bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
How relatedness-supportive CSR enhances brand happiness: a relationship motivation theory perspective
Authors: Gilal Faheem Gul , Gilal Naeem Gul , Gilal Rukhsana Gul , Yang Zhiyong
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The goal of this paper is twofold: (1) to investigate how relatedness-supportive corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives influence brand happiness among retail bank customers through a mediating mechanism of customer participation in brand CSR movements; and (2) to analyze how relatedness-supportive CSR initiatives’ effect may be moderated by cause choice and customer-brand goal congruence.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 379 retail bank customers via a paper-and-pencil survey. The hypothesized moderated-mediation effects were tested using Hayes’ (2013) PROCESS (Model 3, Model 4 and Model 7).

Findings

Results show that relatedness-supportive CSR initiatives increase brand happiness among retail bank customers through increasing their participation in brand CSR movements. Furthermore, the use of customer determination in the choice of cause enhances the positive effect of relatedness-supportive CSR initiatives on customer participation in brand CSR movements. Similarly, when customers choose the cause and the customer-brand goal is congruent, the effect of relatedness-supportive CSR initiatives on brand happiness is stronger than when the customer-brand goal is incongruent and cause choice is not aligned.

Originality/value

This research is grounded on the relationship motivation theory (RMT), basic psychological needs theory and self-congruity theory to unpack the relationship between relatedness-supportive CSR programs on brand happiness. Integrating three research streams (i.e. CSR, brand management and retail banking), this study proposes customer participation in brand CSR movements as a novel mechanism and sheds light on how relatedness-supportive CSR interplays with cause choice/customer-brand goal congruence to affect brand happiness among retail bank customers in emerging markets.
Dealing with complexity – the contribution of problem structuring methods to management science
Authors: Kogetsidis Harry
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution that problem structuring methods – a branch of the decision support discipline of operational research – have made in helping managers deal with situations of high complexity. The paper reviews the limitations of traditional operational research and argues that problem structuring methods have expanded the entire discipline and significantly contributed to its holistic nature and problem-solving orientation.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper provides a critical discussion of the limitations of the traditional operational research approach and examines how the development and successful application of problem structuring methods have opened up a new paradigm of analysis in management science.

Findings

In theoretical terms, problem structuring methods have moved the discipline of operational research away from its positivistic epistemology and towards interpretivism and the acceptance of a subjective social reality. In practical terms, they offer managers a broad range of appropriate analytical tools which provide transparency and offer the opportunity to those affected by the problem situation to be actively involved in the entire modelling process within a facilitated environment.

Originality/value

The paper offers a critical discussion of the contribution that problem structuring methods have made while also identifying the challenges they face as they try to achieve higher levels of recognition and acceptance in management science.
A buzzword, a phase or the next chapter for the Internet? The status and possibilities of the metaverse for tourism
Authors: Wei Wei
Published: April 2023

Purpose

Growing recognition of the metaverse has implied its far-reaching impacts on the tourism and hospitality industry. This paper sets out to detail the status of metaverse-related research in tourism and hospitality, propose intriguing directions for future studies and highlight multiple areas that call for immediate attention from practitioners in navigating the metaverse phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

This viewpoint paper referenced the extant academic discussion on the metaverse, based on which timely suggestions for academia and practices are proposed.

Findings

This viewpoint paper presents an account of the metaverse and discusses the status of metaverse-related research in hospitality and tourism. It then proposes intriguing avenues for future research around the topics of marketing, reconceptualizing service quality, attitude and behaviors, electronic customer-to-customer interactions, transformative impacts on the society well-being and research methodology. Multiple areas that call for immediate attention from practitioners in navigating the metaverse phenomenon are also highlighted. Both scholars and industry organizations are called upon to assume some responsibility for mapping out protocols to guide the appropriate development, use and governance of metaverse worlds. Governments and policymakers are further encouraged to consider the ramifications of metaverse development for individuals and society and to devise proactive mitigation strategies.

Practical implications

This viewpoint paper proposes several directions for future business practices in the areas of co-creation, experiential consumption, and emerging critical issues in healthcare, human resources, and social media services. It expects to inspire more discussion about the potential impacts of metaverse on the wider society. Its practical significance will further expand the theoretical foundation of the metaverse research and makes this viewpoint paper an intriguing prospect.

Originality/value

The nascent stage of academic discussion intended to guide the development of metaverse is noteworthy, which forms a notable contrast with the growing recognition of its potential of co-creating transformational experiences in hospitality and tourism. This viewpoint paper joins the current academic conversations acknowledging this phenomenon in hospitality and tourism. Provided the notable topicality and empirical relevance, the expanded scope and rich content the present viewpoint paper provides for metaverse will offer a fruitful ground for future research to tap further into currently underrepresented areas.
Strategic horizon of market success: comparing alternative “strategic landscapes” of the new product development process
Authors: Sameti Ardalan
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The success rate of new products is stubbornly low. This paper aims to explore the differences in how product designers and product managers approach the new product development task by comparing their perspectives on the process.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a worldwide survey of professional product designers and managers and compared their perspectives.

Findings

Managers struggle to understand the problem to be solved until they see the solution in the form of an outstanding product design. Designers struggle to develop new products until they have a specific and insightful understanding of the problem that needs to be solved.

Practical implications

Designers’ and managers’ ways of thinking are different, and effective collaboration depends on them being cognizant of each other’s ways of thinking; the success of their work is highly interdependent.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first study that simultaneously investigates both product designers and managers to reveal the paradoxical dynamics between their perspectives.
Auditors’ legal liability and client firms’ comparability: evidence from China
Authors: Liu Yanghui , Chen Jeff Zeyun , Chi Wuchun , Long Xiaohai
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relation between audit firms’ switch to limited liability partnership (LLP) from limited liability company (LLC) and client firms’ earnings comparability. If LLP auditors, who have a higher liability exposure than LLC auditors, are more consistent in implementing generally accepted accounting principles and executing firm-wide audit methodologies, client firms’ earnings comparability will increase.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from China, the authors examine whether client firm-pairs of LLP auditors have higher earnings comparability than client firm-pairs of LLC auditors. The authors also perform cross-sectional tests to shed light on the mechanisms through which auditors’ litigation exposure affects client firms’ comparability.

Findings

The authors find that firm-pairs in which both firms are audited by LLP auditors exhibit higher earnings comparability than other firm-pairs. This result is stronger when client firms are audited by the same auditor, when client firms are audited by the top 10 auditors and when the auditors are less dependent on the client firms. The authors also document that firm-pairs in which both firms are audited by LLP auditors have lower average analyst earnings forecast error and forecast dispersion.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this study is the first to examine the relation between auditor’s litigation exposure and client firms’ earnings comparability. It also extends the literature on audit firm organizational form and audit quality.
Reflecting on intellectual capital measurement and management in European universities
Authors: Secundo Giustina , Lombardi Rosa , Dumay Johannes , Guthrie A.M. James
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to critically review intellectual capital (IC) accounting research and practices in European public universities, specifically in Spain, Austria and Italy. These three countries represent the majority of IC accounting research related to universities.

Design/methodology/approach

This study critically reviews a selection of university-based IC accounting research, applying Alvesson and Deetz’s (2000) critical perspectives of insight, critique and transformative redefinition.

Findings

The analysis reveals that European public universities follow the Humboldtian model of higher education, integrating a third mission to society into their traditional roles as teaching and research institutions. This study explored how the emergence of a third mission for the university was conceptualised. This study also provided insights, critique and a transformative redefinition to advance IC as a strategic resource in European public universities.

Originality/value

The findings provide academics and policymakers with insights, critique and a transformative redefinition of IC as a strategic resource for European public universities to meet future challenges in an ever-changing world.
Surviving the unprecedented: family firms under COVID-19
Authors: Bressan Alessandro , Duarte Alonso Abel , Vu Oanh Thi Kim , Borer Daniel
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine factors contributing to family firms’ survival in the ongoing COVID-19 crisis; in this endeavour, the study espouses the underpinnings of social exchange theory and entrepreneurial resilience.

Design/methodology/approach

The views of 128 Italian family micro and small-sized firm owners/managers operating in different industries were gathered through an online questionnaire.

Findings

The analysis uncovers 12 fundamental factors contributing to firms’ survival; these are encapsulated in three dimensions and presented in two theoretical frameworks. The “beneficiary” dimension stresses the support from various internal and external stakeholders, while the “benefactor” dimension illustrates the commitment to extend the family tradition and be responsive to stakeholders. Finally, the “immersion/embeddedness” dimension denotes firms’ entrepreneurial behaviour, agility, decision-making and drive.

Originality/value

Firstly, and from a practitioner perspective, this study addresses recognised knowledge and research gaps in contemporary family business research, including how family firms are confronting the current unprecedented crisis. This response to current extant gaps provides first-hand empirical findings that could be primarily considered by industry stakeholders. Secondly, and from a theoretical angle, the aforementioned dimensions revealed through the analysis, coupled with the development of a theoretical framework, contribute to conceptual rigour and, therefore, a deeper understanding of family firms’ journey through an unprecedented event.
Automatic air pollution monitoring and corporate environmental disclosure: a quasi-natural experiment from China
Authors: Chen Hanwen , Liu Siyi , Yang Daoguang , Zhang Di
Published: April 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the role of regional environmental transparency on corporate environmental disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the introduction of a nationwide automated air pollution monitoring network in China as a quasi-natural experiment and employs regression analysis. Robustness checks, including parallel trend test and placebo test, are performed to test the robustness of the results.

Findings

Sharing air pollution data with the public can improve corporate environmental disclosure. Firms with poorer environmental, social and governance (ESG) performance prefer to disclose less informative information after the automated network is implemented compared with firms with better ESG performance. The relationship between information sharing and corporate environmental transparency is more pronounced when local air pollution is severer, firms face stronger investor scrutiny and firms are from heavily polluting industries. The mechanism tests suggest the automated system can draw public environmental attention and improve governments’ aspiration for environmental governance. Finally, corporate environmental disclosure can reduce stock price crash risk and cost of equity.

Practical implications

Real-time pollution data reporting is an important solution to raising public environmental awareness and then enhancing the effectiveness of pollution control.

Social implications

This study has implications for policy-making regarding environmental governance and environmental disclosure.

Originality/value

This study confirms that pollution information transparency can motivate firms to increase environmental disclosure.
Why the new way of working requires a new era of employee benefits engagement
Authors: Hunter Andreas
Published: April 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to inform employers how to engage their employees with their benefits strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

The author draws on personal experience and observations from the field relating to employee engagement strategies as workers are increasingly working remotely.

Findings

Despite changes in the workplace wrought by the pandemic, the fundamental need to emotionally connect with the employee remains – but it requires to be done in a slightly different way.

Originality/value

The article offers readers valuable insight gleaned from extensive experience and client engagement.
Plant–soil feedbacks in a diverse grassland: Soil remembers, but not too much
Authors: Kuťáková Eliška , Mészárošová Lenka , Baldrian Petr , Münzbergová Zuzana , Herben Tomáš
Published: April 2023

Plant–soil feedbacks (PSFs) are one of the major drivers of species coexistence in highly dynamic and low‐diversity communities, such as early successional stands or agricultural systems. However, in stable and species‐rich communities, PSFs are much more complex because of numerous species interactions. In this study, we aimed to reveal if PSFs of a dominant species can be detected within a diverse plant community and to what extent they can be influenced by the effects of co‐occurring species.

We investigated PSFs between a dominant grass, Festuca rubra, and three other species from a species‐rich mountain grassland, taking advantage of the 18‐year field removal experiment. We tested whether such a long‐term presence/absence of Festuca can shape the feedback of the grassland community and whether these effects prevail in the lower soil layer, where Festuca roots are relatively more abundant, compared to the upper soil layer. We evaluated how experimentally induced soil legacies of Festuca in a pot experiment are modified by subsequently grown plants, both at the level of plant responses and changes in abiotic and biotic soil properties.

At the level of the entire community, the soil legacies of the dominant Festuca were not detectable. However, the responses of the plants differed between the soil samples from the upper and lower soil layer. The pot experiment showed that the soil legacies of subsequently growing plants interact, influencing soil properties as well as plant responses to these altered soils. Generally, we found a stronger signal of the most recent conditioning, although the effect of the first conditioning plant was still detectable in many of the measured variables. Plant biomass in the feedback phase was mainly linked to the levels of plant‐available soil nitrogen, although it was also affected by the composition of microbial communities.

Synthesis. We showed that plant‐induced soil legacies can be altered by legacies of co‐occurring species, complicating plant–soil feedbacks in diverse communities. Despite the detectable legacy effects on final plant biomass, in the short term, plant growth responds more strongly to the levels of available nutrients. We also highlight the vertical distribution of plant–soil feedbacks.
Editorial: Why are patients with Crohn's disease still treated with 5‐aminosalicylates?
Authors: Burisch Johan
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Atia et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17419
Letter: disentangling the role of redox‐active compounds in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases – moving towards causal associations
Authors: Geertsema Sem , van Goor Harry , Dijkstra Gerard , Faber Klaas Nico , Bourgonje Arno R.
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Chen et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17392 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17468
Letter: grouping traditional biomarkers that are within reach has great utility – further validation is needed
Authors: Lai Rongtao , Nguyen Mindie H.
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Hagstrom et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17374
Letter: disentangling the role of redox‐active compounds in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases—moving towards causal associations. Authors' reply
Authors: Chen Jie , Ruan Xixian , Yuan Shuai , Theodoratou Evropi , Satsangi Jack , Li Xue
Published: April 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Chen et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17392 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17455
Buspirone for early satiety and symptoms of gastroparesis: A multi‐centre, randomised, placebo‐controlled, double‐masked trial (BESST)
Authors: Parkman Henry P. , Yates Katherine P. , Sarosiek Irene , Bulat Robert S. , Abell Thomas L. , Koch Kenneth L. , Kuo Braden , Grover Madhusudan , Farrugia Gianrico , Silver Paul , Abdullah Amirah , Maurer Alan H. , Malik Zubair , Miriel Laura A. , Tonascia James , Hamilton Frank , Pasricha Pankaj J. , McCallum Richard W. ,   for the NIDDK Gastroparesis Clinical Research Consortium
Published: April 2023

Background

Patients with gastroparesis and related disorders have symptoms including early satiety, postprandial fullness and bloating. Buspirone, a 5‐HT1 receptor agonist, may improve fundic accommodation.

Aim

To determine if buspirone treatment improves early satiety and postprandial fullness in patients with symptoms of gastroparesis.

Methods

This 4‐week multi‐centre clinical trial randomised patients with symptoms of gastroparesis and moderate‐to‐severe symptoms of fullness (Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index [GCSI] early satiety/postprandial fullness subscore [ES/PPF]) to buspirone (10 mg orally) or placebo three times per day. The primary outcome was a change in the ES/PPF from baseline to 4 weeks. The primary analysis was per protocol intention‐to‐treat ANCOVA of between‐group baseline vs. 4‐week differences (DoD) in ES/PPF adjusted for baseline ES/PPF. Results are reported using both nominal and Bonferroni (BF) p values.

Results and conclusions

Ninety‐six patients (47 buspirone, 49 placeboes; 92% female, 50% delayed gastric emptying, 39% diabetic) were enrolled. There was no between‐groups difference in the 4‐week ES/PPF primary outcome: −1.16 ± 1.25 (SD) on buspirone vs −1.03 ± 1.29 (SD) on placebo (mean DoD: −0.11 [95% CI: −0.68, 0.45]; p = 0.69). Buspirone performed better than placebo in patients with severe‐to‐very severe bloating at baseline compared to patients with none to moderate: (ES/PPF DoD = −0.65 vs. 1.58, pTX*GROUP = 0.003; pBF = 0.07). Among individual GCSI symptoms, only bloating appeared to improve with buspirone vs. placebo.

Conclusions

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe early satiety/postprandial fullness and other symptoms of gastroparesis did not benefit from buspirone treatment to improve the ES/PPF primary outcome compared with placebo. There was a suggestion of the benefit of buspirone in patients with more severe bloating.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT0358714285.
Population‐attributable risk of modifiable lifestyle factors to hepatocellular carcinoma: The multi‐ethnic cohort
Authors: Zhou Kali , Lim Tiffany , Dodge Jennifer L. , Terrault Norah A. , Wilkens Lynne R. , Setiawan V. Wendy
Published: April 2023

Background and Aims

Lifestyle factors are well associated with risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the impact of reducing adverse lifestyle behaviours on population‐level burden of HCC is uncertain.

Methods

We conducted prospective analysis of the population‐based multi‐ethnic cohort (MEC) with linkage to cancer registries. The association of lifestyle factors (smoking, alcohol, diet quality assessed by alternate Mediterranean diet score, coffee drinking, physical activity and body mass index) with HCC incidence was examined using Cox regression. Population‐attributable risk (PAR, %) for the overall, lean and overweight/obese populations was determined.

Results

A total of 753 incident cases of HCC were identified in 181,346 participants over median follow‐up of 23.1 years. Lifestyle factors associated with elevated HCC risk included former/current smoking, heavy alcohol use, poor diet quality, lower coffee intake and obesity, but not physical activity. The lifestyle factor with highest PAR was lower coffee intake (21.3%; 95% CI: 8.9%–33.0%), followed by current smoking (15.1%; 11.1%–19.0%), obesity (14.5%; 9.2%–19.8%), heavy alcohol use (7.1%; 3.5%–10.6%) and lower diet quality (4.1%; 0.1%–8.1%). The combined PAR of all high‐risk lifestyle factors was 51.9% (95% CI: 30.1%–68.6%). A higher combined PAR was observed among lean (65.2%, 26.8%–85.7%) compared to overweight/obese (37.4%, 11.7%–58.3%) participants. Adjusting for viral hepatitis status in a linked MEC‐Medicare dataset resulted in similar PAR results.

Conclusions

Modifying lifestyle factors, particularly coffee intake, may have a substantial impact on HCC burden in diverse populations, with greater impact among lean adults. Diet and lifestyle counselling should be incorporated into HCC prevention strategies.
Turf wars: The livelihood and mobility frictions of motorbike taxi drivers on Hanoi's streets
Authors: Nguyen Binh N. , Turner Sarah
Published: April 2023

In Vietnam's capital city Hanoi, the growing popularity of application based (app‐based) motorbike taxis has offered many inhabitants new opportunities to pursue a mobile livelihood with ride‐hailing platforms. Nonetheless, as this influx of app‐based drivers has hit the city's streets, specific livelihood and mobility frictions have emerged, notably with informal, ‘traditional’ motorbike taxi drivers, orxe ôm. In this paper we analyse these evolving sites and moments of friction and their impacts on driver livelihoods and mobilities for both driver groups. We draw conceptually on debates regarding mobility, platform economies, and urban livelihoods, while specifically interrogating the concept of friction to highlight three possible analytical applications. Methodologically, we interpret static and ride‐along interviews completed with over 130 drivers. We highlight a range of tactics ‘traditional’ and app‐based motorbike taxi drivers have employed to respond to rising frictions, defend their ‘turf’, and maintain their street‐based livelihoods. Driver responses reveal differing access to distinctive forms of social capital and social networks, and contrasting levels of agency regarding their mobilities. By conceptually teasing apart the notion of friction, we wish to expand and deepen understandings of the experiences of vulnerability, precarity, and other impacts of platformisation for different motorbike taxi driver cohorts.
The Contextualized Emotion Regulation Survey for Adolescents (CERSA): How does emotion regulation vary according to context?
Authors: Fombouchet Yoann , Lannegrand Lyda , Lucenet Joanna
Published: April 2023

Recent models of emotion regulation (ER) highlight the need to construct tools that assess ER in different contexts. This paper describes the development and validation of the Contextualized Emotion Regulation Survey for Adolescents (CERSA). This questionnaire assesses ER strategies and abilities in three situations that elicit specific emotions (i.e. sadness, fear and anger). Data were collected from a sample of 840 adolescents who completed the CERSA (M
age = 14.75; SD
age = 1.61) and another of 314 adolescents who completed the CERSA, the CERQ and the SLWS (M
age = 13.63; SD
age = 0.85). Results confirmed the expected structure in all situations as well as construct and external validity. Furthermore, correlations between latent factors and gender differences in ER strategies and abilities were often situation dependant. Mean levels of ER strategies and abilities varied according to the situation. These results provide empirical support for ER flexibility and polyregulation in adolescence.
The impact of foreign direct investment on innovation at domestic firms: Evidence from the deregulation of foreign investment in China
Authors: Liu Yan , Wang Xuan
Published: April 2023

This paper studies the impact of foreign direct investment (FDI) on innovation by domestic firms in China. A difference‐in‐difference estimation strategy yields causal evidence by exploiting China's deregulation of FDI in 2002. Analysis of a matched firm–patent data set from 1998 to 2007 shows that both the quantity and quality of innovation by domestic firms benefited from the presence of FDI. Emphasizing the importance of knowledge spillover from FDI in similar technology domains, the authors examine the role of horizontal FDI and FDI in technologically close industries—those sharing similar technology domains. Findings show that the latter generates much more substantial positive spillover than the former. The paper also shows that knowledge spillover from FDI in similar technology domains is not driven by input–output linkages. In addition, the spillover effect is stronger in cities with higher human capital stock and firms with higher absorptive capacity.
Derivation of new pluripotent stem cells from human extended pluripotent stem cells with formative features and trophectoderm potential
Authors: Zhu Pinmou , Zhang Bohang , Sun Ruiqi , Wang Jiachen , Liu Zhaode , Liu Xiaorui , Yan Min , Cui Yiqiang , Sha Jiahao , Yuan Yan
Published: April 2023

Previous studies have demonstrated the existence of intermediate stem cells, which have been successfully obtained from human naive pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) and peri‐implantation embryos. However, it is not known whether human extended pluripotent stem cells (hEPSCs) can be directly induced into intermediate stem cells. Moreover, the ability of extra‐embryonic lineage differentiation in intermediate stem cells has not been verified. In this issue, we transformed hEPSCs into a kind of novel intermediate pluripotent stem cell resembling embryonic days 8–9 (E8‐E9) epiblasts and proved its feature of formative epiblasts. We engineered hEPSCs from primed hPSCs under N2B27‐LCDM (N2B27 plus Lif, CHIR, DiH and MiH) conditions. Then, we added Activin A, FGF and XAV939 to modulate signalling pathways related to early humans' embryogenesis. We performed RNA‐seq and CUT&Tag analysis to compare with AF9‐hPSCs from different pluripotency stages of hPSCs. Trophectoderm (TE), primordial germ cells‐like cells (PGCLC) and endoderm, mesoderm, and neural ectoderm induction were conducted by specific small molecules and proteins. AF9‐hPSCs transcription resembled that of E8‐E9 peri‐implantation epiblasts. Signalling pathway responsiveness and histone methylation further revealed their formative pluripotency. Additionally, AF9‐hPSCs responded directly to primordial germ cells (PGCs) specification and three germ layer differentiation signals in vitro. Moreover, AF9‐hPSCs could differentiate into the TE lineage. Therefore, AF9‐hPSCs represented an E8‐E9 formative pluripotency state between naïve and primed pluripotency, opening new avenues for studying human pluripotency development during embryogenesis.
Time requirements for perioperative glucose management using fully closed‐loop versus standard insulin therapy: A proof‐of‐concept time–motion study
Authors: Roos Jonathan , Schürch Daniel , Frei Andreas , Lagger Sophie , Schwenkglenks Matthias , Vogt Andreas , Herzig David , Bally Lia
Published: April 2023

Aims

To compare the time required for perioperative glucose management using fully automated closed‐loop versus standard insulin therapy.

Methods

We performed a time–motion study to quantify the time requirements for perioperative glucose management with fully closed‐loop (FCL) and standard insulin therapy applied to theoretical scenarios. Following an analysis of workflows in different periods of perioperative care in elective surgery patients receiving FCL or standard insulin therapy upon hospital admission (pre‐ and intra‐operatively, at the intermediate care unit and general wards), the time of process‐specific tasks was measured by shadowing hospital staff. Each task was measured 20 times and its average duration in combination with its frequency according to guidelines was used to calculate the cumulative staff time required for blood glucose management. Cumulative time was calculated for theoretical scenarios consisting of elective minor and major abdominal surgeries (pancreatic surgery and sleeve gastrectomy, respectively) to account for the different care settings and lengths of stay.

Results

The FCL insulin therapy reduced the time required for perioperative glucose management compared to standard insulin therapy, across all assessed care periods and for both perioperative pathways (range 2.1–4.5). For a major abdominal surgery, total time required was 248.5 min using FCL versus 753.9 min using standard insulin therapy. For a minor abdominal surgery, total time required was 68.6 min and 133.2 min for FCL and standard insulin therapy, respectively.

Conclusions

The use of fully automated closed‐loop insulin delivery for inpatient glucose management has the potential to alleviate the workload of diabetes management in an environment with adequately trained staff.
‘Is Insulin Right for Me?’: Web‐based intervention to reduce psychological barriers to insulin therapy among adults with non‐insulin‐treated type 2 diabetes—A randomised controlled trial
Authors: Holmes‐Truscott Elizabeth , Holloway Edith E. , Lam Benjamin , Baptista Shaira , Furler John , Hagger Virginia , Skinner Timothy , Speight Jane
Published: April 2023

Aims

To test ‘Is Insulin Right for Me?’, a theory‐informed, self‐directed, web‐based intervention designed to reduce psychological barriers to insulin therapy among adults with type 2 diabetes. Further, to examine resource engagement and associations between minimum engagement and outcomes.

Methods

Double‐blind, two‐arm randomised controlled trial (1:1), comparing the intervention with freely available online information (control). Eligible participants were Australian adults with type 2 diabetes, taking oral diabetes medications, recruited primarily via national diabetes registry. Exclusion criteria: prior use of injectable medicines; being ‘very willing’ to commence insulin. Data collections were completed online at baseline, 2‐week and 6‐month follow‐up. Primary outcome: negative insulin treatment appraisal scale (ITAS) scores; secondary outcomes: positive ITAS scores and hypothetical willingness to start insulin. Analyses: intention‐to‐treat (ITT); per‐protocol (PP) examination of outcomes by engagement. Trial registration: ACTRN12621000191897.

Results

No significant ITT between‐arm (intervention: n = 233; control: n = 243) differences were observed in primary (2 weeks: Mdiff [95% CI]: −1.0 [−2.9 to 0.9]; 6 months: −0.01 [−1.9 to 1.9]), or secondary outcomes at either follow‐up. There was evidence of lower Negative ITAS scores at 2‐week, but not 6‐month, follow‐up among those with minimum intervention engagement (achieved by 44%) compared to no engagement (−2.7 [−5.1 to −0.3]).

Conclusions

Compared to existing information, ‘Is insulin right for me?’ did not improve outcomes at either timepoint. Small intervention engagement effects suggest it has potential. Further research is warranted to examine whether effectiveness would be greater in a clinical setting, following timely referral among those for whom insulin is clinically indicated.
Use of insulin pumps and closed‐loop systems among people living with diabetes: A narrative review of clinical and cost‐effectiveness to enable access to technology and meet the needs of payers
Authors: Jendle Johan , Reznik Yves
Published: April 2023

The use of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) via insulin pumps is today considered standard of care for type 1 diabetes (T1D). Closed‐loop systems combining continuous glucose monitoring with automated algorithm‐driven insulin delivery have been shown to be safe and efficacious in randomized controlled trials and real‐life studies in both paediatric and adult participants with T1D. Implementation of hybrid closed‐loop (HCL) systems has shown incremental effectiveness, with further reduction of hypoglycaemia and hyperglycaemia. Although less extensively studied in type 2 diabetes (T2D), insulin pumps have demonstrated their effectiveness in glucose control, along with a reduction in need for insulin and a neutral effect on weight. Recent studies have also shown promising results with the use of HCL systems in T2D. Cost‐effectiveness studies in both T1D and T2D have shown that pump use is cost‐effective in several countries, leading to improvements in quality‐adjusted life‐years. Insulin pumps are currently reimbursed for T1D in many European countries, but in only a few for individuals with T2D. HCL systems are to be evaluated in future trials performed in T2D to compare their incremental efficacy and cost‐effectiveness in comparison with available intensification tools which include multiple daily insulin injections, metformin, sodium‐glucose cotransporter‐2 inhibitors and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists. There is a need for updated guidelines for the use of CSII and HCL in individuals living with T2D based on the emerging evidence, with identification of and recommendations for the people who would benefit the most, which would eventually form a basis for reimbursement and health policies.
Old Man Saltbush mortality following fire challenges the resilience of post‐mine rehabilitation in central Queensland, Australia
Authors: McKenna Phillip B. , Ufer Natasha , Glenn Vanessa , Doley David , Phinn Stuart , Erskine Peter D.
Published: April 2023

Landscape rehabilitation following mining is required to be resilient to disturbance impacts such as fire, drought and disease. As mining companies undergo the process of rehabilitation certification and mine closure, there are notable knowledge gaps on the ecological risks associated with mature rehabilitated landscapes, based largely on the assumption that rehabilitation is analogous to reference communities. However, the response to fire disturbance across a range of landscapes remains largely untested and in particular there is limited understanding of recovery traits of plant species that occur naturally or are commonly seeded into rehabilitation. In August 2018, a controlled fire was applied to 37 hectares of 12‐year‐old coal‐mine rehabilitation in central Queensland, Australia. We used a combination of (i) ground plot surveys and (ii) drone imagery to compare the vegetation response of burnt woody species to unburnt controls prior to, and for, two years following the fire. The survival of the most dominant shrub species found on the rehabilitation site was significantly impacted by the fire. Old Man Saltbush (Atriplex nummularia Lindl. subsp. nummularia) recorded significant post‐fire mortality, with ground surveys recording an average reduction of 89% of stems per hectare across the burnt site, while unburnt controls remained unchanged. The plot data analysis was supported with high spatial and temporal resolution drone imagery, classified using a Random Forest machine‐learning approach. Change analysis of these maps showed a significant decline of 82% in Old Man Saltbush plant density and 92% reduction in foliage cover following the fire. In addition, the mean canopy area of individual Old Man Saltbush shrubs reduced significantly from a pre‐fire mean of 11.3 to 4.8 m2 two years following the fire. A spatial proximity analysis showed that those individuals that survived the fire were located significantly closer to unburnt areas and bare spoil, indicating that discontinuous ground fuel loads can greatly improve the survivability of individuals. This study provides new evidence on the contested fire sensitivity of Old Man Salt bush and demonstrates the risk that future climate‐driven extreme events may have on the resilience of novel ecosystems.
Seizure‐free days as a novel outcome in patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome: Post hoc analysis of patients receiving cannabidiol in two randomized controlled trials
Authors: Auvin Stéphane , Nortvedt Charlotte , Fuller Douglas S. , Sahebkar Farhad
Published: April 2023

Objective

In this post hoc analysis, we aimed to assess seizure‐free days as a potential new outcome measure to use in randomized placebo‐controlled trials (RCTs) of patients with Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS).

Methods

In two phase 3 RCTs (GWPCARE3, GWPCARE4), eligible patients were randomized to receive plant‐derived highly purified cannabidiol (CBD; Epidiolex® in the USA; 100 mg/mL oral solution) at 10 mg/kg/day (CBD10; GWPCARE3 only), at 20 mg/kg/day (CBD20), or matched placebo. The treatment period comprised a 2‐week dose titration and a 12‐week maintenance period. This post hoc analysis evaluated the least‐squares (LS) mean changes from baseline and difference versus placebo in the number of drop or total seizure‐free days per 28 days during the treatment period or maintenance period alone. LS mean changes were estimated using an analysis of covariance model, with categorical age and baseline number of drop or total seizure‐free days as covariates, and treatment group as a fixed factor.

Results

A total of 396 patients were included in this post hoc analysis. During the 14‐week treatment period, LS mean changes from baseline in number of drop seizure‐free days per 28 days for patients receiving placebo (n = 161), CBD10 (n = 73), and CBD20 (n = 162) were 2.81 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.75–3.88), 5.64 (95% CI = 4.08–7.20), and 6.45 (95% CI = 5.39–7.52), respectively. The LS mean differences in number of drop seizure‐free days versus placebo were 2.83 (95% CI = .98–4.68) for CBD10 and 3.64 (95% CI = 2.18–5.10) for CBD20. For total seizure‐free days, LS mean differences versus placebo were 2.63 (95% CI = .92–4.34) for CBD10 and 3.50 (95% CI = 2.16–4.85) for CBD20. The improvements from baseline in seizure‐free days during the maintenance period alone were similar to the entire treatment period.

Significance

Drop and total seizure‐free days represent potential new and clinically meaningful endpoints for future RCTs in patients with LGS.
A multimodal, comprehensive characterization of a cutaneous wound model in healthy volunteers
Authors: ten Voorde Wouter , Saghari Mahdi , Boltjes Jiry , de Kam Marieke L. , Zhuparris Ahnjili , Feiss Gary , Buters Thomas P. , Prens Errol P. , Damman Jeffrey , Niemeyer‐van der Kolk Tessa , Moerland Matthijs , Burggraaf Jacobus , van Doorn Martijn B. A. , Rissmann Robert
Published: April 2023

Development of pharmacological interventions for wound treatment is challenging due to both poorly understood wound healing mechanisms and heterogeneous patient populations. A standardized and well‐characterized wound healing model in healthy volunteers is needed to aid in‐depth pharmacodynamic and efficacy assessments of novel compounds. The current study aims to objectively and comprehensively characterize skin punch biopsy‐induced wounds in healthy volunteers with an integrated, multimodal test battery. Eighteen (18) healthy male and female volunteers received three biopsies on the lower back, which were left to heal without intervention. The wound healing process was characterized using a battery of multimodal, non‐invasive methods as well as histology and qPCR analysis in re‐excised skin punch biopsies. Biophysical and clinical imaging read‐outs returned to baseline values in 28 days. Optical coherence tomography detected cutaneous differences throughout the wound healing progression. qPCR analysis showed involvement of proteins, quantified as mRNA fold increase, in one or more healing phases. All modalities used in the study were able to detect differences over time. Using multidimensional data visualization, we were able to create a distinction between wound healing phases. Clinical and histopathological scoring were concordant with non‐invasive imaging read‐outs. This well‐characterized wound healing model in healthy volunteers will be a valuable tool for the standardized testing of novel wound healing treatments.
Phototesting in erythropoietic protoporphyria trials: A systematic review
Authors: Heerfordt Ida M. , Philipsen Peter A. , Lerche Catharina M. , Wulf Hans Christian
Published: April 2023

Severe skin pain when exposed to long wave ultraviolet radiation or visible light is the main symptom of erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP). Treatment options for EPP are inadequate and new treatments are needed but hampered by the lack of valid efficacy outcomes. Phototesting with well‐defined illumination of the skin can be performed reliably. We aimed to provide an overview of phototest procedures used to evaluate EPP treatments. Systematic searches of Embase, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Library were performed. Searches identified 11 studies using photosensitivity as efficacy outcome. The studies used eight different phototest protocols. Illuminations were performed with a filtered high‐pressure mercury arc, or a xenon arc lamp equipped with monochromator or filters. Some used broadband, others narrowband illumination. In all protocols phototests were performed on the hands or the back. Endpoints were minimal dose required to induce either first symptom of discomfort, erythema, urticaria or intolerable pain. Other endpoints were change in erythema intensity or diameter of any type of flare after exposure compared to before. In conclusion, protocols displayed extensive variability in illumination set‐up and evaluation of phototest reactions. Implementation of a standardized phototest method will allow more consistent and reliable outcome evaluation in future therapeutic research of protoporphyric photosensitivity.
Positive and negative family communication and mental distress: Married service members during a non‐combat deployment
Authors: Sullivan Kathrine , Park Yangjin , Kale Caroline N. , Adler Amy , Sipos Maurice L. , Riviere Lyndon A.
Published: April 2023

This study examines whether married service member perceptions of positive or negative communication moderate the relationship between how frequently they communicate home during a deployment and their mental distress. Participants included 382 married service members who completed surveys regarding their marital relationships, communication, and mental health while on a non‐combat deployment. Though marital satisfaction was not significantly associated with service member reports of their mental distress, perceptions of negative (β = 4.32, SE = 0.59, p < 0.001) and positive communication (β = −1.32, SE = 0.57, p < 0.05) were. Further, significant interactions between frequency of communication and the perception of negative (β = 0.54, SE = 0.13, p < 0.001) and positive (β = 0.17, SE = 0.07, p < 0.01) communication suggest positive communication may be protective for service members while frequent, negative communication can exacerbate distress. Findings highlight the importance of engaging families in planning and skill building to support healthy communication across the deployment cycle.
Intersectional power struggles in feminist movements: An analysis of resistance and counter‐resistance to intersectionality
Authors: Muñoz‐Puig Marina
Published: April 2023

This article develops an analytical framework to study the power struggles between majoritized women and minoritized women within feminist movements in relation to the adoption of intersectional practices. It employs a multi‐sided concept of power that takes domination and both individual and collective empowerment into consideration. The analytical framework encompasses the informal norms that foster resistance to intersectional practices by majoritized women, as well as the strategies and actions undertaken by minoritized women in order to challenge their subordination. The empirical analysis illustrates the mechanisms that create positions of marginalization among women, it stresses the role of the emotional dimension in transforming feminist practices, and it shows the importance of the intersectional wound. Moreover, in focusing on the processes that create difference, it avoids essentializing minoritized women. Building on interviews with activists from the Catalan feminist movement, the examination of intra‐movement power struggles considers multiple axes of inequality, including race, gender identity, sexuality, and ability.