bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
ATR Inhibitor Synergizes PARP Inhibitor Cytotoxicity in Homologous Recombination Repair Deficiency TK6 Cell Lines
Authors: Wikiniyadhanee Rakkreat , Lerksuthirat Tassanee , Stitchantrakul Wasana , Chitphuk Sermsiri , Takeda Shunichi , Dejsuphong Donniphat
Published: February 2023

The inhibition of poly(ADP‐ribose) polymerases (PARPs) and ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3‐related (ATR) would be an alternative approach for cancer treatments. The aim of this study is to investigate the synergy of the different combinations of PARP inhibitors (olaparib, talazoparib, or veliparib) and ATR inhibitor AZD6738. A drug combinational synergy screen that combines olaparib, talazoparib, or veliparib with AZD6738 was performed to identify the synergistic interaction, and the combination index was calculated to verify synergy. TK6 isogenic cell lines with defects in different DNA repair genes were used as a model. Cell cycle analysis, micronucleus induction, and focus formation assays of serine‐139 phosphorylation of the histone variant H2AX demonstrated that AZD6738 diminished G2/M checkpoint activation induced by PARP inhibitors and allowed DNA damage‐containing cells to continue dividing, leading to greater increases in micronuclei as well as double‐strand DNA breaks in mitotic cells. We also found that AZD6738 was likely to potentiate cytotoxicity of PARP inhibitors in homologous recombination repair deficiency cell lines. AZD6738 sensitized more genotypes of DNA repair‐deficient cell lines to talazoparib than to olaparib and veliparib, respectively. The combinational approach of PARP and ATR inhibition to enhance response to PARP inhibitors could expand the utility of PARP inhibitors to cancer patients without BRCA1/2 mutations.
Toxic Effects of Copper Sulfate and Trichlorfon on the Intestines of Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Li Qing , Cao Yangyang , Wang Yuting , Long Xiaodong , Sun Wenbo , Yang Hui , Zhang Yingying
Published: February 2023

Copper sulfate and trichlorfon are commonly used in aquaculture. They are often used alone or in combination to kill pathogens and parasites. However, there are few studies evaluating the toxic effects of copper sulfate and trichlorfon on fish. The intestine is an important digestive and immune tissue for fish, which is essential for the growth and development. In this study, zebrafish were used as the research model to detect the toxic effects of copper sulfate (0.5 mg/L) and trichlorfon (0.5 mg/L) at common production concentrations on the fish intestine. The results showed that copper sulfate and trichlorfon significantly induced the activities of intestinal catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), and alkaline phosphatase (AKP), but had no significant effects on intestinal histology after short-term exposure for 7 days. Following 21 days of long-term exposure, copper sulfate and trichlorfon could significantly induce intestinal mucosal damage, and inhibit the activity of antioxidant enzymes, and the expression of tight junction protein genes tight junction protein 1 (ZO1), claudin 1 (Cldn1), and occludin (Oclna) in the zebrafish intestine. These results suggested that copper sulfate and trichlorfon probably induced intestinal oxidative stress injury by inhibiting the activity of antioxidant enzymes, or induced intestinal mucosal damage by inhibiting the expression of intestinal tight junction protein genes. Moreover, the combined exposure of copper sulfate and trichlorfon was more toxic than the single exposure, which suggest the toxicity of copper sulfate and trichlorfon had a synergistic effect. The present results suggest that copper sulfate and trichlorfon should be used with caution in aquaculture.
Mathematical Model for Crimes in Developing Countries with Some Control Strategies
Authors: Mataru Bilali , Abonyo Okelo Jeconiah , Malonza David
Published: February 2023

Crime is one among the most challenging problems in most developing countries in which unemployment is among the causes. Not all kind of crimes can be eradicated indeed; this paper is intended to contribute on eradication of unemployment-related crimes in the developing countries by proposing a deterministic mathematical model of unemployment-crime dynamics including vocational training and employment as control measures for crime. The study adopts the epidemiological model concepts on model formulation and model analysis while considering unemployment as main driver of crime. The basic properties of the model are analyzed, and well-posed of the model is established by using the Lipschitz condition. The next-generation matrix is used to obtain the criminal reproduction number which help to derive the conditions for local and global stability of the model. Moreover, the existence of backward and forward bifurcation when the crime reproduction number is equal to one was analyzed by center manifold theory. Simulations of the model are carried out to validate the theoretical part of the model and demonstrate vocational training, and employment strategies are more effective in combating crime when applied simultaneously. The findings suggest that unemployment problem should be addressed in order to reduce the number of unemployed individuals in joining the criminal activities.
Addition of Losartan to FOLFIRINOX and Chemoradiation Reduces Immunosuppression-Associated Genes, Tregs, and FOXP3+ Cancer Cells in Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Boucher Yves , Posada Jessica M. , Subudhi Sonu , Kumar Ashwin S. , Rosario Spencer R. , Gu Liqun , Kumra Heena , Mino-Kenudson Mari , Talele Nilesh P. , Duda Dan G. , Fukumura Dai , Wo Jennifer Y. , Clark Jeffrey W. , Ryan David P. , Fernandez-Del Castillo Carlos , Hong Theodore S. , Pittet Mikael J. , Jain Rakesh K.
Published: February 2023

Purpose:

Adding losartan (LOS) to FOLFIRINOX (FFX) chemotherapy followed by chemoradiation (CRT) resulted in 61% R0 surgical resection in our phase II trial in patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC). Here we identify potential mechanisms of benefit by assessing the effects of neoadjuvant LOS on the tumor microenvironment.

Experimental Design:

We performed a gene expression and immunofluorescence (IF) analysis using archived surgical samples from patients treated with LOS+FFX+CRT (NCT01821729), FFX+CRT (NCT01591733), or surgery upfront, without any neoadjuvant therapy. We also conducted a longitudinal analysis of multiple biomarkers in the plasma of treated patients.

Results:

In comparison with FFX+CRT, LOS+FFX+CRT downregulated immunosuppression and pro-invasion genes. Overall survival (OS) was associated with dendritic cell (DC) and antigen presentation genes for patients treated with FFX+CRT, and with immunosuppression and invasion genes or DC- and blood vessel–related genes for those treated with LOS+FFX+CRT. Furthermore, LOS induced specific changes in circulating levels of IL-8, sTie2, and TGF-β. IF revealed significantly less residual disease in lesions treated with LOS+FFX+CRT. Finally, patients with a complete/near complete pathologic response in the LOS+FFX+CRT–treated group had reduced CD4+FOXP3+ regulatory T cells (Tregs), fewer immunosuppressive FOXP3+ cancer cells (C-FOXP3), and increased CD8+ T cells in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma lesions.

Conclusions:

Adding LOS to FFX+CRT reduced pro-invasion and immunosuppression–related genes, which were associated with improved OS in patients with LAPC. Lesions from responders in the LOS+FFX+CRT–treated group had reduced Tregs, decreased C-FOXP3 and increased CD8+ T cells. These findings suggest that LOS may potentiate the benefit of FFX+CRT by reducing immunosuppression.
High-Grade Prostate Cancer Invading the Vagina: A Case Report of an Unusual Prostate Cancer Diagnosed in a Man with Persistent Mullerian Duct Syndrome
Authors: Bahouth Zaher , Little Mark W. , Badea Raluca D. , Musa Fawaz , Charlesworth Philip J.S.
Published: February 2023

We report an extremely rare case of locally advanced prostate cancer in a phenotypic male patient with persistent müllerian duct syndrome. The patient underwent a robot-assisted retzius-sparing radical prostatectomy, bilateral pelvic lymph node dissection, radical hysterectomy, vaginectomy, and salpingo-ophorectomy. He was continent at 3 months follow-up. His follow-up PSA has steadily increased up to 1.4 ng/mL 6 months following surgery and his PSMA-PET scan showed bone metastasis with no local recurrence, and androgen deprivation therapy was started along with docetaxel chemotherapy. Prostate cancer in patients with DSD is extremely rare and can manifest itself with a low PSA, although aggressive cancer.
Colonic Dilatation Complicating Acute Severe Ulcerative Colitis Managed Successfully with Accelerated Infliximab Dosing
Authors: Bui Hoang Huu , Dang Luan Minh , Vo Diem Thi-Ngoc , Nguyen Chuong Dinh
Published: February 2023

Lately, emerging data suggest an association between the development of inflammatory bowel disease and anti-interleukin-17 therapy. Megacolon is a life-threatening complication of acute severe ulcerative colitis (ASUC), but its treatment has not yet been established in current practice guidelines. We report a rare case of known psoriasis treated by secukinumab in a patient who presented with ASUC and colonic dilatation. Neither steroids nor standard infliximab regimen was effective. Finally, rescue therapy with accelerated infliximab strategy resulted in excellent recovery. In certain cases of steroid-refractory ASUC complicated by megacolon, accelerated infliximab regimen can be an alternative to surgery.
Subject-Specific Activation of Central Respiratory Centers during Breath-Holding Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging
Authors: Ciumas Carolina , Bolay Mayara , Bouet Romain , Rheims Sylvain , Ibarrola Danielle , Hampson Johnson P. , Lhatoo Samden D. , Ryvlin Philippe
Published: February 2023

Background: Voluntary breath-holding (BH) triggers responses from central neural control and respiratory centers in order to restore breathing. Such responses can be observed using functional MRI (fMRI). Objectives: We used this paradigm in healthy volunteers with the view to develop a biomarker that could be used to investigate disorders of the central control of breathing at the individual patient level. Method: In 21 healthy human subjects (mean age±SD, 32.8 ± 9.9 years old), fMRI was used to determine, at both the individual and group levels, the physiological neural response to expiratory and inspiratory voluntary apneas, within respiratory control centers in the brain and brainstem. Results: Group analysis showed that expiratory BH, but not inspiratory BH, triggered activation of the pontine respiratory group and raphe nuclei at the group level, with a significant relationship between the levels of activation and drop in SpO2. Using predefined ROIs, expiratory BH, and to a lesser extent, inspiratory BH were associated with activation of most respiratory centers. The right ventrolateral nucleus of the thalamus, right pre-Bötzinger complex, right VRG, right nucleus ambiguus, and left Kölliker-Fuse-parabrachial complex were only activated during inspiratory BH. Individual analysis identified activations of cortical/subcortical and brainstem structures related to respiratory control in 19 out of 21 subjects. Conclusion: Our study shows that BH paradigm allows to reliably trigger fMRI response from brainstem and cortical areas involved in respiratory control at the individual level, suggesting that it might serve as a clinically relevant biomarker to investigate conditions associated with an altered central control of respiration.
Discrimination Exposure and Polygenic Risk for Obesity in Adulthood: Testing Gene-Environment Correlations and Interactions
Authors: Cuevas Adolfo G. , Mann Frank D. , Krueger Robert F.
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Exposure to discrimination has emerged as a risk factor for obesity. It remains unclear, however, whether the genotype of the individual can modulate the sensitivity or response to discrimination exposure (gene × environment interaction) or increase the likelihood of experiencing discrimination (gene-environment correlation). Methods: This was an observational study of 4,102 white/European Americans in the Health and Retirement Study with self-reported, biological assessments, and genotyped data from 2006 to 2014. Discrimination was operationalized using the average of nine Everyday Discrimination Scale items. Polygenic risk scores (PRSs) for body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were calculated using the weighted sum of risk alleles based on studies conducted by the Genetic Investigation of Anthropometric Traits (GIANT) consortium. Results: We found that greater PRS-BMI was significantly associated with more reports of discrimination (β = 0.04 ± 0.02; p = 0.037). Further analysis showed that measured BMI partially mediated the association between PRS-BMI and discrimination. There was no evidence that the association between discrimination and BMI, or the association between discrimination and WC, differed by PRS-BMI or PRS-WC, respectively. Conclusion: Our findings suggest that individuals with genetic liability for obesity may experience greater discrimination in their lifetime, consistent with a gene-environment correlation hypothesis. There was no evidence of a gene-environment interaction. More genome-wide association studies in diverse populations are needed to improve generalizability of study findings. In the meantime, prevention and clinical intervention efforts that seek to reduce exposure to all forms of discrimination may help reduce obesity at the population level.
Factors Associated with Relapse of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus after Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy in Japanese Subjects: A Subgroup Analysis of J-SMART Study
Authors: Watanabe Yasuhiro , Yamaguchi Takashi , Nagayama Daiji , Tanaka Sho , Sasaki Akira , Naitoh Takeshi , Matsubara Hisahiro , Yokote Koutaro , Okazumi Shinichi , Ugi Satoshi , Yamamoto Hiroshi , Ohta Masayuki , Ishigaki Yasushi , Kasama Kazunori , Seki Yosuke , Tsujino Motoyoshi , Shirai Kohji , Miyazaki Yasuhiro , Masaki Takayuki , Saiki Atsuhito , Tatsuno Ichiro
Published: February 2023

Introduction: Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) for morbidly obese patients often results in remission of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), but diabetes relapses in some of those patients. The frequency of T2DM relapse in Asians and the factors involved have not been adequately investigated. Methods: The J-SMART study was conducted on 322 Japanese subjects with body mass index (BMI) ≥32 kg/m2 who underwent LSG at 10 accredited centers in Japan between 2011 and 2014. Of these, 82 T2DM subjects with diabetes in complete or partial remission at 1 year after LSG and followed postoperatively for 5 years were included in the subgroup analysis and classified into two groups: diabetes remission-maintained and diabetes relapse. Results: The mean age of all included subjects was 49.2 years, median BMI was 41.5 kg/m2, and median HbA1c was 6.7%. Compared with the diabetes remission-maintained group, the diabetes relapse group at 5 years after LSG had significantly higher preoperative HbA1c, number of antidiabetic medications, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level; and lower BMI and homeostasis model assessment-beta cell function (HOMA-β). As many as 83.0% of the subjects were able to achieve HbA1c <7% at 5 years after LSG, but 26.8% of the subjects had diabetes relapse. Preoperative HbA1c significantly contributed to diabetes relapse (odds ratio 1.54, p = 0.049). In addition, the diabetes relapse group tended to have lower percentage total weight loss (%TWL) at 1 year after LSG and higher percentage weight regain (%WR) from postoperative nadir weight, compared with the diabetes remission-maintained group. The hazard ratio for diabetes relapse was 3.14-fold higher in subjects with %TWL ≥20% and %WR ≥25%, and 5.46-fold higher in those with %TWL <20% and %WR ≥25%, compared with %TWL ≥20% and %WR <25%. Conclusion: While LSG provides a high remission rate for T2DM, relapse is not uncommon. Preoperative HbA1c, poor weight loss, and excess weight regain after LSG contribute to diabetes relapse, suggesting the importance of treatment strategies focusing on these factors.
Skin Care in Neonates and Infants: A Scoping Review
Authors: Wilborn Doris , Amin Ruhul , Kottner Jan , Blume-Peytavi Ulrike
Published: February 2023

Background: Skin care is a basic, daily activity performed by formal and informal caregivers from birth until end of life. Skin care activities are influenced by different factors, e.g., culture, knowledge, industrial developments and marketing activities. Therefore, various preferences, traditions, and behaviors exist worldwide including skin care of neonates and infants. The objective of this scoping review was to obtain an overview about the evidence of skin care activities in neonates and infants. Studies from 2010 were eligible if the population was (skin) healthy neonates and infants; if the concept was skin care interventions; and if the context was at home, in a community setting, in a pediatric outpatient service, or in a hospital. We searched for the literature via OVID in MEDLINE and Embase, in the Cochrane Library, in trial registries and for gray literature. Summary: We identified 42 studies since 2010, which examined four main skin care interventions: bathing, wiping, washing, and topical application of leave-on products. Details of interventions were often not reported, and if they were, they were not comparable. The four skin care interventions focused on 13 different care goals, mainly prevention of skin diseases, maintaining skin barrier function, and improving (skin) health. We evaluated effects of skin care interventions using 57 different outcome domains; 39 of 57 were skin-related and 18 were not. Mostly, laboratory or instrumental measurements were used. Key Messages: Our scoping review identified four skin care interventions with a broad heterogeneity of product categories and application details. Studies in skin care interventions should include all relevant information about product category and application details to ensure comparability of study results. This would be helpful in developing recommendations for formal and informal caregivers. We identified 13 skin care goals. “Maintaining healthy skin/skin barrier function/skin barrier integrity,” “prevention of atopic dermatitis,” “cleansing,” and “improving skin barrier function” were most often allocated to skin care interventions. There is substantial variability regarding outcome domains in skin care research. Our results support the need of developing core outcome sets in the field of skin care in healthy skin, especially in this age-group of neonates and infants.
Cardiovascular Risk Stratification by Automatic Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring on Pretreatment Chest Computed Tomography in Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Receiving Anthracycline-Based Chemotherapy: A Multicenter Study
Authors: Shen Hesong , Lian Yanbang , Yin Jinxue , Zhu Minghong , Yang Chun , Tu Chunrong , Peng Yangling , Li Xiaoqin , Zhang Jiuquan
Published: February 2023

Background:

Balancing the cardiovascular risk and benefit of anthracycline-based chemotherapy in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma is an important clinical issue. We aimed to evaluate whether the pretreatment coronary artery calcium score (CACS) can stratify the risk of cancer therapy-related cardiac dysfunction (CTRCD) and major adverse cardiovascular events (MACEs) in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma receiving anthracycline-based chemotherapy.

Methods:

The patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from 4 hospitals were retrospectively enrolled. The CACS was automatically calculated on nongated chest computed tomography before treatment using artificial intelligence-CACS software and divided into 3 categories (0, 1–100, and >100). The associations between the CACS and CTRCD and between the CACS and MACEs were assessed by logistic regression and Fine-Gray competing-risk regression model. Nelson–Aalen cumulative risk curve was performed to assess the cumulative incidence of MACEs.

Results:

A total of 1468 patients (785 men and 683 women; 100% Asian) were enrolled, and 362 and 185 patients developed CTRCD and MACEs, respectively. Compared with a CACS of 0 (n=826), there was stepwise higher odds of CTRCD with a CACS between 1 and 100 (n=356; odds ratio, 2.587) and a CACS >100 (n=286; odds ratio, 5.239). The CACS was associated with MACEs (1–100 versus 0: subdistribution hazard ratio 3.726; >100 versus 0: subdistribution hazard ratio 7.858; all
P
<0.001). Competing risk-adjusted MACEs rates for patients with a CACS of 0, 1 to 100, and >100 were 1.21%, 8.43%, and 11.19%, respectively, at 3 years, and 3.27%, 16.01%, 31.12%, respectively, at 5 years.

Conclusions:

The automatic CACS derived from chest computed tomography before treatment was helpful to identify high-risk patients of CTRCD and MACE and guide clinicians to implement cardiovascular protection strategies in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma who received anthracycline-based chemotherapy.
VEGF (Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor) Inhibition and Hypertension: Does Microvascular Rarefaction Play a Role?
Authors: le Noble Ferdinand A.C. , Mourad Jean-Jacques , Levy Bernard I. , Struijker-Boudier Harry A.J.
Published: February 2023

Drugs acting by inhibition of the angiogenic action of VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor) have become major instruments in the treatment of cancer. The downside of their favorable effects in cancer treatment is their frequent cardiovascular side effects. The most consistent finding thus far on the cardiovascular side effects of VEGF inhibitors is the high incidence of hypertension. In this short review, we discuss the evidence that hypertension occurring during VEGF inhibitor treatment is caused by microvascular rarefaction. After a review of the role of VEGF in microvascular growth and differentiation, we present evidence from studies in experimental models of hypertension as well as clinical studies on the microvascular network changes during and after VEGF inhibitor treatment.
Ideal Foundational Requirements for Stroke Program Development and Growth: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association
Authors: Dusenbury Wendy , Mathiesen Claranne , Whaley Michelle , Adeoye Opeolu , Leslie-Mazwi Thabele , Williams Shavonne , Velasco Cesar , Shah Samarth P. , Gonzales Nicole R. , Alexandrov Anne W. ,   on behalf of the American Heart Association Council on Cardiovascular and Stroke Nursing and the Stroke Council
Published: February 2023

Stroke center certification has evolved at a rapid pace and is now available at 4 different levels of service in the United States. Although certification standards provide guidance on stroke center process elements, lack of guidance on structural components such as workforce, staffing, and unit operations has resulted in heterogeneous services among hospitals credentialed at the same stroke center level. Such heterogeneity challenges public expectations and transparency about actual service capabilities within American stroke centers and in some cases may foster leniency in credentialing agency certification methods. Standards for other time-dependent diagnoses, including trauma, provide detailed guidance on structural elements that has improved patient triage and resuscitative care while enabling practitioners and administrators to more accurately gauge and plan service development to better support their communities. This scientific statement aims to provide similar structural guidance defined by each level of hospital stroke center services to reduce operational inconsistencies, to foster planning for service development, and to improve the interprofessional care of patients with acute stroke.
Cyber versus Brick and Mortar: Achievement, Attainment, and Postsecondary Outcomes in Pennsylvania Charter High Schools
Authors: Cordes Sarah A.
Published: February 2023

The charter school sector has expanded beyond brick-and-mortar schools to cyber schools, where enrollment grew almost tenfold between 2015 and 2020. While a large literature documents the effects of charter schools on test scores, fewer studies explore impacts on attainment or postsecondary outcomes and there is almost no work exploring the consequences of cyber charter enrollment for these outcomes. In this paper, I examine the impacts of Pennsylvania's charter high schools on student attendance, achievement, graduation, and postsecondary enrollment, distinguishing the impacts of brick-and-mortar from cyber schools. I find that brick-and-mortar charters have no or positive effects across outcomes, and that effects are concentrated in urban districts and among Black and economically disadvantaged students. By contrast, attending a cyber charter is associated with almost universally worse outcomes, with little evidence of heterogeneity. Students who enroll in a cyber charter at the beginning of ninth grade are 9.5 percentage points (pp) less likely to graduate, 16.8 pp less likely to enroll in college, and 15.2 pp less likely to persist in a postsecondary institution beyond one semester. These results suggest that additional regulation and oversight of cyber charter schools is warranted and also bring into question the efficacy of online education.
Endogenous Firm Competition and the Cyclicality of Markups
Authors: Afrouzi Hassan , Caloi Luigi
Published: February 2023

We show that the cyclicality of output growth is a sufficient predictor for the cyclicality of markups in models that micro-found variable markups through dynamic trade-offs. We use data on markups from the U.S. as well as survey data on firms’ expectations from New Zealand to test the predictions of these models and find evidence in favor of their mechanisms. Finally, we study the implications of these mechanisms for cyclicality of markups in a calibrated general equilibrium model. In particular, we find that the degree of hump-shaped response in output is crucial for the direction of aggregate markup cyclicality.
Measuring Group Cohesion to Reveal the Power of Social Relationships in Team Production
Authors: Gächter Simon , Starmer Chris , Tufano Fabio
Published: February 2023

We introduce group cohesion to study the economic relevance of social relationships in team production. We operationalize measurement of group cohesion, adapting the “oneness scale” from psychology. A series of experiments, including a preregistered replication, reveals strong, positive associations between group cohesion and performance assessed in weak-link coordination games, with high-cohesion groups being likely to achieve superior equilibria. In exploratory analysis, we identify beliefs rather than social preferences as the primary mechanism through which factors proxied by group cohesion influence group performance. Our evidence provides proof of concept for group cohesion as a useful tool for economic research and practice.
Low-Quality Seeds, Labor Supply and Economic Returns: Experimental Evidence from Tanzania
Authors: Bulte Erwin , Di Falco Salvatore , Kassie Menale , Vollenweider Xavier
Published: February 2023

Low productivity in agriculture is a major cause of poverty and food insecurity in Africa. One explanation for low productivity is the widespread presence of low-quality inputs on local markets (“lemon technologies”), which causes uncertainty among farmers and erodes incentives for adoption. We report the results from a field experiment in Tanzania to study the impact of improved maize seeds in a context where we exogenously vary seed quality and uncertainty about seed type. The analysis is at the level of experimental plots owned and managed by farmers (not the entire farm). While improved seed positively affects harvests and reduces the probability of crop failure among fully-informed farmers, these benefits are attenuated significantly when farmers are uncertain about the seed type they receive. The main channel linking uncertainty to lower harvest levels is the re-allocation of labor—a complementary input. The presence of lemon inputs on the market for modern inputs impedes learning about the profitability of these inputs and increases the yield gap by slowing down adoption in subsequent periods.
Subsidy Phase-Out and Consumer Demand Dynamics: Evidence from the Battery Electric Vehicle Market in China
Authors: Hu Yunyi , Yin Haitao , Zhao Li
Published: February 2023

This article quantifies the impact of the battery electric vehicle subsidy program in China. We build a structural model of dynamic demand and Bertrand Nash supply to study price elasticity and changes in production costs. The model highlights four channels through which the subsidy program impacts the market: temporal elasticity, in response to a current price change; intertemporal elasticity, in response to a future price change; and multiplication effects through peer and learning by doing. Combining these estimates, we simulate outcomes under four subsidy schemes and find a phase-out policy could be the most cost-effective while achieving higher sales promotion compared with alternative policies that provide larger subsidies over more prolonged periods.
Cellular mechanisms of the lufenuron growth regulator in adults of Anthonomus grandis (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)
Authors: dos Santos Cruz Glaucilane , Teixeira Valeria Wanderley , da Nobrega Ferreira Maria Clara , da Costa Hilton Nobre , de Melo Ismaela Maria Ferreira , Guedes Carolina Arruda , Filho Leucio Duarte Vieira , Neto Clovis José Cavalcanti Lapa , Teixeira Álvaro Aguiar Coelho
Published: February 2023

Growth-regulating insecticides are used for several cotton pests when immature, and although not registered for Anthonomus grandis, their use causes a satisfactory population reduction in adults. However, it is not known which mechanisms are involved in this reduction. Thus, we studied which tissue and cellular changes may be involved in this process. Adults were fed with flower buds treated with lufenuron (4 ml commercial product /l) for 24 h. Then, the histology of the gonads, oxidative stress and apoptosis were evaluated after periods of 24 h and 48 h. Our study revealed that lufenuron activates the oxidative stress pathway in A. grandis, causing significant changes at the cellular level. These changes may have been caused by stimulation of the production of oxygen ions, free radicals and hydrogen peroxides, resulting in an increase in lipid peroxidation 48 h after treatment. These effects were confirmed by the presence of histopathologies in the gonads of this pest such as disorganization of the follicular cell epithelium, reduction of the yolk, disappearance of the germinal vesicle, reduction of sperm bundles and cysts. Such alterations injured the gonads and impaired tissue homeostasis. It is concluded that together these factors lead to a desirable population reduction when it comes to managing the pest in the field, because the aim is to keep it below the control level. In addition to this desired effect, it is worth noting that lufenuron is safer when compared to other commonly used products, another feature that makes its use quite interesting.
Nolinoideae (Asparagaceae) in APG III needs replacing with Convallarioideae
Authors: TANAKA NORIYUKI , NGUYEN KHANG SINH
Published: February 2023

Chase et al. (2009) attempted a subfamilial classification for the expanded asparagalean families Amaryllidaceae, Asparagaceae and Xanthorrhoeaceae sensu APG III (2009). In Asparagaceae they recognized seven subfamilies including Nolinoideae Burnett (1835: 985, 1095, 1106). The Nolinoideae circumscribed by them consisted of 16 genera including Nolina Michaux (1803: 207). Since the publication of their paper, the subfamily name has been adopted in many taxonomic papers (e.g. Reveal 2012, Vislobokov et al. 2018, Tanaka 2019, Averyanov et al. 2020, Nguyen et al. 2020, 2021, Meng et al. 2021).
The taxonomy of Indian gorgonians: an assessment of the descriptive records of gorgonians (Anthozoa: Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) recorded as occurring in the territorial waters of India, along with neighbouring regions and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the highlighting of perceived unethical practice
Authors: RAMVILAS GHOSH , ALDERSLADE PHILIP , RANJEET KUTTY
Published: February 2023

The descriptive taxonomic records of a total of 226 gorgonian species (Octocorallia: Alcyonacea) from Indian seas and neighbouring areas were surveyed and critically reviewed with the main aim of providing a more reliable checklist. The published accounts comprise: species originally described from within the region: subsequent descriptive records of the taxa originally described from within the region; and subsequent descriptive records of species originally described from outside of the region. The reviews include an attempt to assess the validity of all subsequent descriptive records, although in numerous cases the species have been assessed as unrecognisable from their type descriptions. Numerous new binomial combinations, some tentative, have been proposed. The assessment of the validity of a species record is expressed as an “Opinion” with supporting justification. Of the 226 species, there are 111 that were originally described from locations outside of Indian waters and have subsequently been described and recorded as occurring in the region. Of these, there are 9 species where we were unable to decide if the records are valid or not, 94 were assessed as invalid, 5 as possibly valid and 3 were considered valid. The survey highlights four major problems regarding the reliability of some more recently published taxonomic records for the region: the use of ‘predatory journals’; plagiarism; the use of manipulated imagery in more than one description; and taxonomic decision apparently based on expediency.
Seven new species and two new genera of Physocypria sensu latu (Crustacea, Ostracoda) from Brazilian floodplains
Authors: DE ALMEIDA NADINY MARTINS , FERREIRA VITOR GÓIS , MARTENS KOEN , HIGUTI JANET
Published: February 2023

We describe seven new species in two new genera of the Physocypria sensu latu clade (Cyclocypridinae) from three of the main Brazilian floodplains. Brasilocypria pea gen. et spec. nov. and Brasilocypria ricardopintoi gen. et spec. nov. occur in the Upper Paraná River floodplain and the South Matogrossense Pantanal, Claudecypria mesquitai gen. et spec. nov., Brasilocypria alisonae gen. et spec. nov. and Claudecypria rochei gen. et spec. nov. were found in the South Matogrossense Pantanal, and Brasilocypria lordi gen. et spec. nov. and Brasilocypria namiotkoi gen. et spec. nov. occur in the Amazon River floodplain. All new species here described were found as sexual populations. Generally, they have a short and suboval carapace, with the left valve overlapping the right valve on all sides, except for the dorsal side in some species. The morphology of the hemipenis and the prehensile palps, together with the shape of the valves, were the most important characters to distinguish the species. Size differences between species can be substantial. Several characters, such as the absence in all new species of the short accompanying seta of the five natatory setae on the antenna; the presence in all new species of a long seta next to the two a-setae on the first thoracopod, and the presence/absence or differences in length of specific setae on the second and third thoracopod, are relevant for the generic diagnoses. We also redefine Keysercypria Karanovic, 2011.
Intestinal Ciliates of Plains Zebra (Equus quagga Gmelin, 1788) in Turkey
Authors: GÜRELLİ GÖZDE
Published: February 2023

An investigation was carried out to identify the intestinal ciliated protozoa of the plains zebra known as Burchell’s zebra (Equus quagga burchellii Gray, 1824) living in Sasalı National Park (İzmir, Turkey) and Gaziantep Zoo (Gaziantep, Turkey) and of the plains zebra known as Grant’s zebra (Equus quagga boehmi Matschie, 1892) living in Darıca Faruk Yalçın Zoo (Darıca, Turkey). A total of 27 species and 1 morphotype belonging to 17 genera and 6 families were detected. Bundleia elongata was identified in all examined zebras, whereas Bundleia inflata, Blepharoconus benbrooki, Blepharocorys cardionucleata, Circodinium minimum, Cycloposthium bipalmatum, Ditoxum brevinucleatum, D. hamulus, and Arcosoma brevicorniger were identified only in one zebra. The average quantity of intestinal ciliates in the 9 zebras was 11.0 ± 17.0 × 104 cells mL−1. According to this study, the total number of ciliate species in the intestine of zebras increased to 51. This is the first time a report has been made on Paraisotricha colpoidea, Blepharoprosthium polytrichum, Bundleia elongata, B. triangularis, Paraisotrichopsis composita, Arcosoma brevicorniger, and A. dicorniger from zebra intestines. Moreover, A. brevicorniger was observed in binary fission for the first time.
The Inclusion Mirage: Inside the Segregation of an Urban High School
Authors: Coon Shawn R.
Published: February 2023

Many urban public schools are often perceived as inclusive due to the demographics of their diverse student populations. This myth of inclusivity reifies notions of equity in both education and broader society. However, upon closer inspection, this myth of inclusion crumbles once immersed within an urban high school. In this article, I present the concept of the inclusion mirage. Through the utilization of critical ethnographic methods, I uncovered how schools that may appear diverse and integrated on the surface are vastly segregated for those that learn and work within their walls.
Digital Tools to Support Self-Regulation in the Writing Process for Exceptional Learners
Authors: Murnan Reagan , Cornell Heidi
Published: February 2023

High levels of self-regulation and attentional management are essential to skilled writing. Many students with disabilities struggle with the demands of expressing their ideas through writing. The act of high-quality composition requires close attention and management of the entire writing process: planning, composing, and revising. Many students with disabilities struggle to employ the needed self-regulation strategies that are required throughout the writing process. As a result, they generally possess poorer self-regulated writing strategies compared to skilled writers. This article will describe how digital tools can support various aspects of self-regulation within the writing process. When paired with explicit instruction, teachers can use the digital tools provided in this article to deliver effective, self-regulated writing instruction.
Siblinghood Amongst Older Adults: What Being a Sibling or Having Siblings Means
Authors: Sýkorová Dana
Published: February 2023

The aim of this study is to understand siblinghood in old age through the perspective of Czech older adults. Forty-one in-depth interviews were analyzed, and four themes characterizing siblinghood among older persons were identified in the data: (1) Siblinghood as a unique bond, understood through genetic relatedness, the sense of belongingness, shared memories, and awareness of being the last members of the family of origin. (2) Being consanguineous and, as a result, irrevocably bonded by mutual commitments. (3) Being emotionally supportive and ready for help if needed and as resources allow. (4) The rules of doing siblinghood: the genealogical rules vs. the rule of family of procreation priority; the rule of genetic relatedness vs. the selectivity rule, or rather the preferences of particular siblings; the rules of “good siblinghood” (being interested in themselves, mutual respect, no envy).
Food Insecurity Among Older Adults with a History of Incarceration
Authors: Jordan Tamara , Sneed Rodlescia
Published: February 2023

We examined the association between history of incarceration (HOI) and food insecurity (FI) among older adults using pooled data from 12,702 respondents aged 51+ who participated in the 2012 and 2014 waves of the Health and Retirement Study. In our sample, 12.8% of participants reported FI. Those with a HOI had an increased odds of FI (OR 1.83; 95% CI 1.52–2.21). Race/ethnicity moderated the association between HOI and FI. The positive and statistically significant association was concentrated among Non-Hispanic Black and Non-Hispanic White participants. No statistically significant association was found among Hispanic participants or among those from other racial/ethnic groups. Income, depressive symptoms, and functional limitations mediated the association between HOI and FI, with the largest indirect effects observed for income. FI is an important issue among older adults with a HOI. Programs and policy initiatives to increase food access and/or improve earnings in this population may be needed.
Dynamic analysis and wear calculation of space deployable mechanism considering spherical joints with clearance and coating
Authors: Jing Qian , Liu Hongzhao
Published: February 2023

In the space deployable mechanism considering spherical joints with clearance, the kinematic stability and working life of will be seriously affected. To address this problem, this paper proposes a nonlinear stiffness coefficient expression and an improved viscous damping coefficient expression considering the wear reduction properties of coatings, so as to obtain a conformal contact force model based on the analysis and comparison of the existing common normal contact force models. The new contact force model is qualitatively analyzed from three aspects, namely clearance size, recovery coefficient, and material properties, so as to demonstrate the correctness and applicability of the model. In the prefabricated space deployable mechanism (RSSP) with spherical joint clearance, the acceleration variation of the actuator is analyzed and compared by using the new contact force model, and the wear quantity of the spherical joints with clearance and coating is predicted. The dynamic results show that spherical joints with clearance have a significant effect on the acceleration of the actuator, and the long working time will inevitably lead to increased vibration and reduce the motion accuracy and life of the mechanism. By comparing with the calculation results of wear, it is found that the wear of spherical joint clearance with coating decreases significantly in all vector directions, and the wear area of the Euler Angle increases slightly compared with that without coating because of the increase of contact collision frequency. Therefore, the wear calculation method and coating strategy proposed in our work can provide a theoretical basis for improving the kinematic accuracy and working life of space deployable mechanism system considering spherical joints with clearance.
Can the credibility of global sport organizations be restored? A case study of the athletics integrity unit
Authors: Verschuuren P. , Ohl Fabien
Published: February 2023

This paper explores how the credibility of global sport organizations can be renegotiated in a post-scandal context. It draws on a dramaturgical interpretation of social performance and frame analysis to analyze how the Athletics Integrity Unit's first years of operation were perceived by its media audience. The results demonstrate that frame consistency, empirical credibility, and the credibility of the frame articulators contributed to the construction of credibility. Besides, transparency and accountability helped to align the athletics authorities’ strategic self-framing with the frames used by external stakeholders. Through the social production of its own performance, the Unit could escape the reputation stigma that has discredited other federations and sport organizations.
Assisting physicians who exhibit disruptive behavior: Understanding the costs, contributors, and corrections
Authors: Williams Betsy W , Welindt Dillon
Published: February 2023

Objective

The aim of this article is to discuss the etiology, prevalence, impact, and management of disruptive behavior in physicians. These various aspects will be examined at both the individual and system level, to provide appropriate perspective and detail effective approaches to address these behaviors.

Method

Clinical experience and review of the authors’ and other researchers’ findings provide consensus on numerous key aspects of physician disruptive behavior.

Results

Physicians demonstrating disruptive behavior are often distressed. The behavior should be understood as arising from biopsychosocial contributors, knowledge gaps, insight, and systems factors. These contributors are inclusive and may interact with each other.

Conclusions

A comprehensive approach is required which can include assessment/reassessment tools, individualized programming (therapy, coaching, instruction), deliberate practice, medical follow-up, and system intervention. Complications include the diversity of disruptive behaviors, the many contributory factors therein, disagreement about methodology/measurement, and the role of the system.
Abridged anime and the distance in fan-dubbing: Interpreting culture through parody and fan appropriation
Authors: Mertens Jacob
Published: February 2023

This article explores the fan-dubbing practice of ‘abridged anime’ on YouTube and considers the implications involving the creators’ cultural distance from their transnational source material. In this case study, I argue that the practice of parody and fan appropriation can be viewed within the context of global media flows and cultural reinterpretation, suggesting a toxic fan culture that either trivializes or distorts the original text. By focusing on numerous abridged anime series and creator interviews, and framing that analysis within the theorization of parodic transgression, I demonstrate that these fan practices can take on either orientalist or sexist perspectives and move us further from a nuanced cultural understanding of the text itself.
Orbital friction welding of steel bars – heat generation and process modelling
Authors: Brouzoulis Jim , Josefson B Lennart , Faes Koen , Andersson Tomas , Maglio Michele , Jackman Stuart , Janssens Alban
Published: February 2023

Welding of rails in the field is usually associated with a large heat input, which results in a large heat-affected zone (HAZ), which in turn may impair the welded rail head and decrease its service life. An innovative orbital friction welding (OFW) process with an intermediate eccentrically oscillating disk is proposed, and a demonstrator has been constructed. This enables welding of rails, which have a non-symmetric cross-sectional area and must be stationary during welding. The process is characterized by low heat input, creating a narrow HAZ, and low welding deformations. A thermo-mechanical finite element model is developed to determine suitable process parameters to create a narrow HAZ. A phenomenological model for heat generation during friction welding is developed for pearlitic rail steel with parameters calibrated from rotary friction welding experiments on pipes. The temperature dependence of the friction coefficient in the interface is established. Pilot tests with the demonstrator OFW machine on bars with a quadratic cross section showed that preheating will be required to guarantee a fully pearlitic weld zone. This was verified by the simulations of the thermo-mechanical finite element model.
Improved NSGA-II and its application in BIW structure optimization
Authors: Wu Xiao , Chen Zhiyong , Liu Tao , Song Haisheng , Wang Zhiwei , Shi Wenku
Published: February 2023

Based on the crowding distance algorithm of Non-Dominated Sorting Genetic Algorithm-II (NSGA-II), three improved algorithms are proposed: side length optimization strategy, diagonal optimization strategy, center optimization strategy. Zero-Ductility Transition (ZDT) series functions and Diode-Transistor Logic with Zener diode (DTLZ) series functions are used to calculate and compare the convergence and diversity of three improved algorithms and NSGA-II. The center optimization strategy based NSGA-II is confirmed to be the optimal algorithm. The body-in-white (BIW) optimization functions are established and optimized by center optimization strategy based NSGA-II, and the most appropriate BIW structure is calculated and verified by mode tests. The result shows: after the optimization, the BIW total mass increment is less than 3%, the first torsional mode frequency increment is more than 15%, and the torsion stiffness increment is more than 10%.