bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital platforms in intermodal freight transport: an analysis of emerging business models and their future dynamics
Authors: Bossong Paul , Reinhardt Anne , Elbert Ralf
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Intermodal freight transport (IFT) promises to reduce freight transport emissions by combining multiple transport modes. Emerging digital platforms seek to address the increasing complexity that arises from a combination of transport modes, yet the understanding of their business models remains limited. This study provides in-depth insights into the current characteristics and future dynamics of IFT platform business models.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an inductive qualitative research approach, we gathered data from 19 semi-structured interviews. Based on this empirical data, we derived a comprehensive business model taxonomy, identified distinct platform archetypes and explored their future dynamics.

Findings

Four platform archetypes are identified: Marketplaces and Self-Brokers facilitate easy booking by matching supply and demand. Data Hubs and Collaboration Hubs digitize data exchange between IFT actors. While Marketplaces and Data Hubs are operated by digitally dominated entrants, Collaboration Hubs and Self-Brokers are launched by intermodal incumbents as a digital extension of their physical transport services. Platforms operated by intermodal incumbents with a considerable customer base possess strategic advantages, potentially outperforming the business models of digitally dominated entrants in the future.

Research limitations/implications

Although this study focuses on the German IFT market, the developed taxonomy sets the ground for qualitative research of other platform-based business models and encourages the validation of our findings through quantitative research.

Originality/value

By being the first to comprehensively systematize IFT platform business models and their future dynamics, our study creates an in-depth understanding of how digital platforms can contribute to a modal shift from road freight transport to environmentally friendly IFT.
How do TQM’s critical success factors affect organisational performance? A configurational approach
Authors: Ahsan Ramjanul , Ullah Muhammad Shariat
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to illustrate a possible combination of critical success factors (CSFs) that best enhance firm performance and compare configurations of CSFs in ISO-9001-2015-certified and non-ISO firms in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

The study sample comprises individuals from the service and manufacturing sectors and ISO-9001-2015-certified and non-ISO firms. We have collected data from 229 respondents from 134 firms, including 64.5% from ISO-certified and the remaining 35.5% from non-ISO-certified categories. In this exploratory study, we performed a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify the combinations of success factors that enhance performance.

Findings

The results of this study capture the causal complexity surrounding the CSFs and firm performance. We found six configurations for ISO firms and five for non-ISO firms that enhance firm performance. Besides, the necessary conditions for firm performance of ISO firms slightly differ from those of non-ISO firms. Thus, the empirical results highlight the importance of equifinality and complementary relationships between conditions relating to quality management systems to increase firm performance. A significant difference was found between ISO-9001:2015-certified firms and non-ISO firms.

Research limitations/implications

A significant limitation arises from the sample’s inclusion of only Bangladeshi firms; a cross-cultural study could add new dimensions to the configurations. Understanding how these CSFs vary and need a longitudinal approach is essential.

Originality/value

Our configurational approach provides new insights into the complex dynamics of eight CSFs with a holistic approach. Instead of focusing on the additive linear net effects of CSFs on firm performance, we explain how the CSFs of TQM implementation combine into multiple combinations. By doing so, we show multiple equifinal pathways to firm performance.
Empowering library and information science students as information literacy educators in librarianship professions: a study from Bangladesh
Authors: Hossain Md Arman , Sormunen Eero
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to develop a novel guided inquiry-based pedagogical practice embedded into regular library and information science (LIS) courses to improve LIS students’ information literacy (IL) in a developing country.

Design/methodology/approach

A guided inquiry-based pedagogical practice for IL instruction was introduced and embedded into two regular courses in an LIS school. The effectiveness of the new approach was evaluated in a longitudinal pre-test- and post-test-based teaching intervention with a control group.

Findings

All aspects of IL skills improved among the students participating in the teaching intervention showcasing the benefits of the inquiry-based pedagogical practice. In addition, the students in the intervention group learned the course subject content more in depth than students in the control group. However, no consistent learning benefits were achieved in IL knowledge, and only sporadic associations were found between IL knowledge and skills.

Originality/value

This study breaks new ground in IL teaching intervention in LIS schools. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is the first to apply an inquiry-based approach, embed teaching into more than one regular course, collect pre-test and post-test data to evaluate learning outcomes in IL knowledge and skills and control learning outcomes in subject contents.
Margin call risk and leverage constraints: exploring investment horizons and low-risk anomalies in futures markets
Authors: Jo Yonghwan , Jung Dain
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In futures markets, margin trading not only relaxes leverage constraints but also entails the risk of margin calls. Therefore, existing studies provide inconsistent evidence on low-risk anomalies, raising challenges in understanding leverage constraints in futures markets. This study aims to address this gap by focusing on margin call risk. Through bootstrap simulations with historical datasets, we find that margin call risk increases with longer investment horizons regardless of the initial margin, maintenance margin or individual futures volatilities. We also find that investors generally prefer higher leverage but adjust it in response to margin call risks across all futures sectors, leading them to opt for lower leverage for longer holding periods. Thus, while low-risk anomalies demonstrate statistical significance over longer investment horizons, their significance decreases for shorter investment horizons, such as less than six months. Our findings suggest that investors with sufficiently short holding periods are less likely to face leverage constraints in futures markets, especially the commodity, currency and bond futures markets.
Enhancing innovation through ESG practices: the superior impact on family businesses
Authors: Barguilla Sanclaudio Maite , Garcés-Galdeano Lucia , Salazar Morales Iván Alfredo
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This work contributes to the debate on the link between environmental, social and governance (ESG) criteria and firm innovation, incorporating ownership structure as a moderating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses ordinary least squares (OLS) regression to analyse the impact of ESG criteria on innovation, considering firm ownership as a catalyst that strengthens the effect of environmental and social practices on innovative performance.

Findings

Family-owned firms, with their unique characteristics like long-term orientation and commitment to family values, strengthen the relationship between environmental and social practices and innovation performance. This suggests that such firms are better positioned to leverage their corporate social responsibility (CSR) commitments and activities.

Practical implications

The findings offer valuable insights for decision-making in organizations, particularly family firms focused on innovation and sustainability. The research shows that investing in sustainability practices not only ensures ESG compliance but also significantly fosters innovation.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the debate regarding the relationship between ESG criteria and firm innovative performance. It highlights how the implementation of ESG practices influences innovation, and particularly how firm ownership further enhances the relationship between environmental and social practices and firm innovative performance.
Factors influencing consumers’ intention to purchase hotel products on Douyin (TikTok): a comparison of business and leisure travelers
Authors: Liang Xi , Chuah Stephanie Hui-Wen , Tung Lisa
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Employing the extended Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology 2 (UTAUT2) framework, this study examines the potential differences between two groups of hotel guests – business and leisure travelers – in terms of factors influencing their intention to purchase hotel products on Douyin (TikTok) in China.

Design/methodology/approach

Data gathered from 700 Chinese hotel guests was analyzed using partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) and multigroup analysis (MGA).

Findings

The MGA results reveal that three newly added variables – personalization, perceived interactivity and perceived creativity – significantly influence the purchase intention of leisure travelers but not business travelers. Regarding the conventional UTAUT2 variables, leisure travelers are more influenced by hedonic motivation and price value in their purchasing decisions. In contrast, performance expectancy and effort expectancy have a greater impact on the decision-making process of business travelers than their leisure counterparts.

Research limitations/implications

Theoretically, this paper is among the first to explore traveler types as moderators in the purchase of hotel products on Douyin. Practically, the findings offer valuable guidance for hotel marketers aiming to leverage Douyin to promote hotel products to these two different traveler segments.

Practical implications

Instead of using “one-size-fits-all” strategies, hotel managers should design marketing strategies that address the diverse needs of business and leisure travelers on Douyin. By implementing this strategy, they can effectively attract target customers and, in turn, increase hotel revenue.

Originality/value

This study expands the UTAUT2 framework and contributes to the scarce knowledge about the differences between business and leisure travelers regarding the relative importance of factors that influence their purchase intention for hotel products on Douyin among business and leisure travelers.
Under what conditions will I let social robots into my home? A configuration theory perspective
Authors: Gao Yajie , Chang Yaping , He Yinghao , Yu Zhihao
Published: January 2025

Purpose

As innovative household products, social home robots have a significant impact on the interactive consumer experience. However, prior research on consumer intentions to use such robots has rarely considered the configuration perspective. The present study examines how consumers balance the key benefits and risks created by these robots and explores how key influential factors jointly influence usage intention from a configuration perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

We adopted a hybrid research design. In Study 1, a thematic analysis was conducted to derive a conceptual framework reflecting the interplay of key factors influencing usage intention. In Study 2, a fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) was applied to reveal how these factors jointly shape usage intention.

Findings

Equifinal configurations of antecedent conditions (i.e. emotional and instrumental support beliefs, concerns about informational and relational privacy risks, self-construal and anthropomorphic design) led to usage intention. Additionally, four distinct benefit-risk trade-off patterns emerged across individuals.

Research limitations/implications

This study highlights the need to examine robot adoption in interactive marketing, particularly in the service domain. It has implications in the context of commercializing social home robots, emphasizing the potential of leveraging social home robots to enhance interactive consumer experiences and foster close connections with consumers.

Originality/value

We developed a neoconfigurational model to obtain a comprehensive understanding of social home robot acceptance in domestic settings, highlighting its implications for consumer–robot interactions and advancing research in interactive marketing.
Research on characteristics mining and management strategies for key rumor spreaders
Authors: Hu Yue , Yu Guang
Published: January 2025

Purpose

In the era of social media, containing and managing online rumors poses a significant challenge. Therefore, a thorough investigation into the factors influencing rumor dissemination becomes increasingly crucial. Key rumor spreaders wield considerable influence over audience behavior and public opinion dissemination, making them pivotal in curbing the spread of rumors. This study aims to categorize these key spreaders and delve into the distinct characteristics of each category.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper introduces a method for identifying key rumor spreaders through social network analysis. By utilizing text mining and sentiment analysis on data from typical rumor events on Weibo, we extract 14 characteristics of key spreaders. Subsequently, we develop a method for classifying the roles of these key spreaders and conduct empirical research to validate our findings.

Findings

Our study reveals significant variations in the characteristics of key spreaders across different roles. These insights enable managers to implement differentiated management strategies for key spreaders based on their respective roles.

Originality/value

This research sheds light on the diverse characteristics exhibited by key rumor spreaders on social media, providing a novel reference point for enhancing the effectiveness of rumor intervention and control strategies.
Remove saplings early: Cost‐effective strategies to contain tree invasions and prevent their impacts
Authors: Moyano Jaime , García‐Díaz Pablo , Langdon Barbara , Palmer Stephen C. F. , Caplat Paul , Lambin Xavier , Pauchard Aníbal , Nuñez Martin A.
Published: January 2025

There is an urgent need to design management strategies to reduce invasive species spread and impact, but the large spatial and temporal scales of most biological invasions make them challenging environments in which to conduct field studies. In this context, simulation models can play a key role in informing invasive species management. Woody plants are among the most harmful invaders, yet an evidence base to support different management objectives for these species remains poorly developed. Pines (Pinus) have been intensively studied, in terms of demography, dispersal, spread and impact, which makes them an ideal study system to model invasions.

Using a multiyear database of observations of an invasive population, we employed an approximate Bayesian computation to fit an individual‐based spatially explicit model to compare management strategies to reduce the spread, population size and impact of a woody invader, Pinus contorta (pine hereafter), on grasslands in Patagonia. We simulated a pine population spreading from a plantation into a grassland over 50 years. Annual control actions in the grasslands started as soon as pines started spreading (when the pines from the plantation become reproductive) or were delayed at 10‐year intervals. For control actions, we targeted different pine life stages, prioritized different locations in the landscape and explored a wide range of available budgets.

Removing saplings was the most cost‐effective way to reduce pine spread and population size, whereas reducing management delay had a stronger effect on minimizing pine invasion impact on native grassland productivity. Focusing only on invasive adults was ineffective because it was costly, and it allowed a build‐up in the population size of other stages which soon became adults (and started spreading seeds).

Synthesis and applications: Our highest‐ranking strategies represent management actions to start implementing in the field as part of an adaptive management plan that iteratively evaluates the validity of our simulation model and updates the management recommendations. Our study can be applied to guide management of invasive pines and replicated with any invasive woody species with sufficient data.
Bayesian views of generalized additive modelling
Authors: Miller David L.
Published: January 2025

Generalized additive models (GAMs) are a frequently used, flexible framework applied to many problems in statistical ecology. They are commonly used to incorporate smooth effects into models via splines, including spatial components in species distribution models.

GAMs are often considered to be a purely frequentist framework (‘generalized linear models with wiggly bits’), however links between frequentist and Bayesian approaches to these models were highlighted early‐on in the literature. From a practical perspective, Bayesian thinking underlies many parts of the implementation in the popular R package mgcv, so understanding these underpinnings can be informative during model building and assessment.

This article aims to highlight useful links (and differences) between Bayesian and frequentist approaches to smoothing, as detailed in the statistical literature, in accessible way, with a focus on the mgcv implementation. By harnessing these links we can expand the set of modelling tools we have at our disposal, as well as our understanding of how existing methods work.

Two important topics for quantitative ecologists are covered in detail: model term selection and uncertainty estimation. Taking Bayesian viewpoints for these problems makes them much more tractable in many applied settings. Examples are given using data from the NOAA Alaska Fisheries Science Center's groundfish assessment program.
Macadamia (Macadamia integrifolia) detection and recognition based on improved YOLOv7 algorithm
Authors: Lin Zuxiang , Ma Rong , Wang Yingdong , Li Jiaqiang , He Chao , Liu Xueyuan , Yu Haisheng
Published: January 2025

Timely and accurate macadamia identification is the key to automated orchard harvesting. This study proposes an improved recognition method for the YOLOv7 model to address fruit overlap, leaf‐trunk occlusion and small target problems in complex backgrounds. First, the novel BiFormer attention mechanism is introduced. This mechanism utilizes two‐layer routing to achieve dynamic sparse attention, effectively reducing the number of computations, enhancing the perception of small‐scale targets. Second, the asymptotic feature pyramid network (AFPN) replaces the YOLOv7 backbone network, reducing the semantic differences and parameters between different layers and improving small target detection in complex scenes. In addition, the repulsion loss function replaces the YOLOv7 default loss function to address dense fruit arrangement and fruit occlusion in the data set. This successfully reduces false detections. The validity of the model is verified by ablation and comparison experiments, which show that the improved YOLOv7 model achieves an average accuracy, precision, recall and F1 value of 99.7%, 99.6%, 99.3% and 99.4%, respectively. The average accuracy of the improved model increased by 7.5 percentage points compared with that of the YOLOv7 model. Overall, the improved YOLOv7 model can accurately recognize macadamia under complex lighting and background conditions with high detection accuracy and robustness.
High‐dose glucocorticoids in the treatment of postoperative pain after video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery—protocol for systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Vorm Bertram , Jeppesen Anni Nørgaard , Hansen Lene Mølgaard , Lumholdt Mads , Klitgaard Thomas Lass , Danielsen Allan Vestergaard , Juhl‐Olsen Peter , Sperling Phillip , Bisgaard Jannie
Published: January 2025

Background

Video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) is widely used in lung cancer surgery, as this technique causes less pain and faster recovery than open thoracotomy. However, significant postoperative pain persists in a number of patients, often leading to increased opioid use and opioid‐related adverse events in addition to prolonged admission times. Perioperatively administered glucocorticoids have been demonstrated effective in reducing pain after other types of surgeries, but the effect in VATS remains unclear.

Methods

This systematic review will assess the impact of glucocorticoids on postoperative pain in adult patients undergoing VATS. We will include randomised trials comparing higher doses of glucocorticoids to lower doses, placebo or no treatment. The review will follow the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis statement and Cochrane methodology. The certainty of evidence will be assessed using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. The primary outcome is standardised dynamic pain scores within 24 h. Secondary outcomes are opioid use, time to first mobilisation, length of hospital stay and numeric rating score >3 at any point within the first 24 h following surgery. Exploratory outcomes are opioid‐related adverse effects and glucocorticoid‐related adverse effects classified in major and minor events. Data will be meta‐analysed with sensitivity and subgroup analyses and trial sequential analyses. Furthermore, we will assess the risk of reporting bias and heterogeneity.

Conclusion

This systematic review and meta‐analysis will provide an overview of the current evidence of how glucocorticoids affect postoperative pain and recovery in adult patients undergoing VATS.
Fluid accumulation in adult ICU patients – A protocol for a scoping review
Authors: Molin Clara , Wichmann Sine , Schønemann‐Lund Martin , Møller Morten Hylander , Bestle Morten Heiberg
Published: January 2025

Introduction

Fluid accumulation in critically ill patients is associated with adverse outcomes. However, there is a substantial variability in the terminology and definitions used to describe fluid accumulation. We aim to provide an overview of evidence describing fluid accumulation in critically ill adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU), including how it is defined, patient characteristics associated with fluid accumulation, ICU population, and outcomes assessed.

Methods

We will conduct a scoping review prepared according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic and Meta‐analysis extension for Scoping reviews (PRISMA‐ScR). Pubmed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library will be searched systematically. All clinical studies reporting original data and investigating fluid accumulation, as defined by authors, in adult ICU patients will be included. We will assess the study design, the definition of fluid accumulation, ICU population, and the outcomes measured, categorised as patient‐important or non‐patient important, in the included studies. The results will be reported descriptively. The certainty of evidence will be assessed using a modified Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) on the research question level.

Discussion

This scoping review will provide an overview of definitions used for fluid accumulation, and describe ICU patient populations, patient characteristics, and outcomes assessed in ICU research.
Lifetime age‐related changes in clinical laboratory results, aging clocks and mortality predictors in 2412 Golden Retrievers
Authors: Perez Kevin , Swafford Brenna , Labadie Julia , Ocampo Alejandro
Published: January 2025

In this study, we investigated age‐related changes in clinical laboratory data and their association with mortality in dogs from the Golden Retriever Lifetime Study. By analyzing complete blood count (CBC) and biochemistry data from 2′412 Golden Retrievers over 16,678 visits, we observed significant changes during the first 2 years of life and throughout aging. Based on these observations, we developed a biological aging clock using a LASSO model to predict age based on blood markers, achieving an accuracy of R = 0.78. Although the biological age clock and pace of aging did not significantly improve mortality prediction, a model incorporating all blood biomarkers showed better predictive power for lifetime (C‐index = 0.763) and 1‐year mortality (AUC = 0.817). Our findings underscore the importance of comprehensive blood analysis for aging and mortality prediction in dogs and open the door for the development of novel methods to investigate aging in companion animals.
Natural Killer Cell Education in Women With Recurrent Pregnancy Loss
Authors: Lombardi Amber E. M. , Habets Denise H. J. , Al‐Nasiry Salwan , Spaanderman Marc E. A. , Wieten Lotte
Published: January 2025

Problem

Natural killer (NK) cells undergo education for full functionality via interactions between killer immunoglobulin‐like receptors (KIRs) or NKG2A and human leukocyte antigen (HLA) ligands. Presumably, education is important during early pregnancy as insufficient education has been associated with impaired vascular remodeling and restricted fetal growth in mice. NK cell education is influenced by receptor co‐expression patterns, human cytomegalovirus (CMV), the HLA‐ER107G dimorphism, and HLA‐B leader peptide variants. We hypothesized altered NK cell education status and differences in frequencies of HLA‐E genotypes and HLA‐B leader peptide variants in women with recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) compared to women with previously uncomplicated pregnancies, and between CMV seropositive and seronegative RPL women.

Methods of Study

Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analyzed by flow cytometry. HLA‐ABC was typed by sequence‐specific oligonucleotide PCR, and HLA‐E by Sanger sequencing. CMV status was determined by anti‐CMV IgG immunoassay. NK cells were considered “educated” if the HLA ligand to a KIR or NKG2A was present.

Results

KIR/NKG2A co‐expression patterns and percentages of educated NK cells were similar between RPL and controls, and between seropositive and seronegative RPL women. Frequencies of HLA‐E genotypes and HLA‐B leader peptide variants were comparable. RPL women with the HLA‐B T/T variant had a lower percentage of NKG2A‐educated NK cells (47.8%) compared to controls (66.4%) (p = 0.025).

Conclusions

HLA‐B leader peptide variants might impact NKG2A‐specific NK cell education in RPL, warranting validation in larger studies. Follow‐up studies are needed to investigate the education status of uterine NK cells and their role in pregnancy.
Rapid stimulation of protein synthesis in digesting snakes: Unveiling a novel gut‐pancreas‐muscle axis
Authors: Rindom Emil , Last Katja Bundgaard , Svane Anja , Fammé Asger , Henriksen Per G. , Farup Jean , Jessen Niels , de Paoli Frank Vincenzo , Wang Tobias
Published: January 2025

Aim

Snakes exhibit remarkable physiological shifts when their large meals induce robust postprandial growth after prolonged fasting. To understand the regulatory mechanisms underlying this rapid metabolic transition, we examined the regulation of protein synthesis in pythons, focusing on processes driving early postprandial tissue remodeling and growth.

Methods

Using the SUnSET method with puromycin labeling, we measured in vivo protein synthesis in fasting and digesting snakes at multiple post‐feeding intervals. Pyloric ligation, pancreatectomy, and plasma transfusions were performed to explore the roles of gastrointestinal luminal signaling and pancreatic function across key tissues.

Results

We observed profound and early stimulation of protein synthesis in gastrointestinal tissues and skeletal muscle already 3 h after ingestion, before any measurable rise in plasma amino acids from the meal. The gastrointestinal stimulation appears to be driven by luminal factors, while the stimulation of skeletal muscle protein synthesis is humoral with pancreatic insulin release as an integral mediator. The pre‐absorptive anabolic activity is supported by the release of amino acids from the breakdown of endogenous proteins.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that snakes initiate protein synthesis via distinct, tissue‐specific pathways preceding nutrient absorption. This “pay before pumping” model shows how early protein synthesis prepares the digestive and muscular systems for later nutrient assimilation and growth. This intricate humoral regulation, involving a gut‐pancreas‐muscle axis, governs postprandial protein synthesis in snakes and provides insights into fundamental mechanisms driving metabolic adaptations and broader hyperplastic and hypertrophic responses.
Founder ownership and system‐justifying beliefs in relation to perception toward Black Lives Matter and other social movements
Authors: Scarborough Autumn , Xu Xiaowen
Published: January 2025

It is essential to understand the psychological mechanisms that help explain how people perceive, and why they participate in, social movements. Two psychological theories relevant to this endeavor are founder ownership and system justification beliefs. The current work examined how founder ownership and system‐justifying beliefs related to people's attitudes toward the Black Lives Matter movement (Studies 1 and 2) and other social movements (Study 2), as well as people's willingness to participate in collective action for these movements (Study 2). Across two studies, participants (total N = 1064) completed measures of founder ownership beliefs, system justifying beliefs, general political orientation, and attitudes and participation intentions toward different social movements. We found that, even after controlling for demographics, people higher in founder ownership and system justifying beliefs still held more negative attitudes toward social movements that challenged the status quo and were less willing to engage in collective action that supported these movements. The present findings highlight some important psychological processes that help explain why some people are more or less likely to support and engage in social change.
Urinary Continence After Robot‐Assisted Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy Using the Peritoneal Fixation Technique
Authors: Terao Hideyuki , Nagasaka Hirotaka , Yamamoto Shotaro , Suzuki Atsuto , Usui Kimitsugu , Kishida Takeshi , Nakaigawa Noboru
Published: January 2025

Introduction

The Retzius‐sparing technique for prostate cancer has shown favorable continence recovery outcomes. Magnetic resonance imaging after Retzius‐sparing showed that the bladder anterior wall is widely connected to the abdominal wall, which contributes to urinary continence. We aimed to evaluate whether the Peritoneal Fixation technique, which involves suturing the anterior bladder wall onto the abdominal wall above the pubic bone, contributes to the recovery of urinary continence.

Methods

Patients who underwent robot‐assisted laparoscopic radical prostatectomy between May and September 2023 were included in the study. We investigated urinary incontinence on the day of catheter removal and 1 month postoperatively. The posterior urethral angle was evaluated at rest and under abdominal pressure.

Results

A total of 54 patients who underwent the Peritoneal Fixation technique (n = 27) and conventional surgery (n = 27) were included. The continence acquisition rate on the day after catheter removal was significantly higher in the Peritoneal Fixation group (40.7%) than in the conventional group (7.4%) (p < 0.05). At 1 month postoperatively, the Peritoneal Fixation group showed favorable results, with a continence rate of 44.4% compared with 29.6% in the conventional group (p = 0.26). The change in the posterior urethral angle at rest and during abdominal pressure significantly differed between the Peritoneal Fixation and conventional groups (−3.0° vs. 2.7°; p < 0.05), indicating that the urethra is being pushed from the rectal side in the Peritoneal Fixation group.

Conclusion

The use of the Peritoneal Fixation technique for prostate cancer suggests the potential for achieving favorable urinary continence outcomes.
Development and validation of a short form for the Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices using a machine learning approach
Authors: Yip Charles Chiu Hung , Wong Terry Tin‐Yau , Wong Brandon Hoi Dick , Hsu Lucy Shih‐Ju
Published: January 2025

Raven's Coloured Progressive Matrices (CPM) is a widely used assessment tool for measuring general cognitive ability in developmental and educational research, particularly in studies involving young children. However, administering the full set of the 36‐item CPM can be burdensome for young participants, hindering its practicality in large‐scale studies and reducing research efficiency. In the current study, a short form of the CPM was developed based on a sample of preschoolers (n = 336, mean age = 5.8 years) using penalised regression, a machine learning approach that allows for variable selection. The resulting 12‐item CPM short form demonstrated a very strong correlation with the total score of the 36‐item full form (r = .94). Further investigations into the short form's item stability, content validity, and concurrent validity collectively supported its psychometric properties as a reliable and valid alternative to the full form. The significance of the CPM short form is also discussed.
Relevance of body weight adaptation and modern obesity‐defining parameters in the analysis of isokinetic trunk strength in people with obesity – A retrospective analysis
Authors: Geissler Daniel , Lison Andreas , Schulze Christoph
Published: January 2025

Pathologic values of body mass index (BMI), body weight, and waist circumference correlate with higher absolute and lower relative trunk strength. Whether waist‐to‐height ratio (WHtR) is appropriate for showing trunk strength differences in people with obesity and whether a continuous linear relationship exists between the increase in obesity and trunk strength is unknown. This retrospective cross‐sectional study included 1174 subjects (1114 men and 60 women). Measured values included body weight, height, waist circumference, WHtR, BMI, and both absolute and body weight‐adapted trunk flexor/extensor strength. Statistical analyses included t‐tests, Welch tests, Pearson correlations, mixed‐linear, and nonlinear regression analyses. Positive correlations with absolute trunk strength were found in subjects without obesity for all anthropometric parameters except WHtR. Weaker positive and partly negative correlation and linear regression coefficients were found in subjects with obesity. Nonlinear relationships were found between age, BMI, WHtR, and absolute respective body weight‐adapted trunk strength. The relationship between obesity‐defining measures/ indices and trunk strength is non‐linear. Increasing BMI, waist circumference, or WHtR above cut‐off values known from cardiovascular research is linked to a decrease or weaker increase in trunk strength. Body weight adaptation is recommended to avoid misinterpretation of apparently good absolute trunk strength values in people with obesity.
Evaluation of the analytical and clinical accuracy of four blood glucose meters in pregnant women with hyperglycaemia
Authors: Immanuel Jincy , Kongbrailatpam Tobias , Rajagopal Rohit , Simmons David
Published: January 2025

Aims

Physiological changes during pregnancy can infuence the performance of blood glucose meters. This study aimed to evaluate the analytical and clinical accuracy of glucose meters in pregnant women with hyperglycaemia.

Materials and Methods

Glucose was measured by four commonly used meters among consecutive women with diabetes in pregnancy. Capillary and venous samples were collected concurrently and compared with i‐STAT (amperometry) and laboratory (hexokinase) glucose as reference methods. Bland–Altman plot, International Organization for Standardization criteria, surveillance error grid (SEG) and haematocrit influence were assessed.

Results

In total, 824 paired samples from 103 women were analysed (GDM 57%, mean i‐STAT capillary glucose 6.7 ± 2.3 mmol/L [121 ± 41 mg/dL], laboratory glucose 6.6 ± 2.4 mmol/L [119 ± 43 mg/dL], median haematocrit 0.36 L/L). Mean capillary glucose measured on all meters was significantly different from that measured on i‐STAT (all p < 0.001), whereas venous glucose measured on Contour Next, Accu‐Chek Guide and the laboratory (plasma) was similar. Contour Next had the lowest bias when using both reference methods (mean bias [95% limits of agreement] meter vs. i‐STAT: Contour Next 1.3% [−8% to 10.6%], Accu‐Chek Guide −3.2% [−11.4% to 5%], FreeStyle Optium Neo −11.9% [−24.7% to 0.8%] and LifeSmart 6.8% [−5.8% to 19.4%]; meter versus laboratory: −0.2% [−8.1% to 7.7%], −0.2% [−10.2% to 9.8%], −3.8% [−17.6% to 10%] and 6.1% [−5.9% to 18.2%]), respectively. Only Contour Next and Accu‐Chek Guide had ≥97% of pairs within the SEG no‐risk zone during both comparisons. Meters did not show haematocrit‐related bias.

Conclusions

Accuracy of meters was higher when using venous samples than when using capillary samples. Contour Next and Accu‐Chek Guide meters met accuracy standards in all analyses.
Drivers of amphibian species richness in European ponds
Authors: López‐de Sancha Alejandro , Benejam Lluís , Boix Dani , Briggs Lars , Cuenca-Cambronero Maria , Davidson Thomas A. , De Meester Luc , Fahy Julie C. , Lemmens Pieter , Martin Beatriz , Mehner Thomas , Oertli Beat , Rasmussen Marzenna , Greaves Helen M. , Sayer Carl , Beklioğlu Meryem , Brys Rein , Brucet Sandra
Published: January 2025

Amphibians are commonly occurring inhabitants of most lentic freshwater ecosystems, yet their global populations are in alarming decline. Ponds in particular play a crucial role in supporting amphibian biodiversity. In this study, we identified the main drivers influencing amphibian species richness by conducting a comprehensive ecological characterization in 201 ponds across seven European countries spanning a large latitudinal and longitudinal gradient. The amphibian species richness in each of these ponds was assessed using environmental DNA metabarcoding on water samples. The relative influence of climatic, local abiotic and biotic, and land use variables on variation in species richness across ponds was quantified using boosted regression trees. Our results suggest that local factors, particularly chlorophyll‐a concentration, but also pond area and depth, are the main drivers of amphibian richness, together with climatic variables such as annual mean precipitation and temperature. The highest richness was observed in low‐nutrient, fishless, intermediate‐sized, shallow ponds, located in warmer regions with higher precipitation rates. These potential drivers of amphibian richness should be considered in the planning and implementation of amphibian conservation and management actions.
Accentism: Experiences of Thais as English LX Users in Workplaces
Authors: Tarrayo Veronico N. , Srimalee Poowadol , Bamroongkit Sirikorn
Published: January 2025

Accent discrimination, or accentism, has been studied in various contexts, with a few focusing on hierarchical workplace environments. However, its impact in Thailand remains underexplored. Through nonprobability purposive–convenience sampling, this study investigates accentism in Thai workplaces through online semi‐structured interviews with six Thai employees. Using a thematic‐analysis approach, it examines their perceptions of their English accent, the extent and nature of accent discrimination they face, and its effects on them. The findings reveal that Thai employees experience both overt and covert accentism, affecting their self‐esteem and professional opportunities. Participants reported cases of mockery, diminished confidence, and social exclusion directly linked to their “nonnative” English accents, emphasizing a prevalent workplace bias that associates professional competence with (“native”) accent conformity. This bias is not solely linguistic but deeply intertwined with social identity and power dynamics within professional settings. Implications from the findings emphasize the need for Thai workplaces to adopt more inclusive practices that recognize and value linguistic diversity.
The cyclin‐dependent kinase inhibitor AT7519 is a human RORγt agonist
Authors: Karaś Kaja , Pastwińska Joanna , Sałkowska Anna , Karwaciak Iwona , Bachorz Rafał A , Ratajewski Marcin
Published: January 2025

AT7519, which inhibits multiple cyclin‐dependent kinases, has been extensively investigated in various types of cancer cells. Previous studies have demonstrated the ability of this molecule to suppress the expression of the nuclear receptor retinoic acid–related orphan receptor gamma (RORγ) and several genes involved in hepatocellular carcinoma progression. In this study, we identified a distinct agonistic effect of AT7519 on RORγt, an isoform expressed by various immune cells, including T helper 17 lymphocytes. These immune cells play pivotal roles in shaping the tumor microenvironment and promoting the anticancer response of the immune system. After exposure to AT7519 during differentiation, primary human CD4+ T cells presented increased expression of IL17A/F, IFNG and GZMB and decreased expression of PDCD1 and CTLA4. These findings elucidate a previously unrecognized facet of AT7519 activity and suggest the potential incorporation of this molecule into immune therapies to augment the effectiveness of diverse anticancer strategies involving anti–programmed cell death protein 1 (anti–PD‐1) and anti–cytotoxic T‐lymphocyte antigen 4 (anti–CTLA4) regimens.
The exceptionally rare phenomenon of well‐differentiated colon neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Al‐Toubah Taymeyah , Strosberg Jonathan
Published: January 2025

Colonic neuroendocrine tumors (NETs), excluding rectal NETs, are often described as relatively common and aggressive, with inferior median survival compared with other gastrointestinal (GI) primary sites. However, epidemiological databases may conflate well‐differentiated NETs with poorly differentiated neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs), leading to a lack of precise data on the prevalence, clinical behavior, and prognosis of well‐differentiated colonic NETs. We analyzed a large institutional database to identify patients with well‐differentiated NETs originating in the colon, excluding rectal NETs. Cecal NETs were included; however, ileocecal NETs (overlapping the ileocecal valve) were not. We assessed their prevalence compared with other primary sites, grade, stage, and prognosis. Among 3639 patients with gastroenteropancreatic (GEP) NETs, only 19 (0.5%) had well‐differentiated colonic NETs. This included 11 cecal and eight sigmoid colon primaries (two described as “rectosigmoid”). No tumors originated in the ascending, transverse, or descending colon. Sigmoid NETs were typically early‐stage polyps discovered incidentally during colonoscopy. In contrast, eight of the 11 cecal NETs metastasized (p = .04). Six of the cecal primary patients (55%) exhibited carcinoid syndrome versus none of the sigmoid primary cases (p = .01). Well‐differentiated colon NETs are exceptionally rare, comprising approximately 0.5% of GEP‐NETs. These tumors fall into two distinct categories: cecal NETs, which resemble ileal NETs in behavior, and sigmoid NETs, which appear similar to rectal NETs. The broad categorization of colonic “NETs” in epidemiologic databases likely includes NECs, obscuring the true clinical picture.
The qualitative analysis of trabecular architecture of the proximal femur based on the P45 sectional plastination technique
Authors: Zhang Jian‐Fei , Lü Shu‐Jun , Wang Jia‐Wei , Tang Wei , Li Chan , Campbell Gilmore , Sui Hong‐Jin , Yu Sheng‐Bo , Zhao De‐Wei
Published: January 2025

The primary weight‐bearing structure of the proximal femur, trabecular bone, has a complex three‐dimensional architecture that was previously difficult to comprehensively display. This study examined the spatial architecture of trabecular struts in the coronal, sagittal, and horizontal sections of the proximal femur using 21 cases prepared with P45 sectional plasticization. The primary compressive strut (PCS) exhibited a “mushroom‐like” shape with upper and lower parts. The lower part extended from the medial inferior cortical bone of the femoral neck to the central region of the femoral head, while the upper part radiated from the epiphyseal line to the subchondral cortical bone of the femoral head. The secondary compressive strut (SCS), originated below the distal end of the PCS, ran diagonally upward, and intersected with the secondary tensile strut (STS) within the greater trochanter. The primary tensile strut (PTS) comprised anterior (aPTS) and posterior (pPTS) components originating from the anterior‐ and posterior‐superior cortical bone of the femoral neck. These converged, entered the femoral head, intersected with the PCS beneath the epiphyseal line, forming a dense trabecular center, and terminated at the subchondral cortical bone below the fovea of the femoral head. The secondary tensile strut (STS) originated from the cortical bone around the lower edge of the greater trochanter, converging upwards and medially to terminate at the superior cortical bone of the femoral neck. The trabecular system of the proximal femur consists of two subsystems: one between the femoral head and neck, and another between the femoral neck and shaft. The head–neck system comprises intersecting PCS, aPTS, and pPTS, facilitating stress transmission. The neck‐shaft system features intersecting STS and SCS, enabling stress transmission between these regions. These independent systems are separated by Ward's triangle. The findings of this study offer anatomical guidance for the improvement of internal fixation methods, orthopedic implants, and the design of surgical robots.
Effect of human myoblasts on tenogenic progression in 2D and 3D culture models
Authors: Tsuchiya Yoshifumi , Yeung Ching‐Yan Chloé , Svensson Rene B. , Kjaer Michael
Published: January 2025

Tendon injuries and disorders associated with mechanical tendon overuse are common musculoskeletal problems. Even though tendons play a central role in human movement, the intrinsic healing process of tendon is very slow. So far, it is known that tendon cell activity is supported by several interstitial cells within the tendon. However, the interplay between the tendon and the adjacent muscle for tendon regeneration and development processes has not been fully investigated. Here, we tested whether factors released from muscle derived myogenic cells (myoblasts) enhance tenogenic progressions of human tendon derived cells (tendon fibroblasts) using two‐dimensional (2D) culture model and a three‐dimensional (3D)‐engineered tendon construct culture model, which mimics tendon regeneration and development. The conditioned media from myoblasts and unconditioned media as control were applied to tendon fibroblasts. In 2D, immunofluorescence analysis revealed increased collagen type I expressing area and increased migration potential when conditioned media from myoblasts were applied. In the 3D‐engineered human tendon construct model, wet weight, diameter, and cross‐sectional area of the tendon constructs were increased in response to the application of conditioned media from myoblasts, whereas the collagen density was lower and mechanical function was reduced both at the functional level (maximum stiffness) and the material level (maximum stress and modulus). These results indicate that myoblast‐derived factors extend collagen expressing area and enhance migration of tendon fibroblasts, while factors involved in the robustness of extra‐cellular matrix deposition of tissue‐engineered tendon constructs are lacking. Our findings suggest that adjacent muscle affects the signaling interplay in tendons.