bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Investigating interspecific quorum sensing influence on cocoa fermentation quality through defined microbial cocktails
Authors: Almeida O.G.G. , Pereira M. G. , Bighetti-Trevisan R. L. , Santos E.S. , De Campos E. G. , Felis G.E. , Guimarães L.H.S. , Polizeli M.L.T.M , De Martinis B. S. , De Martinis E.C.P.
Published: June 2022

The fermentation of cocoa beans is a key process to supply high quality ingredients for the chocolate industry. In spite of several attempts to obtain standardised microbial cultures for cocoa fermentation, it is still a spontaneous process. It has been suggested lactobacilli present potential for quorum sensing (QS) regulation in cocoa fermentation, and in the present research, laboratory scale fermentations were carried out to further elucidate possible QS influence on microbial shifts and fermented seeds quality. The experimental design comprised the 96 hours-fermentations designated as F0 (control), F1 (yeasts, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria), F2 (yeasts and acetic acid bacteria), F3 (yeasts only), with evaluation of the microbial succession by plate counting, determination of enzymatic activities by classical methods and qualitative evaluation of flavour compounds by gas-chromatography (GC-MS) with headspace sampling. Besides, QS was estimated by quantification of the expression of luxS genes by Reverse Transcriptase Real Time PCR analysis using selected primers. The results demonstrated that microbial successions were displayed in lab conditions, but no statistical difference in terms of microbial enumeration and α-diversity metrics were observed among the experimental and control fermentations. Moreover, enzymatic activities were not correlated to the total microbiota, indicating the seeds’ endogenous hydrolases protagonist enzymes secretion and activity. Regarding luxS genes measuring for the species Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Limosilactobacillus fermentum, genes were active in fermentation in the start to the end phase and to the beginning to the middle phase of fermentation, respectively. Correlation analysis among luxS expression and volatile metabolites evidenced Lp. plantarum association with detrimental compounds for fermentation quality. This data contributes to our previous research which monitored fermentations to survey enzymatic changes and QS potential along the process and sheds light of QS-related strategies of lactobacilli dominance in cocoa fermentations.
E-cadherin in developing murine T cells controls spindle alignment and differentiation during β-selection
Authors: Charnley Mirren , Allam Amr H , Newton Lucas M , Humbert Patrick O , Russell Sarah M
Published: June 2022

A critical stage of T cell development is β-selection; at this stage the TCRβ chain is generated and the developing T cell starts to acquire antigenic specificity. Progression through β-selection is assisted by a low affinity interaction between the nascent TCRβ chain and peptide presented on stromal MHC and external cues provided by the niche, including Notch and CXCR4. In this study, we reveal the importance of a new cue within the murine developing T cell niche which is critical for T cell development. E-cadherin mediates cell-cell interactions and influences cell fate in many developmental systems. In developing T cells E-cadherin contributed to the formation of an immunological synapse and the alignment of the mitotic spindle with the polarity axis during division, which facilitated subsequent T cell development. Collectively, these data highlight a new aspect of the developing T cell niche and provide insights into the role of E-cadherin in the β-selection stage of T cell development.
Oxysterols drive inflammation via GPR183 during influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection
Authors: Foo Cheng Xiang , Bartlett Stacey , Chew Keng Yih , Ngo Minh Dao , Bielefeldt-Ohmann Helle , Arachchige Buddhika Jayakody , Matthews Benjamin , Reed Sarah , Wang Ran , Sweet Matthew J. , Burr Lucy , Sinclair Jane E. , Parry Rhys , Khromykh Alexander , Short Kirsty R. , Rosenkilde Mette Marie , Ronacher Katharina
Published: June 2022

Rationale

Severe viral respiratory infections are often characterized by extensive myeloid cell infiltration and activation and persistent lung tissue injury. However, the immunological mechanisms driving excessive inflammation in the lung remain elusive.

Objectives

To identify the mechanisms that drive immune cell recruitment in the lung during viral respiratory infections and identify novel drug targets to reduce inflammation and disease severity.

Methods

Preclinical murine models of influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Results

Oxidized cholesterols and the oxysterol-sensing receptor GPR183 were identified as drivers of monocyte-macrophage infiltration to the lung during influenza virus (IAV) and SARS-CoV-2 infections. Both IAV and SARS-CoV-2 infections upregulated the enzymes cholesterol 25-hydroxylase (CH25H) and cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily member B1 (CYP7B1) in the lung, resulting in local production of the oxidized cholesterols 25-hydroxycholesterol and 7α,25-dihydroxycholesterol (7α,25-OHC). Loss-of-function mutation of GPR183, or treatment with a GPR183 antagonist, reduced macrophage infiltration and inflammatory cytokine production in the lungs of IAV- or SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. The GPR183 antagonist also significantly attenuated the severity of SARS-CoV-2 infection by reducing weight loss and viral loads.

Conclusion

This study demonstrates that oxysterols drive inflammation in the lung and provides the first preclinical evidence for therapeutic benefit of targeting GPR183 during severe viral respiratory infections.

Author Summary

Viral infections trigger oxysterol production in the lung, attracting macrophages via GPR183. Blocking GPR183 reduced inflammation and disease severity in SARS-CoV-2 infection, making GPR183 a putative target for therapeutic intervention.
Somatic mouse models of gastric cancer reveal genotype-specific features of metastatic disease
Authors: Leibold Josef , Amor Corina , Tsanov Kaloyan M. , Ho Yu-Jui , Sánchez-Rivera Francisco J. , Feucht Judith , Baslan Timour , Chen Hsuan-An , Tian Sha , Simon Janelle , Wuest Alexandra , Wilkinson John E. , Lowe Scott W.
Published: June 2022

Metastatic gastric carcinoma is a highly lethal cancer that responds poorly to conventional and molecularly targeted therapies. Despite its clinical relevance, the mechanisms underlying the behavior and therapeutic response of this disease are poorly understood owing, in part, to a paucity of tractable models that faithfully recapitulate different subtypes of the human disease. To close this gap, we developed methods to somatically introduce different oncogenic lesions directly into the stomach epithelium and show that genotypic configurations observed in patients produce metastatic gastric cancers that recapitulate the histological, molecular, and clinical features of all non-viral molecular subtypes of the human disease. Applying this platform to both wild-type and immune-deficient mice revealed previously unappreciated links between the genotype, organotropism and immune surveillance of metastatic cells that produced distinct patterns of metastasis that were mirrored in patients. Our results establish and credential a highly portable platform for producing autochthonous cancer models with flexible genotypes and host backgrounds, which can unravel mechanisms of gastric tumorigenesis or test new therapeutic concepts aimed at improving outcomes in gastric cancer patients.
Computed tomography lacks sensitivity to image gold labelled mesenchymal stromal cells in vivo as evidenced by multispectral optoacoustic tomography
Authors: Hernandez Pichardo Alejandra , Littlewood James , Taylor Arthur , Wilm Bettina , Lévy Raphaël , Murray Patricia
Published: June 2022

Elucidating the mechanisms of action and long-term safety of cell therapies is necessary for their clinical translation. Non-invasive imaging technologies such as bioluminescence imaging (BLI), computed tomography (CT) and multispectral optoacoustic tomography (MSOT) have been proposed as tools for longitudinal cell monitoring but their performances have not been compared. Here, we evaluate combinations of these modalities to track the in vivo distribution of gold-labelled mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs). We found that injected MSCs labelled with gold nanoparticles and expressing the reporter gene firefly luciferase could be detected with BLI and MSOT but not CT. We conclude that the MSCs did not carry enough contrast agent to be tracked by CT, demonstrating that CT tracking of gold-labelled cells is not a practical approach as high amounts of gold, which might impair cell viability, are necessary.
Patterns of sexual variation in hominoid mandibular morphology: a framework for interpreting the hominin fossil record
Authors: Nadal Lucía , Lahr Marta Mirazón
Published: June 2022

For many species, sexual dimorphism is one of the major sources of intraspecific variation. This is the case in some extant great apes, such as gorillas and orangutans, and to a lesser degree in humans, chimpanzees and bonobos. This variation has been well documented in various aspects of these species skeletal anatomy, including differences in the size and shape of the body, cranium, canines, and cresting of males and females, but less is known about sexually dimorphic variation of great ape mandibles. This is particularly important for building robust analog models to interpreting variation in the early hominin fossil record which preserves a large proportion of isolated mandibles and partial mandibles. Here we describe the phenotypical expression of sexual dimorphism in the mandible of six extant hominoid species, including humans, using geometric morphometrics. Our analyses show that the extent of sexual dimorphism in mandibular size and shape amongst the species studied is not the same, as well as the presence of significant differences in the degree of sexual dimorphism being expressed at different sections of the mandible. Furthermore, we find significant differences in how sexual dimorphism is expressed phenotypically even amongst closely related species with small divergence times. We discuss the potential pathways leading to such variation and the implications for extinct hominin variability.
Management accounting knowledge, limited managerial discretion and the use of management accounting: evidence from Japanese public hospitals
Authors: Shirinashihama Yoshitaka
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This study examines whether management accounting knowledge and limited managerial discretion encourage and/or hinder the use of management accounting.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the data obtained from public hospitals in Japan, this study tests whether top managers with more management accounting knowledge use management accounting more. Additionally, the study verifies whether lower managerial discretion leads to the use of less management accounting and conducts hierarchical multiple regression analysis.

Findings

The results show that the higher management accounting knowledge is, the more likely management accounting is to be used. By contrast, the more limited management discretion is, the less likely management accounting is to be used.

Originality/value

The author's management accounting research based on the upper echelon theory has shown that characteristics such as the education and experience of top managers affect the use of management accounting systems. However, the impact of management accounting knowledge and managerial discretion, which is one of the important characteristics of top managers, on management accounting has rarely been studied.
Modeling the determinants of BIM-enabled integration and collaboration
Authors: Olugboyega Oluseye , Windapo Abimbola
Published: June 2022

Purpose

BIM research to date has in general zeroed in on featuring the significance of BIM-enabled integration and collaboration (BIMIC) rather than giving exact proof of its occurrence. Accordingly, this research quantitatively explored the determinants of BIMIC in South Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

This research conceptualized a four-pillar model of BIM-enabled integration and collaboration. The speculations in the model were examined using SEM-MLE.

Findings

The aftereffects of the SEM-MLE demonstrated that network communication, knowledge sharing, and transfer, information sharing and exchange and trust-based relationships are critical determinants of BIMIC. The model's prescient power demonstrates an acceptable validity, and the boundary gauges showed that all the hypotheses were measurably huge.

Research limitations/implications

This research gives a hypothetical premise for further investigation of BIMIC by supporting the postulations on the occurrence of collaboration and integrations among the BIM-SCM.

Practical implications

The idea investigated involving SEM in this research gives a holistic view to the BIM managers in arranging BIM-based activities and overseeing BIM cycles and supply chain members. It likewise offers rules and structures for accomplishing and overseeing integration and collaboration among the BIM supply chain members.

Originality/value

Despite 20 years of exploration on the BIM concept and adoption, no idea has been given to clarify the determinants of integration and collaboration as a BIM cycle. The four-pillar model of BIMIC created and tested in this research clarified BIMIC and contributed a new model to the current literature on the BIM process.
Effects of air-suction guide structures on the condensing zone of pneumatic compact spinning with perforated drum
Authors: Demir Murat
Published: June 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of air-suction slots geometry on the condensing zone of pneumatic compact spinning.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper investigated the condensing zone of pneumatic compact spinning with perforated drum for different structures of air-inlet slot geometry with computational fluid dynamics. For this purpose, three air-suction guides with different air-slots were designed. To create the condensing zone for the numerical simulation, a suction insert and the perforated drum were also designed. Flow velocity components on the X, Y, and Z axes, static pressure distribution and the streamline diagram were used for comparative analysis. Designed air-suction guides were produced with a 3D printer and used for yarn production.

Findings

Numerical simulation results showed that condensing effects were provided for all three types of air-suction guides and approaching air-slots on the suction guides resulted in greater flow components but may cause fluctuations. Experimental results also showed that actual flow velocity components (Z-axis) are effective on hairiness (H) properties of the yarn while assisting flow-velocity components are more effective on the evenness and tenacity properties of the yarn.

Originality/value

This paper presents the numerical flow field simulation of compact spinning for different structures of air-suction guides with detailed measurements. To know the effects of air-suction guides on the condensing zone may be helpful to improve yarn properties. In addition, a 3D printer was used for the production of designed parts.
Co-movement and causal relationships between conventional and Islamic stock market returns under regime-switching framework
Authors: Mathlouthi Fatma , Bahloul Slah
Published: June 2022

Purpose

This paper aims at examining the co-movement dependent regime and causality relationships between conventional and Islamic returns for emerging, frontier and developed markets from November 2008 to August 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

First, the authors used the Markov-switching autoregression (MS–AR) model to capture the regime-switching behavior in the stock market returns. Second, the authors applied the Markov-switching regression and vector autoregression (MS-VAR) models in order to study, respectively, the co-movement and causality relationship between returns of conventional and Islamic indexes across market states.

Findings

Results show the presence of two different regimes for the three studied markets, namely, stability and crisis periods. Also, the authors found evidence of a co-movement relationship between the conventional and Islamic indexes for the three studied markets whatever the regime. For the Granger causality, it is proved only for emerging and developed markets and only during the stability regime. Finally, the authors conclude that Islamic indexes can act as diversifiers, or safe-haven assets are not strongly supported.

Originality/value

This paper is the first study that examines the co-movement and the causal relationship between conventional and Islamic indexes not only across different financial markets' regimes but also during the COVID-19 period. The findings may help investors in making educated decisions about whether or not to add Islamic indexes to their portfolios especially during the recent outbreak.
Active regulation of ultraviolet light exposure overrides thermal preference behaviour in eastern fence lizards
Authors: Conley Dane A. , Lattanzio Matthew S.
Published: June 2022

Over a century of ecophysiological studies on lizards have perpetuated the assumption that basking and shuttling movements between sun and shade function solely for temperature regulation. However, these behaviours also modulate exposure to ultraviolet (UV) wavelengths that are essential for maintaining physiological homoeostasis as well as ensuring proper growth and development and enhancing long‐term fitness.

An alternative hypothesis is that lizards also actively regulate their UV exposure. In this scenario, UV needs may even override temperature needs (or vice versa), generating asymmetries in the ability of a lizard to regulate both conditions equally. We test this hypothesis using field and laboratory data collected on adult Sceloporus undulatus.

We found that S. undulatus actively regulate UV exposure and prioritize UV over temperature, favouring body temperatures much higher than preferred values to sustain preferred UV exposure. In stark contrast, temperature had no reciprocal impact on UV regulation behaviour. Our field data support these patterns, suggesting that lizards may even seek out hotter environments despite thermal costs to enhance UV exposure.

We conclude that S. undulatus actively regulate for UV as well as temperature. Unfortunately, outside of zoos and private hobbyists, appreciation of the importance of UV for ectotherm survival and reproductive success has been minimal. Addressing this deficit will therefore be vital to improve our understanding of the factors shaping the evolution of ectotherm photoregulation behaviour in nature.

Read the free Plain Language Summary for this article on the Journal blog.
Interaction fidelity is less common than expected in plant–pollinator communities
Authors: Parra Santiago A. , Thébault Elisa , Fontaine Colin , Dakos Vasilis
Published: June 2022

Pairs of plants and pollinators species sometimes consistently interact throughout time and across space. Such consistency can be interpreted as a sign of interaction fidelity, that is a consistent interaction between two species when they co‐occur in the same place. But how common interaction fidelity is and what determines interaction fidelity in plant–pollinator communities remain open questions.

We aim to assess how frequent is interaction fidelity between plants and their pollinators and what drives interaction fidelity across plant–pollinator communities.

Using a dataset of 141 networks around the world, we quantify whether the interaction between pairs of plant and pollinator species happens more (‘interaction fidelity’) or less (‘interaction avoidance’) often than expected by chance given the structure of the networks in which they co‐occur. We also explore the relationship between interaction fidelity and species' degree (i.e. number of interactions), and the taxonomy of the species involved in the interaction.

Our findings reveal that most plant–pollinator interactions do not differ from random expectations, in other words show neither fidelity nor avoidance. Out of the total 44,814 co‐occurring species pairs we found 7,877 unique pair interactions (18%). Only 551 (7%) of the 7,877 plant–pollinator interactions did show significant interaction fidelity, meaning that these pairs interact in a consistent and non‐random way across networks. We also find that 39 (0.09%) out of 44,814 plant–pollinator pairs showed significant interaction avoidance. Our results suggest that interactions involving specialist species have a high probability to show interaction fidelity and a low probability of interaction avoidance. In addition, we find that particular associations between plant and insect orders, as for example interactions between Hymenoptera and Fabales, showed high fidelity and low avoidance.

Although niche and neutral processes simultaneously influence patterns of interaction in ecological communities, our findings suggest that it is rather neutral processes that are shaping the patterns of interactions in plant–pollinator networks.
Exploration on the Cr(VI) resistance mechanism of a novel thermophilic Cr(VI)‐reducing bacteria Anoxybacillus flavithermusABF1 isolated from Tengchong geothermal region, China
Authors: Yang Wenjing , Hong Wanqi , Huang Yongji , Li Shuzhen , Li Mengke , Zhong Hui , He Zhiguo
Published: June 2022

Hexavalent chromium resistance and reduction mechanisms of microorganism provide a critical guidance for Cr(VI) bioremediation. However, related researches are limited in mesophiles and deficient for thermophiles. In this work, a novel alkaline Cr(VI)‐reducing thermophile Anoxybacillus flavithermus ABF1 was isolated from geothermal region. The mechanisms of Cr(VI) resistance and reduction were investigated. The results demonstrated that A. flavithermus ABF1 could survive in a wide temperature range from 50°C to 70°C and in pH range of 7.0–9.0. Strain ABF1 showed excellent growth activity and Cr(VI) removal performance when initial Cr(VI) concentration was lower than 200 mg L−1. 93.71% of Cr(VI) was removed at initial concentration of 20 mg L−1 after 72 h. The majority of Cr(VI) was found to be reduced extracellularly by enzymes secreted by cells. XPS and Raman analysis further manifested that Cr2O3 was the product of Cr(VI) reduction. Moreover, the Cr(VI) transportation‐related gene cysP and Cr(VI) reduction‐related gene azoR of A. flavithermus ABF1 played key roles in inhibiting Cr(VI) entering cells and promoting extracellular Cr(VI) reduction respectively. This work provides novel insight into the mechanisms of Cr(VI) resistance and detoxication of thermophiles, which leads to a promising alternative strategy for heavy metal bioremediation in areas with elevated temperature.
Tax Incidence and Tax Avoidance*
Authors: Dyreng Scott D. , Jacob Martin , Jiang Xu , Müller Maximilian A.
Published: June 2022

Economists broadly agree that the economic burden of corporate taxes is not entirely borne by shareholders but also borne in part by employees and consumers. We examine corporate tax avoidance in a setting where shareholders do not bear the entire economic burden of the corporate tax. We show that the relation between corporate tax incidence and corporate tax avoidance depends on the elasticity of labor supply, the productivity of capital relative to labor, and the tax deductibility of labor and capital. These forces operate through two channels (firm scale and input mix), making the actual association between tax avoidance and incidence an empirical question. We find that firms whose shareholders bear less of the economic burden of corporate taxes engage in less avoidance. Our findings suggest that maximizing after‐tax profits might entail less tax avoidance if shareholders do not entirely bear the corporate tax burden. In particular, when the incidence of the corporate tax falls on the firm, firms avoid more taxes. This tendency is stronger if firms use a higher level of capital input, if the deductibility of the cost of capital investment is limited, if firms have high capital productivity, or if tax enforcement is strong.
Statin activation of skeletal ryanodine receptors (RyR1) is a class effect but separable from HMG‐CoA reductase inhibition
Authors: Lindsay Chris , Musgaard Maria , Russell Angela J. , Sitsapesan Rebecca
Published: June 2022

Background and Purpose

Statins, inhibitors of HMG‐CoA reductase, are mainstay treatment for hypercholesterolaemia. However, muscle pain and weakness prevent many patients from benefiting from their cardioprotective effects. We previously demonstrated that simvastatin activates skeletal ryanodine receptors (RyR1), an effect that could be important in initiating myopathy. Using a range of structurally diverse statin analogues, we examined structural features associated with RyR1 activation, aiming to identify statins lacking this property.

Experimental Approach

Compounds were screened for RyR1 activity utilising [3H]ryanodine binding. Mechanistic insight into RyR1 activity was studied by incorporating RyR1 channels from sheep, mouse or rabbit skeletal muscle into bilayers.

Key Results

All UK‐prescribed statins activated RyR1 at nanomolar concentrations. Cerivastatin, withdrawn from the market due to life‐threatening muscle‐related side effects, was more effective than currently‐prescribed statins and possessed the unique ability to open RyR1 channels independently of cytosolic Ca2+. We synthesised the one essential structural moiety that all statins must possess for HMG‐CoA reductase inhibition, the R‐3,5‐dihydroxypentanoic acid unit, and it did not activate RyR1. We also identified five analogues retaining potent HMG‐CoA reductase inhibition that inhibited RyR1 and four that lacked the ability to modulate RyR1.

Conclusion and Implications

That cerivastatin activates RyR1 most strongly supports the hypothesis that RyR1 activation is implicated in statin‐induced myopathy. Demonstrating that statin regulation of RyR1 and HMG‐CoA reductase are separable effects will allow the role of RyR1 in statin‐induced myopathy to be further elucidated by the tool compounds we have identified, allowing development of effective cardioprotective statins with improved patient tolerance.
Molecular characterization of cyanobacterial short‐chain prenyltransferases and discovery of a novel GGPP phosphatase
Authors: Satta Alessandro , Esquirol Lygie , Ebert Birgitta E. , Newman Janet , Peat Thomas S. , Plan Manuel , Schenk Gerhard , Vickers Claudia E.
Published: June 2022

Cyanobacteria are photosynthetic prokaryotes with strong potential to be used for industrial terpenoid production. However, the key enzymes forming the principal terpenoid building blocks, called short‐chain prenyltransferases (SPTs), are insufficiently characterized. Here, we examined SPTs in the model cyanobacteria Synechococcus elongatus sp. PCC 7942 and Synechocystis sp. PCC 6803. Each species has a single putative SPT (SeCrtE and SyCrtE, respectively). Sequence analysis identified these as type‐II geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthases (GGPPSs) with high homology to GGPPSs found in the plastids of green plants and other photosynthetic organisms. In vitro analysis demonstrated that SyCrtE is multifunctional, producing geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate (GGPP; C20) primarily but also significant amounts of farnesyl pyrophosphate (FPP, C15) and geranyl pyrophosphate (GPP, C10); whereas SeCrtE appears to produce only GGPP. The crystal structures were solved to 2.02 and 1.37 Å, respectively, and the superposition of the structures against the GGPPS of Synechococcus elongatus sp. PCC 7002 yield a root mean square deviation of 0.8 Å (SeCrtE) and 1.1 Å (SyCrtE). We also discovered that SeCrtE is co‐encoded in an operon with a functional GGPP phosphatase, suggesting metabolic pairing of these two activities and a putative function in tocopherol biosynthesis. This work sheds light on the activity of SPTs and terpenoid synthesis in cyanobacteria. Understanding native prenyl phosphate metabolism is an important step in developing approaches to engineering the production of different chain‐length terpenoids in cyanobacteria.
Toward improved chemical stability of yttrium‐doped barium cerate by the introduction of nickel oxide
Authors: Graça Vanessa C. D. , Loureiro Francisco J. A. , Holz Laura I. V. , Mikhalev Sergey M. , Fagg Duncan P.
Published: June 2022

In this work, we demonstrate that the introduction of a small amount of NiO (1.8 wt%) to the proton‐conducting perovskite yttrium‐doped barium (BaCe0.9Y0.1O3−δ, BCY10) can radically improve its chemical stability, even in conditions of very high carbon dioxide partial pressure (pO2 = 1 atm) and wet conditions (pH2O = 0.033 atm). To this end, we test sets of unmodified and NiO‐modified BCY samples sintered at different temperatures to achieve different grain sizes. Long‐term stability measurements up to 720 h at 400°C, under these conditions, reveal a noticeable drop in conductivity for the unmodified samples, scaling with decreasing grain size, due to the formation of barium carbonate. Conversely, the NiO‐modified samples show no apparent degradation, with a stable conductivity performance retained over 720 h, irrespective of grain sizes. We tentatively attribute this unusual behavior to the increased chemical resistance of the perovskite phase due to an increase in the aNiO/aBaO activity ratio at the bulk surfaces, which can prevent surface attack. Such an effect is supported by an observed increase in the Schottky barrier height, revealing a change in the specific grain boundary properties of the NiO‐modified samples. Conductivity measurements in wet O2 (pH2O = 0.033 atm) underscore that both the bulk and grain boundary terms of the conductivity of the NiO‐modified sample, sintered at 1350°C, are competitive with the unmodified BCY sample, sintered at 1450°C, even at temperatures as low as 400°C. The results here reported, thus, unlock a different perspective for these transition metal additives, to improve the chemical resistance of proton‐conducting ceramics perovskites.
The role of parent firms in business groups’ internal capital markets
Authors: Choi Heejung , Suh Jungwon
Published: June 2022

Using a unique dataset of unconsolidated financial statements, we investigate the investment and financing policies of parent firms in South Korea's business groups over the period 2003–2016. Parent firms add to their equity‐stake holdings substantially each year to support affiliated firms’ capital expenditures. Parent firms finance their equity‐stake investment primarily with external funds. These tendencies are more pronounced if parents sit high in the pyramidal chain or are central to controlling other group firms and if parents belong to large business groups. Overall, parent firms prioritize their role as capital raisers and distributors for affiliated firms, and business groups’ internal capital markets are supported by external finance.
School Garden Prevalence Before and After the Implementation of the Healthy Hunger‐Free Kids Act
Authors: Reyes Naomi , Ganderats‐Fuentes Montserrat , Acciai Francesco , Eliason Jessica , Ohri‐Vachaspati Punam
Published: June 2022

BACKGROUND

The Healthy Hunger‐Free Kids Act (HHFKA) of 2010 supported implementation of school gardens for promoting fruit and vegetable consumption. We examined school garden prevalence over time by school‐level factors during the period before and after the implementation of HHFKA.

METHODS

Using data from the New Jersey Child Health Study, conducted in 4 low‐income New Jersey cities, prevalence of school gardens among K‐12 schools (n = 148) was assessed between school year 2010‐2011 and 2017‐2018. Multivariable analysis estimated changes in garden prevalence over time adjusting for school‐level factors.

RESULTS

Overall, the sample included 97 elementary and 51 middle/high schools. Multivariable logistic regression showed that compared to 2010‐2011 (19%) a higher proportion of schools reported having a garden in 2013‐2014 (32%, p = 0.025). Over the entire study period, schools with majority Hispanic student enrollment had approximately half the odds of having a garden compared to schools with majority Black students (p = 0.036).

CONCLUSION

School garden prevalence increased in the year immediately following the implementation of the HHFKA but this increase was not sustained over time. Future research should investigate the reasons for this decline and potential disparities by race/ethnicity.
THE SACRED REPRESENTATION OF A MINIATURE WORLD: RITUALS WITH FIGURINES AND SMALL AND MINIATURIZED POTTERY AT THE PHOENICIAN CULT PLACE OF KHARAYEB
Authors: Oggiano Ida
Published: June 2022

The rituals performed in the Phoenician cult places have traditionally been reconstructed primarily on the basis of architectural remains and sculptural finds. However, even if the exact role ceramics or other objects played in the rituals is unknown, it was certainly not secondary. New work carried out at the cult place of Kharayeb by an Italian‐Lebanese mission has produced unusually detailed documentation of such finds, and provides a richer context for the consideration the little data about pottery already published by M. Chéhab and I. Kaoukabani. In particular attention has focused on the use of small and miniaturized pottery (from figurines to miniature vessels) in rituals at the site. With reference to recent research on these issues and comparison with similar practices in the Near East, Greek, and western Phoenician worlds this article proposes new hypotheses on the meaning of ritual practices involving small objects.
Prediction of anterior ocular surface sagittal heights using Placido‐based corneal topography in healthy eyes
Authors: Bandlitz Stefan , Lagodny Matthias , Kurz Corinna , Wolffsohn James S.
Published: June 2022

Purpose

To investigate the validity of Placido‐based corneal topography parameters to predict corneoscleral sagittal heights measured by Fourier‐based profilometry at various diameters.

Methods

Minimal (Minsag), maximal (Maxsag) sagittal height, toricity (Maxsag − Minsag) and axis of the flattest meridian (Minsag) of 36 subjects (mean age 25.4 SD ± 3.2 years; 21 female) were measured using the Eye Surface Profiler and analysed for diameters (chord length) of 8 to 16 mm (in 2‐mm intervals). Furthermore, corneal central radii, corneal astigmatism, eccentricity and diameter were measured using the Keratograph 5 M.

Results

Using multiple linear regression analysis, the best equation for predicting the sagittal heights for 8 mm (r2 = 0.95), and 10 mm (r2 = 0.93) diameters included corneal central radii and eccentricity. The best equation for predicting sagittal heights for 12 mm (r2 = 0.86), 14 mm (r2 = 0.78) and 16 mm (r2 = 0.65) diameters included corneal central radii, eccentricity and corneal diameter. Corneal astigmatism was significantly correlated with sagittal height toricity for 8 and 10 mm diameters (r2 = 0.50 and 0.29; p < 0.01), while no correlation was observed for 12, 14 and 16 mm diameters (p = 0.18 to p = 0.76). The axis of the flattest corneal meridian measured by Placido‐based topography was significantly correlated with the axis of the flattest meridian measured by Fourier‐based profilometry for 8, 10 and 12 mm diameters (r2 = 0.17 to 0.44; p < 0.05), while there was no correlation for 14 and 16 mm diameters (p = 0.48 and p = 0.75). For a typical soft contact lens diameter of 14 mm, 78% of the variance could be determined with a corneal topographer and 68% with keratometry and corneal diameter measurement.

Conclusions

The combination of corneal central radii, eccentricity and corneal diameter measured by Placido‐based topography is a valid predictor of the corneoscleral sagittal height in healthy eyes. Scleral toricity and axis of the flattest meridian seem to be independent from Placido‐based corneal parameters and requires additional measuring tools.
Analysis of the concentrations of some haematological parameters, C‐reactive protein and anti‐Müllerian hormone in bitches affected by pyometra
Authors: Janković Dušan , Norrman Johanna , Aronsson Mia , Vojvodić Danilo , Mirilović Milorad , Vejnović Branislav , Stanišić Ljubodrag , Nedić Svetlana , Maletić Milan , Đurić Miloje , Magaš Vladimir , Vakanjac Slobodanka
Published: June 2022

The work was aimed to research into the vital signs, haematological and biochemical parameters, acute‐phase protein concentrations (CRP, albumin), progesterone (PG) and anti‐Müllerian hormone (AMH) concentrations in bitches with pyometra and their comparison with those in healthy bitches. In addition, the goal of this work was to assess if some of the tested parameters may be used as a biomarker in the diagnostics of pyometra and the monitoring of the postoperative recovery. Forty 3‐6‐year‐old bitches of various breeds were included in the research and allotted to two groups: the control (C, n = 20) and the diseased – bitches diagnosed with pyometra (P, n = 20). Blood samples for the analyses were taken immediately before surgery (0 h), and 12 h, 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after, excepting for AMH and PG concentrations, which were determined only at 0 h. Clinical examination detected significantly higher respiration rates in bitches with pyometra in comparison to healthy ones at all time points, higher heart rates before and 12 h after surgery, and higher body temperature before and 12 h, 48 h and 72 h post operation (p < .01).

Significantly higher concentrations of CRP (p < .01) and lower concentrations of albumin were detected in bitches with pyometra in comparison to their healthy counterparts at all time points. Progesterone and AMH concentration analysis immediately before surgery detected significantly higher levels of the hormone in bitches with pyometra than in the control (p < .01). The inflammatory reaction of the endometrium resulted in a significant AMH concentration increase, whilst increased CRP concentrations and lower albumin concentrations throughout the research may be used as biomarkers of proinflammatory activities, that is of the acute‐phase response.
Are you prepared for the next storm? Developing social norms messages to motivate community members to perform disaster risk mitigation behaviors
Authors: Lim JungKyu Rhys , Liu Brooke Fisher , Atwell Seate Anita
Published: June 2022

Preparing for natural disasters and adapting to climate change can save lives. Yet, minimal research has examined how governments can motivate community members to prepare for disasters (e.g., purchasing flood insurance or installing water barriers in homes for floods and hurricanes). Instead, studies have focused on how to communicate actions individuals should take during disasters, rather than before disasters. This study develops messages targeting social norms, which are promising approaches to motivate community members to adopt disaster risk preparedness and mitigation behaviors. Specifically, we developed a variety of messages integrating descriptive norms (i.e., what others do), injunctive norms (i.e., what others believe should be done), and a social norms‐based fear appeal, or social disapproval rationale (i.e., a negative social result of [not] taking behaviors). Then, we tested these messages through two between‐subject factorial online experiments in flood‐ and hurricane‐prone U.S. states with adult samples (N = 2,286). In experiment 1 (i.e., purchasing flood insurance), the injunctive norms message using weather forecasters and the social disapproval rationale message significantly increased social norms perceptions, which in turn influenced behavioral intentions. In experiment 2 (i.e., installing water barriers), the injunctive norms message using weather forecasters, the injunctive norms message using neighbors, and the social disapproval rationale message significantly increased social norms perceptions, which in turn influenced mitigation intentions. However, the descriptive social norms message was not effective in increasing social norms perceptions. We provide some of the first empirical evidence on how organizations’ risk communication can empower community members to prepare and mitigate the impact of disasters.
Unconventional Policies Effects on Stock Market Volatility: The MAP Approach
Authors: Lacava Demetrio , Gallo Giampiero M. , Otranto Edoardo
Published: June 2022

Taking the European Central Bank unconventional policies as a reference, we suggest a class of multiplicative error models (MEMs) tailored to analyse the impact such policies have on stock market volatility. The new set of models, called MEM with asymmetry and policy effects, keeps the base volatility dynamics separate from a component reproducing policy effects, with an increase in volatility on announcement days and a decrease unfolding implementation effects. When applied to four Eurozone markets, a model confidence set approach finds a significant improvement of the forecasting power of the proxy after the expanded asset purchase programme implementation. A multi-step ahead forecasting exercise estimates the duration of the effect; by shocking the policy variable, we are able to quantify the reduction in volatility which is more marked for debt-troubled countries.
Local limit theorems in relatively hyperbolic groups II: the non-spectrally degenerate case
Authors: Dussaule Matthieu
Published: June 2022

This is the second of a series of two papers dealing with local limit theorems in relatively hyperbolic groups. In this second paper, we restrict our attention to non-spectrally degenerate random walks and we prove precise asymptotics of the probability$p_n(e,e)$of going back to the origin at time$n$. We combine techniques adapted from thermodynamic formalism with the rough estimates of the Green function given by part I to show that$p_n(e,e)\sim CR^{-n}n^{-3/2}$, where$R$is the inverse of the spectral radius of the random walk. This both generalizes results of Woess for free products and results of Gouëzel for hyperbolic groups.
Emeritus professor Ting-Huan Wen of Fudan University (China): Celebrating 70 years of acarological research
Authors: Chen Ze , Xu Xiaofeng , Zhang Jingkai , Wu Youhong , Sun Lu
Published: June 2022

N/A
Statistical Learning and Uncommon Soil Microbiota Explain Biogeochemical Responses after Wildfire
Authors: Honeyman Alexander S. , Fegel Timothy S. , Peel Henry F. , Masters Nicole A. , Vuono David C. , Kleiber William , Rhoades Charles C. , Spear John R.
Published: June 2022

Soil biogeochemical processes are critical to plant growth and water quality and are substantially disturbed by wildfire. However, soil responses to fire are difficult to predict.
Contaminated Incubators: Source of a Multispecies Enterobacter Outbreak of Neonatal Sepsis
Authors: Hernandez-Alonso Enrique , Bourgeois-Nicolaos Nadège , Lepainteur Margaux , Derouin Véronique , Barreault Simon , Waalkes Adam , Augusto Luis A. , Gera Stuti , Gleizes Orane , Tissieres Pierre , Salipante Stephen J. , de Luca Daniele , Doucet-Populaire Florence
Published: June 2022

Neonatal incubators in the NICU can be an important reservoir of pathogens responsible for life-threatening outbreaks in neonatal patients. Traditional disinfection with antiseptics is not sufficient to eradicate the microorganisms that can persist for long periods in the different reservoirs.
Compositional and Functional Changes in Microbial Communities of Composts Due to the Composting-Related Factors and the Presence of Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Wang Hongye , Shankar Vijay , Jiang Xiuping
Published: June 2022

Listeria monocytogenes
has been recognized as the etiological agent causing foodborne disease outbreaks, with fresh produce as vulnerable for contamination at even preharvest stage. Owing to the richness in microbial community, compost may mediate suppression of pathogens.
Supplemental Material: North America’s Midcontinent Rift magma volume: A coincidental rendezvous of a plume with a rift
Authors: Gunawardana Prasanna Mahesh , Moucha Robert , al. et
Published: June 2022

Method details, additional supporting figures, and animations. 
Supplemental Material: Lithospheric mantle provinces and crust-mantle decoupling beneath northeastern China: Insights from peridotite xenoliths
Authors: Lin A-Bing , Aulbach Sonja , al. et
Published: June 2022

Further information on geological setting, petrography, analytical methods, Figures S1‒S6, and Tables S1‒S7.
Spatial Variations of the Activity of 137Cs and the Contents of Heavy Metals and Petroleum Products in the Polluted Soils of the City of Elektrostal
Authors: Lipatov D. N. , Varachenkov V. A. , Manakhov D. V. , Karpukhin M. M. , Mamikhin S. V.
Published: June 2022

The levels of specific activity of 137Cs and the contents of mobile forms (1 M ammonium acetate extraction) of heavy metals (Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Pb) and petroleum products were studied in the upper soil horizon of urban landscapes of the city of Elektrostal under conditions of local radioactive and chemical contamination were studied. In the soils within a short radius (0–100 m) around the heavy engineering plant, the specific activity of 137Cs and the contents of mobile forms of Pb, Cu, and Zn were increased. The lognormal distribution law of 137Cs was found in the upper (0–10 cm) soil layer; five years after the radiation accident, the specific activity of 137Cs varied from 6 to 4238 Bq/kg. The coefficients of variation increased with an increase in the degree of soil contamination in the following sequence: Co < Ni < petroleum products < Cr < 137Cs < Zn < Pb < Cu ranging from 50 to 435%. Statistically significant direct correlation was found between the specific activity of 137Cs and the contents of mobile forms of Pb, Cu, and Zn in the upper horizon of urban soils, and this fact indicated the spatial conjugacy of local spots of radioactive and polymetallic contamination in the studied area. It was shown that the specific activity of 137Cs, as well as the content of heavy metals and petroleum products in the upper layer (0–10 cm) of the soils disturbed in the course of decontamination, earthwork and reclamation is reduced.
Features and predictive value of 6-min walk test outcomes in interstitial lung disease: an observation study using wearable monitors
Authors: Li Jiaying , Li Xiaoyan , Deng Miaozhen , Liang Xinyin , Wei Huiqun , Wu Xiaobing
Published: June 2022

Objectives

To describe 6-min walk test (6MWT) outcomes, and to investigate their correlations with cardiopulmonary and lung function among patients with interstitial lung disease (ILD) which was not limited to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods

We collected patients’ demographic data and obtained minute-by-minute 6MWT outcomes. Modified Borg scale was employed to assess patients’ dyspnoea, whereas New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification and pulmonary function test were used to evaluate patients’ cardiopulmonary functions.

Results

Heart rate (HR) exhibited a continuous upward trend, while SpO2 exhibited an overall downward with a slight increase at the fifth minute. The SpO2 nadir for 70 patients (9.3%) was lower than 80%. Further, the SpO2 nadir for 78.27% of the participants appeared at the end of the fourth minute. The 6-min walk distance (6MWD) had the strongest correlation with NYHA classification (r=0.82, p<0.01). The ratio of 6MWD to predicted 6MWD was most correlated to forced expiratory volume in the first second (r=0.30, p<0.01) and forced vital capacity (r=0.30, p<0.01). SpO2 at 3 min had the strongest correlation to patients’ diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (r=0.41, p<0.01). We found significant differences in 6MWD (F=2.44, p=0.033), SpO2 change (F=2.58, p=0.025), HR at 0 min (F=2.87, p=0.014), HR at end of 6 min (F=2.58, p=0.025) and HR zenith (F=2.64, p=0.022) between the subtypes of ILD.

Conclusion

This observation provided an important evidence regarding oxygen titration. It is better to maintain SpO2 above 88% for 4 min instead of 3 min. SpO2 at the third minute was the most valuable predictor of patients’ lung function. 6MWD and SpO2 changes were more discriminative in subtypes.