bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Testing the function of widespread transcription of the testis
Authors: Kumon Tomohiro , Raz Amelie A , Fingerhut Jaclyn M , Yamashita Yukiko M
Published: January 2025

In many organisms includingDrosophilaand mammals, male germ cells, particularly spermatocytes, have one of the most complex transcriptomes, where a large fraction of the genome including noncoding DNA are transcribed. However, significance of this widespread transcription remains enigmatic. Through the study of satellite DNA transcription inDrosophilaspermatocytes as a representational model for widespread transcription, we propose that transcription is required to remodel chromatin in preparation for sperm DNA packaging. We identified HP2, a known heterochromatin protein, as being required for transcription of AAGAG satellite DNA. HP2 depletion led to retention of heterochromatin marks in post-meiotic spermatids and subsequent failure in histone-to-protamine transition. Strikingly, spermatids with less AAGAG satellite DNA can develop normally even when AAGAG transcription is perturbed by HP2 depletion. Together, we propose that spermatocytes’ widespread transcription serves as a mechanism to facilitate remodeling of chromatin to prepare for sperm DNA packaging.
Decoding Gene Networks Controlling Hypothalamic and Prethalamic Neuron Development
Authors: Kim Dong Won , Duncan Leighton H. , Xu Jenny , Chang Minzi , Sørensen Sara Sejer , Terrillion Chantelle E. , Kanold Patrick O. , Place Elsie , Blackshaw Seth
Published: January 2025

Neuronal subtypes derived from the embryonic hypothalamus and prethalamus regulate many essential physiological processes, yet the gene regulatory networks controlling their development remain poorly understood. Using single-cell RNA- and ATAC-sequencing, we analyzed mouse hypothalamic and prethalamic development from embryonic day 11 to postnatal day 8, profiling 660,000 cells in total. This identified key transcriptional and chromatin dynamics driving regionalization, neurogenesis, and differentiation. This identified multiple distinct neural progenitor populations, as well as gene regulatory networks that control their spatial and temporal identities, and their terminal differentiation into major neuronal subtypes. Integrating these results with large-scale genome-wide association study data, we identified a central role for transcription factors controlling supramammillary hypothalamic development in a broad range of metabolic and cognitive traits. Recurring cross-repressive regulatory relationships were observed between transcription factors that induced prethalamic and tuberal hypothalamic identity on the one hand and mammillary and supramammillary hypothalamic identity on the other. In postnatal animals,Dlx1/2was found to severely disrupt GABAergic neuron specification in both the hypothalamus and prethalamus, resulting in a loss of inhibition of thalamic neurons, hypersensitivity to cold, and behavioral hyperactivity. By identifying core gene regulatory networks controlling the specification and differentiation of major hypothalamic and prethalamic neuronal cell types, this study provides a roadmap for future efforts aimed at preventing and treating a broad range of homeostatic and cognitive disorders.
A social media-based framework for marketing architectural design firms in Egypt during global economic downturn
Authors: Othman Ayman Ahmed Ezzat , Maarek Yara Ahmed
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The global economic downturn has greatly impacted the construction industry and architectural design firms (ADFs). Social media, however, provides a strategic avenue to enhance the visibility and resilience of ADFs. This paper aims to develop a framework integrating social media as an innovative marketing approach for mitigating the impacts of the global economic downturn on ADFs in Egypt.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative and quantitative research approach was designed to accomplish four objectives. The literature review examined the global economic downturn and marketing ADFs. Three case studies investigated the role of social media in marketing ADFs during economic uncertainties. A survey questionnaire was conducted with a representative sample of ADFs to assess their perception and application of social media as a marketing approach. Based on the above, the research developed a framework integrating social media as a novel approach for marketing ADFs in Egypt to alleviate the impacts of the global economic downturn.

Findings

The research explored the causes and impacts of the global economic downturn, focusing on marketing strategies and the use of social media in promoting ADFs. Case studies demonstrated that ADFs that utilized social media effectively succeeded in navigating the economic downturn and enhancing market performance, reputation and profitability. Data analysis highlighted “generating leads” as the top marketing strategy, followed by “attracting potential clients.” “Instagram” emerged as the most widely used platform, with “analytics and reporting” identified as the most impactful tool. However, “limited resources” was recognized as the primary challenge in implementing successful social media marketing for ADFs in Egypt.

Practical implications

This research developed a practical framework to navigate the impacts of the global economic downturn on ADFs in Egypt based on the findings of a literature review, case studies and a survey questionnaire. The framework practically detailed the objectives of the framework’s functions, activities, tools and techniques, involved personnel, needed resources and implementation mechanisms.

Originality/value

The research examined the causes and impacts of the global economic downturn, with a focus on how ADFs in Egypt use social media as a marketing tool and identified the implementation challenges. The study, which fills a gap in construction literature, developed a framework to help ADFs mitigate the global economic downturn effects. The framework offers a practical solution to improve the resilience and marketing of ADFs in Egypt by providing new insights into the architecture and construction sectors and adding significant value to existing knowledge.
Enhancing sales and operations planning maturity: an integrative model for food supply chains in global networks
Authors: Pacheco Diego A. de J. , Borgvardt Julie Hvid , Pergher Isaac
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Recent geopolitical and economic tensions have caused instabilities in food supply chains (FSCs), affecting their performance and integration. These challenges have significantly impacted the sales and operations planning (S&OP) processes of companies operating in global networks. However, there is a lack of clarity regarding effective strategies for enhancing S&OP processes in response to these supply chain challenges in different sectors. To address this gap, the purpose of this study is to develop and test an integrated maturity model that assists companies in this sector in assessing and improving their execution of S&OP processes in global supply chains.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a case study conducted in a multinational food company operating in a global supply chain in Europe, the results shed light on the role of S&OP maturity assessment in guiding focal companies into internal and supply chain decisions.

Findings

Findings suggest that the developed model has the potential to enhance the integration among actors in the FSC. Findings provide insights for developing supply chain solutions that align with the functions of the food industry and supply chain dynamism. The study offers actionable insights that address some limitations of the existing empirical literature, which has provided limited support for the role of S&OP activities in facilitating effective integration in FSCs.

Research limitations/implications

The study highlights qualitative benefits associated with S&OP implementation, enabling food industries to establish more realistic expectations regarding the outcomes of S&OP initiatives.

Practical implications

This study enhances the understanding of S&OP maturity phenomena in FSCs and provides practical insights for companies to manage the volatile conditions in this sector’s supply chains.

Originality/value

The paper makes a theoretical contribution by developing and testing an integrated model designed explicitly for FSCs, providing valuable guidance for decision-makers.
To give them a fish or a fishing rod? The impact of management consultants’ perceived power bases on managers’ development
Authors: Lachmi Rotem , Ben-Hador Batia , Brender-Ilan Yael
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Management consulting aims to enhance organizational effectiveness through manager development and empowerment. There is evidence that management consultants perceive themselves as leaders, but little research has been conducted on their power bases. The purpose of this study is to examine management consultants’ power bases to gain insight into their leadership and their perceptions regarding managers’ development.

Design/methodology/approach

Using qualitative methods, 40 consultants were interviewed, and a semi-structured interview outline was applied to identify their power bases and determine how their power base influences their leadership and managers’ development. Thematic content analysis was applied to analyze the data.

Findings

The findings indicate that management consultants have either a prominent referent or expert power base and that these two informal power bases affect consultant leadership differently: referent power leads to solving the managers’ problems, while expert power enhances managers’ self-efficacy and ability to solve their problems by themselves.

Originality/value

The study sheds light on an under-explored subject and contributes to both theory and practice; it extends and refines the connection between power dynamics and managers’ development as well as leadership theory and offers practical implications for the relationship between management consultants and managers.
Exploring trust and outcome expectancy in FinTech digital payments: insights from the stimulus-organism-response model
Authors: Alamoudi Hawazen , Glavee-Geo Richard , Alharthi Majed , Doszhan Raigul , Suyunchaliyeva Maiya M.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study uses the S-O-R theory to examine how trust and outcome expectancy influence usage and advocacy. It also analyzes the moderating role of trust in a low-trust society and the differences between low-trust and high-trust consumer segments.

Design/methodology/approach

Our analysis was based on a sample of 400 responses collected using a pre-tested survey during January–March 2023. Purposeful and snowball sampling techniques were used to select the study participants. The research model was estimated using the SmartPLS 4.0 statistical application.

Findings

The findings revealed that outcome expectancy strongly predicts consumer trust. While word of mouth was impacted more by trust than usage behavior, trust was found to be a stronger predictor of recommendation behavior of FinTech digital payment systems than usage behavior. We distinguished between consumers with low trust (“misbelievers”) and those with high trust (“believers”). We found that the effect of outcome expectancy on usage behavior was more substantial for “misbelievers” than “believers.”

Practical implications

The study’s findings have practical implications for business and marketing executives, regulators, FinTech companies and the banking and payment industry in designing strategies for gaining consumer trust, promoting consumer recommendation behavior and using FinTech innovations.

Originality/value

This research’s originality lies in applying the S-O-R theory to the digital payment context within FinTech. It examined consumer trust dynamics and outcome expectancy dynamics, particularly in the underresearched setting of developing countries known for their low-trust environments. Also, the study introduces a methodological innovation by employing multigroup analysis to “decompose” moderation associations, offering more profound insights into the influence of trust on the adoption and sustained use of FinTech services.
Do firms respond to foreign competitive threats with herding or dispersion?
Authors: Bitting Jonathan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine firms' response to product market threats from foreign competitors, specifically whether they pursue a strategy of dispersion or herding with regards to their product space and executive-incentive plans.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applies a two-stage least squares instrumental variable (IV) approach to address endogeneity concerns. The analyses apply to a sample of 9,719 firm-pairs from 21 manufacturing industries over the period from 2006 to 2015.

Findings

Firms attempt to distance themselves from their fellow incumbent firms when facing greater foreign competition, specifically with regards to their product descriptions and the incentives they provide to CEOs. This effect becomes stronger when industry peers are more likely to serve as material threats themselves.

Research limitations/implications

These results provide encouraging opportunities for future research about the long-run implications of dispersion in local industries. The survival rate tied to the observed strategies in this study, as well as general changes to industry structure are remaining questions of interest.

Practical implications

The observed responses by incumbent firms in this study offer insights for policymakers on tariff-setting, as tariff adjustments may influence the local product space. Additionally, the related shifts in CEO incentives inform shareholders' contracting decisions.

Originality/value

This study reveals that incumbents’ responses to foreign competition reshape local industry product spaces. Furthermore, this study sheds light on a new link between firms’ product spaces and management incentives.
Achieving efficiency and sustainability in digital retail supply chains: a systematic literature review and research agenda
Authors: El Bhilat El Mehdi , Hamidi L. Saadia
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The current research examines digitalization and advanced technologies operationalization as a central feature of logistics management for efficient and sustainable retail business model in supply chain management. This study’s purpose is to present the main retail practices enforced for retail supply chain (RSC) digitalization and to provide a comprehensive analysis of retail industry digitalization as a fundamental enabler of achieving RSC efficiency and sustainability performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conducts a five-step systematic literature review of 110 published empirical research articles selected from SCOPUS and Web of Science databases taking in consideration the principle of the deductive research approach in order to build up a condensed and unbiased synthesis of retail industry digitalization in achieving supply chain efficiency and sustainability. Furthermore, the current research employed a multiple correspondence analysis (MCA) to decipher the subject regions from the selected keywords and to build a cluster to comprehend the areas that retail digitalization impact supply chain efficiency and sustainability.

Findings

The outcomes indicate that for retailers, logistics practices embody the main sources of inefficiencies that dampen companies’ productivity and competitiveness. The investment in digital innovations and technologies represents a considerable opportunity to differ from the high competition and optimize more their operational performance in terms of efficiency and sustainability through supply chain links integration, logistics operations optimization, costs and waste minimization, resources management and customer behavior.

Practical implications

Numerous points have shed light on retail managers, digital officers and related partitioners for a deep and holistic comprehension of the digital transition of their firms’ business model and how can this transformation assist in achieving challenging issues faced by every industry which is maintaining operational sustainable efficiency. This framework could be used as a decision-making tool and develop a wide vision for every partner of the RSC on the potentials and opportunities that Industry 4.0 technologies can provide to address costs and resources management issues and to coordinate the corresponding investment efforts.

Originality/value

The traditional retail ecosystem in called into question facing today’s business world changes. This research contribution resides in the fact that it is one of the few research projects to concentrate on conceptualizing digitalization of logistics operations in RSC from for the effective retail processes improvement both from the efficiency and sustainability perspective.
Organizational readiness for issue polarization: how corporate political engagement can optimize organization-stakeholder issue discussion in social media environment
Authors: Lu Xuerong , Zhao Wenqing , van der Meer Toni G.L.A. , Jin Yan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

As a sticky crisis challenge, toxic polarization continues to mutate and confront organizations and democratic society. How corporations engage stakeholders in social-political issue communication without exacerbating the situation unexpectedly, has become a critical question for corporate communicators and crisis managers. Taking a readiness approach to proactively manage polarization-triggered threats as corporations are engaged in social-political issue communication on social media, this study examines whether and how corporations might contribute to alleviating socio-political issue polarization and facilitating stakeholder issue engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is a 3 (corporate political engagement approach: pro-issue stance vs anti-issue stance vs political CSR) × 2 (stakeholder comment valence: positive vs negative) × 2 (issue: gun control vs refugee immigration) mixed-design online experiment conducted among 1,589 US adults.

Findings

Our findings reveal both challenges and opportunities should a corporation choose to explicitly communicate its issue stance with stakeholders on social media: On one hand, it unavoidably increased stakeholders’ perceived issue polarization; on the other, the increased issue polarization perception seemed to motivate stakeholders to engage more in social-political discussion led by the corporation.

Originality/value

Our findings showcased what type of corporate engagement in controversial social-political issues is more expected in terms of its impact on perceived polarization or political discussion among stakeholders, contributing theoretically and practically to organizational readiness for social-political issue polarization challenges.
Analyzing the COVID-19 impact on Italian tourism industry
Authors: Lo Duca Angelica , Marchetti Andrea
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper attempts to evaluate how the Italian tourism industry has been affected by the COVID-19 outbreak in February and March 2020. Using monthly data, a mathematical model is proposed to calculate the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper calculates three metrics: the number of tourist arrivals, the tourist spending and the income. Each metric deals with two types of data: normal behavior and outbreak behavior. Data on normal behavior regarding the whole of Italy are used to calculate what would have been the trend of a given metric if the COVID-19 outbreak had not occurred. Data on outbreak behavior regarding a small part of Italy contains information about the COVID-19 outbreak. These data are used as a sample to infer the whole population of Italy. In all the cases, data are modeled as a variable sinusoid, where maximum and minimum peaks are calculated through linear or polynomial regression. The proposed model is compared with a classical model, i.e. the SARIMA model.

Findings

Results reveal that the COVID-19 outbreak significantly impacted the total number of tourist arrivals and total income, reducing tourist arrivals by 18.27% in February and 91.75% in March.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates an alternative methodology to represent historical data related to tourism and their prediction trend for the future.
Reimagining service provider influence: how they embrace and promote sustainability
Authors: Hickman Thomas M. , Stoica Michael
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to advance services marketing research by examining how credence claims, such as sustainability messaging, shape social norms and decision-making behaviors among professional service providers (PSPs). It introduces a typology of PSPs based on their integration of sustainability expertise and normative beliefs. In doing so, the study demonstrates service providers’ role in influencing brand recommendations. By positioning PSPs as intermediaries who translate sustainability knowledge into actionable guidance, the research highlights how credible eco-claims drive pro-social behaviors, underscoring the importance of services marketing in promoting pro-environmental actions and fostering societal change.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 467 veterinarians were contacted from across North America with the assistance of a major pet food supplier. Structural equation modeling measured the degree to which social norms, a belief in eco-claims and sustainability expertise shaped sustainability importance for professionals. A post hoc 2 × 2 typology placed professionals in quadrants based on eco-related factors, with sustainability-based brand recommendations analyzed based on their quadrant placement.

Findings

Social norms and sustainability expertise were instrumental in predicting the importance of professionals’ environmental stewardship. The typology determined that each quadrant of professionals reported significantly different likelihoods of recommending eco-friendly products to their clients.

Originality/value

This study introduces a novel perspective in services marketing by linking sustainability messaging to social norms and decision-making. It presents a unique typology of PSP profiles based on sustainability expertise and normative influences. By positioning PSPs as intermediaries who translate sustainability knowledge into actionable guidance, the research emphasizes the service sector’s capability of driving pro-environmental behaviors and advancing sustainable practices.
From words to action: SDG reporting insights in the Italian private sector
Authors: Maione Gennaro , Toscano Valentina , Burkov Ivan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to verify if information on sustainable development goal (SDG) measurements or achievements is included in nonfinancial reports, highlighting the most disclosed SDGs and the reasons behind their prioritization.

Design/methodology/approach

The collocation analysis and logDice measurement were performed on the 206 nonfinancial reports of Italian companies published in 2022.

Findings

Companies mainly disclose information on the SDGs they can easily influence through business activities (SDGs 8, 7 and 12) while focusing less on wicked problems, which are more challenging to measure and have less effect (SDGs 1, 2 and 16). The information in the reports is becoming more quantitative. It aims to measure companies’ impact on pursuing the SDGs, and a qualitative description of adopted corporate policies and actions complements it.

Research limitations/implications

Results highlight the need to urge policymakers to create a unified SDG reporting framework. The systematization of the reporting structure would assist enterprises in preparing their reports and help stakeholders compare the results of different organizations. It would prompt companies to improve their internal control activities, consequently positively affecting corporate accountability and the pursuit of SDGs. Furthermore, more training would be needed to educate businesses on the role they can play in all 17 SDGs.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the research is the first attempt to use natural language processing methods in SDG reporting studies. This allowed researchers to study the whole population available, neglecting the sampling process, not missing any data available and bringing insights nonexistent in research.
Dark and bright repercussions of COVID-19 pandemic on international business: a systematic literature review and future research agenda
Authors: Khan Huda , Khan Zaheer , Wood Geoffrey
Published: January 2025

Purpose

As a global pandemic of historically significant scale, COVID-19 and its impact on global business activities have gained significant scholarly attention in the international business (IB) domain. This study aims to review and consolidate the IB research findings on the COVID-19 crisis, considering both the literature on the dark and bright repercussions for firms.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors systematically reviewed and synthesized a sample of 87 scholarly articles published in major IB journals from 2019 to 2022.

Findings

This review paper highlights the important domains – including global value chains, digitalization and varieties of functional areas – that have been substantially affected due to the widespread disruptions caused by the pandemic. This study also discusses future avenues for extending the work on the dark and bright sides of crisis management.

Originality/value

Applying the overarching concept of the bright and dark sides of the COVID-19 pandemic, the authors developed a framework that highlights the important knowledge gaps and points to future research directions. This review also suggests the salient methodological and contextual avenues potentially suited for future IB research on the pandemic and similar crises.
Being heard versus being adopted: the consequential effect of two types of managerial responses to voice on voice and silence
Authors: Lu Qing , Jin Lydia Liping , He Yurong , Li Fangjun
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Managerial responses to employee voice have garnered significant scholarly attention. However, existing research has primarily focused on the factors leading to such responses while giving limited attention to their outcomes. In this study, we integrated two distinct managerial reactions, voice endorsement and supervisory responsiveness. We framed these reactions as employee voice experiences and adopted a model of proactive motivation to explore how these experiences influence subsequent employee voice and silence behaviors through two alternative pathways: role breadth self-efficacy (i.e. the “can do” motivation) and positive affect (i.e. the “energized to do” affective state).

Design/methodology/approach

Researchers conducted a two-wave field survey involving 215 subordinates and their 42 direct supervisors. A multi-level path analysis was used to examine the hypothesized research model.

Findings

The results indicate that employee experiences of voice endorsement affect role breadth self-efficacy. Role breadth self-efficacy, in turn, influences both voice and silence behaviors. In contrast, employee experiences of voice responsiveness influence voice and silence behaviors only through positive affect.

Originality/value

This study extends the scope of existing literature on employee voice/silence by introducing subordinates’ voice experiences based on managerial reactions as an additional predictor of their subsequent behaviors. Moreover, by incorporating a model of proactive motivation and employing its “can do” and “energized to do” motivations as two intervening mechanisms, this study underscores the distinction between having one’s voice heard and truly adopted.
How and when workplace bullying detriments job performance: roles of affect-based trust and moral disengagement
Authors: Duong Nhung Thi Hoai , Vu Giang Thi Huong , Hoang Chi Linh
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The study aims to explore the negative relationship between workplace bullying and job performance by considering the mediating role of affect-based trust and the moderating role of moral disengagement, drawing on the attribution theory and social cognitive theory.

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of 196 samples was collected from office workers who witnessed workplace bullying in Vietnamese enterprises by administering a structured questionnaire. The collected data was analyzed using partial least square-structural equation modeling analysis and the process module generated by SmartPLS4 to test the conditional indirect effect.

Findings

The findings confirm the negative relationship between workplace bullying and job performance, and this negative relationship is partially mediated by employees’ perceived affect-based trust. In addition, moral disengagement moderates the indirect effect of workplace bullying on job performance through affect-based trust in such a way that the negative indirect effect is weaker when moral disengagement is lower.

Research limitations/implications

The research has limitations because of the small sample size, cross-sectional design and omission of cultural factors.

Practical implications

The research findings provide valuable insights into establishing workplace bullying prevention policies and practical implementations to increase job performance by enhancing employees’ trust in organizations. The paper also suggests practices to promote employees’ awareness of moral values and introduce interventions or training to reduce the tendency to disengage morally.

Originality/value

This study is part of a limited number of research efforts delving into the underlying mechanism and contextual factors surrounding the detrimental effects of workplace bullying on job performance in a developing country. The findings have confirmed the conditional indirect effect, demonstrating that the influence of workplace bullying on job performance through affect-based trust hinges on the degree of moral disengagement present.
Quality assurance in civil engineering education: insights into program educational objectives (PEOs) in Malaysia
Authors: Ahmad Kamal Norashikin , Che Ibrahim Che Khairil Izam
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to assess the state and continuous quality improvement of program educational objectives (PEOs) for a civil engineering program at a Malaysian public university based on key elements contributing to successful PEO attainment under the standards of engineering accreditation.

Design/methodology/approach

This five-year mixed-method investigation, from 2019 to 2023, includes the six-phase PEO process: formulation, approval, implementation, evaluation, monitoring and closing the loop. Quantitative data were obtained through graduate and employer surveys, whereas qualitative data were obtained through document reviews such as minutes of the quality assurance meetings.

Findings

The program’s PEOs generally met their intended targets, confirming the hypothesis that graduates meet or exceed established norms. However, areas for improvement were observed, particularly in professional recognition and leadership. Seven foundational elements were identified as critical to the success of PEOs: collaboration, leadership, managing integrated or complex projects, designation, professional status, communication and lifelong learning.

Practical implications

This study provides a reference framework for other institutions offering civil engineering programs. It gives insights into how PEOs can be formulated, assessed and managed effectively, aligning with accreditation standards that emphasize monitoring specific elements at the institutional level to ensure quality assurance.

Originality/value

Addressing the limited research on PEO quality improvement in civil engineering education, this study presents a comprehensive, quality-assured process for managing PEOs. It identifies critical success elements, offering valuable guidance for institutions aiming to enhance graduate preparedness and meet accreditation requirements.
Segregation in hospital care for Medicare beneficiaries by race and ethnicity and dual‐eligible status from 2013 to 2021
Authors: Kung Alina , Liu Bian , Holaday Louisa W. , McKendrick Karen , Chen Yingtong , Siu Albert L.
Published: January 2025

Objective

To examine the extent of segregation between hospitals for Medicare beneficiaries by race, ethnicity, and dual‐eligible status over time.

Data Sources and Study Setting

We used Medicare inpatient hospital provider data for fee‐for‐service (FFS) beneficiaries, and the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care from 2013 to 2021 nationwide, for hospital referral regions (HRRs), and for and hospital service areas (HSAs).

Study Design

We conducted time trend analysis with dissimilarity indices (DIs) for Black (DI‐Black), Hispanic (DI‐Hispanic), non‐White (including Black, Hispanic, and other non‐White) (DI‐non‐White), and dual‐eligible (DI‐Dual) beneficiaries. DIs between hospitals were contextualized and correlated with population compositions and residential DIs.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We included 3177 hospitals with more than 250 Medicare FFS beneficiaries discharged per year. We cross‐linked data on hospital‐level patient race, ethnicity, and dual‐eligible status with geographic data and examined time trends using linear mixed models.

Principal Findings

Nationwide DIs ranged from 0.23 to 0.53. HRRs and HSAs generally had low segregation (DI medians: 0.08–0.19, highest among Black, then non‐White, Hispanic, and dual‐eligible beneficiaries). However, some HRRs and HSAs had moderate or high segregation (DI‐Black >0.30 in 19.1% of HRRs and 5.8% of HSAs; DI‐non‐White >0.30 for two HRRs with high American Indian/Alaska Native populations). Time trends indicated small declines in segregation from 2013 to 2021 (0.15%–0.30% per year; all p < 0.001). DI‐Dual correlated moderately with non‐White populations.

Conclusions

For Medicare FFS, we observe generally low and slightly declining levels of segregation across HRRs and HSAs, with notable exceptions. Improving race reporting and contextualizing select areas of higher segregation with their hospital and residential population compositions can help frame and understand health inequities. Interpretation of HRR‐level DI may require additional historical, demographic, and spatial context due to its potential to oversimplify, overstate, or obscure segregation. Future work should identify drivers and mitigators of segregation, including sorting patterns among health systems.
Socioeconomic Trends in Outcomes of Rehabilitation Among Patients With Systemic Connective Tissue Disorders in Germany: A Cross‐Sectional Analysis of Routine Data
Authors: Brzoska Patrick
Published: January 2025

Objective

Various demographic factors, including sex, socioeconomic status, and immigration status, have been linked to disparities in healthcare outcomes. Despite efforts by healthcare providers to address these inequities, interventions are not always effective. The present investigation provides empirical insights from Germany focusing on patients with systemic connective tissue disorders, highlighting the need for evaluated strategies to mitigate healthcare disparities.

Methods

A 10% random sample of 2006–2016 routine data on patients with systemic connective tissue disorders (ICD‐10 M30–M36) is used. The sample included information on 1819 patients. The primary outcome assessed was the persistence of impairment following rehabilitation treatment. Logistic regression models were employed to adjust for demographic confounders. Interaction analyses were conducted to explore variations in disparities across different time periods and diagnostic groups.

Results

Non‐German nationals were at 87% higher odds of impairment after treatment compared to German nationals (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.87; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.22–2.86). Furthermore, patients employed in semi‐skilled or unskilled positions demonstrated a 40% greater chance of poor outcomes compared to those in skilled occupations (aOR = 1.40; 95% CI = 1.03–1.90). Disparities in outcomes did not significantly vary across different years in which services were utilized.

Conclusion

The study demonstrates disparities in healthcare outcomes associated with various diversity characteristics. These disparities are likely due to the different obstacles that some disadvantaged population groups encounter in the healthcare system. To address this heterogeneity, diversity‐sensitive healthcare provision strategies need to be implemented.
Optimal timing for epinephrine administration in adult patients with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest: A retrospective observational study
Authors: Sakamoto Kenta , Yasuda Hideto , Shinzato Yutaro , Kishihara Yuki , Amagasa Shunsuke , Kashiura Masahiro , Moriya Takashi
Published: January 2025

Background

This study aimed to clarify the appropriate timing for epinephrine administration in adults with out‐of‐hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA), particularly those cases with nonshockable rhythms, by addressing resuscitation time bias.

Methods

We performed a retrospective observational study utilizing a multicenter OHCA registry involving 95 hospitals in Japan between June 2014 and December 2020. We included patients with OHCA and nonshockable rhythms who received epinephrine during resuscitation. The primary and secondary outcomes were favorable 30‐day neurological status and survival, respectively. A favorable neurological outcome was defined as a cerebral performance category score of 1 or 2. The time from emergency medical service (EMS) personnel contact to epinephrine administration was categorized in 5‐min intervals. We used the Fine–Gray regression to calculate the time‐dependent propensity score in each group. After risk set matching, we employed a generalized estimating equation (GEE) to adjust for within‐patient clustering.

Results

A total of 36,756 patients were included in the analysis. When involving timing variables and GEE, epinephrine administration significantly affected favorable 30‐day neurological status at 1–5 and 6–10 min, with risk ratios (RR; 95% confidence intervals [CIs]) of 9.36 (1.19–73.7) and 3.67 (1.89–7.14), respectively. Epinephrine administration significantly affected 30‐day survival at 1–5, 6–10, 11–15, and 16–20 min, with RRs (95% CIs) of 2.33 (1.41–3.85), 2.09 (1.65–2.65), 1.64 (1.32–2.05), or 1.70 (1.29–2.25), respectively.

Conclusions

Epinephrine administration within 10 min of EMS personnel contact may be associated with favorable neurological outcomes in patients with OHCA and nonshockable rhythms.
What is the impact of sports‐related gambling advertising on gambling behaviour? A systematic review
Authors: McGrane Ellen , Pryce Robert , Field Matt , Gu Shangshang , Moore Esther C. , Goyder Elizabeth
Published: January 2025

Background and Aims

Gambling is a public health issue and widespread advertising of gambling products may contribute to gambling harms. Sports‐related gambling advertising includes advertising around sports games or for sports betting products. This review aimed to provide the most systematic and up‐to‐date review of the literature on the association between sports‐related gambling advertising and gambling behaviour.

Methods

A systematic literature search of quantitative studies up to 13 February 2024 was undertaken following PRISMA guidelines. Inclusion criteria were quantitative studies published in the English language exploring the association between sports‐related gambling advertising and gambling behaviour. Traditional database searches (Medline, Scopus, PsychInfo, Web of Science, CINAHL and The Cochrane Library) were undertaken alongside citation, author and website searches. Studies were narratively synthesised, and the overall quality of the evidence was assessed using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT).

Results

Twenty‐two studies were included in this review covering traditional, digital, direct, embedded, inducement and aggregate advertising. The majority (n = 16) of research was undertaken in Australia on adult populations. Results suggest that sports‐related gambling advertising is associated with increases in perceived, intended and actual frequency of (n = 6 studies) and expenditure on (n = 3) gambling, unplanned or unintended gambling (n = 2), the likelihood of gambling (n = 2), the likelihood of using a sponsor's product (n = 2) and, in some cases, the complexity or riskiness of bets placed (n = 2). Studies suggest that the self‐reported effect may be more pronounced in higher‐risk gamblers (n = 7). Preliminary evidence suggests that specific inducements which reduce the riskiness or cost of gambling appear to be particularly influential (n = 3). Limitations of the evidence base include the lack of standardised measures and use of observational designs.

Conclusions

Exposure to sports‐related gambling advertising appears to be associated with increased gambling behaviour for a wide range of advertising media. This association may be more pronounced in higher‐risk gamblers who are already at increased risk of harm.
Pandemic Im/Mobility as Opportunity: Middle‐Class Asian Migrant Women in Australia
Authors: Ang Sylvia , Song Jay , Pan Qiuping
Published: January 2025

Studies on the impact of COVID‐19 on ethnic minorities are often centred around racism and socio‐economic inequality. Accordingly, people with Asian heritage are frequently portrayed as victims, rather than as people with agency. Drawing from interviews with middle‐class Asian migrant women, we examine the various im/mobilities Asian migrant women experienced during the pandemic: in the public/private sphere, from urban to regional cities, in intimacies and as international students. Our research demonstrated how Asian female migrants empowered themselves during the pandemic by becoming mobile in multiple ways. Certainly, the study's participants did encounter immobility. However, their circumstances benefitted significantly from their middle‐class status, relatively young age and independent visa status. The study's attention to participants' lives before and during the pandemic also enabled insight into the relationality of im/mobility: how even as the pandemic immobilised many people, it could mobilise middle‐class Asian migrant women to reconfigure the pandemic as opportunity.
Determining firing temperature of clay‐based archaeological materials with FTIR absorptivity method
Authors: Gao Yi , Liu Siran , Sun Zhenfei
Published: January 2025

FTIR analysis has been proven to be a useful tool in measuring the firing temperature of archaeological sediments and ceramics. A recent development of this method is the finding of a negative correlation between absorptivity of 1030 cm−1 band and the firing temperatures. With potassium ferricyanide (K3[Fe (CN)6]) added as an internal standard, the 1030 cm−1 absorptivity can be measured quantitatively to reflect firing temperature of samples. However, the following investigations show that the 1030 cm−1 absorptivity can also be influenced by a series of other factors including homogeneity of sample, the mixing duration between sample, internal standard, and KBr, as well as grinding time of sample and internal standard. This research quantifies the influence of these factors and recommends the best practice for using this method. The heat‐induced absorptivity change of characteristic bands of archaeological clay‐based materials is then monitored, revealing that 1030 cm−1 band was the most optimal temperature indicator. Based on a series of Kruskal‐Wallis one‐way analyses, it is determined that for samples fired over 400°C, the absorptivity ratio of 1030 cm−1/778 cm−1 can be used to estimate its original firing temperature. However, for those fired below 400°C, K3[Fe (CN)6] has to be added and the ratio of 1030 cm−1/2117 cm−1 is more proper for quantifying its original firing temperature. The sediments from two different sites were then artificially fired to varied temperatures and tested following the analytical protocol established in this research. The results demonstrate the high accuracy of this method and its great potential in future study of ancient pyrotechnologies.
Para‐aminopropiophenone toxicity in domestic dogs: a description of non‐target toxicosis in Victoria, Australia: 13 dogs (2016–2023)
Authors: Llewellyn R , Cotela J , Lauinger C , Blevins M , Tudor A , Ray M , Ciaravolo S , Tudor E
Published: January 2025

Background

PAPP is widely used in Australia as a potent vertebrate bait, with potential for off‐target ingestion and poisoning in domestic dogs. Whilst toxicosis and resulting methaemoglobinaemia is anecdotally known to occur, this is the first description in the literature. This study reports thirteen clinical cases of suspected Para‐aminopropiophenone (PAPP) toxicity in dogs, with the aim of describing clinical presentation and current management of toxicosis in this species.

Case report

Three veterinary clinics in Victoria provided records of dogs where PAPP toxicity was the likely diagnosis (considering regional exposure, historical information and clinicopathological findings). Pertinent case data was described, and inferences made, based on commonalities and differences. Acute collapse, vomiting and cyanotic or brown mucous membranes were the most common presenting complaints. Marker beads associated with bait were identified in stomach contents from two dogs. All dogs received intravenous methylene blue (MB) with a mean initial dose of 3.8 mg/kg. A higher initial dose of MB (5mg/kg) was associated with a more rapid decline in methaemoglobin concentration. The mean hospitalisation time was 1.6 days with a 77% survival to discharge.

Conclusions

This case series enhances our understanding of the clinical presentation of PAPP toxicity in dogs, and response to treatment with MB. It highlights the consideration of PAPP toxicosis based on clinicopathological findings, even when definitive ingestion (i.e. presence of marker beads) cannot be established. Furthermore, it contributes to our knowledge of MB administration and suggests a fair prognosis for survival of PAPP toxicosis with prompt recognition and treatment.
Pre‐disability resilience and well‐being following the onset of functional impairments
Authors: Spooner Mikaela , Elliott Timothy R. , Luo Wen , Lee Kelly M. , Williamson Meredith L. C.
Published: January 2025

Objectives

Tested the prospective relationship of a resilient personality prototype determined prior to disability onset to well‐being among persons with and without debilitating functional impairments nine to 10 years later. A resilient profile was expected to predict well‐being through its beneficial associations with positive affect, perceived control and social support.

Design

Longitudinal, prospective observation study.

Methods

Data obtained from participants with no functional impairments at the first assessment of the Midlife in the United States (MIDUS) project and who participated in the second survey (1147 men, 985 women at Time 1). Cluster analysis was used to create personality profiles at the first time point. Differences between resilient and non‐resilient individuals were examined. A structural equation model (SEM) tested the prospective effects of resilience on positive affect, perceived control and social support to well‐being.

Results

A resilient personality profile was identified, as expected (n = 877). Individuals with a resilient personality prototype reported higher social support, positive affect, perceived control, life satisfaction and self‐rated health at both measurement occasions than the non‐resilient group. The SEM revealed that a resilient prototype operated through the three mediating variables to prospectively predict life satisfaction, and through social support and positive affect to predict self‐rated health. These effects were independent of gender and disability severity.

Conclusions

A resilient personality profile prospectively operates through positive affect, perceived control and social support to predict well‐being following the onset of debilitating impairments. The theoretical and clinical implications of these findings are discussed, and limitations are considered.