bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
SME productivity and university collaboration: does past performance influence future performance?
Authors: Johnston Andrew , Prokop Daniel
Published: June 2024

Purpose

As little is known about the productivity levels of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) engaging with universities and the relative changes in productivity of SMEs subsequent to these collaborations, the paper examines the following questions: (1) Does the relative productivity of SMEs engaging in university collaboration differ from those that do not? (2) Are subsequent changes in firm productivity following university collaboration related to their initial levels of productivity?

Design/methodology/approach

The paper utilises data on 254 SMEs from the Longitudinal Small Business Survey and uses two statistical techniques: First, bivariate tests of difference were used to inspect the relationships between productivity levels and whether the firm collaborated with a university to introduce its innovation. Second, ordinary least squares regressions were used to test whether the future productivity of SMEs that collaborated with universities was related to their initial productivity levels.

Findings

The analysis reveals that SME–university collaboration is unrelated to starting productivity. Furthermore, the analysis suggests a nonlinear relationship exists between the starting productivity of SMEs and their subsequent productivity following a university collaboration. Therefore, higher levels of subsequent productivity are observed among those SMEs where starting productivity was either relatively low or high, suggesting that collaborations have a transformative effect on SMEs with relatively lower initial levels of productivity and a maintenance effect for SMEs with relatively higher levels of initial productivity.

Practical implications

Given the fact that the extant literature also suggests that, overall, university collaboration is beneficial, policymakers should strive to encourage greater levels of collaboration involving SMEs. In light of the evidence that SME–university collaborations can transform less productive firms, it appears unjustified for practitioners and policymakers to only consider stronger-performing firms to be included in such programmes.

Originality/value

The study contributes new theoretical and practical knowledge to the understanding of the role of firm productivity in predicting the proclivity of firms to collaborate with universities. Furthermore, as few studies have examined the impact of these collaborations on the subsequent productivity of firms that collaborate with universities, this paper fills an existing gap in the literature.
Not all sunshine and rainbows: exploring the dark side of AI in interactive marketing
Authors: Labrecque Lauren I. , Peña Priscilla Y. , Leonard Hillary , Leger Rosemary
Published: June 2024

Purpose

The surge of artificial intelligence (AI) applications and subsequent adoption by consumers and marketers has ignited substantial research exploring the benefits and opportunities of AI. Despite this, little attention has been given to its unintended negative consequences. In this paper, the authors examine both the practitioner and academic sides of ethical AI. In doing so, the authors conduct an extensive review of the AI literature to identify potential issues pertaining to three areas: individual consumers, societal and legal. The authors identify gaps and offer questions to drive future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors review recent academic literature on AI in marketing journals, and top ethical principles from three top technology developers (Google, IBM and Meta) in conjunction with media reports of negative AI incents. They also identify gaps and opportunities for future research based on this review.

Findings

The bibliographic review reveals a small number of academic papers in marketing that focus on ethical considerations for AI adoption. The authors highlight concerns for academic researchers, marketing practitioners and AI developers across three main areas and highlight important issues relating to interactive marketing.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the under-researched negative outcomes of AI adoption. Through an extensive literature review, coupled with current responsible AI principles adopted by major technology companies, this research provides a framework for examining the dark side of AI.
Performance vs. lottery: department transfer system desired by employees
Authors: Kato Takumi , Hayami Katsuya , Ikeda Ryosuke , Koizumi Masaki
Published: June 2024

Purpose

Among the nonfinancial rewards for employees are career development opportunities, for which an important measure is department transfers. This is because departments are unevenly popular, and assigning everyone to their desired department is difficult. However, research on department transfers is limited to improving the efficiency of human resources utilization from a management perspective, with employee perspectives being lacking. This study aims to fill this gap in the literature.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted a randomized controlled trial in an online survey environment with 2,000 full-time employees in Japan. Through the lens of self-determination theory, the authors hypothesized that employees seek department transfers based on performance rather than department transfers based on luck (lottery).

Findings

The results supported the hypothesis. For performance-based department transfers, an acceptance probability of 30% was found to be appropriate. Furthermore, mid-career, male, staff-level employees, those with experience of changing jobs and those who are more satisfied with their current job were more likely to seek this system.

Practical implications

Corporate managers should note that employees emphasize self-determination regarding their careers, dislike relying based on luck and seek department transfers relying on merit-based performance.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to determine the desirable system design for department transfers from the employee’s perspective and extend self-determination theory.
Practice‐focused reflections on adaptive behaviour assessment in autism specialist education
Authors: Eysenck Alicia H. , Sewell Samantha , Wakeford SallyAnn , Richards Sophie , Taylor Joanna , Moseley Rachel L.
Published: June 2024

Adaptive behaviour is crucial for well‐being and independence. The Adaptive Behaviour Assessment System (ABAS‐3) is often used to plan individualised support in specialist educational settings, drawing on both teacher and parent informants. In practice, however, little is known about the extent of variation between informants. We examined informant discrepancies in a naturally occurring dataset of 28 ABAS‐3 assessments (21 male, seven female), performed by teachers and by parents post‐admission at an autism specialist school. We found that in real‐life practice, teachers rated the adaptive functioning capabilities of their students significantly more highly than parents across all ABAS‐3 domains, a discrepancy significantly greater than validation studies with this instrument, and interestingly, non‐uniform across domains. The magnitude of this discrepancy was largest in the Conceptual domain, where differences between informants were greater in older children. The skill area most affected was ‘self‐direction’, which includes aspects of executive function. Existing guidance for adaptive functioning assessment in specialist education is extremely limited; while considering potential sources of informant discrepancy, our findings corroborate the need for further guidance on the use and scope of tools like the ABAS‐3 in educational settings. While such discrepancies may confound population‐level data, individually, these skills may be indicative of greater need to support generalisation across contexts, and may indicate the particular skill areas that are most amenable to intervention.
Navigating the storm: Transformational leadership in engaging on robust crisis response planning
Authors: Basurto‐Cedeno Estefania , Pennington‐Gray Lori
Published: June 2024

This study explores the impact of transformational leadership style on hurricane crisis response planning in the coastal destinations of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. Using the Perceived Transformational Leadership Scale (PTLS) proposed by Donmez and Toker, alongside demographic variables, employment profiles and past crisis experiences, the study investigates how leaders' innate leadership characteristics influence crisis response adoption. Results indicate that transformational leadership significantly predicts engagement in crisis response planning, surpassing other predictors such as employment profile and experience. The study also validates the PTLS's usability across different contexts and its ability to predict varied behaviours beyond job satisfaction. Additionally, it underscores the importance of considering transformational leadership traits in managerial recruitment for risk management roles. The findings theoretically contribute by reinforcing the independence of transformational leadership scale items and informing recruitment processes and decision‐making in hurricane‐prone coastal regions.
Plastic and terrestrial organic matter degradation by the humic lake microbiome continues throughout the seasons
Authors: Vesamäki Jussi S. , Laine Miikka B. , Nissinen Riitta , Taipale Sami J.
Published: June 2024

Boreal freshwaters go through four seasons, however, studies about the decomposition of terrestrial and plastic compounds often focus only on summer. We compared microbial decomposition of 13C‐polyethylene, 13C‐polystyrene, and 13C‐plant litter (Typha latifolia) by determining the biochemical fate of the substrate carbon and identified the microbial decomposer taxa in humic lake waters in four seasons. For the first time, the annual decomposition rate including separated seasonal variation was calculated for microplastics and plant litter in the freshwater system. Polyethylene decomposition was not detected, whereas polystyrene and plant litter were degraded in all seasons. In winter, decomposition rates of polystyrene and plant litter were fivefold and fourfold slower than in summer, respectively. Carbon from each substrate was mainly respired in all seasons. Plant litter was utilized efficiently by various microbial groups, whereas polystyrene decomposition was limited to Alpha‐ and Gammaproteobacteria. The decomposition was not restricted only to the growth season, highlighting that the decomposition of both labile organic matter and extremely recalcitrant microplastics continues throughout the seasons.
Bark beetles on logging residues of European larch: Effects of shading and diameter of logging residues on infestation density
Authors: Špoula Jakub , Kula Emanuel
Published: June 2024

Ips cembrae, an important pest of European larch (Larix decidua), has caused local outbreaks in the last two decades and is becoming increasingly important as the proportion of European larch in forests increases.

In 2021–2023, larch logs and piles of branches were placed into shaded forest and sunlit areas every month to study bark beetle species on logging residues. After adult emergence, the logs and branches were debarked, and the infestation density of bark beetles was analysed. The results indicate that shading, log diameter and top/bottom parts of log had a significant effect on infestation density of I. cembrae on logs. The infestation density of I. cembrae was higher on logs felled between December and June than on logs felled between July and November.

Shading of branches was the most significant variable affecting the bark beetle species composition on branches. All four of the bark beetle species recorded were affected by diameter of the branches. Ips cembrae primarily infested sunlit branches while Cryphalus intermedius preferred shaded branches. In contrast, the infestation densities of Pityogenes chalcographus and Pityophthorus pityographus seemed to be affected primarily by moisture content of the branches.
Queer debt
Authors: Karakuş Emrah
Published: June 2024

In the Kurdish‐majority city of Amed (Diyarbakır), Turkey, the local sex work economy has become increasingly and intimately interwoven with institutions, discourses, and practices of securitization. In this context, queer and trans Kurds adopt, adapt, and use surveillance to negotiate the value of their work and life with one another, the broader community, and the state. These negotiations involve vocabularies, strategies, and affective attachments derived from the long‐standing militarized conflict between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party. Key to this dynamic is the notion of bedel, or the indebtedness and obligation that Kurds feel toward the struggle for Kurdish rights. Through affective debt, queer and trans Kurds police boundaries for their security and livelihoods through surveillance, defining those who can and cannot do sex work. In the process, they shift the meanings and functions of bedel as they endure, embody, and embrace violence and homophobia to gain acceptance of their identities.
Clinical pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of empagliflozin in patients with heart failure
Authors: Rascher Juliane , Cotton Dan , Haertter Sebastian , Brueckmann Martina
Published: June 2024

Aims

The aim of this work is to compare empagliflozin systemic exposure between patients with heart failure (HF) and patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Methods

Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) compared steady state trough concentrations of empagliflozin 10 mg in EMPEROR‐reduced (patients with HF with reduced ejection fraction [HFrEF]) and EMPA‐REG OUTCOME (patients with T2D at high cardiovascular risk) after adjusting for eGFR and body weight.

Results

The difference in geometric Mean (gMean) empagliflozin steady state trough concentration of 10 mg empagliflozin between EMPEROR‐reduced and EMPA‐REG OUTCOME was 1.47‐fold (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.33, 1.63). Additionally, ANCOVA for the sub‐group of patients with both T2D and HF conditions revealed a difference in gMean steady state trough concentration of 1.53‐fold (95% CI: 1.26, 1.85). In both patients with HFrEF and HF with preserved EF (HFpEF), there was no major difference in empagliflozin steady state trough exposure by New York Heart Association (NYHA) classification or by use of angiotensin receptor‐neprilysin inhibitor as comedication. A weak positive correlation was observed for NT‐proBNP at Week 12 and empagliflozin steady state trough concentration in both patients with HFrEF and HFpEF (Pearson correlation r = 0.19).

Conclusions

Plasma concentrations of empagliflozin in patients with HF were higher compared to patients with T2D, but the exposure resulting from the 10 mg dose was still below the exposure resulting from the dose of 25 mg approved in patients with T2D. The difference in exposure was attributable to demographic characteristics and HF‐induced pathophysiological changes. Overall, the results confirm 10 mg as the appropriate empagliflozin dose in patients with HF.
Rerouting cardiovascular management following gastric bypass surgery: Dose optimization of carvedilol using population‐based analysis
Authors: Yamamoto Priscila Akemi , Vozmediano Valvanera , Cristofoletti Rodrigo , Jiang Jinmai , Schmittgen Thomas D. , de Gaitani Cristiane Masetto , Kemp Rafael , Sankarankutty Ajith Kumar , dos Santos Jose Sebastião , Salgado Junior Wilson , de Moraes Natalia Valadares
Published: June 2024

Aims

A population‐based pharmacokinetic (PK) modeling approach (PopPK) was used to investigate the impact of Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) on the PK of (R)‐ and (S)‐carvedilol. We aimed to optimize carvedilol dosing for these patients utilizing a pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) link model.

Methods

PopPK models were developed utilizing data from 52 subjects, including nonobese, obese, and post‐ RYGB patients who received rac‐ carvedilol orally. Covariate analysis included anthropometric and laboratory data, history of RYGB surgery, CYP2D6 and CYP3A4 in vivo activity, and relative intestinal abundance of major drug‐ metabolizing enzymes and transporters. A direct effect inhibitory Emax pharmacodynamic model was linked to the PK model of (S)‐ carvedilol to simulate the changes in exercise‐ induced heart rate.

Results

A 2‐compartmental model with linear elimination and parallel first‐order absorptions best described (S)‐carvedilol PK. RYGB led to a twofold reduction in relative oral bioavailability compared to nonoperated subjects, along with delayed absorption of both enantiomers. The intestinal ABCC2 mRNA expression increases the time to reach the maximum plasma concentration. The reduced exposure (AUC) of (S)‐carvedilol post‐RYGB corresponded to a 33% decrease in the predicted area under the effect curve (AUEC) for the 24‐hour β‐blocker response. Simulation results suggested that a 50‐mg daily dose in post‐RYGB patients achieved comparable AUC and AUEC to 25‐mg dose in nonoperated subjects.

Conclusion

Integrated PK/PD modeling indicated that standard dosage regimens for nonoperated subjects do not provide equivalent β‐blocking activity in RYGB patients. This study highlights the importance of personalized dosing strategies to attain desired therapeutic outcomes in this patient cohort.
Brusatol induces ferroptosis to inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma progression by targeting ATF3
Authors: Wan Yuanyuan , Cheng Jingsong , Gan Debiao , He Jiaming , Chen An , Ma Jing , Li Yunying , Wang Xiao , Ran Jianhua , Chen Dilong , Li Jing
Published: June 2024

Ferroptosis is a novel form of programmed cell death that is triggered by iron‐dependent lipid peroxidation. Brusatol (BRU), a natural nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 inhibitor, exhibits potent anticancer effects in various types of cancer. However, the exact mechanism of BRU in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains unknown. The anticancer effects of BRU in HCC were detected using cell counting kit‐8 and colony formation assays and a xenograft model. RNA sequencing (RNA‐seq) and bioinformatics analyses of HCC cells were utilized to elucidate the mechanism underlying the effects of BRU in HCC. The levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), glutathione (GSH), malondialdehyde (MDA), and Fe2+ were measured using assay kits. The expression of activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3) was tested using RT‐qPCR, western blotting, and immunofluorescence staining. The role of ATF3 in BRU‐induced ferroptosis was examined using siATF3. BRU significantly inhibited HCC cell proliferation, both in vitro and in vivo. BRU activated the ferroptosis signaling pathway and increased ATF3 expression. Furthermore, ATF3 knockdown impeded BRU‐induced ferroptosis. BRU suppressed HCC growth through ATF3‐mediated ferroptosis, supporting BRU as a promising therapeutic agent for HCC.
The Correlation Between Exposure to Violence and Parental Monitoring: Differences Between Mothers and Fathers From Palestinian–Israeli Families
Authors: Ali‐Saleh Darawshy Neveen
Published: June 2024

In this study, I investigated the correlations between retrospectively reported experiences of child abuse in the family‐of‐origin and exposure to community violence as adults on parental monitoring among Palestinian–Israeli parents. A sample of 760 parents (453 mothers, 59.6%) participated in the study. A self‐administered questionnaire was used. Results showed that both experiencing child abuse and community violence victimization were associated with high levels of parental stress, and experiencing child abuse was also associated with low levels of parental monitoring. Indirect effects of parental stress were found between both types of violence exposure and parental monitoring. Among mothers, there were additional indirect effects between violence exposure and parental monitoring. These findings suggest that exposure to multiple contexts of violence correlated with parental behaviours, and parenting programmes should focus on reducing parental stress and improving parental monitoring, considering the gender differences. Overall, this study highlights the importance of addressing the outcomes of trauma on parenting monitoring, which can have significant implications for public health.
Clinical, radiographic, and aesthetic outcomes at two narrow‐diameter implants to replace congenital missing maxillary lateral incisors: A 3‐year prospective, clinical study
Authors: Roccuzzo Andrea , Imber Jean‐Claude , Lempert Jakob , Jensen Simon Storgård
Published: June 2024

Introduction

To present the 3‐year clinical, radiographic, and aesthetic outcomes in patients with congenitally missing lateral incisors rehabilitated with two narrow‐diameter implants (NDIs).

Methods

The original population consisted of 100 patients rehabilitated with a cement‐retained bi‐layered zirconia single‐unit crown supported by either a Ø2.9 mm (Test) or a Ø3.3 mm (Control) NDI (n = 50). At the 1‐ and 3‐year follow‐up (T2, T3), implant survival rate, crestal bone level (CBL) changes, biological, and technical complications were recorded, while the assessment of the aesthetic outcomes was performed using the Copenhagen Index Score.

Results

Seventy‐four patients Ø2.9 mm (n = 39) or Ø3.3 mm (n = 35) reached T3, as 24 patients were lost to follow‐up and 1 implant (Ø3.3 mm) was removed. Throughout the observation period, minimal CBL changes (i.e., <1 mm) were detected between groups. Despite the positive aesthetic scores recorded (i.e., 1–2), at T3 20% of patients rehabilitated with a Ø3.3 mm versus 2.6% of patients Ø2.9 mm displayed an alveolar process deficiency (Score 3). No additional technical and/or mechanical complications were recorded between T2 and T3. Tooth vitality was maintained in all neighboring teeth. Peri‐implant probing depths and plaque scores remained low in both groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion

The use of 2.9 or 3.3 diameter implants showed comparable favorable mid‐term results in terms of survival rate, CBL, and aesthetic outcomes. Hence, clinicians should rely on the use of such NDIs when replacing maxillary lateral incisors.
Public speaking and leadership in implant dentistry: Have these skills been overlooked?
Authors: Paterno’ Holtzman Lucrezia , Pitta João , Milinković Iva , Pirc Miha , Romandini Pierluigi , Alexopoulou Maria‐Angeliki , Becker Kathrin , Feher Balazs , Makarov Nikolay , Scarlat Pavel , Sanz‐Sánchez Ignacio
Published: June 2024

Objective

To describe the speaker and leadership development seminars during the 2023 EAO Summer Camp (SC).

Materials and Methods

In September 2023, 24 participants joined the SC organized by the EAO Junior Committee (JC) in Lisbon, focused on enhancing public speaking and leadership skills. Facilitated by two experienced trainers, the program aimed to evaluate the participants' progress through pre‐, post‐training “immediate” and “delayed” (3 months after the event) anonymous questionnaires. The JC formulated a survey (JCS) addressing aspects of public speaking, presentation skills and leadership, how important the participants considered them and what type of training in this field they had received thus far.

Results

Twenty‐three participants responded to the pre‐ and immediate post‐training surveys, 22 completed the delayed post‐training survey and 20 completed the JCS. The findings revealed increased confidence and comfort in public speaking post‐event, with sustained improvements over time, accompanied by positivity, pleasant feelings, and increased camaraderie. Post‐training delayed results also showed that reduced symptoms of anxiety before a speech were reported. The JCS highlighted that many participants had not properly acquired public speaking skills during university. Similarly, 19 out of 20 participants felt that leadership skills were important in contemporary dentistry but not properly taught in dental school curriculums.

Conclusions

The 2023 EAO SC was a successful event providing advanced training in leadership and public speaking skills. However, a notable number of young dentists continue to experience anxiety when faced with presentations, indicating a potential need for additional training to relieve stress and enhance confidence.
Material and abutment selection for CAD/CAM implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses in partially edentulous patients – A narrative review
Authors: Strasding Malin , Marchand Laurent , Merino Elizabeth , Zarauz Cristina , Pitta João
Published: June 2024

Restorative material selection has become increasingly challenging due to the speed of new developments in the field of dental material science. The present narrative review gives an overview of the current indications for implant abutments and restoration materials for provisional and definitive implant‐supported fixed dental prostheses in partially edentulous patients. For single implant restorations, titanium base abutments for crowns are suggested as an alternative to the conventional stock‐ and customized abutments made out of metal or zirconia. They combine the mechanical stability of a metallic connection with the esthetic potential of ceramics. For multiple‐unit restorations, conical titanium bases especially designed for bridges are recommended, to compensate for deviating implant insertion axes and angulations. Even though titanium base abutments with different geometries and heights are available, certain clinical scenarios still benefit from customized titanium abutments. Indications for the definitive material in fixed implant restorations depend on the region of tooth replacement. In the posterior (not esthetically critical) zone, ceramics such as zirconia (3–5‐Ymol%) and lithium‐disilicate are recommended to be used in a monolithic fashion. In the anterior sector, ceramic restorations may be buccally micro‐veneered for an optimal esthetic appearance. Lithium‐disilicate is only recommended for single‐crowns, while zirconia (3–5‐Ymol%) is also recommended for multiple‐unit and cantilever restorations. Attention must be given to the specific mechanical properties of different types of zirconia, as some feature reduced mechanical strengths and are therefore not indicated for all regions and restoration span lengths. Metal‐ceramics remain an option, especially for cantilever restorations.
Sustainable scouring of cotton using extracts from wood ash and soapnut and its optimisation by response surface methodology
Authors: Patil Harshal , Athalye Ashok
Published: June 2024

The non‐cellulosic impurities like oil, wax, and pectins present in the cotton fibre adversely impact wetting. Consequently, these impurities must be removed during the pretreatment process to prevent unevenness of subsequent coloration. Generally, an alkaline treatment with petroleum‐based synthetic surfactants is done, which is called scouring. This study attempts to develop an environmentally safe alternative using alkali from wood ash extract (WAE) and surfactant from soapnut extract (SE). The factors of WAE (10%–30%), SE (5–15 g/L), temperature (75–95°C), and time (20–60 min) were optimised using response surface methodology. A concentration of 20% WAE and 10 g/L SE at 90°C for 30 min was found to be adequate to remove impurities. The statistically optimised method showed good hydrophilicity, indicated by an average wetting time of 15 s, and 2.7% weight loss. The scoured fabric was subsequently dyed with natural dye extracted from marigold flowers and reactive dye. The scoured cotton was evaluated by weight loss, wettability, tensile strength, whiteness index, and colour value (K/S) and showed comparable results to conventional scouring.
The indirect impact of infant negative emotionality on interparental conflict via perceptions of coparenting challenges: What prenatal resources mitigate this risk?
Authors: Calkins Frances C. , Finkelstein Seth D. , Martin Meredith J. , Brock Rebecca L.
Published: June 2024

Research clearly demonstrates that conflictual interparental relationship dynamics can create a family context that contributes to child emotional insecurity and psychopathology. Significantly less research has examined familial factors that contribute to maladaptive conflict between parents. Scholars have alluded to the disruptive impacts of parenting a child with certain temperamental characteristics (e.g., negative emotionality). Yet, there is a lack of empirical research examining if and how child temperament contributes to later interparental conflict. Using an established multi‐informant, multi‐method sample of 150 families first assessed during pregnancy, and again when the child was 1, 2, and 3.5 years of age, the present study aimed to test an integrated conceptual model examining whether infants' negative emotionality assessed at age 1 predicts interparental conflict at age 3.5, as mediated through destructive coparenting dynamics in toddlerhood, and identifying prenatal protective factors mitigating this maladaptive pathway. Findings suggest that greater infant negative emotionality predicts worse interparental conflict management during preschool age by undermining the mother's (but not the father's) report of coparenting relationship quality during toddlerhood. However, these results were significant only to the extent that parents were lacking certain prenatal regulatory resources (i.e., low paternal self‐compassion; less secure relationship between parents). Importantly, results point to the need for intervention and prevention efforts during pregnancy that might disrupt the deleterious impacts of parenting a child who is more reactive and prone to expressing negative emotions.
Impacts of hydrologic management on the eutrophication of shallow lakes in an intensive agricultural landscape (Saskatchewan, Canada)
Authors: Gushulak Cale A. C. , Chegoonian Amir M. , Wolfe Jared , Gray Kristen , Mezzini Stefano , Wissel Bjoern , Hann Brenda , Baulch Helen M. , Finlay Kerri , Leavitt Peter R.
Published: June 2024

Hydrologic management of shallow lakes is often undertaken to prevent fluctuations in lake level, and to ensure sufficient water volume for economic, domestic, and recreational uses, but there is inconsistent evidence of whether lake‐level stabilisation through hydrological management promotes or hinders eutrophication.

Here we used multi‐proxy paleolimnological assessments of water quality (sedimentary carbon, nitrogen, total phosphorus, fossil pigments), and zooplankton community ecology (fossil Cladocera assemblages), combined with Landsat‐derived estimates of lake surface area in two shallow eutrophic lakes, in the Prairies of southern Saskatchewan, Canada, to quantify how 8 decades of contrasting hydrological management strategies (continuous or intermittent) affect primary production and phytoplankton composition.

Analysis revealed that irregular hydrological management of Pelican Lake led to sharp increases in primary production concomitant with lake‐level decline. In contrast, continuously managed Buffalo Pound Lake, a drinking water reservoir for regional cities, exhibited slow, persistent eutrophication over decades despite active regulation of water levels. In both lakes, strong correlations of δ 15N values with pigments from diazotrophic cyanobacteria (canthaxanthin) showed that N2‐fixation increased during eutrophication irrespective of the timing of change. Finally, variation in fossil cladoceran density and composition reflected changes in pelagic and littoral habitats (e.g., reduced macrophyte cover) due to changes in both lake level and water quality.

Basin comparison shows that while hydrologic management can moderate water quality degradation due to lake‐level change, it does not prevent eutrophication when nutrient influx remains high.

Given that regional water availability is forecast to decline in coming decades, we anticipate that continued hydrological management will be unavoidable and will be unable to improve water quality unless nutrient influx is also controlled.
Unveiling the gaps: Hypertension control beyond the cascade of care framework
Authors: Silberzan Léna , Bajos Nathalie , Kelly‐Irving Michelle
Published: June 2024

This study examines hypertension control beyond the cascade of care framework, which assesses awareness, treatment, and control sequentially. The analysis included 52 434 hypertensive adults (blood pressure (BP) ≥140/90 mm Hg and/or treatment in the past 6 months), aged 25–69, from the French population‐based CONSTANCES cohort from 2012 to 2021. The authors assessed the typical “awareness, treatment, and control” scenario and characterized other possible control patterns. The authors found that 13% achieved control. This percentage rose to 19% when considering individuals who were not aware but treated and controlled. This alternative control scenario was associated with female sex, younger age, higher education, Northern‐African origin, and reporting prior cardiovascular diseases (CVD). Sub‐Saharan African origin, diabetes and overweight/obesity were associated with the typical control scenario. This study highlights that applying a typical sequential cascade of care approach may lead to the exclusion of some specific groups of participants who do not fit into the defined categories.
The vulnerability of sharks, skates, and rays to ocean deoxygenation: Physiological mechanisms, behavioral responses, and ecological impacts
Authors: Waller Matt J. , Humphries Nicolas E. , Womersley Freya C. , Loveridge Alexandra , Jeffries Amy L. , Watanabe Yuuki , Payne Nicholas , Semmens Jayson , Queiroz Nuno , Southall Emily J. , Sims David W.
Published: June 2024

Levels of dissolved oxygen in open ocean and coastal waters are decreasing (ocean deoxygenation), with poorly understood effects on marine megafauna. All of the more than 1000 species of elasmobranchs (sharks, skates, and rays) are obligate water breathers, with a variety of life‐history strategies and oxygen requirements. This review demonstrates that although many elasmobranchs typically avoid hypoxic water, they also appear capable of withstanding mild to moderate hypoxia with changes in activity, ventilatory responses, alterations to circulatory and hematological parameters, and morphological alterations to gill structures. However, such strategies may be insufficient to withstand severe, progressive, or prolonged hypoxia or anoxia where anaerobic metabolic pathways may be used for limited periods. As water temperatures increase with climate warming, ectothermic elasmobranchs will exhibit elevated metabolic rates and are likely to be less able to tolerate the effects of even mild hypoxia associated with deoxygenation. As a result, sustained hypoxic conditions in warmer coastal or surface‐pelagic waters are likely to lead to shifts in elasmobranch distributions. Mass mortalities of elasmobranchs linked directly to deoxygenation have only rarely been observed but are likely underreported. One key concern is how reductions in habitat volume as a result of expanding hypoxia resulting from deoxygenation will influence interactions between elasmobranchs and industrial fisheries. Catch per unit of effort of threatened pelagic sharks by longline fisheries, for instance, has been shown to be higher above oxygen minimum zones compared to adjacent, normoxic regions, and attributed to vertical habitat compression of sharks overlapping with increased fishing effort. How a compound stressor such as marine heatwaves alters vulnerability to deoxygenation remains an open question. With over a third of elasmobranch species listed as endangered, a priority for conservation and management now lies in understanding and mitigating ocean deoxygenation effects in addition to population declines already occurring from overfishing.
Establishment of an in vitro cell coculture model for investigating the whitening mechanism of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil
Authors: Chen Zhixiong , Cao Ping , Zhang Yicheng , Hong Ni , Li Ping , Yao Hong
Published: June 2024

Background

In vitro single‐cell experiments may yield inconsistent results compared to clinical trials. To enhance the reliability of cosmetic active ingredient screening, a coculture model of B16F10‐HaCaT cells was established in vitro based on the structural characteristics of human skin, thereby improving the credibility of experimental outcomes. Currently, most cosmetic whitening additives primarily target simple efficacy goals such as inhibiting tyrosinase activity or melanin transfer. Therefore, investigating novel and efficient whitening additives has become a prominent research focus.

Objectives

The aim is to establish an in vitro cell coculture model for more reliable experimental results and investigate the mechanism by which Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil inhibits melanin production and transfer.

Methods

The impact of different concentrations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on cocultured cell proliferation rate was assessed using cck8 assay. Tyrosinase inhibition ability in cocultured cells was tested using levodopa as a substrate. Melanin production inhibition ability in coculture cells was evaluated by lysing cells with sodium hydroxide. The effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on dendrite‐related gene expression levels was examined through qPCR analysis. Additionally, Western blotting was employed to study the effect of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil on dendrite‐related protein expression levels.

Results

Different concentrations of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil did not affect the proliferation activity of cocultured cells. A specific concentration of α‐MSH increased cell tyrosinase activity, cellular melanin content, as well as Rac1, Cdc42, and PAR‐2 gene and protein expression related to dendritic formation. Treatment with a certain concentration of Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil resulted in decreased tyrosinase activity and melanin content in cells along with downregulated expression levels of Rac1, Cdc42, and PAR‐2 genes and proteins associated with dendritic formation.

Conclusions

Paeonia lactiflora Pall seeds oil at specific concentrations exhibits the ability to inhibit tyrosinase activity, decrease melanin content, and possesses the potential to impede melanin transfer.
Viral complexity of tomatoes yellow mosaic and leaf curl diseases in lowland and highland areas
Authors: Hermanto Rudy , Murti Rudi Hari , Hartono Sedyo , Purwantoro Azis , Wijonarko Arman , Mulyantoro  , Nahampun Hartinio Natalia , Afifuddin Ahmad
Published: June 2024

Yellow mosaic and leaf curl diseases caused by whitefly‐transmitted begomo virus genera are important problems in tomato (Solanum lycopersicon L.) production in Indonesia, particularly on Java Island. The aims of this survey are to assess the percentages of disease incidence (DI) and disease severity index (DSI), evaluate the spread and complexity of begomovirus and crinivirus infections responsible for yellow mosaic and leaf curl diseases in tomato plants, and identify the species of whitefly insect vectors and their cryptic biotypes in tomato production centers located on Java Island, Indonesia. A total of 43 locations in East, Central, and West Java were surveyed during the dry season from July 2022 to September 2022. Disease incidence and severity were determined by observing 200 samples of tomato plants from five points at each location, with 40 plants per point of land. A total of 116 whitefly samples in microtubes and 215 symptomatic leaf samples were collected. The genus begomovirus and crinivirus infecting tomato were identified by PCR and RT‐PCR using genus‐specific primers. Similarly, whitefly species and their cryptic biotypes were identified by PCR using MCoI gene‐specific primers. Results showed that DI and DSI remarkably differed between the lowlands (66%–89%) and highlands (33%–62%) in the provinces of Central Java and West Java. Furthermore, PCR analysis of 215 infected tomato showing the symptoms of yellow mosaic and curly leaf revealed that three begomoviruses, one crinivirus and their mixed combination both begomoviruses, one crinivirus has been detected in all the samples. Similarly, the whitefly insect vector Bemisia tabaci biotype Q was identified in all areas, whereas Trialeurodes vaporariorum was found only in the East Java and Java highlands, respectively.
The effect of dietary administration of Saussurea lappa root on performance, blood biochemical indices, redox status, innate immune response, intestinal microbial population and resistance against A. hydrophila infections of Tilapia Fingerlings
Authors: Naiel Mohammed A. E. , Abd El‐hameed Samah A. A. , Ahmed Amany I. , Ismaiel Nahla E. M.
Published: June 2024

This experiment was performed to identify the influence of dietary Saussurea lappa root (SLR) on the performance and general health status of Nile Tilapia fingerlings (O. niloticus). Four formulated diets with different SLR levels of 0.0, 2.5, 5 and 10 g/kg, respectively, were afforded to fingerling fish (15.42 ± 0.05 g) for 8 weeks. The feed efficiency ratio (FER), feed intake (FI) and feed conversion ratio varied with dietary SLR level in a linear model and a high feed efficiency rate was recorded at the 10 g/kg group, while FI and FCR exhibited an opposite trend (P < 0.001). Dietary SLR level influenced serum protein constituents, liver and renal function enzymes, triglycerides, cholesterol and glucose (P < 0.001). Serum Catalase (CAT), total antioxidant capacity (T‐AOC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) remarkedly increased with dietary SLR level and attained a level at 10 g/kg. Furthermore, serum lysozyme, complement C3 (C3), IgA and IgD were stimulated by 10 g/kg SLR. Intestinal digestive enzymes (lipase and amylase) increased with SLR level up to 10 g/kg. As the dietary SLR level raised, the cumulative survival percentage aginst A. hydrophila challenge increased and then reached a maximum at 10 g/kg SLR group. Moreover, gene expression of pro‐inflammation cytokines (TNF‐2a, IL‐1β, and IL‐10) in liver and kidney transcriptomes demonstrated effective immunostimulant capabilities of greater SLR inclusion levels in fish diet. Meanwhile, intestinal microbial investigation, revealed that high levels of SLR in tilapia fish feed significantly suppressed total bacterial count, and pathogenic bacterial count (such as, E. coli, Coliform, Aeromonas spp, Pseudomonas spp.), and stimulated lactic acid bacteria development. Finally, it is recommended to include a high level of SLR (5 or 10 g/kg) in the diet of O. niloticus fingerlings to enhance feed efficiency, antioxidant characteristics, and immunological response against bacterial infections.
The socio‐spatial ecology of giant anteaters in the Brazilian Cerrado
Authors: Chhen A. , Bertassoni A. , Desbiez A. L. J. , Noonan M. J
Published: June 2024

Movement is a key component of an animal's life history. While there are numerous factors that influence movement, there is an inherent link between a species' social ecology and its movement ecology. Despite this inherent relationship, the socio‐spatial ecology of many species remains unknown, hampering ecological theory and conservation alike. Here, we use fine‐scale GPS location data and continuous‐time stochastic processes to study the socio‐spatial ecology of 23 giant anteaters (Myrmecophaga tridactyla) in the Brazilian Cerrado. We found that individuals occupied stable home ranges with a mean area of 5.45 km2 with males having significantly larger home ranges than females. The average amount of home‐range overlap was low (0.20, n = 121 dyads), with no evidence that giant anteater home ranges were structured based on territorial, mate‐guarding, or other social behaviour. We also identified a total of 2774 encounter events. Interestingly, both female–male and male–male dyads had significantly more encounters than female–female dyads, with two pronounced seasonal peaks in female–male encounters. Though encounters occurred frequently, associations between dyads were generally weak and there was little evidence of any correlated movement (mean amount of total correlation = 0.01). Collectively, these findings suggest giant anteaters are a solitary and largely asocial species that readily share space with conspecifics. Despite their present capacity to share space, the combined pressures of being condensed into smaller areas and decreased food availability due to increased pesticide use may cause behavioural changes radiating throughout the population. Our study provides insight into heretofore unknown aspects of the socio‐spatial ecology of this iconic, but understudied species, as well as crucial information for proactive area‐based management. Ultimately, these findings contribute towards sustainable development while potentially maintaining the ecological integrity of giant anteaters and their habitats.
Enhancing Chicago Classification diagnoses with functional lumen imaging probe—mechanics (FLIP‐MECH)
Authors: Halder Sourav , Yamasaki Jun , Liu Xinyi , Carlson Dustin A. , Kou Wenjun , Kahrilas Peter J. , Pandolfino John E. , Patankar Neelesh A.
Published: June 2024

Background

Esophageal motility disorders can be diagnosed by either high‐resolution manometry (HRM) or the functional lumen imaging probe (FLIP) but there is no systematic approach to synergize the measurements of these modalities or to improve the diagnostic metrics that have been developed to analyze them. This work aimed to devise a formal approach to bridge the gap between diagnoses inferred from HRM and FLIP measurements using deep learning and mechanics.

Methods

The “mechanical health” of the esophagus was analyzed in 740 subjects including a spectrum of motility disorder patients and normal subjects. The mechanical health was quantified through a set of parameters including wall stiffness, active relaxation, and contraction pattern. These parameters were used by a variational autoencoder to generate a parameter space called virtual disease landscape (VDL). Finally, probabilities were assigned to each point (subject) on the VDL through linear discriminant analysis (LDA), which in turn was used to compare with FLIP and HRM diagnoses.

Results

Subjects clustered into different regions of the VDL with their location relative to each other (and normal) defined by the type and severity of dysfunction. The two major categories that separated best on the VDL were subjects with normal esophagogastric junction (EGJ) opening and those with EGJ obstruction. Both HRM and FLIP diagnoses correlated well within these two groups.

Conclusion

Mechanics‐based parameters effectively estimated esophageal health using FLIP measurements to position subjects in a 3‐D VDL that segregated subjects in good alignment with motility diagnoses gleaned from HRM and FLIP studies.