bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Service quality in the healthcare sector: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Darzi Mushtaq Ahmad , Islam Sheikh Basharul , Khursheed Syed Owais , Bhat Suhail Ahmad
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to summarize the available pool of literature on service quality to identify different dimensions of service quality in the healthcare industry and understand how it is measured. The study attempts to explore the research gaps in the literature about different service quality dimensions and patient satisfaction.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review process was followed to achieve the objectives of the study. Various inclusion and exclusion criteria were used to select relevant research articles from 2000–2020 for the study, and a total of 100 research articles were selected.

Findings

The study identified 41 different dimensions of healthcare service quality measurement and classified these dimensions into four categories, namely servicescape, personnel, hospital administration and patients. It can be concluded that SERVQUAL is the most widely used service quality measurement tool.

Originality/value

The study identified that a majority of the researchers deduced a positive relationship between SERVQUAL dimensions and the quality of healthcare services. The findings of study will assist hospital executives in formulating effective strategies to ensure that patients receive superior quality healthcare services.
Marketing automation and the scope of marketers' heuristics
Authors: Guercini Simone
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This paper examines the relationship between marketing automation emergence and the marketers' use of heuristics in their decision-making processes. Heuristics play a role for the integration of human decision-making models and automation in augmentation processes, particularly in marketing where automation is widespread.

Design/methodology/approach

This study analyzes qualitative data about the impact of marketing automation on the scope of heuristics in decision-making models, and it is based on evidence collected from interviews with twenty-two experienced marketers.

Findings

Marketers make extensive use of heuristics to manage their tasks. While the adoption of new automatic marketing tools modify the task environment and field of use of traditional decision-making models, the adoption of heuristics rules with a different scope is essential to defining inputs, interpreting/evaluating outputs and control the marketing automation system.

Originality/value

The paper makes a contribution to research on the relationship between marketing automation and decision-making models. In particular, it proposes the results of in-depth interviews with senior decision makers to assess the impact of marketing automation on the scope of heuristics as decision-making models adopted by marketers.
Peri‐operative tobacco cessation interventions: a systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Harrogate S. , Barnes J. , Thomas K. , Isted A. , Kunst G. , Gupta S. , Rudd S. , Banerjee T. , Hinchliffe R. , Mouton R.
Published: September 2023

Tobacco smoking is associated with a substantially increased risk of postoperative complications. The peri‐operative period offers a unique opportunity to support patients to stop tobacco smoking, avoid complications and improve long‐term health. This systematic review provides an up‐to‐date summary of the evidence for tobacco cessation interventions in surgical patients. We conducted a systematic search of randomised controlled trials of tobacco cessation interventions in the peri‐operative period. Quantitative synthesis of the abstinence outcomes data was by random‐effects meta‐analysis. The primary outcome of the meta‐analysis was abstinence at the time of surgery, and the secondary outcome was abstinence at 12 months. Thirty‐eight studies are included in the review (7310 randomised participants) and 26 studies are included in the meta‐analysis (5969 randomised participants). Studies were pooled for subgroup analysis in two ways: by the timing of intervention delivery within the peri‐operative period and by the intensity of the intervention protocol. We judged the quality of evidence as moderate, reflecting the degree of heterogeneity and the high risk of bias. Overall, peri‐operative tobacco cessation interventions increased successful abstinence both at the time of surgery, risk ratio (95%CI) 1.48 (1.20–1.83), number needed to treat 7; and 12 months after surgery, risk ratio (95%CI) 1.62 (1.29–2.03), number needed to treat 9. More work is needed to inform the design and optimal delivery of interventions that are acceptable to patients and that can be incorporated into contemporary elective and urgent surgical pathways. Future trials should use standardised outcome measures.
Editorial: opioids in inflammatory bowel disease—primum non nocere
Authors: van der Have Mike , Maljaars Jeroen
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rhudy et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16269 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16292
Editorial: opioids in inflammatory bowel disease—primum non nocere. Authors' reply
Authors: Rhudy Christian , Perry Courtney L. , Barrett Terrence A.
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rhudy et al and van der Have & Maljaars papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16269 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16286
Letter: vedolizumab or a second anti‐TNF—no difference in efficacy for primary biologic failures with IBD
Authors: Demarzo Maria Giulia , Bodini Giorgia , Vanello Mattia , Martini Martina , Giannini Edoardo G.
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rundquist et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16193 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16352
Randomised study: effects of the 5‐HT4 receptor agonist felcisetrag vs placebo on gut transit in patients with gastroparesis
Authors: Chedid Victor , Brandler Justin , Arndt Kayla , Vijayvargiya Priya , Wang Xiao Jing , Burton Duane , Harmsen W. Scott , Siegelman Jenifer , Chen Chunlin , Chen Yinzhong , Almansa Cristina , Dukes George , Camilleri Michael
Published: September 2023

Background

Gastroparesis is defined by delayed gastric emptying with associated symptoms in the absence of mechanical obstruction.

Aim

To evaluate pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of felcisetrag, a highly selective 5‐HT4 receptor agonist, on total gut transit in patients with documented delayed gastric emptying of solids.

Methods

Single‐centre, placebo‐controlled study of 36 participants receiving placebo, 0.1mg, 0.3mg or 1.0mg of felcisetrag I.V. infusion, daily, for 3 days. At baseline, each participant completed a 4h, 99mTc‐egg meal (300 kcal, 30% fat) gastric emptying test. Following infusion (Day 2), gastric, small bowel and colonic transit of solids were measured over 48h (same meal plus 111In‐charcoal delivered in methacrylate‐coated capsule). Samples were collected for pharmacokinetics. The primary endpoint was gastric emptying T1/2. Statistical analysis used baseline parameters as covariates (ANCOVA).

Results

Patients (22 idiopathic, 14 diabetic gastroparesis) were randomised to felcisetrag (0.1 mg, n = 10; 0.3 mg, n = 9; 1.0 mg, n = 7) or placebo (n = 10). Compared to placebo, felcisetrag significantly accelerated gastric emptying T1/2, colonic filling at 6h, and 10% small bowel transit time (overall P < 0.01; all three doses individually Bonferroni corrected P < 0.05) for all three measurements. Ascending colon emptying (T1/2) was significantly accelerated (all doses), and colonic transit at 48 hours was accelerated with 0.1 mg and 0.3 mg felcisetrag compared to placebo. Pharmacokinetic results were dose proportional. Felcisetrag was well tolerated with no clinically significant findings from clinical laboratory, vital signs or ECG.

Conclusion

I.V. felcisetrag significantly accelerated gastric, small bowel and colonic transit in patients with gastroparesis, and should be further evaluated for short‐term treatment of gastric and intestinal motility disorders.

ClinicalTrials.gov #NCT03281577
Editorial: use of intestinal ultrasound in the scoring of Crohn’s disease activity in clinical trials – is it ready for prime time yet? Authors’ reply
Authors: Goodsall Thomas M. , Jairath Vipul , Bryant Robert V. , Ma Christopher
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Goodsall et al and Abushamma & Deepak papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16288andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16308
Comparative benefit and cost‐effectiveness of mailed‐out faecal immunochemical tests vs collection at the general practitioner
Authors: Peterse Elisabeth F. P. , Osoro Caroline B. , Bardou Marc , Lansdorp‐Vogelaar Iris
Published: September 2023

Background

Participation in the colorectal cancer screening programme in France has been well below the 45% considered acceptable by European guidelines, potentially attributable to the need to collect the faecal immunochemical test (FIT) at the general practitioner.

Aim

To estimate the potential benefits and costs of including the FIT in the invitation letter.

Methods

A well‐established microsimulation model was used to simulate the French population 35 years and older in 2018. We estimated quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALY) gained, costs and cost‐effectiveness of the current screening programme, and compared it to a variation of the programme where the FIT was mailed to participants and adherence was assumed to increase to 45%. We also estimated the threshold increase in participation needed to make this intervention cost‐effective.

Results

Under the current programme, 53.8 colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and 25.2 CRC deaths per 1000 individuals are expected to occur over a lifetime. If sending out the FIT increases screening participation to 45%, this intervention would result in 6% fewer CRC deaths and 3% fewer CRC cases, resulting in an estimated cost‐effectiveness ratio of €2149 per QALY gained. Sending out the FIT would only need to increase participation by 0.7% point for this intervention to be considered cost‐effective.

Conclusion

Including the FIT in the invitation letter is likely a very cost‐effective intervention to increase participation in CRC screening. These results for France are also informative for many other countries around the world where FIT needs to be collected at pharmacies or general practitioners.
Liver stiffness by magnetic resonance elastography is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease
Authors: Park Jung Gil , Jung Jinho , Verma Kritin K. , Kang Min Kyu , Madamba Egbert , Lopez Scarlett , Qas Yonan Aed , Liu Amy , Bettencourt Ricki , Sirlin Claude , Loomba Rohit
Published: September 2023

Background

Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) is a reliable non‐invasive alternative to liver biopsy for assessing liver fibrosis. There are limited data regarding an association between liver fibrosis by MRE and risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Aim

To investigate the association of high‐risk CVD phenotype determined by coronary artery calcification (CAC) with liver fibrosis by MRE in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Method

This was a cross‐sectional analysis of well‐characterised, prospective cohorts including 105 patients with NAFLD (MR imaging‐derived proton density fat fraction ≥ 5%) with contemporaneous cardiac computed tomography (CT) and MRE. Patients were assessed using MRE for liver stiffness, and cardiac CT for the presence of CAC (defined as coronary artery calcium score > 0). Odds of presence of CAC were analysed using logistic regression analysis.

Results

The average age and body mass index were 54.9 years and 32.9 kg/m2 respectively. In this cohort, 49.5% of patients had CAC and 35.2% had significant liver fibrosis (defined as MRE ≥2.97 kPa). Compared to patients without CAC, those with CAC were older (50.0 [39.0‐59.0] vs 63.0 [55.5‐67.5], P < 0.001) and had higher Framingham risk score (FRS, 1.0 [0.5‐3.5] vs 6.0 [2.0‐12.0], P < 0.001). In multivariable‐adjusted analysis, liver stiffness as a continuous trait on MRE was independently associated with the presence of CAC in a sex and age‐adjusted model (adjusted odd ratios [aOR] = 2.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.31‐4.34, P = 0.007) as well as in a FRS‐adjusted model (aOR = 2.16, 95% CI = 1.29‐4.09, P = 0.008). When analysed as a dichotomous trait, significant fibrosis (MRE‐stiffness ≥2.97 kPa) remained independently associated with the presence of CAC in both FRS‐adjusted model and sex and age‐adjusted model (aOR = 3.21‐3.53, P = 0.013‐0.017). In addition, CAC was more prevalent in patients with significant fibrosis than those without as determined by MRE (67.6% vs 39.7%, P = 0.012).

Conclusion

Liver stiffness determined by MRE is an independent predictor for the presence of CAC in patients with NAFLD. Patients with NAFLD and significant fibrosis by MRE should be considered for further cardiovascular risk assessment, regardless of their FRS.
Editorial: outcomes following a second switch—evaluating clinical outcomes and patient perspectives in IBD
Authors: Srinivasan Ashish , Haifer Craig , Thin Lena
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Trystram et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16312
Letter: tenofovir may be superior to entecavir for treatment‐naïve chronic hepatitis B patients—authors’ reply
Authors: Pol Stanislas , Lusivika Nzinga Clovis , Carrat Fabrice
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Pol et al and Wang et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16197andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16323
Letter: vedolizumab or a second anti‐TNF—no difference in efficacy for primary biologic failures with IBD. Authors' reply
Authors: Rundquist Sara , Sachs Michael C , Eriksson Carl , Olén Ola , Montgomery Scott , Halfvarson Jonas
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Rundquist et al and Demarzo et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16193andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16301
Review article: immunisation against hepatitis B virus infection and the prevention of hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Vallet‐Pichard Anaïs , Pol Stanislas
Published: September 2023

Background

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection results in a high risk of cirrhosis and its complications: cirrhosis decompensation, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC, the fourth most common cause of cancer‐related mortality worldwide), liver transplantation and death. It is now 40 years since development of the first plasmatic vaccine which has been proven to prevent (liver) cancer.

Aims

To update firstly the molecular and epidemiological aspects of HBV‐related HCC and its natural history together with the benefits associated with viral suppression and secondly the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of HBV vaccination.

Methods

Analysis of recent published data regarding HBV replication, anti‐viral treatments and vaccination.

Results

The nuclear HBV replication cycle in the hepatocyte combines two limiting steps to achievement of HBV cure during chronic infection: the formation of a minichromosome, the supercoiled cccDNA, and host‐genome integration of HBV DNA which triggers direct viral hepatocarcinogenesis. Even if specific anti‐viral treatments significantly reduce viral replication, they decrease but do not cancel the risk of liver‐related events in contrast with the prevention of HBV through HBV vaccination.

Conclusions

To achieve the 2030 viral hepatitis elimination plan, the HBV vaccine is a priority tool for achieving the sustainable development goals of the World Health Organization.
Letter: enhancing training opportunities for upper GI bleeding in Sheffield ‐ a UK transferable model? Authors' reply
Authors: Chaudhary Sardar , Stanley Adrian J.
Published: September 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Chaudhary et al and Adu–Tei et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16170andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.16354
A mixed‐attention‐based multi‐scale autoencoder algorithm for fabric defect detection
Authors: Zhang Hongwei , Wu Yanzi , Lu Shuai , Yao Le , Li Pengfei
Published: September 2023

Aiming at the defects in the process of fabric production, a defect detection model of fabric based on a mixed‐attention‐based multi‐scale non‐skipping U‐shaped deep convolutional autoencoder (MADCAE) was proposed. In a traditional encoder, the convolutional layer treats each pixel equally, so the importance of different pixels cannot be reflected. It is difficult to obtain richer and more effective information. The reconstruction of the defect region and the detection of the defect region are further affected. In this article, three different scale features of input images are extracted by enlarging the receptive field with large kernel convolution blocks. A hybrid attention module is used to ensure the richness of the extracted information in terms of space and channel. Experiments show that this method can effectively reconstruct fabric parts without requiring a large number of defect marking samples. It can quickly detect and locate defective areas of fabric patterns.
Moonlight diminishes seabird attraction to artificial light
Authors: Rodríguez Airam , Atchoi Elizabeth , Rodríguez Beneharo , Pipa Tania , Le Corre Matthieu , Ainley David G.
Published: September 2023

Rescue programs aiming to mitigate light‐induced mortality of seabird fledglings have reported that fewer birds are grounded (and rescued) during full moon nights. Two non‐mutually exclusive hypotheses have been proposed as explanations: (1) reduction of strandings because birds are less attracted to and disorientated by light pollution during full moon nights; and (2) reduction of fledging activity, that is, chicks avoid departing the colony during nights with increased moonlight. We argue that evidence from rescue programs and other studies supports the first but not the second hypothesis. The evidence supports the conclusion that a higher proportion of fledglings make it safely to sea during full moon nights than during moonless nights. Thus, there is a decrease in the severity of light pollution on seabirds around the full moon.
Examining infants’ visual paired comparison performance in the US and rural Malawi
Authors: Beckner Aaron G. , Arnold Charles D. , Bragg Megan G. , Caswell Bess L. , Chen Zhijun , Cox Katherine , DeBolt Michaela C. , George Matthews , Maleta Kenneth , Stewart Christine , Oakes Lisa M. , Prado Elizabeth
Published: September 2023

Measures of attention and memory were evaluated in 6‐ to 9‐month‐old infants from two diverse contexts. One sample consisted of African infants residing in rural Malawi (N = 228, 118 girls, 110 boys). The other sample consisted of racially diverse infants residing in suburban California (N = 48, 24 girls, 24 boys). Infants were tested in an eye‐tracking version of the visual paired comparison procedure and were shown racially familiar faces. The eye tracking data were parsed into individual looks, revealing that both groups of infants showed significant memory performance. However, how a look was operationally defined impacted some—but not other—measures of infant VPC performance.

Research Highlights

In both the US and Malawi, 6‐ to 9‐month‐old infants showed evidence of memory for faces they had previously viewed during a familiarization period.

Infant age was associated with peak look duration and memory performance in both contexts.

Different operational definitions of a look yielded consistent findings for peak look duration and novelty preference scores—but not shift rate.

Operationalization of look‐defined measures is an important consideration for studies of infants in different cultural contexts.
Global governance guard rails for sharks: Progress towards implementing the United Nations international plan of action
Authors: Gilman Eric , Chaloupka Milani , Taylor Nathan , Nelson Lauren , Friedman Kim , Murua Hilario
Published: September 2023

There is growing concern over the conservation status of sharks and relatives exposed to fishing mortality. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in 1999 adopted the International Plan of Action for the Conservation and Management of Sharks (IPOA), which provides nations with advice on adopting and implementing national plans. An assessment of global national and regional plans of action on sharks (NPOAs) found: most are out of date; limited use of specific, measurable and timebound objectives and activities; no outcome objectives; and few performance assessments. This makes most NPOAs inadequate for planning and assessing efficacy. Over 33% of the annual retained catch of sharks and relatives was from countries without NPOAs and less than 12% was from countries with current NPOAs. NPOAs identified fisheries management framework deficits, ecology knowledge gaps, institutional capacity and coordination shortfalls, and budget constraints as the largest obstacles to implementation and are improvement priorities. We recommend how to amend the IPOA to better support the adoption and effective design and implementation of NPOAs for evidence‐informed conservation and management.
MODFLOW as a Configurable Multi‐Model Hydrologic Simulator
Authors: Langevin Christian D. , Hughes Joseph D. , Provost Alden M. , Russcher Martijn J. , Panday Sorab
Published: September 2023

MODFLOW 6 is the latest in a line of six “core” versions of MODFLOW released by the U.S. Geological Survey. The MODFLOW 6 architecture supports incorporation of additional hydrologic processes, in addition to groundwater flow, and allows interaction between processes. The architecture supports multiple model instances and multiple types of models within a single simulation, a flexible approach to formulating and solving the equations that represent hydrologic processes, and recent advances in interoperability, which allow MODFLOW to be accessed and controlled by external programs. The present version of MODFLOW 6 consolidates popular capabilities available in MODFLOW variants, such as the unstructured grid support in MODFLOW‐USG, the Newton‐Raphson formulation in MODFLOW‐NWT, and the support for partitioned stress boundaries in MODFLOW‐CDSS. The flexible multi‐model capability allows users to configure MODFLOW 6 simulations to represent the local‐grid refinement (LGR) capabilities available in MODFLOW‐LGR, the multi‐species transport capabilities in MT3DMS, and the coupled variable‐density capabilities available in SEAWAT. This paper provides a new, holistic and integrated overview of simulation capabilities made possible by the MODFLOW 6 architecture, and describes how ongoing and future development can take advantage of the program architecture to integrate new capabilities in a way that is minimally invasive and automatically compatible with the existing MODFLOW 6 code.
Surface corrosion mechanism of ceramic proppant caused by formation water
Authors: Hao Jianying , Chen Jianing , Liang Tiancheng , Wang Shengchang
Published: September 2023

The performance of ceramic proppant tended to deteriorate during service, and one of the main reasons was the formation of water corrosion on the proppant surface. The proppant was isothermally soaked in formation water and the proppant immersed for different times was characterized by X‐ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, and scanning electron micrscopy. It is found that Cl− in the formation water can migrate to the proppant surface by diffusion and cause corrosion, which degrades its performance. Silica of the proppant can react with Cl− of formation water to form SiCl4, which will rapidly hydrolyze to produce opaque silica gel or silicic acid gel coating the proppant surface. With the extension of immersion time, the gel becomes thicker and more, promoting the degradation of the proppant. This will provide some theoretical guidance for alleviating the degradation of proppant.
Efficacy and safety of oral sodium sulfate tablet compared with 1‐L polyethylene glycol plus ascorbate: a prospective, randomized, endoscopist‐blinded trial
Authors: Park Jin Hwa , Hong Seung Wook , Hwang Sung Wook , Park Sang Hyoung , Yang Dong‐Hoon , Ye Byong Duk , Myung Seung‐Jae , Yang Suk‐Kyun , Byeon Jeong‐Sik
Published: September 2023

Background and Aim

Low‐volume bowel preparation solutions, including 1‐L polyethylene glycol plus ascorbate (PEG‐A), have been developed to improve tolerability. The oral sodium sulfate tablet (OST) is a new agent with simethicone as a preloaded component. We investigated the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of OST compared to 1‐L PEG‐A.

Methods

A single‐center, prospective, controlled study was performed with randomization into the OST (group A) and 1‐L PEG‐A (group B) groups. Bowel preparation efficacy was assessed on the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and Bubble Scale. Safety and tolerability were evaluated using a questionnaire and laboratory examination.

Results

Final analysis was performed on 171 patients (group A: 87, group B: 84). The proportion of bowel preparation success (BBPS ≥ 2 for each colonic segment) in group A was not inferior compared to group B (95.4%vs96.4%,P = 0.736, 1‐sided 97.5% lower confidence limit −7.0%). The adenoma detection rate was not different (59.6%vs41.9%;P = 0.087). The bubble scale was better in group A (0.2 ± 0.9vs1.9 ± 1.7,P < 0.001). All adverse events were mild in both groups. Nausea was less frequent in group A (14.9%vs38.1%,P = 0.001). Overall satisfaction was better in group A (8.1 ± 2.1vs6.4 ± 2.8,P < 0.001). No clinically significant laboratory abnormality developed in both groups. These findings were similarly shown in old patients ≥65 years.

Conclusions

Both OST and 1‐L PEG‐A were efficacious, safe, and tolerable for bowel preparation of colonoscopy. The OST showed fewer bubbles and slightly better tolerability.
Ball possessions and game rhythm in basketball games involving players with and without intellectual impairments
Authors: Sakalidis K. E. , Pérez‐Tejero J. , Khudair M. , Hettinga F. J.
Published: September 2023

Background

Ball possessions and game rhythm are promising variables to better understand teams' collective behaviour during a basketball game. However, the role of these variables is not well documented in teams with intellectual impairments (II). This study aimed to explore ball possession and game rhythm differences between II and non‐II basketball games.

Methods

Data were obtained through video observations (53 II games) and the International Basketball Federation records (53 non‐II games).

Results

Independent t‐tests (P ≤ 0.05) revealed that the number of ball possessions was higher and game rhythm was faster in II games. Two‐way repeated‐measures analysis of variance (P ≤ 0.05) showed that ball possessions and game rhythm developed differently throughout the II games compared with the non‐II games.

Conclusions

The differences may be due to the decision‐making, tactical and self‐regulatory limitations of players with II. These limitations adequately explain why players with II respond differently to the environmental cues and monitor insufficiently their actions compared with players without II. Additionally, the higher number of ball possessions and the faster game rhythm in II games could be an indicator of more intuitive, and thus faster, game‐related decision‐making. In conclusion, the study provides further understanding of the role of cognition in basketball and contributes to better explain the differences between II and non‐II games.
Hematology and blood biochemistry in a declining population of mantled howler monkeys (Alouatta palliata palliata) at La Pacifica, Costa Rica
Authors: Corewyn Lisa C. , Kelaita Mary A. , Nollman Jenny , Hagnauer Isabel , Blanco‐Peña Kinndle , Lessnau Robert G. , Clayton Jonathan B. , Shields‐Cutler Robin , Stoos Kari Brossard
Published: September 2023

Background

Alouatta palliata palliata are an ecologically flexible howler monkey subspecies that has recently been relisted as Endangered. Populations are declining through much of the subspecies' range, including at our study site at La Pacifica, Costa Rica. Our objectives were to screen blood hematology and biochemistry samples collected from this wild population to elucidate their baseline health.

Methods

We collected blood samples from 38 adult individuals from across the study site and analyzed 13 hematology and 14 biochemistry parameters.

Results

Most hematology and blood biochemistry parameter values were similar between males and females. However, mean hemoglobin was significantly lower, and mean white blood cell count was significantly higher in females; and mean calcium and mean creatinine were significantly lower in females compared to males.

Conclusions

Overall, the La Pacifica population appeared healthy based on the blood parameters analyzed from sampled individuals. Our results were also largely consistent with published data available from other populations of A. p. palliata, and with reference values for captive Alouatta caraya.
Color stability of dual‐cured and light‐cured resin cements: A systematic review and meta‐analysis of in vitro studies
Authors: Hardan Louis , Bourgi Rim , Hernández‐Escamilla Triana , Piva Evandro , Devoto Walter , Lukomska‐Szymanska Monika , Cuevas‐Suárez Carlos Enrique
Published: September 2023

Purpose

This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the difference in the color stability of light‐cured and dual‐cured resin cements.

Materials and Methods

Two separate reviewers used the PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase, and Scielo databases to execute the systematic review. For the analysis, studies that evaluated the color stability of dual‐cured and light‐cured resin cements over time were used. The random effects model was used in the meta‐analysis. Analyses of subgroups were carried out based on the aging technique. The methodological quality of each in vitro study was evaluated in accordance with the parameters of a prior systematic review.

Results

From all databases, a total of 2223 articles were retrieved. Following the screening of titles and abstracts, 44 studies were selected for full text review, and a total of 27 articles were used for the qualitative analysis. Finally, 23 articles remained for the qualitative analysis. The majority of studies were labeled as having a medium risk of bias. The global analysis showed that the dual‐cure resin cements had considerably greater differences in the color change (p = 0.006). A high heterogeneity index (86%) was found in the analysis.

Conclusions

The best available in vitro evidence suggests that dual‐polymerizing cement has higher color variation than light‐polymerized materials. To reduce the likelihood of color change after the luting of thin ceramic restorations, clinicians should employ light‐polymerizable resin cements.
Governing with contagion: Pandemic politics, COVID‐19, and undermining public health in Florida
Authors: Kline Nolan
Published: September 2023

The United States approached the COVID‐19 pandemic with inconsistent responses that varied by state. In Florida, legislators passed laws contrary to mitigating the pandemic. These laws included banning county and municipal efforts to control the spread of COVID‐19 through mask mandates, social distancing, and prohibiting vaccination mandates during infectious disease epidemics. Moreover, the Legislature simultaneously prioritized policies of social exclusion, passing bills that constrained the rights of transgender individuals, Black Lives Matter protestors, and educators. In this article, I use the perspectives of critical medical anthropology and “governing through contagion” to examine Florida's COVID‐19 response. I argue the COVID‐19 pandemic provided an opportunity for legislators to obfuscate their political power and advance a politics of social division while simultaneously passing policies that undermined human health. I refer to this process as governing with contagion: Using a pandemic as a politically expedient backdrop to conceal power and simultaneously harm human health.
Comparison of Anterior Cervical Discectomy Fusion Combined with Lateral Mass Screw and with Cervical Pedicle Screw Fixation Surgery under O‐Arm Navigation for Single‐Stage Management of Severe Lower Cervical Fracture Dislocation
Authors: Tang Yingchuang , Li Hanwen , Zhang Shangwu , Liu Hao , Zhang Junxin , Yang Huilin , Zhang Kai , Wang Genlin , Chen Kangwu
Published: September 2023

Objective

The incidence of severe lower cervical fractures and dislocations due to trauma has increased significantly, and the optimal treatment remains controversial. This study compares the safety and efficacy of anterior cervical discectomy fusion (ACDF) combined with lateral mass screw (LMS) and with cervical pedicle screw (CPS) fixation surgery under O‐arm navigation as single‐stage treatments of severe lower cervical fracture dislocations.

Methods

Data from 48 patients who underwent ACDF + CPS (Group A) or ACDF + LMS (Group B) for severe lower cervical fracture dislocation between January 2016 and September 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Groups A and B comprised 25 and 23 cases, respectively. Clinical parameters, such as operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of fixed segments, posterior incision length, operative complications, and hospitalization days were recorded. Preoperatively and postoperatively, the sub‐axial injury classification (SLIC) score, the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) impairment scale, and the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score were recorded and analyzed using Student's t‐test.

Results

The SLIC scores were 7.1 ± 1.2 and 7.5 ± 1.1, ASIA were 1.5 ± 0.6 and 1.2 ± 0.6, JOA score improvements were 3.2 ± 2.4 and 3.0 ± 2.1, operative times were 282.1 ± 91.7 and 266.5 ± 88.2 min, intraoperative blood losses were 437.8 ± 118.5 and 418.7 ± 104.2 mL, fixed segments were 2.8 ± 0.7 and 4.8 ± 1.1, and lengths of posterior incisions were 12.7 ± 2.8 and 13.8 ± 3.2 cm in Groups A and B, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, incision length, and postoperative recovery; however, group A had more fixed segments. At the final follow‐up, no intraoperative or postoperative complications directly caused by the implant were present. Throughout the follow‐up, all cases showed recovery and progressive improvement.

Conclusion

Both ACDF + LMS and ACDF + CPS under O‐arm navigation can safely and effectively restore cervical vertebral sequence, fully release spinal canal compression, and promote patients’ neurological recovery. Thus, both are effective treatments for severe lower cervical fracture dislocations. However, compared to LMS, CPS under O‐arm navigation has shorter fixed segments and induces less trauma.
Improved donor lung size matching by estimation of lung volumes based on chest X‐ray measurements
Authors: Roach David J. , Szugye Nick A. , Moore Ryan A. , Hossain Md Monir , Morales David L. S. , Hayes Don , Towe Christopher T. , Zafar Farhan , Woods Jason C.
Published: September 2023

Rationale

Organ size matching is an important determinant of successful allocation and outcomes in lung transplantation. While computed tomography (CT) is the gold standard, it is rarely used in an organ‐donor context, and chest X‐ray (CXR) may offer a practical and accurate solution in estimating lung volumes for donor and recipient size matching. We compared CXR lung measurements to CT‐measured lung volumes and traditional estimates of lung volume in the same subjects.

Methods

Our retrospective study analyzed clinically obtained CXR and CT lung images of 250 subjects without evidence of lung disease (mean age 9.9 ± 7.8 years; 129 M/121F). From CT, each lung was semi‐automatically segmented and total lung volumes were quantified. From anterior–posterior CXR view, each lung was manually segmented and areas were measured. Lung lengths from the apices to the mid‐basal regions of each lung were measured from CXR. Quantified CT lung volumes were compared to the corresponding CXR lung lengths, CXR lung areas, height, weight, and predicted total lung capacity (pTLC).

Results

There are strong and significant correlations between CT volumes and CXR lung areas in the right lung (R2 = .89, p < .0001), left lung (R2 = .87, p < .0001), and combined lungs (R2 = .89, p < .0001). Similar correlations were seen between CT volumes and CXR measured lung lengths in the right lung (R2 = .79, p < .0001) and left lung (R2 = .81, p < .0001). This correlation between anatomical lung volume (CT) and CXR was stronger than lung‐volume correlation to height (R2 = .66, p < .0001), weight (R2 = .43, p < .0001), or pTLC (R2 = .66, p < .0001).

Conclusion

CXR measures correlate much more strongly with true lung volumes than height, weight, or pTLC. The ability to obtain efficient and more accurate lung volume via CXR has the potential to change our current listing practices of using height as a surrogate for lung size, with a case example provided.
Predictive role of neutrophil‐percentage‐to‐albumin, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte and eosinophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratios for mortality in patients with COPD: Evidence from NHANES 2011–2018
Authors: Lan Chou‐Chin , Su Wen‐Lin , Yang Mei‐Chen , Chen Sin‐Yi , Wu Yao‐Kuang
Published: September 2023

Background and Objective

This study evaluated the predictive roles of hematologic inflammatory biomarkers including neutrophil‐percentage‐to‐albumin ratio (NPAR), neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and eosinophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (ELR) for mortality in community‐dwelling individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

This longitudinal study extracted data of adults 40–79 years who had physician‐diagnosed COPD from the United States (US) National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2018. Cox regressions determined the associations between NPAR, NLR, ELR and their components, with all‐cause mortality, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality and mortality from chronic lower respiratory disease (CLRD). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis estimated the predictive performances of these biomarkers for 5‐year all‐cause mortality.

Results

Data of 1158 subjects were analysed. After adjustment, higher NPAR was significantly associated with increased all‐cause and CVD mortality, and mortality from CLRD (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 1.14, 1.15 and 1.16). Higher NLR was associated with an increased all‐cause and CVD mortality (aHR = 1.16 and 1.29). Higher neutrophil was associated with increased all‐cause mortality and mortality from CLRD (aHR = 1.13 and 1.34). Albumin was associated with decreased all‐cause and CVD mortality (aHR = 0.91 and 0.86). ELR, eosinophil or lymphocyte was not significantly associated with either mortality outcomes. Adjusted AUC of NPAR and NLR in predicting 5‐year all‐cause mortality were 0.808 (95% CI: 0.722–0.845) and 0.799 (95% CI: 0.763–0.835), respectively.

Conclusion

In community‐dwelling US adults with COPD, increased NPAR and NLR are associated with mortality risks. NPAR outperforms the other hematologic inflammatory biomarkers in predicting 5‐year all‐cause mortality.
Recent insights into mechanisms of hypoxia‐induced vasodilatation in the human brain
Authors: Carr Jay M. J. R. , Hoiland Ryan L. , Fernandes Igor A. , Schrage William G. , Ainslie Philip N.
Published: September 2023

The cerebral vasculature manages oxygen delivery by adjusting arterial blood in‐flow in the face of reductions in oxygen availability. Hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation, and the associated hypoxic cerebral blood flow reactivity, involve many vascular, erythrocytic and cerebral tissue mechanisms that mediate elevations in cerebral blood flow via micro‐ and macrovascular dilatation. This contemporary review focuses on in vivo human work – with reference to seminal preclinical work where necessary – on hypoxic cerebrovascular reactivity, particularly where recent advancements have been made. We provide updates with the following information: in humans, hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation is partially mediated via a – likely non‐obligatory – combination of: (1) nitric oxide synthases, (2) deoxygenation‐coupled S‐nitrosothiols, (3) potassium channel‐related vascular smooth muscle hyperpolarization, and (4) prostaglandin mechanisms with some contribution from an interrelationship with reactive oxygen species. And finally, we discuss the fact that, due to the engagement of deoxyhaemoglobin‐related mechanisms, reductions in O2 content via haemoglobin per se seem to account for ∼50% of that seen with hypoxic cerebral vasodilatation during hypoxaemia. We further highlight the issue that methodological impediments challenge the complete elucidation of hypoxic cerebral reactivity mechanisms in vivo in healthy humans. Future research is needed to confirm recent advancements and to reconcile human and animal findings. Further investigations are also required to extend these findings to address questions of sex‐, heredity‐, age‐, and disease‐related differences. The final step is to then ultimately translate understanding of these mechanisms into actionable, targetable pathways for the prevention and treatment of cerebral vascular dysfunction and cerebral hypoxic brain injury.

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Where Does Value-Added Flow in Gross Exports, Mr. Newton? Global Supply Chains and New Regionalization's Effects in the Asia-Pacific
Authors: Steinhauser Dušan
Published: September 2023

The New Trade Theory proposes that participating in global supply chains (GVCs) enhances productivity and economies of scale. However, recent events like the COVID-19 pandemic and Ukraine crisis have exposed the vulnerabilities of GVCs to global risks. This study investigates the relationship between gross exports and the domestic value-added content of such exports, considering various factors, including labor productivity, especially in Belt and Road Initiative countries (A-P Belt and Road Initiative [BRI]). We analyze the role of GVCs using cross-sectional and panel data from the 2021 OECD Trade in Value-Added. Over the period from 2009 to 2018, we observed that countries with increasing productivity exported goods, services, and value-added to other countries experiencing similar productivity. Our findings indicate that export concentration contributes to increased value-added exports. However, we could not validate the effects of R&D spending, the real effective exchange rate, foreign direct investment inflows, and A-P BRI membership contributions using the difference-in-differences method.
The OIC's Intra-Bloc and Extra-Bloc Trade: How Effective are the FTAs?
Authors: Masood Amjad , Ahmed Junaid , Kareem Fatima Olanike
Published: September 2023

The present study evaluates the role of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) in facilitating trade for the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries. We used the structural gravity model and the Poisson pseudo-maximum likelihood estimator to examine annual bilateral trade from 2000 to 2019. We find that FTAs have a positive impact, which is more pronounced in the case of the intra-OIC trade. Furthermore, the findings show that the quality of governance in the source country influences the adjustment of the exporting process in response to the entry of an FTA. The majority of OIC countries currently have poor governance. Therefore, improving the governance conditions would encourage trade, particularly for the extra-bloc exports.
Development of Physical-Chemical Surrogate Models and Skeletal Mechanisms for the Combustion Simulation of Several Jet Fuels
Authors: Yu Jin , Guo Fanjun , Deng Tao , Liu Ping , Yu Jia-Jia
Published: September 2023

The physical–chemical surrogate models for S-8, Jet-A, and RP-3 fuels to capture their physical and kinetics properties have been developed in this study. n-dodecane (nC12H26), 2,5-dimethylhexane (C8H18-25), and toluene (C6H5CH3) were chosen as candidate surrogate components and formulated by the function group based surrogate fuel methodology. Some important physical properties and spray characteristics for S-8, Jet-A, and RP-3 surrogate models were validated. The results indicate that present surrogate models can well emulate various physical properties to accurately reproduce the spray characteristics. Then, a minimal and high-precision surrogate skeletal mechanism that can be suitable for computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations was developed and validated against some fundamental combustion experiments for each surrogate component. Furthermore, the performances of surrogate models that contain the surrogate formulation and associated skeletal mechanisms were validated against the experimental data on ignition delay times (IDTs), species concentration profiles, and laminar flame speeds (Su0) in a wide range of conditions. Finally, the surrogate fuels were used to combustion CFD simulations to model the spray combustion process in a constant volume combustion chamber. It can be seen that the agreements between the simulation and experiment in fundamental and spray combustion characteristics are reasonably good, which proves that present surrogate models are accurate and robust to be applied in CFD simulations.
Reducing the Energy Penalty of Retrofit Decarbonization in Combined Cycle Power Plants
Authors: Ravelli Silvia
Published: September 2023

This study is a continuation of previous work aimed at elucidating the effect of hydrogen-cofiring and exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) on combined cycle (CC) performance. The thermodynamic analysis was expanded to include postcombustion capture (PCC) by means of mono-ethanolamine (MEA). Attention was paid to net power output and thermal efficiency. Part-load operation of the CC without carbon capture was taken as a reference. Decarbonization solutions, in ascending order of complexity, included the following: (1) adding a PCC unit; (2) combining EGR with PCC, so as to exploit the increase in the flue gas CO2 concentration while reducing the exhaust gas flow delivered to the absorber; (3) including hydrogen cofiring at the largest capability dictated by the gas turbine (GT) combustion system, with the opportunity to explore a wider range of EGR rates, while still relying on PCC of the residual CO2 in flue gas, before discharge into the environment. Scenarios were first discussed under the same GT load for consistency with the published literature, thus enabling the validation of the modeling procedure. Then, CC net power production was assumed as the basis of comparison. The third solution was found to be the most promising thus minimizing both the energy penalty due to carbon capture and CO2 emission intensity (EI).