bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Evaluation of risk factors, treatment options, and prognostic‐related factors in patients with benign ureteral strictures: An 8‐year single‐center experience
Authors: Ou Yangjie , Zhang Guoqing , Zhu Xin , Yin Hubing , Gou Xin , Deng Yuanzhong 
Published: June 2023

ObjectivesTo investigate the etiology, therapeutic effect, and prognosis‐related factors of benign ureteral strictures.MethodsWe analyzed the date of 142 patients with benign ureteral strictures from 2013 to 2021. Ninety‐five patients received endourological treatment and 47 patients underwent reconstruction. Preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative information were compared and analyzed. Symptomatic improvement and radiographic blockage alleviation defined therapeutic success.ResultsStone‐related factors caused 85.2% of cases. The overall success rate of endourological treatment was 51.6% versus 95.7% of reconstruction (p < 0.01). However, endourological treatment was better in terms of postoperative hospital stay time, operation time, and intraoperative blood loss (p < 0.001). In endourological group, patients with stricture length ≤2 cm, mild‐to‐moderate hydronephrosis, proximal or distal stricture had a higher success rate. Multivariate regression analysis showed that the surgical method was the only independent risk factor affecting success and recurrence. Reconstruction success rate was higher than endourological treatment (p = 0.001, OR 0.057, 95% CI (0.011–0.291)), and recurrence rate was also lower (p = 0.001, HR 0.074, 95% CI (0.016–0.338)). No obvious recurrence was seen in reconstruction, and the median recurrence time in endourological treatment was 51 months.ConclusionsStone‐related factors are an important cause of benign ureteral strictures. Reconstruction is the gold standard treatment due to its high success rate and low recurrence rate. Endourological therapy is also preferred as the initial treatment in proximal or distal ureter with length ≤2 cm and mild‐to‐moderate hydronephrosis. Further close follow‐up is required after treatment.
TLR3/TRIF pathway confers protection against herpes simplex encephalitis through NK cell activation mediated by a loop of type I IFN and IL‐15 from epithelial and dendritic cells
Authors: Uyangaa Erdenebileg , Choi Jin Young , Park Seong Ok , Byeon Hee Won , Cho Hye Won , Kim Koanhoi , Eo Seong Kug 
Published: June 2023

AbstractAutosomal recessive (AR) and dominant (AD) deficiencies of TLR3 and TRIF are believed to be crucial genetic causes of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), which is a fatal disease causing focal or global cerebral dysfunction following infection with herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV‐1). However, few studies have been conducted on the immunopathological networks of HSE in the context of TLR3 and TRIF defects at the cellular and molecular levels. In this work, we deciphered the crosstalk between type I IFN (IFN‐I)‐producing epithelial layer and IL‐15‐producing dendritic cells (DC) to activate NK cells for the protective role of TLR3/TRIF pathway in HSE progression after vaginal HSV‐1 infection. TLR3‐ and TRIF‐ablated mice showed enhanced susceptibility to HSE progression, along with high HSV‐1 burden in vaginal tract, lymphoid tissues and CNS. The increased HSV‐1 burden in TLR3‐ and TRIF‐ablated mice did not correlate with increased infiltration of Ly‐6C+ monocytes, but it was closely associated with impaired NK cell activation in vaginal tract. Furthermore, using delicate ex vivo experiments and bone marrow transplantation, TRIF deficiency in tissue‐resident cells, such as epithelial cells in vaginal tract, was found to cause impaired NK cell activation by means of low IFN‐I production, whereas IFN‐I receptor in DC was required for NK cell activation via IL‐15 production in response to IFN‐I produced from epithelial layer. These results provide new information about IFN‐I‐ and IL‐15‐mediated crosstalk between epithelial cells and DC at the primary infection site, which suppresses HSE progression in a TLR3‐ and TRIF‐dependent manner.
The role of mutuals and community‐based insurance in social health protection systems: International experience on delegated functions
Authors: Niang Marietou , Gélinas Émilie , Samb Oumar Mallé , Tessier Lou , Mailfert Mathilde , Iradukunda Aurore , dit Guérin Olivier Louis , Ridde Valéry 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe institutional architecture for the provision of social health protection varies across countries, as do the actors and organizations involved. In some countries, mutual benefit societies and community‐based health insurance organizations (CBHI) play a role in this area. In the 1990s, these were promoted particularly as a means of extending social security coverage, especially in sub‐Saharan Africa. In the current context, the adoption of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development, as well as renewed political will to realize universal coverage, has led to a questioning of the role of mutuals/CBHI. However, the literature on the roles they play in national social security systems remains limited. For this scoping review, 49 documents were analysed, covering 18 countries worldwide, focused on the delegation of functions to mutuals/CBHI in national social health protection systems. The results reveal the dynamics of the delegation of functions within social protection systems over time and their implementation processes. These provide areas for reflection that can inform policy processes.
Fill‐rate service level constrained distribution network design
Authors: Escalona Pablo , Angulo Alejandro , Brotcorne Luce , Fortz Bernard , Tapia Paulina 
Published: June 2023

AbstractThe design of distribution networks that simultaneously consider location and inventory decisions seeks to balance costs and product availability. The most commonly observed measure of product availability in practical settings is the fill‐rate service level. However, the optimal design of a distribution network that considers the fill rate to control shortages of fast‐moving consumer goods (FMCG) is considered intractable and has only been addressed by heuristic methods. This paper addresses the optimal design of a distribution network for FMCG able to provide high fill‐rate service level under a continuous review policy. Considering the exact formulation for the provided fill rate, we formulated a joint location–inventory model with fill‐rate service level constraints as a convex mixed integer nonlinear problem for which a novel decomposition‐based outer approximation algorithm is proposed. Numerical experiments have shown that our solution approach provides good‐quality solutions that are on average 0.15% and, at worst, 2.2% from the optimal solution.
Fast formation of a black inner α‐Al2O3 layer doped with CuO on Al–Cu–Li alloy by soft sparking PEO process
Authors: He Xiaorui , Feng Tian , Cheng Yulin , Hu Panfeng , Le Zhengzhou , Liu Zihua , Cheng Yingliang 
Published: June 2023

AbstractForming high‐temperature α‐Al2O3 phase under soft sparking is an intriguing phenomenon in plasma electrolytic oxidation (PEO) of Al alloys, which contradicts the low energy input of the process. In this study, α‐Al2O3 doped with black CuO is formed beneath an amorphous white outer layer on Al–Cu–Li alloy by PEO in a dilute silicate electrolyte under soft sparking. In comparison, reddish coatings with dominating γ‐Al2O3 are formed under the conventional plasma discharges, although blackish inner layer with α‐Al2O3 can also be exposed by heavily polishing the samples. In order to know the underlying mechanism, temperatures at the coating surface and the underlying substrate have been monitored by a thermocouple under the conventional and soft sparking PEO regimes, respectively. Interestingly, high temperatures are detected in the case of soft sparking rather than PEO with strong discharges. The formation of CuO, quartz, and cristobalite within the soft sparking coating also supports the existence of high temperature. Hence, the formation of α‐Al2O3 under soft sparking can be resolved to the conventional thermal activation mechanism, without the need of seeking other plausible explanations. Thermal condition evaluation for soft sparking PEO suggests that values of the effective thermal conductivity during PEO process for the outer layer and the barrier layer at the coating/substrate interface might be lower than ∼0.05 and ∼0.0017 W m−1 K−1, respectively. It is believed that the amorphous structure of the outer and barrier layers effectively blocks the heat dissipation, facilitating the formation of a highly wear‐resistant inner layer with α‐Al2O3, CuO, and the other high‐temperature species under soft sparking.
Quantitative analysis of parent‐of‐origin effect in reproductive and morphological selection criteria in the Pura Raza Española horse
Authors: Perdomo‐González Davinia I. , Varona Luis , Molina Antonio , Laseca Nora , Valera Mercedes 
Published: June 2023

AbstractIt is generally assumed that parents make a genetically equal contribution to their offspring, but this assumption might not always hold. This is because the expression of a gene can be blocked by methylation during gametogenesis, and the degree of methylation can depend on the origin of the parental gene (imprinting) or by preferential management associated with genetic merit. The first consequences of this for quantitative genetics is that the mean phenotypes of reciprocal heterozygotes need no longer be the same, as would be expected according to Mendelian heritage. We analysed three mare reproductive traits (reproductive efficiency, age at first foaling and foaling number) and three morphological traits (height at withers, thoracic circumference, and scapula‐ischial length) in the Pura Raza Española (PRE) horse population, which possesses a deep and reliable pedigree, making it a perfect breed for analysing the quantitative effect of parent‐of‐origin. The number of animals analysed ranged from 44,038 to 144,191, all of them with both parents known. The model comparison between a model without parent‐of‐origin effects and three different models with parent‐of‐origin effects revealed that both maternal and paternal gametic effects influence all the analysed traits. The maternal gametic effect had a higher influence on most traits, accounting for between 3% and 11% of the total phenotypic variance, while the paternal gametic effect accounted for a higher proportion of variance in one trait, age at first foaling (4%). As expected, the Pearson's correlations between additive breeding values of models that consider parent‐of‐origin and that do not consider parent‐of‐origin were very high; however, the percentage of coincident animals slightly decreases when comparing animals with the highest estimated breeding values. Ultimately, this work demonstrates that parent‐of‐origin effects exist in horse gene transmission from a quantitative point of view. Additionally, including an estimate of the parent‐of‐origin effect within the PRE horse breeding program could be a great tool for a better parent's selection and that could be of interest for breeders, as this value will determine whether the animals acquire genetic categories and are much more highly valued.
Utilizing people, analytics, and AI for decision making in the digitalized retail supply chain
Authors: Brau Rebekah I. , Sanders Nada R. , Aloysius John , Williams Donnie 
Published: June 2023

AbstractOur research reveals the continued and evolving role of the human factor in decision making in digitalized retail supply chains. We compare managerial roles in a pre‐ and post‐COVID era through conducting in‐depth interviews of 25 executives spanning the retail supply chain ecosystem. We use grounded theory to develop four main contributions. First, we find that the involvement of managerial judgment is found to be progressively greater moving up the retail supply chain, away from the customer and the demand signal. Second, integration of analytics and judgment is now the primary method of decision making, and we identify elements needed for success. Third, we develop an essential framework for a successful integration process. Fourth, we isolate the necessary components of a successful process for analytics/artificial intelligence (AI) implementation. Our paper offers important insights into how analytics and AI are—and should be used—in judgment and decision making and opportunities for researchers to understand the changing role of the human factor in digitalized retail supply chains.
You're driving me crazy! How emotions elicited by negative driver behaviors impact customer outcomes in last mile delivery
Authors: Masorgo Nicolò , Mir Saif , Hofer Adriana Rossiter 
Published: June 2023

AbstractWith the growth of e‐commerce and associated home deliveries, understanding the role of drivers in shaping the customer experience in last‐mile delivery is now more crucial than ever. Delivery drivers increasingly act as retailers' frontline employees and are thus instrumental in developing pseudorelationships between customers and retailers. Industry surveys, however, reveal that drivers admit to engaging in unprofessional behaviors with customers and often refuse to address customers' requests beyond package delivery. Following a middle‐range theorizing approach and leveraging Cognitive Appraisal Theory, we investigate how two negative driver behaviors, inappropriate behavior and inflexibility, impact customer satisfaction and repurchase intentions. We also examine the moderating effect of driver affiliation, private versus outsourced, in altering the magnitude of customer responses. Results from a scenario‐based experiment indicate that while the negative effects of driver inappropriate behavior on customer outcomes are mediated by anger, the effects of driver inflexibility are mediated by sadness. Moreover, the negative effect of driver inflexibility on customer outcomes is weaker for outsourced logistics than for private fleet drivers. In turn, driver inappropriate behavior exhibits similar negative effects on customer outcomes for both driver affiliations. These findings offer important insights for last‐mile delivery strategy and operations research and practice.
Unfolding self‐regulated learning profiles of students: A longitudinal study
Authors: Esnaashari Shadi , Gardner Lesley A. , Arthanari Tiru S. , Rehm Michael 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundIt is vital to understand students' Self‐Regulatory Learning (SRL) processes, especially in Blended Learning (BL), when students need to be more autonomous in their learning process. In studying SRL, most researchers have followed a variable‐oriented approach. Moreover, little has been known about the unfolding process of students' SRL profiles.ObjectivesWe present the insights derived from a study that measured motivation and the learning strategies used by 198 students of a university entry‐level, business school, BL course to develop an understanding of students' SRL processes.MethodsThe Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ) was used to survey 198 students three times during a semester to investigate SRL profiles and how they unfolded as the course progressed using a person‐oriented approach. Through a clustering approach, we focus on MSLQ's motivation aspects as its importance has been emphasised by different SRL theories, and extant research into motivation in learning analytics (LA) is still lacking.Results and ConclusionsThrough the longitudinal clustering approach, we identified minimally, average, and highly SRL profiles. We acknowledged that students might change their SRL profiles as the course progressed as a result of feedback they received.What are the 1 or 2 Major Takeaways from the Study?This study contributes to the SRL theory by examining students' SRL profiles adaptation longitudinally (addressing the challenge identified regarding the cyclical nature of SRL). This study contributes to LA by investigating motivational constructs currently lacking in the field and bringing forward theory based empirical evidence to inform theory and practice.
Technology‐mediated outdoor learning for primary school student teachers: Focusing on biodiversity
Authors: Eriksson Miikka , Kärkkäinen Sirpa , Tahvanainen Ville 
Published: June 2023

AbstractBackgroundTechnologies may successfully be used to mediate, aid, and diversify learning, but several studies indicate that technologies cannot substitute outdoor learning and its experiential nature. To halt human‐induced biodiversity loss, teachers should acquire a deep understanding of the principles of ecology, including the challenging concept of biodiversity. Only few studies have investigated learning about biodiversity outdoors guided by technology.ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to examine student teachers' current knowledge of the concept of biodiversity, to test how well technology‐mediated mobile learning in outdoor settings affects their understanding of the concept, and to determine the students' ability to estimate biodiversity in situ.MethodsStudent teachers (N = 121) participated in a technology‐mediated nature trail. Research data was gathered through open‐ended questions in pre‐ and post‐test questionnaires and an assignment during the trail. Data were analysed using both qualitative and quantitative methods.Results and ConclusionsResults showed that significantly, more students included species and ecosystem diversity in their definitions of biodiversity after the trail, but the inclusion of genetic diversity remained low. Student's estimations of biodiversity in situ and related arguments indicate that they had difficulties in connecting their observations with their assessments of biodiversity.ImplicationsThe study indicates that biodiversity is still a challenging concept, but also that outdoor learning mediated by technology has potential to untangle the concept. Understanding the importance of genetic diversity for species survival should be given special attention.
RhoA/ROCK1 regulates the mitochondrial dysfunction through Drp1 induced by Porphyromonas gingivalis in endothelial cells
Authors: Dong Qin , Luo Yuxiao , Yin Yuqing , Ma Yiwei , Yu Yingyi , Wang Liu , Yang Huishun , Pan Yaping , Zhang Dongmei 
Published: June 2023

AbstractPorphyromonas gingivalis (P. gingivalis) is a pivotal pathogen of periodontitis. Our previous studies have confirmed that mitochondrial dysfunction in the endothelial cells caused by P. gingivalis was dependent on Drp1, which may be the mechanism of P. gingivalis causing endothelial dysfunction. Nevertheless, the signalling pathway induced the mitochondrial dysfunction remains unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway in regulating mitochondrial dysfunction caused by P. gingivalis. P. gingivalis was used to infect EA.hy926 cells (endothelial cells). The expression and activation of RhoA and ROCK1 were assessed by western blotting and pull‐down assay. The morphology of mitochondria was observed by mitochondrial staining and transmission electron microscopy. Mitochondrial function was measured by ATP content, mitochondrial DNA and mitochondrial permeability transition pore openness. The phosphorylation and translocation of Drp1 were evaluated using western blotting and immunofluorescence. The role of the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway in mitochondrial dysfunction was investigated using RhoA and ROCK1 inhibitors. The activation of RhoA/ROCK1 pathway and mitochondrial dysfunction were observed in P. gingivalis‐infected endothelial cells. Furthermore, RhoA or ROCK1 inhibitors partly prevented mitochondrial dysfunction caused by P. gingivalis. The increased phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of Drp1 induced by P. gingivalis were both blocked by RhoA and ROCK1 inhibitors. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the RhoA/ROCK1 pathway was involved in mitochondrial dysfunction caused by P. gingivalis by regulating the phosphorylation and mitochondrial translocation of Drp1. Our research illuminated a possible new mechanism by which P. gingivalis promotes endothelial dysfunction.
Can repeated intranasal oxytocin administration affect reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces in autism? A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Moerkerke Matthijs , Daniels Nicky , Van der Donck Stephanie , Tibermont Laura , Tang Tiffany , Debbaut Edward , Bamps Annelies , Prinsen Jellina , Steyaert Jean , Alaerts Kaat , Boets Bart 
Published: June 2023

BackgroundAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties in social communication and interaction. Crucial for efficient social interaction is the ability to quickly and accurately extract information from a person's face. Frequency‐tagging electroencephalography (EEG) is a novel tool to quantify face‐processing sensitivity in a robust and implicit manner. In terms of intervention approaches, intranasal administration of oxytocin (OT) is increasingly considered as a potential pharmacological approach for improving socio‐communicative difficulties in ASD, through enhancing social salience and/or reducing (social) stress and anxiety.MethodsIn this randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled, mechanistic pharmaco‐neuroimaging clinical trial, we implemented frequency‐tagging EEG to conduct an exploratory investigation into the impact of repeated OT administration (4 weeks, 12 IU, twice daily) on neural sensitivity towards happy and fearful facial expressions in children with ASD (8–12 years old; OT: n = 29; placebo: n = 32). Neural effects were assessed at baseline, post‐nasal spray (24 hr after the last nasal spray) and at a follow‐up session, 4 weeks after the OT administration period. At baseline, neural assessments of children with ASD were compared with those of an age‐ and gender‐matched cohort of neurotypical (NT) children (n = 39).ResultsChildren with ASD demonstrated reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces, as compared to NT children. Upon nasal spray administration, children with ASD displayed a significant increase in neural sensitivity at the post‐ and follow‐up sessions, but only in the placebo group, likely reflecting an implicit learning effect. Strikingly, in the OT group, neural sensitivity remained unaffected from the baseline to the post‐session, likely reflecting a dampening of an otherwise typically occurring implicit learning effect.ConclusionsFirst, we validated the robustness of the frequency‐tagging EEG approach to assess reduced neural sensitivity towards expressive faces in children with ASD. Furthermore, in contrast to social salience effects observed after single‐dose administrations, repeated OT administration dampened typically occurring learning effects in neural sensitivity. In line with OT's social anxiolytic account, these observations possibly reflect a predominant (social) stress regulatory effect towards emotionally evocative faces after repeated OT administration.