bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Limitation on payment by cash to combat money laundering: a comparative assessment of the laws of Mauritius and France
Authors: Mahadew Bhavna 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
The purpose of this article is to review the legislation on limitation on cash payment from a comparative perspective with France. This legal provision has been the subject of inconsistency and lack of clarity for the past two decades.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses a doctrinal legal research technique based on an analysis of the law and how it is interpreted in relation to Mauritius's prohibition on cash payments. Section 5 of the FIAMLA 2002 is interpreted in large part by this assessment using legal precedents from the Supreme Court and other Mauritius judicial authorities. France has been chosen as the comparative jurisdiction as it has well-defined legal framework on cash payment limitations in Europe.

Findings
The Mauritian judiciary has played a far more significant and active role than the French judiciary. A cursory search reveals a dearth of case law concerning the interpretation of the pertinent sections of the French Monetary and Financial Code concerning the prohibition on cash payments. The French legal system places more emphasis on the kinds of transactions that are exempt, whereas the Mauritius system places more attention on the entities that are exempt, such as banks and other financial organisations.

Originality/value
This paper fills in the gap that exists on legal interpretation of legislation on limitation on payment by cash in Mauritius. It originally contributes to legal literature on money laundering by undertaking a comparison between Mauritius and France for the benefits of students and researchers around the world.
Conceptualising place branding in three approaches: towards a new definition of place brands as embodied experiences
Authors: Eshuis Jasper , Ripoll González Laura 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
This paper aims to provide conceptual clarity on the different approaches of place branding in the literature. It discusses three main approaches and provides a new definition of place brands that acknowledges the full multi-sensory experience of place brands. This paper also elaborates brand management within the three approaches.

Design/methodology/approach
Conceptual paper

Findings
This study identifies three co-existing approaches of place branding and provides a definition of place brands for each of them. The first approach conceptualises place brands as symbolic constructs that identify and differentiate places from others. Brand symbols such as logos and slogans are central, assuming that brand meaning resides in them. The second approach views place brands as images and associations in the minds of target groups, whereby brands reside in individuals’ minds (the cognitive). This paper aligns with a third approach that views place brands as experiential, multi-sensory constructs. Brands invite not only mental representations in people’s minds but especially also multi-sensory embodied experiences. The authors thus define place brands as marketing systems that consist of dynamic performative assemblages of symbolic, discursive, institutional and material elements that selectively invite certain multi-sensory and embodied experiences of place by stakeholders and target groups.

Originality/value
This paper contributes to conceptual clarity by providing an analytical framework identifying three main approaches to place branding. The authors further reflect on the implications of each approach for brand management. This paper also builds on recent literatures to provide a new and contemporary definition of place brands as multi-sensory experiences that encompasses embodiment.
“Unintended” marketing through influencer vlogs: impacts of interactions, parasocial relationships and perceived influencer credibility on purchase behaviors
Authors: Zhang Ruonan , Mercado Trinideé , Bi Nicky Chang 
Published: July 2024

PurposeInfluencers’ vlogs have the potential to impact consumer behaviors through vlog-embedded corporate sponsorship and brand collaborations. However, even without brand involvement, vlogs can also “unintentionally” benefit influencers as a relationship-building tool. This study is designed to investigate the relationship between vlog-viewing and audiences’ purchase behaviors of influencer-recommended products through the impacts of influencer–follower interactions, perceived influencer credibility and parasocial relationships.Design/methodology/approachAn influencer-disseminated online survey was conducted in collaboration with a YouTube celebrity among N = 948 of her 72.6 K subscribers. Statistical analysis was performed through structural equation modeling (SEM) on SPSS Amos.FindingsSEM results indicated that the extent to which participants liked the vlogs had both a direct impact on their purchase behaviors and secondary impact through social media engagement, parasocial relationships and perceived influencer credibility.Originality/valueThe study expands current research and understanding of influencer marketing. Brands and social media content creators are advised to rethink vlogs as a creative genre for long-term brand–influencer collaborations and implicit social media endorsements.
Formal financial institutions’ financing of women-owned small and medium enterprises in South Africa: a supply-side perspective
Authors: Asah Francis Tangwo , Hove-Sibanda Progress 
Published: July 2024

Purpose
Although women-owned small and medium enterprises (SMEs) represent only 21.1% of all SMEs in South Africa, they play a fundamental role in the SME sector in terms of job creation, employment and poverty alleviation that is critical for economic growth. This study aims to explore (FFIs) financing of women-owned SMEs in South Africa from a credit provider perspective (supply-side).

Design/methodology/approach
A qualitative research approach positioned in the interpretivistic research paradigm was used to accomplish this study objectives. The five-step process of content analysis proposed by Terre Blanche, Durrheim and Kelly was used to analyse the qualitative data collected from the 16 participants via semi-structured in-depth interviews.

Findings
The findings reveal that FFIs are willing to finance women-owned businesses provided they can contribute a reasonable percentage of the equity capital and a first-class collateral. Lack of equity, business experiences and first-class collateral are the most serious challenges faced by FFIs when considering lending to women-owned SMEs.

Originality/value
This study investigated the financing of women-owned SMEs in South Africa from a supply-side perspective, compared to other studies that used quantitative methodology. This study findings provide insights into how FFIs perceive financing women-owned SMEs, women-owned SMEs credit approval rate, the factors that influence the willingness of FFIs to provide credit to women-owned SMEs and the challenges experienced by FFIs in financing women-owned SMEs.
Previous assessments of faecal glucocorticoid metabolites in Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra) were flawed
Authors: Britnell Jake A. , Palme Rupert , Kerley Graham I. H. , Jackson John , Shultz Susanne 
Published: July 2024

Abstract

Steroid hormones, especially glucocorticoids (GCs), are widely used to assess physiological responses to stressors. As steroid hormones are heavily metabolised prior to excretion, it is essential to validate enzyme immunoassays (EIAs) for measuring faecal glucocorticoid metabolites (fGCMs). Although problems with unvalidated assays have been raised repeatedly, their use persists widely.

Lea et al. (2017) used an unvalidated corticosterone assay (CJM006) to relate fGCM concentrations to habitat quality, demography and population performance in the Cape mountain zebra (Equus zebra zebra). Here, we revisit their findings and evaluate the validity of their conclusions using a validated EIA. First, we evaluate the biological sensitivity of six EIAs (three group‐specific metabolite assays and three corticosterone assays, including CJM006) through a biological validation experiment (translocation) for two sub‐species of mountain zebra, Cape mountain and Hartmann's mountain zebra (E. z. hartmannae). Second, we reanalyse the faecal extracts from Lea et al. (2017) using a validated EIA.

fGCM concentrations consistently increased following translocation, when using two 11‐oxoaetiocholanolone (lab codes: 72T and 72a) and an 11ß‐hydroxyaetiocholanolone (69a) EIA, but did not with three different corticosterone EIAs. All corticosterone EIAs (including CJM006) failed to detect an increase in fGCMs within the critical 48–72‐h period post translocation. Therefore, the CJM006 EIA utilised in Lea et al. (2017) does not sensitively measure hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis activity in CMZ faeces.

Using a validated assay (72T), fGCM concentrations were no longer associated with adult sex ratio or habitat quality (measured by grassiness) and these variables were dropped from predictive models. fGCM concentrations now varied between seasons and were negatively associated with female fecundity (foal:mare ratio). Consequently, we can conclude that the results of the previous study are unreliable.

We introduce the terms “insensitive” and “sub‐optimal” to categorise assays that are tested but fail validation, and assays that are comparatively poor at detecting relevant hormone changes, respectively. We discuss how both “insensitive” and “sub‐optimal” assays could lead to incorrect inferences about population stressors and counterproductive conservation recommendations.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Therapeutic plasma exchange in autoimmune neurological disorders: A comprehensive evaluation of clinical outcomes, safety, and long‐term disability using the modified Rankin scale
Authors: Bava Davood , Panda Samhita , Jain Romesh , Mittal Siddharth , Gupta Anubhav , Khan Atik , Mandal Saptarshi , Bajpayee Archana 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionAutoimmune neurological diseases (ANDs) involve the immune system attacking the nervous system, leading to various symptoms. Therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE) is used to remove pathogenic autoantibodies, aiming to improve clinical outcomes.MethodsThis ambispective observational study included 99 patients with ANDs who underwent TPE from January 2018 to June 2022 at a tertiary care center in India. Clinical outcomes were measured using the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) scores at admission, post‐TPE, at 3‐months, 6‐months, and 1‐year follow‐up post‐discharge. Data were analyzed using Epi Info version 7.0.ResultsThe median mRS score improved significantly from 5 (IQR 4–5) before TPE to 3 (IQR 2–4) post‐TPE (p < 0.001). Complications occurred in 5.95% of procedures, with allergic reactions being the most common. The in‐hospital mortality rate was 9%.ConclusionTPE is a safe and effective treatment modality for autoimmune neurological diseases, especially in resource‐constrained settings. It aids in both symptomatic relief and reducing long‐term functional disability.
Seed size and dispersal mode select mast seeding in perennial plants
Authors: YU Fei , ZHANG Mingming , YANG Yueqin , WANG Yang , YI Xianfeng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractReproduction by perennial plants varies from being relatively constant over years to the production of massive and synchronous seed crops at irregular intervals, a reproductive strategy called mast seeding. The sources of interspecific differences in the extent of interannual variation in seed production are largely unknown. We conducted a global meta‐analysis of animal‐dispersed species to quantify how the interannual variability in seed crops produced by plants can be explained by the seed mass, dispersal mode, phylogeny, and climate. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the interannual variations in seed production and seed mass tended to be similar in related species due to their shared evolution. The interannual variation in seed production was 1.22 times higher in synzoochorous species dispersed by scatter‐hoarders compared with endozoochorous species dispersed by frugivores. Furthermore, the production of small seeds was associated with higher interannual variation in seed production, although synzoochorous species produced larger seeds than endozoochorous species. Precipitation rather than temperature had a significant positive effect on the interannual variation in seed production. The seed mass and dispersal mode contributed more to the interannual variation in seed production than phylogeny, climate, and fruit type. Our findings support a long‐standing hypothesis that interspecific variation in the masting intensity is largely shaped by interactions between plants and animals.
Microbial drinking water monitoring now and in the future
Authors: Pluym Thomas , Waegenaar Fien , De Gusseme Bart , Boon Nico 
Published: July 2024

AbstractOver time, humanity has addressed microbial water contamination in various ways. Historically, individuals resorted to producing beer to combat the issue. Fast forward to the 19th century, and we witnessed a scientific approach by Robert Koch. His groundbreaking gelatine plating method aimed to identify and quantify bacteria, with a proposed limit of 100 colony‐forming units per millilitre (CFU/mL) to avoid Cholera outbreaks. Despite considerable advancements in plating techniques through experimentation with media compositions and growth temperatures, the reliance on a century‐old method for water safety remains the state‐of‐the‐art. Even though most countries succeed in producing qualitative water at the end of the production centres, it is difficult to control, and guarantee, the same quality during distribution. Rather than focusing solely on specific sampling points, we propose a holistic examination of the entire water network to ensure comprehensive safety. Current practices leave room for uncertainties, especially given the low concentrations of pathogens. Innovative methods like flow cytometry and flow cytometric fingerprinting offer the ability to detect changes in the microbiome of drinking water. Additionally, molecular techniques and emerging sequencing technologies, such as third‐generation sequencing (MinION), mark a significant leap forward, enhancing detection limits and emphasizing the identification of unwanted genes rather than the unwanted bacteria/microorganisms itself. Over the last decades, there has been the realization that the drinking water distribution networks are complex ecosystems that, beside bacteria, comprise of viruses, protozoans and even isopods. Sequencing techniques to find eukaryotic DNA are necessary to monitor the entire microbiome of the drinking water distribution network. Or will artificial intelligence, big data and machine learning prove to be the way to go for (microbial) drinking water monitoring? In essence, it is time to transcend century‐old practices and embrace modern technologies to ensure the safety of our drinking water from production to consumption.
Unlocking Antarctic molecular time‐capsules – Recovering historical environmental DNA from museum‐preserved sponges
Authors: Jeunen Gert‐Jan , Mills Sadie , Lamare Miles , Duffy Grant A. , Knapp Michael , Stanton Jo‐Ann L. , Mariani Stefano , Treece Jackson , Ferreira Sara , Durán‐Vinet Benjamín , Zavodna Monika , Gemmell Neil J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMarine sponges have recently emerged as efficient natural environmental DNA (eDNA) samplers. The ability of sponges to accumulate eDNA provides an exciting opportunity to reconstruct contemporary communities and ecosystems with high temporal and spatial precision. However, the use of historical eDNA, trapped within the vast number of specimens stored in scientific collections, opens up the opportunity to begin to reconstruct the communities and ecosystems of the past. Here, we define the term ‘heDNA’ to denote the historical environmental DNA that can be obtained from the recent past with high spatial and temporal accuracy. Using a variety of Antarctic sponge specimens stored in an extensive marine invertebrate collection, we were able to recover information on Antarctic fish biodiversity from specimens up to 20 years old. We successfully recovered 64 fish heDNA signals from 27 sponge specimens. Alpha diversity measures did not differ among preservation methods, but sponges stored frozen had a significantly different fish community composition compared to those stored dry or in ethanol. Our results show that we were consistently and reliably able to extract the heDNA trapped within marine sponge specimens, thereby enabling the reconstruction and investigation of communities and ecosystems of the recent past with a spatial and temporal resolution previously unattainable. Future research into heDNA extraction from other preservation methods, as well as the impact of specimen age and collection method, will strengthen and expand the opportunities for this novel resource to access new knowledge on ecological change during the last century.
Challenge of concomitant thymoma resection and myocardial revascularization: A Case Report
Authors: Leonardi Beatrice , Natale Giovanni , Vicario Giuseppe , Grande Mario , Fiorelli Alfonso , Di Tommaso Luigi , Speranza Vincenzo , Torella Daniele , De Feo Marisa , Torella Michele 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMyocardial revascularization in patients presenting with an anterior mediastinal mass poses considerable challenges. In this report, we outline two cases involving patients with anterior mediastinal masses who underwent surgical resection alongside concurrent myocardial revascularization. One patient underwent coronary artery bypass graft surgery, while the other was treated by percutaneous coronary intervention with drug‐eluting stent placement. Both patients fully recovered from the relative procedures and were discharged within two weeks post‐surgery, ultimately diagnosed with thymoma. The concomitant intervention offered the advantage of promptly addressing both conditions, and it was performed safely through a collaborative multidisciplinary effort.
Pathophysiological processes underlying hidden hearing loss revealed in Kcnt1/2 double knockout mice
Authors: Schubert Nick M. A. , Reijntjes Daniël O. J. , van Tuinen Marcel , Vijayakumar Sarath , Jones Timothy A. , Jones Sherri M. , Pyott Sonja J. 
Published: July 2024

AbstractPresbycusis is a prevalent condition in older adults characterized by the progressive loss of hearing due to age‐related changes in the cochlea, the auditory portion of the inner ear. Many adults also struggle with understanding speech in noise despite having normal auditory thresholds, a condition termed “hidden” hearing loss because it evades standard audiological assessments. Examination of animal models and postmortem human tissue suggests that hidden hearing loss is also associated with age‐related changes in the cochlea and may, therefore, precede overt age‐related hearing loss. Nevertheless, the pathological mechanisms underlying hidden hearing loss are not understood, which hinders the development of diagnostic biomarkers and effective treatments for age‐related hearing loss. To fill these gaps in knowledge, we leveraged a combination of tools, including transcriptomic profiling and morphological and functional assessments, to identify these processes and examine the transition from hidden to overt hearing loss. As a novel approach, we took advantage of a recently characterized model of hidden hearing loss: Kcnt1/2 double knockout mice. Using this model, we find that even before observable morphological pathology, hidden hearing loss is associated with significant alteration in several processes, notably proteostasis, in the cochlear sensorineural structures, and increased susceptibility to overt hearing loss in response to noise exposure and aging. Our findings provide the first insight into the pathophysiology associated with the earliest and, therefore, most treatable stages of hearing loss and provide critical insight directing future investigation of pharmaceutical strategies to slow and possibly prevent overt age‐related hearing loss.
Effective alleviation of depressive and anxious symptoms and sleep disorders in benzodiazepine‐dependent patients through repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation
Authors: Chen Jinbo , Chen Zixuan , Zhang Yanli , Fan Xiaohe , Zhang Changchun , Zhu Jun , Song Chuanfu , Zhang Shuangli , Zhang Danwei , Tang Lijuan , Li Benhan , Yang Weibian , Hu Qiang 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBenzodiazepine (BZD) dependence poses a significant challenge in mental health, prompting the exploration of treatments like repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS). This research aims to assess the impact of rTMS on alleviating symptoms of BZD dependence. A randomized control trial was employed to study 40 BZD‐dependent inpatients. Their symptoms were quantified using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA), Montgomery–Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Participants were divided into a conventional treatment group (daily diazepam with gradual tapering) with supportive psychotherapy and another group receiving the same treatment supplemented with rTMS (five weekly sessions for 2 weeks). Significant improvements were observed in both groups over baseline in MADRS, HAMA and PSQI scores at the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 12th week assessments (p < 0.05). The group receiving rTMS in addition to conventional treatment exhibited superior improvements in all measures at the 8th and 12th weeks. The addition of rTMS to conventional treatment methods for BZD dependence significantly betters the recovery in terms of depression, anxiety and sleep quality, highlighting the role of rTMS as an effective adjunct therapy.
“I've yet to meet anyone who's not keen for simulation” – a qualitative study of simulation‐based education in the Pacific Islands
Authors: Robinson Samuel J. A. , McLeod Elizabeth , Nestel Debra , Pacilli Maurizio , Hansell Lamour , Nataraja Ramesh Mark 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundSimulation‐based education (SBE) has been increasingly used to train healthcare workers in low‐resource settings and has been endorsed by the World Health Organization (WHO). Consideration of the educational and cultural context is important to maximize the effectiveness of SBE. Despite its demonstrable benefits, there have been no studies of the general approach in the Pacific Islands. This study aimed to determine the factors that influence the uptake and success of SBE in the Pacific Islands.MethodsIn this qualitative study, participants were recruited via professional networks to contribute to focus groups. Questions focused on participants' previous experiences and perspectives on SBE. Data were manually transcribed before thematic analysis. The reporting of the research was guided by the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research (SRQR). Human Research Ethics Committee approval was obtained.ResultsTwo focus groups were conducted with 16 participants from six Pacific Island countries. Six themes and 15 subthemes were conceptualized from the data. Uptake of SBE is challenged by resource availability, clinical workloads and geographic remoteness. However, locally‐driven solutions and positive attitudes towards SBE facilitate its success.ConclusionThis study reveals the complexity of factors affecting the uptake and success of SBE in the Pacific Islands. These findings can serve to optimize the impact of existing and future SBE programmes and may be considered by educators prior to programme implementation.