bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Distancing skills in remote work: narratives about HRD managers support organisations
Authors: Martins Dora , Gomes Jorge Filipe da Silva , Silva Bruna
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to identify the essential skills required by Human Resource Development (HRD) professionals to effectively respond to the various modes of labour organisation implemented due to the mandatory lockdown imposed by the Portuguese government in March 2020 as well as implications for learning and development (L&D) issues.

Design/methodology/approach

Data is based on 34 semi-structured interviews with HRD professionals from companies in different activity sectors.

Findings

The results reveal that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought out the development of socio-emotional skills among HRD professionals such as creativity, improvisation, self-exploration, innovation, collaboration, team spirit, resilience, flexibility, problem-solving, adaptability, priority management, emotional intelligence, social influence, social contact, interpersonal relationships, communication and online learning development.

Research limitations/implications

It will be interesting for future research to explore “what” and “how” HRD managers are planning, organising and implementing training and development plans to improve the skills of remote workers, which tend to grow in a post-pandemic COVID-19 phase.

Practical implications

This research emphasises the importance of HRD managers’ role in better coordinating the work of employees who are physically distant from the company. It also highlights the need for different skills required for effective digital HRD, support and monitoring of remote employees. The results provide important inputs to design and implement effective L&D programs for professionals working remotely and to reinforce the HRD role in organisations.

Originality/value

The research is original for twofold reasons: 1) HRD professionals are usually not trained to manage remote workers, which also means that they probably lack the skills to take the most out of remote working models; and 2) HRD professionals and the HRD function need to address the skills required to successfully implement flexible forms of work organisation as well as to implement adequate L&D policies to answer remote work practices.
Interactive effects of sustainable HRM, career adaptability and career sustainability on employee well-being
Authors: Nakra Neelam , Kashyap Vaneet , Arora Ridhi
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Past research has well-demonstrated the importance of sustainable human resource management practices in augmenting sustainability in careers of individuals and their overall growth and well-being. In this regard, role of career adaptability as a potential resource in harnessing sustainable HRM and career sustainability relationship requires attention. Considering this, the purpose of the current research is to analyze how sustainable HRM practices influence career sustainability, that eventually predicts employee well-being. Besides this, we also examined the role of career adaptability as a potential moderator in governing the linkage between sustainable HR practices and career sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study adopted a cross-sectional research design. Data were collected through administration of survey among 620 working professionals. Analysis was conducted deploying statistical techniques such as confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to confirm the factors, and the hypotheses were tested using model 4 and model 7 in PROCESS macro by SPSS 20.0.

Findings

Results showed that in the Indian context, career sustainability acts as a potential mediator between the sustainable HRM practices and employee well-being relationship. In addition, we also found the significant moderating role of career adaptability in strengthening the impact of sustainable HRM practices on career sustainability among employees.

Practical implications

The study offers potential implications for scholars and management practitioners in terms of implementing sustainable HRM practices emphasizing on good values at various levels in organizations. Also, it encourages organizational policymakers and leaders for conducting training programs and workshops on developing career adaptability resources.

Originality/value

It is among one of the few studies that help in advancing the scholarship on sustainable HRM and sustainable careers and their key role in strengthening individuals’ well-being. The findings also extend the application of conservation of resources theory at the intersection of sustainable HRM and vocational psychology literature in the South-east Asian context.
Passport discrimination from the lens of critical phenomenological perspective
Authors: Yasin Raheel , Ali Ayesha , Namoco Sarah , Atif Muhammad
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Little is known about how international individuals and travelers face and experience discrimination due to their passport. The purpose of this study is to explore factors that contribute to a new form of discrimination, i.e. passport discrimination. There exists a dominant gap in the literature, both empirically and theoretically, which explores this dimension of discrimination. To better understand this central phenomenon, this study amalgamated the concepts from the theories of social identity, self-categorization and system justification.

Design/methodology/approach

To delve into the essence of the participants’ lived experiences with passport discrimination, this study employed the existential-phenomenological philosophy of a qualitative research design. Data were gathered from personal interviews with 10 passport holders from different Asian countries.

Findings

The findings of this study revealed that citizens of developing and underdeveloped countries commonly experience passport discrimination in salary structure, promotions, training and hiring processes. Additionally, they face passport discrimination during visa issuance and proceedings at immigration counters.

Originality/value

This study unlocks the door for researchers to explore new dimensions of discrimination. Future studies may investigate the level of impact of passport discrimination from a human resource perspective through a positivist approach.
Analysis and study of digital economy level measurement index
Authors: He Haipeng , He Zirui , Nie Xiaodong
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to assess the level of development of the digital economy by constructing a comprehensive measurement system. It explores regional differences within China’s digital economy, highlighting the varying degrees of digital infrastructure, industrialization, governance and innovation capabilities across provinces.

Design/methodology/approach

A multidimensional analytical framework including digital infrastructure, industrialization, digitization, governance and innovation was developed. Entropy methods were used to calculate the weights of each dimension. The coupled coordination degree model and the Tobit model with random effects panel are applied to analyze the current situation, discrepancies and influencing factors.

Findings

This study reveals significant regional differences in the development of China’s digital economy, characterized by a pattern of “strong in the east, weak in the west; high in the south, low in the north.” This geographical imbalance exacerbates the “polarization effect” and the “siphon effect,” where resources and growth tend to concentrate in already developed areas, further intensifying regional inequalities. The development of the digital economy is driven by principles of innovation, coordination and sharing, which facilitate the creation and dissemination of new technologies and collaboration across different sectors. However, this progress is also constrained by considerations of environmental sustainability (green) and economic openness.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the body of knowledge by providing a novel multidimensional measurement system for the level of digital economy development. The unique application of the coupled coordination degree model and Tobit model to analyze regional differences and influencing factors provides insights into the dynamics of China’s digital economy.
An ISM-MICMAC approach for analyzing the relationship between blockchain adoption criteria in a pharmaceutical supply chain: Tunisian case
Authors: Hamdi Imen , Toumi Said
Published: October 2024

Purpose

In the context of digitalizing the supply chain of different sectors, the blockchain technology (BT) is emerged and becomes one of the most interesting and debated research topics. A few years ago, this technology was implemented for the first time in the financial sector, which is currently extended to be used in many other areas, mainly the health-care sector. The success of this technology stems from its ability to enhance the performance, security, consistency of sharing medical data within the whole system and the analysis of medical records. Technically, the BT is defined as a decentralized digital ledger that records transactions between the stakeholders in a supply chain. Thus, they could gain better control and find severe mistakes and the unsafe ones in the medical field. The purpose of this paper is to address a preliminary study of the BT adoption in a real pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) of the Tunisian case.

Design/methodology/approach

Indeed, the authors propose an interpretive structural modeling (ISM) combined with the cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification (MICMAC) analysis. This methodology is known as an effective one used to identify the criteria that influence the implementation of the BT, analyze the relationships between them and delighting the most impactful ones.

Findings

The readiness criteria for the adoption of the BT for the considered system are identified which are 10 ones and the structural relationship between them is uncovered through many interviews with experts. Hence, the found results define the most crucial criteria that should be valorized amongst the other criteria.

Originality/value

The originality of this study stems from its theoretical and practical relevance regarding the potential of the pharmaceutical system and the importance of the integration of new technologies as the BT. The ISM-MICMAC approach seems to be very performant for such preliminary study of the BT adoption in the Tunisian pharmaceutical system.
Exploring best practices in smart public library services: a survey
Authors: Kulkarni Sheshagiri , Balaji B. Preedip , Dhanamjaya M.
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to the integration of smart cities and technologies has had a profound impact on public library services globally. However, debates continue about how public libraries are incorporating smart technologies and tools, and what this means for their role in smart city development. This paper explores how public libraries are evolving to meet community needs by providing both physical and digital services.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this study is to assess the role of public libraries in the smart cities and how they are aligning toward development of smart concepts, technologies, services such as contributions to smart city objectives, community impact, the digital divide, unique projects and readiness for future smart city advancements. So, the authors explored 11 public library systems of cities across the world implementing smart city projects.

Findings

The authors found that all the library systems offer extensive print and digital collections, sustainable buildings and a well-connected network of branches. They provide self-checkout services, makerspaces equipped with 3D printing and coding workshops and advanced recording and video editing technologies. Furthermore, these libraries function as community centers, serving diverse groups including children, women, the elderly and marginalized communities. They function as third spaces that foster lifelong learning and digital literacy.

Originality/value

Although smart cities face substantial debate regarding their features, tools and feasibility, public libraries have adapted and redefined their roles to become influential public institutions. They now play a crucial part in supporting vibrant and dynamic communities and neighborhoods within smart cities.
A co-evolutionary approach to MNE-assisted industry development: Uruguay’s forest-based pulp sector
Authors: Mihailova Irina , Rantanen Sini , Tahvanainen Veera , Pykäläinen Jouni
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate how co-evolutionary interactions between multinational enterprises (MNEs) and local actors shaped resource-intensive industry development over several decades, examining the economic, industrial and social implications of these interactions. It details the long-term effects of MNEs’ activities on the host country’s economic and social development and unfolds the path-dependent sequence and mechanisms of occurrence.

Design/methodology/approach

In a historical case study of Uruguay’s forest-based pulp sector during the 1970s to 2023, the authors analyze data from interviews with local industry actors and from company archives, academic publications and public environmental organizations.

Findings

The findings untangle the path-dependent co-evolution between MNEs’ activities and local actors and the resulting gradual development of the local industry. The increasing commitment of MNEs to the host country and their engagement with business and social communities impact the development of the industry’s technology basis, activity networks, identity and market. Spillovers and linkages occur in these interactions, driving industry development processes forward. The authors also reveal how MNEs attempt to address the social and environmental tensions associated with their operations to support their long-term presence in the host country.

Research limitations/implications

The authors contribute to the MNE-assisted development literature by untangling the specific mechanisms of MNEs’ engagement in local industry development over a long-term period and elaborating on its industrial and social implications. The authors enhance knowledge about spillovers by capturing a wide range of spillover and linkage effects and assessing their long-term impacts on industry development.

Practical implications

The authors offer insights into how policymakers can tailor instruments for attracting MNEs by adopting a long-term perspective regarding the implications for local development and accounting for economic, industrial and social impacts. This approach can maximize beneficial outcomes from MNEs’ presence and limit tensions between MNEs and local actors.

Social implications

This historical case study illustrates the complexity of MNEs’ engagement with local actors over time, including various tensions and positive developments. It illustrates the importance of social acceptance in achieving quality linkages between local and foreign actors.

Originality/value

This historical analysis untangles the path dependency in the long-term impacts of MNE-assisted development, illustrating the value of a temporal perspective.
3D printing of metal parts using a highly-filled thermoplastic filament
Authors: Rodríguez-Alvarez Sandra , del Río-Fernández Laura del Río , del Río-Santos Daniel , de la Torre-Gamarra Carmen , Levenfeld Belen , Varez Alejandro
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to develop a highly loaded filament with spherical metallic particles for fused filament fabrication (FFF) technology. The research focuses on optimizing powder loading, printing parameters and final processes, including debinding and sintering, to produce successful metal parts.

Design/methodology/approach

The optimal powder loading was identified by measuring mixing torque and viscosity at various temperatures. The filament was extruded, and printing parameters − particularly printing speed to ensure proper material flow − were optimized. Different filling patterns were also examined. After printing, the polymeric binder was removed and the parts were sintered to form the final metal components.

Findings

The optimal powder loading was determined to be 55 vol.%. The best surface quality was achieved with an optimized printing speed of 5 mm/s. Parts printed with various infill patterns were studied for differences in open, closed and total porosity, showing a strong link between porosity and infill pattern.

Originality/value

This comprehensive study provides new insights into manufacturing metal parts using FFF technology. It fills a gap in the literature regarding feedstock viscosity and shear rate in highly loaded metal filaments during FFF. Additionally, it uniquely examines the open, closed and total porosity of metal parts printed with different infill patterns.
Influence of bed temperature on the final properties of PLA parts manufactured by material extrusion
Authors: Tognana Sebastián , Frosinini Carlos , Montecinos Susana
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study the influence of bed temperature on the properties of printed parts and their structural stability.

Design/methodology/approach

Material extrusion is a manufacturing technique in which a part is completed layer by layer with molten filament. The first layer is deposited on a build platform called bed, which is usually at a controlled temperature above room temperature. The density, coefficient of thermal expansion and Young’s modulus were determined as a function of the bed temperature. The complex permittivity was determined at different temperatures, with the aim of analyzing the influence of the bed temperature and isothermal treatments on the characteristics of the amorphous phase.

Findings

The Young’s modulus presented a non-monotonic behavior, while the coefficient of thermal expansion did not present a clear dependence on the bed temperature. However, a contraction of the dimensions of the parts was observed after heating at temperatures above the glass transition. With treatments at temperatures lower than the glass transition temperature, no changes were observed. However, with treatments at temperatures higher than this, changes in the mobile amorphous region were inferred.

Originality/value

Issues related to the use of parts manufactured by 3D printing after a posterior heating were analyzed: an improvement in the Young’s modulus and a slight variation of the coefficient of thermal expansion were observed. However, a significant variation in dimensions was detected, mainly for the lowest bed temperatures. This is important for possible applications at temperatures above 60°C.
Investigating the complex relationship and influencing factors of frailty on nutritional status in maintenance hemodialysis patients
Authors: Yang Fengxue , Zhu Linfang , Cao Bing , Peng Bo , Yuan Zhongqing , Zeng Li , Hang Yuting , Yuan Huaihong
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Given the high prevalence and significant challenges of frailty, a state of increased vulnerability to adverse health outcomes, among maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) patients, this cross‐sectional study aimed to investigate its prevalence and explore its association with nutritional status and other relevant factors.

Methods

The study involved 290 MHD patients with an average age of 52.98 ± 13.65 years. Frailty assessments, nutritional evaluations, and medical status measurements were performed. Data analysis involved descriptive statistics, correlation analyses, and multivariate logistic regression.

Results

Among the patients, 70.3% were identified with frailty (16.9% frail, 53.4% pre‐frail). Frailty was more prevalent in female patients compared to males and correlated positively with age, marital status, caregiving needs, comorbidities, dialysis duration, and higher nutritional risk scores. Negative correlations were observed with serum albumin, hemoglobin, body weight, and height.

Conclusion

A significant prevalence of frailty was found in MHD patients, with notable associations to various demographic, clinical, and nutritional factors.
Aβ ‐induced excessive mitochondrial fission drives type H blood vessels injury to aggravate bone loss in APP/PS1 mice with Alzheimer's diseases
Authors: Zhang Weidong , Ding Fan , Rong Xing , Ren Qinghua , Hasegawa Tomoka , Liu Hongrui , Li Minqi
Published: October 2024

Alzheimer's diseases (AD) patients suffer from more serious bone loss than cognitively normal subjects at the same age. Type H blood vessels were tightly associated with bone homeostasis. However, few studies have concentrated on bone vascular alteration and its role in AD‐related bone loss. In this study, APP/PS1 mice (4‐ and 8‐month‐old) and age‐matched wild‐type mice were used to assess the bone vascular alteration and its role in AD‐related bone loss. Transmission electron microscopy, immunofluorescence staining and iGPS 1.0 software database were utilized to investigate the molecular mechanism. Mitochondrial division inhibitor (Mdivi‐1) and GSK‐3β inhibitor (LiCl) were used to rescue type H blood vessels injury and verify the molecular mechanism. Our results revealed that APP/PS1 mice exhibited more serious bone blood vessels injury and bone loss during ageing. The bone blood vessel injury, especially in type H blood vessels, was accompanied by impaired vascularized osteogenesis in APP/PS1 mice. Further exploration indicated that beta‐amyloid (Aβ) promoted the apoptosis of vascular endothelial cells (ECs) and resulted in type H blood vessels injury. Mechanistically, Aβ‐induced excessive mitochondrial fission was found to be essential for the apoptosis of ECs. GSK‐3β was identified as a key regulatory target of Aβ‐induced excessive mitochondrial fission and bone loss. The findings delineated that Aβ‐induced excessive mitochondrial fission drives type H blood vessels injury, leading to aggravate bone loss in APP/PS1 mice and GSK‐3β inhibitor emerges as a potential therapeutic strategy.
Semaglutide 2.4 mg in Participants With Metabolic Dysfunction‐Associated Steatohepatitis: Baseline Characteristics and Design of the Phase 3 ESSENCE Trial
Authors: Newsome Philip N. , Sanyal Arun J. , Engebretsen Kristiane A. , Kliers Iris , Østergaard Laura , Vanni Denise , Bugianesi Elisabetta , Rinella Mary E. , Roden Michael , Ratziu Vlad
Published: October 2024

Background

Semaglutide, a glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonist, has demonstrated potential beneficial effects in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH).

Aims

To describe the trial design and baseline characteristics of the ‘Effect of Semaglutide in Subjects with Non‐cirrhotic Non‐alcoholic Steatohepatitis’ (ESSENCE) trial (NCT04822181).

Methods

ESSENCE is a two‐part, phase 3, randomised, multicentre trial evaluating the effect of subcutaneous semaglutide 2.4 mg in participants with biopsy‐proven MASH and fibrosis stage 2 or 3. The primary objective of Part 1 is to demonstrate that semaglutide improves liver histology compared with placebo. The two primary endpoints are: resolution of steatohepatitis and no worsening of liver fibrosis, and improvement in liver fibrosis and no worsening of steatohepatitis. The Part 2 objective is based on clinical outcomes. The current work reports baseline characteristics of the first 800 randomised participants which includes demographics, laboratory parameters, liver histology, non‐invasive tests and presence of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) cardiometabolic criteria.

Results

Of 800 participants, 250 (31.3%) had fibrosis stage 2 and 550 (68.8%) had fibrosis stage 3. In the overall population, mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 56 (11.6) years, 57.1% were female, mean (SD) body mass index was 34.6 (7.2) kg/m2, 55.5% had type 2 diabetes and > 99% had at least one MASLD cardiometabolic criterion according to the published definition.

Conclusion

The ESSENCE baseline population includes participants with clinically significant fibrosis stages 2 and 3. Although MASLD cardiometabolic criteria were not a requirement for study enrolment, almost all participants (> 99%) had at least one MASLD cardiometabolic criterion.

Trial Registration

NCT04822181
Instrumental helping motivations of children and chimpanzees
Authors: Hepach Robert , Tomasello Michael
Published: October 2024

Chimpanzees and other great apes seem to be much less cooperative than humans overall, yet they nevertheless reliably help others in many instrumental circumstances. Although in many contexts the helping behavior of chimpanzees is quite similar to that of human children, recent studies using both behavioral and psychophysiological paradigms have revealed important differences, specifically, in the underlying motivations for prosocial behavior. Here, we provide both a synthesis of recent empirical work and an evolutionary hypothesis that can account for the differences in chimpanzee and human helping motivations.
Exploring the Learning Curve of Dental Implant Placement Using a Task‐Autonomous Robotic System Among Young Dentists From Different Specialties—A Pilot Module Study
Authors: Zhuang Minjie , Chen Jinyan , Tao Baoxin , Gul Meisha , Wang Feng , Wu Yiqun
Published: October 2024

Background

The learning curve effect of dynamic computer‐assisted implant surgery (D‐CAIS) was observed among inexperienced novice surgeons. The learning curves can provide valuable information for novice surgeons and valid comparisons between new and conventional techniques. Recently, robotic computer‐assisted implant surgery (R‐CAIS) has shown promise as a novel dental implant surgical technique for both partially and edentulous patients. However, its learning curve remains unknown.

Purpose

The aim of this study was to explore the learning curve of dental implant placement surgery with a task‐autonomous robotic system among young dentists with different specialties.

Methods and Materials

Four young dentists (mean age: 25.3 ± 1.5 years at the beginning of their first attempt) with equal representation of males and females and with different specialties participated in this study. None of the participants had prior experience in R‐CAIS. Each operator placed eight implants over eight attempts using a semi‐active task‐autonomous robotic system. Among the eight implants, four were straight lateral incisor implants, and four were 30°‐tilted premolar implants. The implants were placed in each dental quadrant of the maxillary and mandibular jaw modules. The operation time was recorded. Coronal, apical, and angular deviations between the planned and actual sites of implant placement were measured by merging preoperative and postoperative cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans. The data were analyzed with repeated‐measures ANOVA (α = 0.05).

Results

The mean time for implant placement was associated with the number of attempts (p < 0.01). The time taken for the second attempt was significantly shorter than that of the first attempt (33.26 vs. 30.47 min; p < 0.001) then it plateaued. Three‐dimensional (3D) angular (p = 0.31), coronal deviation (p = 0.26), and apical deviation (p = 0.06) did not differ significantly among attempts. The mean values and standard deviations of 3D coronal deviation, 3D apical deviation, and 3D angular deviation were 0.71 ± 0.31 mm, 0.72 ± 0.30 mm, and 0.94 ± 0.58°, respectively. Neither the position of the jaw (p > 0.59) nor the tilt angle of the implant (straight or 30°‐tilted, p > 0.85) was related to implant placement accuracy.

Conclusions

Dentists quickly learned the basic workflow of R‐CAIS and thus facilitated the clinicians in the mastery of implant placement on edentulous jaw modules, leading to a comparable operating speed and high precision. Moreover, the accuracy of placement of straight and tilted implants in both the maxilla and mandible with R‐CAIS was satisfactory.
Speech‐Processing Network Formation of Cochlear‐Implanted Toddlers With Early Hearing Experiences
Authors: Wu Meiyun , Liu Haotian , Zhao Xue , Lu Li , Wang Yuyang , Wei Chaogang , Liu Yuhe , Zhang Yu‐Xuan
Published: October 2024

To reveal the formation process of speech processing with early hearing experiences, we tracked the development of functional connectivity in the auditory and language‐related cortical areas of 84 (36 female) congenitally deafened toddlers using repeated functional near‐infrared spectroscopy for up to 36 months post cochlear implantation (CI). Upon hearing restoration, the CI children lacked the modular organization of the mature speech‐processing network and demonstrated a higher degree of immaturity in temporo‐parietal than temporo‐frontal connections. The speech‐processing network appeared to form rapidly with early CI experiences, with two‐thirds of the developing connections following nonlinear trajectories reflecting possibly more than one synaptogenesis‐pruning cycle. A few key features of the mature speech‐processing network emerged within the first year of CI hearing, including left‐hemispheric advantage, differentiation of the dorsal and ventral processing streams, and functional state (speech listening vs. resting) specific patterns of connectivity development. The developmental changes were predictable of future auditory and verbal communication skills of the CI children, with prominent contribution from temporo‐parietal connections in the dorsal stream, suggesting a mediating role of speech‐processing network formation with early hearing experiences in speech acquisition.
Cognitive and academic outcomes in children with myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease
Authors: Mittelman Audrey , Pique Julie , Desportes Vincent , Deiva Kumaran , Poulat Anne‐Lise , Marignier Romain
Published: October 2024

Aim

To describe the impact of paediatric myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody‐associated disease (MOGAD) on academic and cognitive outcomes.

Method

This was an observational, retrospective, and descriptive single‐centre study, carried out on a paediatric case series of children with MOGAD.

Results

A total of 51 patients were included (22 females); their median age was 8 years and the median follow‐up duration was 31.1 months (interquartile range 23.5). The most frequent clinical presentation was acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (54.9%), followed by optic neuritis (35.5%). At the last follow‐up, regardless of the clinical phenotype at disease onset, 39.5% of patients with MOGAD received academic and educational interventions (p < 0.05 compared to before disease onset), including academic accommodations (p < 0.05) or the need for a learning support assistant (p < 0.05). Ten patients were evaluated with the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fifth Edition (WISC‐V). The overall IQ was calculated for six patients (mean = 92); two of these patients had an IQ lower than 85. No difference was found regarding prenatal and neonatal neurodevelopmental characteristics between this cohort and the general population.

Interpretation

MOGAD was associated with a need for academic support; lower scores were found on the WISC‐V. Patients with MOGAD should receive cognitive and academic assessments to inform educational planning and support academic success.
Habitat Diversity Mitigates the Impacts of Human Pressure on Stream Biodiversity
Authors: Moi Dieison A. , Kaufmann Philip R. , Riato Luisa , Romero Gustavo Q. , Kratina Pavel , Teixeira de Mello Franco , Hughes Robert M.
Published: October 2024

Recent decades have witnessed substantial changes in freshwater biodiversity worldwide. Although research has shown that freshwater biodiversity can be shaped by changes in habitat diversity and human‐induced pressure, the potentials for interaction between these drivers and freshwater biodiversity at large spatial extents remain unclear. To address these issues, we employed a spatially extensive multitrophic fish and insect database from 3323 stream sites across the United States, to investigate the ability of habitat diversity to modulate the effect of human pressure on the richness and abundance of fish and insects. We found evidence that high levels of habitat diversity were associated with increased richness and abundance of fish and insects (including whole‐assemblage and individual trophic guilds). We also show that the effects of human pressure on the richness and abundance of fish and insects tend to become positive at high levels of habitat diversity. Where habitat diversity is low, human pressure strongly reduces insect richness and abundance, whereas these reductions are attenuated at high levels of habitat diversity. Structural equation modeling revealed that human pressure reduced habitat diversity, indirectly negatively affecting the richness and abundance of fish and insects. These findings illustrate that, in addition to promoting greater fish and insect biodiversity, habitat diversity may mitigate the deleterious effects of human pressures on these two stream assemblages. Overall, our study suggests that maintaining high levels of habitat diversity is a useful way to protect freshwater biodiversity from ongoing increases in human pressure. However, if human pressures continue to increase, this will reduce habitat diversity, further threatening stream assemblages.
Cross‐domain policy feedback effects on mass publics
Authors: Wang Peijie , Zhang Youlang
Published: October 2024

Scholars have extensively explored policy feedback effects on mass publics. However, research exploring how one policy's implementation affects public preferences for another remains limited. This study proposes a novel cross‐domain policy feedback framework, emphasizing functional and normative interdependence as two mechanisms yielding cross‐domain resource and interpretive effects. We use multiple sets of nationally representative survey data and archival records from China, a context deeply rooted in filial piety culture. We employ a fuzzy regression discontinuity design and multilevel regressions to explore the effects of the one‐child policy on public preferences for old‐age support. The findings indicate that individuals subjected to more stringent enforcement exhibit increased support for the government assuming the responsibility for old‐age support. These changes largely stem from the reduction in their actual and desired number of children. The findings have significant implications for mass feedback research and reform efforts regarding population planning and public pension systems.
A novel multicriteria web‐based decision support system to enhance resource allocation in energy companies: a portfolio selection with c‐optimal PROMETHEE
Authors: da Silva Lucas Borges Leal , de Almeida Jonatas Araújo , de Almeida Adiel Teixeira
Published: October 2024

In an uncertain world, decision support systems (DSSs) are essential for effective portfolio management. Electricity companies often face challenges in allocating limited resources among competing projects, influenced by sustainability and regulatory requirements. To address these challenges, multicriteria approaches have been developed, focusing on complex issues involving outranking methods. This paper introduces a methodological advance with a novel algorithm that enhances the c‐optimal PROMETHEE (Preference Ranking Organization Method for Enrichment Evaluations) approach, resolving scaling issues inherent in the PROMETHEE V method. Our key contribution is a refined procedure for efficiently identifying and comparing c‐optimal solutions while preserving the method's axiomatic integrity, ensuring the selection of the “true best” portfolio. Additionally, we present a web‐based DSS designed to implement this methodology, featuring interactive visualization and sensitivity analysis tools. Freely available online, both the algorithm and DSS were validated through a case study with a Brazilian electricity company, demonstrating their practical benefits and applicability across various business contexts.
Strong piezoelectric anisotropy in CaBi4Ti4O15 textured ceramics prepared by templated grain growth method
Authors: Wang Yike , Tang Mingyang , Ren Xiaodan , Liu Xin , Xu Zhuo , Yan Yongke
Published: October 2024

Bismuth layer‐structured ferroelectrics (BLSF) show great potential as piezoelectric materials for high‐temperature applications. In this study, c‐axis/[001]‐textured CaBi4Ti4O15 (CBT) ceramic was synthesized through templated grain growth (TGG) method. A high Lotgering factor (f) of 96% was achieved in textured CBT ceramic using 20 wt% CBT homogeneous template. The piezoelectric coefficient d33 has significantly increased from 7.8 pC/N for random ceramic to 24.3 pC/N for textured ceramic (poled perpendicular to the c‐axis/[001] texture direction), representing an impressive 300% enhancement while maintaining an ultra‐high Curie temperature (TC) of 788°C. In addition, a low dielectric loss (tanδ = 0.4%) and relatively high resistivity (ρ = 1.1 × 1012 Ω·cm) were achieved simultaneously at room temperature. The significant enhancement of d33 in textured CBT ceramic origins from its strong piezoelectric anisotropy. The large d33,T⊥ is due to the nature of polarization switching in CBT (the spontaneous polarization PS of CBT is along a‐axis direction, and the switching of PS is restricted within the a–b plane). Furthermore, the variation of d33,T⊥ remained below 10% across the temperature range of 25–700°C, highlighting the excellent thermal stability of the textured CBT ceramics. These findings suggest that textured CBT ceramic is a promising piezoelectric material for high‐temperature sensor applications.
Combined left atrial appendage occlusion and catheter ablation procedure for left atrial arrhythmias: A real‐world, propensity‐matched analysis
Authors: Preisendörfer Stefan , Ayub Muhammad T. , Sheth Aakash , Jabbour George Y. , Singh Madhurmeet , Patel Chinmay P. , Gada Hemal , Bhonsale Aditya , Dhande Mehak , Estes Nathan A. , Kancharla Krishna , Kliner Dustin E. , Makani Amber , Naniwadekar Aditi , Shalaby Alaa , Singla Virginia , Voigt Andrew , Saba Samir F. , Jain Sandeep K.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Real‐world studies comparing safety and efficacy of combined percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) and catheter ablation (CA) to LAAO alone are limited.

Methods

Patients from a large US hospital system undergoing combined LAAO and left‐atrial CA from 8/2020 to 2/2024 were retrospectively analyzed and compared to a control group undergoing LAAO alone. Controls were identified using a 1:2 propensity score match based on LAAO device type (Watchman FLX vs. Amulet), CHA2D2‐VASc and Hypertension, Abnormal renal/liver function, Stroke, Bleeding history or predisposition, Labile international normalized ratio [INR], Elderly, Drugs/alcohol (HAS‐BLED) scores and compared for safety, sealing performance and clinical outcomes at 6 months.

Results

Patients were younger in the combined (n = 72) than in the control group (n = 144, 70.2 ± 7.3 vs. 76.7 ± 6.9 years, p < 0.001) but otherwise comparable with a mean CHA2D2‐VASc score of 4.2 ± 1.1 and 4.4 ± 1.2 (p = 0.26) and HAS‐BLED score of 2.2 ± 0.8 and 2.3 ± 0.7 (p = 0.34). Successful LAAO implantation rates were the same (95.8% vs. 95.8%, p = 0.99) with longer procedure times seen in the combined group (156.5 ± 53 vs. 56 ± 26 min, p < 0.001). Both major (1.4% vs. 2.1%, p = 0.72) and minor (27.8% vs. 19.4%, p = 0.17) in‐hospital complications were similar between the combined and control group, respectively. At 45 days, presence of peri‐device leak (18.3% vs. 30.4%, p = 0.07) and device related thrombosis (4.5% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.96) on transesophageal echocardiogram did not differ. Finally, all‐cause mortality (0% vs. 1.4%, p = 0.99), thromboembolic (0% vs. 0%, p = 0.99) and bleeding (6.1% vs. 4.4%, p = 0.73) events during follow‐up were comparable.

Conclusion

This large, real‐world analysis indicates comparable safety and efficiency of combined LAAO and CA when compared with LAAO alone.
Transvenous extraction of conduction system and lumenless pacing leads
Authors: Wagner Ethan S. , Lewis Robert K. , Pokorney Sean D. , Hegland Donald D. , Friedman Daniel J. , Piccini Jonathan P.
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Conduction system pacing (CSP), often accomplished with lumenless pacing leads, is increasingly employed to achieve physiologic ventricular activation. There are limited data on the extraction of these leads. The objective of this study was to describe the safety and efficacy of extraction of CSP pacing leads and compare outcomes with extraction of non‐CSP lumenless leads.

Methods

Patients undergoing CSP/non‐CSP lumenless lead removal were included. Outcomes of interest included rates of complete procedural success, complications, and successful reimplantation.

Results

Overall, 23 patients were included (n = 14 with CSP and n = 9 with non‐CSP lumenless leads implanted in the right atrium, right ventricle, or septum). The mean age was 52.7 ± 24.0 years, 30% were female, and the mean lead age was 4.5 ± 4.4 years. The complete procedural success rate was 100%. One serious complication occurred in the non‐CSP group but was unrelated to the lead of interest. Manual traction alone was successful in 57% of CSP cases (mean lead age 2.4 ± 1.7 years) and in 11% of non‐CSP cases (mean lead age 7.9 ± 5.3 years). Laser sheaths were used in 43% of CSP cases and 89% of non‐CSP cases; rotational cutting tools were used in no CSP cases and in 33% of non‐CSP cases. Reimplantation in the conduction system was attempted with a left bundle branch pacing lead and successful in 80% (n = 4/5).

Conclusion

Extraction of CSP and non‐CSP lumenless leads is feasible with a high success rate and a good safety profile. CSP reimplantation after extraction is also feasible with good electrical performance.
Improved macronutrient composition of meals delivered to people with diabetes in hospital: a pre–post, mixed‐methods observational study
Authors: Armstrong Emma , Barmanray Rahul D. , Kriketos Adamandia , Agius Bridget , Dow Aimee , Griffin Hilda , Fourlanos Spiros
Published: October 2024

Background

Providing meals which meet diverse needs of hospital inpatients is complex, contributing to challenges in optimising glycaemia. We developed menus that improved the appropriateness of macronutrient composition of meals for inpatients with diabetes.

Methods

Qualitative feedback from patients and healthcare professionals prompted the implementation of two new menus: ‘diabetes lifestyle’ and ‘diabetes high energy’. Quantitative nutrition analysis of meals provided to inpatients using new menus was compared to the regular menu. Qualitative surveys were repeated after the implementation of the new menus.

Results

Nutrition analysis demonstrated that meals ordered from the diabetes lifestyle menu (mean energy: 7.85 MJ) comprised less total fat (71 vs. 74 vs. 64 g, p < 0.001), saturated fat (34 vs. 36 vs. 31 g, p < 0.001), carbohydrate (246 vs. 249 vs. 217 g, p < 0.001) and sugar (125 vs. 121 vs. 102 g, p < 0.001) compared to the regular (mean energy: 8.46 MJ) and diabetes high energy menus (mean energy: 8.70 MJ). Meals ordered from the diabetes lifestyle menu provided greater protein (91 g) than the regular (85 g) and diabetes high energy (88 g) menus (p < 0.001) and equivalent fibre (33 vs. 31 vs. 33 g, respectively). After implementation of the new menus, more patients reported that meals met their nutritional needs (19 [95%] vs. 14 [70%], p = 0.04), and more healthcare professionals reported menus for inpatients with diabetes were appropriate (16 [100%] vs. 11 [41%], p < 0.001).

Conclusion

Using the diabetes lifestyle menu improved the macronutrient composition of meals for inpatients with diabetes not at risk of malnutrition.
Systematic contribution of the auditory region to the knowledge of the oldest European Bovidae (Mammalia, Ruminantia)
Authors: Mennecart Bastien , Duranthon Francis , Costeur Loïc
Published: October 2024

The ear region has a strong potential for evolutionary studies. While the petrosal bone suffers from ontogeny and allometry, the bony labyrinth provides crucial information for phylogeny. The study of the bony labyrinth itself allowed for argumentation of the early bovid species Eotragus artenensis and Eotragus clavatus being closely related, while a newly described species and genus of early Bovidae from Montréal‐du‐Gers (France), formerly attributed to Eotragus, clearly belong to another lineage. The morphology of the bony labyrinth of these oldest bovids confirms that Eotragus is a stem Bovidae, while the new Bovidae is more derived. Since the bony labyrinth is a structure that is little affected by ontogeny, allometry, and sexual dimorphism, we propose this structure and its surrounding petrosal bone as the holotype for this new species. This study shows the importance of the ear region in the context of micro‐ and macro‐evolution.
Ferulic Acid in the Treatment of Papulopustular Rosacea: A Randomized Controlled Study
Authors: Wang Xing , Xue Yonghong , Zhu Hongzi , Zhang Jingjie , Li Meiling , Ge Wenxiu , Luo Zengxiang , Yuan Xiangfeng , Zhang Dong , Ma Weiyuan
Published: October 2024

Background

Rosacea is a chronic inflammatory skin disease characterized by flushing, erythema, papules, and pustules on the central face. It affects patient appearance and is noted for its chronicity, recurrence, and resistance to treatment. Effective rosacea treatment requires repairing the skin barrier, reducing inflammation, and promoting vasoconstriction.

Aims

This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of topical ferulic acid in treating papulopustular rosacea and its impact on skin barrier function.

Methods

Sixty patients with mild to moderate papulopustular rosacea were selected from the Department of Dermatology at the Affiliated Hospital of Shandong Second Medical University between January 2023 and December 2023. Patients were randomly assigned to either a control group or an observation group, with 30 patients in each group. The observation group applied ferulic acid solution to the affected areas, while the control group used normal saline, both twice daily for 6 weeks. Both groups also received 0.1 g doxycycline hydrochloride tablets orally once daily. Skin lesions and skin barrier function were assessed using VISIA imaging and self‐rating scales before and during treatment, and adverse reactions were recorded.

Results

After 6 weeks, both skin lesion assessments and self‐assessment scores improved significantly from baseline, with greater improvement in the observation group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). Indicators of skin barrier function and VISIA imaging results demonstrated the efficacy of ferulic acid in treating rosacea. The total effective rate was significantly higher in the observation group (80.00%) compared to the control group (63.33%) (p < 0.05). In the observation group, nine patients (30.00%) experienced a greasy sensation initially, one patient (3.33%) reported tingling and itching, and no serious adverse reactions were observed.

Conclusions

Ferulic acid is effective as an adjuvant treatment for papulopustular rosacea, significantly improving skin lesions and repairing skin barrier function with minimal adverse reactions.