bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Unleashing the value of artificial intelligence in the agri-food sector: where are we?
Authors: Trabelsi Meriam , Casprini Elena , Fiorini Niccolò , Zanni Lorenzo
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This study analyses the literature on artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for the agri-food sector. This research aims to identify the current research streams, main methodologies used, findings and results delivered, gaps and future research directions.

Design/methodology/approach

This study relies on 69 published contributions in the field of AI in the agri-food sector. It begins with a bibliographic coupling to map and identify the current research streams and proceeds with a systematic literature review to examine the main topics and examine the main contributions.

Findings

Six clusters were identified: (1) AI adoption and benefits, (2) AI for efficiency and productivity, (3) AI for logistics and supply chain management, (4) AI for supporting decision making process for firms and consumers, (5) AI for risk mitigation and (6) AI marketing aspects. Then, the authors propose an interpretive framework composed of three main dimensions: (1) the two sides of AI: the “hard” side concerns the technology development and application while the “soft” side regards stakeholders' acceptance of the latter; (2) level of analysis: firm and inter-firm; (3) the impact of AI on value chain activities in the agri-food sector.

Originality/value

This study provides interpretive insights into the extant literature on AI in the agri-food sector, paving the way for future research and inspiring practitioners of different AI approaches in a traditionally low-tech sector.
How do CSI and CSR perceptions affect word of mouth recommendations? The role of trust, distrust, and moral norms
Authors: Zasuwa Grzegorz , Stefańska Magdalena
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This paper has a twofold objective: (1) to examine how trust and distrust mediate the relationship between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and irresponsibility (CSI) perceptions and word of mouth recommendations; and (2) to show that moral norms moderate this mediating relationship.

Design/methodology/approach

Two experimental studies test the proposed model. Study 1 performs a single-factor experiment with three levels of corporate social responsibility (positive, neutral, negative) to test the mediation hypothesis (N = 180, 66% females, mean age = 22.3). Study 2 validates the mediation findings and examines the role of moral norms as moderators (N = 240, 50% females, mean age = 39.5).

Findings

Study 1 reveals that trust in the company partially mediates the effects of CSR on word of mouth (WOM) recommendations. Study 2 shows that consumers who adhere to higher moral standards follow distinct paths to negative WOM. Specifically, these consumers tend to spread negative comments when they expect the firm to behave irresponsibly. When unsure about future corporate behaviour, they are less likely to spread negative WOM.

Originality/value

This is the first study, to the authors' knowledge, to demonstrate how moral norms shape the effects of distrust in the corporate culprit on word of mouth recommendations. Accordingly, this research proves that conceptualising trust and distrust as separate constructs is useful in explaining consumer reactions to corporate social irresponsibility.
Socioeconomic disparities in the retention and graduation rates of dual-enrolled students
Authors: Urquhart Nicholas , McBrayer Juliann Sergi , Zinskie Cordelia , Cleveland Richard
Published: August 2023

Purpose

This research examine participation in a dual enrollment program and a student's race and socioeconomic status. In addition to examining the college retention and graduation rates (student success) of dual and non-dual enrolled students, this study looked at potential race and socioeconomic disparities.

Design/methodology/approach

A quantitative ex post facto research design using logistic regression was used to analyze data from the University System of Georgia (N = 28,664) to determine the relationships between participation in a dual enrollment program, students' race and socioeconomic status and their retention and graduation.

Findings

Findings from this quantitative study indicated that the predictor variables dual enrollment participation, race and socioeconomic status were significant in predicting retention and graduation outcomes.

Originality/value

This study adds to existing research indicating that students from different races and socioeconomic statuses, who participated in a high school dual enrollment program, are being retained beyond the first year in college and graduating at higher rates than non-dual enrolled students.
Community Health Center Staff Perspectives on Financial Payments for Social Care
Authors: LOPEZ JUSTIN M. , WING HOLLY , ACKERMAN SARA L. , HESSLER DANIELLE , GOTTLIEB LAURA M.
Published: August 2023

Policy Points

State and federal payers are actively considering strategies to increase the adoption of social risk screening and interventions in health care settings, including through the use of financial incentives.

Activities related to social care in Oregon community health centers (CHCs) provided a unique opportunity to explore whether and how fee‐for‐service payments for social risk screening and navigation influence CHC activities.

CHC staff, clinicians, and administrative leaders were often unaware of existing financial payments for social risk screening and navigation services. As currently designed, fee‐for‐service payments are unlikely to strongly influence CHC social care practices.

Context

A growing crop of national policies has emerged to encourage health care delivery systems to ask about and try to address patients’ social risks, e.g., food, housing, and transportation insecurity, in care delivery contexts. In this study, we explored how community health center (CHC) staff perceive the current and potential influence of fee‐for‐service payments on clinical teams’ engagement in these activities.

Methods

We interviewed 42 clinicians, frontline staff, and administrative leaders from 12 Oregon CHC clinical sites about their social care initiatives, including about the role of existing or anticipated financial payments intended to promote social risk screening and referrals to social services. Data were analyzed using both inductive and deductive thematic analysis approaches.

Findings

We grouped findings into three categories: participants’ awareness of existing or anticipated financial incentives, uses for incentive dollars, and perceived impact of financial incentives on social care activities in clinical practices. Lack of awareness of existing incentives meant these incentives were not perceived to influence the behaviors of staff responsible for conducting screening and providing referrals. Current or anticipated meaningful uses for incentive dollars included paying for social care staff, providing social services, and supporting additional fundraising efforts. Frontline staff reported that the strongest motivator for clinic social care practices was the ability to provide responsive social services. Clinic leaders/managers noted that for financial incentives to substantively change CHC practices would require payments sizable enough to expand the social care workforce as well.

Conclusions

Small fee‐for‐service payments to CHCs for social risk screening and navigation services are unlikely to markedly influence CHC social care practices. Refining the design of financial incentives—e.g., by increasing clinical teams’ awareness of incentives, linking screening to well‐funded social services, and changing incentive amounts to support social care staffing needs—may increase the uptake of social care practices in CHCs.
Shazam v Only Fools and Horses: A Critique of the Classification of Literary or Dramatic Characters as Independent Copyright Works
Authors: McCutcheon Jani
Published: August 2023

In Shazam Productions Ltd v Only Fools The Dining Experience Ltd Shazam sought to prevent the appropriation of the central character ‘Del Boy’ from the popular British television series Only Fools and Horses by an unauthorised interactive live show called ‘Only Fools The (Cushty) Dining Experience’ in which actors adopted the mannerisms, voices and catch phrases of the Only Fools characters. The Intellectual Property Enterprise Court found for the first time in UK copyright law that a literary character was a discrete copyright work separate from the script containing it. This case note explains why this is a mistaken and troubling precedent which is doctrinally confused, misconceives the nature of literary characters, abdicates the infringement analysis, and is tantamount to protecting ideas.
The PURPOSe cause of death study in stillbirths and neonatal deaths in India and Pakistan: A review
Authors: Goldenberg Robert L. , Saleem Sarah , Goudar Shivaprasad S. , Moore Janet , Guruprasad Gowdar , Kulkarni Vardendra , Dhaded Sangappa M. , Tikmani Shiyam Sunder , Nausheen Sidrah , Masheer Shazia , Kallapur Mangala G. , Ghanchi Najia K. , Harakuni Sheetal U. , Ahmed Imran , Hwang Kay , Yogeshkumar S. , Somannavar Manjunath S. , Yasmin Haleema , Kim Jean , Bann Carla M. , Silver Robert M. , McClure Elizabeth M. ,   the PURPOSe Study Group
Published: August 2023

The PURPOSe study was a prospective, observational study conducted in India and Pakistan to determine the cause of death for stillbirths and preterm neonatal deaths, using clinical data together with minimally invasive tissue sampling (MITS) and the histologic and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) evaluation of fetal/neonatal tissues and the placenta. After evaluating all available data, an independent panel chose a maternal, a placental and a fetal/neonatal cause of death. Here, we summarise the major results. Among the most important findings were that most stillbirths were caused by fetal asphyxia, often preceded by placental malperfusion, and clinically associated with pre‐eclampsia, placental abruption and a small‐for‐gestational‐age fetus. The preterm neonatal deaths were primarily caused by birth asphyxia, followed by various infections. An important finding was that many of the preterm neonatal deaths were caused by a nosocomial infection acquired after neonatal intensive care (NICU) admission; the most common organisms were Acinetobacter baumannii, followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli/Shigella and Haemophilus influenzae. Group B streptococcus was less commonly present in the placentas or internal organs of the neonatal deaths.
Updated evidence of beneficial effect of LDL apheresis for refractory nephrotic syndrome due to a variety of causative diseases for nationwide and global approval
Authors: Muso Eri , Kakita Hiroko , Suzuki Hiroyuki , Tsukamoto Tatsuo
Published: August 2023

Low‐density lipoprotein apheresis (LDL‐A) therapy has shown reasonable efficacy in treating nephrotic syndrome (NS) refractory to initial drug therapy and has been covered by National Health Insurance for the indication of drug‐resistant focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) since 1992 in Japan and has contributed to liberating substantial number of patients of this disease from entering into end‐stage renal disease by easier practical application in actual clinical settings. Subsequently, various beneficial evidence of this treatment has accumulated on those other than FSGS, however, due to the limitation of covered disease insurance only for FSGS, patients with diseases other than FSGS are unlikely to benefit from this treatment in practice. This review summarizes the therapeutic evidence of the beneficial effect of LDL‐A accumulated to date and the mechanisms of action analyzed from multifaceted perspectives. examines the applicability of expanding insurance coverage for diseases other than FSGS.
Effect of pulsed light on myofibrillar protein of large yellow croaker (Pseudosciaena crocea) during refrigerated storage
Authors: Zhang Jianyou , Ji Shengqiang , Zhou Guangcheng , Cui Pengbo , Miao Li , Chen Yutong , Lyu Fei , Ding Yuting
Published: August 2023

This study mainly evaluated the effect of different energies of pulsed light (PL) treatment (100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 J/pulse) on myofibrillar protein (MP) of large yellow croaker during refrigerated storage. The results showed that PL treatment would cause a certain degree of oxidation to the MP of large yellow croaker at the initial stage, which showed that the total sulfhydryl content of the protein decreased, the carbonyl content and the average particle size increased, and the β‐sheet to β‐turn transformation, the tertiary structure of the protein unfolds, and the hydrophobic groups were exposed, causing the reduction of intrinsic fluorescence intensity. However, subsequent storage studies found that PL treatment could slow down the oxidation rate of MP. The decrease rate of total sulfhydryl content and the increase rate of carbonyl content in the 300 J/pulse group were both reduced by about 1.7 times compared with the control group. At the same time, the PL treatment with this intensity could also better protect the secondary structure, tertiary structure, and microstructure of MP. This study provided theoretical basis and reference for analyzing the quality change rule and mechanism of large yellow croaker during refrigerated storage after PL treatment. Studies have shown that PL treatment can reduce the adverse changes of MP in large yellow croaker during cold storage.
Is low‐dose tumor necrosis factor inhibitor effective and safe in patients with ankylosing spondylitis flare‐up after renal transplantation? A case report and literature review
Authors: Leong Pui‐Ying , Shih Po‐Cheng , Huo An‐Ping
Published: August 2023

Rheumatic diseases, the immunosuppressant drugs used after solid organ transplantation to prevent graft rejection, and the biologics used for controlling rheumatic disease, especially tumor necrosis factor inhibitors (TNFi)—all of these could increase the risk of malignancy. The roles of biologics for disease control in rheumatic disease patients after kidney transplantation (KT) are not well established because only a few cases are reported, and the possibility of increasing infection and malignancy rates. Here, we present the first case of ankylosing spondylitis (AS) successfully treated with low‐dose TNFi for disease activity flare‐up 5 months after KT and review the literature to see whether the use of biologics, especially TNFi, in AS patients with disease activity flare‐ups after receiving KT is effective and safe.
Second‐chance offers and buyer reputation systems: theory and evidence on auctions with default
Authors: Engelmann Dirk , Frank Jeff , Koch Alexander K. , Valente Marieta
Published: August 2023

Winners in online auctions frequently fail to complete purchases. Major auction platforms therefore allow “second‐chance” offers (the runner‐up bidder pays his own bid price) and let sellers leave negative feedback on buyers who default. We show theoretically that (i) all else equal, the availability of second‐chance offers reduces bids; (ii) sellers have no incentive to exclude bidders, even if they are nearly certain to default; (iii) buyer reputation systems reward bidders known to default with a positive probability. Our experiments show that the economic forces identified in the theoretical model are important enough to have predictive power for bidder behavior.
Bloom syndrome patients and mice display accelerated epigenetic aging
Authors: Lee Jamie , Zhang Joshua , Flanagan Maeve , Martinez Julian A. , Cunniff Christopher , Kucine Nicole , Lu Ake T. , Haghani Amin , Gordevičius Juozas , Horvath Steve , Chang Vivian Y.
Published: August 2023

Bloom syndrome (BSyn) is an autosomal recessive disorder caused by variants in the BLM gene, which is involved in genome stability. Patients with BSyn present with poor growth, sun sensitivity, mild immunodeficiency, diabetes, and increased risk of cancer, most commonly leukemias. Interestingly, patients with BSyn do not have other signs of premature aging such as early, progressive hair loss and cataracts. We set out to determine epigenetic age in BSyn, which can be a better predictor of health and disease over chronological age. Our results show for the first time that patients with BSyn have evidence of accelerated epigenetic aging across several measures in blood lymphocytes, as compared to carriers. Additionally, homozygous Blm mice exhibit accelerated methylation age in multiple tissues, including brain, blood, kidney, heart, and skin, according to the brain methylation clock. Overall, we find that Bloom syndrome is associated with accelerated epigenetic aging effects in multiple tissues and more generally a strong effect on CpG methylation levels.
Distance to the edge and other landscape features influence nest predation in grey partridges
Authors: Laux A. , Mayer K. , Beeke W. , Waltert M. , Gottschalk E.
Published: August 2023

Predation and habitat deterioration are the main reasons for the strong decline of ground‐nesting farmland birds such as the grey partridge Perdix perdix in Europe. Grey partridge nests and incubating females are especially vulnerable to predation. We have previously demonstrated that predator activity is much lower inside flower blocks (agri‐environment schemes sown with a flower seed mix) than at their edges and that predator activity in flower blocks depends on the surrounding landscape. Here, we investigate whether these differences in predator activity translate into differences in grey partridge nest predation and assess predation patterns relative to landscape and nest site characteristics. We recorded the success of 56 nests of radio‐tagged grey partridges between 2009 and 2017 in an agricultural landscape in Central Germany. We used Bayesian logistic regression to analyse the effects of nest site and landscape characteristics on nest predation on a subset of 46 nests (21 nests successful, 25 predated). Distance to the edge of the nesting habitat was the most important predictor, reducing predation probability from 66.8% at the edge to 18.5% at 85.5 m. Predation probability decreased with increasing length of habitat borders, habitat diversity and the area of permanent grasslands and fallows. Predation probability was higher further from settlements and increased with increasing woodland area in the agricultural matrix. When considering linear landscape structures, nest predation patterns matched the patterns of predator activity from our previous studies. Results suggest that the distance to the edge of the nesting habitat is most important and that nest predation may be reduced by providing sufficiently broad nesting habitats. Nest predation may further be minimized by increasing habitat diversity and coverage of extensive vegetation types and by establishing conservation measures for grey partridges further away from woodlands. These measures may also benefit other ground‐nesting farmland birds.
Cyclic fatigue resistance of different nickel‐titanium instruments in single and double curvature at room and body temperatures: A laboratory study
Authors: La Rosa Giusy Rita Maria , Leotta Maria Laura , Canova Francesco Saverio , Romeo Virginia Rosy , Cervino Gabriele , Generali Luigi , Pedullà Eugenio
Published: August 2023

The aim of this study was to compare the cyclic fatigue resistance of nickel‐titanium instruments inside single and double‐curved canals at different temperatures. 160 HyFlex EDM #20.05 (HEDM), VDW.ROTATE #20.05 and #25.06, Mtwo #25.06 were randomised (n = 10) for the dynamic cyclic fatigue tests according to the curvature (i.e. single and double) at 20° ± 1°C and 35° ± 1°C. The number of cycles to fracture (NCF) was analysed by two‐way ANOVA with p < 0.05. Fatigue resistance of all instruments significantly decreased at body temperature in single and double curvatures, except for HEDM in double curvature. The NCF was significantly lower in double curvature than single at both temperatures for all files, except for VDW.ROTATE #20.05 at 35° ± 1°C. Within the study limitations, temperature significantly impaired cyclic fatigue resistance of all files except HEDM #20.05 in double curvature. Similarly, double curvature had a detrimental effect on cyclic fatigue resistance of all files except for VDW.ROTATE #20.05 at body temperature.
Current trends in non‐surgical management of Peyronie's disease—A narrative review
Authors: Kozub Anna , Suleja Agata , Chłosta Marcin , Kupilas Andrzej , Pradere Benjamin , Rivas Juan Gómez , Rajwa Paweł , Miszczyk Marcin
Published: August 2023

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a connective tissue disorder affecting the tunica albuginea. It can cause pain and penile deformation, and its prevalence increases with age. Although surgery is the gold standard for the chronic phase of the disease, there are several conservative treatment methods available, and the optimal management of the acute phase of the disease remains a matter of debate. In this article, we aim to summarize the recent trends in research on the subject of non‐surgical treatment of PD. The search was performed in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases and included studies in English published between 2012 and 2022 investigating the clinical outcomes of non‐surgical PD management in humans. We have identified 20 distinct conservative treatment strategies. Among the oral therapeutics, only the use of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors is currently recommended for clinical use in patients with concomitant erectile dysfunction. The use of collagenase from Clostridium histolyticum is supported by the best quality evidence in terms of intralesional injections for patients suffering from significant penile curvature; however, interferon alpha‐2b can also be an option in such patients. Among other non‐invasive methods, extracorporeal shockwaves can be useful for pain reduction, and penile traction therapy can lead to a reduction in penile curvature and plaque size. Despite a wide range of non‐surgical methods available for PD treatment, the majority are not supported by sufficient scientific evidence, and the treatment efficacy is underwhelming. Further research on the subject of non‐surgical management of PD is highly warranted.
The impact of relative age effects on psychosocial development: A systematic review
Authors: Rose Sarah E. , Barlow Claire M.
Published: August 2023

Background

Within the same school class, it is usual to find children who differ in age by almost a full calendar year. Although associations between being relatively young and poor academic outcomes are well documented, and relatively consistent, the associations between being relatively young and psychosocial outcomes are less clearly documented.

Aims

To review research which presents data relating to associations between a child's relative age and their psychosocial development.

Methods

A systematic review was conducted and reported in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results

Fifty‐nine papers met the inclusion criteria. The outcomes of the narrative synthesis and three meta‐analyses found consistent, but very small, associations with relative age indicating that those who are relatively young are more likely to have more negative behaviour, mental well‐being, and social experiences.

Conclusions

Although being relatively young is associated with more negative psychosocial outcomes, the magnitude of these associations is consistently small. Furthermore, many of the outcome measures used are likely to be the result of multiple influences, not limited to the effects of relative age. Therefore, the findings are reassuring as they suggest that relative age itself is unlikely to substantially increase an individual's risk of poor psychosocial development.
Therapeutic Alliance: Associations with Childhood Trauma and Parental Bonding
Authors: Schmidt Fernanda Munhoz Driemeier , Epsztein Jéssica Aronis , Bottega Paola Rodrigues , Contessa Júlia Camargo , Heine Júlia Assumpção , Cossio Maricéia Duarte , Cataneo Ricardo , Piva Camila , Essarts Gabryellen Fraga Des , Serralta Fernanda Barcellos
Published: August 2023

Literature has shown the importance of therapeutic alliance in the psychotherapeutic process and seeks to understand factors that can interfere in its establishment, such as childhood trauma and parental bonding. As such, this study aims to evaluate therapeutic alliance in psychodynamic psychotherapy from the perspective of adult patients and the correlation between parental bonding and childhood trauma. A cross‐sectional and correlational study was carried out with 180 adult patients who started psychodynamic psychotherapy between May 2015 and May 2016 in a mental health clinic whereby Working Alliance Inventory, Parental Bonding Instrument and Childhood Trauma Questionnaire tools were used. The results show that there are correlations between the father's care and total alliance, as well as the dimensions of goal and bond, but those with mother did not reach statistical significance. The dimensions of emotional abuse and emotional neglect show an inverse correlation with the therapeutic alliance. These results point to the importance of experience of early relationships in establishing therapeutic alliance, relevance of the father figure in this process, and the need for clinicians to be aware of these attachment factors and patient childhood traumas to establish a strong therapeutic relationship.
Supporting child and family resilience in the face of political violence: Evidence from a home visit parenting program
Authors: Leer Jane , Lopez Boo Florencia , Norman Savannah
Published: August 2023

Political violence affects more than 25% of children globally, yet little is known about how to support positive adaptation among conflict‐affected children. Using a sample of 3797 Nicaraguan child‐caregiver dyads (MAgeTime1 = 1.5 years, MAgeTime2 = 5.9 years; 51% male), this registered report used a novel quasi‐experimental approach to examine how exposure to political violence relates to child and caregiver outcomes, and to test three policy‐relevant moderators: participation in a large‐scale home visit parenting program, household economic disruption, and media exposure. Results revealed positive associations between political violence and harsh discipline practices (0.33 SD), but there was no evidence that political violence affected children's behavior, caregiver depressive symptoms, or responsive parenting practices, and there was no evidence of moderation.
Registered Reports in Child Development: Introduction to the Special Section
Authors: Syed Moin , Frank Michael C. , Roisman Glenn I.
Published: August 2023

Registered Reports (RRs) are an emerging format for publishing empirical journal articles in which the decision to publish an article is based on sound conceptualization, methods, and planned analyses rather than the specific nature of the results. This article introduces the Special Section on Registered Reports in Child Development by describing what RRs are and why they are necessary, outlining the thought process that guided the Special Section, describing key thematic insights across the eight articles included in the collection, and providing recommendations for developmental researchers interested in publishing via the RR format. This article also serves as a formal announcement that RRs will be a standard publishing option at Child Development, effective immediately.
Extension domain of amyloid processor protein inhibits amyloidogenic cleavage and balances neural activity in a traumatic brain injury mouse model
Authors: Xie Zhenxing , Li Tianyu , Su Wei , Lou Yanyun , Zhang Yongsheng , Zhou Xiyuan , Li Zhanfei , Bai Xiangjun , Liu Xinghua
Published: August 2023

Background

Mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction following traumatic brain injury (TBI) partially due to abnormal amyloid processor protein (APP) cleavage and neural hyperactivity. Binding of the extension domain of APP (ExD17) to the GABAbR1 receptor results in reduced neural activity, which might play a role in the mechanisms of cognitive dysfunction caused by TBI.

Methods

Stretch‐induced injury was utilized to establish a cell injury model in HT22 cells. The TBI model was created by striking the exposed brain tissue with a free‐falling weight. Topical or intraperitoneal administration of ExD17 was performed. Cell viability was assessed through a cell counting kit‐8 assay, while intracellular Ca2+ was measured using Fluo‐4. Western blotting was used to investigate the expression of APP amyloidogenic cleavage proteins, GABAbR1, phospholipase C (PLC), PLCB3, and synaptic proteins. ELISA was performed to analyze the levels of Aβ42. Seizures were assessed using electroencephalography (EEG). Behaviors were evaluated through the novel object recognition test, open field test, elevated plus maze test, and nest‐building test.

Results

ExD17 improved cell viability and reduced intracellular calcium in the cell injury model. The treatment also suppressed the increased expression of APP amyloidogenic cleavage proteins and Aβ42 in both cell injury and TBI models. ExD17 treatment reversed the abnormal expression of GABAbR1, GRIA2, p‐PLCG1/PLCG1 ratio, and p‐PLCB3/PLCB3 ratio. In addition, ExD17 treatment reduced neural activity, seizure events, and their duration in TBI. Intraperitoneal injection of ExD17 improved behavioral outcomes in the TBI mouse model.

Conclusions

ExD17 treatment results in a reduction of amyloidogenic APP cleavage and neuroexcitotoxicity, ultimately leading to an improvement in the behavioral deficits observed in TBI mice.
Analyzing the outcomes of China's ecological compensation scheme for development‐related biodiversity loss
Authors: Gao Shuo , Bull Joseph W. , Baker Julia , zu Ermgassen Sophus O. S. E. , Milner‐Gulland E. J.
Published: August 2023

Over the past three decades, China's government has implemented many projects under its ecological compensation policy, including paying compensation fees for habitat creation to redress natural habitat losses caused by development. However, a critical evaluation of both the policy design and its ecological outcomes, has not previously been carried out. We assemble diverse data sources to provide the first evaluation of China's eco‐compensation policy and practice, identifying several challenges. In policy, the pricing of forest restoration fees is insufficient in several provinces, and there is no requirement for use of biodiversity metrics or for ecological equivalence of compensation and losses. In practice, only 23% of a sample of 31 developments applied quantitative biodiversity metrics, and fewer than 1% of China's local governments have disclosed information regarding compensation implementation. Thus, to improve the validity of its compensation policy and practice to better secure biodiversity, China may need to embrace higher compensation standards, having first prevented ecological losses where possible. Equally important, China may also need to improve compensation governance for data tracking and conservation effectiveness monitoring.
Evaluation of the relationship between de‐novo DSA development and CXCR5+PD‐1+CD8+ T cells and PD‐1/PD‐L1 mRNA expression in kidney transplant recipients
Authors: Ekinci Nurten Sayin , Yilmaz Vural Taner , Kilinc Yahya , Kocak Huseyin , DARBAS Sule , Kisaoglu Abdullah , Aydinli Bulent , Uzuner Sezin Yakut , Ucar Fahri
Published: August 2023

Background and aims

The relationship between the Follicular Cytotoxic T cell subgroup and expression levels of PD1/PD‐L1 genes and the development of donor specific antibody (DSA) is unknown. In this study, we aimed to examine CD8+CXCR5+PD‐1+ follicular cytotoxic T cell levels and expression levels of PD1/PD‐L1 genes in peripheral blood lymphocytes in de‐novo DSA positive and negative kidney transplant recipients (KTR).

Methods

In our study, expression of PD‐1/ PD‐L1 genes by Real‐Time Quantitative PCR method and CD8+CXCR5+PD‐1+ T cell expression levels by flow cytometric method were obtained from peripheral blood samples. 63 participants were included in the study (de‐novo DSA positive recipients (n = 22, group 1), de‐novo DSA negative recipients (n = 20, group 2) and healthy control (n = 21, group 3). All patients had negative PRA before kidney transplantation. Expression (%) levels of target cells were evaluated by flow cytometry method. IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows Version 22 and R.3.3.2 software were used to evaluate the data.

Results

The demographic data of the groups were similar. PD‐1 mRNA expression was higher in de‐novo DSA positive KTR than negative (respectively, 1.03 ± .29/.82 ± .15, p: .001). CD8+CXCR5+PD‐1+ T cell expression levels were found to be higher in the de‐novo DSA positive group than in the negative group and similar to the healthy group (respectively, 3.06 ± 1.98/.52 ± .40, p:.001, 3.06 ± 1.98/2.78 ± .59, p:.62). The percentage of CD8+CXCR5+PD‐1+ expressing T cells was significantly lower in the HLA‐Class II+ group than other groups (HLA CI/II/ I+II, respectively, 3.63 ± 2.72/1.65 ± .50/3.68 ± 1.67, p: .04).

Conclusions

In our study, a significant relationship was found between DSA formation and PD‐1 mRNA level and CD8+CXCR5+PD‐1+ follicular cytotoxic T cell in KTR.
Study protocol: A comparison of mobile and clinic‐based spirometry for capturing the treatment effect in moderate asthma
Authors: Izmailova Elena S. , Kilian Rachel , Bakker Jessie P. , Evans Shawna , Scotina Anthony D. , Reiss Theodore F. , Singh Dave , Wagner John A.
Published: August 2023

Several inefficiencies in drug development trial implementation may be improved by moving data collection from the clinic to mobile, allowing for more frequent measurements and therefore increased statistical power while aligning to a patient‐centric approach to trial design. Sensor‐based digital health technologies such as mobile spirometry (mSpirometry) are comparable to clinic spirometry for capturing outcomes, such as forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1); however, the impact of remote spirometry measurements on the detection of treatment effect has not been investigated. A protocol for a multicenter, single‐arm, open‐label interventional trial of long‐acting beta agonist (LABA) therapy among 60 participants with uncontrolled moderate asthma is described. Participants will complete twice‐daily mSpirometry at home and clinic spirometry during weekly visits, alongside continuous use of a wrist‐worn wearable and regular completion of several diaries capturing asthma symptoms as well as participant‐ and site‐reported satisfaction and ease of use of mSpirometry. The co‐primary objectives of this study are (A) to quantify the treatment effect of LABA therapy among participants with moderate asthma, using both clinical spirometry (FEV1c) and mSpirometry (FEV1m); and (B) to investigate whether FEV1m is as accurate as FEV1c in detecting the treatment effect using a mixed‐effect model for repeated measures. Study results will help inform whether the deployment of mSpirometry and a wrist‐worn wearable for remote data collection are feasible in a multicenter setting among participants with moderate asthma, which may then be generalizable to other populations with respiratory disease.
How do maternal androgens and estrogens affect sex determination in reptiles with temperature‐dependent sex?
Authors: Valli Florencia E. , Simoncini Melina S. , González Marcela A. , Piña Carlos I.
Published: August 2023

Temperature sex determination (TSD) in reptiles has been studied to elucidate the mechanisms by which temperature is transformed into a biological signal that determines the sex of the embryo. Temperature is thought to trigger signals that alter gene expression and hormone metabolism, which will determine the development of female or male gonads. In this review, we focus on collecting and discussing important and recent information on the role of maternal steroid hormones in sex determination in oviparous reptiles such as crocodiles, turtles, and lizards that possess TSD. In particular, we focus on maternal androgens and estrogens deposited in the egg yolk and their metabolites that could also influence the sex of offspring. Finally, we suggest guidelines for future research to help clarify the link between maternal steroid hormones and offspring sex.
Effects of NAD+ precursors on blood pressure, C‐reactive protein concentration and carotid intima‐media thickness: A meta‐analysis of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Lei Langhuan , Zhang Xiaoli , Lin Jiali , Liang Qiuyu , Sohouli Mohammad Hassan , Izze da Silva Magalhães Elma , Fatahi Somaye , Yang Lihua , Xu Wanting , Wang Xingyong , Li Wei , Yang Jianrong
Published: August 2023

Background

There are contradictory effects regarding the effect of NAD+ precursor on blood pressure and inflammation. In order to obtain a better viewpoint from them, this study aimed to comprehensively investigate the effects of NAD+ precursor supplementation on blood pressure, C‐reactive protein (CRP) and carotid intima‐media thickness (CIMT).

Methods

PubMed/MEDLINE, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Embase databases were searched using standard keywords to identify all controlled trials investigating the effects of NAD+ precursor on blood pressure, CRP and CIMT. Pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were achieved by random‐effects model analysis for the best estimation of outcomes.

Results

Twenty‐nine articles (with 8664 participants) were included in this article. Results from meta‐analyses of RCTs from random‐effects models indicated a significant reduction in systolic (SBP) (weighted mean difference (WMD): −2.54 mmHg, p < .001) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: −2.15 mmHg, p < .001), as well as in CRP (WMD: −.93 mg/L, 95% CI −1.47 to −.40, p < .001) concentrations and CIMT (WMD: −.01 mm, 95% CI −.02 to −.00, p = .005) with the NAD+ precursors supplementation compared with the control group. In addition, a greater effect of supplementation with NAD+ precursors in reducing blood pressure (BP) were observed with the highest dose (≥2 g) and duration of the intervention (>12 weeks), as well as with NA supplementation when compared to NE.

Conclusions

Overall, these findings suggest that NAD+ precursor supplementation might have a beneficial effect on cardiovascular risk factors such as BP, CRP concentration and CIMT.
State‐owned enterprises and entrusted lending: Economic growth and business cycles in China
Authors: Zhang Shuonan
Published: August 2023

A key economic structure in China is the co‐existence of state‐owned enterprises (SOEs) being bank‐favored firms as well as policy tools, and more productive private firms who can borrow from SOEs through entrusted lending. We explore macroeconomic implications of such a structure in China. Our findings suggest SOEs dampen output volatility at the cost of productivity volatility. In contrast, the healthy development of entrusted lending dampens variations of both output and productivity by reallocating credits between firms. Focusing on the recent growth slowdown in China, we further show conducive effects of entrusted lending on economic growth by mitigating capital misallocation.
Covid lockdowns and hospitalisations for oro‐facial trauma among children in Australia and the United Kingdom
Authors: Aminian Parmis , Kruger Estie , Tennant Marc
Published: August 2023

Background/Aim

This retrospective study investigated the effect of lockdowns for Covid‐19 on the rates of oro‐facial trauma hospitalisations in children in Australia and the United Kingdom (UK).

Materials and Methods

Hospitalisation data for children up to 19 years old for oro‐facial trauma injuries (according to ICD‐10‐AM principal diagnosis codes) over 5 years were collected for Australian and UK children. The age‐standard rate (ASR) for each age group was calculated per 100,000 population.

Results

In the younger Australian children, there was no statistically significant change in the ASR of oro‐facial trauma hospitalisations during the ‘Covid year’, compared to the average rate over the 3 years preceding. However, there was a significant decrease in the ASR of oro‐facial trauma hospitalisations during the ‘Covid year’ in older Australian children (aged 10–19), and for all UK children, except for infants under one‐year‐old.

Conclusions

Reduction of the ASR of hospitalisations due to oro‐facial trauma during the ‘Covid year’, and the implementation of lockdown measures in the two countries provides further evidence of the impact of physical activities and travel as contributing factors to oro‐facial injuries in children. In addition to its role in reducing the spread of virus infections during the pandemic, the lockdown measures also resulted in a simultaneous decrease in trauma injuries.
Thermal adaptation of microbial respiration persists throughout long‐term soil carbon decomposition
Authors: Li Jinquan , Pei Junmin , Fang Changming , Li Bo , Nie Ming
Published: August 2023

Soil microbial respiration is expected to show adaptations to changing temperatures, greatly weakening the magnitude of feedback over time, as shown in labile carbon substrates. However, whether such thermal adaptation persists during long‐term soil carbon decomposition as carbon substrates decrease in decomposability remains unknown. Here, we conducted a 6‐year incubation experiment in natural and arable soils with distinct properties under three temperatures (10, 20 and 30°C). Mass‐specific microbial respiration was consistently lower under higher long‐term incubation temperatures, suggesting the occurrence and persistence of microbial thermal adaptation in long‐term soil carbon decomposition. Furthermore, changes in microbial community composition and function largely explained the persistence of microbial respiratory thermal adaptation. If such thermal adaptation generally occurs in large low‐decomposability carbon pools, warming‐induced soil carbon losses may be lower than previously predicted and thus may not contribute as much as expected to greenhouse warming.
Five‐year radiological findings from a randomized controlled trial of four periodontitis treatment strategies
Authors: Kubberød Jon Olav , Torgersen Gerald Ruiner , Gjermo Per , Baelum Vibeke , Preus Hans R.
Published: August 2023

Radiographic findings from long‐term studies of periodontitis treatment have rarely been reported. Although bone destruction is a prominent feature of periodontitis, the long‐term effect on alveolar bone levels of different treatment strategies, with or without adjunctive metronidazole (MTZ), has not been reported. We investigated the 5‐year radiographic outcome of therapy in patient groups treated with conventional scaling and root planing (SRP) or same‐day full‐mouth disinfection (FDIS), with or without adjunctive MTZ. Following a 3‐month oral hygiene phase, 184 periodontitis patients were randomly allocated to one of four treatment regimens: (i) FDIS+MTZ; (ii) FDIS+placebo; (iii) SRP+MTZ; or (iv) SRP+placebo. Following active treatment, patients received biannual maintenance. In total, 161 patients (87.5%) completed the 5‐year follow‐up examination, at which the radiographic bone level (RBL), clinical attachment level, probing pocket depth, presence of plaque, and bleeding were recorded again. At the 5‐year follow up examination, minor radiological bone loss was observed in the intervention groups FDIS+placebo, SRP+MTZ, and SRP+placebo; by contrast, the FDIS+MTZ group did not show any change in RBL. Full‐mouth disinfection did not generally perform better than conventional SRP performed over a period of 2 to 4 weeks.
Chemical mutagenesis and thermal selection of coral photosymbionts induce adaptation to heat stress with trait trade‐offs
Authors: Scharfenstein Hugo J. , Alvarez‐Roa Carlos , Peplow Lesa M. , Buerger Patrick , Chan Wing Yan , van Oppen Madeleine J. H.
Published: August 2023

Despite the relevance of heat‐evolved microalgal endosymbionts to coral reef restoration, to date, few Symbiodiniaceae strains have been thermally enhanced via experimental evolution. Here, we investigated whether the thermal tolerance of Symbiodiniaceae can be increased through chemical mutagenesis followed by thermal selection. Strains of Durusdinium trenchii, Fugacium kawagutii and Symbiodinium pilosum were exposed to ethyl methanesulfonate to induce random mutagenesis, and then underwent thermal selection at high temperature (31/33°C). After 4.6–5 years of experimental evolution, the in vitro thermal tolerance of these strains was assessed via reciprocal transplant experiments to ambient (27°C) and elevated (31/35°C) temperatures. Growth, photosynthetic efficiency, oxidative stress and nutrient use were measured to compare thermal tolerance between strains. Heat‐evolved D. trenchii, F. kawagutii and S. pilosum strains all exhibited increased photosynthetic efficiency under thermal stress. However, trade‐offs in growth rates were observed for the heat‐evolved D. trenchii lineage at both ambient and elevated temperatures. Reduced phosphate and nitrate uptake rates in F. kawagutii and S. pilosum heat‐evolved lineages, respectively, suggest alterations in nutrition resource usage and allocation processes may have occurred. Increased phosphate uptake rates of the heat‐evolved D. trenchii strain indicate that experimental evolution resulted in further trade‐offs in this species. These findings deepen our understanding of the physiological responses of Symbiodiniaceae cultures to thermal selection and their capacity to adapt to elevated temperatures. The new heat‐evolved Symbiodiniaceae developed here may be beneficial for coral reef restoration efforts if their enhanced thermal tolerance can be conferred in hospite.
The experiences of parents in an early‐intervention program for young people with borderline personality disorder features
Authors: Bosworth Chloe , Watsford Clare , Naylor Annaleise , Buckmaster Dean , Rickwood Debra
Published: August 2023

Previous research demonstrates that parents' communication skills may contribute to the development and maintenance of their young person's borderline personality disorder (BPD). Carers of people with BPD also experience their own psychosocial stressors and feel unsupported. Consequently, Dialectical Behavior Therapy for adolescents (DBT‐A) invites parents to partake in group therapy alongside their young person. Despite this involvement, little research exists examining parents' perspective of engaging in a DBT‐A program, and specifically whether they experience their own benefits and changes from being part of the program. To examine this, the current study interviews 34 parents who engaged in an early intervention DBT‐A program. Thematic analysis resulted in seven key themes and 16 subthemes beginning with parents' expectations of the program, followed by the key elements of the program that facilitated change, and the actual changes and benefits attributed to these elements. Overall, parents were surprised by their own gains from the program, and how the skills they learned facilitated personal development that improved family communication and functioning with their young person and more broadly. This study addresses the gap in understanding the parent perspective with clinical implications for the benefits of involving parents in therapy more generally.
Application of machine learning models for estimating the material parameters for multiaxial fatigue strength calculation
Authors: Nagode Marko , Papuga Jan , Oman Simon
Published: August 2023

This paper deals with a practical task of estimating missing material fatigue strengths required for the evaluation of multiaxial fatigue strength criteria, knowing other static or fatigue material parameters. Instead of searching for various analytical equations describing the dependencies between different material parameters, several machine learning models implemented in the caret R package are used here. The dataset used to train and test these models is based on the FatLim dataset with different material parameters, which has been redesigned for this new purpose. It is demonstrated that substantially more data points, such as were available in this study, are needed to achieve the goal set here. Although the results obtained at the current scale may be improved by the addition of new data points, the best performance of the random forest model rf and the worst performance of the pcr model are evident.