bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Impact of stopwatch use on propofol administration in upper gastrointestinal endoscopy: A propensity score matching analysis
Authors: Kim Yong bae
Published: July 2023

Background and Aims

Sedation endoscopy using propofol significantly reduces procedure-related discomforts and increases patient compliance. However, propofol has a very narrow therapeutic window, and the dose required for each individual is very diverse; hence, it must be used with extreme caution. Maintaining an appropriate dosing interval is also important to administer the appropriate dose. This study aimed to investigate the change in propofol dose before and after stopwatch installation in the endoscopy unit and to assess the effect of administration intervals on propofol usage patterns.

Methods

This retrospective study included people who underwent sedation endoscopy without biopsies between January 1 and October 31 of 2019. The participants were divided into before (n = 526) and after (n = 845) groups. In the after group, drug interval was rigorously maintained using the stopwatch. Changes in propofol dose with respect to sex, age, weight, height, and endoscopic procedure time were statistically analyzed. Group difference between each variable was reduced by propensity score matching adjustment, and statistical analysis was conducted using the R program.

Results

No adverse event occurred. The propofol dosage per body weight decreased from 1.38 mg/kg (before) to 1.27 mg/kg (after) in females (p< 0.0001), while it increased from 1.23 mg/kg to 1.28 mg/kg in males (p= 0.016). These changes were found to be significantly different between sexes before the installation of the stopwatch (p< 0.0001). However, after the installation of the stopwatch, there was no significant difference in propofol dosage between males and females (1.28 mg/kg vs. 1.27 mg/kg;p= 0.9752).

Conclusions

The use of a stopwatch in sedative upper gastrointestinal endoscopy reduced the propofol requirement in females but not in males.
Association between PM10exposure and risk of myocardial infarction in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Strobl Kleiton , Irfan Syed Asad , Masood Hassan , Latif Noor , Kurmi Om
Published: July 2023

Background

Air pollution has several negative health effects. Particulate matter (PM) is a pollutant that is often linked to health adversities. PM2.5(PM with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤2.5μm) exposure has been associated with negative cardiovascular (CV) outcomes. However, the impact of PM10(PM with an aerodynamic diameter of ≤10μm) exposure is often overlooked due to its limited ability to pass the alveolar barrier. This study aims to assess the association between PM10exposure and risk of myocardial infarction (MI) amongst adults (≥18 years of age) as this has been poorly studied.

Methods

The study protocol was published on PROSPERO (CRD42023409796) on March 31, 2023. Literature searches were conducted on 4 databases (OVID Medline, Embase, CINAHL, and Web of Science) for studies looking at associations between PM and MI. English studies from all time periods were assessed. Studies selected for review were time-series, case-crossover, and cohort studies which investigated the risk of MI as an outcome upon PM10exposure. The quality of evidence was assessed using Cochrane’s GRADE approach. Data for different risk outcomes (risk ratio (RR), odds ratio (OR), hazard ratio (HR)) and 3 lags was meta-analyzed using an inverse variance statistical analysis using a random effects model. The pooled effect sizes and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were reported in forest plots.

Results

Among the 1,099 studies identified, 41 were included for review and 23 were deemed eligible for meta-analysis. Our analysis revealed that there is an increased risk (OR=1.01; 95% CI:1.00 - 1.02) of MI with a 10 μg/m3increase in PM10after a lag 0 and lag 1 delay.

Conclusions

Our findings indicate that PM10exposure is associated with an increased risk of MI. This can aid in informing environmental policy-making, personal-level preventative measures, and global public health action.
Analyses of health surveys indicates regions of priority to eliminate open defecation in Africa and implication for antimicrobial resistance burden
Authors: Fagunwa Omololu Ebenezer , Mthiyane Thobile , Fagunwa Ayokunle , Olayemi Kassim Idowu , Alozie Alaoma , Onyeaka Helen , Akinsemolu Adenike , Ojo Adegbola
Published: July 2023

Sanitation, which offer safe and effective methods for waste disposal is important for development. However, in Africa and other developing regions, the prevalent practice of open defecation (OD) impedes attaining the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This research delves into the analysis of OD in Africa and proposes a three-tier priority system, comprising critical, high, and medium areas, through which developmental endeavours can be targeted. To achieve this, the study utilizes data from Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) and World Bank. The rates of OD at country and sub-country/region levels were calculated to define the priority system and regression analyses were used to determine predictors of OD practice. The findings are that Nigeria, Ethiopia, Niger, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Burkina Faso, and Chad have a high number of people struggling with open defecation. In addition, disparities in access to proper sanitation facilities were identified among impoverished individuals and those residing in rural areas. After adjusting for education and residence, the poorest are 43 times (95% confidence interval42.443 – 45.290) more likely to practice open defecation in comparison to the wealthiest. Consequently, wealth index is a pivotal factor in eradicating open toileting. To address this pressing issue in Africa, it is imperative to prioritize evidence-based targeted interventions that concentrate on regions and communities urgently needing improved sanitation infrastructure and programmes. Special attention should be paid to West Africa since many of its communities are in the critical category. Poverty and inequality must be addressed and investments in sanitation infrastructure, behavioural change promotion, and support for multistakeholder collaborations should be encouraged. To evaluate OD intervention and monitor health impact, variables such as antimicrobial resistance (AMR) should be included in important health surveys (e.g., DHS). This study is the largest meta-data analyses of OD in Africa detailing drivers and communities that should be prioritised on sanitation interventions.
Essential role of the CCL2-CCR2 axis in Mayaro virus-induced disease
Authors: Santos Franciele Martins , Rodrigues de Costa Melo Victor , de Araújo Simone , Ferreira de Sousa Carla Daiane , Moreira Thaiane Pinto , Gonçalves Matheus Rodrigues , dos Santos Anna Clara Paiva Menezes , Seabra Ferreira Heloísa Athayde , Costa Pedro Augusto Carvalho , Barrioni Breno Rocha , Bargi-Souza Paula , de Magalhães Pereira Marivalda , Nogueira Maurício Lacerda , da Glória Souza Danielle , Guimarães Pedro Pires Goulart , Teixeira Mauro Martins , Queiroz-Junior Celso Martins , Costa Vivian Vasconcelos
Published: July 2023

Mayaro virus (MAYV) is an emerging arbovirus member of theTogaviridaefamily andAlphavirusgenus. MAYV infection causes an acute febrile illness accompanied by persistent polyarthralgia and myalgia. Understanding the mechanisms involved in arthritis caused by alphaviruses is necessary to develop specific therapies. In this work, we investigated the role of the CCL2/CCR2 axis in the pathogenesis of MAYV-induced disease. For this, WT C57BL/6J and CCR2-/-mice were infected with MAYV subcutaneously and evaluated for disease development. MAYV infection induced an acute inflammatory disease in WT mice. The immune response profile was characterized by an increase in the production of inflammatory mediators, such as IL-6, TNF and CCL2. Higher levels of CCL2 at the local and systemic levels, was followed by significant recruitment of CCR2+macrophages and a cellular response orchestrated by these cells. CCR2-/-mice showed an increase in CXCL-1 levels, followed by a replacement of the macrophage inflammatory infiltrate by neutrophils. Additionally, absence of the CCR2 receptor protected mice from bone loss induced by MAYV. Accordingly, the silencing of CCL2 chemokine expressionin vivoand the pharmacological blockade of CCR2 promoted a partial improvement in disease. Cell culture data support the mechanism underlying MAYV’s bone pathology in which: i) MAYV infection promoted a pro-osteoclastogenic microenvironment mediated by IL-6, TNF and CCL2 and ii) migration of osteoclast precursors was dependent on the CCR2/CCL2 axis. Overall, these data contribute to the understanding of the pathophysiology of MAYV infection and to the identification future of specific therapeutic targets in MAYV-induced disease.

Importance

This work demonstrates the role of the CCL2/CCR2 axis in MAYV-induced disease. Infection of WT C57BL/6J and CCR2-/-mice was associated with high levels of CCL2, an important chemoattractant involved in the recruitment of macrophages, the main precursor of osteoclasts. In the absence of the CCR2 receptor there is a mitigation of macrophage migration to the target organs of infection and protection of these mice against bone loss induced by MAYV infection. Much evidence has shown that host immune response factors contribute significantly to the tissue damage associated to alfavirus infections. Thus, this work highlights molecular and cellular targets involved in the pathogenesis of arthritis triggered by MAYV, and identifies novel therapeutic possibilities directed to the host inflammatory response unleashed by MAYV.
Effectiveness of ten-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine on invasive pneumococcal disease among children <2 years old: a prospective population-based study in rural Bangladesh
Authors: Malaker Roly , Hassanuzaman Md , Rahman Hafizur , Das Rajib Chandra , Kanon Naito , Saha Senjuti , Hooda Yogesh , Tanmoy Arif M , Chakraborty Sowmitra Ranjan , Saha Shampa , Islam Maksuda , Darmstadt Gary L. , Baqui Abdullah H , Sathosam Mathuram , El-Arifeen Shams , Whitney Cynthia G , Saha Samir K
Published: July 2023

The 10-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV10) was introduced in March 2015 in Bangladesh. In this study, we aimed to estimate the impact of PCV10 on invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD) identified by blood cultures and severe pneumonia identified clinically and its effectiveness on invasive disease caused by vaccine serotypes.

We conducted population-based surveillance among children aged 2- <24 months between April 2012 through March 2019 in Mirzapur, a rural sub-district of Bangladesh. We compared incidence of IPD and severe pneumonia before (April 2012 to March 2015) and after (April 2015 to March 2019) the introduction of PCV10. Vaccine effectiveness was measured using an indirect cohort analysis of data from four sentinel sites in which PCV10 vaccination status was compared among children with IPD caused by vaccine serotype vs. non-vaccine serotypes.

We identified 24 IPD cases by blood culture and 1,704 severe pneumonia hospitalizations during the surveillance period. IPD incidence in under-2-year-old children fell 25% (95% CI: -1.2% to 76%; p-value =0.59) from 106 cases per 100,000 person-years at baseline to 79.3 in April 2018- March 2019. Vaccine serotype-IPD incidence was lower (77% reduction, 95% CI: -0.45% to 96%; p-value =0.068) in April 2018 - March 2019 than in the pre-vaccine period (85.7 cases to 19.8/100,000 observation-years). A significant decline of 54.0% (95% CI: 47.0% to 59.0%; p-value <0.001) was observed in hospitalizations due to severe pneumonia. From indirect cohort analysis, the effectiveness of PCV10 against vaccine serotype IPD was 37% (95% CI: -141.0% to 83.5%; p= 0.5) after the 1stdose and 63.1% (95% CI: -3.3% to 85.9%, p=0.0411) after the 2ndor the 3rddose.

This study demonstrates that PCV10 introduction prevented hospitalizations with severe pneumonia and provided individual protection against vaccine serotypes.
Impact of Emerging COVID-19 Variants on Psychosocial Health: A Systematic Review
Authors: Kumar Pratyush , Sarkar Manali , Yurkina Morales Femenias , Gnanaraj Ramya , Martinez Daniel Jesus Garcia , Pisfil-Farronay Yhojar A. , Chaudhary Laxmi , Agrawal Poonam , Kaushal G P , Mbwogge Matthew , Abhishek Kumar , Alnaasan Muhannad , Arlettaz Maximiliano Ezequiel , Kozum Reem , Moyron Miguel Fernando Juarez , Panchawagh Suhrud , Reddy Asmitha P , Unnithan Vishnu B , Shukla Rushikesh
Published: July 2023

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has had significant psychological effects on individuals and communities around the world. Studies have found that the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms increased significantly during the pandemic. The goal of the study is to understand how the emerging new virus variants keep the world in a state of fear and the ways in which mental health measures can be implemented and adopted to alleviate anxiety. Methods: A broad search for observational studies were carried out in Pubmed, Google Scholar, Clinical Key, and World Medical Library. Studies that reported and/or related the existence of anxiety generated by suffering or not from diseases caused by the new emerging Covid-19 viruses and that for which the full text of the article was accessible were included in the study while systematic review and meta-analysis and studies in groups were excluded. Results: 22 studies were included in the review. The deleterious psychosocial effects were the restructuring of life, establishment of unhealthy habits, emergence of "corona phobia", fear and stigma of being afflicted with the disease and spreading it to loved ones, and lack of contact with others. Increased rates of depression and anxiety were also seen. The circulating variants responsible for these main psychosocial repercussions were: Epsilon, Zeta, Eta, Iota, Kappa, Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. Social support was found to be protective. Conclusion: Hence interventions targeted at promoting mental health should be considered a public health priority.
Vascular injury markers associated with cognitive impairment in people with HIV on suppressive antiretroviral therapy
Authors: Guha Debjani , Misra Vikas , Yin Jun , Horiguchi Miki , Uno Hajime , Gabuzda Dana
Published: July 2023

Objective

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent despite viral suppression on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Vascular disease contributes to HAND, but peripheral markers that distinguish vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) from HIV-related etiologies remain unclear.

Design

Cross-sectional study of vascular injury, inflammation, and central nervous system (CNS) injury markers in relation to HAND.

Methods

Vascular injury (VCAM-1, ICAM-1, CRP), inflammation (IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, IP-10, MCP-1, VEGF-A), and CNS injury (NFL, total Tau, GFAP, YKL-40) markers were measured in plasma and CSF from 248 individuals (143 HIV+ on suppressive ART and 105 HIV-controls).

Results

Median age was 53 years, median CD4 count, and duration of HIV infection were 505 cells/µl and 16 years, respectively. Vascular injury, inflammation, and CNS injury markers were increased in HIV+ compared with HIV-individuals (p<0.05). HAND was associated with increased plasma VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and YKL-40 (p<0.01) and vascular disease (p=0.004). In contrast, inflammation markers had no significant association with HAND. Vascular injury markers were associated with lower neurocognitive T scores in age-adjusted models (p<0.01). Furthermore, plasma VCAM-1 correlated with NFL (r=0.29, p=0.003). Biomarker clustering separated HAND into three clusters: two clusters with high prevalence of vascular disease, elevated VCAM-1 and NFL, and distinctive inflammation profiles (CRP/ICAM-1/YKL-40 or IL-6/IL-8/IL-15/MCP-1), and one cluster with no distinctive biomarker elevations.

Conclusions

Vascular injury markers are more closely related to HAND and CNS injury in PWH on suppressive ART than inflammation markers and may help to distinguish relative contributions of VCI to HAND.
Tracing the evolution of single-cell cancer 3D genomes: an atlas for cancer gene discovery
Authors: Liu Miao , Jin Shengyan , Agabiti Sherry S. , Jensen Tyler B. , Yang Tianqi , Radda Jonathan S. D. , Ruiz Christian F. , Baldissera Gabriel , Rajaei Moein , Townsend Jeffrey P. , Muzumdar Mandar Deepak , Wang Siyuan
Published: July 2023

Although three-dimensional (3D) genome structures are altered in cancer cells, little is known about how these changes evolve and diversify during cancer progression. Leveraging genome-wide chromatin tracing to visualize 3D genome folding directly in tissues, we generated 3D genome cancer atlases of murine lung and pancreatic adenocarcinoma. Our data reveal stereotypical, non-monotonic, and stage-specific alterations in 3D genome folding heterogeneity, compaction, and compartmentalization as cancers progress from normal to preinvasive and ultimately to invasive tumors, discovering a potential structural bottleneck in early tumor progression. Remarkably, 3D genome architectures distinguish histologic cancer states in single cells, despite considerable cell-to-cell heterogeneity. Gene-level analyses of evolutionary changes in 3D genome compartmentalization not only showed compartment-associated genes are more homogeneously regulated, but also elucidated prognostic and dependency genes in lung adenocarcinoma and a previously unappreciated role for polycomb-group protein Rnf2 in 3D genome regulation. Our results demonstrate the utility of mapping the single-cell cancer 3D genome in tissues and illuminate its potential to identify new diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic biomarkers in cancer.
Multivariate Associations Between Structural Brain Networks, Genetics, Environments, and Cognitive-Psychopathological Traits in Children
Authors: Seo Jungwoo , Lee Eunji , Kim Bo-Gyeom , Kim Gakyung , Joo Yoonjung Yoonie , Cha Jiook
Published: July 2023

Brain development in childhood is shaped by complex interactions between genetic predispositions, environmental influences, and neural connectivity, yet how these factors jointly contribute to cognitive and mental health outcomes remains unclear. Structural brain networks, quantified through graph-theoretic measures, have been linked to cognition and psychiatric risk, but the extent to which genetic architecture and environmental exposures shape these networks, and whether brain networks mediate these influences, is not well understood. Here we show that genetic predispositions related to cognitive ability and socioeconomic status (SES) exhibit the strongest covariation with structural brain network topology in children. Using sparse canonical correlation analysis (SCCA) on ABCD Study data (N= 10,343), we identified robust associations between brain network properties, polygenic scores for cognition, SES indicators, and cognitive-psychopathological phenotypes. Mediation analysis further demonstrated that structural brain networks partially mediate the influence of genetic and environmental factors on cognitive performance and mental health outcomes, suggesting that neurodevelopmental trajectories may be shaped by both genetic liability and modifiable environmental conditions. These findings provide empirical support for a multivariate, systems-level perspective on brain development and cognitive-psychopathological variation in youth. By elucidating shared neural substrates underlying genetic and environmental influences, this work advances our understanding of brain network development and highlights potential pathways for individualized interventions and predictive modeling in developmental psychiatry and neuroscience.
Mecp2 Fine-tunes Quiescence Exit by Targeting Nuclear Receptors
Authors: Yang Jun , Zou Shitian , Qiu Zeyou , Lai Mingqiang , Long Qing , Chen Huan , Lai Pinglin , Zhang Sheng , Rao Zhi , Xie Xiaoling , Gong Yan , Liu Anling , Li Mangmang , Bai Xiaochun
Published: July 2023

Quiescence (G0) maintenance and exit are crucial for tissue homeostasis and regeneration in mammals. Here, we show that methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2) expression is cell cycle-dependent and negatively regulates quiescence exit in cultured cells and in an injury-induced liver regeneration mouse model. Specifically, acute reduction of Mecp2 is required for efficient quiescence exit, as deletion of Mecp2 accelerates, while overexpression of Mecp2 delays quiescence exit, and forced expression of Mecp2 after Mecp2 conditional knockout rescues cell cycle reentry. The E3 ligase Nedd4 mediates the ubiquitination and degradation of Mecp2, and thus facilitates quiescence exit. Genome-wide study uncovered the dual role of Mecp2 in preventing quiescence exit by transcriptionally activating metabolic genes while repressing proliferation-associated genes. Particularly, disruption of two nuclear receptors (NRs),RaraorNr1h3,accelerates quiescence exit, mimicking the Mecp2 depletion phenotype. Our studies unravel a previously unrecognized role for Mecp2 as an essential regulator of quiescence exit and tissue regeneration.
Endothelial SARS-CoV-2 infection is not the underlying cause of COVID19-associated vascular pathology in mice
Authors: Gao Siqi , Tang Alan T. , Wang Min , Buchholz David W. , Imbiakha Brian , Yang Jisheng , Chen Xiaowen , Hewins Peter , Mericko-Ishizuka Patricia , Leu N Adrian , Sterling Stephanie , August Avery , Jurado Kellie A. , Morrisey Edward E. , Aguilar-Carreno Hector , Kahn Mark L.
Published: July 2023

Endothelial damage and vascular pathology have been recognized as major features of COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic. Two main theories regarding how Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) damages endothelial cells and causes vascular pathology have been proposed: direct viral infection of endothelial cells or indirect damage mediated by circulating inflammatory molecules and immune mechanisms. However, these proposed mechanisms remain largely untested in vivo. Here, we utilized a set of new mouse genetic tools1developed in our lab to test both the necessity and sufficiency of endothelial human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) in COVID19 pathogenesis. Our results demonstrate that endothelial ACE2 and direct infection of vascular endothelial cells does not contribute significantly to the diverse vascular pathology associated with COVID-19.
Histone bivalency regulates the timing of cerebellar granule cell development
Authors: Mätlik Kärt , Govek Eve-Ellen , Paul Matthew R. , Allis C. David , Hatten Mary E.
Published: July 2023

Developing neurons undergo a progression of morphological and gene expression changes as they transition from neuronal progenitors to mature neurons. Here we used RNA-seq and H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 ChIP-seq to analyze how chromatin modifications control gene expression in a specific type of CNS neuron: the mouse cerebellar granule cell (GC). We found that in proliferating GC progenitors (GCPs), H3K4me3/H3K27me3 bivalency is common at neuronal genes and undergoes dynamic changes that correlate with gene expression during migration and circuit formation. Expressing a fluorescent sensor for bivalent domains revealed subnuclear bivalent foci in proliferating GCPs. Inhibiting H3K27 methyltransferases EZH1 and EZH2 in vitro and in organotypic cerebellar slices dramatically altered the expression of bivalent genes, induced the down-regulation of migration-related genes and up-regulation of synaptic genes, inhibited glial-guided migration, and accelerated terminal differentiation. Thus, histone bivalency is required to regulate the timing of the progression from progenitor cells to mature neurons.
The environmental assessment of soil chemical properties irrigated with treated wastewater under arid ecosystem of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia
Authors: Alsanad Mohammed A.
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The present study focused on examining the effect of treated wastewater (TWW) on soil chemical properties. Also, efforts were made to compare the soil chemical properties under TWW irrigation with that under groundwater (GW).

Design/methodology/approach

During the years 2021 and 2022, surface and subsurface soil samples were randomly collected in triplicate by using an auger fortnightly at two depths (20 and 40 cm) from the selected spot areas to represent the different types of irrigation water sources: TWW and GW. Samples of the GW and the TWW were collected for analysis.

Findings

This study examines the impact of TWW on soil characteristics and the surrounding environment. TWW use enhances soil organic matter, nutrient availability and salt redistribution, while reducing calcium carbonate accumulation in the topsoil. However, it negatively affects soil pH, electrical conductivity and sodium adsorption ratio, although remaining within acceptable limits. Generally, irrigating with TWW improves most soil chemical properties compared to GW.

Originality/value

In general, almost all of the soil’s chemical properties were improved by irrigating with TWW rather than GW. Following that, wastewater is used to irrigate the soil. Additionally, the application of gypsum to control the K/Na and Ca/Na ratios should be considered under long-term TWW and GW usage in this study area in order to control the salt accumulation as well as prevent soil conversion to saline-sodic soil in the future. However, more research is needed to thoroughly investigate the long-term effects of using TWW on soil properties as well as heavy metal accumulation in soil.
Global financial connectivity and ineffectiveness of sovereign debt: implications for business activities in South Asia
Authors: Mehar Muhammad Ayub
Published: July 2023

Purpose

The study examines the impacts of debt financing on infrastructure development, investment, creation of new business entities, subsidies to private sector and GDP growth.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology is based on five simultaneous equations which have been estimated through panel least square.

Findings

The most important conclusion of this study is the significant role of sovereign bonds in determination of subsidies to private sector. The role of domestic credit is important in South Asian context because of its significant role in creation of new businesses.

Research limitations/implications

This study supports the enhancement in credit financing to private sector for creation of new business activities in the economy.

Practical implications

The improvement in liquidity position by enhancing domestic credit facilities may ensure the sustainability and continuity of business activities. Such activities may improve GDP growth in future.

Social implications

The most important aspect of the study is to identify the role of debt financing in subsidies and creation of new businesses which are important elements of social economics.

Originality/value

Usually the impacts of sovereign bonds and external debts on infrastructure development and GDP growth are examined. But, to relate these debts to creation of business entities and subsidies is a new dimension.
Peer effects of internationalization for engineering news-record contractors: evidence from Chinese contractors
Authors: Niu Yanliang , Zhang Renjie , Wu Guangdong , Zhou Qianwen
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study explores whether the peer effects of internationalization exist within the subdivision industry of enterprises in the engineering field and assesses the imitation paths for the peer engineering enterprises within the industry when implementing internationalization strategies under the peer effects.

Design/methodology/approach

This study collected secondary and objective data on 38 Chinese engineering enterprises from the Engineering News-Record's list of the top 250 international contractors between 2013 and 2021. It employed a regression analysis to test the research hypotheses.

Findings

The findings reveal that in the process of internationalization: (1) peer effects exist within the subdivision industry of internationalization of engineering enterprises; (2) engineering enterprises within the same industry and region imitate each other; (3) non-state-owned engineering enterprises imitate state-owned engineering enterprises within the same industry; and (4) in the industry follower–leader imitation process, industry followers imitate leaders according to enterprise size and return on assets.

Originality/value

The results contribute to a better understanding of how peer effects influence engineering enterprises' internationalization process. This study also proposes imitation paths based on the law of imitation to provide recommendations for engineering enterprises' better development in the international market.
Does foreign direct investment moderate the effect of economic complexity on carbon emissions? Evidence from BRICS nations
Authors: Beton Kalmaz Demet , Adebayo Tomiwa Sunday
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This paper aims to assess the moderating role of foreign direct investment (FDI) on the effect of economic complexity on carbon emissions, considering other drivers of carbon emissions such as renewable energy use and economic growth, using data set spanning between 1990 and 2018 in BRICS nations.

Design/methodology/approach

This research aims to fill the gap in ongoing literature. Cross-sectional IPS and cross-sectional augmented Dickey–Fuller tests, fully modified ordinary least square, dynamic ordinary least square, fixed effect ordinary least square, Westerlund cointegration and method of moments quantile regression (MMQR) econometric approaches are applied.

Findings

The Westerlund cointegration outcomes disclosed long-run interconnectedness between carbon emissions and its drivers. Furthermore, MMQR outcomes disclosed that in each tail (0.1–0.90), economic growth and economic complexity contribute to upsurge in carbon emissions while in each quantile (0.1–0.90) renewable energy abate carbon emissions. Furthermore, we affirmed the pollution-haven and environmental Kuznets curve hypotheses across all quantiles (0.1–0.90). Finally, at all quantiles (0.1–0.90), the joint effect of both FDI inflows and economic complexity reduced carbon emissions. Furthermore, the panel causality outcomes disclosed that all the exogenous variables can predict carbon emissions. Based on the findings, BRICS nation’s policymakers should place a greater emphasis on FDI inflows because it aids in abating environmental degradation.

Originality/value

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first research to test the moderating role of FDI on the effect of economic complexity on carbon emissions. Hence, this research aims to fill the gap in ongoing literature.
Investigating consumer perceptions of brand inauthenticity in a narrative brand ending
Authors: Burgess Jacqueline , Jones Christian Martyn
Published: July 2023

Purpose

This study aims to investigate consumer perceptions of inauthenticity due to adulteration of a narrative brand ending by using the research context of the final season and ending of the television series, Game of Thrones.

Design/methodology/approach

Two data sets totalling 2,032 online comments detailing consumer reactions to the final season of Game of Thrones were analysed using thematic analysis and human interpretive analysis. The coding was an iterative and continuous process, and posts were returned to and re-examined to refine codes and groupings as the analysis progressed.

Findings

The results indicate consumers perceived the ending of the eighth and final season of the television series, Game of Thrones, did not meet their expectations and was not authentic due to rushed writing and illogical character and plot developments. Consumers judged this adulteration was so great that it was a moral violation and transgression. Consumers also sought to assign blame for the inauthenticity, which they attributed to the writers and showrunners, who became the subject of revenge behaviours.

Originality/value

This study indicates consumers of narrative brands, due to their strong emotional attachments to their characters and storyworlds, may perceive unexpected and extensive changes to them as moral violations and transgressions and thus inauthentic. Consumers establish the authenticity of a narrative brand by regularly scrutinising narrative and character development against their expectations as shaped by prior narrative content. Due to their emotional attachment, consumers may attempt to attribute blame for the inauthenticity. The findings have not been established in prior research, and inauthenticity in a narrative brand context is also explored for the first time.
Direct and indirect effects of urbanization, pesticides and wild insect pollinators on mango yield
Authors: Marcacci Gabriel , Devy Soubadra , Wenzel Arne , Rao Vikas S. , Kumar S. Shabarish , Nölke Nils , Belavadi Vasuki V. , Tscharntke Teja , Grass Ingo , Westphal Catrin
Published: July 2023

Expanding cities increasingly encroach fertile farmlands, questioning the viability of maintaining agriculture within and around them. Yet, our knowledge on how urbanization influences pollinator communities and the provision of pollination services to crops is limited, especially for the urbanization hotspots of the Global South.

Mango Mangifera indica is one of the most important fruit crops in tropical countries. To analyse the dependency of mango on its main insect pollinators, and the direct and indirect effects of urbanization and insecticides on pollinator abundance and mango yield, we conducted a pollinator exclusion experiment and sampled flower visitors on 16 mango farms spread across rural–urban landscapes in Bengaluru, a South Indian megacity.

We found that allowing flowers access to ants and flying visitors (bees, hoverflies, nonsyrphid flies), dramatically increased mango yield by 350%, highlighting the importance of wild insects for mango pollination. We detected a trend between wild bee abundance and the final fruit set, with an increase of 20% when the number of bees increased from 25 to 125.

Urbanization did not directly affect pollinator abundance or mango yield. However, the amount of insecticide applications had strong negative effects on wild bee abundance at low and intermediate levels of urbanization, while it had no effect in highly urbanized areas, presumably because of higher availability of flowering resources. Moreover, the amount of insecticides decreased the weight of harvested mango fruits by almost 30%. This may indicate trade‐offs between conventional pest control and enhanced crop yields through pollination by wild insects in rural areas.

Synthesis and applications: Our results indicate that mango production can be maintained at a profitable level in urbanized landscapes with insect pollinators more than tripling final yield. However, increasing use of insecticides, besides raising farmers' expenses, can have negative effects on wild insect pollinators and mango yield, especially in rural areas. To safeguard crucial pollination services, it is therefore critical to conserve and promote wild insect pollinators by minimizing the negative effects of insecticide applications in these areas.
Mainstreaming Authoritarianism
Authors: Katsambekis Giorgos
Published: July 2023

Starting from the debate on democratic decline, this article introduces the concept of ‘mainstreaming authoritarianism’ in a bid to turn attention to the role and agency of traditional political actors in the process. The article summarises key findings of relevant studies on autocratisation and highlights issues with the many concepts employed to describe the problem. It moves on to define authoritarianism and suggests a turn towards practice‐based approaches. This facilitates the analysis of authoritarian discourses and practices of mainstream political actors in established democracies and helps bridge the gap between social psychology‐based and political science‐based classic conceptualisations of authoritarianism. Testing the hypothesis that authoritarianism has been mainstreamed, the author develops a comparative survey of the actions and practices of key political actors in Europe, concluding with a note on the importance of acknowledging this authoritarian turn, dealing with its consequences and focussing on the role of agency.
Validation of machine learning approach for direct mutation rate estimation
Authors: Burda Katarzyna , Konczal Mateusz
Published: July 2023

Mutations are the primary source of all genetic variation. Knowledge about their rates is critical for any evolutionary genetic analyses, but for a long time, that knowledge has remained elusive and indirectly inferred. In recent years, parent–offspring comparisons have yielded the first direct mutation rate estimates. The analyses are, however, challenging due to high rate of false positives and no consensus regarding standardized filtering of candidate de novo mutations. Here, we validate the application of a machine learning approach for such a task and estimate the mutation rate for the guppy (Poecilia reticulata), a model species in eco‐evolutionary studies. We sequenced 4 parents and 20 offspring, followed by screening their genomes for de novo mutations. The initial large number of candidate de novo mutations was hard‐filtered to remove false‐positive results. These results were compared with mutation rate estimated with a supervised machine learning approach. Both approaches were followed by molecular validation of all candidate de novo mutations and yielded similar results. The ML method uniquely identified three mutations, but overall required more hands‐on curation and had higher rates of false positives and false negatives. Both methods concordantly showed no difference in mutation rates between families. Estimated here the guppy mutation rate is among the lowest directly estimated mutation rates in vertebrates; however, previous research has also found low estimated rates in other teleost fishes. We discuss potential explanations for such a pattern, as well as future utility and limitations of machine learning approaches.
Reduced chemosymbiont genome in the methane seep thyasirid and the cooperated metabolisms in the holobiont under anaerobic sediment
Authors: Li Yunlong , He Xing , Lin Yuxuan , Li Yi‐Xuan , Kamenev Gennady M. , Li Jiying , Qiu Jian‐Wen , Sun Jin
Published: July 2023

Previous studies have deciphered the genomic basis of host‐symbiont metabolic complementarity in vestimentiferans, bathymodioline mussels, vesicomyid clams and Alviniconcha snails, yet little is known about the chemosynthetic symbiosis in Thyasiridae—a family of Bivalvia regarded as an excellent model in chemosymbiosis research due to their wide distribution in both deep‐sea and shallow‐water habitats. We report the first circular thyasirid symbiont genome, named Candidatus Ruthturnera sp. Tsphm01, with a size of 1.53 Mb, 1521 coding genes and 100% completeness. Compared to its free‐living relatives, Ca. Ruthturnera sp. Tsphm01 genome is reduced, lacking components for chemotaxis, citric acid cycle and de novo biosynthesis of small molecules (e.g. amino acids and cofactors), indicating it is likely an obligate intracellular symbiont. Nevertheless, the symbiont retains complete genomic components of sulphur oxidation and assimilation of inorganic carbon, and these systems were highly and actively expressed. Moreover, the symbiont appears well‐adapted to anoxic environment, including capable of anaerobic respiration (i.e. reductions of DMSO and nitrate) and possession of a low oxygen‐adapted type of cytochrome c oxidase. Analysis of the host transcriptome revealed its metabolic complementarity to the incomplete metabolic pathways of the symbiont and the acquisition of nutrients from the symbiont via phagocytosis and exosome. By providing the first complete genome of reduced size in a thyasirid symbiont, this study enhances our understanding of the diversity of symbiosis that has enabled bivalves to thrive in chemosynthetic habitats. The resources will be widely used in phylogenetic, geographic and evolutionary studies of chemosynthetic bacteria and bivalves.
Prevalence and risk factors associated with psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis
Authors: Loo Yin Pin , Loo Chai Har , Lim Ai Lee , Wong Chee Keong , Ali Norazlima Binti Mohd , Khor Yek Huan , Tan Wooi Chiang
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Psoriatic arthritis is a chronic, autoimmune inflammatory arthritis that occurs with psoriasis and has profound impact on patients' physical and psychological well‐being. This study aims to determine the prevalence and risk factors associated with psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis.

Methods

A single‐center, cross‐sectional study was conducted over a 12‐month period at the Dermatology Clinic, Hospital Pulau Pinang, Malaysia involving all consecutive psoriasis patients. CASPAR (ClASsification of Psoriatic ARthritis) criteria were used to diagnose psoriatic arthritis.

Results

A total of 360 patients with psoriasis were recruited, of whom 107 (29.7%) had psoriatic arthritis. Psoriatic arthritis patients had equal gender distribution and the mean age of arthritis onset was 40.7 ± 12.8 years. Psoriasis preceded arthritis in 81.3% of patients (n = 87) with a mean latency interval of 10.5 years. Polyarthropathy was the predominant subtype affecting 46.8% (n = 50) of patients, followed by oligoarthropathy (22.4%, n = 24), axial joint disease (5.6%, n = 6), predominant distal interphalangeal joint disease (2.8%, n = 3), and mixed subtype (22.4%, n = 24). Enthesitis and dactylitis occurred in 12.1% (n = 13) and 20.6% (n = 22) of arthritis patients, respectively, and deformity was present in 37.4% (n = 40). Psoriatic arthritis was significantly associated with being an ever smoker (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.41; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.18–0.91, p = .029), genital psoriasis (aOR 2.25; 95% CI 1.17–4.33, p = .015), and increased erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) (aOR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.04, p = .005) and C‐reactive protein [CRP] (aOR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00–1.08, p = .040).

Conclusion

Our study showed a high prevalence of psoriatic arthritis among the psoriasis cohort. Genital involvement, and increased ESR and CRP were associated with psoriatic arthritis among patients with psoriasis.
Combining species distribution models and moderate resolution satellite information to guide conservation programs for reticulated giraffe
Authors: Crego R. D. , Fennessy J. , Brown M. B. , Connette G. , Stacy‐Dawes J. , Masiaine S. , Stabach J. A.
Published: July 2023

The conservation of threatened and rare species in remote areas often presents two challenges: there may be unknown populations that have not yet been documented and there is a need to identify suitable habitat to translocate individuals and help populations recover. This is the case of the reticulated giraffe (Giraffa reticulata), a species of high conservation priority for which: (a) there may be unknown populations in remote areas, and (b) detailed maps of suitable habitat available within its range are lacking. We implemented a species distribution modeling (SDM) workflow in Google Earth Engine, combining GPS telemetry data of 31 reticulated giraffe with Landsat 8 OLI, Advanced Land Observing Satellite Phased Arrayed L‐band Synthetic Aperture Radar, and surface ruggedness layers to predict suitable habitat at 30‐m spatial resolution across the potential range of the species. Models had high predictive power, with a mean AUC‐PR of 0.88 (SD: 0.02; range: 0.86–0.91), mean sensitivity of 0.85 (SD: 0.04; range: 0.80–0.91), and mean precision was 0.81 (SD: 0.02; range: 0.79–0.83). Model predictions were also consistent with two independent validation datasets, with higher predicted suitable habitat values at known occurrence locations than at a random set of locations (P < 0.01). Our model predicted a total of 5519 km2 of potentially suitable habitat in Kenya, 963 km2 in Ethiopia, and 147 km2 in Somalia. Our results indicate that is possible to combine moderate spatial resolution imagery with telemetry data to guide conservation programs of threatened terrestrial species. We provide a free web app where managers can visualize and interact with the 30 m resolution map to help guide future surveys to search for existing populations and to inform future reintroduction assessments. We present all analysis code as a framework that could be adapted for other species across the globe.
What do rural young people want from their mental health service
Authors: Sullivan Erin , Bartik Warren
Published: July 2023

Introduction

Rural young people have high rates of mental illness and low rates of help‐seeking making it crucial to extend research about service improvement in rural and remote Australia.

Objective

To describe what rural young people want from their headspace service, and what rural headspace clinicians understand they provide.

Design

This study used a qualitative methodology with reflexive thematic analysis to analyse participant interviews and systematically derive common themes.

Findings

Thirteen participants were interviewed comprising young people aged 16 to 18 years who had accessed one of three rural headspace services, together with clinicians working in those services. Key themes for both young people and clinicians comprised accessibility, flexibility, engagement, safety, youth‐focus, and evidence‐based treatment although there were some differences of emphasis amongst themes. There was also an additional theme for young people of awareness, and for clinicians of caring.

Discussion

The results supported that what young people were seeking was largely consistent with what headspace clinicians were providing. There were however some specific issues relevant to service provision in a rural context such as increased awareness of services, the need to focus on evidenced based interventions, and better promotion in schools and the local community. Service gaps such as unmet needs for young people with higher risk who might fall outside of agency requirements were also identified.

Conclusion

Results of this study help inform better service delivery and increased awareness for mental health of young people in rural communities to improve access and outcomes.