bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Savanna resilience to droughts increases with the proportion of browsing wild herbivores and plant functional diversity
Authors: Irob Katja , Blaum Niels , Weiss‐Aparicio Alex , Hauptfleisch Morgan , Hering Robert , Uiseb Kenneth , Tietjen Britta
Published: January 2023

Maintaining the resilience and functionality of savannas is key to sustaining the ecosystem services they provide. This maintenance is largely dependent on the resilience of savannas to stressors, such as prolonged droughts. The resilience to drought is largely determined by the interaction of herbivores and the functional composition of vegetation. So far, our understanding and ability to predict the response of savannas to drought under different types of rangeland use and as a function of vegetation composition are still limited.

In this study, we used the ecohydrological, spatially‐explicit savanna model EcoHyD to determine if the resilience of a savanna rangeland towards prolonged droughts can be enhanced by the choice of rangeland use type (grazer‐dominated, mixed‐feeders or browser‐dominated) and animal density. We evaluated the ability of a Namibian savanna system to withstand droughts and recover from droughts based on its perennial grass cover and the overall species composition.

Generally, we determined a low resilience under high grazer densities. Most importantly, we found that functional diversification of herbivores and plants acted as resilience insurance against droughts, leading to greater resistance and recovery of perennial grasses. In particular, a higher proportion of herbivores allowed for higher resilience, probably also due to a short‐term switch to more drought‐resistant or unpalatable species.

In this case, herbivore diversification was of high self‐regulatory value by reestablishing trophic complexity, reducing the need for additional management interventions.

Synthesis and applications: Savanna systems will be more resistant to drought if (i) a dense perennial grass cover is maintained, protecting the topsoil from heat‐induced water losses and erosion, encompassing functionally important species that are particularly well adapted to water stress and that are palatable, if (ii) the grazing pressure is adjusted to the productivity of the system, and (iii) the herbivore community includes browsers.
Improving Equitability and Inclusion for Testing and Detection of Lead Poisoning in US Children
Authors: SOBIN CHRISTINA , GUTIéRREZ‐VEGA MARISELA , FLORES‐MONTOYA GISEL , RIO MICHELLE DEL , ALVAREZ JUAN M. , OBENG ALEXANDER , AVILA JALEEN , HETTIARACHCHI GANGA
Published: January 2023

Policy Points

Child lead poisoning is associated with socioeconomic inequity and perpetuates health inequality.

Methods for testing and detection of child lead poisoning are ill suited to the current demographics and characteristics of the problem.

A three‐pronged revision of current testing approaches is suggested.

Employing the suggested revisions can immediately increase our national capacity for equitable, inclusive testing and detection.

Child lead poisoning, the longest‐standing child public health epidemic in US history, is associated with socioeconomic inequity and perpetuates health inequality. Removing lead from children's environments (“primary prevention”) is and must remain the definitive solution for ending child lead poisoning. Until that goal can be realized, protecting children's health necessarily depends on the adequacy of our methods for testing and detection. Current methods for testing and detection, however, are no longer suited to the demographics and magnitude of the problem. We discuss the potential deployment and feasibility of a three‐pronged revision of current practices including: 1) acceptance of capillary samples for final determination of lead poisoning, with electronic documentation of “clean” collection methods submitted by workers who complete simple Centers for Disease Control and Prevention–endorsed online training and certification for capillary sample collection; 2) new guidance specifying the analysis of capillary samples by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry or graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with documented limit of detection ≤0.2 μg/dL; and 3) adaptive “census tract–specific” universal testing and monitoring guidance for children from birth to 10 years of age. These testing modifications can bring child blood lead level (BLL) testing into homes and communities, immediately increasing our national capacity for inclusive and equitable detection and monitoring of dangerous lower‐range BLLs in US children.
Research progress regarding the effect and mechanism of dietary phenolic acids for improving nonalcoholic fatty liver disease via gut microbiota
Authors: Ji Lin , Deng Huan , Xue Huimin , Wang Jiting , Hong Kexin , Gao Yunxiao , Kang Xiping , Fan Guanghe , Huang Weidong , Zhan Jicheng , You Yilin
Published: January 2023

Phenolic acids (PAs), a class of small bioactive molecules widely distributed in food and mainly found as secondary plant metabolites, present significant advantages such as antioxidant activity and other health benefits. The global epidemic of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a serious public health problem. Existing studies showed that gut microbiota (GM) dysbiosis is highly associated with the occurrence and development of NAFLD. In recent years, progress has been made in the study of the relationship among PA compounds, GM, and NAFLD. PAs can regulate the composition and functions of the GM to promote human health, while GM can increase the dietary sources of PAs and improve its bioavailability. This paper discussed PAs, GM, and their interrelationship while introducing several representative dietary PA sources and examining the absorption and metabolism of PAs mediated by GM. It also summarizes the effect and mechanisms of PAs in improving and regulating NAFLD via GM and their metabolites. This helps to better evaluate the potential preventive effect of PAs on NAFLD via the regulation of GM and expands the utilization of PAs and PA‐rich food resources.
ForensicNet: Modern convolutional neural network‐based image forgery detection network
Authors: Tyagi Shobhit , Yadav Divakar
Published: January 2023

The advancements in Image editing techniques produce realistic‐looking artificial images with ease. These images can easily circumvent the forensic systems making the authentication process more tedious and difficult. To overcome this problem, we introduce a modern convolutional neural network (CNN) named ForensicNet, inspired by the recent developments in computer vision. The three major contributions of our CNNs are inverted bottleneck, separate downsampling layers, and using depth‐wise convolutions for mixing information in the spatial dimension. The inverted bottlenecks help improve accuracy and reduce network parameters/FLOPs. The separate downsampling layers help converge the network. The normalization layers also help stabilize training whenever the spatial resolution is changed. The depth‐wise convolution is a grouped convolution where the number of groups and channels are the same. The experiments show that ForensicNet outperforms the state‐of‐the‐art methods by a large margin.
Optimization of tannin‐containing sorghum bran addition to gluten‐free bread
Authors: Ardoin Ryan , Smith Brennan , Bean Scott , Aramouni Fadi
Published: January 2023

Ingredients used to enhance sensory quality of gluten‐free (GF) bread often lack in nutrients. This presents nutritional challenges for celiac‐positive individuals and fails to meet expectations of healthfulness for non‐celiac GF consumers. Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L. Moench) flour can provide acceptable GF bread properties, and tannin‐containing varieties contain antioxidants concentrated in the bran along with dietary fiber. Using a central composite design, tannin‐containing sumac sorghum bran, gum (xanthan + guar), and water levels were optimized in a GF sorghum‐based bread formulation. Loaf specific volume and gas cells/cm2 were maximized while minimizing hardness and cell wall thickness. The optimum formulation containing 14.2% sorghum bran, 1% gum, and 145% water (flour basis) effectively increased dietary fiber in bread to 13.4% (considered “high fiber”) and showed oxygen radical absorbance capacity of 61.6 µmol TE/g. This optimum formulation did not differ from a sorghum flour‐based control bread in consumers’ (N = 100) liking of color, texture, flavor, overall acceptability, nor willingness to buy (WTB). All mean hedonic scores (numbered 9‐point scale) were above 5, whereas average WTB was 4.7 for the optimum formulation and 4.6 for the control (9‐point Likert scale) among consumers varying in GF bread consumption habits. Perceived bread bitterness was low (averaging 2.85 on 9‐point intensity scale), did not vary between samples despite marked differences in antioxidant capacity, and was not correlated with WTB. When utilizing effective optimization models with key functional ingredients, sumac sorghum bran addition can enhance dietary fiber and antioxidant potential in sorghum‐based GF breads without compromising quality attributes.
Production of salad dressings via the use of economically prepared cellulose nanofiber from lime residue as a functional ingredient
Authors: Hongho Charuwan , Chiewchan Naphaporn , Devahastin Sakamon
Published: January 2023

Production of cellulose nanofiber (CNF) via the use of a more economical and less energy‐intensive means is desirable. Once formed, it is necessary to determine whether or not the prepared CNF would be capable of forming a Pickering emulsion as in the case of traditionally prepared nanofiber. In the present study, oil‐in‐water emulsions, namely, salad dressings, with CNF as a functional ingredient, were prepared. Lime residue powder as the source of dietary fiber was subject to high‐shear homogenization to form CNF suspension, which was then mixed with other ingredients. Different contents of fat (20%–40%), egg yolk (0%–4%), and lime residue powder (0%–4%) were tested. The formed CNF successfully acted as a Pickering emulsifier and allowed the production of salad dressings with desirable characteristics at 30%–40% fat, 2% egg yolk, and 2% lime residue powder. The dressings exhibited adequate physicochemical properties and remained stable throughout the storage period of 28 days.

Practical Application

The presently proposed means would allow the industry to produce cellulose nanofiber (CNF) in a more economical and less energy‐intensive manner. The so‐produced CNF exhibits comparable properties as traditionally prepared nanofiber and can be used as a stabilizer in food emulsions.
Nematode mitochondrial metagenomics: A new tool for biodiversity analysis
Authors: Gendron Eli M. , Sevigny Joseph L. , Byiringiro Innocent , Thomas W. Kelley , Powers Thomas O. , Porazinska Dorota L.
Published: February 2023

DNA barcoding approaches have greatly increased our understanding of biodiversity on the planet, and metabarcoding is widely used for classifying members of the phylum Nematoda. However, loci typically utilized in metabarcoding studies are often unable to resolve closely related species or are unable to recover all taxa present in a sample due to inadequate PCR primer binding. Mitochondrial metagenomics (mtMG) is an alternative approach utilizing shotgun sequencing of total DNA to recover the mitochondrial genomes of all species present in samples. However, this approach requires a comprehensive reference database for identification and currently available mitochondrial sequences for nematodes are highly dominated by sequences from the order Rhabditida, and excludes many clades entirely. Here, we analysed the efficacy of mtMG for the recovery of nematode taxa and the generation of mitochondrial genomes. We first developed a curated reference database of nematode mitochondrial sequences and expanded it with 40 newly sequenced taxa. We then tested the mito‐metagenomics approach using a series of nematode mock communities consisting of morphologically identified nematode species representing various feeding traits, life stages, and phylogenetic relationships. We were able to identify all but two species through the de novo assembly of COX1 genes. We were also able to recover additional mitochondrial protein coding genes (PCGs) for 23 of the 24 detected species including a full array of 12 PCGs from five of the species. We conclude that mtMG offers a potential for the effective recovery of nematode biodiversity but remains limited by the breadth of the reference database.
Did quantitative easing reduce the borrowing costs of firms? The risk‐taking channel
Authors: Wang Gang , Shen Yi
Published: February 2023

This paper examines the effect of the Federal Reserve's quantitative easing (QE) on the cost of bank loans and documents large heterogeneous effects across different firms. In QE1, the average loan spread is 22.7 percent lower compared to the non‐QE period. This effect falls in QE2 and OT and then rises in QE3 and the tapering period. The rates of riskier loans are restrained more than less risky loans during QEs as banks take more risks by offering lower rates to attract risky borrowers. The Fed mortgage‐backed securities purchases have a larger impact in narrowing the borrowing cost difference between riskier and safer loans than the Fed Treasury purchases. Our results are robust to borrower, year‐quarter and bank fixed effects. Overall, our findings support that the risk‐taking channel of QE plays a significant role in the corporate bank loan market.
Markups, organic agriculture and downstream concentration at the example of European dairy farmers
Authors: Koppenberg Maximilian
Published: February 2023

A competitive environment, highly concentrated processing and retailing sectors as well as increasing decoupling of direct payments from production volumes and the area under cultivation incentivizes farmers to find alternative ways to improve their bargaining position towards downstream companies. This article explores the possibilities of organic agriculture to enhance the bargaining power of farmers along with the role of concentration in downstream industries. Using a dataset with more than 200,000 observations from approximately 40,000 dairy farms, I estimate markups of price over marginal cost in dairy farming as a measure of market power in the EU. The results show that organic farmers achieve a significant markup premium over conventional farmers. With increasing market shares of organic milk in total milk production markups of conventional farmers diminish whereas those of organic farmers are unaffected. Farm‐level markups decrease with increasing market shares of medium‐sized dairy processors and increase with increasing market shares of large processors. The presence of large multinational retail chains shows an adverse impact on farmers’ markups.
Malignancy‐associated generalised exfoliative dermatitis: A retrospective study in a single‐centre Asian cohort
Authors: Long Valencia , Choi Ellie Ci‐En , Zhaojin Chen , Ganesegaran Timothy Sujash , Zhun Rui Mok , Yong Adeline Mei Yen , MeiQi May Liau , Tan Chris Li Xian , Chandran Nisha Suyien
Published: February 2023

Background

Erythroderma is an inflammatory skin condition that causes extensive erythema and skin scaling amounting ≥90% of the body surface area. This retrospective cohort study describes the prevalence of malignancy‐associated erythroderma in a single centre where there was concerted effort to systematically offer malignancy screens to all adult erythroderma patients above the age of 65 years.

Methods

Clinical charts were reviewed for all adult inpatients and outpatients with erythroderma who attended the National University Hospital (NUH) from 1 July 2019 to 31 December 2021. Data collected included patient demographics, clinical findings, laboratory investigations, disease‐specific investigations such as endoscopic procedures and biopsies, follow‐up duration and mortality data.

Results

Seventy‐four patients were analysed. The median age of the patients was 73 years old (interquartile range: 59–81 years old). An underlying dermatosis was the most common cause of erythroderma—63 patients having atopic dermatitis/asteatotic eczema or psoriasis. Three patients had erythroderma from drug eruptions, and 1 patient had chronic actinic dermatitis. Four patients had associated malignancies (5.4%). Half of our patients completed further evaluation for malignancy (52.7%). The rest had either declined or were eventually unable to complete the investigations. There was a higher prevalence of associated malignancy (7.8%) in elderly patients above 65 years old.

Conclusion

When compared to existing literature, our cohort reflects a higher observed occurrence of malignancy in association with erythroderma. As delays in evaluation for underlying malignancy could result in potentially deleterious outcomes, it is prudent to consider systematic screening for malignancy in high‐risk populations such as elderly erythroderma patients.
A survey of the distribution of the water rail Rallus aquaticus in Algeria and its first recorded breeding in the Algerian Sahara
Authors: Bouzid Abdelhakim , Samraoui Farrah , Samraoui Boudjéma
Published: January 2023

Many rail species' distribution and habitat requirements are poorly known. We conducted a survey of the distribution of the Water Rail Rallus aquaticus across Algeria and investigated its possible nesting in the Sahara. Between 2002 and 2008, water rails were recorded in nine sites across Algeria and were found to breed in Lake Fetzara. In 2022, the species was recorded at yet another site, El Ménia, where two nests were found to contain clutches of three and seven eggs, respectively. This is the first unequivocal record of the Water Rail breeding in the Sahara.
Postnatal corticosteroids and developmental outcomes in extremely preterm or extremely low birth weight infants: The Victorian Infant Collaborative Study 2016–17 cohort
Authors: Douglas Ellen , Hodgson Kate A. , Olsen Joy E. , Manley Brett J. , Roberts Calum T. , Josev Elisha , Anderson Peter J. , Doyle Lex W. , Davis Peter G. , Cheong Jeanie L. Y. ,   the Victorian Infant Collaborative Study Group
Published: January 2023

Aim

Systemic postnatal corticosteroids are used to treat or prevent bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) in extremely preterm (EP) or extremely low birth weight (ELBW) infants but are associated with long‐term harm. We aimed to assess the relationship between cumulative postnatal corticosteroid dose and neurodevelopmental outcomes.

Methods

Longitudinal cohort study of all EP/ELBW livebirths in Victoria, Australia 2016–2017. Perinatal data were collected prospectively. Neurodevelopmental assessment was performed at 2 years' corrected age. Linear and logistic regression were used to determine relationships between cumulative corticosteroid dose and neurodevelopment, adjusted for gestational age, birth weight, sex and major intraventricular haemorrhage.

Results

Seventy‐six EP/ELBW infants received postnatal corticosteroids to treat or prevent BPD, 62/65 survivors were seen at 2 years. Median (IQR) cumulative postnatal corticosteroid dose was 1.36 (0.92–3.45) mg/kg dexamethasone equivalent. Higher cumulative corticosteroid dose was associated with increased odds of cerebral palsy, adjusted OR (95% CI) 1.47 (1.04, 2.07). Higher cumulative corticosteroid dose was also associated with lower cognitive and motor developmental scores, however, this weakened after adjustment for confounding variables: cognitive composite score adjusted coefficient (95% CI) −1.3 (−2.7, 0.1) and motor composite score adjusted coefficient (95% CI) −1.3 (−2.8, 0.2).

Conclusion

Higher cumulative postnatal corticosteroid dose in EP/ELBW infants is associated with increased odds of cerebral palsy at 2 years' corrected age. Adequately powered studies are needed to assess the independent effects of cumulative steroid dose on neurodevelopmental outcomes.
With or without you? Perceived indispensability and opposition to separatist movements
Authors: Fluit Sam , Martinović Borja , Verkuyten Maykel , Zhou Siyuan
Published: February 2023

Positive intergroup relations are shown to be related to the perception that, despite mutual differences, all subgroups are indispensable for the identity or functioning of the overall society. Yet, so far, the research on identity and functional indispensability is concerned with minorities that strive for inclusion in the larger nation‐state (e.g., immigrants). In contrast, we examined the roles of identity and functional indispensability in the context of separatist movements. In Study 1 (N = 397), we found that Han Chinese' perceptions of identity and functional indispensability of Tibetans and Uyghurs were associated with higher willingness to engage in collective action against these groups' separatist movements. We replicated these findings in Study 2a and 2b among a diverse sample of the Dutch concerning the Brexit (N = 378) and Frexit (N = 279). In experimental Study 3, again among the Dutch (N = 405), we found that indispensability increased anti‐Frexit action intentions. We conclude that, in the context of separatist movements, perceived indispensability can make attitudes towards separatist movements more antagonistic. The findings contribute to a better understanding of intergroup relations when subgroups' interests clash.
Spatiotemporal regulation of maternalmRNAsduring vertebrate oocyte meiotic maturation
Authors: Jiang Yanwen , Adhikari Deepak , Li Chunjin , Zhou Xu
Published: January 2023

Vertebrate oocytes face a particular challenge concerning the regulation of gene expression during meiotic maturation. Global transcription becomes quiescent in fully grown oocytes, remains halted throughout maturation and fertilization, and only resumes upon embryonic genome activation. Hence, the oocyte meiotic maturation process is largely regulated by protein synthesis from pre‐existing maternal messenger RNAs (mRNAs) that are transcribed and stored during oocyte growth. Rapidly developing genome‐wide techniques have greatly expanded our insights into the global translation changes and possible regulatory mechanisms during oocyte maturation. The storage, translation, and processing of maternal mRNAs are thought to be regulated by factors interacting with elements in the mRNA molecules. Additionally, posttranscriptional modifications of mRNAs, such as methylation and uridylation, have recently been demonstrated to play crucial roles in maternal mRNA destabilization. However, a comprehensive understanding of the machineries that regulate maternal mRNA fate during oocyte maturation is still lacking. In particular, how the transcripts of important cell cycle components are stabilized, recruited at the appropriate time for translation, and eliminated to modulate oocyte meiotic progression remains unclear. A better understanding of these mechanisms will provide invaluable insights for the preconditions of developmental competence acquisition, with important implications for the treatment of infertility. This review discusses how the storage, localization, translation, and processing of oocyte mRNAs are regulated, and how these contribute to oocyte maturation progression.
Associations between cortical bone‐to‐implant contact and microstructure derived from CBCT and implant primary stability
Authors: Feng Lan , Chen Haida , Chen Ziyun , Chen Yan , Gu Xinhua
Published: February 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the associations between the cortical bone‐to‐implant contact (CBIC), bone microstructure derived from cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT), and the primary stability of the implant.

Materials and Methods

Twenty‐two patients with 65 implants were enrolled in this study. The peak insertion torque values (ITVs) were measured during implant insertion, and the implant stability quotient (ISQ) values were measured immediately after implant placement and 3 months after surgery. The profiles of the peri‐implant bone structure were outlined using the volumetric reconstruction of the CBCTs and superimposition of the virtual models, and the features of CBIC and bone microstructure parameters were measured. The linear mixed effects model and generalized estimating equation were used to explore the predictors for implant primary stability.

Results

The average ITV, baseline, and secondary ISQ values were 31.44 ± 6.54 N·cm, 73.34 ± 7.39, and 80.32 ± 4.58, respectively. Statistically significant correlations were found between ITV and surface area of CBIC (r = .340, p = .006), bone volume fraction (r = .294, p = .017), and bone surface fraction (r = −.278, p = .039). Implants with buccolingual CBIC had a higher ITV than implants without CBIC (p = .016). None of the parameters were associated with baseline and secondary ISQ values in generalized estimating equation analysis (all p > .05).

Conclusions

Within the limitations of the study, preoperative CBCT measurements might enable the prediction of ITV and therefore of implant primary stability values.
Stock market response to the statement on the purpose of a corporation: A vindication of stakeholder theory
Authors: Glambosky Mina , Jory Surendranath Rakesh , Ngo Thanh
Published: February 2023

Research Question/Issue

On August 19, 2019, the Business Roundtable (2019) released a statement signed by 181 chief executive officers (CEOs) of well‐known US corporations, in which they pledged “a fundamental commitment” to “deliver value to all” stakeholders. This study examines the stock market reaction to this new statement on the purpose of a corporation.

Research Findings/Insights

Based on a sample of 163 publicly listed companies that signed the pledge, the results show that investors react positively to a firm's pledge in the days surrounding the statement release. The consensus among stock market investors was robust, characterized by the low volatility in the share price post‐announcement date. The decision by these companies, though intended to maximize the wealth of all stakeholders, rather than shareholders alone, carries an opportunity cost. Specifically, a post‐announcement decline in share buybacks by pledge firms relative to control firms is observed, though investors embracing stakeholder theory appear undeterred by the reduction in distributions.

Theoretical/Academic Implications

This study provides empirical support that, in the evolving business environment, companies must emphasize issues that concern customers, employees, non‐governmental organizations (NGOs), and the government. Failure to prioritize these issues may engender public backlash, especially in the age of social media. However, the attention to stakeholders is compatible with the focus on shareholder performance. Performance suffers when customers leave, workers feel dissatisfied, NGOs call for boycotts, and governments levy fines. Corporations seeking to increase shareholder wealth will need to fully embrace stakeholder concerns.

Practitioner/Policy Implications

This study shows that adopting a stakeholder perspective unlocked value that would not have been achieved had the focus remained on shareholder primacy. The excess values may derive from greater customer loyalty, improved employee motivation, better supplier relations, supportive financiers, maximizing revenue, minimizing costs, and/or yielding higher profits. Shareholders anticipate greater long‐term value from companies emphasizing employees, communities, supply chain, financiers, and shareholders.
Single‐cell RNA sequencing: Inhibited Notch2 signalling underlying the increased lens fibre cells differentiation in high myopia
Authors: Yao Yunqian , Wei Ling , Chen Zhenhua , Li Hao , Qi Jiao , Wu Qingfeng , Zhou Xingtao , Lu Yi , Zhu Xiangjia
Published: January 2023

High myopia is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It promotes the overgrowth of lens, which is an important component of ocular refractive system, and increases the risks of lens surgery. While postnatal growth of lens is based on the addition of lens fibre cells (LFCs) supplemented by proliferation and differentiation of lens epithelial cells (LECs), it remains unknown how these cellular processes change in highly myopic eyes and what signalling pathways may be involved. Single‐cell RNA sequencing was performed and a total of 50,375 single cells isolated from the lens epithelium of mouse highly myopic and control eyes were analysed to uncover their underlying transcriptome atlas. The proportion of LFCs was significantly higher in highly myopic eyes. Meanwhile, Notch2 signalling was inhibited during lineage differentiation trajectory towards LFCs, while Notch2 predominant LEC cluster was significantly reduced in highly myopic eyes. In consistence, Notch2 was the top down‐regulated gene identified in highly myopic lens epithelium. Further validation experiments confirmed NOTCH2 downregulation in the lens epithelium of human and mouse highly myopic eyes. In addition, NOTCH2 knockdown in primary human and mouse LECs resulted in enhanced differentiation towards LFCs accompanied by up‐regulation of MAF and CDKN1C. These findings indicated an essential role of NOTCH2 inhibition in lens overgrowth of highly myopic eyes, suggesting a therapeutic target for future interventions.
Effects of discontinuous blue light stimulation on the electrophysiological properties of neurons lacking opsin expression in vitro: Implications for optogenetic experiments
Authors: Lightning Anistasha , Bourzeix Marie , Beurrier Corinne , Kuczewski Nicola
Published: February 2023

Neuronal sensitivity to light stimulation can be a significant confounding factor for assays that use light to study neuronal processes, such as optogenetics and fluorescent imaging. While continuous one‐photon (1P) blue light stimulation has been shown to be responsible for a decrease in firing activity in several neuronal subtypes, discontinuous 1P blue light stimulation commonly used in optogenetic experiments is supposed to have a negligible action. In the present report, we tested experimentally this theoretical prediction by assessing the effects produced by the most commonly used patterns of discontinuous 1P light stimulation on several electrophysiological parameters in brain slices. We found that, compared with continuous stimulation, the artefactual effect of light is reduced when discontinuous stimulation is used, especially when the duty cycle and light power are low.
Feeding, food, and attachment: An underestimated relationship?
Authors: Schmidt Wiebke Johanna , Keller Heidi , Rosabal‐Coto Mariano , Fallas Gamboa Karina , Solís Guillén Carolina , Durán Delgado Esteban
Published: January 2023

According to attachment theory, feeding, including breastfeeding, plays only a marginal role in relationship formation. However, studies—especially in rural traditional non‐Western contexts—repeatedly demonstrate that feeding can be an important attachment mechanism. We interviewed 30 urban, middle‐class families with 6‐to‐19‐month‐old infants in the surrounding greater metropolitan area of San José, Costa Rica, to investigate if they consider feeding relevant for attachment formation. Qualitative content analysis revealed that breastfeeding is a key factor in specifying whether caregivers believed feeding to be relevant for attachment formation. The study found that breastfeeding families considered feeding relevant for attachment, and bottle‐feeding families associated feeding with mainly alimentary and no attachment‐related functions. Furthermore, breastfeeding seems to foster exclusive maternal attachment, while multiple feeding seems to foster multiple attachments. Consequently, the feeding network seems to regulate a child's attachment network in urban middle‐class families in San José. A triangulation of caregiver interviews, interviews with key informants, and member checking with key informants support the validity of the findings.
“You're not gay; You're a child of god”: Microaggressions experienced by LGBTQ+ teens and their parents in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints
Authors: Sorrell Sydney A. , Lefevor G. Tyler , Bell Jane H. , Berg Connor O. , Skidmore Samuel J.
Published: February 2023

Like other teens in conservative religious environments, LGBTQ+ teens raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter‐day Saints (CJCLDS) likely experience unique microaggressions. Furthermore, like other conservatively religious parents of LGBTQ+ teens, active Latter‐day Saint (LDS) parents who openly support their LGBTQ+ teens likely both witness microaggressions toward their teens and may personally experience microaggressions. The present study sought to understand parents' and teens' experiences of microaggressions in conservative religious contexts by focusing specifically on the microaggressions experienced by (a) LGBTQ+ teens raised in the CJCLDS and (b) their active LDS parents. Thematic analysis of separate interviews with 19 dyads of LGBTQ+ teens and their active LDS parents (38 total interviews) revealed various ways in which they experienced verbal, nonverbal, and environmental microaggressions. We highlight parents' and teens' shared experiences of microaggressions that may be uniquely related to their religious contexts, such as assumptions that LGBTQ+ teens or their parents are not faithful and exclusionary Church policies. Additionally, we identified microaggressions that specifically targeted parents of LGBTQ+ teens, such as comments suggesting parents should limit their support for their teens. Finally, we found that parents had vicarious experiences with microaggressions through witnessing or learning about microaggressions that targeted their teens. Findings highlight the ways that the religious contexts in which microaggressions occur can influence the way that microaggressions are communicated to and experienced by LGBTQ+ teens – and their parents.
Versatile RNA: overlooked gems of the transcriptome
Authors: Erdem Murat , Cicek Mustafa , Erson‐Bensan Ayse Elif
Published: January 2023

The critical role of RNA, its use and targetability concerning different aspects of human health are gaining more attention because our understanding of the versatility of RNA has dramatically evolved over the last decades. We now appreciate that RNA is far more critical than a messenger molecule and possesses many complicated functions. As a multifunctional molecule with its sequence, flexible structures and enzymatic abilities, RNA is genuinely powerful. Mammalian transcriptomes consist of a dynamically regulated plethora of coding and noncoding RNA types. However, some aspects of RNA metabolism remain to be explored. In this Viewpoint, we focus on the transcriptome's unconventional and possibly overlooked aspects to emphasize the importance of RNA in mammalian systems.
The World Languages Professional Life Survey: K–20 articulation through the 5 Cs and the Can‐Dos
Authors: Moss Grant D. , Gambrell James A.
Published: February 2023

The overarching objective of the World Language Professional Life Survey (WLPLS) was to determine the K–20 World Language (WL) profession's familiarity with both the World Readiness Standards for Learning Languages (5 Cs) and with the Can‐Do Statements (Can‐Dos). The survey strove to identify how both sets of principles might strengthen K–20 articulation in three ways: (1) WL teachers' level of formal training, (2) WL instructors' core beliefs about their pedagogical objectives, and (3) possible connections between their training and their core beliefs. The present study analyzes the findings from the survey. The researchers collected the data from the survey to determine what the relationships (if any) were between formal academic training and core pedagogical beliefs. The possible relationships check the pulse of WL professionals concerning their familiarity with the 5 Cs and the Can‐Dos which can lead to stronger articulation.
International heterogeneity of nominal wages and optimal monetary policy
Authors: Ida Daisuke , Okano Mitsuhiro
Published: February 2023

This paper examines optimal monetary policy in a two‐country model with staggered nominal prices and wages. We show that given home nominal wage stickiness, changes in the degree of foreign nominal wage stickiness substantially impact the worldwide welfare losses and gains from commitment policy. Specifically, the welfare gains from a commitment policy are greatest when nominal wages in both countries are perfectly flexible. However, when nominal wages in the foreign country are stickier, the gains from commitment decrease.
An inquiry into the treatment of sepsis using plasma exchange therapy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Zhang Lei , Zhao Xin‐Yu , Guo Shu‐Yan , Jiang Jian , Wang Guan , Weng Yi‐Bing
Published: January 2023

Sepsis is a potentially lethal condition that occurs when the body's response to infection damages tissue and organs. The production of inflammatory mediators typically assists in defending the body against infection; however, an overreaction to inflammation can cause coagulation problems, vascular endothelial damage, and organ hypoperfusion. Blood purification methods, such as plasmapheresis, can effectively remove inflammatory mediators from plasma. The purpose of this meta‐analysis was to explore the efficacy of plasma exchange for sepsis treatment as noted in recent studies. The authors searched the Pubmed (Medline), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (The Cochrane Library), Embase (Ovid), and Scopus databases and included controlled clinical studies that compared plasmapheresis or plasma filtration with conventional treatment in patients with severe sepsis. The Newcastle–Ottawa Scale literature quality assessment tool was used to assess the risk of bias. The primary study outcome was all‐cause mortality. The random effects model was adopted for conducting the meta‐analysis. Among the 1013 records found, the study included 5 trials, all of which carried a low risk of bias. The use of plasmapheresis was associated with a longer stay in the intensive care unit (odds ratio [OR], 0.85, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.39–1.32, heterogeneity [I2] = 0%), a significant reduction in all‐cause mortality (OR, 0.54, 95% CI, 0.33–0.89, I2 = 70%), and reduced mortality (OR, 0.29, 95% CI, 0.13–0.67, I2 = 0%) in adults; the results for children differed from this (OR, 0.79, 95% CI, 0.36–1.72, I2 = 89%). Four trials reported no adverse events; one trial reported an adverse event related to plasma exchange, including an instance of hypotension in one patient. Plasmapheresis appeared to be an effective treatment for patients suffering from sepsis. A large number of additional randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm this finding.
Retracted: Effect of chest ultrasound compared with pericardial window for the diagnosis of occult penetrating cardiac wounds in hemodynamically stable subjects with penetrating thoracic trauma: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Yan Tao , Xie Wenwen , Xu Mingqing
Published: January 2023

We conducted a meta‐analysis to assess the diagnostic performance of chest ultrasound compared with a pericardial window for the detection of occult penetrating cardiac wounds in patients with penetrating thoracic trauma who were hemodynamically stable. A systematic literature search up to December 2022 was performed and 567 related studies were evaluated. The chosen studies comprised 629 penetrating thoracic trauma subjects who participated in the selected studies' baseline. Odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to assess the effect of different chest ultrasounds on wound infection after penetrating thoracic trauma by the dichotomous methods with a random or fixed effect model. The chest ultrasound resulted in significantly lower occult penetrating cardiac wounds detection (OR, 0.02; 95% CI, 0.01–0.08, P < 0.001), higher false positive (OR, 33.85; 95% CI, 9.21–124.39, P < 0.001), and higher false negative (OR, 27.31; 95% CI, 7.62–97.86, P < 0.001) compared with the pericardial window in penetrating thoracic trauma. The chest ultrasound resulted in significantly lower occult penetrating cardiac wound detection, higher false positives, and higher false negatives compared with the pericardial window in penetrating thoracic trauma. Although care should be taken when dealing with the results because all of the studies had less than 200 subjects as a sample size
Excitation‐dependent energy transfer and color tunability in Dy3+/Eu3+ co‐doped multi‐component borophosphate glasses
Authors: Ramaraghavulu R. , Pavani K. , Nagajyothi P. C. , Shim Jaesool
Published: February 2023

Using the melt‐quench technique, potassium zinc borophosphate (KZnBP) glasses incorporated with Dy3+, Eu3+, and Dy3+/Eu3+ ions individually and combinedly were prepared, and their photoluminescence (PL)‐related features were investigated. The KZnBP glass containing an optimized content of Dy3+ (0.5 mol%) is co‐doped with Eu3+ in various contents, and the energy transfer (ET) process between them was studied at λexci = 349, 364, 387 (Dy3+), and 394 nm (Eu3+). The Dy3+/Eu3+ co‐doped system, when excited with Dy3+ excitations has resulted in a significant decrease in the intensity of Dy3+ peaks observed at 480 nm (4F9/2→6H15/2, blue) and 574 nm (4F9/2→6H13/2, yellow), with simultaneous enhancement of the intensity of Eu3+ peaks at 591 nm (5D0→7F1, orange) and 617 nm (5D0→7F2, red). This trend is due to the efficient energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+, indicating that Eu3+ ions were sensitized by Dy3+ ions. Dexter's theory and the Inokuti–Hirayama (I–H) model revealed that the dipole–dipole interaction is accountable for the energy transfer from Dy3+ to Eu3+ through energy‐transfer channels [4F9/2(Dy3+)+7F1,2(Eu3+)→6H15/2(Dy3+)+5D2(Eu3+)] and [4F9/2(Dy3+)+7F0(Eu3+)→6H13/2(Dy3+)+5D0(Eu3+)]. The color coordinates of the Dy3+/Eu3+ co‐doped glasses under various excitations fall within the white light emission spectrum, indicating their potential application in warm white LEDs.
Corporate political activism, information transparency and IPO compliance costs
Authors: Gounopoulos Dimitrios , Loukopoulos Georgios , Loukopoulos Panagiotis
Published: February 2023

Due to their covert and often dubious nature, corporate political activities may encourage or facilitate opportunistic behaviors. Yet, they also subject firms to heightened visibility, which brings greater public and regulatory scrutiny. Using a hand‐collected data set of politically connected US initial public offerings (IPOs), we investigate how this tension shapes the financial reporting incentives of firms going public and the accompanying direct compliance costs. Consistent with the agency view of corporate political activism (CPA), politically active IPO issuers have worse financial reporting quality, more litigation risk and eventually pay 28% more accounting fees than their peers. Additional analysis exploiting the US Supreme Court's landmark ruling on Citizens United versus Federal Election Commission suggests that the link between CPA and IPO accounting fees is likely to be causal. Finally, our evidence indicates that the involvement of specialized financial intermediaries in the political process has implications for the IPO financial reporting quality.
Generalist CEOs, management risk and internal control weaknesses
Authors: Xu Xiaolu
Published: February 2023

This study examines the relationship between CEOs’ general ability and the quality of internal control over financial reporting (ICFR). Using a sample of S&P 1500 firms in the United States from 2004 to 2015, I find that firms with generalist (specialist) CEOs are more (less) likely to report internal control weaknesses under Section 404 of Sarbanes‐Oxley Act of 2002 (ICW404). The positive relationship between generalist CEOs and ICW404 is weaker when the management risk is lower (longer CEO tenure). These results are robust to alternative models and approaches to address potential endogeneity issues. Additional analyses suggest that this positive relationship is attributed to generalist CEOs’ excessive risk taking. Furthermore, CEO type is related to company‐wide ICW404, ICW404 due to staffing, complexity and general issues, rather than account‐specific ICW404 or ICW404 due to revenue recognition issues. Drawing from the Upper Echelons Theory, this study contributes to the research on ICFR quality by documenting CEO type as an additional determinant of ICW404. It highlights the importance of investors, auditors and regulators considering the CEO's career experience and operating style when assessing a firm's internal control environment. It also adds to the literature on general managerial ability by documenting the cost of hiring generalist CEOs regarding ICFR quality.
Myrtus communis and Celastrol enriched plant cell culture extracts control together the pivotal role of Cutibacterium acnes and inflammatory pathways in acne
Authors: Mias Céline , Chansard Nathalie , Maitre Martine , Galliano Marie Florence , Garidou Lucile , Mengeaud Valerie , Bessou‐Touya Sandrine , Duplan Hélène
Published: February 2023

Introduction

Acne is a multifactorial inflammatory disease of the pilosebaceous unit in which Cutibacterium acnes is one of the main triggers. A strong predominance of C. acnes phylotype IA1 is present in acne skin with higher biofilm organization and virulence, promoting local immuno‐inflammation, especially the Th17 pathway.

Objectives

We evaluated the single and combined pharmacological properties of the plant extracts, Myrtus communis (Myrtacine®) and Celastrol enriched plant cell culture (CEE) extracts on the C. acnes/Th17 pathway.

Methods

The effect of Myrtacine® on the virulence of C. acnes phylotype IA1 was quantified according to the expression of several related genes. The activity of Myrtacine® and CEE on the inflammatory cascade was assessed using monocytes‐derived dendritic cells (Mo‐DC) stimulated with membranes or biofilms of the C. acnes phylotype IA1. Finally, the effect of CEE on the Th17 pathway was studied using C. acnes stimulated sebocyte 2D cultures and 3D skin tissue models containing preactivated Th17 cells.

Results

Myrtacine® had an anti‐virulence effect, evident as a significant and strong inhibition of the expression of several virulence factor genes by 60%–95% compared to untreated controls. Myrtacine® and CEE significantly inhibited proinflammatory cytokine (IL‐6, IL‐8, IL‐12p40 and TNF‐α) production by Mo‐DC in response to C. acnes phylotype IA1. Interestingly, these two ingredients resulted in synergistic inhibition of most cytokines when used in combination. Finally, we demonstrated an inhibitory effect of CEE, in solution or formulated at 0.3%, specifically on IL‐17 release by Th17 lymphocytes in a C. acnes‐stimulated sebocyte 2D cultures and by Th17‐lymphocytes integrated in a 3D skin models.

Conclusions

2D and 3D models were developed to represent relevant and specific pathways involved in acne. Myrtacine® and CEE were shown to alter one or more of these pathways, indicating their potential beneficial effects on this disease.
Does the famine experience of board chair hamper innovation?
Authors: Jebran Khalil , Yang Zhen , Chen Shihua , Ali Syed Tauseef
Published: February 2023

This study examines whether and how the famine experiences of board chairs influence the innovation of their firms. Results using a sample comprising 8882 firm‐year observations from Chinese firms during the period 2003 to 2017 reveal that the board chair's famine experience has a negative effect on innovation. This negative effect is strengthened by famine intensity and high uncertainty. The obtained results are robust to alternative measures, endogeneity issues, omitted variables, and sample selection bias. Additional analyses showed that the relationship between board chair's famine experience and innovation is mediated by cash holdings and R&D investment. The overall results contribute to imprinting theory by explaining that early‐life famine experiences of board chairs create survival threat imprints among them, eventually affecting their later‐life behaviors. The findings also provide implications by highlighting how the early‐life traumatic experiences of executives adversely influence their firms outcomes.