bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Is vitamin D receptor (VDR) polymorphism associated with head and neck cancer risk? A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Ferri Camila Alves , de Lima Vanessa Justo , dos Santos Patrícia Koehler , Rados Pantelis Varvaki , Visioli Fernanda 
Published: May 2024

AbstractBackgroundHead and neck cancer encompasses neoplasms affecting the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, and thyroid. Identifying factors that modulate the carcinogenesis process can aid in identifying subgroups at higher risk of developing the disease, enabling implementation of prevention programs. Vitamin D receptor polymorphisms can affect the carcinogenesis of various tumors by altering vitamin D metabolism and cellular response.MethodsTo elucidate the role of vitamin D receptor polymorphisms in head and neck cancer, a systematic review was performed, searching the Embase, PubMed, Scopus, and Lilacs databases. A total of 19 articles met the inclusion criteria. The frequency of vitamin D receptors polymorphism alleles (FokI, ApaI, BsmI, TaqI, Cdx2, rs2107301, rs2238135) was recorded and pooled to calculate the odds ratio in a meta‐analysis using the Review Manager software.ResultsSubgroup analysis demonstrated significant associations in the anatomical site of cancer (oral cancer in ApaI and BsmI, and unspecified subsites of head and neck cancer in TaqI), genotyping method (FokI and BsmI), and continent of the study (ApaI, FokI, and BsmI).ConclusionOur findings were heterogeneous, as with other evidence available in the literature. Therefore, more clinical studies with larger sample sizes are needed to obtain more accurate results on the relationship between vitamin D receptor polymorphism and head and neck cancer.
Feelings as a currency of care: A role for agreeableness in emotional reactivity
Authors: Robinson Michael D. , Irvin Roberta L. , Fereidouni Hamidreza , Klein Robert J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractObjective and BackgroundThe personality trait of agreeableness is linked to a number of core tendencies (e.g., empathy, warmth) that operate in a feeling‐based manner. Following considerations of this type, it is proposed that the motivations and characteristics of agreeable individuals, relative to disagreeable individuals, should render them more receptive to emotional events and more responsive to them for this reason.MethodPotential links between agreeableness and emotional reactivity were assessed in two studies involving four samples (total N = 517) in which participants continuously rated their feeling states in response to a variety of affective images.ResultsAgreeableness did not predict the speed with which emotional reactions began, but agreeable individuals exhibited higher‐magnitude peak intensities, regardless of whether stimuli were appetitive (pleasant) or aversive (unpleasant) in nature.ConclusionsThe findings provide novel insights into the personality trait of agreeableness, emotional reactivity phenomena, and the dynamic processes that link agreeableness to emotion.
Annuity puzzle: Evidence from a Swiss pension fund
Authors: Bello Piera , Brugiavini Agar , Galasso Vincenzo 
Published: May 2024

AbstractWe analyze individual annuitization decisions at retirement in an environment with mandatory participation in a funded pension pillar and low average annuity price. Using administrative data from a large Swiss insurance company over the period 2011–2015, we document that, even in this favorable environment, only 42.7% of the retirees fully annuitize, against 45% taking full lump sum. We show that individual annuitization decisions strongly respond to financial incentives, measured by the Money Worth Ratio, and to the tax rates on annuity and lump‐sum payments. Lump‐sum payments are more common among French‐ and Italian‐speaking individuals. Using Survey of Health, Ageing and Retirement in Europe data, we show that French‐ and Italian‐speaking Swiss are more likely to leave inheritance—thus suggesting that preferences for bequests may affect annuitization decisions. Finally, we provide evidence of asymmetric information, using the unused observable test, to show that individuals living in high mortality municipalities are less likely to annuitize and more likely to cash out their pension wealth.
Documenting homoploid hybrid speciation
Authors: Long Zhiqin , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractHomoploid hybrid speciation is challenging to document because hybridization can lead to outcomes other than speciation. Thus, some authors have argued that establishment of homoploid hybrid speciation should include evidence that reproductive barriers isolating the hybrid neo‐species from its parental species were derived from hybridization. While this criterion is difficult to satisfy, several recent papers have successfully employed a common pipeline to identify candidate genes underlying such barriers and (in one case) to validate their function. We describe this pipeline, its application to several plant and animal species and what we have learned about homoploid hybrid speciation as a consequence. We argue that – given the ubiquity of admixture and the polygenic basis of reproductive isolation – homoploid hybrid speciation could be much more common and more protracted than suggested by earlier conceptual arguments and theoretical studies.
The flavohemoglobin Yhb1 is a new interacting partner of the heme transporter Str3
Authors: Ping Florie Lo Ying , Vahsen Tobias , Brault Ariane , Néré Raphaël , Labbé Simon 
Published: May 2024

AbstractNitric oxide (˙NO) is a free radical that induces nitrosative stress, which can jeopardize cell viability. Yeasts have evolved diverse detoxification mechanisms to effectively counteract ˙NO‐mediated cytotoxicity. One mechanism relies on the flavohemoglobin Yhb1, whereas a second one requires the S‐nitrosoglutathione reductase Fmd2. To investigate heme‐dependent activation of Yhb1 in response to ˙NO, we use hem1Δ‐derivative Schizosaccharomyces pombe strains lacking the initial enzyme in heme biosynthesis, forcing cells to assimilate heme from external sources. Under these conditions, yhb1+ mRNA levels are repressed in the presence of iron through a mechanism involving the GATA‐type transcriptional repressor Fep1. In contrast, when iron levels are low, the transcription of yhb1+ is derepressed and further induced in the presence of the ˙NO donor DETANONOate. Cells lacking Yhb1 or expressing inactive forms of Yhb1 fail to grow in a hemin‐dependent manner when exposed to DETANONOate. Similarly, the loss of function of the heme transporter Str3 phenocopies the effects of Yhb1 disruption by causing hypersensitivity to DETANONOate under hemin‐dependent culture conditions. Coimmunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays demonstrate the interaction between Yhb1 and the heme transporter Str3. Collectively, our findings unveil a novel pathway for activating Yhb1, fortifying yeast cells against nitrosative stress.
Assessment of large‐diameter and small‐diameter SoftK specialty contact lenses for early‐stage keratoconus
Authors: Gal Eyal , Gispets Joan , Zyroff Meira , Netanya Efrat , Gantz Liat 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIntroductionSoft contact lenses may be a good alternative for early‐stage keratoconus (KC) patients who do not tolerate rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses due to ocular discomfort or complications. This prospective study compared outcomes obtained after 2 weeks of wearing two types of soft silicone hydrogel contact lenses for keratoconus that varied in their diameter and central thickness (cc).MethodsPatients with Amsler–Krumeich grades I or II KC were fitted with small‐diameter (14.2 or 14.8 mm) SoftK (SD‐SoftK, cc = 0.48 mm) and large‐diameter (17 mm) SoftK (LD‐SoftK, cc = 0.60 mm) lenses, each worn for 2 weeks in a crossover design. Low (10%;10VA) and high (100%;100VA) contrast visual acuity, contrast sensitivity (CS, Pelli‐Robson), higher order aberrations (HOAs, Visionix Vx130), the number of trial lens modifications during fitting and the subjectively preferred lens were compared using Friedman tests with post‐hoc analysis.ResultsForty eyes (N = 20, 10 males, mean age: 39.0 ± 9.9 years, range: 23–55 years) were examined. Their habitual median (interquartile1, interquartile3) 10VA (LogMAR), 100VA (LogMAR) and CS (LogCS) were 0.52 (0.30, 0.50), 0.14 (0.10, 0.15) and 1.35 (1.35, 1.50), respectively. For the SD‐SoftK condition, the values were 0.23 (0.17, 0.30), 0.02 (0.00, 0.05) and 1.50 (1.50, 1.65), respectively. For the LD‐SoftK condition, the respective values were 0.36 (0.27, 0.44), 0.09 (0.05, 0.13) and 1.50 (1.50, 1.60). SD‐SoftK lenses significantly improved 10VA compared with habitual and LD‐SoftK. SD‐SoftK also significantly improved CS compared with habitual, but not LD‐SoftK. LD‐SoftK significantly improved spherical aberration compared with uncorrected (0.03 ± 0.10 μ vs. 0.07 ± 0.13 μ) but not SD‐SoftK (0.04 ± 0.07 μ). Both lenses required a mean of 1.5 modifications prior to final lens fitting. Fewer adverse events were seen with SD‐SoftK (N = 3) compared with LD‐SoftK (N = 8), and 75% of participants preferred SD‐SoftK lenses.ConclusionSD‐SoftK lenses were preferred by 75% of subjects, were associated with fewer adverse events and significantly improved 10VA compared with LD‐SoftK lenses. SD‐SoftK lenses also significantly improved CS compared with the habitual correction, but this did not differ significantly from the LD‐SoftK lenses.
CsSNF1 kinase plays important roles in fungal development and virulence of the pepper anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum scovillei
Authors: Song Yong‐Won , Fu Teng , Kim Kyoung Su 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPepper is a vegetable that is used and cultivated worldwide. The quality and production of pepper are reduced by fruit anthracnose disease caused by Colletotrichum scovillei. The highly conserved fungal sucrose non‐fermenting 1 (SNF1)‐related AMPK protein kinases are implicated in the pathogenicity and differentiation of several destructive foliar fungal pathogens; in addition, they affect fungal growth in the presence of glucose at different concentrations and under different environmental stresses. However, the function of SNF1 in C. scovillei is unclear. We functionally characterized SNF1 of C. scovillei using a targeted deletion mutant (ΔCssnf1) generated by homology‐dependent replacement. ΔCssnf1 was severely impaired in mycelial growth under glucose‐limited conditions; multiple defects in conidiation, conidial germination, appressorium formation, lipid degradation and vacuole formation were also observed. Compared to the wild type, ΔCssnf1 caused anthracnose disease of reduced severity on intact and wounded pepper fruits. These defects were recovered in the complemented strain (Cssnf1c). Taken together, our findings implicate CsSNF1 in the growth, development and virulence of C. scovillei.
Pairwise summation as a method for the additive combination of probabilities in qualitative risk assessments
Authors: Crotta Matteo , Chinchio Eleonora , Tranquillo Vito , Ferrari Nicola , Guitian Javier 
Published: May 2024

AbstractQualitative frameworks are widely employed to tackle urgent animal or public health issues when data are scarce and/or urgent decisions need to be made. In qualitative models, the degree of belief regarding the probabilities of the events occurring along the risk pathway(s) and the outcomes is described in nonnumerical terms, typically using words such as Low, Medium, or High. The main methodological challenge, intrinsic in qualitative models, relates to performing mathematical operations and adherence to the rule of probabilities when probabilities are nonnumerical. Although methods to obtain the qualitative probability from the conditional realization of n events are well‐established and consistent with the multiplication rule of probabilities, there is a lack of accepted methods for addressing situations where the probability of an event occurring can increase, and the rule of probability P(AUB) = P(A) + P(B) − P(A∩B) should apply. In this work, we propose a method based on the pairwise summation to fill this methodological gap. Our method was tested on two qualitative models and compared by means of scenario analysis to other approaches found in literature. The qualitative nature of the models prevented formal validation; however, when using the pairwise summation, results consistently appeared more coherent with probability rules. Even if the final qualitative estimate can only represent an approximation of the actual probability of the event occurring, qualitative models have proven to be effective in providing scientific‐based evidence to support decision‐making. The method proposed in this study contributes to reducing the subjectivity that characterizes qualitative models, improving transparency and reproducibility.
Indirect channel of trade agreements in deepening global value chains
Authors: Kang Jong Woo , Gapay Joshua Anthony O. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractPreferential trade agreements (PTAs) between trading partners are known to have positive impact on the expanding and deepening of global value chain integration due to lower trade and investment barriers. Less is known, however, is if other PTAs of PTA partners have any impact on the value‐added trade linkages of the direct PTA partners concerned. Based on compositive indicators measuring the breadth and depth of PTAs from 2007 to 2018 and using Multiregional Input–Output Table database covering 62 countries and 35 sectors and the Content of Deep Trade Agreements database, this paper estimates the multiplicative form of the constant‐elasticity augmented gravity equation model by a Poisson Pseudo Maximum Likelihood (PPML) estimator. This study shows that indirect impact of the deepening of trade agreements of a country's PTA partner exerts positive, significant impact on value‐added exports of a country. Both backward and forward linkages of a country measured by various decomposition of valued added exports indicate this indirect channel of value chain deepening effect even outweighs the direct impact from the deepening of PTAs between direct trading partners with significant policy implications in formulating PTA strategies.
Valuations, completions, and hyperbolic actions of metabelian groups
Authors: Abbott Carolyn R. , Balasubramanya Sahana , Rasmussen Alexander J. 
Published: May 2024

AbstractActions on hyperbolic metric spaces are an important tool for studying groups, and so it is natural, but difficult, to attempt to classify all such actions of a fixed group. In this paper, we build strong connections between hyperbolic geometry and commutative algebra in order to classify the cobounded hyperbolic actions of numerous metabelian groups up to a coarse equivalence. In particular, we turn this classification problem into the problems of classifying ideals in the completions of certain rings and calculating invariant subspaces of matrices. We use this framework to classify the cobounded hyperbolic actions of many abelian‐by‐cyclic groups associated to expanding integer matrices. Each such action is equivalent to an action on a tree or on a Heintze group (a classically studied class of negatively curved Lie groups). Our investigations incorporate number systems, factorization in formal power series rings, completions, and valuations.
Non‐accessible localizations
Authors: Christensen J. Daniel 
Published: May 2024

AbstractIn a 2005 paper, Casacuberta, Scevenels, and Smith construct a homotopy idempotent functor on the category of simplicial sets with the property that whether it can be expressed as localization with respect to a map is independent of the ZFC axioms. We show that this construction can be carried out in homotopy type theory. More precisely, we give a general method of associating to a suitable (possibly large) family of maps, a reflective subuniverse of any universe . When specialized to an appropriate family, this produces a localization which when interpreted in the ‐topos of spaces agrees with the localization corresponding to . Our approach generalizes the approach of Casacuberta et al. (Adv. Math. 197 (2005), no. 1, 120–139) in two ways. First, by working in homotopy type theory, our construction can be interpreted in any ‐topos. Second, while the local objects produced by Casacuberta et al. are always 1‐types, our construction can produce ‐types, for any . This is new, even in the ‐topos of spaces. In addition, by making use of universes, our proof is very direct. Along the way, we prove many results about “small” types that are of independent interest. As an application, we give a new proof that separated localizations exist. We also give results that say when a localization with respect to a family of maps can be presented as localization with respect to a single map, and show that the simplicial model satisfies a strong form of the axiom of choice that implies that sets cover and that the law of excluded middle holds.
Psychological Safety in Elite Swimming: Fearful Versus Fearless Coaching Environments
Authors: Maughan Amelia B. , Jowett Sophia 
Published: May 2024

Psychological safety has become a popular concept within organisational settings and recently has become a topic of interest within sport. The purpose of this paper was to explore the notion of psychological safety and its impact on athletes’ performance, as well as examine the role coaches played in creating psychologically safe environments. Semistructured interviews were conducted with five former female elite swimmers—all of whom had represented their country in Olympic Games and/or World Championships at least once. Obtained qualitative data were transcribed and analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. The analysis generated three main themes: (a) fearful coaching environment, (b) fearless coaching environment, and (c) team environment. All participants experienced both the presence and lack of psychological safety during their athletic careers. According to the participants, their coaches played a fundamental role in creating coaching environments that either invoked or suppressed fear. Swimming teams formed by peers also contributed to experiencing psychological safety (or lack of). This study highlights that an investigation of the content and functions of psychological safety within specific sport contexts can garner insightful knowledge that can have important theoretical and practical ramifications for coaches and coaching in sport.
A
Haemophilus ducreyi
strain lacking the
yfeABCD
iron transport system is virulent in human volunteers
Authors: Fortney Kate R. , Brothwell Julie A. , Batteiger Teresa A. , Duplantier Rory , Katz Barry P. , Spinola Stanley M. 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Haemophilus ducreyi
causes the genital ulcer disease chancroid and painful cutaneous ulcers in children who live in the tropics. To acquire heme from the host,
H. ducreyi
expresses a TonB-dependent hemoglobin receptor, HgbA, which is necessary and sufficient for
H. ducreyi
to progress to the pustular stage of disease in a controlled human infection model. HgbA transports hemoglobin across the outer membrane; how heme is transported across the cytoplasmic membrane is unclear. In previous studies, transcripts encoding the YfeABCD heme transporter were upregulated in experimental lesions caused by
H. ducreyi
in human volunteers, suggesting the latter may have a role in virulence. Here we constructed a double deletion mutant, 35000HPΔ
yfeAB
Δ
yfeCD
, which exhibited growth defects relative to its parent 35000HP in media containing human hemoglobin as an iron source. Five human volunteers were inoculated at three sites on the skin overlying the deltoid with each strain. The results of the trial showed that papules formed at 100% (95% CI, 71.5, 100) at both 35000HP and 35000HPΔ
yfeAB
Δ
yfeCD
-inoculated sites (
P
= 1.0). Pustules formed at 60% (95% CI, 25.9, 94.1) at parent-inoculated sites and 53% (95% CI, 18.3, 88.4) at mutant-inoculated sites (
P
= 0.79). Thus, the ABC transporter encoded by
yfeAB
and
yfeCD
was dispensable for
H. ducreyi
virulence in humans. In the absence of YfeABCD,
H. ducreyi
likely utilizes other periplasmic binding proteins and ABC-transporters such as HbpA, SapABCDF, and DppBCDF to shuttle heme from the periplasm into the cytoplasm, underscoring the importance of redundancy of such systems in gram-negative pathogens.
Competitive fitness of asymptomatic bacteriuria
E. coli
strain 83972 against uropathogens in human urine
Authors: George Iris , Kalairaj Manivannan Sivaperuman , Zimmern Philippe E. , Ware Taylor H. , Subashchandrabose Sargurunathan 
Published: May 2024

ABSTRACT

Urinary tract infection (UTI) is one of the most common bacterial infections worldwide. The main causative agent of UTI is uropathogenic
Escherichia coli
(UPEC). There is an immediate need for novel prophylactic and treatment strategies against UTI because of the increasing incidence of antimicrobial resistance among uropathogens. ABU 83972, an asymptomatic bacteriuria-causing
E. coli
strain
,
prevents UTI by suppressing the colonization of UPEC. However, the nature of competition and growth repression of UPEC by ABU 83972 is unclear and is the subject of our investigation. Here, we characterized the growth kinetics of ABU 83972 and uropathogens in human urine and laboratory media. Next, we performed a series of competitive co-culture experiments where ABU 83972 and uropathogens were inoculated at a 1:1 ratio in human urine and in various media, and their relative abundance was determined. In human urine, ABU 83972 outcompeted UPEC and additional uropathogens, reaching up to 90% of the total population after 24 hours of incubation. In contrast, UPEC outcompeted ABU 83972 in LB and M9 minimal media and exhibited superior colonization than ABU 83972 in the mouse urinary bladder. Since engineered living materials (ELMs) can be used to retain an organism of interest in a particular location, we developed ABU 83972-containing ELMs that effectively outcompeted UPEC in human urine. In summary, our work establishes that ABU 83972 outcompetes UPEC in a milieu- and cell-density-dependent manner, highlighting the importance of the metabolites and nutrients found in the human urine as determinants of the competitive fitness of ABU 83972.