bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Influence of selected ingredients and process variables on quality parameters of saturated steam-assisted plant-based meat analogue
Authors: Vignesh Kannan , Yadav Dev Kumar , Wadikar Dadasaheb , Semwal Anil Dutt
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Plant-based meat analogues (PBMAs) hold significant promise as a sustainable solution to meet future protein demands, replicating the taste and nutritional value of meat. However, the present reliance on extrusion technology in PBMA production limits the exploration of more accessible and affordable methods. The current investigation aims to meet the market demand for a scalable and cost-effective processing approach by exploring saturated steam-assisted technology that could broaden the production volume of PBMAs, thereby supplementing protein security and planet sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

A one-factor-at-a-time (OFAT) approach is employed to evaluate the effect of ingredients and process conditions on the governing quality attributes (texture, colour and sensory).

Findings

Among the ingredients, monosodium glutamate (MSG) and nutritional yeast (NY) significantly enhanced the hardness and chewiness of saturated steam-assisted plant-based meat analogues (ssPBMAs) followed by potato protein isolate (PPI), defatted soy flour (DSF) and salt. The addition of PPI and DSF led to a decrease in lightness (L* value) and an increase in the browning index (BI). Sensory evaluations revealed that higher concentrations of DSF imparted a noticeable beany flavour (>20%), whereas PPI (30%) improved the overall sensory appeal. Increased levels of NY (10%) and MSG (5%) enhanced the umami flavour, enhancing consumer preference. Higher thermal exposure time (TTi) (45 min) and temperature (TTe) (120 °C) during processing resulted in softer products with reduced L* values. These findings establish a foundation for selecting and optimizing the ingredients and processing parameters in ssPBMA production.

Originality/value

The novelty of the current study includes process behaviour of selected ingredients such as PPI, NY, MSG, DSF, salt and adopted process conditions, namely, dough processing time (DPT), protein network development time (PNDT), TTi and TTe on the quality of ssPBMAs.
Review of development trends in smart bags’ research and applications
Authors: Wang Wei Jun , Raji Rafiu King , Han Jian Lin , Chen Yuan
Published: November 2024

Purpose

With the current developments within the sphere of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, many conventional articles are all being fitted with smart functionalities, ranging from chairs, beds, shoes and caps to underwear. Bags which are utility as well as fashion items have not been left out of this smart craze, albeit to a less popular degree. The purpose of this study is to fill the research gap on the subject of smart bags research and applications and to contribute to the general discourse on IoT.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts literature search and database review, concept mapping as well as synthesis methodologies. Relevant literature form databases such as Web of Science, Google Scholar and Bing Scholar were interrogated. Manual sifting was done to eliminate papers that do not fit the set inclusion criteria. Literature on smart bags was organized into structured frameworks using concept mapping methodology. Applying a synthesis methodology enabled an exploration of the different technological trends in smart bag research and their areas of application.

Findings

The study identified about 15 different smart bag applications and functionalities. Discussed in this study is a classification of bags based on a number of points such as way of carrying, size, utility and fabrication materials. Also discussed are the description of what constitute a smart bag, relevant technologies for smart bag design and engineering and subsequently the current trends in smart bag applications. This study also discovered that the air travel industry tend to have some difficulties with this smart bag technologies, specifically with their built-in batteries.

Practical implications

The results of this study will provide researchers and other stakeholders with key information about existing problems and opportunities in smart bag research and applications. This will go a long way to help in guiding future research as well as policymaking in smart bag design and application.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first review on the subject of smart bags even though smart bag research and commercial product design continue to gain momentum in recent years.
Antecedents and customer-related outcomes of perceived CSR authenticity of Indian banks: developing an integrated model
Authors: Sharma Divya , Kumar Rakesh
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Business-society relations have weakened in recent years due to evidence of greenwashing and misleading corporate social responsibility (CSR) practices, resulting in a lack of trust and interest amongst the stakeholders regarding CSR efficiency. Therefore, this paper aims to analyse the major antecedents and customer-related outcomes of perceived CSR authenticity. In addition, the study provides an integrated model of CSR authenticity and empirically validates the model in Indian settings.

Design/methodology/approach

A structured questionnaire was developed to collect data from 250 bank customers living in a major city situated in the northern part of India. The analysis was conducted using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings of the study demonstrate that extrinsic motives, intrinsic motives, CSR impact and corporate reputation significantly influence CSR authenticity, while CSR fit was reported to exhibit no significant influence on CSR authenticity. Additionally, the results of the mediation analysis indicated that CSR authenticity had no direct effect on customer loyalty; rather, this effect was found to be mediated through customer trust.

Originality/value

This study/research adds insight into the concept of CSR authenticity, which is relatively under-researched, especially in the Indian context. Furthermore, the study focuses on less-explored antecedents, including CSR impact and corporate reputation. In addition, the paper also examines the mediating effect of trust between CSR authenticity and consumer loyalty, which has not been explored yet in the context of CSR authenticity. The analysis also delved into the moderating effect of gender and age on CSR authenticity.
Exploring porosity effects of on mechanical behavior of sintered nanosilver for double-sided cooling packaging of high-power devices: a multiscale modeling
Authors: Long Xu , Zhao Xianyi , Chong Kainan , Su Yutai , Siow Kim S. , Wang Zhi , Jia Fengrui , Wan Xin
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze and compare the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver with different porosities at both the mesoscopic and macroscopic scales and to conduct a multiscale analysis of the porosity effect on the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper establishes a mesoscopic model for the uniaxial tension of sintered nanosilver and a macroscopic model for chips containing sintered silver layers. Using the finite element method, combined with crystal plasticity theory and unified creep plasticity theory, a multiscale analysis is conducted for the mechanical properties of sintered nanosilver. First, stress distribution characteristics under uniaxial tensile loading for different porosities in sintered nanosilver polycrystal models are analyzed at the mesoscopic scale. Second, at the macroscopic scale, the mechanical performance of sintered nanosilver layers with varying porosities in high-power chip models under cyclic loading is analyzed. Finally, the porosity influence on the damage evolution in sintered nanosilver is summarized, and simulations are conducted to explore the evolution of damage parameters in sintered nanosilver under different porosities.

Findings

In the mesoscopic model, the presence of mesoscale voids affects the stress distribution in sintered nanosilver subjected to tensile loading. Sintered nanosilver with lower porosity exhibits higher tensile strength. In the macroscopic model, sintered nanosilver layers with lower porosity correspond to a more uniform stress distribution, whereas higher porosity leads to faster accumulation of plastic strain in the sintered layer. During chip packaging processes, improving processes to reduce the porosity of sintered layers can delay the initiation of damage and the propagation of cracks in sintered nanosilver.

Practical implications

During chip packaging processes, improving processes to reduce the porosity of sintered layers can delay the initiation of damage and the propagation of cracks in sintered nanosilver.

Originality/value

This paper innovatively uses a mesoscopic crystal plasticity constitutive model and a macroscopic unified creep plasticity constitutive model to analyze the mechanical behavior of sintered nanosilver with different porosities. It comprehensively investigates and explains the influence of porosity on the mechanical performance of sintered nanosilver across multiple scales.
Team climate and knowledge management in knowledge-intensive teams: does team empowerment matter? Evidence from R&D teams
Authors: Chouiref Abdelhak , Berraies Sarra , Ben Rejeb Wajdi
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Based on the job-demands resources (JD-R) model and the self-determination theory (SDT), this paper aims to explore team empowerment (TEMP) as a mediating mechanism through which team climate (TC) marked by innovativeness, cohesion and trust and knowledge management (KM) in teams.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a convenience sampling method, data were gathered from 246 employees of Tunisian knowledge-intensive firms (KIFs) and involved within 69 R&D teams. The partial least square-structural equation modeling approach through SMART PLS 3.2 software was used to evaluate the constructs’ psychometric properties and hypotheses. The mediating effect in the model was evaluated through the non-parametric bootstrapping method.

Findings

Results highlight that TC marked by innovativeness, cohesion and trust represents a key team contextual antecedent promoting TEMP and KM in teams. In turn, TEMP, as a critical intrinsic task motivation factor, is revealed as a driver of KM practices. This research demonstrates that TEMP partially mediates the relationship between TC and KM in teams.

Originality/value

This study pioneers the examination of TEMP’s mediating role between a TC marked by innovativeness, trust and cohesion and KM. By applying insights from the JD-R model and SDT to team-level dynamics, it uniquely positions TEMP as an intrinsic motivational factor explaining the mechanism through which the contextual resources provided by a supportive TC promote KM practices. It provides practical insights for KIFs’ managers through highlighting how intrinsically motivated teams of knowledge workers, empowered by a cohesive, innovative and trust-based TC, can effectively navigate the challenges inherent in knowledge-intensive teamwork, leading to enhanced KM practices.
Analytical formulas for geometrical factor and sensitivity for long electrodes
Authors: Butler S. L.
Published: November 2024

In the electrical resistivity method, electrodes are usually modelled as point current sources and point voltage measurements. If the burial depth of the electrode is significant compared with the spacing between electrodes, this point approximation may not be accurate. Common situations employing long electrodes include the use of metal‐cased boreholes as electrodes and small‐scale, high‐resolution environmental, engineering and archaeological surveys where electrode spacings may be very small. In this contribution, I present analytical expressions for the mutual resistance between long electrodes modelled as line current sources. Mutual resistances are then used to calculate geometrical factors. Additionally, I present an expression for the current density and use it to derive an analytical expression for the sensitivity of electrode arrays with long electrodes. The sensitivity is, in turn, used to calculate the mean depth and position which can be used as estimates of depth and position of investigation and as pseudosection plot points. Example calculations using the geometrical factor, sensitivity and mean depth are shown, and comparisons are made with simulations and lab‐scale experiments.
Succession of Bacteria and Archaea Within the Soil Micro‐Food Web Shifts Soil Respiration Dynamics
Authors: Tamang Mandip , Sikorski Johannes , van Bommel Miriam , Piecha Marc , Urich Tim , Ruess Liliane , Huber Katharina , Neumann‐Schaal Meina , Pester Michael
Published: November 2024

Bacterivorous nematodes are important grazers in the soil micro‐food web. Their trophic regulation shapes the composition and ecosystem services of the soil microbiome, but the underlying population dynamics of bacteria and archaea are poorly understood. We followed soil respiration and 221 dominant bacterial and archaeal 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing variants (ASVs) in response to top‐down control by a common bacterivorous soil nematode, Acrobeloides buetschlii, bottom‐up control by maize litter amendment and their combination over 32 days. Maize litter amendment significantly increased soil respiration, while A. buetschlii addition caused an earlier peak in soil respiration. Underlying bacterial and archaeal population dynamics separated into five major response types, differentiating in their temporal abundance maxima and minima. In‐depth analysis of these population dynamics identified a broad imprint of A. buetschlii grazing on dominant bacterial (Acidobacteriota, Bacteroidota, Gemmatimonadota, Pseudomonadota) and archaeal (Nitrososphaerota) ASVs. Combined bottom‐up control by maize litter and top‐down control by A. buetschlii grazing caused a succession of soil microbiota, driven by population changes first in the Bacteroidota, then in the Pseudomonadota and finally in the Acidobacteriota and Nitrososphaerota. Our results are an essential step forward in understanding trophic modulation of soil microbiota and its feedback on soil respiration.
‘WHO COUNTS AS A “WHO”?’ Homeless Women and Geographies of Misrecognition in the City of Gothenburg, Sweden
Authors: Grange Kristina
Published: November 2024

This article takes as its starting point Judith Butler's demand for us to think through the question ‘Who counts as a “who”?’ It does this through a study of the gendered geographies of misrecognition experienced by the homeless women in the city of Gothenburg, Sweden. The article draws attention to the fact that the city accommodates homeless women in industrial areas on the outskirts of the city. It is argued here that this is an accommodation strategy which increases these women's precarity. By giving voice to ten women in homelessness, who at the time of the interviews were temporarily accommodated in four different shelters in the city, the article seeks to contrast the city's policies on homelessness, gender equality and urban development with these women's lived experiences. The analysis draws on Butler's notion of ‘frames of misrecognition’ as well as Nancy Fraser's notion of ‘geographies of recognition’. It is argued that political frames of misrecognition work to marginalize homeless women, both socially and geographically, to the extent that some of them feel completely excluded from society. The article concludes that it is a political responsibility to urgently recognize and address this group's lived experiences.
Scavenger receptor‐A is a sensitive disease activity biomarker in ESR and CRP normal rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Cao Shixiong , Liu Xu , Xie Yang , Hu Fanlei , Li Zhanguo , Su Yin , Luo Li , Sun Xiaolin
Published: November 2024

Objective

Identification of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients in active disease with normal ESR and CRP is a challenge in disease activity assessment. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance and clinical significance of Scavenger receptor‐A (SRA) as a disease activity biomarker in RA, especially in ESR and CRP normal patients.

Methods

One hundred and sixty‐two RA (40 discovery cohort; 122 validation cohort), 20 osteoarthritis (OA), and 36 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Ten disease activity markers were evaluated by Bio‐Plex Pro Human Cytokine Assay in the discovery cohort. SRA levels were measured by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) in the validation cohort. The association between SRA and clinical phenotypes was also analyzed. ROC analysis was performed for disease activity prediction.

Results

SRA was found to be correlated with disease activity in the discovery cohort. The serum SRA level was verified by ELISA in the validation cohort, and was found to be correlated with disease activity index in RA patients, including DAS28‐ESR (r = .477, p < .001), swollen joint counts, and tender joint counts; as well as inflammation markers, including ESR and CRP. In ESR and CRP normal RA, there was a strong correlation between SRA and DAS28‐ESR ( = 4.564, p = .003). In addition, area under the ROC of SRA was higher than AUCESR and AUCCRP in ESR and CRP normal RA patients, suggesting that serum SRA could be more sensitive than ESR and CRP for disease activity assessment in this group of patients. In the low DAS28‐ESR (≤3.2) group, the AUC of SRA for disease activity measurement was higher than that of ESR and CRP, indicating that SRA was also more sensitive than ESR and CRP in low‐disease activity RA.

Conclusion

SRA was correlated with RA disease activity and may be a sensitive serum biomarker for disease activity evaluation, especially in ESR and CRP normal patients, as well as in the low‐disease activity group. SRA could be a promising marker for disease activity assessment.
A transferable approach for quantifying benthic fish sizes and densities in annotated underwater images
Authors: Esselman Peter C. , Moradi Shadi , Geisz Joseph , Roussi Christopher
Published: November 2024

Benthic fishes are a common target of scientific monitoring but are difficult to quantify because of their close association to bottom habitats that are hard to access. Advances in image‐acquisition technologies, machine vision and deep learning have made capturing and quantifying fishes with cameras increasingly feasible. We present a method and open‐source software called ‘FishScale’ to estimate benthic fish lengths, numeric abundance and biomass density in underwater environments assessed with down‐looking monocular images.

‘FishScale’ estimates fish abundances and size frequencies from near‐nadir monocular images where fish have already been semantically segmented. The software accounts for lens distortion, underwater magnification effects and fish body curvature to automatically estimate fish lengths and the areas of images where they were captured. Numeric and biomass density are estimated through a deterministic machine vision algorithm that requires a user‐provided length‐weight relationship for species of interest and calibration images.

Results from validation studies show that lengths and weights can be estimated with high accuracy and precision for round goby (Neogobius melanostomus) captured in distorted action camera images, and from large‐bodied lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) imaged with a machine vision camera. The real‐world utility of the approach is demonstrated in a case study estimating round goby abundances and size frequencies along a 10.7‐km transect surveyed with an autonomous underwater vehicle in Lake Michigan, USA.

Our validation studies demonstrate that the approach estimates benthic and benthopelagic fish lengths and weights with little bias and good accuracy and precision for species with much different body shapes and sizes. The method is applicable to data collected using a variety of nadir imaging approaches with widespread applications to fisheries monitoring and quantification of any species or object for which nadir images and working distances between the camera and feature of interest are available.
Comparing rates of agreement between different diagnostic criteria for fetal alcohol spectrum disorder: A systematic review
Authors: Myers Graysen , Burd Michael , Klug Marilyn G. , Popova Svetlana , Burd Larry
Published: November 2024

Diagnostic accuracy is important in systems used to diagnose common disorders such as Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD). Currently, no comprehensive study has examined rates of agreement between different diagnostic criteria for FASD. This study estimates the likelihood that a diagnosis of FASD using one set of diagnostic criteria will result in the same diagnosis when compared to different diagnostic criteria. A systematic review was conducted to identify articles reporting on the comparison of two or more diagnostic criteria for a diagnosis of FASD. Inclusion criteria required that the study present data that estimated agreement for a diagnosis of FASD or no‐FASD between two or more FASD criteria using two‐by‐two tables or presented data that could be used to generate the tables. Meta‐analyses with confidence intervals were included to demonstrate variability in the estimates. Standardized measures of agreement were assessed using the kappa statistic with 95% confidence intervals and the phi coefficient as a measure of correlation between binary outcomes. The search identified six studies reporting on eight different FASD diagnostic criteria. The studies compared agreement between 17 different pairings of the criteria. For individual children, agreement ranged from 53.7% to 91%. The agreement between the eight different diagnostic criteria ranged from 59.4% to 89.5%. The kappa statistic found that five associations had a kappa ranging from 0.6 to 0.8. This study illustrates that comparisons of multiple pairs of diagnostic criteria are likely to result in considerable variation in diagnoses of FASD for individual children and between different criteria. The lack of agreement between these commonly used systems is likely to affect clinical care and studies where diagnosis is a key variable. Large‐scale multicenter research is needed to examine factors contributing to variation in diagnostic outcomes.
Intra‐striatal dopaminergic inter‐subject covariance in social drinkers and non‐treatment‐seeking alcohol use disorder participants
Authors: Chumin Evgeny J. , Dzemidzic Mario , Yoder Karmen K.
Published: November 2024

One of the neurobiological correlates of alcohol use disorder (AUD) is the disruption of striatal dopaminergic function. Although regional differences in dopamine (DA) tone/function have been well studied, interregional relationships (represented as inter‐subject covariance) have not been investigated and may offer a novel avenue for understanding DA tone. Positron emission tomography (PET) data with [11C]raclopride in 22 social drinking controls and 17 AUD participants were used to generate group‐level striatal covariance (partial Pearson correlation) networks, which were compared edgewise as well as on global network metrics and community structure. An exploratory analysis examined the impact of tobacco cigarette use status. Striatal covariance was validated in an independent publicly available [18F]fallypride PET sample of healthy volunteers. Striatal covariance of control participants from both data sets showed a clear bipartition of the network into two distinct communities, one in the anterior and another in the posterior striatum. This organization was disrupted in the AUD participants' network, which showed significantly lower network metrics compared with the control participants' network. Stratification by cigarette use suggests differential consequences on group covariance networks. This work demonstrates that network neuroscience can quantify group differences in striatal DA and that its interregional interactions offer new insight into the consequences of AUD.
Liquidity constraints for variable inputs at planting time and the maize production and marketing decisions of smallholder farmers in Zambia
Authors: Melkani Aakanksha , Mason Nicole M. , Mather David L. , Chisanga Brian , Jayne Thomas
Published: November 2024

Increasing smallholders market participation is acknowledged as an important step towards greater rural prosperity in developing countries. While existing literature identifies high transaction costs and market imperfections as challenges faced by smallholders in accessing agricultural markets, less attention has been paid to the role of constraints to the production of a marketable surplus. Specifically, there is a dearth of empirical evidence about how liquidity constraints during the production period that limit smallholders’ investments in agricultural inputs can affect agricultural production and subsequently their market participation and choice of marketing channel. We explore this issue in the context of the Zambian maize market during a period when the country's parastatal marketing board – the Food Reserve Agency (FRA) – operated alongside private buyers and purchased large volumes of maize at a pan‐territorial price that exceeded average market prices. Although we cannot definitively identify causal effects, we find strong and robust associations indicating that smallholder maize‐growing households who were liquidity‐constrained during the production period harvested less maize, were less likely to sell maize, and were less likely to sell to the FRA, as compared to those who were unconstrained. Liquidity constraints during the production period likely exacerbate the already disproportionate capture of FRA benefits by wealthier farmers.
Association of Systemic Inflammatory Indices and Last Trimester APRI Score With Perinatal Outcomes in Pregnant Women With Pregestational Diabetes–A Prospective Observational Study
Authors: Okutucu Gulcan , Tanacan Atakan , Kara Sengul , Ozkavak Osman Onur , Atalay Aysegul , Kara Ozgur , Sahin Dilek
Published: November 2024

Aims

To investigate whether systemic inflammatory indices and the last trimester APRI score change in PGDM and to evaluate the relationship between these alterations and perinatal outcomes.

Methods

A total of 240 pregnant women, 120 of whom were pregestational diabetic (40 with T1DM and 80 with T2DM), were analyzed. In each trimester, WBC, NEU, LNF, PLT, NLR, dNLR, PLR, PNR, and SII values, and in the last trimester MON, PMR, SIRI, AST values, and APRI score were recorded and compared between PGDM and control cohorts.

Results

The first trimester WBC, NEU, and LNF values were higher and the PNR values were lower, the second trimester LNF value was higher and the NLR was lower, the third trimester APRI score was higher in the PGDM group. In diabetic pregnant women, the optimal cut‐off value of NEU for predicting LBW in the first trimester was 6.965 × 10⁹/L (62.5% sensitivity and 61.6% specificity), while the optimal cut‐off value of the last trimester APRI score for predicting preterm delivery was 0.072 (61.9% sensitivity and 61.6% specificity). In predicting NICU, the optimal cut‐off value for second trimester NLR was found to be 3.973 (70% sensitivity and 70% specificity) in the T1DM group, while the optimal cut‐off values for first and second trimester LNF were 2.395 × 10⁹/L (75% sensitivity and 71.1% specificity) and 2.23 × 10⁹/L (75% sensitivity and 68.4% specificity) in the T2DM group, respectively.

Conclusions

In routine clinical practice, the first trimester NLR and last trimester APRI score may be used as additional tools for predicting perinatal outcomes in pregnancies affected by PGDM.
Usefulness of participation of endoscopic surgical skill qualification system‐qualified surgeons in laparoscopic high anterior resection
Authors: Sawada Naruhiko , Mukai Shumpei , Akagi Tomonori , Okamoto Ken , Fujita Fumihiko , Suwa Hirokazu , Ide Yoshihito , Furuhata Tomohisa , Kanazawa Akiyoshi , Shimamura Tsukasa , Kojima Shigehiro , Ohnuma Shinobu , Kinjo Tatsuya , Ichikawa Nobuki , Yamaguchi Shigeki , Taketomi Akinobu , Naitoh Takeshi ,   EnSSURE Study Group Collaboratives in the Japan Society of Laparoscopic Colorectal Surgery
Published: November 2024

Introduction

A technical qualification system was established by the Japanese Society of Endoscopic Surgery in 2004, and its effectiveness in low anterior resection (LAR) has been reported. We herein performed a subgroup analysis of the effectiveness of the participation of technically qualified surgeons in laparoscopy‐assisted high anterior resection (HAR), a procedure used for the technical qualification of surgeons.

Methods

The EnSSURE study enrolled 3188 patients who underwent laparoscopic rectal resection for rectal cancer between January 2014 and December 2016 at 56 Japanese hospitals. The outcomes of HAR were compared between groups with and without the participation of technically qualified surgeons. The background of the two groups were equalized by propensity score matching.

Results

In the group with the participation of qualified surgeons, the operative time was significantly shorter (p = .0427), more lymph nodes were dissected (p = .0207), and the conversion rate to open surgery was lower (p = .0016); however, no significant difference was observed in blood loss (p = .0616), the R0 resection rate (p = 1.00), intraoperative complication rate (p = .160), postoperative complication rate (p = 1.00), or reoperation rate (p = .6999) between the two groups. Furthermore, no significant difference was noted in long‐term outcomes (recurrence‐free survival (p = .275) or overall survival (p = .941)).

Conclusions

In HAR, the technical benefits of the participation of qualified surgeons was limited to a shorter operative time and lower conversion rate. Nevertheless, the qualification is unique in that it predicts the usefulness of reducing complications in more technically challenging procedures when its effectiveness in LAR is considered.
Learning Curves and Surgical Outcomes of Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy Performed by an Attending Surgeon and Trainee Surgeons
Authors: Takahashi Takamasa , Maeda Atsuyuki , Takayama Yuichi , Aoyama Hiroki , Takahashi Daigoro , Hosoi Takahiro , Fujiya Atsushi
Published: November 2024

Background

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is a commonly performed procedure for bariatric and metabolic surgery. However, few reports exist concerning the learning curves and surgical outcomes of LSG among trainee surgeons. This study aimed to investigate the learning curves and surgical outcomes of LSG for one attending surgeon and trainee surgeons.

Methods

In this study, 90 patients who underwent LSG were retrospectively evaluated. Surgical learning curves for the attending and the trainees were assessed via cumulative sum (CUSUM) analysis. After the attending reached the learning phase, the trainees performed LSG under the guidance of the attending. Surgical and postoperative outcomes were compared retrospectively.

Results

The CUSUM plot of the attending peaked in the 16th case, began to decrease and reached a plateau in the 49th case. Therefore, we defined the attending in Phase I up to 16 LSGs (n = 16; learning phase), in phase II between 27 and 48 LSGs (n = 22; acquisition phase), and in Phase III from 49 or more LSGs (n = 29; plateau phase). The CUSUM of the trainees' operative time declined from the beginning. The median operative time was significantly shorter in the trainees than in the attending in Phase I (184 [146–266] vs. 161 [111–255], p < 0.01). %EWL was significantly better in the patients of the trainees than in those of the attending (92.4 ± 35.7 vs. 71.0 ± 28.7, p < 0.01). These results indicate that trainees could perform LSG in a stable manner.

Conclusion

Under the guidance of experienced surgeons, LSG can be safely performed by trainees without prolonged surgical time.
CEO Dismissals and Financial Restatements: The Role of Ethical Governance and Board Dynamics
Authors: Gao Ru (Tina) , Guo Shijun , Yao Daifei (Troy)
Published: November 2024

This study re‐examines the relationship between CEO dismissals and financial restatements using a new, comprehensive dataset covering S&P 1500 firms from 2000 to 2018. This dataset offers several advantages over previous research: it provides precise data on CEO dismissals, enables large‐sample analysis and includes detailed reasons for executive departures. Our findings confirm a positive relationship between financial restatements and CEO dismissals, with a heightened likelihood of dismissal in recent years reflecting increased board attention to ethical issues. Additionally, restatements are revealed to amplify the negative impact of weak financial performance on CEO turnover, as CEOs of poorly performing firms face a higher risk of dismissal after a restatement, whereas strong financial performance generally offers protection. Furthermore, we explore how board characteristics affect this relationship and reveal significant heterogeneity in board responses. Specifically, female board representation, directors’ financial expertise, CEO–board connections, directors’ experience with prior fraud incidents, and multiple directorships all moderate the likelihood of CEO dismissal following restatements. These findings provide new insights into the complex interplay among financial performance, ethical governance and board dynamics in CEO turnover decisions.
‘It's extremely weird to understand UK culture when you don't live there and just study from abroad’: An empirical investigation of internationalisation at a distance perspectives
Authors: Rienties Bart , Ramanau Ruslan
Published: November 2024

Following the conceptualisation of a third space of internationalisation at a distance (IaD) in this study, we aim to explore how international students at the largest university in Europe, the Open University, might consider their own identities and perspectives. At present over 5000+ international students study at a distance at the Open University, whereby many are based in the UK. At the same time, hundreds of international students do not live in the UK and might be classified as IaD students. Whether or not there are any meaningful similarities or differences in lived experiences between these two groups of international students has thus far received limited empirical attention. Using a mixed‐methods study of previously validated instruments, we explored the lived experiences of 266 students (72 IaD, 49 IA, 115 IaH, and 30 UK students living overseas), followed by eight interviews. Our quantitative analyses suggest limited empirical support for the IaD framework, while the qualitative lived experiences of students do provide some unique narratives of IaD students.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Global rise of students studying abroad, with an increase in students studying abroad at a distance.

Recent conceptualisations of IaD suggest substantial barriers for IaD students to participate in distance learning.

Limited empirical research to date available in European context.

What this paper adds

In this mixed‐method study, we looked at 266 students at the largest distance university in Europe and compared the lived experiences of academic and social adjustment between four groups (ie, living in the UK or not × born in the UK or born overseas).

Our quantitative findings indicated that IaD students had similar lived experiences as other students when following distance learning.

Our qualitative findings suggest some IaD students did experience adaption issues in particular.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Fostering a greater sense of community and belonging among geographically dispersed IaD students might help to alleviate social isolation.

Consider providing national‐specific communities in online learning to build social support groups.

Ensure that the distance learning format, learning design and content are inclusive of the wide range of international students the university serves.
Evidence generation throughout paediatric medicines life cycle: findings from collaborative work between European Medicines Agency (EMA) and EUnetHTA on use of extrapolation
Authors: Karres Dominik , Pino‐Barrio María José , Benchetrit Sylvie , Benda Norbert , Cochat Pierre , Galluzzo Sara , García‐Solís Alejandro , Gonzalez Sara , de Lisa Roberto , Khan David , Lankester Rita , Lentz Frederike , Martínez‐Ortega Pilar Angustias , Montilla Simona , Morales Daniel R. , Tshinanu Flora Musuamba , Sánchez Sonia Pulido , Montero Ana Rossignoli , Scherer Sabine , Thomson Andrew , Garrido Belén Torres , Umuhire Denise , Wang Siri , Bax Ralph , Hedberg Niklas
Published: November 2024

Drug development for children presents unique challenges and is highly regulated. Novel approaches, such as the use of extrapolation to address, for example, the need to avoid unethical studies, whilst supporting robust evidence generation have been developed in support of benefit/risk considerations by regulatory authorities. This is only one step in the decision‐making process towards access, which in Europe also includes health technology assessment (HTA) bodies.

Discussions related to evidentiary requirements in small populations using scientific evidence transfer have been identified as a priority action by European Medicines Agency/European Network for Health Technology Assessment 21 (EMA/EUnetHTA 21). We describe the outcome of this work and reflect on the discussions that had taken place on how to leverage prior knowledge through identifying and addressing uncertainties during life cycle management to support regulatory and HTA decision‐making. Using examples, we explore the range of applications for evidence generation and offer regulatory and HTA insights on key design considerations for producing better evidence, reflecting our shared ambition. Early interactions with all respective stakeholders, particularly between regulators and HTA bodies are key to optimise data generation and utility in children.

In Europe, the HTA regulation will offer opportunities for collaborations, which are important for all development efforts. We collaboratively explored the unique specific challenges relating to paediatric drug development, ethically and in its ability to leverage prior knowledge, as exemplified using extrapolation. Learnings from these offer opportunities to further develop methodology on how to leverage uncertainties across a product's life cycle for small populations generally.
Nelarabine‐combined chemotherapy improves outcome of T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia but shows more severe neurotoxicity: JALSG T‐ALL213‐O
Authors: Hayakawa Fumihiko , Mori Naoki , Imai Kiyotoshi , Yokoyama Yasuhisa , Katsuoka Yuna , Saito Takeshi , Murayama Tohru , Yamazaki Etsuko , Sato Shinya , Atsuta Yoshiko , Ishikawa Yuichi , Sakaida Emiko , Hatta Yoshihiro , Matsumura Itaru , Miyazaki Yasushi , Kiyoi Hitoshi ,   Japan Adult Leukemia Study Group (JALSG)
Published: November 2024

We investigated the effectiveness and safety of nelarabine (NEL)‐combined chemotherapy for newly diagnosed adult T‐cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T‐ALL) patients. We conducted a phase II trial, T‐ALL213‐O, where adult T‐ALL patients aged 25 to 64 were treated by a regimen based on that used in our previous study, ALL202‐O. The main modifications from ALL202‐O to T‐ALL213‐O were as follows: (1) NEL‐combined chemotherapy, instead of consolidation (C)1, was used for non‐complete remission (CR) patients after induction therapy (IND)1 as IND2; (2) NEL treatments were inserted into C3 and C5 on day 29. Twenty‐four patients were analyzed. Ten patients did not receive NEL treatment due to therapy termination prior to C3. Three‐year event‐free survival (EFS) was 70%, with 52% as the lower limit of its 90% confidence interval, which exceeded the threshold of 25%; thus, the study treatment was considered effective. The CR rates by IND1, IND2, and both were 75%, 100%, and 88%, respectively. The 5‐year EFS and 5‐year overall survival rates were 66% and 70%, respectively, with median follow‐ups of 7.7 and 7.8 years. The addition of NEL improved the CR rate but not survival, compared with T‐ALL patients in ALL202‐O. Severe neuropathy after NEL administration was observed at a high frequency. Seven (50%) of 14 patients treated with NEL showed grade 3 peripheral neuropathy and/or gait disturbance. The neurotoxicity was considered stronger than that previously reported. Combination therapy of NEL at this dose and intensive multidrug chemotherapy is associated with a high risk of severe neurotoxicity (JALSG T‐ALL213‐O, UMIN000010642).
T cells from newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis patients have enhanced responsiveness to CD46 activation
Authors: Sundvall Linda , Rossen Litten S. , Schack Vivien R. , Bundgaard Bettina , Rasmussen Peter V. , Petersen Thor , Höllsberg Per
Published: November 2024

Objective

To evaluate the responsiveness of T cells from newly diagnosed multiple sclerosis (MS) patients to CD46 co‐stimulation, a membrane co‐factor protein potentially involved in MS pathogenesis.

Methods

T cells from MS patients and non‐diseased symptomatic controls (SC) were activated in vitro with or without αCD46 antibody co‐stimulation. Cytokine responses were measured to assess T‐cell responsiveness. The fold difference between αCD3/CD46 and αCD3/isotype responses was calculated to determine the enhancement of CD46 activation in MS compared with SC. Additionally, the CD46 receptor phenotype, including the expression of the CD46 CYT‐1 and CYT‐2 isoforms, was analyzed.

Results

In the absence of αCD46 co‐stimulation, MS T cells showed weaker cytokine responses compared to SC. However, CD46 engagement neutralized this deficit, resulting in a higher fold difference in MS αCD3/CD46 responses compared to SC. MS T cells also showed a trend toward a biased CD46 receptor phenotype, with a preference for the CD46 CYT‐2 isoform.

Conclusions

CD46 activation enhances T‐cell responses in newly diagnosed MS patients. A bias toward the CD46 CYT‐2 isoform is observed, aligning with the previous findings that the absence of CYT‐2 downregulation in MS might contribute to a pro‐inflammatory environment.
Magnetic Resonance‐Guided Laser Interstitial Thermal Therapy Using Dual‐Wavelength Dual‐Output Laser Within Two Probe Trajectories for Treatment of Drug‐Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Lin Jingquan , Gao Wei , Ying Yuqi , Bakrbaldawi Ahmed Abdulsalam Ali , Zhu Zhoule , Cai Chengwei , Guo Xinxia , Zhang Jianmin , Zhu Junming
Published: November 2024

Objective

Magnetic resonance‐guided laser interstitial thermal therapy (MRgLITT) is a novel tool and a minimally invasive treatment to drug‐resistant epilepsy (DRE). The focus of this research was to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of the newly developed dual‐wavelength dual‐output MRgLITT system LaserRO within two probe trajectories in treating DRE patients.

Methods

This is a retrospective analysis conducted at a single center, examining patients with DRE who received treatment with the LaserRO MRgLITT system. The system utilizes a sophisticated laser technology that can be configured as conventional single output for single wavelength or innovative dual outputs for dual wavelengths. The study involved a comprehensive review of patient information, encompassing demographics, seizure history, details related to the surgical parameters, and the subsequent clinical results. Primary outcome was post‐operation seizure outcome defined as Engel Scale Class at the end of follow‐up time.

Results

This study included a total of eight DRE patients received MRgLITT surgery between August 2022 and October 2023. Out of these, there were four mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE), three focal cortical dysplasia (FCD), and one cavernous malformation (CM) patients. Within the two probe trajectories, seven patients had single wavelength (980 or 1064 nm) laser treatment and one patient had dual‐wavelength (980 and 1064 nm) laser treatment. The median age of the patients was 27 (22–31) years, with a median follow‐up period of 9.7 (8.4–12.1) months. The mean BMI was recorded at 20.24 ± 2.95 kg/m2, and epilepsy history was 13 ± 6 years. The median intraoperative blood loss was 5 (5–9) mL, operation time was 231 (169–254) minutes, and length of stay (LOS) was 3 (3–5) days. The mean ablation volume ratio was 96.52% ± 3.67%. In terms of outcomes, over a median follow‐up time of 9.7 (range 8.4–12.1) months, there were two patients got Engel I, five patients got seizure‐free, and one patient decreased 75% seizure. Importantly, no serious complications following the procedures occurred.

Conclusions

The preliminary results indicate that the MRgLITT procedure, which operates dual‐output laser with single or dual wavelengths (980/1064 nm) within the two trajectories, is both effective and safe as a minimally invasive approach for different types of DRE patients.
SLC30A4‐AS1 Mediates the Senescence of Periodontal Ligament Stem Cells in Inflammatory Environments via the Alternative Splicing of TP53BP1
Authors: Xu Mei , Gan Dian , Zhang Xi‐Yu , He Xiao‐Tao , Wu Rui Xin , Yin Yuan , Jin Rui , Li Lin , Tan Yu‐Jie , Chen Fa‐Ming , Li Xuan , Tian Bei‐Min
Published: November 2024

Periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSCs) are key cells that suppress periodontal damage during both the progression and recovery stages of periodontitis. Although substantial evidence has demonstrated that incubation under an inflammatory condition may accelerate senescence of PDLSCs, whether cellular senescence in response to inflammatory incubation contributes to cell dysfunction remain unexplored. In this study, we first observed inflammation‐caused PDLSC senescence in periodontitis based on comparisons of matched patients, and this cellular senescence was demonstrated in healthy cells that were subjected to inflammatory conditions. We subsequently designed further experiments to investigate the possible mechanism underlying inflammation‐induced PDLSC senescence with a particular focus on the role of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs). LncRNA microarray analysis and functional gain/loss studies revealed SLC30A4‐AS1 as a regulator of inflammation‐mediated PDLSC senescence. By full‐length transcriptome sequencing, we found that SLC30A4‐AS1 interacted with SRSF3 to affect the alternative splicing (AS) of TP53BP1 and alter the expression of TP53BP1‐204. Further functional studies showed that decreased expression of TP53BP1‐204 reversed PDLSC senescence, and SLC30A4‐AS1 overexpression‐induced PDLSC senescence was abolished by TP53BP1‐204 knockdown. Our data suggest for the first time that SLC30A4‐AS1 plays a key role in regulating PDLSC senescence in inflammatory environments by modulating the AS of TP53BP1.