bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial performance and gender diversity. The effect of family management after a decade attempt
Authors: Oware Kofi Mintah , Mallikarjunappa Thathaiah
Published: January 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate family management, financial performance and gender diversity of listed firms.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the India stock market as a testing ground, this paper used descriptive statistics and panel regression with random effect assumptions in the analysis of 800 firm-year observations between 2010 and 2019.

Findings

The findings show that an improvement in stock price returns leads to a corresponding increase in women employment. Also, the study shows that an increase in family-managed firms leads to a decrease in the number of women employed in listed firms. This paper speculates using the social role theory that family involvement may see women as the weaker vessel and with a role to concentrate on raising children and handling house affairs. The consequence is a decrease in women employment. The study also shows that the interactive variable of financial performance (return on assets and return on equity) × family-managed firms still causes a decrease in women employment. This paper perceives that managers in family-managed firms see women as weaker vessels and home managers which is consistent with the Indian culture. The results are robust after controlling for endogeneity.

Research limitations/implications

The research study is limited to large firms on the Indian stock market that submit sustainability reports and also used a single country data that can potentially limit the generalisation of the study.

Originality/value

No studies have combined social role theory in examining the effect of family management on gender diversity in the emerging markets.
‘Mind the mismatch?’ Incidence, drivers, and persistence of African youths' skill and educational mismatches
Authors: Morsy Hanan , Mukasa Adamon N.
Published: January 2021

This paper examines the incidence, drivers, and persistence of skill and educational mismatches among employed youths from 10 African countries surveyed between 2012 and 2015. Results indicate that, unlike most findings from developed countries, underskilling and undereducation are more prevalent among the youth than overskilling and overeducation. The levels of education of the youth and their parents, the field of study, the quality of job and the firm size are found to be key predictors of job mismatches. Our results also show that the perspective of unemployment has a scarring effect for underskilled youths but a stepping‐stone effect for overskilled and overeducated. Using a pseudo‐panel approach, skill and educational mismatches of youths are found to be persistent over time and the likelihood of transitioning into education matching jobs is significantly increasing with the levels of education.
Trends in electronic cigarette use and conventional smoking: quantifying a possible ‘diversion’ effect among US adolescents
Authors: Selya Arielle S. , Foxon Floe
Published: January 2021

Background and aims

The impact of electronic cigarettes (ECs) on nicotine use is hotly debated: some fear that ECs are a ‘catalyst’ to conventional smoking, while others argue that they divert adolescents from the more harmful product. This study used simulation modeling to evaluate the plausibility of catalyst and diversion hypotheses against real‐world data.

Design

A simulation model represented life‐time exclusive EC use, exclusive conventional smoking and dual use as separate subpopulations. The ‘catalyst’ effect was modeled as EC use increasing dual use initiation (i.e. EC users also start smoking). The ‘diversion’ effect was modeled as EC use decreasing exclusive cigarette initiation. The model was calibrated using data from the US National Youth Tobacco Survey (NYTS). The plausibility of each scenario was evaluated by comparing simulated trends with NYTS data. This is the first study, to our knowledge, to estimate the magnitude of a diversion effect through simulation.

Setting

United States.

Participants and measurements

Adolescents aged 12–17 years in NYTS, a cross‐sectional study from 2000 to 2019 (n = 12 500 to 31 000 per wave). Exclusive cigarette use, exclusive EC use and dual use of both products were defined using cumulative life‐time criteria (100+ cigarettes smoked and/or > 100 days vaped).

Findings

A null model (no catalyst or diversion) over‐predicts NYTS smoking by up to 87%. Under the conservative assumption that the catalyst effect accounts for all dual use, an exponential decay constant of 19.6% EC users/year initiating smoking is required; however, this further over‐predicts actual smoking by up to 109%. A diversion effect with an exponential decay constant of 55.4%/year or 65.4%/year, with the maximum possible opposing catalyst effect also active, is required optimally to match NYTS smoking trends (root mean square error = 286 632 versus 391 396 in the null model).

Conclusions

A simulation model shows that a substantial diversion effect is needed to explain observed nicotine use trends among US adolescents, and it must be larger than any possible opposing catalyst effect, if present.
A novel method of esophagogastrostomy by overlap anastomosis with placement of the remnant stomach into the lower mediastinum after laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy
Authors: Yasuda Atsushi , Kimura Yutaka , Hiraki Yoko , Momose Kota , Kato Hiroaki , Shiraishi Osamu , Shinkai Masayuki , Imano Motohiro , Imamoto Haruhiko , Yasuda Takushi
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Control of postoperative gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is a critical consideration for patients who undergo proximal gastrectomy. This report describes a new and simple reconstruction method by esophagogastrostomy with placement of the remnant stomach into the lower mediastinum (EG‐PRIME). This approach not only suppresses postoperative GER, but it can also be easily performed by total laparoscopy. Detailed herein are the methods for EG‐PRIME and the results for three patients with cancer of the upper gastric body.

Materials and Surgical Technique

At the start of the EG‐PRIME surgical procedure, a pseudo‐fornix and lozenge‐shaped gastric conduit were made by cutting the stomach diagonally. Next, the pseudo‐fornix was inserted into the esophageal hiatus to form a new angle of His. Then overlap anastomosis was performed and the entry site was closed longitudinally. The outcomes assessed were operative time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative complications and GER according to 24‐hour pH monitoring.

Discussion

The operative times were 339, 288 and 236 minutes; in two patients, intraoperative blood loss was 260 and 343 mL, and in the third, blood loss was minimal. No postoperative complications were observed in any of the three patients. The degree of the GER resulting in fraction time pH<4 was 9.0%, 0.3%, and 2.9%, respectively. No esophagitis by upper gastrointestinal endoscopy was observed in any patient.

This EG‐PRIME method was technically feasible for reconstruction after proximal gastrectomy by total laparoscopy. This approach may be as simple and useful as esophagogastrostomy for preventing postoperative GER, but more experience with this method is required.
Compliance with governmental restrictions during the coronavirus pandemic: A matter of personal self‐protection or solidarity with people in risk groups?
Authors: Liekefett Luisa , Becker Julia
Published: January 2021

During the coronavirus pandemic, governments across the globe ordered physical‐distancing and hygiene restrictions to slow down the spread of COVID‐19. The present work was conducted during the peak of restrictions in Germany (April/May 2020). In a convenient (N = 218) and representative sample (N = 715), we examined people’s motivations to comply with these restrictions during the lockdown: Were they motivated by personal self‐protection, or rather by solidarity with people in risk groups? Specifically, we investigated predictors of personal self‐protection (compliance to protect the self against infection) and group‐protection behaviours (compliance for reasons of solidarity in protecting people in risk groups). Results indicate that self‐ and group‐protection result from different psychological processes: Whereas personal self‐protection seems to be a form of coping with personal anxieties (epistemic and existential needs, personal threat), group protection is an intergroup phenomenon that is enabled by identification with a collective goal (common identity), the perception that society is capable of dealing with the virus (group efficacy), and concern for people in risk groups. We discuss potential implications for behavioural change in pandemics.
Lost voices part 1: A narrative case study of two young men with learning disabilities disclosing experiences of sexual, emotional and physical abuse
Authors: Digman Carmel
Published: January 2021

Accessible Summary

Two young men who have learning disabilities were students at a college. While they were there, they were sexually abused by people who were meant to care for them.

When they tried to tell people, some people would not listen. Some people listened but could not understand them.

They became mentally ill because of the abuse. Then, some people started to listen and help them tell their stories. Then, the police and the courts said that the two young men could not give evidence in court because of their learning disabilities.

This paper matters because it writes about ways to protect people with learning disabilities from people who abuse them. We need to try and help people who have been abused to tell their stories. We need to make sure those stories are listened to.

Two young men disclosed emotional, sexual and physical abuse while attending college and living with Shared Lives carers in the UK. This paper provides a narrative account of the period when the two men were exposed to the abuse, the disclosures, the investigation and the legal and safeguarding investigation outcomes. A second paper describes the therapeutic response and outcomes for the men. A review of the literature on abuse and learning disabilities highlights the difficulties in conducting research in this area. Authors find significant barriers exist to disclosing abuse and to being believed. Prosecutions are rare despite evidence that abuse may be widespread towards people with learning disabilities. This paper considers the narrative experience of the two young men, the barriers they faced to being heard and believed and how their personal accounts were discounted and eventually lost to the investigation. Lessons for practice are considered for learning disability mental health and social care professionals, education, police and legal services. Further research suggestions are made.
Efficacy of endobronchial ultrasound‐guided transbronchial biopsy without guide sheath for small peripheral pulmonary lesions (≤15 mm): A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Ito Takayasu , Matsumoto Masami , Kujime Mihoko , Kohnoh Takashi , Fukushima Akira , Takagi Tatsuya , Fukushima Yukiko , Kasahara Takaaki
Published: January 2021

Introduction

Endobronchial ultrasonography‐guided transbronchial biopsy (EBUS‐TBB) with guide sheath (GS) is an effective procedure for diagnosing small peripheral pulmonary lesions (PPLs) (≤20 mm in the largest diameter). However, samples obtained using EBUS‐TBB with GS are small, and the diagnostic yield of small PPLs biopsied using EBUS‐TBB with GS is unsatisfactory.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of small PPLs using EBUS‐TBB without GS compared to that with GS.

Materials and Methods

Between 1 April 2013 and 31 March 2015, 276 consecutive lesions were biopsied using EBUS‐TBB with GS or without GS. We retrospectively compared EBUS‐TBB with and without GS in terms of the diagnostic yield and complications related to small PPLs (≤20 mm).

Results

Of the 276 lesions who underwent EBUS‐TBB with or without GS, we identified 80 lesions with small PPLs (≤20 mm). Sixty‐two lesions were successfully diagnosed by EBUS‐TBB (77.5%, diagnostic yield). The diagnostic yield of PPLs using EBUS‐TBB without GS was not significantly higher than that using EBUS‐TBB with GS (34/41 = 82.9% and 28/39 = 71.7%, respectively; p = 0.233). However, according to size (≤15 mm or > 15 mm), location (upper, middle/lingular, or lower area), and structure (solid nodule or ground‐glass opacity), the diagnostic yield of small PPLs (≤15 mm) using EBUS‐TBB without GS was significantly higher than with GS (21/26 = 80.7% vs. 8/16 = 50.0%, p = 0.036). There were no complications among the two groups.

Conclusions

EBUS‐TBB without GS is an effective and safe procedure for diagnosing small PPLs (≤15 mm) compared to that with GS.
Tundra wildfire triggers sustained lateral nutrient loss in Alaskan Arctic
Authors: Abbott Benjamin W. , Rocha Adrian V. , Shogren Arial , Zarnetske Jay P. , Iannucci Frances , Bowden William B. , Bratsman Samuel P. , Patch Leika , Watts Rachel , Fulweber Randy , Frei Rebecca J. , Huebner Amanda M. , Ludwig Sarah M. , Carling Gregory T. , O’Donnell Jonathan A.
Published: January 2021

Climate change is creating widespread ecosystem disturbance across the permafrost zone, including a rapid increase in the extent and severity of tundra wildfire. The expansion of this previously rare disturbance has unknown consequences for lateral nutrient flux from terrestrial to aquatic environments. Lateral loss of nutrients could reduce carbon uptake and slow recovery of already nutrient‐limited tundra ecosystems. To investigate the effects of tundra wildfire on lateral nutrient export, we analyzed water chemistry in and around the 10‐year‐old  Anaktuvuk River fire scar in northern Alaska. We collected water samples from 21 burned and 21 unburned watersheds during snowmelt, at peak growing season, and after plant senescence in 2017 and 2018. After a decade of ecosystem recovery, aboveground biomass had recovered in burned watersheds, but overall carbon and nitrogen remained ~20% lower, and the active layer remained ~10% deeper. Despite lower organic matter stocks, dissolved organic nutrients were substantially elevated in burned watersheds, with higher flow‐weighted concentrations of organic carbon (25% higher), organic nitrogen (59% higher), organic phosphorus (65% higher), and organic sulfur (47% higher). Geochemical proxies indicated greater interaction with mineral soils in watersheds with surface subsidence, but optical analysis and isotopes suggested that recent plant growth, not mineral soil, was the main source of organic nutrients in burned watersheds. Burned and unburned watersheds had similar δ15N‐NO3−, indicating that exported nitrogen was of preburn origin (i.e., not recently fixed). Lateral nitrogen flux from burned watersheds was 2‐ to 10‐fold higher than rates of background nitrogen fixation and atmospheric deposition estimated in this area. These findings indicate that wildfire in Arctic tundra can destabilize nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur previously stored in permafrost via plant uptake and leaching. This plant‐mediated nutrient loss could exacerbate terrestrial nutrient limitation after disturbance or serve as an important nutrient release mechanism during succession.
Mac‐2 binding protein glycan isomer as noninvasive tool to assess liver fibrosis in children with chronic liver disease
Authors: Behairy Ola G , El‐Gendy Soha A , Ibrahim Dalia Y , Mansour Amira I , El‐Shimi Ola S
Published: January 2021

Aim

This study is aimed to measure the value of serum Mac‐2 binding protein glycan isomer (M2BPGI) in children with chronic liver diseases in comparison with liver biopsy and serum biomarkers.

Methods

Comparative cross‐sectional study included 100 children with chronic liver diseases and 50 healthy age/sex‐matched control group. All subjects were evaluated via medical history, clinical, radiological and laboratory examinations. Liver biopsy was performed for studied patients and serum M2BPGI level was measured by Enzyme Linked Immune Sorbent Assay (ELISA) in all studied subjects.

Results

Serum M2BPGI level increased more significantly in chronic liver disease patients (6.04 ± 2.72 ng/ml) than in healthy controls (1.12 ± 0.83 ng/ml) (P < 0.001). M2BPGI level was significantly elevated with progressive fibrosis (P < 0.001), and differed significantly between high and low Child–Pugh score, pediatric end‐stage liver disease score and model for end‐stage liver disease score score. Serum M2BPGI was correlated with serum biomarkers and degree of fibrosis in patients.

Conclusion

M2BPGI could be used as one of noninvasive tools for detecting and staging of hepatic fibrosis in Egyptian children with chronic liver disease.
A Paleogene magmatic overprint on Cretaceous seamounts of the western Pacific
Authors: Hirano Naoto , Sumino Hirochika , Morishita Taisei , Machida Shiki , Kawano Takaomi , Yasukawa Kazutaka , Hirata Takafumi , Kato Yasuhiro , Ishii Teruaki
Published: January 2021

The West Pacific Seamount Province (WPSP) represents a series of short‐lived Cretaceous hotspot tracks. However, no intraplate volcanoes in advance of petit‐spot volcanism erupted near a trench have been identified after the formation of the WPSP on the western Pacific Plate. This study reports new ages for Paleogene volcanic edifices within the northern WPSP, specifically the Ogasawara Plateau and related ridges, and Minamitorishima Island. These Paleogene ages are the first reported for basaltic rocks on western Pacific seamounts, in an area that has previously only yielded Cretaceous ages. The newly found Paleogene volcanisms overprint the Early–middle Cretaceous volcanic edifices, because the seamount or paleo‐island material‐covered reefal limestone caps on these edifices are uniformly older than the Paleogene volcanism identified in this study. This study outlines several possible causative factors for the Paleogene volcanism overprinting onto existing Cretaceous seamounts, including volcanism related to lithospheric stress, or a younger hotspot track within the northern part of the WPSP that records magmatism from ~60 Ma.
On radial, circumferential, and spiral cracks in fractured glass plates
Authors: Quinn George D. , Swab Jeffrey J. , Patel Parimal
Published: January 2021

This is a fractographic case study of a mechanically loaded glass plate that formed a remarkable spiral crack when the plate fractured. Common radial and circumferential cracking in disks and plates in general are first reviewed. The exceptional spiral crack is then analyzed. The origin of failure was an unusual flaw on the nominal compression side of the plate. The complex spiral fracture pattern has been observed in other large plate glass fractures that break under blunt impact conditions. Spiral cracks can form and propagate from flaws on the front side of a flexed plate that is rigidly supported at its rim or, alternatively, is supported from underneath and has a large overhang.
Scabies involving palms in older children and adults: a changing scenario
Authors: Koley Sankha , Datta Jayanti , S. K. Shahriar Ahmed , Tarafdar Dhiman
Published: January 2021

Scabies is a highly contagious, intensely pruritic skin infestation caused by Sarcoptes scabiei var hominis. It has high prevalence in many tropical countries where crowded people live in resource‐poor settings. The rash is distributed differently in adults and children. Adults manifest lesions primarily on the interdigital web spaces of the hands, flexor aspects of the wrists, dorsal feet, axillae, elbows, waist, buttocks, and genitalia. Palms (along with soles and head) are commonly involved in infants and very young children but typically absent in older age groups. Here, we report 25 older children and adult patients with scabies including involvement of the palms. If patients are left untreated for long periods of time in hot tropical climates, scabies may produce severe infestation with involvement of palms in older children and adults. We should acknowledge palms as potential body sites whose involvement warrants early and aggressive treatment in scabies.
Prebiotic properties of xylooligosaccharide extracted from sugarcane wastes (pith and rind): a comparative study
Authors: Zidan Dina , Sabran Mohd Redzwan , Ramli Nurul Shazini , Shafie Siti Raihanah , Fikry Mohammad
Published: January 2021

Wastes from agricultural industry are often disposed. Nevertheless, these wastes contain nutraceuticals and functional compounds. Xylooligosaccharide (XOS) was extracted from two sugarcane wastes (SW); rind (SR) and pith (SP), and the prebiotic properties of both XOS were examined. SR and SP had different mixture of XOS and were resistant towards α‐amylase and gastric juice digestion in vitro. Although the growth of Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) and Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. Lactis ATCC® 700541™ increased significantly in both XOS after 48 h of incubation, XOS from SR showed better enrichment of probiotics growth. Both XOS were found to be more fermentable by LcS and acetic acid was the predominant end product of the fermentation. Since XOS composition was different between SR and SP and such difference can affect their prebiotic properties, it is important to choose the appropriate parts of SW to extract XOS with high fermentable properties and obtain the best synbiotics combination.
The effect of maturity and tissue on the ability of mid infrared spectroscopy to predict the geographical origin of banana (Musa Cavendish)
Authors: Zhang Long , Huang Yichao , Sun Fengjiang , Chen Da , Netzel Michael , Smyth Heather E. , Sultanbawa Yasmina , Deng Yongfeng , Fang Mingliang , Cozzolino Daniel
Published: January 2021

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of sample presentation (tissue type) and maturity (ripe and unripe) on the classification of banana (Musa Cavendish) samples sourced from two different geographical regions and analysed using mid infrared (MIR) spectroscopy. The coefficient of determination (R2) and the standard error of cross‐validation (SECV) obtained using partial least squares discriminant analysis were 0.83 (0.33), 0.75 (0.25) and 0.94 (0.19) for the prediction of maturity, geographical origin and tissue type, respectively. No effect of either of type of tissue (e.g. pulp or peel) or maturity was observed. The results of this study demonstrated that MIR spectroscopy might be used to classify the origin of the banana samples at different degrees of ripeness. However, one of the limitations of this study is on the number of samples analysed and further validation must be recommended using samples from other sources, regions and harvest seasons.
sInfluence of starch and protein molecular interactions on the in vitro digestion characteristics of biscuits partially substituted with pulse flours
Authors: Chávez‐Murillo Carolina Estefanía , Aceves‐Flores Mónica Samantha , Verástegui‐Quevedo Mariana , de la Rosa‐Millán Julián
Published: January 2021

Recent research has shown that pulse‐derived ingredients present a technological alternative to cereals, higher protein and fibre content, and differentiated starch characteristics. In this work, the partial substitution of pulse flours with and without heat moisture treatment (HMT) was evaluated in a biscuit model. The digestion residues at 20 and 120 min that correspond to rapidly, slowly and resistant starch from the Englyst methodology were analysed by DSC, X‐Ray and ATR‐FTIR. The use of pulse flours in biscuits improved their thermal stability (ΔH = 3.01 and 4.99 J/g for control and Lentil + HMT), preserving a fraction of particularly ling glucans, that influenced the decreasing in the rapidly available starch from 55.26 to 24.11 % (Control and Faba bean + HMT), and enhanced its protein's digestibility from 75.26 to 87.43 % for the same sources. Among pulses, there were similarities regarding their resistance to enzymatic hydrolysis that may help select those with better organoleptic attributes.
Pumpkin oil cake protein as a new carrier for encapsulation incorporated in food matrix: Effect of processing, storage and in vitro digestion on bioactivity
Authors: Čakarević Jelena , Torbica Aleksandra , Belović Miona , Tomić Jelena , Sedlar Tea , Popović Ljiljana
Published: January 2021

In this paper, valorisation of pumpkin oil cake as source of new protein carrier material for encapsulation was examined in order to enrich real food products. Cookies were used as a model system for addition of encapsulates at three different levels: 10%, 15% and 20%. The physicochemical and sensory properties were investigated, as well as conditions of stability after storage, in terms of total phenolic and betalain content. Furthermore, antioxidant, α‐glucosidase and ACE inhibitory potential of cookies was evaluated after simulated gastrointestinal digestion. The cookies showed good technological quality as well as acceptable sensorial properties. The addition of encapsulate increases the total phenolic and betalain contents and shoved significant stability during storage time. Novel peptides were produced after gastrointestinal digestion, which enhanced bioactive properties of enriched products through synergistic action with active compounds from beetroot juice. Obtained digest shoved significant antioxidant, antidiabetic and antihypertension activities, hence ensuring a potential healing effect that could be reached by consuming these cookies.
No sustained effects of an intervention to prevent excessive GWG on offspring fat and lean mass at 54 weeks: Yet a greater head circumference persists
Authors: Whyte Kathryn , Johnson Jill , Kelly Kim , Horowitz Michelle , Widen Elizabeth M. , Toro‐Ramos Tatiana , Gidwani Sonia , Paley Charles , Crane Janet , Lin Susan , Rosenn Barak , Thornton John , Pi‐Sunyer F. Xavier , Gallagher Dympna
Published: January 2021

Background

LIFT (Lifestyle Intervention for Two) trial found that intervening in women with overweight and obesity through promoting healthy diet and physical activity to control gestational weight gain (GWG) resulted in neonates with greater weight, lean mass and head circumference and similar fat mass at birth. Whether these neonate outcomes are sustained at 1‐year was the focus of this investigation.

Methods

Measures included body composition by PEA POD air displacement plethysmography (ADP) and Echo Infant quantitative magnetic resonance (QMR) and head circumference at birth (n = 169), 14 (n = 136) and 54 weeks (n = 137). Differences in fat and lean mass between lifestyle intervention (LI) and Usual care (UC) groups were examined using ANCOVA adjusting for maternal age and BMI, GWG, offspring sex and age.

Results

Compared to UC, LI infants had similar weight (112 ± 131 g; P = .40), fat mass (14 ± 80 g; P = .86), lean mass (100 ± 63 g; P = .12) at 14 weeks and similar weight (168 ± 183 g; P = .36), fat mass (148 ± 124 g; P = .24), lean mass (117 ± 92 g; P = .21) at 54 weeks. Head circumference was greater in LI at 54 weeks (0.46 ± 2.1 cm P = .03).

Conclusions

Greater lean mass observed at birth in LI offspring was not sustained at 14 and 54 weeks, whereas the greater head circumference in LI offspring persisted at 54 weeks.
Effects of the xanthine oxidase inhibitor, febuxostat, on the expression of monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 and synchronous genes in MDCK cells treated with calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals
Authors: Miyazawa Katsuhito , Nakai Dan , Nakamura Yuka , Tatsuno Takanori , Inoue Shinya , Nakazawa Yusuke , Ishigaki Yasuhito
Published: January 2021

Objectives

To examine the effects of the selective xanthine oxidase inhibitor febuxostat on the expression of inflammation‐related genes involved in stone formation.

Methods

Madin‐Darby canine kidney cells were exposed to febuxostat, followed by calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals. Monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 messenger ribonucleic acid expression levels were determined by real‐time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. Deoxyribonucleic acid microarray analysis was utilized to evaluate gene expression.

Results

Calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals activated monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 messenger ribonucleic acid expression in a time‐ and concentration‐dependent manner. Febuxostat suppressed monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 expression. The expression levels of a group of inflammatory genes, including interleukin‐8 and chemokine (C‐X‐C motif) ligand 10, which are downstream of reactive oxygen species, fluctuated similarly to the observed monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 fluctuations and were reduced by febuxostat pretreatment.

Conclusions

Febuxostat exerts preventive effects against reactive oxygen species production and oxidative stress, and might represent a potential treatment for calcium oxalate stones. In the present study, febuxostat downregulated the calcium oxalate monohydrate crystal‐induced monocyte chemoattractant protein‐1 messenger ribonucleic acid expression.
Power relations inscribed in the enactment of systems development methods
Authors: Rowlands Bruce , Kautz Karlheinz
Published: January 2021

Issues of power are often neglected in information systems (IS) studies and under‐theorised in IS research. Systems development methods (SDMs) are commonly used in the IT industry to coordinate the activities between developers and clients. The role of power in the relationship between clients and systems developers remains an important topic of research in information systems development (ISD). Yet, despite the importance of understanding this relationship better, there has only been a limited number of studies exploring the role that an SDM can play in influencing this relationship. What is not widely acknowledged or researched is how different forms of power are inscribed in and enacted through an SDM. The aim of this paper is to advance our understanding of different forms of power—here, obtrusive and unobtrusive power—to show how ISD concepts provide structures during the enactment of an SDM and thereby influence relationships between developers and clients. We present qualitative results from an exploratory case study within an IT division of a large international bank and interpret the results using Clegg's (1989) circuits of power (CoP). Our analysis shows that developers feel disempowered in relation to the client, with developers playing a cooperative but submissive role. Prior SDM enactment studies have either not encountered or not recognised cases where obtrusive and unobtrusive forms of power inscribed within the SDM directly determine the relationship between developers and the client. Our results are presented as a set of propositions explaining how obtrusive and unobtrusive power is inscribed in the SDM and the effect such inscription has on the enactment of the SDM.
Stereotypic neutralizing V
H
antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein receptor binding domain in patients with COVID-19 and healthy individuals
Authors: Kim Sang Il , Noh Jinsung , Kim Sujeong , Choi Younggeun , Yoo Duck Kyun , Lee Yonghee , Lee Hyunho , Jung Jongtak , Kang Chang Kyung , Song Kyoung-Ho , Choe Pyoeng Gyun , Kim Hong Bin , Kim Eu Suk , Kim Nam-Joong , Seong Moon-Woo , Park Wan Beom , Oh Myoung-don , Kwon Sunghoon , Chung Junho
Published: January 2021

Stereotypic neutralizing antibody clonotypes specific for SARS-CoV-2 receptor binding domain in patients with COVID-19 and healthy individuals.
Carbon Catabolite Repression in Filamentous Fungi Is Regulated by Phosphorylation of the Transcription Factor CreA
Authors: de Assis Leandro José , Silva Lilian Pereira , Bayram Ozgur , Dowling Paul , Kniemeyer Olaf , Krüger Thomas , Brakhage Axel A. , Chen Yingying , Dong Liguo , Tan Kaeling , Wong Koon Ho , Ries Laure N. A. , Goldman Gustavo H.
Published: January 2021

In filamentous fungi, the transcription factor CreA controls carbohydrate metabolism through the regulation of genes encoding enzymes required for the use of alternative carbon sources. In this work, phosphorylation sites were identified on
Aspergillus nidulans
CreA, and subsequently, the two newly identified sites S268 and T308, the previously identified but uncharacterized site S262, and the previously characterized site S319 were chosen to be mutated to nonphosphorylatable residues before their effect on CCR was characterized.
Metabolic Interactions between
Brachypodium
and Pseudomonas fluorescens under Controlled Iron-Limited Conditions
Authors: Boiteau Rene M. , Markillie Lye Meng , Hoyt David W. , Hu Dehong , Chu Rosalie K. , Mitchell Hugh D. , Pasa-Tolic Ljiljana , Jansson Janet K. , Jansson Christer
Published: January 2021

Rhizosphere bacteria influence the growth of their host plant by consuming and producing metabolites, nutrients, and antibiotic compounds within the root system that affect plant metabolism. Under Fe-limited growth conditions, different plant and microbial species have distinct Fe acquisition strategies, often involving the secretion of strong Fe-binding chelators that scavenge Fe and facilitate uptake.
Axial spondyloarthritis: new advances in diagnosis and management
Authors: Ritchlin Christopher , Adamopoulos Iannis E
Published: January 2021

Axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is an inflammatory disease of the axial skeleton associated with significant pain and disability. Previously, the diagnosis of ankylosing spondylitis required advanced changes on plain radiographs of the sacroiliac joints. Classification criteria released in 2009, however, identified a subset of patients, under the age of 45, with back pain for more than three months in the absence of radiographic sacroiliitis who were classified as axSpA based on a positive magnetic resonance imaging or HLAB27 positivity and specific clinical features. This subgroup was labeled non-radiographic (nr)-axSpA. These patients, compared with those identified by the older New York criteria, contained a larger percentage of women and demonstrated less structural damage. However, their clinical manifestations and response to biologics were similar to radiographic axSpA. The discovery of the interleukin (IL) IL-23/IL-17 pathway revealed key molecules involved in the pathophysiology of axSpA. This discovery propelled the generation of antibodies directed toward IL-17A, which are highly effective and demonstrate treatment responses in axSpA that are similar to those observed with anti-TNF agents. The finding that agents that block IL-23 were not effective in axSpA came as a surprise and the potential underlying mechanisms underlying this lack of response are discussed. New agents with dual inhibition of the IL-17A and F isoforms and some oral small molecule agents that target the Jak-STAT pathway, have also shown efficacy in axSpA.
Exponentially charged dilaton black holes in rainbow gravity
Authors: Dehghani M. , Setare M. R.
Published: January 2021

The explicit form of the field equations has been obtained by varying the action of the four-dimensional Einstein-dilaton gravity in the presence of the scalar-coupled exponential nonlinear electrodynamics. The exact black hole solutions of the field equations have been obtained in an energy-dependent spherically symmetric geometry. It has been found that the solution of the scalar field equation can be obtained by combining two Liouville potentials. We have introduced three types of exponentially charged dilatonic black holes and their thermodynamic properties have been studied noting the effects of rainbow functions. The impacts of rainbow functions on the conserved and thermodynamic quantities of the new black hole solutions have been explored. Through the Smarr mass formula, it has been demonstrated that the first law of black hole thermodynamics remains valid for either of the new rainbow black hole solutions. The quantum gravitational effects on the thermodynamic phase transition or thermal stability of the black holes have been studied by use of the canonical ensemble method. By calculating the black hole heat capacity, the type-1 and type-2 phase transition points and the conditions under which the exponentially charged rainbow black holes are locally stable have been identified.
AI policy matters
Authors: Medsker Larry , Faruqe Farhana
Published: January 2021

AI Policy Matters is a regular column in AI Matters featuring summaries and commentary based on postings that appear twice a month in the AI Matters blog (https://sigai.acm.org/aimatters/blog/). We welcome everyone to make blog comments so we can develop a rich knowledge base of information and ideas representing the SIGAI members.
SIGAI annual report
Authors: Das Sanmay , Mattei Nicholas , Dickerson John P. , Koenig Sven , Dennis Louise , Medsker Larry , Neller Todd , Leite Iolanda , Karpatne Anuj
Published: January 2021

It has been a first year full of unexpected challenges for the new officers of SIGAI! Along with the election of a new leadership team, we began the year with many changes, including integrating a new leadership team, changes in several of the appointed officers, and of course the global pandemic which has radically altered many of our activities! Of particular note, we are excited to welcome on board Louise Dennis as the new conference coordination officer, Anuj Karpatne as a new co-editor for AI Matters, and Alan Tsang as the new information officer, taking over from Michael Rovatsos, Amy McGovern, and Hang Ma respectively. We are very grateful to Michael, Amy, and Hang for years of excellent service to SIGAI! While we were working on several new initiatives, like everyone else, the Covid-19 pandemic changed the nature of what we were able to do and what we had to focus on. Nevertheless, we managed to get several of these initiatives off the ground, and were lucky in that SIGAI was well-positioned both financially and in terms of our rapport with many communities.
Conference reports
Authors: Dennis Louise A.
Published: January 2021

This section features brief reports from recent events sponsored or run in cooperation with ACM SIGAI.
Automatically eliminating speculative leaks from cryptographic code with blade
Authors: Vassena Marco , Disselkoen Craig , Gleissenthall Klaus von , Cauligi Sunjay , Kıcı Rami Gökhan , Jhala Ranjit , Tullsen Dean , Stefan Deian
Published: January 2021

We introduce Blade, a new approach to automatically and efficiently eliminate speculative leaks from cryptographic code. Blade is built on the insight that to stop leaks via speculative execution, it suffices to
cut
the dataflow from expressions that speculatively introduce secrets (
sources
) to those that leak them through the cache (
sinks
), rather than prohibit speculation altogether. We formalize this insight in a
static type system
that (1) types each expression as either
transient
, i.e., possibly containing speculative secrets or as being
stable
, and (2) prohibits speculative leaks by requiring that all
sink
expressions are stable. Blade relies on a new abstract primitive,
protect
, to halt speculation at fine granularity. We formalize and implement
protect
using existing architectural mechanisms, and show how Blade’s type system can automatically synthesize a
minimal
number of
protect
s to provably eliminate speculative leaks. We implement Blade in the Cranelift WebAssembly compiler and evaluate our approach by repairing several verified, yet vulnerable WebAssembly implementations of cryptographic primitives. We find that Blade can fix existing programs that leak via speculation
automatically
, without user intervention, and
efficiently
even when using fences to implement
protect
.
Self-Healing, Improved Efficiency Solid State Rechargeable Li/I2 Based Battery
Authors: Stackhouse Chavis A. , Abraham Alyson , Yan Shan , Wang Lei , Sadique Nahian , Singh Gurpreet , Marschilok Amy C. , Takeuchi Esther S. , Takeuchi Kenneth J.
Published: January 2021

Solid state electrolytes are receiving significant interest due to the prospect of improved safety, however, addressing the incidence and consequence of internal short circuits remains an important issue. Herein, a battery based on a LiI-LiI(HPN)2 solid state electrolyte demonstrated self-healing after internal shorting where the cells recovered and continued to cycle effectively. The functional rechargeable electrochemistry of the self-forming Li/I2-based battery was investigated through interfacial modification by inclusion of Li metal (at the negative interface), and/or fabricated carbon nanotube substrates at the positive interface. A cell design with lithium metal at the negative and a carbon substrate at the positive interface produced Coulombic efficiencies > 90% over 60 cycles. Finally, the beneficial effects of moderately elevated temperature were established where a 10 °C temperature increase led to ∼5× lower resistance.
Brucellosis Presenting with Febrile Pancytopenia: An Atypical Presentation of a Common Disease and Review of Brucellosis
Authors: Chang Carina , Beutler Bryce D. , Ulanja Mark B. , Uche Chukwudum , Zdrnja Milan
Published: January 2021

Brucellosis is a febrile zoonotic disease caused by one of several species of the Gram-negative coccobacillus Brucella. It is endemic to the Middle East, sub-Saharan Africa, and Central America. However, cases have also been reported in the United States. Infection is most commonly transmitted via unpasteurized dairy products or through occupational exposure to livestock. The clinical presentation is highly variable; symptoms may include fever, myalgias, night sweats, weight loss, nausea, and vomiting. Less common features include orchitis, osteomyelitis, and sacroiliitis. In addition, pregnant women who contract brucellosis face a markedly increased risk of miscarriage. A presumptive diagnosis is typically established through correlation of patient history and classic laboratory findings, which include transaminitis, anemia, and leukopenia with relative lymphocytosis. Definitive diagnosis can only be established through isolation of Brucella species from blood or tissues. Treatment involves a prolonged course of multiple antibiotics; six weeks of combination therapy with aminoglycoside or rifampin and tetracycline represents the most common regimen. Healthy individuals who develop brucellosis have a generally favorable prognosis, as the case fatality rate is less than 2%. Nevertheless, early detection and treatment are essential to reduce the risk of long-term sequelae that may result from chronic, indolent disease.
The Effects of Dandelion Polysaccharides on Iron Metabolism by Regulating Hepcidin via JAK/STAT Signaling Pathway
Authors: Ren Feng , Yang Yingying , Wu Kaixuan , Zhao Tiesuo , Shi Yinghao , Song Moxuan , Li Jian
Published: January 2021

Recent studies have claimed that iron overload was correlated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), and our previous studies have also demonstrated that dandelion polysaccharide (DP) suppressed HCC cell line proliferation via causing cell cycle arrest and inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, but the effect of DP on metabolism is still not very clear. Here, we aim to clarify the effects of DP on iron metabolism and the underlying mechanism. In this study, we found that DP could reduce iron burden in hepatoma cells and grafted tumors. Hepcidin is a central regulator in iron metabolism. We confirmed that the expression of hepcidin in HCC tumor tissues was significantly higher than that in the adjacent nontumor tissues. The expression of hepcidin was downregulated in the liver of mouse model treatment with DP, as well as in hepatoma cells. Moreover, RNA sequencing and western blot data revealed that DP inhibited the IL‐6‐activated JAK‐STAT signaling pathway. In summary, our results revealed that DP might be a new potential drug candidate for the regulation of iron burden and the treatment of HCC.
Tanshinone IIA Ameliorates Inflammation Response in Osteoarthritis via Inhibition of miR-155/FOXO3 Axis
Authors: Zhou Biao , Li Lin-Hui , Tan Li-Ming , Luo Wen-Bing , Xiong Hui , Lu Xiao-Long , Liu Dan , Li Wang-Yang , Guo Yu-Xing , Tang Zhi , Zhu Li-Guo
Published: January 2021

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common joint disorder characterized by degeneration of the articular cartilage and joint destruction with an associated risk of mobility disability in elderly people. Although a lot of achievements have been made, OA is still regarded as an incurable disease. Therefore, the pathological mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies of OA need more investigation. Methods: MTT assay was conducted to measure the viability of chondrocytes after LPS treatment. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by annexin V/propidium iodide labeling. ELISA was used to determine the concentrations of interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in the culture supernatant of chondrocytes. The expression level of miR-155, IL-1β, FOXO3, TNF-α, IL-6, caspase-3, and caspase-9 in chondrocytes was analyzed by RT-qPCR or Western blot. Results: We found that LPS led to inflammatory responses, cell apoptosis, and increased miR-155 expression in human articular chondrocytes. Tanshinone IIA could inhibit LPS-induced inflammation and cell apoptosis of chondrocytes via regulating the expression of miR-155 and FOXO3. miR-155 directly targeted the 3′-UTR of FOXO3 to regulate its expression. Conclusions: Taken together, our data suggest tanshinone IIA ameliorates inflammation response in OA via inhibition of the miR-155/FOXO3 axis, and provide some evidences that tanshinone IIA could be designed and developed as a new promising clinical therapeutic drug for OA patients.
Theta-Burst Stimulation Is Able to Impact Cognitive Processing: A P300 and Neuropsychological Test Study
Authors: Pinto Nuno Filipe Cardoso , Duarte Marta , Gonçalves Helena , Silva Ricardo , Gama Jorge , Pato Maria Vaz
Published: January 2021

Introduction: Theta-burst stimulation (TBS) is a safe non-invasive neurostimulation technique used to improve cognitive and neuropsychiatric impairments. Combined outcome evaluation using event-related potentials (ERPs) and neuropsychological tests may allow a more thorough assessment of TBS treatment efficacy; however, some mixed results have been found, and their use remains scarce. Our main objective was to evaluate whether a session of TBS to the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) can impact upon the performance of both neuropsychological and neurophysiological tests. Methods: This double-blind sham-controlled study involved 28 healthy adults, between 18 and 30 years. Volunteers were randomly allocated to receive excitatory (intermittent [iTBS]), inhibitory (continuous TBS [cTBS]) or sham stimulation on the left DLPFC. Subjects were evaluated using ERPs (auditory oddball paradigm P300) and neuropsychological tests (Trail making test [TMT] and Stroop test of words and colours [STWC]), using a pre-post stimulation protocol. Results: Inhibitory stimulation led to significantly delayed P300 peak latencies (p < 0.001), with no consistent change in N2P3 amplitudes. cTBS also significantly influenced the expected group performance in Stroop C and Stroop interference (p = 0.025) compared to the iTBS and sham groups. No significant results were found in TMT tests after TBS. Conclusion: Our results suggest that P300 and specific Stroop colour and words test parameters can be similarly influenced by the same TBS protocol. This emphasizes the importance of mixed evaluation using neuropsychological and neurophysiological resources in research associated with the use of transcranial magnetic stimulation and cognition.