bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering the factors shaping blockchain technology adoption in the BFSI industry: TISM-MICMAC approach
Authors: Himanshu Himanshu , Dhingra Sanjay , Gupta Shelly
Published: July 2024

Purpose

As the global financial ecosystem grapples with the complexities of modernization, blockchain technology emerges as a pivotal catalyst, offering the banking, financial services, and insurance (BFSI) industry unprecedented opportunities for secured digital transformation and enhanced customer trust. To gain a comprehensive understanding of blockchain technology adoption, this study aims to identify the factors and establish the contextual interrelationships among them.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors have identified the factors affecting blockchain technology adoption in BFSI industry through extensive literature review and experts’ interviews. After identification of factors, contextual relationship has been established based on experts’ opinion and total interpretive structural modeling (TISM) approach. Furthermore, factors are categorized into autonomous, dependent, linkage and driving variables using cross-impact matrix multiplication applied to classification analysis.

Findings

The TISM-based structural model is divided into eight different hierarchal levels in which Government support is placed on the lower most layer (level 8) which indicates that this is the most crucial factor in blockchain adoption. Further social influence and security are placed on seventh and sixth level in the hierarchy.

Practical implications

The results of this study will help the policymakers to direct the resources from the most crucial factor to other factors in the hierarchy as per their relevance. In essence, this study serves as a guiding compass, steering the course of blockchain technology adoption in the BFSI sector toward a more secure and digitally transformed future.

Originality/value

In the current landscape, blockchain technology remains in its nascent stage, leaving ample room for exploration and innovation. This study stands as the pioneering effort to comprehensively identify and establish the contextual relationships among the adoption factors of blockchain technology within BFSI industry. Through rigorous TISM analysis, this paper enriches the existing body of knowledge on blockchain technology adoption.
Determinants of youth financial inclusion in MENA countries: account holding versus the use of digital services
Authors: Berguiga Imène , Adair Philippe
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Youths aged 15–34 make half the population of Middle East and North Africa (MENA) and over one quarter of the labour force. The purpose of this paper is to address the two following questions. Why youths from Egypt, Jordan and Tunisia lack financial inclusion before (2014 and 2017) and during (2021) the COVID-19 pandemic? What are the determinants of their financial inclusion?

Design/methodology/approach

Financial inclusion encapsulates account holding at financial institutions and the use of digital services they provide. Two probit regressions address financial inclusion regarding these two dimensions, upon three pooled samples selected from the Global Findex Database, each sample gathering roughly 3,000 households including over two-fifths of youths.

Findings

Five results regarding financial inclusion highlight the role of job-status, income, education, gender and age. Prior the pandemic, financial inclusion of young entrepreneurs is affected by (female) gender, (middle) income, (low) education level and country policy. During the pandemic, y women became more financially included; there was no age gap regarding digital services; and despite improvement, digital services remain unsuitable for poorly educated youth. Gender has no effect on the financial inclusion of young employees before and during the pandemic.

Research limitations/implications

Government policy should target youth underserved population to foster financial inclusion, distinguishing voluntary from involuntary reasons of financial exclusion.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, no paper has addressed yet the determinants of youth financial inclusion, especially the use of digital services, with a focus on job status (entrepreneurs vs employees) in MENA countries, prior and during the pandemic.
Negotiations on food security at the WTO: a never-ending story?
Authors: McMahon Joseph A.
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The purpose is to chart the negotiations on the issue of food security which was identified as a non-trade concern by the Agreement on Agriculture (AOA) and how developing Members of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) suggested that that concern should be addressed.

Design/methodology/approach

The history of negotiations at the WTO is examined through the lens of official documents submitted during various phases of negotiations since 1996 beginning with the Analysis and Information Exchange process to the Doha Round up to the latest Ministerial Conference in Abu Dhabi in February 2024.

Findings

The negotiations have yet to complete despite beginning over 20 years ago. The focus moved since 2008 to look at specific issues which were addressed at a number of Ministerial Conferences but the latest of these indicate that an answer can only be found in the re-negotiation of the AOA as a whole.

Research limitations/implications

By focusing on official documents, the rich literature on food security has not been addressed.

Practical implications

The piece concludes by looking at issues which need to be resolved ahead of agreement on overall reform and suggests solutions for example in the area of safeguards and public stockholding for food security purposes.

Originality/value

The focus almost exclusively on official (and public) documents during the discussion is noteworthy. It also confirms that the WTO is not really that different from its predecessor - the GATT - which took nearly 50 years to reach AOA.
Digital entrepreneurship among Egyptian women: autonomy, experience and community
Authors: Mousa Mohamed , Shahzad Faisal , Misbah Shabana Maha
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Given the remarkable increase in entrepreneurial activities initiated by women in the Egyptian context in addition to the scarcity of empirical studies on digital self-employment there, the authors of the present paper aim to identify what motivates women to engage in digital entrepreneurship, and to identify how those women establish their digital entrepreneurial activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors employed a qualitative research method through semi-structured interviews with 30 women entrepreneurs who own and manage digital businesses. Thematic analysis was subsequently used to determine the main ideas in the transcripts.

Findings

The authors have found that enjoying absolute independence, securing more time for family, guaranteeing an independent source of income in addition to the ease of accessing extensive online markets are the main motives behind the engagement of women in the Egyptian context in digital entrepreneurship activities. Moreover, the authors have also asserted that the minimal training and government support stimulate women entrepreneurs there to start and continue their digital business activities informally.

Originality/value

This paper contributes by filling a gap in entrepreneurship studies in which empirical studies on establishing and managing digital entrepreneurship among women in developing economies has been limited so far.
Discovering supply chain operation towards sustainability using machine learning and DES techniques: a case study in Vietnam seafood
Authors: Le Luan Thanh , Xuan-Thi-Thu Trang
Published: July 2024

Purpose

To achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the era of Logistics 4.0, machine learning (ML) techniques and simulations have emerged as highly optimized tools. This study examines the operational dynamics of a supply chain (SC) in Vietnam as a case study utilizing an ML simulation approach.

Design/methodology/approach

A robust fuel consumption estimation model is constructed by leveraging multiple linear regression (MLR) and artificial neural network (ANN). Subsequently, the proposed model is seamlessly integrated into a cutting-edge SC simulation framework.

Findings

This paper provides valuable insights and actionable recommendations, empowering SC practitioners to optimize operational efficiencies and fostering an avenue for further scholarly investigations and advancements in this field.

Originality/value

This study introduces a novel approach assessing sustainable SC performance by utilizing both traditional regression and ML models to estimate transportation costs, which are then inputted into the discrete event simulation (DES) model.
What’s the difference between factors influencing household waste management and energy-saving behavior? A meta-analysis
Authors: Huang Jiaxin , Li Wenbo , Cheng Xiu , Cui Ke
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify the key factors that influence household pro-environmental behaviors (HPEBs) and explore the differences caused by the same influencing factors between household waste management behavior (HWM) and household energy-saving behavior (HES).

Design/methodology/approach

A meta-analysis was conducted on 90 articles about HPEBs published between 2009 and 2023 to find the key factors. HPEBs were further categorized into HWM and HES to investigate the difference influenced by the above factors on two behaviors. The correlation coefficient was used as the unified effect size, and the random-effect model was adopted to conduct both main effect and moderating effect tests.

Findings

The results showed that attitude, subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control all positively influenced intention and HPEBs, but their effects were stronger on intention than on HPEBs. Intention was found to be the strongest predictor of HPEBs. Subjective norms were found to have a more positive effect on HES compared to HWM, while habits had a more positive effect on HWM. Furthermore, household size was negatively correlated with HWM but positively correlated with HES.

Originality/value

The same variables have different influences on HWM and HES. These results can help develop targeted incentives to increase the adoption of HPEBs, ultimately reducing household energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to the mitigation of global warming.
Unlocking the sustainable tourism development in the USA: what are the effects of carbon emission?
Authors: Alabi Joses Bamigboye , Deka Abraham
Published: July 2024

Purpose

This study is carried out to investigate the effects of tourism expenditure, technological development and foreign direct investment on tourism development in the United States of America, a top international tourism destination in the world, from 1995 to 2021.

Design/methodology/approach

To this end we use the Autoregressive Distributive Lag method which captures short and long run effects. This method is also fundamental in presenting robust results when time series data with short time periods is used. The FMOLS and DOLS methods are used to ensure the robustness of the findings.

Findings

The results of the Autoregressive Distributive Lag indicate that spending on tourism contributes to the growth of the tourist industry in the country. The study reveals that economic growth has a detrimental impact on the development of tourism. Furthermore, carbon emissions are exclusively impeding the long-term progress of tourism development. The country's prioritization of economic growth has led to a rise in carbon emissions, disregarding the desire of tourists to experience a pollution-free and natural environment. Moreover, foreign direct investment exerts a beneficial impact on the advancement of tourism.

Originality/value

Although there has been numerous research on the factors that influence tourism, there is less documentation on the specific factors affecting tourism development. The research examines the effect of carbon emission of tourism development of United States, the World's top tourism destinations. Few studies have attempted to unlock this association in the United States; hence, the research originality.
Impact of environmental knowledge, responsibility and concern on sustainable consumption behavior: does customer attitude matter?
Authors: Rousta Alireza , Allaf Jafari Elnaz
Published: July 2024

Purpose

The constant population growth and inappropriate consumption patterns have led to abnormal use of the earth's capacities, destruction of natural resources, enormous spread of diseases, and increased waste materials. Thus, these issues should be highlighted to avoid serious problems for the earth. Accordingly, this study examines the effect of environmental knowledge (EK), environmental responsibility (ER), and environmental concern (EC) on sustainable consumption behavior (SCB), with the mediating role of customer attitude (CA).

Design/methodology/approach

The present applied study is descriptive-correlational. The statistical population includes customers of Hyperstar stores located in Tehran. Overall, a sample size of 384 people was selected based on Cochran's formula. The data were collected using standard questionnaires and analyzed using structural equation modeling and Smart PLS version 3 software.

Findings

The fit of the proposed model was confirmed at measurement, structural, and general levels. Thus, it indicates that the structural model has an acceptable fit. Furthermore, the findings emphasize that ER and EC have a positive effect on CA, and ER and EC have a positive impact on SCB. ER and EC have a positive effect on SCB through the mediation of CA, while EK does not have any significant effect on SCB but EK has an effect on SCB through the mediation of CA.

Originality/value

Given the growth of environmental destruction, it is necessary to consider the change of CA toward buying sustainable products. Therefore, this study pays attention to the mediating role of attitude and examines the effects of EK, EC, and ER that cause SCB among customers of Hyperstars.
Melt Pool characteristics on surface roughness and printability of 316L stainless steel in laser powder bed fusion
Authors: Zhang Tianyu , Yuan Lang
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Surface quality and porosity significantly influence the structural and functional properties of the final product. This study aims to establish and explain the underlying relationships among processing parameters, top surface roughness and porosity level in additively manufactured 316L stainless steel.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic variation of printing process parameters was conducted to print cubic samples based on laser power, speed and their combinations of energy density. Melt pool morphologies and dimensions, surface roughness quantified by arithmetic mean height (Sa) and porosity levels were characterized via optical confocal microscopy.

Findings

The study reveals that the laser power required to achieve optimal top surface quality increases with the volumetric energy density (VED) levels. A smooth top surface (Sa < 15 µm) or a rough surface with humps at high VEDs (VED > 133.3 J/mm3) can serve as indicators for fully dense bulk samples, while rough top surfaces resulting from melt pool discontinuity correlate with high porosity levels. Under insufficient VED, melt pool discontinuity dominates the top surface. At high VEDs, surface quality improves with increased power as mitigation of melt pool discontinuity, followed by the deterioration with hump formation.

Originality/value

This study reveals and summarizes the formation mechanism of dominant features on top surface features and offers a potential method to predict the porosity by observing the top surface features with consideration of processing conditions.
Sintering parameter investigation for bimetallic stainless steel 316L/inconel 718 composite printed by dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling
Authors: Jiang Cho-Pei , Masrurotin Masrurotin , Ramezani Maziar , Wibisono Alvian Toto , Toyserkani Ehsan , Macek Wojciech
Published: July 2024

Purpose

Fused deposition modeling (FDM) nowadays offers promising future applications for fabricating not only thermoplastic-based polymers but also composite PLA/Metal alloy materials, this capability bridges the need for metallic components in complex manufacturing processes. The research is to explore the manufacturability of multi-metal parts by printing green bodies of PLA/multi-metal objects, carrying these objects to the debinding process and varying the sintering parameters.

Design/methodology/approach

Three different sample types of SS316L part, Inconel 718 part and bimetallic composite of SS316L/IN718 were effectively printed. After the debinding process, the printed parts (green bodies), were isothermally sintered in non-vacuum chamber to investigate the fusion behavior at four different temperatures in the range of 1270 °C−1530 °C for 12 h and slowly cooled in the furnace. All samples was assessed including geometrical assessment to measure the shrinkage, characterization (XRD) to identify the crystallinity of the compound and microstructural evolution (Optical microscopy and SEM) to explore the porosity and morphology on the surface. The hardness of each sample types was measured and compared. The sintering parameter was optimized according to the microstructural evaluation on the interface of SS316L/IN718 composite.

Findings

The investigation indicated that the de-binding of all the samples was effectively succeeded through less weight until 16% when the PLA of green bodies was successfully evaporated. The morphology result shows evidence of an effective sintering process to have the grain boundaries in all samples, while multi-metal parts clearly displayed the interface. Furthermore, the result of XRD shows the tendency of lower crystallinity in SS316L parts, whilst IN718 has a high crystallinity. The optimal sintering temperature for SS316L/IN718 parts is 1500 °C. The hardness test concludes that the higher sintering temperature gives a higher hardness result.

Originality/value

This study highlights the successful sintering of a bimetallic stainless steel 316 L/Inconel 718 composite, fabricated via dual-nozzle fused deposition modeling, in a non-vacuum environment at 1500 °C. The resulting material displayed maximum hardness values of 872 HV for SS316L and 755.5 HV for IN718, with both materials exhibiting excellent fusion without any cracks.
Vertical confinement enhances surface exploration in bacterial twitching motility
Authors: Chen Xiao , Zhang Rongjing , Yuan Junhua
Published: July 2024

Bacteria are often found in environments where space is limited, and they attach themselves to surfaces. One common form of movement on these surfaces is bacterial twitching motility, which is powered by the extension and retraction of type IV pili. Although twitching motility in unrestricted conditions has been extensively studied, the effects of spatial confinement on this behaviour are not well understood. In this study, we explored the diffusive properties of individual twitching Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells in spatially confined conditions. We achieved this by placing the bacteria between layers of agarose and glass, and then tracking the long‐term twitching motility of individual cells. Interestingly, we found that while confinement reduced the immediate speed of twitching, it paradoxically increased diffusion. Through a combination of mechanical and geometrical analysis, as well as numerical simulations, we showed that this increase in diffusion could be attributed to mechanical factors. The constraint imposed by the agarose altered the diffusion pattern of the bacteria from normal to superdiffusion. These findings provide valuable insights into the motile behaviour of bacteria in confined environments.
‘All cases are false’: law, gendered violence, and the politics of thickening in Himalayan India
Authors: Govindrajan Radhika
Published: July 2024

This article focuses on Indian women's experiences of filing complaints of gendered violence in order to address two interconnected questions: how are complaints of gendered and sexual violence authenticated as genuine or rejected as dubious before they even reach a courtroom? And how do women who bring these complaints before the law navigate a social field in which what counts as the ‘truth’ might conflict with their own understandings and experiences? Drawing on ethnographic fieldwork in the Central Himalayan state of Uttarakhand in India, this article explores how family, community, and local state officials engaged in a kind of thick description that contextualized women's complaints within rural social relations and political economy. It shows how this politics of thickening often displaced women's individual experiences of violence and served to falsify their complaints. This everyday thickening bears a troubling similarity to the theory and methods of feminist activists and anthropologists, necessitating reflection on how to write ethically about gendered violence without replicating violence. Finally, this article turns attention to how some women decided to take on this politics of thickening through canny adoption of its methods and premises, eventually stretching the limits of the law and unintentionally expanding its scope.
Emotion in and through crisis
Authors: Qi Xiaoying
Published: July 2024

To the extent that emotions are noticed in consideration of crisis they are typically thought to be negative, linked to the disruptive consequences of crisis. Based on semi‐structured in‐depth interviews the article shows that crisis precipitates not only negative but also positive emotions and that the complex of emotional experiences that emerge in the COVID pandemic crisis play a significant role in the transformation of outlook and practice persons undergo during crisis. Situating the study of crisis in an emotions‐interaction framework the article identifies the properties of relational emotionality inherent in experience of crisis, revealing the nature of ambivalent emotions and identifying other‐directed emotional labour. Crisis is not only a social relational but also a collective phenomenon through which actors are embedded in emotional constellations. A study of crisis in relation to emotion contributes to sociological understanding of not only crisis but also emotion.
Unraveling the flavor profiles of chicken meat: Classes, biosynthesis, influencing factors in flavor development, and sensory evaluation
Authors: Xu Chunhui , Yin Zhaozheng
Published: July 2024

Chicken is renowned as the most affordable meat option, prized by consumers worldwide for its unique flavor, and universally recognized for its essential savory flavor. Current research endeavors are increasingly dedicated to exploring the flavor profile of chicken meat. However, there is a noticeable gap in comprehensive reviews dedicated specifically to the flavor quality of chicken meat, although existing reviews cover meat flavor profiles of various animal species. This review aims to fill this gap by synthesizing knowledge from published literature to describe the compounds, chemistry reaction, influencing factors, and sensory evaluation associated with chicken meat flavor. The flavor compounds in chicken meat mainly included water‐soluble low‐molecular‐weight substances and lipids, as well as volatile compounds such as aldehydes, ketones, alcohols, acids, esters, hydrocarbons, furans, nitrogen, and sulfur‐containing compounds. The significant synthesis pathways of flavor components were Maillard reaction, Strecker degradation, lipid oxidation, lipid‐Maillard interaction, and thiamine degradation. Preslaughter factors, including age, breed/strain, rearing management, muscle type, and sex of chicken, as well as postmortem conditions such as aging, cooking conditions, and low‐temperature storage, were closely linked to flavor development and accounted for the significant differences observed in flavor components. Moreover, the sensory methods used to evaluate the chicken meat flavor were elaborated. This review contributes to a more comprehensive understanding of the flavor profile of chicken meat. It can serve as a guide for enhancing chicken meat flavor quality and provide a foundation for developing customized chicken products.
Advanced functional materials as reliable tools for capturing food‐derived peptides to optimize the peptidomics pre‐treatment enrichment workflow
Authors: Peng Jian , Jia Wei , Zhu Jiying
Published: July 2024

Peptidomics strategies with high throughput, sensitivity, and reproducibility are key tools for comprehensively analyzing peptide composition and potential functional activities in foods. Nevertheless, complex signal interference, limited ionization efficiency, and low abundance have impeded food‐derived peptides’ progress in food detection and analysis. As a result, novel functional materials have been born at the right moment that could eliminate interference and perform efficient enrichment. Of note, few studies have focused on developing peptide enrichment materials for food sample analysis. This work summarizes the development of endogenous peptide, phosphopeptide, and glycopeptide enrichment utilizing materials that have been employed extensively recently: organic framework materials, carbon‐based nanomaterials, bio‐based materials, magnetic materials, and molecularly imprinted polymers. It focuses on the limitations, potential solutions, and future prospects for application in food peptidomics of various advanced functional materials. The size‐exclusion effect of adjustable aperture and the modification of magnetic material enhanced the sensitivity and selectivity of endogenous peptide enrichment and aided in streamlining the enrichment process and cutting down on enrichment time. Not only that, the immobilization of metal ions such as Ti4+ and Nb5+ enhanced the capture of phosphopeptides, and the introduction of hydrophilic groups such as arginine, L‐cysteine, and glutathione into bio‐based materials effectively optimized the hydrophilic enrichment of glycopeptides. Although a portion of the carefully constructed functional materials currently only exhibit promising applications in the field of peptide enrichment for analytical chemistry, there is reason to believe that they will further advance the field of food peptidomics through improved pre‐treatment steps.
Nano‐encapsulation of epigallocatechin gallate using starch nanoparticles: Characterization and insights on in vitro micellar cholesterol solubility
Authors: Baruah Kamal Narayan , Nagaoka Satoshi , Banno Arata , Singha Siddhartha , Uppaluri Ramagopal V. S.
Published: July 2024

The present work investigates the in vitro cholesterol reduction bioactivity of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) prior to and after nano‐encapsulation using potato starch nanoparticle (SNP) as wall material. EGCG encapsulation in potato SNPs was achieved through a green inclusion complexation method. The encapsulated EGCG was characterized for its morphology, thermal, and crystalline properties using FESEM, DSC, XRD, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) studies. The bioactivity of EGCG to reduce gut cholesterol was studied using in vitro micellar cholesterol solubility study. The encapsulated EGCG exhibited enhanced thermal and crystalline properties. The FESEM results indicated successful nano‐encapsulation of EGCG at 20–120 nm diameter. The melting point enhanced from 225.7°C in EGCG to 282.9°C in encapsulated EGCG. The crystallinity also enhanced and could be observed through the increased intensity in the encapsulated EGCG. The FTIR results affirmed a shifting of peaks at 3675, 2927, 1730, and 1646 cm−1, which corresponds to formation of new H bonds and confirms successful encapsulation of EGCG in SNPs. Further, EGCG had significantly reduced the cholesterol concentration by 91.63% as observed through the in vitro micellar inhibition study. The encapsulated EGCG was not able to reduce cholesterol as observed in the in vitro micellar cholesterol solubility study. This effect occurred due to the unavailability of EGCG after it formed a complex with SNPs.

Practical Application

This study first investigates the utilization of newly synthesized potato starch nanoparticles as a coating material for nano‐encapsulation of EGCG. The enhanced thermal and crystalline properties of these nanoparticles contribute to improved attributes in the nano‐encapsulated EGCG. Such properties hold promise for applications in functional food matrices subjected to high‐temperature processing, including functional cookies, bread, and cakes. Furthermore, this research explores the bioactivity of EGCG concerning its capacity to reduce gut cholesterol levels. It also examines the potential application of nano‐encapsulated EGCG in lowering gut cholesterol through a micellar solubility study.
Peripheral nerve blocks for closed reduction of distal radius fractures—A systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis
Authors: Pisljagic Sanja , Temberg Jens L. , Steensbæk Mathias T. , Yousef Sina , Maagaard Mathias , Chafranska Lana , Lange Kai H. W. , Rothe Christian , Lundstrøm Lars H. , Nørskov Anders K.
Published: July 2024

Background

Peripheral nerve blocks may provide better conditions for closed reduction of distal radius fractures as compared to other more frequently used modalities. In this systematic review, we evaluate existing evidence on the effect and harm of peripheral nerve blocks for closed reduction of distal radius fractures in adults.

Methods

We performed a systematic review with meta‐analysis and trial sequential analysis including trials investigating the use of peripheral nerve blocks for closed reduction of distal radius fractures. Co‐primary outcomes were (1) the quality of the closed reduction measured as the proportion of participants needing surgery afterwards and (2) pain during closed reduction.

Results

Six trials (n = 312) met the inclusion criteria. One trial reported on the need for surgery with 4 of 25 participants receiving nerve block compared to 7 of 25 receiving haematoma block needing surgery (RR 0.57, 96.7% CI [0.19; 1.71], p = .50). Four trials reported pain during closed reduction. In a meta‐analysis, pain was not statistically significantly reduced with a nerve block (−2.1 Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) points (0–10), 96.7% CI [−4.4; 0.2], p = .07, tau2 = 5.4, I2 = 97%, TSA‐adj. 95% CI [−11.5; 7.3]). No trial sequential boundaries were crossed, and the required information size was not met. Pre‐planned subgroup analysis on trials evaluating ultrasound guided peripheral nerve blocks (patients = 110) showed a significant decrease in ‘pain during reduction’ (−4.1 NRS, 96.7% CI [−5.5; −2.6], p < .01, tau2 = 0.9, I2 = 80%). All trial results were at high risk of bias and the certainty of the evidence was very low.

Conclusion

The certainty of evidence on the effect of peripheral nerve blocks for closed reduction of distal radius fractures is currently very low. Peripheral nerve blocks performed with ultrasound guidance may potentially reduce pain during closed reduction. High‐quality clinical trials are warranted.
Cellular senescence impairs tendon extracellular matrix remodeling in response to mechanical unloading
Authors: Stowe Emma J. , Keller Madelyn R. , Connizzo Brianne K.
Published: July 2024

Musculoskeletal injuries, including tendinopathies, present a significant clinical burden for aging populations. While the biological drivers of age‐related declines in tendon function are poorly understood, it is well accepted that dysregulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling plays a role in chronic tendon degeneration. Senescent cells, which have been associated with multiple degenerative pathologies in musculoskeletal tissues, secrete a highly pro‐inflammatory senescence‐associated secretory phenotype (SASP) that has potential to promote ECM breakdown. However, the role of senescent cells in the dysregulation of tendon ECM homeostasis is largely unknown. To assess this directly, we developed an in vitro model of induced cellular senescence in murine tendon explants. This novel technique enables us to study the isolated interactions of senescent cells and their native ECM without interference from age‐related systemic changes. We document multiple biomarkers of cellular senescence in induced tendon explants including cell cycle arrest, apoptosis resistance, and sustained inflammatory responses. We then utilize this in vitro senescence model to compare the ECM remodeling response of young, naturally aged, and induced‐senescent tendons to an altered mechanical stimulus. We found that both senescence and aging independently led to alterations in ECM‐related gene expression, reductions in protein synthesis, and tissue compositional changes. Furthermore, MMP activity was sustained, thus shifting the remodeling balance of aged and induced‐senescent tissues towards degradation over production. Together, this demonstrates that cellular senescence plays a role in the altered mechano‐response of aged tendons and likely contributes to poor clinical outcomes in aging populations.
LPS‐Induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction Reduces Oocyte Maturation and Developmental Competence of Buffalo Embryos via ROS Mediated TLR4 Signalling
Authors: Jinagal Sujata , Dutt Ravi , Sharma Maninder , Punetha Meeti , Saini Sheetal , Thakur Swati , Chaudhary Suman , Kumar Pradeep , Yadav Prem Singh , Datta Tirtha Kumar , Kumar Dharmendra
Published: July 2024

Problem

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) from gram‐negative bacteria has reportedly been associated with infectious diseases like metritis, which has a substantial adverse effect on animal reproductive performance and causes serious financial losses for the dairy sector. The current work aimed to establish the impact of LPS on in vitro oocyte maturation and subsequent in vitro developmental competence of oocytes, as well as to investigate the explanatory molecular mechanism underlying this effect.

Method of Study

Buffalo cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were challenged with 0, 5, 10 and 20 µg/mL LPS during IVM followed by IVF and IVC. Cytoplasmic and nuclear maturation, cleavage and blastocyst rate, intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP, ΔΨm) and transcript abundance of genes related to inflammation, antioxidation and apoptosis were evaluated.

Results

The maturation and subsequent embryonic development competency were found to be significantly (p ≤ 0.05) reduced with the addition of 10 and 20 µg/mL LPS to IVM media. ROS production accompanied by a decreased ΔΨm was recorded in LPS‐treated oocytes in comparison to the control group (p ≤ 0.05). Our results were further supported by the transcriptional expression of proinflammatory (TLR4, CD14 and RPS27A) and apoptotic gene (Caspase 3) which were found to be significantly increased while antioxidant genes (SOD2 and GPX1) were decreased significantly in matured oocytes and blastocyst after LPS exposure.

Conclusions

The deleterious effects of LPS are mediated through ROS generation, which triggers inflammatory processes via the TLR4 pathway and impairs oocyte maturation and subsequent embryonic development.
Skin tone effects on others' pain estimation: Moderation by a colour stereotype
Authors: Ha Chang Hyun , Park Sang Hee
Published: July 2024

We tested whether skin tone would influence pain estimation and whether a colour stereotype (i.e., “darker‐is‐stronger”) moderates the relationship. We manipulated targets' skin tone into three levels (darker/medium/lighter). Participants estimated how much physical or emotional pain the targets would feel in various adverse situations and answered how much they believed objects with darker colours are stronger. Although the differences in estimated pain between the three skin tone conditions were not statistically significant, we found the moderation effect of the colour stereotype on the relationship between skin tone and pain estimation (for physical pain only). Specifically, participants with a stronger colour stereotype expected that darker‐skinned targets would feel less physical pain than lighter skinned ones.
Letter: Extreme diagnostic delay due to misdiagnosis of gastrointestinal tuberculosis later diagnosed as postoperative Crohn's disease
Authors: Chatterjee Abhirup , Yadav Ashutosh Ishan , Sekar Aravind , Singh Harjeet , Dutta Usha , Sharma Vishal
Published: July 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Jayasooriya et al paper. To view this article, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17370.
Editorial: Leveraging existing mid‐end ultrasound machine for point‐of‐care intestinal ultrasound in low‐resource settings: Prospective, real‐world impact on clinical decision making. Authors' reply
Authors: Pal Partha , Mateen Mohammad Abdul
Published: July 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Pal et al papers. To view these articles, visit https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18155 and https://doi.org/10.1111/apt.18175
NAT10 inhibition promotes ac4C‐dependent ferroptosis to counteract sorafenib resistance in nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Xue Ziyi , Xie Haijing , Shan Ying , Zhang Lin , Cheng Lin , Chen Wenyue , Zhu Rui , Zhang Kaiwen , Ni Haosheng , Zhang Zhenxin , You Yiwen , You Bo
Published: July 2024

Sorafenib, an anticancer drug, has been shown to induce ferroptosis in cancer cells. However, resistance to sorafenib greatly limits its therapeutic efficacy, and the exact mechanism of resistance is not fully understood. This study investigated the role of N‐Acetyltransferase 10 (NAT10) in influencing the anticancer activity of sorafenib in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and its molecular mechanism. NAT10 expression was significantly upregulated in NPC. Mechanistically, NAT10 promotes proteins of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) expression through ac4C acetylation, inhibiting sorafenib‐induced ferroptosis in NPC cells. The combined application of sorafenib and the NAT10 inhibitor remodelin significantly inhibits SLC7A11 expression and promotes ferroptosis in NPC cells. In vivo knockout of NAT10 inhibited the growth of sorafenib‐resistant NPC. Our findings suggest that NAT10 inhibition might be a promising therapeutic approach to enhance the anticancer activity of sorafenib.
Clinicopathological, molecular, and prognostic features of colorectal carcinomas with KRAS c.34G>T (p.G12C) mutation
Authors: Ugai Satoko , Yao Qian , Takashima Yasutoshi , Zhong Yuxue , Matsuda Kosuke , Kawamura Hidetaka , Imamura Yu , Okadome Kazuo , Mima Kosuke , Arima Kota , Kosumi Keisuke , Song Mingyang , Meyerhardt Jeffrey A. , Giannakis Marios , Nowak Jonathan A. , Ugai Tomotaka , Ogino Shuji
Published: July 2024

Evidence indicates that combinations of anti‐EGFR antibodies and KRAS p.G12C (c.34G>T) inhibitors can be an effective treatment strategy for advanced colorectal cancer. We hypothesized that KRAS c.34G>T (p.G12C)‐mutated colorectal carcinoma might be a distinct tumor subtype. We utilized a prospective cohort incident tumor biobank (including 1347 colorectal carcinomas) and detected KRAS c.34G>T (p.G12C) mutation in 43 cases (3.2%) and other KRAS mutations (in codon 12, 13, 61, or 146) in 467 cases (35%). The CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP)‐low prevalence was similarly higher in KRAS c.34G>T mutants (52%) and other KRAS mutants (49%) than in KRAS‐wild‐type tumors (31%). KRAS c.34G>T mutants showed higher CIMP‐high prevalence (14%) and lower CIMP‐negative prevalence (33%) compared with other KRAS mutants (6% and 45%, respectively; p = 0.0036). Similar to other KRAS mutants, KRAS c.34G>T‐mutated tumors were associated with cecal location, non‐microsatellite instability (MSI)‐high status, BRAF wild type, and PIK3CA mutation when compared with KRAS‐wild‐type tumors. Compared with BRAF‐mutated tumors, KRAS c.34G>T mutants showed more frequent LINE‐1 hypomethylation, a biomarker for early‐onset colorectal carcinoma. KRAS c.34G>T mutants were not associated with other features, including the tumor tissue abundance of Fusobacterium nucleatum (F. animalis), pks+ Escherichia coli, Bifidobacterium, or (enterotoxigenic) Bacteroides fragilis. Among 1122 BRAF‐wild‐type colorectal carcinomas, compared with KRAS‐wild‐type tumors, multivariable‐adjusted colorectal cancer‐specific mortality hazard ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.82 (1.05–3.17) in KRAS c.34G>T (p.G12C)‐mutated tumors (p = 0.035) and 1.57 (1.22–2.02) in other KRAS‐mutated tumors (p = 0.0004). Our study provides novel evidence for clinical and tumor characteristics of KRAS c.34G>T (p.G12C)‐mutated colorectal carcinoma.
Sociodemographic and clinical indicators of children and young people with cerebral palsy and reported unmet social needs
Authors: Yeoh Amelia , Ostojic Katarina , Berg Alison , Garg Arvin , Mcintyre Sarah , Scott Timothy , Eapen Valsamma , Woolfenden Sue , Paget Simon ,   EPIC‐CP GROUP
Published: July 2024

Aim

To determine the frequency, type, clinical, and sociodemographic associations of unmet social needs in children with cerebral palsy (CP).

Method

We conducted a cross‐sectional study of parents and carers of children with CP attending a specialist hospital clinic between July and September 2022. Unmet social needs were self‐identified using a survey, guided by the WE CARE survey instrument and adapted to the local context. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained from medical records. We performed descriptive analysis of participants' unmet social needs, sociodemographic factors, and clinical factors, and examined for associations using a χ2 test and logistic regression.

Results

A total of 105 parents and carers completed the survey. Of these, 68 (64.8%) reported one or more unmet social need, with 24 (22.9%) reporting three or more unmet needs. A higher number (three or more) of unmet needs was associated with Gross Motor Function Classification System levels IV and V (odds ratio [OR] = 3.77, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.44–9.86) and intellectual disability (OR = 4.63, 95% CI = 1.61–13.31), but were not significant when corrected for neighbourhood socioeconomic disadvantage. The greatest socioeconomic disadvantage was associated with housing concerns (p = 0.002), food (p = 0.026), and financial insecurity (p = 0.02).

Interpretation

Unmet social needs are experienced by most families of children with CP. This study highlights the importance of systematic pathways to identify and address unmet social needs.
KBAscope: key biodiversity area identification in R
Authors: Spiliopoulou Konstantina , Rigal François , Plumptre Andrew J. , Trigas Panayiotis , Paragamian Kaloust , Hochkirch Axel , Lymberakis Petros , Portolou Danae , Stoumboudi Maria Th. , Triantis Kostas A.
Published: July 2024

Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) represent the largest global network of sites critical to the persistence of biodiversity, which have been identified against standardised quantitative criteria. Sites that hold very high biodiversity value or potential are given specific attention on site‐based conservation targets of the Kunming‐Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), and KBAs are already used in indicators for the GBF and the Sustainable Development Goals. However, most of the species that trigger KBA status are birds and to maximise benefits for biodiversity under the actions taken to fulfil the GBF, countries need to update their KBAs to represent important sites across multiple taxa. Here we introduce KBAscope, an R package to identify potential KBAs using multiple taxonomic groups. KBAscope provides flexible, user‐friendly functions to edit species data (population, range maps, area of occupancy, area of habitat and localities); apply KBA criteria; and generate outputs to support the delineation and validation of KBAs. The details of the analysis – such as the spatial units tested or the KBA criteria applied – can be decided according to the scope of the analysis. We demonstrate the functionality of KBAscope by using it to identify potential KBAs in Greece based on multiple terrestrial taxonomic groups and four sizes of grid cells (4 km2, 25 km2, 100 km2, 225 km2).
Laser‐induced photothermal ablation of equine dermal melanoma
Authors: Matyjaszek Sarah , Porubovich Hilary , Sullins Kenneth
Published: July 2024

Background

Equine dermal melanoma is a skin tumour most commonly seen in grey horses. Most grey horses will develop at least one tumour if they live long enough. Dermal melanoma and dermal melanomatosis are histologically identical, but dermal melanoma can present as either isolated single or multiple discreet lesions, while dermal melanomatosis presents as multiple coalescing lesions. These tumours are slow growing and have a predilection for the base of the tail, perineum, prepuce, parotid salivary gland and commissures of the lips. This report describes 980‐nm diode laser photothermal ablation as a non‐invasive treatment for equine dermal melanoma.

Objectives

To report the results of a series of horses that underwent laser photothermal ablation of equine dermal melanomas with a 980‐nm diode therapy laser.

Study design

Retrospective case series.

Methods

Horses were sedated for a standing procedure and restrained in stocks. A thermocouple needle was inserted deep to/into each lesion and the laser was applied either in contact or non‐contact fashion at 4–6 watts until a temperature of 50°C was reached. Masses that were significantly thicker than 1 cm had thermocouple needles placed at multiple levels. After 1 month, treatment sites were re‐evaluated. Lesions in which the planned treatment and follow‐up were completed were included.

Results

Fifty‐one individual melanomas in seven horses were included. Fifty lesions were classified as ‘Complete Response’ (CR). One thicker lesion had a ‘Partial Response’ (PR) but there was CR to the depth that temperature was reached.

Main limitations

Only tumours approximating 1 cm in thickness are practical.

Conclusions

Laser photothermal ablation using a 980‐nm therapy laser is a practical, non‐invasive and readily available modality for treating smaller equine dermal melanomas. Thickness rather than surface area is the main limitation for a single application.
Northeast Arctic haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) spawning grounds and drift to nursery areas in the Barents Sea
Authors: Johannesen Edda , Frøysa Håvard Guldbrandsen , Langangen Øystein , Vikebø Frode Bendiksen
Published: July 2024

The Northeast Arctic stock of haddock (Melanogrammus aeglefinus) is the most northerly stock of the species. It is one of the largest haddock stocks but not the most studied. Similar to the more extensively studied sympatric cod (Gadus morhua) and herring (Clupea harengus) stocks, it relies on Atlantic currents for egg and larvae transportation from spawning grounds to nursery areas in the Barents Sea. The exact locations of the spawning grounds have not been known and the maps that have been published differ substantially. Here, we present results from the first survey dedicated to exploring the spawning habitat of Northeast Arctic (NEA) haddock, and a particle drift and larvae growth model with physical forcing from a high‐resolution ocean model. Gadoid eggs, later identified as haddock by DNA analyses, as well as spawning individuals were sampled at the survey. Spawning haddock was found in Atlantic water in temperatures 3.6–6.2°C and depths of 240–560 m. Sampled eggs were mostly in early development stages, suggesting that they were largely spawned in the surveyed area. Using the drift model, we found that most of the modelled particles released as eggs at our surveyed area ended up in the nursery area in the Barents Sea. A crude estimate of the spawning stock biomass based on the survey suggests that the most updated spawning ground map of NEA haddock might be too restricted in its extent. Particle drift and growth with physical forcing for the years 2012–2022 indicated small interannual variation in aberrant drift, and that growth driven by ambient temperature could be important in explaining interannual variation in haddock recruitment.