bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Socio-economic and Demographic Factors Influencing Interpersonal Communication Between Patients and Family Physicians: A Protocol for a Systematic Review
Authors: Svyntozelska Olha , Espinoza Suarez Nataly R. , Demers Juliette , Dugas Michèle , LeBlanc Annie
Published: September 2023

Background

Interpersonal communication is an essential aspect of patients’ relationships with their family physicians. It impacts patients’ experiences and the quality of care. Nevertheless, interpersonal communication can be affected by conscious and unconscious biases based on patients’ socio-economic and demographic characteristics. Evidence synthesis of this aspect of interpersonal communication in primary health care is limited. This systematic review will assess socio-economic and demographic factors influencing interpersonal communication between family physicians and patients living with one or more chronic conditions during clinical encounters.

Methods

We will perform a systematic review following the Joanna Briggs Institute Manual for Evidence Synthesis. The population of interest is adults living with at least one chronic condition. We will collect socioeconomic and demographic factors such as gender, sex, race or ethnicity, levels of literacy and/or health knowledge, level of education, and poverty or socioeconomic status, including employment or income level. Any published empirical study reporting aspects of interpersonal communication between patients and their family physicians will be considered. Three databases (Embase, MEDLINE, and Cochrane) will be assessed for eligible studies. Pairs of independent reviewers will select studies, extract data, and conduct bias assessment using MMAT-2018. We anticipate conducting descriptive and content analyses with narrative synthesis.

Discussion

Findings from this review may guide better communication between primary care physicians and their patients and increase awareness of potential health inequalities pathways in clinical practice.

Registration number

CRD42023411895 (PROSPERO platform).
Structural network topology correlates with cognitive impairment in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Chen Zhichun , Li Guanglu , Zhou Liche , Zhang Lina , Yang Li , Liu Jun
Published: September 2023

In patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD), cognitive impairment is common and substantially exacerbates disease severity. The objective of this study is to investigate whether cognitive decline affects disease severity and whether structural network disruption contributes to cognitive impairment in PD patients. PD patients (n = 146) receiving structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging from Parkinson’s Progression Markers Initiative (PPMI) database were included. Based on the scores of Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), patients were classified into lower quartile group (SDMT score rank: 0%∼25%), interquartile group (SDMT score rank: 26%∼75%), and upper quartile group (SDMT score rank: 76%∼100%) according to their SDMT score quartiles to assess how cognitive function shapes disease manifestations and brain network topology. Patients in the lower quartile group exhibited more severe motor symptoms, non-motor symptoms, and striatal dopamine depletion compared to interquartile group and upper quartile group. In addition, they also showed impaired structural network topology both at global and local levels compared to interquartile group and upper quartile group. Furthermore, different nodal network metrics in structural network contributed to cognitive and motor impairment of PD patients. Taken together, PD patients with worse cognitive function exhibited more severe motor and non-motor symptoms and aberrant structural network metrics were associated with both cognitive and motor decline of PD patients.
Polygenic Risk of Epilepsy and Post-Stroke Epilepsy
Authors: Rivier Cyprien A. , Clocchiatti-Tuozzo Santiago , Misra Shubham , Zelano Johan , Mazumder Rajarshi , Sansing Lauren H , de Havenon Adam , Hirsch Lawrence J. , Liebeskind David S. , Gilmore Emily J. , Sheth Kevin N. , Kim Jennifer A. , Worrall Bradford B. , Falcone Guido , Mishra Nishant K.
Published: September 2023

Background and Aims

Epilepsy is highly heritable, with numerous known genetic risk loci. However, the genetic predisposition’s role in post-acute brain injury epilepsy remains understudied. This study assesses whether a higher genetic predisposition to epilepsy raises post-stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack (TIA) survivor’s risk of Post-Stroke Epilepsy (PSE).

Methods

We conducted a three-stage genetic analysis. First, we identified independent epilepsy-associated (p<5x10−8) genetic variants from public data. Second, we estimated PSE-specific variant weights in stroke/TIA survivors from the UK Biobank. Third, we tested for an association between a polygenic risk score (PRS) and PSE risk in stroke/TIA survivors from the All of Us Research Program. Primary analysis included all ancestries, while a secondary analysis was restricted to European ancestry only. A sensitivity analysis excluded TIA survivors. Association testing was conducted via multivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, sex, and genetic ancestry.

Results

Among 19,708 UK Biobank participants with stroke/TIA, 805 (4.1%) developed PSE. Likewise, among 12,251 All of Us participants with stroke/TIA, 394 (3.2%) developed PSE. After establishing PSE-specific weights for 39 epilepsy-linked genetic variants in the UK Biobank, the resultant PRS was associated with elevated odds of PSE development in All of Us (OR:1.16[1.02-1.32]). A similar result was obtained when restricting to participants of European ancestry (OR:1.23[1.02-1.49]) and when excluding participants with a TIA history (OR:1.18[1.02-1.38]).

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that akin to other forms of epilepsy, genetic predisposition plays an essential role in PSE. Because the PSE data were sparse, our results should be interpreted cautiously.
Developmental progression of the nasopharyngeal microbiome during childhood and association with the lower airway microbiome
Authors: Hernandez-Leyva Ariel J. , Rosen Anne L. , Tomera Christopher P. , Lin Elaina E. , Akaho Elikplim H. , Blatz Allison M. , Otto William R. , Logan Joey , Young Lisa R. , Harris Rebecca M. , Kau Andrew L. , Odom John Audrey R.
Published: September 2023

Background

The upper (URT) and lower (LRT) respiratory tract feature distinct environments and responses affecting microbial colonization but investigating the relationship between them is technically challenging. We aimed to identify relationships between taxa colonizing the URT and LRT and explore their relationship with development during childhood.

Methods

We employed V4 16S rDNA sequencing to profile nasopharyngeal swabs and tracheal aspirates collected from 183 subjects between 20 weeks and 18 years of age. These samples were collected prior to elective procedures at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia over the course of 20 weeks in 2020, from otherwise healthy subjects enrolled in a study investigating potential reservoirs of SARS-CoV-2.

Findings

After extraction, sequencing, and quality control, we studied the remaining 124 nasopharyngeal swabs and 98 tracheal aspirates, including 85 subject-matched pairs of samples. V4 16S rDNA sequencing revealed that the nasopharynx is colonized by few, highly-abundant taxa, while the tracheal aspirates feature a diverse assembly of microbes. While no taxa co-occur in the URT and LRT of the same subject, clusters of microbiomes in the URT correlate with clusters of microbiomes in the LRT. The clusters identified in the URT correlate with subject age across childhood development.

Interpretations

The correlation between clusters of taxa across sites may suggest a mutual influence from either a third site, such as the oropharynx, or host-extrinsic, environmental features. The identification of a pattern of upper respiratory microbiota development across the first 18 years of life suggests that the patterns observed in early childhood may extend beyond the early life window.

Funding

Research reported in this publication was supported by NIH T32 GM007200 (AJH), F30 DK127584 (AJH), NIH/NIAID R21AI154370 (AOJ, ALK), NIH/NICHD R01HD109963 (AOJ, ALK), and NIH/NICHD R33HD105594 (AOJ). Dr. John is an Investigator in the Pathogenesis of Infectious Diseases of the Burroughs Welcome Fund.
Knowledge, attitudes and usage of electronic medical records system at Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Tanzania; An example of EMR user satisfaction in sub-Saharan Africa
Authors: Msami Khadija , Okoroafor Ugochukwu , Mbwana Mohammed , Ngowi John , Lwanga Charles , Luziga Habibu
Published: September 2023

Background

Electronic medical records (EMR) is a useful tool to facilitate workflow and improve the quality of patient care and patient safety. Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI) started the computerization of patients’ records and running of administrative tasks via a customized system.

Broad objective

This study was designed to assess the extent of utilization, staff knowledge, and attitudes towards the EMR system at ORCI. A quantitative data collection tool was adopted and distributed.

Methodology

The study was conducted at Ocean Road Cancer Institute (ORCI), a national tertiary centre located in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Of the 259 employees, a standard structured tool for data collection was applied to the 154 staff calculated sample size.

Results

All the respondents (52) had a working experience of more than three months and had access to the EMR with 49 (94.2%) involved in direct patient care. 25(48.1%) were male and 27(51.9%) were female with a computer literacy rate of 92.3% (48). Only 2(3.8%) of the respondents held postgraduate degrees, and 25 (48.1%) each had diploma (college) and degree (university) level of education. 26(50%) felt the EMR was efficient and met user demands, 19(36.5%) felt it efficient but needing additional modification and only 4 (7.7%) felt it a wastage of time. Attitudes for the usage were fairly distributed with most claiming either slight increase (21, 40.4%) or increase (19,36.5%) quality of work but only 51.9% (27) felt the tasks became easier. 33(63.5%) of the respondents always use paper-based records together with EMR. Whereas 25(48.1%) felt the system provided precise information and 37(71.2%) agreed that the contents provided in the system met their needs, 15(28.8%) felt that the contents never met their needs and 27(51.9%) of the respondents felt that it is not precise. While majority (85%) overall were satisfied with the system and 31(59.6%) rating it as good. 5(9.6%) rated poor satisfaction and there was an even divide on finding the system complicated.

Conclusions

Overall, hospital staff know the potential benefits of proper implementation and use of an EMR in capturing clinical care. However, without proper and continuous ICT support, the EMR will continue to struggle with its adaptability and user satisfaction.
Host-encoded CTCF regulates human cytomegalovirus latency via chromatin looping
Authors: Groves Ian J. , O’Connor Christine M.
Published: September 2023

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is a prevalent pathogen that establishes life-long latent infection in hematopoietic cells. While this infection is usually asymptomatic, immune dysregulation leads to viral reactivation, which can cause significant morbidity and mortality. However, the mechanisms underpinning reactivation remain incompletely understood. The HCMV major immediate early promoter (MIEP)/enhancer is a key factor in this process, as its transactivation from a repressed to active state helps drive viral gene transcription necessary for reactivation from latency. Numerous host transcription factors bind the MIE locus and recruit repressive chromatin modifiers, thus impeding virus reactivation. One such factor is CCCTC-binding protein (CTCF), a highly conserved host zinc finger protein that mediates chromatin conformation and nuclear architecture. However, the mechanisms by which CTCF contributes to HCMV latency were previously unexplored. Here, we confirm CTCF binds two convergent sites within the MIE locus during latency in primary CD14+monocytes, and following cellular differentiation, CTCF association is lost as the virus reactivates. While mutation of the MIE enhancer CTCF binding site does not impact viral lytic growth in fibroblasts, this mutant virus fails to maintain latency in myeloid cells. Furthermore, we show the two convergent CTCF binding sites allow looping to occur across the MIEP, supporting transcriptional repression during latency. Indeed, looping between the two sites diminishes during virus reactivation, concurrent with activation of MIE transcription. Taken together, our data reveal that three-dimensional chromatin looping aids in the regulation of HCMV latency, and provides insight into promoter/enhancer regulation that may prove broadly applicable across biological systems.

Significance Statement

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) remains an important healthcare consideration driven by disease in at-risk populations associated with reactivation of this virus from latent infection. We show here the establishment of latency is aided by a host nuclear architectural protein, CTCF. By binding two convergent sites on the virus major immediate early promoter/enhancer region, which largely acts as a switch from latency to reactivation, CTCF anchors a chromatin loop such that the virus promoter is maintained in a transcriptionally repressed state. Upon differentiation of cells, CTCF protein levels decrease, and this loop is alleviated as the virus reactivates. Our findings reveal further insight into the regulation of HCMV latency and promoter/enhancer elements, which is broadly applicable across biological systems.
Impact of water deficit on single grapevine berry ripening
Authors: Shi Mengyao , Savoi Stefania , Simonneau Thierry , Doligez Agnès , Pantin Florent , Torregrosa Laurent , Romieu Charles
Published: September 2023

The effect of water deficit on grapevine fruit ripening has most often been addressed under the assumption that individual berries behave identically to their blend in the future harvest, both kinetically and metabolically. However, mixing unsynchronized berries, whose water and sucrose import pathways critically change according to their own developmental stages, intrinsically blurs the physiological and phenological effects of stress. We investigated the consequences of water deprivation on berry growth and primary metabolites content (glucose, fructose, tartaric and malic acids) on sixteen genetically distant genotypes ofVitis viniferaand fungus-tolerant hybrids submitted to 10 watering regimes, from well-watered to partial leaf shedding. Then, six genotypes were selected for comprehensive single berry analyses. Own-rooted potted plants bearing berries at the late herbaceous plateau stage were subjected to the different water treatments for four weeks in a greenhouse with automated regulation of soil water content. Berry and cluster growth were monitored by image analysis, before performing a final destructive sampling to determine berry weight and composition. Grape phenology was highly dependent on water availability. In some cultivars, ripening was considerably delayed or even prevented under well-watered conditions. These cultivars required an intermediate water deficit to trigger the second berry growth period along with sugar accumulation and malate breakdown, typical of the ripening process. Ripening still occurred in all genotypes upon severe water deprivation, although sugar accumulation and concentration were dramatically impaired, and the second growth period was annihilated or even replaced by shrivelling. Water deficit increased malate breakdown, uncoupling it from sugar accumulation. Single berry analyses suggest that although asynchronicity in berry ripening was reduced upon stress, individual fruits within the same cluster may undergo heterogeneous water budgets, expansion or shrivelling.
Estradiol propionate reduction of nuclear size in prostate cancer lines lacking DHRS7 suggests DHRS7 absence as a biomarker for the effectiveness of estrogen therapy
Authors: Rizzotto Andrea , Tollis Sylvain , Pham Nhan T. , Zheng Yijing , Abad Maria Alba , Wildenhain Jan , Jeyaprakash A. Arockia , Auer Manfred , Tyers Mike , Schirmer Eric C.
Published: September 2023

Increased nuclear size correlates with lower survival rates for prostate cancer and is a hallmark of late-stage androgen-insensitive tumors. The short-chain dehydrogenase/reductase (SDR) family member DHRS7 was suggested as a marker for prostate cancer grading because it is lost in late-stage androgen-insensitive tumors. Here we find that loss of DHRS7 from the early-stage LNCaP prostate cancer cell line increases nuclear size, potentially explaining the nuclear size increase observed in higher-grade prostate tumors. Exogenous expression of DHRS7 in the late-stage PC3 prostate cancer cell line correspondingly decreases nuclear size. We separately tested 80 compounds from the Microsource Spectrum library for their ability to restore normal nuclear size to PC3 cells, finding estradiol propionate had the same effect as re-expression of DHRS7 in the PC3 cells. However, the drug had no effect on LNCaP cells or PC3 cells re-expressing DHRS7. We speculate that reported beneficial effects of estrogens in late-stage prostate cancer may target a pathway which is only active in cells lacking DHRS7 that have increased nuclear size and propose DHRS7 as a potential biomarker for the likely effectiveness of estrogen-based treatments.
Cytoskeleton remodeling induced by SMYD2 methyltransferase drives breast cancer metastasis
Authors: Casanova Alexandre G. , Roth Gael S. , Hausmann Simone , Lu Xiaoyin , Belmudes Lucid , Bourova-Flin Ekaterina , Flores Natasha M. , Benitez Ana Morales , Caporicci Marcello , Vayr Jessica , Blanchet Sandrine , Ielasi Francesco , Rousseaux Sophie , Hainaut Pierre , Gozani Or , Couté Yohann , Palencia Andres , Mazur Pawel K. , Reynoird Nicolas
Published: September 2023

Malignant forms of breast cancer refractory to existing therapies remain a major unmet health issue, primarily due to metastatic spread. A better understanding of the mechanisms at play will provide better insights for alternative treatments to prevent breast cancer cells dispersion. Here, we identify the lysine methyltransferase SMYD2 as a clinically actionable master regulator of breast cancer metastasis. While SMYD2 is overexpressed in aggressive breast cancers, we notice that it is not required for primary tumor growth. However, mammary-epithelium specific SMYD2 ablation increases mouse overall survival by blocking the primary tumor cells ability to metastasize. Mechanistically, we identify BCAR3 as a genuine physiological substrate of SMYD2 in breast cancer cells. BCAR3 monomethylated at lysine K334 (K334me1) is recognized by a novel methyl-binding domain present in FMNLs proteins. These actin cytoskeleton regulators are recruited at the cell edges by the SMYD2 methylation signaling and modulates lamellipodia properties. Breast cancer cells with impaired BCAR3 methylation loose migration and invasiveness capacityin vitroand are ineffective in promoting metastasesin vivo. Remarkably, SMYD2 pharmacologic inhibition efficiently impairs the metastatic spread of breast cancer cells, PDX and aggressive mammary tumors from genetically engineered mice. This study provides a rationale for innovative therapeutic prevention of malignant breast cancer metastatic progression by targeting the SMYD2-BCAR3-FMNL axis.
Spatio-temporal Coordination of Active Deformation Forces and Wnt / Hippo-Yap Signaling inHydraRegeneration
Authors: Suzuki Ryo , Hiraiwa Tetsuya , Tursch Anja , Höger Stefanie , Hayashi Kentaro , Özbek Suat , Holstein Thomas W. , Tanaka Motomu
Published: September 2023

Ample evidence suggests that Wnt signaling and tissue deformation are key determinants for pattern formation in animals. The coordination of these biochemical and biomechanical spatio-temporal asymmetries is often unknown or controversial. We investigated this relationship by studying regeneration in the freshwater polypHydra. In both reaggregates of dissociated cells and tissue regenerates, we found significant tissue contraction waves and upregulation of Wnt signaling. Applying a simple mechanical model to the mode analysis of the active deformations, we quantitatively defined the phase reversal of size change and axial deformation in those oscillations as the time point of “biomechanical” symmetry breaking. Moreover, overexpression and inhibition of canonical Wnt signaling modulated the timing of this biomechanical symmetry breaking. A direct comparison with the RNAseq data indicates that the biomechanical symmetry breaking occurs only after the upregulation of canonical Wnt signaling. Further data suggest that biochemical signaling and biomechanical active deformation synergistically stabilize the body axis and hence the following head structure formation by Hippo-Yap signaling. The symmetry breaking mechanism identified here inHydramost likely represents a patterning module that is evolutionary conserved from early metazoan to bilaterian animals.
Optimization of the glycerol production fromDunaliella tertiolectaandDunaliellaisolates
Authors: Keil Linda , Breitsameter Jonas , Rieger Bernhard , Garbe Daniel , Brück Thomas
Published: September 2023

The salt tolerant, marine microalgaeDunaliella tertiolectais reported to generate significant amounts of intracellular glycerol as an osmoprotectant under high salt conditions. Several studies have identified light color and -intensity, nitrogen- and phosphate limitation, as well as salt concentration as the most inducing factors impacting glycerol productivity. This study aims to optimize glycerol production by investigating these reported factors singularly and in combination to improve the glycerol product titer. The reference strainD. tertiolectaas well as newDunaliellaisolates were evaluated in this study. The results demonstrate that cultivation with white light of an intensity between 500 and 2000 μmol m−2s−1as opposed to 100 μmol m−2s−1achieves higher biomass and thereby a higher product titer. Moreover, cultivation in 1.5 M NaCl followed by an increase to 3 M NaCl resulted in hyperosmotic stress conditions, providing the highest glycerol titer. Under these optimal light intensity and salt conditions, the glycerol titer ofD. tertiolectacould be doubled to 0.79 mg mL-1. Furthermore, under the same conditions glycerol extracts from newDunaliellaisolates did provide up to 0.94 mg mL-1. Highly pure glycerol obtained under optimal production conditions has widespread applications e.g., in the pharmaceutical industry or the production of sustainable carbon fibers. Moreover, it can be labeled as halal.
Molecular dynamics simulation-based investigation of LexA-DNA interaction: affinity-dependent conformational changes and implications for DNA looping
Authors: Schultze Anne , Öztürk Mehmet Ali
Published: September 2023

Context

The binding of proteins to the DNA plays a crucial role in various cellular processes including gene expression. LexA is a bacterial transcription factor that binds to a specific DNA motif, leading to the regulation of numerous genes involved in the DNA damage response. Understanding the structural dynamics and mechanisms of DNA binding by LexA can provide valuable insights into its function and regulatory capabilities. Here, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations are used to investigate how the sequence of the DNA binding motif influences the conformational changes and bending behavior of DNA upon LexA binding. Simulation trajectories reveal that the DNA fragment containing a higher affinity LexA binding motif exhibits more pronounced bending and structural deformations compared to that containing a lower affinity binding motif. Additionally, bending of the protein itself is also observed in the presence of the DNA fragment with the higher affinity LexA binding motif. Our results confirm previous reports of LexA-induced DNA bending and shed further light on the structural details of the DNA bending mechanisms.

Methods

MD simulations are employed to investigate the interaction between LexA and 70 bp-long DNA fragments that differ in the LexA binding motif. The GROMACS simulation package with the AMBER14SB force field for proteins and the AMBERparmbsc1 force field for nucleic acids is used to conduct 100 ns-long all-atom simulations. The solvent is set up with the TIP3P water model and the simulation box is filled with ions to reach 0.15 M salt concentration.
Nanoparticle delivery of innate immune agonists combines with senescence-inducing agents to mediate T cell control of pancreatic cancer
Authors: Chibaya Loretah , Lusi Christina F. , DeMarco Kelly D. , Kane Griffin I. , Brassil Meghan L. , Parikh Chaitanya N. , Murphy Katherine C. , Li Junhui , Naylor Tiana E. , Cerrutti Julia , Peura Jessica , Pitarresi Jason R. , Zhu Lihua Julie , Fitzgerald Katherine A. , Atukorale Prabhani U. , Ruscetti Marcus
Published: September 2023

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma has quickly risen to become the 3rdleading cause of cancer-related death. This is in part due to its fibrotic tumor microenvironment (TME) that contributes to poor vascularization and immune infiltration and subsequent chemo- and immunotherapy failure. Here we investigated an innovative immunotherapy approach combining local delivery of STING and TLR4 innate immune agonistsvialipid-based nanoparticles (NPs) co-encapsulation with senescence-inducing RAS-targeted therapies that can remodel the immune suppressive PDAC TME through the senescence-associated secretory phenotype. Treatment of transplanted and autochthonous PDAC mouse models with these regimens led to enhanced uptake of NPs by multiple cell types in the PDAC TME, induction of type I interferon and other pro-inflammatory signaling, increased antigen presentation by tumor cells and antigen presenting cells, and subsequent activation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. This two-pronged approach produced potent T cell-driven and Type I interferon-dependent tumor regressions and long-term survival in preclinical PDAC models. STING and TLR4-mediated Type I interferon signaling were also associated with enhanced NK and CD8+T cell immunity in human PDAC. Thus, combining localized immune agonist delivery with systemic tumor-targeted therapy can synergize to orchestrate a coordinated innate and adaptive immune assault to overcome immune suppression and activate durable anti-tumor T cell responses against PDAC.

Combining senescence-inducing MEK and CDK4/6 inhibitors with nanoparticle delivery of STING and TLR4 agonists leads to interferon-driven and cytotoxic T cell-mediated PDAC control.
Foundation versus Domain-Specific Models for Cardiac Ultrasound Segmentation
Authors: Chao Chieh-Ju , Gu Yunqi Richard , Kumar Wasan , Xiang Tiange , Appari Lalith , Wu Justin , Farina Juan M. , Wraith Rachael , Jeong Jiwoon , Arsanjani Reza , Kane Garvan C. , Oh Jae K. , Langlotz Curtis P. , Banerjee Imon , Fei-Fei Li , Adeli Ehsan
Published: September 2023

Background

Vision foundation model, “Segment Anything (SAM),” promises to segment any objects in images. However, the performance of SAM on clinical echocardiography images has yet to be investigated and compared against state-of-the-art models.

Method

SAM was fine-tuned on the training set of EchoNet-Dynamic (Stanford) and then evaluated on external datasets containing transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) images, including CAMUS (University Hospital of St Etienne), and the Mayo Clinic dataset (a sample of 99 non-duplicated patients with 58 TTE and 41 POCUS). Fine-tuned SAM was evaluated against the EchoNet and MedSAM models using the Dice similarity coefficient (DSC). We further conducted an annotator study to evaluate the effectiveness of SAM in assisting clinical segmentation tasks.

Results

Fine-tuned SAM was superior to EchoNet and MedSAM in most of the datasets. We observed a strong generalization capacity of the fine-tuned SAM model against EchoNet, especially on apical 2 chamber (A2C) images (CAMUS-A2C: DSC 0.891 ± 0.040 vs. 0.752 ± 0.196, p<0.0001) and POCUS (DSC 0.857 ± 0.047 vs. 0.667 ± 0.279, p<0.0001). SAM also reduced the annotation time by 50% (11.6 ± 4.5 sec vs. 5.7 ± 1.7 sec, p< 0.0001) while maintaining the segmentation quality.

Conclusions

Our approach demonstrates an effective strategy for fine-tuning a vision foundation model, enhancing clinical workflow efficiency through human-artificial intelligence (AI) collaboration, and leveraging its generalization capacity across ultrasound modalities.
Pitching business school researcher profiles
Authors: Faff Robert , Mathuva David , Brosnan Mark , Hoffmann Sebastian , Albu Catalin , Ali Searat , Axelsen Micheal , Cornwell Nikki , Gepp Adrian , Gill Chelsea , Honey Karina , Malik Ihtisham , Mehrotra Vishal , Moses Olayinka , Ratiu Raluca Valeria , Tan David , Tuszkiewicz Maciej Andrzej
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The authors passively apply a researcher profile pitch (RPP) template tool in accounting and across a range of Business School disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors document a diversity of worked examples of the RPP. Using an auto-ethnographic research design, each showcased researcher reflects on the exercise, highlighting nuanced perspectives drawn from their experience. Collectively, these examples and associated independent narratives allow the authors to identify common themes that provide informative insights to potential users.

Findings

First, the RPP tool is helpful for accounting scholars to portray their essential research stream. Moreover, the tool proved universally meaningful and applicable irrespective of research discipline or research experience. Second, it offers a distinct advantage over existing popular research profile platforms, because it demands a focused “less”, that delivers a meaningful “more”. Further, the conciseness of the RPP design makes it readily amenable to iteration and dynamism. Third, the authors have identified specific situations of added value, e.g. initiating research collaborations and academic job market preparation.

Practical implications

The RPP tool can provide the basis for developing a scalable interactive researcher exchange platform.

Originality/value

The authors argue that the RPP tool potentially adds meaningful incremental value relative to existing popular platforms for gaining researcher visibility. This additional value derives from the systematic RPP format, combined with the benefit of easy familiarity and strong emphasis on succinctness. Additionally, the authors argue that the RPP adds a depth of nuanced novel information often not contained in other platforms, e.g. around the dimensions of “data” and “tools”. Further, the RPP gives the researcher a “personality”, most notably through the dimensions of “contribution” and “other considerations”.
Automation-augmentation paradox in organizational artificial intelligence technology deployment capabilities; an empirical investigation for achieving simultaneous economic and social benefits
Authors: Kumar Amit , Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar , Krishnamoorthy Bala
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this research study was to understand the simultaneous competitive and social gains of machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI) usage in organizations. There was a knowledge hiatus regarding the contribution of the deployment of ML and AI technologies and their effects on organizations and society.

Design/methodology/approach

This study was grounded on the dynamic capabilities (DC) and ML and AI automation-augmentation paradox literature. This research study examined these theoretical perspectives using the response of 239 Indian organizational chief technology officers (CTOs). Partial least square-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) path modeling was applied for data analysis.

Findings

The results indicated that ML and AI technologies organizational usage positively influenced DC initiatives. The findings depicted that DC fully mediated ML and AI-based technologies' effects on firm performance and social performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributed to theoretical discourse regarding the tension between organizational and social outcomes of ML and AI technologies. The study extended the role of DC as a vital strategy in achieving social benefits from ML and AI use. Furthermore, the theoretical tension of the automation-augmentation paradox was explored.

Practical implications

Organizations deploying ML and AI technologies could apply this study's insights to comprehend the organizational routines to pursue simultaneous competitive benefits and social gains. Furthermore, chief technology executives of organizations could devise how ML and AI technologies usage from a DC perspective could help settle the tension of the automation-augmentation paradox.

Social implications

Increased ML and AI technologies usage in organizations enhanced DC. They could lead to positive social benefits such as new job creation, increased compensation to skilled employees and greater gender participation in employment. These insights could be derived based on this research study.

Originality/value

This study was among the first few empirical investigations to provide theoretical and practical insights regarding the organizational and societal benefits of ML and AI usage in organizations because of their DC. This study was also one of the first empirical investigations that addressed the automation-augmentation paradox at the enterprise level.
Unraveling the effects of occupational identity verification, self-esteem and identity salience on managers’ mental health: examining psychological distress and depression in the workplace
Authors: Hamouche Salima , Marchand Alain
Published: September 2023

Purpose

Managers play a crucial role in organizations. They make decisions that directly influence organizational success and significantly impact employees’ mental health, development and performance. They are responsible for ensuring the financial well-being and long-term sustainability of organizations. However, their mental health is often overlooked, which can negatively affect employees and organizations. This study aims to address managers’ mental health at work, by examining specifically the direct and indirect effects of identity verification on their psychological distress and depression through self-esteem at work. The study also aims to examine the moderating as well as moderated mediation effects of identity salience.

Design/methodology/approach

A sample of 314 Canadian managers working in 56 different companies was studied, using multilevel analyses.

Findings

The findings showed that the verification of managers’ identity vis-à-vis recognition is positively associated with psychological distress and depression. Self-esteem completely mediates the association between low identity verification vis-à-vis work control and psychological distress, and also the association between low identity verification vis-à-vis work control and superior support and depression, while it partially mediates the association between low identity verification vis-à-vis recognition and depression.

Practical implications

This study can also help both managers and human resource management practitioners in understanding the role of workplaces in the identity verification process and developing relevant interventions to prevent mental health issues among managers at work.

Originality/value

This study proposed a relatively unexplored approach to the study of managers’ mental health at work. Its integration of identity theory contributes to expanding research on management and workplace mental health issues.
Essential 2: “clinical practice” is what professional development schools do
Authors: Burns Rebecca West , Badiali Bernard , Coler Cynthia , Cosenza Michael , Goree Krystal , Polly Drew , Stoicovy Donnan , Zenkov Kristien
Published: September 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this article is to unpack more deeply Essential 2: Clinical Preparation. This article offers a comparison of the first and second editions of Essential 2 and also provides resources and activities partners can use and engage in to deepen their work on the clinical preparation of teachers.

Originality/value

This article is being resubmitted so that it can be reprinted with the other Nine Essential articles.
Soil organic carbon is buffered by grass inputs regardless of woody cover or fire frequency in an African savanna
Authors: Coetsee C. , February E. C. , Wigley B. J. , Kleyn L. , Strydom T. , Hedin L. O. , Watson H. , Attore F. , Pellegrini A.
Published: September 2023

Woody plant encroachment (WPE) is a global trend that occurs in many biomes, including savannas, and accelerates with fire suppression. Since WPE can result in increased storage of soil organic carbon (SOC), fire management, which may include fire suppression, can improve ecosystem carbon (C) sequestration in savannas.

At our study site in Kruger National Park, South Africa, we used a long‐term (~70 year) fire experiment to study the drivers and consequences of changes in woody cover (trees and shrubs) on SOC sequestration. We surveyed four fire manipulation treatments, replicated at eight locations within the park: annual high‐intensity burns, triennial high (dry season) and low‐intensity (wet season) burns, and fire exclusion, to capture the range of fire management scenarios under consideration. The changes in woody cover were calculated over a period similar to the experiment's duration (~80 years) using aerial photographs (1944–2018). Soils were analysed to 30 cm depth for SOC and δ13C, under and away from the tree canopy to isolate local‐ and landscape‐level effects of WPE on SOC.

The largest increases in woody cover occurred with fire exclusion. We found that plots with higher increases in woody cover also had higher SOC. However, trees were not the only contributor to SOC gains, sustained high inputs of C4‐derived C (grasses), even under canopies in fire suppression plots, contributed significantly to SOC. We observed little difference in SOC sequestration between cooler triennial (wet season) burns and fire suppression.

Synthesis. Grass input to soil organic carbon (SOC) remained high across the full range of woody cover created by varying burning regimes. The total SOC stocks stored from tree input only matched grass‐derived SOC stocks after almost 70 years of fire exclusion. Our results point to C4 grasses as a resilient contributor to SOC under altered fire regimes and further challenge the assumption that increasing tree cover, either through afforestation schemes or fire suppression, will result in large gains in C sequestration in savanna soils, even after 70 years.
Classroom effects are as large as grade‐level effects on curriculum‐based measurement maze reading scores of secondary school students with and without special educational needs
Authors: Jungjohann Jana , Schurig Michael , Gebhardt Markus
Published: September 2023

Background

Previous studies used curriculum‐based measurement (CBM) maze scores as an indicator of the reading comprehension level of secondary school students with and without special educational needs in multiple grades, pinpointing a high influence of both student‐ and context‐related variables. However, studies on cumulative influence are necessary for better understanding of data‐based decision‐making.

Methods

We examined a sample of 1066 secondary school students using four linear mixed‐effect models: How much variance in maze scores exists between multiple student characteristics (i.e., gender, immigration background, learning disability and developmental language disorder) and context variables (i.e., classroom, grade and school type) across Grades 5–8?

Results

The intra‐class correlation (ICC) results show that the influence by the context‐related variable classroom (ICC = .094) is almost as large as by the variable grade level (ICC = .126). School type (i.e., inclusive school vs. special school) has the least influence (ICC = .02). In addition, the effects of student‐related variables explain only a small proportion of the variance (marginal R2 = .114).

Conclusions

Maze scores can be used as a screening instrument for students with multiple characteristics across grades; they also show that it makes no difference which type of school students attend. As teachers and further classroom‐related variables have almost as much influence as grade level, we discuss that teachers can minimise classroom effects by using maze scores as a formative approach.
Time at Home: The October Revolution and Soviet Temporalities
Authors: WILLIMOTT ANDY
Published: September 2023

The October Revolution ushered in a radical, future‐orientated political agenda. Almost immediately, through the press, advice literature, activism and avant‐garde planning, a lively discourse on domestic life presented the home as a central site for building this ‘new epoch’. The home became the hub of a new and burgeoning Soviet temporality – a professed modern vision of time, which pitched the past against the future, embraced rational time discipline, pictured the world through a progress‐orientated teleology, and stressed mankind's ability to master time itself. While Marx famously refrained from outlining what communism would actually look like, the home and visions of the home provided a very immediate means of picturing the communist future – and how people would occupy it. As historians have started to note, the home became a temporal marker of difference between the self‐identified scourge of ‘Russian backwardness’ and the future‐orientated promise of Soviet communism. This was the difference between the fatalism and rigidity of old Russia and the intentionally disruptive mobilisation campaigns of the Soviet project. This article examines how visions of a ‘new way of life’ and modern utopian thinking on the home grounded a future‐orientated revolutionary ideology, making the promise of communism and new temporal understandings of the world tangible in the wake of 1917. But, crucially, drawing on the latest debates about time and temporalities, the article examines how different temporal modes can exist side by side in dynamic form – even in creative tension. Past and future temporalities, it posits, together formed radical Russia's vision of revolutionary time.
Prognostic and predictive impact of molecular tumor burden index in non‐small cell lung cancer patients
Authors: Yang Fan , Tang Min , Cui Liang , Bai Jing , Yu Jiangyong , Gao Jiayi , Nie Xin , Li Xu , Xia Xuefeng , Yi Xin , Zhang Ping , Li Lin
Published: September 2023

Background

The biomarkers of immune checkpoint inhibitors in the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients have limited predictive performance. In this study we aimed to investigate the feasibility of molecular tumor burden index (mTBI) in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) as a predictor for immunotherapy in patients with NSCLC.

Methods

From February 2017 to November 2020, pretreatment and on‐treatment (3~6 weeks after first cycle of immunotherapy) dynamic plasma ctDNA samples from NSCLC patients receiving immune monotherapy or combination therapy were analyzed by targeted capture sequencing of 1021 genes. PyClone was used to infer the mTBI. The impact of pretreatment mTBI on survival outcomes was verified in the POPLAR/OAK trials.

Results

We found that patients without detectable baseline ctDNA had better survival outcomes (median overall survival [OS]: not reached vs. 12.8 months; hazard ratio [HR], 0.15; p = 0.035]). RB1 and SMARCA4 mutations were remarkably associated with worse survival outcomes. Furthermore, lower pretreatment mTBI was associated with superior OS (median: not reached vs. 8.1 months; HR, 0.22; p = 0.024) and PFS (median: 32.9 vs. 5.4 months; HR, 0.35; p = 0.045), but not objective response, which was validated in the POPLAR/OAK cohort, suggesting that baseline mTBI was a prognostic factor for NSCLC immunotherapy. Early dynamic changes of mTBI (ΔmTBI) significantly distinguished responsive patients, and patients with mTBI decrease to more than 68% at the final tumor evaluation had longer OS (median: 38.2 vs. 4.0 months; HR, 0.18; p = 0.017) and PFS (median: not reached vs. 2.3 months; HR, 0.24; p = 0.030).

Conclusion

ΔmTBI had a good sensitivity to identify potential beneficial patients based on the best effect CT scans, demonstrating that mTBI dynamics were predictive of benefit from immune checkpoint blockade.
Associations among sexual assault, posttraumatic stress, drinking to cope with anxiety, and alcohol use based on gender identity and sexual orientation
Authors: Kilimnik Chelsea D. , García‐Ramírez Grisel , Salamanca Nashalys K. , Mazzone G. Mitchell , Mullican K. Nicole , Davis Kelly Cue , Orchowski Lindsay M. , Leone Ruschelle M. , Kaysen Debra , Gilmore Amanda K.
Published: September 2023

Background

Sexual assault (SA) is experienced by a substantial proportion of emerging adult college students and is associated with elevated rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and alcohol use. This study examines the mediating role of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in the associations among SA severity, drinking to cope with anxiety, and average weekly drinks while considering the moderating roles of gender identity and sexual orientation.

Methods

A total of 2160 college students who were diverse in gender (cisgender women, 64.4%; cisgender men, 30.6%, and transgender and gender diverse [TGD] individuals = 4.9%) and sexual orientation (heterosexual = 68.0%, LGBQ+ = 32.0%) completed measures of SA severity, PTSS, drinking to cope with anxiety motives, and average weekly drinks.

Results

The mediation model for the full sample indicated significant indirect effects of SA severity on drinking to cope with anxiety through PTSS, but not on average weekly drinks. Moderation analyses revealed differential relationships between the variables based on both gender identity and sexual orientation. For instance, the association between SA severity and PTSS was stronger for cisgender women and TGD individuals than cisgender men, and for LGBQ+ individuals than heterosexual individuals. While the association between PTSS and average weekly drinks was only significant for cisgender men, the association between PTSS and drinking to cope with anxiety was significant for both cisgender men and women but not TGD individuals. Furthermore, the association between SA severity and drinking to cope with anxiety was stronger for cisgender women than cisgender men.

Conclusions

Findings from this study demonstrate sexual orientation and gender identity differences and similarities in the associations of SA severity, PTSS, drinking to cope with anxiety, and alcohol use. Results are discussed in relation to the self‐medication hypothesis and tailoring interventions for diverse groups.