bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
“I deserve better grades.” Compliance-gaining perspective of dark triad traits, power distance and academic entitlement in Chinese higher education
Authors: Shafait Zahid , Sahibzada Umar Farooq 
Published: January 2024

PurposeDark triad (DT) personality traits, that is, Machiavellianism, narcissism and psychopathy, are socially unenthusiastic and predict a range of antisocial behaviors. Academic entitlement, similarly, demonstrates the students’ rising temptation of higher grades without putting corresponding efforts. Based on coercion theory, this research investigated power distance as mediator between DT and academic entitlement (externalized responsibility and entitled expectations). Further, this study examined DT model of personality as a predictor of academic entitlement in Chinese higher education institutions (HEIs).Design/methodology/approachChinese HEIs were ascertained for data collection. Students (with bachelor’s, master’s and Ph.D. degrees) responded to 719 questionnaires for data analysis. Hypothesized relationships were examined through partial least squares structural equation model (PLS-SEM).FindingsThis study established positive and significant direct link between DT and academic entitlement. The indirect effect through power distance was found insignificant between the relationship of DT and academic entitlement.Originality/valueBased on coercion theory, this study extends the prevailing literature through unexplored effects of DT on academic entitlement and role of power distance in Chinese HEIs. This study validated the effect of DT on academic entitlement; however, direct-only no-mediation of power distance between the relationships is novel in Chinese HEIs. Moreover, power distance as mediator is novel between the relationships. Hence, this study provides an understanding of mentioned associations and contributes to the literature.
Turning the tide: an impact of leader empowering behavior on employees' work–family conflict, spillover and turnover intention in tourism
Authors: Khan Naseer Abbas , Bahadur Waseem , Ramzan Muhammad , Pravdina Natalya 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe aim of this study is to look into the associations, both direct and indirect, between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. Additionally, this study examines the mediating effects of work–family conflict (WFC) and work–family spillover (WFS) in the association between a leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention. This study also explored how perceived peer support (PPS) may have a moderating effect on these associations.Design/methodology/approachA time-lag approach was used in this study to collect data from the 228 participants that made up the sample. Both front-desk employees and their immediate supervisors were included in this sample, which came from diverse tourism enterprises in central China. The research design included two independent time waves that were separated by two months, making it easier to examine the way the variables of interest changed throughout that time.FindingsThe results showed that there is a significant impact of leadership behaviors on WFS, WFC and employee turnover intention. This study showed a significant mediating effect of WFS, however, the influence of WFC as a mediator was not statistically significant. Furthermore, the results suggested that PPS significantly moderated the association between leader empowering behavior and WFS. The findings revealed that the mediating effect of WFS in the association between leader empowering behavior and employee turnover intention.Originality/valueThis study advances knowledge of the impacts of leadership empowering behavior on employee turnover intention through the use of a moderated mediation analysis. Based on the leader member exchange, it offers a distinctive perspective on leadership empowering behaviors to maintain a work–family balance in tourism.
Mentorship and innovation as drivers of entrepreneurship performance in Africa’s largest economy
Authors: Osabohien Romanus , Worgwu Haoma , Al-Faryan Mamdouh Abdulaziz Saleh 
Published: January 2024

Purpose
This study aims to examine the relationship between mentorship, innovation and entrepreneurship performance in Africa’s largest economy. This study argues that mentorship and innovation play significant roles in driving entrepreneurship performance in the country. It explores the impact of mentorship on entrepreneurial development, including the transmission of knowledge, skills and networks.

Design/methodology/approach
This study analyzes the role of innovation in fostering entrepreneurial growth and competitiveness, particularly in the context of Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy. The authors engaged data obtained from the Youth Enterprise with Innovation (2019) and made use of the propensity score matching.

Findings
The findings suggest that effective mentorship programs and innovative approaches can enhance entrepreneurial performance, promote economic growth and contribute to sustainable development in Nigeria, Africa’s largest economy.

Originality/value
The literature on entrepreneurship in Africa’s largest economy, Nigeria, has mainly focused on factors such as access to finance, the business environment and government policies, with limited research on the role of mentorship and innovation in entrepreneurship performance. This study contributes to the growing body of literature on entrepreneurship in Nigeria, particularly on the role of mentorship and innovation in entrepreneurship performance.
Rethinking risk management in times of crisis: the effect of COVID-19 on small and medium-sized enterprises in Scotland
Authors: Arnaudova Ralitsa , Viza Evi , Cano Michele 
Published: January 2024

PurposeThe Scottish economy was experiencing steady growth prior the hit of the COVID-19, with the pandemic causing the government to announce extreme lockdown measures with unprecedented impact on small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Whilst some of the industry sectors in Scotland took a lighter hit, a large part of the organizations had to either adapt or completely disrupt their business. An essential aspect of their survival, risk management (RM) was among the areas requiring the most significant acceleration. This study compared the RM practices implemented by Scottish SMEs prior and after the outbreak as well as examined the attitudes of key decision-makers in the SMEs in relation to risk, including their perceived readiness for another crisis of similar significance.Design/methodology/approachAn online survey based on ISO 31000 RM guidelines was distributed to 232 Scottish SMEs. Based on the official government reports and existing knowledge on how SMEs around the world have handled crisis events within the past 20 years, the authors developed the hypothesis that crisis events significantly accelerate SMEs' RM implementation. Around 13 items were tested in relation to the hypothesis and responses were tested via two-tailed T-test to establish significant statistical difference.FindingsThe research provides insight into the current state of risk management practices implemented by Scottish SMEs. As expected, SMEs showed significant difference in their RM implementation prior and after the COVID-19 outbreak. Whilst this has been viewed as a positive, motivations, priorities and approaches in managing risk demonstrated by the SMEs is questionable with views to their sustainable long-term recovery. The study highlights the lack of confidence instilled within the SMEs that they can handle another crisis of similar significance and provides directions for further investigation and improvements with the aim of helping the SMEs prepare better to mitigate the consequences of future crisis events.Originality/valueIn academic sense, the study offers a tested universal framework and a detailed questionnaire for assessment of RM strategy, applicable to organisations of various type, size and geography. Several implications with regards to managerial practices have been highlighted, including the neglect of the SMEs’ own internal environments and its significance in their risk strategies, the predominantly reactive approach to RM displayed by most Scottish SMEs as well as the neglect of compliance risk leading to potential quality and customer satisfaction issues preventing SMEs from full post-crisis recovery.
Drought response in herbaceous plants: A test of the integrated framework of plant form and function
Authors: Funk Jennifer L. , Larson Julie E. , Blair Megan D. , Nguyen Monica A. , Rivera Ben J. 
Published: January 2024

Abstract

Multidimensional trait frameworks are increasingly used to understand plant strategies for growth and survival. However, it is unclear if frameworks developed at a global level can be applied in local communities and how well these frameworks—based largely on plant morphological traits—align with plant physiology and response to stress.

We tested the ability of an integrated framework of plant form and function to characterise seedling trait variation and drought response among 22 grasses and forbs common in a semi‐arid grassland. We measured above‐ground and below‐ground traits, and survival to explore how drought response is linked to three trait dimensions (resource conservation, microbial collaboration, and plant size) associated with the framework as well as non‐morphological dimensions (e.g. physiological traits) that are under‐represented in global trait frameworks.

We found support for three globally‐recognised axes representing trade‐offs in strategies associated with tissue investment (leaf nitrogen, leaf mass per area, root tissue density), below‐ground resource uptake (root diameter, specific root length), and size (shoot mass). However, in contrast to global patterns, above‐ground and below‐ground resource conservation gradients were oppositely aligned: root tissue density was positively correlated with leaf N rather than leaf mass per area. This likely reflects different investment strategies of annual and perennial herbaceous species, as fast‐growing annual species invested in lower density roots and less nitrogen‐rich leaves to maximise plant‐level carbon assimilation. Species with longer drought survival minimised water loss through small above‐ground size and low leaf‐level transpiration rates, and drought survival was best predicted by a principal component axis representing plant size.

Contrary to our expectations, drought survival in seedlings did not align with the conservation or collaboration axes suggesting that seedlings with different functional strategies can achieve similar drought survival, as long as they minimise water loss. Our results also show that within local communities, expected trait relationships could be decoupled as some plant groups achieve similar performance through different trait combinations. The effectiveness of species mean trait values in predicting drought response highlights the value of trait‐based methods as a versatile tool for understanding ecological processes locally across various ecosystems.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Time is brain, so we must BEFAST: Improving stroke identification and triage in a rural emergency department
Authors: Jay Donna , Wheatley Richard , Smith Lhyriel , Davis Kimberley J 
Published: January 2024

AbstractObjectiveShoalhaven District Memorial Hospital is a rural (MM3) secondary hospital which is over an hour travel time from the nearest tertiary centre. The objective of the present study was to pilot the implementation of the BEFAST (Balance, Eyes, Face, Arms, Speech and Time) stroke screening tool at the ED, and determine whether its usage improved timely stroke detection.MethodsDuring initial implementation and training (October–December 2019), triage nurses consulted with senior medical officers before activating stroke calls. Data were collected for the subsequent 24 months (January 2020–2022), and retrospective records for confirmed strokes during a 24‐month period prior to BEFAST implementation (October 2017–2019) were also collected. The main outcome measures were triage category, CT scan result time, discharge destination, length of stay (LOS) and Modified Rankin Score (MRS).ResultsAfter BEFAST implementation, patients (n = 268) were three times more likely to be triaged at category 1 or 2, and door‐to‐CT scan time was reduced by 20.7 min on average. More patients were discharged to their usual residence and more quickly (LOS 7.9 vs 11.1 days). MRS 90 days after stroke was less, and patients were nearly twice as likely to experience an improvement in neurological symptoms.ConclusionsPatient outcomes were improved after implementation of the BEFAST stroke triage tool. More stroke patients were identified upon presentation to the ED, and in a timely fashion. For those with a stroke diagnosis, time‐critical interventions can take place earlier, allowing patients to return home sooner, and with less disability.
Influence of lactic acid fermentation on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activities, and volatile compounds of black chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) juice
Authors: Wang Jun , Wei Bocheng , Xu Jing , Jiang Han , Xu Yifei , Wang Chuyan 
Published: January 2024

Lactic acid fermentation is an effective method for improving the quality of black chokeberry. This study aimed to investigate the influence of lactic acid bacteria on the phenolic profile, antioxidant activities, and volatiles of black chokeberry juice. Initially, 107 cfu/mL of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus were inoculated into pasteurized black chokeberry juice and fermented for 48 h at 37°C. All these strains enhanced the total phenolic and total flavonoid contents, with La. acidophilus showing the highest total phenolic (1683.64 mg/L) and total flavonoid (659.27 mg/L) contents. Phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins were identified using ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. The prevalent phenolic acid, flavonoid, and anthocyanin in the lactic‐acid‐fermented black chokeberry juice were cinnamic acid, rutin, and cyanidin‐3‐O‐rutinoside, respectively. Furthermore, following fermentation, the DPPH and ABTS scavenging capacity, as well as the reducing power capacity, increased from 59.98% to 92.70%, 83.06% to 94.95%, and 1.24 to 1.82, respectively. Pearson's correlation analysis revealed that the transformation of phenolic acids, flavonoids, and anthocyanins probably contributed to enhancing antioxidant activities and color conversation in black chokeberry juice. A total of 40 volatiles were detected in the fermented black chokeberry juice by gas chromatography–ion mobility spectrometry. The off‐flavor odors, such as 1‐penten‐3‐one and propanal in the black chokeberry juice, were weakened after fermentation. The content of 2‐pentanone significantly increased in all fermented juice, imparting an ethereal flavor. Hence, lactic acid fermentation can effectively enhance black chokeberry products' flavor and prebiotic value, offering valuable insights into their production.Practical ApplicationThe application of lactic acid bacteria in black chokeberry juice not only enhances its flavor but also improves its health benefits. This study has expanded the range of black chokeberry products and offers a new perspective for the development of the black chokeberry industry.
Laboratory practice is central to earlier myeloma diagnosis: Utilizing a primary care diagnostic tool and laboratory guidelines integrated into haematology services
Authors: Drayson Mark , Jennis Tom , Laketic‐Ljubojevic Ira , Patel Dina , Pratt Guy , Renwick Suzanne , Richter Alex , Wheeler Rachel , Sheldon Joanna , Sadler Ross , Stapleton Mary , Willis Fenella , Whiston Mairi ,   for Myeloma UK working group for laboratory best practice
Published: January 2024

SummaryTreatment advances have greatly improved survival, but myeloma is among the worst of all cancers for delayed diagnosis, causing serious morbidities and early deaths. This delay is largely because the symptom profile of myeloma has very low specificity, and in primary care, myeloma is rare. However, initiating the journey to diagnosis simply requires considering myeloma and sending blood to test for monoclonal immunoglobulin. Laboratory tests reliably detect monoclonal immunoglobulin, which is present in 99% of myeloma cases, so why do health care systems have such a problem with delayed diagnosis? The Myeloma UK early diagnosis programme has brought together diverse expertise to investigate this problem, and this article was prepared by the programme's working group for laboratory best practice. It reviews evidence for test requesting, analysis and reporting, for which there is large variation in practice across the United Kingdom. It presents a ‘GP Myeloma diagnostic tool’ and how it can be integrated into laboratory practice alongside a laboratory best practice tool. It proposes improved requesting and integration with haematology services for reporting and interpretation. Here the laboratory has a central role in creating efficient and cost‐effective pathways for appropriate and timely bone marrow examination for myeloma diagnosis.
Refinement of prognostication for IDH‐mutant astrocytomas using DNA methylation‐based classification
Authors: Kling Teresia , Ferreyra Vega Sandra , Suman Medha , Dénes Anna , Lipatnikova Anna , Lagerström Stina , Olsson Bontell Thomas , Jakola Asgeir Store , Carén Helena 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe 2021 World Health Organization (WHO) grading system of isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH)‐mutant astrocytomas relies on histological features and the presence of homozygous deletion of the cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor 2A and 2B (CDKN2A/B). DNA methylation profiling has become highly relevant in the diagnosis of central nervous system (CNS) tumors including gliomas, and it has been incorporated into routine clinical diagnostics in some countries. In this study, we, therefore, examined the value of DNA methylation‐based classification for prognostication of patients with IDH‐mutant astrocytomas. We analyzed histopathological diagnoses, genome‐wide DNA methylation array data, and chromosomal copy number alteration profiles from a cohort of 385 adult‐type IDH‐mutant astrocytomas, including a local cohort of 127 cases and 258 cases from public repositories. Prognosis based on WHO 2021 CNS criteria (histological grade and CDKN2A/B homozygous deletion status), other relevant chromosomal/gene alterations in IDH‐mutant astrocytomas and DNA methylation‐based subclassification according to the molecular neuropathology classifier were assessed. We demonstrate that DNA methylation‐based classification of IDH‐mutant astrocytomas can be used to predict outcome of the patients equally well as WHO 2021 CNS criteria. In addition, methylation‐based subclassification enabled the identification of IDH‐mutant astrocytoma patients with poor survival among patients with grade 3 tumors and patients with grade 4 tumors with a more favorable outcome. In conclusion, DNA methylation‐based subclassification adds prognostic information for IDH‐mutant astrocytomas that can further refine the current WHO 2021 grading scheme for these patients.
Political systems, regime memory, and economic freedom
Authors: Calcagno Peter , Maldonado Beatriz , Nesbit Todd , Zeager Mary Frances 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe expand on the economic research about regime types, culture, institutions, and economic freedom, with the development of a unique measure of regime memory and examine the generational effect of past regimes on a country's level of economic freedom. Using a panel of 144 countries between 1970 and 2015 we follow the literature and argue that institutions can be fast and slow‐moving. We find evidence that regime memory promotes improvements in (discourages) economic freedom for countries that are historically democratic (autocratic).
Different electrophysiological profiles of genetically labelled dopaminergic neurons in the mouse midbrain and olfactory bulb
Authors: Lau Maggy Yu Hei , Gadiwalla Sana , Jones Susan , Galliano Elisa 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDopaminergic (DA) neurons play pivotal roles in diverse brain functions, spanning movement, reward processing and sensory perception. DA neurons are most abundant in the midbrain (Substantia Nigra pars compacta [SNC] and Ventral Tegmental Area [VTA]) and the olfactory bulb (OB) in the forebrain. Interestingly, a subtype of OB DA neurons is capable of regenerating throughout life, while a second class is exclusively born during embryonic development. Compelling evidence in SNC and VTA also indicates substantial heterogeneity in terms of morphology, connectivity and function. To further investigate this heterogeneity and directly compare form and function of midbrain and forebrain bulbar DA neurons, we performed immunohistochemistry and whole‐cell patch‐clamp recordings in ex vivo brain slices from juvenile DAT‐tdTomato mice. After confirming the penetrance and specificity of the dopamine transporter (DAT) Cre line, we compared soma shape, passive membrane properties, voltage sags and action potential (AP) firing across midbrain and forebrain bulbar DA subtypes. We found that each DA subgroup within midbrain and OB was highly heterogeneous, and that DA neurons across the two brain areas are also substantially different. These findings complement previous work in rats as well as gene expression and in vivo datasets, further questioning the existence of a single “dopaminergic” neuronal phenotype.
The collective welfare dimension of dark patterns regulation
Authors: Di Porto Fabiana , Egberts Alexander 
Published: January 2024

AbstractDark Patterns are interface design elements that can influence users' behaviour in digital environments. They can cause harm, not only on an individual but also a collective level, by creating behavioral market failures, reducing trust in markets and promoting unfair competition and data dominance. We contend that these collective effects of Dark Patterns cannot be tackled by existent laws, and thus call for policy intervention. This article reviews how existing and proposed laws in Europe and the US, namely the EU Digital Services Act and Digital Markets Act as well as the U.S. DETOUR and AICO Acts, address these collective dimensions of welfare and add to existing protection. We find that the novel legislative measures attain that goal to varying degrees. However, the collective welfare perspective may prove useful to both support a risk‐based approach to the enforcement and provide guidance as to which practices should be addressed as priority.
Factors impacting early mobilization according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guideline following gastrointestinal surgery: A prospective study
Authors: Zhang Lin , Wu Qian , Wang Xiayun , Zhu Xiaoping , Shi Yan , Wu Chiung‐Jung (Jo) 
Published: January 2024

AimEvidence shows that early mobilization according to the Enhanced Recovery After Surgery guideline promotes postoperative recovery in gastrointestinal cancer patients undergoing gastrointestinal surgery. However, compliance with the guideline in clinical settings remains low. This study aimed to investigate the factors influencing early mobilization after surgery.MethodsA prospective research design was used. Data from 470 patients with gastrointestinal cancer who underwent gastrointestinal surgery between February 2021 and July 2022 were collected.ResultsMore than half (53.6%) of the patients met the criteria for early mobilization. Females (odds ratio [OR], 1.53; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02–2.29), age 〉70 years (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.09–2.86), low level of education (OR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.12–3.95), and ≥4 catheters (OR, 1.86; 95% CI, 1.25–2.76) were barriers to early mobilization.ConclusionsSex, age, education, and the number of catheters were found to be significant factors associated with non‐early mobilization after gastrointestinal surgery. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 234–239.