bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Risk perception and preventive behaviors related to brucellosis among Iranian livestock farmers
Authors: Moslehi Shandiz , Jahangiry Leila , Narimani Sajjad , Maleki Ali , Zarehoseinzade Elham , Shaker HamidReza
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims

Brucellosis is one of the zoonotic diseases that endanger the health of the population, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to assess risk perception and behaviors of livestock farmers on brucellosis based on PRECEDE model in a rural area in the northwest of Iran.

Methods

This was a cross‐sectional study conducted with 365 livestock farmers in rural areas of Germi, Iran. Participants were selected random sampling method. Data were gathered using a PRECEDE model based questionnaire consisted of five sections including demographic characteristics, predisposing factors (knowledge and attitudes), reinforcing factors, enabling factors, and brucellosis preventive behaviors.

Results

The mean ± SD of age of participants was 47.1 ± 14.7 years. The state of knowledge about preventive behaviors and ways of disease transmission was evaluated as appropriate (with 87% and 81% of the maximum score, respectively). Three aspects of attitude in participants were desirable. Predisposing factors including knowledge of prevention ways, knowledge of transmission ways, and attitudes toward prevention, reinforcing factors, as well as education were significant predictors of brucellosis preventive behaviors.R2 and adjustedR2 were 0.312 and 0.310, respectively, according to which, about 31% of the changes in the brucellosis preventive behaviors explained by significant dependent variables.

Conclusions

Given that farmers are at particular high risk of exposing brucellosis, improving their knowledge and desirable attitudes of brucellosis is crucial to increasing control the disease.
Risk factors and survival of triple‐negative breast cancer among breast cancer patients: Ten‐year cross‐sectional study in the southwestern Iranian population
Authors: Arvandi Sholeh , Razmjoo Sasan , Zaheri Abdevand Peyman
Published: December 2023

Background

Breast cancer results from genetic and epigenetic mutations, contributing significantly to cancer‐related morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to determine the prevalence and survival rates of triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) among breast cancer patients in southwestern Iran over a ten‐year period.

Methods

This retrospective cross‐sectional study aims to assess prognostic factors associated with survival in women diagnosed with breast cancer in Iran's southwestern region over a ten‐year period (2007–2017). Data were collected from patients who visited the Clinical Oncology Department at Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz (the breast cancer center of the Southwestern country). The study enrolled women diagnosed with TNBC using a census method and data from medical records. The primary outcome (survival rates) and secondary outcomes (demographic data, diagnostic stages, and three receptors estrogen receptors [ER], progesterone receptor [PR], human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 [HER2] status) were collected.

Results

Breast cancer was diagnosed in 2641 women over ten years; TNBC was diagnosed in 227 individuals (8.59%). Statistical analysis revealed a significant correlation between negative ER status and TNBC (p > 0.05). Furthermore, the prevalence of TNBC differed significantly from that of other types of breast cancer (p = 0.0001). The variables of age, HER2, PR, and TNBC grade did not differ significantly (p > 0.05). The overall disease‐free survival rate over 5 years was 88.1%, while the rate for individuals without recurrence was 77.97%.

Conclusion

This study highlights a differentially low incidence of TNBC in the southwestern part of Iran when compared to other regions; genetic or epigenetic influences may explain this discrepancy. ER‐negative status is a crucial prognostic indicator in diagnosing TNBC. The incidence of this disease is expected to rise by 100% in 2 years and 77.97% in 5 years.
Practices of hygiene during complementary food feeding and associated factors among women with children aged 6−24 months in Dedo district, Southwest Ethiopia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Birhanu Muluken T. , Liga Abebe D. , Jabir Yasin N.
Published: December 2023

Background and Aims

Poor food handling practices contribute to food contamination, leading to food‐borne illnesses and childhood diarrhea in developing countries like Ethiopia. This study examines hygienic complementary food feeding practices and associated characteristics among women with children ages 6−24 months in the Dedo District.

Method

A community‐oriented cross‐sectional study design was used in a multistage sampling strategy to gather information from 501 mothers of children between May 25 and July 10, 2022. There were absolute and relative frequencies assigned to each variable. Multiple logistic models have been used for factors that were 20% significant in univariate analysis. Odds ratios with corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were produced to identify the important predictors.

Results

This study showed that mothers with a diploma (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]: 11.2; CI: 5.51−22.8), urban residency (AOR = 6.35; CI: 3.57−11.3), a positive attitude toward hygienic complementary food feeding (AOR = 2.23; CI: 1.19−4.20), good knowledge of complementary food feeding practices (AOR = 3.95; CI: 2.39−6.55), access to a hand washing facility close to the latrine (AOR = 2.60; CI: 1.55−4.36), and access to water close to their home (AOR = 2.42; CI: 1.27−4.59) were highly associated with good hygiene practices of mothers.

Conclusion

This study shows that mothers of children aged between 6 and 24 months have a very low overall prevalence of good hygienic complementary feeding practices. The concerned parties should therefore establish a healthcare educational program for mothers that emphasizes the importance of hand washing and informs them about the dangers of improper complementary feeding practices.
The temporal variation of sediment connectivity from 1982 to 2020 in the Wei River basin, China
Authors: Liao Heng , He Yi
Published: December 2023

Sediment connectivity is a valuable metric that characterizes the relationship between sediment transport from the source to the sink, and the ease of sediment erosion. Over the past four decades, changes in land use types and vegetation cover have significantly altered sediment dynamics in the Wei River basin. In this study, we used the index of connectivity (IC) to assess the temporal changes in sediment connectivity at a watershed scale. We employed Landsat images to analyse the relationship between changes in vegetation cover or land use type and sediment connectivity. We used factor detector and interaction detector in Geodetector to analyse the importance and impact of vegetation and slope on IC changes. We assessed the correlation of sediment yield and connectivity to validate our results and it shows that IC has strong or moderate positive correlation with sediment yield from eight out of nine stations in the Wei River Basin. Our findings demonstrate that soil and water conservation measures, as well as the grain for green project, have led to the transformation of cropland and grassland into woodland. This change is reflected in the decrease of the maximum IC value from 6.24 to 5.72 in the Beiluo sub‐basin, indicating a decreasing trend in sediment connectivity. Although the maximum IC value increased from 5.76 to 5.08 in the Jing sub‐basin, driven by human activity, showing an increasing trend. Furthermore, the IC value decreased in the western part of the Wei sub‐basin. Overall, sediment connectivity exhibits a weak decreasing trend in most regions of the Wei River basin, while it shows an increasing trend slightly in the Jing sub‐basin. The correlation coefficients ranged from 0.47 to 0.86, with sediment yield being moderately or strongly correlated with IC. Our study identified vegetation, human activity, and slope as the main influencing factors of IC. The results of factor detector showed that the q value of vegetation was 0.63 and the slope was 0.1, Vegetation played a major role in the change of IC. The results of interaction detector showed that interaction between vegetation and slope was greater than the single factor. The temporal variability of sediment connectivity in the basin provides valuable insights for sediment transport management. Our research highlights the importance of studying sediment connectivity and offers proposals for measures that can be taken to address sediment transport challenges in the Wei River basin.
Unlocking the potential of stochastic simulation through Bluecat: Enhancing runoff predictions in arid and high‐altitude regions
Authors: Jorquera Joaquín , Pizarro Alonso
Published: December 2023

Runoff prediction is crucial for effective water resource management and risk mitigation. However, predicting these catchment responses is challenging due to their unique characteristics and the randomness of hydrological processes. This manuscript explores two different types of modelling frameworks (deterministic and stochastic) and aims to answer questions regarding the reliance on stochastic simulation based on deterministic simulations, the suitability of simple deterministic models, and the influence of catchment characteristics on the results. A simple deterministic rainfall‐runoff model (with only one model parameter) was used to feed the Brisk Local Uncertainty Estimator for Hydrological Simulations and Predictions (Bluecat) framework, exploring the whole range of values of the model parameter. Our findings showed that Bluecat enhanced the Kling‐Gupta Efficiency (KGE) outcomes in arid and semi‐arid regions as well as high‐altitude catchments. Additionally, using the mean of the confidence band of the stochastic simulation as the simulated discharge, rather than the median, resulted in improved KGE values for all catchments. Hysteresis between S‐KGE (stochastic KGE) and D‐KGE (deterministic KGE) was observed, indicating a non‐monotonic relationship between the two variables, and therefore, S‐KGE optimisation can be achieved even when D‐KGE is not optimal. Bluecat showed exceptional performance extended to arid and semi‐arid regions, as well as high‐altitude areas, making it a promising alternative for rainfall‐runoff simulations in these challenging locations.
Evolution of freshwater availability in a climate‐changing Mediterranean context: The case of Umbria region, central Italy
Authors: Dari Jacopo , Flammini Alessia , Morbidelli Renato , Rahi Arash , Saltalippi Carla
Published: December 2023

Freshwater availability is the litmus test of the ongoing global warming, but local effects in relation to larger scale behaviours are often ambiguous. In this study, 19 indicators derived by historical rainfall and temperature records have been used to reconstruct climatic trends over the Umbria region (central Italy). The scenario emerging from observations of the last 70–100 years consists in increasing air temperatures and decreasing yearly precipitation depths, which are differently distributed over the 12 months with respect to the past. As a second step, the response in terms of freshwater availability has been assessed by analysing runoff and groundwater records. A clear reduction in yearly water volumes flowing through the outlet stations of five pilot basins during the last century (1927–2020) has been found, quantified in a median loss rate of equivalent surface water thickness of −1.62 mm/year. Monthly mean groundwater levels show a slight increasing trend for most of the monitoring stations, but such an analysis has been carried out over a limited and more recent period (2006–2020). Hence, it can be affected by the uncertainty commonly associated to the interpretation of trend analyses referring to short temporal windows. This last critical point is strengthened by an analysis of the runoff volume limited to the period 2006–2020 from which, in contrast with the results provided by the aforementioned long‐term investigation, an increasing trend has been derived.
Green finance, environmental quality and technological innovation in China
Authors: Su Yan , Lee Chien‐Chiang
Published: December 2023

This research analyses the impact of green finance development on the environmental quality of China. It utilises provincial panel data from 2006 to 2021 and takes technological innovation as the intermediary variable. Through the construction of a comprehensive index of green finance, technological innovation and environmental quality, we verify the hypothesis that green finance development does improve environmental quality. Taking innovation as the intermediary variable, this study examines the hypothesis that green finance enhances environmental quality by improving the level of innovation and also illustrates the importance of developing technology‐intensive industries. Heterogeneity analysis shows that different regions or different levels of green financial development have varying effects on environmental improvement. Finally, the findings validate the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) by showing an inverted U‐shape link between green finance and environmental quality. The results herein offer a benchmark for policymakers to further strengthen green finance policy, increase the proportion of green investment and raise the support of green finance for technological innovation, thus improving environmental pollution and promoting sustainable economic development.
Accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT's free version answers about endometriosis
Authors: Ozgor Bahar Yuksel , Simavi Melek Azade
Published: December 2023

Objective

To evaluate the accuracy and reproducibility of ChatGPT's free version answers about endometriosis for the first time.

Methods

Detailed internet searches to identify frequently asked questions (FAQs) about endometriosis have been performed. Scientific questions were prepared in accordance with the European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE) endometriosis guidelines. An experienced gynecologist gave a score of 1–4 for each ChatGPT answer. The repeatability of ChatGPT answers about endometriosis was analyzed by asking each question twice, and the reproducibility of ChatGPT was accepted as scoring the answer to the same question in the same score category.

Results

A total of 91.4% (n = 71) of all FAQs were answered completely, accurately, and sufficiently. ChatGPT had the highest accuracy in the symptom and diagnosis category (94.1%, 16/17 questions) and the lowest accuracy in the treatment category (81.3%, 13/16 questions). Furthermore, of the 40 questions based on the ESHRE endometriosis guidelines, 27 (67.5%) were classified as grade 1, seven (17.5%) as grade 2, and six (15.0%) as grade 3. The reproducibility rate of FAQs in the prevention, symptoms, and diagnosis, and complications categories was the highest (100% for all categories). The reproducibility rate was the lowest for questions based on the ESHRE endometriosis guidelines (70.0%).

Conclusion

ChatGPT accurately and satisfactorily responded to more than 90% of the questions about endometriosis, but to only 67.5% of questions based on the ESHRE endometriosis guidelines.
Pit initiation on biomedical alloys—A review
Authors: Pound Bruce G.
Published: December 2023

Biomedical alloys, like many engineering alloys, have chemical or physical heterogeneities at the surface, and such heterogeneities can potentially act as sites for pit initiation. Alloys of particular interest are 316/316L (and 316LVM) stainless steel, nitinol, and CoCr alloys. This review focuses on the sites—generally inclusions—that have been associated with pitting in various studies of biomedical alloys in simulated physiological solutions. The effect of these sites is discussed in relation to factors such as type and size. For both 316/316L stainless steel and nitinol, pitting has been found to initiate at two different types of inclusions: sulfide and oxide inclusions in stainless steel, and carbide and oxide inclusions in nitinol. Sulfide inclusions tend to be the predominant sites for pitting on 316/316L stainless steel, while there is some evidence to suggest that carbide inclusions may be more effective than oxide inclusions for pitting on nitinol. CoCrMo alloys differ from the other two alloys in that, although particles can be present in the form of carbides, the carbides typically do not provide sites for pit initiation except possibly for alloys with a high‐C content, certain heat treatments, and when anodically polarized to high potentials. CoNiCrMo differs further in that TiN inclusions can be present in the vicinity of pits and might be associated with them, but irrespective of the initiation site, any pits are unlikely to grow because of repassivation.
Glycolipids of monogalactosyldiacylglycerol in Phalaenopsis leaves during growth and spike induction periods form mixed liposomes that enhance the inhibition of Escherichia coli growth
Authors: Tzou Der‐Lii M. , Lee Chia‐Jung , Wu Ying‐Yann , Tang Yu‐Hsuan , Cheng Chien‐Chung
Published: December 2023

Chemical components in the hexane‐extract mixture from Phalaenopsis leaves were isolated and identified during the spike induction process. Several lipophilic components in the hexane‐extract mixture were isolated and identified as oleic acid, 1,2‐O‐dilinolenoyl‐MGDG, 1‐O‐linolenoyl‐2‐O‐linoleoyl‐MGDG, and α‐tocopherol by HPLC and NMR techniques. It is noteworthy that only one isomer of α‐tocopherol was isolated from Phalaenopsis leaves based on NMR spectra analysis. MGDG have a great potential to be a control factor in the regulation of spike process of Phalaenopsis. It is the first time to identify the chemical MGDG related to temperature‐controlled process of Phalaenopsis. These components have hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties in the same molecule to act as potential amphiphiles. The use of the entire mixed hexane extract to form liposomes containing the dmbpyPtCl2 complex greatly enhanced the reactivity of the complex for inhibiting E. coli growth compared with the use of a single amphiphile.
ChromEDA: Chromosome classification by ensemble framework based domain adaptation
Authors: Zhang Lin , Fan Xinyu , Lin Kunjie , Qi Ruikun , Yi Xianpeng , Liu Hui
Published: December 2023

The precise identification of chromosomal abnormalities based on microscopy images in clinics heavily relies on manual analysis by karyotype experts, which is expensive and labor‐intensive. Therefore, there is an urgent need for automatic classification technologies. However, current deep learning‐based methods require a large amount of annotated data to achieve satisfactory performance. Additionally, there are domain shifts between datasets obtained from different instruments and clinical agencies, which hinders the utilization of existing public data resources. To overcome these challenges, we propose a novel ensemble learning framework called ChromEDA. This method incorporates soft pseudo‐label learning, adversarial learning, and angle classification learning strategies to mitigate the domain shift. To evaluate its performance, we conducted cross‐domain classification experiments using both public and private datasets. The results demonstrate that ChromEDA effectively addresses the domain shift issue and outperforms existing methods in cross‐domain chromosome classification tasks.

Research Highlights

The research transferred an unsupervised cross‐domain algorithm into the chromosome microscopic image processing area, which can support fast and efficient deployment in equipment such as microscopies. To our knowledge, it is the first domain adaption application in chromosome image analysis.

The research designed an ensemble learning framework‐based chromosome classification model to alleviate the domain shift between different domains. It is a combination of soft pseudo‐label learning, adversarial learning, and self‐supervised angle recognition, which can significantly reduce the annotation requirements for chromosomal image processing.

The results find that for chromosomes sharing the same centromere position category, banding information may contribute more to within‐group classification. Thus, banding pattern information is encouraged to be considered for more precise classification of chromosomes.
The “Okusuri Charm” movement in Japan: Prescription drug accessories emerging on X (Twitter)
Authors: Ikejiri Tatsuki , Hakariya Hayase , Kai Haruna , Yokoyama Natsuki , Hakariya Arisa
Published: December 2023

Background

In this digital age, social networks may offer an avenue for individuals to obtain drugs illicitly beyond the prescribed amount. Users on X (Twitter)® have ingeniously fabricated fashionable accessories that employ prescription drug sheets, termed “Okusuri Charm”.

Methods

This cross‐sectional study scrutinized the emerging “Okusuri Charm” trend, by searching the term in Japanese on X (Twitter)® and analyzing related posts.

Results

Alongside illegal prescription drug trading, individuals crafted accessories from drug sheets, particularly prescribed psychiatric drugs, and dealt with other users, leading to a growing trend this year.

Conclusions

A positive outlook toward this trend is the emergence of a new artistic movement, but a pessimistic viewpoint is the creators' misuse of prescription drugs, potentially fostering illegal drug dealings.
Psychological aspects of rehabilitation nutrition: A position paper by the Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Nutrition (secondary publication)
Authors: Wakabayashi Hidetaka , Mori Takashi , Nishioka Shinta , Maeda Keisuke , Yoshimura Yoshihiro , Iida Yuki , Shiraishi Ai , Fujiwara Dai
Published: December 2023

Psychological aspects of rehabilitation nutrition affect physical, cognitive, and social rehabilitation nutrition. When depression is recognized, not only pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy, but also non‐pharmacological therapies such as exercise, nutrition, psychosocial, and other interventions can be expected to improve depression. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and intervention without overlooking depression is important. Psychological aspects of preventive rehabilitation nutrition is also important because depression can be partially prevented by appropriate exercise and nutritional management. Even in the absence of psychological negatives, increasing more psychological positives from a positive psychology perspective can be useful for both patients and healthcare professionals. Positive rehabilitation nutrition interventions can increase more psychological positives, such as well‐being, through cognitive‐behavioral therapy and mindfulness on their own, as well as through interventions on environmental factors. Consequently, physical, cognitive, and social positives are also expected to be enhanced.
Early Identification of Pathologic Complete Response to Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Using Multiphase DCE‐MRI by Siamese Network in Breast Cancer: A Longitudinal Multicenter Study
Authors: Huang Yao , Cao Ying , Hu Xiaofei , Lan Xiaosong , Chen Huifang , Tang Sun , Li Lan , Cheng Yue , Gong Xueqin , Wang Wei , Jiang Fujie , Yin Ting , Wang Xiaoxia , Zhang Jiuquan
Published: December 2023

Background

Siamese network (SN) using longitudinal DCE‐MRI for pathologic complete response (pCR) identification lack a unified approach to phases selection.

Purpose

To identify pCR in early‐stage NAC, using SN with longitudinal DCE‐MRI and introducing IPS for phases selection.

Study Type

Multicenter, longitudinal.

Population

Center A: 162 female patients (50.63 ± 8.41 years) divided 7:3 into training and internal validation cohorts. Center B: 61 female patients (50.08 ± 7.82 years) were used as an external validation cohort.

Field Strength/Sequence

Center A: single vendor 3.0 T with a compressed‐sensing volume interpolated breath‐hold examination sequence. Center B: single vendor 1.5 T with volume interpolated breath‐hold examination sequence.

Assessment

Patients underwent DCE‐MRI before and after two NAC cycles, with tumor regions of interest (ROI) manually delineated. Histopathology was the reference for pCR identification. Models developed included a clinical one, four SN models based on IPS‐selected phases, and integrated models combining clinical and SN features.

Statistical Tests

Model performance was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). The DeLong test was used to compare AUCs. Net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement (IDI) tests were employed for performance comparison. P < 0.05 was considered significant.

Results

In internal and external validation cohorts, the clinical model showed AUCs of 0.760 and 0.718. SN and integrated models, with increasing phases via IPS, achieved AUCs ranging from 0.813 to 0.951 and 0.818 to 0.922. Notably, SN‐3 and integrated‐3 and integrated‐4 outperformed the clinical model. However, input phases beyond 20% did not significantly enhance performance (IDI test: SN‐4 vs. SN‐3, P = 0.314 and 0.630; integrated‐4 vs. integrated‐3, P = 0.785 and 0.709).

Data Conclusion

The longitudinal multiphase DCE‐MRI based on the SN demonstrates promise for identifying pCR in breast cancer.

Evidence Level

1

Technical Efficacy

Stage 4
An analytical approach for on‐site analysis of breath samples for Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC)
Authors: Henion Jack , Hao Changtong , Eikel Daniel , Beck Olof , Stambeck Peter
Published: December 2023

Increased acceptance of cannabis containing the psychoactive component, Δ9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), raises concerns about the potential for impaired drivers and increased highway accidents. In contrast to the “breathalyzer” test, which is generally accepted for determining the alcohol level in a driver, there is no currently accepted roadside test for THC in a motorist. There is a need for an easily collectible biological sample from a potentially impaired driver coupled with an accurate on‐site test to measure the presence and quantity of THC in a driver. A novel breath collection device is described, which includes three separate sample collectors for collecting identical A, B, and C breath samples from a subject. A simple one‐step ethanol extraction of the “A” breath collector sample can be analyzed by UHPLC/selected ion monitoring (SIM) liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) to provide qualitative and quantitative determination of THC in breath sample in less than 4 min for samples collected up to 6 h after smoking a cannabis cigarette. SIM LC/MS bioanalyses employed d3‐THC as the stable isotope internal standard fortified in negative control breath samples for quantitation including replicates of six calibrator standards and three quality control (QC) samples. Subsequent confirmation of the same breath sample in the B collectors was then confirmed by a reference lab by LC/MS/MS analysis. Fit‐for‐purpose bioanalytical validation consistent with pharmaceutical regulated bioanalyses produced pharmacokinetic (PK) curves for the two volunteer cannabis smokers. These results produced PK curves, which showed a rapid increase of THC in the breath of the subjects in the first hour followed by reduced THC levels in the later time points. A simpler single‐point calibration curve procedure with calibrators and QC prepared in ethanol provided similar results. Limitations to this approach include the higher cost and operator skill sets for the instrumentation employed and the inability to actually determine driver impairment.
A new absolute quantitative method for peptide and metabolite detection
Authors: Brogna Carlo , Cristoni Simone
Published: December 2023

Mass spectrometry is widely employed in various analytical fields for both compound identification and quantification. While in the case of compound identification, the high‐resolution instrument has increased selectivity and characterization efficiency; in the case of quantitative analysis, some critical tasks actually remain. In particular, different compounds exhibit different ionization efficiency, and this introduces the need to have a calibration standard for each analyte. In this paper, we present a new elaborative data technology, which makes it possible to standardize calibration between different instruments and molecules, making it absolute. The method was applied to data acquired by means of liquid chromatography mass spectrometry by means of an ion trap analyzer. The approach is based on the correlation of the ion trap space charge effect and the analyte concentration. The method was validated in the analysis of compounds having different polarity: hydrossitirosol, arginine, thyodiglicolic acid, and a peptide mixture of bacteria cultures derived the human gut microbiome where was found poliovirus. Moreover, it was used to obtain the absolute quantitation of peptides originating from the tryptic digestion of bacterial proteins in the fecal samples. It was therefore possible to identify and quantify different derived bacterial proteins of the poliomyelitis virus coded in bacteria derived from the gastrointestinal tract.
Advancing the analytical toolkit in the investigation of vector mosquito host biting site selection
Authors: Wooding Madelien , Dodgen Tyren , Rohwer Egmont R. , Naudé Yvette
Published: December 2023

High‐resolution mass spectrometry and ion mobility spectrometry provide additional confidence in biological marker discovery and elucidation by adding additional peak capacity through physiochemical separation orthogonal to chromatography. Sophisticated analytical techniques have proved valuable in the identification of human skin surface chemicals used by vector mosquitoes to find their human host. Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) was used as a non‐invasive passive wearable sampler to concentrate skin surface non‐volatile and semi‐volatile compounds prior to solvent desorption directly in an LC vial, thereby simplifying the link between extraction and analysis. Ultra‐performance liquid chromatography with ion mobility spectrometry coupled with high‐resolution mass spectrometry (UPLC‐IMS‐HRMS) was used for compound separation and detection. A comparison of the skin chemical profiles between the ankle and wrist skin surface region sampled over a 5‐day period for a human volunteer was done. Twenty‐three biomarkers were tentatively identified with the aid of a collision cross‐section (CCS) prediction tool, seven associated with the ankle skin surface region and 16 closely associated with the wrist skin surface. Ten amino acids were detected and unequivocally identified on the human skin surface for the first time. Furthermore, 22 previously unreported skin surface compounds were tentatively identified on the human skin surface using accurate mass, CCS values and fragmentation patterns. Method limits of detection for the passive skin sampling method ranged from 8.7 (sulfadimethoxine) to 95 ng (taurine). This approach enabled the detection and identification of as‐yet unknown human skin surface compounds and provided corresponding CCS values.
The caring advantage: When and how parenting improves leadership
Authors: Gartzia Leire
Published: December 2023

Leadership research is grounded in one simple principle: leaders care about followers' attitudes and emotions to achieve outcomes. Yet, how leaders develop these caring skills remains unidentified. The current study addresses parenting as a major, previously unaddressed antecedent of leadership effectiveness that involves experiences of care and emotional support to others (the children) transferred to work. Findings from matched field data of leaders who are parents and their employees confirm this approach and point to a fundamental omission in leadership studies: supportive behaviors that are critical for leaders involve experiences of care inherently developed in parenting roles. Consistent with work–family enrichment principles, leaders' parental experiences improved employee outcomes by facilitating supportive leadership behaviors, conditional on time spent in parenting (with supportive parenting styles but little time to be with children, the positive transfer from parenting to work was lower). These findings represent a clear contribution to leadership theory and practice and the many missed associations between leadership and family–work enrichment. They also provide novel insights and questions for advancing management theory with critical practical implications for leaders who are parents, calling for urgent designs of firm practices that are sensitive to parenting and other forms of unpaid care work to unleash leaders' caring potential.
Four alternative methodologies for simulated treatment comparison: How could the use of simulation be re‐invigorated?
Authors: Zhang Landan , Bujkiewicz Sylwia , Jackson Dan
Published: December 2023

Simulated treatment comparison (STC) is an established method for performing population adjustment for the indirect comparison of two treatments, where individual patient data (IPD) are available for one trial but only aggregate level information is available for the other. The most commonly used method is what we call ‘standard STC’. Here we fit an outcome model using data from the trial with IPD, and then substitute mean covariate values from the trial where only aggregate level data are available, to predict what the first of these trial's outcomes would have been if its population had been the same as the second. However, this type of STC methodology does not involve simulation and can result in bias when the link function used in the outcome model is non‐linear. An alternative approach is to use the fitted outcome model to simulate patient profiles in the trial for which IPD are available, but in the other trial's population. This stochastic alternative presents additional challenges. We examine the history of STC and propose two new simulation‐based methods that resolve many of the difficulties associated with the current stochastic approach. A virtue of the simulation‐based STC methods is that the marginal estimands are then clearly targeted. We illustrate all methods using a numerical example and explore their use in a simulation study.
Phenolic profile of unripe areca nuts cultivated in various districts of Karnataka, India
Authors: Hugar Priyanka , Dutta Ankita , Srilakshmi S. , Belur Prasanna D. , Raval Keyur , Iyyaswami Regupathi
Published: December 2023

Background

Annual production of areca nut in Karnataka state exceeds 1.08 million tonnes, contributing 80% and 49% to Indian and global production, respectively. Areca nut (pericarp of Areca catechu L.) is found to be a rich source of valuable phenolic compounds. Total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) were estimated in 21 unripe areca nut samples collected from the major areca nut growing regions of Karnataka state. Arecoline, a prominent alkaloid present in areca nut was estimated and phenolic profile of one areca nut sample was generated using UHPLC–MS/MS studies.

Results

A significant variability was found in TPC, TFC and arecoline content among the samples, belongs to different agroclimatic zones. Flavonoids were found to be the major phenolic compounds present in these unripe areca nut samples. The median values of TPC, TFC and arecoline were found to be 99.609 ± 0.002 mg gallic acid equivalent, 78.86 ± 0.007 mg catechin equivalent and 2.17 ± 0.13 mg/g of the sample on fresh weight basis. A positive correlation was found to exist between TPC and arecoline content in the green unripe areca nuts of 6–7 months' maturity. Through UHPLC–MS/MS studies, 61 prominent compounds have been identified.

Conclusion

The TPC and TFC of areca nuts collected from different districts of Karnataka falling in various agroclimatic zones varied significantly. In general, the arecoline content found in all these samples was less than that reported elsewhere, and the variability among the samples was also found to be minimal. A positive correlation was observed between TPC and arecoline. UHPLC–MS/MS studies showed the presence of about 52 unique phenolic compounds.
Amelioration of nutritional properties of bakery fat using omega‐3 fatty acid‐rich edible oils: a review
Authors: Dhiman Aishwarya , Chopra Rajni , Singh Priyanka Kumari , Homroy Snigdha , Chand Monika , Talwar Binanshu
Published: December 2023

Bakery products have gained prominence in modern diets due to their convenience and accessibility, often serving as staple meals across diverse regions. However, the fats used in these products are rich in saturated fatty acids and often comprise trans fatty acids, which are considered as a major biomarker for non‐communicable diseases like cardiovascular disorders, obesity and diabetes. Additionally, these fats lack the essential omega‐3 fatty acids, which are widely known for their therapeutic benefits. They play a major role in lowering the risk of cardiovascular diseases, cancer and diabetes. Thus, there is need for incorporating these essential fatty acids into bakery fats. Nevertheless, fortifying food products with polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) poses several challenges due to their high susceptibility to oxidation. This oxidative deterioration leads to not only the formation of undesirable flavors, but also a loss of nutritional value in the final products. This review focuses on the development of healthier trans‐fat‐free bakery fat enriched with omega‐3 fatty acids and its effect on the physicochemical, functional, sensory and nutritional properties of bakery fats and products. Further, the role of various technologies like physical blending, enzymatic interesterification and encapsulation to improve the stability of PUFA‐rich bakery fat is discussed, where microencapsulation emerged as a novel and effective technology to enhance the stability and shelf life. By preventing deteriorative changes, microencapsulation ensures that the nutritional, physicochemical and sensory properties of food products remain intact. Novel modification methods like interesterification and microencapsulation used for developing PUFA‐rich bakery fats have a potential to address the health risks occurring due to consumption of bakery fat having higher amount of saturated and trans fatty acids. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
An iterative algorithm for low‐rank tensor completion problem with sparse noise and missing values
Authors: Chen Jianheng , Huang Wen
Published: December 2023

Robust low‐rank tensor completion plays an important role in multidimensional data analysis against different degradations, such as sparse noise, and missing entries, and has a variety of applications in image processing and computer vision. In this paper, an optimization model for low‐rank tensor completion problems is proposed and a block coordinate descent algorithm is developed to solve this model. It is shown that for one of the subproblems, the closed‐form solution exists and for the other, a Riemannian conjugate gradient algorithm is used. In particular, when all elements are known, that is, no missing values, the block coordinate descent is simplified in the sense that both subproblems have closed‐form solutions. The convergence analysis is established without requiring the latter subproblem to be solved exactly. Numerical experiments illustrate that the proposed model with the algorithm is feasible and effective.
Parallel processes of temporal control in the supplementary motor area and the frontoparietal circuit
Authors: Wang Xuanyu , Shi Shunyu , Bao Yan
Published: December 2023

Durations in the several seconds' range are cognitively accessible during active timing. Functional neuroimaging studies suggest the engagement of the basal ganglia (BG) and supplementary motor area (SMA). However, their functional relevance and arrangement remain unclear because non‐timing cognitive processes temporally coincide with the active timing. To examine the potential contamination by parallel processes, we introduced a sensory control and a motor control to the duration‐reproduction task. By comparing their hemodynamic functions, we decomposed the neural activities in multiple brain loci linked to different cognitive processes. Our results show a dissociation of two cortical neural circuits: the SMA for both active timing and motor preparation, followed by a prefrontal–parietal circuit related to duration working memory. We argue that these cortical processes represent duration as the content but at different levels of abstraction, while the subcortical structures, including the BG and thalamus, provide the logistic basis of timing by coordinating the temporal framework across brain structures.
Self‐truncated sampling produces more moderate covariation judgment and related decision than descriptive frequency information: The role of regressive frequency estimation
Authors: Zhang Xuhui , Dai Junyi
Published: December 2023

Covariation judgment underlies a diversity of psychological theories and influences various everyday decisions. Information about covariation can be learned from either a summary description of frequencies (i.e., contingency tables) or trial‐by‐trial experience (i.e., sampling individual instances). Two studies were conducted to investigate the impact of information learning mode (i.e., description vs. self‐truncated sampling) on covariation judgment and related decision. In each trial under the description condition, participants were presented with a contingency table with explicit cell frequencies, whereas in each trial under the self‐truncated sampling condition, participants were allowed to determine when to stop sampling instances and thus the actual sample size. To eliminate sampling error, an other‐yoked (i.e., between‐subject) design was used in this research so that cell frequencies shown in a trial under the description condition were matched with those experienced in a trial under the self‐truncated sampling condition. Experiment 1 showed that the self‐truncated sampling condition led to more moderate covariation judgments than the description condition (i.e., a description–experience gap). Experiment 2 demonstrated further that the same gap extended to covariation‐related decisions in terms of relative contingent preference (RCP). Regressive frequency estimation under self‐truncated sampling appeared to underlie the consistent gaps found in the two studies, whereas the impact of regressive diagnosticity (i.e., the same sample of instances was viewed as less diagnostic under description than under self‐truncated sampling) or simultaneous overestimation and underweighting of rare instances under experience was not supported by the observed data. Future research might examine alternative accounts of the observed gaps, such as the impacts of belief updating and stopping rule under self‐truncated sampling.
Peer popularity and self‐discipline as protective factors against depressive symptoms in Chinese adolescents: Do boys and girls benefit equally?
Authors: Zhu Nan , Lu Hui Jing , Chang Lei
Published: December 2023

The current study examined the concurrent and longitudinal protective effects of peer popularity and self‐discipline (control, planning, and the ability to prioritize important things) against depressive symptoms among adolescents. We used multilevel modeling to examine the data of 1676 adolescents aged 12–15 years from the China Family Panel Studies (CFPS) survey, a large‐scale panel survey with a nationally representative sample. Results showed that both peer popularity and self‐discipline predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms measured concurrently. The buffering effect of self‐discipline against concurrent depressive symptoms was stronger for girls than for boys, especially in middle adolescence. Peer popularity additionally predicted lower levels of depressive symptoms 4 years later, and this effect was stronger for girls than for boys. These patterns of results were maintained after controlling for self‐rated physical health and society‐level factors. We discuss these findings against the background of distinct traditional gender roles.
The development of using function word “zài” to learn novel verbs in young Mandarin speakers
Authors: Li Zhigang , Liang Chenyue , Zhong Jianing , Chen Shuang
Published: December 2023

The present research examined whether Mandarin‐speaking children could use function words to learn novel verbs and recognize verbs in a new sentential context. In Experiment 1, 3‐ to 6‐year‐old children were taught two novel verbs supported by the verb marker “zài.” The 5‐ and 6‐year‐old children successfully used the function word “zài” to learn novel verbs, but the 3‐ and 4‐year‐olds failed to interpret the novel words as verbs. In Experiment 2 and 3, the children had to recognize the newly learned verbs in new sentences containing a different function word (a different verb‐biased marker “le” or a non‐verb‐biased marker “shì”). Results showed that the 5‐year‐old children could recognize the newly learned verbs with another verb‐biased marker “le,” but only the 6‐year‐old children could recognize the newly learned verbs with the non‐verb‐biased marker “shì.” The study verified that Mandarin‐speaking children could use the function word “zài” to determine a novel word as a verb and revealed that such an ability appeared between the ages of 4 and 5 years. In addition, the ability to extend a newly learned verb across different morphosyntactic markers is developed in 5‐ to 6‐year‐olds.
Relationship between theta/beta ratio and mind wandering in schizotypy
Authors: Zhang Qin , Jia Lu‐xia , Cui Ji‐fang , Ye Jun‐yan , Liu Jia‐li , Lai Wen‐hao , Shi Hai‐song , Yang Tian‐xiao , Wang Ya , Chan Raymond C. K.
Published: December 2023

Negative association was found between the frontal theta/beta ratio and mind wandering in participants with high schizotypal traits, while no such association was found in participants with low schizotypal traits. These findings provide insights into the neural mechanism of mind wandering in individuals with high schizotypal traits.
Effects of lifestyle and its interaction with anemia on cognitive function in older adults: A longitudinal study
Authors: Yang Jia , Zhou Chen , Li Hui‐Jie
Published: December 2023

A better understanding of the impact of lifestyle factors on cognitive function in older adults is critical for developing intervention strategies to achieve successful aging. Moreover, older adults who fulfill the World Health Organization criteria for anemia have a significantly higher risk of developing dementia. In the current study, we aimed to assess the buffering effects of lifestyle on cognitive function in older Chinese adults through a nationally representative survey. The sample consisted of 1201 participants (mean age: 82.39 ± 12.08 years, 52.1% female) from the 2011/2012 and 2014 waves of the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Multiple linear regression analyses were used to explore the relationship between changes in lifestyle factors and the rate of cognitive function changes, as well as the effects of the interaction between lifestyle factors and anemia on cognitive function changes. Increased levels of participation in leisure activities, social activities, and dietary diversity delayed cognitive decline. Persistent anemia accelerated cognitive decline, while frequent participation in leisure activities delayed cognitive decline due to anemia. The increased levels of participation in leisure activities, social activities, and dietary diversity can alleviate the cognitive decline caused by aging itself, and more frequently participation in leisure activities can also alleviate the adverse effects of anemia on cognitive function in older adults.