bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Structural alterations in the amygdala and impaired social incentive learning in a mouse model of a genetic variant associated with neurodevelopmental disorders
Authors: Hiramoto Takeshi , Sumiyoshi Akira , Kato Risa , Yamauchi Takahira , Kang Gina , Matsumura Bailey , Stevens Lucas J. , Ryoke Rie , Nonaka Hiroi , Machida Akihiro , Nomoto Kensaku , Mogi Kazutaka , Hiroi Yukiko J. , Kikusui Takefumi , Kawashima Ryuta , Hiroi Noboru
Published: June 2023

Copy number variants (CNVs) are robustly associated with psychiatric disorders and their dimensions and changes in brain structures and behavior. However, as CNVs contain many genes, the precise gene-phenotype relationship remains unclear. Although various volumetric alterations in the brains of 22q11.2 CNV carriers have been identified in humans and mouse models, it is unknown how the genes in the 22q11.2 region individually contribute to structural alterations and associated mental illnesses and their dimensions. Our previous studies have identifiedTbx1, a T-box family transcription factor encoded in 22q11.2 CNV, as a driver gene for social interaction and communication, spatial and working memory, and cognitive flexibility. However, it remains unclear howTBX1impacts the volumes of various brain regions and their functionally linked behavioral dimensions. In this study, we used volumetric magnetic resonance imaging analysis to comprehensively evaluate brain region volumes in congenicTbx1heterozygous mice. Our data show that the volumes of anterior and posterior portions of the amygdaloid complex and its surrounding cortical regions were reduced inTbx1heterozygous mice. Moreover, we examined the behavioral consequences of an altered volume of the amygdala.Tbx1heterozygous mice were impaired for their ability to detect the incentive value of a social partner in a task that depends on the amygdala. Our findings identify the structural basis for a specific social dimension associated with loss-of-function variants ofTBX1and 22q11.2 CNV.
Interstage flow matrices: population statistic derived from matrix population models
Authors: Yokomizo Hiroyuki , Fukaya Keiichi , Lambrinos John G. , Kawai Yuka , Takada Takenori
Published: June 2023

Many population statistics describe the characteristics of populations within and among species. These are useful for describing population dynamics, understanding how environmental factors alter demographic patterns, testing hypotheses related to the evolution of life history characteristics, and informing the effective management of populations.

In this study, we propose a population statistic: the interstage flow. The interstage flow is defined as the product of the element in theith row, thejth column of the population projection matrix, and thejth element of the normalized stable stage distribution.

The sum of the interstage flow matrix elements is equal to the population growth rate, which is the dominant eigenvalue of the population projection matrix. The interstage flow matrix elements allow decomposition of population growth rate into component contributions made by transitions between developmental stages.

We demonstrate the utility of interstage flow matrices using matrix population models from the COMPADRE plant matrix database. We compared interstage flows among four life history/functional groups (semelparous herbs, iteroparous herbs, shrubs, and trees) and described how population growth rate reflected individual transitions related to stasis, fecundity, and growth. We found that the individual flows are different among functional groups.

Synthesis:The proposed population statistic, the interstage flow matrix, describes the contribution of individual developmental stage transitions to the population growth rate. The flow of individuals between developmental stages differs in distinctive ways among different life histories and functional groups. The interstage flow matrix is a valuable statistic for describing these differences.
Spatially clustered neurons encode vocalization categories in the bat midbrain
Authors: Lawlor Jennifer , Wohlgemuth Melville J. , Moss Cynthia F. , Kuchibhotla Kishore V.
Published: June 2023

Rapid categorization of vocalizations enables adaptive behavior across species. While categorical perception is thought to arise in the neocortex, humans and other animals could benefit from functional organization of ethologically-relevant sounds at earlier stages in the auditory hierarchy. Here, we developed two-photon calcium imaging in the awake echolocating bat (Eptesicus fuscus)to study encoding of sound meaning in the Inferior Colliculus, which is as few as two synapses from the inner ear. Echolocating bats produce and interpret frequency sweep-based vocalizations for social communication and navigation. Auditory playback experiments demonstrated that individual neurons responded selectively to social or navigation calls, enabling robust population-level decoding across categories. Strikingly, category-selective neurons formed spatial clusters, independent of tonotopy within the IC. These findings support a revised view of categorical processing in which specified channels for ethologically-relevant sounds are spatially segregated early in the auditory hierarchy, enabling rapid subcortical organization of call meaning.
Effectiveness of filtering or decontaminating air to reduce or prevent respiratory infections: A systematic review
Authors: Brainard Julii , Jones Natalia R. , Swindells Isabel Catalina , Archer Elizabeth J. , Kolyva Anastasia , Letley Charlotte , Pond Katharine , Lake Iain R. , Hunter Paul R.
Published: June 2023

BACKGROUND

Installation of technologies to remove or deactivate respiratory pathogens from indoor air is a plausible non-pharmaceutical disease control strategy.

METHODS

We undertook a systematic review of observational and experimental studies, published 1970-2022, to synthesise evidence about the effectiveness of suitable indoor air treatment technologies to prevent respiratory or gastrointestinal infections. We searched for data about infection and symptom outcomes for persons who spent minimum 20 hours/week in shared indoor spaces subjected to air treatment strategies hypothesised to change risk of respiratory or gastrointestinal infections or symptoms.

RESULTS

Pooled data suggested no net benefits for symptom severity or symptom presence, in absence of confirmed infection. There was weak evidence that air treatment technologies tended to reduce confirmed infections, but these data evinced strong publication bias.

CONCLUSION

Although environmental and surface samples are reduced after air treatment by several air treatment strategies, especially germicidal lights and high efficiency particulate air filtration, robust evidence has yet to emerge to confirm that these technologies are effective in real world settings. Data from several relevant randomised trials have yet to report and will be welcome to the evidence base.
Guanine-containing ssDNA and RNA induce dimeric and tetrameric SAMHD1 in cryo-EM and binding studies
Authors: Orris Benjamin , Sung Min Woo , Bhat Shridhar , Xu Yingrong , Huynh Kevin W. , Han Seungil , Johnson Darren C. , Bosbach Benedikt , Shields David J. , Stivers James T.
Published: June 2023

The dNTPase activity of tetrameric SAM and HD domain containing deoxynucleoside triphosphate triphosphohydrolase 1 (SAMHD1) plays a critical role in cellular dNTP regulation. SAMHD1 also associates with stalled DNA replication forks, DNA repair foci, ssRNA, and telomeres. The above functions require nucleic acid binding by SAMHD1, which may be modulated by its oligomeric state. Here we establish that the guanine-specific A1 activator site of each SAMHD1 monomer is used to target the enzyme to guanine nucleotides within single-stranded (ss) DNA and RNA. Remarkably, nucleic acid strands containing a single guanine base induce dimeric SAMHD1, while two or more guanines with ∼20 nucleotide spacing induce a tetrameric form. A cryo-EM structure of ssRNA-bound tetrameric SAMHD1 shows how ssRNA strands bridge two SAMHD1 dimers and stabilize the structure. This ssRNA-bound tetramer is inactive with respect to dNTPase and RNase activity.
Cortical neurons obtained from patient-derived iPSCs with GNAO1 p.G203R variant show altered differentiation and functional properties
Authors: Benedetti Maria Cristina , D’Andrea Tiziano , Colantoni Alessio , Silachev Denis , de Turris Valeria , Boussadia Zaira , Babenko Valentina A. , Volovikov Egor A. , Belikova Lilia , Bogomazova Alexandra N. , Pepponi Rita , Whye Dosh , Buttermore Elizabeth D. , Tartaglia Gian Gaetano , Lagarkova Maria A. , Katanaev Vladimir L. , Musayev Ilya , Martinelli Simone , Fucile Sergio , Rosa Alessandro
Published: June 2023

Pathogenic variants in theGNAO1gene, encoding the alpha subunit of an inhibitory heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Go) highly expressed in the mammalian brain, have been linked to encephalopathy characterized by different combinations of neurological symptoms, including developmental delay, hypotonia, epilepsy and hyperkinetic movement disorder with life-threatening paroxysmal exacerbations. Currently, there are only symptomatic treatments, and little is known about the pathophysiology ofGNAO1-related disorders. Here, we report the characterization of a newin vitromodel system based on patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) carrying the recurrent p.G203R amino acid substitution in Gαo, and a CRISPR-Cas9-genetically corrected isogenic control line. RNA-Seq analysis highlighted aberrant cell fate commitment in neuronal progenitor cells carrying the p.G203R pathogenic variant. Upon differentiation into cortical neurons, patients’ cells showed reduced expression of early neural genes and increased expression of astrocyte markers, as well as premature and defective differentiation processes leading to aberrant formation of neuronal rosettes. Of note, comparable defects in gene expression and in the morphology of neural rosettes were observed in hiPSCs from an unrelated individual harboring the sameGNAO1variant. Functional characterization showed lower basal intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), reduced frequency of spontaneous activity, and a smaller response to several neurotransmitters in 40- and 50-days differentiated p.G203R neurons compared to control cells. These findings suggest that theGNAO1pathogenic variant causes a neurodevelopmental phenotype characterized by aberrant differentiation of both neuronal and glial populations leading to a significant alteration of neuronal communication and signal transduction.
Understanding absences and ambiguities of Post-decision Project Evaluation in the UK's PPPs: drawing from the sociology of ignorance
Authors: Shu Xia , Smyth Stewart , Haslam Jim
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The authors explore the under-researched area of post-decision evaluation in PPPs (public–private partnerships), focusing upon how and whether Post-decision Project Evaluation (PdPE) is considered and provided for in United Kingdom (UK) public infrastructure projects.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors’ research design sought insights from overviewing UK PPP planning and more focused exploration of PPP operational practice. The authors combine the extensive analysis of planning documents for operational UK PPP projects with interviews of different stakeholders in PPP projects in one city. Mobilising an open critical perspective, documents were analysed using ethnographic content analysis (ECA) and interviews were analysed using thematic analysis consistent therewith. The authors theorise the absence and ambiguities of PdPE drawing on the sociology of ignorance.

Findings

The authors find a long-standing absence and lack of PdPE in PPP projects throughout planning and operational practice, reflecting a dynamic, multi-faceted ignorance. Concerning planning practice, the authors’ documentary analysis evidences a trend in PdPE from its absence in the early years (which may indicate some natural or genuine ignorance) to different levels or forms of weak inclusion later. Regarding this inclusion, the authors find strategic ignorance played a substantive role, involving “deliberate engineering” by both public sector and private partners. Interview findings indicate lack of clarity over PdPE and its under-development in PPP practice, deficiencies again suggestive of natural and strategic ignorance.

Originality/value

The authors draw from the sociology of ignorance vis-à-vis accounting's absence and ambiguity in the context of PPP, contributing to an under-researched area.
Managerial competencies in the framework of the circumplex model of personality metatraits
Authors: Baczynska Anna , Skoczeń Ilona , Thornton III George C.
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The study sought to fit managerial competencies in the metatraits of the Circumplex Personality Metatraits Model (CPM) by Strus, Cieciuch and Rowinski (2014). The authors assumed that managerial competencies would be located in the sector of personality metatraits, specifically, the plus poles: Integration (Gamma-Plus) through Stability (Alpha-Plus) and Self-restraint (Delta-Plus) to Plasticity (Beta-Plus).

Design/methodology/approach

A group of 327 managers took part in this study. Managerial competencies related to social skills, problem-solving, management and goal striving, openness to change and employee development were evaluated via the assessment center (AC).

Findings

The results revealed a negative relationship between all managerial competencies and negative metatraits of Disharmony (Gamma-Minus) and Passiveness (Beta-Minus). On the other hand, Integration (Gamma-Plus) and Plasticity (Beta-Plus) appeared to be positively related to two competencies only: openness to change and problem-solving.

Originality/value

All managerial competencies fitted well in the CPM pattern with adequate degrees of fit. The discussion indicates the role of managerial competencies and personality assessment in the selection process.
Innovation in business model as a response to the sharing economy
Authors: Espinosa Sáez Daniel , Delgado-Ballester Elena , Munuera-Alemán José Luis
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The sharing economy (SE) is significantly affecting traditional companies, which have felt a need to adapt their business model. The aim of this study is to identify the different types of adaptation developed by companies within a SE context, and to examine how they relate to their characteristics.

Design/methodology/approach

A content analysis involving 149 real-world adaptation cases was carried out, after which a Kruskal–Wallis test and a multiple correspondence analysis were used to explore the relationships between the types of adaptation identified, the business characteristics and the strategic decisions taken for these adaptations.

Findings

Through the analyses proposed in the study, the main conclusions suggest that the way companies adapt to SE is related to business characteristics and the strategic decisions taken for these actions, demonstrating throughout the article what types of adaptations are made depending on variables such as sector of activity or business orientation.

Originality/value

This study is the first to examine the variables affecting the decisions among traditional companies in response to the SE. In addition, this work explores the SE from the business point of view, shedding light on the participation in SE by traditional companies.
Artificial intelligence-assisted mindfulness in tourism, hospitality, and events
Authors: Wang Yao-Chin , Uysal Muzaffer
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Following the increasing trend of artificial intelligence (AI) research in hospitality literature, this critical reflection paper aims to identify AI-assisted mindfulness as a critical yet under-investigated issue and to contribute feasible directions for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors first conceptualize a framework explaining the effects of mindfulness design in AI interventions on improving human mindfulness. The authors then identify opportunities for interventions in AI-assisted mindfulness for the tourism, hospitality and events industries. Finally, the authors propose potential themes for AI-assisted mindfulness research.

Findings

This study contributes three major conceptual works. First, we conceptualize a framework of AI-assisted mindfulness, showcasing that the scope of AI-assisted mindfulness spans from AI interventions to state mindfulness and then to trait mindfulness. Second, the authors offer two approaches to strategic thinking, one from mindfulness (i.e. mindfulness-focused niche markets and activities) and one from AI applications (i.e. AI-facilitated devices and platforms), to identify opportunities for AI-assisted mindfulness interventions. Third, for both management- and marketing-oriented AI-assisted mindfulness research, the authors propose 18 themes.

Research limitations/implications

This critical reflection paper offers directions for future knowledge creation in AI-assisted mindfulness in the tourism, hospitality and events industries.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this critical reflection paper serves as the first in hospitality and tourism literature to systematically propose the research issue of AI-assisted mindfulness, offering directions and themes for future research.
Illustrating the application of a skills taxonomy, machine learning and online data to inform career and training decisions
Authors: Mason Claire M. , Chen Haohui , Evans David , Walker Gavin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to demonstrate how skills taxonomies can be used in combination with machine learning to integrate diverse online datasets and reveal skills gaps. The purpose of this study is then to show how the skills gaps revealed by the integrated datasets can be used to achieve better labour market alignment, keep educational offerings up to date and assist graduates to communicate the value of their qualifications.

Design/methodology/approach

Using the ESCO taxonomy and natural language processing, this study captures skills data from three types of online data (job ads, course descriptions and resumes), allowing us to compare demand for skills and supply of skills for three different occupations.

Findings

This study illustrates three practical applications for the integrated data, showing how they can be used to help workers who are disrupted by technology to identify alternative career pathways, assist educators to identify gaps in their course offerings and support students to communicate the value of their training to employers.

Originality/value

This study builds upon existing applications of machine learning (detecting skills from a single dataset) by using the skills taxonomy to integrate three datasets. This study shows how these complementary, big datasets can be integrated to support greater alignment between the needs and offerings of educators, employers and job seekers.
Reconceptualizing the organizational environment: a fluid dynamics perspective for turbulence
Authors: John Joby , Thakur Ramendra
Published: June 2023

Purpose

To reconceptualize the organizational environment in a comprehensive manner, it is important to specify not just the velocity but also other aspects of turbulent environments. Concurrently, the purpose of this paper is to also propose that organizational adaptability and, particularly, the speed of adaptations are critical to moderate the impact of turbulence in the environment on organizational performance.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper uses a conceptual methodology to fully specify turbulent environments and commensurate managerial response appropriate for such environments. Based on a perspective borrowed from the field of fluid dynamics used to specify the phenomenon of turbulence, the authors develop a conceptual model with research propositions. Four dimensions that describe turbulence in fluid flow when applied metaphorically offer a comprehensive view of the organizational environment.

Findings

An extreme, unanticipated, sudden onslaught resulting in a prolonged disrupted environment such as during the recent coronavirus crisis is best characterized as having caused turbulent environmental conditions. Management theories have addressed disruptions as high-velocity environments in the context of rapid changes in information technology. With a broadened conceptualization of the organizational environment to better capture extreme disruptions, the authors provide a comprehensive model appropriate for turbulent environmental conditions and offer research directions for scholarly pursuit.

Originality/value

This paper provides a new perspective from the physical sciences to better conceptualize organizational environments during extreme disruptions such as in turbulent environmental conditions.
The impacts of within-task and between-task personal Internet usage on employee creative performance: the moderating role of perceived organisational support
Authors: Qian Yunyu , Jiang Hemin
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Employees' personal Internet usage (PIU) has become increasingly common at work. It is important for both researchers and managers to understand how PIU affects employee creative performance. This study aims to examine what kind of PIU is likely to increase or decrease employee creative performance and why. The authors also examine a potential boundary condition for the effect of PIU on employee creative performance.

Design/methodology/approach

Based on conservation of resource (COR) theory and broaden and build theory, the authors investigated the impact of two types of PIU, namely within-task PIU and between-task PIU, on the creative performance of knowledge workers. The authors conducted a daily diary study and surveyed 107 knowledge workers in China over 10 consecutive working days (n = 1,070) to test the model.

Findings

The authors find that within-task PIU reduces knowledge workers' creative performance by decreasing the workers' positive emotion, whereas between-task PIU promotes the performance by increasing positive emotion. The above relationships become stronger when knowledge workers perceive a higher level of organisational support.

Originality/value

The authors' study makes theoretical contributions by advancing researchers' understanding of the situations in which PIU may decrease or increase employee creative performance. The findings are also useful for developing organisational policies to take advantage of the positive side of PIU whilst avoiding PIU's negative side.
A comparative analysis on the nexus between corruption and firm performance for a selection of Western Balkan countries
Authors: Kalaj Ermira , Golemi Ela
Published: June 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to focus on analyzing the level of corruption of small- and medium-sized enterprises and their economic performance impact in Western Balkan countries. This study uses survey data from Enterprise Surveys (ES) from 2019, a shared project of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, the European Investment Bank and the World Bank Group. The selected countries are Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Kosovo, Montenegro and Serbia. The questions included in the data set contribute to understanding what firms experience in the private sector. Collected data are based on firms’ experiences and enterprises’ perceptions of the environment in which they operate.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper measures enterprise performance in terms of sales, employees and fixed assets growth. The vector of independent variables comprises enterprise characteristics such as enterprise age, size, ownership structure, legal status, access to formal banking services, gender ownership and other composed variables. Moreover, to capture the level of perceived corruption by firms, we will focus on the following ES questions: “Is it common to have to pay some irregular additional payment or gifts to get things done with regard to customs, taxes, licenses, regulations, services,” and the “corruption payment” is defined in the form of a dummy equal to one if the enterprise replies “frequently,” “usually” or “always.”

Findings

Preliminary empirical research results shed light on the level and effects of corruption on enterprises’ performance. However, the magnitude and statistical significance are different among the countries included in the sample.

Originality/value

Instead of firm-level characteristics, research on corruption frequently focuses on effects dependent on national and institutional characteristics. To better identify the kinds of businesses that are most at risk of corruption, we have selected to focus on differences among firm characteristics in this research. Understanding factors at the firm level is preferred from a policy perspective because these findings assist policymakers to make recommendations.
Does technological innovation matter in the nexus between supply chain resilience and performance of manufacturing firms in a developing economy?
Authors: Hamidu Zulaiha , Mensah Barbara Deladem , Issau Kassimu , Asafo-Adjei Emmanuel
Published: June 2023

Purpose

Despite the economic growth in Ghana, the manufacturing industry faces numerous challenges in their supply chains. The study aims to investigate the mediated-moderated role of supply chain technological innovation (SCTI) in the relationship between supply chain resilience (SCR) and supply chain performance (SCP) of manufacturing firms. By exploring this relationship, the study seeks to provide insights that can help manufacturing firms overcome the challenges they face and improve their overall supply chain performance.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantitative research approach and explanatory research design were utilised. A sample of 345 manufacturing firms was drawn from a population of 2495 manufacturing firms in the Accra metropolis. Analysis of this study was performed using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modelling (PLS-SEM).

Findings

It was revealed that SCTI positively mediates the nexus between SCR and SCP. However, we document that SCTI negatively moderates the nexus. It is instructive to advocate that a mere presence of a more enhanced SCTI is not enough to improve upon SCP of manufacturing firms, but should be a channel through which SCR can improve SCP.

Practical implications

This study highlights the need for managers of firms to prioritise investment in technological innovation as a means of enhancing SCR and ultimately improving supply chain performance. By understanding the SCTI mediated-moderated relationship between SCR and SCP, supply chain managers, logistics managers, operation managers, as well as procurement managers can develop more effective strategies to optimise their operations. This study provides valuable insights for managers and policymakers in developing and implementing supply chain resilience strategies that take into account the important role of SCTI.

Originality/value

The originality of the study lies in exploring the mediated-moderated effect of technological innovation on the nexus between resilience and performance of supply chains in developing economies, where firms often face unique challenges such as infrastructure limitations, political instability and economic uncertainty. By investigating the interplay of SCTI between SCR and SCP, researchers can develop new insights and strategies to help navigate these challenges and achieve success.
Environmental insurance in the mechanism of environmental protection in Russia: how to improve its efficiency with the help of law?
Authors: Anisimov Aleksey Pavlovich , Injieva Buynta , Ryzhenkov Anatoliy
Published: June 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to formulate a proposal to fill the gap in national legislation, which will increase the effectiveness of mandatory environmental insurance.

Design/methodology/approach

This is a review of scientific doctrine and legislation, which shows the problems and prospects for the development of mandatory environmental insurance on the example of one country.

Findings

At the moment, environmental insurance in Russia is at the very beginning of its development. Despite the experiments carried out and fragmentary references in the law, there is a classic example of a gap in the law, when the procedure provided for by the norms of law lacks a clear implementation mechanism. To fill this gap and increase the effectiveness of environmental insurance, the authors propose to clearly localize the scope of its operation, fixing the obligation of environmental insurance only for objects that have a significant or moderate negative impact on the environment (objects of categories I and II), provided for by the Federal Law “On mandatory Environmental Protection.”

Originality/value

A new concept of a mandatory environmental insurance contract is substantiated, which optimizes civil liability for causing harm to the environment, life, health and property of citizens (property of legal entities) as a result of accidents and man-made disasters.
Brazilin inhibits bladder cancer by promoting cell necroptosis
Authors: Yang Xihua , Zhang Shuaina , He Jiao , Zhao Lili , Chen Lixia , Yang Yongming , Wang Jing , Yan Lei , Zhang Tingting
Published: June 2023

Brazilin possesses anticancer effects, but the mechanisms are poorly understood. This study investigated the mechanisms of brazilin‐induced cell death in the T24 human bladder cancer cell line. Low serum cell culture and the lactate dehydrogenase assay were used to confirm the antitumor effect of brazilin. Annexin V and propidium iodide double staining, transmission electron microscopy, fluo‐3‐AM assay for Ca2+ mobilization and caspase activity assay were performed to identify the type of cell death after brazilin treatment. Mitochondria membrane potentials were measured using JC‐1. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analyses were performed to verify the expression of the necroptosis‐related genes and proteins receptor interacting protein 1 (RIP1), RIP3 and mixed lineage kinase domain‐like (MLKL). The results showed that brazilin induced necrosis in T24 cells and upregulated the mRNA and protein levels of RIP1, RIP3 and MLKL and Ca2+ influx. The necroptosis‐mediated cell death was rescued by the necroptosis inhibitor necrostatin‐1 (Nec‐1), but not by the apoptosis inhibitor z‐VAD‐fmk. Brazilin repressed caspase 8 expression and decreased the mitochondrial membrane potentials; both effects were partially reversed by Nec‐1. Brazilin induced physiological and morphological changes in T24 cells and RIP1/RIP3/MLKL‐mediated necroptosis might be involved. In conclusion, the results confirm the involvement of necroptosis in brazilin‐induced cell death and suggest that brazilin could be explored as an anticancer agent against bladder cancer.
Evaluating cognitive analytic therapy within a primary care psychological therapy service
Authors: Owen Kiri , Laphan Andrew , Gee Brioney , Lince Karen
Published: June 2023

Objectives

Cognitive analytic therapy (CAT) is used within UK mental health settings as a treatment for transdiagnostic complex psychological presentations. However, it is not routinely offered by the NHS Talking Therapies, for anxiety and depression (NHS Talking Therapies) programme which provides psychological treatments for common mental health difficulties. We aimed to evaluate the outcomes of providing CAT treatment to patients presenting with depression and/or anxiety, within the context of relational difficulties, adverse childhood experience or difficulty managing emotions, returning for further psychological treatment within NHS Talking Therapies.

Methods

This was a pragmatic, real‐world evaluation, involving routinely collected self‐report measures of depression and anxiety, to examine the treatment outcomes of NHS Talking Therapies patients offered CAT over an 18‐month period. Quantitative validated measures of depression and anxiety were administered at the beginning and end of CAT treatment, and at follow up. Within‐group change in depression and anxiety scores were examined statistically, and rates of reliable improvement and recovery calculated.

Results

Statistically significant decreases in depression and anxiety scores were observed during the CAT active treatment phase. The recovery rate was 46.4%, and 71.4% of patients showed a reliable improvement post‐treatment. Positive outcomes continued to be observed at follow‐up, with a recovery rate of 50% and a reliable improvement rate of 79.4%.

Conclusions

CAT shows promise as a treatment option for NHS Talking Therapies patients re‐presenting with depression and/or anxiety. More research is required to determine if CAT should be offered more widely within NHS Talking Therapies services.
Transsinusoidal lateral nasal floor augmentation for implant placement in the atrophic premaxilla: A within‐patient, 5‐year, prospective comparative study
Authors: Krennmair Gerald , Weinländer Michael , Forstner Thomas , Krennmair Stefan , Stimmelmayr Michael , Malek Michael
Published: June 2023

Objectives

To evaluate the clinical outcome for implants placed with transsinusoidal‐lateral nasal cavity augmentation (NA) compared to implants placed in maxillary sinus augmentation (SA).

Materials and Methods

In 28 atrophic edentulous maxillary regions (14 patients bi‐maxillary), a lateral window approach was used to perform transsinusoidal‐lateral NA (TSLNA) combined with maxillary SA. After healing period of about 6 months, each patient received bimaxillary one anterior implant located in the pre‐maxilla having lateral NA and 2–3 implants in the maxillary posterior region with SA. In a prospective follow‐up evaluation, clinical implant outcome (survival/success rates) and peri‐implant health (mucositis/peri‐implantitis) were assessed and compared between implants placed in TSLNA (n = 28) and SA (n = 58).

Results

At the year‐1, year‐3, and year‐5 evaluation, neither patient‐based nor implant‐based comparisons revealed differences for marginal bone level reduction between implants placed in TSLNA (5‐year overall: 1.11 ± 0.26 mm) and SA (5‐year overall: 1.07 ± 0.30 mm), although with a significant (p < .001) continuous reduction over the observation time. At the year‐5 evaluation, all implants (n = 86) and restorations (n = 14) were still in situ (survival 100%) and showed an implant‐based incidence of peri‐implant mucositis/peri‐implantitis of 14.3%/0% in TSLNA and 6.9%/3.4% in SA corresponding to 21.4%/0% and 28.6%/7.1% for implant‐based evaluation. In addition, the implant success rate did not differ between NA and SA at implant‐ (100%/ 98.8%) and patient‐based (100%/97.6%) evaluation.

Conclusion

The findings obtained show TSLNA as an effective method for implant placement of adequate length and direction in the atrophic premaxilla providing for success rates comparable to those of implants placed in SA.
Discontinuity of marginal artery at splenic flexure and rectosigmoid junction: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Cirocchi Roberto , Randolph Justus , Cheruiyot Isaac , Davies R. Justin , Gioia Sara , Henry Brandon Michael , Anania Gabriele , Donini Annibale , Mingoli Andrea , Sapienza Paolo , Avenia Stefano
Published: June 2023

Aim

The aim of this study was to provide comprehensive evidence‐based assessment of the discontinuity of the marginal artery at the splenic flexure (SF) and the rectosigmoid junction (RSJ).

Method

A systematic review was conducted of literature published to 26 December 2022 in the electronic databases PubMed, SCOPUS and Web of Science to identify studies eligible for inclusion. Data were extracted and pooled into a meta‐analysis using the Metafor package in R. The primary outcomes were the pooled PPEs of the marginal artery at the SF and the RSJ. The secondary outcome was the size of vascular anastomoses.

Results

A total of 21 studies (n = 2,864 patients) were included. The marginal artery was present at the splenic flexure in 82% (95% CI: 62–95) of patients. Approximately 81% (95% CI: 63–94%) of patients had a large macroscopic anastomosis, while the remainder (19%) had small bridging ramifications forming the vessel. The marginal artery was present at the RSJ in 82% (95% CI: 70–91%) of patients.

Conclusion

The marginal artery may be absent at the SF and the RSJ in up to 18% of individuals, which may confer a higher risk of ischaemic colitis. As a result of high interstudy heterogeneity noted in our analysis, further well‐powered studies to clarify the prevalence of the marginal artery at the SF and the RSJ, as well as its relationship with other complementary colonic collaterals (intermediate and central mesenteric), are warranted.
Survival in relation to time to start of curative treatment of colon cancer: A national register‐based observational noninferiority study
Authors: Rydbeck Daniel , Bock David , Haglind Eva , Angenete Eva , Onerup Aron
Published: June 2023

Aim

There are ample discussions regarding the timing of treatment, especially in the era after Covid that caused delay to treatment. The aim of this study was to determine whether a delayed start to curative treatment, within 29–56 days after a diagnosis of colon cancer, was noninferior to starting treatment within 28 days, with regard to all‐cause mortality.

Method

This is a national register‐based observational noninferiority study, with a noninferiority margin of hazard ratio (HR) 1.1, including all patients treated with curative intent for colon cancer in Sweden between 2008 and 2016. The primary outcome was all‐cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were length of hospital stay, readmissions and reoperations within 1 year after surgery. Exclusion criteria were emergency surgery, disseminated disease at diagnosis, missing diagnosis date and treatment for another cancer 5 years before colon cancer diagnosis.

Results

A total of 20 836 individuals were included. A period of 29–56 days from diagnosis to start of curative treatment was noninferior versus starting treatment within 28 days for the primary outcome of all‐cause mortality (HR 0.95, 95% CI 0.89–1.00). Starting treatment within 29–56 days was associated with a shorter length of stay (average 9.2 vs. 10 days) but a higher risk of reoperation compared to within 28 days. Post hoc analyses demonstrated that surgical modality was driving survival rather than time to treatment. Overall survival was greater after laparoscopic surgery (HR 0.78, 95% CI 0.69–0.88).

Conclusion

For patients with colon cancer, a period of up to 56 days from diagnosis to the start of curative treatment did not lead to worse overall survival.
Syntheses and dyeing properties of novel water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dyes
Authors: Gao Zhengyang , Ma Wei , Tang Bingtao , Zhang Shufen
Published: June 2023

The practical application of a sulphur black dye relies on its ability to dye cotton fibres with pure black colour and maintain the colour with high light fastness. Here, we report a synthesis method to prepare a novel water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dye. The approach involves the reduction of CI Sulphur Black 1 to its leuco form and subsequent reaction with a water‐soluble intermediate containing reactive groups synthesised from amino acid and cyanuric chloride. The optimal carboxyl and reactive group content of the water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dye is 141 mmol/100 g, and the water solubility can reach 92 g/L. The fixation of the reactive sulphur black dye on cotton reaches 89% in a pad dyeing process without using sodium sulphate. The reactive sulphur black dye can achieve a light fastness of grade 6‐7, a dry rub fastness of grade 4 and a wet rub fastness of grade 2, comparable or higher than the conventional CI Sulphur Black 1. The dyeing results showed that the novel water‐soluble reactive sulphur black dye has excellent performance and good application prospects.
Evaluation of the prognostic value of lncRNA UCA1 combined with extravascular lung water index and lung ultrasound score in patients with acute lung injury
Authors: Jiang Zhaopeng , Wu Jiaqi , Wan Ming , Liu Lingling , Zhou Xianli
Published: June 2023

Introduction

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a common and rapidly developing critical inflammatory lung disease in clinic. This study investigated the predictive value of lncRNA UCA1, extravascular lung water index (EVLWI), and lung ultrasound score (LUS) in predicting the overall outcome of patients with ALI.

Methods

Patients with ALI were recruited for detecting the content of UCA1, EVLWI, and LUS. All patients were cataloged into the survival group and death group according to the prognosis. The discrepancy of UCA1, EVLWI, and LUS was compared in the two groups. The prognostic significance of UCA1, EVLWI, LUS, and their combination was estimated by logistic regression and the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.

Results

The levels of UCA1, LUS, and EVLWI were elevated in the death group compared with the survival group. The content of UCA1 was positively correlated with LUS scores and EVLWI scores. UCA1, LUS, and EVLWI were independent indicators of predicting the prognosis of patients with ALI. The ROC curve reflected that UCA1, LUS, and EVLWI could forecast the endpoint events of patients with ALI whereas their combined approach had the highest accuracy.

Conclusion

Highly expressed UCA1 is a biomarker in forecasting the outcome of patients with ALI. It had high accuracy in predicting the endpoint of patients with ALI when combined with LUS and EVLWI.
Agential autonomy and biological individuality
Authors: Fulda Fermin C.
Published: June 2023

What is a biological individual? How are biological individuals individuated? How can we tell how many individuals there are in a given assemblage of biological entities? The individuation and differentiation of biological individuals are central to the scientific understanding of living beings. I propose a novel criterion of biological individuality according to which biological individuals are autonomous agents. First, I articulate an ecological–dynamical account of natural agency according to which, agency is the gross dynamical capacity of a goal‐directed system to bias its repertoire to respond to its conditions as affordances. Then, I argue that agents or agential dynamical systems can be agentially dependent on, or agentially autonomous from, other agents and that this agential dependence/autonomy can be symmetrical or asymmetrical, strong or weak. Biological individuals, I propose, are all and only those agential dynamical systems that are strongly agentially autonomous. So, to determine how many individuals there are in a given multiagent aggregate, such as multicellular organism, a colony, symbiosis, or a swarm, we first have to identify how many agential dynamical systems there are, and then what their relations of agential dependence/autonomy are. I argue that this criterion is adequate to the extent that it vindicates the paradigmatic cases, and explains why the paradigmatic cases are paradigmatic, and why the problematic cases are problematic. Finally, I argue for the importance of distinguishing between agential and causal dependence and show the relevance of agential autonomy for understanding the explanatory structure of evolutionary developmental biology.
Radial basis function networks with lightweight multiscale fusion strategy‐based underwater image enhancement
Authors: Mythili R. , bama B. Sathya , Kumar P. Santhosh , Das Sanchali , Thatikonda Ramya , Inthiyaz Syed
Published: June 2023

A novel underwater picture enhancement approach under non‐uniform lighting is presented to solve the issues of underwater photographs with unevenness due to additional lighting in deep‐sea and night‐time environments. Water suspended particles can cause image noise, low contrast, and colour deviation. The heterogeneous feature fusion module aims to combine multiple levels and levels of features with improving the network's ability to perceive semantic and specific information. The capability of autonomous underwater and remotely driven cars to explore and comprehend their environments is contingent on improving underwater images, a crucial low‐level computer vision challenge. Recent applications of deep learning models include enhancing aquatic image quality and resolving several computer vision problems. Although several deep learning‐based techniques exist for enhancing underwater images, their implementation is challenging due to the high memory and model parameter requirements. We propose a solution based on radial basis function networks (RBFN) for lightweight multiscale data fusion (LMFS). The LMFS incorporates diverse branches with varying kernel sizes to generate multiscale feature maps. The proposed RBFN‐LMFS The convolution layer with jump connection and the attention module produces the output from the feature extraction module, which aims to extract various features at the network's beginning. The outcomes of our experiments on diverse data sets demonstrate that our proposed RBFN‐LMFS technique performs well in processing both synthetic and authentic underwater images and successfully recovers image colour and texture characteristics. The visual output is superior to existing underwater image enhancement algorithms and is consistent with aspects of human vision.
Pre‐fatigue damage on the mechanical properties of Q690D steel
Authors: Zong Liang , Liu Heng , Si Qi , Chung Kwai‐Fai
Published: June 2023

This article aims to analyze the influence of high‐cycle fatigue damage on the mechanical properties and low‐cycle fatigue performance of Q690D. Monotonic tensile and cyclic loading tests were performed on Q690D specimens with different degrees of high‐cycle fatigue damage. Degradation models were established to describe the declining trend of mechanical properties with the increase of pre‐fatigue damage. Manson–Coffin models for Q690D steels of different pre‐damage levels were established. Besides, a comparison was presented between Q690D and Q355B. The research work in this article provides a fundamental reference for the appropriate assessment of the mechanical performance of Q690D high‐strength steel structures after long‐term alternating loading.
Broadleaf tree phenology and springtime wildfire occurrence in boreal Canada
Authors: Parisien Marc‐André , Barber Quinn E. , Flannigan Mike D. , Jain Piyush
Published: June 2023

Although broadleaf tree species of the boreal biome have a lower flammability compared to conifers, there is a period following snow melt and prior to leaf flush (i.e., greenup), termed the “spring window” by fire managers, when these forests are relatively conducive to wildfire ignition and spread. The goal of this study was to characterize the duration, timing, and fire proneness of the spring window across boreal Canada and assess the link between these phenological variables and the incidence of springtime wildfires. We used remotely sensed snow cover and greenup data to identify the annual spring window for five boreal ecozones from 2001 to 2021 and then compared seasonality of wildfire starts (by cause) and fire‐conducive weather in relation to this window, averaged over the 21‐year period. We conducted a path analysis to concomitantly evaluate the influence of the spring window's duration, the timing of greenup, and fire‐conducive weather on the annual number and the seasonality of spring wildfires. Results show that the characteristics of spring windows vary substantially from year to year and among geographic zones, with the interior west of Canada having the longest and most fire‐conducive spread window and, accordingly, the greatest springtime wildfire activity. We also provide support for the belief that springtime weather generally promotes wind‐driven, rather than drought‐driven wildfires. The path analyses show idiosyncratic behavior among ecozones, but, in general, the seasonality of the wildfire season is mainly driven by the timing of the greenup, whereas the number of spring wildfires mostly responds to the duration of the spring window and the frequency of fire‐conducive weather. The results of this study allows us to better understand and anticipate the biome‐wide changes projected for the northern forests of North America.