bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of robotic working patterns on employee work life and job satisfaction: evidence from ethnic minority businesses in the UK
Authors: Razzak B.M. , Saridakis George , Georgellis Yannis
Published: August 2024

Purpose

By aligning the “Small is beautiful” and “Bleak house” theories, this study aims to examine how robotic working patterns affect employees’ working life and job satisfaction (JS) in Bangladeshi-owned ethnic minority businesses.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses information from 40 face-to-face interviews of employees from 20 Bangladeshi restaurants in Greater London.

Findings

The findings suggest that workers are treated as “robots”, consistent with the “Bleak house” view of small businesses in this segment of the restaurant and hospitality industry. Owners expect employees to perform multiple tasks, to assume many responsibilities, to work long shifts, without any holiday allowances. Consistent with the “Small is beautiful model”, the findings underscore the lack of written employment contracts and the emergence of acute staff shortages.

Practical implications

The findings can inform owner-managers’ decisions to refine their HR strategies and improve the work conditions of employees in ethnic minority-owned restaurants. The “Small is beautiful” model highlights five key interventions for improving ethnic minority business work quality: recruit employees with first preferences for restaurant jobs, introduce flexible work arrangements, formalise work, improve market research and tackle acute staff shortages.

Originality/value

The study contributes novel insights into the small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and job quality literature by offering new qualitative-based findings on the negative impact of robotic work patterns on work quality and JS in ethnic minority SMEs.
The role of digital adoption capability on hospital performance in Indonesia moderated by environmental dynamism
Authors: Binsar Faisal , Mursitama Tirta Nugraha , Hamsal Mohammad , Rahim Rano Kartono
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The adoption of digital technology has not been able to overcome the problem of patient healthcare service quality in Indonesian hospitals, especially in lower middle-class hospitals that are widely distributed in the regions, because its utilization has not been well coordinated. This research explores the influence of Digital Adoption Capability (DAC) on Hospital Performance (HP) for these service problems.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a quantitative methodology design approach. Survey data were collected from 285 leaders of class C and D hospitals throughout Indonesia, who were selected at simple random from March to August 2023. Data analysis was carried out using the structural equation modeling method with the help of LISREL version 8.80 software.

Findings

The research found a positive and significant influence of DAC on HP. Digital Leadership (DL) plays an important role in performance, both directly and indirectly. ICT Literacy (ICT) and Patient-Centric (PC) do not have a direct influence on HP but provide significant results through DAC. This research also found Environmental Dynamism (ED) factors that significantly drive the need to improve performance through digital adoption.

Practical implications

Providing insight into increasing the role of digital technology to connect healthcare workers and patients to produce safe and quality healthcare services in an ever-changing environmental condition.

Originality/value

This model is very important for the management of small hospital organizations in the context of adopting digital technology to be able to provide better services to patients and improve hospital performance.
Enabling hotel circularity via Industry 4.0 innovations for enhanced hotel performance: insights from Saudi Arabia and Egypt
Authors: Zaki Karam
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This research assesses the present condition of Circular Economy (CE) practices in green hotels situated in two leading Middle Eastern nations, Saudi Arabia and Egypt. Furthermore, it investigates the crucial impact of Industry 4.0 innovations in facilitating the relationship between the adoption of CE initiatives and hotel performance (HP).

Design/methodology/approach

Data from 59 green hotels in Saudi Arabia and 76 in Egypt were collected online, resulting in 400 complete forms, providing a diverse sample size suitable for PLS-SEM analysis using JASP software as a leading machine learning application.

Findings

The results demonstrate a notable correlation between CE strategies, including redesign, production, reuse and recovery in hotels and HP. Additionally, the impact of Industry 4.0 performance on the relationship between CE and HP is facilitated by four distinct CE loops.

Practical implications

This study offers practical insights into implementing CE practices in the hotel industry, aiding policymakers and establishments in enhancing sustainability and performance. Key stakeholders can use these findings to develop strategies that integrate CE initiatives, improve operational outcomes and align marketing efforts with sustainable practices.

Originality/value

This study is groundbreaking in its exploration of the relationship between CE and the transition to Industry 4.0 in the MENA region, analyzing the specific CE practices that contribute to high HP. The tested model expands on the Natural Resource-Based View and stakeholder theory by incorporating the critical role of Industry 4.0 innovations in the CE–HP nexus.
Enhancing business education: neurodiversity informed faculty development practices
Authors: Alstete Jeffrey W. , Meyer John P. , Beutell Nicholas J.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the importance of tailored faculty development for neurodiverse business educators. It focuses on how specialized support can enhance research output, teaching effectiveness and service contributions within the academic community.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper’s conceptual approach uses elements of autoethnography to inform and support prior theoretical and empirical work. An explication of how neurodiversity can be integrated into faculty development efforts is presented with emphasis on individualized support systems, empathetic mentorship and customized teaching and research support strategies to leverage often unrecognized abilities.

Findings

The research identifies that neuroatypical faculty possess certain strengths such as heightened problem-solving skills and attention to detail, which, when supported, can significantly enrich the academic environment. However, there is a lack of targeted support mechanisms for, and general awareness of, these faculty. The paper proposes modifications to existing faculty development activities, emphasizing general and individualized approaches to better harness the talents of neurodiverse educators.

Practical implications

Implementing the proposed strategies will foster an inclusive educational atmosphere while enhancing academic creativity, innovation and productivity. This approach also aligns with important trends in diversity and inclusion, promoting a more equitable and dynamic academic environment.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the field by extending the discourse on neurodiversity in higher education beyond student-focused initiatives to include faculty development. It provides actionable strategies to create inclusive environments that leverage the cognitive strengths of neurodiverse faculty, a relatively unexplored area in business education.
High among‐species variability in the context dependence of herbivory across disturbance, weather and topoedaphic gradients
Authors: Sutton Alex O. , Ratajczak Zak , Louthan Allison M.
Published: August 2024

Species interaction effects on populations can vary in both magnitude (i.e. strong vs. weak) and sign (positive, negative, or no effect). Context‐dependent effects of species interactions occur when the sign or strength of the interaction's effect on population growth rate changes across abiotic gradients.

We know that species can vary substantially in the degree of context dependence they exhibit, even across similar abiotic gradients. However, few studies have characterised context dependence of co‐occurring species, limiting our ability to understand the implications of context dependence for species interaction effects on community composition.

Using over three decades of data collected for 13 tallgrass prairie forbs at the Konza Prairie Biological Station, we parameterise density structured population models that predict population dynamics as functions of abiotic conditions and bison herbivory. We use these models to estimate the degree of context dependence in responses to bison herbivory for 13 species across three abiotic gradients: weather, fire frequency and soil type.

All species showed significant context dependence for fire frequency in the same direction, though with variable magnitude, such that herbivory increased cover with more frequent fires. Context dependence with weather and soil type varied dramatically across species in both direction and magnitude. For example, herbivory effects on 3/13 species were stronger in wet conditions, but herbivory effects on 5/13 species were stronger in dry conditions. Thus, context dependence exhibited by individual species, as opposed to effects of abiotic conditions on the relative abundances of species, could generate much of the weather‐dependent effects of herbivory on community composition.

Synthesis: Our work suggests that species can vary dramatically in the presence, direction and magnitude of context dependence, even when occurring in the same community and when considering the same species interaction (i.e. response to a herbivore). In addition, we find that context dependence could drive substantial variation in the effect of species interactions on community characteristics (e.g. composition) across multiple abiotic gradients.
Incorporating effects of habitat patches into species distribution models
Authors: Riva Federico , Martin Caroline Jean , Galán Acedo Carmen , Bellon Erwan Nicolas , Keil Petr , Morán‐Ordóñez Alejandra , Fahrig Lenore , Guisan Antoine
Published: August 2024

Species distribution models (SDMs) are algorithms designed to infer the distribution of species using environmental and biotic variables and have become an important tool for ecologists and conservation biologists seeking to understand the implications of environmental change.

Global datasets of environmental variables at resolutions of a few metres are increasingly available. SDMs fitted using such high‐resolution data allow researchers to investigate how local factors affect species occurrences at unprecedented fine spatial scales.

As the spatial resolution of SDMs increases, we see a critical need to consider the characteristics of habitat types within or around raster pixels. In particular, we argue that the effects of habitat patches (EHPs, including habitat area, habitat configuration, and habitat diversity), measured focusing on patches or landscapes, have yet to be fully realized in SDMs.

We provide guidelines to incorporate EHPs in SDMs. We explain why this development is important, describe approaches to properly conduct such analyses, and discuss pitfalls we foresee in testing EHPs.

Synthesis. Ensuring that SDMs incorporating EHPs are properly designed will be key to increasing model predictive performance and to understanding which environmental factors influence the distribution of species at fine spatial scales. At a crucial time for nature conservation, we foresee that this will be a key step forward to understanding and protecting biodiversity.
Thermophilic fungus uses anthraquinones to modulate ferrous excretion, sterol‐mediated endocytosis, and iron storage in response to cold stress
Authors: Li Shuhong , Wang Donglou , He Jiangbo , Liao Chunhua , Zuo Zhangxin , Li Shenghong , Niu Xuemei
Published: August 2024

To date, there are no real physiological mechanisms for iron excretion in eukaryote, and no physiological “actuator” that can control all the three fundamental biologic processes of absorption, storage, and excretion. Here, we observed that the accumulation of anthraquinones by Thermomyces dupontii under cold stress can achieve this process. Through mutation analysis, we found that mutant ΔAn deficiency in anthraquinones accumulated ferrous and total free iron due to adopting a rare lifestyle with no endocytosis but accumulation of membrane‐derived vesicles. Anthraquinone complement indicated that the vesicles in ΔAn could coat the extrinsic anthraquinone‐induced granules to prevent contact with the fungal interiors. Detailed chemical investigation on ΔAn led to characterization of a rare oxygen‐free ergosterene with unstable nature in air as the major membrane steroid in ΔAn, suggesting hypoxia inner in ΔAn cells, consistent with dramatically low oxygen‐consuming rates in ΔAn. A series of physiological and metabolic analyses indicated anthraquinones were involved in exporting ferrous and promoting formation of oxygen‐containing metabolites, including ergosterols for endocytosis and iron chelators for iron storage. Moreover, we found that both the anticancer agent mitoxantrone with well‐known‐cardiotoxicity side effect and the major terpenoid‐derived polycyclic aromatics from Danshen for treating cardiovascular disease showed potent ferrous transporting capabilities in human cancer cells. Our findings provide a novel insight into the underlying mechanisms of polycyclic aromatics in nature and pharmacology, and offer a new strategy for developing potential therapeutics and agents for membrane transport, iron homestasis, and anticold.
Geochemical Anomalies Identified by Multifractal Modeling: Implications for Mineral Exploration in the Ziyoutun Cu‐Au District, Jilin Province, China
Authors: MA Huchao , WANG Da , BAI Feng , LIU Meng , GONG Anzhou , HU Haiyan
Published: August 2024

The Ziyoutun Cu‐Au district is located in the Jizhong–Yanbian Metallogenic Belt and possesses excellent prospects. However, the thick regolith and complex tectonic settings present challenges in terms of detecting and decomposition of weak geochemical anomalies. To address this challenge, we initially conducted a comprehensive analysis of 1:10,000‐scale soil geochemical data. This analysis included multivariate statistical techniques, such as correlation analysis, R‐mode cluster analysis, Q–Q plots and factor analysis. Subsequently, we decomposed the geochemical anomalies, identifying weak anomalies using spectrum‐area modeling and local singularity analysis. The results indicate that the assemblage of Au‐Cu‐Bi‐As‐Sb represents the mineralization at Ziyoutun. In comparison to conventional methods, spectrum‐area modeling and local singularity analysis outperform in terms of identification of anomalies. Ultimately, we considered four specific target areas (AP01, AP02, AP03 and AP04) for future exploration, based on geochemical anomalies and favorable geological factors. Within AP01 and AP02, the geochemical anomalies suggest potential mineralization at depth, whereas in AP03 and AP04 the surface anomalies require additional geological investigation. Consequently, we recommend conducting drilling, following more extensive surface fieldwork, at the first two targets and verifying surface anomalies in the last two targets. We anticipate these findings will significantly enhance future exploration in Ziyoutun.
Early Jurassic Climate Warming in Eastern Siberia: First Macrofloristic Evidence from Irkutsk Basin, Russia
Authors: FROLOV Andrey , MASHCHUK Irina
Published: August 2024

Numerous new records of Ferganiella, Podozamites, and Schidolepium, including a new species, Ferganiella ivantsovii sp. nov., are described from the Early Jurassic (Toarcian) Middle Subformation of the Prisayan Formation from the Euro‐Sinian paleofloristic region in the Irkutsk Basin, Eastern Siberia, Russia. An analysis of the paleogeographic distribution of Ferganiella and Podozamites shows that both genera were the most diverse and numerous in the East Asian province of the Euro‐Sinian region and in the Northern Chinese province of the Siberian region during the Early and Middle Jurassic. These phytochoria were located in the subtropical and temperate subtropical climate zones, which allows us to consider Ferganiella and Podozamites as thermophilic plants, which are important indicators of the Early Toarcian climatic optimum. Their abundance in the Irkutsk Basin thus may indicate Early Toarcian warming; further abundant Schidolepium cones, which produced Araucariacites pollen, typical for Euro‐Sinian flora complement the scenario. Thus, the new finds are the first macrofloristic indicators of the Toarcian climatic optimum in the Irkutsk Basin.
Changes in Calcareous Nannofossil Assemblages and Paleoenvironmental Interpretation of the Early Miocene Lice Formation, Kahramanmaraş Basin, Turkey, East Mediterranean
Authors: KAYA ÖZER Caner , ORHAN Muazez Esra , TEMİZ Uğur
Published: August 2024

This study investigated the calcareous nannofossil assemblages in detail from the early Miocene aged Lice Formation outcropping in the Kahramanmaraş basin. The biostratigraphy of calcareous nannofossils was outlined and paleoenvironmental features determined. In 81 samples taken from three measured sections in the region, 17 calcareous nannofossil genus and 48 nannofossil species were identified. These calcareous nannofossil genus and species identified the Lice Formation as being in the CNM4 nannofossil biozone. The abundance and diversity of early Miocene calcareous nannofossil species varied in the measured sections, with the samples generally moderate‐poor, apart from a few samples. The relative abundance of individuals of Cyclicargolithus floridanus, Coccolithus pelagicus, Reticulofenestra hagii and Sphenolithus moriformis species, with paleoecological importance identified in the study region, indicate that in early Miocene times, the basin in which the Lice Formation deposited was meso‐eutrophic with excess nutrient input, temperate and generally stable shallow marine conditions.
Hydro‐uvarovite from Mantle Peridotites of Naga Hills Ophiolite: A Mineral Tracer for Neo‐Tethyan Mantle Wedge Metasomatism
Authors: VERENCAR Anisha , SAHA Abhishek , SORCAR Nilanjana , GANGULY Sohini , KUMAR Pankaj , SINGH Atul Kumar
Published: August 2024

Hydrous Cr‐bearing uvarovite garnets are rare in natural occurrences and belong to the ugrandite series and exist in binary solid solutions with grossular and andradite garnets. Here, we report the occurrence of hydrous uvarovite garnet having Cr2O3 upto 19.66 wt% and CaO of 32.12–35.14 wt% in the serpentinized mantle peridotites of Naga Hills Ophiolite (NHO), India. They occur in association with low‐Cr diopsides. They are enriched in LILE (Ba, Sr), LREEs, with fractionating LREE‐MREE [avg. (La/Sm)N = 2.16] with flat MREE/HREE patterns [avg. (Sm/Yb)N = 0.95]. Raman spectra indicate the presence of hydroxyl (OH–) peaks from 3500 to 3700 cm–1. Relative abundances in fluid mobile elements and their close association with clinopyroxenes are suggestive of the formation of uvarovite garnets through low temperature metasomatic alteration of low‐Cr diopsides by hydrothermal slab fluids. The high LREE concentration and absence of Eu anomaly in the garnet further attest to alkaline nature of the transporting slab dehydrated fluid rather the involvement of low‐pH solution. The chemical characteristics of the hydroxyl bearing uvarovite hosted by the mantle peridotite of NHO deviate from the classical features of uvarovite garnet, and their origin is attributed to the fluid‐induced metasomatism of the sub arc mantle wedge in a suprasubduction zone regime.
A Novel Three‐stage Tectonic Model for Mississippi Valley‐type Zn‐Pb Deposits in Orogenic Fold‐and‐Thrust Belts
Authors: SONG Yucai
Published: August 2024

Mississippi Valley‐type (MVT) Zn‐Pb deposits predominantly form within both orogenic forelands and fold‐and‐thrust belts, yet the mineralization process within the latter tectonic setting remains inadequately understood. This study, through a comprehensive review of MVT deposits across global fold‐and‐thrust belts, introduces a novel model elucidating the mineralization process in the context of tectonic belt evolution. It is demonstrated that during the stage I, regional compression is introduced by early stages of plate convergence, causing the folding and thrusting and creating structural or lithological traps such as evaporite diapirs and unconformity‐related carbonate dissolution‐collapse structures. Thereafter, in stage II, hydrocarbons begin to migrate and accumulate within these traps, where reduced sulfur is generated through thermochemical or bacterial sulfate reduction concurrent with or preceding Zn‐Pb mineralization. In the subsequent stage III, as plate convergence persists, the regional stress transitions from compression to transpression or extension. Under these conditions, steeply‐dipping extensional faults are generated, facilitating the ascent of metalliferous brines into early‐formed structural or lithological traps. Precipitation of Zn and Pb sulfides occurs through the mixing of Zn‐Pb‐transporting fluids with pre‐existing reduced sulfur or by interaction with hydrocarbons.
Effects of Intracratonic Strike‐slip Fault on the Differentiation of Carbonate Microfacies: A Case Study of a Permian Platform Margin in the Sichuan Basin (SW China)
Authors: LIU Jiawei , WU Guanghui , TANG Qingsong , WU Yonghong , ZHANG Wenjin , ZHAO Zhongyu
Published: August 2024

In intracratnoic basins, the effect of strike‐slip faults on sedimentary microfacies is generally underestimated due to their small scale. Based on the integration of core, well logs, and three‐dimensional seismic data, this study presents a comprehensive analysis of the Permian carbonate platform and strike‐slip faults in the southwestern Kaijiang‐Liangping trough of the Sichuan Basin. The relationship between strike‐slip faults and Permian carbonate microfacies is investigated. The results reveals the existence of a NW‐trending strike‐slip fault zone along the platform margin, exhibiting clear segmentation. The western side of the study area exhibits a rimmed platform margin characterized by type I reefs, which corresponds to the presence of a large‐scale strike‐slip fault zone. In contrast, the eastern side is characterized by a no‐rimmed and weak rimmed platform margin, accompanied by type II reefs, which align with smaller strike‐slip fault zones. It was found that the strike‐slip fault had some effects on the platform and reef‐shoal complex of the Permain Changxing Formation. First, the platform was divided by strike‐slip fault into three segments to show rimmed, week rimmed and no‐rimmed platform. Second, reef‐shoal complex devolped along the faulted high position in the strike‐slip fault zone, and separated by faulted depression. Third, strike‐slip faults can offset or migrated the reef‐shoal complex and platform margin. Additionally, the thickness of the platform margin varies across strike‐slip fault zone, which is related to the activity of strike‐slip faults. The strike‐slip faults affect the microfacies by controlling the pre‐depositional paleotopography. This case suggests that the strike‐slip faults play a crucial role in the diversity and distribution of carbonate microfacies in the intracratonic basin.
Phanerozoic Tectonic Evolution, Metallogenesis and Formation of Mineral Systems in China
Authors: CHEN Xuanhua , HAN Lele , DING Weicui , XU Shenglin , TONG Ying , ZHANG Yiping , LI Bing , ZHOU Qi , WANG Ye
Published: August 2024

The continental Asia is mainly composed of three major tectonic regimes, the Tethys, Paleo Asian Ocean, and West Pacific. It underwent multi‐stage plate convergences, ocean‐continent transformations, and subductions, collisions and/or collages, and post collisional (orogenic) extensions in Phanerozoic. Tectonic evolution of the Asia brings up a unique fault system and tectonic geomorphological features in the mainland China. Also, it provides a geodynamic background for the formation and evolution of metallogeneses and mineral systems, resulting in nonuniform distribution of tectono‐metallogenic systems and metallogenic belts. The spatiotemporal distribution of mineral deposits in China and adjacent areas exhibits periodic variation under controlling of the full life Wilson cycle and tectonic evolution, forming the plate convergence‐related mineral system in East Asia. Porphyry Cu deposits are mainly related to compressional systems in Paleozoic and early Mesozoic, and more closely related to post‐collision extensional settings in late Mesozoic and Cenozoic. Orogenic Au deposits mainly formed in post‐orogeny extensional setting. Alkaline rock related rare earth element deposits formed mainly at margins of the North China and Yangtze cratons. Granite‐pegmatite Li and other rare metal deposits formed mainly in early Mesozoic, related to Indosinian post‐orogeny extension. Tectono‐metallogenic systems provide important basis for the prospecting of mineral resources.
Predictors of substance use during treatment for addiction: A network analysis of ecological momentary assessment data
Authors: Serre Fuschia , Gauld Christophe , Lambert Laura , Baillet Emmanuelle , Beltran Virginie , Daulouede Jean‐Pierre , Micoulaud‐Franchi Jean‐Arthur , Auriacombe Marc
Published: August 2024

Background and aims

Ecological momentary assessment (EMA) studies have previously demonstrated a prospective influence of craving on substance use in the following hours. Conceptualizing substance use as a dynamic system of causal elements could provide valuable insights into the interaction of craving with other symptoms in the process of relapse. The aim of this study was to improve the understanding of these daily life dynamic inter‐relationships by applying dynamic networks analyses to EMA data sets.

Design, setting and participants

Secondary analyses were conducted on time‐series data from two 2‐week EMA studies. Data were collected in French outpatient addiction treatment centres. A total of 211 outpatients beginning treatment for alcohol, tobacco, cannabis, stimulants and opiate addiction took part.

Measurements

Using mobile technologies, participants were questioned four times per day relative to substance use, craving, exposure to cues, mood, self‐efficacy and pharmacological addiction treatment use. Multi‐level vector auto‐regression models were used to explore contemporaneous, temporal and between‐subjects networks.

Findings

Among the 8260 daily evaluations, the temporal network model, which depicts the lagged associations of symptoms within participants, demonstrated a unidirectional association between craving intensity at one time (T0) and primary substance use at the next assessment (T1, r = 0.1), after controlling for the effect of all other variables. A greater self‐efficacy at T0 was associated with fewer cues (r = −0.04), less craving (r = −0.1) and less substance use at T1 (r = −0.07), and craving presented a negative feedback loop with self‐efficacy (r = −0.09).

Conclusions

Dynamic network analyses showed that, among outpatients beginning treatment for addiction, high craving, together with low self‐efficacy, appear to predict substance use more strongly than low mood or high exposure to cues.
Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 and Huntington disease‐like 2 in Venezuela: Further evidence of two different ancestral founder effects
Authors: Paradisi Irene , Arias Sergio , Ikonomu Vassiliki
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The American continent populations have a wide genetic diversity, as a product of the admixture of three ethnic groups: Amerindian, European, and African Sub‐Saharan. Spinocerebellar ataxia type 10 (SCA10) and Huntington disease‐like 2 (HDL2) have very ancient ancestral origins but are restricted to two populations: Amerindian and African Sub‐Saharan, respectively. This study aimed to investigate the genetic epidemiological features of these diseases in Venezuela.

Methods

In‐phase haplotypes with the expanded alleles were established in seven unrelated index cases diagnosed with SCA10 and in 11 unrelated index cases diagnosed with HDL2. The origins of remote ancestors were recorded.

Results

The geographic origin of the ancestors showed grouping in clusters. SCA10 had a minimal general prevalence of 1:256,174 families in the country, but within the identified geographic clusters, the prevalence ranged from 5 per 100,000 to 43 per 100,000 families. HDL2 had a general prevalence of 1:163,016 families, however, within the clusters, the prevalence ranged from 31 per 100,000 to 60 per 100,000 families. The locus‐specific haplotype shared by all families worldwide, including the Venezuelans, supports a single old ancestral origin in each case.

Conclusion

Knowing the genetic ancestry and geographic origins of patients in Ibero‐American mixed populations could have significant diagnostic implications; thus, both diseases in Venezuela should always be first explored in patients with a suggestive phenotype and ancestors coming from the same known geographic clusters.
Examining collinearities
Authors: Shabuz Zillur R. , Garthwaite Paul H.
Published: August 2024

The cos‐max method is a little‐known method of identifying collinearities. It is based on the cos‐max transformation, which makes minimal adjustment to a set of vectors to create orthogonal components with a one‐to‐one correspondence between the original vectors and the components. The aim of the transformation is that each vector should be close to the orthogonal component with which it is paired. Vectors involved in a collinearity must be adjusted substantially in order to create orthogonal components, while other vectors will typically be adjusted far less. The cos‐max method uses the size of adjustments to identify collinearities. It gives a coherent relationship between collinear sets of variables and variance inflation factors (VIFs) and identifies collinear sets using more information than traditional methods. In this paper we describe these features of the method and examine its performance in examples, comparing it with alternative methods. In each example, the collinearities identified by the cos‐max method only contained variables with high VIFs and contained all variables with high VIFs. The collinearities identified by other methods did not have such a close link to VIFs. Also, the collinearities identified by the cos‐max method were as simple as or simpler than those given by other methods, with less overlap between collinearities in the variables that they contained.
Editorial: Have you asked your patients about their difficulties in paying the medical costs of their treatment?
Authors: Armand Abergel , Quentin Domas
Published: August 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kim et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18122
Letter: Algorithmic NIT approaches to identify advanced liver fibrosis in patients with MASLD: Authors' reply
Authors: McPherson Stuart , Dyson Jessica K. , Jopson Laura , Masson Steven , Patel Preya , Anstee Quentin M.
Published: August 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to McPherson et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18061 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18176
Adverse events associated with benznidazole treatment for Chagas disease in children and adults
Authors: Cruz Cintia Valeria , Rabinovich Andres , Moscatelli Guillermo , Moroni Samanta , González Nicolas , Garcia‐Bournissen Facundo , Ballering Griselda , Freilij Hector , Altcheh Jaime
Published: August 2024

Aims

Chagas disease (ChD) affects approximately 7 million people in Latin America, with benznidazole being the most commonly used treatment.

Methods

Data from a retrospective cohort study in Argentina, covering January 1980 to July 2019, was reanalysed to identify and characterize benznidazole‐related adverse drug reactions (ADRs).

Results

The study included 518 patients: 449 children and 69 adults (median age in children: 4 years; adults: 25 years; age ranges: 1 month–17.75 years and 18–59 years, respectively). The median benznidazole doses received were 6.6 mg/kg/day for at least 60 days in children and 5.6 mg/kg/day for a median of 31 days in adults. Overall, 29.34% (152/518) of patients developed benznidazole‐related ADRs, with an incidence of 25.83% (116/449) in children and 52.17% (36/69) in adults (odds ratio [OR] = 0.32, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.19–0.54, P < .001). The incidence rate was 177 cases per 1000 person‐years (95% CI = 145–214) in children and 537 per 1000 person‐years (95% CI = 360–771) in adults. There were 240 ADRs identified, primarily mild to moderate. Severe ADRs occurred in 1.11% (5/449) of children and 1.45% (1/69) of adults. The skin was the most affected system. A total of 10.23% (53/518) of patients discontinued treatment. More adults than children discontinued treatment (OR = 3.36, 95% CI = 1.7–6.4, P < .001).

Conclusions

Although 29.34% of patients experienced ADRs, most were mild to moderate, indicating a manageable safety profile for benznidazole. While optimized dosing schedules and new drugs are needed, avoiding benznidazole solely due to safety concerns is not justified.
Improving cefazolin exposure in critically ill children using a population pharmacokinetic model
Authors: Rivaud Clémence , Oualha Mehdi , Salvador Elodie , Bille Emmanuelle , Callot Delphine , Béranger Agathe , Bournaud Leo Froelicher , Rouillon Steeve , Toubiana Julie , Benaboud Sihem , Renolleau Sylvain , Treluyer Jean Marc , Hirt Déborah , de Cacqueray Noémie
Published: August 2024

Aims

Population pharmacokinetics (PK) models may be effective in improving antibiotic exposure with individualized dosing. The aim of the study is to assess cefazolin exposure using a population PK model in critically ill children.

Methods

We conducted a single‐centre observational study including children under 18 years old who had cefazolin plasma monitoring before and after a cefazolin model implementation. The first concentration at steady state of each cefazolin course was analysed. The optimal exposure was defined by concentration values ranging from free concentration over four times the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) for 100% of the dosing interval to total trough or plateau concentration under 100 mg. L−1.

Results

A total of 58 patients were included, of whom 39 and 19 children received conventional dosing or model‐informed dosing, respectively. Median [range] age was 2.3 [0.1–17] years old, and median weight was 14.2 [2.9–72] kg. There were more continuous infusions (CI) in the model group than in the conventional group (n = 19/19 [100%] vs. n = 23/39 [59%]). Compared to conventional dosing, model‐informed dosing provided more optimal exposure (n = 17/39 [44%] vs. n = 15/19 [79%], P = .01) and less underexposure (n = 18/39 [46%] vs. n = 2/19 [10%], P = .008), without increasing overexposure (n = 4/39 [10%] vs. n = 2/19 [11%], P = 1). Moreover, the time to C‐reactive protein decrease by 50% was significantly shorter in the model group than the conventional group (3 [0.5–13] vs. 4 [1–34]; P = .045).

Conclusions

Use of individualized cefazolin model‐informed dosing improves critically ill children's exposure. Further studies are needed to assess the clinical benefit of cefazolin PK model application.
Analysis of Depression and Anxiety Scores Following Initiation of Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in Adults With Cystic Fibrosis
Authors: Pudukodu Harish , Powell Margret Z. , Ceppe Agathe , Donaldson Scott H. , Goralski Jennifer L. , Sowa Nathaniel A.
Published: August 2024

Objective

Elexacaftor/tezacaftor/ivacaftor (E/T/I) has provided life‐changing pharmacotherapy for many people with cystic fibrosis (CF), but conflicting literature exists regarding the effect on mental health. While some reports suggest E/T/I may induce adverse psychiatric symptoms, others report improvements in mental health symptoms. To add to this growing body of knowledge, we retrospectively analyzed depression and anxiety symptoms before and after E/T/I initiation in adults with CF at a single large US CF center.

Method

Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7) scores recorded in a database were studied. Patients with scores collected before and after E/T/I initiation were included. Regression analyses described associations between score changes and age, race, ethnicity, sex, CFTR variant, and prior depression and/or anxiety diagnoses. Secondary analyses examined possible confounding effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Results

There was no change in mean GAD‐7 (0.5 ± 5.3, p = 0.41) or PHQ‐9 (−0.02 ± 6.0, p = 0.97) scores following initiation of E/T/I (N = 86). A trend between a prior diagnosis of depression and worsening in PHQ‐9 post‐E/T/I was observed (OR 3.58; p = 0.054).

Conclusions

Treatment with E/T/I does not lead to changes in depression or anxiety symptoms at the population level in this single center cohort study. A prior diagnosis of depression trended towards an increased odds of worsening PHQ‐9 scores after E/T/I initiation.
Measuring the Impact of Postsimultaneous Pancreas–Kidney Transplantation Complications: Comparing the Comprehensive Complication Index and Clavien–Dindo Classification
Authors: Nian Yeqi , Hu Lu , Cao Yu , Wang Zhen , Wang Hui , Feng Gang , Zhao Jie , Zheng Jianming , Song Wenli
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The Clavien–Dindo classification (CDC) is commonly used for assessing postoperative complications; however, it may not be comprehensive. A comprehensive complication index (CCI) was introduced to address this limitation. This study aimed to compare the effectiveness of the CCI and CDC in evaluating the complications after simultaneous pancreas–kidney (SPK) transplantation.

Methods

Data were collected from patients who underwent SPK transplantation at our center between February 2018 and February 2021. Complications encountered during hospitalization were assessed using both the CDC and CCI. Linear regression analyses were performed to identify the factors related to postoperative length of stay (PLOS).

Results

Overall, 125 patients were included, with an average age of 46.87 years. Type 2 diabetes was present in 79% of the recipients. Among them, 117 patients experienced postoperative complications of CDC grades I (2.4%), II (57.6%), IIIa (8.0%), IIIb (9.6%), IVa (14.4%), IVb (0.8%), and V (0.8%) postoperative complications. The median CCI for the entire cohort was 37.2. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed significant associations between the CDC and PLOS and the CCI and PLOS. Notably, CCI exhibited a stronger correlation with PLOS (CCI: ρ = 0.698 vs. CDC: ρ = 0.524; p = 0.024).

Conclusion

The CCI demonstrated a stronger correlation with PLOS than CDC. Our finding suggests that the CCI may be a useful tool for comprehensively assessing complications following SPK transplantation.
Microvascular disease and its association with dementia in patients with type 2 diabetes: A nationwide cohort study in Taiwan
Authors: Yen Yu‐Hsin , Yen Fu‐Shun , Ko Fu‐Shun , Wei James Cheng‐Chung , Huang Yuhan , Yu Teng‐Shun , Hwu Chii‐Min , Hsu Chih‐Cheng
Published: August 2024

Aim

To assess the likelihood of dementia in individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D), distinguishing between those with and without microvascular diseases.

Methods

Leveraging the National Health Insurance Research Database in Taiwan, we identified individuals newly diagnosed with T2D from 1 January 2009 through 31 December 2014. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to compare the risk of outcomes.

Results

Individuals with microvascular disease had a significantly higher risk of all‐cause dementia (adjusted hazard ratio [95% confidence interval] 1.13 [1.09, 1.17]) compared with matched individuals without microvascular disease. In addition, individuals with diabetic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy were associated with a significantly increased risk of Alzheimer's disease (1.16 [1.02, 1.32] and 1.14 [1.03, 1.27]), vascular dementia (1.21 [1.06, 1.38] and 1.14 [1.02, 1.28]) and other dementia (1.11 [1.04, 1.19] and 1.10 [1.04, 1.16]), respectively, compared with those without microvascular disease.

Conclusions

This nationwide cohort study showed that patients with T2D and microvascular disease, particularly diabetic kidney disease and diabetic neuropathy, were associated with a significantly higher risk of Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia, other dementia and all‐cause dementia than those without microvascular disease.
Phylogenetic structure of liverwort assemblages along an elevational gradient in the tropical Andes: geographic patterns and climatic drivers
Authors: Qian Hong , Kessler Michael
Published: August 2024

Liverworts are an ancient plant lineage that occurs worldwide with the highest species richness in cool and humid habitats such as tropical montane and temperate rain forests. It has been proposed that liverworts originated under such temperate climatic conditions and have later expanded into more tropical conditions, but how this is reflected in their phylogenetic diversity along the strong climatic gradients associated with elevation remains unexplored. We studied the phylogenetic diversity of regional liverwort floras along the elevational gradient in the tropical Andes, comparing indices that emphasize deeper and shallower phylogenetic relationships, and relating these to temperature‐ and precipitation‐related variables, as well as to climatic extremes and seasonality. We found that whereas liverwort species richness peaks at around 2000 m a.s.l., richness‐corrected phylogenetic diversity increases with elevation, and the standardized effect of size of phylogenetic diversity is highest at 2500–4000 m a.s.l. This is in accordance with an origin of liverworts under cool conditions, followed by more recent diversification in warmer climates at lower elevations. We further found temperature‐related climatic parameters to be stronger predictors of phylogenetic diversity of liverworts than precipitation‐related variables, and climatic extremes to have a stronger influence than climatic seasonality. We interpret these patterns as reflecting the physiological challenges of adapting to low temperatures as well as rare occurrences of extreme climatic events. All this reveals a strong signal of the evolutionary dynamics of this ancient plant lineage linked with its physiological adaptations to climatic conditions. The age of this group and its poikilohydric nature, i.e. its inability to regulate water loss, lead to patterns that contrast with those of vascular plants, allowing for discerning evolutionary generalities that are independent of physiology and lineage age.
Inclusive Mission in Together towards Life in an Indigenous Naga Context
Authors: Longchar Sashimongla
Published: August 2024

“Mission from the margins” is an important concept to help move toward a renewed vision of ecumenical mission praxis. This article examines the idea of mission from the margins in the context of the Nagas, an Indigenous (tribal) people in Northeast India. The article's aim is to identify the main internal factors that drive the marginalization of the Nagas, such as geographical isolation, poverty and migration, ecological injustice, exploitation of identity, culture, and values. This marginalization will be addressed in conversation with the mission document of the World Council of Churches, Together towards Life, exploring the possibilities of inclusive mission for a just community.
Effects of thickness debit and stress concentration on superalloy DZ125 subjected to cyclic loading
Authors: Gan Yang , Yang Qinzheng , Zhao Yi , Hu Xiaoan
Published: August 2024

In this paper, the thickness debit and stress concentration effects of a nickel‐based directionally solidified superalloy were investigated through strain‐controlled low cycle fatigue (LCF) and creep–fatigue interaction (CFI) experiments. Compared to the fatigue lives of solid specimens provided in the existing literature, the results of this paper indicate that when the wall thickness of the specimen is reduced from 5 to 1.125 mm, the fatigue life with different strain amplitudes decreases by about 45%. When film‐cooling holes (FCHs) are introduced into the hollow specimens, the fatigue life is further reduced by about 25%. Based on the observation of the scanning electron microscope (SEM), the formation mechanisms of the thickness debit and stress concentration effects under LCF and CFI loads were revealed. Subsequently, two parameters, the “wall‐thickness coefficient” and “hole coefficient,” were proposed to establish a new fatigue life prediction method.
Exploring Healthcare Paradoxes in Hospital Haemodialysis—A Qualitative Study
Authors: Andersen‐Hollekim Tone , Hole Torstein , Solbjør Marit
Published: August 2024

Introduction

The complex logics of healthcare systems inherit paradoxes that can lead to interpersonal conflicts impacting both patients and professionals. In this study, we aimed to identify and explore tensions and conflicts arising from paradoxes within hospital haemodialysis.

Methods

We conducted a secondary supplementary analysis to previously collected qualitative data, including individual interviews with 11 patients and 10 nephrologists and focus groups involving a total of 13 haemodialysis nurses. Data were collected in Norway through three primary studies focused on exploring experiences of patient participation. For the current study, we employed thematic analysis.

Results

Patient–professional conflicts emerged in three fundamental areas: (1) the hospital haemodialysis treatment, in which patients' views of treatment diverged from those of professionals, (2) patient–professional responsibility that became a negotiation point, with differing views on responsibilities, and (3) time, in which professional time took precedence over patients’ time, indirectly impacting patients due to resource allocation. These conflicts stemmed from paradoxes driven by unevenly validated principles, conflict of interest, and conceptual ambiguity.

Conclusion

Altering healthcare logics by bringing in new perspectives or clarifying conceptual ambiguity could mitigate patient–professional conflicts. However, changing existing healthcare logics may give rise to new paradoxes and conflicts, which health services at various levels must address.

Patient or Public Contribution

This secondary analysis utilized previously collected data from a project that did not involve patient or public contribution.