bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Does corruption grease or sand the wheels of firm productivity? Evidence of a non-linear relationship from a firm-level analysis in Vietnam
Authors: Ha Van Thi Cam , Nguyen Chau Trinh , Pham Tra Thi Thu , Nguyen Duy
Published: October 2023

Purpose

This analysis examines the relationship between corruption and firm productivity in Vietnam.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply the system generalized method of moments estimation approach on a panel dataset constructed from comprehensive enterprise surveys covering all the sectors over the 2011–2020 period.

Findings

The results confirm a non-linear relationship between corruption and firm productivity. Where corruption is severe, leaving corruption alone tends to benefit firm productivity because efforts to control corruption are likely to cause greater delays. In less corrupt provinces, corruption appears to harm firm productivity while efforts to control corruption provide significant productivity gains. This U-shaped relationship is confirmed for small firms and those in the private sector sub-samples. Intriguingly, this study reveals that the U-shaped relationship does not apply to micro, medium, large firms, state-owned firms and foreign-invested firms because corruption is found to have no significant impact on productivity among these sub-samples. Changes in regulations after 2014 toward promoting a transparent business environment are shown to foster the positive impact of lowering corruption on firm productivity.

Research limitations/implications

This study suggests that lowering corruption is beneficial for firm productivity at the micro level. However, where corruption is severe, monitoring corruption alone is likely to cause adverse effects on productivity due to increased bureaucratic delays. Institutional reforms might play an important role in leveraging the effects of lowering corruption on productivity in highly corrupt areas.

Originality/value

This paper sheds new light on the relationship between corruption and firm productivity in the broad existing literature and especially in the limited number of studies for Vietnam.
Bibliometric investigation on green human resource management research
Authors: Mehta Poonam
Published: October 2023

Purpose

The paper aims to present the comprehensive picture on green human resource management (GHRM) based upon bibliometric investigation, including different criteria, such as key authors, documents, keywords, bibliographic coupling (BC), etc.

Design/methodology/approach

Bibliometric technique has been used with the application of VOSviewer. Further, the Scopus database has been utilised to extract the research articles.

Findings

The present study has exposed the due relevance of GHRM in the area of human resource management (HRM) for researchers as well as practitioners. The study has revealed that number of citations in the area is high from the researchers of China. Also, Jabbour, C.J.C., has been identified as the lead contributor and author from the area with 43 publications and 1,352 citations. The journal of cleaner production has been identified as the journal with the largest number of publications from the area. Also, prominent keywords used in the area are sustainability, GHRM, environmental management, sustainable environment and HRM.

Research limitations/implications

The study has offered the comprehensive publication analysis on the area which will assist the researchers in gaining review on topic and development of empirical models. Further, with the utilisation of keywords criterion they can easily explore the publications done in the area. Also, study will help the scholars and researchers to identify the region and countries along with the institutions and universities to pursue research on the GHRM topic.

Practical implications

The present study will help the mangers to focus on GHRM with more focus to acquire positive consequences for human resource management.

Originality/value

The present paper has presented various new and recent facets associated with the area of GHRM. Previously the similar analysis with bibliometric technique is rarely done with the present Scopus database.
Advantageous selection with intermediaries: a study of GSE‐securitized mortgage loans
Authors: Tsai Hsin‐Tien
Published: October 2023

This research studies the effects of mortgage subsidies and asymmetric information in the US mortgage market. I exploit discontinuities in interest rates generated by pricing rules and find patterns consistent with advantageous selection. I estimate an industry model that highlights the relationship between mortgage subsidies, intermediary lenders' incentives, and borrowers' advantageous selection. The model shows that mortgage subsidies enable advantageous selection, creating a deadweight loss of $7.90 billion. The counterfactual analysis reveals that pricing borrowers' private information eliminates advantageous selection only if mortgages are not subsidized. Without the mortgage subsidy, pricing borrowers' private information improves efficiency by $728.58 million.
One step at a time: Melanocytic differentiation in fusion‐driven cutaneous neoplasms
Authors: Linos Konstantinos
Published: October 2023

As dermatopathologists, we routinely diagnose melanocytic nevi, melanomas, and occasionally melanocytomas in our daily clinical practice. However, it is now clearly established that the presence of melanocytic differentiation in a tumor does not necessarily indicate any of the aforementioned diagnoses. Tumors such as clear cell sarcoma, malignant melanotic nerve sheath tumor, PEComa, melanotic neuroectodermic tumor of infancy, and even certain translocation‐associated renal cell carcinomas all share the common characteristic of melanin synthesis. Over the past two decades, with the advent of molecular diagnostics, there has been an explosion of new data and discoveries in this field. Examples such as CRTC1::TRIM11 cutaneous tumors and MITF pathway‐activated melanocytic tumors (ACTIN::MITF and MITF::CREM) have been incorporated into the latest edition of the WHO classification of skin tumors (5th ed). In a recent issue, Alexandrescu et al. reported another case of a dermal/subcutaneous melanocytic tumor harboring a MITF::CREM1 translocation. In a separate paper within the current issue, Li et al. present a case of clear cell sarcoma with the rare EWSR1::CREM fusion, which had initially been misdiagnosed as melanoma with regional and distant metastases. We warmly welcome these two very interesting and high‐quality articles to our journal, and we eagerly anticipate what the future holds for this fascinating category of tumors.
Wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis: Subtypen, Diagnostik und Management
Authors: Faihs Valentina , Kugler Claudia , Schmalhofer Viktoria , Scherf Katharina Anne , Lexhaller Barbara , Mortz Charlotte G , Bindslev‐Jensen Carsten , Biedermann Tilo , Brockow Knut
Published: October 2023

Die wheat‐dependent exercise‐induced anaphylaxis (Anstrengungs‐getriggerte Weizenallergie, WDEIA) ist eine IgE‐vermittelte Nahrungsmittelallergie, bei der es nur zu allergischen Symptomen kommt – welche von intermittierender Urtikaria bis hin zu schweren Anaphylaxien reichen können –, wenn Weizen im zeitlichen Zusammenhang mit verstärkenden Kofaktoren wie körperlicher Bewegung, nichtsteroidalen Antirheumatika oder Alkohol verzehrt wird. In den meisten Fällen weisen die Patienten eine Sensibilisierung auf ω5‐Gliadin in der Glutenfraktion des Weizens auf. ω5‐Gliadin‐negative Subtypen der WDEIA sind oft schwierig zu diagnostizieren und können durch Tri a 14 (Weizen‐Lipid‐Transferprotein), durch perkutane Sensibilisierung mit hydrolysierten Weizenproteinen oder, in seltenen Fällen, durch eine Gräserpollenkreuzreaktivität verursacht werden. Die Diagnose wird anhand der Anamnese in Kombination mit dem serologischen IgE‐Profil, Hauttests, Basophilenaktivierungstests und einer Provokationstestung mit Weizengluten und Kofaktoren gestellt. Die individuelle Ernährungsberatung ist nach wie vor die zentrale Säule im Management von Patienten mit WDEIA. Eine komplett weizenfreie Diät stellt eine mögliche Option dar, jedoch scheint diese die Toleranz weniger zu fördern als der weitergeführte regelmäßige Verzehr glutenhaltiger Getreidesorten, dieses allerdings nur bei gleichzeitiger Meidung von Kofaktoren. Alle Patienten sollten ein Notfallset zur Selbstbehandlung inklusive einem Adrenalin‐Autoinjektor erhalten und entsprechend geschult werden. Zur sublingualen Immuntherapie bei WDEIA, einer potenziell vielversprechenden therapeutischen Perspektive, werden weitere Daten benötigt. Dieser Artikel gibt einen Überblick über den aktuellen Wissensstand zur Diagnostik und zum Management bei WDEIA, einschließlich eines optimierten Provokationsprotokolls mit Weizengluten und Kofaktoren.
Die Prognose des Melanoms im Kopf‐Hals‐Bereich im Stadium II hängt vom histologischen Subtyp ab
Authors: Jasper Sophie , Keim Ulrike , Leiter Ulrike , Amaral Teresa , Flatz Lukas , Forschner Andrea
Published: October 2023

Hintergrund und Ziele

Die Melanom‐Leitlinie basiert hauptsächlich auf dem AJCC‐Stadium. Hierbei wird nicht zwischen den histologischen Subtypen wie dem superfiziell spreitenden Melanom (SSM), dem Lentigo‐maligna‐Melanom (LMM) oder dem nodulären malignen Melanom (NM) unterschieden. Ziel der Studie war es zu untersuchen, ob sich Patienten mit LMM im klinischen Verlauf von Patienten mit SSM/NM unterscheiden. Dies ist aktuell besonders wichtig, da die adjuvante Anti‐PD‐1‐Therapie für Melanome im Stadium IIB und IIC zugelassen wurde.

Patienten und Methodik

Die Daten wurden aus dem Zentralregister „malignes Melanom“ entnommen. Es wurden nur Patienten mit LMM, SSM oder NM des Kopf‐Hals‐Bereichs und Primärdiagnose zwischen dem 01.01.2000 und dem 31.12.2019 eingeschlossen. Das progressionsfreie Überleben (PFÜ), das melanomspezifische Überleben (MSÜ) und das Metastasierungsmuster wurden für die Gruppe der LMM im Vergleich zur Gruppe der SSM/NM analysiert.

Ergebnisse

Die LMM‐Kohorte (n = 902) hatte ein signifikant besseres MSÜ als die SSM/NM‐Kohorte (n = 604). Beim PFÜ gab es keinen Unterschied. Das 5‐Jahres‐MSÜ der LMM‐Kohorte im Stadium II betrug 88,5 % (95 % KI 81,4–95,6), im Vergleich dazu das der SSM/NM‐Kohorte im Stadium II 79,7 % (95 % KI 72,8–86,6).

Schlussfolgerung

Es scheint nicht angebracht zu sein, eine adjuvante Therapie bei LMM‐Patienten im Stadium II im gleichen Umfang durchzuführen, wie bei Patienten mit SSM/NM.
Charakterisierung von Patienten mit Psoriasisarthritis in der dermatologischen und rheumatologischen Versorgung: Analyse von zwei Registern
Authors: Augustin Matthias , Lindner Lisa , Kühl Laura , Weiss Anja , Rustenbach Stephan Jeff , Stephan Brigitte , Feuchtenberger Martin , Mrowietz Ulrich , Thaçi Diamant , Staubach Petra , Baraliakos Xenofon , Strangfeld Anja , von Kiedrowski Ralph , Behrens Frank , Regierer Anne Constanze
Published: October 2023

Hintergrund und Zielsetzung

Die Psoriasisarthritis (PsA) ist eine chronische systemische Entzündungskrankheit, die den Bewegungsapparat, die Haut und die Nägel betrifft. Ziel ist es, soziodemografische und klinische Patientenprofile zu charakterisieren, die in der dermatologischen und rheumatologischen Versorgung dokumentiert werden.

Patienten und Methodik

Es wurden die Daten von 704 PsA‐Patienten aus dem dermatologischen Psoriasis‐Register PsoBest (PB) und 1066 Patienten aus dem rheumatologischen Krankheitsregister RABBIT‐SpA (RS) analysiert. Vergleichbare anamnestische und klinische Variablen wurden identifiziert und deskriptiv ausgewertet.

Ergebnisse

Das Durchschnittsalter betrug 51,7 Jahre bei PB und 51,9 Jahre bei RS. Die Krankheitsdauer der Psoriasis war länger und der mittlere Schweregrad der Hauterkrankung war bei den Patienten in PB höher, jedoch hatten mehr Patienten in RS schmerzende und geschwollene Gelenke. Der mittlere Dermatology Life Quality Index war bei den Patienten in PB höher und der mittlere Health Assessment Questionnaire bei den Patienten in RS. Die von den Patienten angegebene globale Krankheitsaktivität und die Schmerzen waren in PB geringer. IL‐23‐Inhibitoren wurden in PB häufiger eingesetzt, TNF‐Inhibitoren bei RS.

Schlussfolgerungen

Die klinische Spezialisierung wurde mit unterschiedlichen Krankheitsbildern und Behandlungsmustern der PsA in Verbindung gebracht. Dies könnte auf eine Selektion nach der vorherrschenden Manifestation der Psoriasis‐Erkrankung und möglicherweise auf Auswirkungen des Zugangs zur Gesundheitsversorgung hinweisen. Die PsA sollte in einem multidisziplinären Ansatz behandelt werden, der alle Facetten dieser komplexen Erkrankung berücksichtigt.
What can inherited immunodeficiencies reveal about pyoderma gangrenosum?
Authors: Oprea Yasmine , Kody Shannon , Shakshouk Hadir , Greiling Teri M. , Anstey Karen M. , Ortega‐Loayza Alex G.
Published: October 2023

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is a rare ulcerative neutrophilic dermatosis that is occasionally associated with primary immunodeficiency. Though contributions from dysregulation of the innate immune system, neutrophil dysfunction and genetic predisposition have been postulated, the precise pathogenesis of PG has not yet been elucidated. This article reviews reported cases of coexisting PG and primary immunodeficiency in order to gain insight into the complex pathophysiology of PG. Our findings suggest that variations in genes such as RAG1, ITGB2, IRF2BP2 and NFκB1 might play a role in genetically predisposing patients to develop PG. These studies support the feasibility of the role of somatic gene variation in the pathogenesis of PG which warrants further exploration to guide targeted therapeutics.
Synthesis, molecular docking, ADMET, and evaluation of the anxiolytic effect in adult zebrafish of synthetic chalcone (E)‐3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)‐1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one: An in vivo and in silico approach
Authors: Santos Oliveira Larissa , Kueirislene Amâncio Ferreira Maria , Wagner de Queiroz Almeida‐Neto Francisco , Wlisses da Silva Antonio , Ivo Lima Pinto Filho José , Nunes da Rocha Matheus , Machado Marinho Emanuelle , Henrique Ferreira Ribeiro Walber , Machado Marinho Márcia , Silva Marinho Emmanuel , Eire Silva Alencar de Menezes Jane , dos Santos Hélcio Silva
Published: October 2023

Background

Anxiety disorders represent the complex interaction between biological, psychological, temperamental, and environmental factors; drugs available to treat anxiety such as benzodiazepines (BZDs) are associated with several unwanted side effects. Although there are useful treatments, there is still a need for more effective anxiolytics with better safety profiles than BZDs. Chalcones or 1,3‐diphenyl‐2‐proper‐1‐ones can be an alternative since this class of compounds has shown therapeutic potential mainly due to interactions with GABAA receptors and serotonergic system.

Objectives

This study evaluated the anxiolytic potential of chalcone (E)‐3‐(4‐(dimethylamino)phenyl)‐1‐(2‐hydroxyphenyl)prop‐2‐en‐1‐one (C2OHPDA) in adult zebrafish (Danio rerio) (ZFa).

Methods

Each animal (n = 6/group) was treated intraperitoneally (i.p.; 20 μL) with the chalcone (4, 20, and 40 mg/kg) and with the vehicle (DMSO 3%; 20 μL), being submitted to the tests of locomotor activity and 96‐h acute toxicity. The light/dark test was also performed, and the serotonergic mechanism (5‐HT) was evaluated through the antagonists of the 5‐HTR1, 5‐HTR2A/2C, and 5‐HTR3A/3B receptors. It was investigated the prediction of the chalcone's position and preferential orientation concerning its receptor, as well as the pharmacokinetic parameters (ADMET) involved in the process after administration.

Results

As a result, C2OHPDA was not toxic and reduced the locomotor activity of ZFa. Furthermore, chalcone demonstrated an anxiolytic effect on the central nervous system (CNS), mediated by the serotonergic system, with action on 5‐HT2A and 5‐HTR3A/3B receptors. The interaction of C2OHPDA with 5‐HT2AR and 5‐HT3A receptors was confirmed by molecular docking study, the affinity energy observed was −8.7 and −9.1 kcal/mol, respectively.

Conclusion

Thus, this study adds new evidence and highlights that chalcone can potentially be used to develop compounds with anxiolytic properties.
Agronomic and physiological responses of corn intercropped with palisadegrass growing in full sun or in a crop‐livestock‐forestry systems
Authors: Domiciano Leandro F. , Pedreira Bruno C. , Abreu Joadil G. , Pereira Dalton H. , Magalhães Ciro A. S. , Sassenrath Gretchen F.
Published: October 2023

There is a need to enhance agricultural intensification and diversification by establishing alternative crop‐livestock‐forestry systems. Our objective was to compare the production and physiological characteristics of corn (Zea mays L.) either intercropped with Marandu palisadegrass [Brachiaria (syn. Urichloa) brizantha (Hochst. ex A. Rich.) R. D. Webster] growing in full sun (FS), or in a crop‐livestock‐forestry with single‐row (CLFs) and triple‐row (CLFt) groves of Eucalyptus urograndis (hybrid of Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden and Eucalyptus urophylla S. T. Blake). In the CLFs and CLFt, the trees were spaced at 37 m (90 tree ha−1) and 30 m (135 tree ha−1), respectively. The experiment was carried out for 2 years in a randomised complete block with three replications in a strip‐split‐plot arrangement with measurements at 5 sites between groves (7 and 13 m on the south face, central, and 7 and 13 m on the north face). The forage mass for full sun, CLFs, and CLFt was 10.9, 9.5, and 6.2 Mg DM ha−1 in 2017 and 28.9, 21.5, and 14.0 Mg DM ha−1 in 2018, while the grain yield was 3.38, 3.34, and 1.66 Mg DM ha−1 in 2017 and 7.90, 4.66, and 2.55 Mg DM ha−1 in 2018. The forage mass (10.1 Mg DM ha−1 in 2017 and 23.9 Mg DM ha−1 in 2018) and grain yield (3.3 Mg DM ha−1 in 2017 and 5.0 Mg DM ha−1 in 2018) in the central and 13 m north distances were greater than in the 7 m north and south, with less light transmission and red: far‐red ratio. We concluded that corn intercropped with palisadegrass in an integrated crop‐livestock‐forestry system was negatively affected by the reduction in radiation transmission, resulting in reduced corn height, forage mass, and grain yield than in the full sun.
Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment in the era of telemedicine
Authors: Wu Xinze , Freeman Shannon , Miyagi Midori , Park Uijin , Nomura Kazushi , Ebihara Satoru
Published: October 2023

The aging global population poses significant medical and social challenges, necessitating efforts to promote healthy aging. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) is a multidimensional diagnostic approach for older adults that aims to improve overall health. Remote CGA, facilitated by technological advancements, offers convenience and other potential advantages. It enables early disease detection, monitors chronic disease progression, delivers personalized care, and optimizes healthcare resources for better health outcomes in older individuals. However, remote CGA also has limitations, including technological requirements, data security, and the need for comprehensive evaluation and simplicity. Collaborative efforts are essential to developing a digital home‐based CGA platform that addresses accessibility issues and tailors the assessment process to meet the needs of older adults. Continuous optimization of remote CGA can become a pivotal tool for advancing geriatric care and ensuring the well‐being of the aging population. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2024; 24: 67–73.
Early versus deferred endovenous sclerotherapy of superficial venous reflux in patients with venous ulceration
Authors: Liu Jiabin , Guo Qiang
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to compare early endovenous sclerotherapy with superficial venous reflux combined with compression therapy and deferred intervention in patients with venous leg ulcers (VLUs). A total of 80 patients with 80 VLUs treated at the Department of General Surgery, Shangjin Nanfu Hospital, Chengdu, China, between February 2022 and January 2023 were included in the study. The primary outcome was the time to ulcer healing from the date of compression therapy or endovenous sclerotherapy. Secondary outcome measures were the rate of ulcer healing at 6 months, the rate of ulcer recurrence at 6 months, and patient‐reported health‐related quality of life. A total of 54 patients received early intervention and 26 received deferred intervention. The patient and clinical characteristics at baseline were similar between the two treatment groups. The median time to ulcer healing was 1.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.3–1.7 months) in the early‐intervention group and 3.5 months (95% CI, 2.9–4.1 months) in the deferred‐intervention group. The time to ulcer healing was shorter in the early‐intervention group than in the deferred‐intervention group (p < 0.001). The rate of ulcer healing at 6 months was 94% in the early‐intervention group and 92% in the deferred‐intervention group. The rate of ulcer recurrence before the end of the 6‐month follow‐up period was 2% in the early‐intervention group and 4% in the deferred‐intervention group. In conclusion, early endovenous sclerotherapy for superficial venous reflux resulted in faster healing of VLUs than deferred endovenous sclerotherapy.
Application of a colorimetric chain‐termination assay for characterization of reverse transcriptase from 3′‐azido‐2′,3′‐deoxythymidine‐resistant HIV isolates
Authors: Shao Xing‐Wu , Hjalmarsson Sandra , Lennerstrand Johan , Svennerholm Bo , Blomberg Jonas , Källander Clas F. R. , Gronowitz J. Simon
Published: October 2023

Two different enzyme assays, both based on the interaction of native reverse transcriptase (RT) and 3′‐azido‐2′,3′‐deoxythymidine triphosphate (AZT‐TP), were used to characterize the enzymes from 18 HIV‐1 isolates with decreased sensitivity to AZT in cell culture. The first assay, which measures the balance between incorporation and excision of AZT monophosphate in the presence of dNTP substrate (in terms of IC50), gave an approx. 9‐fold variation in sensitivity to AZT‐TP. There was a correlation between the IC50values and the sensitivity of the corresponding virus to AZT in cell culture (r=0.60,P<0.01). The second assay, which was designed specifically for measurement of chain termination in the absence of dNTP substrate (as the concentration of AZT‐TP giving 50% residual primer function, or CT50), revealed a more than 600‐fold difference between the different isolate RTs. For the majority of enzymes there was a strict correlation between the results from the two assays; however, four isolates exhibited significantly higher CT50/IC50ratios than the other isolates. These differences were not related to sensitivity of the corresponding viruses to AZT but to the occurrence of certain mutations in theirpolgene. The four deviating isolates contained either a minimum of four AZT‐specific substitutions, including Thr‐215→Tyr (isolates 134 and 143), or some of the known specific substitutions combined with Thr‐39→Ala (isolates 80 and 157). The Thr‐39→Ala substitution has previously been recorded in connection with AZT/Foscarnet combination therapy.
Bioaffinity immobilization of tannase from Aspergillus niger on concanavalin A–Sepharose CL‐4B
Authors: Sharma Shweta , Bhat Tej Krishan , Gupta Munishwar Nath
Published: October 2023

Tannase from Aspergillus niger van Teighem was immobilized on concanavalin A–Sepharose via bioaffinity interaction. The immobilized enzyme showed a pH optimum similar to that of the free enzyme. Km values for free and immobilized enzyme were 0.3 and 0.6 mM respectively. Vmax changed from 0.013 to 0.02 μmol·min−1 upon immobilization. The immobilized preparation was quite stable to reuse, there was no loss of enzyme activity after three cycles and it retained 81% activity even after the sixth cycle. Ester hydrolysis using the immobilized enzyme led to a 40% conversion into gallic acid as compared with 30% obtained with the free enzyme.
Thickness effects on the sinterability, microstructure, and nanohardness of SiC‐based ceramics consolidated by spark plasma sintering
Authors: Sun Shi‐Kuan , Yuan Jin‐Hao , Guo Wei‐Ming , Duan Xiao‐Ming , Jia De‐Chang , Lin Hua‐Tay
Published: October 2023

This study aimed to investigate the effects of the original thickness on the densification, microstructure, and nanoindentation hardness of silicon carbide (SiC) ceramics prepared by the spark plasma sintering (SPS) process. The densification of SiC ceramics with different initial thicknesses ranging from 50 to 2000 µm was investigated in combination with varying SPS sintering temperature at 1700–1900°C. The results indicated that the densification of SiC sample with the initial thickness of 50 µm was complete after sintering at 1700°C. On the contrary, when the initial thickness exceeded 50 µm, it resulted in a porous microstructure. When the initial thickness varied from 50 to 100 µm, dense SiC monolithic could be obtained after sintering at 1800°C. All the samples were fully densified after sintering at 1900°C. The predominant factors for the thickness effect were mainly derived from the unique characteristics of SPS. The hardness of SiC ceramics was measured using nanoindentation, and it was found to have a strong correlation with the initial thickness, mainly attributed to the densification status. The dense SiC product demonstrated nanoindentation hardness with high values of ∼28.0 GPa.
Modelling time‐varying risk factors of tooth loss: Results from joint model compared with extended Cox regression model
Authors: Mitani Aya A. , Feng Xinyang , Kaye Elizabeth K.
Published: October 2023

Aim

To illustrate the use of joint models (JMs) for longitudinal and survival data in estimating risk factors of tooth loss as a function of time‐varying endogenous periodontal biomarkers (probing pocket depth [PPD], alveolar bone loss [ABL] and mobility [MOB]).

Materials and Methods

We used data from the Veterans Affairs Dental Longitudinal Study, a longitudinal cohort study of over 30 years of follow‐up. We compared the results from the JM with those from the extended Cox regression model which assumes that the time‐varying covariates are exogenous.

Results

Our results showed that PPD is an important risk factor of tooth loss, but each model produced different estimates of the hazard. In the tooth‐level analysis, based on the JM, the hazard of tooth loss increased by 4.57 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.13–8.50) times for a 1‐mm increase in maximum PPD, whereas based on the extended Cox model, the hazard of tooth loss increased by 1.60 (95% CI: 1.37–1.87) times.

Conclusions

JMs can incorporate time‐varying periodontal biomarkers to estimate the hazard of tooth loss. As JMs are not commonly used in oral health research, we provide a comprehensive set of R codes and an example dataset to implement the method.
Building resilience in cybersecurity: An artificial lab approach
Authors: Awiszus Kerstin , Bell Yannick , Lüttringhaus Jan , Svindland Gregor , Voß Alexander , Weber Stefan
Published: October 2023

Based on classical contagion models we introduce an artificial cyber lab: the digital twin of a complex cyber system in which possible cyber resilience measures may be implemented and tested. Using the lab, in numerical case studies, we identify two classes of measures to control systemic cyber risks: security‐ and topology‐based interventions. We discuss the implications of our findings on selected real‐world cybersecurity measures currently applied in the insurance and regulation practice or under discussion for future cyber risk control. To this end, we provide a brief overview of the current cybersecurity regulation and emphasize the role of insurance companies as private regulators. Moreover, from an insurance point of view, we provide first attempts to design systemic cyber risk obligations and to measure the systemic risk contribution of individual policyholders.
Genome‐wide insights into whole gut microbiota of rainbow trout, Oncorhynchus mykiss, fed plant proteins and camelina oil at different temperature regimens
Authors: Idenyi John N. , Abanikannda Mosope F. , Huber David H. , Gannam Ann L. , Sealey Wendy M. , Eya Jonathan C.
Published: October 2023

Gut microbiota impacts fish metabolism, nutrient utilization, and health. We know little about how temperature and diet interact with rainbow trout gut microbes. A total of 288 fish (average body weight: 45.6 g) fed four iso‐caloric, ‐lipidic, and ‐nitrogenous diets comprised crude protein (40%) and lipid (20%) manufactured as 100% animal‐based protein (AP) and blend of 50 fish oil (FO)/50 camelina oil (CO), 100% AP and 100% CO, 100% plant‐based protein (PP) and blend of 50 FO/50 CO or 100% PP and 100% CO at 14 or 18°C water temperature. Gut content was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene and shotgun sequencing. Alpha‐diversity did not change significantly. Regardless of diet, Tenericutes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Spirochaetes, Bacteroidetes, and Actinobacteria dominated. At family level, Aeromonadaceae and Enterobacteriaceae dominated at 18°C, while Mycoplasmataceae dominated at 14°C. Moreover, genes relating to amino acid, carbohydrate, fat, and energy metabolisms and fatty acid biosynthesis significantly increased at 18°C. Functional profiles did not vary significantly among diets, except for a higher methionine and cysteine metabolism in fish fed plant ingredient compared animal diet, suggesting trout fed plant‐derived protein mixed with CO could be as effective as those fed fish meals mixed with 50/50 FO and CO.
Assessing mechanical function of peristalsis with functional lumen imaging probe panometry: Contraction power and displaced volume
Authors: Halder Sourav , Pandolfino John E. , Kahrilas Peter J. , Koop Andree , Schauer Jacob , Araujo Isis K. , Elisha Guy , Kou Wenjun , Patankar Neelesh A. , Carlson Dustin A.
Published: October 2023

Background and Aims

The distal contractile integral (DCI) quantifies the contractile vigor of primary peristalsis on high‐resolution manometry (HRM), whereas no such metric exists for secondary peristalsis on functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) panometry. This study aimed to evaluate novel FLIP metrics of contraction power and displaced volume in asymptomatic controls and a patient cohort.

Methods

Thirty‐five asymptomatic controls and adult patients (with normal esophagogastric junction outflow/opening and without spasm) who completed HRM and FLIP panometry were included. The patient group also completed timed barium esophagram (TBE). Contraction power (estimate of esophageal work over time) and displaced volume (estimate of contraction‐associated fluid flow) were computed from FLIP. HRM was analyzed per Chicago Classification v4.0.

Key Results

In controls, median (5th–95th percentile) contraction power was 27 mW (10–44) and displaced volume was 43 mL (17–66). 95 patients were included: 72% with normal motility on HRM, 17% with ineffective esophageal motility (IEM), and 12% with absent contractility. Among patients, DCI was significantly correlated with both contraction power (rho = 0.499) and displaced volume (rho = 0.342); p values < 0.001. Both contraction power and displaced volume were greater in patients with normal motility versus IEM or absent contractility, complete versus incomplete bolus transit, and normal versus abnormal retention on TBE; p values < 0.02.

Conclusions

FLIP panometry metrics of contraction power and displaced volume appeared to effectively quantify peristaltic vigor. These novel metrics may enhance evaluation of esophageal motility with FLIP panometry and provide a reliable surrogate to DCI on HRM.
Optimizing cropping systems to close the gap between economic profitability and environmental health
Authors: Yang Xue , Delgado‐Baquerizo Manuel , Niu Yuxuan , Christie Peter , Chen Ji , Hu Hangwei , Chen Yongliang
Published: October 2023

Supporting food security while maintaining ecosystem sustainability is one of the most important global challenges for humanity. Optimization of cropping systems is expected to promote the ecosystem services of agroecosystems. Yet, how and why cropping system influences the trade‐offs between economic profitability and multiple ecosystem services remain poorly understood.

We investigate the influence of six cropping systems on trade‐offs between economic profitability and multiple ecosystem services after considering 36 agricultural ecosystem properties using field experiment data from 2020 to 2022.

We show that designing cropping system is a critical tool to closing the gap between ecosystem sustainability and commercial profitability. Cropping system with three harvests within 2 yr had higher performance in overall ecosystem multiple services through enhancement of supporting, regulating, and economic performance without compromising provisioning compared with four other systems. These systems diminished the trade‐off among multiple services, resulting in a ‘win‐win’ situation for economics and multiple services. By contrast, the monoculture and double cropping systems lead to a strong trade‐off between pairwise services including ecosystem health and profitability.

Our work illustrates the substantial potential of rotation systems with three harvests within 2 yr in enforcing ecosystem services and closing the trade‐offs among multiple agricultural ecosystem services.
RAS signalling genes can be used as host‐induced gene silencing targets to control fungal diseases caused by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum and Botrytis cinerea
Authors: Xu Yan , Tan Jinyi , Lu Junxing , Zhang Yuelin , Li Xin
Published: October 2023

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum causes white mold (also called stem rot, Sclerotinia blight, etc.) in many economically important plants. It is a notorious soilborne fungal pathogen due to its wide host range and ability to survive in soil for long periods of time as sclerotia. Although host‐induced gene silencing (HIGS) was recently demonstrated to be an effective method for controlling white mold, limited gene targets are available. Here, using a forward genetics approach, we identified a RAS‐GTPase activating protein, SsGAP1, which plays essential roles in sclerotia formation, compound appressoria production and virulence. In parallel, as revealed by our knockout analysis, the SsGAP1 ortholog in Botrytis cinerea, BcGAP1, plays similar roles in fungal development and virulence. By knocking down SsRAS1 and SsRAS2, we also revealed that both SsRAS1 and SsRAS2 are required for vegetative growth, sclerotia development, compound appressoria production and virulence in S. sclerotiorum. Due to the major roles these RAS signalling components play in Sclerotiniaceae biology, they can be used as HIGS targets to control diseases caused by both S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea. Indeed, when we introduced HIGS constructs targeting SsGAP1, SsRAS1 and SsRAS2 in Nicotiana benthamiana and Arabidopsis thaliana, we observed reduced virulence. Taken together, our forward genetics gene discovery pipeline in S. sclerotiorum is highly effective in identifying novel HIGS targets to control S. sclerotiorum and B. cinerea.
The function of perceptual learning
Authors: Jenkin Zoe
Published: October 2023

Our perceptual systems are not stagnant but can learn from experience. Why is this so? That is, what is the function of perceptual learning? I consider two answers to this question: The Offloading View, which says that the function of perceptual learning is to offload tasks from cognition onto perception, thereby freeing up cognitive resources (Connolly, 2019) and the Perceptual View, which says that the function of perceptual learning is to improve the functioning of perception. I argue that the Perceptual View better explains data from infants and animals, and better accounts for learned tasks that only perception could perform.
Gastrointestinal thickness, duration, and leak pressure of five intestinal anastomosis techniques in cats
Authors: Sanders Jackson E. , Regier Penny J. , Waln Monica , Colee James
Published: October 2023

Objective

To compare time to construct completion and resistance to leakage for five intestinal anastomosis techniques in cats and to report normal feline gastrointestinal thickness.

Study design

Experimental study.

Sample population

Grossly normal intestinal segments (n = 120) from 10 fresh cat cadavers.

Methods

A total of 8 cm segments of fresh feline cadaveric intestine were collected, and mural thickness was recorded. Segments were randomly allocated between a control group (n = 20 segments) and five treatment groups (20 segments/group with 2 segments/construct = 10 constructs per group): (1) hand‐sewn anastomosis – simple interrupted (HSA‐SI), (2) hand‐sewn anastomosis – simple continuous (HSA‐SC), (3) functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis (FEESA), (4) functional end‐to‐end stapled anastomosis with oversew (FEESA‐O), (5) skin stapled anastomosis (SS). Time to construct completion, leakage location, initial leak pressure (ILP), and maximum intraluminal pressure (MIP) were compared.

Results

Mean mural thickness ± SD (mm) for the stomach, duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were 1.66 ± 0.28, 2.05 ± 0.18, 2.28 ± 0.30, and 2.11 ± 0.39, respectively. ILPs (mean ± SD) for HSA‐SI (165 ± 122 mmHg), HSA‐SC (149 ± 83), FEESA‐O (63 ± 25, FEESA (84 ± 59), SS (77 ± 56), and control segments (>500) were compared. There was no statistically significant difference in ILP (p > .08) or MIP (p > .084) between any treatment groups. Nonoversewn FEESAs were 2.4 times faster to perform compared to oversewn FEESA and SS groups, and 4.7 times faster than HSA (p < .001).

Conclusion

All anastomosis techniques provide resistance to leakage that is supraphysiological to that of the normal maximum intraluminal pressure. HSA take longer to complete than stapled anastomoses.

Clinical significance

All anastomotic techniques may be appropriate in cats. Hand‐sewn anastomoses result in a longer surgical time.
Ih current stabilizes excitability in rodent DRG neurons and reverses hyperexcitability in a nociceptive neuron model of inherited neuropathic pain
Authors: Vasylyev Dmytro V. , Liu Shujun , Waxman Stephen G.
Published: October 2023

We show here that hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih) unexpectedly acts to inhibit the activity of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons expressing WT Nav1.7, the largest inward current and primary driver of DRG neuronal firing, and hyperexcitable DRG neurons expressing a gain‐of‐function Nav1.7 mutation that causes inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a human genetic model of neuropathic pain. In this study we created a kinetic model of Ih and used it, in combination with dynamic‐clamp, to study Ih function in DRG neurons. We show, for the first time, that Ih increases rheobase and reduces the firing probability in small DRG neurons, and demonstrate that the amplitude of subthreshold oscillations is reduced by Ih. Our results show that Ih, due to slow gating, is not deactivated during action potentials (APs) and has a striking damping action, which reverses from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing, close to the threshold for AP generation. Moreover, we show that Ih reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a gain‐of‐function Nav1.7 mutation that causes IEM. In the aggregate, our results show that Ih unexpectedly has strikingly different effects in DRG neurons as compared to previously‐ and well‐studied cardiac cells. Within DRG neurons where Nav1.7 is present, Ih reduces depolarizing sodium current inflow due to enhancement of Nav1.7 channel fast inactivation and creates additional damping action by reversal of Ih direction from depolarizing to hyperpolarizing close to the threshold for AP generation. These actions of Ih limit the firing of DRG neurons expressing WT Nav1.7 and reverse the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a gain‐of‐function Nav1.7 mutation that causes IEM.

image

Key points

Hyperpolarization‐activated cyclic nucleotide‐gated (HCN) channels, the molecular determinants of hyperpolarization‐activated current (Ih) have been characterized as a ‘pain pacemaker’, and thus considered to be a potential molecular target for pain therapeutics.

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons express Nav1.7, a channel that is not present in central neurons or cardiac tissue. Gain‐of‐function mutations (GOF) of Nav1.7 identified in inherited erythromelalgia (IEM), a human genetic model of neuropathic pain, produce DRG neuron hyperexcitability, which in turn produces severe pain.

We found that Ih increases rheobase and reduces firing probability in small DRG neurons expressing WT Nav1.7, and demonstrate that the amplitude of subthreshold oscillations is reduced by Ih.

We also demonstrate that Ih reverses the hyperexcitability of DRG neurons expressing a GOF Nav1.7 mutation (L858H) that causes IEM.

Our results show that, in contrast to cardiac cells and CNS neurons, Ih acts to stabilize DRG neuron excitability and prevents excessive firing.
Analysis on Effects of Material Parameters on Thermoelastic Instability of Separate Plate in Wet Clutch
Authors: Li Jiaxue , Jin Wenrui , Zhang Zhigang , Lv Xiaoxiao , Zhang Tao
Published: October 2023

The working characteristics of wet clutches have an important impact on the safety performance of vehicles. In order to obtain the thermoelastic instability characteristics of wet clutch separate plate, a finite element modeling method is proposed. The temperature field calculation model of separate plate and its thermo-hydro-mechanical coupling relationship are constructed. The distribution law of high-temperature hot spots on the surface of separate plate is obtained and the thermoelastic instability mechanism is revealed. Effectiveness of the simulation model is verified by road test, and surface topography of separate plate is observed by scanning electron microscope. A thermoelastic instability calculation model considering different material parameters is established. The temperature field distribution law is reviewed under different elastic moduli, specific heat capacities, thermal conductivities, and thermal expansion coefficients. Results show that increasing the specific heat capacity and thermal conductivity of the separate plate, decreasing the elastic modulus and thermal expansion coefficient can improve the stability of the system. The thermal conductivity and thermal expansion coefficient have important effects on the thermoelastic instability. The specific heat capacity has a certain effect, and the elastic modulus’ effect is the least. The research results of this paper can provide theoretical support for optimizing the structure of wet clutch and improving the stability of the system.
Near-Critical CO2-Assisted Liquefaction-Extraction of Biomass and Wastes to Fuels and Value-Added Products
Authors: Burra Kiran Raj Goud , Sahin Murat , Zheng Ying , Gupta Ashwani K.
Published: October 2023

With the growing need for sustainable carbon-neutral liquid fuels, low-grade feedstocks, such as lignocellulosic biomass, and municipal solid wastes offer sufficient potential via thermochemical conversion. But the existing thermochemical means are limited in feed flexibility and scalability and require significant processing (energy and costs) of the intermediates. Bio-oil/biocrude intermediate from fast pyrolysis and hydrothermal techniques is impeded by issues of stability and oxygen content, along with hydrotreating viability. To address these issues, we investigated a novel pathway of near-critical CO2-assisted integrated liquefaction-extraction (NILE) technology in conceptual aspects for conversion of various biomass and municipal solid wastes into high-quality biocrude with high compatibility for co-hydrotreating with traditional fossil crude for liquid fuel needs in power and transportation sectors. Using supercritical CO2 for dewatering wet feedstocks, for liquefaction, and extraction for lighter biocrude has produced biocrude with lower oxygen content by 50%, lowered metal content by 90%, stable viscosity, low acidity, and good aging stability compared to that produced from hydrothermal liquefaction along with higher hydrotreating and co-hydrotreating compatibility. Hydrotreating of the biocrude extract from supercritical CO2 extraction also was feasible with no detected coke deposition, an oxygen content of 1%, and catalyst deactivation. The validation and capabilities of the NILE concept urge for its further development to obtain sustainable liquid fuels with lower greenhouse gas emissions and costs.
Complete genome sequences of eight
Auritidibacter ignavus
strains isolated from ear infections in Germany
Authors: Bähr Tobias , Baumhögger Ariane , Geis Gabriele , Gatermann Sören
Published: October 2023

Here, we present the complete genome sequences of eight
Auritidibacter ignavus
strains isolated from clinical samples of patients with ear infections in Bochum, Germany. The sequence information will give assistance to greater knowledge about the virulence potential of this unfamiliar putative pathogen.
Supplemental Material: Clumped isotope evidence for microbial alteration of thermogenic methane in terrestrial mud volcanoes
Authors: Liu Jiarui , al. et
Published: October 2023

Geological background, supplemental methods, and Figures S1–S4. 
Thermal quantum correlations in a three-qubit spin chain under an in-homogeneous magnetic field
Authors: Alipour Matin , Sufiani Rahime
Published: October 2023

The thermal quantum correlations of a three-qubit spin chain of XY type under an in-homogeneous magnetic field have been investigated, where by considering magnetic fields with different magnitudes [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text] for each spin, the quantum correlations between the adjacent and the non-adjacent qubits (spins) have been studied. For this purpose, the concurrence as an entanglement quantifier and the trace distance discord as a discord-like quantifier have been computed for the corresponding bipartite subsystems with the reduced density matrices [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. The differences between the concurrence and the trace distance discord, are explained in detail. Their dependence on the parameters of the uniform magnetic field [Formula: see text], the temperature [Formula: see text], and the in-homogeneity parameter [Formula: see text] is discussed so that the thermal correlation decreases by increasing the mentioned parameters. Also, the results show that by changing and controlling the parameters [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text], especially the in-homogeneous magnetic field [Formula: see text], it is possible that the correlation value between non-adjacent spins, i.e. [Formula: see text] can be reached to a greater value than the thermal correlations between adjacent spins, i.e. [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Moreover, it is shown that the trace distance [Formula: see text] between the non-adjacent spins has always a lower value than those of the adjacent spins [Formula: see text] and [Formula: see text]. Finally, the results show that in-homogeneous magnetic field b can be effective for improving thermal quantum correlation.