bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Diabetes alters neuroeconomically dissociable forms of mental accounting
Authors: Nwakama Chinonso A. , Durand-de Cuttoli Romain , Oketokoun Zainab M. , Brown Samantha O. , Haller Jillian E. , Méndez Adriana , Farshbaf Mohammad Jodeiri , Cho Y. Zoe , Ahmed Sanjana , Leng Sophia , Ables Jessica L. , Sweis Brian M.
Published: January 2024

Those with diabetes mellitus are at high-risk of developing psychiatric disorders, yet the link between hyperglycemia and alterations in motivated behavior has not been explored in detail. We characterized value-based decision-making behavior of a streptozocin-induced diabetic mouse model on a naturalistic neuroeconomic foraging paradigm called Restaurant Row. Mice made self-paced choices while on a limited time-budget accepting or rejecting reward offers as a function of cost (delays cued by tone-pitch) and subjective value (flavors), tested daily in a closed-economy system across months. We found streptozocin-treated mice disproportionately undervalued less-preferred flavors and inverted their meal-consumption patterns shifted toward a more costly strategy that overprioritized high-value rewards. We discovered these foraging behaviors were driven by impairments in multiple decision-making systems, including the ability to deliberate when engaged in conflict and cache the value of the passage of time in the form of sunk costs. Surprisingly, diabetes-induced changes in behavior depended not only on the type of choice being made but also the salience of reward-scarcity in the environment. These findings suggest complex relationships between glycemic regulation and dissociable valuation algorithms underlying unique cognitive heuristics and sensitivity to opportunity costs can disrupt fundamentally distinct computational processes and could give rise to psychiatric vulnerabilities.
Molecular Characterization ofTephromela atraandTephromela grumosafrom Bozdag Mountain Based on ITS1 rDNA Sequences Analysis
Authors: Alzebair Awad , Yilmaz Cankiliç Meral , Candan Mehmet , Avan İlker
Published: January 2024

The lichensTephromela atraandTephromela grumosawere studied in detail using various techniques, including morphological identification, biochemical taxonomy (chemotaxonomy), anatomical, and molecular characterization. The molecular characterization ofTephromela atraandTephromela grumosa(Pers.) Hafelner & Cl. Roux was analyzed using internal transcribed spacer rDNA (ITS1) genes and the sequences obtained were compared with the ITS sequences of the otherTephromelaspecies in GenBank (NCBI). The sequences were analyzed against reference sequences from the GenBank databases using the programs; BLAST, ClustalW, and MEGA11. The phylogenetic relationship was evaluated. The results show that some samples ofTephromela atraobtained in this study are closer to the same species isolated from Greece, while other samples are closer to other samples isolated from Italy and Austria. Moreover, theTephromela grumosaisolated from Eskisehir Bozdag Mountain form a separate branch closer to theTephromela grumosasamples isolated from Italy. Our study shows that lichens are an important source of biodiversity in Türkiye, which has a high species richness in Anatolia.
Extracellular matrix remodeling during aging aligns with synapse, microglia, and cognitive status
Authors: Gray Daniel T. , Gutierrez Abigail , Jami-Alahmadi Yasaman , Pandey Vijaya , Pan Lin , Zhang Ye , Wohlschlegel James A. , McDevitt Ross A. , De Biase Lindsay M.
Published: January 2024

Synapse dysfunction is tightly linked to cognitive changes during aging, but underlying mechanisms driving dysfunction are minimally understood. The extracellular matrix (ECM) can potently regulate synapse integrity and plasticity. Yet the status of the brain ECM during aging remains virtually unexplored. Using novel ECM-optimized proteomic workflows, we discovered striking regional differences in ECM composition and aging-induced ECM remodeling. ECM status was also aligned with preserved synapse protein abundance across key basal ganglia nuclei. Moreover, using foraging-based behavioral paradigms and confocal imaging in fixed tissue, we demonstrated that reduced ECM-synapse remodeling and microglial aging phenotypes are both linked with deficits in goal-directed behavior in aging mice. Finally, using mouse models of microglia ablation and premature microglial aging, we identified microglial aging phenotypes that promote ECM deposition and synapse numbers. Together, these foundational observations implicate glial-ECM interactions in the regulation of synapse function and cognitive abilities across the lifespan.
A comprehensive landscape of the zinc-regulated human proteome
Authors: Burger Nils , Mittenbühler Melanie J. , Xiao Haopeng , Shin Sanghee , Bozi Luiz H.M. , Wei Shelley , Sprenger Hans-Georg , Sun Yizhi , Zhu Yingde , Darabedian Narek , Petrocelli Jonathan J. , Muro Pedro Latorre- , Che Jianwei , Chouchani Edward T.
Published: January 2024

Zinc is an essential micronutrient that regulates a wide range of physiological processes, principally through Zn2+binding to protein cysteine residues. Despite being critical for modulation of protein function, for the vast majority of the human proteome the cysteine sites subject to regulation by Zn2+binding remain undefined. Here we develop ZnCPT, a comprehensive and quantitative mapping of the zinc-regulated cysteine proteome. We define 4807 zinc-regulated protein cysteines, uncovering protein families across major domains of biology that are subject to either constitutive or inducible modification by zinc. ZnCPT enables systematic discovery of zinc-regulated structural, enzymatic, and allosteric functional domains. On this basis, we identify 52 cancer genetic dependencies subject to zinc regulation, and nominate malignancies sensitive to zinc-induced cytotoxicity. In doing so, we discover a mechanism of zinc regulation over Glutathione Reductase (GSR) that drives cell death in GSR-dependent lung cancers. We provide ZnCPT as a resource for understanding mechanisms of zinc regulation over protein function.
MicroED structure of the C11 cysteine protease Clostripain
Authors: Ruma Yasmeen N. , Bu Guanhong , Gonen Tamir
Published: January 2024

Clostripain secreted fromClostridium histolyticumis the founding member of the C11 family of Clan CD cysteine peptidases, which is an important group of peptidases secreted by numerous bacteria. Clostripain is an arginine specific endopeptidase. Because of its efficacy as a cysteine peptidase, it is widely used in laboratory settings. Despite its importance the structure of clostripain remains unsolved. Here we describe the first structure of an active form ofC. histolyticumClostripain determined at 3.6 Å resolution using microcrystal electron diffraction (MicroED). The structure was determined from a single nanocrystal after focused ion beam milling. The structure of Clostripain shows a typical Clan CD α/β/α sandwich architecture and the Cys231/His176 catalytic dyad in the active site. It has a large electronegative substrate binding pocket showing its ability to accommodate large and diverse substrates. A loop in the heavy chain formed between residues 452 to 457 is potentially important for substrate binding. In conclusion, this result demonstrates the importance of MicroED to determine the unknown structure of macromolecules such as Clostripain, which can be further used as a platform to study substrate binding and design of potential inhibitors against this class of peptidases.
Non-B DNA-Informed Mutation Burden as a Marker of Treatment Response and Outcome in Cancer
Authors: Xu Qi , Kowalski Jeanne
Published: January 2024

Background

Genomic instability plays a key role in tumorigenesis and cancer research, with Tumor Mutation Burden (TMB) being a crucial biomarker quantifying total mutation to indicate therapeutic effectiveness, particularly in immunotherapy. However, TMB is not always a reliable predictor of treatment response and displays heterogeneity. Non-B DNA, alternative DNA forms have the potential to increase susceptibility to mutations that lead to the development of cancer. The tendency of these structures to induce mutations highlights their critical role in cancer onset and advancement, indicating their potential merit when combined with mutation information for enhanced markers in cancer with potential novel insights.

Methods and findings

We introduce two novel markers, “nbTMB” (non-B-informed tumor mutation burden) and “mlTNB” (mutation-localized-informed tumor non-B burden). We show in three separate case studies applying these markers the following findings: 1) nbTMB informs on survival heterogeneity among TMB-High patients undergoing immunotherapy whereas TMB is unable to further differentiate; 2) nbTMB informs on altered cisplatin sensitivity among ovarian cancer patient-derived cell lines whereas TMB is unable to differentiate; and 3) mlTNB informs on survival heterogeneity among early stage pancreatic cancer progressors in whom other markers of genomic instability fail to differentiate.

Conclusions

These novel markers offer a nuanced approach in which to enhance our current understanding of treatment responses and outcomes in cancer, underscoring the need for a more comprehensive exploration of the interplay between non-B and B-DNA features.
Experimental tests of dark bubble cosmology
Authors: Danielsson U. , Panizo D.
Published: January 2024

In this paper we use α′2 corrections to the D3-brane action to obtain a nonzero and positive cosmological constant in the induced cosmology living on the dark bubble. Its measured value together with the value of the fine structure constant correspond to a dark dimension of size 5×10−5  m and a string scale at 11 TeV. We conclude that the dark bubble model predicts deviations of Newtonian gravity and stringy excitations of known particles within reach of future experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Ultrafast Excitation Exchange in a Maxwell Fish-Eye Lens
Authors: Diekmann Oliver , Krimer Dmitry O. , Rotter Stefan
Published: January 2024

The strong coupling of quantum emitters to a cavity mode has been of paramount importance in the development of quantum optics. Recently, also the strong coupling to more than a single mode of an electromagnetic resonator has drawn considerable interest. We investigate how this multimode strong coupling regime can be harnessed to coherently control quantum systems. Specifically, we demonstrate that a Maxwell fish-eye lens can be used to implement a pulsed excitation exchange between two distant quantum emitters. This periodic exchange is mediated by single-photon pulses and can be extended to a photon-exchange between two atomic ensembles, for which the coupling strength is enhanced collectively.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Non-destructive texture characterization by a robot-arm-driven X-ray diffractometer
Authors: Sepsi Mate , Benke Marton , Mertinger Valeria
Published: January 2024

The most common methods for texture characterization require cutting a coupon to be inserted into an X-ray texture goniometer or an electron microscope and are, therefore, destructive. However, there are many cases where texture characterization needs to be performed in a non-destructive way, where the measurement can be made without damaging the object. Typical examples are archaeological artefacts or very expensive materials. Here we demonstrate the application of an X-ray diffractometer mounted on a robotic arm designed for residual stress scanning for texture characterization, enabling the determination of the orientation distribution function for different locations on samples with complex geometries. The texture characterization method was benchmarked on a cold-rolled aluminium sheet.
Leverage, earnings management and audit industry specialization: the case of Palestinian-listed companies
Authors: Muhtaseb Hind , Paz Veronica , Tickell Geoffrey , Chaudhry Mukesh
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study explores the relationship between leverage and earnings management in the context of Palestinian-listed companies, while also investigating whether audit industry specialization influences this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

The data used in this study are extracted from public financial reports of 39 firms listed on Palestine Stock Exchange (PEX), spread across the service, insurance, industry and investment sectors, for the time period 2011–2022. A model is developed to test 4 hypotheses about the relationships between long-term and short-term debts, and earnings management, and then to examine the influence of audit industry specialization on these relationships.

Findings

The results depict a significant, negative relationship between long-term debt and earnings management. Whereas the association between short-term debt and earnings management is insignificant. Audit industry specialization is proven to have no influence on the relationships between the independent and the dependent variables. Results are robust for firms that changed their accounting policies and using different audit industry specialization proxies.

Originality/value

The association between leverage and earnings management is a significant research topic, given that previous research identifies credit ratings and debt covenant violations as key factors which motivate earnings management. This paper fills a substantial research gap by examining the relationship between the two variables in the context of Palestinian-listed firms, while emphasizing the distinction between long-term and short-term debts. It also highlights key relationships that have been neglected in this particular context, which adds to the body of literature. Furthermore, the research's findings provide a solid information base that is of great interest to accounting and auditing experts and that may be seriously evaluated to support and advance the PEX sector.
The effect of transformational leadership on restaurant employees on trust, altruistic intention and organizational commitment: the moderation effect of surface acting
Authors: Kement Üzeyir , Zeybek Bihter , Soylu Sinem , Erkol Bayram Gül , Raza Ali
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the impact of the transformational leadership style on the behaviour of restaurant employees. Also, it was aimed to investigate the effect of transformational leadership on trust and the effect of trust on altruistic intention and organizational commitment.

Design/methodology/approach

The study integrates insights from transformational leadership to provide a fresh perspective to advance comparative organizational behaviour research. To test the hypotheses, the authors conduct a multiple analysis with observations from Turkey getting staff in culinary department with a quantitative survey.

Findings

This study equips different professional entities in the food and beverage industry with useful, contextualized links between transformational leadership. According to results, the perspective of transformational leadership style affects the concepts of trust, altruistic value and organizational commitment positively. Charisma, moral modelling and individualized consideration had a significant effect on trust. Also, trust has a significant effect on altruistic intention and organizational commitment.

Research limitations/implications

The present study incorporated confidence as a mediating variable; however, it is recommended that alternative scales be used in subsequent research endeavours. Future research endeavours may incorporate theoretical frameworks such as theory of planned behaviour or stimulus-organism-response.

Practical implications

Transformational leadership style is a good acquisition for restaurant employees. There is a healthier and safer job sharing in these restaurants. This can be interpreted as a more satisfied customer. A good leader has a great contribution to the future and sustainability of the business.

Social implications

This research created a new model and examined employees’ views on the company and its management. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that charisma, moral modelling and individualized consideration had a significant effect on trust.

Originality/value

This assists in learning better service quality developing and business practices to augment culinary staff, thereby maximizing their valuable contributions to tourism growth. This research created a new model and examined employees’ views on the company and its management.
The role of financial inclusion and institutional factors on banking stability in developing countries
Authors: Jungo João , Madaleno Mara , Botelho Anabela
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine the role of financial inclusion and institutional factors such as corruption and the rule of law (RL) on the credit risk and stability of banks.

Design/methodology/approach

The study considers a sample of 61 developing countries and uses very robust estimation techniques that allow controlling for endogeneity, heteroskedasticity and serial correlation, such as instrumental variables method in two-stage least squares (IV-2SLS), instrumental variables generalized method of moments (IV-GMM), as well as system of generalized methods of moments in two stages (Sys-2GMM).

Findings

The results confirm that financial inclusion and strengthening the RL can significantly contribute to reducing credit risk and improving the financial stability of banks; in contrast, the authors find that weak control of corruption aggravates credit risk. In addition, they found that greater competitiveness in the banking sector increases credit risk.

Social implications

This study supports the need to promote financial inclusion and strengthen institutional factors to improve the stability of the banking sector, as well as promote general well-being in the economy.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scarce literature by simultaneously using institutional factors such as corruption and the RL and macroeconomic variables such as economic growth and inflation in the relationship between financial inclusion and the banking sector, as well as considering competitiveness as an explanatory factor for banks’ credit risk and stability.
Comparative analysis of machine learning models in predicting housing prices: a case study of Prishtina's real estate market
Authors: Hoxha Visar
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to carry out a comparative analysis of four machine learning models such as linear regression, decision trees, k-nearest neighbors and support vector regression in predicting housing prices in Prishtina.

Design/methodology/approach

Using Python, the models were assessed on a data set of 1,512 property transactions with mean squared error, coefficient of determination, mean absolute error and root mean squared error as metrics. The study also conducts variable importance test.

Findings

Upon preprocessing and standardization of the data, the models were trained and tested, with the decision tree model producing the best performance. The variable importance test found the distance from central business district and distance to the road leading to central business district as the most relevant drivers of housing prices across all models, with the exception of support vector machine model, which showed minimal importance for all variables.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, the originality of this research rests in its methodological approach and emphasis on Prishtina's real estate market, which has never been studied in this context, and its findings may be generalizable to comparable transitional economies with booming real estate sector like Kosovo.
The bright side of being uncertain: the impact of economic policy uncertainty on corporate innovation
Authors: Liang Chen , Lee Peter K.C. , Zhu Minghao , Yeung Andy C.L. , Cheng T.C.E. , Zhou Honggeng
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to theoretically hypothesize and empirically examine the impact of economic policy uncertainty (EPU) on firms' innovation performance as well as the contingency conditions of this relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collects and combines secondary longitudinal data from multiple sources to test for a direct impact of EPU on firms' innovation performance. It further examines the moderating effects of firms' operational and marketing capabilities. A series of robustness checks are performed to ensure the consistency of the findings.

Findings

In contrast to the common belief that EPU reduces the innovativeness of firms, the authors find an inverted-U relationship between EPU and innovation performance, indicating that a moderate level of EPU actually promotes innovation. Further analysis suggests that firms' operational and marketing capabilities make the inverted-U relationship steeper, further enhancing firms' innovation performance at a moderate level of EPU.

Originality/value

This study adds to the emerging literature that investigates the operational implications of EPU, which enhances our understanding of the potential bright side of EPU and broadens the scope of operational risk management.
New investigation of delamination using the VCCT method to predict the damage in bonded composite repair plates subjected to tensile load
Authors: Talbi Sofiane , Salem Mokadem , Mechab Belaïd , Ghomari Tewfik , Allem Ahmed , Bachir Bouiadjra Belabbes , Mehdi Benelmaarouf
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study provides an analysis of patch repair for cracked aircraft structures. Delamination is a type of damage that affects the patch's behavior. The purpose of this study is to assess the influence of delamination on repair performance.

Design/methodology/approach

An analytical and numerical study using the finite element method was conducted for a cracked plate repaired with a patch containing a pre-existing delamination defect. The method for defining the contact pair surfaces and modeling the delamination interaction within the patch interface is specified using the virtual crack closure technique (VCCT) approach.

Findings

The efficiency of the repair is measured in terms of the J-integral. The effects of delamination initiation, mechanical loading, crack length and patch stacking sequences are presented. It is noted that in mode I, delamination propagation is only significant at node A. The numerical results are in good agreement with those of the analytical solution found in the literature. It is observed that the patch's behavior is strongly dependent on loading, crack size and stacking sequences in terms of reducing the structure's lifespan, especially in the presence of delamination.

Originality/value

The numerical modeling presented by the VCCT approach is highly valuable for studying delamination evolution. The influence of loading, crack size and stacking sequences on repair performance is discussed in this work.
How does ESG disclosure promote technological innovation? Moderating effects based on product market competition
Authors: Wang Xinyuan , Yin Yushi , Chun Dongphil , Li Peng
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The primary objective of this study is to unveil the relationships that interconnect ESG and three pillars disclosures with technological innovation while also investigating the moderating impact of product market competition. The paper seeks to identify the underlying mechanisms that facilitate technological innovation in sustainable management.

Design/methodology/approach

Using data from 8,738 Chinese firms from 2011 to 2019, this study employs quantitative analysis to examine the relationship between ESG disclosure and technological innovation and the moderating effect. Moreover, this study explores the heterogeneous impacts while considering factors such as property rights and firm size.

Findings

The findings reveal a positive correlation between ESG disclosure and technological innovation. The study also investigates the moderating role of product market competition and finds that increasing competition mitigates the positive effects of ESG disclosure on technological innovation. Additionally, the conclusions reveal that the relationship between ESG and three pillars disclosures and technological innovation, as well as the moderating role of product market competition, exhibits inconsistency across firms with different property rights and sizes.

Originality/value

This study offers a clear understanding of the relationship between ESG disclosures and technological innovation, and how it varies across businesses of different sizes and ownership structures. It also provides fresh perspectives on the influence of product market competition on this relationship, with implications for strategy development in corporations.
Application of grey system model with intelligent parameters in predicting regional electricity consumption
Authors: Zhou Wenhao , Li Hailin , Li Hufeng , Zhang Liping , Lin Weibin
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Given the regional heterogeneity of economic development, electricity consumption in various regions exhibits a discrepant growth pattern. The purpose of this study is to construct a grey system forecasting model with intelligent parameters for predicting provincial electricity consumption in China.

Design/methodology/approach

First, parameter optimization and structural expansion are simultaneously integrated into a unified grey system prediction framework, enhancing its adaptive capabilities. Second, by setting the minimum simulation percentage error as the optimization goal, the authors apply the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm to search for the optimal grey generation order and background value coefficient. Third, to assess the performance across diverse power consumption systems, the authors use two electricity consumption cases and select eight other benchmark models to analyze the simulation and prediction errors. Further, the authors conduct simulations and trend predictions using data from all 31 provinces in China, analyzing and predicting the development trends in electricity consumption for each province from 2021 to 2026.

Findings

The study identifies significant heterogeneity in the development trends of electricity consumption systems among diverse provinces in China. The grey prediction model, optimized with multiple intelligent parameters, demonstrates superior adaptability and dynamic adjustment capabilities compared to traditional fixed-parameter models. Outperforming benchmark models across various evaluation indicators such as root mean square error (RMSE), average percentage error and Theil’s index, the new model establishes its robustness in predicting electricity system behavior.

Originality/value

Acknowledging the limitations of traditional grey prediction models in capturing diverse growth patterns under fixed-generation orders, single structures and unadjustable background values, this study proposes a fractional grey intelligent prediction model with multiple parameter optimization. By incorporating multiple parameter optimizations and structure expansion, it substantiates the model’s superiority in forecasting provincial electricity consumption.
Do sustainability reporting standards affect analysts’ forecast accuracy?
Authors: Pizzi Simone , Caputo Fabio , de Nuccio Elbano
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to contribute to the emerging debate about materiality with novel insights about the signaling effects related to the disclosure of environmental, social and governance (ESG) information using the guidelines released by the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) and the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB).

Design/methodology/approach

An empirical assessment using panel data analysis was built to evaluate the relationship between sustainability reporting standards and analysts’ forecast accuracy.

Findings

The analysis revealed that the proliferation of sustainability reports prepared on mandatory or voluntary basis mitigated the signaling effects related to the disclosure of ESG information by companies. Furthermore, the additional analysis conducted considering sustainability reporting quality and ESG performance revealed the existence of mixed effects on analysts’ forecasts accuracy. Therefore, the insights highlighted the need to consider a cautionary approach in evaluating the contribution of ESG data to financial evaluations.

Practical implications

The practical implications consist of identifying criticisms related to disclosing ESG information by listed companies. In detail, the analysis underlines the need to enhance reporting standards’ interoperability to support the development of more accurate analysis by investors and financial experts.

Social implications

The analysis reveals increasing attention investors pay to socially responsible initiatives, confirming that financial markets consider sustainability reporting as a strategic driver to engage with stakeholders and investors.

Originality/value

This research represents one of the first attempts to explore differences between GRI and SASB using an empirical approach.
Successful return to work in anaesthesia after maternity leave: a qualitative study
Authors: Allen K. J. , Chiavaroli N. , Reid K. J.
Published: January 2024

Returning to work after maternity leave poses significant challenges, with potential long‐term implications including decreased engagement or attrition of clinicians. Many quantitative studies have identified challenges and supports for women during pregnancy, maternity leave and re‐entry to clinical practice. This qualitative study explored the experiences of anaesthetists returning to clinical work after maternity leave, to identify influential factors with the aim of providing a framework to assist planning re‐entry. We conducted semi‐structured interviews with 15 anaesthetists. Attendees of a re‐entry programme were invited to participate, with purposive sampling and snowball recruitment to provide diversity of location and training stage, until data saturation was reached at 13 interviews. Five themes were identified: leave duration; planning re‐entry; workplace culture; career impact and emotional impact. Leave duration was influenced by concerns about deskilling, but shorter periods of leave had logistical challenges, including fatigue. Most participants started planning to return to work with few or no formal processes in the workplace. Workplace culture, including support for breastfeeding, was identified as valuable, but variable. Participants also experienced negative attitudes on re‐entry, including difficulty accessing permanent work, with potential career impacts. Many participants identified changes to professional and personal identity influencing the experience with emotional sequelae. This research describes factors which may be considered to assist clinicians returning to work after maternity leave and identifies challenges, including negative attitudes, which may pose significant barriers to women practising in anaesthesia and may contribute to lack of female leadership in some workplaces.
Pharmacokinetic of ceftazidime‐avibactam in a critically ill patient under high‐volume continuous venovenous haemodiafiltration: A first paediatric case report
Authors: Collignon Charlotte , Benaboud Sihem , Gana Inès , Bendavid Matthieu , Fournier Benjamin , Oualha Mehdi , de Marcellus Charles
Published: January 2024

Ceftazidime‐avibactam is a novel cephalosporin/B‐lactamase inhibitor developed in the context of increasing resistance. This case reports the pharmacokinetics of ceftazidime‐avibactam in a critically ill child under continuous renal replacement (CRRT) therapy for fluid overload. The patient was a 6‐month‐old female with sepsis due to bloodstream infection to Stenotrophomonas maltophilia following stem cell transplantation for severe combined immunodeficiency. CRRT was started on Day 2. Concentrations have been monitored using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. Treatment was given every 8 h with a 2 h infusion of 30–7,5 mg/kg and did not reach pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic targets. Total clearance was respectively 1.7 and 3.02 L/h, with CRRT clearance respectively 28.8%–60% for ceftazidime and 14%–33% for avibactam. Those clearances are higher than reported in adult literature leading to a risk of treatment failure and emerging resistance. This supports the benefit of monitoring antimicrobial therapy under CRRT and the necessity to assess higher dosing or continuous infusion of ceftazidime‐avibactam.
Corporate social responsibility and tariff policy in a differentiated mixed duopoly
Authors: Wang Xingtang , Wang Leonard F. S.
Published: January 2024

In this paper, we assume that the domestic public firm competes in the market with a foreign private firm that cares about consumer surplus and the domestic government imposes tariffs on foreign firm. We aim to analyze the influence of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) level of foreign firm on privatization and tariff policy. It shows that if the government implements a privatization policy for the domestic public firm, the optimal degree of privatization decreases in the CSR level of foreign firm. Under the optimal privatization policy, if the product differentiation is relatively small, the equilibrium tariff increases in the CSR level; if the product differentiation is relatively large, the equilibrium tariff decreases in the CSR level; if the product differentiation is moderate, the relationship between the equilibrium tariff and CSR level is an inverted U‐shape. We further consider the policy implications under sequential moves of firms.
Influence of the bile acid/microbiota axis in ileal surgery: a systematic review
Authors: Senanayake Tharindu , Makanyengo Samwel , Hoedt Emily C. , Goggins Bridie , Smith Stephen R. , Keely Simon
Published: January 2024

Aim

The gastrointestinal bile acid (BA)/microbiota axis has emerged as a potential mediator of health and disease, particularly in relation to pathologies such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and colorectal cancer. Whilst it presents an exciting new avenue for therapies, it has not yet been characterized in surgical resection of the ileum, where BA reabsorption occurs. The identification of BA/microbiota signatures may provide future therapies with perioperative personalized medicine. In this work we conduct a systematic review with the aim of investigating the microbiome and BA changes that are associated with resection of the ileum.

Method

The databases included were MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science and Cochrane libraries. The outcomes of interest were faecal microbiome and BA signatures after ileal resection.

Results

Of the initial 3106 articles, three studies met the inclusion/exclusion criteria for data extraction. A total of 257 patients (46% surgery, 54% nonsurgery controls) were included in the three studies. Two studies included patients with short bowel syndrome and the other included patients with IBD. Large‐scale microbiota changes were reported. In general, alpha diversity had decreased amongst patients with ileal surgery. Phylum‐level changes included decreased Bacteroidetes and increased Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria in patients with an intestinal resection. Surgery was associated with increased total faecal BAs, cholic acid and chenodeoxycholic acid. There were decreases in deoxycholic acid and glycine and taurine conjugated bile salts. Integrated BA and microbiota data identified correlations with several bacterial families and BA.

Conclusion

The BA/microbiota axis is still a novel area with minimal observational data in surgery. Further mechanistic research is necessary to further explore this and identify its role in improving perioperative outcomes.
Development and pilot testing of a patient‐reported outcome measure to assess symptoms of parastomal hernia
Authors: Blazeby Jane M. , Murkin Charlotte , Rooshenas Leila , Elliott Daisy , Avery Kerry , Chalmers Katy , Cousins Sian , Pinkney Thomas , Blencowe Natalie , Reeves Barnaby C. , Smart Neil
Published: January 2024

Aim

The aim was to develop and pilot a patient‐reported outcome measure (PROM) to assess symptoms of parastomal hernia (PSH).

Methods

Standard questionnaire development was undertaken (phases 1–3). An initial list of questionnaire domains was identified from validated colorectal cancer PROMs and from semi‐structured interviews with patients with a PSH and health professionals (phase 1). Domains were operationalized into items in a provisional questionnaire, and ‘think‐aloud’ patient interviews explored face validity and acceptability (phase 2). The updated questionnaire was piloted in patients with a stoma who had undergone colorectal surgery and had a computed tomography scan available for review. Patient‐reported symptoms were examined in relation to PSH (phase 3). Three sources determined PSH presence: (i) data about PSH presence recorded in hospital notes, (ii) independent expert review of the computed tomography scan and (iii) patient report of being informed of a PSH by a health professional.

Results

For phase 1, 169 and 127 domains were identified from 70 PROMs and 29 interviews respectively. In phase 2, 14 domains specific to PSH were identified and operationalized into questionnaire items. Think‐aloud interviews led to three minor modifications. In phase 3, 44 completed questionnaires were obtained. Missing data were few: 5/660 items. PSH symptom scores associated with PSH presence varied between different data sources. The scale with the most consistent differences between PSH presence and absence and all data sources was the stoma appearance scale.

Conclusion

A PROM to examine the symptoms of PSH has been developed from the literature and views of key informants. Although preliminary testing shows it to be understandable and acceptable it is uncertain if it is sensitive to PSH‐specific symptoms and further psychometric testing is needed.
Geographies of storage
Authors: Randle Sayd
Published: January 2024

Resource storage has long played a key role in the production of socio‐ecological arrangements and economic relations. Even so, storage as a concept has remained somewhat marginal within geographical scholarship, often obscured by an analytical focus on the dynamics of movement. Reviewing recent works from geography, science and technology studies, and anthropology that center sites and practices of storage, this essay elaborates the diverse ways in which storage arrangements mediate resource circulation and the production of space. This literature demonstrates that thinking systematically with storage can illuminate a range of novel temporal, material, and value entanglements in‐the‐making, pointing to potentially fruitful avenues for future research.
How to mobilise users' experiential knowledge in the evaluation of advanced technologies and practices in Quebec? The example of the permanent users' and relatives' panel
Authors: Pomey Marie‐Pascale , Pelaez Sandra , Le Roux Enora , Demers‐Payette Oliver , Sirois Marie‐Claude , Lochhead Louis , Ganache Isabelle , Normandin Louise , L'Espérance Audrey , de Guise Michèle
Published: January 2024

Introduction

With the purpose of supporting scientific professionals and helping them to better integrate the expertise of users in their work, a users' and relatives' panel (URP) was set up at the National Institute for Excellence in Health and Social Services in Quebec (INESSS), Canada for the social services and mental health directorate. URPs are advisory structures that mobilise the experiential knowledge of people affected by various issues.

Objectives

The objective of this study is to assess from a diverse stakeholders' perceptions: (1) the experience of developing and implementing the URP within the context of an Agencies for Health Technology Assessment and Assessment of Social Services (AHTAASS), (2) the contribution of such a URP, (3) the challenges encountered and (4) the perspectives of improvement for the following years.

Methodology

We conducted a qualitative descriptive evaluation study. Nineteen interviews were conducted: six with URP members and 13 with staff representatives. The documents related to the creation of the panel, the URP minutes summarising the discussions and the reports published during that period were collected and analysed. Following a preliminary round of data analysis, a debriefing meeting was conducted with a few participants to validate the results.

Results

The panel was set up as part of the INESSS' desire to better integrate experiential knowledge into its recommendations. Twelve projects were presented to the panel on various themes. The URP enabled health professionals to consider dimensions they had not identified, to better integrate the experiential data collected from users into their work and to develop recommendations that made more sense to users. Panel members and INESSS professionals learned to work together, moving the working methods from consultation to collaboration and even coconstruction. Based on the panel's significant contribution, the INESSS decided to maintain it and to strengthen its place in its system to better integrate the experiential knowledge of users into its work.

Conclusion

This research illustrates how AHTAASS can set up a URP composed exclusively of users, and how it can contribute and be evaluated. It shows that URPs are structures that value the sharing of experiential knowledge of its members, humanise decision‐making and give meaning to the work done by scientific professionals.

Patient or Public Contribution

One patient–researcher has contributed to the preparation and writing of this manuscript.
Responses of the hyper‐diverse community of canopy‐dwelling Hymenoptera to oak decline
Authors: Le Souchu E. , Cours J. , Cochenille T. , Bouget C. , Bankhead‐Dronnet S. , Braet Y. , Burguet P. , Gabard C. , Galkowski C. , Gereys B. , Herbrecht F. , Joncour B. , Marhic E. , Michez D. , Buhl P. Neerup , Noblecourt T. , Notton D. G. , Penigot W. , Rasplus J.‐Y. , Robert T. , Staverlokk A. , Vincent‐Barbaroux C. , Sallé A.
Published: January 2024

Forest decline and dieback are growing phenomena worldwide, resulting in severe, large‐scale degradation of the canopy. This can profoundly alter the provision of trophic resources and microhabitats for canopy‐dwelling arthropods.

In 2019, we assessed the effect of oak decline on the community of canopy‐dwelling Hymenoptera. We selected 21 oak stands and 42 plots, located in three forests in France, presenting contrasting levels of decline. Insects were sampled at the canopy level with green multi‐funnel and flight‐interception traps.

We collected a particularly diverse community of 19,289 insect individuals belonging to 918 taxa, 10 larval trophic guilds and 7 nesting guilds.

Oak decline had no effect on the abundance or richness of the overall community but significantly reshaped the community assemblages. Decline had contrasting effects depending on the taxa and guilds considered. Specialist parasitoids were more abundant at intermediate levels of decline severity while generalists were negatively affected. Taxa depending on ground‐related resources and microhabitats were promoted. Saproxylic taxa were more abundant while xylophagous insects were negatively impacted.

Reduced leaf area index promoted several guilds and the diversity of the overall community. While an increasing tree mortality rate enhanced the abundance and diversity of deadwood resources, it had negative impacts on several Hymenoptera guilds. Our results suggest that micro‐environmental changes at the ground level due to canopy decline have major cascading effects on the communities of canopy‐dwelling Hymenoptera.

Our study highlights the relevance of studying Hymenoptera communities to investigate the outcomes of disturbances on forest biodiversity.
Self‐templated magnesiothermic reduction of ORMOSIL particles to monodisperse hollow spherical SiC composite particles
Authors: Jung Gyu Il , Lim Hyung Jun , Lee Sang Min , Koo Sang Man
Published: January 2024

Hollow silicon carbide (SiC) particles have attracted attention due to their well‐defined morphology, low density, and large surface area that can be leveraged for a wide variety of applications. Here, we report the self‐templated synthesis of monodisperse hollow spherical SiC composite particles with controllable shell thicknesses using magnesiothermic reduction of organically modified silica (ORMOSIL) particles. Monodisperse ORMOSIL particles containing three organic groups of methyl, vinyl, and mercaptopropyl were produced by a simple one‐pot sol–gel process and then converted to hollow spherical SiC composite particles via a magnesiothermic reduction at 700°C under an inert atmosphere. The spherical morphologies of the original ORMOSIL particles were well maintained through this self‐templated conversion process, but the sizes of the hollow SiC particles were slightly reduced by the thermal treatment. Field emission transmission electron microscopy studies revealed that the shell of hollow particles mainly consists of primary β‐SiC particles with nanometer‐scale sizes. The physical and chemical properties of the hollow SiC composite particles were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman, and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. The shell thickness of hollow spherical SiC composite particles can be controlled by simply changing the duration of the thermal conversion process. This study not only provides a simple and easy approach for the preparation of hollow spherical SiC particles but also opens the possibility of large‐scale manufacturing of such particles for commercial applications.
Conduction time around the mitral valve annulus has the potential to rule out postablation perimitral atrial tachycardia
Authors: Hara Satoshi , Miwa Naoyuki , Kusa Shigeki , Sato Yoshikazu , Doi Junichi , Nakata Tadanori , Hirano Hidenori , Ishizawa Taiki , Hachiya Hitoshi
Published: January 2024

Introduction

It would be helpful in determining ablation strategy if the occurrence of perimitral atrial tachycardia (PMAT) could be predicted in advance. We investigated whether estimated perimitral conduction time (E‐PMCT), namely, twice the time between coronary sinus (CS) pacing and the ensuing wave‐front collision at the opposite side of the mitral annulus, correlated with the cycle length of PMAT and could predict future PMAT.

Methods and Results

We retrospectively (retrospective cohort) and prospectively (validation cohort) investigated atrial fibrillation patients who had received pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and in whom left atrial maps had been created during CS pacing. We calculated their E‐PMCT. PMAT was observed either by provocation or during follow‐up in 25, AT other than PMAT was observed in 24 (non‐PMAT AT group), and 53 patients never displayed any AT (no‐AT group) in the retrospective cohort. In the PMAT group of the retrospective cohort, a strong positive correlation was observed between the PMAT CL and E‐PMCT (r = .85, p < 0.001). PMAT was never induced nor observed in patients with E‐PMCT less than 176 ms, and the best cut‐off value for PMAT was 180 ms by receiver‐operating characteristic curve analysis. In the validation cohort of 76 patients, the cut‐off value of the E‐PMAT less than 180 ms predicted noninducibility of PMAT, with a sensitivity of 78.6%, specificity of 100%, positive predictive value of 100%, and negative predictive value of 25.0%.

Conclusion

Short E‐PMCT may predict noninducibility of PMAT and guide a less invasive ablation strategy.