bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Green marketing mix and repurchase intention: the role of green knowledge
Authors: Mahmoud Mahmoud Abdulai , Seidu Alimatu Sadia , Tweneboah-Koduah Ernest Yaw , Ahmed Abdul Salam
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study investigated the effect of green marketing mix on consumer repurchase intention in Ghana. The study focusses on the interaction effect of green knowledge on green marketing mix and consumer repurchase in Ghana.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach to research was employed. In all, 371 participants were chosen using the purposive sampling technique. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS software.

Findings

The findings showed that green price, green place and green promotion had a positive significant effect on repurchase intention. However, green product insignificantly influenced repurchase intention. The findings further showed that green knowledge moderated the relationship between green price and green place, on repurchase intention. Green knowledge was not found to moderate the relationship between green product, green promotion and repurchase intention.

Originality/value

The study advances our knowledge on green marketing mix, green knowledge and repurchase intention within the beverage sector. It reveals the positive implication of green marketing mix on a firm’s customers using the marketing mix theory.
Damping accumulated discrete MGM(1, m) power model and its application to forecasting agricultural output value share and employment share
Authors: Li Liangshuai , Luo Dang
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The damping accumulated discrete MGM(1, m) power model is proposed for the problem of forecasting the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment in China.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, the damping accumulated discrete MGM(1, m) power model was developed based on the idea of discrete modelling by introducing a damping accumulated generating operator and power index. The new model can better identify the non-linear characteristics existing between different factors in the multivariate system and can accurately describe and forecast the trend of changes between data series and each of them.

Findings

The validity and rationality of the new model are verified through numerical experiment. It is forecasted that in 2023, the share of agricultural output value in China will be 7.14% and the share of agricultural employment will be 21.98%, with an overall decreasing trend.

Practical implications

The simultaneous decline in the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment is a common feature of countries that have achieved agricultural modernisation. Accurate forecasts of the share of agricultural output value and the share of employment can provide an important scientific basis for formulating appropriate agricultural development targets and policies in China.

Originality/value

The new model proposed in this study fully considers the importance of new information and has higher stability. The differential evolutionary algorithm was used to optimise the model parameters.
Investigating the effect of learning styles on HyFlex learning towards equity of learning in higher education
Authors: Mahande Ridwan Daud , Abdal Nurul Mukhlisah , Nasir Nasir
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of learning styles on HyFlex learning towards equity of learning in higher education.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative approach was used, with data collection through a structured online questionnaire. The study participants were undergraduate students (n = 451) studying at various public and private universities in Indonesia. Measurement analysis is used to test the validity of the instrument used. Analysis of structural equations is used to test the relationships between the constructs under study.

Findings

Survey instruments have satisfactory internal validity and consistency. The learning style of students in higher education positively influences the use of HyFlex’s three learning modalities. All three modalities of HyFlex learning positively affect learning equity, especially the asynchronous online modality. However, the synchronous online effect is insignificant. Active/reflective learning styles only affect face-to-face mode but do not significantly affect the two online modalities, synchronous and asynchronous. Some of the learning style dimensions have an indirect effect on equity through three HyFlex learning modalities. Face-to-face and online asynchronous mediate well the indirect relationship between learning style and equity. The impact of gender and higher education status was not shown to strengthen the relationship between learning styles, HyFlex learning modalities and equity.

Research limitations/implications

This study will provide valuable understanding for lecturers, educators and developers to adapt and develop HyFlex learning strategies based on the positive dimensions of the Felder–Silverman learning style that can support equitable and inclusive learning. The study forms a foundation for researchers to investigate more constructs that could improve HyFlex learning in future studies.

Originality/value

This research is a pioneer in using learning styles to investigate trends in using three HyFlex learning modalities, particularly emphasising modalities that can provide equitable learning.
Competitiveness, quality education and universities: the shift to the post-pandemic world
Authors: Arredondo-Trapero Florina Guadalupe , Guerra-Leal Eva María , Kim Joohee , Vázquez-Parra José Carlos
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This article aims to investigate whether there is a relationship between education for the labor market in the post-pandemic stage and the educational quality of universities, taking as a sample a group of Latin American countries and their main trading partners. Reference is made to the Global Competitiveness Report 2020 of the World Economic Forum (WEF) and the Quacquarelli Symonds (QS) index, which evaluates the quality of universities.

Design/methodology/approach

Correlations, clusters and T-tests were generated to test for significant differences, resulting in two blocks of countries being identified with statistically significant differences in educational efforts to prepare their citizens for the labor market and the quality of their universities.

Findings

It is concluded that there are examples of Latin American countries that, although they are emerging economies, are updating their educational systems at an accelerated pace to meet the needs demanded by the labor market, such as Chile and Argentina. In addition, there are some particular cases of Latin American QS universities that although they are not at a high level in their overall educational quality as a university, compared to North American and Asian universities, their graduates do show a high employability index. This means that in the graduate profile, these universities are also accelerating efforts to position them at a high level of preparedness to respond to the jobs and markets of tomorrow, just as the universities in developed economies do.

Research limitations/implications

Although the sample size is a limitation of this work, since it is based on secondary information reported by the WEF (2020) and the QS World University Rankings (2021), it contributes value by analyzing specific cases. Despite its limitations, the study yields meaningful results that put the challenges of post-pandemic employment and the role that universities play in a comprehensible framework.

Originality/value

These results put special attention on the work of universities as a crucial entity to prepare citizens to develop the competencies needed for the post-pandemic labor market, especially in terms of critical thinking and digital skills. Human capital formation will drive the post-pandemic recovery process of leading countries and universities.
From parameters to policies: sensitivity analysis and fiscal and monetary reactions
Authors: Marques Junior Karlo
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This paper seeks to explore the sensitivity of these parameters and their impact on fiscal policy outcomes. We use the existing literature to establish possible ranges for each parameter, and we examine how changes within these ranges can alter the outcomes of fiscal policy. In this way, we aim to highlight the importance of these parameters in the formulation and evaluation of fiscal policy.

Design/methodology/approach

The role of fiscal policy, its effects and multipliers continues to be a subject of intense debate in macroeconomics. Despite adopting a New Keynesian approach within a macroeconomic model, the reactions of macroeconomic variables to fiscal shocks can vary across different contexts and theoretical frameworks. This paper aims to investigate these diverse reactions by conducting a sensitivity analysis of parameters. Specifically, the study examines how key variables respond to fiscal shocks under different parameter settings. By analyzing the behavioral dynamics of these variables, this research contributes to the ongoing discussion on fiscal policy. The findings offer valuable insights to enrich the understanding of the complex relationship between fiscal shocks and macroeconomic outcomes, thus facilitating informed policy debates.

Findings

This paper aims to investigate key elements of New Keynesian Dynamic Stochastic General Equilibrium (DSGE) models. The focus is on the calibration of parameters and their impact on macroeconomic variables, such as output and inflation. The study also examines how different parameter settings affect the response of monetary policy to fiscal measures. In conclusion, this study has relied on theoretical exploration and a comprehensive review of existing literature. The parameters and their relationships have been analyzed within a robust theoretical framework, offering valuable insights for further research on how these factors influence model forecasts and inform policy recommendations derived from New Keynesian DSGE models. Moving forward, it is recommended that future work includes empirical analyses to test the reliability and effectiveness of parameter calibrations in real-world conditions. This will contribute to enhancing the accuracy and relevance of DSGE models for economic policy decision-making.

Originality/value

This study is motivated by the aim to provide a deeper understanding of the roles macroeconomic model parameters play concerning responses to expansionary fiscal policies and the subsequent reactions of monetary authorities. Comprehensive reviews that encompass this breadth of relationships within a single text are rare in the literature, making this work a valuable contribution to stimulating discussions on macroeconomic policies.
A comparative review of the complementary and conflicting nature of lean production and green manufacturing implementation
Authors: Machingura Tinotenda , Adetunji Olufemi , Maware Catherine
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Buoyed by the increasing demand for improved productivity and environmentally conscious manufacturing, research in the area of lean production and green manufacturing has experienced significant growth since Dües et al. (2013). Taking the latter as the point of reference, a review of recent developments in the complementary and conflicting areas between lean production and green manufacturing that has been missing is presented.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic search was done to identify articles on lean production and green manufacturing from Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar. The population-intervention-outcome format was used to develop and answer the research questions. ATLAS.ti 22 was used to analyse 141 qualifying papers and identify the research themes.

Findings

Lean production and green manufacturing have strong synergy, and when integrated, they tend to deliver superior organisational performance than their individual implementations. This is consistent with the pre-2013 results, and other areas of synergy and divergence were also identified.

Research limitations/implications

The study considers only papers published in the manufacturing sector after Dües et al. (2013). A review of lean production and green manufacturing in integrated product-service systems may also be relevant, especially due to the continuing trend since its introduction.

Practical implications

Any new adopter of lean production should consider implementing it simultaneously with green manufacturing.

Originality/value

This study establishes the persistence of the pre-2013 patterns of synergy and divergence between lean production and green manufacturing, and identifies new considerations for their joint implementation.
Applications of MCDM methods for the assessment of sustainable development: a case study of fashion textile group
Authors: Özdağoğlu Aşkin , Acar Eda , Güner Mücella , Çetmeli Bakadur Ayşegül
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The textile industry harms the environment at every stage of production, from the acquisition of raw materials to the disposal of finished products. It is very important for the textile industry to adapt to the basic policies on environmental sensitivity and sustainability to keep up with the transformation in production processes and the rapid changes occurring around the world in order to exist in global competition. Within the scope of sustainable development goals, it is of great importance to measure and evaluate indicators of all processes of the sector. This paper aims to present application of multi-criteria decision making (MCDM) methods for the assessment of sustainable development in textile industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The data of a multinational clothing company’s four-year sustainability performance between 2018 and 2021 were evaluated under 22 sustainability parameters determined using two new MCDM techniques, namely the combined consensus solution method and multi-attribute ideal real comparative analysis. In determining the criteria, priority key indicators were determined by taking into account the sector’s relationship with the environment, raw material consumption and social adequacy.

Findings

According to the application results of both methods, the year 2021 shows the best performance. It has been seen that the sustainability performance of the Inditex group has increased over the years and the results of the applied models support each other. It can be suggested that the proposed approach be applied to evaluate the progress in the textile sector with the relevant data on a particular company or on a macro scale.

Originality/value

This study makes an important contribution to the field in terms of the fact that the methods used are recent and have no application in the field of textiles. It allows the evaluation of different sustainability criteria together using a single method. It is very important to share data on sustainability indicators with customers, employees, suppliers, investors, partner organizations and society and evaluate performance. Analyzing sustainability performance on the basis of annual reports is important in terms of identifying good practices, sharing them with the community and setting an example. In addition, using scientific methods in the evaluation of the sustainability report data published by companies regularly provides significant feedback for policymakers and academics.
Factors affecting implementation of digital lean in healthcare in the post-COVID world – mixed-method approach
Authors: Mishra Vinaytosh , Sharma Mohita G.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

Digital lean implementation can solve the dual problem of stagnating quality and rising costs in healthcare. Although technology adoption in healthcare has increased in the post-COVID world, value unlocking using technology needs a well-thought-out approach to achieve success. This paper provides a prescriptive framework for successfully implementing digital lean in healthcare.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a mixed-method approach to achieve three research objectives. Whilst it uses a narrative review to identify the enablers, it uses qualitative thematic analysis techniques to categorise them into factors. The study utilises the delphi method for the thematic grouping of the enablers in the broader groups. The study used an advanced ordinal priority approach (OPA) to prioritise these factors. Finally, the study uses concordance analysis to assess the reliability of group decision-making.

Findings

The study found that 20 identified enablers are rooted in practice factors, followed by human resource management (HRM) factors, customer factors, leadership factors and technology factors. These results further counter the myth that technology holds the utmost significance in implementing digital lean in healthcare and found the equal importance of factors related to people, customers, leadership and best practices such as benchmarking, continuous improvement and change management.

Originality/value

The study is the first of its kind, providing the prescriptive framework for implementing digital lean in healthcare. The findings are useful for healthcare professionals and health policymakers.
Purchasing habits, age effects and Chinese consumers' willingness to pay for chilled pork: Evidence from a random Nth‐price auction experiment
Authors: Yan Zhen , Han Fei , Wang Holly , Shen Yun , Zhou Jiehong
Published: February 2024

As concerns over African swine fever (ASF) in China continue, measures have been taken to regulate the inter‐provincial transport of live hogs, yet entrenched non‐chilled fresh pork consumption habits make it challenging to expand the chilled pork in the market. To address this issue, our study employed multiple rounds of random Nth‐price auction experiments to measure participants' quality perceptions of, and willingness to pay (WTP) for chilled pork under different packaging, storage temperature and duration labels. By comparing the results with physicochemical lab testing outcomes, we confirmed the existence of a quality perception bias among the participants. Notably, consumers who regularly consume chilled meat demonstrated a higher average WTP, while consumers born in the 1980s exhibited significantly higher bids. Furthermore, access to emerging purchase channels positively influences consumer WTP for chilled meat, particularly through branded product purchasing experiences. Consequently, it is recommended that the public sector takes steps to balance the distribution of pork production capacity and supports the development of cold chain transportation technology to meet the growing demand for high‐quality chilled pork, especially from younger consumers.
A nonparametric random effects model for the valuation of forest recreation services: An application to forest sites in Tuscany, Italy
Authors: Pellegrini Andrea , Lombardi Ginevra Virginia , Scarpa Riccardo , Rose John M.
Published: February 2024

This study assesses individuals' preferences for the use of forest sites for recreational purposes by means of the logit‐mixed logit (LML) model. The appeal of the LML is that the analyst does not need to assume any specific functional form for the mixing distributions of random preferences. The empirical analysis generates a data‐driven nonparametric representation of individuals' preference heterogeneity. We apply this approach to data collected using an unlabelled discrete choice experiment (DCE), consisting of three recreational options, two of which are in two hypothetical forest sites. Forest destinations are described by means of six attributes: forest type, signposting, hiking time, access to rivers or lakes, wildlife watch hides for visitors and cost of access. The empirical findings reveal that the signpost for each trail is the attribute for which respondents are on average willing to pay the most (6.565€). Further evidence suggests that respondents have strong positive preferences for those forest sites that offer amenities such as wildlife watching hides and access to rivers or lakes. Finally, the histograms derived from the semi‐parametric LML estimation reveal multimodality of random taste amongst respondents for different hypothetical forest sites.
After Neoliberalism: Economic Theory and Policy in the Polycrisis1
Authors: Jacobs Michael
Published: February 2024

Mainstream economic theory and policy have struggled to address (and in some cases have made worse) the multiple economic crises since 2008—global financial crash, austerity, stalled productivity, wage stagnation, rising inequality, inflation, climate and environmental breakdown. At the root of this failure is the ‘ontological individualism’ which underpins neoclassical economic theory: the belief that individual households and firms are sovereign actors. It proposes in its place a premise of ‘ontological institutionism’—the view that economic behaviour is primarily influenced by the institutional structures and rules within which it occurs. Commonplace in other social sciences, this view radically changes economic analysis and policy prescription. Based on an explicit ethical definition of policy objectives, the article offers an ‘institutionally pluralist’ view proposing different kinds of institutions for five different spheres of economic life. Arguing that economic policy should be seen as a process of institutional design (not simply making markets more efficient), it offers some illustrative policy proposals in key fields, from climate change to business investment.
Strangers on the ladder of the party‐state: Women in teaching in Nationalist Taiwan, 1940s–1980s
Authors: Lawson Joseph
Published: February 2024

As the ruling party of a party‐state in China and Taiwan, the Nationalist Party (Kuomintang/Guomindang) built a close relationship with the teaching profession. Many teachers joined the party and there was a well‐trodden pathway from teaching into local representative politics and civil service. In the early 1950s when most teachers were men, the party's special relationship with teaching was consistent with a generally conservative approach to gender. Large numbers of women entered teaching from the late 1940s. This was a global trend but was accelerated in Taiwan by the unique form of coloniality on the island in the post war era. The government required teachers to be Mandarin‐speakers and favoured Mainlanders. Although Taiwanese women were still disadvantaged, Mainland women had some advantage over Taiwanese men. The rapid rise of women in teaching sparked a degree of resistance, which was in turn countered by rhetoric that feminised teaching. Despite such resistance, the party‐state's pathways from teaching into politics endured and facilitated the entry of a significant number of women into local electoral politics.
Managing large volume data sets in the process of identifying missing persons: Contributions from the International Commission on Missing Persons
Authors: Rizvic Adnan , Krticic Asim , Mandzuka Amir , Pucic Muris , Jasaragic Edin , Blau Soren
Published: February 2024

The process of locating and identifying missing persons presents a complex challenge that hinges on the collection and comparison of diverse data sets. This commentary offers an overview of some of the difficulties and considerations associated with data management in the context of large‐scale missing person identifications. Such complexities include the uniqueness of each disaster event, the response time to the event, the variable quality and quantity of data, and the involvement of numerous stakeholders, all of which contribute to the intricacies of data management. In addition, the paramount considerations of privacy and ethical standards further compound these challenges, especially when dealing with sensitive information such as genetic data. This commentary describes the integrated Data Management System (iDMS) developed by the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP) as one example of a comprehensive, freely available solution for data collection, storage, protection, and analysis in missing person cases. The various advantages of the system are discussed, including the system's interoperability among the diverse array of stakeholders involved. While the iDMS streamlines data management processes and therefore represents a significant advancement in the field of missing person identification, it is concluded that the pending issue extends beyond the software tools to encompass the lack of political will among stakeholders to collaborate there remains a pressing need for all stakeholders involved in the identification process to commit to a mechanism that facilitates compatibility and interoperability if different tools are used in disaster victim identification (DVI) scenarios.
Simulating socio‐hydrological responses to climatic conditions in Phoenix, Arizona
Authors: Obringer Renee , White Dave D.
Published: February 2024

Providing adequate water supply to the growing number of urban residents will be a challenge faced by many utility managers throughout the remainder of this century. Though traditionally, water managers have looked toward supply‐based solutions (e.g., expanding reservoirs), recent trends indicate a shift toward demand‐side management (e.g., encouraging conservation behaviors). Here, we present an agent‐based model (ABM) that simulates water supply as a function of the local climatic conditions and water consumption, which is, in part, determined based on water conservation attitudes. Our results indicate the ABM performs well (normalized root mean squared error <10%) for the study area. Further, we explore various hypothetical demand management scenarios by changing the water conservation attitudes of the households (i.e., the archetypes). This scenario testing reveals a statistically significant improvement to water availability after successfully changing water conservation attitudes to be more participatory. Ultimately, this study aims to understand the nuances of water conservation attitudes and aid utilities in their goal to better manage urban water demand.
Explorative characterization and taxonomy‐aligned comparison of alterations in lipids and other biomolecules in Antarctic bacteria grown at different temperatures
Authors: Akulava Volha , Smirnova Margarita , Byrtusova Dana , Zimmermann Boris , Ekeberg Dag , Kohler Achim , Blazhko Uladzislau , Miamin Uladzislau , Valentovich Leonid , Shapaval Volha
Published: February 2024

Temperature significantly impacts bacterial physiology, metabolism and cell chemistry. In this study, we analysed lipids and the total cellular biochemical profile of 74 fast‐growing Antarctic bacteria grown at different temperatures. Fatty acid diversity and temperature‐induced alterations aligned with bacterial classification—Gram‐groups, phylum, genus and species. Total lipid content, varied from 4% to 19% of cell dry weight, was genus‐ and species‐specific. Most bacteria increased lipid content at lower temperatures. The effect of temperature on the profile was complex and more species‐specific, while some common for all bacteria responses were recorded. Gram‐negative bacteria adjusted unsaturation and acyl chain length. Gram‐positive bacteria adjusted methyl branching (anteiso‐/iso‐), chain length and unsaturation. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed Gram‐, genus‐ and species‐specific changes in the total cellular biochemical profile triggered by temperature fluctuations. The most significant temperature‐related alterations detected on all taxonomy levels were recorded for mixed region 1500–900 cm−1, specifically the band at 1083 cm−1related to phosphodiester groups mainly from phospholipids (for Gram‐negative bacteria) and teichoic/lipoteichoic acids (for Gram‐positive bacteria). Some changes in protein region were detected for a few genera, while the lipid region remained relatively stable despite the temperature fluctuations.
Abiotic correlates with diversity and distinctiveness in Sunshine Coast heathlands: Moisture, volcanic landscapes and patterned mounds
Authors: Pearl Hilary , Ryan Tim , Howard Marion , Shimizu Yoko , Shapcott Alison
Published: February 2024

The ongoing management and protection of conservation areas can be informed by understanding factors that affect the integrity of these communities. Abiotic factors associated with diversity and phylogenetic dispersion within communities, as well as distinctiveness between communities, may potentially be impacted by climate change or changes in hydrology due to urbanization. This study used a range of diversity metrics, along with nominal and quantitative abiotic data, to examine correlates with diversity patterns in the Sunshine Coast heathlands, ecosystems under threat from urban development. Metrics for 80 heathland sites over a variety of substrates, moisture levels and topographic factors were compared using univariate and multivariate statistics. Moisture is a key abiotic factor correlated with the diversity and distinctiveness of heath, and also with higher phylogenetic dispersion of moist and wet sites, indicating possible refuges. Vegetation composition patterns were distinct in the heaths on Tertiary and Triassic rocky volcanic substrates, with the overlapping composition of heath on other substrates, confirming the tolerance of many heath species to a variety of substrates. Patterned natural ‘mounds’ and ‘trenches’ were associated with phylogenetic evenness and are possible refugia. Multivariate analysis had a weak positive correlation of environmental factors with vegetation and phylogenetic composition, emphasizing the complexity of correlates with diversity for the heathlands. This study suggests that both the management of hydrological changes and protection of potential refugial areas are likely to be critical in maintaining the integrity and diversity of the Sunshine Coast heathlands.
Movement patterns of the rodent Trinomys dimidiatus in Atlantic Forest
Authors: Cupolillo Gabriel , Luz Júlia Lins , de Barros Camila dos Santos , Cerqueira Rui
Published: February 2024

Animal movements of wild species are in theory related to individual and species' traits such as sex and reproductive condition, and temporal variation in resource availability or population density. Understanding how individuals move within an area throughout life, how frequent exploratory and dispersive movement are in the population and which individual traits and environmental conditions influence movement are of great importance for understanding how animals respond to environmental changes. Using capture‐mark‐recapture data of Trinomys dimidiatus gathered for 8 years in a montane Atlantic Forest area, we describe movement patterns by comparing two distance metrics (ORL—Observed Range Length and SDT—Mean Successive Distance/Time); we also evaluate the influences of sex on these distance metrics and residence time and number of captures on ORL. Additionally, model selection was used to evaluate the role of individual traits and environmental factors on T. dimidiatus' movements. We recorded 44 individuals (60.27%) with restricted movement pattern and 29 individuals (39.73%) with broad movement pattern within our grid. Broad movement pattern was observed in individuals with both long and short residence time. Males presented larger distance metrics and movements than females. Individuals with greater residence time presented larger ORL, mainly males. Heavier individuals of both sexes presented larger movements than lighter ones, especially males. Males presented shorter movements in periods of increased rainfall, but females' movements did not respond to rainfall variations. Overall, body mass was more important than rainfall in determining movements. The results here show that T. dimidiatus may present different movement patterns, including exploratory or dispersive movements to a new core area. Also, we highlight the importance of individual traits and environmental factors and reinforce sexual differences in individuals' movements and lifetime use of space.
Rapid change in anti‐predator behaviour of a threatened marsupial after thousands of years of isolation from predators
Authors: Waaleboer Jessica M. , Van der Weyde Leanne K. , Moseby Katherine E.
Published: February 2024

Prey naivety occurs when an animal does not recognize or is unable to respond effectively to the threat of a predator. Many animals lose their anti‐predator responses if they become isolated from predators, becoming vulnerable to increased predation rates if released into areas where native or introduced predators are present. In situ exposure to introduced predators is a technique that has been shown to improve anti‐predator traits in burrowing bettongs (Bettongia lesueur) and greater bilbies (Macrotis lagotis) and is associated with greater survival in bilbies. However, little is known about how in situ exposure to native predators can address the issue of prey naivety. This study investigated whether Shark Bay bandicoots (Perameles bougainville) from a remnant island population isolated from all mammalian predators for several thousand years could improve their anti‐predator behaviour after living with a native predator, the western quoll (Dasyurus geoffroii). We compared the vigilance and wariness behaviour, and nest site attributes of bandicoot populations living with and without native quolls at the Arid Recovery Reserve in South Australia. We found that after 6 years of quoll exposure, quoll‐exposed bandicoots had significantly larger flight initiation distances and spent more time engaged in vigilance behaviours at feed trays compared to control bandicoots. Quoll‐exposed bandicoots also selected nests with increased vegetation cover, preferring nests with both understory and overstory shrub cover present. The results of this study indicate that in situ exposure to native predators can improve vigilance and wariness behaviours in Shark Bay bandicoots over relatively short time frames. Exposing threatened species to native predators may assist with preparing them for life outside fenced safe havens.
The skin microbiome in pediatric atopic dermatitis and food allergy
Authors: Tham Elizabeth Huiwen , Chia Minghao , Riggioni Carmen , Nagarajan Niranjan , Common John E. A. , Kong Heidi H.
Published: February 2024

The skin microbiome is an extensive community of bacteria, fungi, mites, viruses and archaea colonizing the skin. Fluctuations in the composition of the skin microbiome have been observed in atopic dermatitis (AD) and food allergy (FA), particularly in early life, established disease, and associated with therapeutics. However, AD is a multifactorial disease characterized by skin barrier aberrations modulated by genetics, immunology, and environmental influences, thus the skin microbiome is not the sole feature of this disease. Future research should focus on mechanistic understanding of how early‐life skin microbial shifts may influence AD and FA onset, to guide potential early intervention strategies or as microbial biomarkers to identify high‐risk infants who may benefit from possible microbiome‐based biotherapeutic strategies. Harnessing skin microbes as AD biotherapeutics is an emerging field, but more work is needed to investigate whether this approach can lead to sustained clinical responses.
Unplanned 30‐day readmission rate after ophthalmological surgery as a quality‐of‐care indicator
Authors: Crozet Audrey , Leclere Brice , Martin Florian , Goronflot Thomas , Cazet Lucie , Ducloyer Jean‐Baptiste , Le Meur Guylène , Lebranchu Pierre
Published: February 2024

Background

The 30‐day readmission rate provides a standardised quantitative evaluation of some postoperative complications. It is widely used worldwide in many medical and surgical specialities, and the World Health Organization recommends its use for monitoring healthcare system performance. In ophthalmology, its measurement is biased by the frequent and close planned surgery on one eye and then the other, particularly in the case of cataract surgery. This study measures the 30‐day unplanned readmission rate in ophthalmology, globally and by surgery subtype, and describes the causes of readmission.

Methods

All patients readmitted within 30 days of ophthalmic surgery at Nantes University Hospital between January 2017 and December 2020 were identified in the Medical Information System. An ophthalmologist examined each medical record and collected the following data: the reason for readmission, comorbidities, the pathology treated, surgery type, surgery duration, the surgeon's experience, anaesthesia type, severity and readmission morbidity.

Results

For the 8522 ophthalmic surgeries performed in the four‐year study period, 282 30‐day unplanned readmissions were identified. The overall 30‐day unplanned readmission rate was 2.07% for elective surgery, with a high variability depending on the surgery type: 0.95% for phacoemulsification, 4.95% for vitreoretinal surgery (3.42% for non‐elective vitreoretinal surgery, 5.44% for retinal detachment surgery), 5.66% for deep lamellar keratoplasty and 11.90% for trabeculectomy. The unplanned 30‐day readmission rate for ocular trauma surgery (emergency care) was 11.0%. Seven percent of all unplanned 30‐day readmissions were not associated with an ophthalmological problem.

Conclusions

This study is the first to report 30‐day unplanned readmission in ophthalmology, globally and by surgical subtype, for elective and urgent procedures. This indicator can be used longitudinally to detect an increase in risk or transversely to compare the quality of care between different public or private hospitals.
Association of state‐level prescription drug monitoring program implementation with opioid prescribing transitions in primary care in Australia
Authors: Xia Ting , Picco Louisa , Buchbinder Rachelle , Haas Romi , Nielsen Suzanne
Published: February 2024

Aims

This study aimed to evaluate whether voluntary and mandatory prescription drug monitoring program (PDMP) use in Victoria, Australia, had an impact on prescribing behaviour, focusing on individual patients' prescribed opioid doses and transition to prescribing of nonmonitored medications.

Methods

This was a retrospective cross‐sectional study using routinely collected primary healthcare data. A 90‐day moving average prescribed opioid dose in oral morphine equivalents was used to estimate opioid dosage. A Markov transition matrix was used to describe how patients prescribed medications transitioned between opioid dose groups and other nonopioid treatment options during 3 transition periods: transition between 2 control periods prior to PDMP implementation (T1 to T2); during the voluntary PDMP implementation (T2 to T3); and during mandatory PDMP implementation (T3 to T4).

Results

Among patients prescribed opioids in our study, we noted an increased probability of transitioning to not being prescribed opioids during the mandatory PDMP period (T3 to T4). This increase was attributed mainly to the ceasing of low‐dose opioid prescribing. Membership in an opioid dose group remained relatively stable for most patients who were prescribed high opioid doses. For those who were only prescribed nonmonitored medications initially, the probability of being prescribed opioids increased during the mandatory PDMP when compared to other transition periods.

Conclusion

The introduction of PDMP mandates appeared to have an impact on the prescribing for patients who were prescribed low‐dose opioids, while its impact on individuals prescribed higher opioid doses was comparatively limited.
Use of drugs with pharmacogenomics (PGx)‐based dosing guidelines in a Danish cohort of persons with chronic kidney disease, both on dialysis and not on dialysis: Perspectives for prescribing optimization
Authors: Westergaard Niels , Baltzer Houlind Morten , Christrup Lona Louring , Juul‐Larsen Helle Gybel , Strandhave Charlotte , Olesen Anne Estrup
Published: February 2024

Aim

The objective of this registry study is to assess the utilization of pharmacogenomic (PGx) drugs among patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods

This study was a retrospective study of patients affiliated with the Department of Nephrology, Aalborg University Hospital, Denmark in 2021. Patients diagnosed with CKD were divided into CKD without dialysis and CKD with dialysis. PGx prescription drugs were retrieved from the Patient Administration System. Actionable dosing guidelines (AG) for specific drug–gene pairs for CYP2D6, CYP2C9, CYP2C19 and SLCO1B1 were retrieved from the PharmGKB homepage.

Results

Out of 1241 individuals, 25.5% were on dialysis. The median number of medications for each patient was 9 within the non‐dialysis group and 16 within the dialysis group. Thirty‐one distinct PGx drugs were prescribed. Altogether, 76.0% (943 individuals) were prescribed at least one PGx drug and the prevalence of prescriptions of PGx drugs was higher in the dialysis group compared to the non‐dialysis group. The most frequently prescribed drugs with AG were metoprolol, pantoprazole, atorvastatin, simvastatin and warfarin.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated that a substantial proportion of patients with CKD are exposed to drugs or drug combinations for which there exists AG related to PGx of CYP2D6, CYP2C19, CYP2C9 and SLCO1B1.
Multiple regimes in the preferences for redistribution
Authors: Kourtellos Andros , Petrou Kyriakos
Published: February 2024

This paper provides novel evidence of nonlinearities in the formation of preferences for redistribution by uncovering evidence of multiple regimes consistent with the presence of multiple equilibria and multiple steady states. Using threshold regressions that account for the endogeneity of the threshold variable, countries are classified into three groups that share common characteristics. Finally, our analysis reveals substantial evidence of parameter heterogeneity in the coefficient estimates of threshold regressions.
Could natural terpenes be an alternative for the treatment of neglected tropical diseases?
Authors: Soto‐Sánchez Jacqueline
Published: February 2024

Existing chemotherapy for neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) can often be toxic and ineffective, highlighting the necessity for new treatments. Terpenes are secondary metabolites with pharmacological potential. This aim of this mini‐review is to explore the most promising natural terpenes with anti‐leishmanicidal, anti‐schistosomicidal, and anti‐echinococcal activity, their mechanisms of action, and their efficacy as combination therapy. The study identified a tetracyclic diterpenoid, a sesquiterpene lactone, and a triterpene with the highest biological activity against leishmaniasis. Additionally, a triterpenoid and a tetraterpene showed potent activity against schistosomiasis and echinococcosis, respectively. Compounds have antiparasitic effects by inducing cell death, inhibiting cell stress‐related proteins, degrading extracellular matrix, and modulating immune and inflammatory responses. The employment of combination therapy and terpene nanotransporters appears to enhance the antiparasitic activity of these compounds. Although identifying specific molecular targets is necessary, the use of terpenes in combination therapy presents a safe and highly promising approach for the rational development of more potent and selective antiparasitic drugs.
The use of digital technologies in peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation – A narrative review on planning, measurements, monitoring and aesthetics
Authors: Strauss Franz Josef , Gil Alfonso , Smirani Rawen , Rodriguez Amanda , Jung Ronald , Thoma Daniel
Published: February 2024

Objective

To identify the different uses and modalities of digital technologies to diagnose, plan and monitor peri‐implant soft tissue conditions and aesthetics.

Methods

A comprehensive narrative review of pertinent literature was conducted, critically appraising key digital technologies that may assist peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation and assessment. An electronic search on four databases including studies published prior to 1st July 2023 was performed and supplemented by a manual search.

Results

Predominantly, tools such as cone beam computed tomography (CBCT), intraoral scanning (iOS), intraoral ultrasonography and digital spectrophotometry were commonly to assess and monitor peri‐implant soft tissues. The main clinical and research applications included: (i) initial assessment of mucosal thickness, supra‐crestal tissue height and keratinized mucosa width, (ii) evaluation of peri‐implant soft tissue health and inflammation, (iii) monitoring profilometric changes and midfacial mucosal margin stability over time and (iv) aesthetic evaluation through colour assessment. While evidence for some digital tools may be limited, the integration of digital technologies into peri‐implant soft tissue management holds great promise. These technologies offer improved precision, comfort and speed in assessment, benefiting both patients and clinicians.

Conclusion

As digital technologies progress, their full potential in peri‐implant soft tissue augmentation and their value will become more evident with ongoing research. Embracing these innovations and their potential benefits is recommended to ensure that during progress in implant dentistry, patient care is not hindered.
Outcomes of older Black renal transplant recipients receiving basiliximab induction and early steroid withdrawal
Authors: Bova Sarah E , Sparkes Tracy , Garcia Emily , Szczepanik Amanda , Bromberg Jonathan , Haririan Abdolreza , Casale Jillian
Published: February 2024

The efficacy and safety of early steroid withdrawal (ESW) in Black renal transplant recipients (RTR) remains uncertain, especially when combined with non‐lymphocyte depleting induction. This study compared patient and graft outcomes of older Black and Non‐Black RTR who received basiliximab induction followed by ESW.

Included subjects in this single center, retrospective study were first‐time deceased and living donor RTR aged over 65 years who received basiliximab induction therapy and ESW. Black RTR and Non‐Black deceased donor RTR received an oral prednisone taper starting POD3 which was discontinued by POD21 per protocol.

Of 139 patients (55 Black and 84 Non‐Black), the Black patient group included a higher percentage of deceased donors and hepatitis C positive donors, and more frequently underwent renal replacement therapy prior to transplant. One Black and zero Non‐Black RTR experienced graft loss within 3 years (p = 1.0). Patient survival was similar at 1 year (93% vs. 97%, p = .16) and 3 years (91% vs. 96%, p = .17). Rejection‐free survival and biopsy‐proven rejection did not differ at 1 or 3 years. Median eGFR and change in eGFR also did not differ between groups. Black patients were maintained on significantly higher median mycophenolate doses from 6 months post‐transplant to the end of the study period (p = .03 and .048).

In older Black RTR, basiliximab induction followed by ESW produced comparable patient, graft, and rejection‐free survival compared to Non‐Black RTR over 3 years post‐transplant.