bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring users' fluidity and adaptation in virtual worlds: metaverse features and interaction of awe and realism
Authors: Arghashi Vahideh
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Metaverse technology has attracted much attention in many contexts, including industry, education, marketing and business. Some recent studies have focused on qualitative studies based on the actual definition of the metaverse. However, practical research related to metaverse platforms remains in its infancy. This study provides actionable insights into the determinants of metaverse adoption by using perceived fluidity.

Design/methodology/approach

A two-stage structural equation modeling (SEM) approach and Hayes’ Macro approach are used to examine the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

Results show that technology features (e.g. real-time rendering, interactivity and immersion) increase users’ perceived fluidity, which in turn leads to positive intentions to use the metaverse. A high level of perceived realism is not an advantage for metaverse technology and plays a negative moderating role in this mechanism. The interaction of awe with technological features can enhance the negative moderating effects of realism.

Originality/value

This study pioneers the examination of perceived fluidity as a key determinant of metaverse adoption, offering a novel perspective beyond traditional factors. It uniquely identifies the paradoxical role of perceived realism, demonstrating its potential negative impact on user experience. In addition, the research highlights the reinforcing effect of awe on this relationship.
Guest editorial: Women and Gulf Cities. The transformative impact of women influencing the architectural and urban developments of the gulf region
Authors: Ottmann Daniela A. , Grichting Solder Anna , Hempel Adina
Published: October 2024

Purpose

With this special edition, “Women and Gulf Cities”, we collect scholarly contributions to the ongoing discourse on the impact of women on architectural and urban developments in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).

Design/methodology/approach

The discussions offered in this issue highlight the various implications, ranging from gender-inclusive urban planning, educational and professional development, sustainability and heritage to global frameworks of innovative and practical solutions for achieving inclusive and integrated urban practices that promote the full and equal participation of women in architecture and city-making.

Findings

The increasing involvement of women in these sectors play a pivotal part in their development and success. It can also be recognised as essential for promoting individual and family well-being, fostering social cohesion and driving economic development. Women play essential roles in sustainable solutions, evolving green economy and sustainable development. Moreover, collaborations initiated by women in the Arab region are instrumental in advancing sustainable development to pave the way towards a sustainable future.

Originality/value

This special edition offers a comprehensive exploration of various facets, ranging from gender-sensitive urban design (GSUD) to the educational and professional development of women in architecture and design, particularly in the Gulf region. The originality of this research lies in its focus on the multifaceted and integral role of women in shaping the architectural and urban landscape of the Gulf region, providing valuable insights into the challenges and opportunities for GSUD and the potential for creating more inclusive, equitable and sustainable built environments in the Gulf.
Is there innovation management of emotions or just the commodification of happiness? A sentiment analysis of happiness apps
Authors: Mojica Manuel , Palos-Sanchez Pedro R. , Cabanas Edgar
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The aim of this research is to gain insight into the emotional impact and cognitive evaluations that these applications have on users from their own perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Sentiment analysis methodology is used to analyze users’ comments and ratings, assess perceived benefits and determine the emotional impact these applications have on them.

Findings

The results suggest a benefit for happiness scholars, professionals, users and organizations focused on employee well-being and provide valuable insights into the evolving landscape of happiness applications. While the study relies on publicly available user data, it complements, but does not replace, market research or product evaluation conducted by app developers and companies.

Originality/value

Among the myriad channels disseminating the assumption that the good life is attainable through personal means and psychological know-how, smartphone applications have emerged as accessible, cost-effective and attractive tools to help users become happier and alleviate feelings of distress and discomfort.
An assessment of whether educated non-researcher audiences understand how to reuse research data
Authors: Wu Yejun , Bai Rujiang , Wang Fang
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to assess whether educated non-researcher audiences understand how to reuse research data stored in a data repository.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 44 participants in two user studies were asked to study a data set accessed from re3data.org. The participants were non-researcher audiences of the disciplines of the selected data sets. They were asked to figure out whether they understood how to reuse a data set after reading all the metadata or contextual information about the data set.

Findings

Most participants reported that they figured out how to reuse the data, although their self-reports can be an overestimated assessment. However, the participants understand how to reuse a data set either numerically or statistically significantly worse than what the data set is, how it was collected or created and its purpose. Data set type tends to play a role in understanding how to reuse data sets and the purpose of data sets. Participants reported that unless a data set is self-explanatory, instructions on data set reuse and the purpose of data set were necessary for understanding how to reuse data set. However, because data reuse requires domain knowledge and data processing skills, some non-researcher audiences who lack domain knowledge and data processing skills may not understand how to reuse the data set in any way.

Research limitations/implications

This study’s findings enrich the theoretical framework of data sharing and reuse by expanding the necessary information to be included in data documentation to support non-researchers’ data reuse. The findings of the study complement previous literature.

Practical implications

This study extended previous literature by suggesting detailed data reuse instructions be included in data documentation if data producers and data curators wish to support educated non-researchers’ data reuse. This study’s findings enable policymakers of research data management (RDM) to formulate guidelines for supporting non-researchers’ data reuse. If data curators need to work with data producers to prepare the instructions on data reuse for non-researcher audiences, they probably need computing and data processing skills. This has implications for Library and Information Science schools to educate data librarians.

Originality/value

The research question is original because non-researcher audiences in the context of RDM have not been studied before. This study extended previous literature by suggesting detailed data reuse instructions be included in data documentation if data curators and data producers and data curators wish to support educated non-researchers’ data reuse. This study’s findings enable policymakers of RDM to formulate guidelines for supporting non-researchers’ data reuse.
Collaborative interviewing of eyewitnesses: a field study
Authors: van Rosmalen Eva A.J. , Vredeveldt Annelies
Published: October 2024

Purpose

When eyewitnesses talk to each other after witnessing a crime, they can contaminate each other’s memory. However, laboratory research shows that collaborative interviewing can also result in correction of mistakes and retrieval of more new information. The aim of this study is to examine whether these laboratory findings would generalise to real police interviews in The Netherlands. Because little is known about which interviewing techniques Dutch police detectives use, the secondary aim was to examine how Dutch detectives approach individual and collaborative eyewitness interviews.

Design/methodology/approach

In a field study, witnesses of serious incidents (e.g. police shooting) were interviewed individually and then collaboratively by real investigators, resulting in 15 interviews of 1–2 h each from five witness pairs (5,534 details in total). Transcripts were coded for detail type, forensic relevance, verifiability, retrieval strategies and interviewing techniques. Results were described using both quantitative descriptive data and a qualitative analysis of interview excerpts.

Findings

On average, collaborative interviews resulted in 131 new details, over half of which were considered highly relevant to the police investigation. Interview excerpts demonstrated how content-focused retrieval strategies (acknowledgements, repetitions, restatements, elaborations) can elicit new and highly relevant details. Interviewers mostly asked clarifying questions and equal numbers of open, closed and yes/no questions, but rarely allowed for uninterrupted free recall. Interviewers asked a higher proportion of open questions during collaborative interviews than during individual interviews.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations included the small sample size and lack of a control condition.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to investigate the effectiveness and feasibility of the Collaborative Eyewitness Interview in real-world settings.
Determining intention to visit halal destinations from the perspective of the push-pull-mooring framework
Authors: Maminirina Fenitra Rakotoarisoa , Hati Sri Rahayu Hijrah , Khan Ghazala , Setyowardhani Hapsari , Daryanti Sri , Ramayah Thurasamy
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The rapid growth of halal tourism over the past decade has made it a lucrative market, with destinations competing for Muslim travellers. This study examines the factors influencing tourists' intention to visit halal tourism destinations in Indonesia, using the push-pull-mooring (PPM) model to understand this phenomenon.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. A total of 328 usable responses were used to analyse the data. The proposed conceptual framework was tested using covariant-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM).

Findings

Results indicate that push, pull and mooring motives positively influence visit intention towards halal tourism destinations. Among these motives, novelty seeking, escapism, halal-friendly destination performance, halal attributes of the destination, religiosity and subjective norms were the most critical factors that improved visit intention. Furthermore, the moderating role of mooring factors was also established.

Practical implications

The study makes several strategic suggestions for promoting halal tourism destinations. These include highlighting the destination’s halal index factor to attract Muslim tourists and develop the industry market.

Originality/value

Research in halal tourism is still emerging, and this study aims to enhance our understanding of Muslim travellers. Using the PPM framework, it provides valuable insights into Muslim tourists' intentions to visit halal destinations.
Collusion or supervision? Between auditor and audit firm – tax planning’s perspective
Authors: Hung Wen-Jye , Shu Pei-Gi , Ruan Yi-Yin , Wang Yamin
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of auditor industry specialization (AIS) on clients’ tax planning at the audit firm level and individual auditor level, respectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The study’s sample consists of 44,637 firm-year observations of Chinese firms listed on the Shenzhen and Shanghai Stock Exchanges during the period from 2002–2020. The data are collected from the Taiwan Economic Journal. Panel regression is used to test hypotheses. Additionally, a two-stage least squares model is used to address concerns about possible endogeneity.

Findings

The relationship between tax planning and AIS is significantly positive at the audit firm level, while it is significantly negative at the individual auditor level.

Originality/value

The authors use manually collected data to investigate the distinct impacts of two AIS metrics on tax planning: the number of clients and the scale of clients.
Students’ perceptions of an artificially intelligent chatbot as a support tool to develop their research skills
Authors: Alshwiah Abeer
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This research aims to evaluate students’ perception of using a chatbot to develop their understanding of the various parts of a research article, and their ability to apply what they have learned to write a new research plan.

Design/methodology/approach

This research is qualitative in approach. The sample contained 10 students on a research skills course as part of the master of educational technologies program. The research instruments consisted of (1) semi-structured interviews to gather the students’ perceptions of the effectiveness of using a chatbot, and (2) observation notes to triangulate the interview results, relating to the students’ application of what they had learned from the teacher and ChatGPT, in new contexts.

Findings

This study found that the use of ChatGPT contributed to developing students’ knowledge of writing a research plan. The students were satisfied with their personalized learning experience, and believed that ChatGPT had improved their autonomy, competence and relatedness. These three variables had played a role in developing their application skill. However, there were concerns about using ChatGPT in learning, like limiting the students’ creativity, human interaction and critical thinking skills. There were also concerns over accuracy, ethics and plagiarism.

Originality/value

The originality of this study lies in its examination of how ChatGPT can help satisfy students' need for autonomy (having more knowledge to communicate with the app and control their choices), competence (feeling more capable of using artificial intelligence [AI] and possessing the necessary knowledge and skills to succeed) and relatedness (being less disappointed when failing to obtain satisfactory responses from the AI application), while improving their skills in application. According to self-determination theory (SDT), these factors affect students’ skills in applying what they have learned to new tasks. Therefore, this study extends the examination of SDT and its effect to include application skill, using qualitative methods to study the relationships between variables in depth.
Business process management and digital transition. The case study of an Italian Public University
Authors: Ammirato Salvatore , Cutrì Laura , Felicetti Alberto Michele , Di Maio Fabrizio
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to highlight how the digitalization of a public university through a structured Business Process Management (BPM) approach allows for a significant performance improvement, even in a bureaucratized context not inclined to process thinking.

Design/methodology/approach

The used research methodology centers on a single case study conducted at an Italian public university. The selected process has been examined and redesigned within the BPM lifecycle framework. The AS-IS and TO-BE state, i.e. before and after the organizational change, have been modeled according to BPMN2.0 notation and evaluated through quantitative and qualitative techniques.

Findings

The authors first carried out a literature review to identify pertinent performance indicators suitable for assessing a BPM project within a public organization. Secondarily, applying the BPM framework to the case study enabled significant improvements in the quality of the process. Third, the authors analyzed the impact on people and the organization and how to soothe the transition to a digitalized process.

Originality/value

The study’s findings can contribute to the existing body of knowledge on BPM as a digitalization approach in the public sector. The case study is the first of its kind in the higher education context. Its value also resides in highlighting the efficacy of using BPM as a guiding tool for making organizational and technical decisions during the implementation phase within the specific context of this paper.
Predicting low-velocity impact on the CNTs-reinforced plate using machine learning models
Authors: Ranjbar-Roeintan Mehdi , Ahmadian Sajad , Soleymani Ali
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The study aims to predict a low-velocity impact on a plate reinforced with carbon nanotubes (CNTs) using machine learning models.

Design/methodology/approach

The first-order shear deformation plate theory (FSDT) is used to express the plate displacements filed. The Hertz nonlinear contact law is used to predict the contact between impactor and plate. Using the energy method and Hamilton’s principle, the motion equations are extracted. The six main parameters considered as inputs to machine learning models are CNTs percentage, impactor radius, plate thickness, plate length and width, CNTs distribution profile and impactor initial velocity. These input parameters are used to predict two impact targets including contact force and contact time.

Findings

As the values of the targets are continuous, the machine learning task is considered a regression problem. Therefore, this study uses different regression models to predict the targets. These regression models include linear regression, stochastic gradient descent regressor, Bayesian regression, partial least squares regression, Gaussian process regression, multilayer perceptron regressor, support vector regression and decision tree regression. To validate the effectiveness of the regression models, experiments are designed based on different evaluation metrics. The results of the experiments demonstrate that the machine learning models achieve promising performance in predicting the contact force and contact time based on the input parameters.

Originality/value

Due to the volume of high numerical calculations of impact mechanics to reach the response, the targets of the impact problem are predicted using a variety of machine learning methods.
Urban bird commensals maintain coexistence under extreme food shortages
Authors: Soh Malcolm C. K. , Goh Marcus W. X. , Ng Breyl X. K. , Han Hui Zhen , Khoo Max D. Y. , Leong Duncan Y. W. , Lee Benjamin P. Y.‐H. , Loo Adrian H. B. , Er Kenneth B. H.
Published: October 2024

In developed cities, bird communities are typically comprised of a few dominant invasive species that can cause considerable social and economic costs. While various studies advocate restricting anthropogenic food as a suitable management approach, a significant knowledge gap persists regarding how these species interact and respond to such an intervention. Here, we evaluate whether limiting a shared food resource may affect their abundances similarly and assess whether such limitations influence their niche dynamics.

In Singapore, open food centres for people, colloquially known as hawker centres, serve as key food sources for three highly adapted urban birds: feral pigeons, Javan mynas and house crows. We counted these three species across 63 hawker centres and analysed their niche dynamics across different phases—before, during COVID‐19 social restrictions when dining‐in was prohibited, and during an enforcement phase mandating the return of crockery. We modelled their counts, diet niche widths and niche overlaps, considering predictors which include the sampling phases, food availability, structural characteristics of hawker centres and spatial attributes such as distance to public housing.

During social restrictions, feral pigeon and Javan myna counts showed a significant decline, while the count proportions of the three species compared to each other remained relatively stable. Hawker centres closer to bridges and public housing, and those that structurally more open, attracted more birds.

The niche widths of feral pigeons and Javan mynas significantly narrowed during social restrictions due to reduced food availability. However, their niche overlaps remained consistent across sampling phases, indicating resource partitioning strategies to cope with extreme food shortages—feral pigeons adapted by foraging more on grass verges outside, while Javan mynas frequented tray return stations. This resilience in maintaining species proportions and the absence of significant niche overlap suggested the existence of an ecological balance despite substantial reductions in available food.

Synthesis and applications. Our study underscores the importance of controlling human‐provided food to collectively manage dominant urban bird commensals. Beyond the two social restriction phases, curbing the availability of anthropogenic food through enforcement also kept nuisance birds away, validating a cost‐effective approach in reducing their counts.
Direct Effects of Inflammatory Cytokines on Mouse Uterine Contraction
Authors: Bao Junjie , Zhao Caihan , Wang Xiaodi , Liu Shiyun , Wang Lele , Zou Yong , Liu Huishu
Published: October 2024

Problem

Uterine contractions signal labor onset, with elevated pro‐inflammatory cytokines playing a pivotal role. Prior studies have explored their effects on prostaglandins, oxytocin, and signaling pathways, but have overlooked their direct effects on uterine contractions. Here, we aim to investigate the direct effects of interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) on contractions to ascertain if they have immediate observable effects like those reported for lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and other effects.

Method of Study

Tension recordings were used to assess the direct effects of cytokines and/or LPS on mouse uterine contractions. Calcium imaging was employed to observe calcium oscillations in cytokine‐pretreated myometrial smooth muscle cells (MSMCs) in response to oxytocin. The release of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines from uterine explants after LPS and/or cytokines application was investigated using Luminex.

Results

IL‐1β, IL‐6, and TNF‐α rapidly enhanced contractions of term pregnant mouse uterus. LPS combined with TNF‐α intensified contractions compared to LPS alone, although this effect was not statistically significant in our results (p > 0.050). Pretreatment of MSMCs with IL‐1β, IL‐6, or TNF‐α increased calcium oscillations in response to oxytocin. LPS and/or cytokine significantly stimulated the release of IL‐1β, IL‐6, TNF‐α, Chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 1 (CXCL1), and monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 (MCP1) from uterine explants in vitro.

Conclusions

Inflammatory cytokines have short‐term and long‐term effects on mouse uterine contractions, which together contribute to progressively stronger contractions during labor.
Analysis of two reperfusion techniques in uterine transplantation in an experimental model
Authors: Macedo Arantes Rubens , Ejzenberg Dani , Tanigawa Ryan Yukimatsu , da Silva Neto Amadeu Batista , de Martino Rodrigo Bronze , Galvão Flávio Henrique , Waisberg Daniel Reis , Ducatti Liliana , Rocha Santos Vinicius , Pinheiro Rafael Nunes , Haddad Luciana Bertocco , Lee André Dong , Soares‐Junior José Maria , Baracat Edmund Chada , Carneiro D'Albuquerque Luiz Augusto , Andraus Wellington
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Uterine transplantation was developed for the treatment of absolute uterine factor infertility. As it is a new modality of transplantation, there is still room for technical improvement. A factor that impacts graft survival in organ transplantation is the warm ischemia time. In uterine transplantation specifically, at least two vascular anastomoses are performed on each side of the uterus, and the graft revascularization takes place when the vascular clamps of the arteries and veins are released on both sides simultaneously. For this reason, the warm ischemia time in uterine transplant is expected to be considerably long. The purpose of this study was to compare the sequential technique of uterine graft revascularization, which aims to reduce the warm ischemia time of the procedure, with the simultaneous revascularization technique.

Material and Methods

For the procedure, the uterine auto‐transplantation technique was performed using 10 non‐pregnant adult ewes weighing about 45 kg, divided into two groups: simultaneous revascularization group (5 animals) and sequential revascularization group (5 animals). To evaluate the groups, we analyzed the procedure and warm ischemia times, graft macroscopy, hemodynamic, laboratory, and histological parameters of the uterus.

Results

The sequential revascularization technique group had similar surgical procedure times, and the warm ischemia time was significantly shorter with medians of 32 min in the sequential group versus 72 min in the simultaneous group (p < 0.008). The graft macroscopy and hemodynamic, laboratory, and histological parameters evaluated were similar between the groups.

Conclusions

The sequential revascularization technique proved to reduce the warm ischemia time in the sheep uterine auto‐transplantation model without compromising graft viability.
Apple AirPods Pro 2 receives FDA approval to be used as hearing aids
Authors: Treffalls John A. , Shah Aakash M.
Published: October 2024

Apple AirPods Pro 2 recently received approval from the US Food and Drug Administration for use as an over‐the‐counter hearing aid device, the first approval of an over‐the‐counter hearing aid software by the Agency.
Review article: Optimisation of biologic (monoclonal antibody) therapeutic response in inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Chaemsupaphan Thanaboon , Leong Rupert W. , Vande Casteele Niels , Seow Cynthia H.
Published: October 2024

Background

There are a plethora of therapeutic options for the management of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Despite this, clinical outcomes with standard dosing often fall short of established targets. While efforts centre on developing novel therapies, there is an ongoing need to optimise the use of existing agents.

Aims

To focus on strategies to optimise response to biologic (monoclonal antibody) therapies in IBD, including use of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM).

Methods

An extensive review of the published literature.

Results

TDM is a strategy aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of drugs with variable exposure‐response relationships by measuring serum concentrations of biologic therapies and detecting neutralising antibodies. Reactive TDM is performed when therapeutic goals have not been achieved. Tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF) inhibitors are the treatment class most frequently associated with immunogenicity and loss of response. Immunogenicity can be reduced through avoidance of low serum drug concentrations by dose optimisation or use of concomitant immunomodulator therapy. Subtherapeutic dosing in the absence of antidrug antibodies is best managed by dose escalation or dose interval reduction. Persistent neutralising drug antibodies necessitate switching to an alternative therapy. Proactively ensuring adequate serum trough levels might help sustain treatment durability and prevent loss of response. Newer non‐TNF inhibitors demonstrate less robust exposure‐response relationships, and TDM may not prove as beneficial.

Conclusions

In the treat‐to‐target paradigm of IBD treatment, optimising treatment effect with dose optimisation, which may involve strategies including TDM, increases the likelihood of achieving clinical remission and may accomplish deeper levels of remission beyond symptom control.
Review article: Prevention of inflammatory bowel disease—The path forward
Authors: Bronze Sérgio , Agrawal Manasi , Colombel Jean‐Frédéric , Torres Joana , Ungaro Ryan C.
Published: October 2024

Background

The possibility of preventing inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is becoming more plausible due to advances in understanding preclinical disease and successful prevention trials in other immune‐mediated diseases, such as type 1 diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis. However, before that possibility becomes reality, several efforts need to occur in parallel and in a coordinated way.

Aim

To propose some critical steps necessary for advancing the field of IBD prediction and prevention.

Methods

We reviewed the current literature to identify the necessary steps toward a preventive strategy for IBD.

Results

The first step should determine the most robust predictive biomarkers and validate them across independent cohorts, creating a multidimensional predictive tool. The second step is to gain a better understanding of the preferences of first‐degree relatives and people at risk for IBD, informing the implementation of screening and preventive strategies. Third, these efforts should contribute to the development of high‐risk clinics and establish the necessary networks for disease prevention trials.

Conclusions

Advancing the field of IBD prediction and prevention will require a multifaceted approach, integrating biomarker discovery, understanding patient preferences, and establishing infrastructure for a collaborative network to support the practical implementation of IBD prevention strategies.
Vulnerability of Southern Hemisphere bats to white‐nose syndrome based on global analysis of fungal host specificity and cave temperatures
Authors: Wu Nicholas C. , Welbergen Justin A. , Villada‐Cadavid Tomás , Lumsden Lindy F. , Turbill Christopher
Published: October 2024

White‐nose syndrome (WNS), a disease affecting hibernating bats, is caused by the fungal pathogen Pseudogymnoascus destructans (Pd). Since the initial introduction of Pd from Eurasia to the United States in 2006, WNS has killed millions of bats throughout the temperate parts of North America. There is concern that if Pd is accidentally introduced to the Southern Hemisphere, WNS could pose similar threats to the bat fauna of the Southern Hemisphere's more temperate regions. Efforts are required to better understand the vulnerability of bats globally to WNS. We examined phylogenetic distances among cave roosting bat species globally to estimate the probability of infection by Pd. We predicted cave thermal suitability for Pd for 441 cave‐roosting bat species across the globe via spatial analysis. We used host specificity models based on 65 species tested for Pd to determine phylogenetic specificity of Pd. Phylogenetic distance was not an important predictor of Pd infection, confirming that Pd has low host specificity. We found extensive areas (i.e., South America, Africa, and Australia) in the Southern Hemisphere with caves that were suitable for cave‐roosting bat species and for Pd growth. Hence, if Pd spreads to the Southern Hemisphere, the risk of exposure is widespread for cave‐roosting bats, and infection is possible regardless of relatedness to infected species in the Northern Hemisphere. Predicting the consequences of infection remains difficult due to lack of species‐specific information about bat winter biology. Nevertheless, WNS is an important threat to naive Southern Hemisphere bat populations. Hence, biosecurity measures and planning of management responses that can help prevent or minimize a potential WNS outbreak in the Southern Hemisphere are urgently needed.
Indigenous Peoples’ human genomic sovereignty: Lessons for Africa
Authors: Kabata Faith
Published: October 2024

Human genomics research with indigenous peoples has often been characterised by tension between the ‘western’ science ideologies and indigenous peoples’ cultural beliefs in relation to their human genetic resources and data. This article explores this tension from the lens of the concept of indigenous peoples’ human genomic sovereignty and tests the applicability of the concept in Africa. The article achieves this by first highlighting the tension between ‘western’ science and indigenous peoples through three case studies from Canada, the USA, and South Africa. It then analyses indigenous peoples’ human genomic sovereignty in the USA and Canada and compares it with the notion of indigenous peoples’ sovereignty in Africa. The article concludes by highlighting lessons that indigenous groups in Africa can draw from the USA and Canada in their quest for human genomic sovereignty.
Microplastic fate in a chronosequence of biosolid‐amended agricultural soil in Southern Ontario, Canada
Authors: Walker Harriet , Aherne Julian
Published: October 2024

Municipally sourced biosolids are commonly used as cost‐effective fertilizers, diverting material from landfills and contributing to the circular economy. However, biosolids contain high concentrations of microplastics (MPs), which are emerging contaminants of concern due to their ubiquity in the environment. Despite this, there is a lack of environmentally relevant field studies. In 2022, composite topsoil samples (0–15 cm depth) were collected from seven agricultural fields in Southern Ontario, Canada, representing a chronosequence of biosolid applications ranging from 1 to 9 years since amendment and a control (untreated) field. MP particles down to 20 μm in size were extracted by density separation, enumerated, characterized by stereomicroscope and polymers identified using attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR‐FTIR) spectroscopy. Here, we report on the characteristics, abundance and polymer type of MP particles in the study area to assess their fate in biosolid‐amended soils. The average MP concentration among fields was 6.87 ± 1.47 MP g−1 (3.43 ± 0.74 mg MP kg−1). Additionally, the MP soil pool increased with repeated applications of biosolids. The dewatered biosolid plastic content of 8816 ± 1809 MP g−1 dry weight (11.6 ± 17.5 g MP kg−1 dry weight) was used to estimate a mean MP loading of 94.5 ± 10.9 kg ha−1 to each field per application, suggesting that 7% of the MP soil pool persisted over time. Quantifying the MP pool in biosolid‐amended agricultural soil will inform evidence‐based plastic policy changes in our global effort to understand and reduce plastic pollution.
Participants' Experiences of Being Treated for Peri‐Implant Mucositis—A Qualitative Interview Study
Authors: Bengtsson Viveca Wallin , Skovdahl Kirsti , Andersson Pia
Published: October 2024

Objective

To describe participants' experiences of being treated for peri‐implant mucositis.

Methods

A qualitative study with nine individual, semistructured interviews was performed. The interview guide was based on a focus group interview. The participants had recently been treated for peri‐implant mucositis on one dental implant in a randomised controlled trial (RCT). The treatment included information, oral hygiene instructions, nonsurgical treatment with Er:YAG laser or ultrasonic scaler and professional cleaning in several sessions over 6 months. The interviews performed were analysed using qualitative manifest and latent content analysis.

Results

The manifest results showed that learning how to brush the teeth, and repeated feedback, was appreciated, and increased the motivation to improve oral hygiene habits. Most participants experienced no discomfort from the treatment. The participants had an understanding that a longer treatment time was required to ensure the quality of the treatment. Respect and attention were important elements of the personal treatment. The latent results suggest that treatment with a laser or an ultrasonic scaler was not perceived as the most important part of the treatment. Participants felt that receiving information about the treatment process was more important; moreover, a person‐centred approach gave a feeling of good and safe care.

Conclusions

The present study highlights factors of importance in treatment of peri‐implant mucositis with laser and ultrasonic scaler. A person‐centred approach with respect and attention is important for a good and safe experience and may be important factors in future treatments.
Post‐traumatic growth and its explanatory factors in burn patients: A systematic review
Authors: Kazemi‐Sufi Siamak , Bagheri Ayub , Mazhari Seyed Amirhossein , Farhadi Bahar , Alizadeh‐Otaghvar Hamidreza , Zaboli Mahdiabadi Morteza , Najafi Masoomeh , Farzan Ramyar , Salehi Reza
Published: October 2024

A few studies have examined post‐traumatic growth (PTG) after burns, a relatively new area of research. To understand how to promote PTG in burn survivors, we need to know how PTG and coping are presented, how they change over time, and the components that influence development. Based on the criteria of the PRISMA statement, we conducted our initial search on 1 February 2023. This study systematically reviewed relevant studies in five PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus and Science Direct search databases. The search used the following keywords: Post‐traumatic Growth, Psychological Growth, Post‐traumatic Growth, Psychological, PTG, Burns and Burn. The two researchers evaluated the quality of the included studies using a 20‐item tool called the appraisal tool for cross‐sectional studies (AXIS tool). A total of 1396 burn patients participated in 12 studies. Among the studies included in this systematic review, seven were cross‐sectional, and five were cohort. The average age of the patients in this study was 35.77 (SD = 10.19). Among the participants, 52.4% were men. The total body surface area (TBSA) percentage in these patients was 32.77 (SD = 16.42). The mean of PTG inventory (PTGI) was 54.08 (SD = 20.46) out of 105, which is a moderate level. Factors such as coping strategies, perceived social support, TBSA, religion/spirituality and severity of burn are positive factors for PTG in burn survivors. Also, factors such as depression, post‐traumatic stress disorder and physical and mental recovery are negative factors for PTG in burn survivors. These factors can be improved through targeted intervention strategies, including overall function, quality of life, social support, optimism, hope and new opportunities. There is a need for further research in several areas related to growth, intervention and measurement.
Retention processed placental membrane versus standard of care in treating diabetic foot ulcers
Authors: Frykberg Robert G. , Tunyiswa Zwelithini , Weston Wendy W.
Published: October 2024

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) are a severe complication for diabetic patients, significantly impacting patient quality of life and healthcare system efficiency. Traditional standard of care (SOC) treatments are inadequate for many patients, necessitating the use of advanced wound care products, such as human placental membranes. We studied a real‐world population of large, hard‐to‐heal and complicated wounds, otherwise under‐studied in the wound care literature. To this end, we conducted a retrospective cohort analysis to compare the effectiveness of a human placental amnion/chorion membrane product using retention‐based processing (RE‐AC) and SOC in managing chronic DFUs. During the study period of September 2021 through April 2024, we collected retrospective observational data from electronic health records of 21 patients treated with RE‐AC at three outpatient wound care centres. Additionally, 21 control SOC patients were matched from a wound registry using Coarsened Exact Matching. Patients were categorized into two cohorts based on whether they received RE‐AC or SOC. Key metrics included wound size progression and wound closure. The analysis employed Bayesian regression and Hurdle Gamma Analysis of Covariance models. Despite their rather large size (average of 13.8 cm2), our results indicated that RE‐AC achieved almost a 10% higher expected wound closure rate compared to SOC at 12 weeks (8.53% [credible interval: 5.60%–10.7%]). Further, for wounds that did not close, RE‐AC resulted in a 93.6% (credible interval: 147.7%–41.6) improvement in expected Percent Area Reduction over the SOC group at 12 weeks. We noted that on average, SOC wounds stalled or grew larger. In terms of a risk ratio comparing the study group with SOC, we found a 52% benefit in the RE‐AC group (RR = 1.52). The findings suggest that even with larger DFUs, R‐AC is superior to SOC for wound closure and expected Percent Area Reduction by 12 weeks. This benefit likely leads to reduced treatment costs, optimized resource utilization and improved outcomes in the DFU patient population; ultimately resulting in improved patient care.
Family Resilience and Its Influencing Factors in Patients With Cancer and Their Family Members: A Systematic Review
Authors: Qiu Xiaoke , Mao Jiayu , Wang Can , Yang Xueli , Li Qiuping
Published: October 2024

Aims

This review aims to explore factors influencing family resilience in families providing care for patients with cancer and to provide suggestions for future research directions.

Methods

Six electronic databases were searched including Web of Science, CINAHL, EMBASE, PsycINFO, PubMed and CNKI from their inception to December 2023. The article reference lists were also manually searched. The Mixed Method Appraisal Tool was used to assess the included studies in this review. The 27‐item checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) statement was followed to report this review.

Results

Twenty‐one studies from six online databases reported that either individual or family factors have effects on family resilience and were described into five clusters on the basis of the Walsh model of family resilience, including demographic and clinical factors, personal strengths and resources, family stressors, family resilient coping processes and family resilient adaptation outcomes.

Conclusion

Family resilience in cancer families plays a pivotal role in coping with family stressors and facilitating positive outcomes through domains of coping. Future researches need to explore factors related to family resilience from dyadic perspectives and to establish multidisciplinary intervention strategies for developing levels of family resilience in cancer families.

Trial Registration

PROSPERO: CRD42024535349
Diversity of lice and flea‐ and lice‐borne pathogens in free‐ranging dogs in Uzbekistan
Authors: Panait Luciana Cătălina , Safarov Alisher , Deak Georgiana , Ionică Angela Monica , Mihalca Andrei Daniel
Published: October 2024

Vector‐borne diseases pose a significant threat to human and animal health worldwide, with arthropods, including fleas and lice, acting as key vectors for transmitting various pathogens. In Uzbekistan, where millions of domestic dogs coexist with humans, the diversity of vector‐borne pathogens carried by ectoparasites remains largely unexplored. This study aimed to investigate the diversity and prevalence of lice and pathogens carried by fleas and lice collected from domestic dogs in Uzbekistan. Ectoparasites were collected from 77 dogs across five regions and subjected to morphological identification and molecular analysis. The 47 lice collected were identified as Trichodectes canis Fabricius, 1780 (Psocodea: Trichodectidae), Linognathus africanus Kellogg and Paine, 1911 (Psocodea: Linognathidae) and Bovicola bovis Linnaeus, 1758 (Phthiraptera: Trichodectidae), alongside with 197 fleas. Notably, L. africanus was detected for the first time on dogs worldwide. Molecular screening detected Rickettsia spp. in 27.9% fleas and 44.7% lice, Dipylidium caninum Linnaeus, 1758 (Cyclophyllidea: Dipylidiidae) in 1.5% of fleas and Bartonella spp. in 0.5% of fleas. Sequencing confirmed Rickettsia asembonensisMaina et al., 2016 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), Rickettsia helvetica Beati et al., 1993 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), Rickettsia monacensis Simser et al., 2019 (Rickettsiales: Rickettsiaceae), D. caninum and Bartonella clarridgeiae Lawson and Collins, 1996 (Hyphomicrobiales: Bartonellaceae). These findings highlight the potential role of dogs as reservoirs for vector‐borne pathogens and emphasises the need for further research to inform effective disease control strategies.
The Different Concentrations of Applied Exogenous Sugars Widely Influence the Specificity, Significance and Physiological Relevance of Study Outcomings
Authors: Wang Yi‐Bo , Shi Ya‐Na , Bao Qin‐Xin , Mu Xin‐Rong , Yu Fu‐Huan , Zou Ya‐Li , Meng Lai‐Sheng
Published: October 2024

Plant growth and development are governed via signal networks that connect inputs from nutrient status, hormone signals, and environmental cues. Substantial researches have indicated a pivotal role of sugars as signalling molecules in plants that integrate external environmental cues and other nutrients with intrinsic developmental programmes regulated via multiple plant hormones. Therefore, plant growth and development are controlled through complication signalling networks. However, in many studies, to obtain more obviously experimental findings, excess concentrations of applied exogenous sugars have aggravated the complexity of this signalling networks. Once researchers underestimate this complexity, a series of contradictory or contrasting findings will be generated. More importantly, in terms of these contradictory findings, more contradictory study outcomings are derived. In this review, we carefully analyze some reports, and find that these reports have confused or neglected that the sugar‐antagonism of ethylene signalling is specific or conditional. As a result, many contradictory conclusions are generated, which will in turn misdirect the scientific community.
The extent of public awareness and use of the Global Solar UV Index as a worldwide health promotion instrument to improve sun protection: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Kaiser Isabelle , Pfahlberg Annette B. , Lehmann Maria , Buchta Esther , Uter Wolfgang , Gefeller Olaf
Published: October 2024

Thirty years ago, the Global Solar UV Index (UVI) has been introduced as a health promotion instrument to improve sun protection. We assessed systematically global levels of awareness and use of the UVI as a prerequisite for the preventive effectiveness of this public health tool. We conducted a comprehensive literature search across 10 databases, including PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science Core Collection, as well as clinical trial registries and gray literature databases. The risk of bias of studies was evaluated using the Joanna Briggs Institute checklist for prevalence studies. In addition to narrative and descriptive analysis, we performed meta‐analyses with geographical subgroup analyses to statistically summarize the results. In total, we identified 40 publications from 39 different studies across multiple global regions. However, the number of studies in the analyses varies depending on the outcome. The results, especially the awareness of the UVI, were largely dependent on the specific geographical location of the studies. While the prevalence of awareness of the UVI is high among Australian populations, there is considerable variability in levels of awareness across other global regions. At the same time, the use of the UVI is at a low level across all regions, demonstrating the need for enhanced dissemination of knowledge about the perils associated with ultraviolet radiation and the advantages of using the UVI.