bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Application of the Six-Minute Walk Test in Assessment of the Cardiopulmonary Function of Children With Idiopathic Scoliosis
Authors: Guo Haibin , Zhou Xuan , Li Yanyan , Yang Yuqi , Yu Hong , Li Xin , Yuan Haiyan , Chen Yushan , Feng Yufei , Huang Jiaoling , Du Qing 
Published: December 2023

Study Design.
A retrospective observational study.

Objective.
To assess whether the six-minute walk test (6MWT) can predict cardiopulmonary function in children with idiopathic scoliosis (IS) as an alternative to the cardiopulmonary exercise test (CPET).

Summary of Background Data.
Cardiopulmonary functional impairment in the setting of IS is a common health problem. A simple and convenient assessment method is needed.

Materials and Methods.
We recruited 65 children (eight male, 57 female) aged 10.70 to 14.84 years old with IS. Radiographic characteristics of the cohort were measured, including Risser’s sign and Cobb angle. We measured cardiopulmonary exercise tolerance using both the 6MWT and CPET and their corresponding indicators, including six-minute walking distance (6MWD) and peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), respectively. Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between 6MWT indicators and IS parameters. Linear regression models were used to explore the relationship between 6MWT and CPET response indicators.

Results.
Over a third of the cohort (35.4%) had a Risser’s sign grade of 0, with 21.5% in grade 2 and 3, respectively. The cohort’s mean Cobb angle was 26.02°. 6MWD was significantly positively correlated with Risser’s sign (R=0.258; P=0.038) and change in respiratory rate positively correlated with vertebral rotation (R=0.264; P=0.034). 6MWD positively correlated with peak VO2, peak VO2/heart rate (HR), and metabolic equivalents, and negatively correlated with the ventilation equivalent of the carbon dioxide slope (VE/VCO2 slope) (P<0.05). These four CPET indicators were found to be predicted from 6MWD in the linear regression model (P<0.05).

Conclusions.
CPET response indicators, especially peak VO2, can be predicted using 6MWD, among other factors. The 6MWT can therefore be used to rapidly and efficiently predict the cardiorespiratory tolerance of children with IS.

Level of Evidence.
3.
Risk Factor Analysis of Surgery-related Complications in Primary Thoracic Spine Surgery for Degenerative Diseases and Characteristics of the Patients Also Undergoing Surgery on the Cervical and/or Lumbar Spine
Authors: Takenaka Shota , Kaito Takashi , Fujimori Takahito , Kanie Yuya , Okada Seiji 
Published: December 2023

Study Design:
A retrospective cohort study using prospectively collected data.

Objective:
This study primarily aimed to investigate the risk factors for surgery-related complications in primary thoracic spine surgery for degenerative diseases using a surgeon-maintained database. The secondary purpose was to elucidate the characteristics of surgically treated thoracic myelopathy that also required cervical and/or lumbar spine surgery in the study period.

Summary of Background Data:
Few studies reported surgical complications and the feature of tandem spinal stenosis in thoracic myelopathy in detail because of their rarity.

Materials and Methods:
This study included 840 thoracic myelopathy patients undergoing primary surgery for degenerative diseases from 2012 to 2021, investigating the effects of diseases, surgical procedures, and patient demographics on postoperative neurological deterioration, dural tear, dural leakage, surgical-site infection, and postoperative hematoma. In thoracic myelopathy patients who were surgically treated and also undergoing cervical and/or lumbar surgery, we investigated the proportion, the effects of diseases, and the order and intervals between surgeries.

Results:
Multivariate logistic regression revealed that significant risk factors (P<0.05) for postoperative neurological deterioration were intervertebral disk herniation [odds ratio (OR): 4.59, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.32–16.0) and degenerative spondylolisthesis (OR: 11.1, 95% CI: 2.15–57.5). Ossification of the ligamentum flavum (OR: 4.12, 95% CI: 1.92–8.86), anterior spinal fusion (OR: 41.2, 95% CI: 4.70–361), and circumferential decompression via a posterior approach (OR: 30.5, 95% CI: 2.27–410) were risk factors for dural tear. In thoracic myelopathy patients surgically treated, 37.0% also underwent degenerative cervical and/or lumbar surgery.

Conclusions:
Pathologies involving anterior decompression and instability increased the risk of postoperative neurological deterioration. The risk of dural tear was increased when dura mater adhesions were likely to be directly operated upon. It should be recognized that a relatively high proportion (37.0%) of surgically treated thoracic myelopathy patients also underwent cervical and/or lumbar surgery.
Augmented gut hormone response to feeding in older adults exhibiting low appetite
Authors: Dagbasi Aygul , Warner Jordan , Catterall Victoria , Crabtree Daniel R , Carroll Bernadette , Frost Gary , Holliday Adrian 
Published: December 2023

ABSTRACTAge-related changes in gut hormones may play a role in anorexia of ageing. The aim of this study was to determine concentrations of ghrelin, PYY, and GLP-1 in older adults exhibiting an anorexia of ageing phenotype. Thirteen older adults with healthy appetite (OA-HA; 8f, 75±7 years, 26.0±3.2 kg·m-2), fifteen older adults with low appetite (OA-LA; 10f, 72±7 years, 23.6±3.1 kg·m-2), and twelve young adults (YA; 6f, 22±2 years, 24.4±2.0 kg·m-2) completed the study. Healthy appetite and low appetite were determined based on BMI, habitual energy intake, self-reported appetite, and laboratory-assessedad libitumlunch intake. Participants provided a fasted measure of subjective appetite and blood sample (0 minutes) before consuming a standardised breakfast (450 kcal). Appetite was measured every 30 minutes for 240 minutes and blood was sampled at 30, 60, 90, 120, 180 and 240 minutes. At 240 minutes, anad libitumlunch meal was consumed. Relative energy intake at lunch (expressed as percentage of estimated total energy requirement) was lower for OA-LA (19.8±7.7%) compared with YA (41.5±9.2%,p<0.001) and OA-HA (37.3±10.0%,p<0.001). Ghrelin suppression was greater for OA-LA than YA at 90 minutes (−512±477 pg·mL-1vs. 174±182 pg·mL-1,p=0.045)and 180 minutes (−502±147 pg·mL-1vs. −208±202 pg·mL-1,p=0.049), and lower than OA-HA at 60 minutes (−447±447 pg·mL-1vs. −125±169 pg·mL-1,p=0.039). GLP-1 concentration was higher for OA-LA compared with YA at 180 minutes (5.00±4.71 pM vs. 1.07±2.83 pM,p=0.040). Net AUC for PYY response to feeding was greater for OA-LA compared with OA-HA (p=0.052). No differences were seen in subjective appetite. These observations in older adults exhibiting an anorexia of ageing phenotype suggest augmented anorexigenic responses of gut hormones to feeding may be causal mechanisms of anorexia of ageing.
Dispersal and evolution of the invasive snailPomacea canaliculata, an intermediate host ofAngiostrongylus cantonensis: A field study around its initial introduction site in China
Authors: Luo Du , Zhang Haitao , Gu Dangen , Mu Xidong , Song Hongmei , Yang Yexin , Xu Meng , Luo Jianren , Hu Yinchang 
Published: December 2023

AbstractEosinophilic meningitis caused byAngiostrongylus cantonensisis an emerging infectious disease in mainland China. The invasive snail (Pomacea canaliculata) is one of the main intermediate host of the zoonotic nematode. To gain insights into the spatial distribution, phenotypic variation and dispersal pattern of the snail populations. A field survey was conducted using modified nested sampling and selecting ditches as the main habitats. Snail distribution and abundance were displayed with predictions based on an inverse distance-weighted model. Correlation and spatial autocorrelation were analyzed among the measured parameters. The findings of this study demonstrate the well-established and abundant presence ofP. canaliculatain ditches. A total of 564 sampling sites were assessed, with measurements taken on 10,145 snails having shell heights greater than 1.5 cm. The average population density was determined to be 20.31 ± 11.55 snails per square meter. Morphological analysis revealed an average snail body mass of 8.93 ± 3.95 g, shell height of 3.38 ± 0.66 cm, a sex ratio of 2.39 ± 1.01 female to male, and a shell color ratio of 9.34 ± 7.52 brown to yellow. Among these measurements, body mass was found to be significantly correlated with shell height (r= 0.88,p< 0.01) and shell color (r= 0.55,p< 0.05). Spatial-correlation analysis proved that shell height was the only factor significantly spatially autocorrelated (MI= 0.27,z= 2.20,p= 0.03), although weak autocorrelations appeared in body mass and shell color. The observed geographic variations of phenotypic traits indicated a human-mediated evolving process of the snail populations and a potential complexity of the parasite transmission system. These findings may enhance the assessment of the epidemiological health risk posed by angiostrongyliasis and inform strategies for controlling infectious snails.
Resource integration and firm performance through organizational capabilities for digital transformation
Authors: Hsiao Ming-Hsiung 
Published: December 2023

PurposeDigital transformation is a foundational change in how firms operate and deliver value to customers by using digital technologies to create new business opportunities. The purpose of this study is to offer a conceptual framework by reorganizing the elements of digital transformation, including resources, technology, capabilities and performance, into a workable process and investigating how firms integrate these resources, build new capabilities and transform them into enhanced performance.Design/methodology/approachThis framework builds three blocks: resource integration, organizational capabilities and outcomes, exploring the impact of resource integration on outcomes through organizational capabilities. For resource integration, this study adopts a resource-based view (RBV) and service-dominant logic (SDL) to integrate organizational resources, including information technology (IT)-based resources, which play a role in moderating the effect of resource integration. Moreover, the author argues that firms’ capabilities have two levels: higher-order capabilities and lower-order capabilities, which will convert these resources through the capabilities into organizational performance.FindingsThis framework is built to understand the process of digital transformation and its antecedents for firms’ performance in business environments. Drawing on RBV, it provides a more holistic perspective that has been linked to resource integration, organizational capabilities and outcomes at the firm level. In this way, the theoretical basis for diminishing implicitness associated with the current perspective of digital transformation can be strengthened.Originality/valueThis paper offers a coherent discussion of digital transformation and explains the process of digital transformation, thus advancing prior work. The major contribution is connecting the process of digital transformation through which firms integrate resources, i.e. digital technologies and valuable, rare, inimitable and nonsubstitutable (VRIN) and nonVRIN resources as well, to build organizational dynamic capabilities based on RBV and SDL.
Does social capital promote sustainable livelihood? Mediating effect of women entrepreneurship
Authors: Mahato Jogeswar , Jha Manish Kumar 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe present study investigates the role of social capital in promoting sustainable livelihood amongst indigenous women in India. The study further analyses the mediation effect of women entrepreneurship between social capital and livelihood promotion.Design/methodology/approachStructure equation modeling has been used to empirically examine the effect of social capital in promoting sustainable livelihood. The study has collected 612 samples from indigenous women entrepreneurs across Sundargarh and Koraput districts in Odisha.FindingsThe result highlighted the extensiveness of indigenous women entrepreneurs, who utilized their social capital to improve enterprise performance and livelihood conditions. It is witnessed that social capital has a direct and positive effect on uplifting the living standards of indigenous women. Furthermore, women entrepreneurship mediates the relationship between social capital and livelihood promotion of indigenous women.Practical implicationsThe decision-makers, policy practitioners and government agencies must encourage more women's self-help groups to participate in entrepreneurial activities by utilizing social capital through government welfare programs.Originality/valueThe present study adds value to the existing literature on social capital, women entrepreneurship and sustainable livelihood by measuring the importance of social capital in achieving sustainable livelihood. This study will add knowledge to the existing theories and literature of social capital on its use and importance towards the benefit of society.
Assessing item fairness in students' evaluation of teaching based on students' academic college using measurement invariance analysis
Authors: AlQuraan Mahmoud 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThis study aims at assessing item fairness in students' evaluation of teaching based on students' academic college using measurement invariance analysis (MI).Design/methodology/approachThe sample of this study consists of 17,270 undergraduate students from 12 different academic colleges. SET survey consists of 20 Likert-type items distributed to four factors: planning, instruction, management and assessment was used to collect the data. The Lavaan R package with confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was used to evaluate measurement invariance (MI). Four models of CFA were investigated and assessed: the configural model, the metric model, the scalar model and the residual invariance model. ANOVA was used to test the differences in SET according to academic colleges.FindingsMI analysis showed that the four levels of MI models are supported. ANOVA test showed that means of SET total scores are statistically different according to students' academic colleges. College of “Education” has the highest SET mean (88.64 out of 100), and all the differences between the College of Education’s SET mean and other colleges' SET means are statistically significant.Practical implicationsThe study recommends that higher education institutions test the MI of SET according to academic colleges and then use colleges with the highest SET at the university level as internal benchmarking to develop and enhance their teaching practices.Originality/valueThis study is probably the only study that tested MI according to students' colleges before testing the differences between colleges in SET. If MI is not supported, then the comparisons between academic colleges are not applicable.
Rheological model of cement-based material slurry with different water-cement ratio and temperature
Authors: Dong Hongjing , Chen Xi , Yang Guangying , He Dandan , Dai Ying , He Pengfei 
Published: December 2023

PurposeThe purpose of this paper is to obtain a constitutive model of cement-based material in the rheological stage, which owns the different water-cement ratio (w/c) and temperature and have a significant impact on the workability of concrete materials.Design/methodology/approachIt is introduced a modified Arrhenius equation into the Herschel–Bulkley model, which is widely applied in rheological analysis and constructed an ordinary differential equation (ODE) of w/c from the Navier–Stokes equation. By solving the ODE, an approximate constitutive relation of cement-based materials included w/c and temperature is derived. Compared with the experimental results, the present model is validated.FindingsThe shear stress and shear rate curves with different w/c and temperature are simulated by the present method, and the present model can be applied to analyze the changes of apparent viscosity in cement-based material slurry as the w/c and temperature varying.Originality/valueThis work gives a mathematical model, which can effectively approximate the shear stress–shear rate relation with different w/c and temperature in the rheological stage of cement-based material.
Assessing physical fit examinations of stabbed and torn textiles through a large dataset of casework‐like items and interlaboratory studies
Authors: Andrews Zachary , Prusinowski Meghan , Nguyen Evie , Neumann Cedric , Trejos Tatiana 
Published: December 2023

AbstractSeveral organizations have outlined the need for standardized methods for conducting physical fit comparisons. This study answers this call by developing and evaluating a systematic and transparent approach for examining, documenting, and interpreting textile physical fits, using qualitative feature descriptors and a quantitative metric (Edge Similarity Score, ESS) for the physical fit examination of textile materials. Here, the results from 1027 textile physical fit comparisons are reported. This includes the evaluation of inter and intraanalyst variation when using this method for hand‐torn and stabbed fabrics. ESS higher than 80% and ESS lower than 20%, respectively, support fit and nonfit conclusions. The results show that analyst accuracy ranges from 88% to 100% when using this criterion. The estimated false‐positive rate for this dataset (2% false positives, 10 of 477 true nonfit pairs) demonstrates the importance of assessing the quality of a physical fit during an examination and reveals that potential errors are low, but possible in textile physical fit examinations. The risk of error must be accounted for in the interpretation and verification processes. Further analysis shows that factors such as the separation method, construction, and design of the samples do not substantially influence the ESS values. Additionally, the proposed method is independently evaluated by 15 practitioners in an interlaboratory exercise that demonstrates satisfactory reproducibility between participants. The standardized terminology and documentation criteria are the first steps toward validating approaches to streamline the peer review process, minimize bias and subjectivity, and convey the probative value of the evidence.
Efficacy test for intermittent theta burst stimulation during motor rehabilitation in patients post‐stroke in a tertiary centre in Hong Kong
Authors: Leung Hiu Ming , Yuen Ming Him , Mak Calvin Hoi Kwan , Poon Tak Lap , Cheung Fung Ching , Luk Helen Ka Yan , Chee Bryan Swee Haw 
Published: December 2023

AbstractAimStroke represents a significant cause of long‐term disability in adults. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a non‐invasive brain stimulation method known for its potential to enhance motor recovery. Intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), a standardised rTMS protocol initially utilised in patients with depression, has garnered attention in the realm of stroke rehabilitation. This study seeks to establish the efficacy profile of iTBS in motor rehabilitation for patients with subacute or chronic stroke.Patients and methodsThis study is a prospective cohort trial in which eligible patients with stroke were recruited into the iTBS group. Ten sessions of iTBS were conducted, followed by physiotherapy. An equal number of matched controls were recruited into the conventional physiotherapy group. The differences in various scoring systems related to motor performance at 6 months were analysed using independent two‐sample t test.ResultsForty patients were enrolled in the study. At 6 months, iTBS demonstrated a statistically significant improvement compared with conventional physiotherapy across various scoring systems, including motor power grading (47.4% vs 0%, P < .0001), Upper Extremity Fugl–Meyer Assessment (19.8% vs 0.7%, P < .0001), Box and Block Test (25.6% vs 1.7%, P = .007) and Barthel Index (17.8% vs 0.1%, P = .0002). No major adverse events were reported in the iTBS group at 6 months.ConclusioniTBS resulted in significant improvement in motor performance across various domains at 6 months compared with conventional physiotherapy alone. This method proves to be a safe approach for motor rehabilitation.
Diabetic neuropathy: A NRF2 disease?
Authors: Neagu Monica , Constantin Carolina , Surcel Mihaela , Munteanu Adriana , Scheau Cristian , Savulescu‐Fiedler Ilinca , Caruntu Constantin 
Published: December 2023

AbstractThe transcription factor nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (NRF2) has multifarious action with its target genes having redox‐regulating functions and being involved in inflammation control, proteostasis, autophagy, and metabolic pathways. Therefore, the genes controlled by NRF2 are involved in the pathogenesis of myriad diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases, metabolic syndrome, neurodegenerative diseases, autoimmune disorders, and cancer. Amidst this large array of diseases, diabetic neuropathy (DN) occurs in half of patients diagnosed with diabetes and appears as an injury inflicted upon peripheral and autonomic nervous systems. As a complex effector factor, NRF2 has entered the spotlight during the search of new biomarkers and/or new therapy targets in DN. Due to the growing attention for NRF2 as a modulating factor in several diseases, including DN, this paper aims to update the recently discovered regulatory pathways of NRF2 in oxidative stress, inflammation and immunity. It presents the animal models that further facilitated the human studies in regard to NRF2 modulation and the possibilities of using NRF2 as DN biomarker and/or as target therapy.image
Uncertainty propagation in matrix population models: Gaps, importance and guidelines
Authors: Simmonds Emily G. , Jones Owen R. 
Published: December 2023

Abstract

Matrix population models (MPMs), which describe the demographic behaviour of a population based on age or stage through discrete time, are popular in ecology, evolutionary biology and conservation biology. MPMs provide a tool for guiding management decisions and can give insight into life history trade‐offs, patterns of senescence, transient dynamics and population trajectories. These models are parameterised with estimates of demographic rates (e.g. survival and reproduction) and can have multiple layers of underlying statistical analyses, all of which introduce uncertainty. For accurate and transparent results, this uncertainty should be propagated through to quantities derived from the MPMs, such as population growth rates (λ). However, full propagation is not always achieved, leading to omitted uncertainty and negative consequences for the reliability of inferences drawn.

We summarised the contemporary standards regarding demographic rate uncertainty reporting and propagation, by reviewing papers using MPMs from 2010 to 2019. We then used reported uncertainties as the basis for a simulation study to explore the impact of uncertainty omission on inferences drawn from the analysis of MPMs. We simulated four scenarios of demographic rate propagation and evaluated their impact on population growth rate estimates.

Although around 78% of MPM papers report some kind of uncertainty in their findings, only half of those report uncertainty in all aspects. Additionally, only 31% of papers fully propagate uncertainty through to derived quantities. Our simulations demonstrate that, even with moderate levels of uncertainty, incomplete propagation introduces bias. Omitting uncertainty may substantially alter conclusions, particularly for results showing small changes in population size. Biased conclusions were most common when uncertainty in the most influential demographic rates for population growth were omitted.

We suggest comprehensive guidelines for reporting and propagating uncertainty in MPMs. Standardising methods and reporting will increase the reliability of MPMs and enhance the comparability of different models. These guidelines will improve the accuracy, transparency and reliability of population projections, increasing our confidence in results that can inform conservation efforts, ultimately contributing to biodiversity preservation.