bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decisional Needs of Veterans With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury Initiating Treatment for Insomnia Disorder and Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Authors: Kinney Adam R. , Brenner Lisa A. , Nance Morgan , Mignogna Joseph , Cobb Audrey D. , Forster Jeri E. , Ulmer Christi S. , Nakase-Richardson Risa , Bahraini Nazanin H.
Published: July 2024

Objective: We sought to elicit key informant (KI) perspectives regarding decisional needs of Veterans with mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) who are initiating insomnia disorder and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) treatment within the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) Polytrauma/TBI System of Care (PSC). Specifically, we sought to understand: (1) information regarding treatment options that Veterans with mTBI require in order to make an informed decision; and (2) values used to guide decision-making (ie, personally meaningful aspects of the decision used to compare treatment options). Setting: Nationwide VHA PSC sites. Participants: Clinicians included VHA providers and policymakers involved in the management of mTBI and/or sleep disorders in the VHA PSC (n = 29). Veterans included those with a clinician-confirmed mTBI who received care for insomnia disorder and/or OSA within the past year (n = 20). Design: Semi-structured interviews with the 49 KIs were recorded and transcribed verbatim. Themes were identified using a descriptive and interpretive approach to qualitative analysis. Main Measures: Not applicable. Results: Informational needs identified by both KI groups included information regarding outcomes and downsides of treatment, accessible delivery, treatment candidates, description of diagnosis, and level of commitment. Values used to guide decision-making for both insomnia disorder and OSA treatment included benefits, downsides, and availability of treatments. Values used to decide on insomnia treatments alone included time commitment, intrinsic management of sleep, beliefs regarding mental health treatment, and time course of benefit. Values used to decide on OSA treatment alone included intrusiveness of the treatment, appearance, and impact on bed partners. Conclusions: The current study revealed the decisional needs of Veterans with mTBI who are initiating sleep disorder treatment. Findings can inform the development of decision aids and other efforts aimed at promoting patient-centered management of comorbid mTBI and sleep disorders, thereby improving care quality and clinical outcomes.
Repeat Femtosecond-Assisted Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty for Recurrence of TGF B I Dystrophy in Eyes After Previous FALK
Authors: Pantola Priyanka , Chaurasia Sunita , Mishra Dilip Kumar , Ramappa Muralidhar
Published: July 2024

Purpose:

To report the management of recurrent TGF BI dystrophy after prior femtosecond-assisted anterior lamellar keratoplasty (FALK) with repeat FALK.

Methods:

Clinical and histopathological study of 2 eyes of 2 patients with a recurrence of TGFBI dystrophy. Patient 1 had Reis–Buckler corneal dystrophy, and patient 2 had granular corneal dystrophy GCD type 1.

Results:

Patient 1 had FALK 8 years ago, when she was 23 years old. Patient 2 had FALK 7 years ago at the age of 24 years. Slit-lamp examination showed recurrence in the subepithelial layer of the anterior lamellar graft as confluent chalky white granular deposits. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography highlighted the deposits in the subepithelial region of the anterior lamellar graft. The anterior lamellar graft with deposits was removed and replaced with another graft created using femtolaser dissection of a healthy donor. The parameters for femtosecond laser-assisted donor dissection was similar to the size and depth as the previously used donor. The best-corrected visual acuity was restored to 20/30 in patient 1 and 20/25 in patient 2. The histology of the anterior lamellar graft showed eosinophilic deposits between the epithelium and the Bowman layer in both samples. In addition, the corneal sample from patient 2 revealed Bowman layer breach at some places and few deposits at 1 edge of the lamellar graft.

Conclusions:

Repeat FALK with a healthy donor is effective in the management of recurrence of deposits. The histology of the recurrence in the anterior lamellar graft revealed eosinophilic deposits predominantly between the epithelium and Bowman layer.
Simultaneous Liver and Kidney Transplantation in Patients Aged 70 y and Older: Proceed With Caution
Authors: Kaufman Daniel M. , Perkins James D. , Bakthavatsalam Ramasamy , Leca Nicolae , Sibulesky Lena
Published: July 2024

Background.

The number of elderly patients aged 70 y and older with liver and kidney failure is increasing, mainly because of increasing prevalence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis. At present, limited data are available on the outcomes of elderly patients who fit the criteria for dual organ transplantation since the implementation of the simultaneous liver and kidney (SLK) allocation policy.

Methods.

We performed a retrospective analysis of the Organ Procurement and Transplantation Network database of adults aged 18 y and older undergoing SLK and kidney transplantation only from August 11, 2017, to December 31, 2022. We examined patient and graft survivals and compared the outcomes of the recipients aged 70 y and older undergoing SLK transplantation to those who received kidney transplant alone and kidney after liver transplant.

Results.

During the study period, there has been a significant rise in the number of patients aged 70 y and older undergoing SLK transplantation, with 6 patients undergoing SLK transplantation in 2017 and 63 in 2021. Patients aged 70 y and older had significantly lower survival with 82.9% at 1 y and 66.5% at 3 y compared with 89.3% and 78.8% in the 50–69 y age group and 93.2% and 88.6% in the 18–49 y age group, respectively. Overall, kidney allograft survival was significantly lower in the 70 y and older group, with 80.9% at 1 y and 66.4% at 3 y compared with 91.1% and 75.5%, respectively, in those undergoing kidney transplant alone. There was no difference in kidney allograft survival in those undergoing SLK and kidney after liver transplantation.

Conclusions.

Although the outcomes are inferior in recipients of SLK transplant aged 70 y and older, chronologic age should not preclude them from undergoing transplantation. Kidney transplantation after liver transplantation could be considered to avoid futile transplants.
International Travel for Organ Transplantation: Provider and Patient Perspectives
Authors: Nguyen Ann B. , Roth Hannah F. , Chung Bow , Rodgers Daniel , Clerkin Kevin J. , Sayer Gabriel , Kim Gene , Jeevanandam Valluvan , Siegler Mark , Uriel Nir , Aronsohn Andrew
Published: July 2024

Background.

Organ allocation in the United States to non-US citizen, non-US residents who travel for transplant (NC/NRTx) is controversial. Current policies may not be informed by stakeholder opinions, as limited data exist assessing the knowledge or opinions of providers or patients on this issue.

Methods.

A cross-sectional, hospital-based pilot survey was distributed to providers and patients from December 2019 to June 2020 at a single large urban transplant institute. Providers were members of the departments of surgery and medicine and included both transplant and nontransplant providers. Surveys included 10 questions on eligibility, prioritization, and limitations for deceased donor transplantation and 12 demographic questions.

Results.

A total of 209 providers responded (61% women, median age 40) and 119 patients responded (62% women, median age 54). Awareness of eligibility for transplantation of US citizens, non-US citizens residing in the United States (NC/R), and NC/NRTx was high in both groups, though providers and patients lacked awareness of the eligibility of nonlegal NC/R (those who live in the United States who are not citizens and are not legal residents) to donate and receive organs. Overall, 79.3% of patients stated that NC/NRTx should be eligible for transplant in the United States compared with only 60.7% of providers (P = 0.001). Providers were more likely than patients to prioritize transplant to legal NC/NR over NC/NRTx (58.2% versus 35.1%, P < 000.1) and reported that families should be able to limit donations to NC/NRTx (34.9% versus 23.2%, P = 0.03).

Conclusions.

Surveyed patients and providers generally support transplant in non-US citizens; however, the strength of support varied considerably based on the legal status of the patient and the occupation of those surveyed. Larger studies are necessary to develop data-informed policy.
Interactive effects of temperature, cadmium, and hypoxia on rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) liver mitochondrial bioenergetics
Authors: Onukwufor John O , Kamunde Collins
Published: July 2024

Fish in their natural environments possess elaborate mechanisms that regulate physiological function to mitigate the adverse effects of multiple environmental stressors such as temperature, metals, and hypoxia. We investigated how warm acclimation affects mitochondrial responses to Cd, hypoxia, and acute temperature shifts (heat shock and cold snap) in rainbow trout. We observed that state 3 respiration driven by complex I (CI) was resistant to the stressors while warm acclimation and Cd reduced complex I +II (CI + II) driven state 3 respiration. In contrast, state 4 (leak) respirations for both CI and CI + II were consistently stimulated by warm acclimation resulting in reduced mitochondrial coupling efficiency (respiratory control ratio, RCR). Warm acclimation and Cd exacerbated their individual effect on leak respiration to further reduce the RCR. Moreover, the effect of warm acclimation on mitochondrial bioenergetics aligned with its inhibitory effect on activities of citrate synthase and both CI and CII. Unlike the Cd and warm acclimation combined exposure, hypoxia alone and in combination with warm acclimation and/or Cd abolished the stimulation of CI and CI + II powered leak respirations resulting in partial recovery of RCR. The response to acute temperature shifts indicated that while state 3 respiration returned to pre-acclimation level, the leak respiration did not. Overall, our findings suggest a complex in vivo interaction of multiple stressors on mitochondrial function that are not adequately predicted by their individual effects.
Dysregulated FOXO1 activity drives skeletal muscle intrinsic dysfunction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Zufiría Mónica , Pikatza-Menoio Oihane , Garciandia-Arcelus Maddi , Bengoetxea Xabier , Jiménez Andrés , Elicegui Amaia , Levchuk Maria , Arnold-García Olatz , Iruzubieta Pablo , Ondaro Jon , Fernández-Pelayo Uxoa , Muñoz-Oreja Mikel , Aiastui Ana , García-Verdugo José Manuel , Herranz-Pérez Vicente , Zulaica Miren , Poza Juan José , Ruiz-Onandi Rebeca , Fernández-Torrón Roberto , Espinal Juan Bautista , Bonilla Mario , Lersundi Ana , Fernández-Eulate Gorka , Riancho Javier , Vallejo-Illarramendi Ainara , Holt Ian James , Sáenz Amets , Malfatti Edoardo , Duguez Stéphanie , Blázquez Lorea , de Munain Adolfo López , Gerenu Gorka , Gil-Bea Francisco , Alonso-Martín Sonia
Published: July 2024

Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is a multisystemic neurodegenerative disorder, with accumulating evidence indicating metabolic disruptions in the skeletal muscle preceding disease symptoms, rather than them manifesting as a secondary consequence of motor neuron (MN) degeneration. Hence, energy homeostasis is deeply implicated in the complex physiopathology of ALS and skeletal muscle has emerged as a key therapeutic target. Here, we describe intrinsic abnormalities in ALS skeletal muscle, both in patient-derived muscle cells and in muscle cell lines with genetic knockdown of genes related to familial ALS, such asTARDBP(TDP-43) andFUS. We found a functional impairment of myogenesis that parallels defects of glucose oxidation in ALS muscle cells. We identified FOXO1 transcription factor as a key mediator of these metabolic and functional features in ALS muscle, via gene expression profiling and biochemical surveys in TDP-43 and FUS silenced muscle progenitors. Strikingly, inhibition of FOXO1 mitigated the impaired myogenesis in both the genetically modified and the primary ALS myoblasts. In addition, specificin vivoconditional knockdown of TDP-43 or FUS orthologs (TBPHorcaz) inDrosophilamuscle precursor cells resulted in decreased innervation and profound dysfunction of motor nerve terminals and neuromuscular synapses, accompanied by motor abnormalities and reduced lifespan. Remarkably, these phenotypes were partially corrected byfoxoinhibition, bolstering the potential pharmacological management of muscle intrinsic abnormalities associated with ALS. The findings demonstrate an intrinsic muscle dysfunction in ALS, which can be modulated by targeting FOXO factors, paving the way for novel therapeutic approaches that focus on the skeletal muscle as complementary target tissue.
GestaltGAN: Synthetic photorealistic portraits of individuals with rare genetic disorders
Authors: Kirchhoff Aron , Hustinx Alexander , Javanmardi Behnam , Hsieh Tzung-Chien , Brand Fabian , Moosa Shahida , Schultz Thomas , Solomon Benjamin D. , Krawitz Peter
Published: July 2024

The facial gestalt (overall facial morphology) is a characteristic clinical feature in many genetic disorders that is often essential for suspecting and establishing a specific diagnosis. For that reason, publishing images of individuals affected by pathogenic variants in disease-associated genes has been an important part of scientific communication. Furthermore, medical imaging data is also crucial for teaching and training artificial intelligence methods such as GestaltMatcher. However, medical data is often sparsely available and sharing patient images involves risks related to privacy and re-identification. Therefore, we explored whether generative neural networks can be used to synthesize accurate portraits for rare disorders. We modified a StyleGAN architecture and trained it to produce random condition-specific portraits for multiple disorders. We present a technique that generates a sharp and detailed average patient portrait for a given disorder. We trained our GestaltGAN on the 20 most frequent disorders from the GestaltMatcher database. We used REAL-ESRGAN to increase the resolution of portraits from the training data with low quality and colorized black-and-white images. The training data was aligned and cropped to achieve a uniform format. To augment the model’s understanding of human facial features, an unaffected class was introduced to the training data.

We tested the validity of our generated portraits with 63 human experts. Our findings demonstrate the model’s proficiency in generating photorealistic portraits that capture the characteristic features of a disorder but preserve the patient’s privacy. Overall, the output from our approach holds promise for various applications, including visualizations for publications, educational materials, as well as augmenting training data for deep learning.
Childcare restrictions and gender gap in labor outcomes
Authors: Cervini-Plá María , Silva José I.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the literature by examining the gender gap effects of childcare restrictions. Specifically, not using professional childcare services due to issues like access, quality or costs. Additionally, we explore the long-run consequences of extended work interruptions for childcare.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a specialized cross-sectional module from the 2018 Spanish Labor Force Survey, we estimated a set of linear regression models to capture the short and long run effects of childcare restrictions in labor market outcomes.

Findings

We identify substantial gender gaps in labor force, employment, full-time employment and hours worked among parents facing childcare constraints. In contrast, parents without such restrictions experience much lower gender gaps. The long-run analysis reveals that mainly career breaks lasting 2 years or more significantly diminish the labor supply and employment rates of mothers.

Originality/value

Our study goes beyond examining the effects of childcare restrictions on mothers’ labor market behavior and explicitly studies the gender disparities related to these restrictions. Moreover, our database includes information on work flexibility for childcare, allowing us to explore whether such flexibility can help mitigate these gender gaps. Additionally, we assess the long-term effects of work interruptions due to childcare responsibilities on women’s labor outcomes.
Influence of customer contact employees (CCEs) competencies on their service recovery performance: a moderated-mediation approach
Authors: Kumar Amit , Kaur Anupriya
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the influence of customer contact employees (CCEs) competencies (social, emotional and professional) on their service recovery performance (SRP) with mediation effect of internal marketing and moderation effect of industry/sector.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used survey-based dyads of 210 CCEs and their managers/supervisors in three service sectors (hotel and hospitality, automobile service centers and organized retail stores). Repeated-measures analysis of variance, confirmatory factor analysis and PROCESS macro of Hayes (2013) was used to assess reliability, validity and to test mediation, moderation and moderated-mediation.

Findings

CCEs competencies influenced SRP. The relationship between CCEs competencies and SRP was mediated by internal marketing. The industry/sector was found to be a significant moderator between the internal marketing and SRP. Additionally, a significant moderated-mediation effect was found between CCEs competencies and SRP.

Research limitations/implications

Longitudinal studies could be particularly helpful to evaluate the impact of internal marketing on SRP. The future researcher may benefit from replicating and extending the model in different industries or can study other factors as mediators or moderators for further contribution to the SRP literature.

Practical implications

Firms striving for consumer retention and aiming to extend their consumer life cycle can greatly benefit from the results of this study to provide effective SRP. The study also suggests that policymakers and management should adopt properly designed and well-articulated human resource management practices for excellence in SRP in their organizations.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there is no study in the past which has addressed employee and organizational factors with the dyadic sample. In addition, it has used a moderated-mediation model in the context of SRP and also contributes to the extant literature by researching in a non-Western setting like India.
Exploring the quality of life of palliative care patients: empirical evidence from India
Authors: Dulari S.S. , Dhanya M. , Nair Indu
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This research paper aims to study the achievement of the objectives set by the Government of Kerala through the Arogyakeralam Pain and Palliative Care project.

Design/methodology/approach

The research paper delves into diverse facets of an individual’s well-being including medical, emotional, spiritual and social aspects, when confronted with an incurable and incapacitating disease through the intervention of the PPC project. This insightful study was conducted in the state of Kerala, India.

Findings

The analysis reveals that quality of life (QoL) is most influenced by spiritual, social and psychological factors. This paper raises pertinent questions about the effectiveness of PPC initiatives within the realm of medical care.

Social implications

The thought, conception and preparation of the subject is on improving social health care by assessing the existing practices followed by the local governance. This, by far, would benefit millions by formulating appropriate policies for improving the QoL.

Originality/value

The Kerala model of health care has garnered global acclaim, standing shoulder to shoulder with the health systems of developed nations. Adopting “active total care” to address pain and allied indications, the Arogyakeralam palliative care program significantly enhances patients' QoL. The focus was to uplift the QoL of patients suffering from terminal illnesses post-pandemic.
The persistence of labour market states in Australia
Authors: Cai Lixin , Mavromaras Kostas
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The study investigates persistence of individuals' labour market activity with a focus on examining whether and to what extent there is genuine state dependence in six labour market states: not-in-labour-force, unemployment, self-employment, casual employment, fixed term contracts, and ongoing employment, and how the persistence and genuine state dependence of the labour market states change with education levels.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic multinomial logit model that accounts for observed and unobserved individual heterogeneity is estimated, using the first 19 waves of the Household, Income, and Labour Dynamics in Australia Survey.

Findings

While observed and unobserved individual heterogeneity plays an important role in the persistence of each of the labour market states examined, genuine state dependence is found to be present for all the states. It is also found that the persistence and genuine state dependence of unemployment is larger among those with a low education attainment than among those with higher education.

Practical implications

The existence of genuine state dependence of labour market states calls for early interventions to prevent people from losing jobs.

Originality/value

Earlier studies often focus on persistence of a particular labour market state such as unemployment, while this study examines the persistence simultaneously of six labour market states.
Narrative disclosure and earnings quality: what is the nexus? Evidence from emerging countries
Authors: Makhlouf Mohammed Hassan , Qatawneh Adel , Safi Walid
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Narrative disclosures offer further elucidation of a company's financial performance beyond what is presented in numerical format. This can assist stakeholders in gaining a deeper comprehension of the elements that impact reported earnings, thereby improving the quality of financial information. The current research explores the impact of narrative disclosure on the earnings quality of firms listed on the Amman Stock Exchange (ASE).

Design/methodology/approach

Appropriating an index to measure the narrative disclosure level in the research sample firms, the research utilizes an analysis of the textual content of nonfinancial reports and statements issued by the management of the ASE-listed nonfinancial firms between 2013 and 2022. The financial statements issued in the annual financial reports are also adopted to extract data on earnings quality and the controlling variables. The analysis of the data and attainment of the findings necessitate using the panel data.

Findings

It is indicated that narrative disclosure affects earnings quality. To be precise, the greater the narrative disclosure, the lower the absolute value of the voluntary discretionary accruals and thus the higher the quality of accounting earnings.

Research limitations/implications

The findings contribute to new research on disclosure issues, particularly narrative disclosure, which enhances reader confidence in financial and nonfinancial reports and prevents misleading and manipulated information.

Originality/value

This research helps decision-makers understand the relationship between reports, statements and earnings quality in a firm. It's unique in exploring this relationship, especially in developing countries. The study is the first of its kind in Jordan, known for its economic stability and strategic location in the Middle East, making its findings applicable to similar environments.
Improvement of human performance in healthcare systems by taking into account physician behavior
Authors: Titah Mawloud , Hachemi Khalid
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Efficiency standards, similar to industrial measures like overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), are being used in healthcare systems more and more. Performance indicator models applied to machines assume a constant completion time. However, for human resources, the completion time of a task may vary depending on the stress experienced. This study seeks to bridge this gap by integrating the human behavior of the physician into the performance evaluation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a new algorithm called PerfoBalance that is intended to distribute waiting-patient values among doctors. By maximizing each physician’s stress zones, this method helps to improve their performance as a whole. A thorough case study with medical professionals is carried out to confirm the effectiveness of the suggested methodology. The PerfoBalance algorithm is used in a variety of contexts to divide waiting-patient values among doctors and optimize stress zones.

Findings

Experimental results demonstrate a significant improvement in physician efficiency when implementing the PerfoBalance algorithm. The algorithm strategically selects stress zones that contribute to higher performance rates for physicians by optimizing waiting-patient values.

Originality/value

By addressing the undervaluation of human performance difficulties in current efficiency models used in the healthcare industry, this research constitutes a significant contribution to the field. With its launch, the PerfoBalance algorithm offers a fresh viewpoint on waiting-patient value allocation and stress zone management in healthcare settings, hence representing a powerful method for increasing physician productivity.
Sharing economy from the sustainable development goals perspective: a path to global prosperity
Authors: Aref Mayada
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The sharing economy, supported by digital platforms, efficiently matches the demand and supply of underused resources. Expanding globally and impacting different industries is offering a new path to sustainable resource consumption. The United Nations endorsed the sustainable development goals (SDGs), responding to a global call to end poverty, protect the environment and ensure that by 2030, everyone lives in peace and prosperity. Researchers have linked the sharing economy with SGDs, and extensive efforts have been exerted to quantify its impact.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to its evolving nature, especially in developing countries, there is a need for research to assess its promises and challenges from the SDG perspective. This research fills in this gap and contributes to the sharing economy studies by exploring its evolution within the framework of sustainable development goals, followed by an assessment of various methodologies for measuring the sharing economy and highlighting the significance of the web mining technique.

Findings

The proper implementation of this decentralized business model within a country is encouraging optimal resource use, lowering energy consumption and increasing long-term economic development. The sharing economy is a disruptive force that addresses the pillars of sustainability.

Originality/value

The research holds importance in addressing the achievement of the SDGs through the sharing economy, necessitating focus from policymakers and scholarly discourse on its merits. The transformative impact of the sharing economy poses questions about its encouragement or regulation, with the potential to disrupt established monopolies and possibly create new ones. Its successful implementation underscores the significance of effective data sharing and governance.
Unraveling the determinants of digital entrepreneurial intentions: do performance expectancy of artificial intelligence solutions matter?
Authors: Duong Cong Doanh , Le Trung Thanh , Dang Ngoc Su , Do Ngoc Diep , Vu Anh Trong
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Drawing on the Theory of Planned Behavior, this study aims to explore the role of individual digital competencies, encompassing information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, safety and security, and problem-solving, in shaping cognitive determinants and influencing digital entrepreneurial intentions as well as investigates the moderating effect of performance expectancy of AI solutions on the relationship between digital competencies, cognitive determinants, and digital entrepreneurial intention.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a sample of 1326 MBA students in Vietnam with a stratified sampling approach, the second-order PLS-SEM is used to test the formulated hypotheses rigorously.

Findings

The study reveals that individual digital competencies, sculpted by information and data literacy, communication and collaboration, safety and security, and problem-solving, significantly impact cognitive determinants (attitude towards digital entrepreneurship, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control), influencing digital entrepreneurial intentions. Performance expectancy of AI solutions also plays a crucial moderating role, enhancing the relationship between digital competencies and digital entrepreneurial intention.

Research limitations/implications

Some practical implications have been recommended for policymakers, educators, and entrepreneurs.

Originality/value

This research provides original empirical findings, validating the impact of a varied array of digital competencies on entrepreneurial mindsets/cognition and intentions. The introduction of performance expectancy of AI solutions as a moderator introduces a nuanced dimension to comprehending the interaction between technological skills and entrepreneurial intentions.
Interplay of paradoxical virtual leadership and psychological contract violation – impact on organizational citizenship behavior
Authors: Joshy Lishin M. , Mohandas Nimmi P. , Verma Govind Gopi
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The daunting task of managing knowledge workers virtually has not always yielded positive results. This empirical work discusses the impact of Virtual Leadership on Organizational Citizenship Behavior. The study investigated how Psychological Contract Violation moderates the relationship between Virtual Leadership and Organizational Citizenship Behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 392 IT engineers working in software companies in India. The cross-sectional data was analyzed using Warp-PLS software, IBM SPSS and IBM Amos.

Findings

The results support the proposition that virtual leadership is negatively associated with Organizational citizenship behavior, at sub-dimension levels except obedience. The moderating role of psychological contract violation is also established by the results.

Practical implications

Virtual leaders should demonstrate collaborative behaviors to generate organizational citizenship behavior among team members. Leaders should be imparted training to enable them to adapt themselves to virtual environment. This study highlights the paradoxical nature of virtual leadership and opens the possibilities for future research.

Originality/value

The study is one of the first to report a negative association between Virtual leadership and Organization citizenship behavior. There is uniqueness in the use of the “Contingency theory of leadership” to explain the difficulties faced while managing a virtual team.
Navigating the environmental impact of geopolitical risk and economic policy uncertainty: Evidence from load capacity curve hypothesis in BRICST economies
Authors: Khan Khatib Ahmad , Cong Phan The , Abbas Ali , Ahmad Paiman , Quynh Nguyen Ngoc , Nguyen Minh‐Quang , Anwar Ahsan
Published: July 2024

Global warming, climate disruptions, and environmental challenges are significant concerns in the present era, placing socioeconomic burdens on nations globally as humanity progresses at an unprecedented pace. In this framework, the load capacity factor (LCF) has evolved to demonstrate the environment‐damaging behavior of the population and nature's reaction to such damage. Thus, improving LCF by economies has become crucial for attaining the sustainable development goals (SDGs). In doing so, the current study scrutinizes the influence of geopolitical risk (GPR), economic policy uncertainty (EPU), economic growth (EG), renewable energy consumption (REC), natural resource rent (NRR), and financial development (FD) on LCF in BRICST economies during 1990–2020. We use the panel quantile regression (PQR) technique for empirical outcomes. The PQR technique can capture the heterogeneous role of explanatory factors. The empirical results of the PQR method validate the U‐shaped LCC hypothesis through the non‐linear evaluation of EG and LCF. Furthermore, results reveal that GPR, EPU, and FD adversely affect environmental quality. However, REC and NRR's supportive role in improving LCF is found. Keeping in view these empirical results, the study suggests an extensive policy framework for attaining the objectives of SDG 13 (climate change), SDG 08 (decent work and economic growth ), SDG 16 (peace for sustainable development), SDG 12 (responsible consumption and production), and SDG 07 (clean energy) in BRICST economies.
Australia's first cardiac emergency department: Patient profile, activity and performance in the initial 6 months
Authors: Cohen Adam C , Meek Robert , Hayden Georgina , Damianopoulos Adam , Goldie Neil , Lim Joel J Y , Duong Alex , Egerton‐Warburton Diana
Published: July 2024

Objective

To profile the initial 6‐month experience at the Victorian Heart Hospital (VHH) cardiac emergency (CE). The primary objective was to describe VHH CE patient characteristics, including presenting complaint, final diagnosis and disposition. Secondary objectives were to report on patient numbers, patient source and quality indicator performance including ambulance off‐load by 40 min, waiting time and length of stay (LOS).

Methods

A retrospective review included all patients who presented to the VHH CE from 9 March 2023 to 8 September 2023. Patient reports containing the relevant clinical information were generated from the CE electronic medical record system. Diagnoses of MI were checked for accuracy by full record review.

Results

There were 3303 CE presentations in the first 6 months of operation, of which 6% were transferred from other sites. Median age was 65 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 53–77), 56% were males; the most common presenting complaints were presumed cardiac chest pain (67%) and arrhythmia (17%). The admission, discharge and transfer rates were 38%, 54% and 8%, respectively. In total, 15% were diagnosed with MI. The most common diagnoses for discharged and admitted patients were non‐specific chest pain (57%) and ST‐elevation MI (22%), respectively. Ambulance off‐load by 40 min was met for 96%. Median waiting time was 6 min (IQR: 3–10). Median CE LOS for discharged and admitted patients was 3.2 h (IQR: 2.5–4.0) and 3.7 h (IQR: 1.8–6.0), with 75% and 56% being <4 h, respectively.

Conclusions

The population predominantly had cardiovascular disease as expected. Some performance indicators, including ED LOS, were identified as requiring intervention.
Shape variations of pelvis in different classes of dogs using geometric morphometry
Authors: Özkan Ermiş , Avanus Kozet , Manuta Nicoleta , Aydoğdu Sedat , Altundağ Yusuf
Published: July 2024

The ossa coxae are the bones that connect the hindlimbs to the axial skeleton. The right and left os coxae join at the median plane to form the pelvis. In this study, variations in pelvis shape and the asymmetric structure of the pelvis were investigated across different classes of dogs. To achieve this, computed tomography images of the pelvis were obtained from 35 dogs, and 3D modelling of the pelvis was created. Subsequently, 45 landmarks were identified on these models. As a result of the Principal Component Analysis, the shape variation was observed in the pelvic canal and crista iliaca. Directional asymmetry between Principal Component 1 and Principal Component 2 accounted for 33.84% of the total variation, while fluctuating asymmetry contributed 23.66%. Canonical variate analysis revealed that canonical variate (CV) 1 explained 56.56% of the total variation between groups, with CV 2 explained 28.98%. Male dogs exhibited greater pelvic variation than females. Procrustes ANOVA indicated that the greatest proportion of shape variation corresponds to the effect of differences among individuals. While directional asymmetry was statistically significant, fluctuating asymmetry was not. Male dogs displayed more pronounced pelvic shape asymmetry, typically towards the right. Gundogs had a narrower pelvic canal and a wide crista iliaca, whereas terriers had a wider pelvic canal and smaller crista iliaca in shape. Geometric morphometry enables statistical analysis and the derivation of average shapes from samples, making it a vital tool in veterinary anatomy. This study provides insights into pelvic geometric morphometry across different classes of dogs.
How are first‐generation students doing throughout their college years? An examination of academic success, retention, and completion rates
Authors: Weisen Shelby , Do Tai , Peczuh Marisa C. , Hufnagle Ashley S. , Maruyama Geoffrey
Published: July 2024

Previous research suggests that first‐generation (first‐gen) students may be at risk for lower academic performance, higher dropout rates, and lower graduation rates compared to their continuing‐generation (continuing‐gen) peers. The current study analyzes academic success (average yearly GPA) and retention/completion rates (cumulative dropouts and graduates) for four successive (2011–2014) entering first‐year cohorts at a large Midwestern Research 1 University. Across all cohorts, academic success varied by first‐gen status, with continuing‐gen students having significantly higher GPAs each year. A significantly greater percentage of first‐gen students dropped out each year. First‐gen status was also negatively related to graduation rates at 4, 5, and 6 years after college entry. Additional analyses disaggregated the data by seven colleges of admission with semi‐independent admissions policies. First‐gen status was more strongly related to academic success and retention for students in the following colleges: education, biological sciences, liberal arts, and science and engineering. Overall, findings suggest that first‐gen students are at higher risk of low performance and completion than their continuing‐gen peers. Institutions need to examine why and how they are contributing to less successful outcomes for first‐gen students, and if programming could lessen these group differences.

Public significance statement

The current study finds that first‐generation undergraduate students are at higher risk of low academic performance and dropout compared to their continuing‐generation peers. Differences were also seen by college of admission, with some colleges having larger gaps between these groups than others. Institutions need to examine why and how they are contributing to these outcomes for first‐generation students, and if programming could lessen these group differences.
The impact on obesity‐related quality of life and eating satisfaction in the early period after laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy
Authors: Uno Kohei , Sato Kazuhide , Watanabe Atsushi , Kudo Tomohiro , Fukushima Naoko , Takahashi Keita , Masuda Takahiro , Hara Keigo , Takeshita Kenji , Kurogochi Takanori , Yuda Masami , Fujisaki Muneharu , Yano Fumiaki , Eto Ken
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Obesity impairs patients' quality of life (QoL). Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a common procedure for patients with severe obesity; however, studies reporting changes in obesity‐related QoL are limited. The aim of this study was to assess changes in obesity‐related QoL and food tolerance in the early postoperative period.

Methods

We included 20 consecutive patients who underwent LSG between May 2021 and July 2023. We evaluated changes in obesity‐related QoL 6 months after surgery using an obesity and weight loss QoL questionnaire (OWLQOL) and a weight related symptom measure (WRSM). Additionally, we assessed eating satisfaction and food tolerance after surgery.

Results

The percentages of total weight loss and excess weight loss were 28.5% and 79.1%, respectively. OWLQOL scores and WRSM changed from 36.5 to 73.0 points and from 44.0 to 15.0 points (p = .007, .007), respectively. The food tolerance score decreased from 25 to 21.2 points (p < .001), while eating satisfaction showed no significant change (p = .25).

Conclusion

Obesity‐related QoL is enhanced even in the early postoperative period, without sacrificing eating satisfaction. The findings of this study may provide valuable insights for patients when considering LSG.
From leaves to whole plants: positive effects of shelter‐builders on arthropod communities are stronger in dry seasons
Authors: Pereira Cássio Cardoso , Fernandes G. Wilson , Cornelissen Tatiana
Published: July 2024

Leaf shelters function as microclimatic refuges, reducing arthropod exposure to climatic fluctuations of surrounding habitats. Although facilitation is expected to increase under stressful conditions, empirical studies investigating the patterns of variation and magnitude of effects of ecosystem engineering (EE) at different spatial and temporal scales are still scarce. In this study, we evaluated the facilitation consequences of leaf shelter created by gall‐inducers on arthropod communities of Miconia ligustroides (DC.) Naudin (Melastomataceae). We evaluated how such effects change at the leaf and plant levels in a habitat subject to strong climatic seasonality. The presence of leaf shelters on M. ligustroides increased arthropod diversity and biomass, modified the species composition at both the leaf and plant levels, during wet and dry seasons. However, the addition of artificial leaf shelters during the dry season showed greater abundance, richness, and biomass of arthropods when compared to shelters added during the wet season. Regarding the global effects of artificial leaf shelters on the diversity of arthropods associated with M. ligustroides, the dry season showed strong and positive effects, increasing the abundance, richness, and biomass of arthropods by an average of 65% for both years. Our study contributes to a better understanding of the patterns of variation and magnitude of EE at different spatial and temporal scales and provides new insights into the importance of shelters for aridity‐sensitive species.
Olfactory‐to‐visual facilitation in the infant brain declines gradually from 4 to 12 months
Authors: Rekow Diane , Baudouin Jean‐Yves , Kiseleva Anna , Rossion Bruno , Durand Karine , Schaal Benoist , Leleu Arnaud
Published: July 2024

During infancy, intersensory facilitation declines gradually as unisensory perception develops. However, this trade‐off was mainly investigated using audiovisual stimulations. Here, fifty 4‐ to 12‐month‐old infants (26 females, predominately White) were tested in 2017–2020 to determine whether the facilitating effect of their mother's body odor on neural face categorization, as previously observed at 4 months, decreases with age. In a baseline odor context, the results revealed a face‐selective electroencephalographic response that increases and changes qualitatively between 4 and 12 months, marking improved face categorization. At the same time, the benefit of adding maternal odor fades with age (R
2 = .31), indicating an inverse relation with the amplitude of the visual response, and generalizing to olfactory‐visual interactions previous evidence from the audiovisual domain.
Rubella virus seropositivity after infection or vaccination as a risk factor for multiple sclerosis
Authors: Ingvarsson Jens , Grut Viktor , Biström Martin , Berg Linn Persson , Stridh Pernilla , Huang Jesse , Hillert Jan , Alfredsson Lars , Kockum Ingrid , Olsson Tomas , Waterboer Tim , Nilsson Staffan , Sundström Peter
Published: July 2024

Background

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating disease affecting millions of people worldwide. Hereditary susceptibility and environmental factors contribute to disease risk. Infection with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) and human herpesvirus 6A (HHV‐6A) have previously been associated with MS risk. Other neurotropic viruses, such as rubella virus (RV), are possible candidates in MS aetiopathogenesis, but previous results are limited and conflicting.

Methods

In this nested case–control study of biobank samples in a Swedish cohort, we analysed the serological response towards RV before the clinical onset of MS with a bead‐based multiplex assay in subjects vaccinated and unvaccinated towards RV. The association between RV seropositivity and MS risk was analysed with conditional logistic regression.

Results

Seropositivity towards RV was associated with an increased risk of MS for unvaccinated subjects, even when adjusting for plausible confounders including EBV, HHV‐6A, cytomegalovirus and vitamin D (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 4.0, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.8–8.8). Cases also had stronger antibody reactivity towards rubella than controls, which was not seen for other neurotropic viruses such as herpes simplex or varicella zoster. Furthermore, we observed an association between RV seropositivity and MS in vaccinated subjects. However, this association was not significant when adjusting for the aforementioned confounders (AOR = 1.7, 95% CI 1.0–2.9).

Conclusions

To our knowledge, these are the first reported associations between early RV seropositivity and later MS development. This suggests a broadening of the virus hypothesis in MS aetiology, where molecular mimicry between rubella epitopes and human central nervous system molecules could be an attractive possible mechanism.
Complex temporal trends in biomass and abundance of Diptera communities driven by the impact of agricultural intensity
Authors: Powell Kathryn E. , Garrett Daniel , Roy David B. , Oliver Tom H. , Larrivée Maxim , Bélisle Marc
Published: July 2024

Insect biodiversity and abundance declines have been reported widely and are expected to alter ecosystem functions and processes. Land use change has been recognised as a major cause of such declines.

However, variation in local environmental drivers and the scale of available monitoring data have left large knowledge gaps in which taxa are declining, where declines are the greatest, and how these declines will impact ecosystems.

We used 11 years (2006–2016) of monitoring data on 40 farms distributed over ~10,000 km2 in southern Québec, Canada, to quantify the impact of agricultural intensity on temporal trends in abundance and biomass of Diptera (true flies).

There was a large difference in temporal trends between farms, which we found to be driven by agricultural landcover.

Contrary to expectation, increases in Diptera abundance over time were greater in areas with higher agricultural intensity, especially with an increase in cereal crops. In contrast, declines in biomass were steeper in areas of higher agricultural intensity, although only with greater maize and soy production rather than cereals such as wheat.

Variation in forest cover around farms had the least effect on trends.

We found steeper declines in biomass per total number of Diptera with increasing agricultural intensive cover, suggesting the presence of community turnover towards smaller bodied flies with lower individual biomass.

Our results imply that land use may not only alter abundance and species composition of insect species assemblages but also the distribution of key functional traits such as body size.