bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Comparative fire performance of traditional lumber and engineered wood joists
Authors: Kodur Venkatesh , Stein James , Fike Rustin , Tabbador Mahmood
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to present an evaluation of comparative fire resistance on traditional and engineered wood joists used in the construction of floor systems in residential housing.

Design/methodology/approach

Fire resistance experiments were carried out on four types of wood joists, namely, traditional lumber, engineered I-joist, castellated I-joist and steel/wood hybrid joist, used in traditional and modern residential construction. The test variables included type of wood joist, support conditions and fire protection (insulation).

Findings

Results from these tests indicate that webs of engineered I-joists and castellated I-joists are highly susceptible to fire, and failure generally occurs through the burn-out of the web. In addition, engineered I-joists have much lower fire resistance than traditional solid joist lumber. The application of an intumescent coating on an engineered I-joist significantly enhances its fire resistance and yields a similar level of fire resistance as that of a traditional lumber joist.

Originality/value

The presented fire tests are unique and provide valuable insight (and information) to the behavior and response of four types of wood joists when subjected to gravity loading and fire conditions.
What has emotion got to do with it: the moderating effect of mission statement polarity on fundraising performance
Authors: Willey Sarah , Aplin-Houtz Matthew , Casile Maureen
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This manuscript explores the value of mission statement emotional content in the relationship between money raised by a nonprofit organization through fundraising efforts and the money spent. It proposes the emotional content of a mission statement moderates money spent and earned to ultimately to impact how much revenue a nonprofit makes through fundraising.

Design/methodology/approach

The manuscript evaluates the qualitative turned quantitative data (via text mining [TM]) in mission statements from 200 nonprofits serving the homeless sector via a moderation analysis. After segmenting the sampled nonprofits by gross revenue, the authors analyze the impact of the positive and negative emotional tone in each group to determine how the content of a mission statement impacts organizational revenue.

Findings

The paper provides empirical insights about how the emotional polarity of a mission statement influences money earned through fundraising. However, the positive and negative tone of a mission statement impacts organizations differently based on size. For nonprofits that report an annual revenue of less than $1 million, a positive tone in the mission statement results in higher revenue. Conversely, nonprofits that report over $1 million earn less revenue with a positive tone in their mission statement.

Research limitations/implications

Owing to the specialized group sampled, the findings possibly only apply to the sampled group. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to test the relationships found in other areas of nonprofits. However, the implications of mission statement polarity influencing financial performance in any population should be of keen interest to practitioners when crafting mission statements.

Practical implications

The finding that mission statement emotional tone influences the financial performance of a nonprofit has direct implications for the effective delivery of services in the nonprofit realm. Leaders of nonprofits can use the study’s findings to position their organizations to capture potential needed revenue in the crafting of their mission statements.

Originality/value

This paper uniquely exposes the moderating impact of the emotional tone in mission statements in relationship with financial performance.
Leading innovation among tourism small and medium enterprises
Authors: Hoang Giang , Wilson-Evered Elisabeth , Lockstone-Binney Leonie
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effects of empowering leadership, directive leadership and initiating structure on innovation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and examine the mediating role of climate for innovation on those relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Applying structural equation modeling, the study empirically tested the model on a sample of 330 employees from tourism SMEs in Vietnam.

Findings

Results indicated that climate for innovation mediated the relationship between empowering leadership and innovation and also initiating structure and innovation. Whereas empowering leadership was found to have a negative direct influence on innovation, directive leadership was unrelated to innovation.

Research limitations/implications

The results of this study contribute to the literature by expanding the existing research on SME innovation, assessing the effect of diverse leadership styles and a climate for innovation on the innovation performance of SMEs. The findings enrich the literature by indicating the contribution of empowering leadership, directive leadership and initiating structure on encouraging innovation in SMEs.

Practical implications

When leading subordinates in the SME context, leaders who have a clear understanding of the effect of empowerment, direction and initiating structure can optimally seek to stimulate innovation. These leadership approaches influence employees’ task, interpersonal and role-related processes that shape a climate for innovation.

Originality/value

The novelty of this paper is that it examines the differential influences of empowering leadership, directive leadership and initiating structure on innovation and the mediating role of climate for innovation on these relationships.
Stuckness in psychiatric practice
Authors: Wilkinson Peter J.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce and explore stuckness as a felt phenomenon in psychiatric practice in order to stimulate clinicians in mental health settings to be on the lookout for stuckness and on the lookout for unexpected solutions to difficult clinical scenarios.

Design/methodology/approach

Signs of stuckness are looked at and then proposed causal factors of stuckness in clinical practice are reviewed. These are divided conceptually into four main groupings: patient factors, clinician factors, service factors and societal factors.

Findings

Although clinicians are encouraged to acknowledge when stuckness is present and to try to address possible causes with their patients, clinicians are also advised to work on understanding stuckness as a natural part of creative processes. It is suggested that services should draw on a psychoanalytic ethos to support staff to tolerate and respond to stuckness better.

Originality/value

Feeling stuck with patients’ partial recoveries or “revolving door” cycles is uncomfortable. In stretched psychiatric services in particular stuckness may go unnoticed, and instead the difficulty of the work with patients may inadvertently drive therapeutic mania or rejection of the patients, which can lead to harm. This paper offers a simple scheme to use when thinking about stuck patients in the psychiatric setting with the hope that this can stimulate clinicians to search for new creative solutions for patients.
Hypocrisy, skepticism, and reputation: the mediating role of corporate social responsibility
Authors: Arli Denni , van Esch Patrick , Northey Gavin , Lee Michael S.W. , Dimitriu Radu
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect of corporate hypocrisy and consumer skepticism on perceived corporate reputation. In addition, the effect of perceived corporate social responsibility (CSR) in mediating the relationship between corporate hypocrisy and consumer skepticism toward perceived corporate reputation.

Design/methodology/approach

An experimental design was employed to test the effects of corporate hypocrisy and consumer skepticism on consumers’ perception of a firm’s corporate reputation, as well as the role of perceived CSR as a causal mechanism. Analysis involved structural equation modeling (AMOS) to test hypotheses. A convenience sample (n=837) was recruited from the USA and Australia to allow for any national biases or brand familiarity effects and to ensure the results were robust and generalizable.

Findings

Corporate hypocrisy and consumers’ skepticism significantly influences perceived CSR and corporate reputation. Furthermore, a consumer’s level of perceived CSR acts as a causal mechanism, mediating the relationship between corporate hypocrisy and skepticism on perceived corporate reputation.

Practical implications

The importance of being transparent and honest toward consumers. When companies are inconsistent in their CSR activities, it increases consumers’ skepticism toward the brand. Nonetheless, CSR has a positive influence on the consumers’ perception of corporate reputation and this, in turn, will positively influences consumers’ support for the firm.

Originality/value

The first empirical evidence that companies producing vices (such as beer) generate lower expectations in the minds of the consumers, meaning there is less impact on brand reputation when consumers feel the CSR does not fit with the brand image.
The effects of body-worn cameras (BWCs) on police and citizen outcomes
Authors: Maskaly Jon , Donner Christopher , Jennings Wesley G. , Ariel Barak , Sutherland Alex
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to review the extant of the published literature on body-worn cameras (BWCs) in policing, specifically in the context of how BWCs affect both citizens and officers.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study is a narrative review of the impact of BWCs on police and citizens generated through a search of four repositories (Google Scholar, Criminal Justice Abstracts, EBSCO Host, PsychInfo).

Findings

The current narrative review identified 21 articles that matched the selection criteria. In general, this body of research demonstrates that: the police are supportive of BWC adoption; the evidence from BWC evaluations suggests that the use of BWCs can have benefits for police-public encounters.

Practical implications

The practical implications derived from this narrative review suggest police administrators that the adoption and effective implementation of BWCs are one mechanism that can strengthen police-community relationships and decrease police misconduct through enhanced legitimacy and accountability.

Originality/value

This study is useful for researchers who wish to further examine BWC issues in policing, for police managers/administrators who are currently utilizing BWC technology, and for those who are considering adopting BWC technology.
Minority representation in policing and racial profiling
Authors: Shjarback John , Decker Scott , Rojek Jeff J. , Brunson Rod K.
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Increasing minority representation in law enforcement has long been viewed as a primary means to improve police-citizen relations. The recommendation to diversify police departments was endorsed by the Kerner Commission and, most recently, the President’s Task Force on 21st Century Policing. While these recommendations make intuitive sense, little scholarly attention has examined whether greater levels of minority representation translate into positive police-community relations. The purpose of this paper is to use the representative bureaucracy and minority threat frameworks to assess the impact of the racial/ethnic composition of both police departments and municipalities on disparities in traffic stops.

Design/methodology/approach

A series of ordinary least squares regression analyses are tested using a sample of more than 150 local police agencies from Illinois and Missouri.

Findings

Higher levels of departmental representativeness are not associated with fewer racial/ethnic disparities in stops. Instead, the racial/ethnic composition of municipalities is more predictive of racial patterns of traffic stops.

Originality/value

This study provides one of the few investigations of representative bureaucracy in law enforcement using individual departments as the unit of analysis. It examines Hispanic as well as black disparities in traffic stops, employing a more representative sample of different size agencies.
Disabled users’ satisfaction with library and information services at Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh, India
Authors: Gul Rumman , Khowaja Sufia
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study was conducted to provide a detailed report concerning the impression of disabled users’ vis-à-vis satisfaction with the library and information services provided at Aligarh Muslim University (AMU).

Design/methodology/approach

To conduct the research study, 214 disabled students, the librarian and the in charge of the Braille section were surveyed using a bilateral approach, which included a questionnaire and structured interview. The data, thus, collected were analysed using the SPSS (version 23) tool.

Findings

The research data revealed that the library under study was providing adequate information resources and services to their disabled users, exclusive of subtitles digital versatile disc (DVD) and videos for deaf students. It also came to light that there is a necessity of skilled staff, proficient in sign language, interpretation and Braille reading, which the library should look into the near future. The results also highlighted that most of the users were satisfied with the resources, while least were satisfied with the services and facilities provided by the library; suggestions were listed to maximize the satisfaction level amongst users.

Research limitations/implications

The present study is confined to AMU and the disabled students enrolled in various courses of study. A suitably designed survey can be applied to reveal similar trends in different institutions as well.

Originality/value

This study is useful for professionals pursuing an understanding of the library and information services for disabled persons. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the opinions recorded and the services highlighted will not only be useful for the particular organization but also serve the purpose for the governing bodies where the policies for these users are framed as a result of which institutions can develop effective services to access knowledge without any barrier.
Preparation and characterization of strontium aluminate/urea-formaldehyde composite: a solution for oxidation-induced darkening problem
Authors: Koçak Gözde , Çelik Erbaş Seçil
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to produce homogenously prepared polymer composites by adding two different strontium aluminate derivatives (Sr4Al14O25 and SrAl2O4) to urea-formaldehyde (UF) at different mass concentrations. In the context of this work those strontium-based derivatives were compared in terms of mechanical and luminescent characteristics. Additionally, sodium bicarbonate was integrated with the prepared composites to eliminate/minimize darkening problem, which might arise from the oxidation of Eu +2 to Eu2O3, on the surface of strontium aluminate/urea-formaldehyde composites.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, strontium aluminate/UF composite materials were produced using a compression molding technique. Their mechanical, thermomechanical and luminescence properties were investigated via various characterization methods. Particle size analysis was used to characterize phosphor derivatives, whereas scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) was conducted for morphological examination.

Findings

The darkening problem was prevented by the introduction of sodium bicarbonate into the composite systems. Based on the characterization and test results, the only addition of strontium aluminate reduced the mechanical properties. However, it was seen that the introduction of sodium bicarbonate into the composites improved those properties positively. The appropriate amounts of strontium aluminate and sodium bicarbonate were determined by conducting an experimental optimization study. The optimum composition of the composite materials was obtained by introducing 2% phosphor and 3% NaHCO3.

Originality/value

The approach used in this study has provided a method to solve the darkening problem, which degrades the aesthetic appearance in industrial production.
Going local in downtown Kingston, Jamaica
Authors: Hossein Caroline Shenaz
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Academics examining the global South who engage in informal politics to understand social and political issues should be prepared to diversify their methods toolkit. Informal ties and politics are where one learns about social and economic exclusion. The paper aims to discuss these issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Mixed qualitative methods – such as individual interviews, surveys, and focus groups – provide an understanding of the people’s perspective, enabling the researcher to truly know what is going on.

Findings

Fieldwork in the downtown communities of Kingston, Jamaica, has an element of danger because violence and politics are very much a part of the daily reality of the people being interviewed. In this paper, the author argues that studying how financial resources are allocated to low-income people and understanding why some groups purposefully self-exclude themselves from economic development programs require unorthodox field methods. The author thus uses political ethnography to understand the experience of marginalized Jamaican people.

Originality/value

Mixed qualitative methods and political ethnography assisted the author to understand the actual experience of marginalized people and politicized financial programs.
“Underdiscussed, underused and underreported”: pilot work in team-based qualitative research
Authors: Morrison Jane , Clement Tim , Nestel Debra , Brown James
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The authors, with disparate organisational affiliations and in different geographic locations, worked together on a qualitative multiple-case study of ad hoc supervisory encounters between general practice (GP) supervisors and GP-registrars. The purpose of this paper is to share our experiences and learning to highlight how valuable pilot work can be when conducting team-based qualitative research.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper outlines the value of pilot work in consolidating whole team understanding of the research plan, using our experiences as an example. We first offer a synthesis of published literature relating to pilot work, especially in qualitative research approaches. Next, we outline and justify the pilot work undertaken for the ad hoc supervision study. Lastly, we use each researcher’s voice to describe our experiences and then share the lessons we learned undertaking pilot work in qualitative research.

Findings

We found that while pilot work can be useful in refining strategies, data collection processes and analytic instruments. There are further benefits in galvanising whole team understanding of the research plan, in encouraging reflexivity, in ensuring transparency of the research process, and for ethical considerations.

Originality/value

There are few published papers or books which offer researchers guidance regarding pilot work, especially within a qualitative paradigm. Our experience shows there is value in planning and conducting pilot work. We believe others may benefit from our experience as they embark on team-based research.
The autistic voice and creative methodologies
Authors: Ridout Susy
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to recognise communication as a central challenge between autistic and non-autistic individuals as the autistic voice is not silent, but lacks involvement at any level other than that of the observed participant (Milton and Bracher, 2013; NAS and Ask Autism, 2014; Parsons et al., 2009). The main research question, therefore, explores data to understand how some autistic individuals conceptualise their experiences.

Design/methodology/approach

The research design, informed by autistic people, used a flexible methodology to accommodate their communication preferences. Methods contextualised autistic narratives regarding support requirements and service provision and located power within these, acknowledging autistic individuals as the expert “insider”. This is critical in tackling access to services and social barriers to inclusion impacting negatively on well-being. Visual and written data were gathered using collage and narrative diary methods, and presented and analysed as three individual case studies (anonymised as Michael, Sophie and Peter) and as a meta-analysis providing a broad picture of themes.

Findings

Findings showed similarities and differences in a number of key areas, so highlighting the importance of the smaller narratives within the broad picture of autism.

Originality/value

This study’s key contribution to autism research is that it blends IPA, narrative analysis and discourse analysis with distinct sites of analysis (narrative process, images of autism, audiencing, turning points and discourse). Furthermore, the flexible methodology employed facilitates inclusion of autistic voices by embracing their diverse communication preferences.
A narrative approach in evaluation: “Narratives of Change” method
Authors: Baú Valentina
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to introduce the new qualitative method of “Narratives of Change” to evaluate a project’s impact. This new methodology arises from a combination of the most significant change technique with a narrative analysis approach, and it is suitable for community development interventions.

Design/methodology/approach

Narrative approaches are seldom used in programme evaluation. However, depending on the nature and context of a project, it might be useful to offer a space for people to tell their story. Asking people to recognise change by recounting the passage from their previous to their present situation can help the researcher grasp particular concepts that may otherwise not be visible. At the same time, while the analysis of in-depth interviews can be difficult and time consuming, the method introduced here simplifies this process by offering a tool that allows the researcher to extrapolate semantic fragments from long interviews and facilitates the identification of prototypical characters in each narration.

Findings

After offering a theoretical discussion that introduces this technique, its practical illustration and the example presented in this paper show how this method represents a useful instrument for participants’ stories analysis in qualitative project evaluations aimed at identifying change.

Originality/value

This paper introduced a new qualitative method to carry out a programme evaluation using narrative analysis.
Determinants of individual savings among Tanzanians
Authors: Mori Neema
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Savings help to provide for future personal and households needs. The purpose of this paper examined Tanzanians’ determinants of saving. It studied the relationship between individual characteristics (gender, marital status, age, education level and financial education) and saving behaviour.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper used 2017 national baseline survey data with 8,959 observations from all over Tanzania. Descriptive analysis and econometric models were used to test the developed hypotheses.

Findings

Descriptive results show that Tanzanians mainly associate saving with setting money aside to keep it safe for future use. The results also show that most Tanzanians keep their money at home – a very informal way of saving. The results indicate that age and education level are key characteristics that determine positive saving by Tanzanians.

Research limitations/implications

This study used FinScope survey data which was limited to Tanzania. Since FinScope surveys are done in other African countries, using similar methodologies, it would be interesting to investigate similar trends in other contexts.

Practical implications

The study recommends promoting awareness of saving in formal institutions. This will benefit not only customers but the financial institutions and mobile telecom companies themselves.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the life-cycle theory by showing how families, societies and exposures influence individuals to save. Gender and marital status seem to play a lesser role than social- and exposure-related aspects of age and education. Exposure and social interactions are key determinants in the attitude to saving.
Impact of modern slavery allegations on operating performance
Authors: Yagci Sokat Kezban , Altay Nezih
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Modern slavery is a humanitarian problem that affects global supply chains. Given the increasing pressures from legislature, consumers and investors, firms have a growing interest in eliminating forced labor and modern slavery from their supply chains. However, the impact of modern slavery on firm performance has not been shown before. This paper aims to investigate the impact of modern slavery allegations on companies’ operational performance. It also looks at the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts with respect to modern slavery.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collect news articles on modern slavery in the global supply chains. The authors use an event study and use a robust matching method to measure the operational impact of modern slavery allegations. The authors also analyze the effects of media coverage and CSR practices on the relationship between allegations and firm performance.

Findings

The results show that modern slavery allegations do have a negative impact on performance, but this impact does not last long. The authors also show that strong CSR practices help firms mitigate the negative effect of these allegations.

Research limitations/implications

Because the issue is hidden, as a result limited data, the research results may lack generalizability. Therefore, researchers are encouraged to retest the proposed propositions in the future.

Practical implications

The paper includes implications for the development of socially responsible supply chains and financial impact.

Originality/value

This paper presents the first empirical research investigating the impact of modern slavery allegations on companies’ operational performance.
Big data analytics in supply chain management: a systematic literature review
Authors: Albqowr Ahmad , Alsharairi Malek , Alsoussi Abdelrahim
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse and classify the literature that contributed to three questions, namely, what are the benefits of big data analytics (BDA) in the field of supply chain management (SCM) and logistics, what are the challenges in BDA applications in the field of SCM and logistics and what are the determinants of successful applications of BDA in the field of SCM and logistics.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducts a systematic literature review (SLR) to analyse the findings of 44 selected papers published in the period from 2016 to 2020, in the area of BDA and its impact on SCM. The designed protocol is composed of 14 steps in total, following Tranfeld (2003). The selected research papers are categorized into four themes.

Findings

This paper identifies sets of benefits to be gained from the use of BDA in SCM, including benefits in data analytics capabilities, operational efficiency of logistical operations and supply chain/logistics sustainability and agility. It also documents challenges to be addressed in this application, and determinants of successful implementation.

Research limitations/implications

The scope of the paper is limited to the related literature published until the beginning of Corona Virus (COVID) pandemic. Therefore, it does not cover the literature published since the COVID pandemic.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the academic research by providing a roadmap for future empirical work into this field of study by summarising the findings of the recent work conducted to investigate the uses of BDA in SCM and logistics. Specifically, this paper culminates in a summary of the most relevant benefits, challenges and determinants discussed in recent research. As the field of BDA remains a newly established field with little practical application in SCM and logistics, this paper contributes by highlighting the most important developments in contemporary literature practical applications.
Comparison of SaaS and IaaS in cloud ERP implementation: the lessons from the practitioners
Authors: Jiang Philip Hong Wei , Wang William Yu Chung
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explain how enterprise resource planning (ERP) implementation evolves by cloud computing in different industries with different delivery models of cloud ERP. This paper also investigates infrastructure as a service (IaaS) as a delivery approach for cloud ERP. Case research on IaaS is rarely found in the literature. In addition, this paper intends to reveal how this transformation from on-premises to the cloud would influence the ERP implementation process.

Design/methodology/approach

A multiple-case study is conducted to identify the different deployed models of cloud ERP systems in the implementation projects. The influences of emerging cloud computing technology on ERP implementation are investigated by interviewing consultants related to the projects.

Findings

The findings illustrate that not only software as a service (SaaS) but also IaaS and platform as a service cloud computing services are widely applied in cloud ERP implementation. This study also indicates that certain technical limitations of cloud ERP might have a positive effect on the outcome of ERP implementation.

Originality/value

This study investigates how cloud computing influences ERP implementation from different aspects. The result identifies both SaaS and IaaS as two different approaches widely adopted in cloud ERP implementation. Besides, this study has discussed in-depth and analyzed these two cloud ERP paradigms in five factors, including functionality, performance, portability, security, cost and customization. The classification and suggestions are original to the literature.
Effect of welding current on microstructures and mechanical properties of welded Ni-base superalloy INC738LC
Authors: Cherif Saib , Zakaria Boumerzoug
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The Ni-base superalloy INC738LC is a precipitation strengthened alloy and is widely used in hot sections of gas turbine engines owing to its excellent high-temperature strength and high hot corrosion resistance. The purpose of this study is to determine the appropriate welding current of Ni-base superalloy INC738LC after two passes of applying the tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding technique.

Design/methodology/approach

Ni-base superalloy INC738LC plates were joined by TIG welding technique by varying the welding current (30, 40 and 50 A). Welded specimens were investigated using optical microscopy, tensile tests, Vickers’s micro-hardness tests and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Optical microscopy was used to characterize fusion zone, heat-affected zone and base metal. Tensile test was conducted to characterize weld strength by determining ultimate tensile strength. Scanning electron microscopy was used to investigate the fracture surfaces after tensile tests. Micro-hardness test was conducted to characterize the welded joint. XRD was applied to determine precipitates formed after welding.

Findings

The ultimate tensile strength results show that the optimum weld current out of the three weld currents was found to be 40 A, which is the closest to that of the base metal.

Originality/value

Many researchers have worked to optimize welding parameters such as current and speed from the microstructural observations and mechanical properties of welded joints. The optimum weld current out of the three weld currents was found to be 40 A.
Microclimate is a strong predictor of the native and invasive plant‐associated soil microbiome on San Cristóbal Island, Galápagos archipelago
Authors: Schoenborn Alexi A. , Yannarell Sarah M. , MacVicar Caroline T. , Barriga‐Medina Noelia N. , Bonham Kevin S. , Leon‐Reyes Antonio , Riveros‐Iregui Diego , Klepac‐Ceraj Vanja , Shank Elizabeth A.
Published: March 2023

Understanding the drivers that affect soil bacterial and fungal communities is essential to understanding and mitigating the impacts of human activity on vulnerable ecosystems like those on the Galápagos Islands. The volcanic slopes of these Islands lead to steep elevation gradients that generate distinct microclimates across small spatial scales. Although much is known about the impacts of invasive plant species on the above‐ground biodiversity of the Galápagos Islands, little is known about their resident soil microbial communities and the factors shaping them. Here, we investigate the bacterial and fungal soil communities associated with invasive and native plant species across three distinct microclimates on San Cristóbal Island (arid, transition zone and humid). At each site, we collected soil at three depths (rhizosphere, 5 cm and 15 cm) from multiple plants. Sampling location was the strongest driver of both bacterial and fungal communities, explaining 73% and 43% of variation in the bacterial and fungal community structure, respectively, with additional minor but significant impacts from soil depth and plant type (invasive vs. native). This study highlights the continued need to explore microbial communities across diverse environments and demonstrates how both abiotic and biotic factors impact soil microbial communities in the Galápagos archipelago.
The physical‐mental health interface in the preconception period: analysis of 131 182 women planning pregnancy in the UK
Authors: Tosh Conor , Kavanagh Kimberley , Flynn Angela C , Stephenson Judith , White Sara L , Catalao Raquel , Wilson Claire A
Published: March 2023

Objective

The physical and mental health of women prior to conception can have a significant impact on pregnancy and child outcomes. Given the rising burden of non‐communicable diseases, the aim was to explore the relation between mental health, physical health and health behaviour in women planning a pregnancy.

Methods

Cross‐sectional analysis of responses from 131 182 women to a preconception health digital education tool, providing data on physical and mental health and health behaviour. Logistic regression was used to explore associations between mental health and physical health variables.

Results

Physical health conditions were reported by 13.1% and mental health conditions by 17.8%. There was evidence for an association between self‐reported physical and mental health conditions (odds ratio [OR] 2.22, 95% CI 2.14–2.3). Those with a mental health condition were less likely to engage with healthy behaviour at preconception such as folate supplementation (OR 0.89, 95% CI 0.86–0.92) and consumption of the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables (OR 0.77, 95% CI 0.74–0.79). They were more likely to be physically inactive (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.11–1.18), smoke tobacco (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.66–1.78) and use illicit substances (OR 2.4, 95% CI 2.25–2.55).

Conclusions

Greater recognition of mental and physical comorbidities is needed and closer integration of physical and mental healthcare in the preconception period, which could support people to optimise their health during this time and improve long‐term outcomes.
The links between basic human values and political secularism: Evidence from Germany
Authors: ARZHEIMER KAI
Published: March 2023

Scholarly interest in political secularism is currently growing. Political secularism is not the absence of religious belief, membership or practice, but the conviction that politics and religion should be kept separate and that religious arguments should have no standing in political debates. Little is known about the roots of this attitude, particularly outside the United States. This is unfortunate because politically secular attitudes strongly affect citizens' views on so‐called morality policies (e.g. the regulation of abortion, assisted suicide or experiments with stem cells) which are often highly controversial.

In this research note, I focus on the link between political secularism and basic human values. From Schwartz's own work and from the extant literature on religion, secularism and basic human values, I derive two hypotheses: self‐direction should be linked to higher levels, and tradition should be linked to lower levels of political secularism.

Multivariate analysis of current survey data from Germany, a prototypical ‘religious‐world country’, supports both hypotheses. Crucially, the relationships hold when controlling for three main facets of religion, for region (east vs west), and for socio‐demographics. The results show that net of their well‐documented association with religion, basic human values contribute to our understanding of political secularism. More generally, the findings demonstrate once more the impact of basic human values on all areas of political life.
The political space in the European parliament: Measuring MEPs' preferences amid the rise of Euroscepticism
Authors: HIX SIMON , WHITAKER RICHARD , ZAPRYANOVA GALINA
Published: March 2023

The 2014–2019 European Parliament (EP) contained an unprecedented number of Eurosceptic Members of the European Parliament (MEPs). These changes reflected a growing politicisation of European integration in which conflicts between those opposing the process and those favouring it became more pronounced. Using a unique time series of surveys of the European parliamentarians, we examine how far the policy preferences of the MEPs responded to this politicisation. MEPs' preferences over general policy questions as well as European Union (EU)‐specific issues have traditionally been described by a multi‐dimensional space: with a left‐right dimension, incorporating both economic and socio‐cultural issues, distinct from a pro‐/anti‐Europe dimension. We find that the political space in the EP evolved in the 2014–2019 parliament, with MEPs' preferences more strongly aligned along a single dimension, which captures economic, socio‐cultural, and EU integration issues.
Segmentectomy versus lobectomy for small‐sized pure solid non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Li Zhihua , Xu Wenzheng , Pan Xianglong , Wu Weibing , Chen Liang
Published: March 2023

Background

Segmentectomy has been recommended for ground glass opacity (GGO)‐dominant small‐sized non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or those with GGO component. Pure solid NSCLC is a special sub‐type and has an inferior prognosis. Whether segmentectomy could achieve comparable long‐term outcomes with lobectomy for pure solid small‐sized NSCLC remained controversial. This study aimed to compare the prognosis of segmentectomy and lobectomy for pure solid NSCLC.

Methods

NSCLC patients with a pure solid nodule (≤2 cm) who received segmentectomy or lobectomy between January 2010 and June 2019 were retrospectively screened. Log‐rank test, univariable, and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used for prognostic comparison. Further, the propensity score matching analysis was adopted to yield a matched cohort.

Results

After screening, 344 pure solid NSCLC patients with a median follow‐up time of 56 months were reserved. Among them, 98 patients underwent segmentectomy and the other 246 subjects received lobectomy. The lobectomy group had a larger tumor size, a higher rate of lymph node metastasis than the segmentectomy arm. Generally, patients with segmentectomy had a better disease‐free survival (DFS) (p = 0.011) and overall survival (OS) (p = 0.028) than those with lobectomy. However, the multivariable Cox regression analysis indicated that no significant survival difference existed between segmentectomy and lobectomy after adjusting the potential confounding factors (DFS: hazard ratio [HR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.30–1.77, p = 0.476; OS: HR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.08–1.59, p = 0.178). Consistently, in the propensity score matched cohort, segmentectomy (n = 74) yielded similar DFS (p = 0.960) and OS (p = 0.320) with lobectomy (n = 74).

Conclusions

Segmentectomy could achieve comparable oncological outcomes with lobectomy for pure solid small‐sized NSCLC.
Lpnet: Reconstructing phylogenetic networks from distances using integer linear programming
Authors: Guo Mengzhen , Grünewald Stefan
Published: March 2023

Neighbor‐net is a widely used network reconstructing method that approximates pairwise distances between taxa by a circular phylogenetic network.

We present Lpnet, a variant of Neighbor‐net. We first apply standard methods to construct a binary phylogenetic tree and then use integer linear programming to compute an optimal circular ordering that agrees with all tree splits.

This approach achieves an improved approximation of the input distance for the clear majority of experiments that we have run for simulated and real data. We release an implementation in R that can handle up to 94 taxa and usually needs about 1 min on a standard computer for 80 taxa. For larger taxa sets, we include a top‐down heuristic which also tends to perform better than Neighbor‐net.

Our Lpnet provides an alternative to Neighbor‐net and performs better in most cases. We anticipate Lpent will be useful to generate phylogenetic hypotheses.
Barriers to recovery for medical professionals: Assessing financial support through a survey of Physician Health Programs
Authors: Weinhouse Samuel , Merlo Lisa J. , Bundy Chris C. , Bresnahan Linda R. , Staffa Steven J. , Fitzsimons Michael G. , Rockoff Mark A. , Vinson Amy E.
Published: March 2023

Background and Objectives

There is increasing focus on physician burnout, psychiatric problems, and substance use disorders. Costs of recovery for physicians enrolled in Physician Health Programs (PHPs) remain unexamined with little known regarding funding resources. We sought to elucidate perceived costs of recovery from impairing conditions and highlight resources for financial strain.

Methods

This survey study was distributed by the Federation of State Physician Health Organizations via e‐mail to 50 PHPs in 2021. Questions assessed perceptions of costs and ability to pay for recommended evaluation, treatment, and monitoring. Questions also assessed limitation of engagement due to financial concerns, and availability of financial resources.

Results

Complete responses were received from 40 of 50 eligible PHPs. The majority (78%) of responding PHPs assessed ability to pay at initial intake evaluation. There is notable financial strain on physicians, particularly those earliest in training, to pay for services.

Discussion and Conclusions

PHPs are vital to physicians, especially physicians‐in‐training, as “safe haven programs.” Methods to financially assist through PHPs included fee deferrals, sliding scale fees, and fee forgiveness. Health insurance, medical schools, and hospitals were able to provide additional assistance.

Scientific Significance

Because burnout, mental health, and substance use disorders are high stakes amongst physicians, it is critical that access to PHPs is available, destigmatized, and affordable. Our paper focuses specifically on the financial cost of recovery, the financial burden placed on PHP participants, a topic lacking in the literature, and highlights remedies and vulnerable populations.
Beyond the ‘big smoke’: Enabling supervision of ophthalmology trainees in regional, rural and remote Australia
Authors: Jessup Belinda , Allen Penny , Khanal Santosh , Baker‐Smith Victoria , Barnett Tony
Published: March 2023

Objective

Expansion of opportunities for ophthalmology training beyond the ‘big smoke’ is anticipated to support the future distribution of ophthalmologists in regional, rural and remote areas of Australia. However, little is known about what enables supervision outside of metropolitan tertiary hospital settings that would contribute to positive training experiences for specialist medical trainees and encourage them to leave the ‘big smoke’ once qualified. The aim of this study was therefore to explore the perceived enablers of ophthalmology trainee supervision in regional, rural and remote health settings across Australia.

Setting

Australia.

Participants

Ophthalmologists working in regional, rural or remote health settings with experience and/or interest in supervising ophthalmology trainees (n = 16).

Design

Qualitative design involving semistructured interviews.

Results

Seven key enablers of ophthalmology trainee supervision in regional, rural and remote health settings were identified: adequate physical infrastructure, resources and funding to host a trainee; availability of online curriculum and teaching resources so as to ensure equity of training opportunities; pre‐established training posts, driven by supervision ‘champions’; a critical mass of ophthalmologists to help share the supervisory load; relationships and support between training posts, the training network and the Specialist Medical College; alignment of trainee competence and attitude with the needs of the training setting; and the recognition of reciprocal benefits for supervisors through supporting trainees, including workforce support and renewal.

Conclusion

With training experiences beyond the ‘big smoke’ anticipated to influence future ophthalmology workforce distribution, implementation of enablers of trainee supervision should occur in regional, rural and remote health settings wherever possible.
The next generation virus‐like particle platform for the treatment of peanut allergy
Authors: Sobczak Jan M. , Krenger Pascal S. , Storni Federico , Mohsen Mona O. , Balke Ina , Reseviča Gunta , Heath Matthew D. , Carreno Velazquez Thalia L. , Kramer Matthias F. , Scott Callum J. W. , Skinner Murray A. , Zeltiņš Andris , Kündig Thomas M. , Vogel Monique , Bachmann Martin F.
Published: March 2023

Background

Allergy to peanut is one of the leading causes of anaphylactic reactions among food allergic patients. Immunization against peanut allergy with a safe and protective vaccine holds a promise to induce durable protection against anaphylaxis caused by exposure to peanut. A novel vaccine candidate (VLP Peanut), based on virus‐like particles (VLPs), is described here for the treatment of peanut allergy.

Methods and Results

VLP Peanut consists of two proteins: a capsid subunit derived from Cucumber mosaic virus engineered with a universal T‐cell epitope (CuMVTT) and a CuMVTT subunit fused with peanut allergen Ara h 2 (CuMVTT‐Ara h 2), forming mosaic VLPs. Immunizations with VLP Peanut in both naïve and peanut‐sensitized mice resulted in a significant anti‐Ara h 2 IgG response. Local and systemic protection induced by VLP Peanut were established in mouse models for peanut allergy following prophylactic, therapeutic, and passive immunizations. Inhibition of FcγRIIb function resulted in a loss of protection, confirming the crucial role of the receptor in conferring cross protection against peanut allergens other than Ara h 2.

Conclusion

VLP Peanut can be delivered to peanut‐sensitized mice without triggering allergic reactions, while remaining highly immunogenic and offering protection against all peanut allergens. In addition, vaccination ablates allergic symptoms upon allergen challenge. Moreover, the prophylactic immunization setting conferred the protection against subsequent peanut‐induced anaphylaxis, showing the potential for preventive vaccination. This highlights the effectiveness of VLP Peanut as a prospective break‐through immunotherapy vaccine candidate toward peanut allergy. VLP Peanut has now entered clinical development with the study PROTECT.