bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Understanding the inter‐relationships of type 2 diabetes and hypertension with brain and cognitive health: A UK Biobank study
Authors: Newby Danielle , Garfield Victoria 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimTo understand the impact of diabetes and co‐morbid hypertension on cognitive and brain health.Materials and MethodsWe used data from the UK Biobank cohort consisting of ~500 000 individuals aged 40 to 69 years. Our outcomes included brain structural magnetic resonance imaging variables and cognitive function tests in a maximum of 38 918 individuals. We firstly tested associations with all outcomes between those with diabetes (n = 2043) and without (n = 36 875) and, secondly, compared those with co‐morbid diabetes/hypertension (n = 1283) with those with only diabetes (n = 760), hypertension (n = 9649) and neither disease (n = 27 226). Our analytical approach comprised linear regression models, with adjustment for a range of demographic and health factors. Standardized betas are reported.ResultsThose with diabetes had worse brain and cognitive health for the majority of neuroimaging and cognitive measures, with the exception of g fractional anisotropy (white matter integrity), amygdala, pairs matching and tower rearranging. Compared with individuals with co‐morbid diabetes and hypertension, those with only hypertension had better brain health overall, with the largest difference observed in the pallidum (β = .189, 95% CI = 0.241; 0.137), while those with only diabetes differed in total grey volume (β = .150, 95% CI = 0.122; 0.179). Individuals with only diabetes had better verbal and numeric reasoning (β = .129, 95% CI = 0.077; 0.261), whereas those with only hypertension performed better on the symbol‐digit substitution task (β = .117, 95% CI = 0.048; 0.186).ConclusionsIndividuals with co‐morbid diabetes and hypertension have worse brain and cognitive health compared with those with only one of these diseases. These findings potentially suggest that prevention of both diabetes and hypertension may delay changes in brain structure, as well as cognitive decline and dementia diagnosis.
Clinical and genetic features of a large homogeneous cohort of oculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy patients from the Canary Islands
Authors: Alonso‐Pérez Jorge , de León Hernández Juan Carlos , Pérez‐Pérez Helena , Mendoza‐Grimón María Dolores , Gutierrez‐Martinez Antonio José , Hadjigeorgiou Ioanna , Montón‐Álvarez Fernando , González‐Quereda Lidia , Alonso‐Jimenez Alicia , Suárez‐Calvet Xavier , Díaz‐Manera Jordi 
Published: February 2022

AbstractBackgroundOculopharyngeal muscular dystrophy (OPMD) is an autosomal dominant, late‐onset myopathy characterized by ptosis, dysphagia, and progressive proximal limb muscle weakness. The disease is produced by a short expansion of the (GCN)n triplet in the PABPN1 gene. The size of expansion has been correlated to the disease onset and severity. We report the clinical features of a large cohort of OPMD patients harboring the (GCN)15 allele from the Canary Islands.MethodsA retrospective observational study was performed analyzing the clinical, demographic, and genetic data of 123 OPMD patients. Clinical data from this cohort were compared with clinical data collected in a large European study including 139 OPMD patients.ResultsA total of 113 patients (94.2%) carried the (GCN)15 expanded PABN1 allele. Age of symptoms’ onset was 45.1 years. The most frequent symptom at onset was ptosis (85.2%) followed by dysphagia (12%). The severity of the disease was milder in the Canary cohort compared to European patients as limb weakness (35.1% vs. 50.4%), the proportion of patients that require assistance for walking or use a wheelchair (9.3% vs. 27.4%), and needed of surgery because of severe dysphagia (4.6% vs. 22.8%) was higher in the European cohort.ConclusionsNearly 95% of patients with OPMD from the Canary Islands harbored the (GCN)15 expanded allele supporting a potential founder effect. Disease progression seemed to be milder in the (GCN)15 OPMD Canary cohort than in other cohorts with shorter expansions suggesting that other factors, apart from the expansion size, could be involved in the progression of the disease.
Digital transformation and the public sector auditing: The SAI's perspective
Authors: Otia Javis Ebua , Bracci Enrico 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe ongoing transformation of supreme audit institutions (SAIs) external environment is changing the demands and expectations of its stakeholders. The changing environment triggered by technological advancements, increased demand for accountability, and transparency means a change in the way auditing is done. The literature provides evidence of an ongoing technological innovation within the private sector audit. Private sector auditing research has focused mainly on technology adoption and use failing to address the umbrella concept of digital transformation (DT), some even consider processes of DT such as technology adoption and use to be DT. The public sector auditing literature is still yet to commence DT‐related research. This study seeks to fill in this gap and after presenting what DT entails, we applied an exploratory approach through semistructured interview responses, together with other documents from SAIs, to understand how SAIs currently perceive DT and what are their current reactions or actions to transform. The paper analyzes and discusses how SAIs perceive and define the DT phenomenon. The results show that most SAIs still do not master the concept of DT, as they often refer to technology adoption or automation of auditing processes to be DT, notwithstanding a great majority acknowledges the need for DT but lacks the right strategy and resources in place. We saw a few proactive SAIs who are futuristic on the contrary a majority are reacting to change when the need arises, especially during the audit process. The paper provides one of the first empirical investigations into the current DT of public audits. It also proposes a general framework suitable for analyzing the factors involved in the DT in SAIs.
Mapping small‐scale fisheries through a coordinated participatory strategy
Authors: Grati Fabio , Azzurro Ernesto , Scanu Martina , Tassetti Anna Nora , Bolognini Luca , Guicciardi Stefano , Vitale Sergio , Scannella Danilo , Carbonara Pierluigi , Dragičević Branko , Ikica Zdravko , Palluqi Arian , Marčeta Bojan , Ghmati Hisham , Turki Akram , Cherif Mourad , Bdioui Marouene , Jarboui Othman , Benhadjhamida Nader , Mifsud Jurgen , Milone Nicoletta , Ceriola Luca , Arneri Enrico 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe knowledge of small‐scale fisheries (SSFs) is important to develop management policies and mitigate the competition for marine resources. However, spatially explicit information is often unavailable at the regional and subregional scale. We designed and tested a novel participatory approach to map the SSF fishing effort using the Mediterranean sea as a case study. We applied the approach in eight countries (Albania, Croatia, Italy, Libya, Malta, Montenegro, Slovenia and Tunisia) characterized by different cultural, social, political and ecological features. The results provided quantitative and spatially explicit information on fishing operations on a fine‐scale resolution, contributing to overcome the pragmatic and budgetary constraints that to date have prevented an accurate assessment of SSFs worldwide. This novel participatory approach is inspired by the principles of governance, adaptive management, cross‐national cooperation and spatial planning, thus supporting the ecosystem approach to fisheries and has the potential to provide a useful complement to traditional assessments.
On fracture and damage evolution modelling of fissure‐hole containing granite induced by multistage constant‐amplitude variable‐frequency cyclic loads
Authors: Wang Yu , Cao Zhaohui , Song Zhengyang , Zhu Chun , Han Jianqiang 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThis work aims to reveal the fracture the damage evolution characteristics of fissure‐holes containing rock under multistage constant‐amplitude variable‐frequency cyclic loads. Testing results show that the peak strength and fatigue lifetime both increase as the fissure angle increases from 10° to 70°. However, the volumetric deformation, AE activities, and crack network scale get to a maximum for a sample having a 50° fissure angle. More small‐sized cracks were formed for rock having a high fissure angle, and the proportion of low‐frequency signal is relatively high. A damage evolution model was proposed based on AE rate, and an inverted “S”‐shaped curve reflects the damage propagation of the experimental data. Additionally, the highlighted internal crack network reveals the crack coalescence and hole spalling behaviors; three types of rock bridge coalescence modes of single tensile coalescence, double‐tensile coalescence, and double shear coalescence were identified.
Impact of operational fragility on stock returns: Lessons from COVID‐19 crisis
Authors: Bansal Avijit , Gopalakrishnan Balagopal , Jacob Joshy , Srivastava Pranjal 
Published: February 2022

AbstractWe examine how the market valuation of firms varies on account of their operational fragility that makes them vulnerable to the COVID‐19 pandemic. Using the data on plant location that uniquely identifies the vulnerability of firms to operational disruptions, we find that firms with plants located in zones susceptible to higher infections earn significantly lower returns. For firms with high operational fragility, the marginal value of financial flexibility and operating flexibility is higher. The adverse impact of the operational fragility is lower for firms affiliated with the larger business groups. The paper identifies unique channels associated with the pandemic that impact firm value.
Computer vision syndrome in healthcare workers using video display terminals: an exploration of the risk factors
Authors: Artime‐Ríos Eva , Suárez‐Sánchez Ana , Sánchez‐Lasheras Fernando , Seguí‐Crespo Mar 
Published: February 2022

AbstractAimsTo estimate the prevalence of computer vision syndrome (CVS) in healthcare workers and its relationship to video display terminal (VDT) exposure, sociodemographic, optical correction and work characteristics, and to analyse whether there are differences among occupational groups.DesignCross‐sectional study.MethodsA sample of 1179 physicians and surgeons, nurses, and nursing assistants from two hospitals in Spain between January 2017 and February 2018 were invited to participate in this study. Of these, 622 workers from both hospitals were finally included. CVS was measured using a questionnaire, the CVS‐Q©. Logistic regression was used to identify the factors associated with CVS. All the results were stratified by occupational group.ResultsThe prevalence of CVS was 56.75% with nurses being the most affected occupational group (61.75%). It was associated significantly with female sex (aOR = 2.57; 95% CI 1.36–4.88) and morning shifts plus on‐call (aOR = 2.33; 95% CI 1.11–4.88) in the physicians and surgeons group. Among the nurses, it was associated with female sex (aOR = 2.35; 95% CI 1.03–5.37), seniority between 10 and 20 years (aOR = 2.17; 95% CI 1.03–4.59), VDT exposure at work of 2–4 h/day (aOR = 6.14; 95% CI 1.08–35.02), VDT exposure at work >4 h/day (aOR = 7.14; 95% CI 1.29–39.62) and self‐perception that using the software application was not easy (aOR = 2.49; 95% CI 1.23–5.01).ConclusionsA high prevalence of CVS among healthcare workers was observed. The risk factors that increased the likelihood of suffering from this syndrome depended on the occupation.ImpactThe findings may be used as a reference for occupational health services to implement specific preventive measures to reduce CVS for each occupational group. Such measures should consider both individual factors and the working conditions.
Viral oncogenesis in tumours of the central nervous system: reality or random association? A retrospective study on archived material
Authors: Arsene Dorel Eugen , Milanesi Elena , Dobre Maria 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCentral nervous system (CNS) tumours have devastating effects and are recurrent, with dismal prognosis (gliomas) or life‐threatening by the compression effect (meningiomas). This disease's aetiology remains debatable. Over the last decade, the hypothesis that human viruses may be implicated in these tumours has been proposed. In this study, our aim is to examine the presence of 11 viruses in the most frequent CNS primary tumours. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), we assessed the viral presence in archived, paraffin‐embedded tumour tissues from 114 patients with glioma and meningioma and in the brain tissue from 40 controls lacking tumour pathology. We focused on candidate neuro‐oncogenic types (herpesviridae and polyomaviruses) and on human papillomavirus (HPV). HPV presence, for which involvement in these tumours was hardly investigated, was found to be associated with both tumour categories compared with controls (glioma, p = 0.032; meningioma, p = 0.032), whereas the presence of the neuro‐oncogenic viruses was found in a negligible number of both categories, suggesting a lack of association with the tumour presence. Moreover, our study reveals a positive correlation between HPV presence and glioma malignancy, and a negative correlation with meningioma grading. Our results suggest that the presence of HPV seems to be significantly associated with primary tumours of the CNS and its meninges.
A back‐propagation neural network model using hyperspectral imaging applied to variety nondestructive detection of cereal
Authors: Bai Zhizhen , Tian Jianping , Hu Xinjun , Sun Ting , Luo Huibo , Huang Dan 
Published: February 2022

AbstractCereal crops play an important role in preventing chronic diseases and regulating human functions due to their rich phytochemicals. However, an increasing number of cases of cereal‐crop adulteration are occurring, affecting the nutrition of food and threatening food safety. Therefore, this study used hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and a back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) to establish the variety identification model of different grain shapes, colors, and sizes. This model can conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of samples rapidly and nondestructively, because HSI can collect spectral information and spatial information of samples. Meanwhile, the Watershed algorithm was used to identify cereal varieties by particles, and the model identification performance was verified by the unlabeled test sets. The results show that the data extraction success rate of the new watershed algorithm reached 98%, and the comprehensive identification accuracy of the model reached 90%. In addition, the cereal in the training set can be changed to identify other cereal crops, thereby providing a method of rapid and nondestructive adulteration detection of cereals.Practical ApplicationsCereal crops play an important role in preventing chronic diseases and regulating human functions due to their rich phytochemicals. However, an increasing number of cases of cereal‐crop adulteration are occurring, affecting the nutrition of food and threatening food safety. Therefore, this study used hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and a back‐propagation neural network (BPNN) to establish the variety identification model of different grain shapes, colors, and sizes. This model can conduct a quantitative and qualitative analysis of samples rapidly and nondestructively, because HSI can collect spectral information and spatial information of samples at the same time. The spectral information was used for qualitative analysis, while spatial information was used for quantitative analysis, so this model can realize the rapid and nondestructive detection of different varieties of cereals. And we can also change the training‐set data to realize the variety identification of other varieties of crops, which provides guidance for the method detecting the adulteration of cereal crops.
Kefir with artificial and natural dyes: Assessment of consumer knowledge, attitude, and emotional profile using emojis
Authors: Penna Anna Carolina G. , Durço Bruna B. , Pagani Monica M. , Pimentel Tatiana C. , Mársico Eliane T. , Silva Adriana C. O. , Esmerino Erick A. 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe consumers' perception and emotional profile (using emojis) about different dyes labeled in kefir packages were evaluated. The products were natural (KN, nonflavored, and without dye), and acerola‐flavored with artificial dye (KCA), natural dye (KCN), or acerola‐residue dye (KCR). Furthermore, the consumer's knowledge and attitudes about dyes were evaluated. KN, KCN, and KCR showed higher perceived acceptability, healthiness, security, and purchase intent than KCA and were associated with positive emoji. In addition, KCN and KN showed a more positive emotional profile than KCA. KCR improved the products' emotional profile compared to KCA and was characterized by a happy emoji. Consumers demonstrated good knowledge about dyes' utilization, cost, and stability, but they believe artificial dyes have health risks. It is concluded that artificial dyes contributed negatively to consumer perception and emotional profile, while natural and residue dyes have a good receptivity. The emoji utilization enabled differentiation among kefir with similar perceived acceptability.Practical applicationsThis study is the first to evaluate the impact of artificial, natural, or residue dyes on the consumer perception of kefir, a fermented beverage with proven health effects. The artificial dye was perceived negatively by consumers and resulted in an emotional profile characterized by negative emoji. On the contrary, the natural and residue dyes had a positive perception and good emotional receptivity by consumers. The consumers presented positive attitudes to replace artificial dyes with natural dyes and pointed out the natural ones as tastier, healthier, and safer. They also demonstrated to be open to new natural dyes. These results indicate that the dairy industry could better explore alternative sources of natural dyes to replace synthetic dyes. We also emphasize how emojis allowed the differentiation of samples with similar perceived acceptability, being advised its utilization to complement data from acceptance tests.
Genetic control of compatibility in crosses between wheat and its wild or cultivated relatives
Authors: Laugerotte Julie , Baumann Ute , Sourdille Pierre 
Published: February 2022

SummaryIn the recent years, the agricultural world has been progressing towards integrated crop protection, in the context of sustainable and reasoned agriculture to improve food security and quality, and to preserve the environment through reduced uses of water, pesticides, fungicides or fertilisers. For this purpose, one possible issue is to cross‐elite varieties widely used in fields for crop productions with exotic or wild genetic resources in order to introduce new diversity for genes or alleles of agronomical interest to accelerate the development of new improved cultivars. However, crossing ability (or crossability) often depends on genetic background of the recipient varieties or of the donor, which hampers a larger use of wild resources in breeding programmes of many crops. In this review, we tried to provide a comprehensive summary of genetic factors controlling crossing ability betweenTriticeaespecies with a special focus on the crossability between wheat (Triticum aestivumL.) and rye (Secale cereale), which lead to the creation of Triticale (x TriticosecaleWittm.). We also discussed potential applications of newly identified genes or markers associated with crossability for accelerating wheat and Triticale improvement by application of modern genomics technologies in breeding programmes.
Low N level increases the susceptibility of PSI to photoinhibition induced by short repetitive flashes in leaves of different rice varieties
Authors: Ozaki Hiroshi , Takagi Daisuke , Mizokami Yusuke , Tokida Takeshi , Nakamura Hirofumi , Sakai Hidemitsu , Hasegawa Toshihiro , Noguchi Ko 
Published: February 2022

AbstractThe recovery from photoinhibition is much slower in photosystem (PS) I than in PSII; therefore, the susceptibility of PSI to photoinhibition is important with respect to photosynthetic production under special physiological conditions. Previous studies have shown that repetitive short‐pulse (rSP) illumination selectively induces PSI photoinhibition. Depending on the growth light intensity or the variety/species of the plant, PSI photoinhibition is different, but the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Here, we aimed to clarify whether the differences in the susceptibility of PSI to photoinhibition depend on environmental factors or on rice varieties and which physiological properties of the plant are related to this susceptibility. We exposed mature leaves of rice plants to rSP illumination. We examined the effects of elevated CO2 concentration and low N during growth on the susceptibility of PSI to photoinhibition and compared it in 12 different varieties. We fitted the decrease in the quantum yield of PSI during rSP illumination and estimated a parameter indicating susceptibility. Low N level increased susceptibility, whereas elevated CO2 concentration did not. The susceptibility differed among different rice varieties, and many indica varieties showed higher susceptibility than the temperate japonica varieties. Susceptibility was negatively correlated with the total chlorophyll content and N content. However, the decrease in value, an indicator of damaged PSI, was positively correlated with chlorophyll content. This suggests that in leaves with a larger electron transport capacity, the overall PSI activity may be less susceptible to photoinhibition, but more damaged PSI may accumulate during rSP illumination.
The politics of Uber: Infrastructural power in the United States and Europe
Authors: Valdez Jimena 
Published: February 2022

AbstractPlatform firms have been depicted as having structural and instrumental power and being able to prevail in regulatory battles. This article, in contrast, documents how they have often adapted to regulations and provide different services across locales. I show that platform firms have a specific type of power, infrastructural power, that stems from their position as mediators across a variety of actors. This power, I argue, is shaped by pre‐existing regulations and the firms' strategic response, that I call “contentious compliance”: a double movement of adapting to existing regulations, while continuing to challenge them. I apply this framework to the expansion and regulation of Uber in New York City (US), Madrid (Spain), and Berlin (Germany).