bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessing the impact of business simulation as a teaching method for developing 21st century future skills
Authors: Sheikh Riyaz Abdullah , Abdalkrim Gaafar Mohamed , Shehawy Yasser Moustafa
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Higher education institutions are undergoing a change in their teaching–learning practices, with the core goal of giving students the necessary skills and competencies to succeed in a complex and uncertain society. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of business simulation as a pedagogical strategy for teaching 21st-century competencies to undergraduate students. The study looks at students’ self-perception on how business simulation impacts future skills such as entrepreneurship, employability and sustainability.

Design/methodology/approach

The research incorporates a one-week workshop for undergraduate business students using AnyLogic business simulation. For this study, a 24-item skills-based survey was used as the instrument for eliciting input about students’ self-perceptions. To measure the impact of business simulation on overall student learning, a theoretical framework was developed and tested using SmartPLS version 4 for construct reliability, validity and hypotheses testing.

Findings

Based on the students’ feedback, the finding shows that most of the 24 soft skills were facilitated by the business simulation used. The simulation significantly affects the development of entrepreneurial and employable skills. On the contrary, it has little effect on enhancing sustainability skills. In addition, the study suggests that factors like gender and expertise had little overall impact on the results.

Practical implications

The most apparent practical implication of this study is that business schools should focus more on skill development by stressing on experiential teaching methods like business simulation to help students build various skills and become more prepared for the actual world of business.

Originality/value

The research presents fresh empirical data that add to the continuing discussion on active learning in business education and assist educators in avoiding some potential drawbacks of these innovative teaching techniques. With the right direction and criticism throughout the simulation, this learning experience has shown to be useful for everyone involved.
A mathematical model for erosive abrasive wear analysis by using abrasive size and material hardness
Authors: Kosa Ergin , Gökşenli Ali
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Erosion and abrasion are the prominent wear mechanisms reducing the lifetime of machine components. Both wear mechanisms are playing a role meanwhile, generating a synergy, leading to a material removal on the target. The purpose of study is to create a mathematical expression for erosive abrasive wear.

Design/methodology/approach

Many factors such as environmental cases and material character have an influence in erosive abrasive wear. In the work, changes in abrasive size and material hardness have been analyzed. As an abrasive particle, quartz sand has been used. All tests have been done in 20 wt.% slurry. Heat treatment has been applied to different steel specimens (steel grades C15, St 37 and Ck45) to change hardness value, which ranged from 185 to 880 Vickers hardness number.

Findings

After the four-hour test, it is determined that by an increase in abrasive size and decrease in material hardness, wear rate increases. Worn surfaces of the targets have been examined to figure out the wear mechanisms at different conditions under scanning electron microscopy. The results indicate that by an increase in material hardness, the number and diameter of micro-craters on the worn surfaces decrease. The diameters of micro-craters have been about 3–8 µm in hard materials and about 120–140 µm in soft materials.

Research limitations/implications

It is determined that by an increase in abrasive size and decrease in material hardness, wear rate increases. The results indicate that by an increase in material hardness, the number and diameter of micro-craters on the worn surfaces decrease.

Practical implications

The study enables to indicate the dominant factor in worn steel used in mechanical components.

Originality/value

After analyzing the test results, a novel mathematical expression, considering both abrasive size and material hardness, has been developed.
Agencification, policy reversal and the reforms of the French health care system
Authors: Simonet Daniel
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Often linked to the New Public Management (NPM) doctrines, agencification has been on the priority list of policy makers for over two decades. This article proposes an analysis of the role of agencies in the French health system and the impact of government agency reform on physicians and the public.

Design/methodology/approach

The research analyzes the perceived implementation of a re-concentration of decision-making powers within public agencies as the declared goal of agencification at the French health care system, specifically primary care providers and hospitals. The assessment relies on secondary sources from ministerial bodies such as the Ministry of Health and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Labor, the Social Security and the General Accounting Office, and specialized French technical agencies.

Findings

Decentralization in France and the subsequent rise of public health care agencies had outcomes below expectations. Hence, a re-concentration of decision-making powers within the larger Regional Health Agencies; a streamlining of the public administration; and a re-appropriation of decision-making powers by the Ministry of Health are needed. The monitoring of health providers allows central health authorities to govern at a distance.

Originality/value

The analysis of health care agencies in France and of their use of efficiency-enhancing techniques may trigger a change of values within the medical profession.
Factors influencing the adoption of cryptocurrency in Bangladesh: an investigation using the technology acceptance model (TAM)
Authors: Islam Hasibul , Rana Masud , Saha Shimanto , Khatun Taslima , Ritu Mustari Rahman , Islam Md. Rashidul
Published: October 2023

Purpose

Using the technology acceptance model (TAM), this study investigates factors influencing the adoption of cryptocurrency in Bangladesh.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 346 members of the general public through a structured web survey using snowball sampling. Structural equation modeling was used to analyze the data and assess the reliability and validity of the measurement model.

Findings

The results show that knowledge of cryptocurrency, benefits of use (perceived usefulness), attitude and challenges all have a significant impact on the adoption of cryptocurrency.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in a single country, relied on self-reported data and used a cross-sectional design, which limits the ability to draw causal inferences. Future research could explore the factors that influence the adoption of cryptocurrency in different countries and regions and incorporate additional variables to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the drivers of intention to use cryptocurrency.

Originality/value

This study contributes to understanding the factors driving the adoption of and intention to use technology-based services, providing insights that can inform the design and implementation of future technology-based services.
Resistance risk assessment of six pyrethroids and acephate toward the resistant adult tarnished plant bug, Lygus lineolaris
Authors: Du Yuzhe , Scheibener Shane , Zhu Yucheng , Portilla Maribel , Zhang Mingling
Published: October 2023

Due to rapidly developed resistance, pest management relies less on pyrethroids to control economically damaging infestations of the tarnished plant bug (TPB), Lygus lineolaris (Palisot de Beauvois) in cotton fields of Mississippi. Yet, pyrethroid resistance remains prevalent in TPB populations. This study assessed the resistance levels in adult TPB to six common pyrethroids and acephate. Resistant TBPs were collected from wild host plants in late October after harvest in the Mississippi Delta region of the United States. Based on LC50 values, the field‐resistant TPBs displayed higher resistance to permethrin, esfenvalerate, and bifenthrin (approximately 30 fold) and moderate resistance to λ‐cyhalothrin, β‐cyfluthrin, ζ‐cypermethrin, and acephate (approximately 15 fold). Further investigations showed that the inhibitors of three detoxification enzyme, triphenyl phosphate (TPP), diethyl maleate (DEM), and piperonyl butoxide (PBO) had synergistic effects on permethrin, λ‐cyhalothrin, and bifenthrin in resistant TPBs. Furthermore, elevated esterase, GST, and P450 activities were significantly expressed in field‐resistant TPBs. Additionally, GST and esterase were reduced after 48 h exposure to certain pyrethroids at LC50 dose. The synergistic and biochemical assays consistently indicated that P450 and esterase were involved in pyrethroid detoxification in TPBs. This study provides valuable information for the continued use of pyrethroids and acephate in controlling TPBs in cotton fields in the Mississippi Delta region of the United States.
Counting the ‘Cavaliers’: Two Contemporary Analyses of the Political Wing of the Scots Jacobite Underground in the Union Parliament1
Authors: Szechi Daniel , Whatley Christopher A.
Published: October 2023

Underground movements are understandably reluctant to record the names and numbers of their adherents because any such compilation is manifestly a hostage to fortune. Hence very few lists of politically active Jacobites actually compiled by the Jacobites themselves have survived to the present day. In the French foreign ministry archives at La Corneille, however, there is a rare and previously unknown/unused example of such a list. ‘The Rolls of Parliament as they stand’, is a classic printed, marked list of all the lords entitled to sit in, and commissioners elected to, Queen Anne's Union Parliament. It identifies the political allegiances of the great majority of the sitting commissioners and peers, and in particular the Jacobites among them. Rather better known, yet hitherto seldom consulted or used, is a debriefing document describing the political alignment of a great many of those in parliament and the general political inclination of their constituents written by Captain Harry Straton for the Jacobite King James III and VIII in August 1706. These two sources are the basis of the analysis that follows. The focus is on what these two Jacobite analyses of the state of Scotland and Scottish politics can tell us about the political dynamics of the Scottish Parliament and the country more broadly on the eve of the Union debates.
Disclosure and pricing of attributes
Authors: Smolin Alex
Published: October 2023

A monopolist sells an object characterized by multiple attributes. A buyer can be one of many types, differing in their willingness to pay for each attribute. The seller can provide arbitrary attribute information in the form of a statistical experiment. To screen different types, the seller offers a menu of options that specify information prices, experiments, and object prices.

I characterize revenue‐maximizing menus. All experiments belong to a class of linear disclosure rules. An optimal menu may be nondiscriminatory. The analysis highlights the importance of demand microstructure and the benefits of information control in trade settings.
Conocimiento de las comunidades de escarabajos que habitan el suelo en los Andes tropicales: Lagunas y tendencias
Authors: López‐Bedoya Pablo A. , Magura Tibor , Méndez‐Rojas Diana M. , Noriega Jorge Ari , Horgan Finbarr G. , Edwards David P.
Published: October 2023

Los Andes tropicales son una de las ecorregiones más biodiversas de la Tierra, con altos niveles de endemismo de especies. Los Andes tropicales son también una de las ecorregiones más vulnerables del mundo debido a una larga historia de transformaciones antropogénicas. Uno de los principales obstáculos para generar planes de conservación son las lagunas en el conocimiento sobre el estado y las amenazas de muchos grupos de la biodiversidad andina, especialmente los invertebrados. Centrándonos en tres importantes grupos de escarabajos (Coleoptera: carábidos, estafilínidos y escarabajos estercoleros) de los Andes tropicales, realizamos una revisión sistemática de la literatura científica recuperando 50 estudios que nos permitieron evaluar el grado de conocimiento en la región, los tipos de perturbación y las métricas de biodiversidad utilizadas. Encontramos una alta representación de estudios en Colombia, en comparación con otros países andinos. También encontramos un marcado sesgo entre los grupos taxonómicos, los temas o las métricas evaluadas, siendo los escarabajos estercoleros el grupo más representado, especialmente en los estudios que abordan la conversión de los bosques utilizando métricas como la riqueza de especies o la abundancia. Revelamos grandes lagunas en la información sobre la diversidad de los escarabajos del suelo y de los roedores, y en el uso de otras métricas de diversidad. La falta de información en todos los países dificulta la generalización de los resultados y resalta la necesidad de más investigación, especialmente en países poco representados como Bolivia y Venezuela. La inclusión de métricas de respuesta complementarias, como la biomasa, la diversidad funcional o las funciones ecológicas, mejorará la evaluación de los impactos humanos en las comunidades de escarabajos andinos tropicales y en ecosistemas más amplios.
Influence of two kinematics on canal transportation and centering ability of WaveOne Gold and One Curve files
Authors: Almazedi Raghda A. K. , Al‐Zaka Iman M.
Published: October 2023

This research examines canal transportation and centering ability of single‐file systems when operated in continuous rotation or reciprocation. Sixty J‐shaped resin blocks were used. The specimens were divided into two main groups (n = 30). Then, based on the motion used to operate the instruments, each group was subdivided into two subgroups (n = 15). Group A1: One Curve/rotation, Group A2: One Curve/clockwise reciprocation, Group B1: WaveOne Gold/Reciprocation, Group B2: WaveOne Gold/counter‐clockwise rotation. Pre‐ and post‐instrumentation images were obtained using digital microscope. Canal transportation was measured at five levels. A non‐significant difference (p > 0.05) resulted between two motions at all levels. However, group A1 showed significantly less transportation at levels 3 and 4 (p ≤ 0.05), also more centered preparation at level 4 (p ≤ 0.05) than group B1. Within the limitations of this study, the apical transportation and centering ability of single‐file systems are unaffected by different kinematics.
Evaluation of the common pauraque (Nyctidromus albicollis) cornea using light and scanning electron microscopy
Authors: Tozetti Rafaela Alves Ribon , de Lima Sousa Araújo Rosélia , Moreira Matheus Vilardo Loes , de Souza Akiyama Larissa Cristina , Corrêa José Raimundo , Moore Bret A. , Galera Paula Diniz
Published: October 2023

The common pauraque Nyctidromus albicollis (Gmelin, 1789) is a widespread avian species; however due to its nocturnal habits and reclusive behaviour, little is known about their vision and ecology. Most avian species are visually dependent with advanced visual systems providing high spatial resolution, on the species needs. Each ocular structure has a specific role in contributing towards high visual function, and the cornea is the first refractive structure in the visual process. However, the common pauraque cornea had not been described until the present data. Therefore, this study aims to describe the morphology and morphometry of the common pauraque cornea by means of light and scanning electron microscopy to evaluate the cross‐sectional anatomy as well as the ultrastructure of the endothelial cells. Histological similarities with the cornea of other birds have been observed, but the thickness of the common pauraque cornea is much smaller than the other described corneas. A better understanding of the common pauraque cornea can help us better explain the physiology of vision and the visual requirements of this species. In turn, this will help us better understand how this species successfully interacts with its environment, and will improve our knowledge on how to interpret pathological changes in their cornea in a clinical setting.
Weaving relationships: Tobacco, women, and peace in Ovejas, Sucre, Colombia1
Authors: Carmona González Diana Esperanza , Vanegas Daniela , Vidal Katherine
Published: October 2023

Starting from the little recognition that women have been given in both economic and productive life, as well as in the processes aimed at peacebuilding, this article reflects on the relationship between women, tobacco labor, and peacebuilding, based on work conducted with women in contexts of armed conflict and post‐agreement in the Montes de Maria region of Colombia, specifically with the Cocinando Ideas Collective in the Municipality of Ovejas, Sucre. The research is conducted through social constructionism and participatory action research, based on the following questions: how has tobacco labor impacted the lives of women in the Montes de Maria region? And how can tobacco labor become an element of peaceful mediation for women survivors of armed conflict? Three conclusions are drawn: the first shows some visible aspects and reveals other invisible aspects regarding the role of women in tobacco labor. The second accounts for positive and negative elements in how the tobacco profession is represented by women. Finally, the article explores the meaning tobacco has had in the territory in terms of peacebuilding and its role in the political transition of the region.
The debate continues on the best age to stop breastfeeding
Authors: Corsello Antonio , Agostoni Carlo
Published: October 2023

The ongoing debate on the optimal duration of breastfeeding in high‐income countries is challenging. The decision to continue breastfeeding beyond the introduction of solids according to WHO indications involves multifaceted considerations, such as nutritional needs, psychological factors and cultural influences, given the growing number of immigrants. The impact on maternal health, sleep routines and family dynamics should be carefully weighed too.

Conclusion

Next studies should investigate associations of different modalities and periods of breastfeeding with physical and neurodevelopmental outcomes, including psychological aspects. A personalised and gradual approach is suggested, guided by informed decisions and a supportive network.
A randomized, multicenter, double‐blinded parallel study to evaluate the safety and performance of zoledronate‐coated versus uncoated dental implants in partially edentulous patients
Authors: Mokhtari Reza A. , Olsson Morgan , Östman Per‐Olov , Dahlin Christer
Published: October 2023

Objective

To evaluate patient safety, implants survival and implant stability of the bisphosphonate (zoledronate) as a coating on dental implants in patients requiring oral rehabilitation in the posterior maxilla.

Materials and Methods

In this multicenter, double‐blind, randomized controlled study, 62 patients were randomized to receive either zoledronate‐coated or uncoated control implants in the premolar or molar area of the maxilla, using a one stage‐protocol. Due to dropouts and exclusion 49 patients completed the study. The implants were examined by resonance frequency analysis (RFA) using an implant stability quotient (ISQ) scale at the time of insertion, and at 8 weeks, and after 12 weeks prior to prosthetic restoration. Radiographs were taken prior to surgery, directly after insertion, and during the follow‐up at 12 weeks, 6 months, and 1 year to analyze changes in marginal bone levels (MBL). Finally, all complications and adverse effects (AE) were observed and recorded.

Results

Out of 62 included patients, 49 patients completed the study. No AE were reported by patients receiving zoledronate‐coated implants. There was no statistically significant difference between the zoledronate‐coated or uncoated implant groups when comparing ISQ levels at insertion and after 12 weeks of healing, the mean of the ISQ values demonstrated a change of 4.64 (95% confidence interval: 15.46; 5.79, p = 0.43) between the two groups. At 8‐ and 12‐weeks, ISQ values remained stable (range 62–70). Radiographic analysis showed no statistically significant difference in MBL between the two implant groups after 1 year of loading neither at the mesial side (p = 0.99) or the distal side (p = 0.97). MBL for coated implants were 0.57 mm at the mesial side and 0.46 mm at the distal side. For the uncoated implants, MBL was 0.48 mm at the mesial side and 0.47 mm at the distal side.

Conclusion

The zoledronate‐coated dental implants are safe to use in a one‐stage surgery protocol in patients requiring oral rehabilitation in the posterior maxilla, after 1 year of loading. There were no statically significant changes in implant stability and marginal bone levels measured by intraoral radiographs in comparison to uncoated control implants.
Industry and conservation goals are complementary for the most valuable fishery in the United States under climate‐driven life history changes
Authors: Hunt Noah , Pikitch Ellen , Shank Burton , Hodgdon Cameron T. , Chen Yong
Published: October 2023

Crustaceans, which are highly susceptible to the effects of climate change, are critical for food security worldwide. Yet, management rarely evaluates the performance of alternative regulatory strategies under climate‐driven life history change. This limits the development of climate‐ready management plans, undermining fisheries sustainability. We compared the performance of alternative minimum legal size (MLS) regulations under shifts in growth and maturity for American lobster in the Gulf of Maine, the most valuable single‐species commercial fishery in the United States. Across the life history change scenarios examined, increasing MLS improved status indicators, while decreasing MLS eroded status indicators for spawning stock biomass, legal abundance, landings, and exploitation rate. Our results demonstrate that protecting the lobster stock by increasing MLS improves fishery output, highlighting that conservation and industry goals can be complementary. This study exemplifies the utility of MLS as a conservation measure for crustacean fisheries under climate change.
CCL2 promotes metastasis and epithelial–mesenchymal transition of non‐small cell lung cancer via PI3K/Akt/mTOR and autophagy pathways
Authors: Xu Hui , Wang Jin , Al‐Nusaif Murad , Ma Huipeng , Le Weidong
Published: October 2023

In non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), metastasis is the most common phenotype, and autophagy plays a vital role in its regulation. However, there are limited data on how autophagy‐related genes and metastasis‐related genes affect NSCLC progression. Our goal was to identify the genes that regulate autophagy and metastasis in NSCLC, and to assess the underlying mechanisms in this current study. RNA sequencing data from public databases were used to screen differentially expressed autophagy‐ and metastasis‐associated genes. Enrichment analyses and immune correlations were conducted to identify hub genes and potential regulating pathways in NSCLC. In this study, we found that CCL2 expression was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues and high CCL2 level was correlated with strong infiltration in lung tissues from NSCLC patients. Overexpression of CCL2 can enhance the metastasis of NSCLC cells in nude mice. Furthermore, CCL2 activated the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway axis, promoted epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), and blocked the autophagic flux in NSCLC cells. Therefore, our results indicate that CCL2 promotes metastasis and EMT of NSCLC via PI3K/Akt/mTOR axis and autophagy signalling pathways. We believe that CCL2 could be a probable target for the diagnosis and therapeutics of NSCLC, and this study may expand our understanding of lung cancer.
Rademikibart (CBP‐201), a next‐generation monoclonal antibody targeting human IL‐4Rα: Two phase I randomized trials, in healthy individuals and patients with atopic dermatitis
Authors: Wang Junying , White Jeffery , Sansone Kenneth J. , Spelman Lynda , Sinclair Rodney , Yang Xin , Pan Wubin , Wei Zheng
Published: October 2023

IL‐4 and IL‐13 signaling via IL‐4Rα plays key roles in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) and asthma. Rademikibart (formerly CBP‐201), a next‐generation human IgG4 kappa monoclonal antibody, blocks IL‐4Rα‐mediated signal transduction. We performed two phase I, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled trials. In a single‐ascending dose trial, 40 healthy adults were randomized 3:1 to rademikibart (75–600 mg s.c., 300 mg i.v.) or placebo, with 12 weeks of follow‐up. In the multiple‐ascending dose trial, 31 adults with moderate‐to‐severe AD were randomized 4:1 to once weekly rademikibart (75–300 mg s.c.) or placebo for 4 weeks, plus 7 weeks of follow‐up. Most treatment‐emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were mild; none were serious. Two s.c. injection site reactions and one TEAE of conjunctivitis were reported, all were mild. Rapid and sustained improvements were observed in AD severity and in quality of life (QoL), without plateauing. At week 4, efficacy scores improved by a maximum of −74.4% (Eczema Area and Severity Index), −62.7% (body surface area), −52.8% (Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale [PNRS] severity), −54.4% (PNRS frequency), and − 69.9% (Dermatology Life Quality Index). Thymus activation regulated chemokine inflammatory biomarker concentrations decreased in both trials (−55.4% in the pooled rademikibart arms vs. +18.0% with placebo, at week 5, in patients with AD). Exposure to rademikibart increased in a greater than dose‐proportional manner, suggesting nonlinear clearance. In summary, rademikibart was well‐tolerated and associated with rapid and sustained improvements in eczematous lesions, pruritus, QoL, and inflammatory biomarker concentrations during 4 weeks of treatment. Efficacy responses did not plateau and were generally dose dependent. These promising findings support further development of rademikibart in patients with AD.
Deep learning based identification of aquatic and semi aquatic plants
Authors: Dubey Ashwani Kumar , Thanikkal Jibi G.
Published: October 2023

Botanists use morphological features of leaves for aquatic and semi‐aquatic plants identification. In deep learning, the convolution process is efficacious to label images. Existing studies showed that, in deep learning‐based leaf identification, direct image pixel values are used. Leaf images have similar sizes and almost equal pixel values. So, the pixel‐based leaf naming procedure makes uncertainty in the feature results. The direct evaluation of image pixels for leaf image identification is not an effective method, because it is leading to a forgetting problem in continuous learning. Using the pre‐processed databases, researchers are achieving more than 99% accurate results using deep learning. However, the same model fails to reproduce the same result in databases. In this study, morphological features of aquatic and semi‐aquatic plant leaves are converted into digital descriptors to avoid uncertainty in the feature results. In this digital descriptor‐based deep learning method, morphological features of aquatic and semi‐aquatic plant leaves are used. This is equivalent to Botanists' morphological features‐based leaf identification technology. Morphological feature extraction and digital descriptor generation helped this model to achieve 95% accuracy. In this model, leaf morphological features are used for training, so this help to understand the leaf properties of other leaf databases.
Juvenile waiting stage crown‐of‐thorns sea stars are resilient in heatwave conditions that bleach and kill corals
Authors: Byrne Maria , Deaker Dione J. , Gibbs Mitchell , Selvakumaraswamy Paulina , Clements Matthew
Published: October 2023

The juveniles of predatory sea stars can remain in their recruitment–nursery habitat for some time before their ontogenetic shift to the adult habitat and diet. These small juveniles are vulnerable to a range of factors with their sensitivity amplified by climate change‐driven ocean warming. We investigate the thermal tolerance of the waiting stage herbivorous juveniles of the keystone coral predator, the crown‐of‐thorns sea star (COTS, Acanthaster sp.), in context with the degree heating weeks (DHW) model that predicts coral bleaching and mass mortality. In temperature treatments ranging from +1 to 3°C in prolonged heatwave acclimation conditions, the juveniles exhibited ~100% survival in DHW scenarios that trigger coral bleaching (4 DHW), resulting in mass mortality of corals (8 DHW) and extreme conditions well beyond those that kill corals (12 DHW). This indicates that herbivorous juvenile COTS are far more resistant to heatwave conditions than the coral prey of the adults. The juveniles exhibited higher activity (righting) and metabolic rate after weeks in increased temperature. In separate acute temperature experiments, the upper thermal limit of the juveniles was 34–36°C. In a warming world, juvenile COTS residing in their coral rubble nursery habitat will benefit from an increase in the extent of this habitat due to coral mortality. The juveniles have potential for long‐term persistence as herbivores as they wait for live coral to recover before becoming coral predators, thereby serving as a proximate source of COTS outbreaks on reefs already in a tenuous state due to climate change.
Validation of an open source, remote web‐based eye‐tracking method (WebGazer) for research in early childhood
Authors: Steffan Adrian , Zimmer Lucie , Arias‐Trejo Natalia , Bohn Manuel , Dal Ben Rodrigo , Flores‐Coronado Marco A. , Franchin Laura , Garbisch Isa , Grosse Wiesmann Charlotte , Hamlin J. Kiley , Havron Naomi , Hay Jessica F. , Hermansen Tone K. , Jakobsen Krisztina V. , Kalinke Steven , Ko Eon‐Suk , Kulke Louisa , Mayor Julien , Meristo Marek , Moreau David , Mun Seongmin , Prein Julia , Rakoczy Hannes , Rothmaler Katrin , Santos Oliveira Daniela , Simpson Elizabeth A. , Sirois Sylvain , Smith Eleanor S. , Strid Karin , Tebbe Anna‐Lena , Thiele Maleen , Yuen Francis , Schuwerk Tobias
Published: October 2023

Measuring eye movements remotely via the participant's webcam promises to be an attractive methodological addition to in‐person eye‐tracking in the lab. However, there is a lack of systematic research comparing remote web‐based eye‐tracking with in‐lab eye‐tracking in young children. We report a multi‐lab study that compared these two measures in an anticipatory looking task with toddlers using WebGazer.js and jsPsych. Results of our remotely tested sample of 18‐27‐month‐old toddlers (N = 125) revealed that web‐based eye‐tracking successfully captured goal‐based action predictions, although the proportion of the goal‐directed anticipatory looking was lower compared to the in‐lab sample (N = 70). As expected, attrition rate was substantially higher in the web‐based (42%) than the in‐lab sample (10%). Excluding trials based on visual inspection of the match of time‐locked gaze coordinates and the participant's webcam video overlayed on the stimuli was an important preprocessing step to reduce noise in the data. We discuss the use of this remote web‐based method in comparison with other current methodological innovations. Our study demonstrates that remote web‐based eye‐tracking can be a useful tool for testing toddlers, facilitating recruitment of larger and more diverse samples; a caveat to consider is the larger drop‐out rate.
Understanding collaborative and coordinated care in a mental health and well‐being context: Essential elements for effective service integration
Authors: Williams Bronwyn , Charleston Rosemary , Innes Stanley , McIver Shane
Published: October 2023

Multiple system reforms in Australia, including the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), are changing mental health (MH) and disability‐related service provision, whilst policy drivers continue to require service integration. This has necessitated service providers discovering new ways of working collaboratively to achieve an integrated model of care. This qualitative study examined what does and does not work to support collaborative and coordinated care (CCC), as essential components of service integration. The study sample (n = 59) included four cohorts: health and community service leaders (n = 16), staff (n = 23); MH service consumers with complex needs (n = 10), and MH carers (n = 10). Thematic analysis from interviews was applied to data from each cohort to identify overarching themes that described the lived experience of current CCC delivery. COREQ and EQUATOR guidelines were applied to reporting the findings. Themes emphasized CCC is enabled by the development and sustainability of positive working relationships, and depth of knowledge across health and community services. Unnavigable service systems, stigmatization, perceived power differentials, multiple and rapid service reforms and Fee‐For‐Service (FFS) models provide significant barriers to CCC. Recommendations include the need for accessible service navigation, consumer‐friendly service environments, a stable workforce, standardization of knowledge across sectors, outcome measures and funding attached to CCC as part of a raft of potential changes.
COVID‐19 and the impact on Alzheimer's disease pathology
Authors: Furman Susana , Green Kim , Lane Thomas E.
Published: October 2023

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) has rapidly escalated into a global pandemic that primarily affects older and immunocompromised individuals due to underlying clinical conditions and suppressed immune responses. Furthermore, COVID‐19 patients exhibit a spectrum of neurological symptoms, indicating that COVID‐19 can affect the brain in a variety of manners. Many studies, past and recent, suggest a connection between viral infections and an increased risk of neurodegeneration, raising concerns about the neurological effects of COVID‐19 and the possibility that it may contribute to Alzheimer's disease (AD) onset or worsen already existing AD pathology through inflammatory processes given that both COVID‐19 and AD share pathological features and risk factors. This leads us to question whether COVID‐19 is a risk factor for AD and how these two conditions might influence each other. Considering the extensive reach of the COVID‐19 pandemic and the devastating impact of the ongoing AD pandemic, their combined effects could have significant public health consequences worldwide.

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Retrospective comparative study of robot‐assisted surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and laparotomy for endometrial cancer in patients with a low risk of recurrence
Authors: Hayashi Shigehiro , Yamanaka Zenta , Kojima Junya , Ono Masataka , Sasaki Toru , Yamamoto Akiko , Ono Masanori , Futagami Masayuki , Nishi Hirotaka
Published: October 2023

Aim

Minimally invasive surgeries for endometrial cancer are increasing worldwide. In Japan, some articles have examined surgical outcomes, but only a few have addressed oncological outcomes. This study aims to compare robot surgery, laparoscopic surgery, and laparotomy in terms of surgical and oncological outcomes within a low‐risk group for endometrial cancer recurrence.

Methods

This study included patients with endometrial cancer deemed to be at low risk of recurrence and who underwent surgery between January 2011 and December 2020. We studied 99 patients who underwent robot surgery, 85 patients who underwent laparotomy, and 77 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery. Surgical and oncological outcomes were compared retrospectively for these groups of patients.

Results

The median follow‐up period was 47, 61, and 60 months in the laparotomy, laparoscopy, and robotic groups, respectively. The three groups had similar perioperative and pathological data. No significant differences in overall survival and disease‐free survival were observed among the groups. Univariate and multivariate analyses conducted on the overall study population for disease‐free survival and overall survival showed that the surgical approach did not have any influence. Minimally invasive surgery groups had longer operating times compared to the laparotomy group, but they had significantly less blood loss. The number of resected pelvic lymph nodes was similar, and the complication rate was not significant.

Conclusions

Robot‐assisted surgery and laparoscopic surgery were found to be less invasive and showed similar oncologic outcomes compared to laparotomy surgery for endometrial cancer in patients with a low risk of recurrence.
Depicting Bourdieu's Concepts as a Set of Stackable and Transparent Lenses
Authors: Lewer Kelly
Published: October 2023

Pierre Bourdieu's concepts of capital, field and habitus were originally used to understand inequalities in education in the 1970's. Today they are readily applied in other disciplines and contexts. This paper firstly explores the author's understanding of the concepts of capital, field and habitus as a depiction as a set of lenses, and suggests the application of this framework to further understand the experiences and trajectories of pre‐registration nursing students to contribute to improvements in policy and service provision.
Correlates of jaw functional limitation, somatization and psychological distress among different temporomandibular disorder diagnostic subtypes
Authors: Yap Adrian Ujin , Kim Sunghae , Lee Byeong‐min , Jo Jung Hwan , Park Ji Woon
Published: October 2023

Objectives

This study investigated the jaw functional status and severity of somatic/psychological symptoms in different Diagnostic Criteria for temporomandibular disorders (DC/TMD) diagnostic subtypes and established the correlates between jaw functional limitation, somatization, depression and anxiety.

Methods

Data were accrued from consecutive ‘first‐visit’ patients seeking TMD treatment at a university‐based oral medicine/diagnosis clinic. Axis I physical TMD diagnoses were derived using the DC/TMD methodology and patients were categorized into pain‐related (PT), intra‐articular (IT) and combined (CT) TMD groups. Axis II measures were also administered and included the Jaw Functional Limitation Scale‐20 (JFLS‐20), Patient Health Questionnaire‐15 and 9 (PHQ‐15 and PHQ‐9) and General Anxiety Disorder Scale‐7 (GAD‐7). Chi‐square/Kruskal–Wallis tests and Spearman's correlation were employed for statistical evaluations (α = .05).

Results

The final dataset consisted of 772 TMD patients (mean age of 37.7 ± 15.9 years; 70.2% females). The prevalence of PT, IT and CT was 11.9%, 15.7% and 72.4%, respectively. Significant differences in functional jaw limitations, somatization, depression (CT, PT > IT) and anxiety (CT > PT, IT) were observed. Moderate‐to‐severe somatization, depression and anxiety were detected in 12.6%–15.7% of patients. For all three TMD groups, JFLS global scale/subscale scores were weakly associated with somatization, depression and anxiety scores (rs < 0.4). Moderate‐to‐strong correlations were noted between somatization, depression and anxiety (rs = 0.50–0.74).

Conclusions

Functional jaw limitations were associated with painful TMDs but appear to be unrelated to somatization and psychological distress. Somatization and depression/anxiety were moderately correlated, underscoring the importance of somatic symptom screening when managing TMD patients.
Fine‐grained crack segmentation for high‐resolution images via a multiscale cascaded network
Authors: Chu Honghu , Chun Pang‐jo
Published: October 2023

High‐resolution (HR) crack images offer more detailed information for assessing structural conditions compared to low‐resolution (LR) images. This wealth of detail proves indispensable in bolstering the safety of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based inspection procedures and elevating the precision of small crack segmentation. Nonetheless, achieving a balance between segmentation accuracy and GPU memory consumption poses a substantial challenge for deep learning models when processing HR crack images. To overcome this challenge, a novel “HR crack segmentation framework” (HRCSF) is proposed, specifically designed to meticulously segment crack images with resolutions exceeding 4K. First, a multiscale crack feature extraction network (MsCFEN) was proposed with the embedment of the strip pooling operation to enhance the representation of the transverse and longitudinal crack pixels from the complex backgrounds. Subsequently, two cascaded operations were tailored to MsCFEN, enabling a comprehensive refinement process that incorporates both global and local aspects. Furthermore, to fully leverage the potential of each proposed component in the refinement process, the complete architecture was trained using a loss function with embedded boundary optimization. Conclusively, a UAV‐based case study was conducted on a real bridge in Changsha, demonstrating HRCSF's practicability in segmenting HR crack images. The implementation of HRCSF allows the UAV to perform crack inspection effectively from a distance of 3 m away from the girder, resulting in a significant 50% reduction in inspection time compared to LR segmentation methods while maintaining high detection accuracy.
Computation as the boundary of the cognitive
Authors: Weiskopf Daniel
Published: October 2023

Khalidi identifies cognition with Marrian computation. He further argues that Marrian levels of inquiry should be interpreted ontologically as corresponding to distinct semi‐closed causal domains. But this counterintuitively places the causal domain of representations outside of cognition proper. A closer look at Khalidi's account of concepts shows that these allegedly separate Marrian domains are more tightly integrated than he allows. Theories of concepts converge on algorithmic‐representational models rather than computational ones. This suggests that we should reject the wholesale identification of cognition with computation.
Social justice orientations: Exploring their impact on poverty attributions and support for social protection
Authors: Alcañiz‐Colomer Joaquín , Valor‐Segura Inmaculada , Moya Miguel
Published: October 2023

Distributive justice remains a central issue in contemporary welfare states, even more during times of economic hardship and social uncertainty. In this article, we analyze how attitudes toward the principles of normative distributive justice (equality, need, equity, and entitlement) are related to support for the redistribution of resources (Study 2) and attitudes toward social protection policies (Studies 1 and 3). In Study 1 (N = 325), we found that equality and need positively predicted attitudes toward social protection policies while equity and entitlement negatively predicted these attitudes. In Study 2 (N = 49,519), using data from Round 9 of the European Social Survey, we replicated this linking normative orientation toward different distributive justice principles with support for redistribution. We replicated these results in Study 3 (N = 494). In addition, we explored the role of attributions for poverty in the relationship found in Studies 1 and 2. Attributions for poverty mediated the relationship between orientations toward justice principles and attitudes toward social protection policies.
Violence in pandemic times: The dynamic relationship between COVID‐19 and intimate partner violence
Authors: Hernández Wilson , Cozzubo Angelo , Aguilar José Carlos , Agüero Jorge M. , Mendoza José
Published: October 2023

Intimate partner violence (IPV) increased during the COVID‐19 lockdown, but few studies use national data and explore underlying mechanisms. To address this gap, we study the changes in IPV during the first ten months of the pandemic in Peru. We study the number of calls received by the national helpline for domestic violence victims, Línea 100, using an event study model. Results show that during lockdown, IPV calls experienced nonlinear variations. Calls for psychological violence showed the most significant variation, followed by those for physical violence, while no significant changes for sexual violence were identified. Prior history of violence and alcohol or drug consumption appears to be the most important underlying mechanisms. Results suggest that policy efforts during acute health and economic crises should aim at risk factors that typically predict violence and prioritize rapidly connecting survivors to quality services.
Understanding Collective Human Behavior in Social Media Networks Via the Dynamical Hypothesis: Applications to Radicalization and Conspiratorial Beliefs
Authors: Necaise Aaron , Han Jingjing , Vrzáková Hana , Amon Mary Jean
Published: October 2023

The dynamical hypothesis has served to explore the ways in which cognitive agents can be understood dynamically and considered dynamical systems. Originally used to explain simple physical systems as a metaphor for cognition (i.e., the Watt governor) and eventually more complex animal systems (e.g., bird flocks), we argue that the dynamical hypothesis is among the most viable approaches to understanding pressing modern‐day issues that arise from collective human behavior in online social networks. First, we discuss how the dynamical hypothesis is positioned to describe, predict, and explain the time‐evolving nature of complex systems. Next, we adopt an interdisciplinary perspective to describe how online social networks are appropriately understood as dynamical systems. We introduce a dynamical modeling approach to reveal information about emergent properties in social media, where radicalized conspiratorial beliefs arise via coordination between user‐level and community‐level comments. Lastly, we contrast how the dynamical hypothesis differs from alternatives in explaining collective human behavior in social networks.
Steady‐state versus chemotherapy‐based hematopoietic cell mobilization after anti‐CD38‐based induction therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma
Authors: Teipel Raphael , Rieprecht Susanne , Trautmann‐Grill Karolin , Röllig Christoph , Klötzer Christina , Zimmer Kristin , Rathaj Grit , Bach Enrica , Brückner Mandy , Heyn Simone , Wang Song‐Yau , Jentzsch Madlen , Schwind Sebastian , Kretschmann Theresa , Egger‐Heidrich Katharina , Remane Yvonne , Franke Georg‐Nikolaus , von Bonin Malte , Bornhäuser Martin , Platzbecker Uwe , Hölig Kristina , Merz Maximilian , Vučinić Vladan
Published: October 2023

Background

The incorporation of anti‐CD38 monoclonal antibodies (mAb) in induction regimens of newly diagnosed transplant‐eligible multiple myeloma (MM) patients has been established as a new standard. However, the optimal strategy of stem cell mobilization in this context is not yet clear.

Study Design and Methods

From May 2020 till September 2022, we retrospectively reviewed patients receiving anti‐CD38 mAb‐based induction therapy followed by stem cell mobilization either in a steady‐state protocol (SSM) using 10 μg/kg granulocyte colony‐stimulating factor (G‐CSF) for 5 days or in a chemotherapy‐based protocol (CM) using 1–4 g/m2 cyclophosphamide and G‐CSF.

Results

Overall, 85 patients (median age 61 years) were included in the analysis. In total, 90 mobilization attempts were performed, 42 with SSM and 48 with CM. There was no significant difference in the median concentration of CD34+ cells in peripheral blood (PB) prior to apheresis between SSM and CM (61/μL vs. 55.4/μL; p = .60). Cumulative CD34+ yields did not differ between the groups with median of 6.68 and 6.75 × 106/kg body weight, respectively (p = .35). The target yield (≥4 × 106 CD34+ cells/kg body weight) was reached in 88% (CM) and 86% (SSM), with a high proportion even after a single apheresis session (76% vs. 75%).

Plerixafor was found to be more frequently used in SSM (52%) than in CM (23%; p < .01). A total of 83 patients underwent autologous transplantation and all were engrafted.

Conclusions

Stem cell collection in patients undergoing anti‐CD38‐based induction therapy is feasible with either CM or SSM, although SSM more frequently requires plerixafor.