bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the impact of a four-day workweek on sustainable people management: a systematic review of the literature
Authors: Araújo Ana , Rodrigues Ana Cláudia , Ferreira Marisa R.
Published: December 2024

Purpose

Sustainability, based on the principles of sustainable development, is supported through human resource management practices that enable the attraction, development and efficient management of organizations' employees. These sustainable practices bring various benefits to organizations, the environment and their employees, so should consider how employees are treated and how their well-being is promoted through actions that value their health, development, work–life balance and the provision of adequate working conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a bibliometric analysis and a systematic literature review. We identified 644 records from the past 52 years related to the four-day workweek and performed a two-step analysis. From these records, we selected 104 organizational-focused papers and analyzed them using VOSViewer. We categorized this initial sample into 10 clusters across five dimensions: societal, environmental, organizational, family and individual. In the second step, we thoroughly examined eight papers to understand the impact of this work arrangement on people management. Our analysis revealed that the primary effects of a four-day workweek are improved satisfaction, productivity and work–life balance.

Findings

Findings show that four-day workweek is mainly studied at a macro-level, and it still lacking research at the organizational level, namely on the people management topic. However, it was possible to identify elements that are considered fundamental to take into account for the success of organizations that intend to adopt this working method, namely employee satisfaction, production levels and the balance between their personal and professional life.

Practical implications

The study’s development is crucial for academia and entrepreneurship, serving as a foundation for future research on the impact of the four-day workweek on people management. The detailed characterization of scientific documents and identification of the most relevant aspects in pertinent areas provides a foundation for understanding and exploring this work model. It underscores the importance of considering factors such as satisfaction, productivity and work–life balance, exposing different results obtained in various scientific productions and offering a detailed view of the existing literature on this topic.

Originality/value

Findings show that four-day workweek is mainly studied at a macro-level, and it is still lacking research at the organizational level, namely on the people management topic. However, it was possible to identify elements that are considered fundamental to take into account for the success of organizations that intend to adopt this working method, namely employee satisfaction, production levels, and the balance between their personal and professional life.
Measuring service-dominant orientation (SDO): a firm-based approach
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Van , Le Nguyen-Hau
Published: December 2024

Purpose

For developing and testing service-dominant logic (SDL)-based midrange theories of marketing, the operationalization of SDL into the managerial concept of service-dominant orientation (SDO) and its measures is imperative. However, existing scales found in the literature are insufficient and incomplete. This study aims to develop and validate an alternative firm-based scale for measuring SDO.

Design/methodology/approach

The established procedure for scale development was adopted which comprised three phases. First, a mix of qualitative study and literature deduction was applied to conceptualize and define SDO. Second, based on quantitative data (Study 1, N = 228 cases), scale development and refinement were undertaken. Finally, another data set (Study 2, N = 379 cases) was used to validate the scale.

Findings

SDO is defined as a set of managerial principles that govern all marketing processes and activities of a firm at strategic and operational levels so that they conform to SDL tenets. It is a second-order construct comprising four dimensions: customer solution, customer interaction, customer co-creation and system-based orientation. The suggested scale consists of 15 reflective items in total.

Originality/value

This SDO scale is viewed from and assessed by a firm’s strategic managers which covers all internal and external marketing aspects of the firm’s operation. It is different from a customer perspective or cultural perspective as used in the scales existing in the literature.
A systematic review of current trends in artificial intelligence in foreign language learning
Authors: Alhusaiyan Eman
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the trends and advancements in AI-supported language learning over the past decade. By analyzing 15 empirical research articles, the study seeks to fill the gap in understanding the effectiveness and challenges of AI-assisted language learning for both first- and second-language learners.

Design/methodology/approach

The research utilizes activity theory, which includes seven components: tool, subject, object, rules, community, division of labor and outcome. This theoretical framework helps to reveal the dynamic interactions and contradictions among these elements. The selection and screening process for relevant articles followed the PRISMA method, ensuring a systematic and comprehensive review.

Findings

The study found that AI-supported technology shows promise in enhancing language learning, particularly in areas such as writing quality, scoring accuracy and learner engagement. However, challenges remain in terms of dialogic competence and the necessity of teacher intervention in pedagogical design. While AI-supported systems can effectively aid in language acquisition, improvements are needed to foster language use for communication and collaborative design.

Research limitations/implications

The review highlights the need for more empirical studies on the pedagogical impacts of AI-supported language learning and the engagement levels of both learners and teachers. It also underscores the importance of investigating the application of AI-assisted language learning in actual classroom environments.

Practical implications

The implications of this study offer significant insights for both educational practice and future research in AI-supported language learning. As AI technologies continue to evolve, their potential to enhance learning outcomes and support teachers’ efforts becomes increasingly apparent. However, effective implementation requires not only the availability of technological tools but also proper pedagogical integration and teacher intervention. Furthermore, AI presents unique opportunities to personalize learning and foster collaboration among learners, aligning with the growing trend of hybrid learning environments.

Originality/value

This paper addresses the need for a comprehensive review of AI’s role in language education, providing insights into emerging trends and identifying areas for future research. It emphasizes the importance of integrating AI tools with educational theories and the necessity of teacher configuration in enhancing AI-supported language learning.
Research on velocity measurement and location method based on improved Kalman filter algorithm
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Yang Jie , Jiang Jusong
Published: December 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to propose a novel adaptive Kalman filter (APRKF) designed to accommodate the operational environment of maglev pipeline trains, enhancing positioning accuracy by mitigating the impact of noise and sensor errors.

Design/methodology/approach

This approach is built upon the Kalman filtering algorithm, using a limited-memory weighted method to derive adaptive factors, while establishing judgment thresholds to constrain the range of their variation.

Findings

A comparative analysis with the traditional Kalman filter and the Sage-Husa adaptive filter reveals that APRKF offers superior speed estimation performance while effectively mitigating error accumulation caused by speed integration. The results indicate that APRKF excels in both speed and position estimation, demonstrating its effectiveness in improving estimation accuracy.

Originality/value

This study proposes an innovative method for the velocity and position estimation system of maglev tube-track trains.
Persistent Epstein–Barr Virus Infection of Epithelial Cells Leads to APOBEC3C Expression and Induces Mitochondrial DNA Mutations
Authors: Wai Aung Phyo , Richardo Timmy , Wakae Kousho , Okada Shunpei , Muramatsu Masamichi , Yoshiyama Hironori , Iizasa Hisashi
Published: December 2024

Upon infection with the virus, cells increase the expression of cytidine deaminase APOBEC3 family genes. This leads to the accumulation of C‐to‐T mutations in the replicating viral genome and suppresses viral propagation. In contrast, herpesviruses, including Epstein–Barr virus (EBV), express genes that counteract APOBEC3 during lytic infection. However, because viral resistance factors are not expressed during EBV latent infection, it is unknown how APOBEC3 functions during latent infection. We observed that in gastric epithelial cells persistently infected with EBV, the expression of APOBEC3 family genes increased, C‐to‐T mutations in the D‐loop genome of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) increased, and mtDNA copy number decreased. By introducing and expressing individual APOBEC3 family genes, APOBEC3C was particularly expressed in the cytoplasm, increasing C‐to‐T mutations in mtDNA and decreasing mtDNA copy number. Furthermore, we confirmed that APOBEC3C co‐localized with mitochondria in EBV‐infected cells. Expression of the EBV latent gene LMP2A increased APOBEC3C expression. Conversely, APOBEC3C expression was reduced in LMP2A‐deficient EBV‐infected cells compared to wild‐type EBV‐infected cells. These results indicate that persistent infection of EBV in gastric epithelial cells reduces the number of mitochondria through mtDNA mutations induced by APOBEC3C expression.
Physiological profiling of the soil microbe community using the EcoPlate and assessment of soil properties at 74 planted forest sites across Japan
Authors: Nakamura Masahiro , Terada Chisato , Ito Kinya , Hiura Tsutom , Shibata Hideaki , Miki Takeshi , Saitoh Taku M. , Takagi Masahiro , Hougen Toshiyuki , Matsuzaki Shin‐ichiro S. , Watanabe Mirai , Tado Hiroyuki , Hotta Norifumi , Kosugi Yoshiko , Aiko Nobuyuki , Kojima Nagahiro , Katagiri Nana , Kishimoto Koju , Yoshida Tomohiro , Tsunoda Yuuki , Takamiya Tatsumi , Ito Kosuke , Utsumi Yasuhiro , Yoshikawa Tetsuro , Kenta Tanaka , Oda Miho , Agetsuma Naoki , Kawai Masataka , Fujita Toru , Hishi Takuo , Shimada Hiromasa , Ichie Tomoaki , Hoshizaki Kazuhiko , Kobayashi Hajime , Seino Tatsuyuki , Noguchi Mahoko , Nagamatsu Dai , Saito Haruo , Tateno Ryunosuke , Ishihara Masae Iwamoto , Kitagawa Yoichiro , Hisamoto Yoko , Homma Kosuke , Hirao Toshihide , Otani Tatsuya , Toda Motomu , Terada Jinshi , Kume Tomonori , Fukuzawa Karibu , Takashima Atsushi , Kurose Koki , Fujii Sakae , Itoh Shunsuke , Ohta Tamihisa , Otsuki Kazuhiko , Nagaike Takuo , Hasegawa Kyohei , Makoto Kobayashi , Shirahata Manabu , Matsuki Sawako , Hatanaka Masayuki , Suzuki Satoshi , Muro Noriyuki , Yamoto Tomoyuki , Adachi Naoyuki , Kaneko Nobuhiro , Yamashita Tamon
Published: December 2024

Due to policies supporting large‐scale expansion of plantation forestry, about 40% of the forests in Japan are planted forests, such as Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) and hinoki cypress (Chamaecyparis obtusa). We present the largest freely available EcoPlate dataset for planted forests in Japan, comprising data collected from a network of 74 planted forest sites (114 plots) in regions ranging from cool‐temperate to subtropical. The EcoPlate is a 96‐well microplate that contains three sets of 31 “response wells” with different carbon substrates. The utilization of each carbon substrate by the microbial community is quantified based on the color development of the well during incubation, providing a multifunctional index of the soil microbial community. Soil properties (water content, carbon, nitrogen, the carbon/nitrogen (C/N) ratio, and pH) essential for interpreting the EcoPlate results were also analyzed. Using a standardized protocol, soil was sampled between July and November 2021. A preliminary principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) was performed on the temporal integration of color density using the 31 substrates. PCo1 explained 36.5% of the variance of the overall absorbance of all substrates. A model of environmental factors, including elevation, and a model of soil properties, including pH, water content, and carbon, were the best‐fit models. EcoPlate data allow us to test hypotheses related to community ecology and the ecosystem functions of the soil microbial community in planted forests on a regional scale. The complete data set for this abstract published in the Data Article section of the journal is available in electronic format in MetaCat in JaLTER at https://jalter.diasjp.net/data/ERDP-2024-08.
Transporting difference‐in‐differences estimates to assess health equity impacts of payment and delivery models
Authors: Ianni Katherine , Chen Alyssa , Rodrigues Daniela , Hatfield Laura A.
Published: December 2024

Objective

To demonstrate the use of transportability methods to extend findings from payment model evaluations to groups of historically underserved beneficiaries.

Study Setting and Design

We used a simulation study to transport the effects of the Comprehensive Primary Care Plus (CPC+) model to a target population of Black fee‐for‐service (FFS) Medicare beneficiaries living outside the original 18 CPC+ regions. Our main outcome variable was total Medicare spending per beneficiary per year (pbpy).

Data Sources and Analytic Sample

We simulated practice‐level spending in 18 CPC+ regions and 32 non‐CPC+ regions (1200 practices per region). We calibrated the simulation parameters to values from the literature and then varied four key parameters to create 16 realistic simulation scenarios. These scenarios varied the representativeness of practices in CPC+ regions that joined CPC+ (i.e., the sample) relative to the target population by changing the distribution of Black beneficiaries across practices and the distribution of practices across regions. Practices were characterized by their experience with the Medicare Shared Savings Program (SSP) and system/hospital ownership because these are known to modify the effect of CPC+ on spending.

Principal Findings

Across the 16 simulation scenarios, transporting the treatment effect of CPC+ to Black FFS beneficiaries in non‐CPC+ regions yielded median treatment effects that ranged from $15.5 pbpy smaller to $10 pbpy larger than in the sample. These differences are roughly the same magnitude as the estimated overall effect of $13 pbpy.

Conclusions

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation has pledged to put equity at the center of its demonstration models. However, offering models in limited geographic areas with voluntary provider participation may result in unrepresentative samples. Naively generalizing CPC+ effects from geographically limited, voluntary samples to all Black FFS beneficiaries could be misleading. Under some circumstances, transportability methods can be used to estimate effects in this target population.
USP8‐Dependent Family Tyrosine Kinase Promotes the Malignant Progression of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Upregulating Protein Tyrosine Kinase 2 Expression
Authors: Wu Yuechang , Xian Dubiao , Liu Yunzhong , Huang Ding , Liu Qingfeng , Yang Shubo
Published: December 2024

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a lethal malignancy, and the molecular underpinnings of its aggressive behavior are not fully understood. FYN proto‐oncogene, Src family tyrosine kinase (FYN) has been linked to cancer progression, yet its role in ESCC remains elusive. This study investigated the influence of FYN on ESCC malignancy.

Methods

Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction was used to assess the mRNA expression of FYN, while western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays were performed to detect the protein expression of FYN, ubiquitin specific peptidase 8 (USP8) and protein tyrosine kinase 2 (PTK2). Cell viability was measured with a cell counting kit‐8 assay, and cell apoptosis was evaluated using flow cytometry.

Results

FYN expression was increased in ESCC tissues and cells when compared with normal esophageal tissues and normal esophageal epithelial cells. Knockdown of FYN inhibited cell invasion, migration, stem‐like traits, and glycolysis, while promoting apoptosis. USP8 was shown to stabilize FYN protein expression through its deubiquitinating activity in ESCC cells. Overexpression of FYN reversed the effects of USP8 silencing on the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells in vitro and in vivo. FYN upregulated PTK2 expression in both TE1 and KYSE150 cell lines. Furthermore, PTK2 overexpression reversed the effects of FYN silencing on the malignant phenotypes of ESCC cells. Further, USP8 silencing‐induced inhibitory effect on PTK2 protein expression was counteracted after FYN overexpression.

Conclusion

USP8‐dependent FYN contributed to the malignant progression of ESCC by interacting with PTK2. Targeting this pathway may offer a novel therapeutic strategy for ESCC treatment.
Etiology and correlates of alcohol misuse in early midlife
Authors: Lumpe Erin , Pascale Angela , Stephenson Mallory , Barr Peter , Cooke Megan E. , Latvala Antti , Maes Hermine H. M. , Aaltonen Sari , Piirtola Maarit , Viken Richard , Rose Richard J. , Sipilä Pyry N. , Keski‐Rahkonen Anna , Vuoksimaa Eero , Kaprio Jaakko , Dick Danielle M. , Salvatore Jessica E.
Published: December 2024

Background

Early midlife individuals (ages 30–40) experience demographic shifts that may influence the remainder of adult life. Although new or persistent alcohol misuse is common during this period, early midlife is understudied in alcohol use literature. We examined the heritability of alcohol misuse; the associations between alcohol misuse and sociodemographic factors, physical health, and well‐being; and whether these associations were robust in cotwin comparisons.

Methods

Participants were 1446 Finnish twin pairs and 748 nonpaired Finnish twins with mean age 34 years. The alcohol misuse index was a composite measure of frequency of use, intoxication, heavy episodic drinking, and alcohol problems assessed with the Malmö‐modified Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test and the Rutgers Alcohol Problem Index. Early midlife correlates included relationship status and length, family formation, unemployment status, education level, self‐rated health, pain, sleeping difficulties, life satisfaction, psychological health, and other substance use. We employed a sex‐limitation model to estimate early midlife heritability. Linear and fixed effects regression models were used for individual and cotwin comparison analyses, respectively.

Results

Additive genetic (A) and unique environmental (E) components of alcohol misuse variance differed across sex (Females: A = 62%, E = 38%; Males: A = 49%, E = 51%). In individual‐based analyses, higher scores on the alcohol misuse index were associated with lower relationship stability, financial situation, education level, self‐rated health, physical fitness, life satisfaction and psychological health, and higher self‐reported pain, sleep difficulties, unemployment rates and other substance use (R2 = 0.008–0.12). Associations remained significant in cotwin comparison analyses (R2 = 0.004–0.10) except for financial situation and education level.

Conclusions

There is evidence of sex differences in the etiological factors that influence early midlife drinking. After controlling for confounding familial factors, associations between alcohol misuse and poorer early midlife functioning largely remained, suggesting that alcohol misuse may play a role in poorer functioning across several outcomes.
Where diversity grows: Reflections on translocational positionality and identity, difference, and belonging
Authors: Ng Jennifer
Published: December 2024

Researchers have increasingly understood their positionality should be actively considered. However, these considerations usually focus on select characteristics, treat “identity” as a fixed construct, and are limited to discussions of research methodology. Returning to fieldnotes from one community that has long exemplified the phenomenon of new‐destination immigration, this reflection is an exercise of rethinking my own positionality in translocational terms where context, meaning, and time were related influences on my identification with‐ and in‐place.
Hills thought to be mountains: A geobiocultural characterization of island highlands in Canada's continental plain
Authors: Humphries Murray M. , Bowser A. Kirsten , Guo Jiaao , Menzies Allyson K.
Published: December 2024

North America is characterized by an expansive continental plain that has been described as platter‐flat. Yet this central continental plain includes isolated uplands that some people call mountains. The hill‐mountain muddle is a classic problem of geomorphology, arising from the challenge of discriminating continuous, attached forms. Here we approach this problem initially by using crisp, terrain‐only classification approaches. We overlay a global mountain classifier with a plain and prairie designation to identify 20 mountains in Canada's continental plain, then apply a landform classification tool to delineate their spatial extents and to locate adjacent, equal‐area lowlands. We then characterize and compare the attributes of uplands and adjacent lowlands with 15 geobiocultural indicators reflective of the intersections of land, life, and people. Supporting our hypothesis that small, isolated uplands in the continental plain have distinctiveness disproportionate to their dimensions, the 20 uplands are indeed modest in elevation, prominence, and isolation, but distinct in geobiological characteristics relative to adjacent lowlands. The geobiocultural distinctiveness of uplands in the plain relative to surrounding lowlands causes these local prominences to stand out, to seem higher than they are, and to be hills described or named as mountains.
Measuring the use of energy poverty coping strategies and the heat‐or‐eat trade‐off in Bridgewater, Nova Scotia
Authors: Debanné Laurianne , Riva Mylène , Bertheussen Morgen , MacDonald Graham , Das Runa , Kutuka Sophie
Published: December 2024

In Bridgewater, a small town in Nova Scotia, around 40% of households face energy poverty. Little research has examined energy poverty in Canada and how it affects the well‐being of households. The aim of this study was to identify the ways households cope with energy poverty across socio‐economic characteristics, paying particular attention to the heat‐or‐eat trade‐off. Data were collected using a community‐based survey on housing, energy use and costs, coping strategies, socio‐economic characteristics, and well‐being. Overall, 516 residents of Bridgewater completed the survey. Cross‐tabulations and logistic regressions were used to analyze the data. Results indicate that the use of coping strategies was higher among women compared to men, young adults compared to other age groups, in households with children, and in lower‐income households. Over one‐third of respondents reported using the heat‐or‐eat trade‐off. Women, young adults, those in dwellings in need of repairs, and those with lower education levels and lower household incomes were more likely to use the heat‐or‐eat trade‐off. Our findings reveal that households vulnerable to energy poverty are forced to use a range of coping strategies, including strategies beyond those captured by the heat‐or‐eat trade‐off. Better understanding the experience of households facing energy poverty can inform the creation of effective support programs.
Evaluation of MAGE‐A4 expression in breast cancer and its impact on prognosis
Authors: Nakamura Kaho , Saito Kanako , Higashi Chihiro , Kozuka Yuji , Yuasa Hiroto , Nishimura Yurina , Ishitobi Makoto , Ishihara Mikiya , Mizuno Toshiro , Tawara Isao , Shiraishi Taizo , Ogawa Tomoko , Kageyama Shinichi , Miyahara Yoshihiro
Published: December 2024

Melanoma‐associated antigen (MAGE)‐A4, a cancer testis antigen, presents a promising target for chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy in refractory solid tumors, including breast cancer (BC). However, the lack of highly specific Abs against MAGE‐A4 is a major challenge for the development of MAGE‐A4‐targeted immunotherapies. This study aimed to validate the specificity of a novel MAGE‐A4 Ab (E701U) and examine MAGE‐A4 expression in clinical BC samples. MAGE‐A1, ‐A2B, ‐A3, ‐A4, ‐A6, ‐A9, ‐A10, and ‐A12 genes were transfected into HEK293 cells. MAGE‐A4 expression in each inserted cell block was evaluated using an E701U Ab. Subsequently, we evaluated MAGE‐A4 expression in 403 primary BC tissue samples by immunohistochemistry using E701U and analyzed the clinical impact of MAGE‐A4 in patients with early BC. The results showed that MAGE‐A4 expression was limited to cells transduced with the MAGE‐A4 gene. MAGE‐A4 expression was observed in 5.7% of the BC samples. Positivity in triple‐negative BC was significantly higher than in the other subtypes. The 5‐year overall survival rate of patients with MAGE‐A4(+) was significantly worse than those with MAGE‐A4(−) BC. Moreover, the 5‐year recurrence‐free survival (RFS) rate of patients with MAGE‐A4(+) BC was significantly lower than that of patients with MAGE‐A4(−) BC. MAGE‐A4 expression was an independent prognostic factor for RFS. In conclusion, the E701U Ab showed reliable specificity for MAGE‐A4 expression among MAGE family genes. Patients with MAGE‐A4(+) BC have an unfavorable prognosis and represent potential candidates for MAGE‐A4‐specific immunotherapy.
PEG Precipitation to Detect Macro‐TSH in Clinical Practice: A Systematic Review
Authors: Piticchio Tommaso , Chiardi Isabella , Tumminia Andrea , Frasca Francesco , Rotondi Mario , Trimboli Pierpaolo
Published: December 2024

Macro‐thyroid‐stimulating hormone (macro‐TSH) is a complex formed by monomeric TSH with anti‐TSH antibodies, causing falsely elevated TSH levels and potential misdiagnosis of hypothyroidism. Identification of macro‐TSH is essential for proper treatment and patient follow‐up. Its diagnostic gold standard is gel filtration chromatography (GFC), which is very expensive, time‐consuming, and rarely available. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation is more accessible and inexpensive. The aim of the study was to review evidence on PEG precipitation for the detection of macro‐TSH to standardize its application in clinical practice.

Methods

According to PRISMA guidelines, we conducted up to August 2024 a comprehensive search of PubMed and Scopus databases, using terms related to macro‐TSH and PEG precipitation.

Results

We included 23 studies with 4476 subjects, encompassing 10 observational studies and 13 case series/reports. All studies showed a low risk of bias. They were conducted in tertiary centres and included newborns to elderly subjects. The most of evidence about the procedure has been achieved with PEG concentrations of 12.5%. The PEG‐precipitable TSH of the macro‐TSH cases was always higher than 75% ranging on average from 81% to 90%. No‐macro‐TSH cases (controls) showed a PEG‐precipitable TSH percentage ranging from 44.1% to 61.8%.

Conclusions

PEG precipitation can be taken into account as a useful diagnostic tool for macro‐TSH. However, it is necessary to perform PEG precipitation in cases with a highly suspicious clinical picture and at the same time perform all available ancillary tests. PEG‐precipitable TSH > 75% can be considered a reliable diagnostic threshold for macro‐TSH cases.
Primary Systemic Amyloidosis Characterized by Multiple Keratinous Cysts: A Case Report
Authors: Lu Xiaoou , Fu Weiwei , Xie Demin , Li Fengjuan , Zhang Jiali , Wang Da , Sun Yu , Chen Hongquan
Published: December 2024

A 67‐year‐old male presented with plaques around the orbit and ecchymosis on the neck and back of hands for 2 years. Physical examination showed seborrheic‐keratosis‐like plaques around the orbit, ecchymosis on the neck and back of hands, as well as nail dystrophy. Serum λ light chain was positive. Histopathological examination demonstrated multiple keratinous cysts in the dermis and eosinophilic homogeneous material in the dermis, which was positive for Congo red with apple‐green birefringence on polarized light. Kidney biopsy showed deposition of acellular eosinophilic material in the arteriole wall. Congo red staining was positive. A bone marrow biopsy revealed multiple myeloma. The diagnosis of primary systemic amyloidosis with multiple myeloma was made.
Repatriation and Ethnographic Archives: Katherine Routledge's Mangareva Field Notes in the Royal Geographic Society Collections
Authors: Flexner James L. , Evans Sarah L. , Hugues Albert Faahei
Published: December 2024

Just over 100 years after Katherine Routledge's 1921–1922 expedition to the Mangareva Islands, digitized copies of a portion of her field notes from the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) in London were returned to the source community in French Polynesia. Historical ethnographic fieldnotes represent an underutilized primary source of cultural knowledge in repatriation activities as part of a broader push by cultural institutions to decolonize. Broadening access to this kind of information raises unresolved issues about how best to manage archival documents among Oceanic communities living in a digital world. Ongoing questions include the legitimacy of digital return of documents or objects as opposed to physical originals; and how much use or value source communities receive from such returns. We advocate for addressing these on a case‐by‐case basis, in conversation with community collaborators, and explain our reasoning and approaches in this Mangarevan example.
Bridging the Skills Gap: The Design Education Landscape with AI and Experiential Learning
Authors: Napier Pamela , Wada Terri
Published: December 2024

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) like ChatGPT into educational settings has irreversibly transformed teaching and learning paradigms. Recognizing that conventional instructional methods may fall short in equipping students with essential skills, this paper advocates for a shift towards experiential learning through service‐learning (SL) and problem‐based learning (PBL) in design education. These pedagogies, which promote intellectual growth and hands‐on experience, are critical for students' career readiness and provide valuable real‐world client engagement. Despite enthusiasm, incorporating SL and PBL faces significant hurdles, including a lack of educator training, resources, and structural support, coupled with the complexities of establishing partnerships, particularly affecting small businesses and disenfranchised entities. This research delves into the experiential learning landscape, examining successes and identifying skills gaps impacting educators and students. The findings, based on various design schools within a single university, assess challenges of integrating SL and PBL into design curricula and propose solutions to mitigate these barriers. Aiming to forge a stronger bridge between research, business, and academia, this paper underscores the necessity of preparing students for the 21st century's demands. Through this exploration, it contributes to the discourse on experiential learning within design education, enhancing the overall quality and relevance of student learning experiences.
Effects of choline alfoscerate on cognitive function and quality of life in type 2 diabetes: A double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial
Authors: Sohn Minji , Park Young Ho , Lim Soo
Published: December 2024

Aims

This study evaluated the effects of choline alfoscerate on cognitive function and quality of life in T2DM patients with mild cognitive decrements.

Materials and Methods

In a double‐blind, randomized, placebo‐controlled trial, we recruited 36 individuals with T2DM and mild cognitive impairment which was assessed by the Mini‐Mental State Examination (MMSE) score of 25–28, and randomly assigned them to receive either 1200 mg/day of choline alfoscerate or a placebo. Four additional questionnaires—the 36‐Item Short Form Survey, the modified Informant Questionnaire on Cognitive Decline in the Elderly, the Korean version of Activities of Daily Living, and the Patient Health Questionnaire—were investigated at 6 and 12 months and analysed via mixed‐effects models for repeated measures.

Results

The mean age of study participants was 71.8 ± 5.3 years and 69.4% women. Six‐month treatment with choline alfoscerate resulted in a non‐significant increase in the MMSE score from 26.2 ± 1.3 to 26.9 ± 2.0, whereas the placebo group showed a non‐significant decline from 26.6 ± 1.3 to 25.9 ± 2.3, resulting in a mean difference of +1.4 between the two groups (p = 0.059). At 12 months, the mean difference increased to +1.7 with statistical significance (p < 0.001). Physical health, as measured by the SF‐36 survey, was significantly better in the choline alfoscerate group than in the placebo group.

Conclusions

Choline alfoscerate 1200 mg once daily treatment showed marginal improvement in cognitive function in T2DM patients with mild cognitive impairment at 6 months but leading to significance at 12 months compared to placebo, suggesting its potential as an adjunct therapy for managing early cognitive decline.
Self‐Transcendence as a Risk and Resilience Factor in Individuals at Clinical High Risk for Psychosis
Authors: Reischer Hollen N. , Cowan Henry R. , Johnson Kristen M. , Mittal Vijay A.
Published: December 2024

Aim

Self‐transcendence is a personality feature and psychological resource that involves feelings of connectedness with the universe, all of humanity, and the individual self. Self‐transcendence has been positively associated with both positive psychotic symptoms and clinical high risk for developing psychosis status, but studies reporting these findings focus solely on the connectedness‐with‐universe aspect of self‐transcendence. The broader self‐transcendence literature, which also includes connection with humanity and oneself, robustly supports self‐transcendence as an indicator of well‐being. Given this discrepancy, we sought to understand whether self‐transcendence should be considered a risk or resilience factor for youth at clinical high risk.

Methods

We operationalised self‐transcendence using two more holistic measures novel to the clinical high risk population. Clinical high risk participants (n = 42) and healthy controls (n = 44) completed the Adult Self‐Transcendence Inventory and participated in narrative life story interviews which were coded for self‐transcendence themes.

Results and Discussion

Clinical high risk individuals scored lower than healthy controls on measures of self‐transcendence, functioning, and life satisfaction. However, there were no group differences in the relationships between self‐transcendence and measures of well‐being.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest self‐transcendence is a part of healthy personality development that may be impacted in clinical high risk individuals yet may still function as a psychological resource for this population, pointing toward new avenues for intervention in clinical high risk and other mental health populations.
The Key Role of Chemistry in Schelling's Early Philosophy of Nature
Authors: Garcia Luis Fellipe
Published: December 2024

This article puts forward the thesis that Schelling's philosophical engagement with chemistry plays a key role in his project of a philosophy of nature. I claim that Schelling takes Lavoisier's new chemistry to indicate that Kant's dynamical theory of matter could provide the basis for a unified account of nature. By dynamical theory of matter, I understand a philosophical explanation of matter based on the fundamental forces of attraction and repulsion. I argue that Schelling combines Kant's dynamics with Lavoisier's new chemistry into what he calls dynamical chemistry, and that this notion of dynamical chemistry underlies his attempt at a unified system of nature.
Evaluating gait and postural responses to subthalamic stimulation and levodopa: A prospective study using wearable technology
Authors: Cani Ilaria , D'Ascanio Ilaria , Baldelli Luca , Lopane Giovanna , Ranciati Saverio , Mantovani Paolo , Conti Alfredo , Cortelli Pietro , Calandra‐Buonaura Giovanna , Chiari Lorenzo , Palmerini Luca , Giannini Giulia
Published: December 2024

Abstract

Background

The efficacy of subthalamic stimulation on axial signs of Parkinson's disease (PD) is debated in the literature. This study delves into the dynamic interplay of gait and posture, specifically probing their nuanced response to subthalamic stimulation and levodopa.

Methods

We used wearable sensor technology to examine alterations in the spatiotemporal parameters of gait and posture in individuals with PD before and 6 months after subthalamic deep brain stimulation (STN‐DBS) surgery. Thirty‐three subjects with PD were evaluated in two pre‐operative and four post‐operative conditions comprising OFF/ON medication and stimulation states. Standardized response mean (SRM) values were calculated to assess treatment responsiveness.

Results

Significant improvements in spatiotemporal gait parameters, including speed, stride length, cadence, and turning, were observed following STN‐DBS surgery. Quantitatively, stimulation outperformed levodopa in enhancing gait speed, stride length, and turning, as indicated by SRM. Levodopa moderately improved stride time variability and asymmetry, while stimulation alone demonstrated limited efficacy. Postural parameters exhibited minimal change following STN‐DBS, although stimulation showed a slight benefit in certain postural aspects.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest positive effects of stimulation and levodopa on gait and postural parameters, with STN‐DBS demonstrating superior efficacy in enhancing gait speed, stride length, and turning. However, gait variability remains unaddressed by current therapies, highlighting the need for novel treatments targeting regions beyond the basal ganglia.
Cryo‐EM structures of the full‐length human contactin‐2
Authors: Zhang Zhenzhen , Chen Wei , Shi Zhubing , Pan Fan , Wang Daping
Published: December 2024

Contactin‐2 (CNTN2), an immunoglobulin cell adhesion molecule (IgCAM) expressed on the neural cell surface, regulates the formation of myelin sheaths, facilitates communication between neurons and axoglial cells, and coordinates the migration of neural cells. However, the assembly of full‐length CNTN2 is still not fully elucidated. Here, we found that the full‐length human CNTN2 forms a concentration‐dependent homodimer. We further determined the cryo‐EM structures of the full‐length CNTN2, revealing a novel bowknot‐shaped scaffold constituted of the Ig1‐6 repeats from two protomers, with the flexible ribbon‐like FNIII repeats extending outward in opposite directions. The Ig1‐6 domains, rather than the previously proposed Ig1‐4 domains, have an indispensable role in mediating CNTN2‐dependent cell adhesion and clustering. Moreover, structure‐guided mutagenesis analyses supported the idea that CNTN2 homodimerization observed in our structure is essential for cell adhesion. Our findings offer novel insights into the mechanism through which CNTN2 forms a homodimer to maintain cell–cell contacts in the nervous system.
THE STUPID NINETEENTH CENTURY: PHILOSOPHY OF HISTORY IN CRITICAL POSTHUMANIST AND POST‐ANTHROPOCENTRIC THOUGHT
Authors: BARRELL CALLUM , RAIMONDI SARA
Published: December 2024

This article addresses the charge of “stupidity” leveled at nineteenth‐century thought by recent critical posthumanist and post‐anthropocentric theorists. The article's first section traces a particularistic reading of nineteenth‐century philosophy of history in the writings of Rosi Braidotti and Bruno Latour, both of whom have employed the nineteenth century as an intellectual shorthand for human exceptionalism and its implicit collusion with the present ecological crisis. Their respective posthumanist and post‐anthropocentric provocations (1) question the composition, agency, and exceptionalism of the human, and (2) posit multiple temporalities as an alternative to the linear time of universal history. While intellectual historians have begun to complicate the first provocation in relation to the nineteenth century, we lack an equivalent intervention for the second. In response, the article's second section draws on John Stuart Mill's (1806–1873) reception of Auguste Comte (1798–1857) to demonstrate that speculative philosophy of history in fact grappled with its own problems of scale, multiplicity, and direction. We show that Mill, partly in response to Comte, employed incommensurable historical registers, such as the universal and the relative, to interpret the past at different scales of analysis. These scales were undeniably human, not to mention Eurocentric, but they nevertheless invite a more nuanced reading of the nineteenth century as well as a less linear and troubled logic of overcoming that afflicts Braidotti, Latour, and others. In this spirit, the article's final section suggests that nineteenth‐century philosophy of history may actually facilitate the recomposition of the human in time, a task that is central to the multifaceted crisis of the present posthumanist, post‐anthropocentric, and Anthropocenic conjuncture.
Apparent fracture toughness estimation of additively manufactured alumina from as‐printed chevron‐notched test specimens
Authors: Snarr Patrick L. , Jones Kris V. , Ghezawi Emily F. , Wereszczak Andrew A. , Cramer Corson L.
Published: December 2024

Ceramic vat photopolymerization (VPP) is a digital light processing method used to make additively manufactured green ceramic components that are then sintered. Despite the ever‐advancing maturation of this method's green‐state process, some of the material properties of sintered VPP‐processed ceramics are still not well defined or understood. One example is Mode I fracture toughness, KIc. In this study, attention was devoted to KIc measurement using net‐shape chevron‐notched bend bars that were VPP‐processed and the examination of whether valid KIc measurement could occur by testing them. Stable crack propagation was observed in >60% of tested samples, indicated by a smooth nonlinear transition through the measured maximum force prior to final fracture. However, their results cannot yet be responsibly referred to as KIc because of continuing violations of other prerequisites needed for valid KIc testing.
Effects of Digital Reading With On‐Screen Distractions: An Eye‐Tracking Study
Authors: Ronconi Angelica , Mason Lucia , Manzione Lucia , Schüler Anne
Published: December 2024

Background

During digital reading on internet‐connected devices, students may be exposed to a variety of on‐screen distractions. Learning by reading can therefore become a fragmented experience with potentially negative consequences for reading processes and outcomes.

Objectives

This study investigated the effects of on‐screen distractions, as advertisements and social media notifications, during reading on text processing, perception of cognitive load and text comprehension.

Methods

University students (N = 54) participated in a within‐participant design. They read two digital science expository texts, one with and the other without distractions. Participants' eye movements were recorded during reading. Process variables were the first‐pass fixation time on text areas and the fixation time on distractions. Working memory was taken into account as possible moderator of outcome variables, while controlling for prior knowledge and text topic.

Results

Participants spent very short time fixating the distractions. From linear mixed models the main effect of distractions did not emerge for the immediate text processing. Perception of cognitive load and text comprehension were not affected by distractions either. Among individual differences, prior knowledge contributed to text comprehension. Text topic contributed to the perception of cognitive load.

Takeaways

The study suggests that simple, static and very usual on‐screen distractions during reading do not seem particularly harmful for university students' processing and comprehension of expository texts. Findings indicate the importance of students' top‐down attentional control over on‐screen distractions not to impair their own comprehension of complex content.
Translation, Cross‐Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale for the Italian Paediatric Population
Authors: Pizza Francesca , Tofani Marco , Biondo Giorgia , Giordani Carolina , Murgioni Cristiana , Raponi Massimiliano , Della Bella Gessica , Cerchiari Antonella
Published: December 2024

Background

Chewing is a fundamental motor activity, but there is no specific assessment tool in Italian for paediatric rehabilitation. The Karaduman Chewing Performance Scale (KCPS) is a performance‐based assessment tool that allow to classify chewing performance in childhood.

Objective

To translate, culturally adapt and assess reliability, criterion validity and cross‐cultural validity of the KCPS into Italian in a paediatric population.

Methods

Following international guidelines, the KCPS was translated and culturally adapted into Italian. Inter‐rater reliability was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), the criterion validity using the Pearson correlation coefficient comparing KCPS score with the Paediatric Screening‐Priority Evaluation Dysphagia (PS‐PED), and cross‐cultural validity was examined across diagnostic groups.

Results

The study included 165 children with a mean age of 6.33 with different health conditions, namely autism spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy and genetic syndromes. The analysis revealed that KCPS was reliable measure with a ICC 0.93, and a moderate positive linear correlation with the PS‐PED (Pearson 0.48) was found. In each diagnostic group, chewing performance disorders were found, highlighting specific characteristics.

Conclusions

Despite limited sample in reliability analysis and the need of exploring the relationship with chewing abilities and severity of diseases, the KCPS was found a reliable and valid tool for determining the level of chewing performance in paediatric population. Now Italian clinicians can use it with more confidence in their clinical practice and research.