bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Epitaxies of Ca sulfates on calcite (CaCO3). III. {010}, {001}, {100} and {011} growth forms of anhydrite (CaSO4) deposited on the {10.4} rhombohedron of calcite
Authors: Aquilano Dino , Bruno Marco , Ghignone Stefano , Pastero Linda , Cotellucci Andrea
Published: January 2023

Anhydrite (CaSO4) and calcite (CaCO3) are two of the main mineral structures on which there is no longer any discussion today. The problem is different when it comes to analyzing the crystal chemical relationships between them and, in particular, the crystallography arising at the epitaxial interfaces between Ca sulfates (deposits) and the peculiar {10.4} form of cleaved calcite (substrate). Recently, Ca sulfates replacing calcite have acquired great importance in addressing the epitaxy challenge. The crystallographic epi-interactions between CaSO4·2H2O gypsum and CaSO4·0.5H2O bassanite and the {10.4} form of calcite have already been analyzed in detail by this research group [Aquilano et al. (2022). CrystEngComm, 24, 5120–5127; Aquilano et al. (2022). J. Appl. Cryst.
55, 1289–1296] (parts I and II, respectively). This work is intended to complete the research, presenting the re-evaluation (part III) of anhydrite (CaSO4) epitaxially matching on the {10.4} rhombohedron of calcite.
Support towards emergency event processing via fine-grained analysis on users' expressions
Authors: Zhou Qingqing
Published: January 2023

Purpose

With the rapid development of social media, the occurrence and evolution of emergency events are often accompanied by massive users' expressions. The fine-grained analysis on users' expressions can provide accurate and reliable information for event processing. Hence, 2,003,814 expressions on a major malignant emergency event were mined from multiple dimensions in this paper.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper conducted finer-grained analysis on users' online expressions in an emergency event. Specifically, the authors firstly selected a major emergency event as the research object and collected the event-related user expressions that lasted nearly two years to describe the dynamic evolution trend of the event. Then, users' expression preferences were identified by detecting anomic expressions, classifying sentiment tendencies and extracting topics in expressions. Finally, the authors measured the explicit and implicit impacts of different expression preferences and obtained relations between the differential expression preferences.

Findings

Experimental results showed that users have both short- and long-term attention to emergency events. Their enthusiasm for discussing the event will be quickly dispelled and easily aroused. Meanwhile, most users prefer to make rational and normative expressions of events, and the expression topics are diversified. In addition, compared with anomic negative expressions, anomic expressions in positive sentiments are more common. In conclusion, the integration of multi-dimensional analysis results of users' expression preferences (including discussion heat, preference impacts and preference relations) is an effective means to support emergency event processing.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors' knowledge, it is the first research to conduct in-depth and fine-grained analysis of user expression in emergencies, so as to get in-detail and multi-dimensional characteristics of users' online expressions for supporting event processing.
The real estate market in Ghana: the nexus between price and income levels
Authors: Gyadu-Asiedu William , Anewuoh Firmin , Appiadu-Boakye Kennedy
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aimed to identify the link between the income levels of government workers and the prices of real estate houses in Ghana to identify the prevailing mortgage gaps and to stimulate both reactive and proactive government policies backed by continuous stakeholder engagements under the new normal.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative approach was used for this study. Two data collection methods were used to achieve the objectives of the study: the survey method, using a questionnaire to collect the primary data, and the use of documentary information as the source of secondary data. For the primary data, prices of two-bedroom and three-bedroom houses were collected. The secondary data collected were: (1) salary levels of government employees and (2) mortgage values prevailing. The three data sets were analysed and structured to identify the relationship between income levels and the prices of real estate houses within the prevailing mortgage system.

Findings

It will require a quadrupling of the salaries of only the highest income earners of government employees to afford the average price of a basic two-bedroom and three-bedroom housing in Ghana. Largely, government employees cannot afford these houses with the current price levels and the mortgage systems available. The real estate market in Ghana has not focused on lower-earning groups. The effects of the new normal resulting from the effects of Covid-19 require a paradigm change.

Originality/value

The paper established the relationship between salary levels of government employees and the process of basic accommodation types on offer in the Ghanaian market by the real estate industry: two- and three-bedroom houses. The findings will help real estate developers to consider their approach to housing designs and construction methods and the pricing to ensure that they meet the needs of the public sector workers who could form a large customer base.
Determinants of interest in eNaira and financial inclusion information in Nigeria: role of FinTech, cryptocurrency and central bank digital currency
Authors: Ozili Peterson K.
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The eNaira is the central bank digital currency of Nigeria. People who are interested in the eNaira and financial inclusion will seek information about eNaira and financial inclusion. Their interest in information about eNaira and financial inclusion will make it easier for them to adopt the eNaira and embrace other financial inclusion innovations such as FinTech and cryptocurrency. This paper investigates the determinants of interest in eNaira and financial inclusion information.

Design/methodology/approach

The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlation analysis and ordinary least squares (OLS) regression. The study also used the GMM and 2SLS regression methods for robustness.

Findings

Using interest over time data, the findings of this study reveal that interest in financial technology (FinTech) and eNaira information are significant positive determinants of interest in financial inclusion information. Also, interest in financial inclusion is a significant positive determinant of interest in eNaira information. Furthermore, interest in FinTech information has a positive and significant correlation with interest in financial inclusion information. There is also a significant positive correlation between interest in central bank digital currency information and interest in FinTech information. The implication of the findings is that interest in information about new financial innovations, such as FinTech and eNaira, can stimulate interest in information about financial inclusion.

Originality/value

The literature has not examined the determinants of interest in eNaira and financial inclusion information yet.
Weighted ensemble classifier for malicious link detection using natural language processing
Authors: A. Saleem Raja , Balasubaramanian Sundaravadivazhagan , Ganesan Pradeepa , Rajasekaran Justin , R. Karthikeyan
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The internet has completely merged into contemporary life. People are addicted to using internet services for everyday activities. Consequently, an abundance of information about people and organizations is available online, which encourages the proliferation of cybercrimes. Cybercriminals often use malicious links for large-scale cyberattacks, which are disseminated via email, SMS and social media. Recognizing malicious links online can be exceedingly challenging. The purpose of this paper is to present a strong security system that can detect malicious links in the cyberspace using natural language processing technique.

Design/methodology/approach

The researcher recommends a variety of approaches, including blacklisting and rules-based machine/deep learning, for automatically recognizing malicious links. But the approaches generally necessitate the generation of a set of features to generalize the detection process. Most of the features are generated by processing URLs and content of the web page, as well as some external features such as the ranking of the web page and domain name system information. This process of feature extraction and selection typically takes more time and demands a high level of expertise in the domain. Sometimes the generated features may not leverage the full potentials of the data set. In addition, the majority of the currently deployed systems make use of a single classifier for the classification of malicious links. However, prediction accuracy may vary widely depending on the data set and the classifier used.

Findings

To address the issue of generating feature sets, the proposed method uses natural language processing techniques (term frequency and inverse document frequency) that vectorize URLs. To build a robust system for the classification of malicious links, the proposed system implements weighted soft voting classifier, an ensemble classifier that combines predictions of base classifiers. The ability or skill of each classifier serves as the base for the weight that is assigned to it.

Originality/value

The proposed method performs better when the optimal weights are assigned. The performance of the proposed method was assessed by using two different data sets (D1 and D2) and compared performance against base machine learning classifiers and previous research results. The outcome accuracy shows that the proposed method is superior to the existing methods, offering 91.4% and 98.8% accuracy for data sets D1 and D2, respectively.
Structural color printing and evaluation based on 3D printing
Authors: He Jundong , Lv Xinguang
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to modify the FDM 3D printer to print with polystyrene (PS) microspheres as the printing material, thus enabling bottom-up structural color printing and evaluating structural color printing.

Design/methodology/approach

This study chose a range of different heated bed temperatures to determine a suitable temperature for accelerating the self-assembly of photonic crystals and printing structural colors on various substrates. In addition, this study enhanced the structural color by doping PS microspheres with different contents of Acid Black 210 dye and evaluated the color-enhanced structural color by eye and spectrophotometer under different light sources.

Findings

The results show that the modified 3D printer can be used for structural color printing, and 50°C is determined as the heated bed temperature. There are significant differences in structural colors when printing under different color backgrounds and material substrates, and corresponding suitable substrates should be selected according to the application. The doping of PS microspheres with varying contents of dye results in different color levels of structural color. As with pigment colors, the visual perception of structural color varies when viewed under different light sources.

Originality/value

This paper proposes to print structural colors low-costly, analyze structural colors under substrate and light source conditions, and expand the structural color gamut by enhancing structural colors, which has positive implications for further research on structural colors as printing colors.
Compressive response of selective laser-melted lattice structures with different strut sizes based on theoretical, numerical and experimental approaches
Authors: Huang Xina , Ding Shoubin , Lang Lihui , Gong Shuili
Published: January 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the effect of strut size on the compressive response for selective laser-melted lattice structure with a body-centered cubic (BCC) unit cell.

Design/methodology/approach

Theoretical analysis and numerical simulation were used to predict the compressive stiffness and strength of the lattice structures with different struts, and compression testing was conducted to validate the predicted results. The effect of strut size on actual porosity was determined with the dry weighting method. Scanning electron microscopy was used to observe the fracture morphologies.

Findings

The actual porosities in all the specimens turned out to be a little lower than the values expected from design. The maximum deviation appears at the strut size of 1.25 mm. The theoretical analysis reveals that the junctions of BCC unit cells are the most loaded points, and the maximum compression resistance load is proportional to the strut size. The stress–strain curves and collapse modes predicted by numerical simulation are in good agreement with the theoretical calculation and experimental results. The compression stress increases monotonously in strut size of 0.50–2.00 mm. The fracture morphologies reflect a transition from a mixed to ductile fracture mechanism. The lattice structure shows a stable plastic deformation without a destructive fracture for the strut size of 2.00 mm.

Originality/value

The findings of this study can provide theoretical and experimental support for the choice of strut size under different stress conditions. In addition, they are conductive to in-depth study of the compressive properties for lattice structures with different geometrical dimensions fabricated by selective laser melting.
National culture and firm-level carbon emissions: a global perspective
Authors: Rahman Sohanur , Kabir Md Nurul , Talukdar Kamrul Huda , Anwar Mumtaheena
Published: January 2023

Purpose

This study aims to examine the association between national culture and corporate carbon emissions. Specifically, the research explores how firm-level carbon emissions are associated with Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions: power distance, individualism/collectivism, masculinity/femininity and uncertainty avoidance.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines 36,945 firm-year observations across 39 countries and uses panel regressions to assess the association between firm-level carbon emissions and national culture. This research also uses instrumental variable regression to address the potential endogeneity issues. Alternative proxies for culture are used to test the sensitivity of the findings.

Findings

The findings of this study reveal that power distance and uncertainty avoidance are negatively while individualism and masculinity are positively associated with corporate carbon emissions. The results are robust to the instrumental regressions and alternative measures of culture.

Practical implications

For policymakers, this research highlights the importance of national culture in assessing the efficacy of potential emissions reduction policies, identifying the possible challenges posed by the cultural differences of the targeted groups and designing policy adjustments accordingly. The local culture in which the branches of multinational corporations operate should be considered when the management implements emissions reduction policies for the business units in diverse cultural settings.

Social implications

Aligning emissions reduction policies with regional cultural dimensions has the potential to enhance the effectiveness of corporate and national emissions reduction policies, which can contribute to mitigating global climate change adversities.

Originality/value

This study provides insights into firm-level carbon emissions and Hofstede’s four cultural dimensions in a global setting.
Cities under fire: Crisis communication on home front versus frontline cities' Facebook pages during operation ‘guardian of the walls’
Authors: Yavetz Gal , Bronstein Jenny
Published: January 2023

Social media has been widely adopted by local governments during emergencies and crises and its role as a communication platform has been discussed in various studies on natural hazards, pandemics and terror attacks. However, research in the field has not addressed how municipalities use social media to communicate valuable information during armed conflicts and military operations. The current study examined the ways five major cities in Israel used their Facebook pages to connect to their residents during operation ‘Guardian of the Walls' in 2021. We examined the social media usage and the strategies of these cities during the 12 days of the operation. The findings revealed significant differences between cities that are considered as home front versus frontline regions regarding content type and information dissemination strategies. Additionally, differences regarding content types in terms of sentiment and overall rates of engagement were also identified. These findings highlight the need to further investigate local municipalities' usage of social media during armed conflicts concerning the civil population.
Real‐time vessel navigation using indocyanine green fluorescence during robotic‐assisted gastrectomy for gastric cancer after coronary artery bypass grafting using the right gastroepiploic artery
Authors: Kamada Teppei , Ohdaira Hironori , Nakashima Keigo , Nishide Ryo , Nishie Ryosuke , Takahashi Junji , Ito Eisaku , Nakaseko Yuichi , Suzuki Norihiko , Yoshida Masahi , Sumi Makoto , Suzuki Yutaka
Published: January 2023

Injury to the right gastroepiploic artery (RGEA) graft during gastrectomy after coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) can cause critical coronary failure. A man in his 60s with advanced gastric cancer and a history of CABG was admitted to our hospital. His cardiac blood flow was dependent on RGEA, and a gastrectomy with RGEA preservation was necessary. Robot‐assisted distal gastrectomy with real‐time vessel navigation using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging and Da Vinci Firefly technology was planned. Intraperitoneal observation revealed severe adhesions around the graft. Two milliliters ICG (2.5 mg/mL) was injected intravenously, and RGEA was visualized. An RGEA‐preserving robot‐assisted distal gastrectomy was successfully performed. The operation time was 279 minutes, and the blood loss was 5 mL. The postoperative course was good and there were no complications.
Get in and get out: Remodeling of the cellular actin cytoskeleton upon HIV‐1 infection
Authors: Serrano Thomas , Frémont Stéphane , Echard Arnaud
Published: January 2023

The human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV‐1) is an intracellular pathogen whose replication cycle strictly depends on the host cell molecular machinery. HIV‐1 crosses twice the plasma membrane, to get in and to get out of the cell. Therefore, the first and the last line of intracellular component encountered by the virus is the cortical actin network. Here, we review the role of actin and actin‐related proteins in HIV‐1 entry, assembly, budding, and release. We first highlight the mechanisms controlling actin polymerization at the entry site that promote the clustering of HIV‐1 receptors, a crucial step for the virus to fuse with the plasma membrane. Then, we describe how actin is transiently depolymerized locally to allow the capsid to cross the actin cortex, before migrating towards the nucleus. Finally, we review the role of several actin‐binding proteins in actin remodeling events required for membrane deformation and curvature at the viral assembly site as well as for virus release. Strikingly, it appears that common actin‐regulating pathways are involved in viral entry and exit. However, while the role of actin remodeling during entry is well understood, this is not the case during exit. We discuss remaining challenges regarding the actin‐dependent mechanisms involved in HIV‐1 entry and exit, and how they could be overcome.
Liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 is associated with improved pancreatic insulin secretion in adults with overweight and obesity
Authors: Stark Romana , Feehan Jack , Mousa Aya , Andrews Zane B. , de Courten Barbora
Published: January 2023

Aims

To examine association of liver‐expressed antimicrobial peptide 2 (LEAP2), an endogenous ghrelin antagonist with anorexiant effects, to key cardiometabolic risk factors in people with overweight and obesity.

Methods

In this cross‐sectional study, we sought to identify associations between LEAP2 levels and cardiometabolic risk factors, including body composition (dual X‐ray absorptiometry), insulin and glucose metabolism (oral and intravenous glucose tolerance tests and hyperinsulinaemic‐euglycaemic clamps), plasma lipids and inflammation markers (ELISA and multiplex assays).

Results

In 65 participants with overweight or obesity (63.1% male, mean age 31.3 ± 8.5 years), LEAP2 levels were associated with total body fat, but not with body mass index or waist‐hip ratio in both univariable and age‐ and sex‐adjusted models (P < 0.05). Higher LEAP2 level was also positively associated with higher insulin secretion in univariable (P = 0.047) and multivariable models adjusted for age, sex and body fat (P = 0.03), but not with fasting glucose levels (P ≥ 0.05). Higher LEAP2 levels were associated insulin resistance (P = 0.07) after adjustment for age and sex, but the association disappeared after an additional adjustment for body fat (P = 0.2). There was an inverse association between LEAP2 levels and nuclear factor kappa‐B (NFκB) activity in the peripheral blood mononuclear cells in age‐, sex‐ and body fat‐adjusted models (P = 0.04). There were no associations with cardiovascular risk factors (lipids, blood pressure) or other inflammation markers.

Conclusions

These results provide important insights into the association between LEAP2 and cardiometabolic health in a high‐risk population of individuals with overweight and obesity. This is a first report of an association between LEAP2 and insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity and NFκB activity. LEAP2 may represent an important potential therapeutic target to promote insulin secretion in people with type 2 diabetes and obesity.
Self‐management interventions for children and young people with sickle cell disease: A systematic review
Authors: Poku Brenda A. , Atkin Karl Michael , Kirk Sue
Published: January 2023

Background

Increasing numbers of interventions are being developed to support self‐management for children and young people (CYP) with sickle cell disease (SCD), but no systematic review has systematically synthesized this evidence regarding their characteristics, effectiveness, acceptability and feasibility for all published intervention types.

Methods

The Joanna Briggs Institute guidelines for mixed‐method reviews were followed. A systematic search of eight databases and key journals was conducted from their inception to November 2021. Primary research of self‐management interventions targeting CYP with SCD aged 8–24 years and reporting any health/social outcome and acceptability data were included. Design‐specific standardized critical appraisal instruments were used. Two independent reviewers screened and appraised the articles. A third reviewer resolved disagreements.

Results

Of 1654 articles identified, 38 studies were included. Methodological quality was moderate. Most studies evaluated SCD education, psycho‐behavioural, psychosocial and skills training and/or social support interventions. They appear to demonstrate short‐term improvements in knowledge, social functioning and medical adherence outcomes. Interventions that were multifaceted in content, combined technological platforms and in‐person group‐based formats and involved peers, family and care providers were more acceptable and effective. The long‐term impact of interventions was limited, including CYP's involvement in the intervention development and implementation.

Conclusions

There is inconclusive evidence for any self‐management programme. Nonetheless, support from family, peers and care providers appears to be important for self‐management interventions' effectiveness and acceptability. Future research needs to prioritize CYP involvement in both intervention design and delivery, their wider social context and include CYP with SCD from non‐Black backgrounds.

Patient and Public Contribution

Three young people with SCD recruited acted as the review advisors. They were formally trained in the review process and involved in every aspect of the review: the design, conduct and interpretation of the findings. CYP involvement in the interventions' development and implementation was analysed as part of the review. This systematic review was conducted as part of a wider research project titled: Understanding fatigue experiences of CYP with SCD to guide the co‐development of a fatigue self‐management intervention. Two of the young advisors involved in the review were also involved in the development of the project funding application.
Insight into the antibacterial activity and mechanism of chitosan caffeic acid graft against Pseudomonas fluorescens
Authors: Lan Weiqing , Du Jintao , Sun Yuqing , Xie Jing
Published: January 2023

The antibacterial mechanism of chitosan‐grafted caffeic acid (CS‐g‐CA) against Pseudomonas fluorescens (P. fluorescens) was studied. The results indicated that the MIC of CS‐g‐CA to P. fluorescens was 1.25 mg/mL, and CS‐g‐CA in MIC could effectively inhibit the growth of bacteria. CS‐g‐CA can greatly destroy the cell membrane of P. fluorescens, enhancing its permeability and leading to the leakage of macromolecular proteins. The results of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation activities demonstrated that CS‐g‐CA could destroy the respiratory and metabolic system. According to scanning electron microscope (SEM), CS‐g‐CA can destroy the somatic cells of bacteria, resulting in the leakage of their contents and death by lysis. In addition, thallus movement was inhibited by CS‐g‐CA. Electrophoresis results showed that the DNA of P. fluorescens with CS‐g‐CA treatment was destroyed, which further led to the death of microorganisms. Eventually, the normal growth and reproduction of bacteria were also hindered. These findings suggested that CS‐g‐CA is a promising antimicrobial agent to control P. fluorescens in aquatic products.
Catheter ablation of atrial fibrillation with a multi‐electrode radiofrequency balloon; first and early two centre experience in Europe
Authors: Kanthasamy Vijayabharathy , Breitenstein Alexander , Schilling Richard , Hofer Daniel , Tiongco Benny , Ang Richard , Hunter Ross , Earley Mark , Ahsan Syed , Mangiafico Valentina , Honarbakhsh Shohreh , Ahluwalia Nikhil , Maclean Edd , Creta Antonio , Finlay Malcolm
Published: January 2023

Introduction

The Heliostar™ ablation system is a novel RF balloon ablation technology with an integrated three‐dimensional mapping system. Here, we describe our early experience and procedural outcomes using this technology for atrial fibrillation catheter ablation.

Methods

We sought to comprehensively assess the first 60 consecutive patients undergoing pulmonary vein isolation using the novel HELISOTAR™ RF balloon technology including procedural outcomes. A comparison of the workflow between two different anaesthetic modalities (conscious sedation [CS] vs. general anaesthesia [GA]) was made. Procedural data were collected prospectively from two high‐volume centers (Barts Heart Centre, UK and University Hospital of Zurich, Zurich). A standardized approach for catheter ablation was employed.

Results

A total of 35 patients had the procedure under CS and the remaining under GA. Mean procedural and fluoroscopy times were 84 ± 33 min and 1.1 min. The median duration of RF energy application was 7 (5–9.8) mins per patient. All veins were successfully isolated, and the median isolation time was 10 (7–15) seconds. Our cohort's rate of procedural complications was low, with no mortality within 30 days postprocedure.

Conclusion

Our early experience shows that catheter ablation using the Heliostar™ technology can be performed efficiently and safely; however, long‐term data is yet to be established. Low fluoroscopy requirements, short learning curves and use of this technology with CS is possible, including the use of an oesophageal temperature probe.
Lifestyle changes in atrial fibrillation management and intervention
Authors: Yang Lucy , Chung Mina K.
Published: January 2023

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is one of the most common arrhythmias in adults, and its continued rise in the United States is complicated by the increased incidence and prevalence of several AF risk factors, such as obesity, physical inactivity, hypertension, obstructive sleep apnea, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and alcohol, tobacco, or caffeine use. Lifestyle and risk factor modification has been proposed as an additional pillar of AF therapy, added to rhythm control, rate control, and anticoagulation, to reduce AF burden and risk. Although emerging evidence largely supports the integration of lifestyle and risk factor management in clinical practice, randomized clinical trials investigating the long‐term sustainability and reproducibility of these benefits remain sparse. The purpose of this review is to discuss potentially reversible risk factors on AF, share evidence for the impact on AF by modification of these risk factors, and then provide an overview of the effects of reversing or managing these risk factors on the success of various AF management strategies, such as antithrombotic, rate control, and rhythm control therapies.
The impact of the procedural parameters on the lesion characteristics associated with AF recurrence: Late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI) analysis
Authors: Takahara Hiroyuki , Kiuchi Kunihiko , Fukuzawa Koji , Takami Mitsuru , Izawa Yu , Nakamura Toshihiro , Nakasone Kazutaka , Sonoda Yusuke , Yamamoto Kyoko , Suzuki Yuya , Tani Ken‐ichi , Iwai Hidehiro , Nakanishi Yusuke , Shoda Mitsuhiko , Murakami Atsushi , Yonehara Shogo , Negi Noriyuki , Somiya Yuichiro , Hirata Ken‐ichi
Published: January 2023

Background

Lesion gaps assessed by late‐gadolinium enhancement magnetic resonance imaging (LGE‐MRI) are associated with the atrial fibrillation (AF) recurrence after pulmonary vein isolation. Animal studies have demonstrated that the catheter‐contact force (CF), stability, and orientation are strongly associated with lesion formation. However, the impact of those procedural factors on the lesion characteristics associated with AF recurrence has not been well discussed.

Methods

A total of 30 patients with paroxysmal AF who underwent catheter ablation were retrospectively enrolled. Radiofrequency (RF) applications were performed with 35 W for 30 s in a point‐by‐point fashion under esophageal temperature monitoring. The inter‐lesion distance was 4 mm. The lesions were visualized by LGE‐MRI 3 months postprocedure and assessed by the LGE volume (ml), gap number (GN), and average gap length (AGL [mm]). The gaps were defined as nonenhancement sites of >4 mm. The procedural factors including the catheter‐CF, stability, and orientation were calculated on the NavX system.

Results

Six (20%) of 30 patients had AF recurrences 12 months postablation. A univariate analysis demonstrated that the AGL was associated with AF recurrence (hazard ratio [HR]: 1.20, confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–1.42, p = .02). All AF recurrence were found in patients with an AGL of >7 mm. The catheter‐CF and stability were associated with an AGL of >7 mm, but not the orientation (CF—HR: 0.62, CI: 0.39–0.97, p = .038; stability—HR: 0.8, CI: 0.66–0.98, p = .027).

Conclusions

RF ablation with a low CF and poor catheter stability has a potential risk of creating large lesion gaps associated with AF recurrence.
Characterization and identification of atrial fibrillation drivers in patients with nonparoxysmal atrial fibrillation using simultaneous amplitude frequency electrogram transform
Authors: Lin Chin‐Yu , Chiang Chia‐Hsin , Te Abigail Louise D. , Lin Yenn‐Jiang , Lo Men‐Tzung , Lin Chen , Chang Shih‐Lin , Lo Li‐Wei , Hu Yu‐Feng , Chung Fa‐Po , Tuan Ta‐Chuan , Chao Tze‐Fan , Liao Jo‐Nan , Chen Shih‐Ann
Published: January 2023

Instruction

We hypothesized that real‐time simultaneous amplitude frequency electrogram transform (SAFE‐T) during sinus rhythm (SR) is able to identify and characterize the drivers of atrial fibrillation (AF) in nonparoxysmal (NP) AF.

Methods

Twenty‐one NPAF patients (85.71% males, mean age 52 years old) underwent substrate mapping during SR (SAFE‐T and voltage) and during AF (complex fractionated atrial electrograms [CFAE] and similarity index [SI]). After pulmonary veins isolation, extensive substrate ablation was performed with the endpoint of procedural termination or elimination of all SI sites (>63% similarities). Sites with procedural termination and non‐termination sites were tagged for postablation SR analysis using SAFE‐T.

Results

In 74 CFAE sites identified (average of 3 ± 2 sites per person), 28 (37.84%) were identified as termination sites demonstrating a high SI compared with the non‐termination sites (80.11 ± 9.57% vs. 45.96 ± 13.38%, p < .001) during AF. During SR, these termination sites have high SAFE‐T values and harbor a highly resonant, localized, repetitive high frequency components superimposed in the low frequency components compared with non‐termination sites (5.70 ± 3.04 vs. 1.49 ± 1.66 Hz·mV, p < .001). In the multivariate analysis, the termination sites have higher SAFE‐T and SI value (p < .001).

Conclusion

AF procedural termination sites harbored signal characteristics of repetitive, high frequency component of individualized electrogram during SR, which can be masked by the low frequency fractionated electrogram and are difficult to see from the bipolar electrogram. Thus, SAFE‐T mapping is feasible in identifying and characterizing sites of AF drivers.
Contesting Europe: Eurosceptic Dissent and Integration Polarization in the European Parliament
Authors: Börzel Tanja A. , Broniecki Philipp , Hartlapp Miriam , Obholzer Lukas
Published: January 2023

This article provides a comprehensive analysis of Eurosceptic contestation within the legislative arena of the European Parliament (EP) from 2009 to 2019. Under what conditions do Eurosceptics vote differently from their Europhile peers? The literatures on European integration, party competition and policy types lead us to expect variation in Eurosceptic contestation across policy areas. Drawing on roll‐call votes in the EP, we introduce two new measures of such contestation: Eurosceptic dissent, that is, the extent to which Eurosceptics diverge from the Europhile plurality, and integration polarization, that is, the extent to which Eurosceptics and Europhiles oppose each other as cohesive camps. Our two indicators show that Eurosceptic contestation is particularly pronounced when the EP votes on cultural, distributive and constituent issues. When voting on redistributive policies, in contrast, dissent and polarization are curbed by national and ideological diversity.
Standardised Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism
Authors: Manfredini Daniele , Ahlberg Jari , Aarab Ghizlane , Bender Steven , Bracci Alessandro , Cistulli Peter A. , Conti Paulo Cesar , De Leeuw Reny , Durham Justin , Emodi‐Perlman Alona , Ettlin Dominik , Gallo Luigi M. , Häggman‐Henrikson Birgitta , Hublin Christer , Kato Takafumi , Klasser Gary , Koutris Michail , Lavigne Gilles J. , Paesani Daniel , Peroz Ingrid , Svensson Peter , Wetselaar Peter , Lobbezoo Frank
Published: January 2023

Objective

This paper aims to present and describe the Standardised Tool for the Assessment of Bruxism (STAB), an instrument that was developed to provide a multidimensional evaluation of bruxism status, comorbid conditions, aetiology and consequences.

Methods

The rationale for creating the tool and the road map that led to the selection of items included in the STAB has been discussed in previous publications.

Results

The tool consists of two axes, specifically dedicated to the evaluation of bruxism status and consequences (Axis A) and of bruxism risk and etiological factors and comorbid conditions (Axis B). The tool includes 14 domains, accounting for a total of 66 items. Axis A includes the self‐reported information on bruxism status and possible consequences (subject‐based report) together with the clinical (examiner report) and instrumental (technology report) assessment. The Subject‐Based Assessment (SBA) includes domains on Sleep Bruxism (A1), Awake Bruxism (A2) and Patient's Complaints (A3), with information based on patients' self‐report. The Clinically Based Assessment (CBA) includes domains on Joints and Muscles (A4), Intra‐ and Extra‐Oral Tissues (A5) and Teeth and Restorations (A6), based on information collected by an examiner. The Instrumentally Based Assessment (IBA) includes domains on Sleep Bruxism (A7), Awake Bruxism (A8) and the use of Additional Instruments (A9), based on the information gathered with the use of technological devices. Axis B includes the self‐reported information (subject‐based report) on factors and conditions that may have an etiological or comorbid association with bruxism. It includes domains on Psychosocial Assessment (B1), Concurrent Sleep‐related Conditions Assessment (B2), Concurrent Non‐Sleep Conditions Assessment (B3), Prescribed Medications and Use of Substances Assessment (B4) and Additional Factors Assessment (B5). As a rule, whenever possible, existing instruments, either in full or partial form (i.e. specific subscales), are included. A user's guide for scoring the different items is also provided to ease administration.

Conclusions

The instrument is now ready for on‐field testing and further refinement. It can be anticipated that it will help in collecting data on bruxism in such a comprehensive way to have an impact on several clinical and research fields.
A personal journey through Oral medicine: The tale of hepatitis C virus and oral lichen planus
Authors: Carrozzo Marco
Published: January 2023

Around 30 years ago, the hepatitis C virus (HCV) was identified and soon it was shown that this virus, further to the liver, could affect a variety of organ systems. This article summarizes how an association between HCV and a relatively common oral disorder, oral lichen planus (OLP), was revealed. Through key publications, many of them published in Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine, it is shown the building of strong epidemiologic evidence supporting the association and how a plausible pathogenic link between HCV and OLP was discovered. As HCV infection is now potentially curable, modern direct antiviral agents can be used to effectively cure also OLP in HCV‐infected patients.
TitleIXExperiences of Pregnant and Parenting Youth in Chicago: A Qualitative Study*
Authors: Jain Keertana , Nikolajuk Katie , Tully Jamie , Britten Justine , DeClemente Tarrah K. , Johnson Amy K.
Published: January 2023

BACKGROUND

Under Title IX, pregnant and/or parenting students (PPY) are protected from discrimination and are required to receive equal access to education. This study examines the implementation of Title IX, investigating whether Title IX rights are upheld for pregnant and/or parenting students attending Chicago Public Schools (CPS) using qualitative research methods.

METHODS

Stakeholder interviews with pregnant and/or parenting students and staff members at CPS were conducted. Qualitative data were transcribed, and a codebook was developed of common key themes.

RESULTS

Results indicated Title IX is not implemented to its fullest extent or consistently throughout CPS. Pregnant and parenting students experienced a range of academic environments from supportive to hostile. Some students lacked accommodations and academic planning.

CONCLUSION

Study findings can inform policymakers in improving Title IX policy and guide schools on compliance with Title IX. Schools must aim to act beyond policy to meet the needs of pregnant and parenting students and ensure their future success.
Does modern broilers need less energy for better growth and intestinal development?
Authors: Ceylan Necmettin , Koca Sait , Golzar Adabi Shahram
Published: January 2023

The current study was carried out to evaluate the response of broiler chicks to dietary energy. In total 11,400 day‐old Ross‐308 chicks (95 males and 95 females per pen) were placed in the study for 42 days. Hatchlings were randomly distributed to 6 dietary treatments with 10 replicates. Aviagen metabolisable energy (ME) recommendation for Ross 308 was served as a positive control (PC) and other treatments were adjusted to 101.25, 98.75, 97.50, 96.25 and 95% of PC. Birds had free access to water and pellet feed. Body weight (BW), Feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass yield and jejunal morphometric analysis were determined per replicate. Feeding the birds with 1.25% higher ME than PC did not result in any improvement in BW, FCR, mortality and carcass parameters. Significant linear improvement was observed at starter period for BW and FCR with the reduction of dietary ME (p < 0.05). There was no significant impairment in final BW with the reduction of ME up to 5.0%. Whole period FCR reduced by 0.009, 0.022, 0.014, 0.037 points by lowering ME by 1.25, 2.5, 3.75 and 5%, respectively (linear, p < 0.05). Carcass yield, abdominal fat and pancreas weights were not significantly influenced (p > 0.05). However, significant improvement in villus height, surface area (quadratic and cubic, p < 0.05), and villus width (quadratic, p < 0.05) were observed with 2.5 and 3.75% reduction of dietary ME. Dietary treatments had no significant effect on liver haemorrhagic lesion score. The results of the current research suggest that the optimum level of dietary energy level of modern broilers may be lower than the one recommended by the primary breeders. Lowering dietary energy density up to 5% leads to 0.03 points reduction in FCR without any negative effect on BW.
Scotland, Atlantic slavery and the Scottish National Party: From colonised to coloniser in the political imagination
Authors: Mullen Stephen , Gibbs Ewan
Published: January 2023

Over the last three decades, a major shift has taken place in Scottish nationalist understandings of Scotland's colonial past. During the second half of the twentieth century, independence supporters viewed Scotland's relationship with England in colonial terms. Since the Scottish Parliament was established in 1999, nationalists have increasingly recognised Scots' role in Atlantic slavery. This paper explores this change within the Scottish National Party (SNP) using archival sources, published material and Scottish Parliamentary records. It demonstrates that a maturing historiography has drawn attention to Scotland's slavery past. History has become politically relevant in transatlantic deliberations over racial injustice, which have grown in intensity since the international Black Lives Matter protests in 2020. SNP ministers and parliamentarians have responded to this context by incorporating addressing Scotland's role in Atlantic slavery within a case for independence that is styled as progressive and contrasts with the more recalcitrant attitudes, which predominate at UK level.
The CIPK23 protein kinase represses SLAC1‐type anion channels in Arabidopsis guard cells and stimulates stomatal opening
Authors: Huang Shouguang , Maierhofer Tobias , Hashimoto Kenji , Xu Xiangyu , Karimi Sohail M. , Müller Heike , Geringer Michael A. , Wang Yi , Kudla Jörg , De Smet Ive , Hedrich Rainer , Geiger Dietmar , Roelfsema M. Rob G.
Published: January 2023

Guard cells control the opening of stomatal pores in the leaf surface, with the use of a network of protein kinases and phosphatases. Loss of function of the CBL‐interacting protein kinase 23 (CIPK23) was previously shown to decrease the stomatal conductance, but the molecular mechanisms underlying this response still need to be clarified.

CIPK23 was specifically expressed in Arabidopsis guard cells, using an estrogen‐inducible system. Stomatal movements were linked to changes in ion channel activity, determined with double‐barreled intracellular electrodes in guard cells and with the two‐electrode voltage clamp technique in Xenopus oocytes.

Expression of the phosphomimetic variant CIPK23T190D enhanced stomatal opening, while the natural CIPK23 and a kinase‐inactive CIPK23K60N variant did not affect stomatal movements. Overexpression of CIPK23T190D repressed the activity of S‐type anion channels, while their steady‐state activity was unchanged by CIPK23 and CIPK23K60N.

We suggest that CIPK23 enhances the stomatal conductance at favorable growth conditions, via the regulation of several ion transport proteins in guard cells. The inhibition of SLAC1‐type anion channels is an important facet of this response.
Natural rubber reduces herbivory and alters the microbiome below ground
Authors: Böttner Laura , Malacrinò Antonino , Schulze Gronover Christian , van Deenen Nicole , Müller Boje , Xu Shuqing , Gershenzon Jonathan , Prüfer Dirk , Huber Meret
Published: January 2023

Laticifers are hypothesized to mediate both plant–herbivore and plant–microbe interactions. However, there is little evidence for this dual function.

We investigated whether the major constituent of natural rubber, cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene, a phylogenetically widespread and economically important latex polymer, alters plant resistance and the root microbiome of the Russian dandelion (Taraxacum koksaghyz) under attack of a root herbivore, the larva of the May cockchafer (Melolontha melolontha).

Rubber‐depleted transgenic plants lost more shoot and root biomass upon herbivory than normal rubber content near‐isogenic lines. Melolontha melolontha preferred to feed on artificial diet supplemented with rubber‐depleted rather than normal rubber content latex. Likewise, adding purified cis‐1,4‐polyisoprene in ecologically relevant concentrations to diet deterred larval feeding and reduced larval weight gain. Metagenomics and metabarcoding revealed that abolishing biosynthesis of natural rubber alters the structure but not the diversity of the rhizosphere and root microbiota (ecto‐ and endophytes) and that these changes depended on M. melolontha damage. However, the assumption that rubber reduces microbial colonization or pathogen load is contradicted by four lines of evidence.

Taken together, our data demonstrate that natural rubber biosynthesis reduces herbivory and alters the plant microbiota, which highlights the role of plant‐specialized metabolites and secretory structures in shaping multitrophic interactions.