bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF OCT AND OCT ANGIOGRAPHY CHARACTERISTICS IN EARLY DIABETIC RETINOPATHY
Authors: Le David , Dadzie Albert , Son Taeyoon , Lim Jennifer I. , Yao Xincheng 
Published: February 2023

Purpose:
To assess the quantitative characteristics of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and OCT angiography (OCTA) for the objective detection of early diabetic retinopathy (DR).

Methods:
This was a retrospective and cross-sectional study, which was carried out at a tertiary academic practice with a subspecialty. Twenty control participants, 15 people with diabetics without retinopathy (NoDR), and 22 people with mild nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) were included in this study. Quantitative OCT characteristics were derived from the photoreceptor hyperreflective bands, i.e., inner segment ellipsoid (ISe) and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). OCTA characteristics, including vessel diameter index (VDI), vessel perimeter index (VPI), and vessel skeleton density (VSD), were evaluated.

Results:
Quantitative OCT analysis indicated that the ISe intensity was significantly trending downward with DR advancement. Comparative OCTA revealed VDI, VPI, and VSD as the most sensitive characteristics of DR. Correlation analysis of OCT and OCTA characteristics revealed weak variable correlation between the two imaging modalities.

Conclusion:
Quantitative OCT and OCTA analyses revealed photoreceptor and vascular distortions in early DR. Comparative analysis revealed that the OCT intensity ratio, ISe/RPE, has the best sensitivity for early DR detection. Weak variable correlation of the OCT and OCTA characteristics suggests that OCT and OCTA are providing supplementary information for DR detection and classification.
Emerging approaches in neurostimulation for epilepsy
Authors: Lundstrom Brian Nils , Osman Gamaleldin M. , Starnes Keith , Gregg Nicholas M. , Simpson Hugh D. 
Published: February 2023

Purpose of review
Neurostimulation is a quickly growing treatment approach for epilepsy patients. We summarize recent approaches to provide a perspective on the future of neurostimulation.

Recent findings
Invasive stimulation for treatment of focal epilepsy includes vagus nerve stimulation, responsive neurostimulation of the cortex and deep brain stimulation of the anterior nucleus of the thalamus. A wide range of other targets have been considered, including centromedian, central lateral and pulvinar thalamic nuclei; medial septum, nucleus accumbens, subthalamic nucleus, cerebellum, fornicodorsocommissure and piriform cortex. Stimulation for generalized onset seizures and mixed epilepsies as well as increased efforts focusing on paediatric populations have emerged. Hardware with more permanently implanted lead options and sensing capabilities is emerging. A wider variety of programming approaches than typically used may improve patient outcomes. Finally, noninvasive brain stimulation with its favourable risk profile offers the potential to treat increasingly diverse epilepsy patients.

Summary
Neurostimulation for the treatment of epilepsy is surprisingly varied. Flexibility and reversibility of neurostimulation allows for rapid innovation. There remains a continued need for excitability biomarkers to guide treatment and innovation. Neurostimulation, a part of bioelectronic medicine, offers distinctive benefits as well as unique challenges.
The PAAR5 Protein of a Polarly-Localized Type VI Secretion System (T6SS-5) is Required for the Formation of Multinucleated Cells (MNCs) and Virulence byBurkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: French Christopher T. , Bulterys Philip , Ceja-Navarro Javier , Deshazer David , Ng Kenneth 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTTheBurkholderia pseudomalleicomplex (Bpc) includesB. pseudomallei, B. malleiandB. thailandensis. These species share conserved virulence determinants that facilitate survival in mammalian cells and can spread from cell to cell by a unique mechanism involving fusion of plasma membranes. The activity of a contractile type VI secretion system, T6SS-5, is a central requirement. Using fluorescence confocal microscopy, we found localization and dynamic turnover of fluorescently-labeled T6SS-5 components at the forward pole ofBurkholderiaresiding at the ends of actin protrusions. We identified the proline-alanine-alanine-arginine repeat protein of T6SS-5 (PAAR5), which forms the heteromeric tip of the T6SS-5 apparatus along with VgrG5. Mutational analysis revealed a unique N-terminal extension (NTE) of PAAR5 that is indispensable for cell fusion. Deletion ofpaar5allowed us to uncouple fusogenic activity from the functionality of T6SS-5 for exploring the role of cell fusion in pathogenesis.B. pseudomalleiΔpaar5deletion mutants retained a functional T6SS-5 apparatus and the ability to secrete the Hcp5 protein. In cellular and animal infection models, Δpaar5mutants mirrored the phenotype of a T6SS-5-defective ΔvgrG5strain, being defective for cell fusion and avirulent in hamsters. These results demonstrate concordance between the fusogenic andin vivovirulence phenotypes, suggesting that T6SS-5-mediated cell fusion may be a central feature ofB. pseudomalleipathogenesis and not anin vitroartifact.
Extracellular Matrix Regulates Neuronal Chloride Concentration via K+-Cl−-Cotransporter 2
Authors: Yelhekar Tushar Devanand , Kuznetsova Tatiana , Malinina Evgenya , Ponimaskin Evgeni , Dityatev Alexander , Druzin Michael , Johansson Staffan 
Published: February 2023

AbstractThe neuronal intracellular chloride concentration [Cl−]iis critical for γ‐aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor‐mediated transmission. Degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is associated with raised [Cl−]Ibut neither the mechanisms underlying this effect nor the consequences for GABA‐ mediated transmission are well understood. Hitherto it has been unclear how to reconcile the effect of the ECM on [Cl−]iwith the established role of cation‐chloride cotransporters in setting [Cl−]I. In the present work we clarify the role of the ECM in the control of neuronal [Cl−]i. By measuring [Cl−]iin central neurons from male rats we show that the ECM affects basal [Cl−]ias well as the rate of Cl−extrusion after a high load. The mechanism is not via impermeant anions but through regulation of K+‐Cl−‐cotransporter 2 (KCC2). ECM degradation is accompanied by an N‐type Ca2+‐channel‐ and calpain‐dependent reduction in the amount of KCC2 protein, increased basal [Cl−]i, reduced Cl−extrusion capacity as well as by reduced inhibitory, or even an excitatory, effect of intense GABAA‐ receptor mediated trans mission. This implies a previously unrecognized pathway for the control of neuronal [Cl−]iand excitability by the ECM.Graphical abstract
Conservation and Expansion of Transcriptional Factor Repertoire in theFusarium oxysporumSpecies Complex
Authors: Yu Houlin , Yang He , Haridas Sajeet , Hayes Richard D. , Lynch Hunter , Andersen Sawyer , Li Gengtan , Martínez-Soto Domingo , Milo-Cochavi Shira , Hazal Ayhan Dilay , Zhang Yong , Grigoriev Igor V. , Ma Li-Jun 
Published: February 2023

ABSTRACTTheFusarium oxysporumspecies complex (FOSC) includes both plant and human pathogens that cause devastating plant vascular wilt diseases and threaten public health. EachF. oxysporumgenome comprises core chromosomes (CCs) for housekeeping functions and accessory chromosomes (ACs) that contribute to host-specific adaptation. This study inspected global transcription factor profiles (TFomes) and their potential roles in coordinating CCs and ACs functions to accomplish host-specific pathogenicity. Remarkably, we found a clear positive correlation between the sizes of TFome and proteome of an organism, and FOSC TFomes are larger due to the acquisition of ACs. Among a total of 48 classified TF families, 14 families involved in transcription/translation regulations and cell cycle controls are highly conserved. Among 30 FOSC expanded families, Zn2-C6 and Znf_C2H2 are most significantly expanded to 671 and 167 genes per family, including well-characterized homologs of Ftf1 (Zn2-C6) and PacC (Znf_C2H2) involved in host-specific interactions. Manual curation of characterized TFs increased the TFome repertoires by 3%, including a disordered protein Ren1. Expression profiles revealed a steady expression of conserved TF families and specific activation of AC TFs. Functional characterization of these TFs could enhance our understanding of transcriptional regulation involved in FOSC cross-kingdom interactions, disentangle species-specific adaptation, and identify targets to combat diverse diseases caused by this group of fungal pathogens.
Disrupted sleep in dystonia depends on cerebellar function but not motor symptoms in mice
Authors: Leon Luis E. Salazar , Sillitoe Roy V. 
Published: February 2023

AbstractAlthough dystonia is the third most common movement disorder, patients often also experience debilitating nonmotor defects including impaired sleep. The cerebellum is a central component of a “dystonia network” that plays various roles in sleep regulation. Importantly, the primary driver of sleep impairments in dystonia remains poorly understood. The cerebellum, along with other nodes in the motor circuit, could disrupt sleep. However, it is unclear how the cerebellum might alter sleep and mobility. To disentangle the impact of cerebellar dysfunction on motion and sleep, we generated two mouse genetic models of dystonia that have overlapping cerebellar circuit miswiring but show differing motor phenotype severity:Ptf1aCre;Vglut2fx/fxandPdx1Cre;Vglut2fx/fxmice. In both models, excitatory climbing fiber to Purkinje cell neurotransmission is blocked, but only thePtf1aCre;Vglut2fx/fxmice have severe twisting. Usingin vivoECoG and EMG recordings we found that both mutants spend greater time awake and in NREM sleep at the expense of REM sleep. The increase in awake time is driven by longer awake bouts rather than an increase in bout number. We also found a longer latency to reach REM in both mutants, which is similar to what is reported in human dystonia. We uncovered independent but parallel roles for cerebellar circuit dysfunction and motor defects in promoting sleep quality versus posture impairments in dystonia.
Exploring satisfaction with social networking sites through the lens of fan page visiting: uncertainty reduction and general systems theory perspective
Authors: Shin Soo Il , Hall Dianne , Lee Kyung Young , Han Sumin 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThe purpose of the current study is to examine a social network site (SNS) users' overall satisfaction with SNS use in conjunction with their fan page visiting activities. We examined overall satisfaction with SNS usage from the lens of people's perceptions acquired from the use of sub-components of SNS.Design/methodology/approachThe current study employed uncertainty reduction theory (URT) and general systems theory (GST) to examine antecedents affecting overall satisfaction with SNS use. Five constructs were adopted: interactive and passive uncertainty reduction strategies, perceived usefulness and continuance visiting behavior, satisfaction, and perceived functional benefits. Using a web-based survey, we analyzed 200 SNS users who follow at least one company's fan page, utilizing seemingly unrelated regression models to test hypotheses empirically.FindingsResearch findings reveal that uncertainty reduction strategies supported by URT are significantly associated with the perceived usefulness of a company's fan page. In turn, we found that perceived usefulness becomes a strong motivator to continuance visits to the fan page. The frequency of return visiting behaviors eventually accounts for overall satisfaction with SNS. Perceived functional benefits moderates the relationship between perceived usefulness and visiting behaviors significantly.Originality/valueThe current study contributes to information systems (IS), electronic communication, and their adjacent academic disciplines in providing evidence, including (1) the impact of uncertainty reduction strategies on continuance visiting behaviors in the SNS context, (2) SNS functionalities influencing the relationship between people's belief and behavior, and (3) theoretical significant perceptional link between a sub-component and a whole.
Groups of politically connected firms, political uncertainty and earnings credibility in Pakistan
Authors: Ahmad Fawad , Bradbury Michael Eric , Habib Ahsan 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThis paper examines the influence of different types of political connections and political uncertainty on earnings credibility in Pakistan. Based on discernible differences, connected firms are grouped into civil connected and military connected firms.Design/methodology/approachThe authors provide evidence concerning the earnings credibility incentives of groups of political connected firms and report that their incentives are significantly different. The findings remain robust to alternate methods of earnings credibility.FindingsThe findings evidence that civil (military) connected firms report less (more) credible earnings than the control group. High political uncertainty reduces the credibility of earnings. Results for the interaction of political connections and political uncertainty variables are not significant.Research limitations/implicationsThe paper investigates just one aspect of Pakistan's political economy, i.e. credibility of earnings; thus, it requires to be cautious on part of readers and policymakers. To reach a clearer conclusion, earnings credibility should be ex amined in the larger context, i.e. in conjunction with rent extractions, etc. A possible extension of the paper can be to investigate the channels of rent extractions used by the two types of connected firms.Practical implicationsThe paper has contribution for policymakers as well as users of general purpose financial reports. The findings indicate that the users of general purpose financial reports should be more careful in the use of financial information during political uncertain periods and also of politically connected firms. Furthermore, policymakers should keep the larger context at the forefront while attempting to strengthen the enforcemnet regime.Originality/valueThis paper adds to extant political connections literature by identifying two types of politically connected firms and report that both groups have divergent financial reporting incentives. Furthermore, political uncertainty reduces the credibility of earnings.
Online knowledge sharing in blockchains: towards increasing participation
Authors: Xie Renqiang , Zhang Wende 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThis paper aims to propose a system dynamics model of blockchain online community knowledge sharing, with the following goals: to reveal the internal mechanism of blockchain technology on community knowledge sharing; to show the impact of blockchain technology on knowledge sharing; and to promote knowledge sharing and the self-development of blockchain online communities.Design/methodology/approachBased on the core characteristic factors of blockchain technology, including incentive mechanism, trust mechanism, information protection mechanism, etc., a knowledge sharing analysis framework is established. Through the use of the Vensim PLE (Personal Learning Version) software, according to the steps of “putting forward a dynamic hypothesis”, “establishing a system dynamic equations”, and then “model testing” and “simulation”, the article analyzes in depth the process and extent of the impact of the above features on online community knowledge sharing.FindingsThe results show that the blockchain incentive mechanism, trust mechanism and information protection mechanism all contribute to promoting an increase in the number of community knowledge sharing users, as well as in the total amount of knowledge shared. The results also show that the token reward in the incentive mechanism has in fact a higher degree of influence than the trust and information protection mechanisms.Originality/valueAt present, no research on the internal mechanism of knowledge sharing in blockchain online communities has been carried out. This article plays a complementary role in research in this field, and offers significant guidance for promoting online community knowledge management and online community development.
Does corporate governance improve integrated reporting quality? A meta-analytical investigation
Authors: Dragomir Voicu D. , Dumitru Mădălina 
Published: February 2023

Purpose
The relationships between integrated reporting quality (IRQ) and corporate governance characteristics have been studied extensively, but the results are still inconclusive and, sometimes, contradictory. The purpose of this paper is to systematize the results of previously published studies on the relationship between corporate governance and IRQ.

Design/methodology/approach
This paper uses several complementary theoretical perspectives (agency, stakeholder and signaling theory). The relevant aspects of the corporate governance system are the attributes and composition of the board, the existence of a social responsibility committee, the quality of the audit committee, integrated report assurance and ownership structures. The sample consisted of 61 papers published in top journals between 2015 and 2021. Meta-analytic procedures were applied on bivariate and partial correlations between IRQ and the identified corporate governance characteristics.

Findings
The results confirm that director independence, the existence of a social responsibility committee, institutional ownership and the hiring of a Big 4 auditor are significantly correlated with IRQ. On the other hand, board gender diversity, audit committee independence and dedicated assurance have a positive but nonsignificant impact on IRQ. Chairperson-chief executive officer duality does not seem to impact report quality, while ownership concentration has a negative but nonsignificant impact on IRQ.

Research limitations/implications
Future research can improve the measurement of focal indicators by using a common set of variables for comparability, favoring disaggregate measures of corporate governance and updating the measurement of some indicators. Future research could also propose new indicators in the area of corporate governance and expand the theoretical domain of IRQ research.

Originality/value
The findings emphasize the need to explicitly consider the role of corporate governance structures and arrangements in improving IRQ. Through meta-analysis, the paper aims to provide a comprehensive and generalizable set of findings, suggesting that corporate governance indicators cannot be overlooked as predictors of integrated reporting.
Uncovering the structures of privacy research using bibliometric network analysis and topic modelling
Authors: van Dijk Friso , Gadellaa Joost , van Toledo Chaïm , Spruit Marco , Brinkkemper Sjaak , Brinkhuis Matthieu 
Published: February 2023

PurposeThis paper aims that privacy research is divided in distinct communities and rarely considered as a singular field, harming its disciplinary identity. The authors collected 119.810 publications and over 3 million references to perform a bibliometric domain analysis as a quantitative approach to uncover the structures within the privacy research field.Design/methodology/approachThe bibliometric domain analysis consists of a combined directed network and topic model of published privacy research. The network contains 83,159 publications and 462,633 internal references. A Latent Dirichlet allocation (LDA) topic model from the same dataset offers an additional lens on structure by classifying each publication on 36 topics with the network data. The combined outcomes of these methods are used to investigate the structural position and topical make-up of the privacy research communities.FindingsThe authors identified the research communities as well as categorised their structural positioning. Four communities form the core of privacy research: individual privacy and law, cloud computing, location data and privacy-preserving data publishing. The latter is a macro-community of data mining, anonymity metrics and differential privacy. Surrounding the core are applied communities. Further removed are communities with little influence, most notably the medical communities that make up 14.4% of the network. The topic model shows system design as a potentially latent community. Noteworthy is the absence of a centralised body of knowledge on organisational privacy management.Originality/valueThis is the first in-depth, quantitative mapping study of all privacy research.
Tear gas in orbit
Authors: Silver Jake 
Published: February 2023

AbstractWhat does outer space smell like? On the one hand, space scientists have used scent as a hint to discover the molecular histories of the cosmos. On the other, Palestinian astronomers, who regularly encounter Israel's vertical military arsenal, joke that it smells like Israel. Based on three years of fieldwork in the occupied West Bank, this article follows these astronomers and reveals how colonial experience can emerge in faraway realms, even past our planet. I position the space sciences alongside these Palestinian perspectives, arguing that such encounters with a superterranean state reveal the increasingly extraplanetary contours of colonial struggle. The Israeli‐Palestinian conflict, in other words, orbits earth. Scale thus emerges not as something that divides the (space) sciences, colonialism, and everyday sensory encounters into separable domains, but as a relational concept through which we can better grasp the dimensions of colonialism, politics, and power today.
Using realist methods for intervention development to fill a methodological gap: A case study showing the development of an oral hygiene intervention for people with intellectual developmental disabilities
Authors: Mac Giolla Phadraig Caoimhin , Asimakopoulou Koula , Faulks Denise , Van Harten Maria , Ledger Lorraine , Spencer Ann , Roux Sarah , Cleary Ceara , Daly Blanaid , Waldron Catherine 
Published: February 2023

AbstractBackgroundRealist methods offer a novel approach to intervention design. Such novelty is needed for effective oral health promotion interventions with people with intellectual developmental disabilities (IDD) and their carers because existing interventions are poorly described and lack theoretical underpinning. In this study, the steps between inception and final intervention development are presented, with an aim to expand understanding of how realist theorizing can be used to develop interventions, and to demonstrate theory‐driven intervention development in the field of oral health promotion.MethodsIn this intervention development study, the use of realist methods to develop an intervention aiming to improve the oral hygiene of people with IDD is presented. Realist theories (RTs) arising from a mixed synthesis were used to develop the Keep My Teeth intervention. The use of realist theory in intervention development was mapped across seven domains and 18 actions with emphasis on how theory informed key actions.ResultsRealist theories informed many but not all actions in the development process. Where gaps arose, this was augmented with other systems of intervention development, such as the Behaviour Change Wheel (BCW) and Behaviour Change Technique (BCT) systems. The resulting intervention and underlying theory are presented using TiDieR criteria.ConclusionsIt is demonstrated how realist methods could be integrated with substantive theory when developing an intervention. RTs enhanced the contextualization of the intervention that was developed but were insufficient in their own right to guide the development process from conception to intervention. This was overcome by augmenting with substantive theory, in this case, using the BCW and BCT behaviour change systems, to select and specify the behaviours that needed to change. In essence, the BCTs guided which techniques to select, while the RTs guided how to develop and intervene. Robust intervention development in the field of oral health promotion is also presented in this study.