bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Dynamical control of topological unidirectional guided resonances via external magnetic field
Authors: Zheng Bao Jie , Shi Wei Jie , Dong Hui Yuan , Li Yong Tao , Li Jia Qi , Dong Zheng-Gao , Wang Jin
Published: January 2025

Asymmetric radiation in upward and downward directions supported by leaky modes can be generally exhibited in the reciprocal but geometrical up-down mirror-symmetry-breaking structures, i.e., photonic crystal slabs. Here, we theoretically propose and numerically demonstrate a scheme to break the reciprocity, and to generate and manipulate the unidirectional guided resonances (UGRs) in a one-dimensional magneto-optical (MO) grating, which radiate solely toward one side with no emission in the opposite direction. Under an external magnetic field, it is found that genuine UGRs (or quasi-UGRs) in topological nature, depicted by a phase winding number of far-field radiation, can be created by hybridizing the different orthogonal bands in such a nonreciprocal grating. We further investigate the evolution, annihilation, and band transition for residential position of UGRs in three-dimensional parameter space, and we also notice that the emission direction may be switched from one side to the other due to the tuning of the asymmetric coupling. Finally, the excitation of UGRs is examined in a lossless system related to directional coupling of external waves, and it can also be utilized to realize perfect absorption in a lossy MO grating structure under single-sided illumination. The general principles presented here may lead to an efficient and active approach for the dynamic manipulation of topological radiation asymmetry, and they may serve as new inspiration to control flexibly the resonant and topological properties of light-matter interactions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2025
Understanding US consumers’ willingness to pay for black walnuts
Authors: Marcillo-Yepez Edgar , Skevas Theodoros , Stubblefield Kelsi , Lin Chung-Ho , Abachi Soheila
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study investigates the determinants of consumers’ willingness to pay (WTP) for black walnuts in the US.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from a 2023 survey of 916 US consumers and applies an ordered logit regression analysis to assess the determinants of WTP.

Findings

Income, consumption frequency and awareness of the health benefits of black walnuts significantly influence WTP. Moreover, 57% of individuals in our sample are willing to pay more for black walnuts than the current market price for English walnuts, the main competitor, highlighting a substantial market opportunity for black walnuts.

Originality/value

The demand for nuts, both domestically and globally, has seen a remarkable increase in recent years, largely driven by their perceived health benefits across various consumer segments. However, not all nut varieties have experienced commensurate growth, leading to a need for detailed analysis of consumer preferences, particularly for nuts with slower growth trajectories, such as those within the walnut industry. Within the walnut industry, black walnuts (Juglans nigra) stand out with unique production and commercialization dynamics – sourced predominantly from wild trees, boasting distinctive flavors and health benefits, yet facing significant challenges such as limited commercial scale, lower yields and the presence of only one processor in the US. These factors highlight the substantial market potential for black walnuts and make studying this unique crop essential for stakeholders across the nut industry who are interested in enhancing the competitiveness of the black walnut industry.
Punctuality and customer satisfaction in attended home delivery: the moderation effects of price-promotional, emotional and pandemic events
Authors: Duarte André Luís de Castro Moura , Teixeira Rafael , Araujo Fausto Vinicius Martin , Picanco Rodrigues Vinicius
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Punctuality has become a critical customer satisfaction feature in attended home deliveries (AHDs). Since much of a customer’s satisfaction is built upon expectations, the purchase context plays a key role, particularly in the face of recurrent or sporadic events. This study has two purposes. First, we investigate the effect of punctuality on customer satisfaction for online purchases with AHDs. We divided punctuality into three dimensions: objective punctuality, perceived punctuality and perceived latency. Second, we explore the moderating effects of the contextual purchasing constructs on the relationship between punctuality and customer satisfaction: price-promotional, emotional and pandemic events.

Design/methodology/approach

Secondary data were collected from a large multinational appliance manufacturer in Brazil. The dataset contains 233,839 sales and customer satisfaction responses for online purchases requiring AHD. To analyze the data, we used multiple linear regression models with interactions.

Findings

The results showed that all three punctuality dimensions directly affect customer satisfaction. The findings also revealed that all three events moderate the relationship between punctuality and customer satisfaction. Price promotional and pandemic events moderately affect perceived punctuality and lateness, while emotional events moderately affect them.

Originality/value

This study provides a deeper understanding of punctuality for AHDs, breaking punctuality into two perceptual and one objective dimension and assessing their effects on customer satisfaction. In addition, this study introduces three contextual moderating constructs that affect the relationship between punctuality and customer satisfaction. These findings contribute to the last-mile delivery strategy because retailers can manage their resources to match punctual delivery needs.
Digital twin technology for education, training and learning in construction industry: implications for research and practice
Authors: Omrany Hossein , Al-Obaidi Karam M. , Ghaffarianhoseini Amirhosein , Chang Rui-Dong , Park Chansik , Rahimian Farzad
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study explores the potential of digital twin (DT) technology to enhance education and training in the construction industry. It aims to provide a clear understanding of how DT can be applied for educational purposes and proposes a framework to facilitate the adoption of DT in construction training.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review was conducted to examine the current applications of DT technology in construction education and training. A total of 19 relevant studies were identified and analysed to evaluate the tools, technologies, educational objectives and integration methods used in developing DT models for the construction sector. Based on this analysis, a conceptual framework was developed to guide the integration of DT technology into construction education, addressing gaps in the current literature and practices.

Findings

The analysis revealed a strong consensus on the effectiveness of DT technology in supporting education and training objectives within the construction industry. The study highlighted the fragmented nature of the current literature and proposed a comprehensive framework designed to facilitate the integration of DT in construction education. This framework offers a structured approach to bridging the gap between theoretical learning and real-world application.

Originality/value

The research presents a new systematic framework developed based on an in-depth review for utilising DT in education, training and learning (ETL) processes in construction. The framework provides a novel and structured learning process to integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills to support workforce development in the construction industry. This framework offers a structured roadmap for future research and practical applications.
The role of carbon emissions in the growth of fossil fuel industries: evidence from an emerging nation
Authors: Gogoi Nivaj
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between carbon emissions and the industrial growth of India’s core fossil fuel industries (coal, crude oil and natural gas). As a developing economy, India is burdened with various challenges in balancing industrial growth with a healthy environment.

Design/methodology/approach

The weighted least squares regression is applied for this study depending on the suitability of the panel data set from 2005 to 2021. Carbon emission levels are considered to measure the industries’ environmental degradation level, and the Index of Eight Core Industries is considered the indicator of industrial growth of the respective industries. Moreover, other control variables such as economic growth, financial development efficiency, renewable energy consumption level and rent of fossil fuels are included in the empirical models.

Findings

The empirical results suggest that increased emission levels contribute to the growth of India’s core fossil fuel industries. As fossil fuels are considered environmentally harmful energy sources, it is even more challenging for developing economies such as India to achieve industries’ growth without causing adverse effects on the environment. Installing advanced technologies and reducing major reliance can help India to avoid such environmental downturns from the fossil fuel industries’ operations.

Originality/value

The existing literature could not find earlier studies that have analysed the role of industrial emissions in their growth, especially in the Indian context. More studies in similar settings must be conducted to consider the environmental dimensions of various industries to create a healthier future.
Exploring the role of green intellectual capital and HRM: green innovation and environmental performance intensify competitive advantage
Authors: Shahbaz Muhammad Hamid , Malik Shahab Alam
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to focus on Pakistan’s food manufacturing enterprises and explore the knowledge and implications of green innovation, green intellectual capital (GIC) and green human resource management (GHRM) in achieving environmental performance and competitive advantage.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a quantitative approach, this research adopted a cross-sectional survey design to facilitate an objective and precise evaluation of the proposed relationships. The demographic comprised managers and supervisors from food manufacturing enterprises in Lahore, Pakistan. Through purposive sampling, 281 respondents were selected, ensuring representation from food enterprises.

Findings

This study explores that GIC is vital for implementing sustainable technologies in Pakistan’s food sectors. GIC and human resource management are identified as accelerators for green innovation, potentially providing an enhanced environmental performance and competitive edge.

Practical implications

By recognizing the potential of green practices as strategic resources, managers in the Pakistani food sector invest in fostering intangible resources and GIC. This approach leads to sustainable market dominance and efficient operations through continuous green innovation and effective stakeholder communication.

Originality/value

This research offers a consolidated view of the function of GIC in encouraging green innovations in Pakistan’s food enterprises, emphasizing the importance of GHRM procedures and sustainable business methods. This study also provides insights into the strategic management of green projects from a managerial perspective, emphasizing the need for alignment with company strategy and stakeholder communication.
Transforming humanitarian supply chains with digital twin technology: a study on resilience and agility
Authors: Singh Rohit Kumar
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The study examines the role of how Digital Twin Technology and stakeholder collaboration in enhancing supply chain resilience and agility, specifically within humanitarian aspects. The author used theoretical lenses of Resource-Based View to understand how combining advanced technological resources and relational resources could lead a firm towards better supply chain performance in conditions of volatility and complexity.

Design/methodology/approach

The study employs a quantitative research approach, utilizing structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyse data collected from key stakeholders involved in humanitarian supply chains. The model tests the relationships between Digital Twin Integration, stakeholder collaboration and the resulting supply chain outcomes, that is resilience and agility.

Findings

The findings indicate that Digital Twin Technology notably improves supply chain resilience and agility driven by real-time sensing, predictive analytics and process alignment. Additionally, stakeholder collaboration plays a mediator role in enabling organizations to gain full benefits of DTT. The research corroborates the importance of a combined use of technological and relational resources to enable an agile and resilient supply chain, especially in humanitarian settings.

Originality/value

The research makes a novel theoretical contribution by extending the Resource-Based View to appreciate advanced technologies like Digital Twin Technology and their integration in supply chains. The study presents a comprehensive model that integrates technology, collaboration, agility and offers new perspectives on the value of stakeholder engagement to ensure technological innovation delivers its optimum benefits.
Strategies for technology and culture integration for effective remote work
Authors: Reshma M. , Baral Rupashree , Dey Chitra
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Remote work presents a significant opportunity to redefine the future of work and the workplace. This paper aims to examine how workplace culture and technology can be leveraged to make remote work a viable and long-term solution by using the theoretical lenses of social presence and social shaping of technology (SST).

Design/methodology/approach

Data was collected through semi-structured interviews with 24 full-time employees working remotely and analysed using the Gioia method for qualitative analysis.

Findings

Technology and culture have enabled remote work and afforded benefits to remote workers. However, the new work environment raises new challenges for technology and culture to solve. The findings indicate that technology plays a key role in enhancing social presence, while organisational culture significantly influences how technology is used and developed. As most employees prefer hybrid work arrangements for the future, this study proposes strategies to address and mitigate the challenges associated with remote work.

Originality/value

This paper examines how two ubiquitous aspects of work, technology and organisational culture can be leveraged to answer the new challenges raised by remote work. This study suggests strategies to address the challenges associated with remote work, emphasising the need to enhance social presence and highlighting the role of organisational culture in the advancement of technology. This study proposes a conceptual framework for leveraging technology and culture to create an effective remote work environment.
Burns and Scapens’ framework: a 25-year review of insights, challenges, and prospective directions
Authors: Ammar Sameh Farhat , Hiebl Martin R.W. , Quinn Martin
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Burns and Scapens (2000) (B&S hereafter) offered a well-cited framework conceptualising management accounting change. This paper aims to provide a systematic review of how B&S has been used to inform management accounting research and presents an updated framework as a point of departure for future work.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic literature review method is used to ascertain various contexts and designs of B&S-based research. After an extensive examination of citations, 77 journal articles published are identified, described and analysed.

Findings

The systematic review shows that the B&S framework has been applied in many contexts, yet its main tenets remain unchallenged. Several researchers have suggested additions and amendments, and this paper synthesises these to an updated framework. Similar theoretical advancements were noted, indicating that future contributions should be grounded in comprehensive reviews of literature.

Research limitations/implications

A limitation is that the analysis is limited to journal articles and the results of the review are contingent on the authors’ reading.

Originality/value

An updated framework is a core contribution, serving as a basis for further advances in the understanding of the complexity of management accounting change/stability. In addition, concrete and fruitful areas for future research are presented.
Designing on metamodels of air traffic management architecture modeling based on multi-frame modeling language
Authors: Tianning Liu , Wang Xuesong , Lu Jinzhi , Tong Yao , Liu Yixiao
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a set of metamodels applicable to the architecture modeling of air traffic management systems|air traffic management system (ATMS) under the UAF methodology. The designing of metamodels also needs to meet modeling requirements for the introduction of new supersonic airliners into the ATMS.

Design/methodology/approach

In order to complete the designing of metamodels and the architecture modeling work in the case study, the GOPPRR method and the M0–M3 modeling framework are used in this paper. The design and modeling work carried out in this paper was done in the multi-architecture modeling tool Airdraw.

Findings

In this paper, the set of metamodels applicable to the architecture modeling of ATMS under the UAF methodology was proposed, which has a quantity of 102 object metamodels, eight point metamodels, 98 property metamodels, 41 relationship metamodels, 36 role metamodels and 65 graph metamodels.

Originality/value

The metamodel design proposed in this thesis allows for architectural modeling of the ATMS. Comparing with the traditional method of system engineering, which uses files to define, the model-based ATMS architecture can be updated for different ATMS and different aircraft types by modifying the parameters of the corresponding views or adding relevant supplementary model views in the architecture model library, which greatly improves the compatibility and modifiability of the system definition.
How does digital transformation affect the innovation resilience of manufacturing firms?
Authors: Luo Taiye , Qu Juanjuan , Cheng Shuo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Innovation resilience, which refers to firms’ ability to consistently innovate and recover from disruptions, has recently gained increasing attention. Digital transformation plays a crucial role in the innovation of manufacturing firms. This paper aims to investigate the impact mechanisms of manufacturing firms’ innovation resilience in the context of digital transformation.

Design/methodology/approach

Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms spanning from 2017 to 2022 as an example, this research examines the impact of digital transformation on innovation resilience. It also tests the moderating effect of innovation network embeddedness and the mediation effect of absorptive capacity.

Findings

It is found that digital transformation can enhance the innovation resilience of manufacturing firms. Furthermore, the structural embeddedness and relational embeddedness of manufacturing firms within innovation networks moderate the relationship between digital transformation and innovation resilience. The absorptive capacity of manufacturing firms acts as a mediator in the relationship between digital transformation and innovation resilience.

Originality/value

This paper is one of the first studies that investigates the impact mechanisms of digital transformation on the innovation resilience of manufacturing firms based on network embeddedness theory and dynamic capability theory.
Demystifying the impact of religious beliefs and environmental concerns on consumer–brand relationships
Authors: Srivastava Shalini , Sama Ramzan , Rishi Bikramjit , Rajpurohit Niranjan
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Vegan cosmetics are becoming popular among consumers as they are made without animal ingredients. This study aims to analyse the impact of religious beliefs and environmental concerns on consumer–brand relationships using the stimulus-organism-response theory in the vegan cosmetics category.

Design/methodology/approach

The primary data has been collected from 281 millennial respondents. The authors used Smart PLS (v.4.0.9.5) to analyse the data and test the proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The study findings suggest that Environmental concerns significantly impact attitudes compared to religious beliefs. The mediating role of attitude towards vegan cosmetics between religious beliefs, brand sacredness and mindful consumption was established. It may be because of the inter-variable relationship of religious beliefs-attitude-brand sacredness on the premise of S-O-R.

Originality/value

This revelation contributes significantly to the academic discourse on mindful consumption and holds pragmatic implications for businesses and policymakers aiming to effectively promote environmentally responsible choices among consumers. The findings enrich the past literature on vegan cosmetics, demonstrating that trusting religious belief is a salient determinant of consumers’ attitudes towards vegan cosmetics and mindful consumption. The findings also supported the applicability of stimulus-organism-response (SOR) in the domain of mindful consumption and consumer–brand relationships in the context of emerging markets.
Marine heatwaves imperil emblematic reef fishes by altering the energetic landscape of coral reefs
Authors: Semmler Robert F. , Martineau Gabrielle , Schiettekatte Nina M. D. , Pratchett Morgan S. , Berumen Michael L. , Parravicini Valeriano , Casey Jordan M.
Published: January 2025

Marine heatwaves are increasingly common due to human‐induced climate change. Under prolonged thermal stress on coral reefs, corals can undergo bleaching, leading to mass coral mortality and large‐scale changes in benthic community composition. While coral mortality has clear, negative impacts on the body condition and populations of coral‐dependent fish species, the mechanisms that drive these changes remain poorly resolved. Specifically, little is known about the effects of coral bleaching on (1) the nutritional quality of corals, (2) nutrient acquisition in coral‐feeding butterflyfishes and (3) fish dietary selectivity and potential supplementary consumption of non‐coral prey.

Here, we evaluate the response of obligate coral‐feeding butterflyfishes to a mass coral bleaching event in French Polynesia, which resulted in high coral mortality and a 50% decline in obligate corallivore density. We examine benthic and butterflyfish community composition over two decades, including a mass bleaching event in 2019 and multiple prior disturbances. We couple these data with surveys of butterflyfish feeding selectivity, high‐resolution molecular assays of gut contents and nutrient acquisition before, during and after the bleaching event.

Contrary to previous studies, obligate corallivores did not strongly alter their feeding preferences for different coral genera in response to bleaching. They did not increase their consumption of non‐corals in response to coral mortality, and hard corals continued to dominate their diets (>90%).

Instead, butterflyfishes targeted partially bleached corals that were likely releasing nutrient‐rich mucus, and they avoided fully bleached and dead corals that were likely nutrient‐depleted. Moreover, after bleaching, butterflyfishes exhibit reduced nitrogen assimilation, indicating that coral stress may adversely impact butterflyfish nutrient acquisition.

Coupled with the increasing frequency of recurrent bleaching events, severe, long‐term nutritional impacts of coral bleaching on butterflyfish populations may jeopardize the persistence of coral‐feeding fishes in the future.
Teaching assistants' experiences in delivering additional support to pupils in UK primary schools
Authors: Vardy Emma. J. , Wood Clare , Johnson Helen , Vousden Janet. I.
Published: January 2025

Teaching Assistants (TAs) (may also be known as Learning Support Assistants or Classroom Assistants) are important members of staff within a school environment. There is guidance on the deployment of TAs; however, little is known about how these recommendations are operationalised in a school setting. The aim of this research was to explore TA views and experiences of intervention delivery in their setting. Sixteen TAs participated in one of four focus groups, and data from these groups were analysed using reflexive inductive thematic analysis. TAs enjoyed delivering intervention groups, and felt this work was important, but they often described being left to deliver support groups with little training, relying on second‐hand information from other members of staff or using their previous experiences in the absence of training. Communication was important to successfully support pupils' learning. The findings suggest that the guidance available is not well operationalised in practice and we highlight a number of recommendations from TAs on their deployment in school settings.
Linking Creatinine‐to‐Body Weight Ratio With Diabetes Incidence: A Multiethnic Malaysian Cohort Study
Authors: Abdullah Noraidatulakma , Goh Ying‐Xian , Khuzaimi Aisyatul Najihah , Kamalul Arifin Azwa Shawani , Mhd Yusuf Nurul Ain , Abd Jalal Nazihah , Ismail Norliza , Husin Nurul Faeizah , Kamaruddin Mohd Arman , Jamal Rahman
Published: January 2025

Background

Emerging evidence suggests that the creatinine‐to‐body weight (Cre/BW) ratio is a predictor for incident diabetes in the Asian population. This study examined the association between Cre/BW ratio and incident diabetes, as well as the relationship between Cre/BW ratio and skeletal muscle and body fat mass in a multiethnic Malaysian cohort.

Methods

A total of 13 047 eligible participants were selected from 119 560 The Malaysian Cohort participants. Of these, 750 who developed diabetes were selected as cases, while 3750 controls were chosen randomly from healthy participants. This nested case–control study included 4500 eligible participants from The Malaysian Cohort, with a 1:5 case‐to‐control ratio. Participants were stratified into four groups based on Cre/BW ratio quartiles. The Cox proportional hazards model evaluated the effect of Cre/BW ratio on developing incident diabetes. The association between Cre/BW ratio and body composition was assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient.

Results

Of the 13 047 eligible participants followed up over 5.3 years, 5.75% (n = 750) developed diabetes. Diabetes incidence decreased with increasing Cre/BW ratios. The Cre/BW ratio was inversely correlated with diabetes risk (HR: 0.403, 95% CI: 0.315–0.515, p < 0.001). Additionally, males and Indians had a higher risk of developing incident diabetes. A significant correlation was observed between Cre/BW ratio and body fat mass (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study reveals an inverse association between the Cre/BW ratio and incident diabetes. It also found a significant moderate correlation between the Cre/BW ratio and body fat mass.
rangr: An R package for mechanistic, spatially explicit simulation of species range dynamics
Authors: Markowska Katarzyna , Malinowska Katarzyna , Kuczyński Lechosław
Published: January 2025

Global change driven by human activities is causing profound shifts in species distributions. Understanding the mechanisms that influence these dynamics is crucial for biodiversity management. Several mechanistic, spatially explicit models have been proposed to address this issue, but they do not cover the full range of potential functionalities.

We present a new open‐source R package called rangr, which integrates population dynamics and dispersal into a mechanistic virtual species simulator. The package can be used to study the effects of environmental change on population growth and range shifts. It extends the capabilities of previously available simulators by allowing simple and straightforward definition of population dynamics (including positive density dependence), extensive possibilities for defining dispersal kernels and the ability to generate virtual ecologist data.

We showcased rangr functionality by simulating the invasion of the collared dove (Streptopelia decaocto). First, we demonstrated how to set up a simulation with different dispersal kernels by investigating the role of long‐distance dispersal events on colonisation outcome. Second, we showed the use of rangr to assess the potential of an Allee effect to impede biological invasion. Finally, we used the virtual ecologist framework to determine the timeframe required to detect the spread of an invasive species.

The rangr package, which comes with extensive documentation and vignettes, is easy to set up, flexible, fast, fully configurable and capable of emulating the observation process. These features make rangr particularly well suited to generating data that replicate existing wildlife monitoring programmes.
Nematicidal activity of Streptomyces aquilusJXGZ01 against the root‐knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita
Authors: Xu Xueliang , Fan Linjuan , Wu Caiyun , Liu Zirong , Yao Jian , Yao Yingjuan
Published: January 2025

In this study, we evaluated the biocontrol effect against Meloidogyne incognita of Streptomyces (strain JXGZ01) obtained from yam field soil. Results showed that the mortality of second‐stage juveniles (J2s) treated with an undiluted culture filtrate of JXGZ01 for 12 and 24 h was 70.86% and 85.58%, respectively. The twofold dilution resulted in 66.41% and 81.55% mortality for 12 and 24 h, respectively. Both strong acids and alkali significantly reduced the nematicidal activity of the culture filtrate, but neither temperature nor ultraviolet irradiation had any significant effect. In addition, two, four and eightfold dilutions inhibited the hatching of M. incognita eggs by 91.3%, 83.7% and 75.7%, respectively. Finally, the results of a pot experiment showed that the nematodes treated with different dilutions of culture filtrate significantly reduced the number of galls by 65.87%–97.30%. Compared with those of the control group, the treatments reduced the number of egg masses and J2s by 38.17%–92.84% and 37.57%–93.82%, respectively, and the eggs hatching rate was reduced by 27.92%–45.27%, relative to the control group. Data indicate that strain JXGZ01 has a potential and application value for development as a biocontrol agent for M. incognita.
Recreating the Endocrine Niche: Advances in Bioengineering the Pancreas
Authors: Fonseca Laura Mar , Krause Nicerine , Lebreton Fanny , Berishvili Ekaterine
Published: January 2025

Intrahepatic islet transplantation is a promising strategy for β‐cell replacement therapy in the treatment of Type 1 Diabetes. However, several obstacles hinder the long‐term efficacy of this therapy. A major challenge is the scarcity of donor organs. During the isolation process, islets are disconnected from their extracellular matrix (ECM) and vasculature, leading to significant loss due to anoikis and hypoxia. Additionally, inflammatory and rejection reactions further compromise islet survival and engraftment success. Extensive efforts are being made to improve the efficacy of islet transplantation. These strategies include promoting revascularization and ECM support through bioengineering techniques, exploring alternative sources of insulin‐secreting cells, and providing immunomodulation for the graft. Despite these advancements, a significant gap remains in integrating these strategies into a cohesive approach that effectively replicates the native endocrine environment. Specifically, the lack of comprehensive methods to address both the structural and functional aspects of the endocrine niche limits reproducibility and clinical translation. Therefore, bioengineering an endocrine pancreas must aim to recreate the endocrine niche to achieve lifelong efficacy and insulin independence. This review discusses various strategies developed to produce the building blocks for generating a vascularized, immune‐protected insulin‐secreting construct, emphasizing the importance of the endocrine niche's composition and function.
Hyperkalaemia during a general anaesthetic in a 5‐year‐old domestic short‐haired cat
Authors: Kurniawan T , Nilsen R , Ong R , Drynan EA
Published: January 2025

This case report details an incident of hyperkalaemia that developed under general anaesthesia in a domestic cat with no prior health concerns. A 5‐year‐old male neutered domestic short‐haired cat presented for dental extractions and subsequently developed severe bradycardia and electrocardiographic abnormalities during the procedure. Initial treatment with atropine provided limited improvement, and further investigation revealed a serum potassium concentration of 7.7 mmol/L. Despite interventions, the anaesthetic procedure was aborted due to persistent hyperkalaemia. The cat recovered smoothly postoperatively with complete resolution of hyperkalaemia. This case highlights the importance of monitoring serum potassium levels and electrocardiographic changes in anaesthetised feline patients. Anaesthesia‐associated hyperkalaemia in domestic cats is a condition that is under‐recognised in Australia. Future studies should focus on the mechanisms behind this electrolyte disturbance, as well as establishing preventive measures and management protocols during general anaesthesia.
Limited Utility of Routine Surveillance Ultrasound in Differentiated Thyroid Cancer Patients With Undetectable Postoperative Thyroglobulin Levels
Authors: Seo Young‐Ji , Tiu Ryan , Stahl Katharina , Hughes Elena , Tseng Chi‐Hong , Yeh Michael , Livhits Masha , Wu James X.
Published: January 2025

Background

Neck ultrasound (US) and serum thyroglobulin (Tg) measurements are mainstays of long‐term differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) surveillance. Given the high sensitivity of serum Tg, we aimed to assess the utility of neck US in DTC patients who underwent total thyroidectomy and have undetectable serum Tg.

Methods

We performed a retrospective cohort analysis of DTC patients who underwent a total thyroidectomy at our institution (2010–2023) and received US‐guided fine needle aspiration (FNA) during their surveillance. Patients were categorised into three lab categories based on serum Tg and Tg antibody (Tg Ab) status before the biopsy: (1) ‘Negative Tg' if undetectable Tg ( < 0.2 ng/dL) and Tg Ab, (2) 'Positive Tg' if detectable Tg and undetectable Tg Ab, and (3) 'Positive Tg Ab' if detectable Tg Ab. To calculate the positive predictive value (PPV) of neck US, we defined the 'true positive' of US as findings that prompted an FNA biopsy resulting with DTC, and 'false positive' findings prompting an FNA biopsy that did not result as DTC.

Results

A total of 118 patients were included, encompassing 146 FNA biopsies: 33 (23%) had Negative Tg, 84 (57%) had Positive Tg, and 29 (20%) had Positive Tg Ab lab results before their biopsies. The PPV of neck US in the setting of Negative Tg was 3% (one true positive, 32 false positives), while the PPV was 50% (42 true positives, 42 false positives) for Positive Tg, and 52% (15 true positives, 14 false positives) for Positive Tg Ab cohorts. Sub‐analysis of the Positive Tg cohort using different serum Tg level cutoffs revealed a PPV of 29% at just detectable serum Tg of 0.2 ng/dL, and PPV of 38% for Tg < 1.0 ng/dL. The PPV stabilised at 58% for Tg levels ≥ 1 ng/dL.

Conclusion

With the low PPV of neck US, high cost of surveillance, and the advent of ultra‐sensitive serum Tg measurements, future guidelines should consider reducing routine neck US surveillance in patients with undetectable serum Tg and only performing it when there is a rise in serum Tg levels.
Experimental study on the preventive effect of Anemarrhena rhizome on pregnancy loss and the incidence rate of cleft palate in A/J mice
Authors: Gantugs Anar‐Erdene , Niimi Teruyuki , Inoue Makoto , Chimedtseren Ichinnorov , Sakuma Chisato , Natsume Nagana , Kitagawa Ken , Ito Masaaki , Luvsan‐Ish Ajnai , Imura Hideto , Furukawa Hiroo , Natsume Nagato
Published: January 2025

Pregnancy loss is a significant concern worldwide, encompassing miscarriage and stillbirth. Miscarriage, defined as the loss of a baby before 28 weeks of gestation, accounts for approximately 15% of pregnancies. Stillbirth, occurring at or after 28 weeks of gestation, affects nearly 2.0 million pregnancies annually, predominantly in low‐ and middle‐income regions. This study aims to investigate the potential of Anemarrhena rhizome (AR) herbal medicine in mitigating pregnancy loss and reducing the incidence of cleft palate in A/J mice models. A total of 390 6‐week‐old A/J mice were used for the study. Three different dosages of dried AR (6, 12, and 18 g) were boiled to prepare water extracts. The mice were divided into experimental groups receiving these extracts and a control group. Pregnancy outcomes, including fetal mortality rates and incidence of cleft palate, were assessed. The experimental groups receiving AR herbal medicine demonstrated significantly lower fetal mortality rates compared to the control group. Additionally, the incidence of cleft palate was notably reduced in the experimental groups, with the AR 6 g and AR 12 g groups showing significant reductions compared to the control group. AR herbal medicine shows promise in mitigating pregnancy loss and reducing the incidence of cleft palate in A/J mice models. These findings suggest the potential of AR as a therapeutic agent for improving fetal health outcomes. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and optimize dosage strategies for maximizing its therapeutic benefits in pregnancy‐related complications.
Exploring the Familial Phenotypic Variability Associated With TTN Truncating Variants in Cardiomyopathies: Variant Spectrum, Genotype–Phenotype Correlation and Consequences in Genetic Counseling
Authors: Massier Marie , de Groote Pascal , Donal Erwan , Magnin‐Poull Isabelle , Coubes Christine , Le Guillou Horn Xavier , Rooryck Caroline , Réant Patricia , Troadec Yann , Bréhin Anne‐Claire , Proukhnitzky Julie , Gandjbakhch Estelle , Charron Philippe , Richard Pascale , Ader Flavie
Published: January 2025

Titin truncating variants (TTNtv) are the main genetic cause of dilated cardiomyopathies (DCMs). The phenotype and prognosis of probands have been evaluated in several large cohorts. However, few data are available on intrafamilial expressivity. To evaluate the phenotypical variability, we selected probands and family members carrying a unique TTN variant and recorded cardiac and genetic information. The cohort included 332 probands (314 TTNtv probands and 18 probands with in silico predicted in‐frame exon skipping probands) and 191 relatives of TTNtv probands including 98 affected family members. Within TTNtv families, 96% of the affected relatives presented the same cardiomyopathy subtype as the proband, and 60% shared severity criteria (heart transplantation, implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator, personal sudden death). Furthermore, we reported 18 probands that carry predicted in‐frame exon skipping variants; they presented DCM (84%) as TTNtv patients but lower rate of rhythm disorders (0% vs. 29% respectively). In this work, we extend the genetic spectrum of TTNtv associated with DCM and show that within a family, and the cardiomyopathy phenotype is homogenous but the expressivity could vary. Such results are helpful for appropriate genetic counseling to better predict and manage the phenotype of mutation carriers.
Artificial Intelligence‐Based Detection and Numbering of Dental Implants on Panoramic Radiographs
Authors: Balel Yunus , Sağtaş Kaan , Teke Fatih , Kurt Mehmet Ali
Published: January 2025

Objectives

This study aimed to develop an artificial intelligence (AI)‐based deep learning model for the detection and numbering of dental implants in panoramic radiographs. The novelty of this model lies in its ability to both detect and number implants, offering improvements in clinical decision support for dental implantology.

Materials and Methods

A retrospective dataset of 32 585 panoramic radiographs, collected from patients at Sivas Cumhuriyet University between 2014 and 2024, was utilized. Two deep‐learning models were trained using the YOLOv8 algorithm. The first model classified the regions of the jaw to number the teeth and identify implant regions, while the second model performed implant segmentation. Performance metrics including precision, recall, and F1‐score were used to evaluate the model's effectiveness.

Results

The implant segmentation model achieved a precision of 91.4%, recall of 90.5%, and an F1‐score of 93.1%. For the implant‐numbering task, precision ranged from 0.94 to 0.981, recall from 0.895 to 0.956, and F1‐scores from 0.917 to 0.966 across various jaw regions. The analysis revealed that implants were most frequently located in the maxillary posterior region.

Conclusions

The AI model demonstrated high accuracy in detecting and numbering dental implants in panoramic radiographs. This technology offers the potential to reduce clinicians' workload and improve diagnostic accuracy in dental implantology. Further validation across more diverse datasets is recommended to enhance its clinical applicability.

Clinical Relevance

This AI model could revolutionize dental implant detection and classification, providing fast, objective analyses to support clinical decision‐making in dental practices.
Unmasking the Dark Triad: A Data Fusion Machine Learning Approach to Characterize the Neural Bases of Narcissistic, Machiavellian and Psychopathic Traits
Authors: Bakiaj Richard , Pantoja Muñoz Clara Isabel , Bizzego Andrea , Grecucci Alessandro
Published: January 2025

The Dark Triad (DT), encompassing narcissism, Machiavellianism and psychopathy traits, poses significant societal challenges. Understanding the neural underpinnings of these traits is crucial for developing effective interventions and preventive strategies. Our study aimed to unveil the neural substrates of the DT by examining brain scans from 201 individuals (mean age: 32.43, 105 females) using the unsupervised learning algorithm transposed independent vector analysis (tIVA). tIVA, known for identifying complex patterns in neuroimaging data, detected 15 joint grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) networks. Of these networks, four were associated with the DT. The first component comprises areas within the reward network, including the thalamus, caudate, anterior cingulate and prefrontal regions. The second component encompasses regions within the executive network, predominantly involving prefrontal and posterior areas. The third component includes regions within the default mode network (DMN), such as the angular gyrus, the precuneus and the posterior cingulate cortex. Lastly, the fourth component overlaps with areas of the visual network, primarily located in the occipital and temporal lobes. Within these networks, the reward‐related component correlated with narcissism, suggesting an association with the need for constant interpersonal rewards to enhance self‐esteem and grandiosity in narcissistic individuals. Conversely, the DM‐related component correlated with Machiavellianism, potentially reflecting the heightened strategic thinking employed by Machiavellian individuals for manipulation purposes. In line with established trends, sex differences emerged, with males displaying notably higher DT scores. Our findings offer insights into the intricate neurobiological bases of the DT personality and hold implications for future research and interventions.
Legacy of Warming and Cover Crops on the Response of Soil Microbial Function to Repeated Drying and Rewetting Cycles
Authors: Adekanmbi Adetunji Alex , Zou Yiran , Shu Xin , Pietramellara Giacomo , Pathan Shamina Imran , Todman Lindsay , Sizmur Tom
Published: January 2025

The response of soils to extreme weather events will become increasingly important in the future as more frequent and severe floods and droughts are expected to subject soils to drying and rewetting cycles as a result of climate change. These extreme events will be experienced against a backdrop of overall warming. Farmers are adopting cover cropping as a sustainable management practice to increase soil organic matter and benefit soil health. Cover crops may also increase the resilience of soils to help mitigate the impacts of climate change. We examined the legacy of warming and cover crops on the response of soil microbial function to repeated drying and rewetting cycles. We introduced open‐top chambers to warm the soil surface of a field plot experiment in which cover crops (single‐species monocultures and 4‐species polycultures) were grown over the summer after harvest and before planting autumn sown cash crops in a cereal rotation. Soil samples were collected from warmed and ambient areas of the experimental plots in spring, before harvesting the cereal crop. Warming significantly increased, and cover crops significantly decreased, the abundance of genes encoding fungal β‐glucosidase. We quantified respiration (a measure of soil microbial function) with high‐frequency CO2 flux measurements after 0, 1, 2, 4 or 8 wet/dry cycles imposed in the laboratory and the addition of barley grass powder substrate at a rate of 10 mg g−1 soil. We observed lower cumulative substrate‐induced respiration in soils previously planted with cover crop mixtures than expected from the average of the same species grown in monoculture. Repeated drying and rewetting cycles increased the cumulative substrate‐induced respiration rate observed, suggesting that repeated perturbations selected for a community adapted to processing the barley shoot powder more quickly. When we calculated the cumulative respiration after 8 wet/dry cycles, relative to cumulative respiration after 0 wet/dry cycles (which we infer represents the extent to which microbial communities adapted to repeated drying and rewetting cycles), our data revealed that the legacy of warming significantly reduced soil microbial community adaptation, but the legacy of cover crops significantly increased, soil microbial community adaptation. This adaptation of the soil microbial community was positively correlated with the concentration of water‐extractable organic carbon in the soils before imposing the drying and rewetting cycles and/or adding the substrate. We conclude that cover crops may enhance the ability of the soil microbial community to adapt to drought events and mitigate the impact of warming, possibly due to the provision of labile organic carbon for the synthesis of osmolytes which then prime the decomposition of labile plant material upon rewetting.
A broader corporate purpose? Evidence from UK public companies, 2000–2016
Authors: Patacconi Andrea , Shamshur Anastasiya , Ulianiuk Pavlo
Published: January 2025

This paper examines the extent to which corporate leaders have discursively embraced the logic of stakeholder theory. Using textual analysis of chairperson and CEO letters to shareholders of public companies in the UK during the 2000–2016 period, we find that, over time, attention to shareholders declined and attention to customers, society and CSR increased. These shifts were more pronounced during the financial crisis. Chairpersons and CEOs also appear to exhibit different loci of attention. Our findings indicate that corporate purpose did become “broader” in recent years; however, despite this trend, attention to employees did not increase.