bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Access to full-text documents in libraries via Sci-Hub: a blessing in disguise to library users
Authors: Ajani Yusuf Ayodeji , Tella Adeyinka , Okere Samuel
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The main purpose of this paper is to explore access to full-text documents in libraries through Sci-Hub and consider whether it is a blessing in disguise to library users.

Findings

Sci-Hub has been a valuable resource for accessing full-text documents. Sci-Hub is potentially problematic from a legal standpoint but has provided a “blessing in disguise” to library users who lack access to academic resources. Sci-Hub has gained significant popularity among scholars and researchers; it has democratized access to academic research. The ability to access scholarly publications for free has provided an important avenue for research and has allowed for greater efficiency and effectiveness in research projects. The legality of the service, concerns about the quality and accountability of the available materials, and the unclear long-term sustainability of the service are some of the challenges associated with using Sci-Hub in libraries.

Originality/value

This paper highlights how the Sci-Hub improves access to full-text scholarly publications for library users. The blessings and challenges associated with using Sci-Hub in libraries and recommendations are discussed.
Policies to support the internationalisation of latecomer science-based firms: the experience of large Brazilian pharmaceutical companies
Authors: Perin Fernanda Steiner , Paranhos Julia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyse how different types of public policies have supported the internationalisation of latecomer science-based firms, taking the case of large Brazilian pharmaceutical companies (LBPCs).

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology comprises a multiple case study and uses a literature review, fieldwork interviews and document analysis of eight LBPCs, five policymakers and three sector experts.

Findings

Direct and indirect policies differ in supporting LBPCs’ internationalisation motivation. The indirect policies created the necessary conditions to accumulate knowledge and capacity in the domestic market. LBPCs that adhere more to policies supporting production and technological capabilities development are internationalising as an extension of their innovative efforts. In contrast, LBPCs that have built productive capacities and have not yet reached a minimum level of technological capacity go abroad to exploit their production capabilities with the support of direct policies.

Originality/value

This study contributes to international business and evolutionary literature, demonstrating the channels through which public policies support latecomer science-based firms. The results show that direct and indirect policies assist firms’ internationalisation in different ways, according to actors’ perception: providing support to strengthen their domestic capabilities, which have become competitive advantages in the international market; or offering support to external expansion. It emphasises that industrial policies are relevant to support companies in creating the initial conditions (ownership advantages) to internationalise, and direct policies are important to help companies to design international strategies. This study also debates that policies supporting companies’ internationalisation depend on their adhesion to programmes and incentives and their routines and capabilities, which are specific to each company and lead to different motivations for international expansion.
Evaluating the drivers of green supply chain management adoption in Iran's construction industry
Authors: Soufi Mansour , Fadaei Mehdi , Homayounfar Mahdi , Gheibdoust Hamed , Rezaee Kelidbari Hamidreza
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The construction industry contributes to economic development by providing physical equipment and infrastructures. However, it also generates some undesirable outputs such as waste and environmental pollution, especially in developing countries. Due to the importance of the green supply chain management (GSCM) philosophy, for solving these problems, the current study aims to evaluate the drivers of GSCM adoption in the construction industry of Iran.

Design/methodology/approach

This research uses a descriptive and practical methodology. The participated experts in the study include senior managers of the construction department in Rasht municipality who had relevant academic education and suitable experiences in urban and industrial construction. The experts took part in both qualitative and quantitative phases of the research, namely verification of the drivers extracted from literature and ranking them in ascending order. In the quantitative phase, Step-Wise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA) as a new multi-criterion decision-making (MCDM) method is used to evaluate the drivers of GSCM adoption using MATLAB software.

Findings

The results show that environmental management systems, green product design and innovational capability with weights of 0.347, 0.218 and 0.143 are the most significant sub-drivers, respectively. The less important factor is an investment in environmental technology.

Originality/value

This study evaluated the motivational factors of GSCM in the construction industry. The findings help governments, companies and green supply chain (GSC) managers to improve their knowledge about GSCM and make the best decisions to decrease environmental pollution.
Experiential learning, institutional quality and Chinese state-owned firms’ cross-border acquisitions
Authors: Jia Jingyu , Wu Ping
Published: May 2023

Purpose

State-owned firms play important roles in Chinese cross-border acquisition (CBA) activities. However, compared with private firms, state-owned firms have a lower likelihood of acquisition completion and take longer to complete a deal. This paper aims to determine why this phenomenon exists and how state-owned firms can overcome the constraints of their identity.

Design/methodology/approach

By integrating organizational learning theory with institutional theory, this paper attempts to answer the research questions from a legitimacy perspective. Employing Chinese CBA data from 1982 to 2014, the authors use a logit model and a random effects model to test the hypothesis.

Findings

The results show that a state-owned identity easily causes legitimacy concerns among host country regulatory agencies; thus, it may result in longer and more uncertain evaluation behaviors, which lead to a lower likelihood of CBA completion and a longer deal duration. Only experience with failed acquisitions can increase CBA completion probability. Furthermore, in very complex decision-making environments, such as that surrounding deal duration, only specific types of experience (i.e. experience of failed international acquisitions) can trigger learning behavior, whereas general experience (i.e. failed acquisition experience) has little influence. Favorable bilateral relationships may not improve the completion rate and efficiency of state-owned firms, but high-quality host country institutions lead to a higher likelihood of CBA completion among state-owned firms; however, this may be not conducive to decreasing the time needed to complete an acquisition deal.

Originality/value

First, by discussing the completion rate and duration of CBAs conducted by state-owned firms and analyzing the factors that influence them, this paper enriches and develops the theory of organizational overseas mergers and acquisitions (M&As). Second, by adopting a legitimacy perspective and integrating institutional theory, the authors theorize how state-owned status influences firms’ M&A completion rate and time and test the hypotheses empirically; thus, this paper improves and deepens institutional theory. Third, by discussing how different types of experience (i.e. successful experience vs failed acquisition experience) influence the acquisition completion rate and duration and how general experience and specific types of experience affect these two dependent variables differently, this paper explains how state-owned firms can learn effectively from experience, contributing to organizational learning theory.
A literature review on CEE firms’ internationalization: success measurement, achievement and outcomes
Authors: Vissak Tiia
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to give an overview of the literature on Central and Eastern European (CEE) firms’ successful internationalization: different authors’ understanding of success, and, thereafter, these firms’ internationalization processes, external factors, internal motivators and actions that affect successful internationalizers’ initial and subsequent foreign activities, and, finally, internationalization outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a systematic-narrative hybrid literature review paper that focuses on CEE firms’ successful internationalization.

Findings

This paper concludes that CEE firms’ “success” is understood and measured differently, successful internationalizers can experience various internationalization paths, they are affected by a large number of external impact factors, internal motivators or actions and their internationalization outcomes vary considerably. Thus, there is no “ideal” type of successful internationalization: as different CEE firms can be called “successful”, they also follow different trajectories to achieve success.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this is the first literature review paper that gives an overview on how success has been defined in studies about CEE firms’ internationalization, if some types of internationalizers have been considered more successful and if there are any important CEE-specific contextual factors or not.
Using adaptive slicing method and variable binder amount algorithm in binder jetting
Authors: Baş Hasan , Yapıcı Fatih , İnanç İbrahim
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Binder jetting is one of the essential additive manufacturing methods because it is cost-effective, has no thermal stress problems and has a wide range of different materials. Using binder jetting technology in the industry is becoming more common recently. However, it has disadvantages compared to traditional manufacturing methods regarding speed. This study aims to increase the manufacturing speed of binder jetting.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used adaptive slicing to increase the manufacturing speed of binder jetting. In addition, a variable binder amount algorithm has been developed to use adaptive slicing efficiently. Quarter-spherical shaped samples were manufactured using a variable binder amount algorithm and adaptive slicing method.

Findings

Samples were sintered at 1250°C for 2 h with 10°C/min heating and cooling ramp. Scanning electron microscope analysis, surface roughness tests, and density calculations were done. According to the results obtained from the analyzes, similar surface quality is achieved by using 38% fewer layers than uniform slicing.

Research limitations/implications

More work is needed to implement adaptive slicing to binder jetting. Because the software of commercial printers is very difficult to modify, an open-source printer was used. For this reason, it can be challenging to produce perfect samples. However, a good start has been made in this area.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the actual use of adaptive slicing in binder jetting was applied for the first time in this study. A variable binder amount algorithm has been developed to implement adaptive slicing in binder jetting.
Constructing global citizenship identity through accumulating cultural capital: Chinese female international students’ experiences at a British university
Authors: Zhang Siqi
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore Chinese female international students’ construction of global citizenship identity by examining their accumulation of cultural capital in different forms from transnational higher education in the UK.

Design/methodology/approach

Participant observations and in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with Chinese female international students at a British university to explore their experiences with transnational higher education, cultural identities, the construction of global citizenship and perceived future job opportunities.

Findings

In this research, participants revealed that accessing a global elite university helps them accumulate institutionalised cultural capital. Embodied cultural cultivation acquired from transnational higher education is justified by students’ experiences in the context of transnational higher education. Rising confidence is shown by the participants’ narration and global-oriented awareness, which is their ability to understand and respect people from diverse cultural backgrounds, which was developed during their studies in the UK. However, they still realise the potentially difficult conversion of cultural capital to real job competitiveness. Recognition of global citizenship identity may be complicated if students plan to return home after studying.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides further insight into the single-child generation of globally mobile Chinese female international students. Participants were aware of the positive accumulation of cultural capital in its embodied and institutionalised forms obtained from the UK higher education system and its contribution to the construction of global citizenship identity. However, the newly constructed global citizenship identity remains complex. Participants question the extent to which the new identity fits into the Chinese social context if they decide to return home.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the originality of the paper lies in expanding the global citizenship framework with the specific application of Bourdieu’s theory of cultural capital to show Chinese female international students’ study experiences in UK transnational higher education, rather than addressing the Chinese international student experience in general.
Family tourists’ emotional responses at world heritage sites (WHSs): the effects of existential authenticity and interpersonal interaction
Authors: Meng Bo , Luo Dan
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate family tourists’ emotional responses at world heritage sites (WHSs) by using cognitive appraisal theory (CAT).

Design/methodology/approach

The online survey was conducted targeting the family tourists who had travel experience at Pingyao Ancient City, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization world heritage destination in Northern China.

Findings

Data analysis with 347 family tourists to the site, via structural equation modeling analysis, revealed that existential authenticity (i.e. intrapersonal and interpersonal authenticity) and family interpersonal interaction help evoke emotional experience, which generates family cohesion and storytelling behavior as responses.

Originality/value

This study results contribute to an existing body of literature on the ability of CAT to illustrate how emotional experience forms in the context of family tourism at WHSs. The study also provides a clear understanding on how to elicit emotions among family tourists at heritage destinations.
Magnitude of A1C improvement in relation to baseline A1C and amount of weight loss in response to intensive lifestyle intervention in real‐world diabetes practice: 13 years of observation
Authors: Eldib Ahmed H. , Dhaver Shilton , Al‐Badri Marwa , Salah Tareq , Kibaa Karim , Elenani Omnia , Tomah Shaheen , Gardner Hannah , Hamdy Osama
Published: May 2023

Background

Effect of intensive lifestyle intervention (ILI) on A1C in participants with diabetes is underestimated. A1C improvement is presumed to be dependent on the amount of weight loss. Here, we evaluate the magnitude of A1C change in relation to baseline A1C and the amount of weight loss in participants with diabetes who underwent ILI over 13 years in real‐world clinical practice.

Methods

A total of 590 participants with diabetes were enrolled in the Weight Achievement and Intensive Treatment (Why WAIT) program, a 12‐week multidisciplinary ILI program designed for real‐world clinical practice between September 2005 and May 2018. We stratified participants based on baseline A1C into three groups: group A: A1C ≥ 9%, group B: A1C 8 to <9%, and group C: A1C ≥6.5% to <8%.

Results

After 12‐weeks of intervention, body weight decreased in all groups, and pairwise comparisons of A1C changes showed that: group A had 1.3% greater A1C reduction than group B (p = 0.0001) and 2% greater than group C (p = 0.0001), while group B had 0.7% greater A1C reduction than group C (p = 0.0001).

Conclusion

We conclude that ILI may decrease A1C by up to 2.5% in participants with diabetes. At similar magnitude of weight loss, A1C reduction was more prominent in participants with higher baseline A1C. This may be valuable for clinicians to set a realistic expectation of A1C change in response to ILI.
Benralizumab: A novel treatment for the cutaneous features of paediatric eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (pEGPA)
Authors: Bandla M. , Howard M. , McNally A. , Armstrong D. , Simpson I. , Mar A.
Published: May 2023

Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a systemic vasculitis presenting primarily with pulmonary and cutaneous features. The disease is typically seen in the fifth or sixth decade of life (1, 2). We report a case of EGPA in an adolescent who was successfully treated with the interleukin‐5 (IL‐5) receptor inhibitor, benralizumab.
Fetal abdominal cysts: Predicting adverse outcomes
Authors: Garcia‐Aguilar Paula , Maiz Nerea , Rodó Carlota , Garcia‐Manau Pablo , Arévalo Silvia , Molino Jose Andres , Guillen Gabriela , Carreras Elena
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The primary aim of the study was to identify risk factors associated with fetal or neonatal loss, neonatal morbidity, and the need for surgery in fetuses diagnosed with an abdominal cyst. The secondary aim was to compare the characteristics of the cyst according to trimester at diagnosis.

Material and methods

This was an observational retrospective study performed at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital. The study included pregnant women aged 18 years or older with diagnosis of a fetal abdominal cyst from 2008 to 2021.

Results

A total of 82 women with a median gestational age of 31+1 weeks (12+0–39+4) were included in the analysis. Seven (8.5%) cases were diagnosed in the first trimester, 28 (34.1%) in the second trimester, and 47 (57.3%) in the third trimester. Fetal or neonatal loss occurred in 10 (12.2%) cases; significant predictors were diagnosis in the first trimester (OR 36.67, 95% CI: 4.89–274.79), male gender (OR 4.75, 95% CI: 1.13–19.9), and associated abnormalities (OR 15.2, 95% CI: 2.92–79.19). A total of 10 of 75 (13.3%) neonates showed at least one neonatal complication, and the only predictor was occurrence of associated abnormalities (OR 7.36, 95% CI: 1.78–30.51). A total of 16 of 75 (21.3%) neonates required postnatal surgery, and the predictors were second‐trimester diagnosis (OR 3.92, 95% CI: 1.23–12.51), associated abnormalities (OR 3.81, 95% CI: 1.15–12.64), and bowel location (OR 10.0, 95% CI: 1.48–67.55).

Conclusions

Factors associated with adverse outcomes in fetuses diagnosed with abdominal cysts are first‐trimester diagnosis and associated abnormalities. Cysts detected in the second trimester and those of intestinal origin are more likely to require surgery.
The perks of being grateful to partners: Expressing gratitude in relationships predicts relational self‐efficacy and life satisfaction during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Buenconsejo Jet U. , Fincham Frank D. , Datu Jesus Alfonso D.
Published: May 2023

Being grateful to one's partner matters for a diverse range of interpersonal and individual well‐being outcomes. However, there is little investigation on the psychological benefits of expressing gratitude to partners during the coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic. Using a short‐term longitudinal design, this study of undergraduate students (Mage = 20.31; SDage = 1.81; n = 268) in the United States explores the link between expressing gratitude in romantic relationships, subsequent relationship self‐efficacy, life satisfaction, psychological well‐being, and the COVID‐19 anxiety. Results demonstrated that expressing gratitude in relationships positively predicted subsequent relationship self‐efficacy and life satisfaction even after controlling for age, gender, ethnic background, trait gratitude, and auto‐regressor effects. These findings show that relational gratitude had incremental validity in predicting relational self‐efficacy and subjective well‐being above and beyond the effects of demographic factors and dispositional gratitude. This research emphasizes the psychological payoffs of cultivating gratitude in relational contexts.
Improving the spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions: An overview of systematic reviews
Authors: Routledge Philip Alexander , Bracchi Robert
Published: May 2023

Aim

To conduct an overview of systematic reviews examining interventions to stimulate spontaneous reporting of suspected adverse drug reactions (ADRs) by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and/or patients/carers.

Methods

Systematic reviews published since 1 January 2000 were identified and the included publications categorized in relation to the 4Es (education, engineering, economics and enforcement).

Results

Almost all studies were aimed at HCPs. Educational initiatives were most often used and, in most studies, were associated with improvements in quantity and/or quality of reports, at least in the short term. Lectures/presentations and regular reminders (eg, verbal or by e‐mail) were the educational methods most often identified by systematic reviews. Engineering initiatives were also generally effective, including improving the availability of reporting forms, electronic ADR reporting, modification of reporting procedures/policies or the reporting form and assistance to complete the form. Evidence for the benefit of economic incentives (eg, monetary rewards, lottery tickets, days off work, “giveaways” and educational credits) was often clouded by the potential effects of other concomitant initiatives, and any possible associated improvements often disappeared rapidly after incentives were discontinued.

Conclusion

Educational and engineering strategies appear to be the interventions most often associated with improvements in reporting rates by HCPs, at least in the short to medium term. However, the evidence for sustained impact is weak. The available data were insufficient to clearly identify the separate impact of economic strategies. Further work is also needed to examine the effects of these strategies on reporting by patients, carers and the public.
Reducing land fragmentation to curb cropland abandonment: Evidence from rural China
Authors: Zheng Linyi , Su Liufang , Jin Songqing
Published: May 2023

Reducing land fragmentation can theoretically curb cropland abandonment, thus ensuring food security. However, few studies have quantified this relationship using large‐scale survey data at the household level. This study adopts a two‐way fixed‐effects (TWFE) model to examine the effect of land fragmentation on cropland abandonment using nationally representative panel data from the China Rural Household Panel Survey (CRHPS). The panel data set contains 15,138 households across 29 provinces in 2017 and 2019. We find that land fragmentation has a significant and positive relationship with cropland abandonment. The mechanism analysis reveals that this relationship is due to high labor costs and difficulties in renting out the fragmented land. The heterogeneity analysis indicates that farmers with poor human capital and those living in non‐plain areas are at a higher risk of abandoning their cropland due to land fragmentation. Furthermore, the association between land fragmentation and cropland abandonment tends to vary across different land rent‐in scenarios. For instance, an increase in the number of plots in the case of land rent‐in is not necessarily associated with cropland abandonment. These findings are conducive to correcting the underestimation of the role of land fragmentation in cropland abandonment, and their implications may be extended to various countries.
Transmural pancreatoscopy‐assisted lithotripsy through endoscopic ultrasound‐guided pancreatic duct drainage tract created by a novel drill dilator
Authors: Mizumachi Midori , Mukai Shuntaro , Itoi Takao
Published: May 2023

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Baseline antipsychotic prescription and short‐term outcome indicators in individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis: Findings from the Parma At‐Risk Mental States (PARMS) program
Authors: Pelizza Lorenzo , Leuci Emanuela , Quattrone Emanuela , Azzali Silvia , Paulillo Giuseppina , Pupo Simona , Poletti Michele , Raballo Andrea , Pellegrini Pietro , Menchetti Marco
Published: May 2023

Aim

The prognostic prediction of outcomes in individuals at clinical high‐risk for psychosis (CHR‐P) is still a significant clinical challenge. Among multiple baseline variables of risk calculator models, the role of ongoing pharmacological medications has been partially neglected, despite meta‐analytical evidence of higher risk of psychosis transition associated with baseline prescription exposure to antipsychotics (AP) in CHR‐P individuals. The main aim of the current study was to test the hypothesis that ongoing AP need at baseline indexes a subgroup of CHR‐P individuals with more severe psychopathology and worse prognostic trajectories along a 1‐year follow‐up period.

Methods

This research was settled within the ‘Parma At‐Risk Mental States’ program. Baseline and 1‐year follow‐up assessment included the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF). CHR‐P individuals who were taking AP medications at entry were included in the CHR‐P‐AP+ subgroup. The remaining participants were grouped as CHR‐P‐AP‐.

Results

Hundred and seventy‐eight CHR‐P individuals (aged 12–25 years) were enrolled (91 CHR‐P‐AP+, 87 CHR‐P‐AP‐). Compared to CHR‐P AP‐, CHR‐P AP+ individuals had older age, greater baseline PANSS ‘Positive Symptoms’ and ‘Negative Symptoms’ factor subscores and a lower GAF score. At the end of our follow‐up, CHR‐P‐AP+ subjects showed higher rates of psychosis transition, new hospitalizations and urgent/non‐planned visits compared to CHRP‐ AP‐ individuals.

Conclusions

In agreement with increasing empirical evidence, also the results of the current study suggest that AP need is a significant prognostic variable in cohorts of CHR‐P individuals and should be included in risk calculators.
An empirical hybridized Siamese network using hypercube natural aggregation algorithm for handling imbalance data learning
Authors: Rout Subhashree , Mallick Pradeep Kumar , Reddy Annapareddy V. N. , Alharbi Meshal , Alkhayyat Ahmed
Published: May 2023

Dealing with imbalanced data is a common challenge in machine learning, where one class has significantly fewer examples than another. Successfully addressing this challenge requires careful consideration of the data, algorithm, and evaluation metrics to ensure that the model accurately predicts the minority class. In this study, we present a hybrid approach called Siamese‐HYNAA, which combines a Siamese network and a population‐based optimizer hypercube natural aggregation algorithm (HYNAA) to generate candidate solutions for augmenting the minority class. We collected 10 imbalanced datasets ranging from 1.81 to 8.78 imbalanced ratios and built solution pairs based on correctly predicted candidate solutions using support vector machine (SVM). We then fed these solutions to the Siamese network, which employs a one‐shot learning approach to improve predictions with fewer candidate solutions. However, we found that SVM predicted only a small number of minority class samples accurately, prompting us to optimize the number of candidate solution pairs using HYNAA to generate more synthetic samples for the Siamese network. We evaluated our proposed strategy against basic SMOTE and our previous work, SMOTE‐PSOEV, using various performance measures, including ROC‐AUC learning curves, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, Characteristic stability index, balanced accuracy, F1‐score, informedness, markedness, and execution time. Our results indicate that Siamese‐HYNAA generates promising results for imbalanced data.
Comparing the marriage and dating decisions of Indian youths: A vignette study
Authors: Barman Jeshmeen Deb , Maheshwari Saurabh
Published: May 2023

The study examines the differences in the decision‐making process involved in selecting marriage and dating partners. A vignette experiment was conducted on 76 university students. Participants were given scenarios to choose a marriage or dating partner for their friends by using the positive and negative qualities/attributes of the given options. The result showed that individuals took more time and provided more explanation in the case of marriage than dating decisions. They remembered more positive attributes of their choice and more negative attributes of the rejected options in the marriage scenario. The results are discussed using the systems approach of decision‐making.
Isotopic evidence of environmental changes during the Devonian–Carboniferous transition in South China and its implications for the biotic crisis
Authors: Cao Hansheng , Hu Liumei , Wang Zaiyun , He Wentong , Chen Fajin , Hou Qinghua , Chen Chunqing
Published: May 2023

The Devonian–Carboniferous (D–C) transition coincides with the Hangenberg Crisis, carbon isotope anomalies, and the enhanced preservation of organic matter associated with marine redox fluctuations. The proposed driving factors for the biotic extinction include variations in the eustatic sea level, paleoclimate fluctuation, climatic conditions, redox conditions, and the configuration of ocean basins. To investigate this phenomenon and obtain information on the paleo‐ocean environment of different depositional facies, we studied a shallow‐water carbonate section developed in the periplatform slope facies on the southern margin of South China, which includes a well‐preserved succession spanning the D–C boundary. The integrated chemostratigraphic trends reveal distinct excursions in the isotopic compositions of bulk nitrogen, carbonate carbon, organic carbon, and total sulfur. A distinct negative δ15N excursion (~−3.1‰) is recorded throughout the Middle Si. praesulcata Zone and the Upper Si. praesulcata Zone, when the Hangenberg mass extinction occurred. We attribute the nitrogen cycle anomaly to enhanced microbial nitrogen fixation, which was likely a consequence of intensified seawater anoxia associated with increased denitrification, as well as upwelling of anoxic ammonium‐bearing waters. Negative excursions in the δ13Ccarb and δ13Corg values were identified in the Middle Si. praesulcata Zone and likely resulted from intense deep ocean upwelling that amplified nutrient fluxes and delivered 13C‐depleted anoxic water masses. Decreased δ34S values during the Middle Si. praesulcata Zone suggests an increasing contribution of water‐column sulfate reduction under euxinic conditions. Contributions of organic matter produced by anaerobic metabolisms to the deposition of shallow carbonate in the Upper Si. praesulcata Zone is recorded by the nadir of δ13Corg values associated with maximal △13C. The integrated δ15N‐δ13C‐δ34S data suggest that significant ocean‐redox variation was recorded in South China during the D–C transition; and that this prominent fluctuation was likely associated with intense upwelling of deep anoxic waters. The temporal synchrony between the development of euxinia/anoxia and the Hangenberg Event indicates that the redox oscillation was a key factor triggering manifestations of the biodiversity crisis.
Impact of comedonecrosis on prostate cancer outcome: a systematic review
Authors: Aiyer Kaveri T S , Kroon Lisa J , van Leenders Geert J L H
Published: May 2023

Cribriform architecture has been recognised as an independent parameter for prostate cancer outcome. Little is yet known on the added value of individual Gleason 5 growth patterns. Comedonecrosis is assigned Gleason pattern 5 and can occur in both invasive and intraductal carcinoma. The aim of this study is to systematically review the literature for the prognostic value of comedonecrosis in prostate cancer. A systematic literature search of Medline, Web of Science, Cochrane library and Google scholar was performed according to the Preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta‐analysis (PRISMA)guidelines. After identification and screening of all relevant studies published up to July 2022, 12 manuscripts were included. Clinicopathological data were extracted and the presence of comedonecrosis in either invasive, intraductal or ductal carcinoma was associated with at least one clinical outcome measure. No meta‐analysis was performed. Eight of 11 studies showed that comedonecrosis was significantly associated with biochemical recurrence and two studies with metastasis or death. The only studies using metastasis‐free and disease specific‐free survival as an endpoint both found comedonecrosis to be an independent prognostic parameter in multivariate analysis. The studies were all retrospective and demonstrated considerable heterogeneity with regard to clinical specimen, tumour type, grade group, correction for confounding factors and endpoints. This systematic review demonstrates weak evidence for comedonecrosis to be associated with adverse prostate cancer outcome. Study heterogeneity and lack of correction for confounding factors prohibit drawing of definitive conclusions.
Transcriptomic and immunophenotypic characterization of two cases of adamantinoma‐like Ewing sarcoma of the thyroid gland
Authors: Chatzopoulos Kyriakos , Davila Jaime I. , Fadra Numrah , Jackson Rory A. , Minn Kay T. , Sotiriou Sotiris , Oliveira Andre M. , Erickson Lori A. , Halling Kevin C. , Rumilla Kandelaria M. , Rivera Michael
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Adamantinoma‐like Ewing sarcoma (ALES) is a rare aggressive malignancy occasionally diagnosed in the thyroid gland. ALES shows basaloid cytomorphology, expresses keratins, p63, p40, frequently CD99, and harbours the t(11;22) EWSR1::FLI1 translocation. There is debate on whether ALES resembles more sarcoma or carcinoma.

Methods

We performed RNA sequencing from two ALES cases and compared findings with skeletal Ewing's sarcomas and nonneoplastic thyroid tissue. ALES was investigated by in situ hybridization (ISH) for high‐risk human papillomavirus (HPV) DNA and immunohistochemistry for the following antigens: keratin 7, keratin 20, keratin 5, keratins (AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2), CD45, CD20, CD5, CD99, chromogranin, synaptophysin, calcitonin, thyroglobulin, PAX8, TTF1, S100, p40, p63, p16, NUT, desmin, ER, FLI1, INI1, and myogenin.

Results

An uncommon EWSR1::FLI transcript with retained EWSR1 exon 8 was detected in both ALES cases. Regulators of EWSR1::FLI1 splicing (HNRNPH1, SUPT6H, SF3B1) necessary for production of a functional fusion oncoprotein, as well as 53 genes (including TNNT1, NKX2.2) activated downstream to the EWSR1::FLI1 cascade, were overexpressed. Eighty‐six genes were uniquely overexpressed in ALES, most of which were related to squamous differentiation. Immunohistochemically, ALES strongly expressed keratins 5, AE1/AE3 and CAM5.2, p63, p40, p16, and focally CD99. INI1 was retained. The remaining immunostains and HPV DNA ISH were negative.

Conclusion

Comparative transcriptomic profiling reveals overlapping features of ALES with skeletal Ewing's sarcoma and an epithelial carcinoma, as evidenced by immunohistochemical expression of keratin 5, p63, p40, CD99, the transcriptome profile, and detection of EWSR1::FLI1 fusion transcript by RNA sequencing.
Removing non‐crop flowers within orchards promotes the decline of pollinators, not their conservation: A comment on McDougall et al. (2021)
Authors: Nabaes Jodar Diego N. , Pérez‐Méndez Néstor , Botías Cristina , Garibaldi Lucas A. , Hunicken Pablo L. , Velado‐Alonso Elena , Zaragoza‐Trello Carlos
Published: May 2023

Abundant and diverse floral resources are needed for the preservation of pollinator populations and the services they provide to human societies. However, pollinators are negatively affected by several agricultural practices, among which pesticide use and ‘weed’ removal stand out.

McDougall et al. (2021) published a paper titled ‘Managing orchard groundcover to reduce pollinator foraging post‐bloom’, where they propose removing the within‐field flowering ground vegetation after the mass flowering period of the crop ends, to reduce pesticide exposure.

They consider this is a bee conservation strategy, after observing it reduces the abundance and diversity of pollinators within the crop. However, despite assuming this implied a realisation of an expected reduction in pesticide exposure, this was not quantified.

Here, we give three main arguments against the proposal of the authors, that is, the need for providing accessible, sufficient, safe and seasonally‐spread feeding resources to crop pollinators, the potential role of diverse floral resources in their pesticide tolerance, and the urgent need to reduce pesticide use and impact in agriculture.
Incidence of ventricular arrhythmias related to COVID infection and vaccination in patients with Brugada syndrome: Insights from a large Italian multicenter registry based on continuous rhythm monitoring
Authors: Casella Michela , Conti Sergio , Compagnucci Paolo , Ribatti Valentina , Narducci Maria Lucia , Marcon Lorenzo , Massara Francesca , Valeri Yari , De Francesco Luca , Martino Anna Maria , Ghiglieno Chiara , Schiavone Marco , Balla Cristina , Dell'Era Gabriele , Pelargonio Gemma , Forleo Giovanni Battista , Iacopino Saverio , Sgarito Giuseppe , Calò Leonardo , Tondo Claudio , Russo Antonio Dello , Patti Giuseppe
Published: May 2023

Introduction

Brugada syndrome (BrS) has a dynamic ECG pattern that might be revealed by certain conditions such as fever. We evaluated the incidence and management of ventricular arrhythmias (VAs) related to COVID‐19 infection and vaccination among BrS patients carriers of an implantable loop recorder (ILR) or implantable cardioverter‐defibrillator (ICD) and followed by remote monitoring.

Methods

This was a multicenter retrospective study. Patients were carriers of devices with remote monitoring follow‐up. We recorded VAs 6 months before COVID‐19 infection or vaccination, during infection, at each vaccination, and up to 6‐month post‐COVID‐19 or 1 month after the last vaccination. In ICD carriers, we documented any device intervention.

Results

We included 326 patients, 202 with an ICD and 124 with an ILR. One hundred and nine patients (33.4%) had COVID‐19, 55% of whom developed fever. Hospitalization rate due to COVID‐19 infection was 2.76%. After infection, we recorded only two ventricular tachycardias (VTs). After the first, second, and third vaccines, the incidence of non‐sustained ventricular tachycardia (NSVT) was 1.5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. The incidence of VT was 1% after the second dose. Six‐month post‐COVID‐19 healing or 1 month after the last vaccine, we documented NSVT in 3.4%, VT in 0.5%, and ventricular fibrillation in 0.5% of patients. Overall, one patient received anti‐tachycardia pacing and one a shock. ILR carriers had no VAs. No differences were found in VT before and after infection and before and after each vaccination.

Conclusions

From this large multicenter study conducted in BrS patients, followed by remote monitoring, the overall incidence of sustained VAs after COVID‐19 infection and vaccination is relatively low.
Deficiency of Tregs in hypertension‐associated left ventricular hypertrophy
Authors: Tang Ying , Shen Li , Bao Jing‐hui , Xu Dan‐Yan
Published: May 2023

Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is the most common target organ damage in hypertension. Abnormal numbers or functions of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) can cause immune disorders, which participates in LVH. This study aimed to explore the role of Tregs in LVH by investigating circulating Tregs and associated cytokine levels in hypertensive patients with or without LVH. Blood samples were collected from 83 hypertensive patients without LVH (essential hypertension group, EH), 91 hypertensive patients with LVH (left ventricular hypertrophy group, LVH), and 69 normotensive controls without LVH (control group, CG). Tregs and cytokines were measured by flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assays. We found that circulating Tregs were significantly lower in hypertensive patients than in CG subjects. It was lower in LVH than in EH patients. No correlation between blood pressure regulation and Tregs was found in EH or LVH patients. Furthermore, Tregs in older females were lower than those in older males among LVH patients. Additionally, serum interleukin‐10 (IL‐10) and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1) decreased in hypertensive patients, and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) increased in LVH patients. Tregs were negatively correlated with creatine kinase, low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol, apoprotein B, high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein, and left ventricular mass index (LVMI) values. In general, our study demonstrates significantly decreased circulating Tregs in hypertensive LVH patients. Decreased circulating Tregs in LVH is independent of blood pressure regulation. IL‐6, IL‐10, and TGF‐β1 are related with LVH in hypertension.
In vitro biosafety and bioactivity assessment of the goat milk protein derived hydrolysates peptides
Authors: Sansi Manish Singh , Iram Daraksha , Vij Shilpa , Kapila Suman , Meena Sunita
Published: May 2023

Goat milk and protein hydrolysate peptides have generated significant interest due to their diverse range of biological functions. To produce these peptides, casein (CP), and whey proteins (WP) were partially purified from goat milk and subsequently hydrolyzed with gastrointestinal endopeptidases such as pepsin, trypsin, and α‐chymotrypsin based on in silico selection to achieve gastrointestinal stable peptides. The hydrolysates were characterized using various techniques, including zeta sizer, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, and reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (RP‐HPLC). The resulting peptides were then purified using RP‐HPLC. To assess cytotoxicity, an MTT (3‐[4, 5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2, 5‐diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay was performed with fluorescence microscopy. Finally, cytokine levels were determined using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In comparison to WP and CP, the casein protein hydrolysates (CPH) and whey protein hydrolysates (WPH) peptides average particle size and PDI were decreased. The zeta potential of casein and whey peptides hydrolysates there were no differences. The RP‐HPLC analysis revealed the production of peptides through the hydrolysis of CP and WP. These hydrolysates peptides were found to possess diverse biological activities, as evidenced by their significant inhibition of α‐amylase, pancreatic lipase (PL), and angiotensin‐converting enzyme (ACE), as well as their antibacterial properties against selected pathogens. Further investigations were carried out to understand the mode of action of these peptides using fluorescence and scanning electron microscope (SEM) microscopy. This study provides the first evidence of gastrointestinal stable peptides derived from goat milk with inhibitory activity against α‐amylase, PL, and ACE, as well as antibacterial properties against specific pathogens. Additionally, the peptides demonstrated significant cytokine inhibition and low toxicity toward the HT‐29 cell line. This study strongly suggests that the biologically active peptides responsible for the health‐related bioactive properties described here, which are considered functional and nutraceutical ingredients, should be identified and validated in subsequent research, particularly the most effective hydrolysate peptides derived from goat milk protein. Goat milk is widely recognized as an excellent source of milk protein. In this study, bioactive peptides were produced using casein and whey proteins from goat milk, which exhibited inhibitory activity against angiotensin converting enzyme, α‐amylase, and pancreatic lipase, as well as antibacterial properties. Goat milk protein is a promising source for developing high‐quality protein products with excellent safety standards that have potential applications in the pharmaceutical and food industries.
Machine learning functional impairment classification with electronic health record data
Authors: Pavon Juliessa M. , Previll Laura , Woo Myung , Henao Ricardo , Solomon Mary , Rogers Ursula , Olson Andrew , Fischer Jonathan , Leo Christopher , Fillenbaum Gerda , Hoenig Helen , Casarett David
Published: May 2023

Background

Poor functional status is a key marker of morbidity, yet is not routinely captured in clinical encounters. We developed and evaluated the accuracy of a machine learning algorithm that leveraged electronic health record (EHR) data to provide a scalable process for identification of functional impairment.

Methods

We identified a cohort of patients with an electronically captured screening measure of functional status (Older Americans Resources and Services ADL/IADL) between 2018 and 2020 (N = 6484). Patients were classified using unsupervised learning K means and t‐distributed Stochastic Neighbor Embedding into normal function (NF), mild to moderate functional impairment (MFI), and severe functional impairment (SFI) states. Using 11 EHR clinical variable domains (832 variable input features), we trained an Extreme Gradient Boosting supervised machine learning algorithm to distinguish functional status states, and measured prediction accuracies. Data were randomly split into training (80%) and test (20%) sets. The SHapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) feature importance analysis was used to list the EHR features in rank order of their contribution to the outcome.

Results

Median age was 75.3 years, 62% female, 60% White. Patients were classified as 53% NF (n = 3453), 30% MFI (n = 1947), and 17% SFI (n = 1084). Summary of model performance for identifying functional status state (NF, MFI, SFI) was AUROC (area under the receiving operating characteristic curve) 0.92, 0.89, and 0.87, respectively. Age, falls, hospitalization, home health use, labs (e.g., albumin), comorbidities (e.g., dementia, heart failure, chronic kidney disease, chronic pain), and social determinants of health (e.g., alcohol use) were highly ranked features in predicting functional status states.

Conclusion

A machine learning algorithm run on EHR clinical data has potential utility for differentiating functional status in the clinical setting. Through further validation and refinement, such algorithms can complement traditional screening methods and result in a population‐based strategy for identifying patients with poor functional status who need additional health resources.