bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does reconciliation affect your bottom dollar? The business case for honoring Indigenous rights in Canada
Authors: Smoke Wynonna , Gray Darcy
Published: November 2024

Purpose

In acknowledgment of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Call to Action #92, the purpose of this paper is to present the business case for honoring Indigenous rights in Canada. We outline the strengths as well as risk-mitigation that come from honoring Indigenous rights and present opportunities to action economic reconciliation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors utilize professional insights, lived community experience and research on the extent of Indigenous rights in Canada to form the business case.

Findings

There is evidence of risk to businesses that forgo honoring Indigenous rights.

Social implications

Many businesses consider Indigenous rights and relationship building as barriers to moving forward on projects such as economic development. Through a rights-based lens, this paper outlines that honoring Indigenous rights is a business opportunity producing risk mitigation and social value.

Originality/value

The paper offers a simplified and concise business case to a complex issue and suggests an approach honoring Indigenous rights for non-Indigenous businesses.
Evlogia Eco Care: start-up to scale-up
Authors: Singh Padmalini , D. Tamizharasi , Bung Purushottam
Published: November 2024

Learning outcomes

After completion of the case study, students will be able to discuss the characteristics of sustainable enterprises driving the innovation; analyze the concept of waste to wealth, along with its associated benefits and challenges; provide an example of a sustainable start-up that operates conventionally and is attempting to increase production capacity through automation; and describe the strategies for scaling up the business.

Case overview/synopsis

Mr Manigandan Kumarappan’s goal was to provide the world with alternatives to plastic and other nonbiodegradable articles used in homes, offices, hotels and other places which compelled him to leave his corporate life behind and become an entrepreneur. His knowledge, expertise and creativity made him work toward providing a sustainable solution to the plastic-free world which made him create leafy straws for the world. His start-up Evalogia made 10,000 straws a day, mostly with manual production and machine-assisted in part of the processes. Evalogia got orders from all over the world after the ban on plastic from many countries. However, Evalogia was unable to meet the demand, as the manufacturing process mostly depended on manual production at present. Hence, the company planned to scale up its production capacity from 10,000 straws per day to 100,000 straws to meet the demand through automation or by increasing the production units to meet the growing demand from domestic and international markets. Kumarappan wondered if increasing the number of manufacturing facilities would make it harder to hire new staff, manage existing ones, train them and provide overall supervision; if these tasks were not completed well, the product’s quality and, subsequently, its demand, might suffer. The automation process required huge investment, time and a great deal of skepticism for its success. Kumarappan was stuck over whether to add more production units or automate the process to increase production.

Complexity academic level

This case study is suitable for graduate students.

Supplementary materials

Teaching notes are available for educators only.

Subject code

CSS 3: Entrepreneurship.
Re-visiting women’s work motivations and career needs: international evidence from the perspective of self-determination theory
Authors: Zielińska Agnieszka , Montes de Oca Ramirez María Ana , Dahadha Enas Hosni , Usanova Ksenia
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The study explores the work motivations and career needs of women, drawing on self-determination theory. The study aims to develop motivation theories and support organisations to shape the work environment addressing women’s work motivations and current career needs.

Design/methodology/approach

The exploratory study was conducted based on two research questions: Why do women change jobs? What are women looking for in a new workplace? To conduct this study, an online questionnaire with open-ended questions was prepared. Respondents were women who had applied for an administrative job post in Brazil, Mexico, Poland, Portugal and State of Palestine. Collected answers from 363 respondents were analysed by using Nvivo software.

Findings

This study presents women’s work motivations and career needs that affect the decision to change the job. Results indicate that women’s work motivations include four components: 1 − career growth (career development, skills improvement, challenges), 2 − competitive compensation (financial, personal fulfilment), 3 − work environment (organisational culture, work-life balance) and 4 − leadership (recognition, management leadership skills). Additionally, the study highlights four components of women’s current career needs: 1 − career growth (continuous professional development, challenges, training skills), 2 − competitive compensation (financial/fair pay, personal fulfilment), 3 − work environment (cooperation/teamwork, adequate tools, respect and safety) and 4 − leadership (clear organisation goals, communication/empathy, recognition, support).

Originality/value

Based on collected data, components of women’s work motivations and career needs were identified. The results provide contemporary and international evidence about the complex nature of women’s work motivations and career needs.
Work readiness and Work-changing ability: exploring the employability profiles of a social psychiatric care graduate programme’s alumni
Authors: Björck Ville , Hedman Ahlström Britt , Kerekes Nóra
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Work readiness and the ability to change how work is conducted are key dimensions of employability. This study focuses on alumni from the social psychiatric care (SPC) programme at University West in Trollhättan, Sweden. As their work readiness and work-changing abilities have not been studied to this point, the purpose was to explore the eventual main employability profiles in these alumni.

Design/methodology/approach

Between 8th November 2022 and 2nd January 2023, 94 SPC alumni responded to the Employee Agility and Resilience Short Swedish Version Measurement Scale, consisting of five subscales that represent different employability features. Cluster analysis was used to explore eventual employability profiles in these alumni.

Findings

Three clusters of SPC alumni with different employability profiles were identified. Cluster 1: Highly employable profile, which is represented by SPC alumni who scored high on each of the five employability features. Cluster 2: Employability with alliance-creating profile; this cluster comprise SPC alumni whose strengths lie in creating collegial relationships. Cluster 3: Employability with a strong social support profile, which comprise SPC alumni with a strong social backing at work. We discuss that SPC alumni of these employability profiles are variously equipped to (1) follow and develop how work is conducted in their fields and (2) adapt to changes at work.

Originality/value

The study presents employability profiles of SPC alumni and offers valuable insights that could enhance the prospects of these alumni becoming a recognised occupation within the realms of psychiatry, social services, institutional work and community work.
Constructing non-hegemonic entrepreneurial masculinity: the case of Black men doing entrepreneurship in a predominantly white context
Authors: Korede Tayo
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The literature on entrepreneurial masculinity has primarily focused on how hegemonic masculinity is constructed and performed in entrepreneurship. Little is known about how non-hegemonic masculinity is performed by male entrepreneurs who do not fit the dominant and traditional form of masculinity in a specific context. Focusing on a cohort of Black male entrepreneurs who practised entrepreneurship in a predominantly white context, this paper explores how non-hegemonic entrepreneurial masculinity is constructed.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis (IPA) to analyse qualitative data collected through semi-structured interviews with nine Black male entrepreneurs living and doing business in the Northeast of England.

Findings

The study found that Black male entrepreneurs construct a distinct form of entrepreneurial masculinity by leveraging the identity of White women to construct a respectable entrepreneurial masculinity. The form of masculinity the men engaged in is theorised as transactional masculinity. This is enacted through relationships with White women which is seen as a symbol of respect and social acceptance, and as a “rite of passage” in entrepreneurship. The study presents a model of entrepreneurial masculinity to explain how transactional masculinity is constructed in relation to femininity and other forms of masculinity.

Originality/value

The study theorises how non-hegemonic entrepreneurial masculinity is enacted through the concept of transactional masculinity. It presents a model of entrepreneurial masculinity and gives voice to the experiences of male entrepreneurial actors with non-hegemonic masculinity.
Self-administered sexual health testing in an open prison setting: a pilot health impact assessment and social return on investment analysis
Authors: Ashton Kathryn , Challenger Aimee , Craddock Christie , Clemens Timo , Williams Jordan , Kempton Oliver , Dyakova Mariana , Green Liz
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The sexual health of the male prison population is often among the poorest in a country. This paper aims to identify the wider health impacts and social value of a sexual health self-sampling programme offered to male prisoners in an open prison setting in Wales.

Design/methodology/approach

This study applied a unique pilot approach of using Health Impact Assessment and Social Return on Investment Frameworks in tandem. Key stakeholder groups affected by the intervention were identified, and engaged with through workshops, interviews and questionnaires to identify and quantify the health impacts and wider outcomes. Outcomes were then valued using proxy financial values to present the overall estimated social value of the self-sampling service.

Findings

Based on a small sample, results indicate that for every £1 spent on the self-sampling service in the prison, a potential value of £4.14 was created. This resulted in a ratio of £4.14:£1. Approximately one-third of the value created (£1,517.95) was categorised as monetarily returnable, whereas the remaining value (£3,260.40) was purely illustrative social value, for example improved mental well-being.

Originality/value

This unique pilot study demonstrates the health impacts and wider social value of providing a self-sampling sexual health service to prisoners within an open prison setting. By innovatively testing the feasibility of using a Health Impact Assessment process alongside Social Return on Investment analyses, this paper has outlined how the frameworks can be used in synergy to illustrate not just direct return on investment but also the social value of providing such a service.
Evaluating the impact of place-based education: insights from a river environmental program in Taiwan
Authors: Fu Shin-pei , Komatsu Hikaru
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The current education paradigm is often criticized for fostering human dependence and failing to reduce environmental impacts. This has led researchers to propose alternative approaches. One alternative approach, place-based education, integrates a specific location’s natural and social context into learning experiences. By deepening students’ connection to their surroundings, place-based environmental education aims to enhance students’ sense of interdependence with a place and their place attachment in cognitive and affective dimensions. While widely practiced, its effectiveness remains largely unevaluated, particularly in the East Asian context. The gap hinders the development of impactful pedagogical approaches for educators.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors examine a river environmental education program located upstream of Taiwan’s capital, offering a valuable case study within the East Asian context. The program’s design is analyzed, and its impact on enhancing students’ place attachment is assessed through a pre- and post-survey approach.

Findings

The results indicate a substantial increase in students’ place attachment following program participation, particularly pronounced among children with limited prior experience with the river. Importantly, this increase is comparable to or exceeds those observed in similar studies from other regions.

Originality/value

The considerable increase in place attachment observed in this program demonstrates its effectiveness in fostering environmental connections, particularly among children with limited prior experience. The magnitude of the increase might be partially attributable to the interdependent orientation of Taiwanese culture. This suggests that place-based education might yield significant positive outcomes in other non-Western countries with strong interdependent cultural orientations.
Brand activism in a polarizing world: the roles of cause controversy and consumption goal
Authors: Zhao Lin , Cui Annie , Du Shuili
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the influence of consumer–brand values deviation on consumer reactions transactionally (i.e. purchase intention) and relationally (i.e. brand loyalty) and uncover two important boundary conditions, namely, cause controversy and consumption goal.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses online surveys to test the interactions between consumer-brand values deviation and cause controversy and consumption goal, which subsequently impacts consumer–brand identification.

Findings

Consumer–brand values deviation negatively affects consumers’ purchase intention and brand loyalty, and consumer–brand identification plays a mediating role in this focal detrimental influence. More importantly, when consumer–brand values deviation concerns highly controversial causes or when consumers’ consumption goal is hedonic (vs utilitarian), the impact of consumer–brand values deviation on consumer–brand identification is strengthened.

Research limitations/implications

The study reveals that brand activism tends to be riskier under certain circumstances by uncovering the boundary effects of cause controversy and consumption goal.

Practical implications

Brands can more effectively engage in brand activism when they consider the controversy level of the cause on which they take a stance and the consumption goal of target consumers. Brand activism that concerns highly controversial issues or triggers a hedonic consumption goal can be extra risky due to its amplified impact on consumer–brand identification.

Originality/value

This paper introduces two boundary conditions when studying the downstream effects of brand activism and highlight the double-sidedness of brand activism.
Are crypto-investors overconfident? The role of risk propensity and demographics. Evidence from Brazil and Portugal
Authors: Iamin Gustavo
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The crypto market is growing quickly, marked by a lack of fundamentals, and the risks are not yet fully comprehended by participants. Our goal is to investigate overconfidence in this market and analyze the role that risk propensity and certain demographics play.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a survey in Brazil and Portugal, leveraging an online questionnaire disseminated via social media channels to engage a diverse adult population. We collected a total of 826 responses, addressing ethical considerations throughout the process. The data analysis was conducted using SPSS statistical software and logit regression modeling.

Findings

Our study reveals that overconfidence is a notable bias that distinguishes individuals who invest in cryptocurrencies from those who do not. Although overconfidence and risk propensity are closely linked, they originate from distinct personal characteristics. Furthermore, our findings indicate that age and market experience positively correlate with overconfidence and negatively correlate with risk propensity. Financial knowledge, interestingly, did not prove to be a significant factor for cryptocurrency investment.

Originality/value

Our research augments the existing literature on overconfidence, delving into this phenomenon in a new subdomain, and in doing so, it enriches our comprehension of the unique and still relatively under-researched cryptomarket. Moreover, we illuminate individual factors that sway the decision to invest in cryptocurrencies and should be considered by market participants.

Highlights

(1)

Pioneering work examining the presence of overconfidence bias among crypto-investors, using a robust data set collected from a binational survey.

(2)

Verifies the relations among overconfidence, risk propensity, and demographics.

(3)

Examines the influence of age and experience on investment decisions, revealing a positive relationship with overconfidence and a negative correlation with risk propensity.

(4)

Logistic regression is used to determine the combined effect of overconfidence, risk propensity, and demographics on the decision to invest in cryptocurrencies.
How to avoid profiles of failure when supporting entrepreneurs in an economic crisis
Authors: Chaves-Maza Manuel , Fedriani Eugenio M.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

In times of economic crisis, many eyes turn to entrepreneurship, which has become a key element of the economy. Consequently, interest in supporting entrepreneurs has increased. This study aims to detect the configurations of success or failure that may help entrepreneurs’ public orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used data from the latest economic crisis in a region with high levels of unemployment. The authors studied 2,210 entrepreneurs from Andalusia (Spain). From each, the authors analysed 207 variables and applied the fuzzy version of qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). This methodology allowed the authors to infer causality between combinations of factors and positive/negative effects.

Findings

The authors concluded that there are at least two profiles that should be avoided when starting a business; both refer to projects in quite attractive sectors: an environment with high concentration and survival rates, and when not enough education or high assets turnover is expected.

Research limitations/implications

It was difficult to obtain a complete database to replicate a study in another region. Moreover, the data corresponded to a period of economic crisis, and the results may not be valid for a more favourable period. Regarding the implications, there have been several unsuccessful attempts in the literature to find a linear association between factors and entrepreneurial success. For instance, linear regressions do not allow us to properly relate the simultaneous presence/absence of various characteristics to success/failure; hence, it is necessary to consider the non-linear and asymmetric relationships between the variables.

Practical implications

The most attractive sectors for entrepreneurs carry considerable risk for the success of the future business, since “greed clouds judgment”, and high expectations can outweigh other motivations. Support services should filter out candidates with insufficient training or excessive expectations.

Originality/value

The techniques used in this study allow the consideration of explanatory variables that are not independent of each other, and the subjective aspects of some of the analysed characteristics are examined.
Understanding strategic planning: an assessment of the definitions, planning process and competitive advantage
Authors: Dhlamini Jabulani
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The study provides an understanding of strategic planning through an assessment of its definitions, the planning process, and spells-out the outcomes as well as the associated competitive advantage from practicing strategic planning. Despite the popularity of strategic planning as a management tool, it is argued that its practice is one that is least understood.

Design/methodology/approach

A review of strategic planning was conducted. The definitions identified were drawn from definitions derived from the top 10 publications with the highest citations from each of the two decades between 2001 to 2020 following a systematic Scopus search of publications with “strategic planning” in their title, and other publications identified through a Google Scholar search on “strategic planning”. The most unique or differentiated definitions were identified and assessed. The identified publications were also analyzed using content analysis to gain insight from their research findings as it relates to strategic planning in general, the planning process and respective competitive advantage.

Findings

The review established that there are various definitions of strategic planning, however, they are largely aligned as it relates to the formulation of strategy, the widest difference in the definitions is in the scope of the implementation activities.

Originality/value

The review contributes to the body of knowledge by providing (i) an understanding of strategic planning; (ii) an assessment of the definitions of strategic planning; (iii) a proposed definition of strategic planning; (iv) provision of a theoretical framework to understand the practice of strategic planning; and (v) the positioning of strategic risk management in enabling strategic planning.
Postpartum Haemorrhage Care in Ghana and Uganda: Grounds for Hope and Concern
Authors: Maclean Emily
Published: November 2024

Linked article: This is a mini commentary on Tancred et al., pp. 433–443 in this issue. To view this article visit https://doi.org/10.1111/1471‐0528.17953.
Clinical characteristics, treatment, and treatment switch after molecular‐genetic classification in individuals with maturity‐onset diabetes of the young: Insights from the multicenter real‐world DPV registry
Authors: Lanzinger Stefanie , Laubner Katharina , Warncke Katharina , Mader Julia K. , Kummer Sebastian , Boettcher Claudia , Biester Torben , Galler Angela , Klose Daniela , Holl Reinhard W.
Published: November 2024

Background

Individuals with maturity‐onset diabetes of the young (MODY) are often misdiagnosed as type 1 or type 2 diabetes and receive inappropriate care. We aimed to investigate the characteristics and treatment of all MODY types in a multicenter, real‐world setting.

Methods

Individuals with MODY from the diabetes prospective follow‐up (DPV) registry were studied. We compared clinical parameters during the first year of diabetes and the most recent treatment year after MODY diagnosis.

Results

A total of 1640 individuals were identified with GCK‐MODY (n = 941) and HNF1A‐MODY (n = 417) as the most frequent types. Among these, 912 individuals were available with information during the first and the most recent treatment year (median duration of follow‐up: 4.2 years [2.6–6.6]). Positive beta cell autoantibodies were present in 20.6% (15.2% IAA). Median age at diagnosis ranged from 9.9 years in GCK‐MODY (Q1–Q3: 6.2–13.1 years) and INS‐MODY (2.7–13.7 years) to 14.3 years (5.0–17.1) in KCNJ11‐MODY. Frequency of oral antidiabetic agents (OAD) use increased and insulin decreased in HNF4A‐MODY (OAD: 18% to 39%, insulin: 34% to 23%) and in HNF1A‐MODY (OAD: 18% to 31%, insulin: 35% to 25%). ABCC8‐MODY was characterized by a decrement in nonpharmacological treatment (26% to 16%) and “insulin only” treatment (53% to 42%), while the proportion of individuals treated with OAD but no insulin increased from 0% to 21%.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that some teams caring for individuals with MODY are hesitant with regard to current recommendations. Registries are an essential source of information and provide a basis for discussing treatment guidelines for MODY.

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Seasonal dynamics of bacterial community structure and function in the surf zone seawater of a recreational beach in Ostend, Belgium
Authors: Li Yunmeng , Hablützel Pascal I. , Liu Zixia , Van Acker Emmanuel , Janssen Colin R. , Asselman Jana , De Rijcke Maarten
Published: November 2024

Despite the importance of bacteria in surf zone water quality, detailed insights into their community composition, functions, and seasonal dynamics at recreational beaches are scarce. This study conducted year‐long, weekly monitoring of bacterial communities and environmental factors at a recreational beach in Ostend, Belgium. Using full‐length 16S rRNA gene sequencing, we correlated bacterial composition and predicted functions with environmental factors to identify potential drivers. Bacterial communities were significantly affected by seasonal variations in chlorophyll a (Chl a), net primary productivity (NPP), and seawater temperature (SWT), with minimal influence from faecal inputs due to human activities. Spring showed distinct abundances of Planktomarina, Amylibacter, and Sulfitobacter, positively correlated with Chl a and related to sulphur oxidation potential. Summer had higher abundances of Cryomorphaceae, likely enhancing chemoheterotrophy. Beginning in mid to late fall and extending into winter, bacterial communities underwent substantial changes. Fall featured a distinctive enrichment of Thioglobaceae, inversely correlated with Chl a. Winter was dominated by Methylophilaceae (OM43 clade), negatively correlated with Chl a, NPP, and SWT. Both seasons exhibited elevated levels of potentially pathogenic phenotypes and predicted functions related to methanol oxidation and methylotrophy. This study provides a baseline for understanding how surf zone bacterial communities respond to environmental changes and impact health.
Combined spinal‐epidural vs. dural puncture epidural techniques for labour analgesia: a randomised controlled trial*
Authors: Zang Hannah , Padilla Andrew , Pham Trung , Rubright Samantha M. , Fuller Matthew , Craig Amanda , Habib Ashraf S.
Published: November 2024

Background

The dural puncture epidural technique is a modification of the combined spinal‐epidural technique. Data comparing the two techniques are limited. We performed this randomised study to compare the quality of labour analgesia following initiation of analgesia with the dural puncture epidural vs. the combined spinal‐epidural technique.

Methods

Term parturients requesting labour epidural analgesia were allocated randomly to receive either dural puncture epidural or combined spinal‐epidural. Analgesia was initiated with 2 mg intrathecal bupivacaine and 10 μg fentanyl in parturients allocated to the combined spinal‐epidural group and with 20 ml ropivacaine 0.1% with 2 μg.ml‐1 fentanyl in parturients allocated to the dural puncture epidural group. Analgesia was maintained using patient‐controlled epidural analgesia with programmed intermittent epidural boluses. The primary outcome of the study was the quality of labour analgesia, which was defined by a composite of five components: asymmetric block after 30 min of initiation (difference in sensory level of more than two dermatomes); epidural top‐up interventions; catheter adjustment; catheter replacement; and failed conversion to neuraxial anaesthesia for caesarean delivery, requiring general anaesthesia or replacement of the neuraxial block.

Results

One hundred parturients were included in the analysis (48 combined spinal‐epidural, 52 dural puncture epidural). There were no significant differences between the two groups in the primary composite outcome of quality of analgesia (33% in the combined spinal‐epidural group vs. 25% in the dural puncture epidural group), risk ratio (95%CI) 0.75 (0.40–1.39); p = 0.486. Median (IQR [range]) pain scores at 15 min were significantly lower in patients allocated to the combined spinal‐epidural group compared with the dural puncture epidural group (0 (0–1[0–8]) vs. 1 (0–4 [0–10]); p = 0.018).

Conclusions

There were no significant differences in the quality of labour analgesia following initiation of a combined spinal‐epidural compared with a dural puncture epidural technique.
Agrarian Platform Capitalism: Digital Rentiership Comes to Farming
Authors: Reisman Emily , Fairbairn Madeleine , Kish Zenia
Published: November 2024

With the rise of digital technologies, a political‐economic configuration recognised as “platform capitalism” has raised concerns over monopolistic tendencies, lack of accountability, expanded rentiership, workers’ precarity, and more. Existing analyses, however, show a distinctly urban bias—centring on housing, transportation, retail, and gig labour—and have yet to engage with the agrarian dimensions of this phenomenon despite considerable potential impacts on the future of farming. Here we begin the process of theorising agrarian platform capitalism, offering a typology of platforms in the agri‐food sector, and bringing together critiques of platform capitalism with the distinctive features of agrarian political economy. Our analysis identifies four prominent characteristics of agrarian platform capitalism which largely corroborate existing critiques albeit with some distinctive contours. As in other sectors, platforms intensify rentiership regarding both real estate and digital assets. Agricultural platforms also display a familiar tendency to thrive in spaces of regulatory retreat and are in some cases even endorsed by regulatory agencies, highlighting the potential for public–private platformisation. Some agricultural platform companies deploy populist rhetoric beyond established tropes of consumer welfare, latching onto farmers’ deep frustrations with the highly concentrated agribusiness sector. Efforts to reign in agrarian platform power may be further constrained by legitimising discourses of hunger relief and sustainability.
Towards Hemispheric Conversations in the Americas: Internal Colonialism and Efforts to Decolonise the Self in Abya Yala
Authors: Gámez Daniel P. , Noroña María‐Belén , Rojas‐Marchini Fernanda , Sosa‐Aranda Inari
Published: November 2024

We bring the concept of internal colonialism—developed by Indigenous and racialised activist‐scholars in Abya Yala—into conversation with settler colonialism, white supremacy, white privilege, and Indigenous fleshed or embodied politics. Our goal is to incite fraught hemispheric conversations about the internalisation of coloniality by subaltern peoples, anticolonial struggles, and the relevance of internal colonial structures of dispossession in the making of Latin American nation‐states. We believe in the power of establishing dialogue/cooperation between grassroots Black, Indigenous, and racialised thought against colonialism in Abya Yala and Turtle Island. A reading of these contributions suggests that binary classifications—oppressor/victim, dominator/dominated—trap our imagination, destabilising commitments to decolonisation. We focus on the construction of the environmental state in Chile, conservation discourse in the Riviera Maya, the rise of corporatist rule in southern Mexico City, and cuerpo‐territorio mapping in the Ecuadorian Amazonia. We propose that a relational reading of colonial power dynamics enables opportunities for liberation.
State‐owned equity participation and corporate green innovation: evidence from Chinese private enterprises
Authors: Deng Qingzhen , Zhang Liguang , Wang Shasha , Liao Yunxiang , Zeng Jiaqi
Published: November 2024

This study examines the influence of state‐owned equity participation on green innovation in private enterprises. Using the data of China's A‐share private listed companies between 2009 and 2021, the paper finds that state‐owned equity participation has a positive impact on corporate green innovation and this finding remains consistent and dependable after conducting a series of robustness tests. In addition, this paper also uncovers that the impact of state‐owned equity participation on corporate green innovation differed across regions, industries, and external corporate governance. The results show that the incentive impact of state‐owned equity participation on green innovation is more pronounced in private enterprises with higher levels of intellectual property protection in the region where they are located, belonging to high‐tech industries and with higher media attention. Further mechanism analysis reveals that state‐owned equity participation enhances corporate green innovation by improving the fulfilment of corporate environmental responsibility and alleviating corporate financing constraints. Overall, this study enriches the research of green innovation influencing factors from the perspective of minority state‐owned equity and can help to inspire governments to make full use of state‐owned equity to promote the green transformation of private enterprises, thus contributing to the sustainable development of the global economy.
Application of fluorescent cholangiography to complex biliary variants of the confluence of the cystic duct and the infraportal type of the left lateral bile duct during single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy: A case report
Authors: Nishino Shinji , Igami Tsuyoshi , Yokoyama Yukihiro , Mizuno Takashi , Yamaguchi Junpei , Onoe Shunsuke , Sunagawa Masaki , Watanabe Nobuyuki , Baba Taisuke , Kawakatsu Shoji , Ebata Tomoki
Published: November 2024

A 21‐year‐old man was diagnosed with segmental adenomyomatosis of the gallbladder based on ultrasonography and computed tomography images. Computed tomography with drip infusion cholangiography revealed that the cystic duct joined the infraportal type of the left lateral bile duct (IPLLBD), which runs caudal to the umbilical portion, and that the left medial bile duct joined the right hepatic duct without forming the left hepatic duct. We planned a single‐incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy with fluorescent cholangiography. The fluorescent cholangiography visualized the anatomic variant of the biliary system, and the cystic duct was divided safely. Fluorescent cholangiography is a suitable procedure to depict complex biliary anatomic variations in this patient. IPLLBD without the formation of the left hepatic duct is potentially hazardous during cholecystectomy.
Strictly Conservative Neural Implicits
Authors: Ludwig I. , Campen M.
Published: November 2024

We describe a method to convert 3D shapes into neural implicit form such that the shape is approximated in a guaranteed conservative manner. This means the input shape is strictly contained inside the neural implicit or, alternatively, vice versa. Such conservative approximations are of interest in a variety of applications, including collision detection, occlusion culling, or intersection testing. Our approach is the first to guarantee conservativeness in this context of neural implicits. We support input given as mesh, voxel set, or implicit function. Adaptive affine arithmetic is employed in the neural network fitting process, enabling the reasoning over infinite sets of points despite using a finite set of training data. Combined with an interior point style optimization approach this yields the desired guarantee.
P‐Hologen: An End‐to‐End Generative Framework for Phase‐Only Holograms
Authors: Park JooHyun , Jeon YuJin , Kim HuiYong , Baek SeungHwan , Kang HyeongYeop
Published: November 2024

Holography stands at the forefront of visual technology, offering immersive, three‐dimensional visualizations through the manipulation of light wave amplitude and phase. Although generative models have been extensively explored in the image domain, their application to holograms remains relatively underexplored due to the inherent complexity of phase learning. Exploiting generative models for holograms offers exciting opportunities for advancing innovation and creativity, such as semantic‐aware hologram generation and editing. Currently, the most viable approach for utilizing generative models in the hologram domain involves integrating an image‐based generative model with an image‐to‐hologram conversion model, which comes at the cost of increased computational complexity and inefficiency. To tackle this problem, we introduce P‐Hologen, the first end‐to‐end generative framework designed for phase‐only holograms (POHs). P‐Hologen employs vector quantized variational autoencoders to capture the complex distributions of POHs. It also integrates the angular spectrum method into the training process, constructing latent spaces for complex phase data using strategies from the image processing domain. Extensive experiments demonstrate that P‐Hologen achieves superior quality and computational efficiency compared to the existing methods. Furthermore, our model generates high‐quality unseen, diverse holographic content from its learned latent space without requiring pre‐existing images. Our work paves the way for new applications and methodologies in holographic content creation, opening a new era in the exploration of generative holographic content. The code for our paper is publicly available on https://github.com/james0223/P-Hologen.
iShapEditing: Intelligent Shape Editing with Diffusion Models
Authors: Li Jing , Zhang Juyong , Chen Falai
Published: November 2024

Recent advancements in generative models have enabled image editing very effective with impressive results. By extending this progress to 3D geometry models, we introduce iShapEditing, a novel framework for 3D shape editing which is applicable to both generated and real shapes. Users manipulate shapes by dragging handle points to corresponding targets, offering an intuitive and intelligent editing interface. Leveraging the Triplane Diffusion model and robust intermediate feature correspondence, our framework utilizes classifier guidance to adjust noise representations during sampling process, ensuring alignment with user expectations while preserving plausibility. For real shapes, we employ shape predictions at each time step alongside a DDPM‐based inversion algorithm to derive their latent codes, facilitating seamless editing. iShapEditing provides effective and intelligent control over shapes without the need for additional model training or fine‐tuning. Experimental examples demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of our method in terms of editing accuracy and plausibility.
Effect of interdisciplinary obesity care on metabolic markers and body weight in people with type 2 diabetes in a rural setting: A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Murfet Giuliana O. , Robertson Iain K. , Luccisano Sharon P. , Kilpatrick Michelle L.
Published: November 2024

Management of type 2 diabetes includes medications that can unintentionally increase obesity and insulin resistance. This unblinded, single‐centre, randomised controlled trial focused on rural Australian adults with type 2 diabetes (aged 18–75 and body mass index [BMI] >30 kg/m2), measuring the effectiveness of a tailored interdisciplinary obesity care approach compared with usual diabetes care. Led by a nurse practitioner with allied health support (dietitian ± psychologist and physiotherapist), the bariatric treatment involved reducing weight‐gaining medications, a 500‐calories/day deficit, an unsupervised exercise program emphasising movement/strength and psychotherapy, 3‐monthly to 24‐months with support phone calls at weeks 2, 4, 8 and 10. Outcomes from the 224 (113 intervention/111 control) participants were differences in biomedical and physical markers within‐ and between‐groups estimated using multivariate mixed‐effects linear regression between recruitment and 6‐monthly follow‐ups. Greater change occurred in intervention compared with control groups at 12 and 24 months in mean: body weight (−5.9 kg [95% confidence interval, CI: −8.53, −3.23] and −9.0 kg [95% CI: −13.2, −4.77]); BMI (−2.03 kg/m2 [95% CI: −2.92, −1.15] and −3.51 kg/m2 [95% CI: −4.93, −2.08]); and glycated haemoglobin (−0.26% [95% CI: −0.69%, 0.18%] and −0.63% [95% CI: −1.17%, 0.08%]). The control group showed a significant increase in mean leptin level, resulting in a between‐group difference (−27.1 [95% CI: −42.7, −11.5]). Lipids and blood pressure differences were inconclusive, while exploratory analysis showed greater decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate in the control group. The interdisciplinary obesity approach, compared with usual diabetes care, resulted in sustained weight loss and improved diabetes control over 2 years. Trial registration number: ACTRN12622000240741.
Total and appendicular body composition comparisons between near‐infrared reactance spectroscopy and dual energy X‐ray absorptiometry
Authors: Brandner Caleb F. , Compton Abby T. , Swafford Sydney H. , Aultman Ryan S. , Vallecillo‐Bustos Anabelle , Newsome Ta'Quoris A. , Renna Megan E. , Thorsen Tanner , Stavres Jon , Graybeal Austin J.
Published: November 2024

Background

Near‐infrared reactance spectroscopy (NIRS) has become increasingly popular in personal and professional settings now that it has been adapted to provide comprehensive body composition assessments. However, whether NIRS agrees with criterion methods remains unknown. Thus, this study aimed to determine the agreement between NIRS and DXA‐derived body composition estimates.

Methods

Ninety‐seven participants completed body composition assessments using DXA, and first‐generation (NIRSG1), second‐generation (NIRSG2), and muscle‐specific NIRS (NIRSFIT) devices. On a separate day, a subset of participants (n = 63) performed maximal voluntary contractions (MVC) on a handgrip dynamometer, which were used in conjunction with total appendicular lean mass (ALM) estimates to provide ratios (MVC/total ALM or MVC/ALM of the arms only) depicting muscle quality index (MQI).

Results

Fat mass, fat‐free mass, body fat %, and ALM, from NIRSG2, but not bone mineral content (BMC), and NIRSFIT demonstrated equivalence (using equivalence tests) with DXA with R2 from 0.83 to 0.97; though BMC revealed concordance coefficients of 0.83 and an R2 of 0.88. MQI using total ALM from NIRS was not equivalent to DXA, but demonstrated low root mean squared error (0.08 kg/kg) and 95% limits of agreement (±0.21 kg/kg). Indices of visceral adipose tissue (iVAT) from NIRSG1 and NIRSG2 were significantly different (p < 0.001), but were both significantly associated with DXA VAT (NIRSG1 R2: 0.53; NIRSG2 R2: 0.62; both p < 0.001).

Conclusion

NIRS appears to demonstrate acceptable agreement with DXA and continual improvements could make NIRS a viable alternative for comprehensive body composition assessments.
Novel Scoring System for Ranking Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
Authors: Baxter‐Lowe Lee Ann , Wang Tao , Kuxhausen Michelle , Spellman Stephen R. , Maiers Martin , Lee Stephanie , Saultz Jennifer , Arrieta‐Bolaños Esteban , Gadalla Shahinaz M. , Bolon Yung‐Tsi , Betts Brian C.
Published: November 2024

Background

When human leukocyte antigen (HLA)‐matched donors are not available for hematopoietic stem cell transplants (HSCT), there are no well‐accepted guidelines for ranking 7/8 HLA‐matched unrelated donors to achieve optimal transplant outcomes. A novel scoring system for ranking HLA mismatches for these donors was investigated.

Methods

High‐resolution HLA types were used to determine amino acid mismatches located in the HLA antigen‐recognition domain. The location and physicochemical properties of mismatched amino acids were used to assign scores for peptide binding, T‐cell receptor docking, and HLA structure/function. The scores were tested using a cohort of 2319 patients with leukemia or myelodysplastic syndrome who received their first unrelated donor transplant using conventional graft‐versus‐host disease (GVHD) prophylaxis between 2000 and 2014. Donors were 7/8 HLA‐matched with a single HLA Class I mismatch. Primary outcomes were overall survival and acute GVHD.

Results

The scores did not significantly (p < 0.01) associate with transplant outcomes, although a Peptide Score = 0 (i.e., no differences in peptide binding; N = 146, 6.3%) appears to have lower transplant‐related mortality (TRM) compared to higher scores (p = 0.019). HLA mismatches with Peptide Score = 0 were predominately HLA‐C*03:03/03:04 (62%), previously reported to be a permissive mismatch, and a group of 28 other HLA mismatches (38%) that showed similar associations with TRM.

Conclusions

This study suggests that HLA mismatches that do not alter peptide binding or orientation (Peptide Score = 0) could expand the number of permissive HLA mismatches. Further investigation is needed to confirm this observation and to explore alternative scoring systems for ranking HLA mismatched donors.
Comparing machine learning and deep learning models to predict cognition progression in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Bernal Edgar A. , Yang Shu , Herbst Konnor , Venuto Charles S.
Published: November 2024

Cognitive decline in Parkinson's disease (PD) varies widely. While models to predict cognitive progression exist, comparing traditional probabilistic models to deep learning methods remains understudied. This study compares sequential modeling techniques to identify cognitive progression in individuals with and without PD. Using data from the Parkinson's Progression Marker Initiative, shallow Markov, deep recurrent (long short‐term memory [LSTM]), and nonrecurrent (temporal fusion transformer [TFT]) models were compared to predict cognitive status over time. Cognitive status was categorized into normal cognition (NC), mild cognitive impairment (MCI), and dementia. Predictions were made annually for up to 3 years using clinical data, including demographics, cognitive assessments, PD severity, and medical history. Each approach was evaluated using inverse probability weighted (IPW‐) F1 scores. An ensemble method combined outputs from the Markov, LSTM, and TFT models. The dataset included 917 individuals (53% PD; 30% at risk for PD; 17% Healthy Controls). The TFT model outperformed others across all annual periods (IPW‐F1 = 0.468) compared to the Markov (IPW‐F1 = 0.349) and LSTM (IPW‐F1 = 0.414) models, with improved performance using an ensemble approach (IPW‐F1 = 0.502). For MCI and dementia predictions, which were rarer occurrences compared to NC status (ratios: 50:8:1), the TFT model consistently outperformed competing models, achieving IPW‐F1 scores of 0.496 and 0.533 for MCI and dementia, respectively. In conclusion, sequential deep learning models like TFT, which mitigate long‐term memory loss and can interpret complex, high‐dimensional data, perform best overall in predicting clinically important cognitive transitions. These methods should be further explored for predicting degenerative conditions.
The International and Local Politics of the Rural Environmental Registry: Brazil's Green Currency
Authors: Horn Claudia
Published: November 2024

Since the 2000s, rural elites have engaged in ‘greening’ the Amazon extractive frontier. Private and state‐led initiatives have consolidated the agro‐industrial system by incentivizing compliance and effectively legalizing deforestation. Brazil's Rural Environmental Registry (Cadastro Ambiental Rural — CAR) is fundamental to ‘sustainable producer’ initiatives and international and local carbon markets. Since its emergence at the end of the 1990s, it has been funded and promoted by European countries and the World Bank through the G7 Pilot Programme for the Conservation of Brazilian Rainforests and the Amazon Fund. This analysis draws on a critical political economy approach and several years of multi‐site interviews, participant observation and archival research to illuminate how donor and recipient agencies have sustained territorial and georeferencing technologies as an international state project to enable the green economy, despite political shifts and the inherent contradictions of this instrument. The article shows how ecological modernization technologies enable the ‘greening’ of agro‐industry expansion while exacerbating land conflicts and marginalizing Indigenous and traditional peoples’ collective land rights.