bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
“Let’s get together” but where? Towards more purposeful design in meeting places for collaboration
Authors: Hills Raewyn Lesley , Levy Deborah , Plester Barbara
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Meetings with colleagues are an essential activity in workplace collaboration. The iterative nature of collaborative work demands spaces that team members can access quickly and easily. Creating suitable meeting spaces will become more critical if the hybrid work model continues and the workplace environment becomes the hub for face-to-face collaborative time, learning and training. Workspace and fit-out is expensive so it is crucial that the investment in meeting spaces supports employees’ collaboration activities.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper presents a case study of a corporate organisation undertaken in New Zealand to investigate how employees from two business units use their workspace to collaborate within their own team and across other teams in their organisation. The study uses ethnographic techniques, including participant observation and in-depth face-to-face interviews.

Findings

The findings show that the frequency and nature of small group work in collaboration was underestimated in the initial planning of the new workspace. Although participants found the design and fit-out of the formal meeting rooms supportive of collaborative work, the meeting rooms were in high demand, and it was difficult to find a room at short notice. The breakout spaces were confusing because they lacked key design attributes identified by the participants as conducive to small group work. Design shortfalls together with fit-out features perceived as supportive of collaborative work are identified.

Originality/value

The research reports on employees’ perceptions and experiences across two functionally diverse business units, reflecting their different needs and concerns.
Financial inclusion, financial development and financial stability in MENA
Authors: Elgharib Wael Ahmed
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The study aims to find out the impact of financial inclusion and financial development on financial stability using panel data from eight countries in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the aim of the study, the researcher prepared two indicators of financial inclusion and governance to find out the impact of financial development on the relationship between financial inclusion and financial stability. Data on financial inclusion was obtained from the International Monetary Fund, data on financial development and financial stability were obtained from the World Bank.

Findings

The results of the fixed and random effect methods show that financial inclusion has a significant positive effect on financial stability. Additionally, financial development represents a moderating variable in the significant positive effect on the relationship between financial inclusion and stability in the MENA countries.

Research limitations/implications

The current study suffers from some limitations that researchers must be aware of in future research. First, there is an inability to determine qualitative aspects such as time and cost when designing a composite indicator of financial inclusion. Second, due to limited data, we used only eight countries from the MENA. It is suggested to expand the sample to include other countries.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the related literature between financial inclusion and financial stability by confirming or denying the results of previous studies. Also, to the best of the author’s knowledge, this paper is the only one that explains the role of financial development in the relationship between financial inclusion and stability in MENA countries, using a composite index to calculate financial inclusion. Finally, the study seeks to focus the attention of the government and policymakers to build a system of financial inclusion that leads to improving financial stability.
Circular supply chains and Industry 4.0: an analysis of interfaces in Brazilian foodtechs
Authors: Hennemann Hilario da Silva Tiago , Sehnem Simone
Published: April 2024

Purpose

This study aims to identify the interfaces between Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies and circular supply chains (CSC) in Brazilian foodtechs, focusing on key stakeholders’ perspectives to understand the efficiency and sustainability impacts of these integrations.

Design/methodology/approach

Using a qualitative exploratory research design, the study analyzes eight Brazilian foodtechs through interviews and content analysis. It identifies CSC practices and examines the adherence of I4.0 technologies within these enterprises, assessing stakeholder engagement and the implications for CSC optimization.

Findings

Fifteen CSC practices were identified across the foodtechs, with notable integration of three distinct I4.0 technologies. The findings suggest that while I4.0 technologies enhance efficiency in CSC, their adoption is in early stages. Stakeholder engagement emerges as a crucial element for optimizing CSC in the context of Brazilian foodtechs.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the academic discussion on the synergy between I4.0 and circular economy (CE) models, providing empirical evidence of their application in the foodtech sector and highlighting the role of stakeholders in facilitating these integrations.

Practical implications

The findings suggest that stakeholder engagement in circular practices is vital for both supply chain and organizational levels, with potential benefits including improved efficiency and sustainability outcomes. The research also underscores the need for public sector support, including regulatory frameworks and incentives for adopting I4.0 technologies.

Social implications

By demonstrating how I4.0 technologies can support CE practices in foodtechs, the study highlights the potential for these integrations to contribute to more sustainable and efficient food systems, addressing environmental concerns and promoting social well-being.

Originality/value

This study addresses a gap in the literature by exploring the interface between I4.0 technologies and CSC in the emerging context of Brazilian foodtechs, offering insights into the practical and societal benefits of these integrations.
Line spacing effect on the giant magnetoimpedance behavior on microribbon with meander type: a comparison of theory and experiment
Authors: Wang Zhenbao , Yang Zhen , Liu Mengyu , Meng Ziqin , Sun Xuecheng , Yong Huang , Sun Xun , Lv Xiang
Published: April 2024

Purpose

Microribbon with meander type based on giant magnetoimpedance (GMI) effect has become a research hot spot due to their higher sensitivity and spatial resolution. The purpose of this paper is to further optimize the line spacing to improve the performance of meanders for sensor application.

Design/methodology/approach

The model of GMI effect of microribbon with meander type is established. The effect of line spacing (Ls) on GMI behavior in meanders is analyzed systematically.

Findings

Comparison of theory and experiment indicates that decreasing the line spacing increases the negative mutual inductance and a consequent increase in the GMI effect. The maximum value of the GMI ratio increases from 69% to 91.8% (simulation results) and 16.9% to 51.4% (experimental results) when the line spacing is reduced from 400 to 50 µm. The contribution of line spacing versus line width to the GMI ratio of microribbon with meander type was contrasted. This behavior of the GMI ratio is dominated by the overall negative contribution of the mutual inductance.

Originality/value

This paper explores the effect of line spacing on the GMI ratio of meander type by comparing the simulation results with the experimental results. The superior line spacing is found in the identical sensing area. The findings will contribute to the design of high-performance micropatterned ribbon with meander-type GMI sensors and the establishment of a ribbon-based magnetic-sensitive biosensing system.
The effect of nonsimultaneous impact of three impactors with spherical tip on a beam
Authors: Al-Maneehlawi Natiq Yaseen Taha , Shubbar Akram Jalil Kadhim
Published: April 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate the nonsimultaneous impact of three impactors with spherical tip on the response of a low-velocity impact on a beam.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, the third-order shear deformation theory of the beam with hyperbolic shear-strain function is used. Hamilton’s principle is applied to derive the motion equations. To simulate nonsimultaneous impacts, by using the Hertz nonlinear contact law, the contact of the impactors with different times is simulated. Comparisons with other articles are carried out in the one impactor form.

Findings

In the parametric study, the histories of the contact force and displacement of the beam are investigated in the presence of only one impactor in the center of the beam and also in the presence of three impactors, one in the center of the beam and the other two around the first impactor with a delay. One of the important and noteworthy points is that the presence of two impactors with a delay causes the maximum contact force and contact time to decrease and the maximum displacement of the beam center to increase.

Originality/value

The original point of this paper is what is the difference between the impact response of one projectile and three nonsimultaneous projectiles on the beam.
Body size mediates trophic interaction strength of novel fish assemblages under climate change
Authors: Sasaki Minami , Kingsbury Kelsey M. , Booth David J. , Nagelkerken Ivan
Published: April 2024

Ecological similarity plays an important role in biotic interactions. Increased body size similarity of competing species, for example, increases the strength of their biotic interactions. Body sizes of many exothermic species are forecast to be altered under global warming, mediating shifts in existing trophic interactions among species, in particular for species with different thermal niches.

Temperate rocky reefs along the southeast coast of Australia are located in a climate warming hotspot and now house a mixture of temperate native fish species and poleward range‐extending tropical fishes (vagrants), creating novel species assemblages. Here, we studied the relationship between body size similarity and trophic overlap between individual temperate native and tropical vagrant fishes.

Dietary niche overlap between vagrant and native fish species increased as their body sizes converged, based on both stomach content composition (short‐term diet), stable isotope analyses (integrated long‐term diet) and similarity in consumed prey sizes.

We conclude that the warming‐induced faster growth rates of tropical range‐extending fish species at their cool water ranges will continue to converge their body size towards and strengthen their degree of trophic interactions and dietary overlap with co‐occurring native temperate species under increasing ocean warming. The strengthening of these novel competitive interactions is likely to drive changes to temperate food web structures and reshuffle existing species community structures.
Land‐use intensity and relatedness to native plants promote exotic plant invasion in a tropical biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Raveloaritiana Estelle , Tscharntke Teja , Martin Dominic A. , Wurz Annemarie , Osen Kristina , Soazafy Marie Rolande , Vorontsova Maria S. , Kreft Holger , Rakouth Bakolimalala , Grass Ingo
Published: April 2024

Exotic plant invasions threaten biodiversity and are costly to farmers. Land use is a major pathway promoting the spread of exotic plant species; however, little is known about the processes underlying the success of exotic plants in tropical agricultural landscapes. Focussing on the heterogeneous smallholder landscapes of north‐eastern Madagascar, we studied exotic plants of understorey communities across a land‐use intensity gradient from unburned lands (old‐growth forests, forest fragments and forest‐derived vanilla agroforests) to burned ones (fallow‐derived vanilla agroforests, woody fallows and herbaceous fallows).

We quantified the absolute species richness, abundance and cover of exotic plants across land‐use types and their proportional contribution to community richness, abundance and cover as indicators of exotic plant invasion. We tested for the effects of land‐use parameters, namely land‐use history, canopy closure and landscape‐level forest cover, on exotic plants. Additionally, we tested whether the phylogenetic relatedness between exotic and native species in the same plot affected invasion success, testing Darwin's naturalisation and pre‐adaptation hypotheses.

All indicators of exotic plant invasion were lowest in old‐growth forests and forest fragments and highest in fallow‐derived vanilla agroforests, woody fallows and herbaceous fallows. Absolute and proportional exotic richness were negatively affected by canopy closure, and landscapes with high forest cover had lower proportions of exotic plant richness. High phylogenetic relatedness between exotics and natives was associated with lower proportional richness but higher proportions of exotics in abundance and cover. However, individual exotic species showed contrasting responses to land‐use parameters and relatedness to natives.

Synthesis and applications: Our results indicate that maintaining unburned lands, land‐use types with dense canopies and landscapes with high forest cover prevents the spread of exotic plants within the agricultural landscapes of north‐eastern Madagascar. Supporting Darwin's pre‐adaptation hypothesis, exotic plants that are phylogenetically closely related to native plants are more likely to become successful invaders in terms of abundance and cover. Nevertheless, individual species show different responses to land‐use changes and phylogenetic relatedness. Therefore, land‐use decisions and management choices can be tailored to limit the spread of exotic species and to preserve native plants in this global biodiversity hotspot.
Evaluation of the diversity and genetic structure of Ceratozamia kuesteriana Regel. (Zamiaceae) in Tamaulipas, Mexico
Authors: Octavio‐Aguilar Pablo , Rubio‐Tobón Cuauhtémoc Alain , Montelongo‐Ruiz Gerardo , Galván‐Hernández Dulce María
Published: April 2024

Genetic diversity is the most widely used indicator to evaluate the evolutionary potential of a species. In theory, species with limited distribution are more susceptible to diversity loss. However, some species with restricted distribution occasionally present more diversity than expected, as is the case for some cycads. Ceratozamia kuesteriana is a microendemic species in El Cielo Biosphere Reserve in Tamaulipas, Mexico. Several previously reported populations have been eradicated in the last 10 years. The objective of this work was to estimate the levels of diversity and genetic structure in five populations within the reserve. The results show a high structure and differentiation, even when the populations are geographically proximal. However, overall diversity is high, with recent bottlenecks and alleles departing from neutrality, suggesting a broad, well‐adapted genetic base. Unfortunately, this genetic pool has recently become fragmented, posing a high extinction risk if allelic representativeness is absent in collections or botanical gardens.
Buttressed pancreaticogastrostomy for a soft pancreas and/or small pancreatic duct in pancreaticoduodenectomy: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Sayed Mostafa M. , Raafat Mohamad , Taha Abdallah M.
Published: April 2024

Objective

Post‐operative pancreatic fistula (POPF) has a major impact on the post‐operative outcomes after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Soft pancreas and small pancreatic duct diameter are major risk factors for POPF. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the short‐term outcomes of our technique of buttressed pancreaticogastrostomy (PG) as a method of pancreatic anastomosis.

Patients and Methods

A retrospective cohort study was conducted on patients who underwent PD with a soft pancreas and/or small pancreatic duct diameter ≤5 mm. The study period spanned from January 2018 to December 2022.

Results

A total of 69 patients were included in the study, comprising 30 females and 39 males. The mean age of the patients was 57 ± 14.3 years. The mean operative time of the whole procedure was 335 ± 43.7 min and that of buttressed PG was 22 ± 4.6 min. Two patients had early post‐operative bleeding. Only 5 (7.24%) patients developed a grade A POPF. Eight (11.8%) patients had delayed gastric emptying.

Conclusion

Buttressing PG represents a simple and safe reconstruction technique following PD, particularly for patients with a soft pancreas and/or small pancreatic duct. This approach is associated with a low incidence of POPF. However, prospective randomised trials with large sample sizes are required to confirm these results.
Evaluating the competition intensity of wandering spiders feeding on Empoasca onukii under varying cicada–spider ratios in tea plantations
Authors: Liu Aiguo , Wang Guoqing , Zhou Xiazhi , Zou Yunding , Bi Shoudong
Published: April 2024

This study was designed to explore differences in the competitive effects of wandering spiders under different cicada–spider ratios in tea plantations, and to provide a basis for the use of predatory wandering spiders for rational biological control. The population dynamics of Empoasca onukii and its natural enemies, the wandering spiders, were investigated in plantations of six tea cultivars, namely Anjibaicha, Huangshandayezhong, Longjing 43, Nongkangzao, Pingyangtezao and Wuniuzao, on the peak day of E. onukii emergence. Competition among wandering spiders under different cicada–spider ratios was analyzed using the gray correlation method and the competition coefficient method, and the results were then combined to derive a competition intensity index, which was then used to verify the accuracy of the results obtained. The results showed that the competition coefficients and competition intensity indices for low cicada–spider ratios were greater than those for high cicada–spider ratios on the peak day of E. onukii feeding, the differences between the two were significant at the t0.20 level, and the most competitive wandering spiders at low and high ratios were Clubiona japonicola and Clubiona reichlini, respectively, indicating that the cicada–spider ratio had some influence on the competitive effect of the wandering spiders. The results provide a scientific basis for the study of competition between species of wandering spiders and the utilization of competitive wandering spiders against E. onukii for the protection of tea crops.
Identification of a potent PCNA‐p15‐interaction inhibitor by autodisplay‐based peptide library screening
Authors: Hardebeck Sarah , Jácobo Goebbels Natalie , Michalski Caroline , Schreiber Sebastian , Jose Joachim
Published: April 2024

Proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) is an essential factor for DNA metabolism. The influence of PCNA on DNA replication and repair, combined with the high expression rate of PCNA in various tumours renders PCNA a promising target for cancer therapy. In this context, an autodisplay‐based screening method was developed to identify peptidic PCNA interaction inhibitors. A 12‐mer randomized peptide library consisting of 2.54 × 106 colony‐forming units was constructed and displayed at the surface of Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells by autodisplay. Cells exhibiting an enhanced binding to fluorescent mScarlet‐I‐PCNA were enriched in four sorting rounds by flow cytometry. This led to the discovery of five peptide variants with affinity to mScarlet‐I‐PCNA. Among these, P3 (TCPLRWITHDHP) exhibited the highest binding signal. Subsequent flow cytometric analysis revealed a dissociation constant of 0.62 μM for PCNA‐P3 interaction. Furthermore, the inhibition of PCNA interactions was investigated using p15, a PIP‐box containing protein involved in DNA replication and repair. P3 inhibited the PCNA‐p1551‐70 interaction with a half maximal inhibitory activity of 16.2 μM, characterizing P3 as a potent inhibitor of the PCNA‐p15 interaction.
Testing and optimizing metabarcoding of iDNA from dung beetles to sample mammals in the hyperdiverse Neotropics
Authors: Saranholi Bruno H. , França Filipe M. , Vogler Alfried P. , Barlow Jos , Vaz de Mello Fernando Z. , Maldaner Maria E. , Carvalho Edrielly , Gestich Carla C. , Howes Benjamin , Banks‐Leite Cristina , Galetti Pedro M.
Published: April 2024

Over the past few years, insects have been used as samplers of vertebrate diversity by assessing the ingested‐derived DNA (iDNA), and dung beetles have been shown to be a good mammal sampler given their broad feeding preference, wide distribution and easy sampling. Here, we tested and optimized the use of iDNA from dung beetles to assess the mammal community by evaluating if some biological and methodological aspects affect the use of dung beetles as mammal species samplers. We collected 403 dung beetles from 60 pitfall traps. iDNA from each dung beetle was sequenced by metabarcoding using two mini‐barcodes (12SrRNA and 16SrRNA). We assessed whether dung beetles with different traits related to feeding, nesting and body size differed in the number of mammal species found in their iDNA. We also tested differences among four killing solutions in preserving the iDNA and compared the effectiveness of each mini barcode to recover mammals. We identified a total of 50 mammal OTUs (operational taxonomic unit), including terrestrial and arboreal species from 10 different orders. We found that at least one mammal‐matching sequence was obtained from 70% of the dung beetle specimens. The number of mammal OTUs obtained did not vary with dung beetle traits as well as between the killing solutions. The 16SrRNA mini‐barcode recovered a higher number of mammal OTUs than 12SrRNA, although both sets were partly non‐overlapping. Thus, the complete mammal diversity may not be achieved by using only one of them. This study refines the methodology for routine assessment of tropical mammal communities via dung beetle ‘samplers’ and its universal applicability independently of the species traits of local beetle communities.
Pathogenesis of gout: Exploring more therapeutic target
Authors: Xiao Niqin , Xie Zhaohu , He Zhiyan , Xu Yundong , Zheng Shuyu , Wei Yuanyuan , Zhang Xiaoyu , Shen Jiayan , Wang Jian , Tian Yadan , Zuo Jinlian , Peng Jiangyun , Li Zhaofu
Published: April 2024

Gout is a chronic metabolic and immune disease, and its specific pathogenesis is still unclear. When the serum uric acid exceeds its saturation in the blood or tissue fluid, it is converted to monosodium urate crystals, which lead to acute arthritis of varying degrees, urinary stones, or irreversible peripheral joint damage, and in severe cases, impairment of vital organ function. Gout flare is a clinically significant state of acute inflammation in gout. The current treatment is mostly anti‐inflammatory analgesics, which have numerous side effects with limited treatment methods. Gout pathogenesis involves many aspects. Therefore, exploring gout pathogenesis from multiple perspectives is conducive to identifying more therapeutic targets and providing safer and more effective alternative treatment options for patients with gout flare. Thus, this article is of great significance for further exploring the pathogenesis of gout. The author summarizes the pathogenesis of gout from four aspects: signaling pathways, inflammatory factors, intestinal flora, and programmed cell death, focusing on exploring more new therapeutic targets.
Microbiological exploration of the Cueva del Viento lava tube system in Tenerife, Canary Islands
Authors: Gutierrez‐Patricio Sara , Osman Jorge R. , Gonzalez‐Pimentel José Luis , Jurado Valme , Laiz Leonila , Concepción Alfredo Laínez , Saiz‐Jimenez Cesareo , Miller Ana Zélia
Published: April 2024

Cueva del Viento, located in the Canary Islands, Spain, is the Earth's sixth‐longest lava tube, spanning 18,500 m, and was formed approximately 27,000 years ago. This complex volcanic cave system is characterized by a unique geomorphology, featuring an intricate network of galleries. Despite its geological significance, the geomicrobiology of Cueva del Viento remains largely unexplored. This study employed a combination of culture‐dependent techniques and metabarcoding data analysis to gain a comprehensive understanding of the cave's microbial diversity. The 16S rRNA gene metabarcoding approach revealed that the coloured microbial mats (yellow, red and white) coating the cave walls are dominated by the phyla Actinomycetota, Pseudomonadota and Acidobacteriota. Of particular interest is the high relative abundance of the genus Crossiella, which is involved in urease‐mediated biomineralization processes, along with the presence of genera associated with nitrogen cycling, such as Nitrospira. Culture‐dependent techniques provided insights into the morphological characteristics of the isolated species and their potential metabolic activities, particularly for the strains Streptomyces spp., Paenarthrobacter sp. and Pseudomonas spp. Our findings underscore the potential of Cueva del Viento as an ideal environment for studying microbial diversity and for the isolation and characterization of novel bacterial species of biotechnological interest.
Interplay of Status Perception, Visible Inequality, Conspicuous Consumption, and Food Expenditure: Evidence from Consumer Pyramid Household Survey of Indian Households*
Authors: Jadhav Vivek , Mukherjee Sacchidananda
Published: April 2024

This study delves into the intricate interplay between visible inequality, conspicuous consumption, and food consumption in Indian households. Leveraging data from the Consumer Pyramids Household Survey (CPHS) provides significant insights. Through empirical analyses, including panel data analysis and instrumental variable panel data analysis, this study supports the hypothesis that there exists a relationship between visible inequality and conspicuous consumption among Indian households. The positive coefficients linked to conspicuous consumption variability reinforce established theories concerning the impact of status perception on spending behaviour. This study reveals a noteworthy adverse effect of visible inequality on essential expenditures, particularly food consumption, highlighting the delicate balancing act that households navigate between status‐driven spending and meeting fundamental needs. By employing instrumental variable regression models to address endogeneity concerns, this study robustly confirms the relationship between visible inequality and conspicuous consumption. This study emphasises the nuanced relationship between status‐oriented spending, visible inequality, and essential expenses in Indian households.
Forbes Magazine's America's Best Banks: Are they best for investors?
Authors: Filbeck Greg , Preece Dianna , Zhao Xin
Published: April 2024

This paper investigates announcement effects and longer‐term performance associated with the Forbes' America's Best Banks survey release. Although the market reacted positively to the announcement, the overall event window effects were insignificant. Raw and risk‐adjusted returns are statistically insignificant over longer‐time horizons. Investors cannot just use the Best Banks list to earn positive announcement window returns. However, a direct relation exists between movement in survey rank and subsequent accounting profitability measures, suggesting investors may benefit from monitoring movements on the Best Banks list. We also find support for a size effect as smaller, matched sample banks have higher Jensen's alphas than the Forbes larger Best Banks.
Prolonged diacetylmorphine take‐home during the COVID‐19 pandemic—Results of a retrospective cohort study
Authors: Brezan Franciska , Meyer Maximilian , Vogel Marc , Heimer Jakob , Falcato Luis , Montagna Jonas , Bruggmann Philip
Published: April 2024

Background and aims

Legal regulations for dispensing in Swiss heroin‐assisted treatment were relaxed during the COVID‐19 pandemic, allowing prolonged take‐home of up to 7 days instead of two to reduce patient contact and the risk of infection. Our study aimed to measure the consequences of this new practice.

Design, setting and participants

This was a retrospective cohort study set in Switzerland’s largest outpatient centre for opioid agonist therapy. One hundred and thirty‐four (72.4%) of the 185 patients receiving oral diacetylmorphine (DAM) participated in the study.

Measurements

Through the utilization of electronic medication prescription and dispensing software, as well as the electronic medical record, the following data were extracted to explore the potential consequences: dose of DAM, the number of antibiotic therapies, emergency hospitalizations and incarcerations. Age, gender, prescriptions for psychotrophic drugs and additional prescription for injectable DAM were tested to assess an increased risk of losing prolonged take‐home privileges. Data in the year since prolonged take‐home (period 2) were compared with data from the equivalent prior year (period 1).

Findings

DAM take‐home was not associated with a change in DAM dose (P = 0.548), the number of emergency hospitalizations (P = 0.186) or the number of incarcerations (P = 0.215); 79.1% of all patients were able to maintain their extended take‐home privileges. However, patients who had injectable DAM experienced significant reductions in their prolonged take‐home privileges.

Conclusion

Allowing patients to take home oral diacetylmorphine for up to 7 days as treatment for opioid use disorder does not appear to pose any demonstrable health risk. It is generally manageable for the large majority of patients. However, careful consideration of prolonged take‐home for patients with additional injectable diacetylmorphine is recommended, as these patients are more likely to lose take‐home privileges.
A PAX3 insertion in the Celestial breed and certain feline breeding lines with dominant blue eyes
Authors: Abitbol Marie , Couronné Alice , Dufaure de Citres Caroline , Gache Vincent
Published: April 2024

During the last 60 years many inherited traits in domestic outbred cats were selected and retained giving birth to new breeds characterised by singular coat or morphological phenotypes. Among them, minimal white spotting associated with blue eyes was selected by feline breeders to create the Altai, Topaz, and Celestial breeds. Various established breeds also introduced this trait in their lineages. The trait, that was confirmed as autosomal dominant by breeding data, was first described in domestic cats from Kazakhstan and Russia, in British shorthair and British longhair from Russia, and in Maine Coon cats from the Netherlands, suggesting different founding effects. Using a genome‐wide association study we identified a single region on chromosome C1 that was associated with the minimal white spotting and blue eyes phenotype (also called DBE by breeders for dominant blue eyes) in the French Celestial breed. Within that region we identified Paired Box 3 (PAX3) as the strongest candidate gene, since PAX3 is a key regulator of MITF (Melanocyte‐Inducing Transcription Factor) and PAX3 variants have been previously identified in various species showing white spotting with or without blue eyes including the mouse and the horse. Whole genome sequencing of a Celestial cat revealed an endogenous retrovirus LTR (long terminal repeat) insertion within PAX3 intron 4 known to contain regulatory sequences (conserved non‐coding element [CNE]) involved in PAX3 expression. The insertion is in the vicinity of CNE2 and CNE3. All 52 Celestial and Celestial‐mixed cats with a DBE phenotype presented the insertion, that was absent in their 22 non‐DBE littermates and in 87 non‐DBE cats from various breeds. The outbred Celestial founder was also heterozygous for the insertion. Additionally, the variant was found in nine DBE Maine Coon cats related to the Celestial founder and four DBE Siberian cats with an uncertain origin. Segregation of the variant in the Celestial breed is consistent with dominant inheritance and does not appear to be associated with deafness. We propose that this NC_018730.3:g.206974029_206974030insN[395] variant represents the DBECEL (Celestial Dominant Blue Eyes) allele in the domestic cat.
Timing optimization for primary pterygium excision with conjunctival‐limbal autograft to restore the corneal optical properties
Authors: Ha Dong Hee , Kim Kyoung Woo
Published: April 2024

Purpose

To propose the optimal value of baseline corneal astigmatism and pterygial morphological profiles for primary pterygium surgery to restore the corneal optical properties.

Methods

We analysed 93 eyes from 84 subjects with nasal‐only primary pterygium who underwent pterygium excision with conjunctival‐limbal autograft and were assessed perioperatively using anterior segment swept‐source optical coherence tomography (AS SS‐OCT). We collected data on anterior corneal astigmatism (ACA) and root mean square (RMS) values for anterior corneal lower‐ (LoA) and higher‐order aberrations (HoA) as corneal optical properties using AS SS‐OCT. Using preoperative ACA and four pterygial morphological profiles (horizontal invasion length [HIL], height, thickness and the ratio of residual corneal thickness [RCT] to central corneal thickness [CCT]) measured in AS SS‐OCT, we plotted receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. These curves aimed to determine cut‐off values predicting a perioperative decrease exceeding 50% in ACA, RMS LoA and RMS HoA, as well as postoperative residual ACA higher than 1.25D.

Results

Preoperative ACA > 1.42D (AUC = 0.934) and >3.60D (AUC = 0.946) proved most effective in identifying subjects with perioperative decrease exceeding in ACA and RMS LoA, respectively. HIL > 3.34 mm (AUC = 0.941) was most effective in distinguishing subjects with perioperative reduction exceeding 50% in RMS HoA. Preoperative ACA > 5.78D (AUC = 0.776) and HIL > 5.03 mm (AUC = 0.700) significantly distinguished subjects with postoperative residual ACA higher than 1.25D.

Conclusion

Optimizing the restoration of corneal astigmatism and aberrations after pterygium surgery may be facilitated by determining the optimal surgical timing based on preoperative ACA and HIL values.
Smoking cessation only partially reverses cardiac metabolic and structural remodeling in mice
Authors: Aid Jekaterina , Tanjeko Ajime Tom , Serré Jef , Eggelbusch Moritz , Noort Wendy , de Wit Gerard M. J. , van Weeghel Michel , Puurand Marju , Tepp Kersti , Gayan‐Ramirez Ghislaine , Degens Hans , Käämbre Tuuli , Wüst Rob C. I.
Published: April 2024

Aims

Active cigarette smoking is a major risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease that remains elevated after cessation. Skeletal muscle dysfunction has been well documented after smoking, but little is known about cardiac adaptations to cigarette smoking. The underlying cellular and molecular cardiac adaptations, independent of confounding lifestyle factors, and time course of reversibility by smoking cessation remain unclear. We hypothesized that smoking negatively affects cardiac metabolism and induces local inflammation in mice, which do not readily reverse upon 2‐week smoking cessation.

Methods

Mice were exposed to air or cigarette smoke for 14 weeks with or without 1‐ or 2‐week smoke cessation. We measured cardiac mitochondrial respiration by high‐resolution respirometry, cardiac mitochondrial density, abundance of mitochondrial supercomplexes by electrophoresis, and capillarization, fibrosis, and macrophage infiltration by immunohistology, and performed cardiac metabolome and lipidome analysis by mass spectrometry.

Results

Mitochondrial protein, supercomplex content, and respiration (all p < 0.03) were lower after smoking, which were largely reversed within 2‐week smoking cessation. Metabolome and lipidome analyses revealed alterations in mitochondrial metabolism, a shift from fatty acid to glucose metabolism, which did not revert to control upon smoking cessation. Capillary density was not different after smoking but increased after smoking cessation (p = 0.02). Macrophage infiltration and fibrosis (p < 0.04) were higher after smoking but did not revert to control upon smoking cessation.

Conclusions

While cigarette‐impaired smoking‐induced cardiac mitochondrial function was reversed by smoking cessation, the remaining fibrosis and macrophage infiltration may contribute to the increased risk of cardiovascular events after smoking cessation.
Randomised clinical trial: First‐line infliximab biosimilar is cost‐effective compared to conventional treatment in paediatric Crohn's disease
Authors: Vuijk Stephanie A. , Jongsma Maria M. E. , Hoeven Britt M. , Cozijnsen Maarten A. , van Pieterson Merel , de Meij Tim G. J. , Norbruis Obbe F. , Groeneweg Michael , Wolters Victorien M. , van Wering Herbert , Hummel Thalia , Stapelbroek Janneke , van der Feen Cathelijne , van Rheenen Patrick F. , van Wijk Michiel P. , Teklenburg Sarah , Rizopoulos Dimitris , Poley Marten J. , Escher Johanna C. , de Ridder Lissy
Published: April 2024

Background

Data on cost‐effectiveness of first‐line infliximab in paediatric patients with Crohn's disease are limited. Since biologics are increasingly prescribed and accompanied by high costs, this knowledge gap needs to be addressed.

Aim

To investigate the cost‐effectiveness of first‐line infliximab compared to conventional treatment in children with moderate‐to‐severe Crohn's disease.

Methods

We included patients from the Top‐down Infliximab Study in Kids with Crohn's disease randomised controlled trial. Children with newly diagnosed moderate‐to‐severe Crohn's disease were treated with azathioprine maintenance and either five induction infliximab (biosimilar) infusions or conventional induction treatment (exclusive enteral nutrition or corticosteroids). Direct healthcare consumption and costs were obtained per patient until week 104. This included data on outpatient hospital visits, hospital admissions, drug costs, endoscopies and surgeries. The primary health outcome was the odds ratio of being in clinical remission (weighted paediatric Crohn's disease activity index<12.5) during 104 weeks.

Results

We included 89 patients (44 in the first‐line infliximab group and 45 in the conventional treatment group). Mean direct healthcare costs per patient were €36,784 for first‐line infliximab treatment and €36,874 for conventional treatment over 2 years (p = 0.981). The odds ratio of first‐line infliximab versus conventional treatment to be in clinical remission over 104 weeks was 1.56 (95%CI 1.03–2.35, p = 0.036).

Conclusions

First‐line infliximab treatment resulted in higher odds of being in clinical remission without being more expensive, making it the dominant strategy over conventional treatment in the first 2 years after diagnosis in children with moderate‐to‐severe Crohn's disease.

Trial registration number: NCT02517684.
Combining regularization and logistic regression model to validate the Q‐matrix for cognitive diagnosis model
Authors: Sun Xiaojian , Zhang Tongxin , Nie Chang , Song Naiqing , Xin Tao
Published: April 2024

Q‐matrix is an important component of most cognitive diagnosis models (CDMs); however, it mainly relies on subject matter experts' judgements in empirical studies, which introduces the possibility of misspecified q‐entries. To address this, statistical Q‐matrix validation methods have been proposed to aid experts' judgement. A few of these methods, including the multiple logistic regression‐based (MLR‐B) method and the Hull method, can be applied to general CDMs, but they are either time‐consuming or lack accuracy under certain conditions. In this study, we combine the L1 regularization and MLR model to validate the Q‐matrix. Specifically, an L1 penalty term is imposed on the log‐likelihood of the MLR model to select the necessary attributes for each item. A simulation study with various factors was conducted to examine the performance of the new method against the two existing methods. The results show that the regularized MLR‐B method (a) produces the highest Q‐matrix recovery rate (QRR) and true positive rate (TPR) for most conditions, especially with a small sample size; (b) yields a slightly higher true negative rate (TNR) than either the MLR‐B or the Hull method for most conditions; and (c) requires less computation time than the MLR‐B method and similar computation time as the Hull method. A real data set is analysed for illustration purposes.
Stable isotopic composition of Bothrops atrox (common lancehead) in four distinct land covers in eastern Amazonia
Authors: Martinez Melissa Gaste , de Camargo Plinio Barbosa , da Silva Ana Maria Moura , de Oliveira Junior Raimundo Cosme , de Menezes Chalkidis Hipócrates , dos Santos Junior Alfredo Pedroso , Mourão Rosa Helena Veras , Amazonas Diana Rêgo , Soltangheisi Amin , da Silva Araújo Maria Gabriella , Filho Adibe Luiz Abdalla , Martinelli Luiz Antonio
Published: April 2024

Since consumers reflect the isotopic composition of an assimilated diet, stable isotopes can be a useful tool to address the feeding ecology of tropical snakes. This is the first study reporting carbon and nitrogen stable isotopic composition of Bothrops atrox (Linnaeus, 1758) living in different landscapes located in the lower Amazon river, encompassing four main natural landscapes of the Amazon: old‐growth forests, várzeas (flooded forests), savannas, and pastures. Our null hypothesis is that the δ13C of forest specimens of B.atrox is more negative because forests are dominated by C3 plants, while C4 plants are common in the other landscapes. On the other hand, δ15N of forest specimens should be more positive, since the δ15N of old‐growth forests are higher than plants of savanna, várzea, and pastures. Confirming our hypothesis, the δ13C of B. atrox scales of the Tapajós National Forest was approximate −25‰ to −24‰, increased to approximately −23.5‰ to −23.0‰ in the savanna and pasture, and to −21‰ in the várzea, showing an increased contribution of C4‐derived carbon. Some specimens of B. atrox had δ15N as high as 18‰, which is much higher than the average δ15N of the snake's prey (7‰), confirming the apex position of B. atrox in the Amazon region. The δ15N values of the forest specimens were 5‰ higher than the savanna specimens, and this difference decreased to 3‰ between the forest and the pasture, and the várzea specimens. Finally, there were not large differences between δ15N values of livers and scales in any of the landscapes, suggesting a constant diet through time, and reinforcing the possibility of the use of snake's scale as a less invasive and non‐lethal tissue to analyze.

Abstract in Portuguese is available with online material.
Welfare effects of common ownership in an international duopoly
Authors: Liu Yi , Matsumura Toshihiro
Published: April 2024

We formulate an international oligopoly model in the presence of global common ownership. We theoretically investigate how common ownership affects the volume of international trade in an oligopoly market and global welfare. We find that welfare decreases (increases) with the degree of common ownership when the international transport costs are low (high), whereas common ownership reduces international trade. This conclusion remains valid in the presence of import tariffs and asymmetric common ownership share.
Brain areas interconnected to ventral pathway circuits are independently able to induce enhancement in object recognition memory and cause reversal in object recognition memory deficit
Authors: Masmudi‐Martín Mariam , Navarro‐Lobato Irene , López‐Aranda Manuel F. , Quiros‐Ortega María E. , Carretero‐Rey Marta , Garcia‐Garrido María F. , López Téllez Juan F. , Jiménez‐Recuerda Inmaculada , Muñoz de Leon López Cristina A. , Khan Zafar U.
Published: April 2024

Aims

Ventral pathway circuits are constituted by the interconnected brain areas that are distributed throughout the brain. These brain circuits are primarily involved in processing of object related information in brain. However, their role in object recognition memory (ORM) enhancement remains unknown. Here, we have studied on the implication of these circuits in ORM enhancement and in reversal of ORM deficit in aging.

Methods

The brain areas interconnected to ventral pathway circuits in rat brain were activated by an expression of a protein called regulator of G‐protein signaling 14 of 414 amino acids (RGS14414). RGS14414 is an ORM enhancer and therefore used here as a gain‐in‐function tool. ORM test and immunohistochemistry, lesions, neuronal arborization, and knockdown studies were performed to uncover the novel function of ventral pathway circuits.

Results

An activation of each of the brain areas interconnected to ventral pathway circuits individually induced enhancement in ORM; however, same treatment in brain areas not interconnected to ventral pathway circuits produced no effect. Further study in perirhinal cortex (PRh), area V2 of visual cortex and frontal cortex (FrC), which are brain areas that have been shown to be involved in ORM and are interconnected to ventral pathway circuits, revealed that ORM enhancement seen after the activation of any one of the three brain areas was unaffected by the lesions in other two brain areas either individually in each area or even concurrently in both areas. This ORM enhancement in all three brain areas was associated to increase in structural plasticity of pyramidal neurons where more than 2‐fold higher dendritic spines were observed. Additionally, we found that an activation of either PRh, area V2, or FrC not only was adequate but also was sufficient for the reversal of ORM deficit in aging rats, and the blockade of RGS14414 activity led to loss in increase in dendritic spine density and failure in reversal of ORM deficit.

Conclusions

These results suggest that brain areas interconnected to ventral pathway circuits facilitate ORM enhancement by an increase in synaptic connectivity between the local brain area circuits and the passing by ventral pathway circuits and an upregulation in activity of ventral pathway circuits. In addition, the finding of the reversal of ORM deficit through activation of an interconnected brain area might serve as a platform for developing not only therapy against memory deficits but also strategies for other brain diseases in which neuronal circuits are compromised.