bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Goldilocks Principle for the Gut Microbiome: Taxonomic Resolution Matters for Microbiome-Based Classification of Colorectal Cancer
Authors: Armour Courtney R. , Topçuoğlu Begüm D. , Garretto Andrea , Schloss Patrick D.
Published: October 2021

Colorectal cancer is a common and deadly disease in the United States accounting for over 50,000 deaths in 2020. This progressive disease is highly preventable with early detection and treatment, but many people do not comply with the recommended screening guidelines. The gut microbiome has emerged as a promising target for non-invasive detection of colorectal cancer. Most microbiome-based classification efforts utilize taxonomic abundance data from operational taxonomic units (OTUs) or amplicon sequence variants (ASVs) with the goal of increasing taxonomic resolution. However, it is unknown which taxonomic resolution is optimal for microbiome-based classification of colorectal cancer. To address this question, we used a reproducible machine learning framework to quantify classification performance of models based on data annotated to phylum, class, order, family, genus, OTU, and ASV levels. We found that model performance increased with increasing taxonomic resolution, up to the family level where performance was equal (p > 0.05) among family (mean AUC: 0.689), genus (mean AUC: 0.690), and OTU (mean AUC: 0.693) levels before decreasing at the ASV level (p < 0.05, mean AUC: 0.676). These results demonstrate a trade-off between taxonomic resolution and prediction performance, where coarse taxonomic resolution (e.g. phylum) is not distinct enough but fine resolution (e.g. ASV) is to individualized to accurately classify samples. Similar to the story of Goldilocks and the three bears, mid-range resolution (i.e. family, genus, and OTU) is just right for optimal prediction of colorectal cancer from microbiome data.

Importance

Despite being highly preventable, colorectal cancer remains a leading cause of cancer related death in the United States. Low-cost, non-invasive detection methods could greatly improve our ability to identify and treat early stages of disease. The microbiome has shown promise as a resource for detection of colorectal cancer. Research on the gut microbiome tends to focus on improving our ability to profile species and strain level taxonomic resolution. However, we found that finer resolution impedes the ability to predict colorectal cancer based on the gut microbiome. These results highlight the need for consideration of the appropriate taxonomic resolution for microbiome analyses and that finer resolution is not always more informative.
The role of social ties in accelerating career progress of senior executives and directors in Poland
Authors: Mielcarz Paweł , Osiichuk Dmytro
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This study aims to elucidate the role of social ties in facilitating the career progress of senior officers within public companies in an emerging market.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors followed the career track of 2,151 senior officers serving on management and supervisory boards of Polish public companies. The authors used multivariate econometric modeling to investigate the factors shaping their career progress.

Findings

The authors document an increasing impact of officers’ social networks on the likelihood of assuming multiple consecutive senior positions. It takes progressively less time for incumbent senior officers to find a subsequent/concomitant board position with a network of social ties from prior workplaces facilitating career progress and prior experience being negatively associated with multiple positions. Officers’ social ties at the senior level are also shown to be positively associated with total compensation and with the likelihood of cross-industry career transition in both executive and supervisory roles.

Originality/value

Social network appears to play a more salient role in accelerating careers of supervisory board members even though executives also benefit therefrom. Finally, the network of social ties with former or incumbent supervisory board members exercises a more pronounced positive impact on career progress than ties with former or incumbent executives.
Municipal 5G bans during the Covid-19 pandemic: the case of Italy
Authors: Gerli Paolo
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Several sources have reported an increase in the opposition to the fifth-generation (5G) amongst local communities following the outbreak of Covid-19. In Italy, more than 300 municipalities banned 5G rollout from their territory between April and June 2020. Researchers have described this phenomenon as resulting from the infodemic caused by the pandemic, however, local protests also accompanied the rollout of the previous generation of mobile communications. This paper uses document analysis to explore the local debate on 5G municipal bans and map their evolution in an Italian region. This study aims to unravel the complexity of this phenomenon and inform future research on the actors and factors underlying the opposition of local communities towards 5G.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis focusses on Marche, a region in Italy where, by July 2020, 25% of the municipalities had banned 5G rollout. This analysis is based on secondary data, retrieved from multiple online sources (articles from the local press, public statements and press releases, minutes from local council meetings and resolutions from local councils).

Findings

The analysis revealed that concerns on the safety of electromagnetic fields predated the pandemic, although these concerns may have increased the sensitivity of local communities towards health issues. The local debates on 5G involved many actors from the civil society, including environmentalists that had long campaigned against wireless technologies and local politicians playing a proactive role in leading and coordinating the adoption of resolutions against 5G.

Originality/value

This paper addresses an emerging phenomenon, such as municipal bans against 5G, that has not yet been explored in academic literature. Researchers have recently investigated the propagation of conspiracy theories on 5G on social media, but little has been said on the factors and actors shaping the debate on 5G within local communities.
The influence of female directors proportion on investment efficiency: the mediating role of caution
Authors: Mohd Saleh Norman , Sun Xiao Wei
Published: October 2021

Purpose

In this study, the authors argue that because of female traits, the proportion of female directors in the board helps the governing body make more cautious decisions, thus improving the investment efficiency of the firm. Therefore, this research aims to propose the mediating role of caution in reexamining the relationship between the proportion of female directors and the efficiency of the investment of a firm.

Design/methodology/approach

This study uses data on 100 nonfinancial listed firms in Malaysia between 2015 and 2018. The authors use several multivariate regression analyses to test the mediating effect.

Findings

The result shows that female directors significantly affect investment efficiency. Moreover, the findings in this research confirm the mediating role of caution in the relationship between the proportion of female directors and the efficiency of firm investment.

Practical implications

This study proves that increasing the proportion of females in the board of directors is an effective governance method to improve the investment efficiency of listed firms in Malaysia.

Originality/value

In general, this study contributes to the literature by extending the current understanding of risk propensity differences between male and female directors and introducing the concept of caution.
Aerodynamical characteristics of a reduced scale ground vehicle according to yaw angle variations
Authors: Gilotte Philippe , Mortazavi Iraj , Colon de Carvajal Alfonso , Edwige Stephie , Nayeri Christian Navid
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to study pressure measurement correlations, as the location of the pressure sensors should enable to capture variation of the drag force depending on the yaw angle and some geometrical modifications.

Design/methodology/approach

The present aerodynamical study, performed on a reduced scale mock-up representing a sport utility vehicle, involves both numerical and experimental investigations. Experiments performed in a wind tunnel facility deal with drag and pressure measurements related to the side wind variation. The pressure sensor locations are deduced from wall streamlines computed from large eddy simulation results on the external surfaces of the mock-up.

Findings

After validation of the drag coefficient (Cd) values computed with an aerodynamic balance, measurements should only imply pressure tap mounted on the vehicle to perform real driving emission (RDE) tests.

Originality/value

Relation presented in this paper between pressure coefficients measured on a side sensor and the drag coefficient data must enable to better quantify the drag force contribution of a ground vehicle in RDE tests.
A comparative study on the electrical and tribological characteristic of magnetron sputtered Ag, Cu and Al films under current-carrying friction
Authors: Xia Yanqiu , Cao Yanan , Feng Xin , P_ Haris M_
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to compare the electrical conductivity and tribological properties of magnetron sputtered silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) thin films under conductive grease lubrication.

Design/methodology/approach

Three types of silver (Ag), copper (Cu) and aluminum (Al) thin films were prepared by magnetron sputtering. Current-carrying friction tests were carried out by a ball-on-plate reciprocating friction and wear tester. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used to observe and analyze the worn surface and cross-section morphology of the films.

Findings

Silver and Cu films exhibited good conductivity and tribological properties, which were mainly attributed to the synergy of the protective tribofilm generated by conductive grease, current-induced thermal effect and magnetron sputtered films effect. Al film was worn through. Large pitting storing lubricate were only found in Ag film. Cu film showed a similar surface uniformity with Ag film.

Originality/value

This study provides a reference for the design and application of conductive grease and investigates the current-carrying friction behaviors of magnetron sputtered films as electrical contact materials. The comparison of current-carrying friction behaviors of the three films was rarely covered in previous studies.
Lassoing the bullwhip effect by applying blockchain to supply chains
Authors: Ghode Dnyaneshwar J. , Yadav Vinod , Jain Rakesh , Soni Gunjan
Published: October 2021

Purpose

A supply chain (SC) involves many stakeholders, directly or indirectly, for satisfying consumers’ requirements. SC management is restricted by a lack of information sharing among stakeholders as parties of SC do not have direct communication and/or are not willing to share private and competitively sensitive information. In the SC, the bullwhip effect (BWE) is an undesirable phenomenon that aggravates the SC performance and increases the overall cost of SC. The main culprit of BWE is the lack of SC coordination among the parties, which results from wrong and lack of information sharing. Blockchain technology (BT) has the main characteristic of distributed shared ledger that makes all parties in the SC network able to access data. This paper aims to develop a BT model and implement it into the SC.

Design/methodology/approach

A blockchain is developed consisting four SC stakeholders and an integrated development environment has been used for coding in Python.

Findings

The analysis of the impact of the adoption of BT in SC shows the reduction in BWE.

Originality/value

In SC, BT can be considered as an effective tool to share the demand data among all SC partners. Sharing of such data will improve SC planning and reduce the BWE.
The universal language: mathematics or music?
Authors: Kashyap Ravi
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Music could be a challenger for mathematics and a potential candidate for the title “The Universal Language.” This paper aims to discuss the primary objectives of engaging with music, including the therapeutic benefits. Similarities, between mathematics and music and how studying one might enhance one’s abilities of the other are pointed out.

Design/methodology/approach

A formal definition for a universal language is given. A qualitative approach, supplemented with rigorous reasoning, is adopted. The narrative relies on the author’s experiences, teaching mathematical concepts and musical interactions, with students from several countries. A vast amount of literature is reviewed and the corresponding findings are connected toward the arguments made.

Findings

The paper demonstrates that one day, once we understand both mathematics and music better, we might see both of them as the same language. Until then, it is essential to supplement mathematics with music. The educational implications, for all fields, are to ensure that the future creators of knowledge are equally adept at both music and mathematics. The wider policy connotations are to create a blueprint for a society with a vibrant musical and artistic environment.

Originality/value

This study illuminates new ways of thinking about music and mathematics. The possibility that many seemingly complex entities (including our universe, virtual computer worlds, mathematical operations, etc.), are made up of combinations of much simpler building blocks is hinted at. Familiarity with any intricate element of life, without getting flustered, is bound to produce remarkable results in other such endeavors.
Impact of an economic revitalization programme on export and employment generation: a case study of One District One Product Programme in Uttar Pradesh, India
Authors: Tripathi Aditya P. , Agrawal Noopur
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The aim of this paper is to discuss the role of the economic revitalization programme, One District One Product (ODOP) implemented in the state of Uttar Pradesh of India in 2018, examine its strategy, and analyze its impact on employment generation, export promotion and economic growth of the state from 2018 to 2020.

Design/methodology/approach

Along with extensive literature, this paper uses case study approach for discussion. Arguments and facts are based on secondary data comprising of research by scholars, international agencies, government publications, websites, news reports, etc.

Findings

This paper presents positive impact of the systematically crafted ODOP programme. Nevertheless, for desired success, it signifies the inevitability of active participation and engagement of public that has always been a precarious subject in the literature of public administration and governance.

Originality

This paper offers a guiding live example for other states/countries to successfully implement ODOP programme which is a transformational step for realizing the true potential of each district. Strategies like ODOP may serve as an agent of change and be of immense help to governments in solving the problems of economic inequalities and regional imbalances.
A study of the effect of wearing face masks in preventing COVID-19 transmission in the United States of America
Authors: Suzuki Kazuyuki , Hasegawa Tomonori , Kano Noriaki , Okamoto Yoshihisa
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to intelligibly demonstrate the effectiveness of face mask wearing as a means to prevent COVID-19 transmission. Through understanding the benefits of wearing masks, it is hoped to facilitate the change of societal behavior and more people are willing to wear face mask.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper investigates the 50 states in the United States of America (U.S.) and Washington, D.C. that implemented the mask mandates before September 30, 2020, which are divided into four groups: (1) those implemented the statewide mask mandates before June 5, 2020 when World Health Organization (WHO) recommended mask wearing; (2) those implemented statewide mask mandates after June 5, 2020; (3) those implemented partial mandates affecting 30 percent or more of the state’s population; and (4) those implemented partial mandates affecting less than 30 percent. Simple descriptive statistics are analyzed.

Findings

For the 50 U.S. states and Washington, D.C., the higher the mask wearing rate, the lower the number of COVID-19 cases (correlation coefficient: −0.69 (p<0.001)). For the 23 states with mobility reduction of less than 15 percent, the higher the proportion of population required to wear masks, the lower the number of cases. This can be seen from the difference in the number of cases among the four groups by ANOVA (p = 0.013).

Originality

The positive effect of wearing masks is shown based on simple descriptive statistics for intuitive and intelligible understanding, which may lead people to comprehend the importance of wearing masks, and break through their custom, culture, and norms, and wear masks.
“It's hard to become mothers”: The moral economy of postponing motherhood in neoliberal Chile
Authors: Yopo Díaz Martina
Published: October 2021

The delay of childbearing is one of the most prominent transformations of contemporary fertility and reproductive patterns. This article provides a novel approach to understanding why women are postponing motherhood and having children later in life. Drawing on 24 life story interviews with women from Santiago de Chile, I argue that the transition to motherhood is shaped by a moral economy in which women postpone childbearing to enable becoming “good” mothers. In a context in which social fertility is being redefined by neoliberalism, intensive mothering, and lone motherhood, I find that women delay childbearing until after achieving professional and financial milestones that allow them to fulfil the normative conditions for having children. These findings suggest that women postpone the transition to motherhood not because they reject childbearing and traditional gender roles, but rather because they aspire to become “good” mothers in a context characterized by institutional precariousness, relational insecurity, and increasing demands on mothering. Through these findings, I challenge prevalent interpretations of why women are having children later in life, extend accounts of the gendered norms of social fertility, and contest the nature of autonomy driving change in women's lives.
The leadership dilemma: Examining the impact of strong leaders on parties
Authors: ALEXIADOU DESPINA , O'MALLEY EOIN
Published: October 2021

Party leaders are often regarded as crucial to a party's success. Successful leaders tend to be big personalities who dominate their party's organisation, policy development and electoral campaigns. But does that control come with a price? We test to see if such leaders damage their parties in the medium term. This happens because strong leaders might be ceded too much control of the party organisation, policy and electoral strategy. We specifically hypothesise that political parties will go through a period of leadership instability and electoral decline after strong leaders step down. Using a dataset with elections under party leaders in nine countries over a 25‐year period, and a qualitative case study, we find some evidence for the theory, which should prompt further research of the question.
Voter turnout in direct democracy: A joint analysis of individual, referendum and community factors
Authors: GOLDBERG ANDREAS C. , SCIARINI PASCAL
Published: October 2021

In the context of an ever growing importance and usage of referendums around the globe, this article provides a comprehensive approach to analyse the determinants of participation in direct democratic votes. In the absence of conclusive empirical evidence about which factors drive direct democratic participation, studies tend to adopt election‐specific findings and assume the determinants of electoral turnout to equally apply for referendums. Yet, a strict empirical test of these numerous determinants in a referendum context is still missing. By examining aspects stemming from both election‐specific and referendum‐specific contexts, this article aims to first test the applicability of common electoral theories of turnout for direct democratic participation and second to analyse the relevance of each factor when simultaneously examined with other contextual and individual factors. This holistic approach represents reality as adequate as possible, that is, to consider various factors that may simultaneously influence the individual decision to vote. Next to individual variables, the analysis particularly focuses on two contextual levels, the community a person lives in and factors linked to a given referendum. The discussion and joint analysis of competing factors addresses the problem of underspecified turnout models, which commonly prevents a detailed assessment of the relative importance of the determinants of turnout. The study uses registered data from the canton of Geneva, Switzerland, which provides official information about individual participation across 43 referendums in 45 communities. We match this individual data with referendum‐related factors, such as campaign intensity and importance of the issues at stake, and community‐level variables, such as wealth and urbanization. The results of our multilevel, cross‐classified models show significant context‐related effects, stemming mainly from the referendum and less from the community level. Still, the main driver of direct democratic participation is individual determinants, in particular citizens' past participation record.
Characterization and mode of action analysis of black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larva‐derived hemocytes
Authors: von Bredow Yvette M. , Müller Ariane , Popp Philipp F. , Iliasov Denis , von Bredow Christoph‐Rüdiger
Published: October 2021

With the growing importance of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) for both sustainable food production and waste management as well as for science, a great demand of understanding its immune system arises. Here, we present the first description of the circulating larval hemocytes with special emphasis on uptake of microorganisms and distinguishing hemocyte types. With histological, zymographic, and cytometric methods and with a set of hemocyte binding lectins and antibodies, the hemocytes of H. illucens are identified as plasmatocytes, crystal cells, and putative prohemocytes. Total hemocyte counts (THC) are determined, and methods for THC determination are compared. Approximately 1100 hemocytes per microliter hemolymph are present in naive animals, while hemocyte density decreases dramatically shortly after wounding, indicating a role of hemocytes in response to wounding (and immune response in general). The determination of the relative abundance of each hemocyte type (differential hemocyte count, DHC) revealed that plasmatocytes are highly abundant, whereas prohemocytes and crystal cells make up only a small percentage of the circulating cells. Plasmatocytes are not only the most abundant but also the professional phagocytes in H. illucens. They rapidly engulf and take up bacteria both in vivo and in vitro, indicating a very potent cellular defense against invading pathogens. Larger bioparticles such as yeasts are also removed from circulation by phagocytosis, but slower than bacteria. This is the first analysis of the potent cellular immune response in the black soldier fly, and a first toolbox that helps to identify hemocyte (types) is presented.
Treatment of mouse cumulus‐oocyte complexes with L‐carnitine during vitrification and in vitro maturation affects maturation and embryonic developmental rate after parthenogenetic activation
Authors: Zare Zohreh , Rezaei Noorollah , Mohammadi Moslem
Published: October 2021

The technique of oocyte vitrification remains a challenge in most animal species. The present study aimed to evaluate the effects of cumulus cell presence and L‐carnitine (LC) treatment during vitrification of selected immature oocytes by brilliant cresyl blue (BCB) staining on maturation and embryonic developmental rate after parthenogenetic activation. Immature oocytes were obtained from C57BL/6 female mice ovaries and stained with BCB. The BCB+ cumulus‐oocyte complexes (COCs) were then selected and random parts of COCs were denuded from cumulus cells (denuded oocytes: DOs). COCs and DOs were treated with/out LC (0.6 mg/ml) during vitrification and in vitro maturation (IVM) procedures. A number of non‐vitrified COCs were also treated with LC during the IVM process (fresh group). Maturation rate, intracellular glutathione (GSH) contents, and developmental competence of oocytes were also examined. The GSH levels in vitrified DOs+LC and vitrified COCs+LC groups were significantly higher (p < 0.01) than untreated vitrified‐warmed COCs and DOs. Maturation rate and blastocyst developmental rate were reduced after the vitrification‐warming procedure compared with the fresh group. The vitrified COCs+LC group showed a higher percentage of mature oocytes and the ability to develop to blastocyst stage than the vitrified‐warmed DOs group (p < 0.01). These data indicated that the presence of cumulus cells around the competent oocyte and LC treatment during vitrification and IVM procedure could improve parthenogenetic developmental competence of vitrified‐warmed oocytes by increasing GSH levels and accelerating oocyte maturation.
Evaluation of neonatal cerebral perfusion using three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound volumes
Authors: Kuhasri Abidev , Jayatilake Sonali , Stevenson Gordon , Beirne Gerrie , Welsh Alec , Schindler Timothy
Published: October 2021

Aim

Despite improvement in preterm survival, neurological morbidity remains high. 3D fractional moving blood volume (3D‐FMBV) quantifies neonatal cerebral perfusion by calculating a standardised measure of the amount of moving blood in a region of interest and correlates with tissue perfusion in animal studies. However, its feasibility and reproducibility are yet to be assessed in newborn infants.

Methods

Fractional moving blood volume analysis was performed on three‐dimensional power Doppler ultrasound (PD‐US) volumes from a cohort of preterm infants recruited in 2015 from the Royal Hospital for Women Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. The volumes were acquired by two sonographers and analysed by two different observers. The 3D‐FMBV algorithm was applied to calculate an estimate for perfusion. Reproducibility and agreement were assessed using intra‐class correlation coefficients (ICC) and Bland‐Altman plots.

Results

All 3D PD‐US volumes were analysed successfully. Intra‐observer reliability was excellent with an ICC of 0.907 (95% CI 0.751–0.968) and 0.906 (95% CI 0.741–0.967) for two independent observers respectively. The inter‐observer reliability of the entire technique was good with an ICC of 0.752 (CI: 0.404–0.909).

Conclusion

We have successfully shown the feasibility and reliability of applying the 3D‐FMBV technique to the neonatal brain in a healthy preterm population.
Forb community response to prescribed fire, livestock grazing, and an invasive annual grass in the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass Prairie
Authors: Watson Brogan L. , Lukas Scott B. , Morris Lesley R. , DeBano Sandra J. , Schmalz Heidi J. , Leffler A. Joshua
Published: October 2021

Questions

Grassland degradation due to agriculture, changing fire regimes, and invasive species negatively affects forb communities. Conserving forbs and the services they provide requires a better understanding of their responses to interacting disturbances. Although fire and livestock grazing are important disturbances, their effect on forb communities in the Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass Prairies is not fully understood. Our objectives were to: (a) determine how prescribed fire and livestock grazing influence forb community composition, cover, species richness, and diversity over a 10‐year span; (b) identify indicator species for each treatment; and (c) quantify forb responses to increasing cover of the invasive grass Ventenata dubia.

Location

Pacific Northwest Bunchgrass Prairie, Oregon, USA.

Methods

We monitored plant responses in a manipulative study established in 2004 with four treatments (prescribed fire, livestock grazing, both fire and grazing, and a control with no fire or grazing). Fall burns occurred in 2006 and 2016.

Results

Forb communities changed significantly over 10 years and were influenced more by fire than cattle grazing. Treatments involving fire were more associated with annual forbs and fewer perennial species than treatments not burned. Although forb cover was lower in grazed compared to ungrazed treatments, richness and diversity did not differ among treatments. Several fire‐adapted forb species were associated with burned treatments. Forb cover and richness was negatively correlated with Ventenata dubia cover in 2016 and 2018 when cover of this invasive species reached 20%–37%.

Conclusions

We found fall prescribed burns at a ten‐year return interval affected forb community composition and cover but not richness or diversity. Fire may promote annual and fire‐tolerant perennial forbs, but this relationship may be compromised by Ventenata dubia invasions. This study provides insights into management strategies aimed at conserving forb communities and emphasizes the need for continued monitoring of the Ventenata dubia invasion in this unique prairie.
Common UGT1A9 polymorphisms do not have a clinically meaningful impact on the apparent oral clearance of dapagliflozin in type 2 diabetes mellitus
Authors: Naagaard M. Daniel , Chang Roy , Någård Mats , Tang Weifeng , Boulton David W.
Published: October 2021

Dapagliflozin is an inhibitor of human renal sodium‐glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2), first approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Dapagliflozin is primarily metabolized by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase 1A9 (UGT1A9). The effect of UGT1A9 polymorphisms on dapagliflozin apparent oral clearance (CL/F) was studied with dapagliflozin population pharmacokinetic data and UGT1A9 genotype data (I.399C>T, rs2011404, rs6759892, rs7577677, rs4148323, UGT1A9*2 and UGT1A9*3) from a Phase 2 study conducted in subjects with T2DM (n = 187). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) model accounting for known covariates influencing dapagliflozin CL/F was applied to these data to quantify the impact of each UGT1A9 polymorphism relative to the wildtype UGT1A9 genotype. The analysis showed that the geometric mean ratios of dapagliflozin CL/F for all of the UGT1A9 polymorphisms studied were within the range of wildtype UGT1A9 CL/F values. Consequently, the polymorphisms of UGT1A9 studied had no clinically meaningful impact on the CL/F of dapagliflozin.
Links between justice sensitivity and moral reasoning, moral emotions, and moral identity in middle childhood
Authors: Strauß Sophie , Bondü Rebecca
Published: October 2021

Associations between moral‐related traits, such as justice sensitivity (JS), the tendency to negatively respond to injustice, and moral development are largely unknown. From May to December 2018, 1329 5‐ to 12‐year‐olds (M = 8.05, SD = 1.02; 51.2% girls, 1.3% transgender and gender‐nonconforming) from Germany rated their JS, moral reasoning, emotions, and identity; parents and teachers rated children's theory of mind (ToM) and empathy. Victim JS (caring for own justice) predicted more attributions of positive emotions to norm transgressors in structural equation models (β = .295). Altruistic JS (caring for other's justice) predicted less attributions of positive emotions (β = −.343) and a stronger moral identity (β = .392) unless ToM was considered. Particularly altruistic JS showed associations with advanced moral development. Hence, moral‐related traits deserve more attention by moral‐development research.
Potential role of tumor‐associated macrophages and CD163/CD68 ratio in mycosis fungoides and Sézary syndrome in correlation with serum sCD163 and CCL22
Authors: El‐Guindy Dina M. , Elgarhy Lamia H. , Elkholy Rasha A. , Ali Dina A. , Helal Duaa S.
Published: October 2021

Currently, there are no curative treatment options for mycosis fungoides (MF) and Sézary syndrome (SS) other than stem cell transplant. Understanding the interplay between tumor cells and tumor microenvironment could aid in the development of new therapies. Tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) mostly have M2 phenotype that promotes tumor progression. This study investigated CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs as well as CD163/CD68 ratio in skin lesions from different stages of MF, large‐plaque parapsoriasis, and SS. Moreover, we analyzed serum levels of sCD163 and CCL22 in correlation with TAMs count and CD163/CD68 ratio. CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs count significantly increased as the disease progressed. CD163/CD68 ratio was highest at MF tumor stage and SS indicating M2 polarization with disease progression. Significant positive correlations were detected between serum levels of sCD163 and CCL22 and CD68+ and CD163+ TAMs count and CD163/CD68 ratio. We concluded that TAMs play an important role in MF progression. High CD163/CD68 ratio in tumor stage MF and SS indicates M2 polarization of TAMs with tumor progression. CD163/CD68 ratio should be considered in assessing TAMs rather than total TAMs count. Also, sCD163 and CCL22 serum levels reflect M2 load and thus could be used as markers to assess disease progression.
Changes in soil pH and addition of inorganic phosphate affect glyphosate adsorption in agricultural soil
Authors: De Gerónimo Eduardo , Aparicio Virginia C.
Published: October 2021

Glyphosate is the most widely used herbicide in Argentina. The strong sorption of glyphosate to the mineral fraction of the soil can be affected by environmental conditions and agricultural management, such as the application of fertilisers. This work aimed to study the effect of pH and the presence of inorganic phosphate on the affinity of glyphosate for nine different surface soils of Argentina. The effect of pH on glyphosate sorption was investigated by batch experiments with pH adjusted between 3 and 12. The greatest glyphosate adsorption occurred at a certain pH value and then adsorption decreased with increasing or decreasing pH. The effects of pH on adsorption could be described by a model that includes changes in electrical potential. The effect of inorganic phosphate on glyphosate adsorption was studied by batch experiments in the presence of 0.5 or 1 mM phosphate. The results showed a significant competition between phosphate and glyphosate in all soils. The Freundlich glyphosate coefficients decreased by 40%–65% with phosphate in solution, and the amount of glyphosate adsorbed decreased between 1% and 5%, depending on the particular characteristics of the soil. For the glyphosate‐phosphate competition, the competition terms were not reciprocal with each other because the competition between ions for adsorption sites also involves electrical effects.

Highlights

There is a pH at which glyphosate shows a higher affinity for the soil.

The presence of phosphate significantly reduces the adsorption of glyphosate to the soil.

The effects of pH can be explained by rather small changes in the estimated surface potential.
Image segmentation algorithm of lung cancer based on neural network model
Authors: He Binjun , Hu Wenbin , Zhang Kang , Yuan Shunda , Han Xiaoliang , Su Chao , Zhao Jiaming , Wang Guzong , Wang Guoxia , Zhang Liuya
Published: October 2021

To explore the application of neural network algorithm model in lung cancer imaging, and provide reference for the application and development of artificial neural network (ANN) algorithm model in lung cancer medical mirroring, so as to promote the development of ANN in this field. Meanwhile, it is hoped that the application of neural network algorithms in medical imaging can improve the survival rate and cure rate of lung cancer. In this study, an ANN algorithm model was selected to establish a lung cancer recognition model. After determining the lung cancer lesion area, the image segmentation algorithm was used to separately display the lung cancer lesion area, and a comparison experiment was designed to verify the accuracy of the model. ANNs were used to identify lung cancer, which can be concluded that the accuracy is 94.6%, the sensitivity is 95.7%, and the specificity is 93.5%. By combining image retrieval methods with lung cancer image segmentation algorithms, the lesion area of lung cancer can be clearly displayed. Therefore, the lung cancer image segmentation algorithm based on the neural network model has good recognition performance. This research can provide reference for the application of neural network algorithm model in the field of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
Tryptophan and its metabolites in normal physiology and cancer etiology
Authors: Perez‐Castro Lizbeth , Garcia Roy , Venkateswaran Niranjan , Barnes Spencer , Conacci‐Sorrell Maralice
Published: October 2021

Within the growing field of amino acid metabolism, tryptophan (Trp) catabolism is an area of increasing interest. Trp is essential for protein synthesis, and its metabolism gives rise to biologically active catabolites including serotonin and numerous metabolites in the kynurenine (Kyn) pathway. In normal tissues, the production of Trp metabolites is directly regulated by the tissue‐specific expression of Trp‐metabolizing enzymes. Alterations of these enzymes in cancers can shift the balance and lead to an increased production of specific byproducts that can function as oncometabolites. For example, increased expression of the enzyme indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase, which converts Trp into Kyn, leads to an increase in Kyn levels in numerous cancers. Kyn functions as an oncometabolite in cancer cells by promoting the activity of the transcription factor aryl hydrocarbon receptor, which regulates progrowth genes. Moreover, Kyn also inhibits T‐cell activity and thus allows cancer cells to evade clearance by the immune system. Therefore, targeting the Kyn pathway has become a therapeutic focus as a novel means to abrogate tumor growth and immune resistance. This review summarizes the biological role and regulation of Trp metabolism and its catabolites with an emphasis on tumor cell growth and immune evasion and outlines areas for future research focus.
Influence of aphotic haloclines and euxinia on organic biomarkers and microbial communities in a thalassohaline and alkaline volcanic crater lake
Authors: Sala David , Grossi Vincent , Agogué Hélène , Leboulanger Christophe , Jézéquel Didier , Sarazin Gérard , Antheaume Ingrid , Bernard Cécile , Ader Magali , Hugoni Mylène
Published: October 2021

Studies on microbial communities, and their associated organic biomarkers, that are found thriving in the aphotic euxinic waters in modern stratified ecosystems are scarce compared to those undertaken in euxinic photic zones. The Dziani Dzaha (Mayotte, Indian Ocean) is a tropical, saline, alkaline crater lake that has recently been presented as a modern analog of Proterozoic Oceans due to its thalassohaline classification (having water of marine origin) and specific biogeochemical characteristics. Continuous intense photosynthetic production and microbial mineralization keep most of the water column permanently aphotic and anoxic preventing the development of a euxinic (sulfidic and anoxic) photic zone despite a high sulfide/sulfate ratio and the presence of permanent or seasonal haloclines. In this study, the molecular composition of the organic matter in Lake Dziani Dzaha was investigated and compared to the microbial diversity evaluated through 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing, over two contrasting seasons (rainy vs. dry) that influence water column stratification. Depth profiles of organic biomarker concentrations (chlorophyll‐a and lipid biomarkers) and bacterial and archaeal OTU abundances appeared to be strongly dependent on the presence of aphotic haloclines and euxinia. OTU abundances revealed the importance of specific haloalkaliphilic bacterial and archaeal assemblages in phytoplanktonic biomass recycling and the biogeochemical functioning of the lake, suggesting new haloalkaline non‐phototrophic anaerobic microbial precursors for some of the lipid biomarkers. Uncultured Firmicutes from the family Syntrophomonadaceae (Clostridiales), and Bacteroidetes from the ML635J‐40 aquatic group, emerged as abundant chemotrophic bacterial members in the anoxic or euxinic waters and were probably responsible for the production of short‐chain n‐alkenes, wax esters, diplopterol, and tetrahymanol. Halocline‐dependent euxinia also had a strong impact on the archaeal community which was dominated by Woesearchaeota in the sulfide‐free waters. In the euxinic waters, methanogenic Euryarchaeota from the Methanomicrobia, Thermoplasmata, and WSA2 classes dominated and were likely at the origin of common hydrocarbon biomarkers of methanogens (phytane, pentamethyl‐eicosenes, and partially hydrogenated squalene).
Molten salt synthesis and formation mechanisms of ternary V‐based MAX phases by V–Al alloy strategy
Authors: Zhong Yi , Liu Ying , Ye Jinwen , Jin Na , Lin Zifeng
Published: October 2021

V2AlC and V4AlC3 are obtained in much milder conditions by a new facile approach using low‐cost V–Al alloys and carbon black with the assistance of molten salts. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that our strategy is feasible and thermodynamically superior to the traditional method, with the following X‐ray diffraction and Scanning Electron Microscopy fully revealing the phase and morphology evolutions of both reaction processes. Unreported formation mechanisms are revealed for the first time. Al8V5 transforms directly into V2AlC with both lattices perfectly overlapped due to the existence of multiple parallel planes between V2AlC and Al8V5 with consistent interplanar spacings, which leads to the overlapped phenomenon of the diffraction spots as well. For V4AlC3, an embedded structure of V2AlC–VC is first formed through an aluminum removing behavior in V2AlC layers, causing the increase of the VC content, and V4AlC3 is transformed by the embedded V2AlC–VC structure through diffusion and interface migration with a possible climb behavior of Frank partial dislocation.
SC66 inhibits the proliferation and induces apoptosis of human bladder cancer cells by targeting the AKT/β‐catenin pathway
Authors: Chen Wu , Zhao Sheng , Yu Weimin , Rao Ting , Ruan Yuan , Zhu Shaoming , Xia Yuqi , Song Hongfei , Cheng Fan
Published: October 2021

Bladder cancer (BC) is a major disease of the genitourinary tract, and chemotherapy is one of the main treatments commonly used at present. SC66 is a new type of allosteric AKT inhibitor that is reported to play an effective inhibitory role in the progression of many other types of tumours, but there is no reported research on its role in BC. In this study, we found that SC66 significantly inhibited the proliferation and EMT‐mediated migration and invasion of T24 and 5637 cells. In addition, experiments confirmed that SC66 achieved its antitumour effect by inducing cell apoptosis and affecting the cell cycle. Luciferase assays confirmed that SC66 exerted an antitumour effect through the AKT/β‐catenin signalling pathway, and this inhibitory effect was reversed after the addition of the β‐catenin signalling pathway activator, CHIR‐99021. In addition, animal studies have shown that, compared with the control group, the experimental group with SC66 intraperitoneal injection showed significantly reduced the tumour weight and volume in nude mice with T24 tumours and that SC66 combined with cisplatin achieved better inhibition on tumours. Western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry staining confirmed that SC66 inhibited the EMT process in vivo and induced apoptosis through the AKT/β‐catenin signalling pathway. In conclusion, our study demonstrated that SC66 exerts a significant antitumour effect through the AKT/β‐catenin signalling pathway, thereby providing a new potential treatment for BC.
Quality of life assessment in core outcome sets: A position statement of the EADV Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes
Authors: Chernyshov P.V. , Evers A.W.M. , Bewley A. , Tomas‐Aragones L. , Marron S.E. , Manolache L. , Pustišek N. , Abeni D. , Sampogna F. , Linder M.D. , Salek M.S. , Szepietowski J.C.
Published: October 2021

Core outcome sets (COSs) are an agreed standardized collection of outcomes that should be measured and reported in all clinical trials for a specific clinical condition. Tsekhe aim of our position paper by the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV) Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes was to identify the challenges and Patient Oriented Outcomes advantages in the development of COSs within dermatological QoL research. Twelve EADV Task Force multidisciplinary team members presented a total of 101 items (51 advantages and 50 disadvantages). All participants considered that COS are beneficial for comparison between different studies, treatments, dermatological diseases, geographical location and ethnicities. In conclusion, the EADV Task Force on Quality of Life and Patient Oriented Outcomes has recognized the primacy of advantages of COS and deliberated that the disadvantages in COS are related to development process and use of COS.
My problem or yours? Interpersonal problems and marital quality
Authors: Bliton Chloe F. , Johnson Benjamin N. , Pincus Aaron L.
Published: October 2021

Objective

Research has consistently illustrated the impact of personality on marital quality. Given the inherent dyadic nature of relationships, recent investigations have integrated spouse‐rated personality to account for both spouses' perspectives. Grounded in Contemporary Integrative Interpersonal Theory, we viewed personality through an interpersonal lens and conceptualized maladaptive interpersonal functioning as interpersonal problems. The present study examined the incremental validity of spouse‐rated interpersonal problems beyond self‐reported interpersonal problems to predict marital quality within an expanded actor‐partner interdependence model (APIM).

Method

Within a community sample of heterosexual, married couples (N = 110), we used expanded APIMs, integrating both self‐report and spouse‐rating, to test the incremental validity of spouse‐perceived interpersonal problems over self‐perceived interpersonal problems on marital quality through a model comparison approach. We tested for possible gender differences in effects.

Results

Spouse perception, notably spouse‐rated partner effects, appears to be the most frequent predictor of marital quality, and self‐perception had less impact.

Conclusion

Given the implications marital quality has on health and well‐being, intervention efforts capitalizing on acceptance of spouses’ perspectives are likely to lead to greater improvements in quality and overall health.