bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
What drives liking different brand-related social media content?
Authors: Ciunova-Shuleska Anita , Palamidovska-Sterjadovska Nikolina , Bogoevska-Gavrilova Irena
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the interrelationships between incentives and social media users’ intentions to like different brand-related social media content. The study is based on the uses and gratification (U&G) theory and investigates three types of incentives i.e. communal, self-interest, and reward incentives which act as antecedents of customers’ intentions to like three types of brand-related content (commercial messages, personal opinion messages, and lifestyle messages).

Design/methodology/approach

A data set of 415 effective responses was collected and structural equation modeling (SEM) was used for analyzing the data.

Findings

The obtained results indicate that communal and reward incentives enhance the intentions to like brand-related commercial, personal opinion, and lifestyle content. Self-interest incentives reduce the intentions to like three types of analyzed brand-related content with the strongest negative influence on intentions to like lifestyle content. Regarding the content type, the main drivers for liking lifestyle content and commercial content are reward incentives, whereas liking personal opinion content is mostly motivated by communal incentives.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights about users’ motivation to like brand-related content on social media with a focus on different types of brand-related content. The study has strong theoretical contributions as well as practical implications.
Human capital disclosure and the contingency view
Authors: Lajili Kaouthar
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Building on an integration of strategic human resource capital management and human capital disclosure literature streams, this paper explores the associations between human resource performance and human resource disclosure in the financial services sector.

Design/methodology/approach

Using content analysis and panel regression methods, the paper examines the extent, nature, and information content of human capital disclosures in the financial services sectors in North America during the global financial crisis period.

Findings

Labor costs and marginal labor productivity are significantly associated with human resource disclosure and the latter is significantly related to both financial (explicit) and non-financial (implicit or relational) components of the employment relationship. Results show inverted effects between the US and Canadian samples. The findings support a contingency view or “best-fit” approach to human resource capital management.

Practical implications

Differences in labor market structures and human capital attributes could have significant impacts on human capital disclosure strategies. More transparent and detailed disclosures regarding human resource capital management may provide useful and relevant information for investors and stakeholders in general.

Originality/value

The study provides insights into how labor market structures and human capital attributes jointly affect the extent and nature of corporate disclosures with regards to rents distribution and relational governance between employers and employees.
From rags to enriched: metagenomic insights into ammonia‐oxidizing archaea following ammonia enrichment of a denuded oligotrophic soil ecosystem
Authors: Vuong Paton , Moreira‐Grez Benjamin , Wise Michael J. , Whiteley Andrew S. , Kumaresan Deepak , Kaur Parwinder
Published: April 2022

Stored topsoil acts as a microbial inoculant for ecological restoration of land after disturbance, but the altered circumstances frequently create unfavourable conditions for microbial survival. Nitrogen cycling is a critical indicator for ecological success and this study aimed to investigate the cornerstone taxa driving the process. Previous in silico studies investigating stored topsoil discovered persistent archaeal taxa with the potential for re‐establishing ecological activity. Ammonia oxidization is the limiting step in nitrification and as such, ammonia‐oxidizing archaea (AOA) can be considered one of the gatekeepers for the re‐establishment of the nitrogen cycle in disturbed soils. Semi‐arid soil samples were enriched with ammonium sulfate to promote the selective enrichment of ammonia oxidizers for targeted genomic recovery, and to investigate the microbial response of the microcosm to nitrogen input. Ammonia addition produced an increase in AOA population, particularly within the genus Candidatus Nitrosotalea, from which metagenome‐assembled genomes (MAGs) were successfully recovered. The Ca. Nitrosotalea archaeon candidates' ability to survive in extreme conditions and rapidly respond to ammonia input makes it a potential bioprospecting target for application in ecological restoration of semi‐arid soils and the recovered MAGs provide a metabolic blueprint for developing potential strategies towards isolation of these acclimated candidates.
Ride the dust: linking dust dispersal and spatial distribution of microorganisms across an arid landscape
Authors: Schiro Gabriele , Chen Yongjian , Blankinship Joseph C. , Barberán Albert
Published: April 2022

In arid ecosystems, where the soil is directly exposed to the action of the wind due to sparse vegetation, dust aerosolization is a consequence of soil degradation and concomitantly, a major vector of microbial dispersal. Disturbances such as livestock grazing or fire can exacerbate wind erosion and dust production. Here, we sampled surface soils in 29 locations across an arid landscape in southwestern USA and characterized their prokaryotic and fungal communities. At four of these locations, we also sampled potential fugitive dust. By comparing the composition of soil and dust samples, we determined the role of dust dispersal in structuring the biogeography of soil microorganisms across the landscape. For Bacteria/Archaea, we found dust associated taxa to have on average, higher regional occupancies compared to soil associated taxa. Complementarily, we found dust samples to harbour a higher amount of widely distributed taxa compared to soil samples. Overall, our study shows how dust dispersal plays a role in the spatial distribution of soil Bacteria/Archaea, but not soil Fungi, and might inform indicators of soil health and stability in arid ecosystems.
The National Heart Lung and Blood Institute Disparities Elimination through Coordinated Interventions to Prevent and Control Heart and Lung Disease Alliance
Authors: Kho Abel , Daumit Gail L. , Truesdale Kimberly P. , Brown Arleen , Kilbourne Amy M. , Ladapo Joseph , Wali Soma , Cicutto Lisa , Matthews Alicia K. , Smith Justin D. , Davis Paris D. , Schoenthaler Antoinette , Ogedegbe Gbenga , Islam Nadia , Mills Katherine T. , He Jiang , Watson Karriem S. , Winn Robert A. , Stevens June , Huebschmann Amy G. , Szefler Stanley J.
Published: April 2022

Objective

To describe the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) sponsored Disparities Elimination through Coordinated Interventions to Prevent and Control Heart and Lung Disease (DECIPHeR) Alliance to support late‐stage implementation research aimed at reducing disparities in communities with high burdens of cardiovascular and/or pulmonary disease.

Study Setting

NHBLI funded seven DECIPHeR studies and a Coordinating Center. Projects target high‐risk diverse populations including racial and ethnic minorities, urban, rural, and low‐income communities, disadvantaged children, and persons with serious mental illness. Two projects address multiple cardiovascular risk factors, three focus on hypertension, one on tobacco use, and one on pediatric asthma.

Study Design

The initial phase supports planning activities for sustainable uptake of evidence‐based interventions in targeted communities. The second phase tests late‐stage evidence‐based implementation strategies.

Data Collection/Extraction Methods

Not applicable.

Principal Findings

We provide an overview of the DECIPHeR Alliance and individual study designs, populations, and settings, implementation strategies, interventions, and outcomes. We describe the Alliance's organizational structure, designed to promote cross‐center partnership and collaboration.

Conclusions

The DECIPHeR Alliance represents an ambitious national effort to develop sustainable implementation of interventions to achieve cardiovascular and pulmonary health equity.
Natural colorants from vegetable food waste: Recovery, regulatory aspects, and stability—A review
Authors: Benucci Ilaria , Lombardelli Claudio , Mazzocchi Caterina , Esti Marco
Published: April 2022

Worldwide, approaches inspired by the Circular Economy model have been increasing steadily, generating new business opportunities such as the recovery of high‐added value molecules (e.g., pigments) from vegetable food waste that may be applied as food additives (e.g., colorants). Indeed, food waste is a global problem that does not seem to be decreasing, leading to economic, environmental, and social issues. Moreover, synthetic dyes have been associated with adverse effects on human health, encouraging research to explore much safer, natural, and eco‐friendly pigments. This state‐of‐the‐art review gives a brief overview of the regulatory aspects concerning food waste, Circular Economy, and natural versus synthetic colorants. We have critically reviewed the recent advances in pigment recovery from vegetable food waste bringing back the green/unconventional extraction methods. Among them, enzyme‐assisted extraction as a depth feature technique is highlighted, given that it allows the recovery of pigments in a mild, selective, efficient, and sustainable way. Furthermore, the stability issue of the different natural colorants has been critically discussed in relation to the extraction and application conditions. Several and tailored stabilization methods have been described and reported for each pigment although additional research is necessary on their long‐lasting stabilization and utilization in food matrices.

Practical Application

This review focuses on the main types of natural pigments in vegetable food waste, their legislative framework, extraction technologies and strategies to improve the stability , as well as their possible applications.
Quantitative analysis of smokeless powder particles in post‐blast debris via gas chromatography/vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC/VUV)
Authors: Reavis Madison , Goodpaster John
Published: April 2022

Forensic analysis of smokeless powder particles recovered from the debris of an improvised explosive device can provide information about the type of smokeless powder used and can aid investigation efforts. In this study, quantitative methods were used to yield information about the difference in the chemical composition of the particles pre‐ and post‐blast. The technique, gas chromatography/vacuum ultraviolet spectroscopy (GC/VUV), was able to quantify nitroglycerin, 2,4‐dinitrotoluene, diphenylamine, ethyl centralite, and di‐n‐butyl phthalate in pre‐ and post‐blast smokeless powder particles using heptadecane as an internal standard. Post‐blast debris was obtained via controlled explosions with assistance from the Indiana State Police Bomb Squad. Two galvanized steel and two polyvinyl chloride pipe bombs were assembled. Two devices contained single‐base smokeless powder and two contained double‐base smokeless powder. 2,4‐dinitrotoluene and diphenylamine were successfully quantified in the single‐base smokeless powder post‐blast debris while nitroglycerin, diphenylamine, and ethyl centralite were successfully quantified in the double‐base smokeless powder post‐blast debris. Compounds were detected at concentrations as low as 9 μg of 2,4‐dinitrotoluene per mg, <3 μg of diphenylamine per mg, 131 μg of nitroglycerin per mg, and <3 μg of ethyl centralite per mg. Concentration changes between pre‐ and post‐blast smokeless powder particles were determined as well as microscopic differences between pre‐ and post‐blast debris for both smokeless powders in all devices. To our knowledge, this is the first use of GC/VUV for the quantification of explosives.
Anti‐mitochondrial antibodies in Indian patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies
Authors: Gaur Prithvi Sanjeevkumar , R Naveen , Anuja Anamika Kumari , Singh Mantabya Kumar , Rai Mohit Kumar , Muhammed Rizwan , Sahu Ankit Kumar , Agarwal Vikas , Gupta Latika
Published: April 2022

Aims

Anti‐mitochondrial antibodies (AMAs) are associated with distinct clinical phenotypes including cardiac and hepatic manifestations in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). This article studies the prevalence, clinical characteristics and outcomes of AMA in Indian patients with IIM.

Methods

Patients (97: 81 adult, 16 juvenile) clinically diagnosed with polymyositis or antibody‐negative IIM were retrieved from the MyoCite bio‐archive. They were tested for myositis‐specific autoantibodies / myositis autoantibodies (MSAs/MAAs) using line immunoassay and antinuclear antibodies and AMAs using immunofluorescence assay (IFA). Patients were also screened for cardiac biomarkers (cardiac troponin I [c‐TnI] and N terminal‐pro brain natriuretic peptide [NT‐pro‐BNP] using immunometric immunoassay technique and enhanced chemiluminescence assay testing respectively) and hepatic manifestations using AMA testing. Results were formulated after carrying out analytical tests.

Results

Of the cohort, 5 adults (6.2%) (M:F 0:1) with a median age and disease duration of 37 years and 2 months respectively, tested AMA+ while the children tested negative. Dermatomyositis was the commonest phenotype, with amyopathic forms being common, often with MSA positivity. Cancer‐associated myositis and polymyositis were also seen. AMA positivity is associated with Gottron's sign and calcinosis. Comparable levels of C‐TnI and NT‐pro‐BNP and AMA testing in patients help to rule out subclinical cardiac and hepatic involvement respectively.

Conclusion

Anti‐mitochondrial antibodies are rare (6.2%) in different subtypes of IIM in the Indian population, and often coexist with MSAs. Their negative association with cardiac and hepatic involvement and probable association with Gottron's sign and calcinosis merit further investigation and long‐term follow‐up to understand the entire spectrum of the disease.
Adaptive co‐management, co‐existence or just wildlife conservation? Case study of the human and Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) conflicts in Ngezi Dam, Mashonaland West, Zimbabwe
Authors: Chakanyuka Tafadzwa , Utete Beaven
Published: April 2022

Increased human–wildlife conflicts in shared and partially closed conservation areas encompassing terrestrial and aquatic systems such as Ngezi Dam in Zimbabwe may arise from competing uses. This case study aimed to (i) estimate the abundance and distribution of Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus), (ii) identify potential human–crocodile conflict hotspots, (iii) assess the perceptions and attitudes of Ngezi Dam side communities towards crocodiles and their effects on rural livelihoods and (iv) examine the application of co‐existence and adaptive co‐management concepts in human–crocodile conflict resolution. A mixed‐methods research approach integrating field surveys, focus group discussions and face‐to‐face interviews was used to collect data on crocodiles and human communities. A total of 54 and 57 Nile crocodiles were observed in 2017 and 2018, respectively, with no significant spatiotemporal differences (p > 0.05) in crocodile abundances. Crocodile hotspots (Getis‐Ord >1.96) detected round the dam indicated potential human–crocodile‐livestock conflicts. Most respondents (76%) showed a negative attitude towards crocodiles, which they indicated destroy livelihoods through injury, death and livestock depredation. The lopsided losses, for example human injuries and fatalities, loss of fishing equipment and livestock in human–crocodile conflicts drawn from this case study reflected a need to delicately recalibrate the contextualised optimisation and balanced implementation of conservation, co‐management and human needs in shared landscapes. Astute crocodile conservation whilst offsetting human needs requires an inductive rather than deductive perspective lens. We propose a human–crocodile conflict contextual resolution framework (HCCCR), which prioritises interactive adaptive co‐management in a specific context in shared conservation landscapes.
Fraction mapping and fraction comparison skills among grade 4 Chinese students: An error analysis
Authors: Di Lonardo Burr Sabrina M. , Xu Chang , Li Hongxia , Si Jiwei , LeFevre Jo‐Anne , Wang Yangyang
Published: April 2022

Background

Mapping fraction symbols to magnitudes is easier for students to master than comparing fraction magnitudes. Fraction mapping assesses students’ understanding of part‐whole interpretations of fractions; fractions represent the parts of an object or set of objects. Fraction comparison assesses students’ understanding of measurement interpretations of fractions; a fraction is a single numerical quantity, not a combination of two whole numbers.

Aim

To examine and compare the types of errors made by emergent fraction learners on fraction mapping and comparison tasks.

Sample

Grade 4 Chinese students (N = 1036; 577 boys; Mage = 9.9 years).

Method

We examined performance and identified errors on fraction mapping and comparison tasks. For mapping, students converted pictorial representations into fraction notation. For comparison, they chose the larger of two symbolic fractions.

Results

Consistent with curriculum expectations, most students successfully mapped pictorial representations to fraction notation. In contrast, few students were able to accurately compare fraction magnitudes. Within each task, students’ errors were consistent across trials, suggesting that they applied systematic but incorrect procedures. However, errors were not consistent between tasks and the correlation between mapping and comparison performance was weak.

Conclusion

Emergent fraction learners can acquire part‐whole knowledge of fractions without acquiring measurement interpretations of fractions. Moreover, misconceptions about different interpretations of fractions need not overlap. Awareness of the types of errors that students make can assist educators in identifying misconceptions early so that students do not build their fraction knowledge on erroneous beliefs.
Social withdrawal and academic achievement, intertwined over years? Bidirectional effects from primary to upper secondary school
Authors: Stenseng Frode , Tingstad Eivind B. , Wichstrøm Lars , Skalicka Vera
Published: April 2022

Background

Socially withdrawn children tend to perform poorer academically than their peers. What remains unknown, is the temporal ordering of the two phenomena. Also, substantial gender differences exist in both social withdrawal and academic achievement; thus, it is conceivable that the strength of the relation between them is gendered as well.

Aims

To investigate cross‐sectional correlates and test directional effects of social withdrawal and academic achievement from primary to upper secondary school, and to examine potential gendered effects.

Methods

Prospective associations were analysed from age 6 to age 14 using biannual teacher ratings of children's social withdrawal and academic achievement in a representative community sample (n = 845), by means of random intercept cross‐lagged panel modelling.

Results

In boys, increased academic achievement at ages 8 and 12 forecasted decreased social withdrawal 2 years later, whereas increased social withdrawal at age 10 predicted reduced academic achievement at age 12. No such effects were seen in girls.

Conclusions

Social withdrawal and academic achievement are bidirectionally related among boys, but not girls. Results are discussed in light of need‐to‐belong theory, and practical implications for schools and teachers are illuminated.
Recovery of polyclonal immunoglobulins during treatment in patients ineligible for autologous stem‐cell transplantation is a prognostic marker of longer progression‐free survival and overall survival
Authors: Dávila Julio , González‐Calle Verónica , Escalante Fernando , Cerdá Seila , Puig Noemí , García‐Sanz Ramón , Bárez Abelardo , Montes Carmen , López Rosa , Alonso José María , Aguilar Carlos , García‐Mateo Aránzazu , Labrador Jorge , Aguilera Carmen , García‐Coca Alfonso , Hernández Roberto , Mateos María‐Victoria , Ocio Enrique M.
Published: April 2022

Immunoparesis is the suppression of normal polyclonal immunoglobulins and is present in most patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). The association of immunoparesis at diagnosis, and particularly its recovery along with treatment, with survival in patients ineligible for autologous stem‐cell transplantation (ASCT) has not been well established. This retrospective study evaluated the impact of immunoparesis in 431 patients diagnosed with MM, ineligible for ASCT, with a median overall survival of 36 months [95% confidence interval (CI): 31–40]. Immunoparesis was present in 81.2% of patients at diagnosis and was associated with a trend to a worse overall response rate (ORR: 84.8% vs. 74.9%; OR 1.88 (95% CI: 0.97–3.63), shorter progression‐free survival (PFS) [22.0 vs. 18.2 months; hazard ratio (HR) 0.775; 95%CI: 0.590–1.018; p = 0.066], and overall survival (OS) (45.9 vs. 34.2 months; HR 0.746; 95% CI: 0.551–1.010; p = 0.057). Twenty‐four per cent of patients who had immunoparesis at diagnosis recovered polyclonal immunoglobulins in the follow‐up period. Interestingly, these patients had a better ORR (96.3% vs. 68.2%; OR 12.29 (95% CI: 3.77–40.06), PFS (HR 0.703; 95CI%: 0.526–0.941; p = 0.018) and OS (HR 0.678; 95 CI%: 0.503–0.913; p = 0.011) than patients who did not recover it. In summary, restoring a healthy immune system along with first‐line treatment in patients with MM, not receiving ASCT, is associated with better outcomes.
Change in weight category among youth early in the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Eneli Ihuoma , Xu Jinyu , Pratt Keeley
Published: April 2022

Remote learning and shelter‐in‐place orders during the COVID‐19 pandemic are associated with obesity risk factors such as decreased physical activity, altered routines and sleep schedules, increased screen time, and non‐nutritious food choices. The objective of this brief report is to describe change in weight category 3–6 months after the onset of the pandemic in a cohort of 4509 low‐income youth. Inclusion criteria were youth aged 2–17 years with weight and height measure in a large primary care network between 1 January and 30 March 2020 (Q1), designated as pre‐COVID period; and 1 June–30 September 2020, (Q3), as early‐COVID period. Change in weight category was assessed between Q1 and Q3. Adjusting for visit type and time lapse, logistic regression was conducted to examine the association between weight category change and age, sex, and race/ethnicity. The proportion of youth with overweight or obesity increased from 37.8% to 44.6%; and declined by 5.6% in the healthy weight category. Over the 3–6 month period, 23.1% of youth gained ≥5 kg, 4.3% gained ≥10 kg, and 17.8% increased their BMI by ≥2 units. Among underweight youth, 45.3% switched to the healthy weight category, with a median weight gain of 2.1 kg (interquartile range [IQR] = 2.1 kg). Median weight gain was highest among those youth with severe obesity (5.8 kg, IQR = 5.2 kg). Younger age (2–9 years), female and ethnic‐minority youth were more likely to change to a higher/worse weight category. Significant weight gain occurred in the first 3–6 months of the pandemic among low‐income youth, reflecting the short‐term effects of the pandemic.
Aspiration cytology of facial nerve schwannoma of parotid gland: A rare diagnosis
Authors: Behera Pushpanjali , Jain Swasti , Kaushal Manju
Published: April 2022

Schwannoma is a benign nerve sheath tumour rarely found in the head and neck region and much less commonly found in the intraparotid facial nerve. It is a slow‐growing encapsulated tumour arising from differentiated Schwann cells or axonal nerve sheath. It can occur anywhere along the course of the facial nerve. Patients most commonly present with an asymptomatic swelling, in the absence of any signs of facial nerve palsy. Accordingly, diagnosis is usually difficult before surgical removal and histopathological examination. Here, we report a rare case of facial nerve schwannoma (FNS), diagnosed on fine needle aspiration cytology, in a 35‐year‐old male who presented with a painless, gradually increasing swelling in the right infra‐auricular region for the last 2 years. His general examination revealed no signs of facial muscle weakness. The cytodiagnosis of intraparotid FNS was further confirmed by immunohistochemistry on cell block.
Tracheostomy is associated with increased survival in Multiple System Atrophy patients with stridor
Authors: Giannini Giulia , Provini Federica , Cani Ilaria , Cecere Annagrazia , Mignani Francesco , Guaraldi Pietro , Di Mirto Cristian Vincenzo Francesco , Cortelli Pietro , Calandra‐Buonaura Giovanna
Published: April 2022

Background and purpose

Stridor treatment in multiple system atrophy (MSA) mainly comprises tracheostomy or continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP), but guidelines for the use of these treatments are lacking. The aim of the study was to evaluate the predictive value of stridor treatment in an MSA cohort.

Methods

This is a retrospective and prospective monocentric cohort study including MSA patients evaluated at least once a year during the disease course. Stridor was video‐polysomnography confirmed. The time of stridor treatment (CPAP or tracheostomy) and latency from stridor onset were collected. Survival and predictors of survival were calculated.

Results

A total of 182 (107 males, mean age at disease onset 57.3 ± 8.4 years) MSA patients were included in the study; 141 were deceased at the time of study. Of the total sample, 75 patients were diagnosed with stridor: 22 patients were treated with tracheostomy and 29 with CPAP, whilst 24 patients did not receive treatment. Treatment with tracheostomy showed longer survival compared with both treatment with CPAP or no treatment (incidence rate of death 12 vs. 21 vs. 23 per 100 person‐years, respectively). Tracheostomy remained an independent factor associated with longer survival (hazard ratio 0.38, p = 0.029), also after adjustment for other confounders and latency for stridor treatment.

Conclusions

This is the largest monocentric and long‐term follow‐up study comparing survival between tracheostomy and CPAP in MSA patients with stridor. Treatment with tracheostomy showed longer survival compared with both treatment with CPAP or no treatment. A careful multidisciplinary approach is required for the management of MSA patients with stridor.
First report of the alien ambrosia beetle Cnestus mutilatus and further finding of Anisandrus maiche in the European part of the EPPO region (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini)
Authors: Colombari Fernanda , Martinez‐Sañudo Isabel , Battisti Andrea
Published: April 2022

Based on specimens collected in traps in North‐Eastern Italy, Cnestus mutilatus (Blandford, 1894), an ambrosia beetle native to Asia, is reported for the first time in Italy and in the European part of the EPPO region. A second species, Anisandrus maiche Kurentsov, 1941, is recorded for the first time in Italy and the third time in the European part of the EPPO region 14 and 12 years after the first detection in Ukraine and in European Russia, respectively. Both species are EU quarantine pests associated with the pathway of plants for planting and with wood material. Furthermore, they are polyphagous, able to reproduce on several genera of deciduous plants typical of temperate regions, and able to attack small diameter material and to colonize stressed and/or weakened plants. Surveillance based on traps and rearing from symptomatic material may help to assess the size and distribution of the beetle populations, the spread capability and to identify the most susceptible hosts.
EBPSO: Enhanced binary particle swarm optimization for cardiac disease classification with feature selection
Authors: Wadhawan Savita , Maini Raman
Published: April 2022

Cardiac disease is one of the leading causes of death worldwide, and its early detection and diagnosis can considerably increase the lifespan of patients. An automated expert system for early and accurate diagnosis that offsets human error can be designed using machine intelligence and appropriate pre‐processing of data to ensure accuracy. To that end, enhanced binary particle swarm optimization (EBPSO) has been investigated in this paper to enable the definitive classification of cardiac disease with the aid of feature selection. The primary objective of this study is to improve the accuracy of the classification and the convergence speed while employing a lesser number of features. In order to achieve this, a new adaptive inertia weight was introduced to balance the exploitation and exploration capability of binary particle swarm optimization (BPSO). In addition, a novel idea called ‘neighbourhood best’ is introduced in the velocity update equation to improve the convergence speed. The proposed EBPSO approach was tested over well‐known datasets of heart disease, that is, the Cleveland dataset, Hungarian dataset, Switzerland dataset, and Long‐Beach‐Va datasets. For classification purposes, two well‐known classifiers, k‐nearest neighbour, and support vector machine were used with the EBPSO. Furthermore, the performance of EBPSO was compared with the traditional BPSO, as well as with BPSO with proposed inertia weight (Wa‐BPSO) and other PSO variants. It has been observed that the proposed approach EBPSO with KNN shows remarkable efficiency in terms of average classification accuracy and convergence rate. The average classification accuracy for Cleveland dataset is 92.814%, for the Hungarian dataset is 91.97%, for the Switzerland dataset is 91.626% with EBPSO+KNN and for the Long‐Beach‐Va dataset is 85.253% with EBPSO + SVM. Additionally, the performance of Wa‐BPSO was compared with other commonly used inertia weights. The results of this study demonstrated that the proposed approach produces better results in terms of both the accuracy of classification as well as the convergence rate with a reduced feature set.
Telmisartan: An angiotensin receptor blocker regulates osteoclastogenesis via inhibition of the ERK triggering in osteoporotic male rats
Authors: Mahmoud Mohamed Aziz , Safar Marwa M. , Agha Azza M. , Khattab Mahmoud M. , Saleh Dalia O.
Published: April 2022

Great attention was recently given to the importance of RAS in controlling inflammatory bone diseases, following the discovery of its local existence in skeletal tissues. Local RAS was found to be expressed on osteoblastic and osteoclastic cells and to exert its action via angiotensin II (AngII) receptors, including angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and angiotensin II type 2 receptors. Telmisartan (TLM), an AT1R blocker (ARBs), was investigated in the present study for its therapeutic effect on bone health in osteoporotic rats. d‐Galactose, a reducing sugar at a dose of 200 mg/kg/day/i.p., was used to induce osteoporosis in male rats. TLM, at a dose of 5 mg/kg/day, was orally introduced in the osteoporotic rats for four consecutive weeks. Tibia and femur bone densitometry was estimated, bone formation and bone resorption biomarkers serum levels were measured, mineral content in blood was also valued, and finally the extracellular regulated kinase (ERK) expression in bone was determined. TLM considerably improved the deleterious effect of d‐galactose on bone mineral density. It blunted serum bone‐specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin while elevating serum osteoprotegrin (OPG). On the other hand, TLM turned off the pronounced elevation in serum receptor activator of nuclear factor‐κβ ligand (RANKL), tartrate‐resistant acid phosphatase, and cathepsin K. Furthermore, it significantly hindered the bone expression of ERK which hampered osteoclastogenesis. AT1R inhibition abolished the rise in serum calcium and phosphorus and normalized serum superoxide dismutase and catalase. These TLM protective effects in d‐galactose‐treated rats were confirmed by the histopathological examination. The results all together denote the potential therapeutic value of ARBs therapy in osteoporosis.
Unified creep constraint parameter solutions for surface cracks in plates under tensile and bending loads
Authors: Wang Kai , Wang Guozhen , Tu Shantung , Xuan Fuzhen
Published: April 2022

In order to accurately assess creep crack initiation (CCI) and growth (CCG) life for elevated temperature cracked structures, both out‐of‐plane and in‐plane constraints need to be considered, and the unified creep constraint parameter solutions should be investigated. In this work, the new unified creep constraint parameter Ac values for plate structures with various surface crack sizes subjected to tensile and bending loads have been investigated and obtained using three‐dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis. The effects of material creep properties, crack sizes, loading modes, and plate thickness on the parameter Ac have also been analyzed. The estimation equation of Ac for materials with different creep exponent n has been fitted. The parameter Ac solutions can be used in CCI and CCG life evaluation of the C*‐Ac two‐parameter approach for cracked plates subjected to tensile and bending loads.
Implications of ΔK‐Rratio in vacuum
Authors: Vasudevan Asuri K. , Kujawski Daniel
Published: April 2022

In this article we discuss the high vacuum implications on the role of positive load ratios (R = Pmin/Pmax) on the threshold ΔKthand fatigue crack growth (FCG) behavior in commercial alloys. It is experimentally observed that the ΔKthis independent ofRin vacuum. Also, for a given applied ΔK, FCG rate is weakly dependent ofRover the entire range of crack growth rates for several alloys. In addition, limited data on both short and long crack FCG in vacuum results fall within the same experimental scatter suggesting that a typical small crack FCG effect observed in lab air was insignificant or diminished in vacuum. A marginalR‐ratio effects on ΔKthin vacuum are seen for materials with different microstructures, yield strengths, elastic modulus, work hardening properties, and slip modes. The provided analysis and examples seem to imply that FCG in vacuum be primarily dependent on applied ΔK that comes from mechanical driving force. Possible mechanistic explanations are given.
Micro‐CT assessment of gap‐containing areas along the gutta‐percha‐sealer interface in oval‐shaped canals
Authors: De‐Deus Gustavo , Santos Gustavo O. , Monteiro Iara Zamboni , Cavalcante Daniele M. , Simões‐Carvalho Marco , Belladonna Felipe G. , Silva Emmanuel J. N. L. , Souza Erick M. , Licha Raphael , Zogheib Carla , Versiani Marco A.
Published: April 2022

Aim

To assess the interfacial adaptation (gap‐containing areas) of two root canal sealers (EndoSequence BC Sealer and AH Plus) to a conventional gutta‐percha (GP) cone (GP‐sealer interface) in oval‐shaped canals filled using the single cone technique.

Methodology

Sixteen teeth with oval‐shaped canals were selected, scanned in a micro‐computed tomographic device, and pair‐matched according to the volume, aspect ratio and configuration of root canals. Root canals were then sequentially prepared with WaveOne Gold Primary and Large instruments, followed by filling with WaveOne Large GP points associated with either the premixed calcium‐silicate EndoSequence BC Sealer or the epoxy resin‐based AH Plus sealer (n = 8 per group) using the single cone technique. After 7 days stored in phosphate‐buffered saline solution at 37°C, the specimens were rescanned and the reconstructed images segmented in order to differentiate the filling materials (sealer and GP cone) to the dentine. A total of 453 cross‐sectional slices were assessed and categorized according to the presence or absence of gaps at the GP‐sealer interface. Mann–Whitney U‐test verified the differences between groups and were considered significant at alpha = 5%.

Results

Gaps were non‐homogenously distributed in two‐dimensional axial cross‐section images and none of the specimens showed completely gap‐free areas along the entire GP‐sealer interface. Root canals filled with EndoSequence BC Sealer and AH Plus displayed 171 (37.75%) and 136 (30.02%) slices with gaps in the GP‐sealer interface and these frequencies were statistically significant (p = .000).

Conclusions

Although none of the specimens had a gap‐free area along the entire GP‐sealer interface, oval canals filled with AH Plus showed less gaps than the ones filled with EndoSequence BC Sealer.
Prognostic impact of insulin‐like growth factor‐I and its binding proteins, insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 and ‐3, on adverse histopathological features and survival outcomes after radical cystectomy
Authors: Sari Motlagh Reza , Schuettfort Victor M , Mori Keiichiro , Katayama Satoshi , Rajwa Pawel , Aydh Abdulmajeed , Grossmann Nico C , Laukhtina Ekaterina , Pradere Benjamin , Mostafai Hadi , Quhal Fahad , Abufaraj Mohammad , Lee Richard , Karakiewicz Pierre I , Lotan Yair , Comprate Eva , Moschini Marco , Gontero Paolo , Shariat Shahrokh F
Published: April 2022

Objectives

Insulin‐like growth factor‐I and its binding proteins are involved in cancer development, progression, and metastasis. In urothelial carcinoma, the impact of this pathway is still poorly investigated. The present large cohort study aimed to evaluate the association of preoperative circulating levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐I, insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 and ‐3 on outcomes after radical cystectomy.

Methods

A retrospective cohort study of the plasma specimens from 1036 consecutive urothelial carcinoma patients who were treated with radical cystectomy. The primary and secondary outcomes were adverse histopathological features and survival outcomes. Binominal logistic regression and multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to assess the association of plasma levels of insulin‐like growth factor‐I, insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 and ‐3 with outcomes.

Results

On multivariable analysis adjusting for the effects of preoperative variables, lower insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 levels were associated with an increased risk of lymph node metastasis and (any non‐organ confined disease) any non‐organ confined disease. Insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐3 levels were also inversely independently associated with lymph node metastasis. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the addition of insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding proteins biomarkers to a reference model significantly improved the discriminating ability for the prediction of lymph node metastasis (+10.0%, P < 0.001). On multivariable Cox regression models, lower levels of both insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 and ‐3 plasma levels were associated with recurrence‐free survival, cancer‐specific survival, and overall survival. insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 and ‐3 levels and improved the discrimination of a standard reference model for the prediction of recurrence‐free survival, cancer‐specific survival, and overall survival (+4.9%, 4.9%, 2.3%, respectively).

Conclusions

Preoperative insulin‐like growth factor‐I binding protein‐2 and ‐3 are significantly associated with features of biologically and clinically aggressive urothelial carcinoma. These biomarkers improved prognostic urothelial carcinoma models.
Developmental regulator RamRsl controls both morphological development and lincomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces lincolnensis
Authors: Wang Ruida , Cao Yuan , Kong Fanjing , Hou Bingbing , Zhao Jiaqi , Kang Yajing , Ye Jiang , Wu Haizhen , Zhang Huizhan
Published: April 2022

Aims

Assessing the role of ramRsl, a gene absent in a lincomycin over-producing strain, in the regulation of morphological development and lincomycin biosynthesis in Streptomyces lincolnensis.

Methods and Results

The gene ramRsl was deleted from the wild-type strain NRRL 2936 and the ΔramR mutant strain was characterized by a slower growth rate and a delayed morphological differentiation compared to the original strain NRRL 2936. Furthermore, the ΔramR produced 2.6-fold more lincomycin than the original strain, and consistently the level of expression of all lincomycin cluster located genes was enhanced at 48 and 96 h in the ΔramR. Complementation of ΔramR with an intact copy of ramRsl restored all wild-type features, whereas the over-expression of ramRsl led to a reduction of 33% of the lincomycin yield. Furthermore, the level of expression of glnR, bldA and SLCG_2919, three of known lincomycin biosynthesis regulators, was lower in the ΔramR than in the original strain at the early stage of fermentation and we demonstrated, using electrophoretic mobility shift assay and XylE reporter assay, that glnR is a novel direct target of RamR.

Conclusions

Altogether, these results indicated that, beyond promoting the morphological development, RamR regulates negatively lincomycin biosynthesis and positively the expression of the nitrogen regulator GlnR.

Significance and Impact of the Study

We demonstrated that RamR plays a negative role in the regulation of lincomycin biosynthesis in S. lincolnensis. Interestingly, the deletion of this gene in other antibiotic-producing Streptomyces strains might also increase their antibiotic-producing abilities.
Information accuracy and collusion
Authors: Colombo Stefano , Pignataro Aldo
Published: April 2022

In this study, we investigate firms' ability to collude when price discrimination based on the inherited market is possible, but the information accuracy about the inherited market is imperfect. We show that the level of information accuracy affects collusion sustainability nonmonotonically, according to the starting level of information and the consumers' reservation price. Moreover, we show that banning price discrimination might increase the sustainability of tacit collusion.
An analysis of the degree of circularity of the wood products industry in Europe
Authors: Diaz‐Balteiro Luis , Romero Carlos , García de Jalón Silvestre
Published: April 2022

By developing products derived from materials included in what is nowadays called bioeconomy, the wood products industry is today receiving considerable attention for its potential to provide more environment‐friendly materials. At the same time, this and other industries are transforming to obtain more circular production systems. This study aims to analyze circularity in this type of industry at a European Union level, by establishing a ranking of countries based on their performance in an aggregate circularity index. This task has been set up by taking an initial joint set of indicators for all countries and covering a time horizon of up to 19 years. After proceeding to normalize those indicators and applying an analysis of correlation, a biannual ranking (from 2008 to 2018) was made, using for this purpose a multicriteria decision‐making model that includes three different types of solutions. Next, a statistical model that helped to explain the rankings previously obtained was proposed, in which a set of 15 explanatory variables were defined. The results showed that Sweden, and to a lesser extent Portugal, are the countries presenting a more circular wood products industry, whereas the Benelux countries give the worst result. Moreover, the statistical models showed that the variables related to trade had a negative relationship with circularity, but some of them exerted a strong effect, such as the ratio “production/exports.” Global competitiveness also tended to diminish wood circularity. Other variables, like those related to research and development, had a strong effect positively linked to circularity.
Effects of arginine glutamate (RE:pair) on wound healing and skin elasticity improvement after CO2 laser irradiation
Authors: Kwon Koo Chul , Won Jong Gu , Seo Ji Hyun , Kwon Oh Sun , Kim Eun Hye , Kim Mi‐Sun , Park Sang‐Wook
Published: April 2022

Background

Glutamic acid is known to be effective for keratinocyte proliferation, but its dermatological application is limited due to its poor solubility in water and various solvents.

Aim

Here, the efficacy of the arginine glutamate ion pair (named as RE:pair) for recovering damaged skin and improving skin elasticity was investigated through the analysis of keratinocyte proliferation and collagen synthesis.

Methods

Following the structural analysis of RE:pair using spectroscopic methods, a scratch assay, and Pro‐Collagen I ELISA, skin tissue changes in wound‐induced artificial skin, changes in wound area after laser wound induction, and the sensory evaluation of skin improvement were investigated.

Results

As a result of scratch assay, wound recovery of 94.55% ± 9.57% was confirmed at 10 ppm RE:pair treatment. When evaluation of expression efficacy of procollagen type I, it was found that the expression rate was increased by 32.47% ± 5.62% compared with the control group. Further, the upregulation of the proliferation marker Ki‐67 and filaggrin expression in the damage‐induced artificial skin was verified. Clinically, the improvement was subjectively verified in terms of the reduction of the wound area, the restoration of the barrier, the improvement of skin elasticity, and through the sensory experience of skin improvement.

Conclusion

RE:pair shows a greater therapeutic effect than the individual effects of its constituent amino acids and those of the simple mixtures of these compounds. RE:pair exerts its therapeutic action by promoting the proliferation of keratinocytes and enhancing collagen synthesis in fibroblasts. Accordingly, it can be used throughout the cosmetic industry as an effective amino acid wound healing and skin elasticity improving material.
Adapting parent‐focused interventions for diverse caregivers of children with intellectual and developmental disabilities: Lessons learned during global crises
Authors: Vanegas Sandra B. , Dueñas Ana D. , Kunze Megan , Xu Yue
Published: April 2022

Parent‐focused interventions have been designed to provide training and support to caregivers who are essential in achieving positive outcomes for children with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD). In 2020, significant crises, including the COVID‐19 pandemic and continued racial tensions, profoundly impacted the livelihood of children with IDD and their families. Many ongoing efforts to address disparities among this population were halted temporarily and required further adaptations. Researchers adapted interventions and support to address the disparities impacting children with IDD and their families with limited guidance. We provide a descriptive case analysis of four parent‐focused interventions that responded to the global crises to continue serving children with IDD and their families. The four distinct programs were based on applied behavior analysis and naturalistic, developmental‐behavioral paradigms that were culturally adapted for families of young children with IDD from diverse cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. We present the qualitative reports on the challenges and benefits that arose with adapting the four parent‐focused interventions for telehealth implementation. We focused specifically on adaptations made in recruitment and retention, instrumentation and measurement, research staff training, and intervention delivery. We synthesize our experience with challenges and solutions in adapting parent‐focused interventions for racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse children with IDD and their families. We conclude with recommendations for researchers and practitioners on methods for adapting parent‐focused interventions to address the significant health disparities that impact racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically diverse children with IDD and their families.