bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Brazilian red propolis exerts a cytotoxic action against prostate cancer cells and upregulates human monocyte functions
Authors: Santiago Karina Basso , Rodrigues João Carlos Zamae , de Oliveira Cardoso Eliza , Conte Fernanda Lopes , Tasca Karen Ingrid , Romagnoli Graziela Gorete , Aldana‐Mejía Jennyfer Andrea , Bastos Jairo Kenupp , Sforcin José Maurício
Published: September 2022

Different propolis samples can be obtained in Brazil, such as green, brown and red. Studies related to Brazilian red propolis (BRP) have increased in the last few years, so the aim of this study was to investigate its effects on the prostate cell lines LNCaP and PC‐3 and on human monocytes. BRP chemical composition was analyzed by HPLC‐DAD, the viability of monocyte and cancer cell by MTT assay. Cytokine production (TNF‐α, IL‐1β, IL‐6, IL‐10) by monocytes was quantitated by ELISA, the expression of cell markers (TLR‐2, TLR‐4, HLA‐DR, CD80) and reactive oxygen species by flow cytometry. The candidacidal activity and the effects of supernatant of treated monocytes on tumor cells were assessed. BRP affected LNCaP viability after 48 and 72 h, while PC‐3 cells were more resistant over time. BRP upregulated CD80 and HLA‐DR expression, and stimulated TNF‐α, IL‐6 and IL‐10 production. BRP enhanced the fungicidal activity of monocytes, displayed an antioxidant action and the supernatant of BRP‐treated monocytes diminished LNCaP viability. In the search for new immunomodulatory and antitumoral agents, BRP exerted a selective cytotoxic activity on prostate cancer cells and an immunomodulatory action, suggesting its potential for clinical trials with oncological patients and for the discovery of new immunomodulatory and antitumor drugs.
Divestment of relational assets following acquisitions: Evidence from thebiopharmaceuticalindustry
Authors: Tandon Vivek , Asgari Navid , Ranganathan Ram
Published: September 2022

Research Summary

We examine whether acquisitions affect the divestment of firms' alliance‐based relational assets. Using data from the biopharmaceutical industry and a matched case–control research design, we find that alliances are more likely to be terminated following acquisitions compared to alliances not subject to acquisitions. This higher termination likelihood is driven by acquisitions where the acquirer's alliance management capacity is stressed, and by alliances inherited from targets. The inherited alliance effect is attenuated by the target's partner's common connections with the acquirer but amplified by the target's partner's unique connections outside the merging firms' alliance portfolios. These findings are consistent with our relational view‐based theorizing on the post‐acquisition challenges of retaining alliance‐based assets, contributing to corporate strategy scholarship on alliances and acquisitions.

Managerial Summary

In many industries, firms' portfolios of interorganizational alliances enable them to realize novel complementarities and, thereby, enhance their performance. In such sectors, managers also frequently acquire other organizations to obtain access to critical resources. However, what managers may overlook is that acquisitions can destabilize existing alliance relationships. In this study, we show that the acquiring firm's capacity to effectively manage alliance‐based assets is stressed once it inherits the target firm's alliances. In general, target firm alliances become more challenging to sustain, and, in particular, those that hold a higher potential for novelty become more unstable. Consequently, when evaluating acquisitions, managers should look beyond obvious measures of a target alliance's value and assess the post‐acquisition integration challenges that may threaten its stability.
Correlated Study of Material Interaction Between Capillary Printed Eutectic Gallium Alloys and Gold Electrodes
Authors: Hussain Navid , Scherer Torsten , Das Chittaranjan , Heuer Janis , Debastiani Rafaela , Gumbsch Peter , Aghassi‐Hagmann Jasmin , Hirtz Michael
Published: September 2022

Liquid metals (LMs) play a growing role in flexible electronics and connected applications. Here, LMs come into direct contact with metal electrodes thus allowing for corrosion and additional alloying, potentially compromising device stability. Nevertheless, comprehensive studies on the interfacial interaction of the materials are still sparse. Therefore, a correlated material interaction study of capillary‐printed Galinstan (eutetic alloy of Ga/In/Sn) with gold surfaces and electrodes is conducted. Comprehensive application of optical microscopy, vertical scanning interferometry, scanning electron microscopy/spectroscopy, x‐ray photon spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy allow for an in depth characterization of the spreading process of LM lines on gold films, revealing the differential spread of the different LM components and the formation of intermetallic nanostructures on the surface of the surrounding gold film. A model for the growth process based on the penetration of LM along the gold film grain boundaries is proposed based on the obtained time‐dependent characterization. The distribution of gold, Galinstan, and intermetallic phases in a gold wire dipped into LM is observed using X‐ray nano tomography as a complementary view on the internal nanostructure. Finally, resistance measurements on LM lines connecting gold electrodes over time allow to estimate the influence on the material interaction on electronic applications.
Template‐Directed Synthesis of Colloidal Hollow Particles: Mind the Material Used for the Template
Authors: Qiu Jichuan , Shang Yuxin , Xu Jianchang , Xia Younan
Published: September 2022

The dissolution of a polymeric solid typically starts with the absorption of solvent molecules, followed by swelling and volume expansion. Only when the extent of swelling reaches a threshold can the polymer chains be disentangled and then dissolved into the solvent. When the polymeric solid is encapsulated in a rigid shell, the swelling process will be impeded. Despite the widespread use of this process, it is rarely discussed in the literature how the polymeric solid is dissolved from the core for the generation of colloidal hollow particles. Recent studies have started to shed light on the mechanistic details involved in the formation of hollow particles through a template‐directed process. Depending on the nature of the material used for the template, the removal of the template may involve different mechanisms and pathways, leading to the formation of distinct products. Here, a number of examples are used to illustrate this important phenomenon that is largely neglected in the literature. This article also discusses how the swelling of a polymeric template encapsulated in a rigid shell can be leveraged to fabricate new types of functional colloidal particles.
Effect of Nb on Hot Deformation Behavior and Microstructure of Fe–6.5 wt% Si High‐Silicon Electrical Steel
Authors: Lin Guangtao , Zhao Fan , Zhang Zhihao , Xie Jianxin
Published: September 2022

Hot rolling is one of the key processes in the new casting–rolling forming process of high‐silicon electrical steel. The hot deformation characteristics, microstructure, and defects after deformation strongly influence the formability in subsequent warm‐ and cold‐rolling processes. This study investigates the hot compression behavior of Fe–6.5 wt% Si–0.15wt%Nb and Fe–6.5 wt% Si samples at 800–1100 °C as well as the effect of Nb on the flow stress, dynamic recrystallization, and ordered structure of high‐silicon electrical steel. The results show that the grain size of the Nb‐containing as‐cast samples is small. The Nb‐rich second‐phase particles can inhibit the growth of dynamic recrystallization grains during hot compression and refine the dynamic recrystallization microstructure; consequently, the hot activation energy of Nb‐containing samples is 11.8% higher than that of Nb‐free samples. Microcracks appear in the Nb‐free samples at temperatures of 800 and 1100 °C and strain rates of 1 and 10 s−1; the addition of Nb can effectively inhibit the generation of microcracks during hot deformation. The addition of Nb reduces the ordered degree of high‐silicon electrical steel after hot compression, which is beneficial to the subsequent warm‐ and cold‐rolling processes.
Silver nanoparticles synthesized by Euphorbia hirta exhibited antibacterial activity and induced apoptosis through downregulation of PI3Kγ mediated PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K in human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells
Authors: Ramachandran Rajalakshmi , Parthasarathy Ramya , Dhayalan Sangeetha
Published: September 2022

Plant extracts were successfully applied to synthesize nanoparticles, and expected such biological processes of effective for chemotherapeutic applications and safe for human use. Our study planned to evaluate the anticancer efficacy of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized by Euphorbia hirta on human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. The E. hirta synthesized Eh‐AgNPs was investigated by UV‐spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy examination. The bactericidal efficacy of Eh‐AgNPs was studied by the agar well method, and the cytotoxicity on A549 cells was assessed by MTT assay. Results showed that Eh‐AgNPs exhibited effective antibacterial activity against bacterial pathogens, established dose‐dependent cytotoxicity on A549 cells, and persuaded apoptosis, as evidenced by increased lipid peroxidation and decreased levels of antioxidants. Eh‐AgNPs significantly increased the early apoptosis in A549 cells in a concentration‐dependent way. The Eh‐AgNPs administration reduced the Bcl‐2 expression; however, it increased the expression of p53, Bax, cleaved caspase‐3 and ‐9 apoptotic members. Eh‐AgNPs treatment reduced PI3Kγ, phospho‐PI3K, phospho‐Akt, phospho‐mTOR, and p70S6K levels. The obtained results demonstrated that the Eh‐AgNPs induce reactive oxygen species‐mediated apoptosis by expressing p53, Bax, and inhibiting PI3K/Akt/mTOR/p70S6K signaling pathway.
Commercial vaccines used in China do not protect against a novel infectious bursal disease virus variant isolated in Fujian
Authors: Hou Bo , Wang Chen‐Yan , Luo Zhong‐Bao , Shao Guo‐Qing
Published: September 2022

Background

Since 2018, atrophy of the bursa has been found among vaccinated chickens with high antibody titres against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) in Fujian, China, suggesting poor vaccine efficacy against circulating IBDV strains.

Methods

Novel IBDV strains were isolated, and vp2 and vp1 genes were sequenced and used to carry out phylogenetic analysis. Pathogenicity was investigated using 21‐day‐old specific pathogen‐free (SPF) chickens. In addition, the effectiveness of current commercial vaccines used in China was evaluated against the isolated novel IBDV strains.

Results

Six IBDV isolates were successfully obtained, which formed an independent cluster and belonged to genotype A2dB1, based on phylogenetic analysis of the vp2 and vp1 genes. The pathogenicity of the novel IBDV FJ2019‐01 isolate in 21‐day‐old SPF chickens was characterised by severe atrophy of the bursa and a largely decreased number of lymphocytes, atrophy of the follicle and broadening of mesenchyme in the bursa 3–23 days after infection. Unfortunately, all vaccinated chickens with high antibody titres against IBDV also developed atrophy and largely decreased lymphocytes in the bursa, as in the unvaccinated birds challenged with FJ2019‐01. Furthermore, high viral loads of FJ2019‐01 were detected in the bursa of all vaccinated chickens.

Conclusions

These findings suggest that current commercial IBDV vaccines used in China did not provide protection against novel IBDV variants.
Mental health care for older adults: recent advances and new directions in clinical practice and research
Authors: Reynolds Charles F. , Jeste Dilip V. , Sachdev Perminder S. , Blazer Dan G.
Published: September 2022

The world's population is aging, bringing about an ever‐greater burden of mental disorders in older adults. Given multimorbidities, the mental health care of these people and their family caregivers is labor‐intensive. At the same time, ageism is a big problem for older people, with and without mental disorders. Positive elements of aging, such as resilience, wisdom and prosocial behaviors, need to be highlighted and promoted, both to combat stigma and to help protect and improve mental health in older adults. The positive psychiatry of aging is not an oxymoron, but a scientific construct strongly informed by research evidence. We champion a broader concept of geriatric psychiatry – one that encompasses health as well as illness. In the present paper, we address these issues in the context of four disorders that are the greatest source of years lived with disability: neurocognitive disorders, major depression, schizophrenia, and substance use disorders. We emphasize the need for implementation of multidisciplinary team care, with comprehensive assessment, clinical management, intensive outreach, and coordination of mental, physical and social health services. We also underscore the need for further research into moderators and mediators of treatment response variability. Because optimal care of older adults with mental disorders is both patient‐focused and family‐centered, we call for further research into enhancing the well‐being of family caregivers. To optimize both the safety and efficacy of pharmacotherapy, further attention to metabolic, cardiovascular and neurological tolerability is much needed, together with further development and testing of medications that reduce the risk for suicide. At the same time, we also address positive aging and normal cognitive aging, both as an antidote to ageism and as a catalyst for change in the way we think about aging per se and late‐life mental disorders more specifically. It is in this context that we provide directions for future clinical care and research.
The clinical characterization of the adult patient with bipolar disorder aimed at personalization of management
Authors: McIntyre Roger S. , Alda Martin , Baldessarini Ross J. , Bauer Michael , Berk Michael , Correll Christoph U. , Fagiolini Andrea , Fountoulakis Kostas , Frye Mark A. , Grunze Heinz , Kessing Lars V. , Miklowitz David J. , Parker Gordon , Post Robert M. , Swann Alan C. , Suppes Trisha , Vieta Eduard , Young Allan , Maj Mario
Published: September 2022

Bipolar disorder is heterogeneous in phenomenology, illness trajectory, and response to treatment. Despite evidence for the efficacy of multimodal­ity interventions, the majority of persons affected by this disorder do not achieve and sustain full syndromal recovery. It is eagerly anticipated that combining datasets across various information sources (e.g., hierarchical “multi‐omic” measures, electronic health records), analyzed using advanced computational methods (e.g., machine learning), will inform future diagnosis and treatment selection. In the interim, identifying clinically meaningful subgroups of persons with the disorder having differential response to specific treatments at point‐of‐care is an empirical priority. This paper endeavours to synthesize salient domains in the clinical characterization of the adult patient with bipolar disorder, with the overarching aim to improve health outcomes by informing patient management and treatment considerations. Extant data indicate that characterizing select domains in bipolar disorder provides actionable information and guides shared decision making. For example, it is robustly established that the presence of mixed features – especially during depressive episodes – and of physical and psychiatric comorbidities informs illness trajectory, response to treatment, and suicide risk. In addition, early environmental exposures (e.g., sexual and physical abuse, emotional neglect) are highly associated with more complicated illness presentations, inviting the need for developmentally‐oriented and integrated treatment approaches. There have been significant advances in validating subtypes of bipolar disorder (e.g., bipolar I vs. II disorder), particularly in regard to pharmacological interventions. As with other severe mental disorders, social functioning, interpersonal/family relationships and internalized stigma are domains highly relevant to relapse risk, health outcomes, and quality of life. The elevated standardized mortality ratio for completed suicide and suicidal behaviour in bipolar disorder invites the need for characterization of this domain in all patients. The framework of this paper is to describe all the above salient domains, providing a synthesis of extant literature and recommendations for decision support tools and clinical metrics that can be implemented at point‐of‐care.
Influence of the Cation on the Reaction Mechanism of Sodium Uptake and Release in Bivalent Transition Metal Thiophosphate Anodes: A Case Study of Fe2P2S6
Authors: van Dinter Jonas , Indris Sylvio , Etter Martin , Cibin Giannantonio , Bensch Wolfgang
Published: September 2022

The layered active material Fe2P2S6 was examined as anode material in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs) and compared to previously investigated Ni2P2S6. A reversible specific capacity of 540 mAh g−1 was achieved after 250 cycles, depicting similar electrochemical performance as observed for Ni2P2S6. The rate capability and long‐term behavior of these two materials are also very similar. Another objective was to elucidate the reaction mechanism during discharging and charging by applying several techniques such as X‐ray diffraction, pair distribution function analysis as well as X‐ray absorption and solid state NMR spectroscopy. The results clearly demonstrate that the majority of Fe2+ is reduced to elemental Fe during the uptake of 5 Na/f.u., while an amorphous intermediate is generated, which was identified as Na4P2S6 by solid state NMR spectroscopy. Completely discharging against a Na metal counter electrode leads to the formation of nanocrystalline Na2S and indications of the formation of polymeric phosphorus were found. In sum, the Na uptake reaction process observed for Fe2P2S6 coincides with the previously unraveled reaction pathway of Ni2P2S6. We therefore conclude that a universal reaction takes places for bivalent transition metal thiophosphate (M2P2S6) electrodes in SIBs.
Digital Trading and Market Platforms: Ghana Case Study
Authors: Neza Keren , Nyarko Yaw , Orozco Angela
Published: September 2022

Smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa produce much of the food consumed across the continent, yet with expected population growth, they will need to double production by 2050. Smallholders could significantly intensify production with the adoption of modern agricultural technologies, but many farmers are unable to find buyers willing to purchase their outputs at profitable prices. Meanwhile, buyers and traders have demand for agricultural goods but face high costs in finding farmers who can consistently supply goods with certified quality. Similarly, there is a lack of investment in food processing infrastructure because processors cannot reliably obtain produce as inputs to operations. These market failures typically manifest in the form of two development challenges: (1) there is a misalignment in the supply of and demand for the agricultural goods produced by smallholder farmers, and (2) smallholder farmers are often at a price disadvantage when it comes to knowledge of prices of their commodities. This case study measures the effect of introducing digital trading and market platforms (including price alerts, mobile phone-based trading platforms, and commodity exchanges) in Ghana, through a series of randomized control trials and quasi-experimental studies. Technologies like mobile price alerts (from Esoko) and a mobile phone-based trading platform (Kudu) are found to increase yam prices by 5%, with benefits for smallholder farmers. This increase declines over time, but there are net benefits for farmers as a result of “bargaining spillover.” The potential impacts of a new commodity exchange in Ghana are also discussed, exploring how this technology can influence the decisions of smallholder farmers, incentivizing them to produce higher-quality products.
Increasing Trust for Data Spaces with Federated Learning
Authors: Bonura Susanna , Carbonare Davide dalle , Díaz-Morales Roberto , Navia-Vázquez Ángel , Purcell Mark , Rossello Stephanie
Published: September 2022

Despite the need for data in a time of general digitization of organizations, many challenges are still hampering its shared use. Technical, organizational, legal, and commercial issues remain to leverage data satisfactorily, specially when the data is distributed among different locations and confidentiality must be preserved. Data platforms can offer “ad hoc” solutions to tackle specific matters within a data space. MUSKETEER develops an Industrial Data Platform (IDP) including algorithms for federated and privacy-preserving machine learning techniques on a distributed setup, detection and mitigation of adversarial attacks, and a rewarding model capable of monetizing datasets according to the real data value. The platform can offer an adequate response for organizations in demand of high security standards such as industrial companies with sensitive data or hospitals with personal data. From the architectural point of view, trust is enforced in such a way that data has never to leave out its provider’s premises, thanks to federated learning. This approach can help to better comply with the European regulation as confirmed from a legal perspective. Besides, MUSKETEER explores several rewarding models based on the availability of objective and quantitative data value estimations, which further increases the trust of the participants in the data space as a whole.
AI-Based Hybrid Data Platforms
Authors: Vassilev Vassil , Ilieva Sylvia , Krasteva Iva , Pavlova Irena , Petrova-Antonova Dessisslava , Sowinski-Mydlarz Wiktor
Published: September 2022

The current digital transformation of many businesses and the exponential growth of digital data are two of the key factors of digital revolution. For the successful meeting of high expectations, the data platforms need to employ the recent theoretical, technological, and methodological advances in contemporary computing and data science and engineering. This chapter presents an approach to address these challenges by combining logical methods for knowledge processing and machine learning methods for data analysis into a hybrid AI-based framework. It is applicable to a wide range of problems that involve both synchronous operations and asynchronous events in different domains. The framework is a foundation for building the GATE Data Platform, which aims at the application of Big Data technologies in civil and government services, industry, and healthcare. The platform implementation will utilize several recent distributed technologies such as Internet of Things, cloud, and edge computing and will integrate them into a multilevel service-oriented architecture that supports services along the entire data value chain, while the service orchestration guarantees a high degree of interoperability, reusability, and automation. The platform is designed to be compliant with the open-source software, but its open architecture supports also mixing with commercial components and tools.
Asymptotic symmetries in Carrollian theories of gravity with a negative cosmological constant
Authors: Pérez Alfredo
Published: September 2022

Abstract

Asymptotic symmetries of electric and magnetic Carrollian gravitational theories with a negative cosmological constant Λ are analyzed in 3+1 space-time dimensions. In the magnetic theory, the asymptotic symmetry algebra is given by the conformal Carroll algebra in three dimensions, which is infinite-dimensional and isomorphic to the BMS4 algebra. These results are in full agreement with holographic expectations, providing a new framework for the study of Carrollian holography. On the contrary, in the case of the electric theory, the presence of a negative Λ turns out to be incompatible with a consistent set of asymptotic conditions, that can be traced back to the absence of a sensible ground state configuration. This can be improved if the Carrollian theory obtained from an electric contraction of Euclidean General Relativity is considered. In this case, asymptotic conditions can be constructed with an asymptotic symmetry algebra given by so (1, 4). However, it is shown that the space of spherically symmetric solutions of this theory is degenerate.
Transverse-momentum-dependent wave functions and soft functions at one-loop in large momentum effective theory
Authors: Deng Zhi-Fu , Wang Wei , Zeng Jun
Published: September 2022

Abstract

In large-momentum effective theory (LaMET), the transverse-momentum-dependent (TMD) light-front wave functions and soft functions can be extracted from the simulation of a four-quark form factor and equal-time correlation functions. In this work, using expansion by regions we provide a one-loop proof of TMD factorization of the form factor. For the one-loop validation, we also present a detailed calculation of $$ \mathcal{O} $$
O
(αs) perturbative corrections to these quantities, in which we adopt a modern technique for the calculation of TMD form factor based the integration by part and differential equation. The one-loop hard functions are then extracted. Using lattice data from Lattice Parton Collaboration on quasi-TMDWFs, we estimate the effects from the one-loop matching kernel and find that the perturbative corrections depend on the operator to define the form factor, but are less sensitive to the transverse separation. These results will be helpful to precisely extract the soft functions and TMD wave functions from the first-principle in future.
Multi-charged moments of two intervals in conformal field theory
Authors: Ares Filiberto , Calabrese Pasquale , Di Giulio Giuseppe , Murciano Sara
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We study the multi-charged moments for two disjoint intervals in the ground state of two 1 + 1 dimensional CFTs with central charge c = 1 and global U(1) symmetry: the massless Dirac field theory and the compact boson (Luttinger liquid). For this purpose, we compute the partition function on the higher genus Riemann surface arising from the replica method in the presence of background magnetic fluxes between the sheets of the surface. We consider the general situation in which the fluxes generate different twisted boundary conditions at each branch point. The obtained multi-charged moments allow us to derive the symmetry resolution of the Rényi entanglement entropies and the mutual information for non complementary bipartitions. We check our findings against exact numerical results for the tight-binding model, which is a lattice realisation of the massless Dirac theory.
Leptogenesis triggered by a first-order phase transition
Authors: Huang Peisi , Xie Ke-Pan
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We propose a new scenario of leptogenesis, which is triggered by a first-order phase transition (FOPT). The right-handed neutrinos (RHNs) are massless in the old vacuum, while they acquire a mass in the new vacuum bubbles, and the mass gap is huge compared with the FOPT temperature. The ultra-relativistic bubble walls sweep the RHNs into the bubbles, where the RHNs experience fast decay and generate the lepton asymmetry, which is further converted to the baryon asymmetry of the Universe (BAU). Since the RHNs are out of equilibrium inside the bubble, the generated BAU does not suffer from the thermal bath washout. We first discuss the general feature of such a FOPT leptogenesis mechanism, and then realize it in an extended B − L model. The gravitational waves from U(1)B−L breaking could be detected at the future interferometers.
Loop-corrected subleading soft theorem and the celestial stress tensor
Authors: Donnay Laura , Nguyen Kevin , Ruzziconi Romain
Published: September 2022

Abstract

We demonstrate that the one-loop exact subleading soft graviton theorem automatically follows from conservation of the BMS charges, provided that the hard and soft fluxes separately represent the extended BMS algebra at null infinity. This confirms that superrotations are genuine symmetries of the gravitational $$ \mathcal{S} $$
S
-matrix beyond the semiclassical regime. In contrast with a previous proposal, the celestial stress tensor accounting for the one-loop corrections follows from the gravitational phase space analysis and does not require the addition of divergent counterterms. Moreover, we show that the symplectic form on the radiative phase space factorises into hard and soft sectors, and that the resulting canonical generators precisely coincide with the correct BMS fluxes.
Cerebral blood flow, amyloid burden, and cognition in cognitively normal individuals
Authors: Ebenau Jarith L. , Visser Denise , Verfaillie Sander C. J. , Timmers Tessa , van Leeuwenstijn Mardou S. S. A. , Kate Mara ten , Windhorst Albert D. , Barkhof Frederik , Scheltens Philip , Prins Niels D. , Boellaard Ronald , van der Flier Wiesje M. , van Berckel Bart N. M.
Published: September 2022

Purpose

The role of cerebral blood flow (CBF) in the early stages of Alzheimer’s disease is complex and largely unknown. We investigated cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between CBF, amyloid burden, and cognition, in cognitively normal individuals with subjective cognitive decline (SCD).

Methods

We included 187 cognitively normal individuals with SCD from the SCIENCe project (65 ± 8 years, 39% F, MMSE 29 ± 1). Each underwent a dynamic (0–70 min) [18F]florbetapir PET and T1-weighted MRI scan, enabling calculation of mean binding potential (BPND; specific amyloid binding) and R1 (measure of relative (r)CBF). Eighty-three individuals underwent a second [18F]florbetapir PET (2.6 ± 0.7 years). Participants annually underwent neuropsychological assessment (follow-up time 3.8 ± 3.1 years; number of observations n = 774).

Results

A low baseline R1 was associated with steeper decline on tests addressing memory, attention, and global cognition (range betas 0.01 to 0.27, p < 0.05). High BPND was associated with steeper decline on tests covering all domains (range betas − 0.004 to − 0.70, p < 0.05). When both predictors were simultaneously added to the model, associations remained essentially unchanged. Additionally, we found longitudinal associations between R1 and BPND. High baseline BPND predicted decline over time in R1 (all regions, range betasBP×time − 0.09 to − 0.14, p < 0.05). Vice versa, low baseline R1 predicted increase in BPND in frontal, temporal, and composite ROIs over time (range betasR1×time − 0.03 to − 0.08, p < 0.05).

Conclusion

Our results suggest that amyloid accumulation and decrease in rCBF are two parallel disease processes without a fixed order, both providing unique predictive information for cognitive decline and each process enhancing the other longitudinally.
Birth injury in breech delivery: a nationwide population-based cohort study in Finland
Authors: Kekki Maiju , Koukkula Topias , Salonen Anne , Gissler Mika , Laivuori Hannele , Huttunen Tuomas T. , Tihtonen Kati
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Previous studies have examined the optimal mode of breech delivery extensively, but there is a scarcity of publications focusing on the birth injuries of neonates born in breech presentation. This study aimed to examine birth injury in breech deliveries.

Methods

In this retrospective register-based nationwide cohort study, data on birth injuries in vaginal breech deliveries with singleton live births were compared to cesarean section with breech presentation and cephalic vaginal delivery between 2004 and 2017 in Finland. The data were retrieved from the National Medical Birth Register. Primary outcome variables were severe and mild birth injury. Incidences of birth injuries in different gestational ages and birthweights were calculated in different modes of delivery. Crude odds ratios of risk factors for severe birth injury were analyzed.

Results

In vaginal breech delivery (n = 4344), there were 0.8% of neonates with severe birth injury and 1.5% of neonates with mild birth injury compared to 0.06% and 0.2% in breech cesarean section (n = 16,979) and 0.3% and 1.9% in cephalic vaginal delivery (n = 629,182). Brachial plexus palsy was the most common type of injury in vaginal breech delivery. Increasing gestational age and birthweight had a stronger effect on the risk for injury among cephalic vaginal deliveries than among vaginal breech deliveries.

Conclusion

Birth injuries were rare in vaginal breech deliveries. The incidence of severe birth injury was two times higher in vaginal breech delivery compared to cephalic vaginal delivery. Brachial plexus palsy was the most common type of injury in vaginal breech delivery.
Subjective perceptions of workload and stress of emergency service personnel depending on work-related behavior and experience patterns
Authors: Thielmann Beatrice , Schumann Heiko , Botscharow Julia , Böckelmann Irina
Published: September 2022

Purpose

Stressors due to the workload in the ambulance service are numerous and can be positively counteracted by work-related behaviors and experiences. We analyzed the subjective perceptions of workload and stress as a function of work-related behavior and experience patterns among emergency service personnel (EMP).

Methods

A total of 276 EMP (94.6% men) participated (average age: 39.3 ± 8.04 years). Data on the stress situations of ambulance service staff according to the Slesina questionnaire, the Recovery–Stress Questionnaire (EBF), and the Questionnaire for Physical, Psychological and Social Symptoms (KOEPS) were obtained. Participants were classified into four patterns (A, B, G, and S) based on the Work-Related Behavior and Experience Patterns (AVEM) questionnaire.

Results

Overall, 32% of EMP were classified into AVEM risk patterns A and B. For half of the stress factors examined (23/46), the data were significantly different among the AVEM groups. Individuals with AVEM risk patterns have higher stress and lower recovery scores on the EBF and more physical, psychological, and social-communicative impairments shown using the KOEPS (all variables p < 0.001). Analyses showed moderate correlations among the AVEM dimensions (exceptions included striving for perfection, subjective importance of work, and work-related ambition), and the main scales of the EBF and KOEPS.

Conclusion

Work-related patterns of behavior and experience are used to determine how stress is handled, and it is possible to distinguish between patterns that promote health and those that hazardous to it. Individuals with AVEM patterns that are a risk to their health experience high stress, low recovery, and increased physical, psychological, and social-communicative impairments. Health-promoting work-related behaviors can be used to counteract stress. Companies developing preventive health promotion measures should focus on individuals with AVEM patterns that are a risk to their health.
Active commuting associations with BMI and self-rated health: a cross-sectional analysis of the Healthy Ireland survey
Authors: Masterson A. M. , Phillips C. M.
Published: September 2022

Aim

Active travel is advised to help meet recommended weekly physical activity levels. However limited research has examined active travel associations with health indicators. The aim of this study is to investigate active commuting associations with BMI and self-rated health (SRH) using data from the Healthy Ireland Survey.

Subjects and methods

Cross-sectional analysis of data was conducted from a nationally representative study of the Irish population. Participants who worked or attended education (n = 4038) provided information regarding their most common travel mode to work or education and demographic, lifestyle and health characteristics during an interview. Following comparative analysis, multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate associations between active commuting modes and overweight, obesity and SRH.

Results

Active commuting was associated with decreased likelihood of obesity (AOR 0.69, 95% CI = 0.52, 0.90) relative to non-active commuting. Examination of active commuting mode revealed further reduced obesity risk among cyclists (AOR 0.23, 95% CI = 0.09, 0.56) relative to non-cyclists and among those actively travelling ≥3 km (AOR 0.54, 95% CI = 0.30, 0.98). No associations between active commuting and overweight or SRH were observed.

Conclusion

Our findings, which indicate an inverse association between active commuting and obesity, represent a significant contribution to the evidence base supporting promotion of active travel for obesity prevention.
An Unconscious Universal in the Mind is Like an Immaterial Dinner in the Stomach. A Debate on Logical Generalism (1914–1919)
Authors: Marraud Hubert
Published: September 2022

The debate on the a fortiori and the universal that took place between April 1914 and April 1919 in the journal Mind has a double interest for argumentation theorists. First, the discussion is an example of a philosophical polylogue that exhibits the characteristics of a quasi-engaged dialogue (Blair Blair, J. A. (2012 [1998]). “The Limits of the Dialogue Model of Argument”. Argumentation 12, pp. 325–339. Reprinted in J.A. Blair, Groundwork in the Theory of Argumentation, pp. 231–244. Dordrecht: Springer, 2012.), confirming Blair’s hypothesis that journal papers and scholarly monographs can be analyzed as turns in non-engaged or quasi-engaged dialogues. It could be said that philosophical argumentation is dialectical but not dialogical. Second, the debate is a discussion in argumentation theory. Generalism in the theory of argument claims that the very possibility of arguing depends on a suitable supply of general rules that specify what kinds of conclusions can be drawn from what kinds of data, while particularism denies this. Although the terminology may be alien, I will also show that the debate on the a fortiori and the universal was a debate on generalism and particularism.
Informal Networks, Informal Institutions, and Social Exclusion in the Workplace: Insights from Subsidiaries of Multinational Corporations in Korea
Authors: Horak Sven , Suseno Yuliani
Published: September 2022

Drawing on interviews with decision makers in multinational corporations (MNCs) in South Korea, we examine the role of informal networks in the social exclusion of women in the workforce. Although legislation in the country is in favor of gender equality, we found that informal barriers in the workplace remain difficult to overcome. Informal networks in Korea, yongo, present an ethical issue in the workplace, as they tend to socially exclude women, limiting possibilities for their participation and career progression. We found that informal networks are pervasive and strong because of the informal institutions in which they are embedded and that there is a complex interplay between informal networks and informal institutions that socially excludes women. Due to difficulties accessing yongo, women appear to build inmaek, a network type that is more open and accessible. We also found that MNCs in Korea can compensate for the lack of local informal networks for their female employees. However, despite providing a more supportive environment for women at work, gender equality policies in MNCs are not yet as effective as they could be due to the dynamics of the workplace and the fact that the policies are not tailored to the local context. We have seen evidence in recent years that MNCs can serve as role models for implementing gender equality policies by creating a more inclusive work environment and demonstrating leadership commitment and support.
Supporting self-regulated learning with learning analytics interventions – a systematic literature review
Authors: Heikkinen Sami , Saqr Mohammed , Malmberg Jonna , Tedre Matti
Published: September 2022

During the past years scholars have shown an increasing interest in supporting students' self-regulated learning (SRL). Learning analytics (LA) can be applied in various ways to identify a learner’s current state of self-regulation and support SRL processes. It is important to examine how LA has been used to identify the need for support in different phases of SRL cycle, which channels are used to mediate the intervention and how efficient and impactful the intervention is. This will help the learners to achieve the anticipated learning outcomes. The systematic literature review followed PRISMA 2020 statement to examine studies that applied LA interventions to enhance SRL. The search terms used for this research identified 753 papers in May 2021. Of these, 56 studies included the elements of LA, SRL, and intervention. The reviewed studies contained various LA interventions aimed at supporting SRL, but only 46% of them revealed a positive impact of an intervention on learning. Furthermore, only four studies reported positive effects for SRL and covered all three SRL phases (planning, performance, and reflection). Based on the findings of this literature review, the key recommendation is for all phases of SRL to be considered when planning interventions to support learning. In addition, more comparative research on this topic is needed to identify the most effective interventions and to provide further evidence on the effectiveness of interventions supporting SRL.
Backwards Causation in Social Institutions
Authors: Silver Kenneth
Published: September 2022

Whereas many philosophers take backwards causation to be impossible, the few who maintain its possibility either take it to be absent from the actual world or else confined to theoretical physics. Here, however, I argue that backwards causation is not only actual, but common, though occurring in the context of our social institutions. After juxtaposing my cases with a few others in the literature and arguing that we should take seriously the reality of causal cases in these contexts, I consider several objections. These objections involve whether the cases should be reinterpreted, whether they are properly within the institution, whether they involve necessitation or else Cambridge changes, whether and how they involve changing the past, and whether this should call us to question institutional reality. I end by suggesting that it is a virtue of our institutions that they allow backwards causation, that this is a kind of technology that they are often built to incorporate.
Climate Change Impacts on ‘Seasonality Index’ and its Potential Implications on Rainwater Savings
Authors: Imteaz Monzur A. , Hossain Iqbal
Published: September 2022

Seasonality Index (SI) is commonly used to define rainfall variability within a year for a locality, which has got significant impact on the water resources planning and management. Both the longer periods of dry and wet conditions are reflected by SI value. As SI is calculated using historical rainfall data, a historical average value is represented for a locality. However, with the emerging impacts of climate change SI values based on historical data are likely to change. This paper presents expected changes in future SI values for the largest city of Australia (Sydney) based on projected future rainfall scenarios for the city. The paper further illustrates potential water savings through rainwater tanks under projected climate change scenarios using an earlier developed daily water balance model, eTank. For the simulations of potential water savings through rainwater tanks, projected daily rainfall data was collected from Australian government data portal for four stations within Sydney. Future potential rainwater savings efficiencies were correlated with the corresponding SI values. It is found that such correlation closely matches with an earlier developed correlation using past historical data, however the future water savings efficiency will be slightly lower than the past water savings efficiency.
Correct specification of design matrices in linear mixed effects models: tests with graphical representation
Authors: Peterlin Jakob , Kejžar Nataša , Blagus Rok
Published: September 2022

Linear mixed effects models (LMMs) are a popular and powerful tool for analysing grouped or repeated observations for numeric outcomes. LMMs consist of a fixed and a random component, which are specified in the model through their respective design matrices. Verifying the correct specification of the two design matrices is important since mis-specifying them can affect the validity and efficiency of the analysis. We show how to use empirical stochastic processes constructed from appropriately ordered and standardized residuals from the model to test whether the design matrices of the fitted LMM are correctly specified. We define two different processes: one can be used to test whether both design matrices are correctly specified, and the other can be used only to test whether the fixed effects design matrix is correctly specified. The proposed empirical stochastic processes are smoothed versions of cumulative sum processes, which have a nice graphical representation in which model mis-specification can easily be observed. The amount of smoothing can be adjusted, which facilitates visual inspection and can potentially increase the power of the tests. We propose a computationally efficient procedure for estimating p-values in which refitting of the LMM is not necessary. Its validity is shown by using theoretical results and a large Monte Carlo simulation study. The proposed methodology could be used with LMMs with multilevel or crossed random effects.
Decentralization and Pro-poor Participation in Ghana: Unmasking the Barriers to Inclusive Grassroots Development
Authors: Be-ere Seregious
Published: September 2022

Donors have strongly advocated decentralization on the grounds that it broadens the participation of citizens in development processes, thereby increasing government responsiveness to their needs. Although there have been studies seeking to establish the veracity of this claim, they remain weak on two fronts. One, while wealth differentials affect citizen participation, these studies approach citizens as a homogenous group. Two, participation is mostly viewed narrowly—participation in elections. Drawing on empirical data from Ghana’s decentralization reform, this paper addresses these gaps by questioning how pro-poor citizen participation in decentralized development planning has been. I argue that although Ghana’s decentralization was propagated on championing pro-poor grassroots participation in governance and development, in reality, participation is elitist and has failed to reflect the voices of the poor. My findings demonstrate that the participation structures and processes used in local development planning are unfavourable to the poor in many respects. Elite and representative participation is promoted to the detriment of broad citizen participation. This exclusion is resulting in surging apathy of citizens towards the district assemblies—institutions hitherto trusted as their development champions. This paper concludes that the poor will remain voiceless despite decentralization unless the structural barriers to their participation are tackled in decentralization design and praxis.