bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disentangling natural and anthropogenic drivers of native and non‐native plant diversity on North Sea islands
Authors: Walentowitz Anna , Ferreira‐Arruda Thalita , Irl Severin D. H. , Kreft Holger , Beierkuhnlein Carl 
Published: November 2023

AbstractAimBiodiversity on islands is commonly explained by a set of natural drivers such as area, isolation and habitat heterogeneity. However, constant human impact has led to considerable changes in island floras worldwide. This is reflected, among others, in increased numbers of non‐native species. Barrier islands are discrete land units, strongly influenced by humans and not displaying significant evolutionary dynamics. This makes them highly suitable for studying contemporary patterns of species richness and underlying processes. We aim to disentangle the effects of established natural and anthropogenic drivers on native and non‐native plant species richness at the example of 31 European barrier islands.Location31 North Sea barrier islands located off the Dutch, German and Danish coast.TaxonNative and non‐native plant species (spermatophytes and ferns).MethodsIndividual relationships of natural and anthropogenic drivers with native and non‐native plant species richness are analysed with generalised linear models (GLMs). We use structural equation models (SEMs) to additionally account for interrelations between drivers.ResultsIsland area was the strongest predictor of native and non‐native plant species richness but affected richness mostly indirectly through habitat heterogeneity (non‐native species) and island inhabitants (native species). Isolation had a slight negative effect on native and non‐native plant species numbers on islands.Main ConclusionsThe richness of native and non‐native plant species on islands is associated with different drivers, that is, habitat heterogeneity and island inhabitants respectively. This might be caused by distinct underlying processes forming native and non‐native richness patterns. Area was confirmed to be the most important driver of species richness but acting primarily through other natural and anthropogenic drivers of plant species richness. We encourage considering both natural and anthropogenic drivers and their interrelatedness to explain contemporary biogeographic patterns of species richness.
Left atrial appendage occlusion for atrial fibrillation and bleeding diathesis
Authors: Kailey Balrik Singh , Koa‐Wing Michael , Sutaria Nilesh , Mott Tom , Sohaib Afzal , Qureshi Norman , Shi Christine , Padam Pritpal , Howard James , Kanagaratnam Prapa 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundPatients with atrial fibrillation (AF) and likelihood of bleeding can undergo left atrial appendage occlusion (LAAO) as an alternative method of stroke prophylaxis. Short‐term anti‐thrombotic drugs are used postprocedure to offset the risk of device‐related thrombus, evidence for this practice is limited.ObjectivesTo investigate optimal postimplant antithrombotic strategy in high bleeding‐risk patients.MethodsPatients with AF and high‐risk for both stroke and bleeding undergoing LAAO were advised their perioperative drug therapy by a multidisciplinary physician panel. Those deemed to be at higher risk of bleeding from anti‐thrombotic drugs were assigned to minimal treatment with no antithrombotics or Aspirin‐alone. The remaining patients received standard care (STG) with a 12 week course of dual‐antiplatelets or anticoagulation postimplant. We compared mortality, device‐related thrombus, ischemic stroke, and bleeding events during the 90 days postimplant and long‐term. Event‐free survival was assessed using Kaplan−Meier survival analysis, with logrank testing for statistical significance.ResultsSeventy‐five patients underwent LAAO of whom 63 patients (84%) had a prior serious bleeding event. The 42 patients on minimal treatment were older (74.3 ± 7.7 vs. 71.2 ± 7.2) with higher HASBLED score (3.6 ± 0.9 vs. 3.3 ± 1.2) than the 33 patients having standard care. There were no device‐related thrombi or strokes in either group at 90 days postprocedure; STG had more bleeding events (5/33 vs. 0/42, p = 0.01) with associated deaths (3/33 vs. 0/42, p = 0.05). During long‐term follow‐up (median 2.2 years), all patients transitioned onto no antithrombotic drugs (43 patients [61%]) or a single‐antiplatelet (29 patients [39%]). There was no evidence of early minimal treatment adversely affecting long‐term outcomes.ConclusionsShort‐term anti‐thrombotic drugs may not be needed after LAAO implant in patients with high bleeding risk and could be harmful. Larger, prospective studies would be warranted to test these findings.
Postsearch uncertainty, product heterogeneity, and price divergence
Authors: Chen Yijuan , Hu Xiangting , Li Sanxi 
Published: November 2023

AbstractWe develop a consumer search model in which consumers may remain uncertain about product quality even after inspecting the product. We first consider the postsearch uncertainty regarding vertical quality, and characterize the separating equilibrium in which firms with different quality levels charge different prices. If quality information is not sufficiently transparent after the search, then prices between the low‐ and the high‐quality products can either diverge or converge as the search cost decreases, depending on the degrees of horizontal and vertical product differentiation. We further extend the model to include the postsearch uncertainty about the horizontal match value and to endogenize the firm's quality choice.
The role of registering trademarks on firms' innovation: Evidence from Chinese firms
Authors: Liu Yili , Sun Puyang , Zhao Yong 
Published: November 2023

AbstractFirms are used to registering trademarks for intellectual property protection which ultimately increases their innovations. Using a novel data set tracking firm‐level trademark registrations of Chinese listed firms between 2005 and 2017, this article sheds light on the role of a firm's first trademark in its patents and the related provision's implication in the developing world. We implement a difference‐in‐difference model to find approximately a 30% increase in the number of a firm's patents after its first trademark application. Moreover, we take advantage of the latest amendment of China's Trademark Law in 2013 as an exogenous shock to investigate the influence of law protection on trademark‐induced innovations. The results suggest a strengthened effect of first trademark applications on patent numbers after the 2013 amendment.
Branding vertical product line extensions
Authors: Jungbauer Thomas , Schmid Christian 
Published: November 2023

AbstractFirms that sell vertically differentiated products infrequently roll out multiple products at the same time. In fact, it is often a firm already selling a well‐established product that decides to expand up‐ or downwards when such an opportunity arises. A critical decision in this scenario is whether to introduce the new product under an existing brand. In this paper, we develop a game‐theoretic model in which firms expand their product line to cater to a different customer segment, choosing their branding strategy, new product quality, and prices. We find that the firm's optimal branding strategy depends on both the vertical direction of the expansion and the level of competition, and identify a novel interaction effect between these factors. In particular, firms engaged in direct competition employ branding as a commitment device to soften quality competition. When these firms extend their product line upwards, this creates a misalignment between firms' actions and consumer preferences. We also derive conditions under which firms, against conventional wisdom, choose to differentiate their products more when selling them under the same brand. Finally, we characterize the welfare effects of branding in this setting, and argue that our findings are consistent with observations from the car industry.
Connecting the disconnected: Leveraging an in‐home team member for video visits for older adults
Authors: Hawley Chelsea E. , Wagner Caroline , Venegas Maria D. , Genovese Nicole , Triantafylidis Laura K. , McCullough Megan B. , Beizer Judith L. , Hung William W. , Moo Lauren R. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundOlder adults are interested and able to complete video visits, but often require coaching and practice to succeed. Data show a widening digital divide between older and younger adults using video visits. We conducted a qualitative feasibility study to investigate these gaps via ethnographic methods, including a team member in older participants' homes.MethodsThis ethnographic feasibility study included a virtual medication reconciliation visit with a clinical pharmacist for Veterans aged 65 and older taking 5 or more medications. An in‐home study team member joined the participant and recorded observations in structured fieldnotes derived from the Updated Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research and Age‐Friendly Health Systems. Fieldnotes included behind‐the‐scenes facilitators, barriers, and solutions to challenges before and during the visits. We conducted a thematic analysis of these observations and matched themes to implementation solutions from the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change.ResultsTwenty participants completed a video visit. Participants were 74 years old (range 68–80) taking 12 daily medications (range 7–24). Challenges occurred in half of the visits and took the in‐home team member and/or pharmacist an average of 10 minutes to troubleshoot. Challenges included notable new findings, such as that half of the participants required technology assistance for challenges that would not have been able to be solved by the pharmacist virtually. Furthermore, although many participants had a device or had used video visits before, some did not have a single device with video, audio, Internet, and access to their email username and password.ConclusionsClinicians may apply these evidence‐based implementation solutions to their approach to video visits with older adults, including having a team member join the visit before the clinician, involving tech‐savvy family members, ensuring the device works with the visit platform ahead of time, and creating a troubleshooting guide from our common challenges.
Circular life cycle sustainability assessment: An integrated framework
Authors: Luthin Anna , Traverso Marzia , Crawford Robert H. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractRobust monitoring and assessment methods are required to assess circular economy (CE) concepts in terms of their degree of circularity and their contribution to sustainability. This research aimed to develop an integrated framework for the CE context—considering both the technical circularity and the complexity of the three dimensions of sustainability (environment, economy, and social). Two existing methods were identified as an appropriate foundation: CE indicators and life cycle sustainability assessment (LCSA), combining life cycle assessment (LCA), life cycle costing (LCC), and social life cycle assessment (S‐LCA). The developed circular life cycle sustainability assessment (C‐LCSA) framework added circularity assessment (CA) as an additional dimension to LCSA (C‐LCSA = LCA + LCC + S‐LCA + CA). The abundance of CE indicators required a systematic selection process to identify the most appropriate indicators for the framework which was built on criteria levels, performance, loops, unit, dimension, and transversality. The material circularity indicator, product circularity indicator, and longevity indicator were identified as most suited for C‐LCSA. Being developed for a single life cycle, the traditional life cycle approaches needed refinements for application to CE concepts, derived from discussions and proposed adaptions presented in the academic literature. The cut‐off approach was identified as the most suitable end‐of‐life allocation method for C‐LCSA, being in line with the technical system boundaries. C‐LCSA can be used by LCA practitioners to identify trade‐offs between an improved circularity and resulting impacts on the environmental, economic, and social pillars to provide a basis for decision making in industrial ecology.
Parenting in 2 Worlds: Testing improved parent–adolescent communication about sexuality in Urban American Indian families
Authors: Kulis Stephen S. , Tsethlikai Monica , Ayers Stephanie L. , Gresenz Kyle E. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractUrban American Indian (AI) adolescents are more likely than non‐Natives to have early sexual debut, teen pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections, and inadequate sexual health information. A RCT in three Arizona cities, with 585 parents of urban AI adolescents, tested whether a culturally tailored parenting intervention for urban AI families, Parenting in 2 Worlds (P2W), increased parent–adolescent communication about sexuality, compared to an informational family health intervention that was not culturally tailored. P2W produced significantly larger increases on two measures: communication about general sexual health and about sexual decision‐making. The desired effects of P2W on the first measure were stronger short‐term for cross‐gender dyads, while for the second measure, they were stronger long‐term for both mothers and fathers of adolescent sons.
Gallic acid induces osteoblast differentiation and alleviates inflammatory response through GPR35/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling pathway in human periodontal ligament cells
Authors: Pham Thi Hoa , Kim Eun‐Nam , Trang Nguyen Minh , Jeong Gil‐Saeng 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackground and ObjectiveGallic acid (GA) possesses various beneficial functions including antioxidant, anticancer, anti‐inflammatory as well as inhibiting osteoclastogeneis. However, effects on osteogenic differentiation, especially in human ligament periodontal (hPDL) cells, remain unclear. Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the function of GA on osteogenesis and anti‐inflammation in hPDL cells and to explore the involved underlying mechanism.MethodsPorphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide (Pg‐LPS) treatment was used as a model for periodontitis. ROS production was determined by H2DCFDA staining. Trans‐well and wound healing assays were performed for checking the migration effect of GA. Alizarin red and alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) assays were performed to evaluate osteogenic differentiation. Osteogenesis and inflammatory‐related genes and proteins were measured by real‐time PCR and western blot.ResultsOur results showed that GA‐treated hPDL cells had higher proliferation and migration effect. GA inhibited ROS production‐induced by Pg‐LPS. Besides, GA abolished Pg‐LPS‐induced inflammation cytokines (il‐6, il‐1β) and inflammasome targets (Caspase‐1, NLRP3). In addition, GA promoted ALP activity and mineralization in hPDL cells, lead to enhance osteoblast differentiation process. The effect of GA is related to G‐protein‐coupled receptor 35 (GPR35)/GSK3β/β‐catenin signaling pathway.ConclusionGA attenuated Pg‐LPS‐induced inflammatory responses and periodontitis in hPDL cells. Taken together, GA may be targeted for therapeutic interventions in periodontal diseases.
Longitudinal change in sleep, functional, and behavioural characteristics in a cohort of children with Down syndrome
Authors: Chawla Jasneek K. , Bernard Anne , Staton Sally , Burgess Scott , Heussler Helen 
Published: November 2023

SummaryThis paper describes the longitudinal change in sleep, functional, and behavioural characteristics in a cohort of children with Down syndrome, including the effect of sleep interventions in a subset. A prospective longitudinal cohort study was undertaken in children with Down syndrome aged 3–16 years comparing (1) children referred to a tertiary sleep medicine clinic who received sleep hygiene advice and an additional sleep treatment (DSref_I) with (2) children attending the same clinic who only received sleep hygiene advice (DSref_N) and (3) children recruited from the community who, were not receiving any treatment (DScomm). Data collected included demographic and medical history information, Child Sleep Habits Questionnaire‐Abbreviated (CSHQ‐A), Life‐Habits Questionnaire (Life‐H) and Child Behaviour Checklist (CBCL) at baseline and then 6‐monthly for a total of 18 months. Any sleep interventions during this time were recorded. A total of 57 children were included (DSref_I, n = 16; DSref_N, n = 25; DScomm, n = 16). At recruitment, the median CSHQ‐A total score was high (>41) in all three subgroups, but highest in the DSref_I subgroup (median [interquartile range] Dsref_I score 58 [53–66] versus DSref_N score 49 [43–53], p = 0.019). Although improved, 80% of participants in the DSref_I subgroup still had a CSHQ‐A total score >41 at the last assessment point. The median total Life‐H and total CBCL scores were not significantly different between groups at baseline and there was no significant time, group, or interaction effect seen through the study. Over an 18‐month period, sleep problems were seen to persist in children with Down syndrome. Treatment resulted in only modest improvements in sleep.
Sex differences in the association of sleep spindle density and cognitive performance among community‐dwelling middle‐aged and older adults with obstructive sleep apnea
Authors: Pun Matiram , Guadagni Veronica , Longman Richard Stewart , Hanly Patrick J. , Hill Michael D. , Anderson Todd J. , Hogan David B. , Rawling Jean M. , Poulin Marc 
Published: November 2023

SummaryRecent studies have found associations between obstructive sleep apnea and cognitive decline. The underlying mechanisms are still unclear. Here, we investigate the associations between changes in micro‐architecture, specifically sleep spindles, and cognitive function in community‐dwelling middle‐aged and older adults, some with obstructive sleep apnea, with a focus on sex differences. A total of 125 voluntary participants (mean age 66.0 ± 6.4 years, 64 females) from a larger cohort (participants of the Brain in Motion Studies I and II) underwent 1 night of in‐home polysomnography and a neuropsychological battery (sleep and cognitive testing were conducted within 2 weeks of each other). A semi‐automatic computerized algorithm was used to score polysomnography data and detect spindle characteristics in non‐rapid eye movement Stages 2 and 3 in both frontal and central electrodes. Based on their apnea–hypopnea index, participants were divided into those with no obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index < 5 per hr, n = 21), mild obstructive sleep apnea (5 ≥ apnea–hypopnea index < 15, n = 47), moderate obstructive sleep apnea (15 ≥ apnea–hypopnea index < 30, n = 34) and severe obstructive sleep apnea (apnea–hypopnea index ≥ 30, n = 23). There were no significant differences in spindle characteristics between the four obstructive sleep apnea severity groups. Spindle density and percentage of fast spindles were positively associated with some verbal fluency measures on the cognitive testing. Sex might be linked with these associations. Biological sex could play a role in the associations between spindle characteristics and some verbal fluency measures. Obstructive sleep apnea severity was not found to be a contributing factor in this non‐clinical community‐dwelling cohort.
Refractive errors occurring with tilt of intraocular lenses
Authors: Atchison David A. , Cooke David L. 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA thin lens technique was developed to determine how the effective powers of toric monofocal intraocular lenses (IOLs) are influenced by tilt and the refractive errors associated with the tilt. A series of steps determined the effective power of the cornea at the IOL, the IOL power, the effective power of the tilted IOL, the correction required at the front of the eye and the power of an IOL that would compensate for the tilt. The correction was determined by starting at the ideal reduced image vergence at the IOL, backwards raytracing to obtain a reduced image vergence at the cornea, and subtracting the cornea power from this reduced image vergence. Examples are presented for different situations where the IOL is either tilted about the vertical or an oblique axis. Raytracing with a thick lens verified the accuracy of the technique.
A coumarin‐modified graphene quantum dot‐based luminogen for the detection of cysteine in aqueous media
Authors: Sebastian Deepa , Ramakrishnan Kala 
Published: November 2023

AbstractA biocompatible fluorescence sensor for cysteine detection receives wide appreciation recently, because of its importance in the medical field. Functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are recently emerging biocompatible quantum dots, which are considered as suitable candidates for biomolecule detection. Motivated by this concept, here we have developed a versatile fluorescent probe based on 3‐aminocoumarin (AMC) functionalized GQDs for the detection of cysteine (Cys). Modification on GQD with AMC resulted in a stable fluorescent probe with an enhancement in quantum yield of about 84% and 40 nm redshift in emission peak compared with bare GQD. The modified GQD is then used for the sensitive and selective detection of cysteine in aqueous media. The detection of Cys within the linear range of 50 nM to 1.5 μM was achieved with a detection limit (LOD) of 0.86 nM. Here, the AMC‐GQD exhibit a turn‐off fluorescence sensing behavior. The quenching mechanism was also explored. The sensing process follows dynamic quenching mechanism, which is attributed to the photoinduced charge transfer from AMC‐GQD to Cys. The Stern–Volmer plot, energy‐level alignment obtained from cyclic voltammetry measurements and density functional theory predictions give a valid proof for this. Furthermore, the sensor was applied efficiently to the determination of Cys in real water samples.
Fermented black ginseng extract prevents UVB‐induced inflammation by regulating the nc886‐PKR pathway in human keratinocytes
Authors: Kim Yuna , Sim Junbo , Jeon Kyungeun , Ryu Dehun , Ji Youngeun , Kim Youngseok , Kim Junoh , Jeon Suwon , Park Deokhoon , Jung Eunsun 
Published: November 2023

AbstractBackgroundContinuous exposure of the skin to ultraviolet B (UVB) rays can cause inflammation and photodamage. In previous studies, we observed that the upregulation of nc886, a noncoding RNA (ncRNA), can alleviate UVB‐induced inflammation through suppression of the protein kinase RNA (PKR) pathway. We aim to investigate the effect of fermented black ginseng extract (FBGE), which has been shown to increase the expression of nc886, on UVB‐induced inflammation in keratinocytes.MethodsTo confirm the cytotoxicity of FBGE, MTT assay was performed, and no significant cytotoxicity was found on human keratinocytes. The efficacies of FBGE were assessed through qPCR, Western blotting, and ELISA analysis which confirmed regulation of UVB‐induced inflammation.ResultsThe analysis results showed that FBGE inhibited the decrease in nc886 expression and the increase in the methylated nc886 caused by UVB. It also prevented the UVB‐induced increase of metalloproteinase‐9 (MMP‐9), metalloproteinase‐1 (MMP‐1), cyclooxygenase‐2 (COX‐2), prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), interleukin‐8 (IL‐8) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α). Additionally, FBGE suppressed the PKR‐MAPK pathways activated by UVB.ConclusionThese results implicate that FBGE can alleviate UVB‐induced inflammation through regulation of the nc886‐PKR pathway.