bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The effect of emotional freedom techniques on test anxiety in Iranian Paramedical students: a randomized controlled trial study
Authors: Azzizadeh Forouzi Mansooreh , Taebi Mozhgan , Samarehfekri Atena , Rashidipour Niloofar
Published: April 2024

Background:

Based on evidences, there has been no study conducted on the effects of emotional freedom techniques on Iranian medical students. Therefore, the present study aims to investigate the impact of emotional freedom techniques on examination anxiety in Iranian nursing and allied students.

Methods:

This randomized controlled clinical trial study was conducted in 2021. The sample included students from the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Paramedical Sciences enroled from the second to eighth semesters. Based on inclusion criteria, 30 students were assigned to each group. The test anxiety questionnaire was utilized to assess the test anxiety of students. The educational sessions in the intervention group were structured according to the Church’s educational package and were delivered in six non-face-to-face (online) sessions, each lasting 45 min, once a week. In the control group, no intervention was implemented. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics software version 24 (IBM SPSS Statistics).

Results:

The mean age of students in the intervention and control groups were 25.22±1.85 and 22.80±1.80 years, respectively. After the intervention, the mean examination anxiety in the experimental group (50.88) significantly decreased to within the moderate range (25–75), compared to the mean examination anxiety in the control group (65.36) within the same range (P<0.001). Furthermore, the ANCOVA analysis indicated that the group and examination anxiety before the intervention were statistically significant.

Conclusion:

This positive impact on test anxiety is particularly promising for medical sciences students, who often endure heightened stress levels due to the rigorous nature of their studies and the demands of their profession.
Short-term cervical spinal cord stimulation for central post-stroke pain: a case report and literature review
Authors: Zhang Xu , Yan Xuebin , Huang Yuzhao , Zhou Haocheng
Published: April 2024

Introduction:

Post-stroke central pain is disabling yet ineffectively treated with routine medical intervention. In this study, the authors presented an alternative neuromodulation therapy and conducted a brief narrative literature review to examine current evidence of spinal cord stimulation treatment for central post-stroke pain

Case presentation:

Here, the authors reported a case of severe post-stroke syndrome, who achieved satisfactory improvement of pain symptom, as well as muscle rigidity with a novel neuromodulation therapy of short-term implantation of cervical spinal cord stimulation.

Clinical discussion:

It remains a great challenge in the management of post-stroke pain, which in turn significantly reduces the quality of life and worsens the burden on the public health system. Spinal cord stimulation therapy is an emerging neuromodulation approach to restore pathological pain status and functional impairment to provide a prospective insight into neuromodulation and rehabilitation options in the management of post-stroke syndrome.

Conclusion:

A potential role of spinal cord stimulation in the treatment of post-stroke pain is proposed in combined with traditional medication or other neuromodulation strategies, to achieve better control of pain in the future.
Sex and gender differences in upper extremity prosthesis rejection: A review of literature
Authors: Henderson Eric , Rehani Mayank , Hebert Jacqueline S.
Published: April 2024

Prosthesis rejection is a significant barrier to rehabilitation of persons with upper limb difference. Many individual factors can affect device rejection, including a person’s sex or gender. The objective of this narrative review was to explore the reported differences between the sexes and genders in upper limb prosthesis rejection. This review considered peer-reviewed, published research studies in which the study population were adults (aged 18 and older) who had unilateral or bilateral limb difference (any level) of any etiology with current, past, or no history of prosthetic device usage. Using identified keywords, index terms, and a peer-reviewed search filter, the literature was searched in MEDLINE, Embase, and PsycInfo. The reasons for rejection, disuse, or abandonment of prosthetic devices were extracted, with the focus on reported differences between sex and genders. After searching, 29 articles were selected for full-text review and 15 were included. Only 5 of 15 articles examined differences between the sexes. Women tend to reject upper extremity prostheses more than men both before and after being fit with a device; device characteristics, such as weight and cosmesis, do not appear to be appropriately designed for women; and there may not be adequate consideration of the goals for women with limb difference(s). There is inadequate reporting of sex and gender in the literature on prosthesis rejection; future studies should report and explore these factors to determine whether the needs of the full population with limb loss are being met.
Peribulbar Corticosteroids for Ocular Myasthenia Gravis
Authors: Lasry Rachel , Gotkine Marc , Kruger Joshua M.
Published: April 2024

Background:

Ocular myasthenia gravis is treated predominantly by oral medications, with the potential for systemic adverse effects. Successful treatment has been achieved using peribulbar dexamethasone. We assessed the effect of peribulbar dexamethasone or triamcinolone (40-mg Triesence), a longer-acting corticosteroid, targeting the peribulbar area as opposed to directly injecting the affected extraocular muscle. This more convenient and secure approach holds the potential for straightforward integration within clinical environments.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review.

Results:

Five patients were identified that were treated with peribulbar corticosteroids. In 4 of the 5 cases, ophthalmoparesis was unilateral. One case had isolated ptosis, and 4 had both ptosis and ophthalmoparesis. Three of these 4 cases reported complete resolution of symptoms within weeks of a single injection. Improvement lasted between 5 to 6 months, and all patients responded to repeated injections.

Conclusions:

Peribulbar corticosteroids can be effective in ocular myasthenia gravis. We suggest that longer-acting agents such as triamcinolone are preferable, to reduce injection frequency.
A Case of Persistent Pasteurella Multocida Cellulitis Complicated with Large Endocarditis Vegetation
Authors: Davita Theresia Risa , Giunto Nathan , Husnain Muhammad , Wong Ken Koon
Published: April 2024

Introduction: A distinct and infrequent player emerges in the realm of infective endocarditis, Pasteurella multocida, now warranting careful consideration in this unique case report. Disseminated P.multocida infection seeded into the heart valve has only been reported in about one case per year worldwide with only 42 cases were found in the literature and only 5 cases reported to have underlying liver cirrhosis as in our case.  Case Presentation: A 73-year-old female with past medical history of liver cirrhosis secondary to primary biliary cholangitis with splenomegaly and pancytopenia presented to hospital with weakness, fever and leg rash. She had recent admission with lower extremity cellulitis and P.multocida bacteremia treated with 14 days high dose oral amoxicillin-clavulanate after negative blood culture prior to discharge. The repeat blood culture showed P.multocida. Echocardiogram showed a 1.9 cm x 1 cm mobile mass attached to the mitral valve. She was not a suitable candidate for valve surgery due to her comorbidities. She was ultimately discharged with a two-week course of ceftriaxone, continued with levofloxacin to complete six weeks of total treatment and followed by long-term penicillin. Conclusion: In this case report, we delve into a rare clinical presentation of Pasteurella multocida case. Our patient is the second reported case which showed complication of native mitral valve endocarditis even in the setting of bacteremia resolution. This report sheds light on the challenging diagnosis and management of this uncommon yet clinically significant condition, highlighting the importance of vigilant and prompt intervention in endocarditis cases with atypical agents.
Default Mode Network Detection using EEG in Real-time
Authors: Cooray Navin , Gohil Chetan , Harris Brendan , Frost Shaun , Higgins Cameron
Published: April 2024

Mental health disorders affect countless people worldwide and present a major challenge for mental health services, which are struggling with the demand on a global scale. Recent studies have indicated that activity of the brain’s Default Mode Network (DMN) could prove insightful in monitoring patient recovery from depression and has been used as a therapeutic target itself. An opportunity exists to replicate recent therapeutic protocols targeting DMN connectivity via functional magnetic resonance imaging using the more economically scalable modality of electroencephalogram (EEG). The aim of this work was to validate the accuracy of real-time DMN detection methods applied to EEG data, using a publicly available dataset. Using a Hidden Markov Model to identify a 12-state resting-state network, this work achieved an overall DMN detection accuracy of 95%. Furthermore, the model was able to achieve a correlation of 0.617 between the baseline and calculated DMN fractional occupancy. These results demonstrate the ability of real-time analysis to effectively identify the DMN through EEG data providing an avenue for further applications that monitor and treat mental health disorders.
A peptide targeting outer membrane protein A ofAcinetobacter baumanniiexhibits antibacterial activity by reducing bacterial pathogenicity
Authors: Zhao Hui , Hu Yue , Nie Dan , Chen Zhou , Li Na , Zhou Shan , Li Mingkai , Xue Xiaoyan
Published: April 2024

The World Health Organization has classified multidrug-resistant (MDR)Acinetobacter baumanniias a significant threat to human health, necessitating the urgent discovery of new antibacterial drugs to combat bacterial resistance. Outer membrane protein A ofA. baumannii(AbOmpA) is an outer membrane-anchored β-barrel-shaped pore protein that plays a critical role in bacterial adhesion, invasion, and biofilm formation. Therefore, AbOmpA is considered a key virulence factor ofA. baumannii. Herein, we screened three phage display peptide libraries targeting AbOmpA and identified several peptides. Among them, P92 (amino acid sequence: QMGFMTSPKHSV) exhibited the highest binding affinity with AbOmpA, with a KD value of 7.84 nM. In vitro studies demonstrated that while P92 did not directly inhibit bacterial growth, it significantly reduced the invasion and adhesion capabilities of multiple clinical isolates of MDRA. baumanniiand concentration-dependently inhibited biofilm formation by acting on OmpA. Furthermore, the polymerase chain reaction results confirmed a significant positive correlation between the antibacterial effect of P92 and OmpA expression levels. Encouragingly, P92 also displayed remarkable therapeutic efficacy againstA. baumanniiinfection in various models, including an in vitro cell infection model, a mouse skin infection model, and a mouse sepsis model. These results highlight P92 as a novel and highly effective antimicrobial molecule specifically targeting the virulence factor AbOmpA.

IMPORTANCE

Different from the action mechanism of traditional antibiotics, antibacterial strategies aimed at targeting bacterial virulence factors can effectively reduce bacterial pathogenicity without compromising bacterial growth and reproduction, making it a crucial research direction in combating bacterial drug resistance. Despite the influence of various factors on the expression of bacterial virulence factors, specific and consistently expressed virulence factors in certain bacteria can still serve as viable targets for drug development. In this study, we focused on outer membrane protein A, a key virulence factor ofA. baumannii, and successfully identified a highly specific antimicrobial peptide P92 through screening processes. Furthermore, our findings demonstrate its efficacy in various dynamic models for anti-infective therapy. These results validate that antibacterial agents targeting bacterial virulence factors possess relatively or absolutely narrow spectrum antimicrobial properties, enabling precise antibacterial action without inducing bacterial resistance.
Alternate conformational trajectories in protein synthesis
Authors: Alejo Jose L. , Girodat Dylan , Hammerling Michael J. , Willi Jessica A. , Jewett Michael C. , Engelhart Aaron E. , Adamala Katarzyna P.
Published: April 2024

Translocation in protein synthesis entails the efficient and accurate movement of the mRNA-[tRNA]2substrate through the ribosome after peptide bond formation. An essential conformational change during this process is the swiveling of the small subunit head domain about two rRNA ‘hinge’ elements. Using directed evolution and molecular dynamics simulations, we derive alternate hinge elements capable of translocationin vitroandin vivoand describe their effects on the conformational trajectory of the EF-G-bound, translocating ribosome. In these alternate conformational pathways, we observe a diversity of swivel kinetics, hinge motions, three-dimensional head domain trajectories and tRNA dynamics. By finding alternate conformational pathways of translocation, we identify motions and intermediates that are essential or malleable in this process. These findings highlight the plasticity of protein synthesis and provide a more thorough understanding of the available sequence and conformational landscape of a central biological process.

Author Summary

Translocation, the motion of the ribosome across its mRNA substrate, is an essential stage of protein synthesis. A key conformational change in this process is the rotation of the ribosome head domain about two rRNA hinges in the direction of translocation, repositioning the mRNA and tRNAs in their final states. Employing directed evolution, we obtain variant hinges capable of performing translocation in vitro and in vivo. Through molecular dynamics simulations, the different variant ribosome translocation conformational trajectories are described. This description reveals different possible conformational pathways to translocation, with varying dynamics, motions and intermediates. The understanding of this conformational malleability can increase our knowledge of protein synthesis function, disruption, evolution, and engineering.
What drives new luxury consumption? Application of schema congruity theory and heuristic systematic framework
Authors: Soni Nitin , Kumar Sushant
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Luxury consumption has evolved, and two important reasons behind the change include globalization and the COVID-19 crisis. These factors have led to the rise of new luxury consumption, which is different from traditional luxury consumption. This study examines how consumers’ identities shape their intentions to consume traditional luxury and new luxury brands.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical underpinnings of the schema congruity theory and heuristic systematic framework were applied to understand the role of identities in determining consumers’ regulatory focus, price luxuriousness inference and preference for traditional and new luxury brands.

Findings

Findings suggest that the global identity of consumers shapes their promotion focus and price luxuriousness inferences. However, their local identities induce a prevention goal. Consumers with such a goal are unlikely to make price luxuriousness inferences. Further, these inferences lead to the choice of traditional luxury over new luxury brands. The results also establish the moderating effects of consumer flexibility.

Originality/value

The extant literature is inconclusive on the role of globalization in luxury consumption and ignores new luxury brands. The current study shows the impact of identities and regulatory focus on traditional and new luxury consumption. The findings also indicate consumers’ regulatory focus and price luxuriousness inference as the reasons behind the influence. The paper also implies that consumers open to renting, sharing or buying second-hand goods will prefer new luxury over traditional luxury brands.
ICT acceptance, language use and information culture as tools for enhancing information literacy within smallholder maize farmers in Uganda
Authors: Lunkuse Florence , Munene John C. , Ntayi Joseph M. , Sserwanga Arthur , Kagaari James
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between tool adoption and information literacy within smallholder farmers (SHFs).

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was used to gather data for this quantitative study from 225 SHFs. Structural equation modelling was done to test the hypotheses.

Findings

The findings established that tool adoption dimensions (Information and communication technologies (ICT) acceptance, language use and information culture) positively and significantly influenced information literacy. Information culture had the strongest impact.

Research limitations/implications

The study enriches the situated learning theory (SLT) literature by introducing tool adoption as a predictor of information literacy in a new context of SHFs. Use of tools as independent variables is a positive deviation from previous studies that have used them as mediating variables. Despite the contributions, the cross-sectional design study undermines the ability to solicit more detailed perspectives from the lived in experience of the respondents.

Practical implications

Managers should promote usage of context-specific tools like local radio stations and mobile phones, but also use language tailored to farmer contexts when disseminating information. Policymakers should leverage on social and cultural settings when designing information interventions.

Social implications

The study highlights critical factors that significantly promote information use for improved productivity for SHFs, cumulatively increasing the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Socially, findings may reduce on their poverty levels of farmers.

Originality/value

This study offers a novel perspective in information literacy domain by using the SLT to delineate contextual tools that are paramount in predicting of information literacy in an under research informal context of SHFs.
Gender of firm leadership and environmental, social and governance (ESG) reporting: evidence from banks listed on Ghana Stock Exchange
Authors: Luh Peter Kodjo , Arthur Miriam , Fiador Vera , Kusi Baah Aye Aye
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how woman corporate leadership indicators and environmental, social and governance (ESG) disclosure in listed banks on Ghana Stock Exchange are related.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was obtained from the audited annual reports of the banks for the period 2006–2020. Empirical result estimation was achieved using Panel Corrected Standard Errors.

Findings

The result revealed that female chief executive officer (CEO), female board chairperson and board gender diversity are associated with higher disclosure of ESG issues in listed banks in Ghana in overall terms. However, in terms of individual disclosures, female board chairperson positively impacts social disclosure, whereas both female CEO and female board chairperson affect governance disclosure positively.

Research limitations/implications

In this era of business where there is much emphasis on green business and investment by various stakeholders for purposes of ensuring business legitimacy, the result implies that banks must consider females to occupy the positions of CEO and board chairperson since that can help to improve ESG performance of banks.

Practical implications

In this era of business where there is much emphasis on green business, socially responsible investment and impact investment by various stakeholders, the result implies that banks must consider improving the representation of women in leadership since that can help to improve ESG performance of banks and hence ability to attract more investors.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to provide empirical evidence from a developing country perspective in Sub-Saharan Africa that gender of bank leadership has implications for ESG disclosure.
Linking organizational cynicism to prosocial voice and defensive silence through the mediating role of bullying at work
Authors: Sabino Ana , Gonçalves Sónia P. , Cesário Francisco
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the influence of organizational cynicism on prosocial voice and defensive silence and to verify the mediating role of workplace bullying in these relationships.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional survey design with a sample of 205 individuals was used in this study.

Findings

The hypotheses were confirmed as organizational cynicism plays a significant and negative influence on prosocial voice and a significant and positive influence on defensive silence. In addition, workplace bullying partially mediates both relationships.

Originality/value

This study contributes to a deeper understanding of organizational cynicism and workplace bullying influences on prosocial voice and defensive silence. It investigates a relationship that, to the best of the authors’ knowledge, has not been studied yet. It also contributes to the discussion regarding the close relationship between prosocial voice and defensive silence.
Research of blockchain-embedded agricultural quality credit regulation influencing factors
Authors: Zhan Shuai , Wan Zhilan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The credit of agricultural product quality and safety reflects the ability of the main actors involved in the supply chain to provide reliable agricultural products to consumers. To fundamentally solve the problem of agricultural product quality and safety, it is worth studying how to make the credit awareness and integrity self-discipline of the supply chain agriculture-related subjects strengthened and the role and value of credit supervision given full play. Starting from the application of blockchain in the agricultural product supply chain, this paper aims to investigate the main factors affecting the credit regulation of agricultural product quality.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the DEMATEL-ISM (decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory–interpretative structural modeling) method, we analyze the credit influencing factors of agricultural quality and safety empowered by blockchain technology, find the causal relationship between the crucial influencing factors and deeply explore the hierarchical transmission relationship between the influencing factors. Then, the path analysis in structural equation modeling is utilized to verify and measure the significance and effect value of the transmission relationship among the crucial influencing factors of credit regulation.

Findings

The results show that the quality and safety credit regulation of agricultural products is influenced by a combination of direct and deep influencing factors. Long-term stable cooperative relationship, Quality and safety credit evaluation, Supply chain risk control ability, Quality and safety testing, Constraints of the smart contract are the main influence path of blockchain embedded in agricultural product supply chain quality and safety credit supervision.

Originality/value

Credit supervision is an important means to improve the ability and level of social governance and standardize the market order. From the perspective of blockchain embedded in the agricultural supply chain, the regulatory body is transformed from the product body to the supply chain body. Take the credit supervision of supply chain subjects as the basis of agricultural product quality supervision. With the help of blockchain technology to improve the effectiveness of agricultural product quality and safety credit supervision, credit supervision is used to constrain and incentivize the behavior of agricultural subjects.
Multi-robot navigation based on velocity obstacle prediction in dynamic crowded environments
Authors: Chen Yimei , Wang Yixin , Li Baoquan , Kamiya Tohru
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to propose a new velocity prediction navigation algorithm to develop a conflict-free path for robots in dynamic crowded environments. The algorithm BP-prediction and reciprocal velocity obstacle (PRVO) combines the BP neural network for velocity PRVO to accomplish dynamic collision avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach

This presented method exhibits innovation by anticipating ahead velocities using BP neural networks to reconstruct the velocity obstacle region; determining the optimized velocity corresponding to the robot’s scalable radius range from the error generated by the non-holonomic robot tracking the desired trajectory; and considering acceleration constraints, determining the set of multi-step reachable velocities of non-holonomic robot in the space of velocity variations.

Findings

The method is validated using three commonly used metrics of collision rate, travel time and average distance in a comparison between simulation experiments including multiple differential drive robots and physical experiments using the Turtkebot3 robot. The experimental results show that our method outperforms other RVO extension methods on the three metrics.

Originality/value

In this paper, the authors propose navigation algorithms capable of adaptively selecting the optimal speed for a multi-robot system to avoid robot collisions during dynamic crowded interactions.
Collaboration in agricultural value chains: a scoping review of the evidence from developing countries
Authors: Mishra Vikas , Ishdorj Ariun , Tabares Villarreal Elizabeth , Norton Roger
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Collaboration in agricultural value chains (AVCs) has the potential to increase smallholders’ participation in international value chains and increase their benefits from participation. This scoping review explores existing collaboration models among stakeholders of AVCs in developing countries, examines enablers and constraints of collaboration and identifies policy gaps.

Design/methodology/approach

We systematically searched three databases, CAB Abstracts, Econlit (EBSCO) and Agricola, for studies published between 2005 and 2023 and included 59 relevant studies on AVC collaboration.

Findings

The primary motivations for collaboration are to enhance market access and improve product quality. Key outcomes of collaboration include improvements in farmers’ welfare, market participation and increased production; only a few studies consider improved risk management as an important outcome. Robust support from government and non-governmental entities is a primary enabler of collaboration. Conversely, conflicts of interest among stakeholders and resource limitations constrain collaboration possibilities. Collaboration involving high-value crops prioritizes income increases, whereas collaboration involving staple crops focuses on improving household food security.

Research limitations/implications

This study may have publication bias as unsuccessful instances of collaboration are less likely to be published.

Originality/value

This study is unique in highlighting collaboration models’ characteristics and identifying AVC policy and programmatic areas where private firms, farmers’ groups, local governments and donor agencies can contribute.
Navigating the digital landscape: how e-marketing and product attractiveness shape company reputation from a customer-centric perspective
Authors: Mkalaf Khelood A. , Kadhum Amer A. , Al-Hadeethi Rami Hikmat , Al-Bazi Ammar
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the influence of e-marketing risks on a Corporation’s Reputation (CR) resulting from its online marketing of products and services.

Design/methodology/approach

A comprehensive analysis was conducted to enhance the company’s e-marketing strategies and bolster its reputation in the market. This involved an investigation into key factors of e-marketing risks, such as customer confidence, product quality, marketing fraud, credibility and customer knowledge and proficiency in using online platforms. These factors have directly impacted the company’s reputation, including aspects such as product/service quality, attractiveness, performance and commitment to social responsibility.

Findings

Its finding indicates that customers' lack of confidence in e-marketing has a strong impact on CR, followed by product quality and credibility. The absence of consumer awareness about e-marketing websites and e-fraud frequently negatively affects the organizational reputation.

Practical implications

To enhance the corporation’s reputation, it is recommended that companies provide educational resources on online shopping, including guidance on using the company’s website, comparing prices and other services that facilitate online purchases. This will help to support the credibility of e-marketing and enhance customer trust.

Originality/value

This research is an exploration of how e-marketing has affected a Corporation’s Reputation. It provides modern knowledge about the dynamic interplay between digital strategies and brand perception. Investigating this relationship provides valuable insights into the evolving landscape of consumer trust in the digital age. By analysing the various ways in which e-marketing influences a company’s reputation, innovative approaches can be developed to enhance its online presence and build lasting customer trust.
The relationship between training effectiveness and financial performance in cooperative organizations
Authors: Oliveira Brunna Sagioratto Coltro , Weymer Alex , Piccoli Pedro , Ramos Simone Cristina
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between training and financial performance in cooperative organizations.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this goal, the fixed-effect panel regression technique was used, from a single database containing hours and amounts invested in training by 35 large Brazilian agribusiness cooperatives over 10 years as the main independent variable of the econometric model. Financial performance was operationalized by the Net Margin and ROE.

Findings

It was possible to identify a positive relationship between expenditure on training and the future rate of return and profitability of the organizations in question. The results also indicate that this relationship grows stronger over the first three years after the investments are made and ceases to exist after this period. The findings are robust with regard to a series of alternative explanations and contribute to understanding the relationship between training and organizational performance in financial terms, considering the extent and duration of training.

Originality/value

The originality this study is justified by the pioneering spirit of presenting direct evidence linking investment in training and financial performance and the duration of this relationship. Thus, the study makes a significant contribution to the construction of knowledge on the subject.
Nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of Hawaiian taro (Colocasia esculenta) flours: A comparative study
Authors: Saxby Solange M. , Dong Lianger , Ho Kacie K. H. Y. , Lee Chin N. , Wall Marisa , Li Yong
Published: April 2024

Taro (Colocasia esculenta) flour is a viable carbohydrate alternative and a functional additive for food formulation; however, different taro varieties may possess distinct characteristics that may influence their suitability for food production. This study evaluated the nutritional, physicochemical, and functional properties of flours from five Hawaiian taro varieties: Bun‐Long, Mana Ulu, Moi, Kauaʻi Lehua, and Tahitian. Tahitian, Bun‐long, and Moi had high total starch contents of 40.8, 38.9, and 34.1 g/100 g, respectively. Additionally, Moi had the highest neutral detergent fiber (25.5 g/100 g), lignin (1.39 g/100 g), and cellulose (5.31 g/100 g). In terms of physicochemical properties, Tahitian showed the highest water solubility index (33.3 g/100 g), while Tahitian and Moi exhibited the two highest water absorption indices (5.81 g/g and 5.68 g/g, respectively). Regarding functional properties, Tahitian had the highest water absorption capacity (3.48 g/g), and Tahitian and Moi had the two highest oil absorption capacities (3.15 g/g and 2.68 g/g, respectively). Therefore, the flours from these Hawaiian taro varieties possess promising characteristics that could enhance food quality when used as alternative additives in food processing.
Deep learning denoising reconstruction enables faster T2‐weighted FLAIR sequence acquisition with satisfactory image quality
Authors: Brain Matthew E , Amukotuwa Shalini , Bammer Roland
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Deep learning reconstruction (DLR) technologies are the latest methods attempting to solve the enduring problem of reducing MRI acquisition times without compromising image quality. The clinical utility of this reconstruction technique is yet to be fully established. This study aims to assess whether a commercially available DLR technique applied to 2D T2‐weighted FLAIR brain images allows a reduction in scan time, without compromising image quality and thus diagnostic accuracy.

Methods

47 participants (24 male, mean age 55.9 ± 18.7 SD years, range 20–89 years) underwent routine, clinically indicated brain MRI studies in March 2022, that included a standard‐of‐care (SOC) T2‐weighted FLAIR sequence, and an accelerated acquisition that was reconstructed using the DLR denoising product. Overall image quality, lesion conspicuity, signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR), contrast‐to‐noise ratio (CNR), and artefacts for each sequence, and preferred sequence on direct comparison, were subjectively assessed by two readers.

Results

There was a strong preference for SOC FLAIR sequence for overall image quality (P = 0.01) and head‐to‐head comparison (P < 0.001). No difference was observed for lesion conspicuity (P = 0.49), perceived SNR (P = 1.0), and perceived CNR (P = 0.84). There was no difference in motion (P = 0.57) nor Gibbs ringing (P = 0.86) artefacts. Phase ghosting (P = 0.038) and pseudolesions were significantly more frequent (P < 0.001) on DLR images.

Conclusion

DLR algorithm allowed faster FLAIR acquisition times with comparable image quality and lesion conspicuity. However, an increased incidence and severity of phase ghosting artefact and presence of pseudolesions using this technique may result in a reduction in reading speed, efficiency, and diagnostic confidence.
Quantitative evaluation of the impact of relaxing eligibility criteria on the risk–benefit profile of drugs for lung cancer based on real‐world data
Authors: Huang Huiyao , Jia Shuopeng , Wang Xin , Miao Huilei , Fang Hong , He Hanqing , Wu Dawei , Tang Yu , Li Ning
Published: April 2024

Introduction

Restrictive eligibility criteria in cancer drug trials result in low enrollment rates and limited population diversity. Relaxed eligibility criteria (REC) based on solid evidence is becoming necessary for stakeholders worldwide. However, the absence of high‐quality, favorable evidence remains a major challenge. This study presents a protocol to quantitatively evaluate the impact of relaxing eligibility criteria in common non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) protocols in China, on the risk–benefit profile. This involves a detailed explanation of the rationale, framework, and design of REC.

Methods

To evaluate our REC in NSCLC drug trials, we will first construct a structured, cross‐dimensional real‐world NSCLC database using deep learning methods. We will then establish randomized virtual cohorts and perform benefit–risk assessment using Monte Carlo simulation and propensity matching. Shapley value will be utilized to quantitatively measure the effect of the change of each eligibility criterion on patient volume, clinical efficacy and safety.

Discussion

This study is one of the few that focuses on the problem of overly stringent eligibility criteria cancer drug clinical trials, providing quantitative evaluation of the effect of relaxing each NSCLC eligibility criterion. This study will not only provide scientific evidence for the rational design of population inclusion in lung cancer clinical trials, but also establish a data governance system, as well as a REC evaluation framework that can be generalized to other cancer studies.
The human infertility single‐cell testis atlas (HISTA): an interactive molecular scRNA‐Seq reference of the human testis
Authors: Mahyari Eisa , Vigh‐Conrad Katinka A. , Daube Clément , Lima Ana C. , Guo Jingtao , Carrell Douglas T. , Hotaling James M. , Aston Kenneth I. , Conrad Donald F.
Published: April 2024

Background

Single‐cell RNA‐seq (scRNA‐Seq) has been widely adopted to study gene expression of the human testis. Several datasets of scRNA‐Seq from human testis have been generated from different groups processed with different informatics pipelines. An integrated atlas of scRNA‐Seq expression constructed from multiple donors, developmental ages, and fertility states would be widely useful for the testis research community.

Objective

To describe the generation and use of the human infertility single‐cell testis atlas (HISTA), an interactive web tool for understanding human spermatogenesis through scRNA‐Seq analysis.

Methods

We obtained scRNA‐Seq datasets derived from 12 donors, including healthy adult controls, juveniles, and several infertility cases, and reprocessed these data using methods to remove batch effects. Using Shiny, an open‐source environment for data visualization, we created numerous interactive tools for exploring the data, some of which support simple statistical hypothesis testing. We used the resulting HISTA browser and its underlying data to demonstrate HISTA's value for testis researchers.

Results

A primary application of HISTA is to search by a single gene or a set of genes; thus, we present various analyses that quantify and visualize gene expression across the testis cells and pathology. HISTA also contains machine‐learning‐derived gene modules (“components”) that capture the entire transcriptional landscape of the testis tissue. We show how the use of these components can simplify the highly complex data in HISTA and assist with the interpretation of genes with unknown functions. Finally, we demonstrate the diverse ways HISTA can be used for new data analysis, including hypothesis testing.

Discussion and conclusions

HISTA is a research environment that can help scientists organize and understand the high‐dimensional transcriptional landscape of the human testis. HISTA has already contributed to published testis research and can be updated as needed with input from the research community or downloaded and modified for individual needs.
How to measure patient and family important outcomes in extremely preterm infants: A scoping review
Authors: Synnes Anne , Lam Mei Mei , Ricci M. Florencia , Church Paige , Simard Marie‐Noelle , Zwicker Jill G. , Luu Thuy Mai
Published: April 2024

Aim

Parents of children born preterm have identified outcomes to be measured for audit and research at 18–24 months of age: child well‐being, quality of life/function, socio‐emotional/behavioural outcomes, respiratory, feeding, sleeping, and caregiver mental health. The aim was to identify the best tools to measure these seven domains.

Methods

Seven working groups completed literature reviews and evaluated potential tools to measure these outcomes in children aged 18–24 months. A group of experts and parents voted on the preferred tools in a workshop and by questionnaire. Consensus was 80% agreement.

Results

Consensus was obtained for seven brief, inexpensive, parent friendly valid measures available in English or French for use in a minimum dataset and potential alternative measures for use in funded research.

Conclusion

Valid questionnaires and tools to measure parent‐identified outcomes in young preterm children exist. This study will facilitate research and collection of data important to families.
A two‐step item bank calibration strategy based on 1‐bit matrix completion for small‐scale computerized adaptive testing
Authors: Shen Yawei , Wang Shiyu , Xiao Houping
Published: April 2024

Computerized adaptive testing (CAT) is a widely embraced approach for delivering personalized educational assessments, tailoring each test to the real‐time performance of individual examinees. Despite its potential advantages, CAT�s application in small‐scale assessments has been limited due to the complexities associated with calibrating the item bank using sparse response data and small sample sizes. This study addresses these challenges by developing a two‐step item bank calibration strategy that leverages the 1‐bit matrix completion method in conjunction with two distinct incomplete pretesting designs. We introduce two novel 1‐bit matrix completion‐based imputation methods specifically designed to tackle the issues associated with item calibration in the presence of sparse response data and limited sample sizes. To demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches, we conduct a comparative assessment against several established item parameter estimation methods capable of handling missing data. This evaluation is carried out through two sets of simulation studies, each featuring different pretesting designs, item bank structures, and sample sizes. Furthermore, we illustrate the practical application of the methods investigated, using empirical data collected from small‐scale assessments.
The impact of mainstream financial press attention on stock pricing efficiency in the China stock market
Authors: Yin Haiyuan , Hu Xiangmiao
Published: April 2024

As the pivotal figure of information transmission in the capital market, the mainstream financial press has a significant impact on the operation of the stock market. Based on the mainstream financial press, this study obtains the news reports of 945 China A‐share listed companies in 2010–2019 and analyzes the relationship between the attention of the mainstream financial press and the efficiency of stock pricing. Further, we explore the mediating effect of corporate governance in this correlation. The empirical results show that the more reports on listed companies from the mainstream financial press the lower the delay level of the stock price of listed companies. At the same time, the characteristics information of the stock price increases, the higher the stock pricing efficiency. The attitude of press reports of listed companies also has an impact on the efficiency of stock pricing. The improvement of pricing efficiency will be achieved through neutral reporting. Mainstream financial press reports indirectly improve the efficiency of stock pricing by reducing the agency costs of the two types, and corporate governance plays a significant intermediary role in it. Finally, compared with market‐oriented media, the effect of policy‐oriented mainstream financial press on pricing efficiency is more significant.
Cysts and tumours of the iris: Diagnostic tools and key management considerations—A review
Authors: Kim Bia Z. , Lim Joevy Z. , McGhee Charles N. J.
Published: April 2024

The iris is a unique structure, with exquisite variations in colour and form. Pathological changes, specifically including iris cysts and tumours are relatively uncommon, difficult to diagnose, and yet potentially blinding or life‐threatening. Based on a comprehensive literature review, with highly illustrated key case examples, this report aims to guide the clinician in filtering the differential diagnoses of iris cysts and tumours. Evaluation is in the context of key diagnostic clinical tools and management considerations. Diagnostic imaging techniques include serial anterior segment photography, ultrasound, anterior segment optical coherence tomography, and iris fluorescein angiography, however, the roles of computerised topography and magnetic resonance imaging are also considered in this review. Management includes categorisation in terms of solid iris tumours (melanocytic vs. non‐melanocytic), or iris cysts (primary vs. secondary) that may be usefully differentiated by clinical assessment, avoiding more invasive interventions. Cystic lesions are generally benign, although implantation cysts in particular cause significant complications and surgical challenges. Most solid tumours are melanocytic and also typically benign. However, in larger lesions, rapid growth, symptoms and complications more likely indicate malignancy, requiring further investigation.
Comparing local ecological knowledge with camera trap data to study mammal occurrence in anthropogenic landscapes of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve
Authors: Bernard Alice , Guerbois Chloé , Venter Jan A. , Fritz Hervé
Published: April 2024

Accurate information on wildlife occurrence in anthropogenic landscapes is essential to develop effective conservation measures. Monitoring multiple mammal species in heterogeneous landscapes can be challenging because of the diversity of land‐uses and species behaviors. Therefore, different monitoring methods are better adapted to different contexts. We compared data obtained from camera traps with data gathered through an online survey to document the presence of mammal species in mosaic landscapes of the Garden Route Biosphere Reserve in South Africa. The survey detected the same 15 species as the camera traps as well as the additional common duiker. Both methods effectively detected most large mammal species, whereas results were less consistent for smaller species and carnivores. Combining the two methods enabled us to produce more robust estimates of species absence and confirm species presence reported by survey respondents. In less disturbed areas, respondents with good ecological knowledge were effective at monitoring mammal species, while extending the spatial coverage of the study. Bearing in mind the limitations of each method, camera traps and an online survey could complement each other if combined. Together, they can provide a more comprehensive understanding of mammal communities in anthropogenic landscapes, increasing both spatial coverage and the number of species sightings.
Seronegative autoimmune encephalitis in children: What's in a name?
Authors: Titulaer Maarten J. , Neuteboom Rinze F.
Published: April 2024

This commentary is on the original article by Madani et al. on pages 1310–1318 of this issue.