bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of personal innovativeness on customer journey experience and reuse intention in omni-channel context
Authors: Zhang Xueting , Park Younggeun , Park Jaejin
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate customers' personal innovativeness (PI) as an influencing factor of omni-channel customer experience throughout pre-purchase, purchase and post–purchase stages of the customer journey, and their subsequent influences on customers' reuse intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from customers who had experience with omni-channel shopping in South Korea through a questionnaire made with Naver Forms, both online and offline from 15 June to 15 July 2022. Out of the received responses, only valid and consistent questionnaires were considered for statistical analysis. In total, 272 valid samples were utilised for the final analysis. Analyses included reliability, validity, path, structural equation modelling and mediation effects, using SPSS and AMOS software.

Findings

The results revealed a significant influence of personal innovativeness on the omni-channel customer experience across all purchase stages. Personal innovativeness was found to influence the customer experience in the pre- and post–purchase stages, thus affecting reuse intention. However, it did not have the same effect in the purchase stage. The omni-channel experience customer experience also played an indirect mediating role in the relationship between personal innovativeness and reuse intention.

Research limitations/implications

First, personal innovativeness in the IT domain may be very prominent in studies examining innovative behaviours related to computing technology. Second, this study provides further understanding of customers' intentions to reuse omni-channel shopping. Third, the path analysis showed that personal innovativeness significantly affects customer experience at all pre-purchase, purchase and post–purchase stages of the customer journey. However, except for the purchase experience, both pre- and post–purchase experiences significantly impact customers' intention to reuse omni-channels and play a mediating role.

Practical implications

First, omni-channel retailers should launch new products, innovative promotional activities and explore new channels or new service modes to stimulate the need recognition of customers with high personal innovativeness. Second, omni-channel retailers should pay attention to the users' reviews of each channel because they play a key role in potential customers' purchase decisions. Third, offering customers a seamless shopping experience is essential as a marketing strategy for omni-channel retailing.

Originality/value

This study elucidates the causal relationship between personal characteristics and behaviour by dividing the omni-channel customer journey. In particular, personal innovativeness is identified as an important predictor of the intention to reuse omni-channels during the pre- and post–purchase stages. This suggests that omni-channel retailers need to strategically manage these stages to boost customers' reuse intention.
Affordance-led framework of understanding of BIM adoption
Authors: Jayasena Himal Suranga , Thurairajah Niraj , Perera B.A.K.S. , Siriwardena Mohan
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Successful adoption of building information modelling (BIM) by early adopters is crucial for its effective diffusion. The purpose of this study is to develop a framework of understanding that supports contextualized understanding of BIM adoption decisions in a BIM infant industry. The framework bridges the gap in current knowledge in terms of the absence of such a framework, which has hindered the structured understanding of the BIM decision of an adopter, curtailing the appropriate strategizing of their BIM adoption.

Design/methodology/approach

The study focuses on a BIM infant industry, where early adopters begin using BIM, allowing insights into this crucial initial stage of adoption. Identifying affordances as a versatile concept that could effectively represent not only what an adopter perceives and expects from BIM implementation, but also, what the adopter, in fact, can achieve from it, an affordance-led framework of understanding (AFU) was developed to comprehensively capture varying dynamics of BIM decision process. The study took a qualitative retroductive approach to theory with semi-structured interviews to gather necessary data from a sample of BIM adopters purposively selected to maximize the breadth and depth of data.

Findings

The study concludes by identifying and defining pertinent affordances as a new concept and a compulsory state for BIM adoption. Findings further demonstrate that existing theories can be linked to the AFU to strategically direct the affordances dynamics towards the pertinent state.

Originality/value

The AFU enables a deeper contextualizable view of innovation adoption that was absent in existing innovation studies. It significantly enhances the precision of strategizing BIM adoption compared to previous approaches, enabling adopters to plan and implement BIM in a manner that aligns well with their expectations and specific conditions.
Critical success factors for change management in business process management
Authors: Idogawa Juliano , Bizarrias Flávio Santino , Câmara Ricardo
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the influence of project critical success factors (CSFs) on change management in the context of business process management (BPM). Despite widespread interest in BPM, the existing literature is insufficient in addressing the antecedents that contribute to change management in business process projects.

Design/methodology/approach

Key factors of change management success in BPM projects were initially identified in a systematic literature review (SLR) and were used as antecedents of change management through a structural equation modeling (SEM) with 464 business project stakeholders. Next, a neural network analysis allowed the key factors to be ranked non-linearly. Finally, a latent class analysis (LCA) was performed to determine the sample's heterogeneous groups based on their project management characteristics.

Findings

Project management, top management support and technological competencies were the main CSFs identified as having positive effects on change management. The most important factor is project management, followed by top management support, which plays a crucial mediating role in enabling change management. Although relevant, technological competencies were secondary in the study. Regarding project management CSF, four heterogeneous classes of individuals were determined.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study provides an opportunity to observe CSFs, it does not address the need to analyze the phenomenon in different classifications of projects, regarding maturity, complexity, project management approach and other aspects that differentiate projects in a meaningful way.

Practical implications

The study allows practitioners to understand the critical factors underlying change management and take necessary actions to manage it, recognizing that individuals have heterogeneous profiles regarding project management.

Originality/value

This study pioneeringly discusses the CSFs of change management BPM projects to enable successful change management, ranking the main factors and mapping heterogeneous profiles.
COVID-19, various government interventions and stock market performance
Authors: Li Helong , Chen Huiqiong , Xu Guanglong , Zhang Weiguo
Published: September 2023

Purpose

According to the Government Response tracker (oxCGRT) index, the overall government response, stringency, economic support, containment and health policies to COVID-19 from January 2020 to December 2022. The main objective of this paper is to explore how stock market performance is affected by these polices, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employ EGARCH and autoregressive distributional lag (ARDL) models to test the impact of epidemic prevention policy implementation on stock market returns, volatility and liquidity and make cross-country comparisons for six important world economies.

Findings

Firstly, the implementation of various preventive policies hurts stock market returns and increases volatility, but there are a few indicators that have no effect or have an easing effect in some countries. Secondly, health policies exacerbate market volatility and have a stronger effect than other policy indicators. Thirdly, In China and the USA, anti-epidemic policies have been shown to worsen liquidity, while in Japan they have been shown to improve liquidity.

Originality/value

First, enrich the growing body of COVID-19 research by comprehensively examining whether and how government prevention policies affect stock market returns, volatility and liquidity. Second, explore the impact of different types of intervention policies on stock market performance, separately.
To know, feel and do: an instructional practice of higher education for sustainable development
Authors: Huang Tien-Chi , Ho Shin-Jia , Zheng Wen-Hui , Shu Yu
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The importance of multidimensional and engaging instruction for sustainable development goals (SDGs) in higher education cannot be overstated. Such instructions should motivate students not only to memorize and contemplate these goals but also to actively participate in addressing SDG-related challenges. Consequently, this study aims to develop practical and appropriate instructional approaches to education for sustainable development (ESD) in higher education to enhance students’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors concerning sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

By using a quasi-experimental design, this ESD study was conducted at a university in central Taiwan. A total of 121 students from diverse academic backgrounds participated in the 16-week experiment, which was divided into three groups. Lecturing, thematic teaching and design-thinking strategies were applied to these respective groups.

Findings

The thematic-teaching and design-thinking groups displaying improved cognitive performance. However, the quantity results revealed that the design-thinking group surpassed the other two groups in sustainability knowledge, attitudes, behaviors and mind map tasks. The qualitative findings further indicated that design thinking – through multiple practical problem-solving activities – guided college students to think independently and sustainably, as well as enabled them to internalize the value of sustainable development. By implementing these effective approaches, the core goals of ESD-related personal and societal transformations may be realized.

Practical implications

This study proposed a goal-oriented ESD instructional model for educators, demonstrating the efficacy of design thinking in cultivating higher-order thinking and affection for ESD in students. Additionally, this study introduced an innovative evaluation approach – mind mapping – to the ESD domain, which may compensate for the limitations of the survey method.

Originality/value

This study provides empirical evidence for the effectiveness of design thinking and thematic-based pedagogies in sustainable development higher education. Additionally, it also offers a practical ESD instructional model with reference value for scholars and multi-domain instructors. Moreover, the study highlights that by examining organizational governance from the perspectives of design thinking and higher-order affection, sustainable and economic development need not be mutually exclusive concepts. Instead, pursuing SDGs can be viewed as investment opportunities for organizations rather than mere costs.
Opportunity recognition ability for entrepreneurs from the affective perspective: how and when?
Authors: Bui Nhuong Huy , Nguyen Ngoc Lan , Le Mai Thi Thu
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Applying the broaden-and-build theory, this paper aims to examine the effect of entrepreneurial wellbeing (EWB) on the opportunity recognition (OpR) ability and how it changes over entrepreneurial stages.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was based on the survey data of 307 entrepreneurs in Vietnam, which is an emerging market with full support for entrepreneurship by the government.

Findings

The results indicated that EWB has a salient effect on the OpR ability of entrepreneurs. Besides, in the later stages of the entrepreneurial process, EWB increases in its importance toward the ability to recognize potential business opportunities.

Originality/value

This study contributes to EWB and entrepreneurship research by providing theoretical and empirical evidence of wellbeing as a crucial psychological resource in entrepreneurship. Besides, this study uncovers the dynamic nature of entrepreneurship by analyzing when EWB can produce higher levels of entrepreneurs’ OpR along entrepreneurial stages.
Low-cost AI-based solar panel detection drone design and implementation for solar power systems
Authors: Özer Tolga , Türkmen Ömer
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to design an AI-based drone that can facilitate the complicated and time-intensive control process for detecting healthy and defective solar panels. Today, the use of solar panels is becoming widespread, and control problems are increasing. Physical control of the solar panels is critical in obtaining electrical power. Controlling solar panel power plants and rooftop panel applications installed in large areas can be difficult and time-consuming. Therefore, this paper designs a system that aims to panel detection.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper designed a low-cost AI-based unmanned aerial vehicle to reduce the difficulty of the control process. Convolutional neural network based AI models were developed to classify solar panels as damaged, dusty and normal. Two approaches to the solar panel detection model were adopted: Approach 1 and Approach 2.

Findings

The training was conducted with YOLOv5, YOLOv6 and YOLOv8 models in Approach 1. The best F1 score was 81% at 150 epochs with YOLOv5m. In total, 87% and 89% of the best F1 score and mAP values were obtained with the YOLOv5s model at 100 epochs in Approach 2 as a proposed method. The best models at Approaches 1 and 2 were used with a developed AI-based drone in the real-time test application.

Originality/value

The AI-based low-cost solar panel detection drone was developed with an original data set of 1,100 images. A detailed comparative analysis of YOLOv5, YOLOv6 and YOLOv8 models regarding performance metrics was realized. Gaussian, salt-pepper noise addition and wavelet transform noise removal preprocessing techniques were applied to the created data set under the proposed method. The proposed method demonstrated expressive and remarkable performance in panel detection applications.
Differential tree demography mediated by water stress and functional traits in a moist tropical forest
Authors: Song Chaoqing , Xu Wenfang , Li Shihua , Liu Hui , Chu Chengjin , He Bin , Chen Xiuzhi , Piao Shilong , Lu Haibo , Ma Minna , Yuan Wenping
Published: September 2023

Climate‐induced changes in tree mortality, recruitment and growth have been extensively observed in forests worldwide. However, there is still a lack of quantitative understanding regarding how tree demography responds to environmental factors, particularly different water conditions, and how plant functional traits contribute to interspecific differences in this response.

Using data collected from a forest monitoring plot, meteorological observations and trait measurements on Barro Colorado Island in Panama—one of the most studied sites, we investigated the mortality, recruitment, growth and population dynamics of 165 tree species from 1990 to 2014 and examined the influence of functional traits in determining the interspecific differences in tree demography. We also employed parametric accelerated failure time models to assess the impact of environmental conditions, functional traits and individual tree characteristics on tree survival time.

We find that water stress drives the temporal dynamics of tree demography. During the high water stress period, the increase in mortality rates and decrease in recruitment rates caused negative population changes for species. In contrast, the increase in recruitment rates and decline in mortality rates during the low water stress period positively affected the population of species. Wood density and P50 (xylem water potential at 50% loss of maximum hydraulic conductivity) are significantly correlated with species‐level mortality, recruitment and growth rates, indicating that traits related to resource allocation and hydraulic safety dictate the interspecific differences in demographic rates.

Our results demonstrate that water stress and traits related to resource allocation and hydraulic safety jointly mediate tree demography in this tropical forest. High mortality and low recruitment under high water stress may especially cause a decline in fast‐growing species. Therefore, timely recovery of recruitment under favourable water conditions is crucial for the forest dynamics.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
A panel data method towards the effectiveness of sources of finance in stimulating the realisation of renewable energy technologies: Empirical evidence for Asia‐Pacific
Authors: Roslan Farah , Abdullah Borhan , Kamarudin Mohd Khairul Amri
Published: September 2023

Many nations have taken steps to encourage renewables through environmental policy frameworks; however, they still account for a small portion of global power output. This fact suggests that there are still some gaps between the potential advantages of renewables and their implementation, and these gaps must be investigated. Thus, the present study examines the effect of finance for the expansion of renewable energy technologies (RETs) by empirically assessing the sources of finance in facilitating the expansion of RETs on four renewable energy sectors; hydroelectric, biomass, solar photovoltaic and wind. This study applies a fixed effects estimator with Driscoll–Kraay standard errors on private and public sources of finance (financial market, banking sector and public debt) in selected Asia‐Pacific countries between 1998 and 2016. This study has shown that not all sources of finance have the same effect on the clean‐energy sector. The financial market plays a critical role in supplying financial capital for risky and uncertain technologies that require a high degree of financing, which could be particularly helpful for technology deployment in high‐tech industries. Investigations into the effectiveness of source of finance for RETs also indicate that banks discourage their deployment of RETs in the Asia‐Pacific.
Political Connections and Shareholder Support
Authors: Blomkvist Magnus , Liljeblom Eva , Löflund Anders , Redor Etienne
Published: September 2023

We study investors’ preferences for corporate political connections in the United States using a novel measure: shareholder votes given to individual directors. We find that, after fully accounting for all firm‐year specific information and a wide range of director characteristics, politically connected directors on average do not obtain significantly greater shareholder support. During our sample period (2010–2020), we observe a diminishing popularity of politically connected directors. Political alignment to the incumbent government matters in the sense that Democrat directors are viewed as valuable to shareholders during the Obama administration. However, during Donald Trump's presidency, a Democrat party affiliation instead turned into a liability. We also find that shareholders have a stronger preference for politically connected directors in heavily regulated industries, suggesting that board members can alleviate regulatory risk. Our study has implications for director selection and the role of political connections in shaping corporate governance practices.
Variation in tiered network health plan penetration and local provider market characteristics
Authors: Sinaiko Anna D. , Curto Vilsa E. , Bambury Elizabeth , Soto Mark J. , Rosenthal Meredith B.
Published: September 2023

Objective

To understand variation in enrollment in tiered network health plans (TNPs) and the local provider market characteristics associated with TNP penetration.

Data Sources and Study Setting

We used 2013–2017 Massachusetts three‐digit ZIP code level employer‐sponsored health insurance enrollment data, data on physician horizontal and vertical affiliations from the Massachusetts Provider Database, state hospital reports in 2013, 2015, and 2017, and the 2013–2017 Massachusetts All‐Payer Claims database.

Study Design

Linear regressions were used to estimate associations between TNP and local provider market characteristics.

Data Extraction

We constructed measures of TNP penetration and local provider market characteristics and linked these data using three‐digit ZIP code.

Principal Findings

TNP penetration was at least 10% in all employer market sectors and highest among jumbo sized employers. All state employee health plan enrollees were in a tiered network health plan. Among enrollees not in the state employee health plan, TNP penetration varied from 6.0% to 19.6% across three‐digit ZIP codes in Massachusetts. TNP penetration was higher in areas with less horizontal and vertical physician market concentration.

Conclusions

Market competition, rather than the absolute quantity of physicians in an area, is associated with TNP penetration.
New Byzantine inscriptions from the Land of Moab
Authors: Al‐Rawahneh Musallam R. , de Varax Alexandra
Published: September 2023

This study describes seven new Byzantine inscriptions discovered in Moab (Governorate of al‐Karak, southern Jordan), which was part of Provincia Arabia and Palaestina Tertia during the Roman Empire. The Byzantine tombstone inscriptions in Moab date from the fifth to the mid‐seventh century 
ad. The inscriptions follow the typical formula of Byzantine Christian epitaphs, including the name of the deceased, the father's name and age. Some of them are dated. These newly discovered names not only contribute to the corpus of common names used in the region but also introduce some new ones.
Addressing sustainability challenges in micro‐municipalities: Insights from the study of Quebec's smallest municipalities
Authors: Rajaonson Juste , Régnier‐Sakamoto Pénélope , Vivin Clara , Guillemette Myriam
Published: September 2023

Many empirical studies on large municipalities, ranging from thousands to millions of inhabitants, have helped shape the knowledge of sustainability management in developed countries. However, issues and approaches specific to micro‐municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants have been relatively less covered. In this context, this study presents an empirical content analysis of sustainability‐related instruments used in the 487 smallest municipalities of Quebec. A total of 1,962 instrumental documents were identified, and their characteristics (e.g., accountability‐based vs. informative‐based approach) and scope (e.g., land‐use planning and pollution reduction) were assessed. The results are threefold. First, informative‐based instruments (e.g., flyers and project presentations) are generally preferred to those with accountability mechanisms (e.g., policies and plans). Second, 90% of the municipalities address sustainability issues, but in pieces and parsimoniously rather than comprehensively; hence, initiatives vary significantly from one municipality to another. Third, because of their mandatory nature, initiatives such as sorted waste collection and pro‐environmental zoning are common among municipalities. In contrast, non‐mandatory services such as transportation planning have only a few adopters. These findings have policy implications for urban sustainability management in micro‐municipal organizations.
Exosomal miR‐222‐3p contributes to castration‐resistant prostate cancer by activating mTOR signaling
Authors: Wang Weixi , Kong Piaoping , Feng Kangle , Liu Chunhua , Gong Xubo , Sun Tao , Duan Xiuzhi , Sang Yiwen , Jiang Yu , Li Xiang , Zhang Lingyu , Tao Zhihua , Liu Weiwei
Published: September 2023

Despite the clinical benefits of androgen deprivation therapy, most patients with advanced androgen‐dependent prostate cancer (ADPC) eventually relapse and progress to lethal androgen‐independent prostate cancer (AIPC), also termed castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC). MiRNAs can be packaged into exosomes (Exos) and shuttled between cells. However, the roles and mechanisms of exosomal miRNAs involved in CRPC progression have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we find that miR‐222‐3p is elevated in AIPC cells, which results in remarkable enhancement of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion ability. Furthermore, Exos released by AIPC cells can be uptaken by ADPC cells, thus acclimating ADPC cells to progressing to more aggressive cell types in vitro and in vivo through exosomal transfer of miR‐222‐3p. Mechanistically, Exos‐miR‐222‐3p promoted ADPC cells transformed to AIPC‐like cells, at least in part, by activating mTOR signaling through targeting MIDN. Our results show that AIPC cells secrete Exos containing miRNA cargo. These cargos can be transferred to ADPC cells through paracrine mechanisms that have a strong impact on cellular functional remodeling. The current work underscores the great therapeutic potential of targeting Exo miRNAs, either as a single agent or combined with androgen receptor pathway inhibitors for CRPC treatment.
Histopathologic findings in ointment pseudo‐cheilitis: An alert to dermatopathologists
Authors: Nico Marcello Menta Simonsen , Ollague Sierra Jose , Moya Fernanda Gonçalves , Lourenço Silvia Vanessa
Published: September 2023

Ointment pseudo‐cheilitis is a recently recognized distinctive type of self‐induced cheilitis. Lesions consist of a variable amount of crusts adhered to the vermilion. These crusts consist of dried saliva and dead cells mixed with applied medications attached to the lip surface. Patients are typically severely anxious or depressed; the condition impacts quality of life. Ointment pseudo‐cheilitis is frequently misdiagnosed as exfoliative cheilitis or cheilitis glandularis. Biopsy reports are often non‐revealing because there are no established histopathological criteria for this disease, and clinicians usually do not formulate the correct diagnostic hypothesis. Here, we present the histopathological findings of four cases of ointment pseudo‐cheilitis. The most consistent finding was the presence of laminated parakeratotic material detached from the epithelium in biopsies that are devoid of other significant diagnostic changes. This material at the lip surface possibly represents physiologic labial desquamation mixed with dried saliva and applied medication. With this report, we intend to alert dermatopathologists to the diagnosis of ointment pseudo‐cheilitis if they receive biopsies from patients who present clinically exuberant labial lesions that show only minimal histopathological changes.
The effects of canagliflozin in type 2 diabetes in subgroups defined by population‐specific body mass index: Insights from the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial
Authors: Yu Jie , Sweeting Arianne N. , Gianacas Chris , Houston Lauren , Lee Vivian , Fletcher Robert A. , Perkovic Vlado , Li Qiang , Neuen Brendon L. , Berwanger Otavio , Heerspink Hiddo J. L. , de Zeeuw Dick , Arnott Clare
Published: September 2023

Aim

To assess the effects of canagliflozin on clinical outcomes and intermediate markers across population‐specific body mass index (BMI) categories in the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial.

Methods

Individual participant data were pooled and analysed in subgroups according to population‐specific BMI. The main outcomes of interest were: major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE, a composite of nonfatal myocardial infarction, nonfatal stroke or cardiovascular death); composite renal outcome; and changes in systolic blood pressure (SBP), body weight, albuminuria and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) slope. Cox proportional hazards models and mixed‐effect models were used.

Results

A total of 14 520 participants were included, of whom 9378 (65%) had obesity. Overall, canagliflozin reduced the risk of MACE (hazard ratio [HR] 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.75 to 0.93) with no heterogeneity of treatment effect across BMI subgroups (Pheterogeneity = 0.76). Similarly, canagliflozin reduced composite renal outcomes (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.66 to 0.84) with no heterogeneity across subgroups observed (Pheterogeneity = 0.72). The effects of canagliflozin on body weight and SBP differed across BMI subgroups (Pheterogeneity <0.01 and 0.04, respectively) but were consistent for albuminuria (Pheterogeneity = 0.60). Chronic eGFR slope with canagliflozin treatment was consistent across subgroups (Pheterogeneity >0.95).

Conclusions

The cardiovascular and renal benefits of canagliflozin and its safety profile were consistent across population‐specific BMI subgroups for adults in the CANVAS Program and CREDENCE trial.
Cranial osteomyelitis caused by a nematode parasite
Authors: Zingariello Edoardo , Fews Debra , Jones Rebecca , Tremaine W.H.
Published: September 2023

A 6‐year‐old horse was presented to a referral hospital in England for assessment of a rapidly expanding, hard swelling of the incisive region. Clinical and ancillary examinations revealed that the disease had spread beyond the incisive region, and advanced diagnostic imaging including computed tomography (CT) was recommended. Histopathology of biopsy samples taken from the lesions led to a diagnosis of a parasitic osteomyelitis caused byHalicephlobus gingivalis. The disease continued to progress rapidly, with neurological signs appearing soon after discharge from the hospital, and the horse was humanely destroyed. This report describes the computed tomographic changes associated with the lesions, treatment and clinical progression of this rare disease, which was ultimately fatal. Given the rapid progression in this case, it remains unclear if the prognosis is better if it is diagnosed early in the pathogenesis and medical and surgical treatments started earlier. CT revealed distinctive, very unusual changes that contributed to the ultimate histopathological diagnosis.
Bahiagrass (Paspalum notatum CV. Inia Sepé) responses to defoliation intensities
Authors: Giorello Leites Diego German , Sbrissia André Fisher , Da Silva Sila Carneiro
Published: September 2023

Defoliation management is determinant of forage production and plant persistence. The objective of this study was to identify grazing suitability and stability of herbage production of INIA Sepé subjected to four intensities of defoliation (represented for sward canopies of 3, 10, 17 and 24 cm maintained constant through weekly cuts) and two rates of nitrogen fertilization (100 and 300 kg ha−1). The response variables studied were: botanical/morphological composition of the herbage mass, herbage accumulation, nutritive value, tiller population density (TPD), tiller weight (TW), leaf area index (LAI) and nitrogen nutrition index (NNI) and calculations performed relative to the tiller size × density compensation mechanism (SDC). Taller swards had smaller population of large tillers, with greater individual leaf area, showing a tiller × size density compensation response. Calculations indicated that the regression coefficient for the linear regression between TW and TPD in a log scale was close to −2.5, in agreement with the −5/2 self‐thinning rule, with variable LAI and R (ratio between tiller leaf area and volume). The exception was during year 1 for the 100 kg N ha−1, when the regression coefficient was close to −1.5. During year 2 only one replication of the 3 cm and 100 kg N ha−1 did not follow the SDC line. LAI and herbage accumulation were positively correlated with the distance between points of log(TW) × log(TPD) and an hypothetical −3/2 SDC line (p < .0001). Paspalum notatum cv. INIA Sepé shows stability of herbage accumulation and ability to adjust tiller size and population density.
Modification of the Public Attitude Towards Vaccination Scale for use in adult vaccines
Authors: Kocoglu‐Tanyer Deniz , Dengiz Kubra Sultan , Sacikara Zeynep
Published: September 2023

Background

Vaccination is a crucial protective intervention to prevent adult mortality and morbidity. Personal perceptions and resources have an important place in the vaccination decision.

Aim

This study aimed to modify the Public Attitude Towards Vaccination–Health Belief Model scale for adult vaccines and evaluate its psychometric properties.

Methods

Overall, 626 people participated in this methodological study. Content validity index, confirmatory factor analysis, internal consistency and item‐total score correlation were used for validity and reliability. The independent samples t test, logistic regression analysis and ROC analysis were used for criterion and concurrent validity.

Results

In confirmatory factor analysis, values of fit indices were excellent or acceptable. The Cronbach alpha value was between 0.83 and 0.92. According to criterion validity, the susceptibility, severity, benefit, and health motivation scores of those with the vaccine were higher than those without, whereas their barrier score was lower. The barrier subscale was a risk factor, whereas the benefit score was a protective factor that increased the likelihood of vaccination. The concurrent validity of the scale was tested with the COVID‐19 vaccine. While the barrier subscale's ability to distinguish between vaccinated (specificity) and unvaccinated (sensitivity) individuals is excellent, it is acceptable for the other subscales.

Conclusion

Modified PAVS‐HBM is valid and reliable for adult vaccines. This scale was associated with vaccination behaviour and distinguished between vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals.
Modeling levels of eco‐conscious awareness
Authors: Drosinou Marianna , Palomäki Jussi , Kunnari Anton , Koverola Mika , Jokela Markus , Laakasuo Michael
Published: September 2023

We evaluate whether the feeling that all life is interconnected is associated with moral awareness of protecting the environment. We present a model in which different levels of awareness—awareness of self, other, and nature—are associated with environmental measures and moral awareness of environmental protection. Using path analysis (N = 634), we first evaluate how each level of awareness predicts the environmental measures. We then show that these associations are mediated by moral awareness of environmental protection and that moral awareness has an additional unique contribution as a predictor. Our results highlight the importance of different levels of awareness on attitudes and predispositions towards environmental protection. This research provides valuable insights into the relationship between interconnectedness, moral awareness, and environmentalism, offering a foundation for developing interventions and strategies aimed at fostering a more ecologically conscious society.
Concordance of in vivo reflectance confocal microscopy and horizontal‐sectioning histology in skin tumours
Authors: Perino F. , Suarez R. , Perez‐Anker J. , Carrera C. , Rezze G. G. , Primiero C. A. , Alos L. L. , Díaz A. , Barreiro A. , Puig S. , Peris K. , Malvehy J.
Published: September 2023

Background

In vivo reflectance confocal microscopy (RCM) enables the study of architectural and cytological aspects in horizontal sections, which closely correlate with histologic features. However, traditional histopathological vertical sections cannot totally reproduce the image of the in vivo RCM horizontal section.

Objective

To evaluate the concordance between in vivo RCM and histopathologic transverse sections for melanocytic lesions, basal cell carcinoma and seborrheic keratoses.

Methods

Prospectively collected benign melanocytic and non‐melanocytic tumours diagnosed by dermoscopy were evaluated for common RCM features and compared to histopathology in horizontal sections with haematoxylin and eosin staining.

Results

A total of 44 skin tumours including 19 melanocytic lesions (nine compound, five junctional and five intradermal nevi), 12 basal cell carcinomas and 13 seborrheic keratoses were collected in the Department of Dermatology of Hospital Clinic of Barcelona. The RCM features that had statistically significant agreement with the histopathological horizontal sections were the preserved and visible honeycomb pattern, well defined DEJ, small bright particles, dermal nests, tumour islands and dark silhouettes, clefting, collagen bundles, thickened collagen bundles and cytologic atypia.

Conclusions

Histopathology evaluation of horizontal sections of skin tumours can be correlated with main RCM findings. The results of this study have improved the understanding and interpretation of RCM features in relation to skin tumours, thus reinforcing the utility of RCM as a diagnostic tool.
Growth‐related changes in the influence of obesity on signs suggesting sleep‐disordered breathing and sleepiness in young individuals with Down syndrome
Authors: Sawatari H. , Chishaki A. , Rahmawati A. , Ando S.
Published: September 2023

Background

Sleep‐disordered breathing (SDB) is highly prevalent in individuals with Down syndrome (DS), who cease growing earlier than individuals without DS. These characteristics may be associated with increased obesity and subsequent SDB signs, such as snoring and apnoea or excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). Thus, we assessed the influence of growth on the association between obesity and SDB signs or EDS; we used questionnaires sent to young individuals with DS and their caregivers, in a cross‐sectional study.

Methods

We sent out 2000 questionnaires to individuals with DS and their caregivers. The surveys included questions about SDB signs (witnessed snoring or apnoea), subjective sleeping time including witnessed midnight arousal, the Epworth sleepiness scale and witnessed napping as well as sex, age, body weight and body height.

Results

Of the 1222 questionnaires we received, 660 were from young individuals and were included in the analysis. SDB signs were highly prevalent (77.1%), and frequency of SDB signs increased with growth (P‐trend: P = 0.02) in individuals with DS. Multivariate analyses showed that EDS (Epworth sleepiness scale > 10 points) was associated with body mass index Z‐score (Z‐BMI) in the 6–9 years age group (odds ratio [OR] 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 1.69 [1.09–2.62], P = 0.02). Conversely, SDB signs were associated with Z‐BMI in the 13–15 (OR [95% CI]: 1.99 [1.06–3.72], P = 0.03) and 16–18 years age groups (OR [95% CI]: 3.04 [1.22–7.59], P = 0.02). For the 19–21 years age group, SDB signs were associated with only male sex (OR [95% CI]: 7.28 [1.22–43.38], P = 0.03).

Conclusions

This study showed that the association between Z‐BMI and SDB or EDS was age dependent. In early school‐age children with DS, high Z‐BMI could not accurately predict the presence of SDB, but it was associated with EDS. In the pubescent period (i.e. 13–18 years), high Z‐BMI was associated with SDB signs but not with EDS. Overall, obesity affected SDB signs and EDS differently based on age in young individuals with DS.
Nitric oxide synthase contributes to the maintenance of LTP in the oxytocin–mRFP1 neuron of the rat hypothalamus
Authors: Matsuura Takanori , Kawasaki Makoto , Suzuki Hitoshi , Fujitani Teruaki , Baba Kazuhiko , Nishimura Haruki , Ikeda Naofumi , Yamanaka Yoshiaki , Tsukamoto Manabu , Yoshimi Youhei , Ohnishi Hideo , Ueta Yoichi , Sakai Akinori
Published: September 2023

Oxytocin (OXT) is a neuropeptide hormone that plays a critical role in nociception. Long‐term potentiation (LTP) is a major form of synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Recently, LTP has been reported in the hypothalamus; however, data on LTP in hypothalamic OXT‐ergic neurons are unclear. Furthermore, the signaling pathways for hypothalamic OXT‐ergic neuronal LTP and its physiological significance remain unknown. Herein, we aimed to investigate the induction of hypothalamic OXT‐ergic neuronal LTP and its synaptic mechanism using OXT‐monomeric red fluorescent protein 1 transgenic rats to visualize and record from OXT‐ergic neurons. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) OXT‐ergic neuronal LTP induced by the pairing protocol was dependent on N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate receptor (NMDAR). Furthermore, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) is required to maintain the LTP regardless of the NMDARs. In addition, hypothalamic OXT‐ergic neuronal LTP was not induced in the adjuvant arthritis rat model but increased excitatory postsynaptic currents were detected. LTP in hypothalamic OXT‐ergic neurons in the PVN in the presence of NOS may be involved in neuronal changes during OXT synthesis in chronic inflammation.
Geographic relocation in response to parents' health shocks: Who moves and how close?
Authors: Reyes Adriana M. , Shang Yongxin
Published: September 2023

Objective

This article examines how parent–child geographic proximity changes around the onset of parental health shocks in the United States. Differences in the likelihood of moving closer across social groups are also investigated.

Background

Adult children often care for older parents with health problems, but this requires relatively close proximity. As families are becoming smaller and many adult children live away from their parents, it is unclear how responsive families will be to older adults' health problems.

Method

We estimate a series of fixed effects and event study models on data from the Health and Retirement Study (2004–2018) to assess changes in parent–child proximity after parents' first onset of cognitive impairment and functional limitations.

Results

We find robust evidence that parents and children tend to stay close or move closer to each other in response to parent's health declines. Moves occur immediately and in subsequent waves after the onset of health shocks. Reductions in parent–child distance are consistently larger among mother‐daughter dyads, dyads without spouses or multiple children, and non‐Hispanic white families.

Conclusion

The geographic availability of adult children to provide care is responsive to parents' needs. After the onset of a serious health condition, most older adults have a spouse or child living close enough to provide care. Parents' and children's lives are dynamically linked, and either or both may relocate to facilitate care.
Using Health Education to Address Student Physical Activity and Nutrition: Evidence and Implications to Advance Practice*
Authors: Lee Sarah M. , Szucs Leigh E. , Young Emily , Fahrenbruch Melissa
Published: September 2023

BACKGROUND

School‐based health education can provide students with learning experiences that improve knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions (KAP) and behaviors regarding physical activity and nutrition.

METHODS

We conducted a 2‐phase systematic review. Phase 1 was a review of reviews (ie, systematic reviews or meta‐analyses) that were published 2010‐2018. Phase 2 was a search for individual articles published 2010‐2020 addressing topics relevant to our review; we searched for articles that had not been part of a sufficiently relevant or recent review or that had been part of a review that concluded that too few articles were available to assert sufficient evidence.

RESULTS

Forty‐three studies were assessed: 20 randomized controlled trials and 23 quasi‐experimental designs. Collectively, interventions had a favorable impact on students' PA and nutrition KAP, but behavioral and secondary outcome results (eg, body mass index) were mixed.

CONCLUSIONS

Using the evidence‐based health education strategies identified in this review can help contribute to improvements in students' KAP and behaviors.
Morphology, molecular phylogeny and biogeography revealed two new Pseudo‐nitzschia (Bacillariophyceae) species in Chinese waters
Authors: Niu Biao‐Biao , Zheng Qi‐Xiang , Liu Yang , Lundholm Nina , Teng Sing Tung , Lu Xu‐Dan , Ran Rui‐Wei , Zhang Li , Li Yang
Published: September 2023

Pseudo‐nitzschia is a group of widely distributed planktonic diatoms. Some species produce the neurotoxin domoic acid. Herein, two new Pseudo‐nitzschia species were described from Chinese coastal waters and the South China Sea after combining morphological and molecular data, together with biogeographical traits. Pseudo‐nitzschia punctionis sp. nov. was similar to Pseudo‐nitzschia bipertita morphologically, but differed in poroid structure, which was undivided in P. punctionis but divided in two sectors in P. bipertita. This difference corresponded to the presence of two hemicompensatory base changes (HCBCs) in the secondary structure of internal transcribed spacer 2. Pseudo‐nitzschia polymorpha sp. nov. was sister to Pseudo‐nitzschia limii phylogenetically, but distinct by the various shapes of perforations on the valve and copula, which was supported by four HCBCs. In a metabarcoding analysis, multiple new ribotypes were identified within the two new species, and intraspecific genetic divergences were analyzed. Metabarcoding data revealed that P. punctionis had a broader temperature range (12.9–30.5°C) than P. polymorpha (22.3–30.5°C). Within the two new species, different traits were found among the amplicon sequence variants regarding temperature and biogeography, representing different microevolutionary directions under environmental selection. The two new species had different biogeographical traits when compared to their closely related species. Domoic acid was detected in strains of P. punctionis at a concentration of 13.5–17.7 fg/cell, but the toxin was not found in strains of P. polymorpha. A combination of characters based on laboratory strains and field metabarcoding data provided more data for delimiting Pseudo‐nitzschia species and gave new insights into their diversity and biogeography.
Effectiveness of a nurse‐led personalized patient engagement program to promote type 2 diabetes self‐management: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Cengiz Dilara , Korkmaz Fatoş
Published: September 2023

PHEinAction® is a theory‐based nurse‐led patient engagement intervention developed among an Italian older adult population with various chronic diseases to facilitate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral processes in promoting individuals' active roles. This study aims to adapt and evaluate the effectiveness of PHEinAction® on diabetes self‐management (DSM) among Turkish type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. First, the generic content of the intervention was customized for diabetes management and adapted for the Turkish population, including back‐forward translation and expert panel evaluation; then, a randomized controlled trial was conducted with 51 adult diabetes patients randomly assigned to intervention or the control group receiving the usual care. The intervention consisted of two in‐person sessions of 4‐week intervals, a telephone consultation, and home‐based written exercises, which involved personalized care activities addressing individuals' engagement levels and covering the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral aspects. The scores for treatment adherence, self‐efficacy, and patient engagement had significantly improved with a large size effect in the intervention group at the fourth‐week follow‐up compared with the control group. Findings suggest that the nurse‐led personalized patient engagement program could effectively promote DSM.