bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Female sexuality in marketing communication and effects on the millennial buying decisions in fashion industry in Nigeria
Authors: Oniku Ayodele , Joaquim Anthonia Farayola 
Published: March 2021

Purpose
The study aims to examine female sexuality in marketing communications and how it shapes the millennial buying decisions in the fashion industry. The focus of the study is to connect fashion industry and marketing communication to understand how female sexuality influence buying behaviours and decisions of the millennial.

Design/methodology/approach
The study was underpinned by the dimensions of skin colour, brand image and market share in sexual appealing marketing communication, and the millennial in the study comprises youths between the age of 21and 40 years and demographically defined by Wells and Guber (1966) as bachelors, Full nests 1 and 2. Multistage stage sampling was used with a structured questionnaire.

Findings
Findings show that youths, 2019 buying decisions and behaviours are strategically influenced by different manifestations of female sexuality in the context of the study and equally affect market share and patronage.

Research limitations/implications
The study shows what shapes the marketing communication strategies of the rising fashion industry but is limited to the millennial buying decisions and not the larger fashion industry consumers.

Practical implications
The needs for fashion industry to understand the influence of increasing use of female sexuality in marketing communication on male and female consumers and the effects on their respective buying behaviours is strategic to the industry as shown in the study.

Social implications
Female sexuality in marketing communication is strategic to fashion industry in today's market among youths.

Originality/value
The millennial constitutes a larger percentage of the developing economy market with rising income thus the need to understand their buying behaviours in the fashion industry
Mass collection of magnetotactic bacteria from the permanently stratified ferruginous Lake Pavin, France
Authors: Busigny Vincent , Mathon François P. , Jézéquel Didier , Bidaud Cécile C. , Viollier Eric , Bardoux Gérard , Bourrand Jean‐Jacques , Benzerara Karim , Duprat Elodie , Menguy Nicolas , Monteil Caroline L. , Lefevre Christopher T. 
Published: March 2021

SummaryObtaining high biomass yields of specific microorganisms for culture‐independent approaches is a challenge faced by scientists studying organism's recalcitrant to laboratory conditions and culture. This difficulty is highly decreased when studying magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) since their unique behaviour allows their enrichment and purification from other microorganisms present in aquatic environments. Here, we use Lake Pavin, a permanently stratified lake in the French Massif Central, as a natural laboratory to optimize collection and concentration of MTB that thrive in the water column and sediments. A method is presented to separate MTB from highly abundant abiotic magnetic particles in the sediment of this crater lake. For the water column, different sampling approaches are compared such as in situ collection using a Niskin bottle and online pumping. By monitoring several physicochemical parameters of the water column, we identify the ecological niche where MTB live. Then, by focusing our sampling at the peak of MTB abundance, we show that the online pumping system is the most efficient for fast recovering of large volumes of water at a high spatial resolution, which is necessary considering the sharp physicochemical gradients observed in the water column. Taking advantage of aerotactic and magnetic MTB properties, we present an efficient method for MTB concentration from large volumes of water. Our methodology represents a first step for further multidisciplinary investigations of the diversity, metagenomic and ecology of MTB populations in Lake Pavin and elsewhere, as well as chemical and isotopic analyses of their magnetosomes.
Addressing Australia's collaboration ‘problem’: Is there a Brave New World of innovation policy post COVID‐19?
Authors: George AJ , Tarr Julie‐Anne 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn a post‐COVID‐19 world, innovation stimuli and well‐aligned policies will assume even greater importance as various sectors seek to recover lost ground and to generate new opportunities. Collaborative partnering in innovation research and development (R&D) between private industry and higher education has increasingly emerged over the last decade as a leading key performance indicator for government policy development, and higher education research funding allocations. Recalibration of R&D‐related policies and incentivisation will require careful consideration, with constructive lessons to be learned from outcomes over the last four decades. This paper presents findings from a new study of stakeholder perceptions as to the National Innovation and Science Agenda's impact on innovation partnerships, and synthesises outcomes from two prior studies. It then examines a newly proposed innovation policy framework, Stimulating Business Investment in Innovation (SBII), set against a background of the shifting mix of paradigms that have comprised Australian innovation policy over the last 40 years. It argues that, following the SBII, any proposed change of policy direction will face significant challenges in its implementation, requiring a fully committed and comprehensive embrace by Government of the new APS engagement framework and greater levels of deliberative democracy.
Influence of circulating testosterone concentration on sperm cryoresistance: The ibex as an experimental model
Authors: Bóveda Paula , Esteso Milagros Cristina , Velázquez Rosario , Castaño Cristina , Toledano‐Díaz Adolfo , López‐Sebastián Antonio , Mejía Octavio , Millán de la Blanca María Gemma , Ungerfeld Rodolfo , Santiago‐Moreno Julián 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundRecent studies have noted that the circulating testosterone concentration may affect the ability of spermatozoa to survive cryopreservation. However, few attempts to confirm such a relationship have been made. Wild ruminant species have very marked seasonal changes in their reproductive function and strong annual changes in their plasma testosterone concentration.ObjectivesThe present work examines the influence of induced changes in testosterone secretion on sperm variables following conventional slow freezing and ultra‐rapid freezing, using the Iberian ibex as an experimental model.Materials and MethodsIn a first experiment, testosterone levels were reduced in the middle of the rutting season (December) using the antiandrogen cyproterone acetate (CA). In a second experiment, testosterone levels were increased at the end of the rutting season (January) via the use of the androgen testosterone propionate (TP).ResultsDuring December, the testosterone concentration was found to be higher in the blood and seminal plasma of untreated males than in those of CA‐treated males (p < 0.001 andp < 0.05, respectively). Compared with controls, the TP‐treated animals had higher blood plasma testosterone concentrations but lower seminal plasma testosterone concentrations during January (p < 0.01 andp < 0.001, respectively). The seminal vesicles of the TP‐treated males were larger than those of untreated males (p < 0.05). When CA was administered, sperm viability improved compared with controls (p < 0.05), irrespective of the freezing protocol followed. For the ultra‐rapid freezing procedure, the cryoresistance ratio for motility decreased when TP was administered (p < 0.05). The values for fresh sperm morphometric variables decreased during the 50 days after the end of CA treatment (p < 0.001) and increased over the same time after the end of TP treatment (p < 0.001).Discussion and ConclusionThe circulating testosterone concentration appears to influence sperm cryoresistance. This may explain the seasonal changes seen in sperm freezability in some species, independent of fresh sperm quality.
The role of pandemic‐related pregnancy stress in preference for community birth during the beginning of the COVID‐19 pandemic in the United States
Authors: Preis Heidi , Mahaffey Brittain , Lobel Marci 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundThe COVID‐19 pandemic introduced unparalleled uncertainty into the lives of pregnant women, including concerns about where it is the safest to give birth, while preserving their rights and wishes. Reports on the increased interest in community births (at home or in birth centers) are emerging. The purpose of this project was to quantitatively investigate psychological factors related to this birth preference.MethodsThis study included 3896 pregnant women from the COVID‐19 Pregnancy Experiences (COPE) Study who were anticipating a vaginal birth. COPE Study participants were recruited online between April 24 and May 15, 2020, and completed a questionnaire that included preference with respect to place of birth and psychological constructs: fear of childbirth, basic beliefs about birth, pandemic‐related preparedness stress, and pandemic‐related perinatal infection stress.ResultsWomen who preferred a community birth, on average, had less childbirth fear, had stronger beliefs that birth is a natural process, were less likely to see birth as a medical process, and were less stressed about being unprepared for birth and being infected with COVID‐19. In multivariate models, higher stress about perinatal COVID‐19 infection was associated with greater likelihood of preferring a community birth. The effect of perinatal infection stress on preference was stronger when preparedness stress was high.DiscussionWomen's birth preferences during the COVID‐19 pandemic are associated with psychological processes related to risk perception. Community births are more appealing to women who view being in a hospital as hazardous because of the pandemic. Policies and prenatal care aimed to increase access to safe in‐hospital and out‐of‐hospital birth services should be encouraged.
Activation of pregnane X receptor induces atherogenic lipids and PCSK9 by a SREBP2‐mediated mechanism
Authors: Karpale Mikko , Käräjämäki Aki Juhani , Kummu Outi , Gylling Helena , Hyötyläinen Tuulia , Orešič Matej , Tolonen Ari , Hautajärvi Heidi , Savolainen Markku J. , Ala‐Korpela Mika , Hukkanen Janne , Hakkola Jukka 
Published: March 2021

Background and PurposeMany drugs and environmental contaminants induce hypercholesterolemia and promote the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. We tested the hypothesis that pregnane X receptor (PXR), a xenobiotic‐sensing nuclear receptor, regulates the level of circulating atherogenic lipids in humans and utilized mouse experiments to identify the mechanisms involved.Experimental ApproachWe performed serum NMR metabolomics in healthy volunteers administered rifampicin, a prototypical human PXR ligand or placebo in a crossover setting. We used high‐fat diet fed wild‐type and PXR knockout mice to investigate the mechanisms mediating the PXR‐induced alterations in cholesterol homeostasis.Key ResultsActivation of PXR induced cholesterogenesis both in pre‐clinical and clinical settings. In human volunteers, rifampicin increased intermediate‐density lipoprotein (IDL), low‐density lipoprotein (LDL) and total cholesterol and lathosterol–cholesterol ratio, a marker of cholesterol synthesis, suggesting increased cholesterol synthesis. Experiments in mice indicated that PXR activation causes widespread induction of the cholesterol synthesis genes including the rate‐limiting Hmgcr and upregulates the intermediates in the Kandutsch–Russell cholesterol synthesis pathway in the liver. Additionally, PXR activation induced plasma proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9), a negative regulator of hepatic LDL uptake, in both mice and humans. We propose that these effects were mediated through increased proteolytic activation of sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 2 (SREBP2) in response to PXR activation.Conclusion and ImplicationsPXR activation induces cholesterol synthesis, elevating LDL and total cholesterol in humans. The PXR–SREBP2 pathway is a novel regulator of the cholesterol and PCSK9 synthesis and a molecular mechanism for drug‐ and chemical‐induced hypercholesterolemia.
The natural product trienomycin A is a STAT3 pathway inhibitor that exhibits potent in vitro and in vivo efficacy against pancreatic cancer
Authors: He Qiu‐Rui , Tang Jiang‐Jiang , Liu Yao , Chen Zhi‐Fan , Liu Yu‐Xi , Chen Huang , Li Ding , Yi Zheng‐Fang , Gao Jin‐Ming 
Published: March 2021

Background and PurposePancreatic cancer is an exceptionally fatal disease. However, therapeutic drugs for pancreatic cancer have presented a serious shortage over the past few decades. Signal transducer and activator of transcription‐3 (STAT3) is persistently activated in many human cancers where it promotes tumour development and progression. Natural products serve as an inexhaustible source of anticancer drugs. Here, we identified the natural product trienomycin A (TA), an ansamycin antibiotic, as a potential inhibitor of the STAT3 pathway with potent activity against pancreatic cancer.Experimental ApproachEffects of trienomycin A on transcriptional activity of STAT3 were assessed by the STAT3‐luciferase (STAT3‐luc) reporter system. In vitro and in vivo inhibitory activity of TA against pancreatic cancer made use of molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance (SPR) assay, MTS assay, colony formation assay, transwell migration/invasion assay, flow cytometric analysis, immunofluorescence staining, quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), western blotting, tumour xenograft model, haematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and immunohistochemistry.Key ResultsTrienomycin A directly bound to STAT3 and inhibited STAT3 (Tyr705) phosphorylation, thus inhibiting the STAT3 pathway. Trienomycin A also inhibited colony formation, proliferation, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cell lines. Trienomycin A also markedly blocked pancreatic tumour growth in vivo. More importantly, trienomycin A did not show obvious toxicity at the effective dose in mice.Conclusions and ImplicationsTrienomycin A exerted anti‐neoplastic activity by suppressing STAT3 activation in pancreatic cancer. This natural product could be a novel therapeutic candidate for pancreatic cancer.
SCARF1 promotes M2 polarization of Kupffer cells via calcium‐dependent PI3K‐AKT‐STAT3 signalling to improve liver transplantation
Authors: Xu Xue‐song , Feng Zhi‐hao , Cao Ding , Wu Hao , Wang Meng‐hao , Li Jin‐Zheng , Gong Jian‐Ping 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectivesThis study aimed to investigate the protective effect of SCARF1 on acute rejection (AR), phagocytic clearance of Kupffer cells (KCs), M2 polarization and the exact mechanism underlying these processes.MethodsAAV was transfected into the portal vein of rats, and AR and immune tolerance (IT) models of liver transplantation were established. Liver tissue and blood samples were collected. The level of SCARF1 was detected via WB and immunohistochemical staining. Pathological changes in liver tissue were detected using HE staining. Apoptotic cells were detected using TUNEL staining. KC polarization was assessed via immunohistochemical staining. Primary KCs were isolated and co‐cultured with apoptotic T lymphocytes. Phagocytosis of apoptotic cells and polarization of KCs were both detected using immunofluorescence. Calcium concentration was determined using immunofluorescence and a fluorescence microplate reader. The levels of PI3K, p‐AKT and P‐STAT3 were assessed via WB and immunofluorescence.ResultsCompared to the IT group, the level of SCARF1 was significantly decreased in the AR group. Overexpression of SCARF1 in KCs improved AR and liver function markers. Enhanced phagocytosis mediated by SCARF1 is beneficial for improving the apoptotic clearance of AR and promoting M2 polarization of KCs. SCARF1‐mediated enhancement of phagocytosis promotes increased calcium concentration in KCs, thus further activating the PI3K‐AKT‐STAT3 signalling pathway.ConclusionsSCARF1 promotes the M2 polarization of KCs by promoting phagocytosis through the calcium‐dependent PI3K‐AKT‐STAT3 signalling pathway.
A multi‐methods yarn about SMART Recovery: First insights from Australian Aboriginal facilitators and group members
Authors: Dale Elizabeth , Lee K. S. Kylie , Conigrave Katherine M. , Conigrave James H. , Ivers Rowena , Clapham Kathleen , Kelly Peter J. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIntroductionSMART Recovery is a popular mutual support group program. Little is known about its suitability or perceived helpfulness for Indigenous peoples. This study explored the cultural utility of SMART Recovery in an Australian Aboriginal context.MethodsAn Indigenous‐lensed, multi‐methods, exploratory study design was used to develop initial evidence of: (i) attributes of Aboriginal SMART Recovery facilitators and group members; (ii) characteristics of Aboriginal‐led SMART Recovery groups; (iii) perceived acceptability and helpfulness of SMART Recovery; and (iv) areas for potential improvement. Data were collected by synthesising Indigenous qualitative methods (research topic and social yarning) with western qualitative and quantitative methods (participant surveys, program adherence rating scale, group observations and field notes). Data were analysed using thematic analysis.ResultsParticipants were a culturally diverse sample of male and female Aboriginal facilitators (n = 10) and group members (n = 11), aged 22–65 years. Aboriginal‐led SMART Recovery groups were culturally customised to suit local contexts. Program tools ‘goal setting’ and ‘problem solving’ were viewed as the most helpful. Suggested ways SMART Recovery could enhance its cultural utility included: integration of Aboriginal perspectives into facilitator training; creation of Aboriginal‐specific program and marketing materials; and greater community engagement and networking. Participants proposed an Aboriginal‐specific SMART Recovery program.Discussion and ConclusionsThis study offers insights into Aboriginal peoples' experiences of SMART Recovery. Culturally‐informed modifications to the program were identified that could enhance cultural utility. Future research is needed to obtain diverse community perspectives and measure health outcomes associated with group attendance.
Red cell distribution width in patients with diabetes and myocardial infarction: An analysis from the EXAMINE trial
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Lamiral Zohra , Bakris George , Mehta Cyrus , White William B. , Zannad Faiez 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAimTo determine the clinical correlates of increased red blood cell distribution width (RDW), its potential mechanistic association with multiple circulating biomarkers, and its prognostic value in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) who had a recent acute coronary syndrome.MethodsWe used time‐updated Cox models applied to patients enrolled in the Examination of Cardiovascular Outcomes with Alogliptin versus Standard of Care (EXAMINE) trial.ResultsA total of 5380 patients were included, the median age was 61 years and 32% were women. Patients with higher RDW were older, more frequently women, with a longer diabetes duration and increased co‐morbidities. An RDW of more than 16.1% (both baseline and time‐updated) was independently associated with the study primary composite outcome of non‐fatal myocardial infarction, non‐fatal stroke or cardiovascular death (time‐updated adjusted HR = 1.36, 95% CI = 1.16–1.61, p < .001), all‐cause death (time‐updated adjusted HR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.60–2.53, p < .001), as well as mortality from non‐cardiovascular causes (time‐updated adjusted HR = 2.67, 95% CI = 1.72–4.15, p < .001). RDW had a weak‐to‐moderate correlation with haemoglobin and circulating markers that reflected inflammation, apoptosis, fibrosis and congestion. Alogliptin did not alter RDW values.ConclusionsRDW is a marker of disease severity associated with a multitude of poor outcomes, including both cardiovascular and non‐cardiovascular death. RDW correlated modestly with inflammatory, pro‐apoptotic, pro‐fibrotic and congestion markers, and its levels were not affected by alogliptin during the course of the trial.
Dependence of egg hatching on Wolbachia density in a parthenogenetic weevil revealed by antibiotic treatment
Authors: Rodriguero Marcela S. , Scannapieco Alejandra C. , Monti Daniela S. , Chifflet Lucila , Elias‐Costa Agustín J. , Lanteri Analía A. , Confalonieri Viviana A. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractNaupactini is a tribe of Neotropical broad‐nosed weevils highly diverse in South America. This group includes several parthenogenetic species, some of them harmful for agriculture and invasive around the world. Although some hypotheses based on polyploidy and hybridization have been proposed to explain the origin of parthenogenesis in weevils, the infection with the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis may be involved in the origin of parthenogenetic reproduction of some species. In this contribution, we studied the role of Wolbachia in the reproductive biology of Pantomorus postfasciatus Hustache (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) through a curing experiment using tetracycline. This weevil has a mixed mode of reproduction including sexual and parthenogenetic populations. Exposure to an antibiotic did not affect fecundity, but did reduce egg hatching in comparison with untreated individuals. Consequently, we inferred that Wolbachia most probably takes part in the reproduction of P. postfasciatus, either by exerting nutritive functions in oogenesis necessary for egg hatching, or by induction of thelytokous parthenogenesis. Although infection was not totally cured, Wolbachia load was significantly lower in treated than in control females. Thereby, we hypothesize that a minimum threshold density of Wolbachia is required for weevil reproduction. We conclude that all analyses support a role of Wolbachia in P. postfasciatus reproduction.
Effect of pneumatic shot peening on the high and low cycle combined fatigue life of K403 turbine blades
Authors: Ding Xin , Huang Dawei , Yan Xiaojun , Fan Jun , Qi Mingjing , Liu Zhiwei 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThe effect of pneumatic shot peening (PSP) on the fatigue properties of K403 turbine blades has been investigated under the high and low cycle combined fatigue (CCF) load with two types of turbine blades: untreated blades and PSP treated blades. It is found that there is a threshold vibration stress for the blades in this study. The PSP has a positive effect on the CCF life of blades mainly due to the compressive residual stress resulting in the reduction of the number of crack sources and propagation rate, when vibration stresses are below the threshold vibration stress. However, the PSP treatment has no effect or a negative effect when vibration stresses are above the threshold value. The compressive residual stress is released along with the microstructure changes of K403 alloy. Meanwhile, the microstructure changes, reflected in the precipitation of the lamellar MC carbides and σ phases, can accelerate the processes of crack initiation and propagation.