bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of fintech adoption: evidence from SMEs in Indonesia
Authors: Saadah Kamalah , Setiawan Doddy
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to explore the factors that determine the perceived benefits and the perceived risks of financial technology (fintech) and to evaluate the influence of perceived benefits, perceived risks and small and medium-sized enterprises’ (SMEs') trust to continue using fintech.

Design/methodology/approach

This study involves SMEs in Indonesia. Non-probability with a convenience sampling technique was used in this study.

Findings

Convenience and economic benefits can explain the perceived benefits. Operational risk is stated as a risk factor felt by the respondents. Furthermore, the perceived benefits have a positive effect and the perceived risks show a negative effect on trust. At the same time, the individuals’ intention to continue using fintech is determined by trust.

Research limitations/implications

Based on the theory of reasoned action (TRA), various benefits and risks of using fintech are used to build the construction of perceived benefits and perceived risk in building trust that will determine decision to continue using fintech.

Practical implications

This research can provide advice to managers to develop efficient payment systems, lower payment fee and error-free transactions. In addition, the fintech management needs to understand the risks related to operational risks that are a challenge for the users to decide to use fintech so that a reliable mechanism for using fintech can be developed. Furthermore, it will be useful for fintech developing companies as a reference in knowing the factors that influence users in continuing to use fintech, this allows fintech developing companies in Indonesia will be even more developed and accelerate the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, research on the factors that affect the trust of SMEs in adopting fintech has not been conducted. This study can be advantageous for fintech service companies and organizers in developing fintech strategies in terms of users who are involved in SMEs which is the population in Indonesia is enormous and has a significant role in the development of the country.
Privacy concerns in tourism: a systematic literature review using machine learning approach and bibliometric analysis
Authors: Sharma Hitesh , Srivastava Praveen Ranjan , Jasimuddin Sajjad M. , Zhang Zuopeng Justin , Jebabli Ikram
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the current privacy concerns in the tourism industry by uncovering the key factors leading to such concerns (i.e. smart public services, cyber security issues, consumer behaviour and governance). Using papers from multiple sources, the relationship between technology advancements and tourist’s privacy concerns has been established.

Design/methodology/approach

This study adopted a machine learning-based systematic literature review approach to find out the clusters. The study analysed 68 papers using the topic modelling approach. A four-cluster solution was considered to be most representative of the extant literature identified using bibliographic coupling. Finally, content analysis of the selected literature has been performed.

Findings

This study identified four factors majorly leading to privacy concerns amid increasing technological advancements. Moreover, these factors were found to have a dyadic relationship with technological advancements. To everyone’s amazement, sustainable tourism was also found to have led to privacy concerns among tourists along with a lack of governance and cyber security issues. Furthermore, cluster-wise future research directions are provided based on the content analysis.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by systematically reviewing and identifying the four dimensions leading to privacy concerns. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, the study done is the only attempt to synthesize the extant literature on tourists’ privacy concerns using an unbiased scientific approach.
Sound Change and Analogy, Again: Brugmann's Law and the Hunt For O‐Grades in Indo‐Iranian*
Authors: Grestenberger Laura
Published: November 2023

This article revisits the interaction between regular ‘Neogrammarian’ sound change (defined as a purely phonological process) and subsequent morphological change (especially changes subsumed under the term ‘analogy’) in the development of the outcomes of Brugmann's Law (BL) in Indo‐Iranian. The traditional formulation of BL states that Proto‐Indo‐European *o became Indo‐Iranian /ā/ in open syllables and /a/ elsewhere, positing a purely phonological context of application. Alternatively, Kiparsky (2010) has argued for a revised version of BL in which the accent and ablaut properties of the affected forms play a role, hence essentially for a synchronic morphophonological rule. I argue that this revised version fails both from the perspective of comparative reconstruction and as a synchronic rule based on a detailed study of the forms cited as evidence for the revised rule. Rather, in order to identify inherited *o in Indo‐Iranian the effects of the ‘blind’ Neogrammarian rule must be separated from the synchronic morphological rules of the attested languages. This paper thus makes a methodological contribution in defence of the Neogrammarian approach to sound change, but also an empirical contribution by showing that this approach, in combination with a strictly lexical definition of analogy, can account for some conspicuous exceptions to traditional BL.
‘A learner is like a snowflake, each unique’: Uncovering pre‐service language teachers' perceptions of differentiation relying on visualisations, metaphors and group discussions
Authors: Roiha Anssi , Heinonen Pilvi
Published: November 2023

This article examines pre‐service language teachers' perceptions of learning and teaching and how differentiation manifests itself in them. The 67 participants visualised ‘an ideal language learning situation’ and complemented a number of teaching‐related metaphors, for instance, ‘A teacher is like…’ and ‘A learner is like…’ in the first session of their pedagogical studies. Seven participants returned to reflect on these outputs in group discussions held at the end of their studies. The data were analysed qualitatively following thematic analysis. We identified some themes of differentiation already in the initial outputs, that is, visualisations and metaphors, such as teaching methods and learning environment. In particular, the metaphors contained references to the individuality and uniqueness of the pupils. In the group discussions, the participants further highlighted the importance of differentiation for instance through the themes of differentiation for high‐achieving pupils and the contradiction between ideal and practice. Based on the group discussions, the participants' understanding of differentiation expanded at least to some extent during their studies. Overall, the results suggest that the ideal of differentiation is present at some level when students enter their studies and that they are able to embrace it even more during their studies. Despite this, some participants still reflected rather limited views of differentiation, for instance, the focus on ability levels and textbook‐based learning. This implies that differentiation should be addressed more profoundly in pre‐service teacher education.
Global, regional, and national burden of tracheal, bronchus, and lung cancers attributable to high fasting plasma glucose: A systematic analysis of global burden of disease 2019
Authors: Wang Minmin , Liu Jingyi , Wang Jia , Jin Yinzi , Zheng Zhi‐Jie
Published: November 2023

Background

Tracheal, bronchus, and lung (TBL) cancer is the third most common and lethal type of cancer worldwide. Glucose metabolism disorders, as represented by high fasting plasma glucose (HFPG), increase the risk of development and worsen the prognosis of TBL cancer. This study aimed to evaluate the global disease burden of TBL cancer attributable to HFPG.

Methods

The TBL cancer burden attributable to HFPG was estimated based on a modeling strategy using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The disease burden globally and by regions, countries, development levels, age groups, and sexes were also evaluated with the indicators of death, disability‐adjusted life years, years of life lost, and years lived with disability. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was calculated by regression model to show the temporal trend.

Results

In 2019, approximately 8% of the total TBL cancer burden was attributable to HFPG. The HFPG‐attributable TBL cancer burden increased globally from 1990 to 2019 with the EAPC of 0.98% per year. The burden was positively associated with social development levels, and the global burden was three times greater in men than in women. HFPG‐attributable TBL cancer burden increased with age and peaked at above 70 years of age.

Conclusions

The findings highlight the effect and burden of glucose disorders, as represented by HFPG on TBL cancer burden. Integrated cancer prevention and control measures are needed, with control of glucose disorders as one of the key elements.

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The migration of aquatic macrocrustaceans over an artificial barrier in the uThukela river, South Africa
Authors: Burnett Matthew J. , Van Zyl Bradley , Downs Colleen T.
Published: November 2023

Diadromous macrocrustaceans need connectivity between the ocean, estuary and river to complete their life cycle. Instream barriers in lower reaches of rivers threaten upstream migrations of diadromous macrocrustaceans. Varuna litterata migrate upstream after a spawning event out at sea. These migration events have been poorly documented. We documented the presence V. litterata and Macrobrachium spp. at a vertical slot fishway and a rock ramp on the Lower Thukela River Bulk Water Supply Scheme Weir, KwaZulu‐Natal, South Africa, during 2021–2022. We found Macrobrachium spp. and V. litterata made use of the rock ramp. However, the vertical slot fishway did hinder the migration of V. litterata significantly, as found in other studies.
Endorobotic submucosal dissection of rectal lesions using the single port robot DaVinci‐SP: initial experience of the first 10 cases
Authors: Ozgur Ilker , Cheong Ju Yong , Liska David , Holubar Stefan , Valante Michael A. , Steele Scott R. , Gorgun Emre
Published: November 2023

Background

Endoluminal surgery is increasingly recognized as a mode of treatment for colorectal neoplasms with the latest robotic single port platform Da Vinci‐SP (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale) facilitating submucosal dissection of benign rectal neoplasm.

Method

In this study, we present our initial experience with endorobotic submucosal dissection in the management of benign rectal neoplasms using the Da Vinci‐SP (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale) between 2020 and 2021. The primary endpoint was the successful completion of submucosal dissection.

Results

During the study period, 10 patients underwent endorobotic submucosal dissection for benign rectal neoplasms. The median age of the patients was 68 (range: 59–78) years, and the mean BMI was 29.38 (range: 22.9–38.5). The mean size of the lesion was 42.3 mm (range: 20‐65 mm) and was located 7.3 cm (mean) from the anal verge (range: 2–10 cm). The mean operative time was 91.3 minutes (range: 57–137 minutes). All 10 dissections were completed successfully en bloc. There were no intraoperative complications or mortality. All patients were discharged on the same day and commenced on a normal diet. Late bleeding was observed in one patient receiving anticoagulation, and one patient had urinary retention. Pathology revealed two adenocarcinomas, six tubulovillous adenomas, one tubular adenoma, and one sessile serrated adenoma. There was no recurrence in all other patients during the median follow‐up of 6 months (range: 4–16 months).

Conclusions

Endorobotic submucosal dissection using a single‐port robotic platform is safe and feasible for benign rectal mucosal neoplasms. The semiflexible platform offers an alternative to endoscopic submucosal dissection with favourable outcomes.
Adrenal volumes in fetuses delivering prior to 32 weeks' gestation: An MRI pilot study
Authors: Hall Megan , Hutter Jana , Uus Alena , du Crest Elise , Egloff Alexia , Suff Natalie , Al Adnani Mudher , Seed Paul T. , Gibbons Deena , Deprez Maria , Tribe Rachel M. , Shennan Andrew , Rutherford Mary , Story Lisa
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Spontaneous preterm birth prior to 32 weeks' gestation accounts for 1% of all deliveries and is associated with high rates of morbidity and mortality. A total of 70% are associated with chorioamnionitis which increases the incidence of morbidity, but for which there is no noninvasive antenatal test. Fetal adrenal glands produce cortisol and dehydroepiandosterone‐sulphate which upregulate prior to spontaneous preterm birth. Ultrasound suggests that adrenal volumes may increase prior to preterm birth, but studies are limited. This study aimed to: (i) demonstrate reproducibility of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) derived adrenal volumetry; (ii) derive normal ranges of total adrenal volumes, and adrenal: body volume for normal; (iii) compare with those who have spontaneous very preterm birth; and (iv) correlate with histopathological chorioamnionitis.

Material and methods

Patients at high risk of preterm birth prior to 32 weeks were prospectively recruited, and included if they did deliver prior to 32 weeks; a control group who delivered an uncomplicated pregnancy at term was also recruited. T2 weighted images of the entire uterus were obtained, and a deformable slice‐to‐volume method was used to reconstruct the fetal abdomen. Adrenal and body volumes were obtained via manual segmentation, and adrenal: body volume ratios generated. Normal ranges were created using control data. Differences between groups were investigated accounting for the effect of gestation by use of regression analysis. Placental histopathology was reviewed for pregnancies delivering preterm.

Results

A total of 56 controls and 26 cases were included in the analysis. Volumetry was consistent between observers. Adrenal volumes were not higher in the case group (p = 0.2); adrenal: body volume ratios were higher (p = 0.011), persisting in the presence of chorioamnionitis (p = 0.017). A cluster of three pairs of adrenal glands below the fifth centile were noted among the cases all of whom had a protracted period at risk of preterm birth prior to MRI.

Conclusions

Adrenal: body volume ratios are significantly larger in fetuses who go on to deliver preterm than those delivering at term. Adrenal volumes were not significantly larger, we hypothesize that this could be due to an adrenal atrophy in fetuses with fulminating chorioamnionitis. A straightforward relationship of adrenal size being increased prior to preterm birth should not be assumed.
Safety and efficacy of intravitreal injection of conbercept for the treatment of patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia: Results from the SHINY study
Authors: Gao Liqin , Song Yanping , Sun Xiaodong , Zhang Junjun , Liu Yuling , Chen Youxin , Wu Zhifeng , Jian Ye , Liu Xiaoling , Lv Lin , Chen Shaojun , Wang Yu‐sheng , Chen Nan , Ke Xiao , Zhang Feng
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg conbercept in patients with choroidal neovascularization secondary to pathological myopia (pmCNV).

Methods

The 177 pmCNV patients were randomly assigned in a 3:1 ratio to receive conbercept or sham injection, respectively. The conbercept group receive conbercept intravitreal injections administered on a pro re nata (PRN) basis after 3 monthly loading doses. The sham group received three consecutive monthly sham injections and then one conbercept injection followed by PRN conbercept intravitreal injections.

Results

At month 3, the mean BCVA for the two groups were improved by 12.0 letters (conbercept group, from 54.05 letters to 66.05 letters) and 0.6 letters (sham group, from 49.77 letters to 50.33 letters), respectively (p < 0.001). The mean central retinal thickness (CRT) at month 3 in the two groups decreased 62.0 μm (conbercept group, from 348.90 μm to 286.18 μm) and 4.4 μm (sham group, from 347.86 μm to 343.47 μm) (p < 0.001). At month 9, the mean BCVA improved by 13.3 letters in the conbercept group and 11.3 letters in the sham group. The mean CRT decreased 73.6 μm in the conbercept group and 55.9 μm in the sham group (p < 0.001). The most common ocular adverse events were associated with intravitreal injections, such as conjunctival haemorrhage and increased intraocular pressure.

Conclusion

Intravitreal injections of 0.5 mg conbercept provided improvement in visual and anatomical outcomes in pmCNV patients with low rates of ocular and nonocular safety events.
From book to bedside? A critical perspective on the debate about “translational bioethics”
Authors: Kremling Alexander , Schildmann Jan , Mertz Marcel
Published: November 2023

The concept of “translational bioethics” has received considerable attention in recent years. Most publications draw an analogy to translational medicine and describe bioethical research that aims at implementing and evaluating ethical interventions. However, current accounts of translational bioethics are often rather vague and seem to differ with regard to conceptual and methodological assumptions. It is not clear and scarcely analyzed what exactly “translation” in the field of bioethics means, in particular regarding goals and processes so that it is justified to appeal to translational medicine. In this article, we thus explore possible analogies and disanalogies between translational medicine and translational bioethics to establish whether the often occurring reference to concepts of translational medicine in the field of bioethics can be justified by substantial analogies. We will first provide an account of different models of translational medicine. In a second step, we will propose an analytic definition that explicitly articulates the essential characteristics of “translational research” irrespective of the research field (i.e., biomedicine, bioethics). Subsequently, we will explore whether and in how far general characteristics and phases of translational research in medicine can be applied to translational research in bioethics. Based on our analyses, we will come to the skeptical conclusion that at present there are considerable conceptual disanalogies and unsolved conceptual problems that disallow using “translational bioethics” in a meaningful analogy to respective accounts in biomedicine. Nevertheless, we will demonstrate that some insights gained by the conceptual accounts of translational medicine can contribute to advance current research activities in bioethics.
Assisted suicide and the discrimination argument: Can people with mental illness fulfill beneficence‐ and autonomy‐based eligibility criteria?
Authors: Braun Esther , Scholten Matthé , Vollmann Jochen
Published: November 2023

According to the “discrimination argument,” it would be discriminatory and hence impermissible to categorically exclude people with mental illness (PMI) from access to assisted suicide (AS) if AS is accessible to people with somatic illnesses. In objection to this, it could be argued that excluding PMI is not discriminatory, but rather based on their inability to meet certain eligibility criteria for AS. Which criteria are deemed necessary depends on the approach taken to justifying AS. In this article, we describe two distinct ethical approaches to justifying AS and the eligibility criteria they entail and examine whether PMI can fulfill these criteria. A widespread “joint” approach based on beneficence and autonomy assumes that AS is justified when it alleviates the severe and irremediable suffering of a person who autonomously requests AS. An alternative, exclusively autonomy‐based approach assumes that providing AS is justified when a person's request is autonomous, regardless of whether AS is in her best interests. The latter approach underlies an important judgment of the German Federal Constitutional Court from 2020. We argue that PMI can in principle fulfill both beneficence‐ and autonomy‐based eligibility criteria for AS, and that a blanket exclusion of all PMI from AS is thus discriminatory on either approach. However, depending on which approach is taken, there are differences regarding the subgroups of PMI that would be eligible for AS. Whether the exclusion of specific PMI is discriminatory therefore depends on how we understand and justify AS.
Transitioning from transrectal to transperineal prostate biopsy using a freehand cognitive approach
Authors: Honoré Alfred , Moen Christian Arvei , Juliebø‐Jones Patrick , Reisæter Lars Anders Rokne , Gravdal Karsten , Chaudhry Adeel Asghar , Rawal Ravi , Sandøy Andrine , Beisland Christian
Published: November 2023

Objectives

To report a single‐centre experience of a complete transition from transrectal (TR) to transperineal (TP) prostate biopsy under local anaesthesia using a freehand cognitive coaxial approach and without use of antibiotic prophylaxis.

Patients and Methods

Analysis was performed of a prospective database of patients undergoing prostate biopsy performed by four surgeons between 1 June 2018 and 31 May 2022. Outcomes of interest were complications, cancer detection rate, inter‐operator reliability, and tolerability.

Results

Overall, 1915 patients underwent 2337 separate prostate biopsy sessions. Only 2.4% patients in the TP group received antibiotic prophylaxis, while 100% received antibiotics in the TR group. The complication rate was significantly lower in the TP group compared to the TR group (0.3% vs 5.0%, P < 0.001). In contrast to the TR group, there were no cases of urosepsis or admissions to intensive care in the TP group. The total cancer detection rate by TP biopsy was 70% and the overall pathology detection rate was 88.4%. There was no difference in cancer or pathology detection between operators. A stable level of cancer detection was reached early on for both Prostate Imaging‐Reporting and Data System 4 and 5 lesions. All cases performed were performed successfully without need for early termination.

Conclusion

Implementing a complete transition from TR to TP biopsy can result in a significant reduction in complications and hospital re‐admissions. A cognitive freehand coaxial technique is well tolerated by patients and achieves a high cancer detection rate.
ZYZ384 suppresses the growth of EGFR‐mutant non‐small cell lung cancer by activating JNK/MAPK signaling pathway
Authors: Nie Xiao‐Wen , Nasim Ali Adnan , Yao Xiao‐Jun , Fan Xing‐Xing
Published: November 2023

The emergency of tyrosine kinase inhibitors has remarkably enhanced the clinical outcomes of cancer therapy, especially the use of EGFR inhibitors for non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, acquired resistance is inevitable after 8–12 months treatment. New agents or treatments are urgently required to resolve this problem. In this study, we identified that compound ZYZ384 can selectively inhibit the growth of gefitinib‐resistant (G‐R) lung cancer cells, without affecting that of normal lung epithelial cells. ZYZ384 induced G2 arrest in G‐R NSCLC cells, decreasing the expression of Cyclin B1 and increasing the expression of P21. Meanwhile, ZYZ384 also induced apoptosis in NSCLC cells and correspondingly increased the expression of cleaved Caspase 3, 8, and 9 proteins. The expression of p‐JNK, p‐P38, and p‐ERK were also increased in H1975 NSCLC cells treated with ZYZ384. Finally, we observed that the JNK inhibitor effectively reversed the pro‐apoptotic effect of ZYZ384. In conclusion, ZYZ384 is a potential therapeutic agent to inhibit the growth of NSCLCs with EGFR mutations through activating JNK, which will help the development of related anticancer drugs.
Development and validation of a minimally invasive protocol for assessing oxidative stress markers in exfoliated oral cells
Authors: de Abreu Lukas Mendes , da Silva Cintia Rodrigues , Bortoleto Ana Laura Ferreira , Nunes Giovana Barros , Mingoti Gisele Zoccal
Published: November 2023

Objectives

This study aimed to develop and validate a minimally invasive protocol for characterizing oxidative stress markers in exfoliated oral cells.

Materials and Methods

Exfoliated oral cells were collected from healthy volunteers. The protocol included the utilization of specific fluorescent probes to measure intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm) and reduced glutathione (GSH). Cells from each volunteer were divided into the positive and negative control groups, which were, respectively, exposed or not to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) aiming to induce the oxidative stress. Measurements of cell fluorescence were performed using a microscope equipped with epifluorescence.

Results

The results showed that cells exposed to H2O2 exhibited significantly higher intracellular expression of ROS compared to unexposed cells (positive control: 3851.25 ± 1227.0 vs, negative control: 1106.07 ± 249.6; p = 0.0338). On the contrary, cells exposed to H2O2 displayed decreased expression of ΔΨm (p = 0.0226) and GSH (p = 0.0289) when compared to the negative control group (ΔΨm positive control: 14634.39 ± 1529.0 vs, negative control: 18897.60 ± 2338.0; and GSH positive control: 9011.08 ± 1900.0 vs, negative control: 15901.79 ± 2745.0).

Conclusions

The developed protocol proved to be effective in detecting and quantifying oxidative stress biomarkers, such as ROS, ΔΨm and GSH, in exfoliated oral cells. This minimally invasive approach offers a promising method to assess oxidative stress expression and may be clinically relevant in the evaluation of oral diseases associated with oxidative stress.
Legal and ethical principles governing the use of artificial intelligence in radiology services in South Africa
Authors: Sihlahla Irvine , Donnelly Dusty‐Lee , Townsend Beverley , Thaldar Donrich
Published: November 2023

Artificial intelligence (AI) will drastically change the healthcare system. Radiology is one speciality that is most affected as AI algorithms are increasingly used in diagnostic imaging. AI‐enhanced health technologies will, inter alia, increase workflow efficiency, improve diagnostic accuracy, reduce healthcare‐related costs, and help alleviate medical personnel shortages in under‐resourced settings. However, the development of AI‐enhanced technologies in healthcare is fraught with legal, ethical, and human rights concerns. Currently, the use of AI in South African healthcare is not governed by sui generis legislation or ethical guidance focused exclusively and specifically on AI, although various provisions and principles from law and ethics find application. This article outlines these normative principles and explains their relationship with the extant legal obligations and regulatory framework as applied to the use of AI in radiology services in South Africa. The article concludes with three key recommendations for radiology practitioners using AI in South Africa. These are the need for: vigilant monitoring of AI use in practice, reforms to the liability framework, and appropriate guidance from local regulators and the Health Professions Council of South Africa on the ethical use of AI.
Ectomycorrhizal trees rely on nitrogen resorption less than arbuscular mycorrhizal trees globally
Authors: Liu Bai , Fan Xianlei , Meng Di , Liu Ziping , Gao Decai , Chang Qing , Bai Edith
Published: November 2023

Nitrogen (N) resorption is an important pathway of N conservation, contributing to an important proportion of plant N requirement. However, whether the ratio of N resorption to N requirement may be affected by environmental factors, mycorrhizal types or atmospheric CO2 concentration remains unclear. Here, we conducted a meta‐analysis on the impacts of environmental factors and mycorrhizal types on this ratio. We found this ratio in ectomycorrhizal (EM) trees decreased with mean annual precipitation, mean annual temperature, soil total N content and atmospheric CO2 concentration and was significantly lower than that in arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) trees. An in situ 15N tracing experiment further confirmed that AM trees have a stronger reliance on N resorption than EM trees. Our study suggests that AM and EM trees potentially have different strategies for alleviation of progressive N limitation, highlighting the necessity of incorporating plant mycorrhizal types into Earth System Models.
Firm‐level exposure to trade policy shocks: A multidimensional measurement approach
Authors: Bruno Giovanni , Goltz Felix , Luyten Ben
Published: November 2023

We propose a firm‐level measure of exposure to trade policy shifts that combines characteristics (tradability of goods, share of output exported and corporate risk disclosures) with information from stock returns. We show that the measure reliably captures out‐of‐sample differences in price responses and sentiment related to trade tensions, both in US and international data. Differences across firms are economically important with return effects of 140 bp around tariff announcements. We argue that such a multidimensional measure is a useful tool for future research on trade policy risk.
The Anthropocene Obscene: Poetic inquiry and evocative evidence of inequality
Authors: Thomsen Dana C. , Smith Timothy F. , Elrick‐Barr Carmen E.
Published: November 2023

Poetic inquiry is used to highlight contrasting lived experiences of vulnerability and worsening socio‐ecological outcomes among Australia's fastest growing coastal communities. Our approach interweaves multiple participant voices across local and national scales to juxtapose the contrasts of inequality, enmesh social and ecological experiences, and ask reflexive questions of audiences. We offer an evocative portrayal of inequality to the growing body of work demonstrating that unequal and intensifying vulnerabilities are created and sustained through complicated, non‐adaptive and hierarchical social systems. We demonstrate that poetic inquiry can interrogate complex system phenomena and broad concepts, such as the Anthropocene, to distil critical and systemic issues while retaining undeniable connections with the deeply personal implications of socio‐ecological change. Hence, poetic inquiry can serve analytical and descriptive purposes towards an emotional and political aesthetic providing a compelling reorientation from more conventional modes of inquiry and representation. In this study, the misuse of power and privilege in the Anthropocene is reduced and revealed as the Obscene.
Proof of concept design for a toothbrush with on‐board vacuum to reduce oral aspirates
Authors: Griffith Alexandra , Roy Abhishek , Kulkarni Sahitya , Simmons Glennon , Osorno Laura , Kumar Vivek
Published: November 2023

Background

Over the course of brushing, aerosolised particles develop in the mouth. In individuals who do not have the ability to expel these oral aspirates, they can be inhaled and cause aspiration pneumonia. This article showcases a novel vacuum toothbrush, termed “ToothVac,” and provides findings from its first human trial.

Methods

The ToothVac device suctions saliva and aspirates during brushing, storing them in a removable reservoir at the bottom of the brush, to minimise the risk of inhalation and subsequent infection. Further descriptions of the various components of the ToothVac are included. This trial involved 18 participants who brushed using the ToothVac with the vacuum suction turned on and then off.

Results

The volume of saliva produced was measured and compared. The ToothVac significantly reduced the amount of saliva that was produced by these participants when brushing.

Conclusion

The device has potential clinical potential in that it may reduce the risk of aspiration pneumonia and related lung infections. Potential future research may include clinical trials for specific indications or marketing for oral aspirate removal, as well as optimisation of brush design using injection moulding for scalable manufacturing.
Rubella virus chronic inflammatory disease and other unusual viral phenotypes in inborn errors of immunity
Authors: Kilich Gonench , Perelygina Ludmila , Sullivan Kathleen E.
Published: November 2023

Infectious susceptibility is a component of many inborn errors of immunity. Nevertheless, antibiotic use is often used as a surrogate in history taking for infectious susceptibility, thereby disadvantaging patients who present with viral infections as their phenotype. Further complicating clinical evaluations are unusual manifestations of viral infections which may be less familiar that the typical respiratory viral infections. This review covers several unusual viral phenotypes arising in patients with inborn errors of immunity and other settings of immune compromise. In some cases, chronic infections lead to oncogenesis or tumor‐like growths and the conditions and mechanisms of viral‐induced oncogenesis will be described. This review covers enterovirus, rubella, measles, papillomavirus, and parvovirus B19. It does not cover EBV and hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis nor lymphomagenesis related to EBV. EBV susceptibility has been recently reviewed. Our goal is to increase awareness of the unusual manifestations of viral infections in patients with IEI and to describe treatment modalities utilized in this setting. Coincidentally, each of the discussed viral infections can have a cutaneous component and figures will serve as a reminder of the physical features of these viruses. Given the high morbidity and mortality, early recognition can only improve outcomes.
Pulsed‐field versus cryoballoon ablation for atrial fibrillation—Impact of energy source on sedation and analgesia requirement
Authors: Wahedi Rahin , Willems Stephan , Feldhege Johannes , Jularic Mario , Hartmann Jens , Anwar Omar , Dickow Jannis , Harloff Tim , Gessler Nele , Gunawardene Melanie A.
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Pulsed field ablation (PFA) represents a novel, nonthermal energy modality that can be applied for single‐shot pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in atrial fibrillation (AF). Comparative data with regard to deep sedation to established single‐shot modalities such as cryoballoon (CB) ablation are scarce. The aim of this study was to compare a deep sedation protocol in patients receiving PVI with either PFA or CB.

Methods

Prospective, consecutive AF patients undergoing PVI with a pentaspline PFA catheter were compared to a retrospective CB‐PVI cohort of the same timeframe. Study endpoints were the requirements of analgesics, cardiorespiratory stability, and sedation‐associated complications.

Results

A total of 100 PVI patients were included (PFA n = 50, CB n = 50, mean age 66 ± 10.6, 61% male patients, 65% paroxysmal AF). Requirement of propofol, midazolam, and sufentanyl was significantly higher in the PFA group compared to CB [propofol 0.14 ± 0.04 mg/kg/min in PFA vs. 0.11 ± 0.04 mg/kg/min in CB (p = .001); midazolam 0.00086 ± 0.0004 mg/kg/min in PFA vs. 0.0006295 ± 0.0003 mg/kg/min in CB (p = .002) and sufentanyl 0.0013 ± 0.0007 µg/kg/min in PFA vs. 0.0008 ± 0.0004 µg/kg/min in CB (p < .0001)]. Sedation‐associated complications did not differ between both groups (PFA n = 1/50 mild aspiration pneumonia, CB n = 0/50, p > .99). Nonsedation‐associated complications (PFA: n = 2/50, 4%, CB: n = 1/50, 2%, p > .99) and procedure times (PFA 75 ± 31, CB 84 ± 32 min, p = .18) did not differ between groups.

Conclusions

PFA is associated with higher sedation and especially analgesia requirements. However, the safety of deep sedation does not differ to CB ablation.
Exploring paediatric dietetic resources available for critically ill children in the UK and Ireland: A multicentre survey
Authors: Meah Shalina , Kidd Catherine , Rothman Brittany , Marino V. Luise
Published: November 2023

Background

A dedicated intensive care dietitian, as part of the intensive care unit (ICU) multidisciplinary team, contributes to improved delivery of nutrition support. The Paediatric Critical Care Society recommends a minimum dietetic staffing to critical‐care bed ratio of 1:10, led by an Agenda for Change (AfC) Band 7.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was conducted using an electronic survey that was available for 12 weeks. The Paediatric Intensive Care Audit Network database was used to identify all hospitals with paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) beds (n = 28).

Results

Only 14% (n = 4/28) of trusts met the recommended 1:10 dietitian to bed ratio. PICU dietetic whole time equivalent was 0.7 ± 0.4, with a staff to bed ratio of 1:23.7 ± 10.7, compared to adult staff to bed ratio of 1:24.7. Some 92.8% (n = 26/28) had a AfC Band 7 Lead and only 7% (n = 2/28) had an AfC Band 8a Lead compared to adult services where 12.5% (n = 15/122) had an AfC Band 8a (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

There is a significant disparity between adult versus paediatric services with regard to seniority of dietitians. Dietitians in well‐resourced centres were more likely to review patients without the need for a referral, which may improve nutrition outcomes.
Whole‐brain mapping of monosynaptic afferent inputs to the CRH neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex of mice
Authors: Li Xiao‐Lan , Li Fei , Zhu Xin‐Yi , Wang Xiao‐Dong , Kou Zhen‐Zhen , Liu Shang‐Qing , Li Hui
Published: November 2023

Corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) neurons are densely distributed in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), which plays a crucial role in integrating and processing emotional and cognitive inputs from other brain regions. Therefore, it is important to know the neural afferent patterns of mPFCCRH neurons, which are still unclear. Here, we utilized a rabies virus‐based monosynaptic retrograde tracing system to map the presynaptic afferents of the mPFCCRH neurons throughout the entire brain. The results show that the mPFCCRH neurons receive inputs from three main groups of brain regions: (1) the cortex, primarily the orbital cortex, somatomotor areas, and anterior cingulate cortex; (2) the thalamus, primarily the anteromedial nucleus, mediodorsal thalamic nucleus, and central medial thalamic nucleus; and (3) other brain regions, primarily the basolateral amygdala, hippocampus, and dorsal raphe nucleus. Taken together, our results are valuable for further investigations into the roles of the mPFCCRH neurons in normal and neurological disease states. These investigations can shed light on various aspects such as cognitive processing, emotional modulation, motivation, sociability, and pain.
Glial cells are affected more than interneurons by the loss of Engrailed 2 gene in the mouse cerebellum
Authors: Lazzarini Giulia , Gatta Alessandra , Miragliotta Vincenzo , Vaglini Francesca , Viaggi Cristina , Pirone Andrea
Published: November 2023

Glial cells play a pivotal role in the inflammatory processes, which are common features of several neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. Their major role in modulating neuroinflammation underscores their significance in these conditions. Engrailed‐2 knockout mice (En2−/−) are considered a valuable model for autism spectrum disorder (ASD) due to their distinctive neuroanatomical and behavioral traits. Given the higher prevalence of ASD in males, our objective was to investigate glial and interneuron alterations in the cerebellum of En2−/− mice compared with wild‐type (WT) mice in both sexes. We employed immunohistochemical analysis to assess cell density for all cell types studied and analyzed the area (A) and shape factor (SF) of microglia cell bodies. Our findings revealed the following: (a) In WT mice, the density of microglia and astrocytes was higher in females than in males, while interneuron density was lower in females. Notably, in En2‐mutant mice, these differences between males and females were not present. (b) In both male and female En2−/− mice, astrocyte density exceeded that in WT mice, with microglia density being greater only in females. (c) In WT females, microglia cell bodies exhibited a larger area and a lower shape factor compared to WT males. Remarkably, the En2 mutation did not appear to influence these sex‐related differences. (d) In both male and female En2−/− mice, we observed a consistent pattern: microglia cell bodies displayed a larger area and a smaller shape factor. Given the ongoing debate surrounding the roles of glia and sex‐related factors in ASD, our observations provide valuable insights into understanding how an ASD‐associated gene En2 affects specific cell types in the cerebellum.
Facial cosmetic injection: A bibliometric analysis of research status and hotspots
Authors: Ding Hongfan , Li Shiyi , Fu Qiang , Zhou Guiwen , Wang Yichen , Zheng Can , Wu Qian , Bai Ruiqi , Xv Xiao , Chen Minliang
Published: November 2023

Background

The increasing popularity of cosmetic injections using various fillers and neuromodulators for facial rejuvenation has brought both new opportunities and challenges to this field.

Aim

Our study was designed to employ bibliometric and visual analysis for a qualitative and quantitative evaluation of facial cosmetic injections, as well as to identify research trends and hotspots in this field.

Methods

All publications covering facial cosmetic injection during 2002–2023 were retrieved and extracted from the Web of Science database. The VOSviewer 1.6.18 software and the online tool (http://bibliometric.com/) were applied to analyze the publication trend.

Results

A total of 3797 articles related to facial cosmetic injection were identified during the period 2002–2023. The United States had the largest volume of publications (1520, 40.0%), followed by China (333, 8.8%) and Germany (282, 7.3%). Among the institutions and journals, the University of California system and Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery accounted for the most papers related to facial cosmetic injection, respectively. Facial anatomy and injection techniques, prevention and management of complications, regenerative medicine, efficacy and safety of various soft‐tissue fillers, as well as botulinum toxin injections for facial rejuvenation were identified as hotspots for facial cosmetic injections.

Conclusions

Facial cosmetic injections are showing an increasing trend in terms of both the number of published papers and operations performed. Despite the notable advancements in this field, numerous challenges persist, including safety concerns and the level of research evidence. With the emergence of novel technologies and materials, scholars from diverse countries and institutions should engage in more extensive collaboration, thereby directly expediting the progress of this field.
Practical guideline to efficiently detect insurance fraud in the era of machine learning: A household insurance case
Authors: Banulescu‐Radu Denisa , Yankol‐Schalck Meryem
Published: November 2023

Identifying insurance fraud is a difficult task due to the complex nature of the fraud itself, the diversity of techniques employed, the rarity of fraud cases observed in data sets, and the relatively limited allocation of human, financial, and time resources to carry out investigations. The aim of this paper is to provide a clean and well structured study on modeling fraud on home insurance contracts, using real French data from 2013 to 2017. Several methods are developed to identify risk factors and unusual customer behaviors. Traditional econometric models as well as new machine‐learning algorithms with good predictive performance and high operational efficiency are tested, while maintaining method interpretability. Each methodology is evaluated on the basis of adequate performance measures and the issue of imbalanced databases is also addressed. Finally, specific methods are applied to interpret the results of the machine‐learning methods.
Evaluation of upper airway characteristics in patients with and without sleep apnea using cone‐beam computed tomography and computational fluid dynamics
Authors: Desai Raj , Komperda Jonathan , Elnagar Mohammed H. , Viana Grace , Galang‐Boquiren Maria Therese S.
Published: November 2023

Objective

To determine if upper airway characteristics and airway pressure change significantly between low risk, healthy non‐OSA subjects, and OSA subjects during respiration using cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) imaging and steady‐state k‐ω model computational fluid dynamics (CFD) fluid flow simulations, respectively.

Materials and Methods

CBCT scans were collected at both end‐inhalation and end‐exhalation for 16 low‐risk non‐OSA subjects and compared to existing CBCT data from 7 OSA subjects. The CBCT images were imported into Dolphin Imaging and the upper airway was segmented into stereolithography (STL) files for area and volumetric measurements. Subject models that met pre‐processing criteria underwent CFD simulations using ANSYS Fluent Meshing (Canonsburg, PA) in which unstructured mesh models were generated to solve the standard dual equation turbulence model (k‐ω). Objective and supplemental descriptive measures were obtained and statistical analyses were performed with both parametric and non‐parametric tests to evaluate statistical significance at P < .05.

Results

Regarding area and volumetric assessments, there were statistically significant mean differences in Total Volume and Minimum CSA between non‐OSA and OSA groups at inhalation and exhalation (P = .002, .003, .004, and .007), respectively. There were also statistically significant mean differences in volume and min CSA between the inhalation and exhalation for the non‐OSA group (P < .001 and .002), respectively.

Conclusion

While analysis of the CFD simulation was limited by the collected data available, a finding consistent with published literature was that the OSA subject group simulation models depicted the point of lowest pressure coinciding with the area of maximum constriction.
A comparative analysis of the influence of refractive error on image acuity using three eye models
Authors: Debowy Fabian , Pierscionek Barbara
Published: November 2023

Purpose

To analyse and compare image acuity for different refractive errors generated by either altering axial length or corneal curvature and using three human eye models with two pupil sizes.

Methods

Three different eye models, Liou‐Brennan, Goncharov and Navarro, were used. Simulations were made (using Ansys Zemax OpticStudio 22.3) for real pupil sizes of 3 and 6 mm with refractive errors ranging from −2 to +2 D in 0.25 D increments. Refractive errors were simulated by varying axial length or corneal curvature. Root mean square (RMS) values were used to determine image acuity.

Results

For the 3‐mm pupil, all models gave similar results, with the Navarro model having slightly higher RMS values for the emmetropic eye. For the 6‐mm pupil, the Liou‐Brennan and Goncharov eye models gave similar results, with RMS values lower than for the Navarro eye model. The highest RMS value was visible in the axial length‐induced refractive errors. Refractive errors generated by altering corneal curvature give smaller RMS values than those generated by altering axial length. The axial length and corneal radius simulations indicate a wide spread of results for myopic, hyperopic and emmetropic eyes. There are multiple outcomes that give the same refractive error, even within a single‐eye model. The axial length/corneal curvature ratio showed a higher ratio for myopes than hyperopes for every model.

Conclusions

The influence of refractive error on image acuity varied depending on the simulation method of refractive error and the model used. The origins of refractive error and the influence it has on image acuity need further investigation. As models become more sophisticated, personalised and biologically relevant, they will better represent the image acuity of the eye for varying refractive errors, ethnicities, ages and pupil sizes.