bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of different tree harvesting intensities on saproxylic beetle diversity in coniferous and broad‐leaved mixed forest in the Changbai Mountain, Northeast, China
Authors: Liu Shengdong , Ding Niukun , Meng Qingfan , Shi Ying , Shi Jiaqi , Li Yan , Zhao Hongrui
Published: December 2022

Saproxylic beetles have gained increasing attention due to their role in the decomposition of rotting wood in forests. Studying the response of saproxylic beetles to tree harvesting is important for developing harvesting strategies that consider conservation of saproxylic beetle diversity.

We report results from a case study in which we designed four treatment stands to test the effects of forest harvesting intensity on saproxylic beetle diversity, harvest intensities of 0% untreated control (CK), 17.2% light harvest (LT), 34.7% moderate harvest (MT) and 51.9% high harvest (HT). Flight intercept traps were used to collect specimens of saproxylic beetles in each stand at 2, 3 and 4 years post‐harvest.

The richness and abundance of saproxylic beetles were higher in MT and HT than in CK. Twelve of the 15 indicator species were significantly associated with MT or HT, whereas only three species were significantly associated with CK.

We found that moderate and high intensity harvesting affected the composition and increased beetle abundance and richness of saproxylic beetles, and light intensity harvesting had no effect on the beetle community in years 2, 3 and 4 post‐harvest. There was no difference in the beetle community composition between moderate and high harvest stands.
The role of next‐generation sequencing in the examination of signaling genes in Brca1/2‐negative breast cancer cases
Authors: Cine Naci , Ugurtas Cansu , Gokbayrak Merve , Aydin Duygu , Demir Gulhan , Kuru Seda , Sunnetci‐Akkoyunlu Deniz , Eren‐Keskin Seda , Simsek Turgay , Cabuk Devrim , Aksu Maksut Gorkem , Canturk Nuh Zafer , Savli Hakan
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy in women worldwide. Although pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes are responsible for the majority of hereditary breast cancer cases, a substantial proportion of patients are negative for pathogenic variations in these genes. In cancers, the signal transduction pathways of the cell are usually affected first. Therefore, this study aimed to detect and classified genetic variations in non‐BRCA signaling genes and investigate the underlying genetic causes of susceptibility to breast cancer.

Methods

Ninety‐six patients without pathogenic variants in the BRCA1/2 genes who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study, and 34 genes were analyzed using next‐generation sequencing (NGS) for genetic analysis.

Results

Based on the ClinVar database or American College of Medical Genetics criteria, a total of 55 variants of 16 genes were detected in 43 (44.8%) of the 96 patients included in the study. The pathogenic variants were found in the TP53, CHEK2, and RET genes, whereas the likely pathogenic variants were found in the FGFR1, FGFR3, EGFR, and NOTCH1 genes.

Conclusion

The examination of signaling genes in patients who met the established criteria for hereditary breast cancer but were negative for BRCA1/2 pathogenic variants provided additional information for approximately 8% of the families. The results of the present study suggest that NGS is a powerful tool for investigating the underlying genetic causes of occurrence and progression of breast cancer.
Incidence and appropriate management of drug‐induced interstitial lung disease in Japanese patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer: A multicenter retrospective study
Authors: Miyagahara Tsukasa , Fujimori Nao , Ueda Keijiro , Takamatsu Yu , Matsumoto Kazuhide , Teramatsu Katsuhito , Takaoka Takehiro , Suehiro Yuta , Shimokawa Yuzo , Omori Kaoru , Niina Yusuke , Tachibana Yuichi , Akashi Tetsuro , Oono Takamasa , Ogawa Yoshihiro
Published: December 2022

Aim

Drug‐induced interstitial lung disease (DI‐ILD) is a serious adverse event during chemotherapy. This study aimed to obtain real‐world data of the incidence, clinical characteristics, predictive factors, and prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer who developed DI‐ILD.

Methods

In patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer who underwent standard chemotherapy at our hospital and its participating facilities between April 2014 and March 2019, the clinical features, occurrence rate and clinical course of DI‐ILD, and prognosis were retrospectively evaluated.

Results

Altogether, 390 patients were finally enrolled. DI‐ILD occurred in 24 cases (6.2%). The median period from diagnosis of pancreatic cancer to the onset of DI‐ILD was 2.2 months (.6–13.3 months). The rate of DI‐ILD onset according to each regimen was 5.8% of gemcitabine (GEM) plus albumin‐bound paclitaxel therapy (18/308), 3.8% of GEM (4/106), and 2.3% of FOLFIRINOX (2/88). The incidence of DI‐ILD in GEM‐based regimens was significantly higher than that in non‐GEM‐based regimens (p < .01). The median overall survival (OS) of the patients with and without DI‐ILD after propensity score matching was 11.5 months and 11.4 months (p = .99), respectively. After the resolution of DI‐ILD, no statistical significance in the median OS of the patients with and without subsequent treatment (11.0 vs. 6.8 months, p = .18) was observed.

Conclusion

DI‐ILD is not a rare adverse event in the current standard chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer in Japan. With appropriate management of DI‐ILD, the prognosis of patients with DI‐ILD can be equivalent to that of patients without DI‐ILD.
Glucose to lymphocyte ratio predicts prognoses in patients with colorectal cancer
Authors: Yang Ming , Zhang Qi , Ge Yizhong , Tang Meng , Zhang Xi , Song Mengmeng , Ruan Guotian , Zhang Xiaowei , Zhang Kangping , Shi Hanping
Published: December 2022

Background

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is characterized by high morbidity and mortality. Inflammatory, metabolic, and immune factors are closely related to survival of patients with CRC, but their combined impact is unknown. Hence, we chose and evaluated the prognostic value of glucose to lymphocyte ratio (GLR) and a nomogram that include GLR for patients with CRC.

Methods

A total of 1448 patients with CRC were included in our study, and their baseline clinicopathological characteristics and laboratory investigations were collected for analysis. We used Cox proportional hazard regression analyses (both univariate and multivariate) to determine prognostic values of clinical indicators. A nomogram was constructed, and concordance index (C‐index) was used to assess the predictive power.

Results

Multivariate analyses demonstrated GLR as an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratios 1.060; 95% confidence interval 1.030–1.091; p < .001). A nomogram was constructed integrating factors with clinical significance (sex) and those with independent prognostic value (age, body mass index, tumor stage, and GLR), and the model showed a C‐index of .778 (.757–.799), which was higher than that of .738 (.717–.759) for tumor stage.

Conclusion

GLR can independently predict the prognoses of patients with CRC, and our nomogram provides more accurate prediction than TNM staging.
Ten‐year retrospective cohort analysis of ventricular assist device infections
Authors: Spano Giancarlo , Buffle Eric , Walti Laura Naëmi , Mihalj Maks , Cameron David R. , Martinelli Michele , Fürholz Monika , Que Yok‐Ai , Hayward Christopher , Reineke David , Hunziker Lukas , Schnegg Bruno
Published: December 2022

Background

The number of patients treated by ventricular assist devices (VAD) and the duration of VAD treatment is increasing. One of the main complications in terms of morbidity and mortality for VAD patients are microbial infections. With this study, we aimed to investigate the epidemiology and microbiological characteristics of infections occurring in a VAD population to identify modifiable factors.

Methods

We retrospectively analyzed patient characteristics, treatments and outcomes of VAD‐specific/related infections. All patients implanted in our institution with a continuous flow VAD between January 2009 and January 2019 were included. Risk factors for VAD infection were assessed using simple and multiple linear regressions.

Results

Of the 104 patients screened, 99 were included in the analysis, the majority of which were men (78%). At implantation, the mean age was 56 years and the median time on VAD support was 541 days. The overall infection rate per year per patient was 1.4. Forty‐seven patients (60%) suffered from VAD‐specific/related infection. Half of all infection episodes occurred in the first 4 months but the proportion of VAD‐specific/related infection was higher after the first 4 months (74% of all infection). Using regression models, no patient specific risk factors were associated with VAD‐specific/related infections.

Conclusion

No predictive factors for infection during VAD support were identified in this study. By extension, diabetes, renal insufficiency, age or high BMI are not sufficient to deny a patient access to ventricular support.
Biochemical surveillance versus clinical observation of term infants born after prolonged rupture of membranes – A quality assurance initiative
Authors: Rød Emma , Solberg Vilde , Stenersen Eydís Oddsdóttir , Garberg Håvard Tetlie , Mjelle Anders Batman , Tølløfsrud Per Arne , Rønnestad Arild Erland , Solevåg Anne Lee
Published: December 2022

Aim

To examine whether biochemical surveillance vs clinical observation of term infants with prolonged rupture of membranes as a risk factor for early‐onset sepsis is associated with differences in patient trajectories in maternity and neonatal intensive care units.

Methods

A retrospective study of live‐born infants with gestational age ≥ 37 + 0 weeks born after prolonged rupture of membranes (≥24 h) in four Norwegian hospitals 2017–2019. Two hospitals used biochemical surveillance, and two used predominantly clinical observation to identify early‐onset sepsis cases.

Results

The biochemical surveillance hospitals had more C‐reactive protein measurements (p < 0.001), neonatal intensive care unit admissions (p < 0.001) and antibiotic treatment (p < 0.001). Hospitals using predominantly clinical observation initiated antibiotic treatment earlier in infants with suspected early‐onset sepsis (p = 0.04) but not in infants fulfilling early‐onset sepsis diagnostic criteria (p = 0.09). There was no difference in antibiotic treatment duration (p = 0.59), fraction of infants fulfilling early‐onset sepsis diagnostic criteria (p = 0.49) or length of hospitalisation (p = 0.30), and no early‐onset sepsis‐related adverse outcomes.

Conclusion

The biochemical surveillance hospitals had more C‐reactive protein measurements, but there was no difference in antibiotic treatment duration, early‐onset sepsis cases, length of hospitalisation or adverse outcomes. Personnel resources needed for clinical surveillance should be weighed against the limitation of potentially painful procedures.
Are cooperatives gender sensitive? A confirmatory and predictive analysis of women's collective entrepreneurship
Authors: Bastida Maria , Olveira Ana , Vázquez Taín Miguel Ángel
Published: December 2022

The literature on entrepreneurship has developed a huge body of fruitful research to explain why women do not engage in business as often as men. However, relatively little is known about the role that different business models may play in driving women's entrepreneurial activity, which is examined in this study.

In this paper we develop a model to empirically test the relationship between women's motivations to become entrepreneurs and their willingness to embark on business through cooperatives, a particular organizational model. We find that the fit between women's needs and expectations and the guiding principles of cooperatives is decisive for the materialization of female entrepreneurship. Furthermore, we explore the role that institutions can play in fostering this link. In doing so, we extend the literature on women's entrepreneurship by highlighting key factors to better channel the development of this potential resource for economic development. Our confirmatory model highlights the role of cooperatives as a type of organization particularly suited to the interests and needs of women entrepreneurs. Thus, the promotion of this business model can be useful to improve the number of women entrepreneurs and, in turn, enhance economic development.
Metabonomic identification of serum biomarkers related to heat stress tolerance of sheep
Authors: Xu Wei , Meng Zhu , Deng Jian , Sun Xinyang , Liu Tianwei , Tang Yingying , Zhang Zijun , Liu Yan , Zhu Wen
Published: December 2022

Heat stress is considered as a limiting factor for sheep production; it is necessary to screen for sheep breeds with heat tolerance. This study was to compare the serum metabolomes of Hu sheep and Dorper sheep and identify potential biomarkers related to heat stress. The results revealed that the respiratory rate, heart rate, and rectal temperature of Dorper sheep were significantly higher than those of Hu sheep. Compared to Dorper sheep, the serum activities of total antioxidant capacity and glutathione peroxidase in Hu sheep were significantly higher, while the concentration of malondialdehyde was lower. Metabolomics analysis identified 107 differential serum metabolites. The pathways enriched from the altered serum metabolites between the two breeds were mainly involved in protein metabolism, carbohydrate metabolism, and lipid metabolism. The levels of antioxidant‐ and energy‐related metabolites were higher in the serum of Hu sheep than that of Dorper sheep; however, the levels of lipid catabolism‐ and inflammation‐related were higher in the serum of Dorper sheep. The results indicate that Hu sheep had better heat stress resistance capability than Dorper sheep. Moreover, high levels of metabolites in the serum of Hu sheep are potential biomarkers for heat stress tolerance, including l‐methionine, s‐adenosylmethionine, and nicotinuric acid.
Long‐term effects of institutional conditions on perceived corruption – A study on organizational imprinting in post‐communist countries
Authors: Auer Thorsten , Knorr Karin , Thommes Kirsten
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we apply imprinting theory to examine how institutional transformation substantially influences perceptions of corruption that we argue to be incorporated to a varying extent in organizations founded in that period. For this purpose, we compare the effect of a sudden shock (dissolution of the Soviet Union) on the managers' present perceptions to that of a steady transition (EU accession). We consult the 5th round of the Business Environment and Enterprise Performance Survey from 2012 to 2014 analyzing 4715 interviews with managers of organizations from twelve Central and Eastern European countries. Our results reveal striking differences in the present perception of corruption for organizations founded immediately before and immediately after these institutional transitions. The study's results contribute to the research on imprinting theory regarding the relationship between organizations and institutional conditions that constitutes a lasting effect on organizational structures. Thus, applying an institutional perspective that considers less stable periods for organizations yields a promising avenue in research on organizational behavior.
Is a third SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine dose efficient in allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplant recipients?
Authors: Spyridonidis Alexandros
Published: December 2022

When and how often should allogeneic haematopoietic cell transplantation recipients be vaccinated against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‐2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) is unclear. The report by Bankova et al. suggests that a third SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine dose is important but still insufficient in some patients to establish an adequate humoral response.

Commentary on: Bankova et al. Antibody response to a third SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine dose in recipients of an allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation. Br J Haematol. 2023;201:58–63
Suppression of androgen receptor signaling induces prostate cancer migration via activation of the CCL20–CCR6 axis
Authors: Kano Hiroshi , Izumi Kouji , Hiratsuka Kaoru , Toriumi Ren , Nakagawa Ryunosuke , Aoyama Shuhei , Kamijima Taiki , Shimada Takafumi , Naito Renato , Kadomoto Suguru , Iwamoto Hiroaki , Yaegashi Hiroshi , Kawaguchi Shohei , Nohara Takahiro , Shigehara Kazuyoshi , Kadono Yoshifumi , Saito Yohei , Nakagawa‐Goto Kyoko , Yoshioka Kazuaki , Nakata Hiroki , Lin Wen‐Jye , Mizokami Atsushi
Published: December 2022

The suppression of androgen receptor (AR) expression exacerbates the migration potential of prostate cancer. This study identified a previously unrecognized regulation of the AR‐controlled pathway that promotes migration potential in prostate cancer cells. Prostate cancer cells that pass through a transwell membrane (mig cells) have a higher migration potential with a decreased AR expression than parental cells. In this study, we aimed to elucidate the mechanism of migration enhancement associated with the suppression of AR signaling. Expression of C–C motif ligand 20 (CCL20) is upregulated in mig cells, unlike in the parental cells. Knockdown of AR with small interfering RNA (siAR) in LNCaP and C4‐2B cells increased CCL20 secretion and enhanced the migration of cancer cells. Mig cells, CCL20‐treated cells, and siAR cells promoted cell migration with an enhancement of AKT phosphorylation and Snail expression, while the addition of a C–C chemokine receptor 6 (CCR6, the specific receptor of CCL20) inhibitor, anti‐CCL20 antibody, and AKT inhibitor suppressed the activation of AKT and Snail. With 59 samples of prostate cancer tissue, CCL20 secretion was profuse in metastatic cases despite low AR expression levels. Snail expression was associated with the expression of CCL20 and CCR6. A xenograft study showed that the anti‐CCL20 antibody significantly inhibited Snail expression, thereby suggesting a new therapeutic approach for castration‐resistant prostate cancer with the inhibition of the axis between CCL20 and CCR6.
HNF4α is possibly the missing link between epithelial–mesenchymal transition and Warburg effect during hepatocarcinogenesis
Authors: Shokouhian Bahare , Negahdari Babak , Heydari Zahra , Totonchi Mehdi , Aboulkheyr Es Hamidreza , Piryaei Abbas , Mostafavi Ebrahim , Vosough Massoud
Published: December 2022

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a heterogeneous, late‐diagnosed, and highly recurrent malignancy that often affects the whole body's metabolism. Finding certain theranostic molecules that can address current concerns simultaneously is one of the priorities in HCC management. In this study, performing protein–protein interaction network analysis proposed hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4α) as a hub protein, associating epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) to reprogrammed cancer metabolism, formerly known as the Warburg effect. Both phenomena improved the compensation of cancerous cells in competitive conditions. Mounting evidence has demonstrated that HNF4α is commonly downregulated and serves as a tumor suppressor in the HCC. Enhancing the HNF4α mRNA translation through a specific synthetic antisense long non‐coding RNA, profoundly affects both EMT and onco‐metabolic modules in HCC cells. HNF4α overexpression decreased featured mesenchymal transcription factors and improved hepatocytic function, decelerated glycolysis, accelerated gluconeogenesis, and improved dysregulated cholesterol metabolism. Moreover, HNF4α overexpression inhibited the migration, invasion, and proliferation of HCC cells and decreased metastasis rate and tumor growth in xenografted nude mice. Our findings suggest a central regulatory role for HNF4α through its broad access to a wide variety of gene promoters involved in EMT and the Warburg effect in human hepatocytes. This essential impact indicates that HNF4α may be a potential target for HCC treatment.
Midwives' knowledge and perceived barriers to screening alcohol use among pregnant women in a southwestern US state
Authors: Olusanya Olufunto A. , Greene Kaylin M. , Rossheim Matthew E. , Barry Adam E.
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Alcohol consumption during pregnancy can produce multiple damaging outcomes to the foetus, commonly referred to as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD). FASD represents the leading non‐genetic cause of preventable birth defects in the United States where alcohol guidelines recommend pregnant woman abstain from alcohol use. This study examined: (i) midwives' knowledge, attitude and intent to screen for prenatal alcohol use; and (ii) assessed perceived barriers to communicating alcohol‐related information.

Methods

Using an online questionnaire, data were obtained from midwives (n = 61) in a southwestern US state between March and May 2018. Descriptive statistics were used to describe midwives' knowledge, attitude, intent and perceived barriers.

Results

Several midwives considered one alcoholic beverage per occasion to be safe for the foetus (20.3%), some thought alcohol was safe during the 3rd trimester (14.8%) only and few thought it was safe in all trimesters. Many midwives (63.3%) were unaware that the TWEAK and T‐ACE were validated alcohol screening tools for pregnant women. Furthermore, most midwives (>50%) agreed that limited time with patients, a need for additional training and lack of information on referral resources interfered with their sharing of alcohol abstinence guidelines. Midwives reported highly favourable attitudes and intentions toward sharing alcohol abstinence messages with their pregnant patients.

Discussion and Conclusions

More in‐depth research and larger samples are needed to explore barriers (knowledge gaps, limited time with patients, need for additional training) that hinder midwives' dissemination of abstinence messages to pregnant women and limit the uptake of validated alcohol screening tools.
Transcranial direct current stimulation for children with autism spectrum disorder: Implications for school‐based settings
Authors: Wilson Joan Esse
Published: December 2022

This commentary is on the original article by Auvichayapat et al. on pages 811–820 of this issue.
Does the design of the NHS Low‐Calorie Diet Programme have fidelity to the programme specification? A documentary review of service parameters and behaviour change content in a type 2 diabetes intervention
Authors: Evans Tamla S. , Dhir Pooja , Radley Duncan , Duarte Cristiana , Keyworth Chris , Homer Catherine , Hill Andy J. , Hawkes Rhiannon , Matu Jamie , McKenna James , Ells Louisa J.
Published: December 2022

Background

NHS England commissioned four independent service providers to pilot low‐calorie diet programmes to drive weight loss, improve glycaemia and potentially achieve remission of Type 2 Diabetes across 10 localities. Intervention fidelity might contribute to programme success. Previous research has illustrated a drift in fidelity in the design and delivery of other national diabetes programmes.

Aims

(1) To describe and compare the programme designs across the four service providers; (2) To assess the fidelity of programme designs to the NHS England service specification.

Methods

The NHS England service specification documents and each provider's programme design documents were double‐coded for key intervention content using the Template for Intervention Description and Replication Framework and the Behaviour Change Technique (BCT) Taxonomy.

Results

The four providers demonstrated fidelity to most but not all of the service parameters stipulated in the NHS England service specification. Providers included between 74% and 87% of the 23 BCTs identified in the NHS specification. Twelve of these BCTs were included by all four providers; two BCTs were consistently absent. An additional seven to 24 BCTs were included across providers.

Conclusions

A loss of fidelity for some service parameters and BCTs was identified across the provider's designs; this may have important consequences for programme delivery and thus programme outcomes. Furthermore, there was a large degree of variation between providers in the presence and dosage of additional BCTs. How these findings relate to the fidelity of programme delivery and variation in programme outcomes and experiences across providers will be examined.
The long‐run investment effect of taxation in OECD countries
Authors: Madsen Jakob B. , Minniti Antonio , Venturini Francesco
Published: December 2022

The gradually changing nature of production and the move away from tangible investment towards intangible investment over the past century suggest that the effects of the tax structure on investment need to be reassessed. To address this issue, we establish an endogenous growth model in which investment in tangible assets, R&D and education are influenced by different types of taxes. We test the long‐run implications of the model using annual data for 21 OECD countries over the period 1890–2015. We find that corporate income taxes reduce investment in tangible assets and R&D. However, while personal income taxes reduce investment in tertiary education, they enhance investment in R&D. Thus a revenue‐neutral switch from corporate to personal income taxes is growth enhancing.
Dysphagia in hospitalized patients: Prevalence, related factors and impact on aspiration pneumonia and mortality
Authors: Bosch Guillermo , Comas Mercè , Domingo Laia , Guillen‐Sola Anna , Duarte Esther , Castells Xavier , Sala Maria
Published: December 2022

Background

Oropharyngeal dysphagia can be highly concerning in hospitalized patients, increasing morbidity and mortality, making its early identification essential. We aimed to characterize dysphagia and its association with aspiration pneumonia and mortality in a tertiary hospital in Barcelona, Spain.

Methods

Using data from all hospital discharges during the period 2018–2021, we identified the characteristics of patients with dysphagia and their distribution among hospital departments through the minimum data set, which codifies patients' diagnoses according to the International Classification of Diseases 10th Revision (ICD‐10). We used logistic regression models to assess the association between dysphagia, aspiration pneumonia and mortality.

Results

Dysphagia was present in 2.4% of all hospital discharges and was more frequent in older patients and in men. The diagnoses most frequently associated with dysphagia were aspiration pneumonia (48.2%) and stroke (14%). Higher prevalence of dysphagia was found in the acute geriatric unit (10.3%), neurology (7.6%) and internal medicine (7.5%) wards. Dysphagia was associated with aspiration pneumonia, aOR = 8.04 (95%CI, 6.31–10.25), and independently increased the odds of death among hospitalized patients, aOR = 1.43 (95%CI, 1.19–1.73).

Conclusions

We conclude that dysphagia is a prevalent and transversal condition, increasing the risk of mortality in all patients, and efforts should be intensified to increase its early detection and correct management.
Mountains and their ecotones increase landscape heterogeneity and maintain a unique assemblage of grasshoppers in the southern Kalahari
Authors: van der Mescht Aileen C. , Codron Daryl
Published: December 2022

South Africa is a megadiverse country. Here, natural communities are unevenly distributed across, and within, seven distinct biomes. In such heterogeneous landscapes, understanding spatial patterns of biodiversity is essential for planning and implementing efficient conservation measures.

The southern Kalahari, forming part of South Africa's savanna biome, is an arid region of peculiarly high diversity and endemism. The responses of orthopteran assemblages to changing environmental conditions across the Kalahari were investigated by comparing alpha and beta diversity levels across discrete vegetation types in the Tswalu Kalahari Reserve. The degree of association between species and specific vegetation types were also studied and how a key life history trait ‐ dispersal ability – influences community composition was determined.

This study identified 46 grasshopper species within the reserve, which compares well with richness levels in other more productive habitats of the country. Local (alpha) diversity was higher in mountain and mountain‐ecotone sites versus vegetation types on the plains, and species turnover was also exceptionally high – approaching 100% ‐ across these two groups. The few (3) dispersal limited species recovered were associated only with the mountain‐ecotone group, with emergent dominance patterns suggesting that competitive rather than dispersal abilities determine the species composition of unique assemblages in the landscape.

Topology plays a key role in maintaining spatial diversity across the southern Kalahari landscape. Mountains, and their ecotones, promote not only species turnover, but also richness and functional diversity. These can be viewed as islands of diversity, and should be targeted priority areas for conservation beyond the boundaries of protected areas.
Geology, climate, and hydrochemistry shape the spatial patterns of multiple diversity facets and functional traits of fishes
Authors: Huang Xiaoxia , Kang Bin , Lin Li , Huang Liangliang , Hu Wenxian , Lin Hungdu
Published: December 2022

In a large river with significant environmental variations in space (i.e., microhabitat) or over time (i.e., seasonality and/or long‐term trend), discovering the spatial changes in fish diversity, distributions, and functional traits would provide an important foundation for the understanding of ecosystem structure and function. In the Pearl River in China, three datasets as fish distribution, species functional traits, and environmental variables were constructed and sorted to (1) test the relationships between and congruence of taxonomic diversity, functional diversity, and phylogenetic diversity by a randomisation procedure, (2) map the spatial pattern of diversity and the correlation to environmental variables by maximal information coefficient, and (3) determine the fish traits tendency under environmental changes by the fourth‐corner method. The Pearl River possesses the highest fish richness among all the rivers in China, with 438 freshwater fish species including 119 cave species. At basin scale, phylogenetic diversity showed faster change than functional diversity, suggesting a little divergence of functional traits despite high phenotypic or genetic diversity across species, as parallel evolution. However, at a small scale, when only considering cave fishes, the variation rate of species traits was faster than that of species increase, as evolutionary radiation in a variety of microhabitats. For all three aspects of diversity, random permutation tests confirmed that congruence values in each grid cell were significantly different from the random expectations. Besides widely accepted variables such as altitude, precipitation, and slope concerned with fish biogeography, hydrochemical variables showed influential impacts on the morphological and growth traits of fishes in the Pearl River characterised by the dominance of the karst habitat.
In chronic lymphocytic leukemia, activation of the thrombopoietin receptor promotes T‐cell inhibitory properties, contributing to immunosuppression
Authors: Ringelstein‐Harlev Shimrit , Fanadka Mona , Horowitz Netanel A. , Bettman Noam P. , Katz Tami
Published: December 2022

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), the immune system is skewed towards a suppressive milieu. Levels of thrombopoietin (TPO), promoting cellular immune regulatory activity in immune thrombocytopenic purpura, were shown to be elevated in CLL patients. This study explored TPO as a potential immunomodulator, supporting CLL progression. We evaluated CLL cell‐induced expression of TPO receptor (TPO‐R) on T‐cells and effects of its activation on T‐cell responses. CLL cell involvement in TPO generation was also assessed. Baseline TPO‐R expression on CD4 + T‐cells was found to be higher in CLL patients than in healthy controls (HC). Exposure of HC‐T‐cells to B‐cells, especially to CLL‐B‐cells stimulated with B‐cell activating molecules, resulted in enhanced TPO‐R expression on T‐cells. CLL‐T‐cell stimulation with TPO reduced their proliferation and expanded the regulatory T‐cell (Treg) population. At baseline, phosphorylation of STAT5, known to impact the Treg phenotype, was elevated in CLL‐T‐cells relative to those of HC. Exposure to TPO further enhanced STAT5 phosphorylation in CLL‐T‐cells, possibly driving the observed Treg expansion. The CLL immune milieu is involved in promotion of inhibitory features in T‐cells through increased TPO‐R levels and TPO‐induced intracellular signaling. TPO and its signaling pathway could potentially support immunosuppression in CLL, and may emerge as novel therapeutic targets.
The architecture of the 10‐23 DNAzyme and its implications for DNA‐mediated catalysis
Authors: Borggräfe Jan , Gertzen Christoph G. W. , Viegas Aldino , Gohlke Holger , Etzkorn Manuel
Published: December 2022

Understanding the molecular features of catalytically active DNA sequences, so‐called DNAzymes, is essential not only for our understanding of the fundamental properties of catalytic nucleic acids in general, but may well be the key to unravelling their full potential via tailored modifications. Our recent findings contributed to the endeavour to assemble a mechanistic picture of DNA‐mediated catalysis by providing high‐resolution structural insights into the 10‐23 DNAzyme (Dz) and exposing a complex interplay between the Dz's unique molecular architecture, conformational plasticity, and dynamic modulation by metal ions as central elements of the DNA catalyst. Here, we discuss key features of our findings and compare them to other studies on similar systems.
Effect of high‐frequency trading on mutual fund performance
Authors: Qin Nan , Singal Vijay
Published: December 2022

We find that high‐frequency trading (HFT) in stocks held by mutual funds negatively affects fund performance: when sorted by HFT intensity of holdings, funds in the top quintile underperform funds in the bottom quintile by 2.64% per year. The negative relation can be at least partially explained by the illiquidity premium induced by high‐frequency traders’ preference for more liquid stocks. This reason for underperformance of mutual funds has not been previously explored or documented. In addition, we do not find evidence to support the concern that HFT raises trading costs of mutual funds.
HISTORY AS ANTIDOTE: THE ARGUMENT FOR DOCUMENTATION IN DIGITAL HISTORY
Authors: MORREALE LAURA K.
Published: December 2022

The ephemeral nature of computer‐enabled historical work is a well‐documented concern within the field of history. The quick pace of technological change often renders digital scholarship obsolete, which in turn encourages historians to retreat to the stable and durable comfort of print, even as digital methodologies enrich our research and expand the audience for it. What has been missing so far in the conversation about digital history is a clear understanding of how it differs from traditional historical products, what can be gained from it, and how we might document the work undertaken using these machine‐based methodologies. Because it is best understood as a process rather than as a product, digital history must have a history of its own to tether it to the scholarly community and to ensure that it endures past the active phase of any project. This article argues that digital historians should catalog their work using a normalized template following the Digital Documentation Process, a guide for producing documentation that is suitable for computer‐based historical scholarship and tailored to its specific parameters. Self‐documentation is beneficial to those who create digital history and those who consume it. It is urgent to establish a field‐wide expectation that digital history will be consistently documented as a matter of course, lest we lose scholarship that has already been produced and forgo the enormous opportunities that computer‐enabled methodologies offer to historians.
THE OLD AND NEW OF DIGITAL HISTORY
Authors: TANAKA STEFAN
Published: December 2022

This article reflects on the expectations and changes that digital technologies have brought to history, activities that are increasingly codified as digital history. Because of the breadth of digital technologies and communicative media, the contours of a digital history are still unclear, so I frame my discussion with two potential narratives that begin from different ideas that emerged from World War II weapons research. One narrative begins with Roberto Busa and the application of a computer to find concordances in the writings of Saint Thomas Aquinas. The emphasis here is on the application of computer technologies to the practice of history. The second narrative begins with Vannevar Bush's essay “As We May Think” and focuses on digital technologies as a key element in an information system. This beginning invites a parallel between inscription technologies (especially the movable‐type press) and knowledge systems. Both narratives imbibe the modern faith in technology to improve; the “new” is better, but the latter better involves humans and societies. Despite important differences between them, both narratives lead to an inquiry into the foundations of our modern knowledge system. In the case of history, the question is whether a knowledge system that was developed in the nineteenth century and designed to encompass and order the world into one system is still apposite in our digital world. I close by suggesting that one such presumption that needs to be reconsidered is the idea of the past as a prior and distant time‐form. A shift from “the past” to “pasts” opens history to a broader field of previous happenings and a reconsideration of chronological time, of change, and to other modes of transmission, such as storytelling.
Electrochemical corrosion behaviors of Ti3SiC2/Cu composites in a 3.5% NaCl solution
Authors: Wu Chenlong , Zhang Rui , Liu Fuyan , Chen Biao
Published: December 2022

The electrochemical corrosion behaviors of Ti3SiC2/Cu composite and polycrystalline Ti3SiC2 in a 3.5% NaCl medium were investigated by dynamic potential polarization, potentiostat polarization, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The polycrystalline Ti3SiC2 was tested on the identical condition as a control. The characterizations of XRD, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, and energy‐dispersive spectrometer were used to study the relevant passivation behavior and corrosive mechanism. The self‐corrosion current density of Ti3SiC2/Cu (6.46 × 10−6 A/cm2) was slightly higher than that of Ti3SiC2 (1.64 × 10−7 A/cm2). Under open circuit potential, the corrosion resistance of Ti3SiC2/Cu was better than that of Ti3SiC2. Ti3SiC2/Cu exhibited a typical passivation feature with a narrow passivation interval and a breakdown phenomenon. The better corrosion resistance of Ti3SiC2 was due to the more stable Si layer of the former. In comparison, for Ti3SiC2/Cu composites, Cu reacted with the reactive Si layers in Ti3SiC2 to form Cu–Si compounds and TiC, destroying the weak interaction between Si layers and Ti–C layers. In the other hand, the as‐formed Cu–Si compounds and TiC dissolved during the corrosion of Ti3SiC2/Cu in the 3.5% NaCl medium, causing to the destruction of the passivation film on its surface.
Effects of high‐temperature cooking soybean dregs on the characteristics of non‐fermented dough and the sensory quality of dumpling wrapper
Authors: Zeng Jingjing , Gao Haiyan , Zeng Jie , Wang Zhaojun
Published: December 2022

Wheat flour was replaced by soybean dregs with contents of 0.5%, 1.0%, 1.5%, 2.0% and 2.5% respectively. The effects of soybean dregs on the characteristics of non‐fermented dough and the sensory quality of dumpling wrapper were studied. The results showed that with the increase of the content of soybean dregs, the total weakening value and retrogradation value of mixed flour decreased. The cooking stability reached its maximum when the addition of soybean dregs was 1.0%. The attenuation value and enthalpy value of mixed powders decreased gradually, and the regeneration value was consistent with the research results of thermal–mechanical properties. This shows that the addition of soybean dregs enhances the thermal stability and anti‐ageing ability of wheat flour. The content of free water in dough decreases, which enhances the ability of doughs to bind water. The microstructure showed that when the addition amount was 1.0%–1.5%, soybean dregs had little damage to the gluten network structure in the dough. The sensory results showed that the use of soybean dregs in cooked dumpling wrapper products improved the sensory changes of potential consumers.
The employment effects of working time reductions: Sector‐level evidence from European reforms
Authors: Batut Cyprien , Garnero Andrea , Tondini Alessandro
Published: December 2022

In this paper, we exploit a panel of industry‐level data in European countries to study the economic impact of national reductions in usual weekly working hours between 1995 and 2007. Our identification strategy relies on the five national reforms that took place over this period and on initial differences across sectors in the share of workers exposed to the reforms. On average, the number of hours worked in more affected sectors fell, hourly wages rose, while employment did not increase. The effect on value added per hour worked appears to be positive but non‐significant.
Regulation Fair Disclosure and the timeliness of long‐horizon management forecasts
Authors: Hurwitz Helen , Sun Yan
Published: December 2022

We examine the effect of Regulation Fair Disclosure (hereafter Reg FD) on the timeliness of long‐horizon management forecasts of annual earnings, especially those conveying bad news. We expect that managers are less timely in issuing bad news forecasts than good news forecasts prior to Reg FD when they can disclose bad news to selected analysts and institutional investors privately. As Reg FD prohibits private disclosures of material information, managers are expected to accelerate the issuance of long‐horizon bad news forecasts after Reg FD due to concerns of litigation risk from institutional investors and loss of analyst coverage, leading to a decrease in timeliness asymmetry between bad news and good news forecasts. We also expect that the effect of Reg FD is stronger among firms with lower ex‐ante litigation risk or higher information asymmetry as they are more likely to withhold bad news prior to Reg FD. In addition, we expect that investors and analysts react more to bad news forecasts than to good news forecasts prior to Reg FD, and this asymmetry decreases after Reg FD. Our results are consistent with our predictions and suggest that managers provide long‐horizon forecasts conveying bad news more timely after Reg FD.
Catheter‐based renal denervation in Chinese patients with chronic kidney disease and uncontrolled hypertension
Authors: Liu Senyan , Bian Rongrong , Qian Yixin , Liao Huaqiang , Gao Xiang , Zhang Yuqiang , Dong Weihua
Published: December 2022

Sympathetic activation contributes to the progression of hypertension and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Ablation of renal sympathetic nerves lowers blood pressure (BP) and preserves renal function in patients with CKD and uncontrolled hypertension by reducing sympathetic nerve activity. But whether this approach is safe and effective in Chinese patients with CKD is unknown. We performed an observational study of eight patients with CKD stages from 1 to 5, office BP ≥150/90 mmHg, while on at least three antihypertensive drug classes including a diuretic, and diagnosis confirmed by 24 h ambulatory systolic BP measurement ≥135 mmHg. All patients underwent catheter‐based renal denervation (RDN) using a newly designed RDN System (Golden Leaf Medtech, Shanghai, China). For up to 6 months after RDN, BP was monitored and renal function was assessed. Mean baseline office BP was 165.0 ± 13.9/97.8 ± 5.5 mmHg, despite treatment with three antihypertensive drugs. Six months after RDN, office BP was reduced by 22.1 ± 12.0 (P = .002)/11.0 ± 8.8 mmHg (P = .012) and average 24 h ambulatory BP by 18 ± 13.7 (P = .01)/9.3 ± 7.7 mmHg (P = .016). After RDN, heart rate and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) had no significant change compared with before RDN. In Chinese patients with CKD, our observational pilot study found that treating hypertension with RDN lowers BP while not affecting renal function.

Brief Abstract: We performed RDN in eight Chinese patients with hypertension and CKD. The results showed that RDN lowered blood pressure of these patients significantly and eGFR was stable. No obvious adverse event was observed.
Pro‐haemostatic effect of DDAVP is partially derived through non‐classical (CD14dim/CD16++) monocytes residing the spleen
Authors: Salarilak Laleh , Pirdel Zahra , Dinmohammadi Hossein , Rokni‐Zadeh Hassan , Lavend'homme Renaud , Karimi Mehran , Jacquemin Marc , Shahani Tina
Published: December 2022

The splenic endothelial Weibel‐palade bodies are one of the most important candidate organelles to release von Willebrand factor upon stimulation with desmopressin. However, the presence of functional desmopressin‐specific receptor has not yet been demonstrated on endothelial cells. Experimental evidences are in favour of an indirect pro‐haemostatic effect of desmopressin, but the exact mediator and its cellular origin are largely elusive. Here, we report partially hampered desmopressin response in a splenectomised severe haemophilia A/Beta Thalassemia patient without any genetic variant relevant to his incomplete desmopressin response. To further investigate the role of the spleen in this phenomenon, the release of VWF from desmopressin‐treated human splenic endothelial cells was assessed in vitro. As a result, desmopressin induced the release of VWF from endothelial cells when the cells were co‐cultured with non‐classical (CD14dim/CD16++), but not other subtypes of monocytes or PBMCs. This in vitro study which resembles close proximity of endothelial cells of sinusoids to monocyte reservoir reside in parenchyma of subcapsular red pulp of the spleen sheds a light upon the role of this highly vascularized VWF‐producing organ in driving indirect effect of desmopressin.