mass spectrometry, Western blotting, and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis. mRNA sequencing was used to determine whether the persistently altered proteins were regulated at the transcriptional or post‐transcriptional level.

Results

Western blot validation of several proteins with high pathophysiological importance, including MYH7, HMGCS2, PDK4, and BDH1, indicated that mass spectrometry was able to qualitatively, but not quantitatively, reflect the fold changes of certain proteins in diabetes. Pathway analysis revealed that the peroxisome, PPAR pathway, and fatty acid metabolism could be efficiently rescued by glycemic control. However, dysregulation of oxidative phosphorylation and reactive oxygen species persisted even after normalization of hyperglycemia. Notably, mRNA sequencing revealed that dysregulated proteins in the oxidative phosphorylation pathway were not accompanied by coordinated changes in mRNA levels, indicating post‐transcriptional regulation. Moreover, literature review and bioinformatics analysis suggested that hyperglycemia‐induced persistent alterations of miRNAs targeted genes from the persistently dysregulated oxidative phosphorylation pathway, whereas, oxidative phosphorylation dysfunction‐induced ROS regulated miRNA expression, which thereby might sustained the dysregulation of miRNAs.

Conclusions

Glycemic control cannot rescue hyperglycemia‐induced alterations of subcellular proteins in the diabetic heart, and persistently altered proteins are involved in multiple functional pathways, including oxidative phosphorylation. These findings might provide novel insights into hyperglycemic memory in diabetic cardiomyopathy.

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Bursty, Irregular Speech Input to Children Predicts Vocabulary Size
Authors: Cychosz Margaret , Romeo Rachel R. , Edwards Jan R. , Newman Rochelle S.
Published: November 2024

Children learn language by listening to speech from caregivers around them. However, the type and quantity of speech input that children are exposed to change throughout early childhood in ways that are poorly understood due to the small samples (few participants, limited hours of observation) typically available in developmental psychology. Here we used child‐centered audio recorders to unobtrusively measure speech input in the home to 292 children (aged 2–7 years), acquiring English in the United States, over 555 distinct days (approximately 8600 total hours of observation, or 29.62 h/child). These large timescales allowed us to compare how different dimensions of child‐directed speech input (quantity, burstiness) varied throughout early childhood. We then evaluated the relationship between each dimension of input and children's concurrent receptive vocabulary size. We found that the burstiness of speech input (spikes of words) was a stronger correlate with age than the quantity of speech input. Input burstiness was also a stronger predictor than input quantity for children's vocabulary size: children who heard spiky, more intense bouts of input had larger vocabularies. Overall, these results reaffirm the importance of speech input in the home for children's language development and support exposure–consolidation models of early language development.
Long‐term risks and benefits of oral anticoagulation in atrial fibrillation patients with cancer: A report from the GLORIA‐AF registry
Authors: Li Meng , Huang Bi , Lam Steven Ho Man , Ishiguchi Hironori , Liu Yang , Olshansky Brian , Huisman Menno V. , Chao Tze‐Fan , Lip Gregory Y. H.
Published: November 2024

Background

Anticoagulation therapy in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and concomitant cancer can be challenging due to the significantly increased risk of both embolism and bleeding. Moreover, the benefits and risks of vitamin K antagonists (VKA, eg. warfarin) versus non‐vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants (NOACs) in such patients are less well understood.

Methods

From the prospective, global, multi‐centered Global Registry on Long‐Term Antithrombotic Treatment in Patients with Atrial Fibrillation (GLORIA‐AF), we characterized these patients according to their history of prior cancer when enrolled. All patients received anticoagulant therapy. The primary outcome was the composite of all‐cause mortality, stroke, transient ischemic attack, systemic embolism. The secondary endpoints were all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular death, stroke, major bleeding and thromboembolism during the 3 years follow‐up period. Cox regression analyses were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and confidence interval (CI) following propensity score matching (PSM).

Results

Overall, among 16,700 patients enrolled in Phase III in GLORIA‐AF, 1725 (10%) patients had concomitant cancer(s) at enrolment. After PSM, the primary outcome occurred in 250 (14.8%) of patients with cancer(s) and 160 (9.3%) without cancer(s) (HR, 1.62 [95% CI, 1.33–1.97], p < .001) during the 3 years follow‐up period. The risk of all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in patients with cancer(s) versus non‐ cancer(s) (HR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.37–2.12], p < .001). In patients with cancer(s), after PSM, the use of NOACs was associated with reduced risk of the primary outcome compared with that of VKA (HR, .69 [95% CI, .49–.99], p = .043), as well as a lower risk of thromboembolism (HR, .49 [95% CI, .24–1.00], p = .051), but the risk of major bleeding was not significantly different (HR, .87 [95% CI, .48–1.56], p = .635). Subgroup analysis in patients with cancers showed a reduced risk of major bleeding with NOACs compared with VKA (HR, .18 [95% CI, .04–.8], p = .024) in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). For the main cancer subtypes (genitourinary, breast, gastrointestinal, haematological and skin), the trends for the risk of primary outcome were consistently favouring NOACs compared with VKA without any significant interaction among these five cancers.

Conclusions

Cancer is a common comorbidity in patients with AF and is associated with increased risk of composite of all‐cause mortality and thromboembolism. Compared with VKA, NOACs was associated with a lower risk of composite events and showed an advantage in lower risk of thromboembolism, as well as a reduced risk of major bleeding when CAD was also present.