bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Family businesses in digital economy: findings from the Czech Republic
Authors: Mikušová Marie , Stanovská Kateřina
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Family business in the Czech Republic has a very short history, which creates inequalities in the conditions of family business compared to other countries. The aim is to find out whether, despite the disadvantages resulting from historical development, the approach of Czech family business owners to digitization differs from that of business owners existing in an environment with a long history of family business.

Design/methodology/approach

The respondents of the online questionnaire survey conducted in spring 2024 are family business owners from the Czech Republic. About 500 valid responses were obtained, mainly from small manufacturing businesses. The hypotheses were statistically verified. To analyse the relationships between variables, coefficients were used (Pearson’s, Spearman’s, Gamma, Kendall’s or Kruskal–Wallis test). Factor analysis was used to identify hidden variables that may explain the relationships between the observed variables.

Findings

Key findings related to the approaches of generations owned and managed to the implementation of digitization, the influence of non-family managers and owners, the main barriers to implementation or the expected benefits. The finding that, despite the large historical distance, the attitudes of historically young family businesses do not differ much from those of owners in countries with a long history of family businesses can be considered novelties. It demonstrates that family businesses are mainly influenced by their specific characteristics brought about by the intermingling of family and business, regardless of the history of the development of the business environment.

Originality/value

This research highlights a key insight into family business dynamics: the cultural and historical context appears to have a less significant impact on owners’ attitudes than the inherent characteristics shared across family businesses. In essence, the unique blend of family and business interests creates commonalities that transcend geographical or historical differences. Comparing family business owners from the former “Eastern Bloc” and those from countries that have not been hampered by this social scrutiny provides a new perspective in the discipline of family business. Groups of barriers to the introduction of digitization were identified, namely resources, changes, data security and employees.
The art of inclusivity: how sense of community shapes Muslim journeys across Islamic and non-Islamic destinations
Authors: Suhartanto Dwi , Amalia Fatya Alty , Sumarjan Norzuwana , Lu Carol Yirong , Nova Muhamad
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to explore the role of the sense of community in shaping Muslim tourists’ experiences in both Islamic and non-Islamic destinations, using the experience quality-intention framework.

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected from 420 Muslim tourists visiting Islamic destinations and 371 visiting non-Islamic destinations, all of whom were Indonesian inbound or outbound tourists. Partial Least Squares analysis was applied to evaluate the sense of community’s impact on factors influencing Muslim tourists’ experiences.

Findings

The analysis reveals that integrating the sense of community into the framework enhances understanding of the factors affecting Muslim tourists’ overall experiences, satisfaction and behavioural intentions across both destination types. Notably, the sense of community significantly shapes tourists’ holistic experiences, satisfaction and intentions, though it affects attraction experiences differently between Islamic and non-Islamic destinations.

Practical implications

From a managerial perspective, findings suggest that destination managers can enhance Muslim tourists’ experiences and promote positive behavioural intentions by fostering a sense of community, regardless of tourists’ backgrounds. This underscores the importance of leveraging community connections to enrich experiences and encourage favourable intentions in diverse destinations.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the existing literature by expanding the Experience Quality-Intention framework to include the sense of community, providing fresh insights into predicting tourist experiences and intentions across diverse destinations.
Optimization of buffer allocation in mixed production systems with multiple classes, variable batch sizes and worker fatigue considerations
Authors: Gao Sixiao , Liao Yinsheng , Hu Zhiming
Published: January 2025

Purpose

With rapid market customized demand and short development cycles, mixed production with multiple classes and variable batches has been popular, and its buffer allocation problem has become a new challenge. The mixed production cannot be analyzed based on the assumption of a stationary demand process which was typically used in previous studies. Furthermore, mixed production is still in human–machine cooperation mode where dynamic working efficiency because of workers’ fatigue causes uncertain processes. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to solve the buffer allocation problem in mixed production systems with multiple classes, variable batch sizes and worker fatigue considerations.

Design/methodology/approach

A dynamic modeling method of mixed production with multiple classes and variable batches is improved, which uses nonstationary demand processes to model the dynamic nature of multiple classes and variable batches. Human working efficiency decreasing due to fatigue is modeled as the time-varying service rate to represent human–machine cooperation. Furthermore, a parallel evolutionary algorithm that combines global and local search strategies parallelly is developed to solve the buffer allocation problem in mixed production for the first time.

Findings

Numerical examples demonstrate the efficacy of the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm achieves better solution quality than the state of art algorithms.

Originality/value

This study improves the dynamic modeling of mixed production to consider human factors and develops a hybrid algorithm to effectively solve the buffer allocation problem in dynamic mixed production.
Soil fungal necromass in deciduous‐dominated boreal forest after 13 years of inorganic nitrogen addition
Authors: Hupperts Stefan F. , Rodriguez‐Ramos Jean C. , Ishangulyyeva Guncha , Wasyliw Josh , Birch Joseph D. , Franklin James , Kwak Jin‐Hyeob , Chang Scott X. , Erbilgin Nadir , Karst Justine
Published: January 2025

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi comprise a large proportion of the living and dead microbial‐derived soil carbon (C) pool in boreal forests. Because soil nitrogen (N) and C cycles are closely interlinked, shifts in N availability and subsequent effects on dead fungal mass (“necromass”) may influence C storage in soils. Several mechanisms could underlie the balance of fungal necromass production and stabilization, including fungal morphological traits and physiological traits and biochemical interactions between roots and ECM fungi.

We applied inorganic N (30 kg ha−1 year−1) for 13 years in a boreal forest dominated by Populus tremuloides Michx. and measured total fungal necromass concentrations and total C concentrations in organic and mineral soil. We also measured total fungal biomass concentrations in soil (representing changes in inputs), condensed tannin and chitin concentrations of mycorrhizal roots (representing changes in necromass stabilization), and the potential genetic capacity of the ECM fungal community to produce chitinases (indicating chitin degradation potential) and class II peroxidases (indicating polyphenol degradation potential).

We detected little effect of long‐term N addition on soil fungal necromass concentration. Long‐term N addition did not have a detectable effect on soil C concentration, standing fungal biomass, fine root tannin or chitin concentrations. Despite downward trends, there was also no detectable effect of N addition on the potential genetic capacity of the ECM fungal community to produce chitinases or class II peroxidases.

Our study indicates that 13 years of inorganic N addition in a deciduous broadleaf‐dominated boreal forest has little detectable effect on soil fungal necromass concentrations or potential underlying mechanisms. However, morphological and physiological traits of the ECM community appear decoupled in response to inorganic N addition, representing key functional responses that warrant further investigation.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Numerous independent gains of daily torpor and hibernation across endotherms, linked with adaptation to diverse environments
Authors: Kontopoulos Dimitrios‐Georgios , Levesque Danielle L. , Hiller Michael
Published: January 2025

Many endotherms from diverse taxonomic groups can respond to environmental changes through torpor, that is, by greatly reducing their energy expenditure for up to 24 hours (daily torpor) or longer (hibernation). We currently have a poor understanding of how torpor evolved across endotherms and its associations with physiological traits and ecological factors.

To fill this gap, we thoroughly examine the evolutionary patterns of torpor and its links with 21 key physiological and ecological variables across 1338 extant endotherms.

We find that daily torpor and hibernation are parts of an evolutionary torpor continuum, and that there are several, albeit weak, associations between torpor and species' physiological or environmental characteristics. Furthermore, we show that early endotherm ancestors likely did not hibernate and that this trait evolved multiple times in independent lineages.

Overall, our results suggest that the remarkable variation in torpor patterns across extant endotherms cannot solely be attributed to environmental niches, but partly arises from independent gains of daily torpor and hibernation in various clades.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Couple therapy and systemic interventions for adult‐focused problems: The evidence base
Authors: Carr Alan
Published: January 2025

This twenty‐fifth anniversary review updates previous similar papers published in JFT in 2000, 2009, 2014 and 2019. It presents evidence from meta‐analyses, systematic reviews and controlled trials for the effectiveness of couple therapy and systemic interventions for adults with a range or relationship and mental physical health problems. The evidence supports the effectiveness of systemic interventions, either alone or as part of multimodal programmes, for relationship distress, psychosexual problems, intimate partner violence, anxiety and mood disorders, alcohol problems, schizophrenia and adjustment to chronic physical illness. Systemic interventions are as effective as evidenced‐based individual psychotherapeutic interventions for all of these problems, and more effective than individual therapy for some, including for relationship distress, situational intimate partner violence and delaying relapse in schizophrenia.
Challenges and opportunities for data integration to improve estimation of migratory connectivity
Authors: Hostetler Jeffrey A. , Cohen Emily B. , Bossu Christen M. , Scarpignato Amy L. , Ruegg Kristen , Contina Andrea , Rushing Clark S. , Hallworth Michael T.
Published: January 2025

Understanding migratory connectivity, or the linkage of populations between seasons, is critical for effective conservation and management of migratory wildlife. A growing number of tools are available for understanding where migratory individuals and populations occur throughout the annual cycle. Integration of the diverse measures of migratory movements can help elucidate migratory connectivity patterns with methodology that accounts for differences in sampling design, directionality, effort, precision and bias inherent to each data type.

The R package MigConnectivity was developed to estimate population‐specific connectivity and the range‐wide strength of those connections. New functions allow users to integrate intrinsic markers, tracking and long‐distance reencounter data, collected from the same or different individuals, to estimate population‐specific transition probabilities (estTransition) and the range‐wide strength of those transition probabilities (estStrength). We used simulation and real‐world case studies to explore the challenges and limitations of data integration based on data from three migratory bird species, Painted Bunting (Passerina ciris), Yellow Warbler (Setophaga petechia) and Bald Eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus), two of which had bidirectional data.

We found data integration is useful for quantifying migratory connectivity, as single data sources are less likely to be available across the species range. Furthermore, accurate strength estimates can be obtained from either breeding‐to‐nonbreeding or nonbreeding‐to‐breeding data. For bidirectional data, integration can lead to more accurate estimates when data are available from all regions in at least one season.

The ability to conduct combined analyses that account for the unique limitations and biases of each data type is a promising possibility for overcoming the challenge of range‐wide coverage that has been hard to achieve using single data types. The best‐case scenario for data integration is to have data from all regions, especially if the question is range‐wide or data are bidirectional. Multiple data types on animal movements are becoming increasingly available and integration of these growing datasets will lead to a better understanding of the full annual cycle of migratory animals.
Visual function and vehicle driving performance under the effects of cannabidiol: A randomized cross‐over experiment
Authors: Ortiz‐Peregrina Sonia , Martino Francesco , Casares‐López Miriam , Granados‐Delgado Pilar , Anera Rosario G. , Castro Torres José J.
Published: January 2025

Aims

This study aimed to determine the effect of vaporized cannabidiol (CBD) on visual function and vehicle driving performance, given the growing popularity of CBD use worldwide.

Design

Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled cross‐over experimental study.

Setting

Laboratory of Vision Sciences and Applications, University of Granada, Spain.

Participants

Thirty participants were recruited through advertisements placed in the local newspaper and distributed among the university community. They had a mean age of 26.2 (6.2) years, and 70% were male. All of them were occasional users of CBD or cannabis, and held valid driving licenses.

Interventions

Three experimental sessions, conducted one week apart, in which a placebo, 15% CBD (16 mg) or 30% CBD (32 mg) was vaporized.

Measurements

The primary endpoint for driving performance was the overall driving performance score (ODPS). Secondary outcomes included visual function variables such as static and dynamic visual acuity, stereoacuity, contrast sensitivity, motion detection and other driving performance parameters such as mean speed, lateral vehicle control or reaction time.

Findings

Comparisons revealed no statistically significant changes in ODPS after vaporizing CBD at 15% or 30% compared with the placebo (χ2 = 0.479; P = 0.787). Visual function remained largely unchanged, with only a statistically significant decrease in motion detection (χ2 = 7.980; P = 0.018). Similarly, no statistically significant differences were found in driving performance secondary outcomes, such as the standard deviation of lateral lane position (χ2 = 0.068; P = 0.966), distance travelled outside the lane (χ2 = 2.530; P = 0.282), reaction time (χ2 = 1.000; P = 0.607), or collisions (χ2 = 0.987; P = 0.610). Additionally, correlations between ODPS and visual function did not yield statistically significant results.

Conclusions

Consumption of vaporized cannabidiol in 16 mg and 32 mg doses does not appear to affect simulated vehicle driving performance and visual function.
Echinacoside attenuates Klebsiella pneumoniae‐induced pneumonia via inhibition of the TLR4/NF‐κB signaling
Authors: Zhang Mi , Zhan Ming , Song Xinyu
Published: January 2025

The Gram‐negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae (K. pneumoniae) is one major causative agent of community‐ and hospital‐acquired pneumonia. Echinacoside (ECH) is a phenylethanoid glycoside isolated from Cistanche deserticola that possesses anti‐inflammatory activity. Our research aimed to confirm whether ECH alleviates K. pneumoniae‐induced pneumonia and explore the underlying regulatory mechanisms. BEAS‐2B cells and BALB/c mice were infected by K. pneumoniae to establish the cellular and animal models, respectively, followed by ECH treatment. Inflammatory cytokine levels were detected by RT‐qPCR and ELISA. The lung wet/dry (W/D) weight ratio and the myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in lung tissues were examined. The pulmonary histopathologic changes were observed through hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. The levels of TLR4/NF‐κB pathway‐associated molecules were estimated through western blotting, immunohistochemical, and immunohistochemical staining. K. pneumoniae infection caused lung histopathologic damage, enhanced MPO activity, elevated lung W/D weight ratio, and upregulated inflammatory cytokine levels in mice and promoted inflammatory cytokine expression in BEAS‐2B cells, which were reversed by ECH treatment. K. pneumoniae infection‐induced upregulation in TLR4, phosphorylated (p)‐p65, and p‐IκBα levels, and downregulation in IκBα levels in BEAS‐2B cells and pneumonia mice were overturned by ECH treatment. ECH ameliorates K. pneumoniae‐induced pneumonia through suppressing the TLR4/NF‐κB pathway.
Global Burden of Gallbladder Cancer Attributable to Modifiable Risk Factors
Authors: Piovani Daniele , Nikolopoulos Georgios K. , Figlioli Gisella , Tsantes Andreas G. , Bonovas Stefanos
Published: January 2025

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly lethal and often overlooked malignancy increasingly affecting young adults. This study quantified the global proportion of GBC cases attributable to 10 key modifiable risk factors, employing Monte Carlo simulations and estimates from field‐wide systematic review and meta‐analysis. Approximately three‐quarters of global GBC cases are attributable to key modifiable factors (74.6%; 95% uncertainty interval, 63.7–83.7), with a slightly higher share observed in females. Central obesity (29.7%; 8.7–49.5), gallstones (27.9%; 16.8–40.7), and physical inactivity (20.5%; 7.4–34.1) were identified as the leading contributors. Most GBC cases are preventable, with a large share linked to metabolic health conditions.
Resurrected analysis: Navigating time between two environmental projects in Finland
Authors: Garson Katja
Published: January 2025

This paper considers the ways in which research projects linger beyond their ‘official’ endings, and how to deal with this. Building on conversations in human geography and related disciplines on slow research, performed endings, and the practical and socio‐political complexities of data storage and analysis over time, I relate some experiences with my research on the Finnish Saimaa Ringed Seal, which resurfaced years later via a new project. Should I re‐engage or leave it as a discrete period of previous work? An end to funding or finishing the write‐up does not necessarily sever the connection between a researcher and their data. I argue that social research can be an ongoing, slow, and personal process. My aim is to encourage both new and more experienced researchers to reflect on how we think about data and analysis when projects may live on in our minds or in boxes in a cupboard.
Characterization of volatile compound profile in Mongolian traditional fermented mare's milk, as Airag
Authors: Ganzorig Oyundelger , Batdorj Batjargal , Satomi Ishii
Published: January 2025

We aimed to evaluate the volatile compounds profile in traditional airag samples collected from two regions, including Bulgan and Uvurkhangai provinces, whereas famous airag‐making areas in Mongolia. The volatile compounds of airag were investigated by the GC–MS method. A total of 95 kinds of volatile compounds were detected, and these were classified into 6 different classes: 14 acids, 14 alcohols, 16 aldehydes, 19 esters, 9 ketones, and 23 aliphatic hydrocarbons. Among them, acetic acid, 2‐methyl propionic acid, isoamyl lactic acid, 2‐methyl butanoic acid, hexanoic acid, heptanoic acid, octanoic acid, nonanoic acid, n‐decanoic acid, 1‐propanol, 3‐methyl 1‐butanol, phenyl ethyl alcohol, acetaldehyde, acetoin, ethyl acetate, ethyl hexanoate, ethyl caprylate, ethyl decanoate, ethyl 9‐decanoate, and ethyl laurate had a high concentration in airag samples. It may explain that acids, alcohols, and esters mainly influence the taste and aroma of airag, and aldehydes change depending on their fermentation time. We also found that Bulgan provinces` samples contained 20 types of aliphatic hydrocarbons, which may relate to the vegetation and fermentation process. The formation of sensory characteristics in airag is a complex and unclear process because it affects many factors. Our findings provide essential guidance on the composition of volatile compounds in Mongol airag.
Decoding Normal‐Fault Controlled Trends in Stratigraphic Grain Size: Examples From the Kerinitis Gilbert‐Type Delta, Greece
Authors: Rezwan Nahin , Whittaker Alexander C. , McLeod Jonah S. , Hook Joel , Castelltort Sébastien , Schlunegger Fritz
Published: January 2025

Stratigraphy and its associated grain size preserve a record of the dynamic behaviour of source‐to‐sink systems over time. Sediment supply and available accommodation space primarily control downstream grain‐size fining preserved in stratigraphy. In principle, these grain‐size trends can be inverted to quantify temporal and spatial variation in these driving forces. Here, we illustrate how grain size and stratigraphic thickness can be used to quantify fault growth and interaction using the early‐mid Pleistocene Pirgaki‐Mermoussia (P‐M) fault, Gulf of Corinth, Greece, as a natural laboratory. A 2.5 km long exposed cliff section of the uplifted Kerinitis Gilbert‐type delta, which lies in the hanging wall of the P‐M fault, was selected for study. In the field, we traced out stratigraphic units in the lower part of the Kerintis delta, which are bounded by flooding surfaces, and measured their thickness to reconstruct hanging wall subsidence. We collected down‐system grain‐size data at 31 measurement sites using the Wolman point count method. Our results show the observed grain‐size fining rate increase from 11 to 17 mm.km−1 for the lower delta deposits over a timescale of up to 120 kyr. Using a self‐similarity‐based grain‐size fining model and considering a minimum increase in accommodation generation from 0.6 to 1 mm year−1 over this period, we reconstruct an increase in delta sediment supply from ca. 170 to 460 m3 year−1. The integration of stratigraphic thickness measurements with grain‐size fining trends enables quantitative reconstruction of temporal variations in fault‐driven accommodation space and sediment supply, thereby demonstrating fault slip rate evolution. We show an increase in the P‐M fault slip rate during its early history from 1 to 2 mm year−1, reflecting early interaction of the P‐M fault segments over ca. 120 kyr. Reconstructed catchment‐averaged erosion rates are ca. 20% of the footwall uplift, implying a transient response of the landscape to the P‐M fault growth. These analyses demonstrate how grain‐size data from a well‐constrained geological example can be used to reconstruct landscape dynamics quantitatively in fault‐controlled sedimentary systems with high temporal and spatial resolution.
European multicentre analysis of the implementation of robotic complete mesocolic excision for right‐sided colon tumours
Authors: Van Eetvelde Ellen , Duhoky Rauand , Piozzi Guglielmo Niccolò , Perez Daniel , Jacobs‐Tulleneers‐Thevissen Daniel , Khan Jim , Bianchi Paolo Pietro , Ruiz Marcos Gomez
Published: January 2025

Aim

Complete mesocolic excision (CME) is an oncologically driven technique for treating right colon cancer. While laparoscopic CME is technically demanding and has been associated with more complications, the robotic approach might reduce morbidity. The aim of this study was to assess the safety of stepwise implementation of robotic CME.

Method

A multicentre retrospective analysis of prospectively collected data on robotic right colectomy was performed at five European tertiary centres. Patients were classified for type of surgery: R‐RHC (standard right colectomy), R‐impCME (learning cases towards robotic CME defined as R‐RHC with one but not all the hallmarks of CME) or R‐CME (robotic CME). Primary outcomes were overall and severe 30‐day complication rates before and after propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Results

Five hundred and fifty‐one consecutive patients undergoing robotic surgery for (pre)malignant lesions of the right colon between 2010 and 2020 were included: R‐RHC (n = 101), R‐impCME (n = 135) and R‐CME (n = 315). Baseline characteristics differed for American Society of Anesthesiologists score (p = 0.0012) and preoperative diagnosis of adenocarcinoma (p < 0.001). Procedure time increased by surgical complexity (p < 0.001). Vascular event rates did not differ, with no superior mesenteric vein injuries. Conversion, complication and anastomotic leak rates, time to flatus/soft diet and length of stay (LOS) did not differ. While R‐RHC was performed for a lower rate of malignancies (p < 0.001), lymph node yield was significantly higher in R‐CME (p < 0.001). After PSM, analyses on 186 patients documented no differences in overall and severe 30‐day complication rate, conversion rate, LOS or 30‐day mortality.

Conclusion

R‐CME can be implemented without increasing the overall or 30‐day severe complication rate.
Risk Factors Analysis of Cutaneous Adverse Drug Reactions Caused by Targeted Therapy and Immunotherapy Drugs for Oncology and Establishment of a Prediction Model
Authors: Zhang Zimin , Zhu Mingyang , Jiang Weiwei
Published: January 2025

Targeted therapy and immunotherapy drugs for oncology have greater efficacy and tolerability than cytotoxic chemotherapeutic drugs. However, the cutaneous adverse drug reactions associated with these newer therapies are more common and remain poorly predicted. An effective prediction model is urgently needed and essential. This retrospective study included 1052 patients, divided into train set, test set, and external validation set. As a data‐driven study, a total of 76 variables were collected. Univariate logistic analysis, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and stepwise logistic regression were utilized for feature screening. Finally, nine machine‐learning models were constructed and compared, and grid search was performed to adjust the parameters. Model performance was evaluated using calibration curve and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC). Nine risk factors were eventually identified: age, treatment modality, cancer types, history of allergies, age‐corrected Charlson comorbidity index, percentage of eosinophils, absolute number of monocytes, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status, and C‐reactive protein. Among the models, the logistic model performed best, demonstrating strong performance in test set (AUROC = 0.734) and external validation set (AUROC = 0.817). This study identified nine significant risk factors and developed a nomogram prediction model. These findings have important implications for optimizing therapeutic efficacy and maintaining the quality of life of patients from the perspective of managing cutaneous adverse drug reactions.

Trial Registration: ChiCTR2400088422
Incremental Role of Cardiac CT Angiography in the Assessment of Left Ventricular Diastolic Function in Patients With Suspected Coronary Artery Disease With Normal Ejection Fraction: A Comparison With Transthoracic Echocardiography
Authors: Kumar Amy Fiona Suresh , Ojha Vineeta , Veettil Sreelal Thazhathu , Mantoo Mohsin , Singh Damandeep , Pandey Niraj Nirmal , Jagia Priya , Yadav Satyavir , Kumar Sanjeev
Published: January 2025

Objective

Diastolic dysfunction (DD) is defined as impaired left ventricular (LV) relaxation, caused by structural or functional heart diseases. We sought to assess the role of cardiac CT angiography (CCTA) as a tool to evaluate LV DD in patients with normal EF using the diastolic expansion index (DEI), as compared to transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) as the gold standard.

Methods

Patients presenting with atypical chest pain with suspected coronary artery disease (CAD) and having a normal LV ejection fraction on TTE underwent CCTA using a dual source CT scanner. Assessment of diastolic function on CCTA was done using DEI, and it was compared with TTE‐derived diastolic function as per standard ASE/EACVI guidelines. DEI was measured using a dedicated postprocessing software (Syngo.via VB20, Siemens Healthcare, Germany) and was calculated as a ratio of maximum LV volume (in LV end‐diastole) to maximum left atrial (LA) volume (in LV end‐systole), with the mean value of readings from three independent readers taken for each calculation.

Results

The study included 141 patients (60 male; mean age 50.82 ± 10.20 years; mean heart rate 84.90 ± 16.15 beats per minute). CCTA‐derived mean indexed LA volumes correlated well with TTE measurements but were larger when compared to TTE (r = 0.53, p < 0.0001). A progressive increase in LA volume index was noted with worsening DD grades. Excellent inter‐observer correlation was seen between the three observers for LA volume index (intra‐class correlation coefficient: 0.999 [95% CI: 0.999–0.999] and for DEI 0.996 [95% CI: 0.995–0.997]). A normal LV diastolic function was predicted by a DEI > 1.57 with a specificity and sensitivity of 88.3% and 81.6%, respectively (area under curve (AUC)‐0.87), whereas an abnormal LV diastolic function was predicted by DEI <1.46 with a specificity and sensitivity of 84.8% and 62.5%, respectively (AUC‐0.848). There was a significant correlation between the presence of obstructive CAD and an increase in calcium score with DD grade (p = 0.006 and 0.001, respectively).

Conclusion

CCTA‐derived DEI is a reliable metric for assessing LV diastolic dysfunction in patients with suspected CAD with normal ejection fraction. The presence of obstructive CAD and an increase in calcium score correlated with worsening DD grade.
Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis: A complex interplay between a clinically and genetically heterogeneous condition
Authors: O'Keefe Emily , Kiernan Matthew , Huynh William
Published: January 2025

Background and Purpose

Cerebrotendinous xanthomatosis (CTX) is a rare autosomal recessive lipid storage disease characterized by abnormal bile acid synthesis. It often presents with systemic and neurological manifestations; however, atypical presentations can lead to significant diagnostic challenges. This case report highlights the diagnostic complexities and management considerations in a patient with an uncommon presentation of CTX.

Methods

We present a patient with a 25‐year history of spastic paraparesis, initially suggestive of hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP), ultimately diagnosed with CTX associated with a novel CYP27A1 variant of uncertain significance (VUS).

Results

A 53‐year‐old Greek woman presented with a 25‐year history of slowly progressive spastic paraparesis. Initial investigations were largely unremarkable, leading to a presumptive diagnosis of a hereditary spastic paraplegia (HSP)‐like syndrome. After 5 years of slow disease progression, the patient developed right ankle swelling. MRI revealed significant enlargement of the Achilles tendon, suggestive of xanthoma infiltration. Subsequent genetic testing identified a homozygous variant of uncertain significance (VUS) in the CYP27A1 gene. Biochemical analyses revealed elevated cholestanol levels and cholestanepentol glucuronide in urine, confirming the diagnosis of CTX. Treatment with chenodeoxycholic acid stabilized her condition over 3 years, but advanced disease limited efficacy in improving disability.

Conclusion

This case highlights the diagnostic challenges associated with CTX, stemming from its relative rarity and significant clinical heterogeneity. It emphasizes the importance of a comprehensive approach combining clinical suspicion, imaging, genetic testing and biochemical analyses for accurate diagnosis, interpretation of VUS and management of rare conditions like CTX.
Diverse perspectives: Empirical research trends and demographics in family court review the past 25 years
Authors: Harris‐Britt April , Siotia Suchika , Walk Kelly
Published: January 2025

Family Court Review (FCR) stands as a premier, peer‐reviewed journal in family law practice, providing a platform for practical, theoretical, and empirical articles. Anchored in core values of interdisciplinary collaboration and a commitment to the well‐being of families, FCR fosters scholarly discourse aimed at facilitating efficient resolutions of family disputes. In line with these values, the current study conducted an examination of articles published from 1998 to 2023 to understand how issues of diversity have been addressed. The analysis revealed an underrepresentation of quantitative empirical studies compared to other research types that were published in the journal. Furthermore, only a small minority of the empirical studies included important demographic data about the sample and an even smaller percentage of studies incorporated issues of diversity into the conclusions or implications for future directions. Notably, there was a trend showing an increasing number of articles that include and focus on individual differences over the past 10 years. Findings advocate for a greater emphasis on including publications with empirical data and disclosed demographics to bolster the robustness and applicability of research findings. By accentuating the diversity elements present in research samples and discussing their implications, FCR can deepen the understanding of the potentially disparate challenges and needs of individuals from various cultural backgrounds, who are involved in family law processes.
Climate Change Influences via Species Distribution Shifts and Century‐Scale Warming in an End‐To‐End California Current Ecosystem Model
Authors: Liu Owen R. , Kaplan Isaac C. , Hernvann Pierre‐Yves , Fulton Elizabeth A. , Haltuch Melissa A. , Harvey Chris J. , Marshall Kristin N. , Muhling Barbara , Norman Karma , Pozo Buil Mercedes , Rovellini Alberto , Samhouri Jameal F.
Published: January 2025

Climate change can impact marine ecosystems through many biological and ecological processes. Ecosystem models are one tool that can be used to simulate how the complex impacts of climate change may manifest in a warming world. In this study, we used an end‐to‐end Atlantis ecosystem model to compare and contrast the effects of climate‐driven species redistribution and projected temperature from three separate climate models on species of key commercial importance in the California Current Ecosystem. Adopting a scenario analysis approach, we used Atlantis to measure differences in the biomass, abundance, and weight at age of pelagic and demersal species among six simulations for the years 2013–2100 and tracked the implications of those changes for spatially defined California Current fishing fleets. The simulations varied in their use of forced climate‐driven species distribution shifts, time‐varying projections of ocean warming, or both. In general, the abundance and biomass of coastal pelagic species like Pacific sardine (Sardinops sagax) and northern anchovy (Engraulis mordax) were more sensitive to projected climate change, while demersal groups like Dover sole (Microstomus pacificus) experienced smaller changes due to counteracting effects of spatial distribution change and metabolic effects of warming. Climate‐driven species distribution shifts and the resulting changes in food web interactions were more influential than warming on end‐of‐century biomass and abundance patterns. Spatial projections of changes in fisheries catch did not always align with changes in abundance of their targeted species. This mismatch is likely due to species distribution shifts into or out of fishing areas and emphasizes the importance of a spatially explicit understanding of both climate change effects and fishing dynamics. We illuminate important biological and ecological pathways through which climate change acts in an ecosystem context and end with a discussion of potential management implications and future directions for climate change research using ecosystem models.
Patterns and Driving Factors of Litter Decomposition Rates in Global Dryland Ecosystems
Authors: Zhao Yuedan , Lu Nan , Shi Hao , Huang Jianbei , Fu Bojie
Published: January 2025

Litter decomposition is essential in linking aboveground and belowground carbon, nutrient cycles, and energy flows within ecosystems. This process has been profoundly impacted by global change, particularly in drylands, which are highly susceptible to both anthropogenic and natural disturbances. However, a significant knowledge gap remains concerning the extent and drivers of litter decomposition across different dryland ecosystems, limiting our understanding of its role in ecosystem metabolism. Using the ARIDEC data collection and published literature, a global database on litter decomposition and corresponding environmental conditions in drylands was developed, comprising 2204 observations from 158 sites. Decomposition rates varied across the four dryland subregions, with the highest rates in the dry‐subhumid region (3.24% month−1), followed by semi‐arid (3.15% month−1), arid (2.62% month−1), and hyper‐arid (2.35% month−1) regions. Notably, the dry‐subhumid region exhibited the greatest variability. Anthropogenic systems, such as cropland (5.52% month−1) and urban ecosystems (7.88% month−1), demonstrated higher decomposition rates than natural systems (averaging 3.07% month−1). Across drylands, the decomposition rate followed an exponential function of decomposition duration (), influenced by litter quality, climate, and soil properties. Beyond decomposition duration, three boosted regression tree models were developed to identify the primary factors influencing early (R2 = 0.92), mid (R2 = 0.71), and late (R2 = 0.80) decomposition stages. In the early‐ and mid‐stages, precipitation, atmospheric temperature, and soil moisture were critical factors, while the UV index and initial nitrogen content of litter played significant roles in the early and mid‐phases, respectively. In the late phase, soil total nitrogen, soil organic carbon, and the initial C/N ratio of litter were the primary factors. Our findings reveal consistent temporal patterns in decomposition rates and the mechanisms underlying them in global dryland ecosystems. These insights can enhance the accuracy of biogeochemical models in drylands and improve predictions of their feedback to the climate system.
Groundwater Ages in Intertill and Buried Valley Aquifers in Saskatchewan, Canada
Authors: Noyes Chandler , McIntosh Jennifer C. , Dutka Nicholas , Tyne Rebecca , Lindsay Matthew B.J. , Ferguson Grant
Published: January 2025

Continental glaciations during the Pleistocene Epoch created complex systems of aquifers and aquitards across many northern regions of the Earth. The low hydraulic conductivities of glacial till aquitards suggest that limited recharge will reach the underlying aquifers, potentially preserving old groundwaters. Here, we characterize the recharge history in intertill and buried valley aquifers in Saskatchewan, Canada using 14C, 3H, 4He δ2H, δ18O, and major ions. Intertill aquifers with depths of <30 m had corrected 14C ages ranging from 0 to 15.5 ka. These aquifers also contained 3H and/or elevated NO3 in some locations, indicating that a component of modern recharge had mixed with older water. A single sample from the Judith River bedrock aquifer in the region had a corrected 14C age of 10.2 ka and elevated NO3. Samples from buried valley aquifers with depths of 89 to 123 m contained older waters with ages >38 ka in some locations, indicating that recharge occurred before the last glacial advance over the region. While measuring tracers that cover a wide range of ages is necessary to understand these flow systems, δ2H and δ18O were less diagnostic because values of modern winter precipitation overlapped with groundwaters with a wide range of ages. The range of ages present in the intertill aquifers of the region indicates that these systems are currently being recharged, which indicates some development of groundwater resources is possible but also points to a need for groundwater protection measures.
First Constraints on the Pressure–Temperature–Time Evolution of the Vijayan Complex, Sri Lanka: Implications for Its Position in Gondwana
Authors: Kumari Ruwanthika , Dharmapriya P. L. , He Xiaofang , Malaviarachchi S. P. K. , Abewardana Pahan , Zhao Lei
Published: January 2025

Sri Lanka occupies a pivotal geological position within East Gondwana, featuring four prominent high‐grade Precambrian lithotectonic units: the Highland Complex (HC), the Wanni Complex, the Vijayan Complex (VC) and the Kadugannawa Complex. Despite reasonable geochemical and geochronological investigations into rocks in the VC, a comprehensive understanding of their petrological characteristics, particularly their pressure–temperature–time evolution, remains limited, impeding accurate terrane correlations. In this study, a detailed analysis of mineral assemblages, reaction textures, and U–Pb zircon ages in samples collected from the eastern margin of the HC to the eastern coast, in the VC were conducted. Results indicate that the VC preserved textural evidence for prograde dehydration reactions indicating upper amphibolite to granulite facies transition. The peak metamorphism is followed by a stage of near isobaric cooling stage. Conventional geothermobarometric analysis coupled with phase equilibria modeling of VC gneisses reveal peak metamorphic P–T conditions of 790°C–830°C and 7–8 kbar. Retrograde metamorphism has occurred until the temperature decreased to 740°C. The U–Pb zircon dates at ca. 1010–960 Ma suggest protolith ages of the VC coinciding with Rodinia amalgamation and dispersal, aligning metamorphic thermal peaks at ca. 575–545 Ma with the Kuunga orogeny during Gondwana amalgamation. Our data signifies connections between the VC and both the Lurio foreland in Mozambique and the Innhovde Suite and Yamato‐Belgica Complex in East Antarctica, however, the differences in metamorphic conditions and geochronological signatures necessitate further investigation into its tectonic history and paleogeographic evolution.
Sedimentary Records of the Upper Cretaceous Yetang Formation: Compression Tectonic Setting in the Xingning Basin, Southeastern Edge of the South China Block
Authors: Xu Dazhi , Xu Zhongjie , Cui Kunning , Sun Ningchen
Published: January 2025

The southeastern edge of the South China Block (SCB) experienced the subduction of the Paleo‐Pacific Block, resulting in varying tectonic settings across different regions of the SCB during the subduction. To explore the tectonic settings during sediment deposition in the southeastern edge of the SCB in the early Late Cretaceous, we analyzed the Jiao Yangjing‐Yetang section of the Xingning Basin, Guangdong province. This section contains a sedimentary sequence of the Upper Cretaceous Yetang Formation, facilitating lithofacies analysis, U–Pb zircon chronology, trace elements analysis, crustal thickness estimation, Hf isotopes analysis, and age distribution comparison of detrital zircons. Our findings indicate that the Late Cretaceous Yetang Formation was deposited during the early Late Cretaceous Cenomanian stage (99.6 ± 1.9 Ma), and identifies five groups of detrital zircon U–Pb ages: 2320–1810, 1100–670, 500–400, 230–160, and 130–96 Ma. The early Late Cretaceous ℇHf (t) values ranged from −7.4 to 0.6, suggesting that the debris originated from the southwestern Fujian and northern Guangdong regions. Trace elements analysis of detrital zircons indicates increasing crustal thickness during the early Late Cretaceous. The Xingning Basin was in a compressive environment during the late Early Cretaceous, and the compressive condition continued until the early Late Cretaceous period (99.6 ± 1.9 Ma).
Evaluating the Impact of Faking on the Criterion‐Related Validity of Personality Assessments
Authors: Speer Andrew B. , Delacruz Angie Y. , Chawota Takudzwa , Wegmeyer Lauren J. , Tenbrink Andrew P. , Gibson Carter , Frost Chris
Published: January 2025

Personality assessments are commonly used in hiring, but concerns about faking have raised doubts about their effectiveness. Qualitative reviews show mixed and inconsistent impacts of faking on criterion‐related validity. To address this, a series of meta‐analyses were conducted using matched samples of honest and motivated respondents (i.e., instructed to fake, applicants). In 80 paired samples, the average difference in validity coefficients between honest and motivated samples across five‐factor model traits ranged from 0.05 to 0.08 (largest for conscientiousness and emotional stability), with the validity ratio ranging from 64% to 72%. Validity was attenuated when candidates faked regardless of sample type, trait relevance, or the importance of impression management, though variation existed across criterion types. Both real applicant samples (k = 25) and instructed response conditions (k = 55) showed a reduction in validity across honest and motivated conditions, including when managerial ratings of job performance were the criterion. Thus, faking impacted the validity in operational samples. This suggests that practitioners should be cautious relying upon concurrent validation evidence (for personality inventories) and expect attenuated validity in operational applicant settings, particularly for conscientiousness and emotional stability scales. That said, it is important to highlight that personality assessments generally maintained useful validity even under‐motivated conditions.
Tumor‐seeking bacterial missiles
Authors: Cavic George , Fahrer Aude M
Published: January 2025

In this Research Highlight, we discuss an exceptionally elegant and far‐reaching study from the Arpaia lab at Columbia University, who have engineered a probiotic Escherichia coli strain to eliminate cancer.
Clinical practice in an age of medical misinformation and conspiracy theories
Authors: Choo Li Xuan , Ng Isaac K. S. , Tan Li Feng , Teo Desmond B.
Published: January 2025

Medical misinformation (false health or medical‐related information) has seen a rapid increase in volume recently, with the global surge in social media usage and further exacerbation by the COVID‐19 pandemic. This may put more lives at stake, as misinformation is an often‐cited reason that people make dangerous health choices, engage in harmful practices and reject beneficial health treatments. In this article, we explore the drivers and consequences, as well as suggest several strategies at the personal, educational and systemic level, for physicians to guide and communicate with patients who subscribe to medical misinformation.