bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Following standards: a document ethnography in Chilean University Libraries
Authors: Pilerot Ola , Bolaños Zarate Fernando , Donoso Vegas Rodrigo
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The aim of this study is to contribute to extended knowledge about the role of standardization of university library operations and its consequences.

Design/methodology/approach

This research employs a practice-theoretically oriented analysis method with a focus on documents. The Chilean standards for university libraries, which are in focus, are conceptualised as a site that encompasses those who drafted them and librarians who are expected to follow them. The study can be termed a document ethnography, which in this case includes the methods of interviewing and document analysis.

Findings

Whereas commonalities among libraries are in focus for the drafters, librarians are foregrounding context-related particularities and local practices. This results in a collision between different purposes and interests regarding how to use standards. The librarians perceive that standards are primarily intended for management and that they provide little support for everyday work. In accordance, to librarians, the work done by people in managerial positions regarding standards often seems opaque or obscured. Furthermore, for librarians, even though standards are ubiquitous, they are not visible in the daily work.

Originality/value

The document ethnography as a research approach is drawn from the field of science and technology studies and has not previously been used in library research. Standards for university libraries have not been studied in this way before, either in Chile or elsewhere. The study has contributed to making “the dark sides of standards” within the Chilean academic library landscape visible.
The effect of lean leadership on workload and job satisfaction: the moderating effect of workload and gender
Authors: Nal Mustafa , Dag Erhan , Demir Yasar
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The first aim of this study is to determine the effect of lean leadership on the workload and job satisfaction of healthcare workers, and the second aim is to reveal the moderating role of workload and employee gender in this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, we created a comprehensive model to determine the effect of lean leadership on the workload and job satisfaction of healthcare employees and to reveal the moderating role of workload and employee gender in this relationship. We collected 1,207 valid questionnaires among Turkish health workers.

Findings

The results indicate that: (1) Lean leadership reduces perceived workload, (2) Lean leadership increases job satisfaction, (3) Workload moderates the effect of lean leadership on job satisfaction and (4) Employee gender moderates the effect of lean leadership on job satisfaction and workload. These findings have provided theoretical and practical suggestions for reducing the workload and increasing the job satisfaction of healthcare employees. Finally, we will make some suggestions for the future.

Research limitations/implications

As with other studies, there are some limitations in this study. The data used in this study were collected in Turkey. Turkish culture has a more collectivist culture than Western countries (Koksal 2011). In addition, the research was carried out with the participation of health employees. Due to Turkish cultural characteristics and the characteristics of health services, the generalization of research results may be limited. Therefore, it is recommended that the research be repeated across different cultures and different sectors to determine whether our results are culture-specific, sector-specific or generalized.

Practical implications

Healthcare managers can reduce the perception of employees’ workload by showing lean leadership behavior. Healthcare managers can increase their job satisfaction by valuing employees, inviting them to participate in business processes and providing them with the resources they need.

Social implications

In order to maintain and increase health workers’ job satisfaction, we recommend that health managers should ensure fair job sharing. In addition, health managers should take into account that female employees are more sensitive about the workload.

Originality/value

This research is the first study to examine the effect of lean leadership behavior on healthcare professionals’ workload perception and job satisfaction. Therefore, it offers important theoretical and practical implications.
Who’s in the mirror: shaping organizational identity through artificial intelligence and symbolic interactionism
Authors: Canbul Yaroğlu Aslıhan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of artificial intelligence (AI) on the identity formation processes of individuals and organizations. Within the framework of symbolic interactionism and looking-glass self-theories, it is investigated how AI transforms social interactions and identity perceptions. The study aims to understand how AI reshapes individuals’ self-perception in the organizational context and to provide a theoretical explanation of these processes.

Design/methodology/approach

This article uses qualitative research and a grounded theory approach to examine the effects of artificial intelligence on individual and organizational identity. Data obtained through literature review and thematic analysis are analyzed to theoretically explain the effects of artificial intelligence on identity formation processes. With the grounded theory method, new theoretical implications are presented regarding the effects of artificial intelligence on identity and social roles.

Findings

AI reshapes individual and organizational identities by automating routine tasks and providing rapid feedback, which enhances self-perception and collective identity while potentially introducing identity threats or development opportunities depending on task alignment.

Originality/value

This article provides a novel perspective by integrating symbolic interactionism and the looking-glass self-theories with AI interactions, offering fresh insights into how AI affects identity construction in both individuals and organizations. It uniquely examines the dynamic influence of AI on self-perception and organizational identity, contributing to the understanding of AI’s role in identity reconfiguration and the cognitive processes behind it.
Analysis of critical success factors of Quality 4.0 implementation in manufacturing SMEs using best–worst method
Authors: Vinodh Sekar , Wankhede Vishal Ashok , Muruganantham Ganesan
Published: December 2024

Purpose

To attain a competitive edge, it is essential to realize the significant critical success factors (CSFs) that contribute to the adoption of Quality 4.0 (Q4.0) in manufacturing organizations. Therefore, the study aimed to analyze CSFs for Q4.0 implementation in manufacturing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) using multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) tool.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study begins with a systematic literature review of past studies about Q4.0 implementation in manufacturing, followed by the identification of CSFs. Further, a case study was conducted wherein 42 CSFs identified were grouped into five dimensions. Best–worst method is a MCDM tool applied as a solution methodology for the analysis of CSFs based on expert opinion and priority order of CSFs attained.

Findings

The priority order of CSFs is obtained. Based on the findings, significant CSFs are “Data prediction and Analytics,” “Organizational culture towards Quality 4.0” and “Machine to Machine communication.”

Practical implications

The shifting market dynamics incorporate Q4.0 inclusion for realizing zero defects and high traceability in automotive SMEs. The present study offers implications for industry managers and practitioners by delivering insights on how Q4.0 could be serving automotive systems and CSFs that industry authorities need to pay attention to effectively adopt Q4.0 in the current quality systems. The study will facilitate industry practitioners to meticulously examine CSFs for Q4.0 toward the improvement of SME performance.

Originality/value

The identification of CSFs for Q4.0 adoption in manufacturing SMEs, along with the prioritization of CFSs using the MCDM tool, is the original contribution by the authors.
Factors influencing the current and future distribution of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), in Ethiopia
Authors: Barkessa Megersa Kebede , Degaga Emana Getu , Duressa Tarekegn Fite , Muleta Muluken Goftishu , Amenta Mulatu Wakgari , Gurmu Ashenafi Kassaye
Published: December 2024

The fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae), is among the key invasive pests attacking maize and sorghum, the staple cereals in many countries in Africa. The determination of habitat suitability of invasive species via correlative model is among the priority tasks that provide basic information for achieving sustainable plant protection.

In this study, we developed a species distribution model of S. frugiperda and identified the key influencing environmental factors under current and future climatic conditions in Ethiopia via the MaxEnt program.

The results showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of the simulated model was 0.856 (±0.010), confirming the good predictive ability of the model. The isothermality and precipitation of the driest month are the most dominant bioclimatic variables with a percentage contribution of 39.4% and 11.6%, respectively, in the model. The percentages of very highly suitable, highly suitable, moderately suitable, low‐suitable, and unsuitable areas were 21.24%, 21.17%, 28.22%, 16.34% and 13.03%, respectively, of the total Ethiopian land mass. From the present to the 2070s, the areas of highly suitable and very highly suitable habitats for S. frugiperda will increase due to global warming.

This study noted that the pest was a major threat to maize and sorghum in Ethiopia. Hence, due emphasis should be given to strengthening monitoring and management in a suitable range, which would lessen economic losses due to invasion and ensure agricultural safety.
Food Allergy Genetics and Epigenetics: A Review of Genome‐Wide Association Studies
Authors: Arnau‐Soler Aleix , Tremblay Bénédicte L. , Sun Yidan , Madore Anne‐Marie , Simard Mathieu , Kersten Elin T. G. , Ghauri Ahla , Marenholz Ingo , Eiwegger Thomas , Simons Elinor , Chan Edmond S. , Nadeau Kari , Sampath Vanitha , Mazer Bruce D. , Elliott Susan , Hampson Christine , Soller Lianne , Sandford Andrew , Begin Philippe , Hui Jennie , Wilken Bethany F. , Gerdts Jennifer , Bourkas Adrienn , Ellis Anne K. , Vasileva Denitsa , Clarke Ann , Eslami Aida , Ben‐Shoshan Moshe , Martino David , Daley Denise , Koppelman Gerard H. , Laprise Catherine , Lee Young‐Ae , Asai Yuka
Published: December 2024

In this review, we provide an overview of food allergy genetics and epigenetics aimed at clinicians and researchers. This includes a brief review of the current understanding of genetic and epigenetic mechanisms, inheritance of food allergy, as well as a discussion of advantages and limitations of the different types of studies in genetic research. We specifically focus on the results of genome‐wide association studies in food allergy, which have identified 16 genetic variants that reach genome‐wide significance, many of which overlap with other allergic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and allergic rhinitis. Identified genes for food allergy are mainly involved in epithelial barrier function (e.g., FLG, SERPINB7) and immune function (e.g., HLA, IL4). Epigenome‐wide significant findings at 32 loci are also summarized as well as 14 additional loci with significance at a false discovery of < 1 × 10−4. Integration of epigenetic and genetic data is discussed in the context of disease mechanisms, many of which are shared with other allergic diseases. The potential utility of genetic and epigenetic discoveries is deliberated. In the future, genetic and epigenetic markers may offer ways to predict the presence or absence of clinical IgE‐mediated food allergy among sensitized individuals, likelihood of development of natural tolerance, and response to immunotherapy.
Ultrasound guided microwave ablation treatment of uterine fibroids: Clinical response and patient acceptability
Authors: Jonsdottir Gudny , Beermann Marie , Lanz Erika , Nikodell Ava , Cronsioe Annika , Hasselrot Klara , Kopp‐Kallner Helena
Published: December 2024

Introduction

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness and acceptability of ultrasound guided microwave ablation for treating symptoms related to uterine fibroids.

Material and Methods

This was a prospective interventional study. Patients with symptomatic uterine fibroids were included at Danderyd Hospital, Sweden, from January 2020 to August 2023. All patients were treated with percutaneous or vaginal ultrasound guided microwave ablation. Primary outcome was reduction of fibroid symptoms evaluated by the validated uterine fibroid symptom and quality of life (UFS‐QoL) questionnaire at 6 months post‐treatment. Location of each fibroid was noted. Secondary outcomes included reduction of menstruation blood loss, change in hemoglobin, ferritin and Anti‐Müllerian hormone, fibroid volume difference, hospitalization, acceptability, and postoperative pain. Clinical trials registration number NCT04240262.

Results

Symptoms from uterine fibroids decreased by 37% (p < 0.001) on the symptom severity scale and health‐related quality of life increased by 74% (p < 0.001). Menstrual blood loss decreased by 38% (p < 0.001) according to the Pictorial Bleeding Assessment Chart and median fibroid shrinkage of the three largest treated fibroids was 64% (p < 0.001). Highest median shrinkage rate (82) was seen in submucous fibroids. A total of 110 of 113 (97%) patients left the hospital on the day of treatment. We experienced one adverse event (0.8%) Clavien Dindo grade 3. Acceptability was high and postoperative pain was mild to moderate.

Conclusions

Microwave ablation is a highly acceptable minimally invasive method for treating symptoms related to uterine fibroids in patients who desire uterus preservation. Submucosal fibroids showed more favorable treatment results.
Paroxetine alleviates ulcerative colitis in mice via restoring intestinal microbiota homeostasis and metabolism
Authors: Zhang Minquan , Zhou Yuxin , Huang Lianghui , Hong Weiman , Li Yangbiao , Chen Zhenhua , Zhou Liangliang
Published: December 2024

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an inflammatory bowel disease and psychological factors may be one of its pathogeneses. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor drug such as paroxetine with an effective anti‐depression ability may be a new option for UC treatment. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of paroxetine on the exacerbation of UC symptoms caused by depression, a dual model of C57BL/6 mice was established using dextran sulphate sodium and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). Behavioural experiments, H&E staining and the level of 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT) in the brain were used to demonstrate successful replication of the CUMS model. The levels of 5‐HT, TNF‐α and IL‐1β in the colon and the activity of MPO in the serum were determined by ELISA kits. The levels of some gut microbiota in the faeces were measured by qPCR and faecal differential metabolites were analysed by 1H NMR. The results indicate that CUMS can exacerbate UC symptoms in mice by exacerbating inflammation, and UC+CUMS can disrupt gut microbiota and fatty acid metabolism. Paroxetine can improve the mental state of mice, reduce serum MPO activity, but increase TNF‐α and IL‐1β levels in the colon. In addition, paroxetine also can restore the intestinal flora of mice and improve intestinal absorption and metabolic function of amino acids and short‐chain fatty acids.
Access to Information and Privacy: Practical Approaches for Public Service Reform
Authors: Desrochers Pierre R.
Published: December 2024

This article explores the critical intersection of Access to Information (ATI) and Privacy in the context of public service reform. Drawing on contemporary challenges and opportunities, it provides practical strategies for enhancing transparency while safeguarding personal data. The discussion includes an examination of current legislative frameworks, best practices for managing information requests, and innovative approaches to privacy protection. By highlighting real‐world examples, the article provides practical insights for policymakers and public administrators striving to balance openness with privacy in an increasingly digital environment. This contribution aims to support administrative reforms that enhance both accountability and trust in public institutions.
Interleukin‐3 Modulates Macrophage Phagocytic Activity and Promotes Spinal Cord Injury Repair
Authors: Li Jianjian , Zheng Meige , Ouyang Fangru , Ye Jianan , Huang Jinxin , Zhao Yuanzhe , Wang Jingwen , Shan Fangli , Li Ziyu , Yu Shuishen , Yao Fei , Tian Dasheng , Cheng Li , Jing Juehua
Published: December 2024

Background

Effective clearance of lipid‐rich debris by macrophages is critical for neural repair and regeneration after spinal cord injury (SCI). Interleukin‐3 (IL‐3) has been implicated in programming microglia to cluster and clear pathological aggregates in neurodegenerative disease. Yet, the influence of IL‐3 on lipid debris clearance post‐SCI is not well characterized.

Methods

We established a mouse model of spinal cord compression injury to investigate the role of IL‐3. Blockage of IL‐3 was achieved through intrathecal delivery of an IL‐3‐neutralizing antibody, while IL‐3 activation was augmented via in situ injection of recombinant IL‐3 into the lesion site immediately post‐SCI. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to determine IL‐3 and IL‐3Rα sources and distribution, lipid droplet accumulation, neuron preservation, and axon regeneration after SCI. The Basso Mouse Scale (BMS) and footprint analysis were employed to evaluate locomotor function recovery.

Results

We found that IL‐3 expression was significantly upregulated post‐SCI, peaking at 14 days post‐injury (dpi) and persisting until 28 dpi. Notably, IL‐3 was primarily secreted by astrocytes surrounding the lesion epicenter. Correspondingly, IL‐3Rα was predominantly observed in macrophages within the injury core, also elevating at 14 dpi. Neutralization of IL‐3 led to increased lipid droplet accumulation, along with markedly widespread of macrophages and decreased neuronal survival, resulting in severe motor deficits compared to controls. Conversely, in situ injection of IL‐3 reduced lipid droplet accumulation in macrophages, preserved neurons, promoted axon regeneration, and ultimately contributed to the recovery of motor function after SCI.

Conclusion

Our findings shed light on the role of IL‐3 in modulating macrophage phagocytic activity and suggest that the IL‐3/IL‐3Rα pathway may be a potential therapeutic target for enhancing neural repair and functional recovery after SCI.
Fundamental principles of the effect of habitat fragmentation on species with different movement rates
Authors: Jacobs Jamaal , Salmaniw Yurij , Lam King‐Yeung , Zhai Lu , Wang Hao , Zhang Bo
Published: December 2024

Habitat loss and fragmentation have independent impacts on biodiversity; thus, field studies are needed to distinguish their impacts. Moreover, species with different locomotion rates respond differently to fragmentation, complicating direct comparisons of the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation across differing taxa and landscapes. To overcome these challenges, we combined mechanistic mathematical modeling and laboratory experiments to compare how species with different locomotion rates were affected by low (∼80% intact) and high (∼30% intact) levels of habitat loss. In our laboratory experiment, we used Caenorhabditis elegans strains with different locomotion rates and subjected them to the different levels of habitat loss and fragmentation by placing Escherichia coli (C. elegans food) over different proportions of the Petri dish. We developed a partial differential equation model that incorporated spatial and biological phenomena to predict the impacts of habitat arrangement on populations. Only species with low rates of locomotion declined significantly in abundance as fragmentation increased in areas with low (p = 0.0270) and high (p = 0.0243) levels of habitat loss. Despite that species with high locomotion rates changed little in abundance regardless of the spatial arrangement of resources, they had the lowest abundance and growth rates in all environments because the negative effect of fragmentation created a mismatch between the population distribution and the resource distribution. Our findings shed new light on incorporating the role of locomotion in determining the effects of habitat fragmentation.
An Automated Histopathological Colorectal Cancer Multi‐Class Classification System Based on Optimal Image Processing and Prominent Features
Authors: Tonni Tasnim Jahan , Rana Shakil , Fatema Kaniz , Karim Asif , Rony Md. Awlad Hossen , Hasan Md. Zahid , Mukta Md. Saddam Hossain , Azam Sami
Published: December 2024

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by the uncontrollable growth of cancerous cells within the rectal mucosa. In contrast, colon polyps, precancerous growths, can develop into colon cancer, causing symptoms like rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, diarrhea, weight loss, and constipation. It is the leading cause of death worldwide, and this potentially fatal cancer severely afflicts the elderly. Furthermore, early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment, as it is often more time‐consuming and laborious for experts. This study improved the accuracy of CRC multi‐class classification compared to previous research utilizing diverse datasets, such as NCT‐CRC‐HE‐100 K (100,000 images) and CRC‐VAL‐HE‐7 K (7,180 images). Initially, we utilized various image processing techniques on the NCT‐CRC‐HE‐100 K dataset to improve image quality and noise‐freeness, followed by multiple feature extraction and selection methods to identify prominent features from a large data hub and experimenting with different approaches to select the best classifiers for these critical features. The third ensemble model (XGB‐LightGBM‐RF) achieved an optimum accuracy of 99.63% with 40 prominent features using univariate feature selection methods. Moreover, the third ensemble model also achieved 99.73% accuracy from the CRC‐VAL‐HE‐7 K dataset. After combining two datasets, the third ensemble model achieved 99.27% accuracy. In addition, we trained and tested our model with two different datasets. We used 80% data from NCT‐CRC‐HE‐100 K and 20% data from CRC‐VAL‐HE‐7 K, respectively, for training and testing purposes, while the third ensemble model obtained 98.43% accuracy in multi‐class classification. The results show that this new framework, which was created using the third ensemble model, can help experts figure out what kinds of CRC diseases people are dealing with at the very beginning of an investigation.
A 150‐Year Avian Extinction Debt Forewarns a Global Species Crisis and Highlights Conservation Opportunities
Authors: Wang Zhibang , Cui Ning , Hung Chih‐Ming , Li Shou‐Hsien , Dong Feng
Published: December 2024

Humans have caused pervasive wildlife habitat loss by transforming most of the Earth's terrestrial surface, while unexpectedly limited species have consequently gone extinct. The concept of time‐lagged extinction (i.e., an extinction debt) potentially explains this paradox, but the starting time of the process is difficult to estimate. Herein, by projecting extinction risk backward onto human perturbation time series, we applied a statistical framework to examine extinction debt for 8435 terrestrial avian species. The results suggested that the modern extinction risk induced by anthropogenic terrestrial land modification began 150 years ago, aligning with the acceleration of human activities since the Second Industrial Revolution. Intriguingly, we found a reversal of anthropogenic effects on extinction risk over the mid‐20th century, perhaps driven by spatiotemporal contrasts in anthropogenic perturbations between developed and developing areas. These findings indicate the need for proactive conservation and highlight the role of ecosystem restoration in the potential repayment of extinction debt.
Enhancing Undergraduate Metacognitive Awareness and Self‐Efficacy: Effective Instructional Practices for Research Question Formulation
Authors: Sasson Irit , Tifferet Sigal
Published: December 2024

Developing students' metacognitive awareness and self‐efficacy is crucial for fostering independent learning and higher‐order thinking skills, especially in research‐related tasks. Despite the widespread recognition of the importance of cultivating higher‐order thinking skills in higher education, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of effective instructional methods for fostering these skills among students. To address this gap, this study examines the impact of instructional practices on undergraduate students' metacognitive awareness and self‐efficacy in research question formulation—a fundamental skill in academic inquiry. Using a pretest/posttest design, 291 students from two colleges participated in courses where active and passive instructional methods served as the intervention. Our analysis reveals that active instructional methods were associated with marked improvements in self‐efficacy. The study provides empirical evidence of the effectiveness of active, student‐centred pedagogies in enhancing cognitive and self‐regulatory capacities. These findings offer educators practical guidance for designing instructional interventions that cultivate critical thinking and research skills, ultimately advancing student learning and success.
Leveraging Generative AI in Higher Education: An Analysis of Opportunities and Challenges Addressed in University Guidelines
Authors: Christ‐Brendemühl Sonja
Published: December 2024

As generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a catalyst for a new learning and examination culture in higher education, it urges universities to reinvent themselves and to adapt to these changes effectively. By analysing the content of 67 university guidelines on generative AI, this study investigates how universities in Germany position themselves towards the rise of generative AI. Findings reveal that a majority of university guidelines explicitly permit both university lecturers and students to engage with generative AI, emphasising the importance of building AI literacy among both groups and preparing students for changing demands in the world of work. Importantly, 56.7% of university guidelines posit that the opportunities of generative AI for higher education outweigh the risks, underscoring the potential transformative impact on teaching and research. In addition, the results of a workshop with 25 faculty members were scrutinised to deepen and specify the findings of the content analysis.
Healthcare Students' Exposure to Sexual Violence During Clinical Placements in Spain: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Rifà‐Ros Rosa , Rodriguez‐Monforte Miriam , Carrillo‐Alvarez Elena , Costa‐Tutusaus Lluis , Comes‐Forastero Mercè , Martin‐Arribas Anna , Reyes‐Vizacarro Marta , Gasch‐Gallen Angel
Published: December 2024

Data from international investigations indicate that gender‐based violence is a phenomenon that also occurs in the university environment. Despite the fact that clinical learning environments have been widely studied, little attention has been paid to sexual violence in the clinical placement setting of Health Sciences students. Consequently, the aim of this study was to describe situations and/or behaviours of harassment, such as assault and/or sexual abuse experienced by the students of one university in Barcelona, Spain, during their clinical placements. A cross‐sectional study was conducted using an ad‐hoc online questionnaire. A convenience sample was used including bachelor's degree students as subjects during their clinical placements in the second half of 2022. A total of 156 responses were collected from the students of four degrees (Nursing, Physiotherapy, Nutrition and Dietetics and Pharmacy). Of the total results collected, 74.5% (117) corresponded to women and the remaining 25.5% (40) to men. 71.3% of students reported that they had experienced one (or more) of the 25 types of conduct described in the questionnaire at some time. The behaviours of social interaction with sexual content and sexual harassment in the placement setting showed that such behaviours were mostly experienced by women on the Nursing degree. In relation to the perpetrators of such behaviours, the respondents manifested that the greatest aggressor was a patient and that most of the aggression took place in hospitalisation units, rehabilitation centres and nursing homes. It is essential that academic institutions, in collaboration with health institutions, carry out joint actions, awareness‐raising, identification and interventions, with students, professionals and teams from a culture of non‐violence and the eradication of sexual harassment in academic placements.
Repealing the Eighth Amendment: Counter Stories and Storytelling for Resistance, Empowerment and Social Change in Irish Reproductive Politics
Authors: Bolt Rebecca , O'Leary Susan
Published: December 2024

This paper examines the pivotal role played by counter accounts in reshaping public sentiment and disrupting the power and reach of hegemonic discourse. While prior scholarship has largely focused on the emergence of counter accounts as alternative perspectives to dominant and institutionalised narratives, we highlight the prevalence and significant influence of institutionalised public narratives, which tend to become deeply ingrained in the collective public consciousness of society. These narratives often go unquestioned and unchallenged. Consequently, when attempting to reshape public discourse and people's perspectives on a particular issue, the focus is often not on countering the content of the hegemonic account itself, but on how to challenge the widespread acceptance and power that this narrative holds in various forms that limit the potential for alternative viewpoints to gain traction. Our empirical investigation centres on counter accounts that emerged within the ‘Together for Yes’ (TfY) and Repeal the Eighth campaigns in Ireland where we investigated how counter accounts that draw on the private experiences of women's reproductive rights engendered public solidarity in addressing deeply personal issues and transgressed the prevalence of institutionalised narratives on abortion. Drawing on the insights of bell hooks (1989; 1990; 1992; 1994), we find that this takes place in the form of stories and storytelling, that do not directly confront or deconstruct the narratives promoted by dominant institutions but instead aim to address the underlying dynamics and consequences generated by the very existence of these institutionalised narratives within the public sphere. hooks' work underscores the transformative potential of storytelling, which immerses audiences in the intricacies of narratives, fostering perceptual shifts and challenging preconceived notions. Our findings highlight stories and storytelling as a potent tool for countering the omnipresence of hegemonic discourse by specifically challenging the dynamics of silence, dehumanisation, stigma, and shame perpetuated by institutionalised narratives concerning women's reproductive rights.
Modulation of Haemostatic Balance in Combined von Willebrand Disease and Antithrombin Deficiency: A Comprehensive Family Study
Authors: Pezeshkpoor Behnaz , Fischer Ronald , Preisler Barbara , Hartlieb Katrin , Rühl Heiko , Müller Jens , Horneff Silvia , Marquardt Natascha , Pavlova Anna , Oldenburg Johannes
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Maintaining the balance between procoagulant and anticoagulant factors is essential for effective haemostasis. Emerging evidence suggests a modulation of bleeding tendency by factors in the anticoagulant and fibrinolytic systems.

Aim

This study investigates the clinical and laboratory characteristics of a family with combined von Willebrand disease (VWD) and antithrombin (AT) deficiency.

Methods

The study focused on a 38‐year‐old female index patient (IP) with severe type 3 VWD and a history of bleeding disorders. Coagulation assays included VWF antigen, platelet‐dependent VWF activity, factor VIII activity, thrombin generation assay (TGA) and AT activity. Molecular genetic analyses were conducted by a targeted DNA custom next generation sequencing (NGS) panel.

Results

The IP and one of her sisters suffered type 3 VWD. While the IP presents with a classical severe bleeding phenotype, the sister (II‐2) exhibited less severe bleeding symptoms. Extended family members showed type 1 VWD with mild presentations. NGS revealed a homozygous deletion of exon 6 in the VWF gene in the IP and her sister (II‐2). All other family members carry this genetic variant in a heterozygous state. Additionally, II‐2 has a heterozygous variant in the SERPINC1 gene (c.133C>T, p.Arg45Trp). Both IP and II‐2 carry a homozygous prothrombin G20210A variant. TGA results indicated reduced thrombin generation in severe VWD patients, with a pronounced thrombin burst in those with the AT and prothrombin G20210A variant.

Conclusions

AT deficiency appears to modulate bleeding symptoms in severe VWD. This study emphasizes the importance of comprehensive genetic and phenotypic evaluation in managing complex coagulation disorders.
Is Anybody Watching Me? Effects of Information About Evaluators on Applicants' Use of Impression Management in Asynchronous Video Interviews
Authors: Orji Koralie , Roulin Nicolas , Bangerter Adrian
Published: December 2024

Asynchronous video interviews (AVIs) are widely used in hiring, but the lack of social presence (e.g., uncertainty about the identity of evaluators) may hinder effective impression management (IM) for applicants. This study examined whether providing information about evaluators facilitates applicant IM use in AVIs, specifically ingratiation or self‐promotion. It also explored the experience involved in applicants' response generation. In a mock AVI, 160 participants were randomly assigned to one of two conditions (with or without information about the evaluator). They reported their thoughts after watching their interview recordings. Providing information about the evaluator enhanced ingratiation but did not affect self‐promotion. Qualitative analyses revealed that participants with evaluator information were more likely to reference organizational values and align themselves with the evaluator, whereas those without it concentrated more on demonstrating their job‐relevant skills. Participants' reported thoughts and emotions suggested that formulating suitable answers and interacting with a computer represent major concerns.
A Conceptual Framework to Improve Resilience Among Undergraduate First‐Year Nursing Students: A Mixed‐Methods Study
Authors: Gause Gopolang , Sehularo Leepile Alfred , Matsipane Molekodi Jacob
Published: December 2024

It is generally presumed that most undergraduate first‐year nursing students are not prepared for the transition from basic to higher education. Resilience is recommended as a viable coping strategy that acts as a buffer to the adversities that undergraduate first‐year nursing students experience. Therefore, the aim of this study was to develop and validate a conceptual framework to improve resilience among undergraduate first‐year nursing students at a South African university. A multiphase concurrent mixed‐methods research design was followed through concept analysis, and the empirical, development and validation phases. Development and validation of a conceptual framework were guided by Dickoff et al.'s practice‐oriented theory model and e‐Delphi, respectively. Data used for development of the conceptual framework were gathered from undergraduate first‐year nursing students from two campuses of a South African university, while national and international experts in nursing education were used to validate a conceptual framework. The conceptual framework developed shows that the undergraduate first‐year nursing students are at the centre of four contexts, namely South African university, work‐integrated clinical facilities, the South African Nursing Council and South African higher education. The conceptual framework includes collaboration of stakeholders, mentoring and debriefing. The guiding principles of the conceptual framework encompass strengthening internal resources and establishment of a support group to achieve the terminus, which is characterised by undergraduate nursing students' improved transition from basic to higher education. In conclusion, the newly developed conceptual framework has the potential to improve resilience among undergraduate first‐year nursing students.
Authentic Nursing Leadership and Safety Climate Across Hospital Settings During the COVID‐19 Pandemic: A Cross‐Sectional Study
Authors: Bernardes Andrea , Dias Bruna Moreno , de Moura André Almeida , Morcelli Lorena Maria Barcellos , Gardim Lucas , Araújo Agostinho A. C. , Gabriel Carmen Silvia , Cummings Greta G.
Published: December 2024

Aim

To analyse the relationship between authentic nursing leadership and safety climates across hospital settings during the COVID‐19 pandemic.

Background

Authentic nursing leadership shapes the safety climate by fostering positive perceptions of workplace policies, processes, procedures and practices that influence how safety is prioritised and addressed within an organisation.

Design

A cross‐sectional study.

Methods

Our study was conducted from December 2021 to December 2022 in six Brazilian hospitals. Participants were nursing staff working in General Medicine Units, Intensive Care Units (ICU) and Emergency Departments (ED) who provided care to patients with COVID‐19. The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire and the Safety Attitudes Questionnaire were used to measure nursing staff perceptions of authentic leadership and safety climates. Data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results

391 nursing staff across six hospitals participated. Self‐awareness significantly enhanced perceptions of the safety climates. Additionally, being a Registered Nurse and working in the ICU were positively associated with achieving safe climates in the working environment. In contrast, working in EDs was significantly negatively related to safety climates.

Conclusions

The COVID‐19 pandemic underscored a lack of authentic nursing leadership and unsafe climates. Therefore, it is critical to implement educational strategies that foster authentic leadership, particularly focusing on self‐awareness, to promote more positive safety climates. Ensuring that leadership and safety climates are relationship‐focused is critical to enhancing patient outcomes.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Nursing staff's perceptions of authentic leadership and safety climates are important in making more informed decisions about patient management.

Impact

Since self‐awareness increases positive perceptions of safety climates, nursing staff should exercise it to guide their actions in facing future health crises.

Reporting Method

STROBE guidelines.

Patient or Public Contribution

Higher self‐awareness in relationships with others is a predictor of safety climates and can lead to enhanced patient outcomes.
Feasibility of Atrial Substrate Mapping During Atrial Pacing and Its Impact on the Omnipolar Voltage and the Peak‐Frequency of Electrograms
Authors: Shigeta Takatoshi , Takigawa Masateru , Ikenouchi Takashi , Negishi Miho , Yamamoto Tasuku , Goto Kentaro , Nishimura Takuro , Tao Susumu , Miyazaki Shinsuke , Goya Masahiko , Sasano Tetsuo
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Atrial pacing maps are often used as substitutes for sinus rhythm (SR) maps to expedite mapping procedures. However, the impact of this method on electrophysiological parameters has not been systematically examined. This study aimed to elucidate the advantages and limitations of atrial pacing maps.

Methods and Results

In 21 patients undergoing catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation, left atrial (LA) substrate maps using an HD‐grid catheter were performed during SR, and pacing from the sinus‐node region with cycle lengths (CLs) of 300 ms (SN‐P300) and 600 ms (SN‐P600). Mapping time, omnipolar voltage, peak‐frequency of electrograms, and global LA activation time were compared among the three maps. The SR‐map more frequently required automap‐setting changes (p < 0.01), and one SR‐map was not completed due to CL‐fluctuation. Compared to SR, mapping time significantly decreased (833 [702–1097] seconds for SR vs. 615 [530–700] seconds for SN‐P600 and 463 [404–542] seconds for SN‐P300, p < 0.01). Mean voltage and peak‐frequency of electrograms significantly decreased in SN‐P600 and SN‐P300 (mean voltage: 2.5 [2.1–3.2] mV for SR vs. 2.3 [2.1–2.8] mV for SN‐P600 and 2.2 [2.0–2.7] mV for SN‐P300, p < 0.01; mean peak‐frequency: 308 [299–325] Hz for SR vs. 303 [288–314] Hz for SN‐P600 and 281 [258–295] Hz for SN‐P300, p < 0.01). The wavefront collision site shifted in 3/20 (15%) between SR and SN‐P600, remaing within 30° along the mitral annulus, but this shift reached 9/20 (45%) between SR and SN‐P300, including one patient showing a shift up to 60°.

Conclusion

SN‐P maps provide faster, higher‐resolution substrate maps, but the amplitude and frequency of electrograms may be reduced as the CL shortens. Maps with SN‐P600 may be acceptable, maintaining electrophysiological information in SR.
Targeting the GDF15 Signalling for Obesity Treatment: Recent Advances and Emerging Challenges
Authors: Zhang Jincheng , Sun Jingquan , Li Jielang , Xia Hongwei
Published: December 2024

The growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15)–glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor family receptor alpha‐like (GFRAL) pathway plays a crucial role in the regulation of metabolism, appetite and body weight control. Obesity is an increasingly prevalent chronic disease worldwide, necessitating effective treatment strategies. Recent preclinical and clinical studies have highlighted that targeting the GDF15‐GFRAL signalling pathway is a promising approach for treating obesity, particularly because it has minimal impact on skeletal muscle mass, which is essential to preserve during weight loss. Given its distinctive mechanisms, the GDF15‐GFRAL axis represents an attractive target for addressing various metabolic disorders, especially obesity. In this review, we will explore how the GDF15‐GFRAL axis is regulated, its distribution in the body and its role in the regulation of metabolism, appetite and obesity. Additionally, we will discuss recent advances and potential challenges in targeting the GDF15‐GFRAL axis for obesity treatment.
Ether‐Linked Glycerophospholipids Are Potential Chemo‐Desensitisers and Are Associated With Overall Survival in Carcinoma Patients
Authors: Su Yu‐Ting , Chang Wei‐Chun , Chen Lumin , Yu Ying‐Chun , Lin Wen‐Jen , Lin Jheng‐You , Cheng Wei‐Chung , Yang Juan‐Cheng , Hung Yao‐Ching , Ma Wen‐Lung
Published: December 2024

Lipid reprogramming in carcinoma is reported to have a role in carcinogenesis, prognosis and therapy response. The lipid reprogramming could be contributed by either autonomous or nonautonomous resources. Since the nonautonomous lipid resources contributed by lipoproteins and their receptors have been reported in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), the impact of autonomous lipid metabolites was unknown. This report revealed a unique lipid class, ether‐linked phosphatidyl‐ethanolamine (PE O–), which enhances chemo‐insensitivity and progression in EOC and potentially cross carcinomas. Analysis of CCLEC/GDSCC database and in‐house cell line lipidomes identified PE O– as the major lipid associated with cisplatin/paclitaxel sensitivity. In the testing of PE O– effect on cancer phenotypes, it enhanced cell growth, migratory activities and promoted cisplatin/paclitaxel insensitivity. In addition, treating AGPS inhibitor‐sensitised chemo‐cytotoxic upon cisplatin/paclitaxel treatments. Treating PE O– could reverse AGPS inhibitor chemosensitisation effect on EOC cells. At last, using TCGA‐EOC transcriptome database, the PE O– related gene expressions were positive correlated with patient prognosis in general, or in whom were treated with platin‐ or taxel‐based chemotherapies. The expressions of genes for the synthesis of PE O– aggravates therapy response in EOC patients. PE O– facilitates human carcinoma cell line growth, mobility and chemo‐insensitivity.
Advances in Osteoblast and Mitochondrial Dynamics and Their Transfer in Osteoporosis
Authors: Liu Jiaxuan , Zhang Xuequan , Hou Honghao , Ouyang Jun , Dai Jingxing
Published: December 2024

Mitochondria are important organelles in the human body and play a major role in providing cellular energy, maintaining tissue homeostasis and apoptosis. Osteoporosis, characterised by a decrease in the amount of bone tissue per unit volume, is a metabolic bone pathology with multiple causes. Under pathological conditions, mitochondrial dysfunction leads to an imbalance in mitochondrial homeostasis, resulting in a disruption of osteoblast–osteoclast homeostasis, which in turn disrupts bone homeostasis, and this disruption of homeostasis is an important pathogenetic mechanism underlying chronic metabolic bone disease in osteoporosis. Numerous studies have shown that bone homeostasis is closely related to mitochondrial dynamics and mitochondrial translocation in the mitochondrial quality control system, and the balance between osteoblasts and osteoclasts is closely related to osteoporosis. In this review, we describe the progress of osteoblast and osteoclast research and mitochondrial dynamics in osteoporosis, and the role of mitochondrial translocation in bone homeostasis, in the hope that it can stimulate new research in osteoporotic metabolic bone disease and the development of novel therapeutic strategies.
Examination of the Critical Infrastructure Resilience Directive From the Maritime Point of View
Authors: Alexopoulos Marcos Julien , Niemi Arto , Skobiej Bartosz , Sill Torres Frank
Published: December 2024

This article evaluates the implementation challenges of the Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive in comparison with the Network and Information Security (NIS) Directive and the Floods Directive (FD) within the European Union (EU). CER, which aims to enhance the resilience of critical entities, including critical maritime infrastructure, allows for considerable interpretative flexibility by Member States in defining critical entities and security measures. This flexibility could lead to heterogeneous impacts, introducing inconsistencies that hinder the functioning of the single market, and thereby resilience uniformity across the EU. In contrast, the FD's structured approach with clear objectives and detailed reporting requirements has led to a more consistent and effective implementation. This paper argues that the lack of specificity in the CER Directive may undermine its effectiveness. It suggests that adopting a more structured approach similar to the FD could improve the implementation consistency and resilience of critical entities across the EU.