bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Time to first cigarette and its impact on lung tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhang Tongwu , Sang Jian , Caporaso Neil , Gu Fangyi , Hutchinson Amy , Consonni Dario , Pesatori Angela C. , Homer Robert , Chanock Stephen , Landi Maria Teresa
Published: November 2022

Time to first cigarette (TTFC) in the morning has been identified as the best indicator of nicotine dependence and is associated with lung cancer risk beyond other measures of tobacco smoking. Using deep whole genome sequencing of 218 lung cancers from smokers, we show that TTFC is the strongest marker of tobacco smoking mutagenicity, with impact on lung tumor mutational burden, mutational signatures, intratumor heterogeneity,KRASmutations and overall survival. These results pave the way for using TTFC as an easily measurable marker of lung tumorigenesis, with plausible therapeutic and prognostic implications.
Cell-subtype specific effects of genetic variation in the aging and Alzheimer cortex
Authors: Fujita Masashi , Gao Zongmei , Zeng Lu , McCabe Cristin , White Charles C. , Ng Bernard , Green Gilad Sahar , Rozenblatt-Rosen Orit , Phillips Devan , Amir-Zilberstein Liat , Lee Hyo , Pearse Richard V. , Khan Atlas , Vardarajan Badri N. , Kiryluk Krzysztof , Ye Chun Jimmie , Klein Hans-Ulrich , Wang Gao , Regev Aviv , Habib Naomi , Schneider Julie A. , Wang Yanling , Young-Pearse Tracy , Mostafavi Sara , Bennett David A. , Menon Vilas , De Jager Philip L.
Published: November 2022

The relationship between genetic variation and gene expression in individual brain cell types and subtypes has remained elusive. Here, we generated single-nucleus RNA sequencing data from the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex of 424 individuals of advanced age; analyzing 1.5 million nuclear transcriptomes, we assessed the effect of genetic variants on RNA expression incis(cis-eQTL) for 7 cell types and 81 cell subtypes. This effort identified 10,004 eGenes at the cell type level and 8,138 eGenes at the cell subtype level. Many eGenes are only detected within cell subtypes. A new variant influencesAPOEexpression only in microglia and is associated with greater cerebral amyloid angiopathy but not Alzheimer pathology, accounting for the effect ofAPOEε4, providing mechanistic insights into both pathologies. While eQTLs are readily detected, only aTMEM106Bvariant robustly affects the proportion of cell subtypes. Integration of these results with GWAS highlighted the targeted cell type and likely causal gene within susceptibility loci for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, schizophrenia, and educational attainment.
Non-invasive stimulation of the human striatum disrupts reinforcement learning of motor skills
Authors: Vassiliadis Pierre , Beanato Elena , Popa Traian , Windel Fabienne , Morishita Takuya , Neufeld Esra , Duque Julie , Derosiere Gerard , Wessel Maximilian J. , Hummel Friedhelm C.
Published: November 2022

Reinforcement feedback can improve motor learning, but the underlying brain mechanisms remain underexplored. Especially, the causal contribution of specific patterns of oscillatory activity within the human striatum is unknown. To address this question, we exploited an innovative, non-invasive deep brain stimulation technique called transcranial Temporal Interference Stimulation (tTIS) during reinforcement motor learning with concurrent neuroimaging, in a randomised, sham-controlled, double-blind study. Striatal tTIS applied at 80Hz, but not at 20Hz, abolished the benefits of reinforcement on motor learning. This effect was related to a selective modulation of neural activity within the striatum. Moreover, 80Hz, but not 20Hz tTIS increased the neuromodulatory influence of the striatum on frontal areas involved in reinforcement motor learning. These results show for the first time that tTIS can non-invasively and selectively modulate a striatal mechanism involved in reinforcement learning, opening new horizons for the study of causal relationships between deep brain structures and human behaviour.
Genome-wide association identifies impacts of chlorophyll levels on reproductive maturity and architecture in maize
Authors: Khangura Rajdeep S. , Johal Gurmukh S. , Dilkes Brian P.
Published: November 2022

The semi-dominant mutant alleleOy1-N1989encodes a dominant-negative subunit I of Mg-Chelatase that catalyzes the first committed step of chlorophyll biosynthesis. Analyses of mutant F1 hybrids from crosses ofOy1-N1989to diverse maize lines identified a natural variant atoil yellow1as major modifier of chlorophyll content. Chlorophyll reduction increased the time to reproductive maturity, decreased stalk width, and had complex effects on plant height. We explored these effects by genome wide association studies of F1 hybrids crosses ofOy1-N1989to a maize diversity panel. The delay in reproductive maturity inOy1-N1989/+ mutants neither altered the vegetative-to-adult phase change nor total leaf number but did slow the rate of organ emergence from the whorl. In addition to the allele atoy1, analysis of tetrapyrrole, heme, and chlorophyll biosynthesis pathway genes identified multiple modifiers of mutant traits. Consistent with organ emergence, rather than a developmental delay, affecting the reproductive delay ofOy1-N1989/+ mutants, known flowering time regulators did not affect variation in the reproductive delay affected by chlorophyll loss. Plant height showed a complex relationship with chlorophyll. TheOy1-N1989/+ mutant F1 plants with a modest reduction in chlorophyll were taller than their wildtype siblings, but F1 plants with dramatically decreased chlorophyll were shorter than their wildtype siblings. Perturbations in the biosynthesis of the phytochrome chromophore increased plant height in wild-type plants but dramatically reduced plant height and chlorophyll contents ofOy1-N1989/+ mutants. The mechanism by which the interaction between chlorophyll and bilin affects height and chlorophyll remains to be explored.

One sentence summary

Chlorophyll reduction in maize delays reproductive maturity by altering growth and not development, and depending on the reduction can either increase or decrease plant height.
Comparative analysis of single-cell and single-nucleus RNA-sequencing in a rabbit model of retinal detachment-related proliferative vitreoretinopathy
Authors: Santiago Clayton P. , Gimmen Megan Y. , Lu Yuchen , McNally Minda M. , Duncan Leighton H. , Creamer Tyler J. , Orzolek Linda D. , Blackshaw Seth , Singh Mandeep S.
Published: November 2022

Structured Abstract

Purpose

Proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) is the most common cause of failure of retinal reattachment surgery and the molecular changes leading to this aberrant wound healing process is currently unknown. We aimed to study PVR pathogenesis using single-cell transcriptomics to dissect cellular heterogeneity in a rabbit PVR model.

Methods

PVR was induced unilaterally in Dutch Belted rabbits. At different timepoints following PVR induction, retinas were dissociated into either cells or nuclei suspension and processed for single-cell or single-nucleus RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq or snRNA-seq).

Results

scRNA-Seq and snRNA-Seq were conducted on retinas at 4 hours and 14 days after disease induction. While the capture rate of unique molecular identifiers (UMI) and genes were greater in scRNA-seq samples, overall gene expression profiles of individual cell types were highly correlated between scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq. A major disparity between the two sequencing modalities is the cell type capture rate, however, with glial cell types over-represented in scRNA-seq, and inner retinal neurons were enriched by snRNA-seq. Furthermore, fibrotic Müller glia were over-represented in snRNA-seq samples, while reactive Müller glia were in scRNA-seq samples. Trajectory analyses were similar between the two methods, allowing for the combined analysis of the scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq datasets.

Conclusions

These findings highlight limitations of both scRNA-seq and snRNA-seq analysis and imply that use of both techniques can more accurately identify transcriptional networks critical for aberrant fibrogenesis in PVR.
Adversarial Attacks on Genotype Sequences
Authors: Montserrat Daniel Mas , Ioannidis Alexander G.
Published: November 2022

Adversarial attacks can drastically change the output of a method by performing a small change on its input. While they can be a useful framework to analyze worst-case robustness, they can also be used by malicious agents to perform damage in machine learning-based applications. The proliferation of platforms that allow users to share their DNA sequences and phenotype information to enable association studies has led to an increase in large databases. Such open platforms are, however, vulnerable to malicious users uploading corrupted genetic sequence files that could damage downstream studies. Such studies commonly include steps involving the analysis of the genomic sequence’s structure using dimensionality reduction techniques and ancestry inference methods. In this paper we show how white-box gradient-based adversarial attacks can be used to corrupt the output of genomic analyses, and we explore different machine learning techniques to detect such manipulations.
ScAN1.0: A Reproducible and Standardized Pipeline for Processing 10X Single Cell Rnaseq Data
Authors: Lepetit Maxime , Ilie Mirela Diana , Chanal Marie , Raverot Gerald , Bertolino Philippe , Arpin Christophe , Picard Franck , Gandrillon Olivier
Published: November 2022

1

Single cell transcriptomics has recently seen a surge in popularity, leading to the need for data analysis pipelines that are reproducible, modular, and interoperable across different systems and institutions.

To meet this demand, we introducescAN1.0, a processing pipeline for analyzing 10X single cell RNA sequencing data.scAN1.0is built using the Nextflow DSL2 and can be run on most computational systems. The modular design of Nextflow pipelines enables easy integration and evaluation of different blocks for specific analysis steps.

We demonstrate the usefulness ofscAN1.0by showing its ability to examine the impact of the mapping step during the analysis of two datasets: (i) a 10X scRNAseq of a human pituitary gonadotroph tumor dataset and (ii) a murine 10X scRNAseq acquired on CD8 T cells during an immune response.
Serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography of an anaerobically formed catalytic intermediate of copper amine oxidase
Authors: Murakawa Takeshi , Suzuki Mamoru , Fukui Kenji , Masuda Tetsuya , Sugahara Michihiro , Tono Kensuke , Tanaka Tomoyuki , Iwata So , Nango Eriko , Yano Takato , Tanizawa Katsuyuki , Okajima Toshihide
Published: November 2022

The mechanisms by which enzymes promote catalytic reactions efficiently through their structural changes remain to be fully elucidated. Recent progress in serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography (SFX) using X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs) has made it possible to address these issues. In particular, mix-and-inject serial crystallography (MISC) is promising for the direct observation of structural changes associated with ongoing enzymic reactions. In this study, SFX measurements using a liquid-jet system were performed on microcrystals of bacterial copper amine oxidase anaerobically premixed with a substrate amine solution. The structure determined at 1.94 Å resolution indicated that the peptidyl quinone cofactor is in equilibrium between the aminoresorcinol and semiquinone radical intermediates, which accumulate only under anaerobic single-turnover conditions. These results show that anaerobic conditions were well maintained throughout the liquid-jet SFX measurements, preventing the catalytic intermediates from reacting with dioxygen. These results also provide a necessary framework for performing time-resolved MISC to study enzymic reaction mechanisms under anaerobic conditions.
Labour policy in the face of the COVID-19 socio-economic crisis in Spain: institutional change and social pacts
Authors: Cárdenas Luis , Villanueva Paloma
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to analyse the institutional changes in the Spanish labour market in the light of the measures introduced to support workers during the COVID-19 crisis. Applying the theoretical framework the authors’ hypothesis is that the labour policy response to the crisis provoked by COVID-19 in Spain has ranged from strategy of preservation of the social democratic coalition to the anti-bourgeois bloc coalition with a greater presence of social pacts and the support of the social partners.

Design/methodology/approach

Combining the institutional theory of liberalisation trajectories, the four ideal-typical reform strategies and the social pacts literature, the authors analyse the change in the labour market policy orientation during the COVID-19 economic crisis in Spain.

Findings

In comparison to the Great Recession labour policy response, short-time work schemes and new benefits have characterised the 2020 labour policy strategy. Then, the labour policy response has oscillated between, on the one hand, a strategy of preservation of the social democratic coalition, which is characterised by measures to protect workers on the margins of the labour market without affecting the discretionary power of employers. On the other hand, a strategy of the anti-bourgeois bloc coalition, reflected in the employment safeguard clause that attempts to limit both external numerical flexibility and the increase in unemployment. Finally, the authors have analysed whether the labour policies after the COVID-19 crisis constitute a new round of social pacts in Spain and how this took place. They conclude that the main measures approved in the area of employment protection have been supported by social pacts and the social partners (trade unions and employers), as reflected in the signing of the Social Agreement in Defence of Employment (ASDE).

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is a significant contribution as it is the first article to point out that the labour policy represents a change in the trajectory of liberalisation, limiting the discretionary power of employers and re-regulating the labour market. The main measure of (re)regulation has been to safeguard employment and to avoid objective or unfair dismissals, which is the traditional form of adjustment. In other words, internal numerical flexibility has been promoted over external flexibility, thus significantly modifying the orientation of labour policy. Finally, the authors have found that social pacts have allowed for greater institutional coherence between legal changes and the behaviour of employers and workers.
Convective flow over heat dissipating fins for application of electronic package cooling using curved boundary scheme lattice Boltzmann method
Authors: Hasani Malekshah Emad , Hussein Ahmed Kadhim , Kolsi Lioua
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address a problem in cooling of an electronic package where the dissipating fins transfer the extra heat energy from the heat source (i.e. electronic devices) to the heat sink (i.e. environment). To this end, the convective heat transfer of nanofluid flow over dissipating fins is simulated using a numerical approach, whereas the properties of nanofluid are evaluated based on the experimental measurements and used in the numerical process.

Design/methodology/approach

To simulate the convective flow, the lattice Boltzmann method is used. Also, the curved boundary scheme is used to enhance the capability of lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) in the simulation of natural convection in curved boundaries. In addition, the second law analysis is used based on total and local approaches.

Findings

To improve the cooling performance of fins, a modern technique is used, which is using of nanofluid. For this purpose, samples of SiO2-liquid paraffin with mass fractions of 0.01, 0.05, 0.1, 0.5 and 1 (Wt.%) in a temperature range of 25–60 °C are provided, and the required thermal and physical properties of samples including thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity are measured during experimental work. The extracted results are used in the numerical simulations using derived correlations.

Originality/value

The originality of the present work is using a modern numerical method in the investigation of an engineering application and combining it with experimental data.
Conditional cash transfer and early marriage: a case study of Mataram City, West Nusa Tenggara
Authors: Hartarto Romi Bhakti , Wibowo Wahyu Tri
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to understand whether the implementation of Indonesian conditional cash transfer (CCT), namely, Family Hope Program (FHP), holds the potential for influencing perceptions of beneficiary households in Mataram City about children’s education and early marriage.

Design/methodology/approach

This study used qualitative research methods of semi-structured in-depth interviews with beneficiary households. A total of 18 households with adolescent girls receiving FHP throughout six subdistricts in Mataram City were taken as key informants. Having mapped codes into the Capacity, Opportunity, Motivation – Behavior model, this study used thematic analysis to identify the most mentioned factors to facilitate and to hinder the efforts of early marriage prevention.

Findings

This study reveals that the FHP beneficiaries had realized the importance of education for their children, which could be used as a facilitator for the FHP to prevent early marriages. On the other hand, local customary arrangement was found to be the main barrier for the government to prevent early marriage cases in Mataram City. This barrier was exacerbated with rebellious character of the children. Therefore, the implementation of local customary arrangement needs to be evaluated together with more socialization about the consequence of early marriage to the children through the role of program facilitators or teachers at school.

Originality/value

Different from existing literature in CCT and early marriage which uses quantitative analysis, this study uses qualitative approach to construe the views and perceptions of the program participants. Use of the qualitative approach offers a different viewpoint and supplements the existing literature in this area.
Corporate board structures, financial performance and stability: evidence from banking markets in Africa
Authors: Asare Nicholas , Muah Patricia , Frimpong George , Anyass Ibrahim Ahmed
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the effects of board structures (BS) on the financial performance and stability of banks in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

Using annual data of 366 banks from 26 African countries from 2007 to 2015, the study estimates growths in financial performance using net interest margin and risk-adjusted return on assets; bank stability using z-scores; and BS using board size, board independence and board gender diversity. The system generalized method of moments and ordinary least squares panel-corrected standard error estimation strategies are used to estimate panel regressions.

Findings

The study concludes that board independence has a negative and significant relationship with financial stability but has diverse relationships with financial performance. Board size and board gender diversity have insignificant relationships with financial performance and stability.

Research limitations/implications

The study has relevant implications for practitioners, policymakers and the academic community. The findings provide evidence of the extent to which BS have been instituted to influence the financial profitability and stability of banks in Africa.

Originality/value

This study offers robust evidence on the role of BS in the performance and stability of banks; using a multidimensional conceptualization of the performance and stability of banks in 26 countries in Africa.
Risk factors affecting the mental health of first-year university students on a health sciences campus and related factors
Authors: Erol Saime , Gur Kamer , Karaca Semra , Çalık K. Burcu , Uzuner Arzu , Apaydın Kaya Çiğdem
Published: November 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to determine the mental health status and risk factors for the mental health of first-year university students on a health sciences campus.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a descriptive study. The research was conducted with first-year students in the health sciences, dentistry and medical faculties of a state university (n = 770). The data were collected with a sociodemographic questionnaire, the Risk Behavior of Young Adults Survey, the Bergen Insomnia Scale, General Health Questionnaire-28 and the Mental Health Improvement Scale. Body mass ındex was calculated.

Findings

Among the students, 53.7% experienced feelings of hopelessness in the last year and 1% had attempted suicide. The percentage of students found to be at risk in terms of mental health was 41.9%; 39.4% reported that they suffered from insomnia. It was found that those who had been subjected to bullying, felt hopelessness, had suicidal thoughts, planned to commit suicide and students who experienced sleeping problems were more at risk in terms of psychological issues (p < 0.01). Insomnia (β: 3.341) and smoking (β: 2.226) were identified as the strongest risk factors for mental health in first-year health sciences students (p < 0.005).

Practical implications

The results of the research offer an opportunity to get to know the characteristics of first-year university students who are at risk for mental health. It offers the opportunity to closely monitor and protect the mental health of students starting from the first grade.

Originality/value

In this study, it was determined that approximately half of the first-year university students were in the risk group in terms of mental health. Female gender, having a chronic illness, smoking a day or more in the past 30 days, not doing any physical activity, having a weak BMI, being bullied in the past 12 months, being cyberbullied in the past 12 months and having insomnia have been identified as risk factors that negatively affect mental health.
Moral courage: restoring well-being, community, and capacity within the post-pandemic university
Authors: Humphreys Melanie Jeanne
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to spark dialogue regarding what it takes to lead well as a university leader post-pandemic. While much has been written about the future challenges facing universities, not a lot has been written about the kind of moral courage that is required to lead them. There never has been a more important time for strong leadership from university presidents; leadership that supports human flourishing and learning in all its forms.

Design/methodology/approach

Discussion focuses on the role of presidents in leading the post-pandemic university. The author speaks from experience on the need to restore well-being, community, and capacity for a more hopeful and resilient future.

Findings

This study makes a case for a post-pandemic university needing to be marked by courage and humanity. Students are looking for universities to align with what they care about and what is relevant to their experience and future. Responsibility falls to leaders within the academy to restore well-being, community and capacity across the university.

Research limitations/implications

Leading a university as president, at the best of times, is a complex and rewarding role. Leading during a global pandemic could hardly get more challenging. It is hoped that this paper will generate additional discussion as to what it means to lead well in the academy.

Originality/value

The author’s experience having led a university through one of the most challenging times in our history may provide a perspective for colleagues and future leaders of the university sector.
The prospect of higher education marketing: adaption, transition or hybridisation?
Authors: Nair Bipithalal Balakrishnan , Dileep M.R. , Walia Sandeep K.
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This study aims to examine the impacts of the forced shift to online/hybrid learning on international students’ perceptions and behaviour. It aims to understand the direction of future university marketing changes to address this vital and urgent concern.

Design/methodology/approach

This study deployed an explorative qualitative design and data collected through interviews (n, 20) with prospective international students.

Findings

The study identified four main themes: mode of class operation, that is, the balance between online/offline/hybrid modes of course delivery; enhanced level of flexibility in terms of both visa regulations and financial aid; strategic use of social media and virtual tools to connect with and impress the international student community; and evidence of digitalization and experiential learning.

Practical implications

This study has many theoretical and managerial implications. As international students perceive COVID-19 as an under-researched theme in the higher education market, the study’s outcome helps understand the grey areas of expectation versus reality in higher education marketing.

Originality/value

This research offers a new perspective from the demand side on higher education marketing strategies amid COVID-19.
Digital technology can transform the executive search process making it more efficient, more accurate and more accountable
Authors: Ramakrishnan Umesh
Published: November 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the potential for digital technology allied with industry experience to disrupt the executive recruitment process and transform executive search. To do this, it examines the pioneering steps taken by a leading executive search firm that placed supporting digital technologies at the heart of its business model, its search processes and its relationship management with clients and candidates.

Design/methodology/approach

Individual-level information gathered from the firm and other stakeholders.

Findings

The application of digital technologies is transforming the executive search process, providing particular benefits around accuracy, accountability and speed. This is true for all aspects of the process, from the initial mandate through to the eventual hiring decision and onboarding of the successful candidate. It is also true for all the participants as using these technologies changes the nature of the interactions between members of the search ecosystem, enabling them to create and contribute greater value to the search process. By embracing these new technologies, organizations are better placed to exploit future developments in technology, such as the metaverse.

Originality/value

The case study reveals how embracing and engaging with digital technology enables participants in the executive search process to use new tools and methodologies and maximize the value they contribute and obtain from the search process.
Successful treatment with secukinumab of psoriasis‐like dermatitis in a patient with holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency
Authors: Liu Haifei , Wei Ruoqu , Yang Yijun , Zhang Zhen , Yang Yixuan , Tang Jue , Chen Jiawen , Zhang Jia , Gu Yan , Yao Zhirong
Published: November 2022

Holocarboxylase synthetase deficiency (HSD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder of biotin metabolism. Typical manifestations include irreversible metabolic disorders and erythroderma‐like dermatitis. Most patients respond well to biotin supplementation. Psoriasis‐like phenotype associated with this disease has been rarely reported in the literature and experiences with the use of biologics in patients with HSD are still lacking. We reported a rare case of recurrent psoriasis‐like skin lesions in a 6‐year‐old child with HSD. The patient did not respond to initial therapy with high‐dose oral biotin. Immunofluorescence staining showed an increased number of interleukin (IL)‐17A+ cells in his skin lesions. Based on this finding, the patient was successfully treated with human anti‐IL‐17A monoclonal antibody (secukinumab). He did not report any side effects and remained healthy during the 2‐year follow‐up. We provide a comprehensive review of the reported cases of HSD with psoriasis‐like dermatitis to date. The psoriasis‐like phenotype of HSD is controversial in treatment and IL‐17A inhibitor is an alternative therapeutic option.
Plasticity of plant silicon and nitrogen concentrations in response to water regimes varies across temperate grassland species
Authors: Klotz Marius , Schaller Jörg , Feldhaar Heike , Dengler Jürgen , Gebauer Gerhard , Aas Gregor , Weissflog Anita , Engelbrecht Bettina M. J.
Published: November 2022

Temperate grasslands exhibit strong spatial and temporal variation in water regimes. Thus, grassland plants experience potentially stressful water regimes, which may influence their tissue silicon (Si) and nitrogen (N) concentrations. Plant Si and N concentrations play important ecological roles in temperate grasslands, for example, by influencing plant performance and herbivory, yet comparisons of species' responses to a broad range of water regimes, including drought, waterlogging and flooding, are lacking.

We conducted a mesocosm experiment with 10 temperate grassland species of two life‐forms (grasses and forbs) exposed to four different soil water regimes (drought, a benign control, waterlogged and flooded conditions), and analysed their Si and N concentrations.

Grasses showed lower Si concentrations under drought and flooding compared to the benign control and the highest concentrations emerged under waterlogging. Overall, plant Si responses of grasses were more uniform, while in forbs, responses varied both in direction and magnitude across species. For N concentrations, all species and life‐forms showed the highest concentrations under drought compared to the benign control, while half of the species exhibited decreasing concentrations under waterlogging and/or flooding. The water regimes, especially waterlogging and flooding, induced changes in species rankings of plant Si and N concentrations, with stronger shifts in forbs than in grasses.

Our results indicate that spatial and temporal variation of water regimes may influence plant Si and N concentrations in temperate grassland species. Plant Si responses to water regimes might be highly species‐specific in forbs but more similar in grasses, whereas plant N responses are likely to be relatively uniform across species and life‐forms.

The strong plasticity in plant Si and N concentrations we observed might have pervasive consequences for ecological processes, such as herbivory.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
The Continuity of a Legal System
Authors: Chen Li‐kung
Published: November 2022

This article addresses the question whether a legal system can have an identity through time. The jurisprudential debate over the question has been dominated by Hans Kelsen's account of systemic unity of norms, on the one hand, and John Finnis's and Joseph Raz's accounts of the identity of a social system (for example a state) of which a legal system is a part, on the other. Drawing on two previously unexplored situations as test cases for successful explanation, the article demonstrates that the major existing accounts are not wholly satisfactory. A new solution is proposed: it is the practice of legal officials that evinces the criteria for recognising the continuity of the legal system whose officials they are. The article develops an account of the practice's central features and demonstrates that the account supplies coherent solutions to the test cases.
Prognosis of resected invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma compared with the IASLC histologic grading system for invasive nonmucinous adenocarcinoma: Surgical database study in the TKIs era in Korea
Authors: Woo Wongi , Yang Young Ho , Cha Yoon Jin , Moon Duk Hwan , Shim Hyo Sup , Cho Arthur , Kim Bong Jun , Kim Ha Eun , Park Byung Jo , Lee Jin Gu , Kim Dae Joon , Paik Hyo Chae , Lee Sungsoo , Lee Chang Young
Published: November 2022

Background

The prognosis of invasive mucinous adenocarcinoma (IMA) remains controversial and should be clarified by comparison with the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC) histologic grading system for invasive nonmucinous adenocarcinoma (INMA).

Methods

This study included patients with IMA who underwent curative resection. Their clinicopathological outcomes were compared with those of patients with INMA. Propensity score matching was performed to compare the prognosis of IMA with IASLC grade 2 or 3. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log‐rank tests were used to analyze recurrence‐free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS).

Results

The prognoses of IMA and IASLC grade 2 were similar in terms of RFS and OS. Although patients with IMA had better RFS than patients with IASLC grade 3, the OS was not significantly different. After propensity score matching, IMA demonstrated similar RFS to IASLC grade 2 but superior to IASLC grade 3; there was no difference in the OS compared with grades 2/3. Multivariate analysis revealed that tumor size (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.20, p = 0.028), lymphovascular invasion (HR = 127.5, p = 0.003), and maximum standardized uptake value (HR = 1.24, p = 0.005) were poor prognostic predictors for RFS. Patients with IMA demonstrated RFS similar to and significantly better than that of patients with IASLC grades 2 and 3, respectively. For OS, IMA prognosis was between that of IASLC grades 2 and 3.

Conclusions

Since the prognosis of IMA among lung adenocarcinomas appears to be relatively worse, further clinical studies investigating IMA‐specific treatment and follow‐up plans are necessary to draw more inferences.
Cyprus: Political Developments and Data in 2021
Authors: SÖZEN AHMET , FAUSTMANN HUBERT
Published: November 2022

The year 2021 was marked by the continuation of the standstill in attempts to overcome the division of the island, as well as the social, political and economic impact of the Covid‐19 pandemic on both sides of the divide. The Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus continued to suffer from political and economic instability. After only one year in office, the ruling coalition collapsed in November. Parliamentary elections in the Greek Cypriot‐dominated Republic of Cyprus led to massive losses of the three largest parties, which, however, did not translate in a large‐scale loss of seats. Moreover, in June there was a small‐scale reshuffling of the Cabinet in the Republic of Cyprus.
Karl Lueger and the Reichspost: Construction of a Cult of Personality
Authors: O'Neill Chris
Published: November 2022

This article contributes to the body of research on fin‐de‐siècle Viennese and Austrian history, as well as the history of ideas and press history. It expands on the scholarship by focusing on one newspaper — the Catholic‐conservative Reichspost (affiliated with the Christian Social Party) — to analyse how it perpetuated the cult of personality surrounding the mayor of Vienna, Karl Lueger (1844‐1910). The Reichspost unwaveringly depicted Lueger as a benevolent patriarch to Christian women and children, a practice which commenced before Lueger's ascension to the mayorship and continued until decades after his death. The newspaper merged aspects of a secular and religious faith around the mayor, creating a genuinely messianic figure. Despite the extensive literature on the culture and politics of fin‐de‐siècle Vienna and the interest it continues to generate, Lueger's cult of personality — well established in the literature — and its manifestation in Christian Social print media have thus far been entirely neglected. Wide‐ranging surveys of the Viennese press (such as those conducted by the Institute for Comparative Media and Communication Studies in Vienna) give practical biographical details of fin‐de‐siècle Austrian print media such as the Reichspost. Still, they offer little in the way of a deeper cultural analysis. Through analysing the Reichspost's positioning of Karl Lueger with ‘the people’, this article hopes to address this gap in the scholarship.
A prospective observational study of the effects of sugammadex on peri‐operative oestrogen and progesterone levels in women who take hormonal contraception
Authors: Devoy T. , Hunter M. , Smith N. A.
Published: November 2022

Pharmacokinetic modelling suggests that sugammadex may interact with endogenous progesterone and reduce levels by 34% in patients taking hormonal contraception. Due to this potential interaction that may be equivalent to missing one dose of an oral contraceptive pill, both the manufacturer and professional anaesthesia organisations recommend counselling patients to use additional non‐hormonal contraception after administration of sugammadex. We performed a prospective observational study examining the changes in serum oestrogen and progesterone concentrations in premenopausal adult women undergoing an operative procedure. Sixty participants who were on hormonal contraception received sugammadex. Two additional control groups were recruited, consisting of 30 participants who were not on hormonal contraception and did not receive sugammadex, and 32 who were not on hormonal contraception and did receive sugammadex. Three blood samples were taken: before sugammadex; 15 min post‐sugammadex; and 240 min post‐sugammadex or end of operating theatre time. Median oestrogen levels decreased from baseline by around 40% at 240 min in all three groups (p ≤ 0.001). Progesterone levels rose significantly at 15 min (p = 0.002) in patients on contraception then decreased non‐significantly to 20% below baseline at 240 min. The decrease in oestrogen and the rise in progesterone could both act to minimise the risk of ovulation and thus protect contraception in this population. We found no evidence of a change in hormone levels that might threaten contraceptive efficacy in women on hormonal contraception receiving sugammadex.
Conversations in a Time of Crisis: Kuppi Talk in the Sri Lankan University Space
Authors: Sumathy Sivamohan , Kadirgamar Ahilan , Kumar Shamala , Lecamwasam Hasini , Perera Nicola
Published: November 2022

Kuppi in Sinhala and Tamil refers to a small oil lamp, a vial. On university campuses in Sri Lanka, kuppi is the figurative term for a student‐led informal study group led by a “smarter” or senior student. Informed by the complexities of university life, kuppi signifies a politics and pedagogy happening on the margins of the lecture hall. It parodies, subverts, and simultaneously reaffirms social hierarchies. Drawing upon this conceit, a group of academics and activists, found the Kuppi Collective in 2020, as an inquiry of the location of the university, academia, the intellectual and of their imbrication in the state and the global, in all its complexity.

In “Conversations in a Time of Crisis,” five of the collective’s members enter into a conversation reflecting on its actions, expectations, and the political, remarking on what the future may hold. The conversation takes on an ever more insistent urgency as Sri Lanka catapults into an economic and political debacle, slowly shutting down, even as we speak. Participants in the conversation are Hasini Lecamwasam (HL), Sivamohan Sumathy (SS), Shamala Kumar (SK), Ahilan Kadirgamar (AK), and Nicola Perera (NP).
Access to effective but expensive treatments: An analysis of the solidarity argument in discussions on funding of medical treatments
Authors: van Till Sietske A. L. , Smids Jilles , Bunnik Eline M.
Published: November 2022

The development of new effective but expensive medical treatments leads to discussions about whether and how such treatments should be funded in solidarity‐based healthcare systems. Solidarity is often seen as an elusive concept; it appears to be used to refer to different sets of concerns, and its interrelations with the concept of justice are not well understood. This paper provides a conceptual analysis of the concept of solidarity as it is used in discussions on the allocation of healthcare resources and the funding of expensive treatments. It contributes to the clarification of the concept of solidarity by identifying in the literature and discussing four uses of the concept: (1) assisting patients in need, (2) upholding the solidarity‐based healthcare system, (3) willingness to contribute and (4) promoting equality. It distinguishes normative and descriptive uses of the concept and outlines the overlap and differences between solidarity and justice. Our analysis shows that the various uses of the concept of solidarity point to different, even conflicting, ethical stances on whether and how access to effective, expensive treatments should be provided. We conclude that the concept of solidarity has a role to play in discussions on the accessibility and funding of newly approved medical treatments. It requires, for instance, that healthcare policies promote and maintain both societal willingness to contribute to the care of others and the value of providing care to vulnerable patients through public funding.
An experimental test of integrating imagery with approach bias modification for alcohol: A cautionary tale
Authors: Fridland Ellen , Wiers Corinde E. , Rinck Mike , Becker Eni S. , Gladwin Thomas E.
Published: November 2022

Objectives

In terms of dual process models, behaviour can be conceived of as the outcome of an interplay between reflective, top‐down and impulsive, bottom‐up processes. Behaviour change interventions may benefit from targeting both types of processes in a coherent way. One approach to this, in the context of reducing hazardous drinking, is to combine imagery involving real‐life situations involving alcohol with the simple actions involved in Approach Bias Modification (ApBM), a form of Cognitive Bias Modification.

Design

We developed and tested a version of this Imagery‐enhanced Approach Bias Modification (IApBM) in an experimental design, with two independent factors: imagery versus control and ApBM versus control training components (N = 139).

Methods

An effect of integrating the training factors was hypothesized on the alcohol‐approach bias of an alcohol Approach‐Avoidance Task. Further exploratory analyses were performed for the bias on alcohol‐related Single Attribute Implicit Association Tests and on alcohol‐related questionnaires. Finally, the psychometric properties of an imagery interference effect during training were explored.

Results

Results showed no benefit of the training and in fact suggested a negative interaction in which combining the training components appeared to block reductions in craving effected by each in isolation. The reliability of the imagery‐related interference effect was high and the effect was correlated with alcohol‐related scales.

Conclusions

In conclusion, it appears that interference between training components decreases their individual effects when combining imagery and ApBM in the current way. The imagery‐related interference effects that could be measured during training conditions may be useful as an implicit measure of automatic processes underlying hazardous drinking.
Les composantes de l'espoir critique dans les récits de parents Afro‐Canadiens de la Nouvelle‐Écosse
Authors: Jean‐Pierre Johanne
Published: November 2022

Recently, there is increasing awareness of the magnitude of anti‐Black racism. As a consequence, several school administrations reiterated their commitment to foster an inclusive school climate and to challenge discrimination, including anti‐Black racism. Critical hope is a theoretical concept that is considered essential to accomplish in‐depth transformations to fight social injustices. Duncan‐Andrade (2009) distinguishes three elements that produce critical hope in school settings: material hope, Socratic hope, and audacious hope. This article draws from data collected during a bilingual qualitative study conducted with African Canadians in Nova Scotia, including immigrants and African Nova‐Scotians. The analysis of semi‐structured interviews and focus groups conducted with 60 participants revealed the role of critical hope within critical pedagogy frameworks, including an anti‐racist approach, to promote the development of concrete actions and critical consciousness among school personnel, while avoiding false hopes, cynicism, discouragement, or fatalism.
Polymeric iron chelators for enhancing 5‐aminolevulinic acid‐induced photodynamic therapy
Authors: Nomoto Takahiro , Komoto Kana , Nagano Tomoya , Ishii Takuya , Guo Haochen , Honda Yuto , Ogura Shun‐ichiro , Ishizuka Masahiro , Nishiyama Nobuhiro
Published: November 2022

5‐Aminolevulinic acid (5‐ALA) is an amino acid that can be metabolized into a photosensitizer, protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) selectively in a tumor cell, permitting minimally invasive photodynamic diagnosis/therapy. However, some malignant tumor cells have excess intracellular labile iron and facilitate the conversion of PpIX into heme, which compromises the therapeutic potency of 5‐ALA. Here, we examined the potential of chelation of such unfavorable intratumoral labile iron in photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5‐ALA hydrochloride, using polymeric iron chelators that we recently developed. The polymeric iron chelator efficiently inactivated the intracellular labile iron in cultured cancer cells and importantly enhanced the accumulation of PpIX, thereby improving the cytotoxicity upon photoirradiation. Even in in vivo study with subcutaneous tumor models, the polymeric iron chelator augmented the intratumoral accumulation of PpIX and the PDT effect. This study suggests that our polymeric iron chelator could be a tool for boosting the effect of 5‐ALA‐induced PDT by modulating tumor microenvironment.
Changes in sinus mucosal thickening in the course of tooth extraction and lateral sinus augmentation with surgical drainage: A cone‐beam computed tomographic study
Authors: Park Won‐Bae , Kim Jiyeong , Kim Young‐Jin , Kang Philip , Lim Hyun‐Chang , Han Ji‐Young
Published: November 2022

Objectives

The objective of the study was to evaluate the radiographic changes in sinus mucosal thickness (SMT) in patients with mucosal thickening of odontogenic origin after maxillary molar extraction and lateral sinus augmentation with simultaneous surgical drainage and implant placement.

Materials and Methods

Forty‐six patients were included in this study. The changes in SMT were evaluated using cone‐beam computed tomography images produced at four time points: before extraction (T0), before surgery (T1), immediately after surgery (T2), and after prosthesis delivery (T3), and statistical differences between time points were analyzed. The changes in SMT and augmented bone height (ABH) regarding the reason of extraction, smoking, ostial patency, and the presence of postoperative sinusitis were also evaluated.

Results

Over time points, SMT gradually decreased (T0: 19.44 ± 9.22 mm, T1: 15.10 ± 8.89 mm, T2: 8.42 ± 6.01 mm, and T3: 4.16 ± 4.91 mm) (p < .05). Five out of 6 patients with ostial obstruction at T1 presented ostial patency at T3. Two patients developed postoperative sinusitis but recovered with medication. Ostial patency at T1, SMT at T1, and reason of extraction did not statistically significantly influence SMT at T3. SMT at T1 had no statistically significant impact on ABH change between T2 and T3.

Conclusion

Sinus mucosal thickness was gradually reduced by extraction of compromised teeth and drainage during lateral sinus augmentation. The drainage contributed more to the reduction in SMT.