bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
The choice of cap-and-trade and carbon tax regulations in a cap-dependent carbon trading price setting
Authors: Xu Xiaoping , Yu Yugang , Dou Guowei , Ruan Xiaomei
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the operational decisions of a manufacturer who produces multiple products and the government's selection of cap-and-trade and carbon tax regulations.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper explores the production decisions of a multi-product manufacturer under cap-and-trade and carbon tax regulations in a cap-dependent carbon trading price setting and compares carbon emission, the manufacturer's profits and social welfare under the two regulations. Game theory and extreme value theory are used to analyze our models.

Findings

First, the authors find that the optimal profit of the manufacturer (the optimal cap) increases and then decreases with the cap (the unit carbon emission of product). Second, if the environmental damage coefficient is moderate, the optimal cap of unit environmental damage coefficient is independent of the product carbon emission or other related product parameters. Ultimately, cap-and-trade regulation always generates more carbon emission than carbon tax regulation. And cap-and-trade regulation (carbon tax regulation) can generate more social welfare if the environmental damage coefficient is low (high), and the social welfare under the two regulations is equal to each other, or otherwise.

Originality/value

This paper contributes the prior literature by considering the inverse relationship of the allocated cap and the carbon trading price and discusses the social welfare under cap-and-trade and carbon tax regulations. Some important and new results are found, which can guide the government's implementation of the two regulations.
When feminism meets social networks
Authors: Prebor Gila
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to examine how different feminist Facebook groups in Israel operate in order to better understand the main issues in their discussions about feminism in Israel. The study will also identify the variances between the different subgroups. A secondary research question examined was whether Voyant Tools can be used as an effective content text analysis tool in general and in Hebrew in particular.

Design/methodology/approach

The study's research method analyzes the content of Facebook posts using the Voyant Tools online toolkit to quantitatively analyze and visualize the results of text mining and data visualization. The sample consists of the texts of posts of three groups representing different currents in Israeli feminism, gathered over a period of three months.

Findings

The results show that there are high-frequency words occurring in all groups, each group has its unique words, which distinguish it from the other groups. Feminist and Halachic Feminist groups had few words in common, while the Religious Feminist groups had more words in common with both the Feminist and the Halachic Feminist groups and more so with the latter group. While all groups discussed the issue of violence against women, especially sexual violence, the degree of engagement varied greatly between the groups. In addition, there were clear differences in the prominent issues concerning the various groups. This paper demonstrates the possibility of using Voyant Tools for text mining and analysis.

Originality/value

This paper demonstrates the possibility of using Voyant Tools for text mining and analysis. Voyant Tools shed light on common concepts, their location and prevalence in the text.
Strategic capabilities for business model digitalization
Authors: Menchini Fernando , Russo Paschoal Tadeu , Slavov Tiago Nascimento Borges , Souza Rodrigo Paiva
Published: July 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand the association between the capacity to use enterprise architecture tools and the effectiveness of business model digitalization in companies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors used two research strategies – survey and focus group – to analyze the relationship between maturity in using enterprise architecture (EA) and digital maturity, under the perspective of sociomateriality.

Findings

The use of EA is not a strategic competence that contributes to building sustainable competitive advantage, in the process of business model digitalization. On the other hand, top management’s determination and clarity, expressed by its sponsorship to communicating the strategy, contribute to the integration, engagement and adaptability of those involved and are responsible for higher maturity in the digitalization of business models.

Research limitations/implications

The statistical treatment used does not allow understanding the causality between the variables.

Practical implications

It provides executives with important elements for clarifying and operationalizing digital business models.

Originality/value

The study operationalizes a theoretical and measurement model, through a strategy that used simultaneously a survey and a focus group, which allowed to know associations between technological capacities and maturity in digital business models.
Perivascular adipose tissue and microvascular endothelial dysfunction in obese mice: Beneficial effects of aerobic exercise in adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1) and peNOSSer1177
Authors: Sousa Andressa S. , Sponton Amanda C. S. , Delbin Maria A.
Published: July 2021

In the present study, we aim to investigate the effects of aerobic physical training on perivascular adipose tissue (PVAT)‐induced microvascular dysfunction of the femoral artery in obese mice. Microvascular reactivity was evaluated in control sedentary (c‐SD), obese sedentary (o‐SD) and obese trained (o‐TR) male mice (C57BL6/JUnib), in the absence (PVAT−) or the presence (PVAT+) of femoral artery PVAT. We also analyzed protein expression, vascular nitric oxide (NO) production and reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in PVAT. The blood glucose, triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were increased in the o‐SD group, when compared with the c‐SD group. The maximal responses and the potency to acetylcholine (ACh) were decreased in PVAT+ compared with PVAT− rings in the o‐SD group, accompanied by a decrease in vascular protein expression of peNOSSer1177, Cu/Zn‐SOD, leptin receptor (Ob‐R) and adiponectin receptor (AdipoR1). The protein expression of leptin increased and that of adiponectin decreased in PVAT. Additionally, vascular NO production was reduced and ROS generation was enhanced in PVAT in the o‐SD group. Aerobic exercise training was effective for normalizing ACh relaxation response, vascular NO production and ROS generation in the o‐TR group. It partially re‐established the vascular protein expression of peNOSSer1177 and the PVAT leptin; normalized the vascular Cu/Zn‐SOD and AdipoR1 protein expressions. In obese sedentary mice, the presence of PVAT is involved in the process of microvascular dysfunction of the femoral artery in a pathway associated with increased inflammation and ROS generation. The aerobic exercise training normalized the vascular response, the NO production and/or bioavailability and oxidative stress, with improved vascular expressions of Cu/Zn‐SOD, peNOSser1177, and AdipoR1.
Meta‐omic evaluation of bacterial microbial community structure and activity for the environmental assessment of soils: overcoming protein extraction pitfalls
Authors: Herruzo‐Ruiz Ana M. , Fuentes‐Almagro Carlos A. , Jiménez‐Pastor José M. , Pérez‐Rosa Víctor M. , Blasco Julián , Michán Carmen , Alhama José
Published: July 2021

Microorganisms play unique, essential and integral roles in the biosphere. This work aims to assess the utility of soil's metaomics for environmental diagnosis. Doñana National Park (DNP) was selected as a natural lab since it contains a strictly protected core that is surrounded by numerous threats of pollution. Culture‐independent high‐throughput molecular tools were used to evaluate the alterations of the global structure and metabolic activities of the microbiome. 16S rRNA sequencing shows lower bacterial abundance and diversity in areas historically exposed to contamination that surround DNP. For metaproteomics, an innovative post‐alkaline protein extraction protocol was developed. After NaOH treatment, successive washing with Tris–HCl buffer supplemented with glycerol was essential to eliminate interferences. Starting from soils with different physicochemical characteristics, the method renders proteins with a remarkable resolution on SDS‐PAGE gels. The proteins extracted were analysed by using an in‐house database constructed from the rRNA data. LC–MS/MS analysis identified 2182 non‐redundant proteins with 135 showing significant differences in relative abundance in the soils around DNP. Relevant global biological processes were altered in response to the environmental changes, such as protective and antioxidant mechanisms, translation, folding and homeostasis of proteins, membrane transport and aerobic respiratory metabolism.
SlicerMorph: An open and extensible platform to retrieve, visualize and analyse 3D morphology
Authors: Rolfe Sara , Pieper Steve , Porto Arthur , Diamond Kelly , Winchester Julie , Shan Shan , Kirveslahti Henry , Boyer Doug , Summers Adam , Maga A. Murat
Published: July 2021

Large‐scale digitization projects such as #ScanAllFishes and oVert are generating high‐resolution microCT scans of vertebrates by the thousands. Data from these projects are shared with the community using aggregate 3D specimen repositories like MorphoSource through various open licenses. We anticipate an explosion of quantitative research in organismal biology with the convergence of available data and the methodologies to analyse them.

Though the data are available, the road from a series of images to analysis is fraught with challenges for most biologists. It involves tedious tasks of data format conversions, preserving spatial scale of the data accurately, 3D visualization and segmentations, and acquiring measurements and annotations. When scientists use commercial software with proprietary formats, a roadblock for data exchange, collaboration and reproducibility is erected that hurts the efforts of the scientific community to broaden participation in research.

We developed SlicerMorph as an extension of 3D Slicer, a biomedical visualization and analysis ecosystem with extensive visualization and segmentation capabilities built on proven python‐scriptable open‐source libraries such as Visualization Toolkit and Insight Toolkit. In addition to the core functionalities of Slicer, SlicerMorph provides users with modules to conveniently retrieve open‐access 3D models or import users own 3D volumes, to annotate 3D curve and patch‐based landmarks, generate landmark templates, conduct geometric morphometric analyses of 3D organismal form using both landmark‐driven and landmark‐free approaches, and create 3D animations from their results. We highlight how these individual modules can be tied together to establish complete workflow(s) from image sequence to morphospace. Our software development efforts were supplemented with short courses and workshops that cover the fundamentals of 3D imaging and morphometric analyses as it applies to study of organismal form and shape in evolutionary biology.

Our goal is to establish a community of organismal biologists centred around Slicer and SlicerMorph to facilitate easy exchange of data and results and collaborations using 3D specimens. Our proposition to our colleagues is that using a common open platform supported by a large user and developer community ensures the longevity and sustainability of the tools beyond the initial development effort.
Monitoring intraocular proangiogenic and profibrotic cytokines within 7 days after adjunctive anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor therapy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy
Authors: Hu Zizhong , Cao Xin , Chen Lu , Su Yun , Ji Jiangdong , Yuan Songtao , Fransisca Silvia , Mugisha Aime , Zou Wenjun , Xie Ping , Liu Qinghuai
Published: July 2021

Purpose

To monitor the intraocular proangiogenic and profibrotic cytokine profiles within 7 days after intravitreous injection of conbercept (IVC) for patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR).

Methods

This prospective, randomized controlled, consecutive, comparative study included 157 eyes with PDR. Participant eyes underwent sham IVC or IVC and subsequent vitrectomy at days 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 postinjection. The intraocular cytokines profiles were measured using beaded assay methods.

Results

After IVC, the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)‐A level in PDR vitreous decreased rapidly by approximately 10 times at day 2 (p = 0.00001) and kept at a low level at days 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 (p < 0.001, each compared with IVC‐sham group). Similar tendency of the change in VEGF‐A was observed in aqueous humour. The level of placenta growth factor (PIGF) in aqueous humour decreased 2 days after IVC whereas returned to baseline level after 5 days. The vitreous profibrotic cytokines, tissue growth factor (TGF)‐β1, TGF‐β2, TGF‐β3 and connective tissue growth factor did not increase after IVC in each group.

Conclusion

We observed a remarkable and rapid decrease in intraocular VEGF‐A, temporal decrease in PIGF from day 2 to day 4, increase in VEGF‐C and VEGF‐D from day 2 onwards, but no profibrotic switch in PDR eyes after IVC. The findings might suggest that ideal vitrectomy timing might be around 3 days after IVC.
The relationship between species and spectral diversity in grassland communities is mediated by their vertical complexity
Authors: Conti Luisa , Malavasi Marco , Galland Thomas , Komárek Jan , Lagner Ondřej , Carmona Carlos P. , de Bello Francesco , Rocchini Duccio , Šímová Petra
Published: July 2021

Aims

The link between spectral diversity and in‐situ plant biodiversity is one promising approach to using remote sensing for biodiversity assessment. Nevertheless, there is little evidence as to whether this link is maintained at fine scales, as well as to how it is influenced by vegetation's vertical complexity. Here we test, at the community level in grasslands, the link between diversity of the spectral signal (SDiv) and taxonomic diversity (TDiv), and the influence of vertical complexity.

Methods

We used 196 1.5 m × 1.5 m experimental communities with different biodiversity levels. To measure vertical complexity, we quantified height diversity (HDiv) of the most abundant species in the community. TDiv was calculated using the Shannon index based on species cover. Canopy spectral information was gathered using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) mounted with a multi‐spectral sensor providing spectral information via six 10‐nm bands covering the visible and near‐infrared region at a spatial resolution of 3 cm. We measured SDiv in a core area of 1 m ×1 m within the communities as mean Euclidean distance of all pixels in a feature space spanned between the two first components of a PCA calculated for the complete raster stack. We modelled SDiv through mixed‐effect linear models, using TDiv, HDiv, and their interaction as fixed‐effect predictors.

Results

Contrary to our expectations, TDiv was negatively linked to SDiv. The diversity in plant height was positively related to SDiv. More importantly, diversity in plant height and TDiv had a significant negative interaction, meaning the more complex the vegetation was in terms of height, the more the SDiv–TDiv relationship became negative.

Conclusions

Our results suggest that in order to exploit the SDiv–TDiv link for monitoring purposes, it needs to be contextualized. Moreover, the results highlight that communities’ functional characteristics (i.e. plant height) mediate such a link, calling for new insights into the relation between SDiv and functional diversity.
The entertainment value of conspiracy theories
Authors: van Prooijen Jan‐Willem , Ligthart Joline , Rosema Sabine , Xu Yang
Published: July 2021

Many citizens around the globe believe conspiracy theories. Why are conspiracy theories so appealing? Here, we propose that conspiracy theories elicit intense emotions independent of emotional valence. People therefore find conspiracy theories entertaining – that is, narratives that people perceive as interesting, exciting, and attention‐grabbing – and such entertainment appraisals are positively associated with belief in them. Five studies supported these ideas. Participants were exposed to either a conspiratorial or a non‐conspiratorial text about the Notre Dame fire (Study 1) or the death of Jeffrey Epstein (preregistered Study 2). The conspiratorial text elicited stronger entertainment appraisals and intense emotions (independent of emotional valence) than the non‐conspiratorial text; moreover, entertainment appraisals mediated the effects of the manipulation on conspiracy beliefs. Study 3 indicated that participants endorsed stronger conspiracy beliefs when an election event was described in an entertaining rather than a boring manner. Subsequent findings revealed that both organisational (Study 4) and societal conspiracy beliefs (Study 5) are positively associated with sensation seeking – a trait characterised by a preference for exciting and intense experiences. We conclude that one reason why people believe conspiracy theories is because they find them entertaining.
Innovating the innovated: Business model innovation process in sharing economy companies
Authors: Grieco Cecilia
Published: July 2021

Business model innovation (BMI) allows firms to rethink the mechanisms of value creation and proposition and capture in order to adapt to the ever‐changing environment and increase competitive advantage. Despite already innovative compared to the incumbents, sharing economy platforms also feel the need to continuously innovate their business model (BM) to ensure their survival. However, these platforms are often studied under a static perspective, focusing on the outcome of the innovation rather than on the process underlying it. The purpose of the paper is to unveil the process of BMI in the already innovative BM of sharing economy platforms, focusing on the different degrees this innovation can take place. In so doing, a mixed‐methods was applied, clustering a sample of 72 sharing platforms, and completing the results with a qualitative analysis on a subsample of those. What this research demonstrates is that sharing economy platforms do feel the need to innovate their BM just as strongly as incumbents, giving rise to an innovation‐in‐the‐innovation that fills the gap between the process‐ and the outcome‐oriented interpretations of BMI. The four identified clusters shed light on the different forms of BMI that happen in sharing economy platforms.
Parsimony analysis of phylogenomic datasets (I): scripts and guidelines for using TNT (Tree Analysis using New Technology)
Authors: Torres Ambrosio , Goloboff Pablo A. , Catalano Santiago A.
Published: July 2021

We discuss here the use of TNT (Tree Analysis using New Technology) for phylogenomic analysis. For such data, parsimony is a useful alternative to model‐based analyses, which frequently utilize models that make unrealistic assumptions (e.g. low heterotachy), struggle with high levels of missing data, etc. Parsimony and model‐based methods often yield trees with few topological differences, which can then be analyzed further in order to investigate whether these few topological differences are due to undesirable analysis artefacts. This is facilitated by the greater speed and computational efficiency of parsimony, which allow for a more in‐depth analysis of datasets. We here briefly describe the computationally most efficient and versatile parsimony software, TNT, which can be used for phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses. In particular, we describe and provide a series of scripts that are specifically designed for the analysis of phylogenomic datasets. This includes scripts for concatenation of gene data files in different formats, generation of plots and datasets with different levels of gene/taxon occupancy, calculation of different support measures and phylogenetic reconstruction based on concatenated matrices and single genes. The execution of the scripts is also demonstrated with video clips (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpIgK8sVH‐yK0Bo3fK62IxA). Lastly, we describe the main commands and functions that enable efficient phylogenomic analyses in TNT.
Diversity, host specificity and biogeography in the Cladocorynidae (Hydrozoa, Capitata), with description of a new genus
Authors: Maggioni Davide , Garese Agustín , Huang Danwei , Hoeksema Bert W. , Arrigoni Roberto , Seveso Davide , Galli Paolo , Berumen Michael L. , Montalbetti Enrico , Pica Daniela , Torsani Fabrizio , Montano Simone
Published: July 2021

The hydrozoan family Cladocorynidae inhabits tropical to temperate waters and comprises the two genera Pteroclava and Cladocoryne. Pteroclava lives in association with some octocorals and hydrozoans, whereas Cladocoryne is more generalist in terms of substrate choice. This work provides a thorough morpho‐molecular reassessment of the Cladocorynidae by presenting the first well‐supported phylogeny of the family based on the analyses of three mitochondrial and four nuclear markers. Notably, the two nominal genera were confirmed to be monophyletic and both morphological and genetic data led to the formal description of a new genus exclusively associated with octocorals, Pseudozanclea gen. nov. Maggioni & Montano. Accordingly, the diagnosis of the family was updated. The ancestral state reconstruction of selected characters revealed that the symbiosis with octocorals likely appeared in the most recent common ancestor of Pteroclava and Pseudozanclea. Additionally, the presence of euryteles aggregation in the polyp stage and the exumbrellar nematocyst pouches with euryteles represent synapomorphies of all cladocorynid taxa and probably emerged in their most recent common ancestor. The analysis of several Pteroclava krempfi colonies from Indo‐Pacific and Caribbean localities associated with several host octocorals revealed a high intra‐specific genetic variability. Single‐ and multi‐locus species delimitations resulted in three to five species hypotheses, but the statistical analysis of morphometric data showed only limited distinction among the clades of P. krempfi. However, P. krempfi clades showed differences in both host specificity, mostly at the octocoral family level, and geographic distribution, with one clade found exclusively in the Caribbean Sea and the others found in the Indo‐Pacific.
Occupational contact dermatitis in painters and varnishers: Data from the Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK), 2000 to 2019
Authors: Schubert Steffen , Bauer Andrea , Hillen Uwe , Werfel Thomas , Geier Johannes , Brans Richard ,   for the IVDK
Published: July 2021

Introduction

Painters and varnishers (“painters”) are exposed to various contact allergens and skin irritants, and therefore, are at risk for developing occupational dermatitis (OD).

Objective

To describe the spectrum of occupational sensitizations in painters and revise the corresponding current patch test recommendations.

Patients and Methods

Retrospective analysis of Information Network of Departments of Dermatology (IVDK) data from 2000 to 2019 with focus on male painters with OD, ages 20‐59 years (n = 557) in comparison to age‐matched male painters without OD (n = 422) and male OD patients who have had never worked as painters (n = 13 862).

Results

Male painters with OD have a significantly higher rate of allergic contact dermatitis and face dermatitis than male patients with OD who work in other professions. Positive patch tests to epoxy resin, methylisothiazolinone (MI), and methylchloroisothiazolinone (MCI)/MI were significantly more frequent in painters with OD than in the other groups. Epoxy resin sensitization was significantly associated with face dermatitis.

Conclusions

Epoxy resin, MI, and MCI/MI represent the most important occupational sensitizers in painters. In addition to baseline, resins and glues, and industrial biocides series, the patients' own workplace materials should be tested in painters with suspected OD.
Potential of C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand 1/8/10/12 as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Li Zhenhua , Jiang Jie , Gao Shan
Published: July 2021

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the clinical role of C‐X‐C motif chemokine ligand (CXCL) family members in idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension (IPAH) patients.

Methods

CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL10 and CXCL12 expressions in the serum samples of IPAH patients (N = 39) and age‐/gender‐matched controls (N = 40) were detected by enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In IPAH patients, clinical features were collected, and survival information was documented.

Results

CXCL1 (P < 0.001), CXCL8 (P = 0.001), CXCL10 (P < 0.001) and CXCL12 (P < 0.001) were increased in IPAH patients compared with controls, and receiver's operating characteristic curves showed that their combination was highly correlated with IPAH risk (area under curve: 0.881, 95% confidence interval: 0.805–0.958). Meanwhile, CXCL1 was positively correlated with mean pulmonary artery pressure (mPAP) (P = 0.029) and high‐sensitive C‐reactive protein (HsCRP) (P = 0.015); CXCL8 was positively correlated with mPAP (P = 0.044) and HsCRP (P = 0.018) but negatively correlated with 6‐minute walk test (6MWT) distance (P = 0.029); CXCL10 was positively correlated with mean right artery pressure (P = 0.002); and CXCL12 was positively correlated with World Health Organization functional class (P = 0.047), mPAP (P = 0.009), pulmonary vascular resistance (P = 0.004) and HsCRP (P = 0.003) but negatively correlated with 6MWT distance (P = 0.003) in IPAH patients. Moreover, CXCL12 was negatively correlated with overall survival (OS) (P = 0.025), whereas CXCL1, CXCL8 and CXCL10 only showed minor tendencies to be negatively correlated with OS in IPAH patients without statistical significance (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

CXCL1, CXCL8, CXCL10 and CXCL12 associate with increased IPAH risk, unfavourable clinical features; besides, CXCL12 correlates with worse OS in IPAH patients.
Pulmonary telerehabilitation and efficacy among discharged COVID‐19 patients: Rational and design of a prospective real‐world study
Authors: Lei Jieping , Yang Lulu , Wen Geyi , Qumu Shiwei , Ren Xiaoxia , Yang Ting
Published: July 2021

Introduction

The novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) could cause physical and psychological dysfunction in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) infected patients. Pulmonary telerehabilitation is strongly recommended due to the contagious nature of the disease, but its efficacy and benefit need to be comprehensively evaluated.

Methods

An 8‐week pulmonary telerehabilitation programme is designed in a real‐world and prospective manner, aiming to assess the efficacy of remote rehabilitation among discharged patients with COVID‐19 from three designated hospitals in the epicenter of China (Wuhan City). The telerehabilitation programme includes physicians and physiotherapists remotely guided training (online) for 2 weeks, and patient self‐managed rehabilitation (offline) for 6 weeks with assistance of information technology and digital device. The main rehabilitation intervention includes breathing exercise, respiratory muscle training, aerobic exercise, and resistance training. The primary outcome is 6‐min walk distance, and secondly pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, physical activity, symptom, psychological status and quality of life, etc. will also be assessed. Patients will be followed up periodically at week two, four, eight after enrolment and at month one, three, six and 12 after the rehabilitation accomplished, respectively. Current study has been approved by the ethics committee of China‐Japan Friendship Hospital and three participating centers in Wuhan City.

Discussion

We anticipate that the health status of discharged patients with COVID‐19 could be improved through this systemic pulmonary telerehabilitation programme. The interdisciplinary remote mode of rehabilitation could be an optimal way in management of emerging respiratory tract infectious disease.

Trial registration

ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04368793.
Divergent responses of primary production to increasing precipitation variability in global drylands
Authors: Hou Enqing , Litvak Marcy E. , Rudgers Jennifer A. , Jiang Lifen , Collins Scott L. , Pockman William T. , Hui Dafeng , Niu Shuli , Luo Yiqi
Published: July 2021

Interannual variability in precipitation has increased globally as climate warming intensifies. The increased variability impacts both terrestrial plant production and carbon (C) sequestration. However, mechanisms driving these changes are largely unknown. Here, we examined mechanisms underlying the response of aboveground net primary production (ANPP) to interannual precipitation variability in global drylands with mean annual precipitation (MAP) <500 mm year−1, using a combined approach of data synthesis and process‐based modeling. We found a hump‐shaped response of ANPP to precipitation variability along the MAP gradient. The response was positive when MAP < ~300 mm year−1 and negative when MAP was higher than this threshold, with a positive peak at 140 mm year−1. Transpiration and subsoil water content mirrored the response of ANPP to precipitation variability; evaporation responded negatively and water loss through runoff and drainage responded positively to precipitation variability. Mean annual temperature, soil type, and plant physiological traits all altered the magnitude but not the pattern of the response of ANPP to precipitation variability along the MAP gradient. By extrapolating to global drylands (<500 mm year−1 MAP), we estimated that ANPP would increase by 15.2 ± 6.0 Tg C year−1 in arid and hyper‐arid lands and decrease by 2.1 ± 0.5 Tg C year−1 in dry sub‐humid lands under future changes in interannual precipitation variability. Thus, increases in precipitation variability will enhance primary production in many drylands in the future.
Research Trends on Clinical Helicobacter pylori Eradication: A Bibliometric Analysis from 1983 to 2020
Authors: Ouyang Yaobin , Zhu Zhihao , Huang Li , Zeng Chuanfei , Zhang Lin , Wu William KK , Lu Nonghua , Xie Chuan
Published: July 2021

Background

Numerous studies related to Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) eradication have been published since the discovery of H. pylori. This study aimed to use a quantitative method to assess the development of this field.

Materials and Methods

We performed a search of related articles from Web of Science published in 1983–2020 using a combination of the search terms “H. pylori” and “eradication”. Eligible studies were included after a two‐stage screening process, and the following data were extracted: title, author, institution, country, study type, sample size, eradication regimen, publication year, number of citations, journal, and H‐index.

Results

A total of 1402 studies were finally identified. The results showed that the period from 1994–2003 was the most influential period in this field. Italy and the USA were dominant countries in this field, while China’s publication number increased sharply in the last ten years. Baylor College of Medicine was the most influential institution. Alimentary Pharmacology Therapeutics was the most productive journal. The effects of H. pylori eradication on peptic ulcers and gastric cancer and H. pylori eradication therapy were the most cited topics in this field. After the publish of Maastricht/Florence Ⅳ guideline, the research of quadruple therapy was more than triple therapy. Bismuth‐containing quadruple therapy became the most focused regimen after Maastricht/Florence Ⅴ guideline.

Conclusions

In this study, we summarized the characteristics of the publications; identified the most influential countries, institutions, journals; identified the popular research topics and eradication regimen of clinical H. pylori eradication.
The benefits of tenofovir discontinuation with or without bisphosphonate therapy in osteoporotic people living with HIV
Authors: Lei Jonathan Jin Hei , Pereira Branca , Moyle Graeme , Boffito Marta , Milinkovic Ana
Published: July 2021

Objectives

Treatment with bisphosphonates and discontinuation of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) are recommended strategies for managing osteoporosis in people living with HIV (PLHIV). This study aimed to compare the effects on bone mineral density (BMD) of TDF discontinuation with and without bisphosphonate therapy in osteoporotic PLHIV.

Methods

The present study is a retrospective cohort analysis of dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry scan results of PLHIV attending Chelsea and Westminster Hospital HIV clinic between 2009 and 2020. Osteoporotic (T‐score < −2.5) patients with ≥ 6 months’ TDF exposure were included. Changes in BMD and T‐scores at the lumbar spine (LS) and femoral neck (FN) were assessed.

Results

A total of 84 participants were included, of whom 43 discontinued TDF only (TS) and 41 switched from TDF and received bisphosphonates (TS+): 86.9% were male; 77.4% were white; median (interquartile range, IQR) age was 54.8 (51.0–58.5) years; and median (IQR) TDF exposure was 6.5 (3.5–10.4) years. At a median follow‐up of 2 years after TDF‐discontinuation, mean spine BMD increased significantly in both groups, but bisphosphonate recipients had greater improvements (4.83% vs. 7.79%; P < 0.019); LS T‐scores improved significantly but changes were comparable between groups (TS, 0.5 vs. TS+, 0.6; P = 0.270). At the FN, no significant increases in BMD were observed (TS, 3.05% vs. TS+, 2.71%; P = 0.205); T‐scores significantly improved in bisphosphonate recipients only (+0.2; P = 0.003). A greater proportion recovered from osteoporosis in the TS+ group (34.9% vs. 43.9%), although differences between groups were not significant (P = 0.503).

Conclusions

Our real‐world data indicate that although TDF discontinuation significantly improved bone health in osteoporotic PLHIV, combining bisphosphonates with TDF discontinuation resulted in greater improvements in BMD.
Autolysis and the endogenous proteinases characterised in beardless barb (Anematichthys apogon) muscle
Authors: Sripokar Pakteera , Zhang Yi , Simpson Benjamin K. , Hansen Egon Bech , Maneerat Suppasil , Klomklao Sappasith
Published: July 2021

Beardless barb is a common fish species used in fermentation of fish paste Ka‐pi‐plaa. Autolytic profile of beardless barb muscle showed the maximum autolysis was at 50 °C, at both acidic and alkaline pH values. With augmentation concentration of NaCl, autolytic activity slightly decreased. Endogenous proteinases isolated from fish muscle in crude extract forms were also characterised. The acidic proteinases had optimum activity at pH 3.0 and 50°C, and they showed higher proteolytic activity than the alkaline proteinases which were optimally active at pH 9.0 and 50 °C. Proteinases in peak at pH 3.0 were inhibited by pepstatin A, but those in peak at pH 9.0 were highly inhibited by PMSF, TLCK and soybean trypsin inhibitor, suggesting that both aspartic and serine proteinases were existed in beardless barb muscle. The proteinases were stable in pH range of 2.0‐5.0 but unstable at the temperatures higher than 40 °C. NaCl suppressed the proteolytic activity, ATP activated the proteinase activity, while CaCl2, MgCl2 and CoCl2 exhibited no influence on the activity. The results implied that cathepsin D is the predominant proteinase responsible for autolysis in beardless barb. The findings were useful to improve the processing and qualities of Ka‐pi‐plaa product using beardless barb as raw material.
Topological hardening through oxygen triclusters in calcium aluminosilicate glasses
Authors: Welch Rebecca S. , Lee Kuo‐Hao , Wilkinson Collin J. , Ono Madoka , Bragatto Caio B. , Mauro John C.
Published: July 2021

Molecular dynamics simulations and topological constraint theory are used to study the impact of oxygen triclusters in the calcium aluminosilicate glass system at ratios of 0.6, 1, 1.5, 2, and 4 [Al2O3]/[CaO]. Negligible percentages (less than ~3%) of five‐coordinated Al structures are found at all ratios. Up to ~27% three‐coordinated oxygens, also known as triclusters, are found at the highest ratio of [Al2O3]/[CaO]. A topological constraint model, which considers additional constraints provided by triclusters, is created to predict the glass transition temperature, hardness, and Young's modulus. The models are used to elucidate the role of triclusters in glass properties. Analysis of topological constraints shows that triclusters can potentially increase the glass hardness within the calcium aluminosilicate system. The results are also compared to oxynitride glasses. Triclusters show the same ability as nitrogen to increase the glass hardness but are less effective at increasing the Young's modulus.
A novel Z‐scheme Er3+:Yb0.5Y2.5Al5N0.01F0.01O11.98/g‐C3N4–Pt–BiPO4 photocatalyst for enhanced photocatalytic degradation of azofuchsin and ciprofloxacin
Authors: Zhao Limin , Jin Ruifa , Zhang Baofeng
Published: July 2021

In this paper, a novel Z‐scheme photocatalyst Er3+:Yb0.5Y2.5Al5N0.01F0.01O11.98/g‐C3N4–Pt–BiPO4 was synthesized by sol‐hydrothermal and calcination methods. The prepared samples were characterized by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDS mappings, XPS, PL, and DRS. In addition, the optimal hydrothermal conditions for the preparation of BiPO4 were explored with the azofuchsin solution and ciprofloxacin(CIP) solutions as the target pollutants. At the same time, the best calcination temperature and the best calcination time of the Er3+:YbnY3−nAl5NxFyO12−x−y and BiPO4 were investigated. The results showed that the Z‐scheme Er3+:Yb0.5Y2.5Al5N0.01F0.01O11.98/g‐C3N4–Pt–BiPO4 photocatalyst has strong redox ability, wide absorption range of visible light, and excellent separation effect of electron–hole pairs, which can efficiently degrade organic pollutants and antibiotic.
Infrared thermography can detect previsual bacterial growth in a laboratory setting via metabolic heat detection
Authors: Hunt Ben , Saatchi Reza , Lacey Melissa M.
Published: July 2021

Aims

Detection of bacterial contamination in healthcare and industry takes many hours if not days. Thermal imaging, the measurement of heat by an infrared camera, was investigated as a potential noninvasive method of detecting bacterial growth.

Methods and Results

Infrared thermography can detect the presence of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus on solid growth media by an increase in temperature before they are visually observable. A heat decrease is observed after treatment with ultraviolet light and heat increased after incubation with dinitrophenol.

Conclusions

Infrared thermography can detect early growth of bacteria before they are detectable by other microbiology-based method. The heat observed is due to the cells being viable and metabolically active, as cells killed with ultraviolet light exhibit reduced increase in temperature and treatment with dinitrophenol increases heat detected.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Infrared thermography detects bacterial growth without the need for specialized temperature control facilities. The method is statistically robust and can be undertaken in situ, thus is highly versatile. These data support the application of infrared thermography in a laboratory, clinical and industrial setting for vegetative bacteria, thus may become into an important methodology for the timely and straightforward detection of early-stage bacterial growth.
The attention of long‐term institutional investors and timely loss recognition
Authors: Wang Rui
Published: July 2021

In this paper, I investigate the role of long‐term institutional investors in firms’ accounting conservatism. Using exogenous shocks to the attention of long‐term institutional investors, I find significantly less timely loss recognition at the time of long‐term institutional investors’ distraction. The decrease in loss recognition timeliness is more pronounced among firms with lower information asymmetry ex‐ante, firms lacking other governance mechanisms that can effectively monitor managers and firms operating in non‐competitive industries, where lack of competitive pressure weakens the strategic considerations of timely loss recognition. Further analysis identifies the reporting of special items as a potential mechanism through which firms adjust the timeliness of loss recognition in response to changes in long‐term institutional investors’ attention.
Use of a cerebral protection device to facilitate pulmonary vein isolation in a patient with left atrial mass arising from the interatrial septum
Authors: Gopinathannair Rakesh , Elbey Mehmet Ali , Eshcol Jayasheel , Seligson Frederic L. , Atkins Donita , Lakkireddy Dhanunjaya
Published: July 2021

Sentinel cerebral embolic protection devices (CPDs) may limit periprocedural cerebrovascular events by preventing micro and macro‐embolization to the brain, and has been used in many cardiology and radiology procedures. We hereby report the use of a Sentinel CPD to facilitate safe and effective atrial fibrillation ablation in a patient with a left atrial mass arising from the interatrial septum.
Surgical ablation supplemented by ethanol injection for ventricular tachycardia refractory to percutaneous ablation
Authors: Yang Gang , Shao Yongfeng , Gu Weidong , Ni Buqing , Yang Bing , Zhang Fengxiang , Ju Weizhu , Chen Hongwu , Gu Kai , Li Mingfang , Chen Yu , Sun Haoliang , Tam Tsz Kin , Wu Yanhu , Chen Minglong
Published: July 2021

Background

A combination of endocardial and epicardial approaches has improved the overall success rate of ventricular tachycardia (VT) ablation in patients with cardiomyopathy. However, the origins of some VTs are truly intramural or close to coronary arteries, which makes this combined strategy either prone to failure or too risky.

Objectives

This observational study aimed to explore the feasibility and efficacy of direct epicardial ablation combined with intramural ethanol injection via surgical approach for inaccessible intramural VTs or VTs too close to coronary arteries.

Methods

In four canines ventricular lesions produced by direct epicardial injection of ethanol were assessed. Six consecutive patients with recurrent VT refractory to catheter endocardial and epicardial RF ablation and that remained inducible after surgical epicardial mapping and RF ablation were included. Ethanol was injected by needle at the epicardial RF ablation sites. The primary outcome was freedom of sustained VT determined by device interrogation and periodical 24‐h holter recordings subsequently.

Results

In an animal study, the lesions were homogenous and increased in size with the volume of ethanol injected. In all six patients, ethanol injection at the target sites in the anterior or lateral left ventricle abolished inducible VT. Over a median follow‐up of 22 months (range, 6–65), all patients remained free of sustained VT. One patient died of pulmonary infection one year after the procedure.

Conclusions

A hybrid strategy of surgical ablation combined with intramural ethanol injection is feasible and effective in patients with multiple failed percutaneous ablation attempts.
Clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of atrioesophageal fistula resulting from atrial fibrillation ablation
Authors: Della Rocca Domenico G. , Magnocavallo Michele , Natale Veronica N. , Gianni Carola , Mohanty Sanghamitra , Trivedi Chintan , Lavalle Carlo , Forleo Giovanni B. , Tarantino Nicola , Romero Jorge , Zhang Xiadong , Bassiouny Mohamed , Al‐Ahmad Amin , Burkhardt David J. , Gallinghouse Joseph G. , Sanchez Javier E. , Horton Rodney P. , Di Biase Luigi , Natale Andrea
Published: July 2021

Background

Atrioesophageal fistula (AEF) is a worrisome complication of atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation. Its clinical manifestations and time course are unpredictable and may contribute to diagnostic and treatment delays. We conducted a systematic review of all available cases of AEF, aiming at characterizing clinical presentation, time course, diagnostic pitfalls, and outcomes.

Methods

The digital search retrieved 150 studies containing 257 cases, 238 (92.6%) of which with a confirmed diagnosis of AEF and 19 (7.4%) of pericardioesophageal fistula.

Results

The median time from ablation to symptom onset was 21 days (interquartile range [IQR]: 11–28). Neurological abnormalities were documented in 75% of patients. Compared to patients seen by a specialist, those evaluated at a walk‐in clinic or community hospital had a significantly greater delay between symptom onset and hospital admission (median: 2.5 day [IQR: 1–8] vs. 1 day [IQR: 1–5); p = .03). Overall, 198 patients underwent a chest scan (computed tomography [CT]: 192 patients and magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]: 6 patients), 48 (24.2%; 46 CT and 2 MRI) of whom had normal/unremarkable findings. Time from hospital admission to diagnostic confirmation was significantly longer in patients with a first normal/unremarkable chest scan (p < .001). Overall mortality rate was 59.3% and 26.0% survivors had residual neurological deficits at the time of discharge.

Conclusions

Since healthcare professionals of any specialty might be involved in treating AEF patients, awareness of the clinical manifestations, diagnostic pitfalls, and time course, as well as an early contact with the treating electrophysiologist for a coordinated interdisciplinary medical effort, are pivotal to prevent diagnostic delays and reduce mortality.
Age‐dissimilar couple relationships: 25 years in review
Authors: McKenzie Lara
Published: July 2021

This review explores research over the past quarter century on couples with age differences. I present recent global trends in age‐dissimilar couplings, illustrating a shift away from statistical marriage studies focusing on relationships' motivations, inequalities, and challenges, and largely underpinned by biological, economic, or demographic outlooks. Since the last review of age‐dissimilar couples in 1993, there have been substantive qualitative developments. Scholarship looking beyond Euro‐American contexts is increasingly common, as are approaches examining class, race, sexuality, culture, religion, and nationality, as well as age, marital status, education, and employment. This transformation informs new perspectives on power and partner choice. I argue that research now needs more fluid definitions of age differences, greater range in qualitative studies' geographies and methodologies, and continued consideration of the life course and intersecting differences. Examinations of age‐dissimilar couples should thus focus on these relationships' varied configurations, explored through a range of social analyses.