bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
THE SAME WORLD FOR ALL OF US
Authors: Gilbert Bennett
Published: April 2022

While much of Donald Bloxham's History and Morality is devoted to analyzing the evaluative processes of historians, Bloxham develops and relies on two strong philosophical concepts. The first is his claim that context must be understood as causality because a historical context is one of the causes of actions. Bloxham uses this to argue that historians must ascribe responsibility to past actors rather than blame their cultures. A wide critique of moral relativism emerges from this principle. The second is a distinction between a type of account that explains past events or entities in terms of their internal, unified natures and a type that understands them in terms of their relations to the rest of their world. Here, Bloxham's great concern is the isolation of forces from one another that helps to put them into conflict. The twentieth‐century nation‐state is the most important example of this. The “internalist” approach was part of what led to the Holocaust, to which Bloxham has dedicated most of his scholarly life. These two concepts anchor and justify historians in morally evaluating the decisions and deeds they study. But these ideas also point to deeper and more fully philosophical conceptions supporting moral evaluation that historians should practice in an exemplary way and that link historical consciousness to the chief issues of moral philosophy.
High level of FHL2 exacerbates the outcome of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients and the malignant phenotype in NSCLC cells
Authors: Li Na , Xu Ling , Zhang Ji , Liu Yongyu
Published: April 2022

Non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a malignant tumour with high mortality. FHL2 has been identified as a biomarker of lung cancer. This research explored the effects of FHL2 expression on NSCLC. NSCLC‐associated data sets were collected from the assistant for clinical bioinformatics and TCGA databases respectively. The association between FHL2 and clinical characteristics, the prognostic significance of FHL2 and the influences of various variables on NSCLC were determined by Pearson's chi‐squared test, the Kaplan–Meier curve and the Cox regression model respectively. FHL2 level was altered by cell transfection and was measured by qRT‐PCR. Tumour xenograft formation was completed by inoculating sh‐FHL2/pcDNA‐FHL2 transfected cells into BALB/c nude mice. Protein expression was assessed by western blot. Cell apoptosis, proliferation and epithelial ‐ mesenchymal transition (EMT) characteristics were evaluated employing TUNEL, BrdU+ and microscopic observation respectively. The expression of Ki67 and N‐cadherin was assessed by immunohistochemistry. The results showed that FHL2 was highly expressed in NSCLC tissues. Patients with high FHL2 expression experienced lower overall survival probability. FHL2 knockdown promoted apoptosis, but inhibited EMT of A549 and NCI‐H460 cells, which was verified by the increased ratios of cleaved caspase 9/caspase 9 and cleaved caspase 3/caspase 3, as well as augmented E‐cadherin and reduced N‐cadherin. In an in vivo assay FHL2 knockdown decreased tumour volume and weight, repressed EMT, but enhanced apoptosis. FHL2 upregulation showed the opposite effects of FHL2 knockdown. Furthermore, FHL2 upregulation facilitated cell proliferation both in in vitro and in vivo assays. These outcomes indicated that high level of FHL2 facilitated tumorigenesis, as well as the proliferation and EMT of NSCLC cells.
Non‐damage deep etching of SiC by hybrid laser‐high temperature chemical processing
Authors: Wang Xi , Han Bing , Ehrhardt Martin , Zhang Fengyun , Wang Jin , Wang Pingping , Monka Peter Pavol , Sun Shufeng
Published: April 2022

SiC is considered as preferred material for micro‐electro‐mechanical system in the future. The excellent mechanical property and chemical stability make it difficult to perform deep etching. The hybrid laser‐high temperature chemical etching is investigated to realize non‐damage deep etching of SiC. The influences of defocus, laser pulse interval, laser intensity, and pulse number on etching depth are researched. The optimized laser parameter for SiC non‐damage deep etching is laser intensity of 10 × 109 W/cm2 with a pulse interval of 10 ms. In order to analyze the interaction mechanism, the temperature field and laser‐induced liquid jet in the liquid environment are calculated numerically. It is concluded that the material removal mechanism consists of laser heating vaporization during laser pulse, mechanical effect of laser‐induced liquid jet impact between two adjacent laser pulses and chemical etching in laser‐induced local high‐temperature environment. The chemical reaction between SiC and mixture of HF, and HNO3 solution produces gases and fluosilicic acid and effectively reduces the roughness of the modified layer making the surface smoother, and also removes the microcracks on the side wall of the etched region.
Giardia lamblia regulates the production of proinflammatory cytokines through activating the NOD2–Rip2–ROS signaling pathway in mouse macrophages
Authors: Zhang Xu , Li Xin , Yu Yanhui , Zhang Xichen , Wang Xiaocen , Zhang Nan , Chen Mengge , Gong Pengtao , Li Jianhua
Published: April 2022

Giardia lamblia is a zoonotic protozoan that causes the diarrheal illness giardiasis, with the highest prevalence reported in the tropics and subtropics. Giardia is currently the most frequently identified pathogen in waterborne outbreaks in the United States. Nucleotide oligomerization domain (NOD) 1 and NOD2, intracellular NOD‐like receptors, recognize pathogens to induce proinflammatory and antimicrobial responses. However, the roles of NOD1 and NOD2 signaling in Giardia infection have not yet been investigated. In the present study, the activation of NOD1 and NOD2 signaling pathways and the production of proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide in mouse macrophages stimulated with G. lamblia or parasite excretory–secretory products (ESPs) were examined. The results showed that G. lamblia and ESPs activated NOD2 and its downstream adaptor protein kinase, Receptor‐interacting protein 2 (Rip2), in mouse macrophages. Blocking NOD2–Rip2 signaling significantly reduced the production of ROS and subsequently decreased the phosphorylation of nuclear factor‐κB p65 and extracellular signal‐regulated kinase, which in turn inhibited the production of four proinflammatory cytokines, namely, interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐12p40 and tumor necrosis factor‐α. In summary, our results indicate that the NOD2–Rip2 signal, which is activated by G. lamblia, contributes to the production of proinflammatory cytokines and ROS in mouse macrophages.
Safewards: An integrative review of the literature within inpatient and forensic mental health units
Authors: Mullen Antony , Browne Graeme , Hamilton Bridget , Skinner Stephanie , Happell Brenda
Published: April 2022

Mental health inpatient units are complex and challenging environments for care and treatment. Two imperatives in these settings are to minimize restrictive practices such as seclusion and restraint and to provide recovery‐oriented care. Safewards is a model and a set of ten interventions aiming to improve safety by understanding the relationship between conflict and containment as a means of reducing restrictive practices. To date, the research into Safewards has largely focused on its impact on measures of restrictive practices with limited exploration of consumer perspectives. There is a need to review the current knowledge and understanding around Safewards and its impact on consumer safety. This paper describes a mixed‐methods integrative literature review of Safewards within inpatient and forensic mental health units. The aim of this review was to synthesize the current knowledge and understanding about Safewards in terms of its implementation, acceptability, effectiveness and how it meets the needs of consumers. A systematic database search using Medline, CINAHL, Embase and PsychInfo databases was followed by screening and data extraction of findings from 19 articles. The Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT) was used to assess the quality of empirical articles, and the Johanna Brigg’s Institute (JBI’s) Narrative, Opinion, Text‐Assessment and Review Instrument (NOTARI) was used to undertake a critical appraisal of discussion articles. A constant comparative approach was taken to analysing the data and six key categories were identified: training, implementation strategy, staff acceptability, fidelity, effectiveness and consumer perspectives. The success of implementing Safewards was variously determined by a measured reduction of restrictive practices and conflict events, high fidelity and staff acceptability. The results highlighted that Safewards can be effective in reducing containment and conflict within inpatient mental health and forensic mental health units, although this outcome varied across the literature. This review also revealed the limitations of fidelity measures and the importance of involving staff in the implementation. A major gap in the literature to date is the lack of consumer perspectives on the Safewards model, with only two papers to date focusing on the consumers point of view. This is an important area that requires more research to align the Safewards model with the consumer experience and improved recovery orientation.
Atmospheric plasma spraying to fabricate metal‐supported solid oxide fuel cells with open‐channel porous metal support
Authors: Lin Jie , Li Haixia , Wang Wanhua , Qiu Peng , Tao Greg , Huang Kevin , Chen Fanglin
Published: April 2022

Metal‐supported solid oxide fuel cells (MS‐SOFCs) have been fabricated by applying phase‐inversion tape‐casting and atmospheric plasma spraying (APS). The effect of the binder amount of the phase‐inversion slurries on the microstructure development of the 430L stainless steel metal support was investigated. The pore structures, the viscosity of the slurry, porosity and permeability of the as‐prepared metal supports are significantly influenced by the amount of the binder. NiO–scandia‐stabilized zirconia (ScSZ) anode, ScSZ electrolyte and La0.6Sr0.4Co0.2Fe0.8O3−δ (LSCF) cathode layers were consecutively deposited on the metal support with an ideal microstructure by APS process. The effect of plasma power of the APS on the microstructure of the electrolyte and cathode was investigated. A dense electrolyte layer and a porous cathode layer were successfully obtained at 40 and 6 kW of the APS plasma power, respectively. MS‐SOFCs, with a cell configuration of 430L/Ni‐ScSZ/ScSZ/LSCF, achieved a maximum cell power density of 1079 mW cm−2 at 700°C using humidified H2 as fuel and ambient air as oxidant. The corresponding ohmic resistance and total resistance of MS‐SOFCs was 0.14 and 0.32 Ω cm2, respectively. This work demonstrates the feasibility of fabricating high‐performance MS‐SOFCs with economical and scalable techniques.
The evolution and generation of nanosurfaces and their microcontact mechanism in glass‐embossing process
Authors: Li Kangsen , Wang Zhenlong , Gong Feng
Published: April 2022

Glass‐embossing technology has attracted great attention due to its promise of low‐cost and environmentally conscious fabrication of well‐defined and controllable surfaces and nanostructured devices. The embossed surface quality of glass structures is a very important index for optics. However, the evolutions of nanosurfaces and their microcontact mechanism during glass‐embossing process have not been deeply and comprehensively investigated. Here, we studied the surface morphology evolution of optical glass under different processing conditions using a tungsten carbide surface plate with nanoscale roughness as the mold. The light transmittances of different embossed glasses were detected by an ultraviolet spectrophotometer. The flow deformation and microcontact mechanism of glass‐supercooled liquids were revealed during glass‐embossing process. The result showed that the rough optical glass can successfully replicate the nanoscale smoothness of the tungsten carbide template without grinding or polishing. On the basis of the previous study, the glass‐surfaced structures from nanoscale to macroscale are fabricated. This work provides better understanding for the evolution of nanosurfaces and the fabrication of nanostructured optics during glass‐embossing process.
Toughening (NbTaZrW)C high‐entropy carbide ceramic through Mo doping
Authors: He Liu , Zhang Jun , Li Zhongtao , Lin Nan , Liu Bo , Zhao Shijun , Jin Ke , Chen Hongyu , Yan Hongge , Peng Fei , Ma Yi , Wu Zhenggang
Published: April 2022

Previously, we investigated the mechanical properties of a series of multi‐cation high‐entropy ceramic carbides and found that (NbTaZrW)C exhibits the best combination of nanohardness and toughness. In the current study, we explored the possibility of further hardening and/or toughening of this carbide through cation‐site Mo doping. The results show that MoC has at least 20 at.% solubility in (NbTaZrW)C. There is a tight positive relationship between average lattice distortion and mixing enthalpy; and when cation‐site Mo content is below 10 at.%, the “entropy effect” outweighs the “enthalpy effect,” leading to increased phase stability. As Mo content increases, the sacrifice of hardening is much less pronounced in comparison with that of the achievement of toughening. Quantitatively, as Mo in cation sites increases to 20 at.%, the toughness of (NbTaZrW)C is increased by ∼18%, whereas the nanohardness undergoes only ∼7% reduction. More intriguing, the 5 at.% Mo‐doped (NbTaZrW)C exhibits simultaneous improvement of nanohardness and toughness. This hardening/toughening behavior is associated with the complex and hybrid effects from lattice distortion, bonding nature as well as dislocation slip behavior. In general, this study shows the possibility of paving the way for the design and search of novel transition metal carbides with a better combination of hardness and toughness.
Characterization of nitrilases from Variovorax boronicumulans that functions in insecticide flonicamid degradation and β-cyano-L-alanine detoxification
Authors: Jiang Huoyong , Jiang Nengdang , Wang Li , Guo Jingjing , Chen Kexin , Dai Yijun
Published: April 2022

Aims

To characterize the functions of nitrilases of Variovorax boronicumulans CGMCC 4969 and evaluate flonicamid (FLO) degradation and β-cyano-L-alanine (Ala(CN)) detoxification by this bacterium.

Methods and Results

Variovorax boronicumulans CGMCC 4969 nitrilases (NitA and NitB) were purified, and substrate specificity assay indicated that both of them degraded insecticide FLO to N-(4-trifluoromethylnicotinoyl)glycinamide (TFNG-AM) and 4-(trifluoromethyl)nicotinol glycine (TFNG). Ala(CN), a plant detoxification intermediate, was hydrolysed by NitB. Escherichia coli overexpressing NitA and NitB degraded 41.2 and 93.8% of FLO (0.87 mmol·L−1) within 1 h, with half-lives of 1.30 and 0.25 h, respectively. NitB exhibited the highest nitrilase activity towards FLO. FLO was used as a substrate to compare their enzymatic properties. NitB was more tolerant to acidic conditions and organic solvents than NitA. Conversely, NitA was more tolerant to metal ions than NitB. CGMCC 4969 facilitated FLO degradation in soil and surface water and utilized Ala(CN) as a sole nitrogen source for growth.

Conclusions

CGMCC 4969 efficiently degraded FLO mediated by NitA and NitB; NitB was involved in Ala(CN) detoxification.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This study promotes our understanding of versatile functions of nitrilases from CGMCC 4969 that is promising for environmental remediation.
Characteristics of the gut microbiota in Bifidobacterium catenulatum LI10 pretreated rats with lower levels of D-galactosamine-induced liver damage
Authors: Zha Hua , Si Guinian , Wang Chenyu , Lv Jiawen , Zhang Hua , Li Lanjuan
Published: April 2022

Aims

Liver damage has caused great illness in human beings. Bifidobacterium catenulatum LI10 has been determined with protective effect against D-galactosamine-induced liver damage. However, due to the sample limitation, the individual difference in its protective effect was not determined. The current study was designed to characterize the gut microbiota of LI10-pretreated rats with lower levels of liver damage.

Methods and Results

A series of experiments and bioinformatic analyses were carried out. Two rat cohorts with different levels of liver damage were determined, that is, Non-Severe and Severe cohorts. Six out of the seven measured liver function variables were lower in the Non-Severe cohort, while four cytokine variables also yielded differences between the two cohorts. The Non-Severe and Severe cohorts were determined with distinct gut microbiota, among which ASV14_Parabacteroides and ASV7_Bacteroides were most associated with Non-Severe and Severe cohorts, respectively. Five phylotypes were determined as structural gatekeepers in the microbiota network of Non-Severe cohort, ASV135_Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 of which contributed most to the stability of the network.

Conclusions

The relevant findings suggest that some gut bacteria could benefit the protective effect of LI10 on lowering the severity of rat liver damage.

Significance and Impact of the Study

The bacteria benefiting the protective effects of potential probiotics could be further investigated for future clinical application.
Dexmedetomidine reduces enteric glial cell injury induced by intestinal ischaemia‐reperfusion injury through mitochondrial localization of TERT
Authors: Hu Qian , Liu Xiao‐Ming , Liu Zheng‐Ren , Liu Zhi‐Yi , Zhang Huai‐Gen , Zhang Qin , Huang Yuan‐Lu , Chen Qiu‐Hong , Wang Wen‐Xiang , Zhang XueKang
Published: April 2022

This study was performed to uncover the effects of dexmedetomidine on oxidative stress injury induced by mitochondrial localization of telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) in enteric glial cells (EGCs) following intestinal ischaemia‐reperfusion injury (IRI) in rat models. Following establishment of intestinal IRI models by superior mesenteric artery occlusion in Wistar rats, the expression and distribution patterns of TERT were detected. The IRI rats were subsequently treated with low or high doses of dexmedetomidine, followed by detection of ROS, MDA and GSH levels. Calcein cobalt and rhodamine 123 staining were also carried out to detect mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) and the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), respectively. Moreover, oxidative injury of mtDNA was determined, in addition to analyses of EGC viability and apoptosis. Intestinal tissues and mitochondria of EGCs were badly damaged in the intestinal IRI group. In addition, there was a reduction in mitochondrial localization of TERT, oxidative stress, whilst apoptosis of EGCs was increased and proliferation was decreased. On the other hand, administration of dexmedetomidine was associated with promotion of mitochondrial localization of TERT, whilst oxidative stress, MPTP and mtDNA in EGCs, and EGC apoptosis were all inhibited, and the MMP and EGC viability were both increased. A positive correlation was observed between different doses of dexmedetomidine and protective effects. Collectively, our findings highlighted the antioxidative effects of dexmedetomidine on EGCs following intestinal IRI, as dexmedetomidine alleviated mitochondrial damage by enhancing the mitochondrial localization of TERT.
Periplocymarin alleviates pathological cardiac hypertrophy via inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway
Authors: Fan Cai‐lian , Liang Sui , Ye Meng‐nan , Cai Wan‐jun , Chen Miao , Hou Yun‐long , Guo Jun , Dai Yi
Published: April 2022

Pathological cardiac hypertrophy is the most important risk factor for developing chronic heart failure. Therefore, the discovery of novel agents for treating pathological cardiac hypertrophy remains urgent. In the present study, we examined the therapeutic effect and mechanism of periplocymarin (PM)‐mediated protection against pathological cardiac hypertrophy using angiotensinII (AngII)‐stimulated cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cells and transverse aortic constriction (TAC)‐induced cardiac hypertrophy in mice. In vitro, PM treatment significantly reduced the surface area of H9c2 cells and expressions of hypertrophy‐related proteins. Meanwhile, PM markedly down‐regulated AngII‐induced translocation of p‐STAT3 into the nuclei and enhanced the phosphorylation levels of JAK2 and STAT3 proteins. The STAT3 specific inhibitor S3I‐201 or siRNA‐mediated depleted expression could alleviate AngII‐induced cardiac hypertrophy in H9c2 cells following PM treatment; however, PM failed to reduce the expressions of hypertrophy‐related proteins and phosphorylated STAT3 in STAT3‐overexpressing cells, indicating that PM protected against AngII‐induced cardiac hypertrophy by modulating STAT3 signalling. In vivo, PM reversed TAC‐induced cardiac hypertrophy, as determined by down‐regulating ratios of heart weight to body weight (HW/BW), heart weight to tibial length (HW/TL) and expressions of hypertrophy‐related proteins accompanied by the inhibition of the JAK2/STAT3 pathway. These results revealed that PM could effectively protect the cardiac structure and function in experimental models of pathological cardiac hypertrophy by inhibiting the JAK2/STAT3 signalling pathway. PM is expected to be a potential lead compound of the novel agents for treating pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
Vestigial‐like family member 3 stimulates cell motility by inducing high‐mobility group AT‐hook 2 expression in cancer cells
Authors: Hori Naoto , Takakura Yuki , Sugino Ayumi , Iwasawa Shuto , Nomizo Kota , Yamaguchi Naoto , Takano Hiroyuki , Yamaguchi Noritaka
Published: April 2022

Vestigial‐like family member 3 (VGLL3) is a cofactor for TEA domain transcription factors (TEADs). Although VGLL3 is known to be highly expressed and stimulate cell proliferation in mesenchymal cancer cells, its involvement in mesenchymal phenotypes is largely unknown. In this study, we found that VGLL3 promotes epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐like phenotypic changes. We found that A549 human lung cancer cells stably expressing VGLL3 exhibit spindle‐like morphological changes, reduction in the epithelial marker E‐cadherin and induction of the mesenchymal marker Snail. Notably, VGLL3‐expressing cells exhibited enhanced motility. The DNA‐binding protein high‐mobility group AT‐hook 2 (HMGA2) was found to be a target of the VGLL3‐TEAD4 complex, and HMGA2 knockdown repressed EMT‐like phenotypic changes in VGLL3‐expressing cells. VGLL3‐dependent phenotypic changes are involved in transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β)‐induced EMT progression. VGLL3 or HMGA2 knockdown repressed the motility of the mesenchymal breast cancer MDA‐MB‐231 cells. Importantly, high levels of VGLL3 expression were shown to have a positive correlation with poor prognosis in various human cancers, such as breast, colon, ovarian, head and neck, pancreatic, renal, gastric and cervical cancers. These results suggest that VGLL3 promotes EMT‐like cell motility by inducing HMGA2 expression and accelerates cancer progression.
Combined anticancer effects of simvastatin and arsenic trioxide on prostate cancer cell lines via downregulation of the VEGF and OPN isoforms genes
Authors: Mirzaei Akram , Rashedi Sina , Akbari Mohammad Reza , Khatami Fatemeh , Aghamir Seyed Mohammad Kazem
Published: April 2022

Arsenic trioxide (ATO) and statins have been demonstrated to have anti‐neoplastic properties; however, the data regarding their combination therapy is limited. Thus, we aimed to study the effects of ATO, Simvastatin and their combination in proliferation, apoptosis and pathological angiogenesis in prostate cancer cell lines. The human prostate cell lines were treated with different concentrations of Simvastatin and ATO alone and combined to find effective doses and IC50 values. In addition, the percentage of apoptotic cells was evaluated by annexin/PI staining, and mRNA expression levels of the apoptotic gene, including OPN isoforms and VEGF, were investigated using real‐time PCR. Our data displayed that Simvastatin (12 and 8 μM in PC3 and LNCaP cell lines respectively), ATO (8 and 5 μM in PC3 and LNCaP cell lines respectively), and also their combination (12 μM Simvastatin and 8 μM ATO in PC3, 8 μM Simvastatin and 5 μM ATO in LNCaP cell lines respectively) significantly increased the percentage of apoptotic cells. Also, we showed that the combination therapy by Simvastatin and ATO increased cell apoptosis and inhibited cell proliferation, providing anti‐proliferative and anti‐angiogenic properties, possibly via downregulation of the expression of VEGF and OPN genes. These results provide new perceptions regarding the anticancer roles of ATO and statins’ combination therapy in prostate cancer.
Gut dysbiosis in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma is characterized by shifts in relative abundances of specific bacterial taxa and decreased diversity in more advanced disease
Authors: Hooper M.J. , LeWitt T.M. , Pang Y. , Veon F.L. , Chlipala G.E. , Feferman L. , Green S.J. , Sweeney D. , Bagnowski K.T. , Burns M.B. , Seed P.C. , Choi J. , Guitart J. , Zhou X.A.
Published: April 2022

Background

Cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) patients often suffer from recurrent skin infections and profound immune dysregulation in advanced disease. The gut microbiome has been recognized to influence cancers and cutaneous conditions; however, it has not yet been studied in CTCL.

Objectives

To investigate the gut microbiome in patients with CTCL and in healthy controls.

Methods

A case‐control study was conducted between January 2019 and November 2020 at Northwestern’s busy multidisciplinary CTCL clinic (Chicago, Illinois, USA) utilizing 16S ribosomal RNA gene amplicon sequencing and bioinformatics analyses to characterize the microbiota present in fecal samples of CTCL patients (n = 38) and age‐matched healthy controls (n = 13) from the same geographical region.

Results

Gut microbial α‐diversity trended lower in patients with CTCL and was significantly lower in patients with advanced CTCL relative to controls (P = 0.015). No differences in β‐diversity were identified. Specific taxa were significantly reduced in patient samples; significance was determined using adjusted P‐values (q‐values) that accounted for a false discovery rate threshold of 0.05. Significantly reduced taxa in patient samples included the phylum Actinobacteria (q = 0.0002), classes Coriobacteriia (q = 0.002) and Actinobacteria (q = 0.03), order Coriobacteriales (q = 0.003), and genus Anaerotruncus (q = 0.01). The families Eggerthellaceae (q = 0.0007) and Lactobacillaceae (q = 0.02) were significantly reduced in patients with high skin disease burden.

Conclusions

Gut dysbiosis can be seen in patients with CTCL compared to healthy controls and is pronounced in more advanced CTCL. The taxonomic shifts associated with CTCL are similar to those previously reported in atopic dermatitis and opposite those of psoriasis, suggesting microbial parallels to the immune profile and skin barrier differences between these conditions. These findings may suggest new microbial disease biomarkers and reveal a new angle for intervention.
Systems of Oppression: The Impact of Discrimination on Latinx Immigrant Adolescents’ Well‐Being and Development
Authors: Torres Stephanie A. , Sosa Susana S. , Flores Toussaint Roxanna J. , Jolie Sarah , Bustos Yvita
Published: April 2022

With over 400 harmful immigration policy changes in the past 4 years, Latinx adolescents and families nationwide are developing within a context of extreme anti‐immigrant sentiment (Dismantling and reconstructing the U.S. immigration system: A catalog of changes under the Trump presidency, Migration Policy Institute, 2020). This paper introduces the Multitiered Model of Oppression and Discrimination (MMOD), a conceptual model for understanding the impacts of multiple levels of discrimination on the well‐being and development of Latinx immigrant adolescents. Interpersonal discrimination (Hispanic Journal of Behavioral Sciences, 2010, 32, 259), community‐held stereotypes (Social Psychology of Education, 2001, 5, 201), institutional policies (Children and Youth Services Review, 2018, 87, 192), and structural practices (Journal of Criminal Justice, 2020, 66, 1) can negatively impact well‐being and development among these adolescents. Culturally sustaining interventions, civic engagement and mobilization, and policies targeting inequitable policies and practices will provide healing and an avenue for liberation.
Short‐term movement dynamics of the world’s largest sea cucumbers (genus Thelenota)
Authors: Gray Benjamin C. T. , Calvert Luke A. , Purcell Steven W.
Published: April 2022

Movement studies on marine animals can inform conservation and fishery management planning through data that explain likely dispersals and home‐ranging behaviours. Relatively few studies are documented for exploited marine invertebrates, despite many having a high ecological and commercial value. We assessed the diurnal movement patterns of Thelenota ananas and Thelenota anax, the world's largest sea cucumbers, which are highly exploited throughout the Indo‐Pacific. At two coral reef sites at Lizard Island, northern Australia, we tracked the 2‐hourly displacement of individuals from morning to nightfall. Movement of T. ananas was more reef‐associated and tortuous than T. anax. Displacement rates averaged 80 cm h−1 (±8 SE) for T. ananas and 73 cm h−1 (±20) for T. anax. Body size accounted for half of the variation in displacement for T. ananas. Mobility peaked in the late afternoon or early evening for both species, and animals tended to reverse their direction of travel after midday. The data reflect a pattern of animals meandering out from their reef shelters onto sandy lagoon floors to forage, before returning to the reefs. This empirical evidence offers further support that these holothuroids contribute to the formation of “reef halos”. The exceptionally high movement rates and patterns found in this study should inform the design of spatial management measures.
Altruism or nationalism? Exploring global discourses of medical school regulation
Authors: Rashid Mohammed Ahmed
Published: April 2022

Background

Although medical school regulation is ubiquitous, the extent to which it should be based on global principles is unclear. In 2010, the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) announced that from 2023, overseas doctors would only be eligible for certification to practise in the United States if they had graduated from a medical school that was accredited by a ‘recognised’ agency. This policy empowered the World Federation for Medical Education (WFME) to create a recognition programme for regulatory agencies around the world, despite a lack of empirical evidence to support medical school regulation.

Methods

This study employs critical discourse analysis, drawing on the theoretical perspectives of Michel Foucault and Edward Said, to identify discourses that enabled this ‘globalising’ policy decision to take place. The dataset includes a series of 250 documents gathered around three key events: the Edinburgh declaration by WFME in 1988, the first set of global standards for medical schools by WFME in 2003 and the ECFMG ruling about medical school accreditation in 2010.

Findings

Two discourses, endorsement and modernisation, were dominant throughout this entire period and framed the move to globalise medical school regulation in terms of altruism and improving medical education worldwide. A discourse of resistance was present in the earlier period of this study but faded away as WFME aligned itself with ECFMG after 2010. Two further discourses, protection and control, emerged in the later period of this study and framed the ECFMG ruling in terms of nationalism and protecting American interests.

Discussion

This study proposes a new conceptualisation of the relationship between ECFMG and WFME in light of the apparently contradictory policy motivations of altruism and nationalism. It goes on to consider the implications of this association for the legitimacy of WFME as an organisation that represents all of the world's medical schools.
Feeding characteristics and prey profitability in five herring‐feeding killer whales (Orcinus orca) in northern Norway
Authors: Matika Aimee F. , Jourdain Eve , Cade David E. , Karoliussen Richard , Hammond Philip S.
Published: April 2022

This study used multisensory data tags with integrated 4K video to investigate feeding behavior and prey profitability in five adult male killer whales (Orcinus orca) at herring wintering grounds in Norway, in 2016 and 2017. Video recorded two killer whales engaged in carousel feeding, and two engaged in seiner feeding (i.e., feeding on herring discards around purse seiner vessels). The feeding behaviors identified from the video data allowed for determination of associated kinematic signatures, which were used to further identify and characterize carousel feeding and deep feeding dives over the entire logger duration. Prey consumption during on camera feeding bouts was also measured to calculate profitability of feeding bouts for the different behaviors. Average number of prey consumed per minute was 1.08 ± 0.43 for carousel feeding and 0.43 ± 0.07 for seiner feeding (n = 122 prey capture events). Using kinematic data, a total of 18 carousel feeding bouts and 206 deep feeding dives were identified. Whales spent at least 37%–65% of time over 24 hr feeding. Using field metabolic rate estimates from the literature and the energetic content of herring caught locally, killer whales required an estimated 285–578 herring/day to balance daily energy requirements.
Mathematics anxiety in deaf, hard of hearing, and hearing college students
Authors: Mishra Akriti , Walker Kristin , Oshiro Briana , Langdon Clifton , Coppola Marie
Published: April 2022

While mathematics anxiety (MA) has been widely researched in recent decades, this study addresses significant gaps: namely, research that explores the relationship between MA and self‐reported mathematics experiences; samples adults with a range of MA levels; and controls for general anxiety. Additionally, the study sampled deaf and hard of hearing (DHH) students, whose diverse life and educational experiences often differ from hearing students’. We investigated whether DHH students’ experiences with mathematics (i.e., parental behaviors, school environment, and mathematics feelings) and demographic variables (i.e., hearing status, age, and gender) predict their MA, and whether these relationships differ from those in hearing students. Self‐report questionnaires were completed by 296 DHH and hearing college students. Linear regression analyses controlling for general anxiety led to the following inference: DHH students who reported more positive attitudes toward mathematics and school environments demonstrated higher MA. Also, the relationships between mathematics feelings, parental behaviors, and MA differed between DHH and hearing students. Logistic regression analyses showed no contribution of MA to students’ likelihood of pursuing STEM degrees in either DHH or between DHH and hearing groups. Overall, this work breaks new ground in the study of MA in DHH students and challenges standard views of the relationships between MA and individual experiences.
Recent insights into vitamin D, adipocyte, and adipose tissue biology
Authors: Bennour Imene , Haroun Nicole , Sicard Flavie , Mounien Lourdes , Landrier Jean‐François
Published: April 2022

Several studies bring strong evidence for an active role of vitamin D and its metabolites in physiological adipocyte and adipose tissue processes in adulthood. This role includes effects of vitamin D on key adipose tissue and adipocyte biology parameters, including adipogenesis, energy metabolism, and inflammation. Interestingly, recent data also point to a role of maternal vitamin D deficiency in adipocyte and adipose tissue metabolic programming in offspring. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on the biological effect of vitamin D on adipocyte/adipose tissue physiology.
Manual and software‐based measurements of treatment zone parameters and characteristics in children with slow and fast axial elongation in orthokeratology
Authors: Guo Biyue , Wu Huihuan , Cheung Sin Wan , Cho Pauline
Published: April 2022

Purpose

To compare the treatment zone (TZ) measurements obtained using manual and software‐based methods in orthokeratology (ortho‐k) subjects and explore the TZ characteristics of children with slow and fast axial elongation after ortho‐k.

Methods

Data from 69 subjects (aged 7 to <13 years old), who participated in three 24‐month longitudinal orthokeratology studies, showing fast (>0.27 mm, n = 38) and slow (<0.09 mm, n = 31) axial elongation, were retrieved. The TZ after ortho‐k was defined as the central flattened area enclosed by points with no refractive power change. TZ parameters, including decentration, size, width of the peripheral steepened zone (PSZ), central and peripheral refractive power changes and peripheral rate of power change, were determined manually and using python‐based software. TZ parameters were compared between measurement methods and between groups.

Results

Almost all TZ parameters measured manually and with the aid of software were significantly different (p < 0.05). Differences in decentration, size and the PSZ width were not clinically significant, but differences (0.45 to 0.92 D) in refractive power change in the PSZ were significant, although intraclass coefficients (0.95 to 0.98) indicated excellent agreement between methods. Significantly greater TZ decentration, smaller TZ size and greater inferior rate of power change (relative to the TZ centre) were observed in slow progressors using both methods, suggesting a potential role of TZ in regulating myopia progression in ortho‐k.

Conclusion

TZ measurements using manual and software‐based methods differed significantly and cannot be used interchangeably. The combination of TZ decentration, TZ size and peripheral rate of power change may affect myopia control effect in ortho‐k.
Temperature change in children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging—An observational cohort study
Authors: Madsen Thurid Waagstein , Sørensen Martin Kryspin , Cromhout Pernille Fevejle , Sølling Christine , Berntsen Marianne , Møller Kirsten , Berg Selina Kikkenborg
Published: April 2022

Aim

An increasing number of children undergo magnetic resonance imaging requiring anesthesia or sedation to ensure their immobility; however, magnetic resonance imaging may increase body temperature whereas sedation or anesthesia may decrease it. We investigated changes in body temperature in children who underwent sedation or anesthesia for magnetic resonance imaging.

Methods

Children aged 12 weeks–12 years undergoing anesthesia and magnetic resonance imaging were included in this prospective observational study. Tympanic body temperature was measured before and after magnetic resonance imaging, and the difference between measurements was calculated. Associations between the temperature difference and patient‐ or procedure‐related factors were evaluated with linear and logistic regression analysis.

Results

A total of 74 children were included, of whom 5 (7%) had a temperature increase ≥0.5°C. Mean temperature difference was −0.24°C (SD 0.48) for the entire group and −0.28°C for the youngest children (0–2 years). The temperature difference correlated positively with the duration of imaging (unadjusted coefficient 0.26, 95% confidence interval (CI), (0.01; 0.52)).

Conclusion

In this study of sedated or anesthetized children undergoing magnetic resonance imaging, clinically relevant increases in body temperature above 0.5°C were only found in a few patients. However, longer imaging duration tended to be associated with increased body temperature.
Inventory timing: How to serve a stochastic season
Authors: Schlapp Jochen , Fleischmann Moritz , Sonntag Danja
Published: April 2022

Firms that sell products over a limited selling season often have only imperfect information about (a) the exact timing of that season, (b) the demand volume to expect, and (c) the temporal distribution of demand over the selling season. Given these uncertainties, firms must determine not only how much inventory to stock but also when to make that inventory available to customers. We thus ask: What is a firm's optimal inventory quantity and timing for products sold during a stochastic selling season? Although the newsvendor literature has developed a thorough understanding of the firm's optimal inventory quantity, it has failed to inform decision‐makers about choosing the optimal inventory timing. We address this issue by developing a theoretical model of a firm that sells a product over a stochastic selling season, and we study how this firm should choose its inventory timing and inventory quantity so as to maximize expected profits. We also identify the effects of optimal inventory timing on the firm's ability to satisfy customer demand and show how early inventory timing can be detrimental to customer service. Our core results imply three immediate recommendations for managers. First, optimal inventory timing is an effective weapon for combating both high inventory holding costs and high levels of uncertainty in the firm's customer demand pattern. Second, to be effective, a firm's inventory timing must be carefully aligned with the firm's inventory quantity. Third, naïve decision rules (e.g., “earlier is better”) may reduce not only the firm's profits but also its capacity to serve customer demand.
Managing Software‐as‐a‐Service: Pricing and operations
Authors: Li Bo , Kumar Subodha
Published: April 2022

Software‐as‐a‐service (SaaS) applications have experienced a decade of explosive growth, eliminating barriers in reaching users and enabling real‐time interchanges and intelligence. Using business analytics, SaaS applications are increasingly embedded in the day‐to‐day activities of businesses and consumers with competition and innovative pricing. Due to the evolution in cloud business models, new issues are surfacing to challenge practitioners and scholars. A number of issues encountered in the practice have not been properly addressed or even recognized. In this paper, we attempt to fill this important gap. We propose a framework of recent business research on SaaS in light of wide adoption of the SaaS business model. This framework broadly classifies SaaS research into two basic themes. For each theme, we review past work that has been instrumental in setting the direction of this line of research and discuss how emerging research opportunities can be addressed. For each research opportunity, we also propose an initial model and the applicable methodology. Further, in order to aid researchers, we identify the data sources wherever applicable, and even present some of the initial results. We conclude by describing promising directions on a roadmap for future research and explain why an integrative perspective of operations, marketing, and information systems is critical to SaaS. In this paper, we bridge the gap between research and practice by identifying the relevant industry problems that would help researchers who are interested in working in this area both to get a starting point and to address important theoretical and practical challenges.
Navigating the manyverse of skin conductance response quantification approaches – A direct comparison of trough‐to‐peak, baseline correction, and model‐based approaches in Ledalab and PsPM
Authors: Kuhn Manuel , Gerlicher Anna M. V. , Lonsdorf Tina B.
Published: April 2022

Raw data are typically required to be processed to be ready for statistical analyses, and processing pipelines are often characterized by substantial heterogeneity. Here, we applied seven different approaches (trough‐to‐peak scoring by two different raters, script‐based baseline correction, Ledalab as well as four different models implemented in the software PsPM) to two fear conditioning data sets. Selection of the approaches included was guided by a systematic literature search by using fear conditioning research as a case example. Our approach can be viewed as a set of robustness analyses (i.e., same data subjected to different processing pipelines) aiming to investigate if and to what extent these different quantification approaches yield comparable results given the same data. To our knowledge, no formal framework for the evaluation of robustness analyses exists to date, but we may borrow some criteria from a framework suggested for the evaluation of “replicability” in general. Our results from seven different SCR quantification approaches applied to two data sets with different paradigms suggest that there may be no single approach that consistently yields larger effect sizes and could be universally considered “best.” Yet, at least some of the approaches employed show consistent effect sizes within each data set indicating comparability. Finally, we highlight substantial heterogeneity also within most quantification approaches and discuss implications and potential remedies.
Do tax administration reforms improve tax revenue performance in Togo? Empirical insights from experimental approaches
Authors: Bayale Nimonka , Tchila Pouwemdéou , Yao Jacques‐Patrick Arnold , Tenakoua Honoré
Published: April 2022

Tax administration reforms are often motivated by their potential to improve tax revenue mobilisation. However, their actual impacts are difficult to quantify. Using cross‐country panel data over the period 1990–2018, this paper analyses the impact of the 2012 tax administration reform on tax revenue performance in Togo. The estimation procedures that we follow are the synthetic control method (SCM) and the propensity score matching (PSM). After comparing the observed evolution of Togo's tax revenue output in the period 2013–2018 with that of synthetic Togo, our estimates show an accumulated gain in the tax‐to‐GDP ratio of a yearly average of about 2.8%. The results pass a battery of checks. Hence, the paper concludes that after almost 9 years of reform, the improvement in Togo's tax performance is remarkable. However, more tax‐related and institution‐related reforms are crucial to make Togo's tax system more buoyant and sustainably improved tax revenue mobilisation.