bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of transparency regulation on political trust and perceived corruption: Evidence from a survey experiment
Authors: Crepaz Michele , Arikan Gizem 
Published: September 2023

AbstractScholarly evidence of transparency's beneficial effects on trust and perceptions of corruption remains debated and confined to the study of public administration. We contribute to this debate by extending the study of its effects to transparency legislation concerning members of parliament (MPs), political parties, and business interest groups. In an online experiment conducted in Ireland with 1373 citizens, we find that transparency in political donations improves trust in political parties, while asset declaration for conflict of interest prevention reduces perceptions of corruption toward MPs. However, transparency in lobbying is found to have no impact on attitudes toward business interest groups. This supports the common expectation that transparency improves political trust and reduces perceptions of corruption, but also confirms its complex effects. The study improves our understanding of transparency beyond open government providing an evaluation of different regulatory policies aimed at making the activities of parties, MPs, and lobby groups transparent.
‘L'arte in prattica’: Reconstructing Orazio Toscanella's language ideology
Authors: Crocco Claudia , Serra Eleonora 
Published: September 2023

AbstractThis paper examines the dynamics which led to the formation of Italian by reconstructing the language ideology of the teacher and polygraph Orazio Toscanella, i.e. one of those cultural mediators who, in the sixteenth‐century Venetian printing market, were actively involved in the promotion of the vernacular. Looking for traces of Toscanella’s language ideology through a range of paratextual materials (title‐pages, prefatory letters), we reconstruct his ideas on the vernacular. These reveal an eclecticism which is not entirely coherent, but which can be understood in light of this polygraph’s pedagogical objectives, and of his pressing need to respond to the market’s requirements. By focusing on Toscanella’s translation of Vives’ Exercitatio, published in 1568 under the title Flores Italici, we then compare the ideas conveyed in the paratexts with the author’s linguistic usage in the text: we thus show that Toscanella’s eclectic ideas on language and his need to accommodate the market’s requirements also shaped the type of vernacular he proposed to his readers. This focus on Toscanella’s paratextual production allows us to investigate the way in which the ‘high’ vernacular model was re‐elaborated and disseminated to a broad audience, and the extent to which such re‐elaboration was influenced by commercial concerns.
Advancing health coverage of informal workers in three Latin American countries
Authors: Bernales‐Baksai Pamela , Solar‐Hormazábal Orielle 
Published: September 2023

AbstractAdvancing universal health coverage (UHC) in Latin America (LA) requires that governments address the inclusion of informal workers, who represent a significant proportion of the working population. Based on case studies and a literature review, this article analyzes health policy reforms of three LA countries and examines their ability to promote the inclusion of informal workers. The analysis focuses on three dimensions: eligibility criteria, benefit packages, and financial protection. The countries analyzed are Chile, Uruguay, and Colombia, each having a different type of welfare regime. These three countries have applied relevant reforms for UHC. Chile has made strenuous efforts to provide a comprehensive benefit package for all, while Uruguay has promoted the extension of health coverage based on principles of citizen rights. Colombia, meanwhile, has significantly expanded the coverage of informal workers, although it still faces challenges in terms of providing them with a comprehensive benefit package. The analysis shows the linkages between eligibility criteria, benefit packages, and financial protection, in such a way that strategies to extend the coverage of informal workers need to be coupled with the harmonization of benefit packages, financial protection, and equal opportunity of access to providers.
Phylogeny of the Braconinae (Hymenoptera: Braconidae): A new tribal order!
Authors: Quicke Donald L. J. , Jasso‐Martínez Jovana M. , Ranjith A. P. , Sharkey Michael J. , Manjunath Ramya , Naik Suresh , Hebert Paul D. N. , Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan , Thurman Jessa , Butcher Buntika A. 
Published: September 2023

AbstractGeneric relationships within the parasitoid wasp subfamily Braconinae are assessed based on a molecular phylogenetic analysis of four gene fragments: mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I, 16S rDNA, nuclear 28S D2‐D3 rDNA and elongation factor 1‐alpha. Our results support the recognition of Aphrastobraconini, Braconini and Coeloidini plus three new tribes: Compsobraconini tribus nov., Tropobraconini tribus nov. and Virgulibraconini tribus nov. The first of these new tribes is restricted to the New World; the second includes the Old World genera Tropobracon Cameron, Trispinaria Quicke and Grangerbracon Samartsev and Belokobylskij and possibly others, whereas the third comprises the Australian genus Virgulibracon Quicke, plus several other described and undescribed Australian genera. Consistent placement of Amyosoma Viereck with members of the Virgulibraconini tribus nov. is discussed, whereas Amyosoma is left currently unplaced. A preliminary key to tribes is presented, and the characters used to differentiate between Aphrastobraconini and Braconini are revised. Megacoeloides Quicke was never recovered with Coeloides, the type genus of Coeloidini, so it is treated as Braconinae incertae sedis. By combining molecular and morphological traits, nearly all valid genera are assigned to tribes, and the possible relationships of the remainder are discussed. Alienoclypeus Shenefelt, 1978 is synonymised with Atanycolus Förster, 1862 (Atanycolus insolitus (Shenefelt) comb. nov.). Several new genera have been revealed and will be described elsewhere.
A Useful and Effective Method for Selecting a Smart Controller for SDN Network Design and Implement
Authors: Rashid Mohammed Mousa , Shiltagh Al-Jamali Nadia Adnan 
Published: September 2023

Software Defined Networking (SDN) is a modern network architectural model that manages network traffic using software. SDN is a networking scenario that modifies the conventional network design by combining all control features into a single place and making all choices centrally. Controllers are the "brains" of SDN architecture since they are responsible for making control decisions and routing packets at the same time. The capacity for centralized decision-making on routing improves the performance of the network. SDN's growing functionality and uses have led to the development of many controller systems. Every SDN controller idea or design must prioritize the control plane since it is the most crucial part of the SDN architecture. Studies have been done to examine, analyze, and evaluate the relative advantages of the many controllers that have been created in recent years. In this paper, finding the perfect controller based on derived needs (for example, the controller must have a "Java" or "Python" interface), a matching process compares controller features with requirements.
Power Batteries State of Health Estimation of Pure Electric Vehicles for Charging Process
Authors: He Zhigang , Ni Xianggan , Pan Chaofeng , Li Weiquan , Han Shaohua 
Published: September 2023

Abstract
Under different usage scenarios of various electric vehicles (EVs), it becomes difficult to estimate the battery state of health (SOH) quickly and accurately. This article proposes an SOH estimation method based on EVs’ charging process history data. First, data processing processes for practical application scenarios are established. Then the health indicators (HIs) that directly or indirectly reflect the driver's charging behavior in the charging process are used as the model's input, and the ensemble empirical mode decomposition (EEMD) is introduced to remove the noise brought by capacity regeneration. Subsequently, the maximum information coefficient (MIC)—principal component analysis (PCA) algorithm is employed to extract significant HIs. Eventually, the global optimal nonlinear degradation relationship between HIs and capacity is learned based on Bayesian-optimized Gaussian process regression (BO-GPR). Approximate battery degradation models for practical application scenarios are obtained. This article validates the proposed method from three perspectives: models, vehicles, and regions. The results show that the method has better prediction accuracy and generalization capability and lower computational cost, which provides a solution for future online health state prediction based on a large amount of real-time operational data.
Dissemination of IncI plasmid encoding
bla
CTX-M-1
is not hampered by its fitness cost in the pig’s gut
Authors: Allain Margaux , Mahérault Anne Claire , Gachet Benoit , Martinez Caroline , Condamine Bénédicte , Magnan Mélanie , Kempf Isabelle , Denamur Erick , Landraud Luce 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Multiresistance plasmids belonging to the IncI incompatibility group have become one of the most pervasive plasmid types in extended-spectrum beta-lactamase-producing
Escherichia coli
of animal origin. The extent of the burden imposed on the bacterial cell by these plasmids seems to modulate the emergence of “epidemic” plasmids. However,
in vivo
data in the natural environment of the strains are scarce. Here, we investigated the cost of a
bla
CTX-M-1
-IncI1 epidemic plasmid in a commensal
E. coli
animal strain, UB12-RC, before and after oral inoculation of 15 6- to 8-week- old specific-pathogen-free pigs. Growth rate in rich medium was determined on (i) UB12-RC and derivatives, with or without plasmid,
in vivo
and/or
in vitro
evolved, and (ii) strains that acquired the plasmid in the gut during the experiment. Although
bla
CTX-M-1
-IncI1 plasmid imposed no measurable burden on the recipient strain after conjugation and during the longitudinal carriage in the pig’s gut, we observed a significant difference in the bacterial growth rate between IncI1 plasmid-carrying and plasmid-free isolates collected during
in vivo
carriage. Only a few mutations on the chromosome of the UB12-RC derivatives were detected by whole-genome sequencing. RNA-Seq analysis of a selected set of these strains showed that transcriptional responses to the
bla
CTX-M-1
-IncI1 acquisition were limited, affecting metabolism, stress response, and motility functions. Our data suggest that the effect of IncI plasmid on host cells is limited, fitness cost being insufficient to act as a barrier to IncI plasmid spread among natural population of
E. coli
in the gut niche.
Effectiveness of cefmetazole versus meropenem for invasive urinary tract infections caused by extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing
Escherichia coli
Authors: Hayakawa Kayoko , Matsumura Yasufumi , Uemura Kohei , Tsuzuki Shinya , Sakurai Aki , Tanizaki Ryutaro , Shinohara Koh , Hashimoto Takehiro , Hase Ryota , Matono Takashi , Kato Hideaki , Mawatari Momoko , Hara Hiroshi , Hamada Yukihiro , Saito Sho , Ohmagari Norio , Doi Yohei 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Cefmetazole is active against extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing
Escherichia coli
(ESBLEC) and is a potential candidate for carbapenem-sparing therapy. This multicenter, observational study included patients hospitalized for invasive urinary tract infection due to ESBLEC between March 2020 and November 2021 at 10 facilities in Japan, for whom either cefmetazole or meropenem was initiated as a definitive therapy within 96 h of culture collection and continued for at least 3 d. Outcomes included clinical and microbiological effectiveness, recurrence within 28 d, and all-cause mortality (14 d, 30 d, in-hospital). Outcomes were adjusted for the inverse probability of propensity scores for receiving cefmetazole or meropenem. Eighty-one and forty-six patients were included in the cefmetazole and meropenem groups, respectively. Bacteremia accounted for 43% of the cefmetazole group, and 59% of the meropenem group. The crude clinical effectiveness, 14 d, 30 d, and in-hospital mortality for patients in the cefmetazole and meropenem groups were 96.1% vs 90.9%, 0% vs 2.3%, 0% vs 12.5%, and 2.6% vs 13.3%, respectively. After propensity score adjustment, clinical effectiveness, the risk of in-hospital mortality, and the risk of recurrence were similar between the two groups (
P
= 0.54,
P
= 0.10, and
P
= 0.79, respectively). In all cases with available data (cefmetazole :
n
= 61, meropenem :
n
= 22), both drugs were microbiologically effective. In all isolates,
bla
CTX-M
was detected as the extended-spectrum β-lactamase gene. The predominant CTX-M subtype was CTX-M-27 (47.6%). Cefmetazole showed clinical and bacteriological effectiveness comparable to meropenem against invasive urinary tract infection due to ESBLECs.
The
Ustilago maydis
AA10 LPMO is active on fungal cell wall chitin
Authors: Yao Roseline Assiah , Reyre Jean-Lou , Tamburrini Ketty C. , Haon Mireille , Tranquet Olivier , Nalubothula Akshay , Mukherjee Saumashish , Le Gall Sophie , Grisel Sacha , Longhi Sonia , Madhuprakash Jogi , Bissaro Bastien , Berrin Jean-Guy 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) can perform oxidative cleavage of glycosidic bonds in carbohydrate polymers (e.g., cellulose, chitin), making them more accessible to hydrolytic enzymes. While most studies have so far mainly explored the role of LPMOs in a (plant) biomass conversion context, alternative roles and paradigms begin to emerge. The AA10 LPMOs are active on chitin and/or cellulose and mostly found in bacteria and in some viruses and archaea. Interestingly, AA10-encoding genes are also encountered in some pathogenic fungi of the Ustilaginomycetes class, such as
Ustilago maydis
, responsible for corn smut disease. Transcriptomic studies have shown the overexpression of the AA10 gene during the infectious cycle of
U. maydis
. In fact,
U. maydis
has a unique AA10 gene that codes for a catalytic domain appended with a C-terminal disordered region. To date, there is no public report on fungal AA10 LPMOs. In this study, we successfully produced the catalytic domain of this LPMO (
Um
AA10_cd) in
Pichia pastoris
and carried out its biochemical characterization. Our results show that
Um
AA10_cd oxidatively cleaves α- and β-chitin with C1 regioselectivity and boosts chitin hydrolysis by a GH18 chitinase from
U. maydis
(
Um
GH18A). Using a biologically relevant substrate, we show that
Um
AA10_cd exhibits enzymatic activity on
U. maydis
fungal cell wall chitin and promotes its hydrolysis by
Um
GH18A. These results represent an important step toward the understanding of the role of LPMOs in the fungal cell wall remodeling process during the fungal life cycle.

IMPORTANCE

Lytic polysaccharide monooxygenases (LPMOs) have been mainly studied in a biotechnological context for the efficient degradation of recalcitrant polysaccharides. Only recently, alternative roles and paradigms begin to emerge. In this study, we provide evidence that the AA10 LPMO from the phytopathogen
Ustilago maydis
is active against fungal cell wall chitin. Given that chitin-active LPMOs are commonly found in microbes, it is important to consider fungal cell wall as a potential target for this enigmatic class of enzymes.
Functional role of a novel zinc finger protein, AoZFA, in growth and kojic acid synthesis in
Aspergillus oryzae
Authors: Chen Ziming , Chen Tianming , Zhang Huanxin , Li Yuzhen , Fan Junxia , Yao Lihua , Zeng Bin , Zhang Zhe 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Kojic acid (KA) is a valuable secondary metabolite that is regulated by zinc finger proteins in
Aspergillus oryzae
. However, only two such proteins have been characterized to function in kojic acid production of
A. oryzae
to date. In this study, we identified a novel zinc finger protein, AoZFA, required for kojic acid biosynthesis in
A. oryzae
. Our results showed that disruption of
AozfA
led to increased expression of
kojA
and
kojR
involved in kojic acid synthesis, resulting in enhanced kojic acid production, while overexpression of
AozfA
had the opposite effect. Furthermore, deletion of
kojR
in the
AozfA
disruption strain abolished kojic acid production, whereas overexpression of
kojR
enhanced it, indicating that AoZFA regulates kojic acid production by affecting
kojR
. Transcriptional activation assay revealed that AoZFA is a transcriptional activator. Interestingly, when
kojR
was overexpressed in the
AozfA
overexpression strain, the production of kojic acid failed to be rescued, suggesting that
AozfA
plays a distinct role from
kojR
in kojic acid biosynthesis. Moreover, we found that
AozfA
was highly induced by zinc during early growth stages, and its overexpression inhibited the growth promoted by zinc, whereas its deletion had no effect, suggesting that AoZFA is non-essential but has a role in the response of
A. oryzae
to zinc. Overall, these findings provide new insights into the roles of zinc finger proteins in the growth and kojic acid production of
A. oryzae
.

IMPORTANCE

Kojic acid (KA) is an economically valuable secondary metabolite produced by
Aspergillus oryzae
due to its vast biological activities. Genetic modification of
A. oryzae
has emerged as an efficient strategy for enhancing kojic acid production, which is dependent on the mining of genes involved in kojic acid synthesis. In this study, we have characterized a novel zinc-finger protein, AoZFA, as a negative regulator of kojic acid production by affecting
kojR. AozfA
is an excellent target for improving kojic acid production without any effects on the growth of
A. oryzae
. Furthermore, the simultaneous modification of
AozfA
and
kojR
exerts a more significant promotional effect on kojic acid production than the modification of single genes. This study provides new insights for the regulatory mechanism of zinc finger proteins in the growth and kojic acid production of
A. oryzae
.
Protection against lethal sepsis following immunization with
Candida
species varies by isolate and inversely correlates with bone marrow tissue damage
Authors: Lilly Elizabeth A. , Bender Breah E. , Noverr Mairi C. , Fidel Paul L. 
Published: September 2023

ABSTRACT

Protection against lethal
Candida albicans
(
Ca
)/
Staphylococcus aureus
(
Sa
) intra-abdominal infection (IAI)-mediated sepsis can be achieved by a novel form of trained innate immunity (TII) involving Gr-1+ myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) that are induced by inoculation (immunization) with low virulence
Candida
species [i.e.,
Candida dubliniensis
(
Cd
)] that infiltrate the bone marrow (BM). In contrast, more virulent
Candida
species (i.e.,
C. albicans
), even at sub-lethal inocula, fail to induce similar levels of protection. The purpose of the present study was to test the hypothesis that the level of TII-mediated protection induced by
Ca
strains inversely correlates with damage in the BM as a reflection of virulence. Mice were immunized by intraperitoneal inoculation with several parental and mutant strains of
C. albicans
deficient in virulence factors (hyphal formation and candidalysin production), followed by an intraperitoneal
Ca/Sa
challenge 14 d later and monitored for sepsis and mortality. Whole femur bones were collected 24 h and 13 d after immunization and assessed for BM tissue/cellular damage via ferroptosis and histology. While immunization with standard but not sub-lethal inocula of most wild-type
C. albicans
strains resulted in considerable mortality, protection against lethal
Ca
/
Sa
IAI challenge varied by strain was usually less than that for
C. dubliniensis
, with no differences observed between parental and corresponding mutants. Finally, levels of protection afforded by the
Ca
strains were inversely correlated with BM tissue damage (
R
2
= −0.773). TII-mediated protection against lethal
Ca/Sa
sepsis induced by
Candida
strain immunization inversely correlates with BM tissue/cellular damage as a reflection of localized virulence.
Development of a joint set of database parameters for the EU-ROP and Fight Childhood Blindness! ROP Registries
Authors: Catt Caroline , Pfeil Johanna M , Barthelmes Daniel , Gole Glen A , Krohne Tim U , Wu Wei-Chi , Kusaka Shunji , Zhao Peiquan , Dai Shuan , Elder James , Heckmann Matthias , Stack Jacqueline , Khonyongwa-Fernandez Gigi , Stahl Andreas 
Published: September 2023

Background/Aims
The incidence of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is increasing and treatment options are expanding, often without accompanying safety data. We aimed to define a minimal, patient-centred data set that is feasible to collect in clinical practice and can be used collaboratively to track and compare outcomes of ROP treatment with a view to improving patient outcomes.

Methods
A multinational group of clinicians and a patient representative with expertise in ROP and registry development collaborated to develop a data set that focused on real-world parameters and outcomes that were patient centred, minimal and feasible to collect in routine clinical practice.

Results
For babies receiving ROP treatment, we recommend patient demographics, systemic comorbidities, ROP status, treatment details, ophthalmic and systemic complications of treatment, ophthalmic and neurodevelopmental outcomes at initial treatment, any episodes of retreatment and follow-up examinations in the short and long-term to be collected for use in ROP studies, registries and routine clinical practice.

Conclusions
We recommend these parameters to be used in registries and future studies of ROP treatment, to reduce the variation seen in previous reports and allow meaningful assessments and comparisons. They form the basis of the EU-ROP and the Fight Childhood Blindness! ROP Registries.
Empowering future leaders: the value of simulation in active bystander training for medical students
Authors: Chew Cindy , Taylor Elaine , Pope Lindsey , Nazir Fozia , Paton Catherine , Colquhoun Kirsty , Hunter Ian , Lydon Emma , Young David , O'Dwyer Patrick 
Published: September 2023

Disrespectful behaviour in the healthcare environment affects clinical learning, impacts those receiving such behaviour and adversely affects patient outcomes. Mandated ‘diversity training’ has minimal impact and, if poorly done, can worsen toxic work environments. Our study aimed to develop a simulation-based active bystander training (ABT) session for medical students and to evaluate the impact of this training.MethodSessions comprised short recap of students’ learning to date; prerecorded video vignettes; a card game and immersive simulation. Advocacy with inquiry debrief, facilitated by faculty with equality, diversity and inclusivity expertise followed each scenario. Students completed a validated questionnaire developed for this study, preintervention and postintervention.ResultsSixty-six medical students from three teaching hospitals attended seven 3-hour sessions. The average number of students attending each session was 9 (range 7–12). The questionnaire was completed with matched pairs of preintervention and postintervention scores on a Likert scale by 58 (88%) students. There were significant deficits (p<0.001) in students’ self-rated knowledge with a mean preintervention score of 38.2 (SD 5.9) out of a maximum score of 55. This compared with postintervention score of 49.1 (SD 4.8). The mean increase in total score postintervention was 11.0 (95% C.I 9.4 to 12.5; p<0.001).ConclusionWe found significant deficits in medical students’ self-rated knowledge of recognising disrespectful behaviour at work. Simulation in ABT was effective in reversing this. This is a timely study given the new responsibilities placed on doctors by the General Medical Council to act when witnessing discriminatory behaviour or harassment at work.