bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does total quality management mediate the relationship between Industry 4.0 and business sustainability in private hospitals?
Authors: Zaid Ahmed Adnan , Othman Mohammed , Qubbaj Ihab Sameer , Asaad Ahmed Riyad
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The paper aims to study the influence of Industry 4.0 technologies on the business sustainability of private hospitals by focusing on the mediating role of total quality management practices in private hospitals in the West Bank.

Design/methodology/approach

Data from the top and middle managers of private hospitals in the West Bank regions of Palestine were collected through a questionnaire assessed for validity and reliability. Furthermore, we used the structural equation modelling technique of partial least squares for the data analysis.

Findings

The findings confirm that Industry 4.0 technologies do not affect business sustainability. The findings also emphasise the association between Industry 4.0 technologies and total quality management philosophy, and total quality management completely mediates the relationship between Industry 4.0 and business sustainability.

Practical implications

This study provides practical implications for achieving the hospital sector's sustainability by merging Industry 4.0 technologies with total quality management practices, which provides valuable insights into the hospital's policies and practices and individuals vital to data exchange and policy enforcement within the sustainability of organisations.

Originality/value

This study is one of the first to investigate the combined effects of Industry 4.0 technologies, total quality management and business sustainability in the healthcare industry following the COVID-19 outbreak. This research is one of few empirical works exploring the interface between Industry 4.0 technologies and total quality management in developing countries, specifically Palestine.
Peer mentoring and identity transformation in a women’s prison
Authors: Smith April
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study examined the impact of peer mentoring on identity transformation amongst women in prison, exploring how peer mentoring roles develop non-offender identities, contributing to the desistance process.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative, interpretative approach was adopted. The research was undertaken at a female prison in England and Wales. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with peer mentors, mentees, project workers and prison officers, alongside focus groups. Thematic analysis was used to analyse the findings.

Findings

Being a peer mentor contributes positively to identity transformation for women in prison, fostering a legitimate, non-offender identity critical to the desistance process. Mentors view their role as a desistance signal through their interactions with prison staff. However, it can lead to role conflict and tension with other women in prison and prison staff.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should consider longitudinal approaches to capture the long-term effects of peer mentoring upon desistance.

Practical implications

Recommendations include leveraging peer mentoring as a rehabilitative intervention, providing ongoing support for mentors and educating prison staff on programme benefits to foster a supportive environment.

Social implications

Enhancing peer mentoring programmes can improve the well-being of women in prison and support their reintegration into society.

Originality/value

This study examined identity transformation in female peer mentors in prison through the lens of social identity and group membership. To the author’s knowledge, no previous studies have focused centrally on identity or applied social identity theory to explore the psychological mechanisms behind these transformations.
Does disclosing commercial intention benefit brands? Mediating role of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity in influencer hidden advertising
Authors: Shen Pengyi , Nie Xuan , Tong Congcong
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Despite sponsorship disclosure regulations, many influencers circumvent regulations by posting hidden advertising in covert formats. However, the impact of influencer hidden advertising sponsorship disclosure (IHASD) on brand attitudes is complex and contradictory. To understand the influence mechanism clearly, we introduced the operational transparency framework and investigated the mediating effects of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity as well as the relationship between them. The conditions under which the mediation effect occurs were also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted three experimental studies. Studies 1 and 2 examined the influence mechanism of sponsorship disclosure (present vs absent) and sponsorship disclosure prominence (explicit vs implicit) of influencer hidden advertising on brand attitudes (i.e. the mediating effect of perceived manipulative intent and perceived authenticity). Study 3 explored the moderating effect of consumers’ thinking styles.

Findings

The results revealed that sponsorship disclosure and sponsorship disclosure prominence of influencer hidden advertising weakened brand attitudes through perceived manipulative intent while enhancing brand attitudes through perceived authenticity. Perceived authenticity and perceived manipulative intent played a bidirectional chain mediating role. When consumers’ thinking style was experiential, the negative mediating effect of perceived manipulative intent was alleviated and the positive mediating effect of perceived authenticity was enhanced; this effect, though, was the opposite when consumers’ thinking style was rational.

Originality/value

This research contributes to influencer sponsorship disclosure literature through providing an enhanced comprehensive, in-depth theoretical explanation of the competing mechanisms of sponsorship disclosure effects.
Using PLS-SEM and XAI for causal-predictive services marketing research
Authors: Goktas Polat , Dirsehan Taskin
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to redefine approaches to metrics in service marketing by examining the utility of partial least squares – structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and eXplainable Artificial Intelligence (XAI) for assessing service quality, with a focus on the airline industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the Airline Passenger Satisfaction data set from Kaggle platform, this study applies PLS-SEM, facilitated by ADANCO software and XAI techniques, specifically using the SHapley Additive exPlanations TreeExplainer model. This study tests several hypotheses to validate the effectiveness of these methodological tools in identifying key determinants of service quality.

Findings

PLS-SEM analysis categorizes key variables into Delay, Airport Service and In-flight Service, whereas XAI techniques rank these variables based on their impact on service quality. This dual-framework provides businesses a detailed analytical approach customized to specific research needs.

Research limitations/implications

This study is constrained by the use of a single data set focused on the airline industry, which may limit generalizability. Future research should apply these methodologies across various sectors to enhance a broader applicability.

Practical implications

The analytical framework offered here equips businesses with the robust tools for a more rigorous and nuanced evaluation of service quality metrics, supporting informed strategic decision-making.

Social implications

By applying advanced analytics to refine service metrics, businesses can better meet and exceed customer expectations, ultimately elevating the societal standard of service delivery.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the ongoing discourse on artificial intelligence interpretability in business analytics, presenting an innovative methodological guide for applying PLS-SEM and/or XAI in service marketing research. This approach delivers actionable insights, not only in the airline sector but also across diverse business domains seeking to optimize service quality.
How to optimize government R&D budget allocation? A review of recent studies and research gaps
Authors: Alizadeh Parisa , Gholipour Domyeh Mojtaba
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Research and Development (R&D) activities are important for technological innovation and present opportunities for entrepreneurship. These activities depend on the flow of funding. This paper aims to review approaches used in R&D project selection and budget allocation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducts a systematic review, examining the content of 60 relevant papers (spanning 2000–2022) concerning public R&D budget allocation. The analysis focuses on allocation methodology, R&D output evaluation, budget allocation efficiency and the management of uncertainty in the allocation process.

Findings

The systematic review reveals different methods proposed for allocating government R&D budgets. These methods range from classical optimization, multi-criteria analysis and hierarchical analysis to techniques such as balanced scorecard, data envelopment analysis and analytic hierarchy process, including fuzzy approaches. Recent trends indicate an increase in the use of advanced optimization, integration and simulation algorithms. Performance indicators for reflecting R&D project outputs or goals can be categorized into four main groups: output (e.g. publications, patents, graduates), outcome, productivity (e.g. citations, patent references, articles and patents per capita) and sector-specific metrics.

Practical implications

Future research directions in government R&D budget allocation may include optimizing allocation to maximize social, economic and political benefits, developing ranking models, decision-making frameworks, simulations and evaluations of factors influencing allocation type and strategy. Additionally, there is a growing interest in novel budget allocation algorithms leveraging artificial intelligence and self-adjusting meta-heuristic algorithms.

Originality/value

The systematic review showed that some important research gaps in (government) R&D budget allocation could be considered in future studies; for example, long-term social, economic and political benefits in budget allocation optimization models, comprehensiveness of allocating government R&D budgets to universities, higher education and research institutes, R&D budget allocation to strategic technology development, e.g. renewable energy sector, supply chain issues and renewable energy value chain; new budget allocation algorithms based on artificial intelligence and self-adjusting meta-heuristic algorithms; methods for optimizing the structures of government budget allocation to R&D, considering executive and regulatory conflicts.
Rez dogs and reflections: how Decolonizing Methodologies informs Indigenous research
Authors: Griffith Camille , Masta Stephanie
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reflect on the role of Linda Tuhiwai Smith's book Decolonizing Methodologies in our work as Indigenous scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

This article explores the application of Indigenous-centered research methodologies as outlined by Linda Tuhiwai Smith in Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples. Through the collaborative work of two Indigenous scholars, we examine how traditional academic structures rooted in settler colonialism can be challenged and transformed.

Findings

We did not have findings as this is not a research paper, but a reflection on how we used Tuhiwai Smith's work in the development and implementation of an Indigenous centered research project.

Originality/value

The originality of this submission is that it reflects on how Tuhiwai Smith's work was used in the natural sciences as opposed to just education/social science research.
Elastic least‐squares reverse time migration from topography through anisotropic tensorial elastodynamics
Authors: Konuk Tugrul , Shragge Jeffrey
Published: October 2024

Least‐squares reverse time migration is an increasingly popular technique for subsurface imaging, especially in the presence of complex geological structures. However, elastic least‐squares reverse time migration algorithms face significant practical and numerical challenges when migrating multi‐component seismic data acquired from irregular topography. Many associated issues can be avoided by abandoning the Cartesian coordinate system and migrating the data to a generalized topographic coordinate system conformal to surface topology. We introduce a generalized anisotropic elastic least‐squares reverse time migration methodology that uses the numerical solutions of tensorial elastodynamics for propagating wavefields in computational domains influenced by free‐surface topography. We define a coordinate mapping assuming unstretched vertically translated meshes that transform an irregular physical domain to a regular computational domain on which calculating numerical elastodynamics solutions is straightforward. This allows us to obtain numerical solutions of forward and adjoint elastodynamics and generate subsurface images directly in topographic coordinates using a tensorial energy‐norm imaging condition. Numerical examples demonstrate that the proposed generalized elastic least‐squares reverse time migration algorithm is suitable for generating high‐quality images with reduced artefacts and better balanced reflectivity that can accurately explain observed data acquired from topography in a medium characterized by arbitrary heterogeneity and anisotropy. Finally, the computational cost of our method is comparable to that of an equivalent Cartesian elastic least‐squares reverse time migration numerical implementation.
Transient electromagnetic data denoising based on cluster analysis and locally weighted linear regression
Authors: Wang Cheng , Li Jianhui , Lu Xushan
Published: October 2024

In transient electromagnetic surveys, the collected data inevitably contain noise originating from both natural and cultural sources. This noise has the potential to mask transient electromagnetic responses linked to geological features, thereby posing challenges in accurately interpreting subsurface structures. Hence, the implementation of effective noise reduction techniques is crucial in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of inversion outcomes in transient electromagnetic surveys. This study introduces a novel approach that merges k‐means clustering with locally weighted linear regression to denoise transient electromagnetic data. The results from synthetic examples illustrate that the k‐means locally weighted linear regression method can predict transient electromagnetic data closely resembling true values, similar to the long short‐term memory autoencoder. Occam's inversion results derived from denoised data using both the k‐means locally weighted linear regression and long short‐term memory–autoencoder methods can well reflect the true model. Notably, a key advantage of the k‐means locally weighted linear regression method is its independence from labelled data as the sample set. The k‐means locally weighted linear regression method was applied to field data collected at the Narenbaolige coalfield in Inner Mongolia, China. Occam's inversion models generated from the denoised field data delineate the boundary between the basaltic body and sedimentary rocks, aligning with drilling data. The inversion models derived from the noisy field data also can capture this boundary, but deep section views reveal the presence of numerous intricate high‐resistivity anomalous bodies. These observations highlight the effectiveness of the k‐means locally weighted linear regression method in denoising transient electromagnetic data.
Novel brittleness index construction and pre‐stack seismic prediction for gas hydrate reservoirs
Authors: Yang Wenqiang , Zong Zhaoyun , Liu Xinxin , Qin Dewen , Liu Qingwen
Published: October 2024

Reservoir transformation is essential for developing gas hydrate reservoirs. Predicting sediment brittleness is key to optimizing drilling design and evaluating engineering sweet spots. Constructing a brittleness index reflecting the brittle mineral content of a rock based on elastic parameters and predicting it using seismic data is a feasible solution for assessing reservoir brittleness. In addition, the elastic brittleness index can characterize the effect of complex pore types, fractures and pore fillings on rock brittleness. With the shallow hydrate reservoir in the sea as the research target. First, a novel brittleness index characterized by multiplying the Lamé parameter () by Poisson's ratio () is proposed. Its superiority in indicating brittle mineral content is verified by a rock‐physics model. Second, a reflection coefficient approximation equation including the novel brittleness index is derived, enabling direct estimation of reservoir brittleness from seismic data. The new brittleness index has proven to better reflect brittle mineral content and effectively indicate the high brittleness characteristics of hydrate reservoirs. The accuracy of the proposed approximate equation is verified by a layered medium model, and the viability of predicting the new brittleness index using seismic data is also theoretically supported by the model test. Finally, the proposed method has obtained favourable results in the application of hydrate work area data collected at the South China Sea, confirming its availability and practicality.
Participation in health promoting occupations among mothers of children aged 3–8 years with and without difficulties in sensory processing
Authors: Doskalovich Maya Baruch , Yochman Aviva , Budman Jennifer R.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Participation in personally significant occupations often contributes to quality of life. Parenting a child with difficulties in sensory processing may present challenges that can affect subjective and objective components of parental participation, thus possibly decreasing their quality of life. This study aimed to compare these components between mothers of children with and without difficulties in sensory processing and explore their relationship with maternal quality of life.

Methods

Seventy mothers of children aged 3–8 years with (50%) and without difficulties in sensory processing completed questionnaires measuring subjective occupational experience, objective frequency of participation in health promoting activities, and quality of life. No consumer or community involvement occurred.

Results

Satisfaction with participation competence as well as objective frequency of participation in health promoting activities among mothers from the study group was found to be significantly lower than the control group. Additionally, a significant moderately strong correlation was found between these variables and the quality of life of all mothers.

Conclusions

Subjective and objective participation in health promoting activities is lower in mothers of children with difficulties in sensory processing. Additionally, the quality of life in all mothers was linked to their perceived capability and frequency of engagement in health‐promoting activities. Raising awareness to the experience of mothers of children with challenges in sensory processing may help bring to attention the importance of enhancing mothers' engagement in health‐promoting activities.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

Mothering a child with difficulties in sensory processing can influence parents' emotional states and sense of competence, affecting how mothers take part in activities that support their health and quality of life. In this study, 70 mothers of children aged 3–8, with and without difficulties in sensory processing, were asked about how often they participate in activities that promote their health, their experiences, and about their quality of life. The mothers of children with difficulties in sensory processing felt less confident in their abilities and did fewer activities that support their health. Also, in all the mothers, their quality of life was related to how competent they feel and how often they performed these types of activities. This shows how important it is to support mothers of children with sensory processing difficulties helping them feel confident and join in activities that support their health. It is a reminder that family‐focussed intervention is key to making sure mothers are doing well too.
Metagenomics reveal the potential for geosmin and 2‐methylisoborneol production across multiple bacterial phyla in recirculating aquaculture systems
Authors: Zheng Dan , Wilén Britt‐Marie , Öberg Ola , Wik Torsten , Modin Oskar
Published: October 2024

Geosmin and 2‐methylisoborneol (MIB) are known to cause taste‐and‐odour problems in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS). Both geosmin and MIB are microbial metabolites belonging to terpenoids. Precursors for terpenoids are biosynthesized via the methylerythritol phosphate (MEP) and the mevalonate (MVA) pathways. We carried out a metagenomic analysis of 50 samples from five RAS to investigate terpenoid biosynthesis and metabolic potential for geosmin and MIB production in RAS microbiomes. A total of 1008 metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) representing 26 bacterial and three archaeal phyla were recovered. Although most archaea are thought to use the MVA pathway for terpenoid precursor biosynthesis, an Iainarchaeota archaeal MAG is shown to harbour a complete set of genes encoding the MEP pathway but lacking genes associated with the MVA pathway. In this study, a total of 16 MAGs affiliated with five bacterial phyla (Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Chloroflexota, and Myxococcota) were identified as possessing potential geosmin or MIB synthases. These putative taste and odour producers were diverse, many were taxonomically unidentified at the genus or species level, and their relative abundance differed between the investigated RAS farms. The metagenomic study of the RAS microbiomes revealed a previously unknown phylogenetic diversity of the potential to produce geosmin and MIB.
A cost‐effectiveness analysis of stereotactic ablative radiotherapy versus conventionally fractionated radiotherapy in the management of stage 1 non‐small‐cell lung cancer: Results from the TROG 09.02 CHISEL study
Authors: Byrne Adam , De Abreu Lourenco Richard , Govindaraj Ramkumar , Ball David , Le Hien
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Stereotactic ablative radiotherapy (SABR) is a standard of care treatment for medically inoperable early‐stage non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The CHISEL trial was a phase 3 randomised controlled trial that compared SABR to conventional radiation therapy (CRT). Using patient‐level data, we compared the cost‐effectiveness of SABR and CRT for early‐stage NSCLC.

Methods

Data on treatment exposure, outcomes (recurrence, survival) and quality of life (QoL; EORTC QLQ‐C30) were sourced from the trial. Quality‐adjusted life years (QALYs) were estimated for the trial period using Australian utility weights for the EORTC QLQ‐C30‐derived QLU‐C10D. Costs related to simulation, planning, delivery, verification and post‐treatment monitoring were estimated by applying Australian Medicare Benefits Schedule fees. The costs of post‐progression therapy and grade ≥3 toxicity were estimated using trial data and relevant literature sources. Cost‐effectiveness was investigated as the incremental cost per QALY gained for SABR compared to CRT.

Results

Complete QoL data were available for 21 patients: 14 in the SABR arm and 7 in the CRT arm. Mean QALYs discounted at 5% per annum were similar between arms: 12.68 months for SABR and 12.12 months for CRT. The mean costs of delivering SABR and CRT were $4763 and $6817, respectively. The costs of monitoring were similar in both arms, $4856 and $4853 for SABR and CRT. The mean costs of post‐progression therapy were $24,572 for SABR and $42,801 for CRT. The mean costs of grade ≥3 toxicity were $809 in the SABR arm and $132 in the CRT arm. Therefore, the total mean cost for SABR over the period of interest was lower for SABR than CRT. Given lower mean costs and numerically higher QALYs for SABR compared with CRT, an incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was not calculated.

Conclusion

Compared to CRT, SABR is a cost‐effective treatment for early‐stage NSCLC as the estimated upfront treatment cost and the cost of subsequent care are lower for SABR for comparable mean QALYs. Assessment of the lifetime QALYs and projections of cost estimation will provide a better indication of the long‐term cost‐effectiveness of SABR.
The developing immune system in preterm born infants: From contributor to potential solution for respiratory tract infections and wheezing
Authors: van Duuren Inger C. , van Hengel Oscar R. J. , Penders John , Duijts Liesbeth , Smits Hermelijn H. , Tramper‐Stranders Gerdien A.
Published: October 2024

Moderate‐late preterm‐born infants experience more frequent and severe respiratory tract infections and wheezing compared to term‐born infants. Decreasing the risk on respiratory tract infections and wheezing in this group is vital to improve quality of life and reduce medical consumption during infancy, but also to reduce the risk on asthma and COPD later in life. Until now, moderate‐late preterm infants are underrepresented in research and mechanisms underlying their morbidity are largely unknown, although they represent 80% of all preterm‐born infants. In order to protect these infants effectively, it is essential to understand the role of the immune system in early life respiratory health and to identify strategies to optimize immune development and respiratory health. This review elaborates on risk factors and preventative measures concerning respiratory tract infections and wheezing in preterm‐born infants, exploring their impact on the immune system and microbiome. Factors discussed are early life antibiotic use, birth mode, feeding type and living environment. Further, differences in adaptive and innate immune maturation between term and preterm infants are discussed, as well as differences in local immune reactions in the lungs. Finally, preventative strategies are being explored, including microbiota transplantation, immune modulation (through pre‐, pro‐, syn‐ and postbiotics, bacterial lysates, vaccinations, and monoclonal antibodies) and antibiotic prophylaxis.
Letter: Zinc and selenium—Potential biomarkers for chronic liver disease?
Authors: Li Zhuo , Dai Hao‐Ran
Published: October 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Dominik et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18179 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18324.
Acoustic evaluation of voice signal distortion by videoconferencing platforms and devices used in telepractice for cleft palate
Authors: Tajiri Shiho , Hidaka Shunsuke , Takehisa Shuhei , Hasegawa Sachiyo , Ohyama Yukiko , Yamada Tomohiro
Published: October 2024

The usefulness and effectiveness of telepractice have been reported in recent years. Treatment of cleft palate patients with compensatory articulation is based on perceptual identification. Telepractice using videoconferencing platforms causes voice signal distortion and impacts auditory‐perceptual perception. This study aimed acoustically examine voice signal distortion and determine the optimal videoconferencing platforms, in addition to the phonemes that can be discriminated with the same quality as in face‐to‐face interactions. ATR503 with 50 phoneme‐balanced Japanese speech sentences was used as a reference corpus. Four videoconferencing platforms, —Zoom, Cisco Webex, Skype, and Google Meet, —and five devices, —iPhone, Android, iPad Air, Windows, and MacBook Pro were used as transmission conditions to examine voice signal distortions with the objective measure log‐spectral distortion (LSD). Tukey's test was conducted to evaluate the degree of consonant distortion related to voicings (voiceless and voiced), places of articulation (bilabial, alveolar, alveolo‐palatal, palatal, velar, labial‐velar, and glottal), and manners of articulation (plosive, fricative, affricate, tap or flap, nasal, and approximant). With statistically significant differences, voiced, bilabial, labial‐velar, nasal, and plosive consonants exhibited smaller distortions. In contrast, voiceless, alveolo‐palatal, fricative, and affricate consonants exhibited larger distortions. Google Meet exhibited the lowest distortion among videoconferencing platforms and MacBook exhibited the lowest distortion among devices. This study provides significant insights into the telepractice strategies with the appropriate videoconferencing platform and device, and useful settings for cleft palate patients with compensatory articulations with respect to acoustics.
A Novel Homozygous Missense ZP1 Variant Result in Human Female Empty Follicle Syndrome
Authors: He Pei , Liu Siping , Shi Xiao , Huang Chuyu , Li Wenfeng , Wu Jiamin , Li Huixi , Liu Junting , Wen Yuyuan , Zhang Weiqing , Qiu Zhuolin , Luo Chen , Hua Rui
Published: October 2024

Empty follicle syndrome (EFS) is a disorder characterised by the unsuccessful retrieval of oocytes from matured follicles following ovarian stimulation for in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Genetic factors significantly contribute to this pathology. To date, an increasing number of genetic mutations associated with GEFS have been documented, however, some cases still remain unexplained by these previously reported mutations. Here, we identified a novel homozygous missense ZP1 variant (c.1096 C > T, p.Arg366Trp) in a female patient with GEFS from a consanguineous family who failed to retrieve any oocytes during two cycles of IVF treatment. We conducted a molecular dynamics simulation analysis on the mutant ZP1 model, revealing that the mutant ZP1 protein has an altered 3D structure, lower fluctuation, higher compactness and higher instability than wild‐type ZP1. Immunostaining, immunoblotting and co‐immunoprecipitation results showed that the homozygous missense mutation in ZP1 impaired protein secretion and weakened interactions between ZP1 and other ZP proteins, which may affect the ZP assembly. This study contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the genetic aetiopathogenesis of GEFS.
Butterfly species vary in sex‐specific sodium accumulation from larval diets
Authors: Santiago‐Rosario Luis Y. , Shephard Alexander M. , Snell‐Rood Emilie , Herrmann Achim D. , Harms Kyle E.
Published: October 2024

Sodium is essential for animals, and its heterogeneous distribution can cause a range of phenomena, from sodium‐seeking behaviours to impacting their performance. Although sodium content in soils and plants is relatively well documented, data for higher trophic levels are limited. Knowledge of the variation in sodium in lower trophic levels could have implications for understanding the behaviour and physiology of species at higher levels.

We investigated the variation in tissue sodium concentration between males and females of four butterfly species. Puddling behaviour of Lepidoptera suggests sodium needs of males are generally greater than females, thus, we predicted males would accumulate more sodium than females on a given diet.

Larvae were reared on plants (for Battus philenor, Chlosyne lacinia and Danaus plexippus) and an artificial diet (for Pieris rapae) under Low Na (no added sodium) and High Na (sodium added) conditions. Among species and sexes, we quantified and compared adult absolute tissue sodium concentrations and bioconcentration factors, which indicate net sodium accumulation or excretion relative to individuals' diets.

On average, individuals on low‐sodium diets had higher bioconcentration values across all species. Male butterflies accumulated significantly higher sodium concentrations than females in two sodium treatments for B. philenor, and P. rapae and only in the High Na treatment for C. lacinia. However, in D. plexippus, individuals accumulate sodium in the High Na treatment, but males and females responded in the same way.

Our study revealed sex‐ and species‐specific patterns of butterfly sodium accumulation, which could be linked to variations in behaviour and/or performance. Differences in sodium content across species have implications for variation in predation and trophic‐level interactions, an interesting avenue for future ecological and evolutionary research.
Comparative Genomics of Conifer‐Associated Fusarium spp.
Authors: Dobbs John T. , Kim Mee‐Sook , Klopfenstein Ned B. , Stewart Jane E.
Published: October 2024

Recent studies have shown numerous Fusarium spp. are associated with symptomatic conifer seedlings in both bareroot and container nursery systems. Some of these species have been found pathogenic to conifer seedlings (e.g., F. avenaceum, F. commune, F. oxysporum, F. solani, and F. verticillioides), but the mechanisms and shared evolutionary history of these conifer pathogenic species have not been well studied in these pathosystems. We compared whole genomes of 17 Fusarium spp. associated with conifer seedlings to elucidate putative shared pathogenicity/virulence gene profiles presumably expressed for roles in causing damping‐off and/or root disease of conifer seedlings. In addition, this work provides draft genomes of conifer‐associated Fusarium spp. and genomes not previously referenced in public databases (e.g., F. lactis, F. fredkrugeri, F. ipomoeae, and F. flocciferum). We identified pathogenicity/virulence genes associated with Fusarium spp. pathogens of conifers including effectors, the secreted in xylem (SIX) genes 2, 4, 9 and 14 and secondary metabolites, and the mycotoxins fumonisin and deoxynivalenol. We conclude that gene profiles are shared within Fusarium species complexes and among closely related Fusarium species complexes; however, these shared profiles are widely distributed across all Fusarium pathogens. These findings highlight potential targets for detecting and/or identifying Fusarium pathogens of conifers, but multiple methods and/or targets will be required depending on the species complexes and clades. More research is needed to determine the roles of expressed pathogenicity/virulence genes and the downstream metabolic products that result in pathogenesis to conifers.
Associations between mother and father involvement with older adolescents: Mediating effects of parent‐adolescent and couple relationships
Authors: Zhang Donghang , Sterrett‐Hong Emma M. , Ballard‐Kang Jennifer , Li Keyang
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study aims to illuminate the dynamic interplay among subsystems within the family context to understand how mother and father involvement in their adolescent children's lives may be related.

Background

Consistent with different predictions offered by family spillover and by compensatory conceptual models, whether there is an association between mother and father involvement, as well as the direction of the association, is unclear thus far in the empirical literature. Whether more proximal dyadic relationships, such as parent–adolescent relationships, may mediate the association between mother and father involvement has also been underexamined.

Method

This study was conducted using the adolescent subsample drawn from Wave 3 of the Welfare, Children, and Families Project. A total of 463 ethnically diverse adolescents from low‐income households living with two biological parents were involved in this study.

Results

Results of a structural equation modeling analysis indicated that the total effect from mother involvement to father involvement was significant, but a direct association between them was not significant; closeness in parent–adolescent and coparental relationships mediated the relationship between the two. Study results also indicated that model fits and associations were roughly the same across adolescent sex and ethnicity groups.

Conclusion

This study advanced the understanding of the father involvement process. The findings support that parental involvement interventions for parents from low‐income families should focus on developing culturally responsive strategies for promoting their parenting beliefs and healthy functioning.
Nuclear DUX4 immunohistochemistry is a highly sensitive and specific marker for the presence of CIC::DUX4 fusion in CIC‐rearranged sarcomas: a study of 48 molecularly confirmed cases
Authors: Macedo Rodrigo T , Baranovska‐Andrigo Vira , Pancsa Tamás , Klubíčková Natálie , Rubin Brian P , Kilpatrick Scott E , Goldblum John R , Fritchie Karen J , Billings Steven D , Michal Michal , Švajdler Marián , Kinkor Zdeněk , Michal Michael , Dermawan Josephine K
Published: October 2024

Aims

CIC‐rearranged sarcomas (CRS) are clinically aggressive undifferentiated round cell sarcomas (URCS), commonly driven by CIC::DUX4. Due to the repetitive nature of DUX4 and the variability of the fusion breakpoints, CIC::DUX4 fusion may be missed by molecular testing. Immunohistochemical (IHC) stains have been studied as surrogates for the CIC::DUX4 fusion. We aim to assess the performance of DUX4 IHC in the work‐up of CRS and its expression in non‐CRS round cell or epithelioid neoplasms.

Methods and results

Cases of molecularly confirmed CRS (n = 48) and non‐CRS (n = 105) were included. CRS cases consisted of 35 females and 13 males, with ages ranging from less than 1 year to 67 years (median = 41 years). Among the molecularly confirmed non‐CRS cases, C‐terminal DUX4 expression was investigated in Ewing sarcomas (38 cases), alveolar rhabdomyosarcomas (18 cases), desmoplastic small round cell tumours (12 cases) and synovial sarcomas (n = five), as well as in non‐mesenchymal neoplasms such as SMARCA4/SMARCB1‐deficient tumours (n = five), carcinomas of unknown primary (n = three) and haematolymphoid neoplasms (four cases). DUX4 IHC was considered positive when strong nuclear expression was detected in more than 50% of neoplastic cells. When used as a surrogate for the diagnosis of CRS, the sensitivity and specificity of DUX4 IHC was 98 and 100%, respectively. Only one CRS case was negative for DUX4 IHC and harboured a CIC::FOXO4 fusion.

Conclusions

DUX4 IHC is a highly sensitive and specific surrogate marker for the presence of CIC::DUX4 fusion, demonstrating its utility in establishing a diagnosis of CRS.
Early life social conditions and adverse experiences are associated with childhood BMI and perceived overeating
Authors: Bartoskova Polcrova Anna , Ksinan Jiskrova Gabriela , Bobak Martin , Pikhart Hynek , Klánová Jana , Ksinan Albert J.
Published: October 2024

Background

Early life socioeconomic disadvantage and adverse experiences may lead to overeating, which is in turn associated with increased body mass index (BMI). However, recent evidence indicated that the association between childhood BMI and overeating might be bidirectional. This bidirectionality prompts the need for further investigation of early life predictors of BMI in childhood.

Objectives

To longitudinally assess the directionality of the association between childhood BMI and perceived overeating and to investigate their antecedent early life predictors.

Methods

The sample included data from 5151 children from the ELSPAC study, collected between 18 months and 11 years of child age. The outcomes were child BMI and mother‐reported overeating, assessed at the age of 3, 5, 7 and 11 years. Predictors included maternal BMI, maternal education, single parenthood, financial difficulties and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) reported by parents and paediatricians. The random intercept cross‐lagged panel model was applied.

Results

The mean child's BMI at age 3 was 15.59 kg/m2 and increased to 17.86 kg/m2 at age 11. The percentage of parent‐reported overeating increased in the following period, from about 12% at age 3 to 17% at age 11. The results showed temporal stability in perceived overeating and BMI, with a bidirectional relationship strengthening over time. The child's BMI was associated with maternal BMI. Maternal BMI was positively associated with child‐perceived overeating, but a stronger effect was found for ACEs. ACEs mediated the impact of maternal education, financial difficulties and single parenthood on overeating.

Conclusions

We observed stable bidirectional associations between BMI and perceived overeating. The results indicated two main pathways: one linked to maternal BMI and early childhood BMI increase followed by perceived overeating and the second associated with ACEs mediating the effect of early childhood social factors on perceived overeating, leading to gradual BMI gain.
Examining the Receptivity to Tobacco Treatment Information for Individuals Living With Mental Illnesses: A Mixed Method Study
Authors: Abufarsakh Bassema , Seng Sarret , Cline Madelyn Strong , Scarduzio Jennifer , Okoli Chizimuzo T. C.
Published: October 2024

People living with mental illnesses (MI) have a specific need that requires tailored tobacco treatment (TT) information to be delivered in a desirable, appropriate, and acceptable manner to increase their receptivity. In this mixed‐method study, we aimed to develop tailored TT pamphlets for people with MI. In Phase I, we explored perspectives on tailored TT information from mental health providers (MHPs) and individuals with MI. In Phase II, we assessed the desirability, applicability, and acceptability of the developed tailored TT pamphlets. Semistructured interviews were used to obtain qualitative and quantitative data from 16 MHPs and 13 individuals with MIs recruited from an inpatient psychiatric facility. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistics were used to synthesize the data. The study guides the development of effective approaches, presentations, and content to enhance TT engagement for people with MI. The proposed tailored TT pamphlets proved desirable, applicable, and acceptable for individuals with MI. We recommend developing tailored TT information for people with MI in collaboration with MHPs and the target audience. Clear, concise communication is crucial, ensuring desirability, applicability, and acceptability. Further research should identify effective approaches and evaluate tailored TT materials to enhance program effectiveness.
Comparing the performance of multiple trigger tools in identifying medication‐related hospital readmissions
Authors: Lips Nikki , Singh Amit , Weir Daniala , Karapinar‐Carkit Fatma
Published: October 2024

Background

Multiple trigger tools have been developed to identify medication‐related hospital (re)admissions (MRRs); however, the accuracy of these tools in real‐world clinical practice is uncertain. The objective of this study was to compare the accuracy of four different trigger tools (OPERAM, STOPP/START criteria, ADR‐tool, and QUADRAT) to identify MRRs compared with clinical adjudication.

Methods

We conducted a secondary analysis of patients readmitted within 30 days to seven departments of a teaching hospital. In the primary study, which involved a retrospective chart review of 1111 readmissions, MRRs and their potential preventability were clinically adjudicated by physicians and pharmacists. In the current study, four trigger tools were applied by a different physician and pharmacist panel. Patients of all ages were included. Trigger tools included both explicit items specifying the event and the associated medication and implicit items requiring clinical knowledge. The accuracy of each trigger tool was assessed by calculating the proportion of clinically adjudicated MRRs each tool identified overall as well as according to explicit and implicit triggers separately. The accuracy of each tool to identify potentially preventable MRRs was also calculated.

Results

Of 1111 readmissions, 181 were adjudicated as medication‐related (mean age 69 years, 56% male); 72 (40%) MRRs were potentially preventable. The original OPERAM tool identified 166 (92%) MRRs (62% through explicit triggers). The STOPP/START criteria identified 23 (13%, 7% through explicit triggers), the ADR tool identified 51 (28%, all explicit triggers), and the QUADRAT tool identified 76 (42%; all explicit triggers) MRRs. Of the 72 potentially preventable MRRs, OPERAM identified 59 (82%), STOPP/START identified 18 (25%), ADR identified 20 (28%), and QUADRAT identified 21 (29%).

Conclusion

The original OPERAM tool identified the highest proportion of (preventable) MRRs. However, this tool includes many implicit triggers requiring expert clinical knowledge. Future studies should assess the practicality of implementing this tool in daily practice.
Predicting change in relationship distress and depressive symptoms among couples in Taiwan: The role of attachment, emotional expressivity, and gender roles in Emotionally Focused Therapy
Authors: Tseng Chi‐Fang , Morgan Preston C. , Wittenborn Andrea K.
Published: October 2024

This pilot study examined predictors of change in relationship distress and depressive symptoms over the course of Emotionally Focused Therapy (EFT) in a one‐arm, pragmatic clinical trial of 17 couples in Taiwan. Results revealed that masculine ideology, feminine ideology, traditionalism, and emotional expressivity at intake predicted change in relationship distress. Specifically, women's high traditional gender roles and traditionalism and both partners' high emotional expressivity at intake were associated with decreases in relationship distress over time. In addition, attachment and emotional expressivity predicted change in depressive symptoms. Specifically, high attachment avoidance, high attachment anxiety, and high emotional expressivity at intake were associated with decreases in depressive symptoms over time. While more research is needed, these findings offer preliminary support for the types of partners who may experience more improvement after receiving EFT in Taiwan.