bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Speak, search, and stay: determining customers' intentions to use voice-controlled artificial intelligence (AI) for finding suitable hotels and resorts
Authors: Ahmed Selim , Chowdhury Ujjal Yaman , Ashrafi Dewan Mehrab , Choudhury Musfiq Mannan , Ahmed Rafiuddin , Ahmed Rubina
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The present study investigates the customers' behavioural intention to use voice-based artificial intelligence (AI) to find the appropriate hotels and resorts in an emerging nation. This study determines the influences of information quality, system quality, privacy, and novelty value on attitude and behavioural intention to use voice-based artificial intelligence to obtain the appropriate information and find the location of the hotels and resorts.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a purposive sampling method for collecting data from the respondents, who are customers of the hotels and resorts in Bangladesh. A self-administered survey questionnaire was used to obtain responses from 378 respondents. After collecting the data, the reliability and validity of the constructs and hypotheses were tested via partial least squares structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

The findings of the study indicate that information quality, system quality, privacy and novelty value have a positive and significant impact on attitude and behavioural intention to use voice-based AI assistant services in an emerging nation. However, system quality does not significantly influence behavioural intention to use voice-based AI assistant but it has an indirect significant influence on behavioural intention through the mediation effect of attitude.

Practical implications

The study’s findings provide essential guidelines for practitioners to understand the impacts of information quality, system quality, privacy, and novelty value on attitude and behavioural intention to use voice-based artificial intelligence to find the appropriate hotels and resorts to meet customers' needs and expectations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature on technology adoption by highlighting the interconnectedness of various factors influencing users' behavioural intentions. The study’s focus on an emerging nation provides a valuable theoretical contribution. It highlights that user perceptions and attitudes towards technology adoption may differ from those in developed nations due to unique contextual factors.
Understanding copycat packaging: a systematic review and research directions
Authors: Oguz Ezgi , Marsden Jamie
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The literature on copycat packaging has developed intermittently over a 30-year period, resulting in a divergent and fragmented body of knowledge. This paper aims to synthesise the extant literature to highlight the main developments in the marketing, legal and design fields and, in doing so, contributes to a holistic understanding of the research area and suggests directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature search retrieved 5,862 articles, and after filtering against explicit criteria, 49 studies were reviewed. These articles were subsequently evaluated and interpreted, producing a synthesis of current research.

Findings

The constructs of copycat packaging, including similarity-related concepts, consequences of copycat packaging and mitigating approaches, have been reported across three disciplines of marketing, legal and design, each having its own distinct focus but nonetheless sharing overlapping themes.

Research limitations/implications

This review discusses future directions and proposes a framework of research themes relating to brand enhancement for online purchasing, measurement of brand confusion, reinforcing design features and approaches to mitigating copycat practices.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first systematic review of the literature on copycat packaging. It brings together the latest thinking on copycat packaging and identifies distinct research issues to be addressed in future studies.
Promoting BMI through organizational culture: the mediating role of strategic flexibility
Authors: Kafetzopoulos Dimitrios , Gotzamani Katerina , Vouzas Fotios
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the role of organizational culture in creating a supportive environment for business model innovation (BMI) by focusing on the mediating role of strategic flexibility and the moderating effect of technological capability.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve this objective an empirical survey was conducted among 379 participant firms in Greece. CFA and finally hierarchical regression analysis were performed to validate the data and examine the hypothesized relationships.

Findings

The results show that strategic flexibility mediates the relationship between organizational culture and BMI. The effect of organizational culture on strategic flexibility is stronger for firms with increased technological capability.

Research limitations/implications

Data were collected at only one point in time from one country, Greece. This might pose limitations on the generalizability of our results. Furthermore, we did not explore many internal or external mediating or moderating factors in the relationship between organizational culture and BMI.

Practical implications

Managers should consider incorporating a suitable organizational culture into their strategies to enable them improve their strategic flexibility, which further promotes BMI.

Originality/value

The current state of knowledge of both theory and practice for critical organizational factors such as organizational culture, strategic flexibility, BMI and technological capability will be extended.
Dyeing kinetics and thermodynamics of mono-chlorotriazine reactive dye in recycled wastewater
Authors: Li Wanxin , An Fangfang , Shu Dawu , Lian Zengshuai , Han Bo , Cao Shaolei
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to elucidate the dyeing kinetics and thermodynamic relationships of CI Reactive Red 24 (RR24) on cotton fabrics, achieve the recycling of inorganic salts and water resources and obtain comprehensive data on color parameters, fastness and other characteristics of fabrics dyed with the recycled dyeing residual wastewater.

Design/methodology/approach

The dyeing wastewater obtained through advanced oxidation technology was used as a medium for dyeing cotton fabrics with RR24. The absorbance value of the dyeing residue served as an evaluation index, and the relevant kinetic and thermodynamic parameters were calculated based on this absorbance. The color parameters and fastness of the fabric samples were measured to compare the performance of different dyeing media.

Findings

Dyeing cotton with RR24 in both media follows pseudo-second-order kinetics. When dyeing with wastewater media, the dye adsorption in the first 45 min increased by 0.082–1.29 g/kg compared with conventional dyeing. Furthermore, the half-dyeing time was shortened by 4.19–11.99 min and the equilibrium adsorption amount was reduced by 0.277–0.302 g/kg. The adsorption of RR24 on cotton fabrics conformed to the Freundlich model. Fabrics dyed using recycled wastewater exhibit a deeper color, with reduced red light and enhanced blue light, resulting in an overall deeper apparent color.

Originality/value

These dyeing kinetics and thermodynamic properties are beneficial for comprehending and interpreting the dyeing performance and behavior of reactive dyes in dyeing wastewater. They lay a theoretical foundation for the treatment and recycling of dyeing wastewater.
Higher phosphorus and water use efficiencies and leaf stoichiometry contribute to legume success in drylands
Authors: Acuña‐Acosta Delia M. , Castellanos Alejandro E. , Llano‐Sotelo José M. , Sardans Jordi , Peñuelas Josep , Romo‐Leon José R. , Koch George W.
Published: September 2024

Legumes are essential plants in dryland ecosystems worldwide because they increase nitrogen availability, so their understanding is vital for improving knowledge and modelling in the face of climate change.

This work studies the differences in resource use efficiency and their relationship with photosynthetic, photochemical, bioelemental, and stoichiometric traits of coexistent legumes and non‐legumes in a Sonoran Desert ecosystem.

We found that legumes had higher photosynthetic rates, intrinsic and seasonal water use efficiency (WUE), phosphorus use efficiency (PPUE), and higher light utilisation mediated by chlorophyll content and active reaction centers, which may increase their photoprotection. Legumes can increase their WUE and PPUE with no changes in nitrogen use efficiency (PNUE). Consequently, observed trait relationships between studied traits in these legumes have significant differences with the non‐legume species in the study.

Stoichiometry is helpful, in some cases, as an indicator of nutrient use efficiency and enables functional group differentiation.

Our results strongly relate legumes' higher resource use efficiency with their success in dryland ecosystems.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
‘Good fortune in the camps never lasted’: Gendered experience of carceral labour in the Soviet Union, 1930–1953
Authors: Popova Zhanna
Published: September 2024

Gendered order in the Soviet camp system shaped women inmates’ experiences of labour and factored in their survival. This article zooms in on the published memoirs of four women political prisoners who survived the Gulag and explores how they experienced and narrated carceral labour. It focuses on three types of labour taking place in the carceral setting – forced labour, care work and clandestine crafts – and investigates the gendered dynamics that surrounded each of these interrelated types of labour. Historically‐situated forms of women inmates’ constrained labour‐related agency, as the memoirs show, were diverse and not always limited to outright resistance or compliance.
miR‐927 regulates insect wing development by targeting the Hippo pathway
Authors: Yu Xuan , Sun Bing , Gao Xuequan , Liu Qingxin , Zhou Zizhang , Zhao Yunhe
Published: September 2024

How organ size is determined is a fundamental question in life sciences. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of the Hippo pathway in regulating organ size. This pathway controls cell proliferation and cell death to maintain the proper number of cells. The activity of the Hippo pathway is tightly fine‐tuned through various post‐translational modifications, such as phosphorylation and ubiquitination. Here, we discover that miR‐927 is a novel regulator of wing size. Overexpression of miR‐927 decreases wing size, which can be rescued by co‐expressing miR‐927‐sponge. Next, we show that miR‐927 stimulates apoptosis and suppresses the expression of Drosophila inhibitor of apoptosis protein 1, a well‐known target gene of the Hippo pathway. Genetic epistatic analyses position miR‐927 upstream of Yorkie (Yki) to modulate the Hippo pathway. In addition, there is a matching miR‐927 seed site in the yki 3′ untranslated region (3′‐UTR), and we demonstrate that yki 3′‐UTR is the direct target of miR‐927. Ultimately, our study reveals that the targeting of yki by miR‐927 to regulate the Hippo pathway is conserved in Helicoverpa armigera. Administration of miR‐927 via star polycation (SPc) nanocarrier effectively inhibits wing development in H. armigera. Taken together, our findings uncover a novel mechanism by which Yki is silenced at the post‐transcriptional level by miR‐927, and provide a new perspective on pest management.
Network meta‐analysis on the mechanisms underlying alcohol augmentation of acute pancreatitis and diabetes type II
Authors: Kim Ryan J. , Bishir Muhammed , Chang Sulie L.
Published: September 2024

Background

Pancreatitis is a severe inflammatory pathology that occurs from pancreatic duct and exocrine acinar injury, leading to improper secretion of digestive enzymes, auto‐digestion of the pancreas, and subsequent inflammation. Clinical reports show that 60%–90% of pancreatitis patients have a history of chronic alcohol use. More recent studies reveal that exocrine pancreas disorders like acute pancreatitis can precede diabetes type II onset, though mechanisms are not yet fully known. This study identified molecules and key signaling pathways underlying alcohol‐induced acute pancreatitis and their effects on diabetes type II onset.

Methods

Data on human peripheral blood samples with or without acute pancreatitis were retrieved from the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) Gene Expression Omnibus (accession number GSE194331). Acute pancreatitis‐mediated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were generated from GSE194331 using CLC Genomics Workbench 12. Molecules associated with ethanol (EtOH), acute pancreatitis, and diabetes type II were collected from QIAGEN Knowledge Base (QKB). The relationship between the molecules and signaling pathways associated with EtOH, acute pancreatitis, or diabetes type II was examined using various Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) tools.

Results

Our investigation showed that acute pancreatitis‐mediated DEGs were closely associated with EtOH by revealing that EtOH‐induced acute pancreatitis appears to lead to the onset of diabetes type II. We found that diabetes type II onset was mediated by pro‐inflammatory and metabolic mechanisms underlying EtOH‐induced acute pancreatitis, involving increased expression of cytokines including macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), and decreased expression of hormones such as insulin.

Conclusions

Exposure to alcohol may promote diabetes type II by affecting the activity of key inflammatory and metabolic mediators involved in acute pancreatitis. These findings call for further investigation into the role of pro‐inflammatory and metabolic mediators like resistin, IL‐6, and insulin in EtOH‐induced diabetes type II associated with acute pancreatitis pathologies.
The use of oral benzodiazepines for patient anxiety associated with Mohs micrographic surgery: An Australian survey
Authors: Harris Adam G. , Lee Simon
Published: September 2024

A survey of Mohs surgery specialists in Australia showed diazepam was the preferred agent and felt to be the safest oral benzodiazepine for perioperative anxiolysis.
Safety, efficacy, and pharmacokinetics of oral testosterone undecanoate in males with hypogonadism
Authors: Miner Martin , Wang Christina , Kaminetsky Jed , Khera Mohit , Goldstein Irwin , Carson Culley , Chidambaram Nachiappan , King Shelby , Dobs Adrian
Published: September 2024

Background

Testosterone deficiency results from insufficient testosterone production. Testosterone therapy may require dose titration to reach eugonadal serum testosterone concentrations.

Objective

The primary objective was the efficacy of oral testosterone undecanoate (TLANDO; Antares Pharma Inc.) in male patients with documented hypogonadism. Secondary objectives included a comparison of oral testosterone undecanoate safety and quality‐of‐life assessments to 1.62% topical testosterone gel (AndroGel 1.62%; AbbVie).

Materials and methods

In this phase 3 study, 315 patients were randomized 2:1 to oral testosterone undecanoate or 1.62% topical testosterone gel (NCT02081300). Patients received 225 mg oral testosterone undecanoate twice daily, and doses were adjusted by 75 mg/dose at weeks 4 and 8 based on average serum total testosterone concentration and maximum observed serum concentration. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients receiving oral testosterone undecanoate with serum total testosterone concentration within the eugonadal reference range (300–1140 ng/dL). Secondary endpoints included the proportion of patients with maximum serum total testosterone concentrations within predetermined limits, safety parameters, and quality‐of‐life endpoints including the Short Form‐36v2 Health Survey, Psychosexual Daily Questionnaire, and International Prostate Symptom Score.

Results

Overall mean ± SD baseline testosterone was 205.7 ± 71.6 ng/dL. For patients receiving oral testosterone undecanoate, 87.4% demonstrated a 24‐h average serum total testosterone concentration within the reference range following titration. Oral testosterone undecanoate demonstrated a nominal statistically significantly greater mean change from baseline than 1.62% topical testosterone gel for Short Form‐36v2 Health Survey measures of mental health (2.91 vs. ‐0.10; p = 0.035), and mental component summary (3.82 vs. 0.55; p = 0.009); and Psychosexual Daily Questionnaire measure of weekly negative mood (‐0.57 vs. ‐0.20; p = 0.021). Safety endpoints were comparable between therapies. No deaths or treatment‐related serious adverse events were reported.

Discussion and conclusion

Male patients with hypogonadism receiving oral testosterone undecanoate 225 mg twice daily demonstrated improvements in libido and sexual frequency. Serum testosterone concentrations were within the reference range in 87% of patients without dose titration.
Causal relationships between gut microbiota and polycystic ovarian syndrome: A bidirectional Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Mao Ruo‐Lin , Wang Xiang‐Fei , Zhou Jue‐Pu , Wang Meng , Long Rui , Jin Lei , Zhu Li‐Xia
Published: September 2024

Introduction

Previous studies have established a link between gut microbiota and polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), but little is known about their precise causal relationship. Therefore, this study aims to explore whether there are precise causal relationships between gut microbiota and PCOS.

Material and Methods

We performed a bidirectional two‐sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis. Datasets were from the largest published meta‐analysis on gut microbiota composition and the FinnGen cohort of the IEU Open Genome‐Wide Association Study Project database. Inverse variance weighted (IVW), MR‐Egger, constrained maximum likelihood‐based Mendelian randomization, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode were used. Cochran's Q and MR‐Egger intercept tests were employed to measure the heterogeneity.

Results

A total of 211 gut microbiota taxa were identified in MR analysis. Nine taxa of bacteria, including Alphaproteobacteria (0.55, 0.30–0.99, p = 0.04), Bacilli (1.76, 1.07–2.91, p = 0.03), Bilophila (0.42, 0.23–0.77, p < 0.01), Blautia (0.16, 0.03–0.79, p = 0.02), Burkholderiales (2.37, 1.22–4.62, p = 0.01), Candidatus Soleaferrea (0.65, 0.43–0.98, p = 0.04), Cyanobacteria (0.51, 0.31–0.83, p = 0.01), Holdemania (0.53, 0.35–0.81, p < 0.01), and Lachnospiraceae (1.86, 1.04–3.35, p = 0.03), were found to be associated with PCOS in the above MR methods included at least IVW method. Cochran's Q statistics and MR‐Egger intercept test suggested no significant heterogeneity. In addition, 69 taxa were shown significant for at least the IVW method in reverse MR analysis, of these, 25 had a positive correlation, and 37 had a negative correlation. Additionally, Alphaproteobacteria and Lachnospiraceae (0.95, 0.91–0.98, p < 0.01; 0.97, 0.94–0.99, p = 0.02, respectively) were shown a bidirected causally association with PCOS.

Conclusions

Our study provides evidence of the bidirectional causal association between gut microbiota and PCOS from a genetic perspective.
Metformin modulates microbiota and improves blood pressure and cardiac remodeling in a rat model of hypertension
Authors: Wimmer Moritz I. , Bartolomaeus Hendrik , Anandakumar Harithaa , Chen Chia‐Yu , Vecera Valentin , Kedziora Sarah , Kamboj Sakshi , Schumacher Fabian , Pals Sidney , Rauch Ariana , Meisel Jutta , Potapenko Olena , Yarritu Alex , Bartolomaeus Theda U. P. , Samaan Mariam , Thiele Arne , Stürzbecher Lucas , Geisberger Sabrina Y. , Kleuser Burkhard , Oefner Peter J. , Haase Nadine , Löber Ulrike , Gronwald Wolfram , Forslund‐Startceva Sofia K. , Müller Dominik N. , Wilck Nicola
Published: September 2024

Aims

Metformin has been attributed to cardiovascular protection even in the absence of diabetes. Recent observations suggest that metformin influences the gut microbiome. We aimed to investigate the influence of metformin on the gut microbiota and hypertensive target organ damage in hypertensive rats.

Methods

Male double transgenic rats overexpressing the human renin and angiotensinogen genes (dTGR), a model of angiotensin II‐dependent hypertension, were treated with metformin (300 mg/kg/day) or vehicle from 4 to 7 weeks of age. We assessed gut microbiome composition and function using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and measured blood pressure via radiotelemetry. Cardiac and renal organ damage and inflammation were evaluated by echocardiography, histology, and flow cytometry.

Results

Metformin treatment increased the production of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFA) acetate and propionate in feces without altering microbial composition and diversity. It significantly reduced systolic and diastolic blood pressure and improved cardiac function, as measured by end‐diastolic volume, E/A, and stroke volume despite increased cardiac hypertrophy. Metformin reduced cardiac inflammation by lowering macrophage infiltration and shifting macrophage subpopulations towards a less inflammatory phenotype. The observed improvements in blood pressure, cardiac function, and inflammation correlated with fecal SCFA levels in dTGR. In vitro, acetate and propionate altered M1‐like gene expression in macrophages, reinforcing anti‐inflammatory effects. Metformin did not affect hypertensive renal damage or microvascular structure.

Conclusion

Metformin modulated the gut microbiome, increased SCFA production, and ameliorated blood pressure and cardiac remodeling in dTGR. Our findings confirm the protective effects of metformin in the absence of diabetes, highlighting SCFA as a potential mediators.
Letter: Beyond advanced fibrosis—The critical need for assessing NITs performance in identifying F2–F3 fibrosis
Authors: Yilmaz Yusuf
Published: September 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to McPherson et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18061 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18209.
Physical analysis and inverse methods applied to archaeological FIRE replications on ATACAMA desert soils, northern Chile
Authors: Canot Édouard , Delannay Renaud , Santoro Calogero M.
Published: September 2024

Physical analysis of in situ fire experiments on soils are useful for the estimation of subsurface thermal diffusivity, which is affected by factors such as water, heterogeneity and heating conditions. To address the uncertainties due to these factors, a new data‐processing procedure based on inverse methods was developed and experimentally applied to soils from an archaeological site in the Atacama Desert, Chile. By combining experimental data and numerical simulations, we determined the dominant physical processes arising during the heating. The analysis succeeded in defining practical procedures to obtain a more accurate estimation of the diffusivities, thus reducing the above‐mentioned uncertainties.
Perivascular phosphorylated TDP‐43 inclusions are associated with Alzheimer's disease pathology and loss of CD146 and Aquaporin‐4
Authors: Santiago Jessica , Pocevičiūtė Dovilė ,   The Netherlands Brain Bank, Wennström Malin
Published: September 2024

The majority of patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) exhibit aggregates of Trans‐active response DNA binding protein 43 (TDP‐43) in their hippocampus, which is associated with a more aggressive disease progression. The TDP‐43 inclusions are commonly found in neurons, but also in astrocytes. The impact of the inclusions in astrocytes is less known. In the current study, we investigate the presence of phosphorylated TDP‐43 (pTDP‐43) inclusions in astrocytic endfeet and their potential association with blood–brain barrier (BBB) damage, glymphatic system dysfunction, and AD pathology. By staining postmortem hippocampal sections from AD patients and non‐demented controls against TDP‐43 and pTDP‐43 together with the astrocytic markers glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), astrocytic endfeet marker Aquaporin‐4 (AQP4), and markers for BBB alterations (CD146) and leakiness (Immunoglobulin A), we demonstrate a close association between perivascular pTDP‐43 or TDP‐43 inclusions and GFAP or AQP4. These perivascular inclusions were more prominent in AD and correlated with the disease severity and loss of CD146 and AQP4. The findings indicate a relationship between pTDP‐43 accumulation in astrocytic endfeet and BBB and glymphatic system dysfunction, which may contribute to the downstream pathological events seen in AD patients and the aggressive disease progression.
Echinacoside Alleviates Carbon Tetrachloride‐Induced Chronic Liver Injury by Modulating the NF‐κB/NLRP3 Inflammasome Pathway
Authors: Yang Ye‐jun , Liu Juan
Published: September 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the protective effect of echinacoside (Ech) on carbon tetrachloride (CCL4)‐induced chronic liver injury in rats and its potential mechanisms. Thirty Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into five groups: the Control group, the CCL4 group, the CCL4 + Ech 25 mg/kg group, the CCL4 + Ech 50 mg/kg group, and the CCL4 + Ech 100 mg/kg group. The rats were injected intraperitoneally with CCL4 solution twice a week to induce chronic liver injury, and Ech intervention lasted for 4 weeks. After the intervention, the liver and blood samples from rats were collected for subsequent analysis. Ech effectively reduced the levels of serum liver injury markers (alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, and total bilirubin), attenuated the hepatocyte degeneration and necrosis, improved the severity of liver fibrosis, and inhibited the local inflammatory response of the liver in a dose‐dependent manner. Ech effectively mitigated CCL4‐induced chronic liver injury in rats by downregulating the NF‐κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway.
Delineating structural and metabolic abnormalities in amygdala and hippocampal subfields for different seizure‐onset patterns via stereotactic electroencephalography
Authors: Feng Tao , Yang Yanfeng , Wang Yihe , Wei Peng‐hu , Fan Xiaotong , Zhang Huaqiang , An Yang , Wang Tianren , Huang Yuda , Chen Sichang , Piao Yueshan , Xiao Fenglai , Duncan John S. , Shan Yongzhi , Zhao Guoguang
Published: September 2024

Aims

We aimed to investigate mesial temporal lobe abnormalities in mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) patients with hypersynchronous (HYP) and low‐voltage fast rhythms (LVF) onset identified by stereotactic electroencephalography (SEEG) and evaluate their diagnostic and prognostic value.

Methods

Fifty‐one MTLE patients were categorized as HYP or LVF by SEEG. High‐resolution MRI volume‐based analysis and 18F‐FDG‐PET standard uptake values of hippocampal and amygdala subfields were quantified and compared with 57 matched controls. Further analyses were conducted to delineate the distinct pathological characteristics differentiating the two groups. Diagnostic and prognostic prediction performance of these biomarkers were assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves.

Results

LVF‐onset individuals demonstrated ipsilateral amygdala enlargement (p = 0.048) and contralateral hippocampus hypermetabolism (p = 0.042), pathological results often accompany abnormalities in the temporal lobe cortex, while HYP‐onset subjects had significant atrophy (p < 0.001) and hypometabolism (p = 0.013) in ipsilateral hippocampus and its subfields, as well as amygdala atrophy (p < 0.001), pathological results are highly correlated with hippocampal sclerosis. Severe fimbria atrophy was observed in cases of HYP‐onset MTLE with poor prognosis (AUC = 0.874).

Conclusion

Individuals with different seizure‐onset patterns display specific morphological and metabolic abnormalities in the amygdala and hippocampus. Identifying these subfield abnormalities can improve diagnostic and prognostic precision, guiding surgical strategies for MTLE.
Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gastrojejunostomy with wire endoscopic simplified technique: Move towards benign indications (with video)
Authors: Gonzalez Jean‐Michel , Ouazzani Sohaib , Vanbiervliet Geoffroy , Gasmi Mohamed , Barthet Marc
Published: September 2024

Objectives

Endoscopic ultrasound‐guided gastrojejunostomy (EUS‐GJ) is an alternative to duodenal stenting and surgical GJ (SGGJ) in malignant gastric outlet obstruction (MGOO). European Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy guidelines restricted EUS‐GJ for MGOO only, because of misdeployment. The aim was to evaluate its outcomes focusing on benign indications.

Methods

This was a retrospective study conducted from 2016 to 2023 in a tertiary center. Patients included had malignant or benign GOO indicated for EUS‐GJ. Techniques were the direct approach until August 2021, and the wire endoscopic simplified technique (WEST) afterwards. The main objective was to compare outcomes in benign vs. MGOO. Secondary end‐points were technical success, adverse events rates, and describing the evolution of techniques and indications.

Results

In all, 87 patients were included, 46 men, mean age 66 ± 16.2 years. Indications were malignant in 60.1% and benign in 39.1%. The EUS‐GJ technique was direct in 33 patients (37.9%) and WEST in 54 (62.1%). No difference was found in terms of technical, clinical, or adverse events rates. The initial technical success rate was 88.5%. The final technical and clinical success rates were 96.6% and 94.25%, respectively. In the last year, benign exceeded malignant indications (70.4% vs. 29.6%, P < 0.05). Seven misdeployments occurred, six being addressed with the rescue technique. The misdeployment rate was significantly decreased using the WEST approach compared to the direct one: 3.7% vs. 18% (P < 0.05). The severe postoperative adverse events rate was 2.3%.

Conclusion

This study demonstrated similar outcomes of EUS‐GJ between benign and MGOO, with a decreasing misdeployment rate (<4%) applying WEST. This represents an additional step towards recommending EUS‐GJ in benign indications.
Practical utility of linked color imaging in colonoscopy: Updated literature review
Authors: Ishibashi Fumiaki , Suzuki Sho
Published: September 2024

The remarkable recent developments in image‐enhanced endoscopy (IEE) have significantly contributed to the advancement of diagnostic techniques. Linked color imaging (LCI) is an IEE technique in which color differences are expanded by processing image data to enhance short‐wavelength narrow‐band light. This feature of LCI causes reddish areas to appear redder and whitish areas to appear whiter. Because most colorectal lesions, such as neoplastic and inflammatory lesions, have a reddish tone, LCI is an effective tool for identifying colorectal lesions by clarifying the redder areas and distinguishing them from the surrounding normal mucosa. To date, eight randomized controlled trials have been conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of LCI in identifying colorectal adenomatous lesions. The results of a meta‐analysis integrating these studies demonstrated that LCI was superior to white‐light endoscopy for detecting colorectal adenomatous lesions. LCI also improves the detection of serrated lesions by enhancing their whiteness. Furthermore, accumulating evidence suggests that LCI is superior to white‐light endoscopy for the diagnosis of the colonic mucosa in patients with ulcerative colitis. In this review, based on a comprehensive search of the current literature since the implementation of LCI, the utility of LCI in the detection and diagnosis of colorectal lesions is discussed. Additionally, the latest data, including attempts to combine artificial intelligence and LCI, are presented.
Fentanyl self‐administration is accelerated by methamphetamine co‐use and results in worsened hypodopaminergia in male, but not female rats
Authors: Dawes Monica H. , Ortelli Olivia A. , Holleran Katherine M. , Jones Sara R.
Published: September 2024

Combined use of fentanyl and methamphetamine (FENT + METH) has increased in recent years and has been documented in a growing number overdose deaths each year. The impact of FENT + METH on behavior and neurobiology is not well understood. In this study, male and female Long Evans rats were tested on a limited access, fixed ratio 1 self‐administration schedule for increasing doses (1.25–5 μg/kg/infusion; iv) of fentanyl, with and without a single dose (0.1 mg/kg/infusion; iv) of methamphetamine, for 15 days. FENT + METH abolished dose responsiveness to fentanyl in all rats and accelerated intake in males, resulting in patterns of responding that may be more likely to result in adverse effects. Ex vivo slice voltammetry in the nucleus accumbens core showed decreases in dopamine release and reuptake (Vmax) following FENT + METH exposure, compared with saline, fentanyl, and methamphetamine alone groups at baseline parameters. Further, significant decreases in dopamine release were observed across a range of stimulation intensities following FENT + METH exposure. Overall, male and female rats displayed sex‐specific behavioral and neurobiological responses to FENT + METH exposure, with males displaying increased vulnerability.
Nonictal electroencephalographic measures for the diagnosis of functional seizures
Authors: Hinchliffe Chloe H. L. , Yogarajah Mahinda , Elkommos Samia , Tang Hongying , Abasolo Daniel
Published: September 2024

Objective

Functional seizures (FS) look like epileptic seizures but are characterized by a lack of epileptic activity in the brain. Approximately one in five referrals to epilepsy clinics are diagnosed with this condition. FS are diagnosed by recording a seizure using video‐electroencephalography (EEG), from which an expert inspects the semiology and the EEG. However, this method can be expensive and inaccessible and can present significant patient burden. No single biomarker has been found to diagnose FS. However, the current limitations in FS diagnosis could be improved with machine learning to classify signal features extracted from EEG, thus providing a potentially very useful aid to clinicians.

Methods

The current study has investigated the use of seizure‐free EEG signals with machine learning to identify subjects with FS from those with epilepsy. The dataset included interictal and preictal EEG recordings from 48 subjects with FS (mean age = 34.76 ± 10.55 years, 14 males) and 29 subjects with epilepsy (mean age = 38.95 ± 13.93 years, 18 males) from which various statistical, temporal, and spectral features from the five EEG frequency bands were extracted then analyzed with threshold accuracy, five machine learning classifiers, and two feature importance approaches.

Results

The highest classification accuracy reported from thresholding was 60.67%. However, the temporal features were the best performing, with the highest balanced accuracy reported by the machine learning models: 95.71% with all frequency bands combined and a support vector machine classifier.

Significance

Machine learning was much more effective than using individual features and could be a powerful aid in FS diagnosis. Furthermore, combining the frequency bands improved the accuracy of the classifiers in most cases, and the lowest performing EEG bands were consistently delta and gamma.
Pricing dynamics and herding behaviour of NFTs
Authors: Fridgen Gilbert , Kräussl Roman , Papageorgiou Orestis , Tugnetti Alessandro
Published: September 2024

This paper analyzes the sales of 875,389 art nonfungible tokens (NFTs) on the Ethereum blockchain to identify the key determinants influencing NFT pricing and market dynamics. We find that market liquidity and trade volume are strong predictors of NFT prices. Contrarily, social media activity negatively correlates with prices. Introducing an artist ranking system, our study reveals a “superstar effect”, with a few artists dominating sales, and herding behaviour within the NFT market.
More sensitive microbial responses to the interactive effects of warming and altered precipitation in subsoil than topsoil of an alpine grassland ecosystem
Authors: Qi Qi , Ning Shijie , Guo Xue , Zhao Jianshu , Tian Renmao , Gui Haoran , He Jin‐Sheng , Wang Hao , Zhang Zhenhua , Konstantinidis Konstantinos T. , Gao Qun , Wang Yuxin , Li Shunyi , Zhao Weishu , Yang Yunfeng , Zhou Jizhong
Published: September 2024

Subsoil is a large organic carbon reservoir, storing more than half of the total soil organic carbon (SOC) globally. Conventionally, subsoil is assumed to not be susceptible to climate change, but recent studies document that climate change could significantly alter subsoil carbon cycling. However, little is known about subsoil microbial responses to the interactive effects of climate warming and altered precipitation. Here, we investigated carbon cycling and associated microbial responses in both subsoil (30–40 cm) and topsoil (0–10 cm) in a Tibetan alpine grassland over 4 years of warming and altered precipitation. Compared to the unchanged topsoil carbon (β = .55, p = .587), subsoil carbon exhibited a stronger response to the interactive effect of warming and altered precipitation (β = 2.04, p = .021), that is, warming decreased subsoil carbon content by 28.20% under decreased precipitation while warming increased subsoil carbon content by 18.02% under increased precipitation.Furthermore, 512 metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) were recovered, including representatives of phyla with poor genomic representation. Compared to only one changed topsoil MAG, 16 subsoil MAGs were significantly affected by altered precipitation, and 5 subsoil MAGs were significantly affected by the interactive effect of warming and precipitation. More than twice as many populations whose MAG abundances correlated significantly with the variations of carbon content, components and fluxes were observed in the subsoil than topsoil, suggesting their potential contribution in mediating subsoil carbon cycling. Collectively, our findings highlight the more sensitive responses of specific microbial lineages to the interactive effects of warming and altered precipitation in the subsoil than topsoil, and provide key information for predicting subsoil carbon cycling under future climate change scenarios.
Pollinators respond positively to urban green space enhancements using wild and ornamental flowers
Authors: Poole Oliver , Costa Alba , Kaiser‐Bunbury Christopher N. , Shaw Rosalind F.
Published: September 2024

Pollinator diversity and abundance are under direct threat from human activities. Despite societal dependence on pollinators for crop production, humankind continues to drive pollinator declines through agricultural intensification and urbanisation.

Urban environments can provide refuge to some pollinators. There is a need, however, to understand how pollinator communities can be supported in these areas while also considering human needs. Public green spaces provide a promising avenue to target plant–pollinator conservation measures in an urban setting due to their large area, high abundance and low plant–pollinator biodiversity.

We used a paired design to compare the plant community, pollinator community and plant–pollinator interactions of (i) public urban green spaces enhanced with wildflower meadows and pollinator‐friendly ornamental plantings to (ii) control unenhanced urban green spaces. The planting types within enhanced sites were also separately compared.

Our results show that not only was the diversity of the overall pollinator community higher in enhanced than control sites, but also the complexity of some wild Hymenoptera and the abundance of Diptera pollinator groups. The negative impact of urbanisation on some pollinator groups was reduced in enhanced sites compared with control sites. Planting both pollinator‐friendly ornamental plants and wildflower meadows significantly increased the visits from Diptera and the diversity in the plant–pollinator community compared with wildflower plantings alone.

Our results suggest that enhancing public spaces for pollinators has positive effects on key groups and can help mitigate the impacts of urbanisation. Non‐native ornamental plants can also play a role in enhancing green spaces for pollinators while maintaining their recreational functions. This supports a mixed‐planting approach for improving public green spaces in urban areas for both people and nature.
Fish protein‐supplemented pasta and its technological aspects
Authors: Rathlavath Srinu , Surasani Vijay Kumar Reddy , Govinda Vidya Sagar Reddy , Siddhnath  , Bansal Jai , Singh Avtar , Desai Ajay S.
Published: September 2024

Pasta is a convenient and one of the widely consumed foods due to its affordability, convenience, and shelf‐stability. It is generally manufactured using durum wheat semolina, known for its low glycaemic index. Considering the increasing consumption of pasta in developing and underdeveloped countries and its properties as a suitable vector for nutrient fortification, efforts have been made to supplement pasta with nutrients from different sources. Fish is considered one of the important and sustainable protein sources with higher digestibility, and efforts have been made to supplement pasta with proteins from fish and seafood. The review deals with the basic composition of pasta, its production, supplementation with fish protein and the influence of protein supplementation on the quality of pasta.
From waste to wellness: a review on the harness of food industry by‐products for sustainable functional food production
Authors: Ospina‐Maldonado Susana , Martin‐Gómez Helena , Cardoso‐Ugarte Gabriel Abraham
Published: September 2024

The production of functional foods has been on a consistent rise in the past few years. The increasing demand for these foods could play a pivotal role in addressing the escalating issue of food waste and in the creation of innovative food formulations. Utilising by‐products from the food industry has become commonplace due to their advantageous nutritional composition and functional properties. These by‐products retain richness in colour compounds, proteins, amino acids, lipids, fatty acids, sugars, fibres, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds. This abundance of elements can be harnessed to develop innovative food products. This review examines the potential of utilising food industry wastes for producing functional foods, focusing on residues from animal and vegetable origins; such residues find application in creating snacks, beverages, fermented foods, bakery items, dairy products, pasta, charcuterie, chocolate, flavouring agents, additives and culinary innovations. This study seeks to establish a sustainable strategy for minimising food waste disposal, fostering a bio‐based food production industry and enhancing overall sustainability by uncovering alternatives for novel, nutritious and value‐added food products.
Valorisation of cold plasma‐treated onion skin waste in chocolate production
Authors: Senguler Berna , Kirkin Celale
Published: September 2024

Onion skin is generated in high amounts as food waste that is rich in bioactive components. Thus, the valorisation of onion skin waste in food production following suitable methods of treatment can be regarded as a sustainable strategy in terms of nutrition, economy, and environment. Skin waste from onions (Allium cepa) was ground and exposed to dielectric barrier discharge cold plasma (DBDCP) at 40 kV for either 0 or 30 min. Then the cold plasma‐treated onion skin powder (OSP) was added to chocolate at a concentration of 0%, 1%, or 2% (w/w). The DBDCP‐induced changes in the microbial load, colour, water content, total phenolic content (TPC), and antioxidant activity of OSP were assessed. The TPC, antioxidant activity, and sensory properties of the chocolate samples added with OSP were also monitored. Cold plasma treatment increased the TPC and antioxidant activity of OSP, but it did not affect the water content, colour, and microbial load. The antioxidant activity and TPC of the chocolate samples incorporated with DBDCP‐treated OSP at a level of 2% were higher than the samples with or without untreated OSP. However, the samples with 2% DBDCP‐treated OSP demonstrated lower overall acceptability scores compared to samples without OSP. It can be said that cold plasma can be utilised in the treatment of onion skin waste and valorisation of cold plasma‐treated onion skin waste in the production of chocolate to improve its antioxidant properties. Future studies can focus on the enhancement of the sensory properties of onion skin‐added chocolate products.
Emergency Department Use Following Self‐Harm and Suicide Ideation: An Analysis of the Influence of Cultural and/or Linguistic Diversity Using Data From the Self‐Harm Monitoring System for Victoria (2012–2019)
Authors: Rajaram Gowri , Robinson Jo , Zhang Lu , Witt Katrina
Published: September 2024

Self‐harm and suicide ideation are global health concerns, significantly impacting culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) populations. Emergency departments (EDs) play a role in intervening following such presentations, yet there is limited research focusing on the CALD population's use of these services in Australia. This study aimed to explore patterns in ED use for self‐harm and suicide ideation, comparing CALD and non‐CALD persons in terms of service use, presentation themes and likelihood of repeat presentations. This was a cross‐sectional analysis of data from presentations for self‐harm and suicide ideation to the ED of a major metropolitan hospital in Victoria, Australia, from 2012 to 2019. The study used thematic analysis of triage notes, recurrent event analysis and logistic and linear regressions to compare CALD and non‐CALD presentations. CALD presentations comprised 1.3% (n = 202) of the total (n = 15 606). CALD presentations were more likely to occur during business hours, less likely to be triaged as urgent and more likely to result in ward admission. Occupation stressors were more common in CALD presentations. A lower likelihood of repeat presentations was observed among CALD persons. The study also highlighted the limitations of current data collection practices in capturing the full spectrum of CALD presentations. This study found variability in the recording of CALD status, warranting further investigation into how data collection in EDs may be improved. Increased ward admission rate and lower likelihood of repeat presentation by CALD persons also indicate that further research is required to understand help‐seeking and clinical decision‐making in the CALD population.
The impact of country level investor protection on economic policy uncertainty and corporate investment link
Authors: Yildiz Serhat , Wu Qun , Watson Ethan D.
Published: September 2024

We examine the relationship between economic policy uncertainty (EPU) and corporate investment in a global setting based on the real options theory and the agency theory. Using a sample of 44,610 firms from 28 countries, we find that the negative relationship between EPU and investment is more pronounced in the countries with stronger investor protection. In the countries with stronger investor protection, the negative impact of EPU on firms' capital investment is significantly stronger for the firms with more irreversible investment. Further evidence shows that the reduction of investment is mainly from overinvestment firms in the countries with stronger investor protection. Our evidence suggests country level investor protection can act as effective governance mechanisms that mitigate agency problems when firms are facing uncertainty.