bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Integrated experimental-computational analysis of a liver-islet microphysiological system for human-centric diabetes research
Authors: Casas Belén , Vilén Liisa , Bauer Sophie , Kanebratt Kajsa , Huldt Charlotte Wennberg , Magnusson Lisa , Marx Uwe , Andersson Tommy B. , Gennemark Peter , Cedersund Gunnar
Published: August 2021

Microphysiological systems (MPS) are powerful tools for emulating human physiology and replicating disease progression in vitro. MPS could be better predictors of human outcome than current animal models, but mechanistic interpretation and in vivo extrapolation of the experimental results remain significant challenges. Here, we address these challenges using an integrated experimental-computational approach. This approach allows for in silico representation and predictions of glucose metabolism in a previously reported MPS with two organ compartments (liver and pancreas) connected in a closed loop with circulating medium. We developed a computational model describing glucose metabolism over 15 days of culture in the MPS. The model was calibrated on an experiment-specific basis using data from seven experiments, where single-liver or liver-islet cultures were exposed to both normal and hyperglycemic conditions resembling high blood glucose levels in diabetes. The calibrated models reproduced the fast (i.e. hourly) variations in glucose and insulin observed in the MPS experiments, as well as the long-term (i.e. over weeks) decline in both glucose tolerance and insulin secretion. We also investigated the behavior of the system under hypoglycemia by simulating this condition in silico, and the model could correctly predict the glucose and insulin responses measured in new MPS experiments. Last, we used the computational model to translate the experimental results to humans, showing good agreement with published data of the glucose response to a meal in healthy subjects. The integrated experimental-computational framework opens new avenues for future investigations toward disease mechanisms and the development of new therapies for metabolic disorders.
Multiple parasitism promotes facultative host acceptance of cuckoo eggs and rejection of cuckoo chicks
Authors: Noh Hee-Jin , Gloag Ros , Langmore Naomi E.
Published: August 2021

Many hosts of brood parasitic cuckoos reject foreign eggs from the nest. Yet where nests commonly receive more than one cuckoo egg, hosts might benefit by instead accepting parasite eggs. This is because cuckoos remove an egg from the nest before adding their own, and keeping cuckoo eggs in the nest reduces the odds that further host eggs are removed by subsequent cuckoos. This ‘clutch dilution effect’ has been proposed as a precondition for the evolution of cuckoo nestling eviction by hosts, but no previous studies have tested this in a host that rejects cuckoo nestlings. We tested the clutch dilution hypothesis in large-billed gerygones (Gerygone magnirostris), which are multiply parasitized by little bronze-cuckoos (Chalcites minutillus). Gerygones evict cuckoo nestlings but accept cuckoo eggs. Consistent with multiple parasitism favouring egg acceptance, we found gerygone egg survival was higher under scenarios of cuckoo egg acceptance than rejection. Yet gerygones were also flexible in their egg acceptance, with 35% abandoning cuckoo-egg-only clutches. This novel demonstration of adaptive clutch dilution suggests that multiple parasitism can favour a facultative response to brood parasite eggs, whereby hosts accept or reject parasite eggs depending on clutch composition.
Myostatin is a negative regulator of adult neurogenesis in zebrafish
Authors: Saraswathy Vishnu Muraleedharan , Zhou Lili , Burris Brooke , Dogra Deepika , Reischauer Sven , Mokalled Mayssa H.
Published: August 2021

Intrinsic and extrinsic inhibition of axonal and neuronal regeneration obstruct spinal cord (SC) repair in mammals. In contrast, adult zebrafish achieve functional recovery after SC damage. While studies of innate SC regeneration have focused on axon regrowth as a primary repair mechanism, how local neurogenesis impacts functional recovery is unknown. We uncovered dynamic expression ofmyostatin b(mstnb) in a niche of dorsal ependymal progenitors after complete SC transection in zebrafish. Genetic loss-of-function inmstnbimpaired functional recovery, although glial and axonal bridging across the lesion were unaffected. Using a series of transgenic reporter lines, we quantified the numbers of stem, progenitor, and neuronal cells in the absence ofmstnb. We found neural stem cell proliferation was reduced, while newborn neurons were increased inmstnbnull tissues, suggestingmstnbis a negative regulator of neurogenesis. Molecularly, neuron differentiation genes were upregulated, while the neural stem cell maintenance genefgf1bwas downregulated inmstnbmutants. Finally, we show that human FGF1 treatment rescued neuronal gene expression inmstnbmutants. These studies uncover unanticipated neurogenic functions formstnbin adult zebrafish, and establish the importance of local neurogenesis for functional SC repair.
ROS signalling requires uninterrupted electron flow and is lost during ageing in flies
Authors: Graham Charlotte , Stefanatos Rhoda , Yek Angeline E.H. , Spriggs Ruth V. , Loh Samantha H.Y. , Uribe Alejandro Huerta , Zhang Tong , Martins L. Miguel , Maddocks Oliver D.K. , Scialo Filippo , Sanz Alberto
Published: August 2021

Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (mtROS) are cellular messengers essential for cellular homeostasis. In response to stress, reverse electron transport (RET) by respiratory complex I generates high levels of mtROS. Suppression of ROS produced via RET (ROS-RET) reduces survival under stress, while activation of ROS-RET extends lifespan in basal conditions. Here, we demonstrate that ROS-RET signalling requires increased electron entry and uninterrupted electron flow through the electron transport chain (ETC). We found that ROS-RET is abolished in old fruit flies where electron flux is reduced. Instead, mitochondria in aged flies produce consistently high levels of mtROS. Finally, we demonstrate that in young flies reduction of electron exit from the ETC, but not electron entry, phenocopies mtROS generation observed in old individuals. Our results define the mechanism by which ROS signalling is lost during ageing.

Highlights

ROS-RET signalling requires an uninterrupted flow of electrons through the ETC.

ROS-RET signalling fails during ageing, with mitochondria producing persistently high levels of ROS.

Interruption of ROS-RET signalling compromises stress adaptation in old flies.

Reducing electron exit suppresses ROS-RET signalling and phenocopies ROS production observed in old mitochondria.
Synthesis and structures of three new pyridine-containing oxazoline ligands of complexes for asymmetric catalysis
Authors: Wolińska Ewa , Wysocki Waldemar , Branowska Danuta , Karczmarzyk Zbigniew
Published: August 2021

Three new chiral pyridine-containing oxazoline derivatives with fluorine and perfluoromethyl groups, namely, 2-({2-[(4S)-4-phenyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-yl]phenyl}amino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine, C21H16F3N3O, 2-({5-fluoro-2-[(4S)-4-isopropyl-4,5-dihydro-1,3-oxazol-2-yl]phenyl}amino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine, C18H17F4N3O, and 2-({2-[(3aR,8aS)-8,8a-dihydro-3aH-indeno[1,2-d]oxazol-2-yl]phenyl}amino)-5-(trifluoromethyl)pyridine, C22H16F3N3O, as chiral ligands in metal-catalysed asymmetric reactions, were synthesized and characterized by spectral and X-ray diffraction methods. The conformation of the molecules is influenced by strong N—H...N hydrogen bonding and weak C—H...X(X = O and N) interactions. There are no intermolecular hydrogen bonds in the crystal structures of the analysed compounds. Hirshfeld surface analysis showed that the H...H contacts constitute a high percentage of the intermolecular interactions. The conformational analysis was performed by theoretical calculations using the density functional theory (DFT) method. The mechanism of complex formation in terms of the electron-withdrawing effect of the substituents on the oxazoline ring and the ligand conformation is discussed.
Tax revenue instability and tax revenue in developed and developing countries
Authors: Gnangnon Sèna Kimm
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the effect of non-resource tax revenue instability on non-resource tax revenue in developed and developing countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis has used an unbalanced panel data set of 146 countries over the period 1981–2016, as well as the two-step system generalized methods of moment approach.

Findings

The empirical analysis has suggested that non-resource tax revenue instability influences negatively non-resource tax revenue share of gross domestic product. The magnitude of this negative effect is higher in less developed countries than in relatively advanced countries. This negative effect materializes through public expenditure instability: non-resource tax revenue instability exerts a higher effect on non-resource tax revenue share as the degree of public expenditure instability increases. Finally, non-resource tax revenue instability exerts a higher negative effect on non-resource tax revenue share as economic growth volatility rises, inflation volatility increases and terms of trade instability increases.

Research limitations/implications

The main policy implication of this analysis is that policies that help ensure the stability of non-resource tax revenue also contribute to improving countries’ non-resource tax revenue share. For example, governments’ measures that help cope with or prevent the severe adverse effects of shocks on economies (shocks that could translate into higher tax revenue instability) would ultimately help enhance countries’ tax revenue performance.

Practical implications

The severity of the current COVID-19 pandemic shock (which is a supply and demand shock) and the macroeconomic uncertainty that it has generated – inter alia, in terms of economic growth instability, terms of trade instability, inflation volatility and public expenditure instability – are likely to result in severe tax revenue losses. Governments in both developed and developing countries would surely learn from the management of this crisis so as to prepare for possible future economic, financial and health crises with a view to dampening their adverse macroeconomic effects, including here their negative tax revenue effects.

Originality/value

To the best of the author’s knowledge, this topic is being addressed in the empirical literature for the first time.
The surveillance and prediction of food contamination using intelligent systems: a bibliometric analysis
Authors: Lebelo Kgomotso , Masinde Muthoni , Malebo Ntsoaki , Mochane Mokgaotsa Jonas
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to report on the bibliometric research trends on the application of machine learning/intelligent systems in the prediction of food contamination and the surveillance of foodborne diseases.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, Web of Science (WoS) core collection database was used to retrieve publications from the year 1996–2021. Document types were classified according to country of origin, journals, citation and key research areas. The bibliometric parameters were analyzed using VOSviewer version 1.6.15 to visualize the international collaboration networks, citation density and link strength.

Findings

A total of 516 articles across 6 document types were extracted with an average h-index of 51 from 10,570 citations. The leading journal in publications was Science of the Total Environment (3.6%) by Elsevier and the International Journal of Food Microbiology (2.5%). The United States of America (USA) (24%) followed by the People's Republic of China (17.2%) were the most influential countries in terms of publications. The top-cited articles in this study focused on themes such as contamination from packaging materials and on the strategies for preventing chemical contaminants in the food chain.

Originality/value

This report is significant because the public health field requires innovative strategies in forecasting foodborne disease outbreaks to advance effective interventions. Therefore, more collaboration need to be fostered, especially in developing nations regarding food safety research.
Social media fostering happiness management: three luxury brands case study on Instagram
Authors: Castillo-Abdul Bárbara , Pérez-Escoda Ana , Civila Sabina
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to increase the understanding of luxury brands’ branded content strategies concerning follower's engagement generated or not by happiness and well-being feelings spread in their branded content.

Design/methodology/approach

This study sample was composed of three of the most relevant luxury brands nowadays: Manolo Blahnik, Loewe, y Balenciaga. To address this research, an exploratory-correlational quantitative methodology was chosen; hypotheses were contrasted using ANOVA analysis with the SPSS software. Although the study can be considered quantitative, the first step of qualitative analysis was applied for content analysis with NVivo QSR software, categorizing all posts (N = 192) into three categories.

Findings

The dissemination of branded content and corporate social responsibility, despite being different in each case, show in general an interaction and affective commitment with their stakeholders. In the specific case of Manolo Blahnik and Loewe, they have prioritized their content, in the context of the pandemic, in posts related to social welfare, happiness, mental and physical health care. There are significant differences in the interaction with their audience, which respond very favorably to both “Happiness” and “Health and safety” content.

Originality/value

This study reveals how corporate social responsibility can be achieved using efficient communications in social networks. In this way, the perception of the image of the sector and the reputation can be improved – both sectoral and organizational – which unquestionably translates into economic gains for the brands.
Nanofluid jet impingement heating of a cooled surface with a constant heat flux in the presence of porous layer
Authors: Çiçek Oktay , Baytaş A. Cihat
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to numerically investigate the confined single-walled carbon nanotube-water nanofluid jet impingement heating of a cooled surface with a uniform heat flux in the presence of a porous layer. The analysis of the convective heat transfer mechanism is introduced considering the buoyancy force effect under local thermal non-equilibrium conditions.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing equations for the nanofluid and solid phase are discretized by the finite volume method and the SIMPLE algorithm is used to solve these equations.

Findings

It is observed that there is an increase in a local variation of temperature along the upper wall with increasing Reynolds, Darcy and Grashof numbers. For given parameters, the optimum values of thermal conductivity ratio and porous layer thickness leading to better heating on the upper wall are found as Kr = 1.0 and S = 0.5, respectively. The maximum and minimum values of temperature on the upper wall are obtained in the case of higher nanoparticle volume fraction at Re = 100, however, the temperature values get higher along the upper wall with increasing nanoparticle volume fraction at Re = 300.

Originality/value

The effects of various parameters, such as Reynolds number, Darcy number and Grashof number, on thermal behavior and nanofluid flow are examined to determine the desirable heating conditions for the upper wall. This paper provides a solution to problems such as icing on the surface with a suitable thermal design and optimum geometric configuration.
Effective local government council leadership: reassessing the facilitative model of leadership
Authors: Dzordzormenyoh Michael K.
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper utilizes Svara's facilitative leadership model to examine local government council/board effectiveness in Michigan, United States.

Design/methodology/approach

This study performs a binary logistic regression to assess the influence of four independent variables–consensus building, cooperative relationship, clarity of responsibility and existence of factions/partisanship on five measures of council/board effectiveness (long-term goal setting, administrative, financial, addressing citizen expectations and overall performance), while controlling for other variables.

Findings

Overall, the findings of this study have serious theoretical and practical implications. Specifically, the findings revealed that cooperative relationships, clarity of responsibility, discussion of public issues and partnership influence council/board effectiveness. The findings further support Svara's (2003) model on facilitative leadership and the model's usefulness in understanding local government leadership, i.e. council/board leadership effectiveness.

Research limitations/implications

First, survey data contains desirability bias which can affect the results presented in this study. Second, the data does not include socio-demographic variables of the respondents.

Originality/value

The study is original because it utilizes a data set that is not commonly used in understanding local government council/board effectiveness. Furthermore, the study also shows the usefulness of Svara's facilitative leadership in local government.
Family control and influence on JV investment – the moderating effect of JV type and IC components
Authors: Gavana Giovanna , Gottardo Pietro , Moisello Anna Maria
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the effect of the nature of ownership and board characteristics on the investment choices in joint ventures (JVs) from the dimensional point of view, controlling for the effect of JV type and other components of intellectual capital.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors study a sample of Italian, Spanish, German and French nonfinancial listed firms over the 2010–2018 period, controlling for the fixed effects of the company's sector of operation and the year. The authors also analyze the effect of family control and influence on JV investment size, taking into consideration certain board characteristics, the type of JV, human capital efficiency, structural capital efficiency and capital employed efficiency while also controlling for a firm's profitability and size. To test the hypotheses, GLS panel data was used.

Findings

The results indicate that the size of the investment in JVs is smaller for family firms than for nonfamily businesses. The presence of CEO duality has an opposing effect on the size of the investment in joint ventures as it has a lowering effect in family businesses while it exerts an amplifier influence in nonfamily businesses. Moreover, the type of joint venture has a significant effect for family firms: the choice of a link joint venture reduces the size of the investment. The authors find that human capital efficiency increases JV investment size for all firms.

Originality/value

This study is the first to analyze the effect of the main dimension of socioemotional wealth – family control and influence – on a firm's JV investment size. It controls for the effect of JV type – link or scale – and the interplay of the other IC components.
Defining customer experiential knowledge and its dimensions: a conceptualization starting from a netnographic study of specialty coffee blogs
Authors: Ietto Beatrice , Pascucci Federica , Gregori Gian Luca
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to develop a theoretical framework for the conceptualization of customer experiential knowledge (CEK) by logically combining its different dimensions into one coherent explanatory concept. Drawing on the integration of the literature on customer experience, customer knowledge management and customer insights acquisition, supported by adequate empirical evidence, the framework provides a systematic, comprehensive and accurate understanding of CEK which, could contribute to the identification of relevant customer experience insights useful for customer knowledge management.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis follows an inductive/deductive interpretative approach and it is based on a netnography of specialty coffee bloggers’ narratives in relation to their sustainability practices.

Findings

The paper identifies the following six types of CEK: normative, subcultural, epicurean, transcendental, subcultural and symbolic. Accordingly, CEK is defined as the knowledge tacitly possessed by customers in relation to how they live their consumption experiences according to a body of heterogeneous socio-cultural contextual factors (ethos, norms and symbols) and subjective influences (emotions, ingenuity, instincts and senses) deeply embedded into the narrative of a consumption experience.

Originality/value

While CEK has been largely observed and acknowledged, it has not been yet adequately addressed by existing research. The provision of a conceptual definition of CEK which emphasizes its different dimensions will be of use to both academics and practitioners to better identify and categorize the different manifestations of CEK when undertaking empirical observations or managerial decisions.
An integrated framework for predicting the best financial performance of banks: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Mousa Mohamed El-Sayed , Kamel Mahmoud Abdelrahman
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop and test a framework for integration between data envelopment analysis (DEA) and artificial neural networks (ANN) to predict the best financial performance concerning return on assets and return on equity for banks listed on the Egyptian Exchange, to help managers generate what-if scenarios? For performance improvement and benchmarking.

Design/methodology/approach

The study empirically tested the three-stage DEA-ANN framework. First, DEA was used as a preprocessor of the banks’ efficiency scores. Second, a back-propagation neural network as a multi-layer perceptron-ANN’s model was designed using expected data sets from DEA to learn optimal performance patterns. Third, the superior performance of banks was forecasted.

Findings

The results indicated that banks are not operating under their most productive operations, and there is room for potential improvements to reach outperformance. Moreover, the neural networks’ empirical test results showed high correlations between the actual and expected values, with low prediction errors in both the test and prediction phases.

Practical implications

Based on best performance prediction, banks can generate alternative scenarios for future performance improvement and enabling managers to develop effective strategies for performance control under uncertainty and limited data. Besides, supporting the decision-making process and proactive management of performance.

Originality/value

Despite the growing research stream supporting DEA-ANN integration applications, these are still limited and scarce, especially in the Middle East and North Africa region. Therefore, the study trying to fill this gap to help bank managers predict the best financial performance.
Financial sector sustainability and performance – Policy Imperative for the monetary authorities'
Authors: Osadume Richard , Okene Anthony Ojovwo
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The objective of this study is to ascertain whether financial sector sustainability had any correlation with financial sector performance in Nigeria and recommend appropriate policy directions.

Design/methodology/approach

The study selected four major Nigerian banks namely Zenith Bank Guaranty Bank United Bank for Africa and First Bank of Nigeria as its sample and covered 2010 to 2019. Secondary panel data were obtained from the published financial Statements of the banks and subjected to analytical techniques of panel unit root tests descriptive statistics panel least square and Co-integration statistical techniques at the 5% level of significance.

Findings

The findings revealed that the exogenous variables (SUST) have significant Impact on the endogenous variable (ROA, ROE) in the short-run but insignificant in the long run.

Research limitations/implications

The period covered was limited to 10 years and has an African development focus with emphasis on West Africa, Nigeria. However, the implication could be general to most or all economic and financial landscape. It shows that there is a correlation between financial sector sustainability and return on assets and returns on equity.

Practical implications

Monetary authorities should develop applicable annual performance sustainability framework for all banks; and set performance targets, that will be measured and monitored by appropriate regulatory unit periodically.

Social implications

The financial sector survival is directly related to its contribution towards the survival and development of its host community and operating environment.

Originality/value

This approach is novel in the sense that its approach is practical and measurable, which most research work have not focused on.
A new criminal jurisdiction to combat cross-border money laundering
Authors: Amrani Hanafi , Ali Mahrus
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to analyze the emergence of the changing face of criminal jurisdiction in dealing with cross-border money laundering that develops dynamically due to the development of globalization.

Design/methodology/approach

This research was a doctrinal legal research using conceptual approach concerning the very strict principle of territorial jurisdiction in criminal law. This study also used case approach related to the application of extraterritorial jurisdiction and long-arm jurisdiction in some cross-border money laundering cases. The collection of legal materials was carried out through literature as well as case study and was analyzed qualitatively based on data reduction, presentation and concluding.

Findings

This study revealed that territorial jurisdiction which was originally strictly enforced by state sovereignty over crimes that occurred in its territory then changed widely with multi-territorial perspective. Because of its condition, the state then expands its authority to deal with money laundering as a cross-border crime involving more than one territorial state, namely, by using extraterritorial jurisdiction and then developed into a long-arm jurisdiction trend that allows state authorities to prosecute foreigners outside its state boundaries.

Originality/value

The research finding can be used as one of the alternatives by countries to break the territorial jurisdiction in combating the cross-border money laundering.
Cafeteria diet decreases sucrose preference and increases the sensitivity of risperidone in the caloric intake of Wistar rats
Authors: Gonçalves Jéssica Sena , Rocha-Gomes Arthur , Teixeira Amanda Escobar , Silva Alexandre Alves da , Lessa Mayara Rodrigues , Dessimoni-Pinto Nísia Andrade Villela , Stuckert Seixas Sergio Ricardo , Riul Tania Regina
Published: August 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the increase in sensitivity of a single risperidone administration in relation to energy intake of Wistar rats treated with cafeteria diet from birth to adulthood (119 days).

Design/methodology/approach

During the lactation period, six litters of Wistar rats (dam + 8 pups each litter) were fed one of the following two diets: Control (n = 3) or Cafeteria (n = 3) diets and water ad libitum. After weaning, the males were placed in individual cages, receiving the same diet offered to their respective dams (Control = 18; or Cafeteria = 18) until adulthood (119 postnatal days). The following parameters were evaluated: food and energy intake; macronutrient intake; weight gain; adipose tissue relative weight; sucrose preference; food intake after an administration of risperidone (0.1 mg/kg body weight).

Findings

The Cafeteria group showed a higher energy intake in relation to the Control group (p < 0.001). The consumption of energy beyond the individual needs can be understood as a hyperphagic condition. Also, the Cafeteria group reported greater weight gain (p = 0.048) and accumulation of adipose tissue (p < 0.001) with respect to the Control group. These results indicate that the cafeteria diet generated obesity in animals. The Cafeteria group showed reduced sucrose preference (p = 0.031), which is associated with the development of anhedonia-like behavior. In the food intake test, risperidone showed a greater sensitivity in Cafeteria animals, promoting a decrease in their energy intake in relation to the Control group that received risperidone (p = 0.040).

Originality/value

The cafeteria diet promoted hyperphagia, anhedonia-like behavior and obesity in animals. Acute risperidone administration showed greater sensitivity in the Cafeteria group, with a decrease in energy intake. The reported effects may be related to a downregulation of the dopaminergic system in the NAc region.
Effects of using recycled paper in inkjet printing system on colour difference
Authors: Yılmaz Ufuk , Tutus Ahmet , Sönmez Sinan
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to examine the colour changes affecting inkjet prints after the recycling of papers.

Design/methodology/approach

For recycling, papers prepared with the INGEDE 11p standard are recycled four times. Pulping, storage, flotation, beating and bleaching processes are applied for each recycling, respectively. Inkjet prints are made on the obtained test papers, and colour measurements are made using an X-Rite eXact spectrophotometer according to the ISO 13655:2017 standard. These processes are applied again to the papers which are recycled four times, and the results are analyzed. In addition, the values of ΔE00 ′, ΔL′, ΔH ′ and ΔC′ are calculated according to ISO 11664-6:2014 standard by making some calculations according to obtained the L′a′b′ values.

Findings

It is determined that the ΔE00 value increases after each recycling in cyan magenta and yellow colour, whereas it decreases in black. The highest ΔE00 value is calculated after the fourth recycling stage is yellow with a value of 8.33. The lowest ΔE00 value detected is black with a value of 0.76 after the fourth recycling stage. This paper observes that the colour with the most variation in hue angle among recycling repetitions is black and the colour with the highest hue angle value is yellow. It is seen that repeating recycling causes increase in the chromatic values of the prints.

Originality/value

After the fourth recycling stage, colour changes have reached an important point and can cause important printing problems. In this case, the customer’s approval must be obtained to continue printing. This case is valid for ΔE00 values. Colour differences for print contrast, trapping and print chroma values are either not very important or are positive for quality.
Essential oils as multifunctional additives in biodegradable linear low density polyethylene/starch blends
Authors: Shafik Emad S. , Ward Azza A. , Younan Adel Farid
Published: August 2021

Purpose

This study aims to develop a biodegradable linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE)/starch blends with improved mechanical and flow characteristics and evaluate the probability of using essential oils such as Moringa oleifira and castor oils as green plasticizers and compatibilizers to avoid using harmful chemicals.

Design/methodology/approach

Corn starch was blended with LLDPE through the melt blending technique. The corn starch content was varied from 5 to 40 phr in LLDPE. To enhance poor mechanical characteristic of the LLDPE/starch, essential oils such as M. oleifira and castor oils were incorporated into the composites with different concentrations starting from 1 to 7 phr. The essential oils’ effect on mechanical, flow character, thermal stability and electrical properties of the LLDPE/starch was also investigated. The morphology of LLDPE/starch containing essential oils was also investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM).

Findings

The results revealed that increasing the corn starch content had an adverse effect on mechanical and flow characteristics of the composites, whereas incorporation of essential oils had increased the flow and mechanical characteristics of the composites. Also, dielectric measurements revealed that permittivity and dielectric loss increased by increasing oil content. Moreover, the values of the blends containing castor oil are higher compared to that containing M. oleifira. The SEM micrographs illustrated that the presence of essential oils in LLDPE/starch enhanced the distribution and the homogeneity of the composites, and the particle size of starch granules became smaller in LLDPE matrix.

Originality/value

This study aims to introduce green plasticizer and compatibilizer to avoid using harmful chemicals in packaging industry.
Forecasting the future establishment of invasive alien freshwater fish species
Authors: Perrin Sam Wenaas , Bærum Kim Magnus , Helland Ingeborg Palm , Finstad Anders Gravbrøt
Published: August 2021

Invasive alien species constitute a major threat to the world's freshwater ecosystems. Human translocations as well as rising temperatures have allowed freshwater fish species to expand their distribution into novel ecosystems, often with negative effects on native biodiversity. Early intervention is key to restricting damage and further spread of invasive aliens. This makes identification of areas with high risk for the establishment of invasive alien species necessary in order to target monitoring and mitigation measures.

Here, we model lake‐specific likelihood of establishment of five freshwater fish species which are increasing their distribution in Norway. In order to establish the likelihood of establishment resulting from human translocation, environmental factors or natural dispersal from an established population, a suite of anthropogenic and environmental covariates were included as predictors. We used these models to create a future scenario which modelled establishment risk for these species over a 50‐year time period.

Connectivity of lakes to other extant populations and anthropogenic covariates influenced likelihood of establishment—and subsequently future establishment risk—the most across all species. The effects of temperature were variable, and for the most part had little effect on likelihood of establishment.

Our results indicate that human behaviour, infrastructure development and alternations of watershed connectivity are more important than climate induced range shifts on a short to medium time horizon.

Synthesis and applications. Our study demonstrates how risk assessments of invasive establishment can be synthesised based on readily available open data sources. This allows for the construction of tools to forecast invasion hotspots as a basis for designing mitigation actions, including early monitoring programs, horizon scanning initiatives and eradication measures. It also allows managers to determine where species are spreading as a result of direct human translocation, and where they are expanding as a result of increased temperatures.
Soil microbial community coalescence and fertilization interact to drive the functioning of the legume–rhizobium symbiosis
Authors: Ramoneda Josep , Le Roux Johannes , Stadelmann Stefanie , Frossard Emmanuel , Frey Beat , Gamper Hannes Andres
Published: August 2021

Soil microbial community coalescence, where entire microbial communities mix and interact under new conditions, is a widespread phenomenon whose applicability for targeted root microbiome assembly has not been studied. Whether soil mixing can lead to predictable outcomes for community assembly and functioning of specific functional groups, for example, N2‐fixing rhizobia, remains unknown.

Using a legume shrub adapted to nutrient‐poor soils, we tested the effects of community coalescence on plant nutrition and growth, and its influence on the rhizobial root nodule symbiosis. We grew seedlings of rooibos [Aspalathus linearis (Burm.f.) Dahlg.] in individual rhizosphere soils collected from cultivated and wild rooibos plants and their mixtures, and included a fertilization treatment. Portions of the taxonomic gyrB and the symbiotic nodA gene makers were sequenced to characterize rhizobial communities present in rooibos root nodules under the different soil conditions.

Overall, community coalescence by soil mixing had positive effects on plant nutrition and growth, and interacted with fertilizer addition to concurrently change rhizobial taxonomic evenness and promote higher relative N2 fixation. We identified particular rhizobia preferentially associated with rooibos plants that showed higher N fractions from N2 fixation, raised in mixed fertilized soils.

These findings indicate that soil bacterial community coalescence and fertilization can have synergistic effects on plant performance, while promoting the assembly of alternative symbiotic rhizobial communities that provide improved nutritional benefits to host plants.

Synthesis and applications. The combination of soil mixing and fertilizer addition may be an important, but hitherto overlooked measure to improve the functioning of rhizobium symbioses in legume crops. Microbial community coalescence should gain recognition as a potentially effective mechanism to improve the functioning of plant microbiomes.
Historical maps confirm the accuracy of zero‐inflated model predictions of ancient tree abundance in English wood‐pastures
Authors: Nolan Victoria , Reader Tom , Gilbert Francis , Atkinson Nick
Published: August 2021

Ancient trees have important ecological, historical and social connections, and are a key source of dead and decaying wood, a globally declining resource. Wood‐pastures, which combine livestock grazing, open spaces and scattered trees, are significant reservoirs of ancient trees, yet information about their true abundance within wood‐pastures is limited. England has extensive databases of both ancient trees and wood‐pasture habitat, providing a unique opportunity for the first large‐scale, national case study to address this knowledge gap.

We investigated the relationship between the abundance of ancient trees in a large sample of English wood‐pastures (5,571) and various unique environmental, historical and anthropogenic predictors, to identify wood‐pastures with high numbers of undiscovered ancient trees. A major challenge in many modelling studies is obtaining independent data for model verification: here we introduce a novel model verification step using series of historic maps with detailed records of trees to validate our model predictions. This desk‐based method enables rapid verification of model predictions using completely independent data across a large geographical area, without the need for, or limitations associated with, extensive field surveys.

Historic map verification estimates correlated well with model predictions of tree abundance. Model predictions suggest there are ~101,400 undiscovered ancient trees in all wood‐pastures in England, around 10 times the total current number of ancient tree records. Important predictors of ancient tree abundance included wood‐pasture area, distance to several features including cities, commons, historic Royal forests and Tudor deer parks, and different types of soil and land classes.

Synthesis and applications. Historical maps and statistical models can be used in combination to produce accurate predictions of ancient tree abundance in wood‐pastures, and inform future targeted surveys of wood‐pasture habitat, with a focus on those deemed to have undiscovered ancient trees. This study provides support for improvements to conservation policy and protection measures for ancient trees and wood‐pastures.
Simultaneous determination of eight catechins and four theaflavins in bottled tea by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry for forensic analysis
Authors: Kikkawa Hitomi S. , Kobayashi Manami , Minamimoto Ayaka , Ono Hiromi , Tsuge Kouichiro
Published: August 2021

Tea, and particularly bottled tea, is widely consumed worldwide and is often encountered at crime scenes in poisoning cases or used in place of urine in drug abuse monitoring. Tea is a rich source of polyphenols, such as catechins and theaflavins, and these compounds are useful for identification of trace quantities of tea samples. However, information on the contents of catechins and theaflavins in bottled tea is limited. In this study, a method was developed for simultaneous analysis of eight catechins and four theaflavins in tea using liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The concentrations of these polyphenols were determined in bottled black, oolong, and green teas after a simple pretreatment process by the standard addition method. The developed LC‐MS/MS method was rapid and all tested polyphenol compounds were separated within ~14 min. All tea types contained all the catechins, at varying concentrations, but not all the theaflavins were present in all the tea types. This indicates that the theaflavin composition reflects the degree of the fermentation and could be used for discrimination among different types of tea. All the green tea samples contained all eight catechins; however, the concentrations of these compounds varied among the tea samples. Principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis were useful for discrimination of samples. It has been unclear whether the variations of chemical components are useful for forensic discrimination. Our results demonstrate that, in addition to identification of tea varieties, catechins and theaflavins can be used for the discrimination of bottled tea samples.
Beyond “living fossils”: Can comparative genomics finally reveal novelty?
Authors: Sanchez Gustavo , Simakov Oleg , S. Rokhsar Daniel
Published: August 2021

Cephalopods have recently moved into the research focus due to the growing number of sequenced genomes, molecular tools, and laboratory culture (Albertin & Simakov, 2020)⁠. Genome data now allows us to ask how the many known novelties of cephalopod morphology are reflected in their genomes and gene regulation. A crucial gap in this understanding has been the limited information for the Nautilus, the last survivor of a cephalopod lineage that diverged from the highly derived coleoid clade (octopus, squid, cuttlefish) around 400 million years ago. The publication of Nautilus genomes (in this issue of Molecular Ecology [Huang et al., 2021; Zhang et al., 2021])⁠ will help us understand which genetic changes happened when, and ultimately how they contributed to cephalopod evolution.
Substance use, depression, and loneliness among American veterans during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Fitzke Reagan E. , Wang Jennifer , Davis Jordan P. , Pedersen Eric R.
Published: August 2021

Background and Objectives

Behavioral health issues, such as substance use, depression, and social isolation, are of grave concern during COVID‐19, especially for vulnerable populations. One such population is US veterans, who have high rates of pre‐existing behavioral health conditions and may thus be at‐risk for poorer outcomes. The current study aimed to investigate substance use among US veterans during COVID‐19 as a function of pre‐existing depression, loneliness, and social support.

Methods

We investigated the relationship between pre‐pandemic depression and substance use during COVID‐19 using linear (alcohol) and logistic (cannabis) regression among a large sample of US veterans (N = 1230). We then tested if loneliness and social support moderated these effects.

Results

Though there was a decrease in alcohol and cannabis use among the overall sample, veterans who screened for depression prior to the pandemic exhibited higher levels of substance use after the pandemic's onset. Loneliness compounded the effects of depression on rates of alcohol use. Social support was not protective for the effects of depression on either alcohol or cannabis use.

Discussion and Conclusions

Veterans with pre‐existing depression may be in need of attention for substance use behaviors. Interventions aimed at alleviating loneliness among veterans may be useful in mitigating alcohol use, but not cannabis use, amid COVID‐19.

Scientific Significance

Our findings are among the first to report tangible behavioral health outcomes experienced by US veterans as a result of COVID‐19. Results can help inform treatment efforts for veterans who are struggling with substance use during and post‐pandemic.
Tracking the outcomes of surgical treatment of Stage 2 and 3 empyema: introduction and consolidation of minimally invasive approach
Authors: Patella Miriam , Minerva Eleonora Maddalena , Porcellini Iride , Cianfarani Agnese , Tessitore Adele , Cafarotti Stefano
Published: August 2021

Background

We described the results of surgical treatment of empyema, tracing outcomes throughout the passage from the open thoracotomy (OT) approach to video‐assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) in a single institute.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed the records of 88 consecutive patients treated for Stage 2 and 3 empyema (2010–2019). We divided the study period into three groups: OT period (2010–2013), early VATS (2014–2017, from the introduction of VATS program, until acme of learning curve), and late VATS (2018–2019). Groups were compared to investigate the outcomes evolution.

Results

Most relevant findings of the study were significant variation in postoperative length of stay (median [interquartile range]: 9 days [7.5–10], 10 [7.5–17.5], and 7 [5–10] for OT period, early VATS, and late VATS, respectively, p = 0.005), hospital admission referral to thoracic surgery interval (7.5 days [4.5–11], 6.5 [3–9], and 2.5 [1.5–5.5], p = 0.003), chest tube duration (5.5 days [5–7.5], 6 [4–6], 4 [3–5], p = 0.003), and proportion of operation performed by residents (3 [15%], 6 [16.7%], 14 [43.6%], p = 0.01).

Conclusions

Our findings pictured the trajectory evolution of outcomes during introduction and consolidation of VATS treatment of empyema. During the early phase, we observed a decline in some indicators that improved significantly in the late VATS period. After a learning curve, all outcomes showed better results and we entered into a teaching phase.
Prolonged fasting‐induced hyperketosis, hypoglycaemia and impaired fat oxidation in child and adult patients with spinal muscular atrophy type II
Authors: Ørngreen Mette Cathrine , Andersen Annarita G. , Eisum Anne‐Sofie , Hald Emma J. , Raaschou‐Pedersen Daniel E. , Løkken Nicoline , Høi‐Hansen Christina E. , Vissing John , Born Alfred P. , van Hall Gerrit
Published: August 2021

Aim

This study explored hypoglycaemia and metabolic crises, including hyperketosis, in patients with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA).

Methods

The study comprised four adolescents aged 15–17 and six adults aged 19–37 with SMA type II and eight adult controls aged 21–41, who were recruited by the Rigshospitalet, Denmark, from May 1st to October 30th 2017. We used stable isotope technique and indirect calorimetry to investigate fat and glucose metabolism during a 24‐h fast or until hypoglycaemia occurred.

Results

All patients with SMA II developed moderate to severe hyperketosis and 60% had symptoms of hypoglycaemia or blood glucose levels below 3 mmol/L. None of the controls developed hyperketosis or hypoglycaemia. Plasma bicarbonate decreased, in line with increased ketone bodies, indicating the start of metabolic acidosis in patients with SMA II. Increased fat production and utilisation were seen in healthy controls during the fasting period, but were absent in patients with SMA II, indicating blunted fat oxidation.

Conclusion

Low skeletal muscle mass was the best explanation for why patients with SMA II had an increased risk of hypoglycaemia, hyperketosis, metabolic acidosis and disturbed fat and glucose metabolism during fasting. These risks have implications for children facing surgery and those with severe illnesses.