bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Machine learning for improving high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in healthcare database studies: An overview of the current literature
Authors: Wyss Richard , Yanover Chen , El‐Hay Tal , Bennett Dimitri , Platt Robert W. , Zullo Andrew R. , Sari Grammati , Wen Xuerong , Ye Yizhou , Yuan Hongbo , Gokhale Mugdha , Patorno Elisabetta , Lin Kueiyu Joshua 
Published: June 2022

AbstractPurposeSupplementing investigator‐specified variables with large numbers of empirically identified features that collectively serve as ‘proxies’ for unspecified or unmeasured factors can often improve confounding control in studies utilizing administrative healthcare databases. Consequently, there has been a recent focus on the development of data‐driven methods for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in pharmacoepidemiologic research. In this paper, we survey current approaches and recent advancements for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in healthcare database studies.MethodsWe discuss considerations underpinning three areas for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment: (1) feature generation—transforming raw data into covariates (or features) to be used for proxy adjustment; (2) covariate prioritization, selection, and adjustment; and (3) diagnostic assessment. We discuss challenges and avenues of future development within each area.ResultsThere is a large literature on methods for high‐dimensional confounder prioritization/selection, but relatively little has been written on best practices for feature generation and diagnostic assessment. Consequently, these areas have particular limitations and challenges.ConclusionsThere is a growing body of evidence showing that machine‐learning algorithms for high‐dimensional proxy‐confounder adjustment can supplement investigator‐specified variables to improve confounding control compared to adjustment based on investigator‐specified variables alone. However, more research is needed on best practices for feature generation and diagnostic assessment when applying methods for high‐dimensional proxy confounder adjustment in pharmacoepidemiologic studies.
The political origins of platform economy regulations. Understanding variations in governing Airbnb and Uber across cities in Switzerland
Authors: Benli‐Trichet Marine C. , Kübler Daniel 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn the past decade, digital platforms have entrenched themselves within key urban sectors, opening the way for radical changes in traditional industries. Along with new opportunities for city residents, globally operating platforms such as Airbnb and Uber also raised specific challenges, sparking calls for adequate responses by city governments around the world. The aim of this paper is to explain the diversity of regulations across cities. Holding constant national factors, we conducted comparative case studies in six Swiss cities (Zurich, Geneva, Davos, Montreux, Aarau, and Neuchâtel) to investigate political processes leading to local regulations of Airbnb and Uber. Four crucial factors shape regulatory trajectories. First, intensity of platform‐related issues in cities is key in shaping the stringency of regulatory responses. Second, grassroots and political mobilization plays a role: where these issues become politically salient, regulations are stricter. Third, the inscription of platform‐related issues on a city's institutional agenda tends to produce stricter regulatory responses. Finally, local governments tend to adopt a stricter control over platforms in cities where relevant urban sectors are already highly regulated. We conclude that the varying stringency of governmental responses to the platform economy lays in the dynamics of politicization from which they emerged.
Structure and activity of a bacterial defense‐associated 3′‐5′ exonuclease
Authors: Liang Qishan , Richey Sara T. , Ur Sarah N. , Ye Qiaozhen , Lau Rebecca K. , Corbett Kevin D. 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThe widespread CBASS (cyclic oligonucleotide‐based anti‐phage signaling system) immune systems in bacteria protect their hosts from bacteriophage infection by triggering programmed cell death. CBASS systems all encode a cyclic oligonucleotide synthase related to eukaryotic cGAS but use diverse regulators and effector proteins including nucleases, phospholipases, and membrane‐disrupting proteins to effect cell death. Cap18 is a predicted 3′‐5′ exonuclease associated with hundreds of CBASS systems, whose structure, biochemical activities, and biological roles remain unknown. Here we show that Cap18 is a DEDDh‐family exonuclease related to the bacterial exonucleases RNase T and Orn and has nonspecific 3′‐5′ DNA exonuclease activity. Cap18 is commonly found in CBASS systems with associated CapW or CapH+CapP transcription factors, suggesting that it may coordinate with these proteins to regulate CBASS transcription in response to DNA damage. These data expand the repertoire of enzymatic activities associated with bacterial CBASS systems and provide new insights into the regulation of these important bacterial immune systems.
Knockdown of hexokinase in Diaphorina citri Kuwayama (Hemiptera: Liviidae) by RNAi inhibits chitin synthesis and leads to abnormal phenotypes
Authors: Yang Shan , Zou Zhiwen , Xin Tianrong , Cai Shiyu , Wang Xi , Zhang Huijie , Zhong Ling , Xia Bin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundSilencing specific genes in pests using RNA interference (RNAi) technology is a promising new pest‐control strategy. The Asian citrus psyllid, Diaphorina citri Kuwayama, is the most important citrus pest because it transmits Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus, which causes huanglongbing. Chitin is essential for insect development, and enzymes in this pathway are attractive targets for pest control.ResultsThe hexokinase gene DcHK was characterized from D. citri to impair proper growth and chitin synthesis through RNAi. The transcription of DcHK was more highly developed in third‐instar nymphs, adults and the Malpighian tube. The RNAi needed for D. citri is dose‐dependent, with 600 ng μl−1 dsDcHK sufficient to knockdown endogenous DcHK expression. The messenger RNA (mRNA) level was lowest at 36 h after dosing, and there were significant effects on the relative levels of mRNA in the chitin synthesis pathway (DcTre, DcG6PI, DcGNAT, DcGFAT, DcPGM, DcUAP and DcCHS), leading to mortality, reduced body weight and abnormal or lethal phenotypes.ConclusionRNAi can be triggered by orally delivered double‐stranded RNA in D. citri. These results can provide support for HK genes as a new potential target for citrus psyllid control. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry.
Development of a new SPE UPLC–MS/MS method for extraction and quantitation of toluene diamine on gloves following toluene diisocyanate exposure
Authors: Daoud Asma , Cloutier Pierre‐Luc , Gagné Sébastien , Breau Livain , Lesage Jacques 
Published: June 2022

RationaleToluene diisocyanate (TDI) is a highly reactive isocyanate commonly used as a mixture of 2,4‐ and 2,6‐ isomers in the production of flexible foams. Exposure to TDI occurs primarily through vapour inhalation in workplaces where TDI is produced or used, but dermal exposure is also possible during some tasks. To ensure workplace safety, accurate monitoring of TDI and toluene diamine (TDA) levels is required. Methods of quantifying field effectiveness of gloves in preventing dermal exposure have not been established. Therefore, there is a need to develop a new practical method for assessing glove effectiveness for TDI/TDA.MethodA new offline SPE UPLC–MS/MS method for the quantitation of TDA isomers from TDI‐exposed gloves was developed. Gloves were dipped in a solution of 1% acetic acid leading to a full conversion to TDA. TDA‐free amine compounds were derivatized with acetic anhydride to increase chromatographic retention and signal intensity.Results2,4‐Diaminotoluene‐α, α, α‐d3 (2,4‐d3‐TDA) was selected as a surrogate standard to minimise the variability in sample preparation and instrumental sensitivity. The choice of UPLC–MS/MS operated in multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode allowed to reach much lower limits of detection (LOD). The LOD of the method was 6.86 and 2.83 ng/mL (0.03 and 0.01 μg) for 2,6‐TDA and 2,4‐TDA, respectively. The limit of quantitation (LOQ) was 22.85 and 9.42 ng/mL (0.11 and 0.05 μg) for 2,6‐TDA and 2,4‐TDA, respectively.ConclusionA new UPLC–MS/MS analytical method has been developed to determine field effectiveness of gloves for preventing dermal exposure to TDI/TDA. The new technique overcomes some limitations for measuring putative dermal exposure to isocyanates and may be useful in exposure monitoring and future research on isocyanate health risks.
4‐Mercaptobenzoic acid‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry for sensitive quantification of cesium and strontium in drinking water
Authors: Shao Wenya , Sun Ying , Su Hang , Sun Qianqian , Lin Zian 
Published: June 2022

RationaleCesium ions (Cs+) and strontium ions (Sr2+), which enter the human body mainly through drinking water, are an important determinant of health. They are widely distributed on Earth and extremely soluble in water. In order to assist assessment of the drinking safety, it was essential to develop a rapid analytical method for quantification. We have established a 4‐mercaptobenzoic acid (MBA)‐based matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI‐TOF‐MS) method for the rapid detection and sensitive quantification of Cs+ and Sr2+ in the aqueous environment.MethodsUsing MBA as the matrix, the rapid detection and quantification for Cs+ and Sr2+ were conducted by MALDI‐TOF‐MS. At first, the concentration of MBA was optimized. Then, salt tolerance, detection limit and reproducibility of this method were evaluated by standard solutions. Finally, the calibration curves were constructed and applied to the rapid determination of Cs+ and Sr2+ in six commercially available bottled waters for drinking.ResultsFor the MBA‐assisted MALDI‐TOF‐MS method, the optimal concentration of MBA was 2 mg/mL. The signal‐to‐noise (S/N) ratio of Cs+ was up to 971 in 1000 mmol/mL NaCl solution. The detection limits of the method for Cs+ and Sr2+ were 3 pg/mL and 10 pg/mL, respectively. Furthermore, this developed method was applied to the rapid analysis of Cs+ and Sr2+ in six commercially available drinking waters, and the results correlated well with the results obtained from a validated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) method.ConclusionsThe MBA‐assisted MALDI‐TOF‐MS method has high sensitivity, fast detection speed, less background interference, and high reproducibility in the analysis of Cs+ and Sr2+. Because of the physiological functions and general toxic effects, detection of Cs+ and Sr2+ in water is of major importance for drinking safety.
Robust control for a class of nonlinear systems with input constraints based on actor‐critic learning
Authors: Li Dongdong , Dong Jiuxiang 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis article focuses on establishing a general robust actor‐critic online learning control structure for disturbed nonlinear continuous systems with input constraints. It enriches the existing studies for the robustness of input constraint systems. First, the problem of robust controller design is successfully transformed into optimal controller design, and this process is proven, in which a particular nonquadratic discount cost function is defined. Then, build two neural networks (NNs) to estimate the cost function together and update each other. In the update process of actor NN, a robust term related to the state is introduced, which can guarantee the system's stability during the online learning process, and the state information is more fully utilized. Furthermore, using Lyapunov's direct method, it is proved that the estimated weights of the closed‐loop optimal control system and the actor‐critic NNs are uniformly ultimately bounded (UUB). It also provides extended discussions and a simulation example to demonstrate the robustness verification results of the novel algorithm.
Building information modeling‐based 3D reconstruction and coverage planning enabled automatic painting of interior walls using a novel painting robot in construction
Authors: Zhou Yang , Li Peng , Ye Zefeng , Yue Linzhu , Gui Linhai , Jiang Xin , Li Xiang , Liu Yun‐hui 
Published: June 2022

AbstractDue to the lack of experienced labor and high‐quality requirements, interior painting task calls for robotic solutions in the construction field. This paper presents a robotic system aiming for the automatic interior wall painting task. The new painting robot comprises an omnidirectional mobile base and a seven degrees‐of‐freedom (7‐DOF) redundant manipulator consisting of a 6‐DOF robot arm and a 1‐DOF lifting mechanism to make the painting task more flexible. Further, a building information modeling‐based three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction approach is used to obtain the complete 3D model of all walls in the interior environment for automatic painting. Moreover, we propose a two‐stage coverage planning framework to automatically generate optimal mobile base paths and manipulator trajectories to paint the walls. In the proposed framework, the global planner plans the painting waypoints sequence optimally. The local planner generates the mobile base poses by a new evaluation function which both ensures coverage of all painting waypoints and optimizes robot paths length. The results of field tests showed that the whole painting robot system has high environment adaptability to paint interior walls automatically. Furthermore, the planning results can significantly reduce total robot paths length compared with the previous studies. The painting robot can automatically finish a painting of 46.3  in 59.3 min, and this performance verifies the proposed design and algorithms.
Bioavailability of phosphorus to loblolly pine and red maple in clay and saprolite from the southeastern Piedmont, USA
Authors: Wang Zhine , Thompson Aaron , Sutter Lori , Markewitz Daniel 
Published: June 2022

AbstractSoil P is present in multiple forms through the profile with plants potentially accessing different P pools at different depths through distinct pathways. Understanding P pool distribution and dynamics is necessary for sustainable forest management. Our research investigates soil P dynamics in clay (at 60–100 cm depth) and saprolite (at 450–500 cm depth) of the Calhoun Critical Zone Observatory (CCZO) in South Carolina through a 1‐yr greenhouse planting of loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) and red maple (Acer rubrum L.). We compared total plant P uptake to changes in soil P pools defined by Mehlich 3 (MIII) P, Hedley P, or total P fractions and to indices of potential iron (Fe) reduction and phosphatase activity as potential pathways of P release. We hypothesized that (a) the soil content of MIII P would be insufficient to meet plant demand; (b) ectomycorrhizal (EM) pine to differ from arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) maple in accessing organic P pools; and (c) Fe reduction to correlate with declines in NaOH P (associated with Fe‐bound P) with greater decreases in the Fe‐oxide‐rich clay layer. Our results indicated MIII extractable P is plant available but present in insufficient quantities to meet total demand. In Hedley P pools, resin Pi and NaOH Pi supplied the most P for plant growth, and stable P pools (concentrated HCl P and residual P) buffered losses from these P pools. Plant‐available P in these soils seems sufficient to meet long‐term plant demand particularly if deeply rooted trees grow into the saprolite that had higher available soil P supply.
Do ambitious entrepreneurs benefit more from training?
Authors: Kotha Reddi , (Bala) Vissa Balagopal , Lin Yimin , Corboz Anne‐Valérie 
Published: June 2022

AbstractResearch SummaryDoes growth training help entrepreneurs scale‐up new ventures? Our field experiment answers this question using data from 181 Singapore‐based, early‐growth entrepreneurs drawn from a broad range of industry sectors. Treatment content focused on three growth‐catalyst tools relevant for formulating and executing innovation‐led growth: business‐model design, leveraging external networks, and building internal teams. Treatment format comprised interactive lecture sessions and workshops on these tools supplemented by personalized coaching in applying the tools to entrepreneurs' specific challenges. We find that ventures led by entrepreneurs that received training experienced sales growth of 72.5% compared to 30.3% for those in the control condition. Furthermore, ventures led by entrepreneurs with more ambitious growth expectations experienced sales growth of about 100% compared to 10% for those in the control condition.Managerial SummaryWe study how training in growth‐catalyst tools help entrepreneurs scale‐up new ventures. We focused on three tools relevant for formulating and executing innovation‐led growth: business‐model design, leveraging external networks, and building internal teams. The training format comprised lecture workshops and personalized coaching in applying the tools. Our quantitative findings confirm that entrepreneurs who attended the training increased their venture's sales revenue, and the more ambitious entrepreneurs increased their venture's sales revenue to a much greater degree. Illustrative interviews suggest these tools help entrepreneurs to reimagine their business, successfully access influential resource‐holders such as potential investors or customers, and persuade them by representing their business in a credible and succinct fashion. Our findings inform policymakers designing entrepreneurial training interventions on how participants' ambitions shapes intervention success.
Network orientation, organisational improvisation and innovation: An empirical examination
Authors: Zhang Ao , Zhang Weiyong 
Published: June 2022

AbstractIn today's highly competitive world market, businesses can hardly maintain their competitiveness without strong innovation abilities. In the past, many Chinese enterprises have enjoyed success through imitation. But to continue to succeed in a global marketplace, they must develop ambidextrous innovation abilities. The resource‐based theory eloquently posits that competitive advantage is associated with different and heterogeneous resources. To obtain such resources, firms must establish an external network to acquire necessary knowledge and skills. In this paper, we develop a theoretical model linking network orientation, organisational improvisation, ambidexterity and competitive tension. We postulate that organisational improvisation has a mediating effect and competitive tension is a moderator. Empirical results (N = 340) show that (1) network orientation leads to both exploratory and exploitative innovations, (2) the above effect is mediated by organisational improvisation and (3) competitive tension positively moderates the effect between network orientation and organisational improvisation.
Atrophic gastritis is inversely associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease in a twin register based study
Authors: Zhang Ji , Bellocco Rino , Franzén Joar , Zagai Ulrika , Magnusson Patrik K. E. , Ye Weimin 
Published: June 2022

AbstractBackgroundThe association between atrophic gastritis (AG) and symptomatic gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) needs to be better assessed.ObjectiveWe aimed to study this association in a twin setting, controlling for genetic and familial factors, in addition to a range of known covariates.MethodsWe performed a co‐twin control study based on the Swedish Twin Registry, including confirmed monozygotic (MZ) and dizygotic (DZ) twins. AG was determined by the measurement of serum pepsinogen I (PGI) and pepsinogen II (PGII), with different cut‐off values. GERD was defined using a structured questionnaire, by questions on symptoms of heartburn, acid regurgitation, pain behind the breastbone, and drug history. Patients were grouped into total GERD, less frequent (<1/week), and frequent GERD (≥1/week).ResultsA total of 12,533 twins were included in the study, among whom 37.7% showed less frequent GERD, and 18.7% had frequent GERD. There was an inverse association between AG and GERD, especially for frequent GERD. When PGI<30 was used as cut‐off value for AG, the odds ratio (OR) and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was 0.52 (0.44, 0.62). When PGI<70 and PGI/PGII<3 was used as cut‐off value for AG, the OR (95% CI) was 0.53 (0.46, 0.63). A risk reduction for GERD was also observed in AG patients when the analysis was restricted in MZ or DZ twins.ConclusionIn this co‐twin control study from the Swedish Twin Register, AG is persistently associated with a reduced risk for GERD, after controlling for genetic and shared familial factors.
Development and diseases of the coronary microvasculature and its communication with the myocardium
Authors: Neffeová Kristýna , Olejníčková Veronika , Naňka Ondřej , Kolesová Hana 
Published: June 2022

AbstractWe review the current understanding of formation and development of the coronary microvasculature which supplies oxygen and nutrients to the heart myocardium and removes waste. We emphasize the close relationship, mutual development, and communication between microvasculature endothelial cells and surrounding cardiomyocytes. The first part of the review is focused on formation of microvasculature during embryonic development. We summarize knowledge about establishing the heart microvasculature density based on diffusion distance. Then signaling mechanisms which are involved in forming the microvasculature are discussed. This includes details of cardiomyocyte—endothelial cell interactions involving hypoxia, VEGF, NOTCH, angiopoietin, PDGF, and other signaling factors. The microvasculature is understudied due to difficulties in its visualization. Therefore, currently available imaging methods to delineate the coronary microvasculature in development and in adults are discussed. The second part of the review is dedicated to the importance of the coronary vasculature in disease. Coronary microvasculature pathologies are present in many congenital heart diseases (CHD), especially in pulmonary atresia, and worsen outcomes. In CHDs, where the development of the myocardium is impaired, microvasculature is also affected. In adult patients coronary microvascular disease is one of the main causes of sudden cardiac death, especially in women. Coronary microvasculature pathologies affect myocardial ischemia and vice versa; myocardial pathologies such as cardiomyopathies are closely connected with coronary microvasculature dysfunction. Microvasculature inflammation also worsens the outcomes of COVID‐19 disease. Our review stresses the importance of coronary microvasculature and provides an overview of its formation and signaling mechanisms and the importance of coronary vasculature pathologies in CHDs and adult diseases.This article is categorized under:Cardiovascular Diseases > Stem Cells and DevelopmentCongenital Diseases > Molecular and Cellular PhysiologyCardiovascular Diseases > Molecular and Cellular Physiology
Current Knowledge on Crime and Safety in Rural Areas
Authors: Ceccato Vania , Abraham Jonatan 
Published: June 2022

AbstractThis chapter reports the growing body of literature on crime and safety in rural areas via a systematic review of four decades of publications, from 1980 to 2020. This chapter describes the review approach, which focused on English-language literature (in Scopus, JSTOR, and ScienceDirect) in the form of articles, books, and book chapters, and identified research themes. This chapter characterizes the research on crime and safety in rural areas; highlights some of the most prevalent themes, such as policing, crime prevention, and methodology; and emphasizes the importance of the interdisciplinary nature of the field.