bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Informational role of investment and liquidation values
Authors: Doh Hyun Soo , Wang Yiyao
Published: May 2024

We develop a credit-risk model to study the informational role of investment in an economy susceptible to large liquidity shocks. Firms' investment decisions carry information about their asset quality, thereby mitigating informational frictions when firms enter bankruptcy. An increase in aggregate investment can reduce the informational value of investment, depressing firms' recovery values. Therefore, policies boosting investment can decrease debt and firm values by reducing the informational value of investment. The presence of debt overhang may enhance firm value by making firms' investment decisions more informative. We present suggestive empirical evidence consistent with model predictions on the relation between firms' investments and recovery rates.
Sustainability concerns on pro-sustainable travel behavior: combining the United Nations SDGs, norm activation model and value theory
Authors: Assaker Guy
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study examines the effect of sustainable development goal (SDG) concerns regarding the sustainability issues raised in the United Nations SDG agenda on pro-sustainable travel behavior (PSTB) by building on the norm activation model as well as value theory (altruism), with the latter assumed to moderate the effect of SDG concerns on PSTB.

Design/methodology/approach

The model was tested using structural equation modeling (SEM) based on data from 200 USA respondents who have traveled internationally in the past 12 months.

Findings

The results confirmed the effect of SDG concerns on positively influencing PSTB both directly and indirectly (through the NAM variables of “responsibility” and “obligation”). Additionally, results revealed that altruism positively moderates the effect of SDG concerns on PSTB.

Practical implications

Results provide tourism businesses and destinations with a better understanding of which aspects of the 17 issues identified in the UN SDG agenda are more likely to influence travelers’ future PSTB and whether such behavioral changes additionally depend on people’s individual altruism levels.

Originality/value

Unlike previous studies focusing mainly on environmental concerns and tourists’ pro-environmental behavior, this study offers a more comprehensive understanding of PSTB in light of today’s UN SDGs.
The effect of political connections on the relationship between managers’ personality traits and corporate social responsibility disclosure
Authors: Salehi Mahdi , Bashirimanesh Nazanin
Published: May 2024

Purpose

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) might be among the primary factors ensuring any organization’s survival, and disclosing its related information is very important. This research initially investigates the effect of managers’ behavior characteristics, including overconfidence, myopia and narcissism and corporate political ties on the disclosure of CSR. This study also aims to assess the mediating impact of political connections on the association between managerial personality traits and CSR.

Design/methodology/approach

The research sample included 129 listed companies on the Tehran Stock Exchange from 2013 to 2020. Behavioral managerers charecteristics. A multivariate regression method with combined data (firm-year) was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The results show that overconfidence and managerial myopia cause the disclosure of CSR to decrease. Managers’ overconfidence and short-term attitudes lead to a decrease in the level of CSR activities of the companies and their disclosure, respectively, 0.021 and 0.025. However, the existence of narcissism in managers and having political ties by companies may lead to an increase in the disclosure of the CSR, respectively, around 0.089 and 0.02. Further findings also indicate that political connections may motivate narcissistic managers to increase CSR disclosure near 0.037. However, the results document no significant impact of political ties on the relationship between managerial overconfidence and myopia with CSR involvement.

Research limitations/implications

According to the findings, the authors recommend to stockholders that employing narcissistic managers and improving political connections might be two effective strategies to enhance the level of CSR engagement. One of the critical limitations of the current paper might be its generalizability. As Iran is an emerging and fossil fuel seller country, its institutional settings may significantly differ from those of developed and industrial nations. Thus, the readers of these nations must consider such an important issue.

Originality/value

For the first time, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research has investigated the moderating effect of political ties on the association between management behavioral characteristics and the level of fulfilling CSR by listed companies.
Developing university students’ personal skills: the role of business–university partnership programmes
Authors: Aljuwaiber Abobakr
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of Mutqen programmes on university students’ personality and skills development. It evaluates the cognitive attitudes of university student participants in Mutqen training programmes. The research was analysed thematically, and this paper reports on the roles businesses and universities play in enhancing students’ personality and skills and the importance of knowledge acquisition to develop students’ career prospects.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative research approach, the study used a descriptive survey design. A total of 1,039 respondents based in Saudi Arabia participated voluntarily in the survey.

Findings

The results revealed a positive impact from Mutqen programmes on students’ personality and skills development. Moreover, the outcomes demonstrated that the Mutqen programmes promote knowledge acquisition, which enhances future career readiness by enabling students to positively develop their awareness of potential future career requirements.

Originality/value

The critical contribution of this paper is that it empirically evaluates the perceived impact of social corporate training programmes on students’ personality and skills development from the perspective of the students themselves.
The impact of low-cost carriers on high-quality producers in the aviation industry: cost-benefit analysis
Authors: Alsharari Nizar Mohammad
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the low-cost carriers (LCC) impact on the high-quality carriers (HQC) in the aviation industry. The impact of LCCs on high-quality producers in the aviation industry has been a significant and multifaceted phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a captivating case study approach, investigating into the intricate fabric of the subject matter. Interviews serve as the cornerstone of primary evidence, offering first-hand insights, while secondary data sourced from documents adds depth to the exploration of the challenges encountered by the HQC.

Findings

The study concludes that LCCs have disrupted the traditional aviation landscape by offering low fares, simplified service models and aggressive cost-cutting strategies. This disruption has affected both the high-quality producers, such as full-service airlines. Full-service airlines have adopted a strategy of segmenting their market by offering multiple fare classes, with varying levels of service and flexibility. This allows them to target both price-sensitive travelers and those seeking premium services, catering to a broader customer base. The competition from LCCs has spurred innovation within the aviation industry, leading to advancements in technology, digital services and operational efficiency. Airlines, both LCCs and traditional carriers, have had to adapt to evolving consumer preferences and embrace digital solutions for booking, check-in and in-flight services.

Research limitations/implications

While this study provides a valuable cost-benefit analysis of the impact of LCC on high-quality producers in the aviation industry, it is essential to acknowledge its limitations and recognize the avenues for future research to further enhance our understanding of this complex and evolving industry landscape. While this study contributes valuable insights into the impact of LCCs on high-quality producers in the aviation industry, it is essential to recognize its limitations and identify opportunities for future research to expand our understanding of this complex and dynamic landscape. By addressing these limitations and exploring new avenues of inquiry, we can continue to advance our knowledge and inform evidence-based decision-making within the industry.

Originality/value

This study pioneers an exploration into the intricate tapestry of factors molding the future of the aviation sector. Through its groundbreaking analysis, it furnishes indispensable insights for industry stakeholders, policymakers and the discerning traveling public, setting a new benchmark for understanding and navigating the aviation landscape.
Exploring the role of the service provider in sharing economy services
Authors: Zal Saeed , Guo Lin , Tang Chuanyi , Zhang Junzhou
Published: May 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the role of the service provider in determining customer satisfaction in sharing economy services. The authors sought to examine how the intrinsic and extrinsic cues along with their interactions influence customer satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a mixed-methods design to test the hypotheses. Study 1 uses secondary data from Inside Airbnb. Study 2 uses a 2 × 2 × 2 between-subject experimental design.

Findings

Both studies support the confirmation bias perspective over the expectancy-confirmation perspective in explaining the interplay among different cues in determining customer satisfaction. In the context of Airbnb, in the absence of a Superhost badge, if hosts adopt a reactive communication style, physical presence has a greater impact on customer satisfaction compared to virtual presence.

Originality/value

This study extends the services marketing literature and cue utilization theory by investigating the dynamic interactions among multiple intrinsic and extrinsic service cues. It shed new light on how a combination of these cues may become additive or redundant in determining customer satisfaction. This study contributes to the services marketing literature by addressing the interactive nature of sharing economy services and the neglected role of service providers.
Digital altruism: the motivators for, effects of and support received when moderating mental health online
Authors: Rathbone Amy Leigh , Clarry Laura , Prescott Julie , Hanley Terry
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The ever increasing prevalence of mental health disorders is subsequently resulting in an ever increasing burden on mental health services globally. Due to need outweighing capacity, many turn to, or are signposted to, online resources. Online mental health chatrooms are chat-based services that users can frequent to discuss their mental health, often with individuals experiencing similar issues. Most of these are moderated by volunteers. The purpose of this study was to explore the motivations for moderating, the positive and negative effects of the role and to identifying current and required pathways of support.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an online questionnaire design, disseminated via the online mental health community, 18percent. An open ended interview schedule was disseminated to eight volunteer moderators. Qualitative data was analysed using NVivo software and reflexive thematic analysis.

Findings

Moderators were motivated to engage in this role due to past experiences and to help others. The positive effects of moderating were engaging in digital altruism and improving one’s personal mental health. The negative effects were personal triggers and role specific issues such as harassment and being unable to help people in crisis situations. For further support, moderators would benefit from refresher training sessions and further professional training in which they can proactively help when a user is experiencing suicidal ideation/behaviours.

Originality/value

The research highlighted the motivations for, positive and negative effects of and the current and further pathways of support required by volunteer moderators and proffers recommendations within the discussion.
Future organizational resilience capability structure: a systematic review, trend and future research directions
Authors: Pradana Dominicus Wahyu , Ekowati Dian
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to systematically review the resilience literature to integrate the fragmented views and provide a more comprehensive understanding. This study aims to fill the gaps in the literature by discussing scientific contributions and highlighting the main issues in previous research findings regarding the definitions, dimensions and concepts that make up organizational resilience. This research highlights organizational resilience from a capabilities perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the systematic literature review method by searching all previous studies studying organizational resilience from 2014 to 2023. In total, there are 28 articles reviewed from the Scopus database.

Findings

This study found that resilience is a complex concept and has many definitions and dimensions. This study also conceptualizes organizational capability with a pyramid, which illustrates the basic framework of the six stages of the resilience process and hierarchically forms organizational resilience.

Research limitations/implications

First, the keyword search strings on the repository database are currently limited to a few keywords. Need to broaden the range of keywords so as to produce a more comprehensive review. Second, the exclusion of books, book chapters and conference papers limits research findings and results. These sources are likely to enrich resilience development from various perspectives. Even though Scopus is the largest repository database, the research findings are not yet fully generalizable. Future researchers can add data from WoS, Ebsco or other databases. Literature obtained from various databases that can provide broader results.

Practical implications

The practical implications of this study are to provide a basis for managers in making decisions for organizational sustainability. Managers can consider each stage in the resilience capability pyramid as a reference for making strategic plans and relational orientation toward organizational members.

Originality/value

This research provides a hierarchical perspective on organizational resilience capabilities. For academics and practitioners, this study provides a critical and comprehensive systematization of the limited academic literature on resilience. This study also offers opportunities for further research to overcome the limitations of empirical testing of resilience capability construction using various theories and methodologies.
Effective use of adaptive slicing in binder jetting using Taguchi method and surface roughness measurement with image processing
Authors: Baş Hasan , Yapıcı Fatih , Ergün Erhan
Published: May 2024

Purpose

The use of additive manufacturing in many branches of industry is increasing significantly because of its many advantages, such as being able to produce complex parts that cannot be produced by classical methods, using fewer materials, easing the supply chain with on-site production, being able to produce with all kinds of materials and producing lighter parts. The binder jetting technique, one of the additive manufacturing methods researched within the scope of this work, is predicted to be the additive manufacturing method that will grow the most in the next decade, according to many economic reports. Although additive manufacturing methods have many advantages, they can be slower than classical manufacturing methods regarding production speed. For this reason, this study aims to increase the manufacturing speed in the binder jetting method.

Design/methodology/approach

Adaptive slicing and variable binder amount algorithm (VBAA) were used to increase manufacturing speed in binder jetting. Taguchi method was used to optimize the layer thickness and saturation ratio in VBAA. According to the Taguchi experimental design, 27 samples were produced in nine different conditions, three replicates each. The width of the samples in their raw form was measured. Afterward, the samples were sintered at 1,500 °C for 2 h. After sintering, surface roughness and density tests were performed. Therefore, the methods used have been proven to be successful. In addition, measurement possibilities with image processing were investigated to make surface roughness measurements more accessible and more economical.

Findings

As a result of the tests, the optimum printing condition was decided to be 180–250 µm for layer thickness and 50% for saturation. A separate test sample was then designed to implement adaptive slicing. This test sample was produced in three pieces: adaptive (180–250 µm), thin layer (180 µm) and thick layer (250 µm) with the determined parameters. The roughness values of the adaptive sliced sample and the thin layer sample were similar and better than the thick layer sample. A similar result was obtained using 12.31% fewer layers in the adaptive sample than in the thin layer sample.

Originality/value

The use of adaptive slicing in binder jetting has become more efficient. In this way, it will increase the use of adaptive slicing in binder jetting. In addition, a cheap and straightforward image processing method has been developed to calculate the surface roughness of the parts.
Addressing social disparities in special education placement in three welfare states: Student demographic correlates of the share of students identified with special educational needs at the school level using TALIS data
Authors: Reichenberg Monica , Berhanu Girma
Published: May 2024

The number of students with special educational needs (SEN) is growing rapidly. This study compared the correlations between the share of students identified with SEN and student diversity (socioeconomic status and ethnicity) at the school level in three countries. We used the principal questionnaire from the 2018 Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) to examine data from principals in three welfare states (the United Kingdom, France, and Sweden) and whether minority students in these three countries also receive special education. We conducted an ordinal regression analysis to examine the data. First, our results suggest that the share of immigrants in schools does not reliably predict the share of students placed in SEN. Second, the schools' share of refugees predicts the share of students placed in SEN, although the results vary by educational stage and country. Third, the schools' share of socioeconomically disadvantaged students predicts the share of students with SEN in all countries. We conclude that our study both agrees and disagrees with overrepresentation theory and equity theory. Finally, we suggest that welfare state theory may explain these differences.
Comparing political participation profiles in four Western European countries
Authors: ROJON SEBASTIEN , PANKOWSKA PAULINA K. , VITTORI DAVIDE , PAULIS EMILIEN
Published: May 2024

Most studies of political participation have either focused on specific political behaviours or combined several behaviours into additive scales of institutional versus non‐institutional participation. Through a multi‐group latent class analysis of participation in 15 different political actions, conducted among citizens from four Western European countries, we identified five empirically grounded participant types that differ in their political engagement, socio‐demographic characteristics and political attitudes: ‘voter specialists’, ‘expressive voters’, ‘online participants’, ‘all‐round activists’ and ‘inactives’. While the same participant types were identified in all four countries, the proportion of citizens assigned to each type varies across countries. Our results challenge the claim that some citizens specialize in protest politics at the expense of electoral politics. Furthermore, our typological approach challenges previous findings on the individual characteristics associated with political (in)action.
Bacteria on the foundational kelp in kelp forest ecosystems: Insights from culturing, whole genome sequencing and metabolic assays
Authors: Younker Isaac T. , Molnar Nichos , Scorza Kaylie , Weed Roo , Light Samuel H. , Pfister Catherine A.
Published: May 2024

In coastal marine ecosystems, kelp forests serve as a vital habitat for numerous species and significantly influence local nutrient cycles. Bull kelp, or Nereocystis luetkeana, is a foundational species in the iconic kelp forests of the northeast Pacific Ocean and harbours a complex microbial community with potential implications for kelp health. Here, we report the isolation and functional characterisation of 16 Nereocystis‐associated bacterial species, comprising 13 Gammaproteobacteria, 2 Flavobacteriia and 1 Actinomycetia. Genome analyses of these isolates highlight metabolisms potentially beneficial to the host, such as B vitamin synthesis and nitrogen retention. Assays revealed that kelp‐associated bacteria thrive on amino acids found in high concentrations in the ocean and in the kelp (glutamine and asparagine), generating ammonium that may facilitate host nitrogen acquisition. Multiple isolates have genes indicative of interactions with key elemental cycles in the ocean, including carbon, nitrogen and sulphur. We thus report a collection of kelp‐associated microbial isolates that provide functional insight for the future study of kelp–microbe interactions.
China, power and the United Nations Special Procedures: Emerging threats to the “crown jewels” of the international human rights system
Authors: Inboden Rana Siu
Published: May 2024

China's growing human rights abuses have attracted the attention of the United Nations (UN) Special Procedures, a central mechanism of the UN's international human rights monitoring system. In response to this growing scrutiny, Beijing has deployed compulsory power through criticism of particular individuals serving as Special Procedure mandate holders and directed funding toward select mandates that align with China's interests; institutional power with repeated efforts to change the rules governing the work of the Special Procedures; and productive power by, for example, introducing the idea that there is a lack of diversity among those serving in the Special Procedures system. China's forceful language had some impact on particular actors, especially UN staff who sought to avoid Beijing's ire. At the same time, China's overall impact on this part of the UN remains modest as the Special Procedures continue to be able to act independently, have spoken out about China's abuses and the selection process has not been captured by Beijing. While there are other parts of the human rights regime where Beijing is able to shape norms, ideas, and procedures, thus far, the Special Procedures have been able to withstand the PRC's projection of power.
‘Wolf Warriors’ in theUNSecurity Council? Investigating power shifts through blaming
Authors: Verbeek Nicolas
Published: May 2024

What shifts in the extent and patterns of China's blaming are observable at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC)? This article employs automated content analysis to measure the frequency of blaming by China and other permanent UNSC member states based on a dataset of all speeches (19,623 overall) in the UNSC from January 1995 to May 2022. Furthermore, it uses qualitative text analysis and network analysis to examine the targets of blaming in three different case studies of UN security governance—UN peacekeeping in former Yugoslavia (1998–2008), the UN sanctions regime against North Korea (2007–2017) and the broader peace and security discourse at the UNSC (2008–2018). The study conceptualizes Chinese blaming as a previously unexamined discursive strategy ofcompulsory powerwith potential long‐term effects on shifts inproductive power. However, the results indicate the absence of blaming‐related shifts in the discursive space of the UNSC: China's rhetoric in the UNSC, compared with other UNSC members, has remained restrained over time. Variance in blaming behaviour between actors and across bilateral and multilateral settings seems to depend on strategic considerations that assess how to exert power most effectively.
Is power shifting? China's evolving engagement with UNESCO
Authors: Meng Wenting
Published: May 2024

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) presents itself as a global laboratory of ideas. In 2022, China became the largest financial contributor to UNESCO at a time when the United States had been absent from the organisation for 4 years. Against this backdrop, a focus on whether or not China has become a more powerful actor within UNESCO is timely and capable of adding a new dimension to the existing body of literature on China's participation in global governance. This paper draws on UNESCO reports and data, as well as interviews with UNESCO officials and Chinese diplomats. Building on Barnett and Duvall's power typology, the article concludes that China's power within UNESCO has increased, yet unevenly. China is regarded as a moderate contributor rather than a challenger to existing power constellations in terms of compulsory power, structural power and productive power. However, China has shaped new industry norms and rules in the professional domain of UNESCO, reflecting institutional power shifts. Moreover, China's mechanisms of indirect influence within UNESCO have shifted towards a strategy referred to as ‘homeland diplomacy’, expanding the range of stakeholders to include experts, private sector entities and universities.
A mixed funding pattern: China's exercise of power within the United Nations
Authors: Zhang Xueying , Jing Yijia
Published: May 2024

China's financial contributions to the United Nations have increased in tandem with its growing economic might. However, their composition differs from that of other large (Western) contributors, being predominantly made up of mandatory fees and to a much lesser degree of voluntary core and earmarked contributions. What types of power does China seek and exercise through these different funding modalities? This article uses the conceptual power framework developed by Barnett and Duvall to answer this question. We argue that China's UN funding strategy reflects a careful balance between its commitments as a ‘responsible great power’ contributing to multilateralism and its desire to expand its influence within the UN system. We suggest that China exercises compulsory and structural power through assessed contributions and acquires some limited institutional and structural power via voluntary core contributions, while its voluntary earmarked contributions relate, to varying degrees, to all four power types — compulsory, structural, institutional, and productive. We also discuss key reasons behind the limited nature of China's voluntary funding. Based on our analysis, we suggest that the overall increase in China's funding contributes to changes in China's favor but, so far, has not led to more substantive power shifts at the UN.
Redesigning antenatal care: Prospective use of an implementation framework to establish a population‐based multidisciplinary first‐trimester screening, assessment and prevention service
Authors: Borbolla Foster Ailsa , Haxton Jennifer , Bennett Nicole , Hyett Jon , Park Felicity
Published: May 2024

Background

Australian rates of adverse obstetric outcomes have improved little despite guidelines recommending history‐based screening and intervention. The first trimester provides a unique opportunity to predict and prevent complications, yet population‐based screening has failed to be translated into broad clinical practice.

Aims

This study aimed to redesign antenatal care within an Australian public healthcare centre to align with evidence‐based maternity care, including population‐based first‐trimester screening with early initiation of preventative strategies in high‐risk pregnancies.

Methods

A five‐phase action‐process model, sharing key elements with implementation science theory, was used to explore barriers to change in antenatal care, co‐design a novel service with consumers and establish a population‐based antenatal pathway commencing with a multidisciplinary first‐trimester screening, assessment and planning visit.

Results

The case for change and associated barriers were defined from the perspective of antenatal care stakeholders. Key needs of each group were established, and solutions were created using co‐design methodology, allowing the team to create a novel approach to antenatal care which directly addressed identified barriers. Implementation of the service was associated with a fall in the median gestation at first specialist maternity care provider visit from 20 to 13 weeks.

Conclusions

This study confirms the feasibility of establishing a comprehensive first‐trimester screening program within a public Australian healthcare setting and highlights a co‐design process which places individualised assessment at the forefront of antenatal care. This framework may be applicable to most public maternity settings in Australia, with expansion aimed at providing equity of care, including in rural and remote settings.
A double‐blinded randomised controlled study of fluid restriction versus liberal fluid during induction of labour: A pilot study
Authors: Lowen Darren J. , Meikhail Marina , Jovic Ekaterina , Sheridan Nicole , Tacey Mark , Bisits Andrew , Hodgson Russell
Published: May 2024

Background

Excess intravenous fluid for women requiring an induction of labour may adversely affect the duration of labour and maternal/neonatal outcomes.

Aims

This study aimed to determine the difference in duration of labour and outcomes with a low background infusion rate, compared to liberal background intravenous fluid management.

Materials and Methods

A double blind randomised controlled pilot study was performed on 200 women who underwent induction of labour at a single institution. Women were randomised to an intravenous rate of 40 mL/h versus 250 mL/h of Hartmann's solution. Fluid boluses were strictly controlled to limit bias. This trial was registered with the Australian clinical trial registry: ACTRN12621001298808.

Results

Analysis of the total amount of fluid received showed good separation with Group 1 (40 mL/h) receiving 1,736 mL less than Group 2 (250 mL/h), median (interquartile range) 841 mL (458, 1691) versus 2,577 mL (1620, 4326) (P < 0.001). Median duration of labour was shorter in Group 1 by 24 min (P = ns). Subset analysis of nulliparous women showed that duration of labour was shorter in Group 1 by 83.5 min (P = ns).

Conclusion

As this was a pilot study, a significant difference in duration of labour or secondary outcomes was not seen. Given the increasing numbers of nulliparous women having an induction of labour, potential for adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes and the associated higher rate of operative birth, this study guides power calculations and supports proof of concept for future research into optimum fluid management during induction of labour for these women.
Testing multiple dispersion effects from unreplicated order‐of‐addition experiments
Authors: Tsai Shin‐Fu , He Shan‐Syue
Published: May 2024

Optimal addition orders of several components can be determined systematically to address order‐of‐addition problems when active location and dispersion effects are both taken into account. Based on the concept of fiducial generalised pivotal quantities, a new testing procedure is proposed in this paper to identify active dispersion effects from unreplicated order‐of‐addition experiments. Because the proposed method is free of all nuisance parameters indexed by the requirement set, it is capable of testing multiple dispersion effects. Simulation results show that the proposed method can maintain the empirical sizes close to the nominal level. A paint viscosity study is used to show that the proposed method can be practical. In addition, testable requirement sets are characterised when an order‐of‐addition orthogonal array is used to design an experiment.
Prevalence of antimicrobial resistance at two private veterinary referral hospitals
Authors: Border SO , Morris CAD , Donaldson RE
Published: May 2024

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an emerging human and animal issue. The frequency of resistance to high importance antimicrobials, isolation of microbes of One Health importance and the nature and frequency of multi‐drug resistant (MDR) profiles in Australian small animal referral practice have not been described previously. Medical databases of two private small animal referral hospitals in Queensland, Australia were reviewed for culture and susceptibility (C&S) results from 1 January to 31 December 2020. Hospital site (H1 and H2), culture sample, C&S results and MDR were documented for samples from services operating at both locations. There were 631 microbial isolates and 386 susceptibility profiles from 438 samples. The predominant organism was Staphylococcus pseudintermedius at H1 (n = 95) and Escherichia coli at H2 (n = 23). The majority of samples were integumentary (H1 n = 216, H2 n = 75) or urogenital (H1 n = 74, H2 n = 70). MDR isolates were reported at both hospitals, and were significantly more likely at H1 (69/262, 26.3% vs. 12/121, 9.9%; P < 0.001). High levels of AMR including MDR profiles were reported at the two hospitals evaluated, but they had significantly different resistance patterns and microbial profiles. These results highlight the need to practice appropriate antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary medicine, and are supportive for individual hospital surveillance with antibiograms.
Birth “outside of guidance”—An exploration of a Birth Choices Clinic in the United Kingdom
Authors: McAllister Sophie , Litchfield Claire
Published: May 2024

Background

Decision‐making around birthplace is complex and multifactorial. The role of clinicians is to provide unbiased, evidence‐based information to support women and birthing people to make decisions based on what matters to them. Some decisions may fall outside of clinical guidance and recommendations. Birth Choices Clinics can provide an opportunity for extended discussion and personalized birthplace planning.

This study aimed to explore the rationale behind choosing birthplace “outside of guidance” and examine the outcomes for women who attended a Birth Choices Clinic.

Methods

The study was descriptive using data extracted from clinical documentation and consultation. The data included demographic information, maternal characteristics, reason for choosing a midwifery‐led birth setting, birthplace preference, and outcome.

Results

Eighty‐two women used the Birth Choices Clinic between April 2022 and February 2023 in one large maternity unit in the UK. Reasons for choosing birth in a midwifery‐led setting included having access to a birthing pool, to reduce the chance of obstetric interventions and pragmatic reasons. Sixty‐five percent of women experienced a spontaneous vaginal birth, 10% experienced an assisted vaginal birth, and 23% experienced a cesarean birth. Of the 33 women who ultimately commenced labor care in a midwifery‐led setting, 76% (n = 25/33) birthed in this setting without complications. Transfer rates in labor were similar to those in a “low‐risk” pregnant population.

Discussion

Birth choice clinics may facilitate an understanding of material risk and support individualizing birth planning. There is evidence that women changed their planned birthplace, possibly in recognition of a move along the risk spectrum.
Shared social identity and social norms shape risk‐taking at mass gatherings
Authors: Alhajri Waleed , Moore Adam , Templeton Anne
Published: May 2024

Shared social identity and social norms are often un(der)recognized within mass gatherings health literature, yet they can increase infectious disease transmission by motivating people to engage in risk‐taking behaviours. Across three experiments (Ntotal = 1551), we investigated how shared social identities, perceived norms of resource‐sharing, and perceived riskiness of sharing interact to shape decisions that can lead to disease transmission. In Experiment 1 (N = 528), we examined how shared social identity and perceived descriptive norms affect the likelihood of crowd members sharing resources that may contribute to disease spread. We then replicated this in Experiment 2 (N = 511) using perceived injunctive norms. In Experiment 3 (N = 512), we explored how high shared social identity, perceived norms, and perceived health risks of resource‐sharing impact the likelihood of sharing that may, in turn, increase infectious disease transmission at mass gatherings. We found that high shared social identity interacts with perceived descriptive and injunctive norms, and low health risk perceptions, to increase the likelihood of accepting resources and giving resources at mass gatherings. We discuss the theoretical and practical implications for researchers, practitioners, and policymakers to build effective strategies to mitigate infectious disease transmission at mass gatherings.
Watching for a snake in the grass: Objectification increases conspiracy beliefs
Authors: Poon Kai‐Tak , Chan Rheal S. W. , Lai Hill‐Son , Jiang Yufei , Teng Fei
Published: May 2024

Objectification, being treated as a tool to achieve someone's instrumental goals, is a common phenomenon. A workplace supervisor may view employees solely in terms of their output; likewise, friends may be seen only for their potential for personal and social advancement. We conducted five studies (N = 1209) to test whether objectification increases conspiracy beliefs through thwarted trust and whether postobjectification increases in conspiracy beliefs carry behavioural implications. While conspiracy beliefs may have evolved as a strategy for survival, they may be considered maladaptive in the modern world. Therefore, understanding the antecedents, underlying mechanisms, and implications of conspiracy beliefs is essential. We measured (Study 1) and manipulated objectification (Studies 2–5), consistently finding that objectification decreased trust, thereby increasing conspiracy beliefs (Studies 1–5). This effect remained after considering negative emotions (Study 2). Increased conspiracy beliefs following objectification positively predicted unethical tendencies, and the effect of objectification on unethical tendencies was serially mediated by trust and conspiracy beliefs (Study 4). Restoring objectified people's trust weakened their conspiracy beliefs and unethical tendencies (Study 5). We discussed the implications of our findings, proposing directions for researchers, practitioners, managers, and policymakers for theoretical advancement, healthier coping, and promotion of well‐being.
British Association of Urological Surgeons Consensus statements on the management of ketamine uropathy
Authors: Belal Mohammed , Downey Alison , Doherty Ruth , Ali Ased , Hashim Hashim , Kozan Andy , Kujawa Magda , Pakzad Mahreen , Rashid Tina , Osman Nadir , Sahai Arun , Biers Suzanne ,   the BAUS Section of Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology
Published: May 2024

Objectives

To provide guidance in the form of consensus statement in the management of ketamine uropathy.

Methods

A literature review of ketamine uropathy was performed. The consensus method was of a modified nominal group technique and has been use in the previous British Association of Urological Surgeons (BAUS) consensus documents and was led by the Female, Neurological and Urodynamic Urology Section of the BAUS.

Results

A number of consensus statements detailing the assessment and management of urological complications relate to the recreational use of ketamine (ketamine uropathy) in both elective and emergency urology settings.

Conclusion

Comprehensive management pathway for ketamine‐related urinary tract dysfunction and uropathy has been detailed.
The mitochondrial calcium uniporter inhibitor Ru265 increases neuronal excitability and reduces neurotransmission via off‐target effects
Authors: Xu Peng , Swain Sarpras , Novorolsky Robyn J. , Garcia Esperanza , Huang Zhouyang , Snutch Terrance P. , Wilson Justin J. , Robertson George S. , Renden Robert B.
Published: May 2024

Background and Purpose

Excitotoxicity due to mitochondrial calcium (Ca2+) overloading can trigger neuronal cell death in a variety of pathologies. Inhibiting the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) has been proposed as a therapeutic avenue to prevent calcium overloading. Ru265 (ClRu(NH3)4(μ‐N)Ru(NH3)4Cl]Cl3) is a cell‐permeable inhibitor of the mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) with nanomolar affinity. Ru265 reduces sensorimotor deficits and neuronal death in models of ischemic stroke. However, the therapeutic use of Ru265 is limited by the induction of seizure‐like behaviours.

Experimental Approach

We examined the effect of Ru265 on synaptic and neuronal function in acute brain slices and hippocampal neuron cultures derived from mice, in control and where MCU expression was genetically abrogated.

Key Results

Ru265 decreased evoked responses from calyx terminals and induced spontaneous action potential firing of both the terminal and postsynaptic principal cell. Recordings of presynaptic Ca2+ currents suggested that Ru265 blocks the P/Q type channel, confirmed by the inhibition of currents in cells exogenously expressing the P/Q type channel. Measurements of presynaptic K+ currents further revealed that Ru265 blocked a KCNQ current, leading to increased membrane excitability, underlying spontaneous spiking. Ca2+ imaging of hippocampal neurons showed that Ru265 increased synchronized, high‐amplitude events, recapitulating seizure‐like activity seen in vivo. Importantly, MCU ablation did not suppress Ru265‐induced increases in neuronal activity and seizures.

Conclusions and Implications

Our findings provide a mechanistic explanation for the pro‐convulsant effects of Ru265 and suggest counter screening assays based on the measurement of P/Q and KCNQ channel currents to identify safe MCU inhibitors.
How do childhood and children's rights mean what they mean? Innovating the debate around the social semantics of childhood and children's rights through an interdisciplinary approach
Authors: Farini Federico , Scollan Angela
Published: May 2024

This article discusses children's rights as social semantics, approaching them as a form of self‐description of a paradoxical relationship that has emerged from the late twentieth century within several social systems, a relationship between generational order and children's position as holders of human rights. Charles Taylor's theory on the evolution of the semantics of human value is combined with a wide interdisciplinary array of contributions from Childhood Studies, Social Work, Pedagogy, Studies on Constitutionalism to propose an innovative social ontology of children's rights. Although the UNCRC has been the object of critical scrutiny since the early 1990s, the authors are not aware of any previous attempt to approach children's rights as social semantics in an attempt to illuminate the dynamic and paradoxical coupling within discourses on childhood between a fundamental social process, the reproduction of generational order and a fundamental social institution, human rights as codified in western modernity. The authors argue that while describing a paradoxical coexistence between intergenerational order and human rights, the semantics of children's rights maintains its unity as a cultural form because another semantic distinction, between human rights and personal rights continue to generate social meaning. It is hoped that the scholarly debate will benefit from the contribution of this article to enrich the debate around the social ontology of childhood and children's rights.
The relational love in the dialogue between Lutheran theology and Chinese traditional religions
Authors: GAO Yuan
Published: May 2024

The concept of love occupies a central position not only in the Lutheran–Augustinian theology of justification and sanctification, but also in some traditional Chinese religions such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Taoism. For the Finnish interpretation of Luther's theology, a range of pivotal concepts such as two kinds of love, union (participation), gift, favor, unifying power, as well as the real‐ontic presence in faith act a fundamental role in addressing the doctrine of justification and divinization. As a new research approach, the formulation of unio cum Christo in Spiritu sancto develops Tuomo Mannermaa's interpretation of in ipsa fide Christus adest thus opening a new dialogue with the relational creativity of love in Chinese Tao‐Qi framework. While the ontological presuppositions of these two religious traditions are different, the relational love can be explored as a new conceptual model for deepening the theoretical communications between Lutheran theology and Chinese faith traditions.
Rewarding performance through sustainability‐linked bonds
Authors: Anderson Anne‐Marie , Kish Richard
Published: May 2024

Green bonds and the broad category of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) debt are market initiatives designed to tie environmental goals to the funding mechanism of the firm. Although there is an evolving certification process for green and social bonds, it does not currently include monetary consequences for a deviation from the proposed green uses of the funding. This article provides an overview of the green/social bond market to highlight these shortcomings. After a review of the green bond literature, we note the shortcomings of the existing debt market and illustrate the benefits of sustainability‐linked bonds (SLB), which reward incremental improvements in relevant performance indicators.
Characterization of Colletotrichum fructicola causing anthracnose on Schima superba in China
Authors: Yan Linzhe , Shi Jianqi , Peng Xiaojie , Zhang Shouke , Zhou Xudong
Published: May 2024

Leaves of Schima superba with typical anthracnose symptoms were collected in July 2023 in Zhejiang Province, China. The fungi isolates were conducted from the margins of the lesions, and three isolates CA13, CA18 and CA27, were selected for identification and pathogenicity test. Based on morphological characteristics and phylogenetic analyses of the partial regions of internal transcribed spacer (ITS), actin (ACT), calmodulin (CAL), beta‐tubulin (TUB2), and glyceraldehyde‐3‐phosphate‐dehydrogenase sequences (GAPDH), the fungi were identified as Colletotrichum fructicola. Inoculation of the fungi on healthy S. superba leaves showed symptoms similar to those observed in the field, and the fungi were re‐isolated from the lesions. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of C. fructicola causing anthracnose on S. superba worldwide.