bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Financial frictions, bank intermediation and monetary policy transmission in India
Authors: Banerjee Shesadri , Behera Harendra
Published: January 2023

Do the different types of financial friction have differential implications for monetary transmission in emerging economies? We investigate this question using India as the country for analysis. We adopt a New Keynesian business cycle model with bank intermediation, extend it by the Indian economy‐specific features and validate with the data. The baseline model explains the co‐movements of interest rates, incomplete pass‐through and sluggish adjustment mechanism of the macro‐financial variables for a policy interest rate shock. It identifies the collateral‐constrained, financially excluded households and low proportion of savers as the primary sources of frictions causing weak monetary transmission.
Power concentration and bottom‐up information flow: Evidence from Chinese municipal congresses
Authors: Yang Wenhui
Published: January 2023

Power concentration may impede bottom‐up information flow. This article argues that strong ruling party control may facilitate the power concentration of ruling elites, which breeds reticence and impedes bottom‐up information flow. Using Chinese municipal congresses as a case, I establish that strong ruling party control significantly reduces the number of policy proposals, suggestions, and criticisms from legislators. The reduction effect of ruling party control on upward information is more salient when party leaders are expected to gain power in the future. Further analysis rules out alternative mechanisms: leadership style, composition of legislators, and local grievance.
Engaging participants with research findings: A rights‐informed approach
Authors: George Mathew Sunil , Gaitonde Rakhal , Davey Rachel , Mohanty Itismita , Upton Penney
Published: January 2023

Background

Sharing research findings with participants is recognized as an ethical imperative for the research community. However, most discourse on this topic in mainstream public health takes a paternalistic approach, with researchers retaining the power to choose if, when, and how research findings are shared.

Methods

Fieldwork took place from August 2018 to January 2019 and again from August 2019 to December 2019 among two communities in the south Indian state of Kerala. We integrated participant engagement with study findings into the research protocol, using various collaborative strategies identified during the design stage, forming partnerships with participants and determining appropriate forms of dissemination for different participant groups during fieldwork.

Results

Findings from previous research projects undertaken with these communities by other researchers had not been shared with them. This was interpreted by the communities as researchers not being interested in making a difference to their situation. In the current study, building reciprocal relationships that minimized power disparities, and providing outputs in tailored formats that promoted active engagement were key factors that enabled participants to engage with results. This engagement added value by enabling us to co‐develop study recommendations. This process also enabled the community to have ownership of the results and use them to advocate for health system change to improve access to health care.

Conclusion

Research should be transformative for participating communities. Participants have a right to know the results of the research they participate in since their knowledge provides the research data which can in turn promote community change. Operationalising this requires researchers to build partnerships with participants and their communities from the outset. The role of participants must be reimagined, and adequate resources should be built into the research process. This is both socially responsible and ethical, but also improves the impact and legitimacy of research for the participants and the communities that they represent.

Patient or Public Contribution

Participants of our research contributed to the design of various aspects of the engagement processes including the venue, the formats used for engagement, interpretation of the findings and recommendations from our research.
Expanding the molecular signatures of malignant ossifying fibromyxoid tumours with two novel gene fusions: PHF1::FOXR1 and PHF1::FOXR2
Authors: Srivastava Pooja , Zilla Megan L , Naous Rana , Marker Daniel , Khoshnoodi Pooria , Burgess Melissa , Herradura Armando , Wu Jinhua , Surrey Lea F , John Ivy
Published: January 2023

Aims

Ossifying fibromyxoid tumor (OFMT) is a rare enigmatic tumor of uncertain differentiation that can be classified as typical, atypical, and malignant subtypes based on cellularity, nuclear grade, and mitotic activity. The majority of OFMTs, regardless of the risk of malignancy, harbor genetic translocations. We report two malignant OFMTs, including one with evidence of dedifferentiation, with novel genefusions.

Methods and Results

Case 1 was a 63‐year‐old male with a dedifferentiated OFMT arising in the right wrist, while case 2 was a 41‐year‐old male with a malignant OFMT presenting as a posterior mediastinal mass. Case 2 showed multifocal expression with EMA and synaptophysin, while desmin and S100 were absent in both tumors. NGS sequencing studies detected PHF1::FOXR1 and PHF1::FOXR2 gene fusions in cases 1 and 2, respectively. Despite aggressive regimens, both progressed with wide spread metastases resulting in death within six years of diagnosis.

Conclusions

We expand the genetic spectrum of OFMTs with two novel gene fusions, PHF1::FOXR1 and PHF1::FOXR2. These cases confirm the previously reported tendencies for OFMTs with rare variant fusions to demonstrate malignant behavior, unusual morphology, and non‐specific immunophenotype.
Effect of the addition of microwave, roasting pre‐treated pea flour on dough properties, sensory attributes, and nutritional profiles of steamed bread
Authors: Sun Hui , Yang Weiqiao , Ouyang Shuhong , Duan Xiaoliang , Chang Liu , Hong Yu , Fang Xiuli
Published: January 2023

Food fortification with whole or de‐hulled pulse flours is a challenge since food products usually have inferior structure and sensory characteristics. In this study, wheat flour was substituted with whole or de‐hulled pea flour (20 wt%) processed under pre‐treatments of microwave and roasting to prepare novel Chinese steamed bread (CSB), respectively, and the effect on pasting property of the dough, and its influence on physical quality, sensory attributes, and nutritional profile (amino acids, dietary fibre, and mineral micronutrients) of the resulting CSB was investigated. The addition of pretreated pea flour increased the peak, retraction and final viscosity of the dough and increased the specific volume and decreased the hardness of the final product due to the enhanced pasting characteristics, compared to the control. Microwave and roasting presented different patterns affecting gas cell structure, amino acid composition, dietary fibre content, and essential minerals, depending to a large extent on the milling fraction. Among all the treatments, microwave‐treated de‐hulled pea flour was more effective in modifying the cellular structure, improving amino acid composition and dietary fibre content of the resultant CSBs. This study offers useful knowledge for creating functional CSB that satisfies the needs for both sensory appeal and nutritional balance.
Understanding the ultralow lattice thermal conductivity of monoclinic RETaO4 from acoustic‐optical phonon anti‐crossing property and a comparison with ZrO2
Authors: Gan Mengdi , Chong Xiaoyu , Yu Wei , Xiao Bing , Feng Jing
Published: January 2023

The low thermal conductivity (κ) has a significant impact on the application of thermal barrier coatings (TBCs). Rare‐earth tantalates (RETaO4) are one kind of the most promising TBC materials with low thermal conductivity. However, the underlying mechanism of low κ in RETaO4 has remained a mystery. In this work, the thermal transport properties of monoclinic (m)‐RETaO4 (RE = Y, Eu, Gd, Dy, Er) compared with ZrO2 are conducted to reveal the mechanism of low lattice thermal conductivity in the former compounds using highly accurate phonon Boltzmann transport equation combined with first‐principles calculations. The predicted κ is in good agreement with experimental data, which proves that this work is convincing. The result shows that ErTaO4 has the lowest κ (1.37 W m−1 K−1 at 1600 K), which is much lower than ZrO2 (2.49 W m−1 K−1 at 1600 K). It is found that the strong anharmonicity and large scattering rate in m‐RETaO4 are mainly derived from strong ionic bonding in the crystal structure, and strong anti‐crossing property of acoustic‐optical phonon branches in phonon dispersion. Both mechanisms can effectively reduce the phonon group velocity and increase the phonon scattering rates of m‐RETaO4, leading to lower κ than ZrO2. Fortunately, two descriptors, including distortion degree and stretching force constant, are suggested to be used to quickly screen the doping or multicomponent RETaO4 with relatively lower κ, which could also be extended to other potential TBCs systems, that is, rare‐earth silicate, rare‐earth cerate, and so on.
Isolating the effects of thixotropy in geopolymer pastes
Authors: Brandvold Allison S. , Al‐Chaar Ghassan K. , Kriven Waltraud M.
Published: January 2023

The rheological properties of potassium‐based geopolymers were investigated through a series of experiments intended to isolate the influence of shear rate, recovery time, and shear ramping on thixotropy for a greater understanding of geopolymer thixotropic properties within the context of the geopolymer setting reaction. It is shown that for thixotropic disruption to occur a critical shear rate of 100 s−1 must be reached or surpassed, full thixotropic restructuring occurs at around 90–100 min of total undisturbed rest time, and that reaching a state of full thixotropic disturbance heavily depends on subjected processing parameters. In addition, a consistent crossover between the storage and loss modulus within 1–3 min of oscillation during cyclical oscillatory measurements greatly indicates the repeatability and reversibility of thixotropy in geopolymers and the potential for tailorable viscosity. Overall, it is found that geopolymer pastes exhibit strong evidence of thixotropy, which is favorable for additive manufacturing, and that allotted rest time before shear and shear rate greatly influence the overall rheological properties.
The comparison of expressed emotion of parents of individuals with fragile X syndrome to other intellectual disabilities
Authors: Coleman Jeanine , Thompson Talia , Riley Karen , Allen Korrie , Michalak Claire , Shields Rebecca , Berry‐Kravis Elizabeth , Hessl David
Published: January 2023

Background

Parenting children and young adults with intellectual disabilities, including individuals with fragile X syndrome and Down syndrome, is challenging, joyful, and complicated. Exploring how parents talk about their children, and the quality of the parent/child relationship can provide insight into the home environment and interactional patterns of the family.

Method

Expressed emotion (EE) is a measurement of a family's emotional climate based on a parent or caregiver's report of warmth, emotional overinvolvement, hostility, and criticism. The purpose of this study was to describe EE for a sample of parents of individuals with intellectual disabilities and to determine any differences in EE amongst individuals within subgroups. Based on previous research about fragile X syndrome and family systems, we hypothesized that there would be significant differences between the disability groups (higher EE in families with children/young adults with fragile X syndrome).

Results

Results showed relatively high proportions of EE across groups of individuals with intellectual disabilities, however, there were no significant differences between the subgroups. Null findings suggest that differences in EE may not relate directly to a child's specific genetic condition. Rather, increased EE in caregiver populations may simply reflect well‐documented stressors related to stigma, caregiver burden, and limited community supports. Critical statements were infrequent, however, over half of the participants reported dissatisfaction with their situation, and many were categorized as having emotional overinvolvement, as measured by frequent statements of intense worry and self‐sacrifice.

Conclusion

Findings point to potential utility in family‐level interventions focused on providing structured caregiver therapy to manage excessive worry and grief related to a diagnosis of intellectual disability, and respite care to encourage caregiver independence and pursuit of personal care.
A trait‐based approach to marine island biogeography
Authors: Ferrari Débora S. , Floeter Sergio R. , Leprieur Fabien , Quimbayo Juan P.
Published: January 2023

Aim

The Island Biogeography Theory (IBT) and its multiple extensions explain species diversity patterns in insular systems. However, how these theories can predict the functional diversity patterns in island systems remains challenging. Here, we evaluated the predictions of the IBT, the General Dynamic Theory of Oceanic Island Biogeography (GDM) and the Glacial‐sensitive model of Island Biogeography (GSM) considering the functional diversity of reef fishes on islands.

Location

Tropical oceanic islands.

Taxon

Actinopterygii.

Method

We combined literature data and online repositories to gather occurrence data and traits of reef fish species for 72 tropical oceanic islands. We then calculated five functional diversity indices (functional richness ‘FRic’, functional evenness ‘FEve’, functional divergence ‘FDiv’, functional over‐redundancy ‘FOR’ and functional vulnerability ‘FVul’). We used generalized additive mixed models to explore relationships among species richness and functional indices. Furthermore, we built Bayesian models to evaluate relationships between the functional diversity indices and several island features (isolation from the nearest reef, past and present reef area, and geological age) and two metrics that reflect the potential influence of Quaternary climatic changes (isolation from Quaternary refugia) and historical contingency (isolation from biodiversity centres).

Results

We observed higher levels of FRic, FDiv and FOR on the Indo‐Pacific islands, whereas FEve and FVul showed higher values on the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific islands. We identified positive relationships between FRic, FDiv and FOR with species richness but negative relationships with FEve and FVul. We found that past and present reef areas best explained the variation in functional diversity among islands.

Main Conclusions

The functional diversity of reef fishes on oceanic islands showed a longitudinal gradient, which can be explained by differences in the evolutionary history among marine regions. Furthermore, past and present reef areas were found to be the best predictors of reef fish functional diversity on oceanic islands, extending the IBT, GDM and GSM for marine organisms within a trait‐based framework.
Flotillin‐1 is a prognostic biomarker for glioblastoma and promotes cancer development through enhancing invasion and altering tumour microenvironment
Authors: Wang Ran , Chen Zhikang , Zhang Yi , Xiao Shihan , Zhang Wuming , Hu Xianqin , Xiao Qun , Liu Qing , Wang Xiangyu
Published: January 2023

Flotillin‐1(FLOT1) has long been recognized as a tumour‐promoting gene in several types of cancer. However, the expression and function of FLOT1 in glioblastomas (GBM) has not been elucidated. Here, in this study, we find that the expression level of FLOT1 in GBM tissue was much higher than that in normal brain, and the expression was even higher in the more aggressive subtypes and IDH status of glioma. Kaplan–Meier survival revealed that high FLOT1 expression is closely associated with poor outcome in GBM patients. FLOT1 knockdown markedly reduced the proliferation, migration and invasiveness of GBM cells, while FLOT1 overexpression significantly increases GBM cell proliferation, migration and invasiveness. Mechanistically, FLOT1 expression may play a potential role in the microenvironment of GBM. Therefore, FLOT1 promotes GBM proliferation and invasion in vitro and in vivo and may serve as a biomarker of prognosis and therapeutic potential in the fight against GBM.
Fatty acid–binding protein genes in gilthead seabream: molecular cloning and nutritional regulation under low water temperatures
Authors: Taşbozan Oğuz , Erbaş Celal , Bayır Mehtap , Özdemir Erdal , Arslan Gökhan , Bayır Abdulkadir
Published: January 2023

The molecular characteristics and tissue disruption of 10 fatty acid–binding protein (fabp) genes in gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) were investigated, and their expression levels were found in the fish fed diets with different vegetable oil (VO) sources, which may explore the potential function of fabp genes in S. aurata. For this purpose, the open reading frames of fabp genes involved in the transport and ß‐oxidation of fatty acids (FA) were molecularly cloned and characterized. S. aurata was then exposed to a two‐staged feeding trial (the grow‐out period following a wash‐out period) at low water temperatures. In the grow‐out period, the fish were fed diets containing 50% and 100% ratios of various VOs for 60 days, and in the wash‐out period, the fish were fed a diet containing 100% fish oil (FO) for 30 days. It has been determined that (a) S. aurata and vertebrate fabp/FABP genes are orthologues; (b) spatio‐temporal differences in tissue‐specific patterns of fabp genes differ importantly; for instance, the difference between the highest and lowest values reaches 13 × 105‐fold in the fabp10a; and (c) VO‐based diets upregulated fabp transcript levels in the liver and muscle with some exceptions, such as liver fabp11a and muscle fabp7a. Gene expressions of only the hepatic fabp7b and fabp10a genes were diminished at the end of the wash‐out period. In this study, the authors provide further evidence that dietary FAs affect fabp mRNA expressions in S. aurata. This might be useful in the nutritional control of fabp genes to maintain lipid homeostasis in marine fish fed VO‐based diets at low water temperatures.
Age, growth, reproduction and status of resource development of Ptychidio jordani, a critically endangered freshwater fish in the Hongshui River, China
Authors: He Jiayang , Wu Zhiqiang , Huang Liangliang , Sun Yangyan , Wang Dongjie , Lin Yong , He Anyou , Feng Jie , Liu Hao
Published: January 2023

The age, growth, reproduction and resource development status of Ptychidio jordani, as a critically endangered freshwater fish in the Hongshui River, China, was studied in this work. A total of 525 specimens were collected monthly using the cages and gillnets from October 2021 to September 2022 in the Hongshui River. The scale was used for age determination, and the maximum age for both female and male was estimated to be 5 years and 3 years, respectively. Female and male P. jordani showed different growth patterns, which were expressed as Lt = 261.3 (1‐e−0.4885(t−0.1476)) and Lt = 251.2 (1‐e−0.4758(t+0.9643)), respectively. The overall sex ratio was 1:0.47 (female:male). Female attained sex maturity at 2.34 years (192 mm body length). Month variation of the gonad somatic index indicated that the spawning period occurred from April to October. The absolute fecundity was estimated at 9046 ± 3434 eggs per individual, and the relative fecundity was 38.08 ± 15.77 eggs per gram. The exploitation rate of female and male was 0.233 and 0.495, which indicated that P. jordani was not overfishing. This study provided data on the key life‐history traits of P. jordani, which has not been known previously and is essential for conservation strategy and policy development.
Trends in abundance indices derived from commercial fisheries for priority marine stocks in the Azores
Authors: Santos Régis , Medeiros–Leal Wendell , Pinho Mário
Published: January 2023

Large‐scale assessments of fish and shellfish populations may be valuable for identifying the impacts of fishing pressure on stocks, but they are rarely possible due to a lack of long‐term datasets. In this study, a two‐part mixed‐effect model for lognormal data was used to obtain historical abundance indices for 16 priority fish and shellfish stocks in the Azores region derived from catch per unit effort (kg per day at sea per vessel) and landing per unit effort (kg per landing per vessel). This data was obtained over the past 30 years under the EC Data Collection Framework and, in addition to information on effort and catch, included details about the fishing operation such as quarter, vessel length and fishing gear. This information was analysed to investigate how abundance indices changed over the years, verify if trends from different data sources were different and, if possible, relate these results to the population and fishery dynamics. The abundance indices derived from both datasets were generally in agreement with each other. Declining trends have been observed for some commercially important species, such as forkbeard Phycis phycis, European conger Conger conger, parrotfish Sparisoma cretense, red scorpionfish Scorpaena scrofa, offshore rockfish Pontinus kuhlii, common spiny lobster Palinurus elephas, splendid alfonsino Beryx splendens and alfonsino B. decadactylus, which is concerning because they are particularly slow‐growing, long‐lived and have low natural mortality, making them susceptible to overfishing. The results of this study are very important and should help future stock assessment and management initiatives.
Effects of heating process on 3D printing properties of Pennahia argentata surimi: Water distribution, gel formation, rheology, chemical bonds
Authors: Li Gaoshang , Zhan Junqi , Hu Zhiheng , Huang Jiayin , Yuan Chunhong , Takaki Koichi , Hu Yaqin , Yao Qian
Published: January 2023

The gel is an important factor in 3D printability of Pennahia argentata surimi. While surimi gel is sensitive to temperature and influenced by chemical bonds changes. Hence, preheating effects on printing and material properties of surimi were investigated. Results shown hydrogen bonds and ionic bonds contents in surimi under different heating conditions decreased about 20%–90%. Meanwhile, hydrophobic force and disulfide bonds increased about 0.2–6 times. These changes formed more gel, as well as 6.5% at most immovable water transferred into free water which enhanced texture properties and made solid properties of rheology in surimi dominant. This phenomenon occurred significantly in temperature range of gel formation (35–40°C, 90°C) while became extinct at 45°C with 10–30 min due to gel degradation. These made surimi by heating exhibit strong mechanical strength, which is conducive to forming process when printing after extrusion. However, if they occurred before extrusion, these could increase extrusion difficulty to make filamentous materials be broken easily after extrusion, weakening printing effect. Hence, preheating of surimi before extrusion was not suitable for 3D printing. While short‐time heating during or after extrusion might be more appropriate for printed surimi, promoting the application of surimi in 3D printing technology.

Practical Applications

3D printing is a new technology in food processing that refers the process of connecting or curing materials to form 3D objects by continuously adding layers of materials. Surimi is one of the suitable materials which can promote the process of printing. While the material properties of surimi are affected by temperature that influences the printing effects. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of different temperatures on the material properties of Pennahia argentata surimi, and determine the suitable heating process of printed surimi products. These results could promote the application of 3D printing technology in surimi processing.
Cellulose nanofiber‐based emulsion coatings with enhanced hydrophobicity and surface adhesion for preserving anthocyanins within thermally processed blueberries packed in aqueous media
Authors: Lin Chieh‐Yi , Jung Jooyeoun , Zhao Yanyun
Published: January 2023

To enhance hydrophobicity and surface adhesion of edible coatings onto blueberries, an emulsion system consisting of polysaccharides and oleic acid (OA) was developed and incorporated into layer‐by‐layer (LBL) cellulose nanofiber (CNF)‐based coating. The surface tension (ST) of CNF‐based emulsion coating with chitosan (CS), carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and OA was 34.28 mN/m, within the range of critical ST (28.41–37.52 dyne/cm) of blueberry surface after washing and copigmentation treatment by phenolic acid, which is essential to ensure good adhesion of coatings on fruit surface. CNF‐based emulsion coating demonstrated lower water sorption (9.47%) and water solubility (35.42%) and higher water contact angle (82.49 °) than CNF‐based coating without emulsion (control; 378.60%, 51.72%, and 67.37 °, respectively). CNF‐based emulsion coating also showed lower tensile strength (5.9 MPa) and elongation at break (2.55%) than control (28.17 MPa and 17.85%, respectively). CNF‐based emulsion coating was validated on thermally processed blueberries for preventing anthocyanin pigment leaching as the first layer in a LBL coating system with sodium alginate as the second layer. The CNF emulsion incorporated LBL coating system significantly preserved anthocyanin pigment in the processed blueberries compared with that of control due to increased surface adhesion and hydrophobicity and decreased mechanical damage. This study demonstrated the effectiveness of emulsion system in coatings for enhancing hydrophobicity and surface adhesion of coatings to preserve the nutritional and organoleptic qualities of thermally processed blueberries.

Practical Application

Degradation of anthocyanins in processed fruit and fruit products has been a long‐term challenge for processed food industry. The hydrophobic and heat‐resistant coatings developed in this study can be used to preserve antioxidant anthocyanin pigments within fruit when subjected to thermal (simulated canning) process in aqueous solution, thus overcoming the barriers that the food industry has been facing. CNF plays a critical role to enhance thermal stability and adhesion of coatings onto fruit surface. The developed technology can be utilized for not only improving existing products, but also developing new and novel fruit products.
Clinical evaluation of fall risk in older adults who use lower‐limb prostheses: A scoping review
Authors: Finco M. G. , Sumien Nathalie , Moudy Sarah C.
Published: January 2023

Background

No reviews or evidence‐based clinical protocols exist to evaluate fall risk in older adults who use lower‐limb prostheses, despite falls being prevalent and costly in this population. This scoping review sought to determine assessments, defined as clinical outcome measures and gait parameters, associated with fall risk in this population to determine if a systematic review is warranted and help inform an evidence‐based clinical protocol.

Methods

Google Scholar, PubMed, and Scopus were searched on April 19th, 2022 to include peer‐reviewed original research. Included articles reported relationships between falls and clinical outcome measures or gait parameters in older adults who use transtibial or transfemoral prostheses. Clinical outcome measures included self‐reported questionnaires and functional mobility tests. Gait parameters included spatiotemporal, kinematic, and kinetic data during walking and stair negotiation.

Results

Nineteen articles were included. Clinical outcome measure scores, gait parameter data, and cutoff scores by fall status (nonfallers, single fallers, recurrent fallers) were summarized. Six articles determined clinical outcome measures that had statistically significant associations with falls, and two articles determined gait parameters that had statistically significant associations with falls.

Conclusions

The majority of articles found no clinical outcome measure or gait parameter alone was effective at identifying fall risks in this population. Future research should evaluate a combination of assessments and collect prospective fall data to move towards establishing an evidence‐based protocol to evaluate fall risk in older adults using lower‐limb prostheses.
Frailty under COVID‐19 pandemic in Japan: Changes in prevalence of frailty from 2017 to 2021
Authors: Hirose Tamaki , Sawaya Yohei , Ishizaka Masahiro , Hashimoto Naori , Kubo Akira , Urano Tomohiko
Published: January 2023

Background

After the outbreak of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19), “pandemic‐associated‐frailty” or profound health deterioration, in older adults has been considered a health concern. In this study, we sought to demonstrate whether pandemic‐associated‐frailty is occurring in Japan, where the population is aging, by showing the prevalence of frailty before and during the COVID‐19 outbreak, using the same method.

Methods

A total of 5222 older adults in Otawara City, Tochigi Prefecture, aged 70 and 75 were surveyed annually using a complete survey, excluding those who were certified as requiring long‐term care. Frailty during 2017–2019 before the COVID‐19 outbreak and during 2020–2021 during the COVID‐19 outbreak was determined using the Kihon Checklist (KCL). Statistical analysis was performed using the χ2 test to compare annual frailty status and Kruskal–Wallis test to compare the scores.

Results

The frailty statuses over the five‐year period showed a significant decrease in Robust and a significant increase in Pre‐frailty and Frailty (p < 0.001). Frailty increased markedly during the second year of the pandemic. Based on the category, the scores deteriorated significantly for activities of daily living (p < 0.001), physical function (p = 0.003), oral function (p < 0.001), outdoor activity (p < 0.001), and depression (p < 0.001). Moreover, there was a significant deterioration in the total score for 25 items (p < 0.001). In addition, a significant deterioration was observed in the total score of 23 items, excluding the social withdrawal affected by self‐restraint life (p < 0.001).

Conclusions

The population prevalence of frailty in older adults increased steadily from the pre‐pandemic year through the first and second years of the pandemic. Based on the 25 questions of the KCL, two aspects including visiting friends and going out less stood out. This suggests that pandemic‐associated‐frailty occurred in Japan.
PagERF81 regulates lignin biosynthesis and xylem cell differentiation in poplar
Authors: Zhao Xin‐Wei , Wang Qiao , Wang Dian , Guo Wei , Hu Meng‐Xuan , Liu Ying‐Li , Zhou Gong‐Ke , Chai Guo‐Hua , Zhao Shu‐Tang , Lu Meng‐Zhu
Published: January 2023

Lignin is a major component of plant cell walls and is essential for plant growth and development. Lignin biosynthesis is controlled by a hierarchical regulatory network involving multiple transcription factors. In this study, we showed that the gene encoding an APETALA 2/ethylene‐responsive element binding factor (AP2/ERF) transcription factor, PagERF81, from poplar 84 K (Populus alba × P. glandulosa) is highly expressed in expanding secondary xylem cells. Two independent homozygous Pagerf81 mutant lines created by gene editing, produced significantly more but smaller vessel cells and longer fiber cells with more lignin in cell walls, while PagERF81 overexpression lines had less lignin, compared to non‐transgenic controls. Transcriptome and reverse transcription quantitative PCR data revealed that multiple lignin biosynthesis genes including Cinnamoyl CoA reductase 1 (PagCCR1), Cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase 6 (PagCAD6), and 4‐Coumarate‐CoA ligase‐like 9 (Pag4CLL9) were up‐regulated in Pagerf81 mutants, but down‐regulated in PagERF81 overexpression lines. In addition, a transient transactivation assay revealed that PagERF81 repressed the transcription of these three genes. Furthermore, yeast one hybrid and electrophoretic mobility shift assays showed that PagERF81 directly bound to a GCC sequence in the PagCCR1 promoter. No known vessel or fiber cell differentiation related genes were differentially expressed, so the smaller vessel cells and longer fiber cells observed in the Pagerf81 lines might be caused by abnormal lignin deposition in the secondary cell walls. This study provides insight into the regulation of lignin biosynthesis, and a molecular tool to engineer wood with high lignin content, which would contribute to the lignin‐related chemical industry and carbon sequestration.
Hiding in plain view: An historical perspective on the study of morality in personality psychology
Authors: McAdams Dan P. , Mayukha Ananya
Published: January 2023

Objective

We aim to identify the major ideas and trends in the study of morality within personality psychology over the past 100 years.

Method

Our historical review is organized into three sections, examining moral dimensions in personality from the standpoints of the person as (1) a social actor (moral traits), (2) a motivated agent (the mental infrastructure of morality), and (3) an autobiographical author (moral life stories).

Results

Within the field of personality psychology, a great deal of research into morality has been hiding for decades in plain view. Accordingly, we trace the history of research on socialization and instrumental competence, altruism, moral traits and virtues, the dimensions of morality inherent in the authoritarian personality, personal values, moral reasoning, moral intuitions, and the life stories constructed by people who have distinguished themselves for moral excellence, as evidenced in extraordinary bravery, compassion, or generativity.

Conclusions

In a multitude of ways, human beings express and experience individual differences in their moral engagement of the world, all of which fall within the purview of personality psychology.
Kinetics and predictive value of HBcrAg, HBV RNA and anti‐HBc during bulevirtide treatment of chronic HDV‐infected patients
Authors: Sandmann Lisa , Deterding Katja , Bremer Birgit , Port Kerstin , Cornberg Markus , Wedemeyer Heiner , Maasoumy Benjamin
Published: January 2023

The entry inhibitor bulevirtide (BLV) is a new treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis D virus (HDV) infection and compensated liver disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the kinetic and predictive value of markers reflecting HBV cccDNA transcriptional activity and host immune response activity during BLV treatment in a real‐life cohort of HDV infected patients. Levels of HDV RNA, HBV RNA, hepatitis B core related antigen (HBcrAg) and hepatitis B core antibodies (anti‐HBc) were measured in 16 patients before (BL), after three (3M) and six (6M) months of treatment with BLV. All patients received nucleos(t)ide analogue treatment. HDV RNA declined in all patients during treatment. 38% (6/16) showed ≥ 2 log HDV RNA decline from BL to 6M and 11 patients (69%) normalized ALT levels. HBV RNA levels were low and only detectable in two to four patients. HBcrAg levels declined in 75% (12/16) of patients. Median HBcrAg levels declined significantly from BL to 6M (3.75 logU/ml (IQR 2.93‐4.78) vs. 3.4 logU/ml (IQR 2‐4.68), p=0.002). A similar trend was shown for anti‐HBc between BL and 6M. Levels of HBcrAg or anti‐HBc did not differ significantly between patients with or without ≥ 2 log HDV RNA decline from BL to 6M.After 6 months treatment with BLV, levels of HBcrAg showed a significant decline, while HBV RNA and anti‐HBc levels did not change. Reduction of HBV cccDNA transcriptional activity and immunological effects of antiviral treatment might explain these changes.
Fracture toughness and hardness of in‐office, 3D‐printed ceramic brackets
Authors: Polychronis Georgios , Papageorgiou Spyridon N. , Riollo Christopher S. , Panayi Nearchos , Zinelis Spiros , Eliades Theodore
Published: January 2023

Objectives

Three‐dimensional (3D) printing technology is a promising manufacturing technique for fabricating ceramic brackets. The aim of this research was to assess fundamental mechanical properties of in‐office, 3D printed ceramic brackets.

Materials and Methods

3D‐printed zirconia brackets, commercially available polycrystalline alumina ceramic brackets (Clarity, 3 M St. Paul, MN) and 3D‐printed customized polycrystalline alumina ceramic ones (LightForce™, Burlington, Massachusetts) were included in this study. Seven 3D printed zirconia brackets and equal number of ceramic ones from each manufacturer underwent metallographic grinding and polishing followed by Vickers indentation testing. Hardness (HV) and fracture toughness (K1c) were estimated by measuring impression average diagonal length and crack length, respectively. After descriptive statistics calculation, group differences were analysed with 1 Way ANOVA and Holm Sidak post hoc multiple comparison test at significance level α = .05.

Results

Statistically significant differences were found among the materials tested with respect to hardness and fracture toughness. The 3D‐printed zirconia proved to be less hard (1261 ± 39 vs 2000 ± 49 vs 1840 ± 38) but more resistant to crack propagation (K1c = 6.62 ± 0.61 vs 5.30 ± 0.48 vs 4.44 ± 0.30 MPa m1/2) than the alumina brackets (Clarity and Light Force respectivelty). Significant differences were observed between the 3D printed and the commercially available polycrystalline alumina ceramic brackets but to a lesser extent.

Conclusions

Under the limitations of this study, the 3D printed zirconia bracket tested is characterized by mechanical properties associated with advantageous orthodontic fixed appliances traits regarding clinically relevant parameters.
Temporal synchrony discrimination is abnormal in dichoptic but not monocular visual processing in treated anisometropic amblyopes
Authors: Chen Yao , Chen Yiya , Tao Chunwen , Zhou Shiqi , Chen Hao , Huang Pi‐Chun , Hess Robert F. , Zhou Jiawei
Published: January 2023

Purpose

To evaluate whether temporal synchrony processing deficits remain when normal visual acuity is restored in adults with unilateral anisometropic amblyopia.

Methods

We recruited 14 clinically treated anisometropic amblyopes (mean age 23.17 ± 2.53 years) with best‐corrected visual acuity ≤ 0.1 logMAR and 15 age‐matched emmetropes (mean age 24.40 ± 1.92 years) with normal vision to participate in our experiment. We presented two pairs of flicking Gaussian dots (1 Hz) as visual stimuli: one pair of dots was synchronous (reference), and the other pair of dots was asynchronous (signal). Subjects were asked to determine the position of the asynchronous pair. We applied the constant stimuli method to measure the temporal synchrony threshold under monocular and dichoptic viewing conditions. There were eight temporal phase lags in the asynchronous pair. The minimum degree of the temporal phase at which a participant can discriminate a signal pair is defined as the temporal synchrony threshold.

Results

Under monocular viewing conditions where both the reference and signal pairs were presented to one eye, the temporal synchrony thresholds of previous amblyopic eyes and fellow eyes were not significantly different (p = 0.15). Under dichoptic viewing conditions where both the reference and signal pairs were dichoptically presented to both eyes, the temporal synchrony threshold in the treated anisometropic amblyopes was significantly higher than that of the controls (119.34 ± 20.43 vs. 99.78 ± 16.60 ms, p = 0.009). There was no significant correlation between the monocular and dichoptic viewing conditions in the treated amblyopes (r = −0.22, p = 0.94).

Conclusions

Temporal synchrony discrimination is abnormal under dichoptic but not under monocular visual stimulation in treated anisometropic amblyopes with normalised visual acuity.
Clinical Efficacy of Intra‐Articular Injection with P‐PRP Versus that of L‐PRP in Treating Knee Cartilage Lesion: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Authors: Zhou Yiqin , Li Haobo , Cao Shiqi , Han Yaguang , Shao Jiahua , Fu Qiwei , Wang Bo , Wu Jun , Xiang Dong , Liu Ziye , Wang Huang , Zhu Jun , Qian Qirong , Yang Xiaolei , Wang Song
Published: January 2023

Objective

Platelet‐rich plasma（PRP), with different concentration of leukocytes, may lead to varying effects in the treatment of cartilage lesions. So far, current research has not shown enough evidence on this. To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of intra‐articular injection with pure platelet‐rich plasma (P‐PRP) versus those of leukocyte platelet‐rich plasma (L‐PRP) in treating knee cartilage lesions, we conducted a double‐blind, randomized controlled clinical trial with a larger sample and longer follow‐up period.

Methods

From October 2019 to October 2020, 95 patients were invited to participate in our study, and 60 (63.2%) were randomized to P‐PRP (n = 30) or L‐PRP (n = 30) groups. Patients from the two groups were treated with knee intra‐articular injections of P‐PRP or L‐PRP. Visual analog scale (VAS) and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Arthritis Index (WOMAC) scores were assessed using an unpaired t‐test for independent samples preoperatively and at 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months after intervention.

Results

We followed up 27 cases in the P‐PRP group and 26 cases in the L‐PRP group. No significant differences in VAS and WOMAC scores were found between the two groups before the intervention (p > 0.05). The WOMAC Pain and VAS‐Motions scores of the P‐PRP group were significantly lower than those of the L‐PRP group at 6 weeks after the intervention (p < 0.05). While the long‐term clinical efficacy of both injections was similar and weakened after 12 months, more adverse events were found in the L‐PRP group.

Conclusions

The short‐term results demonstrate a positive effect in reducing pain and improving function in patients with knee cartilage lesions in the two groups. While the P‐PRP injection showed better clinical efficacy in the early phase of postoperative rehabilitation and resulted in fewer adverse events, long‐term follow‐up showed similar and weakened efficacy after 12 months.

Trial Registration

ChiCTR1900026365. Registered on October 3, 2019, http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=43911.
A chromosome‐level genome assembly of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) reveals insights into genome adaptation and differential bolting regulation
Authors: Xu Liang , Wang Yan , Dong Junhui , Zhang Wei , Tang Mingjia , Zhang Weilan , Wang Kai , Chen Yinglong , Zhang Xiaoli , He Qing , Zhang Xinyu , Wang Kai , Wang Lun , Ma Yinbo , Xia Kai , Liu Liwang
Published: January 2023

High‐quality radish (Raphanus sativus) genome represents a valuable resource for agronomical trait improvements and understanding genome evolution among Brassicaceae species. However, existing radish genome assembly remains fragmentary, which greatly hampered functional genomics research and genome‐assisted breeding. Here, using a NAU‐LB radish inbred line, we generated a reference genome of 476.32 Mb with a scaffold N50 of 56.88 Mb by incorporating Illumina, PacBio and BioNano optical mapping techniques. Utilizing Hi‐C data, 448.12 Mb (94.08%) of the assembled sequences were anchored to nine radish chromosomes with 40 306 protein‐coding genes annotated. In total, 249.14 Mb (52.31%) comprised the repetitive sequences, among which long terminal repeats (LTRs, 30.31%) were the most abundant class. Beyond confirming the whole‐genome triplication (WGT) event in R. sativus lineage, we found several tandem arrayed genes were involved in stress response process, which may account for the distinctive phenotype of high disease resistance in R. sativus. By comparing against the existing Xin‐li‐mei radish genome, a total of 2 108 573 SNPs, 7740 large insertions, 7757 deletions and 84 inversions were identified. Interestingly, a 647‐bp insertion in the promoter of RsVRN1 gene can be directly bound by the DOF transcription repressor RsCDF3, resulting into its low promoter activity and late‐bolting phenotype of NAU‐LB cultivar. Importantly, introgression of this 647‐bp insertion allele, RsVRN1In‐536, into early‐bolting genotype could contribute to delayed bolting time, indicating that it is a potential genetic resource for radish late‐bolting breeding. Together, this genome resource provides valuable information to facilitate comparative genomic analysis and accelerate genome‐guided breeding and improvement in radish.
Carbohydrate and lipid balances in the positive plant phenotypic response to arbuscular mycorrhiza: increase in sink strength
Authors: Salmeron‐Santiago Isaac A. , Martínez‐Trujillo Miguel , Valdez‐Alarcón Juan J. , Pedraza‐Santos Martha E. , Santoyo Gustavo , López Pedro A. , Larsen John , Pozo María J. , Chávez‐Bárcenas Ana T.
Published: January 2023

The exchange of phosphorus (P) and carbon (C) between plants and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is a major determinant of their mutualistic symbiosis. We explored the C dynamics in tomato (Solanum lycorpersicum) inoculated or not with Rhizophagus irregularis to study their growth response under different NaH2PO4 concentrations (Null P, 0 mM; Low P, 0.065 mM; High P, 1.3 mM). The percentage of AMF colonization was similar in plants under Null and Low P, but severely reduced under High P. However, the AMF mass biomarker 16:1ω5 revealed higher fungal accumulation in inoculated roots under Low P, while more AMF spores were produced in the Null P. Under High P, AMF biomass and spores were strongly reduced. Plant growth response to mycorrhiza was negative under Null P, showing reduction in height, biovolume index, and source leaf (SL) area. Under Low P, inoculated plants showed a positive response (e.g., increased SL area), while inoculated plants under High P were similar to non‐inoculated plants. AMF promoted the accumulation of soluble sugars in the SL under all fertilization levels, whereas the soluble sugar level decreased in roots under Low P in inoculated plants. Transcriptional upregulation of SlLIN6 and SlSUS1, genes related to carbohydrate metabolism, was observed in inoculated roots under Null P and Low P, respectively. We conclude that P‐limiting conditions that increase AMF colonization stimulate plant growth due to an increase in the source and sink strength. Our results suggest that C partitioning and allocation to different catabolic pathways in the host are influenced by AMF performance.
Relationship between frailty and loneliness among community‐dwelling Turkish older people
Authors: Altintas Hülya K. , Coban Sibel A. , Cantekin Işın
Published: January 2023

Background

The scarcity of concrete data between loneliness and frailty was found and to fill this gap, the present study aimed to examine the relationship between frailty and loneliness in elderly individuals. The study was conducted to determine the relationship between loneliness and frailty in individuals aged 65 and over.

Method

The study had a cross‐sectional descriptive correlational design. The study group consisted of 527 volunteers aged 65 and over who applied to six family health centres between 15.03.2019 and 15.05.2019 and met the inclusion criteria. The Information Form, Tilburg Frailty Indicator (TFI), and Loneliness Scale for the Elderly (LSE) were used to collect the study data.

Results

It was found that the mean age of individuals with frailty (69.67 ± 4.38) was found to be higher at a statistically significant level than those without frailty (67.83 ± 3.07) (t = −5.390; P = 0.001). It was found that a total of 89.1% of those who stated they had a serious disease (χ2 = 69.688, P < 0.001) and 68.9% (χ2 = 24.315, P < 0.001) of those who had a serious disease in a loved one were statistically frail. The mean total score obtained in the LSE was 12.702 ± 5.76 and it was statistically significant at a high level (t = −12.225, P < 0.001) There was a statistically significant relationship between the TFI and its subscales, and the LSE and subscale scores of the individuals who participated in the study.

Conclusion

A positive and significant relationship was detected between all subscales of loneliness and frailty; therefore, it can be argued that the negativity in one negatively affects the other. According to these results, it can be recommended to conduct screening and intervention programs to prevent frailty and loneliness in individuals aged 65 and over and prioritise the risk factors that were found in the present study.