bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Decolonizing management education: a bibliometric analysis of Ubuntu
Authors: Kadam Raavee , Frempong George
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The increasing calls to integrate Indigenous perspectives and address the colonial foundations of business schools necessitate a profound shift in educational systems. Such a change mandates a transformation that acknowledges diverse knowledge systems and methodologies, moving beyond the dominant Western paradigms.

Design/methodology/approach

Our paper introduces the Africentric philosophy of Ubuntu and explores its potential to decolonize management education and support the development of inclusive classrooms. Ubuntu, encapsulated by the notion “I am because you are”, asserts the intrinsic interconnectedness of humanity. Our exploration of Ubuntu includes a bibliometric analysis to map the intellectual structure of Ubuntu within management and educational contexts.

Findings

We posit that Ubuntu has the potential to offer newer perspectives on personnel and organizational management that are human-centric and emphasize the common good. The results of the bibliometric analysis reveal key publications, influential scholars, institutions and leading journals actively engaged in Ubuntu-centric research along with key research trends.

Originality/value

This research offers a holistic view of Ubuntu research in the fields of management and education using a bibliometric method.
Development of lean and sustainability practices assessment method among shop floor workers in manufacturing operation: a case study
Authors: Muniapan Kasturi , Ahmad Rosmaini , Jusoh Muhammad Shahar , Mustafa Shaliza Azreen , Sin Tan Chan
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This paper proposes an assessment method for lean and sustainability (LS) practices for shop-floor workers, designed to evaluate their current practice culture.

Design/methodology/approach

The method is developed in five phases: setting predefined indicators, constructing the assessment mechanism, implementing the assessment procedure, analyzing data and delivering results with recommendations. Validation is performed using two worker groups – line supervisors and operators – within the light-emitting diode (LED) manufacturing industry.

Findings

The results showed that workers’ familiarity and understanding of LS practices do not always correspond to their awareness levels. Key recommendations include prioritizing training for critical cases and adapting training approaches to fit the specific knowledge profiles identified.

Research limitations/implications

Firstly, the company should integrate the proposed assessment into an online platform that can automatically generate individual statistical results and priority levels. This reduces the burden of manual work and makes large-scale assessments more practical. Secondly, the study should expand to other shop-floor workers, such as technicians and engineers, to assess their knowledge profiles for future LS development initiatives.

Practical implications

The recommendations provide managers and training departments with guidelines to revise current training approaches. The methodology is validated, enabling the identification and mapping of each worker’s knowledge profile.

Originality/value

This study presents an original assessment method for evaluating the knowledge profiles of shop-floor workers regarding LS practices. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no prior literature has reported on an assessment method targeting this specific group. The proposed approach supports the decision-making process for better LS practices in the company.
The effect of study abroad on retention and graduation of college of business students
Authors: Gallo Andres , Upson John W. , Learch Kate Mattingly
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to understand the effects of study abroad experiences, specifically on undergraduate business students, who are an underrepresented body in study abroad research. This focus is purposeful and driven by accreditation pressures to improve retention and graduation rates while stressing the benefits of internationalization and experiential learning.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses a cohort analysis for two-, three- and four-year retention and graduation rates from a college of business from 2003 to 2019. This study follows similar cohorts of students at the university, college and major levels and compares their performance over time.

Findings

The results show a positive impact of studying abroad on both retention and graduation rates. Accordingly, this study recommends that deans and administrators in colleges of business use study abroad as a tool for retention and graduation, in addition to the traditional benefits of studying abroad.

Originality/value

This study is unique in that business students are this study’s main focus. This study assesses study abroad benefits not only to their graduation rates but also to retention. Also, this study tracks these two performance metrics over a long period and makes comparisons between several groups of business students and different levels of the university. This study also makes comparisons to students not participating in study abroad.
Blockchain use in high-tech supply chain: a new perspective of the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology
Authors: Khelil Amira , Snene Manzli Yasmine , Louzir Ben Hassine Anissa
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of blockchain use on the performance of supply chain in the high-tech industry and to elucidate the main factors that drive managers to adopt blockchain in high-tech firms.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopts the unified theory of acceptance and usage model and extends it with external constructs such as “Trust,” “Technology Readiness,” “Compatibility” and “Awareness.” The paper uses a quantitative and exploratory approach, collecting and analyzing data from 250 high-tech firms worldwide, using the partial least squares structural equation modeling approach.

Findings

The findings emphasize the strategic importance of blockchain for supply chain performance in these firms. Furthermore, the results indicate that facilitating conditions, ease of use, technology readiness, compatibility and subjective norms are key enablers for blockchain adoption in high-tech firms.

Originality/value

This research advances the literature on technology adoption in the supply chain field, with special focus on blockchain. The field is strengthened by investigating the determinants and barriers to adopting technology within high-tech firms, emphasizing the necessity of developing blockchain literacy for successful international transactions.
Cold chain logistics performance: a framework
Authors: Chermala Ashok , Acharya Padmanav , Singh Rohit Kumar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Building a robust cold chain logistics system boosts the company’s profits in various ways. Any cold chain logistics company needs well-organised and efficient management of cold chain logistics to produce high-quality products, ensure that the product reaches the customer without any changes to the quality, and do so promptly. This paper aims to identify factors influencing cold chain logistics performance design. These factors are further helpful in analysing the behaviour intentions of stakeholders on increasing the cold chain logistic performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a thorough literature review to identify the variables that affect the performance of the cold chain logistics design. The factors were identified using exploratory factor analysis and empirically analysed using confirmatory factor analysis. The study also used structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine cold chain logistics performance determinants. Data was collected from 380 respondents working in the cold chain.

Findings

This study selected the factors influencing CCL performance, including five main factors and 22 sub-factors. Distribution, warehouse inventory storage, quality, demand, and technology affect the CCL’s performance. The results confirmed the theoretical model and proved that the factors significantly positively impact CCL performance.

Research limitations/implications

Future studies should focus on actual case studies to confirm the usefulness of the parameters found, examine how they affect performance growth, provide important insights into how to improve overall business performance and assist in identifying crucial research hotspots.

Practical implications

The study provides insight into issues regarding performance development in cold chain logistics for various stakeholders associated with the cold chain logistics industry, including practical managers, academics, and consultants. It also argues in favour of giving problems with CCL performance a higher priority. Policymakers interested in the service sector, like the Indian Department of Commerce and MSMEs, make up a modest additional audience for this work.

Social implications

Indian meat industry can be organised by implementing this methodology. This work benefits the government to get more transparent transaction and data digitalisation, which comes into account of GST.

Originality/value

There is a lack of significant quantitative literature suggesting modification strategies for factors affecting processed meat and chicken products in storage and transportation levels in India. Thus, this work tried to fill this gap and add the food chain logistics literature that helps practitioners and scholars enhance the food supply chain in developing countries.The framework developed for this study is where its originality lies. A detailed examination of cold chain logistics is included in the paper.
A novel strategy for simultaneous super‐resolution reconstruction and denoising of post‐stack seismic profile
Authors: Yu Wenshuo , Dong Shiqi , Lu Shaoping , Dong Xintong
Published: November 2024

Post‐stack seismic profiles are images reflecting geological structures which provide a critical foundation for understanding the distribution of oil and gas resources. However, due to the limitations of seismic acquisition equipment and data collecting geometry, the post‐stack profiles suffer from low resolution and strong noise issues, which severely affects subsequent seismic interpretation. To better enhance the spatial resolution and signal‐to‐noise ratio of post‐seismic profiles, a multi‐scale attention encoder–decoder network based on generative adversarial network is proposed. This method improves the resolution of post‐stack profiles and effectively suppresses noises and recovers weak signals as well. A multi‐scale residual module is proposed to extract geological features under different receptive fields. At the same time, an attention module is designed to further guide the network to focus on important feature information. Additionally, to better recover the global and local information of post‐stack profiles, an adversarial network based on a Markov discriminator is proposed. Finally, by introducing an edge information preservation loss function, the conventional loss function of the Generative Adversarial Network is improved, which enables better recovery of the edge information of the original post‐stack profiles. Experimental results on simulated and field post‐stack profiles demonstrate that the proposed multi‐scale attention encoder–decoder network based on generative adversarial network method outperforms two advanced convolutional neural network‐based methods in noise suppression and weak signal recovery. Furthermore, the profiles reconstructed by the multi‐scale attention encoder–decoder network based on generative adversarial network method preserve more geological structures.
Phenotypic and Genomic Insights Into Bacillus spp. and Peribacillus spp. of Spanish Olive Groves With Biotechnological Potential
Authors: Manetsberger Julia , Gómez Natacha Caballero , Benomar Nabil , Christie Graham , Abriouel Hikmate
Published: November 2024

Spore‐forming organisms are an integral component of the rhizosphere, providing plants with significant advantages. Previous studies determined the antimicrobial activity of the olive sporobiota, identifying five candidates of particular relevance, belonging to the Bacillus subtilis, Peribacillus simplex and Bacillus cereus clade. This study aimed to determine their biotechnological properties, safety aspects, spore structure and resistance, and interaction with the environment through a combined microbiological and genomic approach. We report on the ability of these strains to produce hydrolytic and surface‐active enzymes and provide evidence for differences in population behaviour through the formation of strong sessile or floating biofilms. Electron microscopic analysis revealed for the first time the presence of an exosporium layer in olive sporobiota isolates belonging to the P. simplex and B. cereus clade, including numerous pili‐like structures on the latter. Spores showed significant differences in their resistance to wet heat, oxidising agents, and UV exposure. Whole genome sequencing of isolate Peribacillus frigoritolerans yielded information on its antimicrobial compound biosynthesis and environmental safety. Overall, our findings provide insights into the phenotypic, morphological and genetic variations of spore‐formers from Spanish olive groves, which can be useful for the development of bioactive compounds in sustainable agriculture.
Deciphering the enigma of human−lion coexistence in India
Authors: Gogoi Keshab , Banerjee Kausik , Chakrabarti Stotra , Singh Anirudh Pratap , Jhala Yadvendradev V.
Published: November 2024

Asiatic lions (Panthera leo leo) have increased in range and abundance in densely populated India, a rare example of coexistence between humans and large carnivores. We sought to determine the underlying mechanisms of this coexistence and to infer lessons that could help conserve carnivores in multiuse landscapes, globally. Using data collected from 2012 to 2017 from conflict‐compensation records, we studied the spatiotemporal trends in human−lion conflict across the lion's range in India. We also surveyed 1434 people from 277 villages across the gradient of conflict to better understand their tolerance of lions. The cumulative number of villages that registered attacks on livestock increased by 105 (9.61%) per year, suggestive of an expanding lion population. Livestock killed per village increased by 15% per year, indicative of increasing lion density. Attacks on humans averaged 20.8 (SE 2.3) per year and showed no trend. Attacks on humans were spatially correlated with livestock predation, and both were best explained by proximity to lion tourism areas, lion habitat, and areas with low lion density. Intolerance of lions was related to economic losses (49.8%) and fear of lions (43.9%). Communities that lived longer with lions had higher probability of tolerating lions and practiced livestock‐rearing techniques that minimized predation. Human−lion coexistence is common in India as indicated by 61% of respondents being tolerant of lions. This coexistence is related to a mix of sociocultural tolerance, enforced legal protection, government compensation, and mutual adaptation of humans and lions to each other. Lions receive food subsidies from people and space, and local communities have enhanced livelihoods through tourism and bolstered sociocultural norms. Institutionalizing lion‐based ecotourism on community lands could support coexistence in the long term. Only through such participatory and profitable land‐sharing approaches can we best sync the well‐being of local communities with sustainable carnivore conservation.
Prognostic factors associated with worse outcomes following chemoradiation therapy in patients with anal carcinoma
Authors: Khurrum Muhammad , Cruz Alejandro , Schaub David , Gunderson Joseph , Moreno Andrea , Tecle Daniom , Gong Amanda , Assar Manijeh , Hargis McKenzie , Dooley Danielle Alexandra , Cruz Jose , Nfonsam Valentine
Published: November 2024

Aim

Chemoradiation therapy (CRT) is considered as the first line of treatment for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the anal canal. Following initial CRT, patients who present with either persistent or locally recurrent disease are treated by surgical intervention. The aim of our study is to determine the prognostic factors associated with failure of CRT and overall mortality in patients with anal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Methods

We performed a 14‐year analysis (2004–2017) of the National Cancer Database and included patients diagnosed with non‐metastatic SCC of the anal canal who underwent CRT. Baseline patient characteristics including demographics, comorbidities and tumour characteristics were analysed. Outcome measures were needed for operative intervention after 4 months of initiation of CRT (failure of CRT) and 5‐year overall mortality. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified prognostic factors independently associated with failure of CRT.

Results

We included a total of 37 615 patients with anal SCC who received CRT. Predictors of operative intervention included male sex, higher Deyo–Charlson Comorbidity Index (DCCI) and higher primary tumour stage. The 5‐year overall survival rate was 77.6%, and 2.4% of patients failed CRT, defined as requiring and undergoing surgical intervention within 4 months post‐initiation of CRT. Median follow‐up time was 47 (95% CI 24–84) months. Independent predictors of overall mortality within the first 5 years of diagnosis were increased age, male sex, Black race, non‐insured status, higher DCCI, higher primary tumour grade, and higher primary tumour and lymph node stage. The 5‐year survival rate was significantly lower in patients who underwent operative intervention compared to those who received CRT alone (57.4% vs. 78.1%; P < 0.01).

Conclusion

Our study showed that male sex, younger age, DCCI of 1 and 3, and increased tumour size were predictive of CRT failure among patients with anal SCC. Increased age, male sex, Black race, non‐insured status, increased DCCI, and more aggressive tumour characteristics were associated with increased 5‐year overall mortality. More importantly, patients who failed CRT had worse 5‐year overall survival. Our findings support increased emphasis on intensive surveillance for these high‐risk patient cohorts.
Repurposing metformin: A potential off‐label indication for ischaemic stroke?
Authors: Oo Thura Tun
Published: November 2024

The term ‘clinical cemetery’ is frequently used to characterize ischaemic stroke, one of the leading causes of mortality and long‐term morbidity globally. Over the past two decades, a number of novel therapies have been investigated for ischaemic stroke. However, aside from mechanical thrombectomy, the only FDA‐approved prescription for treating ischaemic stroke is tissue plasminogen activator, which has a limited therapeutic period. Although post‐stroke rehabilitation therapies are helpful in improving functional recovery, their benefits cannot be yielded promptly. Nowadays, drug repurposing might be an appealing approach to expanding therapeutic options for ischaemic stroke. During the last decade, metformin has been extensively researched as a potential repurposing medicine for ischaemic stroke, with a focus on both preventive and therapeutic approaches. With regard to the idea of repurposing metformin in ischaemic stroke, this review aims to compile the available data from pre‐clinical and clinical trials, address and clarify any discrepancies, and offer solutions.
Using Process Data to Evaluate the Impact of Shortening Allotted Case Time in a Simulation‐Based Assessment
Authors: Liu Chunyan , Cuddy Monica M. , He Qiwei , Ouyang Wenli , Artman Cara
Published: November 2024

The Computer‐based Case Simulations (CCS) component of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 3 was developed to assess the decision‐making and patient‐management skills of physicians. Process data can provide deep insights into examinees’ behavioral processes related to completing the CCS assessment task. In this paper, we utilized process data to evaluate the impact of shortening allotted time limit by rescoring the CCS cases based on process data extracted at various timestamps that represented different percentages of the original allotted case time. It was found that examinees’ performance as well as the correlation between original and newly generated scores both tended to decrease as the timestamp condition became stricter. The impact of shortening allotted time limit was found marginally associated with case difficulties, but strongly dependent on the case time intensity under the original time setting.
Atrial fibrillation in young stroke patients: Associated factors and outcomes in a nationwide analysis
Authors: Garrido‐Hernández Tania , Amaya‐Pascasio Laura , Quesada‐López Miguel , Arjona‐Padillo Antonio , García‐Torrecillas Juan Manuel , Martínez‐Sánchez Patricia
Published: November 2024

Background and purpose

Knowledge about the prevalence of atrial fibrillation (AF) in young stroke patients, as well as its associated factors and outcomes, is scarce. Our objective was to analyse it.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of the Spain Nationwide Minimum Basic Data Set (MBDS) (2016–2020), including ischaemic stroke (IS) patients aged 18 and 50 years, was conducted. Multivariate analyses were conducted to identify factors related to AF diagnosis.

Results

Amongst 11,615 young IS patients, 426 (3.7%) had AF. Patients with AF were older (median age 45, interquartile range 42–48 vs. 44, interquartile range 40–47 years, p < 0.001) and displayed more incapacitating symptoms, higher in‐hospital complications and were less often discharged home (p < 0.001). Multivariate analyses showed that older age (odds ratio [OR] 1.053, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.032–1.074), obstructive sleep apnoea (OR 1.508, 95% CI 1.018–2.233), hyperthyroidism (OR 3.741, 95% CI 1.798–7.783), valvular heart disease (OR 6.094, 95% CI 4.261–8.716), congenital (OR 2.386, 95% CI 1.146–4.969) and non‐congenital (OR 4.446, 95% CI 3.149–6.278) cardiopathies and heart failure (OR 3.098, 95% CI 1.905–5.037) were independently associated with higher probability of AF, whereas female gender (OR 0.647, 95% CI 0.516–0.812), diabetes mellitus (0.487, 95% CI 0.339–0.699), smoking (OR 0.617, 95% CI 0.501–0.759), patent foramen ovale (OR 0.210, 95% CI 0.111–0.396) and arterial dissection (OR 0.294, 95% CI 0.130–0.668) were associated with a lower probability.

Conclusions

In young IS patients, AF is associated with more in‐hospital complications and disabling strokes. These findings emphasize the need to recognize AF in this demographic group, especially in patients with risk factors like hyperthyroidism and cardiomyopathies. Clinicians should assess these risk factors to ensure timely diagnosis and management of AF.
Real‐life experience with disease‐modifying drugs in hereditary transthyretin amyloid polyneuropathy: A clinical and electrophysiological appraisal
Authors: Rebouh Hadia , Verschueren Annie , Fortanier Etienne , Grapperon Aude‐Marie , Kouton Ludivine , Salort‐Campana Emmanuelle , Attarian Shahram , Delmont Emilien
Published: November 2024

Introduction

New treatments have dramatically improved the prognosis for Hereditary Transthyretin Amyloid Polyneuropathy (ATTRv‐PN). However, there is a lack of routine follow‐up studies outside of therapeutic trials. Our aim was to report the long‐term clinical and electrophysiological evolution of a cohort of ATTRv‐PN patients and to determine which biomarkers are most sensitive to change.

Methods

We retrospectively collected neuropathy impairment scale (NIS), polyneuropathy disability scale (PND), overall neuropathy limitation scale (ONLS), rash built overall disability scale (RODS), electrodiagnostic data, motor unit number index (MUNIX), troponin and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide levels. Electrophysiological worsening was defined as a 20% decrease in previous values.

Results

Thirty‐five patients, with a median age of 58 (interquartile ranges 42–71) years, were followed for a median of 36 (24–48) months. All patients received a transthyretin stabiliser, gene silencer or liver transplant.

Overall assessment of the cohort showed clinical, biological and electrophysiological stability. However, on an individual basis, NIS worsened in 45% of patients (14/31), ONLS in 46% (13/28), PND in 28% (9/32) and RODS in 39% (11/28) at the last follow‐up. Motor amplitude sum score decreased in 33% (11/33), amplitude recorded on tibialis anterior muscle in 44% (12/27), sensory amplitude sum score in 39% (11/28) and MUNIX sum score in 27% (7/26).

Conclusions

Overall effectiveness of ATTRv‐PN treatments in routine care is good. However, individual assessments show up to 40% deterioration over time. Electrophysiological measures are valuable monitoring tools but are not more sensitive to change than clinical scores. Results must be confirmed in larger cohorts.
Association of early general anesthesia with outcome in adults with status epilepticus: A propensity‐matched observational study
Authors: Beuchat Isabelle , Novy Jan , Alvarez Vincent , Rosenow Felix , Kellinghaus Christoph , Rüegg Stephan , Tilz Christian , Trinka Eugen , Unterberger Iris , Uzelac Zeljko , Strzelczyk Adam , Rossetti Andrea O.
Published: November 2024

General anesthesia (GA) earlier than recommended (as first‐ or second‐line treatment) was recently described to improve status epilepticus (SE) outcome. We aimed to assess the impact of early GA on outcome in matched groups. Data from a multicenter, prospective cohort of 1179 SE episodes in 1049 adults were retrospectively analyzed. Incident SE episodes were categorized as “early anesthesia” (eGA; GA as first‐ or second‐line treatment) or “non‐early anesthesia” (neGA; GA after second‐line treatment or not at all). Using propensity score matching, eGA episodes were paired 1:4 with neGA episodes. We assessed survival, functional outcomes at discharge (good: modified Rankin Scale = 0–2 or no worsening), SE cessation rate, SE duration, and hospital stay. Among 1049 SE episodes, 55 (5.2%) received eGA, and 994 constituted the neGA group; 220 represented the matched controls. Patients receiving eGA were younger (median = 63, interquartile range [IQR] = 56–76 vs. median = 70, IQR = 54–80 years, p = .004), had deeper consciousness impairment (80% vs. 40% stuporous/comatose, p < .001), and had more severe SE forms (89% vs. 54% generalized convulsive SE/nonconvulsive SE in coma, p < .001). Mortality, functional outcome, SE cessation rate, and duration of SE and hospital stay were similar between the eGA group and matched controls. We conclude that early anesthesia for SE treatment did not influence prognosis.
Comparison of universal screening for gestational diabetes mellitus between one‐step and two‐step method among Thai pregnant women: A randomized control trial
Authors: Phoblap Natthaphon , Jatavan Phudit , Tongsong Theera
Published: November 2024

Aims

To compare the prevalence of GDM and pregnancy outcomes between the one‐step and two‐step methods of universal screening among Thai pregnant women.

Methods

A randomized controlled trial was conducted on singleton Thai pregnant women at a gestational age of 24–28 weeks. They were randomly assigned to either the one‐step method group (a universal 75‐gm 2‐h oral glucose tolerance test: OGTT) or the two‐step method group (a universal 50‐gm oral glucose challenge test followed by a 100‐gm 3‐h OGTT). The women received standard antenatal care. The prevalence of GDM and obstetric outcomes were compared.

Results

A total of 143 women meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into the one‐step group (72 cases) and the two‐step group (71 cases). The prevalence of GDM was significantly higher in the one‐step group than in the two‐step group, with rates of 24/73 (33.3%) vs 8/70 (11.3%); P value 0.002; relative risk of 2.96, 95% CI: 1.43–6.14, respectively. Demographic data and maternal and neonatal outcomes were comparable between the two groups.

Conclusions

The one‐step method can markedly increase the prevalence of GDM to nearly three times that of the two‐step method, leading to a substantial increase in care costs and burdens without clear benefits. Convincingly, the one‐step method as a new approach may not be suitable for universal screening in a busy antenatal care setting, especially in low‐resource health centers in developing countries or among populations with a high prevalence of GDM.
Neuroendocrine tumors in the stomach: An epidemiological analysis of Belgian Cancer Registry data 2010–2019
Authors: Maly Marlies , Callebout Eduard , Ribeiro Suzane , Hoorens Anne , Carton Saskia , Cuyle Pieter‐Jan , Vandamme Timon , Borbath Ivan , Demetter Pieter , Van Damme Nancy , Van Eycken Liesbet , Verslype Chris , Geboes Karen
Published: November 2024

The prevalence of gastric NEN is estimated worldwide at 8.9% of all gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasm (GEP‐NEN) and only 0.3%–1% of all gastric neoplasms, but is rising in the last decades. The aim of this project was to map the epidemiology of gastric neuroendocrine neoplasm (gNEN) in Belgium. This is a population‐wide retrospective cohort study over 10 years (2010–2019), based on data from the Belgian Cancer Registry. A total of 641 patients were included; 605 patients with gNEN and 36 with MiNEN. The AAIR of gNEN was 0.67 per 100,000 person‐years, increasing over the years and with a slight female predominance (55.4%). Neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) accounted for 15.7% (N = 95), with an AAIR of 0.11 per 100,000 person‐years. The other 510 patients were diagnosed with gNET: G1 NET was most prevalent (54.3%) followed by G2 (32.5%) and G3 NET (3.5%). Concerning the clinical classification (type) of gNET, a diagnosis of type 1 tumors was presumed in 67.6%, type 3 tumors in 17.1% and type 2 tumors in 0.6% of patients. In only 3.8% of patients, the clinical classification was explicitly stated in the pathology report. Stage IV tumors were diagnosed in 13.4% (N = 81). A favorable evolution in pathology reporting is seen. Some variables—for example, clinical classification of gNET—were heavily underreported, stressing the importance of registries integrating clinical and pathological information.
In the Footsteps of Krste P. Misirkov: Tracing the Roots of Macedonian Sociological Discourse
Authors: Cvetanova Ganka
Published: November 2024

Misirkov is one of the most eminent figures in Macedonian national history. He made significant contributions as a Slavist, historian, folklorist, and ethnographer. In his seminal work, “On Macedonian Matters” (1903), Misirkov presented his theoretical and scientific views on the Macedonian question. He made a groundbreaking attempt to standardize the Macedonian language, offering both a linguistic and sociological exploration of its role in establishing political legitimacy for the Macedonian ethnocultural entity. His comprehensive treatment of other critical aspects, including the cultural identity, sense of common belonging, and the need for a separate political unit, aligns with the foundational principles of modern nations. Introducing novel ideas and frameworks, Misirkov significantly contributed to understanding Macedonian ethnocultural distinctiveness, crucial for the nation‐building process. This paper emphasizes Misirkov's overlooked role as the founder of Macedonian sociological discourse, drawing parallels with modernist theories about nation and nationalism and analyzing his method through the concept of sociological imagination. Despite the enduring impact of his work, this pioneering aspect remains unexplored in academic research, addressing a significant gap in understanding Misirkov's contributions to Macedonian sociological thought.
Targeting PNPLA3 to Treat MASH and MASH Related Fibrosis and Cirrhosis
Authors: Lindén Daniel , Tesz Gregory , Loomba Rohit
Published: November 2024

Metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is caused by metabolic triggers and genetic predisposition. Among the genetic MASLD risk variants identified today, the common PNPLA3 148M variant exerts the largest effect size of MASLD heritability. The PNPLA3 148M protein is causatively linked to the development of liver steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis in experimental studies and is therefore an appealing target for therapeutic approaches to treat this disease. Several PNPLA3 targeted approaches are currently being evaluated in clinical trials for the treatment of metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatohepatitis (MASH), the most severe form of MASLD and promising proof of principle data with reduced liver fat content in homozygous PNPLA3 148M risk allele carriers has been reported from phase 1 trials following hepatic silencing of PNPLA3. Thus, targeting PNPLA3, the strongest genetic determinant of MASH may hold promise as the first precision medicine for the treatment of this disease. A histological endpoint‐based phase 2b study has been initiated and several more are expected to be initiated to evaluate treatment effects on histological MASH and liver fibrosis in participants being homozygous for the PNPLA3 148M risk allele variant. The scope of this mini‐review is to briefly describe the PNPLA3 148M genetics, function and preclinical experimental evidence with therapeutic approaches targeting PNPLA3 as well as to summarise the PNPLA3 based therapies currently in clinical development.
Fossil insect‐feeding traces indicate unrecognized evolutionary history and biodiversity on Australia's iconic Eucalyptus
Authors: Giraldo L. Alejandro , Wilf Peter , Donovan Michael P. , Kooyman Robert M. , Gandolfo Maria A.
Published: November 2024

Fossilized plant–insect herbivore associations provide fundamental information about the assembly of terrestrial communities through geologic time. However, fossil evidence of associations originating in deep time and persisting to the modern day is scarce.

We studied the insect herbivore damage found on 284 Eucalyptus frenguelliana leaves from the early Eocene Laguna del Hunco rainforest locality in Argentinean Patagonia and compared damage patterns with those observed on extant, rainforest‐associated Eucalyptus species from Australasia (> 10 000 herbarium sheets reviewed).

In the fossil material, we identified 28 insect herbivory damage types, including 12 types of external feeding, one of piercing‐and‐sucking, five of galls, and 10 of mines. All 28 damage types were observed in the herbarium specimens.

The finding of all the fossil damage types on extant Eucalyptus specimens suggests long‐standing associations between multiple insect herbivore lineages and their host genus spanning 52 million years across the Southern Hemisphere. This long‐term persistence, probably enabled through niche conservatism in wet eucalypt forests, demonstrates the imprint of fossil history on the composition of extant insect herbivore assemblages. Although the identities of most insect culprits remain unknown, we provide a list of Eucalyptus species and specific population locations to facilitate their discovery, highlighting the relevance of fossils in discovering extant biodiversity.
Update on Current Knowledge of Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea: From Animal to Human Studies
Authors: Ono Takashi , Flores‐Mir Carlos
Published: November 2024

Orthodontists' interest in paediatric obstructive sleep apnoea (PedOSA) has grown in popularity recently. We have seen growth modification treatment modalities, including maxillary expansion, promising the prevention or cure of PedOSA. Clinical approaches such as palatal expansion and mandibular and maxillary complex advancement have been proposed to manage PedOSA. These hypotheses should be adequately tested before clinical recommendations are formulated. This review aimed to narratively synthesise our current understanding of PedOSA management with craniofacial growth modification alternatives. Basic research on the biological basis of PedOSA has been conducted in animal models. Laboratory‐based PedOSA studies wish to provide insight into the molecular biological mechanisms by which human PedOSA affects growth‐associated structural and emotional growth and development. In the proposed IH animal model, mandibular growth (especially posterior anteroposterior and transverse dimensions) and condylar head bone density were more sensitive to IH exposure in adolescents but less in juvenile rats. Nevertheless, clear‐cut statistical growth differences were limited. This suggests that IH, in this rat model, influenced mandibular morphology and metabolism later than earlier craniofacial growth stages. No impact was found for the maxillofacial complex in any plane of space. The existing human studies on the causes, risk factors, consequences, symptomatology, diagnosis and effects of PedOSA are discussed. However, there is a pressing need for further research to clarify whether craniofacial disturbances are consequences or facilitators of PedOSA. Several hypotheses about the potential impact of impaired craniofacial growth as a facilitator for PedOSA currently circulate.
Biogenic silver nanoparticles derived from the marine brown algae Iyengaria stellata for plant growth promotion under saline conditions
Authors: Patel Disha , Patel Bhakti , Patani Anil , Yadav Virendra Kumar , Alharbi Sulaiman Ali , Alarfaj Abdullah A. , Choudhary Nisha , Patel Ashish
Published: November 2024

In the green approach for nanoparticle synthesis, biomolecules like phenols, alkaloids, proteins, enzymes, and lipids are the prime reducing and stabilizing agents. In this study, we reported the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using the aqueous extract of the marine algae Iyengaria stellata (Børgesen) for the first time. The characterization study showed that the developed AgNPs were spherical in shape and their average particle size was 60 nm. The UV–visible spectrum of AgNPs showed strong surface plasmon resonance (SPR) near 425 nm, whereas the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum revealed the presence of several functional groups like amines, nitriles, hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups on the nanoparticle surface, which confirms the involvement of algal metabolites in the reduction and stabilization of AgNPs. The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) analysis provided information about the crystallinity of developed nanoparticles, and the crystallite size of AgNPs was calculated to be 33 nm using the Scherrer equation. The algal synthesized AgNPs examined for their impact on growth of tomato seeds under salt stressed conditions showed significant enhancement in growth parameters like leaf area, shoot height, root length, shoot weight, and root weight. Also, a reduction in biochemical stress responses such as chlorophyll content, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) content, glycine betaine content, and proline content was seen. This study suggests that algal synthesized AgNPs can reduce the effect of salt stress in tomato plants and promote their overall growth.
Assessing Input Legitimacy of Occupational Pensions in Europe
Authors: Mayer Thomas , Wiß Tobias
Published: November 2024

As private asset‐based welfare like funded occupational pension schemes gain importance, legitimacy concerns arise due to financial market downturns and low investment returns. This paper assesses their input legitimacy by distinguishing between individual‐direct and collective‐representative input possibilities in decision‐making processes. We argue that individual‐direct input possibilities decrease while collective‐representative input possibilities increase with occupational pensions' compulsion. To test these hypotheses, we compare voluntary occupational pension schemes in Austria, Spain, and Ireland with (quasi‐)mandatory schemes in the Netherlands and Denmark, using Germany as a test case due to recent reforms enhancing their importance. Our institutional analysis and novel survey reveal that compulsory occupational pensions are associated with lower individual‐direct and higher collective‐representative input possibilities. These findings underscore the critical role of participatory procedures in establishing legitimacy in private governance, suggesting they may strengthen public trust and satisfaction with non‐state governance.
The effect of screening for publication bias on the outcomes of meta‐analyses
Authors: Michael Haben
Published: November 2024

Conducting a meta‐analysis on a body of studies subject to publication bias is a type of post‐selection inference that may invalidate findings. Therefore, analysts often run a hypothesis test to check for publication bias prior to conducting a meta‐analysis. However, conducting meta‐analyses conditional on the outcome of such preliminary tests is itself a form of post‐selection inference. We investigate the effect on the outcome of a meta‐analysis of a null finding at the preliminary stage. We find that in many situations there is no or little bias in the findings at the main stage.
Temporal patterns of Veteran suicide: Variation by season, day of the week, and holidays
Authors: Gold Sarah A. , Goodrich Molly , Morley Sybil W. , Stephens Brady , McCarthy John F.
Published: November 2024

Purpose

To assess temporal patterns of Veteran suicide deaths from 2001 to 2021.

Methods

Data from Veterans Affairs (VA) and Department of Defense (DoD) administrative sources and the VA/DoD Mortality Data Repository identified 133,867 Veteran suicides from 2001 to 2021. Incidence Rate Ratios (IRRs) and Joinpoint regression assessed patterns of Veteran suicide across seasons, days of the week, and 14 holidays; overall and by sex and age.

Results

Incidence of Veteran suicide was highest in summers and on Mondays. Veteran suicide incidence was lower on six holidays: Martin Luther King Jr. Day (IRR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.73–0.93), Presidents' Day (IRR = 0.88, 0.78, 0.99), Memorial Day (IRR = 0.89, CI = 0.79–0.99), Labor Day (IRR = 0.88, CI = 0.78–0.98), Thanksgiving (IRR = 0.81, CI = 0.71–0.92), and Christmas (IRR = 0.78, CI = 0.68–0.89). Suicide incidence was elevated on New Year's Day (IRR = 1.17, CI = 1.05–1.31), particularly among Veterans 25–34 years old (IRR = 1.64, CI = 1.19–2.26). An increasing trend in daily average suicides was indicated from December 30th to January 1st (β = 1.79, p < 0.05). Both seasonal and day of the week effects were present in most subpopulations. Holiday effects were most prevalent among men and varied by age.

Conclusions

Veteran suicide incidence was elevated in summer months, on Mondays, and on New Year's Day. Temporal patterns differed by sex and age. Findings can inform ongoing Veteran suicide prevention efforts.
Remote Sensing as a Convergent Discipline: A Path Forward
Authors: Lippitt Christopher D.
Published: November 2024

Since its inception, remote sensing has evolved from informing military and natural resource management decisions to addressing a broad spectrum of information deficits about environmental phenomena in support of myriad sciences, industries, and management priorities. Driven by changing information requirements and the advancement of technology, geographers, physicists, statisticians, and many others developed a shared understanding of the problem of extracting reliable information from the patterns of electromagnetic radiation observed by radiometers and other electromagnetic sensors, a shared understanding that is now manifest in professional societies, academic journals, and specialized training programs around the world. The discipline we call remote sensing is now uniquely positioned to play a principal role in a new convergent project oriented around the vexing problem of informing humanity's response to a rapidly shifting climate and the 6th mass extinction. Remote sensing, artificial intelligence, computer vision, and robotics each make substantial contributions to this problem, but language, standards, and practices vary widely. The proliferation of sensors now deployed in the environment as part of the internet‐of‐things (e.g., modern cars, satellite constellations, smartphones, CCTV, and trail cameras), coupled with rapid advancements in machine learning and the proliferation of communication networks, makes the potential for persistent, robust, and largely autonomous environmental monitoring systems clear, but also points to the pressing need to converge around a shared understanding of the problem.
Residual Stress Calculation of Hydraulic Autofrettage Thick-Walled Tube Based on a Revised Kinematic Hardening Model
Authors: Zhang Zhao , Yang Gang , Wang Xuesheng , Chen Qinzhu
Published: November 2024

The current theoretical calculation methods for autofrettage of thick-walled tube do not adequately consider the change in the stress–strain relationship of the material with the maximum loading strain. This deficiency has an adverse impact on the accuracy of the residual stress calculation after autofrettage. In this paper, the revised kinematic hardening model is adopted to take change of the stress–strain relationship of the material in the compression section after different maximum tensile strains into consideration. Furthermore, power function is used to express the stress–strain relationship in the plastic section in both the tensile and compressive plastic parts. A new calculation method for the autofrettage residual stress of the hydraulic thick-walled straight tube is came up with through this method. This method enhances the precision of autofrettage residual stress calculations without undue increase of the computational burden. In comparison to the finite element method results utilizing identical material data, the proposed model exhibits enhanced calculation precision, particularly with regard to the stress distribution on the inner surface, surpassing by at least 5% in terms of calculation accuracy than existing calculation methods. Furthermore, the accurate autofrettage residual stress on the inner surface of thick-walled straight tubes obtained through theoretical calculations is of paramount importance for fatigue design of autofrettage thick-walled vessels.
Rotary Displacement Pump With a Sinusoidal Working Chamber and Oscillating Pistons
Authors: Myhan Ryszard
Published: November 2024

This article critically analyzes the structural design of a rotary positive displacement pump described in two patent applications. The general description of the pump in the patent applications is the main reason why the examined solution has not found practical applications to date. The shape of the inner contour of the pump's housing has been described in detail in the proposed solution. The analysis demonstrated that an odd number of pendulum blocks is required and that the number of blocks is determined by the division module of the inner contour of the pump's housing (number of depressions in the wavy surface). The diameter of the cylindrical cross section of a pendulum block and the guiding radius between the axis of the pendulum block and the rotor's axis of rotation were optimized based on the proposed pump geometry. The goal of the optimization process was to minimize clearance as a measure of the pump's internal leak tightness. The estimated optimal values were used to simulate the pump's full operating cycle, depending on the nominal diameter, division module, and the shape factor of pump housing. The results of the simulation indicate that the described solution could have many practical applications. However, the described geometric relationships have to be maintained, and the number of pendulum blocks, the guiding radius, and piston diameter have to be optimized for the needs of specific applications.