bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transforming museums with technology and digital innovations: a scoping review of research literature
Authors: Tham Aaron , Liu Yulin , Loo Poh Theng
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This study aims to survey the existing body of knowledge about digital innovation within museums. Academic and practitioner interest in digital innovation has been piqued as technological advances that enable the rapid personalisation of information to cater towards increasingly sophisticated end-user expectations. Yet, the literature on digital innovation in the museum environment appears fragmented and lacks theoretical grounding.

Design/methodology/approach

Drawing on a systematic scoping review of 199 articles published during 2010–2021, this paper provides an initial indication of the size and scope of current research literature on digital innovation of museums.

Findings

This literature review elucidates the status quo and future directions of digital innovation in museum space. An integral conceptual framework is proposed to provide a comprehensive lens to steer future research and practice in this area in a theoretically grounded and systemic manner.

Originality/value

This study mixes both quantitative and qualitative analyses of the literature to produce an up-to-date understanding of extant research by illuminating inspiring processes, foregrounding commonly encountered challenges, framing theoretical and practical implications and proposing avenues for future research.
Rethinking tourism: where is it going and how will it impact people and planet?
Authors: Costa Jorge , Montenegro Mónica , Gomes João
Published: October 2023

Purpose

In this article, the authors introduce the strategic question and demonstrate its relevance to society and for organizations. They also profile the articles selected for the annual global trends issue and explain how they illustrate the various angles on how tourism is impacting people and the planet.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors draw on a review of their previous research and other available information and on the articles selected to identify how tourism is impacting people and the planet. A brief explanation of the positions and proposals presented by the global trends issue authors as well as their key contributions is also presented.

Findings

From the analysis undertaken by the authors, it is clear that there is a need to rethink tourism in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is even more important as the tourism industry has already recovered to 2019 levels (pre-pandemic performance) and is expected to break new records by the end of 2023. As the authors reach this milestone, the choice now is either to continue to follow the traditional pre-pandemic model of tourism development and growth or to take the opportunity to rethink where the tourism industry is heading and how it will impact people and the planet. The authors advocate for the second option, supported by research undertaken by the authors in recent years that clearly shows the favourable impact of tourism and why it must be treated and developed with society in mind. This involves use of resources in a sustainable way and distributing the outcomes among all those involved in the process.

Originality/value

In this introductory article, the authors contextualize the strategic question and demonstrate its relevance to society and for organizations. They also analyze the context of growth that the tourism industry has gone through since the end of 2022 and highlight the perspectives offered by a team of experts invited to reflect on the theme underlying the strategic question.
Root plasticity benefits a global invasive species in eutrophic coastal wetlands
Authors: Liu Hao , Zhang Yan , Xu Xiao , Li Songshuo , Wu Jihua , Li Bo , Nie Ming
Published: October 2023

Invasive species usually benefit more than native species from increases in nutrient availability. Phenotypic plasticity in above‐ground traits has often been used to explain the superiority of invasive species in response to increased nutrient availability. However, it remains largely unclear whether and how root trait plasticity predicts the ascendancy of invasive plants following nutrient enrichment.

Using a 3‐year field nitrogen (N) enrichment experiment, we evaluated the effect of N enrichment on the root traits and growth performance of a globally invasive cordgrass, Spartina alterniflora, and a co‐occurring native plant, Phragmites australis.

We found that S. alterniflora exhibited high plasticity in root traits in response to N enrichment, whereas the root traits of P. australis largely remained unresponsive to fertilization. Specifically, in response to N enrichment, S. alterniflora decreased soil exploitation with a lower length ratio of lateral to adventitious roots. However, the root traits of S. alterniflora shifted to be more acquisitive under N enrichment with higher root N concentrations and lower root tissue density. Moreover, there were a series of anatomical adjustments in the adventitious roots of S. alterniflora in response to N enrichment, such as a thicker diameter, lower living cortex‐to‐stele ratio and higher xylem‐to‐root area ratio. These plastic adjustments in root traits jointly resulted in fast nutrient uptake and transportation in S. alterniflora, boosting its above‐ground productivity under fertile N conditions.

Our study demonstrated that greater plasticity in root traits enables a globally successful invasive species to take advantages of increased nutrient availability, potentially increasing its invasiveness. We suggest that consideration of root traits can improve our understanding of below‐ground mechanisms underlying invasion under global nutrient enrichment.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Efficient resolution of partnership disputes
Authors: Fershtman Daniel , Szabadi Béla , Wasser Cédric
Published: October 2023

We study efficient resolution of partnership disputes in which, departing from the partnership dissolution literature, dissolution need not be efficient. We characterize which disputes can be resolved efficiently under both one‐ and two‐sided private information, and show that unless a partnership is sufficiently ineffective, efficient resolution is impossible. We propose simple dispute‐resolution procedures implementing the efficient outcome whenever possible. Finally, we characterize second‐best mechanisms when efficient resolution is impossible and private information is one sided.
Evaluating the Role of GDPPer Capita, Air Pollution and Non‐Economic Factors in Determining Health Expenditure: Evidence from Asian Region Using Instrumental Variables Techniques
Authors: Nasreen Samia , Tiwari Aviral Kumar , Nisa Mehr‐un , Ishtiaq Faryal
Published: October 2023

This study investigates the effect of income per capita, air pollution and healthcare services on health expenditure in Asian economies using annual data from 1995 to 2018. The determinants of total health expenditure and public and private sector health expenditures are estimated separately. The Generalised Methods of Moment (GMM) and Instrument Variable Quantile Panel Regression (IVQPR) techniques are employed in this study. The results explain that environmental pollution, the price of health care, urbanisation and the number of hospital beds have positive effects on total health expenditures as well as on public and private health expenditures. Interestingly, income per capita has a negative effect on health expenditure at lower quantiles and a positive at higher quantiles. The proportion of the elderly population has an adverse effect on total health expenditure, while life expectancy shows a positive effect at lower quantiles and a negative effect at higher quantiles on health expenditure. The impact of the number of physicians per capita is found to be negative and significant, while the availability of safe drinking water and education demonstrates a positive effect on health expenditure. Out‐of‐pocket expenditure and technological progress are positively associated with health expenditure. Smoking is a significant determinant of government health expenditure, but it is difficult to determine the trend of smoking prevalence in Asian economies. The outcomes of this study provide some important insights to policymakers, which can be used to design a more efficient healthcare sector in Asian countries.
STAT3modulatesCD4+T mitochondrial dynamics and function in aging
Authors: Zukowski Emelia , Sannella Marco , Rockhold Jack Donato , Kalantar Gabriella H. , Yu Jingting , SantaCruz‐Calvo Sara , Kuhn Madison K. , Hah Nasun , Ouyang Ling , Wang Tzu‐Wen , Murphy Lyanne , Marszalkowski Heather , Gibney Kaleigh , Drummond Micah J. , Proctor Elizabeth A. , Hasturk Hatice , Nikolajczyk Barbara S. , Bharath Leena P.
Published: October 2023

Aging promotes numerous intracellular changes in T cells that impact their effector function. Our data show that aging promotes an increase in the localization of STAT3 to the mitochondria (mitoSTAT3), which promotes changes in mitochondrial dynamics and function and T‐cell cytokine production. Mechanistically, mitoSTAT3 increased the activity of aging T‐cell mitochondria by increasing complex II. Limiting mitoSTAT3 using a mitochondria‐targeted STAT3 inhibitor, Mtcur‐1 lowered complex II activity, prevented age‐induced changes in mitochondrial dynamics and function, and reduced Th17 inflammation. Exogenous expression of a constitutively phosphorylated form of STAT3 in T cells from young adults mimicked changes in mitochondrial dynamics and function in T cells from older adults and partially recapitulated aging‐related cytokine profiles. Our data show the mechanistic link among mitoSTAT3, mitochondrial dynamics, function, and T‐cell cytokine production.
Monitoring spatiotemporal dynamics of large herbivores across an African rangeland using hierarchical multi‐species distance sampling
Authors: Crego Ramiro D. , Wells Harry B. M. , Connette Grant , Stabach Jared A. , Soit Naitareu , Thompson Stewart
Published: October 2023

A relative lack of standardised long‐term monitoring data often limits the ability of African conservancies to quantify their efficacy to protect wildlife. In this study, we combined eight 2‐km long transects surveyed monthly between October 2017 and March 2020 (total 240 transects sampled) with a hierarchical multi‐species and multi‐season distance sampling modelling framework to: (1) estimate monthly density of an ensemble of 10 different large herbivores and (2) understand how species respond to changes in vegetation productivity and time across the Naboisho Conservancy in the Greater Mara Ecosystem, Kenya. We documented a total of 55,298 individuals from 6830 animal groups. The median coefficient of variation for all density estimates was 27.67%. On average, number of groups was higher at intermediate levels of vegetation productivity. We found that in general, populations of large herbivores remained stable in the conservancy during the study period, except for wildebeest which decreased in density. We showed that multi‐species monitoring frameworks can be used to understand how species abundance changes across space and time, providing indications as to how they are responding to environmental dynamics or management prescriptions—both of which are valuable tools for under‐resourced wildlife conservancies.
Lessons learnt from a community‐driven digital social connection pilot program for people living with dementia: A qualitative interview study with key stakeholders
Authors: Gibson Caroline , Yates Mark , Moore Kirsten J.
Published: October 2023

Introduction

In response to COVID‐19 and mandated physical distancing, a new digital social connection program was developed and implemented by the local community in a large regional town in western Victoria, Australia. This pilot program, the Digital Inclusion‐Social Connections (DI‐SC) program, aimed to support people living with dementia to use a digital device to access social connection activities.

Objective

The objective of this study is to inform the local community implementing the DI‐SC program of key stakeholder experience of DI‐SC process and outcomes to support future development and potential translation of digital social connections programs for people living with dementia.

Design

Three semi‐structured focus groups and two interviews were conducted with a total of fifteen participants. Data was transcribed verbatim and thematically analysed.

Findings

Three main themes were identified describing factors as influencing the process and outcomes of the DI‐SC program: understanding dementia; personal choice and control; and service planning and coordination. Six sub‐themes were identified: matching capability; establishing a relationship; creating opportunities for different interactions; ownership of the device, program coordination and defining the volunteer digital mentor role.

Conclusion

Key stakeholders perceived the DI‐SC program as an acceptable way of supporting people living with dementia to engage in activities they found enjoyable promoting social connection with care partners and others. DI‐SC program outcomes were impacted by inappropriate training and a lack of program coordination. The findings of this study may inform future development and implementation of digital social connection programs for vulnerable populations at risk of social isolation.
Postoperative results of modified Karydakis flap method for primary sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus disease: short and long‐term analysis
Authors: Erdoğrul Güven
Published: October 2023

Background

Sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus is a common surgical condition that requires various treatment options. This study aims to investigate the short and long‐term outcomes of the modified Karydakis flap method in patients with sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus.

Methods

A retrospective analysis was conducted on 175 patients who underwent the modified Karydakis flap method for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus by a single surgeon between September 2015 and February 2021. The patients' demographics, operative time, hospitalization time and complications were recorded.

Results

Of the 175 patients, 125 (71.43%) were male and 50 (28.57%) were female, with a mean age of 24.93 ± 10.27 years. The mean operative time was 55.05 ± 12.33 min, the follow‐up time was 39.21 ± 17.58 months, and the mean hospitalization time was 3.4 ± 1.65 days. Complications were observed in 12 (6.85%) patients, including seroma (5.14%) and wound infection (1.71%), with no observed cases of flap necrosis or recurrence.

Conclusion

The modified Karydakis flap method appears to be a safe and effective treatment option for sacrococcygeal pilonidal sinus, with an acceptable complication rate and no observed cases of recurrence.
Significant effects of childhood obesity treatment with a web‐based component in a randomised controlled study (Web‐COP)
Authors: Thorén Annelie , Filipsson Tobias , Englund Erling , Sandström Olof , Janson Annika , Silfverdal Sven Arne
Published: October 2023

Aim

We evaluated the effect on body mass index standard deviation score (BMI‐SDS) of a combined treatment (Web‐COP) for children with obesity, including a web‐based component targeting their parents.

Methods

This randomised controlled trial recruited children 5–12 years of age with obesity (International Obesity Task Force BMI [IOTF‐BMI] ≥30 kg/m2) from school health care and outpatient paediatric clinics in in Northern Sweden from 1 June 2019 to 21 June 2020. The children were randomised to Web‐COP, an intervention with group sessions and a 12‐week web‐based component, or standard care. The primary outcome was the change in IOTF BMI‐SDS after 6 months.

Results

In total, 75 children (33 girls), mean age 9.5 years, were randomised, and 65/75 (87%) children and their parents completed the study, 35/39 (90%) in the Web‐COP intervention and 30/36 (83%) in the standard care group. BMI‐SDS at 6 months was changed from 3.08 to 2.81 in the intervention group compared to an increase from 3.07 to 3.16 in the standard care group, representing a significant difference between groups (p < 0.001). In the intervention group, 14/30 (47%) reduced their BMI‐SDS ≥0.25, compared to none in the standard care group.

Conclusion

The parent‐focused intervention significantly improved BMI‐SDS in children with obesity as compared to children in standard care.
Percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage versus endoscopic gallbladder stenting for managing acute cholecystitis until laparoscopic cholecystectomy
Authors: Tanaka Kuniya , Takano Yuichi , Kigawa Gaku , Shiozawa Toshimitsu , Takahashi Yuki , Nagahama Masatsugu
Published: October 2023

Introduction

Gallbladder drainage by methods such as percutaneous transhepatic gallbladder drainage (PTGBD) or endoscopic gallbladder stenting (EGBS) is important in the early management of moderate to severe acute cholecystitis.

Methods

In patients undergoing laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) for acute cholecystitis after a month or more of gallbladder drainage, the clinical course was compared between patients initially treated with PTGBD or EGBS.

Results

Among 331 patients undergoing LC for cholecystitis between 2018 and 2022, 43 first underwent 1 or more months of gallbladder drainage. The median interval between drainage initiation and LC was 89 days (range, 28–261) among 34 patients with PTGBD and 70 days (range, 62–188) among nine with EGBS (p = 0.644). During this waiting period, PTGBD was clamped in six patients and removed in five. Cholecystitis relapsed in three PTGBD patients (9%) and four EGBS patients (44%; p = 0.026). Relapses were managed with medications. Cholecystectomy duration (p = 0.022), intraoperative blood loss (p = 0.026), frequency of abdominal drain insertion (p = 0.023), and resort to bailout surgery such as fundus‐first approaches (p = 0.030) were significantly greater in patients with EGBS. Postoperative complications were somewhat likelier (p = 0.095) and postoperative hospital stays were longer (p = 0.007) in the EGBS group.

Conclusion

Among patients whose LC was performed 1 or more months after initiation of drainage, daily living during the waiting period associated with drainage was well supported by EGBS, but LC and the postoperative course were more complicated than in PTGBD patients.
Factors influencing the impact of randomized clinical trials on dental implants: A bibliometric analysis
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed Ahmed Hassan , do Amaral Guilherme Castro Lima Silva , Souza Nathalia Vilela , Elagami Rokaia Ahmed , Sendyk Daniel Isaac , Pannuti Claudio Mendes , Mendes Fausto Medeiros , Raggio Daniela Prócida , Villar Cristina C. , Romito Giuseppe A.
Published: October 2023

Objective

To analyze bibliometrics, characteristics, and the risk of bias of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on dental implants published in six high‐impact factor journals and to identify factors contributing to citation number.

Materials and Methods

A systematic electronic search was conducted in four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) to identify RCTs on dental implants published in six dental journals between 2016 and 2017. Twenty‐five bibliometric variables and paper characteristics were extracted to evaluate their contribution to the citation count. Risk of bias analysis was performed using the RoB2 tool. Negative binomial regression was used to examine the effects of predictor variables on the Citation count. Significance level was set to 5%.

Results

A total of 150 RCTs included received a cumulative citation count of 3452 until July 2022. In the negative binomial regression analysis, open‐access RCTs exhibited 60% more citations, and RCTs that presented statistical significance received 46% more citations. Conversely, first author affiliations from Africa, Asia and Oceania continents showed 49% fewer citations than publications from Europe. Regarding the risk of bias, 73.3% of the RCTs had some concerns, while 26% were deemed to have a high risk of bias. Only one RCT (0.07%) showed a low risk of bias.

Conclusion

Within the limitation of the study, factors such as open access, statistically significant results, and country influence the number of citations received by the RCTs on dental implants.
The safety and efficacy of total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery following dose‐escalation: Surgical outcomes from the organ preservation in early rectal adenocarcinoma (OPERA) trial, a European multicentre phase 3 randomised trial (NCT02505750)
Authors: Sun Myint Arthur , Rao Christopher , Barbet Nicolas , Thamphya Brice , Pace‐Loscos Tanguy , Schiappa Renaud , Magné Nicolas , Martel‐Lafay Isabelle , Mineur Laurent , Deberne Melanie , Zilli Thomas , Dhadda Amandeep , Gerard Jean Pierre
Published: October 2023

Aim

Nonsurgical treatment with chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer is gaining interest as it avoids total mesorectal excision (TME) surgery and stoma. The OPERA trial aims to evaluate whether dose escalation with contact X‐ray brachytherapy (CXB) boost improves organ preservation compared to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) boost. It has been suggested that dose escalation adversely affects surgical outcomes and therefore we report outcomes following TME in OPERA at 36 months.

Methods

OPERA is a European multicentre phase 3 trial (NCT02505750) which randomises patients with cT2‐3a‐b, cN0‐1, M0 to EBCRT (45 Gy in 25 fractions over 5 weeks with oral capecitabine 825 mg/m2) followed by EBRT boost (9 Gy in 5 fractions over 5 days) versus EBCRT followed by CXB boost (90 Gy in 3 fractions over 4 weeks). Patients were assessed at 14, 20 and 24 weeks from the start of treatment. Watch and wait management was adopted for patients who achieved a clinical complete response (cCR) at 24 weeks following treatment. Either local excision (LE) or TME surgery was offered for residual disease or local regrowth, according to patient and surgeon preference. Surgical morbidity and mortality were recorded prospectively.

Results

Between July 2015 and June 2020, 148 patients were randomised of which 141 were evaluable in March 2022. At median follow‐up of 38.2 months (range: 34.2–42.5), surgery was performed for 66 (47%) patients. A total of 27 (20%) patients had local excision and 39 (29%) had TME surgery, 22/39 (56%) underwent anterior resection and 17/39 (44%) underwent abdominoperineal excision of the rectum. The R0 resection rate was 87%. There were no deaths, and six patients (15%) had Clavien‐Dindo IIIb complications. Whilst there was a statistically significant decrease in the TME rate following CXB boost (HR 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19–0.74, p = 0.00419) there was no difference in surgical outcomes between patients who received EBRT and CXB boost.

Conclusion

Dose escalation can facilitate nonsurgical treatment for cT2‐3 rectal cancer patients who are fit but wish to avoid TME surgery and stoma. If TME surgery is required, then it can be performed safely and effectively.
Does bortezomib influence pre‐transplant desensitization therapy or benefit post‐heart transplant outcomes for highly sensitized patients?
Authors: Dhillon Manvir , Kobashigawa Jon A. , Kittleson Michelle , Jain Rashmi , Patel Nikhil , Singer‐Englar Tahli , Zhang Xiaohai , Hakimi Matthew , Aintablian Tamar , Vescio Robert , Dilibero Deanna , Kransdorf Evan , Czer Lawrence , Nikolova Andriana P. , Patel Jignesh K.
Published: October 2023

Background

The use of bortezomib which is a proteasome inhibitor has been demonstrated to be efficacious in small number of patients as a desensitization strategy in heart transplant. We reviewed our single center's experience using Bortezomib along with plasmapheresis as desensitization therapy for highly sensitized patients to assess pre‐ and post‐transplant outcomes.

Method

We assessed 43 highly sensitized patients awaiting HTx (defined as cPRA > 50%) between 2010 and 2021 who underwent desensitization therapy with bortezomib. Only those patients who subsequently underwent HTx were included in this study. Enrolled patients received up to four doses of bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) over 2 weeks in conjunction with plasmapheresis. The efficacy of PP/BTZ was assessed by comparing the calculated panel reactive antibodies to HLA class I or class II antigens. Post‐transplant outcomes including overall survival and incidence of rejection were compared to those of non‐sensitized patients (PRA < 10%, n = 649) from the same center.

Results

The average cPRA prior to PP/BTZ was 94.5%. Post‐PP/BTZ there was no statistically significant decline in mean cPRA, class I cPRA, or class II cPRA, though the average percentage decrease in class I cPRA (8.7 ± 17.0%) was higher than the change in class II cPRA (4.4 ± 13.3%). Resulted were also replicated with C1q‐binding antibodies showing more effect on I class compared to class II (15.0 ± 37.4% vs. 6.8 ± 33.6%) as well as with 1:8 dilutional assay (14.0 ± 23.0% vs. 9.1 ± 34.9%). Additionally, PP/BTZ treated patients and the control group of non‐sensitized patients had similar overall 1 year survival (95.4 vs. 92.5%) but patients with PP/BTZ had increased incidence of AMR (79.1% vs. 97.1%, p = < .001), any treated rejection (62.8% vs. 86.7%, p = < .001) and de novo DSA development (81.4% vs. 92.5%, p = .007). Major side effects of PP/BTZ included thrombocytopenia (42%), infection requiring antibiotics (28%), and neuropathy (12%).

Conclusion

The use of bortezomib in highly sensitized patients does not significantly lower circulating antibodies prior to heart transplantation. However, its use may improve the chances of obtaining an immuno‐compatible donor heart and contribute to acceptable post‐transplant outcomes.
Impact of posaconazole and diltiazem on pharmacokinetics of encorafenib, a BRAF V600 kinase inhibitor for melanoma and colorectal cancer with BRAF mutations
Authors: Hahn Erik , Chavira Renae , Wollenberg Lance , Tan Weiwei , Reddy Micaela B.
Published: October 2023

Encorafenib is a potent and selective ATP competitive inhibitor of BRAF V600–mutant kinase approved for patients with BRAF‐mutant melanoma and colorectal cancer. Encorafenib is mainly metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 3A4 in vitro and may be susceptible to drug–drug interactions when co‐administered with CYP3A inhibitors or inducers. The primary objective was to assess the impact of the strong CYP3A inhibitor posaconazole (part 1) and the moderate CYP3A and P‐gp inhibitor diltiazem (part 2) on encorafenib pharmacokinetics in healthy volunteers following a single 50‐mg dose. A total of 32 participants were enrolled (16 each in parts 1 and 2). The area under the curve extrapolated to infinity (AUCinf) and maximum plasma concentration (Cmax) geometric mean for encorafenib increased by 183% and 68.4%, respectively, when co‐administered with posaconazole. Apparent encorafenib clearance decreased from 26.0 to 9.2 L/h when coadministered with posaconazole, and plasma terminal half‐life (t½) of encorafenib increased from 4.3 to 7.3 h. The AUCinf and Cmax geometric mean for encorafenib increased by 83.0% and 44.7%, respectively, when co‐administered with diltiazem. Similarly, the apparent encorafenib clearance decreased from 29.0 to 16.0 L/h when co‐administered with diltiazem, and plasma t½ of encorafenib increased from 6.6 to 7.9 h. There were no deaths, serious adverse events (AEs), or patient discontinuations due to AEs in parts 1 or 2. The most frequently reported treatment‐related AEs were erythema (n = 14; 88%) and headache (n = 11; 69%) in part 1 and headache (n = 7; 44%) in part 2. The results of this study indicate that co‐administration of encorafenib with strong or moderate CYP3A4 inhibitors should be avoided.
An isolated mid‐anterolateral wall true ventricular aneurysm due to coronary artery disease
Authors: Binder M. Scott , Williams Eric , Heletz Ido
Published: October 2023

Aneurysms following a myocardial infarction usually involve the apical wall segments. We present a case of a rare isolated mid‐anterolateral wall aneurysm due to occlusion of a diagonal branch. We review the echocardiographic criteria for diagnosing a left ventricular (LV) aneurysm and discuss how to differentiate one from a more critical pseudoaneurysm. We demonstrate the utility of using ultrasound enhancing contrast and review imaging protocols for ruling out associated LV thrombus.
Phenotype predicts interspecific dominance hierarchies in a cloud‐forest hummingbird guild
Authors: Fernandez‐Duque Facundo , Miller Eliot T. , Fernandez‐Duque Matias , Falk Jay , Venable Gabriela , Rabinowicz Sophie , Becker C. Dustin , Hauber Mark E.
Published: October 2023

Competition over resources often leads to intra‐ and interspecific interactions, which can be detrimental to the individuals involved. Thus, natural selection should favor communication systems that reliably convey information regarding the relative competitive abilities of an individual, reducing the need for physically damaging confrontation. Body size, sex, age, relatedness, and ornamentation are important factors determining dominance across diverse taxa in intraspecific interactions. These traits, when perceptible, may serve as signals across species in guilds that have frequent interspecific interactions. Hummingbirds provide a tractable system to study such community dynamics due to their high frequency of interactions, variable ornamentation, diverse body sizes, fast metabolism, and large overlap in resource utilization. Even in this system, potential interactions between morphology and coloration are rarely accounted for together when analyzing dominance between species. We take a novel approach to understanding interspecific dominance by assessing behavior, morphology, and coloration across different types of behavioral interactions. Across 11 tropical montane hummingbird species, we find that dominance is predicted by wing size and some metrics of plumage coloration. However, the biological significance of these factors varies between the different dominance behaviors performed. These results inform our understanding of interspecific signaling and its role in the evolution of intraguild communication and resource competition.
Guiana dolphins use mangrove margins as a natural barrier to chase fish prey
Authors: Pierry Julia C. , Morete Maria E. , Monteiro‐Filho Emygdio L. A. , Teixeira Clarissa R.
Published: October 2023

The behavioral plasticity among and within cetacean species can be driven by their prey sources, local adaptations to environmental features, and/or interactions with human activities. One of the tactics displayed by cetaceans is the barrier feeding, in which individuals or groups herd fish schools against natural and non‐natural barriers to restrict movements of their prey. Coastal odontocetes, for example, are known for using shorelines and underwater slopes to trap their prey. Here, we documented two distinct populations of Guiana dolphin using the mangrove margins as a natural barrier to herd and capture fish. The observations took place in the Cananéia estuary, São Paulo State, southeastern Brazil, and in the Paranaguá estuary, Paraná State, southern Brazil. A total of 63 dolphins over eight encounters were observed performing six different events using mangroves as a natural barrier, summing both study areas. These findings not only expand our understanding of the behavior plasticity of the species but also call attention to the importance of the mangrove ecosystem directly to Guiana dolphins and indirectly to the components of their food web.
A demo‐genetic model shows how silviculture reduces natural density‐dependent selection in tree populations
Authors: Godineau Claire , Fririon Victor , Beudez Nicolas , de Coligny François , Courbet François , Ligot Gauthier , Oddou‐Muratorio Sylvie , Sanchez Leopoldo , Lefèvre François
Published: October 2023

Biological production systems and conservation programs benefit from and should care for evolutionary processes. Developing evolution‐oriented strategies requires knowledge of the evolutionary consequences of management across timescales. Here, we used an individual‐based demo‐genetic modelling approach to study the interactions and feedback between tree thinning, genetic evolution, and forest stand dynamics. The model combines processes that jointly drive survival and mating success—tree growth, competition and regeneration—with genetic variation of quantitative traits related to these processes. In various management and disturbance scenarios, the evolutionary rates predicted by the coupled demo‐genetic model for a growth‐related trait, vigor, fit within the range of empirical estimates found in the literature for wild plant and animal populations. We used this model to simulate non‐selective silviculture and disturbance scenarios over four generations of trees. We characterized and quantified the effect of thinning frequencies and intensities and length of the management cycle on viability selection driven by competition and fecundity selection. The thinning regimes had a drastic long‐term effect on the evolutionary rate of vigor over generations, potentially reaching 84% reduction, depending on management intensity, cycle length and disturbance regime. The reduction of genetic variance by viability selection within each generation was driven by changes in genotypic frequencies rather than by gene diversity, resulting in low‐long‐term erosion of the variance across generations, despite short‐term fluctuations within generations. The comparison among silviculture and disturbance scenarios was qualitatively robust to assumptions on the genetic architecture of the trait. Thus, the evolutionary consequences of management result from the interference between human interventions and natural evolutionary processes. Non‐selective thinning, as considered here, reduces the intensity of natural selection, while selective thinning (on tree size or other criteria) might reduce or reinforce it depending on the forester's tree choice and thinning intensity.
Global warming changes biomass and C:N:P stoichiometry of different components in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Wan Lingfan , Liu Guohua , Cheng Hao , Yang Shishuai , Shen Yu , Su Xukun
Published: October 2023

Global warming has significantly affected terrestrial ecosystems. Biomass and C:N:P stoichiometry of plants and soil is crucial for enhancing plant productivity, improving human nutrition, and regulating biogeochemical cycles. However, the effect of warming on the biomass and C:N:P stoichiometry of different components (plant, leaf, stem, root, litter, soil, and microbial biomass) in various terrestrial ecosystems remains uncertain. We conducted a comprehensive meta‐analysis to investigate the global patterns of biomass and C:N:P stoichiometry responses to warming, as well as interaction relationships based on 1399 paired observations from 105 warming studies. Results indicated that warming had a significant impact on various aspects of plant growth, including an increase in plant biomass (+16.55%), plant C:N ratio (+4.15%), leaf biomass (+16.78%), stem biomass (+23.65%), root biomass (+22.00%), litter C:N ratio (+9.54%) and soil C:N ratio (+5.64%). However, it also decreased stem C:P ratio (−23.34%), root C:P ratio (−12.88%), soil N:P ratio (−14.43%) and soil C:P ratio (−16.33%). The magnitude of warming was the primary drivers of changes of biomass and C:N:P stoichiometry. By establishing the general response curves of changes in biomass and C:N:P ratios with increasing temperature, we demonstrated that warming effect on plant, root, and litter biomass shifted from negative to positive, whereas that on leaf and stem biomass changed from positive to negative as temperature increased. Additionally, the effect of warming on root C:N ratio, root biomass, and microbial biomass N:P ratios shifted from positive to negative, whereas the effects on plant N:P, leaf N:P, leaf C:P, root N:P ratios, and microbial biomass C:N ratio changed from negative to positive with increasing temperature. Our research can help assess plant productivity and optimize ecosystem stoichiometry precisely in the context of global warming.
Metabolites in aging and aging‐relevant diseases: Frailty, sarcopenia and cognitive decline
Authors: Kondoh Hiroshi , Kameda Masahiro
Published: October 2023

Aging shows biologically complex features with high individual variability, which reflects the exposure to several stimuli and the adaptation to them. Among them, metabolic changes are well observed as consequences or possible causes of aging. Calorie restriction extends organismal life span in experimental models. Several metabolites; for example, resveratrol or nicotinamide mononucleotide, are reported to mimic calorie restriction effects in vivo. Metabolomic research would be useful to evaluate metabolites as biomarkers in aging‐relevant events and to identify metabolic regulation of aging. We recently developed the metabolomic approach for whole blood analysis, which functions as strong tool for this purpose. We review the update findings in aging‐relevant metabolites detected by this method. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 44–48.
Leukemia inhibitory factor shortens primary cilia by upregulating C‐C motif chemokine 2 in human neural stem/progenitor cells
Authors: Takahashi Hisashi , Fujimoto Takahiro , Yaoi Takeshi , Fushiki Shinji , Itoh Kyoko
Published: October 2023

Primary cilia on neural stem/progenitor cells (NSPCs) play an important role in determining cell fate, although the regulatory mechanisms involved in the ciliogenesis remain largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effect of the leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) for the primary cilia in immortalized human NSPCs. LIF withdrawal elongated the primary cilia length, whereas the addition of LIF shortened it. Microarray gene expression analysis revealed that differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with LIF treatment were related with the multiple cytokine signaling pathways. Among the DEGs, C‐C motif chemokine 2 (CCL2) had the highest ranking and its increase in the protein concentration in the NSPCs‐conditioned medium after the LIF treatment was confirmed by ELISA. Interestingly, we found that CCL2 was a negative regulator of cilium length, and LIF‐induced shortening of primary cilia was antagonized by CCL2‐specific antibody, suggesting that LIF could influence cilia length via upregulating CCL2. The shortening effect of LIF and CCL2 on primary cilia was also observed in SH‐SY5Y cells. The results of the study suggested that the LIF‐CCL2 axis may well be a regulator of NSPCs and its primary cilia length, which could affect multiple cellular processes, including NSPC proliferation and differentiation.
Molinist Thomist Calvinism: A Synthesis
Authors: Luke Sean
Published: October 2023

Abstract: In recent years, attempts to reconcile God's exhaustive providential control over the future and human freedom frequently appeal to Molinism. Through the theory of Middle Knowledge, it is claimed, God can exercise meticulous providence over free creatures while preserving the libertarian agency of those creatures. Historically, both Thomist and Reformed theologians have critiqued the theory of Middle Knowledge for effectively eliminating God's aseity, making God's knowledge in some sense dependent on some non‐God reality. In this paper, I aim to push the discussion forward by integrating Thomist, Molinist, and Reformed perspectives in the view I call Molinist Thomist Calvinism. By resourcing each of these views, I try to offer a coherent way to affirm God's meticulous providence, including God's unconditional election of some and not others, and morally significant human freedom.
The university in modern South Asia: Historiographical framings between the local and the global
Authors: Ali Meher
Published: October 2023

This essay traces different historiographical framings of the modern university in South Asia. Although the trajectories of this institution are manifold and complex, the university's deep imbrications with colonial expansion and developmentalist ambitions lend it to both national and global perspectives. Focusing on the late colonial to early postcolonial period, I examine how recent scholarship has positioned the university across multiple scales. In particular, I consider how the turn toward global, networked, and “entangled” perspectives — with examples drawn from global intellectual history and the history of international development — suggest fresh approaches, clearing the way for new questions as well as encountering unique limits. Ultimately, these frameworks help reorient the university toward its translocal dimensions: as a site of national imagining, internationalist claim‐making, development meaning‐making, global connectivity, and the transnational circulation of knowledge.
The ecological functions of dung beetles are shaped by multiple dimensions of diversity
Authors: Rivera Jose D. , de los Monteros Alejandro Espinosa , Favila Mario E.
Published: October 2023

A mechanistic understanding of the relationship between multiple dimensions of species diversity and ecosystem functioning is needed to safeguard ecological processes critical to human well‐being.

We evaluated how taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic diversities, as well as the assembly mechanisms of dung beetle communities, percent forest cover and landscape fragmentation, affect dung burial, soil excavation efficiency and dung fly larvae abundance in Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, a complex tropical landscape. Dung beetle functions were measured in 15 landscapes representing a gradient of forest cover loss (0%–100%).

Phylogenetically clustered assemblages of large tunneler dung beetles showed the highest dung burial efficiency across the landscape. Fly larvae abundance was negatively correlated with the taxonomic diversity and functional evenness of dung beetles. Forest cover and landscape fragmentation did not significantly affect dung burial effectiveness, suggesting a high degree of functional redundancy.

Dung burial efficacy is mainly driven by selection mechanisms, in which a single or a few phylogenetically close species disproportionately affect a given function. Fly larvae abundance was controlled by a complementary functional effect where each dung beetle species additively affected fly larvae survival. Hence, multiple functions are maintained by contrasting mechanisms and different diversity dimensions. High dung beetle species richness may foster pest fly control in tropical landscapes such as Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve.

Our findings highlight the need to assess multiple dimensions of diversity since each can operate concurrently and contrastingly on the different ecological functions of species assemblages.
A decisional framework for manufacturing relocation: Consolidating and expanding the reshoring debate
Authors: Tsai Tsung‐Yu , Urmetzer Florian
Published: October 2023

With respect to the increasing trend of companies reversing or modifying previous offshoring decisions, research on manufacturing relocation has gained momentum over the past decade. However, despite increasing efforts in this field, the general understanding of relocation still lacks maturity, with numerous conflicting results and arguments from a variety of industrial and regional contexts that are yet to be consolidated. This study uses a systematic literature review method to address this lack of consolidation, contributing to academia in three ways. First, this paper presents a novel decisional framework that involves all of the relevant aspects of a relocation decision based on 158 reviewed papers, laying a solid foundation for theoretical, conceptual and empirical development. Second, it consolidates and disambiguates all of the relevant terminologies used in relocation debates, providing proper logical clarification. Third, we identify 25 gaps in the research across all decisional aspects and propose three integrated research avenues that are critical to the accumulation of knowledge.
Nonpharmacological nursing interventions for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia in acute and subacute settings: A systematic review
Authors: Jesto Sahaya , Considine Julie , Street Maryann
Published: October 2023

Background

Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia are a group of non‐cognitive symptoms such as agitation, physical aggression, depression, sexual disinhibition and psychosis. Therapeutic approaches vary because of the multifactorial and complex symptomology. The researchers of this study aimed to systematically review the nonpharmacological interventions for BPSD used by nurses in acute and subacute hospital settings.

Design

The PRISMA guidelines guided this systematic review. The review was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42020184015).

Method

The databases Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) complete, Medline complete, Excerpta Medica (Embase®) and PsycINFO published by the American Psychological Association (APA) were searched for studies published in English to October 2021. Quality appraisal was performed independently by three reviewers using the Critical Appraisal Skills Program tools. Data were synthesized using a narrative approach.

Results

Two studies were identified that focused on interventions used by nurses; findings were positive for the use of nonpharmacological interventions to manage BPSD.

Conclusion

Current evidence suggests that nonpharmacological interventions are the best practices to manage BPSD. However, limited, and low‐quality evidence suggests that further investigation is required to understand the factors contributing to the lack of use of nonpharmacological interventions by nurses in acute and subacute hospital settings.
The focus on weight in the inpatient care of anorexia nervosa: A qualitative investigation of consumer perspectives
Authors: Zugai Joel Sebastian , Gill Katherine , Molloy Luke , Raeburn Toby , Ramjan Lucie
Published: October 2023

Anorexia nervosa has a high mortality rate and is often treated in the inpatient setting, where close monitoring and medical support are available. Consistent with objective biomedical benchmarks, conventional inpatient treatment is often focussed on weight gain. Consumers report that clinicians provide care focussed on weight and physical restoration without adequate consideration of their full spectrum of needs. The aim of this study was to explore consumers' perspectives of the biomedical focus on weight gain in the inpatient care of anorexia nervosa. This study employed a qualitative approach, involving semistructured interviews, and participants were recruited from relevant social media communities. This study was ethically approved by a university ethics committee and the COREQ checklist ensured ethical reporting. Ten women participated in interviews. Participants reported that the biomedical imperative of weight gain is focussed on at the exclusion of other relevant determinants of well‐being, and the narrow focus on weight gain does not suitably prepare consumers for discharge. The conflict between clinicians' biomedical focus and consumers' broader unmet needs leads to harmful interpersonal dynamics and feelings of invalidation. The inpatient care of anorexia nervosa needs to develop beyond biomedically driven objectives and incorporate the merits of an approach that substantively integrates person‐centred care, therapeutic relationships and trauma‐informed principles.