bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Indonesian mosaic: the essential need for multicultural education
Authors: Mariyono Dwi
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This desk research critically reviews the existing literature to be dialogued with interviews with several experts on multicultural education in Indonesia to provide input for policymaking and practical strategies. Through a systematic review of academic literature, policy documents and reports, this study aims to provide insights into the challenges and opportunities associated with multicultural education and propose action-based and actionable solutions to promote tolerance, understanding and unity among diverse cultural groups.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a systematic review methodology, this study analyzed existing literature and involved semi-structured interviews with several experts on multicultural education in Indonesia. By searching academic databases and online repositories, relevant literature was synthesized to generate insights into the current state of multicultural education, key challenges and potential solutions. Thematic analysis identified recurring themes and patterns across the literature, allowing for a nuanced understanding of the complexities surrounding multicultural education in Indonesia.

Findings

This research highlights the importance of promoting tolerance and unity among diverse cultural groups in Indonesian education, highlighting curriculum reform, teacher training and community engagement, despite institutional barriers and sociocultural prejudices.

Practical implications

The findings of this study suggest that to maximize the impact of multicultural education in Indonesia, there is a need for comprehensive teacher training programs, equitable resource allocation and localized curricula that reflect Indonesia’s cultural diversity. Policymakers should focus on developing strategies that address the unique challenges of implementing multicultural education in diverse regions, ensuring that all students have access to culturally relevant and inclusive education.

Social implications

The successful implementation of multicultural education has the potential to promote social harmony and inclusivity in Indonesia by fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity. Addressing the identified challenges and gaps could lead to more cohesive and tolerant communities, reducing social tensions and conflicts rooted in cultural misunderstandings. This research calls for sustained efforts to ensure that multicultural education becomes a cornerstone of Indonesia’s educational system, contributing to the country’s broader goals of unity in diversity.

Originality/value

This research contributes to existing literature on multicultural education by synthesizing insights from diverse academic sources. By systematically reviewing literature, this study offers a comprehensive understanding of challenges and opportunities in Indonesia and provides evidence-based recommendations for policymakers, educators and stakeholders. Emphasizing the importance of promoting tolerance and unity, this study offers practical strategies for realizing these goals in Indonesian society.
Does ESG really matter? Accessing the relevance of ESG in Indian investors’ decision-making dynamics
Authors: Banerjee Sougata , David Rajasekhar
Published: October 2024

Purpose

Environmental, social and governance (ESG) is becoming an increasingly important non-financial parameter for measuring a company’s valuation. The purpose of this study is to assess the relevance of ESG in Indian investors’ decision-making dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used an exploratory qualitative research approach based on semi-structured in-depth interviews. A mixed method of purposeful and criterion sampling techniques was used to select 21 participants. Thematic content analysis was performed to analyze the data and understand the relevance of ESG in investors’ decision-making process.

Findings

This study finds that while Indian investors are aware of ESG factors, they prioritize traditional financial metrics like returns and risk over ESG considerations. ESG factors are often treated as secondary, hindered by the lack of standardization in data and ratings, making them difficult to quantify and compare. Additionally, concerns about greenwashing and unreliable ESG information further reduce their importance in investment decisions. The findings of this study highlight the need for reliable ESG data, standardization and increased investor education for better integration.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study with limited participants. Therefore, the results cannot be generalized to the Indian population. Different sampling criteria, a larger sample size or a quantitative research design approach may increase our understanding of the relevance of ESG.

Practical implications

This study provides insights into the awareness, relative importance and challenges of including ESG in investment decision-making. The results suggest further standardization and improving the awareness and trustworthiness of ESG reporting will help improve its relevance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is one of its kind to investigate the awareness, perception and attitudes of Indian investors toward ESG. This study addresses an identified gap in the existing literature, explores the awareness level of ESG among Indian investors and suggests future research directions.
ESG ratings and investment performance: evidence from tech-heavy mutual funds
Authors: Hasnaoui Amir
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This paper aims to the relationship between environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings and the investment performance of mutual funds with significant exposure to the technology sector. It aims to explore whether ESG-aligned funds deliver superior financial performance, particularly in terms of risk-adjusted returns and if these funds demonstrate better market timing abilities compared to their lower-rated counterparts.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis covers a 10-year period from January 2013 to December 2022, focusing on Eurozone-based mutual funds with more than 40% of their assets under management (AUM) invested in technology firms. The sample includes 912 funds, categorized by their ESG ratings (AAA to CCC), using MSCI ratings as the classification metric. The performance evaluation uses risk-adjusted measures such as the Sharpe ratio, Sortino ratio and Jensen’s alpha, along with an assessment of market timing capabilities based on an extended four-factor model.

Findings

The results show that mutual funds with higher ESG ratings consistently outperform their lower-rated peers in both absolute and risk-adjusted returns. These funds also exhibit superior market timing abilities. ESG-aligned funds not only provide a favorable risk-return profile but also enhance the appeal of responsible investment strategies, particularly within the volatile and innovation-driven technology sector. The study reinforces the notion that ESG factors contribute positively to long-term value creation for investors.

Practical implications

The findings are valuable for investors and policymakers aiming to incorporate ESG factors into investment strategies, especially in sectors characterized by rapid technological advancements. The superior performance of ESG-compliant funds highlights the importance of sustainable investing and its potential to align financial returns with broader environmental and social goals.

Originality/value

This study adds to the growing body of literature on ESG investing by specifically focusing on tech-heavy mutual funds in the Eurozone. It offers new insights into how ESG ratings at the fund level, rather than at the firm level, influence investment performance and market timing within the high-growth, high-risk technology sector.
Linking leadership and followership styles
Authors: Malakyan Petros , Ivanova Albena
Published: October 2024

Purpose

This study proposes a theoretical model linking leadership and followership styles.

Design/methodology/approach

A new instrument was developed and tested on 271 respondents from Armenia, Denmark, Germany, and the USA. Factor analysis identified three leadership styles (autocratic, democratic, laissez-faire) and three followership styles (compliant, collaborating, initiating).

Findings

The results showed that autocratic leadership was positively associated with compliant followership, and democratic leadership was positively associated with collaborating followership. No correlation was found between laissez-faire leadership and initiating followership. However, collaborative followership was positively associated with all three leadership styles.

Originality/value

This study contributes a new theoretical model and a novel instrument for measuring the interplay between leadership and followership styles, offering fresh insights into leadership dynamics.
Efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors according to programmed cell death‐ligand 1 expression in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer and brain metastasis: A real‐world prospective observational study
Authors: Masuda Takeshi , Tsubata Yukari , Hata Kojirou , Horie Mika , Kiura Katsuyuki , Kanaji Nobuhiro , Inoue Takuya , Kodani Masahiro , Yanai Masaaki , Yamaguchi Kakuhiro , Matsumoto Naoko , Yamasaki Masahiro , Ishikawa Nobuhisa , Masuda Ken , Takigawa Nagio , Kuyama Shoichi , Kubota Tetsuya , Nishii Kazuya , Hotta Katsuyuki , Hattori Noboru
Published: October 2024

Introduction

Studies have shown the antitumor efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) in patients with non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and brain metastases (BM). However, it is unclear whether the efficacy of ICI is similar between patients with and without BM. It is yet unclear whether the efficacy of ICI in patients with BM increases with higher levels of programmed cell death‐ligand 1 (PD‐L1) expression, as observed in patients without BM.

Methods

We compared the outcomes of ICI treatment between patients with and without BM using a cohort containing 1741 prospectively enrolled patients with lung cancer. We investigated whether there were differences in the outcomes of ICI based on PD‐L1 expression levels between these patients.

Results

We enrolled 240 patients with NSCLC with or without BM who were treated with ICI or both chemotherapy and ICI. There were no significant differences in overall survival (OS) between all patients with or without BM (p = 0.489). However, OS was significantly shorter in patients with BM than in those without in the PD‐L1 ≥ 50% group (16.5 M vs. 30.6 M, p = 0.003) but not in the PD‐L1 ≥ 1% or negative group. BM was an independent poor prognostic factor for OS (hazard ratio: [95% confidence interval], 2.045; [1.058–3.953], p = 0.033) in the PD‐L1 ≥ 50% group.

Conclusion

Our study indicated that the outcomes of patients with or without BM treated with ICI were not significantly different. The efficacy of ICI in patients with PD‐L1 expression ≥50% would be lower in patients with BM than in those without.
Most babies born at a French hospital before 26 weeks survived with good outcomes
Authors: Abello Heloise , Vincent Marine , Pradat Pierre , Pastor‐Diez Blandine , Hays Stephane , Picaud Jean‐Charles
Published: October 2024

Aim

The aim of this French study was to determine the neonatal morbidity, mortality and neurodevelopmental outcomes when infants born at the limit of viability reached 2 years of corrected age. We then compared the results with national and international cohorts.

Methods

This study focused on 294 French infants born from 22 to 25 weeks of gestation in a single tertiary perinatal centre from January 2010 to December 2019. We used data on neonatal mortality and morbidity to calculate the survival rates of infants without moderate to severe neurodevelopmental and sensory deficits at 2 years of corrected age. These outcomes were compared with data from contemporary epidemiological studies of similar populations.

Results

Nearly two‐thirds (60.5%) of the infants survived to discharge, with varying rates based on their gestational ages, and 57.3% had no severe neonatal morbidity. The vast majority (90.4%) of the 166 alive and available at 2 years of corrected age were free of moderate to severe neurodevelopmental impairment. Our survival rates exceeded a national French cohort study, but were closely aligned with international cohorts.

Conclusion

These findings highlight the importance of incorporating local data into ethical decision‐making about life‐saving treatment for infants at the limit of viability.
Move, connect and go outside! A randomized controlled trial of two online interventions and analysis of helpful coping strategies in COVID‐19 “homestayers”
Authors: Ehlis Ann‐Christine , Aas Benjamin , Kieckhäfer Carolin , Schiepek Günter , Rosenbaum David , Theisen Christian , Fallgatter Andreas J. , Goldbeck Florens
Published: October 2024

The COVID‐19 pandemic has led to a global health crisis and a significant increase in psychological distress and psychopathological symptoms. We conducted a randomized controlled trial with two online interventions derived from positive psychology (PP) and acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT) in N = 138 “homestayers” during the first lock‐down period in Germany. PP exercises had a positive impact on anxiety scores, which decreased significantly during the intervention, particularly in participants without access to a garden. Direct or indirect social contact, movement/exercise, and exposure to nature were the most frequently reported helpful coping strategies. We conclude that low‐threshold online interventions with a focus on positive aspects of people's lives may be helpful to support mental health during pandemic crises. From a mental health perspective, the results also reinforce the approach of countries that allow their citizens to, for example, still go for walks during periods of contact restrictions, compared to full lock‐down conditions.
Enhancing student experience and learning with iterative design in an intelligent educational game
Authors: Hare Ryan , Ferguson Sarah , Tang Ying
Published: October 2024

With increasing interest in computer‐assisted educa‐ tion, AI‐integrated systems become highly applicable with their ability to adapt based on user interactions. In this context, this paper focuses on understanding and analysing first‐year undergraduate student responses to an intelligent educational system that applies multi‐agent reinforcement learning as an AI tutor. With human–computer interaction at the centre, we discuss principles of interface design and educational gamification in the context of multiple years of student observations, student feedback surveys and focus group interviews. We show positive feedback from the design methodology we discuss as well as the overall process of providing automated tutoring in a gamified virtual environment. We also discuss students' thinking in the context of gamified educational systems, as well as unexpected issues that may arise when implementing such systems. Ultimately, our design iterations and analysis both offer new insights for practical implementation of computer‐assisted educational systems, focusing on how AI can augment, rather than replace, human intelligence in the classroom.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

AI‐integrated systems show promise for personalizing learning and improving student education.

Existing research has shown the value of personalized learner feedback.

Engaged students learn more effectively.

What this paper adds

Student opinions of and responses to an HCI‐based personalized educational system.

New insights for practical implementation of AI‐integrated educational systems informed by years of student observations and system improvements.

Qualitative insights into system design to improve human–computer interaction in educational systems.

Implications for practice and/or policy

Actionable design principles for computer‐assisted tutoring systems derived from first‐hand student feedback and observations.

Encourage new directions for human–computer interaction in educational systems.
Unerosion: Simulating Terrain Evolution Back in Time
Authors: Yang Zhanyu , Cordonnier Guillaume , Cani Marie‐Paule , Perrenoud Christian , Benes Bedrich
Published: October 2024

While the past of terrain cannot be known precisely because an effect can result from many different causes, exploring these possible pasts opens the way to numerous applications ranging from movies and games to paleogeography. We introduce unerosion, an attempt to recover plausible past topographies from an input terrain represented as a height field. Our solution relies on novel algorithms for the backward simulation of different processes: fluvial erosion, sedimentation, and thermal erosion. This is achieved by re‐formulating the equations of erosion and sedimentation so that they can be simulated back in time. These algorithms can be combined to account for a succession of climate changes backward in time, while the possible ambiguities provide editing options to the user. Results show that our solution can approximately reverse different types of erosion while enabling users to explore a variety of alternative pasts. Using a chronology of climatic periods to inform us about the main erosion phenomena, we also went back in time using real measured terrain data. We checked the consistency with geological findings, namely the height of river beds hundreds of thousands of years ago.
Curved Three‐Director Cosserat Shells with Strong Coupling
Authors: Löschner F. , Fernández‐Fernández J. A. , Jeske S. R. , Bender J.
Published: October 2024

Continuum‐based shell models are an established approach for the simulation of thin deformables in computer graphics. However, existing research in physically‐based animation is mostly focused on shear‐rigid Kirchhoff‐Love shells. In this work we explore three‐director Cosserat (micropolar) shells which introduce additional rotational degrees of freedom. This microrotation field models transverse shearing and in‐plane drilling rotations. We propose an incremental potential formulation of the Cosserat shell dynamics which allows for strong coupling with frictional contact and other physical systems. We evaluate a corresponding finite element discretization for non‐planar shells using second‐order elements which alleviates shear‐locking and permits simulation of curved geometries. Our formulation and the discretization, in particular of the rotational degrees of freedom, is designed to integrate well with typical simulation approaches in physically‐based animation. While the discretization of the rotations requires some care, we demonstrate that they do not pose significant numerical challenges in Newton's method. In our experiments we also show that the codimensional shell model is consistent with the respective three‐dimensional model. We qualitatively compare our formulation with Kirchhoff‐Love shells and demonstrate intriguing use cases for the additional modes of control over dynamic deformations offered by the Cosserat model such as directly prescribing rotations or angular velocities and influencing the shell's curvature.
A Multi‐layer Solver for XPBD
Authors: Mercier‐Aubin A. , Kry P. G.
Published: October 2024

We present a novel multi‐layer method for extended position‐based dynamics that exploits a sequence of reduced models consisting of rigid and elastic parts to speed up convergence. Taking inspiration from concepts like adaptive rigidification and long‐range constraints, we automatically generate different rigid bodies at each layer based on the current strain rate. During the solve, the rigid bodies provide coupling between progressively less distant vertices during layer iterations, and therefore the fully elastic iterations at the final layer start from a lower residual error. Our layered approach likewise helps with the treatment of contact, where the mixed solves of both rigid and elastic in the layers permit fast propagation of impacts. We show several experiments that guide the selection of parameters of the solver, including the number of layers, the iterations per layers, as well as the choice of rigid patterns. Overall, our results show lower compute times for achieving a desired residual reduction across a variety of simulation models and scenarios.
Attitudes towards causes of and solutions to conflict between humans and Asian elephants
Authors: Cabral de Mel Surendranie J. , Seneweera Saman , Dangolla Ashoka , Weerakoon Devaka K. , King Rachel , Maraseni Tek , Allen Benjamin L.
Published: October 2024

Many Asian elephant populations inhabit fragmented human‐dominated landscapes. Human–elephant conflict (HEC) has intensified in such regions, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people and elephants each year. Controversy between stakeholders then arises as people debate the merits of HEC mitigation approaches, stifling progress. We conducted a survey to evaluate the opinions of experts, farmers and others who have and have not experienced HEC (n = 611), on the causes of HEC, the importance of, conservation of and co‐existence with elephants, and on the acceptability and effectiveness of potential HEC mitigation methods. Analysis of variance and the Potential for Conflict Index showed that all groups agreed with nine of the 10 causes of HEC assessed, on average. All respondent groups had mostly positive attitudes towards the importance and conservation of elephants. However, farmers exposed to HEC disagreed that people should co‐exist with elephants and supported the view that elephants should be removed from human habitats. All groups agreed on the acceptability and effectiveness of electric fencing, early warning systems with infrasonic call detectors, Global Positioning System collars and geophones. However, there was disparity in views between the experts and other stakeholder groups on the acceptability and effectiveness of restricting elephants to protected areas, and translocation of problem elephants to protected areas away from their capture site or to wild elephant holding grounds. While similar views between stakeholders on many subjects are encouraging for elephant conservation, the disparities identified should be given greater attention when planning HEC management programs to minimize conflict between stakeholders.
Unmasking Moral Hypocrisy: How Preschoolers Perceive and Judge Moral Hypocrites
Authors: Myślińska Szarek Katarzyna , Baryła Wiesław
Published: October 2024

Many previous studies indicate that children are highly sensitive to the immoral behavior of others, preferring prosocial over antisocial characters. Accordingly, children avoid transgressors from a very early age. A special kind of transgressor is the moral hypocrite, who not only acts immorally but also acts in contrast to what they preach. There are very few studies establishing whether children recognize moral hypocrisy and if it impacts their moral judgment. We ran three studies with preschoolers aged 4 to 6 years on whether children recognize moral hypocrisy and how children assess moral hypocrisy. In Studies 2 and 3, we also tested false‐signaling theory as an explanation of the more negative assessments of moral hypocrites. In Study 1 (N = 133), we showed that children indeed assess moral hypocrites more negatively than nonhypocritical moral transgressors. In Study 2 (N = 115), we initially demonstrated that the assessment of moral hypocrites results from their inconsistency between words and deeds. Study 3 (N = 159) replicated the results of Studies 1 and 2 and, by excluding an alternative explanation, explained that moral hypocrites are perceived as less moral and liked less due to the false signals that they send.
Current management of chronic kidney disease in type‐2 diabetes—A tiered approach: An overview of the joint Association of British Clinical Diabetologists and UK Kidney Association (ABCD‐UKKA) guidelines
Authors: Dasgupta Indranil , Zac‐Varghese Sagen , Chaudhry Khuram , McCafferty Kieran , Winocour Peter , Chowdhury Tahseen A. , Bellary Srikanth , Goldet Gabrielle , Wahba Mona , De Parijat , Frankel Andrew H. , Montero Rosa M. , Lioudaki Eirini , Banerjee Debasish , Mallik Ritwika , Sharif Adnan , Kanumilli Naresh , Milne Nicola , Patel Dipesh C. , Dhatariya Ketan , Bain Stephen C. , Karalliedde Janaka
Published: October 2024

A growing and significant number of people with diabetes develop chronic kidney disease (CKD). Diabetes‐related CKD is a leading cause of end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) and people with diabetes and CKD have high morbidity and mortality, predominantly related to cardiovascular disease (CVD). Despite advances in care over the recent decades, most people with CKD and type 2 diabetes are likely to die of CVD before developing ESKD. Hyperglycaemia and hypertension are modifiable risk factors to prevent onset and progression of CKD and related CVD. People with type 2 diabetes often have dyslipidaemia and CKD per se is an independent risk factor for CVD, therefore people with CKD and type 2 diabetes require intensive lipid lowering to reduce burden of CVD. Recent clinical trials of people with type 2 diabetes and CKD have demonstrated a reduction in composite kidney end point events (significant decline in kidney function, need for kidney replacement therapy and kidney death) with sodium‐glucose co‐transporter‐2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors, non‐steroidal mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist finerenone and glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists. The Association of British Clinical Diabetologists (ABCD) and UK Kidney Association (UKKA) Diabetic Kidney Disease Clinical Speciality Group have previously undertaken a narrative review and critical appraisal of the available evidence to inform clinical practice guidelines for the management of hyperglycaemia, hyperlipidaemia and hypertension in adults with type 2 diabetes and CKD. This 2024 abbreviated updated guidance summarises the recommendations and the implications for clinical practice for healthcare professionals who treat people with diabetes and CKD in primary, community and secondary care settings.
“In Their Own Words”: Families' Experiences With Tooth Autotransplantation for the Replacement of Maxillary Incisors in Children
Authors: Williams Beatrice O. , Jean‐Baptiste Milenka , Divaris Kimon , Moretti Antonio , De Kok Ingeborg , Christensen John R.
Published: October 2024

Objectives

To examine families’ experiences, including motivation and barriers to undergoing tooth autotransplantation (AT), and their perceptions of associated esthetic and functional outcomes.

Methods

Semi‐structured, in‐depth‐interviews (IDIs) were conducted in person with families who had children that underwent the AT procedure. Interviews were audio recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were coded and thematically analyzed both deductively and inductively. A facilitators and barriers matrix and journey maps were created to draw inferences on patterns arising from main themes.

Results

Twenty families selecting AT as a solution for a missing maxillary incisor were recruited and interviewed. Overall, all families interviewed had a positive experience with the AT procedure. Motivating factors for undergoing the AT procedure included wanting an earlier intervention for the missing incisor, wishing to mitigate negative psychosocial effects, and the anticipated positive outcomes that would last into adulthood. Barriers to uptake of the AT procedure included the lack of dental practitioner awareness of AT as a potential solution and a large number of appointments and travel. Families were also initially concerned over potential complications that could arise from their child undergoing this procedure. The cost of the procedure was both a barrier and a facilitator for treatment.

Conclusions

The study results demonstrate that the overall AT is favorably considered by the families of growing children for the replacement of maxillary incisors and highlight factors that may act as motivators or barriers to its uptake.
Tunisian Adolescents at CHR for Psychosis: A Pilot Study of Cognitive Remediation in a LMIC
Authors: Abbes Zeineb , Taleb Sana , Yahia Houda Ben , Hmidi Hajer , Hajri Melek , Jelili Selima , Halayem Soumeya , Mrabet Ali , Ventura Joseph , Bouden Asma
Published: October 2024

Background

Clinical high risk (CHR) youth are known to exhibit cognitive deficits at similar levels to their more severally ill counter parts. Cognitive training (CT) programs offer a promising method for early intervention and the prevention of further cognitive decline in this vulnerable population. However, there are few structured CT intervention programs addressing the needs of CHR youth in LMICs of the Middle East.

Methods

We conducted a study in the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department of Razi University Hospital. Patients were assessed by trained raters with the “Comprehensive Assessment of At‐Risk Mental States” to confirm their CHR status. Cognitive Training (CT) was combined with the Neuropsychological Educational Approach to Remediation (CT‐NEAR) as part of a social rehabilitation program. We enrolled 25 CHR patients and examined several domains of cognitive functioning and evaluated daily functioning prior to starting the intervention and after completion.

Results

There were 20 patients who completed the study. The CT‐NEAR group (n = 10) completed an average number 28.33 sessions over 12 weeks, which were matched for therapist time with the TAU group (n = 10). We found statistically significant improvements in CT‐NEAR versus TAU in several cognitive domains; such as cognitive flexibility, memory‐short and long‐term, and verbal fluency. Also, CT‐NEAR versus TAU patients improved in global functioning.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that cognitive remediation versus TAU for Tunisian CHR youth is feasible and effective especially in improving cognitive functioning when delivered in a social rehabilitation context (Bridging Group) and extends to global level of functioning.
Taxonomic revision of the extant species of the Japanese Stephanidae (Hymenoptera), with discussion on distribution pattern and conservation importance
Authors: Watanabe Kyohei
Published: October 2024

The Japanese species of the family Stephanidae Leach, 1815 are revised. A total of nine extant species are recognized from Japan, including two new species, Megischus pretiosus sp. nov. and Parastephanellus ryukyuensis sp. nov., and one species, Foenatopus ruficollis (Enderlein, 1913), is newly recorded from Japan. The female of Foenatopus cervinus Townes, 1958 and the male of Megischus baogong Ge & Tan, 2022 are newly described. A key to the Japanese genera and species of this family is proposed. The biogeographic pattern and the origin of Japanese stephanids, the role of Kuroshio Current, and the conservation importance of endemic species to the Ogasawara (Bonin) Islands are also discussed.
Psychological resilience in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome: effect of involvement of major salivary and lacrimal glands
Authors: Sevimli Esra , Günay Seda , Aliyeva Alida , Aksoy Burcu , Fortune Farida , Inanc Nevsun , Mumcu Gonca
Published: October 2024

The aim of this study was to assess whether the involvement of major salivary and lacrimal glands in primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS) affected the psychological resilience of patients. This cross‐sectional study included 116 patients with pSS. Data were collected through clinical examinations, measurement of salivary flow rates (SFRs), and from Schirmer's test, as well as from patient‐reported outcome measures (PROMs), such as the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) Sjögren's Syndrome Patient Reported Index (ESSPRI), Brief Resilience Scale (BRS), Work Productivity and Activity Impairment (WPAI), Oral Health Impact Profile‐14 (OHIP‐14), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Hyposalivation was defined as an unstimulated SFR of ≤0.1 mL/min. The BRS score (mean ± SD = 2.60 ± 0.69) was lower in patients with recurrent parotitis (2.11 ± 0.37) than in those without recurrent parotitis (2.67 ± 0.86), in the whole group. In patients with an unacceptable symptom state (ESSPRI score ≥ 5 points), a lower BRS score was observed in patients with both hyposalivation and ocular dryness (2.59 ± 0.69) than in patients with isolated hyposalivation (2.84 ± 0.84). The BRS score was also negatively associated with the WPAI‐Daily Impairment and OHIP‐14 scores in patients with hyposalivation as well as with HADS‐A (the seven items of HADS relating to the anxiety dimension) and HADS‐D (the seven items of HADS relating to the depression dimension) in the whole group. The results suggest that psychological resilience in pSS may be affected by recurrent parotitis, the levels of anxiety and depression, as well as hyposalivation with ocular dryness.
Metabolite phosphatase from anhydrobiotic tardigrades
Authors: Kato Subaru , Deguchi Koki , Obana Masanori , Fujio Yasushi , Fukuda Yohta , Inoue Tsuyoshi
Published: October 2024

Terrestrial organisms have systems to escape from desiccation stresses. For example, tardigrades (also known as water bears) can survive severe dried and other extreme environments by anhydrobiosis. Although their extraordinary ability has enchanted people, little is known about the detailed molecular mechanisms of anhydrobiosis. Here, we focused on the tardigrade Ramazzottius varieornatus, one of the toughest animals on Earth. A transcriptome database of R. varieornatus shows that genes encoding a Ferritin‐like protein are upregulated during desiccation or ultraviolet radiation. This protein shows sequence similarity to enigmatic proteins in desiccation‐tolerant bacteria and plants, which are hypothesized to be desiccation‐related. However, because these proteins lack detailed biological information, their functions are relatively unknown. We determined an atomic (1.05 Å) resolution crystal structure of a Ferritin‐like protein from R. varieornatus. The structure revealed a dinuclear metal binding site, and we showed that this Ferritin‐like protein has phosphatase activity toward several metabolite compounds including unusual nucleotide phosphates produced by oxidative or radiation damage. We also found that a homologous protein from a desiccation‐ and ultraviolet‐tolerant bacterium Deinococcus radiodurans is a metabolite phosphatase. Our results indicate that through cleaning up damaged metabolites or regulation of metabolite levels, this phosphatase family can contribute to stress tolerances. This study provides a clue to one of the universal molecular bases of desiccation‐stress tolerance.
Factors That Influence Access to Medical Assistance in Dying Services: An Integrative Review
Authors: Hewitt Jayne , Wilson Michael , Bonner Ann , Bloomer Melissa J.
Published: October 2024

Background

In nearly all jurisdictions where it is permitted, Medical Assistance in Dying is situated in a healthcare system. Currently, limited evidence demonstrates how supply and demand factors influence access to Medical Assistance in Dying.

Objective

The aim of this study is to synthesise empirical research from jurisdictions where Medical Assistance in Dying is legal to identify how supply and demand factors influence access for eligible adults.

Method

An integrative review was conducted. CINAHL Complete, PubMed, ProQuest, PsycINFO and Embase databases were systematically searched for studies published between January 1998 and January 2024. Records were independently assessed against inclusion and exclusion criteria. Additional studies were identified by forward and backward citation searching. All studies were assessed for quality. Findings were analysed deductively using an established conceptual framework, and a secondary narrative synthesis was undertaken.

Results

Fifty‐eight studies met the inclusion criteria. Most studies (n = 32) reported results related to the supply side, 16 reported on the demand side and 10 reported on both supply and demand dimensions of access. Studies about supply showed that health service policies may obstruct access to Medical Assistance in Dying. For healthcare professionals, the practice entails an additional workload and can create tensions with colleagues. Studies of the demand for Medical Assistance in Dying focused on supporting time‐critical decisions, adequate planning and caregiver support.

Conclusion

Access to Medical Assistance in Dying requires the participation of health services and healthcare professionals but is hindered by policies that obstruct access and direct financial and indirect emotional labour costs. Innovative and inclusive models to promote high‐quality, compassionate care at the end of life and access to Medical Assistance in Dying should be considered.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients, caregivers and service users were involved in many of the studies included in this review, and their experiences and perspectives contributed to the analysis and synthesis in this review.
Oral Health Status at Age 60 and 72 Years—A Longitudinal Study
Authors: Critén Sladjana , Andersson Pia , Renvert Stefan , Götrick Bengt , Berglund Johan Sanmartin , Bengtsson Viveca Wallin
Published: October 2024

Objective

This study investigated oral health status in 60‐year‐old individuals over 12 years.

Materials and Methods

Data were obtained from The Swedish National Study on Aging and Care (SNAC). One hundred nineteen 60‐year‐old individuals (48% females) underwent a clinical and radiographic baseline examination (2001–2003) and follow‐up examination in 2013–2015. For statistical analyses, paired t‐tests and McNemar's test were performed. Statistical significance was determined at p < 0.05.

Results

At the 12‐year follow‐up, the mean number of teeth and the proportion of individuals having ≥ 20 teeth decreased (p < 0.001). The mean number of teeth with buccal/lingual and approximal caries lesions increased (p < 0.029 and p < 0.031). Individuals with a distance from the cement‐enamel junction to the bone of ≥ 5 mm increased in total (p < 0.002) and in males (p < 0.006). The prevalence of gingivitis increased in total (p < 0.001). The prevalence of periodontitis showed a significant increase in total (p < 0.043) and in females (p < 0.039).

Conclusion

The present study indicates that oral health status in 60‐year‐old individuals deteriorates over 12 years. However, the deteriorations were minor in terms of tooth loss, caries lesions, and changes in periodontal status.
Pharmacotherapy for patients with calcium oxalate stones and abnormal urine chemistry: A systematic review and meta‐analysis for the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Urinary Stones, Third Edition
Authors: Kohjimoto Yasuo , Iba Akinori , Yamashita Shimpei , Higuchi Masatoshi , Deguchi Ryusuke , Chikazawa Ippei , Hinotsu Shiro , Yamaguchi Satoshi , Miyazawa Katsuhito , Hara Isao
Published: October 2024

We performed a systematic review and meta‐analysis to evaluate the benefits and harms of pharmacotherapies for patients with calcium oxalate stones and abnormal urine chemistry. This article is a modified and detailed version of the commentary on Clinical Question 10 described in the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for the Management of Urinary Stones, Third Edition. PubMed and Ichushi Web were searched through August 2020 for articles on pharmacotherapies for calcium oxalate stones (thiazides, citrate preparations, uric acid production inhibitors, and magnesium preparations). Two reviewers independently selected randomized controlled trials reporting reduction of stone recurrence and adverse drug reactions as outcomes and performed data extraction and quality assessment. Meta‐analyses with random effects models and rating of the strength of evidence were performed. Pharmacotherapies were shown to significantly reduce stone recurrence (risk ratio 0.47, 95% confidence interval 0.35–0.63). Meanwhile, the pharmacotherapies increased adverse drug reactions leading to study dropout (risk ratio 2.51, 95% confidence interval 1.09–5.75) and adverse drug reactions/adverse events (risk ratio 1.95, 95% confidence interval 1.07–3.56). The reported adverse drug reactions were, however, mainly minor and did not frequently require discontinuation of medication (2%–16%). The strengths of evidence for both outcomes were rated as moderate, because the risk of bias, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and publication bias were all serious except for one item. The overall strength of evidence across outcomes was therefore determined to be moderate. These results support the conditional recommendation to initiate pharmacotherapies for patients with calcium oxalate stones and abnormal urine chemistry.
Iodine‐125 low–dose rate prostate brachytherapy
Authors: Minami Takafumi , Fujimoto Saizo , Fujita Kazutoshi
Published: October 2024

Robotic‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy and intensity‐modulated radiation therapy are the most common radical treatments for localized prostate cancer, and brachytherapy (BT) also plays a role in this field. Iodine‐125 (I‐125) low–dose rate (LDR) prostate BT is an established treatment. However, it remains controversial. Specifically, there are a variety of issues, such as indications for combined treatment with external beam radiotherapy and androgen deprivation therapy, prostate‐specific antigen follow‐up, the significance of postimplant biopsy, the usefulness of salvage BT and focal therapy, reduction of toxicities, and bladder cancer after BT. In this review, we summarize the recent developments in I‐125 LDR BT.
A rising star involved in tumour immunity: Lactylation
Authors: Zhang Xu , Liang Changming , Wu Chengwei , Wan Senlin , Xu Lishuai , Wang Song , Wang Jiawei , Huang Xiaoxu , Xu Li
Published: October 2024

In recent years, continuous exploration worldwide has revealed that some metabolites produced during cellular and tissue metabolism can act as signalling molecules to exert different effects on the human body. These metabolites may act as cofactors for proteases or as post‐translational modifications linked to proteins. Lactate, a traditional metabolite, is found at high levels in the tumour microenvironment (TME). Many studies have shown that lactate influences tumorigenesis and development via different mechanisms, not only through the metabolic reprogramming of tumours but also through its significant impact on tumour immunity. Previously, tumour cells were reported to use glucose and glutamine to fuel lactate metabolism; however, lactate serves not only as an energy source for tumour cells but also as a precursor substance needed for the post‐translational modification of proteins. Recent studies identified a novel form of epigenetic modification, lactate‐mediated histone lysine lactylation (Kla) and demonstrated that histone lactylation directly stimulates chromatin after gene transcription; consequently, lactylation has become a popular research topic in recent years. This article focuses on the research progress and application prospects of lactylation in the context of tumour immunity.
Early effect of a financial incentive for surgeries within 48 h after hip fracture on the number of expedited hip fracture surgeries, in‐hospital mortality, perioperative morbidity, length of stay and inpatient medical expenses
Authors: Minato Kenta , Kunisawa Susumu , Imanaka Yuichi
Published: October 2024

Objective

To examine the early effects of the financial incentive (FI) implemented in April 2022 in Japan for surgeries within 48 h after hip fracture (HF) in patients aged 75 and older on expedited HF surgery (EHFS), in‐hospital mortality, perioperative morbidity, length of stay (LOS) and inpatient medical expenses (IMEs).

Study Setting and Design

We conducted a quasi‐experimental study and constructed segmented regression models for controlled interrupted time‐series analyses, assuming a Poisson distribution, to evaluate the slope changes (SCs) in the outcomes of interest before and after the introduction of the FI.

Data Sources and Analytic Sample

We used Diagnosis Procedure Combination data from the Quality Indicator/Improvement Project database between 1 April 2018 and 31 March 2023. Patients aged 50 years or older who were hospitalized with a diagnosis of HF and underwent surgery for HF were included.

Principal Findings

A total of 82,163 patients from 183 hospitals were included in the analyses. In the age group of 75 years and older, increasing trends in the number of EHFSs were observed even before the introduction of the FI, while before and after the introduction of the FI, none of the SCs in the monthly number of EHFSs within 2 days, within 1 day, and on the day of admission were statistically significant (incident rate ratio: 1.0043, 95% confidence interval [CI]: [0.9977–1.0111], 1.0068 [0.9987–1.0149], 1.0073 [0.9930–1.0219]). Nor were any of the SCs in in‐hospital deaths, perioperative complications, LOS, and IMEs statistically significant. Additionally, there were no statistical differences in the SCs for any of the outcomes between the two age groups.

Conclusion

This study suggested that there was no significant, short‐term effect of the FI for surgeries within 48 h after HF on any of the outcomes of interest.
A framework for a low‐cost system of automated gate control in assays of spatial cognition in fishes
Authors: Lucks Valerie , Theine Jens , Arteaga Avendaño Maria Paula , Engelmann Jacob
Published: October 2024

Automation of experimental setups is a promising direction in behavioral research because it can facilitate the acquisition of data while increasing its repeatability and reliability. For example, research in spatial cognition can benefit from automated control by systematic manipulation of sensory cues and more efficient execution of training procedures. However, commercial solutions are often costly, restricted to specific platforms, and mainly focused on the automation of data acquisition, stimulus presentation, and reward delivery. Animal welfare considerations as well as experimental demands may require automating the access of an animal or animals to the experimental arena. Here, we provide and test a low‐cost, versatile Raspberry Pi‐based solution for such use cases. We provide four application scenarios of varying complexities, based on our research of spatial orientation and navigation in weakly electric fish, with step‐by‐step protocols for the control of gates in the experimental setups. This easy‐to‐implement, platform‐independent approach can be adapted to various experimental needs, including closed‐loop as well as field experiments. As such, it can contribute to the optimization and standardization of experiments in a variety of species, thereby enhancing the comparability of data.
Commodity tail risk and equity risk premia
Authors: Lu Zhenyu , Jiang Ying , Liu Xiaoquan
Published: October 2024

We explore the asset pricing implication of the commodity tail risk, constructed by aggregating individual commodity's exposure to left‐tail realizations of systematic risks, in cross‐sectional stock returns. Using Chinese data from 2005 to 2022, we find that the risk‐adjusted return differential between extreme portfolios is highly significant at 1.39% per month. The economic rationale is that a high level of commodity tail risk signals adverse economic conditions, and stocks that hedge the tail risk offer a low premium. Our findings highlight the informational role of commodity futures prices and the link between commodity and equity markets in China.