bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Accumulative Effect of Intravenous Prostaglandin E1 over Nineteen Years to Treat the Ocular Ischemia in High Myopia Keywords: Ocular ischemia, high myopia, prostaglandin E1 (PGE1), extreme choroidal thinning Prostaglandin E1 in High Myopia
Authors: Steigerwalt Robert Davis
Published: April 2024

Purpose:

The purpose of this paper is to present the clinical history of the use of intrarvenous (IV) prostaglandin E1(PGE1), a potent vasodilator of the peripheral vascular system, to treat the ischemia in high myopia. This was originally reported in 2009.

Methods:

Three patients with high myopia and progressive visual loss were seen. They all had documented ocular ischemia and were placed under treatment with IV PGE1 for the ischemia.

Results:

All 3 had central and peripheral visual improvement which initially lasted from 10-14 days after each treatment. PGE1 was well tollerated by all 3. One abbandoned treatment after 4 months because she did not want to be part of an experiment. A second patient had irregular treatments which became ineffective after 15 years. The third has had regular treatments for the last 19 and 1/2 years maintaining a good visual acuity allowing an independent life. He has been able to extend the intervals between treatments to 3- 4 months. He had occasional hypotensive episodes when the medicine was increased especially during the summer.

Conclusion:

High myopia can be associated with severe central and/or peripheral visual loss. This can be due to ischemia and can lead to NLP in severe cases if not treated. The author presents the use of IV PGE1 as a possible treatment which could be tried in these cases.
Effects of Aerobic Exercise Combined With Attentional Bias Modification in the Care of Male Patients With a Methamphetamine Use Disorder
Authors: Liu Xiao-xia , Huang Peng-hui , Wang Yong-jie , Gao Ying
Published: April 2024

Objective

It remains unclear which individual or combined strategies are most beneficial for methamphetamine use disorders (MUDs). We compared the effects of aerobic exercise, attentional bias modification, and combined intervention on male patients with MUD.

Method

One hundred male patients with MUD were randomly assigned to combined intervention, aerobic exercise, attentional bias modification, or control groups (25 patients per group). The 8-week intervention protocol included three 60-minute sessions of aerobic exercises per week. Primary outcomes included high- and low-frequency heart rate variability, executive function, and cardiorespiratory fitness measured by customized software, computerized tests, and the Harvard step test, respectively. Secondary outcomes included psychiatric symptoms, drug craving, training acceptability, and persistence.

Results

Participant characteristics were matched between groups at baseline. Executive function, heart rate variability, cardiorespiratory fitness, drug craving, and most psychiatric symptoms had significant time–group interactions at posttest (p < .05, η2 = .08–.28). Compared with the attentional bias modification and control groups, the combined intervention and aerobic exercise groups improved significantly in executive function, heart rate variability, cardiorespiratory fitness, and most secondary outcomes. In addition, high-frequency heart rate variability and cardiorespiratory fitness in the aerobic exercise group were significantly higher than those in the combined intervention group.

Conclusions

Combination strategies showed comparable efficacy to aerobic exercise alone in improving executive function, psychiatric symptoms, and drug craving and significantly exceeded other conditions. For heart rate variability and cardiorespiratory fitness, aerobic exercise alone was the most effective. For acceptability and persistence, combination strategies were preferred over single-domain training and health education intervention.
Cirrhosis and Portal Hypertension Worsen Bowel Preparation for Screening Colonoscopy
Authors: Gow-Lee Benjamin , Gaumnitz John , Alsadhan Muatassem , Garg Gauri , Amoafo Linda , Zhang Yue , Fang John , Rodriguez Eduardo
Published: April 2024

Background:

Colonoscopy is a diagnostic and therapeutic procedure that reduces colorectal cancer incidence and mortality but requires adequate bowel cleansing for high-quality examination. Past studies have suggested cirrhosis as a risk factor for worse bowel preparation.

Methods:

We carried out a match-controlled retrospective study evaluating patients with and without cirrhosis who underwent outpatient screening colonoscopies to assess the effect of cirrhosis and portal hypertension complications on preparation quality and endoscopic measures. We also did a subgroup analysis excluding patients with obesity.

Results:

We examined 1464 patients with cirrhosis and matched controls. Cirrhotic patients had lower mean Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) scores and slower cecal intubation times. We found a single point increase in the Model for End-stage Liver Disease (MELD) score, as well as ascites, hepatic encephalopathy, and variceal hemorrhage were all associated with a longer cecal intubation time. Subgroup analysis excluding patients with obesity again found a significantly lower BBPS score and longer cecal intubation time while also finding a 24% drop in polyp detection.

Conclusions:

Patients with cirrhosis have worse BBPS scores and longer cecal intubation times. Nonobese cirrhotic patients additionally have a lower polyp detection rate. Portal hypertension complications were associated with worsened preparation quality and longer cecal intubation times. Each incremental increase in MELD score lengthened cecal intubation time. These findings support a more aggressive bowel preparation strategy for patients with cirrhosis, especially patients with severe disease or portal hypertension complications.
Transcription factor regulation of ribosomal RNA in hematopoiesis
Authors: Paralkar Vikram R.
Published: April 2024

Purpose of review

Ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are transcribed within nucleoli from rDNA repeats by RNA Polymerase I (Pol I). There is variation in rRNA transcription rates across the hematopoietic tree, and leukemic blast cells have prominent nucleoli, indicating abundant ribosome biogenesis. The mechanisms underlying these variations are poorly understood. The purpose of this review is to summarize findings of rDNA binding and Pol I regulation by hematopoietic transcription factors.

Recent findings

Our group recently used custom genome assemblies optimized for human and mouse rDNA mapping to map nearly 2200 ChIP-Seq datasets for nearly 250 factors to rDNA, allowing us to identify conserved occupancy patterns for multiple transcription factors. We confirmed known rDNA occupancy of MYC and RUNX factors, and identified new binding sites for CEBP factors, IRF factors, and SPI1 at canonical motif sequences. We also showed that CEBPA degradation rapidly leads to reduced Pol I occupancy and nascent rRNA in mouse myeloid cells.

We propose that a number of hematopoietic transcription factors bind rDNA and potentially regulate rRNA transcription. Our model has implications for normal and malignant hematopoiesis. This review summarizes the literature, and outlines experimental considerations to bear in mind while dissecting transcription factor roles on rDNA.
The Effect of Radiation on Nurses Working in Endoscopic Retrograde Cholangiopancreatography
Authors: Görücü Rabia , Ayoğlu Tuluha , Kaplan Aydin Rahşan
Published: April 2024

The ionizing radiation used during endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) can have harmful effects on patients and staff. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of radiation on nurses working in an ERCP unit. A descriptive, cross-sectional study was completed between June and August 2022 with the voluntary participation of 114 ERCP nurses. The data were collected using WhatsApp messenger through a Google Form. It was determined that, of the nurses, 68.4% received training on radiation safety, all of them took protective measures, 98.2% had knowledge about the effects of radiation, and 93.9% used dosimeters. Nurses stated that they mostly experienced fatigue (94.7%), loss of energy (68.4%), headache (39.3%), hair loss (35.1%), weakness (18%), leg and joint pain (15.1%), thyroid diseases (12.3%), skin discoloration (7.9%), and anemia (7.9%) as the possible effects of radiation during the period they worked in ERCP. The study found that 3.5% of the nurses were diagnosed with cancer while working in the endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography unit. Additionally, ERCP nurses experienced the negative effects of radiation at different rates, but there was no significant relationship between demographic and health characteristics and experiencing the negative effects of radiation.
National Trends and Predictors of Opioid Administration in Patients Presenting With Abdominal Pain to the Emergency Department (2010–2018)
Authors: Aghaie Meybodi Mohamad , Shah Vraj , Razdan Reena , Amer Kamal , Ahlawat Sushil
Published: April 2024

Given the current opioid crisis, in this study, we assess the national trend and factors associated with opioid administration for patients presenting to the emergency department with abdominal pain. This is a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted using the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey from 2010 to 2018. Weighted multiple logistic regression was applied to assess the independent factors associated with opioid administration in the emergency department. Trends of opioid administration were evaluated using the linear trend analysis. There were an estimated total of 100,925,982 emergency department visits for abdominal pain. Overall, opioid was administered in 16.8% of visits. Age less than 25 years was associated with lower odds of receiving opioids. Patients living in the Northeast had the lower odds of receiving opioids (odds ratio [OR] = 0.82, p = .006) than patients living in the Midwest. Patients in the West had the highest odds of receiving opioids (OR = 1.16, p = .01). Non-Hispanic White patients had higher odds of opioid administration (OR = 1.29, p < .001). Trend analysis demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in opioid administration. From 2010 to 2018, opioid administration has approximately decreased in half. Living in the West and the non-Hispanic White racial group were the significant factors associated with a higher risk of opioid administration.
Early Interventional Treatment of High Output Chyle Leak following Esophagectomy is Associated with Improved Survival
Authors: Deboever Nathaniel , Correa Arlene M. , Feldman Hope , Eisenberg Michael , Antonoff Mara B. , Mehran Reza J. , Rajaram Ravi , Rice David C. , Roth Jack A. , Sepesi Boris , Swisher Stephen G. , Vaporciyan Ara A. , Walsh Garrett L. , Hofstetter Wayne L.
Published: April 2024

Objectives:

Our objective was to investigate overall survival (OS) and length of stay (LOS) associated with differing management for high output (>1 liter over 24 h) leaks (HOCL) following cancer related esophagectomy.

Summary Background:

Although infrequent, chyle leak following esophagectomy is an event that can lead to significant perioperative sequelae. Low volume leaks appear to respond to non-operative measures, while HOCL often require invasive therapeutic interventions.

Methods:

From a prospective single-institution database, we retrospectively reviewed patients treated from 2001-2021 who underwent esophagectomy for esophageal cancer. Within that cohort, we focused on a subgroup of patients who manifested a HOCL postoperatively. Clinicopathologic and operative characteristics were collected, including hospital length of stay and survival data.

Results:

A total of 53/2299 patients manifested a HOCL. These were mostly males (77%), with a mean age of 62 years. Of this group, 15 patients received non-operative management, 15 patients received prompt (<72 h from diagnosis) interventional management, and 23 received late interventional management. Patients in the late intervention group had longer length of stay compared to early intervention (Slope=9.849, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 3.431 to 16.267). Late intervention (Hazard Ratio (HR) 4.772, CI: 1.384 to 16.460) and non-operative management (HR 4.731, CI: 1.294 to 17.305) were associated with increased mortality compared to early intervention. Patients with early intervention for HOCL had an overall survival similar to patients without chyle leaks in survival analysis.

Conclusions:

Patients with HOCL should receive early intervention in order to possibly reverse the prognostic implications of this potentially detrimental complication.
Solvent selective gelation of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide: structure, phase evolution and thermal characteristics
Authors: Nagarjuna Chapireddy , Ramakanth Illa
Published: April 2024

We report herein the gelation behaviour of cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB), a cationic surfactant, in a variety of solvent compositions. A turbid gel of CTAB in a binary solvent mixture at a critical composition was observed to be 1 : 3 v/v toluene : water. The molecular structure of the as-formed gel was investigated by X-ray diffraction and microscopic techniques, namely, optical and polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS). The phase evolution has been studied using UV–visible transmittance measurements and the thermal characteristics of the gel by differential scanning calorimetry measurements. SAXS studies, in conjunction with molecular modelling, revealed the gel to assemble as lamellae with high interdigitation of bilayer assembly of CTAB molecules with predominant non-covalent interactions, where the gel lamellae were inferred from the interplanar spacings. Rheological studies revealed the viscoelastic nature of the CTAB gels. The ability to form a gel has been evaluated in several polar solvents, such as methanol and chloroform, and non-polar solvents, such as toluene and carbon tetrachloride.
Proposal of Shuttleworthella gen. nov. and Nostocoides gen. nov. as replacement names for the illegitimate prokaryotic generic names Shuttleworthia and Tetrasphaera, respectively
Authors: Deshmukh Umakant Bhoopati , Oren Aharon
Published: April 2024

The prokaryotic generic name Shuttleworthia Downes et al. 2002 is illegitimate because it is a later homonym of the plant genus Shuttleworthia Meisner 1840 and the mollusk genus Shuttleworthia Baker 1941 (Principle 2 and Rule 51b(5) of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes). We therefore propose the replacement generic name Shuttleworthella, with type species Shuttleworthella satelles comb. nov. The prokaryotic generic name Tetrasphaera Maszenan et al. 2000 is illegitimate because it is a later homonym of Tetrasphaera Popofsky 1913 (Protozoa, Radiolaria) and of Tetrasphaera Górka 1965 (a fossil dinoflagellate) (Rule 51b(4) of the International Code of Nomenclature of Prokaryotes). We therefore propose the replacement generic name Nostocoides, with type species Nostocoides japonicum comb. nov.
Discovery of RdRp Thumb-1 as a novel broad-spectrum antiviral family of targets and MDL-001 as a potent broad-spectrum inhibitor thereof
Authors: Woods Virgil , Umansky Tyler , Russell Sean M. , Garvey David S. , Smith Davey , Haders Daniel
Published: April 2024

Multiple positive sense, single-stranded RNA (+ssRNA) viruses cause human diseases, ranging from mild colds to deadly pandemics. These viruses share a highly conserved RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), but developing a non-nucleoside RdRp inhibitor with broad antiviral activity has been elusive. To this end, we first compared RdRp structures across +ssRNA viral families, including homology models created for critical viruses lacking solved crystal structures, and used multiple sequence alignments to observe key loop and pocket residues. Second, we used ChemPrint, a Molecular-Geometric Deep Learning (Mol-GDL) machine learning model, to predict drug inhibition of the Thumb-1 site in RdRp in a panel of +ssRNA viruses of concern. We identified pipendoxifene (MDL-001) as a promising broad-spectrum antiviral that in previous clinical studies has demonstrated safety and tolerability and sufficient evidence to support its oral administration and once a day dosing. These experiments also demonstrated how the Thumb-1 site has been hidden from conventional virtual screening techniques, like docking, and we demonstrated why beclabuvir, the only approved (Japan) Thumb-1 inhibitor, does not work as a broad-spectrum antiviral.
Exome sequencing identifiesHELBas a novel susceptibility gene for non-mucinous, non-high-grade-serous epithelial ovarian cancer
Authors: Dicks Ed M. , Tyrer Jonthan P. , Ezquina Suzana , Jones Michelle , Baierl John , Peng Pei-Chen , Diaz Michael , Goode Ellen , Winham Stacey J , Dörk Thilo , Van Gorp Toon , De Fazio Ana , Bowtell David , Odunsi Kunle , Moysich Kirsten , Pavanello Marina , Campbell Ian , Brenton James D. , Ramus Susan J. , Gayther Simon A. , Pharoah Paul D. P.
Published: April 2024

Rare, germline loss-of-function variants in a handful of genes that encode DNA repair proteins have been shown to be associated with epithelial ovarian cancer with a stronger association for the high-grade serous hiostotype. The aim of this study was to collate exome sequencing data from multiple epithelial ovarian cancer case cohorts and controls in order to systematically evaluate the role of coding, loss-of-function variants across the genome in epithelial ovarian cancer risk. We assembled exome data for a total of 2,573 non-mucinous cases (1,876 high-grade serous and 697 non-high grade serous) and 13,925 controls. Harmonised variant calling and quality control filtering was applied across the different data sets. We carried out a gene-by-gene simple burden test for association of rare loss-of-function variants (minor allele frequency < 0.1%) with all non-mucinous ovarian cancer, high grade serous ovarian cancer and non-high grade serous ovarian cancer using logistic regression adjusted for the top four principal components to account for cryptic population structure and genetic ancestry. Seven of the top 10 associated genes were associations of the known ovarian cancer susceptibility genesBRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, MSH6andPALB2(false discovery probability < 0.1). A further four genes (HELB, OR2T35, NBNandMYO1A) had a false discovery rate of less than 0.1. Of these,HELBwas most strongly associated with the non-high grade serous histotype (P = 1.3x10−6, FDR = 9.1x10−4). Further support for this association comes from the observation that loss of function variants in this gene are also associated with age at natural menopause and Mendelian randomisation analysis shows an association between genetically predicted age at natural menopause and endometrioid ovarian cancer, but not high-grade serous ovarian cancer.
Music Medicine and Music Therapy in Pediatric Care: A systematic review of passive music listening research applications and findings on infant development and medical practice
Authors: Papatzikis Efthymios , Agapaki Maria , Naveena Selvan Rosari , Hanson-Abromeit Deanna , Gold Christian , Epstein Shulammit , Lok U Wun Vivian , Barda Evrykleia , Pandey Varun
Published: April 2024

In recent years, the use of music as a therapeutic and developmental tool for infants, especially within neonatal intensive care units (NICUs), has seen a surge in interest. Despite a growing body of research underscoring the potential benefits of music therapy and music medicine in enhancing infant development and aiding medical practices, the specific characteristics of music that maximize these benefits remain poorly understood. This systematic review aims to fill this gap by investigating the effects of passive music listening on the development and medical outcomes of infants, both full-term and premature. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a comprehensive literature search was conducted, covering studies published up until December 2022. The focus was on passive music listening, with a deliberate exclusion of active music interventions. Out of the initial pool of studies, 56 met the inclusion criteria, determined by the PICO framework, focusing on passive music exposure among full-term and preterm infants. Starting with a descriptive analysis approach, the study employed Non-negative Matrix Factorization (NMF) and Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) to identify key themes, including the physiological impacts of music, its role in pain management, effects on sleep and stress, and influences on feeding and weight gain. The review revealed a predominance of quantitative research methods, a significant concentration of studies from the United States, suggesting potential geographical bias, and a notable clinical setting bias. These findings indicate a critical need for methodological diversity and a more culturally inclusive and interdisciplinary approach to research. Although this systematic review highlights the beneficial role of passive music listening in pediatric care, it also points to the necessity for standardized music intervention protocols to optimize therapeutic and developmental outcomes for this vulnerable population. Future research should aim to bridge the methodological gaps identified, integrating both qualitative and quantitative approaches to provide a comprehensive understanding of music’s impact on infant development and medical practices in a global, culturally nuanced context.
Obesity is associated with increased pediatric dengue virus infection and disease: A 9-year cohort study in Managua, Nicaragua
Authors: Mercado-Hernandez Reinaldo , Myers Rachel , Carillo Fausto Bustos , Zambrana José Victor , López Brenda , Sanchez Nery , Gordon Aubree , Balmaseda Angel , Kuan Guillermina , Harris Eva
Published: April 2024

Background

Obesity is on the rise globally in adults and children, including in tropical areas where diseases such as dengue have a substantial burden, particularly in children. Obesity impacts the risk of severe dengue disease; however, the impact on dengue virus (DENV) infection and dengue cases remains an open question.

Methods

We used 9 years of data from 5,940 children in the Pediatric Dengue Cohort Study in Nicaragua to examine whether pediatric obesity is associated with increased susceptibility to DENV infection and symptomatic presentation. Analysis was performed using Generalized Estimating Equations adjusted for age, sex, and pre-infection DENV antibody titers.

Results

From 2011 to 2019, children contributed 26,273 person-years of observation, and we observed an increase in the prevalence of overweight (from 12% to 17%) and obesity (from 7% to 13%). There were 1,682 DENV infections and 476 dengue cases in the study population. Compared to participants with normal weight, participants with obesity had higher odds of DENV infection (Adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR] 1.21, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.03-1.42) and higher odds of dengue disease given infection (aOR 1.59, 95% CI 1.15-2.19). Children with obesity infected with DENV showed increased odds of presenting fever (aOR 1.46, 95% CI 1.05-2.02), headache (aOR 1.51, 95% CI 1.07-2.14), and rash (aOR 2.26, 95% CI 1.49-3.44) when compared with children with normal weight.

Conclusions

Our results indicate that obesity is associated with increased susceptibility to DENV infection and dengue cases in children, independently of age, sex, and pre-infection DENV antibody titers.

Key points

We describe a doubling in the prevalence of obesity in a cohort of 5,940 Nicaraguan children followed over 9 years. Children with obesity were more likely to be infected with dengue virus and had higher risk of developing dengue disease.
Plasticity and Dynamics of Hematopoietic Cells within Bone Marrow Microenvironment in Leukemia
Authors: Wei Chuijin , Xiong Shumin , Zhou Yi , Dong Liaoliao , Yu Ping , Tang Yunhan , Zhou Ren , Ni Beiwen , Hou Jian , Liu Guang , Cheng Lin
Published: April 2024

Extensive research has been conducted on the plasticity of malignant cells and nonmalignant cells in solid tumor. However, the plasticity of bone marrow hematopoietic cells in leukemia have remained largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to investigate cell changings in hematopoietic cells through lineage tracing across various types of leukemias. We had compiled a landscape of leukemia and constructed phylogenetic trees of hematopoietic cells through utilizing massively parallel scRNA-seq data, mtDNA mutation and SNP analysis. Based on the observed cell changings, we identified several types of cell changings, including transdifferentiation, dedifferentiation, and state transition, except for differentiation and expansion. In AML and CMML, GMPs and neutrophils showed a higher potential for transferring to other cell types. In BPDCN, pDCs were less prone to switching to other cell types, while T cells demonstrated high plasticity. In B-ALL and B-CLL, B-ALL blast cells and B-CLL blast cells emerged at the most dynamic state. The dynamics of hematopoietic cells in AML, BPDCN and ALL changed along with the clinical process. Extrinsic factors within the leukemia microenvironment may influence the cell changings. Regulons encountered an intermediate cell state during the process of transition to myeloid cells and erythroid cells. We also found a correlation between B-common blast cells and T cells, suggesting a potential transition from B lymphoblastic leukemia to T lymphoblastic leukemia. In conclusion, our study unveiled the distinct plasticity and dynamics of hematopoietic cells in various types of leukemia. This sheds light on the possibility of targeting cell changes as a new strategy for leukemia treatment and improving current immunotherapy.
Evidence for intrinsic DNA dynamics and deformability in damage sensing by the Rad4/XPC nucleotide excision repair complex
Authors: Baral Saroj , Chakraborty Sagnik , Steinbach Peter J. , Paul Debamita , Min Jung-Hyun , Ansari Anjum
Published: April 2024

Altered DNA dynamics at lesion sites are implicated in how DNA repair proteins sense damage within genomic DNA. We examined DNA dynamics related to damage recognition by Rad4 (yeast ortholog of XPC), which recognizes diverse lesions from environmental mutagens and initiates nucleotide excision repair. Using laser temperature-jump (T-jump), we measured the dynamics of DNA containing 3 base-pair mismatches recognized specifically by Rad4in vitro. The T-jump kinetics traces measured using a cytosine-analog FRET pair, together with rigorous comparison with equilibrium measurements, enabled conformational dynamics to be revealed beyond the T-jump observation window of ∼20 µs – 50 ms. AT-rich nonspecific sites (matched or mismatched) exhibited dynamics primarily within the T-jump window, albeit with some amplitude in “missing” fast (< 20 µs) kinetics. The fast-kinetics amplitudes increased dramatically for specific sites, which were further distinguished by additional ‘missing’ amplitude in slow (> 50 ms) kinetics at elevated temperatures. We posit that the rapid (µs-ms) fluctuations help stall a diffusing protein at AT-rich/damaged sites and that the >50-ms kinetics reflect a propensity for specific DNA to adopt unwound/bent conformations that may resemble Rad4-bound structures. These studies provide compelling evidence for unusual DNA dynamics and deformability that likely govern how Rad4 senses DNA damage.
SIENNA: Generalizable Lightweight Machine Learning Platform for Brain Tumor Diagnostics
Authors: Sunil Sreya , Rajeev Rahul S , Chatterjee Ayan , Pilitsis Julie G. , Mukherjee Amitava , Paluh Janet L.
Published: April 2024

The transformative integration of Machine Learning (ML) for Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)-enhanced clinical imaging diagnostics, is itself in development. In brain tumor pathologies, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a critical step that impacts the decision for invasive surgery, yet expert MRI tumor typing is inconsistent and misdiagnosis can reach levels as high as 85%. Current state-of-the-art (SOTA) ML brain tumor models struggle with data overfitting and susceptibility to shortcut learning, further exacerbated in large-sized models with many tunable parameters. In a comparison with multiple SOTA models, our deep ML brain tumor diagnostics model, SIENNA, surpassed limitations in four key areas of prioritized minimal data preprocessing, an optimized architecture that reduces shortcut learning and overfitting, integrated inductive cross-validation method for generalizability, and smaller neural architecture. SIENNA is applicable across MRI machines and 1.5 and 3.0 Tesla, and achieves high average accuracies on clinical DICOM MRI data across three-way classification: 92% (non-tumor), 91% (GBM), and 93% (MET) with retained high F1 and AUROC values for limited false positives/negatives. SIENNA is a lightweight clinical-ready AGI framework compatible with future multimodal expanded data integration.
Power corrections to the modified QCD perturbative series based on conformal mapping of the Borel plane
Authors: Caprini Irinel
Published: April 2024

Modifications of the QCD perturbative expansions by the subtraction of the dominant infrared renormalon have been proposed recently as attempts to solve the longstanding discrepancy between fixed-order and contour-improved perturbation theory for the hadronic τ decays. In this approach, the modified perturbative series is supplemented by a modified gluon condensate in the operator product expansion of the Adler function. Motivated by these works, we revisited recently a formulation of the QCD perturbation theory, proposed some time ago, which takes into account the renormalons by means of the conformal mapping of the Borel plane. One expects that the modified perturbative series obtained in this framework should be accompanied by modified power-suppressed nonperturbative corrections. However, in the previous studies the focus was on the perturbative series and the question of the possible power corrections has not been considered. In the present paper, we investigate for the first time this problem. Using techniques from the mathematical resurgence theory, we derive the expression of the dominant power correction to the perturbative series obtained by conformal mapping of the Borel plane, and discuss its implications for phenomenological applications.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Liquidus curve of a Lennard-Jones mixture
Authors: Nishio Kengo
Published: April 2024

The temperature below which the homogeneous liquid state of a mixture is not thermodynamically stable is called the liquidus temperature. This temperature varies with composition, and its composition dependence is represented by the liquidus curve. This curve provides fundamental reference points on the composition-temperature plane for characterizing the behavior of liquids, glasses, and crystals. In this paper, using molecular dynamics simulations, we determine the liquidus curve of the Wahnström mixture, which consists of large and small atoms interacting via the Lennard-Jones potential. Since this system is one of the standard models used to study the behavior of liquids and glasses, the liquidus curve presented in this work will contribute to a deeper understanding of disordered materials in general.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Consumer and business confidence connectedness in the euro area: a tale of two crises
Authors: Fernandez-Perez Adrian , Gómez-Puig Marta , Sosvilla-Rivero Simon
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the propagation of consumer and business confidence in the euro area with a particular focus on the global financial crisis (GFC), the European sovereign debt crisis (ESDC) and the COVID-19-induced Great Lockdown.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply Diebold and Yilmaz’s connectedness framework and the improved method based on the time-varying parameter vector autoregressive model.

Findings

The authors find that although the evolution of business confidence marked the GFC and the ESDC the role of consumer confidence (mainly in those countries with stricter containment and closure measures) increased in the COVID-19-induced crisis.

Originality/value

The findings are related to the different origins of the examined crisis periods, and the analysis of their interrelationship is a very relevant topic for future research.
An improved and simplified approach for the steady-state analysis of self-excited induction generators using binary search algorithm
Authors: R. Essaki Raj , Sridhar Sundaramoorthy
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This paper aims at developing an improved method, based on binary search algorithm (BSA) for the steady-state analysis of self-excited induction generators (SEIGs), which are increasingly used in wind energy electric conversion systems. The BSA is also compared with linear search algorithm (LSA) to bring out the merits of BSA over LSA.

Design/methodology/approach

All the parameters of SEIG, including the varying core loss of the machine, have been considered to ensure accuracy in the predetermined performance values of the set up. The nodal admittance method has been adopted to simplify the equivalent circuit of the generator and load. The logic and steps involved in the formulation of the complete procedure have been illustrated using elaborate flowcharts.

Findings

The proposed approach is validated by the experimental results, obtained on a three-phase 240 V, 5.0 A, 2.0 kW SEIG, which closely match with the corresponding predicted performance values. The analysis is shown to be easy to implement with reduced computation time.

Originality/value

A novel improved and simplified technique has been formulated for estimating the per unit frequency (a), magnetizing reactance (Xm) and core loss resistance (Rm) of the SEIG using the nodal admittance of its equivalent circuit. The accuracy of the predetermined performance is enhanced by considering the SEIG’s varying core loss. Only simple MATLAB programming has been used for adopting the algorithms.
Evaluation of time allocated for bid preparation in national competitive bidding in the Sri Lankan construction industry
Authors: Hasantha Malik Lakshan , Waidyasekara Anuradha Samarajeewa , Victar Hasith Chathuranga
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Insufficient time allocation for the bidding period occurs, causing drawbacks to both parties, the client and the bidder. Hence, this study aims to evaluate the time allocated for preparing a bid proposal as per the National Competitive Bidding (NCB) in the Sri Lankan context.

Design/methodology/approach

The study has adopted a mixed method approach and expert interviews and document review to detect, analyse and validate the issues, and solutions based on NCB along with the adequacy of the allocated bidding period used as main data collection tools. Both qualitative and quantitative data were analysed through manual content analysis and inferential analysis respectively.

Findings

Overall, 24 local issues with the existing competitive bidding process and solutions for each were identified. Among the 24 local issues, it was unanimously agreed by all interviewees that three specific issues require attention and improvement. These issues are related to the standard and incompleteness of bidding documents, inaccurate BOQ quantities measured by the consultant or the main contractor, and the excessive number of bidding document amendments by the consultant. It was revealed that a maximum of 42 calendar days (6 weeks) is sufficient for the bidding process while a minimum of 21 calendar days (3 weeks) is insufficient.

Originality/value

The findings of this study would be recommended that Information and Communication Technology Agency (ICTA) understand the necessity of revising the NCB reference to the time allocated for the preparation of bids. By recognising the importance of sufficient time allocation for bid preparation, this research serves as a practical guide for authorities involved in policy formulation, aiding them in implementing revisions that align with the dynamic requirements of bidding procedures.
Institutional constraints to social dialogue in work integration of persons with disabilities: Slovakia and Norway compared
Authors: Holubová Barbora , Kahancová Marta , Kováčová Lucia , Mýtna Kureková Lucia , Šumichrast Adam , Torp Steffen
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Studies on the work integration of persons with disabilities (PwD) and the role of social dialogue therein are scarce. The study examines how the different systems of workers’ representation and industrial relations in Slovakia and Norway facilitate PwD work integration. Taking a social ecosystem perspective, we acknowledge the role of various stakeholders and their interactions in supporting PwD work integration. The paper’s conceptual contribution lies in including social dialogue actors in this ecosystem.

Design/methodology/approach

Evidence was collected via desk research, 35 semi-structured in-depth interviews with 51 respondents and stakeholder workshops in 2019–2020.

Findings

The findings from Norway confirm the expected coordination of unions and employers in PwD work integration. Evidence from Slovakia shows that in decentralised industrial relations systems, institutional constraints beyond the workplace determine employers’ and worker representatives’ approaches in PwD integration. Most policy-level outcomes are contested, as integration occurs predominantly via sheltered workplaces without interest representation.

Social implications

This paper identifies the primary sources of variation in the work integration of PwD. It also highlights opportunities for social partners across both situations to exercise agency and engagement to improve PwD work integration.

Originality/value

By integrating two streams of literature – social policy and welfare state and industrial relations – this paper examines PwD work integration from a social ecosystem perspective. Empirically, it offers novel qualitative comparative evidence on trade unions’ and employers’ roles in Slovakia and Norway.
Beyond Industry 4.0 – integrating Lean, digital technologies and people
Authors: Frank Alejandro G. , Thürer Matthias , Godinho Filho Moacir , Marodin Giuliano A.
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide an overall framework that connects and explains a macro-perspective of the findings from the five studies of this special issue. Through this, we aim to answer two main questions: How can Lean and Industry 4.0 be integrated, and what are the outcomes for workers from such integration?

Design/methodology/approach

The special issue received 64 papers that were evaluated in multiple stages until this final sample of five papers that describe different facets of the integration between Lean and Industry 4.0 and their relationship with worker activities. In this introduction, we review the main findings of these five studies and propose an integrative view and associated propositions. A discussion provides directions to advance the field further.

Findings

The framework shows that when Lean and Industry 4.0 are integrated, companies will face two types of tensions, dialectical and paradoxical, which require different managerial approaches. By managing such tensions, the Lean-Industry 4.0 integration can help improve social performance, as well as develop systematic problem-solving and cumulative learning capabilities. Five important themes for this field of research are outlined: the importance of work routines, legitimation, competence, sense and mental flexibility.

Originality/value

This study brings a new theoretical perspective to the integration of Lean with Industry 4.0-related digital technologies. The results go beyond the usual view of improving operational performance and dig into the effects on workers. It also shows that the integration process relies on and can enhance human capabilities such as learning and problem-solving.
Signaling theory and its relevance in international marketing: a systematic review and future research agenda
Authors: Shahid Zubair Ali , Tariq Muhammad Irfan , Paul Justin , Naqvi Syed Ali , Hallo Leonie
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze to what extent and in what ways signaling theory has been explored within the field of international marketing. This paper systematically reviews the use of signaling theory in the field of international marketing. Communication is a core aspect of the international marketing process. Research in this field has explored effective and unique ways of improving the communication flow to reduce the asymmetry of information between international consumers and the firm. This notion is adopted, enhanced and strengthened by signaling theory. Signaling theory has recently received the attention of international marketing scholars.

Design/methodology/approach

The systematic review methodology was applied for the purpose of identifying the relevant studies. We extracted academic articles over the last 23 years from the domain of international marketing that directly contribute to signaling theory based on 57 journal articles extracted through the systematic review process.

Findings

Based on systematic research the results reveal that the topic has grown and continues to expand within the broader international marketing field. We offer a theoretical conceptual framework to better understand signaling theory in the context of international marketing.

Originality/value

The authors map and critically evaluate the use of signaling theory in international marketing. Relevance of signaling theory in international marketing is growing and authors present an integrative framework that organizes the existing literature, and provides scholars to further expand on emerging themes of the domain. The paper offers some useful future research directions.
Examining incubated and nonincubated startups from fear of failure and entrepreneurial well-being during crises
Authors: Games Donard , Sari Dessy Kurnia , Darlis Venny , Hidayat Danny , Albatati Bader
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This research aimed to examine entrepreneurial fear of failure and entrepreneurial well-being from the perspectives of incubated and nonincubated startups during crises.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected by distributing online questionnaires to 152 respondents comprising 43 incubated and 109 nonincubated startups in Indonesia. A multivariate discriminant analysis procedure was used to examine the interrelationships between both groups at the discovery, validation, customer creation and construction stages.

Findings

The result showed a significant difference between these startups at various stages, which was analyzed to provide insights into the relevant dimensions of fear of failure for startups. The essence of entrepreneurial well-being during crises is in accordance with the role of business incubators in an emerging market economy.

Practical implications

Startups need to innovate in order to grow while considering other factors such as work-life balance and financial resource availability. This is important to ensure they have sufficient motivating dosage of fear of failure.

Originality/value

The present study evaluates incubated and nonincubated startups in an emerging market economy by using both the entrepreneurial fear of failure and well-being to capture possible differences between groups. The context of pandemic crises helps us formulate appropriate approaches taken by incubators and startups in the future crises.
How effective are the enforcement activities of derivatives exchanges in the digital age? A survey of enforcement notices through the lens of humans
Authors: Culley Alexander Conrad
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to scrutinise the effectiveness of four derivative exchanges’ enforcement efforts since 2007. These exchanges include the Commodity Exchange Inc. and ICE Futures US from the United States and ICE Futures Europe and the London Metal Exchange from the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper examines 799 enforcement notices published by four exchanges through a behavioural science lens: HUMANS conceived by Hunt (2023) inHumanizing Rules: Bringing Behavioural Science to Ethics and Compliance.

Findings

The paper finds the effectiveness of the exchanges’ enforcement efforts to be a mixed picture as financial markets transition from the digital to artificial intelligence era. Humans remain a key cog in the wheel of market participants’ trading operations, albeit their roles have changed. Despite this, some elements of exchanges’ enforcement regimes have not kept pace with the move from floor to remote trading. However, in other respects, their efforts are or should be, effective, at least in behavioural terms.

Research limitations/implications

The paper’s findings are arguably limited to exchanges based in Anglophone jurisdictions. The information published by the exchanges is variable, making “like-for-like” comparisons difficult in some areas.

Practical implications

The paper makes several recommendations that, if adopted, could help exchanges to increase the potency of their enforcement programmes.

Originality/value

A key aim of the paper is to shift the lens through which the debate concerning the efficacy of exchange-level oversight is conducted. Hitherto, a legal lens has been used, whereas this paper uses a behavioural lens.
The paradox of coaching in a non-native language
Authors: Steel Nick C.T. , Karmowska Joanna
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Language plays a complex role in coaching, facilitating communication, comprehension and meaning construction. Yet, the implications of coaching in a non-native language are uncertain and under-researched. This study explores the role of non-native language (NNL) in dyadic workplace coaching practice. Specifically, it explores how working in a NNL influences the coaching experience from the coach’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative approach was chosen to explore the way coaches view coaching in a NNL. Twenty-three semi-structured interviews were conducted with coaches experienced in coaching in NNL. Reflexive thematic analysis (RTA) was applied for data analysis.

Findings

NNL coaching presents a paradoxical mix of negative and positive tensions for the coach and coachee in communication, relationship and insight. NNL coaching is nuanced and may be accommodated using coaching competencies to mitigate the potential for misunderstanding and relationship rupture. It offers alternative perspectives to existing worldviews, eliciting deeper insights. Coaches’ confidence in coaching in a NNL varies from a challenging struggle that perceptually hinders performance, through ambivalence, to a sense of greater resourcefulness.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the stream of literature on language in international business, sociolinguistic research and how meaning is constructed in a coaching process. First, the work develops a distinction between coaching in a native language (NL) and a NNL. Second, study results indicate that the context of NNL creates challenges as well as opportunities in a dyadic coaching process, particularly regarding aspects of the coach–coachee relationship and insight elicitation via alternative perspectives. Moreover, several practical implications of the study for the coaching practice are discussed.