bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Prediction of oncogene mutation status in non-small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis with a special focus on artificial-intelligence-based methods
Authors: Fuster-Matanzo Almudena , Picó Peris Alfonso , Bellvís Bataller Fuensanta , Jimenez-Pastor Ana , Weiss Glen J. , Martí-Bonmatí Luis , Sánchez Antonio Lázaro , Banna Giuseppe L. , Addeo Alfredo , Alberich-Bayarri Ángel
Published: June 2024

Background

In non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), alternative strategies to determine patient oncogene mutation status are essential to overcome some of the drawbacks associated with current methods. We aimed to review the use of radiomics alone or in combination with clinical data and to evaluate the performance of artificial intelligence (AI)-based models on the prediction of oncogene mutation status.

Methods

A PRISMA-compliant literature review was conducted. The Medline (via Pubmed), Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were searched for studies published through June 30, 2023 predicting oncogene mutation status in patients with NSCLC using radiomics. Independent meta-analyses evaluating the performance of AI-based models developed with radiomics features or with a combination of radiomics features plus clinical data for the prediction of different oncogenic driver mutations were performed. A meta-regression to analyze the influence of methodological/clinical factors was also conducted.

Results

Out of the 615 studies identified, 89 evaluating models for the prediction of epidermal growth factor-1 (EGFR), anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK), and Kirsten rat sarcoma virus (KRAS) mutations were included in the systematic review. A total of 38 met the inclusion criteria for the meta-analyses. The AI algorithms’ sensitivity/false positive rate (FPR) in predicting EGFR, ALK, and KRAS mutations using radiomics-based models was 0.753 (95% CI 0.721–0.783)/0.346 (95% CI 0.305–0.390), 0.754 (95% CI 0.639–0.841)/ 0.225 (95% CI 0.163–0.302), and 0.744 (95% CI 0.605–0.846)/0.376 (95% CI 0.274–0.491), respectively. A meta-analysis of combined models was only possible for EGFR mutation, revealing a sensitivity/FPR of 0.800 (95% CI 0.767–0.830)/0.335 (95% CI 0.279–0.396). No statistically significant results were obtained in the meta-regression.

Conclusions

Radiomics-based models may represent valuable non-invasive tools for the determination of oncogene mutation status in NSCLC. Further investigation is required to analyze whether clinical data might boost their performance.
Biochemical analyses can complement sequencing-based ARG load monitoring: a case study in Indian hospital sewage networks
Authors: Bhanushali S. , Pärnänen K. , Mongad D. , Dhotre D. , Lahti L.
Published: June 2024

Antibiotic resistance is an emerging global crisis which has been estimated to cause increasing numbers of deaths. Low and middle-income countries (LMICs) are challenged with a larger burden of antibiotic resistance, as antibiotic resistance is more common in LMICs, and access to antibiotics and health care is often limited compared to high-income countries. Further exacerbating the issue is the possible lack of efficient treatment of hospital sewage which can have high concentrations of clinically relevant antibiotic-resistant pathogens. Monitoring of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in sewage along the sewage networks (from hospitals to community sewers and sewage treatment plant effluents) would provide crucial tools for identifying hotspots of ARG pollution. However, the methods that are currently used to quantify ARGs rely on expensive shotgun sequencing or qPCR. Therefore, we investigated whether ARG load monitoring could be complemented with inexpensive standard biochemical analyses. Our results show that across four different sewage networks and three seasons, biological oxygen demand (BOD) and total organic carbon (TOC) can provide robust indicators of total ARG load. This lays grounds for finding cost-efficient techniques for sewage ARG pollution monitoring in low-resource settings.
A low-cost and versatile paramagnetic bead DNA extraction method forMycobacterium ulceransenvironmental surveillance
Authors: Lee Jean Y. H. , Porter Jessica L. , Hobbs Emma C. , Whiteley Pam , Buultjens Andrew H. , Stinear Timothy P.
Published: June 2024

In Australia, native possums are an animal reservoir forMycobacterium ulcerans, the causative agent of Buruli ulcer, a neglected tropical skin disease that can progress to extensive ulceration with deformity and disability. Surveillance of possum excreta for shedding ofM. ulceranscan be used to inform geospatial modelling to predict locations at which humans are at increased risk of disease acquisition. This discovery provides opportunities to disrupt transmission pathways. However, the significant expense of commercial kits used for DNA extraction from environmental samples in large scale surveillance studies can hinder implementation of public health measures. To address this barrier, we developed a low-cost method for extraction of nucleic acids from possum excreta, possum tissue swabs, and mycobacterial cultures, using a guanidinium thiocyanate lysis solution and paramagnetic beads for DNA clean-up. In 96-well plate format for high-throughput processing, the SPRI-bead DNA extraction method for possum excreta was 3-fold less sensitive but only 1/6 the cost of a widely used commercial kit. While a SPRI-bead microtube-based extraction method for tissue swabs sampled from possums was 4-fold more sensitive and 1/5 the cost of the corresponding commercial kit. Furthermore, when used for preparing DNA from pure mycobacterial cultures, the SPRI-bead method produced genomic DNA with quality metrics comparable to more laborious techniques. The methods described here provide an economical means to continue large-scaleM. ulceransenvironmental surveillance that should facilitate efforts to halt the spread of Buruli ulcer in Victoria, Australia, with potential for applicability in other endemic countries.

IMPORTANCE

Buruli ulcer is a neglected tropical skin disease, with an incidence that has dramatically increased in temperate southeastern Australia over the last decade. In this region of the world Buruli ulcer is a zoonosis, Australian native possums are a major wildlife reservoir of the causative agent,Mycobacterium ulcerans, and mosquitoes the vector to humans. Infected possums shedM. ulceransin their excreta, and excreta surveys using PCR to screen for the presence of pathogen DNA are a powerful means to predict future areas of Buruli ulcer risk for humans. However, excreta surveys across large geographic areas require testing of many thousands of samples. The cost of commercial DNA extraction reagents used for preparing samples for PCR testing can become prohibitive to effective surveillance. Here, we describe a simple, low-cost method for extracting DNA from possum excreta using paramagnetic beads. The method is versatile and adaptable to a variety of other sample types including swabs collected from possum tissues and pure cultures of mycobacteria.
Induction of Meiosis from Human Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Pierson Smela Merrick , Adams Jessica , Ma Carl , Breimann Laura , Widocki Ursula , Shioda Toshi , Church George M.
Published: June 2024

Anin vitromodel of human meiosis would accelerate research into this important reproductive process and development of therapies for infertility. We have developed a method to induce meiosis starting from male or female human pluripotent stem cells. We demonstrate that DNMT1 inhibition, retinoid signaling activation, and overexpression of regulatory factors (anti-apoptotic BCL2, and pro-meiotic HOXB5, BOLL, or MEIOC) rapidly activates meiosis, with leptonema beginning at 6 days, zygonema at 9 days, and pachynema at 12 days. Immunofluorescence microscopy shows key aspects of meiosis, including chromosome synapsis and sex body formation. The meiotic cells express genes similar to meiotic oogoniain vivo, including all synaptonemal complex components and machinery for meiotic recombination. These findings establish an accessible system for inducing human meiosisin vitro.
Low-invasive, wide-field, and cellular resolution two-photon imaging of neural population activity in brainstem and nucleus tractus solitarii
Authors: Agetsuma Masakazu , Hatakeyama Azumi , Yamada Daisuke , Kuniishi Hiroshi , Takeuchi Eri , Tsuji Shinji , Ito Chihiro , Kobayashi Tomoko , Noritake Atsushi , Aoki Yoshitsugu , Yukawa Hiroshi , Saitoh Akiyoshi , Nabekura Junichi , Sekiguchi Masayuki
Published: June 2024

Brain-viscera communication plays a crucial role in regulating mental health, with the vagus nerve being a key structure mediating this interaction. Clinically, artificial vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is used to treat various neuropsychiatric disorders, highlighting the importance of vagal afferent fibers in regulating emotion. The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is a brainstem structure proposed to receive signals from vagal afferents and relay them to brain networks for emotion regulation. However, due to the anatomical complexity and difficulty in accessing the deep-brain NTS region in living animals, the mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we developed a wide-field and deep-brain two-photon imaging method using a double-prism based optical interface. This approach enables the identification of cellular-resolution neural activities in the NTS while preserving the cerebellum, which covers the NTS and is important for emotion regulation, intact. We systematically evaluated how NTS neurons respond to VNS and a gastrointestinal hormone, suggesting the usefulness of this method for investigating the role of the vagus-NTS pathwayin vivo.
Peripheral Neuropathy in the Adreno-myelo-neuropathy Mouse Model
Authors: Özgür Günes Y , Le Stunff C , Vallat JM , Bougnères PF
Published: June 2024

The Abcd1 knockout mouse mimics human adreno-myelo-neuropathy (AMN), thus contributes to a better understanding of disease mechanisms, which yet remain poorly identified. Only limited information is available about peripheral neuropathy (PN), although a notable component of AMN pathology besides myelopathy. To enrich our knowledge of PN, the current study reports the clinical, electromyographic and morphological aspects of peripheral neuropathy. We found that despite obvious electron microscopy anomalies in sciatic nerve axons, nerve conduction was nearly normal and did not seem to contribute significantly to the impaired motor performances of the Abcd1-/- mouse.
Whole-genome sequencing and phenotyping reveal specific adaptations ofLachancea thermotoleransto the winemaking environment
Authors: Vicente Javier , Friedrich Anne , Schacherer Joseph , Freel Kelle , Marquina Domingo , Santos Antonio
Published: June 2024

Adaptation to the environment plays an essential role in yeast evolution as a consequence of selective pressures.Lachancea thermotolerans, a yeast related to the fermentative process and one of the current trends in wine technology research, has undergone an anthropization process that has led to a strong differentiation both from a genomic and phenomic perspective. Using whole-genome sequencing, we have investigated the genomic diversity of 145L. thermotoleransstrains, identifying six well-defined groups primarily delineated by their ecological origin and exhibiting high levels of genetic diversity. Anthropized strains showed lower genetic diversity due to the purifying selection imposed by the winemaking environment. Strong evidence of anthropization and adaptation to the wine environment through modification of gene content was also found. Differences in genes involved in the assimilation of alternative carbon and nitrogen sources, such as theMAL1andDAL5genes, which confer greater fitness in the winemaking environment, were observed. Additionally, we found that phenotypic traits considered domestication hallmarks are present in anthropized strains. Among these, increased fitness in the presence of ethanol and sulphites, assimilation of non-fermentable carbon sources such as glycerol, and lower levels of residual fructose under fermentative conditions highlight. We hypothesize that lactic acid production by wine-related strains is an anthropization signature consequence of the adaption of early Crabtree-positive yeasts to the fermentative environment. Overall, the results of this work provide valuable insight into the anthropization process inL. thermotoleransand demonstrate how fermentation environments give rise to similar adaptations in different yeast species.
A summer in the Greater Paris: trophic status of peri-urban lakes shapes prokaryotic community structure and functional potential
Authors: Foucault P. , Halary S. , Duval C. , Goto M. , Marie B. , Hamlaoui S. , Jardillier L. , Lamy D. , Lance E. , Raimbault E. , Allouti F. , Trousselier M. , Bernard C. , Leloup J. , Duperron S.
Published: June 2024

With more than 12 million inhabitants, the Greater Paris offers a “natural laboratory” to explore the effects of eutrophication on freshwater lakes within a relatively restricted area. Here, a four-month time-series was carried out during summertime to monitor planktonic microbial communities of nine lakes located within a ∼70 km radius around Paris (Île-de-France, France) of comparable morphologies, yet distinct trophic statuses (mesotrophic to hypereutrophic). The contribution of the trophic status and intra-summer variations were investigated on prokaryotic community structures (16S rRNA gene sequencing) and functions (shotgun metagenomics). Sampled lakes harbored highly distinct and diverse prokaryotic communities. Although their gene pool was quite stable and shared among lakes, taxonomical and functional changes were correlated. The trophic status appears as the main driver of both community structure and functional potential. When focusing on function involved in biogeochemical cycles, responses to phosphorus limitation (mostly polyphosphate-related processes) were highlighted between trophic statuses. Hypereutrophic lakes communities displayed the highest contrast and heterogeneity over time, suggesting a regime shift compared to lakes of lower trophic status. This study explores the influence of eutrophication on lakes’ microbiome ecology, by comparing for the first time the planktonic microbial communities and their functional potential of lakes of distinct trophic status in close vicinity over a summer season.
Disruption of Immune Responses By Type I Diabetes Exacerbates SARS-CoV-2 Mediated Lung Injury
Authors: Kass-Gergi Sara , Zhao Gan , Wong Joanna , Weiner Aaron I. , Tzivelekidis Stephanie Adams , Gentile Maria E. , Mendoza Meryl , Holcomb Nicolas P. , Li Xinyuan , Singh Madeline , Vaughan Andrew E.
Published: June 2024

COVID-19 commonly presents as pneumonia, with those most severely affected progressing to respiratory failure. Patient responses to SARS-CoV-2 infection are varied, with comorbidities acting as major contributors to varied outcomes. Focusing on one such major comorbidity, we assessed whether pharmacological induction of Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) would increase the severity of lung injury in a murine model of COVID-19 pneumonia utilizing wild type mice infected with mouse-adapted SARS-CoV-2. Hyperglycemic mice exhibited increased weight loss and reduced blood oxygen saturation in comparison to their euglycemic counterparts, suggesting that these animals indeed experienced more severe lung injury. Transcriptomic analysis revealed a significant impairment of the adaptive immune response in the lungs of diabetic mice compared to those of control. In order to expand the limited options available for tissue analysis due to biosafety restrictions, we also employed a novel technique to digest highly fixed tissue into a single cell suspension, which allowed for flow cytometric analysis as well as single cell RNA sequencing. Flow immunophenotyping and scRNA-Seq confirmed impaired recruitment of T cells into the lungs of T1DM animals. Additionally, scRNA-Seq revealed a distinct, highly inflammatory macrophage profile in the diabetic cohort that correlates with the more severe infection these mice experienced clinically, allowing insight into a possible mechanism for this phenomenon. Recognizing the near certainty that respiratory viruses will continue to present significant public health concerns for the foreseeable future, our study provides key insights into how T1DM results in a much more severe infection and identifies possible targets to ameliorate comorbidity-associated severe disease.

NEW AND NOTEWORTHY

We define the exacerbating effects of Type I Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) on COVID-19 pneumonia severity in mice. Hyperglycemic mice experienced increased weight loss and reduced oxygen saturation. Transcriptomic analysis revealed impaired immune responses in diabetic mice, while flow cytometry and single-cell RNA sequencing confirmed reduced T cell recruitment and an inflammatory macrophage profile. Additionally, we introduced a novel technique for tissue analysis, enabling flow cytometric analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing on highly fixed tissue samples.
Mitoregulin supports mitochondrial membrane integrity and protects against cardiac ischemia-reperfusion injury
Authors: Stein Colleen S. , Zhang Xiaoming , Witmer Nathan H. , Pennington Edward Ross , Shaikh Saame Raza , Boudreau Ryan L.
Published: June 2024

We and others discovered a highly-conserved mitochondrial transmembrane microprotein, named Mitoregulin (Mtln), that supports lipid metabolism. We reported that Mtln strongly binds cardiolipin (CL), increases mitochondrial respiration and Ca2+retention capacities, and reduces reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here we extend our observation of Mtln-CL binding and examine Mtln influence on cristae structure and mitochondrial membrane integrity during stress. We demonstrate that mitochondria from constitutive- and inducible Mtln-knockout (KO) mice are susceptible to membrane freeze-damage and that this can be rescued by acute Mtln re-expression. In mitochondrial-simulated lipid monolayers, we show that synthetic Mtln decreases lipid packing and monolayer elasticity. Lipidomics revealed that Mtln-KO heart tissues show broad decreases in 22:6-containing lipids and increased cardiolipin damage/remodeling. Lastly, we demonstrate that Mtln-KO mice suffer worse myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury, hinting at a translationally-relevant role for Mtln in cardioprotection. Our work supports a model in which Mtln binds cardiolipin and stabilizes mitochondrial membranes to broadly influence diverse mitochondrial functions, including lipid metabolism, while also protecting against stress.
Geometric Study in Binocular Vision of Healthy Human Eye’s Misaligned Optical Components
Authors: Turski Jacek
Published: June 2024

The healthy human eye’s optical components are misaligned, which has been overlooked in studies of binocular vision. This study presents comprehensive ge-ometric constructions in the binocular system, with the eye model incorporating the fovea that is not located on and the lens that is tilted away from the eye’s optical axis. It includes the vertical misalignment of optical components and the 3D binocular field of fixations with the previously considered horizontal misalign-ment underlying stereopsis. The consequences and functional roles of vertical misalignment are explained in the following finding: The classic Helmholtz the-ory, which states that the subjective vertical retinal meridian inclination to the retinal horizontal meridian explains the perceived backward tilt of the vertical horopter, is less relevant when the eye’s optical components are misaligned. In-stead, the lens vertical tilt provides the retinal vertical criterion. The typical misalignment of the fovea and lens in the human population confirms the exper-imentally measured vertical horopter’s inclination.
Amygdala TDP-43 pathology is associated with behavioural dysfunction and ferritin accumulation in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Rifai Olivia M. , Waldron Fergal M. , O’Shaughnessy Judi , Read Fiona L. , Gilodi Martina , Pastore Annalisa , Shneider Neil , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano , Zacco Elsa , Spence Holly , Gregory Jenna M.
Published: June 2024

Background

Cognitive and behavioural symptoms associated with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and frontotemporal spectrum disorders (ALSFTSD) are thought to be driven, at least in part, by the pathological accumulation of TDP-43.

Methods

Here we examinepost-mortemtissue from six brain regions associated with cognitive and behavioural symptoms in a cohort of 30 people with sporadic ALS (sALS), a proportion of which underwent standardized neuropsychological behavioural assessment as part of the Edinburgh Cognitive ALS Screen (ECAS).

Results

Overall, the behavioural screen performed as part of the ECAS predicted accumulation of pathological phosphorylated TDP-43 (pTDP-43) with 100% specificity and 86% sensitivity in behaviour-associated brain regions. Notably, of these regions, pathology in the amygdala was the most predictive correlate of behavioural dysfunction in sALS. In the amygdala of sALS patients, we show variation in morphology, cell type predominance, and severity of pTDP-43 pathology. Further, we demonstrate that the presence and severity of intra-neuronal pTDP-43 pathology, but not astroglial pathology, or phosphorylated Tau pathology, is associated with behavioural dysfunction. Cases were also evaluated using a TDP-43 aptamer (TDP-43APT), which revealed that pathology was not only associated with behavioural symptoms, but also with ferritin levels, a measure of brain iron.

Conclusions

Intra-neuronal pTDP-43 and cytoplasmic TDP-43APTpathology in the amygdala is associated with behavioural symptoms in sALS. TDP-43APTstaining intensity is also associated with increased ferritin, regardless of behavioural phenotype, suggesting that ferritin increases may occur upstream of clinical manifestation, in line with early TDP-43APTpathology, representing a potential region-specific imaging biomarker of early disease in ALS.

Key Messages

What is already known on this topic

The amygdala is a key brain region in regulating behavior and emotional cognition and has been shown recently, through imaging studies, to be affected in ALS and FTD patients.

What this study adds

Here we examine the underlying pathology driving the association between the amygdala and behavioural symptoms in sporadic ALS demonstrating that region specific TDP-43 pathology and brain iron accumulation could represent potential early biomarkers of dysfunction.

How this study might affect research, practice, or policy

The correlation between early TDP-43 pathology (detected by RNA aptamer) and increased ferritin (brain iron accumulation) occurring upstream of clinical manifestation represents a potential, region-specific (amygdala), early imaging biomarker in ALS. This means that people at risk could be identified early and stratified for clinical trials prior to substantial neuronal cell loss and symptom onset.
Ethnocentrism or xenocentrism: consumer attitudes toward culture mixing based on spatial metaphor theory
Authors: Nie Chunyan , Zhao Xing
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Rapid globalization has continually promoted integration between different cultures. This study attempts to examine responses toward culture mixing based on spatial metaphor theory. Specifically, it focuses on power relationships to explore the impact of space image schemas on consumer attitudes. The boundary conditions of this effect, the significance of cultural symbols and the dominance trait are also analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments are conducted, and 567 participants are involved in this research. The data are analyzed using ANOVA and Process 213.

Findings

The results show that the relative vertical positions of cultural symbols significantly impact consumer attitudes toward culture mixing, and demonstrate that perceived cultural threat enhances ethnocentric tendencies. The data also indicate that individuals only express their distinct attitudes toward culture mixing when significant cultural symbols are presented, and only high-dominance individuals, who prefer to link vertical spatial metaphor with power relationships, are sensitive to vertical spatial metaphor.

Originality/value

This research highlights the underlying mechanism, encouraging ethnocentric tendencies among the young population in China. It extends work on the use of metaphorical concepts and contributes to the increasing literature on power in consumer behavior. Additionally, it generates useful suggestions for multinational entrepreneurs who want to facilitate symbolic localization.
Health service operational challenges and resilience strategies in “extreme” disruptive events
Authors: Chowdhury Md Maruf Hossan , Khan Eijaz , Mahmud A.K.M. Shakil , Nuruzzaman Md , Rabbanee Fazlul K. , Quaddus Mohammed A.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Configuring strategies to ensure a health service provider’s resilience when extreme disruptions occur is not simple. Optimal configuration in such circumstances is rare. Therefore, this research has relied on the dynamic capability view (DCV) to develop a decision-support framework for configuring resilience strategies that will mitigate the worst challenges and improve the performance of health service providers during “extreme” disruptive events.

Design/methodology/approach

The research adopted a multi-study, multi-method approach comprising interviews, quality function deployment (QFD), and fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA).

Findings

The findings reveal that, during a crisis, standalone resilience strategies are not enough. To guarantee performance, healthcare services require a combination of resilience strategies and a negation of challenges.

Originality/value

This research extends our current knowledge of healthcare operational management by offering optimal configurations of resilience strategies to manage performance during extreme disruptions. Thus, it offers strategic insights into how health-service managers can be more resilient during a crisis.
Improving stability and adaptability of automotive electric steering systems based on a novel optimal integrated algorithm
Authors: Nguyen Tuan Anh , Iqbal Jamshed
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Design a novel optimal integrated control algorithm for the automotive electric steering system to improve the stability and adaptation of the system.

Design/methodology/approach

Simulation and calculation.

Findings

The output signals follow the reference signal with high accuracy.

Originality/value

The optimal integrated algorithm is established based on the combination of PID and SMC. The parameters of the PID controller are adjusted using a fuzzy algorithm. The optimal range of adjustment values is determined using a genetic algorithm.
Numerical study of thermal comfort and energy efficiency about electrically heated footwear under a cold environment
Authors: Su Yun , Wang Hui , Liu Guangju , Wang Yunyi , Liu Jianlin , Tian Miao
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The paper aims to reveal the relationship among energy efficiency, thermal comfort and thermal regulation of electrically heated footwear and to investigate influencing factors on the energy efficiency and thermal comfort.

Design/methodology/approach

A finite volume model was proposed to simulate the two-dimensional heat transfer in electrically heated footwear (EHF) under an extremely cold condition. The model domain consists of three-layer footwear materials, a heating pad, a sock material, an air gap and skin tissues. Model predictions were verified by experimental data from cold-contact exposure. Then the influencing factors on the energy efficiency and thermal comfort were investigated through parametric analysis.

Findings

The paper demonstrated that the skin temperature control (STC) mode provided superior thermal comfort compared to the heating pad temperature control (HPTC) mode. However, the energy efficiency for the HPTC mode with a heating temperature of 38 °C was 18% higher than the STC mode. The energy efficiency of EHF while reaching the state of thermal comfort was strongly determined by the arrangement and connection of heating elements, heating temperature, thickness and thermal conductivity of footwear materials.

Originality/value

The findings obtained in this paper can be used to engineer the EHF that provides optimal thermal comfort and energy efficiency in cold environments.
EYE-YOLO: a multi-spatial pyramid pooling and Focal-EIOU loss inspired tiny YOLOv7 for fundus eye disease detection
Authors: Kumar Akhil , Dhanalakshmi R.
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this work is to present an approach for autonomous detection of eye disease in fundus images. Furthermore, this work presents an improved variant of the Tiny YOLOv7 model developed specifically for eye disease detection. The model proposed in this work is a highly useful tool for the development of applications for autonomous detection of eye diseases in fundus images that can help and assist ophthalmologists.

Design/methodology/approach

The approach adopted to carry out this work is twofold. Firstly, a richly annotated dataset consisting of eye disease classes, namely, cataract, glaucoma, retinal disease and normal eye, was created. Secondly, an improved variant of the Tiny YOLOv7 model was developed and proposed as EYE-YOLO. The proposed EYE-YOLO model has been developed by integrating multi-spatial pyramid pooling in the feature extraction network and Focal-EIOU loss in the detection network of the Tiny YOLOv7 model. Moreover, at run time, the mosaic augmentation strategy has been utilized with the proposed model to achieve benchmark results. Further, evaluations have been carried out for performance metrics, namely, precision, recall, F1 Score, average precision (AP) and mean average precision (mAP).

Findings

The proposed EYE-YOLO achieved 28% higher precision, 18% higher recall, 24% higher F1 Score and 30.81% higher mAP than the Tiny YOLOv7 model. Moreover, in terms of AP for each class of the employed dataset, it achieved 9.74% higher AP for cataract, 27.73% higher AP for glaucoma, 72.50% higher AP for retina disease and 13.26% higher AP for normal eye. In comparison to the state-of-the-art Tiny YOLOv5, Tiny YOLOv6 and Tiny YOLOv8 models, the proposed EYE-YOLO achieved 6–23.32% higher mAP.

Originality/value

This work addresses the problem of eye disease recognition as a bounding box regression and detection problem. Whereas, the work in the related research is largely based on eye disease classification. The other highlight of this work is to propose a richly annotated dataset for different eye diseases useful for training deep learning-based object detectors. The major highlight of this work lies in the proposal of an improved variant of the Tiny YOLOv7 model focusing on eye disease detection. The proposed modifications in the Tiny YOLOv7 aided the proposed model in achieving better results as compared to the state-of-the-art Tiny YOLOv8 and YOLOv8 Nano.
Availability analysis of imperfect repairable system subject to inspection
Authors: Gupta Ritu , Kumar Sudeep
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This work examines a repairable machining system’s reliability by considering multiple failure scenarios, including individual component failures, hardware and software malfunctions, failures resulting from shared causes and failures caused by human error. When a system is susceptible to several modes of failure, the primary goal is to forecast availability and other reliability metrics as well as to calculate the expected profit of the repairable machining system.

Design/methodology/approach

The process of recovering after a system failure involves inspecting the system and fixing any malfunctions that may have occurred. The repair procedures for all kinds of faults are taken to follow a general distribution to represent real-time circumstances. We develop a non-Markovian stochastic model representing different system states that reveal working, failed, degraded, repair and delayed repair states. Laplace transformation and the supplementary variable technique are used to assess the transient states of the system.

Findings

Analytical expressions for system performance indices such as availability, reliability and cost-benefit analysis are derived. The transient probabilities when the system experiences in different states such as failed, degraded and delayed states are computed. The results obtained are validated using Mathematica software by performing a numerical illustration on setting default values of unknown parameters. This ensures the accuracy and reliability indices of the analytical predictions.

Originality/value

By methodically examining the system in its several states, we will be able to spot possible problems and offer efficient fixes for recovery. The system administrators would check to see if a minor or major repair is needed, or if a replacement is occasionally taken into consideration to prevent recurring repairs.
Relationship between profitability and financial factors of hospitals after a period of austerity and health care reforms: evidence from Greece
Authors: Terzoudis Stelios , Kontodimopoulos Nikolaos , Fanourgiakis John
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The reduction of government expenditure in the healthcare system, the difficulty of finding new sources of funding and the reduction in disposable income per capita are the most important problems of the healthcare system in Greece over the last decade. Therefore, studying the profitability of health structures is a crucial factor in making decisions about their solvency and corporate sustainability. The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of economic liquidity, debt and business size on profitability for the Greek general hospitals (GHs) during the period 2016–2018.

Design/methodology/approach

Financial statements (balance sheets and income statements) of 84 general hospitals (GHs), 52 public and 32 private, over a three-year period (2016–2018), were analyzed. Spearman’s Rs correlation was carried out on two samples.

Findings

The results revealed that there is a positive relationship between the investigated determinants (liquidity, size) and profitability for both public and private GHs. It was also shown that debt has a negative effect on profitability only for private GHs.

Practical implications

Increasing the turnover of private hospitals through interventions such as expanding private health insurance and adopting modern financial management techniques in public hospitals would have a positive effect both on profitability and the efficient use of limited resources.

Originality/value

These results, in conjunction with the findings of the low profitability of private hospitals and the excess liquidity of public hospitals, can shape the appropriate framework to guide hospital administrators and government policymakers.
Nature and nurture: the enabling role of low-status professionals' jurisdiction for micro-institutional change in professional organizations
Authors: Lai Xiuping , Zhang Wenhong , Zhao Yapu
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Changes in regulation systems make professional organizations more likely to undergo rapid, profound and radical change. The issue of how micro-institutional change in professional organizations can be carried out is somewhat ignored.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a process study of a primary hospital in China to trace a pathway through which low-status professionals successfully proceed with radical change at the micro-level.

Findings

We present a model involving three strategies that, reconfiguring jurisdictional boundaries in combination, activate low-status professionals' long-standing implicit jurisdictions: expertise redefinition, value reorientation and promotion.

Research limitations/implications

Our study contributes to understanding how low-status professionals reconcile needs for change with contradictions from the core attributes and ambiguities of professional work. Rather than mixed practices enhancing the role of dominant professions, a desire to separate jurisdiction space opens up the access of newly dominant experts.

Originality/value

Changes in the regulation system make professional organizations more likely to undergo rapid, profound and radical change. The issue of how micro-institutional change in professional organizations can be carried out is somewhat ignored.
Managerial relevance of moderating and mediating variables/effects in management research
Authors: Logman Marc
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Being clear and specific on what moderating and/or mediating variables are included and what effects are observed in academic research helps the reader to better understand the academic research context and results. But in terms of managerial relevance, it is also important to do this in a way that it provides descriptive, goal and operational relevance to decision makers in practice, depending on the type of intended research. This article wants to provide “a question-based step-by-step guide” on how to make the analysis of moderating/mediating variables and their observed effects more managerially relevant.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a critical review of the literature, important criteria of managerial relevance are confronted with important aspects of theory building with respect to mediating and moderating effects, leading to best-practice insights and recommendations. Moreover, exemplary articles are used to illustrate these findings.

Findings

The insights and step-by-step recommendations assist the academic researcher in making choices when analyzing moderators and mediators, by not only taking a theoretical perspective, but also a managerial (relevance) perspective. Adding moderators/mediators may for instance challenge the “core logic of managerial practice” (in terms of thinking and decision making), even if it does not change the “core logic of a theory” as such. In the other direction, academics (and their theory) may be challenged by practitioners, in the way they define moderators/mediators and their levels. The steps in this article relate to aspects such as measurability, controllability and role of moderators and mediators in managerial problem and decision contexts. In case of multiple moderating and/or mediating variables, the decision architecture for managers becomes more complex, especially when the effects are countervailing/opposite. Multiple studies in this article illustrate that in that case, making optimal decisions becomes a “balancing” act for managers/decision makers and may even challenge their common beliefs (e.g. linear thinking).

Originality/value

The guidelines on managerial relevance of moderating and/or mediating variables and their effects can be used by academic researchers and editors of academic journals, pursuing not only academic rigor, but also managerial relevance. Besides being a guide for managerially relevant output, it also helps in determining for which questions in the research process, input from practitioners or at least insights from practice (e.g. through sources such as business magazines and portals) may be needed. The guidelines may also be used for teaching purposes, complementing more theoretical articles that mainly focus on methodological/statistical issues of moderating/mediating variables and their effects.
Does voluntarism work for the workplace inclusion of individuals with disabilities in a country with limited equality structures?
Authors: Palalar Alkan Deniz , Kamasak Rifat , Ozbilgin Mustafa
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The study explores measures designed explicitly to manage people with disabilities in a context where diversity interventions are incorporated voluntarily. Furthermore, it examines global organizations’ approaches to marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, in a context where there is an explicit lack of state regulation on diversity measures.

Design/methodology/approach

An abductive approach was adopted for the exploratory nature, which sought to understand how global organizations in a developing country utilize diversity management mechanisms to manage people with disabilities.

Findings

The findings reveal that human resources departments of international organizations operating in a neoliberal environment demonstrate two distinct perspectives for individuals with disabilities: (i) inclusiveness due to legal pressures and (ii) social exclusion.

Originality/value

We explored global organizations’ approaches to marginalized groups, such as people with disabilities, in the context of an explicit lack of state regulation on diversity measures and showed that the absence of coercive regulation leads to voluntary actions with adverse consequences. The paper expands theories that critique the inclusion of individuals with disabilities in untamed neoliberal contexts and explains how the responsibilization of institutional actors could enhance what is practical and possible for the workplace inclusion of individuals with disabilities. Without such institutional responsibilization, our findings reveal that disability inclusion is left to the limited prospects of the market rationales to the extent of bottom-line utility.
The negative spillover effect of sandwich-generation caregiving on employees’ job satisfaction: does work time matter?
Authors: Shi Jiaming , Jiang Chaoxin
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the effect of sandwich-generation caregiving (caregiving for elders and children simultaneously) on employed caregivers’ job satisfaction when compared with non-sandwich caregiving patterns of no caregiving, children-only caregiving and elders-only caregiving. This study also aims to explore whether depression mediates this effect and whether three types of caregivers-friendly work time (less work-time length, less nonstandard work-time schedule and more work-time autonomy) buffer these direct and indirect effects.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 7,571 Chinese employees is chosen from the 2020 China Family Panel Studies through a multistage stratified sampling design.

Findings

After controlling for employees’ sociodemographic, work and other caregiving characteristics, this study finds that sandwich-generation caregiving is indeed more likely to negatively affect employees’ job satisfaction when compared with no caregiving and elders-only caregiving, but to the same extent as children-only caregiving. This study also suggests that the effect of sandwich-generation caregiving on job satisfaction is mediated by employees’ depression and that three types of caregiver-friendly work time help to weaken the negative effects on employees’ depression and job satisfaction.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to explore the negative spillover effect and its mechanisms of caregiving on employees’ job satisfaction through focusing on a special caregivers group: employed sandwich-generation caregivers. These results shed light on the importance of extending caregiver studies to the workplace and provide implications for organization managers and human resources practitioners to design caregiver-friendly workplace policies to maintain employed caregivers’ work-family balance.
Exploring the future of tourism: a qualitative study on the integration of robotics in North Cyprus hospitality and destination development
Authors: Irani Foad
Published: June 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the variables that may influence the acceptance and adoption of robot-assisted services by various stakeholders in the tourist industry, namely in hotels.

Design/methodology/approach

This study utilized a qualitative research approach to investigate what may influence the acceptance and adoption of artificial intelligence (AI)-driven technologies in hotels in North Cyprus. Participants were selected for the study based on certain criteria using a referral sampling method.

Findings

The author have identified five core themes. (1) “Insufficient awareness;” (2) “Inadequate knowledge to operate robot-assisted services;” (3) “Limited budget;” (4) “Adherence to traditional management approaches” and (5) “Absence of incentives from tourism authorities.” This study establishes the foundation for future research and strategic initiatives aimed at enhancing the readiness of the hotel industry in North Cyprus to integrate robot-assisted services.

Practical implications

This research has practical consequences for hotel management employees in North Cyprus. The results may serve as guides for hotel stakeholders to enhance their understanding of the importance of innovation and establishing a competitive advantage in the rapidly growing hospitality business by identifying the pros and cons of adopting AI-driven technology.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, there have been few studies examining the viewpoints of managerial employees in North Cyprus hotels on the implementation of robot-assisted services. The authors examined several managerial employees in hotels to determine factors that might affect the adoption of AI-driven technology. The results are valuable for future research in the context of hotels in North Cyprus.
Temporal and spatial dynamics within the fungal microbiome of grape fermentation
Authors: Onetto Cristobal A. , Ward Chris M. , Van Den Heuvel Steven , Hale Laura , Cuijvers Kathleen , Borneman Anthony R.
Published: June 2024

Over 6 years, we conducted an extensive survey of spontaneous grape fermentations, examining 3105 fungal microbiomes across 14 distinct grape‐growing regions. Our investigation into the biodiversity of these fermentations revealed that a small number of highly abundant genera form the core of the initial grape juice microbiome. Consistent with previous studies, we found that the region of origin had the most significant impact on microbial diversity patterns. We also discovered that certain taxa were consistently associated with specific geographical locations and grape varieties, although these taxa represented only a minor portion of the overall diversity in our dataset. Through unsupervised clustering and dimensionality reduction analysis, we identified three unique community types, each exhibiting variations in the abundance of key genera. When we projected these genera onto global branches, it suggested that microbiomes transition between these three broad community types. We further investigated the microbial community composition throughout the fermentation process. Our observations indicated that the initial microbial community composition could predict the diversity during the early stages of fermentation. Notably, Hanseniaspora uvarum emerged as the primary non‐Saccharomyces species within this large collection of samples.
Catechins and caffeine absorption, and antioxidant activity of tea‐macerated wine in a Caco‐2 intestinal cell culture model
Authors: Liang Zijian , Leonard William , Zhang Pangzhen , Zeng Xin‐An , Fang Zhongxiang
Published: June 2024

A novel style of flavored wine was developed via infusion of either black tea or green tea into Chardonnay wine. The bioaccessibility and bioavailability of phenolic substances in green/black tea‐infused Chardonnay wine were investigated. Catechin, caffeine, and epicatechin gallate, originating from the tea, displayed high absorption rates with apparent permeability coefficient values above 10 × 10−6 cm/s in a human Caco‐2 intestinal cell model. A paracellular pathway was proposed to drive the transport of catechin and epicatechin gallate, while the possible transport pathway of caffeine is passive transcellular diffusion route. Co‐supplementation of flavonoids of quercetin or naringenin (20 µM) could further enhance the uptake of catechin and epicatechin gallate, but reduce the absorption of caffeine. Great in vitro and cellular antioxidant capacities were witnessed in the tea‐macerated wine samples. The wine samples also neutralized the negative impact of tert‐butyl hydroperoxide (25 µM) on glutathione S‐transferase and glutathione levels, apoptosis induction, and intracellular malondialdehyde levels. RNA sequencing with limma method revealed a total of 1473 and 406 differentially expressed genes in the 21‐day‐old Caco‐2 intestinal cells treated with the green and black tea‐macerated wines for 5 h respectively, indicating metabolic changes in the cells from the different wines.