bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deuterium-tritium fusion
γ
-ray spectrum at MeV energies with application to reaction-in-flight inertial confinement fusion measurements
Authors: Meaney K. D. , Paris M. W. , Hale G. M. , Kim Y. , Kuczek J. , Hayes A. C.
Published: March 2024

In inertial confinement fusion implosions, tertiary reaction-in-flight processes create deuterium-tritium fusion reactions [T(d,n)4He] with an incident particle moving at MeV energies instead of the thermonuclear keV temperatures. Additional relativistic kinematic treatments were added to a nuclear resonance code, , and resulting calculations showed an upshifting of the deuterium-tritium fusion γ-ray pathway [T(d,γ)5He] for MeV interactions. Using the calculated spectra, a representative reaction-in-flight γ-ray emission for ICF implosions was estimated.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Predictions of the strange partner of
Tcc
in the quark delocalization color screening model
Authors: Liu Xuejie , Chen Dianyong , Huang Hongxia , Ping Jialun
Published: March 2024

Inspired by the detection of Tcc tetraquark state by LHCb Collaboration, we perform a systemical investigation of the low-lying doubly heavy charm tetraquark states with strangeness in the quark delocalization color screening model in the present work. Two kinds of configurations, the meson-meson configuration and diquark-antidiquark configuration, are considered in the calculation. Our estimations indicate that the coupled channel effects play important role in the multiquark system, and a bound state with JP=1+ and a resonance state with JP=0+ have been predicted. The mass of the bound state is evaluated to be (3971–3975) MeV, while the mass and width of the resonance are determined to be (4113–4114) MeV and (14.3–16.1) MeV, respectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Productions of
Ds0*(2317)
and
Ds1(2460)
in
B(s)
and
Λb(Ξb)
decays
Authors: Liu Ming-Zhu , Ling Xi-Zhe , Geng Li-Sheng
Published: March 2024

Recent studies show that Ds0*(2317) and Ds1(2460) contain large molecular components. In this work, we employ the naive factorization approach to calculate the production rates of Ds0*(2317) and Ds1(2460) as hadronic molecules in B(s) and Λb(Ξb) decays, where their decay constants are estimated in the effective Lagrangian approach. With the so-obtained decay constants fDs0*(2317) and fDs1(2460), we calculate the branching fractions of the b-meson decays B(s)→D¯(s)(*)Ds0* and B(s)→D¯(s)(*)Ds1 and the b-baryon decays Λb(Ξb)→Λc(Ξc)Ds0* and Λb(Ξb)→Λc(Ξc)Ds1. Our results show that the production rates of Ds0*(2317) and Ds1(2460) in the Bs, Λb, and Ξb decays are large enough that future experiments could observe them. In particular, we demonstrate that one can extract the decay constants of hadronic molecules via the triangle mechanism because of the equivalence of the triangle mechanism to the tree diagram established in calculating the decays B→D¯(*)Ds0*(2317) and B→D¯(*)Ds1(2460).

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Typicality in random quantum scattering
Authors: Avalle Michele , Serafini Alessio
Published: March 2024

We consider scattering processes where a quantum system comprises an inner subsystem and a boundary and is subject to Haar-averaged random unitaries acting on the boundary-environment Hilbert space only. We show that, regardless of the initial state, a single scattering event will disentangle the unconditional state (i.e., the scattered state when no information about the applied unitary is available) across the inner subsystem-boundary partition. Also, we apply Lévy's lemma to constrain the trace norm fluctuations around the unconditional state. Finally, we derive analytical formulas for the mean scattered purity for initial globally pure states and provide one with numerical evidence of the reduction of fluctuations around such mean values with increasing environmental dimension.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Side-channel security of practical quantum key distribution
Authors: Jiang Cong , Hu Xiao-Long , Yu Zong-Wen , Wang Xiang-Bin
Published: March 2024

We present general security proof for quantum key distribution (QKD) with imperfect states in whole space including both the operational space and the other space (side-channel space). We show that in a protocol where Alice (Bob) uses two states, the secure key rate for a real protocol using imperfect (mixed) states is the same as that of a perfect protocol if the real protocol can be mapped from the perfect protocol. The calculation of the secure key rate for imperfect sources is reduced to the lower bound of projection probability to vacuum for each state. This paves the operable way to side-channel-secure QKD under more realistic conditions, including imperfections of whole-space states, mixed states, and finite data size. Taking the sending-or-not-sending encoding as an example in calculation, we obtain good key rates and long secure distance for QKD that is both measurement-device-independent and secure with imperfect whole-space source states.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Exceptional ring of the buoyancy instability in stars
Authors: Leclerc Armand , Jezequel Lucien , Perez Nicolas , Bhandare Asmita , Laibe Guillaume , Delplace Pierre
Published: March 2024

We reveal properties of global modes of linear buoyancy instability in stars, characterized by the celebrated Schwarzschild criterion, using non-Hermitian topology. We identify a ring of exceptional points of order 4 that originates from the pseudo-Hermitian and pseudochiral symmetries of the system. The ring results from the merging of a dipole of degeneracy points in the Hermitian stably-stratified counterpart of the problem. Its existence is related to spherically symmetric unstable modes. We obtain the conditions for which convection grows over such radial modes. Those are met at early stages of low-mass stars formation. We finally show that a topological wave is robust to the presence of convective regions by reporting the presence of a mode transiting between the wavebands in the non-Hermitian problem, strengthening their relevance for asteroseismology.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The future of healthcare: green transformational leadership and GHRM’s role in sustainable performance
Authors: Luo Jiang , Zaman Syed Imran , Jamil Sobia , Khan Sharfuddin Ahmed
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Organizations have increasingly been compelled to engage in ecological businesses in recent decades, necessitating identifying environmental practices contributing to enhanced sustainability. One of the main reasons for doing this research is to see how far down the path to green transformational leadership (GTFL) in Green Human Resource Management (GHRM) practices in the healthcare industry in Pakistan. Additionally, this research aims to analyze how this change affects the long-term success of businesses in sustainable performance (SP).

Design/methodology/approach

To identify factors related to the study variables, the research utilized master journals, as well as the Web of Science and Scopus databases. The ISM-DEMATEL (Interpretive Structural Modeling - Decision Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory) technique was employed to establish a hierarchical model. This model facilitated the identification of cause-and-effect relationships among factors, which were further elucidated using the DEMATEL interrelationship diagram.

Findings

The analysis of the results indicates that Green Training (F4), Green Job Analysis (F1), Intellectual Stimulation (F10), and Green Product Innovation (F9) are the primary factors that have a significant impact on achieving Environmental Policies and Regulations (F13), and Subjective Environment Norms (F14) of SP factors.

Research limitations/implications

The study is implemented in the healthcare industry of Pakistan, with a focus on practical and managerial aspects. It encourages managers to develop and adapt their human resources policies and environmental strategies. Implementing safety health standards is crucial to mitigate the detrimental effects on the environment. The research was carried out during the period of the pandemic. The scope of this study was restricted to the healthcare industry in Pakistan.

Originality/value

In order to improve SP, this study presents a unique strategy combining sustainability into decision-making procedures with the function of GTFL in GHRM. Implementing safety health standards is crucial to mitigate the detrimental effects on the environment.
Management toward Industry 5.0: a co-workership approach on digital transformation for future innovative manufacturing
Authors: Olsson Anna Karin , Eriksson Kristina M. , Carlsson Linnéa
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose is to apply the co-workership approach to contribute guidelines for manufacturing managers to exploit the potential of digital technologies through a human-centric perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A longitudinal single case study within manufacturing including a mix of qualitative methods with 18 in-depth interviews and focus groups with 25 participants covering all organizational levels and functions.

Findings

Findings demonstrate that to re-interpret manufacturing management through the lens of Industry 5.0 (I5.0), managers need to respond to the call for a more human-centric perspective by focusing on organizational prerequisites, such as holistic understanding, inclusive organizational change, leadership practices, learning and innovation processes.

Research limitations/implications

Limitations due to a single case study are compensated with rich data collected over time with the strengths of mixed methods through in-depth interviews and focus groups with participants reflecting and developing ideas jointly.

Practical implications

Managers’ awareness of organizational prerequisites to promote human perspectives in all functions and at all levels in digital transformation is pivotal. Thus, proposed organizational prerequisites are presented as managers’ guidelines for future innovative manufacturing.

Social implications

Findings emphasize the need for digital transformation managers to apply a human-centric perspective acknowledging how organizational changes affect the inclusion of employees, and thus challenge culture, structure, communication and trust toward I5.0.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the emerging field of I5.0 by applying an interdisciplinary approach to understand the elusive phenomena of enfolding technology and humans.
The role of basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS) during the initial use of online teaching platforms on faculty members’ continuance intention
Authors: Kamali Arash , Alavi Seyyed Babak , Arasti Mohammad Reza
Published: March 2024

Purpose

Based on self-determination theory (SDT), this study aims to investigate the motivational antecedents of faculty members’ continuance intention of using online teaching platforms. For this purpose, we introduced a model incorporating basic psychological needs satisfaction (BPNS) and different motivational mechanisms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a survey study of 312 faculty members, we examined the model by structural equation modeling (SEM).

Findings

The SEM results revealed a positive correlation between BPNS and continuance intention. Additionally, we illustrate the importance of different types of extrinsic motivation. By presenting an alternative model, we demonstrate that the initial-use-identified regulation (one type of extrinsic motivation) has an association with continuance intention (CI). However, this association loses significance if BPNS is present within the model. Moreover, we determined that there is no significant relationship between initial-use external regulation (another type of extrinsic motivation) and faculty members' CI for online teaching. Lastly, the results revealed that pre-use amotivation and intrinsic motivation impact CI through initial-use BPNS.

Research limitations/implications

The results suggest that decision-makers at educational institutions should consider that extrinsic motivation has different types with different impacts and that BPNS has a vital role in faculty members’ intention to continue using online teaching platforms.

Originality/value

This study is novel because it reveals some details of extrinsic motivation effects by offering a model that combines BPNS and different types of motivation in two stages. It is important and rare that we concentrate on the almost neglected issue of faculty members’ motivational perspectives in online teaching, while the literature mainly focuses on students’ perspectives.
The effect of social media marketing on voting intention; an application of multidimensional panel data
Authors: Moslehpour Massoud , Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Ebrahimi Pourfaez Sahand
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This study examines the effect of social media marketing on voting intention applying a combination of fuzzy logic methodology and a multidimensional panel data model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study adopts a multidimensional panel data method that includes several fixed effects. The dependent variable is a multifaceted construct that measures the participants’ intention to vote. The independent variables are electronic word of mouth (eWOM), customisation (CUS), entertainment (ENT), interaction (INT), trendiness (TRD), candidate’s perceived image (CPI), religious beliefs (RB), gender and age. The grouping variables that signify fixed effects are employment status, level of education, mostly used social media and religion. First, the significance of said fixed effects was tested through an ANOVA process. Then, the main model was estimated, including the significant grouping variables as fixed effects.

Findings

Employment status and level of education were significant fixed effects. Also, eWOM, ENT, INT, CPI, RB and gender significantly affected participants’ voting intention.

Research limitations/implications

Being based on a questionnaire that asked participants about how they perceive different aspects of social media, the present study is limited to their perceptions. Therefore, further studies covering the voters’ behaviour in action could be efficient complements to the present study.

Practical implications

The findings could guide the political parties into prioritizing the aspects of social media in forming an effective campaign resulting in being elected.

Social implications

The findings have the potential to help the public in making better informed decisions when voting. Furthermore, the results of this study indicate applications for social media which are beyond leisure time fillers.

Originality/value

Fuzzy logic and multidimensional panel data estimates are this study’s novelty and originality. Structural equation modelling and crisp linguistic values have been used in previous studies on social media’s effect on voting intent. The former refines the data gathered from a questionnaire, and the latter considers the possibility of including different grouping factors to achieve a more efficient and less biased estimation.
The influence of self- and co-regulation on the community of inquiry for collaborative online learning: an ODeL context
Authors: Maré Suné , Mutezo Ashley Teedzwi
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This paper aimed to determine the self- and co-regulation influences on the community of inquiry (CoI) for collaborative online learning.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey was used on a sample of (N = 626) enrolled postgraduate students in a South African Open Distance and e-Learning (ODeL) university. The measuring instruments were the CoI and the shared metacognitive surveys. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were used to determine the association and influence of self- and co-regulation on the CoI.

Findings

The results indicated that self- and co-regulation related to the CoI (teaching, cognitive and social) presences. In addition, the results revealed that self- and co-regulation influence the CoI presences. Self-regulation had the highest influence on teaching and cognitive presence, while co-regulation influenced social presence.

Research limitations/implications

The study’s convenience sampling method from a single university limited the applicability of the findings to other online learning environments.

Practical implications

Higher educational teachers who encourage student self- and co-regulation may enhance their online teaching, cognitive and social presence when studying online. The research’s findings may be valuable to teachers to enable them to provide a more collaborative and interactive online learning environment and promote productive online communities.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the body of knowledge about the relationship between teaching, social and cognitive presence and self- and co-regulation within the CoI framework. Furthermore, there has also been limited research focussing on the dynamics of shared metacognition within the CoI framework in an ODeL context.
Green intellectual capital and environmental performance: identifying the pivotal role of green ambidexterity innovation and top management environmental awareness
Authors: Martínez-Falcó Javier , Sánchez-García Eduardo , Marco-Lajara Bartolomé , Lee Kyuho
Published: March 2024

Purpose

This research focuses on analyzing the impact of Green Intellectual Capital (GIC) on the Environmental Performance (EP) of Spanish wineries, as well as the mediating effect of Green Ambidexterity Innovation (GAI) on the main relationship posed (GIC–EP), and the moderating effect of Top Management Environmental Awareness (TMEA) on the GAI–EP link. In addition, age, size and size and membership in a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) to increase the accuracy of the cause–effect relationships examined.

Design/methodology/approach

The study proposes a conceptual model based on previous studies, which is tested using structural equations (PLS-SEM) with data collected from 196 Spanish wineries between September 2022 and January 2023.

Findings

The results of the research reveal the existence of a positive and significant relationship between the development of GIC and EP of Spanish wineries, as well as the partial mediation of GAI in this link and the positive moderation of TMEA in the GAI–EP relationship.

Originality/value

The originality of the study is explained by several factors. First, the study pioneered the exploration of TMEA as a moderator of the relationship between GAI and EP, allowing such analysis to improve understanding of the dynamic interaction between innovation and environmental management. Second, to the best of the authors' knowledge, there are no preceding studies that have previously proposed the theoretical model presented in this research, thus providing new scientific knowledge on the intellectual capital field. Third, the contextualization of the study in the wine sector, traditionally perceived as little knowledge-intensive, contributes significantly to the existing body of scientific knowledge on the environmental management of wineries, given that it allows the identification of the catalysing variables of EP in the Spanish wine context.
Achieving sustainability in manufacturing: the nexus of green supplier selection, green performance and outcome and process controls
Authors: Anvarjonov Nodirbek Bakhromzhon Ugli , Um Ki-Hyun , Zhong DeYu , Shine Eun-Kyu
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The principal research objective entails examining the nexus between green supplier selection and green performance while scrutinizing the moderating role of governance mechanisms, specifically process control and outcome control, in shaping this association.

Design/methodology/approach

To assess our hypotheses, this study obtained data from Chinese manufacturing sectors and utilized regression analysis on a dataset consisting of 295 samples.

Findings

This study enriches the sustainable supply chain management literature by emphasizing the influence of green supplier selection on a firm’s green performance and the moderating effects of outcome and process control, offering practical insights for industry professionals.

Originality/value

This study enriches the sustainable supply chain management literature by emphasizing the influence of supplier selection on a firm’s environmental performance and the moderating effects of outcome and process control, offering practical insights for industry professionals.
Agencement of onlife and phygital: smart tech–enabled value co-creation practices
Authors: Mele Cristina , Russo-Spena Tiziana
Published: March 2024

Purpose

In this article, we reflect on how smart technology is transforming service research discourses about service innovation and value co-creation. We adopt the concept of technology smartness’ to refer to the ability of technology to sense, adapt and learn from interactions. Accordingly, we seek to address how smart technologies (i.e. cognitive and distributed technology) can be powerful resources, capable of innovating in relation to actors’ agency, the structure of the service ecosystem and value co-creation practices.

Design/methodology/approach

This conceptual article integrates evidence from the existing theories with illustrative examples to advance research on service innovation and value co-creation.

Findings

Through the performative utterances of new tech words, such as onlife and materiality, this article identifies the emergence of innovative forms of agency and structure. Onlife agency entails automated, relational and performative forms, which provide for new decision-making capabilities and expanded opportunities to co-create value. Phygital materiality pertains to new structural features, comprised of new resources and contexts that have distinctive intelligence, autonomy and performativity. The dialectic between onlife agency and phygital materiality (structure) lies in the agencement of smart tech–enabled value co-creation practices based on the notion of becoming that involves not only resources but also actors and contexts.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a novel conceptual framework that advances a tech-based ecology for service ecosystems, in which value co-creation is enacted by the smartness of technology, which emerges through systemic and performative intra-actions between actors (onlife agency), resources and contexts (phygital materiality and structure).
COVID-19-related announcements in a continuous disclosure environment: drivers and stock market implications
Authors: Chapple Larelle , Duong Lien , Truong Thu Phuong
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this research note is to investigate the drivers and market reaction to firms’ decision to release general COVID-19-related announcements and to withdraw earnings forecasts and dividends during the COVID-19 pandemic in the continuous disclosure environment of Australia.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first tracked the market reaction of all firms in the Australian Securities Exchange All Ordinaries, Top 300, Top 200 and Top 100 indices during the early period of the COVID-19 pandemic between 1 January and 21 September 2020. The authors then focus the investigation on the incidence of firms deciding to withdraw earnings forecasts and dividends and how the market responded to these incidences during that period.

Findings

The market reacted negatively during the March/April 2020 period but then bounced back to the pre-March 2020 level. The market reaction is mainly driven by three industries, including consumer discretionary, health care and utilities. Firms in industry sectors such as consumer discretionary, materials, health care and information technology contribute to the highest percentage of COVID-19 announcements. It is interesting to document that firms issuing COVID-19 announcements and withdrawing earnings forecasts and dividends tend to be larger firms with stronger financial performance and higher financial leverage. Regarding the stock market reaction, while the market generally reacted positively to COVID-19-related announcements, the decision to withdraw earnings forecasts and dividends is significantly regarded as bad news.

Originality/value

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided a unique natural event to examine firms’ disclosure behaviour in the continuous disclosure environment of Australia during this period of extreme uncertainty. The incidences of earnings forecasts and dividend withdrawals are mainly driven by larger, better performing and higher leverage firms in the consumer discretionary, health care, materials and information technology industry sectors. The market generally reacted favourably to COVID-19-related announcements, despite a significant stock price drop during the March/April 2020 period. The findings provide important regulatory and practical implications.
Quality in preschools through systematic quality work – a principal’s perspective
Authors: Bäckström Ingela , Ingelsson Pernilla , Mårtensson Anna , Snyder Kristen M.
Published: March 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to explore existing and desired methodologies for systematic quality work to promote quality in preschools from the principal’s perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

A collaborative approach was used in this research project, and principals were asked to complete portfolio assignments. Their answers to those portfolio assignments were analysed by the research team and subsequently compared to total quality management values.

Findings

Existing and desired methodologies for systematic quality work are presented and sorted into 13 and 17 groups, respectively. The principals desire four times more methodologies than they are presently using to promote systematic quality work, and the results show that they must extend their methodologies to support TQM values.

Research limitations/implications

This research is based on answers collected from 18 principals in one municipality in Sweden.

Practical implications

The use of the cornerstone model provides a framework to illustrate the application of TQM in preschools.

Originality/value

Principals struggle to find time for systemic quality work. The presented results can be used to work systematically with quality in preschools and other organizations.
Revisiting niche divergence hypothesis in sexually dimorphic birds: Is diet overlap correlated with sexual size dimorphism?
Authors: Bravo Carolina , Bautista‐Sopelana Luis Miguel , Alonso Juan Carlos
Published: March 2024

The evolution of sexual size dimorphism (SSD) is a long‐standing topic in evolutionary biology, but there is little agreement on the extent to which SSD is driven by the different selective forces. While sexual selection and fecundity selection have traditionally been proposed as the two leading hypotheses, SSD may also result from natural selection through mechanisms such as sexual niche divergence, which might have reduced resource competition between sexes.

Here, we revisited the niche divergence hypothesis by testing the relationship between the sexual overlap in diet and SSD of 56 bird species using phylogenetic comparative analyses. We then assessed how SSD variation relates to the three main hypotheses: sexual selection, fecundity selection, and sexual niche divergence using phylogenetic generalized least squares (PGLS). Then, we compared sexual selection, fecundity selection and niche divergence selection as SSD drivers through phylogenetic confirmatory path analyses to disentangle the possible causal evolutionary relationships between SSD and the three hypotheses.

Phylogenetic generalized least squares showed that SSD was negatively correlated with diet overlap, that is, the greater the difference in body size between males and females, the less diet overlap. As predicted by sexual selection theory, the difference in body size between sexes was higher in polygynous species. Confirmatory phylogenetic path analyses suggested that the most likely evolutionary path might include the mating system as a main driver in SSD and niche divergence as a result of SSD. We found no evidence of a role of fecundity selection in the evolution of female‐biased SSD.

Our study provides evidence that sexual selection has likely been the main cause of SSD and that dietary divergence is likely an indirect effect of SSD.
Digital reading comprehension instruction in English for children with English as an additional language: A systematic review
Authors: Murphy Annemarie , Arciuli Joanne
Published: March 2024

Background

Digital literacy instruction is increasingly common in contemporary practices and can accommodate learners with a range of needs. This systematic review explores the use and effects of technology during reading comprehension instruction involving school‐aged children learning English as an additional language (EAL). Our aim was to provide broad, global coverage that reflects the state of research in the field.

Methods

We searched databases using terms related to EAL, reading comprehension and digital literacy instruction to identify relevant studies published on the topic between 2010 and 2023. Data were extracted regarding study context, participant characteristics, methodology, instruction characteristics and outcomes. We quantified the outcomes of instruction using standardised measures of effect size where possible and appraised the research quality of each study.

Results

A total of 4382 studies were identified. Of these, 53 met our inclusion criteria. Studies were conducted across a variety of low‐ and high‐resource environments, including countries where English is a majority language and those where it is a non‐majority language. Learners from kindergarten through 11th grade were included across the studies. A range of reading comprehension strategies were utilised within the context of digital instruction, with multiple‐strategy instruction the most common. Digital instruction resulted in statistically significant gains in reading comprehension in 32 studies (small to large effect sizes). Our research quality analysis revealed variability in terms of rigour, further adding to the diversity across studies. We conducted a sub‐analysis of eight studies that met the highest standards of research quality. Like the full set of 53 studies, these eight studies reported on diverse types of digital instruction and diverse reading comprehension outcomes but tended to result in smaller effect sizes.

Conclusions

Digital reading comprehension instruction can result in reading comprehension gains for children learning EAL, though findings are mixed. Further high‐quality research is needed.
Multivariable prediction models for fetal macrosomia and large for gestational age: A systematic review
Authors: Ewington Lauren , Black Naomi , Leeson Charlotte , Al Wattar Bassel H. , Quenby Siobhan
Published: March 2024

Background

The identification of large for gestational age (LGA) and macrosomic fetuses is essential for counselling and managing these pregnancies.

Objectives

To systematically review the literature for multivariable prediction models for LGA and macrosomia, assessing the performance, quality and applicability of the included model in clinical practice.

Search strategy

MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Library were searched until June 2022.

Selection criteria

We included observational and experimental studies reporting the development and/or validation of any multivariable prediction model for fetal macrosomia and/or LGA. We excluded studies that used a single variable or did not evaluate model performance.

Data collection and analysis

Data were extracted using the Checklist for critical appraisal and data extraction for systematic reviews of prediction modelling studies checklist. The model performance measures discrimination, calibration and validation were extracted. The quality and completion of reporting within each study was assessed by its adherence to the TRIPOD (Transparent Reporting of a multivariable prediction model for Individual Prognosis Or Diagnosis) checklist. The risk of bias and applicability were measured using PROBAST (Prediction model Risk Of Bias Assessment Tool).

Main results

A total of 8442 citations were identified, with 58 included in the analysis: 32/58 (55.2%) developed, 21/58 (36.2%) developed and internally validated and 2/58 (3.4%) developed and externally validated a model. Only three studies externally validated pre‐existing models. Macrosomia and LGA were differentially defined by many studies. In total, 111 multivariable prediction models were developed using 112 different variables. Model discrimination was wide ranging area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUROC 0.56–0.96) and few studies reported calibration (11/58, 19.0%). Only 5/58 (8.6%) studies had a low risk of bias.

Conclusions

There are currently no multivariable prediction models for macrosomia/LGA that are ready for clinical implementation.
Effect of menopausal hormonal therapy on cardiovascular risks in Korean postmenopausal women: A nationwide cohort study
Authors: Yuk Jin‐Sung , Kim Gwang Sil , Byun Young Sup , Yang Seung‐Woo , Kim Myoung‐Hwan , Yoon Sang‐Hee , Seo Yong‐Soo , Kim Byung Gyu
Published: March 2024

Objective

To evaluate the association between menopausal hormonal therapy (MHT) and the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), according to various regimens, dosages, routes of administration and starting ages of MHT.

Design

A population‐based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Services database.

Setting

Nationwide health insurance database.

Population

Women who reported entering menopause at an age of ≥40 years with no history of CVD in the national health examination.

Methods

The study population comprised 1 120 705 subjects enrolled between 2002 and 2019, categorised according to MHT status (MHT group, n = 319 007; non‐MHT group, n = 801 698).

Main outcome measures

Incidence of CVD (a composite of myocardial infarction and stroke).

Results

The incidence of CVD was 59 266 (7.4%) in the non‐MHT group and 17 674 (5.5%) in the MHT group. After adjusting for confounding factors, an increased risk of CVD was observed with the administration of tibolone (hazard ratio, HR 1.143, 95% CI 1.117–1.170), oral estrogen (HR 1.246, 95% CI 1.198–1.295) or transdermal estrogen (HR 1.289, 95% CI 1.066–1.558), compared with the non‐MHT group; the risk was based on an increased risk of stroke. The risk trends were consistent regardless of the age of starting MHT or the physicians’ specialty. Among tibolone users, a longer period from entering menopause to taking tibolone and the use of any dosage (1.25 or 2.5 mg) were linked with a higher risk of CVD, compared with non‐MHT users.

Conclusions

This nationwide cohort study demonstrated an increased risk of CVD, driven mainly by an increased risk of stroke, among tibolone and oral or transdermal estrogen users, compared with that of non‐MHT users.
Wallace melon juice fermented with Lactobacillus alleviates dextran sulfate sodium‐induced ulcerative colitis in mice through modulating gut microbiota and the metabolism
Authors: Zhang Junwei , Zhong Yu , Wang Danfeng , Zhu Jiangxiong , Deng Yun , Li Yuncheng , Liu Cong , Wang Ji‐Li‐Te , Zhang Minyan
Published: March 2024

Fermented foods have shown promise in preventing or treating ulcerative colitis (UC) via regulating intestinal flora and correcting metabolic disorders. However, the prevention effect of fermented Wallace melon juice (FMJ) on UC is unclear. In this study, the effects of FMJ on dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)‐induced UC were investigated via 16S rRNA sequencing and non‐targeted metabolomics. The results showed that FMJ was effective in alleviating the symptoms of UC, reducing histological damage and oxidative stress, decreasing the levels of pro‐inflammatory cytokines. After FMJ treatment, the level of propionic acid, butyric acid, and valeric acid increased by 14.1%, 44.4%, and 52.4% compared to DSS‐induced UC mice. Meanwhile, the levels of harmful bacteria such as Oscillospira, Bacteroidetes, and Erysipelotrichaceae and Clostridium decreased, while the levels of beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, Lactobacillus, and Bifidobacterium increased. Fecal metabolomics analysis identified 31 differential metabolites, which could regulate metabolic disorders in UC mice by controlling the primary bile acid biosynthesis, purine metabolism, and pantothenate and CoA biosynthesis pathway. Additionally, the abundances of butyric acid, bile acids, and pantothenic acid were positively correlated with Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium, and other beneficial bacteria (R2 > 0.80, p < 0.01). The results indicated that FMJ played a role in regulating the structure of intestinal flora, which in turn helped in repairing metabolic disorders and alleviated colitis inflammation.
Bioengineered xylanase from Misiones Argentina rainforest: A bakery enhancement approach
Authors: Molina Melisa A. , Cazzaniga Amanda , Sgroppo Sonia C. , Milde Laura B. , Zapata Pedro D. , Fonseca Maria I.
Published: March 2024

In this study, we pursued the heterologous expression of the xylanase gene from Trichoderma atroviride, a native fungus in the province of Misiones, and used it to enhance the textural properties of baked goods through varying enzymatic concentrations. This marks the inaugural exploration into its functionality in the context of bread production. The recombinant xylanase exhibited improved activity, reaching 36,292 U L−1, achieved by supplementing the culture medium with dextrose. Following the optimization of recombinant xylanase concentration, promising results emerged, notably reducing hardness and chewiness parameters of bread significantly. Our findings underscore the potential of this native fungal enzyme for industrial processes, offering a sustainable and efficient means to enhance the quality of baked goods with broad implications for the food industry. No prior research has been documented on the heterologous expression of the xylanase gene derived from T. atroviride, from the Misiones rainforest, expressed in Kluyveromyces lactis.

Practical Application

This research, focusing on the isolation and cloning of xylanase enzyme from Trichoderma atroviride, a native fungus in the province of Misiones, offers a valuable tool for improving the texture of bakery products. By optimizing enzyme concentrations, our findings present a practical approach for the food industry, offering a viable solution to improve the overall quality and consumer satisfaction of bakery products.
Predictive modeling of Salmonella spp. growth behavior in cooked and raw chicken samples: Real‐time PCR quantification approach and model assessment in different handling scenarios
Authors: Noviyanti Fia , Mochida Mari , Kawasaki Susumu
Published: March 2024

The increasing prevalence of Salmonella contamination in poultry meat emphasizes the importance of suitable predictive microbiological models for estimating Salmonella growth behavior. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of chicken juice as a model system to predict the behavior of Salmonella spp. in cooked and raw chicken products and to assess its ability to predict cross‐contamination scenarios. A cocktail of four Salmonella serovars was inoculated into chicken juice, sliced chicken, ground chicken, and chicken patties, with subsequent incubation at 10, 15, 20, and 25°C for 39 h. The number of Salmonella spp. in each sample was determined using real‐time polymerase chain reaction. Growth curves were fitted into the primary Baranyi and Roberts model to obtain growth parameters. Interactions between temperature and growth parameters were described using the secondary Ratkowsky's square root model. The predictive results generated by the chicken juice model were compared with those obtained from other chicken meat models. Furthermore, the parameters of the chicken juice model were used to predict Salmonella spp. numbers in six worst‐case cross‐contamination scenarios. Performance of the chicken juice model was evaluated using the acceptable prediction zone from −1.0 (fail‐safe) to 0.5 (fail‐dangerous) log. Chicken juice model accurately predicted all observed data points within the acceptable range, with the distribution of residuals being wider near the fail‐safe zone (75%) than near the fail‐dangerous zone (25%). This study offers valuable insights into a novel approach for modeling Salmonella growth in chicken meat products, with implications for food safety through the development of strategic interventions.

Practical Application

The findings of this study have important implications in the food industry, as chicken juice could be a useful tool for predicting Salmonella behavior in different chicken products and thus reducing the risk of foodborne illnesses through the development of strategic interventions. However, it is important to recognize that some modifications to the chicken juice model will be necessary to accurately mimic all real‐life conditions, as multiple factors particularly those related to food processing can vary between different products.
Are there any completely sterile organs or tissues in the human body? Is there any sacred place?
Authors: Michán‐Doña Alfredo , Vázquez‐Borrego Mari C. , Michán Carmen
Published: March 2024

The human microbiome comprises an ample set of organisms that inhabit and interact within the human body, contributing both positively and negatively to our health. In recent years, several research groups have described the presence of microorganisms in organs or tissues traditionally considered as ‘sterile’ under healthy and pathological conditions. In this sense, microorganisms have been detected in several types of cancer, including those in ‘sterile’ organs. But how can the presence of microorganisms be detected? In most studies, 16S and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) ribosomal DNA (rDNA) sequencing has led to the identification of prokaryotes and fungi. However, a major limitation of this technique is that it cannot distinguish between living and dead organisms. RNA‐based methods have been proposed to overcome this limitation, as the shorter half‐life of the RNA would identify only the transcriptionally active microorganisms, although perhaps not all the viable ones. In this sense, metaproteomic techniques or the search for molecular metabolic signatures could be interesting alternatives for the identification of living microorganisms. In summary, new technological advances are challenging the notion of ‘sterile’ organs in our body. However, to date, evidence for a structured living microbiome in most of these organs is scarce or non‐existent. The implementation of new technological approaches will be necessary to fully understand the importance of the microbiome in these organs, which could pave the way for the development of a wide range of new therapeutic strategies.
Intraoperative clonidine in endometriosis and spine surgery: A protocol for two randomised, blinded, placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Birkebæk Stine , Lundsgaard Louise Møller , Juul Niels , Seyer‐Hansen Mikkel , Rasmussen Mikkel Mylius , Uhrbrand Peter Gaarsdal , Nikolajsen Lone
Published: March 2024

Background

A high proportion of patients who undergo surgery continue to suffer from moderate to severe pain in the early postoperative period despite advances in pain management strategies. Previous studies suggest that clonidine, an alpha2 adrenergic agonist, administered during the perioperative period could reduce acute postoperative pain intensity and opioid consumption. However, these studies have several limitations related to study design and sample size and hence, further studies are needed.

Aim

To investigate the effect of a single intravenous (IV) dose of intraoperative clonidine on postoperative opioid consumption, pain intensity, nausea, vomiting and sedation after endometriosis and spine surgery.

Methods

Two separate randomised, blinded, placebo‐controlled trials are planned. Patients scheduled for endometriosis (CLONIPAIN) will be randomised to receive either 150 μg intraoperative IV clonidine or placebo (isotonic saline). Patients undergoing spine surgery (CLONISPINE) will receive 3 μg/kg intraoperative IV clonidine or placebo. We aim to include 120 patients in each trial to achieve power of 90% at an alpha level of 0.05.

Outcomes

The primary outcome is opioid consumption within the first three postoperative hours. Secondary outcomes include pain intensity at rest and during coughing, nausea, vomiting and sedation within the first two postoperative hours and opioid consumption within the first six postoperative hours. Time to discharge from the PACU will be registered.

Conclusion

This study is expected to provide valuable information on the efficacy of intraoperative clonidine in acute postoperative pain management in patients undergoing endometriosis and spine surgery.
Editorial: Using machine learning to predict significant fibrosis in metabolic dysfunction‐associated steatotic liver disease—authors' reply
Authors: Verma Nipun , De Arka , Duseja Ajay
Published: March 2024

LINKED CONTENT

This article is linked to Verma et al papers. To view these articles, visithttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17891andhttps://doi.org/10.1111/apt.17902
Identification of COQ2 as a regulator of proliferation and lipid peroxidation through genome‐scale CRISPR‐Cas9 screening in myeloma cells
Authors: Li Miao , Zhang Chang‐lin , Zhou Di‐sheng , Chan Sze‐Hoi , Liu Xue‐Qi , Chen Shu‐Na , Yang Zi‐Yi , Ju Fei‐er , Sang Xiao‐yan , Liu Zi‐xuan , Zhang Qiao‐Xia , Pan Yu‐ming , Deng Si‐si , Wang Xiao‐Mei , Zhong Li , Zhang Xing‐Ding , Du Xin
Published: March 2024

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common malignant haematological disease with a poor prognosis. The limit therapeutic progress has been made in MM patients with cancer relapse, necessitating deeper research into the molecular mechanisms underlying its occurrence and development. A genome‐wide CRISPR‐Cas9 loss‐of‐function screening was utilized to identify potential therapeutic targets in our research. We revealed that COQ2 plays a crucial role in regulating MM cell proliferation and lipid peroxidation (LPO). Knockout of COQ2 inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell cycle arrest and reduced tumour growth in vivo. Mechanistically, COQ2 promoted the activation of the MEK/ERK cascade, which in turn stabilized and activated MYC protein. Moreover, we found that COQ2‐deficient MM cells increased sensitivity to the LPO activator, RSL3. Using an inhibitor targeting COQ2 by 4‐CBA enhanced the sensitivity to RSL3 in primary CD138+ myeloma cells and in a xenograft mouse model. Nevertheless, co‐treatment of 4‐CBA and RSL3 induced cell death in bortezomib‐resistant MM cells. Together, our findings suggest that COQ2 promotes cell proliferation and tumour growth through the activation of the MEK/ERK/MYC axis and targeting COQ2 could enhance the sensitivity to ferroptosis in MM cells, which may be a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of MM patients.