bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Understanding Chinese Gen Z and their online shopping intentions through TAM
Authors: Copeland Lauren Reiter , Bhaduri Gargi , Huang Ouya
Published: March 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine the ease of use and usefulness of the application Taobao and whether involvement, self-confidence and self-expression of users are related and ultimately affect the purchase intention of Gen Z Chinese users on the site.

Design/methodology/approach

The theoretical basis of Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) was utilized. An online survey of 46 questions and 190 responses of Chinese consumers between the ages of 18 and 23 was conducted. PROCESS and a linear regression were used to analyze the results.

Findings

Through the lens of the TAM (Davis, 1989), the findings of this study determined that for participants TAM was deemed more useful when TAM was viewed than as easier to use. However, in this case perceived ease of use and usefulness did not directly relate to attitude. Instead, attitude was directly related to self-expression, confidence and involvement as the determining factors of positive attitude leading to intention. The study found that self-expression was most significant regarding attitude. To influence perceived self-expression though, ease of use and usefulness were crucial to obtain this effective characteristic.

Originality/value

In this study how the ease of use and usefulness of the application and involvement, self-confidence and self-expression of users are related and affect the purchase intention is examined.
Can lean principles assist to reduce BIM implementation costs? A contemporary application of lean principles to the Sri Lankan construction industry
Authors: Weerasinghe Lichini Nikesha , Rathnasinghe Akila Pramodh , Jayasena Himal Suranga , Thurairajah Niraj , Thayaparan Menaha
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Building information modelling (BIM) claims to be spearheading the modern technological revolution in the global construction industry. While scholars have emphasised the cruciality of BIM, associated costs have been identified as one of the major barriers to successful BIM implementation, as is the case in Sri Lanka. Besides, lean principles (LPs) are known for increasing efficiency, quality and eliminating waste, thereby reducing overall costs. Hence, this research aims at addressing the BIM implementation barrier associated with costs by applying suitable LP, enhancing overall value by minimising value-insignificant activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopted a qualitative research approach. 10 experts with expertise in both BIM and LP were targeted for the primary data collection through semi-structured interviews. The collected data were analysed using manual content analysis.

Findings

Research findings discovered the cost centres that can be applied to the LPs and the effective LPs that can be applied with the cost centres of BIM implementation. The theoretical implication of the study is to provide insights into a potential application of LP for BIM cost centres, whereas practical consequences include the identification of LP's potential to minimise BIM cost centres, ergo, achieving a successful BIM implementation.

Originality/value

This study will be the first of its kind in the Sri Lankan construction industry, intending to apply LP with BIM implementation cost centres to achieve a successful implementation. This research also has paved the way forward for further research on the application of both the BIM and LP concepts for similar construction industries in developing countries across the world and in addressing other BIM implementation barriers.
A novel twin-support vector machine for binary classification to imbalanced data
Authors: Li Jingyi , Chao Shiwei
Published: March 2023

Purpose

Binary classification on imbalanced data is a challenge; due to the imbalance of the classes, the minority class is easily masked by the majority class. However, most existing classifiers are better at identifying the majority class, thereby ignoring the minority class, which leads to classifier degradation. To address this, this paper proposes a twin-support vector machines for binary classification on imbalanced data.

Design/methodology/approach

In the proposed method, the authors construct two support vector machines to focus on majority classes and minority classes, respectively. In order to promote the learning ability of the two support vector machines, a new kernel is derived for them.

Findings

(1) A novel twin-support vector machine is proposed for binary classification on imbalanced data, and new kernels are derived. (2) For imbalanced data, the complexity of data distribution has negative effects on classification results; however, advanced classification results can be gained and desired boundaries are learned by using optimizing kernels. (3) Classifiers based on twin architectures have more advantages than those based on single architecture for binary classification on imbalanced data.

Originality/value

For imbalanced data, the complexity of data distribution has negative effects on classification results; however, advanced classification results can be gained and desired boundaries are learned through using optimizing kernels.
Activities as the critical link between motivation and destination choice in cultural tourism
Authors: Douglas Anneli , Hoogendoorn Gijsbert , Richards Greg
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to determine the motivations of a select group of South Africans in terms of their potential engagement with cultural tourism; more specifically, the study set out to show whether these motivations influence the cultural activities that the tourists want to participate in and whether their interest in specific cultural activities determines their destination choices. Furthermore, the mediating role of activities in the relationship between cultural motivations and destination choice was also assessed.

Design/methodology/approach

An online panel survey collected responses from 1,530 potential cultural tourists across South Africa. Hypotheses were tested, using structural equation modelling.

Findings

The results show that tourists' motivations for cultural tourism influence their likelihood of participating in specific cultural activities. Cultural tourism is shown to be influenced by more than learning and includes entertainment, relaxation, novelty and escape dimensions. There also seems to be a difference in the activities engaged in by destination type. For example, tourists likely to take part in indigenous cultural tourism activities are more likely to do so at hedonic destinations.

Practical implications

This paper contributes to the understanding of cultural tourism activities, aiding destinations in attracting cultural tourists. Destinations need to develop activities that match visitor motivations, increase satisfaction and encourage visitors to return.

Originality/value

The paper increases the understanding of cultural tourism in South Africa and underlines the importance of communities in providing distinctive tourism activities. The study also has an important social dimension, highlighting the role of social status in cultural tourism consumption and destination selection.
Being proactive in the age of AI: exploring the effectiveness of leaders' AI symbolization in stimulating employee job crafting
Authors: He Guohua , Liu Pei , Zheng Xinnian , Zheng Lixun , Hewlin Patricia Faison , Yuan Li
Published: March 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore whether, how and when leaders' artificial intelligence (AI) symbolization (i.e. the demonstration of leaders' acceptance of and support for AI by engaging in AI-related behaviors and/or displaying objects that reflect their affinity for AI) affects employee job crafting behaviors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted two studies (i.e. an experiment and a multi-wave field survey) with samples from different contexts (i.e. United States and China) to test our theoretical model. The authors used ordinary least squares (OLS) and hierarchical linear modeling (HLM) to test the hypotheses.

Findings

Leaders' AI symbolization is positively related to employee change readiness and, in turn, promotes employee job crafting. Moreover, employee-attributed impression management motives moderate the positive indirect effect of leaders' AI symbolization on employee job crafting via change readiness, such that this indirect effect is stronger when employee-attributed impression management motives are low (vs high).

Practical implications

Leaders should engage in AI symbolization to promote employee job crafting and avoid behaviors that may lead employees to attribute their AI symbolization to impression management.

Originality/value

By introducing the concept of leaders' AI symbolization, this study breaks new ground by illustrating how leaders' AI symbolization positively influences employees' change readiness, as well as job crafting in the workplace. Further, integrating AI as a novel and timely context for evaluating job crafting contributes to the literature where empirical research is relatively scant, particularly regarding the factors that prompt employees to engage in job crafting.
Rabeprazole destroyed gastric epithelial barrier function through FOXF1/STAT3‐mediated ZO‐1 expression
Authors: Yang Fangying , Li Linkai , Zhou Yanhe , Pan Wenxu , Liang Xinhua , Huang Ling , Huang Jing , Cheng Yang , Geng Lanlan , Xu Wanfu , Gong Sitang
Published: March 2023

Rabeprazole is a representative of proton pump inhibitors and widely used in anti‐ulcer treatment. However, the effect of Rabeprazole on gut barrier function remains to be identified. In this study, we show that ZO‐1 expression is decreased in patients receiving Rabeprazole by immunofluorescence (IF) analysis. Western blotting (WB) and real‐time PCR (qPCR) results demonstrate that Rabeprazole treatment leads to a significant downregulation of ZO‐1 expression through inhibition of the FOXF1/STAT3 pathway, leading to destroy barrier function, which illustrates a novel pathway that Rabeprazole regulates barrier function in gastric epithelial cells. Mechanistically, Rabeprazole treatment led to a downregulation of STAT3 and FOXF1 phosphorylation, leading to inhibit nuclear translocation and decrease the binding of STAT3 and FOXF1 to ZO‐1 promoter, respectively. Most important, endogenous FOXF1 interacted with STAT3, and this interaction was dramatically abolished by Rabeprazole stimulation. Overexpression of STAT3 and FOXF1 in GES‐1 cells reversed the inhibitory effect of Rabeprazole on ZO‐1 expression, respectively. These finding extended the function of Rabeprazole and established a previously unappreciated mechanism by which the Rabeprazole/FOXF1/STAT3 axis facilitated ZO‐1 expression to regulate barrier function, and a comprehensive consideration and evaluation was required in treatment of patients.
Deterministic processes dominate microbial community assembly in artificially bredSchizothorax wangchiachiijuveniles after being released into wild
Authors: XU Liangliang , ZHANG Baowen , LIU Fenglin , WANG Zesong , GAO Wenxue , GAN Weixiong , CHEN Hanxi , SONG Zhaobin
Published: March 2023

Fish artificial breeding and release is an important method to restore wild populations of endemic fish species around the world.Schizothorax wangchiachii(SW) is an endemic fish in the upper Yangtze River and is one of the most important species for the artificial breeding and release program implemented in the Yalong River drainage system in China. It is unclear how artificially bred SW adapts to the changeable wild environment post‐release, after being in a controlled and very different artificial environment. Thus, the gut samples were collected and analyzed for food composition and microbial 16S rRNA in artificially bred SW juveniles at day 0 (before release), 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30 after release to the lower reaches of the Yalong River. The results indicated that SW began to ingest periphytic algae from the natural habitat before day 5, and this feeding habit is gradually stabilized at day 15. Prior to release, Fusobacteria are the dominant bacteria in the gut microbiota of SW, while Proteobacteria and Cyanobacteria generally are the dominant bacteria after release. The results of microbial assembly mechanisms illustrated that deterministic processes played a more prominent role than stochastic processes in the gut microbial community of artificially bred SW juveniles after releasing into the wild. Overall, the present study integrates the macroscopic and microscopic methods to provide an insight into the food and gut microbial reorganization in the released SW. This study will be an important research direction to explore the ecological adaptability of artificially bred fish after releasing into the wild.
Richness and composition of terrestrial mammals vary in eucalyptus plantations due to stand age
Authors: de Abreu Pestana Luís Fernando , Martello Felipe , Fonseca Renata Cristina Batista
Published: March 2023

Plantation forests substitute natural habitats and have rotation cycles of 7 years due to their high growth rates. This variation reflects on local and landscape changes, influencing habitat availability and affecting mammal communities. In this study, our general hypothesis was that the richness and composition of mammals varied in eucalyptus plantations in relation to native forest patches and in relation to the age of eucalyptus plantations. We predicted that (1) there would be lower mammalian richness and compositional differences in eucalyptus plantations compared to native vegetation due to monocultures having simplified environmental characteristics and (2) predicted that the richness and composition would vary according to eucalyptus age and that the highest values of richness would be found in plantations of up to middle age, considering that in these phases there are environmental characteristics that positively qualify these structures for a greater presence of fauna, such as the shrubby aspect of the plantations and the presence of undergrowth. We performed model selection to observe the effect of environmental variables on mammalian richness. We also performed a multivariate permutational analysis of variance, a non‐metric multidimensional scaling and partitioned the beta diversity to observe how the composition was influenced by environmental variables. We found greater richness in the native vegetation compared to eucalyptus plantations. The richness of the plantations varied according to the age, with higher values up to middle age. The composition varied according to the land user/cover, with the eucalyptus age and with the management unit due to the nestedness of species. We suggest that eucalyptus plantations at early ages are more used by mammals due to the shrubby aspect of the stand, generating a positive visual effect for the search of resources and shelter, in addition to the possibility of the occurrence of grasses, some understory and lower anthropogenic disturbance.
Urbanization and abundance of floral resources affect bee communities in medium‐sized neotropical cities
Authors: Tavares Brancher Karla Palmieri , Graf Letícia Vanessa , Heringer Gustavo , Zenni Rafael Dudeque
Published: March 2023

Bees are important pollinators that have been negatively impacted by anthropogenic environmental changes, such as urbanization. In addition, urban development can reduce and degrade the natural habitat of bees by increasing the proportion of impervious surfaces, decreasing green areas and increasing the number of exotic ornamental plants. However, cities can provide refuge for bees because they provide an environment with a wide variety of nesting and foraging resources. The objective of our study was to evaluate the richness and abundance of bees, their respective functional groups, and community composition along with an urbanization gradient in 21 locations distributed among six medium‐sized Brazilian cities (with populations between 80 000 and 170 000 inhabitants). We also evaluated the effect of richness, number of plants and proportion of native plants. We collected a total of 132 species of bees. Total bee richness decreased with increasing impervious cover and increased with landscape heterogeneity, which also had a positive effect on the richness of above‐ground nesting bees and generalist bees. Regarding abundance data, solitary bees and belowground‐nesting bees were positively influenced by the increase in grass cover. The total number of native and exotic plants collected positively influenced the total abundance of bees, as well as the abundances of eusocial bees, which nest above‐ and belowground, and generalists. The proportion of native plants positively influenced the total richness and abundance of specialist bees. Our results indicate that medium‐sized urban areas may be home to a wide diversity of bee species, but species that nest in the soil and specialist species may be more sensitive to urbanization and the decrease in the supply of floral resources.
Outcomes of very preterm infants with hyperglycaemia treated with insulin: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Patidar Nital , Rath Chandra Prakash , Rao Shripada , Patole Sanjay
Published: March 2023

Aim

To study the outcomes of very preterm infants with hyperglycaemia treated with Insulin.

Methods

This is a systematic review of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies. PubMed, Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, EMCARE and MedNar databases were searched in May 2022. Data were pooled separately for adjusted and unadjusted odds ratios (ORs) using random‐effects model. Main outcome measures: Mortality and morbidities (e.g. Necrotising enterocolitis [NEC], retinopathy of prematurity [ROP]) in very preterm (<32 weeks) or very low birth weight infants (<1500 g) after treatment of hyperglycaemia with insulin.

Results

Sixteen studies with data from 5482 infants were included. Meta‐analysis of unadjusted ORs from cohort studies showed that insulin treatment was significantly associated with increased mortality [OR 2.98 CI (1.03 to 8.58)], severe ROP [OR 2.23 CI (1.34 to 3.72)] and NEC [OR 2.19 CI (1.11 to 4)]. However, pooling of adjusted ORs did not show significant associations for any outcomes. The only included RCT found better weight gain in the insulin group, but no effect on mortality or morbidities. Certainty of evidence was ‘Low’ or ‘Very low’.

Conclusion

Very low certainty evidence suggests that Insulin therapy may not improve outcomes of very preterm infants with hyperglycaemia.
‘It's probably more about the people’: For a person‐centred approach to understanding benefits of nature‐based interventions
Authors: Harrod Andy , von Benzon Nadia , Limmer Mark
Published: March 2023

Numerous studies demonstrate the benefits of the role of nature, activities, and social interaction at nature‐based interventions in improving participants' wellbeing. These health‐enabling encounters between people and places have typically been framed in geography via the concept of therapeutic landscapes. Empirical studies and theory have primarily focused on the characteristics of physical and social environments of therapeutic landscapes, while understanding why particular relational encounters are affective in co‐creating therapeutic experiences has been given less attention. This paper focuses on understanding the nature of a person, and of interactions between people, as a fundamental part of understanding the way in which nature‐based interventions co‐create benefits to participants' wellbeing. To consider this we turn to person‐centred psychotherapy, where we draw on Carl Rogers' conceptualisations of the person and the therapeutic relationship. Person‐centred psychotherapy highlights the importance of a non‐judgemental, empathic, and authentic therapeutic relationship in providing an environment for change and that a person is agentic in perceiving and engaging with affective relations in co‐creating therapeutic encounters. These encounters have the potential to alleviate and/or transform aspects of a person's sense of self. These shifts in a person's self‐concept are part of a process, which enables the flow of benefits from an intervention into participants' daily lives. Our approach is underpinned by using interviews with facilitators and participants of nature‐based interventions. We propose that developing geographical understanding of the relational impacts on a person's sense of self and actions has implications beyond health geography.
Trends in antidote utilization at a tertiary care hospital in Saudi Arabia: A 6‐year retrospective study
Authors: Abu Esba Laila Carolina , Alkoraishi Aljawharah , Ardah Husam I.
Published: March 2023

Antidote stocking has been described in several studies from many countries to be problematic and constantly insufficient. During our institution's previous experience with a medication event that resulted from lack of antidote stocking, we initiated a review of all our antidotes and realized the lack of data on utilization in the literature that would help us in planning for our stocks. Therefore, we conducted this retrospective review of antidotes utilized at a large tertiary care hospital over a period of 6 years. The paper describes the types of antidotes and toxins involved, together with important patient characteristics and antidote utilization data that can be useful to other healthcare institutions in planning for their antidote stocks.
Reasons why older adults in three countries agreed with a deprescribing recommendation in a hypothetical vignette
Authors: Vordenberg Sarah E. , Rana Ruchi , Shang Jenny , Choi Jae , Scherer Aaron M. , Weir Kristie Rebecca
Published: March 2023

The purpose of this study was to examine factors important to older adults who agreed with a deprescribing recommendation given by a general practitioner (GP) to a hypothetical patient experiencing polypharmacy. We conducted an online, vignette‐based, experimental study in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia with participants ≥65 years. The primary outcome was an agreement with a deprescribing recommendation (6‐point Likert scale; 1 = strongly disagree and 6 = strongly agree). We performed a content analysis of the free‐text reasons provided by participants who agreed with deprescribing (score of 5 or 6). Among 2656 participants who agreed with deprescribing, approximately 53.7% shared a preference for following the GP's recommendation or considered the GP the expert. The medication was referred to as a reason for deprescribing by 35.6% of participants. Less common themes included personal experience with medicine (4.3%) and older age (4.0%). Older adults who agreed with deprescribing in a hypothetical vignette most frequently reported a desire to follow the recommendations given the GP's expertise. Future research should be conducted to help clinicians efficiently identify patients who have a strong desire to follow the doctor's recommendations related to deprescribing, as this may allow for a tailored, brief deprescribing conversation.
A Bayesian Zero-Inflated Dirichlet-Multinomial Regression Model for Multivariate Compositional Count Data
Authors: Koslovsky Matthew D.
Published: March 2023

The Dirichlet-multinomial (DM) distribution plays a fundamental role in modern statistical methodology development and application. Recently, the DM distribution and its variants have been used extensively to model multivariate count data generated by high-throughput sequencing technology in omics research due to its ability to accommodate the compositional structure of the data as well as overdispersion. A major limitation of the DM distribution is that it is unable to handle excess zeros typically found in practice which may bias inference. To fill this gap, we propose a novel Bayesian zero-inflated DM model for multivariate compositional count data with excess zeros. We then extend our approach to regression settings and embed sparsity-inducing priors to perform variable selection for high-dimensional covariate spaces. Throughout, modeling decisions are made to boost scalability without sacrificing interpretability or imposing limiting assumptions. Extensive simulations and an application to a human gut microbiome dataset are presented to compare the performance of the proposed method to existing approaches. We provide an accompanying R package with a user-friendly vignette to apply our method to other datasets.
Residential segregation and inequality: Considering barriers to choice in Toronto
Authors: Goel Natasha
Published: March 2023

Segregation of visible minorities has persisted throughout time in Toronto. In examining these concentrations, the literature has been heavily focused on the notion that visible minorities are choosing to live in proximity to their respective ethno‐racial groups and that these are spaces of aspiration rather than marginalization in Canada. This paper raises questions about the assertion of “self‐segregation” by emphasizing affordability constraints on residential choices that are often rooted in discrimination in the labour market. Census data from 2016 and an adopted neighbourhood classification scheme were used to understand the spatial patterning of visible minorities in the Toronto census metropolitan area and highlight differences in the socio‐economic characteristics of visible minority dominant and white dominant census tracts. The findings invite the inference that economic opportunities play a critical role in the residential choices of visible minorities and raise concerns about the quality of life in visible minority neighbourhoods. This research contributes to our understanding of how social inequalities have impacted the socio‐spatial organization of the city of Toronto.
Association between laryngopharyngeal reflux, gastroesophageal reflux and recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis: A systematic review
Authors: Lechien Jérôme R. , Saussez Sven , Hopkins Claire
Published: March 2023

Objective

To investigate the association between laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR), gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and recalcitrant chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Data Sources

PubMed, Cochrane Library and Scopus.

Review Methods

Three investigators searched the specified databases for studies investigating the relationship between LPR, GERD and recalcitrant CRS with or without polyposis. The following outcomes were investigated with PRISMA criteria: age; gender; reflux and CRS diagnosis; association outcomes and potential treatment outcomes. The authors performed a bias analysis of papers and provided recommendations for future studies.

Results

A total of 17 studies investigated the association between reflux and recalcitrant CRS. According to pharyngeal pH monitoring, 54% of patients with recalcitrant CRS reported hypo or nasopharyngeal acid reflux events. The number of hypo‐ and nasopharyngeal acid reflux events was significantly higher in patients compared to healthy individuals in 4 and 2 studies, respectively. Only one study did not report intergroup differences. The proportion of GERD was significantly higher in CRS patients compared to controls, with a prevalence ranging from 32% to 91% of cases. No author considered nonacid reflux events. There was significant heterogeneity in the inclusion criteria; definition of reflux and association outcomes, limiting the ability to draw clear conclusions. Pepsin was found in sinonasal secretions more frequently in CRS patients than controls.

Conclusion

Laryngopharyngeal reflux and GERD may be contributing factors of CRS therapeutic resistance, but future studies are needed to confirm the association considering nonacid reflux events.
Which alcohol products might be affected by the introduction of a minimum unit price in Western Australia? Findings from a survey of alcohol retail prices
Authors: Lam Tina , Callinan Sarah , Nielsen Suzanne , Horn Freya , Francia Leanne , Vandenberg Brian
Published: March 2023

Introduction

Minimum unit price (MUP) policies establish a retail floor price below which alcohol may not be sold, and have been shown to reduce harmful alcohol use. We aimed to collect retail price data to estimate the proportion of alcohol products that would potentially be impacted by a MUP policy in Western Australia.

Methods

We purposively sampled the four largest off‐premises alcohol retail chains, a further random sample of other off‐premise alcohol outlets (n = 16) and on‐premise inner‐city outlets (n = 11). Using website data from May to June 2021, we estimated the proportion of products across four beverage categories priced ≤A$1.30, ≤A$1.50 and ≤A$1.75 per standard drink (10 g alcohol).

Results

Of 27,797 off‐premise products identified, 5.7% were available at ≤$1.30 per standard drink, 7.6% at ≤$1.50 and 10.4% at ≤$1.75. The proportion of products available at ≤$1.30 per standard drink varied by beverage category: 7.8% wine, 2.9% beer and cider, <0.1% spirits, 0.0% ready‐to‐drink spirits. Cask‐packaged wines represented only 1.9% of off‐premise wine products and 98.9% of this cask wine was priced ≤$1.30 per standard drink. No on‐premise products were priced ≤$1.75 per standard drink.

Discussion and Conclusions

A comprehensive survey of alcohol prices in Western Australia found only a small proportion of products would potentially be affected by a MUP of $1.30 to $1.75 per standard drink. A MUP policy has potential to target the small proportion of alcohol products available at very low prices (i.e., off‐premise cask wine), with negligible impact on other off‐premise beverage categories, and no impact on on‐premises products.
Attention modulates neural measures associated with beat perception
Authors: Gibbings Aaron , Henry Molly J. , Cruse Damian , Stojanoski Bobby , Grahn Jessica A.
Published: March 2023

A growing body of evidence suggests that steady‐state evoked potentials may be a useful measure of beat perception, particularly when obtaining traditional, explicit measures of beat perception is difficult, such as with infants or non‐human animals. Although attending to a stimulus is not necessary for most traditional applications of steady‐state evoked potentials, it is unknown how attention affects steady‐state evoked potentials that arise in response to beat perception. Additionally, most applications of steady‐state evoked potentials to measure beat perception have used repeating rhythms or real music. Therefore, it is unclear how the steady‐state response relates to the robust beat perception that occurs with non‐repeating rhythms. Here, we used electroencephalography to record participants' brain activity as they listened to non‐repeating musical rhythms while either attending to the rhythms or while distracted by a concurrent visual task. Non‐repeating auditory rhythms elicited steady‐state evoked potentials at perceived beat frequencies (perception was validated in a separate sensorimotor synchronization task) that were larger when participants attended to the rhythms compared with when they were distracted by the visual task. Therefore, although steady‐state evoked potentials appear to index beat perception to non‐repeating musical rhythms, this technique may be limited to when participants are known to be attending to the stimulus.
Passive and active markers of cortical excitability in epilepsy
Authors: Ramantani Georgia , Westover M. Brandon , Gliske Stephen , Sarnthein Johannes , Sarma Sridevi , Wang Yujiang , Baud Maxime O. , Stacey William C. , Conrad Erin C.
Published: March 2023

Electroencephalography (EEG) has been the primary diagnostic tool in clinical epilepsy for nearly a century. Its review is performed using qualitative clinical methods that have changed little over time. However, the intersection of higher resolution digital EEG and analytical tools developed in the past decade invites a re‐exploration of relevant methodology. In addition to the established spatial and temporal markers of spikes and high‐frequency oscillations, novel markers involving advanced postprocessing and active probing of the interictal EEG are gaining ground. This review provides an overview of the EEG‐based passive and active markers of cortical excitability in epilepsy and of the techniques developed to facilitate their identification. Several different emerging tools are discussed in the context of specific EEG applications and the barriers we must overcome to translate these tools into clinical practice.
Sea temperature is the primary driver of recent and predicted fish community structure across Northeast Atlantic shelf seas
Authors: Rutterford Louise A. , Simpson Stephen D. , Bogstad Bjarte , Devine Jennifer A. , Genner Martin J.
Published: March 2023

Climate change has strongly influenced the distribution and abundance of marine fish species, leading to concern about effects of future climate on commercially harvested stocks. Understanding the key drivers of large‐scale spatial variation across present‐day marine assemblages enables predictions of future change. Here we present a unique analysis of standardised abundance data for 198 marine fish species from across the Northeast Atlantic collected by 23 surveys and 31,502 sampling events between 2005 and 2018. Our analyses of the spatially comprehensive standardised data identified temperature as the key driver of fish community structure across the region, followed by salinity and depth. We employed these key environmental variables to model how climate change will affect both the distributions of individual species and local community structure for the years 2050 and 2100 under multiple emissions scenarios. Our results consistently indicate that projected climate change will lead to shifts in species communities across the entire region. Overall, the greatest community‐level changes are predicted at locations with greater warming, with the most pronounced effects at higher latitudes. Based on these results, we suggest that future climate‐driven warming will lead to widespread changes in opportunities for commercial fisheries across the region.
The impact of agricultural management on soil aggregation and carbon storage is regulated by climatic thresholds across a 3000 km European gradient
Authors: Edlinger Anna , Garland Gina , Banerjee Samiran , Degrune Florine , García‐Palacios Pablo , Herzog Chantal , Pescador David Sánchez , Romdhane Sana , Ryo Masahiro , Saghaï Aurélien , Hallin Sara , Maestre Fernando T. , Philippot Laurent , Rillig Matthias C. , van der Heijden Marcel G. A.
Published: March 2023

Organic carbon and aggregate stability are key features of soil quality and are important to consider when evaluating the potential of agricultural soils as carbon sinks. However, we lack a comprehensive understanding of how soil organic carbon (SOC) and aggregate stability respond to agricultural management across wide environmental gradients. Here, we assessed the impact of climatic factors, soil properties and agricultural management (including land use, crop cover, crop diversity, organic fertilization, and management intensity) on SOC and the mean weight diameter of soil aggregates, commonly used as an indicator for soil aggregate stability, across a 3000 km European gradient. Soil aggregate stability (−56%) and SOC stocks (−35%) in the topsoil (20 cm) were lower in croplands compared with neighboring grassland sites (uncropped sites with perennial vegetation and little or no external inputs). Land use and aridity were strong drivers of soil aggregation explaining 33% and 20% of the variation, respectively. SOC stocks were best explained by calcium content (20% of explained variation) followed by aridity (15%) and mean annual temperature (10%). We also found a threshold‐like pattern for SOC stocks and aggregate stability in response to aridity, with lower values at sites with higher aridity. The impact of crop management on aggregate stability and SOC stocks appeared to be regulated by these thresholds, with more pronounced positive effects of crop diversity and more severe negative effects of crop management intensity in nondryland compared with dryland regions. We link the higher sensitivity of SOC stocks and aggregate stability in nondryland regions to a higher climatic potential for aggregate‐mediated SOC stabilization. The presented findings are relevant for improving predictions of management effects on soil structure and C storage and highlight the need for site‐specific agri‐environmental policies to improve soil quality and C sequestration.
Diagnostic utility of bleeding assessment tools in congenital fibrinogen deficiencies
Authors: Mohsenian Samin , Seidizadeh Omid , Palla Roberta , Jazebi Mohammad , Azarkeivan Azita , Moazezi Somayeh , Baghaipour Mohammad Reza , Menegatti Marzia , Peyvandi Flora
Published: March 2023

Background

The assessment of clinical history is crucial before referring a patient for further laboratory testing. Bleeding assessment tools (BAT) are developed to standardize clinical evaluation. A small number of patients with congenital fibrinogen deficiencies (CFDs) have been evaluated with these tools without definitive results.

Aims

We compared the adequacy of the ISTH‐BAT and the European network of rare bleeding disorders bleeding score system (EN‐RBD‐BSS) to identify patients with CFDs. The correlation between the two BATs and fibrinogen levels and patient clinical grade severity was further analyzed.

Methods

We included 100 Iranian patients with CFDs. Routine coagulation and fibrinogen‐specific tests (fibrinogen antigen [Fg:Ag] and activity [Fg:C]) were performed. The ISTH‐BAT and EN‐RBD‐BSS were used to assess the bleeding score (BS) of all patients.

Results

The ISTH‐BAT and EN‐RBD‐BSS median (range) were 4 (0–16) and 2.21 (−1.49 to 6.71), with a statistically significant moderate correlation between the two systems (r = .597, P < .001). In patients with quantitative deficiencies (afibrinogenemia and hypofibrinogenemia), the correlation between Fg:C and the ISTH‐BAT was moderately negative (r = −.4, P < .001), while the correlation between Fg:C and the EN‐RBD‐BSS was weakly negative (r = −.38, P < .001). Overall, 70% and 72% of patients with fibrinogen deficiencies were correctly identified by both the ISTH‐BAT and EN‐RBD‐BSS, respectively.

Conclusion

These results suggest that in addition to the ISTH‐BAT, the EN‐RBD‐BSS may also be useful in identifying CFD patients. We found a significant level of sensitivity for detecting fibrinogen deficiency in the two BATs, and bleeding severity classification correctly identified severity grades in almost two‐thirds of patients.
Fruit and vegetable snacks as carriers of probiotics and bioactive compounds: a review
Authors: Bustos Ana Yanina , Font Graciela , Taranto María Pía
Published: March 2023

Vegetable and fruit snacks emerge as an innovative non‐dairy functional food of probiotic carriers and a valuable alternative to consumers with dietary restrictions. However, enriching snacks with probiotics is challenging as several factors may affect cell viability making it difficult to maintain adequate microbial doses at consumption time. This article aimed to review the most recent advances in the design of probiotic fruit and vegetable snacks to provide the current state of knowledge on this cutting‐edge topic. In particular, the technologies applied to introduce probiotics into the food matrix, classical and novel drying methods, and strategies to improve microbial survival during processing, storage and gastrointestinal passage, are discussed. Most of the published works report bacterial counts above 7 log cfu g−1 in snacks, which is a proper dose of probiotics to promote health benefits. However, many of these studies did not evaluate the survival rate during storage or considered short periods. The design of fruit‐ or vegetable‐based snacks enriched with probiotics appears to be a worthwhile strategy at laboratory scale but further studies to validate results both at pilot and industrial scale are necessary.
Development of protein‐rich biscuit utilising lablab bean seed: a sustainable management of underutilised plant protein in Bangladesh
Authors: Akter Farzana , Islam Md. Ahmadul , Yeasmen Nushrat , Bhuiyan Md. Hafizur Rahman , Aziz Mohammad Gulzarul , Alim Md. Abdul
Published: March 2023

Due to the sustainability aspects, the shift toward plant‐based foods has largely increased the global awareness of the potential role of legumes and pulses in nutritional diet over the past years. In favour of the versatile use of nutritionally rich lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L) seeds in food manufacturing industries, this study detailed the insights into the development of protein‐rich biscuits formulated with lablab bean seed powder linking with the drying kinetics of lablab bean seed. Results showed the higher drying rate for uncoated lablab bean seeds paste than the coated samples. Four samples of biscuit containing 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% lablab bean seeds powder were formulated. The protein, crude fibre, and ash content of biscuits increased significantly (P < 0.05) up to 9.92% ± 0.12%, 1.84% ± 0.05%, and 1.39% ± 0.07%, respectively, with the addition of lablab bean seed powder. The spread ratio of biscuit decreased with the increase of bean seed powder concentration (%). Organoleptic analysis revealed that control and 5% bean seed powder added biscuit ranked similarly. The texture, colour, and flavour of formulated biscuits changed marginally after 5 months of storage. The standard plate count and total fungal count were also within the acceptable limit for the storage period of up to 5 months.
Positive identity development through community engagement among youth with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Authors: Rodriquez Jason , Gupta Anmol , Ballard Staci C. , Siperstein Gary N.
Published: March 2023

Background

Identity development in individuals with disabilities is often negatively impacted by exclusion, marginalisation, and stigma. However, meaningful opportunities for community engagement can serve as one pathway towards establishing positive identity. This pathway is further examined in the present study.

Methods

Researchers used a tiered, multi‐method, qualitative methodology consisting of audio diaries, group interviews, and individual interviews with seven youth (ages 16–20) with intellectual and developmental disabilities, recruited through the Special Olympics U.S. Youth Ambassador Program.

Results

Participants' identities incorporated disability while simultaneously transcending the social limits of disability. Participants viewed disability as one aspect of their broader identity, shaped by leadership and engagement experiences such as those offered by the Youth Ambassador Program.

Conclusions

Findings have implications for understanding identity development in youth with disabilities, the importance of community engagement and structured leadership opportunities, and the value of tailoring qualitative methodologies to the subject of the research.
mRNAs in skin surface lipids unveiled atopic dermatitis at 1 month
Authors: Yamamoto‐Hanada Kiwako , Saito‐Abe Mayako , Shima Kyoko , Fukagawa Satoko , Uehara Yuya , Ueda Yui , Iwamura Maeko , Murase Takatoshi , Kuwano Tetsuya , Inoue Takayoshi , Ohya Yukihiro
Published: March 2023

Background

The molecular pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD), presenting skin barrier dysfunction and abnormal inflammations around 1–2 months, is unreported.

Objective

We aimed to examine the molecular pathogenesis of very early‐onset AD by skin surface lipid‐RNA (SSL‐RNA) using a non‐invasive technology in infants aged 1 and 2 months from a prospective cohort.

Methods

We collected sebum by oil‐blotting film of infants aged 1 and 2 months and analysed RNAs in their sebum. We diagnosed AD according to the United Kingdom Working Party's criteria.

Results

Infants with AD aged 1 month showed lower expression of genes related to various lipid metabolism and synthesis, antimicrobial peptides, tight junctions, desmosomes and keratinization. They also had higher expression of several genes involved in Th2‐, Th17‐ and Th22‐type immune responses and lower expression of negative regulators of inflammation. In addition, gene expressions related to innate immunity were higher in AD infants. Infants aged 1 month with neonatal acne and diagnosed with AD aged 2 months already had gene expression patterns similar to AD aged 1 month in terms of redox, lipid synthesis, metabolism and barrier‐related gene expression.

Conclusion

We identified molecular changes in barrier function and inflammatory markers that characterize the pathophysiology of AD in infants aged 1 month. We also revealed that neonatal acne at 1 month could predict the subsequent development of AD by sebum transcriptome data.
Pressure–temperature paths of tectonic blocks in mélange: Recording thermal evolution of a subduction channel at an initial stage of subduction
Authors: Takeshita Toru , Imayama Takeshi , Ando Mizuho , Kimura Yuto , Python Marie
Published: March 2023

We investigated the tectonic evolution of amphibolite and blueschist tectonic blocks in the serpentinite‐ or pelite‐matrix mélange, which are distributed at the highest structural level of the high‐P/Ttype Kamuikotan metamorphic rocks in northern Japan. The tectonic blocks in this study area are divided into six rock types: garnet‐epidote amphibolite, epidote amphibolite, amphibolite, plagioclase‐poor amphibolite, epidote blueschist and glaucophane‐bearing quartz schist. Based on phase equilibrium modelling, garnet‐epidote amphibolite and epidote amphibolite experienced peak metamorphism at pressure and temperature conditions of 1.1–1.25 GPa and 550–590°C, and 0.8–1.3 GPa and 475–550°C, respectively, (at an apparent thermal gradient ranging between 13 to 17°C/km). By contrast, although the peak‐metamorphic conditions for each one of amphibolite, plagioclase‐poor amphibolite, and glaucophane‐bearing quartz schist are not well constrained, they may have been originally metamorphosed at amphibolite to epidote‐amphibolite facies at thermal gradients exceeding 20°C/km, inferred from the core composition of amphibole (edenite/magnesiohornblende/barroisite). The epidote blueschist experienced peak metamorphism at pressure and temperature conditions of 0.8–1.6 GPa and 360–520°C (most probably 0.8–0.85 GPa and 360–480°C). Although different types of tectonic blocks experienced a variety of peak metamorphism under differentP/Tconditions, all of them underwent epidote blueschist facies metamorphism at the peak or retrograde stage (as shown by the glaucophane rims of amphibole with different core compositions). The overallP–Tpaths appear counter‐clockwise, which could be interpreted to reflect the cooling history of the subduction channel from the beginning to the steady state of subduction. The geothermal gradient could have changed from 15–17° to ~10°C/km over ~20–25 Myr, as estimated by previously reported radiometric ages. The protoliths to the tectonic blocks could have begun to subduct into the subduction channel at different times (where the thermal structure evolved with time), acquiring different progradeP–Tpaths. Subsequently, these tectonic blocks were juxtaposed at a certain depth and incorporated into the overlying serpentinite during the subduction stage. Finally, the serpentinite‐ or pelite‐matrix mélange, including these tectonic blocks, were exhumed together with the coherent accretionary units as the former was emplaced over the latter.