bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating the role of metaverse influencers’ attributes for the next generation of services
Authors: Kumar Aman , Shankar Amit
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research is to identify the most important attributes of metaverse influencers and examine their impact on customer engagement and social glue.

Design/methodology/approach

Three studies (one qualitative and two quantitative) were conducted to understand the phenomenon better. The qualitative study (Study 1) was conducted to identify the antecedents of the theoretical model, which was tested in Study 2 using the covariance-based structural equation modelling (CB-SEM) technique. Study 3 then divided the respondents based on the metaverse influencer attribute preferences.

Findings

Results of Study 1 revealed the six most influential attributes of metaverse influencers: physical attractiveness, social attractiveness, perceived credibility, metaverse-influencer fit, intimacy and attitude homophily. Further, Study 2 validated that attractiveness and perceived credibility enhance engagement. Also, the results revealed that intimacy, perceived credibility and homophily enhance social glue. Moreover, parasocial relationships mediate the association between intimacy, attitude homophily, perceived credibility and (engagement and social glue). The conditional indirect effect of physical attractiveness, social attractiveness and metaverse–influencer fit on (engagement and social glue) via parasocial relationships at different high and low levels of self-discrepancy was significant. Finally, Study 3 used latent class analysis to reveal different clusters of metaverse users.

Originality/value

This research enriches our understanding of metaverse influencers, contributing to the influencer marketing literature. It offers actionable insights for marketers by elucidating key influencer attributes, aiding in enhancing engagement and social glue.
Study on the extraction and stability of tea stem pigment
Authors: Wang Xuemei , He Jixiang , Ma Yue , Wang Hao , Ma Dehong , Zhang Dongdong , Zhao Hudie
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the tannase-assisted extraction of tea stem pigment from waste tea stem, after which the stability of the purified pigment was determined and analyzed.

Design/methodology/approach

The extracting process was optimized using the response surface methodology (RSM) approach. Material-liquid ratio, temperature and time were chosen as variables and the absorbance as a response. The stability of the tea stem pigment at the different conditions was tested and analyzed.

Findings

The optimized extraction technology was as follows: material-liquid ratio 1:20 g/ml, temperature 50°C and time 60 min. The stability test results showed that tea stem pigment was sensitive to oxidants, but the reducing agents did not affect it. The tea stem pigment was unstable under strong acid and strong alkali and was most stable at pH 6. The light stability was poor. Tea stem pigment would form flocculent precipitation under the action of Fe2+ or Fe3+ and be relatively stable in Cu2+ and Na2+ solutions. The tea stem pigment was relatively stable at 60°C and below.

Originality/value

No comprehensive and systematic study reports have been conducted on the extraction of pigment from discarded tea stem, and researchers have not used statistical analysis to optimize the process of tannase-assisted tea stem pigment extraction using RSM. Additionally, there is a lack of special reports on the systematic study of the stability of pigment extracted from tea stem.
Product responsibility disclosures: do they concern with customer privacy?
Authors: Permatasari Paulina , Tanimoto Kanji , Setiawan Amelia , Kurnia Tanto
Published: July 2024

Purpose

With the growth in the use of technology currently, it is inevitable that all individuals are currently facing the risk of data misuse by irresponsible parties. This study aims to investigate whether companies disclosed information about customer privacy in their reports. The study will also focus on the activities that have been taken by companies to protect customers’ information, and to determine if the disclosure is sufficient to show the company’s performance on the customer privacy issues based on the GRI 418 customer privacy disclosure.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses qualitative, quantitative and exploratory research based on secondary data collected from annual reports and sustainability reports. The sample used in this study are the annual reports and sustainability reports from Indonesian listed companies in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) from the year 2019 to 2021.

Findings

The findings elucidate that customer privacy disclosures are still low. Applying a content analysis method, this study uses the sustainability disclosure guidelines from the Global Reporting Initiative.

Practical implications

This study is important as it will contribute to the literature on customer privacy, which is scarce in the extant literature. Given the lack of reporting in this issue, this study found that only six out of seven industries disclose customer privacy.

Originality/value

This study is the first study that examines the product responsibility disclosures relate with customer privacy concerns of Indonesian companies from their disclosures in their sustainability reports and annual report based on the GRI 418 customer privacy disclosure.
The transgenerational consequences of paternal social isolation and predation exposure in threespined sticklebacks
Authors: Hellmann Jennifer K. , Rogers Michaela M.
Published: July 2024

Parents routinely encounter stress in the ecological environment that can affect offspring development (transgenerational plasticity: TGP); however, parents' interactions with conspecifics may alter how parents respond to ecological stressors.

During social buffering, the presence of conspecifics can reduce the response to or increase the speed of recovery from a stressor. This may have cascading effects on offspring if conspecifics can mitigate parental responses to ecological stress in ways that blunt the transmission of stress‐induced transgenerational effects.

Here, we simultaneously manipulated both paternal social isolation and experience with predation risk prior to fertilisation in threespined stickleback (Gasterosteus aculeatus). We generated offspring via in‐vitro fertilisation to allow us to isolate paternal effects mediated via sperm alone (i.e. in the absence of paternal care). If social buffering mitigates TGP induced by paternal exposure to predation risk, then we expect the transgenerational effects of predation exposure to be weaker when a conspecific is present compared to when the father is isolated.

Offspring of predator‐exposed fathers showed reduced anxiety‐like behaviour and tended to be captured faster by the predator. Fathers who were socially isolated also had offspring that were captured faster by a live predator, suggesting that paternal social isolation may have maladaptive effects on how offspring respond to ecological stressors. Despite additive effects of paternal social isolation and paternal predation risk, we found no evidence of an interaction between these paternal treatments, suggesting that the presence of a conspecific did not buffer fathers and/or offspring from the effects of predation risk.

Our results suggest that socially induced stress is an important, yet underappreciated, mediator of TGP and can elicit transgenerational effects even in species that do not form permanent social groups. Future studies should therefore consider how the parental social environment can affect both within and trans‐generational responses to ecological stressors.
Decoupling of trait and species turnover in fire‐prone Mediterranean plant communities
Authors: Navarro‐Cano Jose Antonio , Goberna Marta , Pérez‐Valera Eduardo , Verdú Miguel
Published: July 2024

Plant taxa and traits do not necessarily show synchronous responses to ecological disturbance. Based on the observation that taxonomically over‐diversified communities might be phenotypically redundant, we speculated that taxonomic and phenotypic community reassembly might be decoupled after fire in Mediterranean ecosystems.

We applied a multi‐trait approach to describe plant community re‐assembly after fire across three 20‐year chronosequences based on 117 species and 23 traits, including whole‐plant, above‐ground and below‐ground traits. We quantified the post‐fire trajectories of different plant traits by analysing their community‐weighted means individually. We estimated the short‐ and long‐term phenotypic diversity of burned plots based on sets of traits. We also tested if trait and species turnover are decoupled across post‐fire trajectories. Finally, we calculated phenotypic redundancy, and assessed if above‐ and below‐ground traits have contrasted responses during post‐fire community reassembly.

Individually, 16 out of 23 traits were affected by fire in the short term. Plant phenotypic diversity (stdMPD) decreased immediately after fire, driven by changes in whole‐ and above‐ground traits. Both whole‐ and above‐ground stdMPD in burned plots described positive trajectories across the chronosequences tending to converge with long‐unburned plots, whereas below‐ground stdMPD remained unaltered through time.

Taxonomic and phenotypic beta diversity showed decoupled trajectories due to a larger species than trait replacement across time since fire. Finally, overall phenotypic redundancy of the studied plant communities described a regressive trajectory, similarly to above‐ground traits, whereas root traits kept a steady phenotypic redundancy through time.

Synthesis. We provide evidence that above‐ and below‐ground traits describe different recovery trajectories after fire, with significant effects on the phenotypic redundancy of plant communities. Our results encourage the use of multi‐trait approaches to understand how the plant reassembly operates after disturbance, in order to refine ecological theory. This strategy might improve the efficacy of restoration programs through a functional approach to species selection.
Unique myoglobin adaptation to endothermy and flight since the origin of birds
Authors: SONG Shengjing , CHEN Heye , ZHANG Yu , ZHU Xiaojia , IRWIN David M. , HE Kai , LIU Yang
Published: July 2024

Myoglobin (Mb) mediates oxygen diffusion and storage in muscle tissue and thus is important for the energy utilization and activity of animals. Birds generally have a high body temperature, and most species also possess the capability of powered flight. Both of these require high levels of aerobic metabolism. Within endothermic mammals, bats also independently evolved flight. Although the functional evolution of myoglobins in deep‐diving amniote vertebrates has been well‐studied, the functional evolution of myoglobin since the origins of both birds and bats is unclear. Here, with Mb‐coding sequences from >200 extant amniote species, we reconstructed ancestral sequences to estimate the functional properties of myoglobin through amniote evolution. A dramatic change in net surface charge on myoglobin occurred during the origin of Aves, which might have been driven by positively selected amino acid substitutions that occurred on the lineage leading to all birds. However, in bats, no change in net surface charge occurred and instead, the Mb genes show evidence of strong purifying selection. The increased net surface charge on bird myoglobins implies an adaptation to flight‐related endothermic and higher body temperatures, possibly by reducing harmful protein aggregations. Different from the findings of net surface charge, myoglobins of extant birds show lower stability compared with other amniotes, which probably accelerates the rate of oxygen utilization in muscles. In bats and other mammals, higher stability of Mb may be an alternative pathway for adaptation to endothermy, indicating divergent evolution of myoglobin in birds and bats.
Understanding immune‐mediated titanium allergy to in situ orthopaedic implants: a narrative review of the current literature
Authors: Chen Arnold , Kurmis Andrew P.
Published: July 2024

Introduction

Clinical recognition of potential immune‐mediated allergic responses to implanted metal devices is increasing. For orthopaedic implants, while ‘pure’ compounds are used in specific circumstances, the majority of components are alloys – a combination of two or more distinct metals. Titanium is found commonly in many orthopaedic devices and is often championed as a ‘hypoallergenic’ option or inclusion. In the absence of a relevant previously published summary on the topic, this paper explores the current state‐of‐understanding of titanium allergy and proposes a patient management algorithm whereby such immune reactions are clinically‐suggested.

Methods

A structured, systematic literature review was performed following PRISMA search principles to provide a contemporary summary‐of‐understanding in this area and to highlight clinical and knowledge deficiencies.

Results

Thirty‐five topic‐related articles were identified, the majority reflecting small case series' or proof‐of‐concept studies. The general standard of scientific evidence available was poor. Justification for arthroplasty utilization of titanium as a ‘hypoallergenic’ option is largely extrapolated from non‐orthopaedic domains.

Conclusions

Both ionic and conjugated titanium particles released from implant surfaces have the potential to trigger innate immune responses and true allergy. There exists no simple, high‐sensitivity, screening test for titanium allergy. Conventional skin‐patch testing is unreliable due to poor dermal penetration. Given established lymphocyte and macrophage activation pathways for allergy responses, in vitro methods using both cell‐types show diagnostic promise. Surgical biopsy analysis from host‐implant interfaces remains the contemporary ‘gold‐standard’, however this represents an invasive, costly and highly‐specialized approach not readily available in most settings. Further research to establish reliable/accessible diagnostic methods are indicated.
Unnecessary care in orthopaedic surgery
Authors: Boyle Alex B. , Harris Ian A.
Published: July 2024

Unnecessary care, where the potential for harm exceeds the potential for benefit, is widespread in medical care. Orthopaedic surgery is no exception. This has significant implications for patient safety and health care expenditure. This narrative review explores unnecessary care in orthopaedic surgery. There is wide geographic variation in orthopaedic surgical practice that cannot be explained by differences in local patient populations. Furthermore, many orthopaedic interventions lack adequate low‐bias evidence to support their use. Quantifying the size of the problem is difficult, but the economic burden and morbidity associated with unnecessary care is likely to be significant. An evidence gap, evidence‐practice gap, cognitive biases, and health system factors all contribute to unnecessary care in orthopaedic surgery. Unnecessary care is harming patients and incurring high costs. Solutions include increasing awareness of the problem, aligning financial incentives to high value care and away from low value care, and demanding low bias evidence where none exists.
Review article: advances in the diagnosis and management of anorectal motility disorders
Authors: Shahsavari Dariush , Rao Satish S. C.
Published: July 2024

Background

Anorectal motility disorders such as dyssynergic defecation (DD), faecal incontinence (FI) and anorectal pain affect 40% of the population and are a frequent reason for gastroenterology consultation. They significantly affect the quality of life and lead to psychological distress. Lack of understanding of these problems compounded by a lack of availability and knowledge of diagnostic tools in most medical centres and/or trained physicians has significantly hampered this field.

Aims

To discuss the latest advances in pathophysiology, diagnostic tests and therapeutic options for these disorders using an evidence‐based approach.

Methods

We reviewed the published literature over the past 20 years on DD, FI and anorectal pain and distilled these into a narrative review.

Results

A detailed history, prospective stool diary and digital rectal exam, together with diagnostic tests such as anorectal manometry, balloon expulsion test, translumbosacral anorectal magnetic stimulation test for assessing neuropathy, defecography and anal ultrasound, can provide detailed mechanistic and structural information. Such knowledge can pave the way for a meaningful and pathophysiologic‐based management approach. This could include biofeedback therapy for DD or FI, sensory training for rectal hyposensitivity or sensory adaptation training for rectal hypersensitivity or sphincter bulking agents or neuromodulation therapies. These treatments are effective and safe.

Conclusions

Anorectal motility disorders are common, but either less well recognized or poorly managed by most gastroenterologists. Equipped with the practical and up‐to‐date knowledge provided in this review, physicians could provide improved health care for these patients.
Unearthing the shadows of history: Chemical traces of Second World War atrocities in the Szpęgawski Forest and Death Valley, Poland
Authors: Kobiałka Dawid , Fabiańska Monika , Rennwanz Joanna , Hildebrandt‐Radke Iwona
Published: July 2024

This article presents the results of analyses of the chemical composition of organic matter and the occurrence of characteristic geochemical and biochemical markers in 17 samples collected from the Second World War mass graves excavated in the Szpęgawski Forest and Death Valley, Poland. The results show that attempts to cover up mass crimes by burning the bodies of the victims have left their own traces—that each attempt to cover up the crime is associated with the creation of further evidence of the crimes committed.
Ascites affects the benefit of carvedilol on patients with liver cirrhosis and esophageal and gastric varices
Authors: Xia Ruiqi , Wu Bing , Zhou Ji , Ji Mingyan , Wang Shuyue , Zeng Xiaoqing , Chen Shiyao
Published: July 2024

Esophageal and gastric varices (EGV) bleeding is a dangerous side effect of liver cirrhosis. Ascites may affect the effectiveness of carvedilol in preventing EGV rebleeding. A retrospective analysis was done on patients with EGV bleeding who visited our gastroenterology department between January 1, 2015, and October 29, 2020, and were given carvedilol therapy again. Patients were classified based on whether they had ascites. The primary outcome was EGV rebleeding. A total of 286 patients were included, with a median follow‐up of 24.0 (19.0–42.0) months, comprising those without ascites (N = 155) and those with ascites (N = 131). The mean age of the patients was 55.15 ± 12.44 years, and 177 (61.9%) of them were men. There were 162 (56.6%) Child‐Pugh A grades. The etiology of cirrhosis included 135 (47.2%) cases of hepatitis B. After carvedilol therapy, the patient's portal vein diameter (DPV) was widened (p < 0.05), velocity of portal vein (VPV) was slowed (p = 0.001). During the 1‐year follow‐up, patients with ascites had a substantially higher rebleeding rate than patients without ascites, with 24 (18.3%) versus 13 (8.4%), respectively (p = 0.013). On univariate analysis, ascites was a risk factor for rebleeding (p = 0.015). The multivariate analysis remained significant after adjusting for age, gender, etiology of cirrhosis, and previous endoscopic treatment, with OR of 2.37 (95% CI: 1.12–5.04; p = 0.025). Ascites was a risk factor for EGV rebleeding in patients undergoing carvedilol therapy. After carvedilol therapy, the patient's DPV was widened and VPV was slowed.
Endoscopic transpapillary drainage through the pancreatic stump for postoperative pancreatic fistula after distal pancreatectomy
Authors: Mie Takafumi , Sasaki Takashi , Sasahira Naoki
Published: July 2024

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Educating for change: A meta‐analysis of education programs for separating and divorcing parents
Authors: Saini Michael A. , Corrente Samantha
Published: July 2024

Parent education programs have been designed explicitly for separated and divorced parents. These programs typically aim to help parents navigate the challenges of co‐parenting, reduce their children's exposure to interparental conflict, and promote their children's well‐being post‐separation and divorce. Evaluating the effectiveness of parent education programs has been challenging, given the heterogeneity of formats, duration, and settings of these programs. This meta‐analytic review aimed to complete a compressive search of relevant studies of parent education programs for separated and divorced parents. Among 40 studies, 103 treatment effects were included across education programs. The overall weighted standardized mean difference across all education programs was 0.24 (CI = 0.14, 0.34, Q = 1274.69, df: 97, p < 0.001, I2 = 0.96.7), but these small effects were not maintained at follow‐up (ES 0.00, CI: −0.09, 0.09). Given the considerable heterogeneity across effect sizes, a meta‐regression and multiple regressions were computed to assess the influence of moderator variables. This review provides further evidence of the effectiveness of parent education programs. Implications are provided to create evidence‐based guidelines.
Development and validation of a risk scoring tool for predicting incident reversible cognitive frailty among community‐dwelling older adults: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Qinqin , Si Huaxin , Li Yanyan , Zhou Wendie , Yu Jiaqi , Bian Yanhui , Wang Cuili
Published: July 2024

Aim

Reversible cognitive frailty (RCF) is an ideal target to prevent asymptomatic cognitive impairment and dependency. This study aimed to develop and validate prediction models for incident RCF.

Methods

A total of 1230 older adults aged ≥60 years from China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2011–2013 survey were included as the training set. The modified Poisson regression and three machine learning algorithms including eXtreme Gradient Boosting, support vector machine and random forest were used to develop prediction models. All models were evaluated internally with fivefold cross‐validation, and evaluated externally using a temporal validation method through the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study 2013–2015 survey.

Results

The incidence of RCF was 27.4% in the training set and 27.5% in the external validation set. A total of 13 important predictors were selected to develop the model, including age, education, contact with their children, medical insurance, vision impairment, heart diseases, medication types, self‐rated health, pain locations, loneliness, self‐medication, night‐time sleep and having running water. All models showed acceptable or approximately acceptable discrimination (AUC 0.683–0.809) for the training set, but fair discrimination (AUC 0.568–0.666) for the internal and external validation. For calibration, only modified Poisson regression and eXtreme Gradient Boosting were acceptable in the training set. All models had acceptable overall prediction performance and clinical usefulness. Older adults were divided into three groups by the risk scoring tool constructed based on modified Poisson regression: low risk (≤24), median risk (24–29) and high risk (>29).

Conclusions

This risk tool could assist healthcare providers to predict incident RCF among older adults in the next 2 years, facilitating early identification of a high‐risk population of RCF. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 874–882.
ND70 Series Basaltic Glass Reference Materials for Volatile Element (H2O, CO2, S, Cl, F) Measurement and the C Ionisation Efficiency Suppression Effect of Water in Silicate Glasses in SIMS
Authors: Moussallam Yves , Towbin William Henry , Plank Terry , Bureau Hélène , Khodja Hicham , Guan Yunbin , Ma Chi , Baker Michael B. , Stolper Edward M. , Naab Fabian U. , Monteleone Brian D. , Gaetani Glenn A. , Shimizu Kenji , Ushikubo Takayuki , Lee Hyun Joo , Ding Shuo , Shi Sarah , Rose‐Koga Estelle F.
Published: July 2024

We present a new set of reference materials, the ND70‐series, for in situ measurement of volatile elements (H2O, CO2, S, Cl, F) in silicate glass of basaltic composition. The materials were synthesised in piston cylinders at pressures of 1 to 1.5 GPa under volatile‐undersaturated conditions. They span mass fractions from 0 to 6% m/m H2O, from 0 to 1.6% m/m CO2 and from 0 to 1% m/m S, Cl and F. The materials were characterised by elastic recoil detection analysis for H2O, by nuclear reaction analysis for CO2, by elemental analyser for CO2, by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy for H2O and CO2, by secondary ion mass spectrometry for H2O, CO2, S, Cl and F, and by electron probe microanalysis for CO2, S, Cl and major elements. Comparison between expected and measured volatile amounts across techniques and institutions is excellent. It was found however that SIMS measurements of CO2 mass fractions using either Cs+ or O− primary beams are strongly affected by the glass H2O content. Reference materials have been made available to users at ion probe facilities in the US, Europe and Japan. Remaining reference materials are preserved at the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History where they are freely available on loan to any researcher.
A history of abuse is associated with more severe migraine‐ and pain‐related disability: Results from the American Registry for Migraine Research
Authors: Trivedi Meesha , Dumkrieger Gina , Chong Catherine D. , Leibovit‐Reiben Zachary , Schwedt Todd J.
Published: July 2024

Background

Prior studies have established an association between a history of abuse and more severe migraine presentation.

Objectives

This cross‐sectional, observational study of a clinic‐based migraine population used validated measures to elucidate migraine‐specific and migraine‐related burdens among patients with a history of abuse.

Methods

Patients with migraine (n = 866) from the American Registry for Migraine Research self‐reported if they had a history of emotional, physical, and/or sexual abuse and completed questionnaires assessing migraine‐related burden: Migraine Disability Assessment, Subjective Cognitive Impairment Scale for Migraine Attacks, Work Productivity and Activity Impairment, Patient‐Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Pain Interference, Patient Health Questionnaire‐2, and Generalized Anxiety Disorder‐7. Migraine‐related burden in patients with versus without a history of abuse was compared. Subsequently, a mediation analysis evaluated the impact of depression and anxiety symptoms in the relationship between abuse history and migraine burden.

Results

A history of abuse was reported by 36.5% (n = 316/866) of participants. After controlling for patient age, sex, years lived with headache, and headache frequency, a history of abuse was significantly associated with more severe migraine‐related disability. The combined burden of depression and anxiety symptoms mediated the relationship.

Conclusion

A history of abuse is associated with greater migraine‐related disability. Future studies should determine if identification and management of the psychological and physical sequelae of abuse reduce migraine burden.
Examining the genomic influence of topically applied probiotics in vitro
Authors: Gruber James V. , Holtz Robert , Roach Megan
Published: July 2024

Objective

Recent work examined the influence of topically applied just‐add‐water creams containing Lactobacillus plantarum probiotic cultures on to reconstructed human epidermis (RHE). The ability to blend various quiescent probiotic powders in topical systems allows for the examination of these powders on RHEs employing various individual quiescent probiotics using human gene microarrays.

Methods

Four topical Just‐Add‐Water powders (STRATABIOSYS™ Technologies) were prepared containing the following: (1) Lactobacillus plantarum Lp90 [200 M CFU/g]; (2) Saccharomyces cerevisiae [200 M CFU/g]; (3) Streptococcus thermophilus [200 M CFU/g]; and (4) Lactococcus Lactis LLa61 [200 M CFU/g]. A powder without probiotics was used as a placebo control. The creams were prepared by taking 3% of each powder and dissolving it into sterile water. A 15 μL sample of each cream was applied to a RHE tissue that presented approximately 90 K CFU/g of each microorganism on the tissue. The RHE was treated for 24 h with the creams whereupon the residual cream was rinsed off, and the tissues were analysed using Agilent human gene microarrays containing 19 217 individual genes from which a smaller subset of 244 genes pertinent to skin were culled.

Results

The following probiotic specific gene responses were found: (1) Lactobacillus plantarum upregulated 4.9% of the skin‐relevant gene set; (2) Saccharomyces cerevisiae upregulated 7.8% of the skin relevant gene set; Streptococcus thermophilus upregulated 6.1% of the skin relevant gene set; Lactococcus lactis upregulated 7.0% of the skin relevant gene set.

Conclusion

A method to examine topical probiotics on RHE has been described that involves converting the powders to preservative‐free creams.
Age‐dependent changes in skin features and perceived facial appearance in women of five ethnic groups
Authors: Fink Bernhard , Campiche Remo , Shackelford Todd K. , Voegeli Rainer
Published: July 2024

Objective

Research documents effects of skin features on assessments of age, health and attractiveness of female faces. Ethnic variation also has been reported for the impact of age‐related changes in skin features on face assessments. Here, we investigate women's self‐ratings across age cohorts and ethnic groups and discrepancies with (non‐expert) assessor ratings of facial appearance together with age‐dependent changes in skin features.

Methods

Faces of women 20–65 years from five ethnic groups (each n = 36) were imaged. Participants provided self‐ratings of age, health and attractiveness, and were judged on these attributes by members of the same ethnic group (each n = 120). Digital image analysis was used to quantify skin gloss, tone evenness, wrinkling and sagging. Age‐dependent changes in ratings and skin features within and between ethnic groups were assessed by comparing information from 10‐year cohorts. We also tested whether menopausal status could be predicted by self‐ratings, assessor ratings and image‐based skin features.

Results

Women of all ethnic groups judged themselves younger and higher in attractiveness and health compared to third‐party assessors, with the largest discrepancies for age in French women and for attractiveness and health in South African women. In Indian and South African women, specular gloss and skin tone evenness were lower compared to other participants, and sagging was higher in Indian, Japanese and South African women compared to Chinese and French women. Women's menopausal status could be predicted from assessor ratings and image‐based skin features but not from self‐ratings.

Conclusion

There are differences between women's self‐ratings and assessor ratings of facial appearance. These discrepancies vary with female age and ethnicity. Age and ethnicity effects also are evident in age‐dependent changes in skin features within and across ethnic groups, which together with assessor (but not self‐) ratings of facial appearance predict menopausal status.
Taxonomy for the assessment of the subjective experience of curly hair manageability
Authors: Daniels Gabriela , Heitmayer Maxi
Published: July 2024

Objectives

This paper aims to develop and validate a taxonomy for the assessment of the subjective experience of curly hair manageability. It represents the latter of two iterative stages of a mixed‐method design interdisciplinary project.

Methods

The qualitative stage of the study incorporated thematic analysis of 14 interview transcripts generated using a video‐ethnographic method (SEBE). A survey‐based instrument assessing different elements of the construct of hair manageability designed during the first stage of this project was further developed following consultations with experts with extensive experience in hair research, product development, testing and trichology. The instrument was tested online with 506 female participants self‐reporting natural curly hair, types 3A and higher according to the Andre Walker Curl Classification.

Results

The initial construct of four groups of hair goals received positive content validity from the experts. High scale reliability was achieved for the aesthetic, haptic and emotive goals' scales as well as for hair esteem (Cronbach's alpha >0.75). Curl type was the only personal hair attribute that was correlated with hair goals and perceptions. From the demographic and lifestyle data, only age was correlated with goals and willingness to try new products. Common hair practices and product usage were also correlated with hair curl and goals.

Conclusion

The appropriateness of the instrument for measuring the strength of different hair goals and perceptions relevant to hair curvature degree and hair esteem has been validated. The instrument will support the development and testing of products better aligned with the manageability needs of very curly and textured hair. It was also confirmed that hair curvature is the most significant determinant of practices, and age of product attitudes.
A model for assessing student satisfaction with smart classroom environment in higher education
Authors: Dai Zhicheng , Wang Ling , Peng Xian , Zhao Liang , Xiong Junxia
Published: July 2024

Background

Smart classroom environment has drawn worldwide attention, however, there is still a lack of studies that can explore and analyse potential factors, which affect students' satisfaction with smart classrooms in higher education.

Objectives

To assess students' satisfaction with smart classrooms in higher education, this study proposed the smart classroom environment satisfaction model based on TAM and ACSI models.

Methods

A sample of 1979 Chinese college students who studied in a smart classroom environment completed a survey assessing student satisfaction with the smart classroom environment. And a structural equation modelling analysis was used to further analyse students' preferences for smart classroom environments.

Results and conclusions

The results showed that student satisfaction with smart classroom environment is significantly correlated with subjective perception factors after use, such as students' perceived value (PV), user experience and perceived expectations (PE). It indicated that user experience indirectly affected overall satisfaction (OS) through its positive impact on PV, while PE indirectly affected OS through its positive impact on user experience. Second, user experience had the greatest impact on student satisfaction, followed by PV and PE. This study is a theoretical supplement to future research on smart classroom environment in higher education, and can also provide reference for relevant government departments, universities and enterprises to build and manage smart classroom environment.
Efficacy and safety of a novel temperature‐controlled catheter for cavotricuspid isthmus ablation
Authors: Sano Masaya , Yamaji Hirosuke , Higashiya Shunichi , Kubo Motoki , Murakami Takashi , Kawamura Hiroshi , Murakami Masaaki , Kamikawa Shigeshi , Hirohata Satoshi , Kusachi Shozo
Published: July 2024

Background

Maintaining an adequate temperature at the target site is essential for effective ablation. We hypothesized that a tissue temperature‐controlled (T‐Con) catheter for cavotricuspid isthmus (CTI) ablation could improve the procedural ablation parameters.

Purpose

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of the T‐Con (DiamondTemp™) catheter for CTI ablation compared with non‐irrigation (Non‐Irri) and irrigation (Irri) catheters.

Methods

We analyzed 150 patients who underwent prophylactic CTI ablation combined with pulmonary vein isolation. The Non‐Irri, Irri, and T‐Con catheter groups comprised 50 patients each, and the ablation procedural parameters and complications were compared between these groups.

Results

There were no significant differences in clinical background characteristics among the three groups. The Kruskal–Wallis and post hoc tests demonstrated that the T‐Con group showed the lowest total radiofrequency energy delivery time among the three groups (median [25 and 75 percentiles]: 340 [209, 357], 147 [100, 199], and 83 [61, 109] s, respectively in the Non‐Irri, Irri, and T‐Con groups; T‐Con versus Non‐Irri, p < .01; T‐Con versus Irri, p < .01). The total procedural time and acute reconnection rate in the T‐Con group (264 s and 4%, respectively) were lower than those in the Non‐Irri group (438 s and 24%) but were similar to those in the Irri group (268 s and 6%). No significant complications were observed in any group.

Conclusions

The T‐Con catheter achieved a short energy delivery time and a low acute reconnection rate, indicating its potential as an alternative catheter for CTI ablation.
Optic neuropathy from hypovitaminosis A in a series of children with severe dietary restrictions
Authors: Shi Jane , Caldwell James , Sheck Leo , Tsang Bobby , Alekzander Rebecca , Escardo‐Paton Julia , Vincent Andrea L , Spooner Claire , Heppner Peter , Danesh‐Meyer Helen , Hull Sarah
Published: July 2024

Aim

Hypovitaminosis A is a leading cause of preventable childhood blindness, especially in developing nations. Vitamin A is a fat‐soluble essential micronutrient that serves vital functions in the visual system and in regulating bone resorption. We report on a series of four children with mixed nutritional and compressive optic neuropathy and provide a review of the literature.

Methods

A retrospective observational study of four males (ages 9–12), three with autism spectrum disorder who presented with loss of vision and multiple vitamin deficiencies including hypovitaminosis A.

Results

Patients presented with unexplained visual loss or a change in visual behaviour. All patients had severely restricted diet comprising of predominantly carbohydrates. Two of the four cases demonstrated optic nerve pallor at initial presentation with marked optic atrophy developing in all patients over time. Electrophysiology available in two patients demonstrated optic nerve dysfunction with preserved retinal function. Extensive investigations revealed profound deficiency in multiple vitamins including vitamin A (<0.1–0.2 μmol/L, normal = 0.9–1.7 μmol/L). Three patients also had low vitamin B12 (90–111 pmol/L, normal = 170–800 pmol/L) with normal folate. All four cases had radiological evidence of skull base thickening indicative of low vitamin A. Genetic testing did not find any relevant pathogenic variants.

Conclusions

Hypovitaminosis A is a crucial form of nutritional deprivation that results in significant visual loss with potential hyperostosis and optic nerve compression exacerbating nutritional optic neuropathy. Additional micronutrient deficiencies usually co‐exist and may contribute. Extra vigilance in vitamin replacement is required of clinicians with patients with autism who have restricted diets.
Recovery of ambulation in small, nonbrachycephalic dogs after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion
Authors: Khan Sam , Jeffery Nick D. , Freeman Paul
Published: July 2024

Background

Currently, low‐level evidence suggests loss of ambulation associated with acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion is best treated by decompressive spinal surgery. Conservative management can be successful, but the proportion of dogs that recover and the fate of herniated material are uncertain.

Objectives

Determine the proportion of nonambulatory dogs with conservatively treated acute thoracolumbar disk extrusion that recover ambulation and measure the change in spinal cord compression during the first 12 weeks after presentation.

Animals

Seventy‐two client‐owned nonambulatory dogs with acute thoracolumbar intervertebral disk extrusion.

Methods

This is a prospective cohort study. Enrolled dogs underwent magnetic resonance imaging at presentation and owners were provided with conservative management recommendations. Imaging was repeated after 12 weeks. Recovery of ambulation was defined as 10 consecutive steps without falling. Spinal cord compression was determined from the cross‐sectional area of the vertebral canal and extradural compressive material at the lesion epicenter. The association between recovery and change in compression over the 12‐week observational period was examined.

Results

Forty‐nine of fifty‐one (96%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 87%‐99%) of deep pain‐positive and 10/21 (48%; 95% CI, 28%‐68%) of deep pain‐negative dogs recovered ambulation within the 12‐week period. The median time to ambulation was 11 and 25 days for deep pain‐positive and ‐negative dogs, respectively. Reduction in spinal cord compression varied among individuals from minimal to complete and apparently was unrelated to the recovery of ambulation.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

A high proportion of conservatively treated dogs recovered ambulation after conservative management of acute thoracolumbar disk herniation. Recovery was not dependent on the resolution of compression.
Comparative evaluation of single versus double leg raise maneuver in high‐resolution esophageal manometry
Authors: Rim Daniel S. , Parkman Henry P.
Published: July 2024

Background

The straight leg raise (SLR) maneuver, often performed during esophageal manometry, requires patients to lift their leg(s) to augment intraabdominal pressure (IAP). Diverse techniques have been applied for SLR. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the effects of SLR between single and double leg raises.

Methods

During esophageal manometry, patients were asked to raise one leg, followed by elevating both legs. The efficacy of SLR for (1) detecting hiatal hernia, (2) increasing IAP, and (3) predicting gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) with intraesophageal pressure (IEP) was assessed. The value of change in impedance to indicate reflux during SLR in predicting esophageal acid exposure was investigated.

Key Results

The leg raise procedures were performed in 86 patients undergoing high‐resolution esophageal manometry. Both the single and double leg raises exhibited a higher hiatal hernia detection rate compared to the landmark (p = 0.008 and 0.005, respectively). Double leg raise was more effective in raising IAP by >50% compared to single leg raise (100% vs. 65.1%, p < 0.001), increasing yield by 53.6%. The change in IAP showed a positive correlation with the change in IEP during double leg raise (r = 0.31; p = 0.004), higher than that for single leg raise (r = 0.23; p = 0.03). Lower intraesophageal impedance during SLR was associated with AET > 6% with double leg raise (1.5 kΩ vs. 2.5 kΩ, p = 0.04).

Conclusions & Inferences

Our study demonstrates the efficacy of both single and double leg raise maneuvers during HREMI in increasing hiatal hernia detection and possible value in predicting GERD. The double leg raise resulted in a higher rate of effective increase in IAP, potentially enabling more patients to undergo effective SLR during HREMI.
Systematic exploration of Ziziphus species collection and gene identification influencing physiological traits using genotype‐by‐sequencing technology
Authors: Uddin Nisar , Shinde Harshraj , Ali Niaz , Zhang Qiongfang , Ullah Riaz , Iqbal Zafar , Zhu Daochen
Published: July 2024

The Ziziphus genus, belonging to the Rhamnaceae family, holds significant economic, nutritional, and medicinal value. However, much remains to be discovered about its diversity and physical characteristics. Factors such as growth, resilience to changes, disease resistance, and unique features contribute to the quality of Ziziphus species. This study aims to investigate the genomes of 200 genotypes from five Ziziphus species: Ziziphus jujuba (Zj), Ziziphus nummularia (Zm), Ziziphus oxyphylla (Zx), Ziziphus mauritiana (Zm), and the cultivated variety Ziziphus jujube var. jujube, collected from Pakistan and China. Our goal is to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with eight different traits and understand the genetic diversity within the selected Ziziphus species and their genotypes. Using high‐quality SNPs obtained through genotype‐by‐sequencing (GBS), we conducted population structure, phylogenetic, and principal coordinates analyses, identifying a total of 10,945 clean SNPs. These genotypes were categorized into two groups, A and B. Natural Ziziphus variants in Pakistan, specifically Z. jujuba and Z. nummularia, exhibited high levels of genetic diversity and polymorphic information content (PIC) of 0.46 and 0.41, respectively, compared to other species. Furthermore, we identified 15 influential candidate genes that play crucial roles in regulating agronomic traits, such as fruit width and diameter, leaf width, plant height, and stem diameter within this group. This study provides valuable insights that can be utilized in Ziziphus breeding efforts.
How Humans Run Faster: The Neuromechanical Contributions of Functional Muscle Groups to Running at Different Speeds
Authors: Willer Jasmin , Allen Sam J. , Burden Richard J. , Folland Jonathan P.
Published: July 2024

How the neuromechanics of the lower limb functional muscle groups change with running speed remains to be fully elucidated, with implications for our understanding of human locomotion, conditioning, and injury prevention. This study compared the neuromechanics (ground reaction and joint kinetics, kinematics and muscle activity) of middle‐distance athletes running on an instrumented treadmill at six wide‐ranging speeds (2.78–8.33 m·s−1). Ground reaction forces and kinematics were analyzed using inverse dynamics to calculate flexor and extensor joint torques, and positive and negative work done by these torques. Contributions of each functional muscle group to the total positive and negative work done by the limb during stance, swing, and the whole stride were quantified. During stance, the ankle plantar flexors were the major energy generator and absorber (>60%) at all speeds, but their contribution to whole stride energy generation and absorption declined with speed. Positive work by the hip extensors rose superlinearly with speed during stance (3‐fold) and especially during swing (12‐fold), becoming the biggest energy generator across the whole stride at >5 m·s−1. Knee flexor and extensor negative work also rose superlinearly with speed during swing, with the knee flexors becoming the greatest energy absorber over the whole stride at >7.22 m·s−1. Across speeds, plantar flexor peak moment and positive work accounted for 97% and 96% of the variance in step length, and swing hip extension peak moment and positive work accounted for 98% and 99% of the variance in step frequency. There were pronounced speed, phase (stance/swing), and work (positive/negative) dependent contributions of the different functional muscle groups during running, with extensive implications for conditioning and injury prevention.
LATA1, a RING E3 ligase, modulates the tiller angle by affecting auxin asymmetric distribution and content in rice
Authors: Fan Jinjian , Ma Xin , Zou Jun , Li Shuangzhe , Liu Yuntao , Guo Daokuan , Jiang Wanxia , Li Xianyi , Liu Fengxia , Tan Lubin
Published: July 2024

The tiller angle is an important agronomic trait that determines plant architecture and grain yield in rice (Oryza sativa L.). However, the molecular regulation mechanism of the rice tiller angle remains unclear. Here, we identified a rice tiller angle gene, LARGE TILLER ANGLE 1 (LATA1), using the MutMap approach. LATA1 encodes a C3H2C3‐type RING zinc finger E3 ligase and the conserved region of the RING zinc finger is essential for its E3 activity. LATA1 was highly expressed in the root and tiller base and LATA1‐GFP fusion protein was specifically localized to the nucleus. The mutation of LATA1 significantly reduced indole‐3‐acetic acid content and attenuated lateral auxin transport, thereby resulting in defective shoot gravitropism and spreading plant architecture in rice. Further investigations found that LATA1 may indirectly affect gravity perception by modulating the sedimentation rate of gravity‐sensing amyloplasts upon gravistimulation. Our findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanism underlying the rice tiller angle and new genetic resource for the improvement of plant architecture in rice.