bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Determinants of research productivity and efficiency among the Arab world’s accredited business schools
Authors: Jamali Dima , Samara Georges , Meho Lokman I.
Published: July 2023

This article presents a bibliometric analysis of the research output of the Arab world’s 30 AACSB- and EQUIS-accredited business schools between 2013 and 2022. The analysis aims to provide an overview of the research performance of these schools, identify research strengths, and highlight areas for improvement. The study examines 12,693 publications indexed in the Scopus database. The findings reveal remarkable progress in research productivity, including a steady increase in publications in high-impact journals. Notably, business schools in Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates demonstrate exceptional research performance. The study also reveals variations in citation impact based on publication type, co-authorship patterns, international collaborations, journal rankings, and disciplines. The research themes explored by the Arab world’s accredited business schools cover a wide variety of topics, including personnel, innovation, trade openness, mobile banking/payment, stock and financial markets, economic growth, supply chain, corporate social responsibility, entrepreneurship, community participation, and oil prices and markets, among others. The research areas align with several United Nations sustainable development goals. These findings offer valuable insights for the region’s business schools to benchmark their research performance and gain a nuanced understanding of the factors that contribute to increased research productivity and impact. The study concludes that business schools in the Arab region must continue to enhance their publication rates in top-tier journals, foster improved international collaborations, and implement new research incentive schemes and excellence initiatives that recognize and reward high-quality research.
Racial Concordance on Healthcare Use within Hispanic Population Subgroups
Authors: Ma Alyson , Campbell Jason , Sanchez Alison , Sumner Steven , Ma Mindy
Published: July 2023

Objective

To examine the association of patient-provider racial and ethnic concordance on healthcare use within Hispanic ethnic subgroups.

Methods

We estimate multivariate probit models using data from the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey, the only national data source measuring how patients use and pay for medical care, health insurance, and out-of-pocket spending. We collect and utilize data on preventive care visits, visits for new health problems, and visits for ongoing health problems from survey years 2007–2017 to measure health outcomes. Additionally, we include data on race and ethnicity concordance, non-health-related socioeconomic and demographic factors, health-related characteristics, provider communication characteristics, and provider location characteristics in the analysis. The sample includes 59,158 observations: 74.3% identified as Mexican, 10.6% identified as Puerto Rican, 5.1% identified as Cuban, 4.8% identified as Dominican, and 5.2% classified in the survey as Other Hispanics. Foreign-born respondents comprised 56% of the sample. A total of 8% (4678) of cases in the sample involved Hispanic provider-patient concordance.

Results

Hispanic patient-provider concordance is statistically significant and positively associated with higher probabilities of seeking preventive care (coef=.211, P<.001), seeking care for a new problem (coef=.208, P<.001), and seeking care for an ongoing problem (coef=.208, P<.001). We also find that the association is not equal across the Hispanic subgroups. The association is lowest for Mexicans in preventive care (coef=.165, P<.001) and new problems (coef=.165, P<.001) and highest for Cubans in preventive care (coef=.256, P<.001) and ongoing problems (coef=.284, P<.001). Results are robust to the interaction of the Hispanic patient-provider concordance for the Hispanic patient categories and being foreign-born.

Conclusions

In summary, racial disparities were observed in health utilization within Hispanic subgroups. While Hispanic patient-provider concordance is statistically significant in associating with healthcare utilization, the findings indicate that this association varies across Hispanic subpopulations. The observations suggest the importance of disaggregating Hispanic racial and ethnic categories into more similar cultural or origin groups. Linked with the existence of significant differences in mortality and other health outcomes across Hispanic subgroups, our results have implications for the design of community health promotion activities which should take these differences into account. Studies or community health programs which utilize generalized findings about Hispanic populations overlook differences across subgroups which may be crucial in promoting healthcare utilization.
Testosterone promotes the migration, invasion and EMT process of papillary thyroid carcinoma by up-regulating Tnnt1
Authors: Jiang C. , Xu F. , Yi D. , Jiang B. , Wang R. , Wu L. , Ding H. , Qin J. , Lee Y. , Sang J. , Shi X. , Su L.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

To explore the key genes and molecular pathways in the progression of thyroid papillary carcinoma (PTC) promoted by testosterone using RNA-sequencing technology, and to provide new drug targets for improving the therapeutic effect of PTC.

Methods

Orchiectomy (ORX) was carried out to construct ORX mouse models. TPC-1 cells were subcutaneously injected for PTC formation in mice, and the tumor tissues were collected for RNA-seq. The key genes were screened by bioinformatics technology. Tnnt1 expression in PTC cells was knocked down or overexpressed by transfection. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8), colony formation assay, scratch assay and transwell assay were adopted, respectively, for the detection of cell proliferation, colony formation, migration and invasion. Besides, quantification real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and western blot were utilized to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of genes in tissues or cells.

Results

Both estradiol and testosterone promoted the growth of PTC xenografts. The key gene Tnnt1 was screened and obtained by bioinformatics technology. Functional analysis revealed that overexpression of Tnnt1 could markedly promote the proliferation, colony formation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of PTC cells, as well as could activate p38/JNK pathway. In addition, si-Tnt1 was able to inhibit the cancer-promoting effect of testosterone.

Conclusion

Based on the outcomes of bioinformatics and basic experiments, it is found that testosterone can promote malignant behaviors such as growth, migration, invasion and EMT process of PTC by up-regulating Tnnt1 expression. In addition, the function of testosterone may be achieved by activating p38/JNK signaling pathway.
A discrete-time distributed optimization algorithm for cooperative transportation of multi-robot system
Authors: Meng Xiwang , Sun Jiatao , Liu Qingshan , Chi Guoyi
Published: July 2023

Multi-robot cooperation is a typical application of multi-robot system, which has strong potential applications in many special occasions. However, few scholars have considered cooperative optimization transportation from the perspective of optimization. This paper investigates the cooperative transportation optimization problem for multiple mobile robots with kinematically redundant manipulators. First, a discrete-time distributed optimization algorithm with fixed step size is proposed to achieve linear convergence. Second, by introducing a rotation variable into the optimization problem, the joint angular velocity of manipulator and the velocity of moving platform change more smoothly. Third, a virtual leader-follower transport strategy is used in this paper to improve the stability of the multi-robot system. In the physical experiment, the trajectory of each end-effector matches the expected trajectory, and the center trajectory of the transport object almost coincides with the virtual leader trajectory with acceptable error. Moreover, the simulation and physical example are provided to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm.
Comparative study of different lithium salts as electrolyte additives of Li/SiOx–Si–C half-cells for lithium sulfur batteries
Authors: Mathew Deepa Elizabeth , Dhanalakshmi R. Baby , Sathya S. , Kathiresan M. , Thomas Sabu , Alkordi Mohamed H. , Stephan A. Manuel
Published: July 2023

Silicon oxide and its derivatives (SiOx, 0 < x < 2) are drawing significant interest as electrode material for Li-ion and Li–S batteries owing to their unique properties of high specific capacity, low working potential, high abundance, and environmental friendliness. In-depth research is done on the effects of electrolyte additives on the electrochemical and interfacial characteristics of SiOx-based anodes for Li–S batteries. Two different electrolyte additives namely lithium bis (fluorosulfonyl imide) (LiFSI) and lithium bis (oxalatoborate) (LiBOB) were incorporated in the supporting electrolyte containing 1 M lithium bis (trifluoromethanesulfonyl imide) (LiTFSI) in tetraethylene glycol dimethyl ether (TEGDME): 1,3 dioxolane (DOL) in the ratio of 1:1 (v/v). The Li/SiOx–Si–C 2032-type half-cells were assembled, and their charge–discharge properties were explored at 0.1 C-rate. Surface morphology and electrochemical impedance investigations of the electrode materials have been performed after cycling. The interfacial properties of SiOx-based electrodes were examined by FTIR and XPS. Among the electrolytes studied LiFSI-added electrolytes offer superior charge–discharge properties, which was attributed to the formation of a stable solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) layer on the electrode surface. The surface chemistry studies revealed the formation of Li2CO3 and ROCO2Li peaks on the lithium metal surface. The formation of Li2CO3 and ROCO2Li compounds are identified on lithium surface by XPS data and complemented by NMR analysis.
A solar/radiative cooling dual-regulation smart window based on shape-morphing kirigami structures
Authors: Wang Shancheng , Dong Yuting , Li Yanbin , Ryu Keunhyuk , Dong Zhili , Chen Jian , Dai Zhendong , Ke Yujie , Yin Jie , Long Yi
Published: July 2023

A kirigami-inspired smart window is presented with a solar/radiative cooling dual-control function and improved durability. It is promising for building energy saving and outperforms state-of-the-art dual-regulation smart windows in the literature.
Polymyxin B stabilized DNA micelles for sustained antibacterial and antibiofilm activity against P. aeruginosa
Authors: Sousa Alexandra , Borøy Vegard , Bæverud Agnethe , Julin Kjersti , Bayer Annette , Strøm Morten , Johannessen Mona , Škalko-Basnet Nataša , Obuobi Sybil
Published: July 2023

DNA based micelles demonstrate high biofilm penetration and potential for antibiotic delivery.
Highly active nanoparticle enhanced rapid adsorption-killing mechanism to combat multidrug-resistant bacteria
Authors: Xue Yunyun , Zhao Zihao , Huang Wenbo , Qiu Zelin , Li Xiao , Zhao Yu , Wang Chuyao , Cui Ronglu , Shen Shuyang , Tian Hua , Fang Lifeng , Zhou Rong , Zhu Baoku
Published: July 2023

ANPQ coating exhibits rapid adsorption and efficient killing to multidrug-resistant bacteria, which undoubtedly made it a promising candidate in post-epidemic era.
A stable trigon-based 3D carbon allotrope with ultralow lattice thermal conductivity
Authors: Nazir Muhammad Azhar , Shen Yiheng , Zhang Chenxin , Wang Qian
Published: July 2023

Using first-principles methods, we assembled a novel trigonal ring-based semiconducting three-dimensional carbon structure, Tri-C20, with ultralow thermal conductivity.
Tunable electroactive oligothiophene-naphthalimide semiconductors via end-capped engineering: cumulative effects beyond the linker
Authors: Alonso-Navarro Matías J. , Harbuzaru Alexandra , González-Núñez Raúl , Ramos M. Mar , Segura José L. , Ponce Ortiz Rocío
Published: July 2023

A synthetic approach for achieving redox amphoteric molecules is shown. Materials characterization indicates a complex electronic scenario that goes beyond the cumulative effects of the independent molecular units constituting the molecular assembly.
Landscape Solution of the Territory of the Transport Interchange Hub “Old Village” with the Introduction of a Historical and Cultural Cluster
Authors: Danilova S. B. , Ostapchuk P. V.
Published: July 2023

One of the main tasks of urban planning is the use of natural resources as a tool for creating vital conditions (improving the quality of water and air, protecting against noise and wind, and so on), so not only maintaining the green frame, but also its creation, restoration and enhancement is one one of the city’s development priorities. At present, the development of integrated landscaping and landscaping of the territory near large transport interchange hubs (TPU) is considered a hot topic for St. Petersburg.
Monitoring of the Trematode Metorchis Albidus (Braun, 1893), the Causative Agent of Methorchosis, as a Threat to Habitat and Health Domestic Canines and Humans in the Southern Regions of Russia
Authors: Mantaeva S. Sh. , Bittirov I. A. , Bittirov A. M.
Published: July 2023

The goal is to monitor human methorchiasis and carnivores as an epidemic and sanitary and hygienic threat to the population of the southern subject of the Russian Federation.When analyzing materials on the incidence of methorchosis in dogs of the Kabardino-Balkaria Republic, it turned out that in 12 districts the incidence rate of methorchosis in dogs varied from 5.6 to 15.9%. The gradation of the abundance index of trematode Metorchis albidus eggs in dog feces ranged from 2.9t0.5 to 7.070.8 ind. in 1 g of faeces, on average, 4.9400.65 ind. per 1 g of faeces, which can provide a high level of soil contamination with eggs. In general, in the Kabardino-Balkaria, the epidemiological situation of dog methorchosis can be classified as relatively unfavorable.
Study of the Effect of Some Chlorine-Containing Liquids on Bacteria, in Particular E. Coli
Authors: Usayeva Yakhita , Turlova Fatima
Published: July 2023

The widespread use of chlorine as a disinfectant has led to some research into its effect on bacterial growth and development. It is highly effective against suspended vegetative bacteria as well as some enteric viruses and has minimal effect on the nutritional quality of the product. Chlorine-active substances, which are highly sensitive to pollutants of an organic nature, are destroyed by proteins to a greater extent. It is widely accepted that the use of chlorinated fluids does not lead to the development of antimicrobial resistance. Chlorhexidine is one of the most widely used antiseptics. Chlorhexidine is bacteriostatic at low concentrations and bactericidal at high concentrations, causing cell death by cytolysis. Chlorhexidine has strong biocidal activity against Gram-positive bacteria and weaker activity against Gram-negative bacteria.
Sustainable Ecology of the Metropolis and a Local Green Frame Involving Beneficial Insects on the Example of St. Petersburg
Authors: Danilova S. B. , Kurik A. V.
Published: July 2023

The article describes the results of design studies aimed at increasing the sustainability of the environment by attracting beneficial insects in the structure of the formation of a green frame. The work was carried out in 2021-2023, the vector of design research was formed on the basis of the St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) undergraduate program and continues in the format of networking, including with the participation of Sevastopol State University (SevSU) undergraduate program ” directions “Landscape architecture”. The article describes both landscape and ideological practices that help attract beneficial insects to the territory of landscape objects, and also describes specific solutions on the example of the territory of the Petrogradsky and Kirovsky districts of the city of St. Petersburg, made with the participation of residents and the Improvement Committee. The importance of insects in the urban green network is described, the possibility of integrating special landscape zones into green infrastructure for this, the problem of creating a single ecological frame of the metropolis and a local green frame at the district level is considered. The author’s design methodology is presented in terms of the transition from the urban and town-planning level to specific design solutions at the masterplan level and, further, to the development of specific landscape niches with the landscaping species composition.
The Successful Use of an Exchange Transfusion in a Child with Hereditary Spherocytosis Undergoing Congenital Cardiac Surgery
Authors: Stevens Berkeley , Buckley Klayton , Schwartz Randall , Burkhart Harold
Published: July 2023

Little is reported in the literature regarding hereditary spherocytosis (HS) and cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB). We present a case of a 19-month-old girl child who was referred for an atrioventricular septal defect (AVSD) and HS. The patient underwent surgical repair, and an exchange transfusion was performed at the initiation of CPB. No significant hemolysis or events attributed to HS were observed during or after CPB. The surgical repair of an AVSD in a pediatric patient with HS and total volume exchange transfusion is herein reported.
Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation Rescue for Severe Aspiration Pneumonitis in Two Patients after Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass Procedure
Authors: Felinski Melissa M. , Abbas Daniyal , Walker Peter A. , Primomo John A. , Kajese Tanyaradzwa M. , Kar Biswajit , Gregoric Igor D. , Banjac Igor , Janowiak Lisa , Nathan Sriram , Hussain Rahat , Mehta Sheilendra S. , Bajwa Kulvinder S. , Shah Shinil K. , Akkanti Bindu
Published: July 2023

Roux-en-y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most common weight loss surgical procedures performed in the United States. Early post-operative small bowel obstruction is a rare but potentially morbid, complication of RYGB. We report two patients who underwent RYGB and required subsequent treatment for a post-operative small bowel obstruction. Their post-operative course was complicated by severe aspiration pneumonitis leading to hypoxemic respiratory failure requiring rescue with femoral veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-V ECMO). Both patients were successfully extubated, weaned off V-V ECMO support, and discharged to home. These cases highlight the potential role of V-V ECMO for patients who have undergone RYGB and develop severe aspiration pneumonitis. They also highlight the need for cautionary use of gastrografin in RYGB patients. Early engagement of a multidisciplinary team experienced with adult ECMO is vital for favorable patient outcomes.
Near-Infrared Spectroscopy as a Hemodynamic Monitoring Tool during Neonatal Extracorporeal Life Support: A Case Series
Authors: Noh Caroline Yeon-Kyeong , Meurs Krisa P. Van , Danzer Enrico , Chock Valerie Y.
Published: July 2023

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) is a non-invasive clinical tool allowing for real-time, continuous measurement of regional tissue oxygenation (rSO2); though predominantly used for neuromonitoring, it also has the potential for early detection of hemodynamic compromise in the patients on extracorporeal life support (ECLS). The authors present two cases of neonates for whom continuous monitoring of multisite rSO2with NIRS provided the first indication of a significant compromise in hemodynamic status from catastrophic hemorrhagic complications while on ECLS ahead of conventional ECLS monitoring parameters. Routine NIRS monitoring of neonates on ECLS has utility for ongoing assessment of hemodynamic status and can be used for early detection of complications leading to impaired tissue perfusion.
Distinction between low-barrier hydrogen bond and ordinary hydrogen bond: a case study of varying nature of charge assisted hydrogen bonds of diglycine perchlorate crystal
Authors: Choudhury Rajul Ranjan , Chitra R , Panicker Lata
Published: July 2023

Hydrogen bonding is a complex phenomenon that is a resultant of many energy components like the electrostatic, dispersive, covalent, charge cloud overlap repulsion etc, nature of hydrogen bond (H-bond) depends on which of these components play a dominant role. Low barrier hydrogen bond (LBHB) constitutes a special category of hydrogen bonds characterized by near delocalization of proton between donor and acceptor groups of the H- bond unlike an ordinary hydrogen bond (OHB) having proton clearly localized near the donor group. The significance of LBHBs in macromolecular interactions has been highly controversial, despite may attempts the existence and potential importance of protein LBHBs remains debatable. In order to answer questions like whether or not a distinct class of LBHBs exists and if they do exist under what conditions they are formed and how do they behave differently from OHBs, a detailed study of H-bonding in Diglycine Perchlorate (DGPCl) crystal containing five unique hydrogen bonded glycinium-glycine pairs is undertaken. All O-H–O bonds of DGPCl are between the carboxyl (-COOH) and carboxylate (-COO−) groups with slightly different electron distributions resulting in observable variations in the H-bond geometries, this is an indication of varying strength of these short strong H-bonds. It is found that LBHB nature of the five O-H—O bonds between glycinium-glycine pairs (P1-P5) varies as P1 < P4 < P2 < P3 < P5. This study gives an experimental evidence of the existence of LBHBs and demonstrates that the behaviour of LBHBs is very different from that of strong OHBs.
Protection Without Discrimination
Authors: Rebeyrol Vincent
Published: July 2023

This paper shows that non-tariff measures may fully respect the non-discrimination principle of the World Trade Organisation and still act as a protectionist device. Non-tariff measures that raise costs of all firms induce some exit, reallocating market shares towards the most efficient firms. The paper analyses when this mechanism generates protectionism. With political economy motives, trade liberalisation increases the use of non-tariff measures in the non-cooperative equilibrium and a trade agreement may be welfare reducing if governments care about the most efficient firms only. Moreover, a Pareto improving agreement may require an income redistribution between countries if firm average productivity differs across countries.
A new haplotype-resolved turkey genome to enable turkey genetics and genomics research
Authors: Barros Carolina P , Derks Martijn F L , Mohr Jeff , Wood Benjamin J , Crooijmans Richard P M A , Megens Hendrik-Jan , Bink Marco C A M , Groenen Martien A M
Published: July 2023

Background

The domesticated turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a species of significant agricultural importance and is the second largest contributor, behind broiler chickens, to world poultry meat production. The previous genome is of draft quality and partly based on the chicken (Gallus gallus) genome. A high-quality reference genome of M. gallopavo is essential for turkey genomics and genetics research and the breeding industry.

Results

By adopting the trio-binning approach, we were able to assemble a high-quality chromosome-level F1 assembly and 2 parental haplotype assemblies, leveraging long-read technologies and genome-wide chromatin interaction data (Hi-C). From a total of 40 chromosomes (2n = 80), we captured 35 chromosomes in a single scaffold, showing much improved genome completeness and continuity compared to the old assembly build. The 3 assemblies are of higher quality than the previous draft quality assembly and comparable to the chicken assemblies (GRCg7) shown by the largest contig N50 (26.6 Mb) and comparable BUSCO gene set completeness scores (96–97%). Comparative analyses confirm a previously identified large inversion of around 19 Mbp on the Z chromosome not found in other Galliformes. Structural variation between the parent haplotypes was identified, which poses potential new target genes for breeding.

Conclusions

We contribute a new high-quality turkey genome at the chromosome level, benefiting turkey genetics and other avian genomics research as well as the turkey breeding industry.
Jujube witches’ broom phytoplasmas inhibit ZjBRC1-mediated abscisic acid metabolism to induce shoot proliferation
Authors: Ma Fuli , Zhang Shanqi , Yao Yu , Chen Mengting , Zhang Ning , Deng Mingsheng , Chen Wei , Ma Chi , Zhang Xinyue , Guo Chenglong , Huang Xiang , Zhang Zhenyuan , Li Yamei , Li Tingyi , Zhou Junyong , Sun Qibao , Sun Jun
Published: July 2023

Jujube witches’ broom (JWB) phytoplasmas parasitize the sieve tubes of diseased phloem and cause an excessive proliferation of axillary shoots from dormant lateral buds to favour their transmission. In previous research, two JWB effectors, SJP1 and SJP2, were identified to induce lateral bud outgrowth by disrupting ZjBRC1-mediated auxin flux. However, the pathogenesis of JWB disease remains largely unknown. Here, tissue-specific transcriptional reprogramming was examined to gain insight into the genetic mechanisms acting inside jujube lateral buds under JWB phytoplasma infection. JWB phytoplasmas modulated a series of plant signalling networks involved in lateral bud development and defence, including auxin, abscisic acid (ABA), ethylene, jasmonic acid, and salicylic acid. JWB-induced bud outgrowth was accompanied by downregulation of ABA synthesis within lateral buds. ABA application rescued the bushy appearances of transgenic Arabidopsis overexpressing SJP1 and SJP2 in Col-0 and ZjBRC1 in the brc1-2 mutant. Furthermore, the expression of ZjBRC1 and ABA-related genes ZjHB40 and ZjNCED3 was negatively correlated with lateral main bud outgrowth in decapitated healthy jujube. Molecular evidence showed that ZjBRC1 interacted with ZjBRC2 via its N-terminus to activate ZjHB40 and ZjNCED3 expression and ABA accumulation in transgenic jujube calli. In addition, ZjBRC1 widely regulated differentially expressed genes related to ABA homeostasis and ABA signalling, especially by binding to and suppressing ABA receptors. Therefore, these results suggest that JWB phytoplasmas hijack the ZjBRC1-mediated ABA pathways to stimulate lateral bud outgrowth and expansion, providing a strategy to engineer plants resistant to JWB phytoplasma disease and regulate woody plant architecture to promote crop yield and quality.
Proteomic analysis revealed the function of PoElp3 in development, pathogenicity, and autophagy through the tRNA-mediated translation efficiency in the rice blast fungus
Authors: Liu Yuanhao , Sun Ting , Li Yuyong , Huang Jianqiang , Wang Xianjun , Bai Huimin , Hu Jiayi , Zhang Zifan , Wang Shuai , Zhang Dongmei , Li Xiuxiu , Wang Zonghua , Zheng Huakun , Lin Guifang
Published: July 2023

The Elongator complex is conserved in a wide range of species and plays crucial roles in diverse cellular processes. We have previously shown that the Elongator protein PoELp3 was involved in the asexual development, pathogenicity, and autophagy of the rice blast fungus. In this study, we further revealed that PoElp3 functions via tRNA-mediated protein integrity. Phenotypic analyses revealed that overexpression of two of the tRNAs, tK(UUU) and tQ(UUG) could rescue the defects in ΔPoelp3strain. TMT-based proteomic and transcriptional analyses demonstrated that 386 proteins were down-regulated in ΔPoelp3strain compared with wild type strain Guy11, in a transcription-independent manner. Codon usage assays revealed an enrichment of Glutamine CAA-biased mRNA in the 386 proteins compared with the 70-15 genome. In addition to those reported previously, we also found that PoErp9, a sphingolipid C9-methyltransferase, was down-regulated in the ΔPoelp3strain. Through anILV2-specific integration ofPoERP9-GFPinto the wild type and ΔPoelp3strain, we were able to show that PoErp9 was positively regulated by PoElp3 translationally but not transcriptionally. Functional analyses revealed that PoErp9 was involved in the fungal growth, conidial development, pathogenicity, and TOR-related autophagy homeostasis inP. oryzae. Taken together, our results suggested that PoElp3 acts through the tRNA-mediated translational efficiency to regulate asexual development, pathogenicity, and autophagy in the rice blast fungus.
Coping with abnormal organizational behaviors in complex project based on network attack theory
Authors: Yang Lin , Lv Xiaoyue , Zhao Xianbo
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Abnormal behaviors such as rework, backlog, changes and claims generated by project organizations are unavoidable in complex projects. When abnormal behaviors emerge, the previously normal state of interactions between organizations will be altered to some extent. However, previous studies have ignored the associations and interactions between organizations in the context of abnormal organizational behaviors (AOBs), making this challenging to cope with AOBs. As a result, the objective of this paper is to explore how to reduce AOBs in complex projects at the organizational level from a network perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

To overcome the inherent limitations of a single case study, this research integrated two data collection methods: questionnaire survey and expert scoring method. The questionnaire survey captured the universal data on the influence possibility of AOBs between complex project organizations and the expert scoring method got the influence probability scores of AOBs between organizations in the case. Using these data, four organizational influence network models of AOBs based on a case were developed to demonstrate how to destroy AOBs networks in complex projects using network attack theory (NAT).

Findings

First, the findings show that controlling AOBs generated by key organizations preferentially and improving the ability of key organizations can weaken AOBs network, enabling more effective coping strategies. Second, the owners, government, material suppliers and designers are identified as key organizations across all four influence networks of AOBs. Third, change and claim behaviors are more manageable from the organizational level.

Practical implications

Project managers can target specific organizations for intervention, weaken the AOBs network by applying NAT and achieve better project outcomes through coping strategies. Additionally, by taking a network perspective, this research provides a novel approach to comprehending the associations and interactions between organizations in the context of complex projects.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a new approach to investigating AOBs in complex projects by simultaneously examining rework, backlog, change and claim. Leveraging NAT as a novel tool for managing the harmful effects of influence networks, this study extends the knowledge body in the field of organizational behavior (OB) management and complex project management.
Drivers of China’s outward foreign direct investment: a comprehensive panel data analysis
Authors: Tong Tong , Singh Tarlok , Li Bin , Liu Lewis
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the primary motivations for China’s outward foreign direct investment (ODI) decisions.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a panel data sample covering the period 2003–2012 and a comprehensive set of 176 host countries.

Findings

This study finds that market size, trade variables and natural resource variables are strongly related to the Chinese ODI stocks. This indicates that Chinese ODI decisions are driven by both market- and resource-seeking motives. The subperiod sample test results lend even stronger support to the market-seeking motive for ODI.

Originality/value

These results seem to emerge from the policy changes that were undertaken during the sample period. Consistent with subgroup tests, this study finds that the main purposes of China’s ODI in the top 100 countries are natural resource explorations and production line replacements.
Cortisol synergizing with endoplasmic reticulum stress induces regulatory T‐cell dysfunction
Authors: Luo Jiangping , Zhou Caijie , Wang Shiqi , Tao Shuang , Liao Yun , Shi Zhaohui , Tang Zhiyuan , Wu Yongjin , Liu Yu , Yang Pingchang
Published: July 2023

The dysfunction of regulatory T cell (Treg) is associated with the pathogenesis of many immune diseases. The regiments used to re‐establish Treg's function are currently unsatisfactory and need to be improved. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the synergistic effects of cortisol and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress on impairing regulatory T cell functions. In this study, blood samples were collected from patients with food allergy (FA). Immune cells were purified from blood specimens by flow cytometry. A mouse model of FA was established with ovalbumin as a specific antigen. We observed that serum cortisol levels of FA patients were negatively correlated with peripheral Treg counts. Overwhelmed ER stress status was detected in Tregs of FA patients. The antigen‐specific immune response induced ER stress in Tregs, which was exacerbated by concurrent cortisol exposure. ER stress mediated the effects of cortisol on impairing the immune suppressive ability of Tregs. The expression of Rnf20 was observed in Tregs upon exposure to cortisol. Rnf20 reduced the expression of Foxp3 and transforming growth factor (TGF)‐β in Tregs. Rnf20 inhibition re‐established the immunosuppressive functions of Tregs obtained in patients with FA. The experimental FA in mice was attenuated by inhibition of Rnf20 in Tregs. In summary, specific immune response in synergy with cortisol to induce the expression of Rnf20 in Tregs. Rnf20 reduces the levels of Foxp3 and TGF‐β to impair the immune suppressive function. Inhibition of Rnf20 can restore the immune suppressive ability of Tregs obtained from FA patients.
Climatic adaptation explains responses to Pleistocene oscillations and diversification in European vipers
Authors: Lucchini Nahla , Kaliontzopoulou Antigoni , Lourdais Olivier , Martínez‐Freiría Fernando
Published: July 2023

Aim

Allopatric speciation is the primary mode of diversification in the Mediterranean Basin. However, the contribution of climatic adaptation during this process is contradictory. In this work, we investigate the eco‐evolutionary processes that drove diversification in this region, using European vipers as a case study. We describe the climatic requirements of different lineages to compare their responses to the Pleistocene climatic oscillations and tackle the evolutionary mechanisms underlying their diversification.

Location

Eurasia and North Africa.

Taxon

European vipers (genus Vipera).

Methods

We used ecological niche modelling (ENM) to identify the climatic requirements of 24 Vipera lineages and infer past range dynamics associated with their diversification during the Pleistocene. To test whether climatic niches varied across lineages, we calculated the phylogenetic signal of different climatic variables and examined the relationship with phylogenetic relatedness. To investigate climatic niche evolution and test for phylogenetic niche conservatism (PNC), we quantified pairwise niche overlap in sister phylogenetic units under a 3D hypervolume approach.

Results

ENM identified temperature annual range, precipitation of wettest month and precipitation of driest quarter as the most important climatic variables related to the distribution of most lineages, validating Pelias clade as cold‐adapted, and Vipera 1 and Vipera 2 as warm‐adapted clades. Projections to past conditions varied among clades, with Pelias and Vipera 1 having more similar responses, while Vipera 2 exhibited greater variability. We found significant phylogenetic signal in one temperature‐related and two humidity‐related climatic variables and detected high complexity in ecological niche evolution across the phylogeny, both rejecting the hypothesis of PNC.

Main Conclusions

Climatic adaptation played a significant role in driving diversification among European vipers. Cold‐adapted and warm‐adapted lineages presented similar climatic requirements and remarkable responses to Pleistocene stages, resulting in an intricate pattern of niche divergence along the phylogeny that favours local adaptation rather than PNC.
The regulation of chromatin configuration at AGAMOUS locus by LFR‐SYD‐containing complex is critical for reproductive organ development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Lin Xiaowei , Yuan Tingting , Guo Hong , Guo Yi , Yamaguchi Nobutoshi , Wang Shuge , Zhang Dongxia , Qi Dongmei , Li Jiayu , Chen Qiang , Liu Xinye , Zhao Long , Xiao Jun , Wagner Doris , Cui Sujuan , Zhao Hongtao
Published: July 2023

Switch defective/sucrose non‐fermentable (SWI/SNF) chromatin remodeling complexes are evolutionarily conserved, multi‐subunit machinery that play vital roles in the regulation of gene expression by controlling nucleosome positioning and occupancy. However, little is known about the subunit composition of SPLAYED (SYD)‐containing SWI/SNF complexes in plants. Here, we show that the Arabidopsis thaliana Leaf and Flower Related (LFR) is a subunit of SYD‐containing SWI/SNF complexes. LFR interacts directly with multiple SWI/SNF subunits, including the catalytic ATPase subunit SYD, in vitro and in vivo. Phenotypic analyses of lfr‐2 mutant flowers revealed that LFR is important for proper filament and pistil development, resembling the function of SYD. Transcriptome profiling revealed that LFR and SYD shared a subset of co‐regulated genes. We further demonstrate that the LFR and SYD interdependently activate the transcription of AGAMOUS (AG), a C‐class floral organ identity gene, by regulating the occupation of nucleosome, chromatin loop, histone modification, and Pol II enrichment on the AG locus. Furthermore, the chromosome conformation capture (3C) assay revealed that the gene loop at AG locus is negatively correlated with the AG expression level, and LFR‐SYD was functional to demolish the AG chromatin loop to promote its transcription. Collectively, these results provide insight into the molecular mechanism of the Arabidopsis SYD‐SWI/SNF complex in the control of higher chromatin conformation of the floral identity gene essential to plant reproductive organ development.
The origin of high-silica granites and rare metal mineralization: Insights from geochemistry and U-Pb-Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopes of Early Cretaceous granitoids in the southern Great Xing’an Range, NE China
Authors: Wu Hao-Ran , Yang Hao , Ge Wen-Chun , Santosh M. , Jing Jia-Hao , Ji Zheng , Jing Yan
Published: July 2023

High-silica granitoids signal maturity of continental crust and are also closely associated with rare metal mineralization. However, the possible factors controlling the upper crustal differentiation and rare metal mineralization have not been well-constrained. In this work, we report zircon U-Pb ages, trace elements, Hf-O isotopes, and whole-rock elemental and Sr-Nd-Hf isotopic data on six high-silica granitic intrusions from the Southern Great Xing’an Range Metallogenic Belt (SGXRMB), NE China, with a view to elucidate their source, differentiation mechanism, and rare metal mineralization potential. Zircon U-Pb dating of the granites (including porphyritic granite and alkali-feldspar granite) yields Early Cretaceous ages of ca. 144−135 Ma. Petrographic and geochemical features including the high SiO2, DI, and TE1,3 values, and similar Sr-Nd-Hf-O isotopes suggest that the rocks are weakly peraluminous, highly evolved I-type granites sharing a common silicic magma reservoir. Integrated isotope modeling suggests a complex source region for the evolved I-type granites involving dominantly juvenile lower crustal components with subordinate older continental basement and possible contribution of recycled pelagic sediments. The high-silica granite in the Jingpeng-Lindong region and the quartz diorite-monzonite, granodiorite, and monzogranite in the Lindong-Zalute region show close spatial-temporal distribution, common source and consistent variations in their whole-rock zircon compositions, indicating melt extraction processes in a highly crystalline mush rejuvenated by the injection of high temperature magma and F-enriched volatile filter-pressing, with the former derived from initial interstitial melts leaving behind residual silicic cumulates represented by the latter. Detailed comparisons of the rare metal-bearing and barren high-silica granites within the SGXRMB show that simple anatectic or fractional crystallization processes cannot account for the rare metal granites. Fluid-melt interactions combined with a high degree of crystallization differentiation and changes in melt structures are proposed as the potential mechanisms for generating the rare metal mineralization in I-type granitic magmas.
Systematic literature review informing the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of ANCA-associated vasculitis (AAV): part 1—treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis
Authors: Schirmer Jan Henrik , Sanchez-Alamo Beatriz , Hellmich Bernhard , Jayne David , Monti Sara , Luqmani Raashid Ahmed , Tomasson Gunnar
Published: July 2023

Objective

To summarise and update evidence to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of antineutrophil cytoplasm antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV).

Methods

A systematic literature review (SLR) was performed to identify current evidence regarding treatment of AAV. PubMed, EMBASE and the Cochrane library were searched from 1 February 2015 to 25 February 2022. The evidence presented here is focused on the treatment of granulomatosis with polyangiitis and microscopic polyangiitis.

Results

3517 articles were screened and 175 assessed by full-text review. Ninety articles were included in the final evidence synthesis. Cyclophosphamide and rituximab (RTX) show similar efficacy for remission induction (level of evidence (LoE) 1a) but RTX is more effective in relapsing disease (LoE 1b). Glucocorticoid (GC) protocols with faster tapering result in similar remission rates but lower rates of serious infections (LoE 1b). Avacopan can be used to rapidly taper and replace GC (LoE 1b). Data on plasma exchange are inconsistent depending on the analysed trial populations but meta-analyses based on randomised controlled trials demonstrate a reduction of the risk of end-stage kidney disease at 1 year but not during long-term follow-up (LoE 1a). Use of RTX for maintenance of remission is associated with lower relapse rates compared with azathioprine (AZA, LoE 1b). Prolonged maintenance treatment results in lower relapse rates for both, AZA (LoE 1b) and RTX (LoE 1b).

Conclusion

This SLR provides current evidence to inform the 2022 update of the EULAR recommendations for the management of AAV.
Genomic analysis of the MLST population structure and antimicrobial resistance genes associated with Salmonella enterica in Mexico
Authors: Gómez-Baltazar Adrián , Godínez-Oviedo Angélica , Vázquez-Marrufo Gerardo , Vázquez-Garcidueñas Ma. Soledad , Hernández-Iturriaga Montserrat
Published: July 2023

Salmonella enterica is one of the most commonly reported foodborne pathogens by public health agencies worldwide. In this study, the multilocus sequence typing (MLST) population structure and frequency of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes were evaluated in S. enterica strains from Mexico ( n = 2561). The most common sources of isolation were food (44.28%), environment (27.41%), animal-related (24.83%), and human (3.48%). The most prevalent serovars were Newport (8.51%), Oranienburg (7.03%), Anatum (5.78%), Typhimurium (5.12%), and Infantis (4.57%). As determined by the 7-gene MLST scheme, the most frequent sequence types were ST23, ST64, and ST32. The core genome MLST scheme identified 132 HC2000 and 195 HC900 hierarchical clusters, with the HC2000_2 cluster being the most prevalent in Mexico ( n = 256). A total of 78 different AMR genes belonging to 13 antimicrobial classes were detected in 638 genomic assemblies of S. enterica. The most frequent class was aminoglycosides (31.76%), followed by tetracyclines (12.53%) and sulfonamides (11.91%). These results can help public health agencies in Mexico prioritize their efforts and resources to increase the genomic sequencing of circulating Salmonella strains. Additionally, they provide valuable information for local and global public health efforts to reduce the impact of foodborne diseases and AMR.
Argument Schemes and a Dialogue System for Explainable Planning
Authors: Mahesar Quratul-Ain , Parsons Simon
Published: July 2023

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being increasingly deployed in practical applications. However, there is a major concern whether AI systems will be trusted by humans. To establish trust in AI systems, there is a need for users to understand the reasoning behind their solutions. Therefore, systems should be able to explain and justify their output. Explainable AI Planning is a field that involves explaining the outputs, i.e., solution plans produced by AI planning systems to a user. The main goal of a plan explanation is to help humans understand reasoning behind the plans that are produced by the planners. In this article, we propose an argument scheme-based approach to provide explanations in the domain of AI planning. We present novel argument schemes to create arguments that explain a plan and its key elements and a set of critical questions that allow interaction between the arguments and enable the user to obtain further information regarding the key elements of the plan. Furthermore, we present a novel dialogue system using the argument schemes and critical questions for providing interactive dialectical explanations.
Magnetic and Dielectric Properties of Hybrid Nanocomposites of Biologically Extracted Hydroxyapatite/Hematite/Silicon Dioxide for Potential Use in Bone Replacement Applications
Authors: Alturki Asma M. , Alatawi Ayshah S. , Abulyazied Dalia E. , Abomostafa H. M. , El komy G. M. , Alamlah R. , Taha Mohammed A. , Youness Rasha A.
Published: July 2023

Hydroxyapatite (HA) is known to be an attractive biomaterial for use in orthopedic and dental applications. Notably, acquiring HA from natural sources is an excellent step toward doing so affordably while also reducing waste. Therefore, in this study, HA was obtained from camel bones and then mixed in different proportions with silicon dioxide (SiO2) and hematite (α-Fe2O3) in order to obtain nanocomposites with distinct physical, tribo-mechanical, electrical, magnetic and biological properties. The produced powders were then examined by SEM and XRD techniques. Additionally, measurements were made of their dielectric, physical, tribo-mechanical, magnetic, and antimicrobial properties. The results revealed that successive addition of SiO2 and α-Fe2O3 reduced the porosity of the tested samples by about 3.26, 19.56, 33.69 and 51.08% which is very close to the porosity value of cortical bone. Importantly, the compressive strength of the sample with the highest percentages of SiO2 and α-Fe2O3 was 102 MPa making it similar to that of cortical bone. Also, the addition of SiO2 and α-Fe2O3 to BHA reduced its wear rate by 0.47, 13.09, 15.47, and 21.90%. Furthermore, the presence of Fe2O3 improved the magnetic and antimicrobial properties of the tested samples. The latter findings could be useful for accelerating bone healing.