bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Exploring the differences among motivations, advantages and disadvantages of multiple majoring by student characteristics
Authors: Leibowitz Ryan , Grabsch Dustin K. , Chinnam Dedeepya , Webb Hannah , Kunovich Sheri
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to understand the differences in motivations, advantages, disadvantages and time of multiple-major awareness among students who pursue multiple majors based on a set of defined characteristics. The student characteristics of interest included race, gender, financial aid status, class standing, transfer status, first-generation status and the number of majors.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors administered a survey instrument to a random sample of multiple-major undergraduate students to gauge the prevalence of motivations, advantages, disadvantages and time of multiple-major awareness themes developed during individual interviews.

Findings

Statistical analysis revealed significant differences among multiple-major students based on characteristics of interest. Results discussed at length include transfer students deriving higher levels of motivation from degree practicality than nontransfer students and students who receive financial aid indicating multiple passions as a primary motivation more frequently than students not receiving financial aid. Similar differences between male and female students are uncovered relating to perceived advantages of diverse interactions and experiences and increased balance, as well as perceived disadvantages of time commitment and ability to grow professionally. Finally, first-generation students learned about multiple majoring later than non-first-generation students.

Originality/value

This study builds on previous research regarding multiple-major students, an understudied yet important population in higher education. Additionally, it delves deeper by exploring differences in this population by student characteristics.
Analyzing the research trends of COVID-19 using topic modeling approach
Authors: Trivedi Shrawan Kumar , Patra Pradipta , Singh Amrinder , Deka Pijush , Srivastava Praveen Ranjan
Published: July 2022

Purpose

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted 222 countries across the globe, with millions of people losing their lives. The threat from the virus may be assessed from the fact that most countries across the world have been forced to order partial or complete shutdown of their economies for a period of time to contain the spread of the virus. The fallout of this action manifested in loss of livelihood, migration of the labor force and severe impact on mental health due to the long duration of confinement to homes or residences.

Design/methodology/approach

The current study identifies the focus areas of the research conducted on the COVID-19 pandemic. Abstracts of papers on the subject were collated from the SCOPUS database for the period December 2019 to June 2020. The collected sample data (after preprocessing) was analyzed using Topic Modeling with Latent Dirichlet Allocation.

Findings

Based on the research papers published within the mentioned timeframe, the study identifies the 10 most prominent topics that formed the area of interest for the COVID-19 pandemic research.

Originality/value

While similar studies exist, no other work has used topic modeling to comprehensively analyze the COVID-19 literature by considering diverse fields and domains.
A study of Indian Gen X and Millennials consumers’ intention to use FinTech payment services during COVID-19 pandemic
Authors: Singh Ashish Kumar , Sharma Prayas
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Amid the COVID-19 contamination, people are bound to use contactless FinTech payment services. Because of restrictions on physical movement and avoidance of touching physical money, people willingly choose mobile payment, resulting in enormous growth in FinTech payment service industries. Because of this, this study aims to examine the effect of factors affecting Gen X and Millennials users to use FinTech payment services.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used 328 responses collected through convenience sampling of Indian users aged between 26 and 57 years in the Delhi-NCR region who are users of FinTech payment services.

Findings

The authors’ findings verified that in India, perceived COVID-19 risk, perceived severity for COVID, individual mobility, subjective norms, perceived ease of use and perceived usefulness have statistically significant impacts on FinTech payment services during the COVID-19 pandemic. Structural equation modelling was used to study the proposed research model. Overall, the model predicted 76.9 % of the variation in intention to use FinTech payment services by the abovesaid variables by Indian users during a pandemic.

Practical implications

This study will provide valuable insight to all FinTech service providers and stakeholders in planning and designing the concerned policy. It will be able to draw the attention of users more.

Originality/value

This research added a valuable theory to the existing technology adoption model (TAM) theory. It demonstrated the utility of the above variables in adopting and using FinTech payment services, which will help service providers to develop future strategies because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Packaging design and thermal analysis for 1 mm2 high power VCSEL
Authors: Mohd Arshad Khairul , Mat Noor Muhamad , Manaf Asrulnizam Abd , H. Kawarada , S. Falina , M. Syamsul
Published: July 2022

Purpose

Vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) is a high-performance semiconductor device made of unique epitaxial layers grown on n-type GaAs or InP substrates. The VCSEL’s thermal resistance, Rth, is an essential metric that reflects its thermal properties and dependability. The purpose of this paper is to develop packaging for 1 mm2 VCSEL chips made of a variety of materials, such as ceramic, lead frame and printed circuit board (PCB)-based packaging, as well as provide an idea or design that can withstand and perform well in terms of Rth and heat dissipation during operation. SolidWorks 2017 and AutoCAD Mechanical 2017 software were used to publish all thoughts and ideas, including the size dimensions (x, y and z) and material choices for each package.

Design/methodology/approach

Following the modelling and material selection, the next step is to use the Ansys Mechanical Structural FEA Analysis software to simulate all packaging for Rth and determine which packaging produced the best result, therefore, determining the heat dissipation for each packing. All parameters were used based on the standard cleanroom requirement for the industrial manufacturing backend process, where the cleanroom classification is 10,000 particles (ISO 7). The results demonstrated that the ceramic and lead frame provided good Rth values of 7.3 and 7.0 K/W, respectively, when compared to the PCB, which provided more than 80 K/W; thus, the heat dissipation for PCB packaging also increased.

Findings

As a result of the research, it was determined that ceramic and lead frame packaging are appropriate and capable of delivering good Rth and heat dissipation values when compared to PCB. In comparison to PCB, which requires numerous modifications, such as adding via holes and a thermal bar in an attempt to lower the Rth value, neither packaging requires improvement. Ceramic was chosen for development based on Rth's highest performance, with the actual device consisting of a lead frame and PCB. The Zth measurement test was carried out on a ceramic package, and the Rth result was comparable to the simulation result of 7.6 K/W, indicating that simulation was already proved for research and development.

Originality/value

The purpose of this study is to determine which proposed packaging design would give the highest Rth performance of a 1 mm2 chip as well as the best heat dissipation. In comparison to other studies, VCSEL packaging used the header and window cap as package components with a wavelength of 850 nm, and other VCSEL packaging developments used the sub mount on ceramic package with an output power ranging from 500 mW to 2 W, whereas this study used a huge wavelength and an output power of 4 W.
Extraction and characterization of curcuma zedoaria pseudo-stems fibers for textile application
Authors: Wardiningsih Wiah , Efendi Sandra , Mulyani Rr. Wiwiek , Totong Totong , Rudy Ryan , Pradana Samuel
Published: July 2022

Purpose

This study aims to characterize the properties of natural cellulose fiber from the pseudo-stems of the curcuma zedoaria plant.

Design/methodology/approach

The fiber was extracted using the biological retting process (cold-water retting). The intrinsic fiber properties obtained were used to evaluate the possibility of using fiber for textile applications.

Findings

The average length of a curcuma zedoaria fiber was 34.77 cm with a fineness value of 6.72 Tex. A bundle of curcuma zedoaria fibers was comprised of many elementary fibers. Curcuma zedoaria had an irregular cross-section, with the lumen having a varied oval shape. Curcuma zedoaria fibers had tenacity and elongation value of 3.32 gf/denier and 6.95%, respectively. Curcuma zedoaria fibers had a coefficient of friction value of 0.46. Curcuma zedoaria fibers belong to a hygroscopic fiber type with a moisture regain value of 10.29%.

Originality/value

Extraction and Characterization of Curcuma zedoaria Pseudo-stems Fibers for Textile Application.
Serum cell‐free DNA as a new biomarker in cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma
Authors: Mizuno Yuka , Shibata Sayaka , Miyagaki Tomomitsu , Ito Yukiko , Taira Haruka , Omori Issei , Hisamoto Teruyoshi , Oka Kenta , Matsuda Kazuki M. , Boki Hikari , Takahashi‐Shishido Naomi , Sugaya Makoto , Sato Shinichi
Published: July 2022

In recent years, circulating cell‐free DNA (cfDNA) has received a great attention as a biomarker for various cancers. Many reports have shown that serum cfDNA levels are elevated in cancer patients and their levels correlate with prognosis and disease activity. The aim of this study was to measure serum cfDNA levels in patients with cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma (CTCL) and to evaluate their correlations with hematological and clinical findings. Serum cfDNA levels in CTCL patients were significantly higher than those in healthy controls, and their levels gradually increased with the progression of the disease stage. Positive correlations were detected between serum cfDNA levels and those of lactate dehydrogenase, thymus and activation‐regulated chemokine and soluble IL‐2 receptor as well as neutrophil and eosinophil count in peripheral blood and neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio. Furthermore, CTCL patients with higher serum cfDNA levels exhibited a significantly worse prognosis. Taken together, these results suggest the potential of cfDNA as a new biomarker reflecting prognosis and disease activity in CTCL. CfDNA levels may serve as an indicator for considering the intensity and timing of subsequent therapeutic intervention.
The story so far: A systematic review of the dialogic reading literature
Authors: Pillinger Claire , Vardy Emma J.
Published: July 2022

Background

Dialogic reading (DR; Whitehurst et al., 1988) is an evidence‐based intervention that promotes children's active participation in shared reading (Towson, 2016; Urbani, 2020; WWC, 2007, 2010). Since the development of DR, there has been a proliferation of studies evaluating the conditions and populations with which it is effective. However, to date, there has not been a systematic review of the literature focusing specifically on the impact of DR on the literacy and non‐literacy skills of children under 10 years old. As DR research evolves, it is important that a review of the existing literature is undertaken to capture these advances and guide future research.

Methods

Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analyses protocol, the aim of this review is to systematically explore, synthesise and critically evaluate the extant literature. A systematic search of electronic databases identified 46 relevant studies, and the overall methodological quality of the studies was assessed using the MMAT.

Results

Findings are organised according to sample and population, country of origin and setting, programme duration, language and literacy outcomes, social‐emotional and other cognitive outcomes, impact and effect sizes to provide overview and insight into where and with whom DR is most effective.

Conclusions

The review findings suggest DR can positively impact a wide range of language and literacy skills for children under 5 years. There is some evidence that DR can have positive effects on enjoyment of reading, reading motivation, parental–child attachment, parental confidence and stress. However, the extant research is subject to limitations, and more methodologically robust research is needed to enable thorough assessment of the conditions in which DR is most effective.
Anti‐Mafia Police Actions, Criminal Firms, and Peer Firm Tax Avoidance
Authors: CHIRCOP JUSTIN , FABRIZI MICHELE , MALASPINA PATRIZIA , PARBONETTI ANTONIO
Published: July 2022

Mafia firms introduce distortions in the markets in which they operate, increasing the cost of doing business for peer firms. We investigate whether peers respond by increasing their tax avoidance and thus increasing funds available to compete with the Mafia firms. Using a sample of Italian anti‐Mafia police actions that resulted in the removal of Mafia firms and a difference‐in‐differences approach, we find that peers reduce their tax avoidance following these actions. We further show that, following anti‐Mafia police actions, peer firms improve their performance and increase capital investment while enjoying a reduction in the cost of raw materials. Overall, our results highlight the microlevel channels through which Mafia can affect firm outcomes and local economies.
Potential interactions between starch and fruit pomace may impact the expansion ratio of direct expanded extrudates
Authors: Richter Jana K. , Gu Bon‐Jae , Ek Pichmony , Dey Debomitra , Saunders Steven R. , Ganjyal Girish M.
Published: July 2022

Due to their dense characteristics, direct‐expanded products fortified with insoluble fiber are generally not well accepted. Understanding the interactions between starch and fiber could help to effectively choose and modify ingredients to produce products containing high amounts of fiber. Therefore, this study aims to explain the interplay between two starches (native and waxy corn) and two pomace types (blueberry and cranberry). Blends up to 100% of pomace were extruded using a co‐rotating twin‐screw extruder. Raw material and milled extrudates were analyzed for their pasting and hydration properties. Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) and solid‐state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy were conducted to observe molecular changes. The expansion ratio (ER) significantly decreased as pomace was added and ranged from 3.85 for pure waxy corn starch to approximately 1 for blends that contained 80% pomace. Distinctions between the blends were observed. Particularly, at 20% of pomace inclusion, native corn starch with cranberry pomace showed a significantly higher ER. Different behaviors were also detected during the physicochemical analyses. A nonlinear trend between pomace level and water solubility as well as absorption was observed for native corn starch blends, suggesting that molecular interactions between the biopolymers occur. FTIR and NMR results give no evidence for new covalent bonds; hence, the most likely interactions occurring are hydrogen bonds. In addition to the dilution effect of pomace addition, the enhancement or weakening of such interactions between starch molecules by pomace compounds may reduce the ER.
Cloning and expression of Burkholderia polyyne biosynthetic gene clusters in Paraburkholderia hosts provides a strategy for biopesticide development
Authors: Petrova Yoana D. , Zhao Jinlian , Webster Gordon , Mullins Alex J. , Williams Katherine , Alswat Amal S. , Challis Gregory L. , Bailey Andy M. , Mahenthiralingam Eshwar
Published: July 2022

Burkholderia have potential as biocontrol agents because they encode diverse biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) for a range of antimicrobial metabolites. Given the opportunistic pathogenicity associated with Burkholderia species, heterologous BGC expression within non‐pathogenic hosts is a strategy to construct safe biocontrol strains. We constructed a yeast‐adapted Burkholderia‐Escherichia shuttle vector (pMLBAD_yeast) with a yeast replication origin 2 μ and URA3 selection marker and optimised it for cloning BGCs using the in vivo recombination ability of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Two Burkholderia polyyne BGCs, cepacin (13 kb) and caryoynencin (11 kb), were PCR‐amplified as three overlapping fragments, cloned downstream of the pBAD arabinose promoter in pMLBAD_yeast and mobilised into Burkholderia and Paraburkholderia heterologous hosts. Paraburkholderia phytofirmans carrying the heterologous polyyne constructs displayed in vitro bioactivity against a variety of fungal and bacterial plant pathogens similar to the native polyyne producers. Thirteen Paraburkholderia strains with preferential growth at 30°C compared with 37°C were also identified, and four of these were amenable to genetic manipulation and heterologous expression of the caryoynencin construct. The cloning and successful heterologous expression of Burkholderia biosynthetic gene clusters within Paraburkholderia with restricted growth at 37°C opens avenues for engineering non‐pathogenic biocontrol strains.
Efficient CRISPR/Cas9 system based on autonomously replicating plasmid with an AMA1 sequence and precisely targeted gene deletion in the edible fungus, Cordyceps militaris
Authors: Meng Guoliang , Wang Xuping , Liu Mengqian , Wang Fen , Liu Qizheng , Dong Caihong
Published: July 2022

Cordyceps militaris is a popular edible fungus with important economic value worldwide. In this study, an efficient CRISPR/Cas9 genome‐editing system based on an autonomously replicating plasmid with an AMA1 sequence was constructed. Further, a precisely targeted gene deletion via homology‐directed repair was effectively introduced in C. militaris. Gene editing was successful, with efficiencies of 55.1% and 89% for Cmwc‐1 and Cmvvd, respectively. Precisely targeted gene deletion was achieved at an efficiency of 73.9% by a single guide RNA supplementation with donor DNAs. Double genes, Cmwc‐1 and Cmvvd, were edited simultaneously with an efficiency of 10%. Plasmid loss was observed under non‐selective culture conditions, which could permit recycling of the selectable marker and avoid the adverse effects of the CRISPR/Cas9 system on the fungus, which is beneficial for the generation of new cultivars. RNA Pol III promoters, endogenous tRNAPro of C. militaris, and chimeric AfU6‐tRNAGly can be used to improve the efficiency. Polyethylene glycol‐mediated protoplast transformation was markedly more efficient than Agrobacterium tumefaciens‐mediated transformation of C. militaris. To our knowledge, this is the first description of genome editing and precisely targeted gene deletion in mushrooms based on AMA1 plasmids. Our findings will enable the modification of multiple genes in both functional genomics research and strain breeding.
Fundamental insights in early‐stage inclusion body formation
Authors: Kopp Julian , Bayer Benjamin , Slouka Christoph , Striedner Gerald , Dürkop Mark , Spadiut Oliver
Published: July 2022

Early‐stage inclusion body formation is still mysterious. Literature is ambiguous about the existence of rod‐shaped protein aggregates, a potential sponge‐like inclusion body scaffold as well as the number of inclusion bodies per Escherichia coli cell. In this study, we verified the existence of rod‐shaped inclusion bodies, confirmed their porous morphology, the presence of multiple protein aggregates per cell and modelled inclusion body formation as function of the number of generations.
Cross‐ecosystem effects of coastal urbanisation on vertebrate assemblages and ecological function
Authors: Gilby B. L. , Henderson C. J. , Olds A. D. , Ballantyne J. A. , Cooper T. K. A. , Schlacher T. A.
Published: July 2022

The effects of urbanisation are increasingly pervasive across landscapes, and this has implications for animals and the ecological functions they support. Differences in ecological attributes and assemblages between ecosystems means we cannot assume that different ecosystems within the same landscapes are affected by urbanisation in the same trajectory or over the same spatial scales. We test whether and how ecosystem type can modify ecological responses to urbanisation, contrasting beaches, estuaries, rocky headlands and coastal lagoons impacted by a range of urbanisation intensities on the Sunshine Coast in eastern Australia. We sampled coastal vertebrates and measured carrion scavenging, a key ecological function in all ecosystems, using baited camera traps at 85 sites distributed among five beaches (25 sites at five sites per beach), three estuaries (15 sites at five sites per estuary), four coastal lagoons (20 sites at five sites per lagoon) and five headlands (25 sites at five sites per headland). Coastal vertebrate assemblages were best predicted by the additive effects of ecosystem type and the extent of urbanisation within 5 km of each site, and this was typically characterised by increases in synanthropic species abundance at sites with high to intermediate extents of urbanisation nearby. However, two key indicator species had opposing relationships with the extent of urbanisation, and four varied only between ecosystems and not with urbanisation. Urbanisation substantially depressed rates of carrion scavenging, with some variation in species‐specific consumption rates among ecosystems. While native crows, raptors and water rats accounted for 2/3 of carrion consumed, invasive black rats and free‐ranging domestic dogs were significant consumers of carrion. Our results not only stress the pervasive effects of urbanisation on species distributions and abundance across multiple ecosystems in landscapes, but highlight that pivotal ecological functions can be compromised across multiple ecosystems embedded within the same landscape.
Compulsive‐like eating of high‐fat high‐sugar food is associated with ‘addiction‐like’ glutamatergic dysfunction in obesity prone rats
Authors: Sketriene Diana , Battista Damien , Lalert Laddawan , Kraiwattanapirom Natcharee , Thai Han Ngoc , Leeboonngam Tanawan , Knackstedt Lori A. , Nithianantharajah Jess , Sumithran Priya , Lawrence Andrew J. , Brown Robyn M.
Published: July 2022

Chronic overeating is a core feature of diet‐induced obesity. There is increasing evidence that in vulnerable individuals, such overeating could become compulsive, resembling an addictive disorder. The transition to compulsive substance use has been linked with changes at glutamatergic synapses in the nucleus accumbens. In this study, we investigated a potential link between such glutamatergic dysregulation and compulsive‐like eating using a rat model of diet‐induced obesity. A conditioned suppression task demonstrated that diet‐induced obese rats display eating despite negative consequences, as their consumption was insensitive to an aversive cue. Moreover, nucleus accumbens expression of GluA1 and xCT proteins was upregulated in diet‐induced obese animals. Lastly, both a computed ‘addiction score’ (based on performance across three criteria) and weight gain were positively correlated with changes in GluA1 and xCT expression in the nucleus accumbens. These data demonstrate that the propensity for diet‐induced obesity is associated with compulsive‐like eating of highly palatable food and is accompanied by ‘addiction‐like’ glutamatergic dysregulation in the nucleus accumbens, thus providing neurobiological evidence of addiction‐like pathology in this model of obesity.
Cone‐beam computed tomography—Predictors and characteristics of usage in Australia and New Zealand, a multifactorial analysis
Authors: Mathew Abhishek Isaac , Lee Silvia C. , Ha William Nguyen , Rossi‐Fedele Giampiero , Doğramacı Esma J.
Published: July 2022

Cone‐beam computed tomography (CBCT) is an increasingly used imaging modality. This study aimed to identify the factors that predict its usage amongst endodontists in Australia and New Zealand and describe usage characteristics. Data were collected via an online questionnaire, with analysis including descriptive statistics, cross‐tabulation and multifactorial modelling. Ninety‐four endodontists completed the questionnaire who were using CBCT for 7 years (median), over half had a CBCT unit in practice, with most prescribing up to 10 scans/month and 55 using a small field of view. Sixty‐eight participated in >5 h of CBCT education/year and a third received a specialist‐prepared report. The number of prescriptions/month was significantly associated with on‐site CBCT units (Exp B: 8.53; 95% CI: 1.46–49.86, p < 0.05) and the number of years of CBCT usage by participants (Exp B: 1.46; 95% CI: 1.17–1.84, p = 0.001). CBCT imaging in endodontics is a useful diagnostic aid to decision making and treatment planning, with widespread acceptance and usage.
Food systems transformation in Asia – A brief economic history
Authors: Pingali Prabhu , Abraham Mathew
Published: July 2022

Asia's food systems have undergone rapid economic and socio‐cultural transformations in the past 60 years. During the period, almost all the countries in the region eradicated famines and achieved food self‐sufficiency and heterogeneous levels of poverty reduction. Food system transformation in Asian countries has had similarities and differences and has been closely tied to structural transformation, political processes, and integration with the global economy. This article conducts a historical assessment of food systems transformations in seven Asian countries between 1960 and 2020 and their main economic, social, and demographic drivers. Food systems transformations are presented in terms of four phases. In the first phase, between 1960 and 1980, when most Asian countries were low‐income and low‐middle‐income, the central focus was on hunger reduction. We explore the policies and the politics of the green revolution as various Asian countries tried to achieve self‐sufficiency in food grains. In the second phase (1980–2000), agricultural productivity growth led to structural transformation, income growth, and the divergence of lower‐middle‐income and middle‐income economies, directly impacting demand for food quantity, quality, and diversity in various countries. The third phase (2000 onwards) marked a quantum change in food systems as globalization, trade integration, and changes in consumer tastes were significant drivers of food systems. We assess the changing trends in organized retail expansion, increased consumption of processed foods, and rising incidence of obesity in lower and upper‐middle‐income countries. In the final phase (beyond 2020), we highlight how the digital revolution has changed consumer behavior, and is further transforming food systems. Future food systems challenges of hunger, malnutrition, rising non‐communicable diseases, and climate change are discussed and multisectoral and multicountry policy interventions for addressing them are presented.
The association of potentially inappropriate medications, polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden with readmission and emergency room revisit after discharge: A hospital‐based retrospective cohort study
Authors: Liang Chih‐Kuang , Chou Ming‐Yueh , Hsu Ying‐Hsin , Wang Yu‐Chun , Liao Mei‐Chen , Chen Miao‐Ting , Hsiao Pei‐Yu , Chen Liang‐Kung , Lin Yu‐Te
Published: July 2022

Aims

While certain drug‐use indicators are known to be associated with clinical outcomes, the relationship is unclear for some highly prevalent conditions in in patients aged ≥65 years. We examine correlations between 3 drug‐use indicators and postdischarge healthcare services use by older patients according to the presence of dementia, advanced age and frailty.

Methods

This retrospective cohort study analysed data collected from hospital electronic health records between April and December 2017. Potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs) and anticholinergic burden were assessed using the 2015 Beers Criteria and anticholinergic cognitive burden scale (ACBS) score. Minor and major polypharmacy were defined as the use of 5–9 and ≥10 drugs, respectively. Outcomes were set as emergency room revisits and readmissions at 1, 3 and 6 months postdischarge. The correlation between drug‐use indicators and outcomes was analysed by multivariable logistic regression.

Results

The final cohort included 3061 patients for the analysis, and 2930, 2671 and 2560 patients were followed up to 1, 3 and 6 months after discharge. After controlling for confounders, all 3 drug‐use indicators were significantly associated with readmission and emergency room revisits except for the relationship between PIMs and readmission within 6 months. These associations were significantly observed among patients without dementia, aged >80 years and with frailty.

Conclusion

PIMs, polypharmacy and anticholinergic burden are common at discharge and correlate with future use of healthcare services. In older patients, the absence of dementia, advanced age and frailty should be given extra consideration with regard to medication safety.
How does consumer pressure affect green innovation of manufacturing SMEs in the presence of green human resource management and green values? A moderated mediation analysis
Authors: Al‐Swidi Abdullah Kaid , Al‐Hakimi Mohammed A. , Gelaidan Hamid Mahmood , Al‐Temimi Saheim Khalaf A. J.
Published: July 2022

Although consumer pressure has been recognized as an essential driver of green innovation, the question remains as to how consumer pressure could lead to green innovation. Drawing on the stakeholder theory and Supplies‐values Fit Theory, this study explored the mediating role of green HRM practices on the relationship between consumer pressure and green innovation under the moderating effect of individual green values. By using the quantitative research design, the data for the study were gathered from 257 manufacturing SMEs in India and analyzed using hierarchical regression analysis (PROCESS Macro) in SPSS. Empirical findings show that consumer pressure is positively associated with green innovation through green HRM practices which increase when the firm's employees have stronger individual green values. Thus, this study expands our understanding of consumer pressure toward green innovation and its underlying mechanism and conditional effect. Toward the end, the theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
Antithrombin‐III mitigates thrombin‐mediated endothelial cell contraction and sickle red blood cell adhesion in microscale flow
Authors: Wulftange William J. , Kucukal Erdem , Man Yuncheng , An Ran , Monchamp Karamoja , Sevrain Charlotte D. , Dashora Himanshu R. , Owusu‐Ansah Amma T. , Bode Allison , Ilich Anton , Little Jane A. , Key Nigel S. , Gurkan Umut A.
Published: July 2022

Individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) have persistently elevated thrombin generation that results in a state of systemic hypercoagulability. Antithrombin‐III (ATIII), an endogenous serine protease inhibitor, inhibits several enzymes in the coagulation cascade, including thrombin. Here, we utilize a biomimetic microfluidic device to model the morphology and adhesive properties of endothelial cells (ECs) activated by thrombin and examine the efficacy of ATIII in mitigating the adhesion of SCD patient‐derived red blood cells (RBCs) and EC retraction. Microfluidic devices were fabricated, seeded with ECs, and incubated under physiological shear stress. Cells were then activated with thrombin with or without an ATIII pretreatment. Blood samples from subjects with normal haemoglobin (HbAA) and subjects with homozygous SCD (HbSS) were used to examine RBC adhesion to ECs. Endothelial cell surface adhesion molecule expression and confluency in response to thrombin and ATIII treatments were also evaluated. We found that ATIII pretreatment of ECs reduced HbSS RBC adhesion to thrombin‐activated endothelium. Furthermore, ATIII mitigated cellular contraction and reduced surface expression of von Willebrand factor and vascular cell adhesion molecule‐1 (VCAM‐1) mediated by thrombin. Our findings suggest that, by attenuating thrombin‐mediated EC damage and RBC adhesion to endothelium, ATIII may alleviate the thromboinflammatory manifestations of SCD.
Suppression of myeloid PFKFB3‐driven glycolysis protects mice from choroidal neovascularization
Authors: Liu Zhiping , Mao Xiaoxiao , Yang Qiuhua , Zhang Xiaoyu , Xu Jiean , Ma Qian , Zhou Yaqi , Da Qingen , Cai Yongfeng , Sopeyin Anu , Dong Zheng , Hong Mei , Caldwell Ruth B. , Sodhi Akrit , Huo Yuqing
Published: July 2022

Background and Purpose

Pathological angiogenesis is a major cause of irreversible blindness in individuals with neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD). Macrophages and microglia (MΦ) contribute to aberrant ocular angiogenesis. However, the role of glucose metabolism of MΦ in nAMD is still undefined. Here, we have investigated the involvement of glycolysis, driven by the kinase/phosphatase PFKFB3, in the development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

Experimental Approach

CNV was induced in mice with laser photocoagulation. Choroid/retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) complexes and MΦ were isolated for analysis by qRT‐PCR, western blot, flow cytometry, immunostaining, metabolic measurements and angiogenesis assays.

Key Results

MΦ accumulated within the CNV of murine nAMD models and expressed high levels of glycolysis‐related enzymes and M1/M2 polarization markers. This phenotype of hyper‐glycolytic and activated MΦ was replicated in bone marrow‐derived macrophages stimulated by necrotic RPE in vitro. Myeloid cell‐specific knockout of PFKFB3, a key glycolytic activator, attenuated pathological neovascularization in laser‐induced CNV, which was associated with decreased expression of MΦ polarization markers and pro‐angiogenic factors, along with decreased sprouting of vessels in choroid/RPE complexes. Mechanistically, necrotic RPE increased PFKFB3‐driven glycolysis in macrophages, leading to activation of HIF‐1α/HIF‐2α and NF‐κB, and subsequent induction of M1/M2 markers and pro‐angiogenic cytokines, finally promoting macrophage reprogramming towards an angiogenic phenotype to facilitate development of CNV. The PFKFB3 inhibitor AZ67 also inhibited activation of HIF‐1α/HIF‐2α and NF‐κB signalling and almost completely prevented laser‐induced CNV in mice.

Conclusions and Implications

Modulation of PFKFB3‐mediated macrophage glycolysis and activation is a promising strategy for the treatment of nAMD.
Direct comparisons of logging and agroforestry influence on tropical mammals in Sarawak, Borneo
Authors: Yi Melynda Cheok Ka , Kaicheen Sally Soo , Brodie Jedediah F. , Mohd‐Azlan Jayasilan
Published: July 2022

Tropical regions are undergoing rapid land use change, with major implications for global biodiversity. Selective logging and agroforestry are particularly widespread across tropical forests, often occurring in close proximity. But while a number of studies have addressed their impacts separately, few have directly compared how they influence forest vertebrates. Here, we assessed the occurrence of medium‐ to large‐bodied mammals in logged forest, unlogged forest, and agroforestry areas in three study areas in interior Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. We detected 34 species across 99 camera trap locations and used multi‐species occupancy models to estimate species‐specific occurrence while accounting for imperfect detectability, spatial autocorrelation, natural habitat heterogeneity, and metrics of site accessibility (distance to human infrastructure) as proxies for potential hunting pressure. We found that species occurrences were unaffected by the distance to the nearest road or village and only responded to elevation and the distance to the nearest river in a single species each. Detection rates tended to vary with micro‐habitat characteristics such as the size of tree stumps and the prevalence of trees and rattan palms, which are often not considered in camera‐based occupancy studies. Occurrence rates of five species varied across habitat types but were not detectably lower in agroforestry sites than in unlogged forest for any species. Our results indicate that without unsustainable hunting, agroforestry and logged forest provide usable habitat for some, though not all, rainforest mammals. We also suggest that camera trap studies may benefit from the incorporation of fine‐scale habitat information into detectability estimation.

Abstract in Malaysian is available with online material.
DNA intercalators as anticancer agents
Authors: Venugopal Sneha , Sharma Vikas , Mehra Anuradha , Singh Iqubal , Singh Gurdeep
Published: July 2022

Cancer is one of the most prevailing disease conditions, which occurs due to uncontrolled cell division either due to natural mutation to the genes or due to changes induced by physical, chemical, or biological carcinogens. According to WHO, it is the second leading cause of death worldwide and has reported 10 million deaths in 2020. Hence, there arises the need for better chemotherapies and DNA intercalators are one such emerging therapy for cancer. DNA intercalating agents reversibly intercalate with the double‐helical structure of DNA by interacting with adjacent base pairs and disrupting the structure of DNA and thereby causing cell death. Here, we discuss the different classes of organo‐intercalators used in cancer therapy describing their anticancer and intercalation ability by different methods along with their structure–activity relationship and mechanism of action.
Genetic spectrum of NOTCH3 and clinical phenotype of CADASIL patients in different populations
Authors: Ni Wang , Zhang Yi , Zhang Liang , Xie Juan‐Juan , Li Hong‐Fu , Wu Zhi‐Ying
Published: July 2022

Introduction

Cerebral autosomal‐dominant arteriopathy with subcortical infarcts and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a relatively common cerebral small vessel disease. NOTCH3 has been identified as the causative gene of CADASIL. Clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity were observed in CADASIL patients and need to be further clarified.

Aims

The aim of the study was to clarify genetic spectrum of NOTCH3 and clinical phenotype of CADASIL patients.

Methods

Suspected CADASIL patients were collected by our center between 2016 and 2021. Whole exome sequencing was performed to screen NOTCH3 mutations of these patients. Genetic and clinical data of CADASIL patients from previous studies were also analyzed. Studies between 1998 and 2021 that reported more than 9 pedigrees with detailed genetic data or clinical data were included. After excluding patients carrying cysteine‐sparing mutations, genetic data of 855 Asian pedigrees (433 Chinese; 226 Japanese, and 196 Korean) and 546 Caucasian pedigrees, in a total of 1401 CADASIL pedigrees were involved in mapping mutation spectrum. Clinical data of 901 Asian patients (476 Chinese patients, 217 Japanese patients, and 208 Korean patients) and 720 Caucasian patients, in a total of 1621 patients were analyzed and compared between different populations.

Results

Two novel mutations (c.400T>C, p.Cys134Arg; c.1511G>A, p.Cys504Tyr) and 24 known cysteine‐affecting variants were identified in 36 pedigrees. Genetic spectrums of Asians (Chinese, Japanese, and Korean) and Caucasians were clarified, p.R544C and p.R607C were the most common mutations in Asians while p.R1006C and p.R141C in Caucasians. For clinical features, Asians were more likely to develop symptoms of TIA or ischemic stroke (p < 0.0001) and cognitive impairment (p < 0.0001). Nevertheless, Caucasians had a higher tendency to present migraine (p < 0.0001) and psychiatric disturbance (p < 0.0001). The involvement of temporal pole was more likely to happen in Caucasians (p < 0.0001).

Conclusion

The findings help to better understand the clinical variability and genetic heterogeneity of CADASIL.
Retracted: Denoising and segmentation of brain image by proficient blended threshold and conserve edge scrutinize technique
Authors: Veerabatheran Nehru , Venkatesan Prabhu , Mahendran Rakesh Kumar
Published: July 2022

Unusual collection of mass tissue in human body is commonly refereed as tumor. The tumor when it is found in brain. These tumor cells have tendency to multiply and grow in rapid speed. The growth of tumors is generally uncontrollable in nature. Tumor in brain develops along the skull and it evolves to contact with the functioning of the brain. Brain tumor (BT) can be detected at the earlier stages with the help of MRI or CT scan techniques. These scanning techniques are proved to be efficient in detecting the tumor irrespective of its size. Brain tumor being a life‐threatening disease has to be diagnosed at the earliest before it turns to be malignant. The current research work focuses in proposing an efficient image processing techniques by processing the MRI images of human brain which is affected by brain tumor. This process is carried out in two stages as image denoising and image segmentation which are helpful in detecting and localizing the tumor affected region in human brain. Initially, the MRI image is read and preprocessed by converting the input image into a grayscale image and noise removed by involving the proposed method. Later, the proposed image is segmented using sobel edge detection method and the image is enhanced using the image enhancement techniques. It is achieved by using the proficient blended thresholding (PBT) Segmentation method. The performance of the proposed methods is evaluated using PSNR (peak signal noise ratio) and RMSE (root mean square error). The proposed conserve edge scrutinize (CES) filter achieved highest PSNR value. Then segmentation is evaluated by five metrices: Sensitivity, Specificity, Dice, Jaccard, and Accuracy.
Dental pulp stem cells‐based therapy for the oviduct injury via immunomodulation and angiogenesis in vivo
Authors: Luo Lihua , Xing Zhenjie , Liao Xiangyan , Li Yejian , Luo Yu , Ai Yilong , He Yan , Ye Qingsong
Published: July 2022

Objectives

As a result of the current limitation of therapeutic strategies, the repair and regeneration of oviduct injuries required an alternative treatment. We present a novel approach to treat oviduct injuries through a dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs)‐based therapy.

Materials and Methods

In vitro and in vivo models have been established. Immunofluorescence staining, flow cytometry and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) analysis were used to investigate the features and angiogenic properties of DPSCs, as well as their impact on macrophages, in vitro. For the in vivo experiment with female SD rat model, immunohistochemical staining and ELISA analysis were used to assess the effects of DPSCs on the repair and regeneration of damaged oviducts.

Results

The present data showed that intraperitoneal injection of DPSCs reduced the expression of IL‐6 and TNF‐α to inhibit the immunoreaction in injured sites, as well as increased the expression of VEGF to promote the in situ formation of vessel‐like structures, thus the repair and recovery process could be initiated.

Conclusions

We concluded that DPSCs‐based therapy could be a novel potential technique for restoring the structure and function of damaged oviduct by enhancing immuno‐regulated effect and promoting angiogenic property.
Biocrust‐forming lichens increase soil available phosphorus under simulated climate change
Authors: Concostrina‐Zubiri Laura , Valencia Enrique , Ochoa Victoria , Gozalo Beatriz , Mendoza Betty J. , Maestre Fernando T.
Published: July 2022

Drylands are important reservoirs of soil phosphorus (P) at the global scale, although large uncertainties remain regarding how climate change will affect P cycling in these ecosystems. Biocrust‐forming lichens are important regulators of abiotic and biotic processes occurring in the soil surface, including nutrient availability and redistribution, across global drylands. However, their role as modulators of climate change impacts on soil P cycling is poorly known. We conducted a manipulative microcosm experiment to evaluate how six biocrust‐forming lichens (Buellia zoharyi, Diploschistes diacapsis, Fulgensia subbracteata, Psora decipiens, Squamarina lentigera and Toninia sedifolia) with diverse morphology and chemistry affect soil available P concentration and the activity of acid phosphatase after 50 months of simulated ~2°C warming and 35% rainfall reduction. Lichens increased soil available inorganic and total available P, and the activity of acid phosphatase, although the magnitude of these effects was highly species‐specific. Climate change treatments increased available organic P regardless of lichen species. Our findings provide novel experimental evidence of the importance of biocrusts as modulators of P cycling in drylands and highlight the necessity to take into account the identity of biocrust constituents when evaluating their effects on soil fertility.

Highlights

Biocrust‐forming lichens effects on soil phosphorus under simulated climate change were evaluated

A microcosm experiment with warming and rainfall reduction and six lichen species was conducted

Lichens increased available inorganic and total available P, and the activity of acid phosphatase

Biocrust‐forming lichens have species‐specific effects on phosphorus cycling in dryland soils
A bird occupancy estimator for land practitioners in the NSW South Western Slopes bioregion
Authors: Hingee Kassel Liam , Lindenmayer David B. , Florance Daniel , Siegrist Angelina
Published: July 2022

Biodiversity loss is a major issue internationally and within Australia, with major restoration efforts to recover native biota focussing on agricultural landscapes. We introduce a free new webtool, BirdCast [https://sustfarm.shinyapps.io/BirdCast/], for estimating the primarily native bird biodiversity in Box Gum Grassy Woodlands within the NSW South Western Slopes bioregion. The tool has potential to demonstrate farm‐scale bird biodiversity dividends generated from past and future investments in vegetation management and restoration programmes. BirdCast incorporates 60 of the most commonly encountered bird species and includes visualisations, data export and summary reports for printing. It is underpinned by a large joint‐species distribution model fitted to 17 years of empirical data.
Graphocephala versuta (Homoptera: Cicadellidae): A first record for Algeria and the Palaearctic region
Authors: Boulaouad B. A. , Merzouki Y. , Boulaouad D. , Saci A. , Daoudi‐Hacini S. , Doumandji S.
Published: July 2022

During an inventory of insect fauna around the lake of Reghaia between September 2013 and April 2014, Graphocephala versuta (Homoptera: Cicadellidae) was identified for the first time in Algeria. This is considered to be the first record of this species in the Palaerctic region. G. versuta is a vector of Xylella fastidiosa in the USA.