bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Opto-RhoGEFs: an optimized optogenetic toolbox to reversibly control Rho GTPase activity on a global to subcellular scale, enabling precise control over vascular endothelial barrier strength
Authors: Mahlandt Eike K. , Martínez Sebastián Palacios , Arts Janine J. G. , Tol Simon , van Buul Jaap D. , Goedhart Joachim
Published: October 2022

The inner layer of blood vessels consists of endothelial cells, which form the physical barrier between blood and tissue. This vascular barrier is tightly regulated to allow the passage of essential molecules like oxygen, carbon-dioxide, water, ions, and nutrients. The vascular endothelial barrier is defined by cell-cell contacts through adherens and tight junctions. To further investigate the signaling in the endothelium that regulates vascular barrier strength, we focused on Rho GTPases, regulators of the actin cytoskeleton and known to control junction integrity. Rho GTPase signaling is confined in space and time. To manipulate the signaling in a temporal and spatial manner we applied optogenetics. Guanine exchange factor (GEF) domains from ITSN1, TIAM1 and p63RhoGEF, activating Cdc42, Rac and Rho respectively, were integrated into the optogenetic recruitment tool iLID. This tool allows for activation at the subcellular level in a reversible and non-invasive manner and thereby to recruit a GEF to local areas at the plasma membrane, enabling the local activation of specific Rho GTPases. The membrane tag of iLID was optimized and a HaloTag was applied to gain more flexibility for multiplex imaging. The resulting Opto-RhoGEFs were tested in an endothelial cell monolayer and demonstrated precise temporal control of vascular barrier strength by a cell-cell overlap-dependent, VE-cadherin-independent, mechanism. Furthermore, Opto-RhoGEFs enabled precise optogenetic control in endothelial cells over morphological features such as cell-size, -roundness, local extension, and cell contraction. In conclusion, we have optimized and applied the optogenetic iLID GEF recruitment tool i.e. Opto-RhoGEFs, to study the role of Rho GTPases in the vascular barrier of the endothelium and found that membrane protrusions at the junction region can rapidly increase barrier integrity independent of VE-cadherin.
CRISPR–Cas9 Genome Editing inNothobranchius furzerifor Gene Knockout and Knock-In
Authors: Rozenberg Itai , Moses Eitan , Harel Itamar
Published: October 2022

The African turquoise killifishNothobranchius furzerihas recently gained interest as an emerging vertebrate model system for the study of aging, owing to its naturally short life span and generation time. Here, we provide a step-by-step guide for effective genome engineering using the CRISPR–Cas9 system to generate loss-of-function (i.e., knockout) alleles and for precise editing (i.e., knock-in) of short sequences into the genome. Using this approach, a new stable line can be created within several months. The killifish's tough chorion, rapid growth, and short life span are considered in this protocol and account for the key deviations from similar protocols in other fish models.
Mosquito Phonotaxis Assay
Authors: Georgiades Marcos , Albert Joerg T.
Published: October 2022

Phonotaxis experiments can provide information on the spectrum of sounds relevant to mosquito acoustic behaviors. It is widely known that males of disease-transmitting species are attracted to tones with frequencies resembling the wingbeat frequencies of their conspecific females. Thus, phonotaxis experiments can be coupled with wingbeat frequency measurements to inform the development of vector control tools such as acoustic traps and lures. This protocol describes how to set up and execute a phonotaxis experiment.
Artificial Membrane Feeding Mosquitoes in the Laboratory with Glytube
Authors: Costa-da-Silva Andre Luis
Published: October 2022

Artificial membrane feeders are devices that replace vertebrate hosts when blood feeding mosquitoes. Created using readily available materials found in mosquito laboratories, Glytube is one of the simplest artificial membrane feeders that scientists can use to provide a blood meal to female mosquitoes in the laboratory. Glytube was optimized for blood feeding the main epidemiologically important species, such asAedes aegypti,Aedes albopictus,Culex quinquefasciatus, andAnopheles aquasalis. Although the Glytube can be used without modifications to blood feed mosquito females, some researchers have modified the device to improve its assembly and to adapt it to different feeding assays that do not involve a basic blood meal, broadening its utility. Here, I describe how to transform a 50-mL conical centrifuge tube into a convenient, versatile, and cost-effective artificial membrane blood feeder.
Batch RearingAedes aegypti
Authors: Wohl Margot P. , McMeniman Conor J.
Published: October 2022

Standardized rearing methods for the yellow fever mosquitoAedes aegyptiare critical to facilitate controlled laboratory studies. This protocol describes a batch rearing protocol forAedes aegyptistocks that yields healthy eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults in the laboratory for long-term colony maintenance and experimental manipulation. Foundational principles for the rearing and containment of these life cycle stages, as well as steps for mating and blood feedingAedes aegyptito yield viable eggs for continuous culture or storage, are detailed.
Determining factors of continuance intention in mobile payment: fintech industry perspective
Authors: Laksamana Patria , Suharyanto Suharyanto , Cahaya Yohanes Ferry
Published: October 2022

Purpose

To investigate consumer continuance intention in mobile payment in the financial technology (fintech) industry.

Design/methodology/approach

This empirical study used an online survey with 673 responses from consumers, with structural equation modelling for data analysis.

Findings

The results revealed that trust, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk and perceived security significantly affect consumer attitude. A positive impact on consumer attitude towards consumer engagement was also exposed.

Research limitations/implications

Trust, perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, perceived risk and perceived security significantly affect consumer attitude. Hence, consumer attitude and consumer engagement have a positive influence on continuance intention.

Practical implications

The study offers guidelines for decision makers to expand long-term engagement with consumers and enable continuance use of mobile payment services.

Social implications

The findings will ultimately guide fintech firms in the implementation of a more secure macro financial system.

Originality/value

This study highlights the importance of consumer attitudes and engagement in mobile payment and extends the TAM model for more extensive technological advancements.
Human resource heterogeneity, hold-up and firm cash holdings
Authors: Huang Tingting , Pan Yilin , Zhu Kai , Chen Xinyuan
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to study the impact of human resource heterogeneity on firms’ cash-holding policies.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors construct a proxy for human resource heterogeneity using the dissimilarity in employees’ skill structure between the firm and its peers in the same industry.

Findings

The authors report evidence that firms with heterogeneous human resources hold more cash than other firms. This effect is more pronounced in labor-intensive firms and firms more susceptible to hold-up by employees, i.e. firms located in regions with more labor disputes and firms surrounded by more external employment opportunities. In addition, the authors demonstrate that high cash holdings triggered by human resource heterogeneity reduce the scale and efficiency of firms’ capital investment.

Originality/value

This study highlights the role of human resource heterogeneity in determining firms’ cash policies. This paper adds to the understanding of labor adjustment costs within the firm and provides insights into firms’ cash-holding decisions.
Fired by an algorithm? Exploration of conformism with biased intelligent decision support systems in the context of workplace discipline
Authors: Bartosiak Marcin Lukasz , Modlinski Artur
Published: October 2022

Purpose

The importance of artificial intelligence in human resource management has grown substantially. Previous literature discusses the advantages of AI implementation at a workplace and its various consequences, often hostile, for employees. However, there is little empirical research on the topic. The authors address this gap by studying if individuals oppose biased algorithm recommendations regarding disciplinary actions in an organisation.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors conducted an exploratory experiment in which the authors evaluated 76 subjects over a set of 5 scenarios in which a biased algorithm gave strict recommendations regarding disciplinary actions at a workplace.

Findings

The authors’ results suggest that biased suggestions from intelligent agents can influence individuals who make disciplinary decisions.

Social implications

The authors’ results contribute to the ongoing debate on applying AI solutions to HR problems. The authors demonstrate that biased algorithms may substantially change how employees are treated and show that human conformity towards intelligent decision support systems is broader than expected.

Originality/value

The authors’ paper is among the first to show that people may accept recommendations that provoke moral dilemmas, bring adverse outcomes, or harm employees. The authors introduce the problem of “algorithmic conformism” and discuss its consequences for HRM.
Organizational support as an effective risk mitigation approach
Authors: Sadeh Arik , Zwikael Ofer , Meredith Jack
Published: October 2022

Purpose

As managing risks effectively is critical for successful projects, project managers regularly identify and prioritize the risks that apply to their projects. However, research argues that project managers struggle to identify effective risk mitigation approaches for the most critical risks, partly because they do not always have the required authority to act effectively. The authors argue that, particularly in high-risk projects, organizational support (OS) provided by senior executives to project managers can facilitate a practical approach to risk mitigation beyond traditional risk management practices.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors modeled the relationship between risk, organizational support and project success. Then, the authors conducted a structural equation modeling analysis on survey data obtained from 722 projects and tested for the impacts of OS practices in the presence of risk on projects' success.

Findings

Suppose done effectively, senior executives can provide more support to project managers and the teams in high-risk projects, resulting in higher project success. OS has a positive impact on project success in terms of efficiency and effectiveness. Interestingly, the positive impact of OS on success is greater than the negative impact of the risk.

Practical implications

The paper further describes various effective OS practices to mitigate risks and explore opportunities when faced with high-risk projects.

Originality/value

Whereas it is known that risk has a negative impact on project success, this paper suggests that, in addition to that, OS is in between risk and success and has an impact on this relationship (mediation). Moreover, with OS, the total negative effect of risk on effectiveness turns into a positive impact.
Bail-in credibility: evidence from emerging markets
Authors: Velliscig Giulio , Piserà Stefano , Polato Maurizio , Floreani Josanco
Published: October 2022

Purpose

Some controversial cases of bail-in in the emerging countries have raised the question about whether for those countries to have in place a regulation for the bail-in is appropriate or not. To assess appropriateness, this paper investigates bail-in credibility among investors, as crucial condition for the credibility’s smooth implementation, by measuring the yield spread between bailinable and non-bailinable bonds.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors compare the yield spread of banks located in emerging countries that have in place a framework for the bail-in to the comparable yield spread measured for banks located in emerging countries without such framework. The comparison permits to detect whether there is a significant difference between the two spreads, which would suggest that bail-in regulation has been deemed credible by market participants where enforced, or not, which in this case would signal a problem of credibility.

Findings

The authors' results point out a significantly higher yield spread for banks located in emerging countries that have adopted a framework for the bail-in of creditors. Bail-in regulation has, therefore, being deemed credible in the adopting emerging countries, thus ensuring a crucial condition for bail-in regulation's smooth application. The authors also point out bank size and country's gross domestic product (GDP) growth as crucial moderators of bail-in expectations of market participants that can guide the implementation of bail-in rules in emerging countries.

Originality/value

This paper contributes to the literature on the credibility of bail-in with a new perspective from the emerging countries.
Factors influencing the potential adoption of portable pork DNA detection device
Authors: Ghazali Ezlika , Mutum Dilip , Waqas Muhammad , Taha Azni Zarina , Mohtar Mozard
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This study aims to present a new integrative model that maps innovation diffusion factors, technology acceptance and use factors, device attitude, adoption intention and purchase intention for a pork DNA detection device (PD3).

Design/methodology/approach

A scenario-based survey was conducted with 256 potential consumers of the portable PD3. Partial least square structural equation modelling was used to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

It was found that innovation characteristic factors determine the attitude towards the device, perceived expectancy of performance and effort required to use the device. Performance and effort expectancy further influence the positive attitude towards the device which determines the behavioural intention to adopt and purchase the device.

Originality/value

This study proposes a new model that integrates the diffusion innovation theory and the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology to understand the mechanism that facilitates the adoption and purchase intention of PD3s. This study contributes to the existing literature by offering solutions that can reduce the concerns of Muslim travellers. This study enhances the understanding of the future commercial potential of this newly developed technology. The results show that the potential demand for a portable PD3 is very optimistic among consumers observing a halal diet.
Supporting educators’ professional learning for equity pedagogy: the promise of open educational practices
Authors: Tualaulelei Eseta , Green Nicole Catherine
Published: October 2022

Purpose

In the research literature relevant to open educational practices (OEP), the terms “students” or “learners” often refer to individuals engaging in formal study. This study aims to broaden the conception of learners to include those who engage with continuing professional development or professional learning. The study focussed on one intersection of OEP with equity pedagogy for these learners.

Design/methodology/approach

Guided by transformative approaches to knowledge, the research is qualitative and draws upon nine focus group interviews about multicultural education professional learning needs conducted in November 2019 and July 2020 with 74 early years educators and staff. Data were analysed with theoretical thematic analysis to provide a rich overall description of the data set.

Findings

Early years educators and teachers aim to centre equity pedagogy in their practices but are constrained by a lack of opportunity to engage in professional development, and fragmented approaches to professional learning, issues which may potentially be addressed through OEP.

Originality/value

This paper extends understandings of OEP as a means of helping learners, broadly interpreted, to promote equity pedagogy. Specifically, it highlights the promise of OEP for addressing early years educators’ professional development and learning about reconciliation and multicultural education.
Using mixture experimental design to study the effect of phosphating bath formulation on the properties of magnesium substrate
Authors: Amini Reza , Kardar Pooneh
Published: October 2022

Purpose

This paper aims to achieve phosphating via optimal features of Mg metal as a suitable base coating, which is considered for other properties such as barrier properties against the passage of several factors.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research, in the phosphate bath, immersion time, temperature and the content of sodium nitrite as an accelerator were changed.

Findings

As a result, increasing the immersion time of AZ31 Mg alloy samples in the phosphating bath as well as increasing the ratio of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) concentration to sodium nitrite concentration in the phosphating bath formulation increase the mass of phosphating formed per unit area of the Mg alloy. The results of the scanning electron microscope test showed phosphating is not completely formed in short immersion times, which is a thin and uneven layer.

Research limitations/implications

Mg and its alloys are sensitive to galvanic corrosion, which would lead to generating several holes in the metal. As such, it causes a decrease in mechanical stability as well as an unfavorable appearance.

Practical implications

Mg is used in several industries such as automobile and computer parts, mobile phones, astronaut compounds, sports goods and home appliances.

Social implications

Nevertheless, Mg has high chemical reactivity, so an oxide-hydroxide layer is formed on its surface, which has a harmful effect on the adhesion and uniformity of the coating applied on Mg.

Originality/value

By increasing the ratio of SDS concentration to sodium nitrite concentration in the phosphating bath, the corrosion resistance of the phosphating increases.
Distrusting democrats: A panel study into the effects of structurally low and declining political trust on citizens’ support for democratic reform
Authors: OUATTARA EBE , VAN DER MEER TOM
Published: October 2022

For decades, scholars have argued that low and declining political trust affect citizens’ support for democratic and undemocratic reform. While some theorized that low political trust induces alienation and support for non‐democratic decision making, others argued that it pushes critical citizens to support reforms aimed to reinvigorate democracy. Yet, empirical tests of these expectations remained sparse and inconclusive. This paper employs panel data from the Netherlands (covering 3 waves in 3 years) to test these diverging theories simultaneously. We employ the random effects within‐between (REWB) model to differentiate between the effects of structurally low and declining political trust. Our results suggest that low and declining trust both diminish support for representative democracy, enhance support for direct democratic decision making and do not affect support for authoritarianism. These findings cast doubt on the understanding of political distrust as a determinant of political alienation. Rather, they support theories of critical citizenship and stealth democracy.
When managers believe technological ability is fixed
Authors: Solberg Elizabeth , Adamska Katarzyna , Wong Sut I , Traavik Laura E. M.
Published: October 2022

Drawing from mindset theory, we predict that managers' fixed mindset about technological ability (FM‐TA) will negatively influence the developmental support they provide to their employees and, in turn, their employees' engagement in digitalisation initiatives. Further, we predict that managers' FM‐TA will have a disproportionate negative influence on female employees for whom negative stereotypes about technological ability exist. We test our hypotheses with two‐wave field study data collected from 88 managers and 185 employees working in a Nordic banking institution. We find that managers' FM‐TA relates negatively to their employees' experienced developmental support, and, in turn, their employees' efforts to approach new technology. Furthermore, our findings indicate that this negative, indirect relationship is more pronounced for female employees (estimate = −0.116, standard error [SE] = 0.052, p = 0.026) than male employees (estimate = −0.048, SE = 0.027, p = 0.071), although the interaction term (managers' FM‐TA × employee gender) was not significant at the 95 percent confidence level (estimate = −0.266, SE = 0.0141, p = 0.058). Our study provides greater insight into the human resource management issues managers might have fostering employee engagement and inclusion in the digitalised workplace.
A single short reprogramming early in life initiates and propagates an epigenetically related mechanism improving fitness and promoting an increased healthy lifespan
Authors: Alle Quentin , Le Borgne Enora , Bensadoun Paul , Lemey Camille , Béchir Nelly , Gabanou Mélissa , Estermann Fanny , Bertrand‐Gaday Christelle , Pessemesse Laurence , Toupet Karine , Desprat Romain , Vialaret Jérôme , Hirtz Christophe , Noël Danièle , Jorgensen Christian , Casas François , Milhavet Ollivier , Lemaitre Jean‐Marc
Published: October 2022

Recent advances in cell reprogramming showed that OSKM induction is able to improve cell physiology in vitro and in vivo. Here, we show that a single short reprogramming induction is sufficient to prevent musculoskeletal functions deterioration of mice, when applied in early life. In addition, in old age, treated mice have improved tissue structures in kidney, spleen, skin, and lung, with an increased lifespan of 15% associated with organ‐specific differential age‐related DNA methylation signatures rejuvenated by the treatment. Altogether, our results indicate that a single short reprogramming early in life might initiate and propagate an epigenetically related mechanism to promote a healthy lifespan.
Within‐person decline in pregnancy smoking is observable prior to pregnancy awareness: Evidence across two independent observational cohorts
Authors: Massey Suena H. , Pool Lindsay R. , Estabrook Ryne , Level Rachel A. , Shisler Shannon , Stacks Ann M. , Neiderhiser Jenae M. , Espy Kimberly A. , Wakschlag Lauren S. , Eiden Rina D. , Allen Norrina B.
Published: October 2022

Decreased consumption of nicotine and other drugs during pregnancy appears to be a cross‐species phenomenon from which mechanism(s) capable of interrupting addictive processes could be elucidated. Whether pregnancy influences smoking behaviour independent of women's knowledge of the pregnancy, however, has not been considered. Using repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA), we estimated within‐person change in mean cigarettes/day smoked across the estimated date of conception but prior to individually reported dates of pregnancy recognition using longitudinal smoking data from two independent observational cohorts, the Growing Up Healthy (GUH, n = 271) and Midwest Infant Development Studies (MIDS, n = 145). Participants smoked an average of half a pack/day in the month immediately before conception (M (SD) = 12(8.1) and 9.5(6.7) cigarettes/day in GUH and MIDS, respectively). We observed within‐person declines in smoking after conception, both before (MGUH = −0.9; 95% CI −1.6, −0.2; p = 0.01; MMIDS = −1.1; 95% CI ‐1.9, −0.3; p = 0.01) and after (MGUH = ‐4.8; 95% CI ‐5.5, −4.1; p < 0.001; MMIDS = −3.3; 95% CI −4.4, −2.5; p < 0.001) women were aware of having conceived, even when women who had quit and women who were planning to conceive were excluded from analyses. Pregnancy may interrupt smoking‐related processes via mechanisms not previously considered. Plausible candidates and directions for future research are discussed.
Conspecific density plays a pivotal role in shaping sapling community in highly fragmented subtropical forests
Authors: da Silva Daniel Augusto , Pfeifer Marion , Vibrans Alexander Christian
Published: October 2022

Tropical and subtropical regions shelter high levels of biodiversity. A combination of biological, environmental and anthropogenic factors influences tree community diversity and composition. Here, we use data from the IFFSC project to test the effect of conspecific and heterospecific density dependence, canopy cover and distance to edge on saplings populations of 229 woody species in 159 plots distributed across three forest types in Southern Brazil. All plots were measured twice with a standardized time interval of 5 years. We fitted one ordinary least square regression model to each species to test the strength of each predictor on the species' population growth rate, and one global mixed effect model including forest type, ecological group and the interaction between distance to edge and conspecific density to test their impact in the overall trend of the species. Our analysis provided circumstantial evidence that conspecific density dependence is shaping diversity of forest fragments. This mechanism was present for 75.5% of the species, while heterospecific density affected 10% of the species. Canopy cover affected the population dynamics of 9.2% of the species and distance to edge affected 7.4% of the species. Forest type had a significant effect in the global model, suggesting that population dynamics differ between different forest formations. Ecological group was not significant in the global model suggesting that the mechanism affects species similarly despite their ecological group. The interaction between distance to edge and conspecific density was significant in the global model, suggesting that this mechanism differs between interior and edge of fragments. This work represents one of the few large‐scale analyses of conspecific density dependence in fragmented secondary forests. Our results show that, once the forest is stablished, conspecific density dependence is crucial in sapling population dynamics, despite high levels of fragmentation.
Corneal epithelial dendritic cells, tear neuropeptides and corneal nerves continue to be affected more than 12 months after LASIK
Authors: Chao Cecilia , Tajbakhsh Zahra , Stapleton Fiona , Mobeen Rabia , Madigan Michele C. , Jalbert Isabelle , Briggs Nancy , Golebiowski Blanka
Published: October 2022

Purpose

LASIK causes corneal nerve damage and may affect the neuro‐immune crosstalk. This study examined the effects of LASIK on corneal epithelial dendritic cells (CEDC) density and morphology and explored their relationships with corneal nerves and tear neuropeptides. A grading system was developed to assess CEDC morphology.

Methods

Intra‐ and inter‐observer repeatability of the CEDC morphology grading system was established using kappa (κ). In vivo confocal microscope images of the central cornea were captured from 20 participants who had undergone LASIK 12–16 months earlier and 20 controls (age 18–32 years, 55%F). CEDC density was counted manually, and CEDC morphology was assessed using a new grading system. CEDC sub‐types (contacting nerves [CEDCc] and not contacting nerves [CEDCnc]) were also assessed. Differences in CEDC density and morphology were examined using mixed models and chi‐squared test. Relationships between CEDC and corneal nerve parameters and tear substance P were explored using Spearman's correlation.

Results

Excellent intra‐ and inter‐observer repeatability was demonstrated for the grading system (κ = 0.82–0.97). In post‐LASIK participants, CEDC density was lower compared with controls (5 [0–34] vs. 21 [7–77] cells/mm2; p = 0.01), and the proportion of CEDC with thick dendrites was higher (55%–73% vs. 11%–21%, p < 0.003). Higher tear substance P levels were associated with higher CEDC density (rho = 0.48, p = 0.003). Fewer nerve interconnections were observed in participants in whom CEDC had dendrites (p = 0.03). CEDC sub‐types followed a similar pattern to CEDC.

Conclusions

The findings suggest that CEDC may remain altered more than 12 months post‐LASIK. The association with substance P suggests a role for CEDC in corneal neurogenic inflammation.
Assessing the clinical value of faecal bile acid profiling to predict recurrence in primary Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Mullish Benjamin H. , Martinez‐Gili Laura , Chekmeneva Elena , Correia Gonçalo D. S. , Lewis Matthew R. , Horneffer‐Van Der Sluis Verena , Roberts Lauren A. , McDonald Julie A. K. , Pechlivanis Alexandros , Walters Julian R. F. , McClure Emma L. , Marchesi Julian R. , Allegretti Jessica R.
Published: October 2022

Background

Factors influencing recurrence risk in primary Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) are poorly understood, and tools predicting recurrence are lacking. Perturbations in bile acids (BAs) contribute to CDI pathogenesis and may be relevant to primary disease prognosis.

Aims

To define stool BA dynamics in patients with primary CDI and to explore signatures predicting recurrence

Methods

Weekly stool samples were collected from patients with primary CDI from the last day of anti‐CDI therapy until recurrence or, otherwise, through 8 weeks post‐completion. Ultra‐high performance liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry was used to profile BAs. Stool bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity was measured to determine primary BA bacterial deconjugation capacity. Multivariate and univariate models were used to define differential BA trajectories in patients with recurrence versus those without, and to assess faecal BAs as predictive markers for recurrence.

Results

Twenty (36%) of 56 patients (median age: 57, 64% male) had recurrence; 80% of recurrences occurred within the first 9 days post‐antibiotic treatment. Principal component analysis of stool BA profiles demonstrated clustering by recurrence status and post‐treatment timepoint. Longitudinal faecal BA trajectories showed recovery of secondary BAs and their derivatives only in patients without recurrence. BSH activity increased over time only among non‐relapsing patients (β = 0.056; likelihood ratio test p = 0.018). A joint longitudinal‐survival model identified five stool BAs with area under the receiver operating characteristic curve >0.73 for predicting recurrence within 9 days post‐CDI treatment.

Conclusions

Gut BA metabolism dynamics differ in primary CDI patients between those developing recurrence and those who do not. Individual BAs show promise as potential novel biomarkers to predict CDI recurrence.
Servant leadership, transformational leadership, and customer satisfaction: An implicit leadership theories perspective
Authors: Shi Shuisheng , Zhou Mingjian
Published: October 2022

Drawing on implicit leadership theory (ILT) research, we develop and test a model that explains why integrating transformational leadership and servant leadership may achieve enhanced leader effectiveness. Using a sample of 237 hairstylists and 474 of their customers representing 31 salons, we confirm the augmentation effects of transformational leadership and servant leadership on followers' perceptions of leader stereotypicality (i.e., the extent to which a leader matches followers' implicit theories of leaders) and on customer satisfaction. However, we do not find the hypothesized interaction effect of transformational and servant leadership. Implications are discussed and directions for future research are suggested.
Real options or fallen angels: Examining the complexities of learning from terminated projects
Authors: Hess Andrew M.
Published: October 2022

Do organizations learn from innovative failures? Extant research has been mixed. We posit that these disparate findings likely reflect an underlying (and under‐researched) spectrum of failure severity, which is comprised not only by the magnitude of the failure in question but by the frequency with which it occurs. Using fine‐grained, project‐level data, consisting of 33,905 projects in 2496 pharmaceutical firms, we decompose 1251 terminated projects into two types based on their phase of development: early‐ and late‐stage terminations. We use hazard rate modelling and an analysis of abnormal equity returns to assess the likelihood of future failure and the market's reaction to the project termination. Specifically, we are interested in understanding the role that magnitude and frequency of project terminations play in the likelihood and magnitude of future project terminations.
Copredication and Complexity Revisited: A Reply to Löhr and Michel
Authors: Murphy Elliot
Published: October 2022

Human language affords the ability to attribute semantically distinct concepts to a single nominal, a process now commonly termed ‘copredication’. If we describe a lunch as being delayed but also filling , senses of distinct semantic categories (event, physical object) are simultaneously being accessed. Copredication is relevant to major debates in cognitive science, since it cuts to the core of how the lexicon is formatted, and how distinct lexico‐semantic representations relate to each other. The apparent scope and limits of copredication licensing can be explored via acceptability judgment and processing experiments, exposing certain replicable and generalizable patterns that apply across lexical types, syntactic structures, and different languages (Murphy 2021a, 2021b). As such, laying out the psycholinguistic terrain in which to address this phenomenon is crucial – and accounts that lack a valid psycholinguistic and empirical basis should be highlighted as problematic if they are to be accommodated and refined. Löhr and Michel (2022) claim that copredication acceptability is determined by a “set of expectations that are influenced by higher‐order priors associated with discourse context and world knowledge”. I will show that their model encounters a number of obstacles, and ends up unintentionally supporting an alternative model in Murphy (2019, 2021a, 2021b, 2021c), which they attempt to critique.
S2k guideline: Diagnosis and treatment of chronic pruritus
Authors: Ständer Sonja , Zeidler Claudia , Augustin Matthias , Darsow Ulf , Kremer Andreas E. , Legat Franz J. , Koschmieder Steffen , Kupfer Jörg , Mettang Thomas , Metz Martin , Nast Alexander , Raap Ulrike , Schneider Gudrun , Ständer Hartmut , Streit Markus , Schut Christina , Weisshaar Elke
Published: October 2022

Pruritus is a cross‐disciplinary leading symptom of numerous diseases and represents an interdisciplinary diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. In contrast to acute pruritus, chronic pruritus (CP) is a symptom of various diseases that is usually difficult to treat. Scratching and the development of scratch‐associated skin lesions can alter the original skin status. In the presence of an itch‐scratch‐cycle, even secondary diseases such as chronic prurigo can develop. Chronic pruritus leads to considerable subjective suffering of those affected, which can result in restrictions on the health‐related quality of life such as sleep disturbances, anxiety, depressiveness, experience of stigmatization and/or social withdrawal up to clinically relevant psychic comorbidities. Medical care of patients should therefore include (a) interdisciplinary diagnosis and therapy of the triggering underlying disease, (b) therapy of the secondary symptoms of pruritus (dermatological therapy, sleep promotion, in the case of an accompanying or underlying psychological or psychosomatic disease an appropriate psychological‐psychotherapeutic treatment) and (c) symptomatic antipruritic therapy. The aim of this interdisciplinary guideline is to define and standardize the therapeutic procedure as well as the interdisciplinary diagnosis of CP. This is the short version of the updated S2k‐guideline for chronic pruritus. The long version can be found at www.awmf.org.
Prioritizing model trimming to prevent thinning during mouthguard thermoforming: Influence of increased height associated with an acute model angle
Authors: Takahashi Mutsumi , Bando Yogetsu
Published: October 2022

Background/Aim

The shape of the working model is one of the major factors affecting the thickness of thermoformed mouthguards. The aim of this study was to clarify the priority of model trimming to prevent thinning during mouthguard thermoforming.

Materials and Methods

Mouthguards were thermoformed using 4.0 mm thick ethylene‐vinyl‐acetate sheets and a vacuum forming machine. Working models were trimmed so that the angles of the labial surface to the model base were 100°, 90°, and 80°. The posterior height was unified to 30 mm, and the anterior heights were 30 mm (A100‐L), 35 mm (A90‐M), and 40 mm (A80‐H), respectively. When the sheet temperature reached 100°C, vacuum forming was performed. Six specimens were formed for each condition. Mouthguard thickness (incisal edge, labial surface, cusp, and buccal surface) was measured using a specialized caliper accurate to 0.1 mm. Differences in thickness reduction rate due to model shapes were analyzed by one‐way ANOVA and Bonferroni's multiple comparison tests.

Results

At the incisal edge, there were no significant differences in the reduction rate of the thickness of the mouthguard according to model shapes. On the labial surface, cusp, and buccal surface, the smaller the model angle, the smaller the reduction rate of thickness, and significant differences were observed between A100‐L and A80‐H, and A90‐M and A80‐H. On the labial and buccal surfaces, A80‐H was more than 7.1% thicker compared with A100‐L and more than 5.6% thicker compared with A90‐M, and the thickness reduction rate was reduced when the model was trimmed to an acute angle. At the cusp, A80‐H was more than 4.3% thicker than A100‐L and A90‐M.

Conclusions

It is useful to trim the model at an acute angle in order to prevent thinning during mouthguard thermoforming, even if the anterior height of the model is increased.
Levodopa alters resting‐state functional connectivity more selectively in Parkinson's disease with freezing of gait
Authors: Potvin‐Desrochers Alexandra , Atri Alisha , Moreno Alejandra Martinez , Paquette Caroline
Published: October 2022

Freezing of gait (FOG) is a debilitating motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Although PD dopaminergic medication (L‐DOPA) seems to generally reduce FOG severity, its effect on neural mechanisms of FOG remains to be determined. The purpose of this study was to quantify the effect of L‐DOPA on brain resting‐state functional connectivity in individuals with FOG. Functional magnetic resonance imaging was acquired at rest in 30 individuals living with PD (15 freezers) in the ON‐ and OFF‐ medication state. A seed‐to‐voxel analysis was performed with seeds in the bilateral basal ganglia nuclei, the thalamus and the mesencephalic locomotor region. In freezers, medication‐state contrasts revealed numerous changes in resting‐state functional connectivity, not modulated by L‐DOPA in non‐freezers. In freezers, L‐DOPA increased the functional connectivity between the seeds and regions including the posterior parietal, the posterior cingulate, the motor and the medial prefrontal cortices. Comparisons with non‐freezers revealed that L‐DOPA generally normalizes brain functional connectivity to non‐freezers levels but can also increase functional connectivity, possibly compensating for dysfunctional networks in freezers. Our findings suggest that L‐DOPA could contribute to a better sensorimotor, attentional, response inhibition and limbic processing to prevent FOG when triggers are encountered but could also contribute to FOG by interfering with the processing capacity of the striatum.

This study shows that levodopa taken to control PD symptoms induces changes in functional connectivity at rest, in freezers only. Increases (green) in functional connectivity of GPe, GPi, putamen and thalamus with cognitive, sensorimotor and limbic cortical regions of the Interference model (blue) was observed. Our results suggest that levodopa can normalize connections similar to non‐freezers or increases connectivity to compensate for dysfunctional networks.
WNT10A and RUNX2 mutations associated with non‐syndromic tooth agenesis
Authors: Živković Marija , Stefanović Neda , Glišić Branislav , Brajović Gavrilo , Miličić Biljana , Kostić Marija , Popović Branka
Published: October 2022

The goal of this study was to examine the prevalence of WNT10A and RUNX2 mutations and assess their potential impact on the phenotype of non‐syndromic tooth agenesis. The study included 30 participants with non‐syndromic tooth agenesis, divided into hypodontia (n = 24) and oligodontia forms (n = 6), and 42 unaffected family members. Genomic DNA from buccal epithelial cells was used for polymerase chain reaction amplification of functionally important exons of the WNT10A and RUNX2 genes. Direct sequencing reactions were performed to confirm the presence of mutations. The trend of increasing prevalence of WNT10A mutations and a slight increase in the prevalence of RUNX2 mutations were revealed in tooth agenesis cases compared to unaffected family members. There was a higher prevalence of hypodontia than oligodontia, increased frequency of females over males with missing teeth, and a wide phenotypic variability was observed in individuals and families analyzed. The common missense mutations (p.Phe228Ile, p.Arg113Cys, p.Asp217Asn, and p.Gly165Arg) and c.114‐56T>C in the WNT10A gene and in‐frame‐deletion/insertions (11A, 24Q, 30Q), synonymous variant c.240G>A, and 424‐33dupC in the RUNX2 gene were identified. These findings highlight an important role of WNT10A and RUNX2 mutations in the genetic etiology of non‐syndromic tooth agenesis.
Experimental temperatures shape host microbiome diversity and composition
Authors: Li Jingdi , Bates Kieran A. , Hoang Kim L. , Hector Tobias E. , Knowles Sarah C. L. , King Kayla C.
Published: October 2022

Global climate change has led to more extreme thermal events. Plants and animals harbour diverse microbial communities, which may be vital for their physiological performance and help them survive stressful climatic conditions. The extent to which microbiome communities change in response to warming or cooling may be important for predicting host performance under global change. Using a meta‐analysis of 1377 microbiomes from 43 terrestrial and aquatic species, we found a decrease in the amplicon sequence variant‐level microbiome phylogenetic diversity and alteration of microbiome composition under both experimental warming and cooling. Microbiome beta dispersion was not affected by temperature changes. We showed that the host habitat and experimental factors affected microbiome diversity and composition more than host biological traits. In particular, aquatic organisms—especially in marine habitats—experienced a greater depletion in microbiome diversity under cold conditions, compared to terrestrial hosts. Exposure involving a sudden long and static temperature shift was associated with microbiome diversity loss, but this reduction was attenuated by prior‐experimental lab acclimation or when a ramped regime (i.e., warming) was used. Microbial differential abundance and co‐occurrence network analyses revealed several potential indicator bacterial classes for hosts in heated environments and on different biome levels. Overall, our findings improve our understanding on the impact of global temperature changes on animal and plant microbiome structures across a diverse range of habitats. The next step is to link these changes to measures of host fitness, as well as microbial community functions, to determine whether microbiomes can buffer some species against a more thermally variable and extreme world.
Tribological behavior and wear mechanism of C/C–SiC brake discs based on third‐body layer
Authors: Hui Yang , Liu Guimin , Shi Ruidong , Zhang Yong , Yan Tao
Published: October 2022

C/C–SiC composites are promising candidates for heavy‐duty tracked vehicle brake discs. A third‐body layer (TBL) can be formed on the surface of C/C–SiC self‐mated brake discs, which has an important impact on tribological behavior and wear mechanism of brake discs. Herein, the formation conditions and evolution process of TBL and its effect on friction and wear properties were investigated. An appropriate braking pressure and speed (P and V) are beneficial to the cutting of asperities and refinement of wear debris on the contact surface, which are preconditions for the formation of original TBL. The original TBL can be formed under the P·V of 12, 15, and 16, which effectively improve braking stability and reduce the wear rate. During the continuous braking process, the original TBL undergoes growth, stabilization, destruction, and regeneration. Under the frictional heat and compressive stress, wear debris gradually evolves into a uniform and dense TBL. The average coefficient of friction and wear rate reach to the lowest value of .446 and 38.5 × 10−3 cm3/MJ, respectively. A continuous high temperature in the later stages of braking leads to severe oxidative wear. The newly formed TBL covers the original surface to form a multilayered structure, indicating the TBL undergoes destruction and regeneration.
On the fabrication and mechanical properties of Si3N4 ceramics with low content sintering additives
Authors: Sun Luchao , Tang Yandong , Cui Yang , Du Tiefeng , Zhou Cui , Ma Beiyue , Wang Jingyang
Published: October 2022

Si3N4 ceramics were prepared by hot pressing (HP) and spark plasma sintering (SPS) methods using low content (5 mol%) Al2O3–RE2O3(RE = Y, Yb, and La)–SiO2/TiN as sintering additives/secondary additives. The effects of sintering additives and sintering methods on the composition, microstructures, and mechanical properties (hardness and fracture toughness) were investigated. The results show that fully density Si3N4 ceramics could be fabricated by rational tailoring of sintering additives and sintering method, and TiN secondary additive could promote the density during HP and SPS. Besides, SN‐AYS‐SPS possesses the most competitive mechanical properties among all the as‐prepared ceramics with the Vickers hardness as 17.31 ± .43 GPa and fracture toughness as 11.07 ± .48 MPa m1/2.
Gliflozin (SGLT2 inhibitor) induced vulvitis
Authors: Mounsey Stephen J. , Teo Ying X. , Calonje Jaime E. , Lewis Fiona Mary
Published: October 2022

Introduction

Sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors, or gliflozins, are used as mono or combined therapy in the management of diabetes. Genital infections are the most common reported adverse effect, as a result of induced glycosuria. Cutaneous features of patients experiencing vulval symptoms while on SGLT2 inhibitor therapy have not been clearly described in published literature. We have observed a specific inflammatory vulvitis with psoriasiform features in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors, related to candidiasis in most cases.

Methods and results

Demographic and treatment outcomes of 11 patients with characteristic inflammatory changes after starting SGLT2 inhibitors were extracted from electronic records. Ninety‐one percent (n = 10) had candidiasis, treated with fluconazole. Six (54.5%) were able to continue SGLT‐2 inhibitors through the addition of topical treatments, but five patients had to discontinue the drug.

Conclusions

SGLT2 inhibitors can result in characteristic inflammatory vulvitis. Treatment with topical agents and single‐dose antifungals may allow patients to continue their therapy to achieve improved glycemic control. In resistant cases, discontinuation of the drug is necessary. We highlight this effect so that early treatment can be initiated to alleviate symptoms and recognition of underlying cause.