bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A bibliometric analysis of person-organization fit research: significant features and contemporary trends
Authors: Subramanian Sandhya , Billsberry Jon , Barrett Mary
Published: August 2022

Person-organization (PO) fit is broadly defined as the compatibility between an individual and their employing organization that occurs when the characteristics of the two entities are well matched. It is related to higher levels of organizational commitment, job satisfaction, job retention, organizational citizenship behaviours, and job performance. In recent years, there has been a significant and hastening increase in the number of journal articles published in which person-organization fit is a major feature of the study. This study documents the historical and contemporary nature of this field using bibliometric methods to provide an overview of PO fit research and to analyse contemporary trends. After screening, 887 refereed journal articles were surfaced in the Scopus database that featured PO fit. Descriptively, this study identifies leading journal articles, authors, countries, and collaborative networks. Analytically, the paper identifies and discusses major and emerging research themes. These include an increase in studies exploring PO fit and its impact on employee engagement during their employment. Other contemporary themes include an increasing interest in ethical issues related to PO fit and the interaction of PO and person-job fit. These three topics are critically discussed. Conversely, the analysis shows a lessening of the occurrence of PO fit studies focusing on the early employment phases of recruitment, selection, and socialization. The paper concludes with a discussion of the ways in which PO fit research is changing, the positive skew in PO fit research, and the limitations of this study.
A proposal to identify the maximal metabolic steady state by muscle oxygenation and VO2max levels in trained cyclists
Authors: Vasquez-Bonilla Aldo A. , González-Custodio Adrián , Timón Rafael , Olcina Guillermo
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) sensors measure muscle oxygen saturation (SmO2) as a performance factor in endurance athletes. The objective of this study is to delimit metabolic thresholds relative to maximal metabolic steady state (MMSS) using SmO2 in cyclists.

Methods

Forty-eight cyclists performed a graded incremental test (GTX) (100 W-warm-up followed by 30 W min) until exhaustion. SmO2 was measured with a portable NIRS placed on the vastus lateralis. Subjects were classified by VO2max levels with a scale from 2 to 5: L2 = 45–54.9, L3 = 55–64.9, L4 = 65–71, L5 =  > 71, which represent recreationally trained, trained, well-trained, and professional, respectively. Then, metabolic thresholds were determined: Fatmax zone, functional threshold power (FTP), respiratory compensation point (RCP), and maximal aerobic power (MAP). In addition, power output%, heart rate%, VO2%, carbohydrate and fat consumption to cutoff SmO2 point relative to MMSS were obtained.

Results

A greater SmO2 decrease was found in cyclists with > 55 VO2max (L3, L4 and L5) vs. cyclists (L2) in the MMSS. Likewise, after passing FTP and RCP, performance is dependent on better muscle oxygen extraction. Furthermore, the MMSS was defined at 27% SmO2, where a non-steady state begins during exercise in trained cyclists.

Conclusion

A new indicator has been provided for trained cyclists, < 27% SmO2 as a cut-off to define the MMSS Zone. This is the intensity for which the athlete can sustain 1 h of exercise under quasi-steady state conditions without fatiguing.
Promoting Informed Decisions About Colorectal Cancer Screening in Older Adults (PRIMED Study): a Physician Cluster Randomized Trial
Authors: Sepucha Karen , Han Paul K. J. , Chang Yuchiao , Atlas Steven J. , Korsen Neil , Leavitt Lauren , Lee Vivian , Percac-Lima Sanja , Mancini Brittney , Richter James , Scharnetzki Elizabeth , Siegel Lydia C. , Valentine K. D. , Fairfield Kathleen M. , Simmons Leigh H.
Published: August 2022

Background

For adults aged 76–85, guidelines recommend individualizing decision-making about whether to continue colorectal cancer (CRC) testing. These conversations can be challenging as they need to consider a patient’s CRC risk, life expectancy, and preferences.

Objective

To promote shared decision-making (SDM) for CRC testing decisions for older adults.

Design

Two-arm, multi-site cluster randomized trial, assigning physicians to Intervention and Comparator arms. Patients were surveyed shortly after the visit to assess outcomes. Analyses were intention-to-treat.

Participants and Setting

Primary care physicians affiliated with 5 academic and community hospital networks and their patients aged 76–85 who were due for CRC testing and had a visit during the study period.

Interventions

Intervention arm physicians completed a 2-h online course in SDM communication skills and received an electronic reminder of patients eligible for CRC testing shortly before the visit. Comparator arm received reminders only.

Main Measures

The primary outcome was patient-reported SDM Process score (range 0–4 with higher scores indicating more SDM); secondary outcomes included patient-reported discussion of CRC screening, knowledge, intention, and satisfaction with the visit.

Key Results

Sixty-seven physicians (Intervention n=34 and Comparator n=33) enrolled. Patient participants (n=466) were on average 79 years old, 50% with excellent or very good self-rated overall health, and 66% had one or more prior colonoscopies. Patients in the Intervention arm had higher SDM Process scores (adjusted mean difference 0.36 (95%CI (0.08, 0.64), p=0.01) than in the Comparator arm. More patients in the Intervention arm reported discussing CRC screening during the visit (72% vs. 60%, p=0.03) and had higher intention to follow through with their preferred approach (58.0% vs. 47.1, p=0.03). Knowledge scores and visit satisfaction did not differ significantly between arms.

Conclusion

Physician training plus reminders were effective in increasing SDM and frequency of CRC testing discussions in an age group where SDM is essential.

Trial Registration

The trial is registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT03959696).
Joining of multi-material structures using a versatile self-piercing riveting process
Authors: Kappe Fabian , Wituschek Simon , Bobbert Mathias , Lechner Michael , Meschut Gerson
Published: August 2022

Due to the increasing use of multi-material constructions and the resulting material incompatibilities, mechanical joining technologies are gaining in importance. The reasons for this are the variety of joining possibilities as well as high load-bearing capacities. However, the currently rigid tooling systems cannot react to changing boundary conditions, such as changed sheet thicknesses or strength. For this reason, a large number of specialised joining processes have been developed to expand the range of applications. Using a versatile self-piercing riveting process, multi-material structures are joined in this paper. In this process, a modified tool actuator technology is combined with multi-range capable auxiliary joining parts. The multi-range capability of the rivets is achieved by forming the rivet head onto the respective thickness of the joining part combination without creating a tooling set-up effort. The joints are investigated both experimentally on the basis of joint formation and load-bearing capacity tests as well as by means of numerical simulation. It turned out that all the joints examined could be manufactured according to the defined standards. The load-bearing capacities of the joints are comparable to those of conventionally joined joints. In some cases the joint fails prematurely, which is why lower energy absorptions are obtained. However, the maximum forces achieved are higher than those of conventional joints. Especially in the case of high-strength materials arranged on the die side, the interlock formation is low. In addition, the use of die-sided sheets requires a large deformation of the rivet head protrusion, which leads to an increase in stress and, as a result, to damage if the rivet head. However, a negative influence on the joint load-bearing capacity could be excluded.
On the Structure of Conditionally Positive Definite Algebraic Operators
Authors: Jabłoński Zenon Jan , Jung Il Bong , Stochel Jan
Published: August 2022

Recently, the authors have introduced and intensively studied a class of bounded Hilbert space operators called conditionally positive definite. Its origins go back to the harmonic analysis on $$*$$

∗

-semigroups, namely to the concept of conditional positive definiteness. Our main aim here is to give a complete description of algebraic conditionally positive definite operators on inner product spaces; we do not assume that the operators under consideration are bounded.
Global Properties of Eigenvalues of Parametric Rank One Perturbations for Unstructured and Structured Matrices II
Authors: Ran André C. M. , Wojtylak Michał
Published: August 2022

We present in this note a correction to Theorem 17 in Ran and Wojtylak (Compl. Anal. Oper. Theory 15:44, 2021) and sharpen the estimates for eigenvalues of parametric rank one perturbations given in that theorem.
Are Current Drug Driving Enforcement Strategies Achieving the Desired Effect? Drug Users’ Perceptions of Drug Driving Legislation and Enforcement in Queensland
Authors: Love Steven , Rowland Bevan , Stefanidis Kayla B. , Davey Jeremy
Published: August 2022

This study examined how illicit drug users perceived roadside drug testing (RDT) in Queensland, a jurisdiction that enforces a zero-tolerance enforcement strategy to drug driving. Fifty-two illicit drug users were interviewed, and thematic analysis was used to identify emerging themes. The results showed that exposure to RDT and apprehension certainty were reportedly low. The targeted regime of RDT had dichotomous implications towards apprehension certainty, due to the familiarity with the testing procedures. Participants also reported mixed experiences with testing accuracy, in that some offenders reported testing negative just following use, while others who reportedly regulated their driving tested positive, despite not having recently used. Next, participants reported engaging in punishment avoidance behaviours that aimed to evade police exposure and suspicion, and to mask the presence of drugs in their saliva. The combination of avoidance behaviours and perceptions of one’s ability to circumnavigate RDT impacted on participants’ apprehension certainty. Due to their experiences, the majority of (cannabis) users agreed that RDT approaches were discriminatory and unjust, due to the zero-tolerance policy, the testing of presence over impairment, and the lack of policing towards other drugs. These perceived limitations were noted to potentially increase user offending in some circumstances and suggested that there may be a dissonance between the intended aim of RDT and the outcome on drug user behaviours. The findings of this study may hold implications for future research in identifying limitations in the current evidence and help inform policing procedures and policy surrounding future drug testing approaches.
Applying Behavioural Insights to HIV Prevention and Management: a Scoping Review
Authors: Andrawis Alexsandra , Tapa James , Vlaev Ivo , Read Daniel , Schmidtke Kelly Ann , Chow Eric P. F. , Lee David , Fairley Christopher K. , Ong Jason J.
Published: August 2022

Purpose of Review

This scoping review summarises the literature on HIV prevention and management interventions utilizing behavioural economic principles encapsulated in the MINDSPACE framework.

Recent Findings

MINDSPACE is an acronym developed by the UK’s behavioural insights team to summarise nine key influences on human behaviour: Messenger, Incentives, Norms, Default, Salience, Priming, Affect, Commitment, and Ego. These effects have been used in various settings to design interventions that encourage positive behaviours. Currently, over 200 institutionalised behavioural insight teams exist internationally, which may draw upon the MINDSPACE framework to inform policy and improve public services. To date, it is not clear how behavioural insights have been applied to HIV prevention and management interventions.

After screening 899 studies for eligibility, 124 were included in the final review. We identified examples of interventions that utilised all the MINDSPACE effects in a variety of settings and among various populations. Studies from high-income countries were most common (n = 54) and incentives were the most frequently applied effect (n = 100). The MINDSPACE framework is a useful tool to consider how behavioural science principles can be applied in future HIV prevention and management interventions. Creating nudges to enhance the design of HIV prevention and management interventions can help people make better choices as we strive to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic by 2030.
Turbo-Treatment of Rice Flour to Improve Technological Functionality
Authors: Cappa Carola , Invernizzi Roberto , Lucisano Mara , Alamprese Cristina
Published: August 2022

Turbo-technology (i.e., a heat/shear treatment) potential in modifying rice flour technological properties (i.e., damaged starch, pasting properties, apparent cold viscosities, and color) depending on cooking temperature (120–200 °C), added water (30–40%), and drying temperature (160–200 °C) was evaluated. Applying a Box–Behnken design, highly significant (p < 0.001) models were found for moisture, damaged starch, pasting properties, and cold viscosities. The most important factor was the added water, significantly (p < 0.001) affecting all treated flour characteristics. The optimization resulted in 200 °C as cooking and drying temperature and 40% added water, but values of damaged starch and cold viscosities in the treated flour were still low. Thus, flour was overnight wetted (40% water) before cooking and drying at 200 °C, obtaining high values of damaged starch (49.5 ± 1.5 g/100 g db) and cold viscosities (from 6213 to 21,436 cP). The study represents a guide for the application of turbo-technology to design flour with tailored technological properties.
Andexanet-Alfa-Associated Heparin Resistance in the Context of Hemorrhagic Stroke
Authors: Müther Michael , Schwindt Wolfram , Mesters Rolf Michael , Minnerup Jens , Stracke Paul , Holling Markus , Wiendl Heinz , Stummer Walter
Published: August 2022

Background

With a growing number of patients on new oral anticoagulants, interest in reversal agents is rising. Andexanet alfa is used for reversal of factor Xa inhibitors in intracranial hemorrhage.

Methods

We provide a brief review on andexanet-alfa-associated heparin resistance and discuss potentially critical situations from different clinical perspectives.

Results

Case reports point out that andexanet alfa can cause unresponsiveness to heparin, leading to catastrophic events. As a result, regulatory bodies have issued warning notices to avoid heparinization parallel to the use of andexanet alfa.

Conclusions

Although well known to hematologists, the phenomenon is underrecognized among stroke clinicians. However, patients with intracranial hemorrhage frequently undergo endovascular or surgical interventions that require periprocedural administration of heparin.
The Complex Imprint of Foreign Rule: Tracking Differential Legacies along the Administrative Hierarchy
Authors: Vogler Jan P.
Published: August 2022

Could imperial rule affect state institutions at the national, regional, and local level differently? No systematic theory to answer this question exists, which is surprising given the importance that is attributed to foreign rule for political-administrative organization around the world. The effectiveness of imperial rule may differ along the administrative hierarchy because empires are often subject to financial constraints, limits on organizational capabilities, and informational asymmetries. Therefore, a commonly used approach—aggregation at the national level—may yield erroneous findings about colonial legacies by ignoring vital nuances. To address this gap, I develop a novel theory ofimperial pervasivenessand test it through a number of statistical analyses. Leveraging an original dataset of citizen perceptions of state institutions in Romania, this study reveals vastly different long-term effects of historical Habsburg rule at the regional and local levels. The results indicate that we need to rethink the study of colonial origins.
Lithofacies of early Jurassic successions derived from spectral gamma ray logging in the Mandawa Basin, SE Tanzania
Authors: Gama John , Schwark Lorenz
Published: August 2022

Spectral gamma ray log (SGRL) data has been widely employed to derive subsurface lithological information and to perform well correlation when the core is not available. Previous studies mainly targeted homogenous facies whereas few attempts addressed heterolithic successions. The SGRL investigation here aimed at deriving lithofacies and further constrain conditions of deposition prevailing during the early Jurassic (Mbuo, Nondwa, and Mihambia Fms.) in the Mandawa Basin, onshore Tanzania, where core and outcrop data is rare. By use of binary discrimination diagrams of U, Th, and K, composition fields were defined for various lithofacies types (black shale, red shale, siltstone, sandstone, chert, anhydrite, halite, and carbonate) compiled from literature data. Sediment composition for two wells in the Mandawa Basin was then deduced from cuttings and SGRL data and compared with literature-derived geochemical provenance data from adjacent regions and strata. Binary discrimination diagrams revealed the presence of multi-mineral components in the heterolithic facies type, which in concert with diagenetic and detrital mineral dilution effects, led to low compositional contrasts between provenance fields and to overlap of different lithofacies types, complicating interpretation and limiting the effectiveness of the SGRL-based facies differentiation. For the early Jurassic strata, an upward increase in the Th/K ratio suggests an enhanced terrigenous influx into the basin due to intensified weathering. High Th/U and Th/K in the study region indicate a relatively shallow, well mixed, and oxic depositional setting in proximity to the source area opposing the more distal, deeper, and reduced depositional settings that prevailed in the southern central part of the basin. Th/U and Th/K excursions in the Nondwa and Mihambia formations suggest a shift towards less oxic depositional conditions upon two major marine incursions, corroborated by a decline in the clastic fraction and concomitant increase in carbonate.
Negative muons reveal the economic chaos of Rome’s AD 68/9 Civil Wars
Authors: Green G. A. , Ishida K. , Domoney K. , Agoro T. , Hillier A. D.
Published: August 2022

During the AD 68/9 Civil Wars, Galba, Otho, Vitellius and then Vespasian fought for — and gained — control of the Roman Empire. Our textual sources suggest that this was a period of serious and sustained disruption. However, existing analyses of gold coinages produced in AD 68/9 show only a minor reduction in the purity of the gold coinage. Using X-ray fluorescence, we identify a number of heavily debased gold coins issued during the AD 68/9 Civil Wars, and many slightly debased coins issued in their immediate aftermath. We then confirm the interior composition of these coins totally non-destructively using muonic X-ray emission spectroscopy, thus eliminating hypothetical problems of ‘surface enrichment’ or compositional differences between ‘surface’ and ‘core’. Here we show that heavily debased Civil War gold coinages were indeed produced; that copper was used to debase Roman gold coins during this time, c. 185 years earlier than first shown; and that slightly debased gold coins were regularly issued in the years immediately after the Civil Wars. The metallurgical evidence from the gold coinage now allows us to show that the AD 68/9 Civil Wars caused significant and sustained disruption to the Roman economic system. More broadly, we have shown that muonic X-ray emission spectroscopy is a powerful tool for generating important archaeological conclusions from high-value cultural heritage objects that simply cannot be destructively analysed, but need to have their interior compositions sampled.
Interpretation of multispectral satellite data as a tool for detecting archaeological artifacts (Navkur Plain and Karamleis Plain, Iraq)
Authors: Pirowski Tomasz , Szypuła Bartłomiej , Marciak Michał
Published: August 2022

Contemporary studies of geographical space, including archaeological research, incorporate multiple spatial digital data. Such data provide an opportunity to extend research to large areas, and to objectify studies on the basis of quantitative data thus obtained and gaining access to the hard-to-reach study area. Examples of such data are satellite images at various spatial resolutions and in a wide spectrum of electromagnetic radiation (visible, infrared, and microwave). The authors made an attempt to use satellite images to analyze the areas of probable location of the Battle of Gaugamela (the Navkur Plain and the Karamleis Plain in Iraq). The photointerpretation was performed, enhanced by the multivariate processing of the multispectral image. The aim of the work was indicating the most likely places where the camp and the battle were located based on the visual interpretation of an array of satellite data. The adopted methodology of precise allocation of interpretative values to remote sensing materials for every detected artifact provided an opportunity to accumulate an extensive amount of information. It also provided the basis for a synthetic analysis regarding the methods of image processing on the one hand and the dates of recording on the other. It turned out that the season in which the photos are recorded is very important—although the best data for analysis turned out to be the autumn data (38% of all recognized artifacts), the use of data from three seasons increased the total number of indicated artifacts by as much as about 50% (the so-called unique detections). In addition, advanced image processing (such as principal component analysis and decorrelation stretch) turned out to be important, as it increased the number of areal artifacts by 31% compared to the interpretation of only photos in natural (true) color composite and false color composite (with near-infrared). The conducted analyses have confirmed the usefulness of high-resolution satellite data for archaeological applications, and the detected and described anomalies visible in satellite images are excellent material for selecting sites for detailed field research.
On technical debt in mathematical programming: An exploratory study
Authors: Vidoni Melina , Cunico Maria Laura
Published: August 2022

The Technical Debt (TD) metaphor describes development shortcuts taken for expediency that cause the degradation of internal software quality. It has served the discourse between engineers and management regarding how to invest resources in maintenance and extend into scientific software (both the tools, the algorithms and the analysis conducted with it). Mathematical programming has been considered ‘special purpose programming’, meant to program and simulate particular problem types (e.g., symbolic mathematics through Matlab). Likewise, more traditional mathematical programming has been considered ‘modelling programming’ to program models by providing programming structures required for mathematical formulations (e.g., GAMS, AMPL, AIMMS). Because of this, other authors have argued the need to consider mathematical programming as closely related to software development. As a result, this paper presents a novel exploration of TD in mathematical programming by assessing self-reported practices through a survey, which gathered 168 complete responses. This study discovered potential debts manifested throughsmellsand attitudinal causes towards them. Results uncovered a trend to refactor and polish the final mathematical model and use version control and detailed comments. Nonetheless, we uncovered traces of negative practices regardingCode DebtandDocumentation Debt, alongside hints indicating that most TD is deliberately introduced (i.e., modellers are aware that their practices are not the best). We aim to discuss the idea that TD is also present in mathematical programming and that it may hamper the reproducibility and maintainability of the models created. The overall goal is to outline future areas of work that can lead to changing current modellers’ habits and assist in extending existing mathematical programming (both practice and research) to eventually manage TD in mathematical programming.
Multi-objective model for perishable food logistics networks design considering availability and access
Authors: Orjuela-Castro Javier Arturo , Orejuela-Cabrera Juan Pablo , Adarme-Jaimes Wilson
Published: August 2022

The supply chains of perishable food (PFSC) fresh, present imbalances between supply and demand, in times of supply deficit is necessary to guarantee the food security through the availability, the access and other pillars. In the PFSC losses are highest, whereby the delivery times must be low to guarantee the availability. For the access, must be include the largest number of retailed storekeepers, thus monopolies from large hypermarkets are avoided. In this context, the modeling In PFSC presents big challenges such as the inclusion of delivery times, losses and fresh food biophysical specific conditions which depend of the transport time and storage, the configuration and the number of echelons on the PFSC. In this article, a multiobjective, multiproduct and multi-echelon for perishable food logistics networks design mixed linear programming model is presented. The model allows determining the best configuration so that the different actors of the PFSC, so that could move closer to more efficient borders. The model considers the losses in perishable food derived from the impacts caused by changes in temperature (T°) and relative humidity (RH), on a mountainous environment of developing countries. It is solved in AMPL through e-constrains method. The model is applied in a case study around the perishable fruit supply chains (PFrSC). The information to the model parameterization was obtained through surveys done to the actors of the different echelons of PFrSC during a 4-year period that were complemented with secondary information from public and private enterprises.
Deskriptive Grundvorstellungen von Lernenden zum Prozentbegriff
Authors: Gudladt Paul
Published: August 2022

Die Prozentrechnung als inhaltsbezogener Themenbereich der Sekundarstufe I zeichnet sich besonders durch einen starken Alltagsbezug aus. Bestehende Studien zeigen, dass Lernende in diesem Themengebiet besonders dann Schwierigkeiten haben, wenn das Verlassen von algorithmischen Lösungsschemata eingefordert wird. Stehen den Lernenden ikonische Darstellungen zur Verfügung kann ein positiver Effekt auf die Lösungsquoten festgestellt werden. Da die Forschungslandschaft zwar den Nutzen von Darstellungen im Zusammenhang mit der Prozentrechnung aufzeigt, diese Darstellungen jedoch nicht miteinander verglichen und deren Potenziale ausgelotet werden, analysiert und kategorisiert der vorliegende Artikel Eigenproduktionen von interviewten Jugendlichen zu Prozenten. Es können vier unterschiedliche Kategorien rekonstruiert werden, die die zwölf interviewten Jugendlichen nutzen, um Anteile ikonisch darzustellen: Das Erweitern als Verfeinern, das Additive Erweitern, der Quasikardinale Aspekt und das Operative Erweitern. Diese Kategorien werden anhand von vier deskriptiv ermittelten Charakteristika miteinander verglichen und im Hinblick auf ihre Tragfähigkeit unter Berücksichtigung des Konzepts der Grundvorstellungen von Prozenten in den Blick genommen. Die erhobenen Daten deuten darauf hin, dass die additive Charakteristik bei der Lösung der gestellten Aufgaben zu Schwierigkeiten seitens der Lernenden führen kann. Hinsichtlich ihrer zur Lösung der untersuchten Aufgaben erzeugten ikonischen Darstellungen legen die Ergebnisse die Schlussfolgerung nahe, dass vor allem die Nutzung des Tortendiagramms tragfähig zu sein scheint.
Heart rot of Australian pineapples caused by Dickeya zeae
Authors: Young Anthony J. , Pathania Nandita , Manners Andrew , Pegg Kenneth G.
Published: August 2022

Pineapple plants (hybrid MD2) with bacterial heart rot were detected in a commercial plantation at Glasshouse Mountains, Queensland, in November 2015. The bacterial strain BRIP64263 isolated from infected tissue was shown to be a Gram negative soft-rotting bacterium capable of growth at 41 ºC, and based on its culture properties was provisionally identified as Dickeya. This strain was compared with other putative Dickeya strains affecting banana (BRIP64262) and potato (BRIP29490). Sequence analysis of the recombinase A genes of the pineapple strain placed it in phylotype I of D. zeae, whereas the banana strain was placed in phylotype II. This was confirmed by sequence comparisons for the phosphofructose kinase, RNA polymerase and aconitase genes which showed that the pineapple strain BRIP64263 is distinct from other strains that infect pineapples and other hosts in Australia and overseas. Furthermore, phylogenetic analysis of the replication initiation factor gene showed that strains affecting pineapples were distributed among both phylotypes of D. zeae, indicating multiple acquisitions or opportunistic infections of pineapple from this group of pathogens. The potato isolate, BRIP29490, was shown to be Rahnella aquatica, and is not likely to be pathogenic. It is not known whether the new isolate represents an incursion or whether it has long been associated with pineapples in Australia. Further study is required to determine the epidemiological characteristics of this strain, and what threat it poses to Australian pineapple production.
AI Ethics and the Automation Industry: How Companies Respond to Questions About Ethics at the automatica Trade Fair 2022
Authors: Braun Maximilian , Tigard Daniel , Schönweitz Franziska , Lucaj Laura , von Janowski Alexander
Published: August 2022

Against the backdrop of a recent history of ongoing efforts to institutionalize ethics in ways that also target corporate environments, we asked ourselves: How do company representatives at the automatica 2022 trade fair in Munich respond to questions around ethics? To this end, we started an exploratory survey at the automatica 2022 in Munich, asking 22 company representatives at various booths from various industrial sectors the basic question: “Is there somebody in your company working on ethics?” Most representatives were responding positively and tried to connect the term to pre-existing practices, processes, or organizational entities in their respective companies. Mostly, they either located ethics as being relevant to their organization on an institutional level, on a cultural level, on an inter-company level, or on a product level. This exploratory investigation has also shown that the ongoing debates and regulatory efforts about ethics in AI have not yet become a major selling point for company representatives at the trade fair.
YAP1 acts as a negative regulator of pro-tumor TAZ expression in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Kuo Yi-Zih , Kang Ya-Rong , Chang Wei-Lun , Sim Lydia Chin-Ling , Hsieh Tzu-Chin , Chang Chu-Han , Wang Yi-Ching , Tsai Ching-Jung , Huang Li-Chun , Tsai Sen-Tien , Wu Li-Wha
Published: August 2022

Purpose

Although YAP1 and TAZ are believed to be equivalent downstream effectors of the Hippo pathway, differential expression of YAP1 or TAZ suggests distinct functions during cancer progression. The exact role of YAP1 and TAZ in esophageal cancer, the 6th leading cancer-related mortality in the world, remains elusive.

Methods

Following single or double manipulation of YAP1 or TAZ expression, we subjected these manipulated cells to proliferation, migration, invasion, and xenograft tumorigenesis assays. We used RT-qPCR and Western blotting to examine their expression in the manipulated cells with or without inhibition of transcription or translation. We also examined the impact of YAP1 or TAZ deregulation on clinical outcome of esophageal cancer patients from the TCGA database.

Results

We found that YAP1 functions as a tumor suppressor whereas TAZ exerts pro-tumor functions in esophageal cancer cells. We also found a significant increase in TAZ mRNA expression upon YAP1 depletion, but not vice versa, despite the downregulation of CTGF and CYR61, shared targets of YAP1 and TAZ, in xenografted tissue cells. In addition to transcriptional regulation, YAP1-mediated TAZ expression was found to occur via protein synthesis. Restored TAZ expression mitigated YAP1-mediated suppression of cellular behavior. By contrast, TAZ silencing reduced the promoting effect exerted by YAP1 depletion on cellular behaviors. The observed anti-tumor function of YAP1 was further supported by a better overall survival among esophageal cancer patients with a high YAP1 expression.

Conclusion

From our data we conclude that YAP1 functions as a suppressor and negatively regulates pro-tumor TAZ expression via transcriptional and translational control in esophageal cancer.
Impact of cropping system diversification on productivity and resource use efficiencies of smallholder farmers in south-central Bangladesh: a multi-criteria analysis
Authors: Emran Shah-Al , Krupnik Timothy J. , Aravindakshan Sreejith , Kumar Virender , Pittelkow Cameron M.
Published: August 2022

Diversification of smallholder rice-based cropping systems has the potential to increase cropping system intensity and boost food security. However, impacts on resource use efficiencies (e.g., nutrients, energy, and labor) remain poorly understood, highlighting the need to quantify synergies and trade-offs among different sustainability indicators under on-farm conditions. In southern coastal Bangladesh, aman season rice is characterized by low inputs and low productivity. We evaluated the farm-level impacts of cropping system intensification (adding irrigated boro season rice) and diversification (adding chili, groundnut, mungbean, or lathyrus) on seven performance indicators (rice equivalent yield, energy efficiency, partial nitrogen productivity, partial potassium productivity, partial greenhouse gas footprint, benefit-cost ratio, and hired labor energy productivity) based on a comprehensive survey of 501 households. Indicators were combined into a multi-criteria performance index, and their scope for improvement was calculated by comparing an individual farmer’s performance to top-performing farmers (highest 20%). Results indicate that the baseline system (single-crop aman season rice) was the least productive, while double cropped systems increased rice equivalent yield 72–217%. Despite gains in productivity, higher cropping intensity reduced resource use efficiencies due to higher inputs of fertilizer and energy, which also increased production costs, particularly for boro season rice. However, trade-offs were smaller for diversified systems including legumes, largely owing to lower N fertilizer inputs. Aman season rice had the highest multi-criteria performance index, followed by systems with mungbean and lathyrus, indicating the latter are promising options to boost food production and profitability without compromising sustainability. Large gaps between individual and top-performing farmers existed for each indicator, suggesting significant scope for improvement. By targeting indicators contributing most to the multi-criteria performance index (partial nitrogen productivity, energy efficiency, hired labor energy productivity), results suggest further sustainability gains can be achieved through future field research studies focused on optimizing management within diversified systems.
Influence of Pulse Energy and a Material’s Magnetic Field on the Morphology of the Dimples Produced with Nanosecond Pulsed Laser on a Magnet
Authors: Ahuir-Torres J. I. , Sharp M. C.
Published: August 2022

Magnets made of NdFeB alloys are applied in numerous industries because they have excellent magnetic properties and good thermal stability. However, their low corrosion resistance and fragility reduce the number of the applications in harsh environments. Laser surface texturing is a powerful technique to improve the properties of materials via surface functionalisation. The characteristics of the textures define the properties of the functionalised surfaces and the laser parameters in turn influence the texture features. Pulse energy is a laser parameter with high influence on the geometry and the morphology of the textures. The magnetic field of these magnets are also expected to have an influence on the texture features. In this present work, the influence of the pulse energy (from 5µJ to 696µJ) on the dimple characteristics created with an infrared (1064 nm) nanosecond pulsed (200ns) fibre laser single pulses on NdFeB alloy (magnetic material) have been studied. The shape features of the laser textures on the samples were analysed through optical microscopy and profilometry. This work shows that the single pulses produced textures of U-type dimple kind on the metallic material. The shapes of the dimples were also altered by magnetic field of the material, which indicates that the magnetic properties of the alloys remain in liquid state. The factors of the laser beam-material interaction, pulse energy and energy depth penetration, are furthermore presented in this paper. These factors can be employed to design the width, diameter and depth of the dimples.
Comparison of verbal and computerised months backwards tests in a hospitalized older population
Authors: Mulligan Martin , Lally Leona , Adamis Dimitrios , Meagher David , Exton Chris , Dunne Colum , McCarthy Geraldine
Published: August 2022

Background

Delirium is extremely prevalent, yet underdiagnosed, in older patients and is associated with prolonged length of hospital stay and higher mortality rates. Impaired attention is the cardinal deficit in delirium and is a required feature in diagnostic criteria. The verbal months backwards test (MBT) is the most sensitive bedside test of attention, however, hospital staff occasionally have difficulty with its administration and interpretation. We hypothesise that the MBT on an electronic tablet may be easier and more consistent to use for both experienced and unexperienced medical professionals and, if the diagnostic efficacy was similar, aid delirium diagnosis.

Aim

We aim to investigate the correlation of the verbal MBT with a computerised MBT application.

Methods

Participants recruited (age > 65, n = 75) were allocated to different cohorts (Dementia and Delirium (DMDL), Dementia (DM), Delirium (DL), No Neurocognitive Disorder (NNCD)) and were administered both the verbal and electronic versions.

Results

Correlation between measurements were: overall Spearman’s rho = 0.772 (p < 0.0001); DMDL rho = 0.666 (p < 0.0001); DL rho = 0.778 (p = 0.039); DM rho = 0.378 (p = 0.203); NNCD rho = 0.143 (p = 0.559).

Discussion

Overall, and for the delirious subset, statistically significant agreement was present. Poor inter-test correlation existed in the groups without delirium (DM, NNCD).

Conclusions

The MBTc correlates well with the MBTv in patients who are clinically suspected to have delirium but has poor correlation in patients without delirium. Visuospatial cognition and psychomotor deficits in a dementia cohort and mechanical factors (such as tremor, poor fingernail hygiene and visual impairment) in a group with no neurocognitive disorder may limit the utility of the MBTc in a hospitalised older population.
The Role of Transportation in the Enrollment of Elderly African Americans into Exercise and Memory Study: GEMS Study
Authors: Graham Lennox , Ngwa Julius , Ntekim Oyonumo , Ogunlana Oludolapo , Johnson Steven , Nadarajah Sheeba , Fungwe Thomas V. , Turner Jillian , Ruiz Mara Ramirez , Khan Javed , Obisesan Thomas O.
Published: August 2022

Background

Understanding the factors driving recruitment and enrollment of African Americans (AA)s in clinical translational research will assure that underrepresented populations benefit from scientific progress and new developments in the diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders. While transportation is pivotal to volunteers’ ability to participate in research, its contribution to enrollment in exercise studies on AD is yet to be elucidated. Thus, this research focuses on identifying factors that influence the recruitment and enrollment of African Americans in biomedical studies and determining whether the availability of transportation motivates participation in time-demanding exercise studies on AD.

Methods

We analyzed recruitment data collected from 567 volunteers ages 55 and older screened through various recruitment sources and considered for enrollment in our exercise and memory study. To determine whether transportation influenced the enrollment of African Americans (AA)s in biomedical studies, multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to identify significant factors that drive enrollment. Furthermore, the association of race and demographic factors on the availability of transportation was assessed.

Results

Demographic factors, age at screening, education, gender, and cognitive scores were not significantly different among those enrolled compared to control (not-enrolled). In the relationship of enrollment to transportation, enrolled participants were more likely to have access to transportation (79.12%) than not-enrolled participants who had less access to transportation (71.6%); however, the association was not statistically significant. However, race differentially influenced the likelihood of enrollment, with elderly AAs being significantly less likely to have transportation (p = 0.020) than the Whites but more likely than “others” to have transportation.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that access to transportation may be a key factor motivating enrollment in an exercise and memory study in a predominantly AA sample. Notably, AAs in our sample were less likely to have transportation than Whites. Other demographic factors and cognitive scores did not significantly influence enrollment in our sample. A larger sample and more detailed assessment of transportation are needed to further discern the role of transportation in clinical trials.
Association of dietary proteins with serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate in a general population sample: the CHRIS study
Authors: Vukovic Vladimir , Hantikainen Essi , Raftopoulou Athina , Gögele Martin , Rainer Johannes , Domingues Francisco S. , Pramstaller Peter P. , Garcia-Larsen Vanessa , Pattaro Cristian
Published: August 2022

Background

Diet is known to affect kidney function. However, population-based studies provide contrasting evidence, resulting in a poor understanding of the effect of proteins from specific foods on kidney health.

Methods

We analyzed the effect of total daily protein intake (TDPI) and source-specific daily protein intake (DPI) on fasting serum creatinine (SCr) and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in the Cooperative Health Research In South Tyrol (CHRIS) cross-sectional study (n = 5889), using the GA2LEN food frequency questionnaire for TDPI and DPI estimation. We fitted multivariable adjusted mixed models of SCr and eGFR on TDPI and DPI quartiles (Q1-Q4) in the overall sample, and after removing individuals with known hypertension, diabetes or chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Results

Higher TDPI as well as DPI from overall animal sources, fish, and poultry, were associated with higher SCr (trend test p, ptrend < 0.01), with larger effect after excluding individuals with known hypertension, diabetes or CKD. The eGFR was lower at higher TDPI (Q4 vs Q1: − 1.6 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI − 2.5, − 0.7; ptrend = 3e−4) and DPI from fish (Q4 vs Q1: − 2.1 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI − 2.9, − 1.20; ptrend = 4.3e−6), overall animal source (Q4 vs Q1: − 1.6 ml/min/1.73 m2; 95% CI −2.5, − 0.8), processed meat (Q4 vs Q1: − 1.4 ml/min/1.73 m2; ptrend = 0.027), red meat, offal and processed meat (Q4 vs Q1: − 1.4 ml/min/1.73 m2; ptrend = 0.015) and poultry (Q4 vs Q1: − 0.9 ml/min/1.73 m2; ptrend = 0.015).

Conclusions

TDPI and DPI from specific animal sources were positively associated with SCr and negatively associated with eGFR. Lacking an alternative marker of kidney function, confounding involving muscle mass metabolism cannot be fully excluded.

Graphical abstract
Early Life Maltreatment and Adolescent Interpretations of Ambiguous Social Situations: Investigating Interpersonal Cognitions and Emotional Symptoms
Authors: Bennett Eleanor M. , Gray Paul , Lau Jennifer Y. F.
Published: August 2022

In the general population, negative interpretations of social situations have been associated with risk of developing emotional disorders such as anxiety and depression. Given that childhood maltreatment poses risk for later emotional disorders, this study examined whether interpersonal cognitive style differentiated maltreated adolescents from their non-maltreated peers and correlated with emotional symptoms across each group. Forty-seven maltreated and 28 non-maltreated adolescents were recruited from New South Wales, Australia to complete a battery of questionnaires that assessed interpersonal cognitions and levels of anxiety and depression. Comparable endorsement of threatening interpretations of social situations between maltreated adolescents and their non-maltreated peers across measures was found. Furthermore, an association between anxiety and depressive symptoms and interpretation bias was found within the non-maltreatment group but not the maltreated group. Unlike general population samples, negative cognitions do not associate with emotional symptoms in victims of early maltreatment. More research is needed to investigate the cognitive factors maintaining emotional symptoms in adolescent victims of maltreatment.
Self-Powered, Long-Durable, and Highly Selective Oil–Solid Triboelectric Nanogenerator for Energy Harvesting and Intelligent Monitoring
Authors: Zhao Jun , Wang Di , Zhang Fan , Pan Jinshan , Claesson Per , Larsson Roland , Shi Yijun
Published: August 2022

Triboelectric nanogenerators (TENGs) have potential to achieve energy harvesting and condition monitoring of oils, the “lifeblood” of industry. However, oil absorption on the solid surfaces is a great challenge for oil–solid TENG (O-TENG). Here, oleophobic/superamphiphobic O-TENGs are achieved via engineering of solid surface wetting properties. The designed O-TENG can generate an excellent electricity (with a charge density of 9.1 µC m−2 and a power density of 1.23 mW m−2), which is an order of magnitude higher than other O-TENGs made from polytetrafluoroethylene and polyimide. It also has a significant durability (30,000 cycles) and can power a digital thermometer for self-powered sensor applications. Further, a superhigh-sensitivity O-TENG monitoring system is successfully developed for real-time detecting particle/water contaminants in oils. The O-TENG can detect particle contaminants at least down to 0.01 wt% and water contaminants down to 100 ppm, which are much better than previous online monitoring methods (particle > 0.1 wt%; water > 1000 ppm). More interesting, the developed O-TENG can also distinguish water from other contaminants, which means the developed O-TENG has a highly water-selective performance. This work provides an ideal strategy for enhancing the output and durability of TENGs for oil–solid contact and opens new intelligent pathways for oil–solid energy harvesting and oil condition monitoring.