bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developing a robust case study protocol
Authors: Burnard Kevin John 
Published: July 2023

Purpose
Case study research has been applied across numerous fields and provides an established methodology for exploring and understanding various research contexts. This paper aims to aid in developing methodological rigor by investigating the approaches of establishing validity and reliability.

Design/methodology/approach
Based on a systematic review of relevant literature, this paper catalogs the use of validity and reliability measures within academic publications between 2008 and 2018. The review analyzes case study research across 15 peer-reviewed journals (total of 1,372 articles) and highlights the application of validity and reliability measures.

Findings
The evidence of the systematic literature review suggests that validity measures appear well established and widely reported within case study–based research articles. However, measures and test procedures related to research reliability appear underrepresented within analyzed articles.

Originality/value
As shown by the presented results, there is a need for more significant reporting of the procedures used related to research reliability. Toward this, the features of a robust case study protocol are defined and discussed.
Evaluating the importance of individual heterogeneity in reproduction to Weddell seal population dynamics using integral projection models
Authors: Macdonald Kaitlin R. , Rotella Jay J. , Paterson J. Terrill 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Identifying and accounting for unobserved individual heterogeneity in vital rates in demographic models is important for estimating population‐level vital rates and identifying diverse life‐history strategies, but much less is known about how this individual heterogeneity influences population dynamics.

We aimed to understand how the distribution of individual heterogeneity in reproductive and survival rates influenced population dynamics using vital rates from a Weddell seal population by altering the distribution of individual heterogeneity in reproduction, which also altered the distribution of individual survival rates through the incorporation of our estimate of the correlation between the two rates and assessing resulting changes in population growth.

We constructed an integral projection model (IPM) structured by age and reproductive state using estimates of vital rates for a long‐lived mammal that has recently been shown to exhibit large individual heterogeneity in reproduction. Using output from the IPM, we evaluated how population dynamics changed with different underlying distributions of unobserved individual heterogeneity in reproduction.

Results indicate that the changes to the underlying distribution of individual heterogeneity in reproduction cause very small changes in the population growth rate and other population metrics. The largest difference in the estimated population growth rate resulting from changes to the underlying distribution of individual heterogeneity was less than 1%.

Our work highlights the differing importance of individual heterogeneity at the population level compared to the individual level. Although individual heterogeneity in reproduction may result in large differences in the lifetime fitness of individuals, changing the proportion of above‐ or below‐average breeders in the population results in much smaller differences in annual population growth rate. For a long‐lived mammal with stable and high adult‐survival that gives birth to a single offspring, individual heterogeneity in reproduction has a limited effect on population dynamics. We posit that the limited effect of individual heterogeneity on population dynamics may be due to canalization of life‐history traits.
Mechanistic approaches to investigate soil microbe‐mediated plant competition
Authors: Chung Y. Anny , Ke Po‐Ju , Adler Peter B. 
Published: July 2023

Abstract

Interactions between plants and soil microbes can influence plant population dynamics and diversity in plant communities. Traditional theoretical paradigms view the microbial community as a black box with net effects described by phenomenological models.

This approach struggles to quantify the importance of plant–microbe interactions relative to other competition and coexistence mechanisms and to explain context dependence in microbe effects.

We argue that a mechanistic framework focused on microbial functional groups will lead to conceptual and empirical advances, as demonstrated by extending resource ratio theory to plant–microbe interactions. We review the diverse pathways by which different microbial functional groups can influence plant resource competition. Finally, we suggest approaches to link theory with observations to measure the key parameters of our framework.

Synthesis: Our review highlights recent experimental advancements for uncovering microbial mechanisms that alter plant host resource competition and coexistence. We synthesize these mechanisms into a conceptual model that provides a framework for future experiments to investigate the importance of plant–microbe interactions in structuring plant populations and communities.
A qualitative study on parents of autistic adolescents' experience of OT‐ParentShip: A family‐centred intervention
Authors: Kahlon Einav , Wachspress Batel , Berger Itai , Maeir Adina , Mazor‐Karsenty Tal 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundOT‐ParentShip intervention addresses the needs of autistic adolescents and the physical and emotional burden associated with parental caregiving.AimThis article describes the qualitative findings of a mixed‐method, single‐group, pre‐test–post‐test pilot study to determine whether this intervention has adequate potential for further, large‐scale testing.MethodThe qualitative study sought to understand 14 parents' (N = 4 couples, N = 6 mothers) experiences in the intervention, examine their satisfaction, and receive their suggestions for improvement, using a grounded approach, with the aim of conceptualising a theoretical understanding of the data gathered.ResultsA total of five key themes and 14 sub‐themes describe parents' experiences. The key themes that were identified were parent–therapist relationship, parent–adolescent relationship, reframing, benefit for family, and parental resilience. Emerging themes shed light on the therapeutic components and change mechanisms of the intervention.ConclusionSelf‐determination theory was found to be an adequate theoretical framework to map these components and help in understanding their contribution to treatment outcomes. OT‐Parentship directly enforces parents' basic psychological needs, who, in turn, support their adolescent child's need for relatedness, competence, and autonomy. An occupational therapy intervention that satisfies these basic needs has the potential to lead to therapeutic alliance and internalisation of goals, thus increasing therapy engagement and outcomes.
The colour of seawater: colour perception and environmental change in Dominican seascapes★
Authors: Mallon Andrews Kyrstin 
Published: July 2023

AbstractThe colour of seawater is a topic of daily discussion among diver fishermen in the Dominican Republic, who navigate shifting ocean environments alongside conservation politics. While conservation policies often target fishing as the main cause of declines in the health of marine ecologies, fishermen use colour to create alternative narratives about changing climates. Describing the sea as blue, black, brown, green, whitewash, purple, and chocolate, divers point to the broader causes of shifting seascapes while chronicling their affective and embodied consequences. Based on ethnographic fieldwork among Dominican diver fishermen, this article explores the colour of seawater as a lens for understanding the physical, affective, social, and political consequences of changing climates for communities who are deeply entangled in shifting sea ecologies. For diver fishermen, whose engagements with the sea depend on visibility, colours provide ways of interpreting fishing possibilities, navigating ocean spaces, and measuring the effects of changing environments. Given the centrality of colour perception in fishermen's lives, this article argues that colours provide an alternative narrative about changing climates, linking shifting marine conditions to global systemic problems, rather than blaming changes in environmental conditions on supposedly irresponsible practices of local people.
Explaining the ‘democratic malaise’ in unequal societies: Inequality, external efficacy and political trust
Authors: BIENSTMAN SIMON , HENSE SVENJA , GANGL MARKUS 
Published: July 2023

AbstractPrevious scholarship suggests that rising inequality in democracies suppresses trust in institutions. However, the mechanism behind this has not clearly been identified. This paper investigates the proposition that income inequality leads to increased democratic distrust by depressing perceptions of external efficacy. Based on time‐series cross‐sectional survey data from the European Social Survey, we find that changes in income inequality have a negative effect on changes in political trust and external efficacy. Causal mediation analysis confirms that inequality affects trust through lower efficacy. Further analyses show that this efficacy‐based mechanism does not depend on political orientation. As a direct effect remains among left‐wing respondents, our empirical results indicate that inequality affects trust via both a mechanism of substantive output evaluation and a process‐based evaluation that measures of external efficacy can capture. These findings highlight the empirical and theoretical relevance of this so far neglected mechanism and provide a potential solution for the puzzle that inequality depresses trust also among those for whom inequality is not politically salient.
Association between visual impairment and suicide: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Palbo Amanda , Roed Rasmussen Marie Louise , Hansen Michael Stormly , Subhi Yousif 
Published: July 2023

AbstractVisual impairment severely impacts the life of the patients. In this study, we systematically reviewed studies on the potential relationship between visual impairment and suicidal behaviour, and conducted meta‐analyses on the risk estimates. We searched 11 literature databases on 20 October 2022 and identified a total of 10 eligible studies with 5.8 million participants. Suicide behaviour was investigated according to three domains: suicide ideation, suicide attempt and suicide death. In the 10 eligible studies, seven reported data on suicide ideation, five reported data on suicide attempt, and three reported data on suicide death. All summary estimates extracted for use in the meta‐analyses were adjusted estimates of association since we acknowledged that depression as well as other confounding factors may play an important role. We found that visual impairment was a significant risk factor of suicide ideation (OR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.40–2.40; p = 0.000012), suicide attempt (OR 2.62; 95% CI: 1.29–5.31; p = 0.0077) and suicide death (OR 7.00; 95% CI: 2.30–21.4; p = 0.000063). These high increases in risk of suicide from visual impairment underscore the importance of eye health on the overall mental health, and the potential devastating consequences of insufficient access to eye care, lack of treatment possibilities for any reason or low political priority of eye care.
Physical and chemical characterization of the femur during and after the body development period in male and female guinea pigs
Authors: Yılmaz Yücehan , Aslan Kanmaz Yeşim , Baygeldi Saime Betül , Güzel Barış Can , Karan Meryem , Güzel Fuat , Yılmaz Sadık 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn this study, it was aimed to reveal the physical and chemical characterization of the bone structures during body development periods (prepubertal period, period between adolescence and adulthood) and after (young adult period and old adult period) in male and female guinea pigs. In this study, 40 guinea pigs (20 male, 20 female) were used. Morphometric measurements, X‐ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis for mineral levels, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis for surface area, and porosity analysis were applied to the bones. The male guinea pigs had greater values than females in the other three categories, with the exception of the second group, when the females have higher values in morphometric measurements. Ca levels rose up to the third group, as did P levels in the males, peaking in the third group and declining in the fourth. As with phosphorus, there was a progressive rise in females from the first to the fourth group. Fe, Zn, and Sr elements had the greatest values in both genders in the first group. In all four groups, the females had greater Zn levels than males. The highest Ca/P ratio was found in the third male group and the fourth female group. This study revealed that adolescence, adulthood, and gender are effective in the physical and chemical characterization of bone structure in guinea pigs.
Hazards of swine slurry: Heavy metals, bacteriology, and overdosing—Physicochemical models to predict the nutrient value
Authors: Fernández‐Labrada Miguel , López‐Mosquera María Elvira , García Lucio , Barrio José Carlos , López‐Fabal Adolfo 
Published: July 2023

AbstractIn this work, 124 samples of slurry from 32 commercial farms of three animal categories (lactating sows, nursery piglets, and growing pigs) were studied. The samples were collected in summer and winter over two consecutive years and analyzed for physicochemical properties, macronutrient and micronutrient, heavy metals, and major microbiological indicators. The results were found to be influenced by farm type and to deviate especially markedly in nursery piglets, probably as a consequence of differences in pig age, diet, and management. The main potential hazards of the slurries can be expected to arise from their high contents in heavy metals (Cu and Zn), especially in the nursery piglet group, and from the high proportion of samples testing positive for Salmonella spp. (66%). Linear and nonlinear predictive equations were developed for each animal category and the three as a whole. Dry matter, which was highly correlated with N, CaO, and MgO contents, proved the best predictor of fertilizer value. Using an additional predictor failed to improve the results but nonlinear and farm‐specific equations did. Rapid on‐site measurements can improve the accuracy of fertilizer value estimates and help optimize the use of swine slurry as a result.
Do geopolitical risks increase corporate risk‐taking?—Based on the perspective of diversification expansion
Authors: Li Li , Cheng Xiang 
Published: July 2023

AbstractResearch Question/IssueDoes geopolitical risk increase a firm's risk‐taking, and will diversification expansion smooth out or exacerbate this effect?Research Findings/InsightsBased on microdata of Chinese A‐share listed companies, we find that (1) geopolitical risk significantly increases corporate risk‐taking at both micro and macro levels; (2) horizontal diversification can significantly smooth out the impact of geopolitical risk on a firm's risk‐taking, while vertical diversification will exacerbate the effect; (3) geopolitical risk and diversification do not significantly impact all firms, and their effect are limited to non‐state‐owned enterprises and firms in manufacturing industries.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsFirst, compared with the previous studies, this paper identifies the geopolitical risk faced by each sample firm separately, thus providing a more accurate analysis of the impact of the specific geopolitical risk faced by the firm on its risk‐taking. Second, we expand the connotation of diversification and analyze its moderating effect on corporate risk‐taking from the perspective of horizontal and vertical diversification. Third, considering that the degree of political affiliation and capital intensity may affect a firm's sensitivity to geopolitical risk, this paper examines the relationship between geopolitical risk, diversification, and a firm's risk‐taking regarding property rights and industry type.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsOn the one hand, export‐oriented firms should pay close attention to the geopolitical risk situation in exporting countries to reduce the adverse impact of sudden geopolitical risks. On the other hand, diversification expansion is a double‐edged sword for firms. Although vertical diversification increases the risk‐taking of a firm, it also increases its specialization. Therefore, it is necessary to make a comprehensive judgment on whether and what kind of diversification an enterprise should undertake according to its business development status.
How the websites of high‐volume US centers address the risks of living kidney donation
Authors: Steiner Robert W. , Glannon Walter 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundThe websites of US transplant centers may be a source of information about the renal risks of potential living kidney donors.MethodsTo include only likely best practices, we surveyed websites of centers that performed at least 50 living donor kidney transplants per year. We tabulated how risks were conveyed regarding loss of eGFR at donation, the adequacy of long‐term ESRD risk data, long‐term donor mortality, minority donor ESRD risk, concerns about hyperfiltration injury versus the risk of end‐stage kidney diseases, comparisons of ESRD risks in donors to population risks, the increased risks of younger donors, an effect of the donation itself to increase risk, quantifying risks over specific intervals, and a lengthening list of small post‐donation medical risks and metabolic changes of uncertain significance.ResultsWhile websites had no formal obligation to address donor risks, many offered abundant information. Some conveyed OPTN‐mandated requirements for counseling individual donor candidates. While actual wording often varied, there was general agreement on many issues. We occasionally noted clear‐cut differences among websites in risk characterization and other outliers.ConclusionsThe websites of the most active US centers offer insights into how transplant professionals view living kidney donor risk. Website content may merit further study.
Impact of weight and creatinine adjustments on the accuracy of Cockcroft‐gault equation in hematopoietic cell transplant patients
Authors: Emanuel Natasha A. , Price Samantha , Hansen Doris K. , Whiting Junmin , Kim Jongphil , Gaskill Eric 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundHematopoietic cell transplant (HCT) patients undergo pre‐ transplant renal function evaluation to confirm transplant eligibility and tailor pharmacotherapy. There is limited evidence regarding the most accurate method of estimating creatinine clearance (CrCl) within this patient population and no studies exist that evaluate the weight utilized within the Cockcroft‐Gault (CG) equation in HCT patients. This study evaluates different weight and serum creatinine (SCr) adjustments utilized within the CG equation estimating for renal clearance in patients undergoing HCT.ObjectiveThis is a retrospective, single center analysis of adult HCT patients who underwent pre‐transplant evaluation with a measured CrCl using a 24‐h urine creatinine collection. The primary outcome was to evaluate the correlation of various weights used in estimation of CrCl compared to measured CrCl. Key secondary outcomes include evaluation of the impact of various weights on estimated CrCl in subpopulations, evaluation of adjusting SCr to pre‐determined limits, and determination of an appropriate obesity threshold to utilize body weight adjustments.ResultsSeven‐hundred and forty‐two patients were included in the study. In the primary analysis, CG utilizing adjusted body weight (ADjBW0.4) had a greater correlation (r = .812) to measured CrCl when compared to total or ideal body weight (r = .801 and r = .790 respectively). The threshold of 120% of ideal body weight (IBW) produced less bias and greater accuracy in comparison to the threshold of 140% IBW. In patients 60 years or older, rounding low SCr values up .8 or 1 mg/dL resulted in decreased correlation and a greater mean difference in comparison to not rounding SCr.ConclusionIn HCT patients who are overweight or obese, ADjBW .4 is the most accurate weight for the CG equation. In HCT patients who have a total body weight < 120% IBW, total body weight is the most accurate weight to utilize. Rounding up low SCr to .8 or 1 mg/dL does not improve the accuracy or led to less bias of the CG equation.
When pancreata fly: Outcomes and lessons learned from the development of a Pancreas Transplant Import Program
Authors: Owen‐Simon Nina L. , Dube Geoffrey K. , Sandoval Pedro Rodrigo , Ratner Lloyd E. , McCune Kasi 
Published: July 2023

AbstractBackgroundTo address long waitlist times and increase pancreas transplantation, our center has implemented a protocol for long‐distance importation of pancreata.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective review of pancreas transplantation at our institution from January 1, 2014, the start of our importation program, through September 30, 2021. Outcomes were compared between locally procured grafts and imported grafts, defined as grafts procured greater than 250 nautical miles (NM) from our center.ResultsEighty‐one patients underwent pancreas transplantation during the study time period; 19 (23.5%) received imported grafts. There were no significant differences in recipient demographics or type of transplant received. Mean distance of import was 644.2 ± 234.0 NM. Imported grafts were more likely to be from pediatric donors <18 years old (p = .02) and a significantly higher proportion of imported grafts came from donors weighing <30 kg (26.3 vs. 3.2%, p = .007). Cold ischemic time was longer for imported grafts than for local grafts (13.4 ± 2.3 h vs. 9.8 ± 2.2 h, p < .01). There was no significant difference in deaths or graft losses within 90 days or at 1 year between groups.ConclusionCenters should consider expanding criteria for acceptance of imported pancreata to increase the number of transplants and combat organ nonutilization.