bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Digital transformation in tourism and hospitality industry: a literature review of blockchain, financial technology, and knowledge management
Authors: Ratna Silvia , Saide Saide , Putri Afifah Mesha , Indrajit Richardus Eko , Muwardi Didi
Published: November 2023

Purpose

This study aims to provide a new overview and opportunities of blockchain (BCT), financial technology (fintech) and knowledge management (KM) over the past ten years. Its focus is on their potential to drive new value creation and innovation processes within the digital landscape of the tourism and hospitality.

Design/methodology/approach

This systematic literature review and sociotechnical approach employs a literature analysis, analyzing and synthesizing 62 relevant articles published in the past decade form e-databases (Web of Science and Scopus).

Findings

This study reveals that researchers frequently discuss the potential advantages and challenges of BCT, fintech and KM in this industry. These include establishing systems that prioritize transparency and traceability, addressing blockchain security concerns, enhancing financial transaction efficiency and trustworthiness, and promoting innovation and improvement through KM strategies. Furthermore, this review suggests that the application of blockchain, fintech and KM has the potential to create new markets and opportunities in the tourism and hospitality industry. This study provides insights into the state and implementation of technology-based and knowledge-based for tourism and hospitality in times of crisis and digitization era.

Practical implications

Shifting to new lens (refers to sociotechnical theory), from technology adoption strategy, it is important to stay updated with emerging technologies such as BCT and fintech and upcoming technologies trends must align with tourism and hospitality business objectives, customer expectations and market demands. From the socio-dimension, KM is not confined to technological tools alone. Instead, it is a strategic approach that emphasizes fostering a culture of open communication, collaboration and knowledge sharing within the team of tourism and hospitality industry.

Originality/value

Through a literature review approach, this study establishes a new foundation in tourism and hospitality such as analyzing research gaps, understanding benefits and challenges, supporting methodologies/theoretical frameworks and informing the future research opportunities. Additionally, a novel contribution is the inclusion of sociotechnical approach that is allocated into socio or knowledge resources perspective (knowledge management), and technical or technology perspective (blockchain and fintech) that drives tourism and hospitality innovation.
Fundamental performance and earnings quality in private firms
Authors: Sundkvist Charlotte Haugland , Stenheim Tonny
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the effect on earnings quality in private firms caused by a negative shock to fundamental performance, while simultaneously addressing methodological challenges measuring fundamental performance present in prior accrual-based earnings management literature.

Design/methodology/approach

Fundamental performance is unobservable and, therefore, difficult to measure. Existing research has used proxies that are subject to estimation errors and endogeneity concerns (e.g. DeFond and Park, 1997, Balsam et al., 1995). This study attempts to overcome these issues by taking advantage of the exogenous shock in oil price which occurred in 2014 and by using a difference-in-differences approach to investigate the effect on earnings management caused by a negative shift in fundamental performance.

Findings

The results suggest that a negative shock in fundamental performance, indicated by the oil price shock in 2014, reduces earnings quality. This result holds for various robustness tests such as the use of propensity score matching, and the inclusion of firm fixed effects. Additional analysis suggests that the reduction in earnings quality is driven by an increase in positive discretionary accruals, suggesting that managers of private firms experiencing poor performance manage earnings upwards to conceal true performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the literature by examining the effect of a negative shock to performance in a setting of private firms and by addressing methodological challenges in prior literature. Private firms are fundamentally different from public firms, with the consequence that results from public firms may not be generalizable to private firms (e.g. Hope et al., 2012, Burghstahler et al., 2006, Ball and Shivakumar, 2005).
Exploring the impact of patient internet usage on patient–physician interaction, satisfaction and revisit intention: a comprehensive study
Authors: Kamboj Preeti , Agrawal Amit Kumar , Chatterjee Sheshadri , Hussain Zahid , Misra Sanjay
Published: November 2023

Purpose

The ubiquity of the internet has extended immense informational power to patients around the world who previously had abysmal knowledge about the disease they are suffering from. With a large amount of information in their hands, these educated and well-informed patients are cultivating deeper relationships and engagement with their physicians through meaningful interactions. This study aims to investigate the influence of patients’ internet usage and their interactions on their intentions to revisit and foster relationships with their physicians.

Design/methodology/approach

A survey-based questionnaire was administered at four government hospitals in Pune, involving a sample size of 400. The study intends to use structural equation modelling (SEM) to examine the hypothesized relationships identified within the research analysis.

Findings

The findings of this study indicate that patients report higher levels of satisfaction and intention to revisit when they have a strong interaction with their physician.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides valuable inputs to the hospital authorities and health-care-related policy makers. This study also contributes to the overall body of literature on health care information system, behavioural aspects of patients and doctors as well as other health-care-related staffs in hospitals.

Originality/value

The study adds values to the overall body of literature for both hospital information system, patient interaction and health care policy. To date, no research has examined the association between patient–physician interactions conducted through internet channels and subsequent behavioural intentions. Moreover, the study investigates the behavioural aspects of patients and health-care staffs, which adds value towards the body of knowledge in the extant literature.
A novel virtual-communicated evolution learning recommendation
Authors: Chen Yi-Cheng , Chen Yen-Liang
Published: November 2023

Purpose

In this “Info-plosion” era, recommendation systems (or recommenders) play a significant role in finding interesting items in the surge of online digital activity and e-commerce. The purpose of this paper is to model users' preference evolution to recommend potential items which users may be interested in.

Design/methodology/approach

A novel recommendation system, namely evolution-learning recommendation (ELR), is developed to precisely predict user interest for making recommendations. Differing from prior related methods, the authors integrate the matrix factorization (MF) and recurrent neural network (RNN) to effectively describe the variation of user preferences over time.

Findings

A novel cumulative factorization technique is proposed to efficiently decompose a rating matrix for discovering latent user preferences. Compared to traditional MF-based methods, the cumulative MF could reduce the utilization of computation resources. Furthermore, the authors depict the significance of long- and short-term effects in the memory cell of RNN for evolution patterns. With the context awareness, a learning model, V-LSTM, is developed to dynamically capture the evolution pattern of user interests. By using a well-trained learning model, the authors predict future user preferences and recommend related items.

Originality/value

Based on the relations among users and items for recommendation, the authors introduce a novel concept, virtual communication, to effectively learn and estimate the correlation among users and items. By incorporating the discovered latent features of users and items in an evolved manner, the proposed ELR model could promote “right” things to “right” users at the “right” time. In addition, several extensive experiments are performed on real datasets and are discussed. Empirical results show that ELR significantly outperforms the prior recommendation models. The proposed ELR exhibits great generalization and robustness in real datasets, including e-commerce, industrial retail and streaming service, with all discussed metrics.
On the duality of partner type diversity on network stability: the mediating role of knowledge recombination in R&D network
Authors: Guo Min , Yang Naiding , Wang Jingbei , Liu Hui , Sayed Muhammad Fawad Sharif
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Previous research has analyzed the consequence of network stability; however, little is known about how partner type diversity influence network stability in R&D network. Based on knowledge-based view and social network theory, the purpose of this paper is to unravel the internal mechanisms between partner type diversity and network stability through the mediating role of knowledge recombination in R&D network.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected an unbalanced panel patent data set from information communication technology industry for the period 1994–2016. Then, the authors tested the different dimensions of partner type variety and its relevance in the R&D network and the mediating role of knowledge recombination through adopting the multiple linear regression.

Findings

Results indicate an inverted U-shaped relationship between partner type diversity (variety and relevance) and network stability, whereas knowledge recombination partially mediate these relationships.

Originality/value

From the perspective of R&D networks, this paper explores that there are the under-researched phenomena the antecedent of network stability through nodal attributes (i.e. partner type variety and partner type relevance). Moreover, this paper empirically examined the mediating role of knowledge recombination in the partner type diversity–network stability relationships. The novel perspective allows focal firm to recognize importance of nodal attributes, which are critical to fully excavate the potential capabilities of cooperating partners in R&D network.
Promoting ethnic diversity in public housing: Singapore and England compared
Authors: Ti Edward , See Alvin
Published: November 2023

Purpose

Although the Singapore model of ethnic integration through its public housing programme is well known, the formula for replicating its success elsewhere remains underexplored. This study aims to identify the criteria for successful transplantation, specifically by identifying the housing tenure types that are most amenable to the implementation of the Singapore model.

Design/methodology/approach

Through a comparative study of two common law jurisdictions – Singapore and England – this article highlights the differences in their housing landscapes and how such differences impact upon the adoption of ethnic integration policies through housing. The article also unpacks, through a cross-disciplinary lens, the concepts of public housing and housing tenures, drawing heavily on socio-legal and housing literature.

Findings

The authors observe that the implementation of ethnic integration policies is best justified and most easily achieved in leasehold estates that exhibit a strong tenurial relationship with the state retaining a more than notional role. Public housing in Singapore being an exemplar of this model, the implementation of its ethnic integration policy is relatively straightforward. By contrast, the shrinking public housing sector in England means that adoption of a similar policy would have limited reach. Even then, the political–legal environment in England that promotes home ownership is potentially hostile to the adoption of such policy as it may be seen as an infringement of private property right.

Originality/value

The cross-jurisdiction comparison is supplemented by an interdisciplinary analysis that seeks to bridge differences in the categorisation of tenure in housing and law literatures so as to promote cross-disciplinary dialogue.
Measuring supplier diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI): scale development and empirical validation
Authors: Silva Minelle E. , Ruel Salomée , Sousa-Filho José Milton
Published: November 2023

Purpose

As firms consider initiatives to enhance their social sustainability performance, supplier diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) have become significantly more important. As such, the purpose of this study is to theorize, operationalize and develop an empirical scale to measure supplier DEI.

Design/methodology/approach

The following three-phase scale development method was used: first, identification of scale items from the literature; second, a qualitative component involving interviews with expert panels; and third, a psychometric evaluation through two survey rounds with 327 managers from multiple areas of supply chain management.

Findings

Although not necessarily a new concept, this study provides a more complete understanding of supplier DEI beyond traditional aspects of supplier diversity (e.g. women and minority-owned suppliers) to feature additional considerations (e.g. LGBTQIAP+) and reflect broader societal considerations, such as human rights. Therefore, validated items for the three dimensions (i.e. diversity, equity [human rights] and inclusion) were identified.

Originality/value

This study provides systematically validated scales to measure supplier DEI based on three dimensions. Each dimension can be developed separately from the others, but they are intertwined, which reinforces the contribution to both scholars and practitioners.
The effects of gas extraction under intertidal mudflats on sediment and macrozoobenthic communities
Authors: de la Barra Paula , Aarts Geert , Bijleveld Allert
Published: November 2023

Land subsidence in intertidal environments may change the flooding regime and sediment composition, two drivers of the macrozoobenthic community. In the Dutch Wadden Sea, a UNESCO world heritage site, gas extraction has resulted in an average subsidence of intertidal mudflats of 2 mm year−1. These mudflats support an abundant macrozoobenthic community that offers important resources for birds and fish. The area is managed through the ‘hand on the tap’ principle, meaning that human activities should be halted if they affect the natural values. To what extent land subsidence affects sediment and macrozoobenthos remains unknown and is increasingly important given sea level rise.

Taking advantage of a large‐scale monitoring program, we evaluated the effect of anthropogenically caused subsidence on sediment composition and macrozoobenthos. Nearly 4600 points were sampled yearly (2008–2020) across the Dutch Wadden Sea, allowing us to compare sediment composition and macrozoobenthos biomass within and outside the subsidence area while controlling for the main drivers of these variables. We also compared population trends within and outside the subsidence area for 31 species with different habitat use.

Mud fraction was 3% higher within the subsided area and median grain size decreased at 1 μm year−1while remaining constant in other mudflats. This had no effect on the total biomass of macrozoobenthos. Within the subsidence area, however, the biomass of species that use deeper areas increased compared to outside, and the opposite was true for species using shallower habitat.

Policy implications: Land subsidence is related to changes in median grain size and macrozoobenthic community composition. However, because thresholds have not been defined, it is not clear if this requires management actions. For a successful implementation of the ‘hand on the tap’ principle in the Wadden Sea, it is necessary to define beforehand the relevant variables that represent the natural values, implement proper monitoring and define thresholds above which effects are not acceptable. We propose median grain size, mud fraction and macrozoobenthic composition as good measures of the natural values of the Wadden Sea, and the methods used here as a way for identifying anthropogenic effects on them.
Factors influencing consumer motivations for protein choice
Authors: Keefer Heather , Racette Clara , Drake MaryAnne
Published: November 2023

This study evaluated the factors that motivate US consumers (18–65 years) to choose protein products derived from specific protein sources. An online survey was conducted. Participants who purchased protein products (n = 673) were shown agree/disagree questions, along with maximum difference (MaxDiff), constant sum, and Kano questions on factors surrounding protein choice. Last, follow‐up qualitative interviews were conducted with 51 survey participants to further investigate consumer motivations behind protein choice. Survey participants conceptually desired a protein product or protein‐fortified food that was a good source of protein, tasted great, and was healthy. Three clusters of consumers with distinct motivations for protein purchases were identified. Cluster 1 (C1) consumers (n = 176) desired plant‐based, environmentally friendly products and valued sustainability label claims more than flavor/taste. Cluster 2 (C2) consumers (n = 271) were nutritionally conscious and desired high‐protein healthy products that were also high in vitamins/minerals. Cluster 3 (C3) consumers (n = 226) showed the most loyalty to the products they currently purchased and were also most willing to try new products based on the recommendations. Cluster 1 consumers placed importance on protein sources, while C2 valued price most and C3 gave the highest value to flavor. In side‐by‐side protein comparisons, plant‐based proteins were considered superior to dairy proteins in sustainability, health, ethics, and digestibility, while both protein types were at parity for naturalness, satiety, and taste across all consumers, but differences were documented among consumer clusters. Results from this study demonstrate that there are many different motivations for consumers to purchase protein products. These motivations can be applied to consumer education as well as the strategic positioning of protein products.

Practical Application: This study investigated consumer perception of different protein types and the drivers of choice for protein types among distinct consumer groups. Further application of findings from this study may help guide the development and formulation of new products with a diverse range of protein sources.
Composition of free sugars and organic acids in Japanese strawberry cultivars and their influence on the perception of sweetness and sourness
Authors: Ikegaya Atsushi
Published: November 2023

This study aimed to determine the extent of variations in the ratio of major free sugars to total sugars and major organic acids to total organic acids in strawberry juice with cultivar and harvest season and investigate whether these differences affect the perceived intensity of sweetness and sourness. Eight Japanese strawberry cultivars were simultaneously grown and harvested in different seasons for sugar and organic acid content analyses. In addition, simulated strawberry juices, containing equal total amounts of sugars and organic acids but in different ratios, were prepared based on their analytical values. The perceived intensities of sweetness and sourness of the juices were subjected to sensory evaluation. The results showed a wide range of sucrose compositions, ranging from almost zero to the highest ratio of 36.7% to total sugar. Glucose and fructose were present in approximately equal amounts, with a slight inclination toward more fructose. For organic acids, the highest ratio of citric acid was 87.6%, the lowest was approximately 60.1%, and the remainder comprised malic acid. The results of the sensory evaluation using simulated strawberry juice indicated that sweetness and sourness were significantly more pronounced as the ratio of sucrose to total sugar and the ratio of malic acid to total organic acid increased, respectively. These results suggest that it is essential to consider not only total soluble solids and titratable acidity but also the composition of the sugars and organic acids comprising them when evaluating strawberry taste.

Practical Application

Total soluble solids and titratable acidity have been used to evaluate strawberry taste; however, how the composition and ratios of the sugars and organic acids that comprise them affect the taste is unclear. This study revealed that, for sugars, an increase in the proportion of sucrose resulted in a stronger perception of sweetness, and for organic acids, an increase in the proportion of malic acid resulted in a stronger perception of sourness. These findings are expected to be useful in future studies evaluating strawberry taste and palatability.
Six‐year clinical evaluation of iRoot BP Plus as apical barrier in permanent teeth of periapical periodontitis
Authors: Wang Lijun , Ren Shuangshuang , Sun Xiujuan , Guo Shiliang
Published: November 2023

The apical barrier technique in permanent teeth with extensive destruction of the periapical tissue and a long infection time is much more difficult to succeed, which is a clinical challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the long‐term effects of iRoot BP Plus as an apical material in adult teeth. Fifty incisors and premolars were chosen for this study. All teeth were performed apical barrier with the same operator. After treatment, the teeth were clinically and radiographically evaluated at 1, 2 and 6 years. At the 1‐year follow‐up, 35 teeth had healed, and three patients developed an apical abscess due to root fracture at the 2‐year follow‐up. Six years postoperatively, one tooth showed root resorption, which was considered a failure. The long clinical evaluation confirmed that iRoot BP Plus is a suitable material for the apical barrier of mature teeth with open apices and periapical lesions.
Novel ACTL7A variants in males lead to fertilization failure and male infertility
Authors: Wang Meng , Zhou Juepu , Long Rui , Jin Huizi , Gao Limin , Zhu Lixia , Jin Lei
Published: November 2023

Background

Total fertilization failure occurs in 1%–3% of all intracytoplasmic sperm injection cycles. Genetic defects are found to be crucial causes responsible for total fertilization failure after intracytoplasmic sperm injection. However, the reported genes only elucidate a small proportion of total fertilization failure cases, and more genetic defects are required to be explored.

Objective

To investigate the genetic causes of male‐related fertilization failure and explore the potential underlying mechanism.

Material and methods

Whole‐exome sequencing was performed on male patients suffering from fertilization failure, and Sanger sequencing was used to confirm the detected mutations. The effects of genetic mutations on protein function were analyzed using bioinformatic tools and immunofluorescence assays.

Results

Two males with ACTL7A mutations were enrolled. One carried two compound heterozygous mutations (c.1118G>A:p.R373H; c.1204G>A:p.G402S), the other had a homozygous mutation (c.1117C>T:p.R373C) and was from a consanguineous family with a recessive inheritance pattern. All the variants were located in the actin domain and were predicted to be pathogenic, affecting the number of hydrogen bonds or the arrangement of nearby protein structures. Furthermore, the protein expression of actin‐like protein 7A was absent in affected spermatozoa by using immunofluorescence staining and western blotting, confirming the pathogenicity of the variants. In addition, the phospholipase C zeta 1 was barely absent, and acrosome peanut agglutinin signals were attenuated and unevenly distributed, indicating acrosome dysfunction. In addition, intracytoplasmic sperm injection with artificial oocyte activation treatment could increase the fertilization rate in oocytes injected with affected spermatozoa.

Discussion

Our study identified three ACTL7A pathogenic missense mutations in two males with fertilization failure. It expands the mutational and phenotypic spectrum of ACTL7A gene and provides information on the pathogenesis and therapeutic strategies of fertilization defects induced by ACTL7A pathogenic variants.

Conclusion

ACTL7A variants affected the expression and localization of actin‐like protein 7A in the affected spermatozoa and subsequently decreased the expression of phospholipase C zeta 1, which caused fertilization failure and male infertility.
Self‐reported distress and problems after treatment for gynecological cancer – Correlation between a short screening tool and longer measures of anxiety/depression and health‐related quality of life
Authors: Skaali Tone , Blomhoff Rune , Lindemann Kristina , Smeland Sigbjørn , Bruheim Kjersti , Seland Mette , Thorsen Lene
Published: November 2023

Introduction

The National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) distress thermometer and problem list (DTPL) is a brief self‐report screening measure for use in follow‐up cancer care. The aims of this study were to explore the correlations between scores on the DTPL and scores on longer measures of anxiety/depression and health‐related quality of life among women treated for gynecological cancer, and to define a cutoff score on the DT representing high levels of psychological distress in this patient group.

Material and methods

During outpatient visits, 144 women filled in the DTPL, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the RAND‐36‐Item Short Form Health Survey (RAND‐36) between October 2019 and March 2020. We assessed the agreement between the DT‐scores and the HADS scores, explored variables associated with high levels of distress on the DT, and studied the associations between DTPL‐scores and scores of health‐related quality of life (HRQoL) from RAND‐36.

Results

In receiver operating characteristic curve analysis between the distress score from the DT and a HADS total score ≥15 (defining high levels of anxiety/depression symptoms), the area under the curve was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.74–0.89). Using a cutoff of ≥5 on the DT (scale 0–10), we found a balanced level of sensitivity (81%) and specificity (71%) towards a HADS total score of ≥15. The scores of distress and problems reported on the DTPL correlated significantly with the majority of HRQoL function scales from RAND‐36.

Conclusions

The NCCN DTPL can be used as a screening measure for self‐reported distress and problems after treatment for gynecological cancer. A score of ≥5 on DT may indicate high level of anxiety/depression as measured by HADS. The tool may help identify patients in need of referral to supportive care and rehabilitation facilities.
Self‐processing and social functioning in autistic preschoolers
Authors: Ford Ruth M. , McLean Tracy
Published: November 2023

There is evidence of weak self‐processing in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), including diminished self‐reference effects (SREs) in memory. Because smaller SREs in older ASD children and adults are sometimes associated with worse social functioning, we examined this relation for the first time in ASD preschoolers (n = 21). Following a self‐performed task, children completed tests of self/other source memory, verbal ability, imitation and mentalizing. Although the ASD children were outperformed on the socio‐cognitive measures by non‐autistic preschoolers (n = 20), they still showed a significant SRE. Moreover, the SRE, but not the socio‐cognitive variables, was a significant predictor of children's social functioning as rated by parents. Larger SREs were linked with better social functioning, while children with stronger autism traits showed no memory advantage for information encoded self‐referentially. These findings support previous research showing that self‐processing impairments in ASD are mainly apparent for individuals with greater social difficulties.
Mastery‐approach and performance‐approach goals predict distinct outcomes during personal academic goal pursuit
Authors: Katz‐Vago Inbar , Benita Moti
Published: November 2023

Background

Mastery and performance goals are typically measured as trait‐like abstract goals. However, in their daily academic pursuits, students pursue more concrete goals. The pursuit of these goals is replete with obstacles that can lead to an action crisis.

Aims

We examined how mastery and performance goals affect progress, effort and well‐being during academic goal pursuit. We also asked whether these goals moderated relations between an action crisis and goal pursuit.

Sample

154 Israeli students (average age = 23.59 years, SD = 2.17; 62% female) preparing for an exam.

Methods

In this daily diary study, participants first reported the date of their most stressful exam, two related goals, and their trait‐like achievement goals (mastery, performance). They then completed daily questionnaires assessing their progress, effort, well‐being and action crisis on the 10 days leading up to the exam.

Results

Multilevel modelling showed mastery goals positively predicted daily goal effort and progress and negatively predicted daily action crises, while performance goals positively predicted daily negative affect and action crises. An action crisis was negatively correlated with next‐day goal progress and positive affect among students with high‐performance goals. In students with low‐performance goals, an action crisis positively predicted next‐day positive affect. Finally, for students high on mastery goals, an action crisis was unrelated to negative affect on the same day.

Conclusions

Different trait‐like achievement goals can be mapped onto a common personal goal and affect its pursuit differently. Mastery goals predict optimal goal pursuit, and performance goals are associated with non‐optimal goal pursuit.
Paediatric sepsis survivors are resistant to sepsis‐induced long‐term immune dysfunction
Authors: Colón David F. , Wanderley Carlos W. , Turato Walter M. , Borges Vanessa F. , Franchin Marcelo , Castanheira Fernanda V. S. , Nascimento Daniele , Prado Douglas , Haruo Fernandes de Lima Mikhael , Volpon Leila C. , Kavaguti Silvia K. , Carlotti Ana P. , Carmona Fabio , Franklin Bernardo S. , Cunha Thiago M. , Alves‐Filho Jose Carlos , Cunha Fernando Q.
Published: November 2023

Background and Purpose

Sepsis‐surviving adult individuals commonly develop immunosuppression and increased susceptibility to secondary infections, an outcome mediated by the axis IL‐33/ILC2s/M2 macrophages/Tregs. Nonetheless, the long‐term immune consequences of paediatric sepsis are indeterminate. We sought to investigate the role of age in the genesis of immunosuppression following sepsis.

Experimental Approach

Here, we compared the frequency of Tregs, the activation of the IL‐33/ILC2s axis in M2 macrophages and the DNA methylation of epithelial lung cells from post‐septic infant and adult mice. Likewise, sepsis‐surviving mice were inoculated intranasally with Pseudomonas aeruginosa or by subcutaneous inoculation of the B16 melanoma cell line. Finally, blood samples from sepsis‐surviving patients were collected and the concentration of IL‐33 and Tregs frequency were assessed.

Key Results

In contrast to 6‐week‐old mice, 2‐week‐old mice were resistant to secondary infection and did not show impairment in tumour controls upon melanoma challenge. Mechanistically, increased IL‐33 levels, Tregs expansion, and activation of ILC2s and M2‐macrophages were observed in 6‐week‐old but not 2‐week‐old post‐septic mice. Moreover, impaired IL‐33 production in 2‐week‐old post‐septic mice was associated with increased DNA methylation in lung epithelial cells. Notably, IL‐33 treatment boosted the expansion of Tregs and induced immunosuppression in 2‐week‐old mice. Clinically, adults but not paediatric post‐septic patients exhibited higher counts of Tregs and seral IL‐33 levels.

Conclusion and Implications

These findings demonstrate a crucial and age‐dependent role for IL‐33 in post‐sepsis immunosuppression. Thus, a better understanding of this process may lead to differential treatments for adult and paediatric sepsis.
Healthcare professionals' and consumers' knowledge, attitudes, perspectives, and education needs in oncology pharmacogenomics: A systematic review
Authors: Lim Chiao Xin , Bozkurt Alistair , Chen Zi Yue , Hird Abbey , Wickens Joanne , Lazarakis Smaro , Hussainy Safeera Y. , Alexander Marliese
Published: November 2023

Clinical implementation of pharmacogenomic (PGx)‐guided prescribing in oncology lags behind research evidence generation. We aimed to identify healthcare professionals' (HCPs) and consumers' knowledge, attitudes, perspectives, and education needs to inform strategies for implementation of scalable and sustainable oncology PGx programs. Systematic review of original articles indexed in EMBASE, EMCARE, MEDLINE, and PsycInfo from January 2012 until June 2022, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines and using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool. PROSPERO registration number CRD42022352348. Of 1442 identified studies; 23 met inclusion criteria with 87% assessed high quality. Of these, 52% reported on HCPs, 35% on consumers, and 13% on both HCPs and consumers. Most were conducted in the United States (70%) and included multiple cancer types (74%). Across studies, HCPs and consumers mostly perceived value in PGx, however, both groups reported barriers to utilization, including cost, lack of consistent recommendations across guidelines, and limited knowledge among HCPs; test accuracy, clear testing benefits, and genomic information confidentiality among consumers. HCPs and consumers value and want to engage in PGx strategies in oncology care, however, are inhibited by unmet needs and practice and knowledge gaps. Implementation strategies aimed at addressing these issues may best support increased PGx uptake in oncology practice.
Dynamic species distribution models of Antarctic blue whales in the Weddell Sea using visual sighting and passive acoustic monitoring data
Authors: El‐Gabbas Ahmed , Thomisch Karolin , Van Opzeeland Ilse , Burkhardt Elke , Boebel Olaf
Published: November 2023

Aim

Species distribution models (SDMs) are essential tools in ecology and conservation. However, the scarcity of visual sightings of marine mammals in remote polar areas hinders the effective application of SDMs there. Passive acoustic monitoring (PAM) data provide year‐round information and overcome foul weather limitations faced by visual surveys. However, the use of PAM data in SDMs has been sparse so far. Here, we use PAM‐based SDMs to investigate the spatiotemporal distribution of the critically endangered Antarctic blue whale in the Weddell Sea.

Location

The Weddell Sea.

Methods

We used presence‐only dynamic SDMs employing visual sightings and PAM detections in independent models. We compared the two independent models with a third combined model that integrated both visual and PAM data, aiming at leveraging the advantages of each data type: the extensive spatial extent of visual data and the broader temporal/environmental range of PAM data.

Results

Visual and PAM data prove complementary, as indicated by a low spatial overlap between daily predictions and the low predictability of each model at detections of other data types. Combined data models reproduced suitable habitats as given by both independent models. Visual data models indicate areas close to the sea ice edge (SIE) and with low‐to‐moderate sea ice concentrations (SIC) as suitable, while PAM data models identified suitable habitats at a broader range of distances to SIE and relatively higher SIC.

Main Conclusions

The results demonstrate the potential of PAM data to predict year‐round marine mammal habitat suitability at large spatial scales. We provide reasons for discrepancies between SDMs based on either data type and give methodological recommendations on using PAM data in SDMs. Combining visual and PAM data in future SDMs is promising for studying vocalized animals, particularly when using recent advances in integrated distribution modelling methods.
Comparison of prognostic value among echocardiographic surrogates of right ventricular–pulmonary arterial coupling: A three‐dimensional echocardiographic study
Authors: Kuwajima Ken , Ogawa Mana , Ruiz Irving , Yamane Takafumi , Hasegawa Hiroko , Yagi Nobuichiro , Rader Florian , Siegel Robert J. , Shiota Takahiro
Published: November 2023

Objectives

Right ventricular (RV)–pulmonary arterial (PA) coupling is important in various cardiac diseases. Recently, several echocardiographic surrogates for RV–PA coupling have been proposed and reported to be useful in predicting outcomes. However, it remains unclear which surrogate is the most clinically relevant. This study aimed to comprehensively compare the prognostic value of different echocardiographic RV–PA coupling surrogates.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed 242 patients with various cardiac conditions who underwent comprehensive transthoracic echocardiography with three‐dimensional RV data. In addition to conventional parameters including tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion (TAPSE), fractional area change (FAC), and PA systolic pressure (PASP), we analyzed RV free wall and global longitudinal strain (FWLS and GLS). We also obtained RV ejection fraction (RVEF), stroke volume (SV), and end‐systolic volume (ESV) using three‐dimensional RV analysis. RV–PA coupling surrogates were calculated as TAPSE/PASP, FAC/PASP, FWLS/PASP, GLS/PASP, RVEF/PASP, and SV/ESV. The study endpoint was a composite outcome of all‐cause death or cardiovascular hospitalization within 1 year.

Results

In multivariable analysis, all the RV–PA coupling surrogates were independent predictors of the outcome. Among the surrogates, the model with TAPSE/PASP showed the lowest prognostic value in model fit and discrimination ability, whereas the model with RVEF/PASP exhibited the highest prognostic value. The partial likelihood ratio test indicated that the model with RVEF/PASP was significantly better than the model with TAPSE/PASP (p < .024).

Conclusion

All the RV–PA coupling surrogates were independent predictors of the outcome. Notably, RVEF/PASP had the highest prognostic value among the surrogates.
3D‐printed coloured tooth model for inlay preparation in pre‐clinical dental education
Authors: Zeng Yanglin , Ji Xiao , Dong Bo , Zhang Linglin , Zheng Qinghua , Wang Ya , Han Xianglong , Ye Ling , Huang Dingming , Wang Shida
Published: November 2023

Introduction

Accurate inlay preparation is extremely important in pre‐clinical training. However, there is a lack of tools to guide students to efficiently practise inlay preparation. Therefore, a 3D‐printed coloured tooth model for inlay preparation was designed to guide beginners to practise inlay preparation by themselves according to different colour prompts. This study aimed to evaluate the benefits of using a 3D‐printed coloured tooth model in the pre‐clinical training on inlay preparation.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐eight students in their fourth‐year undergraduate dental program participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to two groups for the inlay preparation. Group 1 prepared a plain tooth model for the first and fourth attempts and a 3D‐printed coloured tooth model for the second and third attempts (n = 14). Group 2 prepared four plain tooth models (n = 14). The first and fourth tooth models prepared by both groups were scored using an evaluation system (Fair Grade 2000, NISSIN). Next, questionnaires answered by students were used to evaluate the benefits of using a 3D‐printed coloured tooth model and self‐evaluate hands‐on ability using a grading system (1 = strongly agree, 2 = agree, 3 = neutral, 4 = disagree, and 5 = strongly disagree). The scores were evaluated statistically using the Mann–Whitney U test, and the given grades are displayed as percentages and mean values.

Results

There was an overall increase in the clinical confidence of all students after repeated attempts to prepare an inlay; however, students from group 1, who had used the 3D‐printed coloured tooth model, had more positive experiences and comments. The 3D‐printed coloured tooth model for inlay preparation has been widely praised by participants. Comparing the average score of the first and fourth preparations, the average score of group 1 increased by 12% (Ø 54.46 ± 8.33, Ø 61.11 ± 7.13, p = .090), while that of group 2 increased by 0.72% (Ø 56.39 ± 9.59, Ø 56.80 ± 8.46, p = .925).

Conclusion

Students favoured the use of the 3D‐printed coloured tooth model, and this improved the average score for inlay preparation. The 3D‐printed coloured tooth model for inlay preparation is expected to play an important role in dental education in the future.
Is it a boy or a girl? Newborn gender and household portfolio decisions
Authors: Arnaboldi Francesca , Beccalli Elena , Gioia Francesca
Published: November 2023

This paper analyzes the role of newborn gender in household investment decisions. Parenting a new baby is associated with a reduction of the share of financial wealth held as cash and an increase in risky investments. The reallocation is however gender‐heterogeneous: the increase in the share of both total and financial wealth allocated to risky assets when parenting girls is reduced for households parenting boys. The effect is driven by the first child. Parents of newborn girls hold riskier portfolios because they make financial decisions influenced by their expectations on the autonomy and financial independence of newborns in adulthood.
Ultrasound‐guided modified subcostal transversus abdominis plane block in a foal undergoing omphalectomy
Authors: López‐Ramis Victor , Santiago‐Llorente Isabel , Manso‐Díaz Gabriel , Arrabé Susana Canfrán , Gómez de Segura Ignacio A.
Published: November 2023

A 7‐day‐old, 60 kg, Purebred Spanish Horse filly was referred with the mare to Complutense University of Madrid, Veterinary teaching hospital for elective omphalectomy. Upon admission, clinical examination was unremarkable except for a thickening of the umbilical area. Haematology and biochemistry values were within the normal range. On abdominal ultrasound (US) examination, a well‐defined, rounded (24 mm of diameter) area that contained heterogeneous material with numerous hyperechoic foci with acoustic shadowing was seen within the inner portion of the umbilical pedicle, between both umbilical arteries. Surgical correction with omphalectomy was scheduled. To provide perioperative analgesia, the transversus abdominis plane (TAP) block was considered. Under general anaesthesia, TAP block was performed in both left and right hemi‐abdominal walls with a modified subcostal approach with two‐site injections. A spinal needle was inserted under US guidance. During surgery, end‐tidal concentration of isoflurane was maintained at 0.7%–0.9%. Surgery was completed uneventfully and no signs of nociceptive input were observed, suggesting an adequate level of analgesia. Therefore, this TAP block technique may be considered to provide analgesia for surgical procedures involving the abdominal wall in foals.
Enhancing text classification with attention matrices based on BERT
Authors: Yu Zhiyi , Li Hong , Feng Jialin
Published: November 2023

Text classification is a critical task in the field of natural language processing. While pre‐trained language models like BERT have made significant strides in improving performance in this area, the distinctive dependency information that is present in text has not been fully exploited. Besides, BERT mostly captures phrase‐level information in lower layers, which becomes progressively weaker with the increasing depth of layers. To address these limitations, our work focuses on enhancing text classification through the incorporation of Attention Matrices, particularly in the fine‐tuning process of pre‐trained models like BERT. Our approach, named AM‐BERT, leverages learned dependency relationships as external knowledge to enhance the pre‐trained model by generating attention matrices. In addition, we introduce a new learning strategy that enables the model to retain learned phrase‐level structure information. Extensive experiments and detailed analysis on multiple benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of our approach in text classification tasks. Furthermore, we show that AM‐BERT achieves stable performance improvements also in named entity recognition tasks.
Deciphering the structure and mechanism of action of computer‐designed mastoparan peptides
Authors: Oshiro Karen G. N. , Freitas Carlos D. P. , Rezende Samilla B. , Orozco Raquel M. Q. , Chan Lai Y. , Lawrence Nicole , Lião Luciano M. , Macedo Maria L. R. , Craik David J. , Cardoso Marlon H. , Franco Octávio L.
Published: November 2023

Mastoparans are cationic peptides with multifunctional pharmacological properties. Mastoparan‐R1 and mastoparan‐R4 were computationally designed based on native mastoparan‐L from wasps and have improved therapeutic potential for the control of bacterial infections. Here, we evaluated whether these peptides maintain their activity against Escherichia coli strains under a range of salt concentrations. We found that mastoparan‐R1 and mastoparan‐R4 preserved their activity under the conditions tested, including having antibacterial activities at physiological salt concentrations. The overall structure of the peptides was investigated using circular dichroism spectroscopy in a range of solvents. No significant changes in secondary structure were observed (random coil in aqueous solutions and α‐helix in hydrophobic and anionic environments). The three‐dimensional structures of mastoparan‐R1 and mastoparan‐R4 were elucidated through nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, revealing amphipathic α‐helical segments for Leu3‐Ile13 (mastoparan‐R1) and Leu3‐Ile14 (mastoparan‐R4). Possible membrane‐association mechanisms for mastoparan‐R1 and mastoparan‐R4 were investigated through surface plasmon resonance and leakage studies with synthetic POPC and POPC/POPG (4:1) lipid bilayers. Mastoparan‐L had the highest affinity for both membrane systems, whereas the two analogs had weaker association, but improved selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This finding was also supported by molecular dynamics simulations, in which mastoparan‐R1 and mastoparan‐R4 were found to have greater interactions with bacteria‐like membranes compared with model mammalian membranes. Despite having a few differences in their functional and structural profiles, the mastoparan‐R1 analog stood out with the highest activity, greater bacteriostatic potential, and selectivity for lysing anionic membranes. This study reinforces the potential of mastoparan‐R1 as a drug candidate.