bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Decentralization, local information, and effort substitution: Evidence from a subnational decentralization reform in China
Authors: Chen Sicheng , Yuan Lingran , Wang Weijie , Gong Binlei 
Published: July 2024

AbstractThis study examines whether and how information asymmetry affects local governments' gaming behaviors in a decentralization reform. We contend that adequate access to local information by the principal is a prerequisite for mitigating effort substitution among agents. We examine the hypothesis based on a decentralization reform in China—the Integration of Agriculture‐related Fiscal Transfer reform. We use the distance between pilot villages and the provincial capital as the measurement of local information. Employing a difference‐in‐differences design to scrutinize a unique dataset comprising 85,628 observations spanning 9199 villages from 2011 to 2020, we find that subnational decentralization with information asymmetry leads to increased effort substitution by local governments. Further analysis reveals that more abundant local information can alleviate the extent of effort substitution in reformed villages. Overall, this research highlights the importance of considering local information when designing policies to mitigate performance gaming in public goods provision and support effective subnational decentralization.
The impact of regional integration on PM2.5 concentrations—Quasi‐natural experimental evidence from city economic coordination committee
Authors: Li Sijia , Wu Lihua 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIt is of great significance to explore the causality between regional integration (RI) and PM2.5 pollution within urban agglomerations in the current pursuit of ecological civilization construction and high‐quality development. Using panel data of 285 prefecture‐level cities in China from 2003 to 2016, this study considers the expansion of the city economic coordination committee in Yangtze River Delta (YRDECC) as a quasi‐natural experiment of RI, and use a difference‐in difference method to explore the effect and inner mechanisms of RI on PM2.5 concentration. After a descriptive analysis of the spatial‐temporal variation trend of the PM2.5 concentration in the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration, the empirical results show that RI helps to alleviate 4.8% of the PM2.5 concentration overall. For the original cities, the reduction effect on the PM2.5 concentration is 5.2%, for the new cities, however, RI exacerbates 2.1% of the local PM2.5 concentration. A series of robustness tests confirm the validity of the baseline results, and further indicate that the effect of RI remains significant in the long term and starts to increase from the third year. Furthermore, the reduction effect of RI on PM2.5 concentration is more pronounced in cities with larger scales, more developed economies, and higher degrees of marketization. The mechanism analysis shows that industrial transfer, population migration and technological innovation are significant channels of RI that affect PM2.5 concentrations. The conclusions of this paper provide a new path to alleviate PM2.5 pollution and achieve ecological conservation and high‐quality development in the city cluster area.
Modification of liquid phase and microstructure of sintered mullite by different additives
Authors: Wang Yaxuan , Zhang Junzhan , Gao Jianying , Yang Zhaopeng 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIn the field of ceramics, mullite has drawn plenty of attention due to its low thermal expansion and thermal conductivity as well as its high chemical stability and creep resistance. This work reported the mineral phase, liquid phase, and microstructure evolution of the sintered mullite, using coal‐series kaolin as the raw material and potash feldspar as well as phosphorus pentoxide as additives. The effects of K2O and P2O5 on the content and viscosity of the liquid phase in mullite were calculated using FactSage 8.1. The results showed that the introduction of K2O could inhibit the formation of cristobalite effectively. Adding K2O and P2O5 improved the content of the liquid phase formed during the calcination process. After introducing K2O and P2O5, mullite developed acicular and columnar structures, with average lengths of 9.76 and 7.97 µm, respectively. Furthermore, introducing K2O and P2O5 improved the physical properties of mullite significantly.
Cross‐Generational Effect of Water Deficit Priming on Physiology of Peanut Plants Under Water Stress
Authors: de Camargo Santos Aline , Schaffer Bruce , Rowland Diane , Bremgartner Matthew , Moon Pamela , Tillman Barry , Rodrigues de Souza Edivan , Bassil Elias 
Published: July 2024

ABSTRACTWater deficit priming through regulated deficit irrigation has been shown to be beneficial for peanut cultivation, leading to improved water‐use efficiency during the crop cycle and enhanced stress acclimation. The effects of priming using water deficit can be heritable, but little is known about stress priming effects on the physiology and growth of successive generations undergoing water stress. Two experiments were conducted to assess cross‐generational priming by determining physiological and growth responses of offspring of primed and non‐primed peanut plants of two genotypes, COC‐041 and New Mexico Valencia C (NMV‐C), both previously found to be strongly responsive to priming. Seeds were collected from parental plants subjected to mild water stress by regulated deficit irrigation (primed) or adequate irrigation (non‐primed). These seeds were then planted, and the offspring were monitored for physiological and growth responses to water stress, including on a whole‐plant basis using a high‐throughput physiological phenotyping platform and on individual leaves by periodic single‐leaf measurements. Measurements included whole‐plant transpiration (plant‐Tr), root water uptake, leaf transpiration, stomatal conductance and net CO2 assimilation (leaf‐Tr, leaf‐gs, and leaf‐A), leaf water and osmotic potential (leaf‐Ψw and leaf‐Ψo), leaf osmotic adjustment, leaf relative water content (leaf‐RWC) and cumulative plant‐Tr. Offspring of both genotypes from primed parent plants had faster early establishment, with more uniform germination, and more rapid initial seedling growth compared to offspring from non‐primed parent plants. Although offspring of both non‐primed and primed plants of both genotypes exhibited a significant reduction of plant‐Tr, gas exchange, leaf‐Ψw, leaf‐Ψo, and leaf‐RWC when exposed to water stress, offspring of primed plants showed increased water use efficiency through reduced leaf‐gs, leaf‐Tr and plant‐Tr while maintaining leaf‐A under water stress. Despite offspring of both primed and non‐primed plants being susceptible to severe water stress, offspring of primed plants exhibited overall enhanced water use efficiency, leading to greater dry biomass production per gram of transpired water and a trend of less growth reduction due to water stress compared to offspring of non‐primed plants, especially for the genotype COC‐041. This study shows the potential of water deficit priming to promote cross‐generational changes in physiological function under limited water availability, by enhancing crop stress acclimation in the next plant generation.
Fabrication of Si3N4 ceramics with improved thermal conductivity by carbothermal reduction and two‐step sintering
Authors: Fan Binbin , Hu Zunlan , Zhao Shuo , Zhao Dengke , Wang Bohan , Zhang Shijia , Chen Zhanglin , Du Songmo , Li Fei , Zhang Jie , Hu Feng , Xie Zhipeng , Chen Kexin , Liu Guanghua 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSi3N4 ceramics with improved thermal conductivity and mechanical properties were prepared by carbothermal reduction and two‐step sintering. The addition of 2 wt% C led to the development of an intergranular phase YNSiO2 with reduced oxygen content. Notably, setting the pre‐sintering temperature at 1450°C promoted the formation of a rough bimodal morphology within the Si3N4 ceramics. Furthermore, an extended holding period at 1850°C resulted in additional grain growth and the elimination of intergranular phases. The Si3N4 specimens produced at 1450°C for 3 h followed by 1850°C for 8 h, incorporating 2 wt% C, exhibited a notable continuity between Si3N4 grains. The thickness of the grain boundary layer was only about 1 nm, and the N/O atomic ratio of the intergranular phase was measured to be 0.42. Consequently, the resulting thermal conductivity, flexural strength, and fracture toughness of Si3N4 specimens were found to be 101 W·m−1·K−1, 712 ± 29 MPa, and 7.7 ± 0.2 MPa·m1/2, respectively. Compared with samples without C additive and directly sintered at 1850°C for 8 h, the Si3N4 specimens produced in this work showed a significant increase of more than 50% in thermal conductivity and about 17% in fracture toughness.
Host cell manipulation by microsporidia secreted effectors: Insights into intracellular pathogenesis
Authors: Tang Liyuan , Sabi Musa Makongoro , Fu Ming , Guan Jingyu , Wang Yongliang , Xia Tian , Zheng Kai , Qu Hongnan , Han Bing 
Published: July 2024

AbstractMicrosporidia are prolific producers of effector molecules, encompassing both proteins and nonproteinaceous effectors, such as toxins, small RNAs, and small peptides. These secreted effectors play a pivotal role in the pathogenicity of microsporidia, enabling them to subvert the host's innate immunity and co‐opt metabolic pathways to fuel their own growth and proliferation. However, the genomes of microsporidia, despite falling within the size range of bacteria, exhibit significant reductions in both structural and physiological features, thereby affecting the repertoire of secretory effectors to varying extents. This review focuses on recent advances in understanding how microsporidia modulate host cells through the secretion of effectors, highlighting current challenges and proposed solutions in deciphering the complexities of microsporidial secretory effectors.
Comparison between botulinum toxin type A injection on masseter muscle only and additional injection on anterior belly of digastric muscle in sleep bruxism patients: A clinical trial
Authors: Kim Soo‐Bin , Choi You‐Jin , Kim Seong Taek , Kim Hee‐Jin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractObjectiveThis study aims to evaluate the effects on bite force and muscle thickness of the botulinum toxin (BoNT) injection for patients with sleep bruxism (SB) by comparing injections into the masseter muscle only and both the masseter and the anterior belly of the digastric muscle (ABDM) in a clinical trial.MethodsTwelve SB patients received BoNT‐A injections using US‐guided techniques into the masseter muscle only (Group A), while the remaining 12 SB patients received injections into both the masseter and ABDM (Group B). Bite force and muscle thickness were measured before injection, as well as 1 and 2 months after injection.ResultsThe bite force and masseter muscle thickness decreased in both Group A and Group B before injection, and at 1 and 2 months after injection. However, there was no significant difference (p > .05, repeated measures analysis of variance) between the two groups, and there was also no significant difference in ABDM thickness (p > .05, repeated measures analysis of variance).ConclusionThis study is the first to assess the short‐term effects of BoNT injected into ABDM for SB control. Results show no influence on SB reduction, suggesting the need for further research on BoNT's effectiveness in controlling intense ABDM contractions during sleep and assessing suprahyoid muscle potential impact on rhythmic masticatory muscle activity occurrence.
Sensory and multisensory perception—Perspectives toward defining multisensory experience and heritage
Authors: Parker Murray , Spennemann Dirk H. R. , Bond Jennifer 
Published: July 2024

AbstractSensory experience pertaining to any of the recognized senses can manifest as a form of intangible cultural heritage, therefore having considerable value for society. Heritage research into multiple sensory components needs to consider not simply the social experience of each of the individual modalities, but how these sensory components combine or integrate to form an all‐encompassing multisensory experience. Clear terminologies are needed to accurately identify and describe such complex processes. We put forward a distinct lexicon in this perspective, building on conventional terms “multisensory perception” and “multisensory integration” and advancing the definitions “multisensory experience” and “multisensory heritage.”Practical applicationsThis perspective serves to delineate the extension of the term multisensory into the social science discipline. The sharing of a common nomenclature will allow a more unified development and scientific rigor moving forward and allows us to recognize, identify, and describe complex processes of multisensory experience and multisensory heritage. It allows us to understand that the human emotional response to multisensory experience is culturally enshrined, being recognized as a form of multisensory heritage following attribution of societal values. Finally, it recognizes the experiential response to multisensory heritage is unique, being significantly different than those of individual sensory experiences, presenting opportunities and challenges in heritage management.
Performance of three artificial intelligence (AI)‐based large language models in standardized testing; implications for AI‐assisted dental education
Authors: Sabri Hamoun , Saleh Muhammad H. A. , Hazrati Parham , Merchant Keith , Misch Jonathan , Kumar Purnima S. , Wang Hom‐Lay , Barootchi Shayan 
Published: July 2024

AbstractIntroductionThe emerging rise in novel computer technologies and automated data analytics has the potential to change the course of dental education. In line with our long‐term goal of harnessing the power of AI to augment didactic teaching, the objective of this study was to quantify and compare the accuracy of responses provided by ChatGPT (GPT‐4 and GPT‐3.5) and Google Gemini, the three primary large language models (LLMs), to human graduate students (control group) to the annual in‐service examination questions posed by the American Academy of Periodontology (AAP).MethodsUnder a comparative cross‐sectional study design, a corpus of 1312 questions from the annual in‐service examination of AAP administered between 2020 and 2023 were presented to the LLMs. Their responses were analyzed using chi‐square tests, and the performance was juxtaposed to the scores of periodontal residents from corresponding years, as the human control group. Additionally, two sub‐analyses were performed: one on the performance of the LLMs on each section of the exam; and in answering the most difficult questions.ResultsChatGPT‐4 (total average: 79.57%) outperformed all human control groups as well as GPT‐3.5 and Google Gemini in all exam years (p < .001). This chatbot showed an accuracy range between 78.80% and 80.98% across the various exam years. Gemini consistently recorded superior performance with scores of 70.65% (p = .01), 73.29% (p = .02), 75.73% (p < .01), and 72.18% (p = .0008) for the exams from 2020 to 2023 compared to ChatGPT‐3.5, which achieved 62.5%, 68.24%, 69.83%, and 59.27% respectively. Google Gemini (72.86%) surpassed the average scores achieved by first‐ (63.48% ± 31.67) and second‐year residents (66.25% ± 31.61) when all exam years combined. However, it could not surpass that of third‐year residents (69.06% ± 30.45).ConclusionsWithin the confines of this analysis, ChatGPT‐4 exhibited a robust capability in answering AAP in‐service exam questions in terms of accuracy and reliability while Gemini and ChatGPT‐3.5 showed a weaker performance. These findings underscore the potential of deploying LLMs as an educational tool in periodontics and oral implantology domains. However, the current limitations of these models such as inability to effectively process image‐based inquiries, the propensity for generating inconsistent responses to the same prompts, and achieving high (80% by GPT‐4) but not absolute accuracy rates should be considered. An objective comparison of their capability versus their capacity is required to further develop this field of study.
Alcohol consumption and liver phenotype of individuals with alpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency
Authors: Fromme Malin , Schneider Carolin V. , Guldiken Nurdan , Amzou Samira , Luo Yizhao , Pons Monica , Genesca Joan , Miravitlles Marc , Thorhauge Katrine H. , Mandorfer Mattias , Waern Johan , Schneider Kai Markus , Sperl Jan , Frankova Sona , Bartel Marc , Zimmer Holger , Zorn Markus , Krag Aleksander , Turner Alice , Trautwein Christian , Strnad Pavel 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackground and AimsAlpha‐1 antitrypsin deficiency is an inherited disorder caused by alpha‐1 antitrypsin (AAT) mutations. We analysed the association between alcohol intake and liver‐related parameters in individuals with the heterozygous/homozygous Pi*Z AAT variant (Pi*MZ/Pi*ZZ genotype) found in the United Kingdom Biobank and the European Alpha1 liver consortium.MethodsReported alcohol consumption was evaluated in two cohorts: (i) the community‐based United Kingdom Biobank (17 145 Pi*MZ, 141 Pi*ZZ subjects, and 425 002 non‐carriers [Pi*MM]); and (ii) the European Alpha1 liver consortium (561 Pi*ZZ individuals). Cohort (ii) included measurements of carbohydrate‐deficient transferrin (CDT).ResultsIn both cohorts, no/low alcohol intake was reported by >80% of individuals, while harmful consumption was rare (~1%). Among Pi*MM and Pi*MZ individuals from cohort (i), moderate alcohol consumption resulted in a <30% increased rate of elevated transaminases and ~50% increase in elevated gamma‐glutamyl transferase values, while harmful alcohol intake led to an at least twofold increase in the abnormal levels. In Pi*ZZ individuals from both cohorts, moderate alcohol consumption had no marked impact on serum transaminase levels. Among Pi*ZZ subjects from cohort (ii) who reported no/low alcohol consumption, those with increased CDT levels more often had signs of advanced liver disease.ConclusionsPi*MZ/Pi*ZZ genotype does not seem to markedly aggravate the hepatic toxicity of moderate alcohol consumption. CDT values might be helpful to detect alcohol consumption in those with advanced fibrosis. More data are needed to evaluate the impact of harmful alcohol consumption.
Antroduodenal manometry findings in children with suspected pediatric intestinal pseudo‐obstruction
Authors: Gulliksson Gullik , Nyström Niklas , Danielson Johan , Lilljekvist Fredrik Dylén , Scholing Mirjam , Hellström Per M. , Gustafson Elisabet 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBackgroundIn 2018 diagnostic criteria for pediatric intestinal pseudo‐obstruction (PIPO) were established. Neuromuscular dysfunction of the gastrointestinal tract is one of these, and often examined through antroduodenal manometry (ADM). There is little data on antroduodenal manometries in children. Our objectives were to retrospectively apply these criteria to children evaluated for suspected motility disorder, to reevaluate the ADM patterns and compare children who did and did not meet the PIPO criteria and also with healthy adults.MethodsChildren with a suspected gastrointestinal motility disorder previously investigated with 24‐h 8‐lead ADM were reevaluated by applying the 2018 ESPGHAN/NASPGHAN PIPO diagnostic criteria and the 2018 ANMS‐NASPGHAN guidelines. ADM findings were compared between children who retrospectively fulfilled a PIPO diagnosis, children who did not, and a control group of healthy adults.Key ResultsOf 34 children (age 7.9 (±5.1) years, 18 males), 12 retrospectively fulfilled the 2018 PIPO diagnostic criteria. Twenty‐five children (10 in the PIPO group) had abnormal diagnostic findings on ADM, whereas 9 (2 in the PIPO group) had no such findings. A PIPO diagnosis implied a significantly higher degree of abnormal ADM patterns (2.33 vs. 1.23, p = 0.02). There were no major differences in quantitative ADM measurements between the groups except higher pressures in children.Conclusions and InferencesChildren who retrospectively fulfilled a PIPO diagnosis had a significantly higher abundance of abnormal ADM findings compared with symptomatic children without PIPO and healthy adults. Our data indicate a need for set criteria for evaluation of ADM in children with suspected PIPO.
Meddlesome blame and negotiating standing
Authors: Snedegar Justin 
Published: July 2024

AbstractBlaming others for things that are not our business can attract charges of meddling and corresponding dismissals of blame. Such charges are contentious because the content and applicability conditions of anti‐meddling norms can be difficult to specify. An unappreciated reason they can be contentious is that it is often not settled in advance whether some wrongdoing is or is not the business of a would‐be blamer. Rather than pointing out violation of a pre‐established anti‐meddling norm, charges of meddling may sometimes be aiming to put such a norm in place. Grounds of anti‐meddling norms, including privacy, intimacy, and respect for victims, support giving those involved significant latitude to set their own boundaries on appropriate blame. This brings out the more general point that norms of blame, including standing norms, are often up for negotiation, and dismissals of blame can be moves in such a negotiation of trying to establish boundaries on blame, rather than merely pointing out violations of pre‐established boundaries.
Hop stunt viroid infection induces heterochromatin reorganization
Authors: Marquez‐Molins Joan , Cheng Jinping , Corell‐Sierra Julia , Juarez‐Gonzalez Vasti Thamara , Villalba‐Bermell Pascual , Annacondia Maria Luz , Gomez Gustavo , Martinez German 
Published: July 2024

Summary

Viroids are pathogenic noncoding RNAs that completely rely on their host molecular machinery to accomplish their life cycle. Several interactions between viroids and their host molecular machinery have been identified, including interference with epigenetic mechanisms such as DNA methylation. Despite this, whether viroids influence changes in other epigenetic marks such as histone modifications remained unknown. Epigenetic regulation is particularly important during pathogenesis processes because it might be a key regulator of the dynamism of the defense response.

Here we have analyzed the changes taking place in Cucumis sativus (cucumber) facultative and constitutive heterochromatin during hop stunt viroid (HSVd) infection using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) of the two main heterochromatic marks: H3K9me2 and H3K27me3.

We find that HSVd infection is associated with changes in both H3K27me3 and H3K9me2, with a tendency to decrease the levels of repressive epigenetic marks through infection progression. These epigenetic changes are connected to the transcriptional regulation of their expected targets, genes, and transposable elements. Indeed, several genes related to the defense response are targets of both epigenetic marks.

Our results highlight another host regulatory mechanism affected by viroid infection, providing further information about the complexity of the multiple layers of interactions between pathogens/viroids and hosts/plants.