bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Emittance growth analysis of laser-driven broad energy spectral proton beams
Authors: Wu M. J. , Li D. Y. , Yang T. , Li Y. Z. , Cheng H. , Xia Y. D. , Yan Y. , Fang Y. L. , Zhu K. , Easton M. J. , Lin C. , Yan X. Q.
Published: April 2024

With the rapid development of high-gradient laser plasma acceleration, implementing it in practical applications has become a priority. However, to go from “acceleration” to “accelerator,” a beam line system is required to accurately control the beam parameters according to different irradiation requirements. The laser-accelerated proton beam is characterized by a micron-scale original source size and a small emittance as low as 0.004 mm mrad [T. E. Cowan , ]. However, due to the broad energy spread and large divergence, its initial ultralow emittance will increase rapidly in the subsequent transmission process. This indicates that designing a beamline for laser-driven protons is challenging and differs significantly from that of a conventional accelerator. As a fundamental parameter for beam line design, we have theoretically derived the emittance growth law for laser-driven protons in both drift space and in a focusing element. The results demonstrate that the beam emittance deteriorates sharply with the energy spread and the square of the divergence angle. These theoretical calculations have been verified both in experiments and simulations. This work is helpful for designing subsequent beam lines that pursue high transmission efficiency and achromatic ability.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Pulsed Electron Lenses for Space Charge Mitigation
Authors: Oeftiger Adrian , Boine-Frankenheim Oliver
Published: April 2024

To produce ultimate high-brightness hadron beams, synchrotrons need to overcome a most prominent intensity limitation, i.e., space charge. This Letter characterizes the potential of pulsed electron lenses in detailed 3D tracking simulations, key to which is a realistic machine and space charge model. The space charge limit, imparted by betatron resonances, is shown to be increased by up to 50% using a low symmetric number of electron lenses in application to the Facility for Antiproton and Ion Research SIS100 synchrotron. Conceptually, a 100% increase is demonstrated with a larger number of electron lenses, which is found to rapidly saturate near the theoretical 2D limit.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Boosting the Edelstein effect of two-dimensional electron gases by ferromagnetic exchange
Authors: Lazrak Gabriel , Göbel Börge , Barthélémy Agnès , Mertig Ingrid , Johansson Annika , Bibes Manuel
Published: April 2024

Strontium titanate (SrTiO3) two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) have broken spatial inversion symmetry and possess a finite Rashba spin-orbit coupling. This enables the interconversion of charge and spin currents through the direct and inverse Edelstein effects, with record efficiencies at low temperature but more modest effects at room temperature. Here, we show that making these 2DEGs ferromagnetic enhances the conversion efficiency by nearly one order of magnitude. Starting from the experimental band structure of nonmagnetic SrTiO3 2DEGs, we mimic magnetic exchange coupling by introducing an out-of-plane Zeeman term in a tight-binding model. We then calculate the band structure and spin textures for increasing internal magnetic fields and compute the Edelstein effect using a semiclassical Boltzmann approach. We find that the conversion efficiency first increases strongly with increasing magnetic field, then shows a maximum, and finally decreases. This field dependence is caused by the competition of the exchange coupling with the effective Rashba interaction. While the magnetic field enhances the splitting of band pairs (both in momentum and in spin expectation value), it also weakens the in-plane Rashba-type spin texture. The former mechanism increases the Edelstein effect, and the latter reduces it.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Elastic energy driven multivariant selection in martensites via quantum annealing
Authors: P. dos Santos Lara C. , Hang Tian , Sandt Roland , Finsterbusch Martin , Le Bouar Yann , Spatschek Robert
Published: April 2024

We demonstrate the use of quantum annealing for the selection of multiple martensite variants in a microstructure with long-range coherency stresses and external mechanical load. The general approach is illustrated for martensites with four different variants based on the minimization of the linear elastic energy. The equilibrium variant distribution is then analyzed under application of tensile and shear strains and for different values of the considered shear and tetragonal contributions of the different martensite variants. The interface orientations between different domains of variants can be explained using the perspective of the elastic energy anisotropy for regular stripe patterns. For random grain orientations, the response to an external elastic strain is weaker and variant changes can be interpreted based on the rotated eigenstrain tensor.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Epidemic criticality in temporal networks
Authors: Cai Chao-Ran , Nie Yuan-Yuan , Holme Petter
Published: April 2024

Analytical studies of network epidemiology almost exclusively focus on the extreme situations where the timescales of network dynamics are well separated (longer or shorter) from that of epidemic propagation. In realistic scenarios, however, these timescales could be similar, which has profound implications for epidemic modeling (e.g., one can no longer reduce the dimensionality of epidemic models). Combining Monte Carlo simulations and mean-field theory, we analyze the critical behavior of susceptible-infected-susceptible epidemics in the vicinity of the critical threshold on the activity-driven model of temporal networks. We find that the persistence of links in the network causes the threshold to decrease as the recovery rate increases. Dynamic correlations (coming from being close to infected nodes increases the likelihood of infection) drive the threshold in the opposite direction. These two counteracting effects make epidemic criticality in temporal networks a remarkably complex phenomenon.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Snapshot of digital transformation from the perspective of human resource management: a bibliometric approach
Authors: Jain Divya , Sharma Himani
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The study aims to explore digital transformation from the viewpoint of human resource management to uncover possible threads of relationship using bibliometric analysis. It also aims to identify the trending research themes within the domains of digital transformation (DT) and human resource management (HRM) collectively.

Design/methodology/approach

The research employs a mix of quantitative bibliometric techniques and qualitative content analysis. A corpus of 227 articles retrieved from the Scopus database was analyzed using the R-based Biblioshiny and VOS viewer.

Findings

The study shows publication trends, influential authors, leading journals, highly productive institutions, and, countries in the domain of DT and HRM. Co-citation and co-occurrence analysis was undertaken to identify the research clusters, depicting trending research themes that extensively dominate the research under this domain.

Research limitations/implications

This study will serve as a ready reckoner for academicians and business leaders, giving them useful insights to make their road towards digital transformation less challenging with the assistance of human capital.

Originality/value

This study is one of the initial efforts to quantitatively synthesize the results of earlier publications using bibliometric techniques in the domain of DT and HRM together. It will aid researchers in locating research gaps and filling those gaps in the future.
Devils Backbone Brewing, LLC: An Idea Brews
Authors: Floyd Casey , Fairchild Gregory B.
Published: April 2024

This case is used in Darden's required first-year course, “Strategic Thinking and Action.”

In 2015, Steve and Heidi Crandall, the founders of Devils Backbone Brewing, LLC (DBB), were looking back on eight years of unanticipated success and significant growth. DBB had created a destination, a brand, and beer that drew people from all over, and it was the largest craft brewery in its region. The entire community, not just loyal beer drinkers, had supported DBB. In addition to funding and zoning accommodations, so many local residents had built their own economic lives around what had been their “little brewery that could.”

But the success had brought challenges, specifically in terms of growth. DBB was consistently not meeting demand in its existing markets and was receiving complaints about out-of-stocks. The Crandalls and their team had to figure out how to grow with, or preferably ahead of, demand for DBB's product. Should DBB build further capacity despite an already exhausted line of credit? Should it employ a contract brewer despite the local authenticity concerns such a move might stir up? Or should it just keep trying to manage business within its existing footprint, comfortably serving its loyal customer base?
The future of transformative events: an event leaders’ perspective
Authors: Neuhofer Barbara , Celuch Krzysztof , Rihova Ivana
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Focussing on the perspective of business event leaders, this study aims to explore the future of transformative experience (TE) events, recognising a paradigm shift from organising conventional events to designing and guiding TEs in the meetings, incentives and conferences as exhibitions (MICE) context.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative interview-based design, insights from 20 international business events industry leaders were gathered and analysed by using thematic analysis through a multi-step process with MAXQDA.

Findings

The findings discuss the future of transformative events by identifying the paradigm shift towards TE in business events and outline key dimensions of the leader’s and team’s mindset and skills. Five design principles for TE events in the MICE sector are identified: design for change; emotionally experiential environments; personal engagement; responsibility; and transformative measurement.

Practical implications

The study offers a snapshot of how transformative events of the future could be designed and suggests a series of practical insights for MICE event leaders and organisers seeking to leverage events as a catalyst for intentional transformation, positive impact and long-lasting change.

Originality/value

The study adds to the emerging body of knowledge on TEs and contributes to an extended stakeholder perspective, namely, that of business event leaders and their teams who are instrumental in facilitating transformative events. An original framework for designing TE MICE events is offered as a theoretical contribution.
Customers’ online service encounter satisfaction with chatbots: interaction effects of language style and decision-making journey stage
Authors: Huang Yingying , Gursoy Dogan
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the interaction effects of chatbots’ language style and customers’ decision-making journey stage on customer’s service encounter satisfaction and the mediating role of customer perception of emotional support and informational support using the construal level theory and social support theory as conceptual frameworks.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a scenario-based experiment with a 2 (chatbot’s language style: abstract language vs concrete language) × 2 (decision-making journey stage: informational stage vs transactional stage) between-subjects design.

Findings

Findings show that during the informational stage, chatbots that use abstract language style exert a strong influence on service encounter satisfaction through emotional support. During the transactional stage, chatbots that use concrete language style exert a strong impact on service encounter satisfaction through informational support.

Practical implications

Findings provide some suggestions for improving customer–chatbot interaction quality during online service encounters.

Originality/value

This study offers a novel perspective on customer interaction experience with chatbots by investigating the chatbot’s language styles at different decision-making journey stages.
Network constraint and online group innovation: a dual perspective of inter-community group network and intra-community group network
Authors: Liu Jialing , Zhu Fangwei , Wei Jiang
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore the different effects of inter-community group networks and intra-community group networks on group innovation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used a pooled panel dataset of 12,111 self-organizing innovation groups in 463 game product creative workshop communities from Steam support to test the hypothesis. The pooled ordinary least squares (OLS) model is used for analyzing the data.

Findings

The results show that network constraint is negatively associated with the innovation performance of online groups. The average path length of the inter-community group network negatively moderates the relationship between network constraint and group innovation, while the average path length of the intra-community group network positively moderates the relationship between network constraint and group innovation. In addition, both the network density of inter-community group networks and intra-community group networks can negatively moderate the negative relationship between network constraint and group innovation.

Originality/value

The findings of this study suggest that network structural characteristics of inter-community networks and intra-community networks have different effects on online groups’ product innovation, and therefore, group members should consider their inter- and intra-community connections when choosing other groups to form a collaborative innovation relationship.
Entrepreneurship and organised crime: a systematic review and research agenda based on three decades of scholarship
Authors: Cincimino Salvatore , Gnoffo Salvatore , La Rosa Fabio , Paternostro Sergio
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Scholarly interest in the business effects of organised crime (OC) has recently increased. This study aims to conduct a systematic literature review (SLR) on the conditions under which OC could pose a threat to or take control of firms within a particular context.

Design/methodology/approach

We use narrative synthesis and thematic analysis, with a sample of 46 theoretical and empirical studies published over the past 30 years on the relationship between OC and firms within the disciplines of Business, Management and Accounting (BMA).

Findings

SLR and thematic analysis show that scholarly interest has focused on four key domains: OC as a firm, the impact of OC on firms, firms’ efforts to counter OC’s influence and governmental interventions. Using medical metaphors, we also develop a diagram depicting the interplay between OC and firms within the BMA literature.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature shaping an agenda to steer future research towards these four key themes. The effectiveness of anti-OC tools and measures depends on a thorough understanding of local norms, behaviours and business practices. In addition to measurement and methodological challenges, several grey areas remain, including the distinction between criminal enterprises and legitimate businesses. Ambiguities also surround the circumstances under which the OC preys upon firms or employs them to establish dominance over a territory.
Pro-environmental behavior and the theory of planned behavior: a state of the art science mapping
Authors: Zulkepeli Laili , Fauzi Muhammad Ashraf , Mohd Suki Norazah , Ahmad Mohd Hanafiah , Wider Walton , Rahamaddulla Syed Radzi
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This science mapping analysis aims to discern current, emerging and future trends of pro-environmental behavior and the theory of planned behavior (TPB).

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric analysis through bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis were used to reveal the progress of this phenomenon. Of the 1,120 documents search in Web of Science (WoS) database, 1,031 were used in this analysis after restricting to journal publications and studies after the year 2000.

Findings

The results show that four themes emerged, namely the fundamentals of TPB for pro-environmental behavior, antecedents of pro-environmental behavior, integration of TPB with the norm activation model and value belief theory and studies of pro-environmental behavior in developing countries. Environmental concern, environmental awareness, environmental knowledge and environmental education were the most commonly integrated variables.

Research limitations/implications

This research is unique in the sense that the integration between TPB and other prominent theories of pro-environmental behavior is vital to predict individual pro-environmental behavior and understand the fundamental scientific importance of the domain. The norm activation model has been integrated with TPB in many pro-environmental behaviors. Mainstream media stakeholders should design and implement a plan for strategic communication and awareness campaigns in the community to encourage consumers to engage in many behaviors that lead to environmental sustainability.

Originality/value

This study presents a science mapping approach to uncover crucial knowledge structure related to pro-environmental behavior and the theory of planned behavior.
Contrasting responses of forest phenological guilds to complex floodplain change
Authors: Holeštová Anežka , Doudová Jana , Havrdová Alena , Černá Marie , Boublík Karel , Douda Jan
Published: April 2024

Understanding the seasonal dynamics of the forest herb layer and the factors that influence it is essential for predicting how the forest ecosystem, including mutualistic interactions, will respond to global change. However, to date, no research has investigated how understorey phenological guilds respond to major environmental threats and forest interventions.

We showed the marked changes in the phenological structure of floodplain forest plant communities over half a century at a multi‐regional scale in Central Europe. Unlike previous studies focusing on individual species' responses to climate change, we examined shifts in species richness, frequency and abundance between phenological guilds within the plant community. We examined the effects of temporal variation in climate, hydrology, soil conditions and canopy structure, and assessed the effects of non‐intervention and intervention management on phenological guild responses.

Our results show a significant loss of local species richness and a decline in species frequency in the forest understorey vegetation, associated with species exhibiting summer phenology. In contrast, an increase in abundance and richness of spring flowering species was observed, attributed to high nutrient loads and reduced flooding, respectively. The abundance of spring species increased only in stands where canopy cover increased over time, probably due to the suppression of summer flowering species, allowing spring flowering species to spread on open, bare ground. The community experienced a shift in maximum flowering plant richness from June to May. Despite management interventions such as clearcutting and tree planting, our data show similar temporal trajectories in intervention and non‐intervention forests, indicating that changes in phenological structure are largely independent of recent management activities.

Synthesis. We propose that a complex interplay of environmental factors, rather than climate change alone, is shaping shifts towards earlier phenological guilds in floodplain forests. This study highlights the importance of considering a comprehensive view of phenological guild dynamics and the impact of environmental factors on forest plant community structure in the face of global change.
Revealing the genetic traits of the foodborne microbial genus Hafnia: Implications for the human gut microbiome
Authors: Fontana Federico , Longhi Giulia , Carli Elisa , Alessandri Giulia , Mancabelli Leonardo , Lugli Gabriele Andrea , Tarracchini Chiara , Viappiani Alice , Anzalone Rosaria , Turroni Francesca , Milani Christian , Ventura Marco
Published: April 2024

The bacterial genus Hafnia has recently attracted attention due to its complex metabolic features and host‐interaction capabilities, which are associated with health benefits, primarily weight loss. However, significant gaps remain in our understanding of the genomic characteristics of this emerging microbial group. In this study, we utilized all available high‐quality genomes of Hafnia alvei and Hafnia paralvei to uncover the broad distribution of Hafnia in human and honeybee guts, as well as in dairy products, by analysing 1068 metagenomic datasets. We then investigated the genetic traits related to Hafnia's production of vitamins and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) through a comparative genomics analysis that included all dominant bacterial species in the three environments under study. Our findings underscore the extensive metabolic capabilities of Hafnia, particularly in the production of vitamins such as thiamine (B1), nicotinate (B3), pyridoxine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9), cobalamin (B12), and menaquinone (K2). Additionally, Hafnia demonstrated a conserved genetic makeup associated with SCFA production, including acetate, propanoate, and butanoate. These metabolic traits were further confirmed using RNAseq analyses of a newly isolated H. paralvei strain T10. Overall, our study illuminates the ecological distribution and genetic attributes of this bacterial genus, which is of increasing scientific and industrial relevance.
Reimagining urban design of stormwater infrastructure in settler‐colonial Sydney
Authors: Coyne Taylor
Published: April 2024

Although many might consider the Australian city of Sydney as defined by golden beaches and a glittering harbour, the city actually has an abundance of wetlands—swamps and marshes laid out across the eastern Sydney region. Dramatic transformations of these waterscapes have taken place since 1788, when British colonists landed to form the settlement there. Environmental exploitation has been a key part of settler‐colonial projects across the world. Sydney is no different. To contextualise this exploitation, I explore the ways in which a specific water infrastructure system in Sydney—the Tank Stream—has been entangled with, and is emblematic of, settler‐colonial politics. I argue that to reimagine futures where such ecologically and culturally damaging infrastructures no longer have a presence in the city requires a nuanced interpretation of both water and history. I suggest that “conventional” stormwater design features emerged from colonial viewings of Sydney’s waterscapes. The transformation of these geographies was imposed on existing water management systems, set within local, First Nations knowledges. Thus, I also consider the Tank Stream as a site with potential to present an anti‐colonial hydraulic urban co‐design framing. I draw on colonial archival material and field site visits to question the importance that settler‐colonial urban design has had in shaping contemporary ways of thinking about watery spaces. I conclude by arguing that the hydro‐imperial knowledges must make way for a culturally inclusive urban water design that centres and elevates First Nations design.
They put me on a train: Assimilation and the Australian railways
Authors: Maher Katie
Published: April 2024

This article explores the involvement of the Australian railways in the forcible removal of Aboriginal children. Focusing on the visions and voices of Aboriginal peoples who were taken away from their families by train, the article considers how railways were used in the attempted assimilation of First Nations peoples into White society. The last train ride, an artwork by South Australian Yankunytjatjara artist and Stolen Generations survivor Kunyi McInerney, serves as a point of departure to study how the settler colonial infrastructure of rail operationalised the Australian government policies of assimilation. I ask how railway infrastructures have affected Aboriginal peoples and how Aboriginal peoples have responded to railway infrastructures. In centring the artworks and narratives of Aboriginal people taken away by train, I extend an invitation to readers to rethink geography through the visual expressions and stories of First Nations peoples. Close attention to the perspectives of affected peoples opens possibilities to view infrastructures in a different light. The visions and voices of Aboriginal families impacted by assimilation policies show that the railways played a pivotal role in the separation of Aboriginal children from families and that railway infrastructures have also been sites of resistance to and subversion of assimilation and child removal. Paying careful attention to First Nations voices and visions, the article informs how the Australian railways have been complicit in assimilation policies and how Aboriginal peoples have used the railways to resist and survive such settler colonial projects.
ProSeq4: A user‐friendly multiplatform program for preparation and analysis of large‐scale DNA polymorphism datasets
Authors: Filatov Dmitry A.
Published: April 2024

Preparation of DNA polymorphism datasets for analysis is an important step in evolutionary genetic and molecular ecology studies. Ever‐growing dataset sizes make this step time consuming, but few convenient software tools are available to facilitate processing of large‐scale datasets including thousands of sequence alignments. Here I report “processor of sequences v4” (proSeq4)—a user‐friendly multiplatform software for preparation and evolutionary genetic analyses of genome‐ or transcriptome‐scale sequence polymorphism datasets. The program has an easy‐to‐use graphic user interface and is designed to process and analyse many thousands of datasets. It supports over two dozen file formats, includes a flexible sequence editor and various tools for data visualization, quality control and most commonly used evolutionary genetic analyses, such as NJ‐phylogeny reconstruction, DNA polymorphism analyses and coalescent simulations. Command line tools (e.g. vcf2fasta) are also provided for easier integration into bioinformatic pipelines. Apart of molecular ecology and evolution research, proSeq4 may be useful for teaching, e.g. for visual illustration of different shapes of phylogenies generated with coalescent simulations in different scenarios. ProSeq4 source code and binaries for Windows, MacOS and Ubuntu are available from https://sourceforge.net/projects/proseq/.
Trends in pediatric emergency department transfers from Indian Health Service and tribal health systems
Authors: Pirrocco Fiona A. , Temkit Hamy , Mechem Cherisse , Yeager Karen
Published: April 2024

Objective

To describe the frequency and observed trends for all Indian Health Service (IHS) and tribal emergency department (ED) transfers to a pediatric referral center from January 1, 2017, to December 31, 2020, with a secondary analysis to describe trends in final dispositions, lengths of stay (LOS), and the most common primary ICD‐10 diagnoses.

Methods

We performed a retrospective chart review of IHS and tribal ED transfers to a pediatric referral center from 2017 to 2020 (n = 2433). The data were summarized using frequencies and percentages and we used generalized estimating equations to analyze patient characteristics over time.

Results

IHS and tribal ED transfers accounted for 6.5%–7.1% of all transfers each year between 2017 and 2020 without significant changes over time. Within this group, 60% were admitted and 62% experienced a LOS greater than 24 h. The most common diagnostic code groups for these patients were respiratory conditions, injuries and poisonings, nonspecific abnormal clinical findings and labs, digestive system diseases, and nervous system diseases.

Conclusions

This study addresses important knowledge gaps regarding transfers from IHS and tribal EDs, highlights potential high‐impact areas for pediatric readiness, and emphasizes the need for more granular data to inform resource allocation and educational interventions. Further studies are needed to delineate potentially avoidable transfers seen within this population.
Emergency physician gender and head computed tomography orders for older adults who have fallen
Authors: Kraft Rhys , Mercuri Mathew , Clayton Natasha , Worster Andrew , Mercier Eric , Emond Marcel , Varner Catherine , McLeod Shelley L. , Eagles Debra , Stiell Ian , Barbic David , Morris Judy , Jeanmonod Rebecca , Kagoma Yoan K. , Shoamanesh Ashkan , Engels Paul T. , Sharma Sunjay , Papaioannou Alexandra , Parpia Sameer , Buchanan Ian , Ali Mariyam , de Wit Kerstin
Published: April 2024

Objective

Physicians vary in their computed tomography (CT) scan usage. It remains unclear how physician gender relates to clinical practice or patient outcomes. The aim of this study was to assess the association between physician gender and decision to order head CT scans for older emergency patients who had fallen.

Methods

This was a secondary analysis of a prospective observational cohort study conducted in 11 hospital emergency departments (EDs) in Canada and the United States. The primary study enrolled patients who were 65 years and older who presented to the ED after a fall. The analysis evaluated treating physician gender adjusted for multiple clinical variables. Primary analysis used a hierarchical logistic regression model to evaluate the association between treating physician gender and the patient receiving a head CT scan. Secondary analysis reported the adjusted odds ratio (OR) for diagnosing intracranial bleeding by physician gender.

Results

There were 3663 patients and 256 physicians included in the primary analysis. In the adjusted analysis, women physicians were no more likely to order a head CT than men (OR 1.26, 95% confidence interval 0.98–1.61). In the secondary analysis of 2294 patients who received a head CT, physician gender was not associated with finding a clinically important intracranial bleed.

Conclusions

There was no significant association between physician gender and ordering head CT scans for older emergency patients who had fallen. For patients where CT scans were ordered, there was no significant relationship between physician gender and the diagnosis of clinically important intracranial bleeding.
Failure to rescue following oesophagectomy in Australia: a multi‐site retrospective study using American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program
Authors: Allaway Matthew G. R. , Pham Helen , Zeng Mingjuan , Sinclair Jane‐Louise B. , Johnston Emma , Richardson Arthur , Hollands Michael
Published: April 2024

Background

Failure to rescue (FTR), defined as death after a major complication, is increasingly being used as a surrogate for assessing quality of care following major cancer resection. The aim of this paper is to determine the failure to rescue (FTR) rate after oesophagectomy and explore factors that may contribute to FTR within Australia.

Methods

A retrospective review of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (ACS NSQIP) database from 2015 to 2023 at five Australian hospitals was conducted to identify patients who underwent an oesophagectomy. The primary outcome was FTR rate. Perioperative parameters were examined to evaluate predictive factors for FTR. Secondary outcomes include major complications, overall morbidity, mortality, length of stay and 30‐day readmissions.

Results

A total of 155 patients were included with a median age of 65.2 years, 74.8% being male. The FTR rate was 6.3%. In total, 50.3% of patients (n = 78) developed at least one postoperative complication with the most common complication being pneumonia (20.6%) followed by prolonged intubation (12.9%) and organ space SSI/anastomotic leak (11.0%). Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine any factors that were predictive for FTR however none reached statistical significance.

Conclusion

This study is the first to evaluate the FTR rates following oesophagectomy within Australia, with FTR rates and complication profile comparable to international benchmarks. Integration of multi‐institutional national databases such as ACS NSQIP into units is essential to monitor and compare patient outcomes following major cancer surgery, especially in low to moderate volume centres.
Artificial trachea transplant: Tale of two stories
Authors: Shah Aakash M.
Published: April 2024

South Korean‐based team is first to successfully transplant 3D bioprinted artificial trachea. The success arises during scrutiny of artificial tracheal implants stemming from the denounced work of Dr. Paolo Macchiarini.
The effectiveness of a positive psychological intervention for promoting preschool teachers' well‐being and professional competence: EASP intervention program
Authors: Lee Alfred S. Y. , Fung Wing Kai , Chan Derwin K. C. , Chung Kevin Kien Hoa
Published: April 2024

The present study investigated the effectiveness of the Early Advancement in Social–Emotional Health and Positivity (EASP) program, a positive psychological intervention promoting preschool teachers' well‐being and the motivational aspect of professional competence. Participants were 273 in‐service preschool teachers (Mage = 34.56 years, SD = 9.52, range = 22–58; female = 98.90%) who participated in a 2‐month randomized controlled trial. Participants were randomly assigned to the intervention group (n = 143) receiving 1) four online workshops, 2) a smartphone app, and 3) an online activity, or to the wait‐list control group (n = 130), which received the intervention materials after all the data collection. Participants reported their well‐being dimensions, teaching self‐efficacy, and autonomous motivation for teaching before and after the intervention. Results from a path analytic model exhibited excellent fit with the data, χ2 = 37.62, df = 33, CFI = .99, TLI = .98, RMSEA = .02 [90% CI = 0.00, 0.05], SRMR = .02. The intervention had direct effects on changes in well‐being dimensions, including positivity, outcome, strength, engagement, and resilience (β = .14 to .26, ps = .00 to .04), and indirect intervention effects on changes in teaching self‐efficacy and autonomous motivation for teaching (β = .14 to .15, ps = .00 to .01). These findings highlighted the potential value of implementing positive psychological interventions in educational settings to promote the well‐being and professional competence among preschool teachers.
LncRNA SNHG1 serves as a biomarker for systemic lupus erythematosus and participates in the disease progression
Authors: Jiang Linsen , Qi Anning , Yang Hongyu , Wang Shuping , Wang Fei , Bai Xuemei , Ren Juan
Published: April 2024

LncRNAs play an important role in autoimmune diseases. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of lncRNA SNHG1 in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), and laid a theoretical foundation for the study of SLE. The basic clinical information of all subjects was first collected for statistical analysis, and SNHG1 expression in the serum of all subjects was detected by RT‐qPCR. The value of SNHG1 in the diagnosis of SLE was assessed by ROC. The correlation between SNHG1 and each blood sample index was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis. The role of SNHG1 in primary peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) apoptosis was explored. SNHG1 expression is relatively upregulated in patients with SLE compared to healthy people. SNHG1 expression was positively correlated with SLEDAI score, IgG, CRP, and ESR, and negatively correlated with C3 and C4. ROC indicated that SNHG1 has the potential to assist in the diagnosis of SLE. PBMCs apoptosis in SLE was higher than that in control group, the knockdown and overexpression of SNHG1 could correspondingly inhibit and promote PBMCs apoptosis. SNHG1 has the potential to be a diagnosis marker for SLE and may be involved in regulating PBMCs apoptosis.
Social and temporal disorientation during the Covid‐19 pandemic: An analysis of 3306 responses to a quantitative questionnaire
Authors: Fernandez Velasco Pablo , Perroy Bastien , Gurchani Umer , Casati Roberto
Published: April 2024

The societal hallmark of the Covid‐19 pandemic was a set of mitigation measures such as lockdowns and curfews. The cognitive impact on the public of the resulting spatial, social and temporal constraints is still being investigated. While pandemic time has been extensively studied and mostly described as slowed down and elongated, opposite experimental patterns across national and social contexts leave open an important explanatory gap in order to understand which factor has been causally fundamental in determining the phenomenology of the crisis. In this paper, we use a quantitative questionnaire developed for measuring temporal and social disorientation on a sample of 3306 respondents during an acute phase of restrictions in France. We show that social disorientation greatly contributed to the temporal disruptions experienced during the pandemic. This result reinforces the importance for public authorities to address the compounding effect of feeling isolated during crises.
White adipose tissue, a novel antirheumatic target: Clues from its secretory capability and adipectomy‐based therapy
Authors: Ye Peng , Wang Qi‐Hai , Kong Wen‐Ye , Liu Chun‐Sheng , Wang Dan‐Dan , Olatunji Opeyemi Joshua , Li Yan , Zuo Jian
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

White adipose tissue (WAT) is involved in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study explored its potential as an antirheumatic target.

Experimental Approach

WAT status of healthy and adjuvant‐induced arthritis (AIA) rats were compared. The contribution of WAT to RA pathology was evaluated by pre‐adipocyte transplant experiments and by dissecting perirenal fat pads of AIA rats. The impact of RA on WAT was investigated by culturing pre‐adipocytes. Proteins differentially expressed in WAT of healthy and AIA rats were identified by the UPLC/MS2 method. These together with PPARγ siRNA and agonist were used to treat pre‐adipocytes in vitro. The medium was used for THP‐1 monocyte culture.

Key Results

Compared with healthy controls, AIA WAT was smaller but secreted more leptin, eNAMPT, MCP‐1, TNF‐α, and IL‐6. AIA rat pre‐adipocytes increased the levels of these adipokines in healthy recipients. RA patients' serum induced a similar secretion change and impaired differentiation of pre‐adipocytes. Adipectomy eased AIA‐related immune abnormalities and arthritic manifestations. Hepatokines PON1, IGFBP4, and GPIHBP1 were among the differential proteins in high levels in RA blood, and induced inflammatory secretions by pre‐adipocytes. GPIHBP1 inhibited PPARγ expression and caused differentiation impairment and inflammatory secretion by pre‐adipocytes, a similar outcome to PPARγ‐silencing. This endowed the cells with an ability to activate monocytes, which can be abrogated by rosiglitazone.

Conclusion and Implications

Certain hepatokines potentiate inflammatory secretions by pre‐adipocytes and expedite RA progression by inhibiting PPARγ. Targeting this signalling or abnormal WAT secretion by various approaches may reduce RA severity.
Ligand bias and inverse agonism on 5‐HT2A receptor‐mediated modulation of G protein activity in post‐mortem human brain
Authors: Muneta‐Arrate Itziar , Miranda‐Azpiazu Patricia , Horrillo Igor , Diez‐Alarcia Rebeca , Meana J. Javier
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

Whereas biased agonism on the 5‐HT2A receptor has been ascribed to hallucinogenic properties of psychedelics, no information about biased inverse agonism on this receptor is available. In schizophrenia, increased 5‐HT2A receptor constitutive activity has been suggested, highlighting the therapeutic relevance of inverse agonism. This study characterized the modulation of G protein activity promoted by different drugs, commonly considered as 5‐HT2A receptor antagonists, in post‐mortem human brain cortex.

Experimental Approach

Modulation of [35S]GTPγS binding to different subtypes of Gα proteins exerted by different 5‐HT2A receptor drugs was determined by scintillation proximity assays in brain from human, WT and 5‐HT2A receptor KO mice.

Key Results

MDL‐11,939 was the only drug having no effect on the basal activity of 5‐HT2A receptor. Altanserin and pimavanserin decreased basal activation of Gi1, but not Gq/11 proteins. This effect was blocked by MDL‐11,939 and absent in 5‐HT2A receptor KO mice. Volinanserin showed 5‐HT2A receptor‐mediated inverse agonism both on Gi1 and Gq/11 proteins. Ketanserin exhibited 5‐HT2A receptor partial agonism exclusively on Gq/11 proteins. On the other hand, eplivanserin and nelotanserin displayed inverse agonism on Gq/11 and/or Gi1 proteins, which was insensitive to MDL‐11,939 and was present in KO mice suggesting a role for another receptor.

Conclusion and Implications

The results reveal the existence of constitutively active 5‐HT2A receptors in human pre‐frontal cortex and demonstrate different pharmacological profiles of various 5‐HT2A receptor drugs previously considered antagonists. These findings indicate that altanserin and pimavanserin possess biased inverse agonist profile towards 5‐HT2A receptor activation of Gi1 proteins.
Transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 channel modulates the abuse‐related mechanisms of methamphetamine through interaction with dopamine transporter
Authors: Hur Kwang‐Hyun , Lee Youyoung , Donio Audrey Lynn , Kim Seon‐Kyung , Lee Bo‐Ram , Seo Jee‐Yeon , Kundu Dooti , Kim Kyeong‐Man , Kohut Stephen J. , Lee Seok‐Yong , Jang Choon‐Gon
Published: April 2024

Background and Purpose

Methamphetamine (METH) use disorder has risen dramatically over the past decade, and there are currently no FDA‐approved medications due, in part, to gaps in our understanding of the pharmacological mechanisms related to METH action in the brain.

Experimental Approach

Here, we investigated whether transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) mediates each of several METH abuse‐related behaviours in rodents: self‐administration, drug‐primed reinstatement, acquisition of conditioned place preference, and hyperlocomotion. Additionally, METH‐induced molecular (i.e., neurotransmitter and protein) changes in the brain were compared between wild‐type and TRPA1 knock‐out mice. Finally, the relationship between TRPA1 and the dopamine transporter was investigated through immunoprecipitation and dopamine reuptake assays.

Key Results

TRPA1 antagonism blunted METH self‐administration and drug‐primed reinstatement of METH‐seeking behaviour. Further, development of METH‐induced conditioned place preference and hyperlocomotion were inhibited by TRPA1 antagonist treatment, effects that were not observed in TRPA1 knock‐out mice. Similarly, molecular studies revealed METH‐induced increases in dopamine levels and expression of dopamine system‐related proteins in wild‐type, but not in TRPA1 knock‐out mice. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of TRPA1 receptors reduced the interaction between TRPA1 and the dopamine transporter, thereby increasing dopamine reuptake activity by the transporter.

Conclusion and Implications

This study demonstrates that TRPA1 is involved in the abuse‐related behavioural effects of METH, potentially through its modulatory role in METH‐induced activation of dopaminergic neurotransmission. Taken together, these data suggest that TRPA1 may be a novel therapeutic target for treating METH use disorder.
Learned Inference of Annual Ring Pattern of Solid Wood
Authors: Larsson Maria , Ijiri Takashi , Shen I‐Chao , Yoshida Hironori , Shamir Ariel , Igarashi Takeo
Published: April 2024

We propose a method for inferring the internal anisotropic volumetric texture of a given wood block from annotated photographs of its external surfaces. The global structure of the annual ring pattern is represented using a continuous spatial scalar field referred to as the growth time field (GTF). First, we train a generic neural model that can represent various GTFs using procedurally generated training data. Next, we fit the generic model to the GTF of a given wood block based on surface annotations. Finally, we convert the GTF to an annual ring field (ARF) revealing the layered pattern and apply neural style transfer to render orientation‐dependent small‐scale features and colors on a cut surface. We show rendered results of various physically cut real wood samples. Our method has physical and virtual applications such as cut‐preview before subtractive fabricating solid wood artifacts and simulating object breaking.
Outcome of incidental versus preoperatively diagnosed colorectal cancer during total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis for inflammatory bowel disease
Authors: Maspero Marianna , Otero Ana , Lavryk Olga , Gorgun Emre , Lipman Jeremy , Liska David , Valente Michael , Holubar Stefan , Steele Scott R. , Hull Tracy
Published: April 2024

Aim

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch–anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the treatment of choice for colorectal cancer (CRC) in inflammatory bowel disease. CRC may also be discovered incidentally at IPAA for other indications. We sought to determine whether incidentally found CRC at IPAA was associated with worse outcomes.

Methods

Our institutional pouch registry (1983–2021) was retrospectively reviewed. Patients with CRC at pathology after IPAA were divided into two groups: a preoperative diagnosis (PreD) group and an incidental diagnosis (InD) group. Their long‐term outcomes (overall survival, disease‐free survival and pouch survival) were compared.

Results

We included 164 patients: 53 (32%) InD and 111 (68%) PreD. There were no differences in cancer staging, differentiation and location. After a median follow‐up of 11 (IQR 3–25) years for InD and 9 (IQR 3–20) years for the PreD group, deaths were 14 (26%) in the InD group and 18 (16%) in the PreD group. Pouch failures were five (9%) in the InD group and nine (8%) in the PreD group, of which two (5%) and four (4%) were cancer related. Ten‐year overall survival was 94% for InD and 89% for PreD (P = 0.41), disease‐free survival was 95% for InD and 90% for PreD (P = 0.685) and pouch survival was 89% for InD and 97% for PreD (P = 0.80). Pouch survival at 10 years was lower in rectal versus colon cancer (87% vs. 97%, P = 0.01). No difference was found in outcomes in handsewn versus stapled anastomoses.

Conclusion

Inflammatory bowel disease patients with incidentally found CRC during IPAA appear to have similarly excellent oncological and pouch outcomes to patients with a preoperative cancer diagnosis.