bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competition law enforcement and digital platforms non-price competition
Authors: Golovanova Svetlana , Pontual Ribeiro Eduardo 
Published: May 2024

PurposeExplore the effects of competition policy on an important competitive dimension of digital platforms, namely quality.Design/methodology/approachThe deterrence effect of competition policy should induce firms to compete on merits, with lower prices and higher quality for consumers. Deterrence, or the inducement not to infringe competition law, may depend on the harshness of penalties and/or the likelihood of conviction. We use competition policy indicators that are associated with these deterrence dimensions, allowing for non-linearities and interactions of the indicators. We use a unique data survey of digital gig platform users, that covers at least two dozen platforms and more than 50 countries. Quality is measured using multidimensional indicators of the level of satisfaction of platform users with different platform services. We control for platform user and country characteristics, including other regulatory indicators such as labor laws, to recover different effects.FindingsResults suggest that competition policy is relevant for differences in product quality across platforms and countries. Important non-linearities are uncovered, where substantive rules of competition policy interact with competition authority power. The effects depend on either level of the indicators, suggesting that deterrence effects depend upon a combination of both law in the books and competition policy practice.Practical implicationsThe estimates suggest a need to balance both dimension of deterrence, namely, strictness and effectiveness to expand the effects of competition policy on competition.Originality/valueThis is the first paper that explores the effect of competition policy on non-price or non-margin competition dimension. It is the first to study the effect on a sample of digital platforms. It contributes to the literature of deterrence effects of competition policy.
Alarmins in cutaneous malignant melanoma: An updated overview of emerging evidence on their pathogenetic, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic role
Authors: Papa Vincenzo , Li Pomi Federica , Borgia Francesco , Vaccaro Mario , Pioggia Giovanni , Gangemi Sebastiano 
Published: May 2024

AbstractMalignant cutaneous melanoma is the leading cause of death for skin cancer to date, with globally increasing incidence rates. In this epidemiological scenario, international scientific research is exerting efforts to identify new clinical strategies aimed at the prognostic amelioration of the disease. Very promising and groundbreaking in this context is the scientific interest related to alarmins and their pioneering utility in the setting of the pathogenetic understanding, diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy for malignant cutaneous melanoma. However, the scientific investigations on this matter should not overlook their still well‐presented dual and contradictory role. The aim of our critical analysis is to provide an up‐to‐date overview of the emerging evidence concerning the dichotomous role of alarmins in the aforementioned clinical settings. Our literature revision was based on the extensive body of both preclinical and clinical findings published on the PubMed database over the past 5 years. In addition to this, we offer a special focus on potentially revolutionary new therapeutic frontiers, which, on the strength of their earliest successes in other clinical areas, could inaugurate a new era of personalized and precision medicine in the field of dermato‐oncology.
A taste of space: Remote animal observations and discrete‐choice models provide new insights into foraging and density dynamics for a large subarctic herbivore
Authors: Ehlers L. , Palm E. , Herriges J. , Bentzen T. , Suitor M. , Joly K. , Millspaugh J. , Donnelly P. , Gross J. , Wells J. , Larue B. , Hebblewhite M. 
Published: May 2024

Abstract

Competition for resources and space can drive forage selection of large herbivores from the bite through the landscape scale. Animal behaviour and foraging patterns are also influenced by abiotic and biotic factors.

Fine‐scale mechanisms of density‐dependent foraging at the bite scale are likely consistent with density‐dependent behavioural patterns observed at broader scales, but few studies have directly tested this assertion.

Here, we tested if space use intensity, a proxy of spatiotemporal density, affects foraging mechanisms at fine spatial scales similarly to density‐dependent effects observed at broader scales in caribou. We specifically assessed how behavioural choices are affected by space use intensity and environmental processes using behavioural state and forage selection data from caribou (Rangifer tarandus granti) observed from GPS video‐camera collars using a multivariate discrete‐choice modelling framework.

We found that the probability of eating shrubs increased with increasing caribou space use intensity and cover of Salix spp. shrubs, whereas the probability of eating lichen decreased. Insects also affected fine‐scale foraging behaviour by reducing the overall probability of eating. Strong eastward winds mitigated negative effects of insects and resulted in higher probabilities of eating lichen. At last, caribou exhibited foraging functional responses wherein their probability of selecting each food type increased as the availability (% cover) of that food increased.

Space use intensity signals of fine‐scale foraging were consistent with density‐dependent responses observed at larger scales and with recent evidence suggesting declining reproductive rates in the same caribou population. Our results highlight potential risks of overgrazing on sensitive forage species such as lichen. Remote investigation of the functional responses of foraging behaviours provides exciting future applications where spatial models can identify high‐quality habitats for conservation.
Genome analysis and description of Tunturibacter gen. nov. expands the diversity of Terriglobia in tundra soils
Authors: Messyasz Adriana , Männistö Minna K. , Kerkhof Lee J. , Häggblom Max M. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIncreased temperatures in Arctic tundra ecosystems are leading to higher microbial respiration rates of soil organic matter, resulting in the release of carbon dioxide and methane. To understand the effects of this microbial activity, it is important to better characterize the diverse microbial communities in Arctic soil. Our goal is to refine our understanding of the phylogenetic diversity of Terriglobia, a common but elusive group within the Acidobacteriota phylum. This will help us link this diversity to variations in carbon and nitrogen usage patterns. We used long‐read Oxford Nanopore MinION sequences in combination with metagenomic short‐read sequences to assemble complete Acidobacteriota genomes. This allowed us to build multi‐locus phylogenies and annotate pangenome markers to distinguish Acidobacteriota strains from several tundra soil isolates. We identified a phylogenetic cluster containing four new species previously associated with Edaphobacter lichenicola. We conclude that this cluster represents a new genus, which we have named Tunturibacter. We describe four new species: Tunturibacter lichenicola comb. nov., Tunturibacter empetritectus sp. nov., Tunturibacter gelidoferens sp. nov., and Tunturibacter psychrotolerans sp. nov. By uncovering new species and strains within the Terriglobia and improving the accuracy of their phylogenetic placements, we hope to enhance our understanding of this complex phylum and shed light on the mechanisms that shape microbial communities in polar soils.
Strategies for sustainable urban development: Assessing the impact of adaptation readiness, nanotechnology, and renewable energy on urban ecosystems
Authors: Li Jiali , Han Weiqun , Mahmood Muhammad Aamir 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn an era marked by rapid urbanization and increasing environmental concerns, the quest for sustainable development has become paramount. The goal of this study is to support sustainability by critically analysing and reviewing methods for reducing people's ecological footprint in urban areas. We are comparing different ways of reducing the negative effects that people living in cities have on the natural world around them. The decrease in ecological footprint was 0.688% for a 1% increase in the nanotechnological innovations. The decrease in the ecological footprint (improvement in the environment was 0.575 due to 1% increase in renewable energy). The decrease in the ecological footprint was 0.517% due to 1% increase in the adaptation readiness. The increase in the ecological footprint was 0.837% and 0.443% due to 1% increase in the inclusive growth and urbanization. Renewable energy is extremely important for civilization to become carbon neutral. It is suggested to switch from conventional fuel to clean fuel to enhance the use of energy from renewable sources to reduce global warming. It is required to increase adaptation readiness as “preparedness” to effectively use investments for adapting to climate change. Future research endeavors should delve deeper into the enduring repercussions of strategies for reducing the ecological footprint, examining how these strategies evolve over time, and adapt to the ever‐changing urban environments. The outcomes of this study possess substantial implications for policymaking, indicating that policymakers and urban planners should prioritize the adoption of holistic strategies for reducing the ecological footprint to nurture sustainable urban development. It advocates for the infusion of sustainability principles into urban policy frameworks and underscores the significance of ongoing monitoring and assessment to steer effective policy implementation.
A C‐type lectin with dual carbohydrate recognition domains functions in innate immune response in Asian corn borer, Ostrinia furnacalis
Authors: Li Er‐Tao , Ji Jia‐Yue , Kong Wei‐Jie , Shen Dong‐Xu , Li Cai , An Chun‐Ju 
Published: May 2024

AbstractC‐type lectins (CTLs) act as pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) to initiate the innate immune response in insects. A CTL with dual carbohydrate recognition domains (CRDs) (named immulectin‐4 [IML‐4]) was selected from the Ostrinia furnacalis transcriptome dataset for functional studies. We cloned the full‐length complementary DNA of O. furnacalis IML‐4 (OfIML‐4). It encodes a 328‐residue protein with a Glu‐Pro‐Asn (EPN) and Gln‐Pro‐Asp (QPD) motifs in 2 CRDs, respectively. OfIML‐4 messenger RNA levels increased significantly upon the bacterial and fungal infection. Recombinant OfIML‐4 (rIML‐4) and its individual CRDs (rCRD1 and rCRD2) exhibited the binding ability to various microorganisms including Escherichia coli, Micrococcus luteus, Pichia pastoris, and Beauveria bassiana, and the cell wall components including lipopolysaccharide from E. coli, peptidoglycan from M. luteus or Bacillus subtilis, and curdlan from Alcaligenes faecalis. The binding further induced the agglutination of E. coli, M. luteus, and B. bassiana in the presence of calcium, the phagocytosis of Staphylococcus aureus by the hemocytes, in vitro encapsulation and melanization of nickel‐nitrilotriacetic acid beads, and a significant increase in phenoloxidase activity of plasma. In addition, rIML‐4 significantly enhanced the phagocytosis, nodulation, and resistance of O. furnacalis to B. bassiana. Taken together, our results suggest that OfIML‐4 potentially works as a PRR to recognize the invading microorganisms, and functions in the innate immune response in O. furnacalis.
Mortality rates, cause and risk factors in people with spina bifida, register‐based study over five decades
Authors: Andersson Marie , Hadi Lana , Dellenmark Blom Michaela , Sillen Ulla , Sjöström Sofia , Arnell Magdalena Vu Minh , Abrahamsson Kate 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAimCare for people with spina bifida can be improved. This may be done by evaluating mortality rates and causes of death.MethodsBetween 1973 and 2021, 1735 people with spina bifida appeared in registers of the Swedish population. Survival rates and causes of death were calculated according to age and decade.ResultsOver almost 50 years, the prevalence of spina bifida decreased from 5.2 to 1.2 per 10 000 births. Mortality fell sharply during the first year of life, with survival rising from 75% to 94%. For children aged 2–18 years and adults, mortality rates were low and differences between decades were minimal.Causes of childhood deaths were congenital abnormalities, hydrocephalus and infections, the latter two also in adults. Adult causes also included self‐inflicted injuries and substance abuse, with suicidal or unclear intent, both more common than in the general population. Bladder malignancies were also more frequent, although after reconstructive bladder surgery, mortality rates were similar.ConclusionSurvival in the first year of life increased in children with spina bifida, whereas there was no difference in survival rates between adults born between 1973 and 1999. For adults, proactive prevention methods regarding self‐inflicted injury, substance abuse and bladder cancer are warranted.
A novel ryanodine receptor 2 inhibitor, M201‐A, enhances natriuresis, renal function and lusi‐inotropic actions: Preclinical and phase I study
Authors: Kaneko Noboru , Loughrey Christopher M. , Smith Godfrey , Matsuda Ryuko , Hasunuma Tomoko , Mark Patric B. , Toda Masashi , Shinozaki Makoto , Otani Naoyuki , Kayley Scott , Da Silva Costa Ana , Martin Tamara P. , Dobi Sara , Saxena Priyanka , Shimamoto Ken , Ishikawa Tetsuya , Kambayashi Ryuichi , Riddell Alexandra , Elliott Elspeth B. , McCarroll Charlotte S. , Sakai Toshiya , Mitsuhisa Yamano , Hirano Sayuri , Kitai Takeshi , Kusano Kengo , Inoue Yuko , Nakamura Masahiko , Kikuchi Migaku , Toyoda Shigeru , Taguchi Isao , Fujiwara Toshihiko , Sugiyama Atsushi , Kumagai Yuji , Iwata Kunio 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackground and PurposeThe ryanodine receptor 2 (RyR2) is present in both the heart and kidneys, and plays a crucial role in maintaining intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis in cells in these organs. This study aimed to investigate the impact of M201‐A on RyR2, as well as studying its effects on cardiac and renal functions in preclinical and clinical studies.Experimental ApproachFollowing the administration of M201‐A (1,4‐benzothiazepine‐1‐oxide derivative), we monitored diastolic Ca2+ leak via RyR2 and intracellular Ca2+ concentration in isolated rat cardiomyocytes and in cardiac and renal function in animals. In a clinical study, M201‐A was administered intravenously at doses of 0.2 and 0.4 mg·kg−1 once daily for 20 min for four consecutive days in healthy males, with the assessment of haemodynamic responses.Key ResultsIn rat heart cells, M201‐A effectively inhibited spontaneous diastolic Ca2+ leakage through RyR2 and exhibited positive lusi‐inotropic effects on the rat heart. Additionally, it enhanced natriuresis and improved renal function in dogs. In human clinical studies, when administered intravenously, M201‐A demonstrated an increase in natriuresis, glomerular filtration rate and creatinine clearance, while maintaining acceptable levels of drug safety and tolerability.Conclusions and ImplicationsThe novel drug M201‐A inhibited diastolic Ca2+ leak via RyR2, improved cardiac lusi‐inotropic effects in rats, and enhanced natriuresis and renal function in humans. These findings suggest that this drug may offer a potential new treatment option for chronic kidney disease and heart failure.
Ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation in patients with cerebral palsy
Authors: Dhodapkar Meera M. , Yang Ally , Jiang Will , Halperin Scott J. , Frumberg David B. , Grauer Jonathan N. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractAimTo examine patients with cerebral palsy (CP) undergoing open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) for ankle fractures.MethodThis was a retrospective study of adult patients undergoing ankle fracture ORIF for closed, isolated ankle fractures identified in between 2010 and 2021 in the Q1 PearlDiver M151 database. Patients with CP were identified with International Classification of Diseases (ICD)‐9 and ICD‐10 codes, and were matched to those without 1:10 on age, sex, and Elixhauser comorbidity index (ECI). Ninety‐day adverse events were assessed with multivariable logistic regression.ResultsA total of 148 993 patients with isolated ankle fracture ORIF were identified, of whom 407 (0.27%) had CP. After matching, 3863 without CP were compared to 389 with CP. Patients with CP were at increased odds of: 90‐day urinary tract infection (odds ratios [OR] 6.26), pneumonia (OR 3.50), minor adverse events (OR 3.46), sepsis (OR 3.30), any adverse events (OR 3.04), emergency department visits (OR 2.28), serious adverse events (OR 1.77), and prolonged length of stay more than 4 days (OR 22.44) (p < 0.001 for all).InterpretationPatients with CP undergoing ORIF for isolated, closed ankle fractures are at increased odds of several 90‐day adverse events and prolonged length of stay compared to matched patients without CP.What this paper adds

Patients with cerebral palsy (CP) undergoing ankle fracture open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) were at increased odds of 90‐day adverse events.
Many of the 90‐day adverse events related to previously described comorbidities associated with CP.
Patients with CP undergoing ankle fracture ORIF experienced increased rates of prolonged length of stay.
A compact artificial bee colony metaheuristic for global optimization problems
Authors: Mann Palvinder Singh , Panchal Shailesh D. , Singh Satvir , Kaur Simran 
Published: May 2024

AbstractComputationally efficient and time‐memory saving compact algorithms become a keystone for solving global optimization problems, particularly the real world problems; which involve devices with limited memory or restricted use of battery power. Compact optimization algorithms represent a probabilistic view of the population to simulate the population behaviour as they broadly explores the decision space at the beginning of the optimization process and keep focus on to search the most promising solution, therefore narrows the search space, moreover few number of parameters need be stored in the memory thus require less space and time to compute efficiently. Role of population‐based algorithms remain inevitable as compact algorithms make use of the efficient search ability of these population based algorithms for optimization but only through a probabilistic representation of the population space in order to optimize the real world problems. Artificial bee colony (ABC) algorithm has shown to be competitive over other population‐based algorithms for solving optimization problems, however its solution search equation contributes to its insufficiency due to poor exploitation phase coupled with low convergence rate. This paper, presents a compact Artificial bee colony (cABC) algorithm with an improved solution search equation, which will be able to search an optimal solution to improve its exploitation capabilities, moreover in order to increase the global convergence of the proposed algorithm, an improved approach for population sampling is introduced through a compact distribution which helps in maintaining a good balance between exploration and exploitation search abilities of the proposed compact algorithm with least memory requirements, thus became suitable for limited hardware access devices. The proposed algorithm is evaluated extensively on a standard set of benchmark functions proposed at IEEE CEC'13 for large‐scale global optimization (LSGO) problems. Numerical results prove that the proposed compact algorithm outperforms other standard optimization algorithms.
Effect of an extraoral scavenging device on eliminating droplets and aerosols generated in ultrasonic supragingival scaling: A randomised clinical trial
Authors: Wang Jianmin , Su Jing , Wang Yanfeng , Wang Xiao , Bao Zhenying , Luan Qingxian 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjectivesUltrasonic scaling is extensively applied as part of the initial therapy for periodontal diseases, which has been restricted since the outbreak of the COVID‐19 pandemic due to droplets and aerosols generated by ultrasonic devices. An extraoral scavenging device (EOS) was designed for diminishing droplets and aerosols in dental clinics. The objective of this study is to evaluate the effect of EOS on eliminating droplets and aerosols during ultrasonic supragingival scaling.MethodsThis single‐blinded, randomised controlled clinical trial enrolled 45 patients with generalised periodontitis (stage I or II, grade A or B) or plaque‐induced gingivitis. The patients were randomly allocated and received ultrasonic supragingival scaling under three different intervention measures: only saliva ejector (SE), SE plus EOS and SE plus high‐volume evacuation (HVE). The natural sedimentation method was applied to sample droplets and aerosols before or during supragingival scaling. After aerobic culturing, colony‐forming units (CFUs) were counted and analysed.ResultsCompared with the level before treatment, more CFUs of samples throughout treatment could be obtained at the operator's chest and the patient's chest and the table surface when using SE alone (p < 0.05). Compared with the SE group, the SE + EOS group and the SE + HVE group obtained decreasing CFUs at the operator's chest and the patient's chest (p < 0.05), while no significant difference was determined between these two groups.ConclusionsThe EOS effectively eliminated splatter contamination from ultrasonic supragingival scaling, which was an alternative precaution for nosocomial contamination in dental clinics.
Effect of zirconia as inorganic binder on molds for precision casting
Authors: Choi Hyun‐Hee , Kim Bong‐Gu , Kim Min‐Gyu , Kim Eun‐Hee , Kim Jong Young , Kim Jung Hun , Son Jeong Hun , Yang SeungCheol , Yang Byungil , Byeun Yun‐Ki , Jung Yeon‐Gil 
Published: May 2024

AbstractSand‐casting molds suffer from surface defects and low strength. An organic–inorganic binder conversion process, wherein an organic binder is converted to an inorganic binder, has been proposed to increase the application temperature of the sand‐casting mold and simplify the manufacturing process for precision casting. However, the usable temperature of the typical SiO2–Na2O binder system is limited to approximately 1000°C owing to the low liquefaction temperature of the compound. The resulting glass phase (Na2SiO3) exhibits low viscosity, and the casting of large objects results in low strength. Therefore, in this study, we propose a SiO2–Na2O–ZrO2 ternary inorganic binder system; the addition of zirconia (ZrO2) into sodium silicate (Na2SiO3) as an inorganic binder was expected to increase the operating temperature of the mold and improve its mechanical properties. The results confirmed that the addition of ZrO2 improved the mechanical properties by preventing the formation of Na2SiO3. In addition, a higher sintering temperature corresponded to smaller and larger amounts of Na2SiO3 and Na2ZrSiO5, respectively, and thus a higher strength. Therefore, we expect our developed ternary inorganic binder system to be highly advantageous for producing molds for high‐temperature and precision casting.