bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decoding the Neural Dynamics of Headed Syntactic Structure Building
Authors: Zhao Junyuan , Gao Ruimin , Brennan Jonathan R.
Published: November 2024

The brain builds hierarchical phrases during language comprehension; however, the representational details and dynamics of the phrase-building process remain underspecified. This study directly probes whether the neural code of a phrase involves reactivating the syntactic property of a key subcomponent (the “phrasal head”). To this end, we train a part-of-speech sliding-window neural decoder (verb vs. adverb) on EEG signals recorded while participants (N = 30) read sentences in a controlled experiment. The decoder reaches above-chance performance that is spatiotemporally consistent and generalizes to unseen data across sentence positions. Appling the decoder to held-out data yields predicted activation levels for the verbal “head” of a verb phrase at a distant non-head word (adverb); the critical adverb appeared either at the end of a verb phrase or at a sequentially and lexically matched position with no verb phrase boundary. There is stronger verb activation beginning at ∼600 milliseconds at the critical adverb when it appears at a verb phrase boundary; this effect is not modulated by the strength of conceptual association between the two subcomponents in the verb phrase nor does it reflect word predictability. Time-locked analyses additionally reveal a negativity waveform component and increased beta-delta inter-trial phase coherence, both previously linked to linguistic composition, in a similar time window. With a novel application of neural decoding, our findings delineate the temporal dynamics by which the brain encodes phrasal representations by, in part, reactivating the representation of key subcomponents. We thus establish a link between cognitive accounts of phrase structure representations and electrophysiological dynamics.
Construction and evaluation of a new rat reference genome assembly, GRCr8, from long reads and long-range scaffolding
Authors: Li Kai , Smith Melissa L. , Blazier J. Chris , Kochan Kelli J. , Wood Jonathan M.D. , Howe Kerstin , Kwitek Anne E. , Dwinell Melinda R. , Chen Hao , Ciosek Julia L. , Masterson Patrick , Murphy Terence D. , Kalbfleisch Theodore S. , Doris Peter A.
Published: November 2024

We report the construction and analysis of a new reference genome assembly forRattus norvegicus, the laboratory rat, a widely used experimental animal model organism. The assembly has been adopted as the rat reference assembly by the Genome Reference Consortium and is named GRCr8. The assembly has employed 40× Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) HiFi sequencing coverage and scaffolding using optical mapping and Hi-C. We used genomic DNA from a male BN/NHsdMcwi (BN) rat of the same strain and from the same colony as the prior reference assembly, mRatBN7.2. The assembly is at chromosome level with 98.7% of the sequence assigned to chromosomes. All chromosomes have increased in size compared with the prior assembly andk-mer analysis indicates that the subject animal is fully inbred and that the genome is represented as a single haploid assembly. Notable increases are observed in Chromosomes 3, 11, and 12 in the prospective rDNA regions. In addition, Chr Y has increased threefold in size and is more consistent with the rat karyotype than previous assemblies. Several other chromosomes have grown by the incorporation of sizable discrete new blocks. These contain highly repetitive sequences and encode numerous previously unannotated genes. In addition, centromeric sequences are incorporated in most chromosomes. Genome annotation has been performed by NCBI RefSeq, which confirms improvement in assembly quality and adds more than 1100 new protein coding genes. PacBio Iso-Seq data have been acquired from multiple tissues of the subject animal and are released concurrently with the new assembly to aid further analyses.
Covariant formulation of spinodal decomposition in rapidly expanding quark gluon plasma
Authors: Kapusta Joseph I. , Singh Mayank , Welle Thomas
Published: November 2024

Quantum chromodynamics (QCD) is expected to have a first order phase transition between the confined hadron gas and the deconfined quark gluon plasma at high baryon densities. This will result in phase boundary effects in the metastable and unstable regions. It is important to include these effects in phenomenological models of heavy ion collisions to identify experimental signatures of a phase transition. This requires building intuition on phase separation in rapidly expanding fluids. In this work we present the covariant equations of relativistic hydrodynamics with a phase boundary, provide prescriptions to extend the equation of state to metastable and unstable regions, and show the effects of spinodal separation in a Bjorken flow.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
PT
symmetric fermionic particle oscillations in even dimensional representations
Authors: Chen Leqian , Sarkar Sarben
Published: November 2024

We describe a novel class of quantum mechanical particle oscillations in both relativistic and nonrelativistic systems based on PT symmetry and T2=−1 (relevant for fermions), where P is parity and T is time reversal. The Hamiltonians are chosen at the outset to be self-adjoint with respect to a PT inner product. The quantum mechanical time evolution is based on a modified CPT inner product constructed in terms of a suitable C operator. The resulting quantum mechanical evolution is shown to be unitary and probability is conserved by the oscillations.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Extending curricular analytics to analyze undergraduate physics programs
Authors: Hansen John , Nemeth Amanda , Stewart John
Published: November 2024

Curricular analytics (CA) is a quantitative method that analyzes the sequence of courses (curriculum) that students in an undergraduate academic program must complete to fulfill the requirements of the program. The main hypothesis of CA is that the less complex a curriculum is, the more likely it is that students complete the program. This study compares the curricular complexity of undergraduate physics programs at 60 institutions in the United States. The institutions were divided into three tiers based on national rankings of the physics graduate program, and the means of each tier were compared. No significant difference between the means of each tier was found, indicating that there is not a relationship between program curricular complexity and program ranking. Further analysis focused on the physics, chemistry, and mathematics courses, defined as the core courses of the curriculum. Significant differences in the number of required core courses and the complexity per core course were measured between the tiers; both were measured as large effects. Programs with the highest rankings required fewer core courses while having a higher complexity per core course. These institutions have more strict prerequisite requirements than lower ranking programs. This study also showed complexity was quantitatively related to curricular flexibility operationalized as the number of available eight-semester degree plans. The number of available degree plans exponentially decreased with increasing core complexity per course. Modifications to a curriculum at one institution were analyzed; a similar relationship between the number of available degree plans and increasing complexity per core course was found.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Level splitting induced by collective interaction in a waveguide QED system
Authors: Bao Daqiang , Lin Zhirong
Published: November 2024

In waveguide quantum electrodynamics (QED) systems, noninteracting quantum entities can be coupled through the vacuum field of the waveguide, leading to both coherent and dissipative interactions. We systematically demonstrate that the reflection spectrum is clear and direct in representing the collective interaction using the mirror reflection properties of semi-infinite waveguides. Due to the destructive interference with its mirror image, the emitter is decoupled from the waveguide, suppressing the decay so that the reflection spectrum shows an anticrossing phenomenon induced by coherent interaction. Moreover, the reflection spectrum of an anti-parity-time symmetric Hamiltonian caused by dissipative coupling exhibits an unconventional splitting characterized by level attraction transitioning at exceptional points. Our findings highlight the significance of exploring non-Hermitian effects in waveguide quantum systems, offering potential applications in quantum networks reliant on long-distance interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Empirical study of Neo-Chinese fashion consumer behaviour from the perspectives of cultural identity and emotional self-regulation mechanism
Authors: Meng Hu , Xu Xinran , Tian Tianyue
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore the influential mechanism of consumer behaviour and identity towards Neo-Chinese fashion from the perspectives of cultural identity and emotional self-regulation mechanism.

Design/methodology/approach

Through empirical methods such as questionnaire surveys and regression analysis, nine hypotheses were proposed and tested based on 253 valid samples.

Findings

The results indicate that perceived value has a significant positive impact on pride emotion, anxiety emotion and cultural identity, respectively. Cultural pride (anxiety) emotion also has a significant positive (negative) impact on identity. The study also finds that anxiety emotion plays a significant mediating effect in the relationship between perceived value and cultural identity, which of country-of-origin plays a significant negative moderating role.

Originality/value

This paper reveals the psychological mechanisms and implementation paths through which fashion consumption and Neo-Chinese design drive cultural identity. It provides a theoretical basis for optimizing and innovating strategies to guide the evolution of Neo-Chinese cultural identity in the new context.
Do undergraduate art and design students’ entrepreneurship skill sets influence their intention to own a business?
Authors: Odewole Peter Oluwagbenga
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Drawing on a competency-based approach, this empirical study explores whether art and design students’ entrepreneurship skill sets (technical, managerial and entrepreneurial skills) influence their intention to own a business and whether gender and/or business ownership influence their entrepreneurship skill sets.

Design/methodology/approach

A total of 204 respondents were selected using a random sampling technique. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics, including independent sample tests and two-way ANOVA.

Findings

The independent samples test revealed interesting results regarding art and design students’ entrepreneurship skill sets, distinguishing between those who own businesses and those who do not. The two-way ANOVA analysis indicated that certain factors significantly affect art and design students’ entrepreneurship skill sets while others do not.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that higher education institutions should reconsider their curricular frameworks to better equip art and design graduates with not only artistic skills but also robust entrepreneurial competencies based on targeted training programs that could be developed to enhance the managerial and entrepreneurial skills among art and design students.

Originality/value

This study addresses a gap in the literature by empirically examining the impact of entrepreneurship skill sets on the art and design students’ business ownership and investigating whether business ownership and/or gender influence their entrepreneurship skill sets, offering valuable insights for educational institutions and policymakers.
More than words: the role of personality in shaping the timeliness of online reviews
Authors: Wang Xi , Zheng Jie , Luo Meimei
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the potential influence of the big five personality traits − extraversion, neuroticism, agreeableness, openness and conscientiousness − on the time taken by travelers to submit online reviews after their hotel stay.

Design/methodology/approach

The study analyzed 83,235 TripAdvisor reviews from 415 hotels in six major US tourism cities using random forest algorithms and Poisson regression. The research investigated the influence of the big five personality traits on the time taken by travelers to submit online reviews post-hotel stay, merging personality psychology with consumer behavior research through a combination of machine learning and statistical analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal significant correlations between certain personality traits and the time taken to post online hotel reviews. Extraversion, neuroticism and agreeableness were found to be negatively correlated with response time, suggesting that individuals scoring higher in these traits tend to submit their reviews more quickly. Conversely, openness exhibited a positive correlation, indicating that those with higher levels of openness tend to delay their feedback. Conscientiousness showed no significant correlation with response time.

Originality/value

This study represents a novel approach to understanding the relationship between personality traits and online review behavior in the hospitality industry. By leveraging advanced machine learning techniques, such as random forest algorithms, alongside traditional statistical methods like Poisson regression, this research offers a unique perspective on the influence of personality on consumer behavior. The innovative application of these technologies to a large data set of TripAdvisor reviews provides fresh insights that can inform the development of personalized customer engagement strategies. The findings contribute to the growing body of literature on the intersection of personality psychology, consumer behavior and hospitality management in the digital age.
The role of social media data in enhancing B2B omni-channel marketing efforts in small businesses
Authors: Hayes Orla , Kelliher Felicity
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper explores the role of social media data in enhancing business-to-business (B2B) omni-channel marketing (OCM) efforts in small businesses. B2B marketing strategy is explored through the lens of each business’s marketing manager’s insights. A novel social media data visualisation tool for B2B marketing campaign development is presented, adding contextualisation to OCM activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This exploratory study uses the qualitative interview method to consider the research question: what role does social media data play in enhancing B2B marketing efforts across the omni-channel in small businesses? The paper presents the findings of 25 in-depth interviews with small business marketing managers from a range of B2B industries, guided by a literature-informed interview template. Insights are developed using an open coding approach via traditional pen and paper methods, underpinned by thematic analysis.

Findings

Small business marketing managers recognise the importance of social media data in enhancing B2B OCM efforts in their organisations. They acknowledge online marketing channels as paths to enhanced brand awareness and relationship building and recognise social media’s growing influence on B2B customers’ decision-making processes. There is a dichotomy between the professed importance of social media data and its use among some small business marketing managers in their B2B OCM efforts. Others are capturing these data and integrating it with other data resources, thereby embedding social media data as a strategic resource within their business. Findings indicate that it is only in these small businesses that OCM strategy is evolving to meet B2B customer expectations of an integrated OCM experience, informed by social media data, across all channels and touchpoints.

Research limitations/implications

This work is of particular interest to marketing managers within small businesses seeking to improve their B2B marketing efforts across the omni-channel. It is of value to all B2B enterprises, given the rate of advancement of the B2B social media marketing landscape.

Originality/value

Recognised as an emerging area, research relating to B2B OCM is limited. This paper provides empirical data on OCM efforts in small businesses from a B2B perspective and considers the role of social media data in enhancing marketing efforts across the omni-channel. Underpinned by social network theory and based on insights gleaned from fieldwork, a social media data visualisation tool is presented, the first of its kind in this sphere.
Workplace learning potential in uncertain situations in care work
Authors: Moeller Britta
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to examine uncertain situations with potential for learning in care work. While the dominant learning strategy in elderly care is lecture-based education, learning from and during daily care work routines is crucial and suitable. However, little is known about the potential for learning in daily work in elderly care.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper is based on a doctoral study conducted in Danish nursing homes. Shadowing care workers led to the construction of care work vignettes, which were analyzed and validated in analytic dialogues with field practitioners. Here, a selected vignette forms the empirical base for analyzing uncertainty through the lens of Dewey’s philosophy of learning.

Findings

The results suggest labeling uncertain situations as noisy, as they are sensorily felt, prompting doubt and perplexity and, hence, reflection and learning. Noisy situations cause breakdowns in action experienced as a tension that triggers reflection, often with colleagues, alongside work. A critical discussion draws attention to silent situations that proceed undisturbedly, according to routine, and, hence, often without reflection. To handle uncertainty, either noisy or silent, care workers must be considered as learning actors. Space and time for reflection are mandatory.

Originality/value

By focusing on uncertainty in care work, this study contributes to the understanding of workplace learning potential by clarifying the characteristics of situations useful for systematic exploration and collaborative learning from specific instances in work.
Clarifying the decision-making mystery: drivers of professional skepticism, ego depletion and overconfidence in independent auditors’ quality of judgment
Authors: Shirowzhan Hani , Fakhari Hossein
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the influence of professional skepticism (PS) on the quality of judgment and decision-making (QJDM) among Iranian Certified Public Accountants (CPAs) while considering the moderating effects of ego depletion (ED) and overconfidence (OC).

Design/methodology/approach

Nonprobabilistic sampling was used to collect data through questionnaires and direct engagement with 950 Iranian CPA members, resulting in 300 completed responses for analysis.

Findings

The study confirms that PS significantly positively impacts QJDM among independent auditors. Therefore, a high level of trait PS could improve QJDM. In addition, a majority of auditors experience ED and suffer from OC bias due to their extensive knowledge, experience and self-efficacy. ED and OC play negative moderating roles in attenuating the effect of PS on QJDM.

Research limitations/implications

The study emphasizes that integrating PS into auditors’ codes of ethics and improving audit work systems can significantly enhance the quality of auditing practices. Furthermore, addressing existence of OC and ED among auditors will further benefit the audit process. Implementing these measures will lead to more accurate assignment and distribution of audit work among independent auditors, ultimately resulting in more reliable and objective auditing judgment and making decisions.

Originality/value

This study not only approves the vital role of PS, ED and OC in the QJDM of independent auditors but also contributes to the existing QJDM literature in auditing.
Examining the impact of maternal and paternal parenting styles on maladaptive schemas in adults with depression: mediating role of self-efficacy
Authors: Usman Muhammad , Khalily Muhammad Tahir , Zaman Sabir , Izhar Hira
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aimed to examine how different parenting styles, (maternal and paternal) influence the development of maladaptive schemas in adults with depression. Furthermore, the study intends to explore the mediating role of self-efficacy in the relationship between parenting styles and the development of maladaptive schemas.

Design/methodology/approach

The study’s sample of adults aged 19–35, living in the metropolitan cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad, Pakistan. The screening process involved the utilization the Urdu version of the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS-42). Parenting styles were assessed using the Parental Authority Questionnaire, a widely recognized tool that assessing Authoritative, Authoritarian, and Submissive styles. In addition, an Urdu translated version of Schema Mode Inventory was used for emotional and cognitive patterns. Participant’s self-efficacy was assessed using Generalized Self-Efficacy Scale.

Findings

The results revealed that all three paternal parenting styles (authoritative, authoritarian and permissive) significantly impact the development of maladaptive schemas. Similarly, authoritative and authoritarian maternal parenting styles had a significant positive impact on maladaptive schemas, while permissive maternal parenting had a slightly positive impact. Additionally, the study found no significant correlation between self-efficacy and maladaptive schemas.

Originality/value

The current study highlighted the impact of parental involvement both paternal and maternal on the development of maladaptive schema mode among adults with depression with specific focus on the mediating role of self-efficacy. This study tries to enhance the understanding mechanism using the parenting styles contribution in adult mental health.
COVID-19 mental health impacts on academic engagement: a study on students of Egypt and India
Authors: Lathabhavan Remya , El-Bardan Mohamed Fawzy
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the association between COVID-19-related fear and academic engagement, perceived stress and life satisfaction among college students in two countries – Egypt in Africa and India in Asia, during the pandemic. The study also aims to analyze the moderating role of gender in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

Structural equation modeling was used to analyze data collected from 1,125 college students from India and 1,145 college students from Egypt.

Findings

Positive correlations were found between fear of COVID-19 and perceived stress among the college students of Egypt and India, while negative correlations were found between fear of COVID-19 and both student engagement and life satisfaction. The strength of these relationships was found to be stronger in the Egyptian sample compared to the Indian sample. Gender was found to be a significant factor in the relationships between the variables studied. In the Indian sample, female respondents appeared to experience more mental health concerns and academic impacts than male respondents. In the Egyptian sample, however, the gender effects varied for the different relationships between the fear of COVID-19 and the other chosen variables.

Originality/value

The results emphasize the need to reevaluate and monitor policies and resources to promote positive mental health among adolescents, especially during times of crisis. The study stands among the pioneers that investigated a comparative study of two countries to check the mental health impacts on the study engagement during the pandemic.
Indigenous communities and tourism-integrated climate change outcomes on subsistence within the hinterlands: a development management perspective
Authors: Ramaano Azwindini Isaac
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The study focused on rural commodities, climate change and tourism activities for socioeconomic welfare and enhanced productivity within disadvantaged indigenous communities and remote areas. It relates primary and secondary data details on the Musina Municipality’s rural biodiversity, tourism management and integrated pastoral livelihoods, alongside climate change issues locally and abroad.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs focus group discussions and interviews to gather data. Descriptive statistics, cross-tabulation analysis and central tendencies, along with manual data sorting, provide non-inferential data analysis.

Findings

This study discloses a harmful connection between unsustainable integrated rural activities and tourism products and climate change-linked environmental consequences within such environs. Ultimately, the study has highlighted the need for proper biodiversity resource management and an agricultural approach to diminish climate change hazards and permit the indigenous communities of the municipality. Thus, there is a need for awareness and practices in responsible tourism, decent rural ecotourism and agro-tourism for enhanced productivity and sustainability achievements.

Originality/value

Many rural citizens in the world naturally live in low-income areas. Southern Africa and Africa, with specific reference to the Musina Municipality in Limpopo Province, South Africa, are no exception. Despite the abundance of assorted natural and cultural biodiversity and rural tourism qualities, such regions are nonetheless prone to climate change consequences and the deprivation of socioeconomic sustainability.
Effect of Bacillus clausii in attenuating symptoms of DSS‐induced ulcerative colitis by modulating NFkB pathway and oxidative stress in mice
Authors: Zainab Syeda Rida , Khan Jehan Zeb , Rehman Mujeeb Ur , Shah Fawad Ali , Tipu Muhammad Khalid
Published: November 2024

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a condition characterized by inflammation and ulcer formation in the colon and rectum due to genetic and environmental factors. It is a common condition, with a global prevalence rate exceeding 0.3%. Current treatments have limited efficacy and can cause unwanted side effects, leading to a high recurrence rate and reduced quality of life for patients. This study suggests that Bacillus clausii has a beneficial role in reducing intestinal inflammation and relieving colitis symptoms in mice. The study aimed to examine B. clausii's potential to reduce the progression and pathogenesis of dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)–induced UC. Bacillus clausii was administered to mice as a pre‐treatment, post‐treatment and adjunct treatment with sulfasalazine for 14 days. The study found that B. clausii effectively reduced the severity of colitis in mice when used preventatively. Administering B. clausii after the onset of colitis also effectively alleviated symptoms. Combining B. clausii with standard sulfasalazine as adjunct therapy was more effective in reducing intestinal inflammation than using a single therapy alone. B. clausii has shown the potential to prevent colon damage and decrease the likelihood and severity of the disease. Immunohistochemistry results revealed a decrease in the expression of pro‐inflammatory cytokines such as IL‐1β, TNF‐α and NFkB in colon tissue. Additionally, mice that received B. clausii showed a significant increase in anti‐oxidant levels and improved haematological markers. In conclusion, it must be emphasized that B. clausii possesses the potential to alleviate the symptoms of UC.
Supplier Involvement and Firm Financial Performance: Bringing Strategic Fit to the Fore
Authors: Zhao Yue , Sim Dasol , Thams Yannick , Parente Ronaldo
Published: November 2024

While supplier involvement is largely considered an industry best practice, its financial performance implications are far from clear and remain equivocal. These disparate findings led us to shift the conversation to exploring the strategic conditions that may enhance the value of the practice. We do so by drawing on the strategic fit perspective, an underexplored perspective in supplier involvement research. We argue that the value of supplier involvement is shaped by the task priority associated with a firm's strategic orientation. Accounting for the multidimensional nature of strategic fit, we further investigate whether strategic fit is likely to be impacted by a firm's level of market competition. Using a longitudinal survey of automotive manufacturers in Brazil, we demonstrate that supplier involvement fits well with a low‐cost strategy as opposed to a differentiation strategy. However, the degree of fit varies across levels of market competition. The study's overarching contribution is that it develops a theory of how strategic factors interact to impact the financial performance implications of supplier involvement, stressing the significance of strategic fit as the underlying mechanism.
Emergency Verbal Consent for Intrapartum Research: A Grounded Theory Study
Authors: Bedwell Carol , Taylor Wendy , Cunningham Caroline , Weeks Andrew D. , Lavender Dame Tina
Published: November 2024

Objective

To understand the experiences of women, birth partners and health professionals of verbal followed by retrospective written consent in a prospective cohort study of a device to manage postpartum haemorrhage (PPH).

Design

Grounded Theory.

Setting

Tertiary facility in North‐West England, UK.

Sample

We used purposive and theoretical sampling to recruit 51 participants; 12 women, 12 birth partners, 16 obstetricians and 11 midwives.

Methods

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted, using a topic guide for focus, until data saturation was achieved. Data were analysed using framework analysis technique.

Results

Most women wanted sufficient information to make a decision at the time of the event, rather than in advance, and preferred not to be overwhelmed with detail. A key factor in making the decision to participate was a positive and trusting relationship with the attending obstetrician. Obtaining consent for research in emergencies was viewed by obstetricians as requiring a different approach and more challenging than consent for standard procedures in an emergency.

Conclusions

This is one of the first studies to explore verbal followed by retrospective written consent processes with women, clinicians and observers. This was acceptable to all, however information needs to be appropriate, and those discussing consent require adequate training (199/200).
Are institutional investors the culprit of rising global house prices?
Authors: Banti Chiara , Phylaktis Kate
Published: November 2024

Taking advantage of the standard regulation of real estate investment trusts (REITs) around the world, we study the implications for housing markets of the entry of institutional investors in 57 cities in 15 countries for the period 2001–2022. We employ an IV approach based on the exogenous demand for REITs by pension funds triggered by changes to the retired population. We show that residential equity REIT capital flows push up multifamily house prices, and are associated with declining rents, potentially affecting households' homeownership versus renting decisions. Estimating a CS‐ECM model, we find that REITs exert long‐run effects on housing markets.
Differences in heroin overdose risk associated with the unregulated drug market: Insights from a supervised injecting facility in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Stam Nathan C. , Furler John , Hiley Sarah , Schumann Jennifer L.
Published: November 2024

Aims

To determine the contribution that variation in the unregulated drug market has on the risk of heroin overdose across individuals with different levels of personal overdose risk.

Design

A retrospective cohort study of heroin injecting episodes and overdose cases were examined over a 12‐month period between 30 June 2022 and 30 June 2023.

Setting

The Medically Supervised Injecting Room in Melbourne, Australia.

Cases

1474 witnessed heroin overdose cases were examined amongst a cohort of 337 individuals who were predominantly male (n = 276, 81.7%) with a median age of 43.5 years (interquartile range 37.25–49.00 years, range 20–75 years).

Measurements

The daily overdose rate was used to differentiate High and Low daily overdose risk categories. The number of overdose events that an individual experienced during the study period was used to differentiate people into Standard, Moderate and High personal overdose risk categories. Each overdose case was differentiated by the personal overdose risk of the individual who experienced the overdose, as well as the overdose risk of the day that overdose occurred. A stratified overdose risk profile was then derived across the nine different daily overdose risk and personal overdose risk categories.

Findings

The rate of overdose approximately doubled on High overdose risk days compared with Standard overdose risk days, increasing by a factor of 2.11, 2.41 and 2.03 times for individuals in the Standard, Moderate and High personal overdose risk groups. Conversely, the rate of overdose was also substantially reduced on Low overdose risk days to a factor of 0.17, 0.28 and 0.20, respectively.

Conclusion

Among heroin users in Melbourne, Australia, there is an approximately 10‐times difference in the risk of overdose on some days compared with others, which appears to be attributable to the effects of the unregulated drug market and not the effects of variation in personal overdose risk of individuals.
Epigenetic training of human bronchial epithelium cells by repeated rhinovirus infections
Authors: Risha Marua Abu , Reddy Karosham D. , Nemani Sai Sneha Priya , Jakwerth Constanze , Schmidt‐Weber Carsten , Bahmer Thomas , Hansen Gesine , von Mutius Erika , Rabe Klaus F. , Dittrich Anna‐Maria , Grychtol Ruth , Maison Nicole , Schaub Bianca , Kopp Matthias V. , Brinkmann Folke , Meiners Silke , Jappe Uta , Weckmann Markus ,   the ALLIANCE Study Group as part of the German Centre for Lung Research (DZL)
Published: November 2024

Background

Humans are subjected to various environmental stressors (bacteria, viruses, pollution) throughout life. As such, an inherent relationship exists between the effect of these exposures with age. The impact of these environmental stressors can manifest through DNA methylation (DNAm). However, whether these epigenetic effects selectively target genes, pathways, and biological regulatory mechanisms remains unclear. Due to the frequency of human rhinovirus (HRV) infections throughout life (particularly in early development), we propose the use of HRV under controlled conditions can model the effect of multiple exposures to environmental stressors.

Methods

We generated a prediction model by combining transcriptome and DNAm datasets from human epithelial cells after repeated HRV infections. We applied a novel experimental statistical design and method to systematically explore the multifaceted experimental space (number of infections, multiplicity of infections and duration). Our model included 35 samples, each characterized by the three parameters defining their infection status.

Results

Trainable genes were defined by a consistent linear directionality in DNAm and gene expression changes with successive infections. We identified 77 trainable genes which could be further explored in future studies. The identified methylation sites were tracked within a pediatric cohort to determine the relative changes in candidate‐trained sites with disease status and age.

Conclusions

Repeated viral infections induce an immune training response in bronchial epithelial cells. Training‐sensitive DNAm sites indicate alternate divergent associations in asthma compared to healthy individuals. Our novel model presents a robust tool for identifying trainable genes, providing a foundation for future studies.
The aporetic dialogues of Modena on gender differences: Is it all about testosterone? EPISODE I: CRIME
Authors: Brigante Giulia , D'Angelo Giulia , Caccin Vanessa , Coluccia Silvia , Conte Immacolata , Demichelis Veronica Maria , Cecchi Rossana , Simoni Manuela
Published: November 2024

This is the first episode of a series of four discussions on the differences between males and females, in apparently non‐andrological fields. You will read the transcript of discussions that actually took place at the Endocrinology Unit in Modena, Italy, in the form of the aporetic dialogues of ancient Greece. In this episode, the role of testosterone in gender differences in criminal behavior will be explored. The discussants were divided into two groups: group 1, which supports the thesis of a predominant role of testosterone, and group 2, which opposes it. The first group affirmed that both endogenous testosterone and anabolic‐androgenic steroids could trigger aggressive and criminal behavior, regardless of predisposition to psychiatric disease or sociocultural background. The second group asserted the multifactorial genesis of aggressive and criminal behavior, citing other hormonal and non‐hormonal factors, such as neurotransmitters, cortisol, and sociological and psychological aspects. In the end, a forensic physician, acting as a referee, tried to resolve the aporia: are the two theories equivalent or one is superior?
Everyday Bordering and Migrant Schooling Timescapes in Post‐Crisis Athens
Authors: Papoutsi Anna
Published: November 2024

This paper explores the geographies of migrant schooling in Athens following the 2015–2016 crisis, which left thousands of migrants stranded in the country. Drawing on a multi‐sited ethnography of everyday bordering (2017–2018), I examine the school as an ordinary bureaucratic institution and as a physical space in relation to the border. I discuss the processes that rendered the schooling of racialised children a problem to be managed and solved. These migrant schooling timescapes, I argue, were marked by contradictory state logics, and temporalities, and were shaped by context‐specific colonial and racialisation discourses. These tensions shaped the encounters between families on the move and the state throughout the academic year. The paper argues that the school became an everyday space of bordering, controlling membership and reproducing the families’ marginalisation. In this way, it contributes to the literature that highlights the role of ordinary institutions and temporal forms of governance conditioning migrant lives.
Leading while playing: How leader fun pursuit affects leadership perceptions and evaluations
Authors: Zhang Jinghao , Yuan Shuai , Xing Lu (Lucy) , Shao Yan , Deng Yingxin , Li Peikai
Published: November 2024

Although pursuing fun seems contradictory to work, it may yield beneficial outcomes for not only employees but also leaders in the workplace. The present paper aims to bridge the gap between the workplace fun/play literature and leadership research by introducing the concept of leader fun pursuit and examining its influence on followers' evaluations. Moreover, drawing on the dual perspective model of social evaluation and expectancy violation theory, we examine the effects of leader fun pursuit on followers' perceptions of leader attributes and evaluations of leadership, and posit a gender‐contingent boundary condition. We conducted three studies to develop a scale and examine our hypotheses. Study 1 (four samples, total N = 734) developed a four‐item scale to measure leader fun pursuit and established its reliability and validity. Study 2 (N = 309) used a multi‐wave design to examine the full model. Study 3 (N = 279) used a vignette‐based experiment to strengthen the internal validity of our conceptual model. We found that leader fun pursuit generally enhances followers' evaluations of the leader, and this effect was especially pronounced for female leaders. Overall, we introduce a novel approach to effective leadership and examine the gender differences therein.
The Impact of TMT Stability on Firms' Sustainable Development: ESG Scores as a Constraint or Catalyst for Chinese Heavy‐Polluting Firms?
Authors: Zhou Yan , Xiao Jing , Lan Hailin , Zhou Fuli
Published: November 2024

The impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) scores on firm performance (FP) has long been a focus of theoretical and practical debate. We address this controversy by focusing on Chinese heavy‐polluting firms. Drawing on agent theory and threat rigidity theory, we propose that top management team (TMT) stability and external pressures (government environmental punishment and negative media coverage) jointly affect the relationship between ESG scores and FP. Analyzing data from 1392 A‐share listed heavy‐polluting firms in China from 2007 to 2022, our findings reveal that heavy‐polluting firms with higher ESG scores tend to exhibit poorer FP. Notably, this relationship varies based on TMT stability and external pressures. Specifically, TMT stability weakens the negative effect of ESG scores on FP. When external pressures are high, TMT stability negatively impacts the relationship between ESG scores and FP. Conversely, TMT stability positively affects this relationship when external pressures are low. This study identifies the specific conditions in which TMT stability affects from the perspective of agency theory and threat rigidity theory, and provides a new insight for firms and governments in emerging economies to promote ESG practices effectively.
Institutional Imprinting as a Source of Managerial Attention Priority: A Behavioral Theory of Hybrid Organizations
Authors: Zhang Heng , Gong Binglin
Published: November 2024

Hybrid organizations that pursue both financial and social goals have gained significant attention within the field of corporate social responsibility (CSR). Furthermore, an ongoing concern within hybrid organization research centers on the tensions between multiple goals. We establish a behavioral theory of hybrid organizations based on both the behavioral theory of the firm (BTOF) and imprinting theory to interpret the patterns of simultaneous or sequential pursuit of conflicting goals. Drawing evidence from China's mixed‐ownership enterprises (MOEs), we examine the impact of institutional imprinting on managerial attention priority. Our findings show that originally state‐owned MOEs simultaneously pursue financial and social goals, while originally privately‐owned MOEs sequentially pursue dual goals. Moreover, the persistence and decay of this institutional imprint are affected by internal and external sources of coalition power. By examining how financial performance feedback impacts tensions of dual goals, we contribute to the literature dialogue between hybrid organizations and BTOF.
The Role of Informal Social Networks in Supporting Parents With Learning Disabilities: A Systematic Review
Authors: Threlfall Jennifer , Jobling Hannah , Graham Katherine
Published: November 2024

Background

Parents with learning disabilities are often assessed as lacking the capacity to parent effectively; however, ecological models of parenting indicate that support from informal social networks (ISNs) can help them successfully maintain family life. This systematic review examined evidence regarding (1) parent and child outcomes associated with support from ISNs and (2) perceptions of the roles of ISNs for parents with learning disabilities.

Methods

Peer‐reviewed quantitative and qualitative literature was identified through a search of six databases, and a narrative synthesis was subsequently conducted.

Results

Twenty‐six articles were included in the review. Findings of the quantitative synthesis provided preliminary evidence for a positive relationship between support from ISNs and parental mental health, positive parenting practices and child wellbeing. The qualitative synthesis indicated that parents benefited from ISNs through their provision of practical and emotional support and learning skills. Network characteristics that divided supportive from unsupportive members were also identified.

Conclusion

Parents with learning disabilities receive the same positive outcomes from ISNs as other parents, although unique contextual and social challenges may affect their experiences. Future research should explore interventions to build ISNs of parents with learning disabilities that acknowledge their existing strengths as parents and community members.
Genetic Analysis of Heterotaxy in a Consanguineous Cohort
Authors: Al‐Korashy Maarab , Binomar Hadeel , Al‐Mostafa Abeer , Al‐Mogarri Ibrahim , Al‐Oufi Saud , Al‐Admawi Mohamed , Al‐Jufan Mansour , Echahidi Najmeddine , Mokeem Amal , Alfares Ahmed , Ramzan Khushnooda , Tulbah Sahar , Al‐Qahtani Aisha , Takroni Saud , Maddirevula Sateesh , Al‐Hassnan Zuhair
Published: November 2024

Heterotaxy (HTX) is a group of clinical conditions with a shared pathology of dislocation of one or more organs along the left–right axis. The etiology of HTX is tremendously heterogeneous spanning environmental factors, chromosomal aberrations, mono/oligogenic variants, and complex inheritance. However, in the vast majority of cases, the etiology of HTX remains elusive. Here, we sought to describe the yield of genetic analysis and spectrum of variants in HTX in our highly consanguineous population. Twenty‐four affected individuals, from 19 unrelated families, were consecutively recruited. Genetic analysis, with exome sequencing, genome sequencing, or multigene panel, detected 9 unique variants, 7 of which were novel, in 8 genes known to be implicated in autosomal recessive form of HTX (C1orf127, CCDC39, CIROP, DNAAF3, DNAH5, DNAH9, MMP21, and MNS1) providing a yield of 42.1%. Of note, 7 of the 9 variants were homozygous, while 2 were inherited in compound heterozygosity, including a heterozygous CNV deletion. A search for candidate genes in negative cases did not reveal a plausible variant. Our work demonstrates a relatively high yield of genetic testing in HTX in a consanguineous population with an enrichment of homozygous variants. The significant genetic heterogeneity observed herewith underscores the complex developmental mechanisms implicated in the pathogenesis of HTX and supports adopting a genome‐wide analysis in the diagnostic evaluation of HTX.
Cinematic Gaussians: Real‐Time HDR Radiance Fields with Depth of Field
Authors: Wang Chao , Wolski Krzysztof , Kerbl Bernhard , Serrano Ana , Bemana Mojtaba , Seidel Hans‐Peter , Myszkowski Karol , Leimkühler Thomas
Published: November 2024

Radiance field methods represent the state of the art in reconstructing complex scenes from multi‐view photos. However, these reconstructions often suffer from one or both of the following limitations: First, they typically represent scenes in low dynamic range (LDR), which restricts their use to evenly lit environments and hinders immersive viewing experiences. Secondly, their reliance on a pinhole camera model, assuming all scene elements are in focus in the input images, presents practical challenges and complicates refocusing during novel‐view synthesis. Addressing these limitations, we present a lightweight method based on 3D Gaussian Splatting that utilizes multi‐view LDR images of a scene with varying exposure times, apertures, and focus distances as input to reconstruct a high‐dynamic‐range (HDR) radiance field. By incorporating analytical convolutions of Gaussians based on a thin‐lens camera model as well as a tonemapping module, our reconstructions enable the rendering of HDR content with flexible refocusing capabilities. We demonstrate that our combined treatment of HDR and depth of field facilitates real‐time cinematic rendering, outperforming the state of the art.