bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Asymmetrically connected reservoir networks learn better
Authors: Rathor Shailendra K. , Ziegler Martin , Schumacher Jörg
Published: January 2025

We show that connectivity within the high-dimensional recurrent layer of a reservoir network is crucial for its performance. To this end, we systematically investigate the impact of network connectivity on its performance, i.e., we examine the symmetry and structure of the reservoir in relation to its computational power. Reservoirs with random and asymmetric connections are found to perform better for an exemplary Mackey-Glass time series than all structured reservoirs, including biologically inspired connectivities, such as small-world topologies. This result is quantified by the information processing capacity of the different network topologies which becomes highest for asymmetric and randomly connected networks.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Diffusion-driven self-assembly of emerin nanodomains at the nuclear envelope
Authors: Alas Carlos D. , Wu Liying , Pinaud Fabien , Haselwandter Christoph A.
Published: January 2025

Emerin, a nuclear membrane protein with important biological roles in mechanotransduction and nuclear shape adaptation, self-assembles into nanometer-size domains at the inner nuclear membrane. The size and emerin occupancy of these nanodomains change with applied mechanical stress as well as under emerin mutations associated with Emery-Dreifuss muscular dystrophy (EDMD). Through a combination of theory and experiment, we show here that a simple reaction-diffusion model explains the self-assembly of emerin nanodomains. Our model yields quantitative agreement with experimental observations on the size and occupancy of emerin nanodomains for wild-type emerin and EDMD-associated mutations of emerin, with and without applied forces, and allows successful prediction of emerin diffusion coefficients from observations of the overall properties of emerin nanodomains. Our results provide a physical understanding of EDMD-associated defects in emerin organization in terms of changes in key reaction and diffusion properties of emerin and its nuclear binding partners.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Structural insights into the role of the prosegment binding loop in a papain-superfamily cysteine protease from Treponema denticola
Authors: Clark N. D. , Li C. , Malkowski M. G.
Published: January 2025

Periodontal diseases afflict 20–50% of the global population and carry serious health and economic burdens. Chronic periodontitis is characterized by inflammation of the periodontal pocket caused by dysbiosis. This dysbiosis is coupled with an increase in the population of Treponema denticola, a spirochete bacterium with high mobility and invasivity mediated by a number of virulence factors. One such virulence factor is TDE0362, a multidomain protein with a carboxy-terminal papain-superfamily cysteine protease (C0362). Most papain-superfamily cysteine proteases are produced as proenzymes with a prodomain that interacts with the prosegment binding loop (PBL), requiring proteolytic processing for full activation. Previous studies have indicated that C0362 is not produced as a proenzyme, suggesting an alternative regulatory mechanism. We previously determined the crystal structure of C0362 captured in an inactive conformation with an oxidized catalytic cysteine and a disordered PBL. In this follow-up study, we evaluated the active-site architecture and the PBL in two mutant (Y559A and C412S) structures and an inhibitor-bound (E64) structure to provide insight into the role that the PBL plays in the generation of active enzyme. Our results implicate Tyr559 as playing a critical role in the transition of the enzyme to an active state. We subsequently utilized the structural information to generate models of C0362 bound to human complement factors C3 and C4. Collectively, our results provide insight into the regulatory mechanism and putative substrate-binding interfaces of C0362, highlighting avenues of further research towards inhibition of this essential virulence factor.
Crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis of the organic–inorganic hybrid compound tris(2-iodoethylammonium) hexaiodidobismuthate(III)
Authors: Kucheriv Olesia I. , Ovdenko Valeriia M. , Kuzevanova Iryna S. , Golenya Irina A. , Gural'skiy Il'ya A.
Published: January 2025

The asymmetric unit of the title organic–inorganic salt, (IC2H4NH3)3[BiI6], consists of a [BiI6]3− octahedron and three 2-iodoethylammonium cations. The octahedra do not interact with each other, and the supramolecular arrangement is ensured by an intricate network of N—H...I hydrogen bonds between cations and anions. In addition, a weak I...I interaction between an organic cation and the coordination octahedron is present in the crystal structure. Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed that the most important contributions to the crystal packing are from H...I (72.3%) and I...I (11.3%) interactions.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 2,2,2-trichloroethyl N-{4-[6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-yl]benzyl}carbamate
Authors: Voss J. , Stammler H.G. , Sewald N.
Published: January 2025

An orthogonally addressable 3,6-disubstituted 1,2,4,5-tetrazine, namely 2,2,2-trichloroethyl N-{4-[6-(1-hydroxyethyl)-1,2,4,5-tetrazin-3-yl]benzyl}carbamate (C14H14Cl3N5O3), was synthesized and characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The tetrazine comprises a free hydroxyl and a 2,2,2-trichloroethoxycarbonyl protected amino group, which gives rise to hydrogen-bonding interactions each making the tetrazine highly linked in the solid state. The carbamate moieties form intermolecular hydrogen bonds, stacking the tetrazine molecules above each other, while lateral hydrogen bonds are formed between a tetrazine N atom and a hydroxyl group, the latter interaction being a scarcely explored structural feature of 1,2,4,5-tetrazines.
Responsible leadership and university reputation: a social cognitive perspective in Bangladeshi higher education
Authors: Haque Amlan , Islam Md Shamirul , Hossain Gazi Farid
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Grounded in social cognitive theory, this study examines the role of responsible leadership in enhancing the reputation of universities within Bangladeshi higher education. Specifically, it explores the antecedents, outcomes and moderating factors influencing university reputation by connecting it with responsible leadership, teaching satisfaction, and faculty academic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from a web-based online survey of 388 faculty members across public and private universities in Bangladesh. Structural equation modeling was used to test the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The study shows that responsible leadership significantly improves university reputation and faculty teaching satisfaction. Teaching satisfaction influences reputation but does not moderate the link between leadership and reputation. Surprisingly, university reputation does not significantly affect faculty’s perceived academic performance, underscoring the complexity of the reputation–performance relationship in the Bangladeshi context.

Practical implications

Universities should prioritize responsible leadership to enhance faculty satisfaction and institutional reputation. Leadership training, faculty support initiatives and resource allocation toward teaching excellence are recommended to maximize impact, as reputation does not directly influence academic performance.

Originality/value

This study applies social cognitive theory to investigate the dynamics between responsible leadership, faculty satisfaction and university reputation in a developing country. It contributes by uncovering the complex and indirect pathways through which leadership impacts academic environments, providing actionable insights for higher education leadership and policymaking in resource-constrained settings.
Pregnant women’s concern toward COVID-19 in Iraqi camps: differences between IDPs and refugees. A cross-sectional study
Authors: Alhanabadi Luma H.H. , Moramarco Stefania , Basa Faiq B. , Pacchiarotti Leonardo , Emberti Gialloreti Leonardo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

During the COVID-19 pandemic, there was growing concern about the health status of vulnerable groups living in camps. This study aims to investigate differences in the perception and concerns of pregnant women about the pandemic between two populations, i.e. internally displaced people (IDPs) and refugees. In fact, although the two categories are often conflated, the analysis of their respective profiles requires more careful attention. Particularly in Iraqi Kurdistan, these groups of migrants have specific characteristics that this study aims to highlight.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional study was conducted on a sample of 4,736 pregnant women living in camps in Iraqi Kurdistan. Participants were asked questions about the pandemic and self-perceived disadvantages of COVID-19.

Findings

IDP women were more concerned about COVID-19 infection [odds ratio (OR) = 2.59; CI: 2.29–2.92] and more afraid to visit health centers (OR = 3.79; CI: 3.36–4.28), with a reduction of health visits (OR = 0.76; CI: 0.68–0.86). The main self-perceived disadvantages were psychological pressure and concerns about changes in the services available in the camps. On the contrary, refugee women reported the lockdown as one of the most negative effects, together with their economic situation and unemployment.

Originality/value

Studies investigating the health status of vulnerable groups living in camps are generally underrepresented in global research. This study shows that the needs of IDPs and refugees are different, specific and contextual, even when the two groups appear to have similar backgrounds. Tailored interventions, according to the type of migrants hosted in camps, are needed, especially during a pandemic. Community volunteers can play a paramount role in supporting the continuity of health care for these vulnerable populations.
Unlocking the potential of prosocial motives in fostering environmental and social innovation: the roles of creativity-relevant skills and business moral values
Authors: Ali Imran , Golgeci Ismail , Gligor David , Arslan Ahmad
Published: January 2025

Purpose

While prosocial motives are found to be conducive to unique manager behaviors, the literature lacks empirical evidence on the relationships between prosocial motives and managers’ willingness to engage in environmental and social innovation (ESI) in business-to-business (B2B) firms and the boundary conditions that shape these relationships. This research endeavors to unlock the potential of prosocial motives in fostering ESI, while investigating the mediating roles of creativity-relevant skills and the moderating influence of business moral values.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative survey approach, we gathered insights from 242 managers within Australia’s food and beverage industry. The authors tested their hypotheses by adopting a covariance-based structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

First, prosocial motives drive the ESI behaviors of managers in B2B firms. Second, creativity-relevant skills act as the critical bridge connecting prosocial motives with ESI within the realm of B2B firms. Third, business moral values emerge as potent moderating, positively influencing the relationship between prosocial motives and “managers’ willingness to engage in social innovation” within B2B firms.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study examining the relationship between prosocial motives and social and environmental innovation and how this relationship is influenced by creative-relevant skills and business moral values.
Intimate partner homicide: hindsight bias, outcome bias and perspective-taking influences on perceptions of police responses
Authors: Haynes Carla , Kebbell Mark Rhys
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine if outcome bias and hindsight bias impact police performance ratings and perceptions of the likelihood and foreseeability of intimate partner homicides. In addition, the authors wished to see if taking the perspective of police mitigates any effects.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 200 university students read vignettes describing an incident from a police officer’s perspective or from their own perspective. Participants also read risk assessments of the offender’s risk of committing violence. They were randomly assigned to receive either information that the offender later committed a homicide or no outcome information.

Findings

The results demonstrated an outcome bias and hindsight bias, wherein participants who received information about the homicide rated it as more likely and foreseeable and gave lower performance ratings to the police, compared to those who did not receive outcome information. Participants who took police perspective still showed this bias.

Practical implications

The findings indicate that people are likely to be biased in their perceptions and judgements of police performance when they know a homicide occurred. This bias seems to be difficult to overcome.

Originality/value

This paper provides empirical evidence to show people may be unfairly critical of police performance when a homicide is perpetrated.
Rational vs religious: which is more important for ultra­micro SMEs when dealing with financial institutions?
Authors: Wulandari Permata , Sulung Liyu Adhi Kasari , Yuliati Elevita , Chalid Dony Abdul , Kassim Salina
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to examine a range of factors that may influence the intention of ultra-micro-SMEs in Indonesia in choosing the type of microfinance facilities in the case of getting better offerings.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing from the theory of planned behavior (TPB) framework, religious elements factors include religious leader endorsements, religiosity and Sharia compliance, whereas socially/commercially driven factors include social and rational sociodemographic indicators. Data was obtained from 319 ultra-micro-SMEs in emerging economies such as Indonesia, and structural equation modeling was used to analyze the survey data.

Findings

The findings reveal that commercial aspects, as rational variables, have a negative influence on the intention to switch from Islamic to conventional microfinancing. On the contrary, social influence from peers and family positively influences the intention to switch from Islamic to conventional microfinancing. Religious aspects, however, have no influence on the intention to switch or actual switching behavior from Islamic to conventional. Intention to switch was shown to positively influence actual switching behavior as per the prediction of the TPB.

Originality/value

There is a lack of research on the choice or behavior of ultra-micro-SMEs when deciding whether to use Islamic or conventional microfinance. This study enriches the literature by providing empirical evidence on the factors affecting this choice-making.
Pacts and parity: impact of trade agreements on gender equality through textual references
Authors: Habibi Arash
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the impact of anti-discrimination references in trade agreements on gender equality measures in developing countries and provides estimates mostly covering the years 1991–2017.

Design/methodology/approach

This study gathers data from trade agreements, together with their related documents, to examine how the location and language of these references affect their enforceability and impact. Two types of references that aim to support gender equality are analyzed. They differ in their location within the documents and the language used.

Findings

The results indicate that such references are more likely to improve gender-related labor conditions when they appear in legally binding sections and are associated with hard modal verbs like “shall” or “should,” in contrast to those that appear in aspirational sections and are associated with softer modal verbs like “may” or “might”. Furthermore, the results highlight a significant effect of these references in the agriculture sector, which hosts most of the female labor force in developing countries.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by investigating the impact of references to gender equality in trade agreements and connected documents on the share of female temporary employees, the share of female vulnerable employees, as well as the disparity between the share of female and the share of male salaried workers in developing countries. This research also fills a gap in the literature by providing empirical evidence on the impact of these references on the share of female employment in services, agriculture and industry sectors. It also extends the current understanding of the importance of the used language for these references and the location of the references (as a sign of legal bindingness) by studying two sets of gender-related references (references that bind and references that influence).
Auditor compensation and accounting firm performance
Authors: Zhang Junsheng , Qi Yue , Song Yaoqing , Zeng Yamin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Audit firms have a strong historical tradition of professionalism, but they are also commercial entities. This study aims to investigate the relationship between auditor cash compensation and office-level financial performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses proprietary compensation expense and financial performance data from audit offices in China. Using the ordinary least squares regressions, this study tests the association between per capita compensation and office-level financial outcomes.

Findings

This study provides evidence that audit offices offering higher compensation achieve more profitable performance, as reflected in increased market share, higher return on assets and greater operating profit margins. Mechanism tests suggest that reductions in auditor turnover, driven by compensation incentives, partially account for this performance improvement. Additional tests show that the benefits of compensation incentives are particularly pronounced in audit firms licensed to conduct listed firm audits or when accompanied by staff training and technical development. Furthermore, both partner-level and staff auditor compensation significantly enhance office-level financial performance. The results might be of interest to both practitioners and regulatory bodies.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to examine the relationship between auditor cash compensation and audit-office profitability. The findings highlight important policy implications for audit firms seeking to retain high-caliber auditors and maximize their economic benefits through human capital investments, including compensation, education, training and technical development.
Material extrusion of TPU: thermal characterization and effects of infill and extrusion temperature on voids, tensile strength and compressive properties
Authors: Sardinha Manuel , Ferreira Luís , Diogo Hermínio , Ramos Tânia R.P. , Reis Luís , Vaz M. Fátima
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the tensile strength and compressive behaviour of two thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) filaments produced via material extrusion (ME): TPU 95A and Reciflex (recycled).

Design/methodology/approach

Tensile strength and compressive behaviour are assessed. The influence of extrusion temperature and infill pattern on these properties is examined, supported by thermal characterization, surface morphology analyses and a comprehensive comparison with existing literature. An analytical method is presented for estimating the solid ratio of ME parts, using an ellipse model to describe the material bead geometry.

Findings

Reciflex is generally stiffer than TPU 95A in both tensile and compressive tests. Specimens loaded orthogonally in compression tests exhibited stiffer behaviour than those loaded parallelly, and higher tensile properties were typically observed when material beads were deposited parallel to the load direction. Unlike TPU 95A, Reciflex is sensitive to extrusion temperature variations.

Social implications

By comparing recycled and virgin TPU filaments, this research addresses waste management concerns and advocates for environmentally sustainable production practices in the broadly used filament/based ME technique.

Originality/value

This study provides an extensive comparison of computed values with existing literature, offering insights into how different materials may behave under similar processing conditions. Given ongoing challenges in controlling melt flow during extrusion, these results may offer insights for optimizing the production of ME parts made with thermoplastic elastomers.
A review of artificial intelligence applications in libraries in Southeast Asia: where are we now?
Authors: Xu Cong , Loo Sandie
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this review is to examine the current state-of-the-art in artificial intelligence (AI) implementations within library settings across Southeast Asia.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses the AI Library Services Innovative Conceptual Framework (AI-LSICF) to evaluate the AI initiatives in Southeast Asian libraries. Sources include relevant libraries and association’s websites, mainstream newspapers across Southeast Asia, together with academic papers published between 2019 and 2024, with a focus solely on English-language literature.

Findings

Most of the Southeast Asian libraries are in the decision and implementation stages in utilising AI technologies into library operations. It is evident that most of the libraries have made the decision to embrace AI techniques in the workplace and have started to implement the AI-enabled applications. Nevertheless, those implementations are not yet comprehensive and most of the projects are still in the trial stage. This suggests a unanimous decision concerning the use of AI in the libraries across the region has not been reached. Librarians may still face challenges and concerns in adopting AI, including resource constraints, application maintenance, staff reluctance, staff training, data security concerns and more.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation of this study is its focus on completed and published projects, due to limited access to ongoing or unpublished initiatives. Non-English publications were excluded which may have omitted relevant studies and insights from non-English-speaking countries.

Practical implications

This paper seeks to address the gap by conducting a review of the current landscape of AI applications within libraries across Southeast Asia. Its aim to provide valuable insights for Southeast Asian libraries which seek to leverage AI advancements, ultimately supporting more user-centric and technologically adept library services.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in its unique perspectives on library settings in Southeast Asia, showcasing successful projects while also pinpointing areas and countries in need of further development.
Unveiling the nexus between ESG performance, climate policy uncertainty and corporate innovation: evidence from textual analysis
Authors: Sahu Asis Kumar , Debata Byomakesh , Khanna Garima
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance and text-based corporate innovation based on a sample of India’s ESG-disclosed companies from financial year 2011–2012 to 2021–2022. Further, it endeavors to investigate the moderating role of heightened climate policy uncertainty (CPU) in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

To verify these hypotheses, the authors first construct a corporate innovation index for India using a sophisticated natural language processing model on each firm-year’s management discussion and analysis reports. Next, the authors use a panel fixed effects model to examine how ESG performance impacts corporate innovation and its moderating and mediating components.

Findings

Empirical evidence suggests higher ESG performance bolsters text-based corporate innovation. After addressing endogeneity issues with the system GMM estimator and two-stage least square IV, incorporating additional control variables and using alternative innovation measurement, the baseline results remain unchanged. Next, the authors find this link is mediated by reducing information asymmetry, financial constraints and managerial myopia. The authors also observe that increased CPU favorably moderates the ESG-innovation nexus. Additionally, the heterogeneity research shows that ESG only positively impacts innovation in specific industries and firms in their growth and mature life cycle phases.

Practical implications

The results demonstrate that sustainable and ethical business practices can foster corporate innovation. Thus, this study may provide valuable insight for investors, managers and policymakers.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine the relationship between ESG performance and text-based corporate innovation using a machine learning model.
A systematic review of psychometric properties of questionnaires assessing activities of daily living among older adults with neurocognitive disorders
Authors: Osman Alia , Radman Dennis , Belchior Patricia , Gélinas Isabelle
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) lead to decline in performance in activities of daily living (ADLs). Multiple questionnaires assess this construct among older adults. The objective of this study was to review existing literature studying psychometric properties of questionnaires assessing performance in ADLs of older adults living with MCI and AD specifically.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted across Medline, CINAHL and PsychINFO using a combination of keywords related to ADLs, psychometrics, MCI and AD. Studies were included if they met the following criteria: assessments of performance of ADLs for older adults living with AD or MCI, reporting a minimum of one measurement property (e.g. internal consistency), primary research articles, published before June 2023 in English or French. Data extraction and analysis were conducted by two researchers. The methodological quality of psychometric properties was assessed using the COSMIN checklist.

Consumer and Community Involvement

No consumer or community involvement occurred.

Results

A total of 2539 articles were screened and filtered down to 50 articles including 24 questionnaires respecting inclusion criteria. Of these questionnaires, the three most validated were the Amsterdam Instrumental activities of daily living, the disability assessment for dementia (DAD), and the Bayer ADL scale. Overall, for these three questionnaires, internal consistency, reliability and structural validity were the most studied psychometric properties while criterion validity and hypothesis testing were the least.

Conclusion

This study reveals the Amsterdam IADLs as the most validated questionnaire across psychometric properties and the DAD as the most validated across languages. Considering the increasing prevalence of older adults with MCI or AD, questionnaires established on strong measurement properties are valuable tools to evaluate decline in ADL performance and plan suitable interventions. This review provides evidence for clinicians and researchers for the selection of questionnaires to evaluate this population.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Cognitive impairment affects memory and thinking. It makes tasks like dressing, bathing and eating harder. Health‐care workers use questionnaires to find out where someone struggles. This helps them plan better care. We reviewed questionnaires for older adults with memory and thinking problems. We found good ones that give important information. Using these questionnaires helps health‐care workers support people with daily tasks. This study suggests testing the questionnaires more to improve them.
Sterol‐Targeted Laboratory Evolution Allows the Isolation of Thermotolerant and Respiratory‐Competent Clones of the Industrial Yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Authors: Sánchez‐Adriá Isabel‐Elena , Prieto Jose A. , Sanmartín Gemma , Morard Miguel , García‐Ríos Estéfani , Estruch Francisco , Randez‐Gil Francisca
Published: January 2025

Sterol composition plays a crucial role in determining the ability of yeast cells to withstand high temperatures, an essential trait in biotechnology. Using a targeted evolution strategy involving fluconazole (FCNZ), an inhibitor of the sterol biosynthesis pathway, and the immunosuppressant FK506, we aimed to enhance thermotolerance in an industrial baker's yeast population by modifying their sterol composition. This approach yielded six isolates capable of proliferating in liquid YPD with μmax values ranging from 0.072 to 0.236 h−1 at 41.5°C, a temperature that completely inhibits the growth of the parental strain. The clones were categorised into two groups based on their respiratory competence or deficiency, the latter associated with mtDNA loss, an event seemingly linked to FCNZ and heat tolerance. Genome sequencing and ploidy‐level analysis of all strains revealed aneuploidies, copy number variations (CNVs), and single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Notably, all evolved clones exhibited specific point mutations in MPM1 (P50S) and PDR1 (F749S). CRISPR‐Cas9 experiments confirmed the role of the pdr1F749S mutation in the FCNZ‐tolerance phenotype and demonstrated that Mpm1 is required for growth at high temperatures. However, no apparent heat tolerance benefit was observed from single or combined mutations in these genes, supporting the hypothesis that thermotolerance is mediated by multiple interacting mechanisms. In this context, all evolved clones exhibited altered sterol profiles, with differences observed between respiratory‐competent and ‐deficient strains. In conclusion, our experimental evolution generated thermotolerant and fully competent strains and identified factors that could influence fluconazole and heat growth.
Overcoming Missing Data: Accurately Predicting Cardiovascular Risk in Type 2 Diabetes, A Systematic Review
Authors: Ren Wenhui , Fan Keyu , Liu Zheng , Wu Yanqiu , An Haiyan , Liu Huixin
Published: January 2025

Understanding is limited regarding strategies for addressing missing value when developing and validating models to predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). This study aimed to investigate the presence of and approaches to missing data in these prediction models. The MEDLINE electronic database was systematically searched for English‐language studies from inception to June 30, 2024. The percentages of missing values, missingness mechanisms, and missing data handling strategies in the included studies were extracted and summarized. This study included 51 articles published between 2001 and 2024, involving 19 studies that focused solely on prediction model development, and 16 and 16 studies that incorporated internal and external validation, respectively. Most articles reported missing data in the development (n = 40/51) and external validation (n = 12/16) stages. Furthermore, the missing data were addressed in 74.5% of development studies and 68.8% of validation studies. Imputation emerged as the predominant method employed for both development (27/40) and validation (7/12) purposes, followed by deletion (17/40 and 4/12, respectively). During the model development phase, the number of studies reported missing data increased from 9 out of 15 before 2016 to 31 out of 36 in 2016 and subsequent years. Although missing values have received much attention in CVD risk prediction models in patients with T2DM, most studies lack adequate reporting on the methodologies used for addressing the missing data. Enhancing the quality assurance of prediction models necessitates heightened clarity and the utilization of suitable methodologies to handle missing data effectively.
What matters to mothers: A qualitative exploration of pain and recovery after cesarean section
Authors: Duch Patricia , Ekelund Kim , Nedergaard Helene Korvenius
Published: January 2025

Background

Fast recovery after cesarean section is vital since the mother not only has to take care of herself but also the newborn. Recovery scores are useful tools to measure and compare recovery; however, standardized questionnaires may miss in‐depth patient experiences. What is important to women in the postoperative period after cesarean section can vary in different populations, making it crucial to understand the specific needs of one's own population. This study aims to explore what matters most to Danish mothers during the early phase of recovery following elective cesarean section.

Methods

Qualitative design: Adult, Danish‐speaking women undergoing elective cesarean section under spinal anesthesia were included in three Danish hospitals. Semi‐structured interviews focusing on women's experiences of recovery, pain, and mobilization both in hospital and after discharge were conducted for 4–7 days following their cesarean section. Baseline characteristics and maternal outcomes were collected from patient files. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using manifest content analysis.

Results

In total, 25 women were interviewed a median of 6 days post cesarean section (IQR 5–8). Three themes emerged: “Experience of being a cesarean section patient,” “I'm doing good – and better than expected,” and “Challenges when going home.” The cesarean section itself was described as a disturbing experience. The initial days post‐cesarean section were described as very painful, but hereafter, many patients expressed surprise at their rapid recovery. None used opioids after discharge. Post‐discharge, having a partner's support, especially with other children to care for, was helpful, and moving from lying to sitting position and getting out of bed were noted as particularly painful. Many women requested more information and specific rehabilitation programs.

Conclusions

In this qualitative study of Danish women 4–7 days after elective cesarean sections, the women described the initial days as very painful but felt that they recovered rather quickly thereafter. The study indicated a need for enhanced communication, especially regarding the experience of surgery, pain after cesarean section, and physical rehabilitation plans.

Editorial Comment

In this qualitative, explorative study, participants were interviewed by telephone 4–7 days following their elective cesarean section. The focus was the women's experience of recovery, pain, and mobilization, both in hospital and when going home. The findings identified a need for more information about the perioperative course, as most participants were surprised and unprepared both for the pain from other areas than the scar and for the surgery experience being unpleasant, and many requested physical rehabilitation plans.
Comprehensive evaluation of lifespan‐extending molecules in C. elegans
Authors: Phelps Grace B. , Morin Jonas , Pinto Carla , Schoenfeldt Lucas , Guilmot Sebastien , Ocampo Alejandro , Perez Kevin
Published: January 2025

The nematode C. elegans has long served as a gold‐standard model organism in aging research, particularly since the discovery of long‐lived mutants in conserved aging pathways including daf‐2 (IGF1) and age‐1 (PI3K). Its short lifespan and small size make it highly suitable for high‐throughput experiments. While numerous molecules have been tested for their effects on C. elegans lifespan, consensus is still lacking regarding the most effective and reproducible compounds. Confounding effects, especially those related to drug‐bacteria interactions, remain a contentious issue in the literature. In this study, we evaluated 16 of the most frequently reported lifespan‐extending molecules in C. elegans, examining their effects on lifespan with two different diets (live and UV‐killed OP50). In addition, we assessed the compounds' impact on bacterial growth, their effects on various nematode strains, and the impact of the starting age of treatment. Our findings first confirmed robust lifespan extension by many, but not all, of the 16 tested compounds from the literature, and revealed that some of them could be combined to obtain additive effects. Additionally, we showed that some of these compounds also extend lifespan in the fly D. melanogaster, demonstrating a conserved effect across species. Finally, by expanding our screen to a broader pool of molecules, we identified novel lifespan‐extending compounds in C. elegans.
Is a creative leader always helpful? A dependency perspective on the relationship between leader creativity and follower creativity
Authors: Zhao Kai , Lin Yuying , Yang Baiyin
Published: January 2025

Prior studies draw on social learning theory to argue a positive relationship between leader creativity and follower creativity, lending support to the directing approach of leading for creativity. However, our study aims to provide a more comprehensive understanding for this approach by also exploring the negative effects of leader creativity on follower creativity, particularly from a dependency perspective. We investigated the mechanisms and boundary conditions by examining the roles of dependency on the leader, creative effort, and team power distance. With a sample of 136 leaders and 691 followers across four firms in China, we tested our hypotheses using multilevel path analyses. Our findings indicated that leader creativity was positively associated with followers' dependency on leader, and that dependency on leader had a negative indirect relationship with follower creativity via reducing follower creative effort. Overall, leader creativity had a negative indirect relationship with follower creativity through the pathways of increased dependency and decreased creative effort. Furthermore, the negative serial indirect relationship was more pronounced in teams with higher power distance. The theoretical and practical implications were discussed as well.
Academic motivation–achievement cycle and the behavioural pathways: A short‐timeframe experiment with manipulated perceived achievement
Authors: Vu TuongVan , Meeter Martijn , Hofman Abe , Jansen Brenda , Magis‐Weinberg Lucía , van Triest Elise , van Atteveldt Nienke
Published: January 2025

Background

The purported reciprocity between motivation and academic achievement in education has largely been supported by correlational data.

Aims

Our first aim was to determine experimentally whether motivation and achievement are reciprocally related. The second objective was to investigate a potential behavioural mediation pathway between motivation and achievement by measuring the objective effort expended on learning. Finally, we studied the causality of these relations by analysing the dynamics between motivation and achievement (rather than examining them as individual constructs) when perceived achievement was experimentally manipulated.

Sample(s)

The study employed a short‐timeframe experiment in which 309 Dutch undergraduate students (Mage = 19.89, SD = 2.08) learned new English vocabulary.

Methods

Their motivation, effort, and achievement were measured at multiple time points within one hour. Midway through the experiment, participants received manipulated feedback indicating an achievement decline, which was expected to influence their subsequent motivation, effort, and actual achievement. A random‐intercept cross‐lagged panel framework was employed to model how one construct influenced another over time.

Results

We found a unilateral effect of achievement on motivation (i.e., no reciprocity), which remained stable across the time points. Our experimental manipulation partially supported a causal interpretation of the unilateral achievement→motivation pathway. Additionally, no mediation effect of effort was identified: motivation was not associated with effort, nor was effort linked to achievement.

Conclusions

Our findings underscore the importance of further exploration of behavioural mediation pathways, a broad operationalization of motivation, and the application of appropriate modelling strategies to investigate the motivation‐achievement reciprocity.
Metabolism‐lipid droplet‐nucleic acid crosstalk to regulate lipid storage and other cellular processes in oleaginous Rhodococcus bacteria
Authors: Alvarez Héctor M. , Lanfranconi Mariana P. , Hernández Martín A.
Published: January 2025

Actinobacteria belonging to Mycobacterium and Rhodococcus genera are able to synthesize and intracellularly accumulate variable amounts of triacylglycerols (TAG) in the form of lipid droplets (LDs). The lipid storage capacity of LDs in cells is controlled by the balance between lipogenesis and lipolysis. The growth of LDs in bacterial cells may be directly promoted by TAG biosynthesis, whereas TAG degradation might result in the reduction of LD sizes and lipid storage capacity. Therefore, LD formation and turnover have to be precisely regulated to maintain a balanced lipid distribution, coupling gene regulation with the metabolic state of the cell. In eukaryotic cells, LDs have emerged as critical mediators of diverse cellular responses, including fatty acid trafficking and modulation of transcriptional programs. Recent studies performed in mycobacteria and rhodococci suggested the existence of similar crosstalk mechanisms between lipid metabolism, LDs, and gene expression regulation in cells. This review connects and organizes results of different studies in a comprehensive framework for providing evidence of “lipid metabolism‐LDs‐genomic DNA” crosstalk occurring in TAG‐accumulating actinobacteria. We provide examples indicating that bacterial cells evolved sensing mechanisms that detect lipid metabolites changes as indicators of metabolic states, and adapt their transcriptional profiles through epigenetic‐like mechanisms mediated by LD‐associated proteins. Here, we describe the molecular interconnections of this coupling system and the main role of each component that integrates the information about the cellular metabolic state into the regulation of lipogenesis, LD formation and transcription in oleaginous bacteria.
A synthesis of luminescence and 14C dated dust mass accumulation rates for loess‐palaeosol sequences from the Middle Danube Basin
Authors: Perić Zoran M. , Radaković Milica G. , Marković Rastko S. , Marković Slobodan B.
Published: January 2025

The Middle Danube (Carpathian) Basin is considered to encompass some of the thickest and most complete records of aeolian dust deposition in Europe, covering the last two glacial–interglacial cycles. In this study, independent, published chronologies based on absolute dating methods were compiled for 34 loess‐palaeosol sequences and modelled using Bayesian statistics. Mass accumulation rates (MARs) calculated from the Bayesian age models range from 50 to 1922 g m−2 a−1 with a mean value of 317±35 g m−2 a−1. The glacial–interglacial changes of the MAR estimates only partially agree with the accepted dust deposition model, where high accumulation rates are observed during the cold glacial stages, while low values are typical for the warmer interglacial periods. There is a rapid increase of MAR values during Marine Isotope Stage (MIS) 2, with the highest deposition in most cases observed ~25–18 ka. During MIS 3, the dust deposition was 1.8 times higher than during MIS 4. Regionally, the MARs appear to be highest in the northern part of the Middle Danube Basin, showing decreasing values towards the south. However, due to a variety of factors such as low dating resolution, age distribution, and biases in the dating method, it is debatable whether these results are representative estimates of atmospheric dust activity in the Middle Danube Basin during MIS 5–MIS 1.
Transplantation of the MSLN‐deficient Thymus Generates MSLN Epitope Reactive T Cells to Attenuate Tumor Progression
Authors: Gao Hanchao , Wu Haiyan , Ning Lvwen , Zhou Liying , Cao Mengtao , Huang Wenting , Xie Xihong , Wu Haidong , Chen Xiehui , Chen Feiqiang , Song Jinqi , Deng Kai , Chen Pengfei
Published: January 2025

The development of mesothelin (MSLN) epitope reactive T cells is observed in mice that are immunized with the MSLN vaccine. Engineered T cells expressing MSLN‐reactive high‐affinity TCR exhibit extraordinary therapeutic effects for invasive pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in a mouse model. However, the generation of MSLN‐reactive T cells through the introduction of MSLN‐deficient thymus and the transplantation of the latter as a cure for cancer treatment have not been tested to date. In the present study, the expression of MSLN was mainly identified in medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) but not in hematopoietic cells, cortical thymic epithelial cells (cTECs), endothelial cells, or fibroblast cells in the thymus. The increasement of activated T cells was observed in MSLN‐expressing tumors from MSLN‐deficient mice, indicating that MSLN‐reactive T cells had developed. Finally, in an AOM‐DSS‐induced mouse model of colorectal cancer (CRC), transplantation of MSLN‐deficient thymus repressed the progression of CRC, accompanied by an increased number of IFNγ‐expressing T lymphocytes in the tumors. The data from this study demonstrated that ectopic transplantation of MSLN‐deficient thymus induced MSLN‐specific antitumor responses to MSLN‐expressing tumors, and thus attenuated tumor progression.
Paediatricians' Perspectives Surrounding Identification and Management of Early Childhood Disorders in the United States
Authors: Brener Samantha , Wright Anna
Published: January 2025

Background

Since 2001, the American Academy of Pediatrics has released and twice revised guidelines tasking paediatricians with screening children for developmental disorders, but diagnoses are often delayed. Paediatricians in the United States are also responsible for referring patients with identified concerns for services and for managing their long‐term care.

Objectives

This review aims to chronologically synthesize available literature about paediatricians' perspectives surrounding their roles in identifying and managing early childhood disorders and to identify how future interventions can best address these perspectives.

Methods

Early childhood disorders (ECDs) were defined as developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder. A literature search was performed on PubMed and Google Scholar. Surveys, interviews, focus groups and analyses of paediatricians' perspectives on their roles in identifying and managing children with ECDs were included if they were performed in the United States and published in a peer‐reviewed journal in or after 2001. Literature was reviewed and analysed by sorting key findings into categories of ‘knowledge’, ‘attitudes’ and ‘confidence’, then organizing chronologically within each category.

Results

Of the 122 publications identified, 19 were selected and reviewed, revealing some overlying themes. First, paediatricians desire more training on ECDs, especially in assisting with navigation of intervention programs. Second, negative attitudes towards roles in identifying and managing ECDs have remained relatively consistent since 2001. Third, paediatricians' confidence declines from identification to long‐term management of ECDs.

Conclusions

This review chronologically synthesizes paediatricians' knowledge, attitudes and confidence surrounding their roles in identifying children with ECDs, referring them to other professionals and managing their long‐term care. Paediatricians are not solely responsible for these tasks, as other medical professionals, families, therapists and educators work together to care for these children. This review provides recommendations, such as enhancing training programs and utilizing care coordinators, to address perspectives that may result in suboptimal patient care.