bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Competency Framework for AI Literacy: Variations by Different Learner Groups and an Implied Learning Pathway
Authors: Chee Hyunkyung , Ahn Solmoe , Lee Jihyun
Published: December 2024

This study aims to develop a comprehensive competency framework for artificial intelligence (AI) literacy, delineating essential competencies and sub‐competencies. This framework and its potential variations, tailored to different learner groups (by educational level and discipline), can serve as a crucial reference for designing and implementing AI curricula. However, the research on AI literacy by target learners is still in its infancy, and the findings of several existing studies provide inconsistent guidelines for educational practices. Following the 2020 PRISMA guidelines, we searched the Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect databases to identify relevant studies published between January 2012 and October 2024. The quality of the included studies was evaluated using QualSyst. A total of 29 studies were identified, and their research findings were synthesized. Results show that at the K‐12 level, the required competencies include basic AI knowledge, device usage, and AI ethics. For higher education, the focus shifts to understanding data and algorithms, problem‐solving, and career‐related competencies. For general workforce, emphasis is placed on the interpretation and utilization of data and AI tools for specific careers, along with error detection and AI‐based decision‐making. This study connects the progression of specific learning objectives, which should be intensively addressed at each stage, to propose an AI literacy education pathway. We discuss the findings, potentials, and limitations of the derived competency framework for AI literacy, including its theoretical and practical implications and future research suggestions.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

AI literacy is becoming increasingly important as AI technologies are integrated into various aspects of life and work.

Research on AI literacy competencies across diverse learner groups and disciplines remains fragmented and inconsistent to guide educational practices.

Studies providing a coherent pathway for AI literacy development throughout educational and working life are lacking.

What this paper adds

A comprehensive AI literacy competency framework consisting of 8 competencies and 18 sub‐competencies.

Variations in AI literacy competencies with tailored configuration and prioritization across different learner groups by school levels and disciplines.

A proposed pathway for developing AI literacy from K‐12 to higher education and workforce levels.

Implications for practice and policy

The framework can guide the design and implementation of AI curricula tailored to different learner characteristics and needs.

Education should shift focus from teaching how to use AI to fostering competencies for critical, strategic, responsible and ethical integration of AI.

Policies are needed to support a systematic pathway for lifelong AI literacy development from K‐12 education to workforce training.
Protective role of Angiogenin in muscle regeneration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: Diagnostic and therapeutic implications
Authors: Fabbrizio Paola , Baindoor Sharada , Margotta Cassandra , Su Junyi , Morrissey Elena P. , Woods Ina , Hogg Marion C. , Vianello Sara , Venø Morten T. , Kjems Jørgen , Sorarù Gianni , Bendotti Caterina , Prehn Jochen H. M. , Nardo Giovanni
Published: December 2024

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neuromuscular disease with no effective treatments, in part caused by variations in progression and the absence of biomarkers. Mice carrying the SOD1G93A transgene with different genetic backgrounds show variable disease rates, reflecting the diversity of patients. While extensive research has been done on the involvement of the central nervous system, the role of skeletal muscle remains underexplored. We examined the impact of angiogenin, including its RNase activity, in skeletal muscles of ALS mouse models and in biopsies from ALS patients. Elevated levels of angiogenin were found in slowly progressing mice but not in rapidly progressing mice, correlating with increased muscle regeneration and vascularisation. In patients, higher levels of angiogenin in skeletal muscles correlated with milder disease. Mechanistically, angiogenin promotes muscle regeneration and vascularisation through satellite cell‐endothelial interactions during myogenesis and angiogenesis. Furthermore, specific angiogenin‐derived tiRNAs were upregulated in slowly progressing mice, suggesting their role in mediating the effects of angiogenin. These findings highlight angiogenin and its tiRNAs as potential prognostic markers and therapeutic targets for ALS, offering avenues for patient stratification and interventions to mitigate disease progression by promoting muscle regeneration.
Structure‐Based Design of 2‐Aminopyrazolpyrimidopyridone Derivatives as New Rearranged During Transfection (RET) Kinase Inhibitors
Authors: Shen Jiayi , Liu Jihu , Tan Zhiyong , Li Anzhi , Chen Sheng , Li Yongdong
Published: December 2024

RET (Rearranged during transfection) kinase is a validated target for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In 2020, two selective RET inhibitors, selpercatinib and pralsetinib were approved by the US FDA. However, high treatment costs and clinically acquired resistance (e.g., G810C/S/R) become the new challenges for RET‐based therapies. In this work, we discovered a series of 2‐aminopyrazolpyrimidopyridone RET inhibitors to overcome the V804M and G810C resistant mutations. One of the compounds, 8w, exhibited inhibitory potency against the BaF3 cells harboring CCDC6‐RETV804M mutation with an IC50 value of 0.715 μM. The compound also dose‐dependently suppressed the activation of RET and downstream signals. Another compound, 8s suppressed BaF3 cells harboring CCDC6‐RETG810C mutation with an IC50 value of 2.91 μM. However, the poor solubility of these compounds will limit their further development. Therefore, compound 8w and 8s might be promising lead compounds for the development of novel RETV804M and RETG810C inhibitors overcoming the clinically acquired resistance.
Local Application of Honey for Postoperative Pain Management and Associated Outcomes Following Tonsillectomy in Children: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis
Authors: Hosseini Seyed Javad , Hosseini Seyed Reza , Jamshidbeigi Amirreza , Mahmoodi‐Shan Gholam Reza , Hajiabadi Fatemeh , Abdollahi Masoud , Firooz Mahbobeh
Published: December 2024

Background

This study investigates the effect of locally applied honey on pain intensity, analgesia consumption, pain relief and nighttime awakenings in children following tonsillectomy, addressing conflicting evidence and the lack of differentiation between adult and paediatric populations in previous reviews.

Methods

A systematic search was conducted across multiple databases, including Cochrane Library, ClinicalTrials.gov, MEDLINE, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) comparing pain outcomes in children receiving honey in addition to standard treatments versus those receiving standard treatments alone were included. Pain intensity was measured with the VAS tool. Meta‐analysis was performed using STATA version 14 software. Also, risk of bias and certainty of evidence were evaluated.

Results

Out of 537 articles, seven studies (n = 710) with RCT design met the inclusion criteria. The average duration for measuring pain intensity was 7.37 days. Pooled effect size showed a statistically significant reduction in pain intensity in the honey intervention group compared to the control group (WMD: −0.90, 95% CI [−1.32, −0.48], p < 0.001, I2: 92.5%; certainty of evidence: low). Also, the results demonstrated that honey significantly decreased the average time required for pain relief and analgesic consumption in the intervention group compared to the control group. One study was deemed low risk of bias, four studies were of intermediate quality and two studies were evaluated as high.

Conclusion

While honey shows promise in reducing post‐tonsillectomy pain, cautious use is advised due to the limited quality of evidence. More robust RCTs are needed to address biases and reinforce confidence in the findings.
Predicting Sarcopenia and Frailty Risk in Patients Post Heart Transplantation
Authors: Sentandreu‐Mañó Trinidad , Marques‐Sule Elena , Almenar‐Bonet Luis , Tomás José M. , Hansen Dominique , Deka Pallav , López‐Vilella Raquel , Klompstra Leonie , Machado Felipe V. C.
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Currently, there is little evidence on the prevalence and factors associated with sarcopenia risk or frailty risk in patients post heart transplantation (HTx). The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of sociodemographic, lifestyle, physical, and psychological factors on sarcopenia and frailty risk in patients post‐HTx.

Methods

133 patients post‐HTx (59.4% men, mean age 56.5 ± 12.7 years) participated in this cross‐sectional study. The main outcomes were sarcopenia and frailty risk, and potential related predictors were comorbidities, time from transplantation, body mass index, sociodemographic factors, musculoskeletal pain, functional capacity, kinesiophobia, sleep problems, depression, physical activity, and diet quality. Multiple regression models were performed with all predictors, including polynomial regressions for predictors with a nonlinear relationship.

Results

The predictor variables explained 73.93% of frailty's variance. Functional capacity (with a nonlinear relationship) and diet quality were significant predictors of frailty risk, while diabetes and physical activity were marginally significant. In addition, the predictors explained 73.52% of sarcopenia's variance. Diabetes, functional capacity (with a nonlinear relationship), and kinesiophobia were significant predictors of sarcopenia risk, while pain intensity and diet quality were marginally significant.

Conclusion

Multivariate analysis conducted on patients post‐HTx revealed that functional capacity was associated with both sarcopenia and frailty risk. Additionally, diet quality was a predictive factor of frailty, while diabetes and kinesiophobia were predictors of sarcopenia. These findings emphasize the importance of proper management to prevent frailty and sarcopenia, which share common associated factors.
With big data comes big responsibility: Strategies for utilizing aggregated, standardized, de‐identified electronic health record data for research
Authors: Olaker Veronica R. , Fry Sarah , Terebuh Pauline , Davis Pamela B. , Tisch Daniel J. , Xu Rong , Miller Margaret G. , Dorney Ian , Palchuk Matvey B. , Kaelber David C.
Published: December 2024

Electronic health records (EHRs), though they are maintained and utilized for clinical and billing purposes, may provide a wealth of information for research. Currently, sources are available that offer insight into the health histories of well over a quarter of a billion people. Their use, however, is fraught with hazards, including introduction or reinforcement of biases, clarity of disease definitions, protection of patient privacy, definitions of covariates or confounders, accuracy of medication usage compared with prescriptions, the need to introduce other data sources such as vaccination or death records and the ensuing potential for inaccuracy, duplicative records, and understanding and interpreting the outcomes of data queries. On the other hand, the possibility of study of rare disorders or the ability to link apparently disparate events are extremely valuable. Strategies for avoiding the worst pitfalls and hewing to conservative interpretations are essential. This article summarizes many of the approaches that have been used to avoid the most common pitfalls and extract the maximum information from aggregated, standardized, and de‐identified EHR data. This article describes 26 topics broken into three major areas: (1) 14 topics related to design issues for observational study using EHR data, (2) 7 topics related to analysis issues when analyzing EHR data, and (3) 5 topics related to reporting studies using EHR data.
The Ontogeny of Attitudes Toward Migrants
Authors: Santhanagopalan Radhika , Hok Hannah , Shaw Alex , Kinzler Katherine D.
Published: December 2024

Immigration is among the most pressing issues of our time. Important questions concern the psychological mechanisms that contribute to attitudes about immigration. Whereas much is known about adults’ immigration attitudes, the developmental antecedents of these attitudes are not well understood. Across three studies (N = 616), we examined US children's attitudes toward migrants by introducing them to two novel groups of people: one native to an island and the other migrants to the island. The migrants varied by (1) Migrant Status: migrants came from a resource‐poor island (fleers) or a resource‐rich island (pursuers); and (2) Acculturation Style: migrants assimilated to the native culture (assimilated) or retained their original cultural identity (separated). We studied a range of children's immigration attitudes: children's preferences, resource allocations, and perceptions of solidarity between groups (Experiment 1), children's conferral of voting power (Experiment 2a) and political representation (Experiment 2b), and children's beliefs about political representation when an equal government was not possible (Experiment 3). Overall, children showed a bias toward natives, but the degree of their bias depended on the type of migrant they were evaluating. Children generally favored Pursuers over Fleers, and Assimilated migrants over Separated migrants. In some cases, the intersection of these factors mattered: children expressed a specific preference for Separated Pursuers and a specific penalization of Separated Fleers. These studies reveal the early developmental roots of immigration attitudes, particularly as they relate to political power and the intersecting forces of migrant status and acculturation.
Intentionality and Congruence Cues Shape Young Children's Perceptions of Identity‐Based Group Membership
Authors: Straka Brenda C. , Stanaland Adam , Gaither Sarah E.
Published: December 2024

As young as 3 years old, children rely on a mutual intentionality framework to confer group membership—that is, agreement between a joiner (“I want to be in your group”) and group (“We want you to be in our group”). Here, we tested whether children apply this cognitive framework in the context of identity‐based groups, specifically gender and race. In Study 1 (preregistered), we asked a large sample of 3–8‐year‐olds (N = 448; 224 girls) whether a novel joiner character (girl, boy) could join a group (girls, boys) based on joiner‐group intentions (non‐mutual, mutual) and joiner‐group gender congruence (incongruent [e.g., girl‐to‐boys], congruent [e.g., girl‐to‐girls]). Study 2 (preregistered; N = 433; 208 minoritized race) followed the same structure as Study 1 but instead varied the race of the joiner (Black, White) and group (Black, White). In both studies, participants as young as 3 years old relied on a mutual intentionality framework to confer group membership. This effect strengthened with age, replicating past work and newly showing that children rely on mutual intentions in the context of identity‐based groups. An exploratory integrative data analysis (IDA) comparing across studies revealed that participants additionally relied on joiner‐group gender congruence to confer group membership as young as 3 years old (Study 1) but did not rely on joiner‐group racial congruence until 5 years old (Study 2). It appears, then, that young children's determination of group membership is influenced by interactive cognitive processes that incorporate others’ mental processes (intentions) and their emerging understanding of the social world (identity‐based group boundaries).
Exploring the Interplay Between Teachers' Emotions, Personal Traits, Environmental Factors and Psychological Well‐Being
Authors: Tong Qin
Published: December 2024

Elevated stress levels among teachers are linked to both physical and mental health issues, which in turn affect their job performance. In addition, Teachers' ability to regulate emotions influences their instructional effectiveness and well‐being. Moreover, psychological well‐being is crucial for teachers' satisfaction and success, influenced by factors like burnout and personality traits and external circumstances impact teachers' stress levels and job performance, affecting their professional trajectory. Understanding these dynamics holistically is essential for fostering teacher well‐being and enhancing their effectiveness in the classroom; therefore, this study explores the intricate connections between various factors influencing teachers' professional success. To collect the data, the researchers used four questionnaires: environmental factor, Big Five personality traits, teachers' emotion and psychological well‐being questionnaires. Rigorous SEM analysis was employed to discern the direct and indirect influences of teachers' emotions, teachers' personal traits and environmental factors on teachers' psychological well‐being and their professional success. The findings revel that teachers' emotions, teachers' personal traits and environmental factors significantly predict teachers' psychological well‐being and their professional success. The study suggests that incorporating emotional regulation training into professional development can equip teachers with skills to navigate challenging situations, thereby enhancing their well‐being and effectiveness and establishing work environments that recognise and support and address the emotional needs of teachers can foster a positive atmosphere conducive to both well‐being and professional growth.
Mortality in Haemophilia Patients in India: A National Cohort Study
Authors: Shetty Shrimati , Ross Cecil , John M. Joseph , Kshirsagar Shrinath , Kulkarni Nimish , Pavitra D. S. , Sarwan Diksha , Misha P. K. , Paul Antony , More Apurva , Kaunchale Nazish , D'silva Magdalene , Masurkar Shrushti , Kharat Shruti , Patil Kranti , Patel Shalaka , Mehendale Priti , Sarvaiya Prachi , Rangarajan Savita
Published: December 2024

Introduction

Mortality and morbidity in persons with haemophilia (PWH) have decreased due to improved diagnosis and treatment along with comprehensive population outreach efforts, but the impact is not uniform in different countries.

Aim

The study aims to assess all‐cause and intracranial haemorrhage (ICH)‐specific mortality of PWH in India.

Methods

This is a retrospective, observational, multi‐centric cohort study of 1020 haemophilia patients from three centres in India. The mortality data in the family was collected from personal interviews, and subsequently confirmed with the corresponding haemophilia treatment centres (HTCs). The demographic and clinical data, along with other comorbidities, were collected from the medical records.

Results

Among 170 reported deaths, 73 (42.9%) were caused by ICH, and 44 (25.9%) resulted from accidents or trauma. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding was the third most common cause of death, accounting for 27 cases (15.9%). The average and median ages at death were 27.7 and 26 years, respectively. None of the deceased cases were receiving any prophylactic or immune tolerance induction (ITI) therapy, and all had severe haemophilia. In addition, the prevalence of inhibitors and hypertension was significantly higher in deceased cases compared to that in the general haemophilia population (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Severity of haemophilia, episodic treatment, hypertension and inhibitors showed significant association with mortality. ICH continues to be the leading cause of death among haemophilia patients in the country. This underscores the challenges in managing haemophilia and the need for improved treatment strategies to increase the life expectancy of PWH.
Low‐Dose Emicizumab Versus Low‐/Intermediate‐Dose Factor VIII Secondary Prophylaxis for Noninhibitor Haemophilia A Patients With Severe Bleeding Phenotype
Authors: Kessakorn Nuchanun , Gosriwatana Itsaraet , Sasipong Nuttarak , Srichumpuang Chonlatis , Moonla Chatphatai , Sosothikul Darintr
Published: December 2024

Background

Subcutaneous emicizumab, a factor VIII (FVIII)‐mimicking bispecific monoclonal antibody, can effectively prevent bleeds in haemophilia A (HA) patients with/without inhibitors; however, its standard‐dose regimens are financially burdensome. Low‐dose emicizumab prophylaxis may alternatively be applied to noninhibitor HA patients in resource‐limited settings.

Methods

During 2023, Thai patients with noninhibitor severe HA or moderate HA with severe bleeding phenotype (historical annualized bleeding rate [ABR] >5 bleeds/year before regular FVIII prophylaxis) who received low‐/intermediate‐dose FVIII secondary prophylaxis ≥8 months were enrolled. After the 4‐day washout period, low‐dose emicizumab prophylaxis (2.0–2.5 mg/kg every fortnight for two loading doses, then every 4 weeks) was implemented for 8 months. Pre‐/post‐emicizumab ABR, annualized joint bleeding rates (AJBR), haemophilia joint health scores (HJHS) and haemophilia‐specific quality‐of‐life (QoL) scores were analysed. Emicizumab plasma levels on modified one‐stage FVIII assays were also monitored.

Results

In 15 subjects, ABR (median of differences, −2 bleeds/year; interquartile range, −3 to 0; p = 0.002), but not AJBR (p = 0.07), were reduced after switching to low‐dose emicizumab prophylaxis, although the pre‐dose emicizumab plasma levels at the steady state, achieved since week 12, were modest (median monthly level, 8.4 µg/mL; interquartile range, 4.3–10.4). Concurrently, HJHS (p = 0.008) and QoL score (p < 0.001) were decreased, and 46.7% had zero bleeds while receiving low‐dose emicizumab.

Conclusions

Low‐dose emicizumab, compared to low‐/intermediate‐dose FVIII secondary prophylaxis, meaningfully improves bleeding prevention, joint health and QoL in patients with noninhibitor severe HA or moderate HA with severe bleeding phenotype. This regimen potentially helps address previously unmet needs in HA care among low‐to‐middle‐income countries.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov identifier NCT06155955.
The Chronic Headache Self‐Efficacy Scale: Development and assessment of measurement properties
Authors: Ginoza Lori M. , Sigman Erica , Michener Lori A. , Straub Rachel K. , Sahai‐Srivastava Soma , Pozzi Federico
Published: December 2024

Objective

To develop and assess the psychometrics of the Chronic Headache Self‐Efficacy Scale (CHASE).

Background

Existing scales assess self‐efficacy in coping strategies and management of symptoms and triggers but do not measure other important self‐efficacy domains, such as performing daily activities and socializing in patients with chronic daily headache (CDH).

Methods

The study had two phases: (i) Development of the 14‐item CHASE, with items derived from patients with CDH and a multidisciplinary healthcare team; (ii) longitudinal observational study for psychometric evaluation. Participants with CDH (N = 79) completed the CHASE, Headache Management Self‐Efficacy Scale (HMSE), six‐item Headache Impact Test‐6 (HIT‐6), and 12‐item Short Form Health Survey (SF‐12) at baseline, 24–72 h after baseline, and 12 weeks after baseline. The Global Rating of Change (GROC) assessed perceived change in symptoms. We assessed internal consistency, day‐to‐day reliability, convergent and known group discriminant validity, dimensionality, and responsiveness via minimal clinical important difference (MCID).

Results

For day‐to‐day reliability, the CHASE intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.68 (95% confidence interval 0.49–0.81), with standard error of measurement and minimal detectable change of 10.3% and 24%, respectively. The CHASE had two independent factors (total R2 = 54.5%) that can be combined into a single score (Cronbach's alpha internal consistency 0.88). For convergent validity, the CHASE score was related to the HIT‐6, HMSE, and SF‐12 (R2: 0.17–0.29, all p < 0.001). For known group discriminant validity, individuals with an active headache had a lower CHASE score than those without (mean [standard deviation] 47.7 [17.3]% vs. 57.2 [19.8]%, p < 0.001). Classification and regression tree analysis showed the MCID for meaningful positive symptom change on the GROC was a CHASE change of >8% or CHASE change of 8% with baseline CHASE >67%.

Conclusion

The CHASE is a reliable and valid questionnaire for assessing self‐efficacy in performing daily activities, socializing, managing headache symptoms and triggers, and guiding treatment plans for patients with CDH.
Expression of claudin‐18.2 in cholangiocarcinoma: a comprehensive immunohistochemical analysis from a German tertiary centre
Authors: Kinzler Maximilian N , Gretser Steffen , Schulze Falko , Bankov Katrin , Abedin Nada , Bechstein Wolf O , Finkelmeier Fabian , Zeuzem Stefan , Reis Henning , Wild Peter J. , Walter Dirk
Published: December 2024

Aims

Anti‐claudin‐18.2 (CLDN18.2) therapy was recently approved for the treatment of gastric or gastro‐oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The aim of the present study was to investigate the expression of CLDN18.2 in cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) to determine whether there is a subgroup of patients who might also benefit from anti‐CLDN18.2 therapy.

Methods and results

A tissue microarray (TMA) cohort of all CCA patients who underwent surgical resection with curative intent between August 2005 and December 2021 at University Hospital Frankfurt were immunohistochemically evaluated using the VENTANA® CLDN18 (43‐14A) antibody. Tumour positivity for CLDN18.2 was determined as follows: ≥ 75% of tumour cells with moderate‐to‐strong CLDN18 membranous staining. In total, 160 patients with surgically resected CCA were suitable for immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis. Of the patients, 13.1% (n = 21) showed moderate to strong membranous staining of VENTANA® CLDN18 antibody, while 86.9% (n = 139) were negative. Subtype analysis revealed strong differences in CLDN18 expression. Positive staining of CLDN18 could be observed in 26.5% (n = nine of 34) and 7.4% (n = seven of 95) of the perihilar (pCCA) and intrahepatic (iCCA) subgroup, respectively. CCA patients with CLDN18 expression had a more frequently intraoperative finding of distant metastasis (P = 0.002), lymph node metastasis (P = 0.008) and positive perineural invasion (Pn1) status (P = 0.022).

Conclusions

The present study suggests that a subset of patients with CCA exhibited a marked expression of CLDN18.2. These findings underline the need to perform a clinical study evaluating the efficacy of anti‐CLDN18.2 therapy in patients suffering from CCA.
Immature Northern Gannets (Morus bassanus) increase colony attendance following highly pathogenic avian influenza
Authors: Sceviour Madeline P. , Ward Christopher R. E. , Wilhelm Sabina I.
Published: December 2024

The emergence of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 in wild bird populations in 2020 changed the landscape of this disease for seabird populations, including Northern Gannets Morus bassanus. In 2023, we photographed the three Northern Gannet colonies in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada (Funk Island, Baccalieu Island and Cape St Mary's), following an HPAI outbreak in 2022 and documented an overall 43% decline in apparently occupied sites (AOS) from the last population survey in 2018. During the photo analyses, we assigned immature birds present in the core breeding area to one of four age categories according to their plumage characteristics, and estimated that 9% (inter‐colony variance ranging from 7 to 14%) of all AOS in 2023 hosted at least one immature bird, an increase compared with rates of 2% or less before the outbreak. Further, 16% of all immature birds present in the core breeding area showed evidence of breeding and were probably 2‐ and 3‐year‐old birds. Our results support the social competition theory whereby a higher proportion of immature and/or younger immature birds occupying an AOS within the core breeding area is observed following significant reductions in numbers of established breeders, suggesting the presence of a pool of immature birds capable of recruiting into the Newfoundland Northern Gannet breeding population and help its recovery.
Development of cordierite‐based low‐expansion porcelain tiles with application potential in an underfloor heating system
Authors: Luo Ting , Li Ping , Dong Weixia , Zeng Qiang , Yu Xiaoling , Gu Xingyong , Dong Gang
Published: December 2024

The high coefficients of thermal expansion (CTEs; α) of common porcelain tiles result in deformation, cracking and even breakage after prolonged utilization in an underfloor heating system. Cordierite‐based porcelain tiles with low α values have good application potential in underfloor heating systems. Herein, environmentally friendly and low‐cost cordierite‐based porcelain tiles made with desert sand were presented. The bulk density, linear shrinkage, water absorption, CTE, and modulus of rupture were determined to investigate the sintering stage of this desert sand‐based low‐expansion porcelain tiles. Powder X‐ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectroscopy analyses were used to characterize the phase changes and microstructures of the materials. The results revealed that mass ratio of SiO2 to Al2O3 (m[SiO2/Al2O3]), mass ratio of MgO to Al2O3 (m[MgO/Al2O3]), and sintering temperature jointly affected the CTEs of the porcelain tiles. Moreover, the sintering temperature significantly impacted the quantities and morphologies of the cordierite crystals. An increase in the number of columnar‐like cordierite crystals during production resulted in a decreased CTE. The results of this study present an effective technique for preparing low‐CTE porcelain tiles from natural waste materials. These desert sand‐based tiles could be widely applied in underfloor heating systems.
The workability of the castables bonded with hydrated magnesium carboxylate–organic acid
Authors: Chen Jianjun , Xiao Guoqing , Ding Donghai , Wang Qingfeng , Liu Ming , Yin Chaofan , Yang Junrui , Li Xue , Luo Wei , Tang Wenwen , Li Tengfei
Published: December 2024

This study modifies the hydration process of hydrated magnesium carboxylate (HMC) by organic acids to improve the workability of HMC‐bonded castables (HMCC), while comprehensively analyzing the effects of organic acids on the mechanical properties and thermal shock resistance of HMCC. Results demonstrate that lactic acid significantly increases the setting time and rheology of HMCC by 738% and 217.8%, respectively. This is due to lactic acid inhibiting HMC ionization and delaying hydration, as evidenced by hydration kinetics experiments. Furthermore, lactic acid could also reduce the degree of polymerization of HMC hydration products. Notably, lactic acid increases the cold modulus of rupture by 593.7%, 100%, and 95.7% at 500°C, 800°C, and 1100°C, respectively. This performance improvement is attributed to lactic acid's promotion of the sintering process of HMCC, possibly due to its effect on improving castable uniformity. However, lactic acid results in an 18.1% reduction in the green body strength, potentially due to the weakened three‐dimensional network structure of HMC hydration products. Additionally, lactic acid increases the residual strength ratio of HMCC by 4.3% and enhances crack propagation resistance (R‴) by 45%. These improvements result from an optimized microstructure, characterized by smaller, more uniformly distributed particles with regular shapes and tighter interparticle connections.
Exploring the Direct and Indirect Relations of E‐Book Narration and Bilingual Parent–Child Talk to Children's Learning Outcomes in EFL Shared Reading
Authors: Yang Dandan , Zeng Huaming , Collins Penelope , Warschauer Mark
Published: December 2024

E‐books, powered by multimedia and interactive features, are widely used to support young children's language and literacy development. This study examines the relations of e‐book narration and bilingual parent–child talk to children's learning during shared reading. Data from 121 English learners in China and their parents were analyzed using structural equation modeling. Results revealed that e‐book narration, powered by multimedia features, indirectly predicts children's learning outcomes through parent and child talk in English. Specifically, parent talk in English fully mediated the relationship between e‐book narration and children's English vocabulary gains, while parent and child talk in English mediated the association between e‐book narration and story comprehension and retelling. In contrast, parent–child talk in Chinese did not predict any learning outcomes. Video transcript analysis showed that off‐topic talk was more prevalent in Chinese than in English, particularly among children. These findings have implications for app designers, parents, and researchers, emphasizing the importance of parental support in shared e‐book reading and shedding light on the e‐book design for children reading in a foreign language.
Consortium Governance and Market Entry of Digital B2B Platforms: The Case of ADAMOS
Authors: Arnold Laurin , Hukal Philipp , Link Marco
Published: December 2024

In this study, we examine how the Industrial Internet of Things platform ADAMOS successfully entered the German mechanical engineering market using a consortium‐based approach. By establishing a joint venture among industry incumbents, ADAMOS followed consortium governance that separated platform ownership from platform operation. In so doing, ADAMOS navigated the complexities of market entry and overcame many challenges typical to business‐to‐business (B2B) markets. Drawing from the case, we develop a four‐step framework for effective business‐to‐business platform market entry: (1) Spinning out a neutral legal entity, (2) designing a valuable platform core, (3) seeding the supply side with internal offerings, and (4) opening the platform to broader audiences. Based on this description, we discuss lessons learned and provide actionable recommendations for platform operators considering a consortium‐based approach for their business‐to‐business platform market entry.
A Neutrophil Extracellular Traps–Related Signature Predicts Clinical Outcomes and Identifies Immune Landscape in Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Zhang Yue , Wang Chao , Cheng Shanshan , Xu Yanna , Gu Sijia , Zhao Yaqian , Yang Jiani , Wang Yu
Published: December 2024

Ovarian cancer (OvCa) is the most lethal gynaecology malignancies worldwide. Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), net‐like protein structures produced by activated neutrophils and DNA‐histone complexes, have a central role in tumours, though haven't been fully explored in OvCa. We obtained transcriptome data from TCGA‐OvCa database (n = 376) as training, ICGC‐OvCa database (n = 111) as validation and GTEx database (n = 180) as controls. Through LASSO‐COX Regression analysis, we identified an eight‐gene signature among 87 NETs‐related genes, which was significantly related to poor prognosis in both TCGA‐OvCa and ICGC‐OvCa cohorts (Log‐rank p‐value = 0.0003 and 0.0014). Next, we constructed and validated a prognostic nomogram, consist of NETs‐related signature and clinical features (C‐index = 0.82). We evaluated 22 typical immune cell infiltration through CIBERSORT analysis, which implied upregulation of memory CD4 + T cells, follicular helper T cells and neutrophils in high‐risk group. Additionally, we predicted therapy sensitivity through TIDE algorithm, indicating that high NETs‐riskscore exhibited more sensitivity towards Sorafenib and less sensitivity towards immunotherapy. We initially reported that RAC2 upregulation was associated with NETs formation and poor prognosis (p‐value < 0.05) through IHC analysis of tissue microarrays (n = 125). Conclusively, NETs‐related signature was reliable for OvCa prognosis prediction and therapy assessment. Especially, RAC2 was predominantly related to NETs formation, thus providing hints towards anti‐tumour mechanism of NETs in OvCa.
Puerarin Protects Myocardium From Ischaemia/Reperfusion Injury by Inhibiting Ferroptosis Through Downregulation of VDAC1
Authors: Hu Fajia , Hu Tie , He Andi , Yuan Yong , Wang Xiuqi , Zou Chenchao , Qiao Yamei , Xu Huaihan , Liu Lanxiang , Wang Qun , Liu Jichun , Lai Songqing , Huang Huang
Published: December 2024

Despite improvements in interventional techniques leading to faster myocardial reperfusion postmyocardial infarction, there has been a significant rise in the occurrence of myocardial ischaemia/reperfusion injury (MI/RI). A deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms of MI/RI could offer a crucial approach to reducing myocardial damage and enhancing patient outcomes. This study examined the myocardial protective properties of puerarin (PUE) in the context of MI/RI using hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) or ischaemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury models were employed in H9c2 cells and C57BL/6 mice. Our findings demonstrate that pretreatment with PUE effectively mitigated cardiomyocyte ferroptosis, restored redox balance, preserved mitochondrial energy production and maintained mitochondrial function following MI/RI. Furthermore, these cardioprotective effects of PUE were found to be mediated by the downregulation of voltage‐dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) protein. These data reveal a novel mechanism by which PUE inhibits MI/RI and reveal that this protective effect of PUE is dependent on the downregulation of VDAC1.
Assessing biodiversity‐related disclosure: Drivers, outcomes, and financial impacts
Authors: Bassen Alexander , Buchholz Daniel , Lopatta Kerstin , Rudolf Anna R.
Published: December 2024

Biological diversity—the complex tapestry of life and ecosystems—is facing an urgent global crisis, with increasing extinction rates and the loss of variety on all levels of biodiversity from genetic to ecosystem diversity. This study analyzes 2843 environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reports by companies from 43 countries, focusing on Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) standards, and examines the quality of biodiversity‐related disclosure (BRD) from 2010 to 2019. The study achieves three objectives. First, it provides a global assessment of the quality of BRD, which declines after 2015 despite increased recognition of the importance of biodiversity. Second, it identifies the influence of climate‐related risks and management incentives as internal determinants of BRD quality. Third, in examining the consequences of BRD, it highlights the impact of BRD quality on investor risk perception and stakeholder perceptions (i.e., corporate reputation). Improved BRD quality increases perceived risk. For companies with biodiversity impacts, however, the effect is the opposite, suggesting that investors do not fully understand the risks of biodiversity dependency. These findings suggest the need for equal recognition of biodiversity alongside climate change in reporting standards and policies.
Nurses' Workplace Violence Reporting Behaviours and Reasons for Not Formally Reporting: A Cross‐Sectional Secondary Analysis
Authors: Lee Jenny , Havaei Farinaz , Hirani Saima , Adhami Nassim
Published: December 2024

Aim

To investigate predictors of nurses' reporting behaviours and their reasons for not formally reporting.

Background

Underreporting of workplace violence (WPV) among nurses contributes to gaps in WPV prevention measures, as it cannot be fully understood. WPV is classified according to its source (Type II: patients and visitors, Type III: coworkers) and forms (physical assault, threat of assault, emotional abuse, verbal sexual harassment and sexual assault).

Design

This is a secondary analysis of cross‐sectional survey data collected in 2019 from British Columbia (BC), Canada.

Methods

This study had a sample of 4109 BC nurses. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyse predictors of reporting behaviours. Reasons for not reporting were analysed descriptively.

Results

Informal reporting to management or through a patient safety incident report was less likely when nurses experienced threat of assault, emotional abuse and verbal sexual harassment from both Type II and III sources and physical assault from Type III sources. Higher perceptions of WPV prevention efforts increased odds of informal and formal reporting through employee incident procedures. Believing that nothing would change after reporting remained among the top three reasons for not formally reporting across all WPV sources and forms. Nurses also commonly selected not knowing the formal process, lack of leadership support and other reasons stated in an open‐text response.

Conclusion

Findings indicate that nurses in BC, Canada, perceive many barriers to formal WPV reporting. Formal reporting systems should address these barriers so that healthcare organisations can effectively track WPV and have data to inform WPV prevention measures.

Implications

To promote WPV reporting, healthcare organisations need multifaceted interventions including confidential and simplified reporting systems, leadership support to follow‐up with nurses and education and training on reporting systems.

Reporting Method

The authors of this manuscript have adhered to the relevant EQUATOR guidelines based on the STROBE cross‐sectional reporting method.

Patient or Public Contribution

No patient or public contribution.
Simplicity and Risk
Authors: PURI INDIRA
Published: December 2024

I introduce and test for preference for simplicity in choice under risk. I characterize the theory axiomatically, and derive its properties and unique predictions relative to canonical models. By designing and running theoretically motivated experiments, I document that people value simplicity in ways not fully captured by existing models that study risk premia in financial markets. Participants' risk premia increase as complexity increases, holding moments fixed; their dominance violations increase in complexity; their behavior is predicted by simplicity's characterizing axiom; and their complexity aversion is heterogeneous in cognitive ability. None of expected utility theory, cumulative prospect theory, prospect theory, rational inattention, sparsity, salience, or probability weighting that differs by number of outcomes fully capture the experimental findings. I generalize the underlying theory to additionally capture broader measures of complexity, including obfuscation, computation, and language effects.
Living with acuteness in chronic illness: The temporal underpinnings of endometriosis
Authors: Oikkonen Venla , Helosvuori Elina
Published: December 2024

This article explores how acuteness is experienced by people with endometriosis in Finland. Drawing on in‐depth interviews as well as anonymous written endometriosis stories, we trace instances when the sense of chronicity and cyclicality of endometriosis is disrupted by a possibility of risk to life. These instances include when endometriosis tissue grows in unanticipated and aggressive ways, when medical interventions lead to unexpected complications or medications raise concerns about a gradually developing risk, and when endometriosis diagnosis becomes a catch‐all category that could mask the onset of a life‐threatening condition. Our analysis of illness experiences suggests that, while risk to life is an unlikely outcome in chronic conditions such as endometriosis, concerns about risk shape how the chronicity and cyclicality of endometriosis are felt and managed in everyday life.
Tree taxon effects on the phenology of caterpillar abundance and biomass
Authors: Macphie Kirsty H. , Samplonius Jelmer M. , Hadfield Jarrod D. , Pearce Higgins James W. , Phillimore Albert B.
Published: December 2024

Phenological shifts are well documented biological responses to warming. While many studies have focused on the mean timing of an event, there is growing appreciation that the height and width of the phenological distribution will also impact on species interactions. A temperate deciduous forest food chain of oak trees – arboreal caterpillars – insectivorous passerines has become paradigmatic in research on phenological mismatch. This focus on oak‐dominated woodlands means that we have limited insight into whether 1) caterpillar phenological distributions vary among tree taxa and habitats and 2) oak is an exceptional host, which has implications for the potential for buffering of interactions on a local and landscape scale. Here, we survey caterpillar abundance and mass throughout spring on 10 tree taxa for 10 years across 44 Scottish woodland sites. We found substantial variation in caterpillar abundance among host taxa, with oak, birch and willow yielding similarly high numbers of caterpillars, and evidence that caterpillar abundance increases with the density of oak foliage within a woodland stand, but not with the density of other taxa. Considering variation in the phenological distribution of caterpillars on different host taxa, we found the main axis of variation to be the maximum abundance/total biomass reached, which was highest on oak. We found significant variation in the mean timing of abundance and duration of abundance and total biomass among hosts, though effect sizes were quite small, and little evidence for among host variation in the phenological distribution of individual caterpillar mass. In woodlands where oak is abundant, our findings are consistent with the presence of other tree taxa providing little local buffering of phenological mismatch. Whereas, in the absence of oak, birch and willow have the potential to support similarly substantial caterpillar abundances. These findings have implications for conservation, resilient forestry planting and management decisions.
Regulation of nucleus‐encoded trans‐acting factors allows orthogonal fine‐tuning of multiple transgenes in the chloroplast of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii
Authors: Mordaka Pawel Mateusz , Clouston Kitty , Gorchs‐Rovira Aleix , Sutherland Catherine , Zhang Daniel Qingyang , Geisler Katrin , Mehrshahi Payam , Smith Alison Gail
Published: December 2024

The green microalga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii is a promising host organism for the production of valuable compounds. Engineering the Chlamydomonas chloroplast genome offers several advantages over the nuclear genome, including targeted gene insertion, lack of silencing mechanisms, potentially higher protein production due to multiple genome copies and natural substrate abundance for metabolic engineering. Tuneable expression systems can be used to minimize competition between heterologous production and host cell viability. However, complex gene regulation and a lack of tight regulatory elements make this a challenge in the Chlamydomonas chloroplast. In this work, we develop two synthetic tuneable systems to control the expression of genes on the chloroplast genome, taking advantage of the properties of the vitamin B12‐responsive METE promoter and a modified thiamine (vitamin B1) riboswitch, along with nucleus‐encoded chloroplast‐targeted regulatory proteins NAC2 and MRL1. We demonstrate the capacity of these systems for robust, fine‐tuned control of several chloroplast transgenes, by addition of nanomolar levels of vitamins. The two systems have been combined in a single strain engineered to avoid effects on photosynthesis and are orthogonal to each other. They were then used to manipulate the production of an industrially relevant diterpenoid, casbene, by introducing and tuning expression of the coding sequence for casbene synthase, as well as regulating the metabolite flux towards casbene precursors, highlighting the utility of these systems for informing metabolic engineering approaches.