bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of phosphide additives on the tribological properties of polyethylsiloxane (PES) in Si3N4 and M50 system
Authors: Yue Luo , Meng Yan , Lee Eunji , Bai Pengpeng , Pan Yingzhuo , Wei Peng , Cheng Jie , Meng Yonggang , Tian Yu
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The incorporation of phosphide additives is regarded as a highly effective strategy for enhancing the lubricative qualities of base oils. This study aims to assess the lubrication behavior and efficacy of various phosphide additives in polyethylsiloxane (PES) through the employment of the Schwingum Reibung Verschleiss test methodology, across a temperature range from ambient to 300°C.

Design/methodology/approach

PES demonstrated commendable lubrication capabilities within the Si3N4/M50 system, primarily attributable to the Si-O frictional reaction film at the interface. This film undergoes disintegration as the temperature escalates, leading to heightened wear. Moreover, the phosphide additives were found to ameliorate the issues encountered by PES in the Si3N4/M50 system, characterized by numerous boundary lubrication failure instances. A chemical film comprising P-Fe-O was observed to form at the interface; however, at elevated temperatures, disintegration of some phosphide films precipitated lubrication failures, as evidenced by a precipitous rise in the coefficient of friction.

Findings

The results show that a phosphide reactive film can be formed and a reduction in wear rate is achieved, which is reduced by 64.7% from 2.98 (for pure PES at 300°C) to 1.05 × 10–9 μm3/N m (for triphenyl phosphite at 300°C).

Originality/value

The data derived from this investigation offer critical insights for the selection and deployment of phosphide additives within high-temperature lubrication environments pertinent to PES.

Peer review

The peer review history for this article is available at: https://publons.com/publon/10.1108/ILT-04-2024-0139/
Digital transformation and sustainable performance: the mediating role of triple-A supply chain capabilities
Authors: Mohaghegh Matin , Blasi Silvia , Russo Ivan , Baldi Benedetta
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Drawing on resource orchestration theory, this paper aims to empirically investigate the relationships between digital transformation (DT), triple-A supply chain capabilities (i.e. agility, adaptability and alignment) and sustainable performance. The research focuses on the pharmaceutical industry, which best represents a business environment characterized by volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected at different echelons of a globally oriented pharmaceutical supply chain, with the focal company located in the Netherlands. Empirical data were analyzed with partial least squares – structural equation modelling.

Findings

The findings reveal that DT enhances the triple-A supply chain capabilities. Nevertheless, not all three capabilities are necessary to improve overall sustainable performance. The results highlight that, among the three, only supply chain agility and adaptability significantly mediate the relationship between DT and sustainable performance.

Originality/value

This research supports the literature affirming that not all the triple-A supply chain capabilities equally affect sustainable performance. Moreover, it deepens the understanding of how orchestrating the triple-A capabilities at a firm level fosters overall sustainable performance, facing resource scarcity and investments in DT.
Why small business owners get demotivated? Modeling “unwillingness to grow” using ISM approach
Authors: Tripathi Vaibhav , Dey Prajna Paromita , Nagariya Ramji , Singh Ajai Pratap
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Even after establishing their business successfully, many business owners get demotivated, and it leads to unwillingness to grow. This study aims to propose a comprehensive model that represents interrelationships among various personal factors affecting “unwillingness to grow.”

Design/methodology/approach

The personal factors for unwillingness to grow were identified by extant literature, and expert interviews were conducted to establish the contextual relationships among these factors. The interrelationships among the filtered variables have been done using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and MICMAC analysis was done to determine the importance of each factor in influencing “unwillingness to grow.”

Findings

In total, 30 personal attributes were identified from previous literature, out of which 15 were selected for the final study. The result identifies 7 variables having a strong impact on “unwillingness to grow.” These attributes are “absence of strong network,” “lack of vision,” “lack of proactiveness,” “reluctance to involve external consultants,” “absence of/small founding team,” “lack of ambition” and “improper attitude.”

Originality/value

The research attempts to create a bricolage of all the important personal factors affecting “unwillingness to grow.” Previous researches have used few attributes, but with the help of ISM, a graphical modeling technique, it became possible to draw interrelationship between 15 attributes. Further, with the help of MICMAC, the importance of each attribute was determined.
Workarounds as enabling factor in the use of assistive technology amongst white-collar workers with visual impairment
Authors: Mörike Frauke , Kiossis Ioannis
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to provide an explorative perspective on how workarounds – defined as practices that deviate from an official pathway to a target – delineate a decisive element for users with visual impairment to enable assistive technologies in the context of office work.

Design/methodology/approach

An ethnographic study with in situ observation at participants’ work locations together with interviews was conducted to cater for the explorative nature of this study.

Findings

The study outlines three types of workarounds that can be distinguished into: (1) own investment into invisible work, (2) engaging support from colleagues and (3) the complete circumvention of technology use. It is furthermore discussed that workarounds remain largely unnoticed but yield the potential as an enabling factor for insights into the use of assistive technology (AT).

Practical implications

The layered model of workarounds that locates them at the individual, social and organisational level can guide the design and analysis of enabling technologies in complex office work contexts. Technology designers can incorporate enquiries on workarounds into participatory or co-creative design processes. Information technology (IT) professionals and leaders of IT support teams can use this model to gain insights from workarounds into improvement opportunities for the effective integration of assistive technologies.

Originality/value

This study connects the concept of workarounds, which is deeply rooted in the tradition of workplace studies and computer-supported cooperative work (CSCW), with the practices of handling technology employed by knowledge workers with visual impairments to retain workability. This approach offers a novel perspective on the embeddedness of enabling technologies in the context of knowledge work. It highlights the intricate ways in which technology is integrated into daily work practices, thereby providing valuable insights into the intersection of AT and knowledge work.
Increasing pediatric primary care providers’ confidence and use of in-office interventions for anxiety: an application of the project ECHO model
Authors: Whitehead Monica Renee , Ryan Paige , Young Melissa A. , Austin Jillian E. , Kramer Kathleen , Harris Emily , McClure Jessica M.
Published: August 2024

Purpose

The prevalence of pediatric anxiety disorders is on the rise but youth have challenges in accessing specialty evidence-based mental health care. As a result, families turn to their pediatric primary care provider (PCP) for assessment and management of anxiety. To increase PCPs’ abilities to manage anxiety, the Extension for Community Healthcare Outcomes (“Project ECHO”) was used. The purpose of this study is to explore the impact of Project ECHO on participating PCPs’ knowledge, self-efficacy and interventions surrounding the assessment and management of anxiety.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected pre- and post-course across five cohorts. Participants completed a clinical knowledge test, ratings of self-efficacy and self-reported frequencies of in-office interventions. Satisfaction was also measured.

Findings

Attendance remained strong, and participants rated high satisfaction. From pre- to post-course, participants demonstrated increased knowledge on almost all objective questions. Participants reported increased self-efficacy across all domains. Finally, participants endorsed increased use of several in-office interventions.

Practical implications

This study highlights the importance of Project ECHO as a continuing education model to enhance PCPs’ abilities and confidence in the assessment and management of anxiety. Future continuing education endeavors should consider Project ECHO as a means of increasing PCPs’ capacity to manage mental health conditions.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that applied the Project ECHO model to pediatric anxiety as a mechanism of increasing knowledge, self-efficacy and in-office interventions with PCPs.
Supply chain concentration, digitalization and servitization of manufacturing firms
Authors: Sun Baiqing , Xi Yuze
Published: August 2024

Purpose

Digitalization and supply chain collaboration are central to the successful servitization of manufacturing firms. However, how digitalization interacts with supply chain structure to affect servitization decisions in manufacturing firms has been understudied. In this study, we bridge resource dependence theory (RDT) and information processing theory (IPT) to examine how supply chain concentration interacts with digitalization to affect servitization decisions in manufacturing firms.

Design/methodology/approach

We tested the hypotheses using a panel dataset of 1,261 publicly listed machinery manufacturing firms in China. We addressed the endogeneity concerns using the control function approach and conducted multiple tests to ensure the robustness of the results.

Findings

We find that both supplier and customer concentration are negatively related to servitization, indicating that concentrated supplier and customer bases are hindrances to manufacturing servitization. Digitalization weakens the negative impact of customer concentration on servitization, but it strengthens the negative impact of supplier concentration on servitization.

Originality/value

The findings extend our understanding of supply chain structure and digitalization as determinants of servitization. This research also offers a nuanced view of how digitalization mitigates the negative impacts of supply chain concentration.
Firms’ cost structure and stock return volatility
Authors: Chen Haiwei , Jory Surendranath R. , Mishra Tapas , Ngo Thanh
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This paper proposes a framework to identify a pattern in the relationship between firms’ cost structure (i.e. fixed versus variable) and their volatility in stock returns.

Design/methodology/approach

Our empirical analysis is based on a panel data regression where we use an extended sample period and a time-series regression-based elasticity measure of operating leverage.

Findings

We document significantly higher systematic risk among firms with large fixed costs, a conclusion which confirms theoretical predictions of earlier studies. In new findings, we document high firm-specific risk and high stock return volatility among firms with a fixed cost structure.

Originality/value

The paper fills a gap in the literature by examining the effect of cost structure using various operating leverage measures and other control measures for firm characteristics on idiosyncratic risk. Studies that seek to explain firms’ systematic risks are numerous; conversely, there are relatively fewer studies on the determinants of firms’ specific risks.
Phytochemical composition of wild pomegranate juices and their cytotoxicity
Authors: Topalović Ana , Knežević Mirko , Ivanović Ljubica , Mikulic-Petkovsek Maja , Bogdanović Višnja
Published: August 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the relationship between the chemical composition of juices obtained from fruits of autochthonous wild pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) grown in Montenegro and their cytotoxic effects on cancer cells.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the potential value of wild pomegranate fruits, in vitro biological assays were carried out with juices whose composition was analyzed in detail for sugars, organic acids, vitamin C and phenolic compounds. The effect of juices on survival was determined in human lung A549, cervical HeLa and breast MCF-7 carcinoma cells by MTT assay. As a control, the cytotoxicity against normal fetal lung fibroblasts (MRC-5) was monitored.

Findings

Among cancer cell lines, considering the IC50 related to total phenolics, the lowest value – 13 µg/mL was found for the A549. The strongest effect on lung cells was assumed due to the favorable contribution of ellagitannins to total phenolics in juice as well as the given combination of anthocyanins and their synergistic action. For HeLa cells, the lowest IC50 value was obtained at 88 µg/mL, and the cytotoxicity could be matched with the effects of anthocyanins and catechin. For MCF-7 cells, the lowest IC50 was 504 µg/mL, and the elevated levels of vitamin C and ellagic acid derivatives should have a noticeable effect on these cells.

Originality/value

This study provides an important contribution to the knowledge on the effect of phytochemicals from wild pomegranate juice on lung, cervical and breast cancer cells, in vitro. The present observations suggest that the juice of wild pomegranate has the potential in the fight against cancer.
Landscape patterns drive provision of nature's contributions to people by mobile species
Authors: O'Brien Sophie A. , Anderson Dean P. , Lavorel Sandra , Lai Hao Ran , de Burgh Natalie , Tylianakis Jason M.
Published: August 2024

Predicting how nature's contributions to people (NCP) vary spatially remains a challenge. For NCP provided by mobile species, it is unclear how predictions need to account for the influence of multiple habitat types that act as sources, sinks and potential distractors of the NCP‐providing species. Existing approaches that do not account for these effects may inaccurately predict outcomes in real landscapes.

To move beyond these limitations, we transfer quantitative inference approaches from movement ecology to explore how spatial habitat patterns determine the negative NCP of the invasive common brushtail possum Trichosurus vulpecula in New Zealand. We used a Bayesian model to investigate how the size of, and distance from, grassland and indigenous and exotic forest patches together contribute to relative possum density (measured by capture probability across a trapping network) in a heterogeneous 11,000‐ha landscape.

We found that indigenous and exotic forest area were the most important factors in determining possum density. Although capture probability declined with increasing grassland area, the addition of grassland did not improve the relative model fit above one with indigenous forest as the only habitat.

We expected differences in predicted possum density at habitat boundaries, for example, due to preferential foraging at edges. We found that indigenous and exotic forests contributed to capture probability interactively, such that capture probability at the between‐habitat edge was lower than expected, given the habitat area. We also found that models allowing for non‐linear habitat effects of exotic forests or grasslands, but not indigenous forests, were significantly better at predicting possum density than simpler models.

Synthesis and applications. Our novel approach for spatial prediction can be applied to any of nature's contributions to people (NCP), and extended to identify trade‐offs and synergies among multiple NCP. For example, the negative NCP of possum density trades off with multiple known positive NCP from indigenous forests, including culturally significant non‐material NCP, and material NCP produced by exotic forests. We recommend that landscape management plans to maximise these positive NCP in future scenarios also consider how the risk of possum density may dampen net NCP provision. To minimise this negative NCP, our results support trap deployment in both indigenous and exotic forest.
Asymmetric sharing of generalist pathogens between exotic and native plants correlates with exotic impact in communities
Authors: Waller Lauren P. , Allen Warwick J. , Black Amanda , Condron Leo , Tonkin Jonathan D. , Tylianakis Jason M. , Wakelin Angela , Dickie Ian A.
Published: August 2024

As exotic plants invade into a new range, they can escape from specialist enemies. However, they may support generalist enemies, including both native and introduced fungal pathogens, which creates the potential for spillover and apparent competition from exotic to native plants in communities.

To assess the potential for spillover of putatively pathogenic, root‐associated fungi (hereafter, ‘pathogens’) in communities invaded by exotic plants, we conducted a two‐phase plant–soil feedback experiment: a monoculture experiment with native and exotic plants grown alone and a multi‐species, community‐level experiment that ranged in the extent of exotic dominance. We used next‐generation sequencing to characterise sharing of pathogens between native and exotic plants in communities.

Exotic plants outperformed natives in communities, despite harbouring higher relative abundance of generalist pathogens. The higher generalism of pathogens supported by exotic plants made them more prone to be shared with natives. The proportion of pathogens shared between exotic and native plants in communities correlated with reduced competitive ability of native compared with exotic plants.

Synthesis: These data suggest that exotic plants host more generalist pathogens that are shared with native plants, which may confer an indirect benefit to exotic over native plants through apparent competition.
Review article: Back to life from being declared dead in the Resus Bay: An integrative review of the phenomenon of autoresuscitation and learning for ED
Authors: Manton Joanna
Published: August 2024

This is a literature review of ED autoresuscitation. The impetus for this review was a case which revealed a lack of understanding about Lazarus syndrome among ED staff. The primary objective was to see the proportion of cases who survived neurologically intact to discharge and the time frame when this occurred after death had been declared. A secondary outcome was to see whether these studies mention whether bedside echo was performed prior to deciding whether to terminate resuscitation. A systematic search of five databases was undertaken with keywords, ‘autoresuscitation’, ‘cardiac arrest’ and ‘emergency department’. Articles published in the English language were selected for inclusion. No time frame was selected because of the low number of articles. A total of 240 articles were identified, that yielded 26 cases that were relevant and could be synthesised to create a discussion on the current clinical guidelines around resuscitation. Our analysis demonstrates that of the 11 survivors who were discharged neurologically intact, the average age was 42.9 years; otherwise, the average was 62.6 years. The majority (23/26) 88% auto‐resuscitated within 10 min after being pronounced dead. Only five patients are mentioned as having had a bedside echo prior to deciding to cease efforts. Under‐reporting of autoresuscitation is suspected because of fears of blame. Passive monitoring for 10 min after resuscitation is ceased, is recommended. There is need for more data on this phenomenon to help inform further research on the topic.
Geographical distribution of the COVID‐19 pandemic and key determinants: Evolution across waves in Spain
Authors: Moreno Rosina , Vayá Esther
Published: August 2024

Amidst the COVID‐19 pandemic, most research has examined specific temporal snapshots. This study diverges by offering a comprehensive analysis of COVID‐19 incidence across the Spanish provinces throughout six distinct waves of the pandemic. Using spatial exploratory techniques, we find no single pandemic; rather, there have been waves. Significant differences in the spatial distribution of cases and deaths across six waves show that each has unique characteristics. Homogeneous conclusions cannot be drawn at the national level. Notable regional differences in the pandemic’s spatial distribution suggest a need for subnational responses, reflecting variations in climate, economic dynamism, sectoral specialisation, and socio‐health resources. Spatial regression models show that the main determinants of COVID‐19 incidence depend on stage. Traditional factors commonly associated with epidemiological studies, such as temperature, exerted significant influence during the pandemic’s onset. However, as mobility restrictions were enforced and vaccination campaigns were rolled out, economic conditions, and especially levels of economic activity, emerged as increasingly significant determinants.
The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind: Blow sampling provides a new dimension to whale population monitoring
Authors: Valsecchi Elena
Published: August 2024

Marine mammals play a fundamental role in the functioning of healthy marine ecosystems and are important indicator species. Studying their biology, distributions, behaviour and health are still technically and logistically demanding for researchers. However, the efforts and commitment have not been in vain, since we are witnessing constant and exponential advancement in the study of these animals, thanks to technological progress in numerous fields. These include miniaturization and performance of biologger tags, which are equipped with sensors for measuring physiological parameters, hydrophones, accelerometers, time‐depth records and spatial locations; the use of high throughput ‘Next Generation’ Sequencing to gain genetic information about communities and individual species from nucleic acids in environmental samples at miniscule concentrations; through, to the possibility of monitoring species with autonomous aerial and underwater vehicles. In parallel advances in computing and statistical modelling frameworks support the analysis of increasingly large and complex data sets. In this issue, O'Mahony et al. (2024) draw from at least two of these innovations: (a) the collection of biological material retrieved from large whales' blows using a modified drone and (b) the use of the samples to infer a wide spectrum of genetic information (both nuclear and mitochondrial) about the target animal/population. The methodology is not completely novel, but the study shows an impressive advancement in the amount of data obtained compared to preceding studies using the same approach. In the wake of these promising results, future perspectives are evaluated in relation to alternative sampling methodologies currently in use. It is possible to speculate that, in the next few years, the combination of non‐invasive molecular profiling and enhanced drone technology (e.g. assembling increasingly smaller components, thus expanding capacity for autonomous operation) will open up perspectives that were unimaginable at the beginning of this millennium.
Potential biodiversity maps of Geadephaga (Coleoptera) from subantarctic forests: Relating diversity patterns and conservation hotspots with forest integrity
Authors: Carrara Rodolfo , Giménez Gómez Victoria C. , Muñoz‐Escobar Christian , Roig‐Juñent Sergio
Published: August 2024

Potential biodiversity maps (PBMs) allow the identification of areas with different potential for conservation, to support political decisions about the management and protection of biodiversity.

As these maps are seldom constructed for inconspicuous species, we proposed to develop PBMs for species belonging to the Geadephaga (Coleoptera), which is a group of beetles that contributes as predators for pest suppression and other ecosystem services in forest ecosystems. Given that human activities are reducing forest integrity, we consider that it is crucial to recognize how diversity patterns of Geadephaga are related to degraded forests.

We developed these maps for the Geadephaga associated with subantarctic forests considering diversity measures of species richness, specificity, and rarity to establish spatial relationships between each diversity measure and different levels of forest integrity, and to identify potential hotspots and suggest conservation priorities.

Results showed a latitudinal pattern of decrease in scores on richness and specificity from north to south, but a patchy pattern of species rarity across the region. Outcomes also show that areas with high scores of diversity measures are overlapped with degraded forest, and that hotspots have a low spatial overlap between them.

In this work, we provide for the first time regional PBMs at a relatively high spatial resolution of three different diversity measures for Geadephaga that inhabit subantarctic forest. These maps constitute tools that allow not only to recognize potential diversity patterns of these insects, but also to offer valuable information to be used in conservation decision‐making.
From marital conflict to life satisfaction: How basic psychological need satisfaction operates—A dyadic analysis study
Authors: Koçak Aylin
Published: August 2024

Although attempts have been made to untangle the possible mechanisms underlying the relationship between marital conflict and life satisfaction, the number of studies examining the possible intervening mechanisms is still limited. Therefore, guided by the self‐determination theory, this study aimed to examine the mediating role of basic psychological need satisfaction in the relationship between marital conflict and life satisfaction using a dyadic analysis method. The sample consisted of 235 female (Mage = 44.58, SD = 5.69) and male (Mage = 47.90, SD = 5.77) pairs. The Actor–Partner Interdependence Model Extended to Mediation (APIMeM) was used to examine the within and between pathways in the stated relations. Findings demonstrated actor and partner effects between need satisfaction and life satisfaction; however, females' need satisfaction was only marginally associated positively with their male partners' life satisfaction. Moreover, while males' need satisfaction was negatively related to both their own and their partners' marital conflict, females' need satisfaction was only negatively related to their marital conflict. Finally, for all pathways in the model, males' need satisfaction was supported as a full mediator between marital conflict and life satisfaction. Females' need satisfaction, on the other hand, significantly mediated the relationship between their own marital conflict and life satisfaction. The findings provide insights by elucidating the interplay between these variables in dyadic relationships and highlighting the critical importance of need satisfaction in overcoming marital challenges and enhancing partners' overall life satisfaction.
Contrast‐enhanced computed tomography for ex vivo assessment of human kidneys: A proof‐of‐concept study
Authors: Feizi Alborz , DiRito Jenna R. , Richfield Owen , Stendahl John C. , Harris Matthew , Spindler Susann , Edwards Christopher M. , Lysyy Taras , Lee Shin Rong , Boutagy Nabil E. , Feher Attila , Yoo Peter , Hosgood Sarah A. , Mulligan David C. , Nicholson Michael L. , Sinusas Albert J. , Haakinson Danielle J. , Tietjen Gregory T.
Published: August 2024

Background

Ex vivo perfusion of transplant‐declined human organs has emerged as a promising platform to study the response of an organ to novel therapeutic strategies. However, to fully realize the capability of this platform for performing translational research in human organ pathophysiology, there is a need for robust assays to assess organ function and disease. State‐of‐the‐art research methods rely on analyses of biopsies taken during perfusion, which both damages the organ and only provides localized information. Developing non‐invasive, whole organ methods of assessment is critical to the further development of this research platform.

Methods

We use ex vivo cold infusion scanning (EXCIS) with contrast‐enhanced computed tomography (CT) to quantify perfusion in kidneys preserved ex vivo. EXCIS‐CT computes three complementary metrics for whole organ assessment: a dynamic assessment of contrast filling, a measure of vascular network anatomical structure, and a static assessment of perfusion heterogeneity.

Results

These metrics were applied to a series of six transplant‐declined human kidneys, which demonstrated a range of anatomies and perfusion. Lastly, two transplant‐declined human kidneys were imaged before and after a 1‐h period of ex vivo normothermic perfusion (NMP). We found variable responses to NMP, with one kidney maintaining the vascular network and hemodynamics and the other showing significant changes in vessel size and spatial perfusion profile.

Conclusions

EXCIS‐CT provides metrics that can be used to characterize whole organ perfusion and vascular function.
It's just a game! Effects of fantasy in a storified test on applicant reactions
Authors: Ohlms Marie L. , Melchers Klaus G. , Lievens Filip
Published: August 2024

There is increasing attention to storification of assessments (i.e., embedding a storyline into a non‐storified assessment) in research and practice and to gamified and game‐based assessment in general. However, there is a surprising lack of agreement and of recommendations regarding what level of fantasy of the storyline one should choose for the storification from the perspective of applicant reactions. A distinction is typically made between fantasy (e.g., fighting aliens) and realistic (e.g., workday simulations) storylines, with both choices having their advantages and disadvantages. In this study, a sample of 195 participants was shown either a storified realistic test, a storified fantasy test, or a non‐storified test. Afterwards, they rated various applicant reaction measures. Both storified assessments were rated equally positively on perceived modernity of the organization and enjoyment but the storified realistic test was superior to the storified fantasy test in terms of perceived job‐relatedness, procedural fairness, organizational attractiveness, and clarity of work activity. Thus, the level of fantasy of a storyline in a storified assessment plays an important role for applicant reaction variables, whereby the overall pattern of results showed that the storified realistic test was rated most favorably, followed by the non‐storified test, and the storified fantasy assessment.
CREBBP histone acetyltransferase domain mutations predict response to mTOR inhibition in relapsed/refractory follicular lymphoma
Authors: Kumar Emil Arjun , Korfi Koorosh , Bewicke‐Copley Findlay , Close Karina , Heward James , Witzig Thomas , Leukam Michael , Ansell Stephen , Scott Jessica , Clear Andrew , Efeyan Alejo , Green Michael , Siebert Reiner , Peck Barrie , Calaminici Maria , Wang Jun , Smith Sonali , Novak Anne , Fitzgibbon Jude , Okosun Jessica
Published: August 2024

Despite the clinical and molecular heterogeneity of follicular lymphoma (FL), there remains a lack of biomarker‐directed therapeutic approaches in routine clinical practice, with the notable exception of the EZH2 inhibitor tazemetostat in EZH2‐mutant FL. Here we examined whether gene mutation status predicts response to clinical mTOR inhibitors (mTORi) in FL, by performing targeted mutational profiling of biopsies from 21 relapsed/refractory FL patients treated with mTORi everolimus or temsirolimus within clinical trials. We observed an enrichment of mutations within the catalytic histone acetyltransferase (HAT) domain of CREBBP in mTORi‐responders, and describe distinct transcriptional characteristics and co‐occurring mutations of FL harbouring these mutations; reinforcing the growing appreciation of CREBBPHAT mutation as a key biological determinant and its promise as a therapeutic biomarker in FL.
Momelotinib: Mechanism of action, clinical, and translational science
Authors: Vlasakakis Georgios , McCabe Michael T. , Ho Yu Liu , Ferron‐Brady Geraldine , Martin Paul , Bentley Darren , Ellis Catherine , Antonysamy Mary , Visser Sandra A. G.
Published: August 2024

Myelofibrosis is a chronic myeloproliferative disorder characterized by bone marrow fibrosis, splenomegaly, anemia, and constitutional symptoms, with a median survival of ≈6 years from diagnosis. While currently approved Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitors (ruxolitinib, fedratinib) improve splenomegaly and symptoms, most can exacerbate myelofibrosis‐related anemia, a negative prognostic factor for survival. Momelotinib is a novel JAK1/JAK2/activin A receptor type 1 (ACVR1) inhibitor approved in the US, European Union, and the UK and is the first JAK inhibitor indicated specifically for patients with myelofibrosis with anemia. Momelotinib not only addresses the splenomegaly and symptoms associated with myelofibrosis by suppressing the hyperactive JAK–STAT (signal transducer and activator of transcription) pathway but also improves anemia and reduces transfusion dependency through ACVR1 inhibition. The recommended dose of momelotinib is 200 mg orally once daily, which was established after review of safety, efficacy, pharmacokinetic, and pharmacodynamic data. Momelotinib is metabolized primarily by CYP3A4 and excreted as metabolites in feces and urine. Steady‐state maximum concentration is 479 ng/mL (CV%, 61%), with a mean AUCtau of 3288 ng.h/mL (CV%, 60%); its major metabolite, M21, is active (≈40% of pharmacological activity of parent), with a metabolite‐to‐parent AUC ratio of 1.4–2.1. This review describes momelotinib's mechanism of action, detailing how the JAK–STAT pathway is involved in myelofibrosis pathogenesis and ACVR1 inhibition decreases hepcidin, leading to improved erythropoiesis. Additionally, it summarizes the pivotal studies and data that informed the recommended dosage and risk/benefit assessment.
“The compounds for females are really commonly faked!”: Women's challenges in anabolic steroid acquisition and the place of drug checking interventions
Authors: Piatkowski Timothy , Havnes Ingrid Amalia , Kill Emma , Barratt Monica J.
Published: August 2024

Introduction

Women who use drugs, particularly those using anabolic‐androgenic steroids (AAS), encounter heightened social risks influenced by the legal status of AAS, varying regionally. In jurisdictions where AAS are legal, medical guidance and prescription are common, while in illegal regions, there are challenges associated with acquisition and safer usage. Therefore, we aimed to explore the experiences of women who use AAS in Australia, where these substances are criminalised, with a focus on the challenges they encounter in acquiring and using these drugs.

Methods

We focused on data from six women in a broader study interviewing 15 AAS users. The data were subjected to iterative inductive analysis, resulting in two theme‐categories.

Results

Women who use AAS face distinct challenges in accessing reliable suppliers, with men seemingly having ‘easier’ access. Women experience this disparity as increasing their vulnerability to unsafe products, further compounded by their lack of knowledge regarding these substances. Moreover, mislabelling and counterfeiting of female‐specific AAS substances is described to further compound these risks, reflecting the participants' expressed need for enhanced intervention and quality control in the AAS market.

Discussion and Conclusions

Ensuring product reliability, transparency and accountability are perceived as essential for the health and safety of women who use AAS. To address these issues, interventions should provide women with comprehensive drug checking services tailored to their health needs. ‘Steroid literacy’ must be an integral component, equipping women with knowledge to make informed decisions in the gendered AAS market.
Impact of self‐expanding metal stents on long‐term survival outcomes as a bridge to surgery in patients with colon cancer obstruction: Current state and future prospects
Authors: Zhang Hao‐Yu , Wang Zhen‐Jun , Han Jia‐Gang
Published: August 2024

Since self‐expanding metal stents (SEMS) were first introduced in acute colon cancer obstruction, the increased rate of primary anastomosis and improved quality of life following SEMS placement have been clearly shown. However, it was demonstrated that SEMS are associated with higher recurrence rates. Although several trials have shown that overall and disease‐free survival in patients following SEMS placement is similar with patients undergoing emergency surgery, obstruction and a high incidence of recurrence imposed many concerns. The optimal time interval from SEMS to surgery is still a matter of debate. Some studies have recommended a time interval of ~2 weeks between SEMS insertion and elective surgery. A prolonged interval of time from SEMS insertion to elective surgery and the administration of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) has been proposed. SEMS‐NAC might have advantages for improving the surgical and long‐term survival outcomes of patients with acute colon cancer obstruction, which is an optional approach in the management of acute colon cancer obstruction.
Two‐devices‐in‐one‐channel method for minor papilla cannulation
Authors: Ochi Kiyoaki , Ogawa Tsuneyoshi , Ueki Toru
Published: August 2024

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Landsat‐based greening trends in alpine ecosystems are inflated by multidecadal increases in summer observations
Authors: Bayle Arthur , Gascoin Simon , Berner Logan T. , Choler Philippe
Published: August 2024

Remote sensing is an invaluable tool for tracking decadal‐scale changes in vegetation greenness in response to climate and land use changes. While the Landsat archive has been widely used to explore these trends and their spatial and temporal complexity, its inconsistent sampling frequency over time and space raises concerns about its ability to provide reliable estimates of annual vegetation indices such as the annual maximum normalised difference vegetation index (NDVI), commonly used as a proxy of plant productivity. Here we demonstrate for seasonally snow‐covered ecosystems, that greening trends derived from annual maximum NDVI can be significantly overestimated because the number of available Landsat observations increases over time, and mostly that the magnitude of the overestimation varies along environmental gradients. Typically, areas with a short growing season and few available observations experience the largest bias in greening trend estimation. We show these conditions are met in late snowmelting habitats in the European Alps, which are known to be particularly sensitive to temperature increases and present conservation challenges. In this critical context, almost 50% of the magnitude of estimated greening can be explained by this bias. Our study calls for greater caution when comparing greening trends magnitudes between habitats with different snow conditions and observations. At a minimum we recommend reporting information on the temporal sampling of the observations, including the number of observations per year, when long‐term studies with Landsat observations are undertaken.
How does oil policy uncertainty influence resource rents? New empirical evidence from Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries
Authors: Farooq Umar , Wen Jun , Aldawsari Salem Hamad , Tabash Mosab I. , Khudoykulov Khurshid
Published: August 2024

The uncertainty surrounding oil‐related policies has raised concerns about its influence on revenues derived from resource extraction activities. In this view, the current study aims to investigate the nuanced relationship between oil policy uncertainty (OPU) and resource rents, focusing on oil rents (ORTs), natural gas rents (NRTs), and total resource rents (TRT). Analyzing data spanning from 1985 to 2019 across Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries, various econometric models including DOLS, FMOLS, and autoregressive distributed lag are employed to assess the impact of OPU on resource rents. The empirical findings reveal a significant negative effect of heightened OPU levels on resource rents, indicating a reduction in ORT, NRT, and TRT. This negative impact underscores the deterrence of long‐term investments in oil exploration and production due to regulatory unpredictability, leading to decreased revenues from oil extraction activities. Additionally, increased OPU contributes to heightened volatility in oil prices, disrupting the stability of resource rents. Furthermore, variables such as FDI inflow, inflation rate, and banking sector development exhibit positive relationships with resource rents, emphasizing their role in bolstering revenues derived from natural resources. The study's implications highlight the necessity for policymakers to address and mitigate OPU to foster stability and sustainable revenues within resource‐driven economies. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering empirical insights into the adverse impact of OPU on resource rents.
The influence of grade retention on students' competences in Spain
Authors: Lopez‐Agudo Luis Alejandro , de Guevara Rodríguez María Ladrón , Marcenaro‐Gutierrez Oscar David
Published: August 2024

Grade retention is at the core of the education debate in Spain, to the extent that its impact on students' competences has not been assessed beyond correlation. Because of that, in the present study, we analyse the influence of grade retention on students' competences, using more than 146,000 students from 6 PISA cycles (2003–2018) and an instrumental variable approach, in order to approach a causal influence. Our results show that repeating a grade in Spain seems to reduce students' competences between 1.5 and 1.7 standard deviations. Based on these results, we conclude that the Spanish educational authorities should find an alternative to grade retention, in order to prevent students from attaining a lower competence level due to repetition.
Efficacy of ixazomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone regimen in daratumumab‐exposed relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma patients: A retrospective analysis
Authors: Fric Dominik , Stork Martin , Boichuk Ivanna , Sandecka Viera , Adam Zdenek , Krejci Marta , Ondrouskova Eva , Fidrichova Anna , Radova Lenka , Knechtova Zdenka , Jarosova Marie , Pour Ludek
Published: August 2024

We performed retrospective analysis of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients previously exposed to daratumumab treated with ixazomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (IRd) regimen in real clinical practice. Our aim was to evaluate efficacy of IRd in these patients and select a subset of patients that would benefit from this treatment the most. In total, we analyzed 43 daratumumab‐exposed RRMM patients treated in our center. Minimal response or better was achieved by 53.5% of patients from the cohort. Median progression free survival (PFS) was 4.56 months (95% CI: 2.56, 8.03) and median overall survival (OS) was 28.92 months (95% CI: 5.4, NR). Duration of response (DOR) was evaluable in 28 patients and reached a median of 21.3 months (95% CI: 6.85, NR). Next, we evaluated hazard ratios (HR) for OS and PFS. There was improved OS in patients that were not‐triple refractory or worse (HR = 0.39, 95%Cl (0.14; 1.10), p = .07) and in patients, that had less than three previous lines of treatment (LOT) (HR = 0.13, 95%Cl (0.03; 0.6) p = .003). Similar to OS, there was improved PFS in patients, that were not triple‐refractory or worse (HR = 0.52, 95%Cl (0.25; 1.10), p = .08). We concluded, that the best survival benefit for RRMM patients pretreated with daratumumab to IRd regimen was observed in patients that were not triple‐refractory and had less than three previous lines of treatment (LOT). The DOR in these patients was 21.3 months (95% CI: 6.85, NR).
The effect of visual speech cues on neural tracking of speech in 10‐month‐old infants
Authors: Çetinçelik Melis , Jordan‐Barros Antonia , Rowland Caroline F. , Snijders Tineke M.
Published: August 2024

While infants' sensitivity to visual speech cues and the benefit of these cues have been well‐established by behavioural studies, there is little evidence on the effect of visual speech cues on infants' neural processing of continuous auditory speech. In this study, we investigated whether visual speech cues, such as the movements of the lips, jaw, and larynx, facilitate infants' neural speech tracking. Ten‐month‐old Dutch‐learning infants watched videos of a speaker reciting passages in infant‐directed speech while electroencephalography (EEG) was recorded. In the videos, either the full face of the speaker was displayed or the speaker's mouth and jaw were masked with a block, obstructing the visual speech cues. To assess neural tracking, speech‐brain coherence (SBC) was calculated, focusing particularly on the stress and syllabic rates (1–1.75 and 2.5–3.5 Hz respectively in our stimuli). First, overall, SBC was compared to surrogate data, and then, differences in SBC in the two conditions were tested at the frequencies of interest. Our results indicated that infants show significant tracking at both stress and syllabic rates. However, no differences were identified between the two conditions, meaning that infants' neural tracking was not modulated further by the presence of visual speech cues. Furthermore, we demonstrated that infants' neural tracking of low‐frequency information is related to their subsequent vocabulary development at 18 months. Overall, this study provides evidence that infants' neural tracking of speech is not necessarily impaired when visual speech cues are not fully visible and that neural tracking may be a potential mechanism in successful language acquisition.
Behavioural changes in young ovariectomized mice via GPR30‐dependent serotonergic nervous system
Authors: Furukawa Megumi , Izumo Nobuo , Aoki Ryoken , Nagashima Daichi , Ishibashi Yukiko , Matsuzaki Hideo
Published: August 2024

Fluctuations in estradiol levels at each stage of life in women are considered one of the causes of mental diseases through their effects on the central nervous system. During menopause, a decrease in estradiol levels has been reported to affect the serotonin nervous system and induce depression‐like and anxiety symptoms. However, the regulation of brain and behaviour during childhood and adolescence is poorly understood. Moreover, the role of oestrogen receptors α and β in the regulation of the serotonergic nervous system has been reported, but little is known about the involvement of G protein‐coupled receptor 30. Therefore, in this study, we used an ovariectomized childhood mouse model to analyse behaviour and investigate the effects on the serotonin nervous system. We showed that ovariectomy surgery at 4 weeks of age, which is the weaning period, induced a decrease in spontaneous locomotor activity during the active period and a preference for novel mice over familiar mice in the three‐chamber social test at 10 weeks of age. In addition, the administration of G‐1, a protein‐coupled receptor 30 agonist, to ovariectomized mice suppressed spontaneous locomotor activity and the preference for novel mice. Furthermore, we demonstrated that childhood ovariectomy induces increased tryptophan hydroxylase gene expression in the raphe nucleus and increased serotonin release in the amygdaloid nucleus, and administration of G‐1 ameliorated these effects. Our study suggests that G protein‐coupled receptor 30‐mediated regulation of serotonin synthesis is involved in changes in activity and social‐cognitive behaviour due to decreased estradiol levels during childhood.