bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transformative landscape of ChatGPT in higher education: unveiling the academic discourse
Authors: Shrivastava Archana
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Transformative generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, such as ChatGPT, have revolutionized various sectors, including higher education. Since its release in November 2022, it has gathered attention from academia, scholars, students, regulators and education policymakers. Opinions diverge on whether ChatGPT’s use in academia should be circumscribed or regulated. To offer insights into some of these, this study synthesizes 139 contributions (articles and blogs) authored by instructors, publishers, professors, editors and education journalists in the education domain.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses sentiment analysis and topic modelling to examine the 139 articles and blogs. Drawing on their insights, it firstly explores emotional dimensions of the content. Subsequently, using critical discourse analysis, it integrates them with emerging concerns (what and why), and explicates key processes (how) to inform academia, research, practice and policy.

Findings

Drawing on the results obtained from sentiment analysis, the study identifies that the overall sentiments surrounding generative AI tools such as ChatGPT in higher education are more positive (33%) than negative (11%). Using topic modelling, the study further highlights four thematic areas to explore benefits and challenges: perceptions and biases, pedagogical impact, ethical considerations and implementation and adoption.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations include the absence of student perspectives, which may offer deeper insights into perception, pedagogical impacts, and integrity-related issues. Additionally, while findings are applicable across various domains, specialized areas may present differing insights that could refine the conclusions.

Originality/value

Overall, contributors acknowledge the capabilities of generative AI tools like ChatGPT in enhancing students’ productivity. The findings suggest that it is likely to offer significant gains in the education domain, providing several benefits to both teachers and students. Nevertheless, they also consider its limitations, discrimination and bias, copyright infringement, plagiarism, fabricated unauthentic textual content and assessment bias.
Assessing electronic resource searching competency among postgraduate students
Authors: Muneja Paul Samwel
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study evaluated electronic resource searching competency among postgraduate students (PGS). Specifically, the study intended to identify online search strategies used by PGS in searching electronic resources, examine the mechanisms used by PGS to access electronic resources and identify the challenges faced by PGS when searching electronic resources.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was administered to 70 PGS who attended a training workshop on scholarly literature searching. A pre- and post-training assessment was carried out to establish their competence prior to and after the training.

Findings

The results show that during the preassessment, the majority of respondents indicated Google search and Google Scholar search engines were their primary sources of scholarly literature, and the majority used simple search strategies to locate scholarly literature. The results further show that, before the training, it was revealed that 50.5% of the PGS had never used subscribed databases such as EBSCOhost, Emeralds, Taylor and Francis, Wiley online library and Springer. After the post-training assessment, results indicated an increased level of using new techniques such as Boolean operation, phrase searches, truncations, search limit and subject directories. Access through local IP addresses was highly used compared to other mechanisms such as remote access authentication methods or discovery services. Students’ exposure to new strategies and search tools had significant improvement in searching scholarly literature.

Originality/value

This paper is the researcher’s original study and it has not been conducted before. The paper represents a true analysis of the search capability of postgraduates in areas of research.
Opportunity lost: addressing DEI in academic conference design practices
Authors: Walters Trudie , Higgins-Desbiolles Freya
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Attending academic conferences is important for career progression. However, conferences can be experienced as exclusionary by historically marginalised groups. Non-attendance through exclusionary event design thus has far-reaching consequences, which is a social and structural justice issue. This research therefore aims to shine a light on event design in academic conferences, and its relationship to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI).

Design/methodology/approach

Through empirical study, we address the question “Are academic conferences communicating a commitment to DEI for delegates from historically marginalised groups, and if so, how?”. Using a content protocol (Loh et al., 2022) and signalling theory (Bradley et al., 2023), we analyse the publicly available conference materials of 70 tourism, leisure, events and hospitality academic conferences planned or convened between 2023 and 2025 to assess DEI discourses and practices for evidence of conference design that fosters inclusivity, belongingness and therefore addresses justice.

Findings

References to one or more elements of DEI were found in the discourses of around one quarter of the conferences. However, for BIPOC [1], precarious academics, those from the LGBTQIA+ or disability communities, those with caring responsibilities, those on low or no incomes or with visa requirements, and to a large degree still for women, there were few signs within conference design practices that could be construed as conveying a welcoming culture. We therefore argue that academic conferences within the fields of tourism, leisure, events and hospitality are perpetuating inequity, exclusion and injustice through failing to give full consideration to whom their event design practices are inviting to participate. This is an opportunity lost, and we provide a checklist for conference organisers to help them communicate that historically marginalised academics are welcome and belong at their event.

Originality/value

We believe this is the first study to take a DEI lens to an examination of academic conferences, and apply a content protocol and signalling theory as analytic tools in the process.
Lubrication mechanism analysis of textures in journal bearings using CFD simulations
Authors: Wang Yujun , Jacobs Georg , Zhang Shuo , Klinghart Benjamin , König Florian
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to study the lubrication mechanism of textured journal bearings.

Design/methodology/approach

CFD models for textured journal bearings are established. The effect of texture coverage on the pressure distribution is studied to find the proper texture distribution. To enhance the local load-carrying capacity at textures, the micro-hydrodynamic pressure and microflow at different texture depth ratios are captured. The interaction between the texture-induced microflow and the bearing lubrication film is analyzed from the microflow perspective.

Findings

The bearing performance is on the one hand enhanced by the micro-hydrodynamic pressure generated by textures. On the other hand, the main bearing land and maximum pressure can be interfered by textures, leading to the reduction of load-carrying capacity. To minimize the interference effect, textures are suggested to distribute downstream of the minimum film thickness location. As the lubrication film thickness increases, the corresponding optimum texture depth ratio rises. The vortices influence the local flow rate through the lubrication film at textures and further affect the micro-hydrodynamic pressure and local load-carrying capacity. The texture depth ratio, at which vortices begin to occur, generates the maximum micro-hydrodynamic pressure.

Originality/value

The proper texture distribution is introduced, which is capable to generate the micro-hydrodynamic pressure without interfering with the primary load-carrying capacity of the bearing. The microflow effect is found to considerably influence the local load-carrying capacity at textures. The necessity of sub-regional optimization in textured journal bearings is pointed out. This study provides the fundamental reference for the design and optimization of textured journal bearings.
Time pressure, coping strategies and work engagement: moderation of inclusive-leadership
Authors: Mangi Tanveer Ahmed , Sun Wei , Khoso Wali Muhammad , Ambreen Shehla
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to unravel the effects of time pressure on work engagement within Chinese organizational settings, considering the moderating effect of inclusive leadership and the mediating role of coping strategies. It seeks to apply and extend theories such as the job demands-resources (JD-R) model, Lazarus’s stress and coping (LSC) framework and leader–member exchange (LMX) theory on stress and coping to understand these dynamics comprehensively.

Design/methodology/approach

The study collected responses from 211 Chinese professionals in the manufacturing sector through a structured questionnaire. Multiple regression analysis was used to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Results reveal that problem-focused coping strategies positively correlate with work engagement, whereas emotion-focused coping strategies do not show a significant association. Both emotion-focused and problem-focused coping strategies mediate the relationship between time pressure and work engagement. Additionally, inclusive leadership positively moderates the relationship between time pressure and both problem-focused and emotion-focused coping strategies.

Practical implications

Organizational leaders and HR practitioners of companies can devise interventions to enhance employee engagement by leveraging the findings of this study, which advances our understanding of the critical role of coping strategies and the influence of inclusive leadership, particularly under time pressure, which is prevalent in fast-paced work environments.

Originality/value

The research integrates the JD-R model, LMX theory and LSC framework to explore workplace dynamics in China, presenting new insights into coping mechanisms and leadership roles in high-pressure environments.
Gamification and customer brand engagement: a review and future research agendas
Authors: Malik Garima , Pradhan Debasis , Rup Bikash Kumar
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Extant literature shows that gamification is an effective tool for enhancing customer brand engagement. However, there is a need for a structured review of the literature on how and to what extent gamification fosters customer brand engagement. This hybrid literature review synthesizes extant research on gamification and its impact on customer brand engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

The study is based on 45 articles drawn from 33 journals from the Scopus database. This article conducts a systematic review of theory, context, characteristics and methods employed in extant research, identifies contemporary themes and presents future research avenues. It also conducts a bibliometric analysis to identify the most prominent journals, authors, articles and themes.

Findings

This review identifies various patterns and trends of psychological capital research, and it unfolds four major themes – gamification and customer engagement, gamification and e-marketing, gamification and sustainable marketing and gamification and customer experience.

Practical implications

This review offers key insights into managerial implications.

Originality/value

It is one of the first endeavors to conduct a structured review of research related to gamification and customer engagement. It presents a conceptual framework that shows the relationships between gamification and customer engagement. This systematic review offers several future research agendas to spur scholarly research and presents key insights into the process of gamification in marketing to enhance customer brand engagement.
Green nexus womenpreneurs: harnessing internal-external capabilities for sustainable MSMEs fashion
Authors: Alfarizi Muhammad , Ngatindriatun Ngatindriatun , Firmansyah Yura Witsqa
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study aims to analyze the capabilities and external conditions of womenpreneur owners of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) Fashion EcoPrint Indonesia in green business practices and their implications for sustainable business performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This study chooses a quantitative approach with a sustainable business internal-external capability model. Using the structural equation modeling-partial least square analysis tool, the analysis was conducted on a sample of womenpreneurs who owned MSMEs EcoPrint Indonesia (n = 493).

Findings

In the internal capability dimension, total quality environment and green core competence affect green supply chain management, affecting green product innovation performance. Meanwhile, women entrepreneurs’ external capability dimensions (regulation, customer awareness of the environment and technological innovation infrastructure) are connected to sustainable development business capabilities, which affect the performance of green process innovation. The study confirms that green products and processes have the potential to influence sustainable business performance. A key finding is the strong influence of environment-based total quality management governance on both sides. At the same time, womenpreneurs have a significant impact on their respective dimensions.

Research limitations/implications

This study has implications for increasing competency, Sustainable MSME industrial infrastructure, and protecting women in developing countries. The theoretical implications of creating a model that examines the impact of womenpreneurs’ internal and external abilities on eco-friendly businesses’ success are significant for developing nations’ promising growth.

Originality/value

This study explores women’s contributions to family well-being and environment-based economies, focusing on eco-friendly supply chain management and sustainable external capabilities of women entrepreneurs in Indonesia, using a gender equality approach in developing economies.
Investigating patient satisfaction with a hand therapy telehealth service during COVID‐19
Authors: Graham Elise M. , Ahern Elspeth
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Throughout the COVID‐19 pandemic, outpatient hand therapy services were restricted. The use of telehealth was adopted to continue to provide care to patients with hand injuries.

This survey aims to investigate patient satisfaction with hand therapy delivered via telehealth in a NSW public tertiary referral metropolitan setting and explore whether this differs for specific hand injury/conditions and treatments offered.

Methods

Patients using hand therapy services via telehealth between 28 June 2021 and 27 May 2022 responded to a bespoke electronic survey. Participants were grouped depending on their particular injury/condition and treatment received. Analysis was conducted using MS Excel, and correlations were determined by using Fisher's exact test.

Community and consumer involvement

No consumers were involved in the study design or analysis.

Results

Sixty‐eight of 262 patients responded to the survey (26% response rate). Overall results showed high patient satisfaction (n = 55, 81%) with hand therapy delivered via telehealth with most patients agreeing that telehealth should be offered going forward (n = 59, 87%). Benefits reported by patients included convenience, reduced travel time and parking issues, and time saving. Patients receiving therapy for ‘finger thumb bony injury with K wires’ demonstrated a statistically significant association of lower satisfaction with telehealth (n = 3, 43%, P = 0.02). Patients receiving wound care over telehealth were just as satisfied with their experience (n = 15, 82%) as overall results (n = 55, 81%).

Conclusion

The survey suggests that patients are satisfied with their experience of telehealth for hand therapy. Patients with finger thumb bony injuries with k wires may be less suitable for telehealth. Wound care appears to be well received over telehealth in a hand therapy population.

PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY

There is little evidence to guide hand therapists in which conditions or injuries patients find can be managed well with telehealth. Patients who answered a survey about their experience with telehealth for their hand therapy management overall reported satisfaction with the experience. Some patients had undergone surgery for broken fingers and thumbs using wires to hold the bone together while it healed. These patients were less likely to find telehealth satisfactory for their hand therapy care. Most patients requiring wound care over telehealth found this satisfactory.
Understanding the ‘imposters’
Authors: Dyson Caroline
Published: October 2024

As teachers, we think that we understand the challenges of educating children and adults when addressing multiculturalism, immigration and racism. But are we getting it right if we do not know the experiences and challenges faced by international students or even know the perspectives of typically white British students learning in an increasingly multicultural education system? We have all at some point felt like an imposter, isolated and insecure but this is a very real, everyday experience for many people who happen to come from a different country or have different coloured skin. We need to challenge our perspectives by thinking outside of the protective box and seeking information from varied and contemporary sources who understand these challenges the most. This is a look at how a refugee centre has inspired a new way of teaching adult nursing students, and how utilising the enormous amount of knowledge in such centres can also be used to give valuable insight and a fresh perspective when it comes to teaching young people in schools, where the challenges of stamping out racism can be tackled early and head‐on.
The role of non‐coding RNAs in fibroblast‐like synoviocytes in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Zheng Yongquan , Cai Xiaoyu , Ren Fujia , Yao Yao
Published: October 2024

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an inflammatory autoimmune disease characterized by synovial hyperplasia, and fibroblast‐like synoviocytes (FLSs) constitute the majority of cells in the synovial tissue, playing a crucial role in the onset of RA. Dysregulation of FLSs function is a critical strategy in treating joint damage associated with RA. Non‐coding RNAs, a class of RNA molecules that do not encode proteins, participate in the development of various diseases. This article aims to review the progress in the study of long non‐coding RNAs, microRNAs, and circular RNAs in FLSs. Non‐coding RNAs are involved in the pathogenesis of RA, directly or indirectly regulating FLSs' proliferation, migration, invasion, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses. Furthermore, non‐coding RNAs also influence DNA methylation and osteogenic differentiation in FLSs. Therefore, non‐coding RNAs hold promise as biomarkers for diagnosing RA. Targeting non‐coding RNAs in FLSs locally represents a potential strategy for future therapies in RA.
Viability discrimination of bacterial microbiomes in home kitchen dish sponges using propidium monoazide treatment
Authors: Carstens Christina K. , Salazar Joelle K. , Sharma Shreela , Chan Wenyaw , Darkoh Charles
Published: October 2024

Dish sponges are known to support the proliferation of human bacterial pathogens, yet they are commonly used by consumers. Exposure to foodborne pathogens via sponge use may lead to illness, a serious concern among susceptible populations. The extent of exposure risks from sponge use has been limited by constraints associated with culture‐independent or dependent methods for bacterial community characterization. Therefore, five used dish sponges were characterized to evaluate the presence of viable bacterial foodborne pathogens using the novel application of propidium monoazide (PMA) treatment and targeted 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing. Select pathogen viability was confirmed using targeted selective enrichment. The taxonomic abundance profiles of total and viable sponge microbiomes did not vary significantly. The numbers of unique bacterial species (p = 0.0465) and foodborne pathogens (p = 0.0102) identified were significantly lower in viable sponge microbiomes. Twenty unique bacterial foodborne pathogens were detected across total and viable sponge microbiomes, and three to six viable foodborne pathogens were identified in each sponge. Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus were identified in each viable sponge microbiome, and viable E. coli were recovered from two sponges via targeted selective enrichment. These findings suggest that sponge‐associated bacterial communities are primarily viable and contain multiple viable bacterial foodborne pathogens.
Low microbial abundance and community diversity in the egg capsule of the oviparous cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame) during oviposition
Authors: Takagi Wataru , Masuda Ayami , Shimoyama Koya , Tokunaga Kotaro , Hyodo Susumu , Sato‐Takabe Yuki
Published: October 2024

Vertebrate embryos are protected from bacterial infection by various maternally derived factors, yet little is known about the defence mechanisms in elasmobranchs. This study aimed to characterize the intracapsular environment of freshly laid eggs of the oviparous catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame) by investigating the microbial abundance and microbiota to understand its potential contribution to embryonic defence. The egg capsule of oviparous elasmobranchs is tightly sealed until pre‐hatching, after which seawater flows into the capsule, exposing the embryos to the surrounding seawater. We found that early embryos were highly vulnerable to environmental pathogens, suggesting that the embryos are somehow protected from infection before pre‐hatching. Indeed, the intracapsular environment of freshly laid eggs exhibited significantly low bacterial density, maintained until pre‐hatching. Furthermore, the microbiome inside eggs just after oviposition differed markedly from those of rearing seawater and adult oviducal gland epithelia; these eggs were predominantly populated by an unidentified genus of Sphingomonadaceae. Overall, this study provides compelling evidence that early embryos of oviparous cloudy catshark are incubated in a clean intracapsular environment that potentially plays a significant role in embryonic development in oviparous elasmobranchs.
Suicide in people prescribed opioid‐agonist therapy in Scotland, United Kingdom, 2011–2020: A national retrospective cohort study
Authors: Fraser Rosalyn , Yeung Alan , Glancy Megan , Hickman Matthew , Jones Hayley E. , Priyadarshi Saket , Horsburgh Kirsten , Hutchinson Sharon J. , McAuley Andrew
Published: October 2024

Background and aims

Opioid dependence is associated with an increased risk of suicide. Drug‐related mortality among people with opioid dependence in Scotland has more than tripled since 2010; less is known about changes in suicide risk. We aimed to determine if opioid agonist therapy (OAT) in Scotland is protective against suicide and to measure trends in suicide rates in those with opioid dependence over time.

Design

Retrospective cohort study.

Setting

Scotland, UK.

Participants

46 453 individuals in Scotland who received at least one prescription for OAT between 2011 and 2020 with over 304 000 person‐years (pys) of follow‐up.

Measurements

We calculated standardised mortality ratios (SMR) using the age‐ and sex‐specific suicide rates in Scotland for years 2011–2020. We fitted multivariable competing‐risk regression models to estimate suicide rates by OAT exposure and to estimate trends over time, adjusting for potential confounders.

Findings

There were 575 deaths classed as suicide among the cohort and the overall suicide rate was 1.89 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.74–2.05) per 1000 pys. Age and sex SMR for suicide was 7.05 times (95% CI = 6.50–7.65) higher than in the general population. After adjustment, OAT was shown to be highly protective against suicide, with rates more than three times greater (adjusted hazard ratio: 3.07; 95% CI = 2.60–3.62) off OAT compared with on OAT. Suicide rates decreased over time, falling from 2.57 (95% CI = 2.19–3.02) per 1000 pys in 2011–12 to 1.48 (95% CI = 1.21–1.82) in 2019–20.

Conclusion

People with opioid dependence in Scotland appear to have a greater risk of suicide than the general population. Treatment is protective, with rates of suicide lower among those on opioid agonist therapy. Suicide rates have decreased over time, during a period in which drug‐related death rates in Scotland have risen to globally high levels.
Preliminary Characterisation of Immune Cell Populations in the Oral Mucosa of a Small Cohort of Healthy Dogs (Canis lupus familiaris)
Authors: Soltero‐Rivera Maria , Bailey Myles , Blandino Andrew , Arzi Boaz , Vapniarsky Natalia
Published: October 2024

Pre‐determined anatomical locations in the oral cavity were biopsied, and their histomorphology was characterised using haematoxylin and eosin staining (H&E). The most abundant cell type was of dendritic morphology. Lymphocyte foci were not evident in the palatoglossal folds or the gingiva. Immunohistochemical staining (IHC) for validated leukocyte markers followed, including CD3, CD20, CD79α, CD204, and Iba1. Consistent with H&E findings, CD204 immunoreactivity predominated amongst all niches. With the exception of the alveolar mucosa and palatoglossal folds, we also demonstrate a significant difference in the population of macrophages by region for only the Iba1 antigen (p < 0.0001). B lymphocytes were found, and a significant difference was noted in the sub‐epithelium where CD20‐positive cells outnumbered those labelled as CD79a positive (p = 0.001), suggesting the possibility that these cells are in an active state in health. A similar significant difference was found in the subepithelial tissue for myeloid cells, as there were more cells labelled as CD204 positive over Iba1, which, along with their distribution pattern, indicates a possible functional and morphological overlap between these cells. No significant difference was found in epithelial tissues for cells of either myeloid or lymphoid origins. The results from this study suggest different regions of the oral cavity exhibit variations in the distribution of immune cells, particularly macrophages and B lymphocytes. Though more studies would be needed to confirm these findings, these differences may have implications for the immune response and overall health of the oral mucosa.
Fast processing of gynecologic cancer tissue in Danish Cancer Biobank makes them well‐suited for biomarker studies
Authors: von Wowern Frederik , Høgdall Estrid
Published: October 2024

Gynecologic cancers remain a frequent and deadly diagnosis. Historically, treatment has focused on a “one size fits all” approach, but there is an urgent need for more personal medicine. Hence, to enhance personal medicine, new biomarkers are needed. Samples from the Danish Cancer Biobank (DCB) may be well‐suited for biomarker studies, as the biobank contains samples from more than 100.000 cancer patients, and the samples are annotated with pre‐analytical variables. The aim of this study was to investigate if the recorded pre‐analytical variables indicate the gynecologic tissue in DCB are suited for biomarker studies. Data on processing time, transport time, and registration‐ and verification status were extracted from all patients with a gynecologic tissue sample collected between 2020 and 2022 in DCB. The mean processing time across centers was found to be 1.03 h (SD = 0.71), and the mean transport time was found to be 0.32 h (SD = 0.70). In total, 69% of the tissue samples were pathologically examined, and 91.5% of the pathologically examined samples were found to be concordant with the patient's final diagnosis. While differences were observed, 98% of the samples were processed within 3 h, indicating the majority of gynecologic tissue samples in DCB are of high quality and optimal for biomarker studies.
A machine learning‐based workflow for predicting transplant outcomes in patients with sickle cell disease
Authors: Li Haiou , Sachdev Vandana , Tian Xin , Nguyen My‐Le , Hsieh Matthew , Fitzhugh Courtney , Limerick Emily , Coles Wynona , Asomaning Nancy , Conrey Anna , Wu Colin O. , Thein Swee Lay
Published: October 2024

Allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) with HLA‐matched sibling donor remains the most established curative therapeutic option for patients with sickle cell disease (SCD). However, it is not without risks, highlighting the need for a risk stratification system. Utilizing a machine learning (ML) approach that combines clinical and imaging variables, we identified red cell distribution width and renal organ damage as important risk factors for patients undergoing HCT. This ML‐based algorithm, similar to an approach previously reported for predicting mortality in patients with SCD, should be applicable to risk factor discovery in similar studies.
Conditional survival of younger patients with mantle cell lymphoma: Results from a randomized phase III trial of the European MCL Network
Authors: Jiang Linmiao , Dreyling Martin , Hermine Olivier , Mansmann Ulrich , Walewski Jan , Ribrag Vincent , Thieblemont Catherine , Pott Christiane , Bachy Emmanuel , Feugier Pierre , Hübel Kai , Schumacher Martin , Hoster Eva
Published: October 2024

During a fatal disease, patients often request updated information on their prognosis. After patients have already survived a certain time, conditional survival captures their future survival probability. We investigated conditional overall and failure‐free survival in 473 younger mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) patients from a randomized phase III trial comparing immunochemotherapies R‐CHOP and alternating R‐CHOP/R‐DHAP before autologous transplantation. Using conditional Kaplan–Meier method and Cox regression, we estimated subsequent survival of patients who had survived 1–8 years, considering MIPI, Ki‐67, and treatment failure status. Starting at a lower level, R‐CHOP patients only showed increasing subsequent survival as they survived longer (5‐year conditional survival: 72% and 81% after surviving 1 and 7 years), while R‐CHOP/R‐DHAP patients had stable future survival over time (77% and 78%). The prognostic value of MIPI diminished after 3 years in R‐CHOP patients but remained unchanged after R‐CHOP/R‐DHAP. Patients with treatment failure had markedly inferior survival compared with those in ongoing remission, regardless of the time survived. The longer patients remained in remission, the longer they would stay free of treatment failures. Our results enable personalized counselling for younger MCL patients by offering dynamic prognosis and underscore the importance of highly effective first‐line treatment to improve survival.
FOXP3+/CD8+ ratio associated with aggressive behavior in RUNX3‐methylated diffuse esophagogastric junction tumor
Authors: Maruyama Suguru , Imamura Yu , Toihata Tasuku , Haraguchi Ikumi , Takamatsu Manabu , Yamashita Makiko , Nakashima Yuichiro , Oki Eiji , Taguchi Kenichi , Yamamoto Manabu , Mine Shinji , Okamura Akihiko , Kanamori Jun , Nunobe Souya , Sano Takeshi , Kitano Shigehisa , Noda Tetsuo , Watanabe Masayuki
Published: October 2024

The tumor immune microenvironment is increasingly becoming a key consideration in developing treatment regimens for aggressive cancers, with evidence that regulatory T cells (Tregs) attenuate the antitumor response by interrupting cytotoxic T cells (CD8+). Here, we hypothesized the prognostic relevance of the proportions of Tregs (marked by forkhead box protein 3 [FOXP3]) and CD8+ cells in diffuse, non‐Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)/non‐microsatellite instability (MSI)‐high gastroesophageal adenocarcinomas (GEAs), which are clinically characterized as more aggressive, immunologically inactive tumors as compared with their intestinal counterparts. Cell‐count ratios of FOXP3+/CD8+ expression were calculated at the intratumoral region and invasive margin discretely on digital images from 303 chemo‐naive non‐EBV/non‐MSI‐high esophagogastric junction (EGJ) adenocarcinomas. A significant modifying prognostic effect of tumor histology was observed between 5‐year EGJ cancer‐specific survival and the FOXP3+/CD8+ ratio at the invasive margin in pStage I–III tumors (p for interaction = 0.022; hazard ratio [HR] = 8.47 and 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.04–35.19 for high ratio [vs. low] for diffuse; HR = 1.57 and 95% CI, 0.88–2.83 for high ratio [vs. low] for intestinal). A high FOXP3+/CD8+ ratio at the invasive margin was associated with RUNX3 methylation (p = 0.035) and poor prognosis in RUNX3‐methylated diffuse histological subtype (5‐year EGJ cancer‐specific survival, 52.3% for high and 100% for low, p = 0.015). Multiomics data from The Cancer Genome Atlas linked CCL28 with RUNX3‐suppressed diffuse histological subtypes of non‐EBV/non‐MSI‐high GEA. Our data suggest that a high FOXP3+/CD8+ ratio at the invasive margin might indicate tumor immune escape via CCL28, particularly in the RUNX3‐methylated diffuse histological subtype.
Effects of i‐PRF, A‐PRF+, and EMD on Osteogenic Potential of Osteoblasts on Titanium
Authors: Ramenzoni Liza Lima , Varghese Jothi , Schmidlin Patrick Roger , Mehrotra Shubhankar
Published: October 2024

Objective

The study evaluates three biologically active substances with known bone‐inductive potential on previously decontaminated titanium (Ti) discs.

Material and Methods

Rough and smooth Ti surfaces were contaminated with a multispecies biofilm and cleaned with a chitosan brush. Discs were treated either with injectable‐platelet‐rich fibrin (i‐PRF), advanced platelet‐rich fibrin (A‐PRF+), or enamel matrix derivatives (EMDs) before osteoblast seeding.

Results

Biocompatibility, adhesion, migration, and gene expression of runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), collagen Type I Alpha 2 (COL1a2), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OC), and osteonectin (ON) were performed. All the tested biologic agents similarly increased cell viability. Specifically, osteoblasts seeded over i‐PRF and EMD‐treated surfaces showed improvement in adhesion and migration and significantly increased ALP, OC, ON, RUNX‐2, and COL1a2 mRNA levels up to 2.8 fold (p < 0.05) with no differences between Ti surfaces.

Conclusions

i‐PRF and EMD possess beneficial bioactive properties that enhance tissue healing and promote regeneration on thoroughly sterilized surfaces. Biologically active materials may hold the potential to influence the process of implant re‐osseointegration, which warrants more research since sterilization of the affected surfaces under clinical conditions is still not reliably possible and remains one of the greatest challenges.
Factors shaping innovative behavior: A meta‐analysis of technology adoption studies in agriculture
Authors: Konstantinos Chatzimichael , Charoula Daskalaki , Grigorios Emvalomatis , Michail Tsagris , Vangelis Tzouvelekas
Published: October 2024

This study conducts a meta‐regression analysis to synthesize the marginal effects of 12 factors that frequently appear in empirical studies examining farmer's technology adoption behavior. The analysis includes 187 observational studies on technology adoption in agriculture, which are published in 32 peer‐reviewed journals in the broader field of agricultural economics, covering farmer's adoption in 47 countries for a diverse range of agricultural technologies. Using this broad meta‐dataset, we investigate whether each of the 12 determinants has a true effect on technology adoption rates and examine whether Type I and Type II publication bias are present in the adoption literature. Our results reveal that while most determinant factors significantly affect adoption rates, their marginal effects are generally of small magnitude and vary considerably by technology type and country group. Additionally, our results provide evidence of the presence of Type I publication bias in half of the factors considered and Type II publication bias in nearly all, underscoring the need for caution when interpreting results in the adoption literature by researchers and policymakers. Overall, the findings highlight the critical need for proactive measures to address publication bias and promote more transparent and credible research practices in agricultural economics.
A 10‐year Retrospective Clinical Study to Identify Risk Indicators for Peri‐Implant Bone Loss and Implant Failure
Authors: Windael Simon , Collaert Bruno , De Buyser Stefanie , Vervaeke Stijn , De Bruyn Hugo
Published: October 2024

Aim

To evaluate long‐term survival and success of dental implants and evaluate indicators affecting the long‐term outcome.

Materials and Methods

Implant survival, success and crestal bone loss (BL) over time were evaluated. For covariates at patient level, Kaplan–Meier estimates of implant survival were compared between groups with the log‐rank test. Observed mean bone loss (MBL) was plotted as a function of time. Cumulative frequencies of BL were plotted for different post‐op times. Uni‐ and multivariate analysis was performed. Simple linear mixed and multiple linear mixed models for BL at 1, 5 and 10 years were fitted.

Results

407 patients (221 women, 186 men; mean age 64.86 years (range 28–92, SD 10.11)), with 1482 implants, responded. Absolute implant survival was 94.74%; MBL was 0.81 mm (SD 1.58, range 0.00–17.00) after an average follow‐up of 10.66 years (range 10–14, SD 0.87). Implant survival was influenced on implant level by smoking, implant width and early bone loss (EBL) > 0.5 mm; on patient level by a history of periodontitis. Indicators influencing MBL after the 1st year were abutment height, type of surgery and implant width, while after 5 and 10 years of function were abutment height, EBL > 0.5 mm and smoking.

Conclusion

Implant survival was significantly affected by a history of periodontitis on patient level and by smoking, implant width and EBL > 0.5 mm on implant level. Late bone loss was significantly affected by abutment height, EBL > 0.5 mm and smoking.

Trial Registration: B670201524796
Apply the Laws, if They are Good: Moral Evaluations Linearly Predict Whether Judges Should Enforce the Law
Authors: Engelmann Neele , de Almeida Guilherme da Franca Couto Fernandes , Oliveira de Sousa Felipe , Prochownik Karolina , Hannikainen Ivar R. , Struchiner Noel , Magen Stefan
Published: October 2024

What should judges do when faced with immoral laws? Should they apply them without exception, since “the law is the law?” Or can exceptions be made for grossly immoral laws, such as historically, Nazi law? Surveying laypeople (N = 167) and people with some legal training (N = 141) on these matters, we find a surprisingly strong, monotonic relationship between people's subjective moral evaluation of laws and their judgments that these laws should be applied in concrete cases. This tendency is most pronounced among individuals who endorse natural law (i.e., the legal‐philosophical view that immoral laws are not valid laws at all), and is attenuated when disagreement about the moral status of a law is considered reasonable. The relationship is equally strong for laypeople and for those with legal training. We situate our findings within the broader context of morality's influence on legal reasoning that experimental jurisprudence has uncovered in recent years, and consider normative implications.
Protection beyond park boundaries: On the impact of systematic patrolling in Divisional Forest Office, Sarpang, Bhutan
Authors: Dhendup Phub , Wangchuk Tandin , Wyatt Alexander , Tenzin Kuenley , Singh Rohit
Published: October 2024

Protected areas and biological corridors play a crucial role in conserving biodiversity and promoting connectivity between habitat patches. Bhutan, known as a stronghold for tigers (Panthera tigris), has dedicated a significant portion of its land to a network of protected areas and biological corridors. However, these areas face risks from illegal activities, posing challenges for their management. To address this, the Department of Forests & Park Services in Bhutan deployed an adaptive management framework, informed by the Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool in 2016 in the Divisional Forest Office, Sarpang, an important corridor area outside of official protected area boundaries. This study analyses 5 years of data (2017–2021) recorded through a monitoring tool to assess changes in ranger activities and on‐ground observations. The results show improved data availability, increased patrol effort, enhanced monitoring of wildlife, and a reduction in threat detection over time. Furthermore, camera trap surveys targeting tigers reveal a potential increase in the number of individual tigers utilizing the corridor since the adoption of the tool and other management actions. These findings highlight the effectiveness of these efforts in a critical wildlife corridor.
Population Size in Evolutionary Biology Is More Than the Effective Size
Authors: Mergeay Joachim
Published: October 2024

In population genetics idealized Wright‐Fisher (WF) populations are generally considered equivalent to real populations with regard to the major evolutionary processes that influence genotype and allele frequencies. As a result we often model the response of populations by focusing on the effective size Ne. The Diversity Partitioning Theorem (DPT) shows that you cannot model the behavior of a system solely on the basis of a diversity (accounting for unevenness among items) without taking richness into account. I show that the census population size (the number of adults, Nc) is equivalent to a richness, and that the effective size Ne is equivalent to a true diversity. It follows logically from the DPT that we require both Ne and Nc to understand how drift, selection, mutation, and gene flow interact to shape the course of evolution of populations. Here I review evidence that both Nc and Ne affect evolutionary trajectories of populations for neutral and adaptive processes. This also influences how we should consider evolutionary potential and genetic criteria for conservation of populations. The effective size of a population is of huge importance in evolutionary biology, but it should not be the sole focus when population size is concerned. Applied evolutionary studies need to integrate Nc in the equation more consistently when modeling the response to selection, mutation, migration, and drift.
Body mass index of 23 or greater is relevant to hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with harmful alcohol use
Authors: Kakisaka Keisuke , Watanabe Takuya , Yoshida Yuichi , Abe Hiroaki , Yusa Kenji , Sasaki Tokio , Fujiwara Yudai , Abe Tamami , Suzuki Akiko , Endo Kei , Oikawa Takayoshi , Sawara Kei , Miyasaka Akio , Kuroda Hidekatsu , Matsumoto Takayuki
Published: October 2024

Background

Steatotic liver disease, characterized by a combination of metabolic dysfunction, alcohol use, or specific etiologies, is a leading cause of chronic liver disease. However, the role of metabolic dysfunction in chronic liver disease with harmful alcohol use remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with harmful alcohol use.

Methods

Over a 2‐year period, we registered patients with harmful alcohol use, defined by an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test score of 8 or higher. We retrospectively analyzed background information, blood test results, ultrasound‐guided attenuation parameter (attenuation coefficient), and liver stiffness measurement. Hepatic steatosis was defined as attenuation coefficient ≥0.65 dB/cm/MHz, and fibrosis as liver stiffness measurement ≥7.5 kPa.

Results

The study included 131 patients (82% men, median age 59 years). Linear regression analysis revealed significant associations with attenuation coefficient for body mass index ≥23 (0.08, p < 0.0001) and age (−0.002, p = 0.002). Liver stiffness measurement was associated with body mass index ≥23 (2.52, p = 0.001), aspartate aminotransferase (0.02, p = 0.0189), gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase (0.008, p < 0.0001), platelet count (−0.02, p = 0.001), and prothrombin international normalized ratio (26.40, p < 0.0001). Among the four groups classified by the presence or absence of steatosis and fibrosis, patients with fibrosis, but without steatosis, demonstrated the lowest liver reserve. In contrast, patients with both steatosis and fibrosis showed higher aspartate aminotransferase and gamma‐glutamyl transpeptidase levels.

Conclusions

Body mass index is associated with both hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with harmful alcohol use.
Evaluation of bacterial anti‐adhesion and sustained antimicrobial abilities of chlorhexidine gluconate‐loaded phase‐transited lysozyme nanoparticle suspension on dentine: An ex vivo study
Authors: Li Rong , Wu Jiaxin , Cheng Yu , Sun Guangxu , Zhao Jiange , Zhang Xu , Yang Jing , Que Kehua
Published: October 2024

Aim

To evaluate the effect of chlorhexidine gluconate‐loaded phase‐transited lysozyme (CHG@PTL) coating on inhibiting bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation in an ex vivo root canal dentine model.

Methodology

The physicochemical and structural characteristics of CHG@PTL nanoparticle suspension and its coating formed on the dentine surface were analysed by thioflavin T fluorescence assay, transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). The sustained chlorhexidine release profile of the CHG@PTL coating on the dentine surface was compared with that of the 2% CHG solution. By comparing with phosphate‐buffered saline, 1% sodium hypochlorite and 2% CHG solutions, the sustained antibacterial ability of the CHG@PTL coating and its effects on adhesion and biofilm formation of three types of bacteria (E. faecalis, S. mutans, and A. viscous) were analysed in ex vivo root canal dentine models using the serial plate transfer test (SPTT) and CLSM with live/dead bacterial staining, respectively.

Results

CHG promoted the lysozyme protein to form a higher proportion of β‐sheet structure during phase transition. In the CHG@PTL nanoparticle suspension, characteristic drug‐loaded nanospheres with a high concentration of CHG molecules inside and an outer PTL nanofilm were observed, and they formed a thinner and tighter coating on the dentine surface. The CHG@PTL coating on the dentine surface showed a significantly higher cumulative release amount of chlorhexidine than that of 2% CHG (p < .05). The results of SPTT showed that the CHG@PTL coating had a longer antibacterial duration than the control groups. After 12 h of incubation, a higher number of bacteria were agglutinated on the CHG@PTL coating surface compared to the control groups (p < .05). After 7 days of incubation, the number of agglutinated bacteria significantly decreased. At two time points, the percentage of dead bacteria on the CHG@PTL coating surface was the highest among all experimental groups based on CLSM observation (over 99.9% for all three bacteria, p < .001).

Conclusions

CHG@PTL nanoparticle suspension could form an antimicrobial coating on the surface of dentine with a novel ‘agglutinating bacteria and sterilizing’ mode.