bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Foreign direct investment in the context of rising populism: The role of institutions and firm‐level internationalization
Authors: Carballo Perez Alfonso , Corina Margherita
Published: May 2023

Research Summary

We investigate how the presence of populist rulers affects foreign direct investment in democratic countries. Our analysis sheds light on the mechanisms by which this political force impacts firms' decisions, considering the effect of institutions and internationalization strategies at the firm level in the global arena. We test our theory using instrumental variables with a panel dataset of US multinationals in 37 democratic countries between 1999 and 2020. Our findings suggest that the presence of a populist ruler at the helm of government seems to undermine firms' foreign investment and it is potentially moderated by country‐level institutions and firm‐level internationalization. Collectively, our results offer new insights on how populism affects multinationals' investment decisions, contributing to the literature that examines the relationship between political pressure and investment decisions.

Managerial Summary

Investing in countries with populist rulers poses a challenge for multinationals. Populist leaders constantly threaten to abruptly change the institutions that provide certainty for foreign investments. This study argues that the presence of a populist negatively affects firms' foreign investment, moderated by institutions and internationalization strategies. The adverse impacts of populism on investment are mitigated in countries with robust institutional frameworks. In such cases, the credibility of populists' promises to alter the established “rules of the game” is lower than in countries with weaker institutions. Additionally, by expanding their degree of internationalization, firms are better equipped to navigate the lack of information generated by populist rulers. Our research provides implications for managers in assessing the risks and opportunities associated with investing in such contexts.
The arrow‐of‐time in neuroimaging time series identifies causal triggers of brain function
Authors: Bolton Thomas A. W. , Van De Ville Dimitri , Amico Enrico , Preti Maria G. , Liégeois Raphaël
Published: May 2023

Moving from association to causal analysis of neuroimaging data is crucial to advance our understanding of brain function. The arrow‐of‐time (AoT), that is, the known asymmetric nature of the passage of time, is the bedrock of causal structures shaping physical phenomena. However, almost all current time series metrics do not exploit this asymmetry, probably due to the difficulty to account for it in modeling frameworks. Here, we introduce an AoT‐sensitive metric that captures the intensity of causal effects in multivariate time series, and apply it to high‐resolution functional neuroimaging data. We find that causal effects underlying brain function are more distinctively localized in space and time than functional activity or connectivity, thereby allowing us to trace neural pathways recruited in different conditions. Overall, we provide a mapping of the causal brain that challenges the association paradigm of brain function.
Hippocampus long‐axis specialization throughout development: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Nichols Emily S. , Blumenthal Anna , Kuenzel Elizabeth , Skinner Jasmyn K. , Duerden Emma G.
Published: May 2023

The human adult hippocampus can be subdivided into the head, or anterior hippocampus and its body and tail, or posterior hippocampus, and a wealth of functional differences along the longitudinal axis have been reported. One line of literature emphasizes specialization for different aspects of cognition, whereas another emphasizes the unique role of the anterior hippocampus in emotional processing. While some research suggests that functional differences in memory between the anterior and posterior hippocampus appear early in development, it remains unclear whether this is also the case for functional differences in emotion processing. The goal of this meta‐analysis was to determine whether the long‐axis functional specialization observed in adults is present earlier in development. Using a quantitative meta‐analysis, long‐axis functional specialization was assessed using the data from 26 functional magnetic resonance imaging studies, which included 39 contrasts and 804 participants ranging in age from 4 to 21 years. Results indicated that emotion was more strongly localized to the anterior hippocampus, with memory being more strongly localized to the posterior hippocampus, demonstrating long‐axis specialization with regard to memory and emotion in children similar to that seen in adults. An additional analysis of laterality indicated that while memory was left dominant, emotion was processed bilaterally.
Functional and structural network changes related with cognition in semantic dementia longitudinally
Authors: Huang Lin , Cui Liang , Chen Keliang , Han Zaizhu , Guo Qihao
Published: May 2023

Longitudinal changes in the white matter/functional brain networks of semantic dementia (SD), as well as their relations with cognition remain unclear. Using a graph‐theoretic method, we examined the neuroimaging (T1, diffusion tensor imaging, functional MRI) network properties and cognitive performance in processing semantic knowledge of general and six modalities (i.e., object form, color, motion, sound, manipulation and function) from 31 patients (at two time points with an interval of 2 years) and 20 controls (only at baseline). Partial correlation analyses were carried out to explore the relationships between the network changes and the declines of semantic performance. SD exhibited aberrant general and modality‐specific semantic impairment, and gradually worsened over time. Overall, the brain networks showed a decreased global and local efficiency in the functional network organization but a preserved structural network organization with a 2‐year follow‐up. With disease progression, both structural and functional alterations were found to be extended to the temporal and frontal lobes. The regional topological alteration in the left inferior temporal gyrus (ITG.L) was significantly correlated with general semantic processing. Meanwhile, the right superior temporal gyrus and right supplementary motor area were identified to be associated with color and motor‐related semantic attributes. SD manifested disrupted structural and functional network pattern longitudinally. We proposed a hub region (i.e., ITG.L) of semantic network and distributed modality‐specific semantic‐related regions. These findings support the hub‐and‐spoke semantic theory and provide targets for future therapy.
Enhancing fetal alcohol spectrum disorders diagnosis with a classifier based on the intracerebellar gradient of volumetric undersizing
Authors: Fraize Justine , Fischer Clara , Elmaleh‐Bergès Monique , Kerdreux Eliot , Beggiato Anita , Ntorkou Alexandra , Duchesnay Edouard , Bekha Dhaif , Boespflug‐Tanguy Odile , Delorme Richard , Hertz‐Pannier Lucie , Germanaud David
Published: May 2023

In fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD), brain growth deficiency is a hallmark of subjects both with fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) and with non‐syndromic FASD (NS‐FASD, i.e., those without specific diagnostic features). However, although the cerebellum was suggested to be more severely undersized than the rest of the brain, it has not yet been given a specific place in the FASD diagnostic criteria where neuroanatomical features still count for little if anything in diagnostic specificity. We applied a combination of cerebellar segmentation tools on a 1.5 T 3DT1 brain MRI dataset from a monocentric population of 89 FASD (52 FAS, 37 NS‐FASD) and 126 typically developing controls (6–20 years old), providing 8 volumes: cerebellum, vermis and 3 lobes (anterior, posterior, inferior), plus total brain volume. After adjustment of confounders, the allometric scaling relationship between these cerebellar volumes (Vi) and the total brain or cerebellum volume (Vt) was fitted (Vi = bVta), and the effect of group (FAS, control) on allometric scaling was evaluated. We then estimated for each cerebellar volume in the FAS population the deviation from the typical scaling (vDTS) learned in the controls. Lastly, we trained and tested two classifiers to discriminate FAS from controls, one based on the total cerebellum vDTS only, the other based on all the cerebellar vDTS, comparing their performance both in the FAS and the NS‐FASD group. Allometric scaling was significantly different between FAS and control group for all the cerebellar volumes (p < .001). We confirmed the excess of total cerebellum volume deficit (vDTS = −10.6%) and revealed an antero‐inferior‐posterior gradient of volumetric undersizing in the hemispheres (−12.4%, 1.1%, 2.0%, respectively) and the vermis (−16.7%, −9.2%, −8.6%, repectively). The classifier based on the intracerebellar gradient of vDTS performed more efficiently than the one based on total cerebellum vDTS only (AUC = 92% vs. 82%, p = .001). Setting a high probability threshold for >95% specificity of the classifiers, the gradient‐based classifier identified 35% of the NS‐FASD to have a FAS cerebellar phenotype, compared to 11% with the cerebellum‐only classifier (pFISHER = 0.027). In a large series of FASD, this study details the volumetric undersizing within the cerebellum at the lobar and vermian level using allometric scaling, revealing an anterior‐inferior‐posterior gradient of vulnerability to prenatal alcohol exposure. It also strongly suggests that this intracerebellar gradient of volumetric undersizing may be a reliable neuroanatomical signature of FAS that could be used to improve the specificity of the diagnosis of NS‐FASD.
The heterogeneous impact of stricter criteria for disability insurance
Authors: Kantarcı Tunga , van Sonsbeek Jan‐Maarten , Zhang Yi
Published: May 2023

The Netherlands reformed its disability insurance (DI) scheme in 2006. Eligibility for DI became stricter, reintegration incentives became stronger, and DI benefits often became less generous. Based on administrative data on all individuals who reported sick shortly before and after the reform, difference‐in‐differences regressions show that the reform reduced DI receipt by 5.2 percentage points and increased labor participation and unemployment insurance (UI) receipt by 1.2 and 1.1 percentage points, respectively. It increased average monthly earnings and UI claims to overcompensate lost DI benefits. However, older individuals, women, individuals with temporary contracts, the unemployed, and low‐wage earners did not compensate or compensated to a much smaller extent for the lost DI benefits. The effects are persistent during the 10 years after the reform.
The formative evaluation and pre‐testing of a SunSmart policy implementation support toolkit targeting sun safe hat‐wearing in NSW primary schools
Authors: Russo Rachel , King Elizabeth , Elliott Naomi
Published: May 2023

Issue Addressed

Strategies that support the implementation of the SunSmart program in primary schools are essential to optimising policy uptake. Evidence outlining the type of support required, however, is lacking. This project explored the usefulness of an implementation support approach to sun safe hat‐wearing in schools.

Methods

Formative research was undertaken with 16 primary schools in Greater Western Sydney to explore current sun protection behaviours and practices, perceived barriers and motivators of sun safe hat‐wearing, and resource needs. Based on these insights, a resource toolkit was developed and tested in 14 demonstration sites. Follow‐up interviews evaluated the usefulness of the toolkit and implementation support approach.

Results

Sun safe hat‐wearing practices varied among schools. Commonly reported motivators included school policies, role modelling, incentives and knowledge. Commonly reported barriers included negative social norms, forgetfulness, cost and lack of understanding. Formative insights informed the development of the ‘Motivation, Access, Triggers’ Model and a 23‐resource toolkit. Following toolkit rollout, champions reported that the ability to select resources according to local needs was useful, and most found that the toolkit supported their school with sun safe hat‐wearing.

Conclusions

A toolkit with local champions and leadership buy‐in has the potential to improve policy implementation. The opportunity to prioritise resource selection enables schools to address their specific needs in line with their sun protection policy.

So What?

The provision of policy implementation support can help schools overcome the challenges of transforming a written SunSmart policy into practice.
Towards a green hospital approach in Oman: A case study of quantifying an environmental impact
Authors: Al Fannah Jehan , Al Sabahi Sultana , Al Harthi Hasina , Al Bahrani Maher , Al Salmi Qasem
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The environmental impact of hospitals and healthcare providers practices is substantial, although often unnoticed and infrequently tracked. A green and healthy hospital is one that promotes public health by continuously monitoring and reducing its environmental impact.

Methods

We adopted a descriptive case study design with a multi‐dimensional evaluation and monitoring of carbon emission equivalence (CO2e) using two examples from a tertiary care hospital practice in Oman. One example (1) was related to inhalation anaesthetic gases (IAG) consumption and the second example (2) was related to estimation of telemedicine clinics (TMCs) CO2e travel‐related savings.

Results

The cumulative consumption of three different (1) IAG over three years (2019, 2020, 2021) was generated with estimated CO2e for each year for sevoflurane, isoflurane and desflurane. Desflurane had the lowest consumption with a yearly cumulative consumption of 6000 mL, 1500 mL, and 3000 mL for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021. The (2) TMCs during the first two years of the COVID‐19 pandemic travel related CO2e savings were in the range of 12.65–3483.1 tonnes. In the second year of launching this service it doubled to a range of 24–6610.5 tonnes of CO2e savings.

Conclusion

A green and healthy hospital approach of tracking and monitoring environmental impact of healthcare providers practices is critical for health planning and management of the environmental policy. This case study illustrated the importance of closely tracking hospital‐based practices from an environmental perspective towards a green hospital approach.
The role of ethical leadership and social networks in the promotion of workplace happiness and quality of care: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Gonçalves Tiago , Curado Carla
Published: May 2023

This study examines the sequential effects of perceived ethical leaders and the strength of social networks among healthcare professionals on the perceived workplace happiness of healthcare professionals and its impacts on the quality of provided care. We conduct a partial least squares (PLS) analysis to estimate the relationship between the variables. Data comes from a survey conducted to 321 healthcare professionals with primary/direct contact with patients working at Portuguese hospitals. We use previously validated scales in the literature for measuring the variables; ethical leadership, social network in the context of the workplace; satisfaction, engagement, and commitment as proxies of workplace happiness, and, quality of care provided to patients (the outcome of the research model). Results show that ethical leadership positively influences social networks, workplace happiness, and quality of provided care. Social networks also have a positive relationship with workplace happiness and quality of provided care. Additionally, the workplace happiness of healthcare professionals positively influences the quality of provided care to patients. Our work addresses a diverse research gap regarding hospitals' ethical and social environment and hospital performance. Specifically, the empirical operationalisation of ethical leadership fights a literature gap in healthcare management. Moreover, we report evidence on the influence of antecedents, but also the performance consequences, of workplace happiness in healthcare environments. Our findings contribute to the literature while providing managerial implications for healthcare settings.
Considering the risk of a coloring shampoo with the function of gray hair cover cosmetology and skin barrier: A systematic review
Authors: Lee Jooyoung , Kwon Ki Han
Published: May 2023

Background and Aims

As the number of demanders who want to easily cover gray hair increases, the demand market is rapidly expanding along with the demand for coloring shampoos that can be dyed while shampooing. Among these coloring shampoo ingredients, it is necessary to differentiate products that are safe and harmless to the human body in consideration of hair loss or skin barrier problems caused by trihydroxybenzene (THB) ingredients. The correct selection criteria were presented by examining the problems, effectiveness, and side effects when used in relation to the skin barrier through previous studies by consideration of the ingredients of the coloring shampoo and the skin barrier of the scalp.

Methods

The analysis of this study looked at previous studies through a systematic literature review through related keywords for coloring shampoo. After reviewing 150–200 related prior papers, a total of 39 review papers were finally selected using the PRISMA flow diagram.

Results

It was confirmed through a literature review that the coloring shampoo containing THB, which is harmful to the human body, has a detrimental effect on the scalp‐skin barrier.

Conclusion

This study examined the harmfulness of coloring shampoo on the scalp skin barrier. It was confirmed that frequent coloring shampoo procedures can have various harmful effects on the scalp. Therefore, it is important to reduce side effects caused by the use of harmful ingredients and maintain a healthy scalp condition through analysis of sufficient scalp conditions and consultation with experts. In addition, various studies on the standard standards and age for harmful ingredients are suggested.
The dawn of repurposing vitamins as potential novel antimicrobial agents: A call for global emergency response amidst AMR crisis
Authors: Max Baraka L. , Angolile Cornel M. , Raymond Vicky G. , Mashauri Harold L.
Published: May 2023

Amidst, the global pandemic of antimicrobial resistance (AMR), the rate at which AMR increases overwhelms the increased efforts to discover new effective antimicrobials. There is a persistent need for alternative treatment modalities so as to keep up with the pace. AMR is the leading cause of death in the world and its health and economic consequences suggest the urgent need for sustainable interventions. Vitamins have consistently proven to have antimicrobial activity as well as slowing down the AMR rate by influencing the AMR genes even towards extensive multidrug resistant strains. Evidences suggest that the use of some vitamins on their own or in combination with existing antimicrobial agents could be a breakthrough towards combating AMR. This will widen the antimicrobial agents' options in the treatment arena, preserve the antimicrobial agents susceptible to develop resistant so that they can be used in severe infections only, reduce the tension and burden of the AMR crisis significantly and give enough room for development of new antimicrobial agents. Moreover, almost all viral, fungal, parasitic and bacterial resistant strains of concern as listed by World Health Organization have been found to be sensitive to several vitamins either synergistically with other antimicrobials or independently. Considering their widened spectrum of immunomodulatory and antimicrobial effect, some vitamins can further be repositioned as prophylactic antimicrobial agents in clinical situations like in presurgeries prophylaxis so as to avoid unnecessary use of antimicrobials especially antibiotics. Various relevant AMR stakeholders should invest in clinical trials and systematic reviews with available data to enable quick repositioning of some potential vitamins as antimicrobial agents as an emergency rapid response towards AMR Crisis. This includes the preparation of guidelines containing specificity of which vitamin to be used for treatment of which type of infection.
Exploratory study of best friendship dissolution characteristics and psychological difficulties during early adolescence
Authors: Bowker Julie C. , White Hope I. , Weingarten Jenna P.
Published: May 2023

Few studies have evaluated best friendship dissolutions and especially the circumstances surrounding the dissolutions. In this exploratory study of young adolescents (N = 273, Mage = 11.83 years; 51% boys), we investigate young adolescents' experiences with two types of best friendship dissolution (complete dissolutions, downgrade dissolutions) and two characteristics of such experiences: initiation status (self‐ versus friend‐initiation) and emotional reactions (degree of happiness, anger, sadness, and embarrassment). We also consider whether these characteristics of best friendship dissolutions are related to psychological difficulties (loneliness, depressive symptoms). Results indicated that most young adolescents perceive their friends initiated their recent complete and downgrade dissolutions. When young adolescents did initiate their complete dissolutions, however, they reported less negative (anger) and more positive (happiness) emotional responses. Initiation status was not related to psychological difficulties, but variability in several types of emotional responses (e.g., embarrassment) was related to variability in loneliness and depressive symptoms. Findings underscore the importance of considering not only the type of dissolution, but also the circumstances surrounding dissolutions, during early adolescence.
Political violence and posttraumatic stress symptoms among Palestinians: The mediating roles of sense of belongingness and loneliness
Authors: Mahamid Fayez , Veronese Guido , Bdier Dana
Published: May 2023

The current study investigated the correlation between political violence and posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) and whether the sense of belongingness (SOB) and loneliness mediate the correlation between the two variables among Palestinians living in a society characterised by high political violence and prolonged traumatic events. The study sample consisted of 590 Palestinian adults, consisting of 360 men and 230 women, and were recruited using non‐probabilistic convenience sampling methods from a village in the northern region of the occupied Palestinian territories. This study suggests a positive correlation between political violence and PTSS, a positive correlation between loneliness and PTSS, and a negative correlation between SOB and PTSS. SOB and loneliness mediated the correlation between political violence and trauma‐related symptoms.
Biomimetic catheter surface with dual action NO‐releasing and generating properties for enhanced antimicrobial efficacy
Authors: Sapkota Aasma , Mondal Arnab , Chug Manjyot Kaur , Brisbois Elizabeth J.
Published: May 2023

Infection of indwelling catheters is a common healthcare problem, resulting in higher morbidity and mortality. The vulnerable population reliant on catheters post‐surgery for food and fluid intake, blood transfusion, or urinary incontinence or retention is susceptible to hospital‐acquired infection originating from the very catheter. Bacterial adhesion on catheters can take place during the insertion or over time when catheters are used for an extended period. Nitric oxide‐releasing materials have shown promise in exhibiting antibacterial properties without the risk of antibacterial resistance which can be an issue with conventional antibiotics. In this study, 1, 5, and 10 wt % selenium (Se) and 10 wt % S‐nitrosoglutathione (GSNO)‐incorporated catheters were prepared through a layer‐by‐layer dip‐coating method to demonstrate NO‐releasing and NO‐generating capability of the catheters. The presence of Se on the catheter interface resulted in a 5 times higher NO flux in 10% Se‐GSNO catheter through catalytic NO generation. A physiological level of NO release was observed from 10% Se‐GSNO catheters for 5 d, along with an enhanced NO generation via the catalytic activity as Se was able to increase NO availability. The catheters were also found to be compatible and stable when subjected to sterilization and storage, even at room temperature. Additionally, the catheters showed a 97.02% and 93.24% reduction in the adhesion of clinically relevant strains of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, respectively. Cytocompatibility testing of the catheter with 3T3 mouse fibroblast cells supports the material's biocompatibility. These findings from the study establish the proposed catheter as a prospective antibacterial material that can be translated into a clinical setting to combat catheter‐related infections.
Psychotherapy alone versus collaborative psychotherapy and psychiatric care in the treatment of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer: A naturalistic, observational study
Authors: Spitz Nathen A. , Kivlighan D. Martin , Aburizik Arwa
Published: May 2023

Objective

At present, there is a paucity of naturalistic studies directly comparing the effectiveness of psychotherapy alone versus collaborative psychotherapy and psychiatric care in the management of depression and anxiety in patients with cancer. This study tested the hypothesis that collaborative psychiatric and psychological care would lead to greater reductions in depression and anxiety symptoms in patients with cancer compared with psychotherapy alone.

Methods

We analyzed treatment outcomes of 433 adult patients with cancer, of which 252 patients received psychotherapy alone and 181 patients received collaborative psychotherapy and psychiatric care. Longitudinal changes in depressive (i.e., PHQ‐9) and anxiety symptoms (GAD‐7) were examined between groups using latent growth curve modeling.

Results

After controlling for treatment length and psychotherapy provider effects, results indicated collaborative care was more effective than psychotherapy alone for depressive symptoms (γ12 = −0.13, p = 0.037). The simple slope for collaborative care was −0.25 (p = 0.022) and the simple slope for psychotherapy alone was −0.13 (p = 0.006), suggesting collaborative care resulted in greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared with psychotherapy alone. In contrast, there were no significant differences between psychotherapy alone and collaborative psychotherapy and psychiatric care in reducing anxiety symptoms (γ12 = −0.08, p = 0.158).

Conclusions

Collaborative psychotherapy and psychiatric care may individually address unique aspects of mental health conditions in patients with cancer, namely depressive symptoms. Mental healthcare efforts may benefit from implementing collaborative care models where patients receive psychiatric services and psychotherapy to effectively address depressive symptoms in the treatment of this patient population.
Using session recordings to understand the content of community‐based treatment for childhood anxiety disorders and response to technology‐based training
Authors: Whiteside Stephen P. H. , Sawchuk Nicholas R. , Brennan Elle , Lebow Jocelyn R. , Sawchuk Craig N. , Biggs Bridget K. , Dammann Julie E. , Tiede Michael S. , Hofschulte Deanna R. , Reneson‐Feeder Stephanie , Cunningham Megan , Allison M. LeMahieu
Published: May 2023

Objective

The goal of the current study is to advance efforts to increase the quality of care for childhood anxiety disorder (CADs) through (1) detailing the content of community‐based treatment sessions, (2) exploring the validity of therapist surveys, (3) examining the influence of setting differences, and (4) testing the effects of a technology‐based training on use of nonexposure strategies.

Methods

Thirteen therapists were randomly assigned to technology‐based training in the use of exposure therapy or treatment as usual (TAU) for CADs. Therapeutic techniques were coded from 125 community‐based treatment sessions.

Results

Consistent with survey responses community therapists spent the majority of session time reviewing symptoms (34% of session time), implementing nonexposure cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT; 36%), and rarely engaged in exposure (3%). An integrated behavioral health setting was associated with greater endorsement of exposure on survey, p < 0.05, although this difference was not significant in session recordings, p = 0.14. Multilevel models indicated that technology‐based training that has been shown to increase exposure, also decreased use of nonexposure CBT techniques (2% vs. 29%, p < 0.001).

Conclusion

The study supports the validity of survey‐based findings that community‐based care for CADs consists of non‐exposure CBT techniques. Efforts should be invested in dissemination of within‐session exposure.
Sociopolitical stressors are associated with psychological distress in a cohort of Latina women during early pregnancy
Authors: Wiley Kyle S. , Knorr Delaney A. , Chua Kristine J. , Garcia Samantha , Fox Molly M.
Published: May 2023

Research suggests that the 2016 US election was a potential stressor among Latinos residing in the United States. Sociopolitical stressors targeted toward ethnic minority communities and become embodied through psychosocial distress. The current study investigates if and how sociopolitical stressors related to the 45th President, Donald Trump, and his administration are associated with psychological distress in early pregnancy of Latina women living in Southern California during the second half of his term. This cross‐sectional analysis uses data from the Mothers' Cultural Experiences study (n = 90) collected from December 2018 to March 2020. Psychological distress was assessed in three domains: depression, state anxiety, and pregnancy‐related anxiety. Sociopolitical stressors were measured through questionnaires about sociopolitical feelings and concerns. Multiple linear regression models examined the relationship between sociopolitical stressors and mental health scores, adjusting for multiple testing. Negative feelings and a greater number of sociopolitical concerns were associated with elevated pregnancy‐related anxiety and depressive symptoms. The most frequently endorsed concern was about issues of racism (72.3%) and women's rights (62.4%); women endorsing these particular concerns also had higher scores on depression and pregnancy‐related anxiety. No significant associations were detected with state anxiety after correction for multiple testing. This analysis is cross‐sectional and cannot assess causality in the associations between sociopolitical stressors and distress. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that the 2016 election, the subsequent political environment, and the anti‐immigrant rhetoric and policies of former President Trump and his administration were sources of stress for Latinos residing in the United States.
Multi‐omics data reveals novel impacts of human papillomavirus integration on the epigenomic and transcriptomic signatures of cervical tumorigenesis
Authors: Zeng Xi , Wang Yuyouye , Liu Binghan , Rao Xinjie , Cao Canhui , Peng Fang , Zhi Wenhua , Wu Ping , Peng Ting , Wei Ye , Chu Tian , Xu Miaochun , Xu Yashi , Ding Wencheng , Li Guoliang , Lin Shitong , Wu Peng
Published: May 2023

Integration of human papilloma virus (HPV) DNA into the human genome may progressively contribute to cervical carcinogenesis. To explore how HPV integration affects gene expression by altering DNA methylation during carcinogenesis, we analyzed a multiomics dataset for cervical cancer. We obtained multiomics data by HPV‐capture sequencing, RNA sequencing, and Whole Genome Bisulfite Sequencing from 50 patients with cervical cancer. We detected 985 and 485 HPV‐integration sites in matched tumor and adjacent paratumor tissues. Of these, LINC00486 (n = 19), LINC02425 (n = 11), LLPH (n = 11), PROS1 (n = 5), KLF5 (n = 4), LINC00392 (n = 3), MIR205HG (n = 3) and NRG1 (n = 3) were identified as high‐frequency HPV‐integrated genes, including five novel recurrent genes. Patients at clinical stage II had the highest number of HPV integrations. E6 and E7 genes of HPV16 but not HPV18 showed significantly fewer breakpoints than random distribution. HPV integrations occurring in exons were associated with altered gene expression in tumor tissues but not in paratumor tissues. A list of HPV‐integrated genes regulated at transcriptomic or epigenetic level was reported. We also carefully checked the candidate genes with regulation pattern correlated in both levels. HPV fragments integrated at MIR205HG mainly came from the L1 gene of HPV16. RNA expression of PROS1 was downregulated when HPV integrated in its upstream region. RNA expression of MIR205HG was elevated when HPV integrated into its enhancer. The promoter methylation levels of PROS1 and MIR205HG were all negatively correlated with their gene expressions. Further experimental validations proved that upregulation of MIR205HG could promote the proliferative and migrative abilities of cervical cancer cells. Our data provides a new atlas for epigenetic and transcriptomic regulations regarding HPV integrations in cervical cancer genome. We demonstrate that HPV integration may affect gene expression by altering methylation levels of MIR205HG and PROS1. Our study provides novel biological and clinical insights into HPV‐induced cervical cancer.
Mechanistic insights into the role of actinobacteria as potential biocontrol candidates against fungal phytopathogens
Authors: Kaur Talwinder , Khanna Kanika , Sharma Sonika , Manhas Rajesh K.
Published: May 2023

Worldwide mounting demand for better food production to nurture exasperating population emphasizes on reduced crop losses. The incidence of pathogens into the agricultural fields has tend to dwindle plethora of cereal, vegetable, and other fodder crops. This, in turn, has seriously impacted the economic losses on global scale. Apart from this, it is quite challenging to feed the posterity in the coming decades. To counteract this problem, various agrochemicals have been commercialized in the market that no doubt shows positive results but along with adversely affecting the ecosystem. Therefore, the excessive ill‐fated use of agrochemicals to combat the plant pests and diseases highlights that alternatives to chemical pesticides are need of the hour. In recent days, management of plant diseases using plant‐beneficial microbes is gaining interest as safer and potent alternatives to replace chemically based pesticides. Among these beneficial microbes, actinobacteria especially streptomycetes play considerable role in combating plant diseases along with promoting the plant growth and development along with their productivity and yield. The mechanisms exhibited by actinobacteria include antibiosis (antimicrobial compounds and hydrolytic enzymes), mycoparasitism, nutrient competition, and induction of resistance in plants. Thus, in cognizance with potential of actinobacteria as potent biocontrol agents, this review summarizes role of actinobacteria and the multifarious mechanisms exhibited by actinobacteria for commercial applications.
Spring snowmelt variations over the Tibetan Plateau and its influences on spring and summer precipitation
Authors: Zhou Juan , Wen Jun , Yang Xianyu , Lai Xin , Li Xiao , Jian Dongnan
Published: May 2023

Both snow and precipitation are vital components of the water cycle and hydrological system, so the snow–precipitation feedback could be crucial for investigating land–atmosphere interaction and climate variability. Seldom studies have focused on the contributions of snow variations to precipitation anomalies over the Tibetan Plateau (TP). In this study, spring snowmelt (SSD, Spring Snow water equivalent Differences) variations over the TP and its influences on spring and summer precipitation and the associated physical mechanisms during 1979–2014 are investigated. Results show that the leading mode of the interannual SSD over the TP exhibits a same‐sign anomaly pattern, with an intense centre over the western TP. The SSD shows significant relations to spring and summer precipitation over the TP. In spring, when larger SSD appears over the western TP, an anomalous cyclone occupies the northwestern TP, and the central and eastern TP lies between an anomalous cyclone and an anomalous anticyclone. There is an anomalous convergence (divergence) and ascending (descending) motion of airflows over the northwestern (central and eastern) TP. Concurrently, sufficient moisture occurs over the northwestern TP due to evaporation and atmospheric circulations. As a result, precipitation anomalously increases over the northwestern TP, and decreases over the central and southeastern TP. The SSD‐related soil moisture anomalies over the western TP can persist into summer, and larger SSD corresponds to excessive summer soil moisture. The central and eastern TP lies between two anticyclones, leading to convergence of airflows and thereby ascending motions. Simultaneously, excessive moisture appears over the TP owing to atmospheric circulation transportation. Hence, precipitation anomalously increases over the central and eastern TP.
Metabolomics reveals the role of Lactobacillus plantarumSHY130 in hepatic metabolic regulation in a mouse model of type 2 diabetes
Authors: Wang Guangqi , Song Jiajia , Wang Chen , Chen Xiaoyong , Suo Huayi
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Among type 2 diabetes (T2D) patients, the incidence rate of liver metabolic disorders is much higher than that in healthy subjects. It was observed in our previous research that diabetic symptoms were improved by Lactobacillus plantarum SHY130 (LPSHY130) isolated from yak yogurt in a murine model of T2D. This study sought to investigate the LPSHY130‐mediated hepatic metabolic regulation in a murine model of T2D.

RESULTS

Treatment with LPSHY130 improved liver function and pathological damage in diabetic mice. Untargeted metabolome analysis revealed that T2D‐induced changes in 11 metabolites were regulated after LPSHY130 treatment, mainly involving purine metabolism, amino acid metabolism, and choline metabolism and pantothenate and coenzyme A biosynthesis pathways. In addition, correlation analysis indicated that hepatic metabolic changes can be adjusted by the intestinal microbiota.

CONCLUSION

Overall, this study suggests that treatment with LPSHY130 relieves liver injury and regulates liver metabolism in a murine model of T2D, thus providing a theoretical basis for the use of probiotics as dietary supplements to regulate hepatic metabolic disorders associated with T2D. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Genome‐wide association studies reveal novel loci controlling tuber flesh color and oxidative browning in Dioscorea alata
Authors: Dossa Komivi , Morel Angélique , Houngbo Mahugnon Ezékiel , Mota Ana Zotta , Malédon Erick , Irep Jean‐Luc , Diman Jean‐Louis , Mournet Pierre , Causse Sandrine , Van Kien Nguyen , Cornet Denis , Chair Hâna
Published: May 2023

BACKGROUND

Consumers' preferences for food crops are guided by quality attributes. This study aimed at deciphering the genetic basis of quality traits, especially tuber flesh color (FC) and oxidative browning (OB) in Dioscorea alata, based on the genome‐wide association studies (GWAS) approach. The D. alata panel was planted at two locations in Guadeloupe. At harvest, the FC was scored visually as white, cream, or purple on longitudinally sliced mature tubers. The OB was scored visually as the presence or absence of browning after 15 min of exposure of the sliced samples to ambient air.

RESULTS

Phenotypic characterization for FC and OB of a diverse panel of D. alata genotypes highlighted significant variation within the panel and across two locations. The genotypes within the panel displayed a weak structure and could be classified into three subpopulations. GWAS identified 14 and 4 significant associations for tuber FC and OB, respectively, with phenotypic variance, explained values ranging from 7.18% to 18.04%. Allele segregation analysis at the significantly associated loci highlighted the favorable alleles for the desired traits, i.e., white FC and no OB. A total of 24 putative candidate genes were identified around the significant signals. A comparative analysis with previously reported quantitative trait loci indicated that numerous genomic regions control these traits in D. alata.

CONCLUSION

Our study provides important insights into the genetic control of tuber FC and OB in D. alata. The major and stable loci can be further utilized to improve selection in breeding programs for developing new cultivars with enhanced tuber quality. © 2023 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Cerebrovascular Phenotype in Fabry Disease Patients Assessed by Ultrasound
Authors: Rekova Petra , Dostalova Gabriela , Rob Daniel , Vaneckova Manuela , Pavlicova Martina , Linhart Ales , Kemlink David
Published: May 2023

Objectives

Fabry disease (FD) is a rare X‐linked lysosomal storage disorder with variable phenotypes, including neurological symptoms. These can be influenced by vascular impairment. Extracranial and transcranial vascular sonography is an effective and noninvasive method for measuring arterial structures and blood flow.

The study aims to investigate cerebrovascular phenotype characteristics in FD patients compared to controls using neurosonology.

Methods

This is a single‐center, cross‐sectional study of 130 subjects—65 patients (38 females), with genetically confirmed FD, and 65 sex‐ and age‐matched controls. Using ultrasonography, we measured structural and hemodynamic parameters, including distal common carotid artery intima‐media thickness, inner vertebral artery diameter, resting blood flow velocity, pulsatility index, and cerebral vasoreactivity (CVR) in the middle cerebral artery. To assess differences between FD and controls and to identify factors influencing investigated outcomes, unadjusted and adjusted regression analyses were performed.

Results

In comparison to sex‐ and age‐matched controls, FD patients displayed significantly increased carotid artery intima‐media thickness (observed FD 0.69 ± 0.13 mm versus controls 0.63 ± 0.12 mm; Padj = .0014), vertebral artery diameter (observed FD 3.59 ± 0.35 mm versus controls 3.38 ± 0.33 mm; Padj = .0002), middle cerebral artery pulsatility index (observed FD 0.98 ± 0.19 versus controls 0.87 ± 0.11; Padj < .0001), and significantly decreased CVR (observed FD 1.21 ± 0.49 versus controls 1.35 ± 0.38; Padj = .0409), when adjusted by age, BMI, and sex. Additionally, FD patients had significantly more variable CVR (0.48 ± 0.25 versus 0.21 ± 0.14; Padj < .0001).

Conclusions

Our results suggest the presence of multiple vascular abnormalities and changes in hemodynamic parameters of cerebral arteries in patients with FD.
A fast and efficient tool for the structural characterization of marine dissolved organic matter: Nonuniform sampling 2D COSY NMR
Authors: Vemulapalli Sahithya Phani Babu , Griesinger Christian , Dittmar Thorsten
Published: May 2023

An in‐depth structural characterization of marine dissolved organic matter (DOM) is crucial for a better understanding of its connection to marine and global biogeochemical cycles. High‐field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy in general and two‐dimensional (2D) correlation spectroscopy (COSY) in particular are powerful tools for the molecular level structural analysis of marine DOM. These 2D NMR experiments demand prolonged experimental times of days to weeks per sample due to the requirement of a large number of experiments to record the second dimension (t1) of the 2D NMR experiment. Herein, we demonstrate the efficacy of nonuniform sampling (NUS) in 2D COSY, which (i) reduces the measurement time by half without compromising spectral quality and (ii) enhances the signal intensity for the given experiment time. This approach can lead to substantial progress in the structural analysis of previously poorly characterized marine DOM. NUS COSY has been exemplified on two solid‐phase extracted DOM samples from the surface and deep ocean at 800 MHz and 1.2 GHz instruments. A dramatic improvement in sensitivity and spectral resolution is observed in NUS COSY spectra recorded at 1.2 GHz instrument when compared to 800 MHz instrument. NUS COSY NMR is versatile and anticipated to have significant potential for uncovering the hidden molecular diversity of DOM from various aquatic environments within a reasonable timeframe. The introduction of NUS into the environmental sciences was long overdue, and our study now opens the door for a wide field of new applications of NMR in the marine and aquatic sciences.
Opening Pores and Extending the Application Window: Open‐Cell Nanocellular Foams
Authors: Cuadra‐Rodríguez Daniel , Barroso‐Solares Suset , Laguna‐Gutiérrez Ester , Rodríguez‐Pérez Miguel Ángel , Pinto Javier
Published: May 2023

The production of open‐cell (OC) nanostructures in polymer foams without non‐foamed solid skins by gas dissolution foaming has been developed in this work. First, several grades of MAM block copolymer (methyl methacrylate‐b‐butyl acrylate‐b‐methyl methacrylate) at high content are employed as heterogeneous phase in poly(methyl methacrylate) for producing OC structures. Atomic force microscopy and extensional rheology are used as methods to understand the main features to obtain OC nanocellular structures. Second, the gas diffusion barrier approach is employed for the first time in polymer blends to avoid the appearance of the solid skins in the borders, which typically appears when the cellular polymer is produced by gas dissolution foaming. The influence of the poly(vinyl alcohol) gas diffusion barrier is analyzed, together with the effect of heterogeneous nucleation provided by MAM copolymer, on the solid skins’ formation. The synergy between both approaches allows obtaining porous nanocellular polymeric films with an OC structure non‐constrained by the presence of outer solid skins.
An Intriguing Array of Extrudate Patterns in Long‐Chain Branched Polymers During Extrusion
Authors: Pashazadeh Sajjad , Aulova Alexandra , Georgantopoulos Christos K. , Bek Marko , Vittorias Iakovos , Naue Ingo F.C. , Wilhelm Manfred , Kádár Roland
Published: May 2023

The present study highlights a range of surface and volume extrudate patterns that can be detected during the extrusion flow of long‐chain branched polymers. Thus, four linear low‐density polyethylenes (LDPEs) have been extruded using a single‐screw extruder coupled to an inline optical imaging system. The selected LDPEs are selected to outline the influence of molecular weight and long‐chain branching on the types of melt flow extrusion instabilities (MFEI). Through the inline imaging system, space–time diagrams are constructed and analyzed via Fourier‐transformation using a custom moving window procedure. Based on the number of characteristic frequencies, peak broadness, and whether they are surface or volume distortions, three main MFEI types, distinct from those typically observed in linear and short‐chain branched polymers, are identified. The higher molecular weight, low long‐chain branching LDPEs exhibited all three instability types, including a special type volume instability. Independently of the molecular weight, higher long‐chain branching appeared to have a stabilizing effect on the transition sequences by suppressing volume extrudate distortions or limiting surface patters to a form of weak intensity type.
Gevrey semiglobal solvability for a class of elliptic vector fields with degeneracies
Authors: Araújo Gabriel , Bergamasco Adalberto P. , Dattori da Silva Paulo L.
Published: May 2023

We deal with Gevrey solvability of a class of complex vector fields defined on , given by , , near the characteristic set . Diophantine conditions appear in a natural way in our results.