bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real‐Time Ray Tracing of Micro‐Poly Geometry with Hierarchical Level of Detail
Authors: Benthin Carsten , Peters Christoph 
Published: August 2023

AbstractIn recent work, Nanite has demonstrated how to rasterize virtualized micro‐poly geometry in real time, thus enabling immense geometric complexity. We present a system that employs similar methods for real‐time ray tracing of micro‐poly geometry. The geometry is preprocessed in almost the same fashion: Nearby triangles are clustered together and clusters get merged and simplified to obtain hierarchical level of detail (LOD). Then these clusters are compressed and stored in a GPU‐friendly data structure. At run time, Nanite selects relevant clusters, decompresses them and immediately rasterizes them. Instead of rasterization, we decompress each selected cluster into a small bounding volume hierarchy (BVH) in the format expected by the ray tracing hardware. Then we build a complete BVH on top of the bounding volumes of these clusters and use it for ray tracing. Our BVH build reaches more than 74% of the attainable peak memory bandwidth and thus it can be done per frame. Since LOD selection happens per frame at the granularity of clusters, all triangles cover a small area in screen space.
Piperine improves levodopa availability in the 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rat model of Parkinson's disease by suppressing gut bacterial tyrosine decarboxylase
Authors: Hu Xiaolu , Yu Lan , Li Yatong , Li Xiaoxi , Zhao Yimeng , Xiong Lijuan , Ai Jiaxuan , Chen Qijun , Wang Xing , Chen Xiaoqing , Ba Yinying , Wang Yaonan , Wu Xia 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimTyrosine decarboxylase (TDC) presented in the gut‐associated strain Enterococcus faecalis can convert levodopa (L‐dopa) into dopamine (DA), and its increased abundance would potentially minimize the availability and efficacy of L‐dopa. However, the known human decarboxylase inhibitors are ineffective in this bacteria‐mediated conversion. This study aims to investigate the inhibition of piperine (PIP) on L‐dopa bacterial metabolism and evaluates the synergistic effect of PIP combined with L‐dopa on Parkinson's disease (PD).MethodsMetagenomics sequencing was adopted to determine the regulation of PIP on rat intestinal microbiota structure, especially on the relative abundance of E. faecalis. Then, the inhibitory effects of PIP on L‐dopa conversion and TDC expression of E. faecalis were tested in vitro. We examined the synergetic effect of the combination of L‐dopa and PIP on 6‐hydroxydopamine (6‐OHDA)‐lesioned rats and tested the regulations of L‐dopa bioavailability and brain DA level by pharmacokinetics study and MALDI‐MS imaging. Finally, we evaluated the microbiota‐dependent improvement effect of PIP on L‐dopa availability using pseudo‐germ‐free and E. faecalis‐transplanted rats.ResultsWe found that PIP combined with L‐dopa could better ameliorate the move disorders of 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats by remarkably improving L‐dopa availability and brain DA level than L‐dopa alone, which was associated with the effect of PIP on suppressing the bacterial decarboxylation of L‐dopa via effectively downregulating the abnormal high abundances of E. faecalis and TDC in 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats.ConclusionOral administration of L‐dopa combined with PIP can improve L‐dopa availability and brain DA level in 6‐OHDA‐lesioned rats by suppressing intestinal bacterial TDC.
The informativeness of earnings announcements during times of global uncertainty: Evidence from the Covid‐19 pandemic
Authors: Fabrizi Michele , Ipino Elisabetta , Longhin Federico , Parbonetti Antonio 
Published: August 2023

AbstractResearch Question/IssueThis study shows how investors assessed the informativeness of earnings announcements during the Covid‐19 pandemic. Prior studies suggest that earnings announcements are more likely to provide value to investors during periods of heightened uncertainty. However, the massive regulatory intervention that took place during the pandemic is likely to have led investors to seek alternative sources of information and to have reduced their reliance on earnings to price stocks. Moreover, the uncertainty brought by Covid‐19 directly challenged firms' value drivers and business models, potentially inhibiting the ability to map earnings onto stock prices.Research Findings/InsightsThe empirical findings show that earnings announcements lost part of their information content during the Covid‐19 crisis. Cross‐sectional tests document that geographic dispersion of operations and the degree of institutional ownership significantly affected the relationship under study. We also find that the loss of earnings announcements' informativeness was driven by exposure to the pandemic.Theoretical/Academic ImplicationsThe recent accounting literature investigates the role of accounting information in supporting public policy during systemic crises. Our results highlight the firm‐specific attributes that affect investors' perceptions of the informativeness of earnings announcements by showing how geographic dispersion and ownership structure affect it in periods of uncertainty.Practitioner/Policy ImplicationsIn a context in which earnings announcements' informativeness decreases, regulators and standard‐setters should consider taking corrective action to restore its informativeness, such as by strengthening disclosure requirements. The documented decrease in the informativeness of earnings announcements could be partially offset by heightening disclosure requirements to complement financial statements.
The taxman cometh: Pathways out of a low‐capacity trap in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
Authors: Weigel Jonathan L. , Kabue Ngindu Elie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractHow might fragile states escape a low‐capacity trap in which citizens pay little tax and the government has insufficient revenue to increase enforcement or provide public goods? We argue that governments can escape such traps by regularizing tax collection. When citizens observe taxes being collected in a systematic, non‐arbitrary manner, they are likely to update positively about the procedural performance of the government, increasing their intrinsic motivation to comply. We test this idea in the first door‐to‐door property tax collection campaign in Kananga, Democratic Republic of the Congo, which raised compliance from near zero to 10.3%. Linking pre‐campaign surveys with administrative tax data, we document a strong relationship between citizens' prior perceptions of government performance and property tax payment. Then, exploiting the campaign's random roll‐out, we find that systematic tax collection caused citizens to update positively about the government's procedural performance. Together, these results are consistent with a virtuous cycle of perceived government performance and fiscal capacity.
Effect of logged forests on diet of small characids from Neotropical streams
Authors: Simeone Diego 
Published: August 2023

AbstractStudies relating to fish trophic ecology provide important insights regarding their life history. However, there is a lack of information linking fish diet composition with riparian cover in small streams. To investigate whether diet composition varied between streams with pristine and logged forests, I compared the food items consumed by four characid species: Bryconops melanurus, Moenkhausia collettii, Moenkhausia dichroura, and Moenkhausia oligolepis. I sampled 18 first‐order streams in the eastern Amazon: six with pristine forest, six with conventional logging, and six with selective logging. All fish species were classified as omnivorous, with diverse food categories recorded in their diets: mainly terrestrial insects for Moenkhausia species and aquatic insect nymphs for B. melanurus. However, the relative importance of each category varied only in streams with conventional logged forests. In these streams, all fish species consumed mainly autochthonous items, especially aquatic insect nymphs. In addition, terrestrial insects and seeds were absent in these streams with reduced riparian cover. In summary, this study highlighted that fish diet in conventional logged forests strongly differed from areas with pristine and selective logged forests. This finding states that managed forests may support a diverse diet for fish community, similar to that found in pristine forests. Therefore, management and conservation strategies of riparian vegetation in Amazonian streams are important to maintain habitat and food quality, which may be associated with a diverse diet for fish species.
Pupal warning color development in above‐ground pupating species but cryptic color in ground‐surface pupating species of the nine‐spotted diurnal moths (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Syntomini)
Authors: Tsubuki Makoto , Yazaki Hidemori , Hayashi Fumio 
Published: August 2023

AbstractInsects usually have cryptic colors to avoid detection by visually hunting predators. However, if the insects acquire toxic or repellent substances against predators, some of them develop conspicuous coloration to exhibit their unpalatability. Such warning colors allow insects to survive. In the nine‐spotted diurnal moths (Erebidae: Arctiinae: Syntomini), we found the above‐ground pupating species to have conspicuous colored pupae, but the ground‐surface pupating species to have cryptic colored pupae. In this study, the relationships between unpalatability and coloration of these pupae are examined among three species of Amata and one species of Syntomoides. Pupae of the two species (A. germana and A. flava) are conspicuous in their color pattern with seven black dotted lines longitudinally on their pale‐yellow bodies. These pupae are exposed to the aerial predators in a coarse silk mesh hanging from leaves and/or branches. The other two species (A. fortunei and S. imaon) pupate in spaces under stones, fallen twigs and leaves on the ground surface, and the pupae in a coarse silk cocoon is cryptic dark brown. Their pupation site selections are reproduced in the rearing glass vessels. Palatability assessment using lizards as a potential predator suggests that pupae of A. germana, A. flava and A. fortunei are unpalatable and the lizard's feeding response decreases with experience. However, pupae of S. imaon are all eaten (palatable). Finally, the possible evolutionary scenario of pupal colors of these four species is discussed in relation to pupation site selection and palatability.
Psychophysical assessment of pain in adults with moderate and severe haemophilia: A cross‐sectional study
Authors: Foubert Anthe , Chantrain Valérie‐Anne , Meeus Mira , Maes Philip , Haenen Vincent , Lobet Sébastien , Lambert Catherine , Hermans Cédric , Roussel Nathalie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundJoint pain is the hallmark of haemophilia; therefore it seems clinically rather a musculoskeletal than a bleeding disorder. Although joint pain in people with haemophilia (PwH) is a complex and multidimensional problem, pain assessment remains primarily focused on the structural evaluation of their joints. Whereas, only few data are available on the potential implication of psychophysical and psychological factors.ObjectiveThis study aimed to perform a psychophysical pain assessment including quantitative sensory testing (QST) and an evaluation of psychological factors in a large sample of PwH, to get insight into the individuals’ pain system.MethodsNinety‐nine adults (36.9 ± 13.5 years) with moderate/severe haemophilia A/B and 46 healthy controls filled in self‐reported pain and psychological questionnaires and underwent a QST evaluation including static and dynamic tests. Static tests focused on the determination of thermal detection and pain thresholds and mechanical pressure pain thresholds. Dynamic tests evaluated pain facilitation and the efficacy of endogenous pain inhibition. Besides comparing PwH and healthy controls, between‐subgroup differences were studied in PwH based on their pain distribution.ResultsThe study revealed increased thermal and mechanical pain sensitivity and the presence of unhelpful psychological factors such as anxiety/depression in PwH. Among the subgroups, especially PwH with widespread pain showed altered somatosensory functioning. Enhanced pain facilitation and impaired efficacy of endogenous pain inhibition in PwH could not be observed.ConclusionAltered somatosensory functioning and unhelpful psychological factors, appear to play an important role in the pathophysiology of pain in PwH, especially in PwH with widespread pain.
Criteria for the selection, evaluation and application of traditional knowledge in contemporary health practice, education, research and policy: A systematic review
Authors: Foley Hope , Bugarcic Andrea , Adams Jon , Wardle Jon , Leach Matthew , Steel Amie 
Published: August 2023

AbstractBackgroundTraditional and complementary medicine (T&CM) is highly utilised and draws on traditional knowledge (TK) as evidence, raising a need to explore how TK is currently used.ObjectivesExamine criteria used to select, evaluate and apply TK in contemporary health contexts.MethodsSystematic search utilising academic databases (AMED,CINAHL,MEDLINE,EMBASE,SSCI,ProQuest Dissertations Theses Global),Trip clinical databaseandGoogle search engine. Citations and reference lists of included articles were searched. Reported use of TK in contemporary settings was mapped against a modified ‘Exploration‐Preparation‐Implementation‐Sustainment’ (EPIS) implementation framework.ResultsFrom the 54 included articles, EPIS mapping found TK is primarily used in the Exploration phase of implementation (n = 54), with little reporting on Preparation (n = 16), Implementation process (n = 6) or Sustainment (n = 4) of TK implementation. Criteria used in selection, evaluation and application of TK commonly involved validation with other scientific/traditional evidence sources, or assessment of factors influencing knowledge translation.DiscussionOne of the difficulties in validation of TK (as a co‐opted treatment) against other evidence sources is comparing like with like as TK often takes a holistic approach. This complicates further planning and evaluation of implementation.ConclusionThis review identifies important criteria for evaluating current and potential contemporary use of TK, identifying gaps in research and practice for finding, appraising and applying relevant TK studies for clinical care.
Inhibition of PI3K p110δ activity reduces IgE production in IL‐4 and anti‐CD40 stimulated human B cell cultures
Authors: Cutrina‐Pons Anna , De Sa Aloka , Fear David J. , Gould Hannah J. , Ramadani Faruk 
Published: August 2023

AbstractPhosphoinositide 3‐kinase (PI3K) p110δ signalling negatively regulates the production of mouse IgE. However, there are disparities between the mouse and human IgE biology, and the role of PI3K p110δ in the production of human IgE is yet to be determined. To investigate the effect of PI3K p110δ inhibition in the production of human IgE we isolated human B cells from tonsil tissue and stimulated them with IL‐4 and anti‐CD40 antibody to induce class switching to IgE and IgG1 in the presence or absence of IC87114, a small molecule inhibitor of PI3K p110δ. Using FACS, RT‐PCR and ELISA we examined the effect of PI3K p110δ inhibition on IgE production and determined the mechanisms involved. Unlike in mice, we observed that PI3K p110δ inhibition significantly reduces the number of IgE+ switched cells and the amounts of secreted IgE in IL4 and anti‐CD40 cultures. However, the number of IgG1+ cells and secreted IgG1 were largely unaffected by PI3K p110δ inhibition. The expression levels of AID, ε and γ1 germinal transcripts or other factors involved in the regulation of CSR to IgE and IgG1 were also unaffected by IC87114. However, we found that IC87114 significantly decreases the proliferation of tonsil B cells stimulated with IL‐4 and anti‐CD40, specifically reducing the frequency of cells that had undergone 4 divisions or more. In addition, PI3K p110δ inhibition reduced the levels of IRF4 expression in IgE+ germinal centre‐like B cells leading to a block in plasma cell differentiation. In conclusion, PI3K p110δ signalling is required for the production of human IgE, which makes it a pharmacological target for the treatment of allergic disease.
High phytoplankton diversity in eutrophic states impedes lake recovery
Authors: Wang Rong , Doncaster C. Patrick , Zheng Wenxiu , Xu Min , Yang Hui , Li Yun , Cai Yongjiu , Zhao Yanjie , Zhang Enlou , Yang Xiangdong , Qin Boqiang 
Published: August 2023

AbstractAimThe widely observed positive response of productivity to biodiversity, known as the biodiversity‐productivity relationship (BPR), underpins nature‐based solutions for mitigating and adapting to global changes. Little is known of the role of such emergent processes in the restoration of damaged ecosystems. Here, we test for evidence of a BPR in degraded freshwater lakes, and its role in underpinning or undermining lake recovery from eutrophic states.LocationLower Yangtze and Huaihe river basins, China, East Asia.TaxaFreshwater phytoplankton; also macrophytes, fish, zooplankton and zoobenthos.MethodsA systematic review of biodiversity studies was conducted to enumerate freshwater biodiversity change during eutrophication, encompassing 572 samples from 155 lakes in East China. Empirical samples were then taken of 93 phytoplankton communities from 38 lakes in ecologically degraded states of eutrophication. Samples were analysed for niche overlap in relation to biodiversity and productivity, and metrics of network structure indicative of community stability.ResultsReviewed publications on eutrophication in East China lakes revealed losses in biodiversity of macrophytes, fishes, zooplankton and zoobenthos but not phytoplankton. Empirically sampled eutrophic lakes maintained high phytoplankton biodiversity through niche differentiation, and phytoplankton biodiversity correlated positively with biomass, in line with the expectations of BPR.ConclusionsThe positive effect of biodiversity on phytoplankton productivity in eutrophic lakes acts in opposition to the negative impacts on productivity induced by eutrophication‐management strategies of nutrient suppression. In degraded systems, the BPR contributes to sustaining productivity of lake phytoplankton communities, impeding recovery from a eutrophic state. This is a case of the BPR playing an undesirable role at the ecosystem level. Lake recovery programmes need to anticipate that the control of phytoplankton biomass will depend on reducing nutrients to a level sufficient to degrade the internal structure of the phytoplankton community.
Nonprocedural bleeding after left atrial appendage closure versus direct oral anticoagulants: A subanalysis of the randomized PRAGUE‐17 trial
Authors: Branny Marian , Osmancik Pavel , Kala Petr , Poloczek Martin , Herman Dalibor , Neuzil Petr , Hala Pavel , Taborsky Milos , Stasek Josef , Haman Ludek , Chovancik Jan , Cervinka Pavel , Holy Jiri , Kovarnik Tomas , Zemanek David , Havranek Stepan , Vancura Vlastimil , Peichl Petr , Tousek Petr , Hozman Marek , Lekesova Veronika , Jarkovsky Jiri , Novackova Martina , Benesova Klara , Widimsky Petr , Reddy Vivek Y. ,   the PRAGUE‐17 Trial Investigators
Published: August 2023

AbstractIntroductionObservational studies have shown low bleeding rates in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) treated by left atrial appendage closure (LAAC); however, data from randomized studies are lacking. This study compared bleeding events among patients with AF treated by LAAC and nonvitamin K anticoagulants (NOAC).MethodsThe Prague‐17 trial was a prospective, multicenter, randomized trial that compared LAAC to NOAC in high‐risk AF patients. The primary endpoint was a composite of a cardioembolic event, cardiovascular death, and major and clinically relevant nonmajor bleeding (CRNMB) defined according to the International Society on Thrombosis and Hemostasis (ISTH).ResultsThe trial enrolled 402 patients (201 per arm), and the median follow‐up was 3.5 (IQR 2.6–4.2) years. Bleeding occurred in 24 patients (29 events) and 32 patients (40 events) in the LAAC and NOAC groups, respectively. Six of the LAAC bleeding events were procedure/device‐related. In the primary intention‐to‐treat analysis, LAAC was associated with similar rates of ISTH major or CRNMB (sHR 0.75, 95% CI 0.44–1.27, p = 0.28), but with a reduction in nonprocedural major or CRNMB (sHR 0.55, 95% CI 0.31–0.97, p = 0.039). This reduction for nonprocedural bleeding with LAAC was mainly driven by a reduced rate of CRNMB (sHR for major bleeding 0.69, 95% CI 0.34–1.39, p = .30; sHR for CRNMB 0.43, 95% CI 0.18–1.03, p = 0.059). History of bleeding was a predictor of bleeding during follow‐up. Gastrointestinal bleeding was the most common bleeding site in both groups.ConclusionDuring the 4‐year follow‐up, LAAC was associated with less nonprocedural bleeding. The reduction is mainly driven by a decrease in CRNMB.
Diabetic ketoacidosis due to a sensor defect of FreeStyle Libre: A case report
Authors: Kogai Toshiki , Sato Junko , Hirakata Marin , Iwamoto Tatsuya , Nakajima Kenichi , Goto Hiromasa , Nishida Yuya , Watada Hirotaka 
Published: August 2023

ABSTRACTThe FreeStyle Libre Flash Glucose Monitoring System allows users to obtain sensor glucose values by scanning with the reader or their mobile phone. We report a case of a 59‐year‐old man with type 1 diabetes mellitus who developed diabetic ketoacidosis due to a sensor defect. After replacing the sensor with a new one, the glucose value shown in the device was much lower than usual, which made him consider that he was hypoglycemic. Accordingly, he reduced his insulin dose and eventually developed diabetic ketoacidosis. He was unaware of the discrepancy due to the lack of self‐monitoring of his blood glucose, although he was educated to do. In sum, glucose monitoring with the FreeStyle Libre is helpful; however, it is necessary to remind the patient that a sensor defect leading to a severe complication frequently happens.