bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The Role of Narratives in Consumer Information Processing
Authors: Adaval Rashmi , Wyer Robert S.
Published: March 2004

Participants estimated the attractiveness of vacations described in 2 travel brochures. The information about 1 vacation was conveyed in a narrative that described the sequence of events that would occur. In contrast, information about the other vacation was conveyed in an ostensibly unorganized list. Vacations were generally evaluated more favorably when they were described in a narrative than when their features were simply listed. Moreover, this difference increased when (a) negative features of the vacations were mentioned, (b) pictures accompanied the text information, or (c) recipients were encouraged to imagine themselves having the experiences described. Although narrative forms of information elicited more extreme affective reactions than list forms, this did not account for the difference in their effectiveness. Rather, the advantage of narratives was attributed to (a) their structural similarity to information acquired through daily life experiences and (b) the use of a holistic—as opposed to a piecemeal—strategy for computing judgments.
The Relative Endurance of Attitudes, Confidence, and Attitude‐Behavior Consistency: The Role of Information Source and Delay
Authors: Shanker Krishnan H. , Smith Robert E.
Published: March 2004

This article integrates attitude and memory perspectives by examining how brand attitudes and attitude confidence decline over time. A review of the literature identifies 2 independent variables that may cause a decline in attitudes: (a) source of information (exposure to advertising or product trial) and (b) time of measurement (immediate or 1‐week delay). Hypotheses are developed that (a) attitude confidence will decline over time for participants exposed to advertising but not trial, (b) brand attitudes will decline over time for trial‐based attitudes but not those based on advertising, (c) a consequence of confidence decline is lowered attitude‐behavior consistency, and (d) reactivating attitudes will prevent declines in attitude and attitude confidence. Results generally confirm the hypotheses but also reveal some interesting and unexpected findings. Implications for current attitude and advertising models and future consumer research are discussed.
Price–Quality Trade‐Offs in Choice Versus Matching: New Insights Into the Prominence Effect
Authors: Carmon Ziv , Simonson Itamar
Published: March 2004

Seemingly equivalent preference assessment procedures (e.g., choose between a 40¢ Safeway brand cola and a 55¢ Coke) and matching (e.g., a Safeway brand cola costs 40¢; at what price would a Coke be equally attractive to you?) generate systematically different estimates of consumers’ price–quality trade‐offs. This result appears consistent with the prominence effect, whereby choices tend to weigh the prominent attribute more heavily than matching answers. Whereas prior accounts of prominence effect phenomena focused on characteristics of the choice task, we propose that the manner in which respondents match options is a major determinant of the choice–matching discrepancy. We suggest that matching answers tend to rely on proportional matching, superficial matching of attribute value intervals, rather than the attribute value at which the considered options are equally attractive. We also identify the attribute and alternative to which matching is applied, as moderators of its difference from choice. Based on our analysis we demonstrate how the large choice–matching preference discrepancy can be significantly reduced and even reversed. We discuss implications of this research for our understanding of task effects on consumer price–quality trade‐offs and mechanisms that underlie the prominence effect.
Consequences of Perceiving Oneself as Responsible for Obtaining a Discount: Evidence for Smart‐Shopper Feelings
Authors: Schindler Robert M.
Published: March 2004

The results of two studies, using different methods, converged to provide evidence for a noneconomic component to the affective consequences of a price promotion. Keeping constant the size of the discount, the consumer's perception of responsibility for obtaining a discount increased positive feelings. Perceived responsibility for a discount also increased the likelihood of behavioral consequences (repurchase and word‐of‐mouth communication about the product). These results are discussed in the context of better understanding the nature and implications of this noneconomic component of a price promotion's effects.
Social Influence by Requesting Self‐Prophecy
Authors: Spangenberg Eric R. , Greenwald Anthony G.
Published: March 2004

Asking people to predict whether they will perform a target action often increases the probability of their performing that action. This article reviews published and unpublished research evidence for this “self‐prophecy” phenomenon and reports 2 new experiments. The studies reviewed demonstrate that the self‐prophecy effect occurs in a variety of situations and that it is a moderate‐size effect. The new experiments introduce a 1‐session procedure that is considerably more efficient in testing theory than the 2‐session procedure of previous experiments. In the prior studies, as in the present self‐prophecy studies, participants appear to reduce a discrepancy between their principles and their behavior, made salient by prediction, through changing the behavior. Toward the ends of encouraging future investigation and developing theoretical understanding of the effect, the article concludes with discussion of related programs of research that may provide theoretical explanations for the effect.
Contingent Decision Behavior: Effect of Number of Alternatives To Be Selected on Consumers’ Decision Processes
Authors: Abdul‐Muhmin Alhassan G.
Published: March 2004

Extant research has demonstrated that models developed for predicting choices in decisions where only one of the available alternatives is to be selected “single‐item choice” decisions) are not able to accurately predict preferences in decisions where more than one alternative is to be selected (“multiple‐item choice” decisions). Findings from this research suggest that underlying decision processes are different for the two types of decisions. However, the specific nature of these differences is still not well understood. Differences in consumers’ information search between single‐item and multiple‐item choice decisions are examined in a decision‐making experiment. Using a computerized process‐tracing methodology, results of the study indicate that participants who make multiple‐item choice decisions engage in a more in‐depth information search with less variability in search patterns than do those who make single‐item choice decisions. Participants who make multiple‐item choice decisions are also more likely to use alternative‐based information‐search patterns. The results also show that there are no differences in information‐search behavior among three multiple‐item choice decisions used in the study. The study results are discussed, and their implications for consumer decision research are outlined.
Prospective and Retrospective Memory for Intentions: A Two‐Component Approach
Authors: Shanker Krishnan H. , Shapiro Stewart
Published: March 2004

Consumer behavior often involves the formation of purchase intentions; however, successful memory for previously formed intentions is necessary for the intentions to be acted on. This article delineates a 2‐component approach to understanding memory for previously formed intentions, separating a prospective memory component from a retrospective memory component. Memory that a person had intended to do something is prospective (remembering to remember), whereas memory for the content of the intended action is retrospective (remembering what to remember). This research investigated these 2 components in a situation in which multiple intentions were present and examined the extent to which important intentions influenced prospective and retrospective memory for other, less important intentions. The results indicated that increasing the importance of an intention facilitated both prospective and retrospective memory. However, the influence of an important intention on memory for unimportant intentions depended on both the order and type of memory component. Prospective memory was better for unimportant intentions that preceded the completion of the important intention but was unaffected after completion of the important intention. Retrospective memory, on the other hand, did not differ across order. Hence, it appears that these 2 components are theoretically and empirically separable and may derive from different underlying processes.
Advertising and Consumption of Alcoholic Beverages
Authors: Woodside Arch G.
Published: March 2004

After a nearly 50‐year voluntary ban, broadcast advertising of distilled spirits was introduced in the United States in 1996. The decision appears to be a response to broadcast advertising expenditures on beer and wine and to the steady decline in the consumption of distilled spirits. Lifting the ban may result in the increased advertising of distilled spirits. Such advertising has been referred to as a political time bomb. Using historical industry data, I tested several related issues including the following: Do increases in beer and spirits advertising expenditures influence the share of distilled spirits consumption? Are such advertising expenditure increases associated with increases in absolute alcohol consumption? The findings of the study support the concerns of both distilled spirits marketing executives and public policymakers. For example, using shares of hard liquor and beer advertising to predict absolute alcohol consumed via spirits indicated significant influences: A 0.15% increase in absolute alcohol consumption was associated with a 1% share increase in hard liquor advertising, and a 0.25% decrease in absolute alcohol consumption was associated with a 1 % share increase in beer advertising (adjusted R2 = .93). The conclusions include specific suggestions to both hard liquor advertisers and policymakers.
Effect of Assimilation on Prepurchase External Information‐Search Tendencies
Authors: D'Rozario Denver , Douglas Susan P.
Published: March 2004

Three of the dimensions of the multidimensional construct called assimilation were measured in a sample drawn from the Chinese American population. These 3 dimensions were cultural assimilation, identificational assimilation, and structural assimilation. Each dimension was measured by a separate subscale, resulting in a tripartite measure. This measure was shown to be reliable and valid. The relation between this measure and a microculture individual's external information search prior to the purchase of formal clothing was explored. Cultural assimilation related positively to the individual's tendency to search among a wide array of information sources. Identificational assimilation related positively to the individual's tendency to seek information from advertisements in the mass media. Finally, structural assimilation related negatively to the individual's tendency to consult his or her family and friends.
Rat endometrial Vdup1 expression: changes related to sensitization for the decidual cell reaction and hormonal control
Authors: Simmons David G , Kennedy Thomas G
Published: March 2004

During implantation in rodents, attachment and invasion of embryonic trophoblast is accompanied by decidualization of the adjacent endometrial stroma. Decidualization can be initiated only when the endometrium is receptive, and this occurs for a short period in pregnancy. The molecular mechanisms underlying this phenomenon remain unclear. In the current study, using differential display and northern blot analysis, we found that steady-state levels of mRNA for vitamin D3upregulated protein 1 (Vdup1) were significantly higher in ‘refractory’ and ‘delayed’ endometrium compared with ‘receptive’ endometrium or endometrium undergoing artificially induced decidualization. Conversely, thioredoxin (Txn), a ubiquitously expressed cellular redox regulator known to promote growth and proliferation, was found to have elevated transcript levels within the decidualizing endometrium. VDUP1 has previously been shown to bind TXN and inhibit its action. In an inverse, but cooperative, relationship, these molecules have been implicated in regulating cell growth and proliferation in a number of tissues and during transformation to cancer. TheVdup1mRNA is localized to the uterine stroma in the nonreceptive endometrium, the site of increasedTxnmRNA levels during decidualization. In addition,Vdup1mRNA levels are inversely regulated by progesterone and estrogen; prolonged progesterone exposure stimulates an increase inVdup1mRNA levels whereas estrogen decreasesVdup1transcript levels. Together, these results suggest a novel mechanism by which suppression of the decidual response in the nonreceptive endometrium may occur.
Are Src family kinases involved in cell cycle resumption in rat eggs?
Authors: Talmor-Cohen A , Tomashov-Matar R , Eliyahu E , Shapiro R , Shalgi R
Published: March 2004

The earliest visible indications for the transition to embryos in mammalian eggs, known as egg activation, are cortical granules exocytosis (CGE) and resumption of meiosis (RM); these events are triggered by the fertilizing spermatozoon through a series of Ca2+transients. The pathways, within the egg, leading to the intracellular Ca2+release and to the downstream cellular events, are currently under intensive investigation. The involvement of Src family kinases (SFKs) in Ca2+release at fertilization is well supported in marine invertebrate eggs but not in mammalian eggs. In a previous study we have shown the expression and localization of Fyn, the first SFK member demonstrated in the mammalian egg. The purpose of the current study was to identify other common SFKs and resolve their function during activation of mammalian eggs. All three kinases examined: Fyn, c-Src and c-Yes are distributed throughout the egg cytoplasm. However, Fyn and c-Yes tend to concentrate at the egg cortex, though only Fyn is localized to the spindle as well. The different localizations of the various SFKs imply the possibility of their different functions within the egg. To examine whether SFKs participate in the signal transduction pathways during egg activation, we employed selective inhibitors of the SFKs activity ((PP2 and SU6656). The results demonstrate that RM, which is triggered by Ca2+elevation, is an SFK-dependent process, while CGE, triggered by either Ca2+elevation or protein kinase C (PKC), is not. The possible involvement of SFKs in the signal transduction pathways that lead from the sperm–egg fusion site downstream of the Ca2+release remains unclear.
Cyclin A1 protein shows haplo-insufficiency for normal fertility in male mice
Authors: van der Meer Tiffany , Chan W-Y Iris , Palazon Luis S , Nieduszynski Conrad , Murphy Martin , Sobczak-Thépot Joelle , Carrington Mark , Colledge William H
Published: March 2004

In higher eukaryotes, the cyclins constitute a family of proteins involved in progression through the cell cycle. The cyclin A1 gene (Ccna1) is expressed during meiosis and is required for spermatogenesis. Targeted disruption of theCcna1gene with aLacZreporter gene has allowed us to study the expression pattern of this gene in more detail. We have confirmed expression in mouse pre-meiotic spermatocytes and also detected expression in the accessory olfactory bulb, hippocampus and amygdala of the adult brain. We have also found that the amount of cyclin A1 protein influences the fertility of male mice and its action is modulated by genetic background. On an outbred genetic background (129S6/SvEv × MF1),Ccna1tm1Col−/− animals are sterile due to spermatogenic arrest prior to the first meiotic division whileCcna1tm1Col+/− mice show reduced sperm production and fertility. This is even more pronounced on an inbred genetic background (129S6/SvEv) whereCcna1tm1Col+/− male mice are sterile due to a severe reduction in the total number of sperm.
Mobile Critical Care Recovery Program for Survivors of Acute Respiratory Failure
Authors: Khan Babar A. , Perkins Anthony J. , Khan Sikandar Hayat , Unverzagt Frederick W. , Lasiter Sue , Gao Sujuan , Wang Sophia , Zarzaur Ben L. , Rahman Omar , Eltarras Ahmed , Qureshi Hadi , Boustani Malaz A.
Published: January 2024

Importance

Over 50% of Acute Respiratory Failure (ARF) survivors experience cognitive, physical, and psychological impairments that negatively impact their quality of life (QOL).

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy of a post–intensive care unit (ICU) program, the Mobile Critical Care Recovery Program (m-CCRP) consisting of a nurse care coordinator supported by an interdisciplinary team, in improving the QOL of ARF survivors.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This randomized clinical trial with concealed outcome assessments among ARF survivors was conducted from March 1, 2017, to April 30, 2022, with a 12-month follow-up. Patients were admitted to the ICU services of 4 Indiana hospitals (1 community, 1 county, 2 academic), affiliated with the Indiana University School of Medicine.

Intervention

A 12-month nurse-led collaborative care intervention (m-CCRP) supported by an interdisciplinary group of clinicians (2 intensivists, 1 geriatrician, 1 ICU nurse, and 1 neuropsychologist) was compared with a telephone-based control. The intervention comprised longitudinal symptom monitoring coupled with nurse-delivered care protocols targeting cognition, physical function, personal care, mobility, sleep disturbances, pain, depression, anxiety, agitation or aggression, delusions or hallucinations, stress and physical health, legal and financial needs, and medication adherence.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcome was QOL as measured by the 36-item Medical Outcomes Study Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS), with scores on each component ranging from 0-100, and higher scores indicating better health status.

Results

In an intention-to-treat analysis among 466 ARF survivors (mean [SD] age, 56.1 [14.4] years; 250 [53.6%] female; 233 assigned to each group), the m-CCRP intervention for 12 months did not significantly improve the QOL compared with the control group (estimated difference in change from baseline between m-CCRP and control group: 1.61 [95% CI, −1.06 to 4.29] for SF-36 PCS; −2.50 [95% CI, −5.29 to 0.30] for SF-36 MCS. Compared with the control group, the rates of hospitalization were higher in the m-CCRP group (117 [50.2%] vs 95 [40.8%]; P = .04), whereas the 12-month mortality rates were not statistically significantly lower (24 [10.3%] vs 38 [16.3%]; P = .05).

Conclusions and Relevance

Findings from this randomized clinical trial indicated that a nurse-led 12-month comprehensive interdisciplinary care intervention did not significantly improve the QOL of ARF survivors after ICU hospitalization. These results suggest that further research is needed to identify specific patient groups who could benefit from tailored post-ICU interventions.

Trial Registration

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03053245
Quality Measure Adherence and Oral Health Outcomes in Children
Authors: Choi Sung Eun , Pandya Ankur , White Joel , Mertz Elizabeth , Normand Sharon-Lise
Published: January 2024

Importance

Process-based quality measures are generally intended to promote evidence-based practices that have been proven to improve outcomes. However, due to lack of standardized implementation of diagnostic codes in dentistry, assessing the association between process and oral health outcomes has been challenging.

Objective

To estimate the association of adhering to dental quality measures with patient oral health outcomes.

Design, Setting, and Participants

Using a target trial emulation, a causal inference framework, this retrospective cohort study estimated the difference in the risk of developing tooth decay between US children who adhered to process-based dental quality measures (receiving topical fluoride and sealant [treated groups]) and those who did not (control groups). Electronic health records of US children and adolescents aged 0 to 18 years from January 1, 2014, to December 31, 2020, were used. To emulate random treatment assignment based on baseline confounders, coarsened exact matching was used to produce covariate balance between the treated and control groups. A time-to-event regression model produced effect estimates, adjusting for time-varying covariates. Near-far matching was used to account for unmeasured confounders as a sensitivity analysis. Data were analyzed from May 1 to August 7, 2023.

Exposures

Adherence to dental quality measures.

Main Outcomes and Measures

Incidence of tooth decay.

Results

Among 69 212 US children aged between 0 and 18 years (mean [SD] age, 10.2 [5.0] years; 49.5% male, 50.4% female, and 0.1% unknown or transgender), 1930 (2.8%) were Asian, 2038 (2.9%) were Black, 8667 (12.5%) were Hispanic, 33 632 (48.6%) were White, and 22 945 (33.2%) were multiracial, other, or missing racial and ethnic group identification. Relative to control individuals, treated individuals were more likely to be at elevated risk of caries (fluoride measure: 16 453 [76.5%] vs 15 236 [39.8%]; sealant measure: 2264 [54.6%] vs 997 [44.0%]) and have regular dental visits (fluoride measure: 21 498 [100%] vs 13 741 [35.9%]; sealant measure: 1623 [39.2%] vs 871 [38.4%]). Adherence to quality measures was associated with reduced risk of tooth decay with adjusted hazard ratios of 0.82 (95% CI, 0.78- 0.86) for fluoride and 0.86 (95% CI, 0.76-0.97) for sealant in the matched cohort. Benefits of adhering to quality measures were greater among children at elevated vs low risk and with public vs commercial insurance for both measures.

Conclusions

In this cohort study, adhering to dental quality measures was associated with reduced risk of tooth decay, and benefits were greater among children at elevated risk and with public insurance. These findings provide insights in facilitating targeted application of quality measures or developing more tailored quality improvement initiatives.
A Smartphone-Based Shopping Mall Walking Program and Daily Walking Steps
Authors: Matsuoka Yoko , Yoshida Hiroaki , Hanazato Masamichi
Published: January 2024

Importance

Because shopping malls are considered safe places for walking, several mall walking programs have been developed. Research on the association between the use of walking programs and the number of daily steps taken is limited.

Objective

To evaluate the association between use of a smartphone-based shopping mall walking program and daily steps taken after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This cohort study evaluated a nationwide longitudinal data set of 217 344 registered smartphone app users at least 18 years of age residing in Japan. Daily step counts were collected from January 1 to December 31, 2021.

Exposures

The mall walking program Mall Challenge integrated a global positioning system with a smartphone app’s incentive system to reward achieving a goal of 1000 daily steps with lottery-based coupons to win from 0 to 500 shopping points (1 point equaled 1 yen or approximately US $0.01).

Main Outcomes and Measures

Daily step records were collected from the smartphone app’s walking program and adjusted for gender and age. Multilevel analyses using mixed-effect linear regression models were used to estimate the coefficients for the association between daily participation in the walking program and daily step counts. Cross-level interaction terms of age and gender by walking program participation were included in one model.

Results

Among the 217 344 registered mall app users (23 638 110 daily step records; 154 616 [71.1%] women; 18 014 [8.3%] participants 65 years or older, and 199 330 [91.7%] adults younger than 65 years), the mean (SD) daily steps were 7415 (4686) on walking program participation days and 5281 (4339) on days without participation in the program. Walking program participation days were associated with 1219 additional daily steps (95% CI, 1205-1232) compared with nonparticipation days after adjusting for gender and age. By geographic region, participation in the walking program was associated with 1130 (95% CI, 1113-1146) more steps in rural malls, 1403 (95% CI, 1379-1428) more steps in suburban malls, and 1433 (95% CI, 1408-1457) more steps in urban malls than nonparticipation. Moreover, participation in the walking program was associated with 1422 (95% CI, 1405-1439) more steps in large malls and 1059 (95% CI, 1041-1077) more steps in small malls compared with nonparticipation. Regarding cross-level interactions, women were associated with walking 728 (95% CI, 698-758) more steps than men, and older adults were associated with walking 228 (95% CI, 183-273) more steps than younger adults on walking program participation days.

Conclusions and Relevance

This cohort study found that the use of a smartphone-based mall walking program combined with physical shopping mall facilities and lottery-based digital incentive coupons may motivate people to increase their daily number of walking steps.
Comparison of Selected Employment Arbitration Rules
Authors: Bleemer Baccay Yan
Published: January 2024

Alternatives presents a special feature comparison of the current employment arbitration rules from four major dispute resolution providers. When using the rules, best practice is to check the latest versions for the exact current wording in the comparison categories, available at the organizations' websites listed at the top of the chart.
Addressing the impact of images of war on children
Authors: Walters Anne S.
Published: January 2024

Amid the ongoing Israel–Hamas conflict, images and videos circulating on social media show graphic violence. Exposure to images of injured, maimed, and deceased children also includes photos of the destruction of places like homes, hospitals, and entire neighborhoods that are typically considered safe spaces for children. Children will inevitably become consumers of some of this material, some unmonitored by adults, and with an immediacy specific to internet access. Do we know how this impacts them, and what do we do about it?
Goals for parents and children for 2024 from the American Academy of Pediatrics
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: January 2024

At the beginning of this year, many of us made New Year resolutions. But promises to ourselves — and our children — can be made anytime. Beginning with the strengths your family already has, you can build a safer, stronger, and more harmonious time regardless of the month with what pediatricians recommend.
Combined training and hormones/enzymes with insulinotropic actions in individuals with overweight and type 2 diabetes mellitus: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Bonfante Ivan Luiz Padilha , Duft Renata Garbellini , Mateus Keryma Chaves da Silva , Trombeta Joice Cristina dos Santos , Chacon‐Mikahil Mara Patricia Traina , Velloso Licio Augusto , Cavaglieri Cláudia Regina
Published: January 2024

The incretins (glucose‐dependent insulinotropic polypeptide [GIP] and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 [GLP‐1]), along with amylin/islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) and insulin‐degrading enzyme (IDE), are hormones/enzymes that have been pharmacological targets, such as dipeptidyl peptidase‐4 (DPP‐4) inhibitors, due to their insulinotropic actions. Physical training is recommended as a treatment for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM); however, its effects on the concentrations of these hormones/enzymes are not well known. Thus, the present study aimed to evaluate the effects of combined training (CT) on the concentrations of hormones/enzymes with insulinotropic actions in individuals with T2DM and overweight. Individuals of both sexes with T2DM (age 51.73 ± 4.19 years; body mass index [BMI] 29.46 ± 3.39 kg/m2) were randomly distributed in the control group (CG, n = 17) and the combined training group (CTG, n = 17). The CT consisted of strength followed by erobic training, 3 times/week, for 16 weeks. Functional variables, body composition, and serum biochemical analyses (clinical markers, GLP‐1, GIP, DPP‐4, amylin/IAPP, and IDE) were evaluated. The CTG showed a decrease in GLP‐1 (pre: 32.8 ± 12.1, post: 28.4 ± 13.5, and p = 0.04) in the group/time analysis. In the evaluation of the Δ% of variation, CTG presented a decrease for GLP‐1 (−9.3%; p = 0.03) and amylin/IAPP (−13.4%; p < 0.01), in addition to an increase for DPP‐4 (6.2%; p = 0.04) enzyme. CT decreases the baseline levels of important hormones with insulinotropic actions in individuals with T2DM and overweight. The improvement in overall metabolism provided by CT must be the main reason for these effects. These results broaden the understanding of the effects and relationships between CT and glucose metabolism.
Fast Ultrasound Scanning is a Rapid, Sensitive, Precise and Cost-Effective Method to Monitor Tumor Grafts in Mice
Authors: Molière Sébastien , Martinet Arthur , Jaulin Amélie , Lodi Massimo , Chamaraux-Tran Thien-Nga , Alpy Fabien , Bierry Guillaume , Tomasetto Catherine
Published: January 2024

In preclinical studies, accurate monitoring of tumor dynamics is crucial for understanding cancer biology and evaluating therapeutic interventions. Traditional methods like caliper measurements and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) have limitations, prompting the need for improved imaging techniques. This study introduces a fast-scan high-frequency ultrasound (HFUS) protocol for the longitudinal assessment of syngeneic breast tumor grafts in mice, comparing its performance with caliper, BLI measurements and with histological analysis. The E0771 mammary gland tumor cell line, engineered to express luciferase, was orthotopically grafted into immunocompetent C57BL/6 mice. Tumor growth was monitored longitudinally at multiple timepoints using caliper measurement, HFUS, and BLI, with the latter two modalities assessed against histopathological standards post-euthanasia. The HFUS protocol was designed for rapid, anesthesia-free scanning, focusing on volume estimation, echogenicity, and necrosis visualization. All mice developed tumors, only 20.6% were palpable at day 4. HFUS detected tumors as small as 2.2 mm in average diameter from day 4 post-implantation, with an average scanning duration of 47 s per mouse. It provided a more accurate volume assessment than caliper, with a lower average bias relative to reference tumor volume. HFUS also revealed tumor necrosis, correlating strongly with BLI in terms of tumor volume and cellularity. Notable discrepancies between HFUS and BLI growth rates were attributed to immune cell infiltration. The fast HFUS protocol enables precise and efficient tumor assessment in preclinical studies, offering significant advantages over traditional methods in terms of speed, accuracy, and animal welfare, aligning with the 3R principle in animal research.
Assessment of Space Weather Impacts on New Zealand Power Transformers Using Dissolved Gas Analysis
Authors: Subritzky S. P. , Lapthorn A. C. , Hardie S. , Manus D. H. Mac , Rodger C. J. , Dalzell M.
Published: January 2024

Space weather can have major impacts on electrical infrastructure. Multiple instances of transformer damage have been attributed to geomagnetic storms in recent decades, for example, the Hydro Quebec incident of 1989 and the November 2001 storm in New Zealand. While many studies exist on the impacts of geomagnetic storms on power transformers in New Zealand, no studies exist that employ Dissolved Gas Analysis (DGA) techniques to relate geomagnetic storms to transformer gassing. A relationship has been reported between geomagnetic activity and DGA for South Africa, while none was found in a recent study in Great Britain. This paper attempts to examine this research question by examining dissolved gas data across eight power transformers in different substations in New Zealand from 2016 to 2019. Case studies were conducted which analyzed the DGA readings of each transformer alongside horizontal magnetic field component rate of change measurements at Eyrewell across six geomagnetic storms. These case studies were then augmented with an analysis of the entire data set where magnetic field measurements were compared with individual gas rates to establish a correlation between gas production and geomagnetic activity. Analysis of the results of this study concluded that no link had been found between the production of combustible gasses in a transformer and geomagnetic activity during the observation period. However, we note our dissolved gas analysis was largely in a geomagnetically quieter period, which may limit our analysis. The production of combustible gasses is not correlated to geomagnetic storms for the time period and transformers analyzed.
How Dangerous Is Mexico's Popocat�petl? It Depends on Who You Ask
Authors: Kornei Katherine
Published: January 2024

If headlines are to be believed, the 22 million people living in the greater metropolitan area of Mexico City are in danger.
Prevalence and associated factors of visual impairment among adults aged 40 and above in Southern Ethiopia, 2022
Authors: Deme Tamiru Getachew , Mengistu Masresha , Getahun Firdawek
Published: January 2024

Visual impairment is a functional limitation of the eye caused by a disorder or disease that can reduce one’s ability to perform daily activities. Many studies in Ethiopia have focused on childhood visual impairments. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with visual impairment among adults aged 40 and above. Community-based cross-sectional study was done and a systematic sampling technique was used to select 655 participants. Data were collected by interviewer administered questionnaire, E-Snell chart, pinhole, torch light, and magnifying loupe. SPSS version 25 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify factors associated with outcome variable. The overall prevalence of visual impairment was found to be 36.95% (95% CI 33.2–40.8%). Factors associated with a higher odds of visual impairment included aged 51–60 years (AOR 2.37, 95% CI 1.29–4.44), aged 61 and above (AOR 8.9, 95% CI 4.86–16.3), low wealth index (AOR 1.91, 95% CI 1.14–3.2), divorced and widowed (AOR 4.67, 95% CI 2.77–7.86), no formal education (AOR 14.28, 95% CI 2.82–71.46), not utilizing eyeglass (AOR 3.94, 95% CI 1.65–9.40). The prevalence of visual impairment was relatively high compared to other studies. Age, marital status, occupation, educational status, wealth index, and not using eyeglasses were significantly associated with visual impairment. Refractory error is the leading cause of visual impairment. Early eye care service interventions are needed in this area.
The gut microbiome predicts response to UDCA/CDCA treatment in gallstone patients: comparison of responders and non-responders
Authors: Lee Jungnam , Park Jin-Seok
Published: January 2024

The treatment of gallbladder (GB) stones depends on condition severity. Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) and chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) are commonly used to treat GB stones, but the factors affecting response rates have not been fully identified. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between response to UDCA/CDCA treatment and changes in the gut microbiomes of patients with GB stones with the intention of identifying gut microbiomes that predict susceptibility to UDCA/CDCA treatment and treatment response. In this preliminary, prospective study, 13 patients with GB stones were treated with UDCA/CDCA for 6 months. Patients were classified into responder and non-responder groups based on treatment outcomes. Gut microbiomes were analyzed by 16S rDNA sequencing. Taxonomic compositions and abundances of bacterial communities were analyzed before and after UDCA/CDCA treatment. Alpha and beta diversities were used to assess similarities between organismal compositions. In addition, PICRUSt2 analysis was conducted to identify gut microbial functional pathways. Thirteen patients completed the treatment; 8 (62%) were assigned to the responder group and the remainder to the non-responder group. Low abundances of the Erysipelotrichi lineage were significantly associated with favorable response to UDCA/CDCA treatment, whereas high abundances of Firmicutes phylum indicated no or poor response. Our results suggest that a low abundance of the Erysipelotrichi lineage is significantly associated with a favorable response to UDCA/CDCA and that a high abundance of Firmicutes phylum is indicative of no or poor response. These findings suggest that some gut microbiomes are susceptible to UDCA/CDCA treatment and could be used to predict treatment response in patients with GB stones.
Déploiement des réacteurs innovants : que veulent les start-up ?
Authors: Le Gros Gaïc
Published: January 2024

En octobre 2023, les start-up ont salué l’initiative gouvernementale de l’appel à projets « Réacteurs innovants » tout en demandant des axes d’amélioration dans le cadre d’une transformation rapide de l’écosystème nucléaire.
Pour une ingénierie et une gestion de projets adaptées aux réacteurs modulaires avancés
Authors: Jachmich Julien , Vincent Olivier , Guerin Adrien , Branche Thomas , Plana Robert
Published: January 2024

Les réacteurs modulaires avancés répondent à de nouveaux usages du nucléaire. Mais la manière de les concevoir doit aussi répondre à de nouveaux paramètres – vitesse, agilité, incertitudes sur les projets. Assystem, premier ingénieriste nucléaire en Europe, est là pour ça.
Chapter 3. Narrative and pantomime at the origin of language
Authors: Ferretti Francesco
Published: January 2024

The present chapter proposes a pantomimic account of language origin resting on a persuasive/narrative conception of human communication. Relying on the twofold constraint of the cognitive architectures responsible for the processing of the mental content and of the material resources for expressing that content, I suggest that pantomime represented an ideal means to convey proto-narrative representations in the absence of verbal language. Although representing an early effective form of protolanguage because of its narrative persuasive power, pantomime shows its limits in sustaining a more sophisticated type of communication characterizing face-to-face conversation. In this context, the need to engage in an arguing-counterarguing dialectics might have created new selective pressures towards complex syntactic structures able to support argumentative forms of persuasion.
Chapter 6. The pantomimic origins of the narrative arts
Authors: Brown Steven
Published: January 2024

The evolutionary study of pantomime provides important insights into the origins of the narrative arts, including visual art, theatre, and narrative forms of dance (e.g., ballet). Drawing, as a motoric activity, shows a strong resemblance to tracing pantomimes. The main difference is that drawing generates an enduring image on a surface, whereas pantomime is “drawing in the air.” The theatrical arts – including dramatic acting, mime acting, and narrative forms of dance – take a more egocentric approach to pantomime than drawing, employing full-body mimicry of the expressive actions of a referent person. Overall, iconic gesturing through pantomime provides an evolutionary foundation for all of the narrative arts. On the flip side, a consideration of the narrative arts themselves provides many new avenues for the exploration of pantomime, including shedding light on gestural models of the origins of language.
Towards a successful implementation of buildability assessment in construction industry: a conceptual framework
Authors: Osuizugbo Innocent Chigozie , Ezeokoli Fidelis Okechukwu , Okolie Kevin Chuks , Olojo Aduragbemi Deborah
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The application of good buildability practices is vital for improving the performance of projects and businesses in the construction sector. Despite the plethora of research into buildability in construction in the previous years, there is little information concerning how buildability practice can be successfully implemented. This paper aims to develop a conceptual framework that explains how buildability practice can be implemented successfully in the construction industry.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses an integrative literature review method to synthesise literature from different domains to describe various themes by which buildability assessment can be successfully implemented in the construction industry.

Findings

The findings of the review of literature conceptualised a buildability implementation framework at four principal themes: buildability attributes for improving the practice of construction management, factors supporting the implementation of buildability assessment, measures for improving the buildability of building designs and factors impeding the implementation of buildability assessment.

Originality/value

The outcome of this study contributes to knowledge in three different ways. First, the framework emerging from this study provides guidance to stakeholders on strategies for the successful implementation of buildability. Second, the information gathered in this study is useful for the development of buildability assessment tool. Finally, the framework has a potential of improving the practice of embedding buildability into designs. The detailed descriptions of the relevant variables at each principal theme advance the understanding of buildability in the construction industry and are fundamental to developing buildability assessment tools for the industry.
Characterization of decorticated fibres from agricultural waste of the Curcuma longa plant and their non-woven fabric properties
Authors: Wardiningsih Wiah , Syauqi Pradanta Farhan Aqil , Rudy Ryan , Hernawati Resty Mayseptheny , Sugiyana Doni
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyse the characteristics of cellulose fibres derived from the pseudo-stems of Curcuma longa and to evaluate the properties of non-woven fabric produced using these fibres.

Design/methodology/approach

The fibres were extracted via a decortication method. The acquired intrinsic qualities of the fibres were used to assess the feasibility of using them in textile applications. The thermal bonding approach was used for the development of the non-woven fabric, using a hot press machine with low-melt polyester fibre as a binder.

Findings

The mean length of Curcuma longa fibres was determined to be 52.73 cm, with a fineness value of 4.00 tex. The fibres exhibited an uneven cross-sectional morphology, characterized by a diverse range of oval-shaped lumens. The fibre exhibited a tenacity of 1.45 g/denier and an elongation value of 4.30%. The fibres possessed a moisture regain value of 11.30%. The experimental non-woven fabrics had consistent weight and thickness, while exhibiting different properties in terms of tensile strength and air permeability, with Fabric C having the highest tensile strength and the lowest air permeability value.

Originality/value

The features of Curcuma longa fibre, obtained with the decortication process, exhibited suitability for textile applications. Three experimental non-woven fabrics comprising different compositions of Curcuma longa fibre and low-melt polyester fibre were produced. The tensile strength and air permeability properties of these fabrics were influenced by the composition of the fibres.
Do summative entrustment decisions actually lead to entrustment?
Authors: Sigurdsson Vigfús , ten Cate Olle
Published: January 2024

Background

Entrustable professional activities (EPAs) were introduced across Dutch postgraduate programmes between 2017 and 2019. We aimed to understand the extent to which residents actually were granted increased clinical responsibility upon receiving summative entrustment for an EPA, a critical feature of its use.

Methods

A survey study was conducted among all Dutch residents who started dermatology training in 2018 and 2019 and all Dutch dermatology programme directors (PDs). We chose an EPA designed for early entrustment in residency (identification, treatment and care regarding a simple dermatological problem in the ambulatory setting). The survey contained two hypothetical clinical cases that aligned with this EPA. The questions were aimed to determine whether and when residents should request supervision. Similar questions were posed to PDs.

Findings

Twenty four residents (56%) and 19 PDs (79%) completed the survey. The majority of the residents (65%) and PDs (63%) confirmed that competent dermatology residents (level 4) are generally allowed to perform EPA1 unsupervised, particularly when seeing patients from GPs. However, still a substantial proportion of the level 4 residents, working in University Medical Centers (36%) indicated that they had to request supervision in the assessment of these patients. For 2nd opinions, the results were typically the opposite.

Discussion and Conclusion

This study demonstrated that, at least in one specialty and one country, the introduction of EPAs and entrustment decision making procedure generally led to the intended autonomy of the resident.
Artificial Intelligence in Newsrooms: Ethical Challenges Facing Journalists
Authors: Al-Zoubi Omar , Ahmad Normahfuzah , Hamid Norsiah Abdul
Published: January 2024

Artificial intelligence has started to expand in journalism, especially in advanced news organisations. It is evident that journalists are beginning to realise the importance of AI and that it will be a partner to human journalists in their work inside newsrooms. Despite the numerous benefits that AI contributes to journalism, several challenges hinder the expansion and spread of its adoption among journalists. The ethical challenges of AI systems have become a concern among journalists. Therefore, this research is guided by the relationship between technological development and media ethics as the philosophical study of morality, specifically the Social Responsibility Theory. This study adopts a qualitative approach to explore the ethical challenges of AI faced by journalists. In-depth interviews were conducted with 14 journalists working in the newsroom of a government-affiliated channel, Al Mamlaka TV in Jordan. Data obtained from interviews conducted were analysed thematically. The results concluded that the main ethical challenges faced by journalists in the newsroom in adopting AI are data bias; privacy violations; and the absence of legislation and international regulations regarding the use of AI in journalism. The study concludes that journalists at Al Mamlaka TV adhere to the basics of Social Responsibility Theory through their critical adoption of AI in the newsroom.
Supplemental Material: Gibraltar subduction zone is invading the Atlantic
Authors: Duarte João C. , al. et
Published: January 2024

Modeling approach, reference model sensitivity tests, and validation against the natural example, including videos S1–S24.  
Supplemental Material: Initiation of the Cascade arc
Authors: Tepper Jeffrey H. , Clark Kenneth P.
Published: January 2024

S1: geochemical and geochronological data; S2: compilation of plate vectors.  
Supplemental Material: Synglacial carbonate records of snowball Earth ocean composition—Evidence from the Nantuo Formation, South China
Authors: Zhu Guangyou , et al.
Published: January 2024

Petrological and geochemical crossplots of the synglacial carbonates of the Nantuo Formation in South China.
SIGCSE Technical Symposium 2024: Information for Attendees
Authors: Stephenson Ben , Stone Jeffrey , Battestilli Lina , Rebelsky Samuel A. , Shoop Libby
Published: January 2024

The 2024 SIGCSE Technical Symposium is approaching rapidly! This year we will return to the Oregon Convention Center in Portland, Oregon, and we look forward to welcoming you there from March 20 to 23, 2024. The symposium's program is now available on the sigcse2024.sigcse.org website. It is the largest SIGCSE Technical Symposium program ever with 216 papers and many, many presentations in its other tracks. With so much innovative work to see we're confident that there is something for everyone and we're sure that you will have no trouble finding interesting and informative sessions to attend. In fact, your biggest challenge may be deciding which of the many parallel sessions is the best choice!