bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Do stock prices affect corporate tax behavior?
Authors: Kunz Philip William
Published: November 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how firm-specific information in stock prices influences corporate tax behavior.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses ordinary least squares (OLS) regressions to examine the association between stock price informativeness and effective tax rate (ETR) volatility.

Findings

Stock price informativeness is positively associated with short-term tax avoidance as measured by ETR volatility.

Originality/value

While prior research examines the association between market activity and the level of ETRs, this study examines other various aspects of tax behavior.
The nexus between spirituality and personal financial behavior: a study of students with entrepreneurial intentions
Authors: Jangid Jatin , Bhardwaj Bhawana , Sharma Dipanker
Published: November 2024

Purpose

The current study explores the relation between students' spiritual quotient (SQ) and personal financial planning (PFP). The students with entrepreneurial intentions were considered for the present study.

Design/methodology/approach

The students from higher educational institutes with an intention to be entrepreneurs were considered for data collection. Using a well-designed, closed-ended questionnaire, primary data from college and university students was collected. Using quota sampling, a total of 189 responses were gathered, however the responses of students with entrepreneurial intentions (n = 100) were considered for analysis. To investigate the relationship between PFP and SQ, descriptive analysis, Spearman's rank correlation and forecasted trend line were employed.

Findings

The study revealed a significant positive relationship between PFP and SQ. Thus, SQ also has potential to determine individuals' investment behavior. The study suggests that students' spiritual development can determine their PFP and entrepreneurial actions.

Practical implications

The outcome of the study can be practically used to explore the investment pattern and behavior of youth. The study would further benefit the stakeholders including issuers, developers and consultants involved in the creation and distribution of financial products. The study guides researchers to undertake further research in this domain.

Originality/value

The existing literature on personal financial behavior has lacked in establishing a relationship between spirituality and investment decisions. The present study is novel in substantiating this void. We contribute to the advancement of literature in behavioral finance. This study identifies multifaceted factors that shape investors' behaviors and preferences in finance and proposes the avenues for future research.
INNOVATING URBAN CHINA: The Rise of the Local Venture State and the Making of New Entrepreneurial Spaces
Authors: Zhang Lin , Lan Tu
Published: November 2024

In this article we centralize the analytic of the local venture state (LVS) to offer a novel framework for investigating China's new urban entrepreneurialism, which emerged after the 2008 global financial crisis. As a spatiotemporally specific response to the crisis, the LVS goes beyond GDP‐driven developmentalism, seeking to simultaneously promote economic development, indigenous innovation and social equity using a variety of financialized policy instruments. Ethnographic case studies of new entrepreneurial spaces in Beijing's Zhongguancun area situate the LVS at the interface between Zhongguancun's urban space and China's innovation system. They reveal the rationalities behind the rise of the LVS and discrepancies among policy intentions, the implementation thereof and actual local results. Underlying the mixed results of the LVS, we argue, is the complicated power dynamics within the LVS and a fundamental contradiction between the dynamics of technological innovation and those of wealth redistribution. In our examination of China's LVS vis‐à‐vis global struggles to tackle the protracted economic crisis and achieve a more socially inclusive model of urban development, we stress the need to theorize urban entrepreneurialism from the global East with the aim of enriching the literature of urban China and of variegated urban entrepreneurialism.
Variation in batch ordering of imaging tests in the emergency department and the impact on care delivery
Authors: Jameson Jacob C. , Saghafian Soroush , Huckman Robert S. , Hodgson Nicole
Published: November 2024

Objectives

To examine heterogeneity in physician batch ordering practices and measure the associations between a physician's tendency to batch order imaging tests on patient outcomes and resource utilization.

Study Setting and Design

In this retrospective study, we used comprehensive EMR data from patients who visited the Mayo Clinic of Arizona Emergency Department (ED) between October 6, 2018 and December 31, 2019. Primary outcomes are patient length of stay (LOS) in the ED, number of diagnostic imaging tests ordered during a patient encounter, and patients' return with admission to the ED within 72 h. The association between outcomes and physician batch tendency was measured using a multivariable linear regression controlling for various covariates.

Data Sources and Analytic Sample

The Mayo Clinic of Arizona Emergency Department recorded approximately 50,836 visits, all randomly assigned to physicians during the study period. After excluding rare complaints, we were left with an analytical sample of 43,299 patient encounters.

Principal Findings

Findings show that having a physician with a batch tendency 1 standard deviation (SD) greater than the average physician was associated with a 4.5% increase in ED LOS (p < 0.001). It was also associated with a 14.8% (0.2 percentage points) decrease in the probability of a 72‐h return with admission (p < 0.001), implying that batching may lead to more comprehensive evaluations, reducing the need for short‐term revisits. A batch tendency 1SD greater than that of the average physician was also associated with an additional 8 imaging tests ordered per 100 patient encounters (p < 0.001), suggesting that batch ordering may be leading to tests that would not have been otherwise ordered had the physician waited for the results from one test before placing their next order.

Conclusions

This study highlights the considerable impact of physicians' diagnostic test ordering strategies on ED efficiency and patient care. The results also highlight the need to develop guidelines to optimize ED test ordering practices.
Preventive potential of chitosan self‐assembled coconut residue dietary fiber in hyperlipidemia: Mechanistic insights into gut microbiota and short‐chain fatty acids
Authors: Li Shuxian , Tan Yaoyao , Liu Sixin , Li Congfa
Published: November 2024

Hyperlipidemia is a metabolic disorder resulted from unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits. Its pathogenesis is possibly linked to gut microbiota dysbiosis. This study investigates the preventive effects of chitosan self‐assembled coconut residue dietary fiber (CRFSC) on hyperlipidemia induced by a high‐fat diet (HFD) and gut microbiota. CRFSC resulted in a significant weight loss of 7.9% in HFD rats and had a preventive effect on all four lipid parameter abnormalities. HFD supplemented with oat group resulted in a weight loss of 3.8% in HFD rats and had no preventive effect on low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL‐C) abnormalities. Prevention was achieved not only through the modulation of gut microbiota composition and the increase of short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) levels, but also through the activation of superoxide dismutase enzyme and the inhibition of malondialdehyde accumulation, all of which are the factors leading to the controlling of lipid abnormalities and oxidative damage. The prevention of lipid parameters by chitosan self‐assembled coconut residue dietary fiber (CRFSC) may be attributed to its richness in chitosan and insoluble dietary fiber, as well as its ability to enrich beneficial bacteria such as Akkermansia, Roseburia, and Ruminococcus. Correlation analysis demonstrated that key bacterial species producing SCFAs, which are rich in the CRFSC diet, had a positive impact on controlling hyperlipidemia. Hence, consumption of a CRFSC diet could serve as an effective strategy for preventing and controlling the development of hyperlipidemia due to its potential ability to regulate gut microbiota and SCFAs.

Practical Application

This study showed that dietary fiber from coconut residue after chitosan self‐assembly had preventive effects on overweight, dyslipidemia, and oxidative damage in rats. In addition, CRFSC also increased the content of short‐chain fatty acids in the gut. And improve gut health by affecting gut microbiota. This finding suggests that CRFSC can be used as a dietary strategy to prevent hyperlipidemia and has practical significance in developing new healthy foods.
Cross‐linked Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr. starch and chitosan with sodium trimetaphosphate: Structure, physicochemical properties and in vitro digestibility
Authors: Liu Yuan‐Sen , Shi Ping , Javed Hafiz Umer , Wu Yan‐Hui , Ren Min‐Hong , Fu Zhen
Published: November 2024

The inherent limitations of native starch considerably restrict its applications in the food industry. To enhance its processing properties, Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr. starch (APS) was subjected to dual modification with low levels of sodium trimetaphosphate (0%, 1%, and 3%) and chitosan (1%) to investigate its physicochemical, thermal, pasting, and in vitro digestibility. The dual modification of APS significantly increased the degree of cross‐linked (CLD) to 84.69%, resulting in a rougher surface texture. This process led to the formation of phosphate bonds, the weakening of hydrogen bonds, and a decrease in relative crystallinity, all while preserving the starch's crystalline structure. Additionally, the modification impeded paste formation, reduced swelling power, and lowered pasting enthalpy, while increasing the content of slowly digestible starch and resistant starch. These findings provided a basis to enhance the functional properties of starch‐based materials, which could be applied to improve the texture and stability of food products such as sauces, dressings, and desserts in the food industry.
Current utilisation of advanced techniques and technologies in palliative radiation therapy in Australia and New Zealand
Authors: Pathmanathan Pavthrun , Roos Daniel , Pope Kathy , James Melissa L , Lah Minjae , Frampton Chris M
Published: November 2024

Introduction

The techniques employed in palliative radiation therapy are highly variable, ranging from basic (2D/3D‐conformal) to more advanced (beam modulation and stereotactic techniques), and their relative use has not previously been formally investigated at a national level. The purpose of this work was to assess the current utilisation of palliative techniques and technologies in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ).

Methods

A voluntary, anonymous, internet‐based, RANZCR approved survey was offered to all practising radiation oncology (RO) Fellows in ANZ. Participants selected their preferred methods of managing patients in five case studies involving bone, brain, lung metastases and locally advanced lung cancer.

Results

From October 2022 to February 2023, 146 of 485 eligible participants (30%) responded. In all, 61% and 81% would treat an uncomplicated breast cancer solitary spinal metastasis with stereotactic body radiation therapy routinely and ideally, respectively; 11% and 32% would treat a solitary lung cancer brain metastasis with dedicated stereotactic radiosurgery routinely and ideally; 36% and 56% would treat multiple low‐volume brain metastases with a stereotactic technique routinely and ideally. There was negligible difference in the routine and preferred use of advanced technologies for a solitary bowel cancer lung metastasis; 69% and 77% would treat a locally advanced primary lung cancer with an advanced technique routinely and ideally. Relative to Australia, NZ ROs routinely treat uncomplicated solitary spinal metastases (P < 0.001), solitary brain metastases (P < 0.001), multiple low‐volume brain metastases (P < 0.02), and locally advanced primary lung cancer (P < 0.001) more commonly with basic technologies, mainly due to limited local availability of advanced technology and departmental waiting lists.

Conclusion

Participants generally favoured treating with advanced techniques and technologies in palliative settings, if available, but there were notable disparities between the two countries. Enhanced local access and clinical training may facilitate optimal utilisation of advanced technologies and improve clinical outcomes.
Sickle cell disease in India: Not just a mild condition
Authors: Kochhar Manpreet , McGann Patrick T.
Published: November 2024

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a common and life‐threatening global health problem, with more than 500 000 affected infants born annually. The burden of SCD in sub‐Saharan Africa is well established, but the comparably high prevalence in India is not well recognized and many consider SCD in India to be less severe. In their paper, a national study in India demonstrated the significant impact of SCD for patients, families and the healthcare system, supporting a call to action to recognize and address SCD as a serious and common health condition in India.

Commentary on: Seth et al. Burden of vaso‐occlusive crisis, its management, and impact on quality of life of Indian sickle cell disease patients. Br J Haematol 2025; 206:296‐309.
The sustainable challenge: Where does social psychology stand in achieving the sustainable development goals?
Authors: Prandelli Marta , Rizzoli Valentina , Tolusso Emiliano
Published: November 2024

The United Nations Agenda 2030, inclusive of its 17 sustainable development goals (SDGs), serves as the global blueprint for sustainability for both present and future generations. Scientific research is entrusted with the responsibility of contributing by informing the current situation and future challenges in achieving the SDGs. This paper investigates the role of social psychology in contributing to the SDGs and the environmental, economic and social pillars of the UN Agenda. We analysed 4808 papers using Natural Language Processing to identify (i) the relevance of social psychology within the SDG‐related literature and (ii) the current and potential contribution of social psychology to the SDGs. Results highlight that social psychology contributes to the SDGs by addressing typical social issues, primarily those related to health and gender, while noting its under‐representation in some environmental and economic areas, despite social psychology well‐established research on these topics. This paper introduces a novel approach for assessing the SDGs, fostering a critical reflection on the SDG framework and social psychology to guide less explored research paths. This approach could potentially enhance the evaluation and advancement of the 2030 Agenda, facilitating a deeper dialogue between the scientific community and policymakers, driving social change.
Safety of and chorioretinal circulation during repeated low‐level red‐light therapy for myopic children
Authors: Jiang Zhaoxin , Chen Shuyu , Wang Renchun , Ma Jin
Published: November 2024

Background

To evaluate the safety of repeated low‐level red‐light (RLRL) therapy in children, and the dynamic evolution of choroidal and retinal blood flow.

Methods

This is a single‐centre, randomised, single‐blind, parallel‐group clinical trial. Seventy myopic children were randomly assigned to either the intervention group [receiving RLRL therapy plus single‐vision spectacle (SVS)] or the control group (wearing SVS). Participants underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations following their first irradiation, 9 months continuous RLRL therapy and stop of treatment. Quantitative analyses of choroidal and retinal microcirculation were analysed via optical coherence tomography angiography.

Results

Over 9 months of treatment, while the RLRL treatment demonstrated significantly less increases in refractive error and axial length compared with the SVS treatment (ps < 0.05), no abnormalities in fundus structure or visual function (mfERG, VEP and microperimetry) were detected (ps > 0.05). A single red‐light exposure did not exert a significant influence on choroidal thickness (ps > 0.05). Upon continuous treatment, the RLRL group achieved peak values in these circulations at 9 months (ps < 0.05). Following cessation of exposure, all circulations exhibited a declining trend, reaching similar levels in both groups (ps > 0.05). As the frequency of red‐light exposures intensified, there was a consistent surge in these circulations (ps < 0.05).

Conclusions

Nine months of continuous RLRL exposure does not cause toxic side effects on retinal or optic nerve functions, and there is a time‐dependent cumulative response in choroidal and retinal circulation.
The Optimal Radiotherapy Strategy for Patients With Small Cell Lung Cancer and Brain Metastasis: A Retrospective Analysis
Authors: Zeng Qian , Chu Xianjing , Xiao Gang , Zhang Jing , Zhang Yingying , Long Bin , Yang Lei , Tan Zhaohua , Zhou Rongrong
Published: November 2024

Background

Extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC) is a notoriously aggressive malignancy frequently associated with brain metastases (BMs), presenting substantial therapeutic challenges. This study delves into the effectiveness of immunotherapy combined with diverse radiotherapy, especially the influence of brain radiotherapy (BRT) on survival outcomes in the immunotherapy era.

Methods

ES‐SCLC patients treated at Xiangya Hospital and Xiangya Boai Hospital from February 2020 to June 2024 were retrospectively included. The study focused on patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Metrics included overall survival (OS) and progression‐free survival (PFS), employing univariate and multivariate Cox regression models for statistical analysis.

Results

A total of 393 patients with ES‐SCLC who received ICIs were included in the study. Within the entire cohort, the presence of baseline BMs did not statistically affect OS or PFS. However, thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) was identified as a favorable prognostic factor for both OS and PFS. BRT demonstrated a beneficial effect on OS across both the general cohort and the baseline_BMs subgroup. In patients from the baseline_BMs subgroup who had previously undergone TRT, ICIs plus BRT did not significantly improve OS compared to ICIs alone. Conversely, for patients who had not received prior TRT, adding BRT to ICIs significantly enhanced OS. Among the patients who underwent BRT, 71 received whole brain radiotherapy (WBRT) while 19 opted for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS). No significant differences in OS and PFS were observed between the SRS and WBRT modalities. The sequence of ICIs relative to BRT was found to influence PFS adversely. Administering BRT before ICIs (RT‐ICI) was associated with worse PFS compared to administering ICIs followed by BRT (ICI‐RT). Additionally, no significant differences in OS and PFS were noted among the three subgroups defined by varying intervals between ICIs and BRT. For patients without baseline BMs, TRT and prophylactic cranial irradiation were associated with delayed onset of brain metastases.

Conclusions

Our study underscores the importance of optimizing treatment strategies and considering the timing and integration of radiotherapy and immunotherapy to improve outcomes for patients with ES‐SCLC, particularly those at risk of or presenting with BMs.
Age‐Related Diversification and Specialization in the Mental Lexicon: Comparing Aggregate and Individual‐Level Network Approaches
Authors: Jeong Dasol , Hills Thomas T.
Published: November 2024

The mental lexicon changes across the lifespan. Prior work, aggregating data among individuals of similar ages, found that the aging lexicon, represented as a network of free associations, becomes more sparse with age: degree and clustering coefficient decrease and average shortest path length increases. However, because this work is based on aggregated data, it remains to be seen whether or not individuals show a similar pattern of age‐related lexical change. Here, we demonstrate how an individual‐level approach can be used to reveal differences that vary systematically with age. We also directly compare this approach with an aggregate‐level approach, to show how these approaches differ. Our individual‐level approach follows the logic of many past approaches by comparing individual data as they are situated within population‐level data. To do this, we produce a conglomerate network from population‐level data and then identify how data from individuals of different ages are situated within that network. Though we find most qualitative patterns are preserved, individuals produce associates that have a higher clustering coefficient in the conglomerate network as they age. Alongside a reduction in degree, this suggests more specialized but clustered knowledge with age. Older individuals also reveal a pattern of increasing distance among the associates they produce in response to a single cue, indicating a more diverse range of associations. We demonstrate these results for three different languages: English, Spanish, and Dutch, which all show the same qualitative patterns of differences between aggregate and individual network approaches. These results reveal how individual‐level approaches can be taken with aggregate data and demonstrate new insights into understanding the aging lexicon.
Development and Validation of an Individualized Nomogram for Predicting Patent Foramen Ovale‐Associated Stroke: Patent Foramen Ovale Morphology‐Based Analysis
Authors: Zhang Qin , Xiao Mochao , Lu Wuzhu , Lin Yuhong , Gao Ziqing , Chen Yuzhuo , Tian Jiali , Su Zhongzhen , Chen Xiaobo
Published: November 2024

Background

We previously reported four patent foramen ovale (PFO) morphological types that influenced right‐to‐left shunt (RLS) grades. Herein, we aimed to study the relationship between PFO morphology and cryptogenic stroke (CS). We further developed a nomogram based on four PFO morphological types and functional parameters to guide clinicians in judging the risk of PFO‐associated stroke.

Methods

This was a retrospective observational study involving adult patients with PFO between January 2020 and November 2022. Patients were divided into a PFO‐associated stroke group (CS group) and a group without cryptogenic stroke (non‐CS group). Four types of PFO and RLS grades were analyzed. Nomograms were made to predict PFO‐associated stroke using multivariable logistic regression analysis. The discrimination performance of the model was internally validated and assessed using the receiver operating characteristic.

Results

We enrolled 389 patients (male, 182 patients; female, 207 patients) with PFO, the mean age was 43.3 ± 8.1 years. The derivation cohort comprised 293 patients (CS group, 186 patients; non‐CS group, 107 patients). The predictive nomogram comprised PFO morphological types, interatrial septum (IAS) mobility distance, septum primum thickness, PFO channel length at rest, and contrast‐transthoracic echocardiography (c‐TTE) RLS grade during the Valsalva maneuver. A validation cohort was established (CS group, 61 patients; non‐CS group, 35 patients). The model area under the curve (AUC) was 0.891 (95% confidence interval = 0.855−0.928) in the derivation cohort and 0.935 (95% confidence interval = 0.885−0.986) in the validation cohort. Calibration curve analysis showed that the nomogram had a C‐index of 0.891 in the derivation cohort and 0.935 in the validation cohort. The decision curve analysis (DCA) indicated that the nomogram had clinical applicability.

Conclusions

Adding four PFO morphological types improved the risk stratification capability for PFO‐associated stroke. The nomogram can identify high or low‐risk PFO individuals and select patients who will likely benefit from interventional device closure.
A Noninvasive Prediction Model With Simple Echocardiographic Variables for Shunts Closure Possibility in Patients With Posttricuspid Valve Shunt Defect
Authors: Li Hezhi , Huang Zehan , Huang Zhengan , Li Xiaoshan , Zhang Caojin , Fei Hongwen
Published: November 2024

Background

As right heart catheterization (RHC) is invasive and not always accessible, this study developed a noninvasive model (P‐echo) to predict shunt closure feasibility in adult congenital heart disease (ACHD) patients with post‐tricuspid valve shunt defects (PTD), specifically isolated ventricular septal defects (VSD) and patent ductus arteriosus (PDA).

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 1474 VSD or PDA patients from 2012 to 2022 was conducted. Echocardiographic parameters were assessed, and key variables identified via LASSO regression. The P‐echo model incorporated left to right velocity (LRv), right to left velocity (RLv), tricuspid regurgitation (TR), pulmonary artery diameter (PA), and RV/LV ratio. Its predictive performance was evaluated using ROC curve analysis.

Results

The P‐echo model demonstrated excellent predictive performance with AUC values of 0.975 (95% CI: 0.965–0.984) in the derivation set, 0.963 (95% CI: 0.937–0.989) in the validation set, and high accuracy in both PDA (AUC 0.975, 95% CI: 0.965–0.984) and VSD (AUC 0.958, 95% CI: 0.936–0.980) subsets. In the derivation set, the model categorized patients into low (9.1% closure rate), medium (70.9% closure rate), and high‐risk groups (99.7% closure rate) for shunt closure feasibility. Calibration plots confirmed the model's accuracy. Decision curve analysis showed a higher net benefit across a range of threshold probabilities, indicating the clinical usefulness of the model.

Conclusions

The P‐echo model is a robust and reliable tool for predicting the feasibility of shunt closure in patients with PTD, offering a noninvasive alternative to RHC. This model can guide clinical decision‐making and support individualized treatment strategies in ACHD management.
A Qualitative Inquiry Into Metacognitive Strategies of Postgraduate Students in Employing ChatGPT for English Academic Writing
Authors: Yao Yuan , Sun Yiwen , Zhu Siyu , Zhu Xinhua
Published: November 2024

Recent years have witnessed a growing application of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) technology in writing instruction. Students should mobilise their metacognitive strategies during this endeavour to maximise the benefits of GenAI while avoiding the potential negative impacts. Within the context of tertiary education in Hong Kong, this qualitative research investigates 13 postgraduate students' metacognitive strategies when utilising ChatGPT for English academic writing. Using data collected from audio recordings, semi‐structured interviews and human–GenAI chat logs, we explored students' metacognitive strategies within five dimensions, namely, planning, monitoring, evaluating, information management and debugging. The identified themes and subthemes within each dimension exhibited similarities to those observed in other educational settings. Meanwhile, certain metacognitive strategies (e.g., debugging) were found to be unique to the context of GenAI‐supported academic writing. This study contributes to the literature in two ways. Firstly, it provides a detailed and thorough understanding of metacognitive strategies, complementing the extensive quantitative research in this area. Secondly, this research expands the framework of metacognitive strategies to the context of GenAI‐supported academic writing learning.
Alone on the Bridge: The Intersectional Identity and Mediating Role of Israeli Educators of Ethiopian Descent
Authors: Binhas Adi
Published: November 2024

Intercultural mediation has developed significantly in recent decades in various public systems, including the education system. In Israel, hundreds of mediators from various social groups serve to bridge between the parents and community on the one hand, and the school on another. This role involves a personal and professional challenge given the mediators' intersectional identity as members of both a migrant group and the host culture, where they represent the Israeli education system. This study focuses on mediators of Ethiopian descent, and examines the following questions: (1) How are the mediators' two identities expressed? (2) How do they affect their personal and professional experiences? (3) What, in their experience, are the most effective tools for intercultural mediation in the school system? (4) How can a public system support the mediators' activity? The study was carried out in the Research Lab of the Center for the Advancement of a Shared Society at the Beit Berl College, with the funding of the Feldman Foundation TX.
Eating habits and behaviors in children with Dravet syndrome: A case–control study
Authors: Laliberté Alexandra , Siafa Lyna , Soufi Arij , Dassi Christelle , Russ‐Hall Sophie J. , Scheffer Ingrid E. , Myers Kenneth A.
Published: November 2024

This study evaluated food preferences and eating behaviors of individuals with Dravet syndrome. Patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome were recruited, as well as a control group composed of siblings of patients with epilepsy (any form). The Food Preference Questionnaire and the Child Eating Behavior Questionnaire were completed by caregivers along with two open‐ended questions regarding eating challenges. Seventy‐eight participants (45 with Dravet syndrome and 33 controls) were included. Compared to controls, mean scores for food preference were lower for fruits (p = .000099), meats and fish (p = .00094), and snacks (p = .000027) in Dravet syndrome. People with Dravet syndrome also had less emotional overeating (p = .0085) and food enjoyment (p = .0012), but more slowness in eating (p = .00021) and food fussiness (p = .0064). In a subgroup analysis of only pediatric (age <18 years) patients, similar results were observed for both food preferences and eating habits. In qualitative data, caregivers most commonly reported difficulties with fixation on specific foods. This study demonstrates specific food preferences and challenging eating behaviors in individuals with Dravet syndrome. These data provide potential avenues for nutritional interventions and behavioral therapies to increase the quality of life of patients and their families.
Few‐Shot Contrastive Learning‐Based Multi‐Round Dialogue Intent Classification Method
Authors: Wei Feng , Zhang Xu
Published: November 2024

Traditional text classification models face challenges in handling long texts and understanding topic transitions in dialogue scenarios, leading to suboptimal performance in automatic speech recognition (ASR)‐based multi‐round dialogue intent classification. In this article, we propose a few‐shot contrastive learning‐based multi‐round dialogue intent classification method. First, the ASR texts are partitioned, and role‐based features are extracted using a Transformer encoder. Second, refined sample pairs are forward‐propagated, adversarial samples are generated by perturbing word embedding matrices and contrastive loss is applied to positive sample pairs. Then, positive sample pairs are input into a multi‐round reasoning module to learn semantic clues from the entire scenario through multiple dialogues, obtain reasoning features, input them into a classifier to obtain classification results, and calculate multi‐task loss. Finally, a prototype update module (PUM) is introduced to rectify the biased prototypes by using gated recurrent unit (GRU) to update the prototypes stored in the memory bank and few‐shot learning (FSL) task. Experimental evaluations demonstrate that the proposed method outperforms state‐of‐the‐art methods on two public datasets (DailyDialog and CM) and a private real‐world dataset.
A Theoretical Framework to Quantify Ecosystem Pressure‐Volume Relationships
Authors: Binks Oliver , Meir Patrick , Konings Alexandra G. , Cernusak Lucas , Christoffersen Bradley O. , Anderegg William R. L. , Wood Jeffrey , Sack Lawren , Martinez‐Vilalta Jordi , Mencuccini Maurizio
Published: November 2024

‘Water potential’ is the biophysically relevant measure of water status in vegetation relating to stomatal, canopy and hydraulic conductance, as well as mortality thresholds; yet, this cannot be directly related to measured and modelled fluxes of water at plot‐ to landscape‐scale without understanding its relationship with ‘water content’. The capacity for detecting vegetation water content via microwave remote sensing further increases the need to understand the link between water content and ecosystem function. In this review, we explore how the fundamental measures of water status, water potential and water content are linked at ecosystem‐scale drawing on the existing theory of pressure‐volume (PV) relationships. We define and evaluate the concept and limitations of applying PV relationships to ecosystems where the quantity of water can vary on short timescales with respect to plant water status, and over longer timescales and over larger areas due to structural changes in vegetation. As a proof of concept, plot‐scale aboveground vegetation PV curves were generated from equilibrium (e.g., predawn) water potentials and water content of the above ground biomass of nine plots, including tropical rainforest, savanna, temperate forest, and a long‐term Amazonian rainforest drought experiment. Initial findings suggest that the stored water and ecosystem capacitance scale linearly with biomass across diverse systems, while the relative values of ecosystem hydraulic capacitance and physiologically accessible water storage do not vary systematically with biomass. The bottom‐up scaling approach to ecosystem water relations identified the need to characterise the distribution of water potentials within a community and also revealed the relevance of community‐level plant tissue fractions to ecosystem water relations. We believe that this theory will be instrumental in linking our detailed understanding of biophysical processes at tissue‐scale to the scale at which land surface models operate and at which tower‐based, airborne and satellite remote sensing can provide information.
Self‐Perceived Oral Health Related to Eating Disorders–A Cross‐Sectional Questionnaire Study
Authors: Östberg Anna‐Lena , Wigenstedt Simon , Karlsson Gunilla Paulsson
Published: November 2024

Objectives

To investigate oral problems experienced by patients with eating disorder (ED).

Methods

A cross‐sectional study where ED patients (n = 48) at two Swedish specialised clinics filled out a questionnaire about perceived oral health problems and habits, and specific behaviours related to ED.

Results

The majority exhibited poor eating and drinking habits, f.i. drinking light drinks (63%), and most of them were on medication (71%). The most common problems were hypersensitive teeth (three out of five) and perceived dryness of the mouth (almost four out of five). Likewise, pain in the teeth (38%) and the jaws (46%) was frequent. About one‐third had been binge eating and/or vomiting in recent weeks and these behaviours were associated with pain in the teeth and snacking. Almost two out of three participants were concerned about informing their dentist or dental hygienist about their vomiting.

Conclusions

The ED patients in this study experienced oral problems and exhibited many risk behaviours regarding oral health. Both dental staff and ED staff who meet ED patients should be aware of the risk of oral health problems and preventive measures should be taken.
Mechanical and electrothermal properties of lightweight graphite/geopolymer composites
Authors: Jabbar Sibtt Mohammed , Hameed Dalya Hekmat , Disher Imad Ali
Published: November 2024

Graphite/geopolymer composite is a promising smart material that can be used in various applications. This paper reports the design of strong self‐heating graphite/geopolymer composites with high graphite percentages up to 120 wt% of metakaolin. The physical, mechanical, electrical, and electrothermal performance of composites were investigated; the compressive strength was tested at various ages and the electrothermal performance was tested using AC and DC voltages. The results showed that a compromise between high compressive strength and high electrothermal conversion can be achieved when a specific balance between the percentage of the graphite and the water content is established. The current study specified the reason for the deterioration of the electrothermal performance of the graphite/geopolymer composites, that is, the formation of a barrier layer between the electrode and the sample surface; it has been found that this can be avoided by removing the free ions from the geopolymer via washing. A composite with 47 ± 1 MPa compressive strength and stable electrothermal performance of 98°C at 6 DC volts can be prepared using 90 wt% graphite and 57 mL water content. This work is a step in the future innovation of smart construction using self‐heating and antifreezing construction materials.
Privatization in mixed duopoly with vertical differentiation: Price versus quantity competition
Authors: Lu Yuanzhu , Choi Kangsik
Published: November 2024

In this paper, we investigate the issue of privatization in a mixed duopoly with vertical differentiation under Cournot and Bertrand competition. The public firm is assumed to produce a lower‐quality product with lower production costs. We find that under both Bertrand and Cournot competition, privatization is socially desirable (undesirable) if the quality level of the private firm is sufficiently high (low). However, if the quality of the private firm is intermediate, Bertrand and Cournot competition yields opposite policy implications: privatization is desirable under Bertrand competition while undesirable under Cournot competition. Therefore, under Bertrand competition, privatization is more likely to be welfare‐improving than under Cournot competition.
Juvenile hormone controls trehalose metabolism by regulating trehalase 2 activity in ovarian development of Helicoverpa armigera
Authors: Qin Qianyue , Zhang Bo , Fang Bin , Chang Yanpeng , Li Xiang , An Shiheng , Zhao Wenli
Published: November 2024

Trehalase (Treh) is crucial for ovarian development as it directly regulates the energy supply by hydrolyzing trehalose into glucose. Juvenile hormone (JH) is also essential for ovarian development, but how it affects Treh2 activity remains unclear. This study, which employed Helicoverpa armigera as a model, showed that HaTreh2 transcription and enzymatic activity peaks coincided with the peak of JH titers (the 2 and 3 days after emergence). Compared to the dsGFP control, knockdown of HaTreh2 transcription severely impaired ovarian development. LC‐MS/MS and site mutation experiments demonstrated that JH triggered the serine 345 phosphorylation of HaTreh2 via the GPCR‐cAMP‐PKA pathway, thereby activating its enzymatic activity. Additionally, HaTreh2 is directly bound with trehalose transporter (HaTreT) under JH induction, thus controlling intracellular trehalose and glucose contents as well as the transcription of HaTreT. TreT controls the amount of trehalose, which serves as a substrate for Treh1, entering the cell. Treh2, on the other hand, uses extracellular trehalose as substrate, and the hydrolysis product glucose is further transported into the cell. Here, HaTreh2 regulated the substrate that HaTreh1 can act upon in the cell by directly binding with HaTreT during ovarian development when JH is induced. Therefore, JH systematically regulated trehalose metabolism during ovarian development through regulating the activity of HaTreh2. This study sheds light on the coordinated interplay between JH pathway and sugar metabolism in ovarian development.
Host trees partially explain the complex bacterial communities of two threatened saproxylic beetles
Authors: Kolasa Michał , Krovi Rama Sarvani , Plewa Radosław , Jaworski Tomasz , Kadej Marcin , Smolis Adrian , Gutowski Jerzy M. , Sućko Krzysztof , Ruta Rafał , Olbrycht Tomasz , Saluk Sergey , Oczkowicz Maria , Kajtoch Łukasz
Published: November 2024

Microorganisms are integral to ecosystem functioning and host adaptation, yet the understanding of microbiomes in diverse beetle taxa remains limited. We conducted a comprehensive study to investigate the microbial composition of two red flat bark beetle species, Cucujus haematodes and C. cinnaberinus, and assessed the influence of host taxonomic relatedness and host tree species on their microbiomes. We sampled 67 larvae of two Cucujus taxa taken from 11 host tree species. 16S rRNA V4 fragment sequencing revealed distinct microbial communities associated with each Cucujus species, with host tree species significantly influencing microbiome composition. Alpha and beta diversity metrics indicated significant differences between microbial communities in both beetle and host tree species. Principal component analysis indicated distinct clustering based on host tree species but not for beetle species. This overlap could be attributed to the similar ecology of both Cucujus species. The detection of various bacteria, among which some have already been reported in saproxylophagous beetles, suggests that the red flat bark beetles ingest the bacteria via foraging on other wood‐dwelling invertebrates. Our findings show the complex interplay between host taxonomy, microhabitat and microbial composition in Cucujus, providing insights into their ecological roles and conservation implications. This research helps to fill the gap in understanding the microbial dynamics of saproxylic beetles, sheds light on factors shaping their microbiomes and highlights the importance of considering both host species and environmental conditions when studying insect‐microbe interactions in forest ecosystems.
Accuracy, Marginal, and Internal Fit of Additively Manufactured Provisional Restorations and Prostheses Printed at Different Orientations
Authors: Alghauli Mohammed Ahmed , Aljohani Rola , Almuzaini Sarah , Aljohani Waad , Almutairi Shahad , Alqutaibi Ahmed Yaseen
Published: November 2024

Objectives

This systematic review aimed to assess the impact of printing orientation on the accuracy and properties of additively manufactured provisional restorations.

Materials and Methods

A systematic literature search databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were conducted in July 2024 without language restrictions. The included studies were evaluated using the modified CONSORT checklist, and the effect measures and synthetic methods were employed to assess the accuracy of resin provisional restorations printed at various orientations.

Results

The web search resulted in 8228 records, and 15 records were ultimately included in the analysis. The printing orientation of provisional restorations has an impact on various factors such as the internal and marginal gap, trueness, precision, and accuracy. To achieve optimal results, it is recommended to utilize printing orientations of 180°, 150°, and 210°, as they showed lower marginal and internal gaps and higher accuracy. Caution should be exercised during the virtual positioning of supporting pillars, as this may also influence the overall accuracy.

Conclusions

Horizontally and slightly tilted orientations have demonstrated superior accuracy. To achieve optimal results, factors such as printing layer thickness, printing technology, materials, and supportive pillars should be taken into consideration, besides the printing orientations.

Clinical Significance

The selection of the optimum printing parameters overall printing orientations, layer thickness, and supportive pillar position can generate prosthetic and restorative dental parts with a long survival rate, saving time and effort by avoiding fracture, loss of retention, and consequent clinical complications.
Post‐colonoscopy upper gastrointestinal malignancies in positive immunochemical fecal occult blood test patients: An Australian data linkage study
Authors: Pakneshan Sahar , Moy Naomi , Shah Ayesha , Koloski Natasha , Jones Mike P , Talley Nicholas J , Holtmann Gerald
Published: November 2024

Background and Aim

In immunochemical fecal occult blood test (iFOBT) positive subjects, colonoscopy screening can detect colorectal cancers and advanced adenomas, yet most iFOBT‐positive subjects find no relevant lower gastrointestinal lesions. Limited data are available on upper gastrointestinal (UGI) cancer risk in iFOBT‐positive patients. This study investigated the incidence of UGI malignancies diagnosed within 3 years post‐colonoscopy after a positive iFOBT.

Methods

Retrospective analysis of iFOBT‐positive patients aged 50–75 years who underwent a colonoscopy at a single institution. All patients with a diagnosis of UGI cancer within 3 years post‐colonoscopy were identified by linking with the Queensland Cancer Register. This was used to compare to the geographical population aged 50–74 years based on the Australian Bureau of Statistics and Queensland Cancer Council data.

Results

From 1748 eligible participants, 0.23% (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.06–0.58) were diagnosed with UGI cancer within 3 years post‐colonoscopy. This indicates an esophageal cancers rate of 114.42 per 100 000 (95% CI 100.56–298.28) and gastric cancer rate of 57.21 per 100 000 (95% CI 55.76–261.12). Of the patients with a UGI cancer, 75% would have had an unexplained iFOBT. Annual incidence for the same geographic region, ages, and period for the combined esophageal and gastric cancer was 36.08 per 100 000 (95% CI 32.87–39.52).

Conclusions

Among individuals with a positive iFOBT in a bowel cancer screening program, the rates of gastric and esophageal cancers were 2.7 and 7.5 times higher than the general population. Adding gastroscopy to a colonoscopy for iFOBT‐positive patients in cancer surveillance programs may be justifiable.
Clinical Outcomes and Safety Profile of a Dextranomer–Hyaluronic Acid Hybrid Filler: A Case Series Analysis
Authors: Ruiz Nazaret , Lopez Roberto Miranda , Marques Ruben , Fontenete Silvia
Published: November 2024

Background

The demand for aesthetic treatments targeting the middle and lower face is on the rise, especially because of changes in appearance associated with aging.

Aim

This study aimed to assess the use of a hybrid filler for sculpting and contouring of the chin, jaw, and malar region.

Methods and Materials

A retrospective analysis was performed on patients who underwent jaw and chin contouring and cheek augmentation using a hybrid filler (hyaluronic acid and dextranomer). The evaluation focused on the naturalness of appearance, enhancement in volume, and the durability of the results, employing a 5‐point scale. Both patient satisfaction and physician evaluations were measured using the Likert scale and the Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale (GAIS), respectively. Follow‐up with patients extended up to 6 months after treatment, during which any treatment‐related adverse events (AEs) were meticulously recorded and analyzed.

Results

Nineteen patients participated in the study, receiving an average injection volume of 2.4 ± 0.9 mL to attain the desired outcomes. The evaluation of natural appearance, volumizing effects, and durability at the analyzed time point consistently scored above 4. All 19 patients' aesthetic improvement was evaluated as “very much improved” and “much improved”, at the GAIS score. All patients report improvement in their appearance, with 89.5% rating it as “very much improved” or “much improved” on the Likert scale. Only expected AEs such as mild pain and lower swelling were registered.

Conclusion

The hybrid filler proved effective and safe for facial contouring, with significant patient satisfaction and minimal adverse effects.