bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Blind indoor navigation app for enhancing accessible tourism in smart cities
Authors: Theodorou Paraskevi , Meliones Apostolos , Tsiligkos Kleomenis , Sfakianakis Michael
Published: October 2024

Purpose

People with visual impairments or blindness (PwVIB) are mostly excluded from tourism activities. Despite the rise of assistive technology (AT) solutions in Tourism, acceptance remains low because of the difficulty of providing the right functionality, effectiveness and usability. Arguably, it can be said that disability-oriented training can affect the latter two and, therefore, an AT solution’s acceptance. This paper aims to contribute to the theory development and conceptualization of technology acceptance of AT solutions in Tourism by studying, in the context of the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT), the effects of training PwVIB on using AT solutions. This study presents the effects of training on the tourism behavior of PwVIB and provides valuable information to the stakeholders.

Design/methodology/approach

Questionnaire data collected from 128 PwVIB after evaluating an AT were subjected to exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling followed by post-evaluation interviews. The used application, called BlindMuseumTourer, enables high-precision autonomous indoor navigation for PwVIB in tourist places like museums and places of health care.

Findings

The results of this study indicate the partial satisfaction of the extended model validating the importance of performance expectancy and training (the new factor) in predicting the behavioral intention of PwVIB tourists toward using ATs during their tourist activities. This suggests that practitioners have to provide performant technological solutions accompanied by special training sessions for improved engagement and satisfaction.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the UTAUT theory in the context of Tourism for PwVIB by adding a new factor and replacing two moderator variables. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no similar work is studying AT acceptance by PwVIB in the tourism literature. Furthermore, the validation process used a novel indoor navigation application, demonstrating its effectiveness in the Tactual Museum of Greece.
Global risk dynamics of Borrelia miyamotoi in the context of climate change
Authors: Tang Tian , Ge Hong‐Han , Ma Tian , Hao Meng‐meng , Chen Shuai , Lv Chen‐Long , Qiu Yun‐Bo , Wang Yan‐He , Tian Yao , Chen Jin‐Jin , Yuan Shuai , Wang Qian , Jiang Dong , Ding Fang‐Yu , Liu Wei , Fang Li‐Qun
Published: October 2024

The impact of Borrelia miyamotoi on human health, facilitated by the expanding geographical distribution and increasing population of Ixodes ticks, remains obscure in the context of global climate change. We employed multiple models to evaluate the effect of global climate change on the risk of B. miyamotoi worldwide across various scenarios. The habitat suitability index of four primary vector tick species for B. miyamotoi, including Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis, was projected using a boosted regression tree model, considering multiple shared socio‐economic pathway scenarios over various time periods. The modelling analysis reveals that, apart from I. scapularis, future global warming will result in a northward shift in the other three vector tick species and a gradual reduction in suitable habitats. Random forest models indicate consistent changes in B. miyamotoi and its primary tick species, with potential risk areas shrinking and shifting northward, particularly in the eastern USA, northeastern and northern Europe and northeast Asia. These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced active surveillance of B. miyamotoi infection in primary vector tick species across projected potential risk areas. The effect of climate change on B. miyamotoi distribution might have significant implications for public health decision‐making regarding tick‐borne pathogens.
Young people's right to flourish: A 21st century social justice issue for youth and community work
Authors: Christtmass Rebecca , Hughes Gill , Marley Joe , Mckinney Sofia , Spencer Zara , Smith Christine
Published: October 2024

This article argues for youth and community work (YCW) to be recognised for its critical role in working alongside young people to enhance their well‐being. We supply amalgamated vignettes as evidence from student's placement practice and explore the value of informal education practices in YCW in more formal settings. We assert that it is important to offer recognition of the distinctive methodologies YCW practitioners employ to enable meaningful engagement with young people. We argue young people's well‐being is a 21st century social justice issue of primary concern to YCWs. Cuts to youth services have led to a crisis in the YCW workforce, which urgently needs to be addressed. Therefore, as a reminder of the ongoing need for young people to be at the heart of integrated and holistic policies, the anonymised vignettes supply reflections on student professional practice placement that take account of their experiences of working collaboratively with schools. Policy makers should seek ways of drawing on YCW student's perspectives and in working to develop parity of esteem with other social professions, create environments in which young people can flourish. This article therefore joins the recent calls from the YCW sector for the need to fund and re‐grow YCW.
Endocrine surgery fellowship is necessary for competent endocrine surgical practice: perspectives from Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Lian Tony , Leong David Chee Weng , Vikneson Krishna , Wong Jessica , Sywak Mark , Papachristos Alex , Glover Anthony
Published: October 2024

Background

Currently pathways to practice in endocrine surgery vary based on location and surgical training programme. International data highlights the impact of surgeon volume on outcomes, and the importance of understanding the learning curve in developing minimum training competencies. This study aims to explore how surgeons obtain competence in endocrine surgery in Australia and New Zealand, and perceptions around competence and scope of practice.

Methods

A web‐based survey was distributed to fellows practicing endocrine surgery. Participants were invited to complete a semi‐structured interview to explore key themes around competence. Thematic analysis was performed.

Results

Responses from 87 surgeons, with 30% practicing primarily in a regional or rural area, showed 94% emphasized post‐fellowship training to be competent in endocrine surgery. Median primary operator procedural volume learning curves were 50 thyroid, 30 parathyroid and 20 laparoscopic adrenalectomy procedures. Semi‐structured interviews with 12 participants identified four major themes: (1) learning opportunities during general surgical education and training programmes alone are insufficient for consultant‐level competence; (2) the importance of sufficient training to develop clinical decision‐making, insight and judgement to appropriately select patients in the management of endocrine disease; (3) expected standards of clinical and technical performance are independent of practice location or context; (4) the importance of multi‐disciplinary teams for complex cases including advanced cancers.

Conclusions

Practicing endocrine surgeons acknowledge formal fellowship training is required to achieve competence across technical and non‐technical domains. The definition of competence and expectations regarding technical outcomes are independent of practice location or context.
‘A series of abject failures’: Navigating the pitfalls of place‐based participatory histories
Authors: Desportes Juliette
Published: October 2024

While historical geographers and historians increasingly recognise the benefits of and need for participatory research, the rigid structures regimenting academic practice have acted as barriers to successful knowledge exchange. Community involvement and place‐based research come with a number of challenges characterised by miscommunications, frustrations, and failures. This paper reflects on findings that emerged from a three‐month internship investigating public and community engagement activities at the Centre for History, University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI). The internship was the outcome of a collaboration between UHI and the Centre for the History of People, Place, and Community (CHPPC), Institute of Historical Research London (IHR). Based on interviews with UHI academics and heritage institutions beyond the Higher Education sector based across the Highlands and Islands, the paper explores the inevitable pitfalls that comes with community engagement and the ethical questions raised by knowledge co‐production.
Terazosin, a repurposed GPR119 agonist, ameliorates mitophagy and β‐cell function in NAFPD by inhibiting MST1‐Foxo3a signalling pathway
Authors: Zhang Chenglei , Li Jiarui , Wang Lijuan , Ma Jie , Li Xin , Wu Yuanyuan , Ren Yanru , Yang Yanhui , Song Hui , Li Jianning , Yang Yi
Published: October 2024

GPR119 agonists are being developed to safeguard the function of pancreatic β‐cells, especially in the context of non‐alcoholic fatty pancreas disease (NAFPD) that is closely associated with β‐cell dysfunction. This study aims to employ a drug repurposing strategy to screen GPR119 agonists and explore their potential molecular mechanisms for enhancing β‐cell function in the context of NAFPD. MIN6 cells were stimulated with palmitic acid (PA), and a NAFPD model was established in GPR119−/− mice fed with a high‐fat diet (HFD). Terazosin, identified through screening, was utilized to assess its impact on enhancing β‐cell function via the MST1‐Foxo3a pathway and mitophagy. Terazosin selectively activated GPR119, leading to increased cAMP and ATP synthesis, consequently enhancing insulin secretion. Terazosin administration improved high blood glucose, obesity, and impaired pancreatic β‐cell function in NAFPD mice. It inhibited the upregulation of MST1‐Foxo3a expression in pancreatic tissue and enhanced damaged mitophagy clearance, restoring autophagic flux, and improving mitochondrial quantity and structure in β‐cells. Nevertheless, GPR119 deficiency negated the positive impact of terazosin on pancreatic β‐cell function in NAFPD mice and abolished its inhibitory effect on the MST1‐Foxo3a pathway. Terazosin activates GPR119 on the surface of pancreatic β‐cells, enhancing mitophagy and alleviating β‐cell dysfunction in the context of NAFPD by suppressing the MST1‐Foxo3a signalling pathway. Terazosin could be considered a priority treatment for patients with concomitant NAFPD and hypertension.
Slowing the progression of diabetic and non‐diabetic kidney disease: A summary of the current evidence base for sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors
Authors: Rotbain Curovic Viktor , Stougaard Elisabeth Buur , Hansen Tine Willum
Published: October 2024

The global prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD) is approximately 9%. CKD is predicted to become the fifth largest global cause of death by 2040. Moreover, CKD causes disability, diminished quality of life and poses a high cost to healthcare systems. Delaying the development and progression of CKD is therefore of the utmost importance. Several kidney‐specific outcome trials on sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 inhibitors (SGLT‐2s) have recently provided a paradigm shift in the treatment of people with CKD, with or without diabetes, as these agents have been shown to reduce the progression of CKD on top of maximally tolerated renin‐angiotensin‐aldosterone system (RAAS) blockade. The relative benefit and safety of SGLT‐2is seems to be consistent across ethnicities, ages and frailty categories; however, this needs to be tested in dedicated clinical trials. Guidelines make clear recommendations for the prescription of SGLT‐2is and RAAS inhibitors as standard of care for people with CKD. Their combination with other newer antidiabetic agents may provide further benefits by targeting different components of CKD mechanisms. Dedicated randomized controlled trials are needed to test whether combination with other agents could extend the use of SGLT2is and identify people in whom a combination of drugs may be most effective. Increased efforts to implement the guidelines on treatment with SGLT‐2is for people with CKD are needed, particularly in those at the highest risk of adverse outcomes and without type 2 diabetes. Moreover, strategies to target the equitable use of SGLT‐2is are needed.
Diagnostic approach to chronic diarrhoea in adult horses
Authors: Sjolin E. , Lack A. , Arroyo L. G.
Published: October 2024

Chronic diarrhoea presents a diagnostic challenge for both human physicians and equine veterinarians. There is currently no consensus in the equine veterinary literature on the definition of chronic diarrhoea. The differential list is extensive and identifying diarrhoea by pathophysiologic mechanism can help remove less likely diagnoses. Achieving a definitive antemortem diagnosis is also challenging. Results from non‐invasive diagnostics may only lead to the conclusion that inflammation is present. Cellular infiltrate, if present, may not be representative of the underlying disease. Invasive diagnostics resulting in acquisition of full‐thickness biopsies may result in a diagnosis when other methods have failed. However, there is currently minimal data correlating these findings with those from full post‐mortem examination. This article discusses the various diagnostic options and reviews the available literature on their value in evaluating currently available patients with chronic diarrhoea.
An Adaptable Method for Rapid Fatigue Limit Prediction of Composite Materials Based on Acoustic Emission Technology
Authors: Dong Fan , Li Yazhi , Ji Haoran , Li Xiaopeng , Li Biao
Published: October 2024

Encouraged by the emerging infrared thermography (IT)–based technique for determining fatigue limit of composite materials, this study introduces a novel approach for the quick fatigue limit determination based on acoustic emission (AE) technology. The AE‐based method expands fatigue testing capabilities beyond the IT‐based methods. Fatigue experiments were conducted for the composite laminates and composite sandwich panels subjected to stepwise increasing cyclic loads. For composite laminate specimens subjected to tension–tension and tension–compression fatigue loads, the fatigue limits obtained by the AE‐based method are in good correlation with those acquired from the IT‐based method as well as the conventional up‐and‐down test procedure. In the tests for out‐of‐plane shearing fatigue limits of composite sandwich panel specimens, where the IT‐based method did not work properly, the AE‐based method performed well and obtained the fatigue limit estimation, which is in line with that derived from the S–N curve data, thereby demonstrating its high adaptability.
Invasive mussels reduce community bioturbation but do not affect oxygen penetration or nutrient fluxes in organic‐poor Great Lakes sediments
Authors: Huff Audrey , Rigdon Matt , Zalusky John , Katsev Sergei , Ozersky Ted
Published: October 2024

Invasive zebra and quagga (dreissenid) mussels have disrupted nutrient cycling and benthic macrofauna communities in the Laurentian Great Lakes and other invaded ecosystems. Dreissenids are now the dominant benthic macroinvertebrate in the Great Lakes, replacing the formerly dominant native bioturbating amphipod Diporeia spp. Dreissenids and Diporeia interact with their environment in fundamentally different ways, and the consequences of this functional shift in benthic community structure on benthic–pelagic coupling are not well understood, particularly in unproductive offshore lake regions.

To determine how functional biology and benthic community structure impact sediment mixing and biogeochemistry in low particulate organic matter (POM) lake regions, we conducted a 6‐week sediment microcosm experiment with dreissenids, Diporeia and oligochaete worms—the second most common Great Lakes benthic macroinvertebrate.

We found that sediment mixing rate and depth varied significantly among the taxa. Diporeia mixed sediment the deepest and strongest, followed by oligochaetes, while dreissenids did not appreciably mix sediment. Despite these differences, we found no significant variations among treatments in sediment oxygen penetration depth, sediment respiration (oxygen uptake) or nutrient dynamics.

Our results suggest that dreissenids mix sediment less than native Great Lakes taxa, but that differential mixing rates may not measurably affect nutrient and oxygen dynamics in low‐POM sediments. Therefore, mussel effects in these areas may be manifested more through direct mechanisms rather than via altered sediment geochemistry.
An Areal Approach to Spatial Accessibility Analysis
Authors: Michels Alexander , Park Jinwoo , Kang Jeon‐Young , Wang Shaowen
Published: October 2024

Place‐based spatial accessibility quantifies the distribution of access to goods and services across space. The Two‐Step Floating Catchment Area (2SFCA) family of methods have become a default tool for spatial accessibility analysis in part due to their intuitive approach and interpretability. This family of methods relies on calculating catchment areas around supply locations to estimate the area and population that may utilize them. However, these “catchment areas” are generally defined by origin‐destination matrices of travel‐time, giving us point‐to‐point distances and not polygons with actual area. This means that population geographies (census tracts, blocks, etc.) are binarily included or excluded, with no room for partial inclusion. When using nongranular data, which is often the case due to data privacy restrictions, this has the potential to cause significant errors in accessibility measurements. In this article, we propose Areal 2SFCA: a new approach that considers the area of overlap between travel‐time polygons and population geographies. We demonstrate the effectiveness of the Areal 2SFCA method using a case study that compares the Enhanced Two‐Step Floating Catchment Area (E2SFCA) and Areal E2SFCA for the state of Illinois in the USA using multiple population granularities.
How Readable Is the Information the United Kingdom's Statutory Health and Social Care Professional Regulators Provide for the Public to Engage With Fitness to Practise Processes?
Authors: Haider Sharif , Wallace Louise M.
Published: October 2024

Background

The public are an important source of notifications and evidence for the investigation of concerns by regulators of professionals. The website is an important source of information for the public, but the complexity of information presented to engage with the public is unknown.

Objectives

This study explored the readability of information provided for the public to engage with fitness to practise processes by examining the websites of the 13 UK statutory health and social care professional regulators.

Methods

Six readability algorithms were utilised to calculate the readability scores of 180 general and 8 easy‐read documents published for the 15 sites of the United Kingdom's 13 health and social care statutory professional regulatory bodies. These tests were the Flesch Kincaid Reading Ease, the Flesch Kincaid Grade Level, the Gunning Fog Score, the Simple Measure of Gobbledygook (SMOG) Index, the Coleman Liau Index and the Automated Readability Index (ARI).

Results

All the fitness to practise documents analysed in this study are written at a level too difficult for most of the general population to read, except one easy‐read document. There was also considerable variation in readability across resources for the same regulator, which could be confusing. Regulatory bodies risk excluding a large proportion of UK adults who may want to engage with professional regulatory proceedings.

Conclusions

This is the first comparative analysis of readability conducted independent of the regulators of the fitness to practise website documents of health and social care regulators. The public are a key source of evidence in regulatory proceedings. Regulators could improve public engagement by addressing the complexity of language used.

Public Contribution

Our advisory group of people with lived experience of involvement as members of the public in fitness to practise proceedings discussed the findings and contributed to the recommendations.
Improvement of heart rate variability after metabolic bariatric surgery in Korean subjects with obesity
Authors: Jang Han Na , Park Young Suk , Moon Joon Ho , Choi Sung Hee , Jang Hak Chul , Oh Tae Jung
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) is a chronic complication of diabetes. As obesity is a major risk factor for CAN, we hypothesized that metabolic bariatric surgery (MBS) could improve CAN indices in Korean patients with obesity.

Materials and Methods

Patients who underwent bariatric surgery between February 2020 and June 2022 were prospectively recruited. CAN was conducted once before surgery and again after surgery, using the Ewing method and heart rate variability (HRV) analysis (standard deviation of the NN interval [SDNN], root mean square of successive RR interval difference [RMSSD], and spectral analysis).

Results

A total of 47 patients were included. The mean age was 39.8 ± 8.7 years, 15 (31.9%) were male, and 26 (55.3%) had diabetes. Resting HR before surgery was 81.0 ± 12.3 bpm, which decreased significantly to 68.0 ± 9.3 bpm after surgery (P < 0.001). Changes in HR and BP according to the Valsalva maneuver, postural changes, and handgrip were not significantly different before and after surgery. However, SDNN significantly increased from 25.2 [15.1, 33.5] to 38.0 [25.4, 45.0] ms (P < 0.001), and RMSSD also significantly increased from 17.0 [9.2, 31.8] to 28.2 [15.3, 45.6] ms (P = 0.001). Both low‐frequency power (LF) and high‐frequency power (HF) increased significantly, and the LF/HF ratio significantly decreased from 2.1 ± 1.6 to 1.3 ± 1.3 (P = 0.010). Loss of weight, fat mass, and lean body mass were independently associated with improving the HRV variables.

Conclusions

MBS improved HRV variables, and these changes were mainly associated with postoperative weight loss.
Innovative Approach to Severe Esthetic Zone Trauma: Integrating Root Submergence With Guided Bone Regeneration
Authors: Le Bach , Hayashi Naoki , Lee Urie
Published: October 2024

Objective

Acute traumatic defects in the esthetic zone pose a significant challenge in dental implant rehabilitation, requiring innovative techniques to achieve optimal functional and esthetic outcomes. This article investigates the use of a novel combination of root submergence and guided bone regeneration (GBR) to address these defects. The goal is to evaluate the potential of this integrated approach for achieving predictable bone regeneration and long‐term tissue stability.

Clinical Considerations

Studies have shown significant improvements in soft‐tissue contour, papilla preservation, and emergence profile when root submergence is employed. Despite these benefits, the integration of root submergence with GBR remains underexplored in the literature. This combination shows considerable potential for achieving predictable bone regeneration and sustaining tissue stability in the esthetic zone.

Conclusions

The integration of root submergence with GBR offers a promising solution for managing traumatic defects in the esthetic zone by enhancing soft‐tissue contours and facilitating predictable bone regeneration. However, additional clinical studies are needed to support the long‐term success of this innovative approach in dental implant rehabilitation.

Clinical Significance

The combined use of root submergence and GBR for treating acute traumatic defects in the esthetic zone represents a notable advancement in dental implant rehabilitation. This article presents a detailed analysis of the rationale, technique, and clinical outcomes of this approach, underscoring its importance in achieving optimal esthetic and functional outcomes for patients with complex clinical needs.
Investor Sentiment, Managerial Manipulation, and Stock Returns
Authors: JIANG JIAJUN , LIU QI , SUN BO
Published: October 2024

The degree of earnings manipulation has been shown to be positively associated with stock returns at the aggregate level but negatively so in the cross‐ section. We examine, both theoretically and empirically, the role of investor sentiment in accounting for such relations. We find that these patterns are primarily driven by high‐sentiment periods. Embedding investor sentiment into a game‐theoretic model of earnings manipulation with a continuum of firms delivers consistent predictions. Our analysis highlights the importance of increased scrutiny of corporate reporting during market booms, when manipulation is widespread and adds fuel to price exuberance.
When Duality Fails: Addressing the Liability of Hybridity in a Field Dominated by Non‐profit Values
Authors: Dahan Nicolas M. , Leca Bernard
Published: October 2024

Scholars have explored how hybrid organizations balance conflicting values internally, but less attention has been given to how they address critiques from external stakeholders who regard the combination of social and economic goals as illegitimate. Drawing from a study of influential stakeholders challenging the dual practices of a hybrid organization fighting child malnutrition, we examine how a hybrid organization can address what we call the ‘liability of hybridity’. We show how a hybrid organization can overcome this liability by combining ‘wedging’ and ‘alignment’ strategies through strategic framing, prompting influential stakeholders to revise their negative legitimacy assessments. Our study contributes to research on hybrid organizations and their capacity to address societal grand challenges, expands research on framing strategies by focusing on framing microprocesses (in particular, the ‘modularity’ of framing), and advances our understanding of how legitimacy assessments are made and revised.
Beneficial Role of Heat‐Treated Lactobacillus sakei HS‐1 on Growth Performance, Nutritional Status and Gut Microbiota in Weaned Piglets
Authors: Matsubara Kazuki , Li Junyou , Enomoto Yuriko , Takahashi Tomotsugu , Ma Min , Ninomiya Ryo , Kazami Daiji , Miura Kozue , Hirayama Kazuhiro
Published: October 2024

In the swine industry, there is a strong need to replace an antibiotic growth promoter (AGP) used as feed additives in weaned piglets to enhance nutrient utilization in their diets and improve growth performance. Lactobacillus sakei HS‐1 strain is a microbial preparation isolated from pickles. The study aim is to investigate the effectiveness of heat‐treated L. sakei HS‐1 strain (HT‐LS) as a growth promoter in weaned piglets compared to colistin (CS), a widely used AGP. Eighteen crossbred weaned piglets (Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc) of 21 days (average body weight [BW]: 7.06 ± 0.59 kg) were divided into three groups: fed the control diet (CT group), fed a diet supplemented with 30 ppm colistin sulphate (CS group), fed a diet supplemented with HT‐LS at a concentration of 2.0 × 105 cells/g (LS group) until 49 days. The results indicated that LS group exhibited significantly higher average daily gain (p < 0.05) and higher BW (p < 0.1) compared with CT group, even higher than CS group. CS group showed higher growth performance compared to CT group but the differences were not statistically significant. In addition, LS group had higher (p < 0.05) or tended to higher (p < 0.1) concentrations of several plasma amino acids than the other two groups at 35 and 49 days. Faecal acetate concentration was higher (p < 0.1) in LS group than in CT group at 35 days. Blood immunoglobulin G concentration in LS group was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than in CT group at 35 and 49 days, and blood immunoglobulin A tended to be lower (p < 0.1) at 35 days than in CT group. LS group showed an increased abundance of g_Prevotella 7, g_Streptococcus and g_Lactobacillus (linear discriminant analysis [LDA] score ≥ 2.0). Predictive metagenomic analysis revealed an enrichment of the mixed acid fermentation pathway (LDA score ≥ 2.0). Furthermore, several gut microbes exhibited correlations with plasma amino acids (p < 0.01) and short‐chain fatty acids in faeces (p < 0.01). These findings demonstrate that HT‐LS improves the growth performance of weaned piglets by enhancing the efficient utilization of nutrients through gut microbiota modification.
Natural Feed Supplements From Crustacean Processing Side Streams for Improved Growth of Finfishes and Crustaceans: A Review
Authors: Ashraf Ancy , Sabu Sarasan , Sasidharan Abhilash , Sunooj Kappat Valiyapeediyekkal
Published: October 2024

Natural feed additives of plant/animal/microbial origin are researched as supplements in aquaculture to improve the properties of feed, minimize the usage of chemical alternatives, reduce food safety risks and ensure sustainability to combat global food and nutritional security. Side streams generated during shellfish processing possess valuable ingredients: protein, lipids, carotenoids, minerals and chitins. Considering the current trend of organic farming and antibiotic‐free fish and shellfish, crustacean processing side streams and their derivatives seem promising and emerging resources as natural additives/supplements for formulating high‐quality feeds with superior benefits. Lower concentrations of chitin and chitosan in diets are reported to stimulate the growth of shellfish and finfish under controlled conditions. Oligomers of chitosan and nano‐chitosan are also the other potential derivatives as natural supplements in feed for better growth performance of aquaculture varieties. This review focuses on the significance of crustacean processing side streams and their derivatives, especially shrimp head meal, chitin, chitosan and chitosan oligosaccharides as potential natural additives in aquafeeds for promoting the growth performance of cultured fin fishes and shell fishes. Utilization in aquafeeds and the development of natural value‐added supplements from crustacean processing side streams, especially shrimp head and shell leftover, offer an answer to the negative environmental impact due to its dumping; reduce the dependency on food fish for fish meal production & fishmeal for aquafeeds; solution to maintain the economic viability of the fish farmers & industry as well as to ensure the supply of safer and healthy aquatic foods to meet the objectives of sustainable development goals.
Assessing Omnichannel Service Quality in the Public Sector
Authors: Walke Fabian , Winkler Till J.
Published: October 2024

Services in the public sector are often provided as a hybrid combination of both digital (e.g., online registration) and physical (e.g., offline appointment) service channels, which can be referred to as omnichannel services. There is a lack of instruments in the literature that can measure the perceived quality of public sector omnichannel services. The goal of this paper is to develop and empirically validate an instrument to fill this research gap. The key contribution of this paper is the Technology, Information, Human, Process, System (TIHPS) framework, which represents the first instrument designed to assess the quality of public sector omnichannel services. An empirical validation using responses from 365 service recipients supports the validity and robustness of this instrument. We discuss how the TIHPS framework can be useful to governments, practitioners, and researchers alike.
Phosphorylation of ADF7‐Mediated by AGC1.7 Regulates Pollen Germination in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Li Xiaoyi , Yu Qin , Hua Xinyue , He Juan , Liu Jiajia , Peng Lu , Wang Jianmei , Li Xufeng , Yang Yi
Published: October 2024

Actin depolymerizing factors (ADFs), like other actin‐binding proteins (ABPs), are modified by phosphorylation to regulate the dynamics of the actin filaments, thereby functioning in various processes throughout the plant lifecycle. In this study, we found that the Arabidopsis thaliana cytoplasmic kinase AGC1.7 interacts with ADF7 in vitro and in vivo. AGC1.7 phosphorylates ADF7 at its Ser‐6, Ser‐103 and Ser‐104 residues in vitro, while replacing these residues with alanine promotes ADF7‐mediated actin depolymerization in vitro. Expression of the phosphorylation‐mimetic mutant protein ADF7S6/103/104D driven by the pollen‐specific LAT52 promoter fully rescues the defects in germination rate, silique length and seeds per silique in both adf7‐2 and agc1.5 agc1.7 (agcdm) mutants. Our data establish a model whereby AGC1.7‐mediated ADF7 phosphorylation plays an important role in pollen germination and pollen tube growth.
Evaluation of Placentome Morphology in the Last Two Periods of Pregnancy in Hair Goats (Capra aegagrus hircus)
Authors: İşbilir Fatma , Kandil Banu , İşbilir İhsan , Koca Davut , Güzel Barış Can
Published: October 2024

This study was carried out on pregnant uteruses obtained from healthy Hair goats (Capra aegagrus hircus). A total of thirteen pregnant uteruses, six second and seven third trimesters, were used. Morphometrically, placentome numbers, lengths, widths and depths were measured. Randomly selected placentomes from the second and third trimesters were stained with the triple staining method. Caruncular and cotyledonary areas, capillary numbers and areas were measured using Qupath v0.5.0 software. The Minitab (version 21.4.1) was used for statistical analysis. While no statistical difference was observed in the number of placentomes between trimesters (p > 0.05), placentome length, width and depth were higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester (p < 0.001). No difference was observed in the number of caruncular and cotyledonary capillaries in the second trimester. In the second trimester, the caruncular capillary area was higher than the cotyledonary capillary area (p < 0.05). Both caruncular and cotyledonary capillary area parameters were higher in the third trimester than in the second trimester (p < 0.001). In the third trimester, the caruncular capillary area was higher than the cotyledonary capillary area (p < 0.001). The number of caruncular capillaries and cotyledonary capillaries was statistically significantly higher in the third trimester compared to the second trimester. In addition, the number of cotyledonary capillaries was higher than that of caruncular capillaries in the third trimester (p < 0.001). A positive and significant correlation was found between the day of pregnancy and the number of placentomes in the second trimester (p < 0.05). No correlation was observed between the day of pregnancy and the number of placentomes in the third trimester. Vascular area density showed a faster development in foetal tissue than in maternal tissue. Placentome size and angiogenesis increased with the progression of pregnancy.
The impact of caregiver training on the oral health of people with disabilities: A systematic review
Authors: Santos Matheus Urias Cruz , Freitas Miranda Filho Aluísio Eustáquio de , Molena Kelly Fernanda , Silva Léa Assed Bezerra da , Stuani Maria Bernadete Sasso , Queiroz Alexandra Mussolino de
Published: October 2024

Aims

This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of oral health training for caregivers of individuals with disabilities.

Materials and methods

A systematic review was conducted using five electronic databases: Medline (PubMed), SciELO, Web of Science, LILACS, and CAFe, adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The PICO strategy was defined as follows: Participants: caregivers of individuals with disabilities; Intervention: training or education in oral health for caregivers; Control: no caregiver training; and Outcomes: evaluating whether oral health training for caregivers improves the oral health of people with disabilities. The study aimed to address the research question: “What is the impact of oral health training for caregivers of individuals with disabilities?” The study was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42023416760).

Results

A total of 14 studies were included, with trained caregivers being either staff members or parents, and various disabilities reported, with cerebral palsy being the most prevalent. Caregiver training methods varied, such as instructions on the importance of oral health care, supervised oral hygiene, and demonstration of toothbrushing techniques. Overall, the intervention groups showed an improvement in measures such as to the Gingival Index, Plaque Index, Simplified Oral Hygiene Index, and Gingival Bleeding Index on upon probing. Additionally, improvements were observed in the quality, frequency, and duration of toothbrushing among intervention groups.

Conclusion

The findings suggest that oral health training for caregivers has a positive impact on the oral health of individuals with disabilities, potentially leading to better oral health outcomes.
Social Rationality and Human Reasoning: Logical Expressivism and the Flat Mind
Authors: Oaksford Mike
Published: October 2024

This paper attempts to reconcile the claims that the mind is both flat (Chater, 2018) and highly rational (Oaksford & Chater, 2020). According to the flat mind hypothesis, the mind is a mass of inconsistent and contradictory fragments of experience. However, standard accounts of rationality from formal epistemology argue that to be rational, our beliefs must be consistent, and we must believe all the logical consequences of our beliefs. A social account of rationality is developed based on Brandom's (1994) logical expressivism, in which respecting the norms of logic and probability theory is still central but where these standards apply to our public commitments in social dialogical contexts rather than to our individual belief systems (Skovgaard‐Olsen, 2017). According to this account, even if someone's individual beliefs are inconsistent, they cannot be condemned as irrational if they acknowledge the inconsistency and seek to resolve it. It is shown how this approach interacts with people's fragmented and shallow world knowledge, and its social distribution yields some counterintuitive consequences, such as it sometimes being rational individually not seeking to resolve contradictions. Other consequences of this social expressivist approach are considered, including for dual process theories of reasoning, our view of beliefs, the status of logic, and Fodor's (1983) view of central systems. It is concluded that people can have flat minds and yet be highly rational.
Design and Integration of a Flapping Wing Apparatus
Authors: Rayman Bradley , Jawad Badih , Vejdani Hamid
Published: October 2024

In this paper, we presented the design, integration, and experimental verification of a flapping wing apparatus. The purpose for this apparatus is to provide a framework to study the applicability of various types of sensors on flapping wings in the presence of forward speed. This work is inspired by the discoveries of mechanosensory hairs on insect wings that perform like strain-gauge sensors. To design the apparatus, we started by kinematic analysis of a crank-slider mechanism to actuate the wings. After that, we constructed the equations of motion of the entire system to find the proper gear ratio, motor properties, and other geometric dimensions. For the aerodynamic modeling, we used a quasi-steady formulation and presented a closed-form solution for the aerodynamic torque. Then, we explained the integration process and manufacturing of the main parts and presented two prototypes for the apparatus. At the end, we showed the final constructed versions of the apparatus and presented the experimental response and compared them with the simulation.
Numerical Investigation of Convective Heat Transfer of Supercritical Hydrocarbon Fuel in a Tube Filled With Porous Media
Authors: Yao Li-Shuai , Yu Xiao , Zhang Bing , Zhao Yu-Xin , Qiu Qing-Gang , Hao Yi-fan , Yan Hao
Published: October 2024

Active regenerative cooling method using hydrocarbon fuel as heat-absorbing working medium is one of the commonly used thermal protection methods of scramjet engine. In the transcritical region, the drastic change of physical properties of hydrocarbon fuel may lead to deterioration of heat transfer, which will have an adverse effect on the engine structure. Because of its large specific surface area and loose pores, porous media show excellent heat transfer enhancement performance, which is conducive to alleviating heat transfer deterioration. Therefore, it is of great significance to study the effect of porous media on heat transfer in the active regenerative cooling channel. In this paper, the effect of porous media on the convective heat transfer of n-decane in a tube was investigated numerically, and the enhanced heat transfer effect of porous media with different pore size, thermal conductivity and spatial layout was analyzed. The results show that the turbulent kinetic energy and velocity are affected by partially filled porous media. In the transcritical region, filling the tube with porous media can alleviate the sharp rise of wall temperature to a certain extent. In addition, changing the structural parameters and physical characteristics of porous media will also affect its enhanced heat transfer.
Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy–associated mutations drive stromal activation via EGFR-mediated paracrine signaling
Authors: Ewoldt Jourdan K. , Wang Miranda C. , McLellan Micheal A. , Cloonan Paige E. , Chopra Anant , Gorham Joshua , Li Linqing , DeLaughter Daniel M. , Gao Xining , Lee Joshua H. , Willcox Jon A. L. , Layton Olivia , Luu Rebeccah J. , Toepfer Christopher N. , Eyckmans Jeroen , Seidman Christine E. , Seidman Jonathan G. , Chen Christopher S.
Published: October 2024

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is characterized by thickening of the left ventricular wall, diastolic dysfunction, and fibrosis, and is associated with mutations in genes encoding sarcomere proteins. While in vitro studies have used human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) to study HCM, these models have not examined the multicellular interactions involved in fibrosis. Using engineered cardiac microtissues (CMTs) composed of HCM-causing
MYH7
-variant hiPSC-CMs and wild-type fibroblasts, we observed cell-cell cross-talk leading to increased collagen deposition, tissue stiffening, and decreased contractility dependent on fibroblast proliferation. hiPSC-CM conditioned media and single-nucleus RNA sequencing data suggested that fibroblast proliferation is mediated by paracrine signals from
MYH7
-variant cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, inhibiting epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase with erlotinib hydrochloride attenuated stromal activation. Last, HCM-causing
MYBPC3
-variant CMTs also demonstrated increased stromal activation and reduced contractility, but with distinct characteristics. Together, these findings establish a paracrine-mediated cross-talk potentially responsible for fibrotic changes observed in HCM.
A review of the global use of fishmeal and fish oil and the Fish In:Fish Out metric
Authors: Majluf Patricia , Matthews Kathryn , Pauly Daniel , Skerritt Daniel J. , Palomares Maria Lourdes D.
Published: October 2024

Aquacultured carnivorous species consume most of the world’s fishmeal and fish oil (FMFO), which itself is primarily derived from small pelagic fish. This has raised concerns about the practice’s impact on wild fish stocks, ecosystems, and coastal communities that rely on these fish. The aquaculture industry claims a decreasing dependence on wild fish, relying on the Fish In:Fish Out (FIFO) metric as a ratio of the quantity of wild fish required for farmed fish production. This is misleading because it usually assumes constant FM or FO yields, inclusion rates and feed conversion ratios, which vary widely. Thus, a constant FIFO value for a given species cannot be assumed. Furthermore, low FIFO values resulting from averaging carnivores and herbivores conceal the high feed requirements of carnivore species. The increasing use of FMFO from by-products does not demonstrate a decreased use of wild fish but rather reflects a growing demand for FMFO, particularly for the fast growing and valuable salmon and shrimp farming industries.
A 650-Myr history of Earth’s axial precession frequency and the evolution of the Earth-Moon system derived from cyclostratigraphy
Authors: Wu Yujing , Malinverno Alberto , Meyers Stephen R. , Hinnov Linda A.
Published: October 2024

The preservation of Milankovitch cycles in the stratigraphic record provides independent geological information to study our ancient solar system and can be leveraged to constrain existing theoretical models. Here, we identify 34 high-quality cyclostratigraphic records spanning the past 650 million years and use them to infer the evolution of the Earth-Moon system through a Bayesian inversion method. We reconstruct the time evolution of Earth’s axial precession frequency, lunar distance, length of day, and the periods of obliquity and climatic precession cycles. The results indicate an interval of high tidal energy dissipation in the Earth-Moon system at ~300 to 200 million years ago, and are broadly consistent with an independently calculated tidal evolution model. Our results provide an improved determination of the past periods of obliquity and climatic precession for astrochronology applications and yield important constraints on the history of tidal energy dissipation during the Phanerozoic Eon.
Semaphorin 3D promotes pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma progression and metastasis through macrophage reprogramming
Authors: Thielman Noelle R. J. , Funes Vanessa , Davuluri Sanjana , Ibanez Hector E. , Sun Wei-Chih , Fu Juan , Li Keyu , Muth Stephen , Pan Xingyi , Fujiwara Kenji , Dwayne L. Thomas II  , Henderson MacKenzie , Teh Selina Shiqing , Zhu Qingfeng , Thompson Elizabeth , Jaffee Elizabeth M. , Kolodkin Alex , Meng Fengxi , Zheng Lei
Published: October 2024

Axon guidance molecules are frequently altered in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) and influence PDA progression. However, the molecular mechanism remained unclear. Using genetically engineered mouse models to examine semaphorin 3D (SEMA3D), we identified a dual role for tumor- and nerve-derived SEMA3D in the malignant transformation of pancreatic epithelial cells and invasive PDA development. Pancreatic-specific knockout of the SEMA3D gene from the KRAS
G12D
and TP53
R172H
mutation knock-in, PDX1-Cre(KPC) mouse model demonstrated delayed tumor initiation, prolonged survival, absence of metastasis, and reduced M2 macrophage expression. Mechanistically, tumor- and nerve-derived SEMA3D indirectly reprograms macrophages through KRAS
MUT
-dependent ARF6 signaling in PDA cells, resulting in increased lactate production, which is sensed by GPCR132 on macrophages to stimulate protumorigenic M2 polarization. Multiplex immunohistochemistry demonstrated increased M2-polarized macrophages proximal to nerves in SEMA3D-expressing human PDA tissue. This study suggests that altered SEMA3D expression leads to an acquisition of cancer-promoting functions, and nerve-derived SEMA3D is “hijacked” by PDA cells to support growth and metastasis in a KRAS
MUT
-dependent manner.