bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Intellectual property protection and corporate ESG performance: evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China
Authors: Nie Changfei , Luo Wen , Chen Zhi , Feng Yuan
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Based on strategic choice theory, this study examines the impact and mechanisms of intellectual property demonstration city (IPDC) policy in China on corporate ESG performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses China’s A-share listed companies’ data from 2009 to 2019 and conducts a difference-in-differences (DID) to explore the causal relationship between IPDC policy and corporate ESG performance.

Findings

Baseline regression results indicate that the IPDC policy can significantly improve corporate ESG performance. Mechanism tests reveal that the IPDC policy expands firm green technology innovation, enhances firm human capital investment and increases government innovation subsidies, thereby promoting corporate ESG performance. Moderating effect results show that the promotion impact on corporate ESG performance of the IPDC policy is diminished by government fiscal pressure. Heterogeneity analyses indicate that the IPDC policy has a stronger impact on corporate ESG performance in key cities, firms in high-tech industries, firms with a higher reliance on intellectual property protection (IPP) and state-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Originality/value

The findings enrich the theoretical research on the influencing factors of corporate ESG performance and provide practical references to strengthen IPP and implement a more thorough intellectual property development strategy.
Effects of social impact and task variety on innovative work behavior: the mediating role of work meaningfulness
Authors: Sun Jonghun , Ahn Eunsun , Shin Jiseon
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Based on the conservation of resources (COR) theory, we investigate antecedents and consequences of work meaningfulness.

Design/methodology/approach

We used survey data from employees in various South Korean organizations and applied Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) and a bootstrapping procedure to test our proposed model.

Findings

We found that employees’ perceptions of their jobs’ social impact and task variety are positively related to work meaningfulness, which leads to higher levels of innovative behavior. We found that work meaningfulness mediates the effects of employees’ perceived social impact and task variety on their innovative behaviors.

Originality/value

Our study contributes to the positive psychology literature by identifying work meaningfulness as a critical underlying mechanism in explaining the relationship between task variety, perceived social impact, and innovative behavior.
Organisational learning in family firms: a systematic review
Authors: Moser Thomas , de Villiers Scheepers Margarietha Johanna , de Klerk Saskia
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Organisational learning (OL) is a critical capability family firms (FFs) need in order to adapt to an increasingly turbulent environment. Given the uniqueness of FFs and their differentiated decision-making processes, this review addresses fragmentation in the literature and synthesises prior research outlining the development of OL in FFs.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted using four databases, and 53 pertinent papers on OL in FFs published from 1998 to 2023 were analysed using the theory, characteristics, context and methodology (TCCM) framework.

Findings

The last five years (2019–2023) show a marked increase in interest in OL in FFs, with a rise in the number of quantitative studies. The findings indicate that OL is mainly studied as a unidimensional construct, while it is a multidimensional capability. Strategic management and organisational behaviour theories are commonly employed, while theories specific to family business such as socioemotional wealth (SEW) and familiness are underrepresented. Most studies focus on FFs in the Northern Hemisphere, and few studies examine OL in FFs located in the Global South. The TCCM framework reveals the complexity and multi-layered nature of OL in FFs.

Originality/value

This is one of the first systematic reviews to synthesise research on OL in FFs. The proposed research agenda identifies fruitful areas for future investigations concentrating on the multidimensional nature of OL, family-related outcomes, as well as contextual and methodological research directions of interest to family business researchers.
Identifying and modeling barriers to design thinking implementation in healthcare sector: an ISM-MICMAC approach
Authors: Karloopia Jyoti Jinagal , Agrawal Rajat
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify critical barriers to design thinking (DT) implementation in healthcare and to determine hierarchical relationships among the barriers.

Design/methodology/approach

Through an extensive literature review and healthcare experts' opinions, 13 barriers to DT implementation in healthcare were identified. Data were collected using survey questionnaires, and an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) -MICMAC analysis was employed to produce a hierarchical model of identified barriers.

Findings

Results reveal the absence of standalone barriers, highlighting “Lack of Organizational autonomy” and “Lack of innovation mindset” as crucial barriers at the bottom of the hierarchy. Overcoming these barriers requires a shift in organizational mindset, dedicated resources, interdisciplinary collaborations, and aligning DT with healthcare regulations.

Practical implications

The findings aid policymakers in recognizing interconnected barriers, enabling DT implementation through strategic mitigation. Healthcare leaders and stakeholders can use this insight to formulate effective strategies for addressing these barriers.

Originality/value

This research presents a distinct investigation of identifying the barriers to DT implementation in the healthcare sector in India. DT’s seamless implementation in hospitals encounters diverse barriers, hindering its full potential. This research contributes to the extant literature by providing the interrelationship between the barriers and a hierarchical model for a clear understanding of the levels of barriers.
Corporate social responsibility and innovation: understanding the role of intellectual capital
Authors: Hamdoun Mohamed , Pérez-Cornejo Clara , Touazni Dhouha
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study examines the impact of corporate social responsibility (CSR) on innovation, considering the role of the three dimensions of intellectual capital (human capital, structural capital and relational capital). Specifically, the analysis explores the direct effect of CSR and intellectual capital on innovation, the effect of CSR on intellectual capital, and the mediating effect of intellectual capital on the relationship between CSR and innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a sample of 101 Tunisian firms operating in various industries. The conceptual model of direct and indirect effects was tested with partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) using SmartPLS 4 software.

Findings

CSR is positively related to innovation, as well as all dimensions of intellectual capital. Structural capital is the only dimension of intellectual capital that has a significant effect on innovation. CSR affects innovation through its impact on structural capital.

Originality/value

Most studies have examined the direct effect of CSR on innovation in firms in developed countries. In contrast, this research sheds light on the mediating role of intellectual capital in this relationship, underlining the specific role of human capital, relational capital and structural capital. In addition, the study focuses on a developing country, which thus differentiates it from previous studies.
Assessing transformative leadership beliefs and values of cooperative extension leaders
Authors: Diaz John Michael , Narine Lendel , Greenhaw Laura
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to explore the current transformative leadership values and beliefs of Cooperative Extension leaders. Specific research objectives included, (1) characterize Extension leaders’ beliefs regarding transformative leadership, and (2) determine differences in transformative leadership beliefs based on selected characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study applied transformative leadership theory to examine the values and beliefs regarding equity, justice, and leading change held by leaders in the Cooperative Extension System. A sample of 138 administrators across the U.S. completed the Transformative Leadership Scale (TLS), which presents 32 contrasting statements representing dimensions of transformative leadership.

Findings

Results found the mean TLS score was 70.61 out of 100, indicating nascent awareness of equity concerns but substantial room for growth in fully embracing transformative leadership principles like social activism and egalitarian distribution of power. The score distribution skewed slightly left, with 16% possessing a highly transformative belief system, 71% demonstrating moderate awareness of equity issues, and 13% focused more on organizational efficiency over justice. Differences emerged based on diversity leadership roles and years of experience.

Practical implications

The findings establish an important baseline for aligning leadership development with Extension's mandate to champion inclusion and confront systemic barriers as social change agents. This research kicks off a vital dialogue regarding transformative leadership's implications for guiding community-engaged institutions like Extension pursuing democratic engagement.

Originality/value

This represents the first study to apply transformative leadership to a national assessment of values and beliefs among Extension education leadership.
Elevating workforce stability: augmented reality and artificial intelligence solutions for overcoming employee turnover challenges in hospitality and tourism
Authors: Yilmazdogan Orhan Can
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The aim of this article is to produce alternative solution suggestions at a conceptual level, by utilizing technologies in the field of Augmented Reality (AR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), to address the increasing personnel shortages encountered in the tourism and hospitality industry. The discussion is based on a review of the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

This article presents a qualitative study investigating the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies on the workforce turnover rate in the tourism and hospitality industry in general.

Findings

Although Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies have both positive and negative aspects for the hospitality and tourism industry and its employees, these technologies can be used to reduce the factors that cause employee turnover. In particular, it leads to improvements in job satisfaction, job commitment and career opportunities of sector employees, reduction of job stress, and selection and retention of the right employees.

Originality/value

This study examines the factors that tourism sector employees encounter in the sector and that cause the workforce turnover rate to increase, and emphasizes the importance of the possible benefits of the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) technologies in reducing these factors that cause the workforce turnover rate.
Average‐derivative optimized 21‐point and improved 25‐point forward modelling and full waveform inversion in frequency domain
Authors: Qu Yingming , Xu Zihan , Zhu Jianggui , Xie Longfu , li Jinli
Published: August 2024

Seismic wave forward modelling is a crucial method for studying the propagation characteristics of seismic waves in subsurface media and is a key component of full waveform inversion. Compared to time‐domain forward modelling, frequency‐domain forward modelling offers advantages such as not being constrained by stability limits and reducing the dimension of the solution space. However, forward algorithms based on the rotation coordinate system in the frequency domain cannot adapt to situations with unequal spatial sampling intervals. To enhance the adaptability of the forward modelling algorithm in the frequency domain, we derived a 21‐point finite‐difference scheme based on the average derivative method and calculated the difference coefficients and dispersion conditions. Additionally, to address the significant computational cost in frequency domain forward modelling, we developed an improved 25‐point finite‐difference scheme. The improved 25‐point format is more accurate than the conventional 25‐point format. Building on this foundation, we applied the two derived differential schemes to full waveform inversion to synthesize the shot records of the inversion data. Additionally, we introduced a frequency compensation factor into the gradient processing, which effectively compensates for the deep layer while suppressing noise in the shallow gradient field. Finally, we demonstrated the effectiveness of our approach through a full waveform inversion application on the Marmousi model showcasing its capability in invertig fine subsurface structures.
A comparison of psychosomatic symptoms and coping strategies of 14‐ to 19‐year‐old Czech students with and without specific learning disabilities in stressful circumstances
Authors: Jůzová Ivana , Vaďurová Helena , Vicherková Nikol
Published: August 2024

The study focused on comparing the prevalence and type of psychosomatic symptoms in Czech students aged 14 to 19 years (N = 459) without and with specific learning disabilities (SpLDs), as well as their tendencies towards selected coping strategies. No statistically significant differences were found in the prevalence and type of psychosomatic symptoms between students without SpLDs (n = 366) and those with SpLDs (N = 93). The most common psychosomatic symptoms reported by both groups under stress were abdominal pain (61%; N = 459), extreme fatigue (60%; N = 459), tremor (56%; N = 459) and headache (53%; N = 459), with the frequency of occurrence ranging from sometimes to very often. There were no differences observed in the use of negative and positive coping strategies during stressful situations, except for alcohol use, which was more prevalent among students without SpLDs (p = 0.024). Correlations were found between anxiety, withdrawal and crying, and the six most frequent psychosomatic symptoms. Furthermore, students with SpLDs more frequently reported attempting to eliminate the cause of the problem (80%; N = 93) and searching for different solutions (80%; N = 93). Therefore, the study's findings suggest that SpLDs do not present a higher risk for increased psychosomatic symptoms or a preference for negative coping strategies.
The social value of place‐based creative wellbeing: A rapid review and evidence synthesis
Authors: Ganga Rafaela Neiva , Davies Laura , Wilson Kerry , Musella Margherita
Published: August 2024

Creative well‐being is an increasing field of interest to which biomedical and social sciences have made uneven contributions. The instrumental value of culture and its subsequential public investment is grounded in the interplay of social, cultural and economic capital to attain and preserve wellbeing and health and foster social mobility. The current evidence addresses the effectiveness of arts interventions in improving illnesses. Little attention has been paid to the social value of creative wellbeing for the general population. This paper is a rapid review and evidence synthesis that aims to answer the question, ‘What is the social value of place‐based arts and culture interventions at individual (wellbeing) and community (social inequalities) levels in the UK and Europe?’. After a systematic search of five databases, search engines, and a call for evidence in August 2022, 14 out of 974 sources met the inclusion criteria. Studies were organised into three themes (Community, Events, Museums), and outcomes were analysed considering the indicators and dimensions of wellbeing (Office for National Statistics). The review evidenced that creative wellbeing leads to improvements in wellbeing outcomes and can contribute to alleviating social determinants of health. However, considering their impact on the underlying causes of structural social inequalities requires caution.
The other women's rights movement: ‘Streetwalkers’, habeas corpus and anticarceral activism in New York City, 1830–1860
Authors: Haynes April
Published: August 2024

This article reconstructs the earliest known movement for sex workers' rights in US history. It interprets collective assertions of due process as a strategy to overturn vagrancy laws, which permitted municipal officials to summarily commit ‘common prostitutes’ to the penitentiary for months. Mass arrests sparked an anticarceral movement of ‘streetwalkers’ who refused to be contained. Unlike the middle‐class Woman's Rights Movement, which sought equal rights for their own sake, streetwalkers acted to build a world in which they could control their own labour, have sex without punishment and move freely through their city.
Estimation of spatial demographic maps from polymorphism data using a neural network
Authors: Smith Chris C. R. , Patterson Gilia , Ralph Peter L. , Kern Andrew D.
Published: August 2024

A fundamental goal in population genetics is to understand how variation is arrayed over natural landscapes. From first principles we know that common features such as heterogeneous population densities and barriers to dispersal should shape genetic variation over space, however there are few tools currently available that can deal with these ubiquitous complexities. Geographically referenced single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data are increasingly accessible, presenting an opportunity to study genetic variation across geographic space in myriad species. We present a new inference method that uses geo‐referenced SNPs and a deep neural network to estimate spatially heterogeneous maps of population density and dispersal rate. Our neural network trains on simulated input and output pairings, where the input consists of genotypes and sampling locations generated from a continuous space population genetic simulator, and the output is a map of the true demographic parameters. We benchmark our tool against existing methods and discuss qualitative differences between the different approaches; in particular, our program is unique because it infers the magnitude of both dispersal and density as well as their variation over the landscape, and it does so using SNP data. Similar methods are constrained to estimating relative migration rates, or require identity‐by‐descent blocks as input. We applied our tool to empirical data from North American grey wolves, for which it estimated mostly reasonable demographic parameters, but was affected by incomplete spatial sampling. Genetic based methods like ours complement other, direct methods for estimating past and present demography, and we believe will serve as valuable tools for applications in conservation, ecology and evolutionary biology. An open source software package implementing our method is available from https://github.com/kr‐colab/mapNN.
MycoAI: Fast and accurate taxonomic classification for fungal ITS sequences
Authors: Romeijn Luuk , Bernatavicius Andrius , Vu Duong
Published: August 2024

Efficient and accurate classification of DNA barcode data is crucial for large‐scale fungal biodiversity studies. However, existing methods are either computationally expensive or lack accuracy. Previous research has demonstrated the potential of deep learning in this domain, successfully training neural networks for biological sequence classification. We introduce the MycoAI Python package, featuring various deep learning models such as BERT and CNN tailored for fungal Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) sequences. We explore different neural architecture designs and encoding methods to identify optimal models. By employing a multi‐head output architecture and multi‐level hierarchical label smoothing, MycoAI effectively generalizes across the taxonomic hierarchy. Using over 5 million labelled sequences from the UNITE database, we develop two models: MycoAI‐BERT and MycoAI‐CNN. While we emphasize the necessity of verifying classification results by AI models due to insufficient reference data, MycoAI still exhibits substantial potential. When benchmarked against existing classifiers such as DNABarcoder and RDP on two independent test sets with labels present in the training dataset, MycoAI models demonstrate high accuracy at the genus and higher taxonomic levels, with MycoAI‐CNN being the fastest and most accurate. In terms of efficiency, MycoAI models can classify over 300,000 sequences within 5 min. We publicly release the MycoAI models, enabling mycologists to classify their ITS barcode data efficiently. Additionally, MycoAI serves as a platform for developing further deep learning‐based classification methods. The source code for MycoAI is available under the MIT Licence at https://github.com/MycoAI/MycoAI.
Exonisation of an intronic L1 element in the dystrophin gene associated with X‐linked muscular dystrophy in a Border Collie dog
Authors: Van Poucke Mario , Ledeganck Liesbet , Guo Ling T. , Shelton G. Diane , Bhatti Sofie F. M. , Cornelis Ine , Peelman Luc
Published: August 2024

X‐linked recessive dystrophinopathies are the most common muscular dystrophies (MDs) in humans and dogs. To date, 20 breed‐specific MD‐associated variants are described in the canine dystrophin gene (DMD), including one associated with dystrophin‐deficient MD in the Border Collie mixed breed. Here, we report the diagnosis and follow‐up of mild dystrophin‐deficient MD in a 5‐month‐old male Border Collie, associated with a novel DMD variant. Diagnosis was based on neurological examination and laboratory evaluations including creatine kinase activity, electromyography and muscle biopsies with immunofluorescent staining. Inspection of the Sashimi plots of the RNA‐seq data from the affected muscle biopsy led to the discovery of a 162‐bp L1 pseudoexon in DMD intron 63, introducing a frameshift and a premature stop codon (NM_001003343.1: c.9271_9272insN[162] p.(Ala3091fs*21)). Reduced DMD mRNA levels were detected for both the non‐pseudoexon (50× less) and pseudoexon (3× less) containing transcripts in the affected muscle, compared with the level of the non‐pseudoexon containing transcript in a control muscle, resulting in very low dystrophin protein levels and the upregulation of utrophin. Because the variant was only found in the affected dog, not in the healthy mother and grandmother, or in 108 unrelated Border Collies from the Belgian population (46 males and 62 females), it was considered a de novo variant. Although the prognosis for dystrophinopathy is generally regarded as poor, the dog stabilised at the age of 6 months and is still clinically stable at the age of 2 years.
Alcohol use disorder, cannabis use disorder, and eating disorder symptoms among male and female college students
Authors: Pedersen Eric R. , Shute Ireland M. , Buch Keegan D. , Fitzke Reagan E. , Berry Katherine A. , Tran Denise D. , Murray Stuart B.
Published: August 2024

Background and Objectives

Eating disorders (EDs) and substance use disorders are prevalent among college students in the United States, with underlying common mechanisms suggesting co‐occurrence of these in the student population. As treatment prognosis of EDs improves when they are identified and treated with early intervention, it is essential to understand which substance use behaviors associate with EDs in students.

Methods

Using a sample of 471 college students recruited for a study on high risk drinking (i.e., students needed to pregame regularly to be included), we explored the associations between ED symptomatology and two common substances used in this population: alcohol and cannabis. As most research on EDs focuses on female students only or does not separate out males and females, we examined whether sex assigned at birth moderated the association between ED symptomatology and substance use outcomes.

Results

About one‐third (32.4%) of the sample screened positive for an ED, with females significantly more likely to screen positive. Males were significantly more likely to screen positive for an alcohol or cannabis use disorder. Screening positive for an ED associated with cannabis use frequency and cannabis use disorder symptoms, but not with alcohol outcomes. Sex moderated the association between ED and cannabis use disorder symptoms, with positive ED screen male students experiencing the highest cannabis use disorder symptoms.

Discussion and Conclusions

It is necessary to further assess how sex differences in substance use and ED symptomatology inform each other.

Scientific Significance

Findings underscore the need to assess and screen for cannabis use disorder among students who screen positive for an ED, and, more specifically, with focused attention on male students with ED symptoms.
Post cardiotomy extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in pediatric patients: Results and neurodevelopmental outcomes
Authors: Varrica Alessandro , Cotza Mauro , Rito Mauro Lo , Satriano Angela , Carboni Giovanni , Saracino Antonio , Reali Matteo , Hafdhullah Mahmood , Ranucci Marco , Giamberti Alessandro
Published: August 2024

Background

The increasing complexity of congenital cardiac surgery has led to greater utilization of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) support for children post‐surgery. This study aims to identify risk factors for mortality and brain injury in pediatric patients requiring post‐cardiotomy ECMO and to evaluate their neurological outcomes.

Methods

This retrospective study includes pediatric patients with congenital heart diseases who required ECMO after surgery. Risk factors for in‐hospital mortality and brain injury were assessed. Neurodevelopmental status was determined using the Pediatric Cerebral Performance Category (PCPC) Scale at discharge and during follow‐up.

Results

Between October 2014 and May 2021, 2651 pediatric patients underwent cardiac surgery, with 90 (3.4%) requiring ECMO. The mean age was 0.6 years, ranging from 1 day to 13 years and 7 months. ECMO was implemented for 45 patients due to CPB weaning failure (NW‐CPB), 24 due to postoperative low‐cardiac output syndrome (LCOS), and 21 for extracorporeal cardiopulmonary resuscitation (E‐CPR). ECMO weaning was achieved in 73 patients (81%), with an overall mortality rate of 36%. Pre‐implant lactate levels (OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.03–1.25; p = 0.009) and peak bilirubin levels (OR: 1.04, 95% CI: 0.87–1.24; p = 0.69) were risk factors for in‐hospital mortality. Survival rates were 79% for LCOS, 60% for NW‐CPB, and 48% for E‐CPR. Brain injury incidence was 33%, with E‐CPR being a significant risk factor (p = 0.006) and NW‐CPB being protective (p = 0.001). Follow‐up in November 2023 showed significant improvement in neurodevelopmental status (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Elevated pre‐implant lactate and elevated bilirubin levels during ECMO are major risk factors for mortality. E‐CPR is the primary risk factor for brain injury. Follow‐up revealed significant improvements in neurodevelopmental outcomes.
Meta‐analysis of an integrated archaeobiological and environmental dataset: Revealing hidden trends in Chalcolithic and Bronze Age socio‐economies in southern Central Asia
Authors: Rouse Lynne M. , Haruda Ashleigh , Hunter Sydney A. , Kroll Sonja
Published: August 2024

We present the results of multivariate and exploratory statistical analyses of a large dataset that includes zooarchaeological, archaeobotanical, chrono‐cultural and proxy environmental data. Data are drawn from published specialist reports from 39 archaeological sites and include 49 distinct chronological contexts dated from the Chalcolithic to Bronze Age (c.5300–1500 BCE) in southern Central Asia. Results support broad observations on the stability of agro‐pastoral subsistence, while indicating that the environment had a minor influence in comparison with the economic and cultural use of species, as revealed through subtle variations across sites and as packages of co‐occurring taxa that link sites within integrated socio‐economies.
Factors affecting peripheral neuropathy induced by nanoparticle albumin‐bound paclitaxel in patients with pancreatic cancer
Authors: Kang Minseo , Yoo Seunghyun , Jung Yeolmae , Lim Hayun , Lee Myeong Hwan , Ryu Ji Kon , Lee Jangik I.
Published: August 2024

Aim

Chemotherapy‐induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a major toxicity limiting the use of nab‐paclitaxel (Nab‐P) in treating patients with pancreatic cancer. The aim of this study was to identify the factors affecting CIPN using patient‐reported outcome measures and the minimally invasive volumetric absorptive microsampling (VAMS) technique.

Methods

The maximum concentrations of paclitaxel (Cmax) were measured from 81 VAMS samples collected from 44 participants with pancreatic cancer. The association between CIPN development and demographic, clinical and pharmacokinetic factors was determined using univariable and multivariable logistic regression. The association between CIPN severity and the factors was evaluated using Spearman's rank correlation. The impact of Cmax and the number of treatment cycles on the severity was assessed using multivariable linear regression.

Results

The development of CIPN was significantly associated with cumulative dose (odds ratio 1.005, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.003‐1.007), treatment cycles (3.47, 2.25‐5.85), alkaline phosphate (0.992, 0.985‐0.998) and age (1.092, 1.020‐1.179), with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.89 (95% CI 0.83‐0.95). The severity of CIPN significantly worsened with increasing cumulative dose (coefficient 0.58, 95% CI 0.44‐0.69), treatment cycles (0.57, 0.44‐0.68) and age (0.18, 0.00‐0.35). The severity of CIPN was predictable from treatment cycles (P = .0002) and Cmax (P = .01).

Conclusion

The higher the cumulative dose of Nab‐P, treatment cycles and age, the more frequently and severely do the patients experience CIPN. In predicting the severity of CIPN using Cmax, minimally invasive VAMS is a feasible alternative to venous blood sampling.
Balancing exploration and exploitation? The impact of cost and inhibitory control on information gathering in early childhood
Authors: Iwasaki Shoko , Moriguchi Yusuke , Sekiyama Kaoru
Published: August 2024

The information‐seeking behaviour of adults focuses on optimizing the gathering and utilizing information to minimize search costs. In contrast, children tend to engage in information search during decision‐making with less consideration for costs. This difference in behaviour is believed to be linked to the development of executive functions. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between executive function and cost‐related information‐gathering behaviour. We assessed 56 children aged 4–6 years, involving three tasks: an information‐gathering task, an inhibitory control and a working memory task. In the information‐gathering task, children participated in both non‐cost and cost conditions, where they were given the opportunity to freely gather information or incur a cost to acquire information. The findings revealed that children with higher inhibitory control tended to gather less information when a cost was involved. This highlights the important role of inhibitory control in shaping information‐seeking behaviour in early childhood.
Commentary: Can a modernised psychiatric unit space reduce the use of coercive measures in child and adolescent psychiatry? A commentary on Czernine et al. (2024)
Authors: Wong Keri Ka‐Yee
Published: August 2024

The environment influences the way we act, react and adapt to our surroundings whether it is consciously or unconsciously. Though it is widely accepted that multiple interacting systems influence human behaviour and development across the life span, the reality of teasing these factors apart is difficult and challenging. In this brief commentary on Czernine and colleagues' important and timely paper, ‘Can a modernised psychiatric unit space reduce the use of coercive measures in child and adolescent psychiatry?’, I evaluate and build on the evidence presented by making constructive suggestions on ways of improving the status quo healthcare and treatment conditions for children and adolescents today. The underlying assumption is that by furthering this complex yet important area of research in the field of psychiatry and adjacent disciplines, we can improve existing healthcare systems and processes that are aligned with meeting child and adolescent needs.
Baicalein Enhances Radiosensitivity in Colorectal Cancer via JAK2/STAT3 Pathway Inhibition
Authors: Yu Qingqing , Tang Rongjun , Mo Weixing , Zhao Linfang , Li Lingdi
Published: August 2024

Radiation resistance is a crucial factor influencing therapeutic outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). Baicalein (BE), primarily derived from Scutellaria baicalensis, has demonstrated anti‐CRC properties. However, the impact of BE on the radiosensitivity of CRC remains unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the radiosensitization effects of BE and elucidate its mechanism in CRC radiotherapy. We established an in vitro radioresistant cell model (CT26‐R) using parental CRC cells (CT26) subjected to ionizing radiation (IR). CT26‐R cells were pretreated with or without BE, followed by transfection with pcDNA‐NC and pcDNA‐JAK2. The proliferation of CT26‐R cells treated with BE and IR was assessed using a colony formation assay. A CRC animal model was developed in BALB/c mice via CT26‐R cell transplantation. The radiosensitizing effect of BE on CRC was evaluated in vivo. TUNEL assay was conducted to detect apoptosis in tumor tissue. The expression levels of p‐STAT3, JAK2, PD‐L1, and SOCS3 in vitro and in vivo were measured by western blotting. Our results demonstrated that BE significantly increased radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo and enhanced apoptosis in tumor tissues. Additionally, BE significantly downregulated the expression of p‐STAT3, JAK2, and PD‐L1, and significantly upregulated SOCS3 expression. These in vivo effects were reversed by pcDNA‐JAK2. In summary, our data suggest that BE enhances CRC radiosensitivity by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 pathway.
First‐in‐human study evaluating safety, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics of lorundrostat, a novel and highly selective aldosterone synthase inhibitor
Authors: Shimizu Hidetoshi , Tortorici Michael A. , Ohta Yoshiyasu , Ogawa Kei , Rahman Sheikh Mohammed Ashfaq , Fujii Aya , Hiraga Yuki , Kawai Mizue , Sugimoto‐Kawabata Kanami , van Iersel Mattheus (Thijs) , van Lier Jan Jaap , Djedjos Stephen , Slingsby B. T. , Rodman David M.
Published: August 2024

Dysregulation of the mineralocorticoid hormone aldosterone is an increasingly prevalent cause of hypertension. Aldosterone synthase (CYP11B2) shares 93% homology to 11β‐hydroxylase (CYP11B1), which produces cortisol. Lorundrostat, a highly selective inhibitor of CYP11B2, is a potential safe and effective treatment for aldosterone‐dependent, uncontrolled hypertension, including treatment‐resistant hypertension. Lorundrostat showed highly selective inhibition of CYP11B2 in vitro, with 374‐fold selectivity for CYP11B2 vs. CYP11B1. A first‐in‐human study of single ascending doses ranging from 5 to 800 mg and multiple ascending doses ranging from 40 to 360 mg once daily was conducted in healthy participants. After single‐ and multiple‐dose administration, lorundrostat plasma levels peaked 1–3 h after administration with a t1/2 of 10–12 h. Plasma aldosterone decreased up to 40% with single 100‐mg to 200‐mg doses and up to 70% with single 400 to 800‐mg doses. Plasma aldosterone returned to baseline within 16 h after single 100‐mg doses and multiple once‐daily 120‐mg doses. Lorundrostat demonstrated a favorable safety profile in healthy participants. Dose‐ and exposure‐dependent inhibition of renal tubular sodium reabsorption was observed across a clinically relevant dose range with no suppression of basal or cosyntropin‐stimulated cortisol production and only a modest increase in mean serum potassium.
Evaluation of PRAME immunohistochemistry in cutaneous vascular neoplasms reveals frequent expression in primary and post‐irradiation cutaneous angiosarcomas
Authors: Krajisnik Andrea , Rezaee Neda , Duncan Eleanor R. , Balzer Bonnie L. , Shon Wonwoo
Published: August 2024

Background

Preferentially expressed antigen in melanoma (PRAME) has been extensively studied in cutaneous melanocytic tumors and has proven valuable as a diagnostic adjunct in routine dermatopathology practice. However, its expression in cutaneous vascular neoplasms, particularly angiosarcomas (AS), remains largely unexplored.

Methods

To further explore PRAME expression in cutaneous AS, 18 cases of post‐irradiation and 13 cases of primary cutaneous AS were evaluated for PRAME. For comparison, sections from 11 deep soft tissue/visceral AS, 10 Kaposi sarcomas, 8 microvenular hemangiomas, 7 infantile hemangiomas, 8 atypical vascular lesions, 6 epithelioid hemangioendotheliomas, 6 pyogenic granulomas, 6 papillary endothelial hyperplasias, 6 epithelioid hemangiomas, 3 capillovenous malformations, 3 hobnail hemangiomas, 2 spindle cell hemangiomas, 2 pseudomyogenic hemangioendotheliomas, and 2 composite hemangioendotheliomas were also retrieved.

Results

Overall, 22 of 31 (70.9%; 12 post‐irradiation and 10 primary) cutaneous AS were positive for PRAME. In contrast, only 1 of 11 (9.1%) deep soft tissue/visceral AS showed diffuse and strong PRAME nuclear staining. All other tumor types were negative for PRAME, except for 5 of 7 (71.4%) infantile hemangiomas, which demonstrated rare (<5%; four cases) and 1+ (5–25%; one case) nuclear staining.

Conclusions

In this study, we have demonstrated frequent nuclear PRAME expression in cutaneous AS. PRAME immunohistochemistry may serve as a valuable additional marker in selected clinical settings.
Barriers and system improvements for physical activity promotion after gestational diabetes: A qualitative exploration of the views of healthcare professionals
Authors: Ioannou Elysa , Humphreys Helen , Homer Catherine , Purvis Alison
Published: August 2024

Aim

Physical activity is an important behaviour for managing the ten times increased risk of type 2 diabetes after gestational diabetes. Previous studies exploring physical activity promotion in healthcare focus on general practitioners but have not explored the gestational diabetes pathway. Therefore, this paper explores the barriers to and suggestions for, activity promotion along the gestational diabetes healthcare pathway.

Methods

The paper was written in accordance with the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research. Patient and Public Involvement with women who had lived experiences of gestational diabetes informed purposeful sampling by identifying which healthcare professional roles should be targeted in participant recruitment. Participants were recruited through word‐of‐mouth, that is, email and connections with local healthcare service leads. Twelve participants took part in semi‐structured one‐to‐one interviews, analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

Results

Participants included a Public Health Midwife (n = 1), Diabetes Midwifes (n = 3), Diabetes Dietitian (n = 1), Diabetes Consultants (n = 2), Diabetes Specialist Nurse (n = 1), general practitioners (n = 2), Practice nurse (n = 1) and a Dietitian from the UK National Diabetes Prevention Program (n = 1). Six themes were generated: ‘management of gestational diabetes takes precedent’, ‘poor continuity of care’, ‘lack of capacity to promote PA’, ‘beliefs about the acceptability of PA promotion’, ‘resources to support conversations about PA’ and ‘adapting healthcare services for women post‐gestational diabetes’.

Conclusions

During pregnancy messaging around physical activity is consistent, yet this is specific for managing gestational diabetes and is not followed through postnatally. Improvements in continuity of care are necessary, in addition to ensuring the availability and links with wider exercise and activity schemes.
Prohydrojasmon treatment of Brassica juncea alters the performance and behavioural responses of the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae
Authors: Ali Jamin , Xiao Feng , Alam Aleena , Li Liu Jia , Ji YunLiang , Chao Wu Hai , Weibo Qin , Xie Aocong , Zengyi Bi , M. Abdel Hafez Mogeda , Ghramh Hamed A. , Khan Khalid Ali , Tonğa Adil , Chen Rizhao
Published: August 2024

Plants encounter a myriad of biotic and abiotic stresses throughout their life cycle, among which aphids pose a significant challenge as herbivorous insect pests. Aphids cause both direct damage through feeding and indirect damage by transmitting viruses. Given the growing concerns about insecticide resistance and the non‐target effects of synthetic insecticides, there is an urgent need to develop novel pest control strategies that are dependent on plant defence strategies. In this study, we assessed the effects of exogenous prohydrojasmon (PDJ), a derivative of jasmonic acid, at 24 h (PDJ24) and 48 h (PDJ48) post‐treatment on the cabbage aphid, Brevicoryne brassicae L. (Hemiptera: Aphididae), feeding on Brassica juncea L. (Brassicaceae). The impact of PDJ treatments was assessed by conducting performance bioassays (survival and fecundity) and behavioural bioassays (settlement and attraction to volatiles in an olfactometer). Our findings reveal that the exogenous application of PDJ did not significantly affect on the performance and behaviour of B. brassicae at 24‐h post‐treatment. However, PDJ treatment significantly reduced the performance of B. brassicae at 48‐h post‐treatment, and affected the behaviour in terms of reduced settlement on and attraction to volatiles of PDJ‐treated plants. These results suggest that PDJ has the potential to effectively induce defences in Brassica against sucking pests. This study provides valuable insights into possibility of employing PDJ as an alternative approach for sustainable pest management in agriculture.
An interdisciplinary integrated specialized one‐stop outpatient clinic for idiopathic intracranial hypertension—a comprehensive assessment of clinical outcome
Authors: Bsteh Gabriel , Macher Stefan , Krajnc Nik , Marik Wolfgang , Michl Martin , Müller Nina , Zaic Sina , Harreiter Jürgen , Novak Klaus , Wöber Christian , Pemp Berthold
Published: August 2024

Background and purpose

Management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is complex requiring multiple specialized disciplines. In practice, this creates considerable organizational and communicational challenges for healthcare professionals and patients. Thus, an interdisciplinary integrated outpatient clinic for IIH (comprising neurology, neuroophthalmology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery and endocrinology) was established with central coordination and a one‐stop concept. Here, the aim was to evaluate the effects of this one‐stop concept on objective clinical outcome.

Methods

In a retrospective cohort study, the one‐stop era with integrated care (IC) (1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022) was compared to a reference group receiving standard care (SC) (1 July 2018 to 31 December 2019) regarding visual impairment/worsening and headache improvement/freedom 6 months after diagnosis. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders.

Results

Baseline characteristics of the IC group (n = 85) and SC group (n = 81) were comparable (female 90.6% vs. 90.1%; mean age 33.6 vs. 32.8 years; median body mass index 31.8 vs. 33.0; median cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure 32 vs. 34 cmH2O; at diagnosis, visual impairment was present in 71.8% vs. 69.1% and chronic headache in 55.3% vs. 56.8% in IC vs. SC). IC was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving both headache improvement (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52–4.33, p < 0.001) and headache freedom (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.11–3.09, p = 0.031). Regarding the risk of visual impairment and visual worsening IC was superior numerically but not statistically significantly (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69–1.16, p = 0.231, and OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.41–1.25, p = 0.354).

Conclusions

Interdisciplinary integrated care of IIH is favourably associated with headache outcomes and potentially also visual outcomes.
Intrusion of birds into nest cavities depends on the presence of feathers in the cavity and not on species of nest owner
Authors: Slagsvold Tore
Published: August 2024

Most animals live and move in a landscape in which the risk of predation varies spatially and temporally, that is, a “landscape of fear” which may strongly affect their ecology and behaviour. Cavity‐nesting birds prospecting for nest sites are often forced to investigate unfamiliar, dark holes that may be dangerous to enter because they may conceal an aggressive nesting bird or a predator. The Fear of Feathers Hypothesis posits that some birds such as blue tits Cyanistes caeruleus, add large, conspicuous feathers on top of their own nest to exploit the fear of potential nest usurpers or brood parasites. Feathers may trigger fear in prospecting birds either because the feathers obstruct the view of the cavity interior, and/or because the feathers may be perceived as recent prey remains and suggest the predator will return. Here I studied the prospecting behaviour of unmated male pied flycatchers Ficedula hypoleuca by letting them choose between a dyad of nest boxes where one contained a nest of a great tit Parus major and one a nest of a blue tit. The objective was to test whether the presence of feathers would have a stronger repelling effect than the species that had built the nest. Great tits are larger than blue tits and may represent a greater threat to intruding flycatchers. However, blue tits but not great tits, often decorate their nest with large, conspicuous feathers. Consistent with the Fear of Feathers Hypothesis, flycatchers hesitated longer to enter blue tit than great tit nests but only if the blue tit nest contained feathers. The study has relevance to many species of birds that decorate their nest with feathers. It shows that a landscape may include aspects of fear that are important to animal behaviour although they may seem subtle and are easily overlooked.
Fertilization regulates global thresholds in soil bacteria
Authors: Chen Cai , Li Shu‐Le , Chen Qing‐Lin , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Guo Zhao‐Feng , Wang Fenghua , Xu Yao‐Yang , Zhu Yong‐Guan
Published: August 2024

Global patterns in soil microbiomes are driven by non‐linear environmental thresholds. Fertilization is known to shape the soil microbiome of terrestrial ecosystems worldwide. Yet, whether fertilization influences global thresholds in soil microbiomes remains virtually unknown. Here, utilizing optimized machine learning models with Shapley additive explanations on a dataset of 10,907 soil samples from 24 countries, we discovered that the microbial community response to fertilization is highly dependent on environmental contexts. Furthermore, the interactions among nitrogen (N) addition, pH, and mean annual temperature contribute to non‐linear patterns in soil bacterial diversity. Specifically, we observed positive responses within a soil pH range of 5.2–6.6, with the influence of higher temperature (>15°C) on bacterial diversity being positive within this pH range but reversed in more acidic or alkaline soils. Additionally, we revealed the threshold effect of soil organic carbon and total nitrogen, demonstrating how temperature and N addition amount interacted with microbial communities within specific edaphic concentration ranges. Our findings underscore how complex environmental interactions control soil bacterial diversity under fertilization.