bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Single-agent Foxo1 inhibition normalizes glycemia and induces gut β-like cells in streptozotocin-diabetic mice
Authors: Lee Yun-Kyoung , Nie Yaohui , Diaz Bryan , Sultana Nishat , Kitamoto Takumi , Du Wen , Leibel Rudolph L. , Accili Domenico , Belvedere Sandro
Published: March 2022

Insulin treatment remains the sole effective intervention for Type 1 Diabetes. Here, we investigated the therapeutic potential of converting intestinal epithelial cells to insulin-producing, glucose-responsive β-like cells by targeted inhibition of Foxo1. We have shown that this can be achieved by genetic ablation in gut Neurogenin3 progenitors, adenoviral or shRNA-mediated inhibition in human gut organoids, and chemical inhibition in Akita mice, a model of insulin-deficient diabetes. In the present study, we provide evidence that two novel Foxo1 inhibitors, FBT432 and FBT374 have glucose-lowering and gut β-like cell-inducing properties in mice rendered insulin-deficient by administration of streptozotocin. FBT432 is also highly effective in combination with a Notch inhibitor in this model. The data add to a growing body of evidence suggesting that Foxo1 inhibition be pursued as an alternative treatment to insulin administration in diabetes.
Social commerce adoption: a study on consumer's online purchase behaviour of perishable pastry products
Authors: Rahman Faradewi Bee A. , Hanafiah Mohd Hafiz , Zahari Mohd Salehuddin Mohd , Jipiu Lovelyna Benedict
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study investigates the relationship between social commerce adoption determinants, perceived trust and purchase behaviour among pastry product consumers.

Design/methodology/approach

The research data were collected using a five-point Likert from 409 pastry consumers through an online survey. Partial least square-structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM) was utilised to test the study model and hypotheses.

Findings

The study findings indicate that pastry consumers perceived social commerce as effortless, engaging, enjoyable, can be trusted, simple to use and time-saving, motivating them to consume pastry products via social commerce platforms.

Practical implications

This study provides insights and implications for social commerce researchers and marketers related explicitly to perishable products.

Originality/value

This study is one of the few studies that predict and explain the consumer acceptance of social commerce in the pastry products realm. As only a handful of research has endeavoured to research social commerce, this study findings contribute to the conceptualisation of technology acceptance theory by understanding the determinants of social commerce adoption among consumers.
Impact of corporate governance and institutional context on multilatinas’ reporting quality
Authors: Correa-Mejía Diego Andrés
Published: March 2022

Purpose

This study aims to identify the impacts of corporate governance (CG) and institutional context on multilatinas’ corporate reporting quality (CRQ). CG and institutional context facilitate the reduction of agency problems and the existence of accountability processes that minimize information asymmetries.

Design/methodology/approach

A panel data model was developed from a sample of 77 multilatinas studied during the 2014–2020 period. Different estimations were carried out through the panel data model to identify the impact of CG and institutional context on CRQ.

Findings

It is evidenced that appropriate CG structure has a positive impact on multilatinas’ CRQ. In addition, each country’s regulatory quality is confirmed to have a positive effect on firms to produce higher-quality reports.

Practical implications

This research provides empirical support to what is put forward by agency and stakeholder theory regarding the role that CG and institutional context play in reducing information asymmetries and improving accountability processes to all stakeholders in the Latin American context.

Originality/value

This study contributes original results to the existing literature. Unlike previous works, the present research analyzed multilatinas facing social and political contexts that differ from those of multinationals from developed countries. Different ways of reporting were also covered, going beyond traditional ways of evaluating CRQ – which generally take the sustainability report as a basis.
Design and test of an open portable MRI system
Authors: Chauviere Simon , Belguerras Lamia , Lubin Thierry , Mezani Smail
Published: March 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is the design study and realisation of portable low-field open MRI system.

Design/methodology/approach

The design of the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system is based on an optimization study using a genetic algorithm. Non-linear two-dimensional and three-dimensional numerical electromagnetic models are developed and inserted in the optimization environment.

Findings

The results are found to be consistent with those issued from fully experimental tests. The static field produced by the device is 0.295 T with a homogeneity of 2.8% (28,000 ppm) over 100 mm diameter sphere volume. The z-axis gradient coils are capable of generating switching gradients with an amplitude of 8 mT/m and a frequency of 1.2 kHz.

Originality/value

Our system is an open portable MRI which can be used in an ambulance. The open topology permits an easy access into the lateral sides when a surgery using surgical instrument with video feedback is needed.
The Effect of Conditional Management Earnings Forecast Mandates on Voluntary Disclosure and Analyst Forecast Properties
Authors: Zhu Nathan Zhenghang , Wang Kun Tracy , Wilson Mark
Published: March 2022

This study examines the effect of a conditional management earnings forecast mandate on voluntary disclosure and the properties of analyst forecasts in China, where firms are required to provide earnings forecasts when they expect to either make a loss, turn from loss into profit, or experience a large change in earnings. We find that firms’ propensity to issue voluntary management earnings forecasts is higher when they anticipate the disclosure of mandatory management earnings forecasts in the future. This relation is stronger for government‐controlled firms. We also find a significant improvement in the quality of analyst earnings forecasts (measured by forecast accuracy and dispersion) for firms that provide voluntary management earnings forecasts, while the disclosure of mandatory management earnings forecasts is negatively associated with analyst earnings forecast quality. We document that this differential effect on analyst earnings forecast quality is attributable to the higher quality of voluntary management earnings forecasts. Further analyses suggest that the positive effect of voluntary management earnings forecasts on analyst earnings forecast quality is larger for firms with a relatively weak existing information environment. Our findings suggest that the conditional mandatory disclosure of management earnings forecasts can incentivize managers to provide voluntary forecasts, and that these voluntary forecasts play a greater role than mandatory management forecasts in improving firms’ external information environment in the Chinese capital market.
An Exploration of the Aberrant Perceptions Experienced by Westerners in the Peruvian Amazon Amid Shipibo Ayahuasca Practices
Authors: Dudek Agnes
Published: March 2022

Ayahuasca has become a subject of great interest in recent years. Academics, spiritual seekers, communities, and curious individuals have all been intrigued by this topic through either writing about it or direct participation in the contemporary spiritual phenomenon that is ayahuasca, which holds promises of bestowing upon its users profound wisdom or healing. However, what anthropological (but also popular) writings barely comment on are the deviant perceptions that arise out of experiences seeking amelioration or transcendence, and the subjective ways in which those experiences are interpreted. Consequently, I wish to supplement this scope of representation. In this text, I present fieldwork conducted in the Peruvian Amazon amid the Shipibo, focusing on the experiences of the spiritual seekers who came to them in search of healing or self‐discovery. I discovered a unique contradiction—participation in Shipibo ayahuasca practices while simultaneously having or developing a negative perception or attitude towards it. These aberrances are held, as I argue herein, (incognizantly) in the expressed attitudes of the Westerners (especially North American and European) as a result of the positivist notions that emerged from the Age of Enlightenment (but are not limited to it). My priority in this article is to present and expound on these atypical associations and place them against a historical (Western) background to elucidate the origin of the thus found and experienced perceptions.
Barriers and facilitators to dental care among culturally and linguistically diverse carers: A mixed‐methods systematic review
Authors: Marcus Kanchan , Balasubramanian Madhan , Short Stephanie , Sohn Woosung
Published: March 2022

Objectives

Culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities experience widespread inequalities in dental care utilization. While, several studies have reported factors contributing to such inequalities, a synthesis of evidence is lacking for CALD carers. This review examined the barriers and facilitators to dental care utilization among CALD carers.

Methods

Medline, CINAHL, ProQuest, Scopus and Web of Science were searched for dental utilization and related factors, without geographic limitations. An integrated mixed‐method design was adopted, where both qualitative and quantitative findings were combined into a single synthesis. Critical appraisal was conducted using JBI tools, and a Universal Health Coverage (UHC) framework guided the synthesis approach. Reliability and researcher triangulation occurred throughout the conduct of this review.

Results

A total of 20 papers were included: qualitative (n = 8), quantitative (n = 8) and mixed method (n = 4). Studies were from Australia, Canada, South Korea, Trinidad and Tobago, United Kingdom and the United States. Three studies insufficiently reported confounding variables and nine qualitative papers lacked philosophical perspectives. Affordability was the foremost barrier at the system level, followed by psychosocial negative provider experiences and language/communication issues at the provider level. Cultural, knowledge, attitudes and beliefs were individual‐family level factors. Utilizing a UHC framework, the barriers and facilitators were aggregated at three levels; financial‐system, provider and individual‐family levels and illustrated in the rainbow model of CALD oral health.

Conclusion

The review strengthens evidence for multilayered, system‐related policies and culturally sensitive provision of services for reducing oral healthcare inequalities in CALD carers.
Reproductive homing and fine‐scaled genetic structuring of anadromous Baltic Sea perch (Perca fluviatilis)
Authors: Hall Marcus , Koch‐Schmidt Per , Larsson Per , Tibblin Petter , Yıldırım Yeşerin , Sunde Johanna
Published: March 2022

To investigate the population dynamics of anadromous Baltic Sea perch Perca fluviatilis (Linnaeus), we studied the migratory behaviour (arrival to spawning location) and population structure (genetic structure and differentiation) of three closely located (<50 km) populations. Spawning migration lasted for 32–80 days, and passive integrated transponder tag (PIT‐tag) data indicated that anadromous perch displayed reproductive homing. Populations were differentiated, despite low levels of gene flow (3%–5%), and differentiation increased with increasing geographic distance. This fine‐scaled spatial structuring was likely, at least partly, explained by homing behaviour. Analyses of temporal within‐stream substructuring yielded inconclusive results, so further studies are required to evaluate this. Taken together, our findings highlight the potential for fine‐scaled genetic structuring in anadromous perch and indicate that multiple mechanisms, such as isolation by distance, homing, and reproductive timing could contribute to this pattern. This illustrates the importance of considering cryptic barriers to accurately identify reproductive units, and points to the need for local management of anadromous perch.
Potential spawning grounds of phytophilic fish under a shifting hydrological regime in Poyang Lake, China
Authors: Li Qiyue , Dai Xiaofeng , Liu Ying , Devlin Adam Thomas , Lai Geying , Wang Weiping
Published: March 2022

The quality and effectiveness of fish spawning grounds are of great significance to the conservation of freshwater systems, and the distribution of spawning grounds is critical to clearly identify. This study combines a hydrodynamic model and satellite imagery to determine potential spawning grounds in the largest freshwater lake in China. Results revealed that the increase in vegetation in Poyang Lake led to an expansion of potential spawning grounds towards the centre of the lake due to a water level decrease since 2000. The mean spawning grounds area in Poyang Lake declined from 482.51 to 814.40 km2 after 2005 and average bathymetry decreased from 12.29 to 10.49 m. The current nature reserve holds 18.26% of the total spawning grounds, while sub‐lakes hold 34.02% of the total. The constant area of spawning grounds under typical scenarios should be the baseline for future conservation.
Effect of job applicant faking and cognitive ability on self‐other agreement and criterion validity of personality assessments
Authors: Wood Joshua K. , Anglim Jeromy , Horwood Sharon
Published: March 2022

This study examined the effect of job applicant faking on the validity of personality assessments, including self‐other correlations, criterion validity, and cognitive ability correlates. By using a large sample, multiple other‐raters, a repeated‐measures design, and a realistic simulated job application, it sought to provide the most precise estimates to date of the effect of the applicant context on self‐other correlations, as well as the influence of cognitive ability on faking. Undergraduate psychology students (n = 584) completed a measure of Big Five personality (i.e., International Personality Item Pool NEO) in both a low‐stakes and a simulated job applicant context. Participants completed measures of intelligence (i.e., International Cognitive Ability Resource) and personality‐relevant objective criteria (e.g., university grades), and had an average of 3 other raters rate their personality (n = 1831). Responses to the Big Five scales were more socially desirable in the applicant context (average d = 0.58), with notable decreases in reported Neuroticism and increases in Conscientiousness, Agreeableness, and Extraversion. Average self‐other correlations declined by 24% from .59 in the low‐stakes to .45 in the applicant context. Cognitive ability was positively correlated with magnitude of faking. In the applicant context, criterion validities declined minimally. Results suggest response distortion by job applicants results in modest reductions in the accuracy and criterion validity of personality assessments.
Solar energy‐based extraction of essential oils from cloves, cinnamon, orange, lemon, eucalyptus, and cardamom: A clean energy technology for green extraction
Authors: Al‐Hilphy Asaad Rehman , Ahmed Abdul‐Hadi K. , Gavahian Mohsen , Chen Ho‐Hsien , Chemat Farid , Al‐Behadli Thamer‐K.M. , Mohd Nor Mohd Zuhair , Ahmad So'bah
Published: March 2022

Conventional essential oil extraction systems cannot meet the green extraction concepts and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Therefore, there is a need to develop alternative systems based on clean energy. The present study aims to investigate the possibility of essential oil extraction using solar energy without utilizing synthetic solvents. Hence, an eco‐friendly solar energy‐based extraction system (SEE) was developed to extract essential oils from cloves and cinnamon barks, orange and lemon peels, eucalyptus leaves, and cardamom seeds. Essential oils were assessed in terms of yield, physical properties, and chemical composition using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry assay. Also, the process sustainability was analyzed by the green extraction evaluation approach, and results were compared with those of traditional hydro‐distillation (THD). Replacing THD with SEE increased the extraction time by 0.65, 0.80, 0.41, 0.61, 0.39, and 0.45 h for processing clove, cinnamon, orange, lemon, eucalyptus, and cardamom, respectively. The optimum solar radiation for extraction was about 1000 W/m2. Also, oxygen compounds (96.45, 79.640, 42.98, and 83.76%) comprised the main proportion in the clove, cinnamon, eucalyptus, and cardamom essential oils, while orange and lemon essential oils had a high presence of terpenes. Furthermore, essential oils obtained by SEE had a similar yield and alcohol solubility to THD. According to green extraction process analysis, solar energy‐based extraction was 23–34% greener than THD, depending on the type of plant material.

Practical Applications

The innovative solar‐based extraction system designed and developed in this research can be used at farms and small factories to obtain essential oils using the zero‐energy concept. From the energy consumption viewpoint, this technology can be regarded as “free process” which can reduce production costs. Also, the unique design of the heating section of this new system prevents overheating of the sample, making this new solar‐based system suitable for the extraction of thermolabile compounds from plant materials. In this sense, obtaining a high‐quality essential oil without running cost (in terms of electricity cost), relatively small size, and low capital cost makes this system practical for future applications.
Role of protected area in reducing marine and plastic litter: A case study from India's first Marine Protected Area and comparison with Non‐Protected Areas
Authors: Baroth Anju , Mamgain Sonalika , Sivakumar Kuppusamy , Hatkar Prachi Sachchidanand , Pathan Sameeha
Published: March 2022

This research is the first to assess marine litter and plastic pollution in India's first marine protected area (MPA), the Gulf of Kachchh Marine Protected Area (GOKMPA). We compare it to two non‐protected areas, that is, Okha Beach and Beyt Dwarka, known for their high industrial and tourist activity, respectively. Standing‐stock surveys were used to collect primary litter data, while questionnaire surveys were used to learn about people's perception and attitude towards the plastic pollution problem in the study area. We found that plastic was the most common component of the litter at all the sites and that it was primarily of terrestrial origin. Compared to non‐protected sites, GOKMPA had the lowest litter density but the highest proportion of plastic litter. Single‐use plastic bottles were the most counted items at all the sites, regardless of the conservation status of the sites. The majority of people (locals, visitors, and fishers) around these sites expressed concern about waste but were hesitant to take responsibility and discourage or prevent littering. We noted that designating coastal territories as protected areas helps in reducing plastic pollution while also conserving habitat and biodiversity. However, this could change rapidly due to either mishandling of litter within MPAs or neighboring non‐PAs, and also because plastics pose an actual toxicity risk when present even at minimal concentrations in the environment. We recommend combining preventive, mitigating, and curative measures in areas where risk hotspots for plastic litter are identified, and such sites must be constantly monitored. Long‐term solutions could include transitioning from a linear to a circular economy, which would involve goals for reducing plastic waste and instituting more sustainable production and consumption patterns.
Digital Workflow in Implant Treatment Planning For Terminal Dentition Patients
Authors: Papaspyridakos Panos , Bedrossian Armand , De Souza Andre , Bokhary Abdullah , Gonzaga Luiz , Chochlidakis Konstantinos
Published: March 2022

Treatment planning for the transition of patients from terminal dentition to full‐arch implant rehabilitation poses challenges. Such challenges pertain to achieving the new orientation of the occlusal and esthetic plane as well as the change of vertical dimension of occlusion (VDO), while the fixed provisionalization using a digital workflow still tends to be considered complex and hard to perform. This article illustrates step‐by‐step the utilization of a digital workflow protocol in the treatment planning for rehabilitation of terminal dentition patients, simplifying the smile design and ensuring that fixed provisionalization serves both functional and esthetic requirements. This protocol includes facially driven, three‐dimensional (3D) digital smile design and chairside mock‐up restoration workflows that enable prosthetically driven assessment prior to implant treatment planning and 3D printing of surgical templates and prefabricated interim prostheses, which can predictably reduce chairside time and adjustments at the surgical and fixed provisionalization appointment.
Evaluation of the Effect of Different Construction Techniques of CAD‐CAM Milled, 3D‐Printed, and Polyamide Denture Base Resins on Flexural Strength: An In Vitro Comparative Study
Authors: Zeidan Ahmed Abd El‐latif , Sherif Ahmed Fadlallah , Baraka Yasser , Abualsaud Reem , Abdelrahim Ramy Abdallah , Gad Mohammed M. , Helal Mohamed A.
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To compare the flexural strength of computer‐aided design and computer‐aided manufacturing (CAD‐CAM) milled denture base resin (DBR), 3D‐printed DBR, polyamide, and conventional compression‐molded DBR.

Materials and Methods

Six denture base resins were used, one conventional heat‐polymerized (Vertex), two milled CAD‐CAM (AvaDent and Polident), two 3D‐printed (Harz and NextDent), and one flexible polyamide (Polyamide). According to ISO 20795‐1:2013, 60 specimens (65×10×3 mm) were constructed and divided into six groups (n = 10), according to DBR type. The flexural strength was measured using a universal testing machine and three‐point loading test. Data were collected and analyzed using one‐way ANOVA and Tukey's pair‐wise post hoc tests (α = 0.05).

Results

One‐way ANOVA results showed significant differences in flexural strengths between the tested DBRs (p˂0.001). Milled denture base resins (AvaDent and Polident) had significantly higher flexural strength values than the other groups (p˂0.001) and were followed by Vertex and NextDent, while Polyamide and Harz had the lowest values. Polyamide and Harz denture base resins had significantly lower flexural strength values than conventional denture base resin (p˂0.001).

Conclusion

CAD‐CAM milled DBRs showed the highest flexural strength when compared with conventional compression‐molded or 3D‐printed DBRs, while 3D‐printed DBRs and polyamide showed the lowest flexural strengths.
Patent as security in insolvency process: Problems and solutions
Authors: Zachariah Nimmy Saira
Published: March 2022

There are various ways by which a company can raise funds. The easiest is through debt financing, that is creating debt securities. When a debt is created, a security equivalent to the debt amount is given by the debtor as “collateral.” The “collateral” can either be a tangible or intangible asset. Tangible assets are those which could be perceived by senses while intangibles include intellectual property rights of a company. Usually, the documents of IP rights are used to create security interest. The created IP sometimes will be again used to create a pledge, in that case, the question as to who will have the authority of the property is still not clarified in Indian laws. The paper tries to cover international principles that could be applied such rule of perfection to cater to the development of a solution.
Future‐proofing the koala: Synergising genomic and environmental data for effective species management
Authors: Lott Matthew J. , Wright Belinda R. , Neaves Linda E. , Frankham Greta J. , Dennison Siobhan , Eldridge Mark D. B. , Potter Sally , Alquezar‐Planas David E. , Hogg Carolyn J. , Belov Katherine , Johnson Rebecca N.
Published: March 2022

Climatic and evolutionary processes are inextricably linked to conservation. Avoiding extinction in rapidly changing environments often depends upon a species’ capacity to adapt in the face of extreme selective pressures. Here, we employed exon capture and high‐throughput next‐generation sequencing to investigate the mechanisms underlying population structure and adaptive genetic variation in the koala (Phascolarctos cinereus), an iconic Australian marsupial that represents a unique conservation challenge because it is not uniformly threatened across its range. An examination of 250 specimens representing 91 wild source locations revealed that five major genetic clusters currently exist on a continental scale. The initial divergence of these clusters appears to have been concordant with the Mid‐Brunhes Transition (~430 to 300 kya), a major climatic reorganisation that increased the amplitude of Pleistocene glacial‐interglacial cycles. While signatures of polygenic selection and environmental adaptation were detected, strong evidence for repeated, climate‐associated range contractions and demographic bottleneck events suggests that geographically isolated refugia may have played a more significant role in the survival of the koala through the Pleistocene glaciation than in situ adaptation. Consequently, the conservation of genome‐wide genetic variation must be aligned with the protection of core koala habitat to increase the resilience of vulnerable populations to accelerating anthropogenic threats. Finally, we propose that the five major genetic clusters identified in this study should be accounted for in future koala conservation efforts (e.g., guiding translocations), as existing management divisions in the states of Queensland and New South Wales do not reflect historic or contemporary population structure.
The Limits of the Law
Authors: Zanetti Gianfrancesco
Published: March 2022

This paper scrutinizes the notion of the limits of the law by contrasting the narrative of the autonomy and independence of legal systems with the alternative narratives the law itself can acknowledge. If the limits of the law can dwell in this acknowledgment of alternative narratives, such limits will turn out to be neither reassuring borders nor protective walls. In the interstitial spaces between narratives may dwell a notion of limits of the law that probably cannot be captured by any geographic‐border metaphor.
Ecosystem restoration in India during the United Nations decade on ecosystem restoration: the way forward
Authors: Singh Kripal , Abhilash Purushothaman C. , Maiti Subodh Kumar , Venkataraman Ramesh
Published: March 2022

This article introduces the special section on “Ecosystem Restoration in India: Status Quo and the Way Forward to Achieve Land Degradation Neutrality” and provides an overview of the four papers that constitute this section.
Origin and distribution of calcite cements in a folded fluvial succession: The Puig‐reig anticline (south‐eastern Pyrenees)
Authors: Sun Xiaolong , Gomez‐Rivas Enrique , Cruset David , Alcalde Juan , Muñoz‐López Daniel , Cantarero Irene , Martín‐Martín Juan Diego , John Cédric M. , Travé Anna
Published: March 2022

As one of the predominant diagenetic products in clastic rocks, calcite cements are typical fingerprints of cement‐forming fluids and are key controls on reservoir quality. The Puig‐reig anticline, in the south‐eastern Pyrenees (Spain), exposes excellent outcrops of conglomerates, sandstones and claystones, which were deposited from a proximal to medial fluvial system and underwent folding, fracturing and cementation. This anticline constitutes an appropriate case study to investigate the origin and distribution of calcite cements during folding evolution and how they affect reservoir quality. Based on structural, petrographic and geochemical analyses (carbon, oxygen, strontium and clumped isotopes and elemental composition), five generations of calcite cements (‘Cc0’ to ‘Cc4’) have been identified, filling intergranular porosity of host rocks, faults and four fracture sets (F1 to F4). Calcite cement Cc0 precipitated in intergranular porosity from meteoric fluids in the phreatic zone during the early diagenetic stage. During the most intense phase of thrusting and folding, Cc1 precipitated in intergranular porosity, faults and F1 to F4 fracture sets from hydrothermal fluids that migrated from deeper areas of the Pyrenean chain. During the late stage of fold growth, Cc2 precipitated in faults and their associated fractures in the anticline crest from hydrothermal fluids but at shallower burial depths than that of Cc1. Calcite cement Cc3 mainly precipitated in fractures with the same strike as F1 and F4 fracture sets in the north‐western part of the anticline, from formation fluids that probably migrated through the frontal thrust of the south‐eastern Pyrenees. During the continuous fold denudation, Cc4 precipitated from meteoric fluids in F1 to F4 fracture sets across the anticline. Results indicate that at foreland basin margins, external fluids coeval with compressional deformation and/or alteration of detrital carbonates contribute to intensive calcite cementation. This can result in an overall occlusion of porosity and significantly damaged reservoir quality.
Variable Expression of Opa Proteins by Neisseria gonorrhoeae Influences Bacterial Association and Phagocytic Killing by Human Neutrophils
Authors: Alcott Allison M. , Werner Lacie M. , Baiocco Christopher M. , Belcher Dufrisne Meagan , Columbus Linda , Criss Alison K.
Published: March 2022

Neisseria gonorrhoeae
, the cause of gonorrhea, is an urgent-threat pathogen due to increasing numbers of infections and increased antibiotic resistance. Many surface components of
N. gonorrhoeae
are phase variable, including the Opa protein family of adhesins and invasins.
Essential Role for an Isoform of Escherichia coli Translation Initiation Factor IF2 in Repair of Two-Ended DNA Double-Strand Breaks
Authors: Mallikarjun Jillella , Gowrishankar J.
Published: March 2022

Double-strand breaks (DSBs) in DNA are major threats to genome integrity. In
Escherichia coli
, DSBs are repaired by RecA- and RecBCD-mediated homologous recombination (HR).
Machupo Virus with Mutations in the Transmembrane Domain and Glycosylation Sites of the Glycoprotein Is Attenuated and Immunogenic in Animal Models of Bolivian Hemorrhagic Fever
Authors: Mantlo Emily K. , Maruyama Junki , Manning John T. , Wanninger Timothy G. , Huang Cheng , Smith Jeanon N. , Patterson Michael , Paessler Slobodan , Koma Takaaki
Published: March 2022

For arenaviruses, the only vaccine available is the live attenuated Candid#1 vaccine, a JUNV vaccine approved in Argentina. We and others have found that the glycans on GPC and the F427 residue in the GPC TMD are important for virulence of JUNV.
The Genome Sequence of Brucella intermedia DF13, a 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic Acid-Degrading Soil Bacterium Isolated in Brazil
Authors: Silva Sheila da , Peckle Barbara Alvarenga , Ribeiro José Roberto de Assis , Oliveira Selma Soares de , Bianco Kayo , Clementino Maysa Mandetta , Direito Ida Carolina Neves , Macrae Andrew
Published: March 2022

Brucella intermedia
/
Ochrobactrum intermedium
strain DF13 was isolated from Brazilian soil and is able to degrade 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D). Here, we report on its genome sequence, with 4,570,268 bp and a 57.8% G+C content.
Logistic Model of Population Toxicodynamics
Authors: Danilov-Danilyan V. I. , Rozental O. M.
Published: March 2022

The effect of pollutant in water on a population of aquatic organisms as a function of exposure time is studied. Natural assumptions are formulated regarding the character of this process, primarily, the linear relationship between the rate of decrease in the population, on the one hand, and the population size and the number of organisms killed by intoxication, on the other hand. The formulated assumptions are used to construct a model of population toxicodynamics, which describes the kinetics of suppression of the population by a logistic function. The results of model calculations are shown to agree with the available experimental data, thus justifying the formulated assumptions regarding the character of the intoxication process. An extension of the model is proposed through the incorporation of the dependence of the result of intoxication on pollutant concentration by the well-known Haber’s formula. The developed model was used to propose an equation of regulated toxicodynamics for organization of water use without violation of the regime of natural functioning of ecosystems. The obtained specification of the notions of the mechanisms of intoxication process is necessary for the substantiation of hygienic standards on the concentration of chemicals in water, forecasts of biodiversity, and the choice of measures for supporting weak components of trophic chains in aquatic ecosystems.
Multidrug-resistant keratitis: challenging yet manageable
Authors: Sahoo Sonali , Alluri Himabindu , Mitra Sanchita , Priyadarshini Smrutirekha , Sahu Srikant K , Mohanty Amrita , Das Sujata
Published: March 2022

Purpose

To study the incidence, clinical features and outcomes of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacterial keratitis.

Methods

All cases of MDR-bacterial keratitis presenting to our institute over a period of 2 years were retrospectively analysed. Details of risk factors, size and depth of infiltrate, treatment, and outcome were noted. Antibiotic susceptibility tests were done on the ocular isolates from the culture of samples obtained from ocular infections, and resistance or sensitivity of the organisms to the commonly used antibiotics was studied.

Results

Forty patients were diagnosed with MDR-bacterial keratitis in the study period. The mean age of patients was 50.9±25.4 years. Most common risk factors were vegetative trauma (n=12, 30.0%), followed by corneal transplantation (n=7, 17.5%) and systemic comorbidities (n=7, 17.5%). Infiltrate was small (<6 mm) in 22 (55%) and large (>6 mm) in 18 (45%) patients. It involved the superficial, mid and deep stroma in 11 (27.5%), 9 (22.5%) and 15 (37.5%) cases, respectively. Gram-negative bacilli (n=18, 45%) were the maximum, among whichPseudomonas aeruginosa(15%) was the most common. Resistance to 3 (n=17, 42.5%) and 4 (n=17, 42.5%) classes of antibiotics was the most commonly observed. One (2.5%) patient showed resistance to all seven classes of drugs tested. Complete resolution of infection was seen in 15 (37.5%) MDR patients on medical management alone. Five (12.5%) patients underwent therapeutic penetrating keratoplasty. Size of the infiltrate was found to have a significant correlation with the outcome (p=0.002).

Conclusion

MDR keratitis, despite being a challenge to treat, can be successfully managed by medical therapy alone, if appropriate therapy is started early in the clinical course.
Succinic acid exacerbates experimental autoimmune uveitis by stimulating neutrophil extracellular traps formation via SUCNR1 receptor
Authors: Li Hongxi , Tan Handan , Liu Zhangluxi , Pan Su , Tan Shiyao , Zhu Yunyun , Wang Qingfeng , Su Guannan , Zhou Chunjiang , Cao Qingfeng , Yang Peizeng
Published: March 2022

Aims

To investigate the effect of succinic acid on the development of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) and the underlying mechanism.

Methods

Succinic acid was administrated intraperitoneally to evaluate its effects on immune response and EAU in mice. Intraocular inflammation was evaluated by histopathological scoring. Frequencies of Th1/Th17 cells were measured by flow cytometry. Concentrations of IFN-γ/IL-17A, neutrophil elastase (NE) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent test. Infiltration of neutrophils and generation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) within the eye were assessed by immumofluorescence. NETs formation in extracellular matrix was visualised by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Succinate receptor (SUCNR1) antagonist was used to investigate its effect on the generation of NETs.

Results

Intraperitoneal injection of succinic acid exacerbated EAU severity as evidenced by severe histological changes in association with elevated frequencies of splenic Th1/Th17 cells, and upregulated levels of IFN-γ/IL-17A and NETs in plasma. In vitro experiments showed that succinic acid could promote the generation of NETs by neutrophils as shown by increased expression of NE and MPO.NETs could increase the frequencies of Th1/Th17 cells in CD4+T cells and their expression of IFN-γ/IL-17A. In the experiment of receptor antagonism, the upregulatory effect of succinic acid on NETs could be significantly blocked by SUCNR1 antagonist.

Conclusions

Succinic acid could worsen EAU induced by IRBP in mice. This effect was possibly mediated by its upregulation on NETs generation and frequencies of Th1/Th17 cells in affiliation with increased production of IFN-γ/IL-17A through succinic acid-SUCNR1 axis.
Self-harm, somatic disorders and mortality in the 3 years following a hospitalisation in psychiatry in adolescents and young adults
Authors: Jollant Fabrice , Goueslard Karine , Hawton Keith , Quantin Catherine
Published: March 2022

Background

There is limited recent information regarding the risk of self-harm, somatic disorders and premature mortality following discharge from psychiatric hospital in young people.

Objective

To measure these risks in young people discharged from a psychiatric hospital as compared with both non-affected controls and non-hospitalised affected controls.

Methods

Data were extracted from the French national health records. Cases were compared with two control groups. Cases: all individuals aged 12–24 years, hospitalised in psychiatry in France in 2013–2014. Non-affected controls: matched for age and sex with cases, not hospitalised in psychiatry and no identification of a mental disorder in 2008–2014. Affected controls: unmatched youths identified with a mental disorder between 2008 and 2014, never hospitalised in psychiatry. Follow-up of 3 years. Logistic regression analyses were conducted with these confounding variables: age, sex, past hospitalisation for self-harm, past somatic disorder diagnosis.

Findings

The studied population comprised 73 300 hospitalised patients (53.6% males), 219 900 non-affected controls and 9 683 affected controls. All rates and adjusted risks were increased in hospitalised patients versus both non-affected and affected controls regarding a subsequent hospitalisation for self-harm (HR=105.5, 95% CIs (89.5 to 124.4) and HR=1.5, 95% CI (1.4 to 1.6)), a somatic disorder diagnosis (HR=4.1, 95% CI (3.9–4.1) and HR=1.4, 95% CI (1.3–1.5)), all-cause mortality (HR=13.3, 95% CI (10.6–16.7) and HR=2.2, 95% CI (1.5–3.0)) and suicide (HR=9.2, 95% CI (4.3–19.8) and HR=1.7, 95% CI (1.0–2.9)).

Conclusions

The first 3 years following psychiatric hospital admission of young people is a period of high risk for self-harm, somatic disorders and premature mortality.

Clinical implications

Attention to these negative outcomes urgently needs to be incorporated in aftercare policies.
Temporal lobe epilepsy lateralisation and surgical outcome prediction using diffusion imaging
Authors: Johnson Graham W. , Cai Leon Y. , Narasimhan Saramati , González Hernán F. J. , Wills Kristin E. , Morgan Victoria L. , Englot Dario J.
Published: March 2022

Objective

We sought to augment the presurgical workup of medically refractory temporal lobe epilepsy by creating a supervised machine learning technique that uses diffusion-weighted imaging to classify patient-specific seizure onset laterality and surgical outcome.

Methods

151 subjects were included in this analysis: 62 patients (aged 18–68 years, 36 women) and 89 healthy controls (aged 18–71 years, 47 women). We created a supervised machine learning technique that uses diffusion-weighted metrics to classify subject groups. Specifically, we sought to classify patients versus healthy controls, unilateral versus bilateral temporal lobe epilepsy, left versus right temporal lobe epilepsy and seizure-free versus not seizure-free surgical outcome. We then reduced the dimensionality of derived features with community detection for ease of interpretation.

Results

We classified the subject groups in withheld testing data sets with a cross-fold average testing areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.745 for patients versus healthy controls, 1.000 for unilateral versus bilateral seizure onset, 0.662 for left versus right seizure onset, 0.800 for left-sided seizure-free vsersu not seizure-free surgical outcome and 0.775 for right-sided seizure-free versus not seizure-free surgical outcome.

Conclusions

This technique classifies important clinical decisions in the presurgical workup of temporal lobe epilepsy by generating discerning white-matter features. We believe that this work augments existing network connectivity findings in the field by further elucidating important white-matter pathology in temporal lobe epilepsy. We hope that this work contributes to recent efforts aimed at using diffusion imaging as an augmentation to the presurgical workup of this devastating neurological disorder.
Destroying Kerr–Newman-Nut-Quintessence black hole
Authors: Molla Niyaz Uddin , Debnath Ujjal
Published: March 2022

In this paper, we investigate the possibility of destroying the Kerr–Newman-Nut-Quintessence (KNNQ) black hole surrounded by the quintessence field, dust, and radiation with both the electric charge and magnetic charge. By neglecting the radiative, self-energy and self-force effects, it has been shown that a near extremal KNNQ black hole can turn into a naked singularity by the test particle both in the electric field as well as the magnetic field. In this work, we neglect the self-energy, self-force and radiative effects as considered by some others in the literature. We also investigate that the allowed parameter range for the particle is very narrow, indicating that radiative, self-energy and self-force effects are considered and may prevent violation of the cosmic censorship.
SentiNet: A Nonverbal Facial Sentiment Analysis Using Convolutional Neural Network
Authors: Refat Md Abu Rumman , Singh Bikash Chandra , Rahman Mohammad Muntasir
Published: March 2022

Human facial expressions are an essential and fundamental component for expressing the state of the human mind. The automatic analysis of these nonverbal facial expressions has become a fascinating and quite challenging problem in computer vision, with its application in different areas, such as psychology, human–machine interaction, health, and augmented reality. Recently, deep learning (DL) has become a widespread technique for studying human nonverbal facial sentiment expressions, and some research attempts have been made to propose a certain model on this topic. The purpose of this paper is to apply the appropriate convolutional neural network (CNN) approach by adding several layers of different dimensions, which allows the CNN approach to efficiently classify human facial sentiment expressions with data augmentation capable of recognizing seven basic human facial expressions: anger, sadness, fear, disgust, happiness, surprise, and neutral. In particular, this study mainly proposes a convolution neural network architecture, as well as learning factors that minimize the memory space and total training time of the proposed network due to the shallow architecture of the model. Following that, we demonstrated our proposed model’s network complexity, computational cost, and classification accuracy on the three benchmark datasets: FER2013, KDEF, and JAFFE. As a result, our proposed approach achieves accuracy of [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text], [Formula: see text] in the FER2013, KDEF, and JAFFE, respectively, which is better compared to other state-of-the-art approaches.
Dual-band unidirectional reflectionless phenomenon based on high-order plasmon resonators in plasmonic waveguide system
Authors: Yu Lingxue , Zhang Ying Qiao , Jin Xing Ri , Lee Young Pak
Published: March 2022

We investigate the dual-band unidirectional reflectionless phenomenon and near perfect absorption using high-order plasmon resonators at exceptional points based on near-field coupling in plasmonic waveguide system. The system consists of two high-order plasmon resonators end-coupled to a metal-insulator-metal plasmonic waveguide. The reflection for forward (backward) direction is close to 0.85 (0.74), while for backward (forward) direction is approximate to 0 (0) at a frequency of 199.8[Formula: see text]THz (206.1[Formula: see text]THz), and the quality factor of absorption spectrum is about 257.6 (217.2) at 206.1[Formula: see text]THz (199.8[Formula: see text]THz) for forward (backward) direction.
Three-Dimensional Response of Multilayer FG-GPLRC Spherical Panels Under Blast Loading
Authors: Heydarpour Yasin , Malekzadeh Parviz , Zhu Hanxing
Published: March 2022

In the present research, the dynamic responses of the multilayer functionally graded graphene platelets reinforced composite (FG-GPLRC) spherical panels under blast loading are studied. Three-dimensional elasticity theory is employed to derive the governing equations. The distribution of graphene platelets (GPLs) in each layer is uniform and random with a constant weight fraction. GPLs concentration across the panel thickness may be uniform or graded. The layerwise-differential quadrature method (LW-DQM) together with a non-uniform rational B-spline-based multi-step time integration scheme is used to discretize the motion equations. The convergence behavior of the method is examined numerically. Further, to assure its accuracy, the results in the limit cases are compared with those available in the literature. Finally, through the parametric studies, the effects of material and geometrical parameters such as GPLs distribution patterns, GPLs weight fraction and dimension ratios on the transient responses of the FG-GPLRC spherical panels subjected to blast loading are investigated.
Assured Mission Adaptation of UAVs
Authors: Zudaire Sebastián A. , Nahabedian Leandro , Uchitel Sebastián
Published: March 2022

The design of systems that can change their behaviour to account for scenarios that were not foreseen at design time remains an open challenge. In this article, we propose an approach for adaptation of mobile robot missions that is not constrained to a predefined set of mission evolutions. We implement an adaptive software architecture and show how controller synthesis can be used both to guarantee correct transitioning from the old to the new mission goals with runtime architectural reconfiguration to include new software actuators and sensors if necessary. The architecture brings together architectural concepts that are commonplace in robotics such as temporal planning, discrete, hybrid and continuous control layers together with architectural concepts from adaptive systems such as runtime models and runtime synthesis. We validate the architecture flying several missions taken from the robotic literature for different real and simulated UAVs.