bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The impact of offshoring on technical change: Evidence from Swedish manufacturing firms
Authors: Baum Christopher F. , Lööf Hans , Stephan Andreas , Viklund‐Ros Ingrid 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper examines the link between offshoring and technical change measured by patent and total factor productivity in order to sort out the causality. It applies instrumental variable and matching approaches on a panel of more than 7000 Swedish manufacturing firms over the period 2001–2014, and identify offshoring‐related intermediate imports by the United Nations Broad Economic Categories system. Accounting for self‐selection and reverse causality, no impact of offshoring on TFP is found and only weak effect on patenting.
Schools as racialized organizations in policy and practice
Authors: Stewart Mahala Dyer , García Ashley , Petersen Hannah 
Published: October 2021

AbstractIn this paper we examine schooling inequalities through drawing from the contributions of racialized organizations. We apply the components of this racial theory to offer a new framework for examining racial inequalities in US K‐12 schools. We analyze case studies to demonstrate how the four tenants of racialized organizations operate in three schools. In particular, we highlight how these tenants surface through schools' policies (school rules around discipline, language, and tracking) and practices (interactions between students, teachers and staff). We offer a framework for understanding how schools are shaped by the racial hierarchy at the organizational level. We close by considering implications and suggestions for future research.
Swiss Municipal Data Merger Tool: Open‐source Software for the Compilation of Longitudinal Municipal‐level Data
Authors: Knechtl Valentin , Stutzer Alois 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThe Swiss Municipal Data Merger Tool (Swiss MDMT) offers a solution to a frequent data management problem encountered when compiling longitudinal datasets involving Swiss municipalities as the observational units. Due to municipal mergers, the number of municipalities in Switzerland declined from 3,095 in 1960 to 2,202 in 2020. As a consequence, manually securing the correct spatial reference when merging historical cross‐sectional data is tedious and time‐consuming. To facilitate this operation, the Swiss MDMT considers mutations at the municipal level and maps municipalities of a first point in time to municipalities in a second point in time based on information provided by the Swiss Federal Statistical Office's municipality inventory. The tool is distributed as an open‐source R package and is freely available on CRAN.
A hybrid kinetic and constraint‐based model of leaf metabolism allows predictions of metabolic fluxes in different environments
Authors: Shameer Sanu , Wang Yu , Bota Pedro , Ratcliffe R. George , Long Stephen P. , Sweetlove Lee J. 
Published: October 2021

SUMMARYWhile flux balance analysis (FBA) provides a framework for predicting steady‐state leaf metabolic network fluxes, it does not readily capture the response to environmental variables without being coupled to other modelling formulations. To address this, we coupled an FBA model of 903 reactions of soybean (Glycine max) leaf metabolism with e‐photosynthesis, a dynamic model that captures the kinetics of 126 reactions of photosynthesis and associated chloroplast carbon metabolism. Successful coupling was achieved in an iterative formulation in which fluxes from e‐photosynthesis were used to constrain the FBA model and then, in turn, fluxes computed from the FBA model used to update parameters in e‐photosynthesis. This process was repeated until common fluxes in the two models converged. Coupling did not hamper the ability of the kinetic module to accurately predict the carbon assimilation rate, photosystem II electron flux, and starch accumulation of field‐grown soybean at two CO2 concentrations. The coupled model also allowed accurate predictions of additional parameters such as nocturnal respiration, as well as analysis of the effect of light intensity and elevated CO2 on leaf metabolism. Predictions included an unexpected decrease in the rate of export of sucrose from the leaf at high light, due to altered starch–sucrose partitioning, and altered daytime flux modes in the tricarboxylic acid cycle at elevated CO2. Mitochondrial fluxes were notably different between growing and mature leaves, with greater anaplerotic, tricarboxylic acid cycle and mitochondrial ATP synthase fluxes predicted in the former, primarily to provide carbon skeletons and energy for protein synthesis.
Combining novel technologies with interdisciplinary basic research to enhance horticultural crops
Authors: Jiang Xiaohui , Zhang Weiyi , Fernie Alisdair R. , Wen Weiwei 
Published: October 2021

SUMMARYHorticultural crops mainly include fruits, vegetables, ornamental trees and flowers, and tea trees (Melaleuca alternifolia). They produce a variety of nutrients for the daily human diet in addition to the nutrition provided by staple crops, and some of them additionally possess ornamental and medicinal features. As such, horticultural crops make unique and important contributions to both food security and a colorful lifestyle. Under the current climate change scenario, the growing population and limited arable land means that agriculture, and especially horticulture, has been facing unprecedented challenges to meet the diverse demands of human daily life. Breeding horticultural crops with high quality and adaptability and establishing an effective system that combines cultivation, post‐harvest handling, and sales becomes increasingly imperative for horticultural production. This review discusses characteristic and recent research highlights in horticultural crops, focusing on the breeding of quality traits and the mechanisms that underpin them. It additionally addresses challenges and potential solutions in horticultural production and post‐harvest practices. Finally, we provide a prospective as to how emerging technologies can be implemented alongside interdisciplinary basic research to enhance our understanding and exploitation of horticultural crops.
Cross‐border M&As and the performance of Chinese acquiring firms
Authors: Sun Wenli , Xie Dan 
Published: October 2021

AbstractThis paper investigates the performance of Chinese acquirers in cross‐border mergers and acquisitions (M&As) between 2010 and 2018. Compared to domestic acquirers, the paper finds no significant improvement in labour productivity nor total factor productivity (TFP) within two years after acquisitions. However, firms engaged in foreign acquisitions witness an increase in total sales, employ more labour and accumulate more capital up to two years after transactions. The effects are more pronounced in deals in developed destinations relative to less‐developed countries. Heterogeneous effects are explored across various industries, as well as deal structures. The results imply that outward cross‐border M&As in China are not driven by productivity improvement but rather scale effects.
Current diagnostics for chronic enteropathies in dogs
Authors: Allenspach Karin , Mochel Jonathan P. 
Published: October 2021

AbstractChronic enteropathies (CEs) in dogs describe a group of idiopathic disorders characterized by chronic persistent or recurrent gastrointestinal (GI) signs. Three major subgroups of CE can be identified by their response to treatment: Food‐responsive disease (FRD), antibiotic‐responsive disease (ARD), and steroid‐responsive disease (SRD). The clinical diagnosis of CE is made by exclusion of all other possible causes of chronic diarrhea and includes histologic assessment of intestinal biopsies. The process of diagnosing canine CE can therefore be very time‐consuming and expensive, and in most cases, does not help to identify dogs that will respond to a specific treatment. The development of novel diagnostic tests for canine CE has therefore focused on the accuracy of such tests to predict treatment responses. In this article, several novel assays that have the potential to become commercially available will be discussed, such as genetic tests, perinuclear anti‐neutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (pANCA), antibodies against transglutaminase/gliadin, antibodies against E coli OmpC/flagellin, and micro RNAs.
Factors influencing lower extremity amputation outcomes in people with active foot ulceration in regional Australia: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Tehan Peta Ellen , Hawes Morgan Brian , Hurst Joanne , Sebastian Mathew , Peterson Benjamin John , Chuter Vivienne Helaine 
Published: October 2021

AbstractAustralia has the second highest rate of non‐traumatic lower extremity amputation (LEA) globally. Australia's large geographical size is one of the biggest challenges facing limb preservation services and may be contributing to LEA. The aim of this study was to determine what factors contribute to the likelihood of LEA in people with active foot ulceration in regional Australia. This retrospective cohort study audited patients with active foot ulceration in a multidisciplinary high risk foot service (HRFS) in regional Australia. Neurological, vascular and wound characteristics were systematically extracted, along with demographic information. Participants were followed for at least 12 months until healing or LEA occurred. Correlations between LEA and clinical and demographic characteristics were assessed using the Pearson's product moment correlation coefficient and chi squared test for independence. Significant variables (p < 0.05) were included in the model. Direct logistic regression assessed the independent contribution of significantly correlated variables on the likelihood of LEA. Of note, 1876 records were hand screened with 476 participants (25%) meeting the inclusion criteria. Geographical distance from the HRFS, toe systolic pressure (TSP), diabetes and infection were all significantly correlated with LEA and included in the logistic regression model. TSP decrease of 1 mmHg (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01–1.03), increased geographical distance (1 km) from HRFS (OR 1.006, 95% CI 1.001–1.01) infection (OR 2.08, 95% CI 1.06–4.07) and presence of diabetes (OR 3.77, 95% CI 1.12–12.65) were all significantly associated with increased likelihood of LEA. HRFS should account for the disparity in outcomes between patients living in close proximity to their service, compared to those in rural areas. Optimal management of diabetes, vascular perfusion and control of infection may also contribute to preventing LEA in people with active foot ulceration.
Forecasting Current Velocity and Profile in a Strait Water Using Warped Gaussian Process
Authors: Wei Kai , Liao Xiang , Qin Shunquan 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Ocean current forecast is vital for developing tidal energy and construction of offshore structures in the strait waters. This paper developed a short-term ocean current forecasting approach, which consists of the measured data preprocessing, kernel function selection, and data forecasting using the warped Gaussian process (WGP). A preprocessing using the wavelet thresholding method was proposed to enhance the quality of the measured raw data. The theory of WGP and the commonly used kernel functions were briefly introduced. The sliding time window and one-step ahead strategies were employed to increase the accuracy of predictions. Observations collected during an ocean current measurement campaign executed in a strait water on the coast of the East China Sea were used as an example data set. The current velocity and profile were forecasted and validated using the example data set as an illustration of the framework of the developed approach. The effects of window length, kernel function, and time interval on the WGP forecasting efficiency and precision were investigated. The forecasting performance of the developed WGP model was discussed by comparing it with the standard Gaussian process prediction (GP) model. The current profile with a 95% confidence interval was also predicted by the developed WGP model at a certain point. The validation shows that the developed model is efficient in the short-term ocean current forecast.
Markers of Neuroinflammation and Apoptosis in the Temporal Lobe of Patients with Drug-Resistant Epilepsy
Authors: Litovchenko A. V. , Zabrodskaya Yu. M. , Sitovskaya D. A. , Khuzhakhmetova L. K. , Nezdorovina V. G. , Bazhanova E. D. 
Published: October 2021

Abstract
Current antiepileptic strategies aim to normalize the interaction
of the excitatory and inhibitory systems, which is ineffective in
treating patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Neuroinflammatory processes
in the epileptic focus and its perifocal area can trigger apoptosis
and also contribute to the development of drug resistance. The level
of pro- and anti-apoptotic proteins (p-NF-kB, TNF-α, p53, FAS, caspase-3,
caspase-9) was analyzed in intraoperative biopsies of the temporal
lobe gray and white matter in the brain of patients with drug-resistant
epilepsy. An increased level of pro-apoptotic proteins was revealed
in the cortex and perifocal area’s white matter against the background
of an imbalance of protective anti-apoptotic proteins. It appears
that the activation of the extrinsic pathway of apoptosis occurs
in the perifocal area, while in the epileptic focus, there are proteins
responsible for the activation of the anti-apoptotic survival pathways.
Active neuroinflammation in the epileptic focus and perifocal area
of the temporal lobe may contribute to the development of the resistance
to antiepileptic drugs and the progression of neurodegeneration in
such patients.
Implementation processes in a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for people with dementia: a complexity-informed qualitative analysis
Authors: Morgan-Trimmer Sarah , Kudlicka Aleksandra , Warmoth Krystal , Leroi Iracema , Oyebode Jan R , Pool Jackie , Woods Robert , Clare Linda 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesHealthcare is often delivered through complex interventions. Understanding how to implement these successfully is important for optimising services. This article demonstrates how the complexity theory concept of ‘self-organisation’ can inform implementation, drawing on a process evaluation within a randomised controlled trial of the GREAT (Goal-oriented cognitiveRehabilitation inEarly-stageAlzheimer’s and related dementias: a multi-centre single-blind randomised controlledTrial) intervention which compared a cognitive rehabilitation intervention for people with dementia with usual treatment.DesignA process evaluation examined experiences of GREAT therapists and participants receiving the intervention, through thematic analysis of a focus group with therapists and interviews with participants and their carers. Therapy records of participants receiving the intervention were also analysed using adapted framework analysis. Analysis adopted a critical realist perspective and a deductive-inductive approach to identify patterns in how the intervention operated.SettingThe GREAT intervention was delivered through home visits by therapists, in eight regions in the UK.ParticipantsSix therapists took part in a focus group, interviews were conducted with 25 participants and 26 carers, and therapy logs for 50 participants were analysed.InterventionA 16-week cognitive rehabilitation programme for people with mild-to-moderate dementia.Results‘Self-organisation’ of the intervention occurred through adaptations made by therapists. Adaptations included simplifying the intervention for people with greater cognitive impairment, and extending it to meet additional needs. Relational work by therapists produced an emergent outcome of ‘social support’. Self-organised aspects of the intervention were less visible than formal components, but were important aspects of how it operated during the trial. This understanding can help to inform future implementation.ConclusionsResearchers are increasingly adopting complexity theory to understand interventions. This study extends the application of complexity theory by demonstrating how ‘self-organisation’ was a useful concept for understanding aspects of the intervention that would have been missed by focusing on formal intervention components. Analysis of self-organisation could enhance future process evaluations and implementation studies.Trial registration numberISRCTN21027481.
Single-cell sequencing unveils distinct immune microenvironments with CCR6-CCL20 crosstalk in human chronic pancreatitis
Authors: Lee Bomi , Namkoong Hong , Yang Yan , Huang Huang , Heller David , Szot Gregory L , Davis Mark M , Husain Sohail Z , Pandol Stephen J , Bellin Melena D , Habtezion Aida 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveChronic pancreatitis (CP) is a potentially fatal disease of the exocrine pancreas, with no specific or effective approved therapies. Due to difficulty in accessing pancreas tissues, little is known about local immune responses or pathogenesis in human CP. We sought to characterise pancreatic immune responses using tissues derived from patients with different aetiologies of CP and non-CP organ donors in order to identify key signalling molecules associated with human CP.DesignWe performed single-cell level cellular indexing of transcriptomes and epitopes by sequencing and T-cell receptor (TCR) sequencing of pancreatic immune cells isolated from organ donors, hereditary and idiopathic patients with CP who underwent total pancreatectomy. We validated gene expression data by performing flow cytometry and functional assays in a second patient with CP cohort.ResultsDeep single-cell sequencing revealed distinct immune characteristics and significantly enriched CCR6+ CD4+ T cells in hereditary compared with idiopathic CP. In hereditary CP, a reduction in T-cell clonality was observed due to the increased CD4+ T (Th) cells that replaced tissue-resident CD8+ T cells. Shared TCR clonotype analysis among T-cell lineages also unveiled unique interactions between CCR6+ Th and Th1 subsets, and TCR clustering analysis showed unique common antigen binding motifs in hereditary CP. In addition, we observed a significant upregulation of the CCR6 ligand (CCL20) expression among monocytes in hereditary CP as compared with those in idiopathic CP. The functional significance of CCR6 expression in CD4+ T cells was confirmed by flow cytometry and chemotaxis assay.ConclusionSingle-cell sequencing with pancreatic immune cells in human CP highlights pancreas-specific immune crosstalk through the CCR6-CCL20 axis, a signalling pathway that might be leveraged as a potential future target in human hereditary CP.
Prognostic performance of the ‘DICA’ endoscopic classification and the ‘CODA’ score in predicting clinical outcomes of diverticular disease: an international, multicentre, prospective cohort study
Authors: Tursi Antonio , Brandimarte Giovanni , Di Mario Francesco , Elisei Walter , Picchio Marcello , Allegretta Leonardo , Annunziata Maria Laura , Bafutto Mauro , Bassotti Gabrio , Bianco Maria Antonietta , Colucci Raffaele , Conigliaro Rita , Dumitrascu Dan , Escalante Ricardo , Ferrini Luciano , Forti Giacomo , Franceschi Marilisa , Graziani Maria Giovanna , Lammert Frank , Latella Giovanni , Maconi Giovanni , Nardone Gerardo , Camara de Castro Oliveira Lucia , Chaves Oliveira Enio , Papa Alfredo , Papagrigoriadis Savvas , Pietrzak Anna , Pontone Stefano , Poskus Tomas , Pranzo Giuseppe , Reichert Matthias Christian , Rodinò Stefano , Regula Jaroslaw , Scaccianoce Giuseppe , Scaldaferri Franco , Vassallo Roberto , Zampaletta Costantino , Zullo Angelo , Piovani Daniele , Bonovas Stefanos , Danese Silvio 
Published: October 2021

ObjectiveTo investigate the predictive value of the Diverticular Inflammation and Complication Assessment (DICA) classification and to develop and validate a combined endoscopic-clinical score predicting clinical outcomes of diverticulosis, named Combined Overview on Diverticular Assessment (CODA).DesignA multicentre, prospective, international cohort study.Setting43 gastroenterology and endoscopy centres located in Europe and South America.Participants2215 patients (2198 completing the study) at the first diagnosis of diverticulosis/diverticular disease were enrolled. Patients were scored according to DICA classifications.InterventionsA 3-year follow-up was performed.Main outcome measuresTo predict the acute diverticulitis and the surgery according to DICA classification. Survival methods for censored observation were used to develop and validate a novel combined endoscopic-clinical score for predicting diverticulitis and surgery (CODA score).ResultsThe 3-year cumulative probability of diverticulitis and surgery was of 3.3% (95% CI 2.5% to 4.5%) in DICA 1, 11.6% (95% CI 9.2% to 14.5%) in DICA 2 and 22.0% (95% CI 17.2% to 28.0%) in DICA 3 (p<0.001), and 0.15% (95% CI 0.04% to 0.59%) in DICA 1, 3.0% (95% CI 1.9% to 4.7%) in DICA 2 and 11.0% (95% CI 7.5% to 16.0%) in DICA 3 (p<0.001), respectively. The 3-year cumulative probability of diverticulitis and surgery was ≤4%, and ≤0.7% in CODA A; <10% and <2.5% in CODA B; >10% and >2.5% in CODA C, respectively. The CODA score showed optimal discrimination capacity in predicting the risk of surgery in the development (c-statistic: 0.829; 95% CI 0.811 to 0.846) and validation cohort (c-statistic: 0.943; 95% CI 0.905 to 0.981).ConclusionsDICA classification has a significant role in predicting the risk of diverticulitis and surgery in patients with diverticulosis, which is significantly enhanced by the CODA score.Trial registration numberNCT02758860.
Aortic distensibility in Marfan syndrome: a potential predictor of aortic events?
Authors: van Andel Mitzi M , de Waard Vivian , Timmermans Janneke , Scholte Arthur J H A , van den Berg Maarten P , Zwinderman Aeilko H , Mulder Barbara J M , Groenink Maarten 
Published: October 2021

ObjectivesPatients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) are prone to develop aortic aneurysms due to fragmentation of elastic fibres, resulting in reduced distensibility of the aorta. Reduced distensibility was previously shown to predict progressive descending aorta dilatation. Here, we investigated longitudinal changes in distensibility, as a potential predictor of aortic events.MethodsThis retrospective study included all patients with MFS with at least four cardiac magnetic resonance examinations performed between 1996 and 2012. Aortic distensibility was assessed, in the ascending (level 1), proximal descending (level 2) and distal descending (level 3) aorta. Changes in distensibility were studied using linear mixed-effects regression models.ResultsIn total, 35 patients with MFS (age at inclusion 28 (IQR 23–32) years, 54% men) were included. Mean aortic distensibility was already low (between 2.9×10–3/mm Hg/year and 6.4×10–3/mm Hg/year) at all levels at baseline, and significantly decreased over time at levels 2 and 3 (respectively, p=0.012 and p=0.002). The rate of distensibility loss per year (×10-3/mm Hg/year) was 0.01, 0.03 and 0.06×10–3/mm Hg at levels 1, 2 and 3, respectively. At inclusion, men exhibited very low distensibility, whereas women showed moderately reduced distensibility, gradually decreasing with age.Aortic dilatation rate at level 2 was associated with reduced aortic distensibility. However, we could not demonstrate a direct correlation between distensibility and clinical events during a follow-up of 22 years.ConclusionPatients with MFS display reduced aortic distensibility already at an early age, inversely relating to aortic dilatation rate. However, in this selected patient group, distensibility seems less suitable as an individual predictor of aortic events.