bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Is biomechanical loading reduced in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation during fast-paced walking when using different ankle/foot prostheses? A pragmatic randomized controlled trial
Authors: Andrag Lizanne , Derman Wayne , Cockcroft John , Runciman Phoebe
Published: November 2024

Introduction:

Sound side loading is a risk factor for osteoarthritis development, which has been noted to reduce when using advanced prostheses during normal-paced walking in individuals with unilateral transtibial amputation (UTTA). However, descriptions of loading during fast-paced walking remain relatively unreported. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe the biomechanical loading of individuals with UTTA while using different ankle/foot prostheses during fast-paced walking.

Methods:

 A blinded, randomized control trial was conducted in a group of K3–K4 ambulators, who used 3 different prosthetic feet (1. a solid ankle cushioned heel foot prosthesis [SACH], 2. a standard energy storage and return foot prosthesis [ESAR], and 3. a novel ESAR foot prosthesis [N-ESAR]) in a 2-week randomized crossover design. The spatiotemporal and kinetic data of the participants' fast walking pace were collected. Data were analyzed using a mixed model and one-way analysis of variances (p < 0.05) and Cohen d.

Results:

Twenty individuals with UTTA (age: 40 ± 16 years; height: 1.76 ± 0.09 m; and BMI: 24.72 ± 3.63 kg/m2) participated in this study. There were minimal changes in the spatiotemporal data between the different prosthetic feet. When the participants used the N-ESAR feet, they had a lower peak vertical ground reaction force (p = 0.02) and external knee adduction moment (p = 0.02) on the sound side, as well as a higher distal shank power on the prosthetic side (p < 0.01).

Conclusion:

Overall fast-paced walking resulted in higher sound side loading forces compared with normal-paced walking. However, use of the N-ESAR prosthesis reduced the biomechanical loading on the sound side in individuals with UTTA while walking at a fast pace compared with the ESAR and SACH prostheses. The percentage change in the biomechanical loading from normal- to fast-paced walking of the N-ESAR foot was also larger compared with the other prostheses, perhaps because of the individuals’ ability to achieve a faster walking pace when using the N-ESAR prosthesis. Longitudinal intervention studies should be performed to further investigate the possible benefits of using advanced prostheses.
68Ga-Prostate-Specific Membrane Antigen PET/CT in Endometrial Cancer: A Preliminary Report
Authors: Kunikowska Jolanta , Pełka Kacper , Bizoń Magdalena , Olszewski Maciej
Published: November 2024

Purpose of the Report

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecological cancer. Prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) is expressed in prostate cancer cells but can be found in other cancers, such as endometrial cancer, during angiogenesis.

The aim of this prospective pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of using 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT in endometrial cancer patients before surgical treatment.

Patients and Methods

Seven women with a mean age of 58 ± 7.9 years were included in the study. All patients underwent standard imaging studies involving transvaginal ultrasound, ceCT scans of the chest and abdomen, and MRI as qualified for surgery. Additionally, PET/CT was performed on a Siemens Biograph scanner 60 minutes after the injection of 2 MBq/kg 68Ga-PSMA-11.

Results

Six of 7 patients had positive 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT images, and histopathology confirmed endometrial cancer. One patient also exhibited uptake in the left ovary, and final histopathology revealed a hemorrhagic cyst. Lymph node involvement was further confirmed after ceCT fusion with 68Ga-PSMA-11. The consensus of histopathological staging of endometrial cancer and ceCT was 4/7, that of MR was 6/7, and that of 68Ga-PSMA-11 PET/CT was 5/7. All methods were consistent in terms of staging in 3/7 patients.

Conclusions

The initial experience showed the possibility of using 68Ga-PSMA-11 in endometrial cancer patients. However, prospective large studies are needed to explore the real diagnostic role of radiolabelled PSMA in this field.

This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of the Medical University of Warsaw (KB/2/A/2018).
Wild-Type Transthyretin Amyloidosis With 99mTc-PYP Uptake in the Extracardiac Soft Tissues But Not in the Myocardium
Authors: Takahashi Koji , Iwamura Takaaki , Sasaki Daisuke , Ueda Mitsuharu , Okura Takafumi
Published: November 2024

Wild-type transthyretin amyloid (ATTRwt) deposits in most organs, mainly the heart, ligaments, and tenosynovium. Orthopedic diseases due to ATTRwt deposits often precede overt ATTRwt cardiomyopathy. 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy is highly sensitive in detecting myocardial and extracardiac ATTRwt deposits. However, there are few reports of extracardiac ATTRwt deposits before myocardial deposits confirmed by imaging modalities. We report a case of atrial fibrillation-related heart failure in which 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy showed tracer uptake in extracardiac soft tissues but not in the myocardium, and a biopsy of soft tissues with tracer uptake confirmed ATTRwt deposits. 99mTc-PYP scintigraphy can image extracardiac ATTRwt deposits before myocardial deposits.
Genome sequencing and analysis of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serotype Enteritidis PT4 578: insights into pathogenicity and virulence
Authors: Carneiro Deisy G. , Vidigal Pedro Marcus P. , Morgan Túlio , Vanetti Maria Cristina D.
Published: November 2024

Salmonella enterica serotype Enteritidis is a generalist serotype that adapts to different hosts and transmission niches. It has significant epidemiological relevance and is among the most prevalent serotypes distributed in several countries. Salmonella Enteritidis causes self-limited gastroenteritis in humans, which can progress to systemic infection in immunocompromised individuals. The Salmonella pathogenicity mechanism is multifactorial and complex, including the presence of virulence factors that are encoded by virulence genes. Poultry products are considered significant reservoirs of many Salmonella serotypes, and Salmonella Enteritidis infections are often related to the consumption of chicken meat and eggs. This study reports the whole-genome sequence of Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 strain 578. A total of 165 genes (3.66%) of the 4506 coding sequences (CDS) predicted in its genome are virulence factors associated with cell invasion, intestinal colonization, and intracellular survival. The genome harbours twelve Salmonella pathogenicity islands (SPIs), with the SPI-1 and SPI-2 genes encoding type III secretion systems (T3SS) showing high conservation. Six prophage-related sequences were found, with regions of intact prophages corresponding to Salmon_118970_sal3 and Gifsy-2. The genome also contains two CRISPR systems. Comparative genome analysis with Salmonella Enteritidis ATCC 13076, Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 13311, and Salmonella Typhimurium ATCC 14028 demonstrates that most unshared genes are related to metabolism, membrane, and hypothetical proteins. Finally, the phenotypic characterization evidenced differences among Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 578 and the other three serotypes regarding the expression of the red, dry, and rough (rdar) morphotype and biofilm formation. Overall, the genomic characterization and phenotypic properties expand knowledge of the mechanisms of pathogenicity in Salmonella Enteritidis PT4 578.
Clinical Applications and Limitations of Large Language Models in Nephrology: A Systematic Review
Authors: Unger Zoe , Soffer Shelly , Efros Orly , Chan Lili , Klang Eyal , Nadkarni Girish N
Published: November 2024

Background

Large Language Models (LLMs) are emerging as promising tools in healthcare. This systematic review examines LLMs’ potential applications in nephrology, highlighting their benefits and limitations.

Methods

We conducted a literature search in PubMed and Web of Science, selecting studies based on Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. The review focuses on the latest advancements of LLMs in nephrology from 2020 to 2024. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42024550169.

Results

Fourteen studies met the inclusion criteria and were categorized into five key areas of nephrology: Streamlining workflow, disease prediction and prognosis, laboratory data interpretation and management, renal dietary management, and patient education. LLMs showed high performance in various clinical tasks, including managing continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) alarms (GPT-4 accuracy 90-94%) for reducing intensive care unit (ICU) alarm fatigue, and predicting chronic kidney diseases (CKD) progression (improved positive predictive value from 6.7% to 20.9%). In patient education, GPT-4 excelled at simplifying medical information by reducing readability complexity, and accurately translating kidney transplant resources. Gemini provided the most accurate responses to frequently asked questions (FAQs) about CKD.

Conclusions

While the incorporation of LLMs in nephrology shows promise across various levels of patient care, their broad implementation is still premature. Further research is required to validate these tools in terms of accuracy, rare and critical conditions, and real-world performance.
Integrating entomopathogenic nematodes into sustainable organic potato farming through a three-stage release technology
Authors: Anorbayev Azimjon , Kurbonova Nafosat , Tillyakhodjaeva Nigora
Published: November 2024

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) play a crucial role as biocontrol agents in organic agriculture, targeting various pests, including potato pests. This study aimed to integrate EPNs into sustainable organic potato cultivation through an innovative three-stage release technology. The efficacy ofSteinernema feltiaeandHeterorhabditis bacteriophorawas evaluated using three different application methods: 1) waterless release through alginate capsules, 2) mixing multiple isolates in an aqueous suspension, and 3) field distribution viaAgrotis segetumlarvae. The pathogenic potential of the EPNs was assessed based on pest mortality rates and their persistence under different conditions. Results indicated that alginate capsules extended EPN activity by up to 30%, while the aqueous suspension increased pest mortality by 20%. Nematodes distributed viaAgrotis segetumlarvae achieved the highest mortality rates, providing direct pest targeting. Among the tested methods,S. feltiaeexhibited up to 96.3% efficacy against potato pests under laboratory conditions, whileH. bacteriophorademonstrated 86.4% efficacy in field trials. The three-stage release technology proved to be a sustainable and effective approach for pest management in organic potato cultivation, making it a promising strategy for broader implementation.
Segment-specific promoter activity for RNA synthesis in the genome of Oz virus, genusThogotovirus
Authors: Akter Lipi , Matsumura Ryo , Kobayashi Daisuke , Matsugo Hiromichi , Isawa Haruhiko , Matsumoto Yusuke
Published: November 2024

Oz virus (OZV), a tick-borne, six-segmented negative-strand RNA virus in the genus Thogotovirus, caused a fatal human infection in Japan in 2023. To investigate mechanisms of viral RNA synthesis, we developed an OZV minigenome assay used in mammalian cells. Comparisons of promoter activities across six segments revealed that Segment 5 exhibited markedly lower promoter activity. Unlike the other segments forming a “distal duplex”, a double-strand RNA beginning at the 11th nucleotide on the 5’ end and the 10th on the 3’, Segment 5 partially lacks this feature. Introducing a mutation in Segment 5 distal duplex resulted in a substantial increase in promoter activity. Further, we examined the promoter structures of other viruses in the genusThogotovirususing public database. Thogoto virus Segment 1 also partially lacks a base pair in the distal duplex. In six-segmented RNA viruses, promoter activities are varied, with notable differences in activities likely existing among segments.

Highlights

A minigenome assay was developed to elucidate the RNA synthesis mechanism of Oz virus.

Segment 5 of the Oz virus exhibits significantly lower promoter activity compared to other segments.

The distal duplex region formed by double-strand RNA at the genomic ends is essential for Oz virus RNA synthesis.

Promoter activities in six-segmented RNA viruses are inherently variable among segments.
Prenatal stress increases corticosterone levels in offspring by impairing placental glucocorticoid barrier function
Authors: Liu Can , Liu Hongya , Li Hongyu , Yang Deguang , Li Ye , Wang Rui , Zhu Jiashu , Ma Shuqin , Guan Suzhen
Published: November 2024

To investigate the association between prenatal stress (PS) and corticosterone, and its influence on DNA methylation of genes related to the placental glucocorticoid (GC) barrier, including 11β-HSD2, P-gp, NR3C1, and FKBP5. The PS model was established through chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS). DNA methylation of GC-related genes was analyzed using reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (RRBS), and the results were confirmed using MethylTarget™ sequencing. The mRNA and protein expression levels of these genes were detected through qRT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. Plasma corticosterone levels are elevated in pregnant female rats exposed to PS conditions and their offspring. Compared to the offspring of the prenatal control (OPC) group, the offspring of the prenatal stress (OPS) group showed down-regulation in both mRNA and protein expression of DNMT 3A and DNMT 3B, while up-regulation was observed in the expression of DNMT1. RRBS analyses identified P-gp and FKBP5 as hypermethylated genes, including a total of 43 differentially methylated sites (DMS) and 2 differentially methylated regions (DMR). MethylTarget™ sequencing revealed that both genes had 15 differentially methylated CpG sites. This study provides preliminary evidence that PS disrupts the placental GC barrier through abnormal gene expression caused by hypermethylation of GC-related genes, resulting in elevated corticosterone levels in offspring and affecting their growth and development.
Prediction of chaotic dynamics and extreme events: A recurrence-free quantum reservoir computing approach
Authors: Ahmed Osama , Tennie Felix , Magri Luca
Published: November 2024

In chaotic dynamical systems, extreme events manifest in time series as unpredictable large-amplitude peaks. Although deterministic, extreme events appear seemingly randomly, which makes their forecasting difficult. By learning the dynamics from observables (data), reservoir computers can time accurately predict extreme events and chaotic dynamics, but they may require many degrees of freedom (large reservoirs). In this paper, by exploiting quantum-computer ansätze and entanglement, we design reservoir computers with compact reservoirs and accurate prediction capabilities. First, we propose the recurrence-free quantum reservoir computer (RF-QRC) architecture. By developing quantum feature maps and removing recurrent connections, the RF-QRC has quantum circuits with smaller depths. This allows the RF-QRC to scale well with higher-dimensional chaotic systems, which makes it suitable for hardware implementation. Second, we forecast the temporal chaotic dynamics and their long-term statistics of low- and higher-dimensional dynamical systems. We find that RF-QRC requires smaller reservoirs than classical reservoir computers for higher-dimensional systems and the same predictability. Third, we apply the RF-QRC to the time prediction of extreme events in a model of a turbulent shear flow with turbulent bursts. We find that the RF-QRC has longer predictability than the classical reservoir computer for extreme events forecasting. The results and analyses indicate that quantum-computer ansätze offers nonlinear expressivity and computational scalability, which are useful for forecasting chaotic dynamics and extreme events. This work opens new opportunities for using quantum machine learning on near-term quantum computers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Opening the Black Box inside Grover’s Algorithm
Authors: Stoudenmire E. M. , Waintal Xavier
Published: November 2024

Grover’s algorithm is one of the primary algorithms offered as evidence that quantum computers can provide an advantage over classical computers. It involves an “oracle” (external quantum subroutine), which must be specified for a given application and whose internal structure is not part of the formal scaling of the quadratic quantum speedup guaranteed by the algorithm. Grover’s algorithm also requires exponentially many calls to the quantum oracle (approximately 2n calls where n is the number of qubits) to succeed, raising the question of its implementation on both noisy and error-corrected quantum computers. In this work, we construct a quantum-inspired algorithm executable on a classical computer that performs Grover’s task in a linear number of calls to (simulations of) the oracle—an exponentially smaller number than Grover’s algorithm—and demonstrate this algorithm explicitly for Boolean satisfiability problems. The complexity of our algorithm depends on the cost to simulate the oracle once, which may or may not be exponential, depending on its internal structure. Indeed, Grover’s algorithm does not have an quantum speedup as soon as one is given access to the “source code” of the oracle, which may reveal an internal structure of the problem. Our findings illustrate this point explicitly, as our algorithm exploits the structure of the quantum circuit used to program the quantum computer to speed up the search. There are still problems where Grover’s algorithm would provide an asymptotic speedup if it could be run accurately for large enough sizes. Our quantum-inspired algorithm provides lower bounds, in terms of the quantum-circuit complexity, for the quantum hardware to beat classical approaches for these problems. These estimates, combined with the unfavorable scaling of the success probability of Grover’s algorithm, which in the presence of noise decays as the exponential of the exponential of the number of qubits, makes a practical speedup unrealistic even under extremely optimistic assumptions of the evolution of both hardware quality and availability.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
High-Fidelity Two-Qubit Gates between Fluxonium Qubits with a Resonator Coupler
Authors: Rosenfeld Emma L. , Hann Connor T. , Schuster David I. , Matheny Matthew H. , Clerk Aashish A.
Published: November 2024

We take a bottom-up first-principles approach to designing a two-qubit gate between fluxonium qubits for minimal error, speed, and control simplicity. Our proposed architecture consists of two fluxoniums coupled via a resonator. The use of a simple linear coupler has many practical benefits, including the possibility of material optimization for suppressing loss, reducing fabrication complexity, and increasing yield by circumventing the need for Josephson junctions. Crucially, a resonator-as-coupler approach also suggests a clear path to increased connectivity between fluxonium qubits, by reducing capacitive loading when the coupler has a high impedance. After performing analytic and numerical analyses of the circuit Hamiltonian and gate dynamics, we tune circuit parameters to destructively interfere sources of coherent error, revealing an efficient fourth-order scaling of coherent error with gate duration. For component properties from the literature, we predict an open-system average controlled-Z () gate infidelity of 1.86×10−4 in 70 ns.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Redesigning short and perishable food supply chains getting insight from the causal analysis of challenges to sustainable development
Authors: Haider Mohammad , Jha Ashok Kumar , Raut Rakesh , Kumar Mukesh , Ghoshal Sudishna
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The short/fast-food and perishable food supply chains (PFSC) have similar characteristics of lower lifespan and variable demand, leading to significant waste. However, the global population surge and increased health awareness make it impossible to continue wasting food because it is responsible for the loss of economy, resources, and biodiversity. A sustainable transition in short and PFSC is necessary; thus, addressing challenges is critical to explore the best strategy for redesigning PFSC.

Design/methodology/approach

An extensive literature review helped to identify 40 challenges, while a Delphi study highlighted 21 critical challenges. The fuzzy decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory method establishes a causal relationship between sustainable development (SD) challenges to help redesign PFSC.

Findings

From a strategic development perspective, frequent transportation disruption is the main critical challenge. Lack of supplier reliability is the most substantial cause of independence, with a causal value of 2.878. Overhead costs and lack of green maintenance strategies are part of the performance-oriented challenges. As it belongs to the driving zone, the second quadrant requires control while transforming PFSC for better sustainable development.

Practical implications

The study has several implications, such as lack of supplier reliability and frequent transportation disruption, which have the most robust causal value used as short-term strategy development. For short- and fast-food supply chains, it is necessary to study market and consumer behavior patterns to optimize inventory and customer service. Combating transportation disruption and supplier reliability challenges is vital in both PFSC and short and fast-food supply chains to reduce waste and promote sustainability.

Originality/value

The study’s findings are unique and put value toward the sustainable transition of PFSC by revealing critical challenges and their impact.
Why do Chinese corporate innovations emphasize quantity over quality? A new perspective on R&D capital market distortions
Authors: Pang Silu , Hua Guihong , Yan Zhijun
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study investigates the heterogeneous impact of R&D capital market distortions (CMDs) on the quantity and quality of innovation in Chinese firms by exploring key pathways from a dual-arbitrage perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from Chinese A-share listed companies (2015–2021), we employ a multidimensional fixed effects model to validate the research hypotheses. Under the Systems of National Accounts (SNA, 2008) framework, we use the Bureau of Economic Analysis method to estimate enterprise R&D capital stock and the Cobb-Douglas production function to estimate R&D CMDs.

Findings

Results show that R&D CMDs drive firms toward strategic innovation, emphasizing quantity over quality. Policy arbitrage, including policy catering and rent-seeking, emerges as a pivotal mechanism under R&D CMDs, encouraging firms to prioritize quantity over quality in innovation. High-technology firms and those in the decline stage are more inclined to spearhead strategic innovation within the context of R&D CMDs.

Practical implications

These findings help policymakers promote high-quality innovation in Chinese enterprises by enhancing patent review mechanisms and shifting policies from quantity-driven to quality-oriented goals.

Originality/value

This study enriches the research on factor market distortions and innovation in emerging markets from the perspective of R&D CMDs, based on the “emerging + transitional” comprehensive framework. Unlike previous studies, which generally use enterprise R&D expenditure flow data, we apply the theory of R&D capitalization accounting to the micro-enterprise level under the SNA (2008) framework, enhancing the accuracy of R&D CMD estimations.
An empirical test of auction efficiency: evidence from MBS auctions of the Federal Reserve
Authors: Bonadi Pietro , Hotacsu Ali , Song Zhaogang
Published: November 2024

Purpose

We estimate the marginal cost curve of each dealer in each auction, based on structural models of the multiunit discriminatory-price auction.

Design/methodology/approach

Auction theory has ambiguous implications regarding the relative performance of three formats of multiunit auctions: uniform-price, discriminatory-price and Vickrey auctions. We evaluate the performance of these three auction formats using bid-level data of the Federal Reserve’s purchase auctions of agency MBS from June 2014 through November 2014.

Findings

Our results suggest that neither uniform-price nor Vickrey auctions outperform discriminatory-price auctions in terms of the total expenditure. However, Vickrey auctions outperform discriminatory-price auctions in terms of efficiency, with the efficiency gain around 0.74% of the surplus that dealers extract on average.

Originality/value

To the best of our knowledge, this paper provides the first structural analysis of the auctions used by the Federal Reserve in implementing its monetary policies.
The impact of gamification on academic performance: the case of digital marketing in Lebanon
Authors: Shatila Khodor , Martínez-Climent Carla , Enri-Peiró Sandra , Perez-Ruiz Pilar
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to understand how gamification elements, perceived teacher support and boredom relate to academic performance and how these relationships are mediated by perceived enjoyment while pointing out such influence on educational outcomes.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative survey methodology was conducted with 350 Lebanese university students specializing in digital marketing. This study used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze the data and provide exciting insights into the complex ties between variables.

Findings

The results indicate that well-implemented gamification elements significantly increased perceived enjoyment and positively influenced academic performance. Furthermore, perceived teacher support enhanced the effectiveness of gamification by increasing student engagement and enjoyment. Conversely, boredom negatively affects perceived enjoyment and academic performance, underscoring the need for well-designed gamification strategies that sustain interest and motivation.

Research limitations/implications

Structural equation modeling and other quantitative tools excel at discovering connections but may not reveal the origins of the patterns they uncover. Given the complexity of causation, quantitative studies examining the mediating role of subjective satisfaction may gain more insight using a mixed or qualitative approach. Although the data supplied by the 350 responders were interesting, the sample size was insufficient to make any definitive conclusions. These findings may not be generalizable because Lebanon’s student bodies are diverse. The ability to detect tiny changes in the target variables requires researchers to consider how much time and energy they can dedicate to gathering data while structuring their investigations.

Practical implications

This study contributes to understanding gamification as a powerful tool for innovation in education and reshaping learning into motivating, engaging and sustaining productive experiences to improve educational quality. Therefore, our recommendations shed light on such improvements' impact on society. In this vein, we enrich this path by highlighting the crucial role of teachers and decision-makers in developing new professional programs.

Originality/value

This study demonstrates the importance of perceived enjoyment in the transformative gamification process in education. This study emphasizes the value of effective gamification implementation supported by teachers as a powerful tool for enhancing learning experiences and improving the quality of education.
The degree apprenticeship experience: perceptions of apprentices and their employers
Authors: Garnett Jonathan , Reynier Paula
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The research presented in this paper deepens our understanding of the experience of apprentices and employers engaged in degree apprenticeships.

Design/methodology/approach

The research is focused upon ten in depth interviews. Data collection and analysis was undertaken following a grounded theory approach.

Findings

The data analysis identified broad themes relating to original motivation, experience and outcomes of the degree apprenticeship. Apprentices and their employers highlighted the potential of real-life work-based projects undertaken as part of the degree apprenticeship to be of direct value not only to the apprentice but also to the employer organisation.

Research limitations/implications

The study was exploratory in nature and based upon ten interviews across five different organisations. Although the methodology followed a grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis, it is not claimed that there was the data saturation required as the basis to generate theory. The research provides insight to inform how apprentices, employers and degree apprenticeship providers might effectively work together.

Originality/value

The study is based on authentic first-hand accounts from apprentices and their employers. It identifies key themes of common interest, which suggest how future practice may be improved. The research suggests that work-based projects conducted as part of the degree apprenticeship have the potential to make a wider contribution to the employer organisation by increasing productivity.
Development and performance evaluation of a polyurethane elastomer based seamless expansion joint for bridges
Authors: Wu Yuxuan , Xu Wenyuan , Yu Tianlai , Ji Yongcheng , Wang Xingyu
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to address the degradation and damage of traditional bridge expansion joints by proposing a seamless expansion joint device based on polyurethane elastomer (PUE).

Design/methodology/approach

A series of laboratory experiments were conducted to evaluate the performance of PUE, including elasticity recovery, interfacial bonding and hygrothermal aging tests. Indoor model tests were also designed to analyze PUE's performance in actual bridge expansion structures. Based on these evaluations, the design of a seamless PUE expansion joint structure was completed.

Findings

The study reveals that PUE achieves optimal interfacial bond strength with PUC at −30°C after 7 h of curing and adhesive application, with a tensile strength of 9.2 MPa. PUE's elongation at break exceeds 3% at −30°C and retains its toughness and tensile strength after hygrothermal aging. When the beam end rotation reaches 0.0144 rad, PUE maintains a linear elastic state. With a groove width of 340 mm, PUE can withstand compressive displacements over 40 mm and tensile displacements up to 60 mm.

Originality/value

The findings highlight the excellent elasticity recovery and toughness characteristics of PUE, demonstrating the significant improvement in durability of the PUE seamless expansion joint structure and the rationality of the groove width calculation method based on the elongation at break of PUE. The broader impact of this study lies in its potential to innovate the design and maintenance strategies of bridge expansion joints.
How perceived team virtuality affects individual knowledge hiding in teams: unraveling the paradox when heads meet hearts
Authors: Xiao Mengtian , Xu Yingqing , Xiao Qijie
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to enhance the understanding of team virtuality by exploring its impact on individual counterproductive knowledge behaviors, particularly knowledge hiding. It examines the mediating roles of cognitive and affective trust and the moderating influence of learning goal orientation, addressing a significant gap in understanding how virtual interactions affect knowledge management processes at the individual level.

Design/methodology/approach

We conducted a three-wave online survey with a matched sample of 274 employees who have virtual work experience in China. We performed a series of structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses using Mplus 8.3 to test our proposed hypotheses.

Findings

The results indicate a significantly positive association between perceived team virtuality and individual knowledge hiding, mediated by both cognition- and affect-based trust, with the latter showing a stronger mediation effect. Additionally, individual learning goal orientation negatively moderates the indirect relationship between perceived team virtuality and knowledge hiding via cognitive (affective) trust.

Practical implications

By understanding the mechanisms through which virtuality influences individual knowledge behaviors within teams, organizations can provide emotional and instructional support for virtual interactions to mitigate knowledge hiding and improve the efficiency and effectiveness of knowledge management.

Originality/value

This study offers a differentiated analysis by exploring the mediating roles of cognitive and affective trust and the moderating role of learning goal orientation within virtual environments. Previous research has not concurrently examined these variables within the framework of team virtuality and knowledge hiding, making this research pivotal in enhancing the theoretical and practical understanding of individual knowledge behaviors in virtual settings.
Strategic enhancement infrastructure connectivity: a fuzzy exploratory factors analysis in Thailand’s regional ports within the RCEP framework
Authors: Netirith Narthsirinth , Ji Mingjun
Published: November 2024

Purpose

Advancements in enhancing regional port connectivity are crucial to fostering global maritime transport. The objective of this paper is to explore the complex relationship between infrastructure connectivity and the regional port of Thailand, specifically within the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Design/methodology/approach

This paper utilised fuzzy logic in exploratory factor analysis and introduced a new factor based on shipping networks, port operations, trade and emerging innovations. This can enhance the regional port and facilitate infrastructure connectivity in the RCEP. The results of this study have been successfully applied in specific contexts involving port authorities and private shipping companies.

Findings

The study’s findings indicate key factors for enhancing regional ports in Thailand. These factors include integrating connectivity, creating spare hubs, addressing service issues, optimising logistics and supply chains, considering market components and leveraging the digital market. These factors are also crucial for promoting infrastructure connectivity within the RCEP framework.

Originality/value

This research presents a strategic framework for enhancing regional ports in Thailand and improving international infrastructure. This is the first attempt to examine the influence of infrastructure connectivity on regional ports by applying fuzzy exploratory factor analysis to modernise infrastructure, which is key to unlocking the region’s maritime potential.
Family caregivers of people with dementia experiences of interaction with the Danish healthcare sector: a qualitative study on changes
Authors: Kjær Pedersen Emma , Tanggaard Andersen Pernille
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This research aims to understand how family caregivers interact with the Danish healthcare sector while taking care of a relative with dementia.

Design/methodology/approach

Nine individual interviews of family caregivers were conducted in 2022. Data collection used a phenomenological narrative approach, and the analysis was influenced by Klaus Høyer “tin-opener” analytic method.

Findings

Family caregivers experienced significant ambivalence surrounding the diagnosis. Many family caregivers felt that professionals failed to adequately prepare them for their new informal caregiver role, resulting in feelings of shame and unpreparedness. The identified themes underscores the significant time commitment and the neglect of self-care associated with the role of informal caregivers.

Research limitations/implications

Research should focus on developing supportive interventions for family caregivers to be able to support their needs. Furthermore, research should ensure that family caregivers are prepared for their tasks without being trained and able to carry out health professionals’ tasks.

Practical implications

Insight into how the family caregivers experience the interaction with the Danish healthcare sector can help healthcare service providers better support the family caregivers and contribute with more tailored support, which may ensure a higher quality of healthcare delivery.

Originality/value

The authors of this study reveal the unseen and quiet work that occurs in everyday life when caring for a person with dementia and being the primary point of contact with the healthcare sector. It is important to consider family caregivers’ experiences with the healthcare sector when developing healthcare interventions to support family caregivers better. This will help tailor the interventions to their needs.
Growing Your Own Food and Dietary Quality: Results from a Survey
Authors: Drescher Larissa , Grebitus Carola
Published: November 2024

Community and home gardens offer citizens the opportunity to grow their own food. Growing your own food has many benefits for personal, community, and environmental health. Our study tests whether the common assumption that improved access to food and nutrition through growing one's own food is in fact linked to better diets. Our study tests how growing food at home, at community gardens or in both locations changes growers’ dietary quality applying different indexes. The Healthy Food Diversity Index and the Berry‐Index are used as proxies to measure dietary quality, while a consumption of produce indicator is used as a straightforward measure of a healthy diet. We find that growing your own food at home and at community gardens is associated with the highest fruit and vegetable consumption while not growing any food is associated with the lowest amount of produce consumption. Overall, results show that growing food is associated with higher dietary quality values which could indicate that home and community gardens would be beneficial for individuals’ health. The identified negative association between not growing any food and diet quality might highlight the need to foster food‐growing programmes at community gardens, at home gardens, or even at both locations.
Greenwashing: A systematic literature review
Authors: Huang Zhen , Shi Yanxuan , Jia Ming
Published: November 2024

This systematic review provides a comprehensive overview of greenwashing through an analysis of 180 academic articles published in 58 journals from 1997 to 2023. The review examines the fragmented definitions, measurements, and manifestations of greenwashing. Furthermore, a framework of greenwashing was developed by systematically reviewing the motivations and outcomes of greenwashing and its mediators and moderators at both the firm level and the external level. Finally, the review highlights three directions for future research on greenwashing, offering useful guidance for future academic studies, government policy, and corporate practice.
Competitive or crowding‐out? Estimating spillover effects from large‐scale farms on smallholders in China
Authors: Qian Wenrong , Li Dandan , Shi Xinjie
Published: November 2024

Drawing on data from the Chinese Family Database for 2015, 2017, and 2019, this study employed the difference‐in‐differences method to examine the spillover effects of large‐scale farms (LSFs) on smallholders. The findings confirmed that LSFs positively affect smallholder household income and nonfarm income. The mechanisms verified that LSFs increase the nonfarm income of smallholders, primarily through the transfer out of their land. Additionally, we found that vulnerable groups—such as households with a lower proportion of the labor force, a lower proportion of members in good health, and lower total education years of the labor force—are more likely to be crowded out. Additionally, the study confirmed that LSFs steal the market from smallholders, precipitating a slightly negative competitive effect. These findings have important policy implications for developing countries implementing the LSF policy and for countries where smallholders suffer from livelihood issues.
Does agricultural cooperative membership improve farm productive performance? A meta‐regression analysis
Authors: Ayouba Kassoum , Duvivier Chloé , Bussière Claire
Published: November 2024

In this article, we provide a quantitative review of the literature on the effect of cooperative membership on farms productive performance. Based on a dataset composed of 332 estimates from 80 studies, our meta‐regression analysis suggests that the current literature suffers from a severe positive publication bias. After correcting this bias, the overall average effect of cooperative membership on farms' productive performance is positive and statistically significant, but its magnitude is small to negligible. Interestingly, we find that cooperative membership has a stronger effect on yield than on technical efficiency. We also explore how contextual variables and methodological choices affect the reported estimates in the literature.
Bigger versus smaller: Children's understanding of size comparison words becomes more precise with age
Authors: Ferry Alissa L. , Corcoran Mia G. , Williams Emily , Curtis Sheila M. , Gale Cathryn J. , Twomey Katherine E.
Published: November 2024

The ability to compare plays a key role in how humans learn, but words that describe relations between objects, like comparisons, are difficult to learn. We examined how children learn size comparison words, and how their interpretations of these change across development. One‐hundred‐and‐forty children in England (36–107 months; 68 girls; majority White) were asked to build block structures that were bigger, longer, smaller, shorter, or taller than an experimenter's. Children were most successful with words that refer to size increases. Younger children were less accurate with smaller and shorter, often building bigger structures. The dimensional aspect of taller emerged gradually. These findings suggest that children's interpretation of the meaning of size comparison words changes and becomes more precise across development.
Distribution of Australian dental practices in relation to residential aged care facilities: A geographic analysis
Authors: Kamil Wisam , Kruger Estie , Jean Gillian , Tennant Marc
Published: November 2024

Objectives

Limited access to oral health services contributes to poor oral health in institutionalised older adults. The objective of this study was to map and analyse the distribution of residential age‐care facilities (RACFs) in relation to dental practices across Australia.

Methods

Age‐care data were sourced from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. The data were categorised according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics remoteness index in each state and territory, defined by a geographic coordinate system. The structure of remoteness area data was integrated into RACF data using a geographic information system. Buffer analysis in QGIS was employed to calculate the buffer distance surrounding RACFs by identifying dental practices relative to a measuring distance.

Results

In total, Australia had 2718 RACFs and 7379 dental practices (both private 95.5% and public 4.5%). In all States, more than a third of metropolitan RACFs were within accessible reach of a private practice (ranging from 37% of RACFs in NSW to 55% in WA). However, proximity to public clinics was low, ranging from only 4% (WA) to 9% (QLD). More than one‐fifth of metropolitan RACFs in NSW, QLD, WA and ACT (ranging from 20% to 24%) were not within accessible proximity of either a public or private dental clinic/practice. While more than 70% of RACFs in regional and remote Australia are reasonably close to dental practices, areas with inadequate access exist, with the highest percentage recorded in WA (6%).

Conclusion

Ensuring an equitable distribution of dental practices relative to RACFs is crucial in bridging the service access gap in underserved areas.
Role of TRPV channels in texture discrimination during Bactrocera dorsalis egg‐laying behaviour
Authors: Huang Zhong‐nian , Guo Feng‐yi , Li Zi‐yuan , Lu Yong‐yue , Qi Yi‐xiang
Published: November 2024

Deciding where to lay an egg is critical for the survival of insects' offspring. Compared with our understanding of the chemosensory assessment of egg‐laying sites, the mechanisms of texture detection are largely unknown. Here, we show that Bactrocera dorsalis, a notoriously agricultural pest laying its eggs within ripening fruits, can discriminate substrate texture during the egg‐laying process. Exposure to drugs targeting transient receptor potential vanilloid (TRPV) mechanosensory channels abolished their oviposition preference for hard textures. BdorNan and BdorIav are two members of the TRPV subfamily, and their transcripts were detected in the labellum, the foreleg tarsi and the ovipositor. Then, we successfully obtained knockout strains of each gene using the CRISPR/Cas9 technique. The results showed that BdorNan is required for the discrimination of stiffness difference. BdorIav knockout had no significant effect on the ability of B. dorsalis to choose harder substrates. Our study thus reveals that BdorNan plays a substantial role in the texture assessment of egg‐laying behaviour in B. dorsalis.
Are SNPs Linked to Somatic Cell Score Suitable Markers for the Susceptibility to Specific Mastitis Pathogens in Holstein Cows?
Authors: Müller U. , Strucken E. M. , Gao J. , Rahmatalla S. , Korkuć P. , Reissmann M. , Brockmann G. A.
Published: November 2024

Mastitis in cattle is often caused by microorganism infections in the udder. The three most common pathogens are esculin‐positive streptococci (SC+), coagulase‐negative staphylococci (CNS), and Escherichia coli (E. coli). In a previous study, 10 SNPs were associated with somatic cell score and mastitis in diverse Holstein populations. We tested these SNPs for their effects on individual pathogen presence. Milk and pathogen samples of 3076 Holstein cows were collected from four farms. Samples were excluded if multiple pathogens were present at the same time. Records of the same pathogen within 14 days of each other were counted as one infection. This resulted in 1129 pathogen‐positive samples. Cases and controls were in ratios of 20:80 for SC+, 8:92 for CNS, and 11:89 for E. coli. The lasso, backward, and forward methods were used to narrow down SNPs associated with pathogen presence. The suitability of the SNPs to separate the samples into cases or controls for each pathogen was indicated using ROC curves. The Cochran‐Armitage (CAT) and the Jonckheere‐Terpstra (JTT) tests evaluated the influence of the SNPs on pathogen presence. Finally, a generalised linear mixed model (GLMM) including fixed environmental effects and a random sire effect was fitted to the binary trait of pathogen presence to test for association. In total, six out of the 10 investigated SNPs showed associations with pathogen presence based on the forward method: Two SNPs each for SC+ (rs41588957, rs41257403) and CNS (rs109934030, rs109441194), and three for E. coli (rs109934030, rs41634110, rs41636878). The CAT and GTT tests linked four SNPs (rs41588957, rs41634110, rs109441194, rs41636878) to pathogen presence, two of which were confirmed with the GLMM (rs41634110, rs109441194), with effects on CNS and E. coli. The SNPs linked to CNS and those linked to E. coli explained 13.2% and 13.8% of the variance, compared to 19% and 18.4%, respectively, of the full model with all 10 SNPs. Half of the SNP genotypes previously linked to lower SCS also decreased the probability for pathogen presence and might therefore be targets not just for lower SCS but for a better pathogen resistance.

Trial Registration: Not applicable, no new data were collected for this study.