bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of Acute Exacerbation of Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis on Lung Transplant Outcomes
Authors: Warrior Krishnan , Sayad Karen , O’Hara Christopher P. , Dilling Daniel F.
Published: January 2024

Background.

Acute exacerbations of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (AE-IPF) are acute, significant respiratory deteriorations in patients with IPF and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality. It remains unclear how AE-IPF impacts lung transplant (LTX) outcomes.

Methods.

All adult patients who were listed for LTX between July 2005 and October 2020 at the Loyola University Medical Center with a diagnosis of IPF were included. Pretransplant characteristics and posttransplant outcomes were gathered via retrospective chart review. The primary outcome was short- and long-term survival for patients transplanted during stable IPF versus those with AE-IPF.

Results.

One hundred fifty-nine patients were included in this study, 17.6% of whom were transplanted during AE-IPF. AE-IPF patients were more likely to have higher oxygen needs pretransplant, have higher lung allocation score, and were more likely to be intubated or be on extracorporeal membrane oxygenation as compared with stable IPF patients. Survival by AE status at transplant did not differ at 90 d or 1 y posttransplantation. There were also no significant differences in rates of severe primary graft dysfunction or acute rejection within 1 y.

Conclusions.

Patients with AE-IPF were more likely to have higher oxygenation requirements and higher lung allocation score at the time of LTX than those with stable IPF. Despite this, there were no differences in survival at 90 d, 1 y, or 3 y, or differences in incidence of severe primary graft dysfunction or acute cellular rejection. Transplantation of patients with AE-IPF has clinical outcomes comparable with transplantation of patients with stable IPF. This contrasts with previous studies examining LTX in patients with AE-IPF.
Posttraumatic headache is a distinct headache type from migraine
Authors: Ihara Keiko , Schwedt Todd J.
Published: January 2024

Purpose of review

Posttraumatic headache (PTH), a headache that develops within 7 days of a causative injury, is one of the most common secondary headaches, mostly attributed to mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI). Because presence of preinjury headache is a risk factor for developing PTH and PTH symptoms often resemble migraine or tension-type headache, the association between PTH and primary headaches has attracted attention from clinicians and scientists.

Recent findings

Recent studies on epidemiological aspects, headache features, risk factors, imaging characteristics, and response to treatment, suggest overlapping features and distinct objective findings in PTH compared to migraine.

We argue that PTH is distinct from migraine. Therefore, PTH epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis should continue to be investigated separately from migraine.
Intraoperative Neurophysiologic Monitoring and Mapping in Children Undergoing Brainstem Surgery
Authors: Deletis Vedran , Seidel Kathleen , Fernández-Conejero Isabel
Published: February 2024

Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring during surgery for brainstem lesions is a challenge for intraoperative neurophysiologists and surgeons. The brainstem is a small structure packed with vital neuroanatomic networks of long and short pathways passing through the brainstem or originating from it. Many central pattern generators exist within the brainstem for breathing, swallowing, chewing, cardiovascular regulation, and eye movement. During surgery around the brainstem, these generators need to be preserved to maintain their function postoperatively. This short review presents neurophysiologic and neurosurgical experiences of brainstem surgery in children.
Identification of causative fungus from sterilized or bacteriostatic abscess using metagenomics followed by in situ hybridization
Authors: Oki Hiroya , Niwa Ryotaro , Pranee Somboonthum , Motooka Daisuke , Onda Yoshiyuki , Nakata Jun , Nakajima Hiroko , Oka Yoshihiro , Sugiyama Haruo , Yoshii Yuka , Anzai Naoyuki , Nakamura Shota , Iida Tetsuya
Published: February 2024

Introduction: Invasive fungal infections require early diagnosis for treatment. Microscopic observation of biopsy and blood culture are the gold standard for identification of the causative fungus, but it is difficult to identify the causative pathogen by a sterile or static abscess biopsy.
Case Presentation: We present a case report of breakthrough invasive trichosporonosis in a 65-year-old Japanese male with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving antifungal prophylaxis. Blood cultures showed no fungal growth, and a liver biopsy and a removed spleen with abscess showed fragmented fungi, but no fungal identification was possible. This report demonstrates that  retrospective analyses were able to identify the causative fungus.
Conclusion: We narrowed down the candidate fungi by deep sequencing of the ITS1 region of fungal genome and confirmed that the fungus observed in the specimen was T. asahii by in situ hybridization using a DNA probe targeting 26S rRNA.
Blood flow occlusion superimposed on submaximal knee extensions does not evoke hypoalgesia: A pilot study
Authors: Morgan Sophie-Jayne , Lemay Neil , Zhang Jenny , Khaledi Neda , Aboodarda Saied Jalal
Published: January 2024

Exercise-induced hypoalgesia (EIH) is a transient decrease in pain perception that can be observed following various tasks, including non-painful low-intensity and painful high-intensity exercise. The application of blood flow occlusion (BFO) can help enhance exercise adaptations while being able to exercise at a low intensity, which has important implications for clinical and rehabilitative settings. Through descending inhibitory pathways, BFO-induced pain can potentially alleviate exercise-induced pain. This study aimed to assess whether the superimposition of BFO – and its associated augmented perceived responses – during low-intensity, low-volume resistance exercise could induce hypoalgesia. Nineteen healthy adults (10 females) attended three sessions: i) no exercise (CTRL), ii) two minutes of dynamic single-leg knee extension at 10% body weight (EXER), and iii) EXER with complete occlusion applied to the upper exercising leg (OCCL). Handheld algometry-derived pain pressure threshold (PPT) of the trapezius and contralateral and ipsilateral rectus femoris muscles were measured pre- and post-exercise, and after 5 and 10 min of recovery. Perceived pain (0-10) and effort (6-20) were also rated after exercise. Although pain and effort were augmented in the OCCL condition (Pain: 6±2; Effort: 14±3) compared to CTRL (Pain: 2±2,p<0.001; Effort 9±2,p=0.017), PPT of all muscles did not change across time nor between any conditions. Therefore, the low-intensity, low-volume resistance exercise prescribed in the present study was insufficient to evoke EIH even with the application of BFO-induced pain.
Both the transcriptional activator, Bcd, and transcriptional repressor, Cic, form small mobile oligomeric clusters in early fly embryo nuclei
Authors: Zhang Lili , Hodgins Lydia , Sakib Shariful , Mahmood Ahmad , Perez-Romero Carmina , Marmion Robert A. , Dostatni Nathalie , Fradin Cécile
Published: February 2024

Transcription factors play an essential role in pattern formation during early embryo development, generating a strikingly fast and precise transcriptional response that results in sharp gene expression boundaries. To characterize the steps leading up to transcription, we performed a side-by-side comparison of the nuclear dynamics of two morphogens, a transcriptional activator, Bicoid (Bcd), and a transcriptional repressor, Capicua (Cic), both involved in body patterning along the anterior-posterior axis of the earlyDrosophilaembryo. We used a combination of fluorescence recovery after photobleaching, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, and single particle tracking to access a wide range of dynamical timescales. Despite their opposite effects on gene transcription, we find that Bcd and Cic have very similar nuclear dynamics, characterized by the co-existence of a freely diffusing monomer population with a number of oligomeric clusters, which range from low stoichiometry and high mobility clusters to larger, DNA-bound hubs. Our observations are consistent with the inclusion of both Bcd and Cic into transcriptional hubs or condensates, while putting constraints on the mechanism by which these form. These results fit in with the recent proposal that many transcription factors might share a common search strategy for target genes regulatory regions that makes use of their large unstructured regions, and may eventually help explain how the transcriptional response they elicit can be at the same time so fast and so precise.

SIGNIFICANCE

By conducting a comparative study of the nuclear dynamics of Bicoid (a transcriptional activator) and Capicua (a transcriptional repressor) in theDrosophilaembryo, we have uncovered a striking similarity in their behaviours. Despite their divergent roles in transcription, both proteins have a propensity to form oligomeric species ranging from highly mobile, low stoichiometry clusters to larger, DNA-bound hubs. Such findings impose new constraints on the existing models of gene regulation by transcription factors, particularly in aspects related to target search and oligomeric binding to gene regulatory regions needed to explain the rapid and precise transcriptional response observed in developmental processes.
Formulation, Characterization and Pharmacokinetic Evaluation of Amorphous Solid Dispersions of Glibenclamide for Bioavailability Enhancement in Wistar Rats
Authors: Mir Khalid Bashir , Khan Nisar Ahmed , Shah Mehraj D. , Dar Alamgir A.
Published: February 2024

Oral bioavailability of Glibenclamide (Glb) was appreciably improved by forming amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) with Poloxamer-188 (P-188). Poloxamer-188 substantially enhanced the solubility and thereby dissolution rate of the BCS Class-II drug, Glibenclamide (Glb) and simultaneously exhibited better stabilizing effect of amorphous solid dispersion prepared by solvent evaporation method. The physical state of the dispersed Glibenclamide in the polymeric matrix was characterized by differential scanning calorimetry, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscope and Fourier Transform Infrared studies.In vitrodrug release in buffer (pH 7.2) revealed that amorphous solid dispersion at the Glb-P-188 ratio of 1:6 (SDE4) improved the dissolution of Glibenclamide 90% within 3 hrs. Pharmacokinetic study of the solid dispersion formulation (SDE4) formulation in wistar rats showed that oral bioavailability of the drug was greatly increased as compared to market tablet formulation, Daonil®. Solid dispersion formulation (SDE4) resulted in approximately two fold higher AUC0-24hrs. Solid dispersion formulation (SDE4) formulation was found stable during the study period of six months.
DoliClock: A Lipid-Based Aging Clock Reveals Accelerated Aging in Neurological Disorders
Authors: Latumalea Djakim , Unfried Maximilian , Barardo Diogo , Gruber Jan , Kennedy Brian K.
Published: February 2024

Aging is a multifaceted process influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors, with lipid alterations playing a critical role in brain aging and neurological disorders. This study introduces DoliClock, a lipid-based biological aging clock designed to predict the age of the prefrontal cortex using post-mortem lipidomic data. Significant age acceleration was observed in samples with autism, schizophrenia, and Down syndrome, with autism showing the most pronounced effects in aging-rate. An increase in entropy around age 40, suggests dysregulation of the mevalonate pathway and dolichol accumulation. Dolichol, a lipid integral to N-glycosylation and intracellular transport, emerged as a potential aging biomarker, with specific variants such as dolichol-19 and dolichol-20 showing unique age-related associations. These findings suggest that lipidomics can provide valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms of brain aging and neurological disorders. By linking dolichol levels and entropy changes to aging, this study highlights the potential of lipid-based biomarkers for understanding and predicting biological age, especially in conditions associated with premature aging.
Force-transducing molecular ensembles at growing microtubule tips control mitotic spindle size
Authors: Chu Lee-Ya , Stedman Daniel , Gannon Julian , Cox Susan , Pobegalov Georgii , Molodtsov Maxim
Published: February 2024

Mitotic spindle is a complex bipolar cellular structure that ensures chromosomes segregation between dividing cells. Correct spindle size is required for the accurate segregation and successful passing of genomes to the newly formed cells. The spindle size is believed to be controlled by mechanical forces generated by molecular motors and non-motor proteins acting in the spindle microtubule overlaps. However, how forces generated by individual proteins enable bipolar spindle organization is not well understood. Here, we developed tools to measure contributions of individual molecules to this force balance. We show that microtubule tip-trackers act synergetically at microtubule tips with minus-end directed motors to produce a system that can generate both pushing and pulling forces. We show that this system harnesses forces generated by growing tips of spindle microtubules and provides unique contribution to the force balance distinct from other force generators because it acts at microtubule tips rather than in microtubule overlaps. We show that this system alone can establish stable bipolar organization in vitro and in mitotic spindles in human cells. Our results pave the way for understanding how mechanical forces in spindles can be fine-tuned to control the fidelity of chromosome segregation.
Enhancing exotic quantum fluctuations in a strongly entangled cavity BEC system
Authors: Mixa Leon , Keßler Hans , Hemmerich Andreas , Thorwart Michael
Published: February 2024

We show that the strong coupling of a quantum light field and correlated quantum matter induces exotic quantum fluctuations in the matter sector. We determine their spectral characteristics and reveal the impact of the atomic s-wave scattering. In particular, we derive the dissipative Landau and Beliaev processes from the microscopic Hamiltonian using imaginary-time path integrals. By this, their strongly sub-Ohmic nature is revealed analytically. A competition between damping and antidamping channels is uncovered. Their intricate influence on physical observables is quantified analytically and the Stokes shift of the critical point is determined. This illustrates the tunability of the quantum matter fluctuations by exploiting strong light-matter coupling.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
The bright side of post-pandemic remote working: examining the effect of self-efficacy and work-related flow on employee resilience
Authors: Dogra Prinka , Parrey Aubid Hussain , Bhawna Bhawna , Akram Umair
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to integrate the social cognitive theory and flow theory to examine how e-skills self-efficacy (ESSE) and trust-building self-efficacy (TBSE) impact work-related flow in remote work. It also explores how work-related flow (WOLF) mediates the connection between these factors and employee resilience (ER) in the context of the growing shift toward remote work.

Design/methodology/approach

The study tested an empirical mediation model with 535 remote workers from Indian organizations that adopted remote work either before or during the pandemic. Hypotheses were tested using Hayes’ PROCESS macro.

Findings

The study confirmed the direct influence of ESSE and TBSE on WOLF. Moreover, a mediation analysis demonstrated that WOLF significantly mediates the association linking ESSE, TBSE and ER.

Practical implications

This study, evaluating experienced remote employees in the quaternary sector, offers data-driven insights for informed organizational decisions. These findings aims to guide HR and training departments in formulating recruitment and training strategies, emphasizing digital skill development to enhance knowledge and skills effectively.

Originality/value

This study highlights the need for remote workers and organizations to be aware of the challenges of remote work. It is among the first to explore the link between ESSE, TBSE and ER, addressing psychological factor, i.e. WOLF, often overlooked in organizational contexts.
The information-seeking behaviors of project managers in professional virtual communities
Authors: Kenworthy Thomas P.
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This research explores project manager (PM) behavior in their professional virtual communities (PVCs), using social identity theory as a theoretical foundation. The purpose is to examine the extent to which PMs seek information on key topics in the Project Management Body of Knowledge Guide (PMBoK).

Design/methodology/approach

A text data analytics methodology that uses quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques is followed. The research method reveals relationships in language-based data gathered from six project management forums and blogs.

Findings

Information related to all the PMBoK topics is sought in the project management virtual communities. People management topics account for a dominant portion of interactions. The findings enhance social identification theorizing for the PM role. From a practical standpoint, the findings shed light on focal areas for greater emphasis in PM PVCs.

Originality/value

Our people management finding constructively replicates existing findings via a large, global sample and strengthens calls for increased focus on people management matters in project management. As a result, we call for increased scholarly attention to people management in project management. Finally, we encourage pursuit of several research questions to enhance knowledge of PM information-seeking behavior.
Bridging the trust gap in financial reporting: the impact of blockchain technology and smart contracts
Authors: Rawashdeh Awni
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of blockchain technology (BCT) in trust in financial reporting (TFR) and the use of smart contracts (USC). It aims to ascertain the mediating role of USC in the relationship between BCT and TFR, thereby contributing to the limited empirical literature in this domain.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on a sample of the accountants’ familiarity with BCT, a structural equation model was constructed and analyzed using AMOS 24. The model proposes and tests relationships between BCT, USC and TFR.

Findings

The study highlights BCT’s significant positive influence on TFR, with USC mediating this effect. It provides empirical evidence that supports the transformative potential of BCT and USC in enhancing TFR.

Practical implications

These findings have significant implications for practitioners, regulatory bodies and policymakers. By highlighting the effectiveness of BCT and USC in fostering TFR, the study makes one aware of strategies to mitigate financial malpractices. It promotes the adoption of BCT in accounting practices.

Originality/value

This study addresses a gap in the literature by investigating the complex interplay of BCT, USC and TFR. It offers a unique perspective by exploring the mediating role of USC, thereby enhancing our understanding of the mechanisms through which BCT can foster TFR.
What determines the adoption of Islamic finance products in a non-Islamic country? Empirical evidence from Cameroonian small- and medium-sized enterprises
Authors: Haruna Ali , Oumbé Honoré Tekam , Kountchou Armand Mboutchouang
Published: February 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine the adoption of Islamic finance products (murabaha, musharakah, mudarabah, salam, ijara, istisna and Qard Hassan) by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Cameroon, a non-Islamic Sub-Saharan African country.

Design/methodology/approach

It used primary data collected from a cross-section of 1,358 SMEs in eight regions of Cameroon using self-administered structured questionnaires. To facilitate the analyses and interpretation, these products are grouped into four groups based on certain characteristics. A multivariate probit model is estimated to take into account the interaction between these different Islamic finance products.

Findings

This study revealed that the desire to comply with Sharia law, awareness, attitude and intention were critical determinants of the decision to adopt Islamic finance products by Cameroonian SMEs. The least influential factors were perceived behavioral control, subjective norms, enterprise characteristics (size, age and location) and socio-demographic characteristics of the entrepreneur (gender, age and marital status). The extension of the multivariate approach permitted us to compute for predicted probabilities which revealed that there exists a synergy effect between the different Islamic finance products. That is, Cameroonian SMEs combine different Islamic finance products at the same time based on their needs. This is especially the case between the partnership-based products (musharakah and mudarabah) and manufacture/rent products (istisna and ijara).

Practical implications

Policymakers are encouraged to develop stakeholder-oriented strategies to promote effective consumer education in Islamic finance products which will boost awareness. Also, Islamic finance institutions should endeavor to develop innovative financial products that are Sharia-compliant and economically beneficial to the individual and business needs of SMEs. Moreover, policymakers and management of Islamic finance institutions should ensure the putting in place of effective governance structures to guide Islamic finance operations. Finally, policymakers should endeavor to take into account the possible synergy between the different Islamic finance products in their quest to develop this activity.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study that analyses the adoption of different Islamic finance products while taking into account the possible synergy that exists between these products.
Digital echoes of heritage: toward a culturally balanced pedagogy in technology-enhanced bilingual education
Authors: Davoodi Amin
Published: February 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the integration of heritage language and culture in technology-enhanced bilingual education and examine the dominance of the English language and culture in computer-assisted language learning settings.

Design/methodology/approach

This research used a narrative inquiry methodology. The data came from semi-structured interviews with 25 bilingual teachers in the Kurdistan region of Iraq and Texas.

Findings

The study found a significant bias in the use of technology toward the target language, often at the expense of heritage language and culture. The curricula analyzed were predominantly focused on superficial cultural elements of the target language, leading to a neglect of deeper cultural engagement.

Originality/value

This research highlights the phenomenon of cultural cringe within bilingual education and the skewed use of technology toward the target language.
Ethnic diversity and homeownership
Authors: Awaworyi Churchill Sefa , Smyth Russell
Published: February 2024

We examine the impact of neighbourhood ethnic diversity on homeownership using 19 waves of household panel data from the Household, Income and Labour Dynamics in Australia survey. We find that ethnic diversity is associated with a lower probability of homeownership. Specifically, a movement from complete ethnic homogeneity to complete heterogeneity is associated with up to a 31.3 percentage point decrease in the probability of homeownership. Our results also show that trust, neighbourhood satisfaction and belongingness, which are lower in ethnically diverse neighbourhoods, are important channels through which ethnic diversity operates to reduce the probability of homeownership. We suggest policies to promote trust in multicultural societies with high levels of ethnic diversity with a view to addressing the negative relationship between ethnic diversity and homeownership.
A comparison of British and German parliamentary discourses on science diplomacy over time
Authors: Rüland Anna‐Lena , Rüffin Nicolas
Published: February 2024

How do members of parliament of different political parties discuss ‘science diplomacy’ – broadly speaking all activities at the intersection of science and foreign policy – on the parliamentary floor over time? We address this question against the backdrop of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 and analyse 72 speeches on science and Russia from the German and British parliament between February 2014 and December 2022. Our analysis reveals similarities and differences in how science diplomacy is discussed in the German Bundestag and the British House of Commons, how party views on science diplomacy in relation to Russia differ and how said views change over time. In so doing, our study shows that national science and policy ecosystems with their specific institutions and actors shape science diplomacy debates, including in times of war.
Accountability in densely institutionalized governance spaces
Authors: Eilstrup‐Sangiovanni Mette , Hofmann Stephanie C.
Published: January 2024

The concept of organizational accountability is central to good governance both domestically and internationally. However, assessing accountability in densely institutionalized global governance spaces requires new conceptual and analytical tools. Rather than concentrating on the accountability of states, intergovernmental organizations (IGOs), non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and transnational corporations as distinct sets of global actors to whom different accountability criteria and mechanisms may apply, we want to focus on how growing overlap and interplay among diverse global policy actors affects organizational accountability. And rather than focusing exclusively on accountability in terms of retrospective sanctioning based on fixed standards or legal obligations, we suggest that, in a densely institutionalized world, accountability also needs to be thought of as a prospective process. We therefore suggest a stronger focus on pluralistic, participatory, and deliberative forms of accountability that emphasize standard‐setting and responsiveness through collective deliberation, learning, and competition.
Evaluating the role of caretaker‐rated personality traits for reproductive outcomes in a highly endangered Hawaiian corvid
Authors: Flanagan A. M. , Petelle M. B. , Greggor A. L. , Masuda B. , Swaisgood R. R.
Published: February 2024

Personality studies are increasingly relevant and applicable to a broad range of conservation issues, including a role for selecting compatible mates in conservation breeding programs (CBPs). Choosing compatible breeding pairs is essential for maximizing reproductive success in CBPs, which provide assurance populations for species facing extinction and candidates for translocation to support wild populations. We investigated the value of caretaker‐assessed personality ratings of the critically endangered ‘Alalā (Hawaiian Crow, Corvus hawaiiensis) in predicting reproductive outcomes: nest quality, fertile egg production, and hatchability in the ‘Alalā CBP. Caretakers used well‐defined operational definitions to rate 22 personality traits for 69 male and 59 female ‘Alalā, achieving high inter‐rater agreement (ICC ≥ 0.85) for 8 traits – aggressive, bold/fearless, fearful, imprinted/abnormal, inept, submissive, territorial, and tendency to feather pluck (a stereotypic behavior) – used in a principal components analysis to distill intercorrelated variables into three principal components. While we did not find that personality influences nest quality or hatchability (based on limiting inferences to fixed effects with high relative importance scores; ≥0.8), we found some evidence that pairs with males that were more territorial/aggressive and fearful than their mates had a higher probability of egg fertilization, but there was substantial variability in this relationship, with confidence intervals overlapping zero. These personality traits may influence pair dynamics, enhancing compatibility, may predict better pair coordination on the nest, or both. Our results highlight the ability of caretakers to successfully identify ‘Alalā personality traits and provide some support for integrating personality into the pairing process; however, further research is needed to understand the value of ‘Alalā personality as a mate selection tool. The application of similar approaches to enhance CBP performance in other taxa is promising, but will require overcoming methodological challenges surrounding the complexity of data collection and interpretation of consistency among raters.
Relationships among class climate, students' internal help‐seeking inclinations, participation in peer help and achievement in an online class
Authors: Huang Kun , Law Victor , Lee‐Post Anita
Published: February 2024

Help seeking has traditionally been studied in face‐to‐face settings using self‐report instruments measuring learners' internal inclinations for help seeking (eg, perceived benefits and threats). Much less is known about help seeking in online learning. Furthermore, external environmental factors such as a positive climate were found to encourage help seeking. Utilizing peer‐help analytics as well as self‐report measures, this study simultaneously modelled the structural relationships among students' perceived class climate, internal help‐seeking inclinations, help‐seeking engagement, participation in peer help and performance in an online class. Results from structural equation modelling indicated that students' perceived goal structure of an online class had a significant influence on their internal help‐seeking inclinations, which subsequently affected their help‐seeking engagement, participation in peer help and learning outcomes. Instructors of online classes should pay particular attention to fostering a mastery‐oriented climate in order to encourage help seeking and improve academic performance.

Practitioner notes

What is already known about this topic

Help seeking is important for academic success.

Due to a variety of individual and contextual factors, students often do not seek help despite the need.

Existing research on help seeking focuses on the face‐to‐face setting and relies on self‐report measures.

Students' help‐seeking inclinations and patterns may differ between in‐person classes and the online environment.

What this paper adds

This study examined help seeking in an online class through self‐report measures and objective analytics data.

This study modelled the structural relationships among the external climate of an online class, students' internal help‐seeking inclinations, engagement in help seeking, participation in peer help and course performance.

Structural equation modelling found that the goal structure of an online class influenced students' internal help‐seeking inclinations.

Online students' internal help‐seeking inclinations affected their grades through their participation in help seeking.

Implications for practice and/or policy

A mastery‐oriented class climate elicits online learners' positive help‐seeking inclinations while discouraging negative ones.

The design and teaching of online classes should aim to foster a mastery‐oriented climate.

Online classes should offer peer‐help opportunities and encourage student participation, which is conducive to academic performance.
A review of the role played by cilia in medusozoan feeding mechanics
Authors: Jordano Mayara de A. , Nagata Renato M. , Morandini André C.
Published: February 2024

Cilia are widely present in metazoans and have various sensory and motor functions, including collection of particles through feeding currents in suspensivorous animals. Suspended particles occur at low densities and are too small to be captured individually, and therefore must be concentrated. Animals that feed on these particles have developed different mechanisms to encounter and capture their food. These mechanisms occur in three phases: (i) encounter; (ii) capture; and (iii) particle handling, which occurs by means of a cilia‐generated current or the movement of capturing structures (e.g. tentacles) that transport the particle to the mouth. Cilia may be involved in any of these phases. Some cnidarians, as do other suspensivorous animals, utilise cilia in their feeding mechanisms. However, few studies have considered ciliary flow when examining the biomechanics of cnidarian feeding. Anthozoans (sessile cnidarians) are known to possess flow‐promoting cilia, but these are absent in medusae. The traditional view is that jellyfish capture prey only by means of nematocysts (stinging structures) and mucus, and do not possess cilia that collect suspended particles. Herein, we first provide an overview of suspension feeding in invertebrates, and then critically analyse the presence, distribution, and function of cilia in the Cnidaria (mainly Medusozoa), with a focus on particle collection (suspension feeding). We analyse the different mechanisms of suspension feeding and sort them according to our proposed classification framework. We present a scheme for the phases of pelagic jellyfish suspension feeding based on this classification. There is evidence that cilia create currents but act only in phases 1 and 3 of suspension feeding in medusozoans. Research suggests that some scyphomedusae must exploit other nutritional sources besides prey captured by nematocysts and mucus, since the resources provided by this diet alone are insufficient to meet their energy requirements. Therefore, smaller particles and prey may be captured through other phase‐2 mechanisms that could involve ciliary currents. We hypothesise that medusae, besides capturing prey by nematocysts (present in the tentacles and oral arms), also capture small particles with their cilia, therefore expanding their trophic niche and suggesting reinterpretation of the trophic role of medusoid cnidarians as exclusively plankton predators. We suggest further study of particle collection by ciliary action and its influence on the biomechanics of jellyfishes, to expand our understanding of the ecology of this group.
Low‐dose tissue plasminogen activator is safe and effective in treating major intracardiac thrombosis in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Nguyen‐Buckley Christine , Xia Victor , Sheth Mansi , Grogan Tristan , Arastoo Sara , Scovotti Jennifer , Kaldas Fady , Wray Christopher
Published: February 2024

Background

Major intracardiac thrombosis is an uncommon event during liver transplantation and has a high mortality rate. Given concerns for hemorrhage in liver transplantation with higher doses, low‐dose tissue plasminogen activator has been proposed as a treatment that rapidly leads to localized clot lysis and resolution of right ventricular failure.

Methods

This is a retrospective study using a prospectively collected database at the University of California at Los Angeles of liver transplant recipients from 2004‐2021. Adult patients who received tissue plasminogen activator for intracardiac thrombosis detected on transesophageal echocardiography were included.

Results

Out of 3236 liver transplants from 2016 to 2021, 11 liver transplant recipients were treated with intravenous low‐dose tissue plasminogen activator for major intracardiac thrombosis. The TPA dose range was 1–2.5 mg with three patients receiving more than one dose. All patients had severe hemodynamic instability. 90.9% of patients had right ventricular failure and 63.6% had cardiac arrest. After administration of low‐dose tissue plasminogen activator, 100% of patients had clinical improvement, clot resolution, and intraoperative survival, with 91% survival at 6 months post‐transplant. Adverse events included two patients with abdominal bleeding requiring re‐exploration and three patients having new intracranial hemorrhage which self‐resolved.

Conclusions

Low dose tissue plasminogen activator was effective in treating major intracardiac thrombosis in our group of patients. Major complications included a limited number of hemorrhagic events.
Cortical linear encoding and decoding of sounds: Similarities and differences between naturalistic speech and music listening
Authors: Simon Adèle , Bech Søren , Loquet Gérard , Østergaard Jan
Published: February 2024

Linear models are becoming increasingly popular to investigate brain activity in response to continuous and naturalistic stimuli. In the context of auditory perception, these predictive models can be ‘encoding’, when stimulus features are used to reconstruct brain activity, or ‘decoding’ when neural features are used to reconstruct the audio stimuli. These linear models are a central component of some brain–computer interfaces that can be integrated into hearing assistive devices (e.g., hearing aids). Such advanced neurotechnologies have been widely investigated when listening to speech stimuli but rarely when listening to music. Recent attempts at neural tracking of music show that the reconstruction performances are reduced compared with speech decoding. The present study investigates the performance of stimuli reconstruction and electroencephalogram prediction (decoding and encoding models) based on the cortical entrainment of temporal variations of the audio stimuli for both music and speech listening. Three hypotheses that may explain differences between speech and music stimuli reconstruction were tested to assess the importance of the speech‐specific acoustic and linguistic factors. While the results obtained with encoding models suggest different underlying cortical processing between speech and music listening, no differences were found in terms of reconstruction of the stimuli or the cortical data. The results suggest that envelope‐based linear modelling can be used to study both speech and music listening, despite the differences in the underlying cortical mechanisms.
The clinico‐pathological spectrum of plaque‐type blue naevi and their potential for malignant transformation
Authors: Tseng Calvin , Wiedemeyer Katharina , Mehta Arjun , Rojas‐Garcia Priscila , Temple‐Oberle Claire , Orlando Antonio , Miller Keith , Gharpuray‐Pandit Deepa , Brenn Thomas
Published: February 2024

Aims

Plaque‐type blue naevi are rare melanocytic tumours presenting as large, pigmented plaques at birth or during childhood. There is a risk for malignant transformation, but no larger comprehensive studies exist and the diagnosis is challenging, especially on limited biopsy material. The aim is to describe the clinicopathological features and behaviour of the disease more comprehensively.

Methods and results

We retrieved eight plaque‐type blue naevi, presenting as large, pigmented plaques (median = 7 cm; range = 3–26) most frequently affecting the scalp (four) followed by the cheek, arm, abdominal wall and gluteal cleft (one each), with a slight female predilection. Median age at time of biopsy was 39.5 years (range = 15–90), but three tumours had been present at birth and one since childhood. Histopathologically, the tumours were poorly circumscribed and composed of cellular fascicles of uniform spindle cells in a background of variably prominent pigmented dendritic cells affecting dermis and subcutaneous tissues. The majority had mutations in GNAQ. One tumour showed malignant transformation, characterised by an expansile nodule of pleomorphic epithelioid melanocytes with rhabdoid morphology, high mitotic activity and areas of necrosis. This patient developed metastatic melanoma to lymph nodes. All patients are alive with a median follow‐up of 60 months.

Conclusion

Plaque‐type blue naevi are diagnostically challenging tumours with risk for malignant transformation. Awareness and familiarity with the salient clinicopathological features are necessary for reliable diagnosis, and long‐term clinical follow‐up is required to monitor for malignant transformation.
When slow explorers are fast: Personality‐related differences in timing of migration in Red Knots (Calidris canutus)
Authors: Ersoy Selin , Groothuis Ton G. G. , Piersma Theunis , Bijleveld Allert I.
Published: February 2024

The timing of migration varies significantly among individuals, even within populations sharing breeding sites. Consistent individual behavioural differences, known as personality traits, have been linked to variation in movement behaviour. However, little attention has been given to investigating whether personality traits can explain such variation in the timing of migration. We studied post‐breeding migration of Red Knots Calidris canutus islandica breeding in the High Arctic and wintering in European coastal areas. We captured Red Knots in the Dutch Wadden Sea, a main non‐breeding and moulting site, and assessed their exploration behaviour, a personality trait, before releasing them with colour‐rings. We first investigated whether arrival timing in marine areas was associated with exploration speed. Secondly, we asked whether slow explorers were more likely to fly non‐stop to the Wadden Sea compared with fast explorers, as faster explorers were expected to move more and visit more staging sites. To determine arrival timing in marine non‐breeding areas and non‐stop flights to the Wadden Sea, we analysed isotope signatures in blood samples collected after capture, as these differ between the terrestrial breeding grounds (arthropod diet) and marine non‐breeding and moulting sites (benthic invertebrate diet). Thirdly, we estimated arrival time in the Wadden Sea based on primary moult progress, allowing us to examine the relationship between arrival timing estimated from isotope values and the onset of moult. Our findings revealed that slower exploring Red Knots departed earlier from the breeding site and were more likely to fly non‐stop to the Wadden Sea than were faster exploring individuals. Arrival timing to marine areas as estimated from isotope analyses predicted arrival timing in the Wadden Sea (via moult progress) but this relationship exhibited significant variation, possibly due to individual differences in the use of staging sites en route. By migrating early, slower explorers can better outpace the aerial predators also arriving at the Wadden Sea moulting site and thereby reduce mortality risk due to predation.
Effect of chitosan combined with electrolyzed water on maintaining muscle quality and myofibril proteins of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during refrigerated storage
Authors: Zhang Jianyou , Yue Aodong , Sun Lei , Fei Lifeng , Cui Pengbo , Qiu Yue , Lyu Fei , Ding Yuting
Published: February 2024

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chitosan (CHI) combined electrolytic water (EW) cold sterilisation on muscle quality and myofibril proteins (MP) of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during 12 days of refrigerated storage (4 °C). After the storage period, the sample of the EW + CHI group had the highest rate of hardness (36.68%), springiness (16.11%) among the control group without any treatment (CON), CHI group and EW group and similar tendencies were found in chewiness and cohesiveness. The MP content in the CON group decreased sharply from 80.35 mg g−1 to 57.90 mg g−1, in contrast to the EW + CHI group, which decreased from 81.65 mg g−1 initially to 80.83 mg g−1. The conformation of MP α‐helix and β‐sheet was retained to protect the secondary structure, and the exposure of aromatic amino acid residues was constrained to defend the tertiary structure in EW + CHI treatment which effectively delayed the degradation of MP. Based on these outcomes, EW + CHI treatment could significantly maintain the MP of large yellow croakers and prevent corruption during refrigerated storage.
An employee–employer relationship gone bad? Examining the double‐edged effect of psychological contract violation on employees' helping behaviors
Authors: Asante Eric Adom , Gyensare Michael Asiedu , El Bouzidi Laila , Twumasi Evelyn
Published: February 2024

An important concept that depicts the nature of employee–employer relationship is the psychological contract. Prior research has argued that all forms of extra‐role behaviors suffer once employees' psychological contracts are violated. Helping behaviors are a specific form of extra‐role behaviors that may suffer due to psychological contract violation. We argue that this predominantly negative relationship between psychological contract violation and helping behaviors is because the literature has not adequately examined the different types of helping behaviors. Using the latent moderated structural equation approach with multiwave and multisource data from a survey of 269 full‐time employees and their coworkers from the hospitality industry in Ghana, we show that psychological contract violation is positively related to reactive helping behaviors and negatively associated with anticipatory helping behaviors through anticipatory anxiety.
SiC skeleton‐reinforced highly oriented graphite with good thermophysical and electromagnetic shielding properties
Authors: Zhang Xiaoyu , Zhang Biao , Wei Zhilei , Xie Wenqi , Cai Zhixin , He Kai , Shi Zhongqi
Published: January 2024

The design of multifunctional materials with good thermophysical and electromagnetic shielding properties is desirable to overcome overheating and electromagnetic interference (EMI) in electronic devices. In this study, three‐dimensional (3D) continuous SiC skeleton‐reinforced highly oriented graphite flake (GF@SiC) composites were fabricated by combining molten salt synthesis, heat treatment, and spark plasma sintering. When the SiC content was higher than 9 vol.%, a 3D continuous SiC skeleton was formed, which effectively constrained the cross‐plane thermal expansion of the GF@SiC composites. Highly oriented GFs endowed the composites with good thermal conductivity (TC) along the basal plane and effective EMI shielding in the X‐band. The composites with SiC concentrations of 9 vol.% exhibited an optimal comprehensive performance with a high TC of 322 W/m/K in the basal plane direction, a low thermal expansion value of 10.5 × 10−6/K in the through‐plane direction, and EMI shielding effectiveness of 36 dB. Our strategy provides a promising and practical approach for realizing graphite‐based composites to meet the current demands for electronic devices.
Current rate flash sintering of nickel at ambient temperature in <1 min
Authors: Bamidele Emmanuel A. , Mahmoud Morsi M. , Raj Rishi
Published: January 2024

We show that powder pressed specimens of nickel can be sintered to 99.96% density by injecting electrical current, without the use of a furnace. Full sintering could be accomplished in 10 to 52 s by changing the current rate from 5 to 1 A/s. In all instances, the samples sintered abruptly at a current density of ∼20 A mm−2. The grain size of the sintered samples was somewhat larger than the nickel powder particle size (∼60 μm vs. 40 μm). Tensile testing yielded a yield strength of 98 MPa, ultimate tensile stress of 323 MPa, and ductility of ∼17%. Four in‐operando measurements are reported: (i) sintering, (ii) the change in resistance with current density, (iii) the temperature, and (iv) electroluminescence. The change in resistance during flash sintering exhibited a high peak followed by a steep decline in resistance; the transient is attributed to the breakdown of particle–particle interface resistance. The same cycle repeated with the flash‐sintered, dense sample, did not show the spike, and gave reproducible results. The resistance data for these latter cycles, when viewed as a function of temperature exhibited sigmoidal behavior: initially lower, and then higher than the literature values. This unusual behavior reflects the influence of defects generated during flash. We have also measured the endothermic enthalpy, expressed by the difference between the in situ input electrical energy and the radiation, convection, and specific heat losses. Dividing by the formation energy of Frenkel pairs yields the concentration of defects, estimated to be 0.3–0.4 mol %. These concentrations are far above thermal equilibrium; it is concluded that flash of metals is a far from equilibrium phenomenon.