bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Vocal recognition of partners by female prairie voles
Authors: Warren Megan R. , Young Larry J. , Liu Robert C.
Published: July 2024

Recognizing conspecifics is vitally important for differentiating kin, mates, offspring and social threats.1Although often reliant upon chemical or visual cues, individual recognition across the animal kingdom is also facilitated by unique acoustic signatures in vocalizations.2–4However, amongst the largeMuroideasuperfamily of rodents that encompasses laboratory species amenable to neurobiological studies, there is scant behavioral evidence for individual vocal recognition despite individual acoustic variation.5–10Playback studies have found evidence for coarse communicative functions like mate attraction and territorial defense, but limited finer ability to discriminate known individuals’ vocalizations.11–17Such a capacity would be adaptive for species that form lifelong pair bonds requiring partner identification across timescales, distances and sensory modalities, so to improve the chance of finding individual vocal recognition in aMuroidrodent, we investigated vocal communication in the prairie vole (Microtus ochrogaster) – one of the few socially monogamous mammals.18We found that the ultrasonic vocalizations of adult prairie voles can communicate individual identity. Even though the vocalizations of individual males change after cohabitating with a female to form a bond, acoustic variation across individuals is greater than within an individual so that vocalizations of different males in a common context are identifiable above chance. Critically, females behaviorally discriminate their partner’s vocalizations over a stranger’s, even if emitted to another stimulus female. These results establish the acoustic and behavioral foundation for individual vocal recognition in prairie voles, where neurobiological tools19–22enable future studies revealing its causal neural mechanisms.

Highlights

Muroid rodents can display individual vocal recognition

Adult prairie vole USVs are more variable across individuals than social experience

Individual vole identity can be decoded from their vocalizations

Carefully constructed protocol sustains vole’s interest in vocal playback

Female prairie voles behaviorally recognize their mate’s vocalizations
Numerical parametrization of stationary axisymmetric black holes in a theory agnostic framework
Authors: Mukazhanov Olzhas , Roy Rittick , Mirzaev Temurbek , Bambi Cosimo
Published: July 2024

The pursuit of a comprehensive theory of gravity has led to the exploration of various alternative models, necessitating a model-independent framework. The Konoplya-Rezzolla-Zhidenko (KRZ) parametrization offers a robust method for approximating stationary axisymmetric black hole spacetimes, characterized by a rapidly converging continued-fraction expansion. However, while analytical metrics benefit from this approach, numerical metrics derived from complex gravitational theories remain presenting computational challenges. Bridging this gap, we propose a method for a numerical KRZ parametrization, tested and demonstrated on pseudonumerical Kerr and Kerr-Sen spacetimes. Our approach involves constructing numerical grids to represent metric coefficients and using the grids for fitting the parameters up to an arbitrary order. We analyze the accuracy of our method across different orders of approximation, considering deviations in the metric functions and shadow images. In both Kerr and Kerr-Sen cases, we observe rapid convergence of errors with increasing orders of continued fractions, albeit with variations influenced by spin and charge. Our results underscore the potential of the proposed algorithm for parametrizing numerical metrics, offering a pathway for further investigations across diverse gravity theories.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
How Accurate Are Simulations and Experiments for the Lattice Energies of Molecular Crystals?
Authors: Della Pia Flaviano , Zen Andrea , Alfè Dario , Michaelides Angelos
Published: July 2024

Molecular crystals play a central role in a wide range of scientific fields, including pharmaceuticals and organic semiconductor devices. However, they are challenging systems to model accurately with computational approaches because of a delicate interplay of intermolecular interactions such as hydrogen bonding and Van der Waals dispersion forces. Here, by exploiting recent algorithmic developments, we report the first set of diffusion Monte Carlo lattice energies for all 23 molecular crystals in the popular and widely used X23 dataset. Comparisons with previous state-of-the-art lattice energy predictions (on a subset of the dataset) and a careful analysis of experimental sublimation enthalpies reveals that high-accuracy computational methods are now at least as reliable as (computationally derived) experiments for the lattice energies of molecular crystals. Overall, this work demonstrates the feasibility of high-level explicitly correlated electronic structure methods for broad benchmarking studies in complex condensed phase systems, and signposts a route towards closer agreement between experiment and simulation.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Creative efforts in banking services: a moderated mediation analysis of perceived organizational obstruction and knowledge sharing behavior
Authors: Khan Mohammad Saud , Zulfiqar Sehar
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Drawing on broaden and build theory and the job demands–resources (JD–R) perspective, this study aims to test a moderated mediation model to explain the mediating effect of knowledge sharing behavior and the moderating role of perceived organizational obstruction on the dynamics of work engagement and creative effort.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 497 banking service employees constitute the sample of the study, and PROCESS macro in Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The positive impact of work engagement on creative effort is mediated by knowledge sharing behavior and the direct effect of work engagement on creative effort and the mediating effect of knowledge sharing behavior are contingent on perceived organizational obstruction. These effects were weaker for employees who experienced high perceived organizational obstruction.

Originality/value

This work unfolds how and when work engagement impacts the creative efforts of banking sector employees, highlighting when engaged work matters the most. It provides bidirectional richness at the intersection of knowledge management and creativity literature by focusing on the banking industry of a developing country.
Exploring the human consequences of crisis in the hospitality sector: a study from India
Authors: Abas Basit , Srikanth V. , Bukhari Shazia , Fayaz Ishret
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The present study aimed to explore the socio-psychological linkages between perceived job insecurity, loneliness, social support, depression, and interpersonal misconduct among hotel workers during a global crisis. The primary motivation behind this research was the significant problem of increased occupational stress resulting from the negative consequences of the pandemic on all hotel employees, including frontline workers and management personnel. This study aimed to investigate the impact of the pandemic on occupational stress within the hotel sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This research obtained 269 original survey data from employees in the Indian hotel industry by distributing a questionnaire and employing a convenience sampling method. Subsequently, the data were examined using (SEM).

Findings

The research findings suggest that there is a positive correlation between interpersonal deviance and depression. Additionally, this study demonstrated that social support can alleviate loneliness but has no significant association with depression.

Research limitations/implications

This study can help hotel managers create guidelines that address the perceived insecurity and psychological issues faced by employees.

Originality/value

By understanding the psychological position of their employees, hoteliers can implement strategies to mitigate the negative impacts of the pandemic on their workforces.
Translation and validation of the Portuguese version of the discrimination in medical settings scale: a cross-sectional study with Portuguese Roma
Authors: Pereira Tiago Melo , Martinho Sara , Barbosa Miguel
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Perceived discrimination in medical setting is associated to adverse healthcare outcomes. Yet, few tools exist for assessing such discrimination among patients in Portugal. This study aimed to validate the Discrimination in Medical Settings (DMS) scale for the Portuguese Roma population, explore their experiences of healthcare discrimination and analyze the association between perceived discrimination, health perception and healthcare trust.

Design/methodology/approach

In this cross-sectional study, 84 Roma adults (60,7% women) completed the DMS, along with microaggression assessments, health perception and healthcare trust evaluations.

Findings

The seven-item DMS scale yielded a one-factor structure that explained 71.80% of variance, with strong reliability (a = 0.89). The average DMS-measured perceived discrimination was 2.46. Discrimination correlated inversely with health perception and was strongly negatively associated to trust in healthcare.

Originality/value

The DMS scale exhibited reliability, single-dimensionality and validity among the Roma. High perceived discrimination in medical settings among Portuguese Roma was notably associated with individual health perception and healthcare trust.
What is healthy hybrid work? Exploring employee perceptions on well-being and hybrid work arrangements
Authors: Dale Gemma , Wilson Hannah , Tucker Matthew
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This research investigates the personal experiences of hybrid workers, exploring their perspectives on their health and well-being when undertaking hybrid working arrangements. The research further explores how organisations can proactively support the health and wellbeing of hybrid workers, mitigating any potential health risks.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional, qualitative online survey was used to collect data from 412 hybrid workers. The data were analysed thematically. This approach allows for nuanced insights into the personal experiences of hybrid workers to be understood.

Findings

Findings indicate that employees who undertake hybrid work experience both positive and negative effects on their subjective well-being; hybrid work arrangement has the potential to act as a job resource or job demand. The study further identifies actions that can support healthy hybrid work that will be of value to organisations offering these working arrangements.

Originality/value

Although empirical research has previously examined the relationship between remote work and employee well-being, there is a lack of in-depth understanding about employees’ experiences of well-being whilst undertaking hybrid work – an emerging and relatively unexplored working arrangement. This research therefore addresses a significant gap in the literature by providing a deep understanding of how hybrid work influences employee well-being. Furthermore, previous research has not yet explored how hybrid worker health can be enabled and supported by organisations and individuals themselves.
The ripple effect: analyzing the contagion of the Tunisian revolution on the Egyptian stock market
Authors: Meskini Zahra , Chaibi Hasna
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to test the contagion effect of the Tunisian revolution on the Egyptian stock market. Thus, the purpose of this research is to distinguish the contagion effect from the simple interdependence between these markets.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper examines the contagion hypothesis between Tunisia and Egypt during the Arab Spring, using a DCC-MGARCH model to capture time-varying contagion effects and dynamic linkages in stock markets. Therefore, to identify the contagion effect from the simple interdependence, the authors apply the pure contagion test developed by Forbes and Rigobon (2002).

Findings

The findings indicate a contagion effect, as the EGX 30 index exhibited similar changes, positive or negative, as the Tunindex index during the period of the Tunisian revolution. Moreover, the analysis demonstrates the presence of an interdependence between the Tunisian revolution and the Egyptian market, emphasizing the interconnections between these two economies.

Practical implications

The findings provide investors with a better understanding of financial market dynamics in times of major political unrest, notably on the Tunisian and Egyptian markets. By understanding the contagion effect of the Tunisian revolution on the Egyptian stock market, investors can further explore the complexities of these markets in times of financial crises, which can help mitigate losses and identify strategic investment opportunities.

Originality/value

This study makes two significant contributions to the field. First, it addresses the scarcity of research specifically focused on the contagion effect during the Arab Spring, aiming to fill this gap by testing the contagion effect of the Tunisian revolution on a nearby market. Second, it extends the contagion test of Forbes and Rigobon (2002), which associates “pure” contagion with a significantly higher correlation between markets during a crisis.
Impacts of climate for change, process of change and openness towards change on employees’ readiness to transform conventional banking into Islamic banking system in Libya
Authors: A. S. Abusloum Mahmoud , Islam Rafikul , Kabir Sardar Md Humayun
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the determinants of employees’ readiness to adapt to the change from the conventional banking system to the Islamic banking system in Libya. The determinants identified by this research include supervisors’ support, trust in leadership, participatory management, employees’ involvement in the change, the attitude of top management towards the change, openness towards the change and nature of change.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a quantitative approach by using a self-administered questionnaire survey where a total of 482 sets of questionnaires were distributed manually of which 316 completed questionnaires were found to be usable. The structural equation modelling techniques were used to test and validate the proposed model.

Findings

Statistically, the study found that supervisor support, employees’ involvement in the change process and openness towards change showed significant relationships on employees’ readiness to perform their jobs in Libyan banks where the conventional financial system had been changed to the Islamic banking system. However, on the contrary, trust in leadership, participatory management and the attitude of top management towards the change process were found to have no significant relationship towards employees’ readiness. In addition, a significant moderation effect of the nature of change has been found on the relationship between openness to change and employees’ readiness for change.

Practical implications

Determinants of employees’ readiness for the transformation process identified in the present study can be used in assessing the employees’ readiness before implementing any change. In fact, openness and willingness towards change were found to be significant factors in employees’ readiness in the transformation process. Therefore, banks can use this information as one of the important criteria in recruiting employees. Open-minded and receptive attitudes towards change could be the quality of employees that banks should look for.

Originality/value

Overall, this study can be considered as novel because its findings will prompt other researchers to conduct and expand similar research in this field. Specifically, the findings of this research could facilitate the Central Bank of Libya in identifying their readiness gaps and organisational obstacles that stalled the move of conventional banks in Libya to migrate into the Islamic banking system.
Moderating role of big data usage in intellectual capital and innovation performance: evidence from Turkish banking sector
Authors: Pilatin Abdulmuttalip
Published: July 2024

Purpose

In this study, the moderator effect of the use of big data by Turkish banks on the innovation performance of the intellectual capital components, human capital, structural capital, and relational capital is discussed.

Design/methodology/approach

In the research, 618 survey data applied to bank employees and weighted according to population in seven regions were used. The data were analyzed through the structural equation model.

Findings

According to the empirical results, intellectual capital components and big data usage explain 65% of the variance in innovation performance. It has been determined that the other two components of intellectual capital, except structural capital, have a statistically significant effect on innovation performance. According to the Standardized Regression Weights, one unit change in human capital affects innovation performance by 0.162, and one unit change in relational capital affects innovation performance by 0.244. In addition, a one-unit change in big data usage affects innovation performance by 0.480. It has been understood that the use of big data significantly affects the innovation performance of banks with a rate of 0.480.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study is important, it could have been done with senior managers instead of being based on a survey. Instead of a survey, it could have been done with a data set taken from banks' balance sheets and tables. Additionally, the use of big data has been considered as a moderator but can be reconsidered as a mediator or external construct. Moreover, this study was conducted on a sample of participants working in the developing Turkish commercial banking sector. Therefore, the results of the study can be done in different countries and at different development levels.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first studies to examine the moderating effect of intellectual capital by considering its subcomponents in a developing country. In addition, it is thought that the results will contribute to managers, policy makers and researchers who want to increase competition and market share in the sector, as well as filling the gap in the literature.
Tax avoidance, overinvestment, financial reporting quality. Evidence from Italian private firms
Authors: Macchioni Riccardo , Fiondella Clelia , Prisco Martina
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine whether tax avoidance is associated with overinvestment and the moderating role of financial reporting quality on such association in Italian private firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a multivariate regression analysis based on a sample consisting of 65,535 firm-year observations between 2015 and 2022.

Findings

Results show that tax avoidance is positively associated with overinvestment and that such relation is weaker for firms with a higher financial reporting quality than for firms with a lower financial reporting quality. Furthermore, findings hold to a wide range of robustness checks, including alternative measures of main variables, endogeneity and falsification tests.

Research limitations/implications

Since this study focuses on the Italian private firms, the results cannot be extensively generalized.

Practical implications

As this study highlights the importance of tax avoidance on overinvestment, it can be particularly beneficial for managers, policymakers and other parties interested in assessing factors that lead to a capital allocation in less efficient investments.

Originality/value

This study provides novel evidence about the role of tax avoidance on overinvestment in private firms by mitigating the little attention of prior research in this area. It examines the Italian setting that is particularly of interest given the relevance of private firms in such context and the incentives of managers to reduce the tax burden.
Effect of lay counselling on mental health and TB treatment outcomes: an experience from Gujarat state, India
Authors: Bhatt Deepti , Pandya Apurvakumar , Salaliya Vibha , Chauhan Ajay , Trivedi Rutu , Chowdhury Siddharth , Shah Amar , Shukla Prachi , Nimavat Pankaj , Joshi Chandra Shekhar , Pandey Vivekanand
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Depression and anxiety are the most common comorbidities in TB patients, adversely impacting TB treatment outcomes. The purpose of this study is to assess the effect of lay counselling in reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety and TB treatment completion.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a pre-post interventional research design. Patients were screened for depression and anxiety. All symptomatic TB patients were followed up and offered four to six or more lay counselling sessions whenever necessary. The authors assessed changes in depression and anxiety symptoms before lay counselling intervention and after fourth lay counselling session or the completion of TB treatment, whichever occurred the last.

Findings

Approximately 6,974 TB patients were screened for symptoms of depression and anxiety. The mean age was 36.7 ± 14.7 years. Total 25.9% patients were symptomatic. About 99.8% were provided lay counselling and received at least one to two follow-up sessions, while two patients who screened with severe depression were referred to a mental health specialist. Nearly 96.9% TB patients did not report symptoms of depression or anxiety after four lay counselling sessions, and TB treatment completion rate was higher among symptomatic TB patients who completed at least four counselling sessions (92.5%).

Practical implications

Lay counselling services delivered by field coordinators offer a promising approach to address mental health comorbidities among TB patients in resource-limited settings.

Originality/value

It explores a novel approach – lay counselling delivered by field coordinators – in tackling depression and anxiety among TB patients, which is a potentially scalable solution in resource-limited settings.
Adaptive changes to Korean vernacular houses in Northeast China: the influence of changing family patterns on spatial capacity
Authors: Li Haoying , Li Ming
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study explores the spatial adaptive changes to different ancestral origins of Korean vernacular houses in Northeastern China and discusses the influence of changing family patterns on spatial capacity.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses quantitative and comparative methods to explore changes to space arrangement, space area, and furniture forms in Korean vernacular houses. This study also explores the correlation between changes in family patterns and the changing characteristics of spatial capacity.

Findings

The results elucidate the changing characteristics of Korean houses' spatial capacity. While the changing individual needs of Korean family members have led to increased spatial accessibility, there is a weak correlation variability in remodelling outcomes and changes in individual needs. Moreover, the per capita living area of Korean vernacular houses has increased, and furniture forms tend to be simpler, smaller, and more integrated. These developments reflect the changes in the way of life, production, and family structure.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides a unique perspective on the sociology and architecture of ethnic minority families in China. Its results can help architects and construction firms more intuitively understand Korean houses. This study also provides a reference for the future renewal of Korean houses in the region.

Originality/value

Although a growing number of studies have examined Korean vernacular houses and family patterns, none have explored the impact of changing family patterns on the spatial organisation of different ancestral origins of Korean vernacular houses. Therefore, this novel study addresses this gap, enriching the literature and providing practical insights.
Captivating coloring and antimicrobial properties of tea leaf and eucalyptus bark on jute–cotton union fabric
Authors: Islam Md. Raijul , Mahmud Rois Uddin , Jalil M. Abdul , Huda Muhammad Nurul
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to assess the repercussions of eucalyptus bark and tea leaf extract as natural dyes and antibacterial agents for jute–cotton union fabric.

Design/methodology/approach

The dye was collected from the eucalyptus tree’s bark and tea leaves by the aqueous extraction method. The fabric was dyed with potassium alum mordant, using pre-mordanting, post-mordanting and meta-mordanting methods. Examine the color performance analyzed the K/S, L*, a*, b*; fastness to washing using standard test method ISO 105 C06 A2S, rubbing fastness was performed by Crock meter using AATCC 115. The dyed fabrics were characterized by Fourier transform infrared radiation for the existence of various functional groups. Also, antimicrobial activity testing was done by the agar diffusion method (AATCC method SN 195 920) where Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were used.

Findings

The extracted dye tea leaves meta-mordant dyed samples were determined to have the strongest relative color. Fabrics pre-mordanted and post-mordanted with extracted eucalyptus and extracted tea dye produced the same outcome, which was excellent for wash fastness to staining and very good for wash fastness to fading. For both eucalyptus bark and tea, rubbing fastness on the pre-mordanted fabric produced very positive results. In mordanted colored fabric, significant antibacterial activity was discovered against S. aureus and E. coli.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates that the eucalyptus bark and tea leaves extract encompasses a solid antimicrobial action with amazing coloring execution for jute–cotton union fabric.
Insectivorous birds and bats outperform ants in the top‐down regulation of arthropods across strata of a Japanese temperate forest
Authors: Sivault Elise , Kollross Jan , Jorge Leonardo Re , Finnie Sam , Diez‐Méndez David , Fernandez Garzon Sara , Maraia Heveakore , Lenc Jan , Libra Martin , Murakami Masashi , Nakaji Tatsuro , Nakamura Masahiro , Sreekar Rachakonda , Sam Legi , Abe Tomokazu , Weiss Matthias , Sam Katerina
Published: July 2024

Birds, bats and ants are recognised as significant arthropod predators. However, empirical studies reveal inconsistent trends in their relative roles in top‐down control across strata. Here, we describe the differences between forest strata in the separate effects of birds, bats and ants on arthropod densities and their cascading effects on plant damage.

We implemented a factorial design to exclude vertebrates and ants in both the canopy and understorey. Additionally, we separately excluded birds and bats from the understorey using diurnal and nocturnal exclosures. At the end of the experiments, we collected all arthropods and assessed herbivory damage.

Arthropods responded similarly to predator exclusion across forest strata, with a density increase of 81% on trees without vertebrates and 53% without both vertebrates and ants. Additionally, bird exclusion alone led to an 89% increase in arthropod density, while bat exclusion resulted in a 63% increase. Herbivory increased by 42% when vertebrates were excluded and by 35% when both vertebrates and ants were excluded. Bird exclusion alone increased herbivory damage by 28%, while the exclusion of bats showed a detectable but non‐significant increase (by 22%). In contrast, ant exclusion had no significant effect on arthropod density or herbivory damage across strata.

Our results reveal that the effects of birds and bats on arthropod density and herbivory damage are similar between the forest canopy and understorey in this temperate forest. In addition, ants were not found to be significant predators in our system. Furthermore, birds, bats and ants appeared to exhibit antagonistic relationships in influencing arthropod density. These findings highlight, unprecedentedly, the equal importance of birds and bats in maintaining ecological balance across different strata of a temperate forest.
Agricultural specialisation increases the vulnerability of pollination services for smallholder farmers
Authors: Timberlake T. P. , Cirtwill A. R. , Sapkota S. , Bhusal D. R. , Devkota K. , Karki R. , Joshi D. , Saville N. M. , Kortsch S. , Baral S. , Roslin T. , Memmott J.
Published: July 2024

Smallholder farms make up 84% of all farms worldwide and feed 2 billion people. These farms are heavily reliant on ecosystem services and vulnerable to environmental change, yet under‐represented in the ecological literature. The high diversity of crops in these systems makes it challenging to identify and manage the best providers of an ecosystem service, such as the best pollinators to meet the needs of multiple crops. It is also unclear whether ecosystem service requirements change as smallholders transition towards more specialised commercial farming—an increasing trend worldwide.

Here, we present a new metric for predicting the species providing ecosystem services in diverse multi‐crop farming systems. Working in 10 smallholder villages in rural Nepal, we use this metric to test whether key pollinators, and the management actions that support them, differ based on a farmers' agricultural priority (producing nutritious food to feed the family vs. generating income from cash crops). We also test whether the resilience of pollination services changes as farmers specialise on cash crops.

We show that a farmers' agricultural priority can determine the community of pollinators they rely upon. Wild insects including bumblebees, solitary bees and flies provided the majority of the pollination service underpinning nutrient production, while income generation was much more dependent on a single species—the domesticated honeybee Apis cerana. The significantly lower diversity of pollinators supporting income generation leaves cash crop farmers more vulnerable to pollinator declines.

Regardless of a farmers' agricultural priority, the same collection of wild plant species (mostly herbaceous weeds and shrubs) were important for supporting crop pollinators with floral resources. Promoting these wild plants is likely to enhance pollination services for all farmers in the region.

Synthesis and applications. We highlight the increased vulnerability of pollination services when smallholders transition to specialised cash crop farming and emphasise the role of crop, pollinator and wild plant diversity in mitigating this risk. The method we present could be readily applied to other smallholder settings across the world to help characterise and manage the ecosystem services underpinning the livelihoods and nutritional health of smallholder families.
Linking implementation science and policy: Process and tools for congressionally mandated implementation, evaluation, and reporting
Authors: Matthieu Monica M. , Adkins David A. , Jones LaCinda , Oliver Ciara M. , Suarez Jack H. , Johnson Barbara , Ritchie Mona J.
Published: July 2024

Objective

To describe a process model for assisting partners in addressing requirements of legislation and review policy analysis, planning, and evaluation design processes and tools. Throughout its 25‐year history, the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) program has been a forerunner in partnering with organizational leaders to improve health care. The Foundations of Evidence‐based Policymaking Act of 2018 provided new opportunities for QUERI and other implementation scientists to support federal agency leaders in implementing, evaluating, and reporting on congressionally mandated programs. Although implementation scientists have the skills to support partnered implementation and evaluation, these skills must be adapted for congressionally mandated projects as many scientists have limited experience in policy analysis and the intersection of data informing organizational policy, programs, and practices (i.e., evidence‐based policy).

Data Sources and Study Setting

During the conduct of four congressionally mandated projects, our national VA QUERI team developed processes and tools to achieve the goals and aims of our VHA partners and to ensure our collective work and reporting met legislative requirements.

Study Design

Our process model, program planning, and analysis tools were informed by an iterative process of refining and adapting the tools over a period of six years, spanning the years 2017 to 2023.

Principal Findings

Work to support our partners was conducted across three phases: preparation and planning, conducting implementation and evaluation, and developing the congressionally mandated report. The processes and tools we developed within the context of mutually respectful and honest partnerships have been critical to our QUERI center's success in this area.

Conclusions

Lessons we learned may help other scientists partnering in VA or other federal agencies to plan, conduct, and report on congressionally mandated projects.
Tackling transmission of infectious diseases: A probiotic‐based system as a remedy for the spread of pathogenic and resistant microbes
Authors: D'Accolti Maria , Soffritti Irene , Bini Francesca , Mazziga Eleonora , Caselli Elisabetta
Published: July 2024

Built environments (BEs) currently represent the areas in which human beings spend most of their life. Consistently, microbes populating BEs mostly derive from human occupants and can be easily transferred from BE to occupants. The hospital microbiome is a paradigmatic example, representing a reservoir for harmful pathogens that can be transmitted to susceptible patients, causing the healthcare‐associated infections (HAIs). Environmental cleaning is a crucial pillar in controlling BE pathogens and preventing related infections, and chemical disinfectants have been largely used so far towards this aim. However, despite their immediate effect, chemical‐based disinfection is unable to prevent recontamination, has a high environmental impact, and can select/increase antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in treated microbes. To overcome these limitations, probiotic‐based sanitation (PBS) strategies were recently proposed, built on the use of detergents added with selected probiotics able to displace surrounding pathogens by competitive exclusion. PBS was reported as an effective and low‐impact alternative to chemical disinfection, providing stable rebalance of the BE microbiome and significantly reducing pathogens and HAIs compared to disinfectants, without exacerbating AMR and pollution concerns. This minireview summarizes the most significant results obtained by applying PBS in sanitary and non‐sanitary settings, which overall suggest that PBS may effectively tackle the infectious risk meanwhile preventing the further spread of pathogenic and resistant microbes.
Cysteine protease cathepsin B promotes lysosome integrity to extend the lifespan of alternative day fasting worms
Authors: Yin Xue , Dai Fangzhou , Ran Dongyang , Zhang Yutong , Qu Zhi , Zheng Shanqing
Published: July 2024

Alternative day fasting (ADF) has been shown to enhance the lifespan of animals. However, human trials evaluating the efficacy of ADF have only recently emerged, presenting challenges due to the extreme nature of this dietary regimen. To better understand the effects of ADF, we investigated its impact using Caenorhabditis elegans as a model organism. Our findings reveal that ADF extends the lifespan of worms nourished on animal‐based protein source, while those fed with plant‐based protein as the primary protein source do not experience such benefits. Remarkably, initiating ADF during midlife is sufficient to prolong lifespan, whereas implementation during youth results in developmental damage, and in older age, fails to provide additional extension effects. Furthermore, we discovered that midlife ADF up‐regulates the expression of two cysteine protease cathepsin B genes, cpr‐2 and cpr‐5, which preserve lysosomal integrity and enhance its function in digesting aggregated proteins, as well as enhancing lipid metabolism and ameliorating neurodegenerative disease markers and phenomena during aging. This suggests that midlife ADF has long lasting anti‐aging effects and may delay the onset of related diseases, specifically in animals consuming animal‐based protein source. These findings offer valuable insights into the effects of ADF and provide guidance for future research and potential applications in individuals.
Rent‐seeking or value‐creating? The impact of managerial autonomy from state‐built corporate pyramids on M&A performance
Authors: Jiachun Chen , Qingsong Hou , Shanmin Li
Published: July 2024

How to give managers autonomy to improve organisational performance has long been a focus of business practice. In this paper, we use a unique Chinese context to investigate the effect of managerial autonomy arising from state‐built corporate pyramids on mergers and acquisitions (M&A) performance. We find that the number of pyramidal layers between the government and the state‐owned enterprise (SOE) is positively associated with M&A performance. This relationship is stronger when the SOE managers possess professional M&A abilities but weaker when the SOE management team and the government are politically connected. We attribute the positive association to the career path incentives of SOE managers. Additionally, we address the role of managerial autonomy in the M&A process and integration. We also analyse this effect in contexts where managerial autonomy is crucial in some investment decisions. Taken together, our study fills a critical gap on managerial discretion within internal organisational contexts.
The relevance of integrating multiple sensory modalities into capturing devices: The case of the global pest Sirex noctilio
Authors: Masagué Santiago , Bruchhausen Axel , Rozas Guillermo , De La Vega Gerardo José , Villacide José , Corley Juan Carlos , Martínez Andrés S.
Published: July 2024

Sirex noctilio is an invasive forest wasp that affects pines in many parts of the globe and can result in severe economic losses.

Current trapping methods for monitoring the pest rely heavily on non‐specific semiochemicals. This lack of specificity can translate into low attraction/capture levels, something that is undesired, especially when the intent is to detect the pest when still at low population densities. In this context, an interesting opportunity arises to increase trap sensitivity by incorporating visual cues.

For this, we evaluated potential sources of visual information that, in accordance with the ecology of the species, could elicit an attractive response complementary to the olfactory cues.

We measured the reflectance spectra of pine bark, chlorotic needles and woodwasp male abdomens. The spectra were then compared with 120 commercial paint colours to be applied on panel traps.

During two flight seasons, field experiments were conducted with the deployment of 155 traps, combining the volatile bait (turpentine) and different coloured traps.

We observed a significantly higher number of captures towards traps with pine bark‐like colourations compared with the black control traps.

Our results are encouraging, as they suggest the potential of combining visual and chemical information for sustainable pest biomonitoring.
Cytotoxic T Lymphocytes, Tc17 Cells, Th1 Cells, and ThGM Cells are Increased in the Blood and Ectopic Endometrium of Patients With Adenomyosis
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhu Lei , Che Pengfei , Sun Xiaoyan , Guo Yupeng , Gao Mingjie , Wang Junjie
Published: July 2024

Problem

Adenomyosis (AM) is associated with immune response and inflammation. However, the role of T cell subsets in AM development has not been thoroughly understood.

Method of Study

Patients with focal or diffuse AM were recruited. Serum cytokines were quantified by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Different T cell subsets in the blood and ectopic endometrium were determined by flow cytometry.

Results

Serum interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) and macrophage‐colony‐stimulating factor (GM‐CSF) were increased in patients with focal or diffuse AM before focused ultrasound ablation surgery (FUAS), but not after FUAS. Compared with the healthy control, the frequencies of CD8+ interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ)‐expressing cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), interleukin‐17A (IL‐17A)‐expressing Tc17 cells, CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells, and GM‐CSF‐expressing T helper (ThGM) cells were up‐regulated in the blood of patients with AM, especially those with diffuse AM. However, these changes were eradicated after FUAS. Meanwhile, the frequencies of these T cell subsets were positively correlated with the CA‐125 level. Furthermore, these T cell subsets were also increased in ectopic endometrium.

Conclusions

Our study delineates for the first time the presence of CTLs, Tc17 cells, Th1, and ThGM cells in the blood and ectopic endometrium in AM. The results imply that T cell response might impact AM development.
Characterising the allergic fungal rhinosinusitis microenvironment using full‐length 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and fungal ITS sequencing
Authors: Connell J. T. , Bouras G. , Yeo K. , Fenix K. , Cooksley C. , Bassiouni A. , Vreugde S. , Wormald P. J. , Psaltis A. J.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Allergic fungal rhinosinusitis (AFRS) is a severe phenotype of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP), characterised by localised and exaggerated type 2 inflammation. While fungal antigenic stimulation of unregulated Th2‐mediated inflammation is the core pathophysiological mechanism, the direct and synergistic role of bacteria in disease modification is a pervasive hypothesis. We set out to define the microenvironment of AFRS to elucidate virulent organisms that may be implicated in the pathophysiology of AFRS.

Methodology

We undertook a cross‐sectional study of AFRS patients and non‐fungal CRSwNP patients. Demographics, disease severity, culture and microbiome sequences were analysed. Multimodality microbiome sequencing included short‐read next‐generation sequencing (NGS) on the Illumina Miseq (16S rRNA and ITS) and full‐length 16S rRNA sequencing on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies GridION (ONT).

Results

Thirty‐two AFRS and 29 non‐fungal CRSwNP patients (NF) were included in this study. Staphylococcus aureus was the dominant organism cultured and sequenced in both AFRS and NF groups (AFRS 27.54%; NF 18.04%; p = .07). Streptococcus pneumoniae (AFRS 12.31%; NF 0.98%; p = .03) and Haemophilus influenzae (AFRS 15.03%; NF 0.24%; p = .005) were significantly more abundant in AFRS. Bacterial diversity (Shannon's index) was considerably lower in AFRS relative to NF (AFRS 0.6; NF 1.0, p = .008). Aspergillus was the most cultured fungus in AFRS (10/32, 31.3%). The AFRS sequenced mycobiome was predominantly represented by Malassezia (43.6%), Curvularia (18.5%) and Aspergillus (16.8%), while the NF mycobiome was nearly exclusively Malassezia (84.2%) with an absence of Aspergillus or dematiaceous fungi.

Conclusion

A low diversity, dysbiotic microenvironment dominated by Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae characterised the bacterial microbiome of AFRS, with a mycobiome abundant in Malassezia, Aspergillus and Curvularia. While Staphylococcus aureus has been previously implicated in AFRS through enterotoxin superantigen potential, Streptococcus pneumoniae and Haemophilus influenzae are novel findings that may represent alternate cross‐kingdom pathophysiological mechanisms.
Disease modification in chronic spontaneous urticaria
Authors: Maurer Marcus , Kolkhir Pavel , Pereira Manuel P. , Siebenhaar Frank , Witte‐Händel Ellen , Bergmann Karl‐Christian , Bonnekoh Hanna , Buttgereit Thomas , Fluhr Joachim W. , Frischbutter Stefan , Grekowitz Eva Maria , Herzog Leonie , Kiefer Lea Alice , Krause Karoline , Magerl Markus , Muñoz Melba , Neisinger Sophia , Nojarov Nicole , Prins Samantha , Pyatilova Polina , Ramanauskaité Aisté , Scheffel Jörg , Terhorst‐Molawi Dorothea , Treudler Regina , Weller Karsten , Zuberbier Torsten , Metz Martin
Published: July 2024

Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a debilitating, inflammatory skin condition characterized by infiltrating immune cells. Available treatments are limited to improving the signs and symptoms. There is an unmet need to develop therapies that target disease‐driving pathways upstream of mast cell activation to inhibit or delay the progression of CSU and associated comorbidities. Here, we aim to define disease modification due to a treatment intervention and criteria that disease‐modifying treatments (DMTs) must meet in CSU. We have defined disease modification in CSU as a favorable treatment‐induced change in the underlying pathophysiology and, therefore, the disease course, which is clinically beneficial and enduring. A DMT must fulfil the following criteria: (1) prevents or delays the progression of CSU, (2) induces long‐term, therapy‐free clinical remission, which is the sustained absence of CSU signs and symptoms without the need for treatment, and (3) affects the underlying mechanism of CSU, as demonstrated by an effect on disease‐driving signals and/or a biomarker. DMTs in CSU should slow disease progression, achieve long‐lasting disease remission, target disease‐driving mechanisms, reduce mast cell‐activating IgE autoantibodies, target cytokine profile polarization, and normalize the gut microbiome and barrier. Treating CSU at the immune system level could provide valuable alternatives to pharmacotherapy in CSU management. Specific DMTs in CSU are yet to be developed, but some show potential benefits, such as inhibitors of Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase, IL‐4 and IL‐13. Future therapies could prevent CSU signs and symptoms, achieve long‐term clinical benefits after discontinuing treatment, and prevent associated concomitant disorders.
Pterostilbene exerts anti‐lung squamous cell carcinoma function by suppressing the level of KANK3
Authors: He Hua , Li Tian
Published: July 2024

Early detection of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LUSC) has a significant impact on clinical outcomes, and pterostilbene (PT) is a natural compound with promising anti‐oncogenic activities. This study aimed to identify potential LUSC biomarkers through a series of bioinformatic analyses and clinical verification and explored the interaction between PT and selected biomarkers during the treatment of LUSC. The analysis of the expression profile of the clinical samples of LUSC was performed to identify dysexpressed genes (DEGs) and validated by IHC. The role of KANK3 in the anti‐LUSC effects of PT was assessed with a series of in vitro and in vivo assays. 4335 DEGs were identified, including 1851 upregulated genes and 2484 downregulated genes. Survival analysis showed that KANK3 was significantly higher in patients with LUSC with an advanced tumor stage. In in vitro assays, PT suppressed cell viability, induced apoptosis, and inhibited migration and invasion in LUSC cell lines, which was associated with downregulation of KANK3. After the reinduction of the KANK3 level in LUSC cells, the anti‐LUSC function of PT was impaired. In mice model, reinduction of KANK3 increased tumor growth and metastasis even under the treatment of PT. The findings outlined in the current study indicated that PT exerted anti‐LUSC function in a KANK3 inhibition‐dependent manner.