bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhabdomyosarcoma of the Middle Ear and Mastoid in Children: Experience of the Beijing Children's Hospital—BCH
Authors: Li Yanzhen , Zhang Ge , Su Yan , Liu Zhikai , Zhang Jie , Zhang Xuexi , Liu Qiaoyin , Sun Nian , Liu Zhiyong , Li Xiaodan , Tan Junlong , Mei Lin , Liu Yuwei , Ji Tingting , Wang Shengcai , Ni Xin 
Published: February 2025

Objectives
To conduct a retrospective analysis of the clinical characteristics and prognosis of rhabdomyosarcoma of the middle ear and mastoid (MERMS) in children.

Methods
Treatment and outcome of 37 children with MERMS from Beijing Children's Hospital (July 2016–April 2023) were evaluated.

Results
The median age of this cohort was 54 months. Initially, 9 children were misdiagnosed with otitis media and/or granulomas, whereas 11 underwent anti-infective therapy. The disease manifested with a high level of local aggressiveness (T2; 83.8%), often accompanied by meningeal invasion (MI; 27 of 37), encompassing cranial base bone erosion (CBBE; 27 of 27), intracranial extension (ICE; 14 of 27), and cranial nerve paralysis (CNP; 22 of 27), with a predominance of facial nerve involvement in CNP cases. The primary treatment modality for this region was a combination of radiation and chemotherapy. The early response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy emerged as a prognostic factor, significantly impacting 5-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS): complete response (CR), 85.7 and 100%; partial response (PR), 43.7 and 65.2%; and progressive disease/stable disease (PD/SD), 16.7 and 16.7% (p = 0.019 and 0.001, respectively). A total of 13 patients passed away, with 4 fatalities attributed to the dissemination of tumor cells in the cerebrospinal fluid and 9 resulting from intracranial progression that impacted the central nervous system. The 5-year OS and EFS were (67.1 ± 7.8%) and (51.1 ± 9.1%), respectively.

Conclusion
MERMS is a highly aggressive malignancy with complex clinical manifestations and frequent cranial nerve involvement. Early recognition, aggressive multimodal treatment, and close monitoring for treatment response are crucial for improving survival outcomes.
Improved grading method of 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid static renal imaging helps predict the prognosis of urinary tract infection in children
Authors: Ruan Xiemei , Zhang Biying , Chen Zhengguo , Wu Ha 
Published: February 2025

Objective
This study aimed to refine the 99mTc-dimercaptosuccinic acid (Tc-99m DMSA) renal static imaging (DMSA) rating method and evaluate its prognostic value in children with urinary tract infections (UTIs) associated with vesicoureteral reflux (VUR).

Methods
Retrospective analysis was conducted on DMSA data (DMSA1 at the initial visit and DMSA2 at follow-up; imaging interval ≥ 6 months) and clinical data from 117 children. Each kidney was divided into three regions: upper, middle, and lower. Lesions were graded in a blinded manner based on the distribution of the imaging agent and whether the defect area exceeded 50% of the region. Lesion grades were classified as 0 (normal) to 5 (complete defect). DMSA2 ratings were categorized as complete recovery, improvement, similar, or deterioration, and clinical factors influencing each group were analyzed.

Results
A total of 160 diseased kidneys were identified in 117 children. The DMSA1 and DMSA2 image ratings were highly consistent (kappa coefficients: 0.806, 0.839, 0.813, 0.820 for left and right kidneys, respectively). A statistically significant difference in image ratings was observed between DMSA1 and DMSA2 when DMSA1 rating was ≥3b. Changes in DMSA2 ratings were associated only with the initial DMSA1 rating and the presence of breakthrough urinary sensation at follow-up.

Conclusion
Image changes were related solely to breakthrough urinary sensation. When the initial DMSA lesion grade exceeds 3b, improvement in the lesion is unlikely, regardless of subsequent breakthrough urinary sensation. The modified DMSA rating method is effective and can predict prognosis in children with UTIs.
Multifocal FDG Uptake of the Breasts Caused by Autologous Fat Injection for Breast Augmentation
Authors: He Jiani , Dong Aisheng 
Published: February 2025

Abstract
Autologous fat grafting for cosmetic breast augmentation is becoming increasingly popular. Late complications after intramammary fat injection include fat necrosis, liponecrotic cyst, calcification, and lymphadenopathy. We describe FDG PET/CT findings in a patient with multiple-injection-site fat necrosis after intramammary fat injection. FDG PET/CT showed multifocal activity in the subcutaneous and subglandular regions corresponding to the fat injection sites of the bilateral breasts and multiple FDG-avid lymph nodes of the axillae, mimicking malignancy. Careful correlation with clinical history and familiarity with the imaging findings of the complications after intramammary fat injection are helpful for avoiding misdiagnosis.
Early life serological profiles and the development of natural protective humoral immunity toStreptococcus pyogenesin a high burden setting
Authors: Keeley Alexander J , Camara Fatoumata E , Armitage Edwin , de Crombrugghe Gabrielle , Sillah Jainaba , Fofana Modou Lamin , Rollinson Victoria , Senghore Elina , Jammeh Musukoi , Whitcombe Alana L , Bittaye Amat , Ceesay Haddy , Ceesay Isatou , Samateh Bunja , Manneh Muhammed , Carducci Martina , Rovetini Luca , Boero Elena , Massai Luisa , Sanyang Chilel , Camara Ousman , Cessay Ebrima , Iturriza Miren , Gomes Danilo Moriel , Kucharski Adam , Smeesters Pierre R , Botteaux Anne , Jayne Ya Jankey , Moreland Nicole J , Clarke Ed , Kampmann Beate , Marks Michael , Rossi Omar , Salje Henrik , Turner Claire E , de Silva Thushan I 
Published: February 2025

AbstractStreptococcus pyogenesleads to 500,000 deaths annually; many due to rheumatic heart disease in low-income settings. Limited understanding of natural protective immunity toS. pyogeneshinders vaccine development. We describe the evolution of serological profiles to conserved vaccine-antigens and type-specific M peptides from birth and throughout the life course in The Gambia. As placentally-transferred IgG waned after birth, serological evidence of new exposure was seen in 23% infants during the first year of life. Following culture-confirmedS. pyogenesevents, the highest IgG increases occurred in children under two years following both pharyngeal and skin disease, and asymptomatic carriage at both sites. Higher IgG to conserved antigens SLO, SpyCEP and SpyAD correlated with functional activity and were associated with protection from culture-confirmed events following adjustment for age and anti-M protein IgG levels. Our data provide the first evidence of protection associated with humoral immunity to conserved vaccine candidate antigens in humans.
Plasma and neuroimaging biomarkers of small vessel disease and Alzheimer’s disease in a diverse cohort: MESA
Authors: Lockhart Samuel N. , Sutphen Courtney L. , Tanley Jordan , Gonzalez-Ortiz Fernando , Kac Przemysław R. , Habes Mohamad , Heckbert Susan R. , Ashton Nicholas J. , Mielke Michelle M. , Koeppe Robert , Rudolph Marc D. , Whitlow Christopher T. , Hiatt Kevin D. , Craft Suzanne , Register Thomas C. , Hayden Kathleen M. , Rapp Stephen R. , Sachs Bonnie C. , Zetterberg Henrik , Blennow Kaj , Karikari Thomas K. , Hughes Timothy M. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractINTRODUCTIONLittle is known about how Alzheimer’s disease (AD) plasma biomarkers relate to cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) neuroimaging biomarkers.METHODSThe study involved 251 Wake Forest Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis (MESA) Exam 6 participants with plasma AD biomarkers, MRI, amyloid PET, and adjudicated cognitive status. Multivariable models examined cross-sectional relationships between plasma and neuroimaging biomarkers, considering comorbidities.RESULTSLower Aβ42/Aβ40, and higher GFAP, NfL, and p-tau217 were associated with greater neurodegeneration. Lower plasma Aβ42/Aβ40 and higher p-tau217 and p-tau231 were associated with greater Aβ PET deposition. NfL was positively associated with WMH and WM Free Water. P-tau measures were positively associated with WM Free Water. Lower Aβ42/Aβ40 was associated with presence of microbleeds. GFAP was positively associated with WMH.DISCUSSIONWe observed expected associations of plasma biomarkers with cognitive status and imaging biomarkers. GFAP, NfL, p-tau181, p-tau217, and p-tau231 are associated with cSVD in addition to AD-related pathology.
Variable processing shifts during perceptual acceleration: Evidence from temporal integration
Authors: Wolff Michael J. , Akyürek Elkan G. 
Published: February 2025

AbstractThe perception of a stimulus can be accelerated by another that precedes it. Research to date has focused on quantifying this acceleration, and localizing it in the chain of perceptual and cognitive processes that are involved. This is challenging, because these processes may interact unexpectedly, and because traditional (univariate) analyses of brain activity and behaviour may conflate processes with the representations they act on. By using multivariate pattern analysis of EEG data from a missing element task, designed to measure the visual temporal integration of two successive stimulus displays, we were able to track the representation associated with the integrated percept. We manipulated the delay between our displays, and observed commensurate acceleration of the resultant integrated representation. Furthermore, regardless of the delay, we found that although processing was already accelerated during the earliest processing stages at around 100ms after stimulus onset, intermediate stages, at around 200ms, were even more accelerated. In contrast, later processing stages, at around 400ms, again showed less acceleration. The results thus suggest that perceptual acceleration during temporal integration is nonlinear, and that some time that is gained at one moment in the process can be lost again at another.
Energy and environmental efficiency: role of institutional quality, human capital, R&D and knowledge systems
Authors: Premkumar Prashant , Sumod S.D. , Rajeev A. , Ram Kumar P.N. 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe present study examines the impact of sustainable transitions on the energy and environmental efficiency (EEE) of nations across the developed and developing world. It studies the temporal shift in the share of renewable sources in energy generation. It also analyses the shift in the efficiency frontier of nations using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Further, it studies the macro-level drivers of EEE in the countries.Design/methodology/approachAs the first step, we benchmark the EEE of the developed and developing nations using DEA. Subsequently, we look at the influence of institutional quality, human capital, R&D and knowledge systems on EEE, to develop a comprehensive understanding of the macro-level drivers of EEE.FindingsOur analyses reveal that a country’s institutional quality, human capital and R&D are critical determinants of EEE. The results show that while human capital has a significant positive impact on EEE, R&D expenditure alone has no substantial impact. The findings also suggest that knowledge diffusion disperses best practices across nations and bridges EEE gaps.Practical implicationsAttempts to promote sustainable energy transitions and improve EEE have met with varying levels of success. The results of this study will provide a useful guideline for the governments to achieve the goal of EEE through sustainable energy transitions (SET).Originality/valueUnlike previous studies, we adopt a multi-factor EEE assessment. We also examine additional influences like the human capital of a nation and its knowledge management system to develop a comprehensive understanding of the macro-level drivers of EEE.
Experimentation in “everyday” small business ventures
Authors: Talvinko Maria , van den Broek Antonius , Koria Mikko 
Published: February 2025

PurposeEntrepreneurial experimentation is often studied in the context of tech, retail and high-growth startups. Current interpretations lean on limited empirical data and suggest structured and deliberate approaches. Our empirical observations in the food and beverage industry expand these perspectives by revealing emergent and impulsive experimentation practices.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative multiple case study of 20 small food and beverage ventures examined experimentation within non-tech and “everyday” contexts. Applying an abductive research design, the authors investigate experimentation practices through the conceptual lenses of transformation, social learning model, play, improvisation and entrepreneurial hustle.FindingsThe study reveals three forms of experimentation in the food and beverage sector: informative decision-making, transformative learning and improvisational exploring. These forms vary in their deliberateness and differ from those seen in the context of tech, retail and high-growth start-ups. In the food and beverage sector, not all uncertainties and opportunities can be rationally validated, but they require transformational social interactions with stakeholders, and swiftly changing situations need to be addressed in ways other than rationally pre-planned experiments.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the entrepreneurship literature by extending the dominant rational view of experimentation. By refining deliberateness in entrepreneurial actions and synthesizing and categorizing experimentation in three forms, this study constructs a more nuanced picture of what entrepreneurial experimentation consists of in the work of “everyday” ventures.
The impact of contingency factors on the degree of digitization and the operational performance in accounting firms
Authors: Hentati Helmi , Jardak Maha Khemakhem , Boulila Neila 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of contingency factors, namely, strategy and the technological environment, on the degree of digitalization and on operational performance in accounting firms.

Design/methodology/approach
The methodology used in this research relies on the utilization of a structural equation model. Data was collected from the perspectives of 128 directors and managers from various accounting firms. We try to test the moderator effect of strategy and technological environment affecting the digitalization level and the operational performance in accounting firms.

Findings
The study confirmed the contingency theory in the digital transformation process, impacting operational performance. Accounting firms have demonstrated that the adoption of digital strategies contributes to enhancing the relationship between digitalization levels and operational performance. However, the risky technological environment poses a challenge, as it has a negative moderating influence on the degree of digitization and the performance of accounting firms.

Research limitations/implications
The study adds a valuable nuance to the understanding of digitalization and technological transitions in accounting firms. The research enriches the existing literature by highlighting the consistency of contingency theory explaining the success or failure of the digital transformation of accounting firms.

Practical implications
This research encourages managers to proactively adopt technological advances and provides recommendations on aligning strategies with technology, considering the technological environment. Managers must be aware that the success of the digital transformation process in accounting firms depends on two important factors: actively engaging in the development of clear digital strategies and encouraging technology adoption within their teams. By equipping themselves with an environment that accounts for financial, resistance, regulatory, dependency and security risks, managers can better manage the risks associated with digitization to optimize operational performance.

Originality/value
The added value of this research lies in its significant contribution to the understanding of digital transformation within accounting firms, particularly by highlighting the relevance of contingency theory in this specific context. It confirms how accounting firms can optimize their performance by crucially aligning their contingency variables: strategy and environment.
Critical success and failure factors in the AI lifecycle: a knowledge graph-based ontological study
Authors: Hao Xinyue , Demir Emrah , Eyers Daniel 
Published: February 2025

Purpose
The purpose of this study is to provide a holistic understanding of the factors that either promote or hinder the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in supply chain management (SCM) and operations management (OM). By segmenting the AI lifecycle and examining the interactions between critical success factors and critical failure factors, this study aims to offer predictive insights that can help in proactively managing these factors, ultimately reducing the risk of failure, and facilitating a smoother transition into AI-enabled SCM and OM.

Design/methodology/approach
This study develops a knowledge graph model of the AI lifecycle, divided into pre-development, deployment and post-development stages. The methodology combines a comprehensive literature review for ontology extraction and expert surveys to establish relationships among ontologies. Using exploratory factor analysis, composite reliability and average variance extracted ensures the validity of constructed dimensions. Pearson correlation analysis is applied to quantify the strength and significance of relationships between entities, providing metrics for labeling the edges in the resource description framework.

Findings
This study identifies 11 dimensions critical for AI integration in SCM and OM: (1) setting clear goals and standards; (2) ensuring accountable AI with leadership-driven strategies; (3) activating leadership to bridge expertise gaps; (4) gaining a competitive edge through expert partnerships and advanced IT infrastructure; (5) improving data quality through customer demand; (6) overcoming AI resistance via awareness of benefits; (7) linking domain knowledge to infrastructure robustness; (8) enhancing stakeholder engagement through effective communication; (9) strengthening AI robustness and change management via training and governance; (10) using key performance indicators-driven reviews for AI performance management; (11) ensuring AI accountability and copyright integrity through governance.

Originality/value
This study enhances decision-making by developing a knowledge graph model that segments the AI lifecycle into pre-development, deployment and post-development stages, introducing a novel approach in SCM and OM research. By incorporating a predictive element that uses knowledge graphs to anticipate outcomes from interactions between ontologies. These insights assist practitioners in making informed decisions about AI use, improving the overall quality of decisions in managing AI integration and ensuring a smoother transition into AI-enabled SCM and OM.
Toxic leadership and spiritual capital: Japanese organizations in the USA and India
Authors: Ashta Ashok , Stokes Peter 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThe objective of this paper is to contextualize the recently developed process of toxic leadership (PTL) model to international business (IB) intercultural (IC) contexts. This is important because of the potential for cultural conflict to compromise organizational spiritual capital, a crucial driver for success defined by the bottom-line and employee satisfaction. Thus, the paper addresses the gap that is imperative for practical societal reasons of realizing the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs), because the bottom-line is an important driver for international partnerships, a crucial element of SDG 17 and inclusivity is a contributing element of SDG 8 that pertains to decent work.Design/methodology/approachA case study design was adopted to facilitate modification of existing theory. Semi-structured interviews were conducted in Japanese (IB/IC) contexts to understand the lived experience of Japanese business leaders and host country managers (followers) in the USA and India. A social constructivist thematic analysis was deployed to examine the data.FindingsOur study illustrates the degree to which the PTL model ports to IB situations, with a refinement on the workarounds for resistance by host country employees. The findings suggest that policymakers seduced by IB business market opportunities also need to address the dark side of these activities by ensuring proactive measures, such as language training and cross-cultural awareness, to ensure decent work as perceived by the follower.Research limitations/implicationsThis research discusses implications for the evolving zeitgeist of human-centrism in organizations. Although the adopted subjectivist interpretivism presents a concomitant limitation of generalization, the research nevertheless successfully raises flags against the hegemonic positive assessment of the UN SDGs.Practical implicationsConnections to international subsidiary leadership selection are offered. Additionally, the research raises the specter of breach in leader–follower trust compromising organizational spiritual capital.Social implicationsOur research shows that society should consider potential misalignments with human centricity when promoting international partnerships, such as in the name of the UN SDG 17.Originality/valueThe PTL model is relatively new to leadership scholarship. The present paper is novel in extending it to IB’s intercultural contexts. Moreover, as an exemplar of its application, it challenges and adds nuance through adjustment and ambiguity to the generally positive assessment of Japanese leadership in the conventional leadership literature.
Bank acquisitions of AI and FinTech: impact on performance
Authors: de Boyrie Maria E. , Pavlova Ivelina 
Published: February 2025

PurposeThis paper investigates the impact of financial technology innovation on bank performance. Using a large sample of FinTech mergers and acquisitions (M&A) deals by major and regional US banks as well as artificial intelligence (AI) patent applications and grants by banks from 2010 to 2022, their impact on bank return on assets (ROA) and return on equity (ROE) is explored.Design/methodology/approachSystem GMM estimators created for dynamic panel models are employed to evaluate the impact of a bank’s acquisitions of technology-oriented, AI and FinTech corporations and the filing of technology-oriented patents on profitability.FindingsA positive association between the number of FinTech M&A deals and bank performance is documented; however, none of the patent variables (grant, filing or publication) appear to have a significant effect.Originality/valueA large sample of FinTech M&A deals and patents by US major and regional banks is used to study the impact on bank performance. A comprehensive empirical analysis is performed while controlling for bank size and other bank characteristics.