bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Modeling and Simulation of Neocortical Micro- and Mesocircuitry. Part II: Physiology and Experimentation
Authors: Isbister James B. , Ecker András , Pokorny Christoph , Bolaños-Puchet Sirio , Egas Santander Daniela , Arnaudon Alexis , Awile Omar , Barros-Zulaica Natali , Blanco Alonso Jorge , Boci Elvis , Chindemi Giuseppe , Courcol Jean-Denis , Damart Tanguy , Delemontex Thomas , Dietz Alexander , Ficarelli Gianluca , Gevaert Mike , Herttuainen Joni , Ivaska Genrich , Ji Weina , Keller Daniel , King James , Kumbhar Pramod , Lapere Samuel , Litvak Polina , Mandge Darshan , Muller Eilif B. , Pereira Fernando , Planas Judit , Ranjan Rajnish , Reva Maria , Romani Armando , Rössert Christian , Schürmann Felix , Sood Vishal , Teska Aleksandra , Tuncel Anil , Van Geit Werner , Wolf Matthias , Markram Henry , Ramaswamy Srikanth , Reimann Michael W.
Published: May 2023

Cortical dynamics underlie many cognitive processes and emerge from complex multi-scale interactions, which are challenging to studyin vivo. Large-scale, biophysically detailed models offer a tool which can complement laboratory approaches. We present a model comprising eight somatosensory cortex subregions, 4.2 million morphological and electrically-detailed neurons, and 13.2 billion local and mid-range synapses.In silicotools enabled reproduction and extension of complex laboratory experiments under a single parameterization, providing strong validation. The model reproduced millisecond-precise stimulus-responses, stimulus-encoding under targeted optogenetic activation, and selective propagation of stimulus-evoked activity to downstream areas. The model’s direct correspondence with biology generated predictions about how multiscale organization shapes activity; for example, how cortical activity is shaped by high-dimensional connectivity motifs in local and mid-range connectivity, and spatial targeting rules by inhibitory subpopulations. The latter was facilitated using a rewired connectome which included specific targeting rules observed for different inhibitory neuron types in electron microscopy. The model also predicted the role of inhibitory interneuron types and different layers in stimulus encoding. Simulation tools and a large subvolume of the model are made available to enable further community-driven improvement, validation and investigation.
The phototrophic bacteriaRhodomicrobiumspp. are novel chassis for bioplastic production
Authors: Conners Eric M. , Rengasamy Karthikeyan , Bose Arpita
Published: May 2023

Polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB) is a bio-based, biodegradable alternative to petroleum-based plastics. PHB production at industrial scales remains infeasible, in part due to insufficient yields and high costs. Addressing these challenges requires identifying novel biological chassis for PHB production and modifying known biological chassis to enhance production using sustainable, renewable inputs. Here, we take the former approach and present the first description of PHB production by two prosthecate photosynthetic purple non-sulfur bacteria (PNSB),Rhodomicrobium vannieliiandRhodomicrobium udaipurense.We show that both species produce PHB across photoheterotrophic, photoautotrophic, photoferrotrophic, and photoelectrotrophic growth conditions. Both species show the greatest PHB titers during photoheterotrophic growth on butyrate with dinitrogen gas as a nitrogen source (up to 44.08 mg/L), while photoelectrotrophic growth demonstrated the lowest titers (up to 0.13 mg/L). These titers are both greater (photoheterotrophy) and less (photoelectrotrophy) than those observed previously in a related PNSB,Rhodopseudomonas palustrisTIE-1. On the other hand, we observe the highest electron yields during photoautotrophic growth with hydrogen gas or ferrous iron electron donors, and these electron yields were generally greater than those observed previously in TIE-1. These data suggest that non model organisms likeRhodomicrobiumshould be explored for sustainable PHB production and highlights utility in exploring novel biological chassis.
Metabolic FRET sensors in intact organs: Applying spectral unmixing to acquire reliable signals
Authors: Gándara Lautaro , Durrieu Lucía , Wappner Pablo
Published: May 2023

In multicellular organisms, metabolic coordination across multiple tissues and cell types is essential to satisfy regionalized energetic requirements and respond coherently to changing environmental conditions. However, most metabolic assays require the destruction of the biological sample, with a concomitant loss of spatial information. Fluorescent metabolic sensors and probes are among the most user-friendly techniques for collecting metabolic information with spatial resolution. In a previous work, we have adapted to an animal system,Drosophila melanogaster, genetically encoded metabolic FRET-based sensors that had been previously developed in single-cell systems. These sensors provide semi-quantitative data on the stationary concentrations of key metabolites of the bioenergetic metabolism: lactate, pyruvate, and 2-oxoglutarate. The use of these sensors in intact organs required the development of an image processing method that minimizes the contribution of spatially complex autofluorescence patterns, that would obscure the FRET signals. In this article, we describe the fundamentals of intramolecular hetero-FRET, the technology on which these sensors are based. Finally, using data from the lactate sensor expressed in the larval brain as a case study, we show step by step how to process the fluorescence signal to obtain reliable FRET values.
PLEKHS1 drives PI3Ks and remodels pathway homeostasis in PTEN-null prostate
Authors: Chessa Tamara , Jung Piotr , Suire Sabine , Anwar Arqum , Anderson Karen E. , Barneda David , Kielkowska Anna , Sadiq Barzan A. , Felisbino Sergio , Oxley David , Spensberger Dominik , Segonds-Pichon Anne , Wilson Michael , Walker Simon , Okkenhaug Hanneke , Cosulich Sabina , Hawkins Phillip T. , Stephens Len R.
Published: May 2023

The PIP3/PI3K network is a central regulator of metabolism and is frequently activated in cancer, commonly by loss of the PIP3/PI(3,4)P2-phosphatase, PTEN. Despite huge investment, the drivers of the PI3K network in normal tissues and how they adapt to overactivation are unclear.

We find that in healthy mouse prostate PI3K activity is driven by RTK/IRS signalling and constrained by pathway-feedback. In the absence of PTEN, the network is dramatically remodelled. A poorly understood, YXXM and PIP3/PI(3,4)P2-binding PH domain-containing, adaptor, PLEKHS1, became the dominant activator and was required to sustain PIP3, AKT-phosphorylation and growth in PTEN-null prostate. This was because PLEKHS1 evaded pathway-feedback and experienced enhanced PI3K and SRC-family kinase-dependent phosphorylation of Y258XXM, eliciting PI3K activation.hPLEKHS1-mRNA and activating-Y419-phosphorylation of hSRC correlated with PI3K-pathway activity in human prostate cancers. We propose that in PTEN-null cells, receptor-independent, SRC-dependent tyrosine-phosphorylation of PLEKHS1 creates positive-feedback that escapes homeostasis, drives PIP3- signalling and supports tumour progression.
Songbird mesostriatal dopamine pathways are spatially segregated before the onset of vocal learning
Authors: Ramarao Malavika , Roeser Andrea , Jones Caleb , Goldberg Jesse H.
Published: May 2023

Diverse dopamine (DA) pathways send distinct reinforcement signals to different striatal regions. In adult songbirds, a DA pathway from the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to Area X, the striatal nucleus of the song system, carries singing-related performance error signals important for learning. Meanwhile, a parallel DA pathway to a medial striatal area (MST) arises from a distinct group of neighboring DA neurons that lack connectivity to song circuits and do not encode song error. To test if the structural and functional segregation of these two pathways depends on singing experience, we carried out anatomical studies early in development before the onset of song learning. We find that distinct VTA neurons project to either Area X or MST in juvenile birds before the onset of substantial vocal practice. Quantitative comparisons of early juveniles (30-35 dph), late juveniles (60-65 dph), and adult (>90 dph) brains revealed an outsized expansion in the number of Area X-projecting and MST-projecting VTA neurons over development. These results show that a mesostriatal DA system dedicated to social communication can exist and be spatially segregated before the onset of vocal practice and associated sensorimotor experience.
Effects of anthropomorphized virus warnings and perceived cuteness on compliance intention
Authors: Xiang Liang , Park Hyun Jung
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study investigated the anthropomorphism of the pandemic virus and its downstream effects by examining how warnings trigger viewers' risk perceptions and motivate them to pursue protection.

Design/methodology/approach

Three experiments were conducted. The first was a two-part (virus: anthropomorphic vs non-anthropomorphic) between-subject design that measured the participants' risk perception and compliance intention. The second experiment used a three-part (cuteness: cute vs non-cute vs control) between-subjects design. The third experiment used a three-part (cuteness: cute vs non-cute vs control) by two-part (aggressive guidance: present vs absent) between-subject design.

Findings

Anthropomorphism of the virus increased risk perception, thus influencing protective behavior and the effectiveness of warning signs, but only when the message was not perceived as cute. Aggressive messages and cute images of baby schemata enhanced compliance intention to warning guidelines.

Practical implications

The results provide a theoretical basis for studying the effectiveness of anthropomorphized warning signs and suggest implications for the impact of anthropomorphism on risk communication and compliance.

Originality/value

This study highlights that cuteness, often accompanied by anthropomorphism, may evoke inferences that reduce the effect of risk communication to induce compliance intention. Furthermore, the authors discovered that a more persuasive message appeals to mitigate the maladaptive responses to cute warnings.
Political connections, board ethnicity and value relevance in Mauritius
Authors: Mustun Tasneem , Abdul Wahab Effiezal Aswadi
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The paper aims to investigate the impact of political connections and board ethnicity on the value relevance of earnings and book value in Mauritius.

Design/methodology/approach

This study is based on a sample of 541 Mauritian-listed firm-year observations for 2001–2016. Financial and board diversity data have been collected using the listed firms’ annual reports and from reports published by the Stock Exchange of Mauritius. Political connection data was derived from the directory of Chief of State and Cabinet members. The research hypotheses were empirically tested using a modified Ohlson (1995) price model.

Findings

This study shows that political connections negatively impact the value relevance of earnings and book value. The authors find that firms with Franco-Mauritian directors will constrain political connections’ negative impact. The authors find contrasting results for Indo-Mauritian directors since they form an integral part of the government in Mauritius.

Originality/value

This study contributes to the scarce accounting literature in Mauritius. Firstly, no study has investigated the relationship between the value relevance of accounting information and political connections in Mauritius. Secondly, Mauritius’s capital market is dominated by a non-indigenous ethnic group, Franco-Mauritians, who remain the economic elite. Hence, Mauritius presents an opportunity to bring forth another important aspect in the capital market and corporate governance; diversity on the board of directors. Therefore, the study extends to the political connections and board diversity literature.
The influence of digital competence of academicians on students’ engagement at university level: moderating effect of the pandemic outbreak
Authors: Aldhaen Esra
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The purpose of this study is to investigate how the digital competence of academicians influences students’ engagement in learning activities in the face of the pandemic outbreak. In addition to this, the paper investigates how digital competence influences each dimension of student engagement (cognitive, affective and behavioural).

Design/methodology/approach

A cross-sectional, quantitative and explanatory research design was used to conduct the study. Data were gathered with an adopted questionnaire administered to a randomly selected sample of 500 university faculty members who were not digitally literate prior to the outbreak of the pandemic. Apart from the goodness of data tests, inferential statistics were applied to test hypotheses.

Findings

Results indicate a significant influence of teachers’ digital competence on student engagement and the pandemic outbreak positively moderates the relationship. Digital competence equally influences all three dimensions of student engagement.

Practical implications

The outbreak of COVID-19 made the adoption of digital life more compulsive and the nations with already available digital infrastructure and digital competence effectively minimized the adverse effect of social distancing as a result of the pandemic outbreak. Findings emphasize practitioners to focus on the digital capacity building of academicians and the provision of digital infrastructure to facilitate student engagement.

Social implications

Society is transforming into a hi-tech lifestyle and technological advancement is penetrating almost every sphere of life at an unprecedented pace. From the digitalization of day-to-day affairs to e-governance, the adoption of technology is becoming a new normal. The outbreak of the pandemic overtook academic institutions equally. So, the social distancing compelled academicians and other stakeholders of universities to switchover from in-campus classes to online classes. The findings enrich the existing body of literature by explaining how digital competence has a determining role in ensuring student engagement amid the COVID-19 outbreak.

Originality/value

This research is a seminal work, as it tests the influence of digital competence on student engagement with the moderating role of the pandemic outbreak. To the best of the author’s knowledge, existing literature does not present this kind of research.
Multi-frequency information transmission among constituents and global equity returns: a sustainable and conventional way of investing
Authors: Asafo-Adjei Emmanuel , Adam Anokye M. , Owusu Junior Peterson , Arthur Clement Lamboi , Seidu Baba Adibura
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study investigates information flow of market constituents and global indices at multi-frequencies.

Design/methodology/approach

The study’s findings were obtained using the Improved Complete Ensemble Empirical Mode Decomposition with Adaptive Noise (I-CEEMDAN)-based cluster analysis executed for Rényi effective transfer entropy (RETE).

Findings

The authors find that significant negative information flows among sustainability equities (SEs) and conventional equities (CEs) at most multi-frequencies, which exacerbates diversification benefits. The information flows are mostly bi-directional, highlighting the importance of stock markets' constituents and their global indices in portfolio construction.

Research limitations/implications

The authors advocate that both SE and CE markets are mostly heterogeneous, revealing some levels of markets inefficiencies.

Originality/value

The empirical literature on CEs is replete with several dynamics, revealing their returns behaviour for diversification purposes, leaving very little to know about the returns behaviour of SE. Wherein, an avalanche of several initiatives on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) enjoin firms to operate socially responsible, but investors need to have a clear reason to remain sustainable into the foreseeable future period. Accordingly, the humble desire of investors is the formation of a well-diversified portfolio and would highly demand stocks to the extent that they form a reliable portfolio, especially, amid SEs and/or CEs.
Analyzing blockchain-based supply chain resilience strategies: resource-based perspective
Authors: Nagariya Ramji , Mukherjee Subhodeep , Baral Manish Mohan , Chittipaka Venkataiah
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This research tries to find the blockchain-based resilience strategies that can help the supply chains of micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) to recover from the disruptions and work effectively in a resource-based view perspective.

Design/methodology/approach

Eight broad strategies and 32 sub-strategies are identified from the literature review. Delphi study was carried out, and detailed discussion with 16 experts helped in finalizing these strategies. Further, the best-worst method (BWM) prioritized these strategies.

Findings

The findings suggests that “building social capital,” improving “coordination capabilities,” “sensitivity towards market,” “flexibility in process and production,” “reduction in process and lead time,”and “having a resource efficiency and redundancy” are the top strategies on which the top management should focus to overcome the situations of disruptions and enhance performance of MSMEs.

Practical implications

The blockchain-based strategies will enable the companies in tracing the products from the company to customers. Further, the customers will be able to identify their manufacturers, the raw materials used in manufacturing, and the life and quality of raw used materials. Altogether the textile industry will become more sensitive toward environmental practices.

Originality/value

The previous research has not identified and evaluated the blockchain-based resilience strategies, and therefore this study tries to fill this gap. This study used a smaller sample from the experts, so the results may vary if the larger data set is used and hypothesis testing can be done.
How do we elicit more user feedback in the social Q&A community? A consideration of the expertise-required question
Authors: Zhou Mi , Meng Bo , Fan Weiguo
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The current study aims to investigate the factors that impact the feedback received on answers to questions in social Q&A communities and whether the expertise-required question influences the role of these factors on the feedback.

Design/methodology/approach

To understand the antecedents and consequences that influence the feedback received on answers to online community questions, the elaboration likelihood model (ELM) is applied in this study. The authors use web data crawling methods and a combination of quantitative analyses. The data for this study came from Zhihu; in total, 353,775 responses were obtained to 1,531 questions, ranging from 49 to 23,681 responses per question. Each answer received 0 to 113,892 likes and 0 to 6,250 comments.

Findings

The answers' cognitive and emotional components and the answerer's influence positively affect user feedback behavior. In addition, the expertise-required question moderates the effects of the answer's cognitive component and emotional component on the user feedback, moderating the effects of the answerer's influence on the user approval feedback.

Originality/value

This study builds upon a limited yet growing body of literature on a theme of great relevance to scholars, practitioners and social media users concerning the effects of the connotation of answers (i.e. their cognitive and emotional components) and the answerer's influence on user feedback (i.e. approval and collaborative feedback) in social Q&A communities. The authors further consider the moderating role of the domain expertise required by the question (expertise-required question). The ELM model is applied to explore the relationships between questions, answers and feedback. The findings of this study add a new perspective to the research on user feedback and have implications for the management of social Q&A communities.
Survival of the fittest: do firms actively or passively learn survival?
Authors: Naz Farah , Kunwar Mehma , Alam Atia , Lutfullah Tooba
Published: May 2023

Purpose

In the corporate world, there is no certainty of survival. This research aims to identify firm-level factors that increase or decrease a firm's probability of exit and survival.

Design/methodology/approach

The study examines 153 listed textile sector firms in Pakistan over a 10-year period from 2009 to 2018, comprising 1,413 observations. The semi-parametric Cox regression model is used to process the results.

Findings

The study finds that larger and exporting firms are more likely to survive, while those with a high ratio of fixed assets to total assets, high expenditure on advertising and variable costs are less likely to survive. The relationship between age and firm survival is inconclusive.

Research limitations/implications

Adaptability to the external environment provides a competitive advantage that is crucial for textile firms to reduce their chances of exit. The research is valuable for strategic managers and policymakers to identify focus areas to prevent firm exit.

Originality/value

This study supports the active learning theory, which suggests that new entrants in the textile sector of Pakistan should focus on becoming active market players, increasing efficiency and reducing variable costs to survive.
The influence of return channel type on the relationship between return service quality and customer loyalty in omnichannel retailing
Authors: Xie Chaohong , Gong Yeming , Xu Xianhao , Chiang Chung-Yean , Chen Qian
Published: May 2023

Purpose

This study investigates the impacts of return channel type on the relationships between return service quality (RSQ) and customer loyalty (CL) in an omnichannel retailing environment.

Design/methodology/approach

Data comes from Chinese customers having a return experience in omnichannel retailing that uses the channel type of both buy-online-return-in-store (BORIS) and buy-in-store-return-to-online warehouses (BSROW). The authors use the structural equation modeling to test the hypotheses and the bootstrapping method to test the mediation and moderation effect.

Findings

For BORIS channel, satisfaction of customer returns (CRS) partially mediates the relationship between convenience and CL, and fully mediates that between CL and responsiveness, transparency and competence, respectively. For BSROW channel, CRS partially mediates the relationship between responsiveness and CL, and fully mediates that between CL and convenience, transparency and competence, respectively. The mediation effects indicate that omnichannel customers may feel more satisfied due to higher omnichannel fulfillment (responsiveness and convenience) and omnichannel trust (transparency and competence) provided by retailers. Return channel type moderates the relationship between RSQ-convenience and CL. The results show the different expectations between BORIS and BSROW customers in the return process.

Research limitations/implications

This paper serves as a pioneering study to apply cognition-affect-behavior paradigm into the field of return management in omnichannel retailing.

Practical implications

The findings suggest retailers develop their strategies on customer returns and post-sales service quality improvement in the omnichannel. Also, retailers should develop an integrated return system across channels to provide convenient service to BORIS customers and quick response to BSROW customers.

Originality/value

Studying return service management in the omnichannel from customer's cognition appraisal, this study contributes to the literature of the reverse service management by bringing in the effect of omnichannel type to explore the relationship between RSQ and CL.
Andrew Voyce: a living tribute. “You can end up in a happy place.”
Authors: Carson Jerome
Published: May 2023

Purpose

The main aim of this paper is to provide a living tribute of lived expert by experience and researcher Andrew Voyce.

Design/methodology/approach

Andrew provided the author with a list of names of people he might approach to write a tribute on his behalf.

Findings

The accounts describe the influence that Andrew has had both as an educator and as a trusted colleague for the people approached.

Research limitations/implications

In many ways, the voices of people with mental health problems have been marginalised. Few mental health journals, with only some exceptions, encourage lived experience contributions.

Practical implications

The mental health agenda continues to be dominated by professional groups. The remarkable individuals who continually battle with serious mental illness are often lost in official discourses.

Social implications

Despite the fact that the topic of mental health is now much more in the public domain, research tells us that the most effective anti-stigma strategy is contact with sufferers.

Originality/value

The archivist Dr Anna Sexton co-produced one of the few mental health archives that only featured people with lived experience. Andrew was one of the four people featured in it. This account “showcases” the work of this remarkable man.
Measuring food‐energy‐water nexus footprint using a systematic input–output approach: A case study of Pune district
Authors: Mukhopadhyay Kakali , Prabhu Vishnu S. , Shrivastava Shraddha , Ajatasatru Ananya , Klauer Bernd
Published: May 2023

The advent of climate change with the recognition of interlinkages between Food‐Energy‐Water (FEW) resource security has brought forth a renewed emphasis on ascertaining the FEW footprints of varied policy interventions. The nexus approach through an IO framework explores the interplays and synergies between sectoral flows and their FEW footprints. India is currently undergoing great transformations under policy interventions on both the economic and environmental front. The country has been attracting investments to expand its manufacturing base, while also aiming to transition into a greener economy. The district of Pune has a balanced and diversified economic profile, spread across manufacturing, as well as knowledge‐based tertiary sectors. However, rapid urbanization has put an undue burden on its FEW resources, challenging urban sustainability. Hence cohesive strategies are of priority to ensure sustainable and equitable development. Toward this end, the current study presents the first‐ever district‐level economy‐wide FEW nexus study in India. Results indicate that the most resource‐intensive sectors in Pune district include the food processing sector, motor vehicles, and electrical engineering and instruments. Based on this comprehensive footprint analysis, priority sectors are identified to pursue sector‐wise efficiency analysis.
Preauricular sulcus: Radiological incidence in the female gender in a multicultural population
Authors: Lim Lincoln J , Shannon Roland , Kyi Sonya , Tomlinson Heath
Published: May 2023

Introduction

The preauricular sulcus is a bony groove seen on the inferior aspect of the iliac bone. It is thought and accepted to be an indicator of female gender. To our knowledge, this study would be the first to examine the sulcal incidence in a multicultural population. To date, there are limited studies to also test the existing hypothesis that the sulcus is only seen in the female gender. The results of this study would be applicable to the field of forensic medicine and gender identification in the post‐mortem setting.

Methods

Retrospective review of 500 adult pelvic X‐ray radiographs (250 female and 250 male) obtained as part of routine medical care in a metropolitan public health service (encompassing three hospitals) was performed. The radiographs were examined by two post‐FRANZCR examination senior registrars who recorded their results independently.

Results

The mean age of the female population was 70.1 years, and the mean age of the male population was 75.5 years. This study found that the preauricular sulcus is only present in the female pelvis. The incidence was 41.2% (103 of 250) in the examined female patient population. The sulcal incidence in this study was also found to be significantly higher than previously reported in prior studies.

Conclusion

This study supports the previous notion that the presence of preauricular sulcus in a pelvic specimen would indicate the female gender. The absence of the sulcus does not necessarily confer the male gender.
Limited evidence for species‐specific sensitivity of temperature‐dependent fractionation of oxygen stable isotope in biominerals: A meta‐analysis
Authors: Morissette Olivier , Trueman Clive N. , Sturrock Anna M. , Geffen Audrey J. , Shirai Kotaro
Published: May 2023

Water temperature is key to the study of aquatic ectotherm ecology, but precise measurements of individual‐based thermal experience remain difficult to validate. The stable isotope composition of oxygen in biominerals acts as a natural thermometer due to the temperature dependence of isotopic fractionation between water and mineral phases. Coefficients of published temperature‐dependent fractionation equations, however, vary among taxa (the so‐called ‘vital effect’) without apparent consistent predictors, implying that species‐specific experimental validation may be needed before inferring temperature from biomineral oxygen isotope thermometry.

Here, we describe a meta‐analysis conducted to assess the influence of biological and experimental sources of variation on the coefficients of published isotope thermometry equations.

We observed that the thermal sensitivity (equation slope) was resistant to any biological or experimental factors, while the isotopic spacing between water and biomineral (equation intercept) showed consistent variation. Experimental conditions and phylogeny were the two main sources of variation in equation coefficients, where experiment approaches influenced both equation intercepts and the fit of the linear regression.

Our results suggest that the use of common equation slopes and generalized taxa‐specific equation intercepts may be appropriate under some circumstances. We additionally suggest that processes related to oxygen balance and osmoregulation may influence equation intercepts, and suggest further experimental work in this area. Finally, our observations provide ground for improvement for future design and reporting of biomineral thermometry experiments.
Cooling streams with riparian trees: Thermal regime depends on total solar radiation penetrating the canopy
Authors: Davies‐Colley Robert J. , Payne George W.
Published: May 2023

Riparian planting is often recommended for stream restoration, notably to mitigate solar heating of stream waters. However, plant leaves shade photosynthetically active radiation (PAR, 400–700 nm) more efficiently than the near‐infrared (NIR, 700–3000 nm) wavelengths that comprise about half of incident solar radiation and so contribute equally to water heating. Total solar radiation (NIR + PAR) exposure at the reach scale is needed to avoid bias when predicting the thermal response of streams. In this article, we alert stream ecologists and riparian restorers to the water heating contribution of NIR and provide a means to account for both NIR and PAR in total solar radiation penetrating riparian canopies. We used spectral pyranometers to simultaneously measure total solar radiation and its NIR component under different tree canopies over a wide range of shade conditions as indexed by PAR exposure. Measurements were made during full overcast (diffuse lighting) conditions so as to ‘sample’ transmission of radiation through the complete canopy. The NIR proportion of sub‐canopy solar radiation increased steadily with increasing shade and was appreciably greater under willow than pine canopies, while NZ native broadleaf rainforest had intermediate (rather variable) NIR content. Our trend lines for different tree canopies permit total sub‐canopy solar radiation to be estimated from PAR exposure for unbiased modelling of stream thermal regimes.
The effects of chelation on the intratubular penetration depth of mineral trioxide aggregate
Authors: Teoh Yu‐Yao , Liew Khai Yi , Siao Jethro , Wong Shaun , Chandler Nicholas , Bogen George
Published: May 2023

The penetration depth and extent of mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) crystallisation into dentinal tubules at 2, 4 and 6 weeks after chelation and MTA obturation were investigated. Standardised 12 mm human root specimens (45) were prepared with NiTi rotary files using 4% NaOCl irrigation. They were randomly allocated to three irrigants (n = 15: 4% NaOCl, 15% ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid or Edgemix) and obturated with sodium fluorescein tagged ProRoot MTA. One millimetre thick apical, middle and coronal sections were examined using confocal laser scanning microscopy to determine MTA penetration depth and area. Depths varied from 352 to 1821 μm at 6 weeks depending on section level and were unaffected by chelation. No differences (p > 0.05) were found in mean maximum penetration depth or dentine area (%) between the 3 irrigants at all time intervals. MTA mineralisation penetrated up to 90% of dentinal tubules and can extend to the cementum in roots with patent, non‐infected tubules.
Analgesic stewardship in Australian residential aged care facilities: Retrospective audit of a collaborative approach to optimising opioid use
Authors: McDerby Nicole , Dawda Paresh
Published: May 2023

Objective

To evaluate retrospectively an analgesic stewardship role of a non‐dispensing pharmacist as part of a general practice team providing primary care services to residential aged care facilities (RACF).

Methods

Our general practice implemented an analgesic stewardship program to optimise and monitor opioid usage for our patients located across 12 RACF in Canberra from March 2019 to September 2020. The primary objective was the development of a multidisciplinary chronic pain care plan to document treatment and monitoring strategies for optimising pain control. The pharmacist reviewed and documented existing pain management strategies in a care plan for each patient and discussed recommendations for optimisation with the general practitioner. The general practitioner implemented accepted recommendations and distributed finalised care plans to the RACF. A retrospective audit of care plans was undertaken to assess the outcomes: mean daily oral morphine equivalence to monitor opioid usage, and pain scores to monitor for any potential harm associated with analgesic stewardship.

Results

One hundred and sixty‐seven residents received an initial care plan. Residents were scheduled for a follow‐up care plan after 6 months, which was achieved for 100 residents (60%). Scope for optimising opioid therapy was identified for 47 residents (28%) at baseline and 23 residents (23%) at follow‐up. Mean opioid usage and pain scores were reduced at follow‐up; 19.4 mg (SD 40.8) versus 13.4 mg (SD 22.8), and 4.2 (SD 2.3) versus 3.9 (SD 2.0), respectively.

Conclusions

A systematic, multidisciplinary analgesic stewardship approach may optimise pain management plans and reduce opioid usage in RACF residents.
Reconsidering post 20‐week abortion in Aotearoa New Zealand
Authors: Bellamak Terry , Paterson Helen
Published: May 2023

The Abortion Legislation Act 2020 established comprehensive grounds for approving abortions after 20 weeks. These grounds are less restrictive than before law reform. They give qualified health practitioners (QHP) the scope to approve any abortion anyone wants and might reasonably request, if the QHP believes the abortion is clinically justified in the circumstances, having considered all the factors required by law. Because patients hold QHPs accountable under the Health and Disability Commission and legal processes, it is unlikely a QHP will need to justify approving an abortion, although they may well be called upon to justify refusing one.
Retinal vascular structure independently predicts the initial treatment response in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration
Authors: Leth‐Møller Christensen Kathrine , Kristjansen Ditte Borup , Vergmann Anna Stage , Torp Thomas Lee , Peto Tunde , Grauslund Jakob
Published: May 2023

Purpose

Prediction of the early treatment response is important in neovascular age‐related macular degeneration (nAMD). Hence, we aimed to test if non‐invasive measurements of the retinal vascular structure were able to predict a successful outcome of initial intravitreal treatment.

Methods

In 58 eyes of 58 patients with treatment‐naïve nAMD, advanced markers of retinal vascular structure were measured by Singapore I Vessel Assessment prior to initial intravitreal treatment with three monthly injections of aflibercept with subsequently categorization of patients as full treatment responders (FTR) or non/partial treatment responders (N/PR), with the former defined as loosing fewer than five Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters and having no residual intra‐ or subretinal fluid or macular haemorrhage.

Results

Of 54 eyes attending follow‐up, 44.4% were categorized as FTR. Patients with FTR were older (81.5 vs. 77 years, p = 0.04), and prior to treatment those eyes had a lower retinal arteriolar fractal dimension (Fd) (1.21 vs. 1.24 units, p = 0.02) and venular length‐diameter ratio (LDR) (7.3 vs. 15.9 units, p = 0.006), but did not differ with respect to other retinal vascular parameters. In multiple logistic regression models, a lower chance of FTR was independently predicted by a higher retinal venular LDR (odds ratio [OR] 0.91, 95% CI 0.82–0.99, p = 0.03, for each 1 unit increment) and marginally by a higher retinal arteriolar Fd (OR 0.83, 95% CI 0.68–1.00, p = 0.05, for each 0.01 unit increment).

Conclusion

Retinal venular LDR independently predicted the initial treatment response in nAMD. If confirmed by long‐term, prospective studies, this might help to guide treatment.
CHMP4A stimulates CD8+ T‐lymphocyte infiltration and inhibits breast tumor growth via the LSD1/IFNβ axis
Authors: Song Songze , Zhang Deyu , Chen Jingyi , Qi Lin , Zhang Mengting , Yang Xiao , Ye Tianxing , Ye Qinong , Lin Jing
Published: May 2023

CD8+ T lymphocyte‐mediated immunity strategies have represented attractive weapons against breast cancer (BC) recently. However, the mechanisms underlying CD8+ T‐lymphocyte infiltration still remain obscure. Here, using bioinformatics analysis, we identified four hub prognostic genes related to CD8+ T‐lymphocyte infiltration (CHMP4A, CXCL9, GRHL2, and RPS29), among which CHMP4A was the most significant gene. High CHMP4A mRNA expression was significantly associated with longer overall survival (OS) in BC patients. Functional experiments showed that CHMP4A had the ability to promote CD8+ T‐lymphocyte recruitment and infiltration and suppressed BC growth in vitro and in vivo. Mechanistically, CHMP4A stimulates CD8+ T‐lymphocyte infiltration by downregulating LSD1 expression, leading to HERV dsRNA accumulation, and promoting IFNβ and its downstream chemokine production. Collectively, CHMP4A is not only a novel positive predictor for prognosis in BC but also a stimulator of CD8+ T‐lymphocyte infiltration regulated by the LSD1/IFNβ pathway. This study suggests that CHMP4A may be a novel target for improving the effectiveness of immunotherapy in patients with BC.
Scalable preparation of osteogenic micro‐tissues derived fromhESC‐derived immunity‐and‐matrix‐regulatory cells within porous microcarriers in suspension culture
Authors: Ma Huike , Gao Tingting , Wang Liu , Mohsin Ali , Hao Jie , Guo Meijin , Wu Jun
Published: May 2023

Bone defects (BDs), a prevalent clinically refractory orthopaedic disease, presently have no effective treatments. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into osteoblasts and serve as potential seed cells for bone tissue engineering for BD treatment. However, the feasibility of using MSCs as seed cells for bone tissue engineering remains unclear. As a result, the critical issue of large‐scale cell‐scaffold preparation remains unresolved. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that human embryonic stem cell‐derived MSCs, also known as immunity‐and‐matrix‐regulatory cells (IMRCs), could be inoculated into microcarriers to create osteogenic micro‐tissues appropriate for scalable production in 250 mL bioreactor. IMRCs were generally smaller than umbilical cord‐derived MSCs (UCMSCs) and could attach, migrate, proliferate and differentiate within the porous microcarriers, whereas UCMSCs could only attach to the surface of microcarriers. Osteogenic micro‐tissues generated from IMRCs‐seeded microcarriers significantly increased osteocalcin levels after 21 days of differentiation in a bioreactor. Furthermore, the expression levels of osteogenic biomarker genes/proteins such as alkaline phosphatase (ALP), osteocalcin (OCN), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN) and osterix (OSX) were significantly higher than osteogenic micro‐tissues derived from UCMSCs‐seeded microcarriers. Our findings imply that IMRCs could potentially serve as seed cells for the scalable production of osteogenic micro‐tissues for BD treatment.
Ex vivo factor VIII‐modified proliferating human hepatocytes therapy for haemophilia A
Authors: Zhang Kun , Wu Ning , Cen Jing , Li Jie , Wang Zhen , Xia Qiang , Hui Lijian
Published: May 2023

Ex vivo gene manipulation in human hepatocytes is a promising therapeutic strategy in the treatment of inherited liver diseases. However, a major limitation is the lack of a highly efficient and safe genetic manipulation system for transplantable primary human hepatocytes (PHHs). Here, we reported that proliferating human hepatocytes (ProliHHs) cultured in vitro showed high susceptibility to lentivirus‐mediated genetic modification and maintained cellular phenotypes after lentiviral infection. Human factor VIII expression was introduced through F8‐Lentivirus‐mediated transduction of ProliHHs followed by xenotransplantation into immunocompromised haemophilia A mice. We demonstrated that these F8‐modified ProliHHs could effectively repopulate the mouse liver, resulting in therapeutic benefits in mouse models. Furthermore, no genotoxicity was detected in F8‐modified ProliHHs using lentiviral integration site analysis. Thus, this study demonstrated, for the first time, the feasibility and safety of lentiviral modification in ProliHHs to induce the expression of coagulation factor VIII in the treatment of haemophilia A.
Optimizing therapy in Dravet syndrome: Why the wait?
Authors: Vasquez Alejandra , Wirrell Elaine
Published: May 2023

This commentary is on the original article by Chiron et al on pages 1607–1616 of this issue.
Prominent para‐cardiac fat mimicking left atrial appendage thrombus on echocardiography: Utility of cardiac computed tomography
Authors: Honnekeri Bianca , Fava Agostina M. , Reyaldeen Reza , Kanj Mohamed , Alvarez Paulino , Xu Bo
Published: May 2023

Transesophageal echocardiography is the most frequently used imaging modality for exclusion of left atrial appendage thrombus prior to cardioversion. Echocardiographers should be aware of rare conditions that may mimic left atrial appendage thrombus. Here, we describe a rare case of prominent para‐cardiac fat mimicking left atrial appendage thrombus on transesophageal echocardiographic imaging. Multimodality imaging with cardiac computed tomography was instrumental in providing further anatomical delineation and characterization of the echodensity as prominent para‐cardiac fat in this case.
Cognitive health treatment priorities and preferences among young people with mental illness: The your mind, your choice survey
Authors: Bryce Shayden , Cheng Nicholas , Dalton Alex , Ojinnaka Angelica , Stainton Alexandra , Zbukvic Isabel , Ratheesh Aswin , O'Halloran Chris , Uren Jacquie , Gates Jesse , Daglas‐Georgiou Rothanthi , Wood Stephen J. , Allott Kelly
Published: May 2023

Aim

Cognitive impairments negatively impact the everyday functioning of young people with mental illness. However, no previous study has asked young people (1) how much of a priority cognitive functioning is within mental health treatment, and (2) what types of cognition‐focused treatments are most appealing. The current study aimed to address these questions.

Methods

Your Mind, Your Choice was a survey‐based study involving an Australian sample of young people who were receiving mental health treatment. The survey asked participants to (1) provide demographic and mental health history, (2) rate the importance of 20 recovery domains, including cognition, when receiving mental health treatment, (3) share their experiences of cognitive functioning, and (4) rate their likelihood of trying 14 different behavioural, biochemical, and physical treatments that may address cognitive functioning.

Results

Two‐hundred and forty‐three participants (Mage = 20.07, SD = 3.25, range = 15–25, 74% female) completed the survey. Participants reported that addressing cognitive functioning in mental health care was very important (M = 76.33, SD = 20.7, rated on a scale from 0 = not important to 100 = extremely important), ranking cognition among their top six treatment needs. Seventy percent of participants reported experiencing cognitive difficulties, but less than one‐third had received treatment for these difficulties. Compensatory training, sleep interventions and psychoeducation were ranked as treatments that participants were most likely to try to support their cognitive functioning.

Conclusions

Young people with mental ill‐health commonly experience cognitive difficulties and would like this to be a focus of treatment; however, this need is often unmet and should be a focus of research and implementation.
Tobacco smoking, second‐hand smoking exposure in relation to psychotic‐like experiences in adolescents
Authors: Wang Dongfang , Ma Zijuan , Fan Yunge , Chen Huilin , Sun Meng , Fan Fang
Published: May 2023

Background

Previous literature supports that tobacco smoking and second‐hand smoking (SHS) exposure were strongly associated with poor mental health in the general population. However, there is a lack of empirical data on the relationship between tobacco smoking, SHS exposure and psychotic‐like experiences (PLEs). This study conducted a cross‐sectional survey to explore PLEs and the associations of PLEs with tobacco smoking and SHS exposure among adolescents in China.

Methods

A total sample of 67 182 Chinese adolescents were recruited from Guangdong province in China (53.7% boys, mean age = 12.79 years) from December 17 to 26, 2021. All adolescents have completed self‐reported questionnaires on demographic characteristics, smoking status, SHS exposure and PLEs.

Results

Within the sample, only 1.2% of participants had an experience of tobacco smoking while approximately three‐fifths reported being exposed to SHS. 10.7% of adolescents reported frequent PLEs over the past month. Adolescents who smoked showed a higher prevalence of PLEs than in non‐smoking samples. After controlling for confounders, SHS exposure was a robust risk factor for PLEs with or without the effect of tobacco smoking.

Discussion

These findings support the importance of smoke‐free legislation, and anti‐smoking measures in educational settings directed at both adolescents and their caregiver, which may decrease occurring rates of PLEs among adolescents.