bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Internationalization and CSR reporting: evidence from US companies and their Polish subsidiaries
Authors: Cho Charles H. , Krasodomska Joanna , Ratliff-Miller Paulette , Godawska Justyna
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study examines the internationalization effects of corporate social responsibility (CSR) reporting, specifically aiming to identify and compare the CSR reporting practices of large US multi-national corporations (MNCs) and their Polish subsidiaries.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on content analysis and using a disclosure index, the authors examined the CSR information posted on, or linked to, the corporate websites of a sample of 60 US-based MNCs and their subsidiaries operating in Poland.

Findings

The findings indicate that US companies, despite operating in a less regulated environment, had more extensive disclosure than their Polish subsidiaries and covered more CSR-related topics. CSR disclosures within the US subsample were analogous in volume and detail. By contrast, only about half of Polish companies provided CSR disclosures, which were more diverse in volume and in the types of activities disclosed. The authors did not find a significant positive correlation between the CSR disclosures of the two subsamples.

Originality/value

The study contributes to the literature on internationalization processes and sustainability practices. It provides insights into the CSR reporting of companies located in Central and Eastern European countries. The findings also have implications for policymakers in incentivizing the enhancement of the reporting disclosure practices of companies.
Renewable energy consumption, nonrenewable energy consumption, CO2 emissions and economic growth in Vietnam
Authors: Nguyen Van Cam Thi , Le Hoi Quoc
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study intended to analyze the impact of nonrenewable energy consumption, renewable energy consumption, CO2 emissions on per capita income growth in Vietnam in the period 1990–2019.

Design/methodology/approach

The present study adopts the technique of the Autoregressive Distributed Lag (ARDL) cointegration for the annual data collection of Vietnam.

Findings

The results of the study show that in the long term, nonrenewable energy consumption increases per capita income, but CO2 emissions reduce per capita income. In the short run, changes in nonrenewable energy consumption and renewable energy consumption promote per capita income growth in Vietnam. However, changes in nonrenewable energy consumption in the past have had a negative impact on the current income growth of Vietnamese people.

Originality/value

The current study provides new insights into the growth effect of nonrenewable energy consumption, renewable energy consumption and CO2 emissions. The papers suggests important implications to Vietnam in setting the long-run policies to boost the effect of energy consumption and CO2 emissions on growth in Vietnam in the coming time.
Brand bullying: from stressing to expressing
Authors: Kucuk S. Umit , Aledin Samil A.
Published: November 2021

Purpose

This study aims to investigate a neglected phenomenon, conceptualized as “brand-bullying.” The study aims at defining the brand bullying phenomena with adolescents who are actively experiencing brand bullying. Potential impacts of brand bullying experience on adult consumption behaviors are also investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper provides a literature review of brand bullying and uses two qualitative analyses with adolescent and adult consumers through face-to-face interviews.

Findings

Study-1 found five different styles of brand bullying behavior with adolescents. Study-2’s findings revealed four distinct styles of brand bullying coping behaviors in adulthood. Study-2 also found that brand-bullying’s negative effects could continue after the bullying process is long over and has the potential to cause consumer brand hate (in the form of brand avoidance and disgust) and can cause conspicuous consumption patterns in adulthood in the future. The study further reports that neither the economically unfortunate nor the wealthy are immune to brand bullying.

Originality/value

This is the first study to investigate the brand bullying concept and its expression among adolescents, as well as its impact on adult consumption behaviors. The study is among the first to report the negative impact of brand bullying on adult consumer behaviors and consumption patterns in adulthood from a consumer psychology perspective.
The role of emerging technologies in implementing green practices to achieve sustainable operations
Authors: Umar Muhammad , Khan Syed Abdul Rehman , Zia-ul-haq Hafiz Muhammad , Yusliza Mohd Yusoff , Farooq Khalid
Published: November 2021

Purpose

The current study investigates the effect of industry 4.0 on green practices, including green manufacturing and green logistics, in the context of emerging economies.

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional data were collected from 234 manufacturing firms in Pakistan, and PLS-SEM was employed to test hypotheses.

Findings

With the advent of industry 4.0 in the current era, more emphasis is being given to the adoption of digital technologies in every field. The adoption of the green approach in supply chain management provides firms with socioeconomic and environmental benefits. The study results indicate that industry 4.0 positively affects green practices, including green manufacturing and green logistics. Moreover, the results also illustrate that these green practices have a substantial effect on the sustainability performance of the firms.

Research limitations/implications

This study provides an amplified understanding of the industry 4.0 technologies in the adoption of green practices. The outcomes also offer a policy framework for managers, legislators and manufacturers to promote green practices (i.e. green manufacturing and green logistics) in businesses.

Originality/value

Although several recent studies have tried to investigate the effect of green practices on sustainability performance. However, as per the author's best knowledge, very few studies have analyzed the influence of industry 4.0 on green practices (i.e. green manufacturing and green logistics) in the context of emerging economies.
Age‐dependent timing and routes demonstrate developmental plasticity in a long‐distance migratory bird
Authors: Verhoeven Mo A. , Loonstra A. H. Jelle , McBride Alice D. , Kaspersma Wiebe , Hooijmeijer Jos C. E. W. , Both Christiaan , Senner Nathan R. , Piersma Theunis
Published: November 2021

Longitudinal tracking studies have revealed consistent differences in the migration patterns of individuals from the same populations. The sources or processes causing this individual variation are largely unresolved. As a result, it is mostly unknown how much, how fast and when animals can adjust their migrations to changing environments.

We studied the ontogeny of migration in a long‐distance migratory shorebird, the black‐tailed godwit Limosa limosa limosa, a species known to exhibit marked individuality in the migratory routines of adults. By observing how and when these individual differences arise, we aimed to elucidate whether individual differences in migratory behaviour are inherited or emerge as a result of developmental plasticity.

We simultaneously tracked juvenile and adult godwits from the same breeding area on their south‐ and northward migrations. To determine how and when individual differences begin to arise, we related juvenile migration routes, timing and mortality rates to hatch date and hatch year. Then, we compared adult and juvenile migration patterns to identify potential age‐dependent differences.

In juveniles, the timing of their first southward departure was related to hatch date. However, their subsequent migration routes, orientation, destination, migratory duration and likelihood of mortality were unrelated to the year or timing of migration, or their sex. Juveniles left the Netherlands after all tracked adults. They then flew non‐stop to West Africa more often and incurred higher mortality rates than adults. Some juveniles also took routes and visited stopover sites far outside the well‐documented adult migratory corridor. Such juveniles, however, were not more likely to die.

We found that juveniles exhibited different migratory patterns than adults, but no evidence that these behaviours are under natural selection. We thus eliminate the possibility that the individual differences observed among adult godwits are present at hatch or during their first migration. This adds to the mounting evidence that animals possess the developmental plasticity to change their migration later in life in response to environmental conditions as those conditions are experienced.
Modelling management strategies for chronic disease in wildlife: Predictions for the control of respiratory disease in bighorn sheep
Authors: Almberg Emily S. , Manlove Kezia R. , Cassirer E. Frances , Ramsey Jennifer , Carson Keri , Gude Justin , Plowright Raina K.
Published: November 2021

Controlling persistent infectious disease in wildlife populations is an ongoing challenge for wildlife managers and conservationists worldwide, and chronic diseases in particular remain a pernicious problem.

Here, we develop a dynamic pathogen transmission model capturing key features of Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae infection, a major cause of population declines in North American bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis. We explore the effects of model assumptions and parameter values on disease dynamics, including density‐ versus frequency‐dependent transmission, the inclusion of a carrier class versus a longer infectious period, host survival rates, disease‐induced mortality and recovery rates and the epidemic growth rate. Along the way, we estimate the basic reproductive ratio, R0, for M. ovipneumoniae in bighorn sheep to fall between approximately 1.36 and 1.74.

We apply the model to compare efficacies across a suite of management actions following an epidemic, including test‐and‐remove, depopulation‐and‐reintroduction, range expansion, herd augmentation and density reduction.

Our results suggest that test‐and‐remove, depopulation‐and‐reintroduction and range expansion could help persistently infected bighorn sheep herds recovery following an epidemic. By contrast, augmentation could lead to worse outcomes than those expected in the absence of management. Other management actions that improve host survival or reduce disease‐induced mortality are also likely to improve population size and persistence of chronically infected herds.

Synthesis and applications. Dynamic transmission models like the one employed here offer a structured, logical approach for exploring hypotheses, planning field experiments and designing adaptive management. We find that management strategies that removed infected animals or isolated them within a structured metapopulation were most successful at facilitating herd recovery from a low‐prevalence, chronic pathogen. Ideally, models like ours should operate iteratively with field experiments to triangulate on better approaches for managing wildlife diseases.
Quantitative evaluation of the Achilles tendon and supraspinatus tendon in end‐stage kidney disease patients: A potential tool for predicting spontaneous tendon rupture
Authors: Tang Xinyi , Wang Jing , Guo Ruiqian , Huang Songya , Qiu Li
Published: November 2021

Many cases of spontaneous tendon rupture in end‐stage kidney disease (ESKD) patients have been reported worldwide. Quantitative assessment of tendon has become an important way to improve the prognosis of patients. In the recruited healthy volunteers and ESKD patients, the thickness and shear wave velocity (SWV) of supraspinatus tendons and Achilles tendons were measured and compared among groups. Potential factors related to the tendon SWV of ESKD patients were screened in multiple linear regression. There was no significant difference in the tendon thickness and supraspinatus tendon SWV among groups. SWV of Achilles tendons in long‐term dialysis ESKD patients were significantly lower than those in healthy volunteers (5.1 vs. 5.6 m/s, p < 0.01). Ca2+, creatinine, body mass index, and genders are the significant factors related to the tendon SWV. Shear wave elastography can be used as a potential tool for predicting spontaneous tendon rupture in ESKD patients.
Efficacy of targeted therapy in patients with HER2‐positive non‐small cell lung cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Wu Hong‐Xia , Zhuo Kai‐Quan , Wang Ke
Published: November 2021

Anti‐human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) therapy is an effective treatment for HER2‐positive gastric and breast malignancies. However, the efficacy of HER2‐targeted therapy in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with HER2 alterations remains controversial. We searched studies on HER2‐targeted therapy in NSCLC patients that reported objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR) and progressionfree survival (PFS) published from database inception to 30 May 2021. A total of 32 trials involving 958 patients were included. The ORRs of HER2‐TKIs targeted therapy, humanised monoclonal antibody, trastuzumab‐based treatment and antibody‐drug conjugate (ADC) (T‐DM1) were 22% (95% CI 11–31), 23% (95% CI 20–65), 26% (95% CI 14–39) and 16% (95% CI _6–37), while that of ADC (DS‐8201) was 60% (95% CI 35–85). The DCRs of these groups were 59% (95% CI 49–69), 39% (95% CI _9–88), 63% (95% CI 37–89), 31% (95% CI 4–58) and 87% (95% CI 62–112), respectively. In the subgroup analysis, numerically higher ORRs and DCRs were observed in the poziotinib (38%; 75%) and pyrotinib (35%; 83%) groups. The median PFSs of these groups were 5.51 months, 3.09 months, 4.61 months, 2.65 months and 12.04 months, respectively. HER2‐targeted therapy can be considered an acceptable treatment strategy for NSCLC patients with HER2 alterations. In particular, ADC (DS‐8201), pyrotinib and poziotinib demonstrated promising anti‐tumour activity in HER2‐positive NSCLC.
Minimally invasive treatments for benign prostatic hyperplasia: a Cochrane network meta‐analysis
Authors: Franco Juan Victor Ariel , Jung Jae Hung , Imamura Mari , Borofsky Michael , Omar Muhammad Imran , Escobar Liquitay Camila Micaela , Young Shamar , Golzarian Jafar , Veroniki Areti Angeliki , Garegnani Luis , Dahm Philipp
Published: November 2021

Objective

To assess the comparative effectiveness and ranking of minimally invasive treatments (MITs) for lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in men with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Materials and Methods

We searched multiple databases up to 24 February 2021. We included randomized controlled trials assessing the following treatments: convective radiofrequency water vapour thermal therapy (WVTT; or Rezūm); prostatic arterial embolization (PAE); prostatic urethral lift (PUL; or Urolift); temporary implantable nitinol device (TIND); and transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) compared to transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or sham surgery. We performed a frequentist network meta‐analysis.

Results

We included 27 trials involving 3017 men. The overall certainty of the evidence of most outcomes according to GRADE was low to very low. Compared to TURP, we found that PUL and PAE may result in little to no difference in urological symptoms, while WVTT, TUMT and TIND may result in worse urological symptoms. MITs may result in little to no difference in quality of life, compared to TURP. MITs may result in a large reduction in major adverse events compared to TURP. We were uncertain about the effects of PAE and PUL on retreatment compared to TURP, however, TUMT may result in higher retreatment rates. We were very uncertain of the effects of MITs on erectile function and ejaculatory function. Among MITs, PUL and PAE had the highest likelihood of being the most efficacious for urinary symptoms and quality of life, TUMT for major adverse events, WVTT and TIND for erectile function and PUL for ejaculatory function. Excluding WVTT and TIND, for which there were only studies with short‐term (3‐month) follow‐up, PUL had the highest likelihood of being the most efficacious for retreatment.

Conclusions

Minimally invasive treatments may result in similar or worse effects concerning urinary symptoms and quality of life compared to TURP at short‐term follow‐up.
Novel drug developmental strategies for treatment‐resistant depression
Authors: Borbély Éva , Simon Mária , Fuchs Eberhard , Wiborg Ove , Czéh Boldizsár , Helyes Zsuzsanna
Published: November 2021

Major depressive disorder is a leading cause of disability worldwide. Because conventional therapies are ineffective in many patients, novel strategies are needed to overcome treatment‐resistant depression (TRD). Limiting factors of successful drug development in the last decades were the lack of (1) knowledge of pathophysiology, (2) translational animal models and (3) objective diagnostic biomarkers. Here, we review novel drug targets and drug candidates currently investigated in Phase I–III clinical trials. The most promising approaches are inhibition of glutamatergic neurotransmission by NMDA and mGlu5 receptor antagonists, modulation of the opioidergic system by κ receptor antagonists, and hallucinogenic tryptamine derivates. The only registered drug for TRD is the NMDA receptor antagonist, S‐ketamine, but add‐on therapies with second‐generation antipsychotics, certain nutritive, anti‐inflammatory and neuroprotective agents seem to be effective. Currently, there is an intense research focus on large‐scale, high‐throughput omics and neuroimaging studies. These results might provide new insights into molecular mechanisms and potential novel therapeutic strategies.
Endothelial TRPV4–eNOS coupling as a vital therapy target for treatment of hypertension
Authors: Mao Aiqin , Zhang Peng , Zhang Ka , Kan Hao , He Dongxu , Han Xiping , Wang Zhiwei , Tang Chunlei , Ma Xin
Published: November 2021

Background and Purpose

Reduced NO levels and activity are signs of endothelial dysfunction, which is important in mediating BP changes. Previously, we demonstrated that transient receptor potential channel V4 (TRPV4) could form a functional complex with other proteins to mediate vasodilation in endothelial cells (ECs). But how TRPV4 interacts with the NO pathway in larger arteries requires further exploration.

Experimental Approach

We used single‐cell RNA‐sequencing to find the CD106+ TRPV4highNOS3high ECs. The TRPV4–eNOS interaction was verified by co‐immunoprecipitation and immuno‐FRET, and their binding site was found by site‐directed mutagenesis. Endothelium‐specific TRPV4 knockout (TRPV4EC−/−) mice were used to study the effect of the TRPV4–eNOS interaction on BP. A small molecule, JNc‐463, was designed through molecular docking technology.

Key Results

We uncovered CD106+ TRPV4highNOS3high ECs in the mouse aorta, which could regulate vasodilation via a TRPV4–eNOS interaction, and were essential to regulate BP. The TRPV4–eNOS interaction markedly decreased during the process of hypertension. We further attempted to identify molecules involved in the TRPV4–eNOS interaction and developed a small‐molecule drug, JNc‐463, which could increase the TRPV4–eNOS interaction to enhance vasodilation and exert antihypertensive effects in mice.

Conclusion and Implications

This is the first study integrating single‐cell RNA‐Seq, single‐cell functional study and drug screening in aorta. We identified a subpopulation of CD106+ TRPV4highNOS3high ECs, in which an impaired TRPV4–eNOS interaction was important in the progress of hypertension, and we designed a small molecule, JNc‐463, to improve the impaired TRPV4–eNOS interaction in hypertension.
A novel immunodiagnosis panel for hepatocellular carcinoma based on bioinformatics and the autoantibody‐antigen system
Authors: Wu Jinyu , Wang Peng , Han Zhuo , Li Tiandong , Yi Chuncheng , Qiu Cuipeng , Yang Qian , Sun Guiying , Dai Liping , Shi Jianxiang , Wang Keyan , Ye Hua
Published: November 2021

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a malignancy with a dismal survival rate. The novel autoantibodies panel may provide new insights for the diagnosis of HCC. Biomarkers screened by two methods (bioinformatics and the antigen‐antibody system) were taken as candidate tumor‐associated antigens (TAAs). Enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the corresponding autoantibodies in 888 samples of verification and validation cohorts. The verification cohort was used to verify the autoantibodies. Samples in the validation cohort were randomly divided into a train set and a test set with the ratio of 6:4. A diagnostic model was established by support vector machines within the train set. The test set further verified the model. Eleven TAAs were selected (AAGAB, C17orf75, CDC37L1, DUSP6, EID3, PDIA2, RGS20, PCNA, TAF7L, TBC1D13, and ZIC2). The titer of six autoantibodies (PCNA, AAGAB, CDC37L1, TAF7L, DUSP6, and ZIC2) had a significant difference in any of the pairwise comparisons among the HCC, liver cirrhosis, and normal control groups. The titer of these autoantibodies had an increasing tendency. Finally, an optimum diagnostic model was constructed with the six autoantibodies. The AUCs were 0.826 in the train set and 0.773 in the test set. The area under the curve (AUC) of this panel for diagnosing early HCC was 0.889. The diagnostic ability of the panel reduced with the progress of HCC. The positive rate of the panel in diagnosing alpha‐fetoprotein (AFP)‐negative patients was 75.6%. For early HCC, the sensitivity of the combination of AFP with the panel was 90.9% and superior to 53.2% of AFP alone. The novel immunodiagnosis panel combining AFP may be a new approach for the diagnosis of HCC, especially for early‐HCC cases.
Real‐world experience with the Sydney System on 1458 cases of lymph node fine needle aspiration cytology
Authors: Caputo Alessandro , Ciliberti Valeria , D'Antonio Antonio , D'Ardia Angela , Fumo Rosalba , Giudice Valentina , Pezzullo Luca , Sabbatino Francesco , Zeppa Pio
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Lymph node (LN) fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) is a safe, quick, inexpensive, reliable, and minimally invasive technique for the diagnosis of lymphadenopathies. Recently, an international committee of experts proposed guidelines for the performance, classification, and reporting of LN‐FNAC: the Sydney System. We set out to analyse the diagnostic performance of the Sydney System in a retrospective study.

Methods

We retrieved 1458 LN‐FNACs, reformulated the diagnoses according to the Sydney System, and compared them to the histological control where available (n = 551, 37.8%).

Results

The risk of malignancy for each of the five categories was 66.7% for inadequate/insufficient, 9.38% for benign (overall: 0.84%), 28.6% for atypical, 100% for suspicious and 99.8% for malignant. LN‐FNAC showed a sensitivity of 97.94%, a specificity of 96.92%, a positive predictive value of 99.58%, and a negative predictive value of 86.30%.

Conclusions

These data support the usage of LN‐FNAC as an agile first‐level technique in the diagnosis of lymphadenopathies. The Sydney System supports and enhances this role of LN‐FNAC, and its adoption is encouraged. In negative cases, coupled with ancillary techniques, LN‐FNAC can reassure the clinician regarding the benignity of a lymphadenopathy and indicate the need for clinical follow‐up, which will catch possible false negatives. In positive cases, LN‐FNAC can provide sufficient information, including predictive biomarkers, to initiate management and obviate the need for subsequent, more invasive procedures. Given its speed, minimal invasiveness, and low cost, LN‐FNAC can be performed in most cases, even when more invasive techniques are not feasible.
Psychological morbidity in pemphigus patients in clinical remission and its relation with clinico‐demographic parameters
Authors: De Dipankar , Kumar Sheetanshu , Handa Sanjeev , Mahajan Rahul , Singh Shubh Mohan
Published: November 2021

Background and objectives

Significant psychological morbidity exists in patients with active pemphigus. Pemphigus being a chronic disease, psychological morbidity may exist in pemphigus patients in remission as well. The objectives of the study were to assess the psychological morbidity in pemphigus patients in clinical remission and to correlate it with clinico‐demographic parameters.

Patients and methods

Pemphigus patients in clinical remission were consecutively included and were asked to respond to the Hindi/English version of Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ‐9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD‐7) and panic disorder module of PHQ.

Results

Of 107 patients recruited, 41 (38.3 %, 95 % CI: 29.1–48.2 %) patients were found to have either depression (33 [30.8 %, 95 % CI: 22.2–40.5 %]) or anxiety (38 [35.5 %, 95 % CI: 26.5–45.4 %] syndrome based on cut‐offs of PHQ‐9 score and GAD‐7 score, respectively. Number of patients with mild, moderate and moderately severe/severe depression syndrome were 26 (24.3 %, 95 % CI: 17.2–33.2 %), 7 (6.5 %, 95 % CI: 0.3–12.9 %) and 0 respectively and patients with mild, moderate, severe anxiety syndrome were 29 (27.1 %, 95 % CI: 19.6–36.2 %), 9 (8.4 %, 95 % CI: 4.5–15.2 %) and 0 respectively. Patients with anxiety or depression syndrome had significantly higher clinical disease activity in the past, number of days spent in dermatology inpatient and significantly shorter clinical remission at the time of assessment as compared to those without these symptoms.

Conclusions

Significant burden of mild/moderate depression or anxiety syndrome associated with past severity of disease and shorter duration of clinical remission was found.
The role of social signals in segmenting observed actions in 18‐month‐old children
Authors: Kliesch Christian , Parise Eugenio , Reid Vincent , Hoehl Stefanie
Published: November 2021

Learning about actions requires children to identify the boundaries of an action and its units. Whereas some action units are easily identified, parents can support children's action learning by adjusting the presentation and using social signals. However, currently, little is understood regarding how children use these signals to learn actions.

In the current study, we investigate the possibility that communicative signals are a particularly suitable cue for segmenting events. We investigated this hypothesis by presenting 18‐month‐old children (N = 60) with short action sequences consisting of toy animals either hopping or sliding across a board into a house, but interrupting this two‐step sequence either (a) using an ostensive signal as a segmentation cue, (b) using a non‐ostensive segmentation cue and (c) without additional segmentation information between the actions.

Marking the boundary using communicative signals increased children's imitation of the less salient sliding action. Imitation of the hopping action remained unaffected. Crucially, marking the boundary of both actions using a non‐communicative control condition did not increase imitation of either action. Communicative signals might be particularly suitable in segmenting non‐salient actions that would otherwise be perceived as part of another action or as non‐intentional. These results provide evidence of the importance of ostensive signals at event boundaries in scaffolding children's learning.
Reduction in cerebral oxygen metabolism in subcortical regions may be a biomarker of cognitive decline in people living with human immunodeficiency virus
Authors: Sen Souvik , An Hongyu , Sollman Myriam , Oakes Jonathan , Eron Joseph , Robertson Kevin , Powers William
Published: November 2021

Background and purpose

Regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and oxygen metabolism (rCMRO2) in whole brain, white matter, gray matter and lenticular nuclei were studied in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) as well as HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND).

Methods

Treatment‐naïve PLHIV underwent neurocognitive assessment and magnetic resonance (MR) measurement of rCBF and rCMRO2 with repeat after 12 months of antiretroviral therapy (ART). Age‐ and sex‐matched controls underwent single MR measurements. Regional CBF and rCMRO2 were compared amongst symptomatic, asymptomatic, normal HAND and controls using analysis of variance. Longitudinal analysis of HAND worsening (≥1 category) was assessed after 12 months of ART and correlated with rCBF and rCMRO2 measured by MR imaging using the paired‐sample t test.

Results

Thirty PLHIV completed baseline and 12‐month assessments (29 with rCMRO2 measurement). At baseline HAND assessment, 13% had no cognitive impairment, 27% had asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 60% had mild neurocognitive disorder and none had HIV‐associated dementia. At 12 months, 13% had no cognitive impairment, 20% had asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 50% had mild neurocognitive disorder and 17% had HIV‐associated dementia. In those without HAND worsening (N = 21) rCMRO2 remained stable and in those with HAND worsening (N = 8) rCMRO2 measurement declined from baseline to 12 months in white matter (2.05 ± 0.40 to 1.73 ± 0.51, p = 0.03) and lenticular nuclei (4.32 ± 0.39 to 4.00 ± 0.51, p = 0.05).

Conclusions

In recently diagnosed PLHIV, no association was found between rCBF or rCMRO2 and cognitive impairment at baseline. There was a reduction in rCMRO2 in those with worsening of cognitive function at 12 months on ART. Reduction in rCMRO2 may be a biomarker of cognitive decline in PLHIV.
Differential patterns of connectivity in Western Pacific hydrothermal vent metapopulations: A comparison of biophysical and genetic models
Authors: Breusing Corinna , Johnson Shannon B. , Mitarai Satoshi , Beinart Roxanne A. , Tunnicliffe Verena
Published: November 2021

Hydrothermal ecosystems face threats from planned deep‐seabed mining activities, despite the fact that patterns of realized connectivity among vent‐associated populations and communities are still poorly understood. Since populations of vent endemic species depend on larval dispersal to maintain connectivity and resilience to habitat changes, effective conservation strategies for hydrothermal ecosystems should include assessments of metapopulation dynamics. In this study, we combined population genetic methods with biophysical models to assess strength and direction of gene flow within four species of the genus Alviniconcha (A. boucheti, A. kojimai, A. strummeri and A. hessleri) that are ecologically dominant taxa at Western Pacific hydrothermal vents. In contrast to predictions from dispersal models, among‐basin migration in A. boucheti occurred predominantly in an eastward direction, while populations within the North Fiji Basin were clearly structured despite the absence of oceanographic barriers. Dispersal models and genetic data were largely in agreement for the other Alviniconcha species, suggesting limited between‐basin migration for A. kojimai, lack of genetic structure in A. strummeri within the Lau Basin and restricted gene flow between northern and southern A. hessleri populations in the Mariana back‐arc as a result of oceanic current conditions. Our findings show that gene flow patterns in ecologically similar congeneric species can be remarkably different and surprisingly limited depending on environmental and evolutionary contexts. These results are relevant to regional conservation planning and to considerations of similar integrated analyses for any vent metapopulations under threat from seabed mining.
Impact of the chronic wound microenvironment and marine omega‐3 fatty acids on skin cell regeneration processes
Authors: Severing Anna‐Lena , Rembe Julian‐Dario , Füllerer Martin , Stürmer Ewa Klara
Published: November 2021

Marine long‐chain omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω3 FA) are involved in numerous cell responses and therefore vital for the mammal organism. Because of the attribution of immunomodulatory effects, a favourable impact on the inflammatory response in chronic wounds and cells involved in wound healing can be suspected. In the experimental setup, docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) were investigated regarding their impact on metabolic activity, cell proliferation and migration of human keratinocytes (HaCaT) and newborn foreskin fibroblasts (CRL‐2522). For simulation of the microenvironment of a chronic wound, human chronic wound fluid (CWF) was used in the experimental setup addressing thein vitroinfluence of DHA, EPA and CWF on regenerative processes. The results showed a significant increase in the metabolic activity of keratinocytes and fibroblasts after 72 h treatment with DHA and EPA. In contrast, treatment with ω3 FA had no significant positive effect on skin cell proliferation. Both ω3 FA had no influence onin vitrowound closure. CWF demonstrated significantly adverse effects, which ω3 FA were unable to mitigate. It can be concluded that CWF exhibited the expected adverse effect on both skin cell types, especially inhibitingin vitrowound closure. ω3 FAs showed a slightly positive, yet rarely significant effect on human skin cells. Overall, the addition of DHA or EPA showed no relevant benefit for skin cells challenged with human CWF, merely in combination with DHA an initial significant increase in cell metabolism (fibroblasts) and cell proliferation (keratinocytes) could be observed.
Satisfying the online food crave: The case of online food aggregators
Authors: Farah Maya F. , Ramadan Zahy , Kanso Jana
Published: November 2021

The food and beverage (F&B) sector has witnessed a significant rise in online food ordering and delivery companies. Through the consumer journey framework, this study aims to uncover the triggers pertaining to each stage in this journey. An exploratory qualitative research approach was adopted: semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 33 customers and 17 experts in the food industry from the Lebanese, Saudi Arabian, and Emirati markets. A systematic understanding of the journey was devised alongside the triggers per stage to help both restaurants owners and online food aggregators to further develop their penetration and retention of customers using such platforms. The growing shift in emerging markets from ordering food over the phone to placing an order through OFAs has brought several implications on the customer purchase decision, as well as on the restaurants’ business perspectives. While this has had a dual growing impact both on the customer journey at large, and the way in which restaurants operate and market themselves, this field is yet under‐researched particularly in emerging markets in the Middle East.
T cell lymphoblastic lymphoma with uncommon CD20 expression
Authors: Diez‐Feijóo Ramón , Rodríguez‐Sevilla Juan José , Salido Marta , Colomo Luis , Salar Antonio
Published: November 2021

We report an interesting case of a T lymphoblastic lymphoma (T‐LBL) with uncommon CD20 expression. Immunophenotype analysis showed TdT expression with positivity of CD3 and CD7 among other T‐lineage markers. Other non‐T markers such as CD79a or myeloid‐associated antigens were negative. Molecular studies were performed evidencing clonal rearrangements for gamma and beta chain T cell receptor were clonal in the lymph node biopsy. Cytogenetic analysis showed deletions in CDKN2A and NOTCH2 genes. CD20 when present in T‐LBL can lead to a false diagnosis of B‐LBL. In this scenario, analysis of rearrangements of both immunoglobulin heavy chain B cell receptor and rearrangement of the T cell receptor can be very helpful.
Mechanical properties of biomimetic ceramic with Bouligand architecture
Authors: An Yumin , Yang Yi , Jia Yongna , Han Wenbo , Cheng Yehong
Published: November 2021

Biomimetic Bouligand architecture is constructed in the ceramic to improve its toughness. Firstly, unidirectional carbon fiber‐reinforced ZrB2‐SiC ceramic films are achieved through a vacuum‐assisted filtration method using graphene oxide. Then, ceramic films are helically assembled at a fixed angle of 30° in the graphite die based on the fiber orientation. Finally, the spark plasma sintering method was utilized to densify helical assembly carbon fiber/ceramic films. By constructing Bouligand structure, high fracture toughness (7.4 MPa·m0.5) and work of fracture (∼1055 J/m2) are achieved in ZrB2‐based ceramic. The toughening mechanisms mainly are crack deflection, twisting and branching, carbon fiber pulling out, and bridging.
Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification assay for molecular serotyping of Shigella flexneri Serotypes 2 and Xv
Authors: Li Sha , Ji Shunshi , Zhu Xiong , Chen Hai , Jin Dong
Published: November 2021

Aims

This study developed and evaluated a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay to simply, rapidly and accurately identify Shigella flexneri serotypes 2 and Xv.

Methods and Results

The LAMP assay based on the O-antigen synthesis and modification genes of S. flexneri including gtrII, gtrX, opt and wzx was developed. Its specificity and sensitivity were evaluated with 19 serotypes of S. flexneri and 96 other Shigella species and bacterial pathogens commonly found in stool samples. This LAMP assay was completed within 20 min at 61°C and could detect boiled DNA samples at concentrations as low as 1 pg/μl. The S. flexneri serotype LAMP assay exhibited 100% specificity for detecting 19 S. flexneri serotypes, no 96 strains of Shigella spp. and other bacterial pathogens. This LAMP assay was used to identify S. flexneri serotypes 2 and Xv from 299 S. flexneri strains isolated in China and results were consistent with that of slide agglutination and multiplex polymerase chain reaction results for the same isolates.

Conclusions

This LAMP assay may facilitate rapid and reliable identifying S. flexneri serotypes 2 and Xv.

Significance and Impact of Study

The present study was the first LAMP method for identifying serotypes of S. flexneri.
Eubacterium coprostanoligenes and Methanoculleus identified as potential producers of metabolites that contribute to swine manure foaming
Authors: Strom Noah , Ma Yiwei , Bi Zheting , Andersen Daniel , Trabue Steve , Chen Chi , Hu Bo
Published: November 2021

Aim

Swine manure foaming is a major problem, causing damage to property, livestock, and people. Here, we identified the main chemicals and microbes that contribute to foaming.

Methods and results

Foaming and non-foaming swine manure were sampled from farms in Iowa and Illinois. Targeted and untargeted metabolomics analyses identified chemical markers that differed between foaming and non-foaming manure and between manure layers. Microbial community analysis and metagenomics were performed on a subset of samples. Foam contained significantly higher levels of total bile acids and long chain fatty acids like palmitic, stearic and oleic acid than the other manure layers. Foam layers also had significantly higher levels of ubiquinone 9 and ubiquinone 10. The slurry layer of foaming samples contained more alanine, isoleucine/leucine, diacylglycerols (DG), phosphtatidylethanolamines, and vitamin K2, while ceramide was significantly increased in the slurry layer of non-foaming samples. Eubacterium coprostanoligenes and Methanoculleus were more abundant in foaming samples, and E. coprostanoligenes was significantly correlated with levels of DG. Genes involved in diacylglycerol biosynthesis and in the biosynthesis of branched-chain hydrophobic amino acids were overrepresented in foaming samples.

Conclusions

A mechanism for manure foaming is hypothesized in which proliferation of Methanoculleus leads to excessive production of methane, while production of DG by E. coprostanoligenes and hydrophobic proteins by Methanosphaera stadtmanae facilitates bubble formation and stabilization. Significance and impact of study: While some chemical and biological treatments have been developed to treat swine manure foaming, its causes remain unknown. We identified key microbes and metabolites that correlate with foaming and point to possible roles of other factors like animal feed.
Direction‐aware mapping algorithms have minimal impact on bipolar voltage maps created using high‐resolution multielectrode catheters
Authors: Yavin Hagai D. , Sroubek Jakub , Yarnitsky Jonathan , Bubar Zachary P. , Higuchi Koji , Zilberman Israel , Basu Shubhayu , Anter Elad
Published: November 2021

Introduction

Direction‐aware mapping algorithms improve the accuracy of voltage mapping by measuring the maximal voltage amplitude recorded in the direction of wavefront propagation. While beneficial for stationary catheters, its utility for roving catheters collecting electrograms (EGMs) at multiple angles is unknown.

Objective

To compare the directional dependence of bipolar voltage amplitude between stationary and roving catheters.

Methods

In 10 swine, a transcaval ablation line with a gap was created. The gap was mapped using an array catheter (Optrell™; Biosense Webster). In Step 1, the array was kept stationary over the gap, and four voltage maps were created during activation of the gap from superior, inferior, septal, and lateral directions. In Step 2, four additional maps were created; however, the catheter was allowed to move with points acquired at multiple angles. In Step 3, the gap was remapped; however, bipoles were computed using a direction‐aware mapping algorithm.

Results

In a stationary catheter position, bipolar voltage distribution was influenced by the direction of activation with maximal differences obtained between orthogonal directions 32% (13%–53%). However, roving the catheter produced similar bipolar voltage maps irrespective of the direction of activation 11% (5%–18%). A direction‐aware mapping algorithm was beneficial for reducing the directional dependence of voltage maps created by stationary catheters but not by roving catheters.

Conclusion

The directional dependency of bipolar voltage amplitude is greatest when the catheter is stationary. However, when the catheter is allowed to rove and collect EGMs at multiple angles as occurs clinically, the directional dependence of bipolar voltage is minimal.
Assessment of stigma related to visible skin diseases: a systematic review and evaluation of patient‐reported outcome measures
Authors: Luck‐Sikorski C. , Roßmann P. , Topp J. , Augustin M. , Sommer R. , Weinberger N.A.
Published: November 2021

Misconceptions about visible skin diseases are widespread, and patients often face discrimination and stigmatization due to their condition. The associated negative health and psychosocial consequences of stigmatization in skin diseases have prompted an increase in research activity in recent times, resulting in a wide variety of assessment measures. This study aimed at aggregating and evaluating evidence of psychometric properties and methodological quality of published measures to assess stigma in visible skin diseases. Studies assessing stigmatization in visible skin diseases were searched in four databases (Medline, PsycINFO, Web of Science and Embase) until February 2021. The review followed PRISMA guidelines. Papers regarding development and/or validation of measures were identified by two independent researchers. Inclusion criteria were defined as follows: (i) quantitative studies in (ii) populations with skin diseases using (iii) questionnaires explicitly assessing (iv) perceived or public stigmatization or discrimination available in (iv) English or German language. The COnsensus‐based Standards of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN) checklist was used to evaluate their psychometric properties and risk of bias. 35 studies using 21 instruments were identified. Twenty instruments focused on assessing the perceived reality of those affected by visible skin diseases, while public stigma was only assessed by two instruments. Twelve scales could be recommended for use, while nine instruments had the potential to be recommended after further studies have assessed their quality. Some limitations are to be noted. Only studies in English and German were included. Research on self‐constructed instruments can lead to new validated instruments, but they were not included in the review at this point. Several validated instruments could be recommended for use. Future research is needed regarding the assessment of stigma across different visible skin diseases, in children and adolescents, and in the general public.
Moderate evidence for heritability in the duet contributions of a South American primate
Authors: Clink Dena J. , Lau Allison R. , Kanthaswamy Sreetharan , Johnson Lynn M. , Bales Karen L.
Published: November 2021

Acoustic signals are ubiquitous across mammalian taxa. They serve a myriad of functions related to the formation and maintenance of social bonds and can provide conspecifics information about caller condition, motivation and identity. Disentangling the relative importance of evolutionary mechanisms that shape vocal variation is difficult, and little is known about heritability of mammalian vocalizations. Duetting––coordinated vocalizations within male and female pairs––arose independently at least four times across the Primate Order. Primate duets contain individual‐ or pair‐level signatures, but the mechanisms that shape this variation remain unclear. Here, we test for evidence of heritability in two call types (pulses and chirps) from the duets of captive coppery titi monkeys (Plecturocebus cupreus). We extracted four features––note rate, duration, minimum and maximum fundamental frequency––from spectrograms of pulses and chirps, and estimated heritability of the features. We also tested whether features varied with sex or body weight. We found evidence for moderate heritability in one of the features examined (chirp note rate), whereas inter‐individual variance was the most important source of variance for the rest of the features. We did not find evidence for sex differences in any of the features, but we did find that body weight and fundamental frequency of chirp elements covaried. Kin recognition has been invoked as a possible explanation for heritability or kin signatures in mammalian vocalizations. Although the function of primate duets remains a topic of debate, the presence of moderate heritability in titi monkey chirp elements indicates duets may serve a kin recognition function.
Eye healing in a free‐ranging whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) following shark‐inflicted bite injuries
Authors: Rangel Bianca S. , Viegas Roberta , Bettcher Vanessa B. , Garla Ricardo C.
Published: November 2021

Here we provide the first photographic records of the eye healing of a free‐ranging whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari) following shark‐inflicted bite injuries on the cephalic region. The whitespotted eagle ray with fresh wounds on the cephalic region close to its right orbit, upper jaw and the anterior margin of its right pectoral fin was photographed on 19 July 2017 at the Fernando de Noronha Archipelago. Two subsequent photographs of the whitespotted eagle ray with a blind right eye were taken on 29 March 2018 and 18 April 2018. These records show the whitespotted eagle ray had the capacity to recover from the wounds, although they have led to the blindness of the eye. These findings also demonstrate this individual was able to survive for at least 9 months with a nonfunctional eye.
Influence of alumina ratio on reactions at the surface of alite crystals during cooling
Authors: Böhm Matthias , Knöpfelmacher Aneta
Published: November 2021

Microstructural features of industrial Portland cement clinker samples are presented to illustrate the influence of the clinker melt chemistry on the reactions taking place on the surfaces of alite crystals during cooling at high temperatures. While clinker melts rich in Al2O3 are usually undersaturated with respect to CaO, leading to corrosion of alite crystals and formation of secondary belite, clinker melts rich in Fe2O3 are oversaturated with respect to CaO. This leads to a final growth step of alite during cooling, as long as the clinker temperature is still in the stability field of alite (>1250°C). In the first case, the microstructural features of the alite surface permits conclusions on the length of the precooling zone in the rotary kiln, which is closely connected to the flame shape. In the latter case, such conclusions cannot be drawn.