bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supply chain awareness: theoretical development and empirical test in the nonprofit context
Authors: García-Dastugue Sebastián Javier , Rousseau Horacio E.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Managerial “awareness” of supply chain management (SCM) principles is a key antecedent of SCM adoption. However, supply chain awareness (SCA) provides fertile ground for further development. The authors combine extant research with the attention-based view of the firm to further develop SCA and theorize about its effect in an understudied context.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors combine SCA with supply chain orientation, of which awareness is central. The authors combine qualitative and archival data for a 10-year period to test SCA in nonprofits. SCA was measured unobtrusively to avoid respondent bias; then, the authors explore how SCA relates to revenue generation from services provided.

Findings

SCA correlates positively with revenue generation. Drawing on a contingency perspective, the authors test two moderators relevant to nonprofits. The positive effect of SCA on revenue is stronger for nonprofits collocated in cities with corporate headquarters but weaker for those with larger boards.

Research limitations/implications

The study further advances the notion of awareness for studying SCM phenomena and provides evidence of its relevance in the unexamined context of human services nonprofit organizations (NPOs). This work has implications for how attention to SCM principles shapes organizational outcomes, the factors that moderate these relationships and the importance of unobtrusively measuring awareness in SCM research. The authors used WayBack Machine to harvest websites. However, the quality and depth of text obtained prior to 2008 were lower than those of later years. Additionally, archival data for NPOs are limited.

Practical implications

Findings inform about the fit between nonprofit resources, type of board and fit with how to fund operations. This research provides an alternative way for policy makers to assess NPO capacity by focusing on the fundamental SCM concepts.

Social implications

The authors contribute to the dialogue about NPOs developing financial independence through revenue generation from services sold to end customers.

Originality/value

NPOs are seldom studied in SCM. This is an attempt to study NPOs by combining qualitative and quantitative data.
The promulgation of group purchasing organizations into the healthcare sector in India
Authors: Hossain Md Kamal , Thakur Vikas
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The promulgation of group purchasing organizations (GPOs) into the healthcare (HC) sector is an invaluable procurement strategy to manage the suppliers effectively. This study aims to identify and prioritize the factors of integrating GPOs into the HC sector on the perspectives of the developing countries such as India.

Design/methodology/approach

The factors are identified from current literature exploration, experts’ support and experience surveys. The factors are scrutinized and shortlisted using the Delphi technique and analysed further using the best-worst model method.

Findings

The findings of the study highlight the cost reduction, fair distribution of savings and healthcare supply chain (HCSC) data standardization among others to be the most prioritized drivers. The consulting services provided by GPOs including training and development as a result of high competitiveness in the HC market has been prioritized the least.

Practical implications

The study bears some important implications for decision and policymakers. The managers should consider factors, namely, cost reduction, fair distribution of savings and HCSC data standardization on a priority basis that acts as motivation for the HC providers to join the GPOs.

Originality/value

The study provides valuable insights for HC providers to participate in the GPOs for cost savings and enhance the performances.
The effect of sand on the wear of anodized aluminum
Authors: Pope Sara , Jackson Robert L.
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to use a wear test to determine the effect of sand on the wear rates of materials typically used in aerospace applications. Once a repeatable wear test has been established, it can be used to test any combination of materials or coatings. The effectiveness of several different test methods will also be evaluated, including the sample height, surface roughness and mass difference. In addition, the current work will observe the differences between applying sand before the samples are brought into contact or after. The wear rates obtained from these tests could also be used to predict the wear of other components in similar abrasive particulate environments.

Design/methodology/approach

A modified block-on-flat wear test of anodized aluminum on hard coat anodized aluminum was used to study this. The experiments were performed with and without sand to study the effects of the sand. Two methods of adding sand were also evaluated. Weighing and profilometry were used to study the differences between the tests.

Findings

Wear rates have been calculated based on both the change in the masses of the samples and the change in the height between the upper and lower samples over the course of each test. The wear rates from the change in the masses are repeatable with and without sand, but the results for the change in height show no repeatability without sand. In addition, only in the presence of sand do the trends for the two methods agree. The wear rate was found to be non-linear as a function of load and therefore not in agreement with Archard’s Wear Law. The wear rate also increased significantly when sand was present in the contact for the duration of the test. The sand appears to change the wear mechanism from an adhesive to an abrasive mechanism. Black wear particles formed both when there was sand and when there was not sand. The source of these particles has been investigated but not determined.

Originality/value

This work has not been previously published and is the original work of the authors.
Board gender diversity, institutional ownership and earnings management: evidence from East African community listed firms
Authors: Githaiga Peter Nderitu
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating role of institutional ownership on the relationship between board gender diversity and earnings management (EM) among listed firms in East African Community (EAC) partner states.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used a sample of 71 firms listed in the EAC partner states over 2011–2020. Data were handpicked from the individual firm's audited annual financial reports. Based on the results of the Hausman test, the study used the results of the fixed-effect regression model to test the hypotheses. To test the robustness of the results, the study employed an alternative measure of EM and two additional econometric techniques, including the pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) and the system generalized method of moments (GMM).

Findings

The empirical findings revealed that female directors improve the board's effectiveness in monitoring managerial roles. Specifically, the results showed a significantly negative relationship between the proportion of women in the corporate board and EM (as measured by discretionary accruals (DAs)). The findings further revealed an inverse relationship between the proportion of institutional ownership and EM. Finally, the results further demonstrated that institutional ownership enhances the role of board gender diversity in mitigating EM among listed firms in the EAC.

Practical implications

The findings of this study may be useful to managers, investors and regulators in assessing the role of institutional ownership and women's participation on corporate boards as a strategy for alleviating unethical manipulation of earnings.

Social implications

The findings of this study contribute to the growing concern on gender inequality, especially the marginalization of women from the paid labor force and decision-making. The findings highlight the importance of having more women in the corporate board since this may help in mitigating corporate fraud. Similarly, the findings highlight the importance of institutional ownership as a corporate governance (CG) tool.

Originality/value

Previous studies have reported mixed empirical results on whether board gender diversity mitigates EM. To the best of the author's knowledge, this is the first paper to fill the existing gap by exploring whether institutional ownership moderates the relationship between board gender diversity and EM among listed firms in the EAC.
The effect of strategic supply management on operational and innovation performance: the mediating role of external supply resources mobilization
Authors: Zhang Caillin , Li Suicheng , Liu Xinmeng , Li Jing
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Based on the resource orchestration perspective, this study aims to explore whether and how strategic supply management (SSM) affects firms’ operational performance (OP) and innovation performance (IP).

Design/methodology/approach

Survey data comprising 404 valid responses are collected from traditional manufacturing firms in China. Confirmatory factor analysis confirms the reliability and validity of the measures. Structural equation modeling and bootstrapping are used to test all hypotheses.

Findings

SSM improves firms’ OP and IP. Furthermore, supply base resource mobilization (SBRM) and supply market resource mobilization (SMRM) have partial mediating effects on the relationships. SBRM has a greater effect on OP, while SMRM has a greater effect on IP. In addition, these two types of resource mobilization form different mediating paths between SSM and firm performance, and environmental uncertainty positively moderates this relationship.

Originality/value

With the development of national innovation strategies such as the “Made in China 2025” plan, the Chinese manufacturing industry aims to move from low-cost manufacturing to innovative and high-quality manufacturing. The study’s findings further emphasize the role of purchasing and supply management in external resource management. In addition to demonstrating the differential effects of heterogeneous resource mobilization on OP and IP, different mediation pathways through external resources mobilization are identified in the relationship between SSM and firm performance.
Gender biases in legal decision-making: an exploration of judicial and public perceptions across multiple offences
Authors: Lewandowicz-Machnikowska Monika , Grzyb Tomasz , Dolinski Dariusz , Kulesza Wojciech
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to investigate how judges and the general population formulate judgments on legal cases, considering both legal and extralegal factors, with a focus on the significance of the defendant’s sex.

Design/methodology/approach

The first experiment aimed to determine if non-lawyers’ judgments are affected by the defendant’s sex, using brief excerpts from indictments with the defendant’s sex interchanged. Study 2 aimed to verify if this effect applies to future lawyers, suggesting a peculiar approval granted by men to women displaying illegal sexual behaviour towards young men.

Findings

The findings showed that the sex of the offender only influenced judgments in sexual offences, with male participants being more lenient towards female offenders.

Originality/value

The originality/value of the paper lies in its examination of the influence of the defendant’s sex on judgments made by both judges and the general population, specifically focussing on non-lawyers’ judgments. While previous studies have shown that judges tend to be more lenient towards women in certain cases, this paper adds novelty by investigating whether a similar effect is observed among non-lawyers. Moreover, the research sheds light on the relevance of the defendant's sex in cases of sexual offences and identifies a gender-specific leniency towards female offenders, particularly among male participants. The study also explores how this effect might extend to future lawyers, providing insights into societal attitudes regarding illegal sexual behaviour involving women and young men. Overall, the paper contributes valuable information to the understanding of how sex-based biases can influence legal judgments and decision-making processes.
Mapping romance fraud research – a systematic review
Authors: Kassem Rasha , Carter Elisabeth
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to systematically review over two decades of academic articles on romance fraud to provide a holistic insight into this crime and identify literature gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

More than two decades of peer-reviewed academic journal articles from 2000 to 2023 were systematically reviewed using multiple search engines and databases for relevant papers, identified through searches of paper titles, keywords, abstracts and primary texts.

Findings

The findings reveal 10 themes: i) the definitions and terminology of romance fraud; ii) romance fraud’s impact on victims; iii) the profile of romance fraud criminals and victims; iv) romance fraud methods and techniques; v) why victims become susceptible to romance fraud; vi) the psychology of romance fraud criminals; vii) the links between romance fraud and other crimes; viii) the challenges of investigating romance fraud; ix) preventing romance fraud and protecting victims; and x) how romance fraud victims can be supported.

Practical implications

The paper reveals implications regarding the future direction of policy and strategy to address the pervasive low reporting rates and narratives of shame bound with victims of this crime.

Originality/value

Romance fraud is a serious crime against individuals with impacts beyond financial losses. Still, this fraud type is under-researched, and the literature lacks a holistic view of this crime. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first systematic literature review providing a holistic view of romance fraud. It combines evidence across the academic landscape to reveal the breadth and depth of the current work concerning romance fraud and identify gaps in the understanding of this fraud crime.
The effect of ownership structure on tax avoidance with audit quality as a moderating variable: evidence from the ailing economics
Authors: Qawqzeh Hamza Kamel
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the relationships between the different types of ownership structure and tax avoidance activities and examine the moderating effect of audit quality.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used secondary data from the listed companies in Amman Stock Exchange (2009–2020). To obtain additional robust findings, this study used various proxies for measuring tax avoidance (effective tax rate [ETR] and cash flow effective tax rate [CFETR]).

Findings

Relying on various proxies for tax avoidance, the results reveal that family and managerial ownership lead to exacerbating tax avoidance activities. Although institutional and board ownership have a positive impact on ETR and CFETR, which indicate that these type of ownership have a negative impact on tax avoidance. Audit quality also has a significant role in moderating the ownership structure–tax avoidance relationships. Besides, the results reveal that audit firm size is not merely symbolic words, but it contributes to reducing and restricting tax aggressiveness.

Research limitations/implications

This study has policy implications related to the policymakers in creating future tax policies to minimize and avoid tax avoidance activities. Results of this study can be used to improve awareness among the various owners and to reduce the tax avoidance practices in the developing countries. It also determines a good agenda for research in the relationships between ownership identities, audit quality and tax avoidance, which also can be used to encourage and guide future studies.

Originality/value

This research extends the existing literature by examining both the direct and indirect influence of ownership structure on tax avoidance in Jordanian firms by including audit quality as a moderating variable. This is a pioneering and unique study examining the joint influence of the different forms of ownership on tax avoidance. To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first of its kind that examines the interaction influences between the various identities of ownership and audit quality on the tax avoidance activities in the Jordanian context.
Interprofessional nursing education and the role of swift trust and task conflict in team creativity: the mediating role of team interactive behaviors
Authors: Alabdouli Shaikhah Rashed , Alriyami Hajer Mousa , Ahmad Syed Zamberi , Mertzanis Charilaos
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the impact of interprofessional healthcare collaboration among nurses on patient healthcare services in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

Data were gathered through a randomly distributed questionnaire (N = 248), constructed using established scales or the variables under study. The sample consisted of nurses and patients from various hospitals and clinics across the UAE. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS (Version 28) and Amos (Version 29) software, employing factor analysis, reliability testing and mediation analysis.

Findings

The study reveals a positive relationship between swift trust (ST) and its dimensions with both team interactive behavior (TIB) and nurse team creativity (TC). TIB was found to significantly mediate the effect of ST on TC. Additionally, based on closed-ended questions, a positive correlation was observed between team task conflict (TTC) and TC. However, no significant impact of TTC on nurse TC was identified through open-ended questions.

Originality/value

This research presents a unique analysis of the influence of interprofessional collaboration on patient healthcare services in the UAE, offering valuable insights for policy improvement by enhancing nursing conditions. Furthermore, the study contributes to the existing literature by examining the relationship between ST, TIB, TTC and TC.
The effect of narrative persuasion on interpersonal talk and attitude (the case of COVID-19)
Authors: Sharifi Seyed Mehdi , Jalilvand Mohammad Reza , Shakoorian Fard Mohammad Reza
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The importance of effective public messages has been widely recognized during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. In particular, the role of news items and interpersonal conversations for the acceptance of public health measures has been highlighted. The authors propose a conceptual model based on the existing literature on how to measure the degree of persuasion of news narratives in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors adopted a whole population approach, where the unit of analysis was the population of the media news about the COVID-19 pandemic. The authors selected a sample to develop and test their conceptual model. The sample size was n = 248. The questionnaire was distributed online using a non-probability convenience sampling plan. The authors used a pre-post pseudo-experimental design. Respondents answered questions about their attitude toward the COVID-19 pandemic. After watching a narrative news report on the same subject, they then answered questions designed to measure changes in their attitude. A structural equation model, the Sobel test and a paired samples t-test were used to test hypotheses.

Findings

The results showed that there is a significant relationship between narrative with transportation and empathy. There was also a positive and significant relationship between transportation and empathy with attitude and interpersonal talk. The relationship between transportation and self-referencing was also supported. Further, transportation and attitude mediated the relationships between narrative and interpersonal talk, self-referencing as well as empathy. A paired samples t-test revealed that attitudes were changed or reinforced before and after watching the narrative news report.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by identifying the outcomes of narrative persuasion during public health crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
Investigating the role of artificial intelligence in the US criminal justice system
Authors: Vo Ace , Plachkinova Miloslava
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine public perceptions and attitudes toward using artificial intelligence (AI) in the US criminal justice system.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors took a quantitative approach and administered an online survey using the Amazon Mechanical Turk platform. The instrument was developed by integrating prior literature to create multiple scales for measuring public perceptions and attitudes.

Findings

The findings suggest that despite the various attempts, there are still significant perceptions of sociodemographic bias in the criminal justice system and technology alone cannot alleviate them. However, AI can assist judges in making fairer and more objective decisions by using triangulation – offering additional data points to offset individual biases.

Social implications

Other scholars can build upon the findings and extend the work to shed more light on some problems of growing concern for society – bias and inequality in criminal sentencing. AI can be a valuable tool to assist judges in the decision-making process by offering diverse viewpoints. Furthermore, the authors bridge the gap between the fields of technology and criminal justice and demonstrate how the two can be successfully integrated for the benefit of society.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is among the first studies to examine a complex societal problem like the introduction of technology in a high-stakes environment – the US criminal justice system. Understanding how AI is perceived by society is necessary to develop more transparent and unbiased algorithms for assisting judges in making fair and equitable sentencing decisions. In addition, the authors developed and validated a new scale that can be used to further examine this novel approach to criminal sentencing in the future.
Underrepresented minorities in business doctoral programs: trends and academic placements (1973 to 2018)
Authors: Jackson Joanna R. , Lewis, Jr Willis , Menachemi Nir
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to present demographic characteristics and postgraduate employment trends of business doctoral graduates, especially the proportion that are underrepresented minorities (URMs) over time.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors analyze the near census of individuals receiving doctoral degrees in a wide range of business disciplines from US-accredited universities from 1973 to 2018 (n= 50,091) contained with the National Science Foundation Survey of Earned Doctorates. The authors analyze how the proportion of URM graduates, by discipline, has changed over time both in terms of receiving a doctoral degree and entering an academic position.

Findings

The proportion of URM graduates fluctuated between approximately 5% and 15% annually, steadily increasing across decades. Overall, 64.4% of all graduates entered an academic position, with notably higher rates among whites (72.1%) compared to Blacks (51.8%), Hispanics (60.4%) and other URMs (56.4%) (p< 0.001). In adjusted models, the proportion of URMs that entered academic positions significantly increased overtime, beginning in the 1990s and peaked in the 2000s. Although the few institutions that graduated the highest number of URMs do not currently have an Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business-accredited business school, the authors identify several exemplar institutions where URM graduates entered academic jobs at the highest rates.

Originality/value

The authors provide demographic trends that shed light on ways to influence an increase in URM doctoral graduates from business disciplines into academic careers. This discussion is of interest to university administrators and other stakeholders interested in diversity issues in higher education.
Spiraling between learning and alignment toward digital service innovation
Authors: Coreynen Wim , Matthyssens Paul , Struyf Bieke , Vanhaverbeke Wim
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to develop theory on the process toward digital service innovation (DSI) and to generate insights into how companies deal with the rising complexity associated with DSI, both inside and outside of the organization, through organizational learning and alignment.

Design/methodology/approach

After purposeful sampling, in-depth, longitudinal case studies of three manufacturers are presented as illustration. Per case, multiple semi-structured interviews are conducted, and insights are validated through rich additional data gathering. Each company's DSI pathway is reconstructed with critical incident technique. Next, using systematic combining, a middle-range theory is developed by proposing a theoretical frame concerning the relations between DSI maturity, learning and alignment.

Findings

The authors posit that, as companies gradually develop and progress toward DSI maturity, they deal with a rising degree of complexity, fueling their learning needs. Companies that are apt to learn, pass through multiple cycles of learning and alignment to overcome specific complexities associated with different DSI stages, with each cycle unlocking new DSI opportunities and challenges.

Originality/value

The study applies a stage-based view on DSI combined with complexity management and organizational learning and alignment theory. It offers a theoretical frame and propositions to be used by researchers for future DSI studies and by managers to evaluate alternative DSI strategies and implementation steps.
Evaluation of a method for the additive tooling of injection mould inserts
Authors: Schrock Steffen , Junk Stefan , Albers Albert
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate a systematic approach to the production and use of additively manufactured injection mould inserts in product development (PD) processes. For this purpose, an evaluation of the additive tooling design method (ATDM) is performed.

Design/methodology/approach

The evaluation of the ATDM is conducted within student workshops, where students develop products and validate them using AT-prototypes. The evaluation process includes the analysis of work results as well as the use of questionnaires and participant observation.

Findings

This study shows that the ATDM can be successfully used to assist in producing and using AT mould inserts to produce valid AT prototypes. As a reference for the implementation of AT in industrial PD, extracts from the work of the student project groups and suitable process parameters for prototype production are presented.

Originality/value

This paper presents the application and evaluation of a method to support AT in PD that has not yet been scientifically evaluated.
Numerical and theoretical analysis of multiple simultaneous impact on a functionally graded porous aluminum plate
Authors: Windi Omar Imad Shukri , Qanber Ali Sadik Gafer
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to extract the response of the simultaneous low-velocity impact of multiple impactors on a porous functionally graded (FG) aluminum plate.

Design/methodology/approach

To design a porous FG structure, a series of functions are applied using the porosity coefficient, and mechanical properties including Young’s modulus, shear modulus and the density of the porous structure are presented as a function of the axis placed in the direction of the plate thickness. The first-order shear deformation theory of the plate is used. To simulate the contact process between each impactor and the plate, a nonlinear Hertz contact force is considered for that impactor independently.

Findings

ABAQUS finite element software is used for the verification process of the theorical equations. The effects of porous function type, radius and initial velocity of impactor are investigated for the simultaneous impact of five impactors on porous FG aluminum plate with a simply supported boundary condition. Histories of contact force and displacement of the impactor placed in the center of the beam are analyzed in detail with the changes of the mentioned parameters.

Originality/value

Due to the advantages of porous aluminum plate such as high energy absorption and low weight, such structures may be subjected to the simultaneous impact of multiple impactors, which is studied in this research.
A new resource for monitoring reef ecosystems: The background of recreational diver photographs contains valuable habitat data
Authors: Roberts Christopher J. , Vergés Adriana , Poore Alistair G. B.
Published: October 2023

Vast numbers of nature photographs are shared online on various social media and citizen science platforms, providing an important and growing source of ecological data. In addition to the focal subject, which provides species occurrence data, photographs often contain secondary information such as habitat captured incidentally in the background.

Here, we test whether the background of underwater photographs taken by recreational divers can be used to monitor reef habitat composition by comparing them to photoquadrats from standardised scientific surveys at three locations in Sydney, Australia. Furthermore, we assessed the effect of different photographic styles (wide‐angle vs. close‐up) and photographic subjects (fish vs. gastropods) on the habitat captured.

Over 90% of underwater photographs displayed habitat in the background demonstrating the considerable amount of data available within this unutilised resource.

Overall, the habitat composition captured in the background of photographs was broadly similar to that recorded by standardised survey quadrats. Although significant differences between photographs and photoquadrats were detected for most habitats, the differences were small.

Furthermore, we found the difference between the two methods could be reduced by using subsets of photographs; for example, fish photographs detected kelp habitat at a similar rate to photoquadrats.

Synthesis and applications: The background of underwater photographs from recreational divers contains valuable data that can be used to monitor habitat taxa that are typically under‐represented. To reduce the potential for bias we recommend restricting photographs to a single photographic subject (e.g. fish), using wide‐angle photographs only and obtaining at least 50 photographs per site from different divers when using recreational photographs to assess changes in habitat‐forming species.
Functional traits of young seedlings predict trade‐offs in seedling performance in three neotropical forests
Authors: Metz Margaret R. , Wright S. Joseph , Zimmerman Jess K. , Hernandéz Andrés , Smith Samuel M. , Swenson Nathan G. , Umaña M. Natalia , Valencia L. Renato , Waring‐Enriquez Ina , Wordell Mason , Zambrano Milton , Garwood Nancy C.
Published: October 2023

Understanding the mechanisms that promote the coexistence of hundreds of species over small areas in tropical forest remains a challenge. Many tropical tree species are presumed to be functionally equivalent shade tolerant species but exist on a continuum of performance trade‐offs between survival in shade and the ability to quickly grow in sunlight. These trade‐offs can promote coexistence by reducing fitness differences.

Variation in plant functional traits related to resource acquisition is thought to predict variation in performance among species, perhaps explaining community assembly across habitats with gradients in resource availability. Many studies have found low predictive power, however, when linking trait measurements to species demographic rates.

Seedlings face different challenges recruiting on the forest floor and may exhibit different traits and/or performance trade‐offs than older individuals face in the eventual adult niche. Seed mass is the typical proxy for seedling success, but species also differ in cotyledon strategy (reserve vs. photosynthetic) or other leaf, stem and root traits. These can cause species with the same average seed mass to have divergent performance in the same habitat.

We combined long‐term studies of seedling dynamics with functional trait data collected at a standard life‐history stage in three diverse neotropical forests to ask whether variation in coordinated suites of traits predicts variation among species in demographic performance.

Across hundreds of species in Ecuador, Panama and Puerto Rico, we found seedlings displayed correlated suites of leaf, stem, and root traits, which strongly correlated with seed mass and cotyledon strategy. Variation among species in seedling functional traits, seed mass, and cotyledon strategy were strong predictors of trade‐offs in seedling growth and survival. These results underscore the importance of matching the ontogenetic stage of the trait measurement to the stage of demographic dynamics.

Our findings highlight the importance of cotyledon strategy in addition to seed mass as a key component of seed and seedling biology in tropical forests because of the contribution of carbon reserves in storage cotyledons to reducing mortality rates and explaining the growth‐survival trade‐off among species.

Synthesis: With strikingly consistent patterns across three tropical forests, we find strong evidence for the promise of functional traits to provide mechanistic links between seedling form and demographic performance.
Biological Flora of Britain and Ireland:Geranium pratense
Authors: Jefferson Richard G. , Wagner Markus , Sullivan Elizabeth , Tatarenko Irina , Westbury Duncan B. , Ashton Paul , Hulmes Lucy
Published: October 2023

This account presents information on all aspects of the biology ofGeranium pratenseL. (Meadow Crane's‐Bill). The main topics are presented within the standard framework of theBiological Flora of Britain and Ireland: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, herbivores and disease, history and conservation.

Geranium pratenseis a perennial gynodioecious forb of neutral grassland. In Britain and Ireland, it is particularly abundant on roadside verges, railway embankments, the margins of watercourses and woodland rides. It is generally intolerant of grazing and is absent or scarce in livestock‐grazed grassland.Geranium pratenseis widespread in England, Wales and Scotland but is scarce in Ireland. It has an extensive native range in Europe and Asia, extending eastwards to Russia, north‐western China and Mongolia. It has been widely introduced to new sites within its native range and has been introduced to Canada, the USA and New Zealand.

Geranium pratenseusually occurs on free‐draining soils but also infrequently where drainage is impeded. The soils are often nutrient‐rich and weakly acidic to weakly alkaline. The underlying geology is usually non‐acidic sedimentary rocks or superficial deposits.

Geranium pratenseis protandrous and is pollinated by various insects of the orders Hymenoptera, Diptera and Lepidoptera, particularly bumblebees, solitary bees, hoverflies and butterflies. Eleven species of phytophagous insect have been recorded onG. pratensein Britain and Ireland.

Geranium pratensehas little or no capacity for vegetative spread. Primary seed dispersal is ballistic and seeds may be flung over distances of up to several metres. The species has a transient seed bank, that is germination typically takes place in the winter and spring after seed production, after the physically dormant seeds have become permeable. Seedling establishment is higher in vegetation‐free gaps than in undisturbed grassland vegetation.

There has been no significant change in its distribution between the late 1950s and 2019, although since 2000, it has expanded its range, mainly via introductions, in northern and western Scotland, west Wales and in Ireland. Alien sites have increased markedly since the 1960s due to introductions from wildflower seed sowing and spread from gardens.
Hydroxyapatite fortified mango mousse: Formulation, characterization, and sensory data evaluation using fuzzy logic
Authors: Liaqat Saba , Ahmed Zaheer , Iqbal Faisal , Umer Muhammad Usama
Published: October 2023

In this experimental study, hydroxyapatite (HAp), as a valuable calcium source, was extracted from discarded goat bone; raw and nano‐biogenic powders were prepared through calcination and ultra‐sonication. Resultant powders were characterized by using various spectroscopy techniques. As per the findings of atomic absorption spectroscopy, raw and nano‐biogenic powders depicted 1439.7 ± 0.12 and 3194.8 ± 0.07 ppm calcium content, respectively. The range of particle size of nano‐biogenic and raw powders was 47–139 and 183 nm, respectively. X‐ray diffraction (XRD) confirmed crystalline behavior whereas laser‐induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS)‐derived Ca/P‐ratio endorsed excellence in nano‐biogenic 1.76 against 1.63 in raw powder. In vitro bioavailability of calcium in raw and nano‐biogenic powder was ∼36% and ∼39%, respectively. Next, the powders were further used to develop calcium‐fortified mango mousse with varied formulations. A maximum overrun of 23.31% was found in the case of “Raw‐A,” whereas a maximum viscosity of 8489.98 mPa s was found in the case of “Nano‐A.” Sensory data of mango mousse were obtained by fuzzy logic method, and PCA ranked the Nano‐B and Nano‐A samples the best in terms of overall acceptability. Meanwhile, the consumer responses toward product likeness and/or dislikeness were recorded by the hedonic scale that endorsed Nano‐A and Nano‐B formulations as the most preferred samples.

Practical Application

The revolution in the eating habits of consumers from traditional foods to fast food imposes the development of new products having good nutritional values. Different waste biogenic food sources can provide an acceptable powdered form of ingredients for the development of novel food products. In this regard, the development of novel food products using calcium supplements has gained space in the food industry.
A new strategy for browning regulation: Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract and thermal treatment modulates nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species network in fresh‐cut potatoes
Authors: Qiao Liping , Liu Yuhan , Deng Xiuli , Yu Weiyang , Wang Yanyu , Li Xiaokui , Lu Laifeng , Liu Xia
Published: October 2023

Browning discoloration is a critical issue that negatively affects the quality of fresh‐cut products and their industrial growth. Although many individual anti‐browning technologies have been adopted, very few reports on the combination use of natural product extracts and physical methods exist. This study investigated the use of Flos Sophorae Immaturus extract in conjunction with thermal treatment and discovered that the combination effectively retarded browning in fresh‐cut potatoes. Accordingly, the activities of polyphenol oxidase, peroxidase, and phenylalanine ammonia‐lyase, as well as phenol accumulation, were effectively regulated. Meanwhile, this combination treatment also allowed for the modulation of nitric oxide synthase, superoxide dismutase, and catalase activities, while also regulating the concentrations of nitric oxide, superoxide anion, and hydrogen peroxide. Furthermore, the duplex treatment also regulated the antioxidant capacity and malondialdehyde concentrations. In addition, 39 phytoactive compounds, including protocatechuic acid, quercetin, (−)‐alpha‐pinene, and matrine, were identified in the extract, which may function as the anti‐browning composition. These findings suggest that the combination technology modulated the dynamic equilibrium of production and clearance of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species, thereby reducing browning deterioration. This is, to our knowledge, the first report of the combined application of Flos Sophorae Immaturus and thermal treatment, which may offer a novel option for fresh‐cut preservation.

Practical Application

The feasibility of integrating a novel highly efficient, safe, environmentally friendly, and easy‐to‐operate anti‐browning alternative, with the ability to integrate into the existing processing line was investigated. The color of sliced potato chips was significantly improved (73.4%) by dipping them in a 0.01% Flos Sophorae Immaturus solution for 5 min and then in 55°C water for 2 min. In this regard, superior browning alleviation may depend on the regulation of the browning reaction and the NO‐ROS network. This method has a promising future for making fresh‐cut products more appealing to consumers and may provide guidance for fresh‐cut producers and related industries.
Factors associated with fertility intention among women with systemic lupus erythematosus in China: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Liang Qian , Wang Xingxin , He Qian , Ni Xiaowei , Zhao Rui , Ji Juan , Dong Chen , Gu Zhifeng
Published: October 2023

Objective

This study aims to explore the status and influencing factors of fertility intention in women of childbearing age with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

Methods

A total of 158 SLE patients admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from February 2021 to February 2022 were selected for a cross‐sectional study. The dependent variable in this study was the fertility intention of lupus women of childbearing age, so the questionnaire was selected: “In view of your disease, do you plan to have children? Yes/no” as the measurement statement. Lupus patients were divided into fertility intention groups and non‐fertility intention groups. The questionnaire survey comprises following scales: Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory (MFI‐20), Female Sexual Distress Scale‐Revised (FSDS‐R), and others. Independent t‐test, one‐way ANOVA, Mann–Whitney U test, and binary logistic regression were used for analysis.

Results

The results showed that 20.9% of lupus patients in this study had a fertility intention. The fertility intention was associated with age, reproductive history, reproductive concerns, sexual distress, fatigue, family function, social support, depression, and sleep. Binary logistic regression showed that physical fatigue (OR 3.56, 95% CI 1.048–12.07) and personal health (OR 2.50, 95% CI 1.065–5.853) had significant predictors of fertility intention.

Conclusion

Our study identified a lower fertility intention in SLE patients who had reproductive concerns, sexual distress, family dysfunction, and fatigue. We encourage healthcare institutions to provide counseling services to all the SLE patients who have fertility intention and focus more on those who have requirements for fertility.
Metabolic syndrome, soluble CD40L, and biomarkers of endothelial dysfunction in people living with HIV
Authors: Jacobsen Mads‐Holger B. , Knudsen Andreas D. , Benfield Thomas , Ostrowski Sisse R. , Afzal Shoaib , Sørensen Edith W. , Nielsen Susanne D. , Gelpi Marco
Published: October 2023

In the present study, we aimed to investigate the association between soluble CD40 ligand (sCD40L, a marker of platelet activation), soluble thrombomodulin, and syndecan‐1 (both well‐described markers of endothelial dysfunction) and metabolic syndrome in a large cohort of well‐treated people with HIV (PWH) and to elucidate their association with HIV‐specific variables. We included 862 PWH with undetectable viral replication. Our hypotheses were tested using uni‐ and multivariable logistic regression models a priori adjusted for well‐known confounders. While no association of soluble thrombomodulin and syndecan‐1 with MetS was found, high levels of sCD40L (aOR 1.54 [1.07–2.22]) were associated with excess risk of MetS. Given the previously described association between sCD40L, vascular inflammation and endothelial damage, the results presented in our study may suggest a potential role for sCD40L in the well‐known association between cardiometabolic comorbidity and HIV infection.
Pharmacokinetics of oral ciprofloxacin in adult patients: A scoping review
Authors: Junkert Allan Michael , Lazo Raul Edison Luna , Deffert Flávia , Carneiro Jaqueline , Borba Helena Hiemisch Lobo , de Campos Michel Leandro , Pontarolo Roberto
Published: October 2023

Aims

To map the literature on oral ciprofloxacin's pharmacokinetics and its implications for dose adjustments in specific populations.

Methods

A scoping review was performed according to the Cochrane Collaboration and JBI and reported following the PRISMA‐ScR. Systematic searches on electronic databases were conducted to integrate the current evidence on ciprofloxacin's pharmacokinetics. The quality of the included studies was assessed using ClinPK's checklist.

Results

The search yielded 55 relevant studies. Within the traditional pharmacokinetics studies (n = 46), 86 profiles were examined (72 involving healthy patients and 14 with various clinical conditions). Oral ciprofloxacin's pharmacokinetics were influenced by covariates such as drug interactions (ferrous ions, calcium carbonate, diclofenac and itraconazole), food interactions (calcium‐rich foods), elderly populations and renal impairment. Notably, variability in pharmacokinetic parameters existed among subjects, regardless of their health status, underscoring the need for comprehensive population descriptions. Population pharmacokinetic studies (n = 9) identified significant covariates for hospitalized patients, such as creatinine clearance, plasma bicarbonate, estimated glomerular filtration rate, renal replacement therapy, age, sex, total bilirubin, fat‐free mass, dietary factors in renal disease, rifampicin for clearance models and body weight for volume of distribution models. Most pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic assessments concluded that 1200 mg/day provides a high probability of target attainment for bacteria with minimum inhibitory concentration <0.5 mg L−1, aiming for an area under the curve for 24 h/minimum inhibitory concentration >125 h.

Conclusions

This study offers a comprehensive overview regarding oral ciprofloxacin's pharmacokinetics across various health conditions. It highlights the complexities of ciprofloxacin's pharmacokinetics, emphasizing the importance of considering multiple factors in dose adjustments.
Musicality – Tuned to the melody of vocal emotions
Authors: Nussbaum Christine , Schirmer Annett , Schweinberger Stefan R.
Published: October 2023

Musicians outperform non‐musicians in vocal emotion perception, likely because of increased sensitivity to acoustic cues, such as fundamental frequency (F0) and timbre. Yet, how musicians make use of these acoustic cues to perceive emotions, and how they might differ from non‐musicians, is unclear. To address these points, we created vocal stimuli that conveyed happiness, fear, pleasure or sadness, either in all acoustic cues, or selectively in either F0 or timbre only. We then compared vocal emotion perception performance between professional/semi‐professional musicians (N = 39) and non‐musicians (N = 38), all socialized in Western music culture. Compared to non‐musicians, musicians classified vocal emotions more accurately. This advantage was seen in the full and F0‐modulated conditions, but was absent in the timbre‐modulated condition indicating that musicians excel at perceiving the melody (F0), but not the timbre of vocal emotions. Further, F0 seemed more important than timbre for the recognition of all emotional categories. Additional exploratory analyses revealed a link between time‐varying F0 perception in music and voices that was independent of musical training. Together, these findings suggest that musicians are particularly tuned to the melody of vocal emotions, presumably due to a natural predisposition to exploit melodic patterns.