bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Competitive contract design in a retail supply chain under demand uncertainty
Authors: Anderson Edward , Jiang Houyuan , Shao Lusheng 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThis article studies the design of contracts involving a single retailer and multiple competing manufacturers who supply substitutable products. We consider a retail context in which contracts with manufacturers are negotiated relatively infrequently and signed before the demand environment is known, and the retail prices are determined when the demand is known. We develop a Stackelberg model to study the retailer's product selection and pricing decisions and the manufacturers' contract design decisions. We show that it is optimal for each manufacturer to offer a contract with nonlinear prices so that total payments are the total production cost plus a fixed additional cost. In the case of two manufacturers this result allows us to characterize an equilibrium in which the retailer's choice maximizes the supply chain profit, each manufacturer makes a profit equal to its marginal contribution to the supply chain, and the retailer takes the remaining profit. We also find that while increasing demand correlation always benefits the retailer, it benefits the manufacturers only when the production costs are convex. In an extension it is found that our equilibrium continues to hold when the retailer's reservation profit is below a threshold, but the competition dynamics may change when the reservation profit is above the threshold. Finally, we show that the equilibrium results remain true for the case with more than two manufacturers under a submodularity property, which holds in the case of quadratic costs and linear demand.
Provision of maximum connectivity resiliency with minimum cost to telecommunication networks through third‐party networks
Authors: Barbosa Fábio , de Sousa Amaro , Agra Agostinho 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn telecommunication networks, full connectivity resilience to multiple link failures is too costly as it requires a network topology with too many redundant links. Alternatively, the connectivity resilience of a telecommunications network can be improved by resorting to available third‐party networks for temporary additional connectivity until the failing links are restored. In this approach, some nodes of the network must be selected in advance to act as gateway nodes to the third‐party networks when a multiple link failure event occurs. For a given network topology and a cost associated with each node to turn it into a gateway node to each of the third‐party networks, the aim is to select the gateway nodes providing maximum connectivity resilience at minimum cost. The Gateway Node Selection is defined as a bi‐objective optimization problem such that its Pareto‐optimal solutions represent different trade‐offs between cost and connectivity resilience. In this work, the connectivity resilience is modeled by the Critical Link Detection optimization problem. An exact optimization algorithm is proposed, based on a row generation algorithm and on set cover cuts. The computational results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed algorithm on four well‐known telecommunication network topologies.
Prevalence and predictors of psychological distress and common mental health concerns among Filipino university teachers amid the COVID‐19 pandemic
Authors: Mordeno Imelu G. , Luzano Jelli Grace C. , Gallemit I Marie Joy S. , Gonzaga Edmarie Zoe J. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe current pandemic has drastically changed the academic landscape, causing distressing experiences among students and teachers. While there are increasing studies demonstrating the psychological experiences of students during the pandemic, only a few have examined the mental health conditions of university teachers. The present study sought to address this gap by investigating the prevalence of psychological distress and common mental health disorders and their pandemic‐related risk factors among Filipino university teachers. A total of 1110 university teachers self‐reported their psychological distress, generalized anxiety, and major depression symptoms through an online assessment. Findings of the study revealed the overall prevalence of psychological distress at 55.6%, and anxiety and depression were 17.0% and 28.4%, respectively. Younger teachers (i.e., aged ≤31 years old) and those who have less than a year of teaching experience are more likely to reach the cut‐off scores for all outcomes. Further, teachers who have experienced pandemic‐related adversities are highly vulnerable to psychological distress, generalized anxiety, and depression. These results offer important implications for creating psychosocial interventions that will help teachers manage their distresses amid the pandemic situation.
Executive functioning skills of children with listening difficulties
Authors: McGrath Melissa A. , Fletcher Kathryn L. , Bielski Lynn M. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractChildren with normal hearing who present with listening difficulties (LiD) are frequently referred for assessment of auditory processing disorder (APD). Complicating diagnosis is the similarities of APD to other neurodevelopmental disorders, especially attention‐deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Due to well‐documented deficits in executive functioning (EF) in children with ADHD, we hypothesized that a possible root cause of observed listening deficits may be EF deficits, rather than auditory processing alone. For preliminary investigation into this hypothesis, the current study compared EF skills of children with LiD who were referred for APD assessment, with and without a diagnosis of ADHD. EF skills of 24 children between the ages of 7–16 were assessed utilizing the Behavioral Assessment of Dysexecutive Syndrome in Children, and the Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function, 2nd edition. Compelling differences were found between groups of children with LiD. Children without ADHD scored lower on measures of inhibitory control compared to children with a diagnosis of ADHD. Decreased EF skills exhibited in children with LiD, even those without a diagnosis of ADHD, support the need for transdisciplinary identification and management of children with LiD.
Characterizing the landscape of plant science careers in the United States II: Academic perspectives
Authors: Walsh Lisa L. , Parsley Kathryn M. , Sidoti Brian J. , Callis‐Duehl Kristine , Hove Alisa A. , Liu Hong , Bruce‐Opris Hannah , Gonzalez Roxana , Ospina David , Uzcategui Mia , Baraloto Christopher , McCartney Melissa 
Published: May 2023

Societal Impact StatementBotanical careers are more important than ever, given that environmental challenges such as climate change and deforestation threaten plants daily and because plants contribute to solutions to these problems. Plants act as our sources of food, medicine, textiles, and oxygen, which means finding ways to mitigate these environmental challenges is crucial. Despite this, little is known about what career opportunities exist for botanists outside of academia and how well academia is training graduate students for these careers. This study centers on the current state of academic botanical careers and how well students completing post‐baccalaureate degrees (herein referred to as graduate students) are being prepared to fill careers within the botanical workforce.Summary

Plant science plays a crucial role in our society and in ongoing efforts to address many global challenges, including food insecurity and climate change. Despite a predicted increase in botanical career opportunities, little is known about how well academia is training graduate students for careers outside of academia.
To further our understanding of the current state of academic training for botanical careers, we surveyed 85 faculty and 40 graduate students working in academia in the plant sciences in the United States.
We found that the top challenges to university professors in academia are lack of support staff and funding, whereas students completing their post‐baccalaureate degrees cited finances and lack of supportive mentoring as their top challenges. Despite the fact that most graduate students surveyed wanted a career at a research‐intensive university, many botanists in academia are retiring without being replaced by more botanists. Faculty expertise is also misaligned with needs from industry and government employers, causing challenges to training graduate students for these careers outside of academia. Although our data point to a lack of career opportunities within academia, we also note that current graduate student education still emphasizes such careers and is not properly preparing graduate students for the careers they are more likely to obtain within the private and government sectors.
We discuss the implications of these findings and present several recommendations for preparing future generations of plant scientists for more realistic career trajectories.
Characterizing the landscape of plant science careers in the United States I: Government and private sector perspectives
Authors: Sidoti Brian J. , Walsh Lisa L. , Parsley Kathryn M. , Callis‐Duehl Kristine , Hove Alisa A. , Liu Hong , Uzcategui Mia , Ospina David , Bruce‐Opris Hannah , Gonzalez Roxana , Baraloto Christopher , McCartney Melissa 
Published: May 2023

Societal Impact StatementHumans are dependent upon plants for oxygen, food, textiles, and medicines. Climate change and deforestation represent serious threats to our planet, causing significant disruptions to our ability to access and utilize these plant resources; this makes a botanically literate workforce and plant science careers more important than ever. Unfortunately, the current state of botanical career opportunities and training programs in the United States remains unclear. This study focuses on the current employment trends of government and private sector botanists and what skills future plant scientists will need to be successful in these careers.Summary

Plant science plays a crucial role in our society and in ongoing efforts to address many global challenges, including food insecurity and climate change. Yet, despite a predicted increase in plant science career opportunities in the United States, the botanical career landscape outside of academia is not well understood.
To further our understanding of the training required for non‐academic botanical careers, the botanical sub‐disciplines used on the job, and career challenges faced by plant scientists, we surveyed 61 scientists working in government and 59 scientists working in the private sector in the United States.
In both career sectors, > 80% of survey participants reported recent hires at the bachelor's degree level. New personnel with master's degrees were more commonly reported in the government sector (95%) than in the private sector (69%). Most plant scientists working in government reported a focus on plant ecology and resource management. By contrast, most industry/non‐profit work involved horticulture and biotechnology, with some specific skills spanning both sectors. Notably, one prediction made nearly a decade ago appears to be manifesting: plant scientists seem to be retiring more quickly than they are being replaced. Survey respondents reported that attempts to hire full‐time staff are met with obstacles, including insufficient funding. Plant science professionals in both career sectors emphasized their routine use of botanical skills developed as students, highlighting the need for effective training at the undergraduate level.
We discuss the implications of these findings and present several recommendations for preparing future generations of plant scientists and increasing the scientific community's botanical capacity.
Disparities and therapeutic advances in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Palla John B. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) has seen a multitude of therapeutic advances targeting its downstream effects. This has led to a steady increase in survival over the past few decades. The recent development of disease‐modifying drugs targeting the underlying CFTR mutation has revolutionized treatment for CF. Despite these advances, individuals with CF who are racial and ethnic minorities, from low socioeconomic status, or female sex have worse clinical outcomes. The inequitable access to CFTR modulators from cost and/or genetic eligibility has the potential to further worsen the existing health disparities seen within the CF community.
Pathogenesis of nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae infections in chronic suppurative lung disease
Authors: Chatziparasidis Grigorios , Kantar Ahmad , Grimwood Keith 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe respiratory tract antimicrobial defense system is a multilayered defense mechanism that relies upon mucociliary clearance and components of both the innate and adaptive immune systems to protect the lungs from inhaled or aspirated microorganisms. One of these potential pathogens, nontypeable Haemophilus influenzae (NTHi), adopts several, multifaceted redundant strategies to successfully colonize the lower airways and establish a persistent infection. NTHi can impair mucociliary clearance, express multiple multifunctional adhesins for various cell types within the respiratory tract and evade host defenses by surviving within and between cells, forming biofilms, increasing antigenic drift, secreting proteases and antioxidants, and by host‐pathogen cross‐talk, impair macrophage and neutrophil function. NTHi is recognized as an important pathogen in several chronic lower respiratory disorders, such as protracted bacterial bronchitis, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and primary ciliary dyskinesia. The persistence of NTHi in human airways, including its capacity to form biofilms, results in chronic infection and inflammation, which can ultimately injure airway wall structures. The complex nature of the molecular pathogenetic mechanisms employed by NTHi is incompletely understood but improved understanding of its pathobiology will be important for developing effective therapies and vaccines, especially given the marked genetic heterogeneity of NTHi and its possession of phase‐variable genes. Currently, no vaccine candidates are ready for large phase III clinical trials.
Consequences of incorporating thiaproline and its oxidized derivatives into collagen triple helices
Authors: Hsu Tsai‐Ling , Horng Jia‐Cherng 
Published: May 2023

Abstract(2R)‐4‐thiaproline (Thp) is an analog of proline, replacing Cγ in the pyrrolidine ring with sulfur. Its thiazolidine ring easily interconverts between endo and exo puckers due to a small energy barrier, which leads to destabilize polyproline helices. Collagen, composed of three polyproline II helices, mainly consists of X–Y–Gly triplets, where X is often proline and Y is frequently (2S,4R)‐hydroxyproline. In this study, we incorporated Thp into either position‐X or position‐Y to investigate the consequences of such a replacement on the triple helix. Circular dichroism and differential scanning calorimetry analyses showed that the Thp‐containing collagen‐mimetic peptides (CMPs) can fold into stable triple helices, in which the substitution at position‐Y exhibits a larger destabilization effect. Additionally, we also prepared the derivative peptides by oxidizing Thp in the peptide to N‐formyl‐cysteine or S,S‐dioxide Thp. The results showed that the oxidized derivatives at position‐X only slightly affect collagen stability, but those at position‐Y induce a large destabilization effect. The consequences of incorporating Thp and its oxidized derivatives into CMPs are position dependent. Computational results suggested that the ease of interconversion between exo and endo puckers for Thp and the twist conformation of S,S‐dioxide Thp may cause the destabilization effect at position‐Y. We have revealed new insights into the impacts of Thp and its oxidized derivatives on collagen and demonstrated that Thp can be used to design collagen‐related biomaterials.
From North/Central America to the World? Assessing the potential of Pycnoderes quadrimaculatusGuerin‐Meneville (Heteroptera: Miridae) as a pest through Ecological Niche Models
Authors: Minghetti Eugenia , Dellapé Pablo M , Montemayor Sara I. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractBACKGROUNDPycnoderes quadrimaculatus is a pest that feeds on several plants, many of which are economically important. It is native to North/Central America and its distribution has expanded to several countries in South America.RESULTSEcological niche models show that P. quadrimaculatus has invaded regions with climates different from those of its native range, and that there are suitable climatic conditions for its establishment worldwide. Regions where P. quadrimaculatus is a major threat and possible natural pathways of ingression were identified. In the future, its distribution will be modified by climate change.CONCLUSIONSThis study provides useful information for risk assessment and pest management of P. quadrimaculatus. According to our results, the species has great potential as a pest because it can adapt to different climatic conditions and feeds on a wide range of economically important plants. Over time, its distribution has expanded, and our models suggest that it will continue to invade other regions unless preventive measures are taken. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.
Sclareol attenuates liver fibrosis through SENP1‐mediated VEGFR2 SUMOylation and inhibition of downstream STAT3 signaling
Authors: Ge Mao‐xu , Niu Wei‐xiao , Bao Yun‐yang , Lu Zhen‐ning , He Hong‐wei 
Published: May 2023

AbstractLiver fibrosis is a key global health care burden. Sclareol, isolated from Salvia sclarea, possesses various biological activities. Its effect on liver fibrosis remains unknown. This study was proposed to evaluate the antifibrotic activity of sclareol (SCL) and explore its underlying mechanisms. Stimulated hepatic stellate cells served as an in vitro liver fibrosis model. The expression of fibrotic markers was assessed by western blot and real‐time PCR. Two classical animal models, bile duct‐ligated rats and carbon tetrachloride‐treated mice, were utilized for the in vivo experiments. The liver function and fibrosis degree were determined by serum biochemical and histopathological analyses. VEGFR2 SUMOylation was analyzed using coimmunoprecipitation assay. Our results indicated that SCL treatment restricted the profibrotic propensity of activated HSCs. In fibrotic rodents, SCL administration alleviated hepatic injury and reduced collagen accumulation. Mechanistic studies indicated that SCL downregulated the protein level of SENP1 and enhanced VEGFR2 SUMOylation in LX‐2 cells, which affected its intracellular trafficking. Blockade of the interaction between VEGFR2 and STAT3 was observed, resulting in the suppression of downstream STAT3 phosphorylation. Our findings demonstrated that SCL has therapeutic efficacy against liver fibrosis through mediating VEGFR2 SUMOylation, suggesting that SCL may be a potential candidate compound for its treatment.
Review on challenges for robotic eye surgery; surgical systems, technologies, cost‐effectiveness, and controllers
Authors: Soltani Sharif Abadi Ali , Ordys Andrew , Kukielka Krzysztof , Pierscionek Barbara 
Published: May 2023

AbstractIn recent decades, a number of surgical systems have been developed and are applied for a growing variety of surgeries. This review will consider the significant challenges of robotic surgery for the eye. These challenges take into account the different eye diseases, available technologies, and costs in different surgical systems for the eye. The conditions of a suitable controller will be discussed with consideration of relevant control engineering concepts. Comparison is made between the different characteristics of surgical robots for the eye. In this review, some comparisons will be made in eye surgical robots, control algorithms, sensors in surgical robots, communication protocols, and actuators.
Simple approaches to modeling pH‐dependent and multicomponent sorption of ions by variable‐charge minerals
Authors: Padilla Joshua T. 
Published: May 2023

AbstractThe mobility of ions in reactive media is controlled by sorption reactions, which are affected by various chemical variables. Empirical models, such as the Freundlich isotherm, are widely used to describe the partitioning of ions between solution and sorbed phases; however, their parameters are only valid for a narrow range of experimental conditions. Presented here are several Freundlich‐type isotherms capable of describing pH‐dependent sorption of cations and anions, as well as two novel isotherms for describing pH‐dependent and multicomponent sorption. Previously published data representing single and multicomponent ion sorption across a wide range of experimental conditions were extracted and used to evaluate the proposed sorption isotherms. The isotherms successfully described single‐component ion sorption as a function of pH, ionic strength, and solution–solid ratio, as well as competitive sorption between ions of the same charge or synergistic sorption between a cation and an anion. Importantly, the data were well described using far fewer parameters than corresponding surface complexation models (SCMs). As such, these isotherms offer a convenient alternative to SCMs for describing sorption across a wide range of chemical conditions. This may be especially beneficial for modeling ion behavior in heterogeneous matrices such as soils or in cases where knowledge of molecular‐scale sorption mechanisms is either unavailable or unnecessary.
Soil aggregate stability quantified by different methods is unaffected by rice straw biochar in the long term
Authors: Obour Peter Bilson , Oppong Danso Eric , Dorvlo Selorm Y. , Arthur Emmanuel 
Published: May 2023

AbstractHighly weathered tropical soils are susceptible to disaggregation due to disruptive forces like water and mechanical disturbances. However, a few studies have investigated how biochar and cropping systems together affect the aggregate stability of tropical soils. This study investigated the long‐term (∼7 years) effect of rice straw biochar on the aggregate stability of a tropical Acrisol using the dry aggregate stability (DAS) method and SLAKES (a wet aggregate stability technique), and assessed the extent of agreement or otherwise of the aggregate stability quantified by the two methods for different treatments. Maize (Zea mays L.) and okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) were rotated on plots amended with rice straw biochar at rates of 0, 15, and 30 Mg ha−1. Seven years after biochar amendment, bulk soil samples were collected at 0–15 cm depth for laboratory analyses. Aggregate stability was assessed by determining erodible fraction (EF) and DAS, and by quantifying the SLAKES parameters (slaking index [SI] and slaking index at 600 seconds [SI‐600]). Neither biochar nor crop type or their interaction significantly changed the soil aggregate stability assessed by the two methods (p > 0.05). The EF and DAS weakly correlated with SI and SI‐600, which could be attributed to the differences in the mechanisms underlying soil aggregate breakdown assessed by the two methods. The study highlighted that observed challenges of the SLAKES method namely, inability in some cases to detect soil aggregates and the disaggregation process could offset its advantages as a tool for rapid detection of soil structural problem areas within agricultural fields.