bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Home blood pressure measurement days and changes in urinary sodium-to-potassium ratio, estimated salt and potassium intakes and blood pressure: 1-year prospective study
Authors: Kinuta Minako , Hisamatsu Takashi , Fukuda Mari , Taniguchi Kaori , Nakahata Noriko , Kanda Hideyuki ,   the Masuda Study Research Group
Published: July 2024

Objective

Current international guidelines recommend home blood pressure (BP) measurement and low sodium and high potassium intakes for the management of hypertension. We hypothesized that increased home BP measurement may result in more effective management of sodium and potassium intakes and BP.

Methods

We examined associations of home BP measurement days with changes in the urinary sodium-to-potassium (Na/K) ratio, estimated salt and potassium intakes and BP. We included 209 healthy participants (mean age, 55.9 years; 56.5% women) from a prospective cohort study. We examined 1-year data on self-measured home BP and spot urine samples.

Results

Median (interquartile range) days of home BP measurement was 324 (225–358) over 1-year. Baseline mean (SD) Na/K ratio, salt and potassium intakes, morning and evening SBP, and morning and evening DBP were 3.8 (2.3), 8.5 (1.9) g/day, 1833.5 (416.5) mg/day, 120.4 (14.0) mmHg, 118.2 (14.2) mmHg, 79.2 (10.1) mmHg, and 76.2 (10.1) mmHg, respectively. In multivariable-adjusted linear regression , β (standard error) per 10 days increase in number of home BP measurement were −0.031 (0.017) for Na/K ratio, −0.036 (0.015) for salt intake, −1.357 (2.797) for potassium intake, −0.178 (0.064) for morning SBP, −0.079 (0.041) for morning DBP, −0.109 (0.067) for evening SBP and −0.099 (0.045) for evening DBP. Additionally, relationships persisted for men and women, but changes in salt intake were more pronounced among participants taking antihypertensive medication (interaction P = 0.002).

Conclusion

Continuous measurement of home BP may lead not only to self-monitoring of BP, but also to declines in salt intakes and some BP indices.
Key Issues in Surgical Residency Education
Authors: Mellinger John D. , Brasel Karen , Elster Eric , Fried Gerald , Hashimoto Daniel A. , Jarman Benjamin , Joshi Amit R.T. , Kelz Rachel R. , Lindeman Brenessa , Pugh Carla , Reznick Richard
Published: July 2024

Background:

In September 2022, a summit was convened by the American Board of Surgery (ABS) to discuss competency-based reform in surgical education. A key output of that summit was the recommendation that the prior work of the Blue Ribbon I Committee convened 20 years earlier be revived. With leadership from the American College of Surgeons (ACS) and the American Surgical Association (ASA), the Blue Ribbon Committee (BRC) II was subsequently convened. This paper describes the output of the Residency Education Subcommittee of the BRC II Committee.

Methods:

The Subcommittee organized its work around prioritized themes, including curriculum, assessment, and transition to practice. Top recommendations, time-based action steps, potential barriers, and required resources were detailed and vetted through group discussion, broader Committee review and critique, and subsequent refinement.

Results:

Primary concluding emphases included transitioning to a competency-based training model, facilitating dynamically capable curricular reform emphasizing the digital transformation of surgical care, using predictive analytic assessment strategies to optimize training effectiveness and efficiency, and creating mentorship strategies to govern the transition from training to independent practice in an outcomes-accountable fashion.

Conclusions:

To implement the recommendations outlined, it was recognized that coordinated efforts across existing organizational structures will be required, informed by data set integration strategies that meaningfully measure educational and related patient outcomes.
1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-Treated Adult Zebrafish as a Model for Parkinson’s Disease
Authors: Bagwell Emmeline , Shin Minhyun , Henkel Nicole , Migliaccio Doris , Peng Congyue , Larsen Jessica
Published: July 2024

Dopamine (DA) is a catecholamine neurotransmitter that works to regulate cognitive functions. Patients affected by Parkinson’s Disease (PD) experience a loss of dopaminergic neurons and downregulated neural DA production. This leads to cognitive and physical decline that is the hallmark of PD for which no cure currently exists..Danio rerio, or zebrafish, have become an increasingly popular disease model used in PD pharmaceutical development. This model still requires extensive development to better characterize which PD features are adequately represented. Furthermore, the great majority of PD zebrafish models have been performed in embryos, which may not be relevant towards age-related human PD. As an improvement, matureD. reriowere treated with neurotoxic prodrug 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) through intraperitoneal injection to induce parkinsonism. Behavioral analysis confirmed disparities in movement between saline-injected control and the MPTP-injected experimental group, with swim distance and speed significantly lowered seven days after MPTP injection. Simultaneously, cognitive decline was apparent in MPTP-injected zebrafish, demonstrated by decreased alternation in a y-maze. RT-qPCR confirmed trends consistent with downregulation in Parkinsonian genetic markers, specifically DA transporter (DAT), MAO-B, PINK1. In summary, mature zebrafish injected with MPTP present with similar movement and cognitive decline as compared to human disease. Despite its benefits, this model does not appear to recapitulate full pathophysiology of the disease with the full profile of expected gene downregulation. Because of this, it is important that researchers looking for pharmacological interventions for PD only use this zebrafish model when targeting the human-relevant PD symptoms and causes that are represented.
Mitochondrial maintenance is involved in the exceptional longevity of reproductive queens of the eusocial antLasius niger
Authors: Kervella Maïly , Bertile Fabrice , Granger-Farbos Alexandra , Pinson Benoît , Schmitt Alain , Quque Martin , Bouillaud Frédéric , Criscuolo François
Published: July 2024

Most social insects are characterized by a wide disparity in life-history traits between individuals of the same species. Sterile workers live for months or years while queens may live for decades. Theories of ageing emphasise the importance of metabolism and oxidative stress in explaining longevity, with mitochondrial bioenergetics standing at the crossroads of energy and reactive oxygen species production. Studying mitochondrial functioning therefore takes on its full relevance in determining the nature of the mechanisms that explain the contrasting longevities between insect social castes. We addressed this question in an eusocial species, the black garden antLasius niger. We found that caste differences in mitochondrial bioenergetics and oxidative balance only partially match with predictions of the oxidative stress theory of ageing. Long-lived queens were characterized by a lower metabolic rate, lower mitochondrial density yet not necessarily lower levels of mitochondrial oxidative damages. Despite this, queens did not show reduced ATP content; rather, they even possessed a higher energy load in their mitochondria. Converging clues suggested better mitochondrial maintenance in queen ants, with enhanced dynamics of mitochondrial fission and fusion and a more marked expression of mitochondrial enzymes of the Krebs cycle. Overall, our data paves the way for studying deeper into how the rate of ATP productionpermitochondria is related to the investment in mitochondrial and somatic cellular maintenance, and whether it has specifically been selected as a key mechanism in defining the still unexplained paradoxical longevity of the queen reproductive caste.
Characterizing the speed and severity of mountain pine beetle spread under climate change with a mechanistic model
Authors: Brush Micah , Lewis Mark A.
Published: July 2024

In the last few decades, mountain pine beetle (MPB) have spread into Alberta, partially facilitated by climate change and warmer winters. Future effects of climate change on pine beetle spread are uncertain as warming is likely to affect both forest growth and beetle development. We here present a mechanistic model of pine beetle dynamics and characterize simulated outbreaks under climate change. This model includes key aspects of pine beetle biology, and we determine plausible ranges for each model parameter from available data. We then consider how forest growth, beetle brood size, and host resistance are likely to change in Alberta by the end of the century, and how this will relate to changes in model parameters. We simulate beetle outbreaks and quantify how the projected change in the distribution of the parameters will affect the period, speed, and severity of pine beetle spread. We find that simulated beetle outbreaks move more quickly than historically and are more severe.
From HHV-6 reactivation to autoimmune reactivity against tight junctions and neuronal antigens, to inflammation, depression, and chronic fatigue syndrome due to Long COVID
Authors: Maes Michael , Almulla Abbas F. , Tang Xiaoou , Stoyanova Kristina , Vojdani Aristo
Published: July 2024

Background

Inflammation and autoimmune responses contribute to the pathophysiology of Long COVID, and its affective and chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) symptoms, labeled “the physio-affective phenome.”

Objectives

To investigate whether Long COVID and its physio-affective phenome are linked to autoimmunity to the tight junction proteins, zonulin and occludin (ZOOC), and immune reactivity to lipopolysaccharides (LPS), and whether the latter are associated with signs of human herpes virus-6 reactivation (HHV-6), autoimmunity directed against oligodendrocyte and neuronal proteins, including myelin basic protein (MBP).

Methods

IgA/IgM/IgG responses to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), HHV-6, ZOOC, and neuronal proteins, C-reactive protein (CRP) and advanced oxidation protein products (AOPP), were measured in 90 Long COVID patients and 90 healthy controls. The physio-affective phenome was conceptualized as a factor extracted from physical and affective symptom domains.

Results

Neural network identified IgA directed to LPS (IgA-LPS), IgG-ZOOC, IgG-LPS, and IgA-ZOOC as the most important variables associated with Long COVID diagnosis with an area under the ROC curve of 0.755. Partial Least Squares analysis showed that 40.9% of the variance in the physio-affective phenome was explained by CRP, IgA-MPB and IgG-MBP. A large part of the variances in both autoimmune responses to MBP (36.3-39.7%) was explained by autoimmunity (IgA and IgG) directed to ZOOC. The latter was strongly associated with indicants of HHV-6 reactivation, which in turn was associated with increased IgM-SARS-CoV-2.

Conclusions

Autoimmunity against components of the tight junctions and increased bacterial translocation may be involved in the pathophysiology of Long COVID’s physio-affective phenome.
Deficiency of m6A RNA methylation promotes ZBP1-mediated cell death
Authors: Li Shuang , Deng Xiangyu , Pathak Deepak , Basavaraj Rashmi , Sun Lina , Cheng Yating , Li Jian-Rong , Burke Marissa , Britz Gavin W. , Cheng Chao , Gao Yang , Weng Yi-Lan
Published: July 2024

m6A RNA methylation suppresses the immunostimulatory potential of endogenous RNA. Deficiency of m6A provokes inflammatory responses and cell death, but the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we showed that the noncoding RNA 7SK gains immunostimulatory potential upon m6A depletion and subsequently activates the RIG-I/MAVS axis to spark interferon (IFN) signaling cascades. Concomitant excess of IFN and m6A deficiency synergistically facilitate the formation of RNA G-quadruplexes (rG4) to promote ZBP1-mediated necroptotic cell death. Collectively, our findings delineate a hitherto uncharacterized mechanism that links m6A dysregulation with ZBP1 activity in triggering inflammatory cell death.
A new strategy on Early diagnosis of cognitive impairment via novel cross-lingual language markers: a non-invasive description and AI analysis for the cookie theft picture
Authors: Wang Jintao , Gao Junhui , Xiao Jinwen , Li Jianping , Li Haixia , Xie Xinyi , Tan Rundong , Jia Yuyuan , Zhang Xinjue , Zhang Chen , Yang Dake , Xu Gang , Ren Rujin , Wang Gang
Published: July 2024

Background

Cognitive impairment (CI), including Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI), has been a major research focus for early diagnosis. Both speech assessment and artificial intelligence (AI) have started to be applied in this field, but faces challenges with limited language type assessment and ethical concerns due to the “black box” nature. Here, we explore a new stragety with patient led non-invasive observation for a novel cross-lingual digital language marker with both diagnostic accuracy, scalability and interpretability.

Methods

Speech data was recorded from the cookie theft task in 3 cohorts. And automatic speech recognition (ASR), Networkx package, jieba library and other tools were used to extract visual, acoustic and language features. The SHAP model was used to screen features. Logistic regression and support vector machine and other methods were used to build the model, and an independent cohort was used for external verification. Finally, we used AIGC technology to further reproduce the entire task process.

Results

In Chinese environment, we built 3 models of NC/aMCI, NC/AD, and NC/CI (aMCI+AD) through Cohort 1 (NC n=57, aMCI n=62, AD n=66), with accuracy rates of 0.83, 0.79, and 0.79 respectively. The accuracy was 0.75 in the external scalability verification of Cohort 3 (NC n=38, CI n=62). Finally, we built a cross-lingual (Chinese and English) model through Cohort 1 and 2, built a NC/aMCI diagnosis model, and the diagnostic accuracy rate was 0.76. Lastly, we successfully recreate the testing process through Text-to-Image’ and Animation Generation.

Discussion

The visual features created by our research group and combines acoustic and linguistic features were used to build a model for early diagnosis of cognitive impairment, and a cross-lingual model covering English and Chinese, which performs well in external verification of independent cohorts. Finally, we innovatively used AI-generated videos to show the subject’s task process to the physician to assist in judging the patient’s diagnosis.

Keyword:Alzheimer’s disease, Amnestic mild cognitive impairment, speech test, Artificial Intelligence, interpretability
No Correlation of Structural Anterior-Segment OCT Biomarkers with Bleb Vessel Density and Surgical Success after Preserflo Microshunt Implantation
Authors: Kallab Martin , Hinterberger Sarah , Schneider Sophie , Murauer Olivia , Reisinger Anna-Sophie , Strohmaier Susanne , Huang Alex S. , Bolz Matthias , Strohmaier Clemens A.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To evaluate anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters of bleb wall thickness (BWT) and total bleb height (TBH) in the early postoperative phase after Preserflo Microshunt (PM) implantation for their correlation to (a) surgical revision and (b) AS-OCT angiography (AS-OCTA) derived bleb vessel density (BVD).

Methods

A total of 23 patients with pharmacologically uncontrolled open angle glaucoma were studied. Post-operatively (at 1, 2, and 4 weeks and 2, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) AS-OCT measurements of BWT/TBH and AS-OCTA measurements of BVD were acquired. Surgical revisions (needling or open revision) were recorded. Correlations of BWT and TBH to (a) need for surgical revision and to (b) BVD were assessed.

Results

In 10 of 23 patients, surgical revisions were performed 4 to 48 weeks after PM implantation. At 1, 2, and 4 weeks after surgery neither BWT nor TBH were significantly associated with future surgical revisions (BWT/TBH p-values: 1W 0.217/0.878, 2W 0.670/0.528, 4W 0.171/0.430). No correlations between BWT or TBH and BVD were found for any evaluated timepoint (1W, 2W, 4W).

Conclusions

Structural AS-OCT parameters were not predictive of the need for surgical revision after PM implantation. Consistent with this finding, these parameters were also not correlated with AS-OCTA derived BVD, which was shown to be a good biomarker for failure in a previous analysis. The discrepancy to similar studies after trabeculectomy may be due to bleb drainage differences between TE and PM. BVD seems to be a better predictor of surgical revision after PM implantation than BWT/TBH.
Associations of Circulating Biomarkers with Disease Risks: a Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Elmas Abdulkadir , Spehar Kevin , Do Ron , Castellano Joseph M. , Huang Kuan-lin
Published: July 2024

Background

Circulating biomarkers play a pivotal role in personalized medicine, offering potential for disease screening, prevention, and treatment. Despite established associations between numerous biomarkers and diseases, elucidating their causal relationships is challenging. Mendelian Randomization (MR) can address this issue by employing genetic instruments to discern causal links. Additionally, using multiple MR methods with overlapping results enhances the reliability of discovered relationships.

Methods

Here we report an MR study using multiple methods, including inverse variance weighted, simple mode, weighted mode, weighted median, and MR Egger. We use the MR-base resource (v0.5.6)1to evaluate causal relationships between 212 circulating biomarkers (curated from UK Biobank analyses by Neale lab and from Shin et al. 2014, Roederer et al. 2015, and Kettunen et al. 2016)2-4and 99 complex diseases (curated from several consortia by MRC IEU and Biobank Japan).

Results

We report novel causal relationships found by 4 or more MR methods between glucose and bipolar disorder (Mean Effect Size estimate across methods: 0.39) and between cystatin C and bipolar disorder (Mean Effect Size: -0.31). Based on agreement in 4 or more methods, we also identify previously known links between urate with gout and creatine with chronic kidney disease, as well as biomarkers that may be causal of cardiovascular conditions: apolipoprotein B, cholesterol, LDL, lipoprotein A, and triglycerides in coronary heart disease, as well as lipoprotein A, LDL, cholesterol, and apolipoprotein B in myocardial infarction.

Conclusions

This Mendelian Randomization study not only corroborates known causal relationships between circulating biomarkers and diseases but also uncovers two novel biomarkers associated with bipolar disorder that warrant further investigation. Our findings provide insight into understanding how biological processes reflecting circulating biomarkers and their associated effects may contribute to disease etiology, which can eventually help improve precision diagnostics and intervention.
Thermoelectric response of a hot and weakly magnetized anisotropic QCD medium
Authors: Khan Salman Ahamad , Dey Debarshi , Patra Binoy Krishna
Published: July 2024

We have studied the Seebeck and Nernst coefficients of a weakly magnetized hot QCD medium having a weak momentum anisotropy within the kinetic theory approach. The thermal medium effects have been incorporated in the framework of a quasiparticle model where the medium dependent mass of the quark has been calculated using perturbative thermal QCD in the presence of a weak magnetic field, which leads to different masses for the left (L) and right (R) handed chiral quark modes. We have found that the Seebeck and Nernst coefficient magnitudes for the individual quark flavors as well as for the composite medium are decreasing functions of temperature and decreasing functions of anisotropy strength. The Nernst coefficient magnitudes are about an order of magnitude smaller than their Seebeck counterparts, indicating the Seebeck effect constitutes a stronger response than the Nernst effect. The average percentage change corresponding to switching between quasiparticle modes (L→R or R→L) is an order of magnitude smaller for Nernst coefficients, compared to the Seebeck coefficients.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
ChatGPT-powered deep learning: elevating brain tumor detection in MRI scans
Authors: Rawas Soha , Tafran Cerine , AlSaeed Duaa
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Accurate diagnosis of brain tumors is crucial for effective treatment and improved patient outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a common method for detecting brain malignancies, but interpreting MRI data can be challenging and time-consuming for healthcare professionals.

Design/methodology/approach

An innovative method is presented that combines deep learning (DL) models with natural language processing (NLP) from ChatGPT to enhance the accuracy of brain tumor detection in MRI scans. The method generates textual descriptions of brain tumor regions, providing clinicians with valuable insights into tumor characteristics for informed decision-making and personalized treatment planning.

Findings

The evaluation of this approach demonstrates promising outcomes, achieving a notable Dice coefficient score of 0.93 for tumor segmentation, outperforming current state-of-the-art methods. Human validation of the generated descriptions confirms their precision and conciseness.

Research limitations/implications

While the method showcased advancements in accuracy and understandability, ongoing research is essential for refining the model and addressing limitations in segmenting smaller or atypical tumors.

Originality/value

These results emphasized the potential of this innovative method in advancing neuroimaging practices and contributing to the effective detection and management of brain tumors.
5G and urban amenity: regulatory trends and local government responses around small cell deployment
Authors: Meese James , Hegarty Kieran , Wilken Rowan , Yang Fan , Middleton Catherine
Published: July 2024

Purpose

As part of the 5G rollout, small cell base stations will be deployed across cities. This paper aims to identify an international effort to remove regulatory barriers around deployment and outline emerging strategies Australian local governments are developing to ensure urban amenity in a deregulatory context.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper analyses existing legislation, policy frameworks and grey literature and has conducted eight interviews with participants from the local government sector.

Findings

This paper identifies a global deregulatory trend around small cell deployment and that councils are trying to renegotiate their relationship with telecommunications carriers as 5G is rolled out. Three strategies are identified: the design and installation of smart poles, network sharing and partnerships.

Originality/value

This research contributes to scholarship focused on the 5G rollout and offers one of the first accounts of the emerging tensions between regulatory frameworks, commercial imperatives and municipal authorities, identifying urban amenity as a key area of concern.
Mapping global research on space tourism (1993–2022): a three-decade bibliometric assessment using R and VOSviewer
Authors: Khasawneh Nermin , Al Rousan Ramzi , Sujood Sujood
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Space tourism is currently experiencing significant attention because of its rapid and burgeoning development in the present era. This surge has resulted in an unprecedented growth in publications dedicated to unravelling the intricacies of space tourism. However, there is a conspicuous absence of a large-scale bibliometric analysis focusing on space tourism research from 1993 to 2022. Therefore, the aim of this study is to fill this research gap by examining and mapping the scholarly output published across the world in the spectrum of space tourism over the past 30 years (1993–2022).

Design/methodology/approach

A corpus of 7,438 publications pertaining to space tourism published from 1993 to 2022 was gathered from the Web of Science Core Collection. Accordingly, bibliometrix package in R and VOSviewer software were used to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis.

Findings

The current study highlights a significant surge in publications related to space tourism, indicating a heightened scholarly interest and a significant paradigm shift in its exploration. Scott M. Smith, affiliated with National Aeronautics Space Administration Johnson Space Center, emerges as the most prolific author. Leading journals in disseminating space tourism research are Acta Astronautica and Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine. Keyword analysis revealed hotspots such as “space flight”, “simulated microgravity”, “weightlessness” and “stress”, while research gaps include “skylab”, “shuttle”, “cartilage”, “herpes virus” and “herniation”, offering potential avenues for exploration.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s implications empower stakeholders with actionable insights and deepen the understanding of the evolving landscape of space tourism research, fostering an environment conducive to continuous exploration and innovation in this burgeoning field.

Originality/value

This study enriches the understanding of global space tourism research and offers valuable insights applicable to a diverse audience, including researchers, policymakers and industry stakeholders. The broad applicability of the study’s findings underscores its significance, serving as a guide for strategic decision-making and shaping research agendas in the dynamic realm of space tourism.
Juggling life and work: unravelling the moderated-mediation effect of work engagement and turnover intention
Authors: Momin Mujtaba M. , Rolla Krishna Priya
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of the paper is to examine study probes into the association between work–family balance (WFB) and workplace wellbeing (WWB), as there has been a dearth of studies in this domain. Furthermore, the study deciphers the mediation and moderation effect of work engagement (WE) and turnover intent, respectively, on this primal relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study undertakes a quantitative analysis of full-time regular employees (n = 334) in the USA, with a minimum experience of two years in current employment. The data was collected in two phases to minimize common method bias. The collected data was analysed via structural equation modelling.

Findings

Results indicate a positive association between WFB and workplace well-being. The mediation effect of WE on the primal association between WFB and workplace wellbeing is also substantiated. Though turnover intent failed to moderate this association between WFB and WWB; but mitigated the linkage between WE and workplace wellbeing.

Practical implications

The study demonstrates that the direct relationship between WFB and WWB is more pronounced than its indirect association. This insight could help organizations to design policies that include WFB; which can further accelerate WWB and work immersion attitudes amongst employees. Finally, this paper illustrates that employee attrition can be controlled by championing a climate of WE and WWB.

Originality/value

The present investigation offers an insight into the direct association between the WFB and workplace well-being of employees; and the pivotal role of WE in the whole nexus, an investigation which has been largely ignored, in the past. Furthermore, it refutes the effect of negative constructs like turnover intention, in the presence of positive associates like WE and WFB; which is an important lead for both practitioners and theorists.
Impact of AEC project organizational design on the mental health of project management practitioners (PMPs) in Australia
Authors: Tijani Bashir , Jin Xiao-Hua , Robert Osei-Kyei
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Design of architecture, engineering and construction (AEC) project organizations expose project management practitioners (PMPs) to poor mental health due to the influence of project organization designs on project management activities assigned to the PMPs. The AEC project organization design comprises the integration of permanent organization, project organization and external environment layers. In spite of the link between project organization design and mental health, limited studies have examined the impact of permanent organization factors, project organization factors and external environmental factors on mental health management practices. Therefore, this study aims to examine the interactive relationships between permanent organization factors, project organization factors, external environment factors and mental health management indicators.

Design/methodology/approach

Four organizational theories: institutional theory, agency theory and resource-based theory were integrated to develop a theoretical model guiding the aim of the study. Eighty-two survey data were collected from PMPs in AEC firms in Australia. Structural equation modelling was used to test the relationships between the constructs.

Findings

The study found that mental health management indicators are predicted by the interactive and direct effects of permanent organizational factors, project organizational factors and external environmental factors. The results of the interactive effects of the factors and mental health management indicators revealed that 20 of 26 proposed hypotheses were supported. Based on the established hypotheses, economic factors, technological factors, environmental factors, legal factors and organizational culture positively correlated with mental health management indicators. Likewise, human resources management (HRM), corporate governance, project governance and integrated project delivery (IPD) positively impact mental health management indicators. However, political factors, social factors, knowledge management and project management skills negatively impact mental health management indicators. Moreover, political factors, economic factors, technological factors, environmental factors, legal factors and organizational culture are positively related to corporate governance. Additionally, organizational culture positively impacts corporate governance, project governance and HRM, whereas project governance positively correlated with IPD and knowledge management.

Originality/value

The findings provide guidelines to AEC firms on achieving positive mental health management indicators through concentration on project organization design.
“Going beyond the call of duty”: academic agency and promoting transformation for sustainability in higher education
Authors: Idahosa Grace Ese-osa , Belluigi Dina Zoe , Dhawan Nandita Banerjee
Published: July 2024

Purpose

In the past decade, against increasing global inequality, higher education has grappled with increased demands for social justice, transformation and decolonisation. While a lot of research in South Africa has focused on the (im)possibilities of fostering racial, gendered, socio-economic and cultural change, the connection of such change to questions of sustainability has been less explored. The purpose of this paper is to specifically explore the agency of academics to foster transformative initiatives for sustainability within the context of institutions historically serving under-represented populations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative methodology, this paper highlights the importance of considering sustainability in processes of transformation. This paper is specifically interested in how academic faculty and those in assigned leadership positions view their agency in relation to promoting transformation for sustainability at the institutional level. Drawing on data generated from semi-structured interviews with 13 participants at an historically Black university in South Africa, this paper details academics' and leaders’ experiences and perceptions of their agency.

Findings

This study reveals the adverse interactional dynamics within higher education institutions, which negatively impact academics’ participation as key agents in change processes. Positional and identity challenges faced reveal the persistence of colonial and apartheid legacies of racism, sexism, Afrophobia and xenophobia – which casts a shadow on possible trajectories of transformation and sustainability. This has serious implications for the common good, given South Africa's regional import for knowledge production and decolonisation within universities; its key role in the African 2063 Agenda; and the wider global Sustainable Development agenda.

Originality/value

This study highlights insufficient engagement with the sustainability of transformation efforts within the context of South Africa. This study also emphasises the relation between transformation imperatives and racial, socio-economic, gender and epistemic justice imperatives of sustainable development.
Beyond-money framing and customer decision to patronise Islamic banking: an experimental study
Authors: Azizon A. , Kasri Rahmatina Awaliah , Indraswari Kenny Devita , Jatmiko Wahyu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The recent growth of Islamic bank (IB) assets in Indonesia has been mainly driven by government interventions rather than the organic development on the demand side. A novel approach to attract new consumers, increase market share and accelerate its development is the need of the hour. This study aims to propose beyond-money framing that promotes the Shari’ah and social dimensions of IB’s products on top of its contemporary marketing strategy. This paper examines whether this technique can advance IBs selection.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses the (online) laboratory experiment involving 192 high- and low-literate participants from Generation Z (Gen Z). Using difference tests and Logit regression, this paper examines the impact of beyond-money framing on customers decision-making.

Findings

Beyond-money framing has a significant impact in influencing customers decisions to select profit-and-loss sharing (PLS) products offered by IBs. The effect of the framing accelerates in the high-literate customers.

Research limitations/implications

The contract examined is only the PLS one (mudharabah). Respondents are also restricted to Gen Z. This study does not separate the effect of Shari’ah and social aspects from beyond money framing.

Practical implications

To attract new customers, IBs should emphasise their products’ social and Shari’ah features rather than relying solely on a low-price strategy.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first study proposing the framing strategy for IBs and examining its impact on IB’s product acceptance in Indonesia.
Investor response to engagement quality review hours
Authors: Lee Mijoo , Hwang Daniel Sejun
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate whether mandated disclosure of engagement quality review hours provides new information that affects investors’ decision-making.

Design/methodology/approach

In 2014, Korean authorities mandated that audit engagement quality review hours must be disclosed in their audit reports. Using this unique field setting in Korea, this study presents empirical evidence of the policy initiative’s effect on earnings reliability by examining both pre- and post-implementation periods.

Findings

Following the initial disclosure of engagement quality review hours in 2014, the authors observe that the capital market’s valuation of quarterly earnings surprises, measured by earnings response coefficients (ERCs), was significantly lower for firms with high levels of abnormal engagement quality review hours than for other firms. This paper also finds that the observed association between engagement quality review hours and ERCs in the postregulation period hinges on the probability of earnings management, proxied by discretionary accruals and just meeting or beating analyst earnings forecast.

Originality/value

This paper suggests that the policy mandating disclosure of engagement quality review hours provides original information that the market considers relevant for appraising the reliability of reported earnings.
Cyberaddiction to TikTok during the COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Maghraoui Souad , Khrouf Lilia
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to shed light on the determinants of TikTok cyberaddiction during the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the resulting attitudinal and intentional reactions of users.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey of 305 young TikTok users was conducted to test the research hypotheses. Data was analyzed through a partial least sqaures approach.

Findings

The results highlight the mediating role of cyberaddiction to TikTok in the relationship between psychological disorders (anxiety and loneliness) and attitude toward TikTok. Indeed, it was found that anxiety and loneliness contribute to TikTok cyberaddiction. The latter would have a positive effect on attitude toward TikTok, which decreases in the presence of fear of missing out (FOMO). It was also proven that attitude toward TikTok has a positive impact on attitude toward the brands promoted on this platform, resulting in an increase in purchasing intentions.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted during the COVID-19 pandemic. It is therefore interesting to replicate it to see if the research model can be still validated in the absence of an emergency situation. Testing the model on a larger target, including older TikTok users, could also lead to interesting findings.

Practical implications

Knowledge of the psychological factors behind cyberaddiction should not be seen as an opportunity to take advantage from addicted shoppers’ vulnerability. Managers should rather limit communication campaigns on TikTok during crisis periods, undertake retargeting actions by sparing vulnerable TikTok users and avoid stimulating anxiety and loneliness which can lead to cyberaddiction and compulsive purchases.

Originality/value

This study sheds light on the central role of cyberaddiction to TikTok in the relationship between psychological disorders and users’ reactions, during a pandemic. It focused on the moderating role of FOMO on the relationship between determinants of cyberaddiction and attitude toward TikTok. Escape theory and attachment theory were used and adapted to the context of social media.
Networking nutrients: How nutrition determines the structure of ecological networks
Authors: Cuff Jordan P. , Evans Darren M. , Vaughan Ian P. , Wilder Shawn M. , Tercel Maximillian P. T. G. , Windsor Fredric M.
Published: July 2024

Nutrients can shape ecological interactions but remain poorly integrated into ecological networks. Concepts such as nutrient‐specific foraging nevertheless have the potential to expose the mechanisms structuring complex ecological systems. Nutrients also present an opportunity to predict dynamic processes, such as interaction rewiring and extinction cascades, and increase the accuracy of network analyses.

Here, we propose the concept of nutritional networks. By integrating nutritional data into ecological networks, we envisage significant advances to our understanding of ecological processes from individual to ecosystem scales.

We show that networks can be constructed with nutritional data to illuminate how nutrients structure ecological interactions in natural systems through an empirical example. Throughout, we identify fundamental ecological hypotheses that can be explored in a nutritional network context, alongside methods for resolving those networks.

Nutrients influence the structure and complexity of ecological networks through mechanistic processes and concepts including nutritional niche differentiation, functional responses, landscape diversity, ecological invasions and ecosystem robustness. Future research on ecological networks should consider nutrients when investigating the drivers of network structure and function.
Czech Republic: Political Developments and Data in 2023
Authors: KUDRNÁČ ALEŠ , PETRÚŠEK IVAN
Published: July 2024

The 2023 Czech presidential elections, characterized by high turnout and the victory of retired General Petr Pavel in a run‐off against former Prime Minister Andrej Babiš, marked a significant shift in the country's political landscape. These elections were marked by intense debates on candidates’ backgrounds and foreign policy orientations, highlighting voters’ preference for pro‐Western ideals. Meanwhile, the Cabinet of Petr Fiala witnessed four ministerial changes affecting the Ministry of the Environment, the Ministry for European Affairs, the Ministry of Education, Youth, and Sport, and the Ministry of Agriculture. Several important legislative changes occurred in 2023. Notably, the pension amendment incited robust debate and opposition activity. Furthermore, the government's consolidation package, aimed at economic stabilization and public budget reduction, sparked protests, reflecting broader societal concerns over funding and labor conditions in schools and hospitals. The year ended with national mourning following a tragic mass shooting at Charles University in Prague.
Confocal laser scanning evaluation of the influence of ledges on root canal disinfection
Authors: Berutti Elio , Pasqualini Damiano , Scotti Nicola , Mandras Narcisa , Roana Janira , Carpegna Giorgia , Palopoli Pietro , Alovisi Mario
Published: July 2024

The aim was to analyse the influence of an apical ledge on root canal disinfection. Forty‐four single‐rooted teeth were micro‐CT scanned and inoculated with Enterococcus faecalis. In Group S shaping was performed with ProTaper Next (PTN) up to X3 at working length (WL). In Group L an apical ledge was created with K‐Files #40 and shaping completed up to PTN X3. NaOCl 5% and EDTA 10% irrigant solutions were alternated. Confocal laser scanning microscope (CLSM) and viability staining were used to analyse the proportions of dead (red) and live (green) bacteria and penetration ability inside dentinal tubules. Data were analysed with the Mann–Whitney test with Bonferroni correction (p < 0.05). In Group L the amount of red fluorescence resulted significantly lower, and penetration ability was decreased in the apical and middle portion (p < 0.05). The presence of an apical ledge may negatively influence the disinfection both in the apical and middle third.
Construction of a high‐density linkage map and QTL detection for growth traits in South African abalone (Haliotis midae)
Authors: Tshilate Thendo Stanley , Ishengoma Edson , Rhode Clint
Published: July 2024

Haliotis midae is one of the most important molluscs in South African commercial aquaculture. In this study, a high‐resolution integrated linkage map was constructed, and QTL identified using 2b‐RADseq for genotyping SNPs in three families. The final integrated linkage map was composed by merging the individual family maps, resulting in 3290 informative SNPs mapping to 18 linkage groups, conforming to the known haploid chromosome number for H. midae. The total map spanned 1798.25 cM with an average marker interval of 0.55 cM, representing a genome coverage of 98.76%. QTL analysis, across all three families, resulted in a total of five QTL identified for growth‐related traits, shell width, shell length, and total body weight. For shell width and total body weight, one QTL was identified for each trait respectively, whilst three QTL were identified for shell length. The identified QTL respectively explained between 7.20% and 11.40% of the observed phenotypic variance. All three traits were significantly correlated (r = 0.862–0.970; p < 0.01) and shared overlapping QTL. The QTL for growth traits were mapped back to the H. midae draft genome and BLAST searches revealed the identity of candidate genes, such as egf‐1, megf10, megf6, tnx, sevp1, kcp, notch1, and scube2 with possible functional roles in H. midae growth. The constructed high‐density linkage map and mapped QTL have given valuable insights regarding the genetic architecture of growth‐related traits and will be important genetic resources for marker‐assisted selection. It remains, however, important to validate causal variants through linkage disequilibrium fine mapping in future.
The Brazilian Migration Policy in the Context of the Russia‐Ukraine War: A Rights‐Based Response to Forced Displacement?
Authors: Macedo Silva Cardoso João Luis
Published: July 2024

On 24 February 2022, Russia launched a major military incursion on Ukrainian territory, thereby initiating one of the biggest international conflicts of the twenty‐first century. Not only has this conflict claimed the lives of thousands of Russians and Ukrainians, but it has also resulted in mass migration. Against this backdrop, this paper sets out to answer the following question: what are the main legal aspects of the migration policy adopted by the Brazilian state in response to the Ukrainian diaspora? The findings of this research indicate that the Brazilian Federal Government has passed ordinances that can protect the human rights of these people on a temporary basis. Although these ordinances have a precarious nature, their beneficiaries will be able to apply for refugee status when their provisions cease to produce legal effects.
GSK3: A potential target and pending issues for treatment of Alzheimer's disease
Authors: Zhao Jiahui , Wei Mengying , Guo Minsong , Wang Mengyao , Niu Hongxia , Xu Tengfei , Zhou Yuan
Published: July 2024

Glycogen synthase kinase‐3 (GSK3), consisting of GSK3α and GSK3β subtypes, is a complex protein kinase that regulates numerous substrates. Research has observed increased GSK3 expression in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients and models. AD is a neurodegenerative disorder with diverse pathogenesis and notable cognitive impairments, characterized by Aβ aggregation and excessive tau phosphorylation. This article provides an overview of GSK3's structure and regulation, extensively analyzing its relationship with AD factors. GSK3 overactivation disrupts neural growth, development, and function. It directly promotes tau phosphorylation, regulates amyloid precursor protein (APP) cleavage, leading to Aβ formation, and directly or indirectly triggers neuroinflammation and oxidative damage. We also summarize preclinical research highlighting the inhibition of GSK3 activity as a primary therapeutic approach for AD. Finally, pending issues like the lack of highly specific and affinity‐driven GSK3 inhibitors, are raised and expected to be addressed in future research. In conclusion, GSK3 represents a target in AD treatment, filled with hope, challenges, opportunities, and obstacles.