bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Causes And MEchanisms foR non-atopic Asthma in Children (CAMERA) Study: rationale and protocol
Authors: Njoroge Mary , Pinheiro Gabriela Pimentel , Santana Cinthia Vila Nova , Ali Hajar , Hobbs Stephanie , Mena-Bucheli Santiago , Romero-Sandoval Natalia , Robertson Steven , Rutter Charlotte E , Davoren Donna , Brooks Collin , Douwes Jeroen , Cooper Philip J , Mpairwe Harriet , Figueiredo Camila A , Cruz Alvaro A , Barreto Mauricio L , Pearce Neil , Pembrey Lucy ,   the CAMERA study group
Published: January 2025

The Causes And MEchanisms foR non-atopic Asthma in children (CAMERA) study was designed to investigate risk factors and mechanisms of non-atopic asthma in children and young adults in Brazil, Ecuador, Uganda, and New Zealand. Initial epidemiological analyses using existing datasets identified and compared risk factors for both atopic and non-atopic asthma. The focus of this paper is the protocol for sample collection and analysis of clinical data on possible non-atopic mechanisms.

In each of the four centres, the CAMERA study will enroll 160 participants aged 10 – 28 years, equally distributed among atopic asthmatics (AA), non-atopic asthmatics (NAA), atopic non-asthmatics and non-atopic non-asthmatics. Participants will be new recruits or returning World ASthma Phenotypes (WASP) study participants.

Phase I consists of skin prick tests to define atopy, a general CAMERA questionnaire that covers respiratory and general health to identify asthma cases, followed by an asthma control questionnaire for asthmatics only. Phase II consists of a stress questionnaire and the following clinical assessments: lung function, nasal cytology, blood sampling,in vitrowhole blood stimulation to assess IFN-γ production, hair cortisol concentration, dry air and capsaicin challenges, plus in a subset, cold air challenges. Analyses will compare inflammatory, physiological and clinical parameters across the four groups overall and by country.

Here, we present the protocol for the CAMERA study, to provide relevant methodological details for CAMERA publications and to allow other centres globally to conduct similar analyses. The findings of this mechanistic multi-centre study will inform new and phenotype-specific prevention and treatment approaches.
Trends and Disparities in Newer GLP1 Receptor Agonist Initiation among Real-World Adult Patients Eligible for Obesity Treatment
Authors: Radwan Rotana M. , Lee Yao An , Kotecha Pareeta , Wright Davene R. , Hernandez Inmaculada , Ramon Ronald , Donahoo William T. , Chen Yong , Allen John M. , Bian Jiang , Guo Jingchuan
Published: January 2025

Aims

To characterize trends in the initiation of newer anti-obesity medications (AOMs) and determine factors associated with their use among obese/overweight populations.

Materials and methods

This retrospective study utilized electronic health record data from OneFlorida+ (2015–2024). Adults eligible for AOMs were included, defined as having a BMI ≥30 kg/m² or a BMI of 27–29.9 kg/m² with at least one obesity-related comorbidity. The primary outcome was the initiation of newer AOMs, specifically glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) including liraglutide, semaglutide, and tirzepatide. Trends across years were examined, and a multivariable logistic regression identified sociodemographic, clinical, and healthcare utilization factors associated with AOM initiation.

Results

Of 319,949 adults, 1.8% initiated newer AOMs. Semaglutide accounted for 77.9% of initiations, tirzepatide 19.7%, and liraglutide 17.8%. Initiation trends showed liraglutide uptake peaked at 5% in 2018 but declined afterward, while semaglutide and tirzepatide uptake increased exponentially since 2022. Odds of initiation were lower for Black (aOR (95% CI): 0.87 [0.80– 0.94]) and Hispanic (0.84 [0.78–0.91]) groups vs. Whites, and for Medicaid (0.69 [0.63–0.76]) and uninsured (0.81 [0.74–0.87]) patients vs. privately insured. Higher odds were associated with being female, middle-aged, having more outpatient visits, and visiting endocrinologists.

Conclusions

The initiation of newer AOMs among overweight and obese populations remains low, but uptake has increased exponentially since 2022. Our findings reveal significant disparities in obesity care, highlighting the importance of addressing inequities in AOM access to improve obesity outcomes.
Diverse Defence Systems and Prophages in Human-Associated Bifidobacterium Species Reveal "Arms Race" Dynamics
Authors: Docherty James , Cook Ryan , Kiu Raymond , Dyball Xena , Brown Teagan L , Kujawska Magdalena , lily-Smith Rhianna , Phillips Sarah , Watt Rachel , Telatin Andrea , Tiwari Sumeet , Hall Lindsay J , Adriaenssens Evelien M
Published: January 2025

Bacteria of the genus Bifidobacterium are pivotal for human health, especially in early life, where they dominate the gut microbiome in healthy infants. Bacteriophages, viruses of bacteria, are drivers of gut bacterial composition in the human gut and could affect bifidobacterial abundance. Here, we use a bioinformatics approach to explore the direct interactions occurring between human-associated Bifidobacterium spp. and prophages, as evidenced by their genomes. A total of 1,086 bifidobacterial genomes were analysed in this study, revealing complex systems to prevent viral invasion. Despite their characteristically small genomes, Bifidobacterium strains harboured more than double the number of defence systems as most bacteria. In total, 34 defence system types and 56 subtypes were detected, including several different CRISPR-Cas systems with spacers that targeted almost three-quarters of bifidobacteria-derived prophages. We identified at least one prophage which met our stringent quality control measures in ~63% of strains, with phages exhibiting high genomic diversity and evidence of historical recombination. Additionally, prophages were found to encode various anti-defence systems, such as anti-CRISPR genes and restriction modification resistance mechanisms. In summary, our investigation reveals "arms race" dynamics drive genomic diversity in both bifidobacteria and their phages.
Investigation of theCyanothecenitrogenase cluster inSynechocystis: a blueprint for engineering nitrogen fixing photoautotrophs
Authors: Liu Deng , Bandyopadhyay Anindita , Liberton Michelle , Pakrasi Himadri B. , Bhattacharyya-Pakrasi Maitrayee
Published: January 2025

The nitrogenase gene cluster of unicellular diazotrophic cyanobacteria such asCyanotheceis frequently selected by nature for nitrogen fixing partnerships with eukaryotic phototrophs. The essential cluster components that confer an advantage in such partnerships remain under explored. To use this cluster for the development of synthetic, phototrophic nitrogen-fixing systems, a thorough and systematic analysis of its constituent genes is necessary. An initial effort to assess the possibility of engineering this cluster into non-diazotrophic phototrophs led to the generation of aSynechocystis6803 strain with significant nitrogenase activity. In the current study, a refactoring approach was taken to determine the dispensability of the non-structural genes in the cluster and to define a minimal gene set for constructing a functional nitrogenase for phototrophs. Using a bottom-up strategy, thenifgenes fromCyanothece51142 were re-organized to form new operons. The genes were then seamlessly removed to determine their essentiality in the nitrogen fixation process. We demonstrate that besides the structural genesnifHDK,nifBSUENPVZTXWas well ashesABare important for optimal nitrogenase function in a phototroph. We also show that optimal expression of these genes is crucial for efficient nitrogenase activity. Our findings provide a solid foundation for generating synthetic systems that will facilitate solar powered conversion of atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen rich compounds, a stride towards a greener world.

IMPORTANCE

Integrating nitrogen fixation genes into various photosynthetic organisms is an exciting strategy for converting atmospheric nitrogen into nitrogen rich products in a green and energy efficient way. In order to facilitate this process, it is essential that we understand the fundamentals of the functioning of a prokaryotic nitrogen fixing machinery in a non-diazotrophic, photoautotrophic cell. This study examines a nitrogenase gene cluster that has been naturally selected on multiple occasions for a nitrogen fixing partnership by eukaryotic photoautotrophs and provides a basic blueprint for designing a photosynthetic organism with nitrogen fixing ability.
Monte Carlo simulation of spin correlations in organic semiconductors with an arbitrary relation between hopping rates and spin dynamics
Authors: Tolkachev I. V. , Beltukov Y. M. , Shumilin A. V.
Published: January 2025

We present a kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) algorithm designed to study spin correlation phenomena in organic semiconductors including the effect of a magnetic field on electroluminescence and organic magnetoresistance. It allows for an arbitrary relation between hopping rates and spin-precession frequencies, and it incorporates an intermediate averaging procedure to model the spin relaxation within a single KMC simulation run. Our results demonstrate that even a small fraction of hops occurring faster than spin precession can significantly impact the width of the magnetic field dependence of the electroluminescence, which is typically associated with the strength of the hyperfine interaction between electron and nuclear spins.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Topological orders beyond topological quantum field theories
Authors: Vojta P. , Ortiz G. , Nussinov Z.
Published: January 2025

Systems displaying topological quantum order feature robust characteristics that are very attractive to quantum computing schemes. Topological quantum field theories have proven to be powerful in capturing the quintessential attributes of systems displaying topological order including, in particular, their anyon excitations. Here, we investigate systems that lie outside this common purview, and present a rich class of models exhibiting topological orders with distance-dependent interactions between anyons. As we illustrate, in some instances, . This leads to behaviors not typically described by topological quantum field theories. We examine these models by performing exact dualities to systems displaying conventional (i.e., Landau) orders. Our approach enables a general method for mapping Landau-type theories to dual models with topological order, while preserving the same spatial dimension. The low-energy subspaces of our models can be made more resilient to thermal effects than those of surface codes.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Spherically symmetric Earth models yield no net electron spin
Authors: Clayburn N. B. , Glassford A. , Leiker A. , Uelmen T. , Lin J. F. , Hunter L. R.
Published: January 2025

Terrestrial experiments that use electrons in Earth as a spin-polarized source have been demonstrated to provide strong bounds on exotic long-range spin-spin and spin-velocity interactions. These bounds constrain the coupling strength of many proposed ultralight bosonic dark-matter candidates. Recently, it was pointed out that a monopole-dipole coupling between the Sun and the spin-polarized electrons of Earth would result in a modification of the precession of the perihelion of Earth. Using an estimate for the net spin polarization of Earth and experimental bounds on Earth’s perihelion precession, interesting constraints were placed on the magnitude of this monopole-dipole coupling. Here we investigate the spin associated with Earth’s electrons. We find that there are about 6×1041 spin-polarized electrons in the mantle and crust of Earth oriented antiparallel to their local magnetic field. However, when integrated over any spherically symmetric Earth model, we find that the vector sum of these spins is zero. In order to establish a lower bound on the magnitude of the net spin along Earth’s rotation axis we have investigated three of the largest breakdowns of Earth’s spherical symmetry: the large low shear-velocity provinces of the mantle, the crustal composition, and the oblate spheroid of Earth. From these investigations we conclude that there are at least 5×1038 spin-polarized electrons aligned antiparallel to Earth’s rotation axis. This analysis suggests that the bounds on the monopole-dipole coupling that were extracted from Earth’s perihelion precession need to be relaxed by a factor of about 2000.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Learning holographic horizons
Authors: Jejjala Vishnu , Mondkar Sukrut , Mukhopadhyay Ayan , Raj Rishi
Published: January 2025

We apply machine learning to understand fundamental aspects of holographic duality, specifically the entropies obtained from the apparent and event horizon areas. We show that simple features of only the time series of the pressure anisotropy, namely the values and half-widths of the maxima and minima, the times these are attained, and the times of the first zeroes can predict the areas of the apparent and event horizons in the dual bulk geometry at all times with a fixed maximum length (10) of the input vector. We also argue that the entropy functions are the measures of information that need to be extracted from simple one-point functions to reconstruct specific aspects of correlation functions of the dual state with the best possible approximations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Inferring noise intensity and phase response from noisy synchronous oscillators
Authors: Tanaka Hisa-Aki , Suga Somei , Keida Akira , Nakao Hiroya , Jitsumatsu Yutaka , Kiss István Z.
Published: January 2025

Numerous biological and microscale systems exhibit synchronization in noisy environments. The theory of such noisy oscillators and their synchronization has been developed and experimentally demonstrated, but inferring the noise intensity and phase response is not always straightforward. In this paper, we propose a useful formula that enables us to infer the noise intensity and phase response of a noisy oscillator synchronized with periodic external forcing. Through asymptotic approximations for small noise, we show that noisy synchronous oscillators satisfy a simple relationship among the noise intensity and measurable quantities, i.e., the stationary distribution of the oscillation phase and stationary probability current obtained as the average phase velocity, which is verified through systematic numerical analysis. The proposed formula facilitates a unified analysis and design of synchronous oscillators in weakly noisy environments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Noisy Approach to Intrinsically Mixed-State Topological Order
Authors: Sohal Ramanjit , Prem Abhinav
Published: January 2025

We propose a general framework for studying two-dimensional (2D) topologically ordered states subject to local correlated errors and show that the resulting mixed state can display (imTO)—topological order that is not expected to occur in the ground state of 2D local gapped Hamiltonians. Specifically, we show that decoherence, previously interpreted as anyon condensation in a doubled Hilbert space, is more naturally phrased as, and provides a physical mechanism for, “gauging out” anyons in the original Hilbert space. We find that gauging out anyons generically results in imTO, with the decohered mixed state strongly symmetric under certain anomalous 1-form symmetries. This framework lays bare a striking connection between the decohered density matrix and , which can appear as anomalous surface states of three-dimensional topological orders. Through a series of examples, we show that the decohered state can display a classical memory, encode logical qubits (i.e., exhibit a quantum memory), and even host chiral or nonmodular topological order. We argue that a partial classification of imTO is given in terms of nonmodular braided-fusion categories.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
An overarching framework for the successful adoption of IoT in supply chains
Authors: Younis Hassan , Shbikat Nizar , Bwaliez Omar M. , Hazaimeh Issa , Sundarakani Balan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to explore and address critical aspects of IoT adoption within supply chains by identifying the key enablers and barriers, examining the drivers and challenges, and assessing the benefits and drawbacks associated with IoT implementation. Additionally, the study aims to provide insights into how organizations can leverage IoT to enhance supply chain performance across economic, operational, social, and environmental dimensions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study employed a systematic literature review strategy to identify relevant research published between 2009 and 2024. Using the Scopus database, an initial search yielded 369 publications. Preliminary selection criteria were then applied to narrow down the articles for further detailed evaluation. This process led to an in-depth review of 123 publications, from which data were meticulously extracted, organized into tables and analyzed. Finally, the authors developed a categorization system based on the scope and temporal aspects of IoT implementation.

Findings

This study developed a comprehensive model that identified six themes influencing IoT implementation in supply chains: pre-implementation enablers and barriers, drivers and challenges during implementation, and post-implementation benefits and drawbacks. Recommendations were mapped into four performance dimensions: environmental, social, operational, and economic. The analysis showed that IoT can enhance supply chain risk management, process integration, sustainability, collaboration, resilience, and performance measurement. Key technologies aiding IoT implementation include blockchain, radio frequency identification (RFID), enterprise resource planning (ERP), and cloud computing.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few to conduct a comprehensive review of widely cited papers on IoT adoption in supply chains. It systematically summarizes the enablers, barriers, drivers, challenges, benefits, and drawbacks associated with such adoption. Furthermore, it proposes a distinctive model designed to assist organizations in successfully implementing IoT technologies, thereby filling a critical gap in the existing literature.
Leveraging job rotation programs for experiential learning in organizations through the lens of Kolb’s experiential learning theory
Authors: Saikrishna M.B.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This research proposes a theoretical model that combines Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory with organizational job rotation. This paper aims to develop a model that can improve the efficiency of job rotation as a tool for experiential learning and organizational development.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper integrates the literature on job rotation and Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory. It provides theoretical propositions and a conceptual model for integrating job rotation into the four stages of Kolb’s learning model.

Findings

The paper offers a set of propositions that states that job rotation programs that are in sync with Kolb’s learning cycle will foster better learning results, more cross-functional knowledge, increased employee flexibility, and better organizational performance. The conceptual framework helps outline the best ways of designing and implementing job rotation programs so that learning by experience is enhanced.

Research limitations/implications

Future research should empirically validate its propositions. Qualitative studies, such as interviews with HR practitioners, can explore practical applications of the framework. Longitudinal studies can assess the long-term impact of Kolb-aligned job rotation programs on employee performance and organizational outcomes. Additionally, cross-cultural and comparative research could identify moderating factors, such as industry-specific or cultural influences.

Practical implications

Job rotation programs should integrate all four stages of Kolb’s learning cycle, with challenging tasks fostering Concrete Experience (CE), structured reflection sessions supporting Reflective Observation (RO), workshops linking experiences with organizational theories for Abstract Conceptualization (AC), and leadership roles or process improvements providing opportunities for Active Experimentation (AE). Additionally, organizations should establish systems to measure the effectiveness of job rotation programs, such as pre- and post-rotation surveys, tracking career development, and evaluating the program’s impact on organizational performance, including creativity and innovation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by developing a theoretical model of Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory and job rotation practices to help organizations improve their learning from job rotation. It can be helpful for scholars and practitioners in the field of organizational development as it connects the theory and practice of education.
Design team effectiveness and architects’ personality types
Authors: Alan Ece , Arditi David , Gunaydin Husnu Murat , Akcay Emre Caner
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The personalities of the design team members constitute one of the factors that influence team effectiveness. In this study, 223 members of the “American Institute of Architects” who are employed by the largest architectural design firms in the United States of America were categorized according to their personality types by using “The Enneagram Personality Type Model.” Also, the respondents’ opinions about eight team effectiveness outcomes were recorded in order to explore the relationship between team members’ personality types and team effectiveness outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

The information was collected by a questionnaire where the first part included 144 pairs of statements that were used to identify respondents’ personality types. The second part sought designers’ opinions about the importance of eight team effectiveness outcomes rated on a Likert scale ranging from 1 to 5. The results were assessed by performing the Kruskal–Wallis test first and Dunn’s post-hoc test with Bonferroni adjustment subsequently.

Findings

The findings highlight the significance of personality types in effective design teams. While Type 6 (loyalist and skeptic) and Type 3 (achiever and performer) architects prioritize team effectiveness the most, Type 7 architects (enthusiasts and epicureans) assign the lowest importance. However, the presence of Type 1 (reformist and perfectionist) and Type 8 (challenger and protector) architects within the same design team may involve challenges or conflicts.

Originality/value

The primary contribution of this study is that it is the first study in the construction management literature that utilizes The Enneagram of Personality Test to understand the relationship between team members’ personality types and team effectiveness outcomes. This study is of direct relevance to practitioners and could be utilized in design team-building activities.
Generational dynamics of omnichannel customers: analysing shopping preferences across diverse product types
Authors: Sharma Neha , Dutta Nirankush
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study explores the shopping orientations of omnichannel customers through the lens of generational cohort theory, which influences their decision-making style while shopping online. It offers key insights into how Generations X, Y and Z interact with digital platforms, helping retailers adapt to the shifting dynamics of modern customers.

Design/methodology/approach

Using different customer decision-making styles, a comprehensive questionnaire was administered to a diverse sample selected via systematic probability sampling. The responses were analysed using multivariate and post hoc analysis to uncover generational and product-based differences in online shopping orientations.

Findings

The analysis reveals apparent generational differences. Gen Z is driven by affordability and quality, while Gen Y is brand-conscious and willing to pay premium prices. In contrast, Gen X exhibits strong brand loyalty, although younger generations show a decline in brand attachment. These findings suggest that retailers must blend online and offline channels to boost customer engagement and loyalty, especially among omnichannel customers.

Research limitations/implications

The study relies on self-reported data, introducing the potential for recall bias, which could affect the accuracy of reported behaviours.

Practical implications

Understanding different generational cohorts’ distinct online shopping behaviours empowers marketers and retailers to craft personalised strategies that enhance customer engagement and drive brand loyalty and satisfaction. By tailoring experiences to the unique preferences of each generation, retailers can ensure seamless shopping journeys that resonate across product categories, maximising their market impact and customer retention.

Originality/value

By applying generational cohort theory, this study uniquely examines the underexplored group of omnichannel customers, offering fresh insights through multivariate analysis into how generational cohorts and product types shape online shopping behaviour, providing valuable guidance for retailers.
The drivers and deterrents of collaborative consumption in India: a qualitative approach
Authors: Chaudhary Ekta , Srivastava Kavita , Pal Divyanshi
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to explore the concept of collaborative consumption (CC) by identifying factors that drive and deter individual participation in CC. The concept of CC encompasses practices such as sharing, giving, renting, donating, swapping and trading pre-owned goods with another individual, all of which reduce new purchases and promote the reuse of goods, thereby protecting resource depletion and waste.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative research approach, a total of 23 semi-structured, in-depth interviews were conducted with the participants involved in various shared consumption activities. The thematic analysis was done on interview data to explore the themes and subthemes of CC in the form of drivers and deterrents.

Findings

The findings reveal economic, social connection, sustainability, ease of use, utilization of goods and surroundings as driving factors of CC. Moreover, security concerns, lack of awareness and lack of accessibility were explored as deterring factors. Based on the findings, the present study proposes a conceptual framework for future studies.

Originality/value

The study adds value to the understanding of CC, which is in a nascent stage. The unique drivers and deterrents of CC, as explored in the present study, have significant implications for marketers, business developers, researchers and practitioners.
Work-based learning: a catalyst for leadership, organizational development and economic growth in Tennessee
Authors: Bilderback Stephanie
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper explores the significance of work-based learning in the context of leadership development, organizational growth and the promising economic success in Tennessee organizations. It aims to investigate the practical implications of work-based learning, focusing on its role in enhancing leadership capabilities, fostering innovation and contributing to a prosperous economic future.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a systematic literature review to examine existing studies on work-based learning, leadership development, organizational growth and economic success in Tennessee. It also involves data collection from various sources, including government agencies, colleges and organizations in the state. The collected data are rigorously verified and cross-referenced to ensure reliability and relevance.

Findings

The findings emphasize the transformative potential of work-based learning initiatives in Tennessee. They reveal that work-based learning programs are vital in developing influential leaders, fostering a culture of learning and innovation and contributing to economic competitiveness. The research also highlights the interconnectedness of leadership development, organizational growth and economic success, emphasizing the critical role of work-based learning in driving positive outcomes in all these dimensions.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the existing body of knowledge by emphasizing the practical applicability of work-based learning findings. It provides insights into the unique context of Tennessee organizations and their motivations, challenges and opportunities related to work-based learning. The research also outlines recommendations and future research directions to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing the impact of work-based learning initiatives in Tennessee and beyond. The insights gained can assist other states and industries in developing effective work-based learning programs tailored to their specific economic needs and industry demands, fostering broader economic prosperity.
How subsidiaries contribute to MNC’s resilience under global disruptions
Authors: Asakawa Kazuhiro , Aliasghar Omid , Un C. Annique
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper explores how the organizational resilience of multinational corporations (MNCs) can be attained through mitigating the liability of foreignness (LOF) faced by their subsidiaries so that they can navigate challenges more effectively. By bridging the gap between MNC resilience and the liability and advantage of foreignness of their subsidiaries, this study aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of how MNCs can thrive in volatile and uncertain international markets.

Design/methodology/approach

By drawing on the extant literature on resilience and liability/advantage of foreignness, this paper presents a novel perspective on the way resilience of subsidiaries contributes to the resilience of the MNCs as a whole.

Findings

Subsidiaries contribute substantially to the resilience of MNCs by creating a network of adaptive responses in their host locations and beyond and by playing crucial roles in challenging uncertain and turbulent environments. Accordingly, the resilience of foreign subsidiaries depends on their organizational capability and certain structural arrangements that enable them to turn LOF into advantage. This intricate interplay emphasizes the importance of subsidiary-level resilience in shaping the resilience of the entire MNC.

Originality/value

This paper emphasizes the importance of paying attention to the resilience of the whole MNC while stressing the important role played by the subsidiaries to turn the LOF into the advantage.
Divided We Stand: Top Management Ideological Separation as an Impediment to Strategic Change in Turnaround Situations
Authors: Georgakakis Dimitrios , Ma Yao , Dwivedi Priyanka , Cannella Albert A.
Published: January 2025

Integrating the diversity‐as‐separation perspective with the uncertainty‐threat principle from the field of political psychology, we introduce the notion of ideological separation in top management teams (TMTs) and examine its effects on strategic change in an uncertainty‐threat context that requires executives’ adaptive action (i.e. turnaround situations). We argue that, in turnaround situations, differences in values (i.e. political ideology) between executives activate ideological separation in the TMT, which causes decision paralysis in the executive group and lessens its ability to enact strategic change. Our research also considers the contingent role of two external environmental factors that may heighten uncertainty‐threat for executives in turnaround situations and strengthen the hypothesized main effect – that is, shareholder unrest (i.e. the degree to which shareholders submit complaints against corporate leadership and proposals for remedy) and industry performance decline (i.e. the degree to which the turnaround firm's industry experiences declining performance). Data from S&P 1500 firms show that TMT ideological separation inhibits strategic change in turnaround situations. They also highlight the dark side of shareholder democracy, by showing that – in turnaround contexts – shareholder unrest intensifies this relationship. Implications for upper echelons, strategic management, TMT diversity, political ideology and turnaround research are discussed.
Hierarchical Political Power and the Value of Cash Holdings
Authors: Liu Jia , Talavera Oleksandr , Yin Shuxing , Zhang Mao
Published: January 2025

This study examines the relationship between hierarchical political power and the value of cash holdings. To model the power structure, we utilize the hierarchical civil service system in China to distinguish between the holders of high‐ and low‐level political power. We establish that directors with high‐level political power increase the market value of cash, whereas those with low‐level political power have no impact. Such effects are more pronounced in non‐state‐owned firms, in regions where politicians are subject to higher political pressure and in firms experiencing stronger agency conflicts. Further analysis shows that directors with high‐level political power can increase the value of cash holdings through improved investment efficiency. Among directors with high‐level political power, shareholders benefit most from the presence of those ranked at the Bureau‐Department level. Our study provides original evidence that political hierarchy holds significance for investors’ valuation of cash holdings and emphasizes the importance of the heterogeneous nature of boards’ political capital in determining corporate value.
Investigating potential tactile strategies of students with deafblindness: An exploratory study
Authors: Papazafiri Maria , Argyropoulos Vassilios
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study was to investigate and describe tactile exploratory behaviours and strategies applied by students with deafblindness when they actively explore objects by touch in terms of their texture and weight. For the needs of the present study, a Delphi consultation methodology was applied by the authors and special education teachers. The students were invited to participate in matching activities with familiar objects focusing on texture and weight, respectively. The analysis revealed that the students adopted a combination of tactile exploratory behaviours and strategies in order to identify an object's texture and weight. It seemed that the tactile exploratory strategy ‘Pressure’ in combination with a variety of tactile behaviours such as banging, shaking or/and rotating was in common. The results may contribute to the formation of more sophisticated individualized educational plans giving emphasis on active touch. Tactile exploratory strategies procedures are considered to be of high importance for students with deafblindness since they constitute ‘roadmaps’ for them to build‐up their knowledge following a ‘kinesthetic reasoning’.
Ethical issues in special needs educators' consultation: Examples from the Swedish context
Authors: Hansson Susanne , Lindblom Anne
Published: January 2025

The purpose of this study is to produce new insights of ethical issues in special needs educators' (SNEs) consultation with teachers in Swedish schools, by using the theoretical lens of Løgstrup's (1997) theory the Ethical Demand. The research questions concern (1) how the SNEs describe the content of their consultation and (2) how the SNEs describe how they deal with resistance to consultation. Semi‐structured interviews with eight SNEs were analysed by using the theory of The Ethical Demand by Løgstrup. Main results are that consultation is viewed as widening the thinking of the teachers and resistance is dealt with by SNEs avoiding undesired consultation. Resistance to consultation is regarded as a way for teachers to maintain their integrity when being forced to consultation. The study reveals that ethical issues are deeply integrated in consultation and the use of the theory of the Ethical Demand sheds new light on the ethical‐philosophical grounds in SNEs' consultation practice.
Moral conflict and moral distress in veterinarians: a mixed‐methods approach
Authors: Montoya AIA , Matthew SM , McArthur ML , Jarden A
Published: January 2025

Veterinary professionals are often confronted with moral conflicts from which moral distress can develop. Moral distress can lead to a cascade of deleterious processes and outcomes including emotional anguish, distress, reduced patient care, and attrition from both the workplace and workforce. The current study established a pilot measure for moral distress in Australian veterinary clinicians, as well as reporting additional sources of moral and ethical conflicts in veterinary practice. The pilot scale was based on adapting the Measure of Moral Distress for Healthcare Professionals (MMD‐HP) to the veterinary context and analysing responses from 643 veterinarians in Australia to create the Measure of Moral Distress for Veterinary Clinicians (MMD‐VC). The MMD‐VC comprised three sub‐scales: (1) team communications that compromise patient care, (2) conflicting client interactions and (3) situations perceived as a personal threat. The additional sources of moral and ethical conflict that were reported by respondents to an open‐ended survey question reflected two themes: (1) Animal Health, where the conflict arises from the effect of a situation on the animal patient and (2) Human Interactions, where the conflict relates to interpersonal relationships rather than to the animal patient. The results contribute towards developing comprehensive measures of moral and ethical conflict in clinical practice, and these measures can inform and evaluate intervention strategies designed to mitigate the harmful effects of moral distress in veterinarians.
Origins of T‐cell‐mediated autoimmunity in acquired aplastic anaemia
Authors: Enache Aura , Carty Shannon A. , Babushok Daria V.
Published: January 2025

Acquired aplastic anaemia (AA) is an autoimmune bone marrow failure disease resulting from a cytotoxic T‐cell‐mediated attack on haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs). Despite significant progress in understanding the T‐cell repertoire alterations in AA, identifying specific pathogenic T cells in AA patients has remained elusive, primarily due to the unknown antigenic targets of the autoimmune attack. In this review, we will synthesize findings from several decades of research to critically evaluate the current knowledge on T‐cell repertoires in AA. We will highlight new insights gained from recent in vitro studies of candidate autoreactive T cells isolated from AA patients and will discuss efforts to identify shared T‐cell clonotypes in AA. Finally, we will discuss emerging evidence on the potential T‐cell cross‐reactivity between HSPC and common viral epitopes that may contribute to the development of AA in some patients. We conclude by highlighting the areas of consensus and limitations, as well as the ongoing uncertainties, and we identify promising directions for future research in the field.
Cathepsins: Novel opportunities for antibody therapeutics in cancer
Authors: David Timothée , du Roure Pénélope Desroys , Mallavialle Aude , Laurent‐Matha Valérie , Roger Pascal , Guiu Séverine , Chardès Thierry , Liaudet‐Coopman Emmanuelle
Published: January 2025

Cathepsins, the most abundant lysosomal proteases, have key functions in cell maintenance and homeostasis. They are overexpressed and hypersecreted in cancer and associated with poor prognosis. Secreted cathepsins display pro‐tumour activities in the tumour microenvironment and thus represent interesting molecular targets in oncology. Recently, several antibody‐based cancer therapies have targeted the pro‐tumour activity of the extracellular cathepsin pool, altering several cancer hallmarks, but not the intracellular cathepsin levels that are often crucial for cell homeostasis. In this mini‐review, we describe advances in antibodies against extracellular cathepsins in cancer, and their effect on the proteolytic cascade, matrix remodelling, proliferation, and modulation of the anti‐cancer immune response. We also discuss the add‐on value of combination strategies (anti‐cathepsin antibodies with chemotherapy and/or biologics) that make anti‐cathepsin antibodies a new opportunity for disease management.
Be(com)ing Family: A Systematic Review of Stakeholders' Perspectives on Family in Family Foster Care
Authors: Wulleman Lara , Grietens Hans , Noens Ilse , Vliegen Nicole
Published: January 2025

When a child enters a foster family, it weaves an intricate web that profoundly changes the relationships and bonds of all involved, making it difficult to define ‘family’ using predefined criteria. Despite the far‐reaching impact on all involved, no previous study has systematically reviewed and qualitatively analysed how parents, foster carers, children of foster carers and foster care workers in kith, kinship or nonkinship care understand family. This study examines the characteristics of studies examining stakeholders' family understandings, how stakeholders define family and whom they consider family. Following PRISMA guidelines, 18 studies were included and analysed using a reflexive thematic analysis. Results show a plurality of family meanings, encompassing perceptions of family in the context of care and support, biological and legal dimensions of family, emotional and relational aspects of family and family as a site of stability and transition. These meanings also involve intricate aspects, such as the thin line between devotion and duty in kith and kinship caregiving. Who stakeholders considered family could be categorized as ‘blood relatives as ‘natural’ family members’, ‘legally bounded family membership’, ‘chosen family’, ‘differing views on who is family’ and ‘reconciling all family perspectives in the foster care system’. Implications for research, practice and policymaking are discussed.
Evaluation of the Accuracy, Surgical Time, and Learning Curve of Freehand, Static, and Dynamic Computer‐Assisted Implant Surgery in an In Vitro Study
Authors: Werny Joscha Gabriel , Fan Shengchi , Diaz Leonardo , Al‐Nawas Bilal , Sagheb Keyvan , Gielisch Matthias , Schiegnitz Eik
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This experimental study compared the accuracy of implant insertion using the free‐hand (FH) technique, static computer‐aided surgery (S‐CAIS), or dynamic computer‐assisted surgery (D‐CAIS) and to evaluate the correlation of learning curves between surgeons' experience and surgical time.

Materials and Methods

Thirty‐six models were randomly assigned to three groups (FH, n = 12; S‐CAIS, n = 12; D‐CAIS, n = 12). Each model was planned to receive four implants in the maxillary anterior and posterior regions. Twelve participants, six experienced surgeons, and six dental students were included in this study. The primary outcome was the deviation between the planned and final implant placement from each group. Secondary outcomes were each technique's learning curve regarding surgical time.

Results

The average deviation at implant platform, apex and gradual deviation with FH technique were 1.31 ± 0.88 mm, 1.75 ± 0.9 mm and 6.67° ± 3.70°, respectively. The average deviation of implant platform, apex and angular in S‐CAIS were 0.67 ± 0.32 mm, 1.00 ± 0.39 and 2.66° ± 1.77°, respectively. The average deviation of implant platform, apex and angular in D‐CAIS were 1.14 ± 0.70 mm, 1.23 ± 0.58 and 3.20° ± 2.16°, respectively. Significant discrepancies at the implant platform, implant apex, and angular deviation were found between all surgical methods (p < 0.016). Learning curves were evident after multiple implant insertions using both freehand and S‐CAIS.

Conclusion

The findings indicate that computer‐assisted implant insertion leads to a more precise implant alignment than implants inserted freehand in an experimental set‐up.
Meteorin‐like protein plasma levels are associated with worse outcomes in de novo heart failure
Authors: Anido‐Varela Laura , Aragón‐Herrera Alana , González‐Maestro Adrián , Bellas Carlos Tilves , Tarazón Estefanía , Solé‐González Eduard , Martínez‐Sellés Manuel , Guerra‐Ramos José María , Carrasquer Anna , Morán‐Fernández Laura , García‐Vega David , Seoane‐Blanco Ana , Moure‐González María , Seijas‐Amigo Jose , Rodríguez‐Penas Diego , García‐Seara Javier , Moraña‐Fernández Sandra , Vázquez‐Abuín Xocas , Roselló‐Lletí Esther , Portolés Manuel , Eiras Sonia , Agra Rosa M. , Álvarez Ezequiel , González‐Juanatey José R. , Feijóo‐Bandín Sandra , Lago Francisca ,   The REDINSCOR III registry
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Meteorin‐like protein (Metrnl) has been recently suggested as a new adipokine with protective cardiovascular effects. Its circulating levels in patients seem to be associated with heart failure (HF), although with contradictory results. Our aim was to ascertain whether this adipokine could estimate the prognosis of HF in de novo HF (DNHF) patients.

Methods

Metrnl plasma levels of 400 patients hospitalized with DNHF (55% of patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction, 17.3% HF with mid‐range ejection fraction, 27.8% HF with preserved ejection fraction) were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. We performed both sex‐pooled and sex‐specific analyses. A 12‐month follow‐up was conducted, during which clinical outcomes such as all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular death and re‐hospitalization due to HF were collected.

Results

After a 12‐month follow up, higher plasma Metrnl levels were associated with an increased risk for all‐cause death and cardiovascular death after adjusting by sex, age, LVEF, hypertension, diabetes, ischemic aetiology, chronic renal failure, NT‐proBNP and troponin (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.003, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.000–1.005; p‐value<.05 and HR = 1.004, 95% CI = 1.001–1.007, p‐value<.05, respectively). In line with this, DNHF patients with increased levels of circulating Metrnl had a higher number of occurrences of cardiovascular events. Regarding Metrnl associations with parameters implicated in the development and progression of HF, we found that Metrnl circulating levels were positively correlated with age (r = .322, p‐value<.0001), NT‐proBNP (r = .281, p‐value<.0001) and with the renal dysfunction markers urea (r = .322, p‐value<.0001) and creatinine (r = .353, p‐value<.0001) and higher in women than men (473.7 [385.9–594.0] pg/mL vs. 428.7 [349.1–561.3] pg/mL, p‐value<.006). Finally, concerning the subtype of HF, Metrnl plasma levels were higher in HF with preserved ejection fraction.

Conclusion

Patients with higher Metrnl levels have a worse prognosis in DNHF. Our results reinforce the association of Metrnl plasma levels with HF progression and outcomes.
Rising Tides, Sinking Approval Rates: Examining SLR Risk and Mortgage Credit Access
Authors: Fu Chengbo , Huang Qiping , Lin Meimei , Tahsin Salman
Published: January 2025

We measure sea‐level rise (SLR) risk using two indicators: SLR Impact (whether a census tract would be inundated under a 1‐ft SLR) and SLR Exposure (percentage of land inundated under a 1‐ft SLR). SLR‐impacted areas see 0.36%–1% lower mortgage approval rates, with a 10% increase in SLR Exposure reducing approvals by 14 basis points. These patterns reflect future SLR risk expectations rather than past flood or hurricane events. We also find higher denial rates in regions with stronger climate risk beliefs and greater SLR risk. Additionally, SLR‐related mortgage denials disproportionately affect minority groups.