bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Cell contacts and pericellular matrix in the Xenopus gastrula chordamesoderm
Authors: Luu Olivia , Barua Debanjan , Winklbauer Rudolf
Published: July 2023

Convergent extension of the chordamesoderm is the best-examined gastrulation movement in Xenopus. Here we study general features of cell-cell contacts in this tissue by combining depletion of adhesion factors C-cadherin, Syndecan-4, fibronectin, and hyaluronic acid, the analysis of respective contact width spectra and contact angles, and La3+staining of the pericellular matrix. We provide evidence that like in other gastrula tissues, cell-cell adhesion in the chordamesoderm is largely mediated by different types of pericellular matrix. Specific glycocalyx structures previously identified in Xenopus gastrula tissues are absent in chordamesoderm but other contact types like 10-20 nm wide La3+stained structures are present instead. Knockdown of any of the adhesion factors reduces the abundance of cell contacts but not the average relative adhesiveness of the remaining ones: a decrease of adhesiveness at low contact widths is compensated by an increase of contact widths and an increase of adhesiveness proportional to width. From the adhesiveness-width relationship, we derive a model of chordamesoderm cell adhesion that involves the interdigitation of distinct pericellular matrix units. Quantitative description of pericellular matrix deployment suggests that reduced contact abundance upon adhesion factor depletion is due to some contact types becoming non-adhesive and others being lost.
Assays to Measure Insecticide Toxicity and Insecticide Resistance in Mosquitoes
Authors: Liu Nannan , Wang Yifan , Li Ting
Published: July 2023

Mosquitoes’ resistance to commonly used insecticides is now widespread, hampering control efforts and leading to substantial increases in human illness and mortality rates in many areas of the world. Insecticide bioassays are quantitative methodologies used to determine the dose–response relationship of insects to insecticides and to evaluate the susceptibility or resistance of mosquitoes to specific insecticides. They are frequently used to monitor the development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes for both field resistance diagnoses (surveillance assays), in which the ability of mosquitoes to survive exposure to a standard dose or concentration of an insecticide is measured, and laboratory bioassays, in which responses to insecticides are tested in parallel populations of resistant (field) populations and laboratory susceptible strains using serial doses or concentrations. Metabolic detoxification, in which insecticides are metabolized by enzymes, including cytochrome P450s, hydrolases, and glutathione-S-transferases (GSTs), to become more polar and less toxic, is one resistance mechanism. Piperonyl butoxide (PBO),S,S,S-tributyl phosphorotrithioate (DEF), and diethyl maleate (DEM) are the inhibitors of P450s, hydrolases, and GSTs, respectively, and act as synergists for rapidly testing the involvement of these enzymes in insecticide resistance. Such synergistic assays are used to identify the detoxification enzyme that leads to resistance to a specific insecticide. This introduction and its associated protocols present a detailed discussion of appropriate methodologies and procedures for laboratory larval, adult, and synergistic bioassays and introduces the field surveillance tests used to monitor insecticide resistance as recommended by the latest World Health Organization (WHO) and U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
The empirical demand for farm insurance in Ireland: a quantile regression approach
Authors: Loughrey Jason , Vidyaratne Herath
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to analyse the association between farm/farmer characteristics and unsubsidized farm insurance premium expenditure in Ireland. The distribution of farm insurance expenditures is wide, and it is important to understand the extent to which individual factors influence demand for different levels of insurance premium.

Design/methodology/approach

The quantile regression approach and farm accountancy data from the Teagasc National Farm Survey are used to model the association between farm/farmer characteristics and farm insurance demand in Ireland.

Findings

Asset values (livestock, buildings and machinery) are positively associated with total insurance expenditure. Both forestry area and crop area are significantly associated with farm insurance expenditure with a stronger influence on the middle and upper part of the distribution. The interaction between farm income and farmer age is positively associated with insurance expenditure pointing to the importance of farm income protection.

Research limitations/implications

The research is mainly concerned with insuring against substantive risks, which are capable of threatening the asset base and continuation of the farm business. Future research can integrate questions in relation to farm safety and farmer health with research on the economic survival of the farm business.

Practical implications

Farmers in Ireland adopt unsubsidized farm insurance as a risk management tool. This situation is relevant to other EU member states including Belgium, Denmark, Germany and Sweden. The findings can be used to inform stakeholders and policymakers about the relative impact of different factors on insurance expenditure.

Originality/value

Previous research has typically focused on the linear relationship between farm/farmer characteristics and insurance demand without accounting for variability across the size distribution. This research is based on the quantile regression approach where the association between farm/farmer characteristics and farm insurance expenditure can be assessed at different points of the distribution.
Eco-innovation and performance of SMEs in Ecuador
Authors: Michalski Marek , Montes-Botella Jose Luis , Guevara Piedra Whashington
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This article presents a new approach to modeling the relationships of eco-innovation. The impact of eco-innovation on organizational performance is well known, but the opposite direction has not been explored.

Design/methodology/approach

The research used an online questionnaire survey emailed to 100 Ecuadorian managers. Data obtained from the 62 respondents were analyzed through structural equation modeling.

Findings

The results confirm that while eco-innovation increases company performance, higher performance is negatively related to eco-innovation, with managers preferring to dedicate company resources to projects with more significant benefits and lower outlay.

Research limitations/implications

This study was conducted in one country, so generalizability may be limited. Moreover, the cross-sectional data prevent inferences of causality.

Practical implications

Eco-innovation activities are important to managers and can help them with a new definition of company strategy. The findings confirm that eco-innovation drives performance but not vice versa. It could be necessary to modify the strategy to create a sustainable business.

Originality/value

The results elucidate both directions of the relationship between eco-innovation and performance, representing a new contribution to the literature. The results also confirm that eco-innovation activities are valuable tools in building and developing emerging economies.
Cyber intimate partner aggression in adulthood: the role of insecure attachment and self-control
Authors: Booth Natalie , Derefaka Gail , Khan Roxanne , Brewer Gayle
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to build on existing literature on face-to-face aggression in intimate relationships and adopts Finkel’s I3theory to investigate the relationship between adult attachment style, dispositional self-control and cyber intimate partner aggression (IPA) perpetration and victimization.

Design/methodology/approach

Participants (N = 173) 20–52 years of age (M = 32.75 years, SD = 7.73, mode = 29 years) completed a series of standardized online measures to assess anxious and avoidant attachment, dispositional self-control and experience of cyber IPA (psychological, sexual and stalking), as both a perpetrator and victim.

Findings

Avoidant attachment was associated with increased perpetration of stalking and psychological abuse. Those high on avoidant attachment were also more likely to report that they were victims of cyber IPA psychological abuse and stalking. Self-control did not predict experience of cyber IPA, as a perpetrator or victim. Interactions between self-control and attachment were also non-significant.

Originality/value

This study addressed the paucity of cyber IPA research conducted with adult populations, by examining processes and factors to improve understanding of the experiences of online perpetration and victimization. The study also found evidence for the importance of impellance factors but not inhibiting factors (Finkel, 2008).
Individual-focused transformational leadership and change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior: mediating and moderating mechanisms of job crafting and employee resilience
Authors: Malik Parul
Published: July 2023

Purpose

Drawing on the transformational leadership theory, this study empirically tests the relationship between individual-focused transformational leadership (IFTL) (i.e. individualized consideration and intellectual stimulation) and change-oriented organizational citizenship behavior (Ch-OCB), proposing the mediating mechanism of job crafting. Also, this study examines the moderating role of employee resilience on the relationship between job crafting and Ch-OCB.

Design/methodology/approach

A nested data model using a 4-wave time-lagged sample of 210 employees–supervisors dyads from Indian information technology (IT) organizations was tested using hierarchical linear modeling.

Findings

The study results showed a significant association between IFTL and Ch-OCB. Furthermore, job crafting mediated the relationship between IFTL and Ch-OCB. Additionally, the findings indicate that the positive relationship between job crafting and Ch-OCB was found to be stronger when employee resilience levels were higher.

Practical implications

The study offers significant practical implications to managers, counselors and human resource management (HRM) practitioners for stimulating Ch-OCB. The study findings would aid HRM practitioners in designing individualized-oriented leadership programs to encourage employees to exhibit proactive job-crafting behavior, further augmenting Ch-OCB.

Originality/value

This paper adds to the existing transformational leadership literature by proposing new pathways through which IFTL stimulates job crafting, further leading to enhanced Ch-OCB. Mainly, research studies need to shed more light on leadership characteristics that influence employees' proactive and adaptive work behavior, i.e. job crafting and Ch-OCB. Essentially, this study examined the underlying mechanism through which IFTL relates to employees' Ch-OCB.
Noise exposure exceeded safe limits during neonatal care and road transport but was reduced by active noise cancelling
Authors: Aminudin Nurul , Franta Jan , Bowden Ann , Corcoran John David , El‐Khuffash Afif , McCallion Naomi
Published: July 2023

Aim

Noise levels above 45 dB in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and 60 dB during neonatal transport are recognised hazards, but protective equipment is not standard. We measured noise levels in both settings, with and without noise protection.

Methods

Peak sound and equivalent continuous sound levels were measured in a NICU and during road transport, at a mannequin's ear and inside and outside the incubator. Recordings were made without protective earwear, with noise protecting earmuffs and with active noise cancelling headphones.

Results

In the NICU, the peak levels at the ear, and inside and outside the incubator, were 61, 68 and 76 dB. The equivalent continuous sound levels were 45, 54 and 59 dB. During road transport, the respective levels were 70, 77 and 83 dB and 54, 62 and 68 dB. In the NICU, 80% of environmental peak noise reached the ear and this was reduced to 78% with earmuffs and 75% with active noise cancelling. The respective figures during transport were 87% without protection and 72% with active noise cancelling, with an unexpected increase for ear muffs.

Conclusion

Noise levels exceeded safe limits in the NICU and during transport, but active noise cancelling reduced exposure.
Chemical profiling of a 130‐year‐old manuscript reveals the early use of synthetic lead white correction fluid in ancient China
Authors: Han Bin , Hao Shengcai , Ge Mengfan , Chen Dian , Liu Zhengfeng , Yang Yimin , Feng Lisheng , Shi Jilong
Published: July 2023

In practice, correction fluid to mask text errors has been continuously in demand since papers began to be predominantly used since the late fourth century AD in ancient China. However, research on the trajectory of correction fluid composition has been largely overlooked and has not been revealed currently. In this study, a multianalytical approach was used to investigate a thin whiteout layer, used as correction fluids applied in 1890, on a book page from the famousImperial Encyclopedia(1726 bronze‐type repaint version). The results showed that the white layer was composed of hydrocerussite ((PbCO3)2·Pb (OH)2) in mixture with plant oil and a tiny portion of calcium carbonate, which had been applied to conceal the originally printed Chinese characters upon which they were rewritten in preparing photographic negatives for reprinting using photolithography. The analysis results also suggest that lead white was likely domestically made using a local lead ore source by the wet synthetic process. Considering the prolonged use of orpiment (As2S3) as a correction fluid ingredient in Chinese tradition, a trajectory to lead white suggests not only advances in pulping and papermaking technology but also a shift in cultural habits and aesthetic psychology in the late Qing Dynasty.
Defect angle as prognostic indicator in the reconstructive therapy of peri‐implantitis
Authors: Monje Alberto , Pons Ramón , Sculean Anton , Nart José , Wang Hom‐Lay
Published: July 2023

Objective

To analyze the influence of the characteristics of bone defects caused by peri‐implantitis on the clinical resolution and radiographic bone gain following reconstructive surgery.

Methods

This is a secondary analysis of a randomized clinical trial. Periapical x‐rays of bone defects, caused by peri‐implantitis exhibiting intrabony component, were analyzed at baseline and 12‐month follow‐up after reconstructive surgery. Therapy consisted of anti‐infective therapy along with a mixture of allografts with or without a collagen barrier membrane. The association of defect configuration, defect angle (DA), defect width (DW), and baseline marginal bone level (MBL) with clinical resolution (based on a prior defined composite criteria) and radiographic bone gain was correlated by means of generalized estimating equations.

Results

Overall, 33 patients with a total of 48 implants exhibiting peri‐implantitis were included. None of the evaluated variables yielded statistical significance with disease resolution. Defect configuration demonstrated statistical significance when compared to class 1B and 3B, favoring radiographic bone gain for the former (p = 0.005). DW and MBL did not demonstrate statistical significance with radiographic bone gain. On the contrary, DA exhibited strong statistical significance with bone gain (p < 0.001) in the simple and multiple logistic regression analyses. Mean DA reported in this study was 40°, and this resulted in 1.85 mm radiographic bone gain. To achieve ≥1 mm of bone gain, DA must be <57°, while to attain ≥2 mm of bone gain, DA must be <30°.

Conclusion

Baseline DA of peri‐implantitis intrabony components predicts radiographic bone gain in reconstructive therapy (NCT05282667—this clinical trial was not registered prior to participant recruitment and randomization).
Allergic contact dermatitis from essential oil in consumer products: Mode of uses and value of patch tests with an essential oil series. Results of a French study of the DAG (Dermato‐Allergology group of the French Society of Dermatology)
Authors: Barbaud Annick , Kurihara Flore , Raison‐Peyron Nadia , Milpied Brigitte , Valois Aude , Assier Haudrey , Morice Cécile , Manciet Jean Romain , Gener Gwendeline , Giordano‐Labadie Françoise , Marcant Pierre , Bernier Claire , Amsler Emmanuelle , Crepy Marie Noelle , Tetart Florence , Soria Angèle , le Bouëdec Marie‐Christine Ferrier ,   for the Dermato‐Allergology Group of the French Society of Dermatology (DAG)
Published: July 2023

Objective

To analyse the clinical characteristics and sensitivity of an essential oil patch test series (EOS) in patients sensitized to their own essential oils (EOs).

Method

We analysed the clinical data and patch test results obtained with the European baseline series (BSE) and an EOS, as well as the mode of use of EOs, through a questionnaire included in the patient file.

Results

The study included 42 patients (79% women, average age 50 years) with allergic contact dermatitis (ACD), 8 patients required hospitalization. All patients were sensitized to the EO they used, primarily lavender (Lavandula augustifolia, 8000‐28‐0), tea tree (Melaleuca alternifolia leaf oil, 68647‐73‐4), ravintsara (Cinnamomum camphora oil, 92201‐50‐8), and 2 cases were attributed to helichrysum (helichrysum italicum flower absolute, 90045‐56‐0). 71% had positive patch tests to fragrance mix I or II, 9 only to the EOS and 4 only with their personal EO. Interestingly, 40% of patients did not spontaneously mention the use of EOs, and only 33% received advice on their use at the time of purchase.

Conclusion

Patch tests with the BSE, limonene and linalool HP, and oxidized tea tree oil is sufficient to detect most EO‐sensitized patients. The most important is to test the patient's own used EOs.
Does innovation drive mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector?
Authors: Dang Tram H.
Published: July 2023

Does innovation drive mergers and acquisitions in the financial sector? This issue is challenging because classical measures of innovation are unavailable in the financial sector. Thus, we introduce an innovation measure that can be used for financial firms. Considering US financial deals, we highlight the impact of a financial firm's innovative activities on the likelihood of becoming an acquirer or a target. We detect a ‘like buys like’ effect, implying that financial mergers and acquisitions are more likely when firms are at a similar level of innovation. We further show that this effect is associated with greater synergistic value.
Enhanced transformer model for video caption generation
Authors: Varma Soumya , Peter J. Dinesh
Published: July 2023

Automatic Video captioning system is a method of describing the content in a video by analysing its visual aspects with regard to space and time and producing a meaningful caption that explains the video. A decade of research in this area has resulted in a steep growth in the quality and appropriateness of the generated caption compared with the expected result. The research has been driven from the very basic method to most advanced transformer method. Machine generated caption of a video must be adhering to many expected standards. For humans, this task may be a trivial one, however its not the same for a machine to analyse the content and generate a semantically coherent description for it. The caption which is generated in a natural language must also adhere to its lexical and syntactical structure. The video captioning process is a culmination of computer vision and natural language processing tasks. Commencing with template based conventional approach, it has surpassed statistical method, traditional deep learning approaches and is now in the trend of using transformers. This work made an extensive study of the literature and has proposed an improved transformer‐based architecture for video captioning process. The transformer architecture made use of an encoder and decoder model that has two and three sublayers respectively. Multi‐head self attention and cross attention are part of the model which bring about very beneficial results. The decoder is auto‐regressive and uses a masked layer to prevent the model from foreseeing future words in the caption. An enhanced encoder‐decoder Transformer model with CNN for feature extraction has been used in our work. This model captures the long‐range dependencies and temporal relationships more effectively. The model has been evaluated with benchmark datasets and compared with state‐of‐the‐art methods and found to be slightly better in the performance. The performance scores are slightly varying for BLEU, METEOR, ROUGE and CIDEr. Furthermore, we propose the idea of curriculum learning if incorporated can improve the results again.
Precipitation of cerianite crystals and its effect on the rheology of a simplified nuclear glass melt
Authors: Jiusti Jeanini , Regnier Elise , Machado Norma Maria , Ghazzai Mohamed Leith , Malivert Vincent , Neyret Muriel , Faure François
Published: July 2023

In France, high‐activity level wastes resulting from nuclear fission are conditioned in a homogeneous sodium‐aluminoborosilicate glass by high‐temperature vitrification. The tolerance of even a small fraction of crystals could enable an increase in the waste loadings, in addition to promoting process flexibility. If the waste loading were to be increased in French nuclear glass, cerianite (CeO2) crystals could precipitate. In this study, we investigated the cerianite crystallization in a simplified nuclear glass melt at different temperatures, Ce2O3 wt%, and shear conditions. Furthermore, the evolution of the viscosity along with cerianite precipitation was followed. It was found that Ce2O3 is highly soluble in the glass melt, as even for a Ce2O3 wt% as high as 10% wt, the cerianite fraction in dynamic conditions at 1100°C after 8 h of crystallization was less than 1% vol. In addition, shear strongly accelerates cerianite crystallization and a high Ce2O3 content can engender the precipitation of highly branched dendrites. The evolution of the cerianite fraction did not significantly affect the viscosity of the glass melt. Finally, unlike what has been observed in the well‐known platinum group metal (PGM)‐bearing melts, a glass melt containing .8 vol% of cerianite crystals remains Newtonian.
Potato flour content determination of potato–wheat flour mixture based on hyperspectral imaging
Authors: Yue Minghui , Zhang Shanshan , Zhang Jing , Wang Sihua , Yu Xiaowei , Li Hongjun , Yin Xiang , Ma Chengye
Published: July 2023

Potato–wheat flour mixture (PWFM) has important significance for the development of potato staple food products. However, conventional chemical methods are unable to detect the content of potato flour. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology combined with chemometrics was investigated to predict the feasibility of potato flour content in PWFM. In this study, seven pretreatment algorithms were performed to process the raw spectral data. The results showed that the standard normalised variables (SNV) to establish a partial least square regression (PLSR) model had the most predictive accuracy with the determination coefficient of prediction () of 0.9729. The characteristic wavelengths of raw spectral information were extracted using three algorithms to reduce the model complexity. Eventually, the extracted characteristic wavelengths of potato flour content combine with SNV to establish PLSR, principal component regression (PCR) and support vector regression (SVR) models. The results revealed that the optimal model was SNV‐competitive adaptive reweighted sampling (CARS)‐PLSR with the values of of 0.9853. These results showed that HSI determination of potato flour content in PWFM was feasible and provided a non‐destructive method.
A multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial evaluating the effects of a novel autologous heterogeneous skin construct in the treatment of Wagner one diabetic foot ulcers: Final analysis
Authors: Armstrong David G. , Orgill Dennis P. , Galiano Robert , Glat Paul M. , Didomenico Lawrence , Sopko Nikolai A. , Swanson Edward W. , Sigal Felix , Snyder Robert , Li William W. , Carter Marissa , Zelen Charles M.
Published: July 2023

A novel autologous heterogeneous skin construct (AHSC) was previously shown to be effective versus standard of care (SOC) treatment in facilitating complete wound healing of Wagner 1 diabetic foot ulcers in an interim analysis of 50 patients previously published. We now report the final analysis of 100 patients (50 per group), which further supports the interim analysis findings. Forty‐five subjects in the AHSC treatment group received only one application of the autologous heterogeneous skin construct, and five received two applications. For the primary endpoint at 12 weeks, there were significantly more diabetic wounds closed in the AHSC treatment group (35/50, 70%) than in the SOC control group (17/50, 34%) (p = 0.00032). A significant difference in percentage area reduction between groups was also demonstrated over 8 weeks (p = 0.009). Forty‐nine subjects experienced 148 adverse events: 66 occurred in 21 subjects (42%) in the AHSC treatment group versus 82 in 28 SOC control group subjects (56.0%). Eight subjects were withdrawn due to serious adverse events. Autologous heterogeneous skin construct was shown to be an effective adjunctive therapy for healing Wagner 1 diabetic foot ulcers.
Left atrial appendage structural characteristics predict thrombus formation
Authors: Castellani Carson , Gao Yan , Kim Hyun , Thompson Colton , Ning John , Lohr Nicole , Welsh Aimee , Berger Marcie
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF) is a highly prevalent arrhythmia where loss of synchronized atrial contraction increases the risk of intracardiac thrombus particularly within the left atrial appendage (LAA). Anticoagulation is the mainstay of stroke prevention based on the CHA2DS2‐VASc score; however, it does not account for LAA structural characteristics.

Methods

The research comprises a retrospective matched case–control study of 196 subjects with NVAF who underwent transesophageal echo (TEE). The control group, without thrombus (n = 117), was selected from two different groups, both pools had: NVAF and CHA2DS2‐VASc score ≥ 3. One group underwent screening TEE before Watchman closure device placement from January 2015 to December 2019 (n = 74) the second underwent TEE before cardioversion from February to October 2014 (n = 43). The study group, with thrombus (n = 79), included patients with NVAF, TEE study performed between February 2014 and December 2020, and LAA thrombus. The propensity score method was utilized to determine the matched controls while accounting for confounding from prognostic variables resulting in 61 matched pairs included in the analysis data set. LAA ostial area (OA) (calculated from orthogonal measurements 0°, 90° or 45°, 135°), LAA maximal depth, and peak LAA outflow velocity were measured.

Results

Patient characteristics and TEE data were collected and compared using the t test or χ2 analysis. We observed a lower LAA peak exit velocity in the thrombus group as compared to the control group. Additionally, we found that patients in the thrombus group had smaller LAA OA at 0° and 90°, at 45° and 135°, using largest diameter, as well as using aggregate OA, and smaller maximum LAA depth compared to patients in the control group. Candidate conditional logistic regression models for the outcome of the presence of thrombus were evaluated. Statistical results from the best‐fitting conditional regression model were calculated showing a significant association between aggregate OA and LAA exit velocity with presence of thrombus.

Conclusion

Utilizing LAA structural characteristics to predict thrombus formation may help refine current cardioembolic stroke (CES) risk estimation.
The link between routine tasks and job polarization: A task measurement problem?
Authors: Walo Simon
Published: July 2023

The routine task intensity of occupations is a concept frequently used to analyse the impact of technological change on employment. However, existing studies disagree on whether it can explain the observed job polarization in advanced economies. This article first shows that these seemingly contradictory results can be explained by the different routine task measurements used in these studies. Subsequently, the validity of these measurements is discussed. Preliminary results suggest that all measurements have conceptual weaknesses but that some appear more valid than others. Job polarization may therefore be explained by occupations' routine task intensity, but only to a limited extent.
The RHW1‐ZCN4 regulatory pathway confers natural variation of husk leaf width in maize
Authors: Xia Aiai , Zheng Leiming , Wang Zi , Wang Qi , Lu Ming , Cui Zhenhai , He Yan
Published: July 2023

Maize husk leaf – the outer leafy layers covering the ear – modulates kernel yield and quality. Despite its importance, however, the genetic controls underlying husk leaf development remain elusive.

Our previous genome‐wide association study identified a single nucleotide polymorphism located in the gene RHW1 (Regulator of Husk leaf Width) that is significantly associated with husk leaf‐width diversity in maize. Here, we further demonstrate that a polymorphic 18‐bp InDel (insertion/deletion) variant in the 3′ untranslated region of RHW1 alters its protein abundance and accounts for husk leaf width variation.

RHW1 encodes a putative MYB‐like transcriptional repressor. Disruption of RHW1 altered cell proliferation and resulted in a narrower husk leaf, whereas RHW1 overexpression yielded a wider husk leaf. RHW1 positively regulated the expression of ZCN4, a well‐known TFL1‐like protein involved in maize ear development. Dysfunction of ZCN4 reduced husk leaf width even in the context of RHW1 overexpression. The InDel variant in RHW1 is subject to selection and is associated with maize husk leaf adaption from tropical to temperate regions.

Overall, our results identify that RHW1‐ZCN4 regulates a pathway conferring husk leaf width variation at a very early stage of husk leaf development in maize.
Enhancing aquaculture disease resistance: Antimicrobial peptides and gene editing
Authors: Wang Jinhai , Cheng Yu
Published: July 2023

Previous studies have demonstrated that CRISPR/Cas9‐mediated genome editing and transgenesis by integrating vector‐engineered antimicrobial peptide genes (AMGs) are effective to modulate the fish's innate immune system. To generalise the knowledge of AMG application in aquaculture, we recruited 544 data entries from a pool of empirical studies, which included 23 studies (two unpublished from our team) spanning 12 diseases. We systematically re‐processed and re‐analysed these data by harnessing a cross‐disease meta‐analysis. On aggregate, AMG‐genetic engineering aimed at enhancing disease resistance was shown to decrease the number of colony‐forming units of bacteria from fish tissues, increase post‐infection survival rates, and alter the expression of AMGs and immune‐related genes. Further, AMG pathogen‐combating activity was triggered within 2 h after infection and lasted 48 h. The overexpression of AMGs was highest in the spleen and skin, followed by the kidney and liver during this period. Typically, regardless of the type of AMGs, the synergistic expression of AMGs with IL‐10, IKβ, TGFβ, C3b and TLR genes in AMG‐integrated fish contributed to activating inflammatory/immune responses against pathogens. Our findings revealed that the efficiency of transgenic AMGs against pathogens was fish‐, pathogen‐ and AMG‐specific. Compared to bacteria, transgenic AMGs were less inhibitory to viruses and parasites. In addition, innovative CRISPR/Cas9‐based transgenesis enabling the site‐directed knock‐in of foreign genes at multiple loci was assessed for the enhancement of disease resistance in combination with other favourable fish‐production traits, including fast growth, sterility and enriched fatty‐acid content. Altogether, our findings indicated that AMGs as transgenes have substantial promise to modulate the fish's innate immune system and enhance disease resistance.
COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance among people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ejamo Janet Yohannes , Legese Gebrehiwot Lema , Tesfaye Yeabsira Aklilu , Liben Fitsum Endale
Published: July 2023

Objective

To assess coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccine acceptance among people living with HIV (PLHIV) worldwide.

Methods

We searched MEDLINE, PSYINFO, CINHAL, Scopus and EMBASE databases and other sources including free Google search and subject‐specific journals from January 2020 to September 2021. The study population included adults (aged 18+ years) living with HIV and evaluated for COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance. A random effect meta‐analysis model was used to estimate the pooled COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance rate. Subgroup analyses were performed, and factors associated with COVID‐19 vaccine hesitancy underwent narrative analysis. Of 558 initial records, 14 studies were eligible for review.

Results

The overall pooled COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance rate among adult PLHIV was 62% (95% confidence interval [CI], 56%–69%). In subgroup analysis, the estimated pooled COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance rate was higher in high‐income countries: 63% (95% CI, 55%–70%) versus 62% (95% CI, 54%–71%) in low‐ and middle‐income countries, and in studies conducted in 2022 (66% [95% CI, 58%–75%]) than in studies conducted in 2021 (57% [95% CI, 47%–68%]). Reasons for lower COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance included higher monthly income, being non‐homosexual, history of chronic disease, COVID‐19‐related medical mistrust, not knowing anyone who died of COVID‐19, believing oneself to be immune to COVID‐19, general vaccine refusal, negative attitude to the vaccine, concerns about efficacy, safety and side effects, distrust in common sources of vaccine‐related information and using social media as a source of information on COVID‐19.

Conclusion

Among PLHIV, acceptance of COVID‐19 vaccine is generally low. A greater emphasis on collaborative efforts between all concerned bodies is needed to boost vaccine acceptance in this population.
Seed and seed coat morphology in monotypic and endemic genera of Korean angiosperms
Authors: AHN Se-Moon , KIM Hye-Rin , HEO Kweon
Published: July 2023

The basic information of ovule and seed characteristics was investigated for five monotypic and endemic genera in the Korean peninsula as categorized by the Flora of Korea category. The carpels and seeds were sectioned with a rotary microtome. Mature seeds were coated with platinum using an ion sputter and observed using a scanning electron microscope. As a result, Abeliophyllum was found to be anatropous and a unitegmic ovule, with a slightly colliculate seed surface and exotestal seed coat type. The ovule of Coreanomecon was anatropous and bitegmic, having a distinct echinate seed surface, and exo-endotestal seed coat type with a prismatic crystal in the mesotesta. The ovule of Hanabusaya was anatropous and a unitegmic, with a long reticulate seed surface sculpture, and distinct exotestal seed coat type. In addition, a wing developed at the opposite side of the raphe bundle. Megaleranthis was an anatropous and bitegmic ovule, having a small pentagonal disk shape, a concave seed surface and exotestal seed coat type. Finally, Pentactina was also anatropous and a unitegmic ovule, reticulate seed sculpture, and endotestal seed coat type. These data will be proving to be a source of good information for securing bio-sovereignty in the near future.
Analysis and evaluation of morphological and molecular polymorphism in the hybridization of Elaeagnus ×maritima and E. ×submacrophylla
Authors: JANG Young-Jong , SON Dong Chan , LEE Kang-Hyup , LEE Jung-Hyun , PARK Boem Kyun
Published: July 2023

The taxonomic identity of Elaeagnus ×maritima and E. ×submacrophylla (Elaeagnaceae) in Korea is unclear, yet they are presumed to be hybrid taxa based on their morphology. To determine their hybrid origins, a morphological analysis (field surveys and specimen examinations) and a molecular analysis involving two nuclear ribosomal DNA (nrDNA) regions (internal transcribed spacer and 5S non-transcribed spacer) and one chloroplast DNA (cpDNA) region (matK) were conducted. The morphological analysis revealed that E. ×maritima showed certain morphological similarities to E. glabra, whereas E. ×submacrophylla showed certain morphological similarities to E. pungens. However, the molecular analysis indicated that E. ×maritima exhibited additive species-specific sites of E. glabra and E. macrophylla in the nrDNA regions. Notably, E. ×submacrophylla showed various aspects, with some individuals exhibiting additive species-specific sites of E. pungens and E. macrophylla in the nrDNA and E. macrophylla sequences in the cpDNA regions, some individuals exhibiting E. macrophylla sequences in the nrDNA and E. pungens sequences in the cpDNA regions, and some individuals displaying E. macrophylla sequences in both the nrDNA and cpDNA regions, despite an intermediate morphology between E. pungens and E. macrophylla. These results indicate that these two species are of hybrid origin and frequently cross between parental and hybrid individuals.
Occupational Stress and General Well-being among Police
Authors: Mamat Mohd Noor , Ab Manan Nur Athirah , Mohd Nawi Mohd Nasrom , Hamzah Nurul Ainun , Mohd Nawi Mohd Nazhari
Published: July 2023

Stress at the workplace is a global issue faced by individuals and organisations. Police officers are considered to be one of the most stressful occupations globally. This study aimed to determine factors that cause occupational stress and general well-being, the relationship between operational stress and general well-being, organisational stress and general well-being, and compare the level of occupational stress between departments. This cross-sectional study utilised the stratified random sampling procedure and recruited 107 police from a Districts Police Headquarters in Kedah. The Police Stress Questionnaire (PSQ) and General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) was used. The data has been entered and analysed using (SPSS) version 24. Perceived operational and organisational stress prevalence among the study population was moderate, with 50% operational stress (moderate stress in 39.3% and high stress in 10.3%), while organisational stress reported 60% (moderate stress in 36.4% and increased stress in 23.4%). The most common stressors reported for operational stress were negative comments from the public (19.6%), while organisational stress was staff shortage (30.8%). There is a significant negative correlation between operational and organisational stress and general well-being with r = -0.806 and r = -0.786. This study strengthens the findings that police job was stressful. The action needs to be taken by the organisational so that occupational stress can be reduced and increase the well-being of the police officers.
Hazard Identification and Physical Parameters Measurement in Dental Laboratories
Authors: Anua Siti Marwanis , Naim Faridah , Hamzah Nurul Ainun , Jusoh Juskasmini , Che Azid Md Khairul Azuan , Kasim Zakaria
Published: July 2023

Substances such as dental materials routinely used in dental procedures such as acrylate compounds, organic solvents, disinfectants can spread into air within the dental working environment and affect the indoor air quality (IAQ). This study aimed to identify the hazards at dental laboratories and measure the physical parameters of IAQ such as particulate matter (PM), temperature and humidity. Hazard Identification, Risk Assessment and Risk Control (HIRARC) analysis was conducted during walk through survey, then the area monitoring of PM10, PM2.5, temperature and humidity was conducted using particle air counter for eight hours at each dental laboratories: Prostethic Lab, Orthodontic Lab, Maxillofacial Lab, Plaster Room, Teaching Lab 1 and Teaching Lab 2. The concentration of PM10 and PM2.5 were below the acceptable level at each laboratory except for PM10 at the Prostethic Lab (205.8 μg/m3 in 2018 and 163.0 μg/m3 in 2020) which were above 150 μg/m3 as referred to the Industry Code of Practice on Indoor Air Quality 2010 by the Department of Occupational Health and Safety, Malaysia. It is important to assess the HIRARC and determine the physical parameters in dental laboratories to ensure the safety and health of the workers are guaranteed. Hence continuous monitoring and training should be conducted to ensure the prevention and control measures are efficient.
DEVELOPMENT OF PREVENTIVE COUNTERMEASURES TO COMBAT COVID-19 PANDEMIC IN SMALL AND MEDIUM-SIZED ENTERPRISES IN MALAYSIA
Authors: Hirman Ikmal Haqim , Hassim Mimi Haryani , Ismail Nor Eman , Mahmud Hafizah
Published: July 2023

The World Health Organization announced the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, and it has since infected over 286 million people worldwide in 2021, killing over 5.4 million. In Malaysia, the disease infected approximately 2,758,086 people, resulting in 31,487 deaths. Malaysian government has enacted a Movement Control Order (MCO) under the National Recovery Plan (NRP) to contain the infection. The multiple MCO phases resulted in the closure of numerous small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), resulting in revenue loss and employment losses. The objectives of this research include developing an efficient COVID-19 preventive countermeasure or enhance existing MITI Safe@Work guidelines for Malaysian SMEs and to suggest improvements to the National Recovery Plan roadmap and the MySejahtera system. An open-ended questionnaire survey is sent to Malaysian workers with safety or health background to obtain their professional information. By using Excel and NVivo software, 15 respondents’ answers are chosen for the qualitative analysis. The results include analysing experts’ valuation and insights on the existing countermeasures, NRP roadmap, MySejahtera system, development of preventive protocols for SMEs workplace, suggestion of improvements to the NRP roadmap and MySejahtera system application. In conclusion, these indicate that there are still improvements that can be made to the guidelines implemented by the government in the future with proper studies.
Design and simulation of acoustic vortex wave arrays for long-range underwater communication
Authors: Kelly Mark E. , Shi Chengzhi
Published: July 2023

The formation and propagation of acoustic vortex waves have been of increasing interest for multiple applications, namely, underwater acoustic communications. Several methods have been presented to form these vortices in underwater environments; however, their performance and propagation over long distances is largely unstudied. Understanding the long-distance propagation of these waves is vital to enhancing their usefulness as an added degree of freedom in underwater acoustic communications systems. In this work, the ray tracing algorithm of bellhop is used to investigate the design parameters of vortex wave transducer and receiver arrays consisting of multiple rings of independently controlled transducers and simulate their performance.
Spermine and spermidine bind CXCR4 and inhibit CXCR4- but not CCR5-tropic HIV-1 infection
Authors: Harms Mirja , Smith Nikaïa , Han Mingyu , Groß Rüdiger , von Maltitz Pascal , Stürzel Christina , Ruiz-Blanco Yasser B. , Almeida-Hernández Yasser , Rodriguez-Alfonso Armando , Cathelin Dominique , Caspar Birgit , Tahar Bouceba , Sayettat Sophie , Bekaddour Nassima , Vanshylla Kanika , Kleipass Franziska , Wiese Sebastian , Ständker Ludger , Klein Florian , Lagane Bernard , Boonen Arnaud , Schols Dominique , Benichou Serge , Sanchez-Garcia Elsa , Herbeuval Jean-Philippe , Münch Jan
Published: July 2023

Semen is an important vector for sexual HIV-1 transmission. Although CXCR4-tropic (X4) HIV-1 may be present in semen, almost exclusively CCR5-tropic (R5) HIV-1 causes systemic infection after sexual intercourse. To identify factors that may limit sexual X4-HIV-1 transmission, we generated a seminal fluid–derived compound library and screened it for antiviral agents. We identified four adjacent fractions that blocked X4-HIV-1 but not R5-HIV-1 and found that they all contained spermine and spermidine, abundant polyamines in semen. We showed that spermine, which is present in semen at concentrations up to 14 mM, binds CXCR4 and selectively inhibits cell-free and cell-associated X4-HIV-1 infection of cell lines and primary target cells at micromolar concentrations. Our findings suggest that seminal spermine restricts sexual X4-HIV-1 transmission.
Virulent
Brucella nosferati
infecting
Desmodus rotundus
has emerging potential due to the broad foraging range of its bat host for humans and wild and domestic animals
Authors: Hernández-Mora Gabriela , Chacón-Díaz Carlos , Moreira-Soto Andres , Barrantes-Granados Osvaldo , Suárez-Esquivel Marcela , Viquez-Ruiz Eunice , Barquero-Calvo Elías , Ruiz-Villalobos Nazareth , Hidalgo-Montealegre Daniela , González-Barrientos Rocío , Demeter Elena A. , Estrella-Morales Josimar , Zúñiga-Pereira Ana-Mariel , Quesada-Gómez Carlos , Chaves-Olarte Esteban , Lomonte Bruno , Guzmán-Verri Caterina , Drexler Jan Felix , Moreno Edgardo
Published: July 2023

Desmodus rotundus,
vampire bats, transmit dangerous infections, and brucellosis is a hazardous zoonotic disease, two adversities that coexist in the subtropical and tropical areas of the American continent. Here, we report a 47.89%
Brucella
infection prevalence in a colony of vampire bats inhabiting the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. The bacterium induced placentitis and fetal death in bats. Wide-range phenotypic and genotypic characterization placed the
Brucella
organisms as a new pathogenic species named
Brucella nosferati
sp. nov., isolated from bat tissues, including the salivary glands, suggesting feeding behavior might favor transmission to their prey. Overall analyses placed
B. nosferati
as the etiological agent of a reported canine brucellosis case, demonstrating its potential for infecting other hosts. To assess the putative prey hosts, we analyzed the intestinal contents of 14 infected and 23 non-infected bats by proteomics. A total of 54,508 peptides sorted into 7,203 unique peptides corresponding to 1,521 proteins were identified. Twenty-three wildlife and domestic taxa, including humans, were foraged by
B. nosferati
-infected
D. rotundus
, suggesting contact of this bacterium with a broad range of hosts. Our approach is appropriate for detecting, in a single study, the prey preferences of vampire bats in a diverse area, demonstrating its suitability for control strategies where vampire bats thrive.

IMPORTANCE

The discovery that a high proportion of vampire bats in a tropical area is infected with pathogenic
Brucella nosferati
and that bats forage on humans and many wild and domestic animals is relevant from the perspective of emerging disease prevention. Indeed, bats harboring
B. nosferati
in their salivary glands may transmit this pathogenic bacterium to other hosts. This potential is not trivial since, besides the demonstrated pathogenicity, this bacterium possesses all the required virulent arsenal of dangerous
Brucella
organisms, including those that are zoonotic for humans. Our work has settled the basis for future surveillance actions in brucellosis control programs where these infected bats thrive. Moreover, our strategy to identify the foraging range of bats may be adapted for exploring the feeding habits of diverse animals, including arthropod vectors of infectious diseases, and therefore of interest to a broader audience besides experts on
Brucella
and bats.