bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Supplier evaluation and selection in the constrained environment of advance purchasing
Authors: Prakash Surya , Arora Anubhav , Nilaish Nilaish , Prakash Chandra , Srivastava Ashish
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to address supplier evaluation and selection in a constrained environment of advance purchasing. The study presents the potential solutions to supplier evaluation and selection issues in the Indian automobile sector where advance purchases are carried out to fulfill the supply chain demand.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the literature review and expert elicitation, nine major factors which are responsible for the successful implementation of supplier selection in a constrained environment of advance purchasing are identified. This paper explores supplier selection in constrained environment issues based on an integrated method based on Shannon entropy, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) techniques and failure mode effects analysis (FMEA).

Findings

Analysis of the results of the study suggests that traditional suppliers are not suitable in advance purchasing scenarios; hence, criteria developed in this paper to accommodate the requirement of advance purchasing with possible risk considerations are of high importance. This research paper is an original attempt to develop supplier selection criteria for advance purchasing with special identification of deliverability, flexibility, innovation and productivity factors through a case demonstration.

Research limitations/implications

This study uses data from secondary sources, literature reviews and expert opinions. It formalizes the important factors of successful supplier selection in the constrained environment of advance purchasing in the automotive industry context.

Practical implications

The paper shows how the engagement of suppliers through advance purchasing helps automotive companies in developing a competitive advantage. The integrated approach of Shannon entropy, AHP techniques and FMEA is an effective and useful method that can be applied to the supplier selection process.

Originality/value

The proposed FMEA-AHP method integrated with Shannon entropy used for evaluation represents a useful tool to embrace the suitable functioning tactics for efficient supplier selection. The study is unique as supplier evaluation and selection in a constrained environment of advance purchasing is not investigated much and has good industry applicability.
Radiation-hardened flip-flop for single event upset tolerance
Authors: Qi Chunhua , Ma Guoliang , Zhang Yanqing , Wang Tianqi , Rui Erming , Jiao Qiang , Liu Chaoming , Huo Mingxue , Zhai Guofu
Published: February 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to present a transition detector (TD)-based radiation hardened flip-flop (TDRH-FF) for single event upset (SEU).

Design/methodology/approach

With SEU recovery and single event transient (SET) detector mechanism, the TDRH-FF can tolerate SEU during hold mode and generate a warning signal for architecture-level recovery during transport mode when input signal contains SET. Evaluation results show that the TDRH-FF outperforms comparable comprehensive performance.

Findings

Simulation results show that 1) the mean pulse width of the correction glitches (at full width half maximum) of TDRH-FF is less than 10 ps; 2) the area overhead of TDRH-FF is similar to the EVFERST-FF, BISER-FF and DNURHL-FF; 3) TDRH-FF has the same average power consumption as SETTOF, and moderate PDP and Ps values among these compared FFs.

Originality/value

In this paper, a TD-based TDRH-FF is proposed to solve the problems in the previous design. And the main contributions of the proposed TDRH-FF are summarized: Minimum size transistors are used in the proposed TD which leads to a considerable decrease in area overheads and propagation delay (resulting in an ignorable correction glitch); and compared with other radiation hardened flip-flop, TDRH-FF outperforms comparable comprehensive performance.
Corporate accountability and big data analytics: is non-financial disclosure a missing link?
Authors: Agostini Marisa , Arkhipova Daria , Mio Chiara
Published: February 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to identify, synthesise and critically examine the extant academic research on the relation between big data analytics (BDA), corporate accountability and non-financial disclosure (NFD) across several disciplines.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a structured literature review methodology and applies “insight-critique-transformative redefinition” framework to interpret the findings, develop critique and formulate future research directions.

Findings

This paper identifies and critically examines 12 research themes across four macro categories. The insights presented in this paper indicate that the nature of the relationship between BDA and accountability depends on whether an organisation considers BDA as a value creation instrument or as a revenue generation source. This paper discusses how NFD can effectively increase corporate accountability for ethical, social and environmental consequences of BDA.

Practical implications

This paper presents the results of a structured literature review exploring the state-of-the-art of academic research on the relation between BDA, NFD and corporate accountability. This paper uses a systematic approach, to provide an exhaustive analysis of the phenomenon with rigorous and reproducible research criteria. This paper also presents a series of actionable insights of how corporate accountability for the use of big data and algorithmic decision-making can be enhanced.

Social implications

This paper discusses how NFD can reduce negative social and environmental impact stemming from the corporate use of BDA.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first one to provide a comprehensive synthesis of academic literature, identify research gaps and outline a prospective research agenda on the implications of big data technologies for NFD and corporate accountability along social, environmental and ethical dimensions.
Successional and phenological effects on plant‐floral visitor interaction networks of a tropical dry forest
Authors: Cortés‐Flores Jorge , Lopezaraiza‐Mikel Martha , de Santiago‐Hernández M. Hesajim , Martén‐Rodríguez Silvana , Cristóbal‐Pérez E. Jacob , Aguilar‐Aguilar María J. , Balvino‐Olvera Francisco Javier , Delgado‐Carrillo Oliverio , Sayago Roberto , Fuchs Eric J. , Sanchez‐Montoya Gumersindo , Quesada Mauricio
Published: February 2023

Plant‐pollinator interactions are fundamental to ecosystem functioning; however, the role that succession and phenology have on these interactions is poorly understood, particularly in endangered tropical ecosystems. In highly diverse ecosystems such as tropical dry forests (TDF), variation in water and food availability determines the life cycles of animal pollinators. Therefore, understanding patterns of flowering phenology and plant‐pollinator interactions across seasons in successional environments is key to maintaining and restoring TDF.

We analysed the functional dynamics of plant‐floral visitor interactions at the community level across a successional gradient in a Mexican TDF. We evaluated changes in the diversity of blooming plant species and floral visitors, phenological patterns, interaction network metrics and beta diversity among early, intermediate and late successional stages, between dry and rainy seasons.

We found a higher diversity of blooming plant species and a higher richness of animal species in the intermediate and late successional stages. Peak abundance of floral visitors overlapped with flowering peaks in the late successional stages, but this was not consistently the case in the early and intermediate stages. Plant‐floral visitors networks differed in structure according to successional stage and season, but specialisation metrics were higher in late successional stages. Interaction networks were more dissimilar between dry and rainy seasons within successional stages than within seasons between successional stages, suggesting connectivity across successional sites during each season. In addition, closely related plant species do not share the same pollination systems in any successional stage.

Synthesis. Our results showed that plant‐floral visitor interactions are dynamic and vary with flowering phenology and with successional changes in plant and animal diversity. Plant‐floral visitor interactions were more diverse and specialised in the late successional stages. In the rainy season, differences in network structure among successional stages are due to interaction rewiring, while in the dry season, it is caused by species turnover. Our results demonstrate that seasonality plays a key role in community diversity and network structure and highlight the importance of conserving mature forests to ensure the maintenance of critical pollination interactions across all successional stages.
Transitional traits determine the acclimation characteristics of the coccolithophore Chrysotila dentata to ocean warming and acidification
Authors: Thangaraj Satheeswaran , Liu Haijiao , Guo Yiyan , Ding Changling , Kim Il‐Nam , Sun Jun
Published: February 2023

Ocean warming and acidification interactively affect the coccolithophore physiology and drives major biogeochemical changes. While numerous studies investigated coccolithophore under short‐term conditions, knowledge on how different transitional periods over long‐exposure could influence the element, macromolecular and metabolic changes for its acclimation are largely unknown. We cultured the coccolithophore Chrysotila dentata, (culture generations of 1st, 10th, and 20th) under present (low‐temperature low‐carbon‐dioxide [LTLC]) and projected (high‐temperature high‐carbon‐dioxide [HTHC]) ocean conditions. We examined elemental and macromolecular component changes and sequenced a transcriptome. We found that with long‐exposure, most physiological responses in HTHC cells decreased when compared with those in LTLC, however, HTHC cell physiology showed constant elevation between each generation. Specifically, compared to 1st generation, the 20th generation HTHC cells showed increases in quota carbon (Qc:29%), nitrogen (QN:101%), and subsequent changes in C:N‐ratio (68%). We observed higher lipid accumulation than carbohydrates within HTHC cells under long‐exposure, suggesting that lipids were used as an alternative energy source for cellular acclimation. Protein biosynthesis pathways increased their efficiency during long‐term HTHC condition, indicating that cells produced more proteins than required to initiate acclimation. Our findings suggest that the coccolithophore resilience increased between the 1st–10th generation to initiate the acclimation process under ocean warming and acidifying conditions.
Management, productivity, and technology choices: evidence from U.S. mining schools
Authors: Rubens Michael
Published: February 2023

A key difference between managers and other production inputs is that managers choose the other inputs. Modelling management as a Hicks‐neutral productivity shifter, which is a common practice, omits the productivity returns from these input decisions. I illustrate this through a historical episode in which technology choices were important and managers plausibly influenced those choices.

I study the entry of the first mining college graduates into coal mine management positions in Pennsylvania. Whereas the Hicks‐neutral productivity effect of these managers was negative and not significantly different from zero, their indirect productivity effect through electrical locomotive adoption was 3% on average.
Examination of the effectiveness of local therapy for oligo‐recurrence of EGFR‐mutated NSCLC
Authors: Sonoda Dai , Kondo Yasuto , Maruyama Raito , Hayashi Shoko , Naito Masahito , Mikubo Masashi , Matsui Yoshio , Shiomi Kazu , Satoh Yukitoshi
Published: February 2023

Background

The effectiveness of local therapy has been reported in patients with oligo‐recurrence of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), a metachronous recurrence with a limited number of recurrences, which can be treated with local therapy. Conversely, remarkable progress has been made in systemic therapy for NSCLC with the advent of molecular targeted therapy. In particular, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are very effective in the treatment of EGFR‐mutated NSCLC. There is currently no consensus on treatment for oligo‐recurrence of EGFR‐mutated NSCLC.

Methods

From 2004 to 2014, 811 patients underwent complete resection for NSCLC at Kitasato University Hospital and, of these, 244 patients developed recurrence. Oligo‐recurrence was defined as the presence of two or less recurrent lesions, and 34 patients presented with EGFR‐mutated oligo‐recurrence.

Results

We retrospectively examined and compared the effects of EGFR‐TKIs with those of radical local therapy in patients with oligo‐recurrent EGFR‐mutated NSCLC. The five‐year post‐recurrence survival (PRS) rates of patients with EGFR‐mutated oligo‐recurrence who received radical local therapy (n = 23) and those who did not (n = 11) were 59.4 and 45.5%, respectively (p = 0.777). Multivariate analysis revealed no favorable prognostic factors associated with prolonged PRS, and radical local therapies did not improve PRS in patients with oligo‐recurrence (p = 0.551).

Conclusion

Radical local therapy did not affect PRS in patients with oligo‐recurrent EGFR‐mutated NSCLC. Even in cases of oligo‐recurrence, the administration of local therapy in patients with EGFR‐mutated NSCLC might be carefully considered.
A low‐cost IoT network to monitor microclimate variables in ecosystems
Authors: Rebaudo François , Soulard Titouan , Condori Bruno , Quispe‐Tarqui Reinaldo , Calatayud Paul‐André , Chavez Vino Soledad , Tonnang Henri E. Z. , Bessière Lucas
Published: February 2023

Microclimatic and macroclimatic data differ, and microclimatic data are most useful at short time intervals (30‐min scales rather than daily/monthly scales).

We developed an end‐to‐end system to acquire such data at a high temporal resolution, transfer them to a server through an Internet of Things network using low‐cost technologies, and make them available with dynamic graphical visualizations and download capabilities.

The system has been used for 2 years to monitor environmental variables in contrasting agroecosystems in France, Bolivia and Kenya. It has been proven to be reliable and supports the mismatch between macro‐ and microclimates.

This low‐cost Internet of Things system can capture the microclimate in contrasting environments with accuracy comparable to commercial solutions, and great flexibility in data processing. It thus constitutes a possible solution in an academic context and has the potential to be used by a broad audience of scientists interested in capturing environmental variables in real time and at a high temporal frequency.
Cytomegalovirus serological screening at the first antenatal visit: A tertiary‐centre audit of general practitioner practices and maternal seroprevalence
Authors: Rudd Ignatius Patrick , Marzan Melvin Barrientos , Hui Lisa
Published: February 2023

Little is published on cytomegalovirus (CMV) serological screening at the first antenatal visit or the contemporary CMV seroprevalence rates among the Australian pregnant population. We performed a retrospective analysis of public hospital births in a major tertiary centre (n = 840) over a two month period. We found that 13.6% (95% confidence interval (CI) 11.4–16.1%) of women had been screened for CMV at their first antenatal visit with their general practitioner. Of these, 43.0% (95% CI 34.3–52.1%) were CMV seronegative and therefore susceptible to primary infection. Seronegative women were also more likely to have been born in an economically developed country, to live in a socio‐economically advantaged postcode and to be nulliparous. The information from this study may help guide future studies of congenital CMV risk reduction strategies.
Predictive value of Bayley‐III Motor Index for later motor difficulties in children born extremely preterm
Authors: Montgomery Cecilia , Setänen Sirkku , Kaul Ylva Fredriksson , Farooqi Aijaz , Broström Lina , Aden Ulrika , Källén Karin , Serenius Fredrik
Published: February 2023

Aim

To investigate the predictive ability of the Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler Development, Third Edition (Bayley‐III) Motor Index, in children born extremely preterm (<27 gestational weeks) without cerebral palsy.

Methods

Children from the EXPRESS study (all extremely preterm births in Sweden, 2004–2007) without neurosensory impairments assessed with Bayley‐III at 2.5 years corrected age and Movement Assessment Battery for Children, Second Edition (MABC‐2), at 6.5 years comprised the eligible study population (n = 282). Motor difficulty was defined as MABC‐2 ≤5th percentile.

Results

Motor difficulties were found in 57 of 282 children (20.2%) at 6.5 years. The Bayley‐III explained 18.0% of the variance in the MABC‐2 (p < 0.001). The area under the receiver operating curve was 0.71 (95% confidence interval 0.64−0.79, p < 0.001). At a Bayley‐III cut‐off value of 85, sensitivity, specificity and positive and negative predictive values for motor difficulties were 26.3% (15.5–39.7), 92.9% (88.1–95.9), 48.4% (33.0–64.0) and 83.3% (80.9–85.4). Likelihood ratios were inconclusive.

Conclusion

The Bayley‐III at 2.5 years corrected age was a modest predictor of motor outcome in children born extremely preterm at 6.5 years, and underestimated the rate of motor difficulties. Children require follow‐up beyond preschool age.
The m6A reader YTHDC1 regulates muscle stem cell proliferation via PI4K–Akt–mTOR signalling
Authors: Liu Jin , Zuo Hongna , Wang Ziliu , Wang Wei , Qian Xuezhen , Xie Yingyuan , Peng Di , Xie Yubin , Hong Liquan , You Wanling , Lou Huiling , Luo Guanzheng , Ren Jian , Shen Bin , Zheng Jinping , Wang Hu , Ju Zhenyu
Published: February 2023

Muscle stem cells are required for the homeostasis and regeneration of mammalian skeletal muscles. It has been reported that RNA N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) modifications play a pivotal role in muscle development and regeneration. Nevertheless, we know little about which m6A reader regulates mammalian muscle stem cells. Here, we discovered that the m6A reader Ythdc1 is indispensable for mouse skeletal muscle regeneration and proliferation of muscle stem cells. In the absence of Ythdc1, Muscle stem cells in adult mice are unable to exit from quiescence. Mechanistically, Ythdc1 binds to m6A‐modified Pi4k2a and Pi4kb mRNAs to regulate their alternative splicing and thus PI4K–Akt–mTOR signalling. Ythdc1‐null muscle stem cells show a deficiency in phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3,4,5‐trisphosphate, phospho‐Akt and phospho‐S6, which correlates with a failure in exit from quiescence. Our findings connect dynamic RNA methylation to the regulation of PI4K–Akt–mTOR signalling during stem cell proliferation and adult tissue regeneration.
S3‐Leitlinie Urtikaria. Teil 1: Klassifikation und Diagnostik der Urtikaria – deutschsprachige Adaptation der internationalen S3‐Leitlinie
Authors: Zuberbier Torsten , Altrichter Sabine , Bauer Sabine , Brehler Randolf , Brockow Knut , Dressler Corinna , Fluhr Joachim , Gaskins Matthew , Hamelmann Eckard , Kühne Kathrin , Merk Hans , Mülleneisen Norbert K. , Nast Alexander , Olze Heidi , Ott Hagen , Pleimes Marc , Ruëff Franziska , Staubach‐Renz Petra , Wedi Bettina , Maurer Marcus
Published: February 2023

Die Lebenszeitprävalenz für Urtikaria, die zu den schweren allergischen Erkrankungen zählt, liegt bei nahezu 20%. Sie schränkt nicht nur die Lebensqualität der Betroffenen ein, sondern die generelle Leistungsfähigkeit in Beruf und Alltag. Die vorliegende Publikation ist der erste Abschnitt der Leitlinie Urtikaria. Dieser Teil der Leitlinie umfasst deren Klassifikation und Diagnostik unter Einbeziehung der wesentlichen Fortschritte in der Erforschung ihrer Ursachen, auslösenden Faktoren und Pathomechanismen. Zudem befasst sie sich mit Strategien zur ökonomischen Diagnostik der verschiedenen Unterformen der Urtikaria. Dies ist entscheidend für eine individuelle, patientenorientierte Therapie, die im zweiten Teil behandelt wird. Diese deutschsprachige Leitlinie wurde auf der Basis der internationalen englischsprachigen S3‐Leitlinie unter besonderer Berücksichtigung der medizinischen Gegebenheiten im deutschsprachigen Raum entsprechend den Kriterien der AWMF erstellt.

Die Leitlinie beschreibt in diesem Abschnitt die Klassifikation der Urtikaria, wobei spontan auftretende Quaddeln und Schwellungen von Urtikariaformen mit induzierbaren Symptomen abgegrenzt werden. Urtikaria wird als plötzlich auftretende Quaddeln, Schwellungen oder beides definiert, ist dabei aber abzugrenzen von Zuständen bei denen Quaddeln als kurzfristiges Symptom auftreten, wie zum Beispiel bei der Anaphylaxie. Die Diagnostik stützt sich auf (eingeschränkte) Laboruntersuchungen, aber insbesondere auch die Anamnese. Darüber hinaus stehen validierte Instrumente zur Verfügung, die den Schweregrad, die Aktivität und den Verlauf erfassen.
Clinical characteristics and long‐term prognosis of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors in a large Japanese national cohort
Authors: Namikawa Ken , Kamada Tomoari , Fujisaki Junko , Sato Yuichi , Murao Takahisa , Chiba Tsutomu , Kaizaki Yasuharu , Ishido Kenji , Ihara Yutaro , Kurahara Koichi , Suga Tomoaki , Suzuki Haruhisa , Ito Masanori , Hirakawa Katsuya , Maruyama Yasuhiko , Gotoda Takuji , Hosokawa Osamu , Koike Tomohiro , Mabe Katsuhiro , Yao Takashi , Inui Kazuo , Iishi Hiroyasu , Ogata Haruhiko , Furuta Takahisa , Haruma Ken ,   Collaborators
Published: February 2023

Objectives

Optimal management of type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors (T1‐GNETs) remains unknown, with few reports on their long‐term prognosis. This study investigated the clinical characteristics and long‐term prognosis of T1‐GNETs.

Methods

We reviewed the medical records of patients diagnosed with T1‐GNET during 1991–2019 at 40 institutions in Japan.

Results

Among 172 patients, endoscopic resection (ER), endoscopic surveillance, and surgery were performed in 84, 61, and 27, respectively, including 27, 77, and 2 patients with pT1a‐M, pT1b‐SM, and pT2 tumors, respectively. The median tumor diameter was 5 (range 0.8–55) mm. Four (2.9%) patients had lymph node metastasis (LNM); none had liver metastasis. LNM rates were significantly higher in tumors with lymphovascular invasion (LVI) (15.8%; 3/19) than in those without (1.1%; 1/92) (P = 0.016). For tumors <10 mm, LVI and LNM rates were 18.4% (14/76) and 2.2% (2/90), respectively, which were not significantly different from those of tumors 10–20 mm (LVI 13.3%; 2/15, P = 0.211; and LNM 0%; 0/17, P = 1.0). However, these rates were significantly lower than those of tumors >20 mm (LVI 60%; 3/5, P = 0.021; and LNM 40%; 2/5, P = 0.039). No tumor recurrence or cause‐specific death occurred during the median follow‐up of 10.1 (1–25) years. The 10‐year overall survival rate was 97%.

Conclusions

Type 1 gastric neuroendocrine tumors showed indolent nature and favorable long‐term prognoses. LVI could be useful in indicating the need for additional treatments. ER for risk prediction of LNM should be considered for tumors <10 mm and may be feasible for tumors 10–20 mm.

Trial registration

The study protocol was registered in the University Hospital Medical Information Network (UMIN) under the identifier UMIN000029927.
Glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists in patients with type 2 diabetes with and without chronic heart failure: A meta‐analysis of randomized placebo‐controlled outcome trials
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Saraiva Francisca , Sharma Abhinav , Vasques‐Nóvoa Francisco , Angélico‐Gonçalves António , Leite Ana Rita , Borges‐Canha Marta , Carvalho Davide , Packer Milton , Zannad Faiez , Leite‐Moreira Adelino , Neves João Sérgio
Published: February 2023

Aim

Glucagon‐like peptide 1 receptor agonists (GLP1‐RA) reduce atherosclerotic events in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) and a high cardiovascular risk. The effect of GLP1‐RA to reduce heart failure (HF) has been inconsistent across T2D trials, and individual trials were underpowered to assess the effect of GLP1‐RA according to HF history. In this meta‐analysis we aim to assess the effect of GLP1‐RA in patients with and without HF history in stable ambulatory patients with T2D.

Methods

Random‐effects meta‐analysis of placebo‐controlled trials. The hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were extracted from the treatment effect estimates of HF subgroup analyses reported in each individual study. The primary outcome was a composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death.

Results

In total, 54 092 patients with T2D from seven randomized controlled trials were included, of whom 8460 (16%) had HF history. Compared with placebo, GLP1‐RA did not reduce the composite of HF hospitalization or cardiovascular death in patients with HF history: HR 0.96, 95% CI: 0.84‐1.08, but reduced this outcome in patients without HF history: HR 0.84, 95% CI: 0.76‐0.92. GLP1‐RA did not reduce all‐cause death in patients with HF history: HR 0.98, 95% CI: 0.86‐1.11, but reduced mortality in patients without HF history: HR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.79‐0.92. GLP1‐RA reduced atherosclerotic events regardless of HF history: HR 0.85, 95% CI: 0.75‐0.97 with HF, and HR 0.88, 95% CI: 0.83‐0.93 without HF.

Conclusions

Treatment with GLP1‐RA did not reduce HF hospitalizations and mortality in patients with concomitant T2D and HF, but may prevent new‐onset HF and mortality in patients with T2D without HF. The reduction of atherosclerotic events with GLP1‐RA was not influenced by HF history status.
How career hubs shape the global corporate elite
Authors: Bühlmann Felix , Ellersgaard Christoph Houman , Larsen Anton Grau , Lunding Jacob Aagaard
Published: February 2023

In this contribution, we introduce ‘career hubs’ as an alternative to interlocking directorates and propose to study transnational corporate elite networks with this new concept. Career hubs, the most frequent common career organizations, put emphasis on knowledge brokering and allow us to study a larger variety of organizations to understand the form and the spread of elite networks. We use a sample of 1366 firms on the Forbes 2000 list of 2018 and investigate the careers of 16,500 top executives by linking these data to the BoardEx database. We find three types of career hubs: global audit and consulting firms, financial firms participating in a transatlantic banking alliance and large US consumer goods conglomerates – and highlight the mechanisms through which they shape the spatial structures of finance led capitalism. In the conclusion, we consider the implication of our results for the literature on corporate networks and propose a series of future research avenues in the career hub perspective.
Ascl1 and OTP tumour expressions are associated with disease‐free survival in lung atypical carcinoids
Authors: Centonze Giovanni , Maisonneuve Patrick , Simbolo Michele , Lagano Vincenzo , Grillo Federica , Prinzi Natalie , Pusceddu Sara , Missiato Loretta , Colantuono Marilena , Sabella Giovanna , Bercich Luisa , Mangogna Alessandro , Rolli Luigi , Grisanti Salvatore , Benvenuti Mauro Roberto , Pastorino Ugo , Roz Luca , Scarpa Aldo , Berruti Alfredo , Capella Carlo , Milione Massimo
Published: February 2023

Aims

According to World Health Organization guidelines, atypical carcinoids (ACs) are well‐differentiated lung neuroendocrine tumours with 2–10 mitoses/2 mm2 and/or foci of necrosis (usually punctate). Besides morphological criteria, no further tools in predicting AC clinical outcomes are proposed. The aim of this work was to identify novel factors able to predict AC disease aggressiveness and progression.

Methods and results

Three hundred‐seventy lung carcinoids were collected and centrally reviewed by two expert pathologists. Morphology and immunohistochemical markers (Ki‐67, TTF‐1, CD44, OTP, SSTR2A, Ascl1, p53, and Rb1) were studied and correlated with disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Fifty‐eight of 370 tumours were defined as AC. Survival analysis showed that patients with Ascl1 + ACs and those with OTP‐ACs had a significantly worse DFS than patients with Ascl1‐ACs and OTP + ACs, respectively. Combining Ascl1 and OTP expressions, groups were formed reflecting the aggressiveness of disease (P = 0.0005). Ki‐67 ≥10% patients had a significantly worse DFS than patients with Ki‐67 <10%. At multivariable analysis, Ascl1 (present versus absent, hazard ratio [HR] = 3.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.35–8.65, P = 0.009) and OTP (present versus absent, HR = 0.26, 95% CI 0.10–0.68, P = 0.006) were independently associated with DFS. The prognosis of patients with Ki‐67 ≥10% tended to be worse compared to that with Ki‐67 <10%. On the contrary, OTP (present versus absent, HR = 0.28, 95% CI 0.09–0.89, P = 0.03), tumour stage (III‐IV versus I‐II, HR = 4.25, 95% CI 1.42–12.73, P = 0.01) and increasing age (10‐year increase, HR = 1.67, 95% CI 1.04–2.68, P = 0.03) were independently associated with OS.

Conclusion

This retrospective analysis of lung ACs showed that Ascl1 and OTP could be the main prognostic drivers of postoperative recurrence.
In vitro digestion and fermentation of lacto‐N‐biose, a core building block of human milk oligosaccharides
Authors: Xie Wanying , Li Wenjie , Gao Fanhui , Li Tuoping
Published: February 2023

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) can significantly reduce the occurrence of early food allergy in infants (by up to 50%) by improving intestinal flora. Lacto‐N‐biose (LNB) is a potential factor for the selective growth of Bifidobacteria. Despite these observations, little is known about whether LNB, the core component of HMOs, can alleviate infant milk allergy by improving intestinal flora. Herein, in vitro simulated digestion and fermentation of LNB and its interactions with allergic infant gut microbiota were investigated. The results showed that LNB was stable under the digestion conditions of mouth, stomach and small intestine. It also could obviously modulate the composition of gut microbiota, representing the increases of the relative abundances of Bifidobacterium (65.62%), Enterococcus (6.95%), Lactobacillus (2.01%) and Blautia (2.17%). Especially, Bifidobacterium adolescentis (5.45%) and Bifidobacterium breve (23.18%) were preponderantly existed in the milk‐allergic infant intestinal flora, compared to the normal infant intestinal microbiota (P < 0.5). However, LNB treatment significantly decreased the abundance of B. adolescentis (0.18%), but largely increased the relative abundance of B. bifidum (40.63%), in comparison with the allergic infant group (8.29%) (P < 0.05). In addition, short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs), either their individuals or total productions were all increased with the treatment of LNB (195.47 mM), compared to the normal control (138.05 mM) and allergic infant groups (56.89 mM) (P < 0.05). These findings will contribute to a better understanding of the protective effects of LNB in allergic diseases and provide new insights into a potential approach to relieve infant food allergy.
Use of additives for porosity control in the manufacturing of MAX phase components by powder bed fusion processes
Authors: Likoundayenda Bakoutas Desti Dorion , Li Shurui , Yan Zhilong , Zhang Kai , Liu Tingting
Published: February 2023

Porosity is a major concern in the manufacturing of MAX phase components through powder bed fusion process. Three factors, powder characteristics, processing parameters, and internal reactions have been identified as key factors governing densifications of these printed parts. While investigations on the first two factors are quite common, the last one seems less explored. In this study, micro‐alloying (substitution) on the M‐site was selected as a possible way of tuning the internal reaction. A lower diffusion material niobium was adopted as a substitutional component through the relation ,that combine three pre‐existing concepts on powder mixture, including stoichiometric, near‐stoichiometric, and the solid solution on M‐site. Two powder mixtures in prescribed ratio related to two different combinations ofxandyvalues arbitrarily chosen denoted by Nb1 and Nb3 were considered for investigation. A comparison of density and area fraction quantifying the distribution of pores and compact areas on the upper surface of the sample was made. A skeletal density of 94.85% and a compact area fraction of 68.24% were outstanding characteristics displayed in the Nb1 and Nb3 series, respectively, with a significant dependence on the processing parameters. The advantages and disadvantages of these two powder mixtures are discussed.
Machine learning predictions of Knoop hardness in lithium disilicate glass‐ceramics
Authors: Wilkinson Collin J. , DeCeanne Anthony V. , Dittmer Marc , Ritzberger Christian , Rampf Markus , Mauro John C.
Published: February 2023

Predicting the effects of ceramic microstructures on macroscopic properties, such as the Knoop hardness, has long been a difficult task. This is particularly true in glass–ceramics, where multiple unique crystalline phases can overlap with a background glassy phase. The combination of crystalline and glassy phases makes it difficult to quantify the percent crystallinity and to predict properties that are the result of the chemical composition and microstructure. To overcome this difficulty and take the first step to build a system for characterizing glass‐ceramics, we predict the Knoop hardness based on scanning electron microscopy images using two computational techniques. The first technique is a computer vision algorithm that allows for physical insights into the system because the features used in a predictive model are extracted from the images. The second technique is machine learning with convolutional neural networks that are trained through transfer learning, allowing for more accurate predictions than the first method but with the downside of being a black box. Discussion of the relative merits of the models is included.
Enabling the transition to ductile MAX phases and the exfoliation to MXenes via tuning the A element
Authors: Li Hui , Li Shaohan , Sun Litao , Zhang Jing , Yu Jin , Sun ZhengMing , Sun Weiwei , Marco Igor Di
Published: February 2023

Two‐dimensional MXenes, exfoliated from their parental precursors‐MAX phases, exhibit several outstanding properties and have achieved several accomplishments in a vast range of fields. Developing novel and high‐performance MXenes has become a vital task in materials science, so estimating the possibilities for exfoliation is a topic positioned at the research frontier. Here, the likelihood of exfoliating 36 M2AC MAX phases was explored by using density functional theory. For MAX phases, the composition‐dependent mechanical performances were investigated, highlighting evident trends, and, more essentially, improving MAX phases toughness, which can be achieved via modulating the A site. Two novel criteria were then introduced to assess the probability of exfoliating MXenes from MAX phases, having less complexity and lower computational cost than the prior studies. The excellent agreement provided by the new criteria with the reported results demonstrates that they are feasible, reliable as well as easily accessible. Furthermore, some key features that were previously suggested to be related to exfoliation are instead determined to be weakly correlated with it. We thus performed a detailed numerical analysis to locate representative and correlated features that are fundamental for the exfoliation. Our findings provide deep insight into the synthesis process and accelerate the discovery of new MXenes.
Efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan after switching from azilsartan in hemodialysis patients with hypertension
Authors: Iwashima Yoshio , Fukushima Hiromichi , Horio Takeshi , Rai Tatemitsu , Ishimitsu Toshihiko
Published: February 2023

This study assessed the efficacy and safety of sacubitril/valsartan in 23 hemodialysis patients with hypertension (mean age 70 years; male 69.6%) after switching from azilsartan, an angiotensin receptor blocker. Both at baseline and 3 months after the start of sacubitril/valsartan treatment, home blood pressure (BP), BP values during hemodialysis, and N‐terminal pro‐brain natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) level were measured. The mean dosage of azilsartan was 30 ± 10 mg/day at baseline and that of sacubitril/valsartan after 3 months of treatment was 204 ± 64 mg/day. After 3 months, significant reductions in mean morning home BP (155 ± 17/80 ± 12 to 147 ± 16/76 ± 11 mmHg), mean nighttime home systolic BP (153 ± 19 to 144 ± 16 mmHg), and median (IQRs) NT‐proBNP level [8124 (2620–13 394) to 6271 (1570–9591) pg/mL] were observed (all P < .05), whereas BP values during hemodialysis did not change significantly. In hemodialysis patients, except for hypotension, sacubitril/valsartan was generally well tolerated, effectively controlled out‐of‐office BP, and improved NT‐proBNP.
A leucine‐rich repeat receptor kinase gene confers quantitative susceptibility to maize southern leaf blight
Authors: Chen Chuan , Zhao Yaqi , Tabor Girma , Nian Huiqin , Phillips Joanie , Wolters Petra , Yang Qin , Balint‐Kurti Peter
Published: February 2023

Southern leaf blight (SLB), caused by the necrotrophic fungal pathogen Cochliobolus heterostrophus (anamorph Bipolaris maydis), is a major foliar disease which causes significant yield losses in maize worldwide. A major quantitative trait locus, qSLB3.04, conferring recessive resistance to SLB was previously mapped on maize chromosome 3.

Using a combination of map‐based cloning, association analysis, ethyl methanesulfonate and transposon mutagenesis, and CRISPR‐Cas9 editing, we demonstrate that a leucine‐rich repeat receptor‐like kinase gene which we have called ChSK1 (Cochliobolus heterostrophus Susceptibility Kinase 1) at qSLB3.04 causes increased susceptibility to SLB. Genes of this type have generally been associated with the defense response.

We present evidence that ChSK1 may be associated with suppression of the basal immune response.

These findings contribute to our understanding of plant disease susceptibility genes and the potential to use them for engineering durable disease resistance.
The outcome of apical surgery in teeth treated using TotalFill® RRM putty as a root‐end filling material during apical surgery: Case report series
Authors: Powrie Lucy , Cresta Marialena , Besi Eleni , Philpott Bob
Published: February 2023

Objective

To assess the success of apical surgery procedures performed using TotalFill® Root Repair Material putty (Schöttlander, Letchworth, UK) as a root‐end filling material.

Materials and methods

This case series consisting of 29 teeth in 22 patients highlights the use of TotalFill RRM putty as a root‐end filling material treated at the Edinburgh Dental Institute by Registrars and Consultants, from 1st January 2017 and 13th March 2019. The outcome was assessed clinically and radiographically over 30 months following the completion of treatment.

Results

Apical surgery is an option to manage cases of failed endodontic treatment and survival rates in the region of 90% have been reported for teeth following the procedure. Root end filling following retrograde preparation forms an integral part of the procedure. Mineral Trioxide Aggregate (MTA) has been considered the gold standard material for this purpose for a number of years but has some associated handling and placement difficulties. Newer bioceramic materials in putty form have been designed to overcome these difficulties whilst retaining advantageous biological properties.

Conclusion

The overall survival rate of teeth in the series was 93%, with a success rate of 86%. Due to its improved handling properties and similar clinical performance, this material may prove a useful tool in the apical surgery armamentarium.
FAR‐RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 increases leaf longevity by delaying senescence in arabidopsis
Authors: Wang Qibin , Liu Meiling , Quan Shuxuan , Shi Qingbiao , Tian Tian , Zhang Haisen , Wang Haiyang , Li Gang
Published: February 2023

Senescence is the final stage of leaf development, limits and dictates the longevity of leaf. This stage is strictly controlled by internal developmental age signals and external environmental signals. However, the underlying mechanisms by which various signals integrating together to regulate leaf senescence remain largely unknown. Here, we show that the light signalling protein FAR‐RED ELONGATED HYPOCOTYL3 (FHY3) directly represses the transcription of PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTOR4 (PIF4) and NON‐YELLOWING1/STAY‐GREEN1 (NYE1/SGR1), two key regulators of senescence, thus preventing chlorophyll degradation and extending the leaf longevity in Arabidopsis thaliana. Disrupting either PIF4 or NYE1 function completely rescued the early leaf senescence of fhy3‐4 mutant. Interestingly, we found that FHY3 competes with PIF4 to bind to the G‐box cis‐element in NYE1 promoter, subsequently preventing the transcriptional activation of this gene by PIF4. Moreover, FHY3 transcript levels gradually increased in senescent leaves, which consist with disrupting FHY3 function accelerated chlorophyll degradation and shorted the leaf longevity. All these findings reveal that FHY3 is a master regulator that participates in multiple signalling pathways to increase leaf longevity. In addition, our study shed light on the dynamic regulatory mechanisms by which plants integrate light signalling and internal developmental cues to control leaf senescence and longevity.
Bounding the average causal effect in Mendelian randomisation studies with multiple proposed instruments: An application to prenatal alcohol exposure and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Authors: Diemer Elizabeth W. , Havdahl Alexandra , Andreassen Ole A. , Munafò Marcus R. , Njolstad Pal R. , Tiemeier Henning , Zuccolo Luisa , Swanson Sonja A.
Published: February 2023

Background

As large‐scale observational data become more available, caution regarding causal assumptions remains critically important. This may be especially true for Mendelian randomisation (MR), an increasingly popular approach. Point estimation in MR usually requires strong, often implausible homogeneity assumptions beyond the core instrumental conditions. Bounding, which does not require homogeneity assumptions, is infrequently applied in MR.

Objectives

We aimed to demonstrate computing nonparametric bounds for the causal risk difference derived from multiple proposed instruments in an MR study where effect heterogeneity is expected.

Methods

Using data from the Norwegian Mother, Father and Child Cohort Study (n = 2056) and Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (n = 6216) to study the average causal effect of maternal pregnancy alcohol use on offspring attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms, we proposed 11 maternal SNPs as instruments. We computed bounds assuming subsets of SNPs were jointly valid instruments, for all combinations of SNPs where the MR model was not falsified.

Results

The MR assumptions were violated for all sets with more than 4 SNPs in one cohort and for all sets with more than 2 SNPs in the other. Bounds assuming one SNP was an individually valid instrument barely improved on assumption‐free bounds. Bounds tightened as more SNPs were assumed to be jointly valid instruments, and occasionally identified directions of effect, though bounds from different sets varied.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that, when proposing multiple instruments, bounds can contextualise plausible magnitudes and directions of effects. Computing bounds over multiple assumption sets, particularly in large, high‐dimensional data, offers a means of triangulating results across different potential sources of bias within a study and may help researchers to better evaluate and emphasise which estimates are compatible with the most plausible assumptions for their specific setting.
High killing rate of nematode and promotion of rice growth by synthetic volatiles from Bacillus strains due to enhanced oxidative stress response
Authors: Ali Qurban , Yu Chenjie , Wang Yujie , Sheng Tao , Zhao Xiaozhen , Wu Xiaohui , Jing Liang , Gu Qin , Wu Huijun , Gao Xuewen
Published: February 2023

The plant parasitic nematode Aphelenchoides besseyi is a major pest that poses serious threats to different vegetables and crop plants. In the present study, volatiles isolated from Bacillus spp. were utilized as green biocontrol agents to overcome nematodes. In in vitro experiment, Bacillus spp. GBSC56, SYST2, and FZB42 showed the strongest nematicidal activity with killing rates of 80.78%, 75.69%, and 60.45%, respectively, as compared with control. The selected synthetic volatile organic compounds (VOCs), namely albuterol, benzaldehyde (BDH), 1,2‐benzisothiazol‐3(2H)‐one (1,2‐HIT), dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), 2‐undecanone (2‐UD), and 1,3‐propanediole (1,3‐PD), exhibited strong nematicidal activity, with A. besseyi killing rate of 85.58%, 82.65%, 81.75%, 80.36%, 84.45%, and 82.36%, respectively, at 400 μg/mL. Microscopic analysis proved that the rapid mortality was due to the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Molecular docking attributed this ROS production to the nematicidal effect of synthetic VOCs on NADH DEHYDROGENASE SUBUNIT 2, which is known to play a critical role in the suppression of ROS in nematode models. In a greenhouse experiment, the Bacillus strains GBSC56, SYST2, and FZB42 and their synthetic VOCs significantly improved the physiological parameters in terms of growth promotion traits. In addition, selected genes related to growth promotion and defense genes showed a significant upregulation of their expression in rice seedlings treated with those synthetic VOCs. Overall, these findings revealed that the selected Bacillus strains and their synthetic VOCs possess high potential against A. besseyi. Moreover, this study also sheds new light on the mechanisms by which specific Bacillus nematicidal VOCs influence important genes involved in rice plant growth promotion and could effectively be used to suppress plant parasitic nematodes.
Comprehensive analysis of MAPK gene family in Populus trichocarpa and physiological characterization of PtMAPK3‐1 in response to MeJA induction
Authors: Wu Jing , Liang Xiaoyu , Lin Miao , Lan Yangang , Xiang Yan , Yan Hanwei
Published: February 2023

Mitogen‐activated protein kinases (MAPKs) play important roles in plant growth and development, as well as hormone and stress responses by signaling to eukaryotic cells, through MAPK cascade, the presence of various cues; thereby, regulating various responses. The MAPK cascade consists mainly of three gene families, MAPK, MAPKK, and MAPKKK, which activate downstream signaling pathways through sequential phosphorylation. Although the MAPK cascade gene family has been reported in several species, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis in poplar. We identified 21 MAPK genes, 11 MAPKK genes, and 104 MAPKKK genes in Populus trichocarpa. The phylogenetic classification was supported by conservative motif, gene structure and motif analysis. Whole genome duplication has an important role in the expansion of MAPK cascade genes. Analysis of promoter cis‐elements and expression profiles indicates that MAPK cascade genes have important roles in plant growth and development, abiotic and biotic stresses, and phytohormone response. Expression profiling revealed a significant upregulation of PtMAPK3‐1 expression in response to drought, salt and disease stresses. Poplar transiently overexpressing PtMAPK3‐1 and treated with methyl jasmonic acid (MeJA) had higher catalase and peroxidase levels than non‐overexpressing poplar. This work represents the first complete inventory of the MAPK cascade in P. trichocarpa, which reveals that PtMAPK3‐1 is induced by the MeJA hormone and participates in the MeJA‐induced enhancement of the antioxidant enzyme system.