bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell Adhesion-Dependent Biphasic Axon Outgrowth Elucidated by Femtosecond Laser Impulse
Authors: Yamada Sohei , Baba Kentarou , Inagaki Naoyuki , Hosokawa Yoichiroh
Published: October 2021

Axon outgrowth is promoted by the mechanical coupling between F-actin and adhesive substrates via clutch and adhesion molecules in an axonal growth cone. In this study, we utilized a femtosecond laser-induced impulse to break the coupling between the growth cone and the substrate, enabling us to evaluate the strength of the binding between the growth cone and a laminin on the substrate, and also determine the contribution of adhesion strength to axon outgrowth and traction force for the outgrowth. We found that the adhesion strength of axonal L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM)-laminin binding increased with the laminin density on the substrate. In addition, fluorescent speckle microscopy revealed that the retrograde flow of F-actin in the growth cone was dependent on the laminin density such that the flow speed reduced with increasing L1CAM-laminin binding. However, axon outgrowth and the traction force did not increase monotonically with increased L1CAM-laminin binding but rather exhibited biphasic behavior, in which the outgrowth was suppressed by excessive L1CAM-laminin binding. Our quantitative evaluations suggest that the biphasic outgrowth is regulated by the balance between traction force and adhesion strength. These results imply that adhesion modulation is key to the regulation of axon guidance.
The effect of audit fees, audit quality and board ownership on tax aggressiveness: evidence from Thailand
Authors: Madah Marzuki Marziana , Muhammad Al-Amin Muhammad Syukur
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of audit fees, auditors' quality and board ownership on tax aggressiveness in Thailand.

Design/methodology/approach

The sample of this study is based on 215 firm-year observations of SET-100 listed companies in Thailand during the 2010–2018 periods. This study employs a panel least square regression with period fixed effects. The study retrieved the corporate governance variables from the downloaded annual reports, whilst the remaining data were collected from the EMIS database.

Findings

This study provides evidence that audit fees reduce tax aggressiveness and board ownership enhance tax aggressiveness among the firms. Nonaudit services provided by auditors impair auditors' independence and lead to higher tax aggressiveness. The result supports the agency theory, which explains that managers and blockholders may enjoy private benefits of control at the expense of other shareholders in the absence of market control. Thus, firms need good governance practices such as incentives paid for the effort of auditors and nonaudit services monitoring to curb such exploitation.

Research limitations/implications

The results provide implications to the firms and regulators that incentives to the monitoring parties such as auditors can reduce tax aggressiveness among the firms. Nevertheless, higher ownership given to boards as incentives may lead to concentrated ownership and thus lead to the type 2 agency problem, which is between majority and minority shareholders. The result also provides caution to the regulators to monitor the nonaudit services provided by the auditors as it might impair their independence and compromise the tax paid to IRB.

Originality/value

This study is pioneer research discussing tax avoidance in Thailand. The Thai Government has been noticing that tax avoidance is being performed in the country, but academic discussion on this topic had never been elaborated.
Systems approach to cloud computing adoption in an emerging economy
Authors: Sharma Mahak , Gupta Ruchita , Acharya Padmanav , Jain Karuna
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Cloud computing (CC) services have given a tremendous boost to the creation of efficient and effective solutions. With developing countries at a slow pace of adoption, this research aims to identify factors and their interrelationships influencing the adoption of CC in a developing country context. The developing countries are enjoying numerous benefits from CC services; however, its low adoption is still a question in developing economies; hence, the authors have selected the context of information and communication technology (ICT) firms in India.

Design/methodology/approach

The qualitative research method is used where experts from thirteen ICT firms in India are interviewed.

Findings

Sixteen factors, twenty-eight subfactors, and 25 interrelationships are revealed through content analysis. Further, causal loop diagrams are proposed to display the behavior of cause and effect of these factors from a system's perspective. This will help to understand the relationships among the factors in order to enhance the speed of CC adoption. Possible financial loss and resistance to change are found as the key barriers to adoption. The proposed interrelationships can guide both policymakers and service providers for designing effective CC policies.

Originality/value

This is the first scholarly work that identifies interrelationships among factors and subfactors, thereby providing a holistic picture to decision-makers while making a choice on whether to adopt cloud services or continue with on premise data centers and servers.
Corrosion-induced degradation assessment of steel beam using vibration-based scheme
Authors: Paral Animesh , Samanta Amiya Kumar , Shandilya Amarendra Nath
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Catastrophe of steel-structured bridges due to progressive localized corrosion may lead to a major loss in terms of life and cost if not monitored continuously or periodically. The purpose of this paper is to present a vibration-based strategy to assess the severity and monitor the deterioration caused by corrosion-induced localized damage in a simply-supported steel beam.

Design/methodology/approach

The threshold damage level is defined up to the yield limit of a simply supported steel beam of size ISMB 150 × 8 × 5 under three-point bending test and the progressive damage is induced through a continuous accelerated corrosion test. Change in the fundamental natural frequency due to localized damage in the experimental beam and the modulus of elasticity (E) in the corroded zone of an updated finite element (FE) model is evaluated.

Findings

The updated FE model of the damaged beam shows a clear trend with the progressive damage of the beam and, hence, can be used to monitor the severity of damage and remaining capacity assessment of the monitored beam.

Originality/value

Steel-structured bridges are prone to localized corrosion attack, and there are no standardized process or predictive model available by international steel design codes on how to consider corrosion damage in the condition assessment analysis. The vibration-based methods have gained popularity for condition assessment, and are mostly confined to damage assessment of corroded reinforced concrete (RC) beams. In this work, a vibration-based approach is presented for degradation assessment of steel beam due to progressive localized corrosion using modal hammer test.
Digital transformation to mitigate emergency situations: increasing opioid overdose survival rates through explainable artificial intelligence
Authors: Johnson Marina , Albizri Abdullah , Harfouche Antoine , Tutun Salih
Published: October 2021

Purpose

The global health crisis represents an unprecedented opportunity for the development of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions. This paper aims to integrate explainable AI into the decision-making process in emergency scenarios to help mitigate the high levels of complexity and uncertainty associated with these situations. An AI solution is designed to extract insights into opioid overdose (OD) that can help government agencies to improve their medical emergency response and reduce opioid-related deaths.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper employs the design science research paradigm as an overarching framework. Open-access digital data and AI, two essential components within the digital transformation domain, are used to accurately predict OD survival rates.

Findings

The proposed AI solution has two primary implications for the advancement of informed emergency management. Results show that it can help not only local agencies plan their resources for timely response to OD incidents, thus improving survival rates, but also governments to identify geographical areas with lower survival rates and their primary contributing factor; hence, they can plan and allocate long-term resources to increase survival rates and help in developing effective emergency-related policies.

Originality/value

This paper illustrates that digital transformation, particularly open-access digital data and AI, can improve the emergency management framework (EMF). It also demonstrates that the AI models developed in this study can identify opioid OD trends and determine the significant factors improving survival rates.
The impact of institutional ownership on the value relevance of accounting information: evidence from Egypt
Authors: Diab Ahmed , Abdelazim Samir Ibrahim , Metwally Abdelmoneim Bahyeldin Mohamed
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the value relevance (VR) of accounting information (AI) presented by Egyptian listed non-financial companies. Further, the study investigates the influence of institutional ownership on the value relevance of AI in a developing market, namely, the Egyptian market.

Design/methodology/approach

The study uses data from 2014 to 2017 with a total of 248 observations and analyses the data using regression analysis. Data are collected from the nonfinancial companies listed on the Egyptian Stock Exchange.

Findings

The authors found that the AI reported by the Egyptian listed non-financial companies is value relevant. Regarding the influence of institutional ownership, it is found to significantly impact the VR of AI reported by the sample companies. This model investigated the effect of corporate size and financial leverage as controlling variables and found that they have an insignificant influence on the VR of AI.

Originality/value

The current study findings enrich the literature by enhancing the understanding regarding institutional owners’ impact on corporate value. Further, bringing evidence from an emerging market can have implications for accounting researchers interested in addressing other emerging markets with similar contextual and institutional environments.
Dynamics between trade openness, FDI and economic growth: evidence from an emerging economy
Authors: Rakshit Bijoy
Published: October 2021

Purpose

This paper aims to examine the dynamics between trade openness, foreign direct investment (FDI) and economic growth in India over the period 1979 to 2017. This study further considers the role of pre and post-economic reforms in the analysis of these dynamics.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors apply the autoregressive distributed lag model to investigate the possible long-run associations among the variables. Zivot-Andrew unit root test was applied to detect the structural breaks present in the data series. Toda-Yamamoto causality approach has been applied to examine the direction of causality among the variables.

Findings

Findings show that trade openness exerts a negative impact on economic growth in the long-run. Although FDI inflow promotes economic growth in the long-run, FDI inflow does not seem to affect growth in the short-run. As far as causality analysis is concerned, findings confirm a unidirectional causality is flowing from FDI inflow and labour force to per capita gross domestic product growth in India.

Practical implications

The negative impact of trade openness on growth suggests that policymakers should implement more export-oriented policies to boost economic growth in the long-run. The ratio of exports to the total volume of trade has not increased satisfactorily over the years. Additionally, appropriate policies should aim at extracting the benefits of FDI inflow in the long-run.

Originality/value

Although several theoretical and empirical literature has investigated the nexus between FDI (or trade) and growth, this study, as a fresh attempt, investigates the long-run dynamics between trade openness, FDI, capital formation, labour force and economic growth in India.
Measuring robustness: sustainable success factors affecting professional football clubs
Authors: Cruz Jacqueline Marie , Schregel Johannes Philipp , Zülch Henning
Published: October 2021

Purpose

Many factors influence success at a professional football club, as each club has an exclusive definition and interpretation of success. Using the Football Management Q-Score as a foundation, the authors set out to prove the framework's robustness in the industry's current environment.

Design/methodology/approach

To determine the purpose, the authors conducted interviews with Bundesliga experts. Using the Gioia Method, the authors could condense interview feedback into aggregate themes reflecting the main findings of the analysis process.

Findings

From 1,025 codes, three main contributions resulted – the concept of intercorrelation, a more balanced and dynamic framework, and four new key drivers.

Originality/value

Expert feedback validated the framework as robust, and the further main contributions gave the framework a wider application to a larger range of clubs, allowing the users of the framework to infer a greater context. Interview results proved the inclusion of Kaplan and Norton's original framework with vision and strategy.
Viruses: Friends or foes
Authors: Michán Carmen , Michán‐Doña Alfredo
Published: October 2021

Importance of viruses for biotechnological processes.
Prognostic impact of immune inflammation biomarkers in predicting survival and radiosensitivity in patients with non‐small‐cell lung cancer treated with chemoradiotherapy
Authors: Delikgoz Soykut Ela , Kemal Yasemin , Karacin Cengiz , Karaoglanoglu Ozden , Kurt Mumin , Aytac Arslan Suheyla
Published: October 2021

Introduction

The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the prognostic impact of neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio (PLR), derived NLR (dNLR) and systemic immune‐inflammation index (SII) in predicting outcomes for patients with locally advanced non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The secondary endpoint was to evaluate the radiosensitivity in terms of response rate.

Methods

Newly diagnosed locally advanced NSCLC patients were enrolled. Immune inflammation biomarkers were calculated from baseline blood samples. Patients were stratified in two groups based on optimal cut‐off values for each biomarker. The associations between biomarkers and overall survival (OS), progression‐free survival (PFS), local regional recurrence‐free survival (LRRFS), and also response to radiotherapy were analysed.

Results

A total of 392 patients were included. Five‐year OS, PFS and LRRFS rates were 14.6%, 12.1%, and 13.4% respectively. Optimal cut‐off values for NLR, PLR, dNLR and SII were 3.07, 166, 2.02 and 817 respectively. Low NLR (HR 1.73, 95% CI 1.34–2.24, P < 0.001), low PLR (HR 1.37, 95% CI 1.06–1.76, P = 0.013), low dNLR (HR 1.66, 95% CI 1.29–2.13, P < 0.001) and low SII (HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.18–2.04, P < 0.001) were independent prognostic factors for OS. Low NLR, PLR, dNLR and SII were also significant prognostic factors for PFS and LRRFS. Low NLR, low dNLR and low SII groups had better radiosensitivity than compared with high NLR, high dNLR and high SII groups (P = 0.001, P = 0.001 and P = 0.012).

Conclusion

NLR, PLR, dNLR and SII were independently associated with improved OS, PFS and LRRFS. Low NLR, dNLR and SII groups had better radiosensitivity. Immune inflammation biomarkers are promising prognostic predictors which can be obtained easily and inexpensively.
Behavioral Economics of Accounting: A Review of Archival Research on Individual Decision Makers*
Authors: Hanlon Michelle , Yeung Kelvin , Zuo Luo
Published: October 2021

This paper develops a unified framework to synthesize the growing stream of positive research on the role of individual decision makers in shaping observed accounting phenomena. This line of research recognizes two central ideas in behavioral economics. First, individual behavior depends not only on economic incentives and accessible information but also on individual preferences, abilities, experiences, and other characteristics. Second, the constraints that structure human interactions encompass both formal institutions (e.g., rules, laws, constitutions) and informal institutions (e.g., norms, conventions, rituals). Our review covers a broad set of individuals who are of interest in accounting research: managers, directors, audit partners, analysts, standard setters, politicians, judges, journalists, loan officers, financial advisors, and investors. We aim to understand the systematic effects of individual characteristics on a wide spectrum of accounting phenomena, including financial reporting, disclosure, tax planning, auditing, and corporate social responsibility. We highlight the importance of personal characteristics not only for an individual's own behavior but also for others' perceptions. Our review mainly focuses on archival research in accounting and provides some thoughts about opportunities for archival empiricists going forward. We also, when feasible, highlight opportunities for future field, survey, and experimental research. A central takeaway from our review is that individual‐level factors significantly improve our ability to explain and predict accounting phenomena beyond firm‐, industry‐, and market‐level factors.
Potassium and salicylic acid function synergistically to promote the drought resilience through upregulation of antioxidant profile for enhancing potassium use efficiency and wheat yield
Authors: Munsif Fazal , Farooq Umar , Arif Muhammad , Shah Tariq , Jehangir Muhammad , Zaheer Sajjad , Akhtar Kashif , Khan Muhammad Shahid , Ahmad Ijaz , Ahmad Wiqar , Ali Shamsher , Amir Rabia
Published: October 2021

Inducing tolerance against drought stress with plant growth regulator and plant nutrients is vital for ensuring food security and sustainable crop production. The present study was undertaken to assess the influence of salicylic acid (SA) either seed primed or foliar application (1.1, 2.2, 0.7 and 1.4 mM SA) coupled with potassium (K) fertilisation (0, 50 and 100 kg/ha) on wheat yield and nutrients uptake under drought stress (100% field capacity [FC], 60% FC, 30% FC) at tillering stage. Findings revealed that drought stress substantially reduced yield components, yield and grain nutrients content and uptake, whereas the potassium use efficiency (KUE) and antioxidant profile was improved. However, the foliar application of 0.7 mM SA and 1.1 mM SA as seed priming had increased number of spikes, thousand grain weight, grains per spike, grain and biomass yield, N, P, K content and K uptake, KUE and antioxidant profile both under no stress and drought stress treatments indicating the key role in ameliorating the ill effects of drought stress as compared with no SA application. Moreover, K fertilisation at 100 kg/ha had improved growth, yield and yield components, plant nutrient uptake and antioxidant profile except proline under both no stress and mild stress as compared with no K application. These results suggested that the combined use of SA either as foliar or seed primed with higher K fertilisation can substantially improve wheat yield, and grain nutritional content under mild and severe drought stresses.
Hemoperfusion and blood purification strategies in patients with COVID‐19: A systematic review
Authors: Sanfilippo Filippo , Martucci Gennaro , La Via Luigi , Cuttone Giuseppe , Dimarco Giorgio , Pulizzi Carla , Arcadipane Antonio , Astuto Marinella
Published: October 2021

Background

Coronavirus disease‐19 (COVID‐19) ranges from asymptomatic infection to severe cases requiring admission to the intensive care unit. Together with supportive therapies (ventilation in particular), the suppression of the pro‐inflammatory state has been a hypothesized target. Pharmacological therapies with corticosteroids and interleukin‐6 (IL‐6) receptor antagonists have reduced mortality. The use of extracorporeal cytokine removal, also known as hemoperfusion (HP), could be a promising non‐pharmacological approach to decrease the pro‐inflammatory state in COVID‐19.

Methods

We conducted a systematic review of PubMed and EMBASE databases in order to summarize the evidence regarding HP therapy in COVID‐19. We included original studies and case series enrolling at least five patients.

Results

We included 11 articles and describe the characteristics of the populations studied from both clinical and biological perspectives. The methodological quality of the included studies was generally low. Only two studies had a control group, one of which included 101 patients in total. The remaining studies had a range between 10 and 50 patients included. There was large variability in the HP techniques implemented and in clinical and biological outcomes reported. Most studies described decreasing levels of IL‐6 after HP treatment.

Conclusion

Our review does not support strong conclusions regarding the role of HP in COVID‐19. Considering the very low level of clinical evidence detected, starting HP therapies in COVID‐19 patients does not seem supported outside of clinical trials. Prospective randomized data are needed.
Treating random effects as observed versus latent predictors: The bias–variance tradeoff in small samples
Authors: Liu Siwei , Rhemtulla Mijke
Published: October 2021

Random effects in longitudinal multilevel models represent individuals’ deviations from population means and are indicators of individual differences. Researchers are often interested in examining how these random effects predict outcome variables that vary across individuals. This can be done via a two‐step approach in which empirical Bayes (EB) estimates of the random effects are extracted and then treated as observed predictor variables in follow‐up regression analyses. This approach ignores the unreliability of EB estimates, leading to underestimation of regression coefficients. As such, previous studies have recommended a multilevel structural equation modeling (ML‐SEM) approach that treats random effects as latent variables. The current study uses simulation and empirical data to show that a bias–variance tradeoff exists when selecting between the two approaches. ML‐SEM produces generally unbiased regression coefficient estimates but also larger standard errors, which can lead to lower power than the two‐step approach. Implications of the results for model selection and alternative solutions are discussed.
Assessing the rate of crustal extension by 2D sequential restoration analysis: A case study from the active portion of the Malta Escarpment
Authors: Gambino Salvatore , Barreca Giovanni , Gross Felix , Monaco Carmelo , Gutscher Marc‐André , Alsop G. Ian
Published: October 2021

Tectono‐stratigraphic interpretation and sequential restoration modelling was performed over two high‐resolution seismic profiles crossing the Western Ionian Basin of southern Italy. This analysis was undertaken in order to provide greater insights and a more reliable assessment of the deformation rate affecting the area. Offshore seismic profiling illuminates the sub‐seafloor setting where a belt of active normal faults slice across the foot of the Malta Escarpment, a regional‐scale structural boundary inherited from the Permo‐Triassic palaeotectonic setting. A sequential restoration workflow was established to back‐deform the entire investigated sector with the primary aim of analysing the deformation history of the three major normal faults affecting the area. Restoration of the tectono‐stratigraphic model reveals how deformation rates evolved through time. In the early stage, the studied area experienced a significant deformation with the horizontal component prevailing over the vertical element. In this context, the three major faults contribute to only one third of the total deformation. The overall throw and extension then notably reduced through time towards the present day and, since the middle Pliocene, ongoing crustal deformation is accommodated almost entirely by the three major normal faults. Unloading and decompaction indicate that when compared to the unrestored seismic sections, a revision and a reduction of roughly one third of the vertical displacement of the faults offset is required. This analysis ultimately allows us to better understand the seismic potential of the region.
Trade restrictiveness indexes and welfare: A structural approach
Authors: Soderbery Anson
Published: October 2021

Trade restrictiveness indexes (TRIs) have become a staple for practitioners and policy‐makers to summarize international trade barriers. TRIs theoretically found a measure of trade restrictiveness by calculating the uniform tariff that is welfare equivalent to the observed distribution of applied tariffs within a country. Here we incorporate importer market power and exporter heterogeneity into calculations of TRIs and welfare globally. To do so, we structurally estimate a quantitative model of international trade. The structure of the model allows tractable estimation of importer and exporter welfare and TRIs for every country in the world from 1990 to 2007. Canonical estimates, which ignore exporter heterogeneity and importer market power, are shown to overstate efficiency losses from tariffs by a factor of 5 for the average importer. Additionally, by not accounting for importer market power canonical methods fail to measure substantial welfare losses to exporters that are captured by importers through tariffs. These channels are shown to significantly impact the measurement and interpretation of TRIs. To conclude, we employ the methodology to evaluate China's WTO accession and a counterfactual renegotiation of NAFTA.
Crucial contribution of GPR56/ADGRG1, expressed by breast cancer cells, to bone metastasis formation
Authors: Sasaki So‐ichiro , Zhang Di , Iwabuchi Sadahiro , Tanabe Yamato , Hashimoto Shinichi , Yamauchi Akira , Hayashi Katsuhiro , Tsuchiya Hiroyuki , Hayakawa Yoshihiro , Baba Tomohisa , Mukaida Naofumi
Published: October 2021

From a mouse triple‐negative breast cancer cell line, 4T1, we previously established 4T1.3 clone with a high capacity to metastasize to bone after its orthotopic injection into mammary fat pad of immunocompetent mice. Subsequent analysis demonstrated that the interaction between cancer cells and fibroblasts in a bone cavity was crucial for bone metastasis focus formation arising from orthotopic injection of 4T1.3 cells. Here, we demonstrated that a member of the adhesion G‐protein–coupled receptor (ADGR) family, G‐protein–coupled receptor 56 (GPR56)/adhesion G‐protein–coupled receptor G1 (ADGRG1), was expressed selectively in 4T1.3 grown in a bone cavity but not under in vitro conditions. Moreover, fibroblasts present in bone metastasis sites expressed type III collagen, a ligand for GPR56/ADGRG1. Consistently, GPR56/ADGRG1 proteins were detected in tumor cells in bone metastasis foci of human breast cancer patients. Deletion of GPR56/ADGRG1 from 4T1.3 cells reduced markedly intraosseous tumor formation upon their intraosseous injection. Conversely, intraosseous injection of GPR56/ADGRG1‐transduced 4T1, TS/A (mouse breast cancer cell line), or MDA‐MB‐231 (human breast cancer cell line) exhibited enhanced intraosseous tumor formation. Furthermore, we proved that the cleavage at the extracellular region was indispensable for GPR56/ADGRG1‐induced increase in breast cancer cell growth upon its intraosseous injection. Finally, inducible suppression of Gpr56/Adgrg1 gene expression in 4T1.3 cells attenuated bone metastasis formation with few effects on primary tumor formation in the spontaneous breast cancer bone metastasis model. Altogether, GPR56/ADGRG1 can be a novel target molecule to develop a strategy to prevent and/or treat breast cancer metastasis to bone.
Identification of autophagic target RAB13 with small‐molecule inhibitor in low‐grade glioma via integrated multi‐omics approaches coupled with virtual screening of traditional Chinese medicine databases
Authors: Su Wei , Liao Minru , Tan Huidan , Chen Yanmei , Zhao Rongyan , Jin Wenke , Zhu Shiou , Zhang Yiwen , He Li , Liu Bo
Published: October 2021

Objectives

Autophagy, a highly conserved lysosomal degradation process in eukaryotic cells, has been widely reported closely related to the progression of many types of human cancers, including LGG; however, the intricate relationship between autophagy and LGG remains to be clarified.

Materials and methods

Multi‐omics methods were used to integrate omics data to determine potential autophagy regulators in LGG. The expression of ZFP36L2 and RAB13 in SW1088 cells was experimentally manipulated using cDNAs and small interfering RNAs (siRNA). RT‐qPCR detects RNAi gene knockout and cDNA overexpression efficiency. The expression levels of proteins in SW1088 cells were evaluated using Western blot analysis and immunofluorescence analysis. Homology modelling and molecular docking were used to identify compounds from Multi‐Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Databases. The apoptosis ratios were determined by flow cytometry analysis of Annexin‐V/PI double staining. We detect the number of autophagosomes by GFP‐MRFP‐LC3 plasmid transfection to verify the process of autophagy flow.

Results

We integrated various omics data from LGG, including EXP, MET and CNA data, with the SNF method and the LASSO algorithm, and identified ZFP36L2 and RAB13 as positive regulators of autophagy, which are closely related to the core autophagy regulators. Both transcription level and protein expression level of the four autophagy regulators, including ULK1, FIP200, ATG16L1 and ATG2B, and LC3 puncta were increased by ZFP36L2 and RAB13 overexpression. In addition, RAB13 participates in autophagy through ATG2B, FIP200, ULK1, ATG16L1 and Beclin‐1. Finally, we screened multi‐TCM databases and identified gallic acid as a novel potential RAB13 inhibitor, which was confirmed to negatively regulate autophagy as well as to induce cell death in SW1088 cells.

Conclusion

Our study identified the key autophagic regulators ZFP36L2 and Rab13 in LGG progression, and demonstrated that gallic acid is a small molecular inhibitor of RAB13, which negatively regulates autophagy and provides a possible small molecular medicine for the subsequent treatment of LGG.
Infants show pupil dilatory responses to happy and angry facial expressions
Authors: Prunty Jonathan E. , Keemink Jolie R. , Kelly David J.
Published: October 2021

Facial expressions are one way in which infants and adults communicate emotion. Infants scan expressions similarly to adults, yet it remains unclear whether they are receptive to the affective information they convey. The current study investigates 6‐, 9‐ and 12‐month infants’ (N = 146) pupillary responses to the six “basic” emotional expressions (happy, sad, surprise, fear, anger, and disgust). To do this we use dynamic stimuli and gaze‐contingent eye‐tracking to simulate brief interactive exchanges, alongside a static control condition. Infants’ arousal responses were stronger for dynamic compared to static stimuli. And for dynamic stimuli we found that, compared to neutral, infants showed dilatory responses for happy and angry expressions only. Although previous work has shown infants can discriminate perceptually between facial expressions, our data suggest that sensitivity to the affective content of all six basic emotional expressions may not fully emerge until later in ontogeny.
Small‐sized specimen design with the provision for high‐frequency bending‐fatigue testing
Authors: Ghadimi Hamed , Jirandehi Arash P. , Nemati Saber , Guo Shengmin
Published: October 2021

The testing and study of emerging materials—such as additively manufactured materials—demands for specimen designs that are cost effective and time saving. The design of a small‐sized bending‐fatigue test specimen for an ultrasonic fatigue testing system is reported in this paper. The design is optimized based on the finite element analysis and analytical‐solution results to achieve the proper vibration shape and stress distribution. The proposed design is evaluated in the high‐ and very‐high‐cycle fatigue regimes under 20‐kHz frequency. Both simulation and testing results confirm that the desirable vibration mode occurs and the specimen fails at the designated test (gauge) section, where the maximum stress exists. The stress–life (S–N) curve is obtained for Inconel alloy 718 and indicates an expected trend.
Geometric factors affecting Young's modulus of porous carbon with a three‐dimensional network structure
Authors: Arai Yutaro , Daigo Yuka , Kojo Esuke , Inoue Ryo , Kogo Yasuo
Published: October 2021

Three‐dimensional networked porous carbons (TNPCs) exhibit unique structures, and the relationship between the Young's modulus and relative density does not follow the conventional relational expression proposed by Gibson and Ashby. In this study, image analysis for TNPC models developed by reconstructing cross‐sectional images obtained via X‐ray computed tomography and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy is conducted to extract the geometric factors of TNPCs, specifically, the strut length (L), struct thickness (t), diameter of the joints (dj), strut aspect ratio (L/t), and strut constriction ratio (dj/t). By evaluating these geometric factors, simple cubic three‐dimensional computer‐aided design (CAD) models, which reflect the geometric factors of TNPCs, are established to clarify the effect of these factors on the Young's modulus. The results indicate that L/t is the most effective geometric factor to determine the Young's modulus of TNPCs. The relationship between L/t and dj/t, obtained using the cubic CAD models, is in good agreement with that for TNPCs. Therefore, L/t and dj/t can help guide the design for the Young's modulus of porous materials.
Short fiber‐reinforced oxide fiber composites
Authors: Winkelbauer Jonas , Puchas Georg , Schafföner Stefan , Krenkel Walter
Published: October 2021

This paper presents a novel fiber spraying process for the manufacturing of short fiber bundle‐reinforced Nextel™ 610/Al2O3‐ZrO2 oxide fiber composites (SF‐OFC) and its characterization. First, the influence of varying fiber lengths (7, 14, and 28 mm, continuous fibers) and fiber orientations (unidirectional 0°, quasi‐isotropic, ±45°) was investigated using hand‐laid SF‐OFC. Due to the weak matrix, the hand‐laid material exhibited a strongly fiber‐dominated material behavior, that is, variations in fiber length and orientation had a strong influence on the material properties. Second, the automated sprayed SF‐OFC, however, exhibited a random orientation of the fiber bundles, which resulted in in‐plane isotropic material properties. Average bending strengths of up to 177 MPa, strains of .39%, and a quasi‐ductile fracture behavior were achieved. The strain was, therefore, in the range of fabric‐reinforced OFC. While the bending strength of the SF‐OFC was somewhat lower than that of fabric‐reinforced OFC with the fiber orientation parallel to the loading direction, it was more than two times higher than the strength in 45° direction relative to the fabric reinforcement. Combined with good drapability and lower material costs compared to fabric‐reinforced OFC, SF‐OFC is, therefore, a promising material for industrial applications.
Different mitotic rates are associated with different prognostic factors, relapses, and survival rates in melanoma
Authors: Tas Faruk , Erturk Kayhan
Published: October 2021

Background

Mitotic rate is one of the major prognostic factors in melanoma.

Objective

To investigate the significance of mitotic rate and possible impacts of clinicopathological factors on the course of all staged melanoma patients.

Methods

A total number of 970 melanoma patients were analyzed. Mitotic rates were grouped for analysis as follows: 0–1, 1.1–4.9, 5–9.9, and ≥10 mitoses/mm2.

Results

Melanomas with higher mitotic rates were more likely to be associated with nodular histology (P = 0.0001), higher Clark level (P = 0.0001), thick Breslow depth (P = 0.0001), ulceration (P = 0.0001), vertical growth pattern (P = 0.0001), neurotropism (P = 0.04), lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.01), de novo melanoma (P = 0.0001), absence of tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (P = 0.02), advanced stage (P = 0.0001), and relapse (P = 0.0001). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) rate of all patients was 68.7%, and it decreased significantly from 87% in melanomas with 0–1 mitoses/mm2 to 65.2%, 56.6%, and 50.4% in melanomas with 1.1–4.9, 5–9.9, and ≥10 mitoses/mm2, respectively (P = 0.0001). Age (P = 0.04), gender (P = 0.03), histology (P = 0.0001), Clark level (P = 0.001), T‐stage (P = 0.003), ulceration (0.006), node involvement (P = 0.0001), metastasis (P = 0.005), and relapse (P = 0.0001) were correlated with OS in 0–1 mitoses/mm2 melanomas, whereas lymphovascular invasion (P = 0.0001), BRAF mutation (P = 0.01), metastasis (P = 0.0001), relapse (P = 0.0001), and relapse pattern (P = 0.005) were found significant for ≥10 mitoses/mm2 melanomas.

Conclusion

Higher tumor mitotic rates associated with known histopathological and clinical poor prognostic factors were found to be significantly independent predictors of early relapse and unfavorable survival for cutaneous melanoma patients. Moreover, different prognostic variables were found to be affecting survivals in melanoma patients with lower and higher mitosis.
Statistical mechanical model for the formation of octahedral silicon in phosphosilicate glasses
Authors: Bødker Mikkel L. , Pedersen Johan B. , Muñoz Francisco , Mauro John C. , Smedskjaer Morten M.
Published: October 2021

Unlike ambient pressure silicate glasses, some phosphosilicate glasses contain sixfold‐coordinated silicon (Si6) units even when prepared at ambient pressure. The variation in the fraction of Si6 with composition remains a topic of interest, both for technological applications of phosphosilicate glasses and for fundamental understanding of the glass structure. In this work, we use statistical mechanical modeling to predict the composition–structure relationships in Na2O–P2O5–SiO2 and CaO–P2O5–SiO2 glasses. This is achieved by accounting for the enthalpic and entropic contributions to the interactions between each pairwise modifier ion and structural unit. The initial enthalpy parameters are obtained based on experimental structural data for binary Na2O–SiO2, CaO–SiO2, Na2O–P2O5, and CaO–P2O5 glasses, which can then be transferred to predict the structure of mixed former glasses. This approach has previously been used to predict the short‐range structure of borosilicate and aluminoborate glass systems. However, here we show that the formation of Si6 must be specifically included to make accurate predictions of the composition–structure relationships in phosphosilicate glasses. After incorporating the formation mechanism of Si6 in the statistical mechanics model, we find an excellent agreement between model predictions and experimental structure data for Na2O–P2O5–SiO2 and CaO–P2O5–SiO2 glasses.
Al excess extends Hall‐Petch relation in nanocrystalline zinc aluminate
Authors: Sotelo Martin Luis E. , Castro Ricardo H. R.
Published: October 2021

The increase in hardness with decreasing grain size is a well‐established size effect known as the Hall‐Petch relationship. In ceramics, there has been controversy surrounding the existence of a low size limit below which size‐induced hardening no longer occurs and softening is observed instead. Here, this so‐called inverse Hall‐Petch relationship was observed in quasi‐stoichiometric dense nanocrystalline zinc aluminate while an extension of the normal Hall‐Petch behavior was demonstrated by Al‐rich zinc aluminate nanoceramics. Vickers hardness increased with grain refinement for quasi‐stoichiometric samples prepared by High Pressure Spark Plasma Sintering, exhibiting a maximum of 18.6 GPa at a grain size of 21.4 nm. Conversely, Al‐rich zinc aluminate produced by the same technique strengthened up to 19.2 GPa at 12.6 nm grain sizes. Cross‐sections of Vickers indentation imprints showed that while quasi‐stoichiometric zinc aluminate showed a change in sub‐surface cracking pattern from larger to smaller grain sizes (before and after the inverse Hall‐Petch), the Al‐rich samples had sub‐surface cracking similar to those found in large grain sizes in quasi‐stoichiometric samples. These results suggest that softening at small grain sizes is driven by the activation of shear and fracture at weak grain boundaries which can be mitigated by Al enrichment.
Mafenide derivatives inhibit neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease by regulating pyroptosis
Authors: Han Chenyang , Hu Qiaohong , Yu Anqi , Jiao Qingcai , Yang Yi
Published: October 2021

The main mechanism of pyroptosis is Caspase‐1–mediated GSDMD cleavage, and GSDMD is also the executive protein of pyroptosis. Our previous study has shown that mafenide can inhibit pyroptosis by inhibiting the GSDMD‐Asp275 site to suppress cleavage. In this study, sulfonamide was used as the parent nucleus structure to synthesize sulfa‐4 and sulfa‐20. Screening of drug activity in the pyroptosis model of BV2 and iBMDM cell lines revealed the efficacy of five compounds were superior to mafenide, which exerted a better inhibitory effect on the occurrence of pyroptosis. For in vivo assay, Sulfa‐4 and Sulfa‐22 were intervened in the neuroinflammation APP/PS1 mice. As a result, the administration of Sulfa‐4 and Sulfa‐22 could significantly inhibit the activation of microglia, decrease the expression of inflammatory factors in the central nervous system and simultaneously suppress the production of p30‐GSDMD as well as the expression of upstream NLRP3 inflammasome and Caspase‐1 protein. Immunoprecipitation and Biotin‐labelled assay confirmed the targeted binding relationship of Sulfa‐4 and Sulfa‐22 with GSDMD protein in the iBMDM model in vitro. In this study, we investigated a new type inhibitor of GSDMD cleavage, which exerted a good inhibitory effect on pyroptosis and provided new references for the development of inflammatory drugs in the future.
Design, development, and drying kinetics of infrared‐assisted hot air dryer for turmeric slices
Authors: Jeevarathinam G. , Pandiselvam R. , Pandiarajan T. , Preetha P. , Krishnakumar T. , Balakrishnan M. , Thirupathi V. , Ganapathy S. , Amirtham D.
Published: October 2021

An infrared‐assisted hot air dryer was designed and developed for turmeric slices. The dryer has been developed using an infrared heating source, heating coils, and blower. The total power required for the infrared drying and hot air drying was 2.25 kW and 36.35 kWh, respectively, with a blower capacity of 6.06 m3/min. An infrared drying (IRD), hot air drying (HAD), and infrared‐assisted hot air drying (IRHAD) were used to dry turmeric slices (5 mm thickness) at different drying temperatures 50°C, 60°C, and 70°C with constant air velocity 2 m/s and bed thickness 25 mm. The maximum drying efficiency of 25.22% and the minimum specific energy consumption of 1.24 kWh/kg were observed in the IRHAD method at 70°C and considered as the best drying method for drying turmeric slices. The drying rates values were double in IRHAD than IRD and HAD. Seven drying models, namely, Newton, Page, Modified page, Diffusion approximation, Two‐term exponential, Henderson–Pabis, and Logarithmic, were used to validate the experimental data obtained during drying. Based on the maximumR2value and lowest error values, the Page model was found to be the best fit for characterizing the drying kinetics of turmeric slices. At 60°C drying temperature, the logarithmic model and two‐term exponential model were found best fit for HAD and IRHAD, respectively.

Practical Applications

Recently, turmeric gaining a lot of economic importance due to its antiviral properties and health benefits. Turmeric has many applications in the food industry, including natural coloring agents, flavor enhancers, and preservatives. Washing, boiling, drying, polishing, and size reduction are the unit operations involved during the processing of turmeric. The commercial value of turmeric can be decided based on the percentage of volatile compounds present. Many studies observed that the reduction in volatile compounds due to improper drying. The farmers following the sun drying techniques, which consume more time, non‐homogenous drying, and lesser drying rate. Hence, an efficient alternate drying technique should be identified to overcome the problems faced by the farmers and turmeric processing industries. In this context, the present study was undertaken to design an infrared‐assisted dryer for efficient, quick, and uniform heating of turmeric slices.
Effects of a new fermented soya bean meal on growth performance, serum biochemistry profile, intestinal immune status and digestive enzyme activities in piglets
Authors: Liu Xuzhou , Ju Ying , Huang Liling , Liu Mingzhi , Bo Jianing , Zhou Tongyu , Zhang Yufeng , Liu Chuang , Feng Mingming , Zhang Shuai , Yan Yong
Published: October 2021

Background

Fermented soya bean meal (FSBM) is believed to have improved nutritional qualities compared with soya bean meal (SBM) and is also cheaper than soya protein concentration (SPC) and fish meal (FM). Therefore, the present study was conducted to compare the effects of FSBM replacing SBM, SPC and FM in diets on growth performance, serum biochemistry profile, short‐chain fatty acid concentrations in digesta, intestinal mucosal enzyme activities, intestinal proinflammatory cytokine concentrations and morphology in weaned piglets. One hundred and twenty 28‐day‐old piglets (Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire, body weight: 6.73 ± 1.14 kg) were randomly allocated to four treatment diets (six replicate pens with five piglets per pen) containing SBM, SPC, FM or FSBM as the protein source, respectively.

Results

Dietary FSBM supplementation improved average daily gain (p < 0.05), gain to feed ratio (p < 0.05), and digestibility of dry matter, gross energy, crude protein and organic matter (p < 0.05) in pigs compared with those fed SBM during 0–14 days and reduced diarrhoea rate (p < 0.05) compared with those fed SBM and FM during 0–14 days. Moreover, pigs fed FBSM had greater IgA and IgM contents and antioxidase activities than those provided SBM and SPC on day 14. In addition, the butyrate concentration in the cecum of pigs fed FSBM was greater than those fed the other diets (p < 0.05), and the trypsin activity in duodenum and jejunum of pigs provided FSBM was greater than those fed SBM (p < 0.05). Moreover, higher villus height (p < 0.05) and villus height to crypt depth ratio (p < 0.05) and lower crypt depth (p < 0.05) in the duodenum of pigs fed FSBM were observed, and pigs fed FSBM had a lower (p < 0.05) TNF‐α concentration in jejunum compared with those fed SBM.

Conclusions

In conclusion, dietary FSBM supplementation to replace SBM, SPC and FM could improve piglets' growth performance, intestinal health and immune function.