bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women on Philosophy of Art
Authors: Stone Alison
Published: July 2024

This book is the first study of women’s philosophies of art in long nineteenth-century Britain. It looks at seven women spanning the time from the Enlightenment to the beginning of modernism. They are Anna Barbauld, Joanna Baillie, Harriet Martineau, Anna Jameson, Frances Power Cobbe, Emilia Dilke, and Vernon Lee. The central issue that concerned them was how art related to morality and religion. Baillie and Martineau treated art as a means of moral instruction, whereas Dilke and Lee argued that art must be made for beauty’s sake. Barbauld, Jameson, and Cobbe thought that beauty and religion were linked, while other women believed that art and religion must be decoupled. Other topics these women explored were gender and genius, tragedy, literary realism, why we enjoy the sufferings of fictional characters, the hierarchy of the art-forms, whether art can transcend its historical circumstances, and critical issues around the artistic canon. Examining the print culture that made these women’s interventions possible, this book shows that these women were doing a particular kind of philosophy of art, which was interdisciplinary and closely tied to artistic criticism and practice. The book traces how these seven women influenced one another, as well as engaging with their male contemporaries. But unlike their male interlocutors, these women have been unjustly left out of narratives about the history of aesthetics. By including these women, we gain a richer and more accurate understanding of the history of philosophy of art.
Joanna Baillie’s Theory of Tragedy
Authors: Stone Alison
Published: July 2024

Joanna Baillie rose to fame in 1798 with the first volume of her Plays on the Passions, which included her theory of tragedy, the subject of this chapter. For Baillie, all human beings have powerful and dangerous passions that we need to regulate. Tragedy can help, by showing us protagonists who fail to check the growth of a particular passion, such as jealousy or hatred. We witness the passion take over the character’s mind until he or she is destroyed. This offers a warning and motivates us to watch out for the growth of our own passions and keep them in check. Baillie’s theory of tragedy is original and combines moralism, voluntarism, and optimism, since the sufferings undergone by tragic characters could have been avoided had they made better choices. Tragedy’s message is not that suffering is inescapable, but that suffering can be reduced if we cultivate self-knowledge and self-control.
Harriet Martineau on Literature, Morality, and Realism
Authors: Stone Alison
Published: July 2024

This chapter analyses Harriet Martineau’s theory of literature and art. Martineau believed that art’s purpose was to instil moral lessons, and that art must be morally good to be good as art. In her essays on Walter Scott, Martineau argued that literature should ‘exemplify’ moral principles, using vivid sensory impressions to present moral facts in lively and memorable imaginary cases. In addition, literature should extend sympathy as widely as possible, to reach working people in modern industrial life. Martineau put these views into practice in her best-selling Illustrations of Political Economy (1832–34). However, different components of Martineau’s moral framework were in tension, manifested in certain limitations of the Illustrations. Nonetheless, Martineau remains important both as a pioneer of literary realism and as an exemplary exponent of aesthetic moralism.
Vernon Lee, Art-Philosophy, and True Aestheticism
Authors: Stone Alison
Published: July 2024

This chapter examines Vernon Lee’s engagement with the idea of art for beauty’s sake. First Lee argued that art cannot possibly be both beautiful and religious, then that beauty and goodness are essentially different and can conflict. However, she began to reconnect beauty and goodness on utilitarian grounds: pleasure is good, moral action aims to increase overall pleasure, and beautiful art gives pleasure and therefore has moral value. In 1896 Lee completely reconceived her position, arguing that experiences of beautiful art increase our sense of harmony, strengthen our altruism, and foster our individual spiritual development. The organic forms of beautiful art connect with our living bodies and, ultimately, with the organic unity of reality. Lee ended up with an original, metaphysical kind of aestheticism: art is for the sake of the greater beauty and organic harmony of the universe.
Domino Dancing: Mutuality of Obligation and Determining Employment Status in Ireland
Authors: Doherty Michael
Published: July 2024

It has taken a while, but what has been described as the first ‘gig economy’ case has been decided by the Irish Supreme Court. Although the case did not involve the use of a platform to organise work, it did require the Supreme Court to rule on the question of the employment status of pizza delivery drivers, all of whom were labelled as ‘independent contractors’ in the contracts between the company and the drivers. The case was taken by Revenue, which contended that the drivers, in fact, should have been classified as employees for tax purposes. The Supreme Court took the opportunity to present a long and detailed judgment on the correct approach to determining employment status, and, in particular, on the role of ‘mutuality of obligations’ in this consideration, with an extensive review of case law from the UK. This analysis discusses the case, with a particular emphasis on the view taken by the Court on mutuality of obligations in the context of ‘casual work’.
Experience Starting an Addiction Medicine Practice-based Research Network
Authors: Ibrahim Adila , Clarke Diana E. , Gibson Debbie , Casanova Barbara , Pagano Anna , Vocci Frank J. , Goldstein Amy , Patel Sejal , Rahman Nusrat , Schwartz Robert P.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This paper outlines the experience developing Addiction Medicine Practice-Based Research Network (AMNet), which promotes the adoption of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and measurement-based care in outpatient addiction treatment practices and creates a platform for quality improvement and research.

Methods

From August 2019 to July 2023, the AMNet team selected patient-reported outcome measures for implementation in the American Psychiatric Association's clinical data registry (PsychPRO), recruited addiction medicine providers, and collected PROMs data.

Results

AMNet selected 12 PROMs for implementation in PsychPRO. Through July 2023, 1565 providers expressed interest, of whom 216 of the 929 eligible providers (23%) attended an onboarding call/webinar. Two hundred six providers (95%) from 54 practices returned Participation Agreements. Subsequently, 65 providers (32%) from 39 practices withdrew, resulting in 141 (68%) providers from 15 practices. From November 2020 to July 2023, 38 providers submitted PROMs data using 1 of 3 PsychPRO patient portals. Sixteen of the 53 providers (30%) who signed up for the initial portal collected data from 468 patients. As of July 2023, 83 of the 141 providers (59%) opted to submit PROMs data from their own portal or electronic health record.

Conclusions

Next steps will include continued recruitment of providers, addressing barriers to data transfer and integrating data from providers' portals into the registry to create a platform for future research.
Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of the Incidence of Chronic Kidney Disease After Pediatric Critical Illness
Authors: Akinkugbe Olugbenga , Marchetto Luca , Martin Isaac , Chia Shin Hann
Published: July 2024

OBJECTIVE:

Survivors of pediatric critical illnesses are at risk of significant long-term organ sequelae. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a complication of critical illness (and ICU interventions) associated with growth impairment, cardiovascular disease, and early death. Our objective was to synthesize the evidence on the incidence of CKD among survivors of pediatric critical illness.

DATA SOURCES:

MEDLINE, Embase, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and Cochrane Register of Controlled Trials from inception to February 2024.

STUDY SELECTION:

Observational studies reporting the incidence of de novo CKD among survivors of pediatric critical illness.

DATA EXTRACTION:

Two reviewers independently extracted data on study design, setting, population, demographics, diagnostic criteria, and outcome.

DATA SYNTHESIS:

Meta-analysis was used to describe the incidence of CKD among survivors, risk of bias (RoB) assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Tool, and strength and reliability of evidence assessed with GRADE (Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluations). CKD was quantified as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) less than 90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (outcome 1), eGFR less than 60 mL/min/1.73 m2 (outcome 2), and end-stage renal disease (ESRD) as eGFR less than 15 mL/min per 1.73 m2 (outcome 3). Twelve studies (3642 patients) met selection criteria and reported at least one measure of CKD. The median duration of follow-up was 2, 3.6, and 5 years, respectively, for outcomes 1, 2, and 3. For each threshold, the pooled estimate of CKD incidence was 24% (95% CI, 16–32%) for eGFR less than 90, 14% (95% CI, 6–23%) less than 60, and 4% (95% CI, 0–7%) for ESRD. The overall quality assessment indicated a moderate RoB.

CONCLUSIONS:

Among a heterogenous population of pediatric critical illness survivors, an important minority of survivors developed CKD or ESRD. This study highlights the importance of diagnostic criteria for reporting, a greater focus on postcritical care surveillance and follow-up to identify those with CKD. Further study would facilitate the delineation of high-risk groups and strategies for improved outcomes.
Association between reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity among Chinese postmenopausal women
Authors: Jiao Jiao , Feng Xuehua , Gong Ailing , Yao Yi
Published: July 2024

Objective

Although menopause is considered a risk factor for multimorbidity, few studies have explored the association between reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity. This study aimed to explore the association between reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity in postmenopausal Chinese women.

Methods

This cross-sectional study selected postmenopausal women as study participants. The reproductive lifespan refers to the interval between menarche and menopause. Multimorbidity refers to having two or more self-reported chronic diseases. We used a logistic regression model to explore potential associations based on the adjustment of a set of covariates.

Results

In total, 1,310 postmenopausal women with an average reproductive lifespan of 34 years were included in this study. The prevalence of multimorbidity was 22.2% (291/1,310) in postmenopausal women. Our findings showed that compared with postmenopausal women with the Q1 of reproductive lifespan (≤32 reproductive years), those with Q3 (35–37 reproductive years) and Q4 (≥38 reproductive years) were less likely to have multimorbidity (ORQ3 = 0.529, 95% CIQ3 = 0.347‐0.805, ORQ4 = 0.510, 95% CIQ4 = 0.308‐0.842), whereas those with Q2 (33‐34 reproductive years) were not (OR = 0.700, 95% CI = 0.446‐1.098). This study also revealed a linear trend in the association between the reproductive lifespan and multimorbidity; that is, the longer the reproductive lifespan, the lower the risk of multimorbidity.

Conclusions

In postmenopausal Chinese women, a longer reproductive lifespan was associated with a lower prevalence of multimorbidity. This study suggests that for the prevention and intervention of multimorbidity in postmenopausal women, healthcare professionals should screen and assess reproductive factors to identify high-risk individuals.
The rise of multidisciplinary clinics in hepatology: A practical, how-to-guide, and review of the literature
Authors: Lim Nicholas , Devuni Deepika , German Margarita , Guy Jennifer , Rabiee Atoosa , Sharma Pratima , Shingina Alexandra , Shroff Hersh , Pillai Anjana
Published: July 2024

Multidisciplinary clinics (MDCs) are gaining momentum throughout the medical field, having initially been pioneered in oncology clinics due to their inherent ability to streamline complex care and improve both patient outcomes and the patient care experience. Liver transplant and hepatobiliary tumor clinics are examples of established MDCs in hepatology. With the changing landscape of liver disease in regard to etiology and patient complexity and acuity, there is a clear need for efficient, highly coordinated care. These changes highlight opportunities for hepatology MDCs in alcohol-associated liver disease, metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease, and palliative care. This review provides practical advice in navigating the complex logistics of establishing and maintaining a hepatology MDC while also reviewing the emerging evidence on clinical outcomes for patients seen in these MDCs. As hepatology looks to the future, establishment of MDCs in key clinical areas will be the cornerstone of patient care.
End-of-Life Education in a Prelicensure Nursing Program
Authors: Byrd Elizabeth , McMath Ashley , Ware Jennifer , Jacobs Rebecca , Weaver Kendra
Published: July 2024

The demand for palliative and end-of-life nursing is increasing with the aging US population. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing published recommendations for incorporating palliative and end-of-life care across nursing curriculum to prepare the future workforce. However, recommendations regarding teaching end-of-life content are limited. This project aimed to integrate and evaluate the outcomes of end-of-life education introduced in a prelicensure nursing program. Using a documentary created by the American Nurses Foundation, students had the opportunity to discuss common themes in end-of-life care, practice morgue care in the simulation laboratory, and practice reflective journaling. The students' preevaluations and postevaluations indicated that the educational program significantly increased their confidence in providing end-of-life care and support to patients and families, demonstrating the importance of end-of-life curricula in nursing school.
Vertical topography in EEG microstates: Physiology or artifact manifestation?
Authors: Jordanek Tomas , Lamos Martin , Marecek Radek
Published: July 2024

The analysis of EEG microstates is a useful method for exploring large-scale networks and brain dynamics. In addition to the often-reported microstates, or so-called 'canonical microstates', another topography has been reported in the literature - topography with a prominent straight line separating positive and negative values that extends from the nasion to the inion (vertical topography - VT). This topography was also revealed in our simultaneous EEG/fMRI and shielded cabin EEG data collected from 77 participants. Following analyses based on human and phantom data, we conclude that VT partially reflects artifacts caused by unspecified movements of the EEG cap and its metallic components. Our conclusion is supported by evaluation of spatiotemporal characteristics of VT estimated from EEG acquired under various conditions, especially by significant correlation between the framewise displacement (obtained from human EEG/fMRI) and the temporal characteristics of VT. We recommend cautious interpretation of VT when revealed in the data. Its very presence as a resulting topography may affect the spatiotemporal parameters of the other microstates and distorts the shapes of the other topographies.
Schwarzschild deformed supergravity background: Possible geometry origin of fermion generations and mass hierarchy
Authors: Altshuler Boris L.
Published: July 2024

The problem of fermion masses hierarchy in the Standard Model is considered on a toy model of a 10-dimensional space-time with a IIA supergravity type background. The Dirac equation written on this background, after compactification of extra four- and one-dimensional subspaces, gives the spectrum of Fermi fields which profiles in five dimensions and corresponding Higgs generated masses in four dimensions depend on the eigenvalues of Dirac operator on the named compact subspaces. Schwarzschild Euclidean deformation of the supergravity throat with the “apple-shaped” conical singularity permits to leave only three nondivergent angular modes interpreted as three generations of the down-type quarks. The resulting expressions for the quark masses are a geometry version of the Froggatt-Nielsen mechanism.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Towards a comprehensive framework to support project studies in the context of university research centres: a design science research
Authors: Moutinho Jose da Assuncao , Fernandes Gabriela , Rabechini Roque , Pedron Cristiane
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Knowledge production in project studies is continuously challenged to combine scientific rigour and practical relevance, and a professional graduate programme in Project Management is a suitable environment for addressing this issue. This research aims to generate a framework of the Ecosystem of a University Research Centre in Project Studies (URC-PS) to enhance the benefits of research developed in a professional graduate programme.

Design/methodology/approach

The research was developed under the paradigm of Design Science and operationalised through a method of Design Science Research. The prescriptive approach was used to identify, design, develop, demonstrate, and evaluate the framework.

Findings

The framework comprises four macro-elements: Project Studies; Impact Generation Process; Circumstances, Governance and Management; and Context, broken into sixty elements. It provides a structure that is simultaneously holistic, integrative, and procedural. It also develops a perspective of knowledge co-creation between academics and practitioners in an engaged scholarship approach.

Practical implications

The framework provides a more thorough understanding of the ecosystem university management to the research centre itself, to engaged academics, and to external actors, which allows them to discuss, plan, execute, and evaluate the co-creation of knowledge in Project Studies.

Originality/value

The framework contributes to Organisational Knowledge Creation Theory by including and discussing outcomes and impacts from co-created knowledge in a URC-Project Studies environment. It also explores the concept of “Ba” in its proposal for structuring, organising, and operationalising the “Ba”.
Knowledge, attitudes and practices of intangible cultural heritage among youth in Sichuan, China: a cross-sectional study
Authors: Hu Jia , Md Noor Shuhaida
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The preservation and transmission of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) relies heavily on the interest and commitment of younger generations. In Sichuan, China, youths serve as a conduit and steward to the inheritance passed down from previous generations. Knowledge, attitudes and practices (KAP) studies have been advantageous in providing insights into a community’s knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards safeguarding heritage. This study investigates the KAP of Sichuan youth regarding ICH.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employed a quantitative methodology, utilizing a survey questionnaire on the KAP dimensions. The study involved 384 youths between the ages of 15 and 24 across 21 cities in Sichuan, China. Statistical analyses were conducted using both descriptive and inferential statistics.

Findings

The results of the study showed that Sichuan youths had a high level of knowledge of ICH and a high level of positive attitudes towards ICH but scored in the moderate range for ICH practices. There were significant differences in the knowledge of ICH among youths of different ages and education levels. In addition, there was a strong correlation between knowledge and attitudes, a strong correlation between knowledge and practices and a moderate correlation between attitudes and practices.

Originality/value

This study is the first to investigate the KAP of ICH among youth in Sichuan, China. The findings of this study suggest that several areas—such as ICH categorization (knowledge), approaches to safeguarding ICH (knowledge), levels of satisfaction with ICH safeguarding effectiveness (attitudes), ICH product purchasing (practices) and membership to clubs or associations aimed at safeguarding ICH (practices)—need to be further strengthened. Reinforcement in these areas will encourage positive behaviors and perspectives among the younger generation and facilitate in the management of ICH by institutions or organizations.
Understanding bank lending and its relationship with profitability and non-performing loans: a meta-analysis
Authors: Gupta Shweta , Bansal Rohit
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study is a meta-analysis of the relationship between bank lending, profitability and non-performing loans (NPLs), and the purpose is to identify a research gap in studying this very crucial triad.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, relevant keywords are used to pull the studies from the Scopus and Web of Science (WoS) databases. The initial result is then narrowed down using relevant search criteria by manually filtering the studies based on the title and abstracts, out of which meta-analysis has been done of the findings of the top 200 papers (citation-based).

Findings

The literature in this field of study indicates heterogeneous results for relationships between bank lending and NPLs, bank lending and profitability and also NPLs and profitability. The meta-analysis of the results also reveals that the behaviour of these variables shows heterogeneity, which, based on the literature review, can be attributed to the different economic conditions during the study period and thus indicates nonlinearity in the behaviour of these variables.

Originality/value

This review explores the interrelationship of three variables, as they are very important to strike a proper balance between growth and safety in the banking industry, but the same has been inadequately researched in past studies.
Sukuk structure and risk exposures: evidence from an originator perspective
Authors: Alhammadi Salah , Archer Simon , Aloumi Dalal
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Despite the growing prevalence of Sukuk issuances, there remains a significant knowledge gap concerning their specific risk exposures to originators of issuances rather than to investors, particularly compared to conventional bonds, and the implications of this for the corporate governance (CG) of originators. This study aims to examine the risks faced by originators and sponsors of Sukuk issuances, drawing insights from unique Sukuk case studies. The distinct characteristics of Sukuk include legal intricacies and Shari’ah compliance, which pose particular challenges to originators. Effective risk management is a key issue for CG in these areas.

Design/methodology/approach

A sequential explanatory case study method is employed, utilising the content analysis approach to extract information from various articles, reports and Sukuk case studies, including Tamweel Residential Mortgage Backed Sukuk and Tamweel Sukuk Limited.

Findings

The findings underscore the critical issues for originators in navigating risks within Sukuk structures, particularly concerning Shari’ah non-compliance and default risk. This highlights the importance of managing risks inherent in Sukuk structures, considering both Shari’ah compliance obligations and the sustainability of Sukuk in terms of default risk. Default scenarios raise unique questions regarding stakeholders' interests, specifically those of shareholders, investors and creditors, contingent on the Sukuk issuance's structure and contractual basis of the Sukuk issuance.

Practical implications

The need for a CG framework conducive to the effective management of these risks, thereby ensuring both Shari’ah compliance and long-term viability, which is crucial for the sustainable growth of Sukuk in the financial landscape.

Originality/value

This study offers a unique perspective by focusing on the risks faced by originators of Sukuk issuances, a largely unexplored area, and underscores the importance of effective risk management for CG and sustainability of Sukuk issuances.
Optimizing green knowledge acquisition through entrepreneurial orientation and resource orchestration for sustainable business performance
Authors: Baquero Asier
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Considering the importance of green knowledge in firms' sustainability, this study investigates the mediating mechanism of green knowledge acquisition (GKA) and the moderating role of resource orchestration capability (ROC) in the relationship between green entrepreneurial orientation (GEO) and corporate sustainable performance (CSP).

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 388 executives from 195 small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UAE, this study used partial least squares structural equation modelling to examine the proposed relationships among the constructs.

Findings

The research shows that GEO affects CSP's environmental, economic, and social aspects of CSP. This study also highlights the mediating role of GKA in the relationship between GEO and CSP. The moderated mediation analysis results indicate that when ROC is elevated, GEO's indirect influence on environmental and economic performance through GKA is more pronounced.

Practical implications

This study provides useful insights and a novel approach for manufacturing industries and authoritative bodies to alleviate environmental deterioration and improve CSP by encouraging GKA through green entrepreneurship.

Originality/value

This study enriches the existing literature on GEO, GKA, and CSP by focusing on environmental challenges and applying the resource-based view (RBV) framework. The study's findings broaden the theoretical basis for green entrepreneurship, provide guidance on enhancing CSP in manufacturing firms, and advance green entrepreneurship research.
The complexity of corruption and recent trends in information technology for combating corruption in India
Authors: Sakuntala S. Sri , Sarakanam Srinivas , Dhavan Avinash , Taggar Rashi , Kohli Garima
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The paper examines the recent trends in information technology for combating corruption and its impact on the Indian economy. It further explores how technology is being used to tackle corruption in India and the resulting economic benefits.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology encompasses qualitative analysis to investigate corruption comprehensively. It involves content analysis of corruption-related documents, case studies, and expert interviews. Recent information technological advancements are explored, including blockchain and AI, for their anti-corruption potential.

Findings

This study reveals that the negative impacts of corruption on society include reduced economic growth, weakened institutions, and decreased public trust in government. Various technological advancements such as e-governance, blockchain, AI, and big data analytics have been implemented to enhance transparency and accountability in government processes. Special cases and examples of application of such technology tools and techniques adopted by the organizations to control corruption are discussed.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the need for legal reforms, institutional strengthening, and awareness-raising campaigns to complement technological advancements in the fight against corruption.
The association between paternal diabetes mellitus and successful pregnancy—Examined in a nationwide population undergoing reproductive treatment
Authors: Sønnichsen‐Dreehsen Anne‐Sofie , Fedder Jens , Wod Mette , Thorarinsson Caroline Thingholm , Nørgård Bente Mertz
Published: July 2024

Background

About 15% of all pregnancies end in pregnancy loss. As most studies have focused on maternal factors little is known regarding the influence of paternal factors on the chance of successful pregnancy.

Objectives

This cohort study aims to assess the chance of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live‐born children in couples where the male partner has diabetes mellitus (DM).

Materials and methods

We performed a nationwide cohort study. Couples undergoing assisted reproductive technology treatment from 2006 to 2019 were included. The exposed cohorts comprised embryo transfers in couples with paternal type 1 DM (T1DM), type 2 DM (T2DM), or mixed type DM (TMDM). The unexposed cohort included embryo transfers in couples without paternal DM.

Results

A total of 101,875 embryo transfers were included. Of these, 503 males had T1DM, 225 males had T2DM, 263 males had TMDM, and 100,884 did not have DM. For paternal T1DM, the adjusted OR for achieving a biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live‐born child were 0.97 (95% CI 0.77–1.23), 1.08 (95% CI 0.65–1.79), and 0.75 (95% CI 0.49–1.14), respectively. For paternal T2DM, the adjusted OR for achieving a biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, and live‐born child were 0.80 (95% CI 0.56;1.16), 0.67 (95% CI 0.32–1.41), and 1.03 (95% CI 0.48–2.20), respectively. For the paternal TMDM, the adjusted OR for achieving a biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy and livebirth were 0.95 (95% CI 0.67–1.33), 1.31 (95% CI 0.56–2.92), and 1.19 (95% CI 0.59–2.38), respectively.

Conclusion

Paternal DM was not associated with a statistically significant decreased chance of biochemical pregnancy, clinical pregnancy, or live birth
Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of itepekimab in adults with moderate‐to‐severe atopic dermatitis: Results from two terminated phase II trials
Authors: Kosloski Matthew P. , Guttman‐Yassky Emma , Cork Michael J. , Worm Margitta , Nahm Dong‐Ho , Zhu Xiaoping , Ruddy Marcella K. , Harel Sivan , Kamal Mohamed A. , Goulaouic Hélène , Xu Christine R. , Avetisova Elena , Davis John D. , Nivens Michael C. , Shabbir Arsalan , Radin Allen
Published: July 2024

Interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) is a proinflammatory alarmin cytokine released by damaged epithelial tissue cells that initiates and amplifies both type 1 and type 2 inflammatory cascades. A role for IL‐33 in atopic dermatitis (AD; a chronic, relapsing type 2 inflammatory disease of the skin) has been proposed. Itepekimab is a novel human IgG4P monoclonal antibody against IL‐33, currently in clinical development for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Two global phase II studies—a dose‐ranging itepekimab monotherapy study (NCT03738423) and a proof‐of‐concept study of itepekimab alone and in combination with dupilumab (NCT03736967)—were conducted in patients with moderate‐to‐severe AD to assess safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy; both studies were terminated following an interim analysis of the proof‐of‐concept study, which failed to demonstrate the efficacy of itepekimab. In these two studies, itepekimab exhibited linear and dose‐proportional pharmacokinetics. Pharmacodynamics of total IL‐33 indicated that itepekimab saturated binding to the target in serum at 300 mg q2w and q4w doses, and decreased blood eosinophil counts. Concentration–time profiles of itepekimab and total IL‐33 were similar for itepekimab with or without dupilumab, and between East Asian and non‐East Asian subgroups. Itepekimab was generally well tolerated, both alone and in combination with dupilumab. The lack of clinical efficacy for itepekimab observed in these studies suggests that IL‐33 may not be a key pathogenic driver in moderate‐to‐severe AD.
Japanese clinical practice guidelines for prostate cancer 2023
Authors: Kohjimoto Yasuo , Uemura Hiroji , Yoshida Masahiro , Hinotsu Shiro , Takahashi Satoru , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Suzuki Kazuhiro , Shinmoto Hiroshi , Tamada Tsutomu , Inoue Takahiro , Sugimoto Mikio , Takenaka Atsushi , Habuchi Tomonori , Ishikawa Hitoshi , Mizowaki Takashi , Saito Shiro , Miyake Hideaki , Matsubara Nobuaki , Nonomura Norio , Sakai Hideki , Ito Akihiro , Ukimura Osamu , Matsuyama Hideyasu , Hara Isao
Published: July 2024

This fourth edition of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prostate Cancer 2023 is compiled. It was revised under the leadership of the Japanese Urological Association, with members selected from multiple academic societies and related organizations (Japan Radiological Society, Japanese Society for Radiation Oncology, the Department of EBM and guidelines, Japan Council for Quality Health Care (Minds), Japanese Society of Pathology, and the patient group (NPO Prostate Cancer Patients Association)), in accordance with the Minds Manual for Guideline Development (2020 ver. 3.0). The most important feature of this revision is the adoption of systematic reviews (SRs) in determining recommendations for 14 clinical questions (CQs). Qualitative SRs for these questions were conducted, and the final recommendations were made based on the results through the votes of 24 members of the guideline development group. Five algorithms based on these results were also created. Contents not covered by the SRs, which are considered textbook material, have been described in the general statement. In the general statement, a literature search for 14 areas was conducted; then, based on the general statement and CQs of the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Prostate Cancer 2016, the findings revealed after the 2016 guidelines were mainly described. This article provides an overview of these guidelines.
Implementing a gerontological nursing competencies programme in aged care: Participant experiences
Authors: Traynor Victoria , Britten Nicole , Gibson Diane , Munk, Stephanie , Chenoweth Lynn , Stokes Jolan , Moroney Tracey , Strickland Karen , Donaghy Toni , Bail Kasia
Published: July 2024

Aims

To explore the experience of registered nurses and their mentors in the implementation of the Gerontological Nursing Competencies in long‐term aged care and the perceived effectiveness and suitability of the programme to support nurse development.

Background

The global population is ageing and needs a reliable aged‐care nursing workforce.

Introduction

Opportunities for education and mentorship for newly qualified and experienced aged‐care nurses warrant investigation.

Methods

Qualitative evaluation using semi‐structured focus groups was conducted following the implementation of the programme into five not‐for‐profit long‐term aged‐care organisations and analysed by a reflexive qualitative thematic approach and reported according to COREQ criteria.

Results

A total of 21 nurses (7 mentors and 14 mentees) participated in six focus groups. Five themes were generated: (1) nurses gained confidence and competence through the programme; (2) the facilitation of suitable mentoring activities and approaches was crucial to success; (3) the programme helps nurses recognise gerontology as a specialty; (4) the programme contributes to building a strategy of recruitment/retention/quality improvement in the sector; (5) barriers, challenges, changes and recommendations were identified.

Discussion

The Gerontological Nursing Competency model, which combined adaptive mentoring supported by reflective practice embedded in a gerontological nursing competencies framework, was perceived to improve nurse confidence and competence to lead and improve nursing standards of care.

Conclusion and implications for nursing and health policy

The evidence‐based competencies are an acceptable and effective method for supporting gerontological nurse development. Expansion of, and accessibility to, the programme may aid global responses to aged‐care reform, by building the recognition of gerontological nursing as a specialty and contributing towards recruitment, retention and quality care improvements.
Listed founding family firms and labor cost stickiness#
Authors: Gnoth Carsten , Rapp Marc Steffen , Udoieva Julia
Published: July 2024

Does founding family control affect labor cost stickiness? Theoretically, labor cost stickiness is a double‐sided sword: While it can be interpreted as long‐term commitment to employees, it increases operating leverage, reduces operating performance, and thus jeopardizes long‐term firm survival. Empirically, we find that—consistent with socioemotional wealth theory suggesting that founding family firms are more employee oriented—founding family firms exhibit greater labor costs stickiness. The pattern is more pronounced in industries with high labor turnover and high labor intensity. Furthermore, we find that abnormal high labor cost stickiness in family firms reduces profitability and non‐labor investments.
The utility of obesity polygenic risk scores from research to clinical practice: A review
Authors: Jansen Philip R. , Vos Niels , van Uhm Jorrit , Dekkers Ilona A. , van der Meer Rieneke , Mannens Marcel M. A. M. , van Haelst Mieke M.
Published: July 2024

Obesity represents a major public health emergency worldwide, and its etiology is shaped by a complex interplay of environmental and genetic factors. Over the last decade, polygenic risk scores (PRS) have emerged as a promising tool to quantify an individual's genetic risk of obesity. The field of PRS in obesity genetics is rapidly evolving, shedding new lights on obesity mechanisms and holding promise for contributing to personalized prevention and treatment. Challenges persist in terms of its clinical integration, including the need for further validation in large‐scale prospective cohorts, ethical considerations, and implications for health disparities. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of PRS for studying the genetics of obesity, spanning from methodological nuances to clinical applications and challenges. We summarize the latest developments in the generation and refinement of PRS for obesity, including advances in methodologies for aggregating genome‐wide association study data and improving PRS predictive accuracy, and discuss limitations that need to be overcome to fully realize its potential benefits of PRS in both medicine and public health.
Clinical Analysis and Imaging Study of Lateral Lumbar Intervertebral Fusion in the Treatment of Degenerative Lumbar Scoliosis
Authors: Zhao Yi‐Bo , Jin Yuan‐Zhang , Zhao Xiao‐Feng , Lu Xiang‐Dong , Qi De‐Tai , Zhou Run‐Tian , Wang Xiao‐Nan , Liu Hai‐Feng , Chen Liang , Xi Kun , Yang‐Zhang  , Sun Tian‐Sheng , Feng Shi‐Qing , Zhang Zhi‐Cheng , Zhao Bin
Published: July 2024

Objective

As the population ages and technology advances, lateral lumbar intervertebral fusion (LLIF) is gaining popularity for the treatment of degenerative lumbar scoliosis (DLS). This study investigated the feasibility, minimally invasive concept, and benefits of LLIF for the treatment of DLS by observing and assessing the clinical efficacy, imaging changes, and complications following the procedure.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was performed for 52 DLS patients (12 men and 40 women, aged 65.84 ± 9.873 years) who underwent LLIF from January 2019 to January 2023. The operation time, blood loss, complications, clinical efficacy indicators (visual analogue scale [VAS], Oswestry disability index [ODI], and 36‐Item Short Form Survey), and imaging indicators (coronal position: Cobb angle and center sacral vertical line–C7 plumbline [CSVL–C7PL]; and sagittal position: sagittal vertical axis [SVA], lumbar lordosis [LL], pelvic incidence angle [PI], and thoracic kyphosis angle [TK] were measured). All patients were followed up. The above clinical evaluation indexes and imaging outcomes of patients postoperatively and at last follow‐up were compared to their preoperative results.

Results

Compared to the preoperative values, the Cobb angle and LL angle were significantly improved after surgery (p < 0.001). Meanwhile, CSVL–C7PL, SVA, and TK did not change much after surgery (p > 0.05) but improved significantly at follow‐up (p < 0.001). There was no significant change in PI at either the postoperative or follow‐up timepoint. The operation took 283.90 ± 81.62 min and resulted in a total blood loss of 257.27 ± 213.44 mL. No significant complications occurred. Patients were followed up for to 21.7 ± 9.8 months. VAS, ODI, and SF‐36 scores improved considerably at postoperative and final follow‐up compared to preoperative levels (p < 0.001). After surgery, the Cobb angle and LL angle had improved significantly compared to preoperative values (p < 0.001). CSVL–C7PL, SVA, and TK were stable after surgery (p > 0.05) but considerably improved during follow‐up (p < 0.001). PI showed no significant change at either the postoperative or follow‐up timepoints.

Conclusion

Lateral lumbar intervertebral fusion treatment of DLS significantly improved sagittal and coronal balance of the lumbar spine, as well as compensatory thoracic scoliosis, with good clinical and radiological findings. Furthermore, there was less blood, less trauma, and quicker recovery from surgery.
Response to Robert Bernasconi's “Slavery's absence from histories of moral and political philosophy”
Authors: Mercier Lucie K.
Published: July 2024

I focus in this response on what I take to be Bernasconi's proposal to dissolve and reframe moral and political philosophies around the problematic of slavery. Insofar as, in the wake of Afro‐diasporic and Black radical thought, it offers us one version of an argument that has now touched virtually all aspects of modern European philosophy, how are we to understand the specific orientations of Bernasconi's approach? Reading Bernasconi's article, I comment on the following points: (1) the notion of “absence” or “silence” about slavery, (2) Bernasconi's focus on methodology rather than individual moral or political responsibility, and (3) his shift away from canonical philosophical figures. To conclude, I open further questions regarding the relationships between the “material” approach to the history of philosophy he advocates in this article and the project of a “critical philosophy of race” he has defended elsewhere.
Supplemental Material: Distinguishing fault offset from climatically modulated channel deflections: Insights from the Pearblossom slip-rate site, Mojave section of the San Andreas fault, California, USA
Authors: Anderson-Merritt Emery O. , Cowgill Eric , al. et
Published: July 2024

The supplemental material contains additional site maps, field photographs, full excavation logs, and detailed infrared stimulated luminescence methods and results.
Applications of Primate Genetics for Conservation and Management
Authors: Oklander Luciana Inés , Soto-Calderón Iván Darío
Published: July 2024

Conservation genetics is the use of genetics to understand and mitigate the threats caused by anthropogenic activities, including habitat loss and fragmentation, wildlife trafficking, and emerging diseases. In this review, we discuss the role of primate conservation genetics in the development of effective conservation strategies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining genetic diversity to enhance adaptive potential and prevent extinction. First, we discuss studies of various primate species that exemplify how genetic data have been instrumental in accurately assessing threat levels, identifying trafficked animals and tracing their geographic origin, and studying how habitat loss affects primate populations. Subsequently, we describe the various molecular tools and analytical approaches employed in these studies. Lastly, we provide a bibliographic review of research in conservation genetics over the last 20 years. We conclude with a brief discussion of the limitations and challenges in this field in developing countries and recommendations for future research.
Adherence to Periodic Dilated Eye Examinations and Its Determinants Among Nepalese Patients With Diagnosed Diabetes: A Single‐Center Hospital‐Based Analysis Using Health Belief Model
Authors: Suwal Barsha , Shrestha Rajan , Khatri Bijay , Upadhyay Madan Prasad
Published: July 2024

Introduction: To find the adherence rate to periodic dilated eye examinations (DEEs) and its determinants among patients with diagnosed diabetes.

Research Design and Methods: In this cross‐sectional study of 165 participants with diagnosed diabetes (Type 1/2) attending a general hospital with a diabetes clinic, we explored perceptions of barriers and facilitators of DEE at the individual level using a framework adapted from the health belief model (HBM). Patients were compared using t tests for continuous data and chi‐square tests for categorical data.

Results: The rate of adherence to DEE (as defined by DEE within a year) was 62.4% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 55.0%–69.8%). The mean age of the patients was 56.81 (±13.29) years. We found that the mean benefit score was significantly higher, and the mean barrier score was significantly lower in those adhering to DEE (p < 0.001); but the susceptibility, severity, and self‐efficacy scores were not significantly different. Furthermore, those under treatment for diabetes mellitus (DM), those with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in them or their family member, and those with DM duration of 1 year or less were significantly likely to adhere to DEE (p < 0.005). Additionally, those who had received advice for eye screening from their physicians were about 25 times more likely to adhere to DEE (95% CI =6.80–92.05) than those who were not advised.

Conclusion: A larger proportion of people with diabetes did not adhere to periodic DEE. Benefits and barriers were found to be determinants in this population. Further exploration in a larger population and the use of HBM to increase adherence to periodic DEE can be tested by targeting behavioral counseling along with other traditional approaches.
PPA‐ResNet: An Airport Bird Recognition Model Based on Improved ResNet
Authors: Kong Jianguo , Zhao Zhiwei , Zhang Xiangwei , Chang Hanwen , Liang Haijun
Published: July 2024

With the development of air transport and improved ecological environment, bird strikes on aircraft have become a significant threat to flight safety. Accurate and efficient identification of airport birds can enhance the efficiency of airport staff in bird strike prevention. Public datasets for bird classification are typically limited in size and not specifically tailored for airport birds. Therefore, this paper introduces a self‐built airport bird dataset, ADB‐20, and proposes an image recognition method based on an improved ResNet model. First, this paper replaces traditional convolution in the residual structure with the Pyramidal Convolution method, ensuring the extraction of multiscale features. Second, it introduces the Parallel Convolutional Block Attention Moduleto the backbone network, considering features in both channel and spatial dimensions. Last, the Atrous Spatial Pyramid Pooling module is incorporated to capture contextual information at various scales. Experimental results show that the PPA‐ResNet model achieves an accuracy of 95.2%, with a recall of 93.7%, a precision of 96.8%, and an F1 score of 95.2% on the ADB‐20 dataset. The proposed algorithm significantly enhances classification performance compared to other mainstream image classification algorithms. These indicators confirm that the results of this study can precisely identify airport birds, aid airport personnel in making informed decisions, and guarantee the safety of aviation transport.