bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Rapid Decline of Mpox Antibody Responses Following MVA-BN Vaccination
Authors: Collier Ai-ris Y. , McMahan Katherine , Jacob-Dolan Catherine , Liu Jinyan , Borducchi Erica N , Moss Bernard , Barouch Dan H.
Published: September 2024

The replication-incompetent modified vaccinia Ankara-Bavarian Nordic vaccine (MVA-BN; Jynneos) was deployed during the 2022 clade IIb mpox outbreak. On August 14, 2024, the World Health Organization declared the mpox clade Ib outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo a public health emergency of international concern, which has raised the question about the durability of vaccine immunity after MVA-BN vaccination. In this study, we show that the MVA-BN vaccine generated mpox serum antibody responses that largely waned after 6-12 months.
Geospatial Analysis of the Association between Medicaid Ex-pansion, Minimum Wage Policies, and Alzheimer's Disease Dementia Prevalence in the United States
Authors: Mollalo Abolfazl , Knox Sara , Meng Jessica , Benitez Andreana , Lenert Leslie A. , Alekseyenko Alexander V.
Published: September 2024

Previous studies indicate that improved healthcare access through Medicaid expansion and alleviation of socioeconomic stressors via higher minimum wages improved health outcomes. This study investigates the spatial relationships between the Medicaid expansion, minimum wage policy, and AD dementia prevalence across the US. We employed the Getis-Ord Gi* statistic to identify hotspots and cold spots of AD dementia prevalence at the county level. We compared these locations with the overall social vulnerability index (SVI) scores and assessed the proportion of hot and cold spots at the state level based on Medicaid expansion and minimum wage status. Most vulnerable SVI quartile (Q4) had the highest number of hotspots (n=311, 64.8%), while the least vulnerable quartile (Q1) had the fewest hotspots (n=22, 4.6%) (Chis-squared=967;R2=307.41, P<0.01). States that adopted Medicaid expansion had a significantly lower proportion of hotspots compared to non-adopting states (P<0.05), and the non-adopting states had significantly higher odds of having hotspots than adopting states (OR=2.58, 95% CI: 2.04-3.26, P<0.001). Conversely, the non-adopting states had significantly lower odds of having cold spots compared to the adopting states (OR=0.24, 95% CI: 0.19-0.32, P<0.01). States with minimum wage levels at or below the federal level showed significantly higher odds of having hotspots than states with a minimum wage above the federal level (OR=1.94, 95% CI: 1.51-2.49, P<0.01). Our findings suggest significant disparities in AD dementia prevalence related to socioeconomic and policy factors and lay the groundwork for future causal analyses.
The Practice of Gender and Protection Mainstreaming in Health Response in Humanitarian Crisis - A Case Study from the Refugee Camps in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh
Authors: Halder Charls Erik
Published: September 2024

Background

The health system is required to be safe, equitable, and accessible to all ages, gender, and vulnerable groups, including older persons and persons with disability, and address their specific needs and concerns. However, limited evidence is available on the effectiveness and practicality of gender and protection mainstreaming interventions in health response in humanitarian crises.

Objective

The overall objective of the research was to explore practices, gaps, and challenges and generate recommendations regarding gender and protection mainstreaming in health response to the Rohingya refugee crisis in Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh.

Methodology

The research employed a qualitative case study design to explore the practice of gender and protection mainstreaming in health response in Cox’s Bazar. Data collection methods include an extensive literature review and in-depth interviews with professionals.

Result

The study found a range of good practices on gender and protection mainstreaming in health response, e.g. placement of a gender action plan, monitoring system for gender and disability inclusion, emergency preparedness and response system, availability of sex-segregated toilets and waiting spaces, availability of gender-based violence service and engagement of female community health workers. The study also revealed some best practices which have the potential to scale up, e,g. psycho-social spaces at health facilities for children, palliative care for terminally ill patients, integrated medical and protection services, and facilitation of community health facility support groups. Critical gaps were found in the areas of women’s leadership, coordination, capacity building, targeted interventions for vulnerable groups, infrastructural adaptation and consultation with the community on their concerns.

Conclusion

We urge policymakers, sector coordinators, health program management, healthcare workers, and global stakeholders to address the gaps and challenges, learn and scale up the best practices, and take action to implement the study’s recommendations to maximise gender and protection mainstreaming in health response.
Eye Movements in Silent Visual Speech track Unheard Acoustic Signals and Relate to Hearing Experience
Authors: Benz Kaja Rosa , Hauswald Anne , Suess Nina , Gehmacher Quirin , Demarchi Gianpaolo , Schmidt Fabian , Herzog Gudrun , Rösch Sebastian , Weisz Nathan
Published: September 2024

Behavioral and neuroscientific studies have shown that watching a speaker’s lip movements aids speech comprehension. Intriguingly, even when videos of speakers are presented silently, various cortical regions track auditory features, such as the envelope. Recently, we demonstrated that eye movements track low-level acoustic information when attentively listening to speech. In this study we investigated whether ocular speech tracking occurs during visual speech and how it influences cortical silent speech tracking. Furthermore, we compared the data of hearing individuals with congenitally deaf individuals, and those with acquired deafness or hearing loss (DHH; Deaf or hard of hearing) to assess how auditory deprivation (early vs. late onset) affects neural and ocular speech tracking during silent lip-reading. Using magnetoencephalography (MEG), we examined ocular and neural speech tracking of 75 participants observing silent videos of a speaker played forward and backward. Our main finding is a clear ocular unheard speech tracking effect with a dominance <1 Hz, which was not present for the lip movements. Similarly, we observed a <=1.3 Hz effect of neural unheard speech tracking in temporal regions for hearing participants. Importantly, neural tracking was not directly linked to ocular tracking in this study. Strikingly, across different listening groups, deaf participants with auditory listening experience showed higher ocular speech tracking than hearing participants, while no ocular speech tracking effect was revealed for congenitally deaf participants in a very small sample. This study extends our previous work by demonstrating the involvement of eye movements in speech processing, even in the absence of acoustic input.
Smooth muscle Cxcl12 activation is associated with vascular remodeling in flow-induced pulmonary hypertension
Authors: Klouda Timothy , Tsikis Savas T. , Hirsch Thomas I. , Kim Yunhye , Liu Tiffany , Friehs Ingeborg , Shyy John Y.-J. , Visner Gary , Raby Benjamin A , Puder Mark , Yuan Ke
Published: September 2024

Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) resulting in significant left-to-right shunting of blood are at risk for the development of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The underlying mechanism by which pulmonary overcirculation and shear stress lead to vascular remodeling remains unclear. Our study established a new “two-hit” murine model of severe pulmonary hypertension (PH) by combining left pneumonectomy and exposure to hypoxia (LP/Hx). Utilizing transgenic reporter lines, immunofluorescence staining, and advanced microscopy, we conducted cell-lineage tracing experiments for endothelial cells (ECs), smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and pericytes. We identified that SMCs is a primary contributor to distal arteriolar remodeling after LP/Hx. Subsequent qPCR analysis on isolated cells demonstrated thatCxcl12was upregulated in both ECs and SMCs from LP/Hx animals. Likewise, CXCL12 was overexpressed in the SMC layer of arterioles in patients with acyanotic PAH-CHD. These findings provide novel insights into the contribution of SMCs and Cxcl12 to pulmonary flow-induced vascular remodeling. This newly established murine model of PH will serve as a new tool for research and targeted therapeutics for patients with PAH.
Cancer-immune coevolution dictated by antigenic mutation accumulation
Authors: Wang Long , Morison Christo , Huang Weini
Published: September 2024

The immune system is one of the first lines of defence against the emergence of cancer. When effector cells attempt to suppress the tumour, the cancer cells can respond in kind by evolving methods of escape or inhibition. Knowledge of this coevolutionary system and the selection taking place within it can help us understand tumour-immune dynamics both during tumorigenesis but also when treatments such as immunotherapies are applied. Here, we present an individual-based branching process model of mutation accumulation, where random mutations arising in cancer cells trigger corresponding specialised immune responses. Different from previous research, we explicitly model interactions between cancer and effector cells, while incorporating stochastic effects, which are especially important for the expansion and extinction of small populations. We find that the parameters governing interactions between the cancer and effector cells induce different outcomes of tumour progress, such as suppression and evasion. While it is hard to measure the cancer-immune dynamics directly in patients, genetic information of the cancer may indicate the presence of such interactions. Our model demonstrates signatures of selection in sequencing-derived summary statistics, such as the single-cell mutational burden. Thus, bulk and single-cell sequencing of a tumour may give information about the coevolutionary dynamics.
Eukaryotic initiation factors eIF4F and eIF4B promote translation termination upon closed-loop formation
Authors: Shuvalova Ekaterina , Shuvalov Alexey , Sheikh Walaa Al , Ivanov Alexander V. , Biziaev Nikita , Egorova Tatiana V. , Dmitriev Sergey E. , Terenin Ilya M. , Alkalaeva Elena
Published: September 2024

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor eIF4F, comprising subunits eIF4G, eIF4E, and eIF4A, plays a pivotal role in the 48S preinitiation complex assembly and ribosomal scanning. Additionally, eIF4B enhances the helicase activity of eIF4A. eIF4F also interacts with PABP bound to the poly(A) tail of mRNA, thereby forming a closed-loop structure. PABP, in turn, interacts with eRF3, stimulating translation termination. Here, we employed a reconstituted mammalian system to directly demonstrate that eIF4F potently enhances translation termination. Specifically, eIF4A and eIF4B promote the loading of eRF1 into the A site of the ribosome, while eIF4G1 stimulates the GTPase activity of eRF3 and facilitates the dissociation of release factors following peptide release. We also identified MIF4G as the minimal domain required for this activity and show that eIF4G2/DAP5 can also promote termination. Our findings provide compelling evidence that the closed-loop mRNA structure facilitates translation termination, with PABP and eIF4F directly involved in this process.
Acute dietary methionine restriction highlights sensitivity of neocortex development to metabolic variations
Authors: Saha Sulov , Debacq Clémence , Audouard Christophe , Jungas Thomas , Dupre Pierrick , Fawal Mohamad-Ali , Chapat Clément , Michaud Henri-Alexandre , Le Cam Laurent , Lacroix Matthieu , Ohayon David , Davy Alice
Published: September 2024

Methionine -an essential amino acid that has to be provided by nutrition- and its metabolite S-Adenosyl methionine (SAM) are indispensable for cell proliferation, stem cell maintenance and epigenetic regulation1–5, three processes that are central to embryonic development6. Previous studies using chronic dietary restriction of methyl donors prior to and during gestation indicated that methionine restriction (MR) is detrimental to the development or growth of the neocortex7,8, however, the consequences of acute MR have not been extensively studied. Here, we designed a dietary MR regime coinciding with the neurogenic phases of neocortex development in the mouse. Our results indicate that dietary MR for 5 days leads to a severe reduction in neocortex growth and neuronal production. In comparison, growth of the liver and heart was unaffected, highlighting an organ-specific response to MR which was also observed at the cellular and molecular levels. Progenitor cohort labeling revealed a time-dependent sensitivity to MR and cell cycle analyses indicated that after 5 days of MR, progenitors are stalled in the S/G2 phases. Unexpectedly, neocortex growth reduction induced after 5 days of MR is completely rescued at birth when switching the dam back to control diet for the remaining of gestation, uncovering a mechanism of catch-up growth. Using multiplexed imaging we probed metabolic and epigenetic markers following MR and during catch-up growth and show that pyruvate metabolism is rewired in progenitors. Altogether, our data uncover a transient state of quiescence in G2/S which is metabolically distinct from G0 quiescence and associated with efficient catch-up growth. More globally, our study highlights both the extreme sensitivity of the developing neocortex to acute dietary changes and its remarkable plasticity.
Computational anatomy: the cerebellar microzone computation
Authors: Gilbert Mike , Rasmussen Anders
Published: September 2024

The cerebellum is a large brain structure. Most of the mass and volume of the cerebellum is made up by the cerebellar cortex. The outer layer of the cerebellar cortex is divided functionally into long, thin strips called microzones. We argue that the cerebellar microzone computation is the aggregate of simple unit computations and a passive effect of anatomy, unaided and unlearned, which we recreate in silico. This is likely to polarise opinion. In the traditional view, data processing by the cerebellum (stated very briefly) is the effect of learned synaptic changes. However, this has become difficult to reconcile with evidence that rate information is linearly conserved in cerebellar signalling. We present an alternative interpretation of cell morphologies and network architecture in the light of linear communication. Parallel fibre synaptic memory has a supporting role in the network computation.
Structural and biochemical characterization of the ALX4 dimer reveals novel insights into how disease alleles impact ALX4 function
Authors: Cain Brittany , Yuan Zhenyu , Thoman Evelyn , Kovall Rhett A. , Gebelein Brian
Published: September 2024

1.

How homeodomain proteins gain sufficient DNA binding specificity to regulate diverse processes has been a long-standing question. Here, we determine how the ALX4 Paired-like protein achieves DNA binding specificity for a TAAT – NNN – ATTA dimer site. We first show that ALX4 binds this motif independently of its co-factor, TWIST1, in cranial neural crest cells. Structural analysis identified seven ALX4 residues that participate in dimer binding, many of which are conserved across the Paired-like family, but not other homeodomain proteins. Unexpectedly, the two ALX4 proteins within the dimer use distinct residues to form asymmetric protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions to mediate cooperativity. Moreover, we found that ALX4 cooperativity is required for transcriptional activation and that ALX4 disease variants cause distinct molecular defects that include loss of cooperativity. These findings provide new insights into how Paired-like factors gain DNA specificity and show how disease variants can be stratified based on their molecular defects.
Hypoxia and loss ofGCM1expression prevents differentiation and contact inhibition in human trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Cinkornpumin Jessica K. , Kwon Sin Young , Prandstetter Anna-Maria , Maxian Theresa , Sirois Jacinthe , Goldberg James , Zhang Joy , Saini Deepak , Dasgupta Purbasa , Jeyarajah Mariyan J. , Renaud Stephen J. , Paul Soumen , Haider Sandra , Pastor William A.
Published: September 2024

The placenta develops alongside the embryo and nurtures fetal development to term. During the first stages of embryonic development, due to low blood circulation, the blood and ambient oxygen supply is very low (∼1-2% O2) and gradually increases upon placental invasion. While a hypoxic environment is associated with stem cell self-renewal and proliferation, persistent hypoxia may have severe effects on differentiating cells and could be the underlying cause of placental disorders. We find that human trophoblast stem cells (hTSC) thrive in low oxygen, whereas differentiation of hTSC to trophoblast to syncytiotrophoblast (STB) and extravillous trophoblast (EVT) is negatively affected by hypoxic conditions. The pro-differentiation factor GCM1 (human Glial Cell Missing-1) is downregulated in low oxygen, and concordantly there is substantial reduction of GCM1-regulated genes in hypoxic conditions. Knockout of GCM1 in hTSC caused impaired EVT and STB formation and function, reduced expression of differentiation-responsive genes, and resulted in maintenance of self-renewal genes. Treatment with a PI3K inhibitor reported to reduce GCM1 protein levels likewise counteracts spontaneous or directed differentiation. Additionally, chromatin immunoprecipitation of GCM1 showed enrichment of GCM1-specific binding near key transcription factors upregulated upon differentiation including the contact inhibition factorCDKN1C.Loss ofGCM1resulted in downregulation ofCDKN1Cand corresponding loss of contact inhibition, implicating GCM1 in regulation of this critical process.
Neuroendocrine Control of Intestinal Regeneration Through the Vascular Niche inDrosophila
Authors: Medina André B. , Perochon Jessica , Johnson Cai , Polcowñuk Sofia , Tian Yuanliangzi , Yu Yachuan , Cordero Julia B.
Published: September 2024

Robust and controlled intestinal regeneration is essential for the preservation of organismal health and wellbeing and involves reciprocal interactions between the intestinal epithelium and its microenvironment. While knowledge of regulatory roles of the microenvironment on the intestine is vast, how distinct perturbations within the intestinal epithelium may influence tailored responses from the microenvironment, remains understudied. Here, we present previously unknown signaling between enteroendocrine cells (EE), vasculature-like trachea (TTCs), and neurons, which drives regional and global stem cell proliferation during adult intestinal regeneration inDrosophila.

Injury-induced ROS from midgut epithelial cells promotes the production and secretion of Dh31, the homolog of mammalian Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP), from anterior midgut EE cells. Dh31 from EE cells and neurons signal to Dh31 receptor within TTCs leading to cell autonomous production of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-like Pvf1. Tracheal derived Pvf1 induces remodeling of the tracheal stem cell niche and regenerative ISC proliferation through autocrine and paracrine Pvr/MAPK signalling, respectively. Interestingly, while EE Dh31 exerts broad control of ISC proliferation throughout the midgut, functions of the neuronal source of the ligand appear restricted to the posterior midgut. Altogether, our work has led to the discovery of a novel enteroendocrine/neuronal/vascular signaling network controlling global and domain specific ISC proliferation during adult intestinal regeneration.
Optimized expansion microscopy reveals species-specific spindle microtubule organization inXenopusegg extracts
Authors: Guilloux Gabriel , Kitaoka Maiko , Mocaer Karel , Heichette Claire , Duchesne Laurence , Heald Rebecca , Pecot Thierry , Gibeaux Romain
Published: September 2024

The spindle is a key structure in cell division as it orchestrates the accurate segregation of genetic material. While its assembly and function are well-studied, the mechanisms regulating spindle architecture remain elusive. In this study, we investigate the differences in spindle organization betweenXenopus laevisandXenopus tropicalis, leveraging expansion microscopy (ExM) to overcome the limitations of conventional imaging techniques. We optimized an ExM protocol tailored forXenopusegg extract spindles, improving upon fixation, denaturation and gelation methods to achieve higher resolution imaging of spindles. Our protocol preserves spindle integrity and allows effective pre-expansion immunofluorescence. This method enabled detailed analysis of the differences in microtubule organization between the two species.X. laevisspindles overall exhibited a broader range of bundle sizes, whileX. tropicalisspindles contained mostly smaller bundles. Moreover, while both species exhibited larger bundle sizes near and at the spindle center,X. tropicalisspindles otherwise consisted of very small bundles, andX. laevisspindles medium-sized bundles. By enhancing resolution and minimizing distortions and fixation artifacts, our optimized ExM approach offers new insights into spindle morphology and provides a robust tool for studying the structural intricacies of these large cellular assemblies. This work advances our understanding of spindle architecture and opens up new avenues for exploring underlying mechanisms.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Correct spindle morphology is key to its function; however, traditional microscopy methods limit our view of spindle architecture. This study addresses the gap in resolving detailed spindle microtubule organization by using advanced imaging.

The research utilizes Expansion Microscopy (ExM) to reveal previously unobservable details of spindle morphology in egg extracts of twoXenopusspecies (X. laevisandX. tropicalis). This approach provides unprecedented clarity on microtubule arrangement and variations in spindle architecture.

This work establishes a new protocol for high-resolution imaging of spindle structures, offering insights into how spindle architecture is adapted in differently-sized spindles to ensure proper function.
Angular distribution measurements of neutron elastic scattering on natural carbon
Authors: Gkatis G. , Pirovano E. , Diakaki M. , Noguere G. , Nyman M. , Oprea A. , Paradela C. , Plompen A. J. M.
Published: September 2024

The angular distributions of neutron elastic scattering on natural carbon were studied in the fast neutron energy region between 1 and 8 MeV. The experiments were carried out at the white neutron source of the Geel Electron Linear Accelerator (GELINA) facility by using thin and thick natural carbon samples. This work demonstrates the need for using thin samples to avoid strong multiple scattering effects. Neutrons and γ rays from scattering were detected using the ELastic and Inelastic Scattering Array (ELISA), a setup consisting of 32 liquid organic scintillators. The n−γ separation was achieved via pulse-shape analysis. For each sample a different approach in methodology is studied, one based on a global response function model and another one based on a per-detector model. The detectors are placed at eight different detection angles between 16∘ and 164∘ with respect to the neutron beam direction, allowing the simultaneous calculation of both the differential and the integral cross section by implementing the Gauss-Legendre quadrature rule. The neutron flux was measured with a U235 ionization chamber. The angular distributions were extracted relative to the U235(n,f) cross section. The results are compared with other experimental data available in the EXFOR library, along with the most recent nuclear data evaluations. The angle-integrated cross sections are in excellent agreement with the nuclear data evaluations and for the angular distributions, ENDF/B-VIII.0 is better reproducing the experimental data in all eight detection angles.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Parity-violating scalar-tensor theory
Authors: Hu Yu-Min , Gao Xian
Published: September 2024

We investigate the parity-violating scalar-tensor theory and pay special attention to terms that are free of the Ostrogradsky ghost in the unitary gauge, i.e., when the scalar field possesses a timelike gradient. We exhaustively identify the generally covariant scalar-tensor theory (GST) monomials with parity violation up to d=4, where d is the total number of derivatives in the unitary gauge. According to the correspondence between GST terms and the spatially covariant gravity (SCG) terms in the unitary gauge, we also exhaustively identify the SCG monomials with parity violation up to d=4, where the Lie derivatives of the extrinsic curvature and the lapse function are necessarily introduced. We find a total of nine independent parity-violating SCG monomials, of which seven contain no higher-order Lie derivatives and are thus automatically free of ghosts, while two involve Lie derivatives of the extrinsic curvature and the lapse function and are thus potentially dangerous. By explicitly deriving their generally covariant correspondence, we obtain seven independent scalar-tensor terms dubbed the “Qi-Xiu” Lagrangians, which are the most general parity-violating scalar-tensor theories that are ghost-free in the unitary gauge up to d=4. Our results include the existing theories in the literature, such as the Chern-Simons term and the chiral scalar-tensor theories, as special cases.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Geometric Symmetry Breaking and Nonlinearity Can Increase Thermoelectric Power
Authors: Fast Jonatan , Lundström Hanna , Dorsch Sven , Samuelson Lars , Burke Adam , Samuelsson Peter , Linke Heiner
Published: September 2024

Direct thermal-to-electric energy converters typically operate in the linear regime, where the ratio of actual maximum power relative to the ideal maximum power, the so-called fill factor (FF), is 0.25. Here, we show, based on fundamental symmetry considerations, that the leading order nonlinear terms that can increase the FF require devices with broken spatial symmetry. Studying nonlinear, thermoelectric transport across an asymmetric energy barrier defined in a single semiconductor nanowire, we find in both experiment and theory that we can increase the FF as well as maximum power. Geometric symmetry breaking combined with the design of nonlinear behavior thus represents a strategy for increasing the performance of thermoelectric or hot-carrier devices.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Deterministic and multiuser quantum teleportation network of continuous-variable polarization states
Authors: Yan Jieli , Zhou Xiaoyu , Qin Yue , Yan Zhihui , Jia Xiaojun , Xie Changde , Peng Kunchi
Published: September 2024

Quantum teleportation is widely applied as a key ingredient in quantum information science, and quantum network provides unique abilities for upscaling its applications. Polarization state of light is a vital degree of freedom with the advantages of remote transfer and direct light-atom interaction. To construct a multiuser quantum network, deterministic quantum teleportation of polarization state in more users' network remains challenging. Compared with photonic quantum state, the deterministic quantum teleportation network of polarization state is realized with a single set of continuous-variable entangled states. The key techniques include only one set of quadrature entangled network, single quadrature controller, and active polarization controller. Arbitrary polarization state is deterministically and controllably teleported in such a system involving four or three users. This system is deterministic and scalable with user number, which enables the potential application in deterministic metropolitan quantum network.

Published by the American Physical Society
2024
Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase and its 3D structures from crystallography and electron cryo-microscopy
Authors: Hanau Stefania , Helliwell John R.
Published: September 2024

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the first enzyme in the pentose phosphate pathway. It has been extensively studied by biochemical and structural techniques. 13 X-ray crystal structures and five electron cryo-microscopy structures in the PDB are focused on in this topical review. Two F420-dependent glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (FGD) structures are also reported. The significant differences between human and parasite G6PDs can be exploited to find selective drugs against infections such as malaria and leishmaniasis. Furthermore, G6PD is a prognostic marker in several cancer types and is also considered to be a tumour target. On the other hand, FGD is considered to be a target against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and possesses a high biotechnological potential in biocatalysis and bioremediation.
Protein expression, purification, crystallization and crystallographic studies of BPSL0741 from Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Fadhar Nurul Fadzillah , Nyanasegran Pravin Kumran , Firdaus-Raih Mohd , Nathan Sheila , Jonet Mohd Anuar , Ng Chyan Leong
Published: September 2024

Burkholderia pseudomallei is the causative agent of the lethal disease melioidosis. This bacterium infects animals and humans and is increasingly resistant to multiple antibiotics. Recently, genes associated with survival of the bacterium in the infected host have been identified. One of these genes, bpsl0741, is annotated as a hypothetical protein of 185 amino acids. Here, recombinant BPSL0741 (rBPSL0741) protein was expressed, purified, verified by mass spectrometry, crystallized and analyzed by X-ray diffraction. rBPSL0741 was crystallized by vapor diffusion using a reservoir solution consisting of 0.2 M ammonium acetate, 0.1 M sodium acetate trihydrate pH 4.6, 30% PEG 4000. The crystals diffracted to 2.1 Å resolution using an in-house X-ray diffractometer and belonged to an orthorhombic space group, with unit-cell parameters a = 62.92, b = 64.57, c = 89.16 Å. The Matthews coefficient (V
M) was calculated to be 2.18 Å3 Da−1, suggesting the presence of two molecules per asymmetric unit and an estimated solvent content of 43.5%. The crystal was deemed to be suitable for further structural studies, which are currently ongoing.
The role of other comprehensive income in analyst valuation: profitability, perception and performance
Authors: Du Ning , Byrne Jeffrey , Knisley Robert , Powell Dwayne , Valentine James
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This study aims to examine how financial analysts evaluate other comprehensive income (OCI) information with a focus on the information content and economic substance of OCI gain and loss.

Design/methodology/approach

This study conducted a 2 × 2 between-subject experiment by manipulating profitability (net profit or net loss) and OCI (OCI gain or loss). A total of 103 equity research analysts participated in the experiment.

Findings

The results show that when the company suffers a net loss, the presence of unrealized gain in OCI appears to cause concern for analysts, in that they assigned a lower valuation to the OCI gain company than the OCI loss company. However, in the cases where the company is profitable, analysts appeared to respond to the direction of OCI (i.e. gain or loss) and incorporated the directional information in their valuation judgment.

Originality/value

The experimental results complement prior archival research on OCI valuation. This study extends prior work on OCI’s decision usefulness, improves understanding of the impact of OCI on firm valuation and contributes to the ongoing debate about whether OCI is viewed as a performance measure. The findings indicate that the effect of OCI gains or losses is most pronounced when the company experiences a loss. During such instances, analysts may interpret a combination of net loss and OCI gain as a potential indicator of earnings management opportunities. Consequently, they may perceive it as a signal of deteriorating future financial performance.
Beyond graduation: understanding professional downgrading in Moroccan vocational training alumni
Authors: Ibourk Aomar , Elouaourti Zakaria
Published: September 2024

Purpose

Young graduates in Morocco are encountering an increasingly challenging labor market environment. Confronted with intense competition, job insecurity, and unclear career trajectories, many find themselves in low-skilled positions despite possessing relevant qualifications. This issue is particularly pronounced among vocational training graduates, who experience professional downgrading at a rate three times higher (33.6%) compared to their peers from general education (11.6%) (HCP, 2018). Our study aims to investigate professional downgrading among young vocational training graduates in Morocco, focusing on the factors contributing to this phenomenon and identifying potential solutions to address it.

Design/methodology/approach

Our study is based on the insertion and career path survey conducted by the Department of Professional Training with graduates of professional training programs in Morocco. For this edition, the survey was conducted in 2020, encompassing all 31,498 graduates of the 2016 professional training programs. The Heckman self-selection model is employed to analyze and explore various dimensions of downgrading. Factors such as gender, age, marital status, parental education, and the choice of vocational training field are scrutinized to understand their influence on downgrading.

Findings

The study reveals several key findings: Women exhibit a lower probability of professional downgrading compared to men. Young graduates are more vulnerable to downgrading, emphasizing the necessity for career guidance and mentorship programs to facilitate their entry into the job market. Marital status plays a role, with married individuals having a higher likelihood of downgrading. Parental education, particularly that of mothers, proves critical in preventing subjective downgrading of vocational training graduates, highlighting the need for adult literacy and education programs. The effectiveness of the National Agency for the Promotion of Employment and Competencies (ANAPEC) programs in preventing downgrading among vocational training graduates is questioned, suggesting the need for program revisions tailored to this population. The choice of vocational training field significantly impacts downgrading, with graduates of technical training programs experiencing advantages. This emphasizes the importance of diversifying training fields and aligning them with market demands.

Originality/value

This study provides valuable insights into the phenomenon of professional downgrading among young vocational training graduates in Morocco. The findings emphasize the need for targeted policy interventions. Recommendations include supporting young graduates, reassessing programs offered by the ANAPEC, and enhancing technical training to better align with the evolving demands of the labor market.
Magnetohydrodynamic double diffusion natural convection of power-law Non-Newtonian Nano-Encapsulated phase change materials in a trapezoidal enclosure
Authors: Suchana Khairunnahar , Molla Md. Mamun
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The present numerical investigation examines the magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) double diffusion natural convection of power-law non-Newtonian nano-encapsulated phase change materials (NEPCMs) in a trapezoidal cavity.

Design/methodology/approach

The governing Navier-Stokes, energy and concentration equations based on the Cartesian curvilinear coordinates are solved using the collocated grid arrangement’s finite volume method. The in-house FORTRAN code is validated with the different benchmark problems. The NEPCM nanoparticles consist of a core-shell structure with Phase Change Material (PCM) at the core. The enclosure, shaped as a trapezoidal hollow, features a warmed (Th) left wall and a cold (Tc) right wall. Various parameters are considered, including the power law index (0.6 ≤ n ≤ 1.4), Hartmann number (0 ≤ Ha ≤ 30), Rayleigh number (104 ≤ Ra ≤ 105) and fixed variables such as buoyancy ratio (Br = 0.8), Prandtl number (Pr = 6.2), Lewis number (Le = 5), fusion temperature (Θf = 0.5) and volume fraction (ϕ = 0.04).

Findings

The findings indicate a decrease in local Nusselt (Nu) and Sherwood (Sh) numbers with increasing Hartmann numbers (Ha). Additionally, for a shear-thinning fluid (n = 0.6) results in the maximum local Nu and Sh values. As the Rayleigh number (Ra) increases from 104 to 105, the structured vortex in the streamline pattern is disturbed. Furthermore, for different Ra values, an increase in n from 0.6 to 1.4 leads to a 67.43% to 76.88% decrease in average Nu and a 70% to 77% decrease in average Sh.

Research limitations/implications

This research is for two-dimensioal laminar flow only.

Practical implications

PCMs represent a class of practical substances that behave as a function of temperature and have the innate ability to absorb, release and store heated energy in the form of hidden fusion enthalpy, or heat. They are valuable in these systems as they can store significant energy at a relatively constant temperature through their latent heat phase change.

Originality/value

As per the literature review and the authors’ understanding, an examination has never been conducted on MHD double diffusion natural convection of power-law non-Newtonian NEPCMs within a trapezoidal enclosure. The current work is innovative since it combines NEPCMs with the effect of magnetic field Double diffusion Natural Convection of power-law non-Newtonian NEPCMs in a Trapezoidal enclosure. This outcome can be used to improve thermal management in energy storage systems, increasing safety and effectiveness.
Design and three-dimensional simulation of flat-knitted sports uppers based on loop structure
Authors: Zhao Junjie , Jiang Gaoming , Li Bingxian
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to solve the diverse and complex problems of flat-knitting sports upper process design, improve the design ability of upper organization, and realize three-dimensional simulation function.

Design/methodology/approach

Firstly, the matrix is used to establish the corresponding pattern diagram and organizational diagram model, and the relationship between the two is established by color coding as a bridge to completed the transformation of the flat-knitted sports upper process design model. Secondly, the spatial coordinates of the loop type value points are obtained through the establishment of loop mesh model, the index of two-dimensional and three-dimensional models of uppers and the establishment of spatial transformation relationship. Finally, using Visual Studio as a development tool, use the C# language to implement this series of processes.

Findings

Digitizing the fabric into a matrix model, combined with matrix transformation, can quickly realize the design of the flat-knitting process. Taking the knitting diagram of the upper process as the starting point, the loop geometry model corresponding to the element information is established, and the three-dimensional simulation effect of the flat-knitted upper based on the loop structure is realized under the premise of ensuring that it can be knitted.

Originality/value

This paper proposes a design and modeling method for flat-knitted uppers. Taking the upper design process and 3D simulation effect as an example, the feasibility of the method is verified, which improves the efficiency of the development of the flat-knitted upper product and lays the foundation for the high-end customization of the flat-knitted upper.
Remittances, migration and vaccine acceptance/hesitancy
Authors: Makhlouf Farid
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The SARS-Cov2 pandemic has generated considerable debate about the role of vaccines in the fight against epidemics and the sensitivity and acceptability of new vaccines in emergency situations. The aim of this paper is to examine the nature of the relationship between remittances as an additional source of income and the acceptance of the COVID-19 vaccine and to provide an overview of the determinants of acceptance or hesitancy of the COVID-19 vaccine. It uses logistic regression and propensity score matching to study the relationship between remittances and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. Using data from the Arab Barometer survey (2021–2022) for 10 Middle East and North Africa (MENA) countries, the results indicate that the number of people vaccinated among remittance recipients is higher than among those who do not receive remittances. The impact of international migration on vaccine acceptance in countries of origin can be seen in the transfer of norms and beliefs from host countries.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper uses logistic regression and propensity score matching to study the relationship between remittances and COVID-19 vaccine acceptance. using data from the Arab Barometer survey (2021–2022) for 10 MENA countries.

Findings

The results indicate that the number of people vaccinated among remittance recipients is higher than among those who do not receive remittances. The impact of international migration on vaccine acceptance in countries of origin can be seen in the transfer of norms and beliefs from host countries.

Research limitations/implications

Other variables possibly linked to vaccine acceptance can be incorporated into the study.

Practical implications

In countries of origin, international migration should be taken into account in health policies. The convergence of health standards between developed and developing countries can also be achieved through international migration.

Originality/value

The link between migration, through remittances as a proxy for norm transfers, and health, particularly vaccine acceptance in a period of health crisis, has never been addressed in the literature.
How a United States Air Force wing built a hybrid work model that balances organizational needs and employee wellbeing
Authors: Lazarus Melanie M. , Nalepka Joseph P.
Published: September 2024

Purpose

The results of the COVID-19 pandemic rendered the traditional work environment model obsolete for the United States Air Force, resulting in the need to create a new hybrid work model that fits unique employee needs in a complex organization. This practitioner article discusses how the 711th Human Performance Wing (711 HPW) built the Mission-Focused Agile Work Environment (MFAWE) using a combination of human and mission-focused strategies to ensure a more flexible work environment without compromising excellence or its employees' well-being.

Design/methodology/approach

Using an action research approach, data was collected by 77 diverse stakeholders in six working groups. Five perspectives were examined – employee, operations, infrastructure, leadership and mission – using a combination of literature and policy reviews, interviews, surveys and personal experiences to deliver recommendations to leadership for implementation.

Findings

The MFAWE addressed hybrid work transition requirements, including employee guidance, permanent workspace guidelines and facilities. Lessons learned from implementation included the need for a change management and communication strategy. An employee playbook was found to be an effective modality for information sharing but not for policy enforcement. Employee preference for permanent space regardless of time on site due to sanitation and mental health concerns was also discovered.

Originality/value

This article showcases how a large, complex organization built a new hybrid work model using employee-inclusive practices, filling a gap in the literature. This project also uncovered complex interdependencies when transitioning to a hybrid work model, including employee preferences.
COVID-19 pandemic: advancing international marketing theory and guiding practice
Authors: Christofi Michael , Kvasova Olga , Hadjielias Elias
Published: September 2024

Purpose

This paper has a dual purpose. The first is to provide a thorough analysis of developments in international marketing in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; the second is to capitalize on these developments to set an agenda for future research in the field of international marketing.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper zooms in on and reviews the 18 papers published in International Marketing Review’s (IMR) Special Issue on “Covid 19: advancing international marketing theory and guiding practice” (2023, volume 40, issue 5). It also integrates recent research at the intersection of international marketing and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Findings

The paper highlights five areas that embody significant contemporaneous changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and affect international marketing practice. These include (1) shifts in consumer behavior, (2) digitalization and artificial intelligence, (3) disruptions in supply chains, (4) communication and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and (5) international dynamic marketing capabilities. In order to advance international marketing theory in relation to pandemics and other external crises, the paper establishes research directions for each of these areas.

Originality/value

The paper provides a novel and comprehensive categorization of fundamental shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and lays out a research roadmap to advance research in the field of International Marketing (IM). Important implications for practice are also discussed.
Elevating employees’ psychological responses and task performance through responsible artificial intelligence
Authors: Verma Surabhi , Singh Vibhav , Tudoran Ana Alina , Bhattacharyya Som Sekhar
Published: September 2024

Purpose

In this study, we investigated the positive and negative effects of stress that is driven by responsible artificial intelligence (RAI) principles on employee job outcomes by adapting the challenge–hindrance stressors model.

Design/methodology/approach

The study design involved empirically validating the proposed model on 299 respondents who use AI for work-related tasks.

Findings

The results revealed several RAI-driven challenge and hindrance stressors related to employees’ positive and negative psychological responses and task performance in a digital workplace. Practitioners could use the RAI characteristics to improve employees’ RAI-driven task performance.

Research limitations/implications

This study contributes to the ongoing discussion on technostress and awareness in the context of RAI in the AI literature. By extending the C-HS model to the RAI context, it complements the context-specific technostress literature by conceptualizing different characteristics of RAI as RAI-driven stressors.

Originality/value

Adoption and use of technologies like RAI are not automatically translated into expected job outcomes. Instead, practitioners and academicians also need to know whether the RAI characteristics actually help employees show positive or negative behavior. Furthermore, relying on the challenge–hindrance stressor (C-HS) model, we try to reveal the beneficial and detrimental effects of different RAI characteristics on employees’ job outcomes.