bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic diversity within diagnostic sputum samples is mirrored in the culture ofMycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Mariner-Llicer Carla , Goig Galo A. , Torres-Puente Manuela , Vashakidze Sergo , Villamayor Luis M. , Saavedra-Cervera Belén , Mambuque Edson , Khurtsilava Iza , Avaliani Zaza , Rosenthal Alex , Gabrielian Andrei , Shurgaia Marika , Shubladze Natalia , García-Basteiro Alberto L. , López Mariana G. , Comas Iñaki
Published: January 2024

CulturingMycobacterium tuberculosis(MTB) from tuberculosis cases is the basis for many research and clinical applications. Paradoxically, it is assumed to impose a diversity bottleneck, which, if true, would entail unexplored consequences. The alternative, culture-free sequencing from diagnostic samples, is a promising but challenging approach both to obtain and analyse the MTB genome from the complex sample. This study obtains high-quality genomes of sputum-culture pairs from two different settings after developing a workflow for sequencing from sputum and a tailored bioinformatics pipeline. Our approach reveals that 88% of variants called in culture-free sequencing analysis are false positives due to supplementary alignments, mostly in enriched-sputa samples. Overall, contrary to the bottleneck dogma, we identify a 97% variant agreement within sputum-culture pairs, with a high correlation also in the variants’ frequency (0.98). Our findings extrapolate to all publicly available data, thus demonstrating that in most cases culture accurately mirrors clinical samples.
scMicrobe PTA: Near Complete Genomes from Single Bacterial Cells
Authors: Bowers Robert M , Gonzalez-Pena Veronica , Wardhani Kartika , Goudeau Danielle , Blow Matthew James , Udwary Daniel , Klein David , Vill Albert C , Brito Ilana L , Woyke Tanja , Malmstrom Rex , Gawad Charles
Published: January 2024

Microbial genomes produced by single-cell amplification are largely incomplete. Here, we show that primary template amplification (PTA), a novel single-cell amplification technique, generated nearly complete genomes from three bacterial isolate species. Furthermore, taxonomically diverse genomes recovered from aquatic and soil microbiomes using PTA had a median completeness of 81%, whereas genomes from standard amplification approaches were usually <30% complete. PTA-derived genomes also included more associated viruses and biosynthetic gene clusters.
A benchmark of computational methods for correcting biases of established and unknown origin in CRISPR-Cas9 screening data
Authors: Vinceti Alessandro , Iannuzzi Raffaele , Boyle Isabella , Trastulla Lucia , Campbell Catarina D. , Vazquez Francisca , Dempster Joshua , Iorio Francesco
Published: January 2024

CRISPR-Cas9 dropout screens stand as formidable tools for investigating biology with unprecedented precision and scale. One of their principal applications involves probing large panels of immortalised human cancer cell lines for viability reduction responses upon systematic genetic knock-out at a genome-wide level, to identify novel cancer dependencies and therapeutic targets. However, biases in CRISPR-Cas9 screens’ data pose challenges, leading to potential confounding effects on their interpretation and compromising their overall quality. The mode of action of the Cas9 enzyme, exerted by the induction of DNA double-strand breaks at a locus targeted by a specifically designed single-guide RNA (sgRNA), is influenced by structural features of the target site, including copy number amplifications (CN bias). More worryingly, proximal targeted loci tend to generate similar gene-independent responses to CRISPR-Cas9 targeting (proximity bias), possibly due to Cas9-induced whole chromosome-arm truncations or other unknown genomic structural features and different chromatin accessibility levels.

Different computational methods have been proposed to correct these biasesin silico, each based on different modelling assumptions. We have benchmarked seven of the latest methods, rigorously evaluating for the first time their ability to reduce both CN and proximity bias in the two largest publicly available cell-line-based CRISPR-Cas9 screens to date. We have also evaluated the capability of each method to preserve data quality and heterogeneity by assessing the extent to which the processed data allows accurate detection of true positive essential genes, established oncogenetic addictions, and known/novel biomarkers of cancer dependency.

Our analysis sheds light on the ability of each method to correct biases arising from structural properties and other possible unknown factors associated with CRISPR-Cas9 screen data under different scenarios. In particular, it shows that AC-Chronos outperforms other methods in correcting both CN and proximity biases when jointly processing multiple screens of models with available CN information, whereas CRISPRcleanR is the top performing method for individual screens or when CN information is not available for the screened models. In addition, Chronos and AC-Chronos yield a final dataset better able to recapitulate known sets of essential and non-essential genes.

Overall, our investigation provides guidance for the selection of the most appropriate bias-correction method, based on its strengths, weaknesses and experimental settings.
Arc mediates intercellular synaptic plasticity via IRSp53-dependent extracellular vesicle biogenesis
Authors: Ravens Alicia , Sullivan Kaelan , Einstein Jenifer , Keceli Sevnur Kömürlü , Kicmal Tom , Tyagi Mitali , Hantak Michael P. , Shepherd Tate , Stewart Alyson , Lyon Kenneth , Dharan Adarsh , Gallagher Thomas , Campbell Edward M. , Shepherd Jason D.
Published: January 2024

Current models of learning and memory have focused on cell-autonomous regulation of synaptic strength; however, intercellular signaling between cells in the brain is critical for normal cognition. The immediate early geneArcis a repurposed retrotransposon critical for long-term forms of synaptic plasticity and memory. Arc protein forms virus-like capsids released in extracellular vesicles (EVs) that signal cell-to-cell. Here, we find that long-term potentiation (LTP) stimuli induce the biogenesis of Arc EVs by recruiting the I-BAR protein IRSp53 to dendrites, which facilitates Arc capsid assembly and release. Arc EVs transfer Arc protein and mRNA to neighboring neurons, where translation of transferredArcmRNA induces a loss of surface AMPA-type glutamate receptors. These results show that Arc EVs mediate non-cell autonomous long-term depression (LTD), revealing an intercellular form of synaptic plasticity that may be critical for memory consolidation.
Identifying the function of the NMDA NR1C2subunit through its interaction with Magi-2 during inflammatory pain
Authors: Sheehan Garrett D. , Martin Molly K. , Roszczyk Adam , Hao Katherient , Bhattacharjee Arin
Published: January 2024

Much is understood about the structure and gating properties of NMDA receptors (NMDAR), but the function of the carboxy-terminal splice variant of the NR1 subunit, NR1C2has never been identified. By studying the scaffolding protein Magi-2 in animal models of inflammatory pain, we discovered how NR1C2protein is specifically regulated. We found that Magi-2 deficiency resulted in decreased pain behavior and a concomitant reduction in NR1C2protein. Magi-2 contains WW domains, domains typically found in ubiquitin ligases. We identified an atypical WW-binding domain within NR1C2which conferred susceptibility to Nedd4-1 ubiquitin-ligase dependent degradation. We used lipidated peptidomimetics derived from the NR1C2sequence and found that NR1C2protein levels and pain behavior can be pharmacologically targeted. The function of NR1C2is to give lability to a pool of NMDAR, important for pain signaling.
Hidden-bottom hadronic transitions of
ϒ(10753)
Authors: Liu Shi-Dong , Cai Zu-Xin , Jia Zhao-Sai , Li Gang , Xie Ju-Jun
Published: January 2024

Assuming that the ϒ(10753) is a 4S−3D mixed state, we investigated the hidden-bottom hadronic decays of the ϒ(10753)→ηb(1S)ω(η(′)) via the intermediate meson loops. In a commonly accepted range of the model parameter α in the form factor, the predicted branching ratios may reach to the order of 10−3–10−2. The relative ratio of the partial decay widths of the ϒ(10753)→ηbη(′) to ϒ(10753)→ηbω is found to be dependent on the η−η′ mixing angle. In addition, we also calculated the ratios of the partial decays widths of the ϒ(10753)→ηbω to ϒ(10753)→ϒ(nS)π+π− (n=1, 2), which are found to be around 0.4 and 0.2 for n=1 and n=2, respectively. These values are in accordance with the preliminary experimental results. The calculations presented here tend to favor the ϒ(10753) as the 4S−3D mixture. We hope these predictions could be verified by the future Belle II experiments.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Light-cone and quasigeneralized parton distributions in the ’t Hooft model
Authors: Jia Yu , Mo Zhewen , Xiong Xiaonu , Yu Rui
Published: January 2024

We present a comprehensive study of the light-cone generalized parton distribution (GPD) and quasi-GPD of a flavor-neutral meson in the ’t Hooft model, i.e., two-dimensional QCD (QCD2) in the Nc→∞ limit. With the aid of the Hamiltonian approach, we construct the light-cone GPD in terms of the meson’s light-cone wave function in the framework of light-front quantization and express the quasi-GPD in terms of the meson’s Bars-Green wave functions and the chiral angle in the framework of equal-time quantization. We show that, both analytically and numerically, the quasi-GPD does approach the light-cone GPD when the meson is boosted to the infinite momentum frame, which justifies the tenet underlying the large momentum effective theory for the off-forward parton distribution. Upon taking the forward limit, the light-cone and quasi-GPDs reduce to the light-cone and quasi parton distribution functions (quasi-PDFs). As a bonus, we take this chance to correct the incomplete expression of the quasi-PDFs in the ’t Hooft model reported in our preceding work [Y. Jia , ].

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Radiative transition decay width of
ψ2(3823)→γχc1
from lattice QCD
Authors: Li Ning , Gao Yan , Chen Feiyu , Chen Ying , Jiang Xiangyu , Shi Chunjiang , Sun Wei
Published: January 2024

We present an exploratory Nf=2 lattice QCD study of ψ2(3823)→γχc1 at a pion mass mπ≈350  MeV. The related two-point and three-point functions are calculated using the distillation method. The electromagnetic multipole form factor V^(0)=2.083(11) for J/ψ→γηc is consistent with previous lattice results. The form factors E^1(0), M^2(0), and E^3(0) for Γ(χc2→γJ/ψ) have the same hierarchy as that derived from experiments, and the predicted decay width Γ(χc2→γJ/ψ)=368(5)  keV is in excellent agreement with the Particle Data Group value 374(10) keV and previous lattice QCD results in the quenched approximation. The same strategy is applied to the study of the process ψ2(3823)→γχc1, and the partial decay width is predicted to be 337(27) keV. According to the BESIII constraints on the ψ2(3823) decay channels and some phenomenological results, we estimate the total width Γ(ψ2(3823))=520(100)  keV.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Brane motion in a compact space: Adiabatic perturbations of brane-bulk coupled fluids
Authors: Bernardo Heliudson , Guo Fangyi
Published: January 2024

When a brane is moving in a compact space, bulk-probing signals originating at the brane can arrive back at the brane outside the lightcone of the emitting event. In this paper, we study how adiabatic perturbations in the brane fluid, coupled to a bulk fluid, propagate in the moving brane. In the nondissipative regime, we find an effective sound speed for such perturbations, depending on the brane and bulk fluid energy densities, equations of state, and brane speed. In the tight-coupling approximation, the effective sound speed might be superluminal for brane and bulk fluids that satisfy the strong energy condition. This has immediate consequences for brane-world cosmology models.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Limiting Light Dark Matter with Luminous Hadronic Loops
Authors: Diamond Melissa , Cappiello Christopher V. , Vincent Aaron C. , Bramante Joseph
Published: January 2024

Dark matter is typically assumed not to couple to the photon at tree level. While annihilation to photons through quark loops is often considered in indirect detection searches, such loop-level effects are usually neglected in direct detection, as they are typically subdominant to tree-level dark-matter–nucleus scattering. However, when dark matter is lighter than around 100 MeV, it carries so little momentum that it is difficult to detect with nuclear recoils at all. We show that loops of low-energy hadronic states can generate an effective dark-matter–photon coupling, and thus lead to scattering with electrons even in the absence of tree-level dark-matter–electron scattering. For light mediators, this leads to an effective fractional electric charge that may be very strongly constrained by astrophysical observations. Current and upcoming searches for dark-matter–electron scattering can thus set limits on dark-matter–proton interactions down to 1 MeV and below.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Probing Polaron Clouds by Rydberg Atom Spectroscopy
Authors: Gievers Marcel , Wagner Marcel , Schmidt Richard
Published: January 2024

In recent years, Rydberg excitations in atomic quantum gases have become a successful platform to explore quantum impurity problems. A single impurity immersed in a Fermi gas leads to the formation of a polaron, a quasiparticle consisting of the impurity being dressed by the surrounding medium. With a radius of about the Fermi wavelength, the density profile of a polaron cannot be explored using optical imaging techniques. In this Letter, we propose a new experimental measurement technique that enables the imaging of the polaron cloud in ultracold quantum gases. The impurity atom induces the formation of a polaron cloud and is then excited to a Rydberg state. Because of the mesoscopic interaction range of Rydberg excitations, which can be tuned by the principal numbers of the Rydberg state, atoms extracted from the polaron cloud form dimers with the impurity. By performing first principle calculations of the absorption spectrum based on a functional determinant approach, we show how the occupation of the dimer state can be directly observed in spectroscopy experiments and can be mapped onto the density profile of the gas particles, hence providing a direct, real-time, and measure of the polaron cloud.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Quasinormal Modes of Optical Solitons
Authors: Burgess Christopher , Patrick Sam , Torres Theo , Gregory Ruth , König Friedrich
Published: January 2024

Quasinormal modes (QNMs) are essential for understanding the stability and resonances of open systems, with increasing prominence in black hole physics. We present here the first study of QNMs of optical potentials. We show that solitons can support QNMs, deriving a soliton perturbation equation and giving exact analytical expressions for the QNMs of fiber solitons. We discuss the boundary conditions in this intrinsically dispersive system and identify novel signatures of dispersion. From here, we discover a new analogy with black holes and describe a regime in which the soliton is a robust black hole simulator for light-ring phenomena. Our results invite a range of applications, from the description of optical pulse propagation with QNMs to the use of state-of-the-art technology from fiber optics to address questions in black hole physics, such as QNM spectral instabilities and the role of nonlinearities in ringdown.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Theory of Defect-Induced Crystal Field Perturbations in Rare-Earth Magnets
Authors: Patrick Christopher E. , Huang Yixuan , Lewis Laura H. , Staunton Julie B.
Published: January 2024

We present a theory describing the single-ion anisotropy of rare-earth (RE) magnets in the presence of point defects. Taking the RE-lean 1∶12 magnet class as a prototype, we use first-principles calculations to show how the introduction of Ti substitutions into SmFe12 perturbs the crystal field, generating new coefficients due to the lower symmetry of the RE environment. We then demonstrate that these perturbations can be described extremely efficiently using a screened point charge model. We provide analytical expressions for the anisotropy energy that can be straightforwardly implemented in atomistic spin dynamics simulations, meaning that such simulations can be carried out for an arbitrary arrangement of point defects. The significant crystal field perturbations calculated here demonstrate that a sample that is single phase from a structural point of view can nonetheless have a dramatically varying anisotropy profile at the atomistic level if there is compositional disorder, which may influence localized magnetic objects like domain walls or skyrmions.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Thermoelectric response across the semiconductor-semimetal transition in black phosphorus
Authors: Nakajima Yuna , Akahama Yuichi , Machida Yo
Published: January 2024

By precisely tuning the ground state of black phosphorus with pressure from the semiconducting to semimetallic state, we track a systematic evolution of the Seebeck coefficient. Thanks to a manifest correlation between the Seebeck coefficient and resistivity, the Seebeck response in each conduction regime, i.e., intrinsic, saturation, extrinsic, and variable range hopping (VRH) regimes, is identified. In the former two regimes, the Seebeck coefficient behaves in accordance with the present theories, whereas in the latter two regimes available theories do not give a satisfactory account for its response. However, by eliminating the extrinsic sample dependence in the resistivity ρ and Seebeck coefficient S, the Peltier conductivity α=S/ρ allows us to unveil the intrinsic thermoelectric response, revealing vanishing fate for α in the VRH regime. The emerged ionized impurity scattering on entry to the semimetallic state is easily surpassed by electron-electron scattering due to squeezing of screening length accompanied by an increase of carrier density with pressure. Each carrier scattering participates an enhancement of the phonon drag contribution to the Seebeck effect, but creates the phonon drag peak with opposite sign at distinct temperature. In the low-temperature limit, a small number of carriers enhances a prefactor of T-linear Seebeck coefficient as large as what is observed in prototypical semimetals. A crucial but largely ignored role of carrier scattering in determining the magnitude and sign of the Seebeck coefficient is indicated by the observation that a sign reversal of the T-linear prefactor is concomitant with a change in dominant scattering mechanism for carriers.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
High-pressure study of a 3d–4f heterometallic CuEu–organic skeleton
Authors: Yang Ke , Yang Yuting , Yao Ziqin , Cheng Sisi , Cui Xue , Wang Xingyi , Han Yi , Yi Feiyan , Mo Guang
Published: January 2024

We prepared a 3d–4f heterobimetallic CuEu–organic framework NBU-8 with a density of 1921 kg m−3 belonging to the family of dense packing materials (dense metal–organic frameworks or MOFs). This MOF material was prepared from 4-(pyrimidin-5-yl)benzoic acid (HPBA) with a bifunctional ligand site as a tripodal ligand and Cu2+ and Eu3+ as the metal centres; the molecular formula is Cu3Eu2(PBA)6(NO3)6·H2O. This material is a very promising dimethylformamide (DMF) molecular chemical sensor. Systematic high-pressure studies of NBU-8 were carried out by powder X-ray diffraction, high-pressure X-ray diffraction and molecular dynamics simulation. The high-pressure experiment shows that the (006) diffraction peak of the crystal structure moves toward a low angle with increasing pressure, accompanied by the phenomenon that the d-spacing increases, and as the pressure increases, the (10-2) diffraction peak moves to a higher angle, the amplitude of the d-spacing is significantly reduced and finally merges with the (006) diffraction peak into one peak. The amplitude of the d-spacing is significantly reduced, indicating that NBU-8 compresses and deforms along the a-axis direction when subjected to uniform pressure. This is caused by tilting of the ligands to become more vertical along the c direction, leading to its expansion. This allows greater contraction along the a direction. We also carried out a Rietveld structure refinement and a Birch–Murnaghan solid-state equation fitting for the high-pressure experimental results. We calculated the bulk modulus of the material to be 45.68 GPa, which is consistent with the calculated results. The framework is among the most rigid MOFs reported to date, exceeding that of Cu–BTC. Molecular dynamics simulations estimated that the mechanical energy absorbed by the system when pressurized to 5.128 GPa was 249.261 kcal mol−1. The present work will provide fresh ideas for the study of mechanical energy in other materials.
Cybersecurity in modern cars: awareness and readiness of auto workshops
Authors: Hedberg David , Lundgren Martin , Nohlberg Marcus
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to explore auto mechanics awareness of repairs and maintenance related to the car’s cybersecurity and provide insights into challenges based on current practice.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on an empirical study consisting of semistructured interviews with representatives from both branded and independent auto workshops. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis. A version of the capability maturity model was introduced to the respondents as a self-evaluation of their cybersecurity awareness.

Findings

Cybersecurity was not found to be part of the current auto workshop work culture, and that there is a gap between independent workshops and branded workshops. Specifically, in how they function, approach problems and the tools and support available to them to resolve (particularly regarding previously unknown) issues.

Research limitations/implications

Only auto workshop managers in Sweden were interviewed for this study. This role was picked because it is the most likely to have come in contact with cybersecurity-related issues. They may also have discussed the topic with mechanics, manufacturers or other auto workshops – thus providing a broader view of potential issues or challenges.

Practical implications

The challenges identified in this study offers actionable advice to car manufacturers, branded workshops and independent workshops. The goal is to further cooperation, improve knowledge sharing and avoid unnecessary safety or security issues.

Originality/value

As cars become smarter, they also become potential targets for cyberattacks, which in turn poses potential threats to human safety. However, research on auto workshops, which has previously ensured that cars are road safe, has received little research attention with regards to the role cybersecurity can play in repairs and maintenance. Insights from auto workshops can therefore shed light upon the unique challenges and issues tied to the cybersecurity of cars, and how they are kept up-to-date and road safe in the digital era.
Key audit matters and auditing quality in the era of COVID-19 pandemic: the case of Jordan
Authors: Alharasis Esraa Esam , Alkhwaldi Abeer F. , Hussainey Khaled
Published: January 2024

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the moderating effect of the COVID-19 epidemic on the relationship between key audit matter (KAM) and auditing quality.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors use the ordinary least squares regression on data from 942 firm-year observations of Jordanian non-financial institutions across the period (2017–2022) to test the hypotheses. The authors use content analysis method to measure levels of KAM disclosure.

Findings

The investigation’s findings highlight the importance of KAM disclosure in achieving audit quality in line with international standard on auditing no. 701 (ISA-701) requirements. COVID-19 is also found to have a positive relationship with audit quality, further confirming the crisis’s devastating impact on audit complexity and risks and providing evidence for the need for supplementary, high-quality audit services. Due to the correlation between KAM disclosure and increased auditor workload and responsibility, the analysis reveals that the COVID-19 factor strengthens the link between KAM disclosure and audit quality.

Practical implications

This study has the potential to be used as a basis for the creation of a new regulation or standard regarding the reporting of unfavourable events in financial filings. This study’s findings provide standard-setters, regulators and policymakers with current empirical data on the effects of implementing ISA-701’s mandate for external auditors to provide more information on KAM. The COVID-19 crisis offers a suitable setting in which to examine the value of precautionary disclosures in times of economic uncertainty, as well as the significance of confidence interval disclosures and the role of external auditing in calming investor fears. This analysis is helpful for stakeholders, regulatory agencies, standard-setters and readers of audit reports who are curious about the current state of KAM disclosures and the implementation of ISA-701. The results may have ramifications for academia in the form of a call for more evidence expanding this data to other burgeoning fields to have a clear explanation of the real impact of reporting KAM on audit practices.

Originality/value

To the authors’ awareness, this research is one of the few empirical studies on the effect of the COVID-19 crisis on auditing procedures, and more specifically, the effect of disclosures on KAM by external auditors on audit quality. This study’s findings represent preliminary scientific evidence linking the pandemic to business performance. Minimal research has been done on how auditors in developing nations react to pandemic investor protection and how auditors’ enlarged reporting responsibilities affect them. The vast majority of auditing studies have been conducted in a highly regulated system, so this research contributes by examining audit behaviour in a weak legal context.
Money education in the business family: a perspective article
Authors: Michiels Anneleen , Binz Astrachan Claudia
Published: January 2024

Purpose

The primary aim is to renew academic discourse on financial education in business families. It emphasizes the need for effective financial literacy programs to foster a healthier relationship with money, addressing both technical aspects of finance and its psychological and relational impacts among family members.

Design/methodology/approach

This perspective article explores the impact of money education within business families. It discusses the psychological effects of money education on family dynamics and decision-making in family businesses. The research draws on previous studies, surveys and practical examples to highlight the importance of financial education and its implications on family and business sustainability.

Findings

Financial education is essential in business families as it enables more meaningful discussions on money and wealth, fostering informed decisions and decreasing conflict. Yet, it is often overlooked. There is a need for academic research into effective strategies for financial education for family members and the effects of financial literacy, or its absence, on various aspects of the business and the family system. The article presents a selection of pertinent questions for future research in this domain.

Originality/value

This article contributes to the family business field by underscoring the gap in scholarly research on money education within family businesses. It advocates for comprehensive financial education strategies that balance technical knowledge with an understanding of the psychological and relational aspects of money.
Human resource development practices and employee engagement: the mediating role of organizational commitment
Authors: Otoo Frank Nana Kweku , Rather Nissar Ahmed
Published: January 2024

Purpose

Highly committed, motivated and engaged employees assure organizational success and competitiveness. The study aims to examine the association between human resource development (HRD) practices and employee engagement with organizational commitment as a mediating variable.

Design/methodology/approach

Data were collected from 760 employees of 13 star-rated hotels comprising 5 (five-star) and 8 (four-star). The data supported the hypothesized relationships. Structural equation modeling was used to evaluate the proposed model and hypotheses. Construct validity and reliability were established through confirmatory factor analysis.

Findings

The results indicate that HRD practices and affective commitment are significantly associated. HRD practices and continuance commitment were shown to be non-significantly associated. HRD practices and normative commitment were shown to be non-significantly associated. Employee engagement and organizational commitment are significantly associated. The results further show that organizational commitment mediates the association between HRD practices and employee engagement.

Research limitations/implications

The generalizability of the findings will be constrained due to the research's hotel industry focus and cross sectional data.

Practical implications

The study's findings will serve as valuable pointers for stakeholders and policymakers of the hotel industry in the adoption, design and implementation of proactive HRD interventions to keep highly engaged and committed employees for organizational competitiveness and sustainability.

Originality/value

By evidencing empirically that organizational commitment mediates the nexus between HRD practices and employee engagement, the study extends the literature.
Assessment of hair loss and skin changes during treatment in Asian breast cancer patients: A prospective cohort study
Authors: Shim Joonho , Noh Hyungrye , Kim Heeyeon , Joo Byeonghyun , Lee Jongeun , Oh Se Jin , Lee Jong Hee , Lee Dongyoun , Lee Se Kyung , Park Jihye
Published: January 2024

With the increasing number of young breast cancer (BC) patients worldwide, concerns about hair loss and skin change persist among BC survivors. This study aimed to evaluate the hair loss and skin changes in Asian BC patients and to compare them according to the treatment regimens. This study enrolled 322 patients scheduled to undergo BC surgery. Hair loss and skin changes were assessed at the following two time points: one day before surgery and 6 months after surgery. Patients who had received systemic anticancer treatment before surgery were assigned to the neoadjuvant treatment group, while patients who were scheduled to receive systemic anticancer treatment were assigned to the adjuvant treatment group. In the adjuvant treatment group, patients with taxane‐based chemotherapy had significantly higher odds of increased hair loss, a higher melanin index, and an increased volume of wrinkles (p < 0.0001, p = 0.0110, and p = 0.0371, respectively). In the neoadjuvant treatment group, hair loss was reversed in most patients at 6 months after surgery. Clinicians should inform BC patients about the potential for hair loss and skin changes and provide supportive care to mitigate the effects on the patients’ quality of life.
Ofatumumab subcutaneous injection successfully treated patients with pemphigus vulgaris relapse post rituximab
Authors: Zhang Xiwen , Xiao Yue , Li Xiaohong , Wang Jinqiu , Zhou Xingli , Wang Yiyi , Zhou Yuxi , Wang Mi , Li Wei
Published: January 2024

The therapeutic strategy for the treatment of pemphigus vulgaris (PV) still needs optimization because of the multiple deficiencies of glucocorticoid and rituximab. Ofatumumab, another CD20 monoclonal antibody administrated subcutaneously, provides a possible alternative option. In this study, three patients experienced PV relapse after clinical remission induced by rituximab. With written informed consent, they received an ofatumumab (20 mg) subcutaneous injection twice (2 weeks apart) in combination with a prednisone dose adjusted according to their weight and disease severity. Over the 24‐week observation, two of three patients achieved lesion clear‐up under prednisone (0.2 mg/kg per day), and the other patient's pemphigus disease area index dropped from 39 to 3 with prednisone (15 mg/day). The anti‐desmoglein antibody levels and CD19+B cell counts declined compared to those at baseline. No severe adverse events were observed within the 24‐week follow‐up. In summary, we propose a protocol of ofatumumab for patients with refractory PV and report positive treatment outcomes of three patients who received this regimen.
Occurrence and risk‐related features of Bacillus cereus in fluid milk
Authors: Dai Hongchao , Yuan Lei , Fan Luyao , Yang Jia , Jiao Xinan
Published: January 2024

This work assessed the prevalence and risk‐related phenotypes of Bacillus cereus in milk products. Bacillus was the most dominant genus of 113 collected strains from 41 milk samples, and B. cereus (19.27%) was the most abundant species showing a high genetic diversity with seven random amplified polymorphic DNA patterns. Most B. cereus isolates were strong biofilm formers with good motility, extracellular polymeric substance‐producing ability, high proteolytic and lipolytic activities. Antibiotic resistance analysis suggested the majority B. cereus strains were resistant to oxacillin (90.48%), tetracycline (95.24%), and penicillin G sodium (47.62%). Results revealed the genotypic diversity of B. cereus, and their potential risk in dairy industry.
Forensic odontology in disaster victim identification
Authors: Miller Raymond G.
Published: January 2024

This paper reviews MFI's from a historical perspective commencing with DVI in the late 20th century. For this paper, this era, 1970–90s is designated as the early modern period. As DVI by DNA analysis is introduced into the process, in the beginning of the mid‐1990s, or late modern period, a shift in ID modality usage is noted. A statistical analysis of the primary identification (ID) methods established that dental identification was the majority identifier, or gold standard, in the early modern era. Although primarily viewed from a United States (US) perspective, referenced international incidents parallel the incidents investigated by US authorities. The introduction of DNA demarcated the early from the late modern era. Through research, development, and application this highly discriminating ID method would effectively, surpass dental ID as the gold standard into the late modern era. DNA ID would eventually overcome early criticism regarding cost and time consumption. In the MFI's discussed, the discriminating accuracy of DNA, when referenced against the dental identifications, validated the reliability of dental ID. Errors will be significantly minimized through confirmatory reconciliation by more than one ID method. In conclusion despite increased usage of DNA, dental ID has not been eliminated and remains a major contributor to DVI. Dental ID continues to develop through increased application of advanced imaging technology. Despite DNA's rapid advancement and application to DVI, the multidisciplinary approach to scientific identification should remain in the near future. Therefore, comparative dental ID will remain an important and reliable contributor to DVI.
OPG‐based dental age estimation using a data‐technical exploration of deep learning techniques
Authors: Büyükçakır Barkın , Bertels Jeroen , Claes Peter , Vandermeulen Dirk , de Tobel Jannick , Thevissen Patrick W.
Published: January 2024

Dental age estimation, a cornerstone in forensic age assessment, has been extensively tried and tested, yet manual methods are impeded by tedium and interobserver variability. Automated approaches using deep transfer learning encounter challenges like data scarcity, suboptimal training, and fine‐tuning complexities, necessitating robust training methods. This study explores the impact of convolutional neural network hyperparameters, model complexity, training batch size, and sample quantity on age estimation. EfficientNet‐B4, DenseNet‐201, and MobileNet V3 models underwent cross‐validation on a dataset of 3896 orthopantomograms (OPGs) with batch sizes escalating from 10 to 160 in a doubling progression, as well as random subsets of this training dataset. Results demonstrate the EfficientNet‐B4 model, trained on the complete dataset with a batch size of 160, as the top performer with a mean absolute error of 0.562 years on the test set, notably surpassing the MAE of 1.01 at a batch size of 10. Increasing batch size consistently improved performance for EfficientNet‐B4 and DenseNet‐201, whereas MobileNet V3 performance peaked at batch size 40. Similar trends emerged in training with reduced sample sizes, though they were outperformed by the complete models. This underscores the critical role of hyperparameter optimization in adopting deep learning for age estimation from complete OPGs. The findings not only highlight the nuanced interplay of hyperparameters and performance but also underscore the potential for accurate age estimation models through optimization. This study contributes to advancing the application of deep learning in forensic age estimation, emphasizing the significance of tailored training methodologies for optimal outcomes.
A retrospective observational study assessing mortality after pelvic trauma embolisation
Authors: Clements Warren , Dunne Talulla , Clare Steven , Lukies Matthew , Fitzgerald Mark , Mathew Joseph , Kavnoudias Helen , Zia Adil , Ban Ee Jun , Skelley Annabelle , Koukounaras Jim
Published: January 2024

Introduction

Trauma to the pelvic ring and associated haemorrhage represent a management challenge for the multidisciplinary trauma team. In up to 10% of patients, bleeding can be the result of an arterial injury and mortality is reported as high as 89% in this cohort. We aimed to assess the mortality rate after pelvic trauma embolisation and whether earlier embolisation improved mortality.

Methods

Retrospective study at single tertiary trauma and referral centre, between 1 January 2009 and 30 June 2022. All adult patients who received embolisation following pelvic trauma were included. Patients were excluded if angiography was performed but no embolisation performed.

Results

During the 13.5‐year time period, 175 patients underwent angiography and 28 were excluded, leaving 147 patients in the study. The all‐cause mortality rate at 30‐days was 11.6% (17 patients). The median time from injury to embolisation was 6.3 h (range 2.8–418.4). On regression analysis, time from injury to embolisation was not associated with mortality (OR 1.01, 95% CI 0.952–1.061). Increasing age (OR 1.20, 95% CI 1.084–1.333) and increasing injury severity score (OR 1.14, 95% CI 1.049–1.247) were positively associated with all‐cause 30‐day mortality, while non‐selective embolisation (OR 0.11, 95% CI 0.013–0.893) was negatively associated.

Conclusion

The all‐cause mortality rate at 30‐days in or cohort was very low. In addition, earlier time from injury to embolisation was not positively associated with all‐cause 30‐day mortality. Nevertheless, minimising this remains a fundamental principle of the management of bleeding in pelvic trauma.
Perceptions of social credit systems in Southeast Asia: An external technology acceptance model
Authors: Rabe Wiebke , Kostka Genia
Published: January 2024

Digital data have become a valuable resource for autocratic governments seeking to influence societal behaviours. The rise of social credit systems in China has garnered a great deal of attention, with some even referring to them as ‘Orwellian’ surveillance systems. This study expands on previous research that has found surprisingly high levels of acceptance of social credit systems in China to the Southeast Asian region. Through an online opinion survey conducted in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines, we discovered that citizens in these countries exhibit higher acceptance rates of social credit systems than opposition rates, although lower than those observed in China. Moreover, we find that acceptance rates would decline significantly if the technologies supporting these systems originated from China. By introducing an external technology acceptance model, we provide an explanation for these findings based on citizens' attitudes towards their domestic situation and their perceptions of China's potential benefits to their countries. Interestingly, most of the ‘China Threat’ perceptions do not translate into opposition against Chinese social credit system technologies, except for military risks. Instead, citizens' negative views are primarily influenced by specific technology‐related risks. These findings contribute to the existing literature on the acceptance of government‐run social credit systems and public perception in the context of international relations.
Prognostic implications of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio in patients with extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer receiving chemoimmunotherapy: A multicenter, real‐world study
Authors: Bi Huanhuan , Ren Dunqiang , Xiao Yuting , Zhou Yinxue , Yi Bingqian , Han Weizhong , Shao Yanmei , Wang Jingluan , Zhang Chunling , Wang Hongmei
Published: January 2024

Background

Neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR) are closely related to the prognosis of patients with non‐small cell lung cancer, but their effect on extensive‐stage small cell lung cancer (ES‐SCLC) remains uncertain.

Methods

This retrospective study was conducted in ES‐SCLC patients treated with first‐line atezolizumab or durvalumab and platinum‐etoposide. Clinical data from three hospitals were analyzed. Significant risk factors for survival were identified using descriptive statistics and Cox regression. Homogeneity was assessed using t‐tests or nonparametric tests. Kaplan‐Meier analysis revealed an association between high NLR level and median PFS and OS.

Results

A total of 300 ES‐SCLC patients were included in the study. Cox regression analysis revealed that an elevated NLR level after the second treatment cycle (defined as NLRT2) was an independent prognostic factor for survival. Stratifying patients based on median NLRT2 showed significant differences in both PFS (HR: 1.863, 95% CI: 1.62–2.12, p < 0.001) and OS (HR: 2.581, 95% CI: 2.19–3.04, p < 0.001) between NLR ≥ 1.75 and NLR < 1.75 groups. mPFS and mOS were 8.2 versus 6.1 months and 13.7 versus 9.5 months, respectively. NLR was also associated with treatment efficacy and occurrence of irAEs. Further stratification based on NLR and irAEs showed that in the NLR < 1.75 group, patients with irAEs had prolonged mPFS and mOS. In the NLR ≥ 1.75 group, only mPFS showed a significant difference between patients with and without irAEs.

Conclusion

NLRT2 and irAEs can predict the prognosis of ES‐SCLC patients with first‐line ES‐SCLC receiving PD‐L1 inhibitors combined with chemotherapy.
Compromised end‐of‐life syndrome in cancer patients: A clinical validation study
Authors: Almeida Antônia Rios , Santana Rosimere Ferreira , de Oliveira Lopes Marcos Venicios , Gomes do Carmo Thalita , da Silva Daniel Espirito Santo , Medeiros do Amaral Dayana
Published: January 2024

Purpose

To identify the prevalence of the nursing diagnosis of compromised end‐of‐life syndrome in patients in end‐of‐life care.

Methods

This is a clinical validation based on a cross‐sectional epidemiological clinical study conducted at the National Cancer Institute in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The defining characteristics of a syndrome diagnosis were identified, defined as a “subset of nursing diagnoses,” using sensitivity and specificity measures through the application of latent class statistical methods.

Findings

The statistical results revealed seven nursing diagnoses characterizing the syndrome: imbalanced nutrition: less than body requirements, nausea, anxiety, ineffective breathing pattern, disturbed sleep pattern, ineffective thermoregulation, and fatigue. Compromised end‐of‐life syndrome was present in 76% of the sample.

Conclusion

The study demonstrated the presence of compromised end‐of‐life syndrome in most end‐of‐life patients from the sample.

Implications for nursing practice

Recognizing the presence of the syndrome diagnosis enables nurses to have efficient and effective clinical reasoning for implementing the nursing process in palliative care. CAAE Number: 85415618.0.3001.5274.
Review of clinical outcomes of a cationic emulsion tear substitute in patients with dry eye disease
Authors: Labetoulle Marc , Garhöfer Gerhard , Ismail Dahlia , Garrigue Jean‐Sébastien , Amrane Mourad , Guillon Michel , Aragona Pasquale , Baudouin Christophe
Published: January 2024

First‐line options for the treatment of dry eye disease (DED) rely on artificial tears (ATs), among which cationic emulsion (CE)‐based ATs have been developed in order to mimic the healthy tear film for an improved restoration of the ocular surface homeostasis. In this review, we describe the outcomes reported in several studies, assessing the mode of action, ocular tolerance and clinical performance of a CE‐based AT. Pilot studies have revealed that CE‐based ATs can increase the volume and stability of the tear film while limiting its evaporation rate. Larger studies have demonstrated that CE‐based ATs play a significant role in the improvement of both objective and subjective DED parameters, including superior efficacy on DED symptoms compared to several other available AT formulation types. Concomitantly, CE‐based ATs have been shown to help patients to prevent or recover from corneal defects associated with refractive surgery. These positive outcomes on ocular surface epithelia are likely due to the combination of unique rheological behaviour and intrinsic anti‐inflammatory properties. Based on all clinical findings, CE‐based ATs represent a valuable treatment option for patients with various etiologies of DED including evaporative forms and would deserve evaluation of benefits in other surgical intervention types triggering DED.
Teachers reported that children with special health care needs displayed more attention problems
Authors: Schlecht Jennifer , Hammerle Florian , König Jochem , Kuhle Stefan , Urschitz Michael S.
Published: January 2024

Aim

Children with special health care needs (SHCN) perform more poorly at school compared to their classmates. Specific causal pathways have not yet been extensively studied. Therefore, we investigated teacher‐rated global attention, an important prerequisite for educational attainment, in children with SHCN.

Methods

Data of a population‐based prospective cohort study, which recruited preschool children from the Mainz‐Bingen area, Germany, were analysed. Children with SHCN were identified by the Children with Special Health Care Needs screening tool. In 2016, global attention was reported by teachers at the end of first grade (mean age: 7.3 years) on a 5‐point rating scale ranging from −2 through +2. Associations between SHCN consequences and teacher‐rated attention were estimated by linear mixed models, adjusted for confounding variables.

Results

We included 1921 children (51% males); of these, 14% had SHCN. Compared to their classmates, children with SHCN had poorer teacher‐rated attention scores (adjusted mean difference: −0.35, 95% CI: −0.52 to −0.17). The effect was strongest among children with treatment or counselling for mental health problems or functional limitations. The effect remained after excluding children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder from the analysis.

Conclusion

Children with SHCN showed more teacher‐rated attention problems, which could explain their lower educational attainment.