bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
CFL1-dependent dynamicity of surface ectoderm filopodia-like protrusions enhances neurulation zippering speed in mice
Authors: Marshall Abigail R , Krstevski Andrea , Croswell Henry , Shah Rahul , Maniou Eirini , Greene Nicholas DE , Copp Andrew J , Galea Gabriel L
Published: November 2023

Progression of caudally-directed embryonic neural tube closure must exceed that of body axis elongation, otherwise closure is incomplete and neural tube defects arise. Genetic deletion and pharmacological antagonism studies establish the critical role of actomyosin regulation in this closure process in mice, but many models of impaired F-actin regulation are limited by early embryonic lethality, which precludes mechanistic insightin vivo. Here, we test the physiological functions of the F-actin severing protein CFL1 by selective deletion in various tissues of mouse embryos undergoing neural tube closure. Loss of CFL1 in the cranial neuroepithelium diminishes selective apical localisation of F-actin and produces dysmorphic, asymmetrical headfolds which fail to meet at the dorsal midline, causing exencephaly, with partial penetrance. During spinal neurulation, neuroepithelial CFL1 is dispensable, but its expression in the surface ectoderm enhances the dynamicity of filopodia-like protrusions involved in the zippering process of midline epithelial fusion. Compared with littermate controls, spinal zippering speed is decreased by 30% in embryos lacking surface ectoderm CFL1 and approximately 30% of embryos develop spina bifida. These findings suggest that molecular-level cytoskeletal regulation by CFL1 sets the cellular-level dynamicity of filopodial extensions which limit tissue-level zippering speed necessary to fully close the neural tube.
Determination of crystallographic texture in polycrystalline materials from wavelength-resolved neutron transmission experiments: application to high-symmetry crystals
Authors: Vicente Alvarez Miguel Angel , Malamud Florencia , Santisteban Javier Roberto
Published: November 2023

Wavelength-resolved neutron transmission experiments are useful for characterizing the microstructure of macroscopic specimens with 2D spatial resolution perpendicular to the beam direction. The crystallographic texture can affect the neutron transmission in the thermal neutron energy range, which manifests as changes in the shape and height of Bragg edges as a function of neutron wavelength. Models have been proposed to predict the transmission of textured polycrystalline materials from knowledge of the material texture and have proved to accurately predict the observed transmission data. In recent work, a novel method was described and tested for obtaining texture integral parameters from the combined analysis of transmission data measured along several directions of a specimen in a hexagonal crystal Zr alloy. However, this procedure has limitations when dealing with high-symmetry crystal structures. In this work, a generalization of such a method based on the expansion of the orientation distribution function (ODF) in symmetric generalized spherical harmonics that is applicable to all crystal and sample symmetries is presented. Using this method, the low-order Fourier coefficients of the ODF can be estimated by analyzing transmission data obtained for a reduced set of beam directions. This method was verified using a cubic Cu sample, for which transmission data were available along five different directions. Two sample symmetries were assumed to reduce the number of Fourier coefficients of the ODF. In the case of cylindrical symmetry (fiber-type texture), the results were good; but in the case of orthorhombic symmetry, some bias was observed which was attributed to the reduced number of beam directions used to perform the evaluation.
How to select a model if we know probabilities with interval uncertainty?
Authors: Kreinovich Vladik
Published: November 2023

Purpose

When the probability of each model is known, a natural idea is to select the most probable model. However, in many practical situations, the exact values of these probabilities are not known; only the intervals that contain these values are known. In such situations, a natural idea is to select some probabilities from these intervals and to select a model with the largest selected probabilities. The purpose of this study is to decide how to most adequately select these probabilities.

Design/methodology/approach

It is desirable to have a probability-selection method that preserves independence. If, according to the probability intervals, the two events were independent, then the selection of probabilities within the intervals should preserve this independence.

Findings

The paper describes all techniques for decision making under interval uncertainty about probabilities that are consistent with independence. It is proved that these techniques form a 1-parametric family, a family that has already been successfully used in such decision problems.

Originality/value

This study provides a theoretical explanation of an empirically successful technique for decision-making under interval uncertainty about probabilities. This explanation is based on the natural idea that the method for selecting probabilities from the corresponding intervals should preserve independence.
Biophilic design: an effective design approach during pandemic and post-pandemic
Authors: Bahador Amin , Mahmudi Zarandi Mahnaz
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The emergence of Covid-19 and its epidemic features have affected many people around the world. Regardless of the physical and psychological problems caused by it, people must isolate themselves from their surroundings. This problem is more intense in urban areas where people live in crowded apartments and high-rise buildings. During the lockdown, residents of such buildings suffered from disconnection from nature, in addition to the lack of communication with others. As most multi-story apartments and residential complexes do not have separate green spaces and do not provide a safe connection to nature for occupants, it is very tough for the residents of these buildings to endure the disease, and occupants are more vulnerable to disease. Accordingly, this study proposes the biophilic design as an effective approach to provide a secure connection with nature in residential complexes and high-rise apartments.

Design/methodology/approach

The questionnaire method was used in this study to analyze the raised hypotheses. Two types of residential zones were selected for the survey and comparing the results. One is apartment units without dedicated green space, and the other is villa houses with private green space. Size of the sample population include 300 people (150 residents of an apartment block and 150 residents of villa homes).

Findings

Strict restrictions during the pandemic have prevented people from connecting with nature, especially in urban areas, owing to the lack of separated and dedicated green spaces, whereas connection with nature can be healing and lead to relieving anxiety and stress in this era based on the approved research. Accordingly, applying a biophilic approach to the design process would be helpful.

Research limitations/implications

The lack of a biophilic project to observe was one of the limitations of this study. Being an available biophilic project in the surroundings could be very helpful to observe and acquire comprehensive knowledge and experiences from the handlers and users of biophilic buildings.

Practical implications

This study can be beneficial for patients, individuals and occupants of apartments and residential complexes in urban areas who suffer from distance from nature and green spaces during the restrictions of pandemics such as Covid-19.

Originality/value

This study proposes the use of biophilic architecture in the design process of residential complexes and high-rise apartments to provide isolated and dedicated green spaces for occupants, especially during the lockdown when people have been deprived of parks and public green spaces.
Analysis of non-linear losses in a parallel plate thermoacoustic stack
Authors: Di Meglio Armando , Massarotti Nicola , Rolland Samuel , Nithiarasu Perumal
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the non-linear losses of a porous media (stack) composed by parallel plates and inserted in a resonator tube in oscillatory flows by proposing numerical correlations between pressure gradient and velocity.

Design/methodology/approach

The numerical correlations origin from computational fluid dynamics simulations, conducted at the microscopic scale, in which three fluid channels representing the porous media are taken into account. More specifically, for a specific frequency and stack porosity, the oscillating pressure input is varied, and the velocity and the pressure-drop are post-processed in the frequency domain (Fast Fourier Transform analysis).

Findings

It emerges that the viscous component of pressure drop follows a quadratic trend with respect to velocity inside the stack, while the inertial component is linear also at high-velocity regimes. Furthermore, the non-linear coefficient b of the correlation ax + bx2 (related to the Forchheimer coefficient) is discovered to be dependent on frequency. The largest value of the b is found at low frequencies as the fluid particle displacement is comparable to the stack length. Furthermore, the lower the porosity the higher the Forchheimer term because the velocity gradients at the stack geometrical discontinuities are more pronounced.

Originality/value

The main novelty of this work is that, for the first time, non-linear losses of a parallel plate stack are investigated from a macroscopic point of view and summarised into a non-linear correlation, similar to the steady-state and well-known Darcy–Forchheimer law. The main difference is that it considers the frequency dependence of both Darcy and Forchheimer terms. The results can be used to enhance the analysis and design of thermoacoustic devices, which use the kind of stacks studied in the present work.
Identifying leather type and authenticity by optical coherence tomography
Authors: Sabuncu Metin , Özdemir Hakan
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to identify leather type and authenticity through optical coherence tomography.

Design/methodology/approach

Optical coherence tomography images taken from genuine and faux leather samples were used to create an image dataset, and automated machine learning algorithms were also used to distinguish leather types.

Findings

The optical coherence tomography scan results in a different image based on leather type. This information was used to determine the leather type correctly by optical coherence tomography and automatic machine learning algorithms. Please note that this system also recognized whether the leather was genuine or synthetic. Hence, this demonstrates that optical coherence tomography and automatic machine learning can be used to distinguish leather type and determine whether it is genuine.

Originality/value

For the first time to the best of the authors' knowledge, spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and automated machine learning algorithms were applied to identify leather authenticity in a noncontact and non-invasive manner. Since this model runs online, it can readily be employed in automated quality monitoring systems in the leather industry. With recent technological progress, optical coherence tomography combined with automated machine learning algorithms will be used more frequently in automatic authentication and identification systems.
Gift or bribe? The characteristics and the role of gift policies in the prevention of corruption
Authors: Peltier-Rivest Dominic
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the current trends in corruption and investigate the characteristics of corporate gift policies and their role in preventing bribery.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive study based on primary data from a recent sample of Canadian companies’ codes of conduct and secondary data from recent corruption surveys published by non-governmental organisations.

Findings

This study shows that 25% of all private and public corruption cases generate financial damages of more than US$1m per case and that 50% of all investigated fraud cases are corruption cases (ACFE, 2022). Furthermore, the Western Europe and EU region is perceived as least corrupt, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa is perceived as the most corrupt region (Transparency International, 2022). However, bribery is fairly common in nine EU countries where 10% or more of public service users bribed public officials to influence their decisions (Transparency International, 2021). Results from primary data show that 9.3% of firms put a total ban on gifts given to governmental officials, whereas 35.2% require a superior’s approval and only 5.5% state a dollar limit for the gift. Results also show that not a single firm prohibits the giving of gifts to non-governmental stakeholders or the receiving of gifts from any type of stakeholder. This paper argues that gifts can bias the recipient’s judgement and improperly influence future business decisions based on the gift’s subjective value, nature and context.

Research limitations/implications

This paper extends previous research by examining the characteristics of corporate gift policies. It also helps organisations improve their gift policies in an effort to reduce corruption.

Originality/value

It is the first paper to investigate the characteristics of corporate gift policies and their role in preventing corruption.
Country-of-origin image and consumer brand evaluation: a meta-analytic review
Authors: Oduro Stephen , De Nisco Alessandro , Petruzzellis Luca
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to draw on cue utilization and irradiation theories to: determine the extent to which country-of-origin image and its sub-dimensions exert an aggregate and relative influence on consumer brand evaluations; and identify the contextual and methodological factors that account for between-study variance in the focal relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

A random-effects model was used to examine 166 empirical articles encompassing 499,563 observations, and 282 effect sizes from 1984 to 2020 using Comprehensive Meta-Analysis software.

Findings

Results show that country-of-origin image has a positive, moderate effect on consumer brand evaluations. Moreover, findings reveal that each dimension of country-of-origin image – general country image, general product country image, specific product country image and partitioned country image – significantly influences consumer brand evaluation, but the effect of general product country image is the largest. What’s more, the aggregate impacts of country-of-origin image on consumer brand evaluation – brand commitment, brand-specific associations and general brand impressions – show that the effect on brand commitment is the largest. Finally, findings show that contextual factors (brand source, product sector, culture [individualism vs collectivism], brand origin continents and respondents’ continent) and methodological factors (cues, sampling unit, publication year and sample size) significantly account for between-study variance.

Originality/value

This study provides the first meta-analytic review of the relationship between country-of-origin image and consumer brand evaluation to help clarify mixed findings and balance out the literature, which has only seen quantitative reviews on product evaluation and purchase decisions.
The absurdity of the modern law of town and village greens
Authors: Spencer Tom
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to use doctrinal legal investigative methods combined with economic analysis to investigate the efficacy of the Law.

Design/methodology/approach

The purpose of this paper is to explain the inherent absurdity in the modern law of town and village greens (TVGs). The author wishes to show that the public understanding of what constitutes a green worth protecting is incomparable with how the Law currently operates, instead providing a crude vehicle to prevent development.

Findings

Applying an efficiency maximisation framework to the law of TVGs the Law fails to protect land worth protecting, as well as prevents allocatively efficient bargaining from taking place.

Research limitations/implications

This research has not presented empirical evidence to suggest the extent of the damage identified. This is a separate question to the marginal impacts of the damage.

Originality/value

A Law and Economics analysis of TVG Law in England and Wales has not been attempted before.
Customer intention to participate in service recovery: what is it and what are the drivers?
Authors: Singh Gurbir , Mishra Abhishek
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Customer participation (CP) in service recovery is one of the ways to co-create value with the service provider. Most existing studies assume that customers are willing to participate in service recovery, provided the firm offers them the opportunity. In this study, the authors propose the construct named customer intention to participate in service recovery (CIPSR), develop a scale for it and argue that it is not always implicit but rather is dependent on the consumer's perceived control.

Design/methodology/approach

A multi-method approach was used with a combination of qualitative interviews, literature review, unaided dimension identification, correspondence analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and structural equation modelling to develop the CIPSR scale. The authors used structural equation modelling to test the proposed effect of perceived control on CIPSR.

Findings

The study proposes a four-dimensional scale for CIPSR. The authors also found support for the effect of perceived control on CIPSR, with anxiety and failure controllability attribution as intermediate variables.

Originality/value

This study develops a comprehensive scale to measure CIPSR using a rigorous multi-method technique, as well as establishes its importance in the existing literature.
Relational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior: do employee well-being and employee voice matter?
Authors: Ansong Abraham , Addison Rhodaline Abena , Yeboah Moses Ahomka , Ansong Linda Obeng
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the mediation effects of employee voice and employee well-being on the relationship between relational leadership and organizational citizenship behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used a Web-based survey method to collect data from 301 respondents in the four public hospitals of the Sekondi-Takoradi Metropolis. This study used PLS-SEM (WarpPLS) to test the study’s hypotheses.

Findings

The findings show that relational leadership has a positive impact on organizational citizenship behavior, and that this link is mediated in part by both employee voice and employee well-being.

Practical implications

This study demonstrates the importance of leaders, paying close attention to employees’ well-being and opinions when attempting to drive organizational citizenship behavior in the health sector.

Originality/value

Based on the review of the extant literature on the impact of leadership on employee behavior and to the best of the authors’ knowledge, it is likely that this study will be the first to show how relational leadership, employee voice, employee well-being and organizational citizenship behavior are related in the health sector, thereby advancing the thrusts of the social exchange and relational leadership theories.
Numerical and experimental investigation on the heat transfer and mass transport in LPBF in-situ alloying of Al/Cu alloy
Authors: Zhou Yang , Li Zhong , Huang Yuhe , Chen Xiaohan , Li Xinggang , Hu Xiaogang , Zhu Qiang
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Laser powder bed fusion (LPBF) in-situ alloying is a recently developed technology that provides a facile approach to optimizing the microstructural and compositional characteristics of the components for high performance goals. However, the complex mass and heat transfer behavior of the molten pool results in an inhomogeneous composition distribution within the samples fabricated by LPBF in-situ alloying. The study aims to investigate the heat and mass transfer behavior of an in-situ alloyed molten pool by developing a three-dimensional transient thermal-flow model that couples the metallurgical behavior of the alloy, thereby revealing the formation mechanism of composition inhomogeneity.

Design/methodology/approach

A multispecies multiphase computational fluid dynamic model was developed with thermodynamic factors derived from the phase diagram of the selected alloy system. The characteristics of the Al/Cu powder bed in-situ alloying process were investigated as a benchmark. The metallurgical behaviors including powder melting, thermal-flow, element transfer and solidification were investigated.

Findings

The Peclet number indicates that the mass transfer in the molten pool is dominated by convection. The large variation in material properties and temperature results in the presence of partially melted Cu-powder and pre-solidified particles in the molten pool, which further hinder the convection mixing. The study of simulation and experiment indicates that optimizing the laser energy input is beneficial for element homogenization. The effective time and driving force of the convection stirring can be improved by increasing the volume energy density.

Originality/value

This study provides an in-depth understanding of the formation mechanism of composition inhomogeneity in alloy fabricated by LPBF in-situ alloying.
Phonological metathesis phenomenon in the early speech of Arabic-speaking children
Authors: Qasem Fawaz
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the phonological metathesis phenomenon in the early speech of Arabic-speaking children. Based on analysis of a longitudinal data from 11 children's speech, the study mainly aims at investigating (1) the characteristics/nature of the phonological metathesis process in early child speech and (2) how it is different from adult phonological metathesis. The study explores the causes behind the metathesis phonological process in child speech.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explored the phonological metathesis phenomenon based on a longitudinal study of 11 monolingual Arabic speakers of Yemeni-Ibbi Dialect (YIA) and cross-linguistic data from various languages.

Findings

The data analysis showed that metathesis phenomenon in child speech has several characteristics. It occurs at an early age, at 2 years and decreases with age. It was found that metathesis occurs mostly in disyllabic and trisyllabic words or more complex syllabic words, but metathesis rarely occurs in monosyllabic words in children's speech. The results indicated that unlike metathesis in adult speech, metathesis in children's speech occurs in undeliberate, slow, fast speech. The study explored that adjacency of sounds with similar phonological features, the ease of pronunciation, or the sonority effect are the motivations that trigger metathesis phenomenon to occur in child speech.

Originality/value

In the literature, the metathesis phonological process has got a little attention from researchers, and this is due to the rare cases of metathesis and the inconsistency of cases and the occurrence of metathesis. However, there is no consensus among the researchers about the causes of emergence and the occurrences behind the metathesis process. However, this study argues that the metathesis process has unique characteristics in child speech in comparison to adult speech and that there are some causes for metathesis to occur in human speech particularly in children's data such as adjacency of sounds with similar phonological features or sonority effect.
A computationally efficient Bayesian approach to full‐waveform inversion
Authors: Berti Sean , Aleardi Mattia , Stucchi Eusebio
Published: November 2023

Conventional methods solve the full‐waveform inversion making use of gradient‐based algorithms to minimize an error function, which commonly measure the Euclidean distance between observed and predicted waveforms. This deterministic approach only provides a ‘best‐fitting’ model and cannot account for the uncertainties affecting the predicted solution. Local methods are also usually prone to get trapped into local minima of the error function. On the other hand, casting this inverse problem into a probabilistic framework has to deal with the formidable computational effort of the Bayesian approach when applied to non‐linear problems with expensive forward evaluations and large model spaces. We present a gradient‐based Markov Chain Monte Carlo full‐waveform inversion in which the posterior sampling is accelerated by compressing the data and model spaces through the discrete cosine transform, and by also defining a proposal that is a local, Gaussian approximation of the target posterior probability density. This proposal is constructed using the local Hessian and gradient informations of the log posterior, which are made computationally manageable thanks to the compression of the data and model spaces. We demonstrate the applicability of the approach by performing two synthetic inversion tests on portions of the Marmousi and BP acoustic model. In these examples, the forward modelling is performed using Devito, a finite difference domain‐specific language that solves the discretized wave equation on a Cartesian grid. For both examples, the results obtained by the implemented method are also validated against those obtained using a classic deterministic approach. Our tests illustrate the efficiency of the proposed probabilistic method, which seems quite robust against cycle‐skipping issues and also characterized by a computational cost comparable to that of the local inversion. The outcomes of the proposed probabilistic inversion can also play the role of starting models for a subsequent local inversion step aimed at improving the spatial resolution of the probabilistic result, which was limited by the model compression.
IL‐4/STAT6 axis observed to reverse proliferative defect in SCA3 patient‐derived neural progenitor cells
Authors: Chen Francis M. , Li Huixian , Chung Dittman Lai‐Shun , Mak Angel T. L. , Leung Fung Ping , Chan Ho Yin Edwin , Wong Wing Tak
Published: November 2023

Spinocerebellar ataxia 3 (SCA3) is an incurable, neurodegenerative genetic disorder that leads to progressive cerebellar ataxia and other parkinsonian‐like pathologies because of loss of cerebellar neurons. The role of an expanded polyglutamine aggregate on neural progenitor cells is unknown. Here, we show that SCA3 patient‐specific induced neural progenitor cells (iNPCs) exhibit proliferative defects. Moreover, SCA3 iNPCs have reduced autophagic expression compared to control. Furthermore, although SCA3 iNPCs continue to proliferate, they do not survive subsequent passages compared to control iNPCs, indicating the likelihood that SCA3 iNPCs undergo rapid senescence. Exposure to interleukin‐4 (IL‐4), a type 2 cytokine produced by immune cells, resulted in an observed increase in expression of autophagic programs and a reduction in the proliferation defect observed in SCA3 iNPCs. Our results indicate a previously unobserved role of SCA3 disease ontology on the neural stem cell pool and a potential therapeutic strategy using IL‐4 to ameliorate or delay disease pathology in the SCA3 neural progenitor cell population.
Technologies de l'Information et de la Communication et exportation des entreprises manufacturières en Afrique Centrale
Authors: Fambeu Ariel Herbert , Yomi Patricia Tchawa
Published: November 2023

Cette étude examine l'effet des technologies de l'information et de la communication (TIC) sur les exportations des entreprises en Afrique Centrale. Nous utilisons les données d'enquêtes de la Banque Mondiale sur les entreprises manufacturières dans 42 pays d'Afrique, afin de faire des comparaisons entre l'Afrique Centrale et d'autres régions d'Afrique. Les estimations proviennent des modèles probit et probit fractionnaire. Les résultats montrent qu'en Afrique Centrale tout comme dans toutes les autres régions d'Afrique, les TIC favorisent la décision d'exporter des entreprises. Toutefois, cet effet positif des TIC est de plus faible ampleur en Afrique Centrale. Par ailleurs, les résultats montrent que les TIC n'ont pas d'effet sur l'intensité d'exportation en Afrique Centrale et en Afrique de l'Est. Ces résultats ont des implications significatives pour les gouvernements qui doivent faciliter l'accès et l'usage optimal des TIC afin de favoriser les exportations des entreprises.
National routine data for low birthweight and preterm births: Systematic data quality assessment for United Nations member states (2000–2020)
Authors: Okwaraji Yemisrach B. , Bradley Ellen , Ohuma Eric O. , Yargawa Judith , Suarez‐Idueta Lorena , Requejo Jennifer , Blencowe Hannah , Lawn Joy E.
Published: November 2023

Objective

Low birthweight (<2500 g) and preterm birth (<37 weeks) are markers of newborn vulnerability. To facilitate informed decisions about investments in prevention and care, it is imperative to enhance data quality and use. Hence, the objective of this study is to systematically assess the quality of data concerning low birthweight and preterm births within routine administrative data sources.

Design

Systematic data quality assessment by adopting the WHO Data Quality Framework.

Setting

National routine data system from UN member states.

Population

Livebirths.

Methods

National routine administrative data on low birthweight and preterm births for 195 countries from 2000 to 2020 were systematically collated, totalling >700 million live births. The WHO data quality framework was adapted to undertake standardised data quality assessments.

Main outcome measures

Availability, reporting quality, internal and external consistency of low birthweight and preterm data.

Results

Most United States Member States (64%: 124/195) had national data on low birthweight and (40%: 82/195) had data on preterm birth. Routine data system reporting was highest in North America, Australasia and Europe, where more than 95% live births had data on low birthweight and over 75% had data preterm births. In contrast, data reporting was lowest in sub‐Saharan Africa (13% for low birthweight, 8% for preterm births) and Southern Asia (16% for low birthweight, 5% for preterm births). Most countries collect individual‐level data; but, aggregate data reporting from hospital‐based systems remain common in sub‐Saharan Africa and Southern Asia. While data quality was generally high in North America, Australasia and Europe, gaps remain in the availability of gestational age metadata. Consistency between low birthweight and preterm rates were poor in Southern Asia and sub‐Saharan Africa regions across time. There was high external consistency between low birthweight rates obtained from routine administrative data compared with low birthweight rates obtained from survey data for countries with high data quality.

Conclusions

Sub‐Saharan Africa and South Asia countries have data gaps but also opportunities for rapid progress. Most births occure in facilities, electronic health information systems already include low birthweight, and adding accurate gestational age including with ultrasound assessment is becoming increasingly attainable. Moving toward the collection of individual level data would enable monitoring of quality of care and longer‐term outcomes. This is crucial for every child and family and essential for measuring progress towards relevant sustainable development goals. The assessment will inform countries’ actions for data quality improvement at national level and use of data for impact.
Diagnostic yield of prenatal exome sequencing in the genetic screening of fetuses with brain anomalies detected by MRI and ultrasonography: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Moradi Behnaz , Ariaei Armin , Heidari‐Foroozan Mahsa , Banihashemian Masoumeh , Ghorani Hamed , Rashidi‐Nezhad Ali , Kazemi Mohammad Ali , Taheri Morteza Sanei
Published: November 2023

Background

Brain anomalies (BAs) have been the focus of research, as they have a high impact on fetal health but therapeutic and diagnostic approaches are limited.

Objectives

In this study, the application and efficiency of exome sequencing (ES) in detecting different cases of BAs in fetuses were evaluated and compared with chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA).

Search strategy

To conduct this study, three databases including PubMed, Web of Science and Embase were utilised with the keywords ‘prenatal’, ‘diagnoses’, ‘brain anomalies’ and ‘exome sequencing’.

Selection criteria

Studies were included based on the STARD checklist, for which the ES and CMA diagnostic yields were calculated.

Data collection and analysis

Meta‐analysis was performed on the included studies using a random‐effects model and subgroup analysis to define the risk difference between them.

Main results

We included 11 studies representing 779 fetuses that implemented ES along with imaging techniques. The pooled ES diagnostic yield in fetuses with BAs detected through magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonography was 26.53%, compared with 3.46% for CMA. The risk difference between ES and CMA for complex BAs was 0.36 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.24–0.47], which was higher than for single BAs (0.22; 95% CI 0.18–0.25].

Conclusions

ES is a useful method with a significantly higher diagnostic yield than CMA for genetic assessment of fetuses with complex BAs detected by imaging techniques. Moreover, ES could be applied to suspected fetuses with related family histories to predict congenital diseases with high efficiency.
The roadmap to geographic atrophy treatment: A journey of trials and promise
Authors: Trivizki Omer , Loewenstein Anat , Zur Dinah
Published: November 2023

This review covers advancements in geographic atrophy (GA) research. It discusses genetic contributions to AMD, explores treatment strategies, including complement inhibition, and highlights recent FDA approvals, safety concerns and promising future directions.
Genetic and molecular biomarkers for geographic atrophy
Authors: Riley‐Gillis Bridget , Huh Hannah , Shen Jie , den Hollander Anneke I.
Published: November 2023

Geographic atrophy (GA) is characterized by atrophy of the retina, retinal pigment epithelium and choriocapillaris, causing a gradual loss of vision over time. Treatment options to prevent initiation or progression of GA are limited; two recently FDA‐approved inhibitors of the complement system (pegcetacoplan, avacincaptad pegol) showed a modest decrease in GA lesion growth in phase 3 clinical trials. Exploration of genetic and molecular biomarkers in GA plays a critical role in our battle against this blinding disease to improve early disease detection, to find more effective therapies, and to provide personalized care to patients. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of the current literature investigating genetic and molecular biomarkers for GA. Genetic studies identified multiple genes and variants that play a role in progression to GA and GA lesion growth, involving pathways such as complement activation, extracellular matrix interaction and lipid metabolism. The number of published studies assessing molecular biomarkers for GA initiation and progression in ocular matrices is limited. Several studies evaluated molecular biomarkers in the systemic circulation, showing higher levels of complement activation and a causal role of lipid subfractions in GA. Larger, well‐powered studies are needed to identify novel and validate existing biomarkers, and to investigate the potential of combining genetic and molecular markers with imaging techniques for more accurate diagnosis and monitoring of GA. The development of personalized medicine approaches based on individual genetic and molecular profiles could hold promise for more effective and targeted treatments for this devastating disease.
Establishing an esketamine clinic in Australia: Practical recommendations and clinical guidance from an expert panel
Authors: Thornton Nicollette L. R. , Black Warwick , Bognar Adrian , Dagge Daniel , Gitau Teresia , Hua Bruce , Joks Gero , King Jarrad , Lord Andrew , Scott Elizabeth M. , Callander Jelena Smit , Ting Serena , Liu Dennis
Published: November 2023

Background

Major depressive disorder (MDD) can have severe impacts on function and quality of life. Up to one third of patients will have an inadequate response to their first line of treatment, with subsequent lines of therapy associated with lower remission rates and higher relapse rates. Recently esketamine has become available for Australian patients, and this agent provides an additional treatment option for those with MDD who have had an inadequate response to two or more antidepressant therapies during the current moderate to severe depressive episode. This paper provides an expert panel's practical recommendations and clinical guidance for establishing esketamine clinics in Australia.

Methods

An expert panel (n = 11) comprising psychiatrists, mental health care nurses, pharmacists, and individuals with experience establishing esketamine clinics was convened in Sydney. The panel developed practical recommendations and clinical guidance, which were then further refined.

Results

Five key areas were identified: practical considerations for esketamine clinic set‐up, including multidisciplinary care considerations; patient selection; administering esketamine; adverse event management and long‐term follow‐up.

Conclusions

Guidance presented in this paper should assist Australian clinicians to set up an esketamine clinic, and provide practical advice on the infrastructure and clinical requirements for treatment of patients with this agent.
Letter: ‘No first among equals’—Authors' reply
Authors: Kayal Maia , Colombel Jean Frederic
Published: November 2023

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Kayal et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17731 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17792
A pilot study of orelabrutinib treatment in three cases of refractory/relapsed autoimmune haemolytic anaemia/Evans syndrome
Authors: Liu Hui , Ding Kai , Zhang Wei , Xing Limin , Wang Yihao , Wang Huaquan , Song Jia , Li Lijuan , Fu Rong
Published: November 2023

Currently, there is no effective treatment for refractory/relapsed (R/R) autoimmune haemolytic anaemia (AIHA), associated with poor quality of life. Bruton tyrosine kinase inhibitors have begun to be used in some autoimmune diseases. We initiated the clinical trial of orelabrutinib treatment on R/R AIHA/Evans Syndrome, which is in progress. The preliminary results showed that nine of the 12 enrolled patients responded to orelabrutinib treatment. Here, we reported three cases who have completed the treatment and were followed up for 6 months, achieving complete or partial remission. Orelabrutinib is expected to become a new second‐line treatment for R/R AIHA/Evans syndrome.
A comment on Dincecco et al. (2022): Pre‐colonial warfare and long‐run development in India
Authors: Forshaw Rachel , Ölkers Tim , Sethi Ritika , Sovani Manali
Published: November 2023

We test the reproducibility and replicability of M. Dincecco, J. Fenske, A. Menon and S. Mukherjee (2022), which reports a positive relationship between pre‐colonial interstate warfare and long‐run development patterns across India. Overall, we confirm that all of the study's estimates are computationally reproducible using the provided replication package in Stata, but note that the ease of replication could be improved by the provision of code and intermediate data sets for the conflict exposure measure. We test for and find no evidence of data manipulation in the final data sets. Concerning direct replicability, we consider different ways of measuring distance to conflicts and also alternative proxies for both the dependent variable and variables that capture channels by which the main effects operate. We find that some estimates are sensitive to the type of conflict considered. Other estimates are sensitive to the time period considered, most likely due to time heterogeneity in the number of conflicts recorded. Nevertheless, most estimates are substantially in line with the original study.
Accuracy of digital implant impressions using a novel structured light scanning system assisted by a planar mirror in the edentulous maxilla: An in vitro study
Authors: Ke Yifang , Zhang Yaopeng , Tian Sukun , Chen Hu , Sun Yuchun
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to develop a structured light scanning system with a planar mirror to enhance the digital full‐arch implant impression accuracy and to compare it with photogrammetry and intraoral scanner methods.

Materials and Methods

An edentulous maxillary stone cast with six scan bodies was scanned as the reference model using a laboratory scanner. Three scanning modalities were compared (n = 10): (1) self‐developed structured light scanning with a mirror (SSLS); (2) intraoral scanner (IOS); and (3) photogrammetry system (PG). The scanners were stopped for 1 min after each scan. Six scan bodies were analysed within each scan model. Linear deviations between the scan bodies (1–2, 1–3, 1–4, 1–5, and 1–6) and 3D mucosal deviations were established. The overall deviation was calculated as the mean of all linear deviations. “Trueness” represented the discrepancy between the test and reference files, while “precision” denoted the consistency among the test files. Kruskal–Wallis and Mann–Whitney U tests were used for statistical analyses.

Results

Significant overall linear discrepancies were noted among the SSLS, PG, and IOS groups (p < .001). SSLS showed the best overall trueness and precision (6.6, 5.7 μm), followed by PG (58.4, 6.8 μm) and IOS (214.6, 329.1 μm). For the 3D mucosal deviation, the trueness (p < .001) and precision (p < .001) of the SSLS group were significantly better than those of the IOS group.

Conclusions

The SSLS exhibited higher accuracy in determining the implant positions than the PG and IOS. Additionally, it demonstrated better accuracy in capturing the mucosa than IOS.
TOX, TWIST1, STAT4, and SATB1 protein expressions in early‐stage mycosis fungoides
Authors: Örnek Sinem , Ozekinci Selver , Ipin Tugba , Kocaturk Emek
Published: November 2023

Background

Diagnosis of early mycosis fungoides (eMF) is challenging and often delayed as many of its clinical and histopathologic features may mimic various benign inflammatory dermatoses (BIDs). The products of the thymocyte selection‐associated high mobility group box (TOX), twist family BHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST1), signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT4), and special AT‐rich sequence‐binding protein 1 (SATB1) genes function as transcription factors and are involved in the pathogenesis of MF.

Objectives

We aim to determine the diagnostic value of TOX, TWIST1, STAT4, and SATB1 protein expressions in eMF.

Methods

This non‐randomized, controlled, prospective analytic study was conducted by performing immunohistochemistry staining with TOX, TWIST1, STAT4, and SATB1 polyclonal antibodies in lesional skin biopsies of eMF and BID patients. Nuclear staining of lymphocytes was compared between eMF and BIDs, and the capacity of these antibodies to predict eMF was determined.

Results

Immunostainings with anti‐TWIST1 showed an increase in protein expression (p = 0.003) and showed a decrease with anti‐SATB1 antibodies in eMF compared to BIDs (p = 0.005) while anti‐TOX and anti‐STAT4 antibodies did not exhibit significant differences (p = 0.384; p = 0.150). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that immunohistochemical evaluations of TWIST1 and SATB1 protein expressions can differentiate eMF (area under the curve [AUC]: 0.728, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.605–0.851, p = 0.002; AUC: 0.686, 95% CI: 0.565–0.807, p = 0.013).

Conclusions

TWIST1 and SATB1 are potential diagnostic markers for the histologic diagnosis of eMF.
Three atypical/malignant onychopapillomas in a 52‐case series with immunohistochemical study
Authors: André Josette , Ewbank Alexandre , Moulonguet Isabelle , Richert Bertrand
Published: November 2023

Background

Onychopapilloma (OP) is a benign tumor of the nail. Haneke reported one case of malignant OP in 2021. No systematic immunohistochemistry study has been conducted on OP. The aim of our study was to identify possible malignant OP in our series of OP and to describe the immunohistochemical expression of p16, p53, and Ki67 in typical and atypical/malignant ones.

Methods

Ninety‐one cases were available for pathological review. Immunohistochemical analysis could be performed on 52 cases.

Results

In 88 of 91 cases, the diagnosis of OP was confirmed. Three atypical/malignant cases were observed. No OP expressed p16. A normal p53 expression was observed in two thirds of the cases, an abnormal increased p53 expression in one third, including the three atypical cases. A normal Ki67 expression was observed in 84% of the cases, an abnormal Ki67 expression with focal heterogeneous expression in the suprabasal layers in 6% and in all suprabasal cell layers in 10%, including the three atypical cases.

Conclusions

The diagnosis of atypical/malignant OP may be underestimated. The expression of Ki67 and p53 in these tumors differs from the expression observed in conventional OP. The absence of p16 expression confirms that human papillomavirus does not play a role in the etiopathogenesis of OP.
1071. Corydalis hamata Franch: Papaveraceae.
Authors: Rankin David W. H. , Shaw Edward A. , Macartney Nicola
Published: November 2023

Corydalis hamata Franch. is described and illustrated. Variation within the species and relationships with related species are discussed. Corydalis pseudohamata Fedde is reinstated as a species.
Spatial replication can best advance our understanding of population responses to climate
Authors: Compagnoni Aldo , Evers Sanne , Knight Tiffany
Published: November 2023

Understanding the responses of plant populations dynamics to climatic variability is frustrated by the need for long‐term datasets. Here, we advocate for new studies that estimate the effects of climate by sampling replicate populations in locations with similar climate. We first use data analysis on spatial locations in the conterminous USA to assess how far apart spatial replicates should be from each other to minimize temporal correlations in climate. We find that on average spatial locations separated by 316 km (SD = 149 km) have moderate (0.5) correlations in annual precipitation. Second, we use simulations to demonstrate that spatial replication can lead to substantial gains in the range of climates sampled during a given set of years so long as the climate correlations between the populations are at low to moderate levels. Third, we use simulations to quantify how many spatial replicates would be necessary to achieve the same statistical power of a single‐population, long‐term data set under different strengths and directions of spatial correlations in climate between spatial replicates. Our results indicate that spatial replication is an untapped opportunity to study the effects of climate on demography and to rapidly fill important knowledge gaps in the field of population ecology.