bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A new taxonomy of fourth-party logistics: a lexicometric-based classification
Authors: Fattam Nejib , Saikouk Tarik , Hamdi Ahmed , Win Alan , Badraoui Ismail
Published: December 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to elaborate on current research on fourth party logistics “4PL” by offering a taxonomy that provides a deeper understanding of 4PL service offerings, thus drawing clear frontiers between existing 4PL business models.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors collected data using semi-structured interviews conducted with 60 logistics executives working in 44 “4PL” providers located in France. Using automatic analysis of textual data, the authors combined spatial visualisation, clustering analysis and hierarchical descending classification to generate the taxonomy.

Findings

Two key dimensions emerged, allowing the authors to clearly identify and distinguish four 4PL business models: the level of reliance on interpersonal relationships and the level of involvement in 4PL service offering. As a result, 4PL providers fall under one of the following business models in the taxonomy: (1) The Metronome, (2) The Architect, (3) The Nostalgic and (4) The Minimalist.

Research limitations/implications

The study focuses on investigating 4PL providers located in France; thus, future studies should explore the classification of 4PL business models across different cultural contexts and social structures.

Practical implications

The findings offer valuable managerial insights for logistics executives and clients of 4PL to better orient their needs, the negotiations and the contracting process with 4PLs.

Originality/value

Using a Lexicometric analysis, the authors develop taxonomy of 4PL service providers based on empirical evidence from logistics executives; the work addresses the existing confusion regarding the conceptualisation of 4PL firms with other types of logistical providers and the role of in/formal interpersonal relationships in the logistical intermediation.
Effects of both cavitation and non-Newtonian behavior on the performance of oscillatory anisotropic poroelastic squeeze film
Authors: Sobhi Said , El Khlifi Mohamed , Nabhani Mohamed
Published: December 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to present a theoretical investigation of the effects of cavitation and couple stress on the squeeze film behavior between an anisotropic poroelastic rigid disc and a sinusoidally oscillating rigid disc.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on the microcontinuum theory of Vijay Kumar Stokes and the Elrod–Adam algorithm, the non-Newtonian Reynolds equation coupled with modified Darcy's law for lubricant flow through the porous disc is derived. This numerical study includes the continuity of tangential velocity at the porous–fluid interface and the effects of percolation of the polar additives into the anisotropic porous disc.

Findings

The effects of couple stress, oscillating amplitude, percolation additives, permeability and anisotropic permeability on the squeeze film characteristics are discussed. It is found that both the percolation effect of the lubricant additives and the anisotropic structure of the porous surface reduce the flow in the porous disc, resulting in a decrease in pressure. It is also observed that cavitation effects are more pronounced for Newtonian fluids than couple stress fluids.

Originality/value

The results of this study can be used to design a variety of engineering applications such as bearings, wet clutches and non-contact mechanical seals.
Simple but logical: risk knowledge design and its impact on engagement in online knowledge communities
Authors: Lu Yiming , Li Yi-Na , Wei Jiuchang
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Online knowledge communities have emerged as crucial places for knowledge and risk management in the face of systemic risks. The vitality of online knowledge communities requires users’ active engagement. This research paper aims to explore how text complex level and text analytic level as effective risk knowledge design leverages encourage users’ engagement under different “riskification” levels.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper performs linguistic analysis on 210 TED talk transcripts and 38,377 comments from 2002 to 2018. The authors construct the variable of text complex level and conduct ordinary least squares regressions to test the relationships among text complex level, text analytic level and user engagement under different levels of “riskification” in the online knowledge community.

Findings

High text complex level decreases engagement, while high text analytic level increases engagement. A high level of “riskification” exaggerates the negative effect of text complex level but diminishes the positive effect of the text analytic level.

Originality/value

This research advances knowledge management by highlighting users’ engagement and responding to shared risk knowledge from a different perspective than knowledge supply. The focus on risk communication in online knowledge communities broadens the scope of knowledge management literature beyond the confines of organizations. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this research is among the first studies to propose risk knowledge design approaches for communicating systemic risks.
Bayesian inversion of 4D seismic data to pressure and saturation changes: Application to a west of Shetlands field
Authors: Côrte Gustavo , Amini Hamed , MacBeth Colin
Published: December 2022

A Bayesian inversion methodology is proposed that inverts angle‐stacked 4D seismic maps to changes in pressure, water saturation and gas saturation. The inversion method is applied to data from a siliciclastic reservoir in the west of Shetlands, UK continental shelf. We present inversion results for three seismic monitor surveys and demonstrate the added value of pressure‐saturation inversion by providing insights into reservoir connectivity and fluid dynamics across 14 years of reservoir production. In these surveys, 4D seismic signals related to waterflood, pressure increase and depletion, and gas exsolution are evident and overlap each other in many regions. To regularize this ill‐posed inversion problem, we propose a Bayesian formulation that incorporates spatially variant prior information derived from a history‐matched reservoir simulation model and well pressure measurements. The benefit of incorporating these multi‐disciplinary data as prior information is demonstrated by comparing to inversion results using a spatially invariant prior. We show that the method takes advantage of the multi‐disciplinary prior information to make more precise inferences where the seismic data are most uncertain. This leads to more realistic spatial distributions for the pressure and water‐saturation inversion results. The non‐uniqueness in this non‐linear inversion is studied by analysing uncertainty estimates produced by stochastic sampling of the Bayesian posterior distribution. Posterior standard deviations are observed to be related to the sensitivity of the seismic amplitudes to the changes in each dynamic property as well as the degree of overlap between changes in different dynamic properties. Estimated pressure increases have a posterior standard deviation of approximately 1 MPa, whereas posterior standard deviations for pressure decrease are on average 4 MPa, with higher values applicable to regions of gas exsolution. The posterior standard deviation for estimates of gas saturation change is 0.07 for moderate, visible saturation signals, but 0.005 for low‐to‐zero gas saturation change. The posterior standard deviation for estimated water saturation change is mainly influenced by overlapping changes in pressure and gas saturation. When water changes dominate the 4D seismic signal, posterior standard deviations are on average 0.05. These values rise to 0.25 in areas where the water change is obscured by pressure or gas‐saturation changes.
Macroeconomic implications of escalating stock of public debt: Evidence from sub‐Saharan African economies
Authors: Olaoye Olumide Olusegun , Tabash Mosab I. , Omokanmi Olatunde Julius , Ogunjumo Rotimi Ayoade , Ojelade Matthew Oyeleke , Ishola James A.
Published: December 2022

The study investigated the effect of public debts on macroeconomic indicators, such as inflation and the exchange rate, using a panel of 25 sub‐Saharan African (SSA) economies. The study contributed to extant studies by looking at the separate effect of domestic and foreign debts on inflation and exchange rate. We adopted a battery of econometric tools such as the Driscoll–Kraay standard errors and the dynamic panel threshold model. The results show that foreign debts worsen the inflation rate and expose the economy to unanticipated movements in the exchange rate, whereas domestic debts help to reduce the inflationary pressure. The study also found a nonlinear relationship between public debts and macroeconomic indicators of inflation and exchange rates. This implies the further accumulation of foreign debt will heighten the inflation rate and expose the region to unanticipated movements in the exchange rate. The study recommends that governments and policymakers in SSA should ensure that foreign debts are sufficiently hedged against currency and interest rate risks to reduce the exposure of SSA economies to exchange rate risks. The study also recommends that governments adhere strictly to the maximum debt limit of 60.59% (of gross domestic product), otherwise inflation and exchange rates may worsen.
Choosing the Conservative Leader: a View from History
Authors: Bogdanor Vernon
Published: December 2022

The history of the choice of Conservative Party leaders shows a progression from choice by an elite via choice by MPs to choice by party members. Even so, the parliamentary party retains, by contrast with the Labour Party, a dominant role in choosing the leader. The criterion of who is best placed to unify the party remains of importance, but is supplemented by two other criteria: who is best placed to win the next general election and who is the more genuinely Conservative of the various candidates. The Liz Truss premiership of 2022, however, the year of three Prime Ministers, seemed to cast doubt on the efficacy of Conservative leadership election rules.
Co‐occurring KEAP1 and TP53 mutations in lung squamous cell carcinoma induced primary resistance to thoracic radiotherapy: A case report
Authors: Nishimura Rumi , Yoshida Tatsuya , Torasawa Masahiro , Kashihara Tairo , Ohe Yuichiro
Published: December 2022

In lung squamous cell carcinoma, KEAP1 mutations frequently coexist with TP53 mutations. A preclinical model showed that mutations leading to the activation of the KEAP1–NRF2 pathway contribute to clinical radioresistance. However, there have been few clinical reports on the association between the presence of KEAP1 and TP53 mutations in patients with lung squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we report the case of a 62‐year‐old patient with advanced lung squamous cell carcinoma with KEAP1 and TP53 mutations who experienced primary resistance to thoracic radiotherapy. She was administered pembrolizumab in combination with cytotoxic agents as the first‐line treatment and the best response was a partial response. However, the mediastinal lymph node metastases regrew 11 months after the chemotherapy. Thus, she received thoracic radiation therapy for localized lesions. However, the lesions within the radiation field had apparently progressed. Although she received subsequent chemotherapy, the lesion rapidly progressed. Treatment strategies including radiotherapy based on genetic stratification, such as KEAP1 and TP53 mutation status, should be implemented for lung squamous cell carcinoma.
Inferring taxonomic placement from DNA barcoding aiding in discovery of new taxa
Authors: Zito Alessandro , Rigon Tommaso , Dunson David B.
Published: December 2022

Predicting the taxonomic affiliation of DNA sequences collected from biological samples is a fundamental step in biodiversity assessment. This task is performed by leveraging existing databases containing reference DNA sequences endowed with a taxonomic identification. However, environmental sequences can be from organisms that are either unknown to science or for which there are no reference sequences available. Thus, taxonomic novelty of a sequence needs to be accounted for when doing classification.

We propose Bayesian nonparametric taxonomic classifiers, BayesANT, which use species sampling model priors to allow unobserved taxa to be discovered at each taxonomic rank. Using a simple product multinomial likelihood with conjugate Dirichlet priors at the lowest rank, a highly flexible supervised algorithm is developed to provide a probabilistic prediction of the taxa placement of each sequence at each rank.

As an illustration, we run our algorithm on a carefully annotated library of Finnish arthropods (FinBOL). To assess the ability of BayesANT to recognize novelty and to predict known taxonomic affiliations correctly, we test it on two training‐test splitting scenarios, each with a different proportion of taxa unobserved in training. We show how our algorithm attains accurate predictions and reliably quantifies classification uncertainty, especially when many sequences in the test set are affiliated to taxa unknown in training.

By enabling taxonomic predictions for DNA barcodes to identify unseen branches, we believe BayesANT will be of broad utility as a tool for DNA metabarcoding within bioinformatics pipelines.
Evaluating instrumental learning and striatal–cortical functional connectivity in adolescent alcohol and cannabis use
Authors: Hubbard Nicholas A. , Miller Kevin B. , Aloi Joseph , Bajaj Sahil , Wakabayashi Ken T. , Blair R. James R.
Published: December 2022

Adolescence is a vulnerable time for the acquisition of substance use disorders, potentially relating to ongoing development of neural circuits supporting instrumental learning. Striatal–cortical circuits undergo dynamic changes during instrumental learning and are implicated in contemporary addiction theory. Human studies have not yet investigated these dynamic changes in relation to adolescent substance use. Here, functional magnetic resonance imaging was used while 135 adolescents without (AUD‐CUDLow) and with significant alcohol (AUDHigh) or cannabis use disorder symptoms (CUDHigh) performed an instrumental learning task. We assessed how cumulative experience with instrumental cues altered cue selection preferences and functional connectivity strength between reward‐sensitive striatal and cortical regions. Adolescents in AUDHigh and CUDHigh groups were slower in learning to select optimal instrumental cues relative to AUD‐CUDLow adolescents. The relatively fast learning observed for AUD‐CUDLow adolescents coincided with stronger functional connectivity between striatal and frontoparietal regions during early relative to later periods of task experience, whereas the slower learning for the CUDHigh group coincided with the opposite pattern. The AUDHigh group not only exhibited slower learning but also produced more instrumental choice errors relative to AUD‐CUDLow adolescents. For the AUDHigh group, Bayesian analyses evidenced moderate support for no experience‐related changes in striatal–frontoparietal connectivity strength during the task. Findings suggest that adolescent cannabis use is related to slowed instrumental learning and delays in peak functional connectivity strength between the striatal–frontoparietal regions that support this learning, whereas adolescent alcohol use may be more closely linked to broader impairments in instrumental learning and a general depression of the neural circuits supporting it.
Impact of aquaculture training on farmers’ income: Cluster randomized controlled trial evidence in Ghana
Authors: Ragasa Catherine , Amewu Sena , Agyakwah Seth Koranteng , Mensah Emmanuel Tetteh‐Doku , Asmah Ruby
Published: December 2022

Aquaculture in Ghana is experiencing tremendous growth, led mainly by large‐scale commercial cage operators. A major objective of the government and its partners is to ensure that this rapid growth is sustainable and includes small‐scale farmers and poor rural producers. This paper evaluates the aquaculture trainings implemented in six main tilapia‐producing regions in Ghana as part of the Ghana Tilapia Seed Project. The impact evaluation is designed as a cluster randomized controlled trial, with half of the producing districts randomly‐assigned as the treatment and the rest as the control, complemented by qualitative interviews. One year after the trainings, results show positive impacts on the adoption of good record‐keeping, water management, and some biosecurity practices, and on productivity and incomes. In terms of mechanism, improved management practices resulted from reducing overstocking, reducing inbreeding, maintaining water level for fish ponds, regular pond clearing and establishing physical barriers, following advice and recommendations on feeding practices, and complementing feeding practices with farmers’ own feed formulation. Half of the trained farmers experienced lower fish mortality, faster growth, and heavier fish at harvest. Marketing and processing advice through the trainings and complementary FishConnect WhatsApp platform likely contributed to higher incomes, although the platform's coverage and regular updating can be improved.
Rheumatoid arthritis and the risk of preterm birth
Authors: Falcon Robbi Miguel G. , Alcazar Renne Margaret U. , Mondragon Alric V. , Penserga Ester G. , Tantengco Ourlad Alzeus G.
Published: December 2022

During pregnancy, many diseases are correlated with different adverse outcomes. In turn, pregnancy affects the body, leading to increased disease susceptibility. This interplay between diseased states and pregnancy outcomes is illustrated in the effect of the chronic autoimmune disorder, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and the adverse outcome, preterm birth (PTB). RA is a systemic disorder characterized by inflammation of the joints and other body organs. Joint pain and swelling are the most prominent manifestations of RA during pregnancy. However, the exact role of RA on PTB among pregnant women has yet to be established. This review highlighted the immunologic mechanisms involved in PTB in pregnant patients with RA. The immune cell population in pregnant women with RA exhibited higher activity of macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, helper T (Th) 1 cells, and Vδ1 cells, but lower activity of CD4 + CD25high T regulatory (CD24 + CD25high Treg), Th2, and Vδ2 cells. Increased pro‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐6, TNF‐α, and IFN‐γ and decreased anti‐inflammatory cytokines IL‐12 and IL‐10 are also exhibited by pregnant patients with RA. This review also discussed factors that may predict the risk of PTB in RA. These include disease activity and severity of RA, laboratory parameters (cytokines and immune cell population), and sociodemographic factors such as ethnicity, smoking, alcohol intake, and the level of education. Current findings on the underlying immunological mechanisms of RA can help identify possible strategies to prevent PTB.
Bedrock meadows: A distinct vegetation type in northwestern North America
Authors: Pätsch Ricarda , Zapisocki Zoey , Tucker Daniel , Stroh Hans Georg , Becker Thomas , Spribille Toby , Wagner Viktoria
Published: December 2022

Aims

In northwestern North America, montane meadows fed by vernal ground‐flow seepage occur scattered throughout an otherwise forested landscape on shallow soils over bedrock. Although their significance for biodiversity has been known, they have never been subject to systematic scientific research and thus, are not included in regional or national vegetation classification schemes. We provide the first vegetation survey of bedrock meadows and compare them to other major non‐forest vegetation types in the region.

Study area

Northwestern North America (United States, Canada).

Methods

We surveyed 110 plots of bedrock meadow vegetation in Montana, Idaho, and British Columbia and compared them with data from 1052 plots from six studies of other open vegetation in the region: prairie and foothill grasslands, maritime mountain, alpine, and timberline meadows. We used cluster analysis to identify groups based on vascular plant composition, related abiotic and structural characteristics to clusters using non‐metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), and compared proportions of plant growth forms and life spans.

Results

Cluster analysis identified five groups, with bedrock meadows forming a distinct community. According to the NMDS, bedrock meadows had a high cover of vascular plants, bryophytes, and lichens and a low cover of litter. Their climate was intermediate between maritime mountain and interior timberline meadows. A distinct functional feature of bedrock meadows was their high proportions of annual plants (therophytes) and plants regenerating from bulbs and corms (geophytes)—a functional composition they shared with maritime mountain meadows.

Conclusion

Bedrock meadows have distinct floristic, functional, and environmental features, are important hotspots for biodiversity, and host several rare plant species. They are an important habitat for conservation and environmental impact assessment and should be incorporated into regional and national classification schemes. Future research priority should be given to understanding their spatial extent, ecological functioning, and drivers of non‐vascular and vascular species richness.
Modified guar gum: An alternative source for printing of cotton fabric with reactive dye
Authors: Khajeh Mehrizi Mohammad , Jokar Mostafa , Sadeghyan Tayebah , Azizi Mohammad Erfan , Rahmani Mohammad Reza
Published: December 2022

The alginate thickener is the thickener frequently used for reactive printing of textile. The thickener responds with reactive pigments and thus does not lead to the fabric composition becoming stiffer. In this study, we prepared oxidised natural guar gum with hydrogen peroxide, sodium hypochlorite and sodium hydroxide. All other polysaccharides comprise reactive hydroxyl units with a stronger reactivity that must be replaced if they are to be used in reactive printing. Guar derivatives were synthesised and verified using Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Natural thickeners, synthetic guar gum derivatives, have been employed in textile printing technique. In comparison to other synthetic thickeners, modified environmental guar gum polymer has been shown to be an ecologically friendly and low‐cost thickener. Cotton fabric printed with modified guar thickening with hydrogen peroxide has even stronger colour strength than fabric printed with sodium alginate thickener, which is highly favourable. Penetration properties, colour value, colour strength, colour fastness to washing, light and rubbing was compared with alginate thickener (readily available on the market). Guar gum thickeners showed enhanced features versus sodium alginate for reactive printing. Partially replaced guar gum is an appropriate option due to the colour and physical properties.
Instrumental shade sorting of coloured fabrics using genetic algorithm and particle swarm optimisation
Authors: Hasanlou Elham , Shams‐Nateri Ali , Izadan Hossein
Published: December 2022

In the present research by combination of Clemson Colour Clustering (CCC) instrumental shade sorting method and two metaheuristic algorithms, a genetic algorithm (GA) and a particle swarm optimisation (PSO), two new shade sorting methods, called CCCGA and CCCPSO were proposed. Then these proposed methods were applied on 16 well‐prepered colour sets made of coloured fabrics and their results were compared using some important performance evaluation factors. The results of the methods were also compared with conventional CCC shade sorting method and a method based on CCC combined with k‐means technique (CCCk). The results obtained from various shade sorting methods showed that the CCCGA and CCCPSO methods successfully sorted the coloured fabrics with high efficiency, and their results slightly outperformed the results of the CCC method.
G3BP1 coordinates lysophagy activity to protect against compression‐induced cell ferroptosis during intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Li Shuai , Liao Zhiwei , Yin Huipeng , Liu Ouyang , Hua Wenbin , Wu Xinghuo , Zhang Yukun , Gao Yong , Yang Cao
Published: December 2022

Lysophagy is a form of selective autophagy to remove unwanted lysosomes. However, its role in the pathogenesis of intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) remains unclear. We intended to investigate the relationship between lysophagy and ferroptosis, as well as the potential involved molecules during IDD. Human nucleus pulposus (NP) cells were obtained from clinical patients. The protein levels, protein colocalization and cellular reactive oxygen species levels were assessed by western blotting, immunofluorescence analysis, immunoprecipitation and flow cytometry, respectively. The in vivo experiments were conducted based on the needle puncture‐induced IDD model in rats. Compression pressure induces the lysophagy inactivation and lysosomal damage, resulting in iron overload and ferroptosis in human NP cells. Notably, Ras GTPase‐activating protein‐binding proteins 1 (G3BP1) resides at lysosomes to coordinate lysophagy activity mainly via the function of G3BP1/TSC2 complex. Dysfunction of G3BP1/TSC2 complex accelerates the lysosomal damage and ferroptosis in NP cells. Besides, inhibition of mTOR signalling ameliorates lysosomal damage and protects against cell ferroptosis. The in vivo experiments also demonstrate that the G3BP1/mTOR signalling is involved in the progression of IDD. These findings illustrate the relationship between lysophagy and compression‐induced cell ferroptosis. It also indicates the positive role of G3BP1 and may provide potential targets for IDD treatment.
Antihypertensive treatment changes and related clinical outcomes in older hospitalized patients
Authors: Cicco Sebastiano , D′Abbondanza Marco , Proietti Marco , Zaccone Vincenzo , Pes Chiara , Caradio Federica , Mattioli Massimo , Piano Salvatore , Marra Alberto Maria , Nobili Alessandro , Mannucci Pier Mannuccio , Pietrangelo Antonello , Sesti Giorgio , Buzzetti Elena , Salzano Andrea , Cimellaro Antonio ,   Giovani Internisti Società Italiana di Medicina Interna (GIS‐SIMI) and of the REPOSI Investigators
Published: December 2022

Background

Hypertension management in older patients represents a challenge, particularly when hospitalized.

Objective

The objective of this study is to investigate the determinants and related outcomes of antihypertensive drug prescription in a cohort of older hospitalized patients.

Methods

A total of 5671 patients from REPOSI (a prospective multicentre observational register of older Italian in‐patients from internal medicine or geriatric wards) were considered; 4377 (77.2%) were hypertensive. Minimum treatment (MT) for hypertension was defined according to the 2018 ESC guidelines [an angiotensin‐converting‐enzyme‐inhibitor (ACE‐I) or an angiotensin‐receptor‐blocker (ARB) with a calcium‐channel‐blocker (CCB) and/or a thiazide diuretic; if >80 years old, an ACE‐I or ARB or CCB or thiazide diuretic]. Determinants of MT discontinuation at discharge were assessed. Study outcomes were any cause rehospitalization/all cause death, all‐cause death, cardiovascular (CV) hospitalization/death, CV death, non‐CV death, evaluated according to the presence of MT at discharge.

Results

Hypertensive patients were older than normotensives, with a more impaired functional status, higher burden of comorbidity and polypharmacy. A total of 2233 patients were on MT at admission, 1766 were on MT at discharge. Discontinuation of MT was associated with the presence of comorbidities (lower odds for diabetes, higher odds for chronic kidney disease and dementia). An adjusted multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that MT for hypertension at discharge was associated with lower risk of all‐cause death, all‐cause death/hospitalization, CV death, CV death/hospitalization and non‐CV death.

Conclusions

Guidelines‐suggested MT for hypertension at discharge is associated with a lower risk of adverse clinical outcomes. Nevertheless, changes in antihypertensive treatment still occur in a significant proportion of older hospitalized patients.
The implications of optional practical training reforms on international student enrollments and quality
Authors: Amuedo‐Dorantes Catalina , Shih Kevin , Xu Huanan
Published: December 2022

The Optional Practical Training (OPT) program allows international students to work temporarily in the United States during or directly following their studies. In 2008 the work duration was extended for eligible STEM majors, and in 2011 and 2012 the list of eligible majors was expanded. Using administrative records, we examine how these reforms impacted the enrollment and quality of international students. OPT reforms raised matriculation of international students in bachelor's and master's programs by 18% and 30%, respectively. Additionally, they improved the quality of students, as exemplified by greater scholarship/fellowship funding and matriculation into highly selective universities.
Genetic variation in the dopamine system is associated with mixed‐strategy decision‐making in patients with Parkinson's disease
Authors: Parr Ashley C. , Riek Heidi C. , Coe Brian C. , Pari Giovanna , Masellis Mario , Marras Connie , Munoz Douglas P.
Published: December 2022

Decision‐making during mixed‐strategy games requires flexibly adapting choice strategies in response to others' actions and dynamically tracking outcomes. Such decisions involve diverse cognitive processes, including reinforcement learning, which are affected by disruptions to the striatal dopamine system. We therefore investigated how genetic variation in dopamine function affected mixed‐strategy decision‐making in Parkinson's disease (PD), which involves striatal dopamine pathology. Sixty‐six PD patients (ages 49–85, Hoehn and Yahr Stages 1–3) and 22 healthy controls (ages 54–75) competed in a mixed‐strategy game where successful performance depended on minimizing choice biases (i.e., flexibly adapting choices trial by trial). Participants also completed a fixed‐strategy task that was matched for sensory input, motor outputs and overall reward rate. Factor analyses were used to disentangle cognitive from motor aspects within both tasks. Using a within‐subject, multi‐centre design, patients were examined on and off dopaminergic therapy, and genetic variation was examined via a multilocus genetic profile score representing the additive effects of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that influence dopamine transmission: rs4680 (COMT Val158Met), rs6277 (C957T) and rs907094 (encoding DARPP‐32). PD and control participants displayed comparable mixed‐strategy choice behaviour (overall); however, PD patients with genetic profile scores indicating higher dopamine transmission showed improved performance relative to those with low scores. Exploratory follow‐up tests across individual SNPs revealed better performance in individuals with the C957T polymorphism, reflecting higher striatal D2/D3 receptor density. Importantly, genetic variation modulated cognitive aspects of performance, above and beyond motor function, suggesting that genetic variation in dopamine signalling may underlie individual differences in cognitive function in PD.
Large‐scale brain correlates of sweet versus cocaine reward in rats
Authors: Lenoir Magalie , Navailles Sylvia , Vandaele Youna , Vouillac‐Mendoza Caroline , Guillem Karine , Ahmed Serge H.
Published: December 2022

Cocaine induces many supranormal changes in neuronal activity in the brain, notably in learning‐ and reward‐related regions, in comparison with nondrug rewards—a difference that is thought to contribute to its relatively high addictive potential. However, when facing a choice between cocaine and a nondrug reward (e.g., water sweetened with saccharin), most rats do not choose cocaine, as one would expect from the extent and magnitude of its global activation of the brain, but instead choose the nondrug option. We recently showed that cocaine, though larger in magnitude, is also an inherently more delayed reward than sweet water, thereby explaining why it has less value during choice and why rats opt for the more immediate nondrug option. Here, we used a large‐scale Fos brain mapping approach to measure brain responses to each option in saccharin‐preferring rats, with the hope to identify brain regions whose activity may explain the preference for the nondrug option. In total, Fos expression was measured in 142 brain levels corresponding to 52 brain subregions and composing 5 brain macrosystems. Overall, our findings confirm in rats with a preference for saccharin that cocaine induces more global brain activation than the preferred nondrug option does. Only very few brain regions were uniquely activated by saccharin. They included regions involved in taste processing (i.e., anterior gustatory cortex) and also regions involved in processing reward delay and intertemporal choice (i.e., some components of the septohippocampal system and its connections with the lateral habenula).
Invasive squamous cell carcinoma causes trigeminal nerve dysfunction in a horse
Authors: Wilson Amie , Ricci Emanuele , Talbot Alison , Malalana Fernando
Published: December 2022

A 12‐year‐old Irish Sports Horse gelding was presented for investigation of a 4‐month history of recurrent right sided corneal ulceration and sudden onset dysphagia and inappetence. Cranial nerve examination revealed dysfunction of the right oculomotor nerve and trigeminal nerve. Computed tomography of the skull demonstrated a mass in the region of the orbital fissure, in close association with the oculomotor and trigeminal nerves. Following the assessment, the gelding was euthanised and post‐mortem examination was performed. Histopathology of the mass confirmed that the tumour was a squamous cell carcinoma. This case report highlights the benefits of detailed clinical examination to localise a neurological lesion, and the need for histology to confirm the diagnosis.
Transnational families: The experiences of Polish stayers from a lifelong perspective
Authors: Dziekońska Małgorzata
Published: December 2022

In migration research, the voice is usually given to those who move, but in this article, those who stay are at the centre of attention. The study aims to present the stayers’ practices of everyday life in transnational families in an attempt to highlight the experience of staying and understand the stayers’ role in the migration project. The study is based on semi‐structured life story interviews conducted in 2020 with people who in the 1980s stayed in the northeastern part of Poland when their relatives migrated internationally. In the almost four‐decade perspective, staying appears as a powerful condition and an active process, closely interrelated with migration. Also, the migration project does not appear dependent so much on the range and availability of communication technologies – limited in the 1980s – but on transnational families’ engagement in that project and desire to accomplish it.
The impacts of RMB internationalization on onshore and offshore RMB markets
Authors: Wang Yang‐Chao , Tsai Jui‐Jung , Li Shushu , Huang Yiying
Published: December 2022

Using the DCC‐GARCH model, this study considers distinctive features of China's foreign exchange market to investigate the impacts of RMB internationalization on exchange rates in onshore and offshore markets in different stages during 2010–2017. The results show that policies concerning RMB internationalization, such as interest rate liberalization, exchange rate liberalization, and capital market internationalization, have different impacts on the central parity rate, onshore exchange rate, and offshore exchange rate. In terms of exchange rate liberalization, as the daily trading band was gradually widened in 2012–2015, the onshore exchange rate followed the offshore exchange rate more closely. The central parity rate functioned as a managed floating role. It stabilized onshore and offshore exchange rate fluctuations, while allowing partial marketization. After the exchange rate reform on August 11, 2015, the central parity rate plays a benchmark role based on a more market‐oriented price formation mechanism. It makes the central parity rate regain pricing power in onshore and offshore markets. Further, it promotes exchange rate liberalization and RMB internationalization. Nevertheless, with the slowdown of China's economic growth and the narrowing of the interest rate differential between China and the US, the RMB is under pressure to depreciate, and its volatility increases significantly.
How patients with diabetic foot ulcers experience telemedicine solutions: A scoping review
Authors: Søndergaard Susanne Friis , Vestergaard Else Godsk , Andersen Anne Bendix , Kolbæk Raymond , Dahl Marie , Høgh Annette
Published: December 2022

Diabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common, complex and severe complication of diabetes that is associated with severely decreased health‐related quality of life. Treatment of DFUs calls for a multi‐sectoral approach, incorporating interdisciplinary care pathways. Telemedicine (TM) may be used as a communication tool between caregivers across healthcare sectors to obligate the need for close follow‐up, including early intervention in preventing the recurrence of DFU. The objective of this review was to identify, examine and conceptually map the available literature on patients' experiences and views regarding the use of TM solutions among patients with DFUs. We identified the Population, Concept and Context to pinpoint the focus of this review, word the research question and title as well as facilitate the literature search strategy. The literature examined stems from 13 sources. We imposed no restrictions on the methodological approach of the included studies, neither on the format. During the review process, four main maps emerged: “A whole human not merely a hole in a human,” “Less of a burden on the family, the community and the environment,” “Competences and continuity of care are essential for high‐quality care” and “The quality and modality of the technology.” Further investigation from both the patients' and the multi‐sectoral caregivers' perspective is needed, focusing on whatever modifications of the TM intervention may fit the DFU care pathway better.
Diabetes mellitus impacts on expression of DNA mismatch repair protein PMS2 and tumor microenvironment in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Pan Xuekai , Mizukami Hiroki , Hara Yutaro , Yamada Takahiro , Yamazaki Keisuke , Kudoh Kazuhiro , Takeuchi Yuki , Sasaki Takanori , Kushibiki Hanae , Igawa Akiko , Hakamada Kenichi
Published: December 2022

Aims/Introduction

The mismatch repair (MMR) protein recognizes DNA replication errors and plays an important role in tumorigenesis, including pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). Although PMS2, a MMR protein, is degraded under oxidative stress, the effects of diabetes are still unclear. Herein, we focused on whether diabetes affected MMR protein expression in PDAC.

Materials and Methods

Tissues from 61 surgically resected PDAC subjects were clinicopathologically analyzed. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed for MMR protein expression, oxidative stress, and immune cell infiltration. The change of MMR protein expression was assessed in PDAC cell lines under stimulation with 25 mM glucose and 500 μM palmitic acid. Survival curves were analyzed by the Kaplan–Meier method with the log‐rank test.

Results

Diabetes complicated with dyslipidemia significantly decreased the expression of PMS2 in PDAC tissues with an inverse correlation with the degree of oxidative stress. Palmitic acid combined with high glucose induced degradation of PMS2 protein, enhancing oxidative stress in vitro. CD8+ T‐cell infiltration was associated with a short duration of type 2 diabetes (≤4 years) and a low expression of PMS2 in PDAC tissues, while CD163+ tumor‐associated macrophage infiltration was increased with a long duration of diabetes (>4 years). A short duration of diabetes exhibited a better prognosis than nondiabetic subjects with PDAC (P < 0.05), while a long duration of diabetes had a worse prognosis (P < 0.05).

Conclusions

The different phases of diabetes have a major impact on PDAC by altering PMS2 expression and the tumor immune microenvironment, which can be targeted by an immune checkpoint inhibitor.
Bracelet salt glands of the recretohalophyte Limonium bicolor: Distribution, morphology, and induction
Authors: Zhao Boqing , Zhou Yingli , Jiao Xiangmei , Wang Xi , Wang Baoshan , Yuan Fang
Published: December 2022

Halophytes complete their life cycles in saline environments. The recretohalophyte Limonium bicolor has evolved a specialized salt secretory structure, the salt gland, which excretes Na+ to avoid salt damage. Typical L. bicolor salt glands consist of 16 cells with four fluorescent foci and four secretory pores. Here, we describe a special type of salt gland at the base of the L. bicolor leaf petiole named bracelet salt glands due to their beaded‐bracelet‐like shape of blue auto‐fluorescence. Bracelet salt glands contain more than 16 cells and more than four secretory pores. Leaf disc secretion measurements and non‐invasive micro‐test techniques indicated that bracelet salt glands secrete more salt than normal salt glands, which helps maintain low Na+ levels at the leaf blade to protect the leaf. Cytokinin treatment induced bracelet salt gland differentiation, and the developed ones showed no further differentiation when traced with a living fluorescence microscopy imager, even though new salt gland development and leaf expansion were observed. Transcriptome revealed a NAC transcription factor gene that participates in bracelet salt gland development, as confirmed by its genome editing and overexpression in L. bicolor. These findings shed light on bracelet salt gland development and may facilitate the engineering of salt‐tolerant crops.
Symptom perception and self‐care practice for uraemic pruritus in patients receiving haemodialysis
Authors: Huang Chih‐Yuan , Chen Ching‐Ju , Lin Jong‐Ni , Shih Ya‐Yun , Chen Chiu‐Feng
Published: December 2022

Background

Due to the recurrent nature of uraemic pruritus among patients receiving haemodialysis, self‐care can offer patients a means to ameliorate this symptom. Qualitative data on self‐care of uraemic pruritus are limited.

Objective

To explore how patients on haemodialysis perceive uraemic pruritus, implement self‐care practice, and appraise the outcome of self‐caring uraemic pruritus.

Design

The Common Sense Model of Self‐Regulation guided the study design.

Participants and approaches

Data were collected through face‐to‐face interviews with 30 patients receiving haemodialysis who were aged from 50 to 89 years and had had uraemic pruritus for more than 6 weeks. Interviews were audio recorded, and verbatim transcriptions of interviews were analysed.

Findings

Our participants generally used life‐related analogies to describe uraemic pruritus, which they reviewed as a momentarily controllable symptom with an endless timeline. Most participants reported limited knowledge of the aetiology and multifaceted impacts of uraemic pruritus on their daily life and emotional status. The impacts on daily life included decreased zest for activities and sleep disturbances. Physical management of uraemic pruritus involved daily substance use and interventions employed during pruritic episodes. Psychological managements involved preferences for indoor activities and a fatalistic outlook. Unsatisfactory outcomes and psychological burdens from self‐care practice were reported.

Conclusions

Life experiences shape symptom presentation and self‐care practice in patients on haemodialysis. The modalities for self‐caring for uraemic pruritus are diverse but not remarkably effective. Performing self‐care tasks places a substantial burden on patients. Individualised educational programs should be developed to improve the outcome of self‐care practice.
The global dynamic of DNA methylation in response to heat stress revealed epigenetic mechanism of heat acclimation in Saccharina japonica
Authors: Liu Fuli , Zhang Pengyan , Liang Zhourui , Yuan Yanmin , Liu Yi , Wu Yukun
Published: December 2022

Saccharina japonica is an ecologically and economically important kelp in cold‐temperate regions. When it is cultivated on a large scale in the temperate and even subtropical zones, heat stress is a frequent abiotic stress. This study is the first attempt to reveal the regulatory mechanism of the response to heat stress from the perspective of DNA methylation in S. japonica. We firstly obtained the characteristics of variation in the methylome under heat stress, and observed that heat stress caused a slight increase in the overall methylation level and methylation rate, especially in the non‐coding regions of the genome. Secondly, we noted that methylation was probably one of factors affecting the expression of genes, and that methylation within the gene body was positively correlated with the gene expression (rho = 0.0784). Moreover, it was found that among the differentially expressed genes regulated by methylation, many genes were related to heat stress response, such as HSP gene family, genes of antioxidant enzymes, genes related to proteasome‐ubiquitination pathway, and plant cell signaling pathways. This study demonstrated that DNA methylation is involved in regulating the response to heat stress, laying a foundation for studying the acclimation and adaptation of S. japonica to heat stress from an epigenetic perspective.
Questioning Consilience and Autonomy in Self‐Determination Theory: A Critique and Hermeneutic‐Phenomenological Alternative
Authors: Gantt Edwin E. , Yanchar Stephen C. , Parker Jared C.
Published: December 2022

This paper offers a theoretical analysis of Self‐Determination Theory (SDT) and its claims regarding human autonomy. Self‐determination theorists have advanced a form of self‐regulated, engaged behavior (i.e., autonomy), founded upon on a consilient account of human motivation that assumes multiple, hierarchical levels of organization and causation (e.g., biological, psychological, and social). Autonomy, from this perspective, is taken to emerge from underlying biological mechanisms, but also able to exert its own causal effects in the world as a unique psychological phenomenon. We contend that in theorizing this way, self‐determination theorists have invoked a mixed discourse of mechanism and autonomy that leaves important questions unanswered, perhaps most importantly those concerning how autonomy as a kind of volition can fit coherently in the mechanistic account of world that they advocate. We then offer an alternative perspective based upon the work of various hermeneutic‐phenomenological thinkers in philosophy and psychology. This alternative perspective conceptualizes human phenomena such as autonomy and motivation in agentic terms, emphasizing meaningful participation in possibility‐laden contexts of everyday practices.