bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Employee green behavior in hotels: the role of green human resource management, green transformational leadership and value congruence
Authors: Agrawal Swati , Pradhan Sajeet
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of green human resource management (GHRM) and green transformational leadership (GTL) on employees’ green work behavior. This study also tests the mediating role of environmental value congruence (EVC) on the relationship of GHRM and GTL with employees’ green work behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

Responses were collected from 480 employees working in various Indian hotels using a two-wave survey design. The data was analyzed using Smart PLS 4.

Findings

The findings report significant indirect associations between GHRM and GTL on the one hand and in-role green behavior and extra-role green behavior on the other through EVC.

Practical implications

This paper highlights leaders’ focus on creating environmentally focused HR practices in hotels. As employees are the face for customers, particularly in the hotel industry, green behavior creates a green image of the organization in consumers’ minds, which may result in long-term sustainable competitive advantage.

Originality/value

This study makes two significant contributions; one, it explores the effect of GTL and GHRM on hotel employees’ green behaviors and second, it also tests the mediating role of EVC in explaining the relationship between the focal constructs in the Indian Hotel industry which has not been studied before.
Faculty–librarian cooperation in collection development at the University of Namibia library, with special reference to electronic resources
Authors: Ashilungu Maria , Onyancha Omwoyo Bosire
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to determine the extent to which teaching staff cooperated with librarians in collection development, specifically in relation to electronic resources, and to identify barriers they encountered while performing collection development activities.

Design/methodology/approach

A mixed methods approach was adopted for the study. Quantitative and qualitative techniques of data collection and analysis were used to obtain a comprehensive understanding of the research topic. Data were gathered through a self-administered questionnaire and interviews. A total of 149 faculty members completed the questionnaire, yielding a response rate of 51.2%, while 16 library staff members were interviewed to obtain qualitative data.

Findings

The majority of the teaching staff who participated in the study affirmed that they had cooperated with subject librarians in collection development. A high percentage (62.4%) of the faculty members had collaborated with subject librarians in collection development activities. Only 37.6% of the faculty members had not participated in collection development activities with subject librarians to acquire library electronic resources. According to faculty members, some of the main challenges affecting collection development at the University of Namibia were a lack of catalogues for electronic resources and a lack of lists of titles from vendors. Moreover, librarians were not always available to assist faculty members. It is recommended that faculty members be part of the process of selecting materials and that a good relationship be fostered between librarians and faculty members to bring value to collection development activities.

Originality/value

Collection development in respect of electronic resources is a complex process to be undertaken by a single entity and, therefore, requires the collaboration of all stakeholders involved. In the case of institutions of higher learning, these stakeholders include faculty, librarians and vendors. The emergence of a variety of e-resources demands a meticulous strategy on the part of libraries to ensure they can offer a wide range of up-to-date and accurate resources that meet the evolving needs of their users. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, studies that are similar to this one have not been conducted in Namibia before. This case study presents useful findings and lessons on faculty–librarian cooperation for effective collection development, not only at the University of Namibia library but also at other academic libraries in economies with similar characteristics.
A systematic literature review (SLR) of circulation methods in academic libraries: proposing QR codes for self-issue/return method
Authors: Kharat Santosh , Nagarkar Shubhada , Panage Bhausaheb
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to systematically examine the existing literature published on the circulation methods used in academic libraries and to discuss a proposed model for the self-check-in and check-out methods using quick response (QR) codes.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review (SLR) provided a complete overview of circulation systems used in academic libraries for the last more than 140 years. Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) method for SLR was used. Several databases such as ProQuest, Emerald, Library and Information Science Abstracts, EBSCO and Google Scholar were searched. Out of 277 papers retrieved in the search, 43 most relevant papers were taken up for the SLR. These were classified into four themes based on the systems of circulation used, namely, manual (5), mechanized (13), automated (5) and networked system (20). Based on the findings of the SLR, a model of circulation system in which QR code technology has been used.

Findings

The result of SLR identified 33 systems used in above mentioned four groups. Among this, a large number 48.48% of mechanized systems were found. Each system has limitations either because of devices used or of technology. The present study proposes a QR code-based model at the circulation desk, for which a prototype of Android app has been designed. This would help to initiate the new “self-services” facility to users at the circulation desk.

Practical implications

The proposed model, after its successful implementation, can be adopted by academic libraries. Guidelines and a graphical representation of this study can be used by any researcher for further experimentation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first kind of study in which a QR code-based Android app model has been proposed for library circulation records.
Simulation of predator–prey system with two-species, two chemicals and an additional chemotactic influence via direct meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method
Authors: Abbaszadeh Mostafa , Bagheri Salec AliReza , Salman Alwan Afaq
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to introduce a new numerical approach based on the local weak form and the Petrov–Galerkin idea to numerically simulation of a predator–prey system with two-species, two chemicals and an additional chemotactic influence.

Design/methodology/approach

In the first proceeding, the space derivatives are discretized by using the direct meshless local Petrov–Galerkin method. This generates a nonlinear algebraic system of equations. The mentioned system is solved by using the Broyden’s method which this technique is not related to compute the Jacobian matrix.

Findings

This current work tries to bring forward a trustworthy and flexible numerical algorithm to simulate the system of predator–prey on the nonrectangular geometries.

Originality/value

The proposed numerical results confirm that the numerical procedure has acceptable results for the system of partial differential equations.
Industry 4.0 maturity assessment: a multi-dimensional indicator approach
Authors: Hajoary Pinosh Kumar , MA Amrita , Garza-Reyes Jose Arturo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Industry 4.0 has offered significant potential for manufacturing firms to alter and rethink their business models, production processes, strategies and objectives. Manufacturing organizations have recently undergone substantial transformation due to Industry 4.0 technologies. Hence, to successfully deploy and embed Industry 4.0 technologies in their organizational operations and practices, businesses must assess their adoption readiness. For this purpose, a multi-dimensional analytical indicator methodology has been developed to measure Industry 4.0 maturity and preparedness.

Design/methodology/approach

A weighted average method was adopted to assess the Industry 4.0 readiness using a case study from a steel manufacturing organization.

Findings

The result revealed that the firm ranks between Industry 2.0 and Industry 3.0, with an overall score of 2.32. This means that the organization is yet to achieve Industry 4.0 mature and ready organization.

Practical implications

The multi-dimensional indicator framework proposed can be used by managers, policymakers, practitioners and researchers to assess the current status of organizations in terms of Industry 4.0 maturity and readiness as well as undertake a practical diagnosis and prognosis of systems and processes for its future adoption.

Originality/value

Although research on Industry 4.0 maturity models has grown exponentially in recent years, this study is the first to develop a multi-dimensional analytical indicator to measure Industry 4.0 maturity and readiness.
What does the media tell us about a destination? The Cancun case, seen from the USA, Canada, and Mexico
Authors: Olmos-Martínez Elizabeth , Álvarez-Carmona Miguel Á. , Aranda Ramón , Díaz-Pacheco Angel
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to present a framework for automatically collecting, cleaning and analyzing text (news articles, in this case) to provide valuable decision-making information to destination management organizations. Keeping a record of certain aspects of the projected destination image of an attraction (Cancun in this study) will grant the design of better strategies for the promotion and administration of destinations without the time-consuming effort of manually evaluating high quantities of textual information.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Web scraping, news articles were collected from the USA, Mexico and Canada over an interval of one year. The documents were analyzed using an automatic topic modeling method known as Latent Dirichlet Allocation and a coherence analysis to determine the number of themes present in each collection. With the data provided, the authors were able to extract valuable information to understand how Cancun is presented to the countries.

Findings

It was found that in all countries, Cancun is an important destination to travel and vacation; however, given the period defined for this study (from July 2021 to July 2022), an important part of the articles analyzed was concerned with the sanitary measures derived from the COVID-19 pandemic. Besides, given the rise of violence and the threat of organized crime, many articles from the three countries are focused on warning potential tourists about the risks of traveling to Cancun.

Originality/value

The examination of the relevant literature revealed that similar analyses are manually performed by the experts on a set of predefined categories. Although those approaches are methodologically sound, the logistic effort and the time used could become prohibitively expensive, precluding carrying out this analysis frequently. Additionally, the preestablished categories to be studied in press articles may distort the results. For these reasons, the proposed framework automatically allows for gathering valuable information for decision-making in an unbiased manner.
Measuring industry managerial discretion: a comparative study in the UK
Authors: Iyiola Bolaji , Trafford Richard
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The theory of managerial discretion and the direct insights it provides in the understanding of the varying impact strategic and operational actions have on organizational change and business fortunes is an area of research potential underexplored in the UK. This study aims to establish whether the measurement of managerial discretion is constant between the two similar societal corporate frameworks of the UK and the USA listed markets.

Design/methodology/approach

The extant managerial discretion ranking model, established in the USA, is empirically assessed for its validity and effectiveness across a sample of high- and low-discretion companies from the FTSE 350.

Findings

Using accounting measures, a clear and significant difference is established between UK high and low managerial discretion entities. The results prove to be significant in enabling the differential comparative analysis of the institutional characteristics of corporates.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no study of this nature has been conducted previously in the UK context. While the original model developed in the USA is now several decades old, the UK results reflect similar industry rankings as found originally in the USA, subject to some differences considered to be a result of the changing nature of global business since the 1990s. This study opens a new seam of novel research, which has the potential to uncover, at a granular level, the differential mores and character of management ethics, styles and practices in such issues as organizational change, corporate culture, governance and social responsibility.
Intimate partner violence in India: a study of associated factors
Authors: Pathak D.C. , Kumar Rishi
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Intimate partner violence (IPV) against women is a global phenomenon. IPV is a public health, social policy and human rights concern across the globe. It remains a serious issue in Indian context as well. This paper aims to identify the factors associated with IPV using India’s nationally representative National Family Health Survey (NFHS) data.

Design/methodology/approach

To identify the factors associated with IPV in India, the authors have used binary logistic regression to estimate two models. The outcome variables are women facing physical violence in the first model and sexual violence in the second. The explanatory variables are broadly socio-economic indicators related to the women and a few other indicators related to the characteristics of the household.

Findings

The authors found that urban and working women face higher odds of violence. Alcohol consumption by the husband increases the risks of IPV, whereas risk decreases with women’s autonomy. Even though the prevalence of physical and sexual violence has decreased by 6.8% and 3.9% from 2005–2006 to 2019–2021, the data shows that women across social, economic and regions still face violence from their partners. However, the physical violence increased from 2015–2016 to 2019–2021.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is a distinct attempt to use pooled data of the nationally representative sets NFHS-3 (2005–2006), NFHS-4 (2015–2016) and NFHS-5 (2019–2021) to study the factors associated with IPV in India.
Inclusive management: accommodating site complexity and pluralities in local values in the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial World Heritage Site, Norway
Authors: Johannessen Steffen Fagernes , Strogan Juliana , Mikalsen Vicky Katarina , Birkeland Inger , Kennedy Audhild
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper presents participants' experiences of the collaborative process. The paper introduces the World Heritage Site and presents the central learning outcomes of a process through which researchers and practitioners sought to develop an empirically-grounded, site-specific and practice-led research agenda relevant to World Heritage management. The purpose of this paper is to discuss an approach to improving collaboration between researchers and practitioners in the World Heritage field.

Design/methodology/approach

From September 2021 to April 2022, a research-practice team comprised of social scientists and managers of the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site in Norway participated in a capacity-building pilot initiative under the ICCROM-IUCN World Heritage Leadership programme. Bringing researchers and practitioners together in a joint collaborative process, the Heritage Place Lab (HPL) pilot programme aimed to function as an incubator for developing research agendas for World Heritage Sites.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that close collaboration between heritage researchers and practitioners can benefit World Heritage Sites, offering managers valuable inputs for informed and inclusive decision-making. In the case of the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, an improved understanding of the diversities in local values would benefit management, as existing management issues underpin the site's complexity. Furthermore, fruitful collaborations between heritage researchers and World Heritage managers depend on an overlapping and reflexive understanding of central concepts. This can be achieved through collaborative research-practice processes but is likely to require careful time management.

Originality/value

Focussing on the collaborative process between World Heritage researchers and practitioners, and using additional information for comparable World Heritage examples obtained online, this paper shows how research interests and management challenges can be developed and aligned more successfully through cooperation and improved communication over time. Beyond the specific results for the Rjukan-Notodden Industrial Heritage Site, the broader discussion presented on the challenges and importance of addressing the complexities of managing heritage sites will be valuable for other World Heritage Sites and managers.
Principal factor analysis of project designers’ roles in improving construction projects buildability in Nigeria
Authors: Osuizugbo Innocent Chigozie , Onokwai Anthony Ogochukwu , Faleti Oluyemi Oladeji
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Construction industry is a vital sector for economic and national development. However, the industry suffers buildability problems. Improving construction projects buildability is the duty of every key stakeholder. Thus, this study aims to identify and evaluate the project designers’ roles in improving construction projects buildability in Nigeria.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted quantitative research method. A purposive sampling approach was used in identifying the representative sample for the administration of the questionnaire survey. A total of 122 questionnaires were distributed to the targeted construction professionals, out of which 93 questionnaires were sufficiently filled and returned, representing a response rate of 76%. This study used descriptive and inferential statistics for data analyses.

Findings

The results from factors analysis show that the roles of project designers in improving construction projects buildability in Nigeria can be categorised into two constructs: “discuss fully the design objectives with builders” and “prepare cost effective and buildable designs”.

Originality/value

This study contributed to more effective buildability studies by highlighting the roles of project designers in improving construction projects buildability in the construction industry. An understanding of these roles is vital for reducing buildability problems as well as for improving and embedding buildability as a practice in construction management.
Born-again global internationalization in family businesses as a process: a dynamic capabilities perspective in the context of socioemotional wealth
Authors: Kessler Alexander , Zipper-Weber Viktoriya
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Born-again global internationalization is a rarely researched topic. Especially process-oriented studies are largely missing. In loss modes concerning their socioemotional wealth (SEW), family businesses take more risks and can be informative examples of born-again global internationalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This article analyzes the process of born-again global internationalization of a mature family business triggered by succession in an SEW loss mode. The interplay of dynamic capabilities (DCs) as drivers and SEW preservation guides the in-depth analysis based on an interpretative single case study design.

Findings

The analysis reveals a model with (1) the personal and familial level of the business family, (2) the bonding and transfer level between the business family and the family business and (3) the organizational level as three levels of DCs as drivers of born-again global internationalization in family businesses and SEW preservation as a continuously influencing context.

Originality/value

The article contributes to push forward the fragmented level of knowledge in the field of born-again global internationalization of family businesses. It brings together the triggering phase of born-again global internationalization with the later phases (driving successful rapid internationalization). In particular, it explores how the triggering factors on the family level can be translated into the development of capabilities on the firm level to drive successful internationalization. Based on these insights, the article offers novel implications for research and practice.
Dividend policy and corporate life cycle: a study of Indian companies
Authors: Singh Ravinder , Gupta C.P. , Chaudhary Pankaj
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the relationship between dividend policy and the life cycle of firms in India. In addition, this study intends to examine the variation in dividend behaviour over the life cycle of a firm. The study anticipates that a firm's dividend behaviour varies over its life cycle.

Design/methodology/approach

To scrutinize the validity of the proposition, the authors classify 1968 non-financial industrial firms listed at Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) into growth, mature and stagnant firms over the period 2000–20. Additionally, to check the robustness of the results, they use an array of techniques such as analysis of variance, pooled ordinary least squares, fixed effects models and random effects models.

Findings

The empirical findings suggest that dividend behaviour varies over a firm's life cycle. Specifically, stagnant firms are paying significantly higher dividends than growth firms. Mature firms are paying significantly higher dividends than growth firms. The results are consistent after controlling the effects of firm's size, profitability, leverage, operating risk, systematic risk and growth opportunities.

Research limitations/implications

The findings are useful for corporate decision makers in establishing an appropriate dividend policy conditional on firms' life cycle stage and for shareholders in making investment decisions.

Originality/value

The relation between dividend policy and firm life cycle has not been examined before in the context of Indian stock market. Thus, this research bridges this gap in the literature.
Understanding gender discrimination and biasness in the workplace: voice from women segment
Authors: Chatterjee Ashmita , Shenoy Veena
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This article focuses on research carried out on gender discrimination and biasness in the workplace in order to understand how gender discrimination can have far reaching consequences on the careers of working women. It looks at five aspects of this issue, namely workplace harassment, hiring, maternity leave, women in leadership roles, and the experience of marginalised women. Although a global issue, this article looks at gender discrimination from Indian Context.

Design/methodology/approach

This article is descriptive in nature, that studied the arguments of other researchers and elaborated understanding from those articles considering gender discrimination and gender bias at the workplace.

Findings

It was found that despite an intense and growing call for gender equality at the workplace, to provide its female workforce with adequate freedom to work and protection from conservative opinions and biases that keep women out of the workforce. Several women have taken over top positions in companies; regardless, a lot more work remains to be done. Bringing in legislative changes is of utmost importance, as it will ensure that women have legal routes to protect their rights. There also needs to be more research undertaken in the field of gender discrimination to understand how structural changes can be established in companies.

Originality/value

The current study is unique, every industry faces this challenge, which is considered one of the critical challenges. Practitioners, experts, strategists, also fall into the game of gender discrimination and biasness.
Various seasonal patterns and potential mechanisms of soil nitrogen transformation along an elevational gradient in the Hengduan Mountains
Authors: Chen Qiong , Long Chunyan , Chang Kaikui , Cheng Xiaoli
Published: May 2023

Soil nitrogen (N) transformation, a key microbial process in global N cycling, is thought to alter soil N availability and subsequently regulate ecosystem functioning. In particular, the gross rates of N transformation can provide a deeper understanding of internal N dynamics and mechanisms, but questions of whether gross N transformation processes and their underlying drivers change with seasons and elevations remain large uncertain.

Based on field collection along an elevational gradient and laboratory incubation experiments, we investigated the seasonal processes of soil N mineralization and nitrification with 15N isotope dilution technique, and also explored the potential mechanisms involved in the Hengduan Mountains.

Unimodal soil gross/net mineralization rates were higher in the wet season (61.32 mg kg−1 day−1; 1.01 mg kg−1 day−1 respectively) than in the dry season (10.88 mg kg−1 day−1; 0.55 mg kg−1 day−1 respectively) (p < 0.001), with a peak at medium elevation. Soil gross/net nitrification rates were lower in the wet season (1.43 mg kg−1 day−1; −0.017 mg kg−1 day−1) than in the dry season (2.49 mg kg−1 day−1; 0.004 mg kg−1 day−1 respectively) (p < 0.001), which increased with increasing elevation. The results detected the dominant drivers of the gross transformation rates, specifically microbial attributes occupied crucial roles in controlling the gross mineralization/nitrification in the wet season, and soil physicochemical properties were dominant controllers on the gross mineralization/nitrification during the dry season.

This study revealed the divergent patterns and drivers of N transformation, suggesting that seasonal N cycling should no longer be overlooked if we are to predict N biogeochemical cycles in response to environmental change accurately.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Spatiotemporal trends in floral visitation and interaction networks reveal shifting niches for bats in a Neotropical savanna
Authors: Diniz Ugo Mendes , Aguiar Ludmilla Moura de Souza
Published: May 2023

Flower‐vising bats are important components of tropical pollinator communities, yet little is known about the structure of their pollination networks and how resource availability through time (seasons) and space (habitat heterogeneity) affects the extent to which bats interact with plants within a community‐wide context. This information is key for the conservation of threatened nectarivore species, such as the Cerrado‐endemic Lonchophylla dekeyseri, for which data on its specialization on floral‐resources is scarce.

Within a seasonal and heterogeneous savanna in the central Brazilian Cerrado, we performed a year‐round assessment of an inclusive assemblage of flower‐visiting bats (both nectarivores and other guilds that can also feed on nectar) within a savanna‐edge‐forest gradient, the phenological trends and spatial distribution of bat and their resource plants, and the resultant temporal and spatial interaction networks between bats and plants in order to associate network structure to resource availability.

Clear spatiotemporal trends emerged in the community. Nectarivores dominated the flower‐visiting niche outside forests and were prolific floral visitors, resulting in networks with lower specialization and modularity. These bats diverged into savanna foragers active during the wet season and the wet‐dry transition, and edge foragers active mostly during the dry season. The latter group encompassed L. dekeyseri, which visited mostly Bauhinia species. Frugivores took over as main floral visitors within forests, as well as during peak dry season, when fewer fruits were available, resulting in more specialized and modular networks.

Our work shows that the turnover of floral resources across seasons and vegetation types has a defining role in bat–plant interactions and relates to network structure, as bat trophic guilds interact with plants in distinct habitats and times of the year. Frugivores dominate the flower‐visiting niche in certain temporal and spatial subsets of the network, which calls for the inclusion of this guild in future studies. Moreover, the high visitation to Bauhinia species by L. dekeyseri during the dry season might reduce competition with other nectarivores and is relevant to the management of the species, although more data is needed on its resource consumption on a larger time frame and across its geographic range.
Spatial scale impacts microbial community composition and distribution within and across stream ecosystems in North and Central America
Authors: Bier Raven L. , Mosher Jennifer J. , Kaplan Louis A. , Kan Jinjun
Published: May 2023

A mechanistic understanding of factors that structure spatiotemporal community composition is a major challenge in microbial ecology. Our study of microbial communities in the headwaters of three freshwater stream networks showed significant community changes at the small spatial scale of benthic habitats when compared to changes at mid‐ and large‐spatial scales associated with stream order and catchment. Catchment (which included temperate and tropical catchments) had the strongest influence on community composition followed by habitat type (epipsammon or epilithon) and stream orders. Alpha diversity of benthic microbiomes resulted from interactions between catchment, habitat, and canopy. Epilithon contained relatively more Cyanobacteria and algae while Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria proportions were higher in epipsammic habitats. Turnover from replacement created ~60%–95% of beta diversity differences among habitats, stream orders, and catchments. Turnover within a habitat type generally decreased downstream indicating longitudinal linkages in stream networks while between habitat turnover also shaped benthic microbial community assembly. Our study suggests that factors influencing microbial community composition shift in dominance across spatial scales, with habitat dominating locally and catchment dominating globally.
Small‐scale spatial beta diversity of bacteria in the mixed upper layer of a lake
Authors: Pernthaler Jakob , Krempaska Natalia , le Moigne Alizée
Published: May 2023

Bacterial community composition among individual, experimentally generated ‘lake snow’ particles may be highly variable. Since such aggregates are seasonally abundant in the mixed upper layer of lakes, we hypothesized that particle‐attached (PA) bacteria disproportionally contribute to the small‐scale spatial beta diversity of pelagic communities. Community composition was analysed in sets of small (10 mL) samples collected from a pre‐alpine lake in May, July and October 2018. Bacteria were classified as free‐living (FL) or PA depending on their presence in large, 5‐μm pre‐filtered reference samples. FL exhibited clear seasonal differences in community composition and assembly. They were spatially uniform in May and July, and only a few FL taxa exhibited significant spatial variability. Spatial heterogeneity of FL in October was caused by high alpha and beta diversity of rare taxa, many with a presumably ‘tychoplanktic’ (alternating attached and free‐living) lifestyle. The spatial beta diversity of PA was always high, and only about 10% of their seasonal richness was present in any single sample. Thus, most compositional variability of pelagic bacteria at spatial scales of cm to m either directly or indirectly originated from PA. On a functional level, this genotypic heterogeneity might affect the spatial distribution of rare metabolic traits.
Jung Among the Physicists: A Review Essay of Dual‐Aspect Monism and the Deep Structure of Meaning
Authors: Main Roderick
Published: May 2023

This essay reviews the recent book by Harald Atmanspacher and Dean Rickles, Dual‐Aspect Monism and the Deep Structure of Meaning. The essay aims to contextualize and clarify the book’s core argument about the theoretical and empirical fruitfulness of decompositional dual‐aspect monism as an intervention into the mind‐body problem that ascribes a pivotal role to meaning. The variants of dual‐aspect monism discussed were developed primarily by physicists, but the essay also highlights the crucial contributions to the argument by the one non‐physicist involved, Carl Gustav Jung, as well as noting the significance of dual‐aspect monism and of the reviewed book for analytical psychology.
Stratigraphy of volcanic memory: Sociocultural dimensions of volcanic risk in the Southern Andes, Chile
Authors: Vergara‐Pinto Francisca , Marín Andrés
Published: May 2023

This article focuses on communities that reoccupy territories affected by volcanic eruptions to extend understanding of people's social appropriation of environments exposed to natural hazards. We take as a case study three rural settlements affected by several eruptions from the Carran‐Los Venados and Puyehue‐Cordón Caulle volcanic systems (Southern Andes, Chile). Using an ethnographic observation scale, we engage with local actors' experiences during volcanic eruptions and quiescence. We identified three factors shaping people's decision to reoccupy volcanic territories: the reproduction of a peasant habitus, a stratigraphy of memories and the acceptability of volcanic risk. The results illustrate the construction of human–volcano interactions built over generations, framed in socio‐volcanic cycles faced from a habitus of precariousness. However, after recalling their past vulnerabilities, the community imagines overcoming the impacts of volcanism from a different habitus based on living as peasants in conditions of greater social equity. From this, we discuss how volcanic imaginaries interrogate the past, motivate a more accurate understanding of volcanic risk and support the projections of communities about their human–volcano coexistence despite exposure to hazards. Finally, we posit the concept of ethnovolcanology to understand the tension between place attachment and disaster risk as a persistent intersection of human and geological forces.
The reliability and validity of lung cancer and melanoma clinical quality survival measures
Authors: Pendl‐Robinson Emma , Calkins Keri L. , Simon Samuel E. , Barrett Kirsten , Poznyak Dmitriy
Published: May 2023

Objective

To develop a risk adjustment approach and test reliability and validity for oncology survival measures.

Data Sources and Study Setting

We used the National Cancer Institute's Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)‐Medicare data from 2010 to 2013, with mortality data through 2015.

Study Design

We developed 2‐year risk‐standardized survival rates (RSSR) for melanoma, non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Patients were attributed to group practices based on the plurality of visits. We identified the risk‐adjustment variables via bootstrap and calculated the RSSRs. Reliability was tested via three approaches: (1) signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) reliability, (2) split‐half, and (3) test–retest using bootstrap. We tested known group validity by stage at diagnosis using Cohen's d.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We selected all patients enrolled in Medicare and linked to SEER during the measurement period with an incident first primary diagnosis of stage I–IV melanoma, NSCLC, or SCLC. We excluded patients with missing data on month and/or stage of diagnosis.

Principal Findings

Results are based on patients with melanoma (n = 4344); NSCLC (n = 16,080); and SCLC (n = 2807) diagnosed between 2012 and 2013. The median (interquartile range) for the RSSRs at the group practice‐level were 0.89 (0.83–0.87) for melanoma, 0.37 (0.30–0.43) for NSCLC, and 0.19 (0.11–0.25) for SCLC. C‐statistics for the models ranged from 0.725 to 0.825. The reliability varied by approach with median SNR 0.20, 0.25, and 0.13; median test–retest 0.59, 0.57, and 0.56; median split‐half reliability 0.21, 0.29, and 0.29 for melanoma, NSCLC, and SCLC, respectively. Cohen's d for stage I‐IIIa and IIIb+ was 1.27, 0.86, 0.60 for melanoma, NSCLC, and SCLC, respectively.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that these cancer survival measures demonstrated adequate test–retest reliability and expected findings for the known‐group validity analysis. If data limitations and feasibility challenges can be addressed, implementation of these quality measures may provide a survival metric used for oncology quality improvement efforts.
Comparing ambulatory commercial spending in Rhode Island and Massachusetts, 2016–2019
Authors: James Hannah O. , Koller Christopher , Nasuti Laura J. , Auerbach David I. , Wilson Ira B.
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate trends and drivers of commercial ambulatory spending and price variation.

Data Sources and Study Setting

Commercial claims data from the Massachusetts and Rhode Island All‐Payer Claims Databases from 2016 to 2019.

Study Design

Observational study of spending in major ambulatory care settings. We calculated per member per year spending, average price, and utilization rates to consider drivers of spending, and constructed site‐specific price indices to evaluate price variation.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

We analyzed commercial claims data from All‐Payer Claims Databases in the two states.

Principal Findings

Ambulatory spending levels in Massachusetts were 38.0% higher than those in Rhode Island in 2019. Overall utilization rates were similar, but Massachusetts had a 6.2 percentage point higher share of visits occurring in hospital outpatient departments (HOPD). Average prices were 31.5% higher in Massachusetts in 2016 and 36.4% higher in 2019. We observed extensive price variation in both states across both office and HOPD settings.

Conclusions

States seeking to address increases in health care spending, including those with cost growth benchmarks and rate review policies, should consider additional interventions that mitigate market failures in the establishment of commercial health care prices.
Evaluation of clinical features and laboratory findings in critical intensive care unit patients with severe coronavirus disease‐19 who underwent extracorporeal cytokine adsorption
Authors: Yavuz Tunzala , Orhan Semiha , Rollas Kazim , Toksoy Cansu Koseoglu , Kazan Elif Dizen , Bozkurt Erhan , Cosgun İbrahim Guven , Yavasoglu Filiz
Published: May 2023

Aim

To evaluate the inflammatory parameters and oxygenation in severe coronavirus disease‐19 patients who underwent extracorporeal cytokine adsorption (CA).

Methods

Patients who underwent extracorporeal CA for cytokine storm were included in the study. The changes in oxygenation, laboratory parameters, and mortality rates were investigated.

Results

Thirty‐six patients were included in the study. The hemoglobin, thrombocyte, and C‐reactive protein (CRP) decreased, and PaO2/FiO2 ratio increased (p < 0.001; p < 0.01; p < 0.001; p = 0.04, respectively). Twelve (33.3%) patients received a single session, 24 (66.6%) received 2 or more sessions. CRP and fibrinogen levels decreased, and PaO2/FIO2 ratio increased in the single session group (p = 0.04; p = 0.04; p = 0.01, respectively). In the multi‐session group, the hemoglobin, platelet, procalcitonin, and CRP levels decreased, and PaO2/FIO2 ratio increased (p < 0.01; p = 0.02; p = 0.02; p < 0.01; p = 0.01, respectively). Day 15, 30, and 90 mortality rates were 61.1%, 83.3%, and 88.9%.

Conclusion

CA with hemoperfusion reduced CRP and improved oxygenation; however, mortality rates were high.
Analyst Research Activity During the COVID‐19 Pandemic
Authors: Bilinski Pawel
Published: May 2023

This paper documents that, in response to the COVID‐19 pandemic, analysts increase their research activity and significantly revise their forecasts when compared to the pre‐pandemic period. Uncertainty‐adjusted forecast errors are either comparable or smaller during the pandemic compared to the pre‐pandemic period. Investor attention and price reactions to analyst forecast revisions are higher during the pandemic and the effect is stronger in periods where investors actively search for information about firms. During the pandemic, investors value analyst price discovery role more than their role in interpreting public information. Jointly, the results suggest that analysts play an important information intermediation role during the COVID‐19 pandemic.
Whole‐body oxidative stress reduction during testosterone therapy in aging men: A randomized placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Christensen Louise Lehmann , Poulsen Henrik Enghusen , Andersen Marianne Skovsager , Glintborg Dorte
Published: May 2023

Background

Testosterone replacement therapy in aging men increases lean body mass and decreases whole‐body fat. The safety of testosterone replacement therapy concerning cardiovascular disease is unresolved and assessment of whole‐body oxidative stress may contribute to future decision making.

Objectives

To determine whole‐body oxidative stress during testosterone replacement therapy and placebo in aging men and evaluate if a change in oxidative stress was mediated by changed body composition.

Materials and methods

This was a double‐blinded, randomized, placebo‐controlled study for 24 weeks in 38 men aged 60–78 years with bioavailable testosterone <7.3 nmol/L and waist circumference ≥94 cm who were randomized to testosterone replacement therapy (testosterone gel) (N = 20) or placebo (N = 18). At baseline and after 24 weeks, whole‐body oxidative stress was assessed by oxidized derivatives of nucleic acids, 8‐oxoguanosine and 8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine in 24‐h urine samples by ultra‐performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. Lean body mass and whole‐body fat were measured by dual X‐ray absorptiometry. Subcutaneous and visceral adipose tissue were estimated by magnetic resonance imaging. Testosterone replacement therapy versus placebo was compared by Mann–Whitney tests on ∆‐values (24–0 weeks).

Results

Baseline age was 67 (64–72) years (median [interquartile range]), body mass index 29.8 (26.6–33.3) kg/m2, waist 107 (99–117) cm, and bioavailable testosterone 4.7 (3.7–5.9) nmol/L. During testosterone replacement therapy, 8‐oxoguanosine in 24‐h urine samples decreased from 21.6 (19.8; 27.7) nm to 15.0 (12.2; 18.8) nm (p = 0.038 vs. placebo), lean body mass increased (p < 0.01) and whole‐body fat (p = 0.02) and subcutaneous adipose tissue (p < 0.01) decreased. 8‐Oxoguanosine in 24‐h urine samples was inversely associated with Δ‐lean body mass (ρ = –0.38, p = 0.03), which remained significant after adjusting for Δ‐total testosterone. 8‐Oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine in 24‐h urine samples was unchanged (p = 0.06) during testosterone replacement therapy and Δ‐8‐oxo‐2′‐deoxyguanosine in 24‐h urine samples was associated with Δ‐whole‐body fat (kg) (ρ = 0.47, p < 0.01). Δ‐Values of oxidative stress biomarkers were not associated with Δ‐fasting insulin or Δ‐homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance.

Discussion

Oxidative stress decreased during testosterone replacement therapy compared to placebo, which could be mediated by changed body composition.

Conclusion

Whole‐body oxidative stress decreased during 24 weeks of testosterone replacement therapy in aging men.
Comparison of ductus venosus Doppler and cerebroplacental ratio for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome in high‐risk pregnancies before and after 34 weeks
Authors: Morales‐Roselló José , Bhate Rohan , Eltaweel Nashwa , Khalil Asma
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The objective of the study was to compare the accuracy of the ductus venosus pulsatility index (DV PI) with that of the cerebroplacental ratio (CPR) for the prediction of adverse perinatal outcome at two gestational ages: <34 and ≥34 weeks' gestation.

Material and methods

This was a retrospective study of 169 high‐risk pregnancies (72 < 34 and 97 ≥ 34 weeks) that underwent an ultrasound examination of CPR, DV Doppler and estimated fetal weight at 22–40 weeks. The CPR and DV PI were converted into multiples of the median, and the estimated fetal weight into centiles according to local references. Adverse perinatal outcome was defined as a composite of abnormal cardiotocogram, intrapartum pH requiring cesarean delivery, 5′ Apgar score <7, neonatal pH <7.10 and admission to neonatal intensive care unit. Values were plotted according to the interval to labor to evaluate progression of abnormal Doppler values, and their accuracy was evaluated at both gestational periods, alone and combined with clinical data, by means of univariable and multivariable models, using the Akaike information criteria (AIC) and the area under the curve (AUC).

Results

Prior to 34 weeks' gestation, DV PI was the latest parameter to become abnormal. However, it was a poor predictor of adverse perinatal outcome (AUC 0.56, 95% CI: 0.40–0.71, AIC 76.2, p > 0.05), and did not improve the predictive accuracy of CPR for adverse perinatal outcome (AUC 0.88, 95% CI: 0.79–0.97, AIC 52.9, p < 0.0001). After 34 weeks' gestation, the chronology of the DV PI and CPR anomalies overlapped, but again DV PI was a poor predictor for adverse perinatal outcome (AUC 0.62, 95% CI: 0.49–0.74, AIC 120.6, p > 0.05), that did not improve the CPR ability to predict adverse perinatal outcome (AUC 0.80, 95% CI: 0.67–0.92, AIC 106.8, p < 0.0001). The predictive accuracy of CPR prior to 34 weeks persisted when the gestational age at delivery was included in the model (AUC 0.91, 95% CI: 0.81–1.00, AIC 46.3, p < 0.0001, vs AUC 0.86, 95% CI: 0.72–1, AIC 56.1, p < 0.0001), and therefore was not determined by prematurity.

Conclusions

CPR predicts adverse perinatal outcome better than DV PI, regardless of gestational age. Larger prospective studies are needed to delineate the role of ultrasound tools of fetal wellbeing assessment in predicting and preventing adverse perinatal outcome.