bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Expert judgments versus publication-based metrics: do the two methods produce identical results in measuring academic reputation?
Authors: Guba Katerina , Tsivinskaya Angelika
Published: May 2022

Purpose

This study aims to assess the validity of citation metrics based on the disciplinary representative survey.

Design/methodology/approach

The present project compared citation rankings for individual scientists with expert judgments collected through a survey of 818 Russian sociologists. The Russian Index of Science Citation was used to construct the general population of 3,689 Russian sociologists, to whom the survey was sent by email. The regression analyses of bibliometric indicators and peer review scores for 723 names of scholars mentioned in the survey have been undertaken.

Findings

Findings suggest that scientometric indicators predict with significant accuracy the names of the most influential sociologists and those scholars who are not mentioned while they are less relevant for prediction names which received moderate attention in the survey.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the research on the validity of citation metrics by focusing on scientometric indicators, not limited to traditional metrics but including non-standard publication metrics and indicators of potential metric abuse. Besides, the study presents the national bibliometric data source that is especially important for non-Western higher education systems, less presented in the Web of Science or Scopus.
The influence of female agentic and communal leadership on work engagement: vigour, dedication and absorption
Authors: Dunlop Robyn , Scheepers Caren Brenda
Published: May 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is investigating the influence of leadership on work engagement. The definition of leadership is primarily couched in culturally masculine terms (and known as an agentic leadership style) that disfavours women, who are often perceived as being communal leaders who are compassionate and humble. The research gap addressed is whether communal and agentic leadership styles of female leaders have positive associations with work engagement.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative study was undertaken by applying purposive non-probability sampling and using an online survey with screening questions to ensure the respondent reported to a senior female manager. The survey consisted of reliable and valid Likert scales: agentic and communal leadership styles were assessed using the Agency-Communion-Inventory (AC-IN) scale with 20 questions and the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-9) with three sub-scales: vigour, dedication and absorption. The 153 usable responses in this study were used to conduct validity and reliability tests and to apply multiple regression to test associations.

Findings

Both agentic and communal leadership have a positive impact on work engagement when exhibited by a female. Although agentic leadership had an influence on all the elements of work engagement, communal leadership had a far stronger impact.

Originality/value

Female managers with communal leadership styles need to realise that they have more influence on their employees’ emotional, physical and cognitive connections to their work than female managers with agentic leadership styles. Those with agentic leadership styles need to exhibit a communal style as well, so as to enhance the influence they have on their employees’ work engagement.
One foot on shore: An analysis of global millionaires' demand for U.S. investor visas
Authors: Harpaz Yossi
Published: May 2022

Each year, around 10,000 foreigners obtain a U.S. residence visa after investing half a million dollars or more. Who are the millionaires that acquire these visas and what motivates them to leave their home countries? To answer this question, I analyzed an original data set that combines U.S. visa statistics with data on global millionaire populations. The analysis produced three key findings. First, demand for investor visas was led by millionaires from countries that ranked lower in the global hierarchy of citizenship value. Second, most of the visas were acquired by Chinese millionaires, who recorded the world's highest application rate. Third, when the quality of democracy in a country declined, visa applications surged. These findings suggest that investor visas are used by elites in less developed countries to hedge against the risks associated with authoritarian rule. Such elites perceive investor visas as a foothold in a stable and democratic country that can provide an insurance policy or exit option.
Efficacy of different sequential patterns after crizotinib progression in advanced anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐positive non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Ma Xiya , Yang Shaoxing , Zhang Kun , Xu Jing , Lv Panpan , Gao Hongjun , Qin Haifeng , Wang Hong , Liu Xiaoqing
Published: May 2022

Background

The efficacy difference between the second‐ and third‐generation of anaplastic lymphoma kinase‐tyrosine kinase inhibitors (ALK‐TKIs) after crizotinib failure in advanced ALK‐positive non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) has not been clarified. This study evaluates the efficacy of different sequential patterns after crizotinib progression.

Methods

Data of patients who met the study criteria were retrospectively analyzed. The Kaplan–Meier method was used to draw survival curves, log‐rank method was used to compare the differences between groups, and Cox multivariate analysis was used to evaluate the significance of influencing factors.

Results

A total of 128 patients developed disease progression after crizotinib. The overall survival (OS) of 57 patients in the sequential second‐generation ALK‐TKIs group was significantly longer than that of 65 patients with other systemic treatment (58.5 months vs. 33.0 months, p < 0.001); The OS of the direct sequential lorlatinib group was significantly longer than the second‐generation ALK‐TKIs group (114.0 months vs. 58.5 months, p = 0.020). Similarly, of the 48 patients who developed disease progression after first‐ and second‐generation ALK‐TKIs treatment, 16 patients with sequential lorlatinib had significantly longer OS than the others (62.0 months vs. 43.0 months, p = 0.014). The progression‐free survival (PFS) of second‐line and third‐ or later‐line lorlatinib were statistically different (20.0 months vs. 5.5 months, p = 0.011).

Conclusions

The application of next‐generation ALK‐TKIs after crizotinib progression significantly prolonged survival, whereas direct sequencing lorlatinib seemed advantageous. Similarly, lorlatinib also prolonged survival in patients with first‐ and second‐generation ALK‐TKIs failure.
Experiences of informal caregiving among older lesbian and gay adults in Australia
Authors: Waling Andrea , Lyons Anthony , Alba Beatrice , Minichiello Victor , Barrett Catherine , Hughes Mark , Fredriksen‐Goldsen Karen , Edmonds Samantha , Bath Nicky
Published: May 2022

Objective

This study examined older lesbian and gay adults' experiences regarding informal caregiving, including challenges and positive aspects of caregiving.

Methods

Interviews were conducted with 16 lesbian women and gay men in Australia, aged 60+, who were engaged in informal caregiving. Analyses involved a qualitative thematic approach.

Results

Most participants were caring for a friend or partner and regarded caregiving as a form of love and did not seek external support despite noting several impacts. Some participants found that they too were beginning to require care. For some, formal care was being considered, but with a degree of reluctance.

Conclusions

Older lesbian and gay adult caregivers experience a range of challenges and support needs in relation to their experiences with the caregiving role. This research highlights a need for ensuring that caregiving policies and practices be responsive to the experiences and challenges faced by older lesbian and gay people.
Effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in a matched cohort of elderly and nonelderly patients with inflammatory bowel disease: the IG‐IBD LIVE study
Authors: Pugliese Daniela , Privitera Giuseppe , Crispino Federica , Mezzina Nicolò , Castiglione Fabiana , Fiorino Gionata , Laterza Lucrezia , Viola Anna , Bertani Lorenzo , Caprioli Flavio , Cappello Maria , Barberio Brigida , Ricci Chiara , Balestrieri Paola , Daperno Marco , Pluchino Dario , Rizzello Fernando , Scribano Maria Lia , Sablich Renato , Pastorelli Luca , Manguso Francesco , Variola Angela , Di Sario Antonio , Grossi Laurino , Armuzzi Alessandro ,   IG‐IBD LIVE Study Group
Published: May 2022

Background

Vedolizumab registration trials were the first to include elderly patients with moderate‐to‐severe ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn’s disease (CD), but few real‐life data have been reported in this population.

Aims

We investigated the effectiveness and safety of vedolizumab in matched cohorts of elderly and nonelderly UC and CD patients.

Methods

The Long‐term Italian Vedolizumab Effectiveness (LIVE) study is a retrospective‐prospective study including UC and CD patients who started vedolizumab from April 2016 to June 2017. Elderly patients (≥65 years) were matched clinically 1:2 to nonelderly patients (18–64 years); the 2 groups were followed until drug discontinuation or June 2019.

Results

The study included 198 elderly (108 UC, 90 CD) and 396 matched nonelderly patients (205 UC, 191 CD). Nonelderly UC patients had a significantly higher persistence on vedolizumab compared to elderly patients (67.6% vs. 51.4%, p = 0.02). No significant difference in effectiveness was observed between elderly and nonelderly CD patients (59.4% vs. 52.4%, p = 0.32). Age ≥65 years was associated with lower persistence in UC; for CD, previous exposure to anti‐TNF‐α agents, Charlson comorbidity index >2 and moderate‐to‐severe clinical activity at baseline were associated with lower persistence. There were recorded 130 adverse events, with comparable rates between the two groups. A Charlson comorbidity index >2 was associated with an increased risk of adverse events.

Conclusion

Vedolizumab can be considered a safe option in elderly IBD patients. Its effectiveness in elderly UC patients may be reduced, while no age‐dependent effect on effectiveness was observed in CD.
A detailed analysis of expedited regulatory review time of marketing authorization applications for new anticancer drugs in the US and EU
Authors: da Costa Gonçalves Fabiany , Demirci Ebru , Zwiers Alex
Published: May 2022

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of expedited regulatory approval programs used by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA), type of product (small molecule or biotechnology‐derived product) and consulting scientific advisory committees on the regulatory review time of the marketing authorization applications (MAAs) for new anticancer drugs. A dataset composed of 76 new anticancer drugs was constructed. The date of submission of the MAAs in the United States and the European Union were comparable. The typical review time of MAAs was 136 days shorter in the United States (201 days [median]) than in the European Union (337 days [median]). The type of product did not have a high impact on the review time. The review time of the MAAs for drugs undergoing priority review in the United States or accelerated assessment in the European Union at the stage of review of MAA was generally shorter than that for drugs following the standard regulatory pathway. The regulatory pathway using at least one expedited regulatory program at the stages of drug development, review of MAA, and approval of drug in the United States (172 days [median]), and that at the stages of review of MAA and approval of drug in the European Union (183 days [median]) enabled the shortest review time of MAAs. Referral to advisory committee meeting increased the review time of MAAs for drugs undergoing one or more expedited regulatory approval programs in the United States and the European Union close to that for drugs undergoing the standard regulatory approval pathway.
Limited behavioral flexibility in oviposition behavior for the invasive fly Zaprionus indianus
Authors: Gramenos Irina Andrea , Soto Eduardo María , Lavagnino Nicolás José
Published: May 2022

Zaprionus indianus Gupta (Diptera: Drosophilidae) is a fly species native to the Afrotropical biogeographic region that expanded its geographical distribution to the American continent around 1999. This fly lays eggs, feeds, and develops on a wide variety of fruits colonized by yeasts and bacteria, as well as on ripe, non‐damaged soft‐skinned fruits. The arrival of Z. indianus to American ecosystems entails co‐existence with other drosophilid species with the same resource specificity, such as the cosmopolitan human commensal Drosophila melanogaster Meigen. In this scenario, the oviposition strategy could be relevant for invasion success in terms of partitioning the utilization of resources in space or time. We investigated whether Z. indianus avoids laying eggs in resources previously used by another species (D. melanogaster), or whether oviposition is unaffected by the presence of other species’ larvae. Results show a stable oviposition behavior of Z. indianus, considering that this fly lays the same number of eggs regardless of whether the oviposition resource has larvae of other species, whereas D. melanogaster showed a flexible oviposition behavior when presented with the same oviposition resources. Zaprionus indianus being a good larval competitor against other drosophilids, this stable oviposition strategy could be positive for invasiveness as it ensures a continuous spread of eggs and subsequent larval development during invasion in new and heterogeneous ecosystems.
Worth the paper they are printed on? Findings from an independent evaluation of the understandability of patient information leaflets for antiseizure medications
Authors: Noble Adam J. , Haddad Sara , Coleman Niamh , Marson Anthony G.
Published: May 2022

Objective

The Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) is an authoritative document that all people with epilepsy in the EU receive when prescribed antiseizure medication (ASM). We undertook the first independent, comprehensive assessment to determine how understandable they are. Regulators state that when patients are asked comprehension questions about them, ≥80% should answer correctly. Also, recommended is that PILs have a maximum reading requirement of US grade 8.

Methods

Study 1: We obtained 140 current ASM PILs written in English. "Readability" was assessed using four tests, with and without adjustment for influence of familiar, polysyllabic words. A total of 179 online materials on epilepsy were also assessed.

Study 2: Two PILs from Study 1 were randomly selected (Pregabalin Focus; Inovelon) and shown to 35 people from the UK epilepsy population. Their comprehension was assessed.

Study 3: To understand whether the student population provides an accessible alternative population for future examination of ASM PILs, Study 3 was completed, using the same methods as Study 2, except that participants were 262 UK university students.

Results

Study 1: No PIL had a reading level of grade 8. Median was grade 11. Adjusting for context, the PILs were still at grade 10.5. PILs for branded ASMs were most readable. PILs were no more readable than (unregulated) online materials.

Study 2: Users struggled to comprehend the PILs' key messages. The eight questions asked about pregabalin were typically answered correctly by 54%. For Inovelon, it was 62%.

Study 3: Most student participants comprehended the PILs' key messages. The questions about Inovelon were answered correctly by 90%; for pregabalin it was 86%.

Significance

This is the first independent and comprehensive examination of ASM PILs. It found that PILs being used fail to meet recommendations and regulatory requirements and risk not being understandable to a substantial proportion of users. In finding that people from the epilepsy population differ markedly in comprehension of PILs compared to students, this study highlights the importance of completing user testing with the target population.
5‐ALA loaded self‐adhesive patch‐PDT is effective and safe in the treatment of actinic keratoses on hands and arms
Authors: Bai‐Habelski Jon Chim , Ko Annette , Ortland Christoph , Stocker Marcus , Ebeling Andrea , Reinhold Uwe
Published: May 2022

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) with 5‐aminolevulinic acid hydrochloride (ALA) is an established method for the management of AK. PD P 506 A (brand name Alacare®) is an approved medicinal product for the treatment of AK located on scalp and face. It is a self‐adhesive, light‐proof patch loaded with 5‐ALA HCl and was developed for easy handling. AK located on arms, hands or trunk do not respond as well to ALA‐PDT as AK lesions on the head do. It has been reported that occlusion during ALA incubation can improve clinical outcome after ALA‐PDT for AK on hands and arms. We present the results of a first explorative pilot study involving 20 participants with a total of 145 treated (122 evaluable) AK lesions. The trial investigated the conduct of two ALA‐PDTs within 1–2 weeks and involved all severity grades of AK. The model‐based percentage of complete clearance on lesion‐basis was estimated being 78.0% (95%‐CI: [64.6%, 87.3%]), and the by‐participant calculation (patient‐based clearance) led to similar results (78.7% with a 95%‐CI of [67.0%, 90.3%]). The treatment was well tolerated. Local reactions during ALA patch incubation were rare whereas nearly all patients showed the expected reactions during or after the illumination, primarily erythema and pain. The study results indicate that two PD P 506 A‐PDT sessions 1–2 weeks apart are an efficacious treatment for AK on hands and arms. Especially mild but also moderate lesions responded very well to PDT treatment involving ALA incubation under occlusion.
New structural insights into the PI‐2 pilus from Streptococcus oralis, an early dental plaque colonizer
Authors: Yadav Rajnesh Kumari , Krishnan Vengadesan
Published: May 2022

Streptococcus oralis is a member of the mitis group of oral streptococci and an early colonizer in dental plaque biofilm, a major cause of periodontal disease, dental caries, and other oral infections. S. oralis promotes biofilm growth by coaggregating in a mutualistic partnership with other early colonizers such as Actinomyces oris. For this cell‐to‐cell interaction, A. oris is known to use its sortase‐dependent pilus (type 2), but whether S. oralis uses its PI‐2 (pilus islet 2) pilus is still to be determined. The PI‐2 pilus is predicted to have a heterodimeric structure consisting of two different protein subunits with their own location and function: the tip PitA pilin for adhesion and the backbone PitB pilin for length. Thus far, structural information remains incomplete about the role of PI‐2 pili in the mutualistic mechanism between S. oralis and A. oris. We now report on the crystal structure analysis of PitA and PitB using X‐ray crystallography, small‐angle X‐ray scattering, and molecular docking studies. Accordingly, we propose a structural model for the PI‐2 pilus, wherein repeating PitB subunits are arranged head‐to‐tail to form the long backbone structure with PitA on the outer tip. By performing both in vitro and in vivo experiments, we examined the role played by PitA in mediating the mutualistic interaction between S. oralis and A. oris, which appears to involve the coaggregation factor CafA. We also reveal that the galactose monosaccharide is a conceivable ligand for PitA and thereby might be used to inhibit coaggregation and control oral biofilm development.

Database

Structural coordinates for the PitA fragment, PitA fragment TbXO4 derivative, full‐length PitA, and PitB from S. oralis have been deposited at the Protein Data Bank as 7VCR, 7W7I, 7VCN, 7W6B, and 7W7I, respectively. Streptococcus pneumoniae PitB coordinates have been deposited as 7F7Y.
Atomistic insight into ideal strength, fracture toughness, deformation, and failure mechanisms of magnetocaloric Fe2AlB2
Authors: Shah Shafqat Hussain
Published: May 2022

The thermal and magnetic cycling of a magnetocaloric material degrades its mechanical properties and device performance. We used ab initio tensile and shear simulations to investigate the mechanical properties such as ideal strength, fracture toughness and deformation and failure mechanisms of Fe2AlB2 at finite strain. The weakest direction of Fe2AlB2 is [010], and the weakest slip system is (010)[100]. The ideal tensile strength (σm = 12.51 GPa) of Fe2AlB2 is less than its ideal shear strength (τm = 13.32 GPa). The strain energy difference (ΔE = −13 eV/f.u.) of Fe2AlB2 confirms cleavage fracture as its most plausible failure mode. The concomitant changes in the c‐lattice parameter and Al–Al bond along the c‐axis determine the ideal tensile strength of Fe2AlB2. Likewise, the subtle changes in the a‐lattice parameter and Al–Al bond along the a‐axis specify its ideal shear strength. The tensile strain induces a magnetic to nonmagnetic transition in Fe2AlB2 at the critical tensile strain (εc = 0.08). A similar transition occurs at the critical fracture strain (εcf = 0.48) due to shear deformation. The brittle nature of Fe2AlB2 is predicted by its anisotropic Poisson's ratios, strength ratio, and failure mode. The fracture toughness of Fe2AlB2 for mode I fracture is (KIc = 2.17 MPa m1/2), mode II fracture is (KIIc = 1.33 MPa m1/2), and mode III fracture is (KIIIc = 1.16 MPa m1/2). The failure mechanism of Fe2AlB2 due to the tensile deformation is marked by the sharp and appreciable changes in the lattice parameters, bonding characteristics, and magnetic moment of Fe at the critical fracture strain (εcf = 0.44). This study provides a fundamental understanding of the mechanical behavior of Fe2AlB2 at the finite strain relevant to the cycling stability of the magnetocaloric Fe2AlB2.
Targeted regulation of FoxO1 in chondrocytes prevents age‐related osteoarthritis via autophagy mechanism
Authors: Yue Jiaji , Aobulikasimu Aikebaier , Sun Weichao , Liu Shuyu , Xie Wei , Sun Wei
Published: May 2022

Autophagy is designated as a biological recycling process to maintain cellular homeostasis by the sequestration of damaged proteins and organelles in plasma and cargo delivery to lysosomes for degradation and reclamation. This organelle recycling process promotes chondrocyte homeostasis and has been previously implicated in osteoarthritis (OA). Autophagy is widely involved in regulating chondrocyte degeneration markers such as MMPs, ADAMSTs and Col10 in chondrocytes. The critical autophagy‐related (ATG) proteins have now been considered the protective factor against late‐onset OA. The current research field proposes that the autophagic pathway is closely related to chondrocyte activity. However, the mechanism is complex yet needs precise elaboration. This review concluded that FoxO1, a forkhead O family protein, which is a decisive mediator of autophagy, facilitates the pathological process of osteoarthritis. Diverse mechanisms regulate the activity of FoxO1 and promote the initiation of autophagy, including the prominent AMPK and Sirt‐2 cellular pathways. FoxO1 transactive is regulated by phosphorylation and acetylation processes, which modulates the downstream ATGs expression. Furthermore, FoxO1 induces autophagy by directly interacting with ATGs proteins, which control the formation of autophagosomes and lysosomes fusion. This review will discuss cutting‐edge evidence that the FoxO–autophagy pathway plays an essential regulator in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis.
Hoplostethus roseus, a new roughy fish from the western Pacific based on morphology and DNA barcoding (family Trachichthyidae)
Authors: Su Yo , Lin Hsiu‐Chin , Ho Hsuan‐Ching
Published: May 2022

A new species of the roughy fish genus Hoplostethus is described from 11 types and a non‐type specimen collected from Taiwanese waters. It can be distinguished from its congeners by a combination of characters: pectoral‐fin rays 14–17 (modally 15–16); pyloric caeca 65–84; total gill rakers 19–20; predorsal scales 18–22; oral cavity, branchial chamber, top and underside of tongue, and peritoneum uniformly black; distal margin of membrane between dorsal‐fin spines black; caudal fin without a black margin; caudal‐fin base brownish. Comparisons of the new species with similar species are provided. DNA barcoding supports the monophyly of the new species, which appears to be closely related to Hoplostethus japonicus [average cytochrome c oxidase subunit I Kimura‐2‐parameter (COI K2P) distance of 4.1%].
Emotionally focused therapists' experiences serving interabled couples in couple therapy: An interpretative phenomenological analysis
Authors: Tapia‐Fuselier Jose L. , Ray Dee C. , Allan Robert , Reyes Ana Guadalupe
Published: May 2022

Interabled couples navigate various systems of care as they respond to the needs of the disabled partner. Interabled couples are defined as one disabled partner and one nondisabled partner. Emotionally focused therapy (EFT) has shown benefits in reducing relationship distress and increasing the experience of security within couples. The study used interpretative phenomenological analysis to address how EFT therapists make sense of their lived experience working with interabled couples in couple therapy. The purpose of the study was to examine the experiences of therapists' serving interabled couples. The study explored the experiences of 10 EFT therapists who served at least one interabled couple in couple therapy. Findings resulted in four superordinate themes, (a) ableism; (b) self‐of‐the‐therapist; (c) reported relationship dynamics of interabled couples; and (d) the “fit” of EFT approach with interabled couples. The themes demonstrate a need to further identify disability‐responsive practices within EFT in serving interabled couples.
Defective fractalkine‐CX3CR1 signaling aggravates neuroinflammation and affects recovery from cuprizone‐induced demyelination
Authors: Mendiola Andrew S. , Church Kaira A. , Cardona Sandra M. , Vanegas Difernando , Garcia Shannon A. , Macklin Wendy , Lira Sergio A. , Ransohoff Richard M. , Kokovay Erzsebet , Lin Chin‐Hsing Annie , Cardona Astrid E.
Published: May 2022

Microglia have been implicated in multiple sclerosis (MS) pathogenesis. The fractalkine receptor CX3CR1 limits the activation of pathogenic microglia and the human polymorphic CX3CR1I249/M280 (hCX3CR1I249/M280) variant increases disease progression in models of MS. However, the role of hCX3CR1I249/M280 variant on microglial activation and central nervous system repair mechanisms remains unknown. Therefore, using transgenic mice expressing the hCX3CR1I249/M280 variant, we aimed to determine the contribution of defective CX3CR1 signaling to neuroinflammation and remyelination in the cuprizone model of focal demyelination. Here, we report that mice expressing hCX3CR1I249/M280 exhibit marked demyelination and microgliosis following acute cuprizone treatment. Nanostring gene expression analysis in demyelinated lesions showed that hCX3CR1I249/M280 but not CX3CR1‐deficient mice up‐regulated the cuprizone‐induced gene profile linked to inflammatory, oxidative stress, and phagocytic pathways. Although CX3CR1‐deficient (CX3CR1‐KO) and fractalkine‐deficient (FKN‐KO) mice displayed a comparable demyelination and microglial activation phenotype to hCX3CR1I249/M280 mice, only CX3CR1‐deficient and CX3CR1‐WT mice showed significant myelin recovery 1 week from cuprizone withdrawal. Confocal microscopy showed that hCX3CR1I249/M280 variant inhibits the generation of cells involved in myelin repair. Our results show that defective fractalkine signaling contributes to regional differences in demyelination, and suggest that the CX3CR1 pathway activity may be a key mechanism for limiting toxic gene responses in neuroinflammation.

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Cover Image for this issue: https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15416
From Dürer's Magic Square to Klumpenhouwer Tesseracts: On Melencolia (2013) by Philippe Manoury
Authors: Besada José L. , Guichaoua Corentin , Andreatta Moreno
Published: May 2022

Many Western art music composers have taken advantage of tabulated data for nourishing their creative practices, particularly since the early twentieth century. The arrival of atonality and serial techniques was crucial to this shift. Among the authors dealing with these kinds of tables, some have considered the singular mathematical properties of magic squares. This paper focuses on a particular case study in this sense: Philippe Manoury's Third String Quartet, entitled Melencolia. We mainly analyse mainly several strategies conceived by the French composer – through his own sketches – in order to manipulate pitches and pitch‐classes over time. For that purpose, we take advantage of Klumpenhouwer networks as a way to settle wide and dense isographic relationships. Our hyper‐K‐nets sometimes reach a total of 32 arrows that allow geometrical arrangements as tesseracts in which their different dimensions cluster related families of isographies. In doing so, we aim to provide an instructive example of how to contextualise K‐nets and isographies as powerful tools for the analysis of compositional practices.
Standing for Europe: Citizens' perceptions of European symbols as evidence of a “banal Europeanism”?
Authors: Foret François , Trino Noemi
Published: May 2022

This article analyses the perception of the symbols of the European Union (EU) by citizens. Relying on a survey of a representative sample of the population in eight countries (France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Poland, Romania, Spain and the United Kingdom) carried out in December 2020, it investigates to which extent these symbols are considered as good representations of the EU and differences related to political, cultural, social and economic belongings. Empirically, our findings show a large acknowledgement of these symbols in congruence with general attitudes towards the EU. Theoretically, it offers some evidence of the existence of a “banal Europeanism” taking ‐ to a certain extent ‐ European symbolism as granted in contrast with its politicisation in elite discursive struggles.
Do ancient wheats contain less gluten than modern bread wheat, in favour of better health?
Authors: Brouns Fred , Geisslitz Sabrina , Guzman Carlos , Ikeda Tatsuya M. , Arzani Ahmad , Latella Giovanni , Simsek Senay , Colomba Mariastella , Gregorini Armando , Zevallos Victor , Lullien‐Pellerin Valerie , Jonkers Daisy , Shewry Peter R.
Published: May 2022

Popular media messaging has led to increased public perception that gluten‐containing foods are bad for health. In parallel, ‘ancient grains’ have been promoted with claims that they contain less gluten. There appears to be no clear definition of ‘ancient grains’ but the term usually includes einkorn, emmer, spelt and Khorasan wheat. Gluten is present in all wheat grains and all can induce coeliac disease (CD) in genetically susceptible individuals. Analyses of ‘ancient’ and ‘modern’ wheats show that the protein content of modern bread wheat (Triticum aestivum) has decreased over time while the starch content increased. In addition, it was shown that, compared to bread wheat, ancient wheats contain more protein and gluten and greater contents of many CD‐active epitopes. Consequently, no single wheat type can be recommended as better for reducing the risks of or mitigating the severity of CD. An estimated 10% of the population of Western countries suffers from gastrointestinal symptoms that lack a clear organic cause and is often referred to as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many of these patients consider themselves gluten sensitive, but in most cases this is not confirmed when tested in a medical setting. Instead, it may be caused by gas formation due to fermentation of fructans present in wheat or, in some patients, effects of non‐gluten proteins. A significant overlap of symptoms with those of CD, IBS and inflammatory bowel disease makes a medical diagnosis a priority. This critical narrative review examines the suggestion that ‘ancient’ wheat types are preferred for health and better tolerance.
Climate and land‐use drive the functional composition of vascular plant assemblages across Norway
Authors: Petersen Tanja K. , Vuorinen Katariina E. M. , Bendiksby Mika , Speed James D. M.
Published: May 2022

Traditionally, biogeography has described the distribution of species. But as plant functional traits and functional diversity underpin ecosystem dynamics, understanding drivers of functional diversity at biogeographical scales is essential to understand spatial variation in ecosystem characteristics, particularly in light of ongoing environmental changes. Here we investigate geographic patterns of functional diversity and ‐traits of the Norwegian flora. We explore whether climate, land‐use or glacial history are important drivers of functional diversity. We combine species occurrence records and assemblage‐means of functional traits to assess the spatial distribution of functional traits and ‐diversity of native vascular plants in Norway in a 20 × 20 km grid. We use multiple‐model inference to identify which environmental factors contribute the most in explaining the spatial patterns of trait distributions and functional diversity. Additionally, we use the constructed models to predict potential changes in distributions of traits and functional diversity given different climate change scenarios.

Both individual traits and functional diversity display clear geographic patterns, predictable by climate, landscape and glacial history. Traits related to plant size and growth peak in warmer areas and are predicted to increase in the future, as is functional richness and dispersion. In contrast, functional evenness peaks in northern regions and is predicted to decrease in the future.

The different environmental drivers vary in degree of importance, effect sizes and ‐directions on the assemblage‐averaged functional traits and ‐diversity. This underlines the importance of multiple drivers in determining plant assemblage functionality. In the face of climate‐ and land‐use change, Norway is expected to become warmer, wetter and experience a substantial increase in anthropogenic land‐uses, such as increased urbanisation. In turn, the functional composition of the Norwegian flora is predicted to shift towards tall, woody, fast‐growing species.
Cine gastric MRI reveals altered Gut–Brain Axis in Functional Dyspepsia: gastric motility is linked with brainstem‐cortical fMRI connectivity
Authors: Sclocco Roberta , Fisher Harrison , Staley Rowan , Han Kyungsun , Mendez April , Bolender Andrew , Coll‐Font Jaume , Kettner Norman W. , Nguyen Christopher , Kuo Braden , Napadow Vitaly
Published: May 2022

Background

Functional dyspepsia (FD) is a disorder of gut–brain interaction, and its putative pathophysiology involves dysregulation of gastric motility and central processing of gastric afference. The vagus nerve modulates gastric peristalsis and carries afferent sensory information to brainstem nuclei, specifically the nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS). Here, we combine MRI assessment of gastric kinematics with measures of NTS functional connectivity to the brain in patients with FD and healthy controls (HC), in order to elucidate how gut–brain axis communication is associated with FD pathophysiology.

Methods

Functional dyspepsia and HC subjects experienced serial gastric MRI and brain fMRI following ingestion of a food‐based contrast meal. Gastric function indices estimated from 4D cine MRI data were compared between FD and HC groups using repeated measure ANOVA models, controlling for ingested volume. Brain connectivity of the NTS was contrasted between groups and associated with gastric function indices.

Key Results

Propagation velocity of antral peristalsis was significantly lower in FD compared to HC. The brain network defined by NTS connectivity loaded most strongly onto the Default Mode Network, and more strongly onto the Frontoparietal Network in FD. FD also demonstrated higher NTS connectivity to insula, anterior cingulate and prefrontal cortices, and pre‐supplementary motor area. NTS connectivity was linked to propagation velocity in HC, but not FD, whereas peristalsis frequency was linked with NTS connectivity in patients with FD.

Conclusions & Inferences

Our multi‐modal MRI approach revealed lower peristaltic propagation velocity linked to altered brainstem‐cortical functional connectivity in patients suffering from FD suggesting specific plasticity in gut–brain communication.
Administrative intensity in local government: Do administrative scale economies exist in New South Wales local government?
Authors: Yarram Subba Reddy , Tran Carolyn‐Thi Thanh Dung , Dollery Brian Edward
Published: May 2022

A vast empirical literature has investigated economies of scale in local service provision, especially in water and waste management. By contrast, the question of scale economies in local government administration has attracted much less attention, especially in Australian local government. To address this gap in the Australian empirical literature, we investigated administrative scale economies in the New South Wales (NSW) local government system for rural, regional, and urban local authorities over the period 2014/15 to 2017/18. We find that total municipal population and municipal staff exhibit a U‐shaped relationship with the total administration costs of urban councils in NSW. However, we find no economies of scale for administrative intensity in rural and regional councils in NSW.

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Auxin response factors in plant adaptation to drought and salinity stress
Authors: Verma Swati , Negi Neelam Prabha , Pareek Shalini , Mudgal Gaurav , Kumar Deepak
Published: May 2022

Salinity and drought stresses affect plant growth worldwide and limit crop production. Auxin is crucial in regulating plants' salinity and drought stress adaptative response. As a chemical messenger, auxin influences gene expression through a family of functionally distinct transcription factors, the DNA‐binding AUXIN RESPONSE FACTORS (ARFs). Various studies have revealed the important roles of ARFs in regulating drought and salinity stress responses in plants. Different ARFs regulate soluble sugar content, promote root development, and maintain chlorophyll content under drought and saline stress conditions to help plants adapt to these stresses. The functional characterization of ARFs pertaining to the regulation of drought and salinity stress responses is still in its infancy. Interestingly, the small RNA‐mediated post‐transcriptional regulation of ARF expression has been shown to influence plant responses to both stresses. The current knowledge on the diverse roles of ARFs in conferring specificity to auxin‐mediated drought and salinity stress responses has not been reviewed to date. In this review, we summarize the recent research concerning the role of ARFs in response to drought and salinity stresses: gene expression patterns, functional characterization, and post‐transcriptional regulation under drought and salinity stresses. We have also reviewed the modulation of ARF expression by other molecular regulators in the context of drought and salt stress signaling.
Combining radiation therapy with zoledronate for the treatment of osteo‐invasive feline oral squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Lundberg Alycen P. , Tran Hoang Christine , Billhymer Audrey , Selting Kim A.
Published: May 2022

Feline oral squamous cell carcinoma (FOSCC) is the most common oral tumour diagnosed in pet cats and carries a poor prognosis with <10% one‐year survival despite multi‐modal therapies. Tumours of the mandible or maxilla are frequently osteo‐invasive and pain can result from osteolysis. Zoledronate is a bisphosphonate that inhibits osteoclasts and reduces bone resorption. Radiation therapy (RT) is used to treat FOSCC due to anti‐cancer activity and ability to improve quality of life. We hypothesized RT can be safely combined with zoledronate, and that this combinatory therapy would be efficacious, well tolerated, and result in decreased bone resorption in cats with FOSCC. SCCF1 cell line was treated with zoledronate before, concurrently, or after RT, and clonogenic assays were performed to determine if an optimal dosing schedule would be identified. Nine cats with osteoinvasive FOSCC were recruited for treatment with 4 weekly doses of 8 Gy RT combined with zoledronate administered at the first and fourth treatments. Serial CT scans were performed to assess tumour response. Safety and tolerability were monitored with hematologic and biochemical parameters, and acute radiation effects were characterized. Serum c‐telopeptide (CTx) and relative bone mineral density (rBMD) by dual ‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DEXA) quantified bone resorption. In vitro studies showed no clear benefit to timing of zoledronate with RT, therefore all zoledronate was administered concurrently with RT in FOSCC patients. Based on tumour volume, 4/9 (44.4%) cats achieved partial remission, 4/9 (44.4%) stable disease and 1/9 (11.1%) had progressive disease. The combinatory therapy was well‐tolerated based on biochemical measurements, and all patients experienced decreased serum CTx. Combining RT with zoledronate in tumour‐bearing cats is safe, well‐tolerated, results in a partial remission rate of up to 44%, and decreases serum CTx, a marker of bone resorption.
Autologous red blood cell transfusion does not result in a more profound increase in pulmonary capillary wedge pressure compared to saline in critically ill patients: A randomized crossover trial
Authors: Bosboom Joachim J. , Klanderman Robert B. , Terwindt Lotte E. , Bulle Esther B. , Wijnberge Marije , Eberl Susanne , Driessen Antoine H. , Winkelman Toon A. , Geerts Bart F. , Veelo Denise P. , Hollmann Markus W. , Vlaar Alexander P. J.
Published: May 2022

Background and Objectives

Transfusion‐associated circulatory overload (TACO) is a major cause of severe transfusion‐related morbidity. Transfusion of red blood cells (RBCs) has been shown to induce hydrostatic pressure overload. It is unclear which product‐specific factors contribute. We set out to determine the effect of autologous RBC transfusion versus saline on pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (PCWP) change.

Materials and Methods

In a randomized crossover trial, patients who had undergone coronary bypass surgery were allocated to treatment post‐operatively in the intensive care unit with either an initial 300 ml autologous RBC transfusion (salvaged during surgery) or 300 ml saline infusion first, followed by the other. Primary outcome was the difference in PCWP change. Secondary outcome measures were the difference in extra‐vascular lung water index (EVLWI) and pulmonary vascular permeability index (PVPI).

Results

Change in PCWP was not higher after autologous RBC transfusion compared to saline (ΔPCWP 0.3 ± 0.4 vs. 0.1 ± 0.4 mmHg). ΔEVLWI and ΔPVPI were significantly decreased after autologous RBC transfusion compared to saline (ΔEVLWI −1.6 ± 0.6 vs. 0.2 ± 0.4, p = 0.02; ΔPVPI −0.3 ± 0.1 vs. 0.0 ± 0.1, p = 0.01). Haemodynamic variables and colloid osmotic pressure were not different for autologous RBC transfusion versus saline.

Conclusion

Transfusion of autologous RBCs did not result in a more profound increase in PCWP compared to saline. RBC transfusion resulted in a decrease of EVLWI and PVPI compared to saline. Our data suggest that transfusing autologous RBCs may lead to less pulmonary oedema compared to saline. Future studies with allogeneic RBCs are needed to investigate other factors that may mediate the increase of PCWP, resulting in TACO.
Ultraviolet photo-enhanced atomic layer deposition for improving dielectric properties of low temperature deposited Al2O3
Authors: Holden Konner E. K. , Witsell Shane M. , Lemaire Paul C. , Conley John F.
Published: May 2022

Thin films of Al2O3 are deposited using in situ ultraviolet (UV) light enhanced atomic layer deposition (ALD) with trimethylaluminum and H2O and compared to those deposited using traditional thermal ALD at low temperatures of 45 and 80 °C. Coexposing the UV light with the H2O pulse enhanced the growth-per-cycle and refractive index. Metal/insulator/metal devices using the in situ UV enhanced Al2O3 films demonstrated a reduction in leakage current at ±1 MV/cm by nearly an order of magnitude at a deposition temperature of 45 °C as compared to standard thermal ALD films as well as thermal ALD films that received a postdeposition (in vacuo) UV exposure. In addition, capacitance–voltage behavior of UV enhanced Al2O3 showed a dramatic reduction in capacitance–voltage hysteresis. Taken together, these electrical results suggest that in situ UV enhanced ALD of Al2O3 results in a reduced density of electrically active defects that likely arise from incorporated H and potentially other organic impurities left by incomplete surface reactions. This proof-of-concept approach could enable low temperature fabrication of metal/insulator/metal and other devices in temperature-sensitive applications such as flexible electronics.
Accurate prediction of transmission through a lensed row-column addressed array
Authors: Øygard Sigrid H. , Audoin Mélanie , Austeng Andreas , Thomsen Erik V. , Stuart Matthias B. , Jensen Jørgen A.
Published: May 2022

Using a diverging lens on a row-column array (RCA) can increase the size of its volumetric image and thus significantly improve its clinical value. Here, a ray tracing method is presented to predict the position of the transmitted wave so that it can be used to make beamformed images. The usable transmitted field-of-view (FOV) is evaluated for a lensed 128 + 128 element RCA by comparing the theoretic prediction of the emitted wavefront position with three-dimensional (3D) finite element simulation of the emitted field. The FOV of the array is found to be 122° ± 2° in the direction orthogonal to the emitting elements and 28.5°–51.2°, depending on depth and element position, for the direction lying along the element. Moreover, the proposed ray tracing method is compared with a simpler thin lens model, and it is shown that the improved accuracy of the proposed method can increase the usable transmitted FOV up to 25.1°.
Recombination affects allele-specific expression of deleterious variants in human populations
Authors: Harwood Michelle P. , Alves Isabel , Edgington Hilary , Agbessi Mawusse , Bruat Vanessa , Soave David , Lamaze Fabien C. , Favé Marie-Julie , Awadalla Philip
Published: May 2022

How the genetic composition of a population changes through stochastic processes, such as genetic drift, in combination with deterministic processes, such as selection, is critical to understanding how phenotypes vary in space and time. Here, we show how evolutionary forces affecting selection, including recombination and effective population size, drive genomic patterns of allele-specific expression (ASE). Integrating tissue-specific genotypic and transcriptomic data from 1500 individuals from two different cohorts, we demonstrate that ASE is less often observed in regions of low recombination, and loci in high or normal recombination regions are more efficient at using ASE to underexpress harmful mutations. By tracking genetic ancestry, we discriminate between ASE variability due to past demographic effects, including subsequent bottlenecks, versus local environment. We observe that ASE is not randomly distributed along the genome and that population parameters influencing the efficacy of natural selection alter ASE levels genome wide.