bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The association between number of learners and pharmacist and technician levels of burnout
Authors: May Alisyn , Raber Hanna , Tingey Ben , Locke Amy B , Mullin Shantel , Nickman Nancy A , Qeadan Fares
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Little is known about the relationship between learner load and pharmacist and pharmacy technician burnout. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between burnout and the number of learners (residents, students, and new employees) assigned to pharmacists or pharmacy technicians.

Methods

A validated survey to measure burnout and professional fulfillment was administered to employees of a university health system’s pharmacy service in 2019. A threshold analysis determined the optimal cutoff for number of learners trained that maximized the ability to predict binary outcomes. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact tests were used, and effect sizes between percentages were reported. Finally, the adjusted associations between number of learners and outcomes were assessed using logistic regression.

Results

A total of 448 pharmacy staff members were included in the analysis. Of those, 57% (n = 254) worked in ambulatory care, 27.4% (n = 122) worked in an inpatient setting, and 15.7% (n = 70) worked in infrastructure. Pharmacists working in an inpatient setting who reported training 4 or more learners per year indicated significantly higher rates of burnout than those training fewer learners on both a single-item burnout assessment (64.3% vs 31.0%; P = 0.01; effect size, 0.68) and a 10-item burnout assessment (54.8% vs 13.8%; P = 0.01; effect size, 0.91). Similar results were not observed in pharmacists working in ambulatory care and infrastructure positions or in pharmacy technicians.

Conclusion

Added precepting and training responsibilities may be associated with higher levels of burnout among pharmacy team members, particularly inpatient pharmacists.
Changes in frailty and incident cardiovascular disease in three prospective cohorts
Authors: He Di , Wang Zhaoping , Li Jun , Yu Kaixin , He Yusa , He Xinyue , Liu Yuanjiao , Li Yuhao , Fu Ruiyi , Zhou Dan , Zhu Yimin
Published: January 2024

Background and Aims

Previous studies found that frailty was an important risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, previous studies only focused on baseline frailty status, not taking into consideration the changes in frailty status during follow-up. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations of changes in frailty status with incident CVD.

Methods

This study used data of three prospective cohorts: China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS), English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (ELSA), and Health and Retirement Study (HRS). Frailty status was evaluated by the Rockwood frailty index and classified as robust, pre-frail, or frail. Changes in frailty status were assessed by frailty status at baseline and the second survey which was two years after the baseline. Cardiovascular disease was ascertained by self-reported physician-diagnosed heart disease (including angina, heart attack, congestive heart failure, and other heart problems) or stroke. Cox proportional hazard models were used to calculate the hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) after adjusting for potential confounders.

Results

A total of 7116 participants from CHARLS (female: 48.6%, mean age: 57.4 years), 5303 from ELSA (female: 57.7%, mean age: 63.7 years), and 7266 from HRS (female: 64.9%, mean age: 65.1 years) were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The median follow-up periods were 5.0 years in the CHARLS, 10.7 years in the ELSA, and 9.5 years in the HRS. Compared with stable robust participants, robust participants who progressed to pre-frail or frail status had increased risks of incident CVD (CHARLS, HR = 1.84, 95% CI: 1.54–2.21; ELSA, HR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.25–1.86; HRS, HR = 1.59, 95% CI: 1.31–1.92). In contrast, frail participants who recovered to robust or pre-frail status presented decreased risks of incident CVD (CHARLS, HR = 0.62, 95% CI: 0.47–0.81; ELSA, HR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.34–0.69; HRS, HR = 0.70, 95% CI: 0.55–0.89) when compared with stable frail participants. These decreased risks of incident CVD were also observed in pre-frail participants who recovered to robust status (CHARLS, HR = 0.66, 95% CI: 0.52–0.83; ELSA, HR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.49–0.85; HRS, HR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56–0.91) when compared with stable pre-frail participants.

Conclusions

Different changes in frailty status are associated with different risks of incident CVD. Progression of frailty status increases incident CVD risks, while recovery of frailty status decreases incident CVD risks.
Can the Safe Surgical Margin Be Narrowed in Early-Stage Facial Basal Cell Carcinoma?
Authors: Torun Mümtaz Taner , Yılmaz Gülden Taşova
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVE

To examine factors that affect the positive surgical margins of facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and investigate whether the surgical margin value can be narrowed in early-stage facial BCCs.

METHODS

Ninety-five patients were divided into the three groups based on prognosis: good (n = 48), mixed (n = 32), and poor (n = 15). The good prognosis group (group 1) included nodular and superficial subtypes; the mixed prognosis group (group 2) included nodular-infiltrative, nodular-micronodular, and nodular-sclerosing subtypes; and the poor prognosis group (group 3) included infiltrative and micronodular subtypes.

RESULTS

Groups 1 and 2 differed from each other significantly in terms of positive surgical margin (P = .002) and tumor thickness (P = .008), but group 3 did not (P = .851 and P = .804, respectively). With regard to surgical method (primary vs local flap repair), only tumor localization varied significantly (P < .001).

CONCLUSIONS

Groups differed significantly in terms of surgical margin positivity, the distance of the tumor to the surgical margin, and the tumor thickness. The intact surgical margin was 2 mm on average in this study, and the authors suggest that it may be possible to revise the surgical margin values recommended in the literature.
Echocardiography Does not Reduce Mortality in Sepsis: A Re-Evaluation Using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV Dataset*
Authors: Blank Sebastiaan P. , Blank Ruth M.
Published: January 2024

OBJECTIVES:

Echocardiography is commonly used for hemodynamic assessment in sepsis, but data regarding its association with outcome are conflicting. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between echocardiography and outcomes in patients with septic shock using the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV database.

DESIGN:

Retrospective cohort study comparing patients who did or did not undergo transthoracic echocardiography within the first 5 days of admission for the primary outcome of 28-day mortality.

SETTING:

Admissions to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center intensive care from 2008 to 2019.

PATIENTS:

Adults 16 years old or older with septic shock requiring vasopressor support within 48 hours of admission. Readmissions and patients admitted to the coronary care unit or cardiovascular intensive care were excluded, as well as patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction or cardiac arrest.

INTERVENTIONS:

None.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS:

Echocardiography was performed in 1,515 (27%) of 5,697 eligible admissions. The primary outcome was analyzed using a marginal structural model and rolling entry matching to adjust for baseline and time-varying confounders. Patients who underwent echocardiography showed no significant difference in 28-day mortality (adjusted hazard ratio 1.09; 95% CI, 0.95–1.25; p = 0.24). This was consistent across multiple sensitivity analyses. Secondary outcomes were changes in management instituted within 4 hours of imaging. Treatment changes occurred in 493 patients (33%) compared with 431 matched controls (29%), with the most common intervention being the administration of a fluid bolus.

CONCLUSIONS:

Echocardiography in sepsis was not associated with a reduction in 28-day mortality based on observational data. These findings do not negate the utility of echo in cases of diagnostic uncertainty or inadequate response to initial treatment.
Artificial intelligence-based analysis of tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte spatial distribution for colorectal cancer prognosis
Authors: Cai Ming , Zhao Ke , Wu Lin , Huang Yanqi , Zhao Minning , Hu Qingru , Chen Qicong , Yao Su , Li Zhenhui , Fan Xinjuan , Liu Zaiyi
Published: January 2024

Background:

Artificial intelligence (AI) technology represented by deep learning has made remarkable achievements in digital pathology, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of diagnosis and prognosis evaluation. The spatial distribution of CD3+and CD8+T cells within the tumor microenvironment has been demonstrated to have a significant impact on the prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to investigate CD3CT(CD3+T cells density in the core of the tumor [CT]) prognostic ability in patients with CRC by using AI technology.

Methods:

The study involved the enrollment of 492 patients from two distinct medical centers, with 358 patients assigned to the training cohort and an additional 134 patients allocated to the validation cohort. To facilitate tissue segmentation and T-cells quantification in whole-slide images (WSIs), a fully automated workflow based on deep learning was devised. Upon the completion of tissue segmentation and subsequent cell segmentation, a comprehensive analysis was conducted.

Results:

The evaluation of various positive T cell densities revealed comparable discriminatory ability between CD3CTand CD3-CD8 (the combination of CD3+and CD8+T cells density within the CT and invasive margin) in predicting mortality (C-index in training cohort: 0.65vs.0.64; validation cohort: 0.69vs.0.69). The CD3CTwas confirmed as an independent prognostic factor, with high CD3CTdensity associated with increased overall survival (OS) in the training cohort (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.22, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.12–0.38,P<0.001) and validation cohort (HR = 0.21, 95% CI: 0.05–0.92,P= 0.037).

Conclusions:

We quantify the spatial distribution of CD3+and CD8+T cells within tissue regions in WSIs using AI technology. The CD3CTconfirmed as a stage-independent predictor for OS in CRC patients. Moreover, CD3CTshows promise in simplifying the CD3-CD8 system and facilitating its practical application in clinical settings.
High Incidence Rates of Early-onset Bacterial Sepsis in Infants Born in Two Brazilian Maternities: A 15-Year Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Okumura Maemi Casanas , Aragon Davi Casale , Carvalheiro Cristina Gardonyi , Quintana Silvana Maria , Mussi-Pinhata Marisa Márcia
Published: January 2024

Background:

Data on the burden and etiology of neonatal early-onset bacterial sepsis (EOBS) in low-to-middle-income countries are scarce. Surveillance is critical for optimizing prevention and treatment strategies. We aimed to estimate the incidence of EOBS in 2 large Brazilian cohorts of neonates.

Methods:

Data were retrospectively obtained from 33,794 neonates born between 2009 and 2017 at low-risk (n = 17,981) and high-risk maternity centers (n = 15,813). Blood cultures were taken within 72 hours of life from neonates with perinatal risk factors for EOBS or suspected EOBS. A positive blood culture for a pathogenic microorganism and a compatible clinical evolution confirmed the diagnosis of EOBS.

Results:

One-third of the infants born from high-risk and 18.5% from low-risk maternities were investigated for EOBS. Overall, EOBS was more incident in neonates born in the high-risk facilities [66 cases or 4.2/1000 (95% CI: 3.2–5.3)] than in the low-risk facilities [24 cases or 1.3/1000 (95% CI: 0.9–2.0)]. The incidence rate of EOBS increased with decreasing gestational age (<32 weeks: 20.5/1000; 32–36 weeks: 5.6/1000; ≥37 weeks: 1.5/1000). Group B Streptococcus (GBS) was the agent more frequently identified in high-risk and low-risk maternities: 1.8/1000 (95% CI: 1.1–2.4) and 0.4/1000 (95% CI: 0.2–0.9), respectively. EOBS’s overall case fatality rate was 17.8% for all the agents and 22% for GBS.

Conclusions:

EOBS remains unacceptably high and is frequently fatal in preterm and term infants cared for in high- or low-risk maternities. Because GBS has emerged as the most frequent causative agent, preventive strategies are urgently needed.
The Cascade of Care for Early Infant Diagnosis in Zimbabwe: Point of Care HIV Testing at Birth and 6–8 Weeks
Authors: Aitcheson Nancy , Sacks Emma , Nyamundaya Tichaona H. , Muchuchuti Cephas , Cohn Jennifer
Published: January 2024

Background:

Routine birth testing of HIV-exposed infants (HEI) using point of care (POC) nucleic acid testing may allow for earlier diagnosis and treatment of infants living with HIV, but more data are needed on retention in care for those diagnosed at birth and re-testing for those with a negative HIV birth test.

Methods:

POC birth testing (within 48 hours of birth) was offered to all HEI born at 10 public maternities in Zimbabwe from November 2018 to July 2019. Data were abstracted from routine registers, including information on re-testing at 6–8 weeks for infants testing HIV-negative at birth and 6-month retention in care among infants diagnosed with HIV at birth.

Results:

Of 2854 eligible HEIs, 2806 (98.3%) received POC HIV birth testing. Thirty-nine infants with HIV were identified (1.4%), and 23 (59%) were started on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Twenty infants (51%) remained on ART at 6 months. Of the 2694 infants who tested negative at birth, 1229 (46.5%) had a documented retest at 6–8 weeks. 7 (0.6%) of those infants tested HIV-positive.

Conclusions:

The uptake of POC birth testing was high in study facilities, but low rates of ART initiation after a positive birth test, despite high retention on ART through 6 months, diminish the impact of POC birth testing and must be addressed. Among infants who tested negative at birth, rates of testing at 6–8 weeks of life (46%) were slightly lower than national rates of testing at the same age without a birth test (56%) during the study period. Improving infant HIV testing rates at 6–8 weeks, regardless of birth testing, should be a priority.
Activities, Motivations and Demographics of Provaccine Advocates
Authors: Kerns Mattie E. , O’Leary Sean T. , Cataldi Jessica R.
Published: January 2024

Background:

Vaccine hesitancy is a growing public health concern and has been classified as a major threat to global health by the World Health Organization. While there has been extensive research on the attitudes of vaccine-hesitant individuals, little is known about provaccination advocates. Our objectives were to describe the characteristics, attitudes, activities and motivations of provaccination advocates.

Methods:

An internet survey was conducted in July–November 2019. US vaccine advocacy groups were invited to partner in survey distribution. Participants were recruited from a convenience sample of their members. Advocacy activities were categorized as policy related, in-person or online.

Results:

Respondents (n = 1239) were mostly female (82%), White (87%) and highly educated (90%). Most reported Democratic political affiliation (66%). The most common occupation was health care practitioner (38%). Most respondents (90%) agreed that a policy that did not allow patients to refuse or spread-out vaccines would encourage them to choose that clinic. The most common policy-related activity was contacting an elected official about vaccines. The most common in-person activity was speaking with a friend or family member about vaccines. The most reported online activity was using social media to advocate for vaccines. The most common motivation for vaccine advocacy was a sense of responsibility as a community member.

Conclusions:

Provaccine individuals engaged in a variety of advocacy activities and were motivated by responsibility to their community in addition to other factors. Continued work to better understand and motivate vaccine advocates may inform efforts to bolster vaccine confidence and influence those who accept vaccines to become advocates.
Comparison of clinical outcomes in patients with mixed angina and pure vasospastic angina
Authors: Song Zhao Yan , Kim Moo Hyun , Lee Kwang Min
Published: January 2024

Objective

This study investigated differences in clinical outcomes between mixed angina (MA) and pure vasospastic angina (PVA).

Methods

A total of 524 vasospastic angina patients who did or did not have >50% coronary artery stenosis from January 2005 to January 2021 were divided into two groups (Group 1: PVA, N = 399; Group 2: MA, N = 125) and then three groups [Group 1: PVA, N = 399; Group 2: MA without percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), N = 67; Group 3: MA with PCI, N = 58] for assessment. We recorded the incidence of major adverse cardiac and cerebrovascular events (MACCE: the composite of death, myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or rehospitalization) during 3-year clinical follow-up.

Results

Compared to the PVA group, there were significant differences in MACCE (20.8% vs. 11.8%, P = 0.011) and rehospitalization (20.0% vs. 9.8%, P = 0.002) in the MA group. Kaplan–Meier analysis showed that patients in the MA with PCI group had the highest cumulative incidence rate of MACCE during the 3-year follow-up (log-rank P < 0.001).

Conclusion

Compared with the PVA patients, MA patients had significantly worse clinical outcomes during long-term follow-up.
Prognostic value of preoperative white blood cell to hemoglobin ratio and fibrinogen to albumin ratio in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Li Kang , Yan Jing , Zhang Haifeng , Lu Chunlei , Wang Weijia , Guo Mingxiao , Zhang Xiaoming , Zhang Zhaoyong
Published: January 2024

The prognostic value of preoperative white blood cell to hemoglobin ratio (WHR) and fibrinogen to albumin ratio (FAR) in colorectal cancer (CRC) is unknown. The purpose of this study was to analyze the correlation between preoperative WHR and FAR and the prognosis of CRC patients. The retrospective study analyzed the medical records of 207 patients with colorectal cancer who were admitted to Linyi People’s Hospital between June 1, 2017 and June 1, 2021. The receiver operator curve was used to determine the cutoff value of 4.604 for WHR and 0.086 for FAR, and the patients were divided into high and low groups for comparative analysis of clinical data. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to assess independent risk factors for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in univariate and multifactorial analyses. Kaplan–Meier methods were used for survival analysis and logrank tests were used to assess survival differences. Multifactorial Cox analysis showed that tumor pathological stage (HR = 6.224, 95% CI:3.063–12.647, P < .001), and WHR (HR = 3.681, 95% CI:1.768–7.401, P < .001) were the independent risk factors for DFS in CRC patients. Tumor pathological stage (HR = 4.080, 95% CI:1.992–8.360, P < .001), and WHR (HR = 3.397, 95% CI:1.662–6.940, P = .001) were independent risk factors for OS. High levels of WHR and high levels of FAR were associated with lower DFS (P < .001) and OS (P < .001).CRC patients with both higher WHR and FAR had significantly lower DFS (P < .001) and OS (P < .001). DFS and OS may be shorter in CRC patients with high WHR and high FAR, perhaps associated with poor prognosis in CRC patients, and WHR and FAR may be potential CRC prognostic markers.
Validation of a Method to Identify Frailty Transitions Among Community-Dwelling Older People During the Coronavirus Disease-2019 Pandemic in Japan
Authors: Shinohara Tomoyuki , Saida Kosuke , Tanaka Shigeya , Murayama Akihiko , Higuchi Daisuke
Published: January 2024

Aim:

We previously described a method to identify frailty transitions during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. This study aimed to validate this method during a different period.

Methods:

In a 2-wave cohort study, self-reported questionnaires were distributed to 1953 community-dwelling older adults. In addition, we analyzed the data of nonfrail participants at baseline to indicate the predictive ability for frailty transition.

Results and Conclusions:

For the combined factors of older than 75 years and subjective leg muscle weakness, the sensitivity was 0.522 and the specificity was 0.637 to discriminate frailty transition. This method can be used with questionnaires without physical contact.
Aquimarina aquimarini sp. nov. and Aquimarina spinulae sp. nov., novel bacterial species with versatile natural product biosynthesis potential isolated from marine sponges
Authors: Couceiro Joana F. , Marques Matilde , Silva Sandra G. , Keller-Costa Tina , Costa Rodrigo
Published: January 2024

This study describes two Gram-negative, flexirubin-producing, biofilm-forming, motile-by-gliding and rod-shaped bacteria, isolated from the marine sponges Ircinia variabilis and Sarcotragus spinosulus collected off the coast of Algarve, Portugal. Both strains, designated Aq135T and Aq349T, were classified into the genus

Aquimarina

by means of 16S rRNA gene sequencing. We then performed phylogenetic, phylogenomic and biochemical analyses to determine whether these strains represent novel

Aquimarina

species. Whereas the closest 16S rRNA gene relatives to strain Aq135T were

Aquimarina macrocephali

JAMB N27T (97.8 %) and

Aquimarina sediminis

w01T (97.1 %), strain Aq349T was more closely related to

Aquimarina megaterium

XH134T (99.2 %) and

Aquimarina atlantica

22II-S11-z7T (98.1 %). Both strains showed genome-wide average nucleotide identity scores below the species level cut-off (95 %) with all

Aquimarina

type strains with publicly available genomes, including their closest relatives. Digital DNA–DNA hybridization further suggested a novel species status for both strains since values lower than 70 % hybridization level with other

Aquimarina

type strains were obtained. Strains Aq135T and Aq349T grew from 4 to 30°C and with between 1–5 % (w/v) NaCl in marine broth. The most abundant fatty acids were iso-C17 : 03-OH and iso-C15 : 0 and the only respiratory quinone was MK-6. Strain Aq135T was catalase-positive and β-galactosidase-negative, while Aq349T was catalase-negative and β-galactosidase-positive. These strains hold unique sets of secondary metabolite biosynthetic gene clusters and are known to produce the peptide antibiotics aquimarins (Aq135T) and the trans-AT polyketide cuniculene (Aq349T), respectively. Based on the polyphasic approach employed in this study, we propose the novel species names Aquimarina aquimarini sp. nov. (type strain Aq135T=DSM 115833T=UCCCB 169T=ATCC TSD-360T) and Aquimarina spinulae sp. nov. (type strain Aq349T=DSM 115834T=UCCCB 170T=ATCC TSD-361T).
Marinimicrococcus flavescens gen. nov., sp. nov., a new member of the family Geminicoccaceae, isolated from a marine sediment of the South China Sea
Authors: Yang Zu-Zhen , Xiong Lian-Shuang , Yuan Qing , Zuo Shu-Ya , Chen Xue-Mei , Jiang Ming-Guo , Tian Xin-Peng , Jiang Cheng-Lin , Jiang Yi
Published: January 2024

A Gram-stain-negative, catalase-positive and oxidase-positive, nonmotile, aerobic, light yellow, spherical-shaped bacterial strain with no flagella, designated strain YIM 152171T, was isolated from sediment of the South China Sea. Colonies were smooth and convex, light yellow and circular, and 1.0–1.5×1.0–1.5 µm in cell diameter after 7 days of incubation at 28°C on YIM38 media supplemented with sea salt. Colonies could grow at 20–45°C (optimum 28–35°C) and pH 6.0–11.0 (optimum, pH 7.0–9.0), and they could proliferate in the salinity range of 0–6.0 % (w/v) NaCl. The major cellular fatty acids were summed feature 8 (C18 : 1
 ω7c/C18 : 1 ω6c), C18 : 1 ω7c 11-methyl, C16 : 0, C16 : 1 ω11c, C16 : 1 ω5c, C17 : 1 ω6c and C18 : 1 ω5c. The respiratory quinone was ubiquinone 10, and the polar lipid profile included diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol mannoside, one unidentified phospholipid and one unidentified aminolipid. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences placed strain YIM 152171T within the order

Rhodospirillales

in a distinct lineage that also included the genus

Geminicoccus

. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities of YIM 152171T to those of

Arboricoccus pini

,

Geminicoccus roseus

and

Constrictibacter antarcticus

were 92.17, 89.25 and 88.91 %, respectively. The assembled draft genome of strain YIM 152171T had 136 contigs with an N50 value of 134704 nt, a total length of 3 001 346 bp and a G+C content of 70.27 mol%. The phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic data showed that strain YIM 152171T (=MCCC 1K08488T=KCTC 92884T) represents a type of novel species and genus for which we propose the name Marinimicrococcus gen. nov., sp. nov.
Tracking arboviruses, their transmission vectors and potential hosts by nanopore sequencing of mosquitoes
Authors: Mirza Jeremy D. , de Oliveira Guimarães Lilian , Wilkinson Sam , Rocha Esmenia C. , Bertanhe Mayara , Helfstein Vanessa Christe , de-Deus Juliana Telles , Claro Ingra M. , Cumley Nicola , Quick Joshua , Faria Nuno R. , Sabino Ester C. , Kirchgatter Karin , Loman Nicholas J.
Published: January 2024

The risk to human health from mosquito-borne viruses such as dengue, chikungunya and yellow fever is increasing due to increased human expansion, deforestation and climate change. To anticipate and predict the spread and transmission of mosquito-borne viruses, a better understanding of the transmission cycle in mosquito populations is needed. We present a pathogen-agnostic combined sequencing protocol for identifying vectors, viral pathogens and their hosts or reservoirs using portable Oxford Nanopore sequencing. Using mosquitoes collected in São Paulo, Brazil, we extracted RNA for virus identification and DNA for blood meal and mosquito identification. Mosquitoes and blood meals were identified by comparing cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) sequences against a curated Barcode of Life Data System (BOLD). Viruses were identified using the SMART-9N protocol, which allows amplified DNA to be prepared with native barcoding for nanopore sequencing. Kraken 2 was employed to detect viral pathogens and Minimap2 and BOLD identified the contents of the blood meal. Due to the high similarity of some species, mosquito identification was conducted using blast after generation of consensus COI sequences using RACON polishing. This protocol can simultaneously uncover viral diversity, mosquito species and mosquito feeding habits. It also has the potential to increase understanding of mosquito genetic diversity and transmission dynamics of zoonotic mosquito-borne viruses.
Probing light fermiophobic Higgs boson via diphoton jets at the HL-LHC
Authors: Wang Daohan , Cho Jin-Hwan , Kim Jinheung , Lee Soojin , Sanyal Prasenjit , Song Jeonghyeon
Published: January 2024

In this study, we explore the phenomenological signatures associated with a light fermiophobic Higgs boson, hf, within the type-I two-Higgs-doublet model at the HL-LHC. Our meticulous parameter scan illuminates an intriguing mass range for mhf, spanning [1,10]  GeV. This mass range owes its viability to substantial parameter points, largely due to the inherent challenges of detecting the soft decay products of hf at contemporary high-energy colliders. Given that this light hf ensures Br(hf→γγ)≃1, Br(H±→hfW±)≃1, and MH±≲330  GeV, we propose a golden discovery channel: pp→hfH±→γγγγℓ±ν, where ℓ± includes e± and μ±. However, a significant obstacle arises as the two photons from the hf decay mostly merge into a single jet due to their proximity within ΔR<0.4. This results in a final state characterized by two jets, rather than four isolated photons, thus intensifying the QCD backgrounds. To tackle this, we devise a strategy within to identify jets with two leading subparticles as photons, termed diphoton jets. Our thorough detector-level simulations across 18 benchmark points predominantly show signal significances exceeding the 5σ threshold at an integrated luminosity of 3  ab−1. Furthermore, our approach facilitates accurate mass reconstructions for both mhf and MH±. Notably, in the intricate scenarios with heavy charged Higgs bosons, our application of machine learning techniques provides a significant boost in significance.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Angular momentum distribution of a quark dressed with a gluon
Authors: Singh Ravi , Saha Sudeep , Mukherjee Asmita , Mathur Nilmani
Published: January 2024

We investigate the different decompositions of the angular momentum in QCD for a relativistic spin 1/2 composite state, namely a quark dressed with a gluon. We use light-front Hamiltonian perturbation theory, and in the light-front gauge, use the two-component framework by eliminating the constrained degrees of freedom. We also investigate the different decompositions of the angular momentum at the level of two-dimensional densities in the front form, including the effect of the so-called potential term. In this work, we consider the contribution coming from the quark part of the energy-momentum tensor. We contrast the different decompositions and also compare with other calculations in the literature. We also present the gravitational form factor related to the antisymmetric part of the energy-momentum tensor.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Self-dual fields on self-dual backgrounds and the double copy
Authors: Brown Graham R. , Gowdy Joshua , Spence Bill
Published: January 2024

We explore the double copy for self-dual gauge and gravitational fields on self-dual background spacetimes. We consider backgrounds associated with solutions of the second Plebanski equation and describe results with different gauge-fixing conditions. Finally we discuss the kinematic and w-algebras and the double copy, identifying modified Poisson structures and kinematic structure constants in the presence of the self-dual background. The self-dual plane wave and Eguchi-Hanson spacetimes are studied as examples and their respective w-algebras derived.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Logarithmic celestial conformal field theory
Authors: Fiorucci Adrien , Grumiller Daniel , Ruzziconi Romain
Published: January 2024

We argue that the celestial conformal field theory exhibits patterns of a logarithmic conformal field theory. We uncover a Jordan block structure involving the celestial stress tensor and its logarithmic partner, a composite operator built from the stress tensor and the Liouville field. Using a limiting process whose parameter corresponds to the infrared cutoff of gravity, we perform some basic consistency checks, particularly the calculation of two-point correlators, which reveals the expected logarithmic behavior. We comment on the vanishing value of the central charge in the celestial conformal field theory and explain how the logarithmic partner is relevant for its well-behavedness.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Dynamics of digital change – measuring the digital transformation and its impacts on the innovation activities of SMEs
Authors: Escoz Barragan Kevin , Hassan Sohaib S. , Meisner Konrad , Bzhalava Levan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Digital transformation has gained particular interest among academics and policymakers in recent years. However, the empirical quantification of digital transformation stages and their impact on innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) remains understudied. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of digital transformation stages on a differentiated measurement of innovation performance in SMEs.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors propose a simplified one-dimensional digital maturity path to estimate the stages of digital transformation in SMEs. The authors validate their approach with a cluster analysis and perform an ordered logistic regression to estimate the impact of digital transformation stages on SMEs' innovation performance.

Findings

The authors' results show that digital transformation in general has a positive impact on SMEs' innovation performance. More precisely, the authors find that the early stage of digital transformation has a detrimental effect on innovation performance, while significant and positive effects can be expected from the experimental stage onward. Furthermore, the advanced stage of digital transformation significantly increases the probability of producing radical innovations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the ongoing discussion about the relationship between digital transformation and innovation in SMEs by presenting an approach to quantify digital transformation stages in SMEs. Additionally, this study provides new insights into the specific dynamics of the relationship between different stages of digital transformation and their impact on a differentiated measurement of innovation performance, including technological, non-technological and radical innovation.
Building design considerations for healthy and active aging-in-place
Authors: Ajani Atinuke Arinola , Olapade Daramola Thompson
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The concept of aging-in-place has gained notable significance in the last decade due to a dramatic demographic shift in global population dynamics that have considerably affected the ability of societies to adequately cater for their aging population. This paper examines some of the barriers to aging-in-place in the context of health needs, housing design and the role of retrofitting/smart home technologies in overcoming these barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a narrative literature review approach, the authors undertook a comprehensive search of recent relevant literature focusing on five core thematic areas: health and aging, aging in place, barriers to aging in place, retrofitting and smart home technologies for successful aging in place. The authors entered appropriate keywords into interdisciplinary research databases and synthesized a coherent narrative discussing the thematic areas using the data extracted from the literature search.

Findings

There is a bidirectional relationship between aging and the home environment. Barriers to aging-in-place are mainly related to progressive decline in health, which alters the environmental needs of individuals. Appropriate building designs can significantly facilitate aging-in-place. The authors, therefore, highlight the role of retrofitting and smart home technologies as practical solutions to the challenges of the aging-in-place.

Practical implications

Forward planning in building design is essential to guarantee that the home environment is well adapted for the challenges of aging-in-place while also promoting healthy aging.

Originality/value

The paper shows the relationship between aging and the home environment and how building design considerations could enhance healthy aging-in-place.
Utilitarian vs hedonic roles of service robots and customer stereotypes: a person–environment fit theory perspective
Authors: Yang Huijun , Wang Yao-Chin , Song Hanqun , Ma Emily
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Drawing on person–environment fit theory, this study aims to investigate how the relationships between service task types (i.e. utilitarian and hedonic service tasks) and perceived authenticity (i.e. service and brand authenticity) differ under different conditions of service providers (human employee vs service robot). This study further examines whether customers’ stereotypes toward service robots (competence vs warmth) moderate the relationship between service types and perceived authenticity.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a 2 × 2 between-subjects experimental design, Study 1 examines a casual restaurant, whereas Study 2 assesses a theme park restaurant. Analysis of covariance and PROCESS are used to analyze the data.

Findings

Both studies reveal that human service providers in hedonic services positively affect service and brand authenticity more than robotic employees. Additionally, the robot competence stereotype moderates the relationship between hedonic services, service and brand authenticity, whereas the robot warmth stereotype moderates the relationship between hedonic services and brand authenticity in Study 2.

Practical implications

Restaurant managers need to understand which functions and types of service outlets are best suited for service robots in different service contexts. Robot–environment fit should be considered when developers design and managers select robots for their restaurants.

Originality/value

This study blazes a new theoretical trail of service robot research to systematically propose customer experiences with different service types by drawing upon person–environment fit theory and examining the moderating role of customers’ stereotypes toward service robots.
Determinants of young adults' slow fashion attitudes and idea adoption intentions in Canada, China and South Africa
Authors: Duh Helen Inseng , Yu Hong , Venter de Villiers Marike , Steffek Vladimira , Shao Dan
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Large, influential and profitable young adults are being targeted for fast fashion that negatively impacts the environment. The transition from a fast to an environmentally friendly slow fashion is a challenging process and culturally dependent. The process starts with slow fashion idea adoption. Thus, the authors modified an information acceptance model (IACM) to examine information characteristics (idea/information quality, credibility, usefulness, source credibility) and consumer factors (need for idea and attitudes) impacting intentions to adopt the slow fashion idea in Canada, South Africa (individualists) and China (collectivists).

Design/methodology/approach

Cross-sectional data were collected from South African (n = 197), Chinese (n = 304) and Canadian (n = 227) young adults (18–35 years old) at universities in metropolitan cities. Partial least squares structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data.

Findings

The results show that while most information characteristics and consumer factors are vital for slow fashion attitudes and intention formation, information quality and trust in the sources were a problem in individualistic cultures as opposed to the collectivist culture. This finding confirms the greater tendency of collectivists to trust disseminated information on environmental issues. In all cultures, attitudes impacted idea adoption intentions. On testing IACM, the multigroup analyses showed no significant differences between young adults in the individualistic cultures. Attitudes mediated most relationships and were highly explained by IACM (South Africa, 49.6%; China, 74.5%; and Canada, 64.5%).

Originality/value

In emerging and developed markets, this study informs environmentalists and green fashion brands of information characteristics that can create positive attitudes and slow fashion idea adoption intentions among influential young adults.
Application of lean and quality improvement methods for improving operational performance in coal supply chains: a case study
Authors: Samaranayake Premaratne , McLean Michael W. , Weerabahu Samanthi Kumari
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The application of lean and quality improvement methods is very common in process improvement projects at organisational levels. The purpose of this research is to assess the adoption of Lean Six Sigma™ approaches for addressing a complex process-related issue in the coal industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The sticky coal problem was investigated from the perspective of process-related issues. Issues were addressed using a blended Lean value stream of supply chain interfaces and waste minimisation through the Six Sigma™ DMAIC problem-solving approach, taking into consideration cross-organisational processes.

Findings

It was found that the tendency to “solve the problem” at the receiving location without communication to the upstream was, and is still, a common practice that led to the main problem of downstream issues. The application of DMAIC Six Sigma™ helped to address the broader problem. The overall operations were improved significantly, showing the reduction of sticky coal/wagon hang-up in the downstream coal handling terminal.

Research limitations/implications

The Lean Six Sigma approaches were adopted using DMAIC across cross-organisational supply chain processes. However, blending Lean and Six Sigma methods needs to be empirically tested across other sectors.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology, using a framework of Lean Six Sigma approaches, could be used to guide practitioners in addressing similar complex and recurring issues in the manufacturing sector.

Originality/value

This research introduces a novel approach to process analysis, selection and contextualised improvement using a combination of Lean Six Sigma™ tools, techniques and methodologies sustained within a supply chain with certified ISO 9001 quality management systems.
Do cryptocurrency investors in the UK need more protection?
Authors: Wang Yanqing
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The existing literature offers various perspectives on integrating cryptocurrencies into investment portfolios; yet, there is a gap in understanding the behaviours, attitudes and cross-investment links of individual investors. This study, grounded in the modern portfolio theory and the random walk theory, aims to add empirical insights that are specific to the UK context. It explores four hypotheses related to the influence of socio-demographics, digital adoption, cross-investment behaviours and financial attitudes on cryptocurrency owners.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a logistic regression model with secondary data from the Financial Lives Survey 2020 to assess the factors impacting cryptocurrency ownership. A total of 29 variables are used, categorized into four groups aligned with the hypotheses. Additionally, hierarchical clustering analysis was conducted to further explore the cross-investment links.

Findings

The study reveals a significant lack of diversification among UK cryptocurrency investors, a pronounced inclination towards high-risk investments such as peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding, and parallels with gambling behaviours, including financial dissatisfaction and a propensity for risk-taking. It highlights the influence of demographic traits, risk tolerance, technological literacy and emotional attitudes on cryptocurrency investment decisions.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights into cryptocurrency regulation and retail investor protection, underscoring the necessity for tailored financial education and a holistic regulatory approach for investment products with comparable risk levels, with the aim of minimizing regulatory arbitrage. It significantly enhances our understanding of the unique dynamics of cryptocurrency investments within the evolving financial landscape.
Capital tax incentives and firm innovation: evidence from accelerated depreciation in China
Authors: Feng Haibo , Zong Caixia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence and impact mechanism of capital tax incentives on firm innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employs the difference-in-differences (DID) method, in conjunction with the exogenous impact of accelerated depreciation (AD) pilot policy. This study selects Chinese listed companies from 2010 to 2017 as the research sample.

Findings

Firstly, AD exerts a substantial positive effect on the quantity and quality of the innovation output of firms, and the positive impact results primarily from heightened investment in fixed assets, particularly, machinery and equipment. Secondly, the influence of the policy is pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, mature enterprises, less capital-intensive enterprises and non-high-tech industries, which all exhibit strong innovation incentives. Lastly, the tax incentive policy significantly stimulates firm innovation in the short term, but its long-term impact on innovation incentives lacks statistical significance.

Originality/value

This study highlights the significance of capital tax incentives in facilitating the innovation process in firms.
Integrating sustainability in management control systems: an exploratory study on Italian banks
Authors: Ferretti Paola , Gonnella Cristina , Martino Pierluigi
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Drawing insights from institutional theory, this paper aims to examine whether and to what extent banks have reconfigured their management control systems (MCSs) in response to growing institutional pressures towards sustainability, understood as environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an exploratory study at the three largest Italian banking groups to shed light on changes made in MCSs to account for ESG issues. The analysis is based on 12 semi-structured interviews with managers from the sustainability and controls areas, as well as from other relevant operational areas particularly concerned with the integration process of ESG issues. Additionally, secondary data sources were used. The Malmi and Brown (2008) MCS framework, consisting of a package of five types of formal and informal control mechanisms, was used to structure and analyse the empirical data.

Findings

The examined banks widely implemented numerous changes to their MCSs as a response to the heightened sustainability pressures from regulatory bodies and stakeholders. In particular, with the exception of action planning, the results show an extensive integration of ESG issues into the five control mechanisms of Malmi and Brown’s framework, namely, long-term planning, cybernetic, reward/compensation, administrative and cultural controls.

Practical implications

By identifying the approaches banks followed in reconfiguring traditional MCSs, this research sheds light on how adequate MCSs can promote banks’ “sustainable behaviours”. The results can, thus, contribute to defining best practices on how MCSs can be redesigned to support the integration of ESG issues into the banks’ way of doing business.

Originality/value

Overall, the findings support the theoretical assertion that institutional pressures influence the design of banks’ MCSs, and that both formal and informal controls are necessary to ensure a real engagement towards sustainability. More specifically, this study reveals that MCSs, by encompassing both formal and informal controls, are central to enabling banks to appropriately understand, plan and control the transition towards business models fully oriented to the integration of ESG issues. Thereby, this allows banks to effectively respond to the increased stakeholder demands around ESG concerns.
Linking toxic leadership to exit, voice, silence and neglect: the mediating role of loyalty
Authors: Sabino Ana , Cesário Francisco , Antunes Armanda
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the relationship between toxic leadership and exit, prosocial voice, neglect and defensive silence. Second, this study investigates the mediating role of loyalty in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 544 individuals was used in this study.

Findings

The results suggested that toxic leadership positively influences exit, defensive silence and neglect and negatively influences prosocial voice. In addition, loyalty was found to be a partial mediator of the studied relationships.

Originality/value

This study addresses different theoretical debates, namely, loyalty as an attitude or behavior and its role in individuals’ responses and the relationship between silence and voice.