bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Optimizing agricultural downstream supply chain: addressing information asymmetry and losses
Authors: Sharma Rajkumar , Sharma Satyendra Kumar
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to understand the significant issues in the downstream supply chain of agricultural commodities and find out the improved strategy.

Design/methodology/approach

A value chain analysis on a downstream supply chain is performed to understand all ground-level issues related to information asymmetry and material losses. The study maps processes, actors, activities, product flow, information flow, material volume flow, technology adoption and value share. The study is performed by doing a qualitative survey using a semi-structured questionnaire and face-to-face interviews with 120 farmers, six aggregators, six traders in APMC mandis, six processors, six distributors and six retailers. A case study is performed on the mustard supply chain in Rajasthan to relate the results more comprehensively. After identifying the prominent issues, a cause-and-effect analysis is done to generate suggestions for improvement in the paper.

Findings

The study reveals that the downstream supply chain has 8–12% losses of agricultural produce, and 5–7% of that is at the farmer’s end as post-harvesting losses. Farmers cannot access all available options for marketing their produce because of poor information exchange and poor reach. It suggests farmer empowerment for the optimum benefit of the entire supply chain.

Research limitations/implications

This is an exploratory study conducted by field visits and lacks statistical evidence for some findings. The dataset can be more extensive, diversified, and analyzed for various commodities.

Practical implications

The study’s outcome will guide the stakeholders in finding more optimum options in the downstream agriculture supply chain. Research methodology can be used as a template for studying the supply chain of any agricultural commodity in different countries.

Originality/value

The study reveals the prominent issues, causes, effects and solutions throughout the agriculture downstream supply chain. The study is a bundle of foremost observations altogether. The study has been conducted in-depth in the field with actual scenarios that unlayered the hidden issues at the root. This study addresses a relatively underexplored area and provides actionable recommendations, which significantly contribute to the existing literature on the agriculture supply chain.
Evaluating the impact of ESG on financial risk: the moderating effects of operational ability and profitability in Indonesian infrastructure firms
Authors: Ridwan Mochammad , Alghifari Erik Syawal
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices on financial risk, with operational ability and profitability as moderating variables, within the infrastructure sector in Indonesia.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample consists of 14 infrastructure companies listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange over the period of 2020–2022, resulting in a total of 42 firm-year observations. The study employs a random-effects model for panel data regression analysis to test the hypotheses. ESG serves as the independent variable, financial risk as the dependent variable, and operational ability (measured by total asset turnover) and profitability (measured by return on assets) as moderating variables.

Findings

The results reveal that ESG practices have a significant positive impact on financial risk. Furthermore, operational ability negatively moderates the relationship between ESG and financial risk, while profitability positively moderates this relationship. These findings suggest that although higher ESG scores may elevate financial risk due to associated costs and uncertainties, firms with greater operational efficiency and profitability are better equipped to mitigate and manage these risks more effectively.

Research limitations/implications

This study focuses on infrastructure companies in Indonesia, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other sectors or geographic regions. Future research could broaden the scope by incorporating diverse industries and cross-country contexts to enhance the robustness and applicability of the results.

Practical implications

The findings offer valuable insights for policymakers and corporate managers. Policymakers can develop frameworks to encourage sustainable practices without imposing excessive financial burdens on companies. Managers can leverage operational efficiency and profitability to integrate ESG practices effectively, thereby balancing sustainability goals with financial performance.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scarce literature on the moderating effects of operational ability and profitability on the relationship between ESG practices and financial risk, particularly in the context of the infrastructure sector in Indonesia.
Understanding tourists' adoption of edible food packaging: the role of environmental awareness
Authors: Khan Salman , Mehmood Shafaqat , Khan Ikram Ullah , Khan Safeer Ullah
Published: January 2025

Purpose

Edible food packaging provides a solution to the solid waste problem caused by traditional packaging. However, tourists’ readiness to adopt this novel technology is unclear.

Design/methodology/approach

An online survey was conducted to examine how motivated consumer innovativeness (CI), environmental awareness, perceived behavioral control, subjective norms and attitudes influence tourists' purchase behaviors in the context of edible food packaging in the tourism industry. The collected data were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM) with SmartPLS 3.2.8.

Findings

The results of the structural equation analysis indicate that each sub-factor of motivated consumer innovativeness positively influences attitudes. Additionally, attitudes, subjective norms, perceived behavioral control and personal norms were found to significantly impact purchase intentions. Environmental awareness was found to moderate the relationships between (1) perceived behavioral control and purchase intention, (2) subjective norms and purchase intention and (3) attitude and purchase intention. These findings expand the applicability of the diffusion of innovation, planned behavior and environmental awareness theories, offering useful insights for foodservice professionals.

Research limitations/implications

This study emphasizes key implications for the tourism and foodservice industries, as consumers with an innovative attitude and higher environmental awareness are more likely to adopt edible food packaging. Identifying these factors will help stakeholders establish effective strategies for waste reduction through innovative packaging solutions.

Originality/value

This research uniquely investigates tourists' adoption of edible food packaging by integrating theories of innovation diffusion, planned behavior and environmental awareness. It offers novel insights into how various psychological and social factors influence purchase behaviors within the tourism industry.
The impact of COVID-19 on foreign direct investment in Arab economies
Authors: Saif-Alyousfi Abdulazeez Y.H.
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This paper aims to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on foreign direct investment (FDI) in Arab economies.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses the pooled ordinary least squares estimator, alongside panel static techniques, two-stage least squares estimation and the system generalized method of moments estimator, to ensure robust results. The analysis is based on a panel data set from 18 Arab countries over the period 2017–2022.

Findings

The study reveals a significant negative relationship between COVID-19 and FDI inflows and outflows. Higher infection rates lead to substantial reductions in FDI activity, highlighting the pandemic’s disruptive effect on the region’s investment landscape. Government responses, including lockdown measures and fiscal stimulus, are crucial in shaping FDI dynamics, with varying impacts across different sectors and economic contexts.

Practical implications

The findings provide valuable insights for policymakers, emphasizing the need for effective pandemic preparedness, strategic economic growth initiatives, exchange rate management and labor market reforms. These measures are essential to foster FDI and ensure economic stability in Arab economies.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the impact of COVID-19 on FDI in Arab economies, addressing a significant research gap. It contributes to the broader discourse on the pandemic’s economic effects by offering comprehensive insights into how the crisis has affected FDI flows. By incorporating a range of COVID-19 pandemic indicators, analyzing government response impacts and exploring sectoral and economic heterogeneity, this research enriches our understanding of the multifaceted financial implications of the pandemic.
Defining bank branch trade areas for optimal distribution networks in mergers and acquisitions
Authors: Lafuente José , De-Juan-Vigaray María D. , Labajo Victoria
Published: January 2025

Purpose

This study introduces a methodology that combines geographic information technologies and consumer behaviour principles to define, delineate and quantify the trade area (TA) of a bank branch within the context of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). The goal is to design an optimal distribution network tailored to the needs of financial institutions involved in M&A activities.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper presents a procedure for TA delimitation, grounded in a theoretical model supported by marketing and consumer behaviour theories, focusing on proximity, purchase frequency and product type.

Findings

Addressing a gap in the literature, this study highlights TA delineation as a key element in marketing strategy, exploring its role in establishing optimal distribution networks, particularly for financial institutions engaged in M&A.

Research limitations/implications

For simplicity, the study focuses on a single bank branch, rather than a broader dataset.

Practical implications

The proposed methodology enables more accurate delineation of TAs in M&A processes, mitigating the negative effects often overlooked by banks during mergers and acquisitions.

Social implications

This approach helps reduce the risk of financial exclusion for vulnerable clients, promoting social and economic equity and fostering a fairer, more cohesive society.

Originality/value

This study is innovative in integrating geographic information science (GIS) metrics into location science, proposing fragmentation analysis to quantify the spatial structure and configuration of TAs. This approach departs from traditional practices, as these specific metrics have not been collectively applied in previous research.
Temperature compensation study of pressure sensors after leadless packaging
Authors: Wang Dong , Liu Fangting , Duan Ji’an , Li Junhui
Published: January 2025

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to reduce the problem of temperature drift causing output errors in such sensors, three hardware compensation schemes are proposed in this paper, and three compensation schemes are designed and implemented.

Design/methodology/approach

In response to the problem of temperature drift causing output errors in this type of sensor, this paper proposes three hardware compensation schemes and carries out the design and implementation of the three compensation schemes. Finally, the advantages and disadvantages of the three compensation schemes are discussed through the analysis of the experimental results. The three hardware compensation methods are series-parallel resistance network compensation, digital signal processor (DSP) compensation and the joint compensation of resistance network and DSP. Series parallel resistance network compensation is to connect the low-temperature drift resistance and the sensor in series and parallel; DSP compensation is based on the combination of cubic spline interpolation and linear fitting algorithm, which uses DSP to process the data. Joint compensation is a new compensation method composed of the above two compensation methods.

Findings

The experimental results show that the relative error of the output is reduced to a certain extent after the three compensation methods, and the relative error of the output after the joint compensation is reduced to about 0.2%, which proves that the three compensation methods are feasible.

Originality/value

This paper presents three novel hardware compensation methods to reduce temperature drift in silicon on insulator (SOI) high-temperature pressure sensors. The joint compensation method, combining resistance network and DSP compensation, is particularly innovative and significantly improves output accuracy, reducing relative error to about 0.2%.
Stress Response of the Juvenile Tri‐Spine Horseshoe Crab Tachypleus tridentatus to Hypoxia: Insights From Phenotypic, Metabolomic, and Microbial Analyses
Authors: Jiang Lingfeng , Huang Meilian , Kwan Kit Yue , Wang Youji , Ma Xiaowan , Abo‐Raya Mohamed H. , Hu Menghong
Published: January 2025

Over the past few decades, ocean hypoxia has been increasing due to human activities. Hypoxic stress, characterized by a reduced level of dissolved oxygen, is an escalating threat to marine ecosystems, with potentially devastating effects on the viability of endangered species such as the tri‐spine horseshoe crab Tachypleus tridentatus. Even though this species is remarkably resilient to low oxygen levels, persistent hypoxia can negatively impact its population's survivability. The objective of this research was to examine the impact of short‐term hypoxia on the behavior, gut microbiota, and metabolomics of juvenile T. tridentatus. First instar juvenile horseshoe crabs were subjected to hypoxic stress (2 mg O2/L) for 14 days and then recovered for 7 days in an environment with normal dissolved oxygen. The findings demonstrated that short‐term hypoxia reduced the rates of swimming and burrowing of horseshoe crabs, and induced the change of tissue metabolites and intestinal flora malfunction. Additionally, in the hypoxia groups on day 14, 86 distinct metabolites showed a trend of downregulation, while 29 metabolites showed an upregulation trend. Arginine biosynthesis; histidine metabolism; vitamin B6 metabolism; aminoacyl‐tRNA biosynthesis; and alanine, aspartate, and glutamate metabolism were the top five metabolic KEGG pathways (p < 0.05) enriched with 8 metabolites. In conclusion, our results provided new insights related to the behaviors, microbiota, and metabolites involved in juvenile T. tridentatus exposed to short‐term hypoxic conditions and confirmed that hypoxia impairs their behavioral and physiological status.
Plasma Proteomic Signature as a Predictor of Age Advancement in People Living With HIV
Authors: Navas Adriana , Matzaraki Vasiliki , van Eekeren Louise E. , Blaauw Marc J. T. , Groenendijk Albert L. , Vos Wilhelm A. J. W. , Jacobs‐Cleophas Maartje , dos Santos Jéssica C. , van der Ven André J. A. M. , Joosten Leo A. B. , Netea Mihai G.
Published: January 2025

Due to the increased burden of non‐AIDS‐related comorbidities in people living with HIV (PLHIV), identifying biomarkers and mechanisms underlying premature aging and the risk of developing age‐related comorbidities is a priority. Evidence suggests that the plasma proteome is an accurate source for measuring biological age and predicting age‐related clinical outcomes. To investigate whether PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) exhibit a premature aging phenotype, we profiled the plasma proteome of two independent cohorts of virally suppressed PLHIV (200HIV and 2000HIV) and one cohort of people without HIV (200FG) using O‐link technology. Next, we built a biological age‐prediction model and correlated age advancement (the deviation of the predicted age from the chronological age) with HIV‐related factors, comorbidities, and cytokines secreted by immune cells. We identified a common signature of 77 proteins associated with chronological age across all cohorts, most of which were involved in inflammatory and senescence‐related processes. PLHIV showed increased age advancement compared to people without HIV. In addition, age advancement in the 2000HIV cohort was positively associated with prior hepatitis C and cytomegalovirus (CMV) infections, non‐AIDS‐related comorbidities, ART duration, cumulative exposure to the protease inhibitor Ritonavir, as well as higher production of monocyte‐derived proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines and lower secretion of T‐cell derived cytokines. Our proteome‐based predictive model is a promising approach for calculating the age advancement in PLHIV. This will potentially allow for further characterization of the pathophysiological mechanisms linked to accelerated aging and enable monitoring the effectiveness of novel therapies aimed at reducing age‐related diseases in PLHIV.
Using ecological momentary assessment to quantify Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol use across different forms of cannabis: Feasibility in a sample of Canadian young adults reporting frequent cannabis use
Authors: Coelho Sophie G. , Rueda Sergio , Wardell Jeffrey D.
Published: January 2025

Aims

To establish the feasibility of using ecological momentary assessment (EMA) to estimate total quantities of Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD) used across different forms of cannabis, and to assess the predictive validity of THC estimates for predicting acute cannabis‐related consequences.

Design

14‐day EMA using a smartphone application to assess cannabis use in real time.

Setting

Canada.

Participants

Targeted sample of n = 42 young adults (59.52% women, mean age 25 years) reporting frequent cannabis use.

Measurements

Surveys completed immediately prior to cannabis use assessed the quantities, THC content and CBD content of various forms of cannabis to be used in the current session; participants also uploaded photos of the cannabis product labels when available. Surveys administered at fixed times throughout the day (84.81% completion rate) assessed acute cannabis‐related consequences.

Findings

Participants completed a total of 786 pre‐cannabis surveys, of which 79.39% and 77.35% contained sufficient information to calculate total THC and CBD (in milligrams), respectively. High agreement was observed between participant‐entered THC and CBD contents and those shown in corresponding photos of cannabis product labels. Aggregating across all products used, participants reported using an average of 141.41 [standard deviation (SD) = 224.62, range = 0.00–2000.00] milligrams of THC (i.e. 28.28 standard five‐milligram units) and 7.53 (SD = 34.87, range = 0.00–484.22) milligrams of CBD per day. Multilevel models revealed that participants were more likely to report acute negative consequences following sessions when their estimated THC use was higher than their typical THC use. At the between‐person level, participants reporting more THC use on average across sessions were less likely to report negative consequences overall.

Conclusions

Using ecological momentary assessment to estimate total quantities of Δ‐9‐tetrahydrocannabinol and cannabidiol used across different forms of cannabis appears to be feasible, with preliminary predictive validity for acute negative cannabis‐related consequences.
The efficacy of hydroxychloroquine in paediatric chronic immune thrombocytopenia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liu Jing , Zhang Yuelun , Song Hongmei , Ma Mingsheng , Li Zhuo , Zhang Lejia , Song Yuqing , Lyu Zichao , Lu Yixiu , Xiao Juan
Published: January 2025

Aims

Research on hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) for children with chronic immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) is limited. The association between antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity and its efficacy remains unclear.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study compared the clinical characteristics of children with chronic ITP who received HCQ with those who did not, as well as patients who responded to HCQ at 3 months with those who did not. Mixed‐effects models were performed to assess the effect of HCQ on platelet counts and the association between ANA and its efficacy. Records of HCQ‐related side effects were reviewed.

Results

A total of 191 children with chronic ITP were included in this study, including 42 patients who received HCQ. At the last follow‐up, 69.0% of patients treated with HCQ achieved complete response or response, with a median follow‐up time of 56 months (range: 17–146 months), a higher frequency compared to 48.3% of patients who were not treated with HCQ (odds ratio [OR], 2.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.15–4.95). The overall response rates to HCQ were 56.8% (21/37) at 3 months and 40.5% (15/37) at 1 year. HCQ was effective for increasing platelet counts (mean difference: 23.82 × 109/L; 95% CI: 7.44–40.21), but the association between ANA positivity and its efficacy was not found. Side effects were recorded in six patients (14.3%).

Conclusions

HCQ was associated with increased platelet counts in chronic ITP children. The baseline ANA level was not found to be associated with the efficacy of HCQ. Side effects of HCQ warrant consideration.
Unions, Wages and Hours
Authors: Blanchflower David G. , Bryson Alex
Published: January 2025

We examine union‐non‐union differentials in wages and hours in the United States over the last 50 years using data from the Current Population Survey. The regression‐adjusted difference between union members’ and non‐members’ hourly earnings has been falling since the Great Recession. The union differential in weekly wages has been more stable. Although it fell by around 5 log points during COVID, it remains 15 log points. This weekly earnings differential arises from both a higher hourly wage of around 10 log points and longer working hours (5 log points). The working hours differential partly reflects unions’ ability to tackle under‐employment, such that union workers work closer to the hours they desire than their non‐union counterparts. The traditional focus on hourly wage differentials underplays the important role trade unions play in maintaining members’ weekly earnings by ensuring workers receive the paid hours they desire.
Data fusion by T3–PCA: A global model for the simultaneous analysis of coupled three‐way and two‐way real‐valued data
Authors: Frutos‐Bernal Elisa , Ceulemans Eva , Galindo‐Villardón Purificación , Wilderjans Tom F.
Published: January 2025

In various areas of science, researchers try to gain insight into important processes by jointly analysing different datasets containing information regarding common aspects of these processes. For example, to explain individual differences in personality, researchers collect, for the same set of persons, data regarding behavioural signatures (i.e., the reaction profile of a person across different situations), on the one hand, and traits or dispositions, on the other hand. To uncover the processes underlying such coupled data, to all N‐way ‐mode data blocks simultaneously a global model is fitted, in which each data block is represented by an ‐way ‐mode decomposition model (e.g., principal component analysis [PCA], Parafac, Tucker3) and the parameters underlying the common mode are required to be the same for all data blocks this mode belongs to. To estimate the parameters underlying the common mode, a simultaneous strategy is used that pools the information present in all data blocks (i.e., data fusion). In this paper, we propose the T3–PCA model, which represents three‐ and two‐way data with Tucker3 and PCA respectively. This model is less restrictive than the already proposed LMPCA model in which the three‐way data block is decomposed according to a Parafac model. To estimate the T3–PCA model parameters, an alternating least‐squares algorithm is proposed. The superior performance of the simultaneous T3–PCA strategy over a sequential strategy (i.e., estimating common parameters using information from the three‐way data block only) is demonstrated in an extensive simulation study and an application to empirical coupled anxiety data.
Director Departure and Noncompliance With Securities Laws
Authors: Zhang Xiu‐Ye
Published: January 2025

Research Question/Issue

This study investigates director departures surrounding the actual commencement of noncompliance events when public perception of the wrongdoing is less likely to exist.

Research Findings/Insights

Using a manually constructed nonaccounting noncompliance dataset of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s enforcement actions and hand‐collected information on directors’ status and characteristics, this study finds that firms not complying with securities laws experienced significantly higher unexpected director departures than control firms during the period in which the noncompliance began. Outside directors, in particular, tend to leave in the pre‐noncompliance period but not in the post‐noncompliance phase. The findings are robust across propensity score–matched tests, conditional logistic regression, and when controlling for CEO turnover. Further exploration of the characteristics of departing directors provides insights into the dynamics of the internal governance mechanism. It shows that directors with a background in an area of specialized expertise tend to leave noncompliant firms. The evidence also suggests that power struggles between departing directors and managers in noncompliant firms might contribute to director departure.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study extends the literature aimed at unraveling internal governance mechanisms around firms’ negative events. Since there are several important points along the timeline of a negative event, providing evidence on director behavior around these points can offer deeper insights into internal governance mechanisms.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study provides unique evidence that there is an abnormal departure rate of directors before the commencement of firms’ wrongdoings. This departure is consistent with explanations that directors with an information advantage from a special background are likely to foresee that problems or power struggles between directors and managers are likely to induce the departure of a director who is in a relatively weak position. The findings offer insights for policy makers, suggesting that regulators may need to reflect upon the shortcomings of the current governance system and how to hold management accountable, rather than putting heavy emphasis on developing doctrines for directors’ duties.
Ear Problems Are Associated With Traumatic Dental Injuries Among Australian‐Indigenous‐Children
Authors: Ju Xiangqun , Mejia Gloria , Hedges Joanne , Jamieson Lisa M.
Published: January 2025

Background/Aim

The association between ear problems and traumatic dental injuries (TDIs) has not been examined in longitudinal cohort studies. The study aimed to estimate the effect of ear problems on TDIs in primary and permanent teeth among Australian Indigenous children.

Methods

The Longitudinal Study of Indigenous Children is a study of two representative cohorts of Indigenous Australian children, aged from 6 months to 2 years (baby cohort) or from 3.5 to 5 years (child cohort) at baseline (2008). The children's mother/primary carer undertook a face‐to‐face interview in 2008, repeated annually for the next 9 years. Ear problems included runny ears, perforated eardrum, total deafness, deaf in one ear, hearing loss/partially deaf, and other ear problems. TDIs were teeth and oral soft and hard tissue injuries. Multivariate survival analysis using Cox proportional regression models estimated hazards ratio (HR) were used in the analysis.

Results

A total of 870 from baby cohort and 668 from child cohort Indigenous children, who had no TDIs at baseline were included in the analysis. The prevalence of TDIs was 9.2%, 11.1%, and 6.6% in the total, baby, and child cohorts, respectively. Multivariable models for TDIs indicate children with ear problems had nearly four times (total: HR = 3.72, 95% CI: 1.82–6.77), five times (baby cohort: HR = 4.76, 95% CI: 1.59–11.63), and more than 15 times (child cohort: HR = 16.2, 95% CI: 4.78–49.28) the average hazard over time, than those without ear problems. After adjusting for all covariates, children with ear problems had more than 22 times (HR = 22.03, 95% CI: 4.50–87.07) TDIs than those without ear problems in the child cohort. Mothers/primary carers with lower educational level was positively associated with the incidence of TDIs.

Conclusion

Ear problems were a risk indicator for the increased incidence of TDIs in two large cohorts of Indigenous Australian children. Mothers/primary carers' educational level was a significant risk factor for TDIs.
Eco‐Evolutionary Consequences of Selective Exploitation on Metapopulations Illustrated With Atlantic Salmon
Authors: Lamarins Amaïa , Carlson Stephanie M. , Prévost Etienne , Satterthwaite William H. , Buoro Mathieu
Published: January 2025

Although the eco‐evolutionary consequences of dispersal and exploitation are increasingly recognised, consideration of these effects and how they interact for management and conservation remains limited. We addressed this gap by examining population exploitation within a metapopulation framework, using Atlantic salmon as a case study. We compared eco‐evolutionary consequences of alternative exploitation strategies by incorporating selective exploitation based on life‐history traits and spatial dimension of exploitation (i.e., whether populations were net exporters or importers of individuals). We used a demo‐genetic agent‐based model to examine demographic and evolutionary consequences of these strategies across a gradient of population‐specific exploitation rates. At the metapopulation scale, we found both lower abundance and earlier sexual maturation with increasing exploitation, particularly when fishing was selective on larger individuals. The spatial selectivity of exploitation had an overall additional detrimental effect on metapopulation performance and fisheries yield, and induced stronger evolutionary changes than when exploitation was evenly spread over all populations. We discuss the implications of metapopulation functioning for species management and how considering dispersal patterns and intensity might change how we apply harvest. Nevertheless, our findings suggest that the safest approach remains to distribute exploitation efforts evenly across all populations, especially in the absence of variation in intrinsic productivity. However, this strategy might not completely prevent negative consequences at the local scale. Therefore, we advise managers to critically assess the relevance of our results and dispersal assumptions in the specific cases they may have to deal with.
Prognostic values of molecular subtypes and SWI/SNF protein expression in de‐differentiated/undifferentiated endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Shin Chae Young , Gokbayrak Bengul , Tao Valerie L , Almadani Noorah , S Li Eunice , Ho Rebecca , Kommoss Felix KF , Huvila Jutta , Chiu Derek , Leung Samuel , Tessier‐Cloutier Basile , Huntsman David G , Gilks C Blake , McAlpine Jessica N , Hoang Lynn , Wang Yemin
Published: January 2025

Aims

Classification and risk stratification of endometrial carcinoma (EC) has transitioned from histopathological features to molecular classification, e.g. the ProMisE classifier, identifying four prognostic subtypes: POLE mutant (POLEmut) with almost no recurrence or disease‐specific death events, mismatch repair deficient (MMRd) and no specific molecular profile (NSMP), with intermediate outcome and p53 abnormal (p53abn) with poor outcomes. However, the applicability of molecular classification is unclear in rare but aggressive histotypes of EC, e.g. de‐differentiated and undifferentiated endometrial cancers (DD/UDEC). Here, we aim to assembled a cohort of DD/UDEC from a single institution and analysed the prognostic significance of ProMisE molecular subtypes and the expression of SWItch/sucrose non‐fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodelling complex members, previously implicated in the pathogenesis of DD/UDEC.

Methods and results

We accrued 88 DD/UDEC cases, assessed POLE status by Sanger sequencing and performed immunohistochemistry for p53, mismatch repair and SWI/SNF proteins on the tissue microarrays assembled. Assignment of molecular subtypes was possible in 80 tumours; POLE sequencing failed in the remaining eight cases. There were 12 (15%) POLEmut, 44 (55%) MMRd, 14 (17.5%) p53abn and 10 (12.5%) NSMP DD/UDEC. POLEmut DD/UDECs had excellent outcomes, but the other three molecular subtypes all had poor outcomes, with no significant differences among them. The loss of one or more SWI/SNF proteins [AT‐rich interactive domain‐containing protein 1A (ARID1A), ARID1B, SWI/SNF‐related, matrix‐associated, actin‐dependent regulator of chromatin, subfamily A, member 4 (SMARCA4), SMARCA2], observed in 66% (55 of 83) cases, was not of prognostic significance.

Conclusions

These results indicate that all molecular subtypes of DD/UDEC except POLEmut behave in an aggressive fashion. Further study is needed to determine whether these molecular alterations can be targeted with adjuvant therapy, in order to improve outcomes of patients with DD/UDEC.
Mortality and Function After Hip Fracture or Pneumonia in People With and Without Dementia
Authors: Hunt Lauren J. , Morrison R. Sean , Gan Siqi , Espejo Edie , Boscardin W. John , Rodin Rebecca , Ornstein Katherine A. , Smith Alexander K.
Published: January 2025

Background

The extent to which disruptive surgical or medical events impact mortality and function is critical for anticipatory planning and informing goal‐aligned care.

Methods

Using Health and Retirement Study data (2008–2018), we employed propensity score matching to compare the impact of hospitalization for hip fracture (a surgical event) or pneumonia (a medical event) among people with dementia to two groups: (1) people with dementia who did not experience these events; and (2) people without dementia who experienced an event. Dementia status was determined using validated cognitive assessments (Hurd method); hip fracture and pneumonia were identified from Medicare claims. Outcomes were 1‐year mortality and function, defined as a summary score of requiring assistance with 6 ADL's and 5 IADL's, with higher scores indicating better function.

Results

Among people with dementia, predicted 1‐year mortality was higher among those with hip fracture (35.4%) versus those without hip fracture (14.8%), with similar patterns for pneumonia (49.6% vs. 13.0%). Among people with dementia, function declined abruptly at time of hip fracture (−2.09 [95% CI −2.94, −1.25]) and continued to decline after (−0.48 [95% CI −0.87, −0.09]). There were similar patterns for pneumonia (drop at time of pneumonia of −1.49 [95% CI −2.0, −0.97] and after −0.05 [95% CI, −0.29, 0.19]). Compared to people without dementia with hip fracture, people with dementia had higher 1‐year mortality (35.4%) versus people without dementia (24%), with similar patterns for pneumonia (49.6% vs. 39.7%). Function stabilized for people without dementia after hip fracture (−0.03, 95% CI −0.22, 0.16), which was significantly different than people without dementia (p < 0.0001). Function improved for people without dementia after pneumonia (0.13, 95% CI 0.03, 0.24), but was not statistically different than for people with dementia (p = 0.17).

Conclusion

Disruptive events such as hip fracture or pneumonia substantially alter the clinical trajectories of people with dementia.
Navigating the landscape of plant proteomics
Authors: Sang Tian , Zhang Zhen , Liu Guting , Wang Pengcheng
Published: January 2025

In plants, proteins are fundamental to virtually all biological processes, such as photosynthesis, signal transduction, metabolic regulation, and stress responses. Studying protein distribution, function, modifications, and interactions at the cellular and tissue levels is critical for unraveling the complexities of these biological pathways. Protein abundance and localization are highly dynamic and vary widely across the proteome, presenting a challenge for global protein quantification and analysis. Mass spectrometry‐based proteomics approaches have proven to be powerful tools for addressing this complex issue. In this review, we summarize recent advancements in proteomics research and their applications in plant biology, with an emphasis on the current state and challenges of studying post‐translational modifications, single‐cell proteomics, and protein–protein interactions. Additionally, we discuss future prospects for plant proteomics, highlighting potential opportunities that proteomics technologies offer in advancing plant biology research.
Development of a Deep Learning‐Based Model for Pressure Injury Surface Assessment
Authors: Liu Ankang , Ma Hualong , Zhu Yanying , Wu Qinyang , Xu Shihai , Feng Wei , Liang Haobin , Ma Jian , Wang Xinwei , Ye Xuemei , Liu Yanxiong , Wang Chao , Sun Xu , Xiang Shijun , Yang Qiaohong
Published: January 2025

Aim

To develop a deep learning‐based smart assessment model for pressure injury surface.

Design

Exploratory analysis study.

Methods

Pressure injury images from four Guangzhou hospitals were labelled and used to train a neural network model. Evaluation metrics included mean intersection over union (MIoU), pixel accuracy (PA), and accuracy. Model performance was tested by comparing wound number, maximum dimensions and area extent.

Results

From 1063 images, the model achieved 74% IoU, 88% PA and 83% accuracy for wound bed segmentation. Cohen's kappa coefficient for wound number was 0.810. Correlation coefficients were 0.900 for maximum length (mean difference 0.068 cm), 0.814 for maximum width (mean difference 0.108 cm) and 0.930 for regional extent (mean difference 0.527 cm2).

Conclusion

The model demonstrated exceptional automated estimation capabilities, potentially serving as a crucial tool for informed decision‐making in wound assessment.

Implications and Impact

This study promotes precision nursing and equitable resource use. The AI‐based assessment model serves clinical work by assisting healthcare professionals in decision‐making and facilitating wound assessment resource sharing.

Reporting Method

The STROBE checklist guided study reporting.

Patient or Public Contribution

Patients provided image resources for model training.
Nursing Skills in the Care of Patients With Respiratory Stomas in Hospitals With and Without Advanced Practice Tracheostomy Service
Authors: Martínez Beatriz , López María , Juana Sonia De , Jiménez José María , Alcoceba Irene , García Sara
Published: January 2025

Aims

To identify whether there are differences in knowledge regarding the management of patients with respiratory stomas among nurses working in hospitals with an advanced practice tracheostomy service compared to those without it.

Design

Descriptive, cross‐sectional, comparative, analytical survey study.

Method

The study was conducted from January to March 2023 in four tertiary care hospitals, two of which have an advanced practice tracheostomy service. A self‐administered questionnaire was designed, consisting of 16 questions about nurses' specialised training in caring for tracheostomy patients. The study adhered to the STROBE checklist. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS (24.0) from IBM.

Results

Nurses in hospitals with a dedicated tracheostomy service obtained a higher mean score (7.1/10) and demonstrated greater anxiety when managing patients with stomas (p < 0.001), as well as an increased willingness to undergo specific training (p = 0.017) to reduce their lack of self‐confidence.

Conclusions

A higher level of anxiety in the management of tracheostomised patients and a greater interest in receiving specific training have been observed among nurses in hospitals with advanced practice services (APTS), despite having greater training. Therefore, institutions should commit to incorporating advanced practice nurses and continuing education in the approach to ostomies among their professionals.

Implications for the Profession and/or Patient Care

Implementing ongoing training programmes and specific tracheostomy services or units in hospitals would enable nurses to provide high‐quality care for patients with respiratory stomas.

Reporting Method

The study adhered to the STROBE checklist.

Patient or Public Contribution

Neither patients nor the public were involved in the design or conduct of this research. Nurses participated exclusively in data collection.
Factors Associated With Prolonged Venous Transit in Large Vessel Occlusion Acute Ischemic Strokes
Authors: Salim Hamza Adel , Lakhani Dhairya A. , Balar Aneri B. , Mei Janet , Luna Licia , Shahriari Mona , Hyson Nathan Z. , Deng Francis , Dmytriw Adam A. , Guenego Adrien , Urrutia Victor C. , Marsh Elisabeth B. , Lu Hanzhang , Xu Risheng , Leigh Rich , Shah Gaurang , Wen Sijin , Albers Gregory W. , Hillis Argye E. , Llinas Rafael , Nael Kambiz , Wintermark Max , Heit Jeremy J. , Faizy Tobias D. , Yedavalli Vivek S.
Published: January 2025

Background and Purpose

Prolonged venous transit (PVT), derived from computed tomography perfusion (CTP) time‐to‐maximum (Tmax) maps, reflects compromised venous outflow (VO) in acute ischemic stroke due to large vessel occlusion (AIS‐LVO). Poor VO is associated with worse clinical outcomes, but pre‐treatment markers predictive of PVT are not well described.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective analysis of 189 patients with anterior circulation AIS‐LVO who underwent baseline CT evaluation, including non‐contrast CT, CT angiography, and CTP. PVT was assessed on Tmax maps; PVT+ was defined as Tmax ≥ 10 s within the posterior superior sagittal sinus or torcula. Baseline clinical data were collected. Multivariable logistic regression identified independent associations between pre‐treatment markers and PVT.

Results

PVT+ was identified in 65 patients (34%). In multivariable analysis, higher admission National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.05 per point; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.01–1.11; P  =  0.028) and male sex (aOR, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.03–3.89; P  =  0.043) were independently associated with PVT+.

Conclusions

Higher admission NIHSS scores and male sex are independently associated with PVT in anterior circulation AIS‐LVO, suggesting that readily available clinical markers may help identify patients with poor VO profiles.
Domestication During Restoration: Unintentional Selection During Eight Generations of Wild Seed Propagation Reduces Herkogamy, Dichogamy and Heterozygosity in Clarkia pulchella
Authors: Etterson Julie R. , Fliehr Paige , Pizza Riley , Gross Briana L.
Published: January 2025

Seed production on native seed farms has increased to meet the rising demand for plant material for restoration. Although these propagation efforts are necessary for restoration, cultivating wild populations may also result in unintentional selection and elicit evolutionary changes that mimic crop domestication, essentially turning these efforts into artificial domestication experiments. Here, we investigated whether phenotypic and genomic changes associated with domestication occurred in the wildflower Clarkia pulchella Pursh (Onagraceae) by comparing the wild source populations to the farmed population after eight generations of cultivation. At the phenotypic level, the farmed population shifted towards a floral morphology associated with self‐pollination, with a significant decrease in both dichogamy and herkogamy. At the genomic level, > 6500 SNPs revealed that mean expected heterozygosity of the farmed population was significantly lower than the wild populations, despite the fact that the farmed population originated from a pool of multiple wild populations. Both the shift towards a selfing phenotype and the loss of diversity are expected consequences of domestication, although the phenotypic shifts in particular occurred much more rapidly than has been observed for other domestication traits. We discuss these results in the context of plant domestication and the implications for retaining the genetic integrity of wild populations during the process of seed production for restoration.
A study protocol to develop virtual reality software in the care management of patients in intensive care
Authors: Terzi Banu , Düzkaya Duygu Sönmez , Uysal Gülzade , Yalnız Nazik
Published: January 2025

Background

The use of virtual reality is increasing in nursing to ensure patient safety and to improve the quality of care in the education of nurses.

Aim

To develop a virtual reality software for intensive care patient care management and to investigate the effect of this software on novice intensive care nurses.

Study Design

This study protocol contains a randomized controlled experimental design research. The nurses will be divided into control (n = 34) and study groups (n = 34) by randomization. The research will be conducted in four steps: (1) according to Kolcaba's Comfort Theory, the protocol for care management of an intensive care patient will be prepared and transferred to the virtual reality software, (2) the nurses in both groups will be given theoretical training, (3) a routine orientation training programme will be applied to the nurses in the control group, and those in the study group will be given virtual reality goggles. (4) Tools such as a ‘Clinical Practice Skills Observation Form and Knowledge Level Questionnaire’ and ‘Problem‐Solving Inventory’, ‘Clinical Decision‐Making Scale in Nursing’, ‘State Anxiety Inventory’ and ‘Satisfaction Level Questionnaire’ will be applied to both groups before commencing the theoretical training, 1 week after the application and in the first month of the application.

Results

This protocol describes an experimental study aiming to test the impact of virtual reality software on novice intensive care nurses in the care management of an intensive care patient.

Conclusions

The results and recommendations will be shared after the study is completed.

Relevance to Clinical Practice

Within the scope of the research, the virtual reality software to be developed for the care management of an intensive care patient will provide important contributions to the development of nurses' problem‐solving and clinical decision‐making skills and reduce state anxiety levels in orientation to the intensive care unit (ICU).
Mind the Data Gap: Using a Multi‐Measurement Synthesis for Identifying the Challenges and Opportunities in Studying Plant Drought Response and Recovery
Authors: Wilkening Jean V. , Dawson Todd E. , Thompson Sally E.
Published: January 2025

Understanding and predicting plant water dynamics during and after water stress is increasingly important but challenging because the high‐dimensional nature of the soil–plant–atmosphere system makes it difficult to identify mechanisms and constrain behaviour. Datasets that capture hydrological, physiological and meteorological variation during changing water availability are relatively rare but offer a potentially valuable resource to constrain plant water dynamics. This study reports on a drydown and re‐wetting experiment of potted Populus trichocarpa, which intensively characterised plant water fluxes, water status and water sources. We synthesised the data qualitatively to assess the ability to better identify possible mechanisms and quantitatively, using information theory metrics, to measure the value of different measurements in constraining plant water fluxes and water status. Transpiration rates declined during the drydown and then showed a delayed and partial recovery following rewatering. After rewatering, plant water potentials also became decoupled from transpiration rates and the canopies experienced significant yellowing and leaf loss. Hormonal mechanisms were identified as a likely driver, demonstrating a mechanism with sustained impacts on plant water fluxes in the absence of xylem hydraulic damage. Quantitatively, the constraints offered by different measurements varied with the dynamic of interest, and temporally, with behaviour during recovery more difficult to constrain than during water stress. The study provides a uniquely diverse dataset offering insight into mechanisms of plant water stress response and approaches for studying these responses.