bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrating organic fertilization and soil tillage techniques to enhance the nutritional attributes of “Royal” grapes (Vitis vinifera L. cv.)
Authors: Kaya Ozkan , Ates Fadime , Daler Selda , Keskin Nurhan , Turan Metin
Published: July 2024

In the context of global efforts to improve food quality against the backdrop of climate change and increasing demands for food, this study sought to investigate the influence of tillage and fertilization methods on essential nutritional components. Thus, this extensive investigation into the variability of organic acid, sugar, and vitamin content within berries over the years 2020 to 2022 shows the critical influence of agricultural practices on the nutritional quality of grape. Our findings revealed significant fluctuations in the levels of various organic acids, with oxalic and propionic acids seeing a notable increase in 2022, while tartaric, citric, and maleic acids decreased. Similarly, a significant rise in sucrose, glucose, and fructose levels was documented by 2022, alongside a variable trend in vitamin content. The PCA results revealed a clear impact of tillage and organic amendments on the biochemical composition of Royal grapes. Heatmap findings confirmed the results obtained from PCA and showed that certain treatments resulted in high organic acid content, while others resulted in high sugar content. However, disc harrow and olive blackwater 2021 followed by disc harrow and Antep radish 2021 and no‐tillage broccoli 2020 were the best treatments with a balanced distribution of organic acids, soluble sugars, and vitamins among all treatments. On the other hand, chisel and olive blackwater '20 was the treatment with the lowest ratio of organic acids, sugars, and vitamins, followed by chisel and Antep radish 2020. These results show that the concentration of organic acids, soluble sugars, and vitamins in grapes is more affected by the tillage method than the type of organic fertilizer used. To sum up, our study holds valuable implications for viticulture and agriculture at large, highlighting the potential to tailor farming practices for enhanced nutritional outcomes. Such advancements not only promise to elevate the quality of agricultural produce but also contribute to the broader objective of achieving food security and nutritional adequacy, thus offering a roadmap for future research and practice in sustainable agriculture and viticulture.
Relationship between dry matter accumulation and maize yield in Southwest China
Authors: Dong Xixi , Ren Yun , Shi Lin , Bao Shuqin , Chai Xingying , Li Qiang , Liao Linzheng
Published: July 2024

To explore the differences in dry matter accumulation and yield of maize varieties having different nitrogen‐use efficiencies in Southwest China, a field experiment was conducted in Yongchuan, Chongqing, and Deyang, Sichuan, from 2019 to 2020. Two varieties, the nitrogen‐efficient Zhenghong 311 (ZH 311) and the nitrogen‐inefficient Xianyu 508 (XY 508), were tested across four nitrogen levels (0–360 kg ha−1). The results showed that compared to XY 508, ZH 311 exhibited a significantly higher accumulation of dry matter at various stages and periods, particularly in the roots during the R6 stage, and in the stem sheaths and leaves throughout all stages. Furthermore, the number of kernel rows, number of kernels per row, number of kernels per ear, and grain yield were significantly higher for ZH 311 than XY 508, whereas the 100‐grain weight was significantly lower for ZH 311 than XY 508. The yield difference between the two varieties was the largest when the nitrogen application rate was 240 kg ha−1. The yield performance of ZH 311 was always better than that of XY 508, and less nitrogen was needed to obtain the best yield. The accumulation of maize dry matter had a highly significant effect on the number of kernel rows, kernels per row, and kernels per ear, and grain yield. The direct effect of the number of kernels per ear on grain yield was very low. However, it affected grain yield through the number of kernel rows and kernels per row. The dry matter accumulation of V6−V12 and R3−R6 contributed the most to grain yield, while in vegetative organs, the effect of leaf dry matter accumulation and yield was the greatest. This investigation will provide insights into factors affecting variations in maize yield under low nitrogen conditions and offer guidance for N‐fertilizer management strategies.
Assessment of the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐glycemic properties of Royal Jelly and Tocotrienol‐rich fraction in an experimental study: Does irisin mediate these effects?
Authors: Mesri Alamdari Naimeh , Irandoost Pardis , Roshanravan Neda , Najafipour Farzad , Vafa Mohammadreza , Farsi Farnaz , Mobasseri Majid , Mir Mazhari Amir Ali , AmirAzad Halimeh , Shidfar Farzad
Published: July 2024

Irisin, a novel adipomyokine, has been proposed to be a therapeutic agent against obesity‐related metabolic disease. Royal Jelly (RJ) and tocotrienol‐rich fraction (TRF) are suggested to promote obesity and its related problems through potential mutual mechanistic pathways. This investigation intended to evaluate the glycemic and inflammation‐promoting effects of RJ, TRF, and their combinations to evaluate their synergic effects through irisin action in obese rats induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) that underwent a calorie restriction diet (CRD). Fifty HFD‐fed obese rats received the following interventions: RJ, TRF, or RJ + TRF in combination with a CRD for eight consecutive weeks. After the investigation, body weight, fasting blood sugar (FBS), irisin, insulin, C‐reactive protein (CRP), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β), leptin, adiponectin, and insulin resistance (IR) were assessed. After 8 weeks of treatment, significant weight reduction was noticed in rats that received RJ and RJ + TRF related to the CRD rats (p < .001), although this reduction was not considerable in TRF‐treated rats. RJ and RJ + TRF supplementation markedly elevated irisin concentrations in CRD rats (p < .05), but TRF did not. Glycemic indices, inflammatory indices including IL‐1β and CRP levels, and leptin concentrations were significantly decreased after RJ, TRF, and their combinations were added to CRD (p < .05). According to the mediational analysis results, irisin mediated the promoting effects of RJ on glycemic hemostasis. Based on the results of this investigation, RJ and TRF are novel nutrients that have the potential to improve obesity‐related disorders. This research suggests that RJ exerts its beneficial glycemic regulatory effects through irisin.
The toxic effects of Helicobacter pylori and benzo(a)pyrene in inducing atrophic gastritis and gut microbiota dysbiosis in Mongolian gerbils
Authors: Huang Yilun , Chen Yunxiang , Ma Lingfei , Guo Honggang , Chen Hao , Qiu Bo , Yao Mingfei , Huang Weixin , Zhu Lian
Published: July 2024

Food chemical and microbiological contamination are major global food safety issues. This study investigated the combined effects of the food‐borne pathogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the pollutant benzo(a)pyrene (Bap) on atrophic gastritis and gut microbiota in Mongolian gerbils. The results demonstrated that simultaneous administration of H. pylori and Bap caused more severe weight loss, DNA damage, and gastritis in Mongolian gerbils compared with those exposed to H. pylori or Bap alone. The combination also significantly increased the serum level of proinflammatory cytokines, including IL‐1β (p < .05), IL‐6 (p < .0001), and TNF‐α (p < .05). Additionally, the H. pylori and Bap combination altered the composition of gut microbiota in Mongolian gerbils: the relative abundance of Lactobacillus and Ligilactobacillus at the genus level (p < .05) was significantly reduced while the relative abundance of Allobaculum and Erysipelotrichaceae enhanced (p < .0001, p < .05). Our study revealed that the synergy of H. pylori and Bap can boost the development of atrophic gastritis and lead to gut microbiota dysbiosis in Mongolian gerbils, which provides essential implications for preventing contaminated foods to sustain life and promote well‐being.
Machine learning‐derived prognostic signature for progression‐free survival in non‐metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Zuo Zhichao , Ma Jie , Yan Mi , Ge Wu , Yao Ting , Zhou Lu , Zeng Ying , Liu Yang
Published: July 2024

Background

Early detection of high‐risk nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) recurrence is essential. We created a machine learning‐derived prognostic signature (MLDPS) by combining three machine learning (ML) models to predict progression‐free survival (PFS) in patients with non‐metastatic NPC.

Methods

A cohort of 653 patients with non‐metastatic NPC was divided into a training (n = 457) and validation (n = 196) dataset (7:3 ratio). The study included clinicopathological characteristics, hematologic markers, and MRI findings in three machine learning models—random forest (RF), extreme gradient boosting (XGBoost), and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO)—to predict progression‐free survival (PFS). A Venn diagram identified the overlapping signatures from the three ML algorithms. Cox proportional hazard analysis determined the MLDPS for PFS.

Results

The RF, XGBoost, and LASSO algorithms identified six consensus factors from the 33 signatures. Cox proportional hazards analysis showed that the MLDPS includes age, lymphocyte count, number of positive lymph nodes, and regional lymph node density. Additionally, MLDPS effectively stratified prognosis, with low‐risk individuals showing better PFS than high‐risk individuals (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

MLDPS, based on clinicopathological characteristics, hematologic markers, and MRI findings, is crucial for guiding clinical management and personalizing treatments for patients with non‐metastatic NPC.
Total tracheoesophageal puncture failure: A scoping review of patient characteristics and etiologies
Authors: Azar Shaghauyegh S. , Shires Courtney B. , Dewan Karuna , Chhetri Dinesh K.
Published: July 2024

Objectives

Tracheoesophageal prosthesis (TEP) is a common method for post‐laryngectomy speech rehabilitation. Despite its common use, some patients ultimately fail TEP rehabilitation. TEP dysfunction negatively affects quality of life due to poor voice quality and need for repeated interventions to restore TEP function. Occasionally, voice rehabilitation with TEP is completely unsuccessful. We performed a scoping review to characterize the main reasons for total TEP failure, in hopes of guiding selection of optimal TEP candidates.

Study design

Scoping review using PubMed of all English language articles from 1990 to 2020 addressing causes of TEP failure.

Methods

This scoping review followed the population, intervention, comparison, outcome and study (PICOS) guidelines. Total TEP failure was defined as complete loss or abandonment of TEP voice or tract. A comprehensive search strategy using PubMed's MeSH subject headings and keywords was created. Causes and rates of failure were reviewed.

Results

Among 544 peer‐reviewed journal articles reviewed for inclusion. Seventy articles met inclusion criteria, resulting in a total of 4928 TEP voice restoration patients for analysis. 15.2% of these patients had total TEP failure. The most common reasons for failure were dissatisfaction with voice (26.3%), leakage (17.9%), inadequate patient motivation (14.7%), comorbidities (14.2%), stoma problems (11.6%), and abandonment of TEP after dislodgement (10.6%).

Conclusion

Common reasons for TEP failure included voice dissatisfaction, leakage, lack of patient motivation, patient comorbidities, and stoma problems. These factors should be considered when selecting candidates for TEP voice restoration.
Modelling postfire recovery of snow albedo and forest structure to understand drivers of decades of reduced snow water storage and advanced snowmelt timing
Authors: Surunis A. , Gleason K. E.
Published: July 2024

Forest fires darken snow albedo and degrade forest structure, ultimately reducing peak snow–water storage, and advancing snowmelt timing for up to 15 years following fire. To date, no volumetric estimates of watershed‐scale postfire effects on snow–water storage and snowmelt timing have been quantified over decades of postfire recovery. Using postfire parameterizations in a spatially‐distributed snow mass and energy balance model, SnowModel, we estimated postfire recovery of forest fire effects on snow–water equivalent (SWE) and snowmelt timing over decades following fire. Using this model, we quantified volumetric recovery of forest fire effects on snow hydrology across a chronosequence of eight sub‐alpine forests burned between 2000 and 2019 in the Triple Divide of western Wyoming. We found that immediately following fire, forest fire effects reduced snow–water storage by 6.8% (SD = 11.2%) and advanced the snow disappearance date by 31 days (SD = 9 days). Across the 15‐year recovery following fire, forest fire effects reduced snow–water storage by 4.5% (SD = 11.4%). Postfire effects on snow hydrology generally recovered over time, but still persisted beyond 15‐years following fire due to the observed postfire shift from forest to open meadow. Estimates of postfire reductions on peak SWE summed over the entire 15‐year postfire recovery period were 18 times greater than the immediate losses in the first winter following fire alone. These lasting effects of forest fires on snow hydrology decades following fire highlight the importance of postfire parameterizations for more accurate watershed‐scale volumetric estimates of forest fire effects on snow–water resources.
Comparison of surface freshwater PFAS sampling methods to evaluate potential for bias due to PFAS enrichment in the surface microlayer
Authors: Roark Shaun A. , Wilson-Fallon Alexander , Struse Amanda , Rectenwald Heather , Bogdan Dorin , Heron Chris , Field Jennifer
Published: July 2024

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) accumulate at the air–water interface of the surface microlayer (SML) on marine and freshwater bodies. In order to determine if including the SML when sampling bulk surface water leads to a high bias in measured PFAS concentrations, a pilot study and a full field study were conducted. The pilot study conducted at two sites was aimed at determining the analytical precision and small-scale (~1 m) spatial variability in concentrations of PFAS in bulk water and the SML. The full field study was performed at 11 sites, where three commonly used bulk surface water sampling methods were compared: (1) a peristaltic pump with tubing that excludes the SML, (2) a fully submerged sample bottle that excludes the SML, and (3) a partially submerged sample bottle that allows inclusion of the SML. The SML was sampled using the glass plate method. The samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The pilot study indicated that sampling variation was greater than analytical variation (although Levene's tests indicated that the differences were not statistically significant) and that relatively small differences in the mean concentration among sampling methods could be detected. The full investigation indicated that there was no evidence of high bias of PFAS concentrations in bulk surface water resulting from inclusion of SML using the partially submerged bottle sampling method. Unexpectedly, there was evidence that samples collected using the partially submerged bottle had slightly lower PFAS concentrations, particularly for less hydrophobic PFAS, than bulk water samples that excluded the SML. Additionally, the PFAS enrichment factor in the SML increased with increasing retention time, although the increase was not evident at all sampling sites for all PFAS. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:2271–2282. © 2024 SETAC

Key Points

PFAS enrichment in the surface microlayer of small, freshwater lakes and ponds did not result in high bias of bulk water PFAS concentrations collected using a partially submerged sample bottle. For some PFAS, water samples collected with a partially submerged bottle that entrains the enriched surface microlayer had slightly lower PFAS concentrations compared with samples collected from approximately 10–15 cm using a peristaltic pump or a fully submerged bottle.
Retroperitoneal Doege–Potter syndrome with intraoperative blood glucose monitoring
Authors: Nagasaka Hirotaka , Suzuki Takahisa , Kondo Takuya , Koizumi Mitsuyuki , Terao Hideyuki , Murohashi Yuko , Okubo Yoichiro , Yokose Tomoyuki , Kishida Takeshi
Published: July 2024

Background

Doege–Potter syndrome, characterized by solitary fibrous tumors and non‐islet cell tumor hypoglycemia, is rare. Here, we report a case of Doege–Potter syndrome in which retroperitoneal tumor resection was performed with continuous intraoperative blood glucose monitoring.

Case presentation

A 37‐year‐old man presented with hypoglycemia‐related symptoms, and a 10 × 12 × 9 cm tumor was found in his right kidney. Following tumor resection, insulin secretory abnormalities improved, and intraoperative blood glucose monitoring showed no hypoglycemic events. High levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐II confirmed the diagnosis of an insulin‐like growth factor‐II‐producing tumor with non‐islet cell tumor hypoglycemia. Postoperative serum insulin‐like growth factor‐II levels normalized, with no recurrence observed over 3 years.

Conclusions

This case highlights the rarity of primary retroperitoneal Doege–Potter syndrome, emphasizes the safety of intraoperative blood glucose levels during surgery, and suggests rapid recovery of insulin secretion postoperatively.
Investigating the profit performance of quantitative timing trading strategies in the Shanghai copper futures market, 2020–2022
Authors: Tian Hongyu , Wang Wei , Yang Mengxin , Yilmaz Ali
Published: July 2024

In conducting an extensive examination, we scrutinize the efficacy of algorithmic trading strategies applied to Futures CopperMainContinuous in the Shanghai Futures Exchange, utilizing a comprehensive data set spanning from January 2020 to December 2022. To mitigate the potential risk of data‐snooping bias—the probability that any favorable results may inadvertently arise from random events rather than the inherent value of the strategies employed to generate these results—our study prudently conducts a reality check and advanced assessments. Throughout the evaluated period, the benchmark demarcation between the in‐sample and out‐of‐sample stages is established in February 2022. Regrettably, our meticulous exploration fails to identify any successful or advantageous algorithmic trading strategies within these categories, particularly following the systematic elimination of data snooping bias. These results underscore the intrinsic challenges in accurately identifying and implementing profit‐generating algorithmic trading strategies within the volatile and intricate futures market.
Analyzing the theoretical merits ofLoxiload balancer for improving the efficiency of load balancing in5G‐edgeIoTapplications based onKubernetes
Authors: Vijayakumar R. , Mali Manisha , Patil Sonali A. , Gomathy V. , Anandaram Harishchander
Published: July 2024

Load balancing, a critical aspect of cloud and cloud‐based applications, is a major challenge that demands our attention. Due to the increasing dynamic workloads, load balancing becomes more important in the cloud. One of the hyperscale models that stands out for its ability to efficiently balance load by scaling the demands and allocating resources is the Loxi‐Load‐Balancer (LLB). This paper explores explicitly LLB's application in the context of 5G‐Edge IoT applications based on Kubernetes. LLB's unique features, such as its open‐source nature for cloud‐native loads, its use of eBPF as the core engine to avoid adding additional software modules to configure the kernel, and its ability to change its services using the existing layers, set it apart from other load balancers. These features provide high security, observability, and networking. This paper delves into how LLB is used for load balancing in Kubernetes to increase speed and provide flexibility and customizable services. LLB automates all the internal and external administrations concerning monitoring, deployment, scaling, migration, routing, configuration, and resource allocation. This paper focused on developing an efficient resource allocation management system by load balancing using Loxi‐Load‐Balancer‐extended Berkeley Packet Filter (LLB‐eBPF). Detailed information about the LLB‐eBPF‐Kubernetes is given in this paper to help you understand the basics of LLB, eBPF, and Kubernetes.
Coping equally: Equity of dyadic coping and depressive symptoms among adolescent couples
Authors: Forster Fabienne , Milek Anne , Breitenstein Christina , Senn Mirjam , Bradbury Thomas N. , Bodenmann Guy
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Many adolescents are in their first romantic relationship; at the same time, depressive symptoms generally increase during this developmental stage. In adults, equity of support in romantic relationships is associated with less depressive symptoms—especially in female partners, who are generally on “the losing side” of support transactions with male partners. This study examines whether equity of dyadic coping is associated with depressive symptoms in adolescent mixed‐gender couples. We disentangle equity of positive and negative dyadic coping, as differential effects might arise.

Methods

Self‐report data on dyadic coping and depressive symptoms were gathered from 124 mixed‐gender couples aged between 16 and 21 years living in Switzerland between 2011 and 2013. Equity of dyadic coping was quantified by calculating the difference between received dyadic coping and provided dyadic coping for each partner separately. These difference scores and the overall level of dyadic coping were used to predict depressive symptoms in both partners using an Actor‐Partner‐Interdependence Model.

Results

For female adolescents, we found the expected curvilinear association between equity of negative dyadic coping behaviors and depressive symptoms (actor effect). Additionally, the female perception of equity of positive dyadic coping was correlated with less depressive symptoms in male partners (partner effect). For male adolescents, receiving more positive dyadic coping than they provided was associated with more depressive symptoms (actor effect).

Discussion

In female partners, results resembled those in adult mixed‐gender couples. In male partners, results changed depending on the direction of inequity—possibly due to gender role development.
The boosted Hodrick‐Prescott filter is more general than you might think
Authors: Mei Ziwei , Phillips Peter C. B. , Shi Zhentao
Published: July 2024

The global financial crisis and Covid‐19 recession have renewed discussion concerning trend‐cycle discovery in macroeconomic data, and boosting has recently upgraded the popular Hodrick‐Prescott filter to a modern machine learning device suited to data‐rich and rapid computational environments. This paper extends boosting's trend determination capability to higher order integrated processes and time series with roots that are local to unity. The theory is established by understanding the asymptotic effect of boosting on a simple exponential function. Given a universe of time series in FRED databases that exhibit various dynamic patterns, boosting timely captures downturns at crises and recoveries that follow.
Cardiac‐gated spectroscopic photoacoustic imaging for ablation‐induced necrotic lesion visualization
Authors: Gao Shang , Ashikaga Hiroshi , Suzuki Masahito , Mansi Tommaso , Kim Young‐Ho , Ghesu Florin‐Cristian , Kang Jeeun , Boctor Emad M. , Halperin Henry R. , Zhang Haichong K.
Published: July 2024

Radiofrequency (RF) ablation is a minimally invasive therapy for atrial fibrillation. Conventional RF procedures lack intraoperative monitoring of ablation‐induced necrosis, complicating assessment of completeness. While spectroscopic photoacoustic (sPA) imaging shows promise in distinguishing ablated tissue, multi‐spectral imaging is challenging in vivo due to low imaging quality caused by motion. Here, we introduce a cardiac‐gated sPA imaging (CG‐sPA) framework to enhance image quality using a motion‐gated averaging filter, relying on image similarity. Necrotic extent was calculated based on the ratio between spectral unmixed ablated tissue contrast and total tissue contrast, visualizing as a continuous color map to highlight necrotic area. The validation of the concept was conducted in both ex vivo and in vivo swine models. The ablation‐induced necrotic lesion was successfully detected throughout the cardiac cycle through CG‐sPA imaging. The results suggest the CG‐sPA imaging framework has great potential to be incorporated into clinical workflow to guide ablation procedures intraoperatively.
A hybrid learning approach to better classify exhaled breath's infrared spectra: A noninvasive optical diagnosis for socially significant diseases
Authors: Golyak Igor Semenovich , Anfimov Dmitriy Romanovich , Demkin Pavel Pavlovich , Berezhanskiy Pavel Vyacheslavovich , Nebritova Olga Aleksandrovna , Morozov Andrey Nikolaevich , Fufurin Igor Leonidovich
Published: July 2024

Early diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment of socially significant diseases, such as type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM), pneumonia, and asthma. This study employs a diagnostic method based on infrared laser spectroscopy of human exhaled breath. The experimental setup comprises a quantum cascade laser, which emits in a pulsed mode with a peak power of up to 150 mW in the spectral range of 5.3–12.8 μm (780–1890 cm−1), and a Herriott multipass gas cell with a specific optical path length of 76 m. Using this setup, spectra of exhaled breath in the mid‐infrared range were obtained from 165 volunteers, including healthy individuals, patients with T1DM, asthma, and pneumonia. The study proposes a hybrid approach for classifying these spectra, utilizing a variational autoencoder for dimensionality reduction and a support vector machine method for classification. The results demonstrate that the proposed hybrid approach outperforms other machine learning method combinations.
Every latin hypercube of order 5 has transversals
Authors: Perezhogin Alexey L. , Potapov Vladimir N. , Vladimirov Sergey Yu.
Published: July 2024

We prove that for all every latin ‐dimensional cube of order 5 has transversals. We find all 123 paratopy classes of layer‐latin cubes of order 5 with no transversals. For each and we construct a latin ‐dimensional cuboid of order with no transversals. Moreover, we find all paratopy classes of nonextendible and noncompletable latin cuboids of order 5.
Competency assessment in pediatric dental practice: A study on recent dental graduates in integrated curriculum
Authors: Gudipaneni Ravi Kumar , Ganji Kiran Kumar , Almaeen Saud Hamdan
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between various independent variables, such as cumulative grade point average (CGPA), socio‐economic backgrounds, anxiety levels, and the self‐rated competency levels, across six domains outlined by the American Dental Education Association (ADEA) of recently graduating dental students during pediatric patient care.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study was conducted at the College of Dentistry, Jouf University, Saudi Arabia. It included 74 participants (37 final‐year dental students and 37 dental interns). Multiple logistic regression was employed to analyze the association between various independent variables (including CGPA, grade point average [GPA] in didactic, practical, and clinical courses, socio‐economic backgrounds, gender, and self‐reported student anxiety) and self‐rated ADEA competency in pediatric dental practice within general dentistry (p < 0.05).

Results

Final‐year dental students were 28.5 times more likely to be competent in professionalism (C2) than interns (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 28.54, p = 0.001). In professionalism (C2), males were 91% less likely to be competent than females (AOR = 0.09, p = 0.001). A high GPA in didactic courses increased the likelihood of competence in health promotion (C4) by 3.4 times compared with an average GPA (AOR = 3.41, p = 0.071). Regarding the establishment and maintenance of oral health (C6B), final‐year dental students were 4.4 times more likely to be competent than interns (AOR = 4.41, p = 0.013).

Conclusion

This study identified key factors affecting clinical competency during pediatric patient care among newly graduating dentists. It highlighted the influence of gender differences, academic performance (GPA), and anxiety levels among graduates as significant predictors.
Dental students’ perceptions of the use of two‐dimensional and three‐dimensional vision in dental education using a three‐dimensional haptic simulator: A qualitative study
Authors: Nassief Sarah , Al Ali Huda , Towers Ashley , Field James , Martin Nicolas
Published: July 2024

Objective

To assess the perceptions of novice and experienced undergraduate dental students of virtual learning with two‐dimensional (2D) and three‐dimensional (3D) vision.

Materials and methods

This qualitative study involved 21 students from the second and fourth years of a 5‐year BDS program. They first performed three operative tasks in virtual reality (VR) training sessions using both 2D and 3D vision. Subsequently, they participated in one of four online focus group discussions (FGDs). The FGDs were recorded and transcribed, and the data obtained from the transcriptions were coded and thematically analyzed.

Results

Three main themes emerged from the focus groups. With regard to their perceptions of 2D and 3D vision, most of the participants preferred 3D over 2D vision, mainly due to an improved ability to perceive depth. With regard to the theme of practicing 3D vision in the VR environment, some participants performed their tasks faster with 3D vision than with 2D vision, while others did not perceive any difference between them. Under the same main theme, some participants experienced headaches and eye fatigue with 3D vision. With regard to their perception of technical aspects, with 3D glasses, the participants experienced unpleasant sensations and saw darker images.

Conclusion

All the participants placed greater value on practicing with 3D than with 2D vision in the VR environment. They believed that VR training should be used in the early years of dental education as an adjunct to the phantom head as it helps students acquire the skills needed by dental professionals.
Narrative review on ethical and psychological issues raised by genetic and genomic testing in pediatric oncology care
Authors: Droin‐Mollard Marion , Hervouet Lucile , Lahlou‐Laforêt Khadija , de Montgolfier Sandrine
Published: July 2024

In pediatric oncology, genetic and genomic tests are proposed throughout the care pathway for many reasons (e.g., cancer characterization, identification of the most appropriate treatment, patient selection for clinical trials, identification of tissue/organ donors, or risk of relapse prediction). Despite the many different approaches (somatic or germline testing, targeted gene or genome sequencing), the implicated individuals are confronted with situations that may intersect and that are interesting to compare. No study has identified and analyzed the available works on these new practices in pediatric oncology. The aim of this narrative literature review was to describe the ethical and psychological perspectives of children with cancer, parents, and healthcare professionals when genetic or genomic testing is proposed as part of the cancer management. Eighteen articles met the inclusion criteria and were comprehensively coded using MAXQDA. Their analysis showed that concerning the subjective implications of genetic and genomic testing, the areas of ambivalence (desire of treatment, desire for knowledge, uncertainty, and guilt) reported by patients and their parents seem to mirror the healthcare professionals' concerns. The ethical and psychological issues about predisposition testing, long discussed in the context of hereditary retinoblastoma and Li‐Fraumeni syndrome, represent a useful starting point for a wider discussion of a genetic and genomic testing pathway in pediatric oncology more broadly.
Patient and care team perspectives on an app to support Hospital at Home admission decision making
Authors: Kramer Justin , Kowalkowski Marc , Reeves Kelly , Eaton Tara , Chou Shih‐Hsiung , Murphy Stephanie , Hole Colleen , Ganesan Asha , McWilliams Andrew
Published: July 2024

Background

Hospital at Home (HaH) programs are used throughout the United States and are beneficial in both providing patients care in environments most comfortable to them and freeing up inpatient beds. Better informing patients about HaH programs, while promoting shared decision‐making (SDM), should be prioritized by health systems. SDM apps may promote increased patient agency and understanding of complex HaH care decisions. We previously developed, usability tested, and refined a HaH SDM app.

Objectives

To evaluate the utility of SDM apps in assisting pneumonia patients with HaH admission.

Methods

Usability surveys (N = 16) and semistructured interviews with patients (N = 9) and nurse navigators (N = 3) were utilized to evaluate our app in assisting pneumonia patients as they contemplated HaH admission. Recruitment occurred at three hospitals in the southeastern United States. Surveys were analyzed consistent with their validated measures, while interviews were analyzed using inductive coding methodologies.

Results

Patients supported receiving HaH information via an app, with many noting that presenting content via multiple modalities (e.g., videos, pictures, text) was helpful and that the app assisted their care decision. App‐guided inquiries into patients' care preferences helped patients visualize their priorities and promoted feelings of agency, while providing important information to care teams. Participants found visuals effective at conveying program details, for example, HaH's in‐home setup, which may assist with health literacy challenges. Potential barriers included the need to expand app accessibility for vision impaired and non‐English speaking patients.

Conclusions

SDM apps may better inform patients' HaH care decisions, allowing patients self‐directed access to information and engagement with visual content, which may address challenges related to health literacy and navigating complex, time‐sensitive decisions.
Tranexamic acid use in sarcoma surgery patients: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Giglio Victoria , Gazendam Aaron , Farrukh Hadia , Griffin Anthony , Ferguson Peter , Wunder Jay , Tsoi Kim
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Perioperative bleeding increases morbidity and mortality in sarcoma patients. Tranexamic acid (TXA), an antifibrinolytic, is widely utilized in non‐sarcoma orthopaedic surgeries, but its adoption in sarcoma surgery is hindered by concerns about thrombotic events.

Methods

Searches in Ovid MEDLINE, EMBASE, and CENTRAL were performed without date restrictions. Inclusion criteria encompassed sarcoma patients undergoing surgery with TXA intervention. Two authors independently screened studies, resolved conflicts, and assessed biases.

Results

Eight studies met inclusion criteria, comprising 2142 patients. TXA administration varied in dose and timing across studies. Meta‐analysis revealed significantly reduced mean blood loss with TXA of −462.5 mL ([95% confidence interval [CI: −596.7, −328.31], p < 0.001) but no difference in transfusion rates (odds ratio [OR] = 0.51 [95% CI: 0.14–1.89]) or venous thromboembolism events (OR = 0.93 [95% CI: 0.40, 2.16]). Study biases were predominantly moderate to high due to retrospective designs and lack of control for confounders. Quality of reporting varied, with limitations identified in outcome reporting and effect size estimation.

Conclusions

Despite evidence of reduced blood loss, the absence of prospective studies limits conclusive recommendations on TXA use in sarcoma surgery. Further research is warranted to determine optimal TXA regimens and assess safety concerns regarding thrombotic events in this patient population.
Exploring the nexus between urban green space and sustainable tourism: Potential for the green economy
Authors: Lv Yang , Hao Bingyu , Sarker Md Nazirul Islam , Zeng Xun , Hu Xiaoshan
Published: July 2024

This study explores the nexus between urban green space (UGS) and sustainable tourism (ST) and its potential for achieving a green economy. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) approach was applied to reveal the most relevant documents. This study has identified the 35 most relevant documents from the Scopus database. This study reveals a strong nexus between UGS and ST and a strong linkage between various components of UGS and ST. UGS provides several benefits (economic, social, and environmental benefits) in tourism. UGS also promotes tourism in various aspects like environmental, social, and economic aspects. We argue that tourism has become one of the world's most rapidly rising economic industries that promotes a green economy based on UGS with sustainability. The potential challenges of achieving ST and a green economy are lack of proper planning, GHG emissions, maintaining cultural heritage, and poor information systems and communication.
Factors influencing travelers' intention by environmental changes of destination: Cross‐country evidence from Far‐East Asia
Authors: Wang Xinchen , Oh Yeeun , Park So‐Young , Hong Soo‐Min , Lai Po‐Lin
Published: July 2024

Travel intentions are influenced by not only personal background but also external factors such as national disasters, infectious diseases, and government policy. While international flights and the travel market are sharply recovering from the effects of the COVID‐19 pandemic, travel risk will affect future travel demand. This study analyzed the relationship between potential risk of destination and travel avoidance intention using the stimulus‐organism‐response (SOR) model. The survey was conducted with 303 Chinese and 253 South Korean respondents living in countries adjacent to Japan. The results reveal that travel avoidance intentions may be influenced by emotional reactions to the complexity of the geopolitical environment or the diverse protection motivation perceptions of travelers. This study proposes that nationality has a moderate effect on tentative travel avoidance intention compared to gender.
The influence of fear on consumers' experiential consumption preferences during public health crises: Testing multiple mediation models
Authors: Yin Yuan , Zhao Hanxuan , Xu Sihua
Published: July 2024

Previous research showed an association between fear during public health crises and altered consumption behavior, However, the impact of fear on experiential consumption preference remains largely unexplored. This study examined how fear induced by the public health crisis influences individuals' psychological states, cognitive processes, and experiential consumption preferences. A total of 451 respondents from diverse risk cities across China participated in online surveys. The results revealed that: (1) Although COVID‐19 constrained many forms of consumption, fear paradoxically fostered a greater preference for experiential consumption; (2) Fear indirectly affected the preference for experiential consumption through the mediating roles of meaning in life and choice overload; (3) Fear prompted a heightened inclination towards searching for meaning. Notably, the presence of meaning served as the primary mediator in the impact of fear on experiential consumption preference. These findings provide valuable theoretical implications for understanding how fear affects experiential consumption during public health emergencies.
Trade show performance evaluation based on stakeholder theory: A case study of trade shows in Changsha, China
Authors: Wang Yi , Wang Jing , Cai Weimin
Published: July 2024

A performance evaluation index system is built in this paper with four dimensions (service performance, sales performance, behavioral performance, and social performance) and 14 criteria considering the requirements of key stakeholders. The BWM‐CRITIC‐TOPSIS model is then developed for a comprehensive trade show performance evaluation. An illustrative application is carried out based on four trade shows held in Changsha, China, to demonstrate the validity and acceptability of the proposed evaluation index system and model. Findings indicate that social performance is assigned the highest weight coefficient: it is considered to be the essential criterion that constrains the performance level. The evaluation results show that the overall performance levels of the sampled trade shows increased from 2022 to 2023 and have gradually recovered from the COVID‐19 crisis. Their adaptability and flexibility in response to changing surroundings could be enhanced by meeting various stakeholders' expectations, which is also essential for improving their own resilience.
The impact of age‐related differences in emotion dysregulation on refugee mental health and social outcomes
Authors: Byrow Yulisha , Nickerson Angela , Specker Philippa , Bryant Richard , O'Donnell Meaghan , McMahon Tadgh , Mau Vicki , Liddell Belinda
Published: July 2024

The refugee experience is typically characterized by exposure to numerous premigration traumatic events and postmigration stress in the resettlement environment. Refugees’ experiences can lead to elevated rates of psychopathology, including posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and depression. Emotion regulation is a key mechanism contributing to mental health outcomes among refugees. This study examined the impact of age on the association between emotion regulation and critical social outcomes relevant to refugee resettlement, such as social engagement and functional impairment. Participants were 1,081 Arabic‐, Farsi‐, Tamil‐ and English‐speaking adult refugees. Premigration trauma exposure, postmigration stressors, PTSD symptoms, depressive symptoms, emotion regulation, social engagement, and functional impairment were measured. A series of hierarchical regression and Poisson regression analyses revealed emotion dysregulation as a significant predictor of functional impairment, β = .36, p < .001, and social engagement, Exp B = 0.99, p = .002. A significant interaction between age and emotion dysregulation was associated with both PTSD, β = .05, p = .048 and depressive symptoms, β = .06, p = .010, suggesting a stronger positive association between emotion dysregulation and both PTSD and depressive symptom severity for older individuals. Postmigration stressor exposure, emotion dysregulation, and older age are important factors that may negatively impact social engagement and functional impairment in the resettlement environment. Additionally, higher levels of trauma exposure may negatively impact social engagement. These findings have implications for public health and social services in the context of resettled refugee communities.
Role of Shear Wave Elastography for Assessment of Renal‐Allograft Fibrosis and its Correlation With Histopathology
Authors: Ruidas Surojit , Lal Hira , Prasad Raghunandan , Sharma Srishti , Agarwal Surabhi , Singh Ranvijai , Prasad Narayan , Patel Manas Ranjan , Kushwaha Ravi Shankar , Jain Manoj
Published: July 2024

Objectives

To investigate whether shear wave elastography (SWE) can accurately identify interstitial fibrosis and tubular atrophy (IFTA) in chronic renal allograft injury (CRAI) and whether it can differentiate between different grades of IFTA.

Materials and Methods

Prospective observational study on renal transplant recipients who presented with CRAI. Patient selection was done on the basis of clinical presentation, serum creatinine, and eGFR levels. Biopsy and SWE were performed and SWE values were correlated with histopathological findings according to Banff schema. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) was also analyzed to assess the diagnostic efficacy of SWE.

Results

Sxity‐one patients were evaluated. Ten patients had no IFTA, 33 patients had mild IFTA, 16 patients had moderate IFTA, and 2 patients had severe IFTA. Mean parenchymal stiffness values in no IFTA, mild IFTA, moderate IFTA and severe IFTA were 39.86 ± 2.17 kPa (3.64 ± 0.09 m/s), 41.59 ± 3.36 kPa (3.71 ± 0.15 m/s), 47.59 ± 3.34 kPa (3.98 ± 0.14 m/s), and 53.83 ± 1.41 kPa (4.25 ± 0.03 m/s), respectively. SWE values of parenchymal stiffness reached statistical significance to differentiate between mild, moderate, and severe IFTA. ROC analysis revealed cut‐off values of 45.09 kPa (3.89 m/s) to differentiate between mild IFTA and moderate IFTA, 52.06 kPa (4.18 m/s) to differentiate between moderate IFTA and severe IFTA with acceptable sensitivity and specificity.

Conclusion

SWE is a non‐invasive and cost‐effective imaging tool to evaluate the disease status of renal allografts affected by CRAI. Thus, it can be of paramount importance if added to the regular follow‐up imaging protocol of renal allograft along with grayscale and Doppler imaging.
Autologous matrix‐induced chondrogenesis provides better outcomes in comparison to autologous minced cartilage implantation in the repair of knee chondral defects
Authors: Behrendt Peter , Eggeling Lena , Lindner Anja , von Rehlingen‐Prinz Fidelius , Krause Matthias , Hoffmann Michael , Frosch Karl‐Heinz , Akoto Ralph , Gille Justus
Published: July 2024

Purpose

In symptomatic mid‐sized focal chondral defects, autologous matrix‐induced chondrogenesis (AMIC) and minced cartilage implantation (MCI) offer two versatile treatment options. This study aimed to conduct a matched‐patient analysis of patient‐reported outcome measures to compare these two surgical treatment methods for focal chondral defects.

Methods

At the first centre, patients underwent a single‐stage procedure in which autologous cartilage was hand‐minced, implanted into the defect and fixed with fibrin glue. At the second centre, patients underwent AMIC, which was fixed in place with fibrin glue. All patients were seen 2–4 years postoperatively. Postoperative outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale for pain (VAS), the Lysholm score and the five domains of the knee osteoarthritis outcome score (KOOS). Patients from each surgical centre were matched by age, sex, defect size and defect localisation.

Results

In total, 48 patients from two surgical centres (24 from each site) were matched for sex, age (MCI 30.3 ± 14.9 years vs. AMIC 30.8 ± 13.7 years) and defect size (MCI 2.49 ± 1.5 cm2 vs. AMIC 2.65 ± 1.1 cm2). Significantly better scores in the AMIC cohort were noted for VAS (p = 0.004), Lysholm (p = 0.043) and the KOOS subscales for pain (p = 0.016) and quality of life (p = 0.036). There was a significantly greater proportion of positive responders for Lysholm in the AMIC group (92%) compared with the MCI group (64%).

Conclusions

The AMIC procedure delivers superior patient outcomes compared with hand‐minced autologous cartilage implantation. These are mid‐term outcomes, with follow‐up between 2 and 4 years.

Level of Evidence

Level III.