bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Leveraging gamification to enhance persuasive behaviour and streamline online product returns: an approach grounded in multiple case studies
Authors: Panda Debadrita , Raut Sachin Kumar , Rana Sudhir , Shamsudin Mad Nasir
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The study identifies barriers all stakeholders face in the returns management process. The pressing issue of online product returns significantly erodes the net profit margins, demanding urgent action. Existing returns management systems are often complex, time-consuming and costly, failing to address this issue effectively. In this regard, persuasive technologies like gamification can effectively influence behaviour and enhance motivation towards reducing return by striking a balance between psychological and behavioural factors. Therefore, the study proposes a framework that combines the theory of planned behaviour and Octalysis to identify intentions to reduce product return rates in the e-commerce business.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative exploratory research design using a multiple case study-based approach with in-depth interviews conducted with 96 varied stakeholders was used to provide insights into the behavioural aspects for reducing return rates in e-commerce.

Findings

The results reveal three facets of effective returns management in e-commerce. Customers and delivery partners prioritize return processes, policies and rewards, emphasizing efficiency. Meanwhile, mid- and strategic-level employees are optimistic about return process enhancements. Interdepartmental integration and cross-functional communication are found to be vital, suggesting the need for a gamified framework in returns management.

Originality/value

This research enriches the returns management literature on gamification solutions and responds to the need for theoretical anchoring by applying the theory of planned behaviour at the organizational level to improve efficiency and customer centricity in the return process.
Student perspectives on school-based social workers: a mixed-methods study
Authors: Bennett C. Verity , Roberts Louisa M. , Smith Phil , Meindl Melissa , Pallmann Philip , Lugg-Widger Fiona , Schroeder Elizabeth-Ann , Adara Linda , Munnery Kim , Meister Lena , Ayayo Sharon , Rawlinson Sarah , Forrester Donald , Petrou Stavros , White James , Westlake David
Published: September 2024

Purpose

School social work, in various forms, is well established internationally and has a growing evidence base. Yet existing research focuses on professional perspectives rather than those of students. This study aims to fill this gap by exploring secondary school student perspectives of having social workers in schools (SWIS). It was undertaken in England as part of the SWIS trial, which tested whether secondary school-based social workers could improve child safety and well-being, identify issues more quickly and reduce the need for statutory services.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed-methods approach comprised a survey (n = 1,998 students) and interviews (n = 27 students). Surveys included questions on awareness, understanding, interaction with and attitudes towards the school-based social workers. Interviews involved a Q-sort activity followed by semi-structured questions on general attitudes and experiences. The Q-sort characterised prominent perspectives and how many students subscribed to them.

Findings

Students were broadly positive about having a social worker in their school in the survey and interviews. Two prominent perspectives on SWIS were identified. The first (n = 17) was defined by students feeling positively overall and strongly agreeing that they trusted the social worker. The second (n = 4) was mixed in sentiment, defined by some anxiety about working with the social worker. In interviews, students relayed that social workers were easily accessible, offered emotional support and acted as a bridge between school and home.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to quantify student perspectives on having social workers at school and evidence attitudes and experiences about school-based social work as practiced during the SWIS trial.
Subordinated service environments: how branding can create unintentional service exclusion
Authors: Anderson Kelley Cours , Popovich Deidre , Frias Kellilynn M. , Trussell Mikaela
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore unintended effects of branding in a healthcare environment. Children’s hospitals often treat both women and children. The current research examines the implications of sub-branding women’s services and its potential impact on how patients and providers perceive these services.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-actor qualitative method is used, incorporating in-depth interviews, focus groups and observations. This approach allowed for a comprehensive understanding of how hospital administrators, physicians, staff and patients perceive service exclusion when women’s services are located within a children’s hospital.

Findings

The findings suggest that sub-branding can have negative effects on both patients and providers. The data show that this can lead to service exclusion due to perceptions of confusion and a lack of belonging. As a result, sub-branding women’s services in a children’s hospital may unintentionally create a subordinated service environment for adult patients and their providers, which has important implications for policy and other service settings.

Originality/value

The authors introduce the concept of a subordinated service environment and explore how patients and providers perceive sub-branded women’s services in children’s hospitals. The study contributes to service theory by showing how and why branding efforts can unintentionally lead to service exclusion.
Creating short-form content for academic libraries: a workflow
Authors: Bates Margaret
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This article describes a workflow designed for liaison librarians at an academic library creating short-form video content to increase student engagement with the library and improve student awareness of library resources and services.

Design/methodology/approach

This article outlines a framework for creating short-form content video tutorials, including how to identify information that should be included and what should be left out. The workflow also introduces different tools librarians can use to create and edit video content, as well as recommendations on how to make videos more accessible to students.

Findings

Research shows that shorter videos have higher learner engagement and that students retain information best when it is presented in short, frequent chunks rather than traditional lecture-style formats (Méndez-Carbajo and Wolla, 2019).

Originality/value

Video tutorials are a staple of most academic libraries’ collections of digital learning objects. However, this new generation of learners will benefit from a different approach to creating library videos using short-form content.
The sharing economy reaching its boundaries: What’s Next?
Authors: Gerwe Oksana
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The paper explores the evolution of the sharing economy, particularly focusing on the growing regulatory constraints and societal pushback. With platforms like Airbnb and Uber at the forefront, the paper investigates how these businesses, which initially thrived in an unregulated environment, are now facing tighter regulations and changing market conditions. It also examines potential future scenarios and strategic adaptations needed for the sharing economy to sustain its performance amid these emerging challenges.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is an opinion piece based on secondary data sources. It analyzes the sharing economy's evolution by reviewing regulatory changes, competitive pressures, and societal responses.

Findings

The sharing economy has reached significant boundaries due to evolving regulatory frameworks and increasing societal pushback. Examples include Barcelona's ban on short-term rentals and the U.S. Department of Labor's reclassification of gig workers. These changes indicate a shift in how these platforms operate, requiring new strategies to adapt to these pressures, such as increased transparency, partnerships with local governments, and environmental sustainability initiatives.

Originality/value

The paper contributes to the ongoing discussion on the future of the sharing economy by highlighting its current boundary conditions, particularly focusing on regulatory developments and societal concerns. It offers unique insights into potential future adaptations and scenarios for platforms to sustain growth, making it relevant for both academics and practitioners interested in platform strategies and regulatory environments.
Population genetics, comparative floral morphology, and rare hybridization for two serpentine Phlox species
Authors: Cohen James I. , Horner Kaitlyn , Ryan Gillian L. , Griffen Lauren R.
Published: September 2024

Hybridization between rare and widespread species can result in loss of genetic integrity for the rarer species, which can have management and conservation implications. One rare species, Phlox hirsuta, is a serpentine endemic in northern California, and it frequently co‐occurs with a widespread congener, Phlox speciosa. Putative hybrids were recognized based on intermediate morphology, so the possibility of hybridization was explored using floral morphological and molecular data. Ninety‐eight individuals of P. hirsuta and P. speciosa were collected from each of three sites, and floral features were measured and compared. Eleven microsatellite loci were amplified for species and putative hybrids, and inter‐ and intraspecific genetic diversity and relationships were investigated with multiple methods. Variation in morphological and molecular data was recovered. Floral variation was greater for P. hirsuta than P. speciosa. Putative hybrids were genetically allied with P. speciosa, but two individuals of P. hirsuta were resolved to have genetic similarity with P. speciosa. While hybridization is possible between the species, it is uncommon and appears to be primarily unidirectional. The small number of recognized hybrids may be due to ineffective interspecific pollination, hybrids being less fit than parents, and/or small sample sizes. Reinforcement does not appear to play a role in secondary contact between species. Both microsatellite loci and floral morphology varied across the small geographic range of P. hirsuta, suggesting local differentiation and adaptation are possible over short distances.
What's Next for Woman Suffrage? An Overview of the State of the Field
Authors: MARINO KELLY
Published: September 2024

This state of the field article considers trends in the scholarship on US woman suffrage activism from the past to the present. It outlines key themes and debates that scholars have weighed in on as well as major works published in the field. For example, was it something internal or external to the women's movement that led to the Nineteenth Amendment's passage in 1920? Was the movement liberal or conservative? How did arguments and tactics change over time? What was the legacy of the campaign? The article argues ultimately that future work will continue with efforts to recast the movement as a more expansive campaign that included those beyond elite White women and explore how the movement was successful over time because it was able to make woman suffrage a mainstream political issue considered by many Americans in the twentieth century.
Making sense of social enterprises' crisis preparedness and development of composite index for its assessment
Authors: Kročil Ondřej , Müller Michal , Schlossarek Martin
Published: September 2024

Social enterprises are organizations that make society more resilient, but at the same time they have their own vulnerabilities and are threatened by a number of factors that can throw them into a crisis. Nevertheless, a crisis in social enterprises and their crisis preparedness are not topics that the literature adequately deals with. The aim of this mixed method research is to identify how social entrepreneurs make sense of crisis preparedness, and how to measure it. The qualitative part of the research shows that there are five key themes that are perceived by social entrepreneurs when it comes to crisis preparedness in the context of social enterprises' specifics: Crisis preparedness as a prevention against mission drift, as a necessity when working with disadvantaged employees, as a path toward greater financial stability, as a “helper” in a changing legislative environment, and as a response to a fragile organizational structure. Combining these findings with the literature review, composite Perceived Threats Index (PTI) and Crisis Preparedness Index (CPI) are constructed. Using correlation and regression analysis and hypothesis testing, we validate them and confirm relationship between geographical scope of social enteprises and crisis preparedness as well as between latter and perceived threats.
Inhaled analgesics for the treatment of prehospital acute pain—A systematic review
Authors: Hyldmo Per Kristian , Rehn Marius , Dahl Friesgaard Kristian , Rognås Leif , Raatiniemi Lasse , Kurola Jouni , Larsen Robert , Kongstad Poul , Sandberg Mårten , Magnusson Vidar , Vist Gunn Elisabeth
Published: September 2024

Background

Many prehospital emergency patients receive suboptimal treatment for their moderate to severe pain. Various factors may contribute. We aim to systematically review literature pertaining to prehospital emergency adult patients with acute pain and the pain‐reducing effects, adverse events (AEs), and safety issues associated with inhaled analgetic agents compared with other prehospital analgesic agents.

Methods

As part of an initiative from the Scandinavian Society of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Medicine, we conducted a systematic review (PROSPERO CRD42018114399), applying the PRISMA guidelines, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE), and Cochrane methods, searching the Cochrane Library, Epistemonikos, Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, PubMed, and EMBASE databases (updated March 2024). Inclusion criteria were the use of inhaled analgesic agents in adult patients with acute pain in the prehospital emergency care setting. All steps were performed by minimum of two individual researchers. The primary outcome was pain reduction; secondary outcomes were speed of onset, duration of effect, and relevant AEs.

Results

We included seven studies (56,535 patients in total) that compared inhaled agents (methoxyflurane [MF] and nitrous oxide [N2O]) to other drugs or placebo. Study designs were randomized controlled trial (1; n = 60), randomized non‐blinded study (1; n = 343), and randomized open‐label study (1; n = 270). The remaining were prospective or retrospective observational studies. The evidence according to GRADE was of low or very low quality. No combined meta‐analysis was possible. N2O may reduce pain compared to placebo, but not compared to intravenous (IV) paracetamol, and may be less effective compared to morphine and MF. MF may reduce pain compared to paracetamol, ketoprofen, tramadol, and fentanyl. Both agents may be associated with marked but primarily mild AEs.

Conclusion

We found low‐quality evidence suggesting that both MF and N2O are safe and may have a role in the management of pain in the prehospital setting. There is low‐quality evidence to support MF as a short‐acting single analgesic or as a bridge to IV access and the administration of other analgesics. There may be occupational health issues regarding the prehospital use of N2O.
A longevity‐specific bank of induced pluripotent stem cells from centenarians and their offspring
Authors: Dowrey Todd W. , Cranston Samuel F. , Skvir Nicholas , Lok Yvonne , Gould Brian , Petrowitz Bradley , Villar Daniel , Shan Jidong , James Marianne , Dodge Mark , Belkina Anna C. , Giadone Richard M. , Milman Sofiya , Sebastiani Paola , Perls Thomas T. , Andersen Stacy L. , Murphy George J.
Published: September 2024

Centenarians provide a unique lens through which to study longevity, healthy aging, and resiliency. Moreover, models of human aging and resilience to disease that allow for the testing of potential interventions are virtually non‐existent. We obtained and characterized over 96 centenarian and offspring peripheral blood samples including those connected to functional independence data highlighting resistance to disability and cognitive impairment. Targeted methylation arrays were used in molecular aging clocks to compare and contrast differences between biological and chronological age in these specialized subjects. Isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from 20 of these subjects were then successfully reprogrammed into high‐quality induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) lines which were functionally characterized for pluripotency, genomic stability, and the ability to undergo directed differentiation. The result of this work is a one‐of‐a‐kind resource for studies of human longevity and resilience that can fuel the discovery and validation of novel therapeutics for aging‐related disease.
Subretinal fibrosis occurrence according to macular neovascularisation subtypes in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Lenhof Scott , Kodjikian Laurent , Gascon Pierre , Gadiollet Etienne , Feldman Audrey , De Bats Flore , Wolff Benjamin , Pradat Pierre , Mathis Thibaud
Published: September 2024

Purpose

To assess subretinal fibrosis (SF) occurrence in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD), according to macular neovascularisation (MNV) subtypes.

Methods

A Retrospective national multi centre cohort study included eyes with naive nAMD. Main outcome measures were, according to MNV subtypes, cumulative incidence for SF, risk factors, and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) for 36 months.

Results

Four hundred and twenty eyes were included. Cumulative incidence of SF was 34.3% at 1 year, 39.0% at 2 years and 50.6% at 3 years. In multivariable analysis, Type 2 and mixed type 1 and 2 MNV were associated (p < 0.001) with a more frequent and rapid development of SF (respectively 85.5% and 81.0% at 1 year, then 95.8% and 93.1% at 3 years) than Types 1 and 3 (respectively 11.3% and 3.6% at 1 year, then 22.9% and 12.7% at 3 years). In Type 2 and mixed type 1 and 2 MNV combined, at baseline a worse BCVA (p = 0.02) and a higher maximal subretinal hyperreflective material (SHRM) thickness (p = 0.005) were associated with SF development at 3 years. In Type 1 MNV, the presence at baseline of intraretinal fluid (IRF) (p = 0.007) or SHRM (p < 0.001) and a higher percentage of visits with IRF (p < 0.001) or with SHRM (p < 0.001) were associated with SF occurrence. For Type 3 MNV, only a higher percentage of visits with SHRM (p = 0.001) was associated with SF. Including all MNV subtypes, eyes with a worse BCVA at baseline were associated with SF development (p < 0.001). Conversely, presence of SF at 3 years was associated with a worse baseline BCVA (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Occurrence of SF differs when considering apart MNV subtypes.
Evaluating the Let's Move It intervention programme theory for adolescents' physical activity: Theorized psychosocial mechanisms of behavioural changes
Authors: Palsola Minttu , Araújo‐Soares Vera , Hardeman Wendy , Haukkala Ari , Heino Matti Toivo Juhani , Sniehotta Falko , Sund Reijo , Vasankari Tommi , Hankonen Nelli
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Behaviour change theories have extensively been used in health behaviour change interventions and their programme theories. However, they are rarely evaluated in randomized field studies. The Let's Move It intervention targeted various psychosocial constructs to increase adolescents' physical activity. A theory‐based process evaluation aiming to illuminate the trial findings as well as to test the programme theory used is conducted. Specifically, we investigate whether the intervention influenced the theorized determinants of change immediately post‐intervention and after 1 year, and whether these determinants were associated with changes in physical activity.

Design

A cluster‐randomized controlled trial (n = 1166).

Methods

We measured theorized determinants with self‐report, and physical activity (PA) with accelerometry and self‐report. The effects are evaluated with repeated measures ANOVA and regression models.

Results

No changes were detected in most theorized determinants but intervention arm reported higher enactment of behaviour change techniques used during intervention immediately post‐intervention and lower descriptive norms for PA throughout. Autonomous motivation was associated with PA immediately post‐intervention.

Conclusions

The lack of intervention effects may be due to many factors, for example insensitive measures, ceiling effects. However, reporting these null effects advances understanding of behaviour change processes. We introduce methodologic possibilities for future intervention programme theory evaluation efforts.
FDI, defense spending, and economic prosperity
Authors: Douch Mohamed
Published: September 2024

The relationship between foreign direct investment (FDI) and military spending in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region is complex and multifaceted. High levels of military spending can deter foreign investors, as it creates an uncertain and potentially volatile investment climate. However, countries that invest in their military infrastructure and capabilities may be seen as more stable and secure, which can attract foreign investors. Taking into account several factors that can influence this relationship, including political stability, security concerns, and economic factors, this work analyzes whether military spending attracts foreign capital into the region. Using a dynamic panel data methodology along with other relevant macroeconomic variables, results show that the military expenditure has a positive and significant impact on FDI inflows into the MENA region. The paper highlights the fact that policymakers in the region must carefully balance military spending with investments in other areas of the economy in order to create a stable and favorable investment climate that attracts foreign investors and contributes to long‐term economic growth and development achieving both security and welfare.
The long and winding road: A team idea implementation model
Authors: Zhou Yu , Hu Xinyu , Zhu Huaiqian
Published: September 2024

Creative teams are expected to produce novel and useful outcomes in each stage of the idea journey. However, during the stage of idea implementation, where ideas are transformed into tangible outputs, creative teams encounter the tension between creativity and restriction. In other words, they need to remain flexible and open to new initiatives to increase the creativity of the outputs, while they need to follow the blueprint drawn by the ideas that are to be implemented. To explore how teams deal with such tensions in the idea implementation stage, we conducted a case study using The Beatles' Get Back project in 1969. To uncover the nonlinear, dynamic and interactive process underlying the implementation stage of team creativity, we analysed the documentaries and books about the project and the band. This led to a process model of team idea implementation. This model includes screening, initiating, trialling and evaluating stages, illuminating the iterative process within which team members implement ideas. This research provides novel insights into our understanding of team creativity.
SNRPB2 promotes triple‐negative breast cancer progression by controlling alternative splicing of MDM4 pre‐mRNA
Authors: Yu Shiyi , Si Yue , Yu Jianzhong , Jiang Chengyang , Cheng Fei , Xu Miao , Fan Zhehao , Liu Fangchen , Liu Chang , Wang Ying , Wang Ning , Liu Chenxu , Bi Caili , Sun Haibo
Published: September 2024

Alternative splicing generates cancer‐specific transcripts and is now recognized as a hallmark of cancer. However, the critical oncogenic spliceosome‐related proteins involved in triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) remain elusive. Here, we explored the expression pattern of spliceosome‐related proteins in TNBC, non‐TNBC, and normal breast tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas breast cancer (TCGA‐BRCA) cohort, revealing higher expression of nearly half of spliceosome‐related proteins in TNBC than their counterparts. Among these TNBC‐specific spliceosome‐related proteins, the expression of SNRPB2 was associated with poor prognosis in patients with TNBC. In TNBC cells, the knockdown of SNRPB2 strongly suppressed cell proliferation and invasion and induced cell cycle arrest. Mechanistically, transcriptome data showed that SNRPB2 knockdown inactivated E2F1 signaling, which regulated the cell cycle. We further validated the downregulation of several cell cycle genes in SNRPB2 knockdown cells. Moreover, the analysis showed that SNRPB2 knockdown triggered the alteration of many alternative splicing events, most of which were skipping of exon. In TNBC cells, it was found that SNRPB2 knockdown led to the skipping of exon 6 in MDM4 pre‐mRNA, generating MDM4‐S transcript and downregulating MDM4 protein expression. More importantly, downregulation of MDM4 decreased retinoblastoma 1 (Rb1) protein expression, which is a target of MDM4 and a regulator of E2F1 signaling. In summary, the current study revealed an SNRPB2/MDM4/Rb axis in promoting the progression of TNBC, providing novel insights and novel targets for combating TNBC.
Assessing body composition through anthropometry: Implications for diagnosing and managing polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS)
Authors: Parua Suparna , Das Arnab , Hazra Anukona , Chaudhuri Prasenjit , Bhattacharya Koushik , Dutta Sulagna , Sengupta Pallav
Published: September 2024

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a multifaceted endocrine disorder with profound implications for the reproductive and metabolic health of women. The utilization of anthropometric measures in the diagnosis and management of PCOS has gained increasing attention due to their practicality and predictive capacity for associated conditions such as obesity and insulin resistance. This review rigorously explores the application of various anthropometric indices, including body mass index, waist‐to‐hip ratio, and advanced metrics such as the body shape index and body roundness index, wrist circumference, neck circumference. These indices offer critical insights into body fat distribution and its association with the metabolic and hormonal perturbations characteristic of PCOS. The review underscores the necessity of addressing obesity, a prevalent comorbidity in PCOS, through lifestyle modifications and personalized therapeutic approaches. By incorporating anthropometric evaluations into routine clinical practice, healthcare professionals can enhance diagnostic precision, optimize treatment strategies, and ultimately improve patient outcomes. This integrative approach not only facilitates the management of the metabolic challenges inherent in PCOS but also contributes to the development of more individualized therapeutic interventions, thereby enhancing the overall quality of life for women affected by PCOS.
miR‐27a‐3p regulates intestinal cell proliferation and differentiation through Wnt/β‐catenin signalling
Authors: Li Chang , Zhou Yuning , Jiang Yinping , Yin Zhijie , Weiss Heidi L. , Wang Qingding , Evers B. Mark
Published: September 2024

Intestinal stem cells differentiate into absorptive enterocytes, characterised by increased brush border enzymes such as intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP), making up the majority (95%) of the terminally differentiated cells in the villus. Loss of integrity of the intestinal epithelium plays a key role in inflammatory diseases and gastrointestinal infection. Here, we show that the intestinal microRNA (miR)‐27a‐3p is an important regulator of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation and enterocyte differentiation. Repression of endogenous miR‐27a‐3p leads to increased enterocyte differentiation and decreased intestinal epithelial cell proliferation in mouse and human small intestinal organoids. Mechanistically, miR‐27a‐3p regulates intestinal cell differentiation and proliferation at least in part through the regulation of retinoic acid receptor α (RXRα), a modulator of Wnt/β‐catenin signalling. Repression of miR‐27a‐3p increases the expression of RXRα and concomitantly, decreases the expression of active β‐catenin and cyclin D1. In contrast, overexpression of miR‐27a‐3p mimic decreases the expression of RXRα and increases the expression of active β‐catenin and cyclin D1. Moreover, overexpression of the miR‐27a‐3p mimic results in impaired enterocyte differentiation and increases intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. These alterations were attenuated or blocked by Wnt inhibition. Our study demonstrates an miR‐27a‐3p/RXRα/Wnt/β‐catenin pathway that is important for the maintenance of enterocyte homeostasis in the small intestine.
Inactivation of JNK signalling results in polarity loss and cell senescence of Sertoli cell
Authors: Shen Zhiming , Gao Yang , Sun Xuedong , Chen Min , Cen Changhuo , Wang Mengyue , Wang Nan , Liu Bowen , Li Jiayi , Cui Xiuhong , Hou Jian , Shi Yuhua , Gao Fei
Published: September 2024

As major somatic cells in the testis, Sertoli cell development is precisely regulated by numerous factors, and aberrant development of these cells is associated with male reproductive diseases. JNK signalling is evolutionarily conserved and involved in multiple critical biological processes. Here, we found that the double knockout of Jnk1 and Jnk2 resulted in aberrant localisation of Sertoli cells at early developmental stages, with most Sertoli cells being lost at later stages. Further studies revealed that the inactivation of JNK signalling caused polarity loss in Sertoli cells. In vitro‐cultured Jnk1/2‐DKO Sertoli cells exhibited a senescence‐associated phenotype. Mechanistic studies demonstrate that JNK signalling is likely involved in establishing Sertoli cell polarity by regulating the expression of TGF‐β2, mediated by c‐Jun. The senescence of Sertoli cells in JNKs‐deficient mice is caused by aberrant proteolysis of P27KIP1, mediated by c‐Myc. This study demonstrates the role of JNK signalling in Sertoli cell development and functional maintenance, which may also represent an aetiology of male infertility in humans.
1116. Rhododendron boninense Nakai
Authors: Kawakita Atsushi , Komaki Yoshiteru , Tanaka Takefumi , Yamanaka Masumi
Published: September 2024

Rhododendron boninense Nakai, illustrated here, is a critically endangered endemic rhododendron from the Ogasawara Islands, whose population was once reduced to a single individual. Since the 1980s, Koishikawa Botanical Garden has made efforts to propagate and reintroduce this species to its original habitat, resulting in a current population of 60 mature plants and several natural seedlings. The pure white corolla, which lacks a nectar guide, is distinctive among related rhododendrons, suggesting that a pollinator shift occurred after colonisation of the Ogasawara Islands, where the ancestral pollinators are absent.
Digital Simulation and Designing of a Novel Osteotomy Guide for Autotransplantation in the Anterior Region
Authors: Tsukiboshi Yosuke
Published: September 2024

Autotransplantation of teeth (ATT) is a viable treatment option for replacing teeth lost due to various reasons. Periodontal ligament (PDL) on the donor tooth is one of the most crucial factors determining the success of ATT. To preserve the PDL during surgery and improve the success rate of ATT, digital dentistry has been applied to ATT. In this article, a digital workflow including surgical simulation, a three‐dimensional (3D) replica fabrication, and a novel osteotomy guide design is introduced. Digital simulation of ATT on a patient's integrated model enables visualization of anatomical structures and the 3D position of the donor tooth prior to the actual surgery. The 3D‐printed osteotomy guide allows the transfer of the direction and depth of the planned osteotomy into the intraoral environment. The 3D replica helps prepare the recipient site before the actual transplantation, which minimizes the extra‐alveolar time of the donor tooth and decreases trauma during the try‐in process. The proposed virtual planning and the use of the guide and the 3D replica can facilitate the surgical procedures while minimizing complications.
Predictive validity of the Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old‐Old for all‐cause mortality and disability incidence
Authors: Hori Noriko , Li Jiaqi , Kinoshita Kaori , Yoshiura Kazuhiro , Osuka Yosuke , Satake Shosuke
Published: September 2024

Aim

The Questionnaire for Medical Checkup of Old‐Old (QMCOO) has been used nationwide in Japan as part of the health checkup for latter‐stage older adults since the financial year 2020. Although the QMCOO is useful in screening for frailty, its cutoff values for predicting adverse health outcomes have rarely been assessed. Therefore, this study aimed to calculate the cutoff values for predicting all‐cause mortality and disability incidence and to evaluate their predictive validity.

Methods

This study included 3837 health checkup recipients aged ≥75 years residing in Higashiura Town, Aichi Prefecture, Japan. The health checkup was conducted from June 1, 2020, to January 31, 2021. Mortality and disability incidence were analyzed separately. For the latter, participants with a disability history were excluded, leaving 3040 available for analysis.

Results

During the follow‐up of 11 191 and 8550 person‐years, 276 died and 438 developed a disability, respectively. The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (95% confidence intervals) for all‐cause mortality and disability incidence were 0.68 (0.65–0.71) and 0.66 (0.63–0.68), respectively, with QMCOO cutoff values at 3/4 and 2/3 points. Cox proportional hazard models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, self‐reported diseases, and frequency of alcohol consumption demonstrated the predictive validity of those cutoff values.

Conclusions

The optimal cutoff value of the QMCOO for predicting all‐cause mortality was 3/4, while the optimal cutoff value for predicting disability incidence was 2/3 among an older Japanese population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1203–1209.
Geraniol intake improves age‐related malnutrition in mice
Authors: Shibuya Shuichi , Watanabe Kenji , Sakuraba Daiki , Nagata Takeshi , Yamaguchi Yoshimasa , Suzuki Yasuyuki , Shimizu Takahiko
Published: September 2024

Aim

Geraniol is an acyclic monoterpenoid that is abundant in many plants, including rose, lemongrass, and lavender. As geraniol has various beneficial functions, rose oil rich in geraniol is not only used for aromatherapy but also as a supplement to promote health benefits. However, the beneficial effects of geraniol on age‐related pathologies are unknown. In this study, we aimed to clarify the effects of geraniol intake on age‐related pathologies.

Methods

We orally administered geraniol to aged mice (age: 24–29 months) five times a week for 4 weeks and sampled their blood and various organs. We investigated age‐related changes in the blood and organ samples. Furthermore, we treated HepG2 cells with geraniol and examined the expression level of the ALB gene and the amount of secreted albumin in vitro.

Results

Geraniol significantly increased blood albumin, total cholesterol, and red blood cell counts, indicating an improvement in nutritional markers in aged mice. Geraniol also transcriptionally increased the Alb gene expression in the liver of aged mice. Furthermore, treatment with geraniol significantly upregulated the ALB gene expression and the secretion of albumin in the conditioned medium of HepG2 cells.

Conclusion

Geraniol increases serum albumin levels at the transcriptional level. Geraniol intake can be an effective strategy for age‐related malnutrition. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 1233–1240.
HIV drug resistance, viral suppression, and survival in children living with HIV in Brazil
Authors: Mendes‐Ferreira Alexandre A. C. , Véras Nazle Mendonça Collaço , Pinho Rosana Elisa Gonçalves Gonçalves , Pascom Ana Roberta , Gama Lúcio , Avelino‐Silva Vivian I.
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Mutations associated with HIV drug resistance (DR) affect clinical outcomes. Understanding the prevalence of HIV DR and its association with viral suppression and survival in the paediatric population is key to inform patient care and health policies.

Methods

We used Brazilian monitoring systems to identify genotyping tests performed in children living with HIV aged ≤18 months between 2009 and 2020. We categorized HIV DR using three criteria: any HIV DR (R1), DR to nevirapine or efavirenz (R2), and DR to at least one antiretroviral recommended for children with HIV in Brazilian guidelines (R3). We investigated factors associated with HIV DR, viral suppression, and survival up to 3 years old using multivariable models. Lastly, we describe the annual prevalence of each type of HIV DR in Brazilian children with HIV between 2009 and 2020.

Results

We included 1152 children with HIV with a median age of 5 months at genotype testing; 57% were females. R1 was observed in 30%, R2 in 17%, and R3 in 21%. Children with HIV whose birth parents were exposed to nevirapine or efavirenz before delivery had higher odds of R2 (odds ratio 3.4; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.1–10.8). Children with HIV with R1 or R3 had higher rates of death than those with HIV with no HIV DR in the adjusted models (adjusted hazard ratios 4.7 [95% CI 1.6–13.9] and 4.1 [95% CI 1.4–12.4], respectively). The prevalence of resistance to nevirapine and efavirenz peaked in 2015. Over time, the prevalence of genotyping tests with no detected resistance varied between 57% and 87%.

Conclusion

HIV DR is highly prevalent in children with HIV and is associated with lower survival.
From waste to wealth: sustainable approaches and novel strategies in the utilisation of food and dairy by‐products – a critical review
Authors: Dadhaneeya Harsh , Nema Prabhat K. , Pawar Krantidip R.
Published: September 2024

The correct application of by‐products produced in the food and dairy industries is essential for attaining sustainability goals and minimising waste. By‐products, which used to be viewed as throwaway materials, have lately been recognised as valuable sources. By‐products can have significant nutritional, physiological and economic value. This paper addresses the novel techniques and technologies that have been employed to successfully transform these by‐products into products with value‐added hybrid products; there are also some instances of success mentioned, as well as the trends that will likely have an impact on the sector in the coming years. Through case studies and scientific insights, the reader may discover how businesses and society as a whole can benefit from using by‐products. Overall, the goal of this endeavour is to demonstrate the transformative potential of using food and dairy by‐products and to serve as an avenue of encouragement and knowledge for researchers, business executives and policymakers interested in increasing the value of by‐products in the food and dairy sectors. Despite the fact that there are a few articles on the utilisation of food and dairy by‐products, none of them have employed bibliometric analysis to reach insights. The present study is an exemplary instance of looking into the evolution of publication patterns over time, suggesting the need for additional research in this area.
Sensory profile of cream cheese and plant‐based analogues: an approach through flash‐profile, CATA and RATA tests
Authors: Silva Kívea Kássia de Paiva e , Domingues Galli Bruno , Alban Michelle , Baptista Débora Parra , Nabeshima Elizabeth Harumi , Marfil Paulo Henrique Mariano , Gigante Mirna Lúcia
Published: September 2024

The distinct techno‐functional and sensory attributes conferred by milk proteins and fat are fundamental in defining the structure, texture and flavour of dairy products. Thus, reproducing cheese‐like characteristics in plant‐based alternatives while ensuring consumer acceptance is a major challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the sensory profile of commercial cream cheese and plant‐based analogues, quantifying consumer perception and discrimination, and correlating with instrumental texture analysis. For that, two milk‐based (MB1 and MB2) and three plant‐based products (PB1, PB2 and PB3) were evaluated for their proximate composition, texture profile (spreadability and firmness) and sensory properties by combining Flash Profile method (n = 13), Check‐All‐That‐Apply (CATA) test, and Rate‐all‐that‐apply (RATA) test (n = 102) with global acceptance. Milk‐based cream cheeses (MB1 and MB2) did not differ significantly from each other and presented greater spreadability when compared to all plant‐based cream cheeses (PB1, PB2 and PB3). The texture parameters of the samples were inversely related: the greater the firmness, the lower the spreadability. All forty‐two sensory attributes allowed discrimination of the samples into three distinct clusters, with no difference between the milk‐based products. The results of the CATA test showed that the attributes most correlated with the sample MB1 were the most desirable for good acceptance of the product. In turn, PB3 showed lower acceptance scores when compared to the plant‐based samples PB1 and PB2, and the attributes rancid flavour, vegetable oil aroma and nut aroma mostly contributed to the lower acceptance of PB3. Milk‐based products were very close to the ideal product, presenting a creamy and spreadable texture as key attributes for product characterisation and acceptance. The results of RATA test showed a significant difference (P < 0.05) in the intensity of nineteen sensory attributes. Milk‐based cream cheeses were more accepted than their plant‐based counterparts. The instrumental assessments of firmness and spreadability exhibited a negative correlation, once they were inversely proportional and strongly correlated to sensory data of firm and spreadable texture, respectively. The sensory characteristics of cream cheese analogues may present a barrier to their acceptance by consumers. Attributes such as coconut and flour flavour, artificial cheese aroma and flavour, and spreadable texture played a key role in differentiating dairy products from plant‐based ones, contributing to the lower acceptance of the latter.
Comparing gluten‐free eggless muffins' viscoelastic, rheological, and textural properties after combining seven plant‐based protein isolates with wheat, corn, and rice starches
Authors: Kumar Ajay , Singh Narpinder
Published: September 2024

This study aimed to substitute egg albumin with eight plant‐based protein isolates and xanthan gum for the development of gluten‐free, eggless muffins. The presence of protein isolates led to reduced pasting viscosities, suggesting limited swelling capacity of the starch granules. Incorporating different protein isolates enhanced the batter's viscoelastic properties, marked by an increase in storage and loss modulus and a decrease in tan δ, indicating enhanced gel properties compared to starch‐only batters, which showed more liquid‐like characteristics. Consequently, the muffins exhibited greater specific volume, springiness, and cohesiveness. The consistency of the muffins varied depending on the protein isolates used. The inclusion of protein isolates also altered the crust's hue, shifting it towards a reddish‐brown shade, while the crumb colour varied with protein incorporated. Sensory evaluation demonstrated that overall acceptability of the muffins improved with the protein isolates, particularly for those incorporating mung bean protein isolate. Principal Component Analysis further highlighted the strong associations between specific quality attributes, underscoring the significant impact of protein isolates on the quality characteristics of gluten‐free muffins.
Does culture matter in corporate cash holdings?
Authors: Deng Yongning , Zeng Sipeng
Published: September 2024

This paper identifies culture as an important factor affecting corporate cash holdings by using China and its national culture, Confucianism, as the setting. We find that firms located in regions with stronger Confucian culture hold persistently higher levels of cash. We employ an instrumental variable to draw causal inference. Confucian culture strengthens the effect of cash flow risk on cash holdings of financially‐constrained firms, suggesting precautionary motives as the underlying mechanism. We find that the culture effect remains intact after controlling for corporate governance heterogeneity, which rules out the agency motives. Lastly, firms' operating performance indicates that high cash holdings is an efficient outcome.
Influenza Epidemiology and Vaccine Effectiveness Following Funded Influenza Vaccine in Queensland, Australia, 2022
Authors: Shrestha Ashish C. , Field Emma , Thangarajah Dharshi , Andrews Ross , Ware Robert S. , Lambert Stephen B.
Published: September 2024

Background

In 2022, publicly funded influenza vaccine was made available to all residents of Queensland, Australia. This study compared influenza epidemiology in 2022 with previous years (2017–2021) and estimated influenza vaccine effectiveness (VE) during 2022.

Methods

The study involved a descriptive analysis of influenza notifications and a case–control study to estimate VE. Cases were notifications of laboratory‐confirmed influenza, and controls were individuals who were test negative for COVID‐19. Cases and controls were matched on age, postcode and specimen collection date. VE against hospitalisation was investigated by matching hospitalised cases to controls. Conditional logistic regression models were adjusted for sex.

Results

In 2022, Queensland experienced an early influenza season onset (April–May) and high case numbers (n = 45,311), compared to the previous 5 years (annual average: 29,364) and 2020–2021 (2020:6047; 2021:301) during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Adjusted VE (VEadj) against laboratory‐confirmed influenza was 39% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 37–41), highest for children aged 30 months to < 5 years (61%, 95% CI: 49–70) and lowest for adults aged ≥ 65 years (24%, 95% CI: 17–30). VEadj against influenza‐associated hospitalisation was 54% (95% CI: 48–59). Among children < 9 years of age, VEadj against laboratory‐confirmed influenza (55%, 95% CI: 49–61) and hospitalisation (67%, 95% CI: 39–82) was higher in those who received a complete dose schedule.

Conclusion

In Queensland, the 2022 influenza season started earlier than the previous 5 years. VE against influenza notifications varied across age groups. VE estimates against influenza‐associated hospitalisation were higher than those against laboratory‐confirmed influenza.