bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Incorporating human behaviors into theories of urban community assembly and species coexistence
Authors: Avolio Meghan L. , Swan Christopher , Pataki Diane E. , Jenerette G. Darrel
Published: August 2021

In cities, humans directly and indirectly affect plant and wildlife communities. These human–species interactions are not included in traditional ecological approaches used to understand why and how organisms are distributed. Here, we incorporate human behaviors into urban community assembly theories and detail all the complex ways humans affect the dispersal, selection and persistence of species in cities. To do this, we integrate human behaviors and actions into traditional filter frameworks used to study community assembly. We use our framework to develop testable hypotheses to predict patterns of urban diversity as well as pose key considerations for future research. In order to have a predictive understanding of how urban biodiversity responds to environmental, social and land use change, it is necessary to better understand interactions between humans and other organisms.
The Impacts of Temperature Shocks on Birth Weight in Vietnam
Authors: Le Kien , Nguyen My
Published: August 2021

This paper investigates the extent to which in utero exposure to temperature shocks affects birth weight outcomes in Vietnam. Exploiting the variations across districts and conception timing within districts, we show that a one standard deviation increase in temperature relative to the local norm (approximately 0.52°C) during the first trimester of pregnancy reduces the child's weight at birth by 67 g or 2.2 percent. Our heterogeneity analysis suggests that infants living in rural areas, born to poor and low‐educated mothers are especially vulnerable to temperature shocks.
A clock regulatory module is required for salt tolerance and control of heading date in rice
Authors: Wang Xiling , He Yuqing , Wei Hua , Wang Lei
Published: August 2021

The circadian clock plays multiple roles in plant stress responses and developmental transition phases. Nevertheless, the underlying molecular mechanisms and individual clock components that coordinately regulate important agronomic traits of rice such as salt tolerance and heading date remain to be elucidated. Here, we identify a rice ternary repressive protein complex composed of OsELF4a, OsELF3‐1 and OsLUX, which was designated as OsEC1 in analogy to a similar complex in Arabidopsis. OsELF4a physically interacts with OsELF3‐1 and OsELF3‐2 in nucleus, whilst OsELF3‐1 rather than OsELF3‐2 strongly interacts with OsLUX, a Myb‐domain containing transcriptional factor. Phenotypic analyses show a role for this complex in heading and salt tolerance. The loss‐of‐function mutants of OsEC1 exhibit lower survival rate under salt stress and late heading date. Transcriptomic profiling together with biochemical assays identified the GIGANTEA homologue OsGI as a direct transcriptional target of OsEC1. Notably, the osgi‐101 mutant, generated by CRISPR/Cas9, is salt tolerant and exhibits early heading date in long day conditions. Together, our findings characterized a transcriptional module in rice composed by the OsEC1 repressing OsGI, which links the circadian clock with salt tolerance and control of heading date.
Identification of three novel HLA‐DRA alleles by next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Suzuki Shingo , Shigenari Atsuko , Ito Sayaka , Kulski Jerzy K. , Shiina Takashi
Published: August 2021

Three novel HLA‐DRA alleles, DRA*01:03, DRA*01:04, and DRA*01:05 alleles with unique amino acid sequences.
Heterologous expression of CYP81A6 from rice (Oryza sativa) in Escherichia coli and structural analyses of bensulfuron‐methyl metabolites
Authors: Yamaguchi Takuya , Matsumura Kohei , Iwakami Satoshi , Sunohara Yukari , Matsumoto Hiroshi
Published: August 2021

Herbicides are often selective and kill only weeds without affecting crops. In rice, CYP81A6 is responsible for tolerance toward acetolactate synthase herbicides such as bensulfuron‐methyl (BSM). CYP81A6 is thought to metabolize BSM into a nontoxic metabolite, that is, O‐demethylated BSM. However, direct evidences for this reaction have not been reported, likely due to difficulties in the heterologous expression of plant P450s in bacterial expression systems. In this study, we established CYP81A6 expression in Escherichia coli via modification of its N‐terminal basic region coding sequence, optimization of cultivation temperature, and selection of E. coli strains. Heterologous production of CYP81A6 was evaluated by the conversion of BSM in autoinduction medium after the culture, compared to that with an empty vector control. The optimized heterologous production condition of rice CYP81A6 in E. coli using 48‐well plates involved replacement of the N‐terminal basic region with that of CYP2C3, the use of E. coli BL21(DE3) as an expression host, and culture at 34°C. Further, co‐expression of gene encoding glucose dehydrogenase enhanced the conversion of 0.5 mM BSM from 58.7 to 73.1% in the optimized condition. In the optimization process, we detected two metabolites, M1 and M2. Mass spectrometry and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance analyses indicated that M1 was O‐demethylated BSM. Although we could not isolate M2 because of its low abundance in the medium, mass spectrometry analysis suggested that it was the monooxygenated (+O) form of BSM. Overall, these results confirm that CYP81A6 catalyzes the formation of O‐demethylated BSM from BSM.
Association of deleterious sucking habits with the occurrence of otitis in newborns, infants, preschool children, and children: a systematic review protocol
Authors: Castro-Cunha Ana Claudia , Gonçalves Isabela Costa , Martins-Júnior Paulo Antônio , Fernandes Izabella Barbosa , Abreu Lucas Guimarães , Paiva Saul Martins , Bendo Cristiane Baccin
Published: August 2021

Objective:

The objective of this review is to determine whether deleterious sucking habits contribute to otitis in newborns, infants, preschool children, and children.

Introduction:

Otitis is one of the most prevalent diseases in infants. Diverse studies have suggested that deleterious sucking habits, such as pacifier use, bottle-feeding, and finger-sucking, may be risk factors for the development of otitis in young individuals.

Inclusion criteria:

This systematic review will include observational studies in which the association between deleterious sucking habits and otitis was assessed in newborns, infants, preschool children, and children. Studies will compare caregiver reporting of sucking habits in this population to those with no deleterious sucking habits or those who exclusively breastfeed. The primary outcome will be the presence of otitis.

Methods:

The searches will be carried out in six electronic databases, and gray literature will also be screened. A three-step search strategy will be used, with no date or language restrictions. Studies whose full text meets the eligibility criteria will be included in the systematic review. Study screening and selection, critical appraisal, and data extraction will be performed by two independent reviewers. The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation approach will be used to assess the certainty of the evidence. Meta-analysis will be performed if there is relative homogeneity among included studies.

Systematic review registration number:

PROSPERO CRD42020197162
No Access, No Travel, and No Relationship Building: Sportswriters’ Assessments of Content Production in the Absence of Live Sports Due to COVID-19
Authors: Gentile Patrick C. , Buzzelli Nicholas R. , Sadri Sean R. , Towery Nathan A.
Published: August 2021

When the sports world abruptly shut down in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sports journalists were left without live events to cover. To better understand how sports reporters adapted to these unforeseen circumstances, 23 in-depth interviews were conducted with American sports journalists working at local and national newspapers to acquire firsthand accounts of story topics, newsgathering procedures, and impacts on the industry moving forward. Three main themes emerged from the interviews: lack of access to players and coaches, remote newsgathering, and a temporary move to other departments in the newsroom, which required the sportswriters to be more creative. The theoretical and practical implications of these findings are discussed.
The dimeric form of CXCL12 binds to atypical chemokine receptor 1
Authors: Gutjahr Julia C. , Crawford Kyler S. , Jensen Davin R. , Naik Prachi , Peterson Francis C. , Samson Guerric P. B. , Legler Daniel F. , Duchene Johan , Veldkamp Christopher T. , Rot Antal , Volkman Brian F.
Published: August 2021

Biological functions of CXCL12 dimers may be modified by the atypical receptor ACKR1.
A gut feeling about liver health
Authors: Wong Wei
Published: August 2021

The activity of the transcription factor MYC in the intestine promotes hepatic steatosis.
Phage-Resistant Bacteria Reveal a Role for Potassium in Root Colonization
Authors: Tzipilevich Elhanan , Benfey Philip N.
Published: August 2021

Bacteriophage predation is an important factor in bacterial community dynamics and evolution. Phage-bacterium interaction has mainly been studied in lab cultures, while dynamics in natural habitats, and especially in the plant root niche, are underexplored.
Oral Bacteria Combined with an Intranasal Vaccine Protect from Influenza A Virus and SARS-CoV-2 Infection
Authors: Nagai Minami , Moriyama Miyu , Ichinohe Takeshi
Published: August 2021

Intranasal vaccination induces the nasal IgA antibody which is protective against respiratory viruses, such as influenza virus and severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Therefore, understanding how mucosal immune responses are elicited following viral infection is important for developing better vaccines.
Signatures of COVID-19 Severity and Immune Response in the Respiratory Tract Microbiome
Authors: Merenstein Carter , Liang Guanxiang , Whiteside Samantha A. , Cobián-Güemes Ana G. , Merlino Madeline S. , Taylor Louis J. , Glascock Abigail , Bittinger Kyle , Tanes Ceylan , Graham-Wooten Jevon , Khatib Layla A. , Fitzgerald Ayannah S. , Reddy Shantan , Baxter Amy E. , Giles Josephine R. , Oldridge Derek A. , Meyer Nuala J. , Wherry E. John , McGinniss John E. , Bushman Frederic D. , Collman Ronald G.
Published: August 2021

COVID-19, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection of the respiratory tract, results in highly variable outcomes ranging from minimal illness to death, but the reasons for this are not well understood. We investigated the respiratory tract bacterial microbiome and small commensal DNA viruses in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and found that each was markedly abnormal compared to that in healthy people and differed from that in critically ill patients without COVID-19.
Hofbauer Cells Spread Listeria monocytogenes among Placental Cells and Undergo Pro-Inflammatory Reprogramming while Retaining Production of Tolerogenic Factors
Authors: Azari Siavash , Johnson Lauren J. , Webb Amy , Kozlowski Sophia M. , Zhang Xiaoli , Rood Kara , Amer Amal , Seveau Stephanie
Published: August 2021

Infection of the placental/fetal unit by the facultative intracellular pathogenListeria monocytogenesresults in severe pregnancy complications. Hofbauer cells (HBCs) are fetal macrophages that play homeostatic anti-inflammatory functions in healthy placentas.
Guanylate-Binding Protein-Dependent Noncanonical Inflammasome Activation Prevents Burkholderia thailandensis-Induced Multinucleated Giant Cell Formation
Authors: Dilucca Marisa , Ramos Saray , Shkarina Kateryna , Santos José Carlos , Broz Petr
Published: August 2021

The Gram-negative bacteria of the
Burkholderia
species are associated with human diseases ranging from pneumonia to life-threatening melioidosis. Upon infection through inhalation, ingestion, or the percutaneous route, these bacteria can spread and establish granuloma-like lesions resulting from the fusion of host cells to form multinucleated giant cells (MNGCs).
Burkholderia
resistance to several antibiotics highlights the importance to better understand how the innate immune system controls infections.
Cell Surface Polysaccharides Represent a Common Strategy for Adsorption among Phages Infecting Lactic Acid Bacteria: Lessons from Dairy Lactococci and Streptococci
Authors: Mahony Jennifer
Published: August 2021

Food fermentations rely on the application of robust bacterial starter cultures, the majority of which are represented by members of the lactic acid bacteria including
Lactococcus lactis
and
Streptococcus thermophilus
. Bacteriophage (or phage) proliferation remains one of the most significant threats to the fermentation industry.
Tracking Microbial Evolution in the Subseafloor Biosphere
Authors: Anderson Rika E.
Published: August 2021

The deep marine subsurface constitutes a massive biosphere that hosts a multitude of archaea, bacteria, and viruses across a diversity of habitats. These microbes play key roles in mediating global biogeochemical cycles, and the marine subsurface is thought to have been among the earliest habitats for life on Earth.
Accidental avulsion of a recently traumatised maxillary anterior tooth during rubber dam application
Authors: Kaur Amandeep , Kumar Vijay , Logani Ajay
Published: August 2021

Avulsion injuries are usually seen in the anterior maxillary teeth as a result of trauma. Avulsion as an endodontic mishap is extremely rare. This report highlights an unusual instance of exarticulation of a recently traumatised maxillary central incisor tooth when the rubber dam was applied during a routine non-surgical endodontic procedure. The tooth was immediately repositioned and stabilised with wire composite splint. Endodontic treatment was initiated after rubber dam isolation with a modified technique. Calcium hydroxide was used as intracanal medicament dressing, and obturation was done after 2 weeks. The treatment was successful with uneventful periodontal healing at 24-month follow-up. The presence of well-demarcated periodontal ligament space and absence of any resorptive area on the radiograph could be defined as a successful outcome for the present case.
Unusual case of hyperemesis in a pregnant patient with prior antireflux surgery
Authors: Obisesan Abimbola , Townsend Eleanor Lucy , Wong John Lin Hieng , Menon Vinod
Published: August 2021

A 33-year-old, 8 weeks pregnant, presented with severe upper abdominal pain with vomiting on a background of a previous laparoscopic Nissen fundoplication for reflux disease. An urgent MRI had shown herniation of the fundoplication wrap through the diaphragmatic hiatus. The cause of her symptoms was attributed to hyperemesis gravidarum. The plan was to manage this patient conservatively until the conclusion of her pregnancy. This plan was revised when she presented for the second time and developed worsening pain and haematemesis. An emergency gastroscopy showed ischaemic changes in most of the stomach requiring the patient to undergo an emergency laparotomy. In pregnant patients, presenting with abdominal pain, vomiting as well as haematemesis, having had previous antireflux surgery, incarceration of the stomach must be considered as a differential. Prompt assessment and early senior decision-making is extremely important in avoiding a potentially catastrophic outcome for such patients.
Central nervous system metastases: a rare presentation of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Authors: Abrar Sehrish , Ali Nasir , Qureshi Bilal Mazhar , Tahseen Rabia
Published: August 2021

We report a case of a male patient. He presented with nasal obstruction and epistaxis. The MRI of the brain showed a mass in the nasopharynx and enlarged cervical lymph nodes. Besides this, there was an extra-axial, dural-based lesion in brain and subcentimetre nodules in both lungs. He received induction chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation therapy to the primary site and dural-based metastatic deposit. He re-presented with bilateral lower limb weakness. The MRI of the spine showed metastatic deposits within the thoracic cord parenchyma and meningeal deposits at the lumbar region. Palliative radiation was used to treat spinal cord and meningeal metastases. He died a few months later because of systemic disease progression. Considering the rarity of this presentation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma and lack of clear guidelines for standard treatment, we report this case to share our experience of management.
Diagnosis of dengue fever in a patient with early pregnancy loss
Authors: Adjei Naomi N , Lynn Anna Y , Topran Ernest , Adeyemo Oluwatosin O
Published: August 2021

Dengue is a mosquito-borne virus that causes an influenza-like illness ranging in severity from asymptomatic to fatal. Dengue in pregnancy has been associated with adverse outcomes including miscarriage, preterm birth and fetal and neonatal death. We present the case of a multiparous woman who presented at 9 weeks’ gestation with vaginal bleeding and abdominal cramping after a 1 month stay in Mexico. She was initially diagnosed with miscarriage with plan for outpatient follow-up. She was readmitted 3 days later with fever, retro-orbital pain, arthralgia, rash, pancytopenia and transaminitis and managed with intravenous fluids and acetaminophen. Of note, dengue serology was initially negative but retesting 2 days later was positive. It is imperative that clinicians have heightened suspicion for dengue in pregnant women with history of travel to or residence in a dengue-endemic area and consistent clinical evidence.
Ethical considerations of phone-based interviews from three studies of COVID-19 impact in Bihar, India
Authors: Khalil Karima , Das Priya , Kammowanee Rochana , Saluja Deepika , Mitra Priyanjali , Das Shamayita , Gharai Dipwanita , Bhatt Dinesh , Kumar Navneet , Franzen Samuel
Published: August 2021

Phone-based interviews present a range of ethical challenges, including how to ensure informed consent and privacy and maintain confidentiality. Our paper presents conceptual and practical ethical considerations taken into account across three telephone studies on the impact of COVID-19 conducted following India’s nationwide lockdown imposed in March 2020. Two studies captured COVID-19 response impact on primary-level Reproductive Maternal Neonatal and Child Health (RMNCH) services and on provider wellness, respectively. The third study focused on how the gendered experience of COVID-19 and the state’s response to control transmission impacted women’s lives, focusing on health services, livelihood, entitlements and social change, by interviewing individual women. The ethical challenges as well as the advantages of digital data collection are presented with recommendations for low-resource settings. Ethical considerations included the above challenges as well as avoiding posing unreasonable time burden on the respondents, framing questions with a gendered lens, considering emotional states given contagion concerns and economic uncertainties, and redressing pandemic-induced distress. Using scripted Hindi was challenging in consent-taking, as was protecting household respondents’ privacy and confidentiality during lockdown. Unanticipated positive ethical implications of using a telephone approach included providing respondents privacy and catharsis, respondents choosing convenient interview times and affording health providers more privacy than institutional inperson interviews. Internalising empathy, respect and appreciative enquiry are key to establishing rapport in the absence of prior relationships. Institutional Review Board (IRB) time limits on call duration need to be flexible to allow for ‘active listening’ and empathetic enquiry in surveys on the impact of COVID-19.
Adverse childhood experiences—household stressors and children’s mental health: a single centre retrospective review
Authors: Holmes Hilary , Darmanthe Nicolas , Tee Kevin , Goodchild Margaret
Published: August 2021

Objective

To determine the prevalence of reported ‘household stressor’ adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) in families of children presenting with neurodevelopmental, behavioural or emotional difficulties and to determine whether family vulnerabilities, individually or cumulatively, were associated with particular clinical symptomatology.

Design

Retrospective chart review followed by statistical analysis of family stressors and clinical symptomatology.

Setting

A community paediatric clinic in Australia.

Participants

All 267 children who attended an initial paediatric appointment during 2018.

Results

162 (60.7%) children had been exposed to one or more household stressor ACEs, including 116 (43.4%) children exposed to parental mental illness. Behavioural disturbance occurred in 144 (53.9%) children and externalising behaviours (other than attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) were more frequent than internalising behaviours. Externalising and internalising behaviours were associated with individual and cumulative household stressor ACEs. Most other symptomatology apart from genetic/neurological conditions, autistic symptoms and some developmental delays appeared to be partially associated with ACEs.

Conclusion

Household stressor ACEs were common, frequently occurred concurrently, and were associated with much of the symptomatology, in this cohort. Parental mental illness was the most prevalent stressor and behavioural disturbance the most prevalent symptomatology. These findings may have implications for clinical practice and service provision.
Association between time-to-treatment and outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer: a systematic review
Authors: Hall Helen , Tocock Adam , Burdett Sarah , Fisher David , Ricketts William M , Robson John , Round Thomas , Gorolay Sarita , MacArthur Emma , Chung Donna , Janes Sam M , Peake Michael D , Navani Neal
Published: August 2021

Background

National targets for timely diagnosis and management of a potential cancer are driven in part by the perceived risk of disease progression during avoidable delays. However, it is unclear to what extent time-to-treatment impacts prognosis for patients with non-small cell lung cancer, with previous reviews reporting mixed or apparently paradoxical associations. This systematic review focuses on potential confounders in order to identify particular patient groups which may benefit most from timely delivery of care.

Methods

Medline, EMBASE and Cochrane databases were searched for publications between January 2012 and October 2020, correlating timeliness in secondary care pathways to patient outcomes. The protocol is registered with PROSPERO (the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews; ID 99239). Prespecified factors (demographics, performance status, histology, stage and treatment) are examined through narrative synthesis.

Results

Thirty-seven articles were included. All but two were observational. Timely care was generally associated with a worse prognosis in those with advanced stage disease (6/8 studies) but with better outcomes for patients with early-stage disease treated surgically (9/12 studies). In one study, patients with squamous cell carcinoma referred for stereotactic ablative radiotherapy benefited more from timely care, compared with patients with adenocarcinoma. One randomised controlled trial supported timeliness as being advantageous in those with stage I–IIIA disease.

Conclusion

There are limitations to the available evidence, but observed trends suggest timeliness to be of particular importance in surgical candidates. In more advanced disease, survival trends are likely outweighed by symptom burden, performance status or clinical urgency dictating timeliness of treatment.
Exploring the mechanical response of low-carbon soil improvement mixtures
Authors: Fraccica Alessandro , Spagnoli Giovanni , Romero Enrique , Arroyo Marcos , Gómez Rodrigo
Published: August 2021

As society moves towards decarbonisation, it is important to assess the hydromechanical behaviour of binders that could offer a low-carbon alternative to Portland cement in ground improvement technologies. This work considers two such alternatives: one still largely unexplored (metakaolin-based geopolymers) and a better known one (colloidal silica). Results from unconfined compressive strength, permeability tests, undrained monotonic and cyclic triaxial tests on granular soils (sand and silty sand) treated with those two binders are presented and discussed, emphasizing similarities and differences with the response of similar soils treated with other conventional and unconventional binders. Effects of silt content, curing conditions and soil/binder ratios are examined. Both colloidal silica and metakaolin-based geopolymer significantly improve the mechanical properties of the treated soils, although the geopolymer results in a stronger and stiffer material. Both treatments reduce much the permeability of the treated soil, but the reduction achieved with colloidal silica is larger.
Long-term and season-specific changes in the body concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, and selenium by means of quantitative analyses of beard samples collected every day — A case study
Authors: Sera K. , Goto S. , Hosokawa T. , Saitoh Y.
Published: August 2021

A total of 4269 beard samples were collected from the same person every day over a 12-year period and analyzed by PIXE using a standard-free method. It was found that the concentrations of copper and zinc showed certain short-term changes but did not show a noticeable long-term trend over the study period, with only iron showing a slightly decreasing tendency with age. All of these elements showed clear yearly variations with a cycle of a few years possibly due to periodic metabolic changes in the subject’s body or long-term changes in eating habits. In contrast, however, selenium showed clear seasonal variations. Its concentration significantly increased in the summer and decreased in the winter, just as was observed with arsenic and mercury. This suggests that most of the subject’s selenium intake was from marine products, whose supply and consumption were increased in the summer. These findings confirmed that beard analyses are useful not only for evaluating essential-element intake but also for estimating the relationship between the body-element concentrations and ingestion of certain foods.
DOES FOREIGN AID PROMOTE DEMOCRATIC INSTITUTIONS IN POST-CONFLICT CAMBODIA? EVIDENCE FROM ARDL BOUNDS TESTING APPROACH
Authors: SLESMAN LY
Published: August 2021

Whether foreign aid promotes or hinders democratic institutions has been debated with opposing views. This paper investigates short- and long-run effects of foreign aid on democratization in post-conflict Cambodia using autoregressive distributed lag bounds testing and Gregory–Hansen structural break testing approach for cointegration over 1980–2015 period. The findings reveal that net bilateral foreign aid per capita, aggregated and classified into purpose-based ‘governance aid’, ‘economic aid’, ‘other aid’ and ‘donor-specific aid’ from the US, EU, France, Australia and Japan, promote long-run democratization. In the short run, only governance and economic aid appear to have a consistent positive effect on democratization.
Dynamical behavior of simplified FitzHugh–Nagumo neural system with time delay driven by Lévy noise
Authors: Qiu Weida , Guo Yongfeng , Yu Xiuxian
Published: August 2021

In this paper, the dynamical behavior of the FitzHugh–Nagumo (FHN) neural system with time delay driven by Lévy noise is studied from two aspects: the mean first-passage time (MFPT) and the probability density function (PDF) of the first-passage time (FPT). Using the Janicki–Weron algorithm to generate the Lévy noise, and through the order-4 Runge–Kutta algorithm to simulate the FHN system response, the time that the system needs from one stable state to the other one is tracked in the process. Using the MATLAB software to simulate the process above 20,000 times and recording the PFTs, the PDF of the FPT and the MFPT is obtained. Finally, the effects of the Lévy noise and time-delay on the FPT are discussed. It is found that the increase of both time-delay feedback intensity and Lévy noise intensity can promote the transition of the particle from the resting state to the excited state. However, the two parameters produce the opposite effects in the other direction.
ORGANISATIONAL CULTURE AND WORK–LIFE BALANCE AS FACILITATORS OF SERVICE INNOVATION: STUDY IN A TECHNOLOGY KNOWLEDGE-INTENSIVE BUSINESS SERVICES FIRM
Authors: JUNIOR JANDIR TAMBOSI , GOMES GIANCARLO , DE MONTREUIL CARMONA LINDA JESSICA , TAMBOSI SILVANA SILVA VIEIRA
Published: August 2021

This study aimed at analysing the relationship among organisational culture, work–life balance, and service innovation in a technology-based Knowledge-Intensive Business Services (t-KIBS) firm. This quantitative, survey-typed, and cross-sectional research was performed in a sample of 278 respondents. Data were analysed using structural equation modeling by partial least squares. Our results showed that the adhocracy culture is positively related to work–life balance and service innovation. The results also showed a positive effect of work–life balance in the development of service innovations. Contributions of this study are focused on the understanding of the direct and indirect effects of organisational culture on the service innovation and work–life balance fields in a highly competitive industry as the t-KIBS’. Due to the dynamism of this market, urgent execution deadlines for demanding projects cause high levels of employee stress, making work–life balance policies more necessary, as they emerge on the leadership and organisational culture and impact its innovation. Thus, it is recommended to create a long-term sustainable competitive advantage in companies and promote service innovation, that organisational culture should be treated in synchrony with the strategic corporate objectives and simultaneously with programs and incentives to promote the balance between employees’ professional and personal lives.
Buckling Pattern Transition Of Periodic Porous Elastomers Induced By Proportional Loading Conditions
Authors: Guo Yidong , Huang Wei , Ma Yu-E
Published: August 2021

This paper focuses on the buckling instabilities of periodic porous elastomers under combined multiaxial loading. A numerical model based on the periodic boundary condition (PBC) for the 2D representative volume element (RVE) is proposed, in which two proportional loading parameters are employed to control the complex stressing state applied to the RVE model. A homogenization-based orthogonal transformation matrix is established by satisfying the equality of the total work rate to realize a proportional multiaxial loading on the RVE. First, the transition behavior of buckling patterns of periodic porous structures is revealed through instability analysis for the RVE consisting of [Formula: see text] primitive cells with circular holes subjected to different proportional loading conditions. Simulation results show that the first-order buckling mode of RVE may change suddenly from a uniaxial shearing buckling pattern to a biaxial rotating buckling pattern at a critical loading proportion. Then the influences of the number of primitive cells in the enlarged RVE on the buckling behavior are discussed. When the number of primitive cells in any enlarging direction is odd, the points of buckling pattern transition of the enlarged RVEs vary significantly with the number of cells in RVE. When the number of primitive cells is even in both enlarging directions, there is no apparent difference for the critical buckling stresses of the enlarged RVEs.
Implementing Machine Learning Algorithms on Finite Element Analyses Data Sets for Selecting Proper Cellular Structure
Authors: Darvishi Mahziyar , Ziaee Omid , Rahmati Arash , Silani Mohammad
Published: August 2021

Numerous structure geometries are available for cellular structures, and selecting the suitable structure that reflects the intended characteristics is cumbersome. While testing many specimens for determining the mechanical properties of these materials could be time-consuming and expensive, finite element analysis (FEA) is considered an efficient alternative. In this study, we present a method to find the suitable geometry for the intended mechanical characteristics by implementing machine learning (ML) algorithms on FEA results of cellular structures. Different cellular structures of a given material are analyzed by FEA, and the results are validated with their corresponding analytical equations. The validated results are employed to create a data set used in the ML algorithms. Finally, by comparing the results with the correct answers, the most accurate algorithm is identified for the intended application. In our case study, the cellular structures are three widely used cellular structures as bone implants: Cube, Kelvin, and Rhombic dodecahedron, made of Ti–6Al–4V. The ML algorithms are simple Bayesian classification, K-nearest neighbor, XGBoost, random forest, and artificial neural network. By comparing the results of these algorithms, the best-performing algorithm is identified.
Improving Urban Resilience to Rainstorm Disasters: A Comparative Case Study of Beijing
Authors: SONG Qiaoyun , ZHENG Yan , LIN Chenzhen
Published: August 2021

Urban resilience is a major indicator of a city’s sustainability. Climate change increases the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events, thereby increasing uncertainty and disaster risk. A city’s capacity to cope with climatic risks can be improved by developing resilience. In China, heavy rainfall is the most frequent and costly extreme weather event. We conducted a comparative case study on Beijing’s extraordinary 7.21 rainstorm disaster in 2012 and the 7.20 rainstorm in 2016. Taken generic resilience and specific resilience as the analytical framework, we found that generic resilience is mainly determined by the socio-economic development level and geography of each district; while the combination of engineering and non-engineering adaptive measures after 2012 disaster has improved the specific resilience to rainstorm disaster, which contributed a good performance in the 2016 rainstorm. As a megacity in China, Beijing is a representative case that provides guidance for other cities to improve their urban resilience to rainstorm disasters.
The palynology of the Kimmeridge Clay and Carstone Formations (Upper Jurassic–Lower Cretaceous) at Middlegate Quarry, North Lincolnshire, UK, and its biostratigraphical and palaeoenvironmental significance
Authors: Black Roderick D. , Dodsworth Paul
Published: August 2021

At Middlegate Quarry, the Carstone Formation is a
c.
0.8 m thick unit of oolitic ferruginous sandstone. It rests unconformably on the lower Kimmeridge Clay Formation (KCF) and is overlain by the Hunstanton Formation (Red Chalk) with an apparently gradational junction. Marine dinoflagellate cysts (dinocysts) are present at a concentration of 9520 to 13 600 specimens per gram in the 0.15 m of KCF below the unconformity, and include taxa that confirm ammonite evidence for the intra-Lower Kimmeridgian Substage (Upper Jurassic, Cymodoce Ammonite Zone). A rich recovery of well-preserved Lower Cretaceous palynomorphs is reported for the first time from the overlying Carstone. Reworking of mudstone from the KCF into the formation appears to have provided a local argillaceous preservation matrix at Middlegate. The basal 0.15 m is dominated by palynomorphs derived from the KCF but the interval from 0.15 to 0.55 m above the unconformity mainly contains indigenous Lower Cretaceous palynomorphs. Dinoflagellate cysts are present in the Carstone at an average concentration of 454 specimens per gram, and include taxa that probably have stratigraphical range bases above the Aptian–Albian stage boundary:
Cyclonephelium compactum, Cyclonephelium intonsum, Endoscrinium heikeae
,
Leptodinium cancellatum
(consistent),
Stephodinium coronatum
and
Stephodinium spinulosum
. The additional presence of taxa with range tops/event tops in the Lower Albian Tardefurcata Ammonite Zone (common
Cauca parva
, frequent
Canninginopsis monile
and
Kleithriasphaeridium eoinodes
, and rare
Dingodinium albertii, Discorsia nannus
and
Kiokansium prolatum
) indicate probable assignment to this zone. The new palynological data support previous macrofossil (brachiopod) study of the Carstone at Middlegate and nearby Melton Bottom Quarry which tentatively assigns its highest part to the Tardefurcata Zone. The palynological and palynofacies assemblages are interpreted to confirm a relatively proximal to shoreline site of deposition, possibly inner to middle neritic.

Supplementary material:
Quarry photographs and a palynological distribution chart are available at
https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.5538977
Octopus
+

: An RDMA-Enabled Distributed Persistent Memory File System
Authors: Zhu Bohong , Chen Youmin , Wang Qing , Lu Youyou , Shu Jiwu
Published: August 2021

Non-volatile memory and remote direct memory access (RDMA) provide extremely high performance in storage and network hardware. However, existing distributed file systems strictly isolate file system and network layers, and the heavy layered software designs leave high-speed hardware under-exploited.

In this article, we propose an RDMA-enabled distributed persistent memory file system,

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, to redesign file system internal mechanisms by closely coupling non-volatile memory and RDMA features. For data operations,

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directly accesses a shared persistent memory pool to reduce memory copying overhead, and actively fetches and pushes data all in clients to rebalance the load between the server and network. For metadata operations,

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introduces self-identified remote procedure calls for immediate notification between file systems and networking, and an efficient distributed transaction mechanism for consistency.

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is enabled with replication feature to provide better availability. Evaluations on Intel Optane DC Persistent Memory Modules show that

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achieves nearly the raw bandwidth for large I/Os and orders of magnitude better performance than existing distributed file systems.
P4HA2 Promotes Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Glioma Malignancy through the Collagen-Dependent PI3K/AKT Pathway
Authors: Lin Jing , Jiang Lei , Wang Xiaogang , Wei Wenxin , Song Chaoli , Cui Yong , Wu Xiaojun , Qiu GuanZhong
Published: August 2021

Prolyl-4-hydroxylase subunit 2 (P4HA2) is a member of collagen modification enzymes involved in the remodeling of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Mounting evidence has suggested that deregulation of P4HA2 is common in cancer. However, the role of P4HA2 in glioma remains unknown. The present study aimed to elucidate the expression pattern, oncogenic functions, and molecular mechanisms of P4HA2 in glioblastoma cells. The TCGA datasets and paraffin samples were used for examining the expressions of P4HA2. P4HA2-specific lentivirus was generated to assess its oncogenic functions. A P4HA2 enzyme inhibitor (DHB) and an AKT agonist (SC79) were utilized to study the mechanisms. As a result, we demonstrated that P4HA2 is overexpressed in glioma and inversely correlates with patient survival. Knockdown of P4HA2 inhibited proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) like phenotype of glioma cells in vitro and suppressed tumor xenograft growth in vivo. Mechanistically, expressions of a series of collagen genes and of phosphorylated PI3K/AKT were downregulated by either P4HA2 silencing or inhibition of its prolyl hydroxylase. Finally, the inhibitory effects on the migration, invasion, and EMT-related molecules by P4HA2 knockdown were reversed by AKT activation with SC79. Our findings for the first time reveal that P4HA2 acts as an oncogenic molecule in glioma malignancy by regulating the expressions of collagens and the downstream PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.
The Association of Thyroid Hormone Changes with Inflammatory Status and Prognosis in COVID-19
Authors: Dincer Yazan Ceyda , Ilgin Can , Elbasan Onur , Apaydin Tugce , Dashdamirova Saida , Yigit Tayfun , Sili Uluhan , Karahasan Yagci Aysegul , Sirikci Onder , Haklar Goncagul , Gozu Hulya
Published: August 2021

Background. COVID-19 infection may have multiorgan effects in addition to effects on the lungs and immune system. Recently, studies have found thyroid function abnormalities in COVID-19 cases which were interpreted as euthyroid sick syndrome (ESS) or destructive thyroiditis. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to evaluate the thyroid function status and thyroid autoimmunity in COVID-19 patients. Material and Method. 205 patients were included. The medical history and laboratory parameters at admission were collected from medical records. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), thyroid peroxidase antibody, and thyroglobulin antibody were measured, and patients were classified according to thyroid function status. Results. 34.1% of the patients were euthyroid. Length of hospitalization (

p
<
0.001

), rate of oxygen demand (

p
<
0.001

), and intensive care unit (ICU) admission (

p
=
0.022

) were lower, and none of the euthyroid patients died. 108 (52.6%) patients were classified to have ESS, 57 were classified as mild, and 51 were moderate. The inflammatory parameters were higher in patients with moderate ESS. In cluster analysis, a high-risk group with a lower median FT3 value (median = 2.34 ng/L; IQR = 0.86), a higher median FT4 value (median = 1.04 ng/dL; IQR = 0.33), and a lower median TSH value (median = 0.62 mIU/L; IQR = 0.59) included 8 of 9 died patients and 25 of the 31 patients that were admitted to ICU. Discussion. Length of hospitalization, oxygen demand, ICU admission, and mortality were lower in euthyroid patients. Moreover, none of the euthyroid patients died. In conclusion, evaluation of thyroid function tests during COVID-19 infection may give information about the prognosis of disease.
Pistachio Hull Extract as a Practical Strategy to Extend the Shelf Life of Raw Minced Beef: Chemometrics in Quality Evaluation
Authors: Elhadef Khaoula , Ennouri Karim , Fourati Mariam , Ben Hlima Hajer , Akermi Sarra , Mellouli Lotfi , Smaoui Slim
Published: August 2021

The agricultural processing industry produces a notable quantity of by-products rich in bioactive compounds, which can be exploited for agri-food applications. From pistachio industrial processing, pistachio’s hull is one of the major by-products. This work aimed to evaluate the potential of pistachio hull, as a potential source of natural antioxidant, to preserve the meat quality. Here, we investigated the impact of aqueous pistachio hull extract (PHE) at 0.156% (PHE1), 0.312% (PHE2), and 0.625% (PHE3) on the quality of raw minced beef meat stored for 14 days at 4°C. At the end of storage, mesophilic total viable plate, psychotropic and Enterobacteriaceae counts, showed significantly lower (

P
<
0.05

) microbial count in PHE samples. PHE3 revealed a powerful inhibitory effect on lipid/protein oxidation, and sensory characteristics were positively (

P
<
0.05

) affected. Principal component analysis and heat map indicated complex and close synchronized relations among lipid/protein oxidation processes, microbial loads, and sensory attributes. Obtained results using univariate and multivariate statistical analysis underlined the importance of using different mathematical approaches, which are complementary to each other and could provide considerable information about the minced beef meat treated by PHE. Therefore, compared to synthetic antioxidants, PHE could be a clean-label alternative that can protect and enhance the quality of meat products.
Evaluation of Incision Margin and Radiotherapy Adjustment in Breast Cancer-Conserving Surgery Based on VR Pathology 3D Reconstruction
Authors: Zhang Li
Published: August 2021

At present, the incidence of breast cancer is high worldwide and the most effective way to treat breast cancer is surgery. This study mainly explores the application of pathological three-dimensional reconstruction based on VR technology in the evaluation of the margins of breast-conserving surgery and the adjustment of radiotherapy for breast cancer. In the process of making pathological large slices, the slice markers are counted and the upper and outer cutting edges are located and placed in a large embedding box to prevent tissue deformation. ACDSEE6.0 is used to convert the aligned image BMP format into JPG format, the JPG images of each breast are cropped in batches under the same range and size, and then 3DDOCTOR1.0 is imported to edit the images. The boundary edit tool is activated to segment the target area layer by layer to create a boundary data set of the target structure. The stored file is opened and 3D rendering simple surface and volume rendering on the computer is run to display the surface data 3D display and the volume data 3D display. During VR image processing, the data are imported into the VR image workstation and the Radio Dexter software system is used for image adjustment, trimming, and sequence extraction. Then, the preliminary processed CT and MRI data are displayed in pairs. Through multiplane comparison, manual or automatic fusion tools are used to reduce the gap between image sequences. The surgical process is simulated under VR: by changing the window size and viewing angle; using virtual electric drills, cutting tools, and other virtual instruments; ad selecting the operating microscope perspective; and simulating steps such as breast opening, visual field exposure, and tumor resection. The breast tomographic image was reconstructed in multiple planes, and two-dimensional images of any plane could be observed. 10 cases showed high-density shadows and 5 cases showed isodensity shadows. This research contributes to the precise treatment of breast-conserving surgery.
Liraglutide Improves Endothelial Function via the mTOR Signaling Pathway
Authors: Wu Han , Xiao Cheng , Zhao Yiting , Yin Hongchao , Yu Miao
Published: August 2021

Background. Mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is crucial for endothelial function. This study is aimed at assessing whether the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) analogue liraglutide has a protective effect on endothelial function via the mTOR signaling pathway. Methods. Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were administered liraglutide (100 nM) for 0, 10, 30, 60, 720, and 1440 minutes, respectively. Then, the expression and phosphorylation levels of mTOR, mTOR-Raptor complex (mTORC1), and mTOR-Rictor complex (mTORC2) were determined by Western blot and immunoprecipitation, while mTORC1 and mTORC2 expression was blocked by siRNA-Raptor and siRNA-Rictor, respectively. Akt phosphorylation was detected by Western blot. HUVECs were then incubated with liraglutide in the absence or presence of Akt inhibitor IV. Nitric oxide (NO) release was assessed by the nitrate reductase method. Phosphorylated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT), and apoptosis-related effectors were assessed for protein levels by Western blot. Telomerase activity was evaluated by ELISA. Results. Sustained mTOR phosphorylation, mTORC2 formation, and mTORC2-dependent Akt phosphorylation were induced by liraglutide. In addition, eNOS phosphorylation, NO production, nuclear hTERT accumulation, and nuclear telomerase activity were enhanced by mTORC2-mediated Akt activation. Liraglutide also showed an antiapoptotic effect by upregulating antiapoptotic proteins and downregulating proapoptotic proteins in an mTORC2-Akt activation-dependent manner. Conclusion. Liraglutide significantly improves endothelial function, at least partially via the mTORC2/Akt signaling pathway.