bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The impact of outbound foreign direct investment on export and private investment: Comparative analysis of emerging and developed countries
Authors: Hasanat Shah Syed , Ameer Waqar
Published: January 2021

Absract

Outbound foreign direct investment (OFDI) was traditionally the realm of developed countries. However, recently OFDI originating from emerging countries has increased rapidly but hardly any study noticed its impact on the economic activities in emerging source countries. Therefore, this study explores the impact of OFDI on exports and private investment in emerging source countries by employing cross‐sectional dependence autoregressive distributed lag model. The findings in this paper suggest that OFDI contributes significantly to exports in the emerging countries both in the long and in the short run; however, OFDI contribution to private investment in emerging countries is limited to long run only. Moreover, the findings suggest that the positive impact of OFDI on exports and private investment in emerging countries requires quality institutions. The positive impact of OFDI on exports and private investment in emerging countries is low when compared with developed countries. However, the significant and high values of a dummy variable for the 2007–2008 financial crisis show that emerging countries are converging on developed countries in terms of gains from OFDI in post‐crisis era. We find that OFDI is an effective policy tool for emerging countries to diversify and kick start the local economy.
Inhibition of interleukin 6 signalling and renal function: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Ryan David K. , Karhunen Ville , Walker Drew J. , Gill Dipender
Published: January 2021

Inhibition of interleukin 6 (IL‐6) signalling has been proposed as a potential cardioprotective strategy for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the direct effects of IL‐6 inhibition on renal function are not known. A Mendelian randomization (MR) study was performed to investigate the association of genetically proxied inhibition of IL‐6 signalling with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), CKD and blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Inverse‐variance weighted MR was used as the main analysis, with sensitivity analyses performed using simple median, weighted median and MR‐Egger methods. There was no evidence for an association of genetically proxied inhibition of IL‐6 signalling (scaled per standard deviation unit decrease in C‐reactive protein) with log eGFR (0.001, 95% confidence interval −0.004‐0.007), BUN (0.009, 95% confidence interval −0.003‐0.021) and CKD (odds ratio 0.948, 95% confidence interval 0.822‐1.094). These findings do not raise concerns for IL‐6 signalling having large adverse effects on renal function.
Debate: Gold standard or go for gold? The pros and cons of waiting for gold standard evidence of effectiveness for adolescent depression and self‐harm interventions versus acting with the precautionary principle in current political times
Authors: Fortune Sarah , Hetrick Sarah
Published: January 2021

There is increasing concern about the prevalence of depression and self‐harm among children adolescents in many countries. Governments who commission and fund psychological interventions to address these difficulties want to know what is effective. The techniques available for synthesising gold standard evidence are increasingly sophisticated, but there are many criticisms of being completely reliant on this approach. A precautionary approach, where public policy decision‐makers acknowledge that where the evidence is limited, the benefits of certain interventions are thought to outweigh the risks, including the risk of doing nothing. This later element may be particularly important in the domain of depression and self‐harm, as both are associated with elevated risk of death by suicide.
BACH2‐mediated FOS confers cytarabine resistance via stromal microenvironment alterations in pediatric ALL
Authors: Zhang Han , Zhang Ruidong , Zheng Xueling , Sun Ming , Fan Jia , Fang Chunlian , Tian Xin , Zheng Huyong
Published: January 2021

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is an aggressive hematological cancer that mainly affects children. Relapse and chemoresistance result in treatment failure, underlining the need for improved therapies. BTB and CNC homology 2 (BACH2) is a lymphoid‐specific transcription repressor recognized as a tumor suppressor in lymphomas, but little is known about its function and regulatory network in pediatric ALL (p‐ALL). Herein, we found aberrant BACH2 expression at new diagnosis not only facilitated risk stratification of p‐ALL but also served as a sensitive predictor of early treatment response and clinical outcome. Silencing BACH2 in ALL cells increased cell proliferation and accelerated cell cycle progression. BACH2 blockade also promoted cell adhesion to bone marrow stromal cells and conferred cytarabine (Ara‐C)–resistant properties to leukemia cells by altering stromal microenvironment. Strikingly, we identified FOS, a transcriptional activator competing with BACH2, as a novel downstream target repressed by BACH2. Blocking FOS by chemical compounds enhanced the effect of Ara‐C treatment in both primary p‐ALL cells and pre‐B‐ALL–driven leukemia xenografts and prolonged the survival of tumor‐bearing mice. These data highlight an interconnected network of BACH2‐FOS, disruption of which could render current chemotherapies more effective and offer a promising therapeutic strategy to overcome Ara‐C resistance in p‐ALL.
lnc‐RHL, a novel long non‐coding RNA required for the differentiation of hepatocytes from human bipotent progenitor cells
Authors: Prabhakar Bindu , Lee Soowan , Bochanis Adara , He Wu , Manautou José E. , Rasmussen Theodore P.
Published: January 2021

Objectives

The final stage of liver development is the production of hepatocytes and cholangiocytes (biliary epithelial cells) from bipotent hepatic progenitor cells. We used HepaRG cells, which are bipotent and able to differentiate into both hepatocytes and cholangiocytes, as a model to study the action of a novel lncRNA (lnc‐RHL) and its role in the regulation of bipotency leading to hepatocytes and cholangiocytes.

Materials and Methods

Differentiation of HepaRG cells was assessed by marker expression and morphology which revealed their ability to differentiate into hepatocytes and cholangiocytes (modelling the behaviour of hepatoblasts in vivo). Using a qRT‐PCR and RACE, we cloned a novel lncRNA (lnc‐RHL; regulator of hepatic lineages) that is upregulated upon HepaRG differentiation. Using inducible knockdown of lnc‐RHL concurrently with differentiation, we show that lnc‐RHL is required for proper HepaRG cell differentiation resulting in diminution of the hepatocyte lineage.

Results

Here, we report the discovery of lnc‐RHL, a spliced and polyadenylated 670 base lncRNA expressed from the 11q23.3 apolipoprotein gene cluster. lnc‐RHL expression is confined to hepatic lineages and is upregulated when bipotent HepaRG cells are caused to differentiate. HepaRG cells made deficient for lnc‐RHL have reduced ability to differentiate into hepatocytes, but retain their ability to differentiate into cholangiocytes.

Conclusions

Deficiency for lnc‐RHL in HepaRG cells converts them from bipotent progenitor cells to unipotent progenitor cells with impaired ability to yield hepatocytes. We conclude that lnc‐RHL is a key regulator of bipotency in HepaRG cells.
Population biology and phenology of the colour polymorphic damselfly Ischnura elegans at its southern range limit in Cyprus
Authors: Willink Beatriz , Blow Rachel , Sparrow David J. , Sparrow Rosalyn , Svensson Erik I.
Published: January 2021

1. Geographically widespread species provide excellent opportunities to investigate how phenotypes change across large‐scale environmental gradients. Temperature is a fundamental environmental variable and an important determinant of insect fitness. However, field research is often geographically restricted, and typically concentrated in northern latitudes. Basic population biology and phenotypic clines in relation to temperature therefore remain poorly known across the entire geographic range, even in otherwise well‐studied taxa.

2. We surveyed populations of the trimorphic damselfly Ischnura elegans in Cyprus, which is the southern range limit in Europe of this widespread insect species. Females of I. elegans occur in three discrete and heritable colour morphs, which vary in suites of phenotypic traits. One of these female morphs is a male‐mimic that avoids excessive male‐mating harassment by its male‐like appearance, and which is more cold‐tolerant than the two other morphs.

3. In contrast to the situation in northern Europe, these male‐mimicking females are the minority morph in Cyprus, representing only about 5% of all females. Male mimics also have lower mating rates than alternative female morphs.

4. Individuals in Cyprus are relatively small in comparison to the reported European range for body size, consistent with Bergman's rule.

5. Finally, populations of I. elegans on the island have the longest flight period known in Europe, and there is only partial evidence for seasonality in flight activity.

6. These results underscore the benefits of considering the entire range of environmental conditions encountered by insect species when conducting evolutionary ecology research.
A systematic mapping review of interventions to improve adolescent mental health literacy, attitudes and behaviours
Authors: Patafio Brittany , Miller Peter , Baldwin Ryan , Taylor Nicholas , Hyder Shannon
Published: January 2021

Aim

The onset of mental illness is most common in adolescence, therefore mental health promotion efforts frequently target this age group. Evaluation literature in this area is largely segmented into specific domains in terms of settings, countries, and/or groups of young people, but an overall understanding and comparison across these areas is lacking. The current review aims to provide such an overview of interventions/programs which attempt to improve adolescents' mental health literacy, attitudes/stigma and behaviours.

Methods

A systematic mapping review synthesized the strengths and weaknesses of published interventions/programs to improve mental health outcomes in youth. Ten databases and grey literature sources were searched, and results were categorized according to sample, location/setting, type of information presented, delivery and testing procedures, mental health outcome/s evaluated, and limitations.

Results

One hundred and forty articles met the inclusion criteria; 126 were original records and 14 were reviews. Mental health literacy and attitudes/stigma were examined most frequently, and studies were predominantly conducted in school‐based environments and high income economies. Intervention/program effectiveness varied across outcome/s measured, setting, and control group usage, with mental health literacy exhibiting the most positive changes overall. Common limitations included no long‐term follow up or control group inclusion.

Conclusions

Despite generally positive changes seen throughout studies in this area, effectiveness differed across a range of methodological domains. Most research is conducted in schools and higher income economies, but the lack of investigation in other contexts (i.e., internet or community) or lower income countries suggests our understanding in this area is constrained.
Molecular regulation of brain metabolism underlying circadian epilepsy
Authors: Chan Felix , Liu Judy
Published: January 2021

Extensive study has demonstrated that epilepsy occurs with greater frequency at certain times in the 24‐h cycle. Although these findings implicate an overlap between the circadian rhythm and epilepsy, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying this circadian regulation are poorly understood. Because the 24‐h rhythm is generated by the circadian molecular system, it is not surprising that this system comprised of many circadian genes is implicated in epilepsy. We summarized evidence in the literature implicating various circadian genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per1, Rev‐erb⍺, and Ror⍺ in epilepsy. In various animal models of epilepsy, the circadian oscillation and the steady‐state level of these genes are disrupted. The downstream pathway of these genes involves a large number of metabolic pathways associated with epilepsy. These pathways include pyridoxal metabolism, the mammalian target of rapamycin pathway, and the regulation of redox state. We propose that disruption of these metabolic pathways could mediate the circadian regulation of epilepsy. A greater understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanism of circadian regulation of epilepsy would enable us to precisely target the circadian disruption in epilepsy for a novel therapeutic approach.
Past, present and future of zebrafish in epilepsy research
Authors: Yaksi Emre , Jamali Ahmed , Diaz Verdugo Carmen , Jurisch‐Yaksi Nathalie
Published: January 2021

Animal models contribute greatly to our understanding of brain development and function as well as its dysfunction in neurological diseases. Epilepsy research is a very good example of how animal models can provide us with a mechanistic understanding of the genes, molecules, and pathophysiological processes involved in disease. Over the course of the last two decades, zebrafish came in as a new player in epilepsy research, with an expanding number of laboratories using this animal to understand epilepsy and to discover new strategies for preventing seizures. Yet, zebrafish as a model offers a lot more for epilepsy research. In this viewpoint, we aim to highlight some key contributions of zebrafish to epilepsy research, and we want to emphasize the great untapped potential of this animal model for expanding these contributions. We hope that our suggestions will trigger further discussions between clinicians and researchers with a common goal to understand and cure epilepsy.
Validating care‐needs level against self‐reported measures of functioning, disability and sarcopenia among Japanese patients receiving home medical care: The Zaitaku Evaluative Initiatives and Outcome Study
Authors: Tsugihashi Yukio , Hirose Misaki , Iida Hidekazu , Hayashi Shinu , Yasunaka Masakazu , Shirahige Yutaka , Kurita Noriaki ,   the ZEVIOUS group
Published: January 2021

Aim

This study aimed to examine the validity of the care‐needs levels classified in Japan's long‐term care insurance system (LTCI‐CNLs) when compared with patients’ self‐perceived functioning, disability and physical performance among patients receiving home medical care.

Methods

This was a multicenter cross‐sectional study in Japan. Patients who were receiving continuous home medical care and who could respond to the questionnaire were enrolled in this study. In addition to the LTCI‐CNLs, the 12‐item version of the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule 2.0 (WHODAS 2.0) and the SARC‐F were used to measure functioning, disability and physical performance (sarcopenia). In addition, correlations and associations of the LTCI‐CNLs with the WHODAS 2.0 and SARC‐F were analyzed using Spearman correlations and linear mixed models.

Results

Data from 181 patients were included in the analyses. The LTCI‐CNLs varied, ranging from support level 1 (5.5%) to care‐needs level 5 (10.5%), with care‐needs level 2 being the most prevalent (24.9%). Moderate correlations of the LTCI‐CNLs with the WHODAS 2.0 and SARC‐F were found (ρ = 0.58 and 0.44, respectively). Although WHODAS 2.0 and SARC‐F scores varied within each LTCI‐CNL, predicted WHODAS 2.0 and SARC‐F scores increased as LTCI‐CNL increased. Dementia was not associated with WHODAS 2.0 or SARC‐F.

Conclusions

The LTCI‐CNLs was associated with self‐reported functioning, disability and physical performance among home medical care patients. Future studies can use the LTCI‐CNLs as an outcome variable for specific care approaches or as a proxy covariate for casemix status. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 229–237.
Kihon Checklist to assess frailty in older adults: Some evidence on the internal consistency and validity of the Spanish version
Authors: Sentandreu‐Mañó Trinidad , Cezón‐Serrano Natalia , Cebrià i Iranzo Maria Angels , Tortosa‐Chuliá Maria A , Tomás José M , Salom Terrádez José Ricardo , Balasch‐Bernat Mercè
Published: January 2021

Aim

The aim of this study was to assess the internal consistency, hypothesis testing and criterion‐related validity of the Spanish versions of the Kihon Checklist (KCL) – the original 25‐item and reduced 15‐item versions – for screening frailty in community‐dwelling older adults.

Methods

A cross‐sectional study was carried out between March and September 2018 in Valencia province (Spain). A sample of 251 participants was recruited. Construct validity was assessed using four different frailty instruments, and alternative measures corresponding to the KCL domains (handgrip strength, gait speed, the Short Physical Performance Battery, skeletal muscle mass index, physical activity level, functional status, cognitive function, depressive mood, health‐related quality of life and nutritional status). Fried's Frailty Phenotype was used to evaluate criterion validity.

Results

Internal consistency assessed with Kuder–Richardson Formula had a value of 0.69 for the 25‐item version, slightly lower than the usual 0.7 for considering good reliability, and 0.71 for the 15‐item version. There were significant correlations between KCL versions and Fried's Frailty Phenotype, Edmonton Scale, Tilburg Indicator and FRAIL Scale. Consistent significant correlations were also obtained with all frailty measurements and instrumental activities of daily living, physical strength, eating, socialization, and mood domains of the KCL. The KCL closely correlated with other standardized measurements of physical function, cognitive function, depressive mood, and health‐related quality of life. The KCL also showed satisfactory diagnostic accuracy for frailty (area under the curve 0.891 for KCL‐25; area under the curve 0.857 for KCL‐15). The optimal cut‐off points were 5/6 and 3/4, respectively.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that both versions of the KCL, especially KCL‐15, showed adequate evidence of validity and internal consistency as a preliminary screening of frailty among community‐dwelling older adults in Spain. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2021; 21: 262–267.
Formation of nano‐ZrO2 by laser surface treatment of ZrB2‐SiC–based composite
Authors: Das Jiten , Vajjala Srinivas , Tak Manish , Jabbireddy Janardhana Reddy , Velidandla Venkata Bhanu Prasad
Published: January 2021

This study aims at reducing the oxidation by forming a prior‐protective‐oxide scale by laser‐surface‐treatment of two ZrB2‐SiC based composites namely ZrB2‐20v/oSiC‐2v/oB4C‐0.24v/oCf (ZSC) and ZrB2‐20v/oSiC‐2v/oB4C (ZS). ANSYS 15.0 was used to determine laser processing regime. Rigorous theoretical calculations provided temperature distribution, laser parameters and resulting laser power densities required to produce tetragonal ZrO2. Both the theoretical prediction as well as experimentation show that the laser‐surface‐treatment with the laser power densities of 31.85 and 56.61 W/mm2 for 20 and 30 s render formation of nano‐tetragonal‐ZrO2 (100–130 nm) at room temperature (RT). Morphology and size of the nano‐tetragonal‐ZrO2 grains depends on the laser exposure time. Nano‐grain size helps in stabilizing tetragonal ZrO2 phase at RT without the need of Y2O3 addition. Nano‐tetragonal‐ZrO2 may facilitate better ability for pegging, prevent scale‐spallation and act as thermal barrier coating (TBC).
Pressure effects on shear deformation of borosilicate glasses
Authors: Lee Kuo‐Hao , Yang Yongjian , Ding Linfeng , Ziebarth Benedikt , Davis Mark J. , Mauro John C.
Published: January 2021

The shear behaviors of two multicomponent borosilicate glasses, Borofloat®33 (Boro33) and N‐BK7® (N‐BK7), under different pressures are investigated using molecular dynamics simulations. The addition of alkali ions lowers the yield stress and changes the pressure dependence of shear modulus. Shear‐induced densification is observed in both glasses. It is found that the decreases of the oxygen‐centered bond angle and the coordination number change of B are responsible for the density changes at low pressures, and the increase of 5‐coordinated Si is the dominant mechanism for densification at high pressures. The average shear stresses experienced by Si and B decrease with pressure except that the flow stress of Si at the end of shear deformation in N‐BK7. Moreover, the average shear stress of B is more sensitive to the applied pressures compared to Si, suggesting that B is able to relax mechanical stress more easily under pressurized‐shear. By analyzing the nonaffine displacement of atoms, it is found that N‐BK7 exhibits more localized plastic deformation compared to Boro33 at low pressures and the local rearrangements in both glasses become more homogeneous with increasing pressure. The mean squared nonaffine displacement curves show that alkali ions have the highest mobility induced by shear compared to the network formers and B is more mobile than Si for both glasses. We also observed that plastic deformation tends to take place around boron atoms for Boro33, whereas it occurs in the alkali‐rich regions for N‐BK7, indicating that these two glasses have different atomic‐scale deformation mechanisms.
Experiencing, caring, coping: Vested interest mediates the effect of past experience on coping behaviors in environmental risk contexts
Authors: De Dominicis Stefano , Ganucci Cancellieri Uberta , Crano William D. , Stancu Alexandra , Bonaiuto Marino
Published: January 2021

Social psychology provides a treasure‐trove of insights into adaptations that may limit the devastating effects of climate change. Vested Interest Theory may contribute to this knowledge base, suggesting that one's vested interest may significantly influence appropriate coping behaviors, as it is has been shown to enhance the relation between attitudes and self‐relevant behaviors. The theory's utility is investigated in an environmental risk context. Here, we replicate previous research findings showing that citizens in high‐risk areas perceived higher risk and stronger intentions to cope with it when vested interest perceptions were salient. Furthermore, the current studies investigate the behavioral effect of vested interest on coping with an environmental risk (flooding): results showed that vested interest significantly mediated the past experience–coping behaviors relationship. In Study 1’s mediation analysis (Rome and Vibo Valentia, Italy, N = 466), past experience of flood risk enhanced vested interest in flood risk, which in turn increased volunteering for flood prevention activities, thereby mitigating risk. In Study 2 (N = 391), the same mediation effect was replicated in the Timis region, a high flood risk area in western Romania. These results shed light on literature inconsistencies on this topic, providing insights for the theoretical understanding of the relationship between past experience of a given risk and related coping behaviors, possibly shedding light to the risk perception paradox. These insights may drive effective intervention strategies to enhance people's behavioral coping with environmental risks.
ATP citrate lyase inhibitor triggers endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis via p‐eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP axis
Authors: Zheng Yihu , Zhou Qingqing , Zhao Chang , Li Junjian , Yu Zhengping , Zhu Qiandong
Published: January 2021

ATP citrate lyase (ACLY), a key enzyme in the metabolic reprogramming of many cancers, is widely expressed in various mammalian tissues. This study aimed to evaluate the effects and mechanisms of ACLY and its inhibitor BMS‐303141 on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). In this study, ACLY was highly expressed in HCC tissues, especially in HepG2 and Huh7 cells, but was down‐regulated in Hep3B and HCC‐LM3 cells. Besides, ACLY knockdown inhibited HepG2 proliferation and clone formation, while opposite result was noticed in HCC‐LM3 cells with ACLY overexpression. Moreover, ACLY knockdown impeded the migration and invasion abilities of HepG2 cells. Similarly, BMS‐303141 suppressed HepG2 and Huh‐7 cell proliferation. The p‐eIF2α, ATF4, CHOP p‐IRE1α, sXBP1 and p‐PERK were activated in HepG2 cells stimulated by BMS‐303141. In cells where ER stress was induced, ATF4 was involved in BMS‐303141‐mediated cell death procession, and ATF4 knockdown reduced HCC cell apoptosis stimulated by BMS‐303141. In a mouse xenograft model, combined treatment with BMS‐303141 and sorafenib reduced HepG2 tumour volume and weight. In addition, ACLY expression was associated with HCC metastasis and tumour‐node‐metastases staging. Survival analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model showed that overall survival was lower in HCC patients with high ACLY expression; AFP level, TNM staging, tumour size and ACLY expression level were independent risk factors affecting their overall survival. In conclusion, ACLY might represent a promising target in which BMS‐303141 could induce ER stress and activate p‐eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP axis to promote apoptosis of HCC cells, and synergized with sorafenib to enhance the efficacy of HCC treatment.
Application of artificial intelligence and machine learning for prediction of oral cancer risk
Authors: Alhazmi Anwar , Alhazmi Yaser , Makrami Ali , Masmali Amal , Salawi Nourah , Masmali Khulud , Patil Shankargouda
Published: January 2021

Background

Oral cancer requires early diagnosis and treatment to increase the chances of survival. This study aimed to develop an artificial neural network model that helps to predict the individuals' risk of developing oral cancer based on data on risk factors, systematic medical condition, and clinic‐pathological features.

Methods

A popular data mining algorithm artificial neural network was used for developing the artificial intelligence‐based prediction model. A total of 29 variables that were associated with the patients were used for developing the model. The dataset was randomly split into the training dataset 54 (75%) cases and testing dataset 19 (25%) cases. All records and observations were reviewed by Board‐certified oral pathologist.

Results

A total of 73 patients met the eligibility criteria. Twenty‐two (30.13%) were benign cases, and 51 (69.86%) were malignant cases. Thirty‐seven were female, and 36 were male, with a mean age of 63.09 years. Our analysis displayed that the average sensitivity and specificity of ANN for oral cancer prediction based on the 10‐fold cross‐validation analysis was 85.71% (95% confidence interval [CI], 57.19‐98.22) and 60.00% (95% CI, 14.66‐94.73), respectively. The accuracy of ANN for oral cancer prediction was 78.95% (95% CI, 54.43‐931.95).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that this machine‐learning technique has the potential to help in oral cancer screening and diagnosis based on the datasets. The results demonstrate that the artificial neural network could perform well in estimating the probability of malignancy and improve the positive predictive value that could help to predict the individuals' risk of developing OC based on knowledge of their risk factors, systemic medical conditions, and clinic‐pathological data.
Dietary Echinacea purpurea administration enhanced egg laying performance, serum lipid profile, antioxidant status and semen quality in duck breeders during summer season
Authors: Awad Awad , Fahim Hany , El‐Shhat Abd El‐Ghany , Mahrose Khalid , Shazly Soheir
Published: January 2021

This work investigated the outcomes of dietary administration of Echinacea purpurea (EP) powder to breeder ducks on productive and reproductive performance during summer season. Sudani ducks (320 birds) of 32‐weeks‐old (240 females and 80 males) were randomly allocated into four collections (body weight; 1850 ± 15.2 g for females and 2960.0 ± 40.5 g for males). The primary collection consumed the basal diet without supplementation and was deliberated as control. The other three collections were fed the basal diet supplemented with 2.5, 5.00 and 7.5 g EP/kg diet, correspondingly. Egg number and mass, laying rate, feed consumption and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were significantly changed by dietary EP levels. Drakes fed EP‐supplemented diets had higher ejaculate volume, sperms concentration and live sperms (%) as well as lower dead sperms (%) than the control group. Eggs laid by ducks fed diet supplemented with 2.5 g/kg had the greatest fertility and hatchability percentages, followed by those fed 5.0 g EP/kg. Ducks fed different EP diets had higher values of haemoglobin, RBCs, WBCs and lymphocytes, lower values of heterophils percentage and lower H/L ratio than the control. All serum constituents were significantly changed by dietary EP supplementation, except of total protein and Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT) enzyme. Conclusively, dietary EP supplementation at 2.5 g/kg had beneficial effects on productive and reproductive performance as well as lipid profile and antioxidant status and economically valued in breeder ducks under summer conditions.
No evidence of Phago‐mixotropy in Micromonaspolaris (Mamiellophyceae), the Dominant Picophytoplankton Species in the Arctic
Authors: Jimenez Valeria , Burns John A. , Le Gall Florence , Not Fabrice , Vaulot Daniel
Published: January 2021

In the Arctic Ocean, the small green alga Micromonas polaris dominates picophytoplankton during the summer months but is also present in winter. It has been previously hypothesized to be phago‐mixotrophic (capable of bacteria ingestion) based on laboratory and field experiments. Prey uptake was analyzed in several M. polaris strains isolated from different regions and depths of the Arctic Ocean and in Ochromonas triangulata, a known phago‐mixotroph used as a control. Measuring ingestion of either fluorescent beads or fluorescently labeled bacteria by flow cytometry, we found no evidence of phago‐mixotrophy in any M. polaris strain while O. triangulata was ingesting both beads and bacteria. In addition, in silico predictions revealed that members of the genus Micromonas lack a genetic signature of phagocytotic capacity.
Morphological and molecular characterization of multiple new Azadinium strains revealed a high diversity of non‐toxigenic species of Amphidomataceae (Dinophyceae) including two new Azadinium species in Irish waters, North East Atlantic
Authors: Salas Rafael , Tillmann Urban , Gu Haifeng , Wietkamp Stephan , Krock Bernd , Clarke Dave
Published: January 2021

Shellfish contamination with azaspiracids (AZA), which are lipophilic marine biotoxins produced by marine dinoflagellates, is a major and recurrent problem for the Irish shellfish industry. AZA are produced by certain species of Amphidomataceae, but the species diversity of this group of microalgae in Irish waters is poorly known. Here we present a morphological and molecular characterization of multiple new strains of non‐toxigenic Azadinium isolated on an oceanographic survey in 2018. A lack of AZA production for all strains presented here was demonstrated by LC‐MS/MS analysis. One strain of Azadinium caudatum var. margalefii (first strain for the area) confirmed non‐toxigenicity of Atlantic populations of this species. One strain designated as Azadinium cf. zhuanum was similar to Az. zhuanum described from China but differed from the type strain in nucleus position, by the dominant number of apical plates, and by significant differences in rRNA gene sequences. Finally, two new non‐toxigenic Azadinium species are described from the North East Atlantic: Azadinium galwayense sp. nov. and Azadinium perfusorium sp. nov. Azadinium galwayense differed from other Azadinium by a characteristic combination regarding presence and location of the ventral pore (vp; on the right side of the pore plate), of a pyrenoid (located in the episome), and by a pentagonal shape of the median anterior intercalary plate 2a, and lack of contact between plates 1″ and 1a. Azadinium perfusorium shared the same vp position as Az. galwayense and differed by a characteristic combination of a pyrenoid located in the hyposome, a tetragonal shape of plate 2a, and a relatively large size of the two lateral anterior intercalary plates. Molecular phylogeny confirmed the distinctiveness of these two new species and their placement in Azadinium. The present findings significantly increased knowledge on the diversity of Azadinium species in the North East Atlantic.
The effects of external shocks on the business cycle in China: A structural change perspective
Authors: Murach Michael , Wagner Helmut
Published: January 2021

We study the effects of external shocks on the business cycle in China and its sectors (agriculture, industry, and services) in terms of real GDP growth using several small‐dimensional VAR models with Cholesky identification for the period 1996–2014. We show that China—in particular its industrial sector—is susceptible to shocks, which can be related to a trade channel, a financial channel, and a confidence channel of business cycle transmission from major trading partner countries to the Chinese economy. We build on the previous literature by explicitly focusing on the response of the Chinese economy at the sectoral level and investigating the presence of confidence channels by analyzing the reaction in Chinese business and consumer confidence. If interpreted from the perspective of ongoing structural change and rebalancing in China, our findings can be interpreted as the result of a still very dominant industrial sector, and a previously export‐ and investment‐driven growth model. Tertiarization in China could be one way of increasing the economy's future resilience to external shocks. However, the future structure of both the industrial and service sectors may be very decisive.
Wall-Modeled Large Eddy Simulations of Axial Turbine Rim Sealing
Authors: Palermo Donato M. , Gao Feng , Amirante Dario , Chew John W. , Bru Revert Anna , Beard Paul F.
Published: January 2021

This paper presents wall-modeled large-eddy simulations (WMLES) of a chute-type turbine rim seal. Configurations with an axisymmetric annulus flow and with nozzle guide vanes fitted (but without rotor blades) are considered. The passive scalar concentration solution and WMLES are validated against available data in the literature for uniform convection and a rotor–stator cavity flow. The WMLES approach is shown to be effective, giving significant improvements over an eddy viscosity turbulence model, in prediction of rim seal effectiveness compared to research rig measurements. WMLES requires considerably less computational time than wall-resolved LES, and has the potential for extension to engine conditions. All WMLES solutions show rotating inertial waves in the chute seal. Good agreement between WMLES and measurements for sealing effectiveness in the configuration without vanes is found. For cases with vanes fitted, the WMLES simulation shows less ingestion than the measurements, and possible reasons are discussed.
Septal Class A Penicillin-Binding Protein Activity and
ld
-Transpeptidases Mediate Selection of Colistin-Resistant Lipooligosaccharide-Deficient Acinetobacter baumannii
Authors: Kang Katie N. , Kazi Misha I. , Biboy Jacob , Gray Joe , Bovermann Hannah , Ausman Jessie , Boutte Cara C. , Vollmer Waldemar , Boll Joseph M.
Published: January 2021

The increasing prevalence of antibiotic treatment failure associated with Gram-negative bacterial infections highlights an urgent need to develop new alternative therapeutic strategies. The last-line antimicrobial colistin (polymyxin E) targets the ubiquitous outer membrane lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/LOS membrane anchor, lipid A, which is essential for viability of most diderms.
Hyaluronidase Impairs Neutrophil Function and Promotes Group BStreptococcusInvasion and Preterm Labor in Nonhuman Primates
Authors: Coleman Michelle , Armistead Blair , Orvis Austyn , Quach Phoenicia , Brokaw Alyssa , Gendrin Claire , Sharma Kavita , Ogle Jason , Merillat Sean , Dacanay Matthew , Wu Tsung-Yen , Munson Jeff , Baldessari Audrey , Vornhagen Jay , Furuta Anna , Nguyen Shayla , Adams Waldorf Kristina M. , Rajagopal Lakshmi
Published: January 2021

Group B streptococci (GBS) are bacteria that commonly reside in the female lower genital tract as asymptomatic members of the microbiota. However, during pregnancy, GBS can infect tissues at the maternal-fetal interface, leading to preterm birth, stillbirth, or fetal injury.
The wish to die and hastening death in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A scoping review
Authors: Erdmann Anke , Spoden Celia , Hirschberg Irene , Neitzke Gerald
Published: January 2021

Background

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) develops into a life-threatening condition 2 to 4 years after the onset of symptoms. Although many people with the disease decide in favour of life-sustaining measures, thoughts about hastening death are not uncommon.

Objectives

Our aim was to examine the scope of literature on the wish to die in ALS and provide an insight into determinants and motives for different end-of-life options.

Methods

We searched eight databases for English and German publications on death wishes in ALS for the period from 2008 to 2018 and updated the search up to May 2020. After the screening process, 213 full texts were included for the final analysis. We analysed the texts in MAXQDA, using deductively and inductively generated codes.

Results

We identified end-of-life considerations, ranging from wishes to die without hastening death, to options with the possibility or intention of hastening death. Besides physical impairment, especially psychosocial factors, socio-demographic status and socio-cultural context have a great impact on decisions for life-shortening options. There is huge variation in the motives and determinants for end-of-life considerations between individuals, different societies, healthcare and legal systems.

Conclusions

For a variety of reasons, the information and counselling provided on different options for sustaining life or hastening death is often incomplete and insufficient. Since the motives and determinants for the wish to hasten death are extremely diverse, healthcare professionals should investigate the reasons, meaning and strength of the desire to die to detect unmet needs and examine which interventions are appropriate in each individual case.
Provenance matters: variability under saline stress in young plants of four populations of aProsopis(mesquite) species from dry forests of Argentina
Authors: Venier P. , Funes G. , Teich I. , López Lauenstein D. , Lascano R.
Published: January 2021

The planting of native perennial woody species tolerant to variable salt concentrations can facilitate the recovery of degraded dry forests. The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare, under experimentally controlled conditions, the response to saline of young plants from four provenances of Prosopis alba, a mesquite species useful for restoration plans. The seeds of P. alba were from different localities of the Chaco region of Argentina (Santiago del Estero, Chaco, Formosa, and Salta). The plants were evaluated for 45 days under greenhouse-controlled growth conditions in the presence of 0, 100, and 300 mmol·L−1NaCl. We measured variables associated with growth, photosynthesis, and redox state. The imposed salt stress condition did not cause plant death in any provenance. However, salinity produced a strong effect on growth and physiological variables of all provenances. Salta provenance was associated with higher net values of biomass and stem diameter. Chaco registered the greatest relative values of height and stem diameter, indicating a higher salinity tolerance than the other provenances. Chaco also produced more antioxidants to cope with the oxidative stress associated with saline stress. Chaco and Salta provenances may be the most promising for use in restoration plans of dry forests in areas with saline soils in the Chaco region. We emphasize the importance of using different provenances in forest restoration for a more successful system recovery.
Improved Alternated Charting Statistic Multi-Attribute Control Chart to Identify Process Deterioration
Authors: Gadre M. P. , Venegurkar Savita S.
Published: January 2021

Leoni and Costa [R. C. Leoni and A. F. B. Costa, Monitoring bivariate and trivariate mean vectors with a Shewhart chart, Quality Reliab. Eng. Int. 33 (2017) 2035–2042] developed the ‘Alternated Charting Statistic’ (ACS) control chart to control the mean vector of a bivariate and trivariate processes and verified that the chart is easier to operate and faster than the classical Hotelling’s [Formula: see text] chart in signaling changes in the mean vector. Gadre and Rattihalli [M. P. Gadre and R. N. Rattihalli, Some group inspection based multi-attribute control charts to identify process deterioration, Econ. Quality Control 20(2) (2005) 191–204] developed some multi-attribute control charts for process deterioration. For bivariate processes, Gadre and Venegurkar [M. P. Gadre and S. S. Venegurkar, Multi-attribute control chart to identify process deterioration, Submitted to Journal of Indian Statistical Association (JISA) (*) after a minor revision] developed ‘Alternated Charting Statistic Multi Attribute control chart for number of defectives in a sample of size [Formula: see text]’ (ACS-MA-np) chart. For multi-attribute processes, here, we propose a control chart by using the ACS along with the test procedure related to the exact distributions of the number of defectives in multi-attribute cases. It is illustrated that the developed control chart is efficient to the related available control charts.
Traversable wormholes with logarithmic shape function in f(R,T) gravity
Authors: Dixit Archana , Chawla Chanchal , Pradhan Anirudh
Published: January 2021

In this work, a new form of the logarithmic shape function is proposed for the linear [Formula: see text] gravity, [Formula: see text] where [Formula: see text] is an arbitrary coupling constant, in wormhole geometry. The desired logarithmic shape function accomplishes all necessary conditions for a traversable and asymptotically flat wormhole. The obtained wormhole solutions are analyzed from the energy conditions for different values of [Formula: see text]. It has been observed that our proposed shape function for the linear form of [Formula: see text] gravity, represents the existence of exotic matter and non-exotic matter. Moreover, for [Formula: see text] i.e. for the general relativity case, the existence of exotic matter for the wormhole geometry has been confirmed. Further, the behavior of the radial state parameter [Formula: see text], the tangential state parameter [Formula: see text], and the anisotropy parameter △ describing the geometry of the universe, has been presented for different values of [Formula: see text] chosen in [Formula: see text].
ESTIMATING DEMAND FOR GOOD CLIMATE AND AIR QUALITY IN TAIWAN
Authors: SHAW DAIGEE , HUANG JU-CHIN , LIN CHUAN-YAO , HSU TING-YU , TSAI MINGCHE
Published: January 2021

We measure the amenity values of climate and air quality in Taiwan using the two-step hedonic price method (HPM). Separate hedonic housing price equations, one for each of three metropolitan areas that represent respective housing markets in Northern, Central, and Southern Taiwan, are estimated. We find evidence of a significant impact of climate and air quality on housing prices. As expected, residents in Taiwan prefer a warmer winter, cooler summer, lower humidity, and better air quality. Based on the results of the housing price regression, we compute implicit prices for environmental amenities, and then pool observations from all three metropolitan areas to estimate the demand for environmental amenities. The estimated demand functions for environmental amenities are used to evaluate the benefits and losses from changes in climate and air quality in Taiwan. Our results show that, compared to the benefits of a higher temperature in January, the losses from the rise in temperature in July are much higher in such a way that global warming is resulting in significant net losses in Taiwan. The area-specific welfare analysis in this study will help in informing climate change policy formulation and decision-making in Taiwan.
Spin Induced Quantum Tunneling of the Magnetization
Authors: Yıldız Gökçen Dikici , Yıldız Yasin Göktürk , Şarlı Numan
Published: January 2021

Quantum tunneling of the magnetization (QTM) of the spin-1/2 Vanadium-15 (V[Formula: see text] single molecular magnets (SMMs) is investigated by means of the effective field theory developed by Kaneyoshi. We deal with the two hexagon layers (shell, V[Formula: see text] and one triangular interlayer (core, V[Formula: see text] with the spin-1/2 Ising particles. We find that the V[Formula: see text] has a normal ferromagnetic hysteresis behavior for its all spins are up (parallel). However, V[Formula: see text] has a staircase-like hysteresis behavior that is the signature of the QTM for the spin-down orientation (antiparallel) of the core. QTM appears with the splitting of the magnetizations versus temperature ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] and external field ([Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] curves. Namely, QTM occurs from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] in the core, from +[Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] in the shell (only [Formula: see text]–[Formula: see text] curves at [Formula: see text] 0.1) and from [Formula: see text] to [Formula: see text] [Formula: see text] in the total V[Formula: see text]. By considering these different splitting behaviors of the magnetizations of the shell, core and total [Formula: see text] at [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], we suggest three different kinds of QTM: 1-ferromagnetic QTM (FMQTM) at [Formula: see text] for the shell, 2-antiferromagnetic QTM (AFMQTM) at [Formula: see text] for the core and 3-paramagnetic QTM (PMQTM) at [Formula: see text] for the shell, core and total V[Formula: see text] SMM. Moreover, it is found that there is a relationship between the QTM and type II and surface superconductivity. The EFT results of QTM in V[Formula: see text] are in good agreement with the other theoretical and experimental results of the V[Formula: see text] and other SMMs.
Utilizing Game Theory to Optimize In-motion Wireless Charging Service Efficiency for Electric Vehicles
Authors: Yan Li , Shen Haiying
Published: January 2021

Charger lanes, which are road segments equipped with in-motion wireless chargers, are expected to keep Electric Vehicles (EVs) continuously driving without recharging downtime. To maximize the service efficiency of the in-motion wireless chargers, we must properly coordinate the traffic of the EVs to avoid the generation of congestion at the charger lanes and on the road segments to them. In this article, we propose
WPT-Opt
, a game-theoretic approach for optimizing in-motion wireless charging efficiency, minimizing EVs’ driving time to the charger, and avoiding traffic congestion at the charger lanes to fulfill this task. We studied a metropolitan-scale dataset of public transportation EVs and observed the EVs’ spatial and temporal preference in selecting chargers, competition for chargers during busy charging times, the relationship between vehicle density and driving velocity on a road segment, the normal distribution of travel time of road segments, and the fact that vehicles have similar frequently driven trajectories. Based on the observations, a
central controller
estimates the vehicle density of the road segments by measuring the vehicles’ trajectory travel time, the friendship among the vehicles, and the vehicles’ routing choice given the presence of charger lanes. Then, we formulate a non-cooperative Stackelberg game between all the EVs and the
central controller
, in which each EV aims at minimizing its charging time cost to its selected target charger, while the
central controller
tries to maximally avoid the generation of congestion on the way through the in-motion wireless chargers. Our trace-driven experiments on SUMO demonstrate that
WPT-Opt
can maximally reduce the average charging time cost of the EVs by approximately 200% during different hours of a day.