bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Reimagining Islamic banking in the light of Maqasid Shariah
Authors: Sheikh Rafiullah , Hussain Khalid
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to explore Islamic banking through the lens of Maqasid Shariah so that it can be reimagined to achieve societal well-being and greater confidence of Islamic banking stakeholders in Islamic banking products and practices. Additionally, it aims to identify the gap between Islamic banking theory and its existing practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the qualitative content analysis method based on the data gathered through semistructured interviews with Islamic banking stakeholders, including Shariah scholars, Islamic economics and finance researchers and Islamic bankers.

Findings

This study suggests that Maqasid Shariah represents Islam’s holistic view as a comprehensive code of life that considers individual and societal well-being. If an Islamic bank needs Shariah compliance, it is required to comply with Maqasid Shariah as well. For this purpose, this study proposes that Islamic banks should adopt value-based intermediation. Findings further suggest that the Islamic banks of Pakistan are realizing the Maqasid Aammah and many of the Maqasid Khassah relevant to Islamic banking and finance. It is revealed that Islamic banks are not merely working to maximize shareholders’ wealth but are conducting real economic activities, which bring employment, and distribute charity funds besides corporate social responsibility for the community’s welfare. This study proposes that Islamic banks, along with corporate financing and sovereign Sukuk, should also provide microfinancing to the underprivileged segments of society, which will empower and uplift their communities. This way, IBF practices can be harmonized with the idealized ones Islamic economists advocate. Ultimately, this study proposes specific reforms in Islamic banking in the light of Maqasid Shariah.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that contributes to Islamic economics and finance knowledge by integrating different perspectives of Shariah scholars, bankers and economists on Islamic banking. It also offers context for policy implications, especially regarding financial engineering.
Microstructure and mechanical properties at elevated temperatures of as-built and heat-treated Inconel 718 produced through laser powder bed fusion processes
Authors: Dwivedi Aman , Khurana Manoj Kumar , Bala Y.G. , Mishra S.B.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to better understand the influence of various post-treatments on the microstructure and mechanical properties of additively manufactured parts for critical applications.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) fabricated Inconel 718 (IN718) samples were subjected to various heat treatments, namely homogenization, solution heat treatment and double aging, to investigate their influence on the microstructure, mechanical properties and fracture mechanism at an elevated temperature of 650 °C. Homogenization treatment was performed at 1080 °C for durations ranging from 1–8 h. The solution treatment temperature varied from 980 °C to 1140 °C for 1 h, followed by double aging treatment.

Findings

At 650 °C, the as-built sample showed the minimum strength but demonstrated the maximum elongation to failure compared to the heat-treated samples. The strength of the IN718 superalloy increased by 20.26% to 34.81%, while ductility significantly reduced by 65.26% to 72.89% after various heat treatments compared to the as-built state. This change is attributed to the enhancement in grain boundary strength resulting from the pinning effect of the intergranular δ-phase.

Originality/value

The study observed that the variations in the fracture mechanism of LPBF fabricated IN718 depend on the duration and temperature of heat treatment. This research provides a thorough overview of the high-temperature mechanical properties of LPBF fabricated IN718 subjected to different homogenization times and solution treatment temperatures, correlating these effects to the corresponding changes in microstructure.
Enablers and challenges of Smart Heritage implementation – the case of Chinatown Melbourne
Authors: Geng Shiran , Chau Hing-Wah , Jamei Elmira , Vrcelj Zora
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Arising from the concept of a Smart City, Smart Heritage has emerged as a significant aspect of heritage conservation. It is viewed as a means to enhance cultural sustainability by strengthening the identity of heritage precincts. Nevertheless, the adoption of Smart Heritage solutions in Australian heritage precincts for the purpose of identity development is still relatively limited. This study focuses on Chinatown Melbourne as a case study to unveil how Smart Heritage can influence a heritage precinct’s identity and to identify the enablers and challenges of such implementation.

Design/methodology/approach

The study involves interviews with eight professionals in community development, practitioners in the built-environment discipline and experts in heritage conservation in Chinatown Melbourne.

Findings

The outcomes of this study offer practical insights for facilitating the development of Chinatown Melbourne as an urban heritage site, along with providing recommendations for other heritage precincts considering the adoption of Smart Heritage as part of their conservation strategy.

Originality/value

This study offers a novel examination of Smart Heritage implementation in an urban heritage precinct, addressing both the practical enablers and challenges. It advances the discussion by focusing on how Smart Heritage can enhance cultural identity, an aspect underexplored in Australian heritage studies and provides a framework for future global comparisons.
Ecological and intrinsic drivers of foraging parameters of Eurasian lynx at a continental scale
Authors: Oliveira Teresa , Mattisson Jenny , Vogt Kristina , Linnell John , Odden John , Oeser Julian , Premier Joseph , Rodríguez‐Recio Mariano , Belotti Elisa , Bufka Ludek , Černe Rok , Duľa Martin , Fležar Urša , Gonev Andrej , Herdtfelder Micha , Heurich Marco , Hočevar Lan , Hvala Tilen , Iľko Tomáš , Kont Raido , Koubek Petr , Krojerová‐Prokešová Jarmila , Kubala Jakub , Kübarsepp Marko , Kusak Josip , Kutal Miroslav , Machciník Beňadik , Männil Peep , Melovski Dime , Molinari Paolo , Ornicāns Aivars , Pavlov Aleksandar , Prostor Maruša , Slijepčević Vedran , Smolko Peter , Tam Branislav , Krofel Miha
Published: November 2024

The estimation of foraging parameters is fundamental for understanding predator ecology. Predation and feeding can vary with multiple factors, such as prey availability, presence of kleptoparasites and human disturbance. However, our knowledge is mostly limited to local scales, which prevents studying effects of environmental factors across larger ecological gradients.

Here, we compared inter‐kill intervals and handling times of Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) across a large latitudinal gradient, from subarctic to the Mediterranean ecosystems, using a standardised dataset of predicted adult ungulate kills from 107 GPS‐collared lynx from nine distinct populations in Europe. We analysed variations in these two foraging parameters in relation to proxies reflecting prey availability, scavengers' presence and human disturbance, to improve our understanding of lynx predation at a continental scale.

We found that inter‐kill intervals and handling times varied between populations, social status and in different seasons within the year. We observed marked differences in inter‐kill intervals between populations, which do not appear to be driven by variation in handling time. Increases in habitat productivity (expressed by NDVI, used as a proxy for prey availability) resulted in reduced inter‐kill intervals (i.e. higher kill rates).

We observed less variation in handling (i.e. feeding) times, although presence of dominant scavengers (wild boars and brown bears) and higher human impact led to significantly shorter handling times. This suggests that kleptoparasitism and human disturbance may limit the energetic input that lynx can obtain from their prey. We also observed that the human impact on foraging parameters can be consistent between some populations but context‐dependent for others, suggesting local adaptations by lynx.

Our study highlights the value of large‐scale studies based on standardised datasets, which can aid the implementation of effective management measures, as patterns observed in one area might not be necessarily transferable to other regions. Our results also indicate the high degree of adaptability of these solitary felids, which enables them to meet their energy requirements and persist across a wide range of environmental conditions despite the constraints imposed by humans, dominant scavengers and variable prey availability.
Does carbon labelling encourage the consumption of low‐emission meat products? Evidence from China
Authors: Yuan Rao , Tang Zhengmin
Published: November 2024

By combining a hypothetical labelled‐choice experiment and a between‐subject design experiment, this study explores the influence of carbon labels on low‐emission meat consumption. The results reveal that carbon labels are effective in encouraging consumers to choose low‐emission conventional meat products. However, carbon labels are ineffective in persuading consumers to choose novel meat alternatives. Additionally, the results suggest that the efficiency of carbon labels depends on their format. The traffic‐light carbon label was identified as the most effective, reducing carbon emissions from meat consumption by 21.55%, followed by the carbon‐reduction label at 18.07% and the carbon‐neutral label at 2.6%. The findings raise implications for policymakers in developing standards for carbon labels.
Root inoculation with soil‐borne microorganisms alters gut bacterial communities and performance of the leaf‐chewer Spodoptera exigua
Authors: Ramírez‐Serrano Beatriz , Querejeta Marina , Minchev Zhivko , Pozo María J. , Dubreuil Géraldine , Giron David
Published: November 2024

Soil‐borne microorganisms can impact leaf‐chewing insect fitness by modifying plant nutrition and defence. Whether the altered insect performance is linked to changes in microbial partners of caterpillars remains unclear. We investigated the effects of root inoculation with soil bacteria or fungi on the gut bacterial community and biomass of the folivore Spodoptera exigua. We also explored the potential correlation between both parameters. We performed herbivory bioassay using leaves of tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum), measured caterpillar weight gain and characterized the gut bacterial communities via 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding. All soil microbes modified the gut bacterial communities, but the extent of these changes depended on the inoculated species. Rhizophagus irregularis and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens had opposite effects on S. exigua weight. While plant inoculation with the fungus influenced gut bacterial diversity, B. amyloliquefaciens also affected the community composition. A reduced abundance of two S. exigua enterococcal symbionts correlated with decreased insect biomass. Our results show that soil microorganisms can induce plant‐mediated changes in the gut bacterial community of foliar‐feeding caterpillars. We propose that the impact of these alterations on insect performance might rely on specific adaptations within the gut bacteria, rather than solely on the occurrence of changes.
Impact of Antibiotics and Chronic Medications on Efficacy of Immune Checkpoint Inhibitors in Patients With Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Authors: Ng Kennedy Yao Yi , Teo Albert Eng Keong , Tan Sze Huey , Tan Jack Jie En , Tay Desiree Shu Hui , Lee Ailica Wan Xin , Ang Andrea Jing Shi , Wong Lawrence Wen Jun , Choo Su Pin , Toh Han Chong , Lee Suat Ying , Lee Joycelyn Jie Xin , Tai David Wai‐Meng
Published: November 2024

Background and Aims

The interaction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and concomitant medications such as antibiotics, metformin, statins, beta‐blockers, proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and low‐dose aspirin has been studied in other malignancies. Our study aims to investigate the relationship between these medications and ICI efficacy in patients with advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (aHCC).

Methods

A retrospective review of patients who received at least one dose of ICIs between May 2015 and November 2019 was performed. The primary objectives were to compare the overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS) between patients with and without medication usage. Log rank test was used to assess for differences in survival. Hazard ratios were reported using Cox proportional hazard regression analysis. The data cutoff date was December 31, 2020.

Results

A total of 168 patients were included. Median age was 69 years, 85.7% male, 60.7% ECOG 0, 78.0% Child–Pugh A liver cirrhosis, 57.7% hepatitis B etiology, 8.9% hepatitis C, and 33.3% nonviral. One hundred three patients (61.3%) received ICI monotherapy, while 38.7% received ICI in combination. Sixty‐two patients (36.9%) had concomitant antibiotic usage, 26.8% metformin, 30.4% statin, 31.0% beta‐blockers, 60.1% PPI, 6.5% NSAIDs, and 11.9% aspirin. Patients with aHCC receiving antibiotics did not have a shorter OS (adjusted HR [aHR] 1.40, 95% CI 0.94–2.09, p = 0.096) or shorter PFS (aHR 0.94, 95% CI 0.66–1.34, p = 0.73), as compared to those who did not receive antibiotics. However, patients with aHCC of viral hepatitis etiology receiving ICI treatment and concurrent antibiotics had shorter OS (5.5 vs. 14.2 months, aHR 1.93, 95% CI 1.17–3.17, p = 0.010) and PFS (1.1 vs. 2.6 months, aHR 2.69, 95% CI 1.28–5.65, p = 0.009), as compared to those who did not receive antibiotics.

Conclusions

The use of antibiotics may diminish ICI efficacy in patients with aHCC of viral hepatitis etiology, while the use of metformin, statins, beta‐blockers, NSAIDs, and aspirin is not associated with significant clinical outcomes.
A qualitative study of barriers and facilitators to compression stocking use in patients with chronic venous insufficiency
Authors: Simmonds Lucy , Krysa Jolanta , Currie Abby , Clifford Kari A.
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Compression stocking therapy is the gold standard of treatment for conditions associated with lower limb venous dysfunction. The benefits in symptom relief and preventing disease progression are well documented. Despite this, adherence to compression stocking therapy is poor. This project aimed to identify factors affecting compression stocking adherence in Aotearoa New Zealand through qualitative evaluation of interviews of patients with chronic venous insufficiency.

Methods

In this mixed‐methods study, 25 participants were recruited, and semi‐structured interviews were carried out until thematic saturation was reached. All participants also took part in surveys recording characteristics and Quality of Life questionnaires. Common interview themes were summarized and quality of life scores were compared between respondents.

Findings

Interview respondents were a median of 64 years old, and were prescribed compression therapy a median of 8 years prior. The cohort spent a median of 8 h a day standing. Qualitative interviews identified three main themes influencing compression stocking use: physical factors, psychological factors and external factors. Subthemes included the influence of age and sex on participant perceptions of the stockings' appearance, and how comorbidities contribute to donning difficulty.

Conclusion

Understanding factors influencing patient adherence can enable clinicians to provide a multidimensional approach, mitigating barriers and emphasizing facilitators for the individual patient to improve adherence.
Predicting vaginal delivery after labor induction using machine learning: Development of a multivariable prediction model
Authors: Ferreira Iolanda , Simões Joana , Correia João , Areia Ana Luísa
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Induction of labor, often used for pregnancy termination, has globally rising rates, especially in high‐income countries where pregnant women present with more comorbidities. Consequently, concerns on a potential rise in cesarean section (CS) rates after induction of labor (IOL) demand for improved counseling on delivery mode within this context.

Material and Methods

We aim to develop a prognostic model for predicting vaginal delivery after labor induction using computational learning. Secondary aims include elaborating a prognostic model for CS due to abnormal fetal heart rate and labor dystocia, and evaluation of these models' feature importance, using maternal clinical predictors at IOL admission. The best performing model was assessed in an independent validation data using the area under the receiver operating curve (AUROC). Internal model validation was performed using 10‐fold cross‐validation. Feature importance was calculated using SHAP (SHapley Additive exPlanation) values to interpret the importance of influential features. Our main outcome measures were mode of delivery after induction of labor, dichotomized as vaginal or cesarean delivery and CS indications, dichotomized as abnormal fetal heart rate and labor dystocia.

Results

Our sample comprised singleton term pregnant women (n = 2434) referred for IOL to a tertiary Obstetrics center between January 2018 and December 2021. Prediction of vaginal delivery obtained good discrimination in the independent validation data (AUROC = 0.794, 95% CI 0.783–0.805), showing high positive and negative predictive values (PPV and NPV) of 0.752 and 0.793, respectively, high specificity (0.910) and sensitivity (0.766). The CS model showed an AUROC of 0.590 (95% CI 0.565–0.615) and high specificity (0.893). Sensitivity, PPV and NVP values were 0.665, 0.617, and 0.7, respectively. Labor features associated with vaginal delivery were by order of importance: Bishop score, number of previous term deliveries, maternal height, interpregnancy time interval, and previous eutocic delivery.

Conclusions

This prognostic model produced a 0.794 AUROC for predicting vaginal delivery. This, coupled with knowing the features influencing this outcome, may aid providers in assessing an individual's risk of CS after IOL and provide personalized counseling.
Automatic identification of streamlined subglacial bedforms using machine learning: an open‐source Python approach
Authors: Abrahams Ellianna , McKenzie Marion , Pérez Fernando , Venturelli Ryan
Published: November 2024

Subglacial processes exert a major control on ice streaming. Constraining subglacial conditions thus allows for more accurate predictions of ice mass loss. Due to the difficulty in observing large‐scale conditions of the modern subglacial environment, we turn to geological records of ice streaming in deglaciated environments. Morphometric values of streamlined subglacial bedforms provide valuable information about the relative speed, direction, and maturity of past ice streams and the relationship between ice streaming and subglacial erosion and deposition. However, manually identifying streamlined subglacial bedforms across deglaciated landscapes, sometimes in clusters of several thousand, is an arduous task with difficult‐to‐control sources of variability and human‐biased errors. This paper presents a new tool that utilizes a machine learning approach to automatically identify glacially derived streamlined features. Slope variations across a landscape, identified by topographic position index, undergo analysis from a series of supervised machine learning models trained from over 600 000 data points identified across the deglaciated Northern Hemisphere. A filtered data set produced through the combination of scientifically driven preprocessing and statistical downsampling improved the robustness of our approach. After cross‐validation, we found that Random Forest detected the most true positives, up to 94.5% on a withheld test set, and an ensemble average of machine learning models provided the highest stability when applied within the range of applicable data sets, performing at up to 79% identification of true positives on an out of distribution area of interest. We build these models into an open‐source Python package, bedfinder, and apply it to new data in the Green Bay Lobe region, USA, finding the general ice‐flow direction and average streamlined subglacial bedform elongation with minimal effort. This type of open, reproducible machine learning analysis is at the leading edge of glacial geomorphology research and will continue to improve with integration of newly acquired and previously collected data.
Insect–flower interactions, ecosystem functions, and restoration ecology in the northern Sahel: current knowledge and perspectives
Authors: Medina‐Serrano Natalia , Hossaert‐McKey Martine , Diallo Aly , McKey Doyle
Published: November 2024

Actions for ecological restoration under the Great Green Wall (GGW) initiative in the northern Sahel have been plant focused, paying scant attention to plant–animal interactions that are essential to ecosystem functioning. Calls to accelerate implementation of the GGW make it timely to develop a more solid conceptual foundation for restoration actions. As a step towards this goal, we review what is known in this region about an important class of plant–animal interactions, those between plants and flower‐visiting insects. Essential for pollination, floral resources also support insects that play important roles in many other ecosystem processes. Extensive pastoralism is the principal subsistence mode in the region, and while recent analyses downplay the impact of livestock on vegetation dynamics compared to climatic factors, they focus primarily on rangeland productivity, neglecting biodiversity, which is critical for long‐term sustainability. We summarise current knowledge on insect–flower interactions, identify information gaps, and suggest research priorities. Most insect‐pollinated plants in the region have open‐access flowers exploitable by diverse insects, an advantageous strategy in environments with low productivity and seasonal and highly variable rainfall. Other plant species have diverse traits that constrain the range of visitors, and several distinct flower types are represented, some of which have been postulated to match classical “pollination syndromes”. As in most ecosystems, bees are among the most important pollinators. The bee fauna is dominated by ground‐nesting solitary bees, almost all of which are polylectic. Many non‐bee flower visitors also perform various ecosystem services such as decomposition and pest control. Many floral visitors occupy high trophic levels, and are indicators of continued functioning of the food webs on which they depend. The resilience of insect–flower networks in this region largely depends on trees, which flower year‐round and are less affected by drought than forbs. However, the limited number of abundant tree species presents a potential fragility. Flowering failure of a crucial “hub” species during exceptionally dry years could jeopardise populations of some flower‐visiting insects. Furthermore, across Sahelian drylands, browsers are increasingly predominant over grazers. Although better suited to changing climates, browsers exert more pressure on trees, potentially weakening insect–flower interaction networks. Understanding the separate and combined effects of climate change and land‐use change on biotic interactions will be key to building a solid foundation to facilitate effective restoration of Sahelian ecosystems.
The Innovation Power of Living Labs to Enable Sustainability Transitions: Challenges and Opportunities of On‐Campus Initiatives
Authors: Herth Annika , Verburg Robert , Blok Kornelis
Published: November 2024

Living labs are becoming increasingly popular as suitable arrangements for cocreation and innovation by bringing multiple stakeholders together to work on (solving) complex societal challenges. University campuses are ideal places for living labs, and many universities use such arrangements for various experiments in relation to sustainable future initiatives. Despite the popularity of the living lab concept, much remains unclear about their ways of operation and their potential to innovate. This study aims to show some of the current challenges of on‐campus living labs involved with experiments concerning the energy transition. A total of six different living labs were examined based on semistructured interviews with different stakeholders ranging from researchers to operational staff members. Our results show several internal and external challenges, such as the living lab set‐up and multiple operational challenges concerning administration, coordination and governance. More external challenges include the overall embeddedness of living labs within the more traditional organizational structure of the university and the tensions between academic and operational processes. Despite these challenges, we conclude that a university campus is still a fruitful place for living labs to cocreate and innovate. By creating awareness and understanding of the challenges living labs face, future initiatives may be facilitated better so that campus living labs are able to unlock their potential to innovate and contribute to societal challenges sooner rather than later.
Business Group Affiliation and Board Independence in India: The Effects of Structural and Situated Attention
Authors: He Lerong , Shaw Tara Shankar
Published: November 2024

Research Question/Issue

This study examines how business group affiliation shapes firm attention and consequently influences firms' compliance with board independence requirements.

Research Findings/Insights

Using a longitudinal sample of Indian listed firms, we find that group‐affiliated firms are more likely to comply with board independence requirements than nongroup firms, especially when the affiliated firm is larger or when a greater proportion of firms in the business group has adopted an independent board structure. However, the likelihood of compliance in group‐affiliated firms is subject less to the influence of the industry compliance norm. We also document that group‐affiliated firms are less sensitive to the influence of the industry task environment than stand‐alone firms. Other things being equal, the influences of industry complexity, munificence, and dynamism on compliance are smaller in group affiliates.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

Our study contributes to the attention‐based view by extending the structural attention argument from organizational structures within firm boundaries to organizational forms across firm boundaries. We argue that the network structure of business groups shapes affiliated firms' attention focus and consequently affects their compliance patterns. We also highlight the joint effects of structural and situated attention on shaping organizational decisions. We reveal that the interplays of business groups' organizational form and industry contexts give rise to distinct compliance patterns between affiliated and unaffiliated firms and among different types of group‐affiliated firms. As such, we supplement prior corporate governance literature by stressing the influences of inter‐organization networks and industry task environment on board structure.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

Our study indicates that inter‐organizational networks affect compliance with corporate governance regulations. Thus, the government could utilize inter‐organizational relationships and peer influence to encourage compliance. Our study also highlights the impact of industry environments and business group structure on board composition and managers' cognitive limitations that prevent them from attending to all situational cues. Thus, it is essential for managers to allocate their scarce attention to scanning various domains of their firms' external environments and internal circumstances when making strategic and corporate governance decisions.
Biodiversity Data Curation as a Profession in South African Natural Science Museums
Authors: Coetzer Willem , Lisher Mark
Published: November 2024

We reflect on our work with several South African natural science museums, most of which lack positions dedicated to managing biodiversity data. We argue that there is a need to recognize the profession of biodiversity data curation, an example of which is described in the area of taxonomic data cleansing and publication. Greater recognition could elevate this work to a professional level and address the lack of capacity in museums, encourage data curators to develop their skills, and give museums a well‐trained cohort from which to recruit professionals. We argue that the use of industry‐standard tools and practices will improve the integrity, security, and usefulness of potentially valuable biodiversity data. We propose a model of joint responsibility for server administration and biodiversity database hosting, to enable under‐resourced museums to benefit from the systems administration capacity of a well‐resourced organization.
Phoretic mites do not affect burying beetle reproductive success, despite eliminating fly competitors
Authors: Nagel Laura , Kendrick Julia M. , Bonier Frances
Published: November 2024

Interspecific interactions exist along a continuum from parasitism to mutualism, but the fitness costs and benefits of these associations may be fluid, depending on factors like abiotic conditions and interactions with other organisms.

Phoretic mites (Poecilochirus spp.) use burying beetles (Nicrophorus spp.) as a means of locating and traveling to carrion, the site of both organisms' reproduction. Several species of Dipteran fly also reproduce on carrion, competing with beetles and mites. Mites could benefit their beetle hosts by reducing the abundance of these flies, but experimental evidence of this benefit is mixed.

We experimentally tested the fitness effects of Poecilochirus mites on N. orbicollis and determined if these effects are dependent on the presence of fly competitors by experimentally manipulating both fly and mite presence with beetles breeding in a semi‐natural environment.

Fly colonisation of carrion reduced beetle reproductive success, and mites reduced fly numbers. Despite this, the fitness cost of flies was not ameliorated by mites. Mites did not affect beetle reproductive success, regardless of fly presence or absence.

Although beetle reproductive success was not affected by mites, beetles were physically compromised by high mite loads; beetles with more mites had slower righting times than beetles with fewer mites.

Our results suggest that these mites are commensals of burying beetles, although unmeasured benefits of reductions of flies could tip this relationship to a mutualism, and unmeasured fitness costs of compromised locomotion could tip it to parasitism.
Systemic quinpirole enhances tramadol analgesia in inflammatory pain, but not in neuropathic pain in male rats
Authors: Mercado Francisco , Segura‐Chama Pedro , Mercado‐Reyes Jonathan I. , Mújica Astrid A. , Coffeen Ulises , Pellicer Francisco , Almanza Angélica
Published: November 2024

Pain is a morbidity or comorbidity with a high incidence that significantly impacts the well‐being of patients. In this study, we evaluated the effects of systemic administration of tramadol, a weak mu‐opioid receptor (MOR) agonist, plus quinpirole (a D2‐like receptor agonist). The study was performed in naïve rats and in rats with induced inflammatory and neuropathic pain. To measure the antinociceptive effect of the drugs, thermonociceptive and mechanonociceptive stimuli were applied and the emotional aspects of pain were evaluated using conditional place preference (CPP) experiments.

Systemic quinpirole produced an antinociceptive effect only in naïve male rats. In naïve female animals, a small but significant pronociceptive effect was observed following quinpirole application. Tramadol plus quinpirole in male animals reversed allodynia and hyperalgesia induced by inflammatory and neuropathic insults, which were not alleviated by either drug alone. CPP experiments revealed that systemic quinpirole plus tramadol treatment was effective only in an inflammatory pain model. To evaluate whether tolerance to the antinociceptive effect was prevented by the combination of the drugs, a repeated administration five‐day trial of tramadol plus quinpirole was evaluated under inflammatory pain conditions; quinpirole only slightly prevented the antinociceptive tolerance of MOR agonists.

D2‐like agonists are effective adjuvants for treating painful conditions in combination with a low dose of MOR agonists. Our results could lead to an investigation of whether these dopaminergic drugs in combination with opioids might reduce the MOR agonist dose while obtaining a higher analgesic effect with fewer side effects in humans.
Voting in the Stock Market–Retail Investor Preferences During COVID‐19
Authors: Gautam Anil , Lepone Grace
Published: November 2024

Using data from Robinhood, this study investigates retail investors' movement towards/from securities with different environmental, social and governance scores during the COVID‐19 pandemic. Although the number of retail investors holding securities with low environmental scores declined, the number holding high‐score securities remained steady. We also find heterogeneity in investors' reactions to different subcategory scores. The equal‐weighted buy‐and‐hold portfolio of high‐score securities did not outperform that of low‐score securities in either volatility or return, suggesting neither financial return nor risk drove retail investors' preference for high environmental score securities. Thus, such ‘voting’ by investment choice is independent of pecuniary indicators.
Institutional and Policy Changes for a Union of up to 36 Members
Authors: Mirel Pierre
Published: November 2024

This paper argues that the current accession process is not conducive to conditionality's effectiveness nor to EU public opinion acceptance. It pleads instead for a gradual process as the most effective means to ensure successful conditionality. As to the fundamentals, the paper suggests a reinforcement of conditionality, notably through increased budgetary support. Thirdly, it puts forward proposals to strengthen conflict resolution conditionality. Lastly, several suggestions are made for changes to the accession process along principles discussed in the report of the Group of Twelve on EU institutional reform (hereafter the Report). These issues are discussed around the nine principles established by the Report that should guide future enlargement strategies and their connection to EU reform.
Validity, reliability, and sensitivity to change of the Arabic version of the Migraine‐Specific Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire after prophylactic treatment
Authors: Hussein Mona , Hassan Amr , Nada Mona A. F. , Mohammed Zeinab , Fathy Wael , Abdel Ghaffar Nawal F. , Kedah Hanaa , Magdy Rehab
Published: November 2024

Background

The Migraine‐Specific Quality‐of‐Life Questionnaire version 2.1 (MSQ 2.1) is one of the most frequently used tools in assessing the impact of migraine in clinical practice and in migraine research. This work aimed to examine the reliability and validity of the Arabic version of the MSQ 2.1 in Arabic‐speaking patients with migraine and to assess its ability to detect subtle changes in quality of life after receiving prophylactic migraine medications.

Methods

This multicenter prospective observational study was conducted with 140 patients experiencing migraine and indicated for prophylactic medications. Headache assessment was done at baseline and 3 months after receiving prophylactic medications using the Arabic version of MSQ 2.1, Headache Impact Test (HIT‐6), and visual analog scale (VAS). The MSQ 2.1 was repeated 1 week after the first visit to a group of patients (n = 70) to assess test–retest reliability.

Results

Cronbach's alpha for the MSQ 2.1 was 0.973, indicating excellent internal consistency. The intraclass correlation coefficient (average measure) was 0.99, indicating excellent test–retest reliability. There were statistically significant correlations between the MSQ 2.1 total score and monthly migraine days, VAS, and HIT‐6 scores before and 3 months after prophylactic medications. The receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that an increase of 8.5 in the total score of the MSQ 2.1 represents the minimally important change that means significant improvement (area under the curve = 0.785, sensitivity = 0.861, specificity = 0.656, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The Arabic version of the MSQ 2.1 is a valid, reliable, and sensitive tool that can precisely assess the impact of migraine on quality of life.
Power in the courtroom: Judicial perspectives on care‐experienced girls and women in court
Authors: Fitzpatrick Claire , Hunter Katie , Staines Jo , Shaw Julie
Published: November 2024

This article focuses on rarely heard judicial perspectives, and the little explored challenges facing care‐experienced girls and women in court. Drawing on semi‐structured interviews with judges and magistrates, it reveals how the court process may be a disempowering and inadequate process for both the powerful and the powerless. Using the four elements of procedural justice as a lens to explore this – voice, trust, neutrality and respect – we highlight the immense challenges of achieving these goals for those with histories of being stigmatised and marginalised. In searching for solutions, the concept of ‘judicial rehabilitation’ enables consideration of how we might rehabilitate our systems and imagine a more hopeful approach to justice.
Profiles of the Future L2 Selves in Foreign Language Learning: Associations With Emotions, Willingness to Communicate, and Personality Traits
Authors: Zhang Cong , Meng Yiwen , Su Yonggang
Published: November 2024

The future second language (L2) selves in the L2 motivational self‐system have been widely acknowledged as significant predictors of successful foreign language learning. Given the limitations of variable‐centered approaches prevailing in previous studies, the present study employed latent profile analysis, a classic person‐center approach, to identify distinct profiles of the future L2 selves, and the associations between profiles and emotions, willingness to communicate, and personality traits. Latent profile analysis based on data gathered from 840 Chinese postgraduates identified four profiles of the future L2 selves. They were named “low ought‐to L2 self and ideal L2 self”, “moderate‐low ought‐to L2 self and ideal L2 self”, “moderate ought‐to L2 self and ideal L2 self”, and “high ought‐to L2 self and ideal L2 self”. The analysis of variance (ANOVA) suggested that the four profiles differed in their foreign language enjoyment, foreign language anxiety, willingness to communicate, and Big Five personality traits except for neuroticism. This study offers valuable insights into differences in L2 future selves among Chinese English as a foreign language (EFL) postgraduates, emphasizing the need for individualized instructional approaches by teachers and teacher educators.
Changes in Fibrinogen and D‐Dimer During Complicated and Uncomplicated Pregnancy
Authors: Gong Chen , Jiang Hai , Su Yang , Yang Jing , Wei Yuan , Qiao Rui , Zhao Yangyu
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The increase in fibrinogen levels is vital for the formation of a prothrombotic state during gestation to counter‐bleeding challenges at delivery. However, pregnancy complications characterized by systemic inflammatory response syndrome may consume fibrinogen, resulting in elevated D‐dimer levels.

Methods

Our study is based on a total of 16 768 pregnant women who delivered between December 1, 2013, and December 1, 2018, to study fibrinogen and D‐dimer changes during gestation under normal and multiples of pathogenic states.

Result

Compared with nonpregnant women (3.04[3.02–3.08]), pregnant women depicted higher fibrinogen levels throughout gestation (p < 0.001). In the uncomplicated group, fibrinogen levels increased throughout the first (3.28[3.26–3.29]), second (4.04[4.01–4.07]), and third trimesters (4.40[4.38–4.41]) but dropped at delivery (4.30[4.28–4.31]), similar to the changing pattern of the pregnancy‐related complication group and pre‐existing disorder group. Women with pregnancy‐related complications showed significantly higher mean fibrinogen levels throughout gestation (p < 0.001), except for placental abruption, where, it decreased from the third trimester and was lower than that of uncomplicated pregnancies (3.89[3.60–4.17] vs. 4.40 [4.38–4.41], p = 0.001). Among uncomplicated pregnancies, D‐dimer grew rapidly throughout the first trimester (0.09[0.06–0.15]), second trimester (0.28[0.19–0.40]), third trimester (0.51[0.36–0.78]), and delivery (0.70[0.47–1.03]).

Conclusion

Women with pregnancy‐related complications and pre‐existing disorders shared similar changing patterns; however, the D‐dimer of women with placenta accreta presented higher levels than those with uncomplicated pregnancies since the first trimester. We concluded that fibrinogen levels are expected to increase steadily, but in patients with placental abruption, fibrinogen levels dropped during the third trimester. D‐dimer levels typically rise consistently throughout pregnancy, yet in patients with placenta accreta, they show abnormal elevation since an early stage of pregnancy.
Ethics in the Age of Algorithms: Unravelling the Impact of Algorithmic Unfairness on Data Analytics Recommendation Acceptance
Authors: Ghasemaghaei Maryam , Kordzadeh Nima
Published: November 2024

Algorithms used in data analytics (DA) tools, particularly in high‐stakes contexts such as hiring and promotion, may yield unfair recommendations that deviate from merit‐based standards and adversely affect individuals. While significant research from fields such as machine learning and human–computer interaction (HCI) has advanced our understanding of algorithmic fairness, less is known about how managers in organisational contexts perceive and respond to unfair algorithmic recommendations, particularly in terms of individual‐level distributive fairness. This study focuses on job promotions to uncover how algorithmic unfairness impacts managers' perceived fairness and their subsequent acceptance of DA recommendations. Through an experimental study, we find that (1) algorithmic unfairness (against women) in promotion recommendations reduces managers' perceived distributive fairness, influencing their acceptance of these recommendations; (2) managers' trust in DA competency moderates the relationship between perceived fairness and DA recommendation acceptance; and (3) managers' moral identity moderates the impact of algorithmic unfairness on perceived fairness. These insights contribute to the existing literature by elucidating how perceived distributive fairness plays a critical role in managers' acceptance of unfair algorithmic outputs in job promotion contexts, highlighting the importance of trust and moral identity in these processes.
Age and Clinically Actionable Events in Patients With Implantable Loop Recorders: Analysis of Multicenter Loop Recorder Registry
Authors: Jeong Joo Hee , Lee So‐Ryoung , Oh Il‐Young , Cha Myung‐Jin , Lim Hong Euy , Park Hyoung‐Seob , Yang Pil‐Sung , Lee Sung Ho , Park Junbeom , Kim Ki‐Hun , Kim Jun‐Hyung , Uhm Jae‐Sun , Ahn Jin Hee , Ko Jumsuk , Kim Ju Youn , Shim Jaemin
Published: November 2024

Introduction

Little is known about age and clinical intervention after implantable loop recorder (ILR) insertion. This study investigated the association between age and clinical intervention after ILR implantation.

Methods and Results

Data were obtained from a multicenter registry of ILR in Korea (2017–2020, n = 795). ILRs were inserted with indications of unexplained syncope, recurrent palpitation, or cryptogenic stroke. The primary outcome was clinically actionable event that was a composite of the newly detected atrial fibrillation (AF), pacemaker or implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) implantation, catheter ablation, and anticoagulation initiation. The mean age was 64.3 years, and the mean follow‐up duration was 20.6 months. Clinically actionable events were observed in 322 (40.5%) patients. Compared to younger age (< 50 years), older age (≥ 50 years) showed higher prevalence of newly detected AF (3.7% vs. 15.8%; p = 0.001), pacemaker implantation (11.2% vs. 21.2%; p = 0.022), and initiation of anticoagulation (3.7% vs. 18.6%; p < 0.001). No significant differences were found in ICD implantation (1.9% vs. 1.3%; p = 0.996) or catheter ablation (3.8% vs. 6.0%; p = 0.512). The older age group more frequently experienced clinically actionable events compared to the younger age group (hazard ratio 2.52, 95% confidence interval: 1.86–3.41; p < 0.001). A significant association was found in the increase of age (per 1‐year) and the risk of clinically actionable events (adjusted hazard ratio 1.03, 95% confidence interval 1.02–1.04; p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Advanced age is a significant risk factor for clinical intervention after ILR insertion. ILR should be considered more actively in older patients requiring prolonged rhythm monitoring.
Connexin 43 Deficiency Confers Resistance to Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer via Inhibition of the Cyclic GMP‐AMP Synthase–Stimulator of Interferon Genes Pathway
Authors: Zhang Yuan , Gao Yu , Wang Jie , Tan Xiaoming , Liang Yusheng , Yu Weize , Deng Zihua , Zhou Jingjing , Ye Zu , Luo Guoqing
Published: November 2024

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), especially PD‐1 inhibitors, are among the first‐line therapeutic drugs for the treatment of advanced non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, most patients are not sensitive to PD‐1 inhibitors, and prolonged exposure can lead to acquired resistance. Thus, it is urgent to elucidate the mechanism underlying the resistance of NSCLC to ICIs. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is a gap junction (GJ) protein that is important in therapeutic efficacy to ICIs. In this study, we observed that Cx43 in murine Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) cells mediated cyclic GMP‐AMP (cGAMP) transfer to macrophages. Knockdown of Cx43 reduced T‐cell activation, leading to decreased sensitivity of LLC cells to anti‐PD‐1 therapy. The mechanism might be that knockdown of Cx43 in LLC cells promotes macrophages differentiation into pro‐tumour M2 type (TAM), thus activating the STING pathway in macrophages. These findings indicate that downregulation of Cx43 in LLC cells leads to immunotherapy resistance by negatively regulating the cGAS–STING pathway in macrophages. Therefore, Cx43/GJ‐mediated signal transmission between lung cancer cells and macrophages provides new insights for increasing immunotherapy sensitivity in NSCLC.