bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Public Health Accreditation Board Accreditation and Pathways Recognition Among Small Health Departments: Motivation, Communication, and Celebration
Authors: Fifolt Matthew , Allen Peg , Crenshaw Andrew N. , Erwin Paul C. , Lang Britt , Belflower Thomas Amy , Brownson Ross C.
Published: November 2024

This paper explores how small local health departments (LHDs) motivated staff members, communicated progress toward Public Health Accreditation Board accreditation or Pathways Recognition, and celebrated interim and final accreditation accomplishments. Qualitative key informant interviews were conducted with 22 employees and affiliates of 4 LHDs with jurisdiction populations <50 000. LHDs motivated staff through ownership, creative strategies to monitor and record progress, and meaningful no- or low-cost incentives. Participants communicated accreditation progress internally and externally through in-person and electronic communication. Individuals described small rituals and large, community-wide celebrations to express collective investment in and ownership of the accreditation process. Strategies to motivate staff were top-down and bottom-up, and accreditation status updates were communicated through multiple channels. Participants viewed celebrations as valuable aspects of the accreditation process. Reaccreditation participants deemed Public Health Accreditation Board accreditation worthy of celebration and an accomplishment to share with the community.
Maternal Mortality in Missouri: A Comparison of Definitions and Data Sources
Authors: Quay Daniel J. , Harbert Karen , Schramm Wayne , Garikapaty Venkata
Published: November 2024

There are multiple surveillance systems working to address the issue of maternal mortality in Missouri. These surveillance systems have key methodological differences in their definitions, terminology, inclusion criteria, and purpose. This study aims to provide an understanding of the practical effects of these programmatic differences regarding what cases are included and how this can impact the interpretations of the data and influence policy decisions. To accomplish this, death certificates identified by the Missouri Vital Statistics program, the Pregnancy Mortality Surveillance System, and the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review (PAMR) program were compared. Commonalities and differences were noted, demonstrating the real-world effects of the methodological differences between programs. In particular, the PAMR program includes injury deaths in the count of pregnancy-related deaths, which are not included by other surveillance systems. These differences highlight the importance of understanding the methodology and limitations of a dataset.
Multidimensional program for insomnia in a cohort of people living with HIV: an interventional study
Authors: Mazzitelli Maria , Trunfio Mattia , Scaglione Vincenzo , Sasset Lolita , Leoni Davide , Gasparini Gianluca , Marini Mauro , Favaro Angela , Cattelan Annamaria
Published: November 2024

Objective:

Sleep disorders (SD) are prevalent in PLWH, but poorly addressed in HIV care. We evaluated the effectiveness of a multi-dimensional program for SD in an outpatient HIV clinic.

Methods:

Interventional study in 175 PLWH on ART suffering from insomnia. Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), sleep quality, mood disorders, and well-being were assessed at baseline and at month 6th after counselling for sleep hygiene and referral to tailored pharmacological and/or neuropsychological interventions. Participants were classified as fully, partial, and non-adherent (FA-PA-NA) to the interventions. Mixed-effects models and longitudinal paired tests evaluated the impact of adherence to interventions on SD overtime.

Results:

Participants (male 65.7%, median age 51 years, 95.4% with viral suppression) were referred to psychologist (94.8%), psychiatrist (9.1%), and neurologist (2.8%), and 30.3% and 20.5% had indication to hypo-inducing drugs and psychotherapy/cognitive-behavioral therapy. Seventy-seven participants (44.0%) were NA, 9.1% PA, and 46.8% FA. ISI improved in all, but the strongest effect size was seen in FA (D = 0.89, p < 0.001). Perceived wellness improved only in FA, and hours slept per night increased in all but more relevantly in FA and PA (both p < 0.001). In adjusted models, adherence to the interventions ISI decreased (improve) overtime only in FA (aβ=-1.24, p = 0.005 vs NA; aβ=-0.71, p = 0.349 for PA vs NA).

Conclusions:

The introduction of multidimensional programs for SD can reduce the prevalence and severity of insomnia and improve sleep quality and wellness in PLWH. Such approach should be integrated into daily multidisciplinary clinical practice for HIV care.
Exploring Denosumab in the Treatment of Giant Cell Tumors: Clinical Evidence and Controversies
Authors: Brochu Baylee M. , Mirsky Nicholas A. , Nayak Vasudev Vivekanand , Witek Lukasz , Thaller Seth R. , Carlini Joao L. , Coelho Paulo G.
Published: November 2024

Giant cell tumors (GCTs) are benign but locally aggressive bone neoplasms that primarily affect skeletally mature individuals. They are characterized by a tendency for recurrence and being associated with significant morbidity. Traditional treatment has focused on surgical resection; however, the role of medical therapies, such as Denosumab, a bone anti-resorptive drug, which has been Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved for unresectable GCTs since 2013, recently has gained prominence. Denosumab is a human monoclonal antibody that inhibits receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL). This article aims to consolidate the current literature on Denosumab’s efficacy in treating GCTs, highlighting its mechanism of action, clinical evidence, and potential complications. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Denosumab effectively reduces tumor size improving patient outcomes. Yet, some clinicians maintain concerns and reservations regarding local recurrence and malignant transformation. This review discusses the biochemical background of GCTs, current treatment guidelines, challenges, and future directions for research. Ultimately, Denosumab represents a potentially viable advancement in the management of GCTs, particularly in cases where surgical options are limited.
We are the sensors of consciousness! A review and analysis on how awakenings during sleep influence dream recall
Authors: Stucky Benjamin
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Since the 1930s, researchers have awakened people from different stages of sleep to record what they have experienced. While some aspects, including asking whether participants had dreams or thoughts before awakening, largely remain the same, others, such as the method of awakening, vary greatly. In addition, it is often assumed that the influence of participant characteristics, such as personality traits, motivation, memory, and attention, is reduced by collecting experiences immediately after they occur, rather than through delayed morning recall. However, the extent to which these variables influence dream recall upon awakening has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

Materials and methods

To explore possible contextual and individual influences, this review analyzed 69 awakening studies conducted between 2000 and 2024 and utilized the DREAM database. Differences between sleep stages were quantified and experiences analyzed using the categories ‘with recall’, ‘without recall’, and ‘no report’.

Results

Similar levels of null reports were found in NREM stage 2 and stage 3. Significant factors affecting dream recall included the method of awakening (lower recall with an alarm compared to calling the participant’s name), the number of study days (reduced recall for multiple days) and the sleep environment (higher recall at home compared to the laboratory), along with participant characteristics beyond age, sex and study design. Recall rates from NREM sleep are particularly sensitive to the method of awakening and interindividual differences.

Conclusion

Both the awakening procedure and participant characteristics influence the amount of reported sleep experiences, which can impact study outcomes, such as the identification of neural correlates of consciousness. Therefore, greater emphasis needs to be placed on how experiences are collected and on participant characteristics, such as openness to experience or familiarity with different states of consciousness.

Plain Language Summary

Have you ever wondered how often you dream while you sleep? We reviewed 69 studies where people were woken up to share their experiences. They reported dreaming most of the time, even in deep sleep. You might ask, “Why don’t I remember much in the morning then?” Well, maybe you forgot your dream because a lot of time has passed. These studies capture the experience right after it happens, but even then, some people remember dreams more than others. This could be because they are more focused on their dreams. How you wake up also matters. If someone shakes you awake, you may forget your dream, but if they gently call your name, you have a better chance of remembering it. You might also fail to recognize more subtle experiences, such as a sense of calm. So perhaps sleep is not as unconscious as we thought, leaving much to be explored in future studies.
Collinear limit of the four-point energy correlator in
N=4
supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory
Authors: Chicherin Dmitry , Moult Ian , Sokatchev Emery , Yan Kai , Zhu Yunyue
Published: November 2024

We present a compact formula, expressed in terms of classical polylogarithms up to weight three, for the leading order four-point energy correlator in maximally supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory, in the limit where the four detectors are collinear. This formula is derived by combining a simplified, manifestly dual conformal invariant form of the 1→4 splitting function obtained from the square of the tree-level five-particle form factor of stress-tensor multiplet operators, with a novel integration-by-parts algorithm operating directly on Feynman parameter integrals. Our results provide valuable data for exploring the structure of physical observables in perturbation theory, and for calculations of jet substructure observables in quantum chromodynamics.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Understanding and Controlling the Formation of Nonradiative Defects in Blue Organic Triplet Emitters
Authors: Zhao Haonan , Qu Boning , Forrest Stephen R.
Published: November 2024

Phosphorescent organic light-emitting devices (PHOLEDs) suffer from destructive molecular processes due to triplet-polaron and triplet-triplet annihilation. These processes are energetically driven and hence are particularly active in decreasing the lifetime of blue PHOLEDs. It has recently been shown that increasing triplet radiative rates via the Purcell effect effectively extends the device operational lifetime by reducing the triplet radiative lifetime, thus decreasing their density and the probability of triplet-annihilation reactions. We provide an analytical framework using Marcus theory to explain the observed, approximately exponential relationship between exciton energy and device lifetime. From transient drift-diffusion dynamics, we show that the Purcell effect reduces the exciton density in the steady state and increases the photoluminescent yield, thereby reducing defect generation rates and extending the device lifetime. We control the radiative rate of excitons in microcavities, thereby connecting the exciton energy and decay rates with the observed device lifetime. The device lifetime is shown to follow a power-law dependence on the Purcell factor (PFm) with m=1.5 to 2.5, dependent on the TTA-to-TPA ratio and photoluminescence quantum yield. From our analysis, a fivefold increase in PF has the potential to extend the blue PHOLED lifetime by up to 2 orders of magnitude, making the blue PHOLED lifetime comparable to that of state-of-the-art green PHOLEDs.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Navigating turbulent waters: the impact of technological turbulence on entrepreneurial orientation in Chinese e-commerce enterprises
Authors: Yang Jianchun , Qi Mengya , Du Yuqi , Chen Zhi , Zhou Liying
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of technological turbulence on entrepreneurial orientation (EO) in Chinese e-commerce enterprises. It also examines the mediating roles of business ties and political ties, and the moderating effect of transaction uncertainty on these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 173 Chinese e-commerce enterprises was analyzed using survey data. Structural equation modeling was employed to test the proposed hypotheses, including the direct effects of technological turbulence on EO, the mediating roles of business and political ties, and the moderating effect of transaction uncertainty.

Findings

The results indicate a positive correlation between technological turbulence and EO. Business ties mediate the relationship between technological turbulence and EO, while political ties do not. Transaction uncertainty negatively moderates the relationship between business ties and EO but does not significantly affect the relationship between political ties and EO. Additionally, EO positively impacts market performance.

Originality/value

This study extends the understanding of how external environmental factors, such as technological turbulence, influence EO in the context of Chinese e-commerce. It highlights the differential roles of business and political ties and provides insights into the moderating effects of transaction uncertainty. The findings offer practical implications for e-commerce firms seeking to enhance their entrepreneurial capabilities in turbulent environments.
Leveraging frugal and sustainable entrepreneurship for inclusive development: an abductive case study of social entrepreneurs
Authors: Chaudhary Priya
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The study aims to explore the role of frugal and sustainable entrepreneurship in fostering inclusive development. It specifically investigates the role of social entrepreneurs who use innovative approaches to address societal challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses a qualitative approach using a case study based on Gioia method. Content analysis of interviews with the social entrepreneurs and their team members help establish the underlying principles of frugal innovation (FI).

Findings

The study highlights how social entrepreneurs use FI principles (re-use, re-purpose, re-combine and rapidity) to address the social needs and promote inclusive development.

Practical implications

The research offers valuable insights for both new and established social entrepreneurs. By showcasing the practical application of the FI principles, the study provides a guiding light for fostering sustainable and inclusive development. Frugal entrepreneurship, with its collaborative nature and ability to maximize limited resources, may emerge as a key strategy for social entrepreneurs to create a more inclusive, secure and sustainable future.

Originality/value

The research breaks new ground by examining the role of frugal and sustainable entrepreneurship in fostering inclusive development. This unique perspective explains how frugal and sustainable practices are tailored and adapted to address localized issues. Furthermore, the use of a case study allowed for the emergence of new themes and insights not anticipated earlier.
Evaluating the research and development (R&D) efficiency of the Chinese construction industry
Authors: Zhang Bing , Wang Cui , Ren Xuan Ze , Xia Bo
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The construction industry has been investigating “where Henry Ford is in the industry system.” Given that listed construction enterprises are the backbone of the promotion of the high-quality development of the industry, their research and innovation are of considerable importance. This study aims to comprehensively assess the research and development (R&D) status quo and trends within various types of construction enterprises in order to identify effective strategies to enhance R&D efficiency in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data won from annual reports and the CSMAR database for the period 2016–2020, this study examines 104 listed construction enterprises in China. By applying both the data envelopment analysis (DEA) method and the Malmquist productivity index, this research compares and analyzes the static and dynamic differences in R&D efficiency across different types of construction enterprises.

Findings

Results suggest that the magnitude of change in the Malmquist decomposition index of 104 listed construction enterprises gradually narrowed, but the comprehensive technological level remained relatively low. Although state-owned enterprises had an advantage in scale efficiency, meaning they could maximize output with given inputs, their technological progress efficiency, also known as the degree of technological innovation, was significantly lower than that of private enterprises. As one finding, state-owned enterprises in comparison with private enterprises experience significant R&D inefficiency. It represents the main cause of their low degree of technological innovation and efficiency.

Originality/value

This study assesses the R&D efficiency of listed construction enterprises in China from the perspective of different market segments, state-owned and private enterprises and suggests approaches to improve strategies for various corporate types. Thus, the study’s new findings contribute to addressing the challenge of low R&D levels in the construction industry in the fields of engineering, construction and architectural management.
Strategies to recruit and retain generation Z in the built environment sector
Authors: Ling Florence Yean Yng , Lew Eunice Jing Yi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Generation Z built environment (BE) undergraduates and graduates (Zoomers) are the latest cohort entering the job market. Existing research has yet to comprehensively explore approaches for attracting and engaging Zoomer employees within the BE sector. This study aims to identify effective strategies for recruiting and retaining Zoomers in the BE sector.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods research design comprising survey and interviews with Zoomers was employed. Data were collected from Zoomers via an online survey using a structured questionnaire and interviews.

Findings

The first finding, job flexibility, is the most important job motivator. Zoomers seek hybrid work arrangements, and a mix of fieldwork and desk bound work. The second finding, “earned media” (and not “owned media”), is an important way to attract Zoomers. As savvy digital natives, Zoomers rely on reviews about the organization posted on independent online platforms or employees’ own social media accounts. The third finding is the diminishing role of family in Zoomers’ decision-making about their careers.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are limited to Zoomers’ views about recruitment and retention within the BE sector.

Practical implications

Recommendations are offered to organizations on strategic job redesign and increasing “earned media” to attract Zoomers.

Originality/value

The findings contribute to understanding Zoomers’ approach to recruitment and retention based on Herzberg’s motivation-hygiene theory. Herzberg’s hygiene factors, which are essential benefits such as salary and career progression, remain important. The novel finding is the discovery of specific human resource (HR) practices that Zoomers consider to be hygiene factors, whereas older generations view them as “good-to-have” motivators. This underscores the intergenerational divergence in attitudes towards recruitment and retention in the BE sector.
Fuzzy synthetic evaluation of intervention measures to enhance the psychological health and well-being of expatriate construction professionals
Authors: Abdalla Alaeldin , Li Xiaodong , Yang Fan , Lou Qianhui
Published: November 2024

Purpose

With the rise in international construction projects, addressing the psychological health concerns of expatriate construction professionals (EXCPs) has become of paramount importance. Therefore, this study aims to identify and evaluate effective intervention measures to promote optimal psychological health and well-being in overseas working environments.

Design/methodology/approach

Intervention measures were identified through a comprehensive literature review. Subsequently, using a case study of Chinese international contractors, data were collected via a quantitative survey administered to EXCPs holding managerial positions in international construction projects. Fuzzy synthetic evaluation was employed to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings identified 23 intervention measures and 4 constructs, among them, measures focused on enhancing organizational justice and training practices offer the greatest potential for enhancing the psychological health and well-being during international assignments. Furthermore, the analysis showed that the overall criticality of the intervention measures to the international contractors is significant, suggesting that if put into practice, the psychological health and well-being of EXCPs can be significantly enhanced.

Originality/value

While prior research has explored intervention measures suitable for construction professionals working on domestic projects, little attention has been paid to EXCPs in the context of international construction projects. This study offers an initial exploration of the most crucial intervention measures and provides a valuable resource for policymakers and practitioners seeking to establish a psychologically healthy working environment for international construction projects.
Design Clinic India: disentangling the conundrum of marketing imperative
Authors: Dwivedi Hemverna , Kumar Shubham , Kushwaha Rohit , Sinha Amit Kumar
Published: November 2024

Learning outcomes

This case study is designed to enable learners to narrow and identify the right customer subset in relation to a handicraft organization. After completion of the case study, the students will be able to integrate advanced frameworks for outlining the importance of product features in context to Indian handicrafts, to link the implications of product attributes as a differentiation strategy, to articulate the appropriate strategies for customer retention and to critically simulate the adoption of niche marketing imperative when making a decision to scale the business.

Case overview/synopsis

Design Clinic India was a globally renowned, multi-disciplinary design studio specializing in exquisite furniture and decorative lights, deeply rooted in the rich tapestry of the emerging economy of India. It was founded in 2016 by the visionary Mr Parth Parikh, a master of product design hailing from New Delhi, India. The brand firmly believed that the vibrant essence of each creation portrayed the cultural diversity of the nation. During the formative years, the brand witnessed exceptional momentum in the sales figures. However, over the time, sales started depriving and Parikh feared the survival of his business. In the first place, he was confounded with the dilemma of how to retain customers in the long run, and how to keep his business in pace. Furthermore, he also faced a tough competition from the market in terms of differentiating his authentic products from the cheap replicas of his brand’s designs to streak ahead in the market space. It became challenging for companies to align their creative vision with market realities and customer expectations while also creating a balance between innovation and commercial viability. As a passionate entrepreneur, Parikh had to think a way out for the finest strategy for his label!

Complexity academic level

This case study comprises of conceptual schemes in context to product features, aesthetics and marketing of handicrafts. It can be used in advanced business courses, particularly in the fields of entrepreneurship, marketing, strategic management, decision-making and business planning. This case study can also address the separate components of niche marketing, customer retention and export of Indian handicrafts. For the aspect of niche marketing, the context from the textbook titled “Marketing Management” by Kotler et al. would be required (pp. 201–203). For product features, the latest edition of the textbook titled “Marketing” by Etzel et al., can be used (particularly, the material from pp. 277–281). Furthermore, the case can also be used in various capstone courses falling under the chapters of small businesses and differentiation strategy.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 11: Strategy.
On an ego trip: the relationship between supervisory responsibility and leader altruistic behavior
Authors: Funk Stephanie
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Prominent corporate scandals involving companies like Wirecard, Enron, VW and Tyco underscore the corrupting influence of power, with leaders often engaging in antisocial behaviors. Provoked by this, this study investigates the relationship between supervisory responsibility and one specific dimension of altruistic behavior. Understanding the dynamics of how structural power, particularly supervisory responsibility, associates with altruistic behavior is essential for organizations, given the well-documented advantages of altruistic leaders in terms of performance, innovation or ethical leadership.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing upon the approach-inhibition theory of power, this article proposes that individuals with greater structural power in terms of prolonged duration and greater scope of supervisory responsibility will show diminished altruistic behavior. Following theoretical considerations, power influences leaders’ behavior by decreasing attentiveness, reducing empathy and increasing self-focus. The study uses recent German linked employer-employee data to test the relationship between supervisory responsibility and one specific dimension of leader altruistic behavior (n = 2,752).

Findings

The results support that a prolonged duration and a greater scope of supervisory responsibility correlate negatively with the dimension of leader altruistic behavior under study.

Originality/value

The research empirically validates the findings on behavioral consequences of structural power from experimental settings for organizational leaders by explicitly focusing on the duration and the scope of supervisory responsibility. The findings provide useful insights for organizations concerning leader selection and leader governance mechanisms.
The role of personal and cultural values on saving behavior: a cross-national analysis
Authors: Cruz Luiz Alves , Peñaloza Verónica , Porto Nilton , An Ting
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between human values and saving behavior, focusing on both personal and cultural values.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes data from the seventh wave of the World Values Survey (2017–2020) covering 67,278 respondents across 48 countries and the Hofstede Insights (2024). The study employs principal component analysis to validate the measurement of personal values and multilevel logit regression to explore the associations between personal (individual level) and cultural (country level) values and saving behavior.

Findings

The findings, grounded in the functional theory of values, indicate that individuals with personal values oriented toward individual goals and survival needs are more likely to save money, whereas those with values centered on social orientation and thriving needs are less inclined to save. On a cultural level, individualistic societies tend to save more, while countries with high levels of uncertainty avoidance are associated with lower saving behavior.

Practical implications

This study provides further evidence that human values are important components of household savings behavior. Policymakers and stakeholders interested in fostering saving behavior should be aware of the role played by personal and cultural values when designing impactful policies and interventions. This process might involve encouraging survival traits and reducing economic uncertainty.

Originality/value

This study provides a comprehensive analysis of how personal and cultural values shape saving behavior across different societies. It contributes to the literature by highlighting the interplay between individual and societal factors in financial decision-making.
Understanding self-fulfillment: principals’ perspectives in special education for complex disabilities
Authors: Dor-Haim Peleg
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study examined the diverse expressions of self-fulfillment among principals working in Israel’s special education system for complex disabilities. It addressed two primary questions: (1) What are the perceived manifestations of self-fulfillment among principals in the context of complex disabilities? (2) What examples of self-fulfillment do these school principals provide?

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a qualitative methodology to explore the experiences of self-fulfillment among principals in Israel’s special education system for complex disabilities. Special education principals in this context are school leaders whose responsibilities focus solely on managing schools dedicated to children with severe and complex disabilities, such as autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities. Semi-structured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with 17 school principals, providing an in-depth understanding of their perspectives and experiences.

Findings

The study identified four patterns of self-fulfillment expressed by the participants: fulfillment in students’ advancement, fulfillment in facilitating social change, fulfillment through inclusive relationships and fulfillment as a mission and calling.

Originality/value

While self-fulfillment is acknowledged as a common work experience, the expressions and meanings attributed to it by principals working exclusively in special education settings have not been explicitly investigated. By examining the distinct context of special education for complex disabilities, where principals’ roles are driven by a sense of calling and social significance, this study revealed unique manifestations of self-fulfillment. These differ from the career-focused fulfillment seen in for-profit organizations.
Eddy current quantitative evaluation of high-speed railway contact wire cracks based on neural network
Authors: Zhou Xueying , Sun Wentao , Zhang Zehui , Zhang Junbo , Chen Haibo , Li Hongmei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to study the quantitative evaluation method of contact wire cracks by analyzing the changing law of eddy current signal characteristics under different cracks of contact wire of high-speed railway so as to provide a new way of thinking and method for the detection of contact wire injuries of high-speed railway.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the principle of eddy current detection and the specification parameters of high-speed railway contact wires in China, a finite element model for eddy current testing of contact wires was established to explore the variation patterns of crack signal characteristics in numerical simulation. A crack detection system based on eddy current detection was built, and eddy current detection voltage data was obtained for cracks of different depths and widths. By analyzing the variation law of eddy current signals, characteristic parameters were obtained and a quantitative evaluation model for crack width and depth was established based on the back propagation (BP) neural network.

Findings

Numerical simulation and experimental detection of eddy current signal change rule is basically consistent, based on the law of the selected characteristics of the parameters in the BP neural network crack quantitative evaluation model also has a certain degree of effectiveness and reliability. BP neural network training results show that the classification accuracy for different widths and depths of the classification is 100 and 85.71%, respectively, and can be effectively realized on the high-speed railway contact line cracks of the quantitative evaluation classification.

Originality/value

This study establishes a new type of high-speed railway contact wire crack detection and identification method, which provides a new technical means for high-speed railway contact wire injury detection. The study of eddy current characteristic law and quantitative evaluation model for different cracks in contact line has important academic value and practical significance, and it has certain guiding significance for the detection technology of contact line in high-speed railway.
An analysis of outdoor thermal comfort impact on pedestrian walking patterns at sub-hour timescales with agent-based modelling
Authors: Muslimin Rizal , Brasier Nathan
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the impact of outdoor climate, building configuration and locations of public amenities on pedestrians’ walking behaviour and their outdoor thermal comfort. As outdoor climate can rapidly change within minutes, this study maintains that outdoor thermal comfort should be analysed at the pedestrian scale and within a short period to understand people’s walking behaviour and how it may affect urban activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This research analyses the thermal stresses experienced by pedestrians and their walking patterns within a sub-hour timeframe in Darling Square, Sydney. The simulation incorporates multiple outdoor climate analyses with agent-based modelling (ABM) simulation; it runs on a parametric modelling platform to predict walking patterns according to the agents’ innate properties, goals and environmental constraints as the weather fluctuates.

Findings

This study demonstrates that mapping outdoor thermal comfort within a shorter timescale could reveal emergent walking patterns that inform pedestrians’ preferences of their surrounding environment and their walking behaviour.

Practical implications

The findings could inform planners and stakeholders on how outdoor climate and building configuration affect pedestrian walking patterns for improving outdoor space quality during the design process or post-occupancy evaluation.

Originality/value

This study integrates ABM that incorporates multiple agents’ goals and innate properties and a micro-climate analysis on diverse context geometries under sub-hour periods, compatible with the pedestrian walking speed and distances at the neighbourhood scale.
Diversity, equality and inclusion maturity model: setting new standards in responsible business education – evidence from PRME reports
Authors: Karwowska Elżbieta , Tomczak Michał T.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Creating diverse, equal and inclusive (DEI) environments is an important and relevant area of research on corporate social responsibility (CSR). This paper aims to identify recent trends in the business schools context, as they are primary sources of ethical management innovation. The paper also aims to identify business school DEI maturity levels.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design is qualitative. Using thematic analysis, the authors explored all the available and relevant (19) Principal for Responsible Management Education (PRME) Champions’ reports regarding their activities in 2022 and 2023. Based on the data, the authors developed the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Maturity Model (DEIMM) in Business Schools, including the DEI maturity scale. The scale was used to explore the recent trends in four main areas: management, teaching, research and the third mission of the business schools.

Findings

The most prominent theme across the dataset is gender equality. The authors also identified new practices, including Indigenous people’s inclusion and decolonisation, neurodiversity, homelessness destigmatisation, period destigmatisation and scientific disciplines’ anti-discrimination. These activities were observed at various maturity levels, fitting all levels of our maturity model.

Research limitations/implications

This may suggest that business schools not only emulate business trends but also are prone to create their path to diversity, equality and inclusion.

Originality/value

This model can provide a starting point for developing tools for assessing the DEI maturity of business schools and other organisations, i.e. indicating the stage at which a school or a company is on its path to achieving DEI maturity, which creates an important contribution to the CSR research.
The Efficacy of Botulinum Toxin A Injection in Pelvic Floor Muscles in Chronic Pelvic Pain Patients: A Double‐Blinded Randomised Controlled Trial
Authors: Spruijt Melle A. , Klerkx Wenche M. , Notten Kim , van Eijndhoven Hugo , Speksnijder Leonie , Kerkhof Manon H. , Kluivers Kirsten B.
Published: November 2024

Objective

To evaluate and compare the efficacy and safety of Botulinum Toxin A (BTA) injections versus placebo injections, combined with pelvic floor muscle therapy (PFMT), in women with chronic pelvic pain (CPP).

Design

Randomised, double‐blinded clinical trial (January 2020–April 2023).

Setting

This multicentre study was conducted at four hospitals in the Netherlands.

Population and Sample

Ninety‐four women with CPP and increased pelvic floor muscle tone despite previous PFMT, were enrolled.

Methods

Participants received either BTA injections (100 units) or placebo injections into the pelvic floor muscle, followed by four PFMT sessions.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Primary outcomes included the number of women with at least a 33% reduction in pain and those reporting (very) much improvement of their pain. Secondary outcomes covered quality of life and pelvic floor function. Follow‐up visits were scheduled at 4, 8, 12, and 26 weeks post‐treatment. Mixed models for repeated measurements were used for analysis.

Results

A 33% reduction or more in average pain score was reported by 15 participants (33%) after BTA treatment and 9 participants (20%) after placebo treatment (odd ratio placebo/BTA 1.88; 95% CI 0.72–4.90, p = 0.19). In both groups, 8 women (17%) reported their improvement as (very) much better (odd ratio placebo/BTA 0.947; 95% CI 0.32–2.80, p = 0.92). Pelvic floor resting activity decreased significantly after BTA treatment compared to placebo (p = 0.001).

Conclusion

The results from this study do not support the use of BTA injections in the management of CPP in women.
Sickle cell trait in non‐firearm arrest‐related deaths of Black persons
Authors: Kroll Mark W. , Wolf Dwayne A. , Hail Stacey L. , Zemrus Tasha L. , Kunz Sebastian , Williams Howard E.
Published: November 2024

The role of sickle cell trait (SCT) in sudden exertional death is well‐recognized in sports and military training. However, it is not yet studied for non‐firearm arrest‐related death (NF‐ARD). With extensive multi‐pronged searches, a large database (n = 1389) of NF‐ARDs was established. For the years 2006–2021 (inclusive) there were 50 NF‐ARDs of Black persons in which postmortem evidence of SCT was found. A control cohort consisted of 414 NF‐ARDs of Black persons with no reported SCT. The mean age for SCT cases was 33.1 ± 10.4 years versus 37.0 ± 10.4 years for the control group (p = 0.01). The body‐mass index for SCT cases was 28.3 ± 6.6 kg/m2 versus 30.7 ± 7.6 kg/m2 for the control group (p = 0.03). The prevalence of cardiomegaly was 21% for SCT cases versus 39% in the control cohort (p = 0.008). The postmortem prevalence of SCT in NF‐ARDs of Black persons (n = 50, 10.7%) was higher than the prevalence of SCT in the US Black population, which is 7.1% (p = 0.003). In this study of NF‐ARDs in Black persons, the prevalence of SCT and the differences between the SCT cases and the control cohort suggest that exertional collapse associated with sickle cell trait may be a contributory factor in NF‐ARDs.
Aged hippocampal single‐cell atlas screening unveils disrupted neuroglial system in postoperative cognitive impairment
Authors: Suo Zizheng , Xiao Ting , Qu Yinyin , Zheng Yuxiang , Xu Wenjie , Zhou Bowen , Yang Jing , Yu Jie , Zheng Hui , Ni Cheng
Published: November 2024

Glia–neuron interaction is a crucial feature in aged hippocampus during the occurrence of postoperative cognitive impairment. However, the regulatory effects of microglia, astrocytes, and oligodendrocytes in this glia–neuron interaction, the potential mechanisms and gene targets are still to be elucidated. Here, single‐cell RNA sequencing was performed to detect the perioperative genomic expression characteristics of neuroglial system in the hippocampus of aged mice, and to investigate the potential cross‐cellular mechanisms and valuable treatment options for glia–neuron interaction‐related cognitive impairment. We found that postoperative neurons and glia cells exhibited protein dysmetabolism and mitochondrial electron misrouting. Impaired autophagy and circadian rhythm worsened microglia activation/neuroinflammation, and exacerbated these metabolic alterations. Reactive microglia also aggravated astrocyte and oligodendrocyte cytotoxicity through the PGD2/DP and complement pathways, altering glutamate level and synaptic function via the “tripartite synapses” model, and affecting neuronal myelination. Ligand‐receptor communication also indicated these synaptic and axonal dysfunctions via enhanced MDK and PTN pathways. Additionally, we found that anesthetic dexmedetomidine hold therapeutic potential within the disrupted neuroglial system. It enhanced neuronal metabolic rebalance (Atf3‐related) and reduced neuroinflammation from a multicellular perspective, therefore improving postoperative cognitive impairment. Together, our study proposes an aged hippocampal cell atlas and provides insights into the role of disrupted glia–neuron cycle in postoperative cognitive impairment. Our findings also elucidate the therapeutic potential and mechanism of dexmedetomidine intervention.
Banking competition and corporate risk: Micro evidence from China
Authors: Cai Xianjun , Wen Subin , Huang Jiaming
Published: November 2024

Although an extensive body of research examines the impact of banking competition on the overall economy, less is known about how banking competition affects corporate risk. Using a sample of more than 12,909 firm‐year observations covering the period from 2001 to 2019, we find that increased banking competition significantly elevates corporate risk. The mechanism analysis indicates that bank competition promotes increased corporate risk‐taking by easing financing constraints. The observed effects are particularly strong among firms in their startup and growth stages, those operating in high‐interest rate environments, regions with lower levels of financial competition and industries characterised by intense product market competition. This paper sheds light on the understanding of the relationship between corporate risk and banking competition in one of the most important emerging economies. The take‐away lesson for policy‐makers here is to provide guidance for carefully considering the trade‐offs between increased banking competition and potential risks to financial stability. Also, banks need to strike a balance between fostering healthy competition and maintaining prudent risk management practices.
Key insights into cannabis‐cancer pathobiology and genotoxicity
Authors: Reece Albert Stuart , Hulse Gary Kenneth
Published: November 2024

Whilst mitochondrial inhibition and micronuclear fragmentation are well established features of the cannabis literature mitochondrial stress and dysfunction has recently been shown to be a powerful and direct driver of micronucleus formation and chromosomal breakage by multiple mechanisms. In turn genotoxic damage can be expected to be expressed as increased rates of cancer, congenital anomalies and aging; pathologies which are increasingly observed in modern continent‐wide studies. Whilst cannabinoid genotoxicity has long been essentially overlooked it may in fact be all around us through the rapid induction of aging of eggs, sperm, zygotes, foetus and adult organisms with many lines of evidence demonstrating transgenerational impacts. Indeed this multigenerational dimension of cannabinoid genotoxicity reframes the discussion of cannabis legalization within the absolute imperative to protect the genomic and epigenomic integrity of multiple generations to come.
‘They got my back’: Thematic analysis of relationship building in nurse home visiting in Aboriginal communities
Authors: Gregory Alexandra , Wild Kayli , Aquino Danielle , Robinson Gary
Published: November 2024

Objective

The client–practitioner relationship is the cornerstone of nurse home‐visiting programs. Little is understood about how relationship‐based maternal and early childhood health care is perceived by women in remote Aboriginal communities. As part of an evaluation of nurse home‐visiting in the Northern Territory, this research examines how relationships are established with clients, and what elements are valued most by women.

Setting

Maternal Early Childhood Sustained Home‐visiting (MECSH) is an Australian model of nurse‐led home‐visiting targeted at women facing adversity who need extra support. The model provides parenting information, health education and psychosocial support during pregnancy and the first 3 years of children's development.

Participants

Interviews were conducted with 92 Aboriginal women and 11 practitioners including nurses, social workers and community workers.

Design

Qualitative semi‐structured interviews were conducted with convenience samples of MECSH clients and practitioners. Data were analysed using a two‐step process of structural coding and thematic analysis.

Results

Trust was the foundation of clients' positive perception of the relationship with their MECSH provider. Relationships took time to develop, often beginning with practical support to meet clients' basic needs. Practitioner dependability and flexibility to client priorities, communication, confidentiality and being helpful to the woman and her family was important. Clients emphasised emotional support and friendship.

Conclusion

The relationship‐based approach was valued and consistent with culturally safe and trauma informed ways of working with Aboriginal families. Effort is required to commit to the model to address ongoing healthcare engagement and health outcomes in remote Northern Territory communities.
Measurable residual disease‐driven treatment in first‐line chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
Authors: Davids M. S. , Lin K. H. , Mohamed A. I. , Munir T. , Eyre T. A.
Published: November 2024

The therapeutic paradigm for patients suffering from chronic lymphocytic leukaemia continues to rapidly evolve. Fixed duration therapies continue to develop using novel–novel non‐chemotherapeutic combinations. B‐cell lymphoma 2 (BCL2) inhibitors in combination with either anti‐CD20 antibody or Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors are able to achieve deep responses. Levels of attained ‘negative’ measurable residual disease (MRD, also known as minimal residual disease) have been shown to predict survival outcomes in a number of settings, including following immunochemotherapy and BCL2‐combinations. This review will outline the current data supporting fixed duration treatment approaches, the use of MRD in clinical practice, alongside the challenges and possibilities for MRD utility in the future.