bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Women empowerment in restaurants: effects of femvertising, purplewashing and feminist identity on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium
Authors: Li Yizhi , Yu Xi , Qi Ruoxi , Petrick James
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Despite the increasing popularity of women-owned businesses in the marketplace, relatively few studies in the hospitality literature have focused on these businesses. Hence, this study aims to examine the impact of femvertising and purplewashing on consumers’ willingness to pay a premium at women-owned restaurants, as well as the role of feminist self-identification and psychological closeness underlying these associated effects. The study aims to provide insights into women-owned restaurant marketing strategies and to highlight the importance of authentic brand activism in consumer behavior in the restaurant industry.

Design/methodology/approach

Building on Construal Level Theory, this paper conducts two online experiments with 486 US participants who have dined at or ordered takeout from a restaurant. The studies aim to investigate consumers’ opinions about brand activism strategies (i.e. femvertising and purplewashing) in restaurants.

Findings

The results of two experimental studies indicate that a femvertising strategy increases consumers’ willingness to pay a premium for a women-owned restaurant compared to a non-women-owned restaurant. Moreover, consumers who identify more strongly as feminists are more likely to pay more for women-owned restaurants when purplewashing is absent (vs present). Additionally, psychological closeness serves as an underlying mechanism that explains these effects.

Practical implications

This study provides clear and actionable recommendations to help business stakeholders, owners and managers to market and advertise women-owned restaurants. For example, women-owned restaurant practitioners should feature women empowerment messaging in their advertisements to attract more consumers. However, they should avoid using purplewashing and other inauthentic brand activism practices in advertisements.

Originality/value

This research contributes to the hospitality literature on women entrepreneurship by exploring the effective marketing strategies of women-owned restaurants and investigating how to advertise women-owned businesses in the hospitality field. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is also the very first study to explore the role of femvertising and purplewashing in consumers’ food-related decision-making.
Mapping a food donation supply chain and the implications for social policies in Brazil
Authors: Vieira Luciana Marques , Miguel Priscila Laczynski de Souza , de Moraes Camila Colombo
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic raised global alarms about hunger and food insecurity worldwide and the corresponding need for public policies, particularly in emerging countries. One possible solution for addressing this important topic is a food donation supply chain, which comprises food banks and involves their relationships with suppliers (donors), customers (people in need) and other potential stakeholders. The aim of this research is to understand how different agents in a food donation supply chain use different but interrelated capital dimensions (human, structural and relational) to leverage their resources and build knowledge in their relationships with other stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted an abductive single case study with the food bank as a focal organisation in a direct supply chain. Data were collected by way of 15 semi-structured interviews with representatives from each tier in the chain (food bank, donor, social impact company and social movement), non-participant observation and secondary data (e.g. codes of practice, websites and media). All data sources were analysed individually and then cross-checked.

Findings

Our findings show that tangible dimensions, such as those that are structural, are present upstream while intangible dimensions – those that are relational and human, for example – are prevalent downstream. The political dimension was identified as an important mechanism that allows stakeholder engagement and access to resources, funding and government incentives.

Originality/value

By applying a multi-tier approach, the present research explores how different stages in this supply chain use intellectual capital (IC) to better manage relationships. The heterogeneity of agents within the food donation supply chain (public, private and third sector), each of which has distinct levels of IC dimensions, can share their knowledge to improve efficiency and social protection mechanism policies. Since the focal organisation is a non-profit organisation, this study also contributes to IC theory.
Access to finance and its impact on operational efficiency of MSMEs: mediating role of entrepreneurial personality and self-efficacy
Authors: Singh Sumanjeet , Raj Rohit , Dash Bishnu Mohan , Kumar Vimal , Paliwal Minakshi , Chauhan Sonam
Published: October 2024

Purpose

The present study aims to investigate the factors of loan access that affect entrepreneurial self-efficacy (ESE) and operating efficiency of Indian Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). Furthermore, the study intended to investigate the influence of ESE on the operating efficiency of Indian MSMEs and its mediating role.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, exploratory research design is used. The study heavily relies on the primary data which has been collected by using the survey research method from a cross-section of 617 women-owned MSMEs, located in urban, rural, suburban and exurban areas of Haryana, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh and NCR-Delhi. The partial least square structural equation modeling method version 3.3.3 has been used to evaluate.

Findings

In terms of the selected factors affecting access to finance, it has been established that the Loan Formalities, Banking Process, Loan Process, Staff Responsiveness and Incentive Scheme have a positive and significant influence in enhancing accessibility to finance and improving the self-efficacy and operating performance of firms. The findings also show that ESE mediates the relationship between various factors of loan access and the operating efficiency of MSMEs.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s findings show that entrepreneurial capacity is significantly and favorably impacted by attitudes toward entrepreneurship, ESE, perceived access to findings and business operations. It has also been demonstrated that entrepreneurial intentions are strongly and favorably influenced by entrepreneurial ability to access commercial bank financing for small businesses and the impact of the same on the women-owned MSMEs in India. It also revealed unfavorable loan terms, limited collateral, fear of repaying of loan and intricate loan application were among the many reasons for loan denial.

Originality/value

The study offers a comprehensive approach that simultaneously considers financial accessibility and ESE. This all-encompassing method offers a thorough grasp of the variables affecting MSMEs' operational efficiency (OE). In contrast to earlier research that might have concentrated only on direct relationships, this study explores the mediating mechanisms involved. This study examines how ESE modulates the influence of financing availability on OE, providing a comprehensive understanding of the underlying mechanisms. By taking into account particular MSME sector characteristics like size, industry or regional variations, the study may provide a unique contextual lens. Understanding how these contextual factors interact with entrepreneurial attributes and access to finance adds depth to the analysis.
The social ledger: qualitatively decoding interaction-driven investment decisions among Indian investors and fund managers
Authors: Singh Shruti , Chakraborty Anindita
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the antecedents of social interaction among Indian retail investors and fund managers to understand how these factors influence investment decisions. By identifying and examining these antecedents, the study aims to shed light on the social dynamics that shape investment behavior in the Indian financial market.

Design/methodology/approach

The researchers have mainly adopted an interpretive strategy for the present study. Qualitative data elicited through semistructured interviews with six retail investors and two fund managers were subjected to qualitative thematic analysis.

Findings

Our research found several factors that make Indian retail investors and fund managers connect and make financial decisions. Peers can improve a person’s investing performance through social facilitation, and discussing investment suggestions and lessons learned can affect a group’s investment behavior. Social norms also influenced investors’ financial decisions, demonstrating compliance. Investor closeness increased information sharing. Finally, the fear of missing out (FOMO), a psychological phenomenon where people fear missing out on rewarding experiences, encouraged social engagement as investors sought appealing prospects.

Research limitations/implications

The researchers interviewed eight carefully selected interviewees across the divide between retail investors and fund managers. Adopting other grouping criteria, conducting a focus group discussion with more respondents or adopting a mixed-methods approach may increase our understanding of the investment decision behaviors of Indian retail investors and fund managers.

Practical implications

The findings have far-reaching consequences, from deepening our knowledge of investors’ motivations and actions to directing individual savers, informing the development of financial literacy initiatives, influencing fund management practices and inspiring additional research in this study area.

Originality/value

This research, including retail investors and fund managers, significantly contributes to the literature on investment decisions and behavioral finance, particularly in the context of Indian investors and managers. This study’s unique perspective and comprehensive approach make it a valuable addition to the field, sparking interest and further exploration among academics, practitioners and investors alike.
The Australian paediatric brachytherapy experience: A pathway to a national programme
Authors: Sullivan Emma , Thiruthaneeswaran Niluja , Karpelowsky Jonathan , Busuttil Gemma , Flower Emily , Bucci Joseph , Ahern Verity , Chard Jennifer
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Paediatric cancers are rare, and most children requiring radiation therapy receive external beam radiation (EBRT). Although EBRT may offer organ preservation compared to surgery, it can be associated with significant late effects. Image‐guided brachytherapy is a highly specialised technique offering both organ preservation and dose conformity to minimise late toxicity.

Methods

This is a retrospective mono‐institutional review of paediatric brachytherapy in one of the largest paediatric centres in Australia. Outcomes and toxicities are presented as well as brachytherapy versus proton plan comparison in four patients.

Results

A total of 14 patients were treated with adjuvant brachytherapy between 2012 and 2022. The predominant histology was rhabdomyosarcoma, and all patients had pelvic tumours. High‐dose rate (HDR) brachytherapy was given for 13 patients with one patient receiving low‐dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy. Only one grade three late toxicity was reported and two patients developed metastatic disease within one year of completion of treatment. The brachytherapy plan was superior to protons in two of four patients and equivocal in one patient.

Conclusion

This is the first Australian publication of a paediatric brachytherapy series from a single institution. This retrospective series demonstrates the feasibility and safety of brachytherapy in paediatric pelvic tumours. The initial work presented here demonstrates the value of a comprehensive radiation plan review in selecting the optimal modality for an individual paediatric patient.
Nature and impact of symptoms at time of initial presentation for patients with glioblastoma
Authors: Ruisi Isidoro , Jayamanne Dasantha , Kastelan Marina , Cove Nicola , Cheng Michael , Back Michael
Published: October 2024

Introduction

In patients diagnosed with glioblastoma (GBM), minimal data exist on the pathway to presentation and the impact of symptoms on survival outcomes. This study aims to detail the symptoms that occur at time of initial presentation, the response to subsequent intervention, and the factors that predict survival in patients managed for GBM.

Methods

A retrospective audit was performed from established prospective databases in patients managed consecutively with radiation therapy (RT) for GBM between 2016 and 2019. The major endpoint was median overall survival (mOS). Analysis was performed to determine associations with clinical factors including presenting symptom, performance status, tumour site and extent of resection. The level of carer support and objective perception of carer mastery was also assessed.

Results

Overall, 182 patients with GBM were eligible for analysis. The majority of patients presented directly to Emergency (52%), with the most common initial presenting symptom being personality change in 23% of patients. The primary symptoms resolved pre‐operatively in 47% of patients, with 9% having worse symptoms postoperatively. The mOS was 16.5 months (95% CI: 14.5–18.5). ECOG Scores 0–1 were associated with improved mOS at both initial ECOG (P < 0.001) and ECOG at 6 months (P = 0.006). Recognised Carer Mastery (P = 0.007) but not presence of carer (P = 0.35) was associated with improved mOS.

Conclusion

In patients with GBM initial presenting symptoms, level of performance status and role of carer influence clinical outcomes and survival. These findings can assist to guide clinicians and supportive care services to optimise future patient care.
Detecting Assembly Errors With Klumpy: Building Confidence in Your Daily Genomic Analysis
Authors: Tsai Isheng Jason
Published: October 2024

In the realm of genome assembly, even minor errors can send researchers down to rabbit holes of unintended misinterpretation. Enter Klumpy—a tool designed to help detecting these elusive mistakes before they cause significant problems. By providing detailed, region‐specific assessments and an intuitive visualisation platform, Klumpy (Madrigal, et al. 2024) empowers researchers to pinpoint and resolve potential issues with precision, paving the way for more reliable downstream analyses and discoveries.
Diurnal Activity Budgets and Feeding Habits of Grivet Monkey (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) in Fragmented Moist Afromontane Forest
Authors: Alemneh Chalachew , Girma Zerihun
Published: October 2024

Grivet monkeys (Chlorocebus aethiops aethiops) are opportunistic omnivores and extremely adaptable in both rural and urban environments. A study was conducted out in human‐dominated fragmented moist Afromontane forest of wondo genet to investigate the diurnal activity budgets and feeding habits of grivet monkey. Data collection was carried out from February to September 2022 covering both wet and dry seasons. During each scan, individuals were recorded as performing one of the following activities: feeding, moving (searching for food), resting, grooming, playing and others such as drinking, vocalisation and defecation, or aggression and sexual activity. Dietary composition and preferences were assessed using scan sampling method. Proximate analysis was conducted to examine the nutritional makeup of feeding food items. The greatest proportion of the activity time budget of the grivet monkey was devoted to feeding, resting and moving, with relatively higher time devoted to feeding and moving and less time devoted to resting when compared with grivet monkeys inhabiting natural habitats. Grivet monkey utilised 42 food items grouped into 41 plant species and 1 insect. Psidium guava and Desmodium intortum, relatively with higher crude protein and less fibre, were the most preferred plants consumed. The study has pointed out that grivet monkeys in the human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest tend to prefer to consume on fruit tress such as Persea americana, Mangifera indica and Psidium guava, which contain high nutritional content that are planted and managed around homesteads. It is recommended to plant and sustainably manage grivet monkeys' natural foods in human‐dominated landscape of Wondo Genet remnant moist afromontane forest to sustainably conserve the species and avoid/reduce human‐grivet monkey conflict.
The role of temporal distancing on the sense of meaning in life among individuals experiencing daily stressors
Authors: Yang Tongping , Bi Chongzeng
Published: October 2024

Existing evidence has indicated that adopting a temporally distanced perspective can enhance the search for and presence of meaning in life. However, this effect may not hold among individuals facing highly stressful situations, as meaning–search might be considered dysfunctional in such contexts. Furthermore, prior research has not distinguished between near and distant perspectives when examining the impact of temporal distancing on meaning–search and meaning–presence. To address these gaps, this study utilized a prescreening stage (N = 972) to recruit participants dealing with unresolved stressors of moderate‐to‐high severity. A pre‐test and post‐test design was employed, with participants randomly assigned to either near‐future or distant‐future conditions. The results (n = 129) showed that temporal distancing manipulation increased meaning–presence scores across both conditions. Meaning–search scores were significantly lower at post‐test compared to pre‐test within the distant‐future condition but not within the near‐future condition. By examining the differential effects of near‐future versus distant‐future perspectives and recruiting individuals experiencing moderate‐to‐severe unresolved stressors, this study sheds light on how temporal distancing serves as a coping strategy, enabling individuals to maintain a relatively balanced sense of meaning in life when confronted with significant stressors.
Surprisingly wide climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species raises hope for survival under climate change
Authors: Nassif Yaacoub , Pinto Paulina E. , Fernandez‐Manjarres Juan , Gegout Jean‐Claude
Published: October 2024

Aims

We assessed the juvenile climatic niche breadth of a relict mountain species by comparing field observations and transplant experiments within and beyond the elevational limits of its distribution range.

Location

Lebanon – Near East – Mediterranean region.

Methods

We studied the survival and growth of the Cedar of Lebanon (Cedrus libani) to determine the lower and upper elevational range limits of its juvenile stage through an experimental setup with and without water supplementation and with potentially competing species as a control. The experiment included eight common gardens at elevations ranging from 110 to 2330 m, within and far beyond the warm and cold limits of Cedar distribution observed under natural conditions.

Results

We observed unexpectedly high survival and growth rates of Cedar at elevations well below the range of its natural distribution in Lebanon. Below the observed warm limit, water stress at very low elevations and competition at low and medium elevations limited juvenile survival. In contrast, cold temperature and water stress limited survival at elevations slightly above the observed upper natural limit. The experimental setup demonstrated that the elevation range suitable for Cedar growth and survival was twice as wide as the range within which Cedar is observed under natural conditions.

Main Conclusions

High survival rates experimentally observed beyond the warm limit of the natural distribution range of the Cedar of Lebanon raise hope for its resilience to ongoing climate warming. If this pattern were frequent among montane species, it would challenge predictions of massive extinction with climate change and pave the way for promoting adaptive actions such as competition management to improve their survival.
Endoscopic transpapillary gallbladder drainage using a novel sphincterotome
Authors: Ishikawa Takuya , Kumano Ryohei , Kawashima Hiroki
Published: October 2024

Watch a video of this article.
Price matching in online retail
Authors: Bottasso Anna , Robbiano Simone , Marocco Paolo
Published: October 2024

We analyze a sample of consumer‐electronics products sold by the US NewEgg online‐retailer to study the impact of price‐matching guarantees (PMGs) on prices. By applying a difference‐in‐differences approach, we find that the price of the policy‐adopting retailer increases by 4.7% during the policy validity period and up to 5 days after the treatment, while those of the non‐adopting competitor are not affected. Results are mainly driven by highly‐rated, visible, and expensive products, whereas the policy does not affect low‐rated, less visible, and cheaper products. These findings are consistent with the hypotheses that PMGs act as price discrimination or signaling tools.
AI‐Mediated Communication in EFL Classrooms: The Role of Technical and Pedagogical Stimuli and the Mediating Effects of AI Literacy and Enjoyment
Authors: Liu Honggang , Fan Jiqun
Published: October 2024

This study leverages the Stimulus‐Organism‐Response (S‐O‐R) framework to investigate the effects of teacher and technical support (TCHS) on learners' willingness to communicate (WTC) in artificial intelligence (AI)‐enhanced English as a foreign language (EFL) contexts, considering the mediating effects of learners' artificial intelligence literacy (AIL) and foreign language enjoyment (FLE). A quantitative survey encompassing 637 non‐English major university students across four institutions was conducted. Structural equation modelling (SEM) results demonstrated that teacher support (TEAS) exerts a direct influence on learners' WTC, whereas TCHS does not. The study also revealed that AIL and FLE significantly mediate the relationship between teacher and TCHS and learners’ WTC. The findings underscore the pivotal role of cognitive and affective factors, emphasising the substantial impact of TEAS and the value of nurturing learners’ AIL and enjoyment of foreign languages. This research offers strategic implications for educational practitioners and policymakers, advocating for the integration of innovative educational technologies and fostering sustainable growth in artificial intelligence in education.
Comparative Transcriptomic Analyses Reveal Differences in the Responses of Diploid and Triploid Eastern Oysters to Environmental Stress
Authors: Vaidya Rujuta V. , Bodenstein Sarah , Rasulova Dildorakhon , La Peyre Jerome F. , Kelly Morgan W.
Published: October 2024

Triploid oysters are commonly used as the basis for production in the aquaculture of eastern oysters along the USA East and Gulf of Mexico coasts. While they are valued for their rapid growth, incidents of triploid mortality during summer months have been well documented in eastern oysters, especially at low salinity sites. We compared global transcriptomic responses of diploid and triploid oysters bred from the same three maternal source populations at two different hatcheries and outplanted to a high (annual mean salinity = 19.4 ± 6.7) and low (annual mean salinity = 9.3 ± 5.0) salinity site. Oysters were sampled for gene expression at the onset of a mortality event in the summer of 2021 to identify triploid‐specific gene expression patterns associated with low salinity sites, which ultimately experienced greater triploid mortality. We also examined chromosome‐specific gene expression to test for instances of aneuploidy in experimental triploid oyster lines, another possible contributor to elevated mortality in triploids. We observed a strong effect of hatchery conditions (cohort) on triploid‐specific mortality (field data) and a strong interactive effect of hatchery, ploidy, and outplant site on gene expression. At the low salinity site where triploid oysters experienced high mortality, we observed downregulation of transcripts related to calcium signaling, ciliary activity, and cell cycle checkpoints in triploids relative to diploids. These transcripts suggest dampening of the salinity stress response and problems during cell division as key cellular processes associated with elevated mortality risk in triploid oysters. No instances of aneuploidy were detected in our triploid oyster lines. Our results suggest that triploid oysters may be fundamentally less tolerant of rapid decreases in salinity, indicating that oyster farmers may need to limit the use of triploid oysters to sites with more stable salinity conditions.
Fatigue Fracture Mechanism and Life Prediction of TA1 Titanium Alloy Clinched Joints
Authors: Zhang Yue , Liao Changhui , Wang Tao , Xu Changyou , Peng Jianbiao , Lu Yan , Lei Bei , Jiang Jiachuan
Published: October 2024

This study investigated the fatigue fracture mechanisms and life prediction of clinched joints made from titanium alloy TA1. The fatigue tests revealed that TA1 titanium alloy clinched joints exhibited failure characterized by fracture of the lower plate at three distinct fatigue load levels. Additionally, finite element analysis indicated that cold work hardening enhanced the fatigue performance of these joints. Observations of fracture surfaces using scanning electron microscopy identified the crack source and its propagation path, which correlated with the location of maximum principal stress from the finite element simulations. Fretting wear was also observed in this critical region. Furthermore, fatigue life predictions for TA1 titanium alloy clinched joints were made using Paris' law and the local strain approach. Both methods closely matched experimental results across different fatigue life intervals. Overall, the local strain approach exhibited superior predictive capability compared to Paris' law, taking into account various influencing factors.
Unravelling the Influence of ENSO and SAM Patterns on Skate Growth: The Case of the Shorttail Yellownose Skate in Patagonia, Argentina
Authors: Heredia Federico M. , Tschopp Ayelen , Crespo Enrique A. , García Nestor , Grandi M. Florencia
Published: October 2024

In recent decades, the growth, physiology and distribution of many elasmobranch species have been altered as a result of environmental changes that affect prey abundance, availability and composition. Consequently, variations in nutrient input during climate events could manifest in the growth of their hard tissues. This study focuses on assessing the impact of the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and the Southern Annular Mode (SAM) on the growth of Shorttail Yellownose skate (Zearaja brevicaudata) in Patagonia, Argentina. To achieve this, vertebrae from 115 Z. brevicaudata specimens were analysed, and growth rings were dated and measured. By using cubic splines with varying flexibility, we constructed three standard chronologies. Generalized additive models (GAMs), the chronology with the best the R‐bar (
) and expressed population signal (EPS) were employed and values obtained from them linked to annual time series data of the Multivariate ENSO Index (MEI) and SAM, considering lags in the biological response. Surprisingly, no significant association was found with the MEI time series. However, a noteworthy positive association emerged between the chronology and the SAM time series lagged by 1 year, suggesting that SAM‐related climatic conditions could delay their transfer into the Patagonian marine ecosystem, subsequently impacting the growth of this ectothermic predator.
Forms of the Mother Right: Marxism's Matriarchal Origins from Friedrich Engels to Lu Märten
Authors: Jarris Mari
Published: October 2024

The nineteenth‐century discovery of the matrilineal origins of society shattered assumptions about the necessity of the bourgeois family. For Marxists, ethnographic studies of the mother right provided an aesthetic form to reevaluate the “woman question” from a scientific perspective. Although Marx and Engels had long rejected the idea of the family in favor of “family forms,” Engels's adaptation of Morgan's Ancient Society (1877) in Der Ursprung der Familie, des Privateigentums und des Staats (1884) was canonized as the authoritative Marxist text on the subject. While the ethnographic form enabled the denaturalization of the family, its racialized and gendered temporality undercut socialist critiques of social forms. This article introduces Lu Märten's queer utopian response to the mother right, Geschichte der Frau vom Mutterrecht bis zur Gegenwart (1947), which dispenses with the evolutionary structure of the ethnographic study to offer a vision of polyamorous and androgynous forms in a classless society.
Exploring epistemological decentring in a language other than English classroom through pedagogical translanguaging
Authors: Li Danli , Gao Qing , Ma Mengyao
Published: October 2024

This paper aims to explore the epistemological decentring in a language other than English classroom through pedagogical translanguaging and examine students’ attitudes toward translanguaging practices. Data were collected from a six‐week classroom observation with 20 French major undergraduates and interviews with the students in a comprehensive university in China. Analysis revealed that the teacher employs three forms of translanguaging pedagogy: form‐focused strategy, dual‐language substantiation, and multi‐semiotic strategy, which promote students’ understanding of epistemological decentring. The interviews indicated the advantages of translanguaging integrated with epistemological decentring including heightened engagement, the development of cross‐language awareness, and enhanced critical language awareness. The study shows how pedagogical translanguaging aligns with a decentring perspective, promoting the use of diverse knowledge systems, and highlighting the importance of creating a decentring space for multilingual education. It also underscores the need to challenge monolingual ideologies, question conventional approaches to multilingualism, and actively embrace a diverse range of meaning‐making systems.
Meeting Report: Controlled Human Influenza Virus Infection Model Studies: Current Status and Future Directions for Innovation
Authors: Lane M. Chelsea , Luke Catherine J. , Bresee Joseph , Dugan Vivien G. , Post Diane J. , Schafer Julie , Roberts Paul C. , Wentworth David E. , Ison Michael G.
Published: October 2024

On November 13–14, 2023, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) in partnership with the Task Force for Global Health, Flu Lab, the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention convened a meeting on controlled human influenza virus infection model (CHIVIM) studies to review the current research landscape of CHIVIM studies and to generate actionable next steps. Presentations and panel discussions highlighted CHIVIM use cases, regulatory and ethical considerations, innovations, networks and standardization, and the utility of using CHIVIM in vaccine development. This report summarizes the presentations, discussions, key takeaways, and future directions for innovations in CHIVIMs. Experts agreed that CHIVIM studies can be valuable for the study of influenza infection, immune response, and transmission. Furthermore, they may have utility in the development of vaccines and other medical countermeasures; however, the use of CHIVIMs to de‐risk clinical development of investigational vaccines should employ a cautious approach. Endpoints in CHIVIM studies should be tailored to the specific use case. CHIVIM studies can provide useful supporting data for vaccine licensure but are not required and do not obviate the need for the conduct of field efficacy trials. Future directions in this field include the continued expansion of capacity to conduct CHIVIM studies, development of a broad panel of challenge viruses and assay reagents and standards that can be shared, streamlining of manufacturing processes, the exploration of targeted delivery of virus to the lower respiratory tract, efforts to more closely replicate natural influenza disease in CHIVIM, alignment on a definition of breadth to facilitate development of more broadly protective/universal vaccine approaches, and continued collaboration between stakeholders.
Extrapolating Sentinel Surveillance Information to Estimate National COVID Hospital Admission Rates: A Bayesian Modeling Approach
Authors: Devine Owen , Pham Huong , Gunnels Betsy , Reese Heather E. , Steele Molly , Couture Alexia , Iuliano Danielle , Sachdev Darpun , Alden Nisha B. , Meek James , Witt Lucy , Ryan Patricia A. , Reeg Libby , Lynfield Ruth , Ropp Susan L. , Barney Grant , Tesini Brenda L. , Shiltz Eli , Sutton Melissa , Talbot H. Keipp , Reyes Isabella , Havers Fiona P.
Published: October 2024

The COVID‐19‐Associated Hospitalization Surveillance Network (COVID‐NET) was established in March 2020 to monitor trends in hospitalizations associated with SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. COVID‐NET is a geographically diverse population‐based surveillance system for laboratory‐confirmed COVID‐19‐associated hospitalizations with a combined catchment area covering approximately 10% of the US population. Data collected in COVID‐NET includes monthly counts of hospitalizations for persons with confirmed SARS‐CoV‐2 infection who reside within the defined catchment area. A Bayesian modeling approach is proposed to estimate US national COVID‐associated hospital admission rates based on information reported in the COVID‐NET system. A key component of the approach is the ability to estimate uncertainty resulting from extrapolation of hospitalization rates observed within COVID‐NET to the US population. In addition, the proposed model enables estimation of other contributors to uncertainty including temporal dependence among reported COVID‐NET admission counts, the impact of unmeasured site‐specific factors, and the frequency and accuracy of testing for SARS‐CoV‐2 infection. Based on the proposed model, an estimated 6.3 million (95% uncertainty interval (UI) 5.4–7.3 million) COVID‐19‐associated hospital admissions occurred in the United States from September 2020 through December 2023. Between April 2020 and December 2023, model‐based monthly admission rate estimates ranged from a minimum of 1 per 10,000 population (95% UI 0.7–1.2) in June of 2023 to a highest monthly level of 16 per 10,000 (95% UI 13–19) in January 2022.
High‐performance thermoelectric calcium cobaltite nanoribbon ceramic via electrospinning and dual spark plasma texturing
Authors: Kruppa Katharina , Maor Itzhak I. , Karlin Anat , Steinbach Frank , Shter Gennady E. , Stobitzer Dorothea , Petersen Hilke , Breidenstein Bernd , Mann‐Lahav Meirav , Grader Gideon S. , Feldhoff Armin
Published: October 2024

High‐performance polycrystalline calcium cobaltite ceramic was synthesized via electrospinning of nanoribbons, followed by dual‐process compaction using spark plasma sintering and edge‐free spark plasma texturing. The combination of nanoribbon electrospinning and this multistage sintering technique was employed for the first time and resulted in exceptionally well‐textured thermoelectric ceramics. The textured ceramic had excellent thermoelectric properties. At 1073 K, the ceramic exhibited an electrical conductivity of 268 S cm−1, a Seebeck coefficient of 247 µV K−1 and a heat conductivity of 3.3 W m−1 K−1. In addition, the power factor and figure‐of‐merit reached enormously high values of 16.3 µW cm−1 K−2 and 0.53, respectively. This represents the highest thermoelectric performance reported to date not only for electrospun, polycrystalline calcium cobaltite fiber ceramics, but also for undoped polycrystalline calcium cobaltite ceramics.
Psychometric evaluation of the Turkish version of the nurses' perception of the gap between knowledge and practice scale
Authors: Demir Kösem Dilek , Demir Şenay , Bektaş Murat , Bektaş İlknur
Published: October 2024

Background

Progress in the nursing profession and clinical decision‐making are largely sustained by the coherence between theory and practice. The quality of healthcare provided by nurses and patient outcomes are adversely impacted by the gap between knowledge and practice. Measurement tools used to assess nurses' perceptions of this gap are inadequate in Türkiye. This research aimed to adapt the nurses' perception of the gap between knowledge and practice scale into Turkish and to evaluate its reliability and validity.

Methods

The study, in which a methodological design was employed, was conducted with 406 nurses between March and June 2022. A descriptive information form and the nurses' perception of the gap between knowledge and practice scale (NPGKPS) were employed to gather data. The validity study included content and construct validity analyses, and the reliability study included item analysis, split‐half test, and Cronbach alpha coefficients.

Results

The scale had 35 items and four dimensions, which explained 54.65% of the total variance. The goodness of fit values, which were found following a confirmatory factor analysis, were estimated as follows: CMIN = 1808.984, DF = 512, CMIN/DF = 3.533, IFI = 0.89, TLI = 0.87, RFI = 0.83, CFI = 0.89, RMSEA = 0.079, and NFI = 0.86. Cronbach's alpha coefficient of the total scale was estimated as 0.95 and it was in the range of 0.84 to 0.93 for four factors.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the nurses' perception of the gap between knowledge and practice scale was a reliable and valid measure which could be applied to Turkish society.
Development and validation of the questionnaire of OSCE's educational effects
Authors: Rahimi Masoumeh , Bastanhagh Ehsan , Azemati Ali , Norouzi Ali , Mafinejad Mahboobeh Khabaz
Published: October 2024

Introduction

One of the most common assessment tools for examining the competencies of health professionals is the Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE).

Methods

In this study, an Educational Effects of OSCE Questionnaire (EEOQ) was developed and validated in seven steps: (1) Reviewing the literature, (2) Holding focus groups, (3) Synthesizing the results of literature review and focus groups, (4) Developing items, (5) Evaluating content validity, (6) Conducting cognitive interviews, and (7) Implementing a pilot test.

Results

The analysis of the literature review and focus groups revealed that the educational effects of OSCE are influenced by factors related to the test, the examiner, the peers, and the student. Initially, 22 items were developed, but one item was excluded based on the results of the I‐CVR and I‐CVI indices. In the Exploratory Factor Analysis, the KMO index was computed to be 0.85, and the significance of Bartlett's test of sphericity was confirmed (p < 0.001). The Total Variance Explained table showed that the educational effects of OSCE were grouped into four factors: content, structure, reflection and review, and feedback along with OSCE.

Conclusions

This study found good evidence of validity and reliability for a questionnaire measuring the educational effects of OSCEs. It was discovered that OSCE can have different effects on student learning processes.
Parental lying to children: A systematic review
Authors: Roza Emma C. A. , Lucieer Ines C. , van de Bongardt Daphne , Luijk Maartje P. C. M. , Kok Rianne
Published: October 2024

Parents lie to their children, for example, to influence children's behavior and emotions (parenting by lying). The aim of this systematic review was to describe the current scientific literature on parental lying, including its prevalence, correlates, conceptualizations, and operationalizations. Through an extensive literature search using PRISMA guidelines, 23 eligible peer‐reviewed empirical papers on parental lying have been found. Many parents are found to lie to their children. However, existing research is characterized by a heterogeneous and narrow conceptualization and operationalization of parental lying, and a focus on problems. Following this, the current empirical evidence points mostly toward associations with maladaptive development. Following a critical analysis of the studies, future research should implement broader conceptualizations and operationalizations of parental lying in non‐retrospective, experimental, or prospective longitudinal research designs on maladaptive and adaptive correlates, to determine the significance of parental lying for children.
Assessment of the Role of miR‐30a‐5p on the Proliferation and Apoptosis of Hair Follicle Stem Cells
Authors: Wang Yiping , Wu Wentao , Wang Risheng , Chen Jinwei , Xu Xiangping , Li Meiqi , Jia Chiyu , Chen Nian
Published: October 2024

Objective

To investigate the role of miR‐30a‐5p on the proliferation and apoptosis of hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) and whether the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway is involved.

Methods

HFSCs derived from the vibrissa of mammary rats were obtained by enzymatic digestion, and subsequently the obtained HFSCs were treated with Lipofectamine 2000 cell transfection and divided into normal cell culture group (control), miR‐30a‐5p overexpression group (miR‐30a‐5p mimic), miR‐30a‐5p empty vector group (miR‐NC), miR‐30a‐5p inhibitor group (in‐miR‐30a‐5p), and in‐miR‐30a‐5p empty vector group (in‐miR‐NC). After transfection, the cell proliferation and apoptosis rates were examined separately. In addition, the mRNA expression of β‐catenin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and apoptosis‐related genes (Bax and Bcl‐2) were examined.

Results

The results of cell proliferation ability showed that in‐miR‐30a‐5p group promoted cell proliferation of HFSCs relative to other groups, along with significant upregulation of gene levels of PCNA. Apoptosis analysis indicated that apoptosis rate was reduced in the in‐miR‐30a‐5p group, and the expression of Bax was suppressed, while that of Bcl‐2 was promoted. Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway investigation revealed a significant increase in the levels of β‐catenin in HFSCs in the in‐miR‐30a‐5p group.

Conclusion

Downregulation of miR‐30a‐5p levels inhibited HFSCs apoptosis and simultaneously promoted proliferation, furthermore, the increased expression of β‐catenin indirectly confirmed the activation of the Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.
Geographic differences in the effect of immigration on the native wage distribution: Evidence from Italian provinces
Authors: Fusaro Stefano , López‐Bazo Enrique
Published: October 2024

This paper examines geographic differences in the effect of immigration on the wage distribution of native Italian workers. The results suggest an insignificant effect across the wage distribution in northern provinces, but large and significant effects in the lower and middle parts of the distribution in the south. This is entirely because immigration pushed up wages at the lower end of the female wage distribution in southern local areas. This result is consistent with increases in labor market participation of native women that went hand in hand with improvements of women's skills at the bottom of the wage distribution.
First Report of the Root‐Knot Nematode Meloidogyne incognita Infecting Ficus tikoua in China
Authors: Gan Yu , Ma Ju‐Kui , Liao Li‐Jun , Meng Xiang‐Rui , Chen Yan
Published: October 2024

Ficus tikoua can be used as resources for fruit and herbal medicine inspiring large‐scale planting in China. Nodular galls were found on the roots of the planted F. tikoua individuals in 2022. The mature females and egg masses of nematodes were extracted from the nodular galls, and microscopic examination suggested Meloidogyne infection. Molecular identification based on ITS, 18S rRNA sequences assigned the infecting species to Meloidogyne incognita, which was further demonstrated by the successful application of specific SCAR marker M. incognita in all samples. The pathogenicity of M. incognita was conducted on F. tikoua cutting seedlings based on Koch's postulates. This is the first report of M. incognita infection in F. tikoua in China.
Telling (mis)fitting new product stories: The role of consumer orientations, product innovativeness, and message framing on new product evaluations
Authors: Ashraf Abdul R. , Hultman Magnus , Thongpapanl Narongsak , Anwar Ali
Published: October 2024

Extant research proposes that consumer goal orientation‐message frame fit (consumer–message fit) leads to favorable product evaluations. However, there is evidence that consumer goal orientation‐message frame misfit (consumer–message misfit) at times also result in favorable evaluations of new products. This study develops and tests a novel prediction that shows how consumer–message misfit results in consumers having more favorable responses toward new products when the type of innovation (incremental vs. radical) is perceived as instrumental to achieving the consumer's goals with the product (innovation–consumer fit), creating a kind of fit–misfit effect. Results from four experiments encompassing multiple new product categories support this fit–misfit prediction. We further show that surprise mediates the effect of fit–misfit. This research builds on current theory involving goal orientations and schema‐incongruity, recommends several areas for future research, and presents practical implications for managing new product communication messages.
Physician development through interprofessional workplace interactions: A critical review
Authors: Miller Kelsey Ann , Ilgen Jonathan S. , de Bruin Anique B. H. , Pusic Martin V. , Stalmeijer Renée E.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Increasingly, medical training aims to develop physicians who are competent collaborators. Although interprofessional interactions are inevitable elements of medical trainees' workplace learning experiences, the existing literature lacks a cohesive model to conceptualise the learning potential residing in these interactions.

Methods

We conducted a critical review of the health professions and related educational literatures to generate an empirically and theoretically informed description of medical trainees' workplace interactions with other health professionals, including learning mechanisms and outcomes. Informed by Teunissen's conceptualisation of workplace learning, we highlight the individual, social and situated dimensions of learning from interprofessional workplace interactions.

Results

Workplace interactions between medical trainees and other health professionals tend to be brief, spontaneous, informal and often implicit without the predefined educational goals and roles that structure trainees' relationships with physician supervisors. Yet they hold potential for developing trainees' knowledge and skills germane to the work of a physician as well as building their capacity for collaboration. Our review identified a spectrum of learning theories helpful for examining what and how trainees learn from these interactions. Self‐regulated learning theories focus attention on how learning depends on trainees interpreting and judging the cues offered by other health professionals. Sociocultural frameworks including the zone of proximal development and legitimate peripheral participation emphasise the ways other health professionals support trainees in performing tasks at the border of their abilities and facilitate trainees' participation in clinical work. Both the landscapes of practice theory and cultural historical activity theory highlight the influence of surrounding social, cultural and material environments. These theories are unified into cohesive model and demonstrated through an illustrative example.

Conclusion

Interprofessional workplace interactions harbour a range of learning opportunities for medical trainees. Capitalising on their potential can contribute to training collaborative practice‐ready physicians alongside traditional intra‐professional interactions between physicians and merits future research.