bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
UVB irradiation improved the gel properties of phycocyanin‐undaria pinnatifida hydrogel
Authors: Sun Yihan , Ren Jiaying , Li Xiang , Sun Kailing , Feng Dingding , Dong Xiuping , Qi Hang 
Published: January 2024

SummaryRich in numerous nutrients, undaria pinnatifida (UP) exhibited a broad spectrum of biological properties, including anti‐inflammatory, anti‐bacterial, anti‐cancer, and antioxidant properties. A sexual pigment protein complex known as phycocyanin (PC) was the perfect photosensitiser and had no negative effects. Due to their superior qualities, hydrogels were also widely employed in tissue engineering, medication administration, and food packaging at the same time. The aim of this work was to investigate the impact of UVB irradiation on the gel characteristics of PC‐UP hydrogels using UVB irradiation technology rather than chemical crosslinking approach. The results showed that the G′ value of PC‐UP hydrogel increased from 114.17 ± 0.58 Pa to 156.72 ± 0.82 Pa and the G″ value increased from 36.80 ± 0.79 Pa to 58.05 ± 1.06 Pa after UVB irradiation. At the same time, the texture properties of hydrogel were significantly improved, and the hardness, adhesion and chewiness were increased to 214.02 ± 3.85, 198.51 ± 4.25 and 195.81 ± 5.69, respectively. After UVB irradiation, hydrogen bond was formed in PC‐UP hydrogel to improve its thermal stability. In conclusion, the results show that PC decomposes with alginic acid, potassium salt, and sodium salt in UP under UVB irradiation to form a gel network structure, which enhances its gel properties. This study provides guidance for the photo response of PC‐UP hydrogels, provides ideas for the application of PC‐UP hydrogels, and broadens the application field of future hydrogels.
Enhancing employability through training programmes in Chile: A qualitative study of the challenges identified by local actors involved in a subnational experience
Authors: Pinto Pablo E. , Henriquez‐Encamilla Daniela 
Published: January 2024

AbstractActive labour policies are globally adopted to tackle unemployment and enhance job matching. In Chile, a predominantly supply‐focused approach involves training workers, especially in vulnerable groups, as it is believed that investing in human capital will align job demand and available skills. This subnational Chilean case study in the Coquimbo region delves into the factors influencing worker training and placement programme implementation, with a specific focus on stakeholders' perceptions. Through qualitative data from interviews and focus groups, the research seeks to explore subjective challenges, including individual perspectives, governance and structural factors. Various variables affect policy implementation at different levels. On the micro level, actor motivations like personal goals and financial incentives are crucial for policy design. Regional governance levels grapple with coordination difficulties that impact programme implementation. Collaboration among stakeholders like government agencies, educational institutions and employers is essential. Structural issues within the regional economy and the target population also pose challenges to policy implementation. The study suggests that a comprehensive policy approach that considers the interconnectedness of institutions, labour markets, skills and the various stakeholders involved in the process is vital to address the complexity of active labour policies at the local level in Chile.
Use of a type 1 genetic risk score for classification of diabetes type in young Australian adults: the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II
Authors: Davis Timothy M. E. , Peters Kirsten E. , Davis Wendy 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe applicability of a UK‐validated genetic risk score (GRS) was assessed in 158 participants in the Fremantle Diabetes Study Phase II diagnosed between 20 and <40 years of age with type 1 or type 2 diabetes or latent autoimmune diabetes of adults (LADA). For type 1 versus type 2/LADA, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was highest for serum C‐peptide (0.93) and lowest for the GRS (0.66). Adding age at diagnosis and body mass index to C‐peptide increased the AUC minimally (0.96). The GRS appears of modest diabetes diagnostic value in young Australians.
Evaluating the role of Shujing Tongdu massage in enhancing wound recovery and alleviating spinal disease symptoms: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Zhang Li , Xu Wei , Zhang Lei , Cui Xiao , Cheng Fang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractA randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted from 2022 to 2023 at a hospital specializing in Traditional Chinese Medicine in Shanghai. A total of 564 participants were allocated into control and intervention groups in order to determine the effectiveness of Shujing Tongdu massage on patients with chronic lesions or spinal disorders. No significant differences were observed in baseline characteristics between the groups; age, gender and condition type were all distributed in a comparable manner. Following the implementation of Shujing Tongdu massage therapy twice weekly for the duration of 12 weeks, intervention group exhibited noteworthy enhancements. Significantly, rate of lesion healing achieved in the intervention group increased by 30%, while it merely improved by 10% in the control group. The intervention group exhibited decrease in pain intensity from 6.5 to 4.2, whereas control group demonstrated comparatively smaller reduction from 6.7 to 6.0. Range of motion in the intervention group increased substantially from 45 to 60 degrees, whereas it increased from 44 to 46 degrees in the control group. In the intervention group, Quality of Life scores increased from 50 to 75, exceeding the increase of 58 in the control group. There was significant rise in the Mental Well‐being Index for intervention group, from 60 to 80, in contrast to rise of 64 from 62 in the control group. Statistically significant outcomes were determined, establishing the massage therapy's efficacy. Mild discomfort and muscle soreness were the most frequent adverse effects in the intervention group, whereas vertigo was more prevalent in the control group. Based on the findings of this research, Shujing Tongdu massage therapy effectively promoted wound healing and mitigated symptoms associated with spinal disorders, indicating its potential as the supplementary therapeutic modality in clinical environments.
Promoting effects of alternating current and input power on grain growth behavior of cubic ZrO2 polycrystals
Authors: Nambu Kohta , Ishii Akio , Soga Kohei , Morita Koji 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe grain growth behavior during an AC flash event was examined in 8 mol% yttria‐stabilized cubic zirconia (8Y‐CSZ) polycrystals. The effects of current/power densities on the grain growth behavior were investigated in 8Y‐CSZ samples with different specific surface areas at a constant sample temperature and applied field strength. The grain growth rate of flash‐treated 8Y‐CSZ was 300 times faster than that of heat‐treated 8Y‐CSZ at the same sample temperature in the absence of an electric current/field, suggesting that the promoted grain growth cannot be ascribed only to a thermal effect but also to an athermal effect occurring during the AC flash event. Moreover, the grain growth during the flash treatment strongly depends on the applied current/power densities and grain size; in particular, the grain growth showed enhancements with increasing applied current/power densities and for relatively small grain sizes. This result suggests that the grain boundary diffusivity of cations, which are regarded as the rate‐controlling species for grain growth, could be accelerated by tuning the current/power densities during the flash event. The grain growth mechanism was characterized using a grain growth exponent (n) value of 4.8 for the flash treatment at high current/power densities and using a conventional value of n = 3 under normal heat treatment conditions. The dependence of the grain growth behavior on the AC current/power density suggests that because the cation diffusivity is accelerated due to the formation of numerous point defects during the AC flash event, the grain growth mechanism might depend on the current/power densities and differ from that of conventional grain growth.
Trends in blood pressure changes and hypertension prevalence in Australian adults before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Nolde Janis M. , Streets Fleur , Meyer Denny , Chen Won Sun , Wei Jiajun , Wickramasinghe Nilmini , Hannebery Patrick , Lambert Gavin W. , Schlaich Markus P. 
Published: January 2024

AbstractEfforts to limit the impact of the coronavirus disease (COVID‐19) pandemic led to the implementation of public health measures and reallocation of health resources. To investigate trends in blood pressure (BP), hypertension and BMI in the Australian population during the COVID‐19 pandemic, data from publicly accessible health stations were analyzed.Average BP and BMI measured by the SiSU Health Station network in Australia in over 1.6 million health screenings were compared between the years 2018 and 2021. Additionally, paired trajectories for BP and BMI development before and during the COVID‐19 pandemic were calculated.Comparisons between pre‐COVID years and post‐COVID years of 2018 versus 2020, 2019 versus 2020, 2018 versus 2021, and 2019 versus 2021 showed increases in average adjusted systolic BP of 2.0, 1.7, 2.6, and 2.3 mmHg, respectively. Paired analysis of longitudinal data showed an overall increase in the trajectory of systolic BP of 3.2 mmHg between pre‐ and post‐COVID years. The prevalence of hypertension in users of the health stations increased by approximately 25% in the years 2020–2021. Similar trends were seen for BMI.Data from public Australian health stations indicated a strong trend toward higher BP during the COVID‐19 pandemic. At the population level, BP increments have been shown to markedly increase cardiovascular disease risk. Anti‐pandemic measures need to be carefully evaluated in terms of secondary public health effects and health support systems extended to effectively target cardiovascular risk.
Colorectal cancer and its attributable risk factors in East Asia, 1990–2030
Authors: Zhang Jian , Zhu Shijie , Liu Chunlong , Xiao Xiong , Xie Haojie , Zhang Yonghui , Hong Yang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractBackgroundThe disease burden of colorectal cancer in East Asia has been at a high level. However, the epidemiological characteristics of the disease burden in this region have not been systematically studied.MethodData were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease 2019 program. Joinpoint analysis was used to identify long‐term trends in mortality of colorectal cancer. Independent effects of age, period, and cohort were detected by the age–period–cohort model. The Bayesian age–period–cohort model was performed to predict the burden of colorectal cancer across East Asia by 2030.ResultsFrom 1990 to 2019, the average annual percentage change (AAPC) showed upward trends in mainland China (1.05 [95% confidence interval (CI)], 0.82, 1.28) as well as Taiwan Province of China (1.81 [95% CI], 1.51, 2.10) but downward in Japan (−0.60 [95% CI], −0.70, −0.49) (P < 0.05). Attributable risk factors for colorectal cancer in East Asia remained stable over 30 years, while the risk of metabolic factors is noteworthy in the future. In the next decade, the age‐standardized death rate (ASDR) of colorectal cancer in China was predicted to surpass that of Japan and South Korea in expectation.ConclusionThe mortality of colorectal cancer is escalating in developing countries, while it is gradually declining in high‐income countries across East Asia. Nonetheless, the disease burden of colorectal cancer in high‐income countries remains substantial level.
Research on extended external reporting assurance: An update on recent developments
Authors: Venter Elmar R. , Krasodomska Joanna 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe review the recent literature on the assurance of Extended External Reporting published since the review published in 2021 in the Journal of International Financial Management & Accounting. Our review includes 50 articles published between 2020 and August 2023 across 30 journals ranked A*, A, or B on the Australian Business Deans Council 2022 Journal Quality List. We find that the literature continues to be dominated by positivist studies investigating the determinants and consequences of assurance. Studies on determinants examine carbon assurance, ownership, governance, and institutional themes. The consequences studies included in our review examine reporting‐related outcomes and investors' decisions. Other (qualitative) studies we reviewed examine issues such as assurance providers seeking meaning in their work and their attempts to promote assurance beyond merely a verification tool. We highlight several avenues for future research that could inform the work of standard setters and regulators.
Atomic resolution imaging using a novel, compact and stiff scanning tunnelling microscope in cryogen‐free superconducting magnet
Authors: Esmaeilzadeh Behnam , Touqeer Muhammad , Junwei Liu , Zheng Shaofeng , Geng Tao , Hou Yubin , Lu Qingyou 
Published: January 2024

AbstractWe present the design and performance of a novel scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) operating in a cryogen‐free superconducting magnet. Our home‐built STM head is compact (51.5 mm long and 20 mm in diameter) and has a single arm that provides complete openness in the scanning area between the tip and sample. The STM head consists of two piezoelectric tubes (PTs), a piezoelectric scanning tube (PST) mounted on a well‐polished zirconia shaft, and a large PT housed in a sapphire tube called the motor tube. The main body of the STM head is made of tantalum. In this design, we fixed the sapphire tube to the frame with screws so that the tube's position can be changed quickly. To analyse the stiffness of the STM head unit, we identified the lowest eigenfrequencies with 3 and 4 kHz in the bending modes, 8 kHz in a torsional mode, and 9 kHz in a longitudinal mode by finite element analysis, and also measured the low drift rates in the X–Y plane and in the Z direction. The high performance of the home‐built STM was demonstrated by images of the hexagonal graphite lattice at 300 K and in a sweeping magnetic field from 0 T to 9 T. Our results confirm the high stability, vibration resistance, insensitivity to high magnetic fields and the application potential of our newly developed STM for the investigation of low‐frequency systems with high static support stiffness in physics, chemistry, material and biological sciences.
The uncertainty‐handling function of project leaders' political behavior in breakthrough innovation
Authors: Miyao Manabu , O'Connor Gina Colarelli , Niwamoto Yoshiko 
Published: January 2024

AbstractInnovation management research demonstrates that political behavior is necessary for project leaders to conduct breakthrough innovation (BI) projects successfully. Although it is known that project leaders' political behavior contributes to BI project success by maintaining continued support for the projects, this study focuses on another function of organizational politics: the uncertainty‐handling function. Project leaders encounter uncertainties during their BI projects and are tormented by unintended project stagnation. While scholars and practitioners have developed several logic‐based responsive approaches to address uncertainty problems, project leaders also employ political behavior. The realization provokes questions such as, what type of uncertainty in particular triggers a project manager's political behavior in the context of BI development? Is there any specific linkage between a particular type of uncertainty and particular political behavior? What mechanisms underpin those relationships? To answer these questions, we investigate six BI projects in five mature Japanese companies through the lens of the meaning management perspective. The analysis reveals that (1) project leaders use political behavior to address a specific situation in which two uncertainties are intertwined; (2) project leaders use different political behavior depending on the type of intertwined uncertainties; and (3) project leaders resolve intertwined uncertainties with political behavior and then address each uncertainty in their BI projects. This study contributes to the innovation politics literature and innovation management practices by identifying specific conditions under which BI project leaders use political behavior and suggesting the fit between particular political behaviors and uncertainty conditions.
Characterization of ruminal degradation, intestinal digestion and total true nutrient supply to dairy cows from feedstocks and coproducts from Canola bio‐oil processing: Impact by source origin
Authors: de Oliveira Alessandra M. R. C. B. , He J. , Yu Peiqiang 
Published: January 2024

AbstractThe objective of this study was to characterize ruminal degradation, intestinal digestion and total true nutrient supply to dairy cows from canola feedstock (canola seeds) and coproducts (meal and pellets) from bio‐oil processing which were impacted by source origin. The feedstocks and coproducts (mash, pellet) were randomly collected from five different bio‐oil processing plants with five different batches of samples in each bio‐processing plant in Canada (CA) and China (CH). In situ rumen degradation kinetics were determined using four fistulated Holstein cows with incubation times at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24 and 48 h. Intestinal digestions were determined using the three‐step in vitro method with preincubation at 12 h. The DVE/OEB and National Research Council systems were applied to evaluate the truly absorbable nutrient supply to dairy cows and feed milk values (FMVs). The results showed that in situ undegradable fractions (U) (p = 0.025) were higher in CA meals, and potentially degradable fraction of D was higher (p = 0.016) in CH meals. CH meals had higher total digestible dry matter (TDDM, p = 0.018) and intestinal digestibility of protein (dIDP, p = 0.016). Canola meals from CA had lower MREE (microbial protein synthesized in the rumen based on available rumen degradable protein; p = 0.011) and DVME (rumen synthesized microbial protein digested in the small intestine; p = 0.011) and had higher ECP (endogenous protein in the small intestine, p = 0.001) and absorbed endogenous crude protein (truly absorbed ECP in the small intestine) than CH (p = 0.001). The FMV evaluated based on the metabolic protein and net energy showed no differences between CA and CH in both coproducts and feedstocks.
Inhibition of Streptococcus mutans growth and biofilm formation through protein acetylation
Authors: Lin Yongwang , Ma Qizhao , Yan Jiangchuan , Gong Tao , Huang Jun , Chen Jiamin , Li Jing , Qiu Yang , Wang Xiaowan , Lei Zixue , Zeng Jumei , Wang Lingyun , Zhou Xuedong , Li Yuqing 
Published: January 2024

AbstractNumerous cellular processes are regulated in response to the metabolic state of the cell, and one such regulatory mechanism involves lysine acetylation. Lysine acetylation has been proven to play an important role in the virulence of Streptococcus mutans, a major cariogenic bacterial species. S. mutans’ glucosyltransferases (Gtfs) are responsible for synthesizing extracellular polysaccharides (EPS) and contributing to biofilm formation. One of the most common nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs is acetylsalicylic acid (ASA), which can acetylate proteins through a nonenzymatic transacetylation reaction. Herein, we investigated the inhibitory effects of ASA on S. mutans. ASA treatment was observed to impede the growth of S. mutans, leading to a reduction in the production of water‐insoluble EPS and the formation of biofilm. Moreover, ASA decreased the enzyme activity of Gtfs while increasing the protein acetylation level. The in vivo anticaries efficacy of ASA has further been proved using the rat caries model. In conclusion, ASA as an acetylation agent attenuated the cariogenic virulence of S. mutans, suggesting the potential value of protein acetylation on antimicrobial and anti‐biofilm applications to S. mutans.
Simulation of visual impairment in persons with normal vision for scientific research
Authors: Abraham Carl Halladay , Sakyi‐Badu Godfred , Boadi‐Kusi Samuel Bert , Morny Enyam , Darko‐Takyi Charles , Ocansey Stephen , Hope Paa Kwesi Fynn , Dadzie Albert Kofi , Aboagye MacCarthy Asantewaa , Osei‐Frimpong Kingsford , Nyarkoa Opoku Emmanuella , Kwasi Abu Emmanuel 
Published: January 2024

AbstractSimulation of visual impairment in healthy eyes has multiple applications in students' training, research and product development. However, due to the absence of an existing standard protocol, the method of simulation was left to the discretion of the researcher. This review aimed to outline the various methods of simulating visual impairment and categorising them. A scoping review of the relevant publications was conducted. Of the 1593 articles originally retrieved from the databases, 103 were included in the review. The characteristics of the participants, the method for simulation of the visual impairment in persons with normal vision and the level or type of visual impairment that was simulated were extracted from the papers. None of the methods of simulation can be judged as being superior to the others. However, electronic displays produced the most consistent form of visual impairment simulation.
CbMYB108 integrates the regulation of diterpene biosynthesis and trichome development in Conyza blinii against UV‐B
Authors: Zhan Junyi , Di Tiantian , Chen Xuan , Zheng Tianrun , Sun Wenjun , Yang Ming , Zhou Min , Shen Zhenguo , Chen Hui , Su Nana 
Published: January 2024

AbstractPlants synthesize abundant terpenes through glandular trichomes (GTs), thereby protecting themselves from environmental stresses and increasing the economic value in some medicinal plants. However, the potential mechanisms for simultaneously regulating terpenes synthesis and GTs development remain unclear. Here, we showed that terpenes in Conyza blinii could be synthesized through capitate GTs. By treating with appropriate intensity of UV‐B, the density of capitate GTs and diterpene content can be increased. Through analyzing corresponding transcriptome, we identified a MYB transcription factor CbMYB108 as a positive regulator of both diterpene synthesis and capitate GT density. Transiently overexpressing/silencing CbMYB108 on C. blinii leaves could increase diterpene synthesis and capitate GT density. Further verification showed that CbMYB108 upregulated CbDXS and CbGGPPS expression in diterpene synthesis pathway. Moreover, CbMYB108 could also upregulated the expression of CbTTG1, key WD40 protein confirmed in this study to promote GT development, rather than through interaction between CbMYB108 and CbTTG1 proteins. Thus, results showed that the UV‐B‐induced CbMYB108 owned dual‐function of simultaneously improving diterpene synthesis and GT development. Our research lays a theoretical foundation for cultivating C. blinii with high terpene content, and broadens the understanding of the integrated mechanism on terpene synthesis and GT development in plants.