bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
National culture favouring gender equality, supervisor gender and supportive behaviours towards employees
Authors: Suárez-Ortega Sonia María , Suarez Mar , García-Cabrera Antonia Mercedes
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effect of the interplay between national culture and supervisor gender on supervisors’ supportive behaviours towards employees in Europe.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on Hofstede’s cultural scores for 34 European countries, two clusters of countries were identified, reflecting two cultural configurations: favouring versus not favouring gender equality (GE). For hypotheses testing, the authors used a sample of 21,335 native employees, obtained from the European Working Conditions Survey.

Findings

Women in supervisory positions, compared to men, provided more support to subordinates in terms of respect, recognition, encouraging development and providing feedback. In countries with cultures favouring progress towards GE (small power distance, weak uncertainty avoidance, individualism and indulgence), only respect and recognition were more prevalent. In countries with opposing cultural configurations, other supportive behaviours stood out: coordinating work, providing feedback and helping with work. Furthermore, the impact of supervisor gender on supportive behaviours was influenced by national culture. Gender differences were larger in countries with a culture favouring progress towards GE compared to countries not favouring such progress.

Originality/value

The authors present a pioneering study that delves into national values as they relate to progress towards GE to understand the differences between male and female supervisors in the display of six supportive behaviours towards their subordinates. Their cultural approach nuances some of the predictions of social role theory.
Testing a graduateness and employability skills model through the use of social media: findings from South Africa
Authors: Murire Obrain Tinashe , Cilliers Liezel , Chinyamurindi Willie
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study examined the influence of social media use on graduateness and the employability of exit students in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The study used quantitative and descriptive research designs to test the proposed hypotheses. An online survey was used to collect the data from a study sample. A sample of 411 respondents was received, with structural equation modelling (SEM) being used to assess the model fit.

Findings

The study found that the direct effect of social media use on graduateness skills is significant. Secondly, the direct effect of graduateness skills on perceived employability is also significant. The results also showed existence of support for the mediation of graduateness skills on the relationship between social media use and perceived employability.

Research limitations/implications

The study provides empirical evidence to the proposed model and infers the potential role of social media in addressing issues related to graduateness and the employability of exit students.

Practical implications

In addressing the challenge of unemployment, the use of social media can potentially aid in matters of skills acquisition.

Originality/value

The results demonstrate how technology through the use of social media potentially fits within enhancing graduateness and employability skills.
Determining the range of negotiable prices for public–private partnership infrastructure projects: a simulation approach
Authors: Zakeri Afshar Arsalan , Abbasianjahromi Hamidreza , Mirhosseini S. Mohammad , Ehsanifar Mohammad
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This research aims to measure the public sector comparator (PSC) to reach public–private partnership (PPP) projects' negotiable price range for water and sewage companies in Iran. PSC measurement drives the public sector to make valid decisions about costs.

Design/methodology/approach

Around 170 risks were primarily determined through studying numerous articles. Then, risk effects were specified by distributing questionnaires in two steps. The questionnaires are distributed among experts on PPP-related projects and the Monte Carlo simulation method is used for confidence factors of 70, 80 and 90%. PSC is measured based on these results to study cases of Sirjan’s sewerage and sewage purification systems.

Findings

11 risks were identified as the main risks that are effective on PSC, and project implementation costs were specified based on the modeling. The corruption of the private and public sectors was identified as the most effective risk in this research. It can affect a project’s cost up to 158% in the construction period and up to 134% in the operation period. Based on the obtained results, 63% of this risk’s cost goes to the public sector.

Originality/value

The originality of this research is the PSC measurement method and appointing the risk share of each private and public sector. The results of this research can be applied to all the infrastructure and PPP projects in Iran and other developing countries as a way for employers to estimate accurate negotiable price ranges.
Sustainable strategies, employee competencies and social outcomes: are they aligned?
Authors: Diaz-Fernandez Mirta , Lopez-Cabrales Alvaro , Valle-Cabrera Ramón
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The present paper contributes to the development of sustainable strategies by focusing on the social perspective and the role played by HRM. Specifically, we identified and compared the employee competencies that supported the compliance strategy as well as the innovative/proactive sustainability strategies – and their impacts on social outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

After formulating hypotheses, we tested them on a sample of 179 companies from the chemical and metallurgical industries using the bootstrap method.

Findings

The results revealed that both sustainability strategies were present in the sample. The compliance sustainable strategy showed to be negatively associated with employee competencies, whilst proactive sustainable strategy firms presented a positive relationship with employee competencies. We also found that compliance strategies failed to have any impact on social outcomes, but proactive strategies had a positive effect on social outcomes. Indeed, normative and foresighted thinking competencies acted as mediating variables in such a relationship.

Originality/value

The originality of this paper lies in three aspects hitherto unaddressed in the literature: first, the conceptualisation and assessment of sustainable strategies focused on a social dimension; second, the identification of individual competencies required developing sustainable strategies; and third, the demonstration that it is only the firms that adopt proactive sustainable strategies that obtain positive social outcomes.
Are intensified job demands positive challenges for employees? Associations with work engagement in different occupational samples
Authors: Mauno Saija , Feldt Taru , Herttalampi Mari , Minkkinen Jaana
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Intensified job demands (IJDs; work intensification, intensified job- and career-related planning and decision-making demands, and intensified learning demands) illustrate the intensification of working life. This study examined relationships between IJDs and work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine diverse samples (n = 7,786) were analyzed separately via regression analysis by estimating linear and curvilinear relationships between IJDs and engagement.

Findings

The results showed that certain subdimensions of IJDs, i.e. intensified learning demands, related positively to engagement across several subsamples. Moreover, learning demands showed a curvilinear relationship with engagement in several subsamples; engagement was highest in a moderate level of learning demands whereas low and high levels of learning demands were associated with lower engagement. We also found that other subdimensions of IJDs did not show consistent positive relationships with engagement, and some of them were negatively associated with engagement.

Research limitations/implications

Cross-sectional design.

Practical implications

Organizations should consider what would be the optimal level of learning demands as excessive learning demands can be detrimental to employees’ engagement.

Originality/value

This is a first study focusing on different manifestations of the intensification of working life, operationalized via IJDs, and their curvilinear relationships with engagement by applying a multi-sample design.
New public management evolving agenda: risk management in Italian municipalities
Authors: Castellini Monia , Ferrario Caterina , Riso Vincenzo
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Since the 1980s, New public management has fostered the introduction of managerial approaches similar to those of the private sector in public administrations. Recently, the advantages of performing risk management in the public sector have been recognized; however, to the best of our knowledge, research on risk management in public administrations is underdeveloped, and there is a need to understand how risk management is performed. This paper addresses these issues and investigates whether and how risk management is performed in Italian public administration.

Design/methodology/approach

This study focused on a sample of 503 Italian municipalities and used a mixed research method. Through a qualitative content analysis of documents published on municipalities’ websites, data and information were collected and elaborated using quantitative indicators.

Findings

The main results are that a high percentage of large Italian municipalities perform risk management and comply with theoretical provisions on risk management, sometimes displaying isomorphic behavior in risk management practices.

Originality/value

This study provides a new perspective on risk management in Italian municipalities, contributes to filling a gap in the literature and suggests a theoretical perspective on municipalities’ approaches when introducing new managerial practices.
What induces corporations to engage in controversial marketing and environmental practices? A linguistic perspective
Authors: Rahman Mahabubur
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Linguists classify the world’s languages into two types: futured and futureless. Futured languages (e.g. French) require speakers to grammatically mark future events, a construction that is optional in futureless languages such as German. This treatise examines whether the grammatical structure of the predominant language in a given country explains firms’ propensity to engage in controversial marketing and environmental management practices. This is expected to happen because a speaker’s future time perspective and temporal discounting vary depending on the type of language used.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample period for this research was from 2001 to 2020. The sample of the study consists of 5,275 firms representing 47 countries. The sample is comprised of firms from 29 countries where the predominant language is a strong future time reference (FTR) language and 18 countries with a weak-FTR language. The maximum number of firm-country-year observations of the study was 39,956. This study employed multi-level mixed effects modelling as well as other relevant estimation techniques such as random effect panel regression, ordinary least square regression and two-stage least square regression.

Findings

This research empirically demonstrates that firms based in countries where the predominant language requires speakers to grammatically differentiate between the present and the future – known as strong-FTR or futured languages – engage more often in controversial marketing- and environment-related practices than those located in countries where the predominant language does not necessarily require grammatical differentiation between the present and the future (known as weak-FTR or futureless languages).

Practical implications

The findings are important for managers of firms with foreign subsidiary operations: top management teams of such firms need to be aware that their foreign subsidiaries’ propensity to engage in controversial marketing and environmental management practices varies depending on the predominant language those subsidiaries use. Also, firms located in countries with weak-FTR languages need to be more rigorous in their selection process when considering forming a joint venture or acquiring a firm in countries with strong-FTR languages.

Originality/value

The current research enriches the burgeoning body of literature on the effect of language on corporate decision-making. It extends the body of knowledge on the impact of language structure on firms’ inclination to engage in controversial marketing and environmental management practices.
Not all IT addictions are handled equally: guilt-vs shame-driven coping with IT addiction
Authors: Qahri-Saremi Hamed , Vaghefi Isaac , Turel Ofir
Published: May 2024

Purpose

We build on the transactional model of stress and coping and the appraisal theory of emotions to theorize how users cognitively and emotionally cope with IT addiction-induced stress, distinguish between the roles of guilt and shame in shaping the coping responses and their effects on one’s psychological well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

We test our theory via two complementary empirical studies in the context of social networking sites (SNS). Study 1 (n = 462) adopts a variable-centered approach using structural equation modeling to validate the research model. Study 2 (n = 409) uses Latent Profile Analysis to identify a typology of SNS users based on Study 1’s findings.

Findings

This paper provides a model of guilt-vs shame-driven cognitive-emotional coping with IT addiction and its effects on users’ psychological well-being. It also offers a typology of SNS users on this basis.

Originality/value

This paper sheds light on guilt-vs shame-driven coping with IT addiction and its consequences on users’ psychological well-being and identifies distinct classes of users based on their coping choices and their consequences.
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial performance and stability of Islamic banks
Authors: Ben Abdallah Mariem , Bahloul Slah
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the financial performance and stability of Islamic banks (IBs) in the Middle East, North Africa and Southeast Asia (MENASA) region.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 50 IBs across 13 MENASA countries. The data covers 11 quarters, starting in Q1 2019 and ending in Q3 2021, and are collected from banks’ quarterly reports. The authors proxy financial performance by three measures, namely, return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and cost-to-income (Cost/Income). For financial stability, the authors use two indicators: insolvency risk (log Z-score) and asset risk (ROA/SDROA). The methodology is based on the generalized least squares method estimation.

Findings

The results showed a significant and negative impact of COVID-19 on two performance measures of IBs (ROA and ROE) suggesting that IBs were significantly affected during the earlier pandemic. As well, the authors found strong evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on the insolvency risk and asset risk of the studied banks.

Practical implications

The study of COVID-19’s impact on the performance and stability of IBs in MENASA countries permits the banks’ regulators and policymakers to ameliorate the banks’ financial performance and reinforce their supervisory actions. Also, it gives them assistance to guarantee the financial stability of these banks in times of crisis.

Originality/value

This study provides significant financial information and policy implications for stakeholders involved in the banking sector in MENASA countries. Consequently, IBs must guarantee their profits and stability to ensure their competitiveness versus conventional banks during the period of crisis.
Organizational ethical climate: influence on employee meaning and well-being
Authors: Pandey Jayesh , Kumar Manish , Singh Shailendra
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The organizational environment can influence how employees experience meaningfulness. This study examines the mediating role of meaningful work between organizational ethical climates and the affective well-being of employees. We also test for the moderating role of self-regulatory traits in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Partial least squares – structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was employed to test the hypothesized model using responses from 430 working professionals. Recommended robustness checks were conducted before model assessment and hypotheses testing.

Findings

The findings suggest that a caring ethical climate is positively related to affective well-being. Meaningful work dimensions, i.e. unity with others, inspiration and balancing tensions partially mediate the relationship between the caring climate and affective well-being. Integrity with self and balancing tensions fully mediate the negative effect of an instrumental climate on affective well-being. Positive mediation of unity with others and negative mediation of reality were observed between a law and code climate and affective well-being. Moderating effects of self- and other-orientation and self-monitoring were also observed.

Research limitations/implications

The study presents significant insights, however, a few limitations must be discussed. The study has relied on cross-sectional data which may be addressed in future studies.

Practical implications

In times when organizations are spending in large amounts in ensuring meaningful work and employee well-being, this study suggests internal mechanisms that can bring positive impact in employees' work life. Leaders should assess how employees perceive the ethical climate of the organization in order to provide better meaningful work opportunities to the workforce.

Social implications

Having meaningful work and experiencing affective well-being are significant for a collective betterment of society. Meaningful work encourages individuals in identifying how their work if affecting the society. A affectively happy workforce is essential in building a mentally healthy society.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the investigation of organizational factors that help employees find meaning in their work. Based on ethical climate theory, this study highlights how organizations can redesign and modify their ethical climates to provide opportunities for employees to experience meaningful work and improve their affective well-being.
Factors influencing the purchase intention toward electric vehicles; a nonuser perspective
Authors: Samarasinghe Dinesh , Kuruppu Gayithri Niluka , Dissanayake Tharanga
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The demand for electric vehicles (EVs) has significantly increased in recent years, though some countries like Sri Lanka have reported the opposite direction compared to the global trend. Hence, this study focused on identifying factors affecting EV purchase intention and barriers to the widespread adoption of EVs in a developing country context. Also, this study presents an overview of the theoretical perspectives utilized for understanding consumer intentions and adoption behavior toward alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs).

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire method was employed, and 394 individuals who lived in Colombo City, Sri Lanka, with valid driving licenses and a hybrid or conventional vehicle were the study sample. The partial least squares structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) was used to test the research hypothesis.

Findings

The findings confirmed that the three relationships between the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) variables and EV purchase intention are significant, and there is no significant moderator effect from the consumer’s perceived risk.

Originality/value

These results offer useful information for governments and EV companies to better understand consumer behavior toward purchasing EVs.
Enabling older employees' well‐being through HR attributions: The moderating role of management context
Authors: Aksoy Eda , Marcus Justin
Published: May 2024

Fusing the extant literature on successful aging at work (SAW) and HR attributions, we examined the confluence of employee‐oriented internal HR attributions and unit‐level employee management context on burnout for employees across the age spectrum. Time‐lagged, multi‐level survey data were collected from a sample of 1762 blue‐collar employees from 178 work units at the manufacturing plants of a large firm operating in the Turkish energy industry, which is characterized as a high‐risk safety environment. A cross‐level moderated mediation model was tested using multi‐level structural equation modeling (MSEM). Results supported study hypotheses such that the negative association between age and burnout was mediated by employee‐oriented positive HR attributions, and this indirect association was moderated by unit‐level perceptions of the employee management context. Development‐oriented contexts that emphasized personal development/growth—indicated by the degree of emphasis on innovation strategy, safety training, and active unit safety leadership—weakened the negative indirect (i.e., buffering) effect of age on burnout via less positive HR attributions. Conversely, a maintenance‐oriented context that emphasized maintaining the status quo—indicated by passive unit safety leadership—strengthened said effect through more positive HR attributions. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings for fostering employee well‐being across the age spectrum are discussed.
Potential of polyphenols from Ligustrum robustum (Rxob.) Blume on enhancing the quality of starchy food during frying
Authors: Gao Hao‐Xiang , Chen Nan , He Qiang , Shi Bi , Zeng Wei‐Cai
Published: May 2024

The increasing concerns about health have led to a growing demand for high‐quality fried foods. The potential uses of Ligustrum robustum (Rxob.) Blume, a traditional tea in China, as natural additives to enhance the quality of starchy food during frying was studied. Results indicated that L. robustum polyphenols extract (LREs) could improve the quality of fried starchy food, according to the tests of color, moisture content, oil content, texture property, and volatile flavor. The in vitro digestion results demonstrated that LRE reduced the final glucose content from 11.35 ± 0.17 to 10.80 ± 0.70 mmol/L and increased the phenolic content of fried starch foods from 1.23 ± 0.04 to 3.76 ± 0.14 mg/g. The appearance and polarizing microscopy results showed that LRE promoted large starch bulges on the surface of fried starchy foods. Meanwhile, X‐ray diffraction results showed that LRE increased the intensity of characteristic diffraction peak of fried starch with a range of 21.8%–28%, and Fourier transform infrared results showed that LRE reduced the damage to short‐range order structure of starch caused by the frying process. In addition, LRE increased the aggregation of starch granules according to the SEM observation and decreased the enthalpy of starch gelatinization based on the differential scanning calorimetry results. The present results suggest that LREs have the potential to be utilized as a natural additive for regulating the quality of fried starchy food in food industries.

Practical Application

The enhancement of L. robustum polyphenols on the quality of starchy food during frying was found, and its mechanisms were also explored. This work indicated that L. robustum might be used as a novel economic natural additive for producing high‐quality fried foods.
Plasmid‐mediated horizontal gene mobilisation: Insights from two lactococcal conjugative plasmids
Authors: Ortiz Charneco Guillermo , McDonnell Brian , Kelleher Philip , Buivydas Andrius , Dashko Sofia , de Waal Paul P. , van Rijswijck Irma , van Peij Noël N. M. E. , Mahony Jennifer , Van Sinderen Douwe
Published: May 2024

The distinct conjugation machineries encoded by plasmids pNP40 and pUC11B represent the most prevalent plasmid transfer systems among lactococcal strains. In the current study, we identified genetic determinants that underpin pNP40‐ and pUC11B‐mediated, high‐frequency mobilisation of other, non‐conjugative plasmids. The mobilisation frequencies of the smaller, non‐conjugative plasmids and the minimal sequences required for their mobilisation were determined, owing to the determination of the oriT sequences of both pNP40 and pUC11B, which allowed the identification of similar sequences in some of the non‐conjugative plasmids that were shown to promote their mobilisation. Furthermore, the auxiliary gene mobC, two distinct functional homologues of which are present in several plasmids harboured by the pNP40‐ and pUC11B‐carrying host strains, was observed to confer a high‐frequency mobilisation phenotype. These findings provide mechanistic insights into how lactococcal conjugative plasmids achieve conjugation and promote mobilisation of non‐conjugative plasmids. Ultimately, these insights would be harnessed to optimise conjugation and mobilisation strategies for the rapid and predictable development of robust and technologically improved strains.
Diabetes and gastric cancer incidence and mortality in the Asia Cohort Consortium: A pooled analysis of more than a half million participants
Authors: De la Torre Katherine , Song Minkyo , Abe Sarah Krull , Rahman Md. Shafiur , Islam Md. Rashedul , Saito Eiko , Min Sukhong , Huang Dan , Chen Yu , Gupta Prakash C. , Sawada Norie , Tamakoshi Akiko , Shu Xiao‐Ou , Wen Wanqing , Sakata Ritsu , Kim Jeongseon , Nagata Chisato , Ito Hidemi , Park Sue K. , Shin Myung‐Hee , Pednekar Mangesh S. , Tsugane Shoichiro , Kimura Takashi , Gao Yu‐Tang , Cai Hui , Wada Keiko , Oze Isao , Shin Aesun , Ahn Yoon‐Ok , Ahsan Habibul , Boffetta Paolo , Chia Kee Seng , Matsuo Keitaro , Qiao You‐Lin , Rothman Nathaniel , Zheng Wei , Inoue Manami , Kang Daehee
Published: May 2024

Background

Evidence suggests a possible link between diabetes and gastric cancer risk, but the findings remain inconclusive, with limited studies in the Asian population. We aimed to assess the impact of diabetes and diabetes duration on the development of gastric cancer overall, by anatomical and histological subtypes.

Methods

A pooled analysis was conducted using 12 prospective studies included in the Asia Cohort Consortium. Among 558 981 participants (median age 52), after a median follow‐up of 14.9 years and 10.5 years, 8556 incident primary gastric cancers and 8058 gastric cancer deaths occurred, respectively. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to estimate study‐specific hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and pooled using random‐effects meta‐analyses.

Results

Diabetes was associated with an increased incidence of overall gastric cancer (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.06–1.25). The risk association did not differ significantly by sex (women vs men: HR 1.31, 95% CI 1.07–1.60 vs 1.12, 1.01–1.23), anatomical subsites (noncardia vs cardia: 1.14, 1.02–1.28 vs 1.17, 0.77–1.78) and histological subtypes (intestinal vs diffuse: 1.22, 1.02–1.46 vs 1.00, 0.62–1.61). Gastric cancer risk increased significantly during the first decade following diabetes diagnosis (HR 4.70, 95% CI 3.77–5.86), and decreased with time (nonlinear p < .01). Positive associations between diabetes and gastric cancer mortality were observed (HR 1.15, 95% CI 1.03–1.28) but attenuated after a 2‐year time lag.

Conclusion

Diabetes was associated with an increased gastric cancer incidence regardless of sex, anatomical subsite, or subtypes of gastric cancer. The risk of gastric cancer was particularly high during the first decade following diabetes diagnosis.

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Identification of a novel QTL for lean meat percentage using imputed genotypes
Authors: Ibragimov Emil , Pedersen Anni Øyan , Sloth Niels Morten , Fredholm Merete , Karlskov‐Mortensen Peter
Published: May 2024

Lean meat percentage is a critical production trait in pig breeding systems with direct implications for the sustainability of the industry. In this study, we conducted a genome‐wide association study for lean meat percentage using a cohort of 850 Duroc × (Landrace × Yorkshire) crossbred pigs and we identified QTL on SSC3 and SSC18. Based on the predicted effect of imputed variants and using the PigGTEx database of molecular QTL, we prioritized candidate genes and SNPs located within the QTL regions, which may be involved in the regulation of porcine leanness. Our results indicate that a nonsense mutation in ZC3HAV1L on SSC18 has a direct effect on lean meat percentage.
Frequency of RPGRIP1 and MAP9 genetic modifiers of canine progressive retinal atrophy, in 132 breeds of dog
Authors: Donner Jonas , Mellersh Cathryn
Published: May 2024

Variants in RPGRIP1 and MAP9, termed RPGRIP1ins44 and MAP9del respectively, are both associated with a form of canine progressive retinal atrophy referred to as RPGRIP1‐CRD and have both been demonstrated to modify the development and progression of this disease. In the current study both variants were genotyped in at least 50 dogs of 132 diverse breeds and the data reveal that both segregate in multiple breeds. Individually, each variant is common within largely non‐overlapping subsets of breed, and there is a negative correlation between their frequencies within breeds that segregate both variants. The frequency of both variants exceeds 0.05 in a single breed only, the Miniature Longhaired Dachshund. These data indicate that both variants are likely to be ancient and predate the development and genetic isolation of modern dog breeds. That both variants are present individually at high frequency in multiple breeds is consistent with the hypothesis that homozygosity of either variant alone is not associated with a clinically relevant phenotype, whereas the negative correlation between the two variants is consistent with the application of selective pressure, from dog breeders, against homozygosity at both loci, probably due to the more severe phenotype associated with homozygosity at both loci.
Obsidian hydration dating by infrared transmission spectroscopy
Authors: Franchetti Fernando , Neme Gustavo , Gil Adolfo , Salgan M. Laura , Rogers Alexander K. , Davenport James , Garvey Raven , Trofimova Olga , Ladefoged Thegn N. , Stevenson Christopher M.
Published: May 2024

The obsidian dating method converts the quantity of diffused molecular water within a near‐surface hydration layer to elapsed time using an experimentally derived diffusion coefficient predicted from the structural water content of the glass. Infrared spectroscopic transmission measurements on transparent archaeological samples record vibrational responses of water bands in the near‐infrared region, permitting determination of structural water content (OH), and the amount of diffused ambient water (H2O). In this application, the H2O water band at 5200 cm−1 is measured directly. The accuracy of the approach is assessed by an evaluation of the precision of each contributing variable. The new protocol is evaluated using obsidian artifacts from radiocarbon‐dated deposits at Salamanca Cave in Argentina.
Glial modulators as novel therapeutics for comorbid pain and opioid use disorder
Authors: Schwartz Elizabeth K. C. , De Aquino Joao P. , Sofuoglu Mehmet
Published: May 2024

Chronic pain and opioid use disorder (OUD) are major public health problems, with rising opioid‐related overdose deaths linked to increased opioid prescriptions for pain management. Novel treatment approaches for these commonly comorbid disorders are needed. Growing evidence supports a role for glial activation for both chronic pain and substance use disorders, including OUD. This review provides an overview of glial modulators as a novel treatment approach for comorbid pain and OUD. We aim to synthesize clinical studies investigating the efficacy of glial modulators in treating these comorbid disorders. We conducted a literature search of PubMed and Google Scholar databases in October 2023 to identify relevant clinical trials. The included studies varied in terms of patient population, study methodology and outcomes assessed, and were often limited by small sample sizes and other methodological issues. Additionally, several glial modulators have yet to be studied for chronic pain and OUD. Despite these limitations, these studies yielded positive signals that merit further investigation. Both chronic pain and OUD remain significant public health problems, with many treatment challenges. Glial modulators continue to hold promise as novel therapeutics for comorbid pain and OUD, given positive indications that they can improve pain measures, and reduce addiction‐related outcomes. As our understanding of the mechanisms underlying the contributions of glial modulators to pain and addiction behaviours deepens, we will be better equipped to identify more specific therapeutic targets for chronic pain and OUD.
The efficacy of lamotrigine in bipolar disorder: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Haenen N. , Kamperman A. M. , Prodan A. , Nolen W. A. , Boks M. P. , Wesseloo R.
Published: May 2024

Objective

To provide up‐to‐date clinical guidance on the efficacy of lamotrigine in bipolar disorder (BD).

Methods

Eligible studies were identified during a systematic literature search according to PRISMA‐guidelines. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and cohort studies that quantitatively assessed lamotrigine's efficacy in BD. We divided the included studies into three groups: 1. acute treatment of depression, 2. acute treatment of mania and hypomania, and 3. maintenance treatment. Analyses were stratified by control group (placebo vs active comparator) and treatment strategy (monotherapy vs add‐on treatment).

Results

We included 20 RCTs (n = 1166 lamotrigine users) and 20 cohort studies (n = 11,141 lamotrigine users). Twenty‐four of these studies were included in meta‐analyses. During depressive episodes, greater decreases in depressive symptomatology were associated with initiation of lamotrigine as add‐on treatment than with placebo (SMD −0.30 [95% CI = −0.51, −0.10], df = 3, p = 0.004). Decreases in depressive symptomatology did not differ significantly between lamotrigine and the active comparator (SMD −0.28 [95% CI = −1.06, 0.50], df = 3, p = 0.488).

As a maintenance treatment, lamotrigine was associated with a significantly lower relapse/recurrence rate than placebo (risk ratio (RR) 0.84 [95% CI = 0.71, 0.99], df = 2, p = 0.037). Relapse/recurrence rates did not differ significantly between lamotrigine and lithium (RR 1.06 [95% CI = 0.89, 1.25], df = 2, p = 0.513). A qualitative assessment of high‐quality register‐based studies found that lamotrigine was associated with lower hospital admission rates than other commonly used treatment regimes.

Conclusions

There is substantial evidence for the efficacy of lamotrigine in BD, specifically as add‐on treatment during acute depressive episodes and as maintenance treatment for preventing relapse and recurrence.
What makes a wine region worth visiting: Place and beauty in Okanagan Valley, British Columbia
Authors: Kuus Merje
Published: May 2024

This article explores the potential of Okanagan Valley as a place of distinctive wines and the tourism experiences that match these wines. By “distinctive” I mean wines with a sense of place woven into their production and marketing—wines that are called “terroir‐driven” in the wine world. My focus is not on wine production, but on place‐making and regional planning. The article is informed by geographical and sociological work on wine, but it accentuates the empirical over the conceptual to explore the long‐term potential of the Okanagan as a wine destination. Methodologically, the paper synthesizes academic and trade sources with primary fieldwork material, including participant observation in the region and interviews with wine professionals in British Columbia. It contributes to the efforts to forge an authentic narrative for the Okanagan as a place of wine.
The patterns in urine excretion and transvascular fluid exchange in human subjects during intravenous fluid infusion: A quantitative analysis
Authors: Curry FitzRoy E. , Michel C. Charles
Published: May 2024

Introduction

Investigations of responses of animals and humans to changes of plasma volume are usually reported as average responses of groups of individuals. This ignores considerable quantitative variation between individuals. We examined the hypothesis that individual responses follow a common temporal pattern with variations reflecting different parameters describing that pattern.

Methods

We illustrate this approach using data of Hahn, Lindahl and Drobin (Acta Anaesthesiol Scand.2011, 55:987‐94) who measured urine volume and haemoglobin dilution of 10 female subjects during intravenous Ringer infusions for 30 min and subsequent 3.5 h. The published time courses were digitised and analysed to determine if a family of mathematical functions accounted for the variation in individual responses.

Results

Urine excretion was characterised by a time delay (Td) before urine flow increased and a time course of cumulative urine excretion described by a logarithmic function. This logarithmic relation forms the theoretical basis of a family of linear relations describing urine excretion as a function of Td. Measurement of Td enables estimation of subsequent values of urine excretion and thereby the fraction of infused fluid retained in the body.

Conclusion

The approach might be useful for physiologists and clinical investigators to compare the response to infusion protocols when both test and control responses can be described by linear relations between cumulative urine volume at specific times and Td. The approach may also be useful for clinicians by complementing strategies to guide fluid therapy by enabling the later responses of an individual to be predicted from their earlier response.
Towards the standardisation of adult person‐reported outcome domains in diabetes research: A Consensus Statement development panel
Authors: Barnard‐Kelly Katharine , Marrero David , de Wit Maartje , Pouwer Frans , Khunti Kamlesh , Hermans Norbert , Pierce Jessica S. , Laffel Lori , Holt Richard I. G. , Battelino Tadej , Naranjo Diana , Fosbury Jacqueline , Fisher Lawrence , Polonsky William , Weissberg‐Benchell Jill , Hood Korey K. , Schnell Oliver , Messer Laurel H. , Danne Thomas , Nimri Revital , Skovlund Soren E. , Mader Julia K. , Sherr Jennifer L. , Schatz Desmond , O'Neill Simon , Doble Emma , Town Marissa , Lange Karin , de Beaufort Carine , Gonder‐Frederick Linda , Jaser Sarah S. , Liberman Alon , Klonoff David , ElSayed Nuha A. , Bannuru Raveendhara R. , Parkin Christopher G. , Snoek Frank
Published: May 2024

Diabetes is unique among chronic diseases because clinical outcomes are intimately tied to how the person living with diabetes reacts to and implements treatment recommendations. It is further characterised by widespread social stigma, judgement and paternalism. This physical, social and psychological burden collectively influences self‐management behaviours. It is widely recognised that the individual's perspective about the impact of trying to manage the disease and the burden that self‐management confers must be addressed to achieve optimal health outcomes. Standardised, rigorous assessment of mental and behavioural health status, in interaction with physical health outcomes is crucial to aid understanding of person‐reported outcomes (PROs). Whilst tempting to conceptualise PROs as an issue of perceived quality of life (QoL), in fact health‐related QoL is multi‐dimensional and covers indicators of physical or functional health status, psychological and social well‐being. This complexity is illuminated by the large number of person reported outcome measures (PROMs) that have been developed across multiple psychosocial domains. Often measures are used inappropriately or because they have been used in the scientific literature rather than based on methodological or outcome assessment rigour. Given the broad nature of psychosocial functioning/mental health, it is important to broadly define PROs that are evaluated in the context of therapeutic interventions, real‐life and observational studies. This report summarises the central themes and lessons derived in the assessment and use of PROMs amongst adults with diabetes. Effective assessment of PROMs routinely in clinical research is crucial to understanding the true impact of any intervention. Selecting appropriate measures, relevant to the specific factors of PROs important in the research study will provide valuable data alongside physical health data.
Once‐daily oral small‐molecule glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist lotiglipron (PF‐07081532) for type 2 diabetes and obesity: Two randomized, placebo‐controlled, multiple‐ascending‐dose Phase 1 studies
Authors: Buckeridge Clare , Tsamandouras Nikolaos , Carvajal‐Gonzalez Santos , Brown Lisa S. , Hernandez‐Illas Martha , Saxena Aditi R.
Published: May 2024

Aim

To investigate the effects of lotiglipron (PF‐07081532), a once‐daily, oral small‐molecule glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, in participants with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and/or obesity.

Materials and Methods

Two Phase 1 randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, multiple‐ascending‐dose studies were conducted to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of lotiglipron.

Results

Across the studies, 74 participants with T2D were treated for 28 or 42 days, and 26 participants with obesity without diabetes were treated for 42 days, following randomization to placebo or lotiglipron (target doses 10–180 mg/day, with dose titration to higher target doses). Most adverse events were mild (89.6%), with nausea the most frequently reported in both studies. There were no clinically meaningful adverse trends noted in safety laboratory tests, vital signs, or electrocardiogram parameters. In participants with T2D, lotiglipron resulted in dose‐dependent reductions in mean daily glucose. The 180‐mg dose was associated with least squares mean decreases from baseline in glycated haemoglobin (−1.61% [90% confidence interval {CI} –2.08, −1.14] vs. −0.61% [−1.56, 0.34] for placebo) and body weight (−5.10 kg [90% CI –6.62, −3.58] vs. −2.06 kg [90% CI –4.47, 0.36] for placebo) after 42 days; a similar magnitude of weight loss was seen in participants with obesity. The observed pharmacokinetic profile supported once‐daily dosing.

Conclusions

The profile of once‐daily lotiglipron with doses up to 180 mg, as observed in these two Phase 1 studies, indicated a safety and tolerability profile consistent with the mechanism of action, with dose‐dependent reductions in glycaemic indices (T2D) and body weight (both populations) after multiple doses. Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT04305587, NCT05158244.
Clinical photography and documentation after traumatic dental injuries
Authors: Tzimpoulas Nestor , Sotiropoulou Sofia , Tewari Nitesh
Published: May 2024

Clinical photographic documentation is recommended as part of the standardized clinical evaluation of traumatized patients according to the most current International Association of Dental Traumatology guidelines for the management of traumatic dental injuries (TDIs), published in 2020. The use of current technology such as mobile smartphones and the emergence of teledentistry for direct communication between dentists and with patients have increased the need to improve the knowledge and skills for contemporary clinical photographic documentation procedures at the dental office as well as at the accident site. The purpose of this review is to include findings from the available literature and discuss modern techniques, contemporary equipment, accessories and developments that can be used by both patients and dental professionals for proper clinical documentation after TDIs. Emphasis is given on the positioning and patient management based on the type and severity of the injury, and the selection of the appropriate technique. Moreover, the number and type of clinical photographs for each dental trauma scenario, the suggested timeline for optimal photographic documentation as well as legal considerations involved are also discussed.
The arousal level of consciousness required for working memory performance: An anaesthesia study
Authors: Osaka Mariko , Minamoto Takehiro , Ikeda Takashi , Nakae Aya , Hagihira Satoshi , Ito Hiroshi , Fujino Yuji , Mashimo Takashi
Published: May 2024

Regarding the stage of arousal level required for working memory to function properly, limited studies have been conducted on changes in working memory performance when the arousal level of consciousness decreases. This study aimed to experimentally clarify the stages of consciousness necessary for optimal working memory function. In this experiment, the sedation levels were changed step‐by‐step using anaesthesia, and the performance accuracy during the execution of working memory was assessed using a dual‐task paradigm. Participants were required to categorize and remember words in a specific target category. Categorization performance was measured across four different sedative phases: before anaesthesia (baseline), and deep, moderate and light stages of sedation. Short‐delay recognition tasks were performed under these four sedative stages, followed by long‐delay recognition tasks after participants recovered from sedation. The results of the short‐delay recognition task showed that the performance was lowest at the deep stage. The performance of the moderate stage was lower than the baseline. In the long‐delay recognition task, the performance under moderate sedation was lower than that under baseline and light sedation. In addition, the performance under light sedation was lower than that under baseline. These results suggest that task performance becomes difficult under half sedation and that transferring information to long‐term memory is difficult even under one‐quarter sedation.