bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Its nice to be nice at work: role of interpersonal skills for career success
Authors: Priyadarshini Shabnam
Published: April 2022

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight the role of interpersonal skills in getting ahead in one’s career.

Design/methodology/approach

The inferences have been drawn on the basis of available literature as well as author’s experiences and observations spread over two decades.

Findings

With the changing workplace from traditional to virtual office and now to work-from-home, the role of interpersonal skills has become even more critical. Across sectors, if you want to have a successful career, interpersonal skills are vital for getting ahead. The author emphasizes the need for continuous upskilling and reskilling of employees with respect to soft skills.

Originality/value

This paper intends to provide a viewpoint on a subject that is sometimes not taken as seriously as it should be. Often employees focus more on learning and upskilling their technical skills while neglecting their people skills. The author offers some valuable insights for business leaders to lay emphasis on employee’s communication and interpersonal skills so as to allow the firm to run smoothly and to make day-to-day functions effective and efficient. This would be a win-win situation for organizations as well as the employees.
The effect of glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists on serum uric acid concentration: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Najafi Sara , Bahrami Milad , Butler Alexandra E. , Sahebkar Amirhossein
Published: April 2022

Aims

Glucagon‐like peptide‐1 receptor agonists (GLP‐1 RAs) are a class of medications mainly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes. They improve glucose tolerance, increase insulin secretion and induce weight loss. There is controversy about the effect of GLP‐1 RAs on serum uric acid (SUA) concentration. Our systematic review aims to objectively answer whether GLP‐1 RAs affect SUA levels.

Methods

We performed a systematic search on PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Scopus and Google Scholar datasets up to 27August 2021 with a language restriction of English only. Randomized controlled trials, observational studies, uncontrolled trials and conference abstracts were included. Studies with insufficient data, irrelevant types of study and follow‐up duration of less than a month were excluded from the review. After critical appraisal by the Joanna Briggs Institute checklists, articles underwent data extraction using a prespecified Microsoft Excel sheet.

Results

Of 1004 identified studies, 17 were eligible for inclusion in this systematic review. Pre‐ to post‐administration analysis of GLP‐1 RA effects on SUA demonstrated that GLP‐1 RAs could significantly reduce SUA concentration (difference in means −0.341, SE 0.063, P value <0.001). However, when compared to placebo, GLP‐1RAs did not perform any better in lowering SUA concentration (difference in means −0.455, SE 0.259, P value 0.079). Surprisingly, the active controls, which included insulin, metformin, sodium‐glucose co‐transporter 2 (SGLT‐2) inhibitors and dipeptidyl‐peptidase 4 inhibitors, did outperform GLP‐1 RAs in reducing SUA concentration (difference in means 0.250, SE 0.038, P value <0.001).

Conclusions

Administration of GLP‐1 RAs can result in a significant reduction in SUA concentration. However, this reduction is less than that seen with the use of insulin, metformin and SGLT‐2 inhibitors.
The role of open innovation hubs and perceived collective efficacy on individual behaviour in open innovation projects
Authors: Miyao Manabu , Ozaki Hiroyuki , Tobia Stefano , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Frattini Federico
Published: April 2022

The effectiveness of a company's open innovation (OI) strategy strongly depends on the performance of the innovation projects it launches. However, OI research has dedicated only scant attention to the role played by the behaviour of individuals involved in these projects. This study focuses on the role played by an open innovation hub (OIH), an in‐house unit supporting and accelerating OI initiatives, and investigates how OIHs influence the innovative behaviour of employees involved in innovation projects. In particular, this study employs social cognitive theory as a theoretical lens and investigates the role of project members' collective efficacy. Specifically, we developed two hypotheses that were tested using empirical analysis, with survey data from 134 individuals involved in OI projects and operating in 16 Japanese companies. Our study contributes to the literature by illuminating how the perceived collective efficacy of the employees involved in an innovation project influences their behaviours. We find that the support offered by an OIH strengthens the project members' perceived collective efficacy and, in turn, supports their innovative behaviour.
Fauxcurrence: simulating multi‐species occurrences for null models in species distribution modelling and biogeography
Authors: Osborne Owen G. , Fell Henry G. , Atkins Hannah , van Tol Jan , Phillips Daniel , Herrera‐Alsina Leonel , Mynard Poppy , Bocedi Greta , Gubry‐Rangin Cécile , Lancaster Lesley T. , Creer Simon , Nangoy Meis , Fahri Fahri , Lupiyaningdyah Pungki , Sudiana I M. , Juliandi Berry , Travis Justin M. J. , Papadopulos Alexander S. T. , Algar Adam C.
Published: April 2022

Defining appropriate null expectations for species distribution hypotheses is important because sampling bias and spatial autocorrelation can produce realistic, but ecologically meaningless, geographic patterns. Generating null species occurrences with similar spatial structure to observed data can help overcome these problems, but existing methods focus on single or pairs of species and do not incorporate between‐species spatial structure that may occlude comparative biogeographic analyses. Here, we describe an algorithm for generating randomised species occurrence points that mimic the within‐ and between‐species spatial structure of real datasets and implement it in a new R package – fauxcurrence. The algorithm can be implemented on any geographic domain for any number of species, limited only by computing power. To demonstrate its utility, we apply the algorithm to two common analysis‐types: testing the fit of species distribution models (SDMs) and evaluating niche‐overlap. The method works well on all tested datasets within reasonable timescales. We found that many SDMs, despite a good fit to the data, were not significantly better than null expectations and identified only two cases (out of a possible 32) of significantly higher niche divergence than expected by chance. The package is user‐friendly, flexible and has many potential applications beyond those tested here, such as joint SDM evaluation and species co‐occurrence analysis, spanning the areas of ecology, evolutionary biology and biogeography.
Synthesis ofBatrachochytrium dendrobatidisinfection in South America: amphibian species under risk and areas to focus research and disease mitigation
Authors: Azat Claudio , Alvarado‐Rybak Mario , Solano‐Iguaran Jaiber J. , Velasco Aníbal , Valenzuela‐Sánchez Andrés , Flechas Sandra V. , Peñafiel‐Ricaurte Alexandra , Cunningham Andrew A. , Bacigalupe Leonardo D.
Published: April 2022

Amphibian chytridiomycosis, caused byBatrachochytrium dendrobatidis(Bd), has been recognized as the infectious disease causing the most catastrophic loss of biodiversity known to science, with South America being the most impacted region. We tested whetherBdprevalence is distributed among host taxonomy, ecoregion, conservation status and habitat preference in South America. Here we provide a synthesis on the extent ofBdinfection across South America based on 21 648 molecular diagnostic assays, roles of certain species in the epidemiology ofBdand explore its association with the reported amphibian catastrophic declines in the region. We show thatBdis widespread, with a continental prevalence of 23.2%. Its occurrence in the region shows a phylogenetic signal and the probability of infection is determined by ecoregion, preferred habitat and extinction risk hosts' traits. The taxa exhibiting highestBdoccurrence were mostly aquatic amphibians, including Ranidae, Telmatobiidae, Hylodidae, Calyptocephalellidae and Pipidae. Surprisingly, families exhibiting unusually lowBdprevalence included species in which lethal chytridiomycosis and population declines have been described (generaAtelopus,RhinodermaandEleutherodactylus). Higher than expected prevalence ofBdoccurred mainly in amphibians living in association with mountain environments in the Andes and Atlantic forests, reflecting highly favourableBdhabitats in these areas. Invasive amphibian species (e.g.Lithobates catesbeianusandXenopus laevis) exhibited highBdprevalence; thus we suggest using these as sentinels to understand their potential role as reservoirs, vectors or spreaders ofBdthat can be subjected to management. Our results guide on the prioritization of conservation actions to prevent further biodiversity loss due to chytridiomycosis in the world's most amphibian diverse region.
Strategic fiscal spending: Evidence from China
Authors: Lee Youngjoon
Published: April 2022

What are the effects of citizen grievances on autocrats' fiscal spending? I argue that autocrats will increase fiscal spending only when grievances may jeopardize stability. I hypothesize that when Internet penetration is high, a marginal increase in labor strikes and administrative lawsuits leads to increased spending on social welfare, health, education, and housing support. Evidence from China's 31 provinces (2006–2019) supports this hypothesis. The results are robust to instrumental variable strategies. The results may run against the expectations of the “selectorate theory” which posits that autocrats are generally disinclined to increase spending for citizens. My theory and evidence suggest that grievances will be perceived differently by autocrats according to different levels of connectivity, leading to different levels of spending.
Histopathological and genetic features of mismatch repair‐deficient high‐grade prostate cancer
Authors: Wyvekens Nicolas , Tsai Harrison K , Sholl Lynette M , Tucci Jonathan , Giannico Giovanna A , Gordetsky Jennifer B , Hirsch Michelle S , Barletta Justine A , Acosta Andres M
Published: April 2022

Aims

Mismatch repair (MMR) deficiency is commonly caused by functional inactivation of MLH1, PMS2, MSH2 or MSH6. The morphological and molecular correlates of MMR deficiency have been extensively characterized in certain tumour types such as colorectal and endometrial adenocarcinoma. In contrast, the histological and molecular features of MMR‐deficient prostate cancer remain incompletely described. In this study, we evaluated 19 MMR‐deficient prostate cancers, including 11 cases without prior systemic treatment.

Methods and results

All treatment‐naive cases (11 of 11, 100%) were grade group 4–5 and had predominant cribriform and/or solid growth patterns. Solid components (any amount) and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes were 7 cases each (7 of 11, 64%). In 68 MMR‐proficient grade group 5 prostate cancers, predominant cribriform or solid growth patterns, solid components (any amount) and tumour infiltrating lymphocytes were seen at significantly lower frequencies (31 of 68, 46%; 9 of 68, 13% and 6 of 62, 9%, respectively; P < 0.001 for all comparisons). Molecular evaluation of 19 cases demonstrated that MMR‐deficiency was secondary to functional loss of MSH2/MSH6 and MLH1/PMS2 in 15 (79%) and 4 cases (21%), respectively. Definite or probable germline mutations were present in 4 cases (4 of 19, 21%). TMPRSS2::ERG rearrangements were identified in 2 cases (2 of 19, 11%). Recurrent cancer‐relevant somatic mutations included (but were not limited to) ATM, TP53, FOXA1, RB1, BRCA2 and PTEN.

Conclusions

MMR deficiency was most commonly secondary to inactivation of MSH2/MSH6 in this study. Importantly, MMR‐deficient high‐grade prostatic adenocarcinomas had morphological features that might be useful to identify selected cases for MMR immunohistochemistry.
The complex and often confusing history, histology and histogenesis of mesonephric, STK11 adnexal tumour and mesonephric‐like neoplasms of the upper female genital tract (including broad ligament)
Authors: Bennett J A , Oliva E
Published: April 2022

Mesonephric lesions in the female genital tract are uncommon, with those arising from the upper tract being much less frequent than those developing in the lower tract (mesonephric hyperplasia and carcinoma). The most common upper tract lesions include rete cyst/cystadenoma and female adnexal tumour of Wolffian origin (FATWO). The integration of morphological, immunohistochemical and molecular studies on FATWOs has enabled recognition of a novel entity, the STK11 adnexal tumour, which is often associated with Peutz–Jeghers syndrome (~50%) and frequently has a salivary gland morphology but an unknown origin. Similarly, ‘mesonephric‐like’ adenocarcinoma, an entity with striking similarities to mesonephric carcinoma but currently favoured to be of Müllerian derivation based on its association with other Müllerian tumours and molecular findings, has also been recently described, and may histologically mimic both FATWOs and STK11 adnexal tumours. In this review, we provide a historical overview of upper female genital tract mesonephric proliferations and discuss mesonephric lesions, STK11 adnexal tumour, mesonephric‐like adenocarcinoma, and mimickers, the most common being endometrioid carcinoma.
Identification of potential metal oxides for NO2 capture: A density functional theory study
Authors: Kang Sung Gu , Seong Yechan , Ryu Keungarp
Published: April 2022

Air pollution issues have become inevitable, and it is necessary to prepare ways to prevent them from eventually affecting human health. This study thermodynamically investigated the NO2 capture materials based on metal oxide systems using first‐principles approaches. In particular, the NO2 capture performances of the seven compounds CaO, MnO, NiO, SrO, BaO, TiO2, and SnO2 were assessed. Herein, BaO and SrO were found to possess the ability to capture NO2 until the temperature of 757 and 691 K, respectively, at pressures of 0.001‐bar NO2 and 0.01‐bar O2. Furthermore, NO2 adsorption on a BaO–SrO alloy system was systematically analyzed. The NO2 adsorption strength on the alloy was found to be −1.732 eV, indicating that NO2 is chemisorbed on this system. Bader charge results also demonstrated the interactions between the NO2 adsorbate and the BaO/SrO/BaO(1 0 0) adsorbent.
Meticulously tailoring phase boundary in KNN‐based ceramics to enhance piezoelectricity and temperature stability
Authors: Cheng Yuan , Xing Jie , Li Xu , Xie Lixu , Xie Yining , Tan Zhi , Zhu Jianguo
Published: April 2022

Although KNN‐based ceramics with high electrical properties are obtained through a variety of strategies, the temperature sensitivity is still one of the key technical bottlenecks hindering practical applications. Here, we use a new strategy, meticulously tailoring phase boundary, to refine the ferroelectric boundary of KNN‐based ceramics, leading to high piezoelectricity companied with improving temperature stability. The highest d33 value in this system reaches 501 pC/N with a TC ∼ 240°C, whereas a large strain of ∼0.134% can be kept with 10% lower deterioration until 100°C. The origin of high piezoelectricity is mainly attributed to the well‐preserved multiphase coexistence and the appearance of nanodomains, which greatly facilitate the polarization rotation. Instead of the changed intrinsic thermal insensitivity, the precision phase boundary engineering plays an important role in strengthening the temperature stability of electric‐induced strain. This work provides a simple and effective method to obtain both high electrical properties and excellent thermal stability in KNN‐based ceramics, which is expected to promote the practical applications in the future.
Ecological factors driving the feather mite associations in tropical avian hosts
Authors: Bodawatta Kasun H. , Shriner Ian , Pigott Samuel , Koane Bonny , Vinagre‐Izquierdo Celia , Rios Rodrigo S. , Jønsson Knud A. , Tori Wendy P.
Published: April 2022

Birds host a diversity of ectosymbionts including feather‐dwelling arthropods such as feather mites and lice that they have co‐evolved and speciated with. Among these ectosymbionts, feather mites have evolved more mutualistic to commensal associations with birds than other groups. However, our understanding of the biological and ecological drivers that shape the associations between avian hosts and feather mites in tropical communities is poor. Thus, to help fill this knowledge gap we investigated the factors that govern feather mite abundances at host community, host species and individual levels in bird communities from different elevations on the tropical island of New Guinea. We examined the effects of abiotic factors, such as temperature and precipitation, the influence of host species, feeding guilds, bill morphology, body region, body conditions and infections with haemosporidian blood parasites on feather mite abundance. We found that feather mites were very prevalent among New Guinean birds and that mite abundance was not significantly different between elevations. Bird species with curved bills experienced significantly lower number of mites compared to species with straight bills. Feather mite abundance was significantly higher on flight feathers than on the rest of the body and mite abundance was not strongly associated with the body condition of individuals in most host species, except for a significant negative relationships in three species. Moreover, we did not find an association between feather mite abundance and blood parasite infections, potentially indicating a non‐synergistic association of these two symbionts. Overall, our study demonstrates that tropical avian‐feather mite associations are driven by different biotic and abiotic factors at host community, species and individual levels, highlighting the importance of examining these associations at both broad and fine scales to thoroughly understand the evolution of these symbioses.
Overexpression of PD‐L1 causes germ cells to slough from mouse seminiferous tubules via the PD‐L1/PD‐L1 interaction
Authors: Fang Lian , Feng Rui , Liang Weiye , Liu Fang‐Fang , Bian Gan‐lan , Yu Caiyong , Guo Hongmin , Cao Yihui , Liu Mingkai , Zuo Jia , Peng Yinglong , Zhao Jie , Sun Rui‐Xia , Shan Jiajie , Wang Jian
Published: April 2022

Spermatogenesis is a cyclical process in which different generations of spermatids undergo a series of developmental steps at a fixed time and finally produce spermatids. Here, we report that overexpression of PD‐L1 (B7 homolog1) in the testis causes sperm developmental disorders and infertility in male mice, with severe malformation and sloughing during spermatid development, characterized by disorganized and collapsed seminiferous epithelium structure. PD‐L1 needs to be simultaneously expressed on Sertoli cells and spermatogonia to cause spermatogenesis failure. After that, we excluded the influence of factors such as the PD‐L1 receptor and humoral regulation, confirming that PD‐L1 has an intrinsic function to interact with PD‐L1. Studies have shown that PD‐L1 not only serves as a ligand but also plays a receptor‐like role in signal transduction. PD‐L1 interacts with PD‐L1 to affect the adhesive function of germ cells, causing malformation and spermatid sloughing. Taken together, these results indicate that PD‐L1 can interact with PD‐L1 to cause germ cell detachment and male infertility.
Hyaluronic acid delayed inflammatory reaction after third dose of SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccine
Authors: Calvisi Lucia
Published: April 2022

Background

Treatments based on hyaluronic acid represent one of the most largely used practice of esthetic medicine. In the literature, it has already been described delayed reaction after vaccine like flu vaccine mediated by T‐lymphocytes.

Aim

We report three cases of dermal filler reactions following mRNA vaccination against SARS‐CoV‐2; all the patients had received the filler months or even years before the vaccine.

Patients

Patient one: A 60‐year–old female patient that was treated one year ago in the lip developed swelling days after getting mRNA Pfizer Biotech vaccine. She received her booster of Pfizer vaccination one week before. Patient two: A 45‐year–old female patient treated in the lip two years before developed angioedema days after getting her booster of Pfizer Biotech vaccine. In this case, it was necessary to prescribe cortisone per os. Patient three: A 40‐year‐old female patient treated for the nasolabial fold five months before developed erythema and edema after receiving the booster of Moderna Vaccine.

Results

As demonstrated in our three case reports, even the booster of vaccine can cause delayed inflammatory reactions in patients that have previously received fillers.

Conclusion

Delayed inflammatory reactions in patients that have received filler in the past are uncommon and usually self‐limited. Those are the first example reported in the literature of reaction after the booster dose without any previous symptoms.
Examining the Provision of School‐Based Athletics in Public High Schools Among Girls in the United States
Authors: Veliz Philip , Zdroik Jennifer
Published: April 2022

BACKGROUND

In order to better understand some of the barriers to athletic opportunities for girls, we examined school‐level characteristics to assess how they are associated with both the provision and participation in athletic opportunities for girls across US public high schools.

METHODS

Cross‐sectional data for this study comes from the bi‐annual Civil Rights Data Collection which collects school‐level information for all US public schools between the 2009‐2010 through 2017‐2018 school years.

RESULTS

Several important school‐level characteristics were found to limit the provision of athletic opportunities, participation rates and athletic participation gender equity ratios for girls and included the percent of the student body who were eligible for free lunch and who were racial minorities. Moreover, the analysis found that greater provision of athletic opportunities for boys was associated with lower athletic participation gender equity ratios across US public high schools (ie, lower participation for girls when compared to boys).

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides evidence that schools with fewer resources and a higher proportion of disadvantaged students tend to have the fewest opportunities to participate in school‐based athletics, particularly among girls. Moreover, girls' participation rates in athletics still lag behind boys despite having similar numbers of sports and sport teams.
Qualitative analysis of cancer care experiences among rural cancer survivors and caregivers
Authors: Ratnapradipa Kendra L. , Ranta Jordan , Napit Krishtee , Luma Lady Beverly , Robinson Tamara , Dinkel Danae , Schabloske Laura , Watanabe‐Galloway Shinobu
Published: April 2022

Purpose

Rural (vs urban) patients experience poorer cancer outcomes and are less likely to be engaged in cancer prevention, such as screening. As part of a community needs assessment, we explored rural cancer survivors’ and caregivers’ experiences, perceptions, and attitudes toward cancer care services.

Methods

We conducted 3 focus groups (N = 20) in Spring 2021 in rural Nebraska.

Findings

Three patterns of cancer diagnosis were regular care/screening without noticeable symptoms, treatment for symptoms not initially identified as cancer related, and symptom self‐identification. Most participants, regardless of how diagnosis was made, had positive experiences with timely referral for testing (imaging and biopsy) and specialist care. Physician interpersonal skills set the tone for patient‐provider communication, which colored the perception of overall care. Participants with physicians and care teams that were perceived as “considerate,” “compassionate,” and “caring” had positive experiences. Participants identified specific obstacles to care, including financial barriers, transportation, and lack of support groups, as well as more general cultural barriers. Survivors and caregivers identified organization‐based supports that helped them address such barriers.

Conclusions

Rural populations have unique perspectives about cancer care. Our results are being used by the state cancer coalition, state cancer control program, and the National Cancer Institute‐designated cancer center to prioritize outreach and interventions aimed to reduce rural cancer disparities, such as revitalizing lay cancer navigator programs, conducting webinars for primary care and cancer specialty providers to discuss these findings and identify potential interventions, and collaborating with national and regional cancer support organizations to expand reach in rural communities.
An MMP‐degraded and cross‐linked fragment of type III collagen as a non‐invasive biomarker of hepatic fibrosis resolution
Authors: Pehrsson Martin , Manon‐Jensen Tina , Sun Shu , Villesen Ida F. , Castañé Helena , Joven Jorge , Patel Keyur , Goodman Zachary , Nielsen Mette J. , Bay‐Jensen Anne‐Christine , Leeming Diana J. , Mortensen Joachim H. , Karsdal Morten A.
Published: April 2022

Background and Aims

Liver fibrosis results from a prolonged wound healing response to continued injury with excessive production of extracellular proteins. In patients with chronic liver disease, the monitoring of liver fibrosis dynamics is of high interest. Whilst markers of fibrogenesis exist, markers of hepatic fibrosis resolution remain an unmet clinical need. Thus, we sought to develop an assay quantifying a circulating proteolytic fragment of cross‐linked type III collagen as a biomarker of fibrolysis, testing its utility in two clinical cohorts of liver fibrosis of distinct aetiology and regressing endotype

Methods

We used a monoclonal antibody targeting the C‐telopeptide of type III collagen following C‐proteinase cleavage to develop and validate a neo‐epitope‐specific enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (CTX‐III). A potential fibrosis resolution marker, CTX‐III, was measured in two clinical cohorts of patients with obesity‐associated non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease undergoing bariatric surgery or hepatitis C virus infection from a clinical trial study evaluating the anti‐fibrotic effect of farglitazar.

Results

CTX‐III was robust and specific for the targeted neo‐epitope with good reproducibility in EDTA plasma. We assessed type III collagen remodelling using a panel of biomarkers, including a type III collagen formation marker (PRO‐C3), degradation (C3M), and CTX‐III (fibrolysis). Net fibrolysis was increased in patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease following bariatric surgery (p < .001). Moreover, net fibrolysis identified spontaneous fibrotic regressors from stable and progressors (p < .05 and p < .001) among hepatitis C virus infection patients.

Conclusion

Circulating CTX‐III as a marker of fibrolysis indicates the biomarker's beneficial use in assessing hepatic fibrosis resolution.
The semantics of fiction
Authors: García‐Carpintero Manuel
Published: April 2022

The paper reviews proposals by Abell, Predelli, and others on the semantics of fiction, focusing on the discourse through which fictions are created. Predelli develops the radical fictionalism of former writers like Kripke and van Inwagen, according to which that discourse is contentless and does not express propositions. This paper offers reasons to doubt these claims. It then explores realist proposals like Abell's in which singular terms in fictions refer to fictional characters, understood as socially created representational artifacts, and irrealist alternatives in which the discourse is fully meaningful even though those terms fail to refer.
The Chlamydomonas transcription factor MYB1 mediates lipid accumulation under nitrogen depletion
Authors: Choi Bae Young , Shim Donghwan , Kong Fantao , Auroy Pascaline , Lee Yuree , Li‐Beisson Yonghua , Lee Youngsook , Yamaoka Yasuyo
Published: April 2022

Microalgae accumulate high levels of oil under stress, but the underlying biosynthetic pathways are not fully understood. We sought to identify key regulators of lipid metabolism under stress conditions.

We found that the Chlamydomonas reinhardtii gene encoding the MYB‐type transcription factor MYB1 is highly induced under stress conditions. Two myb1 mutants accumulated less total fatty acids and storage lipids than their parental strain upon nitrogen (N) depletion.

Transcriptome analysis revealed that genes involved in lipid metabolism are highly enriched in the wild‐type but not in the myb1‐1 mutant after 4 h of N depletion. Among these genes were several involved in the transport of fatty acids from the chloroplast to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER): acyl‐ACP thioesterase (FAT1), Fatty Acid EXporters (FAX1, FAX2), and long‐chain acyl‐CoA synthetase1 (LACS1). Furthermore, overexpression of FAT1 in the chloroplast increased lipid production. These results suggest that, upon N depletion, MYB1 promotes lipid accumulation by facilitating fatty acid transport from the chloroplast to the ER.

This study identifies MYB1 as an important positive regulator of lipid accumulation in C. reinhardtii upon N depletion, adding another player to the established regulators of this process, including NITROGEN RESPONSE REGULATOR 1 (NRR1) and TRIACYLGLYCEROL ACCUMULATION REGULATOR 1 (TAR1).
Systematic review of the effect of policies to restrict the marketing of foods and non‐alcoholic beverages to which children are exposed
Authors: Boyland Emma , McGale Lauren , Maden Michelle , Hounsome Juliet , Boland Angela , Jones Andrew
Published: April 2022

This systematic review examined the effectiveness of policies restricting the marketing of foods and/or non‐alcoholic beverages to children to inform updated World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Databases were searched to March 2020. Inclusion criteria were primary studies of any design assessing implemented policies to restrict food marketing to children (0–19 years). Critical outcomes were exposure to and power of marketing, dietary intake, choice, preference, and purchasing. Important outcomes were purchase requests, dental caries, body weight, diet‐related noncommunicable diseases, product change, and unintended consequences. Forty‐four observational studies met inclusion criteria; most were moderate quality. Pooling was conducted using vote counting by direction of effect, and GRADE was used to judge evidence certainty. Evidence suggests food marketing policies may result in reduced purchases of unhealthy foods and in unintended consequences favorable for public health. Desirable or potentially desirable (for public health) effects of policies on food marketing exposure and power were also found. Evidence on diet and product change was very limited. The certainty of evidence was very low for four outcomes (exposure, power, dietary intake, and product change) and low for two (purchasing and unintended consequences). Policies can effectively limit food marketing to children; policymakers should prioritize mandatory approaches aligned with WHO recommendations.
Photoperiod influences the shape and scaling of freshwater phytoplankton responses to light and temperature
Authors: Theus Meredith E. , Layden Tamara J. , McWilliams Nancy , Crafton‐Tempel Stephen , Kremer Colin T. , Fey Samuel B.
Published: April 2022

Light fluctuations are ubiquitous, exist across multiple spatial and temporal scales, and directly affect the physiology and ecology of photoautotrophs. However, the indirect effects of light fluctuations on the sensitivity of organisms to other key environmental factors are unclear. Here, we evaluate how photoperiod regime (period of time each day where organisms receive light), a dynamic element of aquatic ecosystems, can influence the interactive effects of temperature and irradiance (intensity of light) on the growth rate of phytoplankton populations. We first completed a literature review and meta‐analysis that suggests photoperiod alters the individual effects of temperature – but not irradiance – on algal growth rates and that highlights how few studies experimentally manipulate photoperiod, temperature and irradiance. To address this empirical gap, we conducted a set of laboratory experiments on three freshwater phytoplankton species (Chlamydomonas reinhardtii, Chlorella vulgaris and Cryptomonas ovata). We measured performance surfaces relating growth rate to irradiance and temperature gradients for each species in constant (24:0 h of light:dark) environments. We then evaluated whether analogous surfaces measured under different photoperiods (6:18, 12:12 and 16:8 h of light:dark) and scaled by the duration of light availability could be inferred from results under constant light. For a majority of the combinations of species and photoperiods examined, photoperiod meaningfully altered the intercept and shape of performance surfaces. These differences were most pronounced under the shortest photoperiod (6:18 h light:dark), where populations underperformed expectations. Alterations to performance surfaces were non‐linear and mostly structured by temperature with higher temperatures yielding higher than anticipated growth rates. Collectively, these experiments and synthesis reveal the potential for photoperiod regime to influence the effects of temperature, irradiance and their interaction on phytoplankton growth. Beyond the environmental variables and organisms presently considered, this research highlights the capacity for dynamic, abiotic variables to exert direct effects while also influencing relationships among other environmental factors.
Optimized radiofrequency lesions through local impedance guidance for effective CTI ablation in right atrial flutter
Authors: Ducceschi Valentino , Zingarini Gianluca , Nigro Gerardo , Brasca Francesco Maria Angelo , Malacrida Maurizio , Carbone Angelo , Lavalle Carlo , Maglia Giampiero , Infusino Tommaso , Aloia Antonio , Nicolis Daniele , Auricchio Claudia , Uccello Ambra , Notaristefano Francesco , Rago Anna , Botto Giovanni Luca , Esposito Luca
Published: April 2022

Background

Although radiofrequency (RF) catheter ablation of cavo‐tricuspid isthmus (CTI) is an established treatment for typical right atrial flutter (RAFL), it remains to be established whether local tissue impedance (LI) is able to predict effective CTI ablation and what LI drop values during ablation should be used to judge a lesion as effective. We aimed to investigate the ability of LI to predict ablation efficacy in patients with RAFL.

Methods

RF delivery was guided by the DirectSense™ algorithm. Successful single RF application was defined according to a defragmentation of atrial potentials (DAP), reduction of voltage (RedV) by at least 80% or changes on unipolar electrogram (UPC). The ablation endpoint was the creation of bidirectional conduction block (BDB) across the isthmus.

Results

392 point‐by‐point RF applications were analyzed in 48 consecutive RAFL patients. The mean baseline LI was 105.4 ± 12Ω prior to ablation and 92.0 ± 11Ω after ablation (p < 0.0001). According to validation criteria, absolute drops in impedance were larger at successful ablation sites than at ineffective ablation sites (DAP: 17.8 ± 6Ω vs. 8.7 ± 4Ω; RedV: 17.2 ± 6Ω vs. 7.8 ± 5Ω; UPC: 19.6 ± 6Ω vs. 10.1 ± 5Ω, all p < 0.0001). LI drop values significantly increased according to the number of criteria satisfied (ranging from 7.5Ω to 19.9). BDB was obtained in all cases. No procedure‐related adverse events were reported.

Conclusions

A LI‐guided approach to CTI ablation was safe and effective in treating RAFL. The magnitude of LI drop was associated with effective lesion formation and BDB and could be used as a marker of ablation efficacy.

Clinical trial registration

Catheter Ablation of Arrhythmias with a High‐Density Mapping System in Real‐World Practice (CHARISMA). URL: http://clinicaltrials.gov/ Identifier: NCT03793998.
Large and Persistent Life Expectancy Disparities between India's Social Groups
Authors: Gupta Aashish , Sudharsanan Nikkil
Published: April 2022

India is one of the most rigidly stratified societies in the world, yet little is known about life expectancy disparities in the country. We provide direct estimates of social differences in life expectancy in India using survey data spanning two decades. We show that individuals from the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes have drastically and persistently lower life expectancies than high‐caste individuals (between 4.2–4.4 years for women and 6.1–7.0 years for men in 2013–2016). While Muslims had a modest life expectancy disadvantage compared to high castes in 1997–2000, this disadvantage has grown substantially over the past 20 years. Mortality disparities between marginalized and privileged social groups are present across the entire life‐course and are increasingly driven by older‐age mortality. Our findings reveal a pressing need for far greater attention to the health of marginalized populations in India.
Turned Away and at Risk: Denial of Family Planning Services to Women in Malawi
Authors: Peterson Jill M. , Bendabenda Jaden , Mboma Alexander , Chen Mario , Stanback John , Gunnlaugsson Geir
Published: April 2022

Family planning (FP) has been a development priority since the mid‐1990s, yet barriers to access persist globally, including women being turned away from facilities without a method. This study aimed to assess the extent of, and reasons for, FP turnaway in three districts of Malawi. In 2019, data collectors screened women exiting 30 health facilities and surveyed those who had been denied a method. Follow‐up surveys were conducted via telephone with turned away clients at six and 12 weeks postvisit. Of the 2,246 women who were screened, 562 were new or restarting users. Of these, 15% (83/562) reported having been turned away from the health facility without an FP method. Women cited 14 different reasons for turnaway; the top three were unavailability of method (34%), unavailability of a provider (17%), or a requirement to return on the scheduled FP day (15%). The multiple reasons cited for leaving the health facility without an FP method indicate that reducing turnaway will not be achieved easily. The top reasons for turnaway are related to health systems or management issues within health facilities. Facilities need additional support for staffing, training on long‐acting and permanent methods, and a consistent supply of methods.
Evaluation of the therapeutic potential of masitinib and expression of its specific targets c‐Kit, PDGFR‐α, PDGFR‐β, and Lyn in canine prostate cancer cell lines
Authors: Klose Katharina , Packeiser Eva‐Maria , Granados‐Soler José‐Luis , Hewicker‐Trautwein Marion , Murua Escobar Hugo , Nolte Ingo
Published: April 2022

Canine prostate cancer is classified into adenocarcinoma, transitional cell carcinoma with prostatic involvement, and mixed forms. Early metastatic spread leads to poor prognosis and limited treatment options. Masitinib is approved for the treatment of canine mast cell tumours and inhibits tyrosine kinase c‐Kit, tyrosine‐protein kinase Lyn (Lyn), and platelet‐derived growth factor receptors alpha and beta (PDGFR‐α, PDGFR‐β), which are known to be expressed in canine prostate cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate masitinib in an in vitro model consisting of cell lines from primary prostate adenocarcinoma, the associated lymph node metastasis of the same patient, and transitional cell carcinoma. To assess the suitability of the model system, the targets of masitinib were investigated by immunocytochemistry in the cell lines and by immunohistochemistry in the respective formalin‐fixed, paraffin‐embedded (FFPE) original neoplastic tissue. After exposure to masitinib, cell viability, cell count, apoptosis induction, and protein expression of c‐Kit, Lyn, PDGFR‐α, and PDGFR‐β were assessed. To hedge the efficacy, two application protocols of masitinib (single application or 12‐h double‐dose regimen) were compared. Immunocytochemical and immunohistochemical analysis revealed increased Lyn, PDGFR‐α, and PDGFR‐β expression in cell lines and FFPE original neoplastic tissue compared to healthy prostate tissue. Masitinib exposure increased apoptosis, while the cell counts and cell viability decreased in a dose‐ and application interval‐dependent manner, with increased impact in the 12‐h double‐dose regimen. These in vitro effects of masitinib in canine prostate cancer and associated metastasis support further in vivo research and modifications of the clinical treatment protocol in future studies.
Correlation of vascular change with TRPV1, TRPV4, and TRPA1 in a rat model of inferior gluteal artery perforator flap
Authors: Li Xiucun , Li Xiaolu , Chen Yuan , Wang Yifan , Li Xiaohan , Hao Aijun , Hu Yong , Li Xian
Published: April 2022

Maximum survival area after perforator flap elevation is mainly achieved through vasodilation and angiogenesis, and endothelial Ca2+ signals play a pivotal role in both of them. Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels modulate many endothelial cell functions via mediating the extracellular Ca2+ entry. This study aims to investigate the correlation of TRPV4, TRPV1, and TRPA1 with vascular change after the inferior gluteal artery perforator flap elevation. A total of 50 adult male SD rats were used in this study. Ten rats were used in the part one to assess the flap viability on postoperative day 7. Twenty rats were used in the part two to evaluate blood flow change after flap elevation. The correlation of vascular change with TRPV1, TRPV4, and TRPA1 protein changes was investigated in 20 rats in the part three. The mean flap survival area percentage was 55 ± 5.7%. Blood flow in the overall flap and Zone II after the flap elevation markedly increased from the postoperative day 3. The most marked change of the vasodilation occurred on Days 3 and 5 after flap elevation. The angiogenesis occurred on Day 5 after flap elevation and the microvessel density peaked also on Day 5. Moreover, TRPA1 expression showed a trend towards continuous reduction over time. The expression of TRPV1 and TRPV4 reached the peak value on Day 3. The endothelial NO synthase expression showed an increasing trend at first, followed by a reduction over time, while VEGF expression reached the peak value on Day 3. The vascular changes after flap elevation might be associated with the changes in TRPV4, TRPV1, and TRPA1.
Inverse Optimal Control of a Class of Nonlinear Multi-Agent Systems With Applications to Ship Slew Rate Control
Authors: Wang Chuanrui , Zhang Lei , Cao Feng
Published: April 2022

This paper deals with the inverse optimal leader-following consensus problem of a class of high-order nonlinear multi-agent systems in strict-feedback form under directed communication topology. By employing the backstepping methodology and introducing an integral type Lyapunov function, a nonlinear distributed control law is constructed using the relative information between neighboring agents. The proposed control law solves the inverse optimal leader-following consensus problem under directed communication graph that contains a spanning tree with the root node being the leader agent. A practical example of ship slew rate control system is given to verify the effectiveness of the theoretical results.
Simultaneous Measurement of Temperature and Strain in Electronic Packages Using Multiframe Super-Resolution Infrared Thermography and Digital Image Correlation
Authors: Lyons Sara K. , Chandramohan Aditya , Weibel Justin A. , Garimella Suresh V.
Published: April 2022

For micro-electronic components and systems, reliability under thermomechanical stress is of critical importance. Experimental characterization of hotspots and temperature gradients, which can lead to deformation in the component, relies on accurate mapping of the surface temperature. One method of noninvasively acquiring this data is through infrared (IR) thermography. However, IR thermography is often limited by the typically low resolution of such cameras. Additionally, the unique surface finish preparations required to infer physical deformation using digital image correlation (DIC) generally interfere with the ability to measure the temperature with IR thermography, which prefers a uniform high emissivity. This work introduces a one-shot technique for the simultaneous measurement of surface temperature and deformation using multiframe super-resolution-enhanced IR imaging combined with DIC analysis. Multiframe super-resolution processing uses several subpixel shifted images, interpolating the image set to extract additional information and create a single higher-resolution image. Measurement of physical deformation is incorporated using a test sample with a black background and low-emissivity speckle features, heated in a manner that induces a nonuniform temperature field and stretched to induce physical deformation. Through processing and filtering, data from the black surface regions used for surface temperature mapping are separated from the speckle features used to track deformation with DIC. This method allows DIC to be performed on the IR images, yielding a deformation field consistent with the applied tensioning. While both the low- and super-resolution data sets can be successfully processed with DIC, super-resolution helps to reduce noise in the extracted deformation fields. As for temperature measurement, using super-resolution is shown to allow for better removal of the speckle features and reduce noise, as quantified by a lower mean deviation from the spatial moving average.
Analysis and Performance Optimization of Supercritical CO2 Recompression Brayton Cycle Coupled Organic Rankine Cycle Based on Solar Tower
Authors: Yu Tingfang , Song Yuxi
Published: April 2022

Supercritical carbon dioxide (SCO2) Brayton cycle has been proved to be an efficient power cycle to replace the traditional steam Rankine cycle. The thermal efficiency of SCO2 cycle can be further improved by coupling another type of cycle (the bottom cycle) at the waste heat end. A supercritical carbon dioxide recompression Brayton cycle (SCRBC) coupled organic Rankine cycle (ORC) based on solar tower is designed and established. According to the requirements of the waste heat temperature range of the top cycle, R600 is selected as the working medium of ORC. Under the design conditions, the effects of split ratio on the net power, the thermal efficiency, and the exergy loss of the combined cycle are studied. The variation of thermal efficiency of each part of the system with split ratio under different turbine inlet pressures and temperatures is further analyzed, and the influence of turbine inlet pressure and working fluid mass flow ratio ε (mass flow ratio of CO2 to R600) on the system performance is analyzed. Genetic algorithm-based multiobjective optimization is used to obtain the Pareto solution set for the thermal performance and unit investment cost of the system. The results show that the thermal efficiency of the combined cycle can be increased by more than 2% compared with that of a single top cycle. There is an optimal split ratio to maximize the thermal efficiency of the combined cycle, and the positions of the optimal split ratio are different for different turbine inlet pressures. Finally, through the multiobjective optimization method, several groups of Pareto solutions can be found, which can provide some reference for engineering design.