bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Shaping triumph from within: an investigation into employee-based brand co-creation, motivation drivers and enhanced job-related organisational performance
Authors: Yuan Ruizhi , Chen Ruolan , Huang Bo , Du Anna Min 
Published: November 2024

PurposeDrawing on the co-creation literature and self-determination theory, this study takes a broader organisational perspective linking employees’ motivational antecedents (corporate brand socialization, employee brand identification and impression management) and employee-based brand co-creation (EBBC), with three employee-level outcomes: sales performance, employee resilience and adaptive selling. We therefore bridge the complex nexus between employees and organisational performance.Design/methodology/approachSurvey data of 313 employees across industries and different-sized business-to-business (B2B) companies in China were collected. We used AMOS 21 to carry out structural equation modelling (SEM) for testing the main hypotheses.FindingsThe results reveal that EBBC is driven by external, internal and self-related motivations and leads to an increase in the three employee performance-related outcomes. The results further indicate that employees’ social media usage exerts contrasting moderating effects for each of the three motivational antecedents: While it strengthens the effect of employee identification on EBBC, it weakens the effect of corporate brand socialization on EBBC and exerts no effect on the relationship between impression management and EBBC.Practical implicationsThis study confirms the effectiveness of EBBC in improving performance outcomes for B2B employees, particularly sales performance, resilience and job satisfaction, all of which are crucial for employee success. On the basis of our findings, in terms of employee satisfaction and performance, and in addition to conventional strategies and incentives, B2B organisations should encourage employee co-creation activities as outlined above, since such activities tend to impact these outcomes positively.Originality/valueThis study features and substantiates the self-related goal initiatives in EBBC, such as developing a sense of self-promotion desires and uncovers a moderator of the relationships between motivational antecedents and EBBC. These findings highlight the managerial relevance of specific motivational and psychological pathways in building employee brand co-creation behaviours, employee outcomes and organisational performance via employee sales.
Lean facility layout selection in a post service to enhance operational performance: a graph theory model
Authors: Vadivel Senghazhani Murugesan , Kumar Vimal , Verma Pratima 
Published: November 2024

PurposeThis study attempts to analyze the overall effectiveness of Lean System (LS)-based India post facility layout design (FLD) selection.Design/methodology/approachWe have grouped all Lean Six Sigma elements into three different categories: Lean Technical Practices, Lean Workplace Environment Practices, and Lean Ergonomics Practices based on literature support and field surveys in the Indian postal service. Further, it employs a mathematical model known as the graph theory (GT) method. From the GT approach, interactions were identified through LS tools represented through the digraph, matrix model approach. This study was directed at the National Sorting Hub in Mysuru, Karnataka, in the southern part of India. A number of insights were given in the GT area where FLD is possible to evaluate.FindingsThe results showed that Layout five has the highest value, followed by Layout one from the GT approach. The relative relevance and effect values are given as inputs to the permanent function in the digraph technique, and an evaluation index is obtained as an output.Research limitations/implicationsWhen solving any optimization issue with a high number of attributes, the digraph and matrix technique is successful. The layouts that have been identified have yielded valuable insights into how to enhance critical decision-making processes, which are necessary to accomplish company strategic objectives like growing postal business services.Originality/valueThe process operations carried out in India post service as well as its heterogeneity of articles and the intangible measures of production are the significant challenges to keenly analyze the layout design through lean service principles.
Asparagine prevents intestinal stem cell aging via the autophagy‐lysosomal pathway
Authors: Luo Ting , Zhao Liusha , Feng Chenxi , Yan Jinhua , Yuan Yu , Chen Haiyang 
Published: November 2024

AbstractThe age‐associated decline in intestinal stem cell (ISC) function is a key factor in intestinal aging in organisms, resulting in impaired intestinal function and increased susceptibility to age‐related diseases. Consequently, it is imperative to develop effective therapeutic strategies to prevent ISC aging and functional decline. In this study, we utilized an aging Drosophila model screening of amino acids and found that asparagine (Asn), a nonessential amino acid in vivo, exhibits its profound anti‐aging properties on ISCs. Asn inhibits the hyperproliferation of aging ISCs in Drosophila, maintains intestinal homeostasis, and extends the lifespan of aging flies. Complementarily, Asn promotes the growth and branching of elderly murine intestinal organoids, indicating its anti‐aging capacity to enhance ISC function. Mechanistic analyses have revealed that Asn exerts its effects via the activation of the autophagic signaling pathway. In summary, this study has preliminarily explored the potential supportive role of Asn in ameliorating intestinal aging, providing a foundation for further research into therapeutic interventions targeting age‐related intestinal dysfunction.
Effects of metformin on binge‐like ethanol drinking and adenosine monophosphate kinase signaling in inbred high drinking in the dark line 1 mice
Authors: Grigsby Kolter , Palacios Jonathan , Chan Amy E. , Spencer Sade M. , Ozburn Angela R. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundAdenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling plays a vital role in regulating cellular metabolism and energy throughout the body. Ethanol and cocaine both reduce AMPK activity in addiction‐related brain regions. Though AMPK activation has been found to reduce cocaine seeking, its role in harmful drinking and alcohol use disorder (AUD) progression remains unclear. We asked whether metformin, a first‐line type 2 diabetes medication that targets AMPK, can reduce binge‐like ethanol intake in inbred High Drinking in the Dark Line‐1 (iHDID‐1) mice, a genetic risk model for drinking to intoxication. We then determined whether metformin altered ethanol clearance in iHDID‐1 mice. Next, we tested whether metformin and/or ethanol altered AMPK signaling in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a brain region critically important for harmful drinking.MethodsWe measured the effects of metformin [0 or 250 mg/kg; intraperitoneal injection (i.p.)] on binge‐like ethanol intake in separate acute (Experiment 1) and chronic (Experiment 3A) drinking studies (n = 6–8 iHDID‐1 mice/sex/treatment/experiment). The effect of metformin (0 or 250 mg/kg) on ethanol (2.0 g/kg, i.p.) clearance was tested in iHDID‐1 mice (Experiment 2; n = 7–9/sex/treatment). Lastly, we measured NAc AMPK and phosphorylated AMPK (pAMPK) levels in response to chronic ethanol (or water) drinking (n = 6 iHDID‐1 mice/sex/treatment/fluid type; Experiment 3B) and an intoxicating dose of ethanol (2.0 g/kg; i.p.; Experiment 4).ResultsMetformin reduced binge‐like ethanol drinking intake in acute and chronic studies in both male and female iHDID‐1 mice (p's < 0.05). We found no significant changes in ethanol clearance in response to metformin. Moreover, no differences in AMPK or pAMPK levels in the NAc were observed with either ethanol or metformin.ConclusionsThese findings provide early support for the repurposing of metformin, an affordable and safe diabetes medication, to reduce harmful ethanol intake and lay a foundation for testing its efficacy to treat individuals with AUD.
The institutional foundations of the power to persuade
Authors: Prato Carlo , Turner Ian R. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractFormal presidential authority does not always translate into real influence over policy outcomes: The bureaucratic actors that are responsible for policy implementation have considerable discretion. Presidents, however, have tools to influence their behavior. In this paper, we focus on presidential control of intra‐executive information flows. We show how the President's power to persuade depends on inter‐branch relations and intra‐branch institutions. We develop a theory in which the President can shape information available to bureaucratic subordinates via both overt, legitimate channels as well as covert, illegitimate interventions. We find that the President's ability to persuade bureaucrats to pursue her preferred goals can be reinforced by higher bureaucratic independence or more aggressive external oversight. We also show how bureaucratic independence mediates how overseer motivations translate into oversight intensity. Our theory predicts that Congress' investigative resources should target more independent agencies under divided government and less independent agencies under unified government.
Constraining to deter
Authors: Di Lonardo Livio , Tyson Scott A. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractGovernments use a variety of tools to discourage, impede, or limit the ability of foreign adversaries to purse their ambitions. Some of these measures seek to constrain an opponent's capacity, while others seek to deter an opponent to take (or not) a particular action. We develop a theory to study how constraining and coercive threats interact strategically. Building on canonical models of deterrence, we first identify how coercive measures, in isolation, curb an aggressor's transgressions. We then identify when constraining measures and the threat of coercion (deterrence) are substitutes and when they are complements. In some cases, constraining measures make deterrence effective when it would otherwise fail (constraining to deter). Our results offer insights about measuring the effectiveness of various diplomatic tools. We highlight a series of novel empirical challenges stemming from the interaction of selection effects and ecological features of a sample of country dyads, and discuss potential solutions.
Safety pharmacology of acute mescaline administration in healthy participants
Authors: Klaiber Aaron , Humbert‐Droz Mélusine , Ley Laura , Schmid Yasmin , Liechti Matthias E. 
Published: November 2024

AimsPsychedelics, including mescaline, may serve as novel treatments for depression and anxiety. However, data is scarce on the safety of mescaline.MethodsThe present pooled analysis included two double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled studies with a total of 48 participants and 96 mescaline administrations. Single oral‐dose administrations (n = 16/dose) of mescaline at doses of 100–800 mg were used. Acute subjective and autonomic effects and acute and subacute adverse effects were recorded. Liver and kidney function, blood cell counts, and “flashbacks” were documented at the end of the studies.ResultsPositive subjective effects dose‐dependently increased and were higher than negative subjective effects for all mescaline doses. Autonomic effects increased moderately. Systolic blood pressure remained < 180 mmHg in all participants. Of all mescaline administrations, diastolic blood pressure > 100 mmHg was measured in 6%, heart rate > 100 beats/min was measured in 3% and body temperature > 38 °C was measured in 5%. The total number of acute adverse effects was 51, 12, 179, 143, 165 and 180 at 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 and 800 mg doses of mescaline, respectively. Nausea was dose‐limiting. Kidney and liver function and blood cell counts remained normal. “Flashbacks” were reported after 2% of all mescaline administrations.ConclusionsThese findings suggest that the administration of single mescaline doses up to 800 mg are safe in a controlled clinical setting with regard to acute psychological and physical harm in healthy participants.
Tumor Size as a Predictive Indicator for Lymph Node Metastasis in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: An Inverted L‐Shaped Curve Analysis Based on the SEER Database
Authors: Chen Jia‐Hua , Zhang Mi , He Yang‐Yang , Hong Yong 
Published: November 2024

ABSTRACTBackgroundPapillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) frequently metastasises to lymph nodes, with lymph node metastasis (LNM) occurring with high frequency in small, early‐stage tumors. The present study examines the inverse l‐shaped relationship between tumor size and the likelihood of LNM in patients diagnosed with PTC.MethodsWe performed a detailed retrospective cohort analysis of 48,021 cases of papillary thyroid cancer using data from the Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database from 1992 to 2019. Our study used various analytical methods, including logistic regression, spline curve fitting, and variable interaction assessment, to clarify the association between tumor size and LNM rates. We rigorously controlled for potential confounders such as patient age, sex, ethnicity, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension (ETE), histopathological characteristics and distant metastases. In addition, we thoroughly investigated and quantitatively assessed the relationship between adjusted tumor size measurements and the likelihood of LNM development.ResultsThe median tumor size among the 48,021 patients diagnosed with PTC was 1.3 cm. Among these patients, 12,365 (25.75%) had LNM, with a median tumor size of 1.9 cm in this group. A comparative analysis shows a significant difference in tumor sizes between PTC patients who were LNM‐positive and those who were LNM‐negative. The relationship between tumor size and the likelihood of LNM exhibits a distinct nonlinear pattern. Specifically, below a diameter threshold of 1.978 cm, the probability of LNM significantly increases with larger tumor sizes (odds ratio [OR] = 2.363, 95% confidence Interval [CI]: 2.214–2.523). Once this threshold is surpassed, the effect of tumor size on LNM incidence levels off (OR = 1.031, 95% CI: 1.003–1.061).ConclusionThe results of this study confirm that tumor size significantly determines the likelihood of LNM in patients with PTC. We found an inverse l‐shaped relationship between tumor size and the probability of LNM. As the tumor size increased below 1.978 cm, the likelihood of LNM increased, but not with tumor size above that threshold. These findings provide new insights into the complex relationship between tumor size and LNM in PTC.
Aqueous humour concentration of topically applied 2.0% ganciclovir eye drops in eyes with cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis and endotheliitis
Authors: Waduthantri Samanthila , Zhou Lei , Chee Soon Phaik 
Published: November 2024

AbstractBackgroundTo investigate the level of ganciclovir in the aqueous humour (AH) following topical application of 2.0% ganciclovir eye drop in eyes with cytomegalovirus (CMV) anterior segment infection.MethodsThis is a prospective, non‐randomised, interventional clinical study. We enrolled patients with active CMV anterior segment infection. Patients were treated with 2.0% ganciclovir eye drop, which was administered one drop every 3 h for 6 weeks. At the end of week 6, the CMV viral load in the AH was measured using real time polymerase chain reaction and the ganciclovir concentration in the AH was measured using high‐performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The clinical activity and central corneal thickness (CCT) were recorded at baseline and post‐treatment.ResultsOf the 25 eyes of 25 patients studied, 21 had anterior uveitis and 4 had endotheliitis. After 6 weeks of treatment, 22 eyes did not have any inflammation in the anterior chamber (AC) and CMV was undetectable on real time PCR. Three eyes of non‐compliant patients responded partially with reduced AC inflammation and decreased CMV viral load in the AH. The mean ganciclovir concentration in the AH was 1252.88 ± 2408.82 ng/mL. There was no significant correlation between the ganciclovir concentration in the AH and the CCT (Spearmen's r = +0.19, p = 0.36).ConclusionsThree‐hourly application of 2.0% ganciclovir eye drops resulted in effective intra‐cameral penetration with drug concentrations in the AH exceeding the 50% inhibitory dose for CMV replication. The ocular penetration of the ganciclovir eye drop was not dependent on corneal thickness.
Community perceptions of invasive species and environmental management in a US island territory
Authors: Gawel Ann Marie , Wald Dara M. , Rogers Haldre S. 
Published: November 2024

AbstractEnvironmental managers struggle with communicating accurate and relevant information and with gaining trust from the communities they serve, problems that are especially pronounced in minority and colonized communities. An important step in developing successful management strategies is partnering directly with the communities involved, but community perceptions are rarely surveyed thoroughly when developing these strategies. We held discussions with 73 people across 22 small groups about their perceptions of environmental issues, with a focus on invasive species, on the island of Guåhan (Guam), a US island territory with a long and continued history of colonization by Western countries. We conducted these small group discussions with long‐time residents to learn about their environmental concerns and perceptions of invasive species and management efforts. Using grounded theory, we identified themes concerning apathy, proenvironmental behaviors, frustrations with efficacy, and disconnectedness from environmental decision‐making among residents of Guåhan. Residents expressed feeling disconnected from management decisions, which they critiqued as ineffective, but largely felt helpless to affect. Still, residents related to us their proenvironmental behaviors (e.g., picking up litter and controlling invasive species) and expressed a desire to learn more about management efforts. Our results highlight a clear need for improvement and expansion of engagement with Guåhan residents about environmental management, as well as opportunities to engage with a concerned and potentially proactive community.
Using positionality and reflexivity to support equity in partnership‐driven research
Authors: Cadman Rachael , Syliboy Alanna , Saunders Michelle , Denny Shelley , Denniston Mary , Barry Eleanor , Bishop Breanna , Landovskis Shannon , Bailey Megan 
Published: November 2024

AbstractSocial and economic position and power shape everyone, including scientists and researchers. The way researchers do conservation science and the voices centered in the process are a result of researcher upbringing, experiences, access to resources, and values and are a manifestation of positionality. Positionality is a concept that can help one think about one's position and power in one's work. Creating a successful research partnership requires careful thinking about how equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility are accounted for in the research environment. We drew on our own experiences as early career, mid‐career, and Indigenous researchers to explore researcher positionality and how understanding one's positionality can bring to the fore power dynamics in conservation science and research. We focused on the use of reflexive practice to recognize diverse roles and responsibilities, build strong project governance, and enrich relationships. We considered 2 large research partnerships, Apoqnmatulti'k (Mi'kmaw for we help each other) and the SakKijânginnaniattut Nunatsiavut Sivunitsangit (Inuttitut for Sustainable Nunatsiavut Futures) project, to examine moments of tension and interrogation of power and the ways in which this interrogation led to stronger relationships and better research. We advise that large transdisciplinary and cross‐cultural research teams use positionality and reflexivity to explicitly make choices about power dynamics in the context of executing partnership‐driven work. This can be accomplished through personal and collective interrogation of the power dynamics at play in project administration, research questions, and interpersonal relationships.
Shifting paradigms and creating space for Indigenous leadership in biosecurity management and decision‐making
Authors: Godfery Tracey , Kean John , Hikuroa Daniel , Robinson Andrew , Williams Nari 
Published: November 2024

AbstractIn New Zealand, awareness regarding protection, enhancement, and regeneration of landscapes and biodiversity is growing as the relationship between functioning and diverse ecosystems and society's health is acknowledged. This relationship is especially important for Indigenous people, who hold strong genealogical and familial ties with nature. Significant biodiversity loss from anthropogenic factors is exacerbated by climate change, ecosystem degradation, and invasive species. Invasive species and other biological threats, such as native pathogens, are concerning for Māori communities, who hold cultural responsibilities to care for nature. Despite acknowledgment of the value of Indigenous perspectives in environmental management in New Zealand and globally, Indigenous participation still largely occurs within Western non‐Indigenous paradigms. We highlight the value of Indigenous participation in biosecurity management and propose a shift from Western‐based paradigms to paradigms that reflect Indigenous worldviews and relationships with place. Recognizing and including the value of Indigenous participation elevates Indigenous voices to the level of decision‐making and leadership in the management of Indigenous lands. Given the genealogical relationships that Māori hold with the natural world and the intertwining of their health and well‐being with that of place (land) and nature, biosecurity threats to native species and ecosystems also pose serious risks to community well‐being. A holistic biosecurity approach is needed that encompasses cultural, social, economic, and environmental factors at multiple scales. We examined the New Zealand biosecurity context relative to biological threats to native plants and ecosystems and proposed a paradigm shift toward Indigenous place‐based biosecurity management. Biosecurity science and science‐based tools remain an important component, underscoring the complementary aspects of science and (Indigenous) culture.